Chapter 1108: Fairy Road Is Vast and Boundless

Chapter 1113: The Boundless Immortal Path

The river winds howled, stirring divine blood and transforming ripples into waves that spread in all directions across the vast, endless Divine River.

A lone black boat traveled within the river. Its speed didn't seem fast, yet no matter how strong the winds or waves, nothing could impede it in the slightest.

As the boat approached, the massive waves instantly calmed. The same was true for the rain of blood. It was as if this ferry boat was the supreme treasure of the Divine River, and the ferryman who piloted it was the master of this endless river of blood.

However, compared to the magnificent world outside, this place was merely a prison.

The ferrymen were not singular, nor were they static; their sentences always ended, and they always departed. Ultimately, they were individuals who had committed grave offenses within the Immortal Capital, exiled here to undergo punishment.

Yet, looking across the entire Fifth Star Ring, few dared to truly view them as prisoners. Families didn't dare, sects didn't dare… Thus, gradually, the ferry boats, with their unique fees and absolute safety, became a valuable sanctuary for cultivators facing mortal peril, utilized judiciously.

Such was the case for Xu Qing at this moment.

He sat cross-legged at the stern, holding within his mouth a trace of recovery given by Fifth Grandma before he left the Sacrificial Moon region of Wanggu Continent. This trace could instantly heal all his injuries. It could only be used once, and its cost was Fifth Grandma's life force. It was an old woman's blessing. Therefore, Xu Qing would not use it unless absolutely necessary.

“This Fifth Star Ring is fraught with peril… With my current cultivation and combat strength, I must be cautious in everything.”

Xu Qing meditated silently, using the purple crystal's restorative power to gradually regrow the skin he had lost on his crimson flesh body. The skin loss, compared to his overall injuries, was relatively minor. Thus, in just one day, Xu Qing had recovered some of his original appearance from that terrifying state. At least he no longer looked so disheveled.

However, the weakness caused by burning his blood, and the Dao injuries from the red-haired youth's final attack, could not be healed in a short time.

“I need a month…”

Xu Qing’s spirits were low. If he were on Wanggu Continent, taking a month to heal, while still dangerous, Xu Qing would have many ways to avoid and resolve risks. But in this unfamiliar Fifth Star Ring, teeming with powerful beings, a month-long recovery period presented countless variables and dangers.

Therefore, on this boat, Xu Qing seized every moment, wasting not a shred of time, fully dedicating himself to recovering as much as possible before the six days concluded. After all, these six days were purchased with his life. And likely, this would be the only absolutely safe environment he would have for some time.

And so, time flowed, and three days passed.

During these three days, Xu Qing focused on healing, while the boatman, clad in a straw cape and conical hat, spent most of his time sitting at the bow, puffing smoke, only occasionally moving the oar. He didn't speak a single word.

However, his gaze often drifted towards the sky. It was unclear if he was looking at the aurora in the heavens, or the beings within the aurora, or perhaps… the void beyond the aurora.

Until, within the aurora, the fourth small vortex appeared after Xu Qing boarded the boat. The fourth day arrived.

The boatman exhaled a smoke ring, withdrew his gaze from the horizon, looked down at the bloody water of the Divine River, and suddenly spoke. “Youngster, what’s your name?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing opened his eyes and was about to give the name Yan Xuanzi. “Don’t give me a false name,” the boatman said flatly.

Xu Qing paused, then honestly replied. “Senior, this junior is Xu Qing.”

After hearing this, the boatman closed his eyes and remained silent. Xu Qing also remembered the boatman’s previous dislike for excessive talking, so he said no more. He clearly understood that this boatman before him was likely the strongest individual he had ever encountered.

According to his understanding of the ferrymen from the map, those punished by the Immortal Capital were very likely Lower Immortals. A Lower Immortal, right before him…

Though from external observation, he didn’t look like one at all… Yet, he could discern the mud fox on Xu Qing with a glance, and the mud fox, which had merely been dormant, seemed to instinctively conceal itself after boarding the boat. All of this offered clues.

Just as these thoughts arose in Xu Qing, the boatman’s eyes opened again. He looked at the sky and spoke once more. “Where are you from?”

Xu Qing’s heart jolted. He tried to keep his expression flawless and his mind steady, respectfully speaking to invent a location based on the map he had previously seen.

Upon hearing this, the boatman scoffed but did not press further about Xu Qing’s origins. Instead, he turned and scrutinized Xu Qing for a few moments. “Seven Realms of Divine Essence, many authorities, and even space and time. This is quite extraordinary. The cultivation technique you practice is unique, making the Eighth and Ninth Realms difficult to achieve.”

Xu Qing lowered his head, not surprised that his Dao technique had been discerned, and thus remained silent. The boatman continued.

“Judging by the traces of your time and space methods, you should already have a clear idea for your own Eighth Realm. So even if the Eighth and Ninth Realms are hard to achieve, for you, it’s likely just a matter of time. Then, do you know what a Dominator is?”

The boatman spoke indifferently. Xu Qing’s heart trembled again; he was very surprised.

The other party’s words clearly contained a hint of guidance… Xu Qing had some conjectures in his mind, but none were definitive. Although he didn’t know the specific reason, he naturally wouldn’t let this opportunity pass.

So Xu Qing took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed respectfully. “Please enlighten me, Senior.”

“The Dominator realm, which is above the Divine Essence, fundamentally serves as the process of forming an Immortal Embryo. During this process, an immortal Dao will be born, which transcends the Heavenly Dao, manifesting as authority and Dao traces. You should already know all of this.”

The boatman’s voice was calm, without the slightest ripple. Xu Qing listened intently and nodded upon hearing this.

“But some things are only revealed to cultivators of the Fifth Star Ring by their sects, families, or elders once they reach a certain level.”

The boatman glanced at Xu Qing. “That is, the core of the Dominator realm!”

“Immortal Embryo?” Xu Qing asked.

The boatman nodded slightly. “The Immortal Embryo is also known as Illusory Truth Indestructible. Illusory represents your soul, and Truth represents your physical body. The entire Dominator realm is a process of alternating fusion.”

This was the first time Xu Qing had heard these things, and he listened very attentively.

The boatman’s voice continued. “According to this process, the Dominator realm is divided into three sub-realms: early, middle, and late. The first realm involves projecting one’s soul outward to form a new physical body outside the original. This is the Illusory Truth. At this stage, Dominator realm cultivators are both powerful and vulnerable. They are powerful because the Illusory is external and gradually replaces the Truth, leading to an incredible understanding of authority and control over all things. As for vulnerability, it’s because the Truth is hidden by the Illusory. If there's a means to harm the Truth, killing them is not difficult. For example, the sword qi you used earlier, its fundamental purpose was to destroy the Truth. That sword qi was quite impressive. Though it would be difficult to harm a middle-stage Dominator in the Indestructible realm, the one who gave it to you is not simple.”

The boatman paused slightly here, allowing Xu Qing some time to ponder. Xu Qing’s mind was stirred. He had previously intuitively sensed that Ninth Grandfather’s sword qi might not be very effective against middle-stage Dominators, and now he had confirmation from the boatman's words. Then, the Dominators he had slain came to mind; they were similar, but he hadn't fully understood it at the time, so he hadn't deeply felt it during the battles.

After a while, the boatman took a puff from his pipe, exhaled smoke, and continued speaking. “After achieving great success with the Illusory Truth, one can explore the second realm. The second realm involves melting one’s original physical body, hidden by the Illusory, into a soul. This step is called Indestructible. Dominators in this realm can instantly switch between Truth and Illusory, making them almost flawless to a certain extent, hence Indestructible.”

“As for the third realm, it requires authority Dao traces. With Dao traces as threads, one weaves their own being, causing the Illusory Truth Indestructible to completely merge, plucking stars, and becoming unique. Thus, the Immortal Embryo is achieved! The moment of success marks a Quasi-Immortal, also known as a Great Emperor.”

The boatman spoke unhurriedly. Hearing this, Xu Qing, combining it with his own understanding, now had a thorough grasp of the Dominator realm. However, such an opportunity was rare, so Xu Qing couldn’t help but speak. “Senior, how do Quasi-Immortals, Great Emperors, and even the Lower Immortals above them manifest?”

The boatman glanced at the Imperial Sword beside Xu Qing, pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke. “The Quasi-Immortal realm, also known as the Divine Platform realm for deities, is characterized by 'Xian' (edict/constitution)! 'Xian' is the sublimation of authority Dao traces; it is momentum, will, and origin, the commanding power before a true immortal is born.”

“As for Lower Immortals…”

The boatman exhaled a puff of smoke. Within the mist, his face, already obscured by his conical hat, became even more indistinct. Only his calm voice echoed over the blood-red Divine River. “That is the pinnacle of the Lower Star Rings. Any one of them is flawless and omnipotent. However, within these Upper Star Rings, under higher-level edicts, their capabilities are also limited.”

Xu Qing took a deep breath, his heart stirring, and bowed to the boatman once more. “Senior, above Lower Immortals is…”

This time, the boatman was silent for longer, his voice becoming somewhat hoarse. “Above Lower Immortals are Immortal Lords! Lords of All Immortals!”

Hearing this, Xu Qing remembered what his Senior Brother had once told him: that he didn't believe there was no path above Lower Immortals, and thought there might be Immortal Lords, or even Immortal Venerables… “At that time, Senior Brother actually knew.” Xu Qing recalled the past, muttering in his heart.

And the boatman’s voice continued to echo. “But the difficulty of this realm can be called heaven-defying. In the entire Fifth Star Ring, throughout countless years, there are still only eleven Immortal Lords. They reside in the Immortal Capital’s eleven Immortal Palaces, each a source of 'Xian' (edict/constitution).”

Having said this, the boatman suddenly smiled. “Since we’ve discussed this far, I can also tell you about the realm above Immortal Lords.”

“Above Immortal Lords is the sole Immortal Venerable! The Immortal Venerable presides over the Star Ring, holding a position equivalent to a Divine Venerable. And currently, the Immortal Venerable of the Fifth Star Ring is the only one across all thirty-six Upper Rings. Before he became a Venerable, he was also known as the Fifth Human Ancestor.”