Chapter 1112: Obedient Little Maid

Chapter 1117: The Docile Little Attendant

“Esteemed Senior, to reach Black Cloud City, the route provided by my family would take about half a month. Furthermore, my previous divination indicated a significant chance of this route being exposed.”

“Therefore, I have independently planned an alternative route. It passes through Skywater Lake, Nine Bends Mountain, and then across the Time Desert, leading to an ancient teleportation array.”

“There, I have a way to activate it, allowing us to teleport to Great Cloud River, which is closest to Black Cloud City.”

“However, it will add about five days to our journey...”

In the sky, a wooden boat sped through the aurora.

Xu Qing, who appeared to be middle-aged, sat cross-legged inside the boat, perusing ancient texts. Opposite him, the beautiful Yunmen Qianfan spoke softly.

This was three hours after they had departed from the Spirit Dust Mountain Range. During these three hours, Xu Qing had continuously read, while Yunmen Qianfan observed him cautiously. She knew very well that Yan Xuanzi, the man before her, was her sole hope for this journey, vital to her survival. However, she also understood that his combat prowess was not at its peak, and he wouldn't fight to the death for her if they encountered an unbeatable opponent. Therefore, she needed to re-plan the route to ensure her safety. The change in route, however, would consume more time. As she spoke, her heart was filled with apprehension, closely watching Xu Qing's expression.

“You may arrange it.”

Xu Qing was unconcerned by the route change. While confident in his current combat ability, it was naturally better if he didn't have to act.

Hearing Xu Qing's reply, Yunmen Qianfan breathed a sigh of relief. She then controlled the boat while also keeping her attention on Xu Qing. When she saw Xu Qing pondering the contents of an ancient text, she would adjust the wooden boat's speed and enhance its sound insulation, ensuring relative quiet inside. When she noticed Xu Qing continuing to read, she would carefully place spirit fruits nearby, noting which type he picked up first and silently committing it to memory. Additionally, she estimated the time and brought out spiritual liquids and wines. After realizing Xu Qing preferred the spiritual wine, the wine flask was never empty, as she constantly refilled it. She even brought out a guzheng when Xu Qing put down a scroll, playing it softly. Upon noticing his lack of displeasure, she diligently continued to play. Furthermore, when they passed through special geographical areas, if Xu Qing's gaze lingered, she would immediately share all the information she knew about that area. Throughout, she was as meticulous as a personal attendant.

Though her actions were initially clumsy, it was clear she had rarely performed such tasks since childhood. However, she was earnest and made every effort to ensure Xu Qing's journey was as comfortable as possible. It could be said that she completely prioritized Xu Qing's needs. Xu Qing observed these details but did not intervene. Thus, three days passed.

A vast blue lake appeared on the distant land. From the sky, the lake resembled a mirror, its surface calm, radiating abundant spiritual energy and a sense of purity.

“Esteemed Senior, that is Skywater Lake ahead.”

“Legend has it that in ancient times, during the war between gods and immortals, Myriad Qi Immortal Lord's dao companion, Skywater, perished here. After the war concluded, Myriad Qi Immortal Lord came to this place, and her profound grief and longing caused her tears to form this blue lake.”

As Yunmen Qianfan spoke, Xu Qing put down the ancient scroll in his hand and gazed at Skywater Lake.

Noticing Xu Qing's interest in the legend, Yunmen Qianfan immediately steered the wooden boat, gradually slowing its rapid flight until it hovered directly above Skywater Lake. This position allowed Xu Qing a clearer and more comprehensive observation.

“This lake...”

A faint glow appeared in Xu Qing's eyes. He raised his hand and grasped the air, and instantly, a drop of water ascended from Skywater Lake below, flying directly into his palm. It settled in his palm. The water appeared ordinary, but through Xu Qing's Five Elements Dao, he sensed that it seemed to possess life and contained a will.

“Still, there's a difference...”

The authority of immortal arts rotated in Xu Qing's eyes, and the essence of seven emotions and six desires spread, combining with his Five Elements. After re-examining, he found that what was contained was not truly will. Instead, it was emotion. Within this lake water, there was a profound sadness. This discovery caused ripples in Xu Qing's mind, his thoughts expanding as he fell into deep contemplation.

“The fusion of the Five Elements and emotions might yield more transformations.”

“In this regard, it bears some similarity to the essence of immortal arts...”

Yunmen Qianfan, standing by, noticed this scene and dared not disturb him. She vigilantly watched their surroundings, protecting Xu Qing.

Time passed little by little. Half an hour later, Xu Qing was still deep in thought. However, Yunmen Qianfan's expression drastically changed, and she suddenly looked up at the sky. Across the horizon, a long rainbow streaked towards them with extreme speed. Within it was an elder clad in gray robes, his aura emanating from the Seventh Layer of the Divine Concealment Realm. His arrival caused the sky and earth to change color. The heavens fluctuated, the earth rumbled, and all directions were affected. The moment Yunmen Qianfan clearly saw the figure, she immediately recognized the newcomer.

“Xiao Zheng!”

Her heart trembled.

“A guest elder of the Earth Spirit Clan!”

As a core member of the Cloud Gate, she naturally possessed extensive knowledge about the strong cultivators of the Earth Spirit Clan. Upon recognizing him, her breathing quickened, and an overwhelming sense of life-or-death crisis washed over her. Bitter resignation and despair uncontrollably surged within her. She had never imagined that even after changing their route, they would be intercepted so quickly, and by an opponent of such high cultivation.

“The highest cultivation level Esteemed Senior Yan Xuanzi had killed before was only the Sixth Layer...”

As Yunmen Qianfan grew anxious, in the sky, Xiao Zheng's gaze swept over them, locking onto the wooden boat. His expression was cold, as if looking at ants, and without a word, he approached in an instant. His mission was not just to intercept one core member, but two. Even if the opponent was somewhat clever, guessing they were bait and thus changing the route, still...

“They guessed wrong.”

“This isn't bait; this is a gamble.”

Xiao Zheng's face was devoid of expression. His gaze did not fall upon the desperate and trembling Yunmen Qianfan, but rather upon Xu Qing. Then, as he raised his hand, the heavens and earth rumbled. A colossal hand materialized out of thin air, sweeping across the sky and earth, powerfully grabbing towards the wooden boat. The terrifying aura and immense pressure solidified Yunmen Qianfan's body and soul, leaving her gasping for breath, utterly unable to move. She could only watch helplessly as the massive hand descended.

It was at this very moment that Xu Qing, still seated in the wooden boat, raised his head and calmly looked over.

With that single glance...

The descending colossal hand suddenly paused. It couldn't descend. Then, with a boom, it directly disintegrated. At the same instant, the suppression and solidification encasing Yunmen Qianfan shattered. The suffocating sensation also vanished instantly.

The moment her senses returned, Yunmen Qianfan, gasping for air, saw Xiao Zheng in the sky. His formerly composed and indifferent expression was rapidly replaced by utter shock and terror. Then, to Yunmen Qianfan's disbelief, Xiao Zheng rapidly retreated, his face turning from horrified to ashen, as if attempting to flee.

At this moment, Xiao Zheng's mind was thundering, as if countless heavenly bolts had exploded within him. Before coming, he knew the escort was Yan Xuanzi, and he was aware of Yan Xuanzi's information, combat prowess, and abilities. However, in his view, while Yan Xuanzi was decent, he would be unable to resist Xiao Zheng's attack. Yet, he never expected that the opponent... it was as if he had transformed into a different person. A mere glance had utterly shattered his divine ability.

“This kind of combat power... this person... this person...”

Xiao Zheng's body trembled, his scalp tingling. At this moment, he unleashed his full power, intent on fleeing the area. But as he fled, his mind thundered again. He discovered that even though he was employing a secret technique to boost his speed, nothing around him changed. It was as if the space he occupied had become infinite. Below was still Skywater Lake, and around him, it was still the exact same location as before.

This scene sent his mind reeling. He suddenly felt his vision blur, and something appeared on his face. It was tears. Tears, one by one, streamed uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes. More and more... They flowed out instantly, drenching his entire body. Then, blood began to flow. Bloody tears covered his face! And the blood quickly dried, replaced by the outflow of his life force. Until finally, his life force poured out like a torrent, instantly drying up and dissipating. His physical body, soul, and everything he was, turned to dust in that moment. Scattered across the heavens and earth. This scene was utterly bizarre!

As it unfolded before Yunmen Qianfan's eyes, she stood there stunned. She couldn't believe everything she had just witnessed. Even though her gaze now only rested on dissipating dust, the previous scene was seared into her memory. She had watched with her own eyes as the guest elder of the Earth Spirit Clan wept in mid-air. Then bled, then his life force drained away. He literally cried himself into dust. The image burned into her memory left her dazed. Her breathing was shallow, and her mind churned with unprecedented, monstrous waves. Each wave contained an element of disbelief. For a moment, she even thought she had seen wrong.

Xu Qing, meanwhile, withdrew his gaze and subtly shook his head.

“It is indeed similar to immortal arts, but its power is ordinary. It's fine for killing those in the Divine Concealment Realm, but it's not very effective against Rulers, and it's a bit too flashy.”

From beginning to end, he did not stand up from the wooden boat. He merely glanced up, then picked up the ancient scroll beside him and resumed reading.

After a long pause, noticing Yunmen Qianfan was still dazed, Xu Qing tapped the ancient scroll in his hand against the boat's deck. The sound reached Yunmen Qianfan's ears, pulling her scattered thoughts, disoriented by shock, back together.

“Let's go.” Xu Qing said indifferently.

Yunmen Qianfan took a deep breath, trying hard to compose herself. However, the turmoil in her mind clearly couldn't subside so quickly. It took her a while to barely recover some composure, and she immediately steered the boat, flying towards the distance. As she looked at Xu Qing, a strange expression inevitably crossed her face, and she couldn't help but ask,

“Esteemed Senior... how should we proceed with our journey from here?”

“You may arrange it.”

Xu Qing didn't look up, continuing to read.

“Understood!”

Yunmen Qianfan obediently nodded.