1112 Requesting His Majesty to Pay the Fee
The instant this terrifying aura erupted, the entire forbidden zone fluctuated. All the bizarre creatures born in the forbidden zone trembled and prostrated in the direction of the flesh mountain.
Clouds appeared out of thin air and rapidly churned into a vortex that spun with thunderous sounds.
A storm stirred up in the forbidden zone, connecting to the vortex in the sky.
As for Xu Qing, who was the source of all this, his body bent and trembled intensely under the storm and vortex. He let out a roar that didn't sound human.
An indescribable intense pain swept through his body and soul. It tore through his god's body, letting out pitch-black poison fog.
The fog grew denser and denser. In the end, it completely enveloped Xu Qing's body, forming an even taller figure.
Gradually, this figure slowly straightened its body. The moment it lifted its head and looked at Old Ninth on the Flesh Mountain, its aura reached an astonishing height.
Its complete body was also revealed at this moment. It was completely enveloped in black armor, with no skin visible from outside.
Its eye sockets burned with an eerie fire that gave off extreme coldness.
Looking at it as a whole, ancientness and darkness were the first feelings this figure gave off.
As for the wisps of black fog that curled up from the armor, they gathered behind him like a black cloak that could blot out the sky.
As the cloak fluttered, decay and poison spread in the world.
It was as though all life would wither and perish in front of it.
It gave off an extreme feeling, like a demon.
Right now, only the Purple Moon divine repository was left.
Old Ninth's expression changed.
He only nodded when he saw Xu Qing's first god form, but the second layer of god form created waves in his mind.
'I feel like… I've seen it before.'
Old Ninth mumbled inwardly and lowered his head slightly as he stared at Xu Qing. His focus was on observing Xu Qing's soul fluctuations. After that, he spoke in a deep voice in a strange tone.
"Tell me your real name."
These words seemed to contain some mysterious power that echoed through the world, stirring up waves.
Old Ninth was verifying if the person in front of him was still Xu Qing.
Xu Qing stood there and looked at Old Ninth. A long time later, the eerie fire in his eyes swayed and a hoarse voice rang out.
"Xu Qing."
When Old Ninth heard this, he nodded.
"How do you feel now?"
Xu Qing carefully sensed his current state. He maintained an absolute sense of rationality, with no desires.
This reminded him of the time when he had touched divinity in the past.
Hence, he calmly spoke.
"Good."
Old Ninth fell silent. After that, another piece of Crimson Goddess' flesh appeared as he lifted his right hand. He looked at Xu Qing and spoke.
"Do you want to experience your third layer of god form?"
Xu Qing waved his hand when he heard this. A piece of Crimson Goddess' flesh of the same size appeared in his hand.
"I'll give it a try."
As he spoke, he sent this piece of flesh into the Purple Moon divine repository behind him. The moment it landed, a monstrous bang rang out from the Purple Moon divine repository. It was as though countless bolts of lightning had exploded, rumbling through the world.
Immediately after, the Purple Moon divine repository exploded and the divine source inside gushed toward Xu Qing, rapidly merging into his body. During this process, Xu Qing's body was torn apart again.
However, he stood there motionlessly.
It wasn't that he couldn't feel pain, but everything was suppressed by his absolute rationality.
More changes could be seen with the naked eye. Firstly, his long hair under the armor grew rapidly. Finally, it landed on the ground and spread out in all directions.
Its color had already turned purple.
What was even more astonishing was that under the tearing, feathers seemed to appear on his back and a Purple Moon seemed to be rising as well.
An aura that was even more terrifying than the second layer of the god form erupted from Xu Qing's body at this moment.
Purple lightning streaked across the sky, giving off an intense sense of taboo.
The color of the world changed and Old Ninth stood up from the mountain of flesh. He stared at Xu Qing with intense fluctuations in his eyes.
"He's… advancing his status!?"
As waves churned in Old Ninth's mind, Xu Qing's body suddenly trembled and traces of destruction appeared on his body. In fact, some of his flesh and blood had already turned into dust and were drifting away.
The third layer of god form hadn't been completely displayed yet, but he had already reached his limit.
"My soul and body can't withstand it. If this continues, I'll turn into ashes."
Xu Qing calmly spoke as though he wasn't talking about himself. After that, he breathed out a mouthful of purple gas.
As he exhaled, it was as though time had reversed. His long hair quickly retracted and the Purple Moon landed on his back. His aura was also decreasing sharply.
At the next instant, he returned to his second layer god form.
The divine source that had fused into his body spread out and transformed back into the Purple Moon divine repository behind him.
The third god form failed.
With Xu Qing's current foundation, even with the flesh of Crimson Goddess, it was still impossible for him to form the third layer.
At the same time, his second layer of god form also reached its limit. The armor on his body melted and turned back into the Poison Restriction divine source. Even the Poison Restriction power in his body gathered behind him, forming the Poison Restriction divine repository.
Only the first layer of the god form was still intact.
As for Xu Qing's mind, following these changes, emotions that belonged to human nature rose again. His breathing became hurried and the fluctuations in his mind were huge. He cupped his fists and bowed to Old Ninth who was staring at him.
"Thank you, ninth grandfather!"
Xu Qing spoke solemnly.
Through Old Ninth's help, although he couldn't display the third god form, this experience was extremely precious to Xu Qing.
Not only did it help him find a way to use his divine repository, but it also helped him sense the mental state of the god form in advance.
This would allow Xu Qing to be more composed and well-
informed when using the god form the next time.
Also, Xu Qing could clearly sense that with his current foundation, it wouldn't be a problem for him to maintain the first layer of god form.
Old Ninth cast a deep glance at Xu Qing and nodded slightly. After that, he closed his eyes.
Xu Qing didn't disturb him. He took out a piece of Crimson Goddess' flesh and placed it to the side. After some thought, he took out another piece and respectfully placed it down before leaving.
As his figure walked further away, his form also gradually changed. He was no longer in the god form but had transformed into his normal body and disappeared from the forbidden zone.
Only the mountain of flesh remained standing. Old Ninth on it didn't move at all.
However, although his expression seemed normal, the waves in his heart were still churning.
The changes in Xu Qing's body made Old Ninth seem to have some ideas.
"The changes that occurred in this child are unprecedented and represent a new path."
"Is father also taking this path?"
As he mumbled, he opened his eyes and looked in the direction Xu Qing had left in. He then looked at the two pieces of Crimson Goddess' flesh on the ground. The coldness in his expression also melted into a hint of gentleness.
"A good kid."
Sometimes, liking someone may come suddenly, but more often, it's due to the details—willingness to connect, willingness to perpetuate that liking.
Throughout his journey from Peerless City to the Moon Offering today, Xu Qing's character of observing propriety and repaying kindness was well displayed. This fundamental trait was the reason why there were people willing to help him.
Unfortunately, such individuals were scarce in any era or world.
Moreover, there were some who, seeing Xu Qing's conduct, might feel a sense of resentment.
This was a manifestation of human nature, highlighting their ignorance, so it was no wonder why not everyone would be able to appreciate Xu Qing's conduct.
Xu Qing didn't care about these. After walking out of the forbidden zone, he looked at this world and lifted his head to look in the direction of Fenghai County.
"I'm going home."
Xu Qing mumbled and turned to walk toward the Bitter Life Mountain Range. He wanted to pick up Ling'er and go home together.
Just as he was about to reach the Bitter Life Mountain Range, Xu Qing stopped in his tracks. He recalled something.
"The Ancient Spirit Emperor promised to give me a strand of imperial qi."
Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, took out the token of the Ancient Spirit Emperor, and twirled it in his hand. He had previously, as per the captain's request, communicated through divine sense to inquire about the gains, but there had been no response from the Ancient Spirit Emperor.
After some thought, Xu Qing sent his divine sense into the token.
"Your Majesty, will you still participate in the next meal?"
There was no movement from the token at all. Xu Qing's divine sense seemed to have reached nowhere.
Xu Qing's expression was calm. After waiting for more than ten breaths, he continued to send his divine sense.
"Since Your Majesty isn't replying, I'll take it that you won't participate in the next meal."
"Participate!"
This time around, the instant Xu Qing finished speaking, the aged voice of the Ancient Spirit Emperor echoed from the token.
"Then, Your Majesty, please pay for this meal. One imperial qi."
Xu Qing's voice was righteous as he transmitted his divine sense.
There was no more sound from the token. Xu Qing wasn't in a hurry and waited silently.
Five minutes later, the token vibrated and a small dragon formed by the imperial qi slowly flew out, emitting a sense of reluctance.
Xu Qing didn't care about this as he yanked the dragon imperial qi out. No matter how the little dragon struggled, it was useless and Xu Qing tossed it into his divine repository.
After doing all this, Xu Qing was satisfied. He walked toward the Bitter Life Mountain Range and entered the Moon Offering Palace before returning to the apothecary.
The moment he stepped into the apothecary, Xu Qing noticed the heir sitting there sipping tea. He saw Ning Yan cleaning the ground, he saw Nether Fairy boiling water, he saw the unemployed Wu Jianwu, there was also the swaying little grass seedling and the bald parrot.
He also saw Ling'er throwing down the account book and running toward him.
"Brother Xu Qing, why did you only return now?"
Ling'er's eyes were red as she hugged Xu Qing tightly. During this period of time, she missed Xu Qing very much. She would frequently look outside the shop, wanting to see Xu Qing appear.
A smile materialized on Xu Qing's face. He stroked Ling'er's hair and took out the Ancient Spirit Emperor's imperial qi, placing it in Ling'er's hand.
"This is for you."
Ling'er's eyes lit up and she cheered. To her, happiness was very simple. As long as Brother Xu Qing was around, it was fine. As for the gift Brother Xu Qing gave her, no matter what it was, she liked it.
When the heir noticed this scene, he smiled but didn't say anything. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. His eyes revealed reminiscence, as though he was thinking of some past events.
On the side, Wu Jianwu shook his head, initially hesitant to speak, but he couldn't hold back in the end.
"If the heavens want to strike, they don't care if it's fair or not."
As soon as Wu Jianwu finished speaking, Xu Qing twirled his head and coldly glanced at him.
Wu Jianwu shuddered and uttered seriously.
"It's fair!"
Ning Yan sneered. Just as he was about to help his boss suppress Wu Jianwu, the captain's voice rang out from outside the inn.
"Haha, I'm back."
"Guess who I met on the way."
"Little Qing, I've brought your father-in-law here."
Outside the inn, the captain had a smug expression on his face as he strode over. He was also carrying an unconscious person with a bruised face. From the looks of it, it was the old man from Panquan Road.
