Zi Xuan had also returned and was smiling from afar.
Even the captain was there. His hand was around Wu Jianwu's neck and was saying something. When he noticed Xu Qing, he grinned.
Their cheers were because Xu Qing's identity as a member of the Variant Immortal School had been revealed, because he had won the Dao discussion, because Xu Qing had killed the Seventh Prince, and also because of Bai Xiaozhuo's death!
To all the Fenghai County cultivators, the Seventh Prince and Bai Xiaozhuo were huge enemies!
Hearing the cheers and looking at the familiar crowd in front of him, Xu Qing was in a daze. So much had happened in the past day and night that he only now realized that it had only been one night since yesterday's Dao discussion.
The experiences in the Summer Immortal Palace and within the ancient temple filled with the aura of time and history seemed to distort Xu Qing's perception of time, giving him a vague sense of its passage.
However, he quickly suppressed this feeling. A smile appeared on his face as he bowed slightly to the cheering crowd.
Kong Xianglong was the first to rush out of the crowd. His eyes were red as he arrived in front of Xu Qing. Just as he was about to bow, Xu Qing stepped forward and hugged him.
Kong Xianglong's body paused for a moment before he hugged Xu Qing as well.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you…"
Li Yunshan's emotions were also churning. He walked out and bowed deeply to Xu Qing.
"Thank you, Lord Xu, for killing that bastard Bai, killing the Seventh Prince, and avenging the blood feud of Fenghai. If the late Palace Master knows about this in the netherworld, he would definitely be able to rest in peace!"
All the Sword Holders bowed in unison.
Ning Yan, who was among them, bowed even more deeply. Although the degree of his excitement was different from the others, it had also reached the extreme. The death of the Seventh Prince and the display of Xu Qing's might filled him with pride, stirring up a sense of valor in his heart.
On this joyful morning for the cultivators of Fenghai County, Xu Qing reciprocated the gesture and made his way towards Zi Xuan.
In the sunlight, Zi Xuan's figure appeared graceful and elegant, her face resembling a lotus flower, her eyes holding the clarity of autumn water, and her lips akin to a touch of vermilion. Serene as a delicate flower reflected in water, she wore a purple dress, moving gracefully like a fairy descending to earth or a blooming violet.
Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains adorned with dark clouds, while her eyes were like rippling autumn water.
"Where did you go last night? How did you end up with a hint of the dust of time on you and a scent of pollen lingering around you?"
Zi Xuan's beautiful eyes swept past Xu Qing with a spurious smile.
Just as Xu Qing was about to speak, the captain not far away blinked and hurriedly shouted.
"Junior Brother, come quickly. I have something important to tell you. It's a huge matter!"
As he spoke, he quickly stepped forward. Before Xu Qing could speak, he grabbed Xu Qing's arm and pulled him away. At the same time, he quickly spoke to Zi Xuan.
"Sister-in-law, you two have plenty of time to catch up later. I've come back after a long absence, so let me discuss important matters with Little Qing first."
As he spoke, he hurriedly left with Xu Qing.
Xu Qing felt somewhat helpless as the captain pulled his arm, leading him away until they reached a secluded chamber. With a gesture, the captain sealed off the surroundings, then turned to Xu Qing with a look of seeking recognition.
"How is it, Little Qing? Your Eldest Senior Brother's reaction is fast, right? Let me tell you, as soon as you returned, I could smell the fragrance of pollen on your body from afar."
"You're still too young, inexperienced. Remember, if you're going to sneak around next time, make sure to clean up afterward!"
"Senior Brother helped you this time, but I can't make it in time every time, right?"
Xu Qing was speechless. He looked at the smug captain and asked.
"Where have you been all this time?"
As soon as Xu Qing spoke, the captain, sitting nearby with his legs crossed, raised his hand and took out a peach, then tossed an apple to Xu Qing. Eating one and speaking with an air of pride, he said.
"To do something big, of course."
"Let me tell you, Little Qing, although you've made a name for yourself now, it's only in the Imperial Capital. When my big plan succeeds, then it'll really blow your mind."
Xu Qing was too familiar with this scene and knew what the captain wanted. Hence, after taking the apple, he put on a curious expression.
"What big plan?"
The captain perked up, leaning forward slightly, and spoke in a low voice.
"During this period of time, I was in the Star Emperor Branch Sect, the place where I went to steal things previously. At that time, I didn't manage to steal anything but I wasn't convinced, so I thought of a way to join this sect."
"Now, I've successfully become an outer sect disciple and the assessment is about to begin. I'm confident that I'll succeed in the assessment. Once I succeed, I'll be an inner sect disciple!"
"When the time comes, I'll make a move and get close to my target!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Qing couldn't help but feel a genuine curiosity stirring in his heart. After all, whatever could make the captain ponder over it so much must be far from ordinary.
"Senior Brother, what exactly are you trying to steal?"
"The Wordless Stone Scripture!"
The captain's eyes lit up with deep desire.
"That mysterious chick back then also stole this item. You might think she succeeded, but that chick is a little silly. What she stole was just an empty shell, a broken stone."
"What I want is the words inside!"
"Wordless Stone Scripture?" Xu Qing glanced at the captain.
"That's right, the Wordless Stone Scripture." The captain smiled faintly.
Xu Qing fell silent and nodded.
"Why don't you ask me why the Wordless Stone Scripture has words?" The captain asked, expectantly.
Xu Qing already had the answer. However, seeing the captain like this, he still chose to satisfy his expectations. Hence, he followed his intentions and asked.
The captain perked up and laughed, speaking mysteriously.
"The Wordless Stone Scripture has four words. The silly girl stole the shell, but she doesn't know that those four words have become sentient long ago and escaped. They're now hiding in a jade slip somewhere in the upper level of the Scripture Transmission Pavilion. As long as I become an inner sect disciple, I can visit the upper level of the pavilion and find them!"
"These four words are related to the Divine Realms. Regardless of which Divine Realm, they all have a certain function. Moreover, I've heard that the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race is planning a hunt in a Divine Realm soon!"
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed.
The captain looked even more smug.
"How's that? Impressive, right? Otherwise, why would I spend so much energy and time, even risking my life to infiltrate the Star Emperor Sect? For this, I've put in a lot of effort."
"But it's okay, all the effort is worth it. In a month, it will be the assessment, and I'll definitely be promoted to the inner sect. Then, we'll pay a visit to the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race. When they open the Divine Realm for hunting, we'll sneak in!"
The captain's gaze was firm and incomparably persistent.
"Hunting in the Divine Realm?"
Xu Qing's heart trembled. He had a deeper understanding of the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race. However, the notion of hunting in the Divine Realm clearly held many details yet to be revealed.
"I'll tell you in detail after I get it." As the captain spoke, he finished the peach in his mouth and rose to pat his butt.
"Alright, I'll depart now. I'm just letting you know in advance this time. You should also prepare yourself. Next… wish me luck for success."
The captain seized a deep breath and was about to leave.
Xu Qing hesitated and asked.
"Is it that difficult to get the jade slip from the Scripture Transmission Pavilion?"
When the captain heard this, he was unhappy.
"Little Qing, you're dreaming. That's the Star Emperor Supreme Sect. Although it's a branch sect, the Scripture Transmission Pavilion is the core of this sect. There are old monsters there, guarding the building. Outsiders aren't allowed to enter. Otherwise, I would have stolen it long ago and wouldn't have to go through so much trouble."
Xu Qing fell silent. He thought of Chen Daoze. Hence, he seized out a voice transmission jade slip and transmitted a message…
The captain was curious.
"What are you doing?"
"Eldest Senior Brother, wait a while. I'll see if I can help you complete your plan ahead of time."
Xu Qing calmly spoke.
The captain was stunned.
