The sky over the capital resembled spilled ink, presenting a dull and monotonous color.
The setting sun gradually sank to the west, with the remaining light of dusk fading away, equally dim.
The only light cast upon the earth cloaked everything in a gray hue, as if the whole world were immersed in a sense of oppression.
The clouds in the sky seemed to merge with the atmosphere, becoming one with the heavens.
The pedestrians on the streets had hurried expressions. They didn't know the exact imperial decrees but when they saw the blood-red mysterious birds, they guessed that a calamity might descend.
And when they noticed the army starting to move, their guess was confirmed.
In this era, the human race was in sorrow.
Hence, the darkness became the dominant color of the human world, gradually enveloping everything in pitch blackness. Lightning streaked through the darkness, heralding an imminent downpour.
The wind no longer contained the coldness of midwinter, signaling the arrival of spring. Yet, when it touched the human skin, it felt even colder than winter.
Xu Qing also sensed it but he was already used to it.
Standing outside the Mortal World Forgetful Tower, he wasn't surprised when he heard the voice of the clay fox.
He understood the nature of gods more than ordinary people.
He had another motive for coming here this time.
"Crimson Goddess has died."
Xu Qing calmly spoke.
"Of course I know. Stinky brother, what are you trying to say?"
The clay fox chuckled and its voice carried a hint of temptation.
"But the Red Moon is still here."
As soon as Xu Qing spoke, a fluctuation spread out from the Mortal World Tower in front of him.
Xu Qing calmly continued.
"I can sense that the Red Moon is returning."
"I plundered the authority of the Crimson Goddess, so my senses can't be wrong. Not long later, the Red Moon will appear in the sky of the Wanggu Continent. At that time, the person standing on the Red Moon might be Li Zihua or someone else."
"No matter who it is… He will choose to be complete, and us, who have shared the flesh and blood of the Crimson Goddess, might be His direction."
"Just like seeds, growing up only to be harvested later."
Xu Qing's voice entered the building. A long time later, the clay fox chuckled.
"Stinky brother, your words are quite interesting but I don't see that future."
Xu Qing didn't argue that the god could see the future, and continued.
"Crimson Goddess is Li Zihua's younger sister. They became gods after birth, unlike the innate gods."
"Take the Fifth Prince for example. He knows it's right for me to kill the Seventh Prince for the greater good, yet as an elder brother, he still challenged me to a fight. I also have a big brother. He won't stop anyone from killing me, but after my death, I believe he will act to sever the karma for clarity."
The clay fox fell silent, as though It was pondering. A while later, there was less temptation in Its voice and more formality.
"An interesting deduction. Although the possibility isn't high, it sounds somewhat reasonable. So… what do you want from me?"
Xu Qing bowed.
"High God Star Flame, please give me the qualifications to participate in the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race's Grand Hunt."
"I'm indeed not wrong to be interested in you. Stinky brother, you're quite amusing at times. To think that you could think of such a way to break through the situation."
The clay fox laughed.
"If you can obtain the title of Mystic Heaven General in the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race's Grand Hunt, you will have an honorary identity in the Flame Moon Race."
"And every Mystic Heaven General appearing in each Grand Hunt has an opportunity to request rewards from the three Great Priests."
"Are you trying to use this opportunity to ask the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race to stop the war with the human race? There's no such possibility."
The clay fox's voice carried a hint of teasing. To It, life was but a flower.
Xu Qing shook his head.
"If I succeed, I won't make this request."
"Then what's your request?"
The clay fox was a little curious.
"After I succeed, the High God will naturally know."
Xu Qing looked at the Mortal World Tower and spoke softly.
Laughter rang out from the building.
"You bad brother. Forget it, I can satisfy this request on account of your yang essence."
As It spoke, a pink light flew out of the building and headed straight for Xu Qing. It stopped in front of him and amidst the flowing light, it transformed into a pink token.
On the front was the figure of a fox, and on the back was mountains and rivers.
Xu Qing grabbed it and his gaze landed on it. At the same time, a lazy voice rang out from the Mortal World Tower.
"I can also tell you about the segments of the Grand Hunt in advance. You should know, this is me being partial toward you. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother to inform anyone else."
The temptation in the clay fox's voice grew even more intense.
Xu Qing took a deep breath. After cupping his hands, he listened attentively. He knew that this information would be very important.
Like he declared earlier, he indeed came for this qualification.
As for returning to the Moon Offering Region, Xu Qing didn't intend to make it the main focus. Given his relationship with the heir and the others, if he earnestly requested, there was a high chance that they would eventually intervene.
However, he needed to consider the wishes of the heir and the others. Hence, Xu Qing's plan was to think of a solution himself first. If it really couldn't be done, he would go to the Moon Offering.
In addition, there was another reason why Xu Qing chose to head to the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race.
That was to earn credit for Ning Yan.
Only when Ning Yan became the crown prince would he have a chance to enter the ancestral planet and obtain the purple lantern.
Xu Qing felt that just the battle merits from Ning Yan heading to the Black Heaven Race weren't enough.
If he added the merit from the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race as well, it would be extremely significant for Ning Yan.
As Xu Qing pondered, the sound of the clay fox drifted over.
"The Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race's Grand Hunt is divided into three segments. If you want to become a Mystic Heaven General, you have to be first in at least one segment. If you can be first in all three segments, then the person conferred the title will not be an ordinary Mystic Heaven General."
"They will be the Grand Mystic Heaven!"
There was also a hint of anticipation in the clay fox's tone.
"It's been many years since a Grand Mystic Heaven appeared."
"The first segment of the hunt is currently underway. It will last for half a year and it's already halfway through."
"The first segment is moving mountains."
"It's not an ordinary mountain but forbidden mountains."
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed.
"Forbidden mountain?"
"That's right. Regardless of whether it's within the Flame Moon Race's sphere of influence or outside it, any mountain in a forbidden zone will do."
The clay fox smiled.
"A forbidden mountain can be considered to have met the requirements but it's only the lowest requirement. If you want to become first, the forbidden mountain you need to move has to surpass everyone."
"During this segment, you have to carry the forbidden mountain to the Divine City on the Divine Mountain of the Flame Moon. Only by merging it with the mountain there will the task be considered completed."
"During this period… all participants can kill and plunder each other."
At this point, the clay fox paused slightly. Its simple sentences revealed a bloody intent.
Xu Qing nodded and the clay fox continued to speak.
"As for the second segment, it's even more interesting. It's called Taming."
"There are a number of divine creatures with varying strength in the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race. Your task is to tame one of them to become your Mystic Heaven Mount."
"The more powerful a divine beast is, the more difficult it will be to tame it. If you want to be first, the difficulty can be imagined. If you're not careful, you might become food."
"So, stinky brother, you better think carefully. Don't go dying before you give me the yang essence. And during the Grand Hunt, even I won't be able to intervene easily."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qing seemed pensive, finding the requirements of this stage somewhat peculiar.
"As for the third segment, it's simple but also the most important."
In the ancestral hall, the clay fox licked Its lips as a demonic glint appeared in Its eyes.
"That's hunting in the Divine Realm!"
"At that time, me and the two big sisters will act together and tear open an entrance to a Divine Realm."
"As for which Divine Realm it is, I can't tell you. However, I think… you should like it."
The clay fox chuckled.
"After a gap is opened in the Divine Realm, all participants will barge in. The number and strength of the creatures killed in the Divine Realm will be used as a standard of measurement."
"The more you kill, the higher the chance of victory. However, that's the Divine Realm… in every Grand Hunt, more than 80% of the participants have died."
"There are also some that will be attacked and transformed into divine flesh. These divine meats can feed my little darlings well. Occasionally, if there's something particularly delicious, I might take a bite too."
"This is a banquet prepared for the joy of the gods. If you participate, I'll watch this banquet more carefully."
"However, I don't really want to see others eating your flesh after you die, so… I might use my divine authority once to monopolize your flesh."
"Stinky brother, what do you think of this suggestion?"
The clay fox's sound was very gentle but the meaning behind Its words made one's hair stand on end.
Xu Qing didn't care and nodded.
"Sure."
Inside the shrine, the clay fox chuckled coquettishly, causing the altar to tremble with Its laughter. Dust fell from Its body, and the shrine shook with Its amusement. Its eyes gleamed brighter, and finally, It licked Its lips and spoke softly.
"This time, it's true. Stinky brother, I find… I'm starting to like you more and more."
Xu Qing glanced at the Mortal World Forgetful Tower. He had experienced similar words and feelings from Yanyan in the past. In fact, in comparison, this clay fox was still a little conservative.
Other than the strength of Her abilities, to a certain extent, there was a considerable gap between Her and Yanyan.
Hence, Xu Qing didn't say anything. After cupping his hands, he turned and left. Under the blackness of the sky, his figure gradually disappeared into the night, merging into one with the night.
After a long time, in the pitch-black and relatively quiet imperial city, in the ancestral hall of the sealed Mortal World Forgetful Tower, the clay fox on the altar lifted Its head slightly and looked into the distance.
"Back then, Second Sister fell in love with someone. I wonder what that feeling is like."
