Just like that, after a few days, Xu Qing and Qingqin appeared at the border of the Yinghuang Province, outside the northern plains.
Although it was noon, the sunlight here seemed to only have light left and no warmth. Hence, the cold wind whistled past, stirring up a sea of snowflakes that circled the world.
The cold wind was bone-piercing and the ground was covered in silver. Only the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar that stood in the distance was earth-shattering, giving off a spectacular feeling.
In Xu Qing's memories, there were countless tents surrounding the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar, causing this place to become a gathering place for humans like a city.
But now, most of the tents here were empty. The cold wind blew past, causing countless tents to sway and emit rustling sounds.
Only a few elderly figures would occasionally appear, wearing many layers of clothes.
These people weren't Sword Holders but residents.
Clearly, the Sword Holding Court didn't let these aged people participate in the battle.
Xu Qing glanced at the black palace at the top of the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar. He could sense that there weren't many Sword Holders there.
"Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar…" Xu Qing gestured for Qingqin to circle in the sky.
Amidst the clouds and fog that gathered because of Qingqin's arrival, Xu Qing, who was in the fog, stared at this earth-shattering pillar. This time around, if he wanted to achieve his goal, he needed to use this Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar to verify it.
Hence, Xu Qing suddenly lifted his right hand and grabbed at the air.
At the same time, the Ghost Emperor Palace in his body circulated and the Ghost Emperor, who was meditating, suddenly opened his eyes.
In an instant, the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar trembled intensely. This scene immediately attracted the attention of the rogue cultivators and the Sword Holding Court. As their expressions changed, they also sensed the huge figure of a bird that was faintly discernible in the clouds in the sky.
"Who are you?!"
After arriving at the Yinghuang Province, it was meaningless to hide it. Xu Qing took out his command sword and calmly spoke.
"Xu Qing."
As Xu Qing's voice rang out, with a flap of Qingqin's wings, the clouds and mist that filled their surroundings dissipated. His figure was instantly noticed by the Sword Holders.
In other provinces, perhaps the Sword Holders would first have to identify the name before identifying Xu Qing's appearance. From there, they would have a preliminary understanding of his identity. After that, they would verify it with the command sword.
However, in the Yinghuang Province, Xu Qing's appearance was deeply ingrained in the minds of all the Sword Holders.
After all, back then, his advancement and 100,000 feet long light had appeared under the witness of all the Sword Holders in the Yinghuang Province. Hence, after the Sword Holding Court's array formation spread out and confirmed Xu Qing's command sword, the figures of the Sword Holders quickly flew out.
"Xu Qing!"
"It's Edict Bearer Xu!"
Xu Qing was a little familiar with most of these Sword Holders. After they saw Xu Qing, their expressions became friendly and they immediately greeted him. One of the Sword Holders who was in charge of guarding took a step forward and spoke respectfully.
"Edict Bearer Xu, do you want to activate the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar? Do you need our cooperation?"
Xu Qing shook his head. With the ghost cave being suppressed under the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar, the pillar couldn't be activated rashly. He was only here to give it a try. He suddenly grabbed with his right hand and the trembling of the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar became even more intense.
However, he understood that this was all he could do. It was impossible for him to truly take it out with his current cultivation.
However, Xu Qing's goal wasn't to take out the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar but…
"Artifact spirit!" Xu Qing suddenly spoke. His voice was like the rumbling of thunder. He was calling out to the artifact spirit on the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar. This was his goal.
A long time later, as the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar trembled, a low cry that spread through the world spread out from the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar.
The sound pierced through the nine heavens and shook the surroundings. At the same time, a pair of huge eyes appeared on the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar. An ancient feeling spread in all directions. When it looked at Xu Qing, its eyes clearly revealed doubt.
This scene shocked the Sword Holders. They naturally knew that the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar had an artifact spirit. However, this artifact spirit was usually in a deep sleep. In the entire Sword Holding Court, only the Great Elder could communicate with it.
However, after Xu Qing called out for it, the other party actually woke up.
Xu Qing stared into the eyes of the artifact spirit. The Ghost Emperor Palace in his body shook even more. The eyes of the Ghost Emperor, who was sitting cross-legged inside, also revealed a sharp glint.
Xu Qing fell silent. He felt that it wasn't enough. Hence, with a wave of his hand, he borrowed the power of the demon transformation runes. The color of the world behind him changed and clouds surged in all directions. A blurry Ghost Emperor Mountain descended.
"Ghost Emperor Mountain!"
"What… the hell…"
To the cultivators from the other provinces, they weren't that familiar with Ghost Emperor Mountain and wouldn't immediately understand its meaning. However, to the cultivators from the Yinghuang Province, the existence of Ghost Emperor Mountain was extremely clear. They recognized it at a glance and their expressions changed drastically.
As for the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar, it also shook intensely at this moment. The doubt in the eyes of the artifact spirit immediately turned into confusion and there was a hint of excitement.
Seeing this, Xu Qing heaved a sigh of relief inwardly. Everything he did on this trip depended on the Ghost Emperor Palace. Hence, he had to verify if his thoughts were true.
"Artifact spirit, do you recognize me?" Xu Qing suddenly asked.
"The Emperor is reviving!" After a few breaths of silence, the artifact spirit on the Absolute Beginning Separation Pillar transmitted a vast divine sense. It didn't answer Xu Qing's question and said four words that contained other meanings.
