Chapter 880
Return to the Ruins, the Old Azure Dragon's Shock
Chapter 880 Return to the Ruins, the Old Azure Dragon's Shock
The starry sky is vast and boundless.
Lu Qing's divine sense clone floated silently in the void, gazing at the dazzling starry river in front of him.
It was a huge band of light stretching across the starry sky, composed of countless stars, slowly rotating and emitting a hazy glow.
Within the band of light, the trajectories of the stars were incredibly mysterious. Each star seemed to be guided by an invisible hand, moving along a specific orbit, vaguely forming a formation of unimaginable size.
It was the Star River Array that Guixu Daoist had personally set up back then.
The supreme formation used to protect the Guixu Secret Realm.
This formation was created by Daoist Guixu with the utmost dedication throughout his life. It is based on 365 main stars and supplemented by 129,600 auxiliary stars, which correspond to the number of stars in the celestial sphere.
Once the formation is activated, it can draw upon the power of the stars in the heavens to form an indestructible barrier.
With this protective array, even a Dao Transformation Immortal would find it difficult to break through and enter the Guixu Secret Realm.
Looking at the great formation, Lu Qing felt a surge of emotions.
To be honest, he hadn't been away from the Guixu Secret Realm for very long; at most, it hadn't even been a hundred years.
For cultivators, this amount of time is but a fleeting moment, not even enough for a long period of seclusion.
Those ancient monsters that have lived for tens of thousands of years would take more than this long to doze off.
But standing here now, he has a rather weathered look about him.
In less than a hundred years, he has experienced so much.
From the Tianyuan Great World to the Chaotic Star Sea, from the sixth tribulation of the Primordial Spirit to the Dao Integration Realm, from being hunted by the Black and White Sect to killing six old demons at the Dao Integration Realm, from exploring the Dark Abyss to witnessing the corpse of a Xuanhua Great Power...
The experiences of these few decades have been more exciting than the previous hundreds of years combined.
"I wonder what kind of expression the old Azure Dragon seniors will have when they see me."
Lu Qing's lips curled up slightly, revealing a mischievous smile.
When he left the Guixu Secret Realm, he was only at the sixth level of the Primordial Spirit Tribulation.
Although the old dragons had high hopes for him, they probably didn't expect his cultivation speed to be so fast.
In just a few decades, he has already entered the Dao Integration Realm.
After all, even he himself hadn't anticipated this speed of cultivation.
The old Azure Dragon and the others must have been even more surprised.
Lu Qing pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked again at the Star River Array in front of him.
When he first came here, his cultivation was still shallow. Although he was quite skilled in array formations, he still felt confused when looking at this great array. He only knew that it was extremely mysterious, but he couldn't figure out the intricacies of it at all.
At that time, facing this great formation, he was like an ordinary person standing at the foot of a mountain looking up at a towering peak. He could only feel its magnificence and grandeur, but he could not understand its true mystery at all.
Now that he has attained enlightenment, his vision and knowledge are incomparable to what they were before.
Looking at this grand formation again, one can discern some of its hidden secrets.
The trajectories of the stars are not random, but rather conform to the laws governing the operation of Heaven.
The position of every star, the flicker of every ray of light, all correspond to some kind of rule in the universe.
The 365 main stars correspond to the 365 degrees of the celestial sphere.
The 129,600 auxiliary stars correspond to the number of heaven and earth.
They intertwine and echo each other, forming a complete and rigorous system.
The pattern of light flashing is not a simple change between light and dark.
Each flash represents a breath, an exhale, of the formation.
It absorbs the spiritual energy from the starry sky and the energy from the endless void to maintain its own operation.
The brightest spots are often the key nodes of the formation, the centers where power converges.
The technique of spatial folding is even more exquisite.
Guixu Daoist folded and compressed countless layers of space and embedded them into the formation, making the great formation appear to be only a thin layer, but in fact containing endless space.
If outsiders were to trespass, they would likely be trapped in these folded spaces and lose their way forever.
Even more terrifying spatial storms lurk within, appearing from time to time.
Once touched, even a Dao Integration Realm expert can easily be devoured.
It is precisely because of the protection of this star array that no one has dared to forcibly enter the Guixu Secret Realm for hundreds of thousands of years.
Lu Qing admired him more and more as he looked at it.
Guixu Daoist's mastery of formations has truly reached an unbelievable level.
This Star River Array can be said to be the culmination of his life's work, and the culmination of his mastery of array formations.
When he received the inheritance in the Guixu Secret Realm, he used his special ability to download all of the Guixu Daoist's array inheritance.
Those traditions, including the basics of formations, techniques for setting up formations, key points for breaking formations, evolution of formations, and so on, are vast and profound.
Although due to his cultivation level, he only comprehended the array inheritance at the primordial spirit level, he had not even had time to comprehend the one at the Dao Integration level.
However, the inherited array theory, coupled with the transformation of his realm, still allowed him to understand some of the Star River Array.
"Perhaps, I can get in this time without my identity jade token?"
A thought arose in Lu Qing's mind.
He did not rush to act, but stood quietly outside the formation, slowly comprehending its meaning.
Although he is currently only a divine thought clone and cannot use supernatural abilities, his realm and comprehension are no different from the original body.
The array formations he had once comprehended now surfaced in his mind, corroborating the grand array before him.
Time passed slowly.
Lu Qing stood there, motionless, as if he had become a statue in the starry sky.
But if anyone could see his eyes, they would find that countless runes were flashing within them.
The runes were densely packed, layer upon layer, constantly combining and evolving, as if undergoing some extremely complex deduction.
He was using his understanding of formations to analyze the grand formation before him.
This is an extremely mentally taxing process.
If it were an ordinary cultivator, analyzing just one part of it would be enough to exhaust them.
But Lu Qing was different. His divine sense was incredibly powerful, and he had a complete array inheritance as a foundation. Although the analysis was a bit slow, it wasn't too troublesome.
Not long after, a smile appeared on Lu Qing's face.
He understood.
To be precise, I understood part of it.
This Star River Array is too profound. It is a true Dao Transformation level array. Without the help of supernatural abilities, even with his current array mastery, he cannot fully comprehend it.
But finding a path to get in is enough.
The path was hidden in the gaps of the formation, a glimmer of hope deliberately left by the Daoist Guixu.
If someone is completely unfamiliar with formations, they would not be able to detect its existence.
Even those who understand formations cannot find this path without the formation inheritance of Guixu Daoren.
Only someone like him, with profound mastery of formations and possessing the formation inheritance of the Daoist Guixu, could find the path to this Star River Formation.
The next moment, Lu Qing's figure disappeared from the spot.
It wasn't spatial teleportation, but rather a direct escape into the Star River Array.
If other cultivators entered the formation without an identity jade token, they would surely suffer unimaginable attacks from the formation, plunging the intruder into an abyss of no return.
But Lu Qing was like a ghost, completely integrated into the formation.
His figure moved with the movement of the stars, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, sometimes forward, sometimes backward, stepping on the nodes of the formation with each step.
His aura merged with the fluctuations of the formation, sometimes strong, sometimes weak, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, perfectly synchronized with the changes in brightness and darkness of the starlight.
He seemed to have become part of the formation, without causing any reaction from it.
This is the profoundness of the art of formations.
It's not about forcibly breaking the formation, but about adapting to it, integrating into it, and making the formation see you as one with it.
Lu Qing traversed the Star River Array, overcoming one restriction after another, passing through layer after layer of space, and advancing towards the deepest part of the array.
Before long, a screen of light suddenly appeared in front of them.
Within the luminous curtain, amidst magnificent palaces and towering buildings, a colossal celestial palace stood at its very center.
This is the Secret Realm of Return to Nothingness.
Looking at the light screen, Lu Qing felt a surge of warmth and familiarity.
Back then, he and Xiao Li also secluded themselves here for quite some time.
Now, decades have passed in the blink of an eye.
time flies.
Without hesitation, Lu Qing stepped out and passed through the light curtain.
The next moment, he had already entered the Guixu Secret Realm.
A familiar aura wafted over, and the surrounding space became stagnant.
Everything was the same as when he left.
The celestial palace still stands in the very center of the secret realm, resplendent in gold and magnificent in its grandeur, as if it had never changed.
The moment Lu Qing passed through the light curtain, a subtle spatial fluctuation arose.
This fluctuation was extremely weak, so weak that ordinary cultivators could not detect it at all.
Even a Dao Integration Realm expert would only treat it as a passing breeze and wouldn't pay it any mind. But for someone like the Old Azure Dragon, who was proficient in the Dao of Space, it was an extremely obvious signal.
Within the celestial palace.
The old dragon was lying in its den, dozing off with its eyes half-closed.
It was said to be taking a nap, but it wasn't actually asleep.
At this level, sleep is no longer necessary.
The reason it and Mingfeng had been asleep before was simply because they were too bored.
However, ever since Lu Qing entered the secret realm, they have developed expectations and no longer want to remain asleep.
So that if Lu Qing suddenly returns while they are asleep, they won't be able to sense it immediately.
The old dragon habitually lay down, closing its eyes to rest while using its divine sense to envelop the entire Guixu Secret Realm, sensing all the movements within.
As the actual controller of many formations in the Guixu Secret Realm, it is extremely sensitive to any spatial fluctuations within the secret realm when it is not asleep.
This is its duty, and also its instinct.
After all, the Guixu Secret Realm is the last legacy left by the Guixu Daoist, and it is the place that the three of them must protect.
We must not overlook any disturbance.
Although it didn't believe that anyone could break into the secret realm.
So the moment that spatial fluctuation came, the old Azure Dragon suddenly opened his eyes.
Two beams of light suddenly burst forth from those eyes.
It was taken aback at first, then its mind was greatly shaken.
Because the Guixu Secret Realm is currently closed.
After Lu Qing left, they completely sealed off the secret realm.
Unless you have an identity jade token, it's impossible to get in.
Those identity jade tokens were personally crafted by Daoist Guixu. Each one is connected to the origin of the secret realm, and only the holder can enter through the formation.
Otherwise, even a Dao-transforming immortal would not be able to sneak in silently.
Could it be that Aqing has returned?
The first thing that came to the old dragon's mind was this.
But it soon realized something was wrong.
If Lu Qing were to return, he would definitely use his identity jade token to enter through the proper channels.
In that case, it should be able to clearly sense the fluctuations of the jade tablet, and a clear message would be sent to it, telling it who has returned.
Rather than just this faint ripple in space.
But now, when it scanned that space with its divine sense, it felt only emptiness and void.
There was nothing at the location that had just caused the spatial fluctuations.
There were no fluctuations of spiritual energy, no signs of life, and no trace of magical artifacts; it was as if everything that had just happened was merely its illusion.
But the old dragon knew that this could not be a misperception.
At its level, perception rarely goes wrong.
Moreover, this is especially true in the realm of spatial manipulation, which it excels at.
Although the fluctuation was faint, it was real and could not have appeared out of thin air.
"Old Azure Dragon, what's wrong?"
A rough voice rang out.
The old dragon turned its head and saw that the black bull had walked over at some point and was looking at it with a puzzled expression.
"Something's up," Old Canglong said in a deep, solemn voice. "Someone just came in from outside."
"What?" The black bull's eyes widened, its face filled with disbelief. "How is this possible! Wasn't the secret realm already closed? Without an identity jade token, who could get in?"
The old dragon shook his head: "I don't know either. But I did sense spatial fluctuations, in that direction."
It raised its paw and pointed into the distance, precisely where the spatial fluctuations had just originated.
Just then, a clear and melodious chirping sound rang out, crisp and pleasant, echoing through the sky.
Immediately afterwards, a giant phoenix with an entire body of ice crystals took flight. Its phoenix eyes were bright and piercing, and its every glance exuded an air of nobility and majesty.
It was Mingfeng.
It landed in front of them, folded its wings, and looked at the old azure dragon.
“I felt it too.” Mingfeng’s voice was clear and melodious, but with a hint of solemnity. “Although the fluctuation was weak, someone did pass through the Star River Array. Moreover, this person’s array skills were extremely high, and it did not cause any reaction from the array.”
The old dragon nodded, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
Those who can pass through the Star River Array silently either possess an identity jade token or have such high mastery of array techniques that they can evade the array's detection.
If it's the former, that's fine; if it's the latter, that's terrifying.
"Could it be Ah Qing?" the black bull asked again, his tone tinged with anticipation.
The old dragon pondered, "I've also considered this possibility, but if he comes back, why doesn't he use his identity jade token?"
Moreover, when I scanned that spot with my divine sense, I found nothing.
Even if it were him, it's impossible for him to completely evade my senses, right?
Mingfeng said, "The location of the fluctuation is not far from here. We'll know once we go and take a look. We won't get anywhere by guessing here."
The old dragon nodded without hesitation.
It stood up and used its spatial abilities.
A beam of light emanated from it, enveloping the black bull and the phoenix.
The next moment, the three figures disappeared into the celestial palace.
When they reappeared, they had already arrived at the location where the space had fluctuated.
This is outside the White Jade Plaza, where the surrounding protective light still flickers slightly as before.
Everything seems normal.
But the old dragon's gaze instantly locked onto a figure in front of him.
It was a young man, dressed in a blue robe, standing with his hands behind his back.
He stood there quietly, as if he had been waiting for a long time.
The sunlight fell on him, casting a long shadow.
His face was handsome, with a calm expression in his eyes and a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, as if he were smiling.
When the old dragon saw the figure's face clearly, its entire body froze.
The enormous dragon eyes widened, the pupils contracting violently, as if they had seen something unbelievable.
"Aqing?!"
Black Bull and Mingfeng also saw the figure and were equally shocked into silence.
That young man was none other than Lu Qing!
Although his clothes had changed and his demeanor was more composed, his face, his expression, and the calmness in his eyes were exactly the same as Lu Qing in their memories.
Those eyes were still clear and bright, but they had become more profound, as if they had undergone some kind of baptism.
"Ah Qing, it really is you!" the black bull exclaimed in surprise, its huge head nodding repeatedly, its eyes full of joy. "How did you get in? Old Azure Dragon said that without an identity jade token, you can't get in at all!"
Lu Qing smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting: "Senior Azure Dragon, Senior Phoenix, Senior Bull, it's been a long time."
His gaze swept over the three of them, tinged with a touch of emotion.
So many years have passed, and the old Azure Dragons are still the same as before, without any change.
It was still the same familiar look, the same familiar aura.
The old Azure Dragon remained as lazy as ever, the black bull as reckless as ever, and the Phoenix as noble and elegant as ever.
Everything feels like it was just yesterday.
The old dragon did not respond to his greeting.
Its huge dragon eyes stared intently at Lu Qing, its pupils slightly contracted, its eyes filled with disbelief.
Because it sensed Lu Qing's presence.
That aura...
wrong!
That aura was completely different from when I left back then!
Back then, Lu Qing, despite his limitless potential, was ultimately only at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage.
In its eyes, which was at the Dao Integration Realm, that aura, though pure, was not particularly powerful.
It's like a stream; though clear, it's still just a stream.
But at this moment, the aura emanating from Lu Qing made it feel a pang of fear.
It was an indescribable sense of oppression.
It was not a deliberate release, nor an intentional intimidation, but a natural expression.
It was as if he stood there, becoming one with the surrounding world, and every gesture he made subtly resonated with some mysterious Daoist rhythm.
That aura was like a vast ocean, unfathomable, or like a majestic mountain, inspiring awe.
This feeling was something he had only experienced with cultivators of the same cultivation level.
No, it's even stronger than that.
The old dragon opened its mouth, its voice trembling slightly:
"Ah Qing, you've reached the Dao Integration Realm?!"
(End of this chapter)