Chapter 1288
Exchanging Spiritual Items, Quite a Runner
"This Purple Cloud Jade can help cultivators break through to the Nascent Soul realm. Are you sure you really want to share a piece with me, fellow Daoist?"
Xia Mo, who already knew the value of the purple crystal in Song Qingming's hand, still seemed somewhat incredulous and asked again to confirm.
Upon hearing this, Song Qingming nodded firmly and replied:
"Hmm! I only need one of these. I would like to exchange this for the ancient jade in your possession. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xia would be willing to grant my request?"
"Ancient jade!"
Upon hearing that the spiritual item Song Qingming wanted to trade was the white ancient jade that had previously helped him enhance his divine sense, he was shocked.
After a moment's thought, Xia Mo immediately used magic to retrieve the ancient jade.
"I have already mastered the cultivation technique inside this item, so it is no longer of much use to me. Fellow Daoist Song, please feel free to take it if you wish."
Now I can cultivate with the help of the five elements in the tower, and even without other auxiliary spiritual objects, I am confident that I can break through to the Nascent Soul realm.
This piece of Purple Heaven Jade is probably more useful to you than I am, so please take it back!
After Xia Mo finished speaking, she handed the "white ancient jade" in her hand directly to Song Qingming.
Seeing the other person's sincere gaze, Song Qingming did not accept the ancient jade, and still said with a firm expression:
"While the Purple Cloud Jade can help in breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm, it is not as helpful as the friendship between you and me."
"Having cultivated for so many years, I, Song, have never had the habit of taking spiritual items from friends for free. If Fellow Daoist Xia does not accept the Purple Cloud Jade, how dare I ask you for this item?"
"Since Fellow Daoist Song has put it this way, it would be disrespectful for your kindness if I were to refuse again."
Seeing Song Qingming's insistence, Xia Mo smiled slightly and took the crystal he offered.
After putting away the spiritual object in her hand, Xia Mo used her magic to activate the "Mysterious Heaven Treasure Map" in front of her to open the restrictions in the tower, and the two quickly returned to the courtyard in the valley.
After careful consideration, Xia Mo ultimately chose to stay in the tower to cultivate and inherit the legacy of "Tongtian Sanren".
With the help of "Xuantian", Xia Mo spent a lot of time before she finally succeeded in refining the Xuantian Myriad Treasures Map.
She has now replaced "Tongtian Sanren" and become the new master of the Tower of Babel, controlling most of the restrictions within the tower.
With just a slight gesture, a row of tables and chairs appeared out of thin air in front of the two of them.
Just as "Xuantian" was about to step forward to brew tea for the two of them, Xia Mo stopped him in advance.
"We are about to arrive at Huayang Realm. Senior, please go back and rest first. Let me brew one last pot of spiritual tea for Fellow Daoist Song!"
"Alright! Then I won't disturb you two any longer."
After giving Xia Mo a slight bow, "Xuan Tian" quickly transformed into a beam of light and disappeared in front of them.
After Xuan Tian left, Xia Mo took the initiative to extend her hand to Song Qingming, inviting him to sit down together.
The two had known each other for many years, and now they had been trapped in this tower for who knows how long.
In their spare time, they would invite each other to enjoy tea and chat, and their relationship had become much more familiar than before.
Just after the two sat down, Xia Mo put her hand on her face and then took off the thin veil hanging in front of her.
The next moment, a stunningly beautiful face appeared before Song Qingming.
Back when Wu Xiang and Chen Yurong ambushed him at "Yunwu Mountain", Song Qingming had already seen Xia Mo's true face.
Although he only glanced at her briefly at the time, Xia Mo's stunning beauty was already etched in Song Qingming's heart.
Over the years, every time Xia Mo met him, she either wore a veil or deliberately used magic to change her appearance.
Upon seeing that stunning face again, Song Qingming was momentarily stunned before quickly turning his gaze away.
Seeing this, Xia Mo smiled calmly and quickly took out the utensils used for brewing tea.
"We are both practitioners, so why should we care too much about this physical body?"
Xia Mo is only avoiding taking this off in front of outsiders to avoid some trouble; Fellow Daoist Song, there's no need to mind."
Seeing that the other party did not seem to mind his slight rudeness, Song Qingming also stepped forward to help clean the tea set.
Although the two do not interfere with each other, their cooperation is already very tacit.
Soon, a pot of fragrant tea appeared in Xia Mo's hands, and she offered a cup to Song Qingming in front of her.
Just by smelling the fragrance, Song Qingming sensed something unusual and couldn't help but ask:
"Why is this spiritual tea different from the previous one? Could it be that Senior Xuantian has hidden away some fine tea and is reluctant to take it out?"
"Fellow Daoist Song has misunderstood. This spiritual tea today was not given by Senior Xuantian, but rather from a few plants that I planted in my backyard a few years ago."
The tea leaves have just ripened; this is the first batch of new tea leaves picked.
"Oh! It's actually spiritual tea grown by you, fellow Daoist. No wonder I've never tasted it before."
It's a pity, such a delicious flavor, I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy it again soon.
"If Fellow Daoist Song really likes it so much, why not stay a little longer? I'll brew you tea every day, how about that?"
"what."
Upon hearing Xia Mo's words, Song Qingming was slightly taken aback. As he looked up at her, he saw a hint of a smile already appearing in Xia Mo's eyes.
"I was just saying it casually, fellow Daoist, you don't need to take it to heart."
"Since I entered the sect at a young age, I was trained as a saintess by the sect because of my outstanding talent. Apart from my master and a few senior sisters, I don't have many people I can confide in."
Speaking of which, I do envy Fellow Daoist Song a little.
She not only has relatives like Qingyu who grew up with her, but also good partners like Siyuan and Xuanyi by her side.
Now that we've been missing for so long, I'm sure there are far more people who worry about you than I am.
“We cultivators should be single-minded and focused on our practice. I, Song, am entangled in worldly affairs, so it’s no wonder that my path of cultivation is always a step behind yours.”
If I am not fortunate enough to break through to the Nascent Soul realm in the future, I might return to ask you for a fortuitous opportunity.
"Oh! If that day ever comes, Xia Mo will certainly welcome it!"
Xia Mo nodded slightly, picked up the spiritual tea on the table, took a sip, and then immediately put it down.
"Fellow Daoist Song, why don't we make another agreement?"
"If, three hundred years from now, I break through to the next realm first, while you, fellow Daoist, still haven't found the opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, how about you stay in the Tower of Babel and cultivate diligently with me?"
"What if I break through to the Nascent Soul realm first?"
"Uh!"
".
Several days later, Xia Mo and Song Qingming stood at the entrance of the "Tower of Babel".
Looking at the clearly visible outer edge of the tire membrane ahead, a hint of excitement finally appeared on the faces of the two.
"Fellow Daoist Song, I am not yet able to fully control the restrictions within the tower to cross the outer membrane, so I can only send you this far."
"Thank you, fellow Daoist. I, Song, will take my leave now!"
With a serious expression, Song Qingming bowed to Xia Mo in front of him before casting a spell to transform into a streak of light and rush out of the entrance.
Before Song Qingming had gone far from the Tower of Babel, he saw a fierce wind howling towards him and quickly released a magical shield to block it in front of him.
He then steadied himself against the strong winds outside the boundary and leaped forward into the outer membrane.
Once they passed through the outer membrane, the fierce wind ahead abruptly stopped, and Song Qingming's tense heart, which had been pounding for so long, finally calmed down.
"After being away for so long, I'm finally back!"
Upon returning to the Nine Heavens, Song Qingming felt the familiar aura of the "Huayang Realm," and his face was filled with undisguised excitement.
Looking up at the enormous black shadow that had already disappeared into the distance, Song Qingming took out the "White Bone Flying Boat" and stepped onto it. He then transformed into a beam of light and vanished from the spot.
Having just returned to the "Huayang Realm," Song Qingming, who was high in the heavens, was still unaware of his whereabouts.
The most urgent task is to return to the mainland below as soon as possible to confirm our location.
Several hours later, as a beam of light descended into the valley, Song Qingming finally stood on the long-lost ground.
"Thank goodness we're not at sea, we're safe now!"
Although the valley in front of us looks desolate and uninhabited, judging from the surrounding environment and air temperature, it should be located in the middle of Huayang Boundary.
For Song Qingming, whose cultivation has now reached the half-step Nascent Soul realm, there are not many places in the Five Continents and Four Seas of Huayang Realm that he can feel dangerous about.
As long as it's not deep into the heart of the demon realm, or a dangerous place like the "Northern Underworld Immortal Continent," it's considered safe.
After releasing his divine sense to sense his surroundings, Song Qingming quickly discovered that there seemed to be people moving around dozens of miles ahead. He immediately cast a spell to transform into a beam of light and leave the spot.
On the summit of a high mountain, several cultivators gathered together, discussing something.
Suddenly a gentle breeze blew by, and another figure appeared beside them.
The leader, a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, was startled to find a strange figure suddenly appearing beside him. He quickly cast a spell to retreat to the side.
The other two were also startled and took out their magical artifacts, aiming them at the newcomer.
"May I ask who you are?"
"Fellow Daoists, please don't misunderstand. I am merely a wandering cultivator who just happened to pass by and, not knowing why, came to ask you for directions."
"You're just a passing cultivator, and I suspect your purpose isn't so simple. Who exactly are you?"
"Brother Liu is acting suspiciously. He's obviously not some rogue cultivator. He's probably someone Lingyuan Mountain invited to help him."
"Indeed, this person seems to have considerable cultivation. Everyone be careful."
The three Foundation Establishment cultivators bowed respectfully to the man in the green robe before them, but their eyes were filled with vigilance, as if they regarded him as their enemy.
Seeing this, the man in the green robe smiled slightly, but it revealed a hint of helplessness.
"Judging from your accents, could this place be the Western Immortal Continent?"
"Still not behaving himself? Everyone, attack together and take him down first!"
Seeing that the man in the green robe did not answer their questions, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators all showed some displeasure.
Just as they were about to cast a spell to activate their magical artifacts, the man in the green robe suddenly emitted a terrifying pressure, instantly interrupting their spellcasting.
The next moment, an invisible pressure fell directly on the group, causing them to fall to the ground.
"You are... a Golden Core cultivator."
"Senior, we were blind and had no intention of offending you. Please forgive us."
"Senior, senior, spare our lives! Please spare us!"
".
In just a moment, the three who had been clamoring to teach the other party a lesson immediately began to beg for mercy, their attitude undergoing a complete 180-degree turn.
Seeing this, Song Qingming approached the group with a hint of satisfaction. "Listen carefully, I'll only say this once."
If you can't answer, don't blame me for not giving you a chance.
"Senior, please tell me your instructions. I would never dare to lie to you."
"Is this the Western Flower Immortal Continent?"
"Yes, senior, could it be that you come from another cultivation world?"
"Just answer the question. If you say another word, you won't get a chance to speak!"
"Yes, yes, senior, please ask."
Seeing a chilling aura approaching from ahead, the three quickly nodded and dared not say another word.
".
Half an incense stick later, a streak of light finally disappeared from the scene and vanished before the three of them.
Staring at the vanished light, the three people, who seemed to have just escaped with their lives, were drenched in sweat and stood frozen in place, too afraid to move.
After a while, seeing that there was no further reaction from the surroundings, a thin-faced man finally spoke and asked:
"Brother Liu, has that senior already left? Or was he really just passing through and had nothing to do with Lingyuan Mountain?"
"My two brothers, you'd better not make wild guesses. Most of these traveling seniors from other places have strange tempers. Who knows if he's deliberately coming to warn us?"
"Forget it, we're not taking this job from Lingyuan Mountain. Let's go back!"
After discussing it for a while, the three of them quickly turned around and left.
However, without exception, all of their conversations reached Song Qingming's ears, who was more than ten miles away, causing him to sigh with a smile.
After questioning the three people, Song Qingming finally confirmed it.
The place he was in now was not much different from what he had guessed before; it was another continent near Donghuang Continent called Xihua Immortal Continent.
Hundreds of years ago, Song Qingming traveled to "Xihua Immortal Continent" in search of Song Qingyu.
I have some understanding of the local customs and accent, and I have been to many places.
He is currently in a mountain range located directly north of "Xihua Immortal Continent".
Heading south from here, passing through several countries, you will reach the Kunyu Mountains, which form the boundary between north and south, and then arrive at the southern part of Xihuazhou.
By taking the intercontinental teleportation array, you can smoothly return to "Eastern Phoenix Immortal Continent".
Although they are separated by two continents, even if everything goes smoothly, it will still take a year to return to the sect.
However, compared to the other continents, Xihua Continent is the closest continent to "Donghuang Immortal Continent", so Song Qingming was not too disappointed.
After asking around, I learned where I was.
Song Qingming also roughly calculated that a full fifty years had passed since he last left "Huayang Realm".
This was truly unexpected; he never imagined that simply entering the "Tower of Babel" would result in him being trapped inside for so long.
If all goes well, he should be able to return to "Qingyun Mountain" soon.
Just as Song Qingming was casting a spell to quickly head south, he, standing on the "White Bone Flying Boat," suddenly sensed something was amiss and his expression changed slightly as he looked behind him.
The next moment, he noticed a powerful aura approaching from behind, and his expression turned serious.
This aura was no less fast than Song Qingming's, and it was already less than a hundred miles away from him, and it was rapidly heading this way.
"Could this be aimed at me?"
Having reached the half-step Nascent Soul realm, Song Qingming naturally understood that there were not many coincidences in the world.
The powerful aura behind him was most likely directed at him.
Moreover, even from such a distance, I can clearly sense the powerful aura of the other party, so this person's cultivation level must be above my own.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should undoubtedly be a Nascent Soul cultivator.
He had only just arrived in "Xihua Immortal Continent" and had never interacted with any local Nascent Soul cultivators before, so it was impossible for anyone to recognize him so quickly.
"Could it be her?"
Thinking of the figure in his mind, Song Qingming was surprised and immediately accelerated his escape speed forward.
But just as Song Qingming increased his speed, he sensed a powerful aura approaching from behind, and his speed also began to increase, becoming much faster than before.
At this moment, Song Qingming finally confirmed that the person who came was undoubtedly a Nascent Soul cultivator.
"No, if this continues, they'll definitely catch up!"
Even though Song Qingming desperately used magic to increase his escape speed, the distance between him and the person behind him was still gradually closing.
Seeing that things were going to continue like this, he knew he would never be able to shake off the other person.
After some thought, Song Qingming made a decisive move and turned southwest, then used magic to summon Qu Bai, who was lying in the "Sacred Star Plate".
"Fellow Daoist Song, what's wrong?"
"I've checked the crystal multiple times and found nothing wrong, but she still managed to spot it!"
"What, she's caught up with us?"
"That person's cultivation has already reached the Nascent Soul stage. He might have caught up with us long ago, even beyond the Nine Heavens. It's not necessarily a problem with the crystal. It's also our fault for being a bit careless."
Hearing Song Qingming's helpless reply, Qu Bai's face also showed surprise.
Next, without waiting for Song Qingming's command, Qu Bai quickly cast a spell to attach the "Sacred Star Disc" to the bottom of the flying boat.
The replica of the "Sacred Star Disc" can control spatial channels.
Under Qu Bai's spell, the white bone flying boat passed through a spatial rift and instantly appeared more than ten miles away, which helped Song Qingming increase his escape speed out of thin air.
With Qu Bai's help, Song Qingming's expression finally relaxed a little.
More than a hundred miles behind the two, a figure in white was rapidly breaking through the air.
"This guy actually has such a profound speed-escaping ability, which is quite unexpected."
But if you think you can shake me off with just this little bit of skill, you're dreaming.
"Letting you expend so much magic power will save you energy when we catch up."
Having said that, the white-robed figure smiled slightly, and the light beneath his feet accelerated once more, his divine sense locking onto the opponent's location.
".
"That's strange. How come this guy's magic power hasn't decreased? Could it be that he's carrying some kind of ten-thousand-year-old spiritual milk?"
After chasing for half a day, the white-clad figure realized something was amiss when the opponent's speed did not decrease at all.
At this moment, her expression clearly showed some displeasure.
"We can't delay any longer. There are already quite a few human sects in this area. It would be troublesome if we encountered those old guys blocking our way."
After a moment's thought, the white-clad figure immediately cast a spell to retrieve a golden bead from his person without hesitation.
After glancing at the golden bead with some reluctance, he swallowed it whole.
As the orb entered his body, the white-clad figure suddenly burst forth with golden light, and his speed of escape increased by more than double.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a beam of light disappeared into his eyes.
Upon seeing this person, the figure in white finally showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Hmph! Little guy, you can run pretty fast."
Just as the white-clad figure was about to catch up with the opponent, on the white bone flying boat ahead, "Qu Bai" once again activated the magic weapon beneath him, and a spatial rift instantly appeared in mid-air.
As soon as the flying boat passed through, it disappeared from the sight of the white-clad figure.
"A spatial rift? This guy actually has a spatial magic weapon. No wonder he can move so fast."
The white-clad figure, upon seeing this, did not show much disappointment; instead, he became somewhat excited because of this magical artifact.
Dozens of miles ahead, Qu Bai, who had just fully activated the "Sacred Star Disc" with his magic, collapsed onto the flying boat as if he had been completely exhausted.
"Brother Song, I am no longer able to activate the Sacred Star Disc. I can only rely on you from now on!"
"Okay! Brother Qu, you should recover first."
Faced with Qu Bai, who had already done his best, Song Qingming nodded slightly and then tossed a jade plate containing elixirs to him.
Then, facing the increasingly powerful aura behind him, Song Qingming ignored it completely and focused solely on controlling the flying boat beneath his feet.
After passing through a few more hills, a huge city appeared before Song Qingming below.
Next, Song Qingming immediately put away the flying boat under his feet, and then activated the "Nine Palaces Meteor Escape" technique to instantly arrive at the city gate.
"Wait, who are you?"
"The Purple Sword Token!"
The city guard was about to ask a question when he saw the unfamiliar figure, but then he saw that the other person suddenly had a familiar token in his hand. He quickly stepped aside and invited him into the city.
At that moment, a figure appeared above the city and saw Song Qingming disappear at the city gate.
"You think you can hide in here and I won't find you!"
Looking down at the massive city below, the white-clad figure sneered and arrived at the city gate in a flash.
"Senior, may I ask where you come from?"
The white-clad woman, who looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, completely ignored the city-guarding cultivator who had come to inquire about her situation.
With a simple lift of her slender right arm, an immense pressure instantly enveloped the surroundings, making it difficult for anyone to move.
The next moment, before anyone could react...
The sky suddenly changed color, and a huge golden dragon claw appeared out of thin air above the city.
Next, to everyone's utter shock, the golden dragon claw slammed down onto the protective array in front of them.
"boom!"
With a deafening roar in mid-air, the level four array that had stood for a thousand years was torn apart like paper by the giant dragon claw.
The huge commotion was heard hundreds of miles away in an instant.
The woman in white had just released her divine sense to search the city when she saw more than a dozen figures flying out from the distant mountains, heading straight for the city below.
"Who dares to trespass on Heavenly Sword Mountain!" (End of Chapter)