Chapter 1205 - A Glimpse of the Divine Spirits

The scene on the road back from the Dao Refinement Universe was merely a minor interlude for Xu Qing. Since the Starring Daoist had intervened, Xu Qing decided not to make his presence known. To him, both Thousand Troops Quell and the Starring Daoist were just passing figures. At most, those two swords of theirs might be his to take when the time is right. What did catch Xu Qing's attention were the three cultivators harboring malice toward Thousand Troops Quell. Among them were two Dominators and one with quasi-Immortal combat strength. Their greed and domineering nature were apparent in their speech and actions. Xu Qing had never believed that those with profound cultivation were necessarily of transcendent character. In this vast world, where countless cultivators populate and strong individuals abound, it is only natural that personalities are not cast from the same mold. People—and the manner in which they conduct themselves—vary greatly. There are those with sombre temperaments, those who transcend the ordinary, those with a broad mind like the Sword Emperor, and naturally, there are the dark, greedy, and malicious ones. Even reaching the level of quasi-Immortal does not change this, because they are, after all, human, and human nature is infinitely diverse. The quasi-Immortals of the Fifth Starring are numerous due to different baselines and environments, unlike the barren and impoverished lands of Ancient Continent, where even Dominators are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. The higher one climbs, the more landscapes one sees. The farther one travels, the more vistas one beholds. This is expected. Ultimately, personality is often related to time and experience, unless one has lived for thousands or tens of thousands of years, experienced the joys and sorrows of the mortal world, and become numb, having seen through it all and returned to simplicity. Otherwise, one cannot escape the colorful spectrum of human nature. Furthermore, there are things that cannot be judged by appearances alone. So, Xu Qing was not surprised by these three—who, despite being strong, with one even having quasi-Immortal cultivation—engaging in acts of plunder. It was their identity that caught him off guard. "Resource Envoys... war..." murmured Xu Qing, as he left the void zone. The focus here was the word 'war'. "Are they preparing resources for war, then? Could it be that the Fifth Starring is at war? With other Starrings?" Xu Qing pondered deeply. Some truths remain opaque until one reaches the position to have a wider and more comprehensive view, as is evident in this matter. Previously, Xu Qing was unaware of war within the Fifth Starring. But now, from the discussions he overheard, he caught the scent of war. "When the summons from the Reception Universe arrives, everything should become clear," Xu Qing thought as he crushed the fairy slip of the Celestial Mausoleum, dissipating as he transported away. In the next moment, his sense blurred as he passed through the starry sky. Meanwhile, the Celestial Mausoleum is not unique to Nine Shores Outer Heaven. Every Outer Heaven has a similar place. They serve as the resting grounds for immortals who died in battle within their respective Outer Heavens throughout history. Some lie there in their entirety, while most are mere remains. There are even those commemorated only by a tablet engraved by their descendants. The Celestial Mausoleum of Nine Shores is located within the Immortal Stars of the Celestial Chant Universe. It is uniquely isolated, with entry and exit through only an ancient bronze gate. Outside the gate stands a black, ancient stone platform, where a nondescript elder in a black robe sits cross-legged in meditation, his aura barely perceptible, unmoving. Xu Qing's form appeared amidst the distortion of void, outside the massive gate beneath the stone platform. He lifted his gaze towards the grand gate and then to the elder, internally sensing a profound aura of death and a chilling loneliness about the elder. The Constitution of Time and Space within Xu Qing surged, as if drawn, allowing him to perceive more information. Xu Qing felt as if this old man shouldn't exist, yet here he was, clinging to existence. This feeling was fleeting, dissipating quickly. With a sober nod of respect, Xu Qing bowed, walked past the stone platform, and vanished through the gate. Long after Xu Qing had disappeared, the elder on the stone platform slowly opened his eyes. "It's been a while since anyone came." He raised a small jug, taking a swig of wine, glancing back at the bronze gate, and murmuring in a hoarse voice, "You all left so cleanly and decisively, leaving me alone to guard the graves..." The elder sighed, eyes filled with nostalgia. Within the gate, once the starry sky before Xu Qing's eyes shifted from blurred to clear, he was greeted by clusters of galaxies. Each one was a tomb! In the Celestial Star Field, every galaxy represents a burial ground, marked by towering stone monuments. Each stone leaves a legacy—some detailing the buried individual's life, others merely bearing a few words. The latter often encapsulate sentiments from when they were alive, serving as epitaphs. The overall count isn't great, just over a hundred, but remember, this is a sanctuary for the Immortals. From countless millennia, just within Nine Shores Outer Heaven, more than a hundred lower Immortals have perished. Despite the lengthy history, arriving here, witnessing would evoke shock in anyone. Xu Qing was no exception. It seemed as though he could hear sighs echoing throughout the cosmos, valiant shouts spiraling through the galaxies, and ancient blessings enduring in the midst of death. They protected their home, their posterity, waged valiant battles for the human race and the Starrings—selflessly dedicating their lives. Though not a native cultivator of the Fifth Starring, Xu Qing couldn't help but feel a weight on his heart and a profound respect for these heroic figures. The monuments became a metaphorical beacon in his heart. After a long while, Xu Qing continued to walk silently, passing by star clusters, stone by stone. “I practiced cultivation for nine thousand years, originating from the Great Immortal Mountain, honed through the ephemeral clouds, achieving the Immortal position, known as the Immortal Lord, proudly slaying seven true gods!” “I am a rogue cultivator, driven by dissatisfaction, reaching the Immortal position. Participated in the assault to kill the Divine Master during the Starring War—though dead, I have no regrets.” “Spirit becomes god, beast becomes entity, ghost becomes aberration, then what is an Immortal? To form mountains for the human race, to guard the race—humans are Immortals!” “Lived so long, human essence is fading, gods remain undefeated. Yet, a pursuit to slay the many prodigies of the Divine Realm, to do what I can to halt their divine generations!” “Future cultivators, don’t come empty-handed to pay respects. I delight in divine blood—honor me with divine offerings!” Xu Qing’s gaze wandered from one stone to another, the inscriptions seeming to animate into forms laughing heartily. Whether crying or laughing, mad or serene, they emerged before Xu Qing, eternally imprinted in the river of time. Through the site, the stones, and the epitaphs, they bridge past, present, and future—becoming an indelible mark sensed by those who visit. Indeed, green hills entomb the loyal, with chronicles recording their exploits. Courageous heroes shape the heavens, valiant warriors engrave their names through time. After long observation, Xu Qing sat cross-legged at the heart of the starry sky, gazing at the myriad monuments, quietly muttering, “Honored predecessors, although I, Xu Qing, am not a native of the Fifth Starring, I promise not to let your wills diminish. Should any of you bequeath your relics to me, I vow to remain true to my course.” He inhaled deeply, speaking solemnly. Silence, with not the slightest ripple, greeted him. Xu Qing fell into contemplation, shutting his eyes, striving for clarity. Long moments yielded no gains, prompting a furrow in his brow. Opting to cease his meditative tries, his thoughts drifted, memories resurfacing. The adversity of youth, the bloodshed in adulthood, the initial wrath towards the deities; then the anger upon their return, culminating in a complex understanding when the Empress became a deity, leading full circle to a self-inquiry. What is a deity? In years past, Xu Qing's answer was concise. But now, reflecting again, he thought of the Empress, eventually voicing his thoughts with serenity. “Most gods remain bastards,” he declared with quiet conviction, “but some among them, still, are human.” Instantly, all monuments quivered in response.