Chapter 987: Floating Fiend’s Pressure
“Xu Qing has gone missing!”
“The humans issued a dharmic decree saying that whoever finds Xu Qing will have a destined opportunity leading to godfire!”
“The Firemoons issued a similar decree to all the gods in the east!”
The dharmic decrees issued by humankind and the Firemoon Darkheaven people, and especially the rewards offered, instantly sparked a huge commotion in Revered Ancient. It was like a wind that started in the Forbidden Sea, blowing from South Phoenix into Emperor-Receiving Prefecture. From there, it filled Sea-Sealing County and then the Holytide Region. Eventually, it became a hurricane that covered everything in the east.
In the east of Revered Ancient, all the regions, all the counties, all the prefectures, all the species, all the organizations, and all the sects, whether they were righteous or evil... were all hit by astronomically large waves of shock. Everyone issued orders to start looking for Xu Qing.
Almost immediately, figures shot out from species and groups, scattering in all directions to start the search. Some experts with high cultivation bases used their respective organizations’ prized treasures to expand the area they could search. Sects and species alike mobilized their members to join the ranks of the search.
The east of Revered Ancient was buzzing. At any given moment, countless cultivators were out looking for Xu Qing.
Plants and vegetation. Mountains and rivers. Heaven and earth. Countless godly entities. All were going mad. A destined opportunity leading to godfire was inherently an astonishing level of good fortune. After all, the process of igniting godfire was incredibly difficult, and the ceremony involved was very complex. There was a lot of uncertainty involved, plus it required extensive preparation and precious materials. In addition to all that, there were a host of variables.
Whether it was Crimson Mother’s godchild or the grand steward of the Firemoon Darkheaven people, both had failed despite all their best efforts. From that it could be seen how difficult the process was.
But as of now, the human empress had shifted from the path of cultivators to the path of gods. Shē was now a first-level Altar God, whose words could surpass natural and magical laws. Hēr story had already spread through Revered Ancient, so when shē said shē would give a destined opportunity that could lead to godfire, then it meant the chances of success were incredibly high.
Add in the Firemoon dharmic decree, and it made that destined opportunity even more enticing, and led to a level of madness among countless entities.
An Altar God and three Flawless Gods were jointly offering a destined opportunity to reach godfire.... For all intents and purposes that meant that the chances of success were as close to 100% as could be possible!
Many godly entities couldn’t hold back from roaring as they burst into motion to join the search. There were even gods in the Godfire level who felt similarly. Wherever thēir lairs were, thēy woke up and sent out thēir godly auras to scour the east of Revered Ancient. To thēm, it wasn’t a matter of malicious intentions or good ones. It wasn’t a matter of being righteous or evil. All thēy cared about was attaining omniscience! And omniscience came from improving a god’s personhood. Finding Xu Qing would just take such gods one step closer to omniscience.
Therefore, it was no exaggeration to say that on this day, the east of Revered Ancient exploded because of Xu Qing. No one didn’t hear about what was happening. No one was unaware.
The reserve powers being tapped into ensured that Xu Qing’s name, though already in the forefront, now glittered even more brilliantly than before, like a star shining above Revered Ancient.
The majestic hurricane raging in the east was obviously noticed in other locations in Revered Ancient. And that ensured that Xu Qing’s name spread even farther. Organizations throughout the mainland could truly sense that the east... was home to a peak level of power.
And that power came from the humans and the Firemoons.
To the Redland Nobleplexuses, the Northfate Kings, and the Netherworld Chasmcorpses, this search for Xu Qing was symbolic of something else. What it truly signified was... the first demonstration of the power and will of the alliance of humankind and Firemoon Darkheavens! Domineering might was being revealed in the east of Revered Ancient! That might was truly shaking things in all directions. The Redland Nobleplexuses and other top species could sense it very clearly.
There were others who could sense it as well. And they were the other terrestrial-level holy lands similar to the Vivifiend holy land. They immediately ordered the members of their own species to return to their respective holy lands and keep a low profile. Now was not the time for any of them to cause trouble and incite disaster.
This display of power by humankind and the Firemoons resulted in a huge search for Xu Qing. It was a hurricane that just kept getting bigger and bigger until it surpassed the will of heaven, and in fact, everything else. Actually, the discussions among various organizations became part of the growing hurricane.
For example, out on the Forbidden Sea in a spot somewhat close to Emperor-Receiving Prefecture was an island occupied by the Seamammoths. The chatter in their marketplaces was a microcosm of what was happening throughout the east of Revered Ancient.
The Seamammoths were generally humanoid in appearance, but didn’t look like humans much at all. For one thing, their average height was about three meters. They were green from head to toe, were covered with dense scales, and had long trunks that hung down their chest, similar to those of elephants. Surrounding their trunks were masses of tentacles that made them look very gruish and ferocious. Despite their appearance, they were actually more kind and gentle than some of the violent species on the Forbidden Sea. That, coupled with the fact that their lands were close to Emperor-Receiving Prefecture, ensured that their lands were a popular spot for commerce on the open sea.
The marketplaces on their islands were usually filled with cultivators from a variety of species. At the moment, the marketplaces were bustling, with a cacophony of voices filling the air. While many people were doing business, there were also a lot of people discussing the news about Xu Qing.
“This fellow Xu Qing was actually famous in the Forbidden Sea years ago!”
“He comes from the continent of South Phoenix, and was a disciple of South Phoenix. Over the decades, he’s slowly become a legend!”
“It really defies imagination that someone like him would go missing and cause such a commotion!”
“This situation is totally crazy!”
“This one person has thrown the east of Revered Ancient into complete chaos!”
As the discussions raged, there was one particular middle-aged human cultivator who was making his way through one of the markets. He who wore tight clothing, had a big sword strapped to his back, and he pulsed with the fluctuations of the great circle of Foundation Establishment. As he heard the talk around him, his expression remained neutral. He just listened and walked.
He was none other than Floating Fiend. Although he had concealed all traces of himself including his karma, he still needed to go out and get information about what was going on in the world, including matters related to himself.
Though Flame Phoenix’s search had ultimately failed, Floating Fiend could sense that he was in great danger. That was why he had come to this place. In the course of his eavesdropping, he eventually heard people in the marketplace talking about what happened at the Vivifiend holy land.
“Holy land shmoly land!”
“That Vivifiend holy land was acting all kind and virtuous before. But they were obviously harboring evil intentions. How bold and reckless of them to be involved in Xu Qing’s disappearance.”
“They’re complete idiots! Didn’t they even take a minute to consider who Xu Qing is?”
“Flame Phoenix himself stepped in to help Xu Qing. A huge army from Sea-Sealing County came to take the lead, and top experts from the Moonrite Region came as well. The army from the imperial capital showed up, along with the three gods from the Firemoons and two human gods!”
“Even the human empress stepped in, crushing the defenses of that holy land with one blow, and crushing their patriarch. Ultimately, the entire holy land was sealed!”
“Did you hear what the empress said in the end? If Xu Qing perishes, the holy land will become a tomb!”
“The empress’ words were about as domineering as you can get.”
“I know which words you’re talking about. In the east of Revered Ancient, all shall heed this order, including heaven, earth, rivers, lakes, plants, vegetation, living beings, heavenly daos, and gods!”
Enthusiastic conversations were going on everywhere. Nobody seemed to notice that one particular middle-aged human cultivator who looked visibly shocked.
“So, it seems your name is Xu Qing,” he projected into the sword with divine will.
Inside the dilapidated pagoda, Xu Qing calmly opened his eyes. Although he couldn’t sense what was happening outside, he was able to make an educated guess based on what Floating Fiend had just said. Voice cool, he responded, “The fact you know my name seems to indicate news has spread about me going missing. In that case... it makes you wonder how your Vivifiend holy land is doing right now.”
Floating Fiend said nothing in return. The news he had heard about his home caused killing intent to swirl within him. But at the same time, he felt immeasurable pressure weighing down on him.
Back when he started chasing Xu Qing, he’d known that he was pursuing someone important. That was obvious given the terrifying karma threads. As a result, he had prepared himself mentally before coming out. However... the fact that this incident had resulted in such a dramatic situation in the east of Revered Ancient was a bit too much for him.
For that empress to be able to destroy a holy land's grand spell formation with a single blow would require a cultivation base of Grand Emperor at the very minimum.... And they’re also talking about the three gods of the Firemoons. I’m not sure what level those gods are. In any case, the fact they issued decrees that stirred up the entire eastern portion of Revered Ancient means that this situation has become very tricky indeed....
Floating Fiend’s heart just kept sinking as he stood there on the island. Feeling very uneasy, he turned to leave. But then, a frown appeared on his face as he looked off into the distance.
All of a sudden, the island trembled. The shaking filled the island, causing even the mountains to sway back and forth. Countless cultivators looked around in pure astonishment as the rumbling sounds turned deafening. Then, a huge head rose up from the water just outside of the island.
The head resembled that of a crocodile, and was about as big as half of the entire island. Īt had black scales and emanated a terrifying godliness that turned into a massive pressure over the island. Huge waves surged out in all directions.
The Seamammoths looked over in abject terror. But after only a moment, they seemed to realize what was going on, and they quickly dropped to their knees and bowed, crying out to their god. At the same time, their high priest flew out excitedly to offer pious obeisance.
This godly entity was the ‘god’ that they had worshiped for years on end. However, for many years, this godly being had been little more than a legend, and no matter what calls they issued, never appeared in person. There were even times when their species had been forced to relocate to different islands due to the threat of extinction, and yet, the god never showed up.
Even the high priest had started to believe that the godly entity they worshiped was nothing more than a legend invented by their earliest ancestors.
But now... the god had actually appeared! The moment the god was visible, a boundless divine will spread out, almost like a terrifying roar.
“Ye shalt... find... Xu Qing... for me!”
As soon as the divine will spread out, every member of the Seamammoth people prostrated, their minds spinning. At the same time, they instinctively acknowledged the orders. The godly entity’s divine will swept back and forth on the island for a moment. Then the god sank back down into the sea to continue īts own search.
Floating Fiend disappeared the moment the godly entity showed up. After vanishing, he reappeared deep on the seafloor, his expression dour. The news had been bad enough. But then he saw an actual godly entity on the prowl, and he knew full well it wasn’t an isolated incident.
The words he had heard spoken on the Seamammoth island kept reverberating in his mind.
“In the east of Revered Ancient, all shall heed this order, including heaven, earth, rivers, lakes, plants, vegetation, living beings, heavenly daos, and gods!”
However, a moment later, Floating Fiend’s eyes shone with cold determination.
Alright, let’s see how wide your search for Xu Qing will really spread. Can you really issue orders that all living beings will follow??