Chapter 317: Forbidden Land

Chapter 317: The Forbidden Ground

The sound of the flute floats and sways.

Several days later, the Eight Clans Alliance gradually comes into Xu Qing’s view.

The sunset’s residual glow spreads across the Eight Clans Alliance, its waters no longer black, once again exhaling immortal spirit’s breath, yet the earth’s wounds cannot be dispersed in mere days.

From a distance, the buildings under repair dot the landscape like scars slowly healing on a body.

Serpentine wisps of otherworldly residual smoke rise into the sky, resembling the tears of the heavens.

All of this transforms into a sorrow that blankets the entire city, narrating the catastrophe of that day.

Though the otherworldly essence has diminished greatly compared to when the divine eyes spilled from the wooden box, its spread persists; fortunately, the ferocious assault has been halted, yet the soul’s anguish resists swift dispersal.

This catastrophe did not merely affect the Seven Blood Pupil, but the entire Eight Clans Alliance; while the number of deaths was not great, the impact it brought was immense.

Xu Qing’s magic ship descends from the heavens.

Gazing upon the scene before him, at the lifeless crowds, he withdraws his gaze.

Until he returns to the mountain gate of the Seven Blood Pupil, where he sees the sorrowful Six Peak Court, the silent peak cultivators, and the ravaged mountain body.

Looking at these, Xu Qing also falls silent.

He moves forward without a word, joining the repair efforts.

Time flows slowly, and over ten days pass.

During this period, Xu Qing does not see Blood-Like Child or the Seventh Prince; he encounters the Captain, the Second Senior Sister, and the Third Senior Brother, their expressions laden with complexity.

Especially the Captain, aware of Xu Qing’s bond with the Seventh Prince, silently pats his shoulder with a soft sigh.

Xu Qing remains silent.

After half a month of repair, the otherworldly essence within the Eight Clans Alliance has dissipated nine-tenths, the remaining requiring more years to fully resolve.

Having endured the sorrow, each clan was forced to restore its spirit, and the Eight Clans Alliance has reached a unified conclusion regarding this matter.

The Eight Clans Alliance submits a memorial to the Sword Judgment Court, requesting the elevation of the “Torch of Hazard” to the first tier and urging the Court to intensify the hunt for the Torch.

Additionally, the Eight Clans Alliance issues an announcement: henceforth, the Torch is to be met with no quarter given or received.

Even witnessing the terror of the divine eyes within the wooden box does not justify withholding hatred; the Eight Clans Alliance cannot tolerate the Torch’s involvement, for internal division would ensue.

As for the internal situation… The Celestial Ancestor of Lingyun is stripped of his elder status, and though the Lingyun Sword Sect remains part of the Eight Clans Alliance, all its resources henceforth are reduced to the lowest level.

This is a severe punishment inflicted upon the Lingyun Sword Sect, with the sect master subjected to the same fate, all punished until the Sacred Junzi father and son are executed to restore legitimacy.

The forbidden artifact of the Lingyun Sword Sect has its power halved, for the one that fell into the Forbidden Tree of the Seven Blood Pupil was successfully subdued by the Seventh Prince and Blood-Like Child, transforming into half a forbidden artifact for the Seven Blood Pupil.

Next, the combined efforts of 137 clans within the Eight Clans Alliance mobilize their espionage forces to search for Torch members, while the wooden box has drawn the heightened attention of the Entire Mingzhou.

Post-analysis reveals that the wooden box’s… may not have been the eyes of a divine remnant, but something akin.

As to the specifics, time is too brief, clues too sparse to ascertain clearly.

Yet it is certain that while its power is formidable, it does not reach a level that renders it utterly unopposable; the mystery behind this event is what inspires the deepest trepidation.

The Torch indeed possesses part of the divine force.

At this juncture, Xu Qing chooses to depart the Seven Blood Pupil, heading to the ancestral ground of the Corpse Sea Clan—the very place where the forbidden artifact resides.

There, he opens his 121st magical aperture.

Prior to this, Xu Qing had not been overly determined to open a 121st aperture, but circumstances have changed.

To fulfill his intention of returning, he must grow stronger, pushing himself to the extreme.

Before departing, Xu Qing encounters the Seventh Prince at the tomb of the Sixth Prince.

At the tomb, the Seventh Prince sits with a wine pot in hand.

In Xu Qing’s memory, the Seventh Prince had always been composed, bearing wisdom in his eyes as though everything lay within his grasp; yet this time, Xu Qing perceives the Seventh Prince as utterly different.

His hair is disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, his face streaked with guilt, his demeanor fluctuating chaotically, as if… he were choosing to breakthrough.

Clearly, such a breakthrough is not so easily achieved; upon hearing Xu Qing’s intent to leave, the Seventh Prince turns to regard him, presenting a purple heaven-defying crown in his hand, then offers Xu Qing a jade disc resembling dried blood, equally bestowed upon him.

“Fourth Younger, I do not ask for much from my senior brother and junior siblings, only that you remain safe and sound. Since the Sixth Prince has fallen, I cannot bear the thought of you two walking ahead of me one day.”

“Fate is unpredictable, fate is unpredictable. I had calculated everything, yet could not foresee this. How could this be…”

The Seventh Prince sighs softly, then hands Xu Qing a jade slip—the credential for entering the Forbidden Ground of the Seven Blood Pupil, containing knowledge of the forbidden artifact.

Xu Qing’s eyes are slightly red, accepting it with a deep bow, then looks toward the Sixth Prince’s tomb, his mind flashing with the head in the night bird’s hand, his heart piercing anew.

After a moment’s silence, Xu Qing bows deeply to the tomb, then regards the Seventh Prince’s guilt-ridden expression, speaking softly:

“Senior Brother, let us avenge the Sixth Prince.”

The Seventh Prince’s gaze deepens, lifting his head toward the distance, gradually revealing an edge of ultimate sharpness.

“Certainly!”

With that, Ding Xue’s aunt approaches from afar, her expression bearing care, Xu Qing bows in salute without disturbing, then transforms into a bolt of lightning, vanishing toward the Forbidden Sea, toward the Corpse Sea Clan’s ancestral ground.

Due to the otherworldly essence, the alliance’s formations are unstable, so Xu Qing opts for the magic ship for travel.

In the azure heavens by the sea, he spots a figure.

A graceful woman in a purple robe, the fair image of Purple Xuanyuan Immortal.

She stands there, gazing at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing bows.

“Greetings, Senior.”

Purple Xuanyuan Immortal speaks not, and Xu Qing waits half a moment before bowing again and departing, keeping a distance of over a hundred zhang. Suddenly, her voice drifts over:

“The matter is sudden; I had no time to intervene.”

Xu Qing halts mid-step, turning to face her, speaking softly:

“Thank you.”

This remark is not addressed as “Senior.”

Having spoken, he whirls away, transforming into a streak of light, disappearing into the distance.

Purple Xuanyuan Immortal’s expression holds a tinge of tenderness, and after a long while, she sighs softly, her eyes brimming with cold clarity.

“Torch!”

Over several days, time passes swiftly.

Xu Qing’s speed is swift, navigating the magic ship through the winds over the Forbidden Sea, gradually catching sight of the Corpse Sea Clan’s ancestral island and the towering stone statues erected there.

Above these statues, colossal bronze ancient mirrors float in the heavens, their slow rotations spreading terrifying divine senses that perceive all who approach.

Since the establishment of the forbidden artifact of the Seven Blood Pupil, the island has been shrouded within its constraints, and the Corpse Sea Clan, as an attached populace, has no opportunity for suspicion—their every movement is scrutinized.

Simultaneously, part of the peak disciples of the Seven Blood Pupil are stationed here, rotating in shifts, with peak masters exchanging duties, now present are the Three Peak Masters.

As Xu Qing approaches, the spirit within the mirror suddenly settles upon him, the icy intent spreading through his body as Xu Qing calmly retrieves his token.

This is a forbidden place, not one to be entered at will. Even he, a lord of the Seven Blood Eyes, lacked the authority to come here on his own; only with the recognition of Master Seven or Blood Refiner could he hold that status.

Now, as his divine thought touched the token Xu Qing had produced, it resonated, then slowly dissipated. The sea before him instantly churned, violently parting to both sides, rearing up high to form a path through the waters.

Xu Qing’s dharma vessel raced along this sea-road, flanked by walls of water dozens of zhang high.

He took in all of this, and also felt the dreadfulness of the Seven Blood Eyes’ forbidden ground, though compared to that ray of light described by the sect’s disciples, it was evidently still inferior.

Xu Qing said nothing, approached the shore, stowed his dharma vessel, and set foot upon what had once been the territory of the Sea Corpse Clan.

The purple ground was overgrown with strange vegetation. Beings resembling lingzhi mushrooms were still everywhere, and luminous dandelions drifted in flocks across the sky, a lovely sight from afar.

Huge jellyfish also floated between heaven and earth. One sped over, extending a tentacle to welcome Xu Qing.

Upon that jellyfish stood dozens of Seven Blood Eyes disciples, all at the Foundation Establishment stage. Seeing Xu Qing, they clasped their fists in salute.

“Third Peak Master has received the sect’s decree and arranged for several protectors to await you at the forbidden site. But there is no hurry; we have been ordered to come and escort Your Highness there.”

Because Master Seven was the sect leader, Xu Qing’s status was both that of a lord of the Seventh Peak and a lord of the Seven Blood Eyes. Combined with his prestige within the Alliance, this respect from fellow disciples was only natural.

Xu Qing’s expression was solemn. He returned the salute, then followed the jellyfish’s tentacle, stepped onto it, and headed toward the site of the Seven Blood Eyes’ forbidden treasure.

This was Xu Qing’s third time entering the former territory of the Sea Corpse Clan. The first time, he and the Captain had done something great here; the second, he had merely passed through; this time, he came on purpose.

Gazing at the strangeness around him, Xu Qing suddenly thought of the Sea Corpse Clan’s princess. The matter had slipped his mind before, and he had never asked the Captain about it. Now, as his thoughts wandered, he looked into the distance toward where the Sea Corpse Clan lay.

“How is the Sea Corpse Clan now?”

“Your Highness, the Sea Corpse Clan has submitted fully. Their ancestor and all clansmen have been branded with soul seals by the Seven Blood Eyes. At the same time, the conversion technique is now under our sect’s control, and while replenishing their bloodline, every new member is strictly marked with a soul seal.”

“As for the rest, our sect has not interfered. They still have their own royal family and order, retaining autonomy.”

“But the succession of the throne requires our sect’s approval. The previous ruler and the clan’s ancestor were taken away by Ancestor Blood Refiner. The new ruler now on the throne is one we supported, governing the whole clan.”

Xu Qing said nothing more. Soon, their group arrived at the location of the Seven Blood Eyes’ forbidden ground.

Before them stood fourteen towering statues of corpse ancestors, radiating a heaven-shaking aura, steeped in antiquity and the passage of time.

Compared to them, cultivators were like ants in stature, especially five of those statues, which, even when one craned one’s neck, were beyond sight, soaring like giant peaks.

Beneath these fourteen statues clustered the buildings of the Seven Blood Eyes, with a great many disciples stationed here, constantly maintaining the forbidden ground.

Xu Qing’s arrival drew many eyes; people bowed in greeting.

“Your Highness, would you like to rest first, or go immediately?”

Xu Qing looked at the enormous ancient mirror floating in the sky above the statues, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly.

“Pardon the trouble, everyone—I wish to go at once.”