Sage of Humanity-Chapter 1568 - 1566: Qingli Dao World
The Qingli Palace occupies a vast area, comprising a stretch of palatial complexes, situated not far from Qingfeng City. Compared to the tranquil Qingli Palace, Qingfeng City seems much more lively.
Upper realm masters seldom stay long during each visit, generally departing within ten days, but news just came that they will leave Qingfeng World tomorrow, evidently eager to return to the upper realm.
No one knows why this is happening, as such an event has never occurred before.
Zhou Dingtian and others didn't want to rush back either, for they had traveled a long way and needed some rest. However, the information Lu Ye revealed earlier was extraordinary and with Tang Xiaoyue already eager to return to the Qingli Dao World, how could they linger?
Tang Xiaoyue and Sun Ye were still healing from their injuries, and Zhou Dingtian, plagued with doubts, proactively visited Lu Ye to extract more information.
Yet Lu Ye spoke little, as it wouldn't help even if he detailed it to Zhou Dingtian. Once they reach the Qingli Dao World and meet Wu Zhuo, presenting Tang Jun's jade slip to him will clarify everything.
In Qingli Dao World, it's Wu Zhuo who must take charge; Zhou Dingtian is merely a Constellation.
A female cultivator dressed like a maid was ordered to offer spirit fruit and fine wine. Lu Ye paid no mind to her until he noticed Zhu Yue's presence, causing his eyebrow to twitch.
He suddenly remembered what he had forgotten during the day.
He had left Zhu Yue by the Abyss, forgetting to bring her back. Somewhat sorry, he realized it's not much of a journey for him, but for a True Lake, flying back requires effort.
And if he wasn't mistaken, when he took Zhu Yue, she was about to attend the competition...
Zhu Yue was about to retreat after presenting the spirit fruit when Lu Ye asked, "How did the competition go?"
Zhu Yue paused, realizing Lu Ye was speaking to her, nervously lowered her head and replied, "Reporting to Senior Cultivator, I missed the timing, so it was considered a waiver."
Previously unaware of Lu Ye's terrifying cultivation, she was not too tense in his presence. However, having witnessed Lu Ye's impressive might, she dared not act inappropriately. Being ordered here to serve a Senior Cultivator was a great honor for her sect, and any misstep leading to his anger could implicate her entire sect.
"Pity!" Lu Ye said softly.
Zhu Yue respectfully withdrew.
Zhou Dingtian remarked with interest, "Fellow Daoist, do you know this girl?"
Lu Ye casually explained the earlier incident of seizing her for labor, enlightening Zhou Dingtian to the fact that Zhu Yue missed the competition's timing due to Lu Ye.
Unable to gather much definite news from Lu Ye, Zhou Dingtian had to take leave, for regardless of Lu Ye's intentions, following him to Qingli Dao World, seeing the Hall Master would surely unveil everything.
The next day, outside Qingli Palace, Sect Masters and Sect Leaders from various major sects of Qingfeng World gathered, gazing reverently at the spirit ark hovering before the palace.
Beneath the spirit ark, thirty excited individuals awaited, all victors of the recent competition, set to enter Qingli Dao World for cultivation.
The thirty stood in three rows; the ten True Lakes appeared calm, with higher cultivation fostering steadiness. The Spirit Streams and Cloud Rivers seemed more lively, standing there proudly. The daringly ones even raised their heads to admire the spirit ark's wonder, only to receive secret audio transmission reproaching them to behave, discreetly from their elders.
After a long wait, Qingli Palace's doors swung open, and a group of people emerged, causing all sect leaders and masters to straighten their expressions, bow respectfully, and shout in unison: "Welcome, Senior Cultivator."
Zhou Dingtian and Lu Ye walked side by side at the front, followed by Tang Xiaoyue and Sun Ye. Next to Tang Xiaoyue was Lih Shang holding Yaya.
"Brother Lu, please!" Zhou Dingtian gestured towards the starboat as they reached its front.
Lu Ye didn't decline, stepping up towards the boat, followed closely by Zhou Dingtian and others. Sun Ye didn't board the boat, glanced at the thirty individuals, and under their fervent gaze, instructed, "Everyone's here, go aboard!"
The True Lakes eagerly activated their spirit force, enveloping nearby Spirit Stream cultivators, boarding the starboat, while Cloud Rivers relied on themselves, as the starboat isn't high, flying up wasn't difficult, promptly the thirty boarded.
Below, sect leaders and masters displayed gratified expressions, with those who failed to secure top ten positions looking on in envy.
Zhou Dingtian walked to the front of the deck, glancing downward before suddenly calling out, "Where is Zhu Yue of Zhengyang Sect?"
Zhu Shang, the Sect Master of Zhengyang Sect, startled, promptly looked to the side at Zhu Yue, wondering if she had committed some mistake, otherwise why would the upper realm master suddenly mention her?
Zhu Yue was equally puzzled but still responded, stepping forward gracefully and said, "Zhu Yue present!"
Zhou Dingtian looked at her, smiled and said, "Zhu Yue from Zhengyang Sect, recently aided in animal control, securing domain peace, but missed the competition's timing. Considering your cultivation aptitude is decent, you are specially allowed to accompany us to Qingli Dao World for cultivation; do you wish to come?"
Zhu Yue stood there, stunned.
She indeed missed the competition's timing, but never aided in animal control or secured domain peace; she merely provided Lu Ye with some information during their travels. Thinking she missed the competition meant waiting another decade, and yet an unexpected turn of events occurred!
Suddenly, she recalled the Lu-named strong cultivator casually asking her about the results of the grand competition last night. At the time, he didn't say much, and she didn't think much of it either... Immediately she understood that the upper world strong cultivator would exceptionally take her to the upper world; it was the result of that Lu-named strong cultivator's casual question!
"Why are you still standing there in a daze?" Zhu Shang's anxious voice sounded beside her ear, seeing her dumbfounded, Zhu Shang hurriedly reminded her. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
Zhu Yue snapped back to reality and quickly said, "Disciple is willing to go!" This was her pursuit; how could she miss it?
Zhou Dingtian smiled slightly and raised his hand, saying, "If that's the case, then board the ship!"
Zhu Yue glanced back at Zhu Shang, and under Zhu Shang's urging gaze, she jumped with all her strength onto the boat.
Following that, Zhou Dingtian exchanged a few encouraging words with the Sect Leaders and Sect Masters of this domain, mainly advising them to carefully cultivate their cultivators and send more outstanding talents to Qingli Dao World. The Sect Leaders of various sects all promised accordingly and bestowed plenty of cultivation resources, receiving gratitude from everyone.
After a short while, the starboat shook and slowly ascended into the sky.
On the deck, all thirty-one cultivators from Qingfeng World, including Zhu Yue, fell to their knees, solemnly kowtowing to the ground below!
Even though heading to the upper world to cultivate is the only path for cultivators from Qingfeng World, pursued by almost all cultivators, this departure might very well be a farewell forever.
To return to Qingfeng World again, one must at least cultivate to the level of a Constellation to have a chance. Over the years, Qingfeng World has sent considerable talents to Qingli Dao World, but how many managed to cultivate to the level of a Constellation and return gloriously?
On the path of cultivation, there are many obstacles and trials; failing any challenge could lead to a life vanished, Dao extinguished.
The starboat ascended into the air, and long after, the gathered Sect Leaders and sects slowly dispersed. Qingfeng World would have such an event again in ten years.
The thirty-one cultivators from Qingfeng World were arranged in different cabins, and the journey to Qingli Dao World would take about two months.
Of course, this is the time needed for Zhou Dingtian and others to steer the starboat. If Lu Ye himself were to steer the starboat, it would probably only take one month, as his starboat is better in various performances than Zhou Dingtian and the others'.
However, he showed no urgency, and usually, he only cultivated and contemplated in his cabin; it's merely one more month of travel. Since having returned to the Jade Conch Galaxy, there wasn't a need to rush.
Yaya, however, couldn't sit still, running around the ship all day, while Lih Shang, like a nagging elder, followed behind her, looking extremely exhausted.
Tang Xiaoyue tried several times to visit Lu Ye to inquire more about Tang Jun, but never found the opportunity, so she had to give up.
The journey was peaceful.
Almost two months later, Qingli Dao World arrived.
On the deck, having received the news, Lu Ye and Zhou Dingtian stood side by side, gazing at the domain ahead.
Like large domains that have advanced for thousands of years, Qingli Dao World's atmosphere is undoubtedly much grander than Qingfeng World; even without delving into the domain, just observing from stellar space, one could discern some clues.
Moon Jade numbers are scarce in Qingli Dao World, currently only Wu Zhuo stationed inside, but there are plenty of Constellations. Over a month ago, one could occasionally spot the active figures of some Constellation cultivators in stellar space. Sometimes, these cultivators searching for spirit jade in stellar space would come to the starboat to chat briefly with Zhou Dingtian and others before heading off again.
This occurrence becomes more frequent the closer they are to Qingli Dao World.
As they approached the domain, traces of cultivators entering and exiting the clouds could be seen.
Upon entering the domain, the starboat descended directly towards a Spirit Island over a vast and magnificent ocean. According to Zhou Dingtian, that Spirit Island is where the Shenwu Temple is located, and Lu Ye would naturally go to the Shenwu Temple first to pay respects to Wu Zhuo.
The starboat descended onto a huge plaza on Spirit Island, and as Lu Ye was surveying his surroundings, he suddenly sensed a powerful Mental Consciousness probing from a direction on Spirit Island.
Lu Ye quickly looked towards that direction, only to see a spirit mountaintop standing like a sword, with a tall tower at the peak. The source of the Mental Consciousness was within the high tower.
Wu Zhuo!
Lu Ye immediately identified the owner of the Mental Consciousness because there was only one Moon Jade in the entire Qingli Dao World, consistent with the information given by Tang Jun; Wu Zhuo is also at Moon Jade Mid-Stage.
That Mental Consciousness was clearly inspecting Lu Ye, as any domain would be cautious when a stranger arrived.
Lu Ye cupped his hands towards that direction and spoke loudly, "Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens comes specially to pay respects to Fellow Daoist!"
The Mental Consciousness was initially only slightly probing, but after hearing Lu Ye's words, suddenly grew much heavier. A powerful voice echoed from within the tower, "To call me a fellow Daoist and discuss Dao, we'll see if you have the qualification!"
As the voice fell, suddenly power fluctuations came from the direction of the tower, followed by a massive handprint appearing out of thin air, pressing directly towards the starboat!
