Beyond the Timescape [Wuxiaworld]

Xu Qing was somewhat in a daze as he walked with Master Seventh through the jungle.

Even though Master Seventh said he had a Go game to finish, he didn’t seem to be in a hurry as he led the way. Quite the opposite. That said, every step he took propelled him a vast distance. Of course, he pulled Xu Qing with him as he proceeded.

As Xu Qing followed, he kept replaying the scene of Master Seventh waving his hand and killing three Gold Core experts from the Soaring Cloud Sword Sect. It almost didn’t seem real. He maintained silence.

A short time later, Master Seventh said, “You did a good job handling the situation with Grandmaster Bai.”

“I just did what I had to do,” Xu Qing replied softly.

“You also performed well in that Seazombie incident.”

“The Cap— er.” Xu Qing hesitated slightly. “Grand Highness did all that.”

“The Night Dove matter went well.”

Xu Qing bowed his head. “I did my best, that’s all.”

“But you were really reckless in dealing with Master Shengyun.” As the words left Master Seventh’s mouth, they stepped out into a section of city ruins. It was none other than the spot where Xu Qing had fought Master Shengyun.

Xu Qing didn’t respond.

“What you should have done,” Master Seventh continued, sounding less than pleased, “was ask for help from Big Sib, Second Sib, and Third Sib. If the four of you killed him together, you wouldn’t have ended up so badly injured.”

Xu Qing thought about it and came to the conclusion that what he said made sense. He nodded.

Master Seventh seemed to approve of Xu Qing’s pleasant attitude. He turned, and his expression overflowed with praise. “Step closer. I thought you weren’t afraid of anything in heaven or earth. Why are you standing so far away?”

Xu Qing hesitantly took a few steps closer to Master Seventh.

Master Seventh looked him up and down, and there was a gleam of reminiscence in his eyes as he thought back to the scavenger basecamp, and how Xu Qing had changed clothes to make sure they didn’t get dirty. He chuckled. [1]

“You’re taller than back then.”

Xu Qing looked up at him, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.

Master Seventh didn’t continue the conversation, though. He led the way further into the ruins, and Xu Qing followed without a word.

From a distance, it was possible to see an old man and a young man, walking through the desolate ruins as the evening sun shone down on them. It seemed almost like they were strolling through ancient times.

“This place is both a testament to the past, and also a place where a lot of history is buried.” As Master Seventh’s voice echoed through the ruins of the old city, it seemed to drift like the song of a distant flute.

Xu Qing looked at him and waited for him to continue.

“This city was once home to a person of legend. An outstanding figure who was said to be the most outstanding human to live after the broken face of the god arrived. He was the crown prince of the Sovereign Kingdom of Violet and Cyan.

“Supposedly, that crown prince had exceptional aptitude. He had a bloodline legacy from the Ancient Emperors and Imperial Sovereigns, and dominated an entire generation.

“Some people claim that he was born bearing the destiny aura of the human species, and that auspicious heavenly signs appeared on the day he was born, specifically, nine golden dragons that accompanied him throughout his life. Others say that the world itself gathered all its resources so that he could be born, and that as a result, he saved the world.

“According to the history books, when he was born, a howl of grief echoed out of all the forbidden grounds in Revered Ancient, and mutated blood flowed from within them. Yet others claim that the eyes of the god gazed down on him five times during his life, yet he never died. Thus, he acquired the blessing of the god.

“Even the holy lands were shocked by him, and tried to recruit him, though he refused their offers.

“Unfortunately, that most peerless of humans eventually died in battle in the territory of the Sovereign Kingdom of Violet and Cyan. Reportedly, countless species joined forces and sent their most powerful representatives to cut him down.”

Xu Qing was deeply moved by all of this information. It was a bit different from his previous understanding of the Sovereign Kingdom of Violet and Cyan. The story he’d heard was that eight clans rebelled and stripped away the bloodline power of the royal clan. After, there was no more Violet and Cyan. Instead, there were the eight clans of the Violet Lands. [2]

Seeing Xu Qing’s facial expression caused Master Seventh to grin.

“I’m not talking about the Violet and Cyan from South Phoenix,” he said. “I’m talking about the real Sovereign Kingdom of Violet and Cyan, which existed after Dark Serenity, and most likely conquered all of Revered Ancient. Unfortunately, it would be easier to find a phoenix feather or a qilin horn than to find people who know about such history. Whether intentionally or not, all the species in the world, including humans, have erased that history from their records.

“As for the eight clans of the Violet Lands, what they overthrew was nothing more than an enfeebled remnant of Violet and Cyan, which by that time was a tiny kingdom of little note.”

Xu Qing took a deep breath.

“That said,” Master Seventh continued, “it was an interesting coincidence that the spectacular crown prince of the Sovereign Kingdom of Violet and Cyan actually did die in battle on the continent of South Phoenix. Eventually, a city was built on the spot where he died. However, ten years ago when the god’s eyes opened, that city vanished.

“Some people claim the place was cursed by the crown prince. That said, there’s another story about this crown prince of Violet and Cyan. Supposedly, he had a cold personality, and could even be described as evil!”

Xu Qing looked at nothing and didn't speak. Eventually, they reached the daoist temple. The entire area was devastated thanks to the fighting that had taken place. Xu Qing looked over at Master Seventh.

“Didn’t someone mention that you lack divine abilities and magical techniques?” Master Seventh said. He smacked Xu Qing gently on the head. “Go seek enlightenment. And hurry up, I still have a game of Go to play.”

Xu Qing’s heart thumped. The ‘someone’ Master Seventh had just mentioned was obviously Master Shengyun. Nodding, Xu Qing walked into the daoist temple and sat down cross-legged in front of the statue there. He stared at it for a while, then stood up and looked back at Master Seventh.

“What’s wrong?” Master Seventh asked.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, then said, “You can’t get enlightenment during the day. You need moonlight.”

Master Seventh muttered something that Xu Qing couldn’t quite make out, then waved his hand. Instantly, dark clouds spread out over the sky above the temple, blocking out the sunlight, and casting the temple and everything around it into utter darkness. Then, a rotating mirror appeared in the dark clouds above. Unexpectedly, moonlight spilled out of the mirror, falling down from the sky and onto the divine likeness in the temple. Almost immediately, the image of a saber appeared.

Meanwhile, Xu Qing’s thoughts were in chaos because of what Master Seventh had just done. He had seen Master Sixth in action, and hadn’t got the sense that he could simply wave his hand to transpose the sun and moon. And that got Xu Qing thinking about the traditions of the Seventh Peak.

I bet Master Seventh is above the Nascent Soul level!

However, Xu Qing knew time was of the essence, so he stowed such thoughts and concentrated on the image of the saber. As he did, a violet heavenly saber took form above his own head. He began seeking enlightenment.

As he did, Master Seventh stood outside looking at the surrounding wreckage.

He really does lack divine abilities and magical techniques.... And he’s got a lot of really random assets. He has a lot to learn about the art of fighting, but given how young he is, he’s not bad at all.

In that manner, time passed.

***

Out on the Forbidden Sea, sword light filled the sky.

Numerous streams of sword energy sped toward Seven Blood Eyes, and in the middle of them all was the enraged Patriarch Soaring Cloud. Behind him were numerous disciples from the Soaring Cloud Sword Sect, and all of them pulsed with killing intent.

***

In Forbidden by the Phoenix, things were quiet and peaceful.

Night had come.

Xu Qing was focused on seeking enlightenment. The moonlight Master Seventh had provided became even more brilliant at nighttime, and that made the image of the sword even clearer.

Xu Qing’s speed of enlightenment was astonishing, and the violet saber above his head grew solid faster and faster. It had previously been only ten percent corporeal, but soon that number climbed to fifty percent. Then sixty percent. Then seventy....

The night passed and dawn neared. Just as sunlight drove away the darkness, a tremor passed through Xu Qing, and an incisive aura spread out from him in all directions. The violet saber above his head was now completely solid. No longer was it illusory. It was a true heavenly saber, radiating a terrifying sharpness.

What was more, the extended period of rest, as well as the moonlight provided by Master Seventh, ensured that Xu Qing’s wounds had all healed up. His missing fingers had grown back, and his aura was now at an all-time peak. As he stood, six-flame battle prowess surged around him, causing winds to scream into a vortex.

Master Seventh looked at him with approval in his eyes. “Even outsiders know the truth. You don’t have to be deceptive around me.”

Without a word, Xu Qing allowed two halos of light to appear above his head. One was made of black fire, the other radiated seven colors. Two umbrellas cast radiant light in all directions. Dawn had brought light, but Xu Qing was even brighter.

“Let’s go,” Master Seventh said. “Given the time, I’d say we can expect some visitors soon.” He flicked his sleeve, and the space around them transformed. It was like thick mists had suddenly sprang up around them, swirling about and causing everything around them to sway.

Yet again, Xu Qing was struck by the level of Master Seventh’s cultivation base. Only a moment later, everything around them went back to normal. Now, they weren’t in Forbidden by the Phoenix anymore, but instead, were in a building at the summit of the Seventh Peak.

The sea breeze blew, bringing with it a familiar humidity. The clamor of the capital city drifted up with the breeze, the sound of innumerable people talking, shouting, engaged in business, all of it mixing together into a faint thrum. Feeling a bit dazzled, Xu Qing looked around. In addition to Master Seventh, there was another familiar face present.

It was a middle-aged man in a gray robe, with a smile on his face. He had a Go piece held between his fingers. Xu Qing knew this man. He was the very same person who had given him that identity medallion back in the scavenger basecamp. [3]

“Master Seventh,” the servant said, clasping hands respectfully in greeting. Then he looked at Xu Qing and nodded.

“Are the visitors here yet?” Master Seventh asked, looking down at the Go board. He placed the piece onto the board.

“They’ll arrive soon,” the servant responded.

“Alright. Take the Kid to be bathed. He went and got himself all dirty.” Master Seventh flicked his sleeve and walked out.

When Xu Qing heard Master Seventh call him ‘the Kid,’ it further confirmed his theories and speculations.

“Kid, come with me,” the servant said. “Let’s get you cleaned up. Today’s a big day for you, but it’s also a big day for Master Seventh and Seven Blood Eyes.” With that, the servant offered Xu Qing a jade slip. “After you bathe, you’ll step out of the grand hall and walk up the stairs. As you do, look at the images in that jade slip.”

Xu Qing took the jade slip, then clasped hands respectfully and followed the servant. After thoroughly bathing, he put on a new daoist robe. That was when the handmaidens arrived with special incense.

Xu Qing wasn’t used to this sort of thing, but he didn’t send them away.

As a couple of the handmaidens stepped behind him and bound his hair into a topknot, the Captain peeked through the doorway and winked at Xu Qing. Next, the chamberlain arrived, carrying a violet daoist crown in both hands. The crown radiated light, and looked absolutely exquisite. It exuded terrifying pressure, and featured the image of a mutant beast. Looking closely, it was a nine-headed snake, the same type of fantastic creature that had appeared toward the end of the fighting with the Merfolk. If you looked at the image for long enough, you would be able to hear that fantastic creature howling! [4] [5]

The Captain’s eyes glittered as he watched the chamberlain put the crown on Xu Qing’s head. “Well, shoot. It’s the Violet-Heaven Supreme-Limitless Crown, with half the soul of a Nascent Soul beast sealed inside. The old man is really being prejudiced here! I’ve asked for that thing a bunch of times and he never once gave it to me!"

Xu Qing now wore a violet daoist robe embroidered with gold. He had the Violet-Heaven Supreme-Limitless Crown on his head, and the faint image of an umbrella stretched above him. All of that, coupled with his incredible good looks, made him seem absolutely extraordinary, and beyond anything you would expect to see in the mortal world.

The handmaidens all looked at him with glittering eyes.

Just as the Captain was about to say something, a stern voice spoke from outside.

“The dao is void, shapeless and nameless; without scriptures, one cannot grasp the dao; the dao exists in scripture, serene and hidden, subtle and delicate. Without a teacher, one cannot understand its truths.

“Today, a child from the Seventh Peak named Xu Qing will be taught of the dao, and pay formal respects to his sect ancestor!”

The voice echoed from the Seventh Peak to fill the heavens.

1. Master Seventh noted Xu Qing changing clothes way back in chapter 10. ☜

2. Xu Qing heard the story of the Violet Lands history in chapter 210. ☜

3. The servant gave him the medallion in chapter 30. ☜

4. The daoist crown would normally be put over the topknot and then secured with a hairpin. Here is a cool picture of a real-life daoist crown. ☜

5. The nine-headed snakes appeared in chapter 127. ☜

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