For ten Yuan Hui, Qing Ling had not risen from his seat, nor had his cultivation ceased.
Having exhausted all the great abilities of his future self, he spent ten Yuan Hui refining and consolidating. The yuan qi of the four directions returned to him like a tide. The庆云 above his head churned, and the range of the sky covered by the sea of clouds doubled. Over three hundred thousand mu of 庆云 were hidden in the void, becoming the sky of Dugguang.
Qing Ling had cultivated arduously for an eternity, a dream spanning years.
He rose to his feet, his hair disheveled and flowing, his robes unfurled like an immortal from the clouds.
Gazing towards the east, facing the sea, he looked back at the past.
Qing Ling sighed, lamenting that time spared no one, and he was no longer the youth he once was.
Through the long years of arduous cultivation, he had lived through more than a hundred and twenty Yuan Hui in this life. Qing Ling had shed the immaturity of youth and entered his prime.
He looked at the blue heavens in the east, and thought of his eldest brother, the Azure Dragon, who was imprisoned in the Eastern Extremes.
When he was young, the Azure Dragon had protected his growth.
Now, he had grown, and the Azure Dragon had withdrawn from the world.
Qing Ling sighed, "Brother, I am almost catching up to your footsteps."
Now, he was no longer an insignificant figure drifting with the currents, unable to control his own fate.
Having walked through peaceful times and bloody eras, Qing Ling had finally reached the twenty-fifth Heaven Realm.
He had become a true giant of the Primordial World in this era!
As he was lost in thought, a bright light appeared again outside Xishan.
It was the people of the Snake Clan, busy at work.
Following the decree of their Ancestor, they had built an ancient stone city outside Xishan to house cultivators and immortals from all directions.
Qing Ling had named the ancient city "Senluo"!
On the eastern coast of the Primordial Land, the forest city served as a boundary. West of this city was the territory of Dugguang.
East of this city was the sphere of influence of the Penglai Immortal Island in this great era.
All immortals in the Primordial World knew that the Lord of Dugguang and the King of the East were sworn enemies.
The two great powers were hostile to each other.
Senluo City could be considered the first city in heaven and earth. When the city was completed, Heavenly Dao merit descended, though not in large amounts.
The ancient city was built for the Snake Clan. Visitors from all directions could enter the city to rest or trade. There was only one rule in the city: no fighting or disputes were allowed.
Xishan ancient land had been incorporated into Dugguang by Qing Ling. From then on, the only passage for the Snake Clan to enter and exit the Primordial World would be through Senluo City, hence the largest number of Snake Clan members were in the city.
If a powerful being arrived in the city, they could head to the Jianmu and ascend the Heavenly Ladder.
The Jianmu was now known as the Heavenly Ladder, a passage connecting heaven and earth.
Upon ascending the Heavenly Ladder, one could gain experience, with each heaven ascended bringing a new realization.
Many immortal great powers came here admiring its fame. Immortals, who roamed the four seas and lived carefree lives, often came to witness it.
Unlike the Penglai Immortal Island, which preached to all sentient beings, Dugguang only sought freedom and contentment.
Qi, who had trained in the Sea of Blood and mastered the path of killing, had finally achieved the realm of Da Luo. Another great power of the killing path had emerged, and he had become the true Eight-Branched Great Serpent!
In Xishan, the various lineages of the Snake Clan prospered again, their names—Bashe, Mingshe, Huashe—widely known throughout the land.
At the Dragon Gate, which opened every ten thousand years in the Yellow River, more than a dozen aquatic creatures had crossed, transforming into dragons and flying to the East Sea to cultivate in their ancestral dens.
The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas had all become cultivators of Taiyi realm. Although they could not control the Four Seas, they could at least manage their Dragon Palaces.
The Primordial World, after tens of Yuan Hui of recovery, had seen its living beings multiply and species flourish once more.
The mountains and waters of the Primordial World had become lively again.
This was a new era, a rebirth after the age of the three ancient tribes.
In the east, before Senluo City, two figures, one old and one young, stood.
The white-robed youth looked up at the towering stone city, and a wild aura emanated from it. The characters "Senluo" inscribed on the city gate added a touch of literary depth.
The grey-robed elder gazed at the characters "Senluo," his eyes lost in thought, silent for a moment.
Occasionally, streaks of light descended before the city gate, either Snake Clan members or visiting immortals. While not deserted, it was not bustling either.
However, the ancient atmosphere of the city made it feel as if it had weathered centuries of time.
The reason for the city's ancient feel was that the entire city was carved from a single colossal stone.
This colossal stone was the Twelve Columns that the Dragon Clan had once erected on the coast of the East Sea!
Having been tempered by a kalpa of destiny, this stone naturally possessed an extraordinary ancient aura.
The grey-robed elder stared for a long time before sighing, "I didn't misjudge him. He is truly extraordinary."
The white-clothed youth asked puzzledly, "Ancestor, is this senior truly on such 'good' terms with you? If your relationship is so good, why hasn't he come to greet you?"
The elder coughed lightly and said, "What do you know? I simply prefer to keep a low profile. Aren't you going into the city yet?"
The youth uttered an "Oh" and followed the elder into the city.
There was no soil within the city, as the entire city was a single colossal stone. On either side of the path, many Snake Clan members had set up stalls displaying various items, such as spiritual herbs, spiritual roots, or treasures.
However, the flow of people in the city was sparse, and only occasionally would an immortal stop to inquire.
The city was not large, only about ten thousand miles in circumference.
Stone houses stood on both sides of the roads, with immortals calmly drinking tea at their entrances, or Snake Clan members coming and going.
This city was very free. If one wished to stay, they could simply wave their hand and place a stone house here to reside.
If one wished to leave, they could simply depart.
They did not need to consider anyone.
The elder walked slowly, his eyes filled with the vicissitudes of life as he looked at the ancient city, hoping to discern something. But it was destined to be in vain.
For it was still too early, so early that even saints had not yet appeared.
The elder gave a self-deprecating laugh, "In any case, I have no intention of revealing myself, so why bother thinking about his grand scheme?"
Walking along the stone paths of the city, they reached the west gate. The west gate was a passage only great powers could enter.
There was no guard, no watcher.
Brilliant light emanated from the elder, enveloping the youth as they stepped through the gate.
Upon entering, they found themselves in a new world.
Before the elder lay a vast grassland, spiritual herbs everywhere, spiritual beasts aplenty, the sky deep and vast, the earth heavy and profound.
He saw the Jianmu, which supported the sky and grounded the earth!
At the same time, the figure on the Jianmu saw him.
Qing Ling chuckled, "So an old acquaintance has arrived."
He stepped down from the Jianmu, and the elder walked to the base of the Jianmu. They exchanged a look and both smiled.
"It has been a long time, fellow Daoist. You have become even more extraordinary."
Qing Ling replied, "You flatter me, fellow Daoist. I merely capitalized on the opportune time and favorable location. Back during the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, I knew you would not fall easily and that we would meet again. And now, we have indeed met."
The elder gave a wry smile, "I have merely managed to cling to existence."
"You are too modest, fellow Daoist. How could the Nine Profound Ancestor, whose name is known among the three tribes, be an ordinary person?"
Qing Ling gestured, and stone tables and stools appeared beneath the Jianmu. He waved his hand, "Fellow Daoist, please."
The Nine Profound Ancestor smiled, "It is my honor to be received as a guest by you, fellow Daoist."
Qing Ling laughed heartily, "Old friends have passed, but are there any other seniors from back then who might wish for a chat? You must take care of yourself."
On the stone table, three teacups appeared, and three Xuan Huang leaves descended. Their veins subtly depicted the celestial spheres, formed according to the eight directions, aligned with the six harmonies—leaves of Xuan Huang earth.
Then, cold snow transformed into icy water, a spiritual fire bloomed from the wood, and the Xun fire brewed a cold fragrance. The tea’s essence drifted, unfurling a landscape of ten thousand li within a single cup.
"Please!"
The Nine Profound's eyes flickered. "Is this... Yellow Middle Plum?"
Qing Ling nodded. "It is a spiritual root left behind by the Dragon Clan. Without the nourishment of the Dragon Clan's destiny, the spiritual root was dying. I could not bear to see this ultimate spiritual root wither, so I transplanted it to Dugguang and nourished it with my destiny, which also helps to stabilize my destiny. Its leaves are used to brew a cup of Shanhe Tea to welcome guests from all directions. You are the first!"
The Nine Profound Ancestor laughed heartily, "Then I have taken advantage."
Saying so, he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
The white-clothed youth beside him was somewhat reserved, standing silently beside the Nine Profound, head bowed.
Qing Ling slowly took a sip. The energy of mountains and rivers flowed into his twelve meridians. The mountains harmonized his qi, the rivers smoothed his blood, and his body became clear and profound—truly remarkable.
This Shanhe Tea was also something he had conceived and brought into reality.
The Nine Profound narrowed his eyes, immersed in the experience, and declared, "Wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
Qing Ling smiled and said, "Then drink a few more cups."
"No, no," the Nine Profound said. "Although this tea is wonderful, only the first sip is truly exquisite. I have drunk White Tiger Sacred Beast's Hundred Kill Tea a hundred times, and I only felt that the fragrance was lacking compared to the first sip, which left me with a sense of regret."
"Oh, right, look at my memory. I was so engrossed in the tea that I forgot the main business," the Nine Profound said. "Bai Ze, come and pay your respects to the Ancestor of the Snake Clan."
The white-clothed youth quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Bai Ze pays his respects to Senior."