“ wàn jiè lián hé huì ？” xiǎo qīng shēn qū wēi zhèn ， zhè ge míng cí shùn jiān jī qǐ tā de zhū duō huí yì 。
“万界联合会？”小青身躯微震，这个名词瞬间激起她的诸多回忆。
"Great World Federation?" Xiao Qing's body trembled slightly. The name instantly triggered numerous memories.
“ yǒu hé zhèng míng ？” bù guò tā yě méi yǒu qīng xìn ， zhǔ yào wú lùn shì xǔ bái de yàng mào hái shì chū xiàn de shí jī ， dōu shí fēn kě yí 。
“有何证明？”不过她也没有轻信，主要无论是许白的样貌还是出现的时机，都十分可疑。
"But what proof do you have?" However, she did not easily believe him. After all, both St. Bai's appearance and the timing of his appearance were highly suspicious.
xǔ bái wēi wēi yī xiào ， jiāng cǐ qián shuāng fāng jiāo yì de zhǒng zhǒng xì jié jìn shù chuán yīn gào zhī 。
许白微微一笑，将此前双方交易的种种细节尽数传音告之。
St. Bai smiled lightly and transmitted all the details of their previous transaction to her.
xiǎo qīng yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī qí yì de sè cǎi ， suàn shì zàn shí xiāng xìn le xǔ bái de shēn fèn 。
小青眼中闪过一丝奇异的色采，算是暂时相信了许白的身份。
A strange color flashed in Xiao Qing's eyes as she temporarily believed St. Bai's identity.
“ dào yǒu qǐng gēn wǒ lái 。” qīng qīng yī huī shǒu ， jiāng yī páng tuán tuán wéi zhù de hù wèi duì hē tuì ， xiǎo qīng lǐng zhe xǔ bái fēi xiàng chéng zhōng gāo sǒng de jiān tǎ zhuàng gōng diàn 。
“道友请跟我来。”轻轻一挥手，将一旁团团围住的护卫队喝退，小青领着许白飞向城中高耸的尖塔状宫殿。
"Friend, please follow me." With a gentle wave of his hand, he drove away the guards surrounding them. Leading St. Bai, Xiao Qing flew towards the towering palace in the city center.
xǔ bái zài kōng zhōng fēi dùn ， shén shí sǎo guò zhè piàn jiàn lì zài chì jiǔ tóu shī tǐ shàng de lián mián jiàn zhù qún 。
许白在空中飞遁，神识扫过这片建立在赤九头尸体上的连绵建筑群。
St. Bai soared through the air, his divine consciousness sweeping over the continuous buildings constructed on the body of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
jīng guò shù qiān nián de bù duàn kāi fā ， zǎo jiù kàn bù chū dāng nián nà tóu kě bù yāo shòu de xíng zhuàng 。
经过数千年的不断开发，早就看不出当年那头可怖妖兽的形状。
After thousands of years of development, it was no longer possible to discern any trace of that terrifying beast.
zhǐ yǒu zài jǐ chù guān jiàn de dì fāng ， yǐn yǐn hái néng guān chá dào shǔ yú yuán běn yāo shòu de hén jì 。
只有在几处关键的地方，隐隐还能观察到属于原本妖兽的痕迹。
Only at a few key locations could one still faintly see remnants of the original creature.
bǐ rú bèi dàng zuò shèng dì jì sì de tóu bù liè hén chù ， yǐ jí bèi shén mì jīn shǔ jiàn zhù céng céng bāo guǒ de yāo shòu lì zhuǎ chù 。
比如被当做圣地祭祀的头部裂痕处，以及被神秘金属建筑层层包裹的妖兽利爪处。
For example, the head where it had been worshipped as a holy site and the claws wrapped in mysterious metal structures.
ér dì guó shǒu dū ， shì shì jiàn lì zài yuán běn de xīn zàng chù 。
而帝国首都，似是建立在原本的心脏处。
The imperial capital seemed to be built on what used to be its heart.
fēi chí de guò chéng zhōng ， xǔ bái yě duì zhè ge gēn yì shòu xī xī xiāng guān de wén míng yǒu le gèng jiā zhí guān de liǎo jiě 。
飞驰的过程中，许白也对这个跟异兽息息相关的文明有了更加直观的了解。
During their flight, St. Bai gained a more direct understanding of this civilization closely related to the beast.
yì shòu dí què yǐ jīng róng hé jìn rén men shēng huó de fāng fāng miàn miàn 。
异兽的确已经融合进人们生活的方方面面。
Indeed, the beast had integrated into people's lives in every aspect.
jǐn jǐn shì lù shàng zhè duǎn zàn shí jiān nèi xǔ bái suǒ kàn dào de ， biàn yǒu shēn tǐ lòu kōng 、 wǎn rú cháng lóng ， dā zài zhe jū mín zài chéng shì jiān chuān suō de ； yǐ jí zhuàng rú xióng shī 、 shēn jù shuāng yì ， bèi bù yǒu hù wèi xiū shì chéng zuò ， bù duàn zài kōng zhōng xún luó de ； yǐ jí àn cáng yú chéng shì gè gè jiǎo luò ， xíng rú yǎn zhū ， bù shí cháo tiān kōng zhōng de xǔ bái tóu lái zhù shì mù guāng de ……
仅仅是路上这短暂时间内许白所看到的，便有身体镂空、宛如长龙，搭载着居民在城市间穿梭的；以及状如雄狮、身具双翼，背部有护卫修士乘坐，不断在空中巡逻的；以及暗藏于城市各个角落，形如眼珠，不时朝天空中的许白投来注视目光的……
In just the short time he spent on his journey, there were beings with hollowed-out bodies that resembled dragons, flying through the city; those resembling lions with wings and carrying cultivators for patrols; and eye-like structures hidden throughout the city, constantly staring at St. Bai from above...
gèng bù bì tí dì guó jū mín men nà xiē suí shēn xié dài ， qiān qí bǎi guài de bù zhī míng yì shòu le 。
更不必提帝国居民们那些随身携带，千奇百怪的不知名异兽了。
Not to mention the countless strange beasts carried by the imperial subjects.
“ dào yě dí què bié jù yī gé ， pǒ yǒu shēng jī bó bó zhī xiàng 。” xǔ bái xīn zhōng bù yóu chēng zàn dào 。
“倒也的确别具一格，颇有生机勃勃之像。”许白心中不由称赞道。
"Truly unique and full of vitality," St. Bai couldn't help but praise in his heart.
liǎng rén de fēi xíng sù dù jí kuài ， bù yī huì jiù xiān hòu lái dào le dì guó huáng gōng 。
两人的飞行速度极快，不一会就先后来到了帝国皇宫。
Their flight was extremely fast, arriving at the imperial palace shortly after.
xǔ bái zhè cái fā xiàn ， zhī qián suǒ jiàn de nà gāo sǒng jiān tǎ ， jìng rán yě shì yī tóu huó zhe de yì shòu 。
许白这才发现，之前所见的那高耸尖塔，竟然也是一头活着的异兽。
St. Bai realized that the towering tower he had seen earlier was actually a living beast.
huò zhě shuō ， zhè zuò jiān tǎ yǐ jí zhōu wéi fāng yuán shù shí lǐ de jiàn zhù ， dōu shì cóng zhè tóu páng dà yì shòu shēn shàng yǎn biàn chū lái de 。
或者说，这座尖塔以及周围方圆数十里的建筑，都是从这头庞大异兽身上演变出来的。
Or rather, this tower and the surrounding buildings were evolved from this massive creature's body.
“ zhè tóu yì shòu de shí lì ， kǒng pà bù zài pǔ tōng de yuán yīng xiū shì zhī xià le 。” xǔ bái àn zì píng gū dào 。
“这头异兽的实力，恐怕不在普通的元婴修士之下了。”许白暗自评估道。
"The strength of this beast is probably not inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators," St. Bai assessed silently.
yí gè shì dì guó shèng shī ， lìng yí gè shēn jù dì guó dì zào zhě de jīng xuè 。
一个是帝国圣师，另一个身具帝国缔造者的精血。
One was an imperial saint, the other possessed the essence blood of the empire's founder.
zhè tóu yì shòu bìng méi yǒu zuò chū rèn hé fáng wèi shǒu duàn 。
这头异兽并没有做出任何防卫手段。
This beast did not make any defensive moves.
zhǐ shì nà yuán běn wài bù guāng huá wú wù de jiān tǎ ， hū de xiǎn chū yī shàn mén fēi 。
只是那原本外部光滑无物的尖塔，忽的显出一扇门扉。
Suddenly, a door appeared on what had been a smooth surface of the tower.
xiǎo qīng yǒu xiē yí huò de huí tóu kàn le xǔ bái yī yǎn ， shuài xiān fēi rù qí zhōng 。
小青有些疑惑的回头看了许白一眼，率先飞入其中。
Xiao Qing looked back at St. Bai with some confusion and flew in first.
xǔ bái yě shì yí rán bù jù ， jǐn gēn qí hòu 。
许白也是怡然不惧，紧跟其后。
St. Bai followed without hesitation.
jìn rù tǎ hòu ， yìng rù yǎn lián de shì yī jiān zhuāng shì huá lì de fáng jiān 。
进入塔后，映入眼帘的是一间装饰华丽的房间。
Entering the tower, he was greeted by an elegantly decorated room.
diāo kè yǒu fán lì huā wén de diào dǐng ， rú tóng bái yù bān de qiáng bì ， mù zhì de dì bǎn ， pù mǎn zhěng gè fáng jiān de dì tǎn ……
雕刻有繁丽花纹的吊顶，如同白玉般的墙壁，木制的地板，铺满整个房间的地毯……
Carved with intricate patterns, white walls like jade, wooden floors, and carpets covering the entire space...
hé xún cháng de rén lèi jiàn zhù sī háo méi yǒu chā bié ， gēn běn kàn bù chū shì zài yì shòu tǐ nèi 。
和寻常的人类建筑丝毫没有差别，根本看不出是在异兽体内。
It was no different from ordinary human buildings; one could not tell it was inside a beast's body.
fáng nèi kōng wú yì rén 。
房内空无一人。
The room was empty of people.
ér xiǎo qīng sì hū yě méi yǒu zài ràng qí tā rén shēn yǔ duì huà de yì si 。
而小青似乎也没有再让其他人参与对话的意思。
Xiao Qing seemed unwilling to involve others in their conversation.
shì yì xǔ bái rù zuò hòu ， tā shǒu xiān kè tào de wèn dào ：“ hái bù zhī dào yǒu míng huì ？”
示意许白入座后，她首先客套的问道：“还不知道友名讳？”
After gesturing for St. Bai to take a seat, she politely asked, "May I know your name?"
“ xǔ bái 。”
“许白。”
"St. Bai."
“ nǐ yě xìng xǔ ？” zài tīng dào zhè ge míng zì hòu ， xiǎo qīng shēn shàng de qì xī shùn jiān yī luàn 。
“你也姓许？”在听到这个名字后，小青身上的气息瞬间一乱。
"You are also named St.?" Xiao Qing's aura instantly became chaotic when she heard the name.
shì shì chá jué le bù tuǒ ， tā hěn kuài zhèn dìng le xīn shén ：“ hái méi gào sù dào yǒu ， dì guó huáng shì zhī xìng ， zhèng shì 【 xǔ 】。”
似是察觉了不妥，她很快镇定了心神：“还没告诉道友，帝国皇室之姓，正是【许】。”
Noticing something amiss, she quickly calmed herself down and said, "I haven't yet told you that our imperial family is called [St.]."
shuō zhe ， tā níng shén dǎ liàng zhe xǔ bái ， guān chá zhe tā de shén sè biàn huà 。
说着，她凝神打量着许白，观察着他的神色变化。
She then focused on observing St. Bai, watching his reactions.
xǔ bái de biǎo xiàn hěn xiǎn rán ràng tā yǒu xiē shī wàng le 。
许白的表现很显然让她有些失望了。
His performance clearly disappointed her.
“ nà zhēn shì qiǎo le 。” zhǐ jiàn xǔ bái yǒu xiē jīng yà dì shuō dào ， sì hū zhī qián bìng bù zhī dào cǐ shì 。
“那真是巧了。”只见许白有些惊讶地说道，似乎之前并不知道此事。
"Indeed, a coincidence," St. Bai said with some surprise, as if he had not known this before.
“ hē hē ……”
“呵呵……”
"Haha..."
xiǎo qīng bìng méi jiē huà ， ér shì chén mò piàn kè hòu ， zhí jiē jìn rù zhèng tí 。
小青并没接话，而是沉默片刻后，直接进入正题。
Xiao Qing did not respond but remained silent for a moment before getting straight to the point.
“ dào yǒu xiān qián suǒ shuō ， wǒ men 【 dì guó 】 yào dà nàn lín tóu le ， zhè shì hé yì ？”
“道友先前所说，我们【帝国】要大难临头了，这是何意？”
"What do you mean by saying that our [Empire] is in grave danger according to what you just mentioned?"
xǔ bái wēi wēi yī tàn ， miàn lù chóu róng 。
许白微微一叹，面露愁容。
St. Bai sighed and looked worried.
dāng xià jiāng xuán huáng jiè fā shēng de wǎng shēng fǔ jiàn lì 、 tiān xuán jìng shēng gé 、 gǔ dòng xiū shì tàn suǒ dòng tiān xiǎo shì jiè ， yào shí xiàn shì jiè dà yī tǒng de shì qíng rú shù jiāng lái 。
当下将玄黄界发生的往生府建立、天玄镜升格、鼓动修士探索洞天小世界，要实现世界大一统的事情如数将来。
He recounted all the events that had transpired in Xuanhuang World, including the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, the upgrading of the Celestial Xuan Mirror, and the encouragement for cultivators to explore the small worlds within.
zài shuō dào wǎng shēng fǔ jiàn lì de shí hòu ， xiǎo qīng liǎn shàng de shén qíng hái suàn bǐ jiào zhèn dìng 。
在说到往生府建立的时候，小青脸上的神情还算比较镇定。
When he spoke about the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, Xiao Qing's expression remained relatively calm. However, when St. Bai mentioned that all cultivators were carrying the Celestial Xuan Mirror and exploring the entrances to these small worlds, her shock could no longer be contained.
dàn dāng xǔ bái shuō dào xiū shì jiē huái tiān xuán bǎo jiàn 、 tàn suǒ xiǎo shì jiè rù kǒu de shí hòu ， tā liǎn shàng de zhèn jīng zài yě yì zhì bú zhù 。
但当许白说到修士皆怀天玄宝鉴、探索小世界入口的时候，她脸上的震惊再也抑制不住。
"Is this something that just happened? I didn't receive any news about it?" Xiao Qing exclaimed.
“ zhè shì shén me shí hòu de shì ？ wǒ jìng rán mò shōu dào yì diǎn xiāo xī ？” xiǎo qīng lüè shī shēng dào 。
“这是什么时候的事？我竟然没收到一点消息？”小青略失声道。
"Nowadays, Xuanhuang World is constantly changing. It's developing too quickly with so many unforeseen events. Your empire's spies haven't had time to report back yet, which is normal. Even though we in the Great World Federation anticipated this move by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, we didn't expect them to act so swiftly and decisively. We were a step behind, and several small worlds have already been quickly conquered."
“ rú jīn de xuán huáng jiè ， shùn xī qiān biàn 。 fā zhǎn de tài kuài ， zhǒng zhǒng biàn gù tài duō 。 nǐ men dì guó de tàn zi hái méi lái de jí chuán huí qíng bào ， yě shì zhèng cháng 。 jí biàn wǒ men wàn jiè lián hé huì duì yú wàn xiān méng zhè cì de xíng dòng zǎo yǒu yù qī ， yě méi xiǎng dào tā men de dòng zuò jìng rán zhè me kuài 、 zhè me guǒ duàn 。 wǒ men màn le yī pāi ， zhì shǐ hǎo jǐ gè xiǎo shì jiè yǐ jīng bèi xùn sù gōng xiàn 。”
“如今的玄黄界，瞬息千变。发展的太快，种种变故太多。你们帝国的探子还没来得及传回情报，也是正常。即便我们万界联合会对于万仙盟这次的行动早有预期，也没想到他们的动作竟然这么快、这么果断。我们慢了一拍，致使好几个小世界已经被迅速攻陷。”
A trace of sorrow flashed in St. Bai's eyes: "Fortunately, our location has not yet been discovered."
xǔ bái yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī bēi qī ：“ hǎo zài nǐ men zhè lǐ hái méi yǒu bèi fā xiàn 。”
许白眼中闪过一丝悲戚：“好在你们这里还没有被发现。”
"Although we have the Great World Federation, it is scattered everywhere, making it difficult to concentrate our forces. In light of this imminent threat from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, we choose to temporarily avoid confrontation and preserve our strength."
“ suī shuō wǒ men yǒu wàn jiè lián hé ， dàn quán dōu fēn sàn gè chù ， nán yǐ jí zhōng lì liàng 。 miàn duì cǐ cì wàn xiān méng de lái shì xiōng xiōng ， wǒ men hái shì xuǎn zé xiān zàn bì fēng máng ， bǎo cún yǒu shēng lì liàng 。”
“虽说我们有万界联合，但全都分散各处，难以集中力量。面对此次万仙盟的来势汹汹，我们还是选择先暂避锋芒，保存有生力量。”
Xiao Qing's eyes showed a hint of worry: "But what if we can't hide forever?"
xiǎo qīng yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yōu lǜ ：“ jiù pà duǒ dé le yī shí ， duǒ bù liǎo yī shì 。”
小青眼中闪过一丝忧虑：“就怕躲得了一时，躲不了一世。”
St. Bai stood up confidently: "This is why I came to find you. Although the Celestial Xuan Mirror is indeed terrifying, our Great World Federation has its own resources."
xǔ bái áng rán shuō dào ：“ zhè jiù shì wǒ cǐ cì lái zhǎo dào yǒu de yuán yīn le 。 suī rán tiān xuán jìng wēi néng dí què kě bù kě wèi ， dàn wǒ men wàn jiè lián hé huì yě zì yǒu dǐ yùn 。”
许白昂然说道：“这就是我此次来找道友的原因了。虽然天玄镜威能的确可怖可畏，但我们万界联合会也自有底蕴。”
"Now, within our organization, we have developed an unparalleled treasure that can interfere with the detection of the Celestial Xuan Mirror."
“ rú jīn ， zǔ zhī nèi yǐ jīng yán fā chū le ， kě yǐ gān rǎo tiān xuán bǎo jiàn tàn cè de wú shàng fǎ bǎo 。”
“如今，组织内已经研发出了，可以干扰天玄宝鉴探测的无上法宝。”
Pausing for a moment, St. Bai then continued: "Before coming here, I used the power of this treasure to temporarily hide your empire's entrance. So you don't need to worry now."
shuō dào cǐ chù ， xǔ bái gù yì dùn le yī dùn 。
说到此处，许白故意顿了一顿。
Xiao Qing immediately looked at St. Bai, her eyes revealing a hint of doubt.
xī yǐn xiǎo qīng xīn shén zhù yì zhī hòu ， yòu cái jiē zhe shuō dào ：“ wǒ lái zhī qián ， yǐ jīng dòng yòng gāi fǎ bǎo de wēi néng ， jiāng nǐ men dì guó rù kǒu zàn shí gěi yǐn cáng le 。 suǒ yǐ dào yǒu mù qián wú xū dān xīn 。”
吸引小青心神注意之后，又才接着说道：“我来之前，已经动用该法宝的威能，将你们帝国入口暂时给隐藏了。所以道友目前无须担心。”
St. Bai chuckled and took out his folding fan, waving it in front of him: "If you're not convinced, you can verify it yourself."
xiǎo qīng dùn shí kàn xiàng xǔ bái ， yǎn shén liú lù chū yī sī huái yí zhī sè 。
小青顿时看向许白，眼神流露出一丝怀疑之色。
Xiao Qing rolled her eyes and smiled wryly: "You've traveled such a long distance to come here; I naturally believe that you wouldn't deceive us on this matter. But what I'm curious about is how you knew the entrance to our [Empire]?"
xǔ bái qīng xiào yī shēng ， qǔ chū zhé shàn ， zài xiōng qián qīng huī ：“ rú ruò bù xìn ， dào yǒu kě zì xíng qián qù yàn zhèng 。”
许白轻笑一声，取出折扇，在胸前轻挥：“如若不信，道友可自行前去验证。”
St. Bai replied confidently, "How could we dare call ourselves the Great World Federation without solid grounds? Besides, don't forget. It was we who first approached you for a deal."
xiǎo qīng yǎn jīng yī zhuǎn ， wǎn ěr xiào dào ：“ dào yǒu qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo ér lái ， wǒ zì rán shì xiāng xìn nǐ bú huì zài zhè zhǒng shì qíng qī piàn wǒ men de 。 bù guò ， wǒ hào qí de shì ， nǐ men yòu shì rú hé zhī dào 【 dì guó 】 tōng dào rù kǒu de ne ？”
小青眼睛一转，莞尔笑道：“道友千里迢迢而来，我自然是相信你不会在这种事情欺骗我们的。不过，我好奇的是，你们又是如何知道【帝国】通道入口的呢？”
"I thank you for that. However..."
xǔ bái shí fēn zì xìn dì huí dá dào ：“ méi yǒu yí dìng de dǐ qì ， yòu rú hé gǎn zì chēng 【 wàn jiè lián hé huì 】？ gèng hé kuàng ， dào yǒu bié wàng le 。 dāng chū yě shì wǒ men zuì xiān zhǎo shàng mén lái ， gēn nǐ men jiāo yì de 。”
许白十分自信地回答道：“没有一定的底气，又如何敢自称【万界联合会】？更何况，道友别忘了。当初也是我们最先找上门来，跟你们交易的。”
Xiao Qing stared at St. Bai: "Your federation always acts when there's something to gain. This time, you actually took the initiative to protect us. What are your conditions?"
“ nà dào yào xiè guò dào yǒu le 。 bù guò ……”
“那倒要谢过道友了。不过……”
St. Bai snapped his fan shut with a snap: "I enjoy talking to smart people. Besides informing you about Xuanhuang World, I indeed have a task."
xiǎo qīng dīng zhe xǔ bái ， dào ：“ nǐ men lián hé huì ， yí xiàng shì wú lì bù qǐ zǎo 。 zhè cì jū rán zhǔ dòng bì yòu ， nǐ men de tiáo jiàn shì shén me ？”
小青盯着许白，道：“你们联合会，一向是无利不起早。这次居然主动庇佑，你们的条件是什么？”
Standing up straight, St. Bai said seriously, "Now that the Immortal Alliance is powerful, we can only choose to endure for now. But as you said, always avoiding confrontation will eventually lead to discovery."
xǔ bái pā de yī shēng shōu qǐ zhé shàn ：“ wǒ jiù xǐ huān gēn cōng míng rén tán huà 。 cǐ xíng qián lái ， chú le jiāng xuán huáng jiè qíng kuàng gào zhī yǐ wài ， wǒ dí què hái yǒu rèn wù zài shēn 。”
许白啪的一声收起折扇：“我就喜欢跟聪明人谈话。此行前来，除了将玄黄界情况告之以外，我的确还有任务在身。”
"So, before that day comes, we need to develop enough strength to counter the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
xǔ bái huò rán zhàn qǐ ， miàn sè yán sù ：“ rú jīn xiān méng shì dà ， wǒ men zhǐ néng xuǎn zé yǐn rěn 。 dàn zhèng rú dào yǒu suǒ shuō de nà yàng ， zǒng shì duǒ bì ， chí zǎo huì yǒu bèi fā xiàn de nà tiān 。”
许白豁然站起，面色严肃：“如今仙盟势大，我们只能选择隐忍。但正如道友所说的那样，总是躲避，迟早会有被发现的那天。”
(End of Chapter)
"Great World Federation?" Xiao Qing's body trembled slightly. The name instantly triggered numerous memories.
"But what proof do you have?" However, she did not easily believe him. After all, both St. Bai's appearance and the timing of his appearance were highly suspicious.
St. Bai smiled lightly and transmitted all the details of their previous transaction to her.
A strange color flashed in Xiao Qing's eyes as she temporarily believed St. Bai's identity.
"Friend, please follow me." With a gentle wave of his hand, he drove away the guards surrounding them. Leading St. Bai, Xiao Qing flew towards the towering palace in the city center.
St. Bai soared through the air, his divine consciousness sweeping over the continuous buildings constructed on the body of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
After thousands of years of development, it was no longer possible to discern any trace of that terrifying beast.
Only at a few key locations could one still faintly see remnants of the original creature.
For example, the head where it had been worshipped as a holy site and the claws wrapped in mysterious metal structures.
The imperial capital seemed to be built on what used to be its heart.
During their flight, St. Bai gained a more direct understanding of this civilization closely related to the beast.
Indeed, the beast had integrated into people's lives in every aspect.
In just the short time he spent on his journey, there were beings with hollowed-out bodies that resembled dragons, flying through the city; those resembling lions with wings and carrying cultivators for patrols; and eye-like structures hidden throughout the city, constantly staring at St. Bai from above...
Not to mention the countless strange beasts carried by the imperial subjects.
"Truly unique and full of vitality," St. Bai couldn't help but praise in his heart.
Their flight was extremely fast, arriving at the imperial palace shortly after.
St. Bai realized that the towering tower he had seen earlier was actually a living beast.
Or rather, this tower and the surrounding buildings were evolved from this massive creature's body.
"The strength of this beast is probably not inferior to ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators," St. Bai assessed silently.
One was an imperial saint, the other possessed the essence blood of the empire's founder.
This beast did not make any defensive moves.
Suddenly, a door appeared on what had been a smooth surface of the tower.
Xiao Qing looked back at St. Bai with some confusion and flew in first.
St. Bai followed without hesitation.
Entering the tower, he was greeted by an elegantly decorated room.
Carved with intricate patterns, white walls like jade, wooden floors, and carpets covering the entire space...
It was no different from ordinary human buildings; one could not tell it was inside a beast's body.
The room was empty of people.
Xiao Qing seemed unwilling to involve others in their conversation.
After gesturing for St. Bai to take a seat, she politely asked, "May I know your name?"
"St. Bai."
"You are also named St.?" Xiao Qing's aura instantly became chaotic when she heard the name.
Noticing something amiss, she quickly calmed herself down and said, "I haven't yet told you that our imperial family is called [St.]."
She then focused on observing St. Bai, watching his reactions.
His performance clearly disappointed her.
"Indeed, a coincidence," St. Bai said with some surprise, as if he had not known this before.
"Haha..."
Xiao Qing did not respond but remained silent for a moment before getting straight to the point.
"What do you mean by saying that our [Empire] is in grave danger according to what you just mentioned?"
St. Bai sighed and looked worried.
He recounted all the events that had transpired in Xuanhuang World, including the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, the upgrading of the Celestial Xuan Mirror, and the encouragement for cultivators to explore the small worlds within.
When he spoke about the establishment of the Rebirth Mansion, Xiao Qing's expression remained relatively calm. However, when St. Bai mentioned that all cultivators were carrying the Celestial Xuan Mirror and exploring the entrances to these small worlds, her shock could no longer be contained.
"Is this something that just happened? I didn't receive any news about it?" Xiao Qing exclaimed.
"Nowadays, Xuanhuang World is constantly changing. It's developing too quickly with so many unforeseen events. Your empire's spies haven't had time to report back yet, which is normal. Even though we in the Great World Federation anticipated this move by the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, we didn't expect them to act so swiftly and decisively. We were a step behind, and several small worlds have already been quickly conquered."
A trace of sorrow flashed in St. Bai's eyes: "Fortunately, our location has not yet been discovered."
"Although we have the Great World Federation, it is scattered everywhere, making it difficult to concentrate our forces. In light of this imminent threat from the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, we choose to temporarily avoid confrontation and preserve our strength."
Xiao Qing's eyes showed a hint of worry: "But what if we can't hide forever?"
St. Bai stood up confidently: "This is why I came to find you. Although the Celestial Xuan Mirror is indeed terrifying, our Great World Federation has its own resources."
"Now, within our organization, we have developed an unparalleled treasure that can interfere with the detection of the Celestial Xuan Mirror."
Pausing for a moment, St. Bai then continued: "Before coming here, I used the power of this treasure to temporarily hide your empire's entrance. So you don't need to worry now."
Xiao Qing immediately looked at St. Bai, her eyes revealing a hint of doubt.
St. Bai chuckled and took out his folding fan, waving it in front of him: "If you're not convinced, you can verify it yourself."
Xiao Qing rolled her eyes and smiled wryly: "You've traveled such a long distance to come here; I naturally believe that you wouldn't deceive us on this matter. But what I'm curious about is how you knew the entrance to our [Empire]?"
St. Bai replied confidently, "How could we dare call ourselves the Great World Federation without solid grounds? Besides, don't forget. It was we who first approached you for a deal."
"I thank you for that. However..."
Xiao Qing stared at St. Bai: "Your federation always acts when there's something to gain. This time, you actually took the initiative to protect us. What are your conditions?"
St. Bai snapped his fan shut with a snap: "I enjoy talking to smart people. Besides informing you about Xuanhuang World, I indeed have a task."
Standing up straight, St. Bai said seriously, "Now that the Immortal Alliance is powerful, we can only choose to endure for now. But as you said, always avoiding confrontation will eventually lead to discovery."
"So, before that day comes, we need to develop enough strength to counter the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance."
(End of Chapter)