“ wǒ men dōu shì lái zì bù tóng de xiǎo shì jiè ， gēn xuán huáng jiè xiāng bǐ ， yǒu zhe tiān rán de céng jí chà jù 。 dàn shì ， wǒ men yě yǒu zhe bù róng xiǎo qù de yōu shì 。”
“我们都是来自不同的小世界，跟玄黄界相比，有着天然的层级差距。但是，我们也有着不容小觑的优势。”
"We all come from different minor worlds, and compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, there's a natural hierarchy. But we also have advantages that shouldn't be underestimated."
“ nà jiù shì duō yàng xìng 。”
“那就是多样性。”
"That would be diversity."
“ jiù xiàng nǐ men 【 dì guó 】 néng gòu cāo zòng yì shòu ér zhàn yī yàng 。 zhè xiē nián lái ， qí tā xiǎo shì jiè yě gè zì fā zhǎn chū le bù tóng de 、 qí yì néng lì 。”
“就像你们【帝国】能够操纵异兽而战一样。这些年来，其他小世界也各自发展出了不同的、奇异能力。”
"Just as your [Empire] can command foreign beasts in battle. Over these years, other minor worlds have developed their own unique abilities."
“ jiù suàn gēn xuán huáng jiè xiān fǎ xiàng bǐ ， ruò shàng yī chóu 。 dàn rú guǒ wǒ men néng jí zhōng quán bù lì liàng ， zōng hé wàn jiè zhī zhǎng ， wèi bì bù néng zǒng jié 、 yán jiū chū yī tào néng gòu gēn xiān fǎ xiàng kàng héng de tǐ xì 。”
“就算跟玄黄界仙法相比，弱上一筹。但如果我们能集中全部力量，综合万界之长，未必不能总结、研究出一套能够跟仙法相抗衡的体系。”
"Even if they're weaker compared to the Xuanhuang Realm's Immortal Techniques, if we could gather all our strength and combine the strengths of a thousand realms, it might not be impossible to develop a system that can counter Immortal Techniques."
xǔ bái kǎn kǎn ér tán dào 。
许白侃侃而谈道。
Xu Bai spoke eloquently.
xiǎo qīng dì yí gè fǎn yìng jiù shì yáo tóu 。
小青第一个反应就是摇头。
The first reaction Xiao Qing had was to shake her head.
rán ér bù děng tā kāi kǒu ， xǔ bái jiù shēn shǒu jiāng qí dǎ duàn ， sù rán dào ：“ suǒ wèi shì zài rén wéi 。 shéi dōu zhī dào xī wàng yǒu xiē miǎo máng ， dàn dào le zhè ge guān tóu ， wéi yǒu pīn sǐ yī bó bà le 。”
然而不等她开口，许白就伸手将其打断，肃然道：“所谓事在人为。谁都知道希望有些渺茫，但到了这个关头，惟有拼死一搏罢了。”
But before she could speak, Xu Bai reached out to interrupt, saying solemnly, "It's all about human effort. Everyone knows the hope is faint, but at this critical juncture, we can only fight with everything we have."
“ xiū xiān zhě tǒng zhì xià de fán rén ， guò de shì shén me rì zi ， xiǎng bì dào yǒu yīng gāi bǐ wǒ gèng qīng chǔ ba ？”
“修仙者统治下的凡人，过的是什么日子，想必道友应该比我更清楚吧？”
"How do ordinary people live under the rule of cultivators? I imagine Fellow Daoist understands better than me?"
“ wàn jiè lián hé huì de chéng yuán ， dōu shì yī jiè de tǒng zhì 。 nǎ pà shēn sǐ ， kǒng pà yě bú huì yuàn yì qù guò nà dāng niú zuò mǎ de rì zi 。”
“万界联合会的成员，都是一界的统治。哪怕身死，恐怕也不会愿意去过那当牛做马的日子。”
"Members of the Alliance of a Thousand Realms are rulers of their own realms. Even if they die, they wouldn't want to lead the life of cattle and horses."
“ wàn jiè lián hé ， nǎi shì dà shì suǒ qū 。 nà xiē bù yuàn yì de ……”
“万界联合，乃是大势所趋。那些不愿意的……”
"The unification of a thousand realms is inevitable. Those who don’t want it..."
xǔ bái de miàn róng shùn jiān yīn chén xià lái ：“ suī rán bù zhì yú gēn nǐ men dāo bīng xiāng xiàng 。 dàn zài xiǎng yào wǒ men wèi nǐ tí gōng bì yòu ， què yě shì bù kě néng de le 。”
许白的面容瞬间阴沉下来：“虽然不至于跟你们刀兵相向。但再想要我们为你提供庇佑，却也是不可能的了。”
Xu Bai's face instantly turned grim: "Although we won't fight you with swords, we can no longer provide protection for you."
xiǎo qīng qīng shēng dào ：“ dào yǒu bù bì duō lǜ ， wǒ men dì guó ， shì jué bù kě néng dào xiàng xuán huáng yī fāng de 。 bù guò ma ， dì guó shì wù ， yě bú shì wǒ néng gòu yī yán ér jué de 。”
小青轻声道：“道友不必多虑，我们帝国，是绝不可能倒向玄黄一方的。不过嘛，帝国事务，也不是我能够一言而决的。”
Xiao Qing softly said, "Fellow Daoist need not worry; our Empire will never turn to the Xuanhuang side. However, matters of the Empire are not within my power alone."
“ dào yǒu qǐng zài cǐ shāo hòu piàn kè ， wǒ xū yào gēn dì nǚ bì xià jí dì guó yì huì jìn xíng shāng yì 。”
“道友请在此稍候片刻，我需要跟帝女陛下及帝国议会进行商议。”
"Fellow Daoist please wait a moment. I need to consult with Empress and the Imperial Parliament."
xǔ bái wén yán ， yě shì diǎn diǎn tóu biǎo shì lǐ jiě 。
许白闻言，也是点点头表示理解。
Upon hearing this, Xu Bai nodded in understanding.
bù guò tóng shí ， tā yě shì tí chū le zì jǐ yāo qiú ：“ wǒ céng tīng wén ， dì guó shì jiàn lì zài yī zhī sān tóu shén niǎo de shī shēn shàng 。”
不过同时，他也是提出了自己要求：“我曾听闻，帝国是建立在一只三头神鸟的尸身上。”
At the same time, he made his request: "I have heard that your Empire was built on the corpse of a three-headed divine bird."
“ ér shén niǎo tóu lú ， què shì bèi dāng nián xiān rén yī jiàn zhǎn luò 。”
“而神鸟头颅，却是被当年仙人一剑斩落。”
"The head of the divine bird was severed by an immortal's sword many years ago."
“ cǐ děng qí jǐng ， wǒ jì lái cǐ chù ， ruò shì bù néng qīn yǎn jiàn yī jiàn ， dāng shì yī dà hàn shì 。 bù zhī dào yǒu shì fǒu néng mǎn zú wǒ zhè ge sù yuàn ？”
“此等奇景，我既来此处，若是不能亲眼见一见，当是一大憾事。不知道友是否能满足我这个夙愿？”
"This is such a rare sight. If I can't see it with my own eyes here, it would be a great regret. Fellow Daoist, do you think you can fulfill this wish?"
xiǎo qīng kàn zhe mǎn liǎn xiào yì de xǔ bái ， yǎn shén shǎn dòng 。
小青看着满脸笑意的许白，眼神闪动。
Xiao Qing looked at Xu Bai with a smile in his face.
piàn kè zhī hòu ， tā biàn yīng yǔn dào ：“ bù guò xiǎo shì ěr 。 dào yǒu jì rán yǒu xìng qù ， nà děng děng wǒ biàn ràng rén dài nǐ guò qù 。 bù guò ， tóu lú duàn liè chù ， yǒu jiàn qì 、 cán niàn yí liú ， dào yǒu hái shì yào duō jiā xiǎo xīn cái shì 。”
片刻之后，她便应允道：“不过小事耳。道友既然有兴趣，那等等我便让人带你过去。不过，头颅断裂处，有剑气、残念遗留，道友还是要多加小心才是。”
After a moment, she agreed: "It's just a small matter. Since Fellow Daoist is interested, I will have someone take you there shortly. But remember to be careful; the head has remnants of sword energy and lingering thoughts."
xǔ bái miàn lù jīng róng ， ér hòu gèng shì yī xǐ ：“ zhè me zhǎng shí jiān ， jiàn qì réng rán cún zài ， zú yǐ néng xiǎng jiàn dāng nián fēng cǎi 。 dào yǒu zhè me yī shuō ， wǒ fǎn dào shì gèng jiā qī dài le 。”
许白面露惊容，而后更是一喜：“这么长时间，剑气仍然存在，足以能想见当年风采。道友这么一说，我反倒是更加期待了。”
Xu Bai's expression turned surprised, then even happier: "The sword energy still exists after all this time, enough to imagine its might from back then. Your words only make me more eager."
xiǎo qīng wēi xiào bù yǔ 。
小青微笑不语。
Xiao Qing smiled without speaking.
tā lí kāi hòu ， xiǎo bàn tiān gōng fu ， biàn yǒu yī míng kàn shàng qù shí qī bā suì de nǚ zǐ ， shēn zhe shā qún ， zǒu le jìn qù 。
她离开后，小半天功夫，便有一名看上去十七八岁的女子，身着纱裙，走了进去。
After a short while, an 18-year-old girl in a sheer dress walked in.
“ dà rén qǐng gēn wǒ lái 。”
“大人请跟我来。”
"Please follow me, sir."
shuō zhe ， shā qún nǚ zǐ biàn huàn chū yī zhī péng zhàng yuán qiú bān de yì shòu 。
说着，纱裙女子便唤出一只膨胀圆球般的异兽。
She summoned a spherical beast that expanded like a balloon.
yuán qiú zhōng liè kāi yí gè kǒu zi ， nǚ zǐ zǒu rù qí zhōng 。
圆球中裂开一个口子，女子走入其中。
A crack appeared as she entered the sphere.
xǔ bái yě lüè yǒu xiē hào qí de gēn zhe zǒu rù 。
许白也略有些好奇的跟着走入。
Curious, Xu Bai followed her inside.
yuán qiú nèi yǒu gōng rén ān zuò de wèi zhì ， liǎng rén yī jìn rù qí zhōng ， tā yòu jì xù péng zhàng qǐ lái 。
圆球内有供人安座的位置，两人一进入其中，它又继续膨胀起来。
The sphere had seating arrangements for passengers. As they entered, it continued to expand.
huǎn huǎn piāo chū jiān tǎ gōng diàn ， cháo zhe yuǎn fāng de “ dì guó shèng dì ” jí sù piāo qù 。
缓缓飘出尖塔宫殿，朝着远方的“帝国圣地”急速飘去。
It slowly drifted out of the palace and headed towards the "Imperial Holy Land" far away.
yuán qiú yì shòu de shēn qū zhú jiàn biàn dé tòu míng ， shǐ de xǔ bái néng gòu kàn qīng zhōu wéi de chǎng jǐng 。
圆球异兽的身躯逐渐变得透明，使得许白能够看清周围的场景。
As the spherical beast's body became more transparent, Xu Bai could see the surroundings clearly.
“ cǐ nǎi 【 fēi qiú shòu 】， péng zhàng zhī hòu ， néng gòu gāo fēi jiǔ tiān 、 yù fēng ér xíng ， sù dù jí kuài 。 dì guó mín zhòng qián wǎng shèng dì cān guān ， duō shì cǎi yòng zhè zhǒng fāng shì 。” shā qún nǚ zǐ yīng shēng xì yǔ de wèi xǔ bái jiě shì dào 。
“此乃【飞球兽】，膨胀之后，能够高飞九天、御风而行，速度极快。帝国民众前往圣地参观，多是采用这种方式。”纱裙女子莺声细语的为许白解释道。
"This is the [Flying Ball Beast]. After expanding, it can fly high in the sky and ride the wind. The speed is extremely fast. Imperial citizens often use this method to visit the holy land," the girl explained softly.
“ bù guò dà rén yào qù cān guān ， qīng shèng shī yǐ jīng fēn fù xià qù ， jiāng shèng dì de cān guān qún zhòng zàn shí qīng kōng le 。 yǐ miǎn dǎ rǎo dà rén qīng jìng 。”
“不过大人要去参观，青圣师已经吩咐下去，将圣地的参观群众暂时清空了。以免打扰大人清静。”
"However, since you are visiting, Lady Qing has already ordered that the crowd be temporarily cleared from the holy land to avoid disturbing your peace."
nǚ zǐ róu shēng de jiè shào zhōng ， hěn kuài jiù dào lái le chì jiǔ tóu qí zhōng yī chù tóu lú duàn liè chù 。
女子柔声的介绍中，很快就到来了赤九头其中一处头颅断裂处。
As the girl continued her gentle introduction, they arrived at one of the severed heads of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
“ zhè lǐ jiù shì jiǔ zuò shén miào zhī yī liǎo 。”
“这里就是九座神庙之一了。”
"This is one of the nine temples."
xǔ bái gēn suí nǚ zǐ zǒu rù jì jìng de jiàn zhù lǐ ， gāng yī tà rù ， biàn yǐn yǐn chá jué dào lì xiào 、 āi háo zhī shēng 。
许白跟随女子走入寂静的建筑里，刚一踏入，便隐隐察觉到戾啸、哀嚎之声。
Following the girl into the silent building, Xu Bai immediately sensed the howls and cries.
dì miàn 、 qiáng bì ， jiē tiē mǎn le mò hēi sè de shí bǎn ， jiāng shén miào zhōng yìng chèn de sù mù 、 yōu àn 。
地面、墙壁，皆贴满了墨黑色的石板，将神庙中映衬的肃穆、幽暗。
The ground and walls were covered with dark black stone slabs, casting a solemn and gloomy atmosphere in the temple.
bù yòng nǚ zǐ yǐn lù ， xǔ bái biàn shùn zhe shēng yīn chuán lái de fāng xiàng ， cháo zhe miào yǔ shēn chù zǒu qù 。
不用女子引路，许白便顺着声音传来的方向，朝着庙宇深处走去。
Without needing to be led, Xu Bai followed the direction of the sounds deeper into the temple.
yuè shēn rù qí zhōng ， ěr biān de yì shòu āi háo zhī shēng jiù yuè fā xiǎng liàng 。
越深入其中，耳边的异兽哀嚎之声就越发响亮。
The more he went in, the louder the beast's cries became.
tōng guò shā qún nǚ zǐ de jiè shào dé zhī ， zhè xiē bìng bù jǐn jǐn shì chì jiǔ tóu lín sǐ qián de shēng yīn 。
通过纱裙女子的介绍得知，这些并不仅仅是赤九头临死前的声音。
From the girl's explanation, these weren't just the Red Nine-Headed Beast's dying sounds. They were also the collective howls of countless beasts sacrificed over the years to reduce the divine bird's anger.
ér shì zhè xiē nián lái ， wèi le jiàng dī shén niǎo de lì qì ， dì guó zǎi shā xiàn jì de wú shù tóu yì shòu men ， gòng tóng zǔ chéng de bēi míng zhī shēng 。
而是这些年来，为了降低神鸟的戾气，帝国宰杀献祭的无数头异兽们，共同组成的悲鸣之声。
Countless souls lingered here, making even ordinary areas feel like hell.
měi yī zuò shén miào ， dōu bù zhī yǒu duō shǎo tóu yì shòu cǎn sǐ 。
每一座神庙，都不知有多少头异兽惨死。
But in this temple, although it was eerie,
wú shù yuàn hún jiū chán ， zú yǐ jiāng xún cháng qū yù biàn dé rú tóng yīn jiān dì yù bān 。
无数怨魂纠缠，足以将寻常区域变得如同阴间地狱般。
no ghostly disturbances occurred.
dàn cǐ chù shén miào lǐ ， suī rán yǒu xiē sēn rán 。
但此处神庙里，虽然有些森然。
Only because a sharp sword energy continuously suppressed them all.
què yě méi bìng méi chū xiàn yuàn hún zuò suì de shì qíng 。
却也没并没出现怨魂作祟的事情。
"Shh..."
zhǐ yīn ， yǒu yī dào ruì lì wú pǐ de jiàn qì ， shǐ zhōng jiāng tā men láo láo zhèn yā 。
只因，有一道锐利无匹的剑气，始终将它们牢牢镇压。
A strand of hair drifted down. Xu Bai stopped walking immediately.
“ shuā ……”
“唰……”
In front of him, black flesh twisted and formed a ball, occasionally moving slightly, making it hard to believe that this was the corpse of a beast that had died thousands of years ago.
yī lǚ tóu fà wú duān piāo luò ， xǔ bái dùn shí zhǐ zhù bù fá 。
一缕头发无端飘落，许白顿时止住步伐。
Above the black mass, a red sword energy floated like a rope.
zài qián fāng ， hēi sè xuè ròu ， wǎn rú jiū gé téng wàn ， pán chéng yī tuán 。
在前方，黑色血肉，宛如纠葛藤蔓，盘成一团。
Actually, ordinary cultivators couldn't see this red rope-like sword energy. Ordinary people in the Empire could only infer its existence from the constantly suppressed black flesh and occasional bursts of sword energy.
shí bù shí hái huì rú dòng piàn kè ， hěn nán ràng rén xiāng xìn ， zhè shì yǐ jīng sǐ qù shù qiān nián de yāo shòu shī shēn 。
时不时还会蠕动片刻，很难让人相信，这是已经死去数千年的妖兽尸身。
But Xu Bai saw everything clearly.
ér zài hēi sè ròu tuán de zhèng shàng fāng ， cún zài zhe yī dào hóng sè jiàn qì 。
而在黑色肉团的正上方，存在着一道红色剑气。
Even...
rú tóng yī gēn zhǎng shéng ， piāo fú bù dìng 。
如同一根长绳，漂浮不定。
Xu Bai closed his eyes slightly. A scene suddenly appeared in his mind.
shì shí shàng ， zhè gēn hóng shéng jiàn qì ， xún cháng xiū shì shì kàn bú dào de 。
事实上，这根红绳剑气，寻常修士是看不到的。
It was a bright red light that seemed to be faster than lightning, splitting open the heavens with its sharpness.
gèng huáng lùn dì guó zhōng de xún cháng fán rén le 。
更遑论帝国中的寻常凡人了。
"Like a rope, but it's actually..."
tā men zhǐ néng cóng bù duàn cǎn zāo zhèn yā de hēi sè xuè ròu ， yǐ jí bù shí duì wài jī fā de jiàn qì ， tuī cè chū yǒu “ xiān rén jiàn qì ” cán liú 。
他们只能从不断惨遭镇压的黑色血肉，以及不时对外激发的剑气，推测出有“仙人剑气”残留。
"A sword."
dàn shì xǔ bái ， què kě yǐ jiāng zhè yī qiè kàn de qīng qīng chǔ chǔ 。
但是许白，却可以将这一切看的清清楚楚。
Xu Bai stared at the red line before him, lost in thought for a long time.
shèn zhì ……
甚至……
"The red rope given by Mr. White... compared to what I saw in the陨仙境, his随意挥洒的木剑, this red rope sword has more of a killing intent."
xǔ bái wēi wēi bì mù 。
许白微微闭目。
"It’s not just a pure sword; it seems to carry a hint of punishment."
yī fù huà miàn hū de chū xiàn zài tā de nǎo hǎi zhōng 。
一副画面忽的出现在他的脑海中。
Many insights continuously emerged from Xu Bai's mind.
nà shì zhào liàng tiān dì de yī mǒ hóng sè liàng guāng ， sì hū bǐ qǐ shǎn diàn hái yào gèng kuài jǐ fēn 。
那是照亮天地的一抹红色亮光，似乎比起闪电还要更快几分。
He seemed to see Mr. White gently flicking out a thread. The mighty and fearsome Red Nine-Headed Beast was instantly killed on the spot.
qí zhōng yùn hán de ruì lì zhī yì ， gèng fǎng fú néng pī kāi tiān dì 。
其中蕴含的锐利之意，更仿佛能劈开天地。
...
“ shì shéng ， shí zé shì ……”
“似绳，实则是……”
Thus, Xu Bai immersed himself in his contemplation, unaware of how much time passed.
“ jiàn 。”
“剑。”
The girl in the sheer dress stood silently behind him without disturbing him.
xǔ bái zhù shì zhuó yǎn qián de nà dào hóng xiàn ， bù zhī guò le duō jiǔ ， ruò yǒu suǒ sī dào 。
许白注视着眼前的那道红线，不知过了多久，若有所思道。
Not far from Xu Bai, through the transparent wall, Xiao Qing and a slender girl stared intently at him.
“ bái xiān shēng zèng yǔ de hóng shéng me ……”
“白先生赠与的红绳么……”
"How is it? Can you confirm?" Xiao Qing asked, her eyes showing rare anxiety.
“ bǐ qǐ wǒ zài yǔn xiān jìng suǒ jiàn de ， tā suí shǒu wèi zhī de 【 mù jiàn 】， zhè hóng shéng zhī jiàn ， shā fá zhī yì gèng nóng 。”
“比起我在陨仙境所见的，他随手为之的【木剑】，这红绳之剑，杀伐之意更浓。”
The girl kept her eyes closed.
“ yǔ qí shuō shì chún cuì de jiàn ， gèng xiàng shì fù dài zhe yī sī chéng jiè de wèi dào 。”
“与其说是纯粹的剑，更像是附带着一丝惩戒的味道。”
Her eyelashes trembled continuously as sweat dripped down her face.
zhū duō gǎn wù ， yuán yuán bù duàn de zì xǔ bái xīn zhōng yǒng xiàn 。
诸多感悟，源源不断的自许白心中涌现。
After a long time, she suddenly opened her eyes wide.
tā fǎng fú kàn dào le bái xiān shēng de shēn yǐng ， qīng qīng dàn chū yī lǚ sī xiàn 。
他仿佛看到了白先生的身影，轻轻弹出一缕丝线。
"Why is this happening?"
ér hòu bù kě yī shì de jué dài xiōng shòu chì jiǔ tóu ， dāng chǎng cǎn sǐ 。
而后不可一世的绝代凶兽赤九头，当场惨死。
She looked shocked.
……
……
"When I saw him, it was like seeing myself!"
jiù zhè yàng ， xǔ bái chén jìn zài gǎn wù zhī zhōng ， bù zhī shí jiān liú shì 。
就这样，许白沉浸在感悟之中，不知时间流逝。
(End of Chapter)
"We all come from different minor worlds, and compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, there's a natural hierarchy. But we also have advantages that shouldn't be underestimated."
"That would be diversity."
"Just as your [Empire] can command foreign beasts in battle. Over these years, other minor worlds have developed their own unique abilities."
"Even if they're weaker compared to the Xuanhuang Realm's Immortal Techniques, if we could gather all our strength and combine the strengths of a thousand realms, it might not be impossible to develop a system that can counter Immortal Techniques."
Xu Bai spoke eloquently.
The first reaction Xiao Qing had was to shake her head.
But before she could speak, Xu Bai reached out to interrupt, saying solemnly, "It's all about human effort. Everyone knows the hope is faint, but at this critical juncture, we can only fight with everything we have."
"How do ordinary people live under the rule of cultivators? I imagine Fellow Daoist understands better than me?"
"Members of the Alliance of a Thousand Realms are rulers of their own realms. Even if they die, they wouldn't want to lead the life of cattle and horses."
"The unification of a thousand realms is inevitable. Those who don’t want it..."
Xu Bai's face instantly turned grim: "Although we won't fight you with swords, we can no longer provide protection for you."
Xiao Qing softly said, "Fellow Daoist need not worry; our Empire will never turn to the Xuanhuang side. However, matters of the Empire are not within my power alone."
"Fellow Daoist please wait a moment. I need to consult with Empress and the Imperial Parliament."
Upon hearing this, Xu Bai nodded in understanding.
At the same time, he made his request: "I have heard that your Empire was built on the corpse of a three-headed divine bird."
"The head of the divine bird was severed by an immortal's sword many years ago."
"This is such a rare sight. If I can't see it with my own eyes here, it would be a great regret. Fellow Daoist, do you think you can fulfill this wish?"
Xiao Qing looked at Xu Bai with a smile in his face.
After a moment, she agreed: "It's just a small matter. Since Fellow Daoist is interested, I will have someone take you there shortly. But remember to be careful; the head has remnants of sword energy and lingering thoughts."
Xu Bai's expression turned surprised, then even happier: "The sword energy still exists after all this time, enough to imagine its might from back then. Your words only make me more eager."
Xiao Qing smiled without speaking.
After a short while, an 18-year-old girl in a sheer dress walked in.
"Please follow me, sir."
She summoned a spherical beast that expanded like a balloon.
A crack appeared as she entered the sphere.
Curious, Xu Bai followed her inside.
The sphere had seating arrangements for passengers. As they entered, it continued to expand.
It slowly drifted out of the palace and headed towards the "Imperial Holy Land" far away.
As the spherical beast's body became more transparent, Xu Bai could see the surroundings clearly.
"This is the [Flying Ball Beast]. After expanding, it can fly high in the sky and ride the wind. The speed is extremely fast. Imperial citizens often use this method to visit the holy land," the girl explained softly.
"However, since you are visiting, Lady Qing has already ordered that the crowd be temporarily cleared from the holy land to avoid disturbing your peace."
...
As the girl continued her gentle introduction, they arrived at one of the severed heads of the Red Nine-Headed Beast.
"This is one of the nine temples."
Following the girl into the silent building, Xu Bai immediately sensed the howls and cries.
The ground and walls were covered with dark black stone slabs, casting a solemn and gloomy atmosphere in the temple.
Without needing to be led, Xu Bai followed the direction of the sounds deeper into the temple.
The more he went in, the louder the beast's cries became.
From the girl's explanation, these weren't just the Red Nine-Headed Beast's dying sounds. They were also the collective howls of countless beasts sacrificed over the years to reduce the divine bird's anger.
Countless souls lingered here, making even ordinary areas feel like hell.
But in this temple, although it was eerie,
no ghostly disturbances occurred.
Only because a sharp sword energy continuously suppressed them all.
"Shh..."
A strand of hair drifted down. Xu Bai stopped walking immediately.
In front of him, black flesh twisted and formed a ball, occasionally moving slightly, making it hard to believe that this was the corpse of a beast that had died thousands of years ago.
Above the black mass, a red sword energy floated like a rope.
Actually, ordinary cultivators couldn't see this red rope-like sword energy. Ordinary people in the Empire could only infer its existence from the constantly suppressed black flesh and occasional bursts of sword energy.
But Xu Bai saw everything clearly.
Even...
Xu Bai closed his eyes slightly. A scene suddenly appeared in his mind.
It was a bright red light that seemed to be faster than lightning, splitting open the heavens with its sharpness.
"Like a rope, but it's actually..."
"A sword."
Xu Bai stared at the red line before him, lost in thought for a long time.
"The red rope given by Mr. White... compared to what I saw in the陨仙境, his随意挥洒的木剑, this red rope sword has more of a killing intent."
"It’s not just a pure sword; it seems to carry a hint of punishment."
Many insights continuously emerged from Xu Bai's mind.
He seemed to see Mr. White gently flicking out a thread. The mighty and fearsome Red Nine-Headed Beast was instantly killed on the spot.
...
Thus, Xu Bai immersed himself in his contemplation, unaware of how much time passed.
The girl in the sheer dress stood silently behind him without disturbing him.
Not far from Xu Bai, through the transparent wall, Xiao Qing and a slender girl stared intently at him.
"How is it? Can you confirm?" Xiao Qing asked, her eyes showing rare anxiety.
The girl kept her eyes closed.
Her eyelashes trembled continuously as sweat dripped down her face.
After a long time, she suddenly opened her eyes wide.
"Why is this happening?"
She looked shocked.
"When I saw him, it was like seeing myself!"
(End of Chapter)