Outside Of Time

1588  We Don’t Have to Be Adversaries

The Time Desert was ancient.

What was even older than it was this Western Starfield teleportation array built by the Dao Immortal Sect.

The entire Western Starfield was too vast. If there wasn't such a large-scale teleportation array, even strong individuals would have to spend a long time to travel to distant places.

Hence, after the Western Starfield was leveled and transformed from a starry sky into solid land, the Dao Immortal Sect, recognized as the orthodox force of the Western Starfield, carried out the decrees of the Immortal Capital. They constructed a total of 108 teleportation arrays across the Western Starfield.

It was also because of this that no clan or faction in the Western Starfield dared to cause the slightest damage to the ancient teleportation array.

At that moment, the teleportation array reflected in Xu Qing's eyes was one of the 108 array formations.

 It consisted of thirty-six towering, massive stone gates that stood silently on the desolate plains.

Standing before the array, one could see that both sides of each stone gate were intricately carved with complex runes. These runes, initially dull and dim, began to glow as Yunmen Qianfan placed a series of immortal jades into the array. Instantly, a wave of energy surged through the formation.

This energy didn't radiate outward but rather inward.

The surrounding earth trembled as if an ancient power was being awakened, a force from within the ground opening its massive jaws, ready to devour everything from the outside world.

What followed was a rumbling sound that spread out from the teleportation array.

At first, it wasn't loud but very soon, this sound was like thunder. It vaguely resonated with the sound of air breaking in the distant sky.

The surrounding air seemed to have become heavy.

Xu Qing looked at the sky.

Over there, someone was teleporting over from the void at an astonishing speed!

Meanwhile, completely unaware of the approaching figure, Yunmen Qianfan placed the final immortal jade into position. The runes carved on both sides of the stone gates began to glow, emitting an increasingly intense blue light.

However, the light that spread out gave Xu Qing a sense of distortion.

The aurora in the sky above also bent as it flowed through this area, as if the location of the teleportation array had become a sinkhole.

Everything that passed through this area was drawn toward it, bending in the process.

Whether it was the five elements, space, time, or even light itself

It seemed as though the very forces of nature were making way for this mysterious ritual.

Such an array formation surpassed all the teleportation arrays Xu Qing had seen in Wanggu.

However, compared to the ancient passage vortex of the Primordial Sea, this formation still seemed somewhat insignificant.

"But the principle is the same."

Xu Qing thought as his gaze fell upon the center of the array. He was no longer the same person he had been before; his understanding of both space and time had deepened significantly. With his focused gaze, he could clearly sense the forces of space and time emanating from the formation.

He could also vaguely see its essence.

"The so-called long-distance teleportation relies on the method of spatial folding to shorten distances and even time itself."

"It's like there are two holes in a piece of paper that are folded and overlapped."

"You can then pass through one and emerge from the other."

"If I can deepen my comprehension of space and time, then perhaps, for me, this world, this starfield, even this entire star ring… could be moved at my will with just a single thought."

Xu Qing fell silent. However, the abnormality in the sky caused his thoughts to pause.

Even Yunmen Qianfan, who was about to chant a specific incantation for teleportation, could sense the drastic change in the sky. The moment she looked over, her heart trembled.

In the sky, although the aurora was bent by the array formation, a huge crack was instantly torn open in the void.

As the sound spread, a figure walked out of the crack.

The moment he appeared, his aura erupted. The color of the sky changed and clouds surged.

The terrifying pressure of the mid-stage Ruler Realm poured down from the sky like an avalanche, enveloping the surroundings.

It was an old man in a black robe, his sparse white hair fluttering in the wind like dried grass.

His face was etched with deep lines, carved by the passage of time, and his sunken eyes resembled two black holes, emitting a chilling and ominous gleam.

At that moment, he was standing in the sky and coldly looking at Xu Qing.

"Earth… Earth Spirit Ancestor…"

Yunmen Qianfan trembled and instinctively hid behind Xu Qing, telling him the identity of the person in a low voice.

Xu Qing looked over calmly.

Their gazes met, causing the void to instantly tear apart. A deafening boom erupted at this moment, and countless bolts of lightning spread.

Their respective auras exploded in full force.

They intertwined and obliterated each other!

At the next instant, Xu Qing took a step back.

As for the Earth Spirit Ancestor, the sleeves and edges of his robe turned to ash.

The initial confrontation between the two sides resulted in a draw.

"You don't have any battle intent."

Xu Qing shook his head and calmly spoke.

Before this, he had never fought against a mid-stage Ruler. Moreover, before he came to the Western Starfield, his judgment of his combat strength was below the mid-stage Ruler Realm.

However, after coming to the Western Starfield, during this year of recuperation, he had a greater understanding of his Dao. Although he hadn't formed the eighth extremity, his cultivation had reached a level where his comprehension of his own Dao significantly enhanced his combat power.

However, at this moment, he didn't sense any battle intent from the other party.

In the air, the Earth Spirit Ancestor turned his head and looked at the location of the ice mountain on the other side of the desert. He was silent for a few breaths of time. When he retracted his gaze, he spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I've already obtained that secret key."

"The battle between us would inevitably result in someone's demise. But we have no enmity, so it's unnecessary."

"Moreover, the capacity of that key can accommodate both of us simultaneously, which is why I'm here—to see if you're qualified."

"We don't have to be adversaries; we could be future collaborators."

After saying that, the Earth Spirit Ancestor cast a deep glance at Xu Qing. He then slowly retreated and walked into the crack, disappearing.

He hadn't glanced at Yunmen Qianfan from the start.

Xu Qing fell into deep thought.

18:32

A formidable opponent of this caliber was not someone he wished to engage in a life-and-death battle with unless absolutely necessary.

Especially at this moment, when the principles behind the teleportation array had sparked deeper thoughts within him.

So, with a calm demeanor, Xu Qing withdrew his gaze from the old man and refocused on the array, continuing the line of thought he had paused earlier.

To him, understanding the Dao was paramount.

"I wonder, when my Eighth Extremity is finally formed, will I be able to achieve what I envision—to move star rings with just a single thought?"

But very soon, he shook his head.

"I might not be able to do it."

He recalled that the ferryman had told him that after a cultivator reached the Quasi Immortal Realm, they would possess a special ability.

That was the sublimation of the Dao mark authority. It was called… Ordinance!

"Back then, he said that a higher-level Ordinance enveloped the upper thirty-six star rings, causing the immortals who were omnipotent in the lower star rings to be unable to display the same battle achievements in the upper star rings."

"Although I don't feel it deeply now and don't understand what the Ordinance is, there's a high chance that when I explore space and time to a certain extent, I'll clearly sense the existence of the Ordinance."

While Xu Qing was pondering, Yunmen Qianfan, who was at the side, completely calmed down. She knew that she was truly safe this time.

Hence, she took a deep breath and took a few steps forward. She stood at the edge of the array formation and chanted an ancient incantation in a low voice.

The incantations echoed across the desolate plain, pushing the ritual to awaken the long-dormant power of the teleportation array to its peak.

The runes emitted an even more dazzling light, and the distortion of space reached its zenith at that moment.

In the next instant, all thirty-six stone gates roared to life.

Beams of light shot forth from each gate, converging to form an even more massive column of light that pierced the heavens.

 This luminous beam carved a magnificent trajectory across the night sky, connecting heaven and earth, engulfing the figures of Xu Qing and Yunmen Qianfan within it.

…

A day later, outside Black Cloud City.

This city was quite different from typical cities, as it was not built in the open but rather within a hollowed-out giant mountain.

A massive light source created by spells circulated inside, simulating day and night.

The city's name, 'Black Cloud City,' came from the appearance of the mountain walls, which were made of black stone. The uneven surfaces of the stone gave the impression of cloud-like formations, resembling dark clouds under the light source.

As they approached the city, the aurora outside was blocked from view. At this moment, the light source within the city resembled a sunset, indicating that it was likely dusk.

The light from Black Cloud City shone on Xu Qing and Yunmen Qianfan.

Xu Qing's footsteps were normal but Qianfan's footsteps became slower and slower.

However, no matter how long the road was, there would eventually be an end. Gradually… the city was reflected in her eyes.

Xu Qing stopped in his tracks.

"The mission from the Cloud Gate Clan was to bring you here. I believe your clan has made arrangements in Black Cloud City."

"So, we part ways here."

Xu Qing calmly spoke.

Yunmen Qianfan's emotions were tumultuous. The journey had been both thrilling and wondrous for her, and now that they had reached their destination, the joy she should have felt was overshadowed by a sense of melancholy and indescribable reluctance.

"Senior, there aren't many arrangements made by the Cloud Gate Clan in Black Cloud City. This place is primarily where my mother's family resides… I wonder if you would be willing to become a guest elder here?"

"But if you don't wish to, that's alright. You could still stay here, and I…"

Before Yunmen Qianfan could finish speaking, Xu Qing shook his head.

"I have other things to do."

With that, he turned around to leave.

As Yunmen Qianfan watched Xu Qing's departing figure, a deep sense of loss welled up in her heart. She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment, before suddenly quickening her pace to catch up with him.

"Senior."

"Thank you for escorting me. I have nothing to repay you with, so please accept this item."

My cultivation is weak, and I cannot assist you in battle, but… this jade slip was crafted with my life essence, containing the power of a single divination. I hope it might be of some use to you in the future."

As she spoke, she took out a jade slip and looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing stopped in his tracks and turned to glance at her. His gaze landed on the jade slip and he nodded slightly. With a simple gesture, he reached out through the air, and the jade slip floated into his hand.

Without another word, he turned back around and continued walking, his figure gradually fading into the distance, bathed in the glow of the setting sun. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Behind him, the soft sound of a zither gradually began to play.

The sunset was like a dream.

Nature was ever-flowing.

Filled with joys and sorrows.

It all eventually distilled into a single, simple pot of turbid wine.

The moment he walked out of Black Cloud City's range and the glow of the red aurora in the outside world landed on Xu Qing, Xu Qing took the wine flask out and drank it.

He took a step toward the sky.

With the end of the song, Qianfan's soft sigh echoed in silence.