“I understand,” Miss Jing nodded lightly. “Also, you should be careful of Grand Mist Mountain.”
“How so?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Grand Mist Mountain is not that simple. Their forefather has ties with many Dao Courts. On top of that, their own foundation is strong, the Mist Prime Emperor was raised under their wing,” Miss Jing explained. “You should act cautiously.”
“Let them come,” Xu Zimo waved his hand.
He knew: some Dao Courts only rose because a Grand Emperor appeared among them; but some great powers were already enormous even before, they were so strong that even Grand Emperors were nurtured under their shelter.
After a while, Gongyang Ce stood. The Heaven’s Will formation stilled, the black and white energies dissipating. His complexion returned to normal, and he looked around.
Gongyang Ce chuckled softly. “Seems they’re restless.”
“No one will disturb you as long as I’m here,” Xu Zimo replied.
“The Mist Prime Emperor?” Gongyang Ce glanced upward at the figure still being struck by lightning and chuckled.
“What of the Xuanyuan Clan’s whereabouts?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Did you hear what I just said?” Gongyang Ce replied.
“I heard, but it was a mess, hard to understand,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“The Xuanyuan Clan’s location is rather complicated,” Gongyang Ce handed the golden sheet to him.
Xu Zimo looked, it was filled with complex markings, and since he was not too familiar with the Mortal Ascension Heaven, it was hard to parse.
“If the readings are correct, the Xuanyuan Clan should be within Heaven’s End, Ocean’s Edge,” Gongyang Ce said.
“And that is where?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You’ve heard of Saint Sovereign Brahma, haven’t you?” Gongyang Ce asked.
“The only Saint Sovereign of the Mortal Ascension Heaven? Of course,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“That ‘Heaven’s End, Ocean’s Edge’ is a Particle World created by Saint Sovereign Brahma,” Gongyang Ce explained. “Though it belongs to the Mortal Domain, it exists apart from both Azure Frontier and the Four Regions.”
“How do I enter it?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Listen first,” Gongyang Ce said. “Heaven’s End, Ocean’s Edge has four passes, each guarded by a Heavenly King. When you arrive, go first to South Martial Pass. Then, according to this route, Ten-Mile Slope, Blackwater Lake, Chaos Cloud Ravine, Hundred Flowers Valley. The Xuanyuan Clan should be in Hundred Flowers Valley. As for entering Heaven’s End, Ocean’s Edge, it’s not too difficult. You can go to Brahma City. There’s a dedicated teleportation formation there. But not just anyone can enter. You’ll see when you arrive.”
Xu Zimo nodded, storing away the golden sheet.
“If you don’t know the way, I could accompany you,” Miss Jing suddenly offered.
“Jing, if you leave, who will I pass on my life’s teachings to?” Gongyang Ce objected.
“Master, I’ll only escort him there and return,” Miss Jing smiled.
“No, what if this brat runs off with you?” Gongyang Ce shook his head firmly.
“He won’t. If he wanted to, back in Primordial Heartlands he would’ve succeeded already,” Miss Jing smiled.
“You should stay. I can make my way to Brahma City myself,” Xu Zimo refused her.
After all, he still harbored many unanswered doubts, he couldn’t yet place full trust in her.
“If you don’t let me follow, then I’ll insist on going,” Miss Jing said. “I happen to need to go to Brahma City too.”
“Enough, enough,” Gongyang Ce relented. “You two traveling together can watch each other’s backs. I can’t rest easy with her alone.”
At that moment, several young women entered from the ruined alleyway. Each carried a jar of wine.
“Master Xu, our Island Mistress sent us to deliver this Immortal Brew to you,” their leader said.
“Your Island Mistress is Fairy Moon-Pluck?” Xu Zimo asked.
The women nodded.
“Tell her this Immortal Brew counts as a favor owed by me. But that favor may be large or small. If she wants me to slay the Elder Fiend, it’s not that I don’t dare, it’s just not worth the price of that favor. I leave Tranquil tomorrow. If she has other requests, I can help, so long as it’s within the scope of that favor.”
Hearing this, the women looked at each other in surprise.
“Our Island Mistress said this has nothing to do with requesting your aid. The Immortal Brew is simply a gift,” they replied.
“Take it back,” Xu Zimo waved.
“Why send it back? It’s a gift,” Gongyang Ce interjected. “How about this, let me keep it. I’ll count it as owing Fairy Moon-Pluck a favor instead. Fair?”
The women hesitated briefly, then nodded and withdrew.
“I’ll stroll around North River City. Tomorrow at dawn I depart,” Xu Zimo said. “If you wish to come, meet me at the east gate.”
“Understood,” Miss Jing smiled sweetly.
After parting ways, Xu Zimo left the alley.
By now, Tranquil lay in ruins.
He wished to see other places.
Above, lightning still rained down, until finally the battered soul of the Mist Prime Emperor was utterly annihilated.
As Xu Zimo’s figure faded into the distance, Gongyang Ce narrowed his eyes.
“He still guards against you. Following him will only deepen his suspicions.”
“If the current plan fails, we’ll move to the next,” Miss Jing replied. “Staying close to his movements is what matters most. We can’t let him stray beyond the plan.”
“Don’t worry,” Gongyang Ce chuckled. “These are the Nine Heavens, not the Primordial Heartlands.”
North River City had been divided into four sections.
Tranquil was nearly destroyed, so Xu Zimo came instead to Heaven.
The tremors in Tranquil had drawn much attention, and the people of Heaven still watched closely.
Because Xu Zimo entered quietly, no one paid him much mind.
He walked along Heaven’s bustling streets.
From the roadside, a group of children ran past, carrying candied hawthorn skewers, humming a nursery rhyme as they went.