Beyond the Timescape

Chapter 1008: Friends From Over the Years

The canopy of heaven was auspicious and peaceful. The light of the setting sun shone over the inner sea, making it seem like there was a gorgeous painting filling the sky over South Phoenix and the Forbidden Sea. Profound colors and mysterious charm brought out the splendor and complexity of life. Gradually, it became part of the afterglow of sunset that spread out over the sea, filling its darkness with scintillating waves.

As twilight settled over the lands, it reached the Seven Blood Eyes port, where waves gently lapped against the reefs and rocks, creating a muffled thrum that indicated night had come. The sea breeze blew softly through the evening, caressing the various ships in the harbors, and brushing against the faces of cultivators from various sects and species.

Eventually, it reached Ding Xue, causing her long, beautiful hair to sway out in front of her. It caused the little bells on the box next to Yanyan to tinkle. And in a medicine shop overlooking the sea was a graceful figure whose long skirt stirred in the gentle wind.[1]

Ding Xue stood next to the water at the port, clad in a form-fitting gown that accentuated her beautiful curves, but at the same time, did nothing to diminish the heroic air she had manifested years ago. It was as if the passage of time hadn’t changed her at all. She had a bronze sword strapped to her back.

A short distance behind Ding Xue was Zhao Zhongheng, who was still as infatuated with her as he’d always been.[2]

Yanyan currently sat on the wooden box on a dharmaboat in the very same harbor that Xu Qing had used when he first arrived in Seven Blood Eyes. Harbor 79. Next to her were five large water barrels which emanated the scent of blood. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips pursed. Her gaze was one of keen anticipation.[3]

There were others waiting besides these women. They included numerous Seven Blood Eyes disciples, including Violent Crimes Division constables from various mountain peaks.

Time slipped by slowly but surely. Night fell. Lanterns lit the port like little stars, making the place look almost like a shining starry sky. The ‘starlight’ glittered on the surface of the water, creating a resplendent painting. Within that painting, a solitary dharmaboat shot across the water.

Xu Qing stood at the prow looking at the familiar Seven Blood Eyes, as well as all the familiar faces there. He spotted Ding Xue, and he spotted Yanyan.

The disciples gathered at the port started calling out “Fourth Highness!”

At the same time, Second Elder Sister emerged from the Seventh Peak and went down to the port. She arrived just as the dharmaboat was pulling in.

Huang Yan jumped out and rushed over to her, looking very pleased with himself, as if he were saying, “See! I told you I’d bring your little Junior Brother back!”

Elder Sister chuckled and looked at Xu Qing. “Welcome home, little Junior Brother.”

***

Familiar auras. Familiar surroundings. Familiar mountain peaks.

After reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances, Xu Qing left Huang Yan and Second Elder Sister to have their own reunion, and strode through the night to his mansion grotto. Although he hadn’t stayed long in this mansion grotto, as soon as he sat down, he felt tranquil and calm. His heart, which had been racing for so long now, finally became peaceful.

He thought back to everything that happened over the better part of the last year. First he ran into Floating Fiend, then destroyed the Vivifiend holy land. After, he chased down Floating Fiend... then went with Yu Liuchen to the outer sea, where he had faced one dangerous situation after another. The entire time he had felt taut with anxiety and fear.

Now that he was back in Seven Blood Eyes, he could let loose a long sigh. That said, he knew that this period of rest wouldn’t last for very long. His stay in Seven Blood Eyes would be a short one.

War had already broken out, and as the region lord of both the Holytide Region and the Nightspirit Region, he was like the heart and soul of Sea-Sealing County. Now that he was back, he needed to go present himself to the empress and join the war effort that affected the entire east of Revered Ancient. He also needed a tempering of blood and death to continue to fuse his fleshly body and soul. At the same time, he required deeper enlightenment of his godly authority.

My dreadnaught was so badly damaged I can’t use it anymore. I guess I need to see if Zhang San can fix it.

After mulling everything over, he closed his eyes and focused on cultivation. The profound sun immortal light flowed within him, like a sun rising inside his body. It cast dazzling light and warmth into him, which then returned to the sun, creating a cycle. The process brought his godsource into play, and illuminated the one thousand godly authority lineaments.

Time passed slowly but surely.

Two hours later, he opened his eyes and looked at the door of the mansion grotto, his brow slightly furrowed.

A voice echoed from outside. “Is now a good time, Elder Brother Xu Qing? I cooked some sweet potato and peanut congee for you.”

The voice was deliberately soft, and seemed a bit timid.

Xu Qing was familiar with this voice, and was also familiar with this behavior. This person was obviously Ding Xue. There weren’t many options at hand for Xu Qing. He was not the ignorant kid he had been years ago. He knew full well what Ding Xue was thinking when she looked at him. But when all was said and done, they were fellow disciples of the same sect, so he waved his hand, causing the mansion grotto’s door to swing open silently.

As moonlight spilled inside, a graceful figure strolled through the door.

“It’s been a long time, Big Bro Xu Qing.” Ding Xue’s face was flushed, and every time she blinked, her long eyelashes seemed to recount a moving tale that would stir the heart.

Nearing, she bent down and put the sweet potato and peanut congee down in front of Xu Qing. When she bent, her tight clothing made her attractive figure even more prominent. Her eyes looked like stars shining in the deep night, flickering with mysterious charm.

The passage of time didn’t seem visible on her at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. She seemed even more beautiful than before. Her eyebrows were more elegant, like graceful willow leaves, imparting a sense of sweet-tempered firmness. Her long, straight nose and delicate, ruby lips would cause just about any man to be hard-pressed to not want to get close to her.

Xu Qing said nothing at first. He saw the anticipation in her eyes, and thought back to how she had treated him years ago.... Sighing softly, he picked up the congee and took a sip.

“Pretty good,” he said. Then he asked her a few questions about her cultivation.

Ding Xue looked at him with her heart pounding. Her plan for this night was to take Xu Qing for her own. That was why she had dressed in this way. But now that she was in front of him, she suddenly felt nervous, and wasn’t sure what to do next. All she could do was answer his questions about cultivation.

Time passed. About an hour later, she left his mansion grotto feeling somewhat confused. Once outside, she realized that her plan to win Xu Qing had failed.

I just need to prepare more thoroughly. Next time... next time I’m definitely going to win Elder Brother Xu Qing for my own! However, I need to keep myself under control. I love him, but that’s my personal matter. I definitely can’t put any pressure on him.

Thumping her chest encouragingly, she took a deep breath and proceeded to encourage herself further as she walked off. She had long since become used to the fact that there was someone following her. In fact, she was as used to him as she was used to the air.

That person was none other than Zhao Zhongheng. He followed her through the night, looking emotional as he thought, Xue’er, I’ve been in love with you for years now. But I know that loving you is my personal matter. Don’t feel any pressure. I don’t want my love for you to be a burden. I just hope that you can always be happy.

Feeling moved by his own words, Zhao Zhongheng took a deep breath and followed her with increased determination.

As was expected, Xu Qing could see all of that playing out. When he thought about how Zhao Zhongheng hadn’t given up even after all these years, he couldn’t help but feel pity. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and went back to meditating.

And yet, only a moment later, he opened his eyes again and looked to the entrance of the mansion grotto.

A moment later, a trembling voice reached his ears. “Big Bro Xu Qing, my grandma told me what you went through to save me.... I couldn’t track down any holy lands cultivators, but I did catch a few Night Dove agents so you could vent some anger.”

Outside of the mansion grotto was Yanyan, clad in a red robe. She was biting her lip, but no blood seeped out, as she swallowed it all.

***

An hour later, Yanyan left.

Xu Qing sat inside the mansion grotto looking thoughtful. He had become aware earlier that Yanyan had a unique constitution. That, coupled with the fact that she had attracted the gaze of Golden Crow’s musician, sparked certain speculations within Xu Qing.

That night as Yanyan dealt with the Night Dove agents, Xu Qing used his god perception to confirm some of his suspicions.

It’s not that she doesn’t have any mutagen in her. It’s just that the mutagen doesn’t manifest in her fleshly body. Instead, it enters her soul.... As a result, her soul has transformed in a very unique way, allowing it to absorb mutagen. The downside is that she doesn’t understand what to do with it. That’s why following the path of cultivators isn’t working for her. It really disturbs her on an emotional level. In some respects, Yanyan is a natural-born god cultivator!

Before Yanyan left, he put some of his own godsource into her soul, creating a seed that would help her in her future cultivation. After more thought on the matter, he closed his eyes and went back to cultivation.

He got no further visitors that night. Eventually, the sun rose.

***

As the sun rose, a figure crawled up onto the shore in the Seven Blood Eyes port, covered with soaking fur. Once out of the water, the furry figure started cursing.

“Huang Yan, you damned old bird! I can’t believe you slapped me that far! And you even sealed my bag of holding and cultivation base so I couldn’t fly. I had to swim the whole way back! You just wait until I track you down!”

This person was, of course, Erniu. Even as he gnashed his teeth, the sky grew bright.

***

As the morning breeze blew across the port, a slight rain fell.

Xu Qing opened an oilskin umbrella as he walked down the Seventh Peak, disguised to look like the low-level disciple he had been years ago. After finding the breakfast stall he had frequented in the past, he bought a bowl of jellied tofu for breakfast. After, he went to Harbor 176 to find Zhang San.

Despite the rain, the city was as busy as ever, with people of all species hastening to and fro. At one point, he walked past a medicine shop he had frequented long ago. Upon passing, he caught sight of a person inside wearing a pale orange robe. She was currently looking down at the pill furnace in front of her as she concocted some medicinal pills.

She was Gu Muqing, who had once been a chosen from the Second Peak, the peak that specialized in alchemy. Back in the day, she got to know Xu Qing after buying some of his white boluses.[4]

Seeing how focused she was, Xu Qing decided not to bother her, and continued on his way.

Inside the shop, Gu Muqing suddenly sensed something and looked up. But the streets were crowded, and with the rain, it was hard to see anything.

They had no reunion. It was not something fated to happen, just like something far in the distance that could never be seized.

1. Ding Xue introduced herself by name in chapter 82, although she actually appeared before that in the story. She was in too many chapters to list as references. The last time she was mentioned was in chapter 725, and the last time she appeared on screen was in chapter 542.2. We were already re-introduced to Yanyan a few chapters ago. As for the other person, I personally knew who it was referring to as soon as it was mentioned. There will be more detail to come, so I’ll save the past chapter references for then. ☜

2. Zhao Zhongheng was actually introduced to the story in chapter 65. Similar to Ding Xue, he was in too many chapters to reference them all here. Although he was in a few scenes by himself, he was usually around when Ding Xue was around, and in fact, the last times he was mentioned and seen on screen coincide with the chapters mentioned in the Ding Xue footnote above. ☜

3. Xu Qing settled down in Harbor 79 in chapter 52. The water barrels are a callback to the gift Yanyan gave Xu Qing in chapter 321. ☜

4. Gu Muqing was first introduced in chapter 61. We learned her name in chapter 94. She last appeared in a poignant scene in chapter 541.2. In the footnote of that chapter, I asked the following question: “Will she appear again in the story, or is this goodbye forever...?” What was your guess back then...? ☜