Chapter Fifty: The Void

"Haha, don’t worry too much. Your eldest brother is a top-tier powerhouse even recognized by the Sword Immortals themselves. Rest assured, he will definitely return alive..."

Although Ning Yao was trying to comfort Chen Ping’an, her tone betrayed a hint of hesitation, revealing her own doubts about Su Ling’s ability to accomplish such a monumental feat without perishing.

"...Hmm, Brother Su is one of the greatest warriors in this world, on par with Mr. Qi!"

The worry in Chen Ping’an’s eyes vanished, replaced by a subtle confidence brimming with pride.

"Uh~."

Ning Yao’s expression froze momentarily. With slightly parted crimson lips, she first cast a surprised glance at the confidently beaming Chen Ping’an, then teasingly smiled at him.

"Oh? So in your heart, your Brother Su is actually the strongest person in the world!"

"Ah? No, what I meant is that Brother Su is an unparalleled master of martial arts, while Miss Ning, you are a grand Sword Immortal in the realm of swordsmanship..."

Chen Ping’an whispered softly, lowering his head, unwilling to meet the piercing gaze of Ning Yao’s eyes, sharp as a sword drawn from its sheath.

"Hmph, that’s more like it."

"Haha."

Chen Ping’an scratched his head awkwardly and turned to glance one last time at the figure that had already vanished into Mud Bottle Lane, a resolute belief flickering in his eyes.

—

At the end of the dirt road in Mud Bottle Lane, Su Ling stood on a clearing within a dark alley, silently murmuring the name Qi Jingchun. In the next moment, his figure instantly dissolved into a cluster of bubbles, vanishing without a trace.

This was Qi Jingchun employing a great divine skill to transport Su Ling directly out of the Lizhu Celestial Cave.

As for where Su Ling arrived, it was naturally within the boundless void beyond the Lizhu Celestial Cave—a vast expanse of space, infinite like the cosmos itself, filled with countless ribbons of multicolored, silk-like flowing light.

In the very center of this void sat a massive figure radiating a golden-hued glow, seated with hands resting on its abdomen, holding a colossal orb resembling a luminous pearl.

Qi Jingchun wore a resplendent, multicolored Confucian robe exuding divine charm, his colossal spiritual form shimmering gently.

The robe was as thin as cicada wings, inscribed with intricate, glowing golden runes.

These runes seemed to contain the principles of heaven and earth, mesmerizing in their brilliance, floating and sinking lightly like playful spirits dancing around Qi Jingchun.

At this moment, Qi Jingchun closed his eyes to rest, a faint smile gracing his lips as he gently cradled the spherical Celestial Cave in his hands.

—

The surface of the Lizhu Celestial Cave was shrouded in leaden thunderclouds, with purple thunder dragons raging within, obscuring the interior from view.

Witnessing such a celestial manifestation, akin to the supreme deities of an ancient heavenly court, Su Ling was genuinely astonished.

After all, he had never before seen Qi Jingchun assume such a terrifying form.

"The Confucian celestial manifestation... is that Master Qi’s spiritual form?"

Standing on a barren patch of void, Su Ling looked up at the formidable spiritual form that could support an entire world.

Just as Su Ling marveled, a clear and refined voice echoed.

Yet, Qi Jingchun’s lips did not move, lending an air of inscrutable mystery befitting a master of divine skill.

"Su Ling."

Qi Jingchun did not speak aloud; the voice came from the void itself—one of his mystical abilities.

"Master Qi."

Su Ling bowed respectfully, the immense spiritual form before him truly awe-inspiring, akin to the world-shaping Pangu.

Especially the intricate runes swirling around it—each symbol dancing in the void was a manifestation of Qi Jingchun’s inner truths, extraordinarily divine and unparalleled.

"...Hmm."

Before long, the colorful ribbons of light in the void suddenly vanished, as if an ominous presence had descended upon this space.

Accompanying this was a cataclysmic thunderstorm, its clouds blotting out the sky.

Thunder roared and echoed far and wide, the thunderclouds seeming sentient, like skilled hunters encircling Qi Jingchun, who remained seated in the void’s center.

Observing this, a serious expression slowly appeared on Qi Jingchun’s face as he seemed to study the terrifying presence hidden within the storm, yet to reveal itself.

"Qi Jingchun, relinquish the Celestial Cave now, and there is still a chance to turn back!"

At that moment, a majestic, thunderous voice resonated, shaking the entire void, causing ripples even in the thunderclouds—a terrifying sound.

Qi Jingchun’s brow did not even twitch, seemingly indifferent to the warning issued by this dreadful entity.

The blackened thunderclouds parted, revealing a colossal giant rivaling a planet in size, clad in a broad, slate-gray robe.

—

The enormous, awe-inspiring giant, with a spiritual form surpassing that of Qi Jingchun, gently stroked his chin, which bore a slender, glowing blue goatee.

This highest saint of Taoism sat cross-legged in the void, his nine-turn green lotus faintly visible among the thunderclouds beneath him.

With eyes radiating a golden brilliance, he looked down upon Qi Jingchun, guardian of the Lizhu Celestial Cave.

Nearby, a minuscule, nearly imperceptible figure was naturally detected by this Taoist supreme saint.

Though somewhat surprised that Qi Jingchun would risk death while bringing along a promising young man, he did not mind; after all, this journey was solely about matters pertaining to the Lizhu Celestial Cave.

Everything else was but trivial.

"Hmph."

A clear voice carrying the wisdom of heaven and earth appeared, and far above Qi Jingchun suddenly emerged an ancient Confucian supreme saint draped in a scholarly robe.

This venerable figure, obviously from the Confucian lineage, disdained Qi Jingchun’s self-righteous pretensions of saving the world, snorting coldly as he cast a condescending gaze upon the rising star.

"Qi Jingchun, relinquish the Celestial Cave, and I guarantee your life will be spared."

"…"

"Hmph, if you insist on this path, then do not blame this old man for being ruthless!"

At that moment, another voice thundered through the void with an iron-willed, merciless tone, fierce and violent.

"Fuss and posturing, young lady! Qi Jingchun, kneel and receive your punishment!"

The speaker was a supreme saint of the martial tradition, his copper-red eyes glaring mercilessly, leaving no room for mercy as he prepared to strike down Qi Jingchun, a heretic defying the heavenly order.

"Qi Patron, turn back while you still can."

Lastly, a Buddhist supreme saint appeared, seated in the void.

His majestic spiritual form radiated golden light, his compassionate visage with hands joined in prayer, silently reciting sacred Buddhist scriptures, deliberately avoiding looking at Qi Jingchun.

The supreme saints of the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism—four in total, embodying the highest achievements of their respective lineages, appeared simultaneously to admonish Qi Jingchun, offering him a final chance for reconciliation.