The moment the terrifying aura emerged, the entire forbidden region trembled. All the grues in the forbidden region fell to the ground and prostrated in the direction of the mountain of flesh. Clouds appeared in the dome of heaven, which swirled together into a rumbling vortex. A tempest filled the forbidden region, connecting to the vortex in the sky, creating a terrifying scene.

Being the source of it all, Xu Qing was in the middle of the tempest, below the vortex. His body, rippling and distorting, he shook violently as he howled in a voice that almost didn’t seem human. Indescribable pain filled him in body and soul, the type that could destroy the heavens and crush the earth, as his god body was ripped apart and infused with poison mist.

The mist grew thicker and stronger, until Xu Qing’s first-level god state was completely covered by it. Then, he became an even taller figure. As he slowly stood up, he found that his head was on the same level as Ninth Sib atop the mountain of flesh.

The moment the body was complete, it was obvious there was no skin visible on it. It was covered completely by a pitch-black suit of armor. Even the head and face. Where the eyes would normally be were two convergences of netherworld flame, cold and extremely prominent.

The first impression people would get upon seeing it was that it was a manifestation of ancient darkness and gloom.

Black steam rose off the armor, which converged behind it to form a cloak that could hide the sky and cover the earth. As the cloak swayed, decay and poison spread out everywhere. Any living thing that stood in front of his suit of armor would decay and die. It was like the ultimate devil. Now there was only the violet moon god trove behind Xu Qing.

Ninth Sib was visibly moved.

Xu Qing’s first-level god state had prompted a nod from him. But the second one was shocking to him.

I feel like… I’ve seen this before.

Looking down at Xu Qing, he closely assessed his soul fluctuations. He muttered an exclamation of astonishment, then said, “Tell me your real name.”

His voice contained a mysterious type of power that made everything in the area vibrate. Ninth Sib wanted to confirm whether or not the person in front of him was really Xu Qing.

Xu Qing stood there with Ninth Sib looking at him. Eyes flickering with underworld fire, he spoke in a hoarse voice.

“Xu Qing.”

Ninth Sib nodded. “What do you feel right now?”

Xu Qing took a moment to sense this new state. He felt a sense of cold apathy with no desires or requirements. It felt completely analytical. It immediately made him think about god-glimpsing.

Voice cool, he said, “Very good.”

After a moment of thought, Ninth Sib produced another piece of Crimson Mother’s flesh. Looking at Xu Qing, he said, “Want to see what the third-level god state is like?”

Xu Qing waved his hand to produce his own chunk of Crimson Mother’s flesh, which was the same size as the piece in Ninth Sib’s hand. “I can handle it.”

Without any hesitation, he sent the chunk of flesh into the violet moon god trove behind him. The moment it entered, the god trove emitted thunderous rumblings. Next, the violet moon god trove erupted, sending its godsource pouring into Xu Qing, filling him, and yet again causing his body to rip apart. He stood there, unmoving.

It wasn’t because he didn’t feel pain. Instead, he used his completely analytical mind to suppress the pain. Then, his body started to transform. The hair beneath his armor started to grow, becoming so long it reached the ground. And it kept growing, spreading out around him. Its color was deep violet. Even more shocking was that his back split open, and it looked like feathers were about to appear there. It also seemed as if a violet moon were about to rise above him. An aura vastly more terrifying than the second-level god state exploded out. Violet bolts of lightning crashed above, imparting a sense of forbidden taboos.

Ninth Sib shot to his feet atop the mountain of flesh, looking at Xu Qing with shock in his eyes.

He’s… rising to a higher level??

As Ninth Sib reeled, Xu Qing shivered. His body was showing signs of imminent destruction, to the point where bits of flesh were peeling off him and collapsing into ash. The third-level god state hadn’t reached its completion, but Xu Qing had reached his limit.

“My soul and body can’t take this,” he said calmly, almost as if he weren’t talking about himself. “If I keep going, I’ll be reduced to ashes.”

With that, he exhaled some violet energy. As a result, time seemed to flow backward. His hair grew back, the violet moon set, and his energy declined. A moment later, he was back in the second-level god state. The godsource within him left, returning to the violet moon god trove.

The third-level god state had failed. Given Xu Qing’s current foundation, not even Crimson Mother’s flesh could sustain the third-level god state.

Meanwhile, his second-level god state had reached the limit as well. The armor melted, turning into taboo poison godsource, all while the taboo poison within him retreated. The taboo poison god trove returned.

Only his first-level god state remained. Thanks to those transformations, Xu Qing’s human nature returned. Breathing heavily, and heart pounding, he looked at Ninth Sib, clasped hands and bowed.

“Many thanks, Grandpa Ninth!” he said in a serious voice.

Thanks to Ninth Sib’s help, though he hadn’t fully manifested the third-level god state, he had experienced something extremely valuable. Not only had he learned how to use his god troves, but also, he had an advanced look at the mental state that came with a god state. What it meant for Xu Qing was that the next time he unleashed his god states, the process would be much easier.

And then there was his first-level god state. Xu Qing could already sense that it was a good trump card, even though he couldn’t maintain the state for long.

Ninth Sib looked closely at Xu Qing, then nodded and closed his eyes.

Xu Qing didn’t disturb him any further. Taking out one of his own pieces of Crimson Mother’s flesh, he placed it off to the side. After some more thought, he put down a second piece. Then he left. Along the way, his appearance transformed again. He left the first-level god state and returned to his original form. Then he vanished from the forbidden region.

The mountain of flesh remained there just as before, with Ninth Sib atop it, still and unmoving. Though his expression seemed the same as ever, inside, he was filled with astonishment. Xu Qing’s body transformation had given Ninth Sib a new line of thinking to consider.

What happened with this kid’s states is completely and totally unprecedented. It seems like a new path. Or, I wonder… did father actually walk the same path?

He opened his eyes and looked in the direction Xu Qing had left. Then he looked down and saw the two chunks of Crimson Mother’s flesh. A bit of warmth appeared in his cold eyes.

He’s a good kid.

Sometimes, liking a person is something that happens suddenly. But more often than not, it’s because of the tiny details. And getting to know them better involves those same tiny details.

Xu Qing’s path in life had taken him from Peerless City to the Moonrite Region. The fact that proper etiquette and gratitude were built into his personality was why he had received so much help along the way. Sadly, it didn’t matter what world or what era you referred to, people like that weren’t very common. What was more, there would always be people who didn’t match up to him in that regard that saw his behavior and hated it. That was just human nature, and a revelation of the ignorance that existed in the hearts of many.

But Xu Qing didn’t care about any of that. As he walked through the forbidden region, he looked off in the direction of Sea-Sealing County.

“It’s time to go home,” he murmured. Turning, he headed toward the Bitter Life Mountains. His plan was to get Ling’er, and then go home.

Just when he was about to enter the mountains, he stopped in place. He had just remembered something.

Emperor Ancient Spirit promised to give me some imperial energy.

Eyes narrowing, he took out the command medallion given to him by Emperor Ancient Spirit and fiddled with it for a moment. Previously, he had acquiesced to the Captain’s wishes and tried to contact Emperor Ancient Spirit with divine will. He’d never received any response. After some more thought, he sent some divine will into the command medallion.

“Your Majesty, sir, are you going to join the next meal?”

There was no response from the command medallion. He might as well have thrown a stone ox into the ocean. Xu Qing’s expression was the same as ever as he waited for about ten breaths of time. Then he sent another message with divine will.

“Since Your Majesty didn’t respond, I guess that means you won’t be joining us for the next meal.”

“I’ll join!” Emperor Ancient Spirit responded immediately in hīs ancient voice.

Sounding very respectful, Xu Qing said, “In that case, Your Majesty, do you mind paying the meal fee now? It’ll be one bit of imperial energy.”

There was no response from the command medallion. That said, Xu Qing wasn’t in a rush, so he just waited quietly.

After enough time passed for half an incense stick to burn, the command medallion vibrated, and a stream of imperial energy appeared, which turned into a small dragon. The dragon didn’t look very happy, and was taking its time emerging.

Xu Qing didn’t mind. He grabbed the dragon of imperial energy and dragged it out despite its struggles, and then tossed it into one of his god troves.

Feeling satisfied, he continued into the Bitter Life Mountains. Eventually, he entered the Moon Palace, and shortly after, was at the Green Spirit Pharmacy.

Upon stepping inside, he saw the Heir Apparent sipping tea in his usual spot. Ningyan was scrubbing the floor, Nethersprite was boiling water. Wu Jianwu had recently lost his job because of all the changes. Sprouty was there, dancing like always, and the parrot was featherless off to the side.

Ling’er threw down her accounting book and rushed over to him.

“What took you so long, Big Bro Xu Qing?” she said, her eyes red as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. She had been thinking a lot about Xu Qing recently, and had been constantly looking out the door hoping to see him returning.

Xu Qing smiled and tousled Ling’er’s hair. Then he took out the imperial energy and put it in her hands.

“A gift for you,” he said.

Her eyes lit up and she let loose an exclamation of surprised shock. Ling’er was easy to please. As long as her Big Bro Xu Qing was around, she was happy. And whatever gifts he gave her made her even happier.

When the Heir Apparent saw all that, he smiled and took another sip of tea. A gleam of reminiscence appeared in his eyes, as if he were thinking about something from his own past.

Off to the side, Wu Jianwu shook his head, and though he was inclined to keep his mouth shut, couldn’t help but recite a poem.

“Man and snake make heaven shudder; are they even a good match for each other?”

Xu Qing turned to look at Wu Jianwu, his eyes cold.

Wu Jianwu shivered and quickly said, “They’re a good match!”

Ningyan laughed coldly, and was about to help the boss teach a lesson to Wu Jianwu when, all of a sudden, the Captain’s voice filled the shop.

“Hahaha! I’m back! And would anybody like to guess who I happened to run into on the way here? Little Ah Qing! Your father-in-law is here to see you!”

The Captain strode along looking very pleased. In his arms was a bruised and battered figure that was currently unconscious. He was none other than the innkeeper from Plankspring Way.