"The Myriad Realms Association?" Xiao Qing's body trembled slightly as the name instantly stirred countless memories.
"What proof do you have?" Still, she was not one to trust easily, mainly because both Xu Bai's appearance and the timing of his arrival were exceedingly suspicious.
Xu Bai smiled faintly, transmitting every detail of their past transactions via voice transmission.
A peculiar glint flashed through Xiao Qing's eyes, signaling that she tentatively accepted his identity.
"Fellow Daoist, please follow me." With a gentle wave of her hand, she dismissed the encircling guard squad and led Xu Bai toward the towering, spire-like palace in the city.
Flying through the air, Xu Bai swept his divine sense across the sprawling architectural complex built atop Chi Jiutou's corpse.
After several millennia of continuous development, not a trace remained of the terrifying demon beast's original shape.
Only in a few key locations could faint remnants of the original demon beast still be discerned:
For instance, the fissure in its head, which served as a sacred site for sacrifices, and its talons, which were encased in layers of mysterious metallic structures.
As for the imperial capital, it appeared to be built directly over what had once been the heart.
During their flight, Xu Bai also gained a more direct understanding of this civilization so deeply intertwined with exotic beasts.
Exotic beasts had indeed permeated every aspect of daily life.
Even in the brief span of their journey, Xu Bai observed beasts with hollowed-out, dragon-like bodies shuttling citizens across the city; winged lion-like beasts carrying guard cultivators on their backs, endlessly patrolling the skies; and creatures resembling giant eyeballs concealed in various city corners, casting watchful gazes up at Xu Bai from time to time...
Not to mention the myriad bizarre, nameless beasts that the Empire's residents carried on their persons.
*It truly is unique, teeming with vibrant life,* Xu Bai couldn't help praising inwardly.
Both flew swiftly, and before long, they arrived one after the other at the imperial palace.
Only then did Xu Bai realize that the towering spire he had seen earlier was actually a living exotic beast as well.
Or rather, this spire and the buildings spanning tens of li around it had all evolved from this colossal beast.
*The strength of this beast is likely no lower than that of an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator,* Xu Bai assessed silently.
One was an imperial Saint Teacher, and the other bore the bloodline essence of the Empire's founder.
The exotic beast did not mount any defenses.
Instead, a doorway suddenly materialized on the exterior of the previously smooth, seamless spire.
Xiao Qing glanced back at Xu Bai with a trace of puzzlement before flying inside first.
Xu Bai, entirely unbothered, followed closely behind.
Stepping inside the tower, a lavishly decorated room came into view.
A ceiling carved with intricate patterns, walls like white jade, wooden flooring, and a carpet covering the entire room...
It was no different from an ordinary human building; one could not tell in the slightest that they were inside the body of an exotic beast.
The room was completely empty of anyone else.
Xiao Qing seemed to have no intention of allowing others to join their conversation either.
After gesturing for Xu Bai to take a seat, she opened with courteous formality, "I have yet to learn your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist."
"Xu Bai."
"Your surname is Xu as well?" Upon hearing the name, the aura around Xiao Qing flared into momentary disarray.
Seeming to realize her slip, she quickly composed herself. "I have yet to mention, Fellow Daoist, that the royal surname of our Empire is indeed 'Xu.'"
As she spoke, she fixed her gaze on Xu Bai, closely watching the shifts in his expression.
Xu Bai's reaction clearly disappointed her somewhat.
"What a coincidence," Xu Bai remarked with apparent surprise, acting as if he had been completely unaware of this fact beforehand.
"Heh..."
Xiao Qing did not pursue the matter. After a brief silence, she got straight to the point.
"Earlier, Fellow Daoist mentioned that great disaster is about to befall our Empire. What did you mean by that?"
Xu Bai let out a faint sigh, a sorrowful look gracing his face.
He proceeded to recount everything happening in the Xuanhuang Realm: the establishment of the Manor of Rebirth, the upgrading of the Heavenly Profound Mirror, and how cultivators were being mobilized to explore grotto-heaven pocket worlds in an effort to achieve the realm's complete unification.
When he mentioned the establishment of the Manor of Rebirth, Xiao Qing's expression remained relatively calm.
However, when Xu Bai described how every cultivator carried a Heavenly Profound Treasure Mirror and searched for entrances to pocket worlds, she could no longer conceal her shock.
"When did this happen? How is it that I haven't received the slightest word?" Xiao Qing exclaimed, her voice momentarily losing its composure.
"The Xuanhuang Realm changes in the blink of an eye these days. It is advancing too rapidly, with far too many upheavals. It is only natural that your Empire's scouts have not had time to relay intelligence back. Even though our Myriad Realms Association anticipated the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' maneuvers, we never expected them to act so swiftly and decisively. We fell one step behind, resulting in several pocket worlds being overrun in short order."
A flicker of sorrow crossed Xu Bai's eyes. "Fortunately, your realm has not yet been discovered.
"Although our Myriad Realms are allied, we are scattered everywhere, making it difficult to concentrate our strength. Faced with the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals' ferocious advance, we chose to temporarily avoid their brunt to preserve our active forces."
Worry flitted through Xiao Qing's eyes. "My fear is that while one may hide for a time, one cannot hide forever."
Xu Bai spoke with lofty confidence, "That is precisely why I have come to seek you out, Fellow Daoist. While the Heavenly Profound Mirror's might is truly formidable, our Myriad Realms Association has its own foundation.
"Recently, our organization has developed a supreme Dharma treasure capable of jamming the Heavenly Profound Treasure Mirror's detection."
At this point, Xu Bai paused deliberately.
Having captured Xiao Qing's full attention, he continued, "Before I came, I already employed the power of that treasure to temporarily conceal your Empire's entrance. Therefore, Fellow Daoist, you need not worry for now."
Xiao Qing immediately stared at Xu Bai, a tinge of suspicion surfacing in her eyes.
Xu Bai chuckled softly, took out a folding fan, and fanned it gently before his chest. "If you do not believe me, you are welcome to verify it yourself."
Xiao Qing's eyes shifted, and she offered a faint smile. "You have traveled an immense distance to get here, Fellow Daoist; naturally, I believe you would not deceive us regarding such a matter. However, what I am curious about is how you came to know the entrance to the Empire in the first place?"
Xu Bai replied with utmost confidence, "Without a certain degree of confidence, how could we dare style ourselves the 'Myriad Realms Association'? Besides, do not forget, Fellow Daoist—it was our association that first sought you out to conduct business back then."
"Then I must thank you, Fellow Daoist. However..."
Xiao Qing fixed her eyes on Xu Bai and said, "Your association never acts without an incentive. For you to proactively offer protection this time... what are your terms?"
With a crisp snap, Xu Bai closed his folding fan. "I do enjoy conversing with clever people. On this journey, aside from apprising you of the Xuanhuang Realm's situation, I do indeed have a mission."
Xu Bai rose abruptly, his expression solemn. "Currently, the Alliance holds overwhelming power, leaving us no choice but forbearance. Yet just as you said, Fellow Daoist, hiding forever is impossible; sooner or later, discovery is inevitable.
"Therefore, before that day comes, we must foster a power sufficient to rival the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals."
Chapter 746