16
Boom!
Inside the Seclusion Hall, the light of Chaos suddenly surged.
The light was so intense that it broke through the hall's Restrictions and shot straight into the clouds.
In the next moment, a ten-thousand-zhang-wide Chaos vortex appeared in the sky above the Jiuzhou Continent.
The vortex rotated slowly, emitting a heart-palpitating pressure.
In the center of the vortex, a figure could be vaguely seen.
It was Xiao Qing's Innate Spirit Body, now manifesting between heaven and earth, hundreds of thousands of zhang tall. Its face was nearly identical to his own, and its entire body was surrounded by the light of Chaos.
His eyes were tightly closed, as if he were asleep, yet also as if he were looking down upon this world.
The light of Chaos enveloped the entire Jiuzhou Continent, and even the Western Heaven Continent could clearly see the brilliant radiance.
During this period, the entire Western Heaven Continent and many surrounding continents witnessed this soul-shaking scene.
The hundreds-of-thousands-of-zhang vortex, the light of Chaos, the phenomenon of the Innate Spirit Body—
All of it proclaimed a single fact.
Heavenly Emperor Xiao Qing had broken through to the Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign realm.
Countless Cultivators looked up, their eyes filled with shock and awe.
"From Spiritual Grade to Immortal Grade, that is a massive hurdle!"
"Looking at this phenomenon, the Heavenly Emperor's strength will surely skyrocket after this breakthrough!"
Discussions rose one after another, and the entire Jiuzhou Continent was immersed in excitement and anticipation.
Three days later, the phenomenon slowly receded.
The Chaos vortex gradually shrank, finally turning into a streak of light that vanished into the horizon.
The hundreds-of-thousands-of-zhang phantom also gradually dissipated, returning to Xiao Qing's body.
Everything returned to peace.
But everyone knew that the Heavenly Emperor had succeeded.
Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign.
From now on, the Heavenly Court had an Immortal Grade Heavenly Sovereign presiding over it.
As the news spread, the Western Heaven Continent and surrounding powers were shaken.
Those powerful experts who had once been watching from the sidelines now completely put away their contempt.
A Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereign who could fight above his level to defeat an Immortal Grade had now broken through to the Immortal Grade itself.
To what terrifying level would his strength reach?
No one knew.
But everyone understood that from now on, the Heavenly Court would completely establish a firm foothold in the Great Thousand Worlds.
"Immortal Grade..."
A reclusive Heavenly Sovereign murmured, his eyes full of awe.
"Such cultivation speed is simply inconceivable."
Another Heavenly Sovereign took a deep breath and said slowly, "The name of the Heavenly Emperor will truly shake the Great Thousand Worlds from now on."
"This person must not be provoked..."
Discussions broke out everywhere.
The Heavenly Emperor's prestige spread far and wide once again.
At this moment, the awe countless experts felt for Xiao Qing increased by several points.
In the many palaces and squares of the Heavenly Court, countless people had already gathered.
They looked up at the sky, at the light of Chaos that enveloped heaven and earth, their eyes full of fanaticism and reverence.
In the crowd, a slender figure was particularly eye-catching.
It was a sixteen-year-old girl, wearing a light purple dress, her ink-black hair like a waterfall falling to her waist.
A faint nine-colored halo surrounded her; it was the aura of the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python bloodline.
She tilted her head back, looking at the sky, her eyes full of excitement.
Xiao Xuan'er.
Xiao Qing's daughter.
Three years had passed, and she had completely shed her childishness, growing into a graceful and elegant young woman.
A faint aura surrounded her, identical to Qing Xuan's from back then.
"Sister Qing! Daddy is about to come out of seclusion!!"
She grabbed the hand of the person beside her and spoke excitedly.
And standing beside Xiao Xuan'er was a tall woman of peerless beauty.
The woman was tall, dressed in a plain white gown, with a beautiful face and a cool temperament.
A hint of coldness and detachment could be seen between her brows.
She stood there, and though not a trace of aura leaked out, she gave off an unfathomable feeling.
Qing Yanjing.
Or rather, the top prodigy of the Futu Ancient Clan under the pseudonym 'Qing.'
At this moment, she was looking up at the sky, her eyes full of shock.
The Chaos vortex, the hundreds-of-thousands-of-zhang phantom, the light of Chaos that had lasted for three days and nights—all of this far exceeded her expectations.
Qing Yanjing knew Xiao Qing was strong.
From those rumors and discussions, she had already sketched an image of this Heavenly Emperor.
Defeating an Immortal Grade while at the Spiritual Grade, moving two worlds with one hand, a Physique with Immunity to All Laws...
Every single feat was enough to make one marvel.
But only when she witnessed the phenomenon of his breakthrough with her own eyes did she realize that those rumors were far from enough.
The Heavenly Emperor's potential truly far surpassed the rumors.
If breaking through from Spiritual Grade to Immortal Grade produced such a phenomenon, what kind of scene would it be if he charged toward the Saint-Grade in the future?
The future was promising!
Qing Yanjing suddenly felt a bit fortunate that she had chosen to stay back then.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the amazement in her heart.
Three years ago, to escape the marriage alliance with the Mohe Clan, she had quietly left the Floating Pagoda Continent and arrived at the Western Heaven Continent through a cross-continental teleportation Formation.
Qing Yanjing hid her identity and traveled across the Jiuzhou Continent, witnessing with her own eyes the awe the Heavenly Court's Cultivators had for Xiao Qing, as well as the Heavenly Court's perfect order.
Those Cultivators came from the Dou Qi Continent and the Tianxuan Continent; they were originally just ordinary beings from Lower Planes.
But under the governance of the Heavenly Court, they quickly adapted to the Laws of the Great Thousand Worlds, their cultivation levels rose steadily, and they were full of confidence for the future.
Such order and cohesion made Qing Yanjing look at them in a new light.
Her evaluation of Xiao Qing also improved day by day.
Originally, she just wanted to avoid the spotlight for a while and travel around.
She hadn't expected to stay for three years.
Two years ago, she happened to encounter Zhu Kun, who was patrolling for the Heavenly Court, and learned that the Heavenly Court was openly recruiting disciples and welcoming talents from all sides.
With a thought, she gave birth to the idea of staying.
Qing Yanjing was born with the Eight Godly Veins and possessed an amazing talent for Formations.
She was already a Battle Array Master with nearly Ten Million Runes, whose combat power was comparable to a Spiritual Grade Heavenly Sovereign.
Relying on this strength, she used the pseudonym 'Qing.'
As a Battle Array Master comparable to an Upper-Rank Earth Sovereign, she became a Guest Elder of the Heavenly Court, also serving as the Formation Elder.
Usually, in her spare time, she was responsible for teaching the younger generation of the Heavenly Court about the Dao of Formations.
And Xiao Xuan'er was the disciple she taught with the most care.
This girl had a cheerful personality and was lively and cute.
Not only did she have a very high talent for Formations, but she also possessed an extremely noble and special bloodline.
With just a little guidance from Qing Yanjing, she could infer many things from a single point, making rapid progress.
She appreciated Xiao Xuan'er very much and painstakingly taught her the essence of the Dao of Formations.
Over time, the two became well-acquainted.
Xiao Xuan'er also particularly liked this beautiful, gentle, and patient 'Elder Qing' and often pestered her to ask questions about Formations.
Furthermore, Xiao Xuan'er's constant calls of "Sister Qing" made Qing Yanjing feel warm inside.
The relationship between the two grew closer day by day, like sisters.
Qing Yanjing had never thought that in this place far from the Floating Pagoda Continent, there would be a girl who would make her feel such a sense of closeness.
It made her start to miss her sister, whom she hadn't seen for a long time.
Xiao Xuan'er pulled her sleeve and said excitedly, "Sister Qing, when Daddy comes out of seclusion, I'll introduce you to him!"
"Daddy is a really good person!"
Qing Yanjing smiled and did not answer.
Her heart was a bit complicated.
She had come to the Heavenly Court to temporarily avoid the marriage alliance and observe Xiao Qing's true strength.
But now, she somewhat didn't want to leave.
The atmosphere here was much better than in the Futu Clan.
There was no intrigue, no factional struggles, only pure cultivation and protection.
She suddenly felt a bit envious of Xiao Xuan'er.
To have such a powerful father and such a warm Clan.
And she...
Qing Yanjing sighed softly and stopped thinking about it.
"Sister Qing, do you think Daddy will be invincible in the world after this breakthrough?"
Xiao Xuan'er grabbed her hand and asked excitedly.
Qing Yanjing chuckled, shook her head, and said, "It's not that easy."
"The Great Thousand Worlds are full of powerful experts. Saint-Rank Heavenly Sovereigns are the true Peak."
"Although your daddy is powerful, there is still a way to go before he reaches the Saint Rank."
Xiao Xuan'er blinked and said, "That will be very soon then!"
"My daddy is the most amazing!"
Looking at her proud appearance, Qing Yanjing couldn't help but smile.
She looked toward the Heavenly Emperor Palace, a hint of expectation flashing in her eyes.
After the Heavenly Emperor comes out of seclusion, should she take the initiative to meet him?
After all, she, this 'Elder Qing,' hadn't formally paid her respects to the Lord of the Heavenly Court yet.
For three years, she had hidden her identity and silently observed everything in the Heavenly Court.
Observing Xiao Qing's character, observing the operation of the Heavenly Court, and observing the attitude of those Cultivators toward Xiao Qing.
She saw that the Cultivators of the Heavenly Court had a heartfelt awe and loyalty toward Xiao Qing.