Chapter 554 – To Not Return, to Accompany Forever (2/2)

Only when the sky brightened did the surroundings gradually clear up. The rate at which the celestial bodies in the sky moved about returned to normal.

As soon as they returned to the World of the Nine Provinces, Li Qingshan dove into the ground immediately with Xiao An. He completely refused to look back. He could sense several tremendous auras shining in the night sky like torches. Several strands of soul sense swept past him as if they wanted to see through him completely.

In that moment, the spirit turtle gave off several warnings. Every single one of them was as terrifying as almost certain death, but no attacks rained down.

The sky was enveloped with thick clouds that constantly churned about. Half a claw could be vaguely made out, black as ink, as it traversed through the clouds. On the other side of the sky, a sword that leaned against the heavens seemed to stand in opposition.

That was a clash that the current Li Qingshan could not become involved in, the game among the kings.

A man stood in the air with his hands behind his back. His clothes were black, and his hair was combed back meticulously. His eyes were filled with an imposing sense of dignity as his soul sense chased after Li Qingshan and Xiao An. His brows were furrowed as if he was thinking of something.

The Dark Queen flew into the horizon, arriving beside this man and bowing. Only then did the man retract his gaze, looking at the Dark Queen. He was slightly surprised. “You’re close to undergoing the tribulation?”

“Yes!”

“Very good.” The man nodded, but his brows remained locked. He did not seem particularly happy.

Gu Yanying bowed. “Greetings from subordinate Gu Yanying, lord of the province!”

The man happened to be the Fierce King of Chu who governed the fifteen thousand kilometers of the Green province. “As long as you’re fine, or I’d really have no idea how I would tell sir Hawk God about this. Just what exactly happened inside?”

At this moment, a streak of light arrived. A woman wielding a sword approached them and bowed towards the Fierce King of Chu before looking at Gu Yanying. Her expression was cold and her gaze was as sharp as a sword, but she completely overlooked the Dark Queen’s existence.

“I’d like to hear it too.”

“Your majesty the Light Queen has arrived too!”

Gu Yanying gave a rough explanation of everything that happened, but she obviously covered up and changed a lot of details.

The Light Queen clasped her hands at the Dark Queen. “Younger sister, you’ve done a tremendous job with sealing the Gate of Hungry Ghosts. Once we get back to the estate, I’ll definitely give you a toast.”

The Fierce King of Chu swung his hand. “Everyone, let’s disperse!”

Just like that, the powerful auras that watched from the sky or from afar receded, and the dark clouds dispersed.

Before she returned, the Dark Queen glanced back at the boundless earth. Yue’er, it’s still not time right now, but I’ll be bringing you home very soon!

Li Qingshan constantly ventured deeper underground. Only when the underground magnetic field completely wrapped around him and he was unable to sense anymore soul senses did he stop. He exhaled deeply and smiled. “It sure was dangerous this time.”

Although it was a very close shave, he did manage to break through to the fifth layer with the Ox Demon Transformation, allowing him to witness the future powers of the ox demon. As long as he had the time to familiarise and digest everything, his personal strength would definitely increase drastically. Even if he ran into Golden Core cultivators, he would have the confidence to defeat them.

There was no reply. Xiao An seemed rather distracted, only replying after she realised he had said something, “Y- yeah!”

Li Qingshan pulled her into his arms. His expression changed constantly as he faltered. Only after a long while of hesitation did he ask, “Have you remembered where your home is?”

Xiao An nodded before shaking her head firmly.

“It doesn’t matter. If you want to go home and take a look, I’ll accompany you. I’ve promised this to you. Hehe, didn’t I even carve a tablet for you? Don’t worry, it’s fine…”

Li Qingshan’s voice gradually grew softer. Who knew who he was trying to comfort. His voice was rather hoarse and he held her firmer. If it really were like what he had guessed, why would the mighty provincial lord’s estate allow her to remain by his side? However, perhaps that would be slightly better for her.

Xiao An stood up and took out the scholar wood tablet. One side had the word “south” carved into it, while the other had the word “An”. The craftsmanship was crude and the characters were ugly. There were even traces of being burned by fire, but she held it preciously in her hand.

“No matter how many dangers, difficulties, obstacles, and hardships there are, there will be a day when I send you home!”

Under the moonlight, the young man had promised seriously. The scene was just like the red mole on her forehead, something she could never forget about.

The scholar wood tablet with the words “south” and “An” carved in was evidence.

With a crack, Xiao An closed her fingers around it, and the scholar wood tablet split open. It was crushed to pieces as splinters flew everywhere.

Li Qingshan was stunned, only to hear Xiao An say, “I’m going nowhere. Don’t cast me aside either. I will remain by your side forever, all the way to beyond the Nine Heavens, unless death parts us!”

“Where is this? Didn’t I die?”

Opening his eyes slowly, he looked at the gloomy sky and the ground piled with endless bones and corpses. A figure climbed up, supporting himself by leaning on the huge, withered tree by his side. Suddenly, he discovered that his hand had become just as withered as the dead tree, pale-white and icy-cold.

He immediately noticed the peculiarities of his body. He did not have to breathe, and when he touched his chest, his heart no longer beat either. All of his bodily functions had ceased. He had become a corpse.

It was true. He was already dead, but this world happened to be the paradise of the dead. The living could not survive here.

Oh right, I fell into the Hungry Ghost realm. “Have we met somewhere before?”

Ma Chaoqun gazed at the vast wasteland. Right as he thought of that, a voice suddenly rang out behind him. Ma Chaoqun turned around and saw a violet figure standing there gracefully. Her eyes were clear and her skin was fair. She seemed very much alive, but that was only because of how powerful she was. She was unable to hide the powerful aura of death she gave off.