Having crossed that danger-filled, gravitationally chaotic fragmented star belt,the scene ahead suddenly opened up. although countless star fragments still floated,the space was much more stable. distorted force fields and hidden spatial cracks also greatly decreased. clearly,this was already considered the inner ring area of Starfall Land,not far from the core area where the legendary Heavenly Dao Palace entrance might appear.
cultivators who could reach here,were significantly fewer in number,but without exception,auras were all extremely powerful. at least mid Golden Core cultivation or above. Theyeach occupying a relatively safe area,either resting and recovering,or silently observing,waiting for the final moment to arrive. the atmosphere was even heavier than the outer areas. an oppressive feeling of an impending storm spread through the void.
Tang Xiao Qi put away the Cloud-floating Boat,choosing a massive, relatively flat dark red star fragment to land on. this fragment retained a trace of weak fire attribute spiritual power,temperature slightly higher than surroundings,just right to dispel some of the void's yin cold qi. He sat cross-legged,took out a high-grade spirit stone,silently recovering the spiritual power consumed crossing the dangerous outer area. while his spiritual sense like an invisible spider web,cautiously probed the surroundings.
The rabbit spirit jumped down from his shoulder,curiously hopping around on this massive meteorite. Its nose twitching from time to time,seemingly searching for possible natural treasures unique to Starfall Land.
Just as Xiao Qi was meditating with closed eyes,his mind sinking into his body's circulation,a cold and pure aura,like an ice spring melting from a snowy peak,silently invaded his spiritual sense perception range. this aura carried a unique Dao rhyme. icy cold but not bone-piercing,instead had a soul-cleansing sense of tranquility.
Xiao Qi's heart moved slightly,he opened his eyes.
only to see in the void not far away,a flying boat entirely carved from unknown cold jade was slowly approaching. the boat's design was simple and elegant,with smooth lines. the hull emitting a faint moon-white radiance. wherever it passed,even those restless energy dust particles seemed to be frozen and calmed. on the flying boat,stood seven or eight figures. all wearing moon-white Daoist robes,both men and women,each with an otherworldly temperament,expressions cold,like celestial maidens who didn't consume mortal food.
and the leader,instantly captured all his attention.
She still wore snow-white clothes. figure slender,standing gracefully. inky black hair tied up with a simple jade hairpin. a few strands of hair gently fluttering in the wind,. as if gathering all the spiritual beauty between heaven and earth. compared to years ago,her appearance hadn't changed much,but the coldness between her brows seemed more restrained,and even deeper. like a ten-thousand-year cold pool,calm and waveless,yet bottomless. the spiritual power fluctuations radiating from her body,was clearly mid Golden Core,and her foundation was extremely solid. ice element magic power incomparably pure,faintly resonating with some cold law of this starry sky.
it was Mu Xue.
seemingly sensing Xiao Qi's gaze, Mu Xue also happened to turn her head to look. the moment their eyes met,time seemed to freeze for an instant.
without the expected unfamiliarity and estrangement,nor the excitement and warmth of a long-awaited reunion. in Mu Xue's ice-lake-like eyes,first flashed a barely perceptible surprise.then,that frozen lake surface quietly melted,rippling with an extremely faint but genuine smile. like ice and snow first melting,spring returning to earth. though not intense,it instantly dispelled all coldness and distance.
Xiao Qi also smiled. not the cold sternness facing enemies,nor the gentleness facing fellow disciples. but a smile from the heart, carrying some emotion and joy of reunion. He stood up,cupped his hands from afar,voice peaceful:"Mu Xue fairy, hope you've been well."
Mu Xue nodded slightly,didn't speak,but the warmth in her eyes said everything. She raised her jade hand slightly,signaling her fellow disciples behind to stop the boat. those Xuanji Holy Land disciples also curiously sized up Tang Xiao Qi. their gazes carrying scrutiny and a trace of imperceptible amazement. They had clearly heard,or vaguely sensed earlier the powerful spiritual sense Xiao Qi radiated during his conflict with the Central State Dynasty.
"Tang Daoist friend, long time no see, your demeanor surpasses the past." Mu Xue's voice was still clear,like jade chimes gently ringing. though her tone was light,it carried sincerity. Her gaze circled over Xiao Qi,flashing with understanding. "it seems Daoist friend has had extraordinary encounters this time,cultivation has advanced so much, truly admirable." She could naturally feel Xiao Qi's bottomless spiritual pressure far exceeding ordinary late Golden Core. especially that spiritual sense condensed to the extreme,making even her feel a faint pressure.
"Fairy overpraises,just lucky to have some gains." Xiao Qi smiled humbly. His gaze swept over the Xuanji Holy Land disciples behind Mu Xue. among whom two were actually late Golden Core,the rest were all mid Golden Core. couldn't help praising,"Xuanji Holy Land lives up to its reputation, with talented disciples in abundance."
Mu Xue slightly turned aside,counting as introducing her fellow disciples,but didn't say much. Xuanji Holy Land sect rules were strict,disciples were mostly cold in temperament,not fond of much speech. just nodded slightly to Xiao Qi.
"this is not a place for reminiscing,dangers lurk in shadows." Mu Xue's gaze swept over those glances, bright or dark, cast from around,softly said,"if Tang Daoist friend doesn't mind,would you be willing to stay with us temporarily,so we can look after each other?"
Xiao Qi pondered slightly,then nodded in agreement:"that is my wish, I dare not ask for more." in this core area where dragons and snakes mixed and strong enemies surrounded,being able to temporarily ally with Mu Xue and Xuanji Holy Land, such a powerful and relatively righteous force,would undoubtedly save much trouble,and greatly increase safety. moreover,between him and Mu Xue,there was trust built from fighting side by side many times.
seeing Xiao Qi agree, the smile in Mu Xue's eyes deepened. She personally controlled the ice jade flying boat,slowly approaching the massive fragment where Xiao Qi was. the boat descended,cold qi slightly dispersed,forming a subtle balance with the fire attribute spiritual power remaining on the fragment.
the two stood side by side at the fragment's edge,gazing at the deeper core area in the distance where starlight was distorted. there,faintly had an even more vast and ancient aura gathering and awakening.
"Heavenly Dao Palace was about to manifest,this competition,would probably be even more intense than imagined." Mu Xue spoke softly,breaking the silence.
Xiao Qi nodded,expression grave:"correct. Central State Dynasty, Western Region Buddhist Kingdom, various hidden forces were all present,demonic path remnants might also be lurking within. does Fairy have any discoveries?"
Mu Xue shook her head:"heavenly secrets here are chaotic, hard to deduce. however,my Xuanji Holy Land ancient texts record,Heavenly Dao Palace entrance is not fixed,must wait for the 'Ten Thousand Stars Aligning' phenomenon to appear,before its exact coordinates can be locked. according to my observation,star sign anomalies are becoming increasingly frequent,probably within these few days."
she paused,looking at Xiao Qi,eyes clear:"when that time comes, it will surely be a chaotic battle. what are Tang Daoist friend's plans?"
Xiao Qi's gaze was sharp,looking toward that unknown core. tone calm but with undeniable determination:"opportunity before me, naturally should strive for it. as for plans... when soldiers come, generals meet them; when water comes, earth dams it. if anyone blocks my path,whoever it is, I can fight."
feeling that powerful confidence and determination in Xiao Qi's words, Mu Xue nodded slightly. not thinking him arrogant. She deeply knew that this seemingly peaceful man before her,harbored what amazing power and resilience within.
"in that case," Mu Xue's lips slightly curved,revealing a smile as clear and shallow as a snow lotus blooming,"when that time comes, if we encounter strong enemies, Mu Xue is willing to stand with Daoist friend again, fighting side by side."
without too many words,without hypocritical pleasantries. just a simple phrase of fighting side by side again,was already worth a thousand words. this was trust based on shared life and death experiences,and also recognition of each other's strength and character.
Xiao Qi turned his head,meeting her clear and determined gaze. heart slightly warming,solemnly nodded:"good!"
void was lonely,star fragments floated silently. in this dangerous place where countless top experts of the cultivation world gathered,the reunion of the two,was not earth-shattering,only the tacit understanding of a shared smile and a plain yet mountain-weighty promise. They each represented the forces behind them,and also bore their own paths and responsibilities. but at this moment,they were comrades who could entrust their backs to each other.
The rabbit spirit somehow jumped back onto Xiao Qi's shoulder. looking at Xiao Qi, then at Mu Xue. Its ruby-like eyes flashed with a trace of spirited light. rubbing its furry head against Xiao Qi's cheek,seemingly expressing its agreement.
in the distance,starlight distortion became increasingly obvious. an ancient, vast aura as if from when the universe first opened,was slowly awakening. the storm was about to arrive. and they were ready to welcome it.