Chapter 1708
Chapter 1708. In search of the Pool of Creation, a tragic and desperate realm
The people of the Floating Continent were shaken by Ah Li’s words and began to speculate. Several highly ranked elders couldn’t help but glance at each other, hesitant to speak. Everyone knew at least a little about the first generation of civilization’s treasures, and they were familiar with the Creation Pool that Ah Li mentioned.
During the battle against the dark catastrophe, six of these first-generation treasures played a crucial role. The ancestors led many strong figures, paying a heavy price, and it was through these six treasures that they successfully sealed the will of the Lord of Heaven. However, after sealing the Lord’s will, these six treasures gradually disappeared and were lost. The ancestors who once controlled these treasures were later hunted down by the remnants of the dark catastrophe, and their entire clans and sects were destroyed. It is unclear whether any of their descendants still exist today.
If what Ah Li said is true, then Zhi Xuan should be the last member of the Pan clan, and his real name should be Pan Xuan, not Zhi Xuan. The Pan clan, like many other sects, must have been eradicated by the remnants of the dark catastrophe.
“I once read about the ancient Sky-opening God clan in the Saint Ancestor Pavilion, but I never imagined even such a powerful and ancient clan would eventually be destroyed…” the elders lamented, their voices filled with sorrow and bitterness.
“Qingxianzi, have you known my identity all along?” Zhi Xuan finally managed to recover from his turbulent emotions. He looked at Nan Qing, who had been calm since the beginning, not surprised at all, and couldn’t help but ask.
Until now, no one had mentioned his origins to him. Elder Zhi had only told him that he had floated from the Chaos Sea of Time and Space, a simple bamboo basket carrying him as a baby, wrapped in a powerful seal. It was when Qingxianzi noticed this that she had Zhi Lao adopt him.
“I had my suspicions,” Nan Qing nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying.
She also wore a veil, her clear eyes like a pure spring, gazing at Zhi Xuan’s face.
“With your abilities, it is not enough to take revenge. The Creation Pool is lost, and no one knows where it is. The outside world of the Floating Continent is more dangerous than you can imagine. Searching for the Creation Pool is not a good idea for you,” she said softly.
Zhi Xuan understood what Nan Qing meant. Although he could sometimes unleash power surpassing that of a quasi-Immortal Emperor, it was still not enough for him to travel through the chaotic time-space sea, let alone face enemies whose power far exceeded the general Dao realm.
“Is this the reason you didn’t tell me this method?” He whispered, feeling a warmth rise in his heart, knowing that Nan Qing was trying to protect him from danger and potential death.
Nan Qing slightly shook her head, withdrew her gaze, and said no more.
“The Lord of the Pan clan once controlled the Creation Pool. Since the Creation Pool hasn’t fallen into the hands of the remnants of the dark catastrophe, it means that it is still in a safe place. The only way to find the Creation Pool is through the descendants of the Pan clan…”
“This is the reason I came to find you.”
“Your strength isn’t enough, but I can protect you. I will ensure your safety until the Creation Pool is found.” Ah Li spoke again, straightforwardly revealing the purpose of her journey.
Zhi Xuan looked at her in surprise, seeming taken aback by her bluntness. The natives of the Floating Continent, however, looked at Ah Li with suspicion. Many frowned, not believing her. Even though she had helped and saved many lives earlier, who knew her true intentions? The Creation Pool was one of the first-generation treasures of civilization, coveted by countless civilizations. If its location were known, who could sit still?
When the dark creatures attacked, she suddenly appeared. Who could say which side she was on? What if she only wanted to use Zhi Xuan to find the Creation Pool for herself? Such matters could not be taken lightly.
“How did you find me? How can I trust what you’re saying?” Zhi Xuan asked in a deep voice. He wasn’t stupid. Though he felt some goodwill towards Ah Li after she saved him, he couldn’t simply trust her when she was so bluntly revealing his identity and the secret of the Creation Pool.
Who knew what her real motives were?
“One cannot trust others easily, Zhi Xuan. You should be cautious about the Creation Pool’s matter,” several of the high-ranking elders warned, concerned that Zhi Xuan’s youth might make him too trusting.
After Ah Li mentioned the Creation Pool, the people in the Floating Continent became wary of her. Even though she claimed to be from an ancient family, what proof did she have? And even if she were from such a lineage, what guarantee did that offer? Many looked to Nan Qing, hoping she would speak up. However, Nan Qing remained silent, calmly watching the situation, seemingly waiting for Zhi Xuan to make his own decision.
“I naturally have my ways to find you. Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter to me. Even without you, I would find another way to search for the Creation Pool.”
“And now, you’re already in danger. As you just heard, the barrier won’t hold for long. At most, a few days, and the dark creatures will come again. Can you still resist? Staying here will only mean being buried with others.”
“You want to save your grandfather, but you can’t even save yourself. Doubting my intentions at a time like this is laughable.”
Ah Li remained calm and indifferent, speaking bluntly without any regard for feelings. Her words caused the faces of everyone in the Floating Continent to change. Many turned pale, a bitter look spreading across their faces.
Ah Li was right. Even though the dark creatures had retreated earlier, it didn’t mean they were safe.The barrier could only protect them for a few more days, and those few days would be their last. When the barrier shattered, the dark creatures would attack again.
Would they be able to resist?
Zhi Xuan’s face also turned pale, his fists clenching tightly, the force so great that it caused a cracking sound. He could feel the immense sense of powerlessness and despair—it was suffocating, impossible to breathe. Ah Li was absolutely right. They were already on a dead-end path, with no other options. At that moment, what right did they have to doubt her?
“I have a way to break through the encirclement, to escape from the dark creatures’ ambush, but I can’t help the others…” Ah Li said, her eyes scanning the crowd, her gaze holding a slight mocking expression, before it landed on Zhi Xuan. “If you want to save your grandfather and avenge the massacre of your family, finding the Creation Pool is the only way.”
Everyone fell silent, and a bitter, powerless smile appeared on Zhi Xuan’s lips. After a long pause, he finally raised his head. Beneath his disheveled hair, his eyes were filled with determination as he looked at Ah Li and said resolutely, “I believe you. No matter what your purpose is, can you tell me why you want to find the Creation Pool?”
Ah Li seemed momentarily stunned, then answered indifferently, “For the same reason as you—to save people and take revenge.”
Zhi Xuan nodded heavily.
“Qingxianzi, how many more days can the barrier outside the Floating Continent hold? Since staying here is meaningless, why don’t we think of a way to take everyone and escape the Chaos Time-Space Sea to the outside world? Didn’t Senior Yuling come from the outside world?”
“Right now, the dark creatures are surrounding the Floating Continent and may break in at any time. Grandpa doesn’t know when his will might be corrupted by the dark material, turning him into a dark creature completely…”
He then turned to Nan Qing, as though he had been considering this decision for a long time before speaking it aloud. If there were no choice, who would want to abandon the homeland they had lived in for so many years?
“It’s impossible for all of us to escape. The dark creatures won’t allow us to leave unscathed,” Nan Qing said, shaking her head as she looked at the people still present in the Floating Continent. It seemed she had known Zhi Xuan would say this.
“However, since you’ve made your decision, you must bear the consequences of what follows.”
“Floating Continent was personally created by my mother. I cannot abandon it,” she continued. “If you’re leaving, then try to take everyone with you.”
“Before the barrier breaks, I’ll find a way to open a time-space tunnel to the outside world and delay the dark creatures’ attack.”
Her expression was calm, her porcelain-white face showing no signs of emotional turmoil. When she spoke of this matter, it seemed as trivial and simple as talking about drinking water or eating food.
The moment the people of the Floating Continent heard these words, their faces drastically changed. Almost everyone was deeply moved and filled with sorrow. Many had tears in their eyes, their noses becoming tight, and their throats choking as they struggled to speak a single word.
“What… what…” Zhi Xuan’s mind rang with a buzzing sound as he processed her words, his face turning pale with disbelief. He never expected Nan Qing to say such things. His voice trembled, unable to contain his shock.
Although Nan Qing had never admitted to being his mentor, Zhi Xuan always regarded her as one, given that she often had her maid, Xiao Die, guide him in his cultivation and teach him various techniques. Among all the people in the Floating Continent, his grandfather and Nan Qing were the two most important to him.
But now, hearing that Nan Qing was going to stay behind to delay the dark creatures and leave them a chance to survive? How could he accept that?
“Qingxianzi, you are so gifted, unparalleled in talent. You will surely achieve greatness, even surpassing the Holy Ancestor. How can you go so far for us, the useless ones…” Zhi Xuan began to protest.
“Please, go with Zhi Xuan and the others. Leave this place. We will guard the last of the Floating Continent…” Several high-ranking, elderly figures, their faces covered with wrinkles and their hair gray, trembled as they spoke. They had already exhausted almost all their energy in the recent battle, their bodies drained and colorless, yet they still wanted to give up their last drops of blood to protect this land.
“Qingxianzi, you don’t need to stay here. If anyone should delay the dark creatures, it should be us, those who are already close to the end of their lives…” One of the elders added.
“You are not yet at your peak; you still have a long road ahead. It’s not worth it…” Many of the elders from the six major families also spoke up, wanting to stay behind and give the others a chance to survive.
The solemn mood affected everyone; many had tears in their eyes, their noses tight, and their throats dry, deeply hating their own helplessness and weakness.
Ah Li remained silent, watching this scene without saying a word.
“You are only unable to break through due to the environment in the Floating Continent. If you go to the outside world, perhaps you could reach new heights,” Nan Qing said. “And with your cultivation, you wouldn’t be able to stop the dark creatures’ assault…”
“Only I can delay them.”
“I have made my decision. You don’t need to persuade me any longer.”
Nan Qing shook her head slightly, her expression and tone unwavering.
As soon as she spoke, she leaped onto the white crane and transformed into a white shadow, returning to the Holy Ancestor Mountain.
The people of the Floating Continent were filled with sorrow and grief. Many knelt on the ground, bowing toward the direction of Holy Ancestor Mountain.
The dark creatures had retreated, and peace had returned to the Floating Continent. The only thing remaining was the barrier still stretching deep into the heavens, connecting the earth, and the scattered remnants of bodies and broken weapons. Many of the people in the Floating Continent took this opportunity to go outside to collect the belongings and weapon fragments of their loved ones, intending to bring them back to their homeland for burial.
The barrier only blocked outsiders and dark creatures from entering; it did not affect their ability to leave.
Boom!
At that moment, some people suddenly noticed intense shockwaves coming from the deep chaos of the Time-Space Sea. It was as if thousands of troops were trampling across the sky and universe, causing the Time-Space Sea to tremble with aftershocks.
Thick black mist surged once more, spreading like a boiling storm, accompanied by earth-shaking roars. It was as if terrifying creatures were engaged in battle, their howls reverberating through time and space, shaking the very fabric of reality.
One ancient warship after another, covered in chaotic energy, charged from that direction, heading rapidly toward the Floating Continent. At the rear, several powerful figures wielded various weapons and Dao treasures, clashing and engaging with the dark creatures.
The endless black mist swirled around them, surging and swirling like cascading rivers of stars, pressing down from above.
This scene left many in the Floating Continent stunned, frozen in place. No one expected so many ancient warships to suddenly break through at this moment, each one manned by countless knights, exuding overwhelming killing intent as they fought dark creatures.
“Could this be from the outside world?”
“How can mere mortals fight against the dark creatures? At this rate, they’ll soon be consumed and corrupted by the dark material.”
A petite figure in a red dress stood outside the barrier, her face solemn as she watched the distant scene. It was Shangguan Qing, the leader of the Shangguan family.
“How does the head of the Shangguan family view this? Outsiders have arrived at this critical moment. We don’t know what their intentions are.”
“At this rate, if they keep fighting the dark creatures, they’ll soon be overwhelmed. We can’t let this continue.”
Another leader from one of the six great families appeared beside her, his expression also grim as he observed the scene.
“Regardless of the reason, we can’t allow them to keep fighting the dark creatures. It will only increase the number of dark creatures, and it won’t be good for us.”
“We must report this to Qingxianzi and ask her to briefly open the barrier to let the outsiders in.”
Shangguan Qing said in a low voice, without hesitation. As soon as she finished speaking, she transformed into a streak of divine light, heading toward the Holy Ancestor Mountain to report the matter.
“They actually came here…”
Not far away, Ah Li, sitting on her pure white true body, was also paying attention to this scene. A look of surprise appeared on her face beneath her straw hat.
“Chu Heng, quickly leave. Don’t linger in battle. These dark creatures are very tricky. They can’t be killed, and be careful not to be contaminated by the dark material…”
“There’s a Floating Continent ahead. Head there quickly.”Ancient warships sped through the depths of the chaotic Time-Space Sea, their path cutting through the black mist that spread endlessly, spilling out from the rifts in the fabric of space. Countless dark creatures, seemingly endless, surged forth from the mist, clashing with the figures aboard the warships.
Chu Heng and the other powerful figures from the Fatian Alliance wore grim expressions, using various techniques to block the terrifying dark creatures chasing after them. Even Chu Heng, who was at the peak of the Dao Ancestor realm, found himself struggling. At this moment, he could only exert about sixty to seventy percent of his strength, unwilling to go all out for fear of being contaminated by the dark material.
He had never encountered such dark creatures before. While he had been somewhat indifferent to the terrifying Dark Catastrophe that brought fear and trembling to all beings, now, faced with these creatures, he felt the chilling, unimaginable horror of them. Could such creatures really be fought?
After all, he was a Dao Ancestor, one of the strongest figures in his civilization, yet here he was, encountering a formidable enemy.
“Go quickly, I’ll hold them off.”
Chu Heng gritted his teeth and told the other Fatian Alliance experts to retreat.