505: clearing up past grievances

"Please... please, City Lord, come out of seclusion!" Lei Xiao coughed up a mouthful of blood mixed with lightning, arriving at the City Lord's secluded cultivation grounds. "Dao Friend Xu is still in the Chaos Ancient Mine!"

"Clang!!!"

From within the immortal palace ahead, a long bell toll echoed.

"I know."

As a gentle voice sounded, Dao Ancestor Xuanwei, clad in a white robe, appeared before the four.

The elder's gaze swept over the four's injuries, his white brows slightly furrowed: "Even Jin Que's Undying Body is injured to this extent..."

"City Lord!" Dao Ancestor Jin Que knelt on one knee, his voice trembling, "That person is at least a Second Step Dao Ancestor, Dao Friend Xu he..."

Before he could finish, a brilliant sword mark suddenly split the sky.

Under everyone's stunned gazes, Xu Qing drifted down on sword light, his green robe spotless, as if he had merely returned from a leisurely outing.

"This... this..."

Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao's lightning seal clattered to the ground.

They had only just been sent back, yet the person involved arrived even before them?

Dao Ancestor Xue He suddenly burst into laughter, and as he laughed, his eyes became extremely complex.

Ultimately, they had lost their minds, even harboring thoughts of internal strife, yet at the critical moment, this "adversary" had saved their lives.

Xu Qing ignored them and looked towards Dao Ancestor Xuanwei.

The elder's face was benevolent, his hair and beard white, but his eyes were as clear as a baby's. His aura was calm and restrained, making him seem like an ordinary old man at first glance.

However, Xu Qing keenly sensed that with every move, this person was subtly connected to the Luck of the entire fortress city, as if he was the Incarnation of this city.

This was an existence even more powerful than Giant Serpent Dao Ancestor, though he likely hadn't condensed his present-life body yet.

This person had an immortal-like demeanor, with a benevolent expression. Xu Qing had heard from Dao Ancestor Zhan Tian that while Dao Ancestor Xuanwei's cultivation was not high, he was a highly respected Senior.

Even Dao Ancestor Zhan Tian held him in great esteem; he had once nurtured three existences who surpassed Second Step Dao Ancestors.

"Little Friend Xu, I've heard much about you."

Dao Ancestor Xuanwei smiled slightly, his voice as warm as jade, yet it made Xu Qing's heart tremble.

He couldn't fathom the depth of the other's cultivation, as if he wasn't facing a person, but a vast starry sky.

"Junior Xu Qing greets Senior Xuanwei." Xu Qing bowed respectfully.

"Hahaha, no need for formalities." Dao Ancestor Xuanwei waved his hand, his gaze gently sweeping over Lei Xiao and the other three, "You four, you were quite lucky this time."

The four of Lei Xiao showed shame, and Dao Ancestor Jin Que even directly knelt on one knee, saying in a deep voice: "City Lord, this time we were reckless and almost caused a great disaster!"

Dao Ancestor Xuanwei shook his head and chuckled: "No matter, it's good that you're back alive."

His gaze returned to Xu Qing, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: "Little Friend, to be able to force back a Second Step Dao Ancestor, this strength is already not weaker than a Second Step Dao Ancestor."

"Senior overpraises me." Xu Qing neither denied nor admitted it.

Dao Ancestor Xuanwei smiled, then suddenly changed the subject: "However, the Tianyang race's move this time probably has deeper implications."

Xu Qing nodded: "Junior also noticed that. They don't seem to be purely after Dao Source; I always feel like they are secretly plotting some kind of conspiracy!"

Dao Ancestor Xuanwei frowned, "No matter what, when it involves Tianyang aliens, it's always best to be careful. Everyone, be vigilant during these days, especially in the direction of Tianyang Pass. Maintain constant contact with the outposts!"

"We respectfully obey the City Lord's decree!"

Everyone cupped their fists.

That night!

Eighty-First Fortress City, Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Today, the most luxurious restaurant in this fortress city was completely booked. Guards were strict outside the building; only those holding the tokens of the four Deputy City Lords were allowed entry.

In the "Qiongxian Pavilion" on the top floor of the building, spiritual mist curled and immortal music drifted. Dao Ancestors Lei Xiao, Jin Que, Xue He, and You Yue were rarely gathered together, and on the main seat, it was none other than Xu Qing.

"Dao Friend Xu, please!"

Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao stood up, solemnly raising his cup. The wine in the cup glowed with purple lightning, it was the "Nine-Layer Immortal Nectar" unique to the Lei Xiao lineage. Drinking it could temper one's Dao Body; an ordinary Cultivator would consider even a single drop an Opportunity, yet today, he had brought out his treasured collection, solely to thank Xu Qing.

Xu Qing smiled slightly, clinked his cup, and drank it all.

After three rounds of drinks, Dao Ancestor Jin Que suddenly stood up, waving his large hand. A small crimson-gold pagoda appeared in his palm, its body entwined with dense Qi and blood power.

"Dao Friend Xu, this is the 'Crimson Sun Demon Suppressing Pagoda', obtained a million years ago from an ancient relic. Today I present it to you, as..." He paused, a rare trace of embarrassment appearing on his rugged face, "as an apology for those unpleasantries back then!"

With that, he took out another blood-colored crystal core, within which a Dragon shadow seemed to swim.

"This is the 'Ancient Dragon Blood Crystal', a treasure of my Jin Que lineage. Thank you for saving my life, I hope you won't decline!"

Before Xu Qing could speak, Dao Ancestor Xue He chuckled, and two items flew out from his sleeve—a small blood-colored sword and a crystalline blood jade.

"Blood Fiend Sword. There was some friction with Dao Friend a hundred years ago; consider this an apology today." He lightly tapped his fingertip, and the blood jade floated towards Xu Qing, "This is the 'Myriad Spirit Blood Jade', which can help Dao Friend comprehend the Great Dao of Blood. Consider it a thank-you gift."

Dao Ancestor You Yue was taciturn, merely raising her hand and waving it. Two Jade Slips floated in the air.

"The 'Shadow Calamity Scripture', this is a Cultivation Technique created by a Third Step Dao Ancestor." Her voice was cold, yet it conveyed sincerity, "The other is the 'Grand Yin True Explanation', like the 'Shadow Calamity Scripture', it comes from a Dao Ancestor who had condensed his past self. If Dao Friend cultivates the Dao of Shadow, you might want to take a look."

Finally, Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao took out two lightning talismans, one shrouded in purple light, the other brilliantly golden.

"The Purple Heaven Lightning Talisman, bestowed by the Holy Palace, comparable to a full-power strike from a Third Step Dao Ancestor." He gave a wry smile, then pushed out the other golden lightning talisman, "This is the 'Chaos Lightning Origin Talisman', which I obtained from a Secret Realm. It contains a Major Achievement-level Chaos lightning intent, consider it a thank-you gift."

Four apologies, four expressions of gratitude, full of sincerity.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over these treasures. He did not refuse, but instead, with a sweep of his sleeve, accepted them all.

"Let's not dwell on past matters." He raised his cup, his tone calm, "From today onwards, let everything drift away with the wind."

Upon hearing this, all four showed expressions of relief.

The banquet continued, and Dao Ancestor Lei Xiao suddenly spoke: "I heard that the Xu Family's Xuanhuang Merchant Guild wishes to expand its trade routes in the Chaos Sea?"

Xu Qing nodded.

"Since that's the case, my Lei Xiao lineage is willing to open trade routes and cooperate with the Xu Family!" Lei Xiao said solemnly, "If there are any troubles, I can't guarantee anything else, but within the territory of Eighty-First Fortress City, my Lei Family will certainly not refuse!"

"My Jin Que lineage as well!"

"The Xue He lineage is willing to give up thirty percent of its blood crystal mines to operate jointly with the Xu Family."

"The You Yue lineage can provide black market channels."

The four expressed their stance, full of sincerity.

Xu Qing smiled slightly, raising his cup in toast: "Good, then—happy cooperation."

He was satisfied that the four were so sensible; after all, it's better to resolve enmity than to foster it, and moreover, for the Xuanhuang Merchant Guild, the more friends one has, the smoother the path.

Over the past hundred years, the Xuanhuang Merchant Guild had faced targeting from the Southern Abyss races, but due to the ruin river sand, the Xu Family received care from its allies. Although it was somewhat difficult, overall, it proceeded smoothly.

"Happy cooperation!"

The five raised their cups and drank together. Outside the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, the moonlight was cold, illuminating the fortress city, and the grievances of a hundred years ago dissipated then and there.