332: The situation on the cosmic battlefield

As space shifted, Xun Xiuyuan arrived at a vast, open plaza.

Standing before him was an elder with white hair and beard, looking at Xiuyuan.

Xun Xiuyuan immediately bowed and said, "Disciple greets Master."

This person's aura was identical to that of Vice Sect Master Qing Hui, who had appeared in the Discipleship Hall, so Xun Xiuyuan knew that the old man standing before him was Vice Sect Master Qing Hui of the Yuan Ling Sect.

Qing Hui revealed a slight smile and said, "You arrived quite quickly."

After saying this, Qing Hui walked directly towards one side of the plaza, and Xun Xiuyuan followed closely.

The two were silent, neither speaking.

Xun Xiuyuan didn't know what to say; after all, he was truly unfamiliar with this Qing Hui.

The plaza was very large, and they finally reached its edge.

Only then did Xun Xiuyuan realize that the place where they stood was the highest point of the fortress, and at the edge were still those formidable-looking giant cannons.

Qing Hui pointed to the vast void outside the fortress and said, "The continent beneath our feet is the Yuan Ling Universe's base here. According to current knowledge, every universe will have such a continent connected to it. For example, our Yuan Ling Universe is connected to the Cosmic Vortex at the center of the Yuan Ling Sect."

Xun Xiuyuan nodded, at least now knowing the origin of the continent beneath his feet.

The continent, nearly a million kilometers in area, was enormous.

Seeing Xun Xiuyuan's expression, Qing Hui continued, "The number of universes in this void is countless. We currently know of several hundred, and this is only a part of the void we can explore. Our Yuan Ling Universe is considered very weak among them. The bases of powerful universes are as large as hundreds of millions of kilometers in area."

"The strength of a universe is evident from the size of its base. Therefore, many forces want to invade our Yuan Ling Universe, which is why we have been constantly fighting here."

Xun Xiuyuan then asked his first question: "Is the battlefield within our base?"

Qing Hui shook his head: "No, it's not. The void may seem peaceful, but it contains many dangers: spatial rifts, temporal abysses, cosmic beasts, and so on—many natural and man-made disasters. There are only five safe paths to enter our base, which is why I and the four Grand Elders guard the five major fortresses separately."

At this point, Qing Hui looked at Xun Xiuyuan and smiled, "The battlefield is in the void outside. If it enters the continent, it means we have fallen. Great Saint Realm cultivators are the decisive factor in battles, because there is a rule that Saint King Realm cultivators are not allowed to fight in the void. This is a form of protection for weaker universes."

Xun Xiuyuan exclaimed, "A rule? Whose rule?"

Qing Hui smiled and said, "I only know it's a rule from the Cosmic Alliance. We were informed of it when our Yuan Ling Universe entered this void. As for what kind of universes form the Cosmic Alliance, I don't know. Our Yuan Ling Universe doesn't even qualify to join the Alliance, yet we have to abide by its rules. Isn't that ironic?"

At this point, Qing Hui took out a long saber and handed it to Xun Xiuyuan: "I use a spear. This saber was left by a Saint-King. I'll give it to you, hoping it can help you grow smoothly."

Xun Xiuyuan did not refuse; his own weapon, obtained through a lottery, could no longer keep up with his strength.

Perhaps due to his realm, he hadn't obtained any higher-grade weapons or equipment in subsequent lotteries, so Xun Xiuyuan greatly needed this saber.

Xun Xiuyuan took the long saber and continued to ask, "Didn't you say Saint-Kings aren't allowed to enter the void to fight? Doesn't that mean they can only defend the base?"

Qing Hui shook his head again: "Not entirely. It's not allowed in ordinary wars. It seems one can apply to the Alliance, and then it's permitted. But we haven't joined the Alliance, so there's no place to apply. Thus, as you said, we can only defend passively."

At this point, Qing Hui smiled bitterly, "Actually, the difference isn't significant. Our strength simply isn't enough to invade other universes."

Only then did Qing Hui ask, "What mission did you accept?"

Xun Xiuyuan replied, "The mission I accepted seems a bit troublesome; I need to go to the Cosmic Abyss to collect a hundred cosmic stones."

Qing Hui didn't show much change in expression: "Troublesome? That's a normal mission. Your strength is very special, so the danger of collecting cosmic stones shouldn't be too great."

"Within a radius of several billion kilometers, there are three universe bases, including the Yuan Ling Universe's base. The other two universes are the Phantom Poison Universe and the Silver Sea Universe."

Xun Xiuyuan knew that his Master Qing Hui wouldn't mention these two universes without reason, so he remained silent and listened carefully.

Seeing that Xun Xiuyuan didn't ask, Qing Hui continued, "The Phantom Poison Universe applied twice for battle against our Yuan Ling Universe. Although it didn't succeed, it wasn't a complete failure either. Our Sect Master was injured while fighting a Saint-King from the Phantom Poison Universe, and his temperament changed drastically afterward."

"As for the Silver Sea Universe, its strength is very formidable. It seems to look down on our Yuan Ling Universe and the Phantom Poison Universe, so although there have been some minor frictions between us, no major conflicts have erupted."

After listening, Xun Xiuyuan said, "So we are mortal enemies with the Phantom Poison Universe? Does that mean we kill on sight without overthinking it?"

Qing Hui looked at Xun Xiuyuan and smiled, "You're absolutely right. We are indeed mortal enemies with the Phantom Poison Universe; there's no need to hold back."

He then continued, "Originally, there was a fourth universe, which is the Cosmic Abyss you are about to go to. The Cosmic Abyss is a large secret realm formed by the collapse of the already shattered Lan Gu Universe. After the Lan Gu Universe collapsed, the name 'Lan Gu Universe' ceased to exist, leaving only the Cosmic Abyss."

Qing Hui stroked his long beard and said, "The Cosmic Abyss is rich in cosmic stones, which are actually a gift to this void after the universe shattered. Not only are there people from the Phantom Poison Universe and the Silver Sea Universe, but also some outsiders, as cosmic stones are still very precious and can greatly help in perfecting one's inner World."

Having said this, Qing Hui turned and walked towards a bunker-like building in the middle of the plaza, saying as he walked, "The Phantom Poison Universe's strongest attack method is the erosion of the soul, which we also call corrosion. Your Sea of Consciousness is so strong that even my soul cannot penetrate it. You should have no problem dealing with early-stage Great Saints from the Phantom Poison Universe. If you encounter a mid-stage or late-stage Great Saint, you should run. However, such powerful cultivators are not many."

Xun Xiuyuan nodded, indicating that he understood.

Qing Hui took out a map and handed it to Xun Xiuyuan: "My purpose in taking you as a disciple is simply to protect you, because you are the most monstrous genius to appear in tens of thousands of years. You can resist a Great Saint in the Heavenly God Realm. I don't want you to be killed by those inexplicable suspicions within the Yuan Ling Sect. Can you understand?"

Xun Xiuyuan nodded again and bowed once more to Qing Hui, thanking the Vice Sect Master for his kindness.