482: The terrifying phantom beast

Xie Nanqiao's expression remained unchanged. She simply gave a calm instruction to Ji Siyuan not to slack off and to continue focusing on his Cultivation. Then, she tidied her clothes and walked quickly toward the main hall, preparing to greet the envoy from the Giant Beast Alliance.

Over the past few years, the Giant Beast Alliance and the Great Barren World had maintained a close and friendly relationship. As the two top powers currently existing in the Yuan Ling Universe, the cooperation between the Heavenly Palace and the Giant Beast Alliance provided the most solid foundation and the broadest space for the stability and development of the entire Universe.

Upon entering the main hall, Xie Nanqiao saw the visitor's face clearly and couldn't help but reveal a kind smile. She said softly, "So it's Sister Light Gauze!"

She was already well-acquainted with Light Gauze. Because Light Gauze often represented the Giant Beast Alliance to discuss important matters with Xun Xiuyuan, their relationship had naturally become close after dealing with each other many times.

Xie Nanqiao's tone carried her usual gentleness and respect.

However, Light Gauze's face was pale, and her eyes held an unconcealable grief.

She suppressed the surging emotions and said with a slightly trembling voice, "Old Ancestor Star Swallower... has fallen. This news must be made known to Xun Xiuyuan immediately."

Hearing this, Xie Nanqiao was also shocked—she knew the strength of Old Ancestor Star Swallower. That existence had once stepped forward during the Yuan Ling Universe's time of crisis, saving all living beings from fire and water.

She quickly steadied her mind; her years as the Master of the Heavenly Palace had long taught her how to remain calm in the face of change.

She asked calmly, "When did this happen?"

Light Gauze replied in a low voice, "Just a short while ago... Old Ancestor Star Swallower's soul tablet suddenly shattered."

Xie Nanqiao nodded solemnly, realizing the severity of the situation, and immediately responded, "I will send a message through the Ling Tian Pagoda to inform Xiao Yuan as soon as possible."

At this time, it had been nearly four years since Xun Xiuyuan went into seclusion.

Xie Nanqiao did not delay in the slightest and immediately summoned Xiao Xuan—the spirit of the Ling Tian Pagoda—to relay the news of Old Ancestor Star Swallower's fall.

Xiao Xuan was silent for a moment before responding with a grave expression, "This matter is indeed of great importance, but as of now, it has not reached the level of extreme urgency that requires interrupting the Master's seclusion. I can perceive that the Master's Cultivation is at a very critical stage, and it would be unwise to disturb him rashly."

Although Xun Xiuyuan had left instructions before going into seclusion that he could be awakened in an emergency, Xiao Xuan judged that while the current situation was serious, it was not yet critical. Therefore, it suggested not to disturb him for now.

Seeing this, Xie Nanqiao did not persist. She simply nodded calmly and said no more.

After returning to the Heavenly Palace, she went straight to find Light Gauze and said in a serious tone, "No matter when, as long as there is danger, I will awaken Xiao Yuan at the first opportunity."

Hearing this, Light Gauze nodded slightly, though her gaze carried a hint of scrutiny and curiosity.

She looked at Xie Nanqiao and asked softly, "Little Sister from the Xie Family, may I ask what Realm your cultivation has reached? I cannot see through your depth at all."

It should be known that Light Gauze, as a long-standing Guiyi Realm expert of the Starry Sky Giant Beast Clan, was already extremely powerful.

Starry Sky Giant Beasts were always known for their outstanding combat power among the same rank (though anomalies like the Shadow King were an exception). However, even as a veteran Guiyi Realm existence like her, she was unable to perceive Xie Nanqiao's true cultivation, which undoubtedly confirmed the unfathomable nature of Xie Nanqiao's current strength.

Upon hearing this, Xie Nanqiao's lips curled slightly, revealing a modest smile as she replied, "It is embarrassing to say, but I was fortunate enough to have a Breakthrough some time ago and just managed to step over the threshold of the Guiyi Realm. Compared to you, Sister, my cultivation is still far behind."

This was naturally her modest way of speaking. In reality, she had already faintly felt that if there were another opportunity for seclusion, she would very likely touch the threshold of the Hongmeng Realm.

But in front of Light Gauze, she maintained her humility and low profile. There was another reason: Xie Nanqiao herself felt that advancing to the Guiyi Realm was not a big deal, because to her, it was quite simple and nothing to boast about.

Light Gauze's eyes widened in disbelief, her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Images of her first meeting with Xie Nanqiao flashed through her mind. At that time, although Xie Nanqiao had already displayed extraordinary strength, her cultivation Realm had clearly not yet reached the Guiyi Realm.

In just a few short years, she had actually grown to such an astonishing level; it was truly mind-boggling.

Light Gauze couldn't help but think of Xun Xiuyuan, who was similar in age to Xie Nanqiao—that equally gifted young man.

Her gaze involuntarily turned to Ji Siyuan, who was playing in the distance, and a complex emotion welled up in her heart.

This family was full of monsters with super talent, making it impossible to measure them by conventional standards.

She shook her head gently and sighed helplessly in her heart: They were simply a bunch of perverts; there was nothing to say.

Light Gauze had come to the Heavenly Palace to deliver important information.

Since the task was completed, she had no reason to stay.

Thus, she politely bid farewell to Xie Nanqiao, turned, and left the Heavenly Palace, heading straight back to the Realm where the Starry Sky Giant Beasts resided.

Wan Hai and a group of Hongmeng Realm Experts gazed at the small, somewhat desolate base in the distance, their expressions revealing a hint of hesitation.

After a moment of silence, Wan Hai spoke with slight hesitation, "The area ahead should be the outpost of that Yuan Ling Universe, right? It is unexpectedly remote, and they haven't even established a transit Teleportation Array for space jumps. It's truly surprising."

An old man with white hair and beard in the back stepped forward slowly and added with a calm gaze, "Before Star Swallower fell, he repeatedly urged us to come. Since he was so persistent, I believe this Universe must hide some extraordinary aspects, perhaps far beyond what you and I expect."

At this time, nearly eight months had passed since Star Swallower had completely fallen and its Divine Soul had dissipated between heaven and earth.

The reason it took so long was that the journey to the Yuan Ling Universe was extremely difficult—unable to use any Teleportation Array, everyone had to rely on their own cultivation to tear through the Void Realm time and again to perform long-distance teleportation.

The boundless cosmic Void Realm was awe-inspiringly vast, and the distance between Universes was measured in light-years. Being able to arrive in such a short time was already a rare efficiency.

Wan Hai shook his head, dispelled the distracting thoughts in his mind, and took the lead to walk toward the silent base.

He stopped outside the boundary wall shimmering with a faint light and, in accordance with interstellar etiquette, used energy to condense a gentle knocking fluctuation, conveying a friendly intention to visit.

Unexpectedly, it was not any Cultivator or envoy who came to greet this group of Hongmeng Realm Experts, but a transparent Void Spirit Beast with a constantly changing form.