Chapter 1707. The floating continent was being eroded by dark matter, and the Sky-opening God Clan’s Pan Clan appeared

“Qing Xianzi…”

Upon seeing South Qing’s arrival, many of the indigenous people of the floating continent became excited, their eyes filled with hope. However, most of them still wore faces full of despair and hopelessness. No matter how strong South Qing’s power was, it was impossible to eliminate the endless dark creatures. Moreover, the dark creatures that appeared later were evidently much stronger than the ones before.

South Qing’s gaze was calm as she looked at the vast and infinite dark creatures. She sheathed her sword, standing still as her skirt fluttered. A string of seven-colored glowing beads hung from her snow-white wrist, each bead polished to perfection, its colors varied.

With her red lips hidden under the veil, she seemed to speak a word — an ancient and obscure word that seemed to transcend the chaotic ancient times, one that no one could understand. The moment she uttered it, the entire chaotic sea of space trembled.

Buzz!

At the same time, the string of beads flew from her wrist. Each bead detached and flew towards the void. In an instant, the beads emitted a dazzling light, illuminating the entire sky to the point that it seemed transparent.

The two sides of the heavens seemed to be entirely separated, like the boundary between day and night. A colossal barrier, as if piercing through the deepest parts of the heavens, fell from the sky, clearly dividing the two realms.

Yin and Yang flowed in cycles, with black and white energy interweaving. Infinite profound mysteries appeared at this moment.

All the dark creatures charging forward melted away in an instant, as if snow meeting the warm sun, dissolving the moment they touched the barrier. They were trapped beyond the screen, unable to approach.

The vast black mist was also blocked on the other side, unable to approach the floating continent even by an inch.

Seeing this scene, the people of the floating continent couldn’t help but be overjoyed.

Though the light curtain left by the Ancestor Saint had shattered, Qing Xianzi had created another barrier that could block the dark creatures’ attacks once more.

“Was Qing Xianzi in seclusion all this time for this?”

Many people saw hope again and became invigorated, joining the battle to cut down the dark creatures and drive them out of the floating continent.

“How long can you hold them off?”

Suddenly, a terrifying tremor shook the ground. A massive dark giant, like a mountain, approached, surrounded by a dense black fog. It emitted a deep and muffled voice, as if thunder had struck, causing the entire world to tremble.

Behind the dark giant, several other terrifying dark creatures appeared. Their cold, strange gazes seemed to come from the deepest depths of hell. They said nothing, merely looking down coldly at everything, making one shudder with fear.

The dark giant let out a cold laugh. Then, it swung its fist, striking the barrier. The force of the blow was so terrifying that the very void cracked, and the fundamental rules of the universe seemed to vanish. It felt as though it was turning the corner of the heavens into a weapon, with a pressure so overwhelming it was unimaginable.

Each punch struck the barrier, creating endless ripples, and even an ancient world would be shattered to pieces before such power.

Boom! Boom! Boom…

Everyone in the floating continent held their breath, their faces full of tension as they watched this scene, fearing that the next moment, the barrier would shatter.

Qing Xianzi’s expression remained calm, completely unbothered, as if she had no concern that the barrier would shatter. She then cast her gaze across the vast sea of dark creatures sweeping through the floating continent. With a gentle swipe of her palm, she pressed forward.

A massive, overwhelming pressure immediately crushed down upon the entire floating continent. Millions of sword lights surged and roared, slicing through the air, radiating to every corner of the void. All the approaching dark creatures disintegrated and retreated.

In an instant, every dark creature on the floating continent vanished completely. Before absolute power, even dark creatures that made the entire world tremble with fear could not escape.

“Guli, stop wasting your energy. You cannot destroy this barrier. However, it won’t last long. It was hastily made just to buy some time,” a cold, ancient voice echoed from the black mist. A blurry figure sat deep within, its chilling gaze fixed on the floating continent.

The dark giant that had attacked showed clear respect for this figure. Though still reluctant, it stopped its assault upon hearing those words.

“Retreat. When the barrier dissipates, we will return to bloodily cleanse this place,” the blurry figure spoke coldly, its voice void of emotion. With the words spoken, the vast black mist began to retreat like a rising tide, and all the dark creatures withdrew into the deep recesses of the chaotic sea of space.

The terrifying pressure that had enveloped the floating continent gradually faded, and all those present let out a long sigh of relief. Many collapsed to the ground, exhausted, gazing at the devastation around them with sorrowful eyes.

“Grandfather, hang in there. The master has acted. The dark creatures have retreated…”

Zhu Xuan rushed back to the floating continent with his grandfather, who was half unconscious, his face filled with anxiety and fear. Faint traces of black mist were appearing on his grandfather’s face, seeping from his nostrils, eyes, and ears, nearly enveloping his entire face.

“Grandfather… I’ve already been tainted by the dark matter. Maybe… soon, I’ll turn into a dark creature. Zhu Xuan, don’t bother with me anymore.”

Zhu Lao struggled to open his eyes, and in the murky depths of his gaze, a faint glimmer of light flickered, as if some dim light was trying to shine through.

“It’s impossible. Grandfather, you cannot turn into a dark creature.”

Zhu Xuan’s eyes reddened, his voice choking as he tightly embraced the withered, blood-soaked body of his grandfather. His entire body trembled uncontrollably.

“Don’t worry about me. While I still have consciousness, my life. I don’t want to become a dark creature and fight against you,” Zhu Lao’s voice trembled as he painfully spoke these words.

He knew the state of his body. He couldn’t hold on much longer. When he used the Hongyuan Pearl to resist the dark matter, he had been infected. His internal organs had been eroded, and the dark matter was almost completely overtaking his lungs and heart.Since ancient times, no living being has ever been able to recover after being corrupted by dark matter, not even those with deep Daoist cultivation in the Ancestor Dao realm.

Let alone Zhu Lao, who had already reached the end of his life, his strength long depleted and his peak long past, now in the twilight of his years.

“Grandfather, you won’t turn into a dark creature. The master will definitely find a way. Master will save you…” Zhu Xuan’s eyes reddened, his voice choking, trembling uncontrollably.

“Qing Xianzi can’t save me, silly child. While I still have some consciousness, quickly end my life,” Zhu Lao struggled to speak, trying his best to appear kind and gentle. He reached out with his dry, twig-like hand, as if to touch Zhu Xuan’s face.

However, as his hand reached halfway through the air, it suddenly froze, as if all strength had left him. It fell to the ground instantly. His eyes began to fill with chaotic black mist, and a deathly gray hue began to spread across his aged face.

“Grandfather…”

Zhu Xuan’s expression changed drastically. His eyes went bloodshot, and he shouted in pure agony, his voice like a wild beast howling in despair.

The native inhabitants of the floating continent, witnessing this scene, were also filled with sorrow and helplessness, deep regret reflected in their eyes. Many had already died from the invasion of dark creatures. Many familiar faces were now gone, and to prevent their transformation into dark creatures, some people had even mercilessly struck down those they once knew, destroying their bodies.

“Zhu Xuan, don’t let down Zhu Lao’s heartfelt intention. While he hasn’t fully turned into a dark creature yet…”

An elderly man, also filled with sorrow and pain, spoke, urging Zhu Xuan.

The ancestors of the clan had been fighting the dark creatures for years and knew their terrifying and eerie nature. Even in death, once dark matter taints a body, it can give rise to a new consciousness, transforming into a new being and life form within the original body.

Zhu Xuan’s face was filled with grief. How could he strike down the grandfather who had adopted him, educated him, and raised him with such care?

“Qing Xianzi…”

He looked towards Qing Xianzi in the distance, crawling toward her, and knelt before her with a thud.

Although he usually called her Master, he knew Qing Xianzi had never acknowledged him as her disciple, so he didn’t dare to address her as such now, afraid of displeasing her.

The people of the floating continent also looked toward Qing Xianzi, their eyes filled with anticipation and hope.

“The dark matter has already corrupted his heart veins. If it had been earlier, there might have been a chance to expel it…”

“Or if my mother were still here, she would likely have had a way.”

“But… I can’t save him. I’m sorry,” Qing Xianzi said calmly as she descended from the white crane. She glanced briefly at Zhu Lao, lying on the ground, then frowned and shook her head.Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuan was struck dumb, his eyes widening in disbelief as he muttered, “Even you can’t save grandfather?”

“Sorry, I can’t help him either,” South Qing shook her head calmly, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

The native inhabitants of the floating continent, seeing this, were filled with sorrow and helplessness. If even Qing Xianzi said so, it seemed there was truly no hope left.

Zhu Xuan’s face turned pale, and he sat down on the ground, watching his grandfather, whose body was now emitting waves of dark mist, with immense pain.

“However, I can try to delay the dark matter’s spread within Zhu Lao’s body, giving him a little more time.”

“But whether or not we’ll find a way to expel the dark matter is uncertain…”

Seeing Zhu Xuan’s distressed expression, South Qing seemed to soften, letting out a slight sigh before continuing.

Zhu Xuan suddenly lifted his head, looking at South Qing with hope in his eyes.

South Qing remained silent, her lotus feet gliding lightly to Zhu Lao’s side. She extended a delicate hand, and a jade-like, thumb-sized orb appeared from her sleeve, floating gently onto Zhu Lao’s forehead.

As the orb settled, a pure light emanated from it, spreading softly, like the first light of dawn, enveloping Zhu Lao’s spiritual center, preventing the dark matter from further invading his consciousness.

The black mist that had spread across his face gradually dissipated, but his body below the neck remained tainted, with a deep, sinister blackness that made it seem as though he was already transforming into a dark creature…

“Thank you, Qing Xianzi,” Zhu Xuan said, his voice filled with gratitude as he noticed his grandfather’s expression calming from the agony.

South Qing shook her head, saying, “This Soul-binding Pearl can only protect Zhu Lao’s true spirit for a time, preventing it from being eroded by dark matter, but…”

She seemed to hesitate, not continuing her sentence.

“Is there any way to completely save grandfather and expel the dark matter?”

“No matter how difficult or dangerous, I’ll try anything,” Zhu Xuan asked urgently, clinging to the last hope like a drowning man reaching for a lifeline.

“Mother tried many methods to expel the dark matter from those she cared for, but none succeeded. The origin of the dark matter might be related to the legendary Realms of Truth. Ordinary methods have no effect. In fact, the more one tries to expel it, the faster it spreads. Power, will, thoughts, even a single intention can serve as a medium for its expansion…”

“If Zhu Lao’s will is strong enough and if he can see the light in the darkness, finding the path back, he might be able to resist the dark matter and return to the living.” South Qing looked at Zhu Xuan, her voice steady, devoid of emotional fluctuations.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xuan’s heart sank, overwhelmed with despair. Even the once revered Ancestor of the floating continent couldn’t help.

“There is a way to resist and expel the dark matter in this world. If she doesn’t want to tell you, I will.”

Suddenly, a calm, indifferent voice rang out. A snow-white divine rainbow descended from the distance, and a slender figure seated within it spoke.

She wore a wide-brimmed hat, with a light gray veil hanging down around her, obscuring her face. Only a pair of pale blue eyes, cold and beautiful like ice and snow, were visible.While battling the dark creatures, she had already stepped into the floating continent and was not blocked by the barrier.

“Who are you?”

Zhu Xuan stared at the figure in a daze.

South Qing’s gaze carried a hint of scrutiny, as if she was also appraising her. It was only at this moment that the people of the floating continent realized what had happened. It was this person who had intervened and saved many, including Zhu Xuan, who was almost killed in the tide of dark creatures.

“Kid, is this how you treat the person who saved your life? Not even a word of thanks?”

The figure, seated on the snow-white true celestial lion, spoke in a human voice, with a carefree and bold demeanor, her eyes like bells of white jade.

Zhu Xuan quickly realized his mistake and hurriedly stood to express his gratitude. The others, however, looked at the figure and the beast with suspicion.

“No need for excessive courtesy. We are both descendants of our ancient ancestors, and when faced with the remnants of the dark calamity, I couldn’t just sit idly by,” she said.

“But I didn’t expect that the once revered Pan Clan, known as the Sky-opening God Clan, would fall to such a state, with only you remaining of the entire clan.”

The figure seated upon the snow-white lion fixed its gaze on Zhu Xuan, seemingly observing him. After a long pause, it spoke in a calm tone.

“Pan Clan?”

Zhu Xuan was stunned, and the native inhabitants of the floating continent were similarly shocked.

Only a few of the older individuals looked at Zhu Xuan with a hint of surprise and contemplation.

“You must have heard of the titles of the Five Leaders—Zhong Jun, Nan Zun, Dong Huang, Xi Sheng, and Bei Di. The head of the Pan Clan was once revered by the various races of the vast world as Dong Huang.”

“Could it be that you didn’t know the blood of the Pan Clan flows through your veins?”

The figure seated on the snow-white lion spoke.

“Ah Li, telling them this might be a waste. They probably won’t understand it. That era has long passed, and who remembers those things anymore, let alone the five of them,” the snow-white true celestial lion shook its large head and spoke.

The people of the floating continent naturally understood, as their revered ancestor was Nan Zun, South Qing’s mother.

But Zhu Xuan was now completely frozen in place, his mind swirling with memories and images that often appeared in his thoughts.

On the night of the full moon, with the sky dark and the wind howling, terrifying figures, like dark mist descending from the void, ruthlessly reaped the lives of all in their path.

The family behind him had long been destroyed and wiped out, no longer existing in this world.

“I don’t know my identity or my origins. I just want to know—if I want to save my grandfather, what should I do?” Zhu Xuan suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on the woman named Ah Li.

“If you want to save your grandfather, you must harness the power of the Creation Pool that your Pan Clan once revered. Only the treasures of the First Civilization can resist the dark matter, and only the Creation Pool can cleanse the tainted dark matter,” Ah Li replied in her usual calm tone.

“Creation Pool?”

The mention of this name sent a ripple of shock through the people of the floating continent. Even South Qing seemed to reveal an expression of surprise.

“The Pan Clan is long gone, and the Creation Pool has disappeared without a trace. You want him to search for the Creation Pool? What are your true intentions?” South Qing’s sharp gaze fixed on Ah Li, her voice also calm as she questioned her.

“I know full well that the Pan Clan is no more, or I wouldn’t have come here to find him,” Ah Li responded casually, her tone indifferent and unconcerned, as if she had no intention of hiding her true purpose for being here.

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