Outside Of Time

Chapter 1821: Clash of Fates, The Battle of Destiny Begins!

Editor: Atlas Studios

The doors of the Phoenix Hall slowly swung open.

Though there was no wind outside, the flow of time silently seeped in with the opening doors, transforming the entire hall into a river of time and space.

With each step taken by the figure outside the door, ripples of time and space surged within.

The first ripple blossomed, and scenes from the past spread across the hall.

In the shimmering reflection, the lands of the Seven Sects Alliance appeared—lush with birdsong and flowers, a picture of tranquility.

In the distance, cultivators of the Seven Blood Eyes were constructing their sect. Nearby, under the starry sky, two figures lurked like thieves outside the Mystic Nether Sect’s gates.

This was the early days of the Seven Blood Eyes joining the Seven Sects Alliance, and also the moment when Erniu invited Xu Qing to accompany him to trade finger bones with Huang Yikun.

In the scene, a woman stood gracefully in the sky, smiling down.

Her long black hair was draped behind her back and was gently held by a pink ribbon. She wore a purple starry dress that shone brightly. There were fog around her that made her look like a fairy from the heavens.

Her gaze lingered on Xu Qing below. With a light laugh, she descended.

As the Xu Qing and Erniu in the scene froze in shock, the woman stepped before Xu Qing, lifting his chin with her finger, her breath fragrant as orchids.

”Little friend, we meet again. You came to the Mystic Nether Sect so late at night. Are you lost?”

This was the first true encounter between Xu Qing and Zi Xuan.

The ripples of time shimmered, and the scene dissolved. Outside the river of time, Xu Qing’s lips curved into a smile. Inside the scene, Xu Qing looked up at the woman before him and spoke softly.

”I’m not lost. I followed the invisible thread in my heart to find my way here.”

At these words, the woman in the scene stiffened.

The first ripple of time faded.

Outside, Xu Qing took his second step, and the second ripple bloomed within the Phoenix Hall.

The Immortal Enrichment River appeared in the ripple, filling the hall’s world.

It was dusk, the sun setting in the west.

A great boat sailed silently along the river.

Leaning against the railing, Zi Xuan seemed to merge with the evening glow.

Xu Qing sat nearby, a hint of restraint in his expression.

”Xu Qing, play that song for me. I want to hear it.”

Her voice was soft. Soon, the melancholic tune of a flute drifted through the air.

Though it still carried the essence of the martial world, it no longer spoke of life’s sorrows, nor did it echo with loneliness.

Within the melody lay a glimmer of hope—and blessings.

In the scene, Zi Xuan trembled, turning to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing met her gaze and whispered,

”This song was once called ’Parting Sadness.’ Now, it is ’Reunion.’”

...

Scene after scene unfolded in the Phoenix Hall as the ripples of time surged.

With each step Xu Qing took toward Zi Xuan, the river of time replayed their past.

In the ripples, they sat together on the giant serpent statue, their heartfelt conversation echoing in memory.

Faintly, there was also the silhouette of Zi Xuan painting protective runes on Xu Qing in the sealed chamber of Fenghai County.

And in the human imperial capital, the moment Xu Qing obtained the Purple Mystic Supreme Clarity Lantern for her.

All these memories intertwined, forming a roaring tide of time and space within the Phoenix Hall, wave after wave.

Finally, walking atop the ripples, Xu Qing arrived before the seated Zi Xuan.

He reached out his hand to her.

The starlight in Zi Xuan’s eyes had illuminated the world the moment she opened them.

Xu Qing’s approach was like infusing color into that illuminated world.

Without hesitation, Zi Xuan took his hand.

Xu Qing’s expression softened as he helped her up, whispering,

”I’m back.”

In the next instant, the entire Phoenix Hall silently blurred within the depths of Fenghai County—then vanished.

When it reappeared, it was no longer in Fenghai County’s capital but atop Mount Morning Glow, where two graves stood.

This was the place Xu Qing had long ago chosen as his home.

Because his parents rested here.

Though their memories had naturally faded in his mind, their existence was marked by these graves—sacrificed to Desolate, impossible to retrieve from the river of time.

And so, he brought Zi Xuan to live on Mount Morning Glow.

Thirty years passed in this way.

During these thirty years, the golden age of Wanggu flourished.

Zhou Zhengli and the others had fully adapted, scattering across the land—some secluding themselves in cultivation, others establishing sects to spread their teachings.

Each walked their own path.

As for Desolate in the sky, Its eyes remained closed.

Yet, two swords descended from Mount Morning Glow.

The first fell twenty-seven years ago, when a god crossed the boundary in the starry sky beyond Wanggu.

That sword rose from Mount Morning Glow, pierced the heavens, and entered the cosmos—slaying the trespassing god!

Divine blood rained down.

The gaze of all living beings in Wanggu turned upward.

The second sword fell five years later—not into the starry sky but into the outer seas!

There, a god from another star ring attempted to infiltrate Wanggu through the chaotic waters.

It, too, was slain by the sword!

These two strikes shook the gods watching from beyond Wanggu.

And so, a true holy land emerged in Wanggu.

Many sought to climb Mount Morning Glow, but few could truly ascend.

For Mount Morning Glow existed within time and space—and outside of it.

Yet one person could have climbed it.

She stood outside the mountain for a long time, gazing upward—but in the end, she chose to leave.

That person was Ling’er.

In this world, some things cannot be forced—especially matters of the heart.

Like Zhao Zhongheng, who suffered for half his life, love remained beyond his grasp.

Decades ago, when Xu Qing journeyed to the Moon Offering Region, though he never spoke explicitly, those days together in the apothecary had made everything clear to Ling’er.

...

Another ten years passed.

One day, the light of dusk spilled across the world, casting a brilliant glow upon Mount Morning Glow.

Amid the fading light, a figure descended from the mountain.

Clad in black robes, his violet hair cascaded over his shoulders, his tall frame moving like an enigmatic shadow born of the evening light.

It was Xu Qing.

Behind him stood Zi Xuan, dressed in simple matronly attire.

Though her clothing was plain, her beauty remained undimmed. Yet her expression was tinged with worry as she watched Xu Qing, hesitating to speak.

Further behind her was the now fully corporeal Diamond Sect’s ancestor, no longer a mere spirit.

Over the years, he had received many fortunes, becoming the steward of Mount Morning Glow—a figure who could swagger with pride anywhere in the world.

In his spare time, he had even taken to writing novels...

His only rival for this position was Little Shadow.

But today, none of his usual pride was visible. Instead, his face mirrored Zi Xuan’s concern.

Yet he knew this was not the time to speak—nor to disturb the parting between Xu Qing and Zi Xuan. Silently, he stepped back.

Ignoring the Diamond Sect’s ancestor, Zi Xuan approached Xu Qing, straightening his robes before murmuring,

”Do you really have to go?”

Xu Qing was silent.

After a long pause, he turned his gaze toward the Sky Devouring Region and whispered,

”It must be settled. He has waited for me many years.”