Ling Qing returned to the Mount Lao Sect's Ruyi Grotto-Heaven. Though his Black Whale incarnation had swiftly cultivated to the Earth Immortal realm due to its innate nature, it was, after all, only a newly forged avatar, and its cultivation was not particularly high among Earth Immortals.
Naturally, he could not go to that world in this body.
As radiant light flashed, Ling Qing's true body descended into the grotto-heaven.
On this journey, he wished to take a look at the place that had first led him onto the path of cultivation. Even if it was an unorthodox path, it was still, in the end, a path of the Dao.
Secondly, he wished to settle these trivial matters once and for all.
Back when he was still at the Earth Immortal realm, he had merely bluffed based on speculation and exposed Orochimaru's connection to Olidammara.
He had been unable to clearly see through Olidammara's true circumstances.
And since Lirriss, the God of Victory and Fate, had been able to draw his master into action, that proved the world in question had some capability after all.
Only by going in person could he ensure that nothing went wrong.
Thus, after speaking with the Eight Immortals and Daoist Lingguan, he left only the Wondrous Dao Emperor behind to continue awaiting the outcome of the Demon-Subduing Emperor's demonic tribulation.
Then, in his true body, he returned to the real world.
As soon as Ling Qing returned, he sent Ling Ji to Mount Sumeru and Dragon Tiger Grotto-Heaven to invite Liaofan and Zhang Yuanbai.
Before long, the two arrived. They respectfully bowed in the hall and said, "Liaofan/Zhang Yuanbai pays respects to Dao Qing True Person!"
Ling Qing extended a hand in invitation. "No need for such formalities, fellow Daoists. Please, sit."
"Thank you,