The sea breeze, carrying the stench of burning and blood, lingered over the ravaged sea for three whole days before being gradually diluted and replaced by air currents from further west, carrying the crisp scent of snow-capped mountains.
Over these three days, the dark blue sea slowly but stubbornly refilled those deep, bone-revealing craters, submerging the broken rocks, the vitrified pit bottoms, and all the remaining ashes and filth beneath the Eternal waves.
It was as if the world itself possessed a self-healing instinct, attempting to erase all traces left by that brief yet extremely brutal battle.
But some things can't be erased.
The blood of thirty-two Mighty Figure and two formidable killers stained not only the seawater but also the long-forgotten ledger in the hearts of countless forces across the Five Regions of the Big Dipper.
The ledger pages were roughly turned over, and a name was rewritten in the most glaring vermilion.
Li Qingshan.
Having achieved the Dao- Severing the Dao feat in the Jade Pool of the Eastern Wasteland, the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo stepped into the King Seventh Heaven, entering the Divine Forbidden Domain, and killing thirty-four powerful enemies who came to invade, including two veteran killing kings who had been sleeping for thousands of years in the Human World and Hell.
The news spread like a silent yet violent plague, reaching the entire Big Dipper at an astonishing speed within just three days, via Domain Gate, ancient talismans, and the divine thoughts of Mighty Figure, and even extending to more distant star regions.
At first, there was an unbelievable horror and deathly silence.
Immediately following this was an emergency, extremely tense secret meeting convened within the various factions.
Then came the undercurrents of probing and the silent shifts in direction.
On the morning of the fourth day, as the first rays of sunlight pierced the lingering haze at the edge of the open sea, casting pale golden light upon the sea, which had returned to its azure state and still occasionally revealed some strange foam, the first formally visiting "messenger" appeared.
They did not come from any sacred land or Desolate Ancient Family in the Eastern Wasteland.
Instead, it was the former emperor of the Jiuli Divine Dynasty, one of the four immortal divine dynasties in the Central Continent. He was a living fossil of an extremely Mighty Figure being who personally rode a bronze chariot pulled by the descendants of nine dragon bloodlines, tearing through the Void and appearing in the Jade Pool Holy Land.
The chariots were ancient and weathered, yet they exuded a chilling imperial majesty.
The old emperor didn't say much, leaving behind a purple jade invitation card imprinted with the Jiuli Diagram, stating that the Divine Dynasty was willing to hold a banquet for the " Eastern Exalt " at an appropriate time to discuss the Great Dao. Afterwards, he rode his war chariot and disappeared into the Void.
This move serves as a signal.
On the fifth day, a Mighty Figure demon from the Southern Ridge Demon Emperor Hall arrived with lavish gifts, speaking respectfully to congratulate the " King of Qingshan." He also subtly mentioned that the Demon Emperor Hall had a connection with a descendant of a certain demon Great Emperor, seemingly wanting to forge a closer relationship.
As for the Eastern Wasteland itself.
The Yaoguang Holy Land, the Purple Mansion Holy Land, the Dao Yi Holy Land, and even some forces that had previously clashed with Li Qingshan, all sent influential figures, openly or covertly, to offer congratulatory gifts and express their "sincere" congratulations to the Eastern Venerable for successfully Severing the Dao the Eastern Exalt and adding another pillar to the human race.
His words were sincere, and his posture was upright, as if all the previous secret covetousness, greedy prying, and even the "pawns" he had sent out had never existed.
Whichever way the wind blows, the reeds on the wall will bend.
The spiritual realm is sometimes more naked and direct than the mortal world.
However, without exception, none of the visitors were able to actually meet Li Qingshan in person.
After he left that day, he seemed to have completely vanished from the world.
On the seventh day, a clearer and more formal voice emerged from the ancient pure land of the Queen Mother of the West, spreading throughout the Five Regions in the name of the Jade Pool Holy Land:
"To celebrate Li Qingshan, the Eastern Exalt Jade Pool, Severing the Dao his mortal path and ascending to the throne, Jade Pool will hold the ' Jade Pool Grand Gathering ' in the sacred land in seven days, inviting all fellow Big Dipper to discuss the Dao, enjoy tea, and celebrate this grand event together."
When the news broke, everyone realized what was happening.
Jade Pool is a place where, taking advantage of Li Qingshan's Severing the Dao power and his awe-inspiring presence in the Big Dipper, various parties will gather and unite in one place, setting the tone for a formal "grand gathering."
To be honest, Li Qingshan is still relatively unfamiliar and mysterious to most Big Dipper people and even Eastern Wasteland people.
First, the training period was too short; second, unlike typical prodigies, they did not grow through repeated trials and tribulations, nor did they follow a clear linear growth trajectory.
Li Qingshan's growth was like exponential growth; after a short period of time, he was completely different.
At the same time, this is also an important warm-up for the " Yaochi Grand Gathering " which is held once every five hundred years.
In a short time, the various factions that received the news had different thoughts, but on the surface, the congratulations were even louder, and the number of visiting cards and gifts sent to Jade Pool suddenly increased.
The day after news of the " Jade Pool Grand Gathering " spread.
Li Qingshan's figure quietly appeared deep within the Jade Pool Holy Land, in an ancient peach forest shrouded in both immortal mist and chaotic energy.
The peach grove has grown for countless millennia, its branches strong and vigorous like dragons, its leaves lush and verdant, yet there are no peach blossoms on the branches, only the misty spiritual energy condensing into dewdrops, hanging on the tips of the leaves, shimmering with a seven-colored light.
A clear spring flows through the woods, its waters gurgling. Deeper in, a corner of flying eaves and white jade railings can be vaguely seen—an ancient pavilion built above the spring.
Li Qingshan was still dressed in the same black robes, spotless.
He stood with his hands behind his back by the spring, watching the flowing clouds and peach branches reflected in the water. His demeanor was calm and composed, a stark contrast to the image of him who had killed two kings with his spear eight days ago, exuding a murderous aura.
Only those eyes remained deep and calm, as if they could absorb all light.
The footsteps came from behind, very light, almost silent as they trod on the soft soil covered with fallen peach leaves.
The Queen Mother of the West of Jade Pool was still wearing that moon-white dress, her whole body shrouded in a hazy celestial glow. She walked slowly over and stopped three feet away from him.
It's very lively outside.
The Queen Mother of the West spoke, her voice ethereal and devoid of emotion.
Everyone wants to meet you, the newly crowned " King ".
Li Qingshan did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the water.
"Seeing me? Is it out of fear? Or to congratulate me?"
Li Qingshan's words were soft, yet they were like a pebble thrown into a seemingly calm lake, stirring up ripples that could only be perceived from a certain height.
He continued to gaze at the spring, where the drifting clouds were scattered by the breeze and then slowly gathered again.
The hazy celestial radiance surrounding the Queen Mother of the West in Jade Pool seemed to ripple slightly at those words.
She turned her head, her gaze seemingly able to pierce through that Eternal halo, landing on Li Qingshan's serene profile.
"They all exist."
Her voice remained ethereal, yet it carried a hint of indescribable complexity.
"I fear the spear in your hand that once drank the blood of the King of Slaughter, I fear the power that allows you to step into the Seventh Heaven and stand firm in the Divine Forbidden Zone, and I fear even more your ruthless and merciless will to exterminate all."
Congratulations are not entirely unfounded. At least for my Jade Pool and for the overall situation of the human race, the rise of such a young and powerful King is better than letting the arrogance of the Primordial Races or the Assassin Divine Dynasty grow even stronger.
She paused briefly, and a very soft sigh seemed to escape from the mist, or perhaps it was just the natural flow of spiritual energy deep within the peach grove.
"But what they want to know more is that your terrifying power is a sword hanging over everyone's heads, ready to fall at any moment."
It is still a majestic mountain that can be relied upon, at least temporarily.
Li Qingshan finally shifted his gaze from the water to the Queen Mother of the West.
His gaze was calm, unmoved by the world's praise or deep-seated fear; in that depth lay a clear understanding of the world and an almost cold-blooded clarity.
"Mountains? Sharp swords?"
A very faint curve seemed to appear at the corner of his mouth, but there was no real smile.
"The Holy Lord should have his own judgment."
As the Jade Pool Holy Son, the sword in my hand, its sharpness, naturally points first at the enemies of Jade Pool and the threat to the human race.
He took two slow steps forward, and the spiritual energy rising from the spring beneath his feet naturally dispersed.
"This turmoil, seemingly orchestrated by Hell and the Human World, is merely the work of jackals who have caught a whiff of what they perceive as bloodshed and jumped out first. There may very well be others truly lurking behind the scenes, even instigating and testing the waters."
The Queen Mother of the West nodded slightly, her moon-white skirt fluttering even without wind.
"You see it very clearly. Your current 'power and influence,' even without revealing your true strength, are enough to suppress the Big Dipper."
"Power can only be used to subdue, not eradicate."
Li Qingshan shook his head, his gaze fixed on the depths of the peach grove, as if he could pierce through layers of restrictions and see the ever-changing Big Dipper beyond the sacred land.
" Hell and the Human World are linked by an ancient lineage, like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone, lurking in the shadows. Today they have suffered heavy losses, but they will surely lie in wait even deeper, awaiting the next opportunity. They are like the shadows beneath this peach grove, seemingly invisible when the sun is at its brightest, but as soon as night falls, they quietly spread."
He turned around to face the Queen Mother of the West at Jade Pool, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve:
"I'm not afraid, but annoying flies are always buzzing around and getting on my nerves, so there's no need to wait."
The Queen Mother of the West's gaze, bathed in celestial radiance, narrowed slightly.
"You mean?"
He pointed beyond the pavilion, towards the direction where the Jade Pool Holy Land welcomed guests from all directions.
"The ' Jade Pool Grand Gathering ' in seven days will extend invitations to all those who share the Big Dipper. This is not merely a grand gathering, nor simply an occasion to express one's stance. It could be a... urn."
The Queen Mother of the West at Jade Pool remained silent.
A misty haze swirled around her, the primordial chaos blending with the ancient scent of the peach grove.
She naturally understood the unspoken meaning in Li Qingshan's words.
Under the guise of the Jade Pool Grand Gathering, as many forces as possible, especially those with connections to or ambiguous attitudes towards the Assassin Divine Dynasty, will be gathered at Jade Pool.
Under the dual influence of Li Qingshan's current overwhelming power and Jade Pool's profound resources, this in itself constitutes an invisible form of coercion and selection.
"You want to push for the annihilation of the alliance between the two Assassin Divine Dynasty at the Jade Pool Grand Gathering?"
The Queen Mother of the West lowered her voice, her ethereal tone tinged with a hint of solemnity.
"This is no small matter. Hell and the Human World are deeply entrenched, with secret strongholds and intricate connections with many forces. Forcing it could provoke a backlash and might even distort the purpose of the conference."
"Not to promote."
Li Qingshan corrected him, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, as sharp as the gleam of a snow-capped mountain peak.
"It's the teams. What I need isn't to negotiate with them, but to let them make the choice."
"Should we stand on the side of eradicating the Assassin Divine Dynasty and eliminating the shadow of Big Dipper, or continue to remain ambiguous in the quagmire, even secretly providing shelter for wolves?"
"I will raise this matter at the conference. There is no need for debate, just a statement. At that time, anyone who hesitates, shirks responsibility, or even opposes will be dealt with accordingly."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the sudden sharpness that flashed in his calm eyes was more powerful than any words.
That was an absolute confidence, stemming from one's own invincible strength.
The Queen Mother of the West gazed at him silently.
The young man before me is a true king, a name earned through bloodshed, a height reached by stepping over the bones of his enemies.
His plan, leveraging the power of Jade Pool, actually propelled Jade Pool to the forefront of unifying the forces of Big Dipper and leading an unprecedented campaign of extermination.
The risks are enormous, but if successful, Jade Pool's prestige and power will rise to an unprecedented level.
And this was clearly also within his considerations.
"You already have a concrete plan?"
After a long silence, the Queen Mother of the West asked.
Li Qingshan nodded slightly.
"The general outline is clear. No matter how hidden the Hell and the Human World may be, there will always be traces. I need Jade Pool's intelligence network, as well as the intelligence network clues that various holy lands and aristocratic families 'voluntarily' provided after this conference. By swiftly eliminating a few key strongholds, we can naturally follow the clues to find the rest."
"This requires absolute military deterrence, as well as a 'righteous' justification that most people cannot refuse."
He paused, his voice becoming calmer, yet also more forceful:
"The ' Jade Pool Grand Gathering ' is the beginning of establishing this righteous cause. Eradicating the Assassin Divine Dynasty is not for my personal vendetta, Li Qingshan, but to clear away the shadows from the Big Dipper cultivation world, sever the assassination tradition, and protect the geniuses and orderly lineages of all races. This is a calculated move, driven by the prevailing trend. Those who follow it will participate in this grand undertaking; those who oppose it will..."
He looked at the clear spring again; the peach branches reflected in the water were vigorous, like sharp swords pointing to the sky.
"If we're going against this trend, then it's no ordinary enemy; we must strike hard."
The peach grove was completely silent, save for the murmuring of the spring and the drifting mist.
Jade Pool Queen Mother of the West the West, bathed in celestial radiance, remained silent for a moment before finally speaking slowly. Her ethereal voice held a decisive quality and a hint of almost imperceptible resignation:
"Good."