Chapter 586: Chapter 586

Ji Jingqiu had once heard a legend from Master Gu: in certain heavens and earths throughout the cosmos, all beings are shepherded—

When beings die, their physical bodies return to dust; their hearts, or what may be considered their souls, meld into the cosmos, fortifying the will of heaven and earth.

Thus, some speculate that the invasion of the Nether Sea was also to plunder the spiritual origins of All Spirits, to strengthen itself...

The path of the Nine Palaces is different, yet similar, forged from the Inner Heaven and Earth of generations of fallen mighty beings to create this cosmic heaven and earth.

Together with the imprint landing upon the Holy Embryo, Ji Jingqiu felt, even closer, the presence of this thought that seemed to exist eternally, as well as the existence of another heavens and earth.

As if a hand’s extension could touch it, or even step into it, there was however a prerequisite.

The heavenly will from the Nine Palaces gave Ji Jingqiu, through the Holy Embryo, an opportunity at this moment - an opportunity to stay in the Nine Palaces and directly step into the cultivation within this heaven and earth.

At that time, Unity of Heaven and Man would be a minor path!

He would ascend in one step, directly receiving the "fortune" that the Nine Palaces had accumulated over countless millennia, becoming the Son of Heavenly Destiny of the Nine Palaces. From then on, he would advance thousands of miles in a day’s practice, with massive resources provided and ancient strong beings to guide him...

Yet the price would be to also carry the fortune of the Nine Palaces.

Within his heart, Ji Jingqiu questioned why it was him.

The answer from the Nine Palaces’ heavenly will was very direct - "they" hoped to give birth to a Ning Mingsheng belonging to the Nine Palaces.

In the end, Ji Jingqiu declined tactfully, expressing his wish to return to the Great Universe.

The offer from the Nine Palaces’ heavenly will was tempting, but the precondition required that he must stay and practice in the Nine Palaces.

Carrying fortune, too, might not be as wonderful as the other described, because the description of the cost from the Nine Palaces’ heavenly will was also to carry the fortune.

The Nine Palaces’ heavenly will revealed a ripple of regret for Ji Jingqiu’s polite refusal but said nothing more and quietly receded.

The mark left on Ji Jingqiu’s Holy Embryo still existed, just dimmer and the strong connection to the Nine Palaces’ heavens and earth had also significantly faded.

Ji Jingqiu did not feel regret; he instead breathed a sigh of relief.

He guessed that so-called carrying of fortune was also to bind deeply with the Nine Palaces.

Indeed, it was a good opportunity to ascend to heaven in a single step, but the "timing" was not right, it belonged to those who entered the national army in 49 years...

Besides, his roots were in the Great Universe, in the Federation – he ultimately had to return.

Sensing that the Ancestor Master’s will on that divine platform would depart soon, the rows of Martial Artists who had yet to offer incense hurriedly quickened their steps.

During this, someone who acted slightly slower, uttering a few more prayers, was met with scornful looks from the rest, nearly being angrily rebuked with "You thief dare to obstruct my Dao."

Some were even desperately seeking any remedy, eyeing Ji Jingqiu who was nearby with earnest hope, wishing for the Ancestor Master to stay a while longer...

Ji Jingqiu closed his eyes to cultivate his spirit, standing aside quietly feeling the imprint on the Holy Embryo.

This imprint, like a key to the universe of the Nine Palaces, would allow him, upon becoming a Heavenly Person, to step into it at any time.

The Nine Palaces’ ancestral ceremony was more complicated than Ji Jingqiu had anticipated, lasting a full three days. He felt it would be rude to leave early.

After everything ended.

Ji Jingqiu departed with Gu Chensha.

He couldn’t tell if it was an illusion, but he always felt Master Gu had undergone some Transformation after these three days, especially a certain quality closer to the heavens.

Ji Jingqiu mentioned to Master Gu what happened during the ancestral ceremony.

Gu Chensha showed a look of surprise and ultimately nodded, saying:

"Make your own decision, but to carry the fortune... is to share in the Nine Palaces’ glory and downfall. It would naturally be a huge blessing for others, but not necessarily for you."

After that, Gu Chensha also transmitted a secret to Ji Jingqiu.

Forces of the echelon such as the Nine Palaces, when regarded throughout the Three Thousand Yama, were one of the leading ones, only second to those of the True Saint Dojo.

The fortune they had accumulated might manage to stack a Heavenly King in a short period of time, or even reach the Eight Realms, but often they can’t make it to the end.

Success or failure lies within this.

"The rules of the heaven and earth in the Great Universe are more complete than other universes. Although ’strictly governed,’ it offers a lot of convenience to act within these rules. For instance, breaking through the Heavenly Human Boundary is said to be much easier."

"In the Nine States, a heavenly person several hundreds of years old is already an extraordinary genius..." Gu Chensha commented, shaking his head.

The two then returned to the Great Red Sky. After visiting Master Gu once more, Ji Jingqiu finally embarked on his return journey.

The return trip, as Ji Jingqiu had thought, like before, would take about a week.

Unexpectedly, Master Gu personally led the way, carrying him – it was only a step, and they went from the Nine Palaces to Jin’s Ancestral Land.

"Reaching the Heavenly King realm, the world is within a mere step."

"Where the heart wishes, there the body will be."

Gu Tatian offered him this piece of guidance.

He first approached Mu Qing and quietly conversed with her. The two had clearly met recently and spoke only a few words before Gu Tatian turned to leave. He nodded to Ji Jingqiu before departing.

"Our lord has returned!"

Not far away, Jin Lie, the Clan Leader of the Canglang Jin Family, joyfully exclaimed upon seeing Ji Jingqiu.

Ji Jingqiu was also startled.

He remembered how a year ago the other had called him "Young Master Ji"; why had he now changed to "Our Lord"?

Ji Jingqiu took the initiative to step forward and pay his respects to Aunt Mu.

[Your accomplishments, I’ve seen them. You did very well, surpassing He’s achievements in the Divine Travel Realm!]

Joy rang through Mu Qing’s voice. She was surprised and delighted.

Even she had not believed on that day that Ji Jingqiu could win, yet he had last drawn the sword that "Touched Dao", surpassing Ning Mingsheng and ascending as the Primordial First!