Outside of Time

The word 'home' had great meaning.

Xu Qing had heard the word 'home' from Old Master Seventh a long time ago. He knew that everyone's understanding of this word was similar but there were also differences.

The home Old Master Seventh was talking about was the Seven Blood Eyes.

The home King Zhen Yan was talking about was the human race.

The home of the former Palace Master of Fenghai County's Sword Holding Palace was Fenghai County.

To Xu Qing, he had traveled all the way from the Nanhuang Continent to the Yinghuang Province, to Fenghai County, to the Holy Wave Large Region… and finally to the human capital.

The meaning of home seemed to keep changing with time.

From a nest in the slums to Captain Lei's house at the scavenger campsite, to the Seven Blood Eyes, to the Sword Holding Palace in Fenghai County, to the current Imperial Capital.

Unknowingly, Xu Qing was no longer the youth from back then.

Time didn't take away his appearance but it still flowed through his life. Fortunately… time wasn't wasted.

Although it was irreversible, it left behind the experiences of life, precipitating the thoughts of life and turning them into a gift of fate.

This gift had a name.

It was called growth.

30 years.

It had been 30 years since Xu Qing buried all the corpses in that ruined city.

Hence, when he heard King Zhen Yan's words, Xu Qing's expression fell into a daze for a moment. Finally, he looked at Ning Yan's residence in the Imperial City. For some reason, the beautiful figure of a woman seemed to have been buried in his heart for a long time. At this moment, it was getting clearer.

He remembered the night they first met, looking like a violet flower falling from the sky.

He didn't forget their journey on the Immortal Enrichment River.

He could still hear the melody of the tune called Parting Sadness.

This tune carried the meaning of the martial world and described the sorrows and joys of life. In the end, everything turned into a pot of turbid wine.

In the loneliness, the wine was drunk.

It flowed in his heart and caused ripples.

What was reflected in the ripples was the figure of the woman hugging her knees on the cliff and muttering.

"Perhaps there is a lantern in this world…"

This lantern was called Clear Purple Mystic, and it resided in the pitch-black phoenix hall like a cycle of parting sadness.

The past was still vivid in his mind.

"Home?"

A gentle smile appeared on Xu Qing's face. Over the years, he had grown up. It wasn't that he didn't understand the ignorance he had in the past.

Hence, he took a deep breath. Under the captain's doubts and King Zhen Yan's smile, he walked toward the imperial city.

On the way, there were auspicious signs in the sky and flowers on the ground. Beside him was King Zhen Yan and behind him was a group of nobles.

In the Imperial Capital, countless commoners were waiting.

The moment they saw Xu Qing's figure, cheers soared into the sky.

Their joyous cheers came from the bottom of their hearts.

The commoners were actually very simple and sincere. As long as they thought that you were good, they wouldn't be stingy with their love and praise.

Someone that could show their might to the other races was the definition of a hero in the hearts of the commoners.

Hence, there was this spontaneous welcome.

This foreign race was the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven Race. The might Xu Qing displayed was becoming the Grand Mystic Heaven of this race.

At the same time, the end of the war also caused the glory of this prestige to no longer be limited to himself but became the fortune of the race.

Hence, Xu Qing, who had returned, received the welcoming ceremony of a hero from the entire human race.

Dense fortune resonated with the cheers. It came from all directions and gushed toward Xu Qing, flowing in his body, nourishing his nihility land and the Emperor Sword.

There were also some familiar figures in the crowd.

For example, Wu Jianwu, Kong Xianglong, and the Sword Holders from Fenghai County.

Xu Qing nodded at them. However, he didn't see Zi Xuan which caused waves in his heart.

As he moved forward, he waved at Wu Jianwu, Kong Xianglong, and the others.

Kong Xianglong smiled and walked over. Wu Jianwu didn't dare to put on airs in this environment. Seeing that Kong Xianglong had gone forward, he followed behind.

"Congratulations, Region Lord!"

After walking to Xu Qing's side, Kong Xianglong's smile turned solemn and he immediately bowed.

"Brother Kong, there's no need for this between us."

Xu Qing smiled and helped him up. As for Wu Jianwu, who was at the side, he was about to say something when Erniu put his arm around his neck and pulled him closer.

"Little Jianjian, did you miss me?"

Xu Qing didn't pay attention to Wu Jianwu. He looked at Kong Xianglong and hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Ning Yan and… Fairy Zi Xuan, have they been well during this period of time?"

A strange look appeared in Kong Xianglong's eyes.

"After Ning Yan returned, he was very motivated and focused on cultivation. Now, he's at the critical moment of breaking through the Nascent Soul realm and stepping into the Spirit Repository. He's in seclusion and seems to be working very hard to advance."

"As for Fairy Zi Xuan, ahem. When I was coming, Fairy asked me to pass you a message."

"She said that when I saw you and you didn't ask about her, I should tell you that she has gone out to Imperial City and won't be around for the time being…"

"If you take the initiative to ask, then I should tell you… when you are done with your matters, she'll look for you."

Kong Xianglong quickly glanced at Xu Qing. After that, he lowered his head and didn't speak anymore.

Regarding the matter between this good friend in front of him and Fairy Zi Xuan, most of the people in Fenghai County had heard many rumors…

Xu Qing smiled and didn't inquire further. Instead, he put away all his thoughts and raised his head to look in the direction of the palace.

When he entered the imperial city, King Zhen Yan had already informed Xu Qing that the Human Emperor had summoned him and asked him to head there immediately after entering the city. Moreover, all the Heavenly Kings, the Grand Chancellor, and the others were waiting in the imperial palace.

Regarding this Human Emperor, even though Xu Qing had glory on him now and his cultivation was incomparable to before, he still couldn't see through him.

At that moment, Xu Qing gazed at the end of the rainbow bridge. There were 12 huge incense sticks standing in front of the palace.

A spiral of green smoke rose from the twelve incense sticks.

That was the incense used to choose the crown prince!

Back then, when Xu Qing left the imperial city, the speed of these 12 incense sticks burning was almost the same. However, now… although the one that represented Ning Yan wasn't the fastest to burn, it was still at the bottom.

No wonder Ning Yan was putting in so much effort in his cultivation.

As for the ones that burned the slowest and stood tallest, there were three of them.

One represented the Fourth Prince under the state preceptor, and the other represented the Fifth Prince under King Zhen Yan.

The last was the Eldest Prince!

The three sides could be said to be evenly matched.

Looking at these, Xu Qing fell into deep thought. As the state preceptor's disciple, the Fourth Prince had contributed a lot in the war. It was only right for the Fifth Prince, who stayed at the borders, to have high contributions.

As for the Eldest Prince, it must be because of the Flame Moon.

While pondering, Xu Qing and the group walked toward the palace under the guidance of King Zhen Yan. Not long later, everyone arrived in front of the palace gate.

The two huge statues guarding the gate lowered their heads slightly to show their respect.

Xu Qing's gaze passed through the palace gate, the square, up the steps, and at the imperial hall that represented the highest will of the human race.

Almost at the instant Xu Qing gazed over, a gaze that contained dignity met Xu Qing's gaze.

Xu Qing lowered his head and bowed toward the main hall.

A voice rang out from the palace.

"Reporting, Heavenly Marquis Xu and Chen Erniu have arrived!"

The voice echoed in all directions like heavenly might.

Xu Qing glanced at his eldest senior brother. The two of them didn't hesitate and strolled into the palace at the same time.

King Zhen Yan smiled and strolled over as well.

As for the other nobles, those who were qualified naturally strolled with them, while others stood solemnly on the square.

Just like that, more than ten breaths later, Xu Qing and the others passed the steps and entered the main hall that was filled with people.

The officials were standing solemnly on both sides of the hall.

On the steps ahead, the heavenly marquises sat upright. Above them were the thrones of the human race's 32 Heavenly Kings!

Right now, most of them were present.

Further up, on the dragon chair at the end of the steps, the Human Emperor's gaze was like the sea. He sat there expressionlessly and gazed at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing solemnly bowed.

Erniu, who was at the side, blinked and recalled King Zhen Yan's words earlier. Hence, he imitated Xu Qing and bowed.

"Xu Qing."

The Human Emperor spoke calmly in a deep voice that spread throughout the hall.

"You have been on this trip to the Flame Moon Race for several years. You have observed the Flame Moon Race, probed the mysteries of the Mystic Heaven, and seen the Magistrate of the Magus Path. What are your thoughts on this person?"

As soon as the Human Emperor spoke, the surroundings fell silent. All gazes landed on Xu Qing.

The matter of the three Flame Moon Gods had long spread throughout Wanggu. Although the details were still considered secret, the current human race already had the ability to know.

When Xu Qing heard this, he fell silent. The image of Jiuli being stabbed in the back, the Great Magistrate wanting to become a god, the three gods sacrificing the martyrs of the Flame Moon Mystic Heaven, and finally, the Great Magistrate choosing to sacrifice himself appeared in his mind.

How could 'thoughts' describe everything?

After a long time, Xu Qing spoke in a deep voice.

"If one cannot control their own life, how can they control the fate of a race? It is ultimately an illusion, a fleeting moment in time."

The Human Emperor fell silent.

A long time later, he raised his hand, indicating to the Grand Chancellor.

The Grand Chancellor stepped forward and stared at Xu Qing with bright eyes, speaking loudly.

"In accordance with the heavenly mandate, Emperor Mystic War proclaims: With the rise of the human race, the emergence of Xu Qing, the lord of Holy Wave Large Region, heralds the end of the war with the Black Heaven, the suppression of the rebellious foreign races, and the exaltation of the human race's prestige."

"For your meritorious deeds and unrivaled influence, the imperial Capital's high spiritual mansion shall be bestowed upon you, and you shall be appointed… as King Zhen Cang, and further honored as the Imperial Prince's Grand Tutor!"

As soon as this imperial decree was issued, other than a few people in the hall, everyone else's hearts trembled. No matter how strong their composure was, it was inevitable that their expressions would change.

With Xu Qing's contributions, conferring the title of king was something that was expected by everyone. However, it was actually a title with 'Zhen'. The meaning behind it was too great.

Heavenly Kings with Zhen in their titles were at the peak of the Heavenly King status. Before this, there was only one person with that identity.

This matter was already astonishing, let alone the identity of Imperial Prince's Grand Tutor.

One had to know that not only was the position of the Imperial Prince's Grand Tutor high, but more importantly, he could control all the descendants of the imperial family, and all the imperial children would have to pay their respects to him.

Until the appearance of the Crown Prince, this position would merit reward. According to the customs of past generations, it would then be promoted to Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.

At that time, he would be an existence like the Imperial Preceptor.

Xu Qing was also extremely surprised. As for the imperial decree read by the Grand Chancellor, it continued.

"There's the righteous warrior, Chen Erniu, fearless and talented, possessing extraordinary courage and martial prowess. It is hereby decreed that the Creator's Manor shall forge Great Heavenly Dipper Armor for him with extreme profound dark iron, nine heavenly ice crystals, seventeen exceptional materials, along with other materials!"

"In the land of the human race, everyone below the Heavenly Kings has to pay their respects to him."

This reward gazed gorgeous but in reality, he didn't have any official position. However, the captain's eyes were incomparably bright as he excitedly shouted.

"Long live the emperor!!"