Journey to the head

Jiang Qingfeng firmly refused her request. This time, even the boldest Hai Shuangyao dared not help Jiang Baitao stay in the team.

"Tao Tao, I can't help you. My father said the situation is dangerous this time, and I can't take you on this adventure." Hai Shuangyao clasped her hands together, looking pitiful and apologetic. "What if, I mean, what if something happens to you? How will I live then?"

"You can stay on the islands for now. Father has also said that you are a guest of our family and can go anywhere without any hindrance. How about we go whale fishing in the frozen lake of my family's cave?"

"Anyway, please wait a few more days. The Dragon Palace will close in thirty-three days at most, and then your sister, Lu Qian, and I will all be back. We'll go race the sea turtles together then."

So Jiang Baitao could only reluctantly disembark from the Hai family's giant ship, riding Bei Luoshimen in mid-air to wave goodbye to them.

A tremendous tremor began to reverberate across the sea, and waves surged like tsunamis, towering like mountains, before crashing together with a deafening roar.

The procession of the six fallen immortal pillars is finally about to set off.

“Two patriarchs need not worry. I will carefully assist my grandmaster uncle in guarding the palace gates and ensuring peace.”

A small boat, perfectly still, floated on the towering waves. Inside, a man and a woman, one standing and one sitting, were dressed in elaborate headdresses and flowing robes, their hair and beards billowing. Their auras were elusive, sometimes overwhelming and all-encompassing, sometimes vanishing completely undetectable.

They were the two Dao-Merging Immortal Lords from the Heavenly Market Palace.

Beside the small boat, a middle-aged man with a serious expression and a full head of silver hair, the True Lord of Refining Emptiness, was bowing to see them off.

The female immortal lord spoke softly: "Xu Ming, you have keen intuition and are calm and composed. With you in charge, we are all at ease."

The male immortal lord encouraged him, saying, "Xu Ming, you must work hard. We all have high hopes for you. With your qualifications and the accumulation of more achievements, you will surely be the next palace master."

True Lord Xuming responded in a deep voice and offered a loud prayer. The two immortal lords nodded, waved their hands, and the small boat disappeared into the world.

The team of the Six Pillars of Immortal Demise rose higher and higher, and then, amidst the dazzling white light, the spatial ripples grew larger and larger, as if this entire world had been contained within the waves of water.

Then, with a pop, like a cork being pulled from a bottle, the grand procession, the vehicles of various factions, and the seawater below all disappeared.

A giant bowl-shaped gap appeared on the sea surface, and then collapsed in the next instant. Billions of tons of seawater poured into the gap, and towering waves like a tsunami, with strong winds causing the entire Jade Pot Island to tremble.

However, no external force could get within ten feet of True Lord Xuming. After seeing off his master and his own team, he turned around with several Primordial Spirit Mystic Lords and prepared to cross the void to return to the mountain gate.

Just then, a starlight shimmered in the wind, prompting him to let out a soft exclamation.

That was Fomalhaut, its snow-white fur gleaming and shrouded in dense starlight, its eyes like a clear blue sky and a vast ocean, radiating a mysterious aura. It was carrying a fairy with flowing skirts, rising and falling with the wind, struggling against the sudden storm that had arisen at sea.

The nascent souls of Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace were all startled. One of them asked in confusion, "How can a mere Golden Core cultivator possess such pure stellar power! But this person is not one of our disciples. Who is she?"

Xu Ming Zhenjun was silent for a moment, then murmured, "How could star spirits like the King of the Southern Heaven and Bei Luo Shi Men appear outside my sect?"

He focused his divine sense, his eyes flashing brightly, and intently looked at the back of Beiluo Shimen.

As the storm subsided, Jiang Baitao gently stroked the spirit cat's fur and exclaimed, "Well done, Beiluoshimen!"

She simply tied up her long hair, which had been tousled by the wind, revealing a face as fair as the moon. Her skin was as white as snow, her lips as red as cinnabar, and her features were exquisitely beautiful, like a poem or a painting. Her eyes, as black as lacquer, were like autumn waters, and she was pure and lovely, like apricot blossoms in the rain.

In that instant, Xu Ming Zhenjun, having seen her face clearly, trembled and couldn't help but cry out in surprise!
The surrounding spirits were all shocked. This True Lord was always calm and serious, never showing his emotions. What was wrong with him today?

"Grandmaster Uncle, what's wrong?" a primordial spirit asked anxiously.

Then Xu Ming Zhenjun was struck as if by lightning. He took a few steps back, his eyes widened, and he ignored his disciple's urgent questions. He just stared blankly as Jiang Baitao rode Bei Luo Shimen away.

"Grandmaster Uncle! Grandmaster Uncle!" The primordial spirits of the Heavenly Market Palace cried out anxiously and in panic. Someone followed his gaze and exclaimed, "Is there something wrong with this person? This disciple will capture her immediately!"

Xu Ming Zhenjun suddenly grabbed him, then lowered his head, took several deep breaths, and when he raised his head again, the astonishment in his eyes was still hard to hide.

"Follow her, but under no circumstances should you alert her!"

"Investigate! Find out all the information about this female cultivator immediately!"

"This matter is extremely important. If any of you dare to utter a word of dissent outside, I will banish you to the void!"

After most of the day had passed, Jiang Baitao, feeling utterly bored, wandered to the beach of Yuhu Island. She teased the crabs among the rocks for a while, rescued a few stranded small fish, and then leaned against Beiluoshimen, gazing blankly at the sunset on the horizon.

The Hai family had originally arranged for a family cultivator to act as her guide and companion, but she only wanted some peace and quiet, so she declined the offer and wandered around here alone.

Jiang Baitao curled up her knees, propped her chin up, and watched the crimson sun slowly sink below the horizon.

I've been left behind once again.

I've lost count of how many times, but whenever it comes to a crucial moment, my senior brother and sister always leave me all alone to go on the adventure by themselves.

It was like this when I was a child, and it's still like this now that I'm an adult.

Even though I've tried so hard to keep up with them, it always seems like they see me as a little kid who needs extra care.

I have already gained the recognition of so many people; even the seventh-generation disciples of Yunshan call me "Grandmaster Uncle".
She gently turned her fingertips, and a spark of inspiration slid across the sand. With just a few strokes, Lu Qian's face was vividly imprinted in the sand.

She looked at it for a while, and then drew her older sister Jiang Qingfeng next to Lu Qian.

They always abandon me, how awful!

I never want to be friends with you guys again.

You stinky senior brother and rotten sister, just you wait. One day I will definitely be stronger than you, and then I will be the one looking down on you and not letting you follow me anymore.

Just then, Fomalhaut suddenly raised its head, its round pupils suddenly becoming long and sharp, and let out a threatening roar into the sky.

Jiang Baitao flipped over and stood up. Her eyes sharpened, and she saw a cultivator standing in the air. His robes were covered with silver stars, swaying and emitting starlight.

This is a Nascent Soul Spirit Lord!

Moreover, I have seen this robe before. Hai Shuangyao once introduced it to me. It is the attire of the head of the Six Pillars of Immortal Fall, the Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace!

"This is a senior from the Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace," Jiang Baitao bowed respectfully, "May I ask what brings you here?"

The nascent soul remained silent, scrutinizing Jiang Baitao from head to toe.

Jiang Baitao's heart sank, and she slowly retreated.

"Senior, I am a guest of the Hai family of Binglan Island, and I am currently sightseeing here. If I have mistakenly entered a forbidden area, please forgive me, and I will leave immediately."

However, Beiluo Shimen shrieked a warning, and the Nascent Soul cultivator flicked his finger, sending seven or eight points of starlight shooting towards Jiang Baitao! With a low hum, the starlight seemed to be thrown into a viscous paste, slowing down more and more, and then dissipating completely in a violent tremor.

Jiang Baitao's brow radiated white light, and he held up a dazzling star array in his palm. A spiritual marrow had begun to burn, and the illusory images of stars in the heavens flickered.

Fomalhaut lay crouching beside her like a leopard, baring its sharp fangs at the enemy.

Above their heads, the nine stars—Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu—hanged high, their light dazzling!
"The Nine Luminaries Star God Formation?" The Nascent Soul cultivator from the Heavenly Market Palace finally spoke, "Not bad."

Jiang Baitao waved her palm, causing the nine stars to tremble, making a final effort.

"Senior, we are complete strangers, let alone have any grudges against each other. Why did you attack me? This place is near the market, and any commotion here will attract attention, which may be detrimental to the reputation of Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace."

"Besides, I am a guest of the Hai family. If I do not return on time, the Hai family will definitely come looking for me."

But the Nascent Soul cultivator calmly said, "Jade Pot Island is the territory of my Heavenly Market Palace. I guarantee that even if the sky falls, no one will care about you."

"As for the Hai family, after you disappear, they will never suspect my family."

He raised his hand again, and a meteorite iron gall, emanating a heavy aura, roared out.

"If you don't want to get hurt, then surrender—"

call!
Before he could finish speaking, the Nine Luminaries Star God Array shone brightly, and the array suddenly trapped him within it.

Beiluo Shimen let out a meow, its eyes shining brightly. It had established a spiritual connection with Jiang Baitao. In the mysterious fluctuations, the two souls synchronized and their mental power merged. A wave swept across the field, stirring up layers of waves on the sea.

His mental power is so strong that he has already reached the Nascent Soul level!

Supernatural Powers: King of the Southern Heaven!
Jiang Baitao, who was in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, became increasingly skilled in cooperating with Beiluo Shimen. In addition to manipulating the changes of the formation with Beiluo Shimen, she could also skillfully integrate mental power, which multiplied the strength, as if she possessed consciousness.

So suddenly, the Nascent Soul was also taken aback. He had just launched his magic weapon and the fluctuations of his supernatural power had just begun when the nine stars in the formation shone brightly, and the powerful gravity enveloped his body, even distorting his spiritual power.

All-Encompassing Star Guide!

At the same time, the light of the Moon, Jupiter, and Ketu flowed, and a faint moon blade flashed and disappeared into the formation, reappearing at the back of the Nascent Soul's neck.

The stars Chenxing and Yinghuo were dazzlingly bright, and huge fireballs crashed down from the sky, striking him directly on the top of his head.

In Jiang Baitao's hand, another chilling aura of frost rose up, piercing to the bone.

This is a precious talisman that Hai Shuangyao gave her!
In the blink of an eye, before the Nascent Soul cultivator could finish speaking, Jiang Baitao had already used all her strength, going all out to catch her powerful enemy off guard and severely injure him!

However, just as these attacks struck the Nascent Soul, spatial ripples surged like water, and all these violent bombardments vanished into thin air. Jiang Baitao's all-out effort seemed to dissipate like a dream.

Beiluo Shimen's hair stood on end. He wanted to scream a warning, but he couldn't make a sound. Jiang Baitao was terrified and immediately tried to back away, but she felt her whole body freeze and she couldn't even move her eyes!

This is... a spatial blockade!
She stared blankly at the suddenly appearing True Lord Xuming, feeling utterly powerless.

The Refining Void True Lord attacked me? Why?
The nascent soul prostrated itself, its face filled with shame.

"True Lord, your disciple is incompetent, and has had to require your personal intervention."

Xu Ming Zhenjun waved his hand and carefully examined Jiang Baitao: "It's alright. I was just letting you test her. You've already pushed her to her limit, that's enough."

Jiang Baitao felt a chill run down her spine. She saw ecstasy, greed, and uncontrollable excitement in the expression of the True Lord Xuming.

She wanted to speak, but trapped in the confined space, she couldn't even exhale.

"This woman is of great importance, I'm taking her away." True Monarch Xuming waved his hand lightly, then suddenly his expression turned stern. "Keep your mouth shut, don't reveal a single word!"

The Nascent Soul cultivator was so frightened that he kowtowed in agreement. When he raised his head, there was complete silence in front of him. True Lord Xuming had already disappeared with Jiang Baitao and Beiluo Shimen.

The world was shrouded in darkness, and the sun had completely sunk below the horizon.

After a moment of feeling cramped and dizzy, Jiang Baitao regained her vision.

The surrounding area was filled with a sea of ​​silver light, and countless stars drifted around me.

But she had no time to appreciate the magnificent scene; she was still tightly bound and unable to speak, call for help, or activate any means of communication.

Her mind raced, frantically trying to figure out how to buy herself some time. But True Lord Xuming didn't even bother to let her speak, simply leaving her suspended among the stars.

Jiang Baitao could only watch helplessly as True Monarch Xuming cast a series of spells, and then an extremely bright star descended in front of him.

He gripped Jiang Baitao tightly and reached out to gently touch the large star.

After the dazzling starlight faded, Jiang Baitao found herself in an extremely spacious hall. In the center of the hall was a huge star track with a diameter of a thousand feet, with billions of stars and countless star trails rotating back and forth in the star track, surrounding a hazy starlight.

In that instant, Beiluo Shimen suddenly vanished, and Jiang Baitao's heart pounded with excitement. All her attention was drawn to the cluster of starlight in the center of the star trail, and she could no longer think.

She didn't even realize that there were other people in the main hall. They were several True Monarchs of Refining Emptiness left behind by the Heavenly Market Palace, as well as a Dao-Merging Immortal Monarch.

"Grandmaster Uncle, the person has been brought." True Monarch Xuming stepped forward to report.

"It has been found that this woman is a Nascent Soul disciple from a minor sect called Yunshan Sect in Cangzhou, Yuheng Continent. This Yunshan Sect is quite famous, and its leader, Lu Qian, has shown some outstanding performance, which has been appreciated by Taiyi Paradise, and he has been awarded the title of 'Yuheng Spirit'."

The Dao-Merging Immortal Lord was carefully examining Jiang Baitao, his face filled with shock and excitement. He even muttered to himself.

"I never expected it, I never expected it to come so easily. It is truly a blessing from heaven for my Tian Shi Yuan Dou Palace!"

After listening to what True Lord Xuming said, he shook his head dismissively, his eyes never leaving Jiang Baitao.

"Don't worry about it. This concerns the future and destiny of our sect. Even if she is a disciple of Taiyi Paradise, we must take her back!"

"Let me try it first!"

With a flick of his finger, Jiang Baitao took flight, heading closer to the star trails.

The closer she got, the more intense the throbbing in Jiang Baitao's heart became. When she was about a hundred feet away, she was surprised to find a slender figure hidden in the starlight.

The moment Jiang Baitao saw the figure clearly, it was as if a thunderbolt had struck, and her mind went completely blank.

She looks exactly like me! (End of Chapter)