Chapter 1011: Promise

Learning from the Giant Spirit Ancestor that the Two Realms Battlefield would open in approximately two thousand years filled Li Qing with an inexplicable sense of urgency.

This was likely to be a war that would engulf multiple continents of the spirit realm. Wherever the two realms connected, those places would become battlefields.

When that time came, even the strongest cultivators from distant continents would have to rush to join the fray.

"Alright, I've obtained the flame law power. It's time for me to depart."

"Before I go, I'll give you a ride. Consider it part of our transaction."

With a wave of his massive sleeve, the Giant Spirit Ancestor caused Li Qing to feel a dizzying sensation. The surrounding scenery blurred and shifted like phantoms, transforming in an instant.

In the blink of an eye, Li Qing found himself outside the Fire Domain, surrounded by lush greenery.

Profound Ancient City now lay within his sight.

This display of spatial manipulation left Li Qing utterly astonished. He marveled inwardly at the power of a great ascension realm expert. He hadn't even sensed his own movement, yet he had been transported tens of thousands of li away from the Fire Domain in an instant.

"Thank you for the ride, Senior!" Li Qing clasped his hands respectfully toward the Giant Spirit Ancestor beside him.

"It was no trouble at all, little friend," the Giant Spirit Ancestor said with a smile. "If you ever consider joining the Giant Spirit Race, you're welcome to visit the Giant Spirit Royal City anytime."

Li Qing chuckled wryly. "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior, but I likely won't be staying on the Tonggu Continent for long. So, joining the Giant Spirit Race is probably not an option for me."

Hearing this, the Giant Spirit Ancestor nodded knowingly. "You're planning to go to the Heavenly Origin Continent, then? I once traveled there myself, long ago."

"The Heavenly Origin Continent is indeed a land of powerful races, where competition far surpasses that of the Tonggu Continent. Your human race ranks among the top powers there."

Li Qing was surprised to learn that the Giant Spirit Ancestor had been to the Heavenly Origin Continent. Intrigued, he wanted to ask about how to get there.

But the Giant Spirit Ancestor shook his head. "It's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but it's impossible now. Before I reached the great ascension realm, I traveled the world and accidentally triggered an ancient teleportation array. I found myself in the outer sea of the Heavenly Origin Continent, completely disoriented."

"Later, when I returned using that same array, the formation vanished without a trace. Even if you wanted to use that route, it's no longer possible."

Having reached the great ascension realm, the Giant Spirit Ancestor naturally possessed a wealth of experience. Accidentally triggering an ancient teleportation array was hardly an extraordinary event in his long life.

Li Qing listened with keen interest. Upon learning that the ancient teleportation array had been destroyed, a hint of regret flashed in his eyes.

"Well, it's time for me to depart. The Two Realms Battlefield is likely to descend upon Tonggu Continent in the future. You should prepare accordingly."

If the Two Realms Battlefield were to open on Tonggu Continent in two thousand years, could Profound Ancient City survive this calamity?

Though Li Qing would likely no longer be on Tonggu Continent by then, he still didn't want Profound Ancient City to be destroyed.

Overall, he had received considerable kindness from the city during his time there, especially the generosity of City Lord Lingxu, which left him feeling deeply indebted.

With this in mind, Li Qing took a deep breath and said, "I dare to humbly request that Senior Gu extend some protection to the human race of Profound Ancient City in the future!"

The Giant Spirit Ancestor raised an eyebrow. "Do you realize the weight of a promise from a great ascension realm expert? Do you believe you can repay this favor in the future?"

Li Qing was well aware of the heavy price he would have to pay for making a deal with a great ascension realm powerhouse.

He had previously helped the Giant Spirit Ancestor obtain the flame law power. Now, he wanted the ancestor to protect the human race in Profound Ancient City. He currently had nothing of equal value to offer in return.

Undaunted, Li Qing declared firmly, "In the future, Li Qing will repay this favor!"

"Very well, then I accept your request!" A hint of appreciation flickered in the Giant Spirit Ancestor's eyes.

Someone who cared so deeply for his people couldn't have a flawed character. Combined with the artifact refinement skills he had witnessed in Li Qing, this was indeed a worthwhile investment.

With those words, the Giant Spirit Ancestor transformed into a streak of escape light and vanished from Li Qing's sight in an instant.

Watching the great ascension realm powerhouse depart, a trace of longing appeared in Li Qing's eyes.

Perhaps only by reaching such a realm could one truly achieve carefree freedom.

In the vast spirit realm, where was there no place one could go?

Li Qing had originally wanted to shamelessly ask the ancestor to remove the Saint Ancestor's Mark from his wrist, but he had already accumulated too many debts.

This wasn't a matter of laughing it off with the saying "the more debts, the less worry." The future karma would likely be so heavy that he might never be able to repay it.

"Hah! Well, the Profound Ancient City is still relatively peaceful for now. It's been so long—surely the Formless Saint Ancestor hasn't been dwelling on me this whole time?" Li Qing muttered to himself before flying toward the city.

With the City Lord's Secret Edict in hand, Li Qing easily gained entry to the city.

Not only had he successfully refined the Immortal-Trapping Sword, but he had also obtained the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch's crucial inheritance. From now on, he wouldn't need to worry about cultivation techniques.

Otherwise, he would have had to consider switching to another fire dao cultivation technique after advancing to the void refinement realm.

Since Li Qing's departure, the powerful experts from various races outside the Fire Domain had remained patiently waiting, none having retreated.

They noticed that the flames surrounding the Fire Domain were gradually receding, no longer burning with the terrifying intensity they had displayed earlier.

"The flames have diminished significantly. It seems the Fire Domain's anomaly has ended."

"Should we venture inside to investigate? Who exactly refined that peerless sword just now?"

As they discussed, body integration realm experts eagerly approached the Fire Domain.

They discovered that the flames had weakened considerably, no longer capable of igniting even divine souls as they had before.

Several days later, the Fire Domain fell completely silent. The experts from various races surged into the domain.

"Huh? The fire's intensity has weakened significantly. The flames in the outer layers aren't nearly as terrifying as before."

"Hiss... Could the Fire Domain's power be waning? Does this mean we can finally venture into its deepest layers?"

"I've always wanted to explore the Fire Domain's depths and uncover its mysteries. It seems my wish will finally be granted today."

Boom!

As expected, the Flying Spirit Clan's elder moved with astonishing speed, his momentum undiminished even within the Fire Domain.