Chapter 1023: Temporary Farewell to Profound Ancient City

After the earth-shattering battle outside Profound Ancient City concluded, Li Qing had collected a substantial amount of Crimson Phoenix True Blood, nearly half of the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son's total blood volume.

Upon returning to the city, City Lord Lingxu immediately rushed to greet him, his expression one of utter disbelief. For a moment, he was speechless.

"You... you nearly killed the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son, who's in the void refinement realm?"

Li Qing chuckled, cradling a small Crimson Phoenix Bird formed from the gathered true blood in one hand. "That Holy Son was all bark and no bite. He wasn't as formidable as he seemed."

City Lord Lingxu gasped again. If even the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son was just a paper tiger, what did that make him? He was certain he couldn't withstand more than a few moves from the Holy Son himself.

His mind reeling from the shock, City Lord Lingxu's gaze swept over the Crimson Phoenix True Blood in Li Qing's hand.

His eyes initially burned with desire, but his expression quickly turned grave.

This was Crimson Phoenix True Blood, a treasure of world-shaking value that would make anyone salivate.

Yet this true blood wouldn't come without a price. A storm of unprecedented calamity was likely brewing. Would the Flying Spirit Clan truly let this go?

City Lord Lingxu knew without a moment's hesitation that the Flying Spirit Clan would launch a full-scale assault to reclaim the Scarlet Phoenix Treasure Blood and avenge their holy son. The entire Profound Ancient City could be razed to the ground in an instant.

"You must leave immediately," City Lord Lingxu said gravely. "Profound Ancient City cannot protect you. If you remain, you will face certain death."

He wasn't trying to drive Li Qing away; he genuinely cared for his well-being. The human race in Profound Ancient City was weak and vulnerable, utterly incapable of resisting the Flying Spirit Clan's wrath.

Li Qing remained silent for a long moment, fully aware that staying in Profound Ancient City would not only be futile but would also bring further calamity upon the city.

City Lord Lingxu carefully analyzed Li Qing's options: "You have two choices. First, you could seek refuge in the Giant Spirit Royal City. Having offended the Flying Spirit Clan, becoming a guest elder of the Giant Spirit Race is the only way to secure your safety."

"Second, you could flee Tonggu Continent altogether and seek asylum on another continent. Even Wild Bull Ridge cannot guarantee your absolute safety."

Li Qing took a deep breath and asked, "City Lord Lingxu, what do you think I should do?"

"Heh, naturally, I wish you would remain on Tonggu Continent," City Lord Lingxu replied. "When you grow stronger, you could protect the human race of Profound Ancient City."

"However, the Scarlet Phoenix Treasure Blood you possess is far too precious. Even body integration realm experts of the Giant Spirit Race would covet it."

"Moreover, as a foreigner in the Giant Spirit Royal City, you might receive protection, but you'd gain very little support in terms of resources."

This was indeed the case. Over the years, many humans from Profound Ancient City with cultivation techniques had joined the Giant Spirit Race, becoming guest elders in the royal city.

Yet after all these years, the highest cultivation level any of these humans had reached was the void refinement realm. None had ever broken through to the body integration realm.

For any race, the body integration realm represents an extremely valuable combat power. How could they easily grant foreigners the opportunity to advance to such a level?

"Ultimately, the decision rests with you. My advice is merely my personal opinion."

"After all, leaving Tonggu Continent and crossing the vast, boundless sea territory to reach another continent carries countless unknown risks."

These were City Lord Lingxu's heartfelt words. He had laid out the pros and cons of both choices for Li Qing, leaving the final decision entirely to him.

In truth, Li Qing had no real choice. If he went to the Giant Spirit Royal City, he might gain protection, but he likely wouldn't be able to keep the Scarlet Phoenix Treasure Blood.

Of course, he could have chosen to offer the Scarlet Phoenix Treasure Blood to the Giant Spirit Race's leaders in exchange for sanctuary.

But that wasn't Li Qing's way. He couldn't endure living under someone else's roof for long.

"I've decided to leave Tonggu Continent and seek refuge elsewhere," Li Qing declared.

City Lord Lingxu nodded. "Just as I thought. We shouldn't delay. You should set out immediately."

"Before you depart, I suggest visiting the Golden Abundance Trading Company. They have extensive maritime experience, and their sea route maps are far more detailed than the one I gave you earlier."

"Agreed!"

With that, Li Qing and City Lord Lingxu immediately headed to the Golden Abundance Trading Company's headquarters within the walled city.

Before they could even settle in, Patriarch Si Kong's voice boomed through the air:

"Fellow Daoist Li, you truly live up to your reputation as an ascended! To effortlessly defeat even the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son—I am deeply impressed!"

Hearing this, Li Qing clasped his hands in a respectful bow. "It was merely the advantage of my spirit treasure, Fellow Daoist Si Kong. Please don't flatter me so. I'm already in dire straits."

Patriarch Si Kong roared with laughter. "Hahahaha! The sea route maps you requested are already prepared. They detail the sea territories to the east, west, and south of Tonggu Continent, compiled from our company's accumulated experience over the years."

"Take this map," Patriarch Si Kong said, handing over the more detailed sea territory map. "However, the high-grade snake demon essence blood you commissioned me to collect remains elusive."

Without a word, Li Qing produced two small bottles of Creation Origin Liquid.

"This map is equally invaluable to me. Please accept these two bottles of Creation Origin Liquid, Fellow Daoist Si Kong."

The patriarch accepted the bottles solemnly, treating them as a second life.

Of course, with the impending calamity facing Profound Ancient City, where his roots lay, he couldn't simply abandon it as Li Qing had.

"You should leave now," Patriarch Si Kong urged. "Don't worry too much about Profound Ancient City. I've already sent word to the Giant Spirit Royal City."

"Given the agreement prohibiting Body Integration Realm experts from intervening, the Flying Spirit Clan shouldn't pursue you too relentlessly as long as you're outside the city."

"To sever ties with you, I'll publicly declare you a traitor to the human race of Profound Ancient City. You don't mind, do you?"

City Lord Lingxu had meticulously planned for the coming crisis, leaving no stone unturned in his preparations.

Li Qing took a deep breath and clasped his hands in a solemn bow. "Li Qing is deeply indebted to the ten million human citizens of this city. When I attain mastery of the Dao, I will repay this debt tenfold!"

"Hahaha, I've been waiting for you to say that!" City Lord Lingxu laughed heartily, nodding in satisfaction. "Go now. I'll be waiting for the day you achieve the great ascension realm!"

"Li Qing takes his leave. May you both take good care of yourselves!"

With these words, Li Qing flew out of the city without looking back. The city's guardian grand formation swiftly opened a gap for him, and the city gate swung open on its own, as if bidding him farewell.

The long night was about to end. A sliver of dawn peeked over the eastern horizon, tearing through the curtain of darkness.

City Lord Lingxu and Patriarch Si Kong watched Li Qing's departing figure as the Heavenly Light gradually encroached upon the night's veil. Each felt a unique emotion stirring within them.

"Lord City Lord, you really dare to say such things," Patriarch Si Kong murmured. "The great ascension realm isn't so easily attained."

City Lord Lingxu clasped his hands behind his back, gazing distantly at the rising sun, a symbol of hope.

"Who can predict the future? Not long ago, he was just an ascended cultivator whose realm had fallen to the nascent soul stage. Who could have imagined that within a few short years, he would behead a void refinement realm Favored Son of Heaven from the Flying Spirit Clan right outside the city gate?"

"The legends don't lie. Every human cultivator who ascends from the lower realm is truly an extraordinary being."

"..."