Outside Of Time

Chapter 1668: Nine Shores Heaven’s Rewards!
Editor: Atlas Studios

Entering the Immortal Capital from the land of origin was a tradition and glory for countless cultivators.

It wasn’t that no one knew the true secrets. The immortals of the four orthodox sects or some Quasi Immortals who had come into contact with the core information knew of it.

The Immortal Capital was just a plan that had been ongoing ever since the cultivators from the Fifth Star Ring took over.

A plan to nurture the direct descendants.

This plan was carried out in the past and would continue in the future.

In the eyes of the Fifth Star Ring’s upper echelons, true cultivators were not raised in comfort; they emerged by fighting fiercely, surging upstream through endless competition.

Just like when the Fifth Star Ring was still dominated by gods, they fought their way up from minor worlds.

They couldn’t lose this spirit!

Hence, what they wanted wasn’t a flower in a greenhouse but a kindred spirit with killing intent and unyielding spirit.

Only cultivators like these could be worthy of being true descendants, capable of shouldering the future, and continue to exist while surrounded by gods.

Only they deserved to earn recognition.

As for loyalty, lower-level cultivators might need guidance to ensure it, but for those able to ascend, this was unnecessary.

Anyone who reached this position was invariably resolute, with their own insights and understanding.

Those who shared the path would walk together.

Those who did not would not be forced to stay.

The Fifth Star Ring had this confidence.

However, in the entire thirty-six upper star rings, other than this place, almost every star ring was a land of gods. For those who didn’t follow the same path… unless they changed their cultivation to divine, where else could they go?

Their allegiances were already set.

Thus, there came trial after trial for entry into the Immortal Capital.

And so came the ascensions spoken of by the Nine Shores Immortal Lord.

For those who rose from their homeland, it was an ascension in truth.

According to the rules of the Fifth Star Ring, whichever Immortal Lord was in charge of the era would welcome all ascendants into their Immortal Palace.

And now, it was the Nine Shores Era.

Hence, as the Nine Shores Immortal Lord’s vast voice echoed, the hundred people, including Xu Qing, seemed to be guided and flew out of the high platforms they were on.

They each rose from their respective high platforms, drawn directly toward the Nine Shores Immortal Lord’s Heaven’s Beyond formed from countless stars, galaxies, vortices, starfields, and universes.

As they entered, an endless expanse of stars and innumerable star maps unfolded before Xu Qing and the others.

The vastness seemed eternal, without beginning or end.

In comparison to this grandeur, they felt infinitesimal—like ants stepping into a world built for giants.

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“This is… the Nine Shores Heaven, comprising 10% of the Fifth Star Ring!”

A dignified voice echoed in the void.

However, it was not spoken by the Nine Shores Immortal Lord.

In front of Xu Qing and the others, as the voice rang out, a person walked out of the void.

An elder appeared before Xu Qing and the others, dressed in a white Daoist robe, holding a dust whisk, his demeanor ethereal and transcendent as he walked upon the stars and the universe itself.

“I am Xu Daoyun, the elder responsible for guiding and explaining matters for the Nine Shores Immortal Palace.”

The old man calmly spoke as his calm gaze swept past everyone.

Everyone felt a profound shock.

Those possessing an Ordinance treasure found their treasures dimmed, subdued and unable to shine, instantly suppressed by the elder’s presence.

Those with their own Ordinances fared slightly better, but even these Ordinances were heavily restrained, difficult to activate under his gaze.

Regardless of Xu Qing or Star Ring, the instant the old man’s gaze fell upon them, they felt a surge ripple through their souls, accompanied by a sense of inescapable power.

Xu Qing had experienced this feeling before!

Back then in Wanggu, when he stood beside the Sword Holding Great Emperor and saw the Lower Immortal who was about to step into Wanggu, he had felt a similar feeling.

However, the feeling at this moment was even more intense.

“Immortal…”

Xu Qing drew in a deep breath.

Star Ring also lowered his head. His feeling was the same as Xu Qing’s. The old man made him feel as though he was facing his master.

As the two strongest people among the hundred people, if they could sense it, there was no need to mention the others.

At that moment, all of them quickly bowed and greeted.

The old man’s expression was as calm as ever as his voice continued to echo.

“In the Nine Shores Heaven, stars are limitless—new ones are born at every moment, and old ones fall; star vortices are not eternal, nor are starfields unchanging. Even within these universes, there is both creation and decay.”

“This, barring unforeseen disruptions, will be your future place of cultivation.”

“And as cultivators who have ascended from our homeland, you will be granted due rewards!”

“Each of you shall receive a universe within the Nine Shores Heaven as your own cave abode!

The starfields, star vortices, star systems, and even every star within it—all of it will belong to you!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone’s mood fluctuated again.

Xu Qing’s eyes also revealed a strange glint. He could sense the generosity of the Fifth Star Ring and the importance they attached to ascenders!

This was using the resources of an entire universe to nourish a person!

One could imagine that even in the most barren universe, there would definitely be a vast amount of immortal qi.

At the same time, all living beings inside would also be a part of the resources.

It could be said that the moment one obtained the reward, the person being rewarded would become the… supreme being in the universe they obtained!

Such a reward moved Xu Qing as well.

Hence, the anticipation in his heart grew increasingly intense.

Because in any ranking, the one who achieved first place was never given the same rewards as the others.

This principle held true once again.

The white-robed old man’s words echoed like heavenly music.

“Universes are the first level of rewards. But for the first place…”

At this point, the old man’s gaze landed on Xu Qing.

“In Nine Shores Heaven, there exist a few special universes—each one a strategic resource. The first-place reward this time… is the Ink Yang Grade One Universe!”

“As for what’s special about it, you can explore it yourself after you head there.”

“For your second level of rewards…”

“All of you are granted one opportunity for an Ordinance Baptism for your treasures. Those without an Ordinance treasure may use this chance to gain one, while those with an Ordinance treasure can strengthen it, increasing their potency. You may even request to remove the treasure’s Ordinance and merge it into yourself!”

“How you choose to use this opportunity is entirely up to you.”

“As for those ranked in the top ten, beyond these rewards, you will also receive an opportunity to receive a personally forged item by a Lower Immortal. At any time, you may proceed to the Dao Forge Universe!”

“This opportunity is rare—use it wisely.”

The old man’s gaze swept past Xu Qing and the other top ten cultivators before landing on Xu Qing again.

“As for first place, you will be granted access to the Immortal Heroes Tomb for enlightenment!”

“The Immortal Heroes Tomb is the eternal resting place for all the Lower Immortals who perished in battle throughout Nine Shores Heaven’s history. It contains Ordinance-based fortunes and the remnants of immortal treasures. What you can retrieve and the extent of it will depend entirely on your fate.”

As the old man’s voice rang out, Xu Qing felt the gazes of the other cultivators landing on him.

These gazes contained deep envy.

Especially the gazes from Qianjun, Piyi, and other stars. These stars didn’t lack the guidance of Lower Immortals or weapons made by Lower Immortals.

After all, their masters or elders were Lower Immortals.

Hence, other than the universes, the other rewards weren’t too tempting for them.

However, after hearing the old man’s words and the qualification to comprehend in the Immortal Heroes Tomb, they couldn’t help but be tempted.

This was because even if they had Lower Immortals as their masters, what their masters had taught them were Ordinance inheritances that they didn’t need.

The treasures given were definitely not their most powerful treasures.

After all, they were still alive.

However, the Immortal Heroes Tomb was different. That was the place where the Lower Immortals who had died in battle were buried. The Ordinance they left behind no longer had an owner.

As for the treasures… if they had withstood the destruction of their master’s death, the treasures that remained were undoubtedly extraordinary.

It was the same for good fortune.

Hence, the opportunities in the Immortal Heroes Tomb could be said to be an inheritance of their legacies!

Even Star Ring sighed inwardly.

Xu Qing naturally understood how precious this opportunity was. Hence, he lowered his head and bowed.

The old man retracted his gaze and continued speaking.

“The Nine Shores Heaven is not only the location of your future cave abodes but also your place of employment. Therefore, make good use of your rewards. This is because you only have a year to rest and recuperate.”

“One year from now, you all will be summoned to gather in the Reception Universe, where you will meet those assigned to provide you with your official roles and responsibilities.”

“Now, let’s disperse.”

The old man waved his hand, and tokens made of immortal wood immediately flew toward everyone.

The vast majority of them had two tokens. One was a token of their universe, and the other was the qualification to undergo the Ordinance Baptism for magic treasures.

There were only a few people who had three tokens. The additional token was an opportunity to have a Lower Immortal refine an artifact.

Only Xu Qing had four!

After distributing the wooden tokens, the old man didn’t speak anymore. His body turned blurry and gradually dissipated.

After he left, everyone’s emotions surged. However, most of them didn’t leave immediately. Instead, they flew toward Xu Qing.

They were from the same batch. Although they didn’t know where they would be assigned in the future, they could still be considered colleagues. Moreover, Xu Qing was ranked first, so his starting point would definitely be higher.

Hence, it was naturally best to get to know him now.

However, not everyone was like this. While the vast majority of people were exchanging pleasantries with Xu Qing, Star Ring flew past expressionlessly. He maintained his arrogance and transformed into a lonely rainbow that headed straight for the distance.

After that, he teleported and disappeared.

Yuanshan Su was a little hesitant but in the end, she still chose to leave.

There was even less to say about Qianjun and Piyi.

These two brothers fled almost immediately, as though they were afraid that if they left too late, Xu Qing would notice them.

In front of so many people, they truly didn’t want to reveal the excitement they could hardly contain… Just imagining the scene made them feel utterly self-conscious.

Hence, they left immediately.

Xu Qing naturally wouldn’t care about this. After exchanging pleasantries with everyone and leaving behind his contact, these new ascenders left separately.

As for Zhou Zhengli and Xie Lingzi, after the two of them ascended to the Nine Shores Heaven, their relationship didn’t seem to be as incompatible as before.

Although they weren’t standing together, the fact that they would stay behind together also explained the problem.

“Brother Xu, see you in a year!”

Xie Lingzi cupped his fists and turned to leave.

Zhou Zhengli and Li Mengtu remained till the end.

The former smiled as humbly as ever.

“Young Master, I suspect… a year from now, when our roles are assigned, all of us will likely be stationed together.”

With that, Zhou Zhengli respectfully left.

Li Mengtu sighed with emotion. After exchanging glances with Xu Qing, he also chose to leave. However, before he left, he left a sentence.

“Whenever you need anything, just say the word. My life still belongs to you—and now, even more so.”

Xu Qing watched as everyone left. After that, he smiled and his eyes revealed anticipation as he walked into the distance.

His divine sense fused into the teleportation token and his figure… instantly disappeared.

Heading toward what belonged to him…

Ink Yang Universe!