Chapter 695: Three Years

Dongbo Xueying was most worried that the other party might interfere with his cultivation. If he failed to master the Black Gourd within five years and was forcibly expelled from this world, it would be an unbearable injustice.

Fortunately, the three Venerables before him—Venerable Xuhuang, Palace Master Jinyan, and Mansion Master Moying—were unaware of this. They also found Dongbo Xueying’s reasoning sound.

*”We have absolutely no hope. He can vanish into a world of his own creation like a shadow, making our ordinary attacks useless. At best, we can only harass him, but killing him is impossible,”* Palace Master Jinyan transmitted mentally. *”Moreover, his direct combat strength surpasses both mine and Xuhuang’s. Even in a head-on battle, we stand no chance.”*

*”He can’t kill us, but we can’t kill him either,”* Mansion Master Moying frowned.

*”But if we split up, facing him one-on-one, both Xuhuang and I would be in mortal danger,”* Palace Master Jinyan added.

Venerable Xuhuang remained silent.

He was unwilling to admit—even unable to accept—that the supreme treasure of the Ancient God’s Temple, the Black Gourd, which he had guarded for countless ages, would be taken by this “Flying Snow Realm God.” Yet deep down, he knew they truly had no means to stop him. Even with five of them attacking together, seizing the Black Gourd was hopeless.

…

*”Hmph, ruling this world holds no interest for me. If it did, I would have long since established a new sacred land,”* Dongbo Xueying said casually, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. *”In a short while, I will leave this world for the vaster cosmos beyond. That is what truly excites me.”*

The three Venerables inwardly sighed in relief.

Leaving soon?

Good!

Moreover, the Flying Snow Realm God had indeed kept a low profile. Despite his immense power, he had been content to serve as a mere guest elder of the Chong Clan and had never established a sacred land—clearly, he harbored no ambitions.

After a hushed mental discussion among themselves—joined even by Palace Master Feihuo and Venerable Jianhuang, who had lost another clone—they reached a decision. Since there was no hope, there was no need to fight the Flying Snow Realm God to the death.

*”The Flying Snow Realm God’s strength exceeds our expectations. This battle is indeed unnecessary,”* Venerable Xuhuang declared. *”Let us cease hostilities here. May I ask how long before Guest Elder Flying Snow departs?”*

*”A few years at the earliest, ten thousand at the latest,”* Dongbo Xueying replied. *”I’ve taken on a disciple and wish to guide him properly before I leave.”*

*”Understood.”*

The three Venerables were satisfied.

Ten thousand years was but a fleeting moment to them.

*”Flying Snow Realm God,”* Palace Master Jinyan smiled. *”I must ask—I heard you once wielded a sword. Why have you switched to a spear?”* The other two Venerables also watched Dongbo Xueying intently. Indeed, he had previously displayed extraordinary swordsmanship. Yet this time, he had used a black spear, its power far more domineering.

*”The spear has always been my true forte,”* Dongbo Xueying grinned.

*”Then before…?”* Palace Master Jinyan was puzzled.

*”To study the ‘Six Slaying Sword Forms,'”* Dongbo Xueying said offhandedly. Of course, this wasn’t the real reason. Upon first arriving in this world, he had feared its supreme beings might spy on the outer cosmos and recognize “Dongbo Xueying.” To avoid exposure, he had altered his appearance slightly and changed his weapon. But after obtaining the Black Gourd and learning the truth—that they couldn’t observe the outer cosmos—he no longer worried.

*”Six Slaying Sword Forms?”* The three Venerables nodded, though still somewhat confused. Even if studying a supreme technique, why not use a sword in battle?

Dongbo Xueying chuckled as his features subtly shifted.

*”This…”* The three were startled.

*”This is my true appearance,”* Dongbo Xueying smiled. *”When I first entered the Chong Clan, I altered myself slightly in case someone recognized me.”*

*”I see. The Flying Snow Realm God was far too courteous to the Chong Clan. Had you revealed your true power, they would have handed over their supreme techniques with utmost reverence,”* Venerable Xuhuang remarked.

*”The journey matters more than the destination,”* Dongbo Xueying said lightly. *”Gentlemen, since matters are settled, I shall take my leave.”* With that, he vanished in a teleportation.

The three Venerables exchanged glances.

Facing the Flying Snow Realm God was indeed daunting—especially since he hadn’t even used the mysterious Black Gourd.

*”Let us hope he departs within ten thousand years,”* Mansion Master Moying said grimly.

*”For now, we should stay together to avoid being picked off one by one,”* Venerable Xuhuang advised.

Though they accepted the outcome, their mood was far from jubilant. They had come prepared, yet Dongbo Xueying’s five spear strikes in their first clash had shaken them. Such ferocity? And teleportation? Their confidence in their original plan crumbled. Since Dongbo Xueying was also unwilling to fight, they seized the chance to retreat gracefully.

…

Deep in the mountains, atop a solitary peak.

Dongbo Xueying, clad in black robes, appeared with a faint smile. With a wave of his hand, countless bamboo shoots from a distant grove soared into the air, their branches neatly trimmed. The bamboo segments landed atop the peak, swiftly forming a simple hut.

Simultaneously, the earth veins beneath the land for millions of miles shifted and rearranged, weaving an immense formation that isolated the area completely. Any intruder would be ensnared in illusions. Should the five Venerables enter, he would detect them instantly.

*”They don’t know I still need to study the technique and fear disturbance. A few words were enough to dissuade them.”* Dongbo Xueying was pleased. Their surrender was also due to his overwhelming display of power from the start. Had he lacked teleportation, the five would have surely fought desperately with all their treasures—especially since they had clones to spare.

*”This technique…”*

Entering the bamboo hut, he sat cross-legged on a bamboo bed before a low table. Pouring himself a cup of aged fruit wine, he drank leisurely before placing the Black Gourd on the table. Closing his eyes, he immersed himself in the Voidwalker’s legacy.

Within his consciousness, golden characters shimmered, each pulsating with profound mysteries. With unwavering focus, he began deciphering them. His white-robed true body in the material realm also devoted itself entirely to the task.

…

Unseen shifts rippled through the world’s power structure. The mighty ones sought news of the battle between the Flying Snow Realm God and the five Venerables above Xuhuang Kingdom’s capital. Many had witnessed it, including other powerful figures. The truth spread swiftly.

In a single clash—two Venerables slain! Palace Master Jinyan and the other two forced to concede!

Though most remained unaware that the Black Gourd had fallen into Dongbo Xueying’s hands, the battle’s outcome alone stunned all factions. Some mighty ones even sought audiences with him.

Even the Chong Clan reached out.

Dongbo Xueying’s response was terse: *”I have no interest in founding a sacred land. I am in seclusion—do not disturb me.”*

…

Days turned to nights.

Winds howled; rains fell.

Grass atop the mountain flourished and withered with the seasons.

One year. Two. Three.

Both his avatar in this world and his true body in the Xia Clan’s homeland remained in deep seclusion. He had even instructed his wife, Jingqiu, not to disturb him unless the heavens themselves were collapsing.

*”Boom—”*

Lightning serpentined across storm-wracked skies as torrents of rain poured down.

Standing at the cliff’s edge before his hut, Dongbo Xueying let the deluge drench him.

*”Three years… and still no success. I’ve derived thousands of methods, yet all are wrong! Every path leads to failure!”* He glared at the distant lightning, his eyes burning with frustration. *”What is the key? Where have I erred?”*

His seething emotions and terrifying will froze the very lightning mid-air before annihilating it entirely.

The storm clouds dispersed; the rain ceased. Only clear skies remained.

Dongbo Xueying stood motionless atop the peak, his gaze icy as he stared into the void.