Chapter 405: A Plea for Help

The Xia Imperial City, now the true ruling core of the Xia Clan.

*Whoosh.*

Dongbo Xueying appeared high above the Xia Imperial City, gazing down at this new metropolis, far more majestic than the ‘Xia Capital’ of old. Throughout history, the Xia Clan had repeatedly retreated to the Flameworld, making the Xia Capital their stronghold. But now, with Dongbo Xueying as the Lord of the Material Realm, it was unthinkable for their ancestral home to remain confined within a mere transcendent world.

“Chao Qing.” With a single step, Dongbo Xueying arrived before the gates of an ancient hall, where the bald, gaunt elder Chao Qing stood waiting.

“Hurry, hurry! Something urgent has come up,” Chao Qing said urgently. “Zi Lei is looking for us.”

According to Xia Clan tradition, once one attained godhood, all were considered peers, regardless of age. After all, generations of deities had vast differences in lifespan. If every Xia Clan member insisted on seniority, it would be overly pedantic. Since all had achieved godhood, treating each other as equals was simpler and more natural.

“Oh?” Dongbo Xueying didn’t dare delay and immediately followed Chao Qing inside.

The ancient hall housed rows of statues—each representing a Xia Clan ancestor who had ascended to godhood. Originally kept in the Flameworld, they had now been relocated here.

Among them, the kindly statue of an old man with a thin mustache—Emperor Zi Lei—suddenly moved its lips. “Dongbo.”

“Zi Lei, what is it?” Dongbo Xueying responded at once.

“I have a matter to trouble you with,” Zi Lei said. “I only just learned of this and can think of no other solution, so I’ve come to beg for your help.”

“Speak freely. There’s no need for begging,” Dongbo Xueying replied. These Xia ancestors had all contributed greatly to their clan, and even after godhood, their hearts remained tied to their people. If he could assist, Dongbo Xueying would be more than happy.

“Here’s the situation,” Zi Lei continued. “I recently tried contacting Brother Yunhai but couldn’t reach him. Later, I asked someone to investigate… only to learn that his sect, the ‘Heavenly Sword Sect,’ has been annihilated.”

“What?”

Dongbo Xueying was stunned. “The Heavenly Sword Sect was founded by a World God, wasn’t it? How could it just… fall?”

“Yes,” the statue of Emperor Zi Lei continued. “The sect master was indeed a first-tier World God, but he was ambushed and slain by the Mountain Master of Blackbone Mountain. The sect was attacked, countless perished, and many deities were captured alive with ease. Brother Yunhai was among them—taken to a star to toil as a miner. His divine power is sealed, forced to labor day and night. If we don’t save him, he’ll likely be worked to death.”

Dongbo Xueying and Chao Qing both paled. Chao Qing had known the situation was dire, but not this severe.

Among the Xia Clan’s ancestral deities in the Divine Realm, only three had reached the peak of godhood.

Emperor Yunhai had been especially devoted to the Xia Clan, aiding them time and again. Yet now, he was trapped in such a desperate plight.

“What can we do?” Chao Qing fretted anxiously. “They say the Divine Realm is perilous. Many of our ancestors have perished there. But for Yunhai, a Heavenly Sword Sect elder, to end up like this…”

“Dongbo,” Emperor Zi Lei’s statue pressed on, “I’m at a loss. I’ve joined the Bloodblade Divine Court, but I’m merely a low-ranking member. While there are benefits, I’m bound by rules and cannot leave my post. Moreover, my strength alone isn’t enough to save Yunhai. So, after much thought, I could only turn to you. As the Lord of the Material Realm, your status is extraordinary. Even if it takes tens or hundreds of thousands of years, I believe you’ll find a way.”

“I understand,” Dongbo Xueying nodded. “Yunhai has given his all for the Xia Clan. How could I stand by? Please, Zi Lei, provide me with all the details—where exactly Yunhai was taken, the dangers of that star, and the strength of Blackbone Mountain.”

“Of course,” the statue said gratefully. “This truly is a great burden—”

“Zi Lei, you and Yunhai are kin, just as he and I are. No need for thanks,” Dongbo Xueying smiled.

The statue nodded slightly. “Do you possess a clone technique? Material Realm Lords usually cultivate one. If not, in the Divine Realm, one can be purchased with divine crystals or treasures. My meager salary can’t afford it, but for you, it should be trivial. Just send a divine energy clone to the Divine Realm to acquire it.”

Dongbo Xueying nodded. “Rest assured.”

A divine energy clone was akin to a combat qi or mana avatar.

After attaining godhood, one could dispatch such a clone for temporary tasks. Once its energy was exhausted, it would dissipate, and the sliver of soul within would be lost.

—

After receiving the detailed intelligence from Emperor Zi Lei, Dongbo Xueying and Chao Qing stepped out of the ancient hall together.

“Dongbo, are you truly going?” Chao Qing asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll first obtain the clone technique and cultivate a clone before setting out,” Dongbo Xueying assured. Though he had long since mastered cloning, he had kept it secret. Redscaled Mountain disciples were forbidden from cultivating clone techniques unless they attained a first-grade true intent or became World Gods. Revealing it prematurely would raise too many questions.

Only the artifact spirit, Redscaled, knew of his clone.

“Dividing your soul will affect your cultivation, won’t it?” Chao Qing sighed. “But Yunhai is enslaved in the mines. We can’t abandon him.”

Chao Qing wished for Dongbo Xueying to grow ever stronger.

Slowing his progress for a clone pained Chao Qing, and even Emperor Zi Lei felt guilt. Yet… if they didn’t act, Emperor Yunhai would likely perish in torment.

—

“You’re going to the Divine Realm?” Jing Qiu asked immediately.

“Only a clone. I’ll acquire the technique first,” Dongbo Xueying said. To maintain secrecy, even she must believe he was sending a divine energy clone to obtain it.

“My strength isn’t sufficient yet. If it were, I’d cultivate a clone and join you,” Jing Qiu said. “I’m not a Redscaled Mountain disciple. Your senior brothers might be willing to teach me.”

“You’ll attain godhood soon enough,” Dongbo Xueying said.

Indeed.

While Mountain Master He, Sikong Yang, and others had yet to ascend, Jing Qiu was different. When she forcibly controlled the Star Tower, her soul suffered immense strain—yet her comprehension soared. Even after recovery, her insight remained unparalleled. Now, she had mastered a second-grade true intent to its peak and sensed the threshold of breakthrough.

“Once I become a deity, I’ll cultivate a clone and explore the Divine Realm with you,” Jing Qiu the Mage smiled.

—

At dawn, over the vast plains of the Xia Clan’s world, a robed Dongbo Xueying gazed at the land below.

“To the Divine Realm?” His heart was conflicted.

He had planned to cultivate in peace until the Divine Court’s Ten Thousand Flowers Feast, but now, he was departing over three centuries early.

“Let’s see what the Divine Realm is truly like. So many legends, yet I’ve never witnessed it myself.” With a thought—

*Hum.*

The Material Realm itself expelled his clone. A wave of energy enveloped him, and in an instant, he was cast out.

The scenery shifted—endless starry skies unfolded before him.

“So this is the Divine Realm?” Dongbo Xueying stood in the void, gazing at distant stars. The cosmos stretched infinitely, with only the farthest sun’s light piercing the abyss to illuminate this place. Opposite, the cold radiance of the Moon Star bathed the void.

Alone in the vastness, the nearest star was at least ten billion miles away—likely a barren, lifeless rock.

“The Divine Realm is boundless,” Dongbo Xueying mused.

Each star domain held countless stars, yet only a rare few nurtured life.