Outside Of Time
chapter-1580

Editor: Atlas Studios

The river wind howled, stirring the divine blood and turning ripples into waves, spreading in all directions across the boundless divine river.

The black ferry boat, though it moved at what seemed like a slow pace, was unaffected by the fierce winds and waves, which couldn’t impede it in the slightest.

The waves instantly calmed after the boat arrived.

The blood rain settled in the same manner.

It was as if this ferry was the supreme treasure of the god river, and the ferryman was the master of the endless blood river.

However, compared to this grand world, here… it was merely a prison.

The ferryman was neither singular nor fixed; there was always a release from punishment and departure.

After all, they were those who had committed great crimes within the Immortal Capital and were sent here to face their punishment.

Yet, in the entire Fifth Star Ring, few truly viewed them as criminals. Clans and sects dared not challenge them.

Gradually, the ferry, with its unique fees and absolute safety, became a precious refuge for cultivators hanging by a thread.”

Just like Xu Qing at this moment.

He sat cross-legged at the end of the ship. What was contained in his mouth was the recovery mark that Grandma Five had given him before he left Wanggu’s Moon Offering Region.

This mark could instantly heal all his injuries.

It could only be used once and the price was Grandma Five’s life force.

This was the elder’s blessing.

Hence, unless it was absolutely necessary, Xu Qing wouldn’t use this item.

‘Fifth Star Ring is filled with dangers… With my current cultivation and combat strength, I have to be cautious.’

Xu Qing silently meditated. With the help of the purple crystal’s recovery powers, the skin he had lost gradually grew back.

For his overall injuries, the loss of skin was relatively minor.

Therefore, within just a day, Xu Qing had recovered some of his original appearance from that terrifying state.

At least he no longer looked so ragged.

However, the wealmess caused by the burning of his blood and the Dao injuries inflicted by the final strike from the red-haired young man could not be healed in such a short time.

‘I need a month…’

Xu Qing’s heart sank.

If he was in the Wanggu Continent and needed a month to heal his injuries, although there would be danger, Xu Qing had many ways to avoid and resolve it.

However, in this unfamiliar and powerful Fifth Star Ring, there were countless variables and dangers that could emerge during the one-month recovery period.

Hence, on this boat, Xu Qing did his best to recover as much as possible in these six days.

After all, this was six days that he had bought with his life.

This kind of absolutely safe environment probably wouldn’t exist for some time in the future.

Just like that, three days passed.

During these three days, Xu Qing was recuperating. Other than occasionally sliding the oar, the ferryman spent the rest of his time sitting at the bow of the boat, smoking.

There was not a word exchanged by both sides.

However, his gaze would often look at the distant sky.

It was unknown if he was looking at the aurora in the sky, the existence in the aurora, or… the void outside the aurora.

This lasted until the fourth small vortex appeared after Xu Qing boarded the boat.

The fourth day arrived.

The ferryman exhaled a ring of smoke and retracted his gaze from the distant sky. He lowered his head and looked at the blood river before suddenly speaking.

“Kid, what’s your name?”

When Xu Qing heard this, he opened his eyes and was about to say Flame Mystic.

“Don’t give me a fake name.”

The ferryman said calmly.

Xu Qing paused and honestly spoke.

“Senior, my name is Xu Qing.”

When the ferryman heard this, he closed his eyes and didn’t speak again.

Xu Qing also remembered the other’s previous displeasure with his excessive talking, so he refrained from speaking more. He was well aware that the ferryman in front of him was likely the strongest person he had ever encountered.

According to his understanding of the ferrymen from the map, there was a high chance that the people who were punished by the Immortal City were Lower Immortals.

A Lower Immortal was right in front of him…

Although from the outside, he didn’t look like it…

However, the other party could sense the clay fox on him at a glance.

Moreover, the clay fox was originally only in a deep sleep, but after he boarded the boat, She seemed to have instinctively hidden Herself.

This revealed something.

As Xu Qing’s thoughts began to stir, the ferryman’s eyes opened once more. He looked up at the sky and spoke again.

“Where did you come from?”

Xu Qing’s heart trembled.

He tried his best not to reveal any flaws on his face and maintained a calm state of mind. He respectfully spoke and fabricated a location according to the map he had seen earlier.

When the ferryman heard this, he sneered but he didn’t continue inquiring about Xu Qing’s background. Instead, he turned his head and sized up Xu Qing a few times.

“Soul Accumulation Seven Worlds, but you have many authorities and even have space and time. Quite extraordinary. Your cultivation method is also unique, making it difficult to achieve the eighth and ninth worlds.”

Xu Qing lowered his head. He was naturally not surprised that someone had seen through his Dao Arts. Hence, he remained silent.

The ferryman continued.

“From the traces of your time and spatial technique, you should have an idea of your eighth world.”

“Therefore, even if it’s difficult to succeed, it’s only a matter of time for you.”

“So, do you know what a Ruler is?”

The ferryman calmly spoke.

Xu Qing’s heart trembled again. He was very surprised.

The other party’s words clearly contained hints of guidance…

Xu Qing had some guesses but they weren’t conclusive. However, although he didn’t know the exact reason, he naturally wouldn’t let go of this opportunity.

Hence, Xu Qing took a deep breath and stood up to bow respectfully.

“Senior, please enlighten me.”

“The Ruler Realm is the process of forming an immortal embryo.”

“In this process, the Immortal Dao will accompany it. The Immortal Dao surpasses the Heavenly Dao, manifesting as authority and Dao marks.”

“You should already know this.”

The ferryman’s voice was calm without the slightest fluctuation.

Xu Qing listened attentively and nodded.

“However, there are some things that require the cultivators of the Fifth Star Ring to reach a certain level before they arc told by the sect, clan, or ciders.

The ferryman glanced at Xu Qing.

“That is the core of the Ruler realm!

“Immortal embryo?” Xu Qing asked.

The ferryman nodded slightly.

“The immortal embryo is also known as the Imperishable Illusion of Truth.”

“Illusion represents your soul, while True represents your physical body.”

“The entire Ruler Realm involves a process of alternating and blending these aspects.”

This was the first time Xu Qing had heard of these things. At this moment, he was listening very seriously.

The ferryman continued.

“According to this process, the Ruler Realm is divided into three smaller stages: early, middle, and late.”

“The first stage involves projecting your soul outside of your body to form a new physical body, which is the Illusion of Truth.”

“At this stage, a Ruler is both powerful and vulnerable.”

“The power comes from the Illusion gradually replacing the Truth, leading to an extraordinary understanding of authority and control over all things.”

“The vulnerability arises because the Truth is hidden by the Illusion; thus, if someone has the means to damage the Truth, it’s not difficult to kill a Ruler. For example, the sword energy you used before primarily aimed to destroy the Truth.”

“That sword energy was quite interesting; while it will be hard for it to injure a mid-stage Ruler, the one who gave it to you is not a simple character.”

At this point, the ferryman paused slightly, giving Xu Qing some time to digest his words.

Xu Qing’s heart stirred. Previously, he had intuitively sensed that Ninth Grandpa’s sword energy might have limited effect on mid-stage Rulers, and now, he received confirmation from the ferryman’s words.

Next, he recalled the Rulers he had killed before, who were all similar, though he hadn’t understood it well at the time due to limited knowledge, and thus hadn’t deeply felt it during the battles.

A long time later, the ferryman took a puff of his pipe and exhaled the smoke as he continued.

“Once you achieve the Illusion of Truth and master it, you can explore the second stage.”

“In the second stage, you will dissolve the originally concealed physical body into the soul. This step is called the Imperishable.”

“In this stage, the Ruler can instantly switch between reality and illusion, with almost no flaws, hence the name Imperishable.”

“The third stage requires authority and Dao marks. Dao marks are like lines that weave together the Truth and Illusion, allowing them to fully merge. One can then pluck the stars and become unique, achieving the immortal embryo!”

“The moment you succeed, you’ll be a Quasi Immortal which is also the Great Emperor.”

The ferryman slowly spoke.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing combined his own understanding with what he had learned, and he had gained a thorough insight into the Ruler Realm.

However, such an opportunity was very rare. Hence, Xu Qing couldn’t help but ask.

“Senior, what about the Quasi-Immortal Great Emperor and even the Summer Immortal above it?”

The ferryman’s gaze glanced at the Emperor Sword beside Xu Qing. He fell silent for a bit before slowly speaking.

“The Quasi Immortal Realm is similar to the god’s Divine Platform Realm. It is characterized by the concept of ‘Ordinance’.”

“Ordinance is the sublimation of the Dao marks of authority; it encompasses power, will, and origin, and represents the commanding force before the true birth of an Immortal.”

“As for the Lower Immortal…”

The ferryman exhaled a mouthful of smoke. In the smoke, his face, which was already covered under the bamboo hat, became even more blurry.

Only a calm voice echoed on the blood river.

“That’s the peak of the lower star ring.”

“Every individual in this realm is flawless and omnipotent.”

“However, within the upper star ring, in the higher levels of Ordinance, they also have their own limitations.”

Xu Qing drew in a deep breath as waves surged in his heart. He then bowed to the ferryman again.

“Senior, above the Lower Immortal Realm is…”

This time, the ferryman fell silent for even longer. His voice also became a little hoarse.

“Above the Lower Immortal is the Immortal Lord!

“Lord of the immortals!

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing recalled that his eldest senior brother had told him back then that he didn’t believe that there was no path above the Lower Immortal and said there might be Immortal Lord and Venerable Immortal…

‘Eldest Senior Brother actually knew at that time.’

Xu Qing recalled the past and muttered inwardly.

The ferryman continued.

“The difficulty of reaching this realm can be called ‘unreachable,’ as there have only been eleven Immortal Lords in the entire Fifth Star Ring over countless years.”

“They each govern one of the eleven Immortal Palaces in the Immortal City, with each palace being a source of Ordinance.”

With that, the ferryman suddenly smiled.

“Since we are discussing this, I will also reveal the level above the Immortal Lord.”

“Above the Immortal Lord is the sole Venerable Immortal!”

“The Venerable Immortal governs the Star Ring and holds a position equivalent to the Venerable God. Currently, the Fifth Star Ring has the sole Venerable Immortal among the entire upper thirty-six rings.”

“Before he became a venerable, he was also known as the fifth human ancestor..’1