The people of the floating continent were deeply shaken by A'Li's words, and they began to speculate wildly.
Several elderly figures, who held high seniority, exchanged glances, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Matters related to the Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization were known to all descendants of the ancient sages.
The Creation Pool that A'Li mentioned was also familiar to them.
During the calamity of the Black Calamity, the six Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization had played a crucial role.
The ancient sages, leading countless powerful figures, had paid a heavy price to seal the will of the Heaven-Warring Organization using these six treasures.
However, after the sealing of the Heaven-Warring Organization's will, the six treasures gradually disappeared, their whereabouts unknown.
Many of the ancient sages who had once controlled these treasures were later hunted down and exterminated by the remnants of the Black Calamity. Their clans and legacies were wiped out, and it was unclear whether any of their descendants still survived.
If A'Li's words were true, then Zhu Xuan was likely the last descendant of the Pan Clan, and his true name should be Pan Xuan, not Zhu Xuan.
The Pan Clan behind him had likely suffered the same fate as the other clans and legacies established by the ancient sages—exterminated by the remnants of the Black Calamity.
"I once read about the Heaven-Opening Divine Race in the Sacred Ancestor's Pavilion, but I never imagined that even such a powerful and ancient clan would eventually fall…" The elderly figures sighed, filled with sorrow and bitterness.
"Fairy Qing, did you already know about my identity?"
Zhu Xuan finally managed to calm his turbulent emotions.
He looked at Nan Qing, who had remained calm and unsurprised throughout, and couldn't help but ask.
Before this, no one had ever mentioned his origins to him.
Elder Zhu had only told him that he had drifted to the floating continent through the chaotic spacetime sea.
He had been found as a baby in a simple bamboo basket, wrapped in a powerful barrier. It was Fairy Qing who had noticed him and asked Elder Zhu to take him in.
"I had my suspicions," Nan Qing nodded slightly, not denying it.
Her veil-covered face revealed only her clear, spring-like eyes, which now rested on Zhu Xuan's face.
"With your current strength, you cannot seek revenge. The Creation Pool's whereabouts are unknown, and the world beyond the floating continent is far more dangerous than you imagine. Searching for the Creation Pool is not a wise choice for you," she said indifferently.
Zhu Xuan understood Nan Qing's meaning. Although he could sometimes unleash power beyond the Quasi-Immortal Emperor level, he was far from strong enough to traverse the chaotic spacetime sea.
Moreover, the enemies he would face in the future were far stronger than ordinary Dao Realm existences.
"Is this why you didn't tell me about this method?"
He asked softly, a warm feeling rising in his heart. He knew Nan Qing was worried about him risking his life.
Nan Qing shook her head slightly, her gaze shifting away, and she said no more.
"The leader of the Pan Clan once controlled the Creation Pool. Since the Creation Pool has not fallen into the hands of the remnants of the Black Calamity, it must still be in a safe place. The only way to find it lies with the descendants of the Pan Clan…"
"This is why I came to find you."
"Your strength is insufficient, but I can protect you. I will ensure your safety until we find the Creation Pool," A'Li spoke again, straightforward and blunt about her intentions.
Zhu Xuan looked at her in surprise, taken aback by her directness.
The inhabitants of the floating continent, however, looked at A'Li with suspicion and disbelief. Many frowned, unwilling to trust her.
Even though she had intervened earlier and saved many lives.
Who knew what her true intentions were? The Creation Pool was one of the Supreme Treasures of the First Civilization, coveted by countless civilizations and nations. Once its location was known, who could remain indifferent?
When the Dark Beings attacked, she had suddenly appeared. Who could say whose side she was on?
What if she was merely using Zhu Xuan to find the Creation Pool for her?
This was not something to be taken lightly.
"How did you find me? Based on what you've said, how can I trust you?"
Zhu Xuan asked solemnly. He wasn't foolish. Although he felt some gratitude toward A'Li for saving him, her directness in revealing his identity and the matter of the Creation Pool made him wary.
Who knew what her true motives were?
"People's hearts are hidden behind their chests. Zhu Xuan, you must not trust others too easily. The matter of the Creation Pool requires careful consideration," the elderly figures advised, worried that Zhu Xuan's youth might lead him to trust too readily.
After A'Li mentioned the Creation Pool, the people of the floating continent became wary of her.
Although she claimed to be a descendant of the ancient sages, what proof did she have? Even if she were, what guarantee did that provide?
Many looked to Nan Qing, hoping she would step forward and make her stance clear.
However, Nan Qing remained silent, calmly observing the situation, as if waiting for Zhu Xuan to make his own decision.
"I have my ways of finding you. Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant to me. Even without you, I would find another way to locate the Creation Pool."
"And now, you are in dire straits. As you heard earlier, the barrier won't last long. In a few days, the Dark Beings will return. Will you be able to withstand them then? Staying here is just waiting for death."
"You want to save your grandfather, but you can't even save yourself. At a time like this, doubting my intentions is laughable."
A'Li spoke calmly and indifferently, her words cutting and devoid of any sentiment.
Her words caused the expressions of everyone in the floating continent to change. Many turned pale, their faces filled with bitterness.
A'Li was right. Although the Dark Beings had retreated, that didn't mean they were safe.
The barrier would only protect them for a few more days, and those days would be their last.
When the barrier shattered, and the Dark Beings returned, would they be able to hold them off?
Zhu Xuan's face also turned pale, his fists clenched so tightly that they made cracking sounds.
He felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair, suffocating and unbearable.
A'Li was absolutely right. They were already on the brink of death, with no other options. At a time like this, what right did they have to doubt her?
"I have a way to break through the encirclement and escape the Dark Beings' siege. But I can't protect everyone…"
"If you want to save your grandfather and avenge your family's destruction, seeking the Creation Pool is your only option," A'Li said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd with a hint of mockery before settling on Zhu Xuan.
The crowd fell silent, and Zhu Xuan's lips curled into a bitter, helpless smile.
After a long moment, he raised his head, his disheveled bangs revealing eyes filled with determination as he looked at A'Li and said resolutely, "I believe you. No matter what your intentions are, can you tell me why you want to find the Creation Pool?"
A'Li seemed slightly surprised by his question, then replied indifferently, "The same as yours—to save someone and seek revenge."
Zhu Xuan nodded heavily.
"Fairy Qing, how many more days can the barrier outside the floating continent hold? Since holding out here is meaningless, shouldn't we try to take everyone and escape the chaotic spacetime sea? Yu Ling came from the outside world, didn't she?"
"Now that the floating continent is surrounded by Dark Beings, and they could break in at any moment, and my grandfather could be completely corrupted by the Dark Matter at any time…"
He then turned to Nan Qing, as if he had been weighing his options for a long time before speaking.
No one wanted to abandon their homeland, where they had lived for countless years, unless absolutely necessary.
"It's impossible for so many people to escape. The Dark Beings won't let us leave peacefully."
Nan Qing shook her head, her gaze sweeping over the people of the floating continent as if she had already anticipated Zhu Xuan's decision.
"However, since you've made your choice, you must bear the consequences."
"The floating continent was built by my mother. I cannot abandon it. If you wish to leave, try to take everyone with you."
"Before the barrier shatters, I will find a way to open a spacetime tunnel to the outside world and hold off the Dark Beings."
Her expression remained calm, her porcelain-like face showing no trace of emotion.
As she spoke, it was as if she were discussing something as trivial as eating or drinking.
The people of the floating continent, however, were deeply moved. Many of them had tears in their eyes, their noses tingling and throats choked with emotion, unable to speak.
"Wha… what…"
Zhu Xuan's mind buzzed. When he finally processed her words, his expression changed drastically. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, his voice trembling.
Although Nan Qing had never officially acknowledged him as her disciple, in Zhu Xuan's eyes, she was like a master to him. She had often sent her maid, Xiao Die, to guide his cultivation and teach him various techniques.
Among the people of the floating continent, Elder Zhu and Nan Qing were the most important to him.
But now, he was hearing that Nan Qing planned to stay behind, holding off the Dark Beings while giving them a chance to escape?
How could he accept this?
"Fairy Qing, your talent is unparalleled, and your future achievements will surely rival those of the Sacred Ancestor. How can you sacrifice yourself for us, these useless old lives…"
"You should leave with Zhu Xuan and the others. Let us old ones guard the last remnants of the floating continent…"
The elderly figures, their faces wrinkled and hair white, spoke with trembling voices, trying to persuade Nan Qing to leave with Zhu Xuan and the others.
They had already exhausted almost all their energy in the previous battle, their bodies withered and bloodless. Yet, they were still willing to shed their last drop of blood to defend this place.
"Fairy Qing, there's no need for you to stay here. Holding off the Dark Beings is something we, who are already nearing the end of our lives, should do…"
"You haven't yet reached your peak. You still have a long road ahead. It's not worth it…"
Many elders from the six major families also spoke up, offering to stay behind and give the others a chance to escape.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief. Many were moved to tears, their noses tingling and throats dry, hating their own weakness and helplessness.
A'Li remained silent, watching the scene without comment.
"You are limited by the environment of the floating continent, unable to break through to higher realms. In the outside world, you may find new opportunities to rise again."
"Moreover, with your current strength, you cannot hold off the Dark Beings…"
"Only I can delay them."
"My decision is final. There's no need to persuade me further."
Nan Qing shook her head slightly, her expression and tone unchanged.
As soon as she finished speaking, she mounted the white crane and transformed into a white shadow, returning to the Sacred Ancestor Mountain.
The people of the floating continent were filled with sorrow and grief. Many knelt on the ground, kowtowing in the direction of the Sacred Ancestor Mountain.
The Dark Beings had retreated, and peace returned to the floating continent.
Aside from the barrier stretching across the sky and connecting to the earth, only the scattered remains of corpses and broken weapons remained.
Many of the floating continent's inhabitants took this opportunity to venture outside, collecting the belongings and fragments of their loved ones' weapons, hoping to bring them back to their homeland for a proper burial.
The barrier only blocked outsiders and Dark Beings, not preventing them from leaving.
Boom!
At that moment, some people noticed violent tremors coming from the depths of the chaotic spacetime sea.
It was as if an army of thousands was charging through, trampling the heavens and the universe, causing ripples in the chaotic spacetime sea.
Thick black fog surged once more, boiling and spreading across the sky, accompanied by earth-shaking roars. It seemed as if some terrifying beings were engaged in a fierce battle, their cries shaking the past and present, disrupting the heavens and earth.
One after another, ancient warships emerged from the chaos, draped in primordial energy, rushing toward the floating continent.
Several powerful figures brought up the rear, wielding various weapons and treasures, engaging in a fierce struggle with multiple Dark Beings.
Endless black fog swirled and churned around them, like cascading rivers of stars, constantly pressing down.
This scene stunned the people of the floating continent, leaving them rooted to the spot.
No one had expected such a fleet of ancient warships to arrive at this moment. Each warship was filled with densely packed knights, their killing intent overwhelming as they battled the Dark Beings.
"Are they from the outside world?"
"But how can mere mortals fight the Dark Beings? If they continue like this, they'll eventually be consumed and corrupted by the Dark Matter."
A petite figure in a red dress stood outside the barrier, her expression grave as she watched the distant scene. It was Shangguan Qing, the spokesperson of the Shangguan Family.
"Shangguan Family Head, what do you make of this? At a time like this, outsiders have arrived. Who knows what their intentions are?"
"If they continue fighting like this, it won't be long before they're overwhelmed by the endless tide of Dark Beings…"
Another spokesperson from the six major families appeared, his expression equally solemn.
"Regardless, we can't let them continue fighting the Dark Beings. It will only draw more of them here, which is bad for us."
"We must report this to Fairy Qing and ask her to briefly open the barrier to let these outsiders in."
Shangguan Qing spoke decisively. Without further ado, she transformed into a streak of light and rushed toward the Sacred Ancestor Mountain to report the situation.
"To think they've come here…"
Nearby, A'Li, seated atop the True Howler, also observed the scene. Beneath her bamboo hat, a look of surprise flashed across her face.
"Chu Heng, hurry! Don't get caught up in the fight. These Dark Beings are too strange. You can't kill them all, and be careful not to get tainted by the Dark Matter…"
"There's a floating continent ahead. Head there quickly."
The ancient warships sped through the depths of the chaotic spacetime sea, black fog spreading endlessly, pouring out from the rifts in spacetime.
Countless Dark Beings emerged from the fog, clashing with the figures on the warships.
Chu Heng and the other powerful members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance wore grave expressions, using every means at their disposal to hold off the terrifying Dark Beings behind them.
Even Chu Heng, a Ancestral Dao Realm expert, felt the strain. He could only unleash sixty to seventy percent of his strength, afraid of being tainted by the Dark Matter.
He had never encountered such Dark Beings before and had once underestimated the Black Calamity that so many feared.
But now, facing them directly, he felt an indescribable sense of dread. Could such beings truly be fought?
He was a Ancestral Dao Realm expert, a peak figure from a supreme civilization. How could he have encountered such a formidable enemy here?
"All of you, retreat! I'll hold them off!"
Chu Heng gritted his teeth, ordering the other members of the Heaven-Slaying Alliance to fall back.