Chapter Thirty-One: The Appearance of the Spirit Ox

The Infinite Continent was vast beyond measure; Qin Si felt it was even larger than the Divine Realm itself. Fortunately, he could teleport here; if he had to rely solely on flight, there was no way he could have covered such a distance in so short a time. Indeed, the Infinite Continent surpassed the Divine Realm in size. Four minor universes buttressed Lin Meng’s universe: the Divine Realm was its pinnacle and also its smallest region. Beneath it lay the expansive Immortal Realm, and further below, the even broader Mortal Realm.

The Lin Four Universe was overall much smaller than Lin Meng’s universe, yet even its smallest part was considerable. The sole continent within the Lin Four Universe could rival the Immortal-Demon-Monster layer of Lin Meng’s universe in scale and was naturally much larger than the Divine Realm.

Qin Shuang was the first ever to be acknowledged by a spirit beast—a fact spread by the spirit beasts themselves. In the decades since, of the twelve individuals recognized by the twelve spirit beasts, only Qin Shuang stood out. Recently, the spirit beasts that once appeared frequently had all but vanished, making it increasingly difficult for Qin Si to even encounter one.

In Water Spirit City, the number of immortals had increased a hundredfold or more, most of them seeking news of Qin Shuang’s acceptance by the spirit serpent. Rumor had it that Qin Shuang was an immensely powerful Immortal Emperor, and after being chosen by the spirit serpent, he had vanished. Thus, some whispered that Immortal Emperor Qin Shuang had become a god and departed.

The speculation about Qin Shuang’s cultivation was endless. Some claimed he was a fourth-level Immortal Emperor; others, an eighth. By the time Qin Si arrived in Water Spirit City, tales abounded that Qin Shuang was a ninth-level Immortal Emperor who had lived in seclusion for countless eons, his strength unmatched.

“A hundred trillion years!” Qin Si shook his head slightly as he walked through the streets of mortals, occasionally purchasing their quaint trinkets. By noon, he had amassed a curious collection of odds and ends.

With the power of a Supreme Celestial Deity, Qin Si was an invincible existence within the Immortal Realm. The entire Water Spirit City and dozens of neighboring cities were all within the reach of his divine sense. If any news of the spirit beasts emerged, he would know instantly.

After three months, just as Qin Si was considering relocating to another city to await news, word finally came from Hundred Flowers City, east of Water Spirit City. The spirit ox, one of the twelve spirit beasts, was said to be appearing in Hundred Flowers Valley in a month’s time.

Whenever he thought of the twelve spirit beasts, Qin Si would shake his head. He did not know where this place was, nor the origins of the twelve spirit beasts. Yet, a subtle sense told him they were somehow connected to Earth.

In decades past, the spirit beasts had returned. This time, it was the spirit ox, and the twelve spirit beasts had announced that the ox would choose to acknowledge someone—there would be a second recognized individual.

Many awaited news of the spirit beasts. Since Qin Shuang’s selection, even hidden Immortal Emperors had emerged. The day after the message was released, an Immortal Emperor—of the fifth level—arrived in Hundred Flowers City.

Within half a month, more than two hundred Immortal Emperors of various levels had gathered in Hundred Flowers City. Most were below the fifth level; only six were above the eighth, including two ninth-level Emperors. To become a ninth-level Immortal Emperor on the Infinite Continent would indeed take an incomprehensible span of time.

No one knew exactly how many ninth-level Immortal Emperors there were on the Infinite Continent; perhaps only the highest echelons of the great sects understood the true number of such hidden masters.

With five days remaining until the appearance of the spirit ox, the number of Immortal Emperors in Hundred Flowers City surpassed a thousand. The ninth-level Emperors increased to five, and there were now twelve eighth-level Emperors. No city on the Infinite Continent had ever seen such a gathering of power.

In the final three days, the city was packed to the brim—immortals even occupied the mortals’ homes. Outside, in Hundred Flowers Valley, immortals and cultivators amassed in dense throngs, their numbers hundreds of times greater than at the spirit dragon’s last appearance.

Both immortals and mortals were drawn by curiosity and hope. With the precedent of Qin Shuang’s recognition, and the spirit ox’s own declaration that it would choose another, the crowds were unsurprising. Many from distant lands arrived too late, and those who missed the event outnumbered the gathered masses by tens of thousands, perhaps more. Some would only hear of it after the spirit ox had already departed.

On the final day, a dramatic decree was issued: five ninth-level Immortal Emperors jointly announced that, on the day of the spirit ox’s appearance, no one below the level of Immortal Emperor would be allowed near Hundred Flowers Valley. All immortals and cultivators had four hours to withdraw beyond a thousand miles. Any who remained within that range by dawn would be killed without mercy.

Five ninth-level Immortal Emperors and over a thousand Immortal Emperors in total—clearly, they had no intention of sharing the opportunity to be recognized with the masses. With such overwhelming force, even if the spirit ox refused to acknowledge anyone, they had the power to act by force. By now, it was clear to them that each spirit beast possessed the strength of only an eighth or ninth-level Immortal Emperor.

Naturally, the domineering conduct of the Immortal Emperors provoked outrage among immortals and cultivators, but as always, strength ruled. After tens of thousands of cultivators and hundreds of immortals perished, the crowd realized these Emperors were deadly serious.

A thousand miles from Hundred Flowers Valley, the displaced multitudes clustered together. Reluctant to leave, their powerful resentment kept them rooted; in their hearts, they cursed the Immortal Emperors and secretly hoped that someone even mightier would appear and drive them away.

Little did they know that someone far stronger than those Emperors was in their midst. Qin Si arrived on the final day, not even entering Hundred Flowers City, unaware of the joint proclamation. He simply saw the huge gathering and made his way over.

Once he understood the situation, Qin Si merely shook his head. He saw no reason to drive off the Immortal Emperors; to him, they were all equally weak, including the spirit beast itself. If not for their peculiar means of concealment, he would have already captured them all. As for the spirit ox, he had no intention of seeking its recognition—his own strength was his greatest guarantee.

On the day of the spirit ox’s emergence, only about a thousand immortals hovered scattered above Hundred Flowers Valley—the fewest participants of any spirit beast appearance, yet the most powerful.

Past midday, spatial turbulence finally rippled through the valley. Qin Si, far away, instantly teleported to its edge. Owing to the unique spatial laws of this world, he could sense the fluctuations but could not manipulate the force itself.

A massive black ox head appeared first, followed by the gigantic body. To Qin Si’s eyes, the spirit ox’s strength was plain: the might of a ninth-level Immortal Emperor, formidable even among spirit beasts.

“The spirit ox has appeared!” The Immortal Emperors swiftly sensed its power. The five ninth-level Emperors exchanged surprised glances, somewhat startled by the ox’s strength.

Despite their surprise, they remained confident; after all, they numbered five ninth-level Immortal Emperors, backed by a dozen at the eighth level. Against a ninth-level spirit ox, their advantage was overwhelming.

“Why are there only so few of you? I am to choose someone for recognition—why is the crowd so small?” The spirit ox was momentarily stunned by the five Emperors, then roared in anger, its voice carrying even to the distant crowds.

“Allowing too many weaklings would be unworthy of a being such as yourself,” one of the ninth-level Emperors replied with a smile, unperturbed by the spirit ox’s fury. The five Emperors began to spread out.

“Sir Spirit Ox, surely you wish to choose someone of great strength. Last time, the spirit serpent chose an Immortal Emperor—would you settle for someone lesser?” another ninth-level Emperor added with a laugh. None of them noticed Qin Si, observing quietly not far away.

“Nonsense! We spirit beasts may acknowledge whomever we wish, regardless of their cultivation. You have clearly driven everyone else away to leave only yourselves. I will not recognize such despicable individuals! Begone, all of you!” The spirit ox’s massive form shook with rage, its nostrils flaring as it vented its displeasure.

A thousand miles away, the exiled onlookers were thrilled by the ox’s roar. Their resentment at being driven away diminished; even if they had no chance of being chosen, the thought that the Emperors might be denied satisfaction cheered them. Of course, if fortune allowed them to be recognized, nothing could be better.

“Spirit ox, we honor you as a great being and wish to speak civilly—do not overstep. Consider the current balance of power!” barked a ninth-level Emperor from the edge. At this moment, the thousand-odd assembled Emperors had sealed the valley completely. Unless a god descended, no one could breach their blockade.

“You wish to fight?” No one expected the spirit ox to suddenly grow quiet. After a long silence, it softly asked this question, leaving the gathered Emperors believing it was about to yield.