Bai Guo'er and Hai Dashao were both already at the early Nascent Soul stage, while Qi Lingzi's cultivation surpassed them both — he was already a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
"By the way, Junior Sister. Speaking of Master — after he returned from the Barbarian World two hundred years ago, he went back into seclusion and hasn't emerged since. Could it be that he really intends to attempt another breakthrough to the late Body Integration stage?" Hai Dashao suddenly asked with a solemn expression.
"I'm not entirely sure about that either. Master's seclusion chamber is now wrapped in layer upon layer of restrictions. Even Aunt Ice Phoenix can't get close to it. It seems that even if Master isn't aiming for the late-stage breakthrough, he must be cultivating some extraordinary great divine ability — which is why he doesn't want us disturbing him." Bai Guo'er thought for a moment before replying.
"Back then, it only took Master about three or four hundred years to advance from early to mid Body Integration. If he were to successfully break through to the late stage in such a short time again... Even knowing that he's far beyond ordinary cultivators of the same level, it would still be absolutely unheard of!" Hai Dashao said with a grimace, having thought of something.
"If Master really could break through to the late stage this time, it would naturally be an enormous blessing — not just for us three, but for all of humanity. However, I don't think it's very likely. Advancing from mid to late Body Integration alone requires an enormous amount of magical power, and under normal circumstances, one would need one to two thousand years of continuous, painstaking cultivation to accumulate enough. A mere few hundred years is simply insufficient to refine that much magical power." Qi Lingzi stroked his chin, shaking his head in disagreement.
"Hmph, Senior Brother. You know perfectly well that Master isn't an ordinary person. Why bother measuring his progress by the standards of common cultivators? In my opinion, Master must have a certain degree of confidence before going into seclusion like this. Moreover, during this period, Heavenly Origin City, the Three Emperors, and various other factions have been sending envoys to visit Master repeatedly. We've passed messages inside, but there's been absolutely no reply. It's clear that Master has devoted himself entirely to cultivation and doesn't want anything to distract him." A peculiar gleam flashed through Bai Guo'er's beautiful eyes as she spoke with great certainty.
"It seems that among the three of us, Junior Sister Bai has the most confidence in Master. But we've analyzed this matter countless times already, and it never leads anywhere. Besides, who knows how long Master's seclusion will last this time. The Demon Tribulation will descend in a few decades at most. Even if Master is as confident as you say, once the tribulation arrives, he'll have no choice but to emerge and face it." Qi Lingzi waved his hand dismissively.
"That's true as well. What a pity if that's the case. If the Demon Tribulation could be delayed a bit longer, even if Master couldn't break through the late-stage bottleneck, he could certainly at least make another significant leap in his cultivation." Hai Dashao said with a look of regret.
"Enough. How Master cultivates is not for us disciples to discuss freely. All we can do now is keep ourselves alive during the Demon Tribulation. Oh right, Junior Sister — why don't you join Heavenly Origin City as well? Once the Demon Tribulation descends, Heavenly Origin City will be the safest place for all of humanity. With Master's name standing behind you, the elders there will surely look upon you favorably." Qi Lingzi said to Bai Guo'er with a serious expression.
"Junior Brother Qi Lingzi speaks truly. Senior Brother and I have already decided that once the Demon Tribulation erupts, we'll relocate all of our disciples to Heavenly Origin City. We'd only serve as the lowest-ranking guards, but with the two of us looking after them, they shouldn't be used as cannon fodder. If Junior Sister could come as well, that would naturally be even better." Hai Dashao said with a smile.
"Heavenly Origin City?" Bai Guo'er furrowed her delicate brows, a contemplative look crossing her face.
"What's the matter, Junior Sister? You're reluctant? Or do you have other plans? It would be best to decide soon. After all, before Master entered seclusion, he told us that once the Demon Tribulation erupts, he has other important matters to attend to — he won't be able to keep the three of us by his side." Qi Lingzi asked with concern.
"I don't wish to conceal anything from you, Senior Brothers. I received a letter from my father not long ago. Grandmother's entire faction has already relocated to the Xuanwu Imperial City. Father wants me to go there as well. I only have these few remaining relatives, and I don't want us to be separated in two places once the Demon Tribulation erupts, each worrying about the other." After pondering for a while, Bai Guo'er finally revealed her decision.
"So that's how it is. With family weighing on your mind, Junior Sister, it certainly wouldn't be right to separate you all. Fortunately, the Xuanwu Imperial City is considered safe and dependable. You'll be quite secure if you go there." Hai Dashao said, his expression shifting to one of understanding.
"If Junior Sister Bai is going to the Xuanwu Imperial City, why not bring Liu Feng and Fuyun along? The two of them are Core Formation cultivators at least, and having them by your side would be somewhat useful." Qi Lingzi said suddenly.
"But Liu Feng and Fuyun are your most prized disciples, Senior Brother. How could I take them away to serve me? Don't worry — I still have several personal maidservants. They've been by my side for quite some time now. Even though they haven't reached Core Formation yet, they all have Foundation Establishment cultivation and should be more than adequate." Bai Guo'er's eyes sparkled as she smiled coyly.
"Haha. Since Junior Sister insists, then Junior Brother Hai and I will—" Qi Lingzi smiled faintly, about to say something more.
But just at that moment, a thunderclap suddenly rang out from the sky above, and the entire world shuddered. The mountain beneath their feet rumbled and trembled violently.
All three were Nascent Soul cultivators, so this tremor naturally couldn't so much as budge them. They stood steady where they were, but their expressions changed drastically in an instant. Without a word, they all looked up toward the sky.
The clear blue sky, which had been cloudless for ten thousand li, was suddenly marred by a massive gray patch roughly a li across. It was spreading outward with alarming speed, while waves of intense spatial fluctuation emanated from the gray patch, rippling out in all directions.
In the span of moments, the gray patch had swelled to three or four times its original size. The hazy gray mass dimmed the entire world, as though something were rapidly devouring the very sky.
"The Demon Marks! There's no mistaking it — these are definitely the Demon Marks that appear before the Demon Tribulation descends!" Hai Dashao's face went pale as he suddenly shouted.
Bai Guo'er and Qi Lingzi stared fixedly at the gray patch in the sky, their expressions equally grim.
"It does indeed appear to be the Demon Marks. I didn't expect the Demon Tribulation to descend earlier than anticipated," Bai Guo'er murmured.
"It might not necessarily be the Demon Marks — it could simply be a similar celestial phenomenon. We'll need the people from Heavenly Origin City to officially confirm it before we know for certain." Qi Lingzi let out a long breath, his expression having improved somewhat.