Chapter 1254: The Nightmare Before the Storm
God Emperor Death Departure and Immortal Lord Deepgloom had agreed to a hostage exchange treaty.... That was not something Xu Qing had anticipated would happen, much less that the Immortal Lord would assign him to be the escort.
As the lieutenant general explained things, a thoughtful look appeared in Xu Qing’s eyes. Previously, he had come to the conclusion that the goddess was important because of the blood of the imperial clan that ran in hēr veins, and how it contained the godhood power of hēr father, God Emperor Death Departure. Capturing hēr could give the Immortal Lord a much deeper understanding of how to deal with Death Departure’s godhood. By extension, that would enable him to gain an advantage in the war. But now... the goddess was being returned.
Xu Qing’s eyes narrowed. He gripped the blade as he listened to the lieutenant general. When it was appropriate for him to speak, he said, “Lieutenant General, is there any chance you know why the exalted Immortal Lord has agreed to a hostage exchange with the god emperor?”
The lieutenant general glanced out at the starry sky briefly. “Because God Emperor Death Departure made a few concessions that we Fifth Star Ring cultivators simply couldn’t reject!”
Xu Qing was instantly curious about what sort of concessions could have been offered that were impossible to reject, and would even prompt the Immortal Lord to give back Goddess Starryeyes.
“To begin with,” continued the lieutenant general, “God Emperor Death Departure offered to return five Lower Immortals who were captured by the Fourth Star Ring but not killed. That was the first concession.
“Of those five Lower Immortals, one was Immortal Lord Deepgloom’s last apprentice, who had patrolled the border with him for 10,000 years. He performed astounding services on the battlefield, and specialized in assassinations. Several years ago, the gods laid a cunning trap that resulted in his capture. All attempts to rescue him failed, and he suffered years of torture.
“The other four aren’t as important, but have still performed amazing services for the Fifth Star Ring. All of them were doomed to be tortured to death, but now we have a chance to get them back. So that’s the first concession offered by God Emperor Death Departure.
“But there’s a second concession, and as I said, the Fifth Star Ring simply couldn’t reject it. Even the Immortal Lord fully approved.... It’s a roaming universe!” The lieutenant general’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Xu Qing. “You’re an ascendee, so though you know a bit about history, your understanding is not comprehensive.
“Countless years ago here in the Fifth Star Ring, during the war between cultivators and local gods, the fighting was intense. The slaughter that was carried out shook the heavens and toppled the earth. In the end, the Immortal Paragon and the God Paragon fought each other, and it nearly destroyed the Fifth Star Ring. Many starry skies were ripped out of place and turned into roaming universes that left the Fifth Star Ring.
“Years later, the Immortal Lords were given a mission to go out, find the roaming universes, and bring them back. The ultimate goal was... to make the Fifth Star Ring whole again! If the Fifth Star Ring were whole, then the natural and magical laws, as well as the destiny aura, would reach the ultimate peak.
“Over the years, most of the roaming universes have been found and brought back. But the biggest of them all has been missing the entire time. Because of that, the Fifth Star Ring has never truly been complete.