At this point, Jiang Ling finally recognized Ming Qi, and a flicker of light crossed her expressionless face.
"Brother Ming Qi."
Jiang Ling quickly ran over to Ming Qi and looked him over carefully.
It had been over ten years since they last saw each other, and even Jiang Ling had assumed Ming Qi had perished in some corner of the world, never to return. His sudden appearance now filled her with both surprise and joy.
"It's me. I've put you through so much these days."
Ming Qi rubbed Jiang Ling's head affectionately, then, using his spiritual sense, realized that Jiang Ling was indeed alright, and was finally relieved.
"Oh my! You've finally appeared! I thought you were dead!"
Off to the side, Rabbit King Nine bared his teeth and yelled.
Ming Qi rolled his eyes and said, "I've got a lot of life ahead of me."
At this moment, Mu Tianxing, standing next to him, spoke up, "If I'd known Venerable Liuli was you, I would have come looking for you long ago."
"Oh? Is it about her?"
Ming Qi pointed at Jiang Ling.
Unexpectedly, Mu Tianxing shook his head, then pulled a letter from his bosom and handed it to Ming Qi. "This is a letter the Ice and Snow God Emperor asked me to leave for you. He told me to give it to you if you ever reach the Martial Saint realm. It seems even the God Emperor underestimated your potential!"
With that, Mu Tianxing handed the letter to Ming Qi.
Is it from Bai Bing?
Ming Qi was slightly startled, then reached out and took the letter, putting it away. Now wasn't the time to read letters.
"Well, thank you very much for that."
Since Bai Bing had left a letter, it seemed she had something to tell him, so Ming Qi didn't linger in Xiongfeng City any longer and led his men back to Qiankun Mountain.
Qiankun Mountain still bore traces of vast ruins, though during Ming Qi and the others' time there, they had built a few simple houses to serve as temporary shelter.
Of course, it wasn't that Ming Qi couldn't find a better place to live, but rather that he held a special attachment to Qiankun Mountain.
Frankly, even if Ming Qi were to dominate Xiongfeng City now, Mu Feiyun probably wouldn't dare to object.
Returning to Qiankun Mountain, Ming Qi reached the summit alone and opened the envelope Jiang Ling had left for him.
The letter contained only a few simple words: if his cultivation reached the Martial Saint realm, or even higher, he should visit her Yingxue Villa.
Yingxue Villa was Bai Bing's private residence, located in Baiai City, one of the Nine Mountains and Eighteen Cities of the Divine Realm.
The next day, Ming Qi departed for Baiai City, while the others remained on Qiankun Mountain to cultivate on their own. Any decisions requiring action were left to Xingyun.
Initially, Ming Qi's plan was met with opposition from several people, arguing that he had already significantly offended the people of the Divine Realm in Xiongfeng City that day. Traveling alone this time would be dangerous.
However, Ming Qi ultimately decided to go alone. After all, he was now a powerful Martial Emperor, and not just anyone could stay.
Leaving Qiankun Mountain, Ming Qi set out on his journey to the Divine Realm.
He traveled slowly, simply soaring through the air while constantly replenishing the star power consumed by the Nine Heavens Attracting Stars Technique. Without the Star Demon and the Heavenly Star Crystal, the star power replenishment was much slower. He had already used up his life-saving Nirvana Rebirth technique when he slew Young Master Wushuang, and even after so long, the star power in the Nirvana Nebula had still not been fully replenished.
A few days later, Ming Qi entered the Divine Realm, passing by Baiwang Mountain, one of the world-famous Nine Mountains and Eighteen Cities of the Divine Realm.
The Divine Realm consists of nine mountains and eighteen cities, each forming a ring around the other, protecting them. The terrain is truly a match made in heaven, and the entire Divine Realm possesses a subtle aura of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Baiwang Mountain is high and treacherous, and is constantly garrisoned by Divine Realm masters and a considerable number of Divine Realm guards. The same is true of Tongtian and Shen'ao Mountains, which connect to Baiwang Mountain.
With such defenses, the entire Divine Realm is truly as impenetrable as a fortress of steel.
Upon reaching Baiwang Mountain, Ming Qi made no effort to conceal himself, but passed through the inspection of the Divine Guards.
With the token Bai Bing had given him in hand, he wasted no time in passing Baiwang Mountain and then arrived at the area containing the eighteen cities.
Of the eighteen cities, Bai Bing's Baiai City lies north of the Gods' Capital, the core of the Divine Realm. Relatively speaking, it's quite far from the Capital, and there are no other major cities within a few hundred miles of Baiai City.
This was Ming Qi's first time setting foot within the Divine Realm. Although he had heard of its splendor before, seeing it with his own eyes now, he couldn't help but be astounded by its prosperity.
In comparison, the prosperity of Xilan, Donglan, and Xixian and Dongxian pales in comparison.
However, Ming Qi wasn't here for sightseeing. Throughout his journey, he had been wondering what Bai Bing wanted from him. If he considered it carefully, his friendship with Bai Bing wasn't particularly close, so he figured it wouldn't be anything major. He most likely wanted to borrow the Fire Emperor Sword.
On arrival at Baiai City, Ming Qi was shocked to discover that Bai Bing's Yingxue Mountain Villa wasn't located within the city itself, but rather on a small hill several dozen miles away.
Baiai City was Bai Bing's guardian city assigned by the Divine Realm. Her strategy of building her own base outside the city itself was quite interesting.
After Ming Qi learned this, he didn't even enter Baiai City, but crossed the Golden Bridge of the Heavens, arriving in seconds at the hill where Yingxue Villa lay.
"Hmm?"
Seeing this modest mountain, Ming Qi was truly astonished. This jagged, yet vibrant, and incredibly steep peak, though small, was surprisingly man-made!
The thought of this made Ming Qi's heart flutter. Why hadn't he thought of this?
The destruction of Qiankun Mountain had long been a source of worry for him. It seemed he could rebuild Qiankun Mountain himself.
The entire hill before him was Bai Bing's Yingxue Villa.
As Ming Qi approached a distance, a team of guards in white clothing and armor approached.
"The Lord God Emperor has important matters to attend to recently and declines to receive visitors."
The leading guard didn't even ask Ming Qi where he came from, simply shutting him down with icy words.
Ming Qi thought for a moment, then took out Bai Bing's token.
The guard, upon seeing the snow-colored hexagram, was stunned for a moment, then said, "Well, since you have a pass personally granted by the Lord God Emperor, you may enter. However, do not wander the mountains without permission."
Ming Qi took a few steps before suddenly remembering something. He turned and asked, "Do you know where the Lord God Emperor has gone?"
Ming Qi deliberately concealed his presence, displaying only the realm of an early Martial Saint. It's no wonder the guards were so unresponsive.
"We don't know. The Lord God Emperor has important matters to attend to. No one knows where she is right now."
Ming Qi stopped asking questions and slowly ascended the snow-covered mountain path.