Ming Zhitian wiped away cold sweat. "It's nothing. Qian Lao..."
Qian Gu Yi Di asked, "What is it?"
Ming Zhitian said, "Do you know the way back to Xiugu Realm?"
Qian Gu Yi Di murmured, "Cross the planes of existence?"
Ming Zhitian nodded. "Presumably. Do you know?"
Qian Gu Yi Di shook his head. "This Emperor can open portals to spatial tunnels at will, but this Xiugu Realm you speak of... its era is too distant. This Emperor does not know where you refer to, and thus cannot pinpoint the location accurately."
Ming Zhitian sighed. "If even you don't know the precise location of Xiugu Realm, then it's difficult."
Qian Gu Yi Di said, "This Emperor can help you traverse the myriad realms of the void. In such a vast space, it's impossible to not find such a small realm. Do you recall the general direction from which you came?"
Ming Zhitian said, "I escaped from a semi-finished divine artifact, a Heavenly Realm. I'm not very clear about the general direction either."
Qian Gu Yi Di mused, "A planar space within a divine artifact? I see."
Ming Zhitian asked, "Qian Lao, do you have any leads?"
Qian Gu Yi Di shook his head. "We can only search near the Heavenly Realm. This is the most convenient method for now."
Ming Zhitian nodded. "So be it. Let's begin."
Qian Gu Yi Di merely waved his hand gently, and a illusory void opened before them.
It was similar to the spatial transfer in the Shura Realm, but compared to it, one was in the heavens and the other on the ground. They were incomparable.
Entering the spatial tunnel, they saw countless planar portals. There were grass plains, forests, rocks, fire rocks, glaciers, oceans, skies, and more, varying in size and color.
Qian Gu Yi Di led Ming Zhitian through realm after realm. "Is it here?"
Ming Zhitian shook his head. "No."
They arrived at another place of eternal brilliance. "No."
Then they reached another planar realm, the Cold Dragon Frost. "No."
Next, they arrived at Boundless Land and Sea. "No, it's somewhat close."
Immediately after, they came to the Shattered Stone Continent, still not it.
After traversing the Tian Xuan Realm and the Aurora Yuan Dao Realm, Qian Gu Yi Di had taken Ming Zhitian through over a thousand planar realms, yet they couldn't find Xiugu Realm.
After traversing two more realms, Ming Zhitian's Immortal Spirit Power was almost depleted. Qian Gu Yi Di continued to search for Xiugu Realm alone, while Ming Zhitian remained in the Heavenly Realm to meditate.
Suddenly, a cold immortal wind blew without cause. Ming Zhitian became vigilant. "Who?!"
First, Xue Rou and Wu Tian, both at the Great Accomplishment Great Wheel King Realm, Triple Heaven, appeared. Ming Zhitian now saw clearly that they were both mechanical puppet people.
Ming Zhitian thought it was just the two of them, but then another person appeared: his Uncle-Master Mu Huaitian from the Mechanical Gate!
Ming Zhitian gave a strained laugh. "Oh, I thought it was someone else. It turns out to be Senior Mu."
Mu Huaitian approached with ill intentions. Suddenly, a young disciple in Mechanical Gate attire rushed in to report, "Disciple Xuan Yuan greets Great Uncle-Master Mu. Great Uncle-Master, disciples have gathered thousands strong. Both new and old factions are waiting at the Mechanical Gate. The Mechanical Gate cannot be without a leader for a day. I beg Great Uncle-Master to return with the Divine Mechanism Token as soon as possible to preside over the meeting at the Mechanical Gate."
Mu Huaitian waved his hand slightly. "I know. You may leave now. I... will be there shortly."
"Yes! Great Uncle-Master."
Ming Zhitian watched the departing disciple. He wanted to speak, but with Mu Huaitian present, he refrained.
He then turned to Mu Huaitian with a smile. "Senior Mu, do you require something?"
"Of course," Mu Huaitian sneered. "You little bastard!"
Ming Zhitian was slightly taken aback. "What did you call me?"
Mu Huaitian did not shy away. He looked at Ming Zhitian and said, "I never expected this. Brother, when did you take such a disciple? And you entrusted the Divine Mechanism Token, the symbol of the past Sect Masters of the Mechanical Gate, to him. What were you thinking?"