《Gateway of Immortality》


 Chapter 1: A Boy in Another Life

    <em>Bang!</em>


    A piercing screech of brakes shattered the long night.


    Qin Sang hesitated. It wasn''t that hecked the courage to risk it all, but he had family¡ªparents, brothers¡­


    The intense pain coursing through his body yanked him back to reality. The only sensation he could feel was pain; his limbs were unresponsive. His body seemed deformed, crushed into a narrow corner. The iron frame around him, jagged like teeth, looked menacing.


    The car spun violently, and the lights blurred into the roadside neon. It was as if he was looking through a kaleidoscope. A red string came into view, at the end of which hung a dull yellow Jade Buddha, tracing a short arc before smashing into his nose.


    Amid the intery of light and shadow, a fountain of blood erupted, drowning the Jade Buddha. It must have been from a ruptured artery in his neck.


    "A car ident!"


    Regret consumed Qin Sang. They struck first; he shouldn''t have hesitated!


    Death rendered everything meaningless¡ªthe things he had fought for, cared about¡ªall shattered like an illusion.The only thought that remained was a question of where he would go¡­


    <em>It must be hell.</em>


    "I want to live."


    Qin Sang''s eyes widened.


    The inertia from the impact wasn''t finished yet; the car continued to spin. The Jade Buddha before him swayed back and forth, as if it was swinging right into his soul.


    A dark vortex swallowed him.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    ¡­


    The sun was shining bright and hot.


    The stone mountains were steep, with jagged rocks and scarce greenery. Distant, sporadic bird chirps added to the oppressive heat.


    On a rugged mountain road, a convoy of prison carts moved slowly. On either side of the convoy, a few fierce-looking men on horseback whipped their horses and cursed loudly.


    These burly horsemen didn''t dress like officials; their behavior was more akin to bandits.


    The prison cages on the carts were crude, clearly newly made, with fresh wood showing.


    Every cage was packed with prisoners.


    Qin Sang, his hands and feet bound, was curled up in a corner of one of the cages, his gaze regaining a trace of rity.


    Ever since he regained consciousness, he had been in a daze, with asional moments of lucidity. Only today did he fully digest the memories of this body. ?


    This body also bore the surname Qin and came from a vige called Wang Vige. His parents were farmers, and he had two older brothers, making him the third son in the family. The vigers called him Sanwa[1], as he had not yet reached adulthood and didn''t have a formal name.


    The Qin family was hardworking and had plenty ofborers, so they lived rtively well. But how much wealth could they dig out from the earth?


    Qin''s parents had other ns. They not only sent Qin Sanwa to study, but when he turned fifteen, they took him to seek employment from Manager Wang, hoping to secure a livelihood for him.


    Manager Wang was an old acquaintance of Qin Sanwa''s father and a fellow viger from Wang Vige. He had opened a shop in a nearby town during his youth and was far more prosperous than the vige farmers, making him a man of status.


    Seeing that Qin Sanwa was a good person, Manager Wang was willing to take him in as an assistant. Qin''s parents were naturally grateful and readily agreed.


    This was Qin Sanwa''s first time leaving home. In his fear, he meticulously followed his parents'' teachings, diligently performing his duties, which earned Manager Wang''s favor. The manager even took him along on purchasing trips.


    However, the world was in chaos. Not long after they set out, the manager and his assistant encountered a group of mountain bandits on the road. Manager Wang was beheaded, and Qin Sanwa was thrown into a prison cart, his life temporarily spared.


    Poor Qin Sanwa had never experienced such a disaster and soon died of fright, leaving Qin Sang to take over his body.


    Now upying the body, Qin Sang felt a clear sense of detachment and unfamiliarity. The memories in his mind indicated that this was a world vastly different from his previous life, but Qin Sang had no time to ponder over it.


    The sun grew increasingly scorching. His body was exhausted, and the pain from his wounds was unbearable. Qin Sang forced himself to stay alert, blinking his sore eyes. His gaze suddenly fell on thest cart of the convoy, and he vividly recalled a scene from three days ago when he regained consciousness. Even under the hot sun at noon, he still felt a chill down his spine.


    Looking around, he realized there were only a few prison carts left.


    There was no time; he had to find a way to escape!


    The convoy had been heading north for over ten days, far from Wang Vige. The memories of Qin Sanwa offered no help, and Qin Sang had no idea where they were now.


    At first, they traveled along the main road. These mountain bandits were ruthless, capturing many people.


    Once they had gathered enough captives, they deliberately veered into the deste wilderness, carefully avoiding any chance encounters with others.


    In this remote, wild terrain, there was no hope of rescue.


    To survive, they could only rely on themselves!


    The narrow prison cart was crammed with five people, and Qin Sang''s bones ached from being squeezed. He tried to push himself backward.


    The prisoners in the cart were all young men, just like Qin Sanwa¡ªinnocent people who had been unjustly captured.


    Qin Sang pushed a few times but heard no curses, only weak groans, which filled him with despair.


    Including himself, the prisoners were all famished and extremely weak. The mountain bandits, on the other hand, were robust and well-armed, with horses under them. How could they possibly escape?


    Just then, a light breeze brought a rare hint of coolness, and he noticed a jade belt in the distance. Behind the mountains, there was a river¡ªneither toorge nor too small¡ªits surface wide and calm, glimmering with light, not turbulent at all.


    There were ancient trees along the riverbank, and waist-high yellow grass covered the entire shore, rustling in the wind¡ªa perfect ce to bury bodies.


    "Halt!"


    The leader of the mountain bandits, a burly man with a bristling beard, led the group to the riverbank. He then turned his horse around and headed for thest cart.


    Unlike the other prison carts, this one was covered with a ck cloth, concealing whoever was inside. The person had never emerged.


    As he approached the cart, the leader dismounted, his ferocious expression softening. He walked lightly to the side of the cart, knelt on both knees, and respectfully reported, "Reporting to Immortal Master, this is the Chenshui River, which connects to the Wuling River. We are now within the borders of the Great Sui Kingdom."


    The cart remained silent, with no response. The leadery prostrate on the ground, not daring to rise.


    After a while, a hoarse and grating voice came from within the cart, "Build a raft and cross the river. Continue northward."


    The bearded leader hurriedly acknowledged the order and was about to rise when a violent coughing fit suddenly erupted from the cart. "Q-Quickly send two sacrifices¡ª<em>cough, cough¡­</em>"


    Qin Sang was struck with horror, and the other prisoners began to stir.


    Whenever the immortal master requested sacrifices, two prisoners would be sent into the ck-cloth cart. An hourter, their corpses would be brought out.


    Three days ago, Qin Sang had inadvertently seen one of the corpses. A living person had gone in, but what came out was a desated husk,pletely drained of blood and flesh, with only skin stretched over the bones.


    Those sunken eye sockets were still vividly imprinted in his mind, as if they were silently conveying an endless terror, shattering his understanding of the world.


    If not for the sharpness of his senses, Qin Sang might have thought he was in the eighteenth level of hell[2], though he couldn¡¯t recall any specific torture that involved draining the flesh dry.


    "Bring them out!"


    The leader ordered his men to cut down trees and build a raft, while he personally dragged two people from the nearby cart.


    Qin Sang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his despair didn''t lessen in the slightest. If he couldn¡¯t escape, he would only live a few days longer than those two¡ªwhat was there to celebrate?


    Qin Sang''s eyes were locked on the bandits constructing the raft. Their efficiency was terrifying, and the raft was nearly finished in no time. Qin Sang could only pray that they had skimped on the work, causing the raft to capsize in the river.


    Compared to being drained dry, he would rather drown in the river, as if this life had been nothing more than a final dream before death.


    The leader strode quickly toward the cart, dragging the two unfortunate souls, who used theirst bit of strength to cry out, while the bandits along the riverbankughed heartily.


    The sound of water, the wind, the shing of weapons, footsteps, screams, groans, and sinisterughter¡­


    All these noises assaulted Qin Sang''s ears, and the world suddenly became unbearably loud. His mind was in turmoil, and he felt as if he were about to faint. Suddenly, a thunderous shout rang out.


    "Demon! Let¡¯s see where you run this time!"


    Qin Sang jerked his head up, just in time to see a dazzling white light sh at the mountaintop, cutting through the air, brighter than the sun.


    The white light flickered. <em>It looks like a sword!</em>


    1. Sanwa trantes to "the third child" in Chinese ?


    2. In Chinese culture, there are 18 levels of hell, with each level being worse than the previous. ?

 Chapter 2: The Flying Sword

    <em>Flying sword!</em>


    Qin Sang''s eyes shot open, only to be blinded by the harsh sunlight, forcing him to shut them quickly.


    His throat was parched, and an overwhelming pain surged through his body like a tide. Propping himself up on the ground with his arms, he realized that at some point, he had fallen out of the prison cart and passed out on the ground. His right leg was pinned under a broken cage, which exined the sharp pain¡ªhis leg might have been crushed.


    <em>How did the cart overturn?</em>


    Qin Sang struggled to recall the memories before he lost consciousness, his head throbbing painfully. He barely managed to sit up and, upon opening his eyes, was greeted by a scene of utter devastation in the distance.


    The ancient trees along the riverbank were either toppled or broken, some even appeared to have been struck by lightning. One tree was aze, with thick, choking smoke billowing in the wind.


    The once t expanse of yellow grass was nowpletely unrecognizable, as if wild boars had torn through it. Deep gouges marred the ground, exposing tangled white roots.


    When the convoy had first arrived, the riverbank had been smooth and even.


    Qin Sang stared nkly at the scene, and slowly, fragments of memory began to return.A man in white had descended from the sky, causing the mountain bandits to kneel in terror, calling out "Immortal Master¡­"


    A flying sword had pierced the ck-cloth-covered cart, which then exploded with a loud boom. A figure in ck robes had flown out, and it seemed the two had a grudge, engaging inbat the moment they met. After hearing some strange sounds, Qin Sang had lost consciousness.


    <em>What happened after I cked out?</em>


    <em>Both men can fly, which is clearly not normal. The bandits have referred to them as immortal masters. Can they really be immortals?</em>


    As a child, Qin Sanwa had heard many stories about immortals[1], but Qin Sang had dismissed them as mere superstition, much like in his previous life. Now, however, it seemed there might be some truth to them.


    <em>Which immortal master won?</em>


    Qin Sang saw no sign of the immortal masters. Looking around, he saw that the prison carts were overturned, with most of the cages smashed to pieces. His fellow captives were sprawled across the ground, lying in disarray.


    No wonder the ground beneath his hand felt so soft¡ªhe had been pressing on someone¡¯s stomach.


    Qin Sang quickly lifted his hand, then hesitated for a moment before carefully cing his fingers on the person''s wrist. There was no pulse¡ªthey were dead...


    Perhaps because he had already died once, Qin Sang found that his courage was greater than in his previous life. Despite the corpse lying next to him, he felt little fear.


    <em>Is anyone still alive?</em>


    Qin Sang anxiously scanned the other bodies, but everyoney motionless on the ground, including the horses that had pulled the carts. There was no sign of life¡ªan eerie and unsettling sight.


    Suddenly, Qin Sang noticed more bodies lying along the riverbank. These were the mountain bandits who had been cutting down trees to build a raft. After the man in white had appeared, they had all knelt down, shouting "Immortal Master," but for some reason, they too had lost consciousness.


    Qin Sang''s expression changed sharply. The bandits were strong and hadn¡¯t fallen, so they might just be unconscious, like him¡ªnot dead!


    Realizing this, Qin Sang quickly leaned forward and struggled to lift the wooden cage off his leg. He gasped, unable to suppress a groan of pain, but he bit it back, fearing that he might alert the bandits.


    He prayed fervently that his leg wasn¡¯t broken. If it were, even if he managed to escape, surviving in this wilderness would be nearly impossible.


    Qin Sang carefully pulled his leg out to inspect it.


    Fortunately, the bone wasn¡¯t broken.


    However, when he tried to move, a wave of intense pain shot through him. At the very least, it was a fracture. Walking would be out of the question for now.


    Even if he had to crawl, Qin Sang was determined to reach one of the bandits and retrieve a knife. First, he would cut the ropes binding his hands and feet. Then, he began to systematically stab the bandits. He initially aimed for the heart, but when his de struck bone, sending a jolt of pain through his hand, he switched to shing throats before finishing with a final stab to the heart.


    It wasn¡¯t until he found himself staring at his blood-covered hands that Qin Sang realized the bandits had made no sound when stabbed; they had already been dead. Yet, he had continued stabbing like a man possessed, over and over.


    He was terrified¡ªnot of the corpses, but of himself.


    Qin Sang tossed the knife aside and crawled to the riverbank, plunging his face into the water. He only lifted his head when he was on the brink of suffocation, gasping for air as his emotions gradually settled.


    <em>If I don''t kill them, they''ll kill me!</em>


    If he had realized this sooner in his previous life, would he have ended up in such a dire situation?


    <em>Wait!</em>


    <em>There is still one left!</em>


    A sudden shiver ran through Qin Sang, and cold sweat almost broke out on his skin. It was only when he saw a corpse riddled with wooden splinters that he rxed and copsed to the ground. The leader had been standing next to the ck-cloth-covered cart when it exploded and was killed on the spot.


    Even though all the bandits were dead, Qin Sang didn''t dare to let his guard down. He used a wooden stick to prop himself up.


    As he looked at the full view of the grassy in in the distance, Qin Sang couldn''t help but be secretly amazed. Was all this destruction caused by the battle between the two immortal masters? The sheer power was terrifying.


    Among the wild grasses, two figuresy prone, one in ck and one in white.


    Rationality told Qin Sang that these two immortal masters were not ordinary people¡ªthey were different from the bandits. Now was the best time to escape. Although he couldn¡¯t walk, the river¡¯s current wasn¡¯t strong, and a nearly finished rafty nearby. With just a couple more vines tied, he could leave this dangerous ce.


    Torn between fear and resolve, Qin Sang grabbed the knife and crawled closer.


    Only when he was near did he see that the man in ck had been severed at the waist by a sword, his body cut cleanly into two parts. The flying sword must have been incredibly sharp, as the cut was smooth, though the sight was gruesome.


    The man in white had a ghastly wound in his chest, as if something had gouged into it viciously, leaving the flesh mangled and the internal organs shredded.


    They had killed each other.


    Qin Sang felt a mixture of relief and disappointment.


    He carefully lifted the ck robe of the man in ck and was startled by a hideous, aged face beneath. Afterposing himself, he began to search the man¡¯s body. This immortal master seemed impoverished¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a single coin on him. All Qin Sang found was a piece of material resembling sheepskin and a book tucked in the man¡¯s chest.


    He flipped through the book, recognizing most of the characters, but the content was obscure and difficult to understand. The sheepskin appearedpletely ordinary, with nothing special about it other than its exceptional softness.


    "Huh?"


    Qin Sang suddenly noticed something beneath the man in ck. He moved the body and found a small ck g on the ground.


    The g wasn¡¯trge, with a pole just about the length of his palm. The top was pointed, and the bottom was rounded smooth. Qin Sang picked it up for a closer look. The pole was made of an unknown material that felt cold to the touch. Engraved on it were three small characters: Yan Luo Banner[2]!


    Just the name alone suggested it wasn¡¯t anything good. Coupled with the memory of how this demonic figure had drained people into dry husks, Qin Sang nearly threw the banner away.


    The banner¡¯s fabric was a long, narrow strip of tattered cloth, slightly shorter than the pole, and riddled with holes. A faint image of an evil spirit could still be made out on it.


    After staring at it for a moment, Qin Sang felt as if his consciousness was being sucked into it, so he quickly looked away.


    <em>It is indeed sinister!</em>


    <em>Nothing good cane from this demonic figure!</em>


    Qin Sang hastily wrapped the Yan Luo Banner with the book in the sheepskin and then turned his gaze toward the man in white, his expressionplex.


    1. Immortals or "xian" refer to people who have achieved supernatural powers and immortality in Chinese Daoism ?


    2. Yan Luo or King Yan is the god of death and ruler of hell in Chinese mythology ?

 Chapter 3: Sailing on the Great River

    Contrary to Qin Sang''s expectations, the man in white appeared much younger, seemingly only fifteen or sixteen years old. His face was as smooth as jade, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, giving him a striking appearance despite the leaves and grass clinging to his face. He was the most handsome youth Qin Sang had ever seen in both of his lives.


    The young man''s eyes were wide open, as if questioning the heavens.


    Qin Sang gently closed the youth¡¯s eyes, hesitating for a moment before beginning to search his body.


    To Qin Sang''s surprise, the youth''s body was even cleaner than that of the demon''s. After thoroughly checking, including his undergarments, Qin Sang found only a small, colorful silk pouch.


    The pouch, about the size of a palm, was adorned with intricate cloud patterns and made of a fine material, smoother than the finest silk Qin Sang had ever touched. It was fastened with an embroidered ribbon and hung from the youth''s waist. Initially, Qin Sang thought it was a sachet, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was empty.


    Qin Sang tried to open the pouch, but the ribbon was unexpectedly strong and refused to give way.


    <em>Where''s the flying sword?</em>


    The thought of the flying sword made Qin Sang''s heart race. In both of his lives, the legends of sword immortals were always fascinating and filled with wonder.


    However, despite looking everywhere, there was no sign of the flying sword.Picking up the youth''s hands, Qin Sang noticed that they were tightly clenched as if holding something. With great effort, he pried them open. The left hand held some pale stone fragments, while the right hand contained a small wooden sword.


    Qin Sang picked up the sword. Its surface had a dark sheen, resembling ebony. The sword was finely crafted, with some patterns that seemed to be natural wood grain, but there were no inscriptions.


    This ebony sword was only as long as a little finger and felt heavy in hand, though it had no de. The tip was so blunt it couldn''t even prick a finger, making it seem more like a toy.


    Frowning, Qin Sang recalled the moment he saw the flying sword, realizing that it looked identical to this ebony sword, but muchrger, the size of a regr sword.


    <em>Could these terrifying ravines have been caused by this small sword?</em>


    Qin Sang wrapped everything carefully in sheepskin, just as the man in ck had done, and hid it in his chest. Suddenly, he heard a crackling sound. Looking up, he saw that mes had spread from the tree to the grassy area. The wind was strong, and the riverbank was covered with dry yellow grass, which quickly caught fire.


    He had been careless!


    Qin Sang cursed under his breath. There was no time to bury the bodies. He bowed to the youth in white and whispered, "I do not know your name or origin, but I will keep this pouch as a token. If fate allows, I will return it to your family."


    After speaking, Qin Sang memorized the youth''s features and then skillfully crawled towards the river.


    The fire was spreading rapidly, and Qin Sang became anxious. He hurriedly searched the bandit¡¯s bodies, grabbed two money pouches, and clumsily tied the raft before pushing it into the river. He climbed aboard, just as the mes engulfed the riverbank. ?


    <em>Whoosh¡­</em>


    The fire roared, and thick smoke billowed.


    The raft drifted down the river. Qin Sang noticed that the current was indeed calm, which put him at ease. He turned to gaze at the sea of mes.


    In an instant, dozens of lives were gone, their bodies reduced to ash, including those of the two mysterious immortal masters. Yet, Qin Sang felt no great sorrow, only an overwhelming sense of exhaustion.


    Forcing himself to stay awake, he took out a few pieces of dry bread he had found on the bandits, wolfing them down with river water. Then, thinking of the treasures he had risked his life for, he quickly took them out and organized them.


    The two money pouches contained mostly gold, nearly a hundred taels of silver''s worth, enough for him to livefortably for a while. Qin Sang counted the coins carelessly and then put them away.


    He wrapped the book and the silk pouch in sheepskin and tucked them close to his chest. He then pulled a few strands of cotton thread from his clothes and tied the small sword to a string, hanging it around his neck and hiding it under his cor.


    The small sword was unremarkable in appearance. Even if someone saw it, they would likely assume it was just a wooden talisman, never guessing it was an immortal''s flying sword.


    Qin Sang intended tond at the first sign of a vige or town to seek help, but after drifting for a long time, he saw no signs of life. He cut a branch to splint his injured leg, theny on the raft, fingers ying with the small sword. His gaze was fixed on the horizon, where faint smoke could still be seen drifting in the distance.


    ¡­


    Another ident!


    That terrifying dark vortex appeared again and again, and this time, itsted especially long, spinning faster and faster.


    Qin Sang''s entire body went cold, and he was nearly suffocating. Suddenly, he jolted awake, realizing he was still on the raft¡ªit had just been a nightmare. After escaping danger, he had rxed too much and, exhausted, had fallen asleep on the raft.


    He had no idea how long he had slept, but it was already night. The sky was starry, with no moon, and a few faint starlights scattered across the water, breaking into fragments as the waves rippled.


    <em>Ssh!</em>


    Suddenly, a wave crashed over the raft, sending a shiver through Qin Sang, who instantly woke up. He was soaked to the skin, and the river here was turbulent, with waves continuously crashing, far from the calm of the daytime.


    The raft rose and fell with the waves, and when Qin Sang looked down, cold sweat broke out all over his body. Ahead, a massive whirlpool had formed on the water''s surface, and the raft was drifting straight towards its center¡ªno wonder he had dreamt of that scene.


    Qin Sang knew all too well how terrifying whirlpools in the water could be and was horrified. It was only now that he realized the raft had drifted into a wide river, with surging waters and fierce winds.


    Alone on the raft in the middle of the river, with no support, Qin Sang could only desperately paddle with his knife, but his efforts made little difference.


    Suddenly, a shout suddenly came from behind him.


    "Boy on the raft, stop paddling and grab the rope!"


    Qin Sang turned around and saw arge ship anchored on the river, its dark outline and scattered lights barely visible in the night. Antern was lowered from the ship, and as it swung down towards the river, Qin Sang realized it was held by a man.


    The man held thentern in one hand and a rope in the other. As soon as his toes touched the water, he leaped again, remaining above the surface, walking on the waves as if on solid ground.


    <em>Another immortal master?</em>


    Qin Sang stared in astonishment.


    "Focus!"


    Halfway there, the man shouted again, swung the rope with great force, and sent it flying towards Qin Sang. The rope moved swiftly but slowed down just before reaching Qin Sang. He quickly threw away his knife, struggled to stand, and grabbed the rope, immediately wrapping it around his waist and holding on tightly.


    Seeing Qin Sang''s quick reaction, the man praised him, waved thentern, and shouted back, "Pull the rope!"


    With a loud call from the ship, the rope instantly went taut, and a powerful force lifted Qin Sang off the raft. As he flew towards the ship, he shut his eyes tightly, terrified he would crash into the side.


    The man kicked off the water, soared through the air, grabbed Qin Sang by the cor, and in a few swift steps, leaped onto the ship,nding safely.

 Chapter 4: The City of Three Witches

    "My name is Qin Sang. I work as an assistant for a merchant. This time, while out collecting goods, I was captured by a group of bandits. Yesterday, those bandits encountered their archenemies, and in the chaos, I managed to escape but got lost. My leg was injured, and I had no choice but to use a raft to drift down the river. I never expected to drift into the great river while asleep. Fortunately, you all saved me..."


    Qin Sang sat on the deck, surrounded by burly men with swords and sabers at their waists. He was wrapped in an old cotton coat, which restored some warmth to his body, and he spoke softly, exining his situation.


    The man who had rescued Qin Sang from the river stood right in front of him. This man appeared to be around forty years old, with a lean face that gave him the look of a schr. He was dressed simrly to the other burly men, wearing cloud-patterned boots, a tight-fitting azure outfit, and a treasured sword hanging from his waist. His posture was upright, giving him a very capable and efficient appearance.


    Despite having walked on water for a long time, the man¡¯s entire body remained clean and dry, with only the soles of his shoes showing a few traces of water.


    The other men showed great respect towards him, addressing him as "Boss Bai," indicating that he was their leader.


    Such a person couldn¡¯t possibly be a pirate, and from their conversation, they seemed more like guards for some household. This realization allowed Qin Sang to rx slightly.


    As he exined his situation, Qin Sang instinctively omitted the part about encountering the immortal master. Now that he had calmed down, he realized that while this Boss Bai was no ordinary person, he was still far from the level of an immortal master who could fly with a sword.


    "Meeting in the middle of the river is fate, and extending a helping hand is only right. There''s no need to mention any debt of gratitude! My name is Bai Jiann, and I''m a few years older than you, Brother Qin. If you don''t mind, just call me Brother Bai..."


    Bai Jiann¡¯s words carried a touch of chivalry. He crouched down, his gaze sweeping over therge bloodstain on Qin Sang''s chest, and smiled, saying, "When we first saw you lying motionless on the raft, we thought it was a corpse. Luckily, you sat up on your own... Now, let me take a look at your leg injury."As he spoke, Bai Jiann ced his hand on Qin Sang''s injured leg and closed his eyes slightly.


    A momentter, Qin Sang suddenly felt a warm current emanating from Bai Jiann''s fingers, entering his leg, and then traveling up through his blood vessels, eventually spreading throughout his entire body. The warmth dispelled the cold dampness that had seeped into his bones.


    The warm current circted through his body before gathering at the site of his leg injury. At first, a tingling sensation came from the painful area, followed by a significant reduction in the pain.


    Feigning surprise, Qin Sang eximed, "Brother Bai, are you one of those legendary immortal masters? My leg is healing?"


    The surrounding men burst intoughter. "Kid, you even managed to kill bandits, and you don''t know what true qi is? You¡¯re lucky to have met Boss Bai, who''s willing to use his true qi to heal you. You should be thanking him!"


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes flickered as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude.


    Bai Jiann withdrew his hand and, after calming his energy, opened his eyes and looked at Qin Sang. "It seems you really don¡¯t know martial arts. I¡¯m just a martial artist, not an immortal master, and I don''t have the skills of one. This true qi, also known as inner strength, can help alleviate your pain, but fully healing your injury is difficult. Your leg bone isn¡¯t broken, just fractured in a few ces. I¡¯ve used my internal force to disperse the clotted blood around the injury. Once you disembark, find a doctor to prescribe some bone-strengthening medicines. In less than a month, you should be fully recovered..."


    "Ms. Chun Tao is here!"


    A soft exmation interrupted Bai Jiann''s words.


    Everyone fell silent and moved aside, and Bai Jiann stood up, turning to look.


    Qin Sang noticed that they were near the stern of the ship. The row of cabins ahead was dark, except for the one in the middle, which was arranged as a flower hall, illuminated by candlelight. The light filtered through thettice windows, but both the inside and outside of the windows were covered with gauze, making it impossible to see inside. ?


    The door to the flower hall was partially open, and a slender figure carrying antern approached. As she came closer, Qin Sang saw that it was a young girl, around seventeen or eighteen years old.


    She was dressed in a light green, delicate outfit, clearly of high quality, but it was no match for the chilly night wind on the river, causing her hands to tremble slightly from the cold.


    The burly men seemed quite intimidated by her. As she walked by, they quickly stepped aside, respectfully bowing and greeting her, "Greetings, Ms. Chun Tao."


    <em>She must be their employer.</em> Qin Sang thought.


    "Commander Bai, Miss sent me to ask why the ship has stopped here."


    Chun Tao''s expression was displeased as she furrowed her brows and stepped forward. She was shorter than Bai Jiann, so she lifted thentern high, nearly pressing it against Bai Jiann¡¯s face, her oval-shaped eyes ring at him in annoyance.


    Bai Jiann sped his hands in a respectful salute and said, "Please inform the youngdy that we stopped because we spotted a raft in distress in the middle of the river with someone still aboard. We have rescued the person and are ready to set sail again."


    Upon hearing this, Chun Tao nced down at Qin Sang and lowered thentern, practically shoving it in his face.


    Qin Sang, understanding his precarious situation, quickly straightened up and smiled awkwardly, nodding his head.


    Before he could utter a word of thanks, Chun Tao snorted coldly and ordered, "Someone, throw him overboard!"


    Qin Sang was shocked, not expecting this seemingly delicate girl to have such a ruthless heart. He quickly looked towards Bai Jiann for help.


    Bai Jiann frowned slightly and gestured for his men to stand down, saying, "Ms. Chun Tao, that would be most unwise..."


    Chun Tao¡¯s brows shot up as she pointed at Bai Jiann¡¯s nose and began to berate him sharply, her voice growing shrill, "Bai! The king ordered you to protect the youngdy, and this is how you do it? This little scoundrel looks shifty, covered in blood¡ªclearly not a good person. How dare you let him on board? If he turns out to be an assassin and disturbs the youngdy, how many heads do you have to lose?"


    "Please, Ms. Chun Tao, calm down," Bai Jiann remainedposed, neither humble nor arrogant as he exined, "I¡¯ve questioned this Brother Qin thoroughly. He doesn¡¯t know any martial arts and is a victim of mountain bandits, barely escaping with his life. The blood on him is from the struggle to survive. There was no reason not to save him. Besides, Brother Qin¡¯s leg is injured, making it difficult for him to move. With our men keeping watch, he won¡¯t disturb the youngdy."


    Seeing that Bai Jiann was insistent on rescuing the man, Chun Tao¡¯s eyes darted, and she suggested, "Isn¡¯t there a couple of small boats being towed behind the ship? Give him one and let him be on his way!"


    Qin Sang gasped, taking in the vast, boundless river, with autumn tides surging. The riverbanks were lined with towering mountains, without a single light in sight, and the asional strange cries of beasts echoed, making it seem like a ghostly domain.


    To be cast adrift on a small boat in such a river, one would die without even knowing how.


    <em>This girl has a truly vicious heart!</em>


    Bai Jiann responded, "Ms. Chun Tao, you may not know, but we have just entered the Ninefold Canyon of the Wuling River. The riverbanks here are steep cliffs and treacherous mountains, with no signs of human habitation and dangerous beasts roaming freely. The only option is to follow the river downstream. However, the Ninefold Canyon is the most dangerous and rapid part of the Wuling River. If we set a small boat adrift here, it would surely capsize. How about this: we allow Brother Qin to stay in the rear cabin for now, and we¡¯ll set sail immediately. By dawn, we¡¯ll have passed through the Ninefold Canyon, and we can then drop him off at the City of Three Witches. I¡¯ll personally keep watch on the deck tonight to ensure nothing goes wrong."

 Chapter 5: The Elusive Immortal Master

    After much effort, Bai Jiann finally managed to coax Chun Tao back, and then ordered someone to help Qin Sang to his feet.


    "Brother Qin, Ms. Chun Tao was only concerned for herdy''s safety and acted out of necessity. Please don''t take it to heart. I must trouble you to rest in the aft cabin for the night. I''ll have someone bring you some food shortly. Once we reach the dock of the City of Three Witches, we''ll see you off. The City of Three Witches is a major thoroughfare for merchants from both the north and south; perhaps you''ll find someone from your hometown there..."


    Qin Sang was overwhelmed with gratitude. He remembered the two money pouches he had on him and quickly took them out, saying, "Brother Bai, I have nothing to repay your life-saving grace. These gold and silver coins were taken from the bandits I killed. I hope you won''t mind epting them..."


    "Hey!"


    Bai Jiann frowned and pushed Qin Sang''s hand back.


    "Back when I was weak in martial arts, I traveled the world and often received help from chivalrous people. That''s how I''ve survived until now. Today, I''m merely following the example of those who came before me, doing a small righteous deed. There''s no need to mention money again, or I''ll throw you off this ship!"


    Qin Sang felt embarrassed and awkwardly retracted his hand.


    The man who was supporting him chuckled. "Boss Bai earns over a thousand taels of silver a year. Why would he be greedy for your little bit of money? Keep it for yourself to find a wife when you return home."


    The aft cabin had a few small rooms, originally meant for the boatmen to rest. Now they were filled with misceneous items. They found a rtively clean one, piled with straw, andter brought down a quilt. Though simple, it was something Qin Sang hadn''t even dared to dream of for the past few months.After settling Qin Sang in, Bai Jiann and his men returned to the upper deck. Not long after, someone came down with a set of old clothes and a hot meal. Qin Sang devoured the food, barely tasting it.


    He changed into the clothes, wrapped himself tightly in the quilt, and after a long while of random thoughts, he finally drifted into a deep sleep.


    Before falling asleep, he felt for the ebony sword and a few other items on his chest but resisted the urge to take them out and look at them.


    ¡­


    He slept like a log through the night.


    When Qin Sang opened his eyes, he felt more refreshed than ever, despite the gentle rocking of the cabin.


    His stomach growled again, and he had no idea what time it was.


    Qin Sang sat up, found a stick, and slowly stood. Leaning on the stick, he discovered that he could now walk slowly, once again marveling at the wonders of internal force.


    Step by step, he moved to thedder at the bottom of the aft cabin. He heard loud shoutsing from above, and soon after, the man who had helped him the day before popped his head down.


    "Brother Qin is awake!"


    The man jumped down in one leap, scolding, "Your leg isn''t healed yet, why are you up on your own? I''ve been keeping watch above; you just needed to call, and I''d havee down. Come on, it''s stuffy down here. Let me help you up. It''s still early, not yet time for breakfast. Boss Bai is teaching the brothers some martial arts. We''ve already passed Ninefold Canyon, and we''re not far from the City of Three Witches. After breakfast, we''ll see you off..."


    Qin Sang discreetly observed the man, who seemed to be about his age, lively, and couldn''t stop talking.


    "What''s your name, Brother?"


    "My name''s Zhou Ning. I''m a good swimmer, so everyone calls me Water Monkey. The river calms down after passing the City of Three Witches. It''s a pity you have to get off soon; you''ll miss out on the river fish I catch. Let me tell you, the Nine-Whiskered Fish in the Wuling River are the freshest you''ll ever taste. But they don''t take bait, and thes can''t catch them. There aren''t many who can manage to catch them besides me..."


    "So it''s Brother Zhou," Qin Sang quickly interrupted as Zhou Ning''s eyes began to light up with excitement while talking about fishing. "I wonder how much you know about the City of Three Witches? This is my first time here, could you give me some advice?"


    "No problem!"


    As they spoke, the two of them climbed up to the deck.


    It was just before dawn, and a thick fog had risen over the river, obscuring the green mountains on the shore. All that could be seen was a vast expanse of white mist, and the river wind was quite cold.


    On the deck, the sturdy men Qin Sang had seen the day before were all dressed in uniform short jackets. The character "Dong"[1] was painted in white on their backs. Despite the cold, they were lined up, practicing boxing, with the steam from their sweat blending into the fog.


    "The ninth move, Angry Dragon Topples the Mountain!"


    Bai Jiann, holding a short stick, looked stern. If anyone made even the slightest mistake, they''d receive a blow on the back, but no one cried out in pain or showed any resistance.


    "The City of Three Witches controls the Wuling River water system. Due to its location, people from several southwestern countries must pass through the City of Three Witches to reach the Great Sui, and the number of traveling merchants is countless. You¡¯ll find people from all walks of life there, especially at the first dock, which is the most chaotic. Brother Qin, since you don¡¯t have any martial skills, you must be careful


    Zhou Ning grew more enthusiastic and kept talking non-stop, while Qin Sang listened intently.


    It was only then that Qin Sang realized they were no longer in his homnd of Ning Kingdom.


    The Great Sui bordered Ning Kingdom to the northeast, separated by several treacherous mountain ranges and the natural barrier of the Wuling River. Despite these obstacles, peace had been maintained between the two kingdoms.


    It was unclear why the mountain bandits had traversed the dangerous mountains and headed north.


    At the location of the City of Three Witches, the Wuling River split into several tributaries, all of which were mighty in their flow. The entire Wuling River system flowed through multiple countries, making the City of Three Witches unique.


    Additionally, the city housed a royal pce, where one of the eight kings of the Great Sui, the Zhenshui King, was stationed.


    With the Zhenshui King''s army maintaining order, the city was stable, and merchants from various countries preferred to conduct business there.


    The first dock was thergest in the City of Three Witches. If Qin Sang wished to return home, it would be the easiest ce to find merchants from his homnd.


    While listening to Zhou Ning''s rambling, Qin Sang¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Bai Jiann and his men, gradually noticing certain details. Such strict discipline was something Qin Sang had only seen in soldiers before. Coupled with Chun Tao''s unintentional mentionst night that they were sent by a king to protect the youngdy, Qin Sang began to wonder. <em>Can these men be guards of a king?</em>


    Qin Sang nced at the flower hall, recalling that Zhou Ning had mentioned there were thirteenmanderies in the Great Sui, with eight kings of esteemed rank, second only to the emperor. <em>Who can this youngdy be, to warrant a king sending soldiers to escort her?</em>


    "Zhou Ning!"


    Zhou Ning instantly snapped to attention, his demeanor turning sharp. "Yes!"


    "Fall in line!"


    "Yes!"


    Zhou Ning ran back to join the formation, while Bai Jiann approached. Qin Sang struggled to his feet to greet him, "Brother Bai..."


    Bai Jiann waved off the formalities. "No need for that, how did you sleepst night? The brothers¡¯ skills are crude, I hope Brother Qin doesn¡¯t find itughable."


    "You¡¯re all heroes and warriors, I admire you greatly! Brother Bai, if I start learning martial arts now, can I be as skilled as you?"


    Qin Sang asked earnestly. He genuinely envied them and wanted to learn.


    Bai Jiann chuckled and replied, "I¡¯m nothing. The true experts in the world can release their true qi externally, use internal force to create sword lights, and there are even legends of a true expert killing an immortal master. That¡¯s what I call real skill."


    "An immortal master can be killed by someone who practices martial arts?" Qin Sang was shocked and eagerly asked, "Brother Bai, have you ever seen an immortal master?"


    Bai Jiann shook his head, seeing through Qin Sang''s intentions, and advised, "Immortal masters are as elusive as dragons¡ªhow many have actually seen one? Countless people seek immortality, but most end up wasting their lives in the deep mountains and rivers, achieving nothing. Don¡¯t let yourself be obsessed and waste your best years."


    1. "Dong" here trantes to "East" in Chinese ?

 Chapter 6: Immortals

    Qin Sang remained silent, touching his chest as he fixed his determined gaze on Bai Jiann. "Brother Bai, you still haven''t answered me. If I start learning martial arts now, can I master it?"


    Bai Jiann was a bit surprised and smiled. "What do you consider mastering it?"


    Qin Sang hesitated before suggesting, "Cultivating internal force?"


    Bai Jiann shook his head. "Difficult."


    Recalling the moment when Bai Jiann had insisted on keeping him, Qin Sang asked, "Then, could I at least defeat evil bandits?"


    "Even bandits can possess great martial skills, but..."


    Bai Jiann¡¯s expression shifted slightly. "It¡¯s rare to see such determination. If you truly wish to learn, I can teach you a few moves of the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em>. It¡¯ll give you some ability to protect yourself. This isn¡¯t advanced martial arts¡ªit''s one of the mostmon hand-to-hand styles in the martial world and can be used with spears and staves. Most bodyguards can perform a few of its forms."


    Overjoyed, Qin Sang immediately knelt down and bowed. "Thank you, Master!"


    "No need for such formality!"Bai Jiann smiled as he helped Qin Sang to his feet. "We¡¯re nearly at the City of Three Witches, so I can only teach you three moves. After this, we may part ways in the vast world, with little chance of meeting again. I dare not take the title of teacher¡ªyou and I will still be brothers. The <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> has ten moves in total. If you truly persevere, you canter find a martial arts academy or an escort agency to learn the remaining seven. Don¡¯t underestimate this simple martial art, though. If you practice diligently and have sufficient insight, it can lead to great achievements. There¡¯s a legend in the martial world about a prodigy who, through the simplest <em>Arhat Fist,</em> cultivated a powerful true qi. But of course, he was the only one."


    "Watch carefully!"


    "The first move: Raging Sea Dragon..."


    "The second move: Heaven Striking Fist..."


    "The third move: Tiger Subduing Vajra..."


    The <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> was indeed straightforward, especially the first three moves. Bai Jiann demonstrated them twice, and Qin Sang memorized the movements and their apanying incantation.


    When it was Qin Sang¡¯s turn to practice, although he could only assume the stances due to his injured leg, he quickly realized that there was more to it than met the eye. The same move, when performed by him and Bai Jiann, looked identical, but he couldn¡¯t quite grasp the correct use of force.


    What followed was a process of guiding his strength and correcting mistakes. Fortunately, the first three moves of the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist </em>focused on arm and fist strength, relying on upper body force without requiring footwork. Qin Sang braced his injured leg against the ship¡¯s side, concentrating solely on learning the stances and methods of exerting force, with little impact on his progress.


    "Focus! Do you call that a Vajra stance?"


    "The move is the surface, the strength is the internal aspect. If your fist strikes crookedly and you use the wrong force, you¡¯ll never cultivate internal force in your lifetime!"


    ¡­


    Bai Jiann showed no leniency when teaching, with scolding being the least severe reprimand.


    The other men, having finished their training, gathered around to watch andugh. Qin Sang received a few hard hits on his back and dared not lose focus again. By the time the meal was ready, he had mastered all three moves. ?


    After they ate, the sun had risen, and the fog over the river was visibly thinning. Suddenly, someone at the bow shouted, "The City of Three Witches is in sight!"


    Qin Sang gripped the railing and stood up, watching as the thin mist on the river dissipated into the green mountains, revealing a river teeming with boats of all sizes, stretching as far as the eye could see. The golden rays of the rising sun flowed across the water, creating a breathtakingly majestic scene.


    In the midst of the gathering boats, the shore ahead must be the first dock. Though called a dock, its size was more akin to that of a town, muchrger than the small town where Qin Sanwa once worked.


    It was hard to imagine how grand the City of Three Witches must be beyond the dock!


    Their ship sailed quietly forward as Water Monkey scampered to the bow, signaling with gs. After a small boat came alongside, he loudly negotiated a fare with the boatman before turning and shouting, "Brother Qin, it¡¯s time to disembark!"


    The moment hade to leave.


    "Until we meet again!"


    Though his time with Bai Jiann and the others had been short, Qin Sang felt a deep sense of reluctance. After bidding farewell to each of them, he was lowered onto the small boat in a basket tied with ropes and watched as therger boat sailed away.


    Water Monkey continued waving from the bow.


    ¡­


    "Young Master, is this your first time visiting the City of Three Witches?"


    The small boat glided smoothly through the river, gradually approaching the dock. The boatman, an elderly man, noticed Qin Sang gazing intently at the dock and struck up a conversation.


    Qin Sang snapped out of his reverie and looked at the old man, jokingly saying, "My surname is Qin; I''m no young master. I''m here to seek out immortals. You''ve been navigating these waters for many years, haven''t you? Have you ever seen an immortal?"


    The old man burst into heartyughter. "Brother Qin, don''t tease an old man like me. I''ve been running boats on this river since I was eight, over fifty years now, but I''ve never seen an immortal. So, what brings you to the City of Three Witches, Brother Qin? Are you here for business, visiting friends, or looking for work? I''ve been all over the City of Three Witches, inside and out. Maybe I can help you out a bit."


    "Look at my leg." Qin Sang lifted his injured leg slightly, smiling bitterly. "I can''t even stand properly right now. I''m not thinking about anything else; I just want to heal my leg first. Do you know where I can find a divine doctor[1] at the dock? Please, give me some guidance."


    "Oh?"


    The old man nced down at Qin Sang¡¯s leg, then shook his head. "The divine doctors are all in the city, treating the wealthy. They wouldn''t stay at the dock. It''s still thirty li[2] from here to the City of Three Witches... But I do know a few old physicians with good reputations at the dock. If you trust me, I can take you to one of them."


    As they spoke, the pier came into view. The dock was crowded with people, most of them dressed in rags, creating a noisy and chaotic scene.


    Qin Sang was surprised, "So many people at the dock?"


    "You wouldn''t know, Brother Qin..."


    The old man sighed with a look of pity. "The dock wasn''t this lively before. Recently, many refugees havee from the north, saying there''s been a great drought followed by a locust gue. The crops in the fields have been wiped out, and I''ve heard rumors of people raising gs in rebellion, with wars breaking out everywhere. These poor folks couldn''t survive in their hometowns, so they fled south. To be honest, Brother Qin, I''m nearly sixty, and I''ve seen hard times before, but never like this. It¡¯s not just the first dock; all the docks downstream are packed with people trying to stay alive. Even the most grueling job, like pulling towlines, has dozens of peoplepeting for it. And outside the City of Three Witches? Well, they say the new emperor is foolish and ipetent..."


    The old man suddenly fell silent, casting a cautious nce at Qin Sang.


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t seem to mind and continued observing the dock. As the old man had said, nearly ny percent of the people were impoverished and gaunt.


    Realizing his words might have been inappropriate, the old man quickly changed the subject. "Brother Qin, speaking of the poor, I just remembered something. I may have never seen a real immortal, but I''ve heard that there''s a living immortal at the Qingyang Temple on Cuiming Mountain!"


    Qin Sang raised an eyebrow. "What kind of living immortal?"


    Seeing that Qin Sang was indeed intrigued, the old man continued with a hint of pride, "This living immortal is quite famous around here. I''m talking about the Daoist Master Jixin, the abbot of Qingyang Temple. There are many temples and monasteries on Cuiming Mountain, but Qingyang Temple was never well-known until this Daoist Master appeared, and its reputation soared. People call him a living immortal, and they¡¯re not exaggerating. He''s best known for his saintlypassion. Truly, he lives up to the name of a living immortal."


    1. Divine doctor is a title used for doctors who are really good and can treat almost any sickness ?


    2. Li, also known as the Chinese mile, is a traditional Chinese unit of distance. The li has varied considerably over time but was usually about one third of an English mile and now has a standardized length of a half-kilometer. ?

 Chapter 7: Daoist Jixin

    When the boat reached the dock, Qin Sang listened as the old man recounted numerous tales about Daoist Jixin.


    The Qingyang Temple on Cuiming Mountain had once flourished but gradually declined over time. The temple''s Daoist monks left one after another, leaving only a few elderly monks who eventually passed away as well.


    Without anyone to maintain it, the temple fell into disrepair, with weeds overtaking the grounds. If it hadn''t been for Daoist Jixin, in just a few years, the Qingyang Temple would have been reduced to nothing but crumbling walls and ruins.


    What people admired most about Daoist Jixin was not his role as the temple''s master, but his benevolence.


    After taking over the Qingyang Temple with a young disciple, he did not seek offerings. Instead, he climbed the mountain daily to gather herbs, which he used to treat and medicate the poor.


    Whether someone suffered from injuries, colds, or fevers, as long as they came to him, Daoist Jixin would carefully diagnose and treat them. Although his medical skills were not exceptional, his consultation fees were very low.


    For those who truly could not afford to pay, he allowed them to record the debt, but even after three or five years without repayment, he never demanded it. His reputation spread, andbined with his status as the temple''s master, he earned the nickname of a living immortal.


    As the old man docked the boat, he assisted Qin Sang off the boat and advised him, "Brother Qin, your leg injury isn¡¯t severe. The living immortal will surely help you. However, Cuiming Mountain lies between the City of Three Witches and the dock, ten li from here. You¡¯ll need to hire a carriage to get there. I know a few honest drivers who charge fair prices..."


    Qin Sang politely declined the old man''s offer. Despite the disappointment in the old man''s eyes, he leaned on a wooden cane and hobbled into the crowd.As he walked through the throngs of people, with voices from all over the country echoing in his ears, Qin Sang silently acknowledged that the City of Three Witches truly lived up to its reputation.


    Due to his leg injury, Qin Sang moved slowly, often stopping. Eventually, he overheard someone speaking in his hometown dialect. Looking over, he saw a group of well-dressed men by the riverside, directingborers to load goods onto a boat.


    He watched as they finished loading the cargo and sailed away, but Qin Sang remained silent, turning resolutely to enter a nearby tavern.


    After enjoying a meal of fresh river fish, Qin Sang sat on the second floor, sipping tea as he gazed out over the vast river and the bustling people below, lost in thought.


    "Waiter, the bill, please!"


    Qin Sang took out a piece of silver, watching as the manager weighed it on a scale. After receiving his change, he asked, "Excuse me, sir, I¡¯d like to go to the City of Three Witches. Where can I hire a carriage?"


    The manager gave Qin Sang a once-over before pointing outside. "Head west along this street. At the end, you''ll find a cluster of carriagepanies. They all do legitimate business, and many carriages go to the City of Three Witches and the major docks."


    Perhaps noticing that Qin Sang had eaten well, the manager kindly advised, "These days... it¡¯s best not to travel alone, young master. Find a few people to share a carriage with; it¡¯ll be cheaper too."


    From the first intersection to the City of Three Witches, the terrain gradually rose. The main route to the city from the docks was well-traveled, with many pedestrians and a wide, smooth road, making the carriage ride rtivelyfortable.


    Qin Sang disembarked at the foot of Cuiming Mountain. He looked up at the towering peak before him. The path up the mountain seemed treacherous, and with his leg still weak, he felt a twinge of anxiety.


    The Wuling River was nked by rolling hills, with Cuiming Mountain being just one of many peaks in the long mountain range. It was not particrly prominent among the surrounding mountains.


    However, Cuiming Mountain had a unique aura and charm. The dense forests asionally revealed glimpses of temple rooftops, and the asional sound of a long bell echoed through the mountain forest, calming the soul.


    From the carriage driver, Qin Sang heard several legends about the spirits and creatures that supposedly dwelled within Cuiming Mountain. He couldn¡¯t tell whether these temples and Daoist sites chose Cuiming Mountain because of these legends, or if the legends arose after their arrival.


    Qin Sang struggled up the mountain path until he encountered a group of people who were also heading to Qingyang Temple for medical treatment. With their help, he finally reached the temple, situated halfway up the mountain on the far side.


    Qin Sang stood at the entrance of Qingyang Temple, leaning on his cane.


    The temple was quiterge, surrounded by a vast bamboo forest. The afternoon sunlight was mild, with the bamboo leaves rustling in the cool breeze.


    Due to the steep terrain, even from outside, Qin Sang could see the tiered eaves of the buildings within. The architectural style was simr to the Daoist temples Qin Sang had seen in his previous life, but this one was in severe disrepair. Broken roof tiles were scattered everywhere, with clumps of straw peeking out from underneath, suggesting that few roofs were free from leaks.


    From outside, he could hear the voices of several people inside.


    Qin Sang carefully stepped onto the stone-paved stairs, moving slowly as he entered. The lintel above the door was engraved with the words "Qingyang Temple," and two decayed wooden doors hung askew on either side, their metal rings, which acted as handles, covered in rust.


    Upon entering, he found himself in arge courtyard filled with haystacks, a donkey pen, an ancient well, a pulley, a millstone, and stone mortars. There were tworge gardens¡ªone nted with vegetables, and the other with nts Qin Sang didn¡¯t recognize, likely medicinal herbs.


    Behind the courtyard were several steps leading up to a grand hall, thergest and most imposing structure in the entire Qingyang Temple, and also the one in the best condition.


    A wooden que hung above the hall, inscribed with the words "Qingyang Hall" in bold, vigorous characters, though the paint was nearly worn off.


    <em>It doesn''t look like a ce where immortals reside.</em>


    Qin Sang sighed quietly and was about to enter when three people pushed the door open from inside. Two raggedly dressed men were helping a pale-faced old woman. As they walked out, they turned back repeatedly to express their gratitude, promising to bring the consultation fee by the following month.


    Qin Sang, knowing that immortals truly existed in this world, dared not show any disrespect. His expression became solemn as he quietly stepped into the Qingyang Hall.


    The hall was spacious, withrge sections of the murals on the walls peeling away, leaving the original images unrecognizable.


    Only the three statues in the main hall retained their vibrant colors, theircquer and carving exceptionally exquisite.


    A single incense stick burned on the offering table, its smoke curling upward, filling the room with a pleasant fragrance.


    To the side of the offering table was a long desk, nked by two cabs¡ªone filled with medicinal herbs and the other with scriptures. Behind the desk sat an emaciated, elderly Daoist, as motionless as a pine tree, taking the pulse of an old man.


    The elderly Daoist¡¯s hair and beard were entirely white, yet his face did not show the signs of age. His eyes were particrly bright and full of vitality. A long, snowy beard cascaded down to his chest, giving him an air of otherworldly grace. He wore an azure Daoist robe that had been washed so many times it had faded, but it was still very clean.


    To his right were writing brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. To his left was a medicine chest, along with a herbal hoe, cinnabar, yellow paper, and other strange tools.


    <em>He must be Daoist Jixin.</em> Qin Sang thought to himself.


    "Sir, are you here to offer incense or seek medical treatment?"


    Qin Sang followed the voice and saw a young Daoist monk, about thirteen or fourteen years old, stepping out from the group of people waiting for treatment. The Daoist robe hung loosely on him, looking a bit oversized andical. He had a fairplexion.


    Recalling that the old boatman had mentioned Daoist Jixin had a disciple, Qin Sang smiled warmly. "Greetings. My surname is Qin. I injured my leg a few days ago and would like the master to take a look."


    The young Daoist brought over a small wooden stool. "Please, Mr. Qin, have a seat."


    Qin Sang sat down as instructed. The young Daoist lifted Qin Sang¡¯s injured leg, feeling the bone with his hands. "Mr. Qin, your leg bone isn¡¯t broken, but it might be slightly fractured. With some bone-nourishing decoctions, you¡¯ll recover in no time. If you¡¯re not in a hurry, you can sit and wait for my master to examine you."


    Qin Sang hade specifically to see the old Daoist, so he readily agreed. "I¡¯ll be in your care."

 Chapter 8: Settling Down at Qingyang Temple

    "Ming Yue, prepare two doses of medicine for the old gentleman."


    Daoist Jixin called out as he swiftly penned the prescription with a brush.


    The young Daoist quickly walked over, following the prescription to gather the herbs, grinding them down with a pestle, and wrapping them in lotus leaves. All the while, he had to attend to other patients, and by the time he was done, a sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead.


    The elderly man stood nervously nearby, watching the young Daoist work. When he finally received the medicine wrapped in lotus leaves, his hands trembled slightly. He hesitated before Daoist Jixin, waiting until the Daoist had finished attending to another patient. Then, he opened his palm and mumbled softly, "Living Immortal, you are sopassionate. I¡¯ve only just arrived from the north, just found a ce to stay, and my child only got work at the dock yesterday. The wages won¡¯te until next month, and all I have are these few coins..."


    Daoist Jixin finished writing another prescription and handed it to Ming Yue. He then looked up at the old man and sighed softly. "Elder, this is enough to cover the cost of the medicine. There¡¯s no need to worry about the consultation fee. When your situation improves, you can bring itter. I¡¯ll just put it on the tab for now."


    After Daoist Jixin made a note in the thick ledger, the old man left, full of gratitude.


    Qin Sang sat at the back, watching the master and disciple bustle about. His thoughts were a swirl of emotions, and before he knew it, dusk had fallen. Only two people who had helped him up the mountain remained in front of him.


    After seeing a dozen or so patients, more than half of whom were from the north, Daoist Jixin found that most of them could only have their fees recorded, as they couldn¡¯t even afford the medicine. Throughout the entire afternoon, aside from a couple who came seeking talismans to ward off evil spirits and an elderlydy seeking fortune sticks[1], not a single person came to offer incense. The old Daoist earned little, yet neither he nor his disciple showed a hint of impatience, which deeply moved Qin Sang.


    "Young man, lift your leg."When the previous patients had been seen, Qin Sang hobbled over with his cane and lifted his injured leg as instructed by the old Daoist.


    After writing the prescription and instructing Ming Yue to prepare the medicine, Daoist Jixin made a note in the ledger, his voice betraying a trace of fatigue. Qin Sang¡¯s heart stirred as he spoke softly, "Daoist Master, I¡¯ve heard that more and more people are fleeing from the north. The number of patients seeking your help will only increase, yet there are only you and your young disciple here, and you still need to gather herbs from the mountains. I¡¯m afraid it will be too much for you to manage..."


    Before he could finish, Qin Sang noticed from the corner of his eye that the young Daoist''s face lit up with anticipation as he looked at his master.


    Without raising his head, Daoist Jixin interrupted, "Young man, you¡¯ve seen the state of the temple. The people whoe here are all poor. As much as I wish to help, I¡¯m powerless. We barely earn enough incense money in a year to support another Daoist, let alone pay you any wages."


    The young Daoist¡¯s eyes dimmed, and he pouted slightly.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected the old Daoist to be so blunt, but he wasn¡¯t one to give up easily. Smiling awkwardly, he said, "To be honest, Daoist Master, I am indeed looking for a ce to stay. Unfortunately, I injured my leg, making it difficult to find work. When I saw how busy you and your disciple were, I thought I could help. I don¡¯t ask for any wages, just a ce to shelter from the wind and rain, and some tasks to do."


    Daoist Jixin finally looked up at Qin Sang, stroking his long beard as he said, "You¡¯re in the prime of your life. Why settle for a ce in the mountains? You should go to the dock, find an honest job, and build a future for yourself. That¡¯s the right path."


    Seeing that Daoist Jixin''s tone was softening, Qin Sang quickly seized the opportunity. "Daoist Master, I¡¯ve studied under a teacher in my vige for a few years. I can write and paint, and I could help you with record-keeping and herb grinding. Once my leg heals, I could even apany you to gather herbs. If you don¡¯t mind, perhaps you could let me stay for a month on a trial basis. If I prove to be useless, you can send me down the mountain."


    Daoist Jixin was indeed moved. He squinted as he scrutinized Qin Sang for a long moment before saying, "Very well. I¡¯m just a poor old Daoist. What do I have to fear from you?"


    With that, Daoist Jixin took up a brush and pulled out a sheet of yellow paper.


    "Write a few words for me."


    Qin Sang took the brush and, after being given a few words to write, anxiously watched Daoist Jixin¡¯s reaction.


    In his previous life, Qin Sang had never used a brush, but fortunately, Qin Sanwa had practiced. Still, his writing was just passable¡ªlegible but rough, with a couple of characters poorly formed.


    However, Qin Sang had learned that literacy in this world was rare, making him rtively well-educated.


    Seeing Daoist Jixin silently scrutinize the yellow paper, Qin Sang hastily added, "I¡¯ve always been eager to learn, Daoist Master, but my family fell on hard times, and I was only able to study for a few years. If you take me in, I promise to work hard and continue my studies."


    "It¡¯s passable."


    Daoist Jixin nodded. "The temple is full of Daoist and medical scriptures. If you¡¯re willing, you can join Ming Yue in reading them at night. But be warned, the conditions here are basic, and the food is meager. Can you endure this, young man?"


    "Please, just call me Qin Sang," Qin Sang quickly replied, "Ie from a poor family, so I¡¯m no stranger to hardship. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll follow the temple¡¯s rules and won¡¯t cause any trouble."


    Daoist Jixin shook his head. "You haven¡¯t taken the vows to be a monk, so there¡¯s no need to be too rigid. But there¡¯s one rule you must follow: do not bring any women into the temple for any improper conduct. Outside the temple, I won¡¯t restrict you, but if you cause any trouble, don¡¯t expect me to shield you. I¡¯m warning you now, so don¡¯t me meter."


    Having finally been epted, Qin Sang eagerly agreed, "I will follow your instructions, Daoist Master."


    ¡­


    "Mr. Qin, there are several vacant rooms here. You can choose one. I¡¯ll go prepare dinner first, andter I¡¯ll bring over some bedding and a Daoist robe for you."


    After deciding to take in Qin Sang, Daoist Jixin waived the consultation fee and had Ming Yue lead Qin Sang to the back to select a room. Bedding and a Daoist robe were provided, and from now on, he would eat with them, with Ming Yue in charge of cooking.


    "Junior Brother Ming Yue, since we¡¯re both working under the Daoist Master and I¡¯m a few years older than you, you should call me Senior Brother instead of addressing me so formally as ''Mister.''"


    Qin Sang tried to build rapport with Ming Yue. "I¡¯ll help you with the fire in a bit. Why don¡¯t you show me around first? Where do you and the Daoist Master live?"


    Ming Yue had lived with the old Daoist for a long time without many friends, so he felt a sense of closeness when someone suddenly imed to be his Senior Brother. Smiling, he pointed to a ce and said brightly, "Senior Brother, my master and I live over there!"


    Qin Sang followed his gaze and saw that Ming Yue was pointing to the row of houses behind the Qingyang Hall.


    Qingyang Temple had four courtyards, with three rows of houses behind Qingyang Hall. Each row had six rooms, with a stone-paved path running down the middle to the rear of the temple, three rooms on each side.


    The houses were built of stone and structurally sound, though the roofs were in poor condition.


    Daoist Jixin and Ming Yue lived in the first row, upying the three rooms on the left.


    Ming Yue pointed to the other three rooms and said, "These rooms have bamboo beds. Ifypersons stay overnight or patients can¡¯t make it down the mountain, they can stay here. Sometimes we don¡¯t charge patients, butypersons pay one coin per night, meals not included."


    Qin Sang followed Ming Yue, listening as he exined.


    When they reached thest row of houses, Qin Sang suddenly heard the sound of flowing water. He walked over and saw that Qingyang Temple had no back wall. Beyond ity arge bamboo grove, and from deep within the grove, a spring flowed down from the mountain, forming a small stream that meandered through the forest. The sound of the spring water, along with the chirping of birds and insects, created a serene and peaceful environment.


    Qin Sang took one look and immediately fell in love with the ce.


    1. Kau chim, kau cim, chien tung,[1] "lottery poetry" and Chinese fortune sticks are names for a fortune telling practice that originated in China in which a person poses questions and interprets answers from t sticks inscribed with text or numerals. ?

 Chapter 9: The Netherworld Scripture

    "The well had no water, so fetching water for drinking, washing clothes, and watering the garden required going up and down the steep, slippery steps¡ªa task that was especially difficult."


    Ming Yue pouted, clearly displeased, as he nced at Qin Sang with a hint ofint in his tone.


    Noticing Ming Yue''s little scheme, Qin Sang smiled faintly. "From now on, Junior Brother, you can take charge of cooking andundry. Leave the heavy work to me."


    "Really?"


    Ming Yue jumped up in excitement, pping his hands. "But that will have to wait until your leg injury heals."


    Children were indeed easy to please. Ming Yue suddenly felt much closer to Qin Sang.


    Qin Sang looked around and pointed to thest row of houses. "May I choose one of these to live in?"


    He harbored secrets that could not be revealed and wanted to stay far from Daoist Jixin, lest his secrets be discovered.


    "Of course," Ming Yue replied, "Master was just about to have me tidy up these rooms. People used toe up the mountain to borrow them, but they¡¯ve gradually moved out. With more refugees arriving from the north, Master said the weather is getting colder, so we should open the rooms to shelter those without a ce to stay and help them survive the winter. Some temples on the mountain have already started doing this. Master says we shouldn''t seek merit but should do good deeds."Qin Sang chose a house in the northeastern corner. Inside, it was covered in dust and tangled with cobwebs.


    The house actually consisted of three connected rooms, separated by bamboo walls. Each room contained an old bamboo bed. Qin Sang chose the one furthest to the side, where the setting sun cast a warm glow through the window. Through the mountains, he could vaguely see a stretch of river¡ªa beautiful view.


    ¡­


    The meal was simple: vegetables, pickles, and cornbread. After eating, Qin Sang drank the herbal medicine Ming Yue had brewed for him. The two of them then went up to clean the room, recing the bamboo on the bed andying out new bedding. By the time they finished, it was already deep into the night.


    Without a clock, Qin Sang had no idea what time it was, but seeing that Ming Yue was yawning constantly, Qin Sang urged him to go rest.


    Reluctant to leave after finally having someone to talk to, Ming Yue hesitated. "Senior Brother, I''ll go boil some water for you to take a bath."


    After practicing the Tiger Subduing Long Fist, Qin Sang washed up and listened carefully for a while. Once he was sure that both Daoist Jixin and Ming Yue were asleep, he carefully closed the doors and windows. In the faint moonlight, he took out the few items he had brought with him to inspect.


    Sitting cross-legged on the bed, heid out a money pouch, a colorful brocade pouch, a piece of parchment, a wooden sword, the Yan Luo Banner, and a book.


    He could think of countless uses for the brocade pouch and parchment, but no matter how he tried, he couldn''t open the brocade pouch, so he had to set it aside for now.


    Taking the ebony sword in hand, Qin Sang frowned. Should I try using blood?


    This thought had been lingering in his mind for quite some time. Gritting his teeth, he used a bamboo shard to cut his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the ebony sword.


    Ignoring the pain in his finger, Qin Sang watched the sword with anticipation.


    He saw the drop of bloodnd on the polished de, only to slide down and drip onto the floor, where it spread out.


    Unwilling to give up, Qin Sang picked up the Yan Luo Banner and repeated the process. He even tried the brocade pouch and parchment, but none of them responded.


    Cursing under his breath, Qin Sang picked up the book.


    The title <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was emzoned inrge characters at the beginning of the book. It consisted of only a few thin pages, each filled with obscure and difficult-to-understand text, some of which contained characters he didn''t recognize. Qin Sang skimmed through it quickly and found that thest two pages contained a section on the Yan Luo Banner, though he couldn¡¯tprehend it either.


    At the very least, this book had something to do with the Yan Luo Banner.


    The man in ck had used the Yan Luo Banner to perish alongside the boy¡ªit was undoubtedly a divine artifact!


    Thinking that this book might indeed be a manual for cultivating immortality, Qin Sang''s heart burned with excitement. However, he also realized that even if it was a genuine cultivation method, he had to understand it first. Otherwise, if he went astray and fell into madness, he wouldn¡¯t even know how he died.


    Toprehend it, he needed to recognize the characters. It seemed he would have to settle down and study the scriptures at Qingyang Temple for a while.


    This mountain temple was extremely quiet, with ample food and drink. Staying here wouldn¡¯t be a problem, and he also needed time to sort out his chaotic thoughts.


    Although he had inherited the memories of Qin Sanwa, Qin Sang didn¡¯t have deep emotional ties to Qin Sanwa¡¯s family. Moreover, Qin Sanwa''s parents likely believed that he had died at the hands of mountain bandits by now.


    Perhaps it was better not to meet them. He could make amends if the opportunity arose in the future.


    He had no desire to return to Wang Vige. Even if he didn¡¯t seek immortality, he wouldn¡¯t want to be trapped in such a ce, living a mundane life.


    If he hadn''t witnessed the flying sword with his own eyes, Qin Sang would have pursued wealth, power, and fame in this life, just as he had in his previous life. He would have schemed and struggled on the ship, doing everything he could to climb higher.


    Bai Jiann had said that immortals were hard to find, but this <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> gave Qin Sang hope. Perhaps I really do have a chance...


    His thoughts were in disarray, and he didn¡¯t know when he had fallen asleep. The night passed dreamlessly, and the next morning, Qin Sang was awakened by the sound of birds chirping. The daylight had already brightened the sky.


    Qin Sang quickly got up, dressed, and, leaning on his crutch, made his way down. Just as he reached the back door of Qingyang Hall, he heard the sound of chanting and the rhythmic tapping of a wooden fish[1]ing from inside.


    Entering cautiously, he saw Daoist Jixin and Ming Yue performing their morning ritual before the incense table. Three people seeking medical help had already arrived in the main hall, along with ayperson who was chanting along with Daoist Jixin.


    Not wanting to disturb them, Qin Sang remained silent. Ming Yue nced at him out of the corner of his eye, winked, and signaled for him to go to the front.


    Understanding his gesture, Qin Sang nodded to the people seeking medical attention and made his way to the woodshed in the courtyard, where he found a bowl of mixed congee left for him on the stove, still warm.


    After washing his face, he quickly gulped down the congee, and a busy day began.


    With Qin Sang¡¯s help, the pressure on Daoist Jixin and Ming Yue was significantly reduced.


    Though Qin Sang knew nothing of medicine, he sat behind the desk, assisting with record-keeping and grinding herbs.


    The old Daoist was truly versatile¡ªhe diagnosed patients, prescribed treatments, drew talismans, told fortunes, and recited scriptures for blessings.


    Ming Yue busied himself with greeting patients and pilgrims, boiling water, preparing medicine, and cooking meals.


    Time passed unnoticed until the sky began to darken. After seeing off thest patient, Ming Yue bolted the temple doors, and the three of them set to work cleaning the cluttered main hall.


    "Today is the seventh," the old Daoist remarked, studying the calendar for a while before flipping through a few pages of the ount book. "Tomorrow, I must go down the mountain to perform two small rituals. You two will stay here to watch over the temple."


    As he spoke, Daoist Jixin stood up and rummaged through the medicine cab. "On the ninth and tenth, I¡¯ll need to go to the depths of Huanghuang Mountain to gather herbs. If any patientse up the mountain, Ming Yue, you handle the minor ailments. If you''re unsure, tell them to return on the eleventh. Now, go prepare dinner, and after we eat, we¡¯ll perform the evening ritual."


    "Yes, Master."


    Qin Sang followed Ming Yue outside and noticed a hint of disappointment on his face. After inquiring, he learned that Daoist Jixin went up the mountain to gather herbs every month. This time, he would be going to Huanghuang Mountain, deep within the mountain range, where the terrain was treacherous and many rare herbs grew.


    In addition to healing the sick, whenever an auspicious day arrived, families would request Daoist Jixin to descend the mountain to perform rituals.


    This was a profitable business, but they couldn¡¯tpete with the monks and therge Daoist temples. Usually, when performing these rituals, Daoist Jixin would take Ming Yue down the mountain to broaden his experience.


    Qin Sang realized that Daoist Jixin still wasn¡¯t confident in leaving him on his own.


    1. A wooden fish, also known as a Chinese temple block, wooden bell, or muyu, is a type of woodblock that originated from East Asia that is used by monks andy people in the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. ?

 Chapter 10: Deception and Tricks

    That evening, Qin Sang and Ming Yue performed their evening ritual together, studying the Daoist scriptures.


    Just like with the <em>Netherworld Scripture,</em> Qin Sang couldn¡¯t fully understand these texts. Fortunately, Daoist Jixin patiently exined them, and Qin Sang took his studies seriously, using a piece of charcoal to jot down what he had learned.


    Late at night, when he returned to his room, Qin Sang once again took out the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em> Comparing the characters he had recently learned, he struggled to grasp the meaning of the text, but he found joy in the challenge.


    The next day, Daoist Jixin went down the mountain to perform a ritual and returned by midday, with a sack of coarse grain slung over the back of his donkey. In the afternoon, Ming Yue steamed a pot of cornbread and fried a batch of salted fish, helping Daoist Jixin prepare his travel bag and medicine chest.


    On the morning of the ninth, Qin Sang awoke to find that Daoist Jixin was nowhere to be seen. It wasn¡¯t until he asked Ming Yue that he learned the Daoist had left at the early hour of the Tiger. That day, Qin Sang and Ming Yue followed Daoist Jixin''s instructions, and everything went smoothly without any mishaps.


    On the morning of the tenth, Qin Sang, who had been applying medicine to his leg every day, found that the pain had lessened, and his fatigue had finally subsided. Early in the morning, he began practicing the moves of <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> in front of his room.


    "Senior Brother, what kind of fist art are you practicing?"


    Ming Yue, holding a bowl of congee, sat on a nearby stone, watching Qin Sang¡¯s movements with interest, eager to learn.


    "This art is called <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist.</em> Didn¡¯t Daoist Master teach you any martial arts?"Qin Sang, having only practiced the energy exertion forms, was already sweating and feeling invigorated. Wiping his sweat, he questioned Ming Yue in return.


    "No." Ming Yue shook his head, nibbling on the tip of her chopsticks, his face full of curiosity. "Senior Brother, does Master also know martial arts?"


    "How would I know? I¡¯ve only been here a few days."


    Qin Sang rolled his eyes, secretly pondering. He had assumed that Daoist Jixin, daring to venture into the mountains to gather herbs without fear of wild animals, might possess martial arts skills. That¡¯s why he had deliberately practiced his fist forms in front of Ming Yue, hoping to provoke a conversation.


    If Daoist Jixin did know martial arts, it wouldn¡¯t make sense not to teach his disciple. In the days they had spent together, Qin Sang had sensed that Daoist Jixin cared deeply for Ming Yue, treating him like his own son.


    <em>Is he really just an ordinary Daoist?</em>


    "Do you usually just study scripture and medicine with the Daoist? Haven¡¯t you learned any spells?"


    "Spells?"


    Ming Yue looked puzzled. "Most of the time, we study scripture and literacy. I¡¯ve also studied fortune telling and can interpret omens and symbols, but I¡¯m not very skilled at it yet. Master doesn¡¯t trust me to perform them in front of others. I also know the rituals for conducting ceremonies and can assist Master. He¡¯s also taught me to recognize herbs and prescribe treatments, but he says I need to study for another twenty years before I can be proficient. Otherwise, I might harm people."


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes lit up. "Aren¡¯t talismans considered spells? The other day, I heard a couple say that their home was troubled, and the Daoist gave them a talisman, saying it would ward off misfortune and repel evil spirits. Isn¡¯t that a spell?"


    Ming Yue chuckled and, after looking around, leaned in and whispered, "Senior Brother, I¡¯ll tell you, but you mustn¡¯t mention it outside. Master once said that these are all just tricks."


    <em>Tricks?</em>


    <em>But you have gods here!</em>


    Qin Sang was indignant. "If they¡¯re ineffective, aren¡¯t you afraid people wille looking for you?"


    "These things are so mysterious that who can tell what¡¯s effective and what¡¯s not?"


    Ming Yue shook his head, adopting an air of wisdom. "Even if people doe looking for us, there are ways to talk them down. You¡¯ll learn eventually, Senior Brother."


    Qin Sang felt deeply disillusioned, and he spent the entire day listless. Ming Yue, still eager to learn <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist,</em> managed to get Qin Sang to promise to teach him once his leg was fully healed.


    Time flew by, and before he knew it, Qin Sang had been at the temple for over twenty days. By now, the three of them had be genuinely familiar with each other.


    During this time, Qin Sang diligently practiced his martial arts, studied the scriptures, and learned to read.


    Aside from the rituals, Daoist Jixin didn¡¯t shy away from teaching Ming Yue medicine, divination, and the art of drawing talismans in Qin Sang¡¯s presence, confirming that these really were just tricks and deceptions, leaving him thoroughly disillusioned.


    However, within these deceptionsy a wealth of worldly wisdom, and Qin Sang found himself learning a great deal.


    As his leg gradually healed, he couldn¡¯t remain idle. He first cut bamboo to create a water pipe, channeling water from the stream into the courtyard, where he constructed a small stone pool.


    After trying a few designs, he finally seeded.


    With this, Ming Yue no longer had to perform the most strenuous chore. The continuous flow of water from the bamboo pipes caused the vegetables and herbs in the garden to thrive even more. Not only did Ming Yue grow increasingly affectionate toward Qin Sang, but Daoist Jixin¡¯s opinion of him also began to change.


    Next, Qin Sang crafted a bamboodder, climbed onto the roof, and reced the broken tiles in their rooms.


    Later, finding the temple¡¯s food too nd, he devised a few traps and managed to catch some wild rabbits and pheasants.


    Ming Yue advised Qin Sang not to kill animals in the temple, warning that it would desecrate the grounds and incur the master¡¯s wrath. So Qin Sang built a makeshift earthen stove by the stream, outside the temple¡¯s premises, where Daoist Jixin wouldn¡¯t have any control.


    This world didn¡¯t have the variety of spices found in his previous life, and Qin Sang wasn¡¯t a skilled cook. The game¡¯s grassy and earthy vors were hard to remove, so he had to resort to roasting it and sprinkling salt, which made it somewhat ptable.


    Ming Yue, while unable to bring himself to kill, had no qualms about eating, and he devoured the food with relish.


    Another ten days passed, the leaves withered, and the weather turned cold.


    The wind on the mountain was colder than that down below. The three of them¡ªDaoist Jixin, Ming Yue, and Qin Sang¡ªwere performing their evening ritual in the Qingyang Hall. The cold wind seeped into the hall, causing the mes of the oilmp to flicker.


    Qin Sang stretchedzily, set down his goose feather pen, and adjusted themp wick. Noticing that the other two were still working through their ritual, he whispered, "Daoist, I¡¯m going to head back to my room to sleep now."


    With that, he gathered up the papers he had just written, wrapped himself in his robe, and left the hall. His leg had healed, and he was nning a trip to the City of Three Witches.


    Books change destiny.


    In the past month, Qin Sang had worked even harder than he did in his previous life¡¯s senior year of high school.


    Today, he finally managed to recognize and understand all the characters in the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em> Daoist Jixin, with his extensive knowledge, proved to be even more learned than Qin Sang had imagined, and he was willing to teach with patience. Qin Sang was deeply grateful.


    Returning to his quarters, Qin Sang first practiced the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> to calm his restless mind.


    Following Bai Jiann¡¯s instructions, Qin Sang practiced the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> every morning and evening without fail. He felt his physical strength improving, but he had yet to see any trace of the legendary true qi.


    After finishing his practice, he washed off the sweat and returned to his room. He retrieved a stack of yellow paper from under the bed, filled with his trantions, and under the moonlight, hepleted the final sentence of his trantion by referring to the original text.


    He had finally finished tranting the entire <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    Holding the stack of yellow paper, Qin Sang¡¯s hands trembled with excitement. He took a deep breath to calm himself and began to read through his trantion from the beginning.


    Over and over again, he read with single-minded focus, immersing himself in the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em> He read his tranted version first, then the original, making small adjustments and refining his trantion bit by bit.


    Qin Sang did not dare to practice recklessly, unsure if even a slight mistake might lead to disastrous results.


    From his current understanding, the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was indeed a guide to cultivation. It described a method of refining one¡¯s inner energy into a flow of qi within the meridians, along with descriptions of processes like the cosmic orbit[1].


    Fortunately, his studies with Daoist Jixin had given him some understanding of meridians and acupoints, allowing him to make sense of the scripture to some extent.


    1. Cosmic orbit is a Daoist qigong energy cultivation technique. ?

 Chapter 11: The Tea House

    Qin Sang was unsure what the qi referred to in the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> meant, or whether it was the same as the true qi and internal force mentioned by Bai Jiann.


    Broadly speaking, the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was divided into six stages.


    Apart from cultivation, the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> contained no extraneous details and did not address anything else. Qin Sang could not determine whether it was a method of internal martial arts or a technique for immortality.


    In the section on the Yan Luo Banner, it described how to control the Yan Luo Banner with that qi, but one could only attempt this after mastering the first stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em> The specific functions of the Yan Luo Banner were not exined.


    After reading through it several times, Qin Sang remained confused and felt a headacheing on. Noticing that it was alreadyte at night, he decided not to rush things and went to rest instead.


    ¡­


    The City of Three Witches had a rxed guard at its gates, and since Qin Sang and Ming Yue were both wearing Daoist robes, they easily blended into the city.


    Before entering, Qin Sang looked back and saw that a town stretching over ten li had gathered outside the city gate.


    Beyond the gate, there were several stories of tall buildings, low houses, stone rooms, and thatched huts. At the very edge, some had merely spread straw in the open to make a home.The outermost area was filled with countless refugees from the north, most of whom had no shelter from the wind and rain. Fortunately, Qin Sang had seen a few wealthy households distributing porridge, providing the refugees with some food.


    Recently, Qin Sang had noticed an increasing number of refugees at Qingyang Temple, and he hadn''t expected the dock to be so crowded or the City of Three Witches to have so many refugees. He wondered how they would get through theing winter.


    The first thing they saw upon entering the city was a meat bun shop with a fragrance wafting for miles. Qin Sang''s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly pulled Ming Yue inside. They devoured a steamer of meat buns, enough to fill them halfway, before leisurely wandering around the city.


    It was an auspicious day, and Daoist Jixin had two rituals to perform. Since these were not major ceremonies like weddings or funerals, the Daoist could handle them alone. Qin Sang thus asked for permission and took Ming Yue into the city to enjoy the sights.


    At Qingyang Temple, Qin Sang had heard many stories about the City of Three Witches from patients and pilgrims.


    Seeing it with his own eyes, the city did notpare to modern metropolises, but in this era, it certainly deserved to be called a grand city.


    The two of them, dressed in Daoist robes, attracted considerable attention.


    Ming Yue, with his red lips and white teeth, was charming and attractive.


    Although Qin Sang came from a farming background, he had not suffered much hardship as a child. He was rtively fair-skinned, andbined with his modern confidence and demeanor, he appeared quite impressive. He did not look like a poor Daoist monk.


    Together, they made quite a striking pair.


    Many people curiously looked at them as they walked, and while Qin Sang did not mind, Ming Yue felt a bit shy. He followed Qin Sang closely and, unable to bear it any longer, tugged at his robe and whispered, "Senior Brother, where are we going?"


    "Let¡¯s start by finding some good food¡­"


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes darted around, buying any unfamiliar food he encountered and sharing it with Ming Yue. They spent money freely, as it was all from their enemies, so he did not mind.


    Ming Yue, who had never had such fine food before, was delighted and bounced around happily beside Qin Sang. He eventually rxed but was worried for Qin Sang, saying, "Senior Brother, you¡¯ve spent so much money today. Master says money is hard to earn, so you should save it and use it to find a wife!"


    Qin Sang pointed to a nearby snack shop. "Do you want to try something there?"


    Ming Yue clenched his fists and tapped them together. "Ah¡­ Just a little bit of everything will be fine!"


    ¡­


    Upon exiting the snack shop, Ming Yue carried arge bundle of oil-paper-wrapped pastries, saying she wanted to take them back to share with their master.


    As they ate and walked along the way, Qin Sang''s understanding of this world deepened, effectively integrating the memories of Qin Sanwa into his own.


    After just a few streets, Qin Sang was thoroughly full. He had also spotted some business opportunities along the way. With the capital acquired from his enemies, diligent management could easily ensure afortable living, but Qin Sang had no interest in pursuing it.


    Chatting andughing with Ming Yue, they turned a corner and came upon a three-story wooden building. The building stood beside the inner river of the City of Three Witches, surrounded by willows. The sign above read "Honghu Tower," a grand name for what was essentially a tea house.


    Inside the tea house, there were intermittent sounds of the wooden pper and deafening gasps andughter. Qin Sang knew this was due to the renowned storyteller performing inside.


    He hade to the city specifically to visit this tea house.


    If he wanted to gather information, he needed a ce for casual conversations and gatherings. Qin Sang was particrly interested in the legends of immortals and supernatural beings around the City of Three Witches. Therefore, he had made inquiries at Qingyang Temple and had already learned about Honghu Tower.


    Honghu Tower was the most famous tea house in the southern part of the City of Three Witches. It had three floors, with tea prices ranging from high to low, attracting a diverse clientele from all walks of life.


    Qin Sang sat on the bustling first floor, ordered a pot of tea, and listened to the storyteller on stage.


    <em>Bang!</em>


    The plump storyteller mmed the wooden pper, his face quivering with the impact, and the tea house fell silent instantly.


    "To tell this tale, one must mention an old story. Five hundred years ago, there was a hero named Wang Bin who impressed our Great Sui''s founder, Emperor Shenwu... This man was a descendant of the great hero Wang Bin..."


    After listening for a while, Qin Sang found that the storyteller, Liu Jingting, was indeed as renowned as his reputation suggested. His storytelling was captivating and dramatic, turning even mundane events into vivid and exciting narratives.


    However, Qin Sang was not fully engaged. His eyes roamed around the room, engaging in casual conversation with the other patrons.


    The entire day was spent in the tea house. They had lunch there as well, and Qin Sang generously spent money, making many friends and guiding their conversations towards local legends of immortals and supernatural beings.


    While Liu Jingting continued to regale tales on stage and the crowd shared old stories below, Ming Yue sat on the side, protecting the pastries with his hands, thoroughly enjoying the day¡¯s entertainment, showing no sign of boredom.


    As the sun began to set, Qin Sang and Ming Yue reluctantly left the tea house. Qin Sang purchased arge batch of essential items for the temple and hired an ox cart to carry them. When they reunited with Daoist Jixin, who had finished his rituals, and returned to Qingyang Temple, dusk had settled.


    Before the evening ritual, the three of them gathered around a carbon stove, eating pastries by the light of an oilmp.


    Ming Yue bit into a fruit and, seeing Qin Sang perusing a Daoist text, suddenly asked, "Senior Brother, why were you asking those people about the legends of immortals on the mountain during the day? Do you also want to seek immortality?"


    The old Daoist lifted his eyelids.


    Qin Sang looked up and smiled. "Immortals, who wouldn¡¯t want to be one? Unfortunately, none of these legends seem reliable."


    "Master once said that those who venture into deep mountains and remote ces are unlikely to find immortals. Immortal masters don¡¯t dwell in such deste ces," Ming Yue warned earnestly, afraid Qin Sang might be misled. "Senior Brother, those legends are false; don¡¯t believe them."


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes brightened as he looked at the old Daoist.


    Daoist Jixin finished a piece of pastry, leisurely wiped his hands, and said, "Kid, if you want to seek fate with immortals on Cuiming Mountain, I advise you to save your effort and get off the mountain to live a quiet life. Otherwise, you might cut off your Qin family''s lineage."

 Chapter 12: Gathering Herbs

    "I have two older brothers at home, so my father need not worry about the family line."


    Qin Sang tried hard to ingratiate himself. "Daoist Master, with your vast knowledge and superb medical skills, you must have had a distinguished past. What were you originally?"


    "I have been a Daoist since I was young, but¡­"


    Daoist Jixin sipped his tea and, looking at Ming Yue, said slowly, "My master was once an imperial physician. In his youth, he was quite proud and ambitious. However, once he misused a medicinal herb, nearly facing execution, he was expelled from the pce. Disheartened, he turned to Daoism and called himself the Wandering Man. My Daoist name was given by him, and all my skills were learned from him. So remember, when you practice medicine on your own in the future, you must be careful and thoughtful in prescribing and using medicines. Do not be careless."


    Ming Yue swallowed the pastry in his mouth and replied solemnly, "I understand."


    "So your masteres from a prestigious background!"


    Qin Sang admired Daoist Jixin, refilling his tea. "Your master was honored as an imperial physician and walked within the pce. He must have known many secrets. Did he ever see an immortal master in person?"


    The old Daoist shook his head. "He never saw one. However, when he was an imperial physician, he heard many rumors that there were immortal masters visiting the pce and mingling with the royal family. Wealth, beauty, and fame are tempting; in my view, even those so-called immortal masters are unlikely to escape human desires and cannot be considered transcendent."


    Qin Sang was astonished.His preconceived notion of immortals was that they lived among morning dew and mist, secluded in mountains, caves, or blessednds, free from worldly affairs and rarely appearing in front of people.


    <em>How wrong I was!</em>


    <em>Should I try my luck in the capital?</em>


    Daoist Jixin seemed to read Qin Sang¡¯s thoughts and dissuaded him, "Do not harbor such foolish dreams. Even though my master served as an imperial physician for over thirty years, constantly moving in and out of pces and royal residences, he never saw an immortal master in person, only heard a few legends. Moreover, if there were truly opportunities for immortality in the capital, wouldn¡¯t the princes and nobles be fighting over it? How could it be your turn?"


    ¡­


    Looking at the bright moon and listening to the chanting of the master and disciple, Qin Sang sat on the bed, remaining silent for a long time before finally smiling wryly.


    If encounters with immortality were so easy, everyone in this world would be an immortal. Regardless, he still had the <em>Netherworld Scripture,</em> and a glimmer of hope remained.


    Realizing this, Qin Sang set aside his unrealistic fantasies and focused on understanding the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    Unconsciously, winter had arrived, and the old Daoist had taken in several refugee families, bringing more life to the temple.


    A sudden snowfall covered the mountains overnight.


    The peaks turned white, and Qin Sang followed the old Daoist and his disciple down the mountain to provide medical aid. Seeing the dead refugees by the roadside, he felt a pang of pity. The old Daoistmented, and as a poor Daoist with only a few old rooms in Qingyang Temple, he could shelter only so many homeless people.


    They could only do what was within their means.


    Qin Sang crouched by a stone hollow, tending a fire. The pot was filled with arge quantity of cold-repelling herbs, brewed into a medicinal soup to be distributed to the refugees.


    While absentmindedly tending the fire, Qin Sang continuously recited the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> in his heart.


    He had now memorized the Netherworld Scripture thoroughly, having pondered each verse countless times. The trantion had not changed for days, and he felt he had a deep understanding of it. He nned to begin cultivating it tonight! ?


    The umted snow had yet to melt, and the moon hung high in the sky, making the night as bright as day.


    Several families living at the temple huddled in the front rooms, but Qin Sang still had his own private space, so he didn¡¯t worry about being discovered.


    He formed the seals and sat cross-legged, following the instructions in the <em>Netherworld Scripture,</em> trying to enter a meditative state and cultivate.


    Though he had thoroughly memorized the scripture, he sat for several hours without making any progress. Not only was he unable to calm his mind, but distracting thoughts also surged. He was secretly anxious, attempting to dispel these thoughts, only to realize that this very attempt to clear his mind was itself a distraction.


    As dawn approached, Qin Sang had still not reached the state of mental stillness and inner tranquility described in the scripture. With the need to go down the mountain for medical outreach the next day, he had no choice but to stop for now.


    During the day, he went down the mountain to provide medical aid, and at night, he cultivated. He practiced martial arts morning and evening. Qin Sang''s days were monotonous yet fulfilling.


    At this point, he understood that whether the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was a martial arts manual or a method for immortality, it was not something easily mastered. He needed a great deal of patience.


    After another day of medical outreach, Qin Sang was immersed in studying the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> when Ming Yue hurriedly arrived, carrying two bowls of congee, out of breath.


    "Senior Brother, Master said the herbs at the temple are running low. He ns to go up the mountain to gather more tomorrow. He wants you to pack and go with him."


    Qin Sang looked up, gazing at the distant mountains. The snow had stopped for seven days. Today was clear and sunny, so the snow on the mountain should have melted by now.


    Given the heavy usage of herbs for making medicinal soups for the refugees, it was no surprise that more were needed.


    With no snow on the mountain, there might still be ice on the path. Qin Sang was also concerned about the old Daoist going up alone, so he agreed without hesitation and went back to pack after finishing the congee.


    Besides the ebony sword and a few other items, he had few possessions. Ming Yue prepared the tools and provisions for gathering herbs. Qin Sang simply packed a bundle of warm clothing and a pair of thick cotton shoes¡ªhis entire luggage.


    The next day, before dawn, Qin Sang set out with the old Daoist.


    Cuiming Mountain was manageable with a path already worn by people. Once they descended Cuiming Mountain and ventured further, the terrain became a wilderness. They had to follow animal trails, navigating through tall, overgrown grass. Even in broad daylight, Qin Sang could barely tell where they were going, relying on the old Daoist to lead the way.


    They climbed from the valley to halfway up the mountain, then followed a narrow, winding path along the cliff, descending and climbing again, until they reached the foot of the legendary Huanghuang Mountain by noon.


    The rugged journey had caused Qin Sang to slip several times, making him feel uneasy, while the old Daoist remained as steady as a mountain. Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but wonder who was truly the young one here.


    With a tight schedule and a need to return to the temple by the next evening, they immediately began gathering herbs once they reached Huanghuang Mountain.


    Hearing strange roars asionallying from the forest, Qin Sang felt uneasy and mused to himself that he might end up meeting his end in a tiger¡¯s jaws instead of finding immortals. He softly asked the old Daoist, "Daoist Master, aren¡¯t you afraid of tigers and wolvesing into such deep mountains to gather herbs?"


    "I have encountered mountain wolves before, but I have a Beast-Repelling Powder passed down by my master, which is somewhat effective."


    The old Daoist casually used a herb-digging tool to clear the overgrown grass. "The herbs outside have long been harvested, so we must go deeper into the mountains. You have your martial skills, so what is there to fear?"


    Qin Sang, holding a staff, felt a bit apprehensive himself. "Daoist Master, please don¡¯t make fun of me. My skills are quite superficial and not impressive."


    The old Daoistughed. "I noticed Ming Yue¡¯s fist art seemed iplete. Is it not the full version?"


    "You have a keen eye."


    Qin Sang responded, "This <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> was taught to me by a brother who saved me. He only had time to teach me three forms. However, this martial art is quitemon. I n to seek further instruction from the escort agency in the city soon toplete my training."

 Chapter 13: The Scripture of Tranquility

    Qin Sang made multiple trips into the city to investigate and discovered that Bai Jiann hadn¡¯t lied to him. The <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> was indeed quitemon; severalrge escort agencies in the city, including the Wuwei Escort Agency, practiced this martial art.


    If he wanted to learn the fist art, he didn¡¯t necessarily have to join an escort agency; paying for it would suffice. However, merely learning the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> would cost forty to fifty taels of silver, which would significantly deplete Qin Sang¡¯s money pouch.


    Nevertheless, with the future of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> uncertain, he was determined to learn this martial art for self-defense.


    Seeing that the old Daoist didn¡¯t respond, Qin Sang found it strange and asked, "Master, do you not want Ming Yue to learn martial arts?"


    "He¡¯s been practicing with you for two months now. Have I ever stopped you?"


    The old Daoist stopped, turned around, and asked in return. He sat down on a green stone by the roadside, took a sip of water, and gazed at the vast sky. Sighing, he said, "This year¡¯s snow hase much earlier than in previous years. In these troubled times, natural disasters and man-made cmities follow one after another, and the future is unpredictable. If Ming Yue has a martial art to protect himself, it¡¯s a good thing."


    Qin Sang sat down beside him and chuckled. "What are you afraid of? The Qingyang Temple isn¡¯t some ancestral family business. Even if the Great Sui Kingdom falls into chaos, at worst, you can pack your bags and take refuge in another country. With the skills you¡¯ve passed on to Ming Yue, he¡¯ll be able to make a living wherever he goes."


    After mingling with a few traveling merchants, Qin Sang learned that this world was vast. South of the Great Sui Kingdom, there were a dozen or so small kingdoms like the Ning Kingdom, and beyond thaty boundless territories.


    To the north of the Great Sui Kingdom was arge kingdom called the Heng Kingdom, said to have vastnds within its borders. Compared to the Heng Kingdom, the Great Sui Kingdom was merely a small nation.Beyond the Heng Kingdom, it was rumored,y an even more powerful nation.


    Ordinary people, traveling from south to north or from east to west, could not reach the boundaries of this world in their lifetime.


    Qin Sang also helped gather herbs, and the old and young duo worked tirelessly, filling a basket by the end of the afternoon. As night fell, they found a cave to rest in and built a fire to cook.


    Although he had temporarily set aside his thoughts of seeking immortality, every time they came across a cave or a spring while gathering herbs, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but take a look.


    The old Daoist, helpless, said, "You¡¯re still not giving up. I¡¯ve already told you, I¡¯ve explored all the peaks within a hundred li. I¡¯ve stayed in every cave on these mountains, and I¡¯ve never encountered any immortals. I¡¯ve seen plenty of corpses left by those seeking immortality, though, and even personally buried a few."


    Qin Sang could only give an embarrassed smile as he flipped the cornbread roasting over the fire. Seeing the old Daoist sitting cross-legged nearby, eyes closed and motionless for a long time, a sudden thought struck him. <em>Has Daoist Jixin already reached a state of inner tranquility?</em>


    A living example was right before his eyes, yet he hadn¡¯t noticed it all this time. He felt utterly blind.


    Regretting his oversight, Qin Sang hurriedly asked, "Master, how did you achieve such a state of calmness and serenity?"


    Daoist Jixin, still with his eyes closed, asked, "You¡¯ve read so many Daoist scriptures, how much do you remember?"


    Qin Sang felt ashamed. His heart was set on the path of immortality, and he looked down on the scriptures of ordinary Daoists. He had only flipped through them haphazardly to learn some characters and had never truly read them thoroughly.


    "Let¡¯s eat first."


    The old Daoist made no furtherment and picked up a cornbread, chewing it slowly.


    Qin Sang, anxious, watched him closely.


    The old Daoist nced at him. "Calm your mind, calm your breath. Practicing calligraphy, eating¡ªthese too are forms of cultivation."


    Qin Sang forced himself to suppress his inner restlessness and finished his meal, noticing that his mind had indeed be much calmer.


    After washing up, Daoist Jixin finally spoke, "Do you still remember the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em>?"


    Qin Sang quickly nodded. "I remember part of it."


    "Recite it with me... ¡®When one observes the heart inwardly, the heart bes heartless; when one observes the form outwardly, the form bes formless; when one observes things from afar, things be nothing...¡¯"


    The voices of the old and young reciting the scripture echoed in the cave. After reciting the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em> once, Qin Sang opened his eyes, about to speak, but saw the old Daoist immediately start reciting it a second time, so he hurriedly joined in.


    After repeating the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em> several times, Qin Sang seemed to have gained some insight. He sat in a daze for a while, then stood up and made a deep bow to the old Daoist. "Master, may I join you in your evening ritual from now on?"


    Daoist Jixin smiled. "What does it matter to me whether you recite the scripture or not?"


    That night, with the old Daoist sleeping nearby, Qin Sang refrained from practicing the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. Yet, he felt an unusual excitement, as if he had finally found the right path.


    ¡­


    After that, Qin Sang began waking up early and staying upte every day, joining the old Daoist and Ming Yue in their morning and evening rituals. Before he knew it, the end of the year was approaching.


    This was the first New Year Qin Sang would spend in this world, and he had many feelings about it, though there was no one with whom he could share them.


    The temple¡¯s New Year celebrations were rather ordinary, with the only noteworthy event being when Daoist Jixin brought out a portrait of his master, Wandering Man, to pay homage. In the painting, Qin Sang saw an old Daoist with an even more ethereal and otherworldly appearance.


    Although refugees flooded in like a tide, the City of Three Witches remained as lively as ever. Qin Sang followed the old Daoist and his disciple into the city to join in the festivities.


    Qin Sang had yet to cultivate that qi, but his two months of persistence were not without progress. His ability to enter a meditative state had greatly improved, and sometimes he unknowingly meditated throughout the entire night. The next day, instead of feeling fatigued, he would feel refreshed and clear-headed, which greatly boosted his confidence.


    The City of Three Witches was a major thoroughfare from north to south, with thriving trade routes and numerous escort agencies.


    The Wuwei Escort Agency wasn¡¯t thergest in the City of Three Witches, but it had an excellent reputation. After much inquiry, Qin Sang learned that the Wuwei Escort Agency had a senior escort named Yang Zhen, who was highly skilled in martial arts and known for his integrity. The disciples he trained were all exceptional.


    As the year drew to a close, most of the escorts who had been on assignments had returned to the city. Yang Zhen had just returned from a journey to the capital, which had taken him over three months. Upon hearing the news, Qin Sang immediately bought some gifts and went to visit him.


    Fifty taels of silver for the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> was considered a high price among the various escort agencies in the City of Three Witches. After receiving the payment, the ountant at the Wuwei Escort Agency instructed an attendant to take Qin Sang to see Yang Zhen.


    Following the attendant into a small courtyard, Qin Sang saw that there were already dozens of young men waiting there. He quietly asked the attendant, "Are they all disciples of Escort Leader Yang?"


    The attendant nodded and replied, "Escort Leader Yang is highly skilled and well-known, and he never holds back when teaching his disciples. If someone shows enough talent, they might even be epted as a formal disciple. There are many in the city who want to learn martial arts under him. You will be learning with them from now on. Escort Leader Yang is currently speaking with the head escort leader. Please wait in the courtyard for a moment while I present your name card and gifts."


    The attendant entered the inner hall, and Qin Sang stood in the courtyard, observing Yang Zhen''s disciples. He noticed that the dozens of young men were grouped into several circles.


    Among them were about a dozen youths dressed in identical, tight-fitting cotton garments with waist belts and leg bindings. They had particrly sturdy physiques, and from their yful sparring, it was clear that they had a solid foundation¡ªthese were likely the formal disciples the attendant had mentioned earlier.


    There were also some wealthy young men, dressed in luxurious clothes, who seemed to be here just to pass the time, their steps light and unsteady.


    And there were those who stood alone in the corners, looking very reserved¡ªprobably neers like himself who had just been epted as disciples.


    After thinking for a moment, Qin Sang walked over to a corner and quietly waited.


    Not long after, the central door opened wide, and arge man stepped out. The young men in the courtyard quickly stopped their banter and greeted their master loudly.


    Seeing Yang Zhen in person, Qin Sang immediately felt a strong sense of pressure emanating from him.


    This man was about fifty years old, sporting a beard and dressed in the Wuwei Escort Agency''s martial attire. He was tall and towering, at least a head taller than Qin Sang, and was the most imposing person Qin Sang had encountered in this life.


    Even Bai Jiann¡¯s men, who were all robust, were a size smaller than Yang Zhen.

 Chapter 14: Qi

    Yang Zhen strode in a dignified manner, exuding authority without anger. With a sweep of his tiger-like eyes, the courtyard fell silent.


    "You all," Yang Zhen said, pointing to his formal disciples with a voice as resonant as a bell, shaking the roof tiles, "go fetch your horses and head to the training ground outside the city. Today, I will test your martial skills."


    The group of young men scattered in a flurry. Qin Sang was still a bit bewildered when a tall, slender youth grabbed his arm and said, "Brother, why don¡¯t you ride with me? My name is Huang Chen. How should I address you?"


    This Huang Chen seemed to be the oldest among them. Seeing that the others were pairing up, Qin Sang followed him, saying, "My name is Qin Sang. Brother Huang, where are we going?"


    "The training ground is outside the city; we need to ride the escort agency''s horses to get there."


    The Wuwei Escort Agency was located in the southern part of the City of Three Witches, with the training ground built outside the southern gate. Since Qin Sang didn¡¯t know how to ride a horse, Huang Chen took him along.


    The two of them rode side by side, galloping towards the city gates. As they approached the southern gate, they saw a squad of soldiers in bright armor standing at attention. The soldiers had blocked the gate, not allowing anymoners to pass through, and arge crowd had gathered at the entrance.


    Everyone had to dismount and lead their horses. After asking around, they learned that the Zhenshui King was heading to Baoguo Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings for the holy emperor. The royal procession had already departed from the pce.


    Baoguo Temple was located on Luoma Mountain, fifteen li west of the City of Three Witches, but the southern gate was the main gate, so for such a grand ceremonial event, the procession had to exit through the southern gate.They patiently waited in the crowd, and soon the sound of drums and gongs announced the arrival of the procession. The Zhenshui King''s entourage passed by, nked by elite guards. The exquisite carriages in the center were heavily curtained, obscuring the view of those inside.


    Curious, Qin Sang stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse.


    The luxurious procession exited the city gates, and the roadside was packed with makeshift shelters for refugees.


    Qin Sang noticed that the guards apanying themandery king''s carriages wore cloth armor with the character "Zhen" embroidered on their backs. The color, style, and even the lettering were identical to what he had seen on Bai Jiann¡¯s men, except that Bai Jiann¡¯s men had worn short armor with the character "Dong" on their backs.


    This scene stirred Qin Sang¡¯s thoughts, and he subtly inquired about it with Huang Chen.


    Huang Chen, suspecting nothing, whispered, "Brother Qin, you may not know this, but they aren¡¯t ordinary soldiers; they are the king''s personal guards. ording to the Great Sui''s ancestralws,mandery kings are allowed to establish their own elite forces of five hundred men, essentially their private army. These personal guards are either selected from the military or recruited from among martial artists, and they are all highly skilled. They usually guard the pce, and only when the king, the princes, or themandery lords travel do they serve as escorts. Not just the Zhenshui King, but allmandery kings have simr personal guards. The ones you saw before must have been the personal guards of the Dongyang King."


    Qin Sang pondered this.


    He recalled hearing from Water Monkey that there were eightmandery kings in the Great Sui, one of whom was indeed the Dongyang King, the current emperor''s brother. Though Water Monkey seemed careless, he had been very tight-lipped, revealing no secrets.


    It turned out that Bai Jiann was the leader of the Dongyang King¡¯s personal guard, a position higher than Qin Sang had imagined. That mysterious youngdy was probably either the king''s lover or his daughter.


    Once themandery king¡¯s procession had passed, the crowd was allowed to move on. After leaving the city, they rode for a while before turning off the main road and into the mountains, arriving at a manor that, ording to Huang Chen, was also owned by the escort agency.


    The manor had arge, t training ground.


    The young men lined up in the training ground, and Yang Zhen separated them. Qin Sang was grouped with three others who were there to learn only a single martial art. ?


    Yang Zhen first tested his disciples, then instructed them to practice on their own beforeing over to teach the four of them.


    The other three already had some experience, so Qin Sang, being the weakest, felt that Yang Zhen wasn¡¯t paying much attention to him.


    However, the silver was well spent, as Yang Zhen lived up to his reputation and taught the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> with great diligence. He even told Qin Sang that he coulde every day until he mastered it.


    In just one day, Qin Sang learned the final seven moves of the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> from Yang Zhen.


    What surprised him, though, was that the first three moves Yang Zhen taught were significantly different from what Bai Jiann had taught. The moves themselves were the same, but Yang Zhencked many of the finer details.


    These details had a significant impact on the effectiveness of the techniques.


    Having practiced the first three moves for so many days, Qin Sang felt this difference even more deeply.


    Yang Zhen had a ster reputation and wouldn''t hold back on such a basic martial art, so the difference likelyy in their own abilities.


    <em>It is said that Yang Zhen¡¯s martial arts ranked in the top ten in the City of Three Witches. Does he have internal force? Is Bai Jiann a top-tier expert?</em>


    Regardless, the money had been spent, and he needed to continue learning the martial art. Qin Sang decided to try incorporating the details Bai Jiann had taught him into the remaining seven moves.


    The distance between Qingyang Temple and Wuwei Escort Agency¡¯s manor wasn¡¯t far, so Qin Sang went to train every day and then taught the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> to Ming Yue upon his return. Soon, he had mastered the entire form.


    However, he continued to visit the manor frequently, listening to Yang Zhen¡¯s disciples discuss martial arts and hearing many tales of the martial world. He also learned horseback riding and archery.


    In the third month of spring, the grass grew tall, and orioles flew about.


    In past years of famine, by this time, the disaster victims would have returned to their viges to sow their fields. But this year, rumors spread that the rebellion in the north was worsening, with smoke and fire everywhere, causing a continuous stream of refugees to migrate south.


    Man-made cmities proved to be worse than natural disasters.


    The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> had shown no progress. Despite repeatedly convincing himself to be patient, Qin Sang couldn''t stay calm. He could only me hisck of progress on not working hard enough, so he began meditating and cultivating throughout the night, pushing himself to the brink of madness.


    During the day, he still had to practice martial arts, recite scriptures, and help the old Daoist. With such a schedule, he was almost always busy, but since meditation and cultivation also restored his energy, he didn''t feel exhausted.


    As moonlight streamed into the stone house, Qin Sang stared nkly out the window. The bright full moon hung in the sky, and a shooting star streaked across the deste night sky, disappearing beyond the distant mountains into the vast, endless world.


    After six months of effort and nearly four months of sitting in meditation, he finally sensed the qi described in the scriptures!


    What people fear most is not perseverance, but perseverance without hope.


    Yet when the moment of real progress arrived, he realized that all his efforts had been worth it.


    When he finally sensed that faint, cool thread of qi, Qin Sang felt as if he were in a dream.


    The strand of qi was as thin as a hair, like a mischievous child darting around in his dantian[1]. Qin Sang tried to "grasp" it to feel it more clearly but found it impossible.


    The<em> Netherworld Scripture</em> stated that one could only "view internally" after breaking through the second stage of the technique. For now, the only thing Qin Sang could do was guide the qi into his meridians, carefully following the path outlined by the cultivation method.


    After several cycles through the cosmic orbit, nothing went wrong, and Qin Sang rxed. Just as he was about to calm his mind and focus entirely on cultivation, a sudden, terrifying pain shot through his meridians.


    Qin Sang''s entire body trembled violently, and he curled up into a tight ball, letting out a low, agonized growl. His clothes were instantly soaked in cold sweat.


    1. Dantian is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine loosely tranted as "elixir field", "sea of qi", or simply "energy center". Dantian are the "qi focus flow centers", important focal points for meditative and exercise techniques such as qigong, martial arts such as tai chi, and in traditional Chinese medicine. ?

 Chapter 15: Herbal Bath

    After a long while, Qin Sang finally caught his breath, gasping for air as he opened his eyes, which were filled with terror.


    The excruciating pain in his meridians gradually faded, but the horrifying scene he had just experienced left him shaken.


    At that moment, Qin Sang suddenly heard the chirping of birds outside. Turning his head, he noticed that the sky was faintly lit¡ªit was already dawn.


    Qin Sang was secretly astonished. He had been so focused on his cultivation that he had onlypleted a few cycles of the cosmic orbit, which felt like it took no more than an hour. Yet, the entire night had passed.


    Hearing footsteps and soft voices outside, Qin Sang dared not continue cultivating. Hey down in his clothes and soon fell into a deep sleep.


    After several days of experimentation, Qin Sang gradually grasped the patterns of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. At most, he could now circte the qi within his body for nine cosmic orbits before the excruciating pain would interrupt him.


    If he forced it further, it felt as if his meridians were being torn apart, with the pain piercing deep into his bones.


    Given this, Qin Sang could only hope to break through to the second stage of the cultivation method. However, after a month, the energy within him had only grown slightly stronger, leaving him uncertain of when he would finally make a breakthrough.


    What frustrated Qin Sang even more was that this energy seemed to do nothing to enhance his martial arts. Even when he struck with all his might, the force was about the same as before; he couldn¡¯t even break a wooden stake.However, over the past month, Qin Sang noticed subtle changes in his body. These changes were so gradual that he hadn¡¯t realized them at first.


    A few days ago, he had caught a wild bird with a trap and intended to roast it over a fire. But while untying the rope, he identally let it escape.


    The bird took off into the sky, and Qin Sang instinctively grabbed a stone and threw it. To his surprise, the stone hit its mark perfectly.


    Qin Sang was startled by his own uracy, standing there in a daze.


    He had been able to clearly see the bird¡¯s flight path, and it seemed as though the bird¡¯s speed had slowed down in his eyes. He could instantly judge the direction it would fly next, something he had never been able to do before.


    This incident made Qin Sang reflect on the various changes in his body.


    Improved digestion and increased appetite were just the beginning.


    Not only had his eyesight improved, but his hearing had also be more acute. He could hear even the faintest sounds from far away.


    As part of his martial arts training, he and Ming Yue often exercised with stone hammers and wooden stakes. Despite being careful, injuries were inevitable, especially in vulnerable areas like joints and the lower back, which were difficult to heal and would often re up as a reminder.


    However, during this time, Qin Sang¡¯s old injuries seemed to have vanished, and they hadn¡¯t troubled him for a long while.


    Moreover, he now found himself able to effortlessly execute even the mostplex moves of the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em>. His body¡¯s flexibility was gradually improving, and his martial arts were advancing rapidly.


    Reflecting on all these changes, Qin Sang finally realized how much the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> had benefited him.


    If this improvement continued, his physical abilities would surely surpass those of ordinary people.


    <em>With such miraculous effects, even if the cultivation speed of the Netherworld Scripture is slow, I must continue practicing it.</em>


    Qin Sang thought to himself, humming a tune as he led his donkey along.


    The donkey carried a sack of coarse grain. Ever since the temple had taken in a few disaster victims, the old Daoist monk had been sharing the temple¡¯s food with them. The temple¡¯s grain supply was dwindling rapidly, and with the price of grain skyrocketing outside, Qin Sang felt that the few taels of silver he had left would soon be spent.


    As he led the donkey into the temple, Qin Sang asked, "Ming Yue, why are you dragging out that broken jar?"


    "Senior Brother,e help me!"


    Ming Yue shouted breathlessly, as if seeing a savior. "Master told me to move the jar from the woodshed to Qingyang Hall. He said it would be needed tonight."


    Since it was an order from Daoist Jixin, Qin Sang quickly tied up the donkey and went to help Ming Yue.


    The y jar wasrge enough for a person to sit inside. Even though Ming Yue had be stronger from practicing martial arts and eating meat, moving it was still a struggle.


    It was said that when Qingyang Temple was prosperous, this jar had been used to store sesame oil. Now that the temple had fallen into disrepair, there was no longer enough oil to fill it, so it had been left in the woodshed, filled with pine needles for kindling.


    Ming Yue had already cleared out the pine needles and cleaned the jar, but he had no idea what the old Daoist nned to do with it.


    When Qin Sang asked Ming Yue, he was just as puzzled. Ming Yue only said that their master had gone up the mountain to gather herbs and had given these instructions before leaving.


    Together, they struggled to move therge jar into Qingyang Hall. Following Daoist Jixin¡¯s instructions, they set the jar on a base made of two stones.


    Qin Sang wondered if the old Daoist intended to use the jar to brew medicinal herbs.


    With such arge jar, it was fortunate that he had used bamboo pipes to draw water down; otherwise, carrying water would have exhausted Ming Yue.


    By dusk, Daoist Jixin returned with herbs, his basket only half full. He instructed Ming Yue to close the front and back doors of Qingyang Hall and then set to work.


    Qin Sang crouched nearby, sorting the herbs. He noticed that most of them were unfamiliar to him, and they were all valuable and rare medicinal herbs.


    The ailments Daoist Jixin typically treated were minor ones like bruises, colds, and damp-heat conditions, using a fixed set of about a dozen herbs. Qin Sang had apanied the old Daoist several times to gather those same herbs, but this time, all the herbs were new.


    After the herbs were sorted, Daoist Jixin sat behind a long table and wrote out a prescription, handing it to Ming Yue to gather the herbs. Qin Sang leaned over to take a look. The prescription was new and incrediblyplex, far beyond his rudimentary understanding of medicine.


    "Daoist Master, what is this prescription for?"


    Seeing Qin Sang''s confusion, Daoist Jixin exined, "Though I am not skilled in martial arts, I do understand that the pursuit of schrly arts requires modest means, while martial arts demand wealth. You and Ming Yue practice martial arts daily, which consumes a great deal of energy. No matter how much wild game you eat, it¡¯s difficult to fully replenish the lost vital energy, which may leave hidden dangers in your bodies. This form was passed down by my master during his time as an imperial physician; it is an ancient recipe that fortifies the foundation and replenishes vitality¡ªperfect for martial artists like you. However, this form is for a herbal bath and must not be ingested. Follow the prescription carefully, fill therge jar with water, and boil it down to seventy percent. Once the water cools slightly, soak in it for half an hour, twice daily¡ªmorning and evening. Keep adding water as needed, and you can use the same herbs for seven days before recing them with fresh ones."


    Hearing of such a beneficial treatment, Qin Sang naturally epted without hesitation,mitting the prescription to memory. He couldn¡¯t help but marvel, "Daoist Master, just how many hidden treasures do you have?"


    Daoist Jixin closed his eyes to rest.


    Qin Sang and Ming Yue quickly prepared the herbs, filled the jar with water, and brewed the herbal bath as instructed. As soon as the water cooled down a bit, they eagerly jumped in.


    "Ah!"


    For the first time in his life, Qin Sang experienced the luxury of a hot bath. Submerging himself from the neck down in the steaming herbal water, he felt an overwhelming sense offort, and all his fatigue instantly melted away, prompting a groan of pleasure.


    Ming Yue wasn¡¯t as tolerant of the heat as Qin Sang and hesitated to enter, but seeing the look of pure bliss on Qin Sang¡¯s face, he endured the heat and quickly joined him.


    Ming Yue was small in stature, so the two of them didn¡¯t feel cramped in the jar.


    With the early spring air still chilly, soaking in the hot herbal bath was pure indulgence. Qin Sang leaned his head back against the rim of the jar, feeling as though he could drift off to sleep at any moment.

 Chapter 16: The Mute Burlak

    Half an hourter, the water had cooled, and only then did Qin Sang and Ming Yue reluctantly climb out of the herbal bath.


    They followed their usual routine of evening meditation and martial arts practice. By now, Qin Sang had developed a habit of returning to his room around nine to eleven at night and continuing his cultivation of the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    Afterpleting one cycle of the cosmic orbit, Qin Sang suddenly stopped his practice and opened his eyes, his face filled with shock.


    Over the past few days, he had grown ustomed to making small progress with each session, but today was different. After just one cycle, he had achieved as much progress as he usually would in half a day!


    Feeling the significantly stronger energy within him, Qin Sang quickly calmed himself and continued with the next cycle.


    The second cycle brought a simrly noticeable improvement, though slightly less than the first. Qin Sang continued to control the flow of his qi, and with each passing cycle, the improvement diminished. By the ninth cycle, the progress had returned to its usual level.


    Afterpleting nine cycles, Qin Sangy down. He was supposed to sleep for an hour to restore his energy, but he was too excited to fall asleep.


    The only exnation for this sudden progress had to be the herbal bath from the night before. He hadn''t expected that the old Daoist''s secret recipe could not only strengthen his foundation and replenish his vitality but also enhance the effects of the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    No wonder his master was once an imperial physician.Qin Sang felt a surge of gratitude. The <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> had indeed proven its worth, and he was d he had convinced Ming Yue to join him. Otherwise, the old Daoist might not have been willing to share such a precious recipe with just him.


    Thinking of this, Qin Sang quickly tried to recall the recipe. His memory seemed to have improved as well, allowing him to remember the prescription perfectly. Even if he were to part ways with the old Daoist in the future, he could still gather and prepare the herbs on his own.


    With the help of the herbal bath, Qin Sang finally saw a glimmer of hope for breaking through his current bottleneck. His excitement kept him awake until dawn, when he leaped out of bed and hurried to Qingyang Hall to start boiling the herbs.


    After washing up, the two disciples met in the main hall. Seeing Qin Sang so eager, they couldn''t help but exchange puzzled nces.


    Daoist Jixin stroked his long beard and smiled. "So, how was it? How effective was this prescription of mine?"


    "You are truly a divine doctor! A miraculous remedy!"


    Qin Sang eximed, giving the old Daoist multiple thumbs up.


    Ming Yue sidled up to Qin Sang and awkwardly shifted his back, whispering, "Senior Brother, how did you feelst night? I felt unbearably hot and itchy inside, and I didn¡¯t sleep well at all. I don¡¯t see how this is helping."


    Ming Yue was clearly affected by the herbs¡¯ potency, but since he didn''t practice the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, he probably couldn''t absorb the medicinal energy as efficiently as Qin Sang, causing most of it to turn into heat and be wasted.


    Qin Sang made up an excuse on the spot. "Oh, don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re just going through puberty."


    Ming Yue continued to pester Qin Sang, asking what puberty was, all the way until their next herbal bath.


    As they soaked in the herbal water, Qin Sang recalled how the effects of the herbs had gradually weakened during his practice the previous night. Suddenly, an idea struck him. <em>What if I cultivate the Netherworld Scripture while in the herbal bath?</em>


    The cultivation method only required him to sit quietly in meditation. The bathwater was murky, so no one could see his posture beneath it. With that thought in mind, Qin Sang immediately sat cross-legged and began to channel his qi. ??


    However, before he couldplete even one cycle, he suddenly felt a familiar prickling pain in his meridians. Recognizing the sensation, he quickly stopped his cultivation.


    Ming Yue was still resting with his eyes closed, unaware of Qin Sang¡¯s actions.


    Qin Sang nced down at the bathwater, his gaze narrowing slightly. The water around him had noticeably lightened in colorpared to the water near Ming Yue. If the lighting in Qingyang Hall hadn¡¯t been so dim, the difference would have been even more obvious.


    Qin Sang hurriedly stirred the water to mix it up, feeling the qi within him. The progress was significant, but the pain in his meridians was too clear; any more, and he might not be able to withstand the strain.


    It seemed that absorbing too much of the medicinal energy wasn¡¯t necessarily a good thing.


    From then on, Qin Sang forced himself to be patient, absorbing only a little bit of the medicinal energy each time.


    By the seventh and final day of their herbal baths, the medicinal energy of the water had weakened considerably. Only then did Qin Sang feel confident enough to fully absorb the remaining energy, making sure not to waste a single drop.


    After their bath, Qin Sang and Ming Yue scraped out the leftover dregs of the herbs and discarded them. The once dark and murky water had be noticeably clearer.


    "Senior Brother, why hasn¡¯t Master returned yet?"


    Ming Yue, holding a woodendle, stood at the entrance of the Daoist temple, gazing out with a worried expression.


    Today was another auspicious day. A family at the dock was constructing a new house and had chosen today for the beam-raising ceremony[1], inviting the old Daoist to perform a ritual to bless the new home. Now, the sky was about to fully darken, and it was almost time for their evening practice, yet the old Daoist had not returned.


    Qin Sang frowned and said, "You stay here and guard the temple. I¡¯ll go down the mountain to meet the Daoist."


    The old Daoist had taken the donkey, so Qin Sang grabbed a wooden stick and headed down the mountain.


    The path was dense with foliage, and the end of the mountain trail looked like a pitch-ck hole. The night wind rustled through the surroundings, creating a cacophony that made it seem like countless ghostly figures were wing at the air.


    Yet, Qin Sang didn¡¯t find it particrly frightening. Although he only knew one basic martial art, after practicing the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, his hearing and vision had sharpened, his limbs had be more agile, and his movements swifter. Even if he encountered a wild wolf, he felt confident he could put up a fight.


    Ming Yue had been learning martial arts alongside Qin Sang, but he was no match for him, much to his frustration.


    However, before Qin Sang had even reached the bottom of the mountain, he saw three dark figures approaching. With his sharp eyesight, Qin Sang recognized the figure at the front as Daoist Jixin.


    "Daoist, why are you sote today?"


    Qin Sang ran over to help lead the donkey and nced at the strangers following behind the Daoist.


    The person was extremely small in stature, carrying arge bundle on his back.


    From a distance, Qin Sang had thought the old Daoist had brought back a girl, but as he got closer, he realized it was an elderly man.


    The man was barely taller than a dwarf, hunched over, with a sallow, deeply wrinkled face. He looked to be about fifty or sixty years old but moved with a brisk pace, navigating the steep mountain path with ease. It was clear he was used to walking long distances, the mark of a poor man.


    "This is Mr. Wu, a benefactor," the old Daoist gestured to his mouth as he spoke to Qin Sang. "Mr. Wu is mute. He works as a buk at the first dock. He¡¯s originally from the North but fled here as a refugee and couldn¡¯t find a ce to stay. I invited him to live at the temple for a while. The room next to yours is empty, so he can stay there."


    He then turned to the mute and said, "This young man is Qin Sang. He¡¯s clever, so if you ever run into trouble, you can ask him for help."


    Qin Sang had many secrets and naturally didn¡¯t want anyone living next to him, but the temple wasn¡¯t his. The Daoist had the final say in everything, and Qin Sang had no right to object. So, he greeted the neer, "Old Wu, you can just call me Qin Sang¡­ uh!"


    Qin Sang lightly tapped his mouth, smiling apologetically. "I tend to speak without thinking. Please don¡¯t take offense."


    Old Wu looked uneasy, gesturing with his hands and making some guttural sounds, confirming that he was indeed mute.


    Since there wasn¡¯t much to say to a mute, the three of them walked back to the temple in silence. Old Wu joined them for dinner, after which Qin Sang showed him to his room.


    Back in Qingyang Hall, Qin Sang asked the old Daoist about Old Wu. The Daoist let out a soft sigh.


    1. A ceremony in which the biggest beam is set up. ?

 Chapter 17: Half a Year

    It was only when Daoist Jixin mentioned it that Qin Sang realized Old Wu was actually under forty years old.


    Old Wu was from Jiaoming Commandery in the North. He originally had two sons and a daughter and made a living by farming. Despite their poverty, they managed to get by.


    Last year, a series of disasters struck, and the northern regions were engulfed in turmoil. Rebel soldiers wreaked havoc, indiscriminately killing innocents.


    Old Wu¡¯s vige was piged by these marauders. His wife and children were brutally killed, and he only managed to escape with his young daughter. Soon after, his daughter fell gravely ill and died on the road due to ack of medical resources.


    In the blink of an eye, his once-familial household of five was reduced to just Old Wu, who, dazed and confused, followed fellow vigers to the City of Three Witches. There, he worked as a boatman at the first dock and spent nights huddled under the eaves of households.


    Seeing his plight, the Daoist took him in and offered him a ce to stay on the mountain.


    Who could have foreseen the northern situation would deteriorate to such a state? It was uncertain when this vast kingdom would ever stabilize.


    Spring passed, and autumn arrived.


    Every morning, fallen leaves would nket the courtyard, blown by the mountain wind. Before he knew it, a whole year had passed since Qin Sang hade to this world. He wrapped himself in his clothes and headed towards Qingyang Hall to prepare the fire for boiling medicine.After starting the fire, while practicing his boxing in the courtyard, he happened to see Old Wu.


    They nodded at each other, and Old Wu, hunched over, silently walked out.


    Watching Old Wu¡¯s stooped figure disappear beyond the temple gates, Qin Sang shook his head.


    He never imagined that Old Wu, despite his seemingly frail and aged appearance, had such strength. He had been working as a buk for over half a year without mentioning returning to his hometown.


    During this period, Old Wu left early and returnedte every day, never taking a break. Sometimes, if Qin Sang slept in, he wouldn¡¯t see him all day.


    Seeing Old Wu¡¯s determination made Qin Sang feel a bit ashamed, so he worked even harder and rarely cked off.


    Qin Sang had never seen Old Wu smile, and since he was mute, their greetings were limited to hand gestures with no change in his expression.


    It was unclear if Old Wu had yet to recover from his tragic past and had lost interest in everything, giving Qin Sang the impression of someone who had be a mere shell of a person.


    Although they shared the same room, Qin Sang didn¡¯t find it inconvenient and gradually got used to it.


    In these six months, practicing fist art, cultivating, and herbal baths never ceased. Knowing the effectiveness of the herbal baths, Qin Sang was highly motivated. He always apanied the Daoist up the mountain to gather herbs, covering every peak in the vast Huanghuang Mountain Range.


    The banks of Wuling River were rugged and perilous, with packs of wild beasts. They inevitably faced danger while foraging in the deep mountains.


    The most perilous encounter was with a pack of wild wolves.


    It happened one night when Qin Sang and the Daoist were cooking in a cave. A group of over a dozen wild wolves, drawn by the firelight, arrived. By the time Qin Sang heard their howling and extinguished the fire, it was toote. He only had an iron rod he had bartered from a stonemason. ?


    The wolves surrounded the cave entrance. The Daoist¡¯s Beast-Repelling Powder made from beast dung was ineffective, leaving them with no choice but to fight for their lives.


    Qin Sang held the iron rod, blocking the entrance alone. Using his rod in ce of his fists, he performed the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist.</em>


    What he had expected to be a grueling battle turned out to be quite manageable. Due to the small size of the cave entrance, only three wolves could enter at a time, and Qin Sang found it rtively easy to handle them.


    With just an iron rod, he crushed the alpha''s skull and quickly dealt with several others. The remaining wolves fled with their tails between their legs.


    After this practical experience, the Daoist no longer needed to be asked; he always brought Qin Sang along for herb gathering.


    It was after this battle that Qin Sang realized his strength might truly be considerable.


    To confirm his feeling, heter sought out Yang Zhen¡¯s disciples at the Wuwei Escort Agency for sparring. Although he always pretended to be at a disadvantage, Qin Sang knew he was only exerting half of his strength.


    Their fist arts were far superior to the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist.</em> Despite their seemingly formidable moves, they appeared slow to Qin Sang. If he wanted, he could easily find their weaknesses and counter them.


    With these martial skills, Qin Sang¡¯s thinking inevitably became more agile.


    The rebellion in the northern regions had been raging for a long time without respite. Various counties saw uprisings one after another, while themandery kings responded passively, leaving the official army exhausted and frustrated.


    In the middle of the year, the holy emperor issued a decree, calling on righteous and ambitious individuals to join the army to quell the northern rebellion. Those who achieved remarkable feats would soon be granted titles of nobility. When the decree was announced, the City of Three Witches buzzed with activity. Many aspiring individuals headed north to aid the royal cause. Among them, three of Yang Zhen¡¯s disciples set out together, eager to make their mark.


    Qin Sang was also somewhat tempted, but he was not driven by the allure of wealth and power.


    Daoist Jixin¡¯s words had always lingered in Qin Sang¡¯s mind. Even immortal masters could notpletely abandon their desires and had to enjoy their glory. Being close to nobles might offer a chance to connect with immortal masters.


    However, Qin Sang had never experienced war and felt apprehensive. The battlefield was merciless; if he were identally struck by an arrow, it would be a significant loss.


    Moreover, there were many talented and exceptional individuals in the world. How strong was his martial artspared to the skilled martial artists with internal force? Could he truly stand out?


    Because of this, Qin Sang found it difficult to decide. Ultimately, he chose to remain at the Daoist temple, patiently cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. He resolved to reconsider after breaking through the first stage.


    Day after day, Qin Sang practiced diligently. The small thread of qi within him had grown from the size of a hair to a small current flowing through his meridians, finally approaching a breakthrough.


    The herbal bath he was using was freshly prepared. As he neared a breakthrough, his need for medicinal energy increased. The previous batch hadsted only five days.


    In the evening, afterpleting his evening exercises with patience, Qin Sang waited until deep into the night. He shut all doors and windows securely, sat cross-legged on his bed, and recited the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em> silently several times before calming his mind and focusing on his cultivation.


    In no time, five cosmic orbits had passed. The qi flowed through his meridians, and Qin Sang had a vague sense that after the next cosmic orbit, he would achieve a breakthrough!


    The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> did not mention whether there were additional bottlenecks between the two stages of realms. Nervously, Qin Sang continued to cultivate. After one cosmic orbit, the qi gathered in his dantian.


    Suddenly, Qin Sang let out a muffled groan. The qi in his dantian began to bubble and surged with intense pain, which rapidly spread through his meridians, followed by a tearing agony.


    Fortunately, the pain was intense but brief, quickly giving way to a sense of relief.


    A deep joy appeared on Qin Sang¡¯s face. He suddenly recalled the inner vision described in the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. Instinctively, he "looked" into his dantian, and with a loud <em>boom</em>, everything became clear. He could finally see the qi clearly.


    A blue stream of qi was coiled within his dantian, mesmerizingly beautiful and enchanting.


    Qin Sang felt a stir within him. The qi moved in response to his thoughts, flowing into his meridians like a rushing river. It circted at a speed several times faster than before, and soon, a cosmic orbit waspleted. The improvement was even more pronounced than during the first stage.


    Continuing his practice without pause, Qin Sangpleted the tenth cosmic orbit. The pain he remembered did not reappear, and he was greatly surprised. He decided to take a break for the moment.

 Chapter 18: The Evil Spirit and the Jade Buddha

    Qin Sang awoke from his cultivation, unable to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his heart brimming with joy.


    He raised his arm and examined it, pinching slightly to check if there were any changes. Everything seemed the same as before, revealing no apparent benefits from his recent breakthrough.


    He channeled a portion of his qi into his fingers, and after a moment, a faint, hazy blue aura appeared around them.


    "Could this be the manifestation of true qi that Bai Jiann mentioned?"


    Qin Sang wondered, intrigued. He attempted to shape the qi into the form of a sword, but found it impossible. Frustrated, he jabbed his finger at the bamboo table beside him. With a resounding <em>bang</em>, not only did the table remain unscathed, but a sharp pain shot through his fingertip.


    "Right!" Qin Sang suddenly pped his forehead. "I almost forgot about the Yan Luo Banner!"


    He hurriedly unwrapped the cloth bound around his chest and took out the items hidden within. cing the other objects aside, he focused on the Yan Luo Banner in his hand.


    The small banner emanated an eerie aura, a weapon that once belonged to the man in ck. Qin Sang had refrained from tampering with it for a year, adhering strictly to the teachings of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    Now that Qin Sang had broken through to the second stage, the scripture indicated he could finally wield the Yan Luo Banner.Holding the banner, Qin Sang examined it carefully, thoughts of the desated corpse shing through his mind, causing him to hesitate.


    The image of the evil spirit on the banner was so lifelike, it seemed ready to leap out at any moment. Despite being a weapon of an immortal cultivator, it could very well be a demonic or evil artifact.


    But he had already practiced the demonic cultivation method. <em>Isn¡¯t it a bitte to worry about such things now?</em>


    Steeling himself, Qin Sang grasped the Yan Luo Banner firmly with both hands.


    Following the steps described in the scripture, he circted his qi, guiding it through his meridians toward his palms, and then directed it into the Yan Luo Banner.


    Qin Sang stared intently at the banner, his heart pounding with anxiety.


    The blue mist enveloped the Yan Luo Banner, which suddenly glowed faintly. The evil spirit on the banner seemed to twitch, but Qin Sang dismissed it as a trick of his eyes.


    In the next instant, the mist swelled suddenly, only to be absorbed entirely by the Yan Luo Banner.


    Immediately afterward, an immense force of suction emanated from the banner, draining the remaining qi from Qin Sang¡¯s dantian in a frenzy.


    Panic-stricken, Qin Sang tried desperately to pull the qi back, but it was futile. In his frantic state, he shook his hand violently, yet the Yan Luo Banner clung to his palm as if glued.


    Helplessly watching the qi he had painstakingly cultivated being siphoned away, Qin Sang was on the verge of tears.


    At that moment, something strange happened again.


    The Yan Luo Banner began to move on its own, its surface fluttering despite the absence of wind. The evil spirit on the banner faced Qin Sang, blinked, and sneered before lunging at him.


    Qin Sang had never encountered anything so terrifying. He screamed in horror, but there was nowhere to escape. All he could do was watch as the malevolent spirit pounced on his face.


    He felt a tremendous force crash into him, his mind growing hazy before he suddenly regained consciousness, realizing he was still aware of his surroundings.


    "Where am I? Where is that evil spirit?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he found himself surrounded by boundless darkness, unable to see anything.


    <em>What is this ce?</em>


    <em>Was I killed by the evil spirit and ended up in the underworld?</em>


    Utterly perplexed, Qin Sang looked down, only to be startled again. His body had shrunk to the size of a palm, and he had be entirely transparent, glowing faintly with a blue light, surrounded by a thinyer of yellowish glow, resembling a ball of light from the outside. ?


    <em>How did I be like this? Is this my soul?</em>


    <em>Where did that evil spirit go?</em>


    Qin Sang stared wide-eyed, trying to move his transparent legs. As soon as he took a step, he suddenly flew far into the distance.


    Just then, he heard a terrifying roar echo from the depths of the darkness. Looking up, he saw the evil spirit, a dark shadow, flying toward him.


    The evil spirit towered over Qin Sang, its blood-red eyes fixed on him with a ravenous gaze. It sped toward him with terrifying ferocity.


    Compared to the evil spirit¡¯s immense form, Qin Sang felt utterly feeble. Seeing the spirit rush at him, he was so terrified that he fled like a headless fly.


    But his speed was far too slow, and the evil spirit quickly caught up.


    <em>Swish!</em>


    With a fierce rush, the evil spirit''s shadow blocked Qin Sang in the blink of an eye. It sneered menacingly, its enormous, bloody mouth opening wide, ready to swallow him whole.


    Despair washed over Qin Sang''s face.


    But just as the evil spirit was about to devour him, the yellow light surrounding Qin Sang''s soul suddenly radiated with boundless brilliance. From within the intense golden light, a statue of Buddha emerged.


    The Buddha statue had a broken arm, sat cross-legged, eyes cast downward, and its radiant light enveloped the tiny figure of Qin Sang, who found himself within the statue¡¯s body.


    "Amitabha!"


    A grand and resonant Buddhist chant echoed in Qin Sang¡¯s mind, like the tolling of a great bell, leaving him awestruck.


    The Buddha statue remained still, but the evil spirit¡¯s expression twisted in terror. It turned and fled as if it had encountered its worst enemy, abandoning all traces of its previous arrogance.


    "I-Isn''t that the Jade Buddha from my previous life?"


    Qin Sang ignored the fleeing evil spirit and stared at the statue''s broken arm, overwhelmed with emotion. He had worn that Jade Buddha for thirty years in his past life, and it was thest thing he saw before he died¡ªhow could he ever forget it?


    The Jade Buddha had been passed down from his mother¡¯s family, already damaged, with one arm broken, just like this statue.


    Qin Sang had thought himself a wandering ghost who had somehow drifted into this world. He never expected that the Jade Buddha would apany him in this form and even save his life.


    "Mom... Dad..."


    Qin Sang buried his face in his hands, weeping openly for the first time, though his soul could not shed tears.


    After venting his emotions, Qin Sang quickly regained hisposure, pondering his situation. But with nothing but endless darkness surrounding him, he felt a growing sense of bewilderment.


    "The Jade Buddha saved me, so I might still be alive. Could this ce be inside my body? How do I get out? The evil spirit is still outside, what if it still wants to eat me?"


    As soon as the thought of leaving crossed Qin Sang''s mind, he felt a wave of dizziness. Suddenly, his surroundings shifted, and the familiar room reappeared before his eyes.


    Qin Sang''s heart raced as he realized he was still clutching the Yan Luo Banner. He quickly threw it far away. As his gaze swept across the room, he spotted a dark shadow cowering in the corner¡ªit was the evil spirit.


    The evil spirit huddled in the corner, trembling and gazing at Qin Sang with a look of pure terror.


    Though Qin Sang''s body remained stiff, the sight of the terrified spirit eased much of his fear.


    "It¡¯s afraid of the Jade Buddha."


    "The Jade Buddha is within me, merged with my soul, so it fears me as well."


    "Can Imand it, or perhaps control it?"


    Just as Qin Sang was about to voice these thoughts, a sudden knocking on the door startled him, followed by Old Wu¡¯s worried calls from outside.


    He must have woken Old Wu with his earlier outburst.


    With so many secrets at stake, opening the door was not an option.


    "I¡ª"


    Qin Sang quickly adjusted his thoughts, ready to exin, when he saw the evil spirit suddenly dash into the bamboo wall. His heart sank.

 Chapter 19: Soul Pill

    <em>Thud!</em>


    A muffled sound echoed outside, followed by an eerie silence.


    Qin Sang hurriedly covered the items on the bed with a nket and rushed out the door, only to find Old Wu copsed at the base of the wall, motionless.


    A dark aura swirled around Old Wu¡¯s body, and then an evil spirit emerged from within him, clutching Old Wu''s soul in its mouth. Upon seeing Qin Sang, the spirit immediately spat out Old Wu''s soul and retreated to a corner.


    Qin Sang froze in ce, momentarily at a loss.


    Old Wu''s soul stood there, unmoving. It appeared as a faint, grayish-white mist, with a nk expression and lifeless eyes, staring straight ahead¡ªa scene that sent chills down Qin Sang''s spine.


    <em>Unlike my soul, Old Wu¡¯s soul seemed just as tall as he was. Could it be because I cultivated the Netherworld Scripture?</em>


    Qin Sang scolded himself for letting his mind wander at such a critical moment. He quickly squatted down, cing his fingers under Old Wu''s nose, but he couldn''t feel any breath. A check on the heartbeat confirmed it had stopped.


    He was dead.Qin Sang lifted his head, aplex expression on his face, and called out softly, "Old Wu, do you still recognize me?"


    Old Wu¡¯s eyes shifted to Qin Sang, pausing briefly before he replied in a monotone voice, "I recognize you."


    Qin Sang was taken aback. He had only asked casually and hadn¡¯t expected Old Wu''s soul to respond. <em>Isn''t Old Wu mute? Yet, his soul can speak.</em>


    On closer inspection, Old Wu¡¯s soul appeared much younger than he had been in life, no longer hunched.


    Qin Sang spected that the mute, aged, and hunched appearance might have been physical traits caused by illness and the hardships of life, which didn¡¯t affect the soul.


    After all, Old Wu was only forty years old. It was normal for his soul to look younger.


    In Qin Sang''s previous life, a forty-year-old could still be considered young.


    As Old Wu¡¯s soul stared at him, and with an evil spirit crouching nearby, Qin Sang felt uneasy, but more than that, he was filled with guilt. Even though he had no deep ties with Old Wu, they had lived under the same roof for six months. Yet, Old Wu had died because of his recklessness.


    "Old Wu, every wrong has its source. The one who caused your death is that thing. Remember that clearly. If you ever be powerful in the underworld ande back for revenge, make sure to go after it."


    Qin Sang pointed at the evil spirit in the corner, earnestly advising him, though he felt it was a poor attempt to deceive himself. "Old Wu, do you have any unfinished wishes? What about your family¡­? Is there anyone still alive? What about your two sons? Do they have any chance of surviving?"


    Old Wu replied in a t tone, "I have no family."


    Qin Sang was at a loss, unsure of what else to say. Being stared at by Old Wu made him ufortable. He wanted to console Old Wu, to urge him to move on now that he was dead, to reincarnate instead of just standing there.


    Qin Sang genuinely believed that for Old Wu, death might not be such a bad thing. Reuniting with his family in the afterlife was better than living as a walking corpse.


    But he found the idea too callous and couldn¡¯t bring himself to say it.


    The room fell into a deathly silence. After a while, Old Wu¡¯s soul began to waver, dissolving into a wisp of soul mist that drifted toward the evil spirit.


    The evil spirit nced at Qin Sang, cautiously raised its head to inhale the mist, then quickly retreated.


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t know how to stop it. He could only stare at the evil spirit as it devoured Old Wu, realizing that this creature was undoubtedly a menace.


    If he couldn¡¯tmand the evil spirit to obey him, allowing it to run amok would inevitably result in the deaths of countless innocents. If it harmed an enemy, that might be eptable, but what if it was a family member or a friend?


    Qin Sang could only feel relieved that the one who knocked earlier wasn¡¯t the old Daoist or Ming Yue.


    His goal in seeking immortality was to achieve eternal life, not to be a murderer. If he couldn¡¯t control the evil spirit, he would rather lock away the Yan Luo Banner.


    Qin Sang stood up, took a step forward, then stopped. He turned back to look at Old Wu¡¯s body, deep in thought. Old Wu had died right outside his door. He needed to handle this carefully, or there would be trouble.


    Taking advantage of the fact that Old Wu''s body had not yet stiffened, Qin Sang lifted him, kicked open his room door, andid him t on the bed, covering him with a nket.


    Old Wu had his soul directly extracted, leaving no external wounds, so even the coroner wouldn¡¯t be able to find anything suspicious.


    After tidying up every detail, Qin Sang backed out of the room, closed the door, and leaned against the wall, letting out a heavy sigh, his heart still weighed down.


    ncing at the evil spirit, Qin Sang strode back into the room, picked up the Yan Luo Banner from the floor, and tried to recall the content of the scriptures, but he had no idea how to retrieve the evil spirit back into the banner.


    Frowning in thought for a moment, Qin Sang had no choice but to use the same method as before, channeling a newly recovered strand of qi into the Yan Luo Banner.


    The <em>Yan Luo Banner</em> chapter detailed how to wield the banner.


    This time, there was no evil spirit lunging at him. Qin Sang recited the scripture silently, and as he finished, the Yan Luo Banner began to move on its own, the ck gpole suddenly glowing with a deep, eerie light. The characters for "Yan Luo Banner" shone especially bright, and these lights gradually converged toward Qin Sang¡¯s hand before finally merging into his body.


    Immediately after, a flood of words appeared in Qin Sang¡¯s mind.


    Qin Sang was secretly amazed. After reading through the text, he discovered not only exnations about the Yan Luo Banner and the evil spirit within it but also an incantation for refining the banner.


    It turned out that the Yan Luo Banner wasn¡¯t the immortal''s weapon Qin Sang had initially thought but rather an auxiliary tool for cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    However, the evil spirit housed within the Yan Luo Banner, known as the King Yan, was somewhat weak. Still, after being refined with the incantation, it could be used to fight enemies, so the Yan Luo Banner could barely function as a weapon.


    Nevertheless, the primary use of the Yan Luo Banner was to assist in cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    Even to reach the first stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, with the aid of herbal baths, Qin Sang had still spent more than half a year. It was evident that reaching higher stages would be even more challenging, possibly taking many years to attain the sixth and highest stage.


    With the help of the Yan Luo Banner, things would be different.


    When the King Yan within the banner devoured human souls or malevolent yin qi, it would produce a Soul Pill. The cultivator could hold this Soul Pill in their palm during cultivation, and by harnessing its power, they could significantly elerate their progress.


    Of course, the Yan Luo Banner wasn¡¯t without its risks. The text warned cultivators not to be too greedy and to use the banner cautiously to avoid being devoured by King Yan.


    Reading this, Qin Sang felt a wave of fear.


    The Yan Luo Banner was a relic from the ck-d man, whose formidable strength had kept King Yan in check. But Qin Sang had only reached the second stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, so it was no wonder King Yan had tried to retaliate.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for the protection of the Jade Buddha, he might have already been dead.


    This incident served as a stark warning to Qin Sang. There were too many strange things in this world, and he would have to be careful in all matters from now on.


    Thinking of the Jade Buddha, Qin Sang grew contemtive.


    <em>If King Yan fears the Jade Buddha, does that mean I don''t need to worry about retaliation?</em>


    But recalling the terrifying moment when the evil spirit lunged at him, Qin Sang decided it was best to remain cautious. After all, he didn¡¯t know how strong the Jade Buddha truly was or whether it could always suppress King Yan.


    Having memorized the incantation, Qin Sang began refining the Yan Luo Banner.


    When the refinement wasplete, Qin Sang felt a strange sensation as if the Yan Luo Banner had be connected to his bloodline, bing a part of his very being.

 Chapter 20: Aftermath

    With a single thought, Qin Sang summoned King Yan, who was hiding outside. The spirit flew back in, casting a fearful nce at Qin Sang before merging into the Yan Luo Banner.


    The surface of the Yan Luo Banner shifted, and the image of King Yan reappeared.


    Qin Sangmanded it to emerge, and the g''s surface distorted as King Yan floated out again, standing solemnly before him, appearing unusually obedient.


    Qin Sang knew that what King Yan feared was the Jade Buddha, not him. But he didn¡¯t mind. Recalling the text he had read earlier, he ordered, "Give me a Soul Pill."


    King Yan¡¯s eyes suddenly turned blood-red, a fierce expression shing across its face before it reluctantly opened its mouth and spat out a ball of ck qi. The ck qi quickly condensed into a Soul Pill, about the size of a longan, which Qin Sang caught in his hand, feeling its coldness.


    Afterwards, King Yan¡¯s form flickered, appearing weaker after expelling the Soul Pill.


    Suppressing his eagerness, Qin Sangmanded King Yan to return, tidied up the disarrayed bed, and sat cross-legged, holding the Yan Luo Banner and the Soul Pill as he activated his cultivation art.


    Just as the text had described, the moment the art began to circte, Qin Sang immediately felt a significant difference. Afterpleting one cosmic orbit, the improvement was far greater than before, even more effective than the herbal baths.


    Despite his joy, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel troubled. The text had clearly stated that to obtain more Soul Pills in the future, he would have to let King Yan devour human souls or malevolent yin qi.But Qin Sang had no idea what malevolent yin qi even was. <em>Am I really destined to be a murderous fiend?</em>


    Faint light seeped through the window. Qin Sang sighed softly,y down without undressing, and decided not to dwell on these worries for now. He used his inner vision to examine his body, feeling as if he had received a new, fascinating toy, and let his consciousness roam throughout his body.


    Finally, it returned to the location of his soul. The yellow light still enveloped it, though the Buddha¡¯s shadow was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡­


    So much had happened that night, causing Qin Sang¡¯s emotions to rise and fall dramatically. It felt as though an entire year had passed.


    Soon, daylight broke. Qin Sang feigned nonchnce, rising as usual to start the fire, practice martial arts, and perform his morning exercises. It wasn¡¯t until midday that he pretended to discover Old Wu¡¯s death, feigning panic as he called for the Daoist monk.


    True to form, Daoist Jixin found no suspicious signs, concluding that Old Wu had simply overexerted himself from daily toil, exhausting his vitality and passing away from a sudden seizure in his sleep.


    Among Old Wu¡¯s belongings was a dagger for self-defense and a few taels of silver. When the Daoist instructed Qin Sang to report the death to the authorities, Qin Sang contributed money to buy a sturdy coffin. He enlisted the help of the temple residents to prepare Old Wu¡¯s body and belongings for burial, finding a spot on the back mountain for a simple grave, and interred him the same day.


    With no living rtives, Old Wu¡¯s funeral was kept simple. The Daoist monk recited a few scriptures, while Qin Sang crouched by the grave, burning a full basin of paper money and murmured softly, "Old Wu, may you live well in the afterlife. I¡¯ll find a boy to adopt in your name, to carry on the Wu family line. Rest in peace."


    Though the killer was the evil spirit, it had all started because of his recklessness. He had narrowly escaped death under the Jade Buddha¡¯s protection, but Old Wu had be the sacrificial victim.


    Qin Sang shook his head, letting out a long sigh.


    ¡­


    People move on quickly.


    In this world, death was all toomon. By evening, the atmosphere in the temple had returned to normal.


    But for Qin Sang, another troubling issue arose that night. He discovered that after advancing to the second stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, the herbal baths had almost no effect on his cultivation. His idea ofbining the Soul Pill with the baths was thoroughly dashed.


    Unfortunately, even Daoist Jixin had no simr remedies to offer.


    In the blink of an eye, seven days passed. During this time, the Soul Pill had been consumed by half,sting roughly twenty days in total.


    One afternoon, with nothing to do in the temple, Qin Sang and Ming Yue went out to hunt for Weiya[1].


    The bamboo grove was tranquil, and the two crouched by a rustic stove, tending the fire. Nearby were four cleaned rabbits and a few plump birds.


    Now, Qin Sang no longer needed traps to hunt. With just a wooden stick or a stone, he never missed his mark. Anything that moved couldn''t escape his grasp, making Ming Yue very envious. ?


    With meat and wine at hand, the two leaned against a stone, listening to the rustling wind, feeling quite content. Qin Sang suddenly thought that if he had never encountered immortals, spending his life here wouldn¡¯t be so bad.


    Ming Yue tore off a rabbit leg with his teeth, took a swig of wine, and then a bite of meat. Since practicing martial arts with Qin Sang, not only had he grown taller, but his appetite and alcohol tolerance had also increased.


    Suddenly, Ming Yue sat up, his ears twitching. "Senior Brother, why do I hear pigeons?"


    "I¡¯ve heard them a few times now," Qin Sang said indifferently, "They probably belong to one of the temples in the front mountain. Pigeons are quite nourishing. When I feel like it, I¡¯ll catch a few for you to try in a soup."


    Ming Yue hunched his shoulders andughed. "Just don¡¯t let the owner find out, or Master will scold us."


    Qin Sang scoffed. "You doubt my skills?"


    After their fill of food and drink, as night fell, the two brothers returned to the temple,pleted their evening exercises, and retired to their rooms.


    As usual, Qin Sang tidied his bed, then grasped the Soul Pill and Yan Luo Banner. Before beginning his cultivation, he touched the ebony sword at his chest. Despite the Yan Luo Banner, what interested him most was still the ebony sword. Yet whenever he channeled his qi into it, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no reaction at all. The Yan Luo Banner¡¯s incantation was also useless on it, leaving him helplessly frustrated.


    The moonlit night was silent, with only the sound of one long and one short cricket chirping beneath the windowsill.


    Qin Sang was fully absorbed in his cultivation when suddenly, his expression shifted, and he snapped his eyes open, shouting, "Who¡¯s there!"


    His gaze darted around, locking onto a corner of the room.


    In an instant, the darkness in the corner began to ripple, and then a shadowy figure emerged¡ªa person dressed in dark attire!


    "Who are you?!"


    Qin Sang was startled; someone had silently infiltrated his room.


    His hearing was extremely sharp, and he had only noticed an unusual sound in the wind when the intruder slipped in, awakening him. Otherwise, the person might have crept right up to him without being detected.


    <em>Who is this person? What are they doing in my room? Have my secrets been exposed?</em>


    A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Qin Sang¡¯s mind as his hand quietly reached for the Yan Luo Banner on his bed.


    The ck-d figure stood nonchntly in the room, showing no sign of panic from being discovered. Their eyes remained sharp even in the dim light, and Qin Sang felt as if two knives were scraping over his body, sending chills down his spine.


    The intruder scrutinized Qin Sang with a hint of surprise, "<em>Tsk, tsk...</em> I didn¡¯t expect a Daoist from this rundown temple to have the eyes to see through my stealth. So, was it you who killed Old Wu?"


    Old Wu¡¯s death was the biggest weight on Qin Sang¡¯s mind. He had thought his cover-up was wless, but having it suddenly exposed by a stranger sent a shockwave through him, and his gaze hardened slightly.


    "It really was you?"


    The ck-d figure¡¯s eyes narrowed, and in an instant, a terrifying killing intent surged in their gaze. In a chilling tone, they continued, "Old Wu reported that there were only two young Daoists here who knew some basic martial arts, nothing to worry about. Who would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d end up dead! Kid, I¡¯m very curious about who you really are, to have even outwitted an assassin from Jiangshan Tower!"


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected the intruder to be so perceptive, catching onto his slip with ease. At the same time, he found it strange¡ªording to the intruder¡¯s words, Old Wu wasn¡¯t just an ordinary person. Could his identity as a buk have been a facade?


    Old Wu had been lurking in the temple for half a year; what was his true purpose?


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!"


    Qin Sang forced himself to stay calm, denying everything. "Old Wu died from overexertion, pulling barges at the dock every day¡ªit had nothing to do with me! There wasn¡¯t a single mark on his body. If you don¡¯t believe me, go dig up his grave and see for yourself!"


    1. Weiya is a traditional annual celebration for Tu Di Gong (the earth god, also known as Fude Zhengshen, the god of wealth and merit) on the 16th of the 12th lunar month in Chinese society ?

 Chapter 21: Farewell

    The man in ck snorted coldly, his voice filled with anger. "Still not telling the truth? We''ll see if you still won''t confess in a moment!"


    Before the words had even left his mouth, the man in ck suddenly vanished from his original position.


    Qin Sang was shocked; in that instant, the man had truly disappeared from his sight.


    Qin Sang had never encountered such an enemy before. In the Wuwei Escort Agency, when sparring with Yang Zhen''s disciples, he could always anticipate their moves with his sharp eyes, handling them with ease. But this time, his eyes had failed him.


    If this man in ck could disappear right before his eyes, then even if he wasn''t some mysterious cultivator, he was certainly a top martial artist.


    <em>No, something''s wrong!</em>


    Qin Sang''s eyes suddenly narrowed as he noticed a slight distortion in the air before him, something only his keen vision could detect.


    A tempest of thoughts surged in Qin Sang''s mind, though only a moment had actually passed.


    In the blink of an eye, the distortion in the air spread toward Qin Sang.If Qin Sang retaliated at this moment, he could still manage to strike. However, the man in ck''s movements were too strange. Qin Sang dared not take any risks, so he immediately activated the Yan Luo Banner without hesitation.


    "Kill him!"


    With a low growl from Qin Sang, King Yan burst forth from the Yan Luo Banner, charging at the man in ck with a sinister grin.


    <em>Bang!</em>


    The man in ck''s head mmed into the edge of the bed, and hey there motionless. Momentster, King Yan emerged, clutching the man''s soul in his jaws, looking at Qin Sang with a fawning expression.


    The man''s soul, like that of Old Wu, stood there in a daze, unmoving.


    However, when Qin Sang removed the man''s mask, he found that the soul''s appearance was identical to the physical body. It was then that Qin Sang realized Old Wu might have been in disguise.


    Having encountered such a crisis for the first time, Qin Sang was still shaken. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself before immediately questioning the soul. As expected, the man''s soul would soon turn into soul mist.


    "What was Old Wu''s purpose in infiltrating the temple?" Qin Sang quickly demanded.


    The man answered expressionlessly, "To monitor the dock and await orders."


    So it had nothing to do with the temple or himself. Qin Sang felt somewhat relieved and asked, "How did you know Old Wu was dead?"


    "Today''s gatekeeper delivered the mission, and I sent a message to Old Wu via carrier pigeon, but there was no response."


    So those pigeons belonged to Old Wu!


    Qin Sang cursed inwardly and pressed on, "Who is the gatekeeper? What mission? Who are the members of Jiangshan Tower?"


    After a round of questioning, Qin Sang''s eyes revealed deep surprise.


    The so-called Jiangshan Tower was actually a top assassin organization in the martial world, renowned and feared, iming never to have failed a mission.


    The gatekeeper was the messenger whomunicated between the assassins and Jiangshan Tower. The Tower issued missions to the assassins through the gatekeeper, and the assassins rarely had direct contact with each other.


    This man in ck was also an assassin, and he had been Old Wu''s partner for many years, both lurking in the City of Three Witches.


    As for their current target, they would only learn of it after meeting with the gatekeeper at dawn.


    Old Wu''s martial arts were not top-notch, but his skill in disguise was extraordinary. He had disguised himself as a refugee and hid at the dock as a buk. His purpose was twofold: to monitor the dock and to await Jiangshan Tower''s orders.


    It was not umon for assassins to go a year or two without a mission. During such times, they would blend into normal life. Thus, Old Wu had been living in the temple for half a year, only to die in such a muddleheaded way at Qin Sang''s hands.


    The martial world had suddenly revealed just the tip of the iceberg to Qin Sang.


    "Besides you and Old Wu, how many assassins are in the City of Three Witches?" Qin Sang asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    "I don''t know."


    Jiangshan Tower was tightly organized, preventing too much interaction between assassins. The two of them onlymunicated with their own gatekeeper and knew nothing of other assassins'' missions or whereabouts.


    <em>That''s for the best!</em>


    Qin Sang nodded. He wasn¡¯t concerned about who Jiangshan Tower''s target was; he was more worried about whether Qingyang Temple would be implicated. "If you don¡¯t return, will Jiangshan Tower send someone else to investigate?"


    "Yes! If an assassin disappears without reason, the gatekeeper will report it to Jiangshan Tower, and they will certainly send someone to investigate until the matter is fully resolved."


    Qin Sang frowned deeply. "Does anyone else know you came to the temple tonight?"


    "The gatekeeper."


    "Does anyone else know that Old Wu was hiding at the dock and living in the temple?"


    "The gatekeeper."


    "Will he report it?"


    "I don¡¯t know."


    "Where does he live?"


    "In the City of Three Witches, South City, Willow Alley, No. 13 Di."


    "Do you have any secret codes?"


    ¡­


    The soul of the man in ck turned into a wisp of soul mist and was swallowed by King Yan. Qin Sang leaned against the wall, sat in a daze for a long time, and suddenly remembered something. He quietly ran to the rooms of the old Daoist and Ming Yue. Peering through the window, he saw that they were sound asleep.


    Standing there for a moment, Qin Sang silently whispered, "Daoist, Ming Yue, I alone will bear the consequences of my actions. I will not implicate you."


    He then returned to his room, packed up the Yan Luo Banner and other belongings, put on a set of clothes, and left everything else untouched, taking only a bottle of Golden Wound Medicine that the old Daoist had prepared.


    Finally, he ced the man in ck¡¯s body on the bed and examined it. The man had a sleeve arrow strapped to his arm and a soft sword hidden in his belt, with nothing else of note.


    The man in ck hadn¡¯t expected to be killed so quickly by Qin Sang; he had barely drawn his sword.


    Qin Sang removed the sleeve arrow and quickly figured out its simple mechanism before strapping it to his own arm. He then drew the soft sword, grabbed an ironwood staff that had been resting in the corner, and gave the room he had lived in for a year one final look. After retrieving a few fire starters, he tossed them around the room.


    The house¡¯s frame was made of stone, but everything else was wood, straw, and bamboo, with arge pile of firewood in the outer room. The mes quickly spread.


    "I wonder if this will be enough to clear Qingyang Temple of suspicion."


    Qin Sang sighed softly. As the fire roared to life, he walked out of the temple without looking back. By the time he reached the mountainside, he heard someone shouting for help to put out the fire.


    Passing by Old Wu¡¯s grave, Qin Sang stopped in front of it. The mes from Qingyang Temple had already turned half the night sky red. With a bitter smile, he murmured, "Old Wu, Old Wu, why did you choose Qingyang Temple of all ces?"


    Ever since he had refined the Yan Luo Banner, Qin Sang had been thinking of leaving the temple, though he hadn¡¯t expected to do so in this way.


    In the forest at the foot of the mountain, the man in ck''s horse was tied up. Qin Sang mounted the horse and rode straight toward the City of Three Witches.


    Riding swiftly, Qin Sang reached the City of Three Witches while it was still dark and the city gates remained closed.


    However, due to the bustling trade at the dock, one of the side gates at the south gate of the City of Three Witches stayed open all night to allow the passage of goods. Qin Sang hid his sword, staff, and horse outside the city, paid a bit of silver, and slipped into the city by mingling with a merchant, heading straight for Willow Alley.


    It was still early, and the entire Willow Alley was devoid of people.


    The alley was lined with the residences of wealthy families, with high walls and red gates. Qin Sang quickly found No. 13 Di.


    The house was notrge, with an outer wall made of blue bricks, about four or five people high, and the main gate was tightly shut.

 Chapter 22: The Dongyang Lady

    The man in ck had said that the gatekeeper lived inside and that they used the call of a nightingale as a signal¡ªseven long calls and four short ones. However, Qin Sang didn¡¯t know how to mimic a nightingale¡¯s call, so he hid in the shadows and summoned King Yan.


    "Go inside..."


    Qin Sangmanded, his eyes fixed on the courtyard. King Yan,cking intelligence and unable to distinguish between friend and foe, hesitated briefly before Qin Sang ordered in a low voice, "Kill everyone inside!"


    King Yan phased through the walls, and Qin Sang followed, vaulting over the wall into the courtyard. He arrived just in time to see King Yan pulling the soul of a middle-aged man from his body.


    The man¡¯s appearance matched the description given by the man in ck¡ªthis was the gatekeeper!


    Relieved to have found the key figure, Qin Sang immediately began his interrogation.


    His primary concern was to find out how many people knew about Old Wu and the man in ck¡¯s activities at Qingyang Temple.


    If the gatekeeper had reported it, Qin Sang would relentlessly pursue them, even if it meant confronting the leader of Jiangshan Tower himself.


    Qin Sang realized that even against martial arts experts, King Yan remained invincible.Old Wu, the man in ck, and the gatekeeper were all top assassins of Jiangshan Tower, considered first-rate experts in the martial world. Yet, they had died silently, without any resistance.


    No level of martial arts could withstand King Yan.


    Moreover, Qin Sang could obtain the most urate information.


    After quickly extracting the information he wanted, Qin Sang¡¯s tense expression rxed.


    It turned out that the organization of Jiangshan Tower was even more tightly knit than he had imagined. Eachmandery had its own branch, and although the gatekeepers were core members of Jiangshan Tower, they didn¡¯t know the location of the branches to prevent anyone from following the trail and destroying them. The gatekeepers didn¡¯t even have the authority to contact the branches directly.


    In case of emergencies, they would have to send out a signal and wait for the branch to initiate contact.


    This particr gatekeeper had not been in the City of Three Witches for long. Today, he had received his first mission, and it was only then that the branch contacted him. Although he had recorded all his tasks, none had been reported yet.


    The man in ck had informed the gatekeeper that he was going to Qingyang Temple to investigate, but since no results hade back, the gatekeeper had not spread the word.


    Hearing this, Qin Sang felt reassured. As long as he burned the gatekeeper¡¯s records, all the clues would end here.


    However, topletely clear Qingyang Temple of any involvement, Qin Sang needed to take further measures. He immediately began questioning the gatekeeper about the identities and hiding ces of all the assassins currently lurking in the City of Three Witches. Due to the mission, the gatekeeper had sent out a message to gather the assassins, and they were all hiding in a house outside the city.


    After extracting all the information, Qin Sang realized that the gatekeeper¡¯s soul was on the verge of dissipating.


    At this point, Qin Sang had gained some understanding of Jiangshan Tower¡¯s mission. Not only had the six assassins under the gatekeeper¡¯smand been mobilized, but other gatekeepers in Zhenshui Commandery were also moving towards the City of Three Witches. This operation was intended to gather nearly thirty assassins.


    <em>Who could be their target to warrant such a massive operation?</em>


    Out of curiosity, Qin Sang asked, only to receive a shocking answer.


    "The Dongyang Lady!"


    Their target was none other than the Dongyang Lady, the daughter of the Dongyang King and the niece of the current emperor![1]


    The fact that a mere assassin organization would dare to oppose official power and plot to assassinate amanderydy was beyond Qin Sang¡¯sprehension. Was the leader of Jiangshan Tower so bold that he didn¡¯t fear utter annihtion?


    Upon further questioning, Qin Sang learned that this wasn¡¯t the first time Jiangshan Tower had killed an official. Ten years ago, a certain Governor Ma had been assassinated in broad daylight, shocking the entire Great Sui, and Jiangshan Tower had been behind it.


    When the news broke, thete emperor was furious, yet Jiangshan Tower had continued to thrive.


    Moreover, the name "Dongyang Lady" caused Qin Sang¡¯s expression to shift dramatically. He couldn¡¯t help but recall the youngdy on the boat who had never shown her face¡ªcould she be Dongyang Lady?


    He hurriedly asked for more details.


    ording to the intelligence from Jiangshan Tower, the Dongyang Lady had made a grand show of heading to Chunyang Manor for the summer, but she secretly slipped away and disappeared without a trace.


    Jiangshan Tower had been tracking her and only recently found some clues. It appeared that the Dongyang Lady, along with some of her close followers, had disguised themselves as merchants and secretly infiltrated Zhenshui Commandery. If all went ording to n, they would arrive at the City of Three Witches by midday today.


    The branch of Jiangshan Tower in the City of Three Witches nned to ambush her at Luoma Mountain, located outside the eastern part of the city.


    Qin Sang, who was familiar with the people of Wuwei Escort Agency, had studied the escort agency¡¯s maps and knew the terrain around the City of Three Witches well. He was aware that Luoma Mountain was sparsely popted, with steep and dangerous terrain. The roads there were carved along cliffs, with a sheer drop into a roaring river below¡ªa perfect ce for an ambush.


    Qin Sang wanted to ask for more details, but the gatekeeper¡¯s soul had reached its time and dissolved into a cloud of soul mist.


    Qin Sang now had two paths before him.


    One path was to pretend he knew nothing, handle his own matters, and then flee far away.


    The second path was to take a risk and try to save thedy.


    Moreover, his benefactor, Bai Jiann, might also be involved. Out of gratitude, Qin Sang felt he had to make the attempt.


    The strange abilities of the Yan Luo Banner and King Yan made Qin Sang almost certain that the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was not an ordinary martial art but a method for cultivating immortality.


    To ordinary people, Qin Sang could already be considered an immortal master.


    Perhaps, a more fitting description would be a demon or a fiend.


    Qin Sang knew nothing about immortal cultivation. The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and the Yan Luo Banner were both obtained from the demonic man in ck, tools for controlling evil spirits and killing¡ªextremely evil. If he rashly sought out immortality and encountered someone like that sword-wielding youth, who was intolerant of evil and sought to exterminate demons, he would have no one to cry to.


    Besides, the world was vast, and finding an immortal fate was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Using connections with the powerful to get close to other immortal masters and slowly probing the world of immortal cultivation might be a more prudent approach.


    As he contemted this, Qin Sang continued to act without pause. The east was beginning to brighten, and dawn was approaching; he didn¡¯t have much time left.


    Entering the house, he searched beneath the floor tiles under the gatekeeper¡¯s bed and found a stack of books. Inside were the gatekeeper¡¯s records, but these were fake.


    Each time he wrote down something, the gatekeeper would make one real and one fake record. The fake ones were left here, while the real records were with a courtesan surnamed Li in Red Dust Alley.


    This Li courtesan was also an assassin for Jiangshan Tower. She had a peculiar disposition and liked to hide in the brothels, using her charms to entertain people. The gatekeeper trusted her deeply, and they were also lovers.


    To y it safe, Qin Sang took all the fake records with him.


    To avoid alerting anyone, he left the gatekeeper¡¯s house untouched and immediately headed for Red Dust Alley.


    At this hour, there were still quite a few people moving around in Red Dust Alley. Qin Sang took some effort to disguise himself before sneaking into Li¡¯s room.


    Li was in the room entertaining a client. Qin Sang had no choice but to interrupt. He found the real records, took them outside, and burned them all. Then he went out of the city to hunt down the other three assassins, leaving none alive. Finally, he set fire to the house, stirring the waters even more.


    After all this activity, daylight had fully broken. Qin Sang mounted his horse and rode eastward. He had decided to seize this opportunity¡ªhis best chance to infiltrate the Dongyang Lady''s entourage and slowly learn about the world of immortal cultivation!


    Fearing that Jiangshan Tower¡¯s spies might be watching, Qin Sang avoided the main road through Luoma Mountain and took a smaller path.


    He circled around Luoma Mountain by around 8:30 PM. Pausing briefly, Qin Sang looked back in the direction of the City of Three Witches, wondering if Jiangshan Tower would still go through with their n after the chaos he had caused.


    1. Trantor''s note: During that era, people called the brothers of the emperor kings/princes. In this novel, the term "king" would be used. ?<blockquote>


    Joash''s Thoughts


    Trantor''s note: During that era, people called the brothers of the emperor kings/princes. In this novel, the term "king" would be used.</blockquote>

 Chapter 23: Delivering the Message

    After traversing several mountains, Qin Sang reached a broad area near the main road and halted his horse, waiting in silence.


    ording to the intelligence, the caravan of Dongyang Lady had camped in Kun Cityst night and departed in the early hours of the morning. Now, past 10 AM, they were approaching.


    Qin Sang picked up his ironwood staff, a sturdy pole he had purchased at the dock. Made from ironwood with a hardnessparable to metal and excellent resilience, he had it fashioned into a reliable weapon.


    The staff had a slot at one end where the Yan Luo Banner could be inserted. After wrapping the g around and securing it with cloth strips, the result was an oddly makeshift spear.


    Qin Sang had confirmed that although King Yan was not visible to the naked eye, he needed to be cautious and conceal his true intentions in public to avoid attracting the attention of immortal masters who mighte to exorcize demons, leading to unnecessary trouble.


    To the east of the City of Three Witchesy a range of towering mountains. The path, winding through these mountains and crossing several rivers, was arduous. Merchants preferred to take the northern route, which took an additional two days, rather than risking the challenging road, making the route sparsely popted.


    Qin Sang kept a vignt watch not only at the crossroads but also in all directions, yet he saw no signs of Jiangshan Tower''s people.


    As the sun approached its zenith, the afternoon heat was still fierce despite the onset of autumn. Qin Sang recited the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em> and waited patiently until suddenly, his eyes glowed and stood straight up.


    A convoy appeared at the end of the road.The convoy consisted of several heavily covered cargo carts, followed by two passenger carriages and more than twenty mounted guards.


    These guards, disguised as escorts, were well-equipped with swords and appeared highly alert. Shadows of more figures seemed to lurk in the surrounding woods.


    Their formation was disciplined, maintaining perfect order as the convoy moved, ensuring they could respond quickly to any threat from all directions.


    Upon closer inspection, Qin Sang noticed that their protection focused more on the upants of the carriages rather than the cargo.


    Even from a distance, Qin Sang could see clearly that Bai Jiann was leading the convoy.


    Water Monkey Zhou Ning was also among them.


    <em>Indeed, it''s them.</em>


    Qin Sang immediately mounted his horse, urging it into a gallop. The steed burst forth from the forest and descended the hill with pounding hooves.


    "Who goes there!"


    "Stop!"


    Before reaching the convoy, Qin Sang heard Bai Jiann and the others shoutingmands.


    Upon spotting Qin Sang, the convoy halted abruptly. The guards quickly surrounded the carriages, drawing their weapons and pointing them at Qin Sang.


    Hidden crossbows aimed from the shadows, exuding a murderous aura.


    "Halt!"


    Qin Sang quickly reined in his horse and called out loudly, "Brother Bai, Zhou Ning, it¡¯s me¡ªQin Sang!"


    Bai Jiann¡¯s expression faltered as he took a closer look and recognized Qin Sang, recalling the young man he had rescued from the raftst year.


    Last year, Qin Sang had escaped from a tiger''s den, covered in blood and in a wretched state.


    Now, having practiced the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and trained daily, Qin Sang had undergone a significant transformation in both appearance and aura.


    Because of this, Bai Jiann initially failed to recognize him.


    Water Monkey Zhou Ning also recognized Qin Sang with a look of surprise and excitement.


    "It''s really Brother Qin! You didn''t return home? I thought we might never see you again, who would have thought¡ª!"


    Bai Jiann gestured for Zhou Ning to be quiet, stepped forward, and, eyeing Qin Sang critically, said, "Brother Qin, may I ask what brings you to stop us?"


    It was clear that Qin Sang hade with a specific purpose.


    Sensing Bai Jiann¡¯s aloofness and suspicion, Qin Sang didn¡¯t take offense. He dismounted, removed his crossbow, soft sword, and staff, and approached Bai Jiann. In a low voice, he said, "Brother Bai, I have urgent news to report to Dongyang Lady."


    Bai Jiann¡¯s face turned pale. "You!"


    Qin Sang quickly waved his hand, ncing at the guards, and said, "Please don¡¯t misunderstand, Brother Bai. I only deduced Dongyang Lady¡¯s identityter. I genuinely have important information. If you trust me,e with me to discuss it away from here."


    Bai Jiann, confident in his martial skills, signaled to his men and followed Qin Sang to the roadside.


    "Thedy''s whereabouts are no longer a secret. Ahead, at Luoma Mountain, there are assassins from Jiangshan Tower lying in wait, targeting thedy. I received this news by chance and, remembering thedy''s and Brother Bai''s life-saving deeds, came to report it."


    With that, Qin Sang gazed steadily at Bai Jiann.


    Bai Jiann¡¯s expression remained neutral as he fixed his eyes on Qin Sang, studying him for a moment. Qin Sang met his gaze calmly.


    At that moment, an old woman approached and, in a raspy voice, said, "Commander Bai, the youngdy sent me to ask who the visitor is and what urgent matter he wishes to report."


    Bai Jiann continued to stare at Qin Sang, then stepped back and whispered to the old woman.


    The old woman''s eyes gleamed, and she nced at Qin Sang before saying, "Commander Bai, please search this young man first. I will return to inform the youngdy."


    The old woman turned and left.


    Qin Sang allowed Bai Jiann to search him. The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, Yan Luo Banner, and the ebony sword were all wrapped and left on his horse, and Bai Jiann did not investigate further.


    Momentster, the old woman¡¯s voice rang out, "Everyone, dismount and rest."


    Several individuals quietly dispersed into the woods, and soon the old woman appeared with a young woman disguised as a man.


    This was Qin Sang''s first time seeing thedy of Dongyang Commandery. She wore an exquisite melon-shaped hat adorned with pearls. Her refined features and tall, slender figure were entuated by a silken garment with a tiny waist, a floral cloud-shaped waist sash, and a beautiful jade pendant. At first nce, she might have been mistaken for a noble young master.


    Qin Sang bowed respectfully and said, "I pay my respects to thedy."


    Qin Sang subtly observed the Dongyang Lady as she scrutinized him in return.


    The Dongyang Lady nodded and smiled slightly. Addressing Bai Jiann, she said, "Commander Bai, I didn¡¯t expect the person you saved out of a momentary impulse woulde to bear such a great favor."


    Bai Jiann¡¯s expression remained calm. "Lady, you overpraise us. It was with your permission that I dared to rescue him. Brother Qin¡¯s gratitude for your great kindness led to this act of loyalty."


    The Dongyang Lady then turned her attention to Qin Sang and said to the old woman, "Granny Li[1], find a quiet ce for this brave man to exin the situation in detail. I have only read about stories of deep gratitude repaid with great returns in books and have never witnessed it myself."


    Granny Li looked around and pointed to a clearing in the forest. "Please follow me, youngdy."


    As Qin Sang followed Bai Jiann and Granny Li into the woods, he kept his attention on the Dongyang Lady. Her calm demeanor despite the knowledge of an assassination attempt, with no sign of anxiety or fear, was impressive.


    They took their time, and Qin Sang took his own time as well. Once they were in the dense forest, Qin Sang began to exin the situation in detail.


    He had already prepared his speech on the way, deliberately omitting mention of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and Yan Luo Banner.


    As for how he, a mere novice in martial arts, could deal with Jiangshan Tower¡¯s assassins¡­


    It was simply a matter of innate talent.


    1. It ismon in Asian cultures to address an elderly as grandma or grandpa even if not rted by blood. ?

 Chapter 24: Splitting the Forces

    Qin Sang waited by the side.


    The Dongyang Lady and her party were deliberating in the forest, believing themselves to be at a safe distance. However, Qin Sang heard their discussion clearly.


    Granny Li spoke grimly, "Whether that boy''s words are true or false, thedy''s identity and whereabouts are undoubtedly exposed. With the ambiguous stance of Zhenshui King, we must avoid the City of Three Witches at all costs. The fake emperor''s minions will not give up easily. The best course of action is to split our forces. The convoy should take the main road back to Kun City to draw attention, while the Lady secretly departs by water route to return swiftly to Dongyang Commandery. I fear that the boy might be a spy sent by the fake emperor to divide our forces. In my opinion, his identity does not need to be verified¡ªjust kill him, and we won¡¯t have to worry about him spreading news."


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but he felt a chill inside. He hadn''t expected the old woman to be so ruthless.


    He nced at the ck horse outside the forest, where the Yan Luo Banner was still wrapped up. Qin Sang calcted the route, deliberately pacing back and forth, subtly moving closer to the roadside.


    If they did intend to act against him, he would not sit idly by.


    Then Bai Jiann spoke up, "Lady, please reconsider. If Brother Qin truly came here out of gratitude for your saving himst year, risking his own safety to deliver this message, wouldn''t it be¡­"


    Before Qin Sang could rx, Granny Li sharply interrupted Bai Jiann, "Commander Bai, my only concern is thedy''s safety. Beyond that, I care for nothing else! Let me advise you, since you have chosen to serve under the king, it¡¯s best to shed your martial world demeanor as soon as possible!"


    A moment of silence followed.Feeling the situation growing tense, Qin Sang sighed inwardly, already preparing for action. Then, unexpectedly, the Dongyang Lady spoke, "Commander Bai, are you certain that Qin Sang did not know martial artsst year?"


    Bai Jiann replied, "On the ship that day, I personally examined him. He had no trace of true qi in his body, and his muscles and bones were loose, suggesting he had not practiced martial arts."


    "Yet he could kill Jiangshan Tower''s assassins with less than a year of training?"


    The Dongyang Lady sighed slightly, "Such talent must be unprecedented, even for you, Granny Li. Words alone are insufficient. Commander Bai, please test him."


    "Understood!"


    ¡­


    Qin Sang pretended to be unaware and looked at Bai Jiann with feigned confusion as he approached.


    "Brother Qin¡­"


    Bai Jiann moved slowly towards Qin Sang, and just as he was about to close the distance, he suddenly struck.


    <em>ng!</em>


    A sh of sword light shot towards Qin Sang like lightning.


    A fierce wind rushed at him.


    From this attack, Qin Sang could tell that Bai Jiann was stronger than the ck-d assassins. Yet he still managed to track the sword¡¯s trajectory, especially since he was prepared.


    "Brother Bai!"


    Qin Sang appeared shocked, but his movements were swift. He shifted his feet, twisting his body sharply to avoid the icy de that sliced past him.


    "Brother Bai, you¡ª"


    Qin Sang started to speak, but Bai Jiann didn¡¯t give him a chance. With a swift motion, he closed the distance between them and struck with his hand, which was now like an eagle¡¯s w, aiming to seize Qin Sang.


    Bai Jiann¡¯s palm art was exquisite, as fast as thunder and unpredictable, but Qin Sang could follow every movement clearly.


    In the brief exchange, Qin Sang seized an opportunity to counter with a punch. The impact felt like hitting a wall, and he was forced to step back several paces, barely managing to stay on his feet, while Bai Jiann remained unmoved.


    Qin Sang realized that without the Yan Luo Banner, there was a significant gap between him and a true martial arts master.


    Little did he know, Bai Jiann was even more astonished.


    Although their fight was brief, Bai Jiann felt an unsettling rity¡ªhe seemed unable to gain any advantage over Qin Sang. Every move he made was countered by Qin Sang, who disrupted his offensive with every strike.


    During this encounter, Bai Jiann was forced to be cautious and nearly fell victim to Qin Sang¡¯s counterattacks.


    Only with his true qi carefully channeled did Bai Jiann manage to remain in a stable position.


    "Brother Bai, why are you attacking me?"


    Qin Sang panted heavily, his face a mix of indignation and confusion.


    The Dongyang Lady and Granny Li also approached, their expressions filled with surprise as they examined Qin Sang.


    Bai Jiann sheathed his sword and reported to the Lady, "My Lady, I have tested him. In my opinion, Brother Qin¡¯s keen senses and quick reflexes are unparalleled. He has mastered the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> to an extraordinary degree, making it difficult for others to surpass him. The assassins from Jiangshan Tower excel in stealth and disguise, but their skills are ineffective against Brother Qin. It is only natural that they would be outmatched."


    Granny Li smiled coldly. "Thedy chose well in saving him. Who would have thought that Brother Qin possesses such extraordinary talent? To have mastered the <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> to this extent, given time, he will surely be a top martial artist. Congrattions, Lady, on acquiring such a formidable warrior!"


    If not for having heard Granny Li¡¯s earlier insistence on killing him, one might have thought her a kind person.


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained one of bewilderment.


    "Are you testing me?"


    The Dongyang Lady spoke earnestly, "Please do not take offense, Brother Qin. Given the weight of the situation, we must be cautious. Your life-saving actions are deeply appreciated, and once we are out of danger, we will certainly reward you handsomely."


    Granny Li interjected, "This matter can be discussedter. Time is of the essence. I will go fetch Elder Yue now. Commander Bai and Elder Yue will escort thedy south to cross the river and travel downstream. In a few days, we should be able to return to Dongyang Commandery."


    The Dongyang Lady furrowed her brow, "Granny, you are noting with us?"


    Granny Li¡¯s gaze grew cold as she looked outside. "Though these guards are loyal to the king, there may be some who are fearful for their lives or untrustworthy. I must stay here to oversee things and prevent any abnormalities that might alert Jiangshan Tower. Do not worry, Lady. I will handle the situation carefully."


    Understanding there was no better option, the Dongyang Lady replied, "Please be careful, Granny Li... Also, have Chun Taoe here. Commander Bai, please apany Granny Li, select a few guards, and bring the horses. We¡¯ll travel light."


    "Understood."


    Qin Sang followed outside to bring the horses, securing the Yan Luo Banner to the ironwood staff. Having it close by gave him some peace of mind.


    As Qin Sang entered the forest with the horses, he saw Bai Jiann had brought Water Monkey and six unfamiliar guards, including an elderly man with a glowingplexion.


    Granny Li led Chun Tao into the clearing.


    Recalling Chun Tao¡¯s previous harsh demeanor, Qin Sang observed that Chun Tao merely nced at him before walking past with a nk expression.


    Granny Li then took out a thin, translucent human skin mask and applied it to Chun Tao¡¯s face. She then dressed Chun Tao in attire identical to the Dongyang Lady¡¯s.


    Once the mask was applied, it waspletely seamless.


    Qin Sang watched in amazement as, after the Dongyang Lady removed her essories and dressed Chun Tao, the disguised Chun Tao perfectly resembled the Lady, looking just like her.

 Chapter 25: Brothers

    Chun Tao, whether in height, physique, face shape, or even gait, closely resembled Dongyang Lady. Their temperaments differed slightly, but unless the two stood side by side, it was impossible for an outsider to discern who was who.


    Granny Li said, "Miss, Chun Tao and I will return to Kun City first. Once you¡¯ve finished your business, we will meet there."


    With that, Granny Li took the disguised Chun Tao and departed.


    Unexpectedly, as they walked past Qin Sang, Chun Tao suddenly stopped, looked at Qin Sang, and smiled. "Mr. Qin, may I ask what kind of wood was used to craft that staff of yours? Its luster is so bright. My younger brother at home also loves to y with staffs, but unfortunately, he has been weak and sickly since childhood, and our parents never allowed it. I was thinking of bringing one back for him as a gift this time."


    Qin Sang was taken aback, not understanding why Chun Tao was asking about this.


    Noticing the displeasure on the old woman¡¯s face, Dongyang Lady didn¡¯t intervene and replied, "Ms. Chun Tao, this staff is made from the heartwood of ironwood, which grows in the southern Muzi Kingdom. If you find merchants from Muzi, you should be able to purchase one."


    "My little brother would surely love it. I thank Mr. Qin on his behalf."


    Tears welled up in Chun Tao¡¯s eyes as she covered her mouth and smiled before following Granny Li out.


    As she was about to board the carriage, Chun Tao nearly slipped, but Granny Li quickly caught her.After helping her into the carriage, Granny Li raised her voice and said, "The youngdy has ordered that we will not be going to the City of Three Witches. Everyone is to turn back immediately and head to Kun City."


    The guards immediately mounted their horses without asking why and silently turned to head back.


    Inside the carriage, there was silence. Chun Tao covered her mouth tightly, her tears falling like rain.


    ¡­


    After Granny Li and the others had left, the group emerged from the forest. Gazing at the empty road ahead, Dongyang Lady remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking an elderly guard, "Elder Yue, was what Chun Tao said true?"


    Elder Yue replied, "Yes, Miss. Chun Tao indeed has a younger brother who has been sick for years, nearly dying several times. His life has been sustained by medicine, and Chun Tao has been sending all her monthly wages home to barely cover the cost of his treatment."


    The Dongyang Lady was puzzled. "What kind of illness is it? Even that Imperial Physician Li couldn¡¯t treat it?"


    "Well¡­"


    Elder Yue hesitated before saying, "Chun Tao seems to have sought help¡­ but the imperial physicians in the residence rarely leave the pce. Unless one spends a fortune, it¡¯s almost impossible to invite them to amon household."


    The Dongyang Lady responded, "Mhmm, after we return to the residence, Elder Yue, remember to take my personal decree and ask the imperial physician to treat Chun Tao¡¯s younger brother. The consultation fees and medicine costs will be covered by us¡­ and find him a position within the residence as well."


    Elder Yue said, "Miss, your kindness is boundless."


    Dongyang Lady nced around before asking, "Commander Bai, is there a way out to the north?"


    Bai Jiann pondered for a moment and then nodded. "There¡¯s a small path through the mountains that leads to Linwu City. We can bypass the city and, if we ride swiftly, reach Yingnan Commandery within four days."


    The Dongyang Lady made a decisive decision. "Then we¡¯ll head north. Elder Yue, send a message to have my father dispatch people to Yingnan Commandery to meet us."


    ¡­


    Bai Jiann led the way, with Qin Sang and Water Monkey silently following beside him. The group galloped along the small path.


    It was clear that Bai Jiann was very familiar with the area, as he continuously changed directions and paths, causing confusion. By nightfall, they had passed through the territory of Linwu City without entering the city itself.


    Late at night, Bai Jiann chose a mountain pass for them to rest.


    They were all skilled people, and soon they had caught some game, roasting it over the fire. Elder Yue personally fetched some spring water from the mountain to apany the hard, dry biscuits. The Dongyang Lady struggled to swallow but managed to finish her meal bite by bite.


    They had fled all day without encountering any pursuers. Qin Sang guessed that even if Jiangshan Tower hadn¡¯t given up on the assassination, they might have been drawn away by the decoy.


    He wondered how many of the decoys had survived.


    That day, Chun Tao¡¯s final smile kept reying in Qin Sang¡¯s mind, making him sigh inwardly. The cruelty of this world was even more tant than that of his previous life.


    Forced to spend the night in the mountains, Qin Sang had no duties to stand guard, so he casually leaned against a tree to rest.


    By the campfire, the Dongyang Ladyy on her side, covered with clothing. She hadn¡¯t moved for a long time, as if she had really fallen asleep. Elder Yue sat cross-legged right beside her.


    Bai Jiann, along with Water Monkey and the others, set up some simple traps and mechanisms.


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t sleep. With so many people around, he couldn¡¯t practice either, so he focused inward, letting his mind sink into his inner vision, his consciousness returning to his soul.


    Ever since the jade Buddha had driven away the evil spirit, Qin Sang had entered his inner vision almost every night after training, trying to figure things out. However, no matter what he did, the jade Buddha hadn¡¯t appeared again, leaving only that faint yellow light, which never extinguished.


    Since the Jade Buddha¡¯s appearance, Qin Sang hadn¡¯t noticed any changes while cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. It seemed that the Jade Buddha only acted to save his life when he was in danger; at other times, it didn¡¯t seem to care at all.


    Qin Sang, who had held onto high hopes, gradually had to ept reality, attributing it to his own low cultivation level.


    The night was cold.


    Qin Sang wrapped his clothes tightly around himself, closed his eyes, and pretended to sleep. Hearing footsteps, he opened his eyes to see Water Monkey, Zhou Ning, walking over.


    "Take a sip, Brother Qin," Water Monkey said, handing him a small gourd, winking yfully.


    Qin Sang opened the lid, and the aroma of wine hit his nose. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he quickly took a big gulp. Though his body was strong and resistant to the cold, the fiery liquor burning down his throat made him feel warm andfortable.


    "Thank you, Brother Zhou!"


    Qin Sang handed the gourd back with a smile. "Brother Zhou, soon we¡¯ll be able to enjoy the river fish you catch."


    Water Monkey chuckled, standing beside Qin Sang. He wasn¡¯t as talkative as usual today and had said little throughout the journey. After ncing up at the night sky, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "Brother Qin, why haven¡¯t you returned home in a year? Don¡¯t you miss your parents?"


    Qin Sang sighed softly. "What¡¯s the point of missing them? Going back to the vige would only mean returning to a life of hardship. Out here, there¡¯s a chance I can make something of myself and let them enjoy wealth and honor."


    Water Monkey frowned, clearly disagreeing. "Brother Qin, you¡¯re wrong. What parents care about most is you. Being reunited with your family is what truly matters. What¡¯s wealth and honorpared to that¡­"


    As they spoke, Qin Sang¡¯s expression suddenly changed. He sat up abruptly, his eyes fixed on the dense canopy above. He shouted, "Someone¡¯s here! Be careful!"


    Before the words had fully left his mouth, the shadows of the trees beside the Dongyang Lady twisted, and a dark figure lunged straight at her.


    Fortunately, Elder Yue was right beside the Dongyang Lady. The moment the assassin appeared, he swiftly drew the sword lying across his knees. His body leaped into the air like a hawk, blocking the assassin¡¯s path. The sword light danced like a dragon, striking straight at the assassin¡¯s vital points.


    Unexpectedly, the assassin didn¡¯t dodge or evade. Instead, he sped up, moving even faster toward the de.


    <em>St!</em>


    The sword easily pierced the assassin¡¯s waist, but the assassin didn¡¯t slow down in the slightest. He charged right up to Elder Yue, his mouth opening to reveal a cold glint aimed directly at Elder Yue¡¯s face.


    This assassin seemed immune to pain.


    Being stared at by those dead, emotionless eyes sent a chill through Elder Yue¡¯s heart. He hurriedly dodged the hidden weapon, then quickly tried to pull his sword back, but the assassin twisted his body, using his bones to lock the sword in ce.

 Chapter 26: Laughter

    The assassin seemed to have anticipated this moment. As he twisted his body to lock the sword in ce, his movements didn¡¯t pause for a second. He extended both arms like an ape, attempting to seize Elder Yue.


    Elder Yue reacted quickly. Realizing the danger, he immediately released the sword¡¯s hilt and retreated swiftly.


    <em>Rip!</em>


    The assassin managed to tear off two pieces of cloth but failed to capture Elder Yue. Instead, he mped down on Elder Yue¡¯s arm with a death grip.


    The leaves rustled, and three more dark figures leapt down from the trees, moving like specters, aiming straight for the Dongyang Lady.


    Elder Yue¡¯s expression changed drastically. In desperation, he struck the assassin¡¯s head with his palm. The assassin, already resolved to die, did not evade. He wrapped his legs tightly around Elder Yue¡¯s leg, enduring a few blows before Elder Yue¡¯s palm finally struck his head.


    Blood and brain matter sttered everywhere. Though the assassin died, his limbs remained locked onto Elder Yue.


    The situation around them had already descended into chaos.


    Bai Jiann had barely moved before he was besieged by two assassins who fought with a reckless disregard for their own lives. Despite his formidable skills, Bai Jiann had to be cautious.Of the five other guards, two were struck down by crossbow bolts to the chest and died instantly. The remaining three, after narrowly avoiding the hidden arrows, stood back to back, barely managing to hold their ground against the attacking assassins.


    At this critical moment, the nearest person to the Dongyang Lady, Elder Yue, was entangled by the dead assassin, while the Dongyang Lady had only just managed to sit up from the ground.


    Dragging the assassin''s corpse, Elder Yue moved clumsily, only managing to crash into the nearest assassin while shouting, "Save the Lady!"


    Qin Sang had actually noticed the danger first, but this was his first time in such a perilous battle. Fearing that revealing King Yan¡¯s deadly techniques would expose his secrets, he hesitated.


    In that brief moment of hesitation, the situation deteriorated rapidly.


    Grabbing the ironwood staff, Qin Sang vaguely heard a faint sound behind him. Feeling a rush of cold wind over his head, he quickly rolled aside.


    <em>Poof!</em>


    A crossbow bolt buried itself in the spot where Qin Sang had just been.


    A shadow then swooped down from the treetops, a sh of cold sword light slicing through the darkness.


    Qin Sang quickly rolled again to dodge the de. He was just about to summon King Yan when he heard Water Monkey shout, "Brother Qin, hold him off! I¡¯ll save the Lady!"


    Left with no choice, Qin Sang engaged the assassin with his staff, all the while ncing around.


    Bai Jiann had just killed one of the assassins, exchanging injuries in the process. Covered in blood, he barely managed to reach Dongyang Lady in time to block another attacker. ?


    Water Monkey arrived promptly as well, intercepting one of the assants.


    The situation was stabilizing. Once Elder Yue freed himself, victory seemed certain, and there was no rush to unleash King Yan¡¯s deadly power.


    But just as this thought crossed Qin Sang¡¯s mind, he was preparing to cautiously stall the assassin when he heard a faint sound. The sound was nearly inaudible, but in the chaos of battle, Qin Sang¡¯s sharp ears picked it out.


    "This is¡­"


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he realized¡ªit was the sound of a bowstring!


    Scanning the area, Qin Sang spotted an unusual shadow behind Dongyang Lady. A faint gleam suddenly shot out from the shadow.


    It wasn¡¯t a crossbow bolt but a thin, needle-like projectile, shimmering with a dark blue light, clearly coated with deadly poison.


    "Lady, watch out!"


    Qin Sang shouted, but the Lady stood frozen, too frightened to move. Elder Yue and Bai Jiann were too far away to help in time. Without thinking, Qin Sang gathered all his strength and hurled the ironwood staff with all his might.


    Channeling the precision he had honed from shooting birds, Qin Sang¡¯s staff flew just past the Lady, striking the poisoned needle and knocking it away.


    At the same moment, Qin Sang activated the mechanism in his sleeve,unching a hidden arrow into the shadow.


    The bolt struck with a dull thud, followed by silence.


    The Lady finally recovered, lifting her head to look at Qin Sang. Her face showed a trace of fear, but she quickly regained herposure and then gave Qin Sang a smile.


    "Commander Bai, finish this quickly!"


    Elder Yue, still shaken by the recent events, broke into a cold sweat and dared not dy any longer. He risked being struck by a sword, but managed to kill his opponent with a single palm strike.


    The assassination plot was shattered by Qin Sang¡¯s swift action with the ironwood staff. In an instant, all the remaining assassins became insanely desperate.


    Qin Sang, facing the sharp swords with just his bare fists, began to struggle after a few exchanges. Seizing an opportune moment, he let King Yan finish off the assassin. As the assassin¡¯s body stiffened, Qin Sang swiftly crushed his throat with a lightning-fast grip, using this move as a cover.


    He timed it perfectly, leaving no room for error.


    This was the first time Qin Sang had used the Yan Luo Banner to kill in front of others, and just as he had anticipated, it was wlessly executed.


    As a slight smile appeared on Qin Sang¡¯s face, he suddenly heard several pained cries. His heart sank¡ª<em>Water Monkey!</em>


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    An arm flew through the air. Water Monkey¡¯s left arm was severed, leaving a vacant space where it once was, his face deathly pale.


    Elder Yue snatched a sword, swiftly cutting away the hindrances on his body. With eight rapid steps, he dashed to Water Monkey¡¯s side, ending the assassin¡¯s life with a single strike.


    ¡­


    When the dust finally settled, only one of the five guards remained alive. Water Monkey had lost an arm. Bai Jiann pressed his fingers on the acupoints around Water Monkey¡¯s severed limb, using true qi to seal his blood vessels, barely managing to stop the bleeding.


    Elder Yue, who had taken a sword wound to his left shoulder, had no time to tend to it. He quickly searched the surrounding area and then checked on Dongyang Lady to see if she was injured.


    The Lady shook her head, indicating that she was unharmed. She personally walked over to pick up the ironwood staff, weighing it in her hand before handing it back to Qin Sang. "Thank you, Mr. Qin, for striking down that poisoned needle and saving my life."


    Qin Sang responded humbly, "The Lady overpraised me. What I did was just a small thing. The credit belongs to Commander Bai, Elder Yue, Zhou Ning, and the guards who fought desperately and killed the assassins, giving me the chance to throw that staff."


    The Lady nodded, then turned to Elder Yue and said, "Elder Yue, after tending to your wound, please see to the burial of the guards. Since they died for me, they cannot be left to rot in the wilderness. When we return to Dongyang Commandery, we will have their bodies brought back for a proper burial."


    Elder Yue acknowledged the order and left to carry it out.


    Qin Sang squatted down beside Zhou Ning, watching as Bai Jiann busied himself with tending to Water Monkey¡¯s injuries. He wasn¡¯t sure if the medical techniques of this world could reattach a severed limb, but even if they could, the arm might never fully recover.


    For a martial artist, this was undoubtedly cruel.


    Qin Sang looked at Water Monkey¡¯s pale face, unsure how tofort him. He took out a bottle of Golden Wound Medicine, given to him by the old Daoist, and handed it to Bai Jiann. "Brother Bai, try this. The recipe was passed down by a former imperial physician."


    Bai Jiann uncorked the bottle, took a sniff, and applied some of the medicine to Water Monkey¡¯s severed limb. The relentless bleeding began to slow and eventually stopped.


    Bai Jiann¡¯s eyes lit up. "This is excellent medicine!"


    Water Monkey gritted his teeth and managed to utter a few words, "Thank you, Brother Qin!"


    <em>What a tough man!</em>


    Qin Sang silently praised him. Water Monkey was usually lively and talkative, but despite suffering such a grievous injury, he showed no signs of despair. Even as Bai Jiann treated his wound, he didn¡¯t utter a single word ofint.


    "Brother Zhou, I¡¯m still waiting to taste the Nine-Whiskered Fish you¡¯ll catch!"


    Water Monkey burst into heartyughter.

 Chapter 27: Returning

    It was still deep into the night, but sleep was no longer possible.


    Elder Yue said, "Lady, the minions of the fake emperor are relentlessly pursuing us. This ce is not safe to stay for long. Why not travel through the night and reach Yingshui Commandery as soon as possible? There, we can rendezvous with the reinforcements."


    Dongyang Lady bowed her head in thought for a moment before suddenly asking Qin Sang, "Mr. Qin, based on your knowledge, how many assassins has the Jiangshan Tower gathered in the City of Three Witches?"


    Qin Sang shook his head cautiously. "I¡¯m not certain, but I fear there may be at least several dozen."


    Dongyang Lady nodded. "You''ve already in two of them, yet only ten appeared this time. This indicates that our whereabouts have not been entirely exposed. Either the Jiangshan Tower assassins have split their forces, or Granny Li and the others managed to eliminate most of them. Elder Yue, what do you think about us returning to the City of Three Witches tonight?"


    Elder Yue was startled and pale at her words. "Lady, you must not! The City of Three Witches is a ce filled with danger. The Zhenshui King is highly likely to have sided with the fake emperor. All the other guards have been assassinated, leaving only a few of us. If we encounter an ambush, it would be difficult to ensure your safety even at the cost of our lives, and we would have no way to answer to the king!"


    The Dongyang Lady smiled faintly. "If you wish to aplish great things, how can you avoid taking risks? If even you, Elder Yue, dare not let me return to the City of Three Witches, then the fake emperor¡¯sckeys certainly won¡¯t expect it. As for the Zhenshui King, I believe he may not have allied with the fake emperor. Otherwise, the fake emperor wouldn¡¯t need to resort to such underhanded tactics."


    Before Elder Yue could respond, the Lady shook her head. "There¡¯s no need to persuade me further, Elder Yue. My decision is made. Commander Bai, you and Zhou Ning share a horse and take the injured arm back to the City of Three Witches. There is an imperial physician in the Zhenshui King¡¯s manor; perhaps he can reattach the limb."


    Bai Jiann quickly replied, "Yes!"The horses were still there. Despite being a woman, the Lady showed no signs of frailty as she mounted her horse. They rode through the night without stopping and arrived at the north gate of the City of Three Witches by dawn.


    As expected, they did not encounter any assassins from the Jiangshan Tower along the way.


    The north gate, like the south gate, had a side gate open. Familiar with the area, Qin Sang helped the Lady and the others blend into a merchant caravan. However, Water Monkey¡¯s injuries were too conspicuous, so Qin Sang found a secluded courtyard outside the city to stay and care for him, while the Lady, Elder Yue, and Bai Jiann went to meet the Zhenshui King.


    Exhausted and heavily wounded, Water Monkey soon fell into a deep sleep.


    Qin Sang sat in the courtyard, waiting for news from the Lady, all the while remaining vignt of the surroundings, ready to flee at any moment.


    From the few words exchanged between the Lady and Elder Yue, Qin Sang could piece together some of the situation. The fake emperor they spoke of was likely the current emperor of Great Sui, and it seemed that Jiangshan Tower was originally under the emperor¡¯s control. No wonder they dared to openly assassinate the governor.


    It was said that the Dongyang King and the current emperor were born of the same mother, with the Dongyang King being the elder brother. After thete emperor passed away, it was the younger brother who ascended the throne, while the elder brother was relegated to the status of amandery king, which was against the natural order.


    There must have been much conflict within, but outsiders could only guess at the details.


    Now, with Great Sui beset by disasters, rebellions had broken out across the four northern counties, and chaos reigned everywhere.


    Great Sui was on the brink of copse, its foundations shaken, and the people were spreading rumors that the new emperor was unworthy. It was likely that the Dongyang King saw an opportunity and could no longer remain idle. The Dongyang Lady, Granny Li, and Elder Yue¡¯s references to the Jiangshan Tower as the ckeys of the fake emperor" was clear proof of this.


    If the Dongyang King raised the banner to depose the fake emperor, his first move would be to win over the Zhenshui King.


    Zhenshui Commandery and Dongyang Commandery were as closely connected as lips and teeth, standing on opposite sides of Great Sui in the south. If the Dongyang King couldn¡¯t bring the Zhenshui King to his side, his rear would be unsteady, making it impossible tounch a campaign against the rebels.


    The Lady was risking her life bying to the City of Three Witches alone, likely to persuade the Zhenshui King. But word of her ns must have leaked, and the Jiangshan Tower was ordered to eliminate her.


    The current Great Sui was full of hidden forces.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t known the details at first and had inadvertently boarded the Dongyang King¡¯s ship. He had chances to leave, but he chose to stay.


    His goal had never changed: he wasn¡¯t concerned about who ruled the Great Sui, whether it was the Dongyang King or the current emperor. What mattered to him was finding a shortcut to reach an immortal master.


    It was said that in times of chaos, heroes would rise. Following the Dongyang King¡¯s rebellion might just be a golden opportunity.


    Now, it was up to the Lady to convince the Zhenshui King.


    If she failed, she would face certain death, and Qin Sang had no intention of dying with her. He would kill his way out and escape to another kingdom if necessary. ?


    Around noon, Qin Sang suddenly heard footsteps approaching the courtyard, and he stood up alert, listening carefully.


    There were voices, but they didn¡¯t seem hostile.


    Qin Sang set King Yan aside and waited for a moment before the courtyard gate was pushed open from the inside. Leading the way was Bai Jiann, apanied by an elderly man carrying a medical kit. The Lady entered alongside a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious attire, speaking with him warmly and showing no signs of distress.


    Only then did Qin Sang breathe a sigh of relief. He called King Yan back and stepped forward to greet them.


    The person the Lady was conversing with was none other than Zhenshui King himself, while the elderly man beside Bai Jiann was the imperial physician from the Zhenshui King¡¯s manor. After examining Water Monkey''s wound, the imperial physician stroked his long beard, scrutinized the severed arm for a while, and then shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, Dongyang Lady, the damage to this arm is severe. The limb has lost all vitality, and too much time has passed. I¡¯m afraid it cannot be reattached."


    Bai Jiann''s expression darkened instantly.


    The Lady said, "In that case, I¡¯ll trouble the imperial physician to stop the bleeding and properly treat the wound to ensure his life is not at risk."


    "As youmand!"


    The imperial physician opened his medical kit and began treating the wound.


    Zhenshui King, standing to the side, reassured, "Rest assured, Anning. Physician Wang¡¯s skills are unparalleled; he will surely save this brave man''s life. I¡¯ve already prepared a banquet with fine wine. Why not join me at the manor for a meal and some rest?"


    "Thank you, Uncle," the Lady responded with a polite bow, though her voice betrayed a trace of fatigue. "I originally came secretly to visit Uncle, so there¡¯s no need for too much fanfare. Now that my concerns have been addressed, I must trouble Uncle to arrange for someone to escort me back to Dongyang Commandery. Otherwise, if my father worries about my safety and bes anxious, it would be unfilial of me."


    Zhenshui King replied angrily, "To think that a mere organization of assassins would dare stir up trouble in Zhenshui Commandery and attempt to assassinate the royal daughter! I¡¯ve already ordered a thorough search of the entiremandery; I will leave none of them alive as an exnation to my elder brother and to you, Anning! Since you insist on returning... someone, prepare arge boat, set up a banquet on board, and summon General Zhao Xiang. Have him dispatch his most elite soldiers to escort Dongyang Lady back to Dongyang Commandery. If even a single hair on her head is harmed along the way, I¡¯ll hold him ountable!"


    "Yes!"


    ¡­


    Qin Sang, Bai Jiann, and Water Monkey shared a carriage, escorted by elite soldiers. As they passed Cuiming Mountain, Qin Sang lifted the curtain and nced outside.


    Uncertain about his own future, he refrained from disturbing them.


    They boarded a boat and traveled downstream. Three dayster, they arrived at Chun City, themandery seat of Dongyang Commandery.


    Qin Sang apanied the Lady, who was escorted back to the royal manor under tight security by the royal guards. As they traveled, Qin Sang noticed that the customs and atmosphere of Chun City differed significantly from those of the City of Three Witches.

 Chapter 28: The Crane Delivers the Seal

    After entering the Dongyang King''s manor, Qin Sang was settled into a small courtyard where meals were delivered three times a day. However, he was forbidden from wandering outside.


    For several days, Qin Sang did not see the Dongyang Lady or receive a summons from the Dongyang King. The only visitor was Bai Jiann, who came by once.


    As he was here in search of immortality, Qin Sang patiently waited.


    This environment was quite suitable for cultivation, and Qin Sang devoted himself entirely to studying the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    With the aid of Soul Pills, Qin Sang felt that his cultivation speed was even faster than when he first started. If the supply of Soul Pills remained steady, he estimated he could break through to the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> within a year.


    Of course, this was the ideal scenario.


    In his intense training, each Soul Pillsted no more than half a month. After consuming two Soul Pills, he was about to take a third when King Yan''s form had be faint, like a flickering candle in the wind.


    At this rate, taking another Soul Pill would likely cause King Yan to copsepletely.


    Qin Sang was uncertain whether King Yan could recover after being depleted and was unwilling to exhaust him further. His primary concern was how to continuously obtain Soul Pills.Understanding malevolent yin qi was challenging for Qin Sang in such a short time.


    Human souls were seemingly inexhaustible, but he would have to ughter vige after vige to meet his cultivation needs.


    Massacring innocents was not only a moral dilemma but also a practical risk. With little improvement in his own strength, he could easily be a target for other immortal masters. He still vividly remembered the grisly fate of the ck-robed demon who had been cut in half.


    Feeling a slight pain in his meridians, Qin Sang stopped his cultivation. Opening his eyes, he saw that the sky was beginning to brighten. Despite practicing all night, he felt invigorated but was used to resting briefly or sometimes sleeping an entire day, considering it true rest.


    Just as he was about to lie down fully clothed, a knock sounded at the courtyard door.


    "Brother Bai, you¡¯vee."


    Qin Sang opened the door to find Bai Jiann standing outside. Light rain was falling, and Bai Jiann was wearing a bamboo hat and a raincoat, carrying a treasured sword, looking like a wandering hero from the martial world.


    Bai Jiann entered the room, removed his raincoat, and took out several books from his robe, handing them to Qin Sang. "Brother Qin, these are some excellent martial arts manuals the Dongyang Lady has ordered me to select from the royal library. Much has happened outside in the past month. I have been traveling with the Dongyang Lady, and only now have I returned."


    No wonder he hadn¡¯t been disturbed for so long.


    Qin Sang had secluded himself in the courtyard for over a month, not leaving even a step, and had seen no one but the servant who brought his meals. He was almostpletely cut off from the outside world. <em>What major events have transpired outside?</em>


    Qin Sang thought to himself as he took the books and began to examine them. There were three manuals in total.


    The first, <em>Soul Snatching Spear</em>, was quite suitable for him. Although <em>Tiger Subduing Long Fist</em> could be used with sticks, it was a basic art and not purely a spear art.


    Learning <em>Soul Snatching Spear</em> would make it easier to conceal his movements when using the Yan Luo Banner in the future.


    The second was <em>Wisdom King Art</em>, an internal martial arts manual. Qin Sang couldn¡¯t discern much from it at a nce and nned to study it carefullyter to understand its differences from the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    Upon reaching the third manual, Qin Sang¡¯s eyes lit up. It was a qinggong[1] manual named <em>Shadowless Steps.</em>


    Light as a swallow, scaling walls, leaving no trace on snow, crossing rivers on a reed...


    He had long been coveting such legendary qinggong, but the martial schools and escort agencies in the City of Three Witches didn¡¯t teach any, offering at most a few practical stepping techniques.


    Seeing Qin Sang¡¯s delighted expression, Bai Jiann also smiled. "I noticed you¡¯re adept with spears and sticks, so I chose Soul Snatching Spear for you. This spear art was created by a renowned martial artist, and its mastery is truly exquisite. Wisdom King Art is a top-tier internal martial arts manual in the martial world. However, internal martial arts take time to show results. Don¡¯t be impatient; cultivate diligently with a calm mind. If you can cultivate a thread of true qi in your dantian, your martial skills will surely improve. As for Shadowless Steps, since youck internal force, I selected it for you. It not only excels in lightness but also in breath concealment and shadow evasion, making it a unique skill. In-depth practice will make itparable to top-tier qinggong. Are you satisfied with these?"


    Qin Sang sped his hands in thanks. "I¡¯m deeply grateful for Dongyang Lady¡¯s kindness and Brother Bai¡¯s efforts. I am truly thankful."


    The two sat opposite each other, sipping fragrant tea as Bai Jiann exined the key points of the three manuals. Qin Sang listened carefully, knowing he would need further practice to fullyprehend them.


    Regarding Water Monkey¡¯s condition, Bai Jiann¡¯s tone was less sorrowful. "Zhou Ning is a naturally optimistic person and is recovering well. He can now get out of bed and practice swordy, showing much more diligence than before. After this disaster, he has improved his previousziness, and his martial skills may well rise to a higher level."


    Qin Sang nodded in agreement but remained skeptical. For martial artists, losing an arm had a significant impact on their skills.


    Bai Jiann took a sip of tea and looked at Qin Sang, asking, "Brother Qin, do you still hold onto your previous aspirations?"


    Qin Sang set down his teacup, sitting up straight with a serious expression, and replied, "Brother Bai, I have admired the path of immortality since my youth. This heart of mine has never changed!"


    A month ago, Bai Jiann had visited Qin Sang in the small courtyard, subtly probing into Qin Sang''s future ns.


    Qin Sang knew that Bai Jiann was sent by the Dongyang Lady to test him.


    Dongyang King, being second only to the emperor in Great Sui, was one of the people with the greatest opportunity to meet an immortal master.


    Having received life-saving favors from Dongyang Lady twice, Qin Sang could also clearly sense her high regard for him during their journey back to Dongyang Commandery. Qin Sang, ever perceptive, had decided to be upfront about his desire to seek immortality.


    He was unsure what answer Bai Jiann would bring, and he felt a quiet anxiety.


    In fact, Bai Jiann had seen through Qin Sang¡¯s thoughtsst year while they were on the ship, but he hadn¡¯t expected Qin Sang to be so determined. After a moment of contemtion, Bai Jiann said, "ording to the ancient customs of the Great Sui, when a new emperor ascends the throne, a grand coronation ceremony must be held at the Holy Mountain Zhao in the capital. This ceremony involves celestial phenomena and divine music, and a crane from heaven is supposed to bring the imperial seal to symbolize that the emperor¡¯s authority is divinely granted."


    Qin Sang was familiar with these customs. This world had many differences from his previous one, but some things were simr, such as the methods used to deceive themon people.


    However, since martial arts and immortals genuinely existed, the methods were more convincing than those in his past life.


    "However..."


    Bai Jiann paused, then continued, "I only recently learned that the so-called divine mandate is merely an illusion, but the crane delivering the seal is real. The imperial seal does note from heaven but from an immortal master."


    Qin Sang was taken aback, his heart racing with surprise. "Brother Bai, does that mean that to be emperor, one needs the recognition of an immortal master?"


    Bai Jiann nodded.


    Qin Sang frowned. "Then does this mean the appointment of the emperor is determined by the immortal master? What is there left to fight for?"


    1. Qinggong (ching-kung) is a training technique for jumping off vertical surfaces from the Chinese martial arts. One way of training is to run up a slightly inclined ramp, gradually increasing the steepness of the incline until it is vertical. The use of qinggong has been exaggerated in wuxia fiction, in which martial artists have the ability to move swiftly and lightly at superhuman speed, and perform gravity-defying moves such as running on water surfaces, traversing across rooftops, and even bncing on a stalk of grass. ?

 Chapter 29: The Blood-Clad Tower

    Qin Sang had learned from Daoist Jixin that not all immortal masters secluded themselves from the world. To his surprise, the involvement of immortal masters in worldly affairs ran deeper than he had imagined. Even a ruler needed the recognition of these immortal beings.


    However, upon further reflection, this made perfect sense.


    "You are mistaken," Bai Jiann said sternly. "Immortal masters do not interfere in worldly matters. Only a ruler who has truly unified thend would be acknowledged by them. During the struggle for supremacy, no one receives assistance from immortal masters. Simrly..."


    Bai Jiann continued, "If a ruler is ipetent and is overthrown, the immortal masters will not intervene."


    Qin Sang''s heart stirred as he caught the implication in Bai Jiann''s words. He whispered, "Could it be that the King..."


    Bai Jiann openly admitted, "Brother Qin, you might not be aware of this while staying at the King''s manor. Recently, the King personally penned a manifesto denouncing the fake emperor, listing the atrocities and ipetence of this tyrant, whose misrule had caused continuous disasters, bringing misery to the people and threatening the 500-year foundation of Great Sui. The manifesto has now spread across thend. Of the thirteen counties of Great Sui, all but the three controlled by the fake emperor in the imperial capital have responded. The King has personally raised an army to overthrow the fake emperor. Zhenshui King has already sworn allegiance to him, and together, their forces are advancing on Yingnan Commandery. My frequent travels with the Lady are to help bring this to fruition. With heroes rising everywhere, this is an excellent opportunity to establish merit and achieve greatness."


    Qin Sang secretly marveled at the Dongyang King''s swift actions.


    Just a month ago, there had been no signs of this, yet now, within such a short time, he had already swept across thend, raising a rebellion.


    If not for his longing for the immortal path, this would indeed be the perfect moment to make a name for himself, perhaps even earning the title of a marquis and enjoying a life of wealth and honor.Bai Jiann nced at Qin Sang and slowly said, "When the new emperor ascends the throne, he can choose ministers to be appointed together at Holy Mountain Zhao..."


    Qin Sang suddenly looked up, seeing Bai Jiann smile silently. He asked gravely, "What can I do for the Lady?"


    Though he possessed King Yan, he was still a novice in the world of immortal cultivation. Remaining hidden in the secr world and gradually plotting his moves was the safest approach.


    Bai Jiann smiled faintly, dipped his finger in water, and wrote three characters on the table¡ªBlood-d Tower!


    In a lowered voice, Bai Jiann exined, "After the King issued the manifesto, the fake emperor¡¯sckeys, represented by Jiangshan Tower, infiltrated Dongyang Commandery in force, hiding in the shadows tomit acts of sabotage, assassination, and espionage. Jiangshan Tower has be like a festering wound that must be eradicated! Ten days ago, Zhenshui King was nearly assassinated by a killer, causing widespread panic. The King was furious, and the Lady proposed establishing the Blood-d Tower to counter Jiangshan Tower, eliminating them to sever one of the fake emperor¡¯s vital intelligence sources. Additionally, the Blood-d Tower would also be responsible for infiltrating enemy lines and gathering military intelligence..."


    Upon hearing this, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel that in the end, they wanted him to join a covert organization.


    The heightened senses granted by the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and the Yan Luo Banner''s ability to extract information from enemies made him particrly suitable for such a role.


    "Who will lead the tower? You? Or Elder Yue?" Qin Sang asked.


    "I will not be joining the Blood-d Tower." Bai Jiann shook his head. "The leader of the Blood-d Tower is ck Crane Sage, the King''s personal bodyguard. His background is mysterious, and his internal force has reached a godly level. His qinggong is as elusive as a ghost. Neither Elder Yue nor I canpare. However, beneath the tower leader, four protectors will be appointed, and Elder Yue will be among them."


    Qin Sang found this puzzling. "Brother Bai, your martial arts are so advanced. Why..."


    Bai Jiann sighed softly. "In the past, I severed my own toes to escape the entanglements of the martial world and entered the King''s service to avoid implicating my wife and daughter. I have long lost the ambition to achieve greatness. Now, I only wish to stay by the Lady¡¯s side as a guard and live a peaceful life, avoiding further involvement in the martial world. However, some of my brothers are unwilling to live ordinary lives and will join the Blood-d Tower. I will rely on you, Brother Qin, to look after them. Though you are not among the top martial artists of the martial world, your unique skills make you indispensable to the Blood-d Tower. The Lady once considered making you a personal guard, but hesitated, fearing it would be a waste of your talents. When the Lady asked me for advice about the Blood-d Tower, you were the first person I thought of."


    Qin Sang smiled wryly. "Brother Bai, you overestimated me. I fear my abilities are too limited and that I might jeopardize the King and Lady¡¯s grand ns."


    Bai Jiann chuckled. "Brother Qin, don¡¯t be so modest! The Lady may not fully understand Jiangshan Tower''s reputation in the martial world, but how could I not? Before meeting you, I had never heard of anyone who could pry information from the mouths of those madmen in Jiangshan Tower..."


    Qin Sang was startled by this remark.


    But Bai Jiann waved his hand dismissively. "Everyone has secrets. As long as you are loyal to the Lady and the King, I will not pry into your past. Enough idle talk. The Blood-d Tower is just being established, and its affairs will be handled by the protectors themselves. The Lady and Elder Yue n to divide the tower into two branches. The Hidden Branch will disperse into the martial world to deal with Jiangshan Tower, while the Military Branch will infiltrate the front lines to gather intelligence. Brother Qin, you can consider which branch you would like to join."


    Qin Sang remained silent, furrowing his brow in deep thought.


    The Great Sui was under the watchful eyes of the immortal masters, and Qin Sang knew that it was best not to disrupt the bnce, as doing so might bring not fortune but deadly consequences.


    Joining the Blood-d Tower was a decision that could go either way. However, the chance to contact immortal masters through the Fengshan ceremony[1] seemed to be the only visible path to seeking immortality at the moment.


    Between choosing the Military Branch or the Hidden Branch, thetter was undoubtedly more suitable for him. The Military Branch required going deep into the front lines, where, despite the possibility of earning many military merits, the chaos of war was merciless¡ªa stray arrow could easily take his life.


    But what weighed on Qin Sang''s mind was the Soul Pill. For him, the Soul Pill was the most urgent matter. Any opportunity to collect souls was not to be missed.


    Where were the most souls to be found?


    On the battlefield!


    By joining the Military Branch, he could use his secr identity as a cover to collect souls on the battlefield, advancing his cultivation while plotting his moves. Even if it wasn''t for seeking immortality, it could solve his most pressing issue; he just needed to be cautious.


    "Brother Qin, are you nning to join the Military Branch?"


    A sh of surprise crossed Bai Jiann''s face at Qin Sang''s unexpected choice, but since it was Qin Sang''s decision, he didn''t press further.


    "Prepare yourself, Brother Qin. I will report this to the Lady. The preparations for the Blood-d Tower are nearingpletion, and there will be significant actions within a few days."


    After sending off Bai Jiann, Qin Sang sat in deep thought for a long time.


    He had envisioned his future, perhaps bing an official, a favored minister, or even a close confidant of the Lady. As long as there was a chance to encounter immortal destiny, he could endure anything.


    He had never imagined that he would end up as a spy, an agent, or even an assassin.


    The dangers of such a role were self-evident. Even with King Yan protecting him, there was no guarantee that he would bepletely safe.


    After much contemtion, Qin Sang made up his mind. Once he joined the Blood-d Tower, he would base all his actions on not interrupting his cultivation, and his primary principle would be to preserve his life.


    He would rather fail than take unnecessary risks. However, he also nned to earn merits, making sure to do so openly and not remain an unsung hero.


    Moreover, upon learning that immortal cultivators were overseeing the Great Sui, Qin Sang was grateful for his previous caution. He silently resolved that in the future, whether collecting souls or killing, he would keep an even lower profile unless absolutely necessary, never exposing his abilities.


    If things went awry, he could always flee to another kingdom under a new name and start over. After all, mastering the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was not something that could be aplished in a year or two.


    Having made his decision, Qin Sang felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He picked up the secret manual on the table and began to read.


    That evening, Elder Yue visited.


    After a long private conversation, Qin Sang packed his belongings, followed Elder Yue to meet the Lady, and then quietly left the prince''s residence, vanishing without a trace.


    1. Feng Shan or feng-shan, also referred to as the Feng and Shan sacrifices, was an official rite offered by the Son of Heaven to pay homage to heaven and earth. ?

 Chapter 30: One Year Later

    A year had passed.


    With lightning speed, the Dongyang King gathered the troops of the Zhenshui King, merging them into a formidable force. Within just one year, they conquered Yingnan Commandery and pushed their military toward Pingshan Commandery, Zhaoyang Commandery, and set their sights on Xitai Commandery.


    After the Dongyang Kingunched his campaign against the fake emperor, the fake emperor was forced to divert troops southward, leaving them unable to suppress the unrest. The four counties in the northern region, which had been rtively stable, quickly descended into chaos.


    If the Dongyang King seeded in capturing Pingshan, Xitai, and Zhaoming counties, he would effectively encircle the imperial capital¡¯s three counties, leaving the fake emperor with no path to retreat, signaling his inevitable downfall.


    Pingshan Commandery, Jiangzhou District, Hening County.


    Many refugees who had fled from the northern region settled in Jiangzhou, hoping for a brief period of peace. But now, with the threat of war encroaching, they were forced to flee northward once again.


    It wasn''t just the refugees¡ªmany locals from Jiangzhou also chose to leave their homes behind.


    As the saying goes, "Bandits will pick and choose, soldiers will take everything."


    For ordinary people, fleeing was often the only way to survive in the face of natural and man-made disasters.A long line of refugees wound its way down the main road.


    Qin Sang sat on a stone by the roadside, chewing on a de of grass. His feet were d in worn-out straw sandals, and he wore a coarse cloth outfit patched in numerous ces. His face and hands were ckened with grime, and his eyes were dull and lifeless. His hair, unwashed for who knows how long, hung in greasy strands, emitting a sour odor.


    Beside him, slumped against the stone, were Water Monkey Zhou Ning and another man. They were dressed simrly to Qin Sang, looking every bit like three desperate refugees sharing the same fate.


    The other man was named Zheng Kun. He had trained under Bai Jiann for many years and was one of the people Qin Sang had met on the ship. Like Water Monkey, he had also joined the Blood-d Tower and now served under Qin Sang.


    In the past year, Qin Sang had adhered strictly to his principles. While he hadn''t umted many merits, his intelligence was always urate. A few critical pieces of information had helped the army break through several fortresses, earning him a ce of recognition with the king.


    Additionally, with themanderydy''s support, Qin Sang quickly rose through the ranks of the Blood-d Tower within a year. He was now one of the deputy leaders of the Military Branch, with the position of branch leader intentionally left vacant for him.


    Qin Sang looked up at the sun, calcting the time. Though his gaze seemed vacant, he was actually keeping a close watch on the gates of Hening.


    The main road connected all the way to Duling County in the south. The refugees on this road were not only from Hening County but also from those fleeing the disasters in Duling County along the way.


    The Dongyang King¡¯s army was divided into two main forces. The western army, led personally by Dongyang King, consisted of Zhenshui King¡¯s main force and the troops that had surrendered in Yingnan Commandery. They had already achieved significant victories in Zhaoyang Commandery.


    However, the eastern army was stalled at the gates of Duling County Seat, locked in a two-month standoff with the fake emperor''s forces, unable to make any progress.


    Duling was a strategically vital location, historically known as the throat of Pingshan Commandery and Jiangzhou.


    Capturing Duling would leave Jiangzhou defenseless. As thergest and wealthiest of the three districts in Pingshan Commandery, if Jiangzhou fell, the fall of Pingshan Commandery would soon follow.


    The fake emperor, desperate, had concentrated all avable forces from Pingshan Commandery into Duling County. Despite numerous attempts to storm the city, the assaults had all failed, with heavy casualties. ?


    Thus, a new strategy was devised¡ªto secretly withdraw two nking forces under the cover of night, sending them through the mountain paths tounch a surprise attack on Hening, with the goal of threatening Jiangzhou.


    Hening, located in the heart of Jiangzhou, was left vulnerable as most of the district''s troops were stationed at Duling. If Hening were captured, the defending forces at Duling would find themselves trapped, unable to advance or retreat.


    The southern part of Jiangzhou was mountainous, and the Blood-d Tower had already scouted the routes. The chances of sess for the surprise attack were high.


    Thebined strength of the two nking forces was substantial. If the main army at Duling refused to retreat and instead reinforced Hening, they could secure it and disrupt enemy supply lines, making life difficult for their opponents.


    Qin Sang, along with Zhou Ning and Zheng Kun, had infiltrated the refugee group. Their mission was to reach Hening as quickly as possible, assess the situation, and be prepared to open the gates when the two surprise forces arrived, ensuring the swift capture of Hening to prevent any disorder.


    It was clear that Hening County had also taken precautions. The militia and constables at the city gates were on high alert, weapons at the ready, driving away any unknown refugees who approached. Entering the city was out of the question.


    "It''s almost 1 PM, where is that rascal Liu Ji?"


    Qin Sang heard Water Monkeyin and nced at him. Water Monkey, with his small stature and missing arm, looked utterly pitiful in his current state¡ªworse than a refugee.


    Since losing his arm, Water Monkey had be much more reserved, which was why Qin Sang had agreed to take him under his wing. But old habits die hard, and he still had a tendency to grumble whenever there was nothing else to do.


    Water Monkey understood his ce, so Qin Sang didn¡¯t reprimand him. Instead, he said, "We¡¯ll wait another hour. Old Zheng[1], keep a close eye on those wealthy families handing out porridge. We need to be inside the city before nightfall."


    Liu Ji was a member of the Blood-d Tower. His ancestors hailed from Hening, but his family had split off when he went into business elsewhere. After joining the Blood-d Tower, he was assigned to return to Hening, reconnect with his ancestral roots, and lead a group to secretly settle there.


    After arriving in Hening County early that morning, Qin Sang immediately sent out a secret signal to have Liu Ji bring them into the city. The agreedtest time for their entry was 1 PM.


    "Got it!"


    Zheng Kun grinned, rolled on the ground to his feet, and hobbled into the refugee line, waiting for the porridge distribution.


    Feeling that sitting on the stone made him too conspicuous, Qin Sang jumped down and sat on the ground instead. He had Water Monkey keep an eye on the city gate while he closed his eyes to rest.


    Traveling day and night with the refugees had severely disrupted his cultivation.


    Qin Sang knew how to prioritize. Even though his work with the Blood-d Tower was demanding, he had never neglected his cultivation, going nearly the entire year without proper sleep.


    During this year, Qin Sang had always lingered on the outskirts of battlefields, hiding on the fringes while allowing King Yan to harvest the souls of the fallen.


    However, unsure of the depth of the Jade Buddha¡¯s power, Qin Sang dared not let King Yan act unchecked. He would retrieve it each time a certain number of souls were collected.


    With a steady supply of Soul Pills, Qin Sang had progressed rapidly. He was now at the peak of the second stage, and it wouldn¡¯t be long before he broke through to the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture.</em>


    As for the Wisdom King Art, Qin Sang had tried a few times but couldn¡¯t cultivate any true qi, confirming his suspicion that the qi produced by the<em> Netherworld Scripture</em> was different from true qi and internal force.


    Since practicing internal martial arts would take time away from his cultivation of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, Qin Sang had decided to abandon it.


    He had, however, diligently honed his skills in the <em>Soul Snatching Spear</em> and <em>Shadowless Steps</em>, reaching a respectable level of mastery. Coupled with a few other martial arts he¡¯d chosen, he was now capable of being considered a top-tier expert, even without relying on the Yan Luo Banner.


    Just then, Qin Sang suddenly heard heavy footsteps approaching. Alert, he opened his eyes and saw another person, also disguised as a refugee, drawing near.


    As the person came closer, Qin Sang frowned and whispered sharply, "Zhang Wenkui, weren¡¯t you supposed to stay close to General Wang? Why did you leave on your own?"


    1. This is the nickname of Zheng Kun. In Chinese culture, people often added words before one''s name to show endearment in a way ?

 Chapter 31: The Little Beggar

    "Reporting to the leader."


    Zhang Wenkui panted, his face flushed with anger. "I ran all the way here with urgent news. That scoundrel, while marching past Wufeng County, happened upon the county magistrate and his family on an outing. The women in the magistrate''s household are all exceptionally beautiful, which caught the scoundrel''s eye. Driven by lust, he led his troops in pursuit of them. Though he failed to capture them, he ended up surrounding Wufeng County. Even if he manages to conquer the county, there''s no way he''ll make it to the rendezvous by the day after tomorrow."


    After finishing his report, Zhang Wenkui spat on the ground, his face full of disdain.


    One of the generals leading the two nking forces that had infiltrated the heart of Jiangzhou was the scoundrel Zhang Wenkui had just mentioned.


    This man, named Wang Liu, was infamous for his lechery. As a trusted confidant of the prince, no one dared to rein him in, allowing him to act as he pleased. He had caused numerous scandals in Yingnan Commandery, earning him the nickname "The Rogue General."


    No one expected that he would still dare to behave so recklessly in matters concerning the entire eastern army¡¯s strategy.


    "That bastard will die under a woman''s skirt sooner orter!" Water Monkey cursed loudly upon hearing this.


    Even Qin Sang felt a headacheing on upon learning of the situation. The magistrate of Hening County was clearly a capable man. Though the garrison had been deployed elsewhere, the local militia and guards at the city gates were well-trained.


    The original n was for the two nking forces to merge before dawn the day after tomorrow andunch a surprise attack on Hening County, ensuring absolute sess. But now that Wang Liu had diverted his troops to chase women, their strength was significantly reduced. How confident could they still be in breaching the city?And if they did breach it, would they still have the strength to suppress any ensuing chaos?


    Dying the attack by a day risked the news leaking out.


    Qin Sang stared at the city gates of Hening County for a long while before spitting out the grass stem in his mouth. In a low voice, he said, "If he doesn''t want the credit handed to him on a silver tter, then he can¡¯t me the rest of us for taking it all. This time, we''ll have to work harder, and help General Mu capture Hening County. Once it¡¯s done, I''ll personally ask for rewards from themanderydy on your behalf!"


    Suddenly, there was amotion in the line of refugees on the main road. A few of them were quarreling and shoving each other before being driven out of the porridge tent by the household guards of a wealthy family.


    The other refugees along the road craned their necks to watch the spectacle, but none dared leave their spots in line.


    Curious, Qin Sang looked over and saw that on one side were three burly men who looked alike, probably brothers. On the other side were seven children, boys and girls alike. The oldest boy appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, though it was hard to tell for sure since children from poor families in these times were often malnourished.


    After listening to the chatter around him for a while, Qin Sang pieced together the story.


    The three burly men were known as the Kong brothers, notorious for bullying others due to their strength. They never bothered to queue for porridge, often using a broken bowl as an excuse to extort others, and they would even steal porridge from the elderly and weak.


    In front of strict, rule-abiding wealthy families, they didn¡¯t dare cause trouble. But when dealing with those who preferred to avoid conflicts, they often seeded in their schemes.


    These children had caught their attention, and the brothers not only wanted to steal their porridge but also had their eyes on one of the girls.


    Normally, Qin Sang wouldn¡¯t involve himself in such trivial matters, given his mission. However, the boy leading the group intrigued him, so he watched a bit longer.


    "My sister broke your bowl. We''ll pay for it, but you can¡¯t take her away!"


    The boy spread his arms wide, shielding the other six children behind him like a mother hen protecting her chicks. A little girl, dirty and tear-streaked, was hiding behind him, crying softly. She was likely the one who had broken the bowl.


    Qin Sang, with his keen eyesight, noticed that although the girl was filthy, her facial features were quite delicate. She was just over ten years old, and with a little cleaning up, she could fetch a good price. No wonder those three men were trying to take her.


    <em>Bah!</em>


    The eldest brother spat on the ground, pointing to the broken shards on the ground. "What do you know, you little beggar? That bowl was from the ck Kiln¡ª" ?


    "The White Kiln, eldest brother, the White Kiln," the youngest brother whispered.


    "Ah, right! The White Kiln! That bowl is worth hundreds of taels of silver! Selling all of you little beggars wouldn¡¯t cover it! I¡¯m letting you off easy by just taking the girl!"


    The eldest brother leered at the little girl. "Come with me, and I guarantee you¡¯ll live a life of luxury. What¡¯s the point of hanging around these brats who can¡¯t even take care of themselves? Hahaha..."


    The three brothersughed lecherously.


    The children were filled with righteous indignation, while the little girl trembled in fear.


    Even Qin Sang nearlyughed out of anger. The White Kiln produced the most exquisite porcin in the Great Sui, all of which was reserved for tribute. Even wealthy merchants rarely had the privilege of using it, let alone some refugee carrying a White Kiln bowl while begging for porridge.


    "Damn it!"


    The second brother suddenly took a step forward, his chest nearly pressing against the boy''s face as he sneered. "Little beggar, she¡¯s not even your real sister, so why stick your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong? If you know what¡¯s good for you, get lost!"


    Qin Sang narrowed his eyes. The man had a knife in his hand, pressing it against the boy''s stomach.


    Zhang Wenkui, still catching his breath, couldn''t help but feel a surge of anger at the scene unfolding before him. He asked indignantly, "Leader, these children are pitiful. Shouldn''t we do something to help?"


    Qin Sang turned his head and stared coldly at Zhang Wenkui, asking, "Should I start calling you Hero Zhang from now on? How many pitiful souls have you saved so far?"


    Zhang Wenkui''s face turned pale, and he lowered his head, not daring to say another word.


    Unexpectedly, the boy, despite having a knife pressed against him, showed no fear. He stood his ground, unmoving, his eyes bloodshot as he stared unblinkingly at the burly man in front of him. Suddenly, he shouted like a madman.


    "To hell with you! If you''ve got the guts, stab me! Kill me! Then you can take whoever you want!"


    The second brother, startled by the boy''s crazed demeanor, instinctively stepped back. But then, embarrassed and enraged, he didn¡¯t dare use his knife. Instead, he grabbed the boy by the cor, ready to strike.


    The boy was just as fierce, immediately opening his mouth to bite.


    Qin Sang called out softly.


    "Old Zhou!"


    Water Monkey, catching on instantly, scrambled to his feet and dashed over to the group. He shoved the burly man aside and threw himself onto the boy, gripping his face while wailing loudly, "Son! Son! It¡¯s really you! I¡¯m your father! I¡¯m your father!"


    Qin Sang rubbed his forehead, silently marveling at Water Monkey''s quick thinking.


    The boy reacted swiftly too,tching onto Water Monkey and crying out. "Father! I finally found you! Father, why did it take you so long to get here...?"


    The onlookers, shocked by Water Monkey''s sudden appearance, were further taken aback by this tearful reunion. They could only watch in amazement.


    Though Water Monkey was only two years older than Qin Sang, he had smeared a thickyer of stage makeup on his face, and his acting was wless. The "father and son" cried so passionately that no one suspected it was all a ruse.


    The three burly men were momentarily stunned, but upon noticing that Water Monkey had one arm in a sling, they started to stir again.


    Qin Sang subtly signaled with his mouth, and Zhang Wenkui, who had been eager to act, finally moved. He rushed over and red menacingly at the three men. "Brother! Is this really your nephew? Nephew, don¡¯t be afraid. Tell your uncle who¡¯s been bullying you, and I¡¯ll make sure they pay!"


    Zheng Kun also quietly approached, lifting his shirt to reveal the hilt of a knife at his waist.


    Seeing that there was no advantage to be gained, the three burly men cursed under their breath and walked away.

 Chapter 32: Wu Chuanzong

    "Thank you, kind sir, for saving our lives!"


    Water Monkey led the boy over, and the boy immediately tried to kneel and kowtow, but Water Monkey quickly pulled him up.


    Qin Sang nced around and motioned for Zheng Kun to stay alert. They led the children into a nearby grove.


    Qin Sang looked the boy up and down, asking, "What''s your name? How old are you?"


    "My name is Xiao Liuzi. I''m fifteen. I¡¯ve had no parents since I was a child and don¡¯t have a proper name or surname."[1]


    "Have you ever studied?"


    "When I was begging, a teacher took me in and let me stay in the school overnight. I listened in on lessons for three years, but after the teacher passed away, I was thrown out."


    "Did you alle from the north?"


    "Yes, there was a drought in the north, so we all headed south. Their parents died on the way, so I took them with me to beg for food.""You''re a beggar yourself. Why would you want to take on so many burdens?"


    "When the teacher took me in, he said saving a life would umte blessings. In the next life, I might be reborn into a good family."


    Qin Sang nodded and nced toward the edge of the grove. "Those men are gone. You should go too. Don''t head north again, or you might run into them."


    "Please, sir, take us in!"


    With a thud, Xiao Liuzi knelt on the ground. The other children, following his lead, knelt as well, pleading in unison.


    Qin Sang shook his head. "I can barely feed myself. Why should I take you in?"


    Xiao Liuzi remained kneeling. "We can do anything. My sister can cook and clean, and we can do hardbor. Just give us a bite to eat, and we''ll do whatever you say!"


    Qin Sang chuckled. "If I told you to kill someone, would you do it?"


    Xiao Liuzi hesitated for a moment. "I would! My younger brother and sister lost their parents and were almost cooked and eaten. If others can kill, so can I."


    "But how can you umte blessings if you kill people?"


    "Then I''ll save more people than I kill to umte blessings."


    Qin Sang exchanged a nce with Water Monkey.


    Water Monkey pulled Qin Sang aside. "Leader, are you really going to take them in?"


    Qin Sang pondered for a moment. "It''s time to start building an assassin team¡­"


    Without waiting to see if Water Monkey understood, Qin Sang walked back to Xiao Liuzi and said, "If you want to follow me, you must first acknowledge a dead man as your father. His name was Wu Yaba[2], and his grave is in Zhenshui Commandery. I''ll take you thereter. You don''t need to know who he really was; just remember that he was Wu Yaba. You''ll take the name Wu Chuanzong, and you''ll have to burn paper offerings for him every year to continue the Wu family line. Are you willing to do it?"


    "Yes!"


    Xiao Liuzi was overjoyed. "From now on, my name is Wu Chuanzong, and my father is Wu Yaba. I have a name now!"


    The other children also jumped with joy.


    Qin Sang nodded slightly. He didn¡¯t care what Old Wu¡¯s real name was. He had promised to find Old Wu a son, so giving the boy the Wu surname kept his word.


    "Zhang Wenkui, take these children, find a ce to settle them down for a short rest, and then immediately inform General Mu of my decision."


    "Yes, sir!"


    As soon as Zhang Wenkui led the group away, Zheng Kun rushed in. "Leader, Liu Ji has left the city!"


    The Liu Family was a prominent local n with estates outside the county. After confirming their identities, Qin Sang and hispanions cleaned themselves up outside the city, changed out of their beggar clothes, and disguised themselves as Liu family servants to sneak into the city just before nightfall.


    Liu Ji had secretly acquired a property and was conducting business under the radar.


    The group quietly entered the backyard. After confirming that no one had followed them, Liu Ji closed the double doors tightly and began reporting on the situation in the city to Qin Sang.


    "Leader Qin, I have investigated thoroughly. There are three main figures in charge of Hening County. The county magistrate, Li Ji, is only twenty-one years old but quite capable. In less than two years since his appointment, he has won the hearts of the people, and the locals now call him Li Qingtian[3]. However, he is a close confidant of Jiangzhou''s prefect. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be promoted tomandery level afterpleting his three-year term, with a bright future ahead. It''s unlikely we can persuade him to surrender. Since Hening County is a small and rtively simple jurisdiction, there''s only one other official, a registrar surnamed Ma. He¡¯s slick and worldly, always deferring to Li Ji, and isn''t worth worrying about. Then there''s a man named Chu Dazhuang, who isn''t an official, yet currentlymands both the county constables and the local militia. If we want to take the city, we must deal with him carefully."


    Qin Sang was curious. "This Chu Dazhuang isn''t an official? How does hemand such authority?"


    Liu Ji exined, "There are two reasons. First, he has a sister of exceptional beauty who became Li Ji¡¯s concubine. Second, he is a disciple of Xuanji Temple and studied under the head of the Arhat Hall, fully inheriting their teachings. His martial arts are extraordinary, earning him the nickname ''Reckless Monk'' in the martial world. After his sister married Li Ji, the Reckless Monk changed his secr name and brought a few of his senior brothers to Hening County. Even the local inspector doesn¡¯t dare challenge him. With the recent military conscription and the inspector¡¯s departure, no one remains to counterbnce his power."


    <em>So it''s him!</em>


    Qin Sang silently noted Liu Ji''s heavy expression.


    Since joining the Blood-d Tower, Qin Sang had be well-versed in the affairs of the martial world. Every well-known martial artist had been listed by the Blood-d Tower, and each name on the list represented a top-level expert.


    His master, Yang Zhen, was considered a martial expert by ordinary people but wasn''t qualified to be on that list.


    However, this Reckless Monk was different. Not only was he on the list, but he was ranked among the top tier. His martial skills were likely not far off from those of Bai Jiann.


    But what made the Reckless Monk truly fearsome wasn¡¯t just his martial prowess, but his affiliation with Xuanji Temple.


    In the martial world of the Great Sui, two ces were famous: Yan Manor and Xuanji Temple, both regarded as sacred martial sites with countless experts.


    Yan Manor was in the imperial capital on Yan Mountain, while the gate of Xuanji Temple was located in Jiangzhou.


    It''s rumored that both of these sects had innate experts in residence, holding transcendent status, and even the government treated them with deference.


    Qin Sang knew more of the inside story. Xuanji Temple and Yan Manor were not just martial sects; many of the imperial court''s top experts hailed from these two sacred sites.


    Even now, there were several experts from Xuanji Temple serving as close guards to themander of the Duling County garrison.


    The Reckless Monk, being a disciple of Xuanji Temple''s Arhat Hall, couldn¡¯t be easily dealt with by the forces the Blood-d Tower had in Hening County.


    Since the Dongyang King raised his g in rebellion, the campaign had progressed smoothly, capturing Yingnan Commandery within a year. The primary reason for this sess was that the Dongyang King was the emperor¡¯s full-blooded brother, sharing thete emperor''s lineage, unlike an external invader. As a result, the defending officials and troops, seeing the tide turning, found it easier to surrender.


    But the prefect of Jiangzhou was different. When the Dongyang King was the heir to the emperor, this prefect was a staunch supporter of the current emperor and had contributed significantly to his rise to power. He would never surrender.


    Since Li Ji was the prefect''s confidant, there was no point in attempting to persuade him to surrender.


    If force won¡¯t work and persuasion is impossible, Qin Sang asked Liu Ji what he had nned.


    "I have two strategies. One is to capture Magistrate Li Ji and use him to coerce Chu Dazhuang into opening the city gates. The other is to poison him¡ªif we can kill Chu Dazhuang, victory is within reach. However..."


    Liu Ji nced at Qin Sang. "Both strategies require the right timing to ensure sess. I¡¯ve learned that the day after tomorrow, Li Ji ns to host a banquet for the county elders to discuss the refugee unrest and how to stabilize the area. We could infiltrate the gathering and, amidst the chaos..."


    1. Xiao Liuzi trantes to "Little Sixth One", implying that it is not a proper name. ?


    2. Yaba trantes to "mute", implying that Qin Sang was referring to Mr. Wu, the mute buk. ?


    3. Qingtian is a reference to Bao Qingtian, a just ruler. ?

 Chapter 33: Slay

    Qin Sang''s face lit up with joy. "Isn''t that perfect? Brother Liu, you may not know, but I just received a message from General Wang Liu outside the city. Due to the rough mountain roads, he¡¯ll be dyed by two days. Let¡¯s proceed as you suggested. Send word to General Mu that we¡¯ll act ording to n the day after tomorrow, and open the city gates at dawn the following day."


    Seeing Liu Ji and his subordinates'' uncertainty in response to his words, Qin Sang secretly sneered.


    The Blood-d Tower wasn¡¯t a unified force. The tower¡¯s leader, ck Crane Sage, had four protectors under him: Elder Yue, Grass-Head Immortal, White-Robed Schr, and Red Embroidered Lady. These four operated independently and often had disagreements.


    Both he and Elder Yue only followed the orders of the Dongyang Lady.


    Red Embroidered Lady was a close confidant of the eldest prince. Qin Sang had met her once and suspected that this flirtatious woman might be the prince¡¯s lover.


    Grass-Head Immortal was a direct subordinate of the third prince from the royal manor and was considered the weakest faction within the Blood-d Tower. To Qin Sang, this seemed more like a token position.


    The White-Robed Schr, on the other hand, was a trusted aide of ck Crane Sage, and Liu Ji was one of his men.


    One probing sentence had indeed revealed Liu Ji''s hidden agenda. If Wang Liu and Liu Ji were colluding, it meant that ck Crane Sage was likely leaning towards the eldest prince, which was bad news for the Dongyang Lady¡¯s faction.


    In the Dongyang King¡¯s manor, there were four princes with the right to inherit. The eldest prince was, of course, the most prominent, but of the other three, the third prince was the most powerful, though even he couldn''t threaten the eldest''s position.However, there was an anomaly in the Dongyang King¡¯s manor: Dongyang Lady.


    The Dongyang Lady, whose real name was Anning, was the eldest daughter of the Dongyang King by his first wife. After the passing of the first queen, Lady Feng, the king, in his grief, showered the Dongyang Lady with affection.


    As the Dongyang Lady grew older, she exhibited extraordinary intelligence, winning even more of the king¡¯s favor. He granted her the title of Dongyang Lady, and she enjoyed unlimited privileges.


    With the support of herte mother¡¯s family, the Dongyang Lady''s power was no less than that of the eldest prince. However, being a woman, and with the eldest prince holding the moral high ground, it was understandable that ck Crane Sage would side with the eldest prince.


    The situation remained unsettled, and various parties had already started scheming.


    Liu Ji, suspecting nothing, went along with the suggestion. "Leader Qin, you''re wise. The mountains in Jiangzhou are treacherous, so it''s normal for a dy of a day or two... I''ll instruct General Mu to march slowly, so the timing aligns perfectly. It¡¯s as if heaven itself is helping us!"


    "No rush." Qin Sang waved his hand. "General Mu is already close by. We can send a message outside the city tomorrow. Tonight, let''s review the n one more time. Tomorrow, you can show me around the county seat so that I won''t be caught off guard when the timees."


    The curfew in Hening County was strict, and they were strangers here, so it wasn¡¯t wise to go out at night.


    "Yes!"


    ¡­


    The next day, it wasn¡¯t until dusk that Qin Sang, Liu Ji, and the others returned to the inn. They had brazenly wandered around Hening County several times, focusing on the city defenses and the residences of the county magistrate, Chu Dazhuang, and others. Qin Sang also inquired carefully about their daily routines.


    "You all stay outside and keep watch."


    After instructing Water Monkey, Qin Sang pointed at Liu Ji. "Please have someone retrieve my token. They need to deliver a message to General Mu outside the city."


    Liu Ji hurriedly left and soon returned, leading a man to knock on Qin Sang¡¯s door.


    "Come in and close the door."


    The two men gently pushed open the door, but as they turned to close it, they suddenly cked out and lost consciousness.


    Qin Sang''s figure appeared behind Liu Ji, catching the two corpses before they fell. He quietly moved them to an inner room, waiting for King Yan to extract their souls and begin the interrogation.


    As expected, Liu Ji and Wang Liu were in cahoots, acting on orders from the White-Robed Schr. Qin Sang sneered but felt no fear.


    He had no ambition to be an official for life, nor did he care who became emperor. But Dongyang Lady had promised him the right to be ennobled at the Holy Mountain of Zhao, so he only served her.


    Over the past year, he had killed many Blood-d Towerrades. Anyone who stood in his way, he would y.


    Today, not only Liu Ji but even if the White-Robed Schr himself hade, he would have killed him without hesitation.


    Qin Sang continued to interrogate Liu Ji, who remained rtively honest. The overall n didn¡¯t differ much from what he had previously disclosed, but Liu Ji had lied about the whereabouts of his subordinates.


    Qin Sang memorized the details of each person. When midnight arrived, he changed into a set of dark clothes and quietly left the premises.


    With a single strike, Qin Sang ended the life of Liu Ji¡¯s close aide. He then handed a piece of paper to Water Monkey, his tone icy as he spoke, "Liu Ji has betrayed us, secretly siding with the fake emperor and attempting to sell us out. I¡¯ve already executed him. His subordinates cannot be trusted. Here are their hiding spots¡ªleave no one alive. Dispose of the bodies cleanly, and meet me at the city gates once you¡¯re done."


    Without a word, Zheng Kun and Water Monkey immediately epted their orders and departed.


    Qin Sang activated the <em>Shadowless Steps</em> and silently made his way toward the county office alone.


    The county magistrate, Li Ji, resided within the county office, while Reckless Monk¡¯s residence wasn¡¯t far from there. Qin Sang¡¯s primary target was Reckless Monk.


    The security around the county office was noticeably tighter than in other areas, but these local guards and officers could only deter ordinary people; they stood no chance of detecting Qin Sang¡¯s movements.


    In the vast residence, only Reckless Monk and a few servants lived there. Qin Sang easily located Reckless Monk¡¯s quarters. Though Reckless Monk was skilled in martial arts, Qin Sang didn¡¯t want to take any risks, so he stopped outside the room.


    Just as he was about to release King Yan, a sudden, piercing cry came from within the room.


    "Who dares sneak around here?!"


    The shout was as shocking as a thunderp, causing Qin Sang¡¯s head to buzz. He felt a wave of dizziness and quickly bit his tongue, the sharp pain bringing him back to his senses. rmed, he immediately withdrew.


    In the next moment, Qin Sang sensed an incredibly violent aura erupting from within the room, rushing towards him.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    A fiery fist smashed through the wall, creating arge hole. The scorching, explosive aura hurtled toward Qin Sang¡¯s hiding spot, leaving a deep crater in the stone-paved ground.


    Debris flew everywhere, and dry leaves swirled in the air.


    <em>This is true qi released externally!</em>


    Qin Sang''s expression shifted slightly. <em>Has Reckless Monk already broken through to the innate stage?</em>


    <em>No, there are two people in the room!</em>


    An old monk stepped out from the broken wall, followed by a tall and burly monk, who was the real Reckless Monk, Chu Dazhuang.


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t recognize the old monk, but the man looked like an ordinary elderly person, with a face full of wrinkles and a withered appearance. Yet, standing before him, Qin Sang felt an intense sense of danger, his hair standing on end.


    Within this emaciated body was an astonishing power.


    Qin Sang had never encountered anyone who gave him this kind of feeling; not even Elder Yue or Bai Jiann couldpare to this old monk.


    Reckless Monk red at Qin Sang with tiger-like eyes and coldly dered, "Master, this man might be ackey of the rebels!"


    This old monk was none other than Reckless Monk¡¯s master, Saint Yuanjue, the head of the Arhat Hall at Xuanji Temple!


    A sh of realization struck Qin Sang¡ªhe had indeed hit a steel wall. Saint Yuanjue was rumored to be the top martial artist at Xuanji Temple, with some specting that he had already reached the innate stage. Now, it seemed those rumors were true.

 Chapter 34: Saint Yuanjue

    Many years ago, the Saint Yuanjue left the Great Sui to travel the world, and since then, his whereabouts had remained unknown.


    It was rumored that he went in search of opportunities to break through to the innate stage, while others whispered that he was nearing the end of his life and, unwilling to ept his fate, sought out immortality.


    Who could have expected that the Saint Yuanjue would return to the Great Sui at this time, and that he would coincidentally run into him.


    The roar just now was undoubtedly the famous <em>Lion¡¯s Roar</em> of Xuanji Temple, a renowned skill in the martial world.


    This was the first time Qin Sang had ever seen true qi take form, condensing into a fist that could shatter the air.


    Qin Sang''s figure flickered as he retreated swiftly, while the Reckless Monk snorted coldly, swinging his arm with sudden force.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    A chain of iron shot out, cutting through the air like a crystalline water line, swiftly heading toward Qin Sang under the moonlight.


    Unexpectedly, just as the chain reached the midway point, it suddenly lost its force, flying a short distance further before it ran out of momentum and ttered to the ground. The Reckless Monk''s eyes rolled back as he copsed backward without warning.<em>Bang!</em>


    The Reckless Monk''s corpse hit the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and a few scattered leaves, no longer breathing.


    Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The Saint Yuanjue nced at the Reckless Monk''s corpse, then turned his gaze sharply to Qin Sang and the ck banner in his hand, his eyes shing with a sharp light.


    "You are an immortal cultivator!"


    Qin Sang, holding the Yan Luo Banner, stood at a distance with a cold gaze, speaking in a calm tone, "Old Monk, I had no desire tomit more killings. If you leave now, I''ll spare your life."


    Although his words were confident, Qin Sang was secretly distressed.


    After killing the Reckless Monk, Qin Sang ordered King Yan to attack Saint Yuanjue, but King Yan refused to obey.


    Usually, when King Yan encountered a living person, it was as if he had found a delicious meal. Without needing Qin Sang''s orders, he would rush forward eagerly to savor the fresh soul.


    But now, facing the old monk, he seemed afraid, cowering in the shadows, not daring to approach.


    Although the old monk was aged, his qi and blood were extraordinarily vigorous, something Qin Sang had never encountered before. Additionally, the old monk¡¯s true qi was peculiar, with his fist shadows burning red like fire, making him resemble a zing sun¡ªthe bane of all evil spirits.


    The ck-d viin was able to use the Yan Luo Banner to perish together with an immortal master who wielded a flying sword, yet now he was afraid of a mere mortal expert at the innate stage.


    Qin Sang vaguely guessed the reason.


    Even on the battlefield, Qin Sang never allowed King Yan to devour too many souls.


    One reason was to avoid exposing his identity; another was the fear that if King Yan grew too powerful, he might turn against him.


    Qin Sang had long discovered a peculiar trait of the Yan Luo Banner: if King Yan devoured enough souls, the holes in the banner would begin to repair themselves.


    It seemed that when the Yan Luo Banner was fully restored, King Yan¡¯s strength would return to its peak.


    Qin Sang didn''t know what realm the ck-d viin had reached in life, but it was certainly higher than his own. The ck-d viin could suppress King Yan at full strength, but the Jade Buddha might not be able to.


    Out of caution, Qin Sang only allowed King Yan to devour a few dozen souls at a time before recalling him. This way, King Yan could provide three Soul Pills, enough for his use for a while.


    He originally nned to wait until he broke through to the fifth stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> before gradually increasing King Yan''s strength, but he hadn''t anticipated that the vigorous qi and blood of an innate stage expert would frighten King Yan.


    Qin Sang had heard Bai Jiann tell stories of innate stage experts ying immortal masters with sword light, and now it seemed that even immortal cultivators couldn¡¯t underestimate mortals, especially someone like him who was only half-trained.


    Voices and the sound of knocking came from outside the manor''s gate, with someone loudly calling for the instructor, but there was no response from within. Soon after, the gate was forcibly broken open.


    The old monk¡¯s roar just now had drawn all the patrolling constables and militia from the county office.


    At this point, Qin Sang could no longer afford to be cautious. He had to let King Yan devour souls to increase his strength, while he suppressed the panic in his heart, putting on a show in hopes of intimidating the old monk.


    Unexpectedly, after hearing Qin Sang''s words, the monk not only showed no fear but instead, his eyes sparkled with joy.


    Qin Sang suddenly realized something. <em>If Saint Yuanjue left to seek immortality, what would he do when he encountered a real immortal cultivator bluffing in front of him?</em>


    <em>Everything I have just said waspletely unnecessary, revealing my weakness in front of the old martial world veteran!</em>


    Feeling the increasingly greedy gaze of the monk, Qin Sang couldn''t help but deeply regret his actions.


    Sure enough, the monk squinted at Qin Sang for a moment before suddenly sneering. "ying tricks!"


    Qin Sang immediately sensed danger, his instincts screaming at him. He stamped heavily on the ground, his body soaring into the air.


    In an instant, the Saint Yuanjue appeared where Qin Sang had just been standing, a ball of fiery force gathering in his palm as he struck, breaking arge tree behind him in half.


    <em>Crack!</em>


    The tree trunk split in the middle, and the massive treetop crashed down.


    <em>What a terrifying innate stage expert!</em>


    Qin Sang felt his heart clench in fear, knowing he stood no chance against Saint Yuanjue. He turned and fled.


    Seeing this, Saint Yuanjue was overjoyed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as heughed wildly. "Where do you think you''re going, young brat? Hand over the immortal cultivation methods, and I will spare your life!"


    The first sentence still came from behind him.


    The second sounded right by his ear.


    By the time thest sentence echoed, a figure shed before Qin Sang, and the monk, as if strolling leisurely, had already overtaken him and blocked his path.


    A withered hand, seemingly slow but actually swift, reached out to grab him.


    Qin Sang''s hair stood on end. He desperately used the <em>Shadowless Steps</em>, darting left and right like a headless fly, but no matter how erratically he moved, that hand was always in front of him.


    "Get back here, you damn thing!"


    Qin Sang frantically recited the incantations of the Yan Luo Banner, cursing inwardly, but saw the hand rapidly erging before his eyes. His heart filled with bitterness and deep unwillingness.


    "My life is over!"


    Unexpectedly, the Saint Yuanjue didn¡¯t snap Qin Sang¡¯s neck but instead snatched the Yan Luo Banner from his hand.


    Saint Yuanjue looked at the Yan Luo Banner, his eyes brimming with ecstatic joy. He gazed at Qin Sang as if he were a treasure trove, his fingers darting out like lightning, about to seal Qin Sang''s acupoints, when suddenly his body stiffened.


    Qin Sang was overjoyed. He let out a low roar, lunged forward, and mmed into the monk''s arm, snatching back the Yan Luo Banner. With all his strength, he stabbed the banner''s pole into the monk''s throat, sinking it almost entirely.


    <em>St!</em>


    Blood sprayed all over Qin Sang¡¯s face as a fountain of blood burst from the monk¡¯s neck, and he fell backward.


    Qin Sang copsed onto the ground, panting heavily, like a bellows. He stared at the motionless monk, still shaken.


    Saint Yuanjue was the most terrifying enemy he had encountered since arriving in this world; an innate stage expert was truly fearsome.


    After the initial shock, Qin Sang couldn''t help but reflect.


    Over the past year, he had been invincible; no expert could withstand King Yan, and his mindset had inevitably shifted, making him dismissive of mortals, thinking he could roam the world freely.


    This time, he had nearly lost his life, and only now did he realize the importance of caution. From now on, no matter who he faced, he must be careful.

 Chapter 35: Another Immortal Cultivator

    Qin Sang struggled to stand up, watching as King Yan emerged, holding the soul of the monk in its jaws. ncing at King Yan, who appeared much more solid than before, Qin Sang felt a slight sense of relief, seeing no signs that it would devour its master. Eagerly, he began to interrogate the soul of the monk.


    He was deeply curious about the Xuanji Temple, the sacred ground of martial arts, and also wanted to know if Saint Yuanjue had encountered any other immortal masters during his years of travel.


    ¡­


    As the soul of Saint Yuanjue dissipated, a look of surprise appeared on Qin Sang''s face.


    The souls of those King Yan had killed before had all existed for simr lengths of time, but the monk''s soul hadsted only half as long as the others. This was the first time Qin Sang had seen such a phenomenon.


    No matter how much he pondered, Qin Sang couldn''t figure it out. He hadn''t expected such a thing to happen, and there were still many questions left unanswered.


    Even so, the information he had extracted from the monk made Qin Sang feel that the danger he had encountered had been worthwhile.


    It turned out that the reason Saint Yuanjue had immediately recognized Qin Sang as an immortal cultivator was because Xuanji Temple had killed an immortal cultivator decades ago!


    At that time, two grandmasters of Xuanji Temple, both at the innate stage, had besieged the immortal cultivator.That immortal cultivator had used techniques simr to Qin Sang''s, wielding a bell. With a gentle shake, one of the Xuanji Temple''s grandmasters had died mysteriously, just like the Reckless Monk, without any visible injuries.


    The other grandmaster had been utterly terrified and, in a desperate struggle, had resorted to a forbidden technique that drained his vital energy.


    The immortal cultivator, shocked that a mere mortal could move so swiftly, had hurriedly pulled out a talisman from his robe and unleashed a water barrier. However, he had been too slow, and the sword light had pierced his heart.


    When Saint Yuanjue saw the eerie way the Reckless Monk had died, he immediately thought of this past event. Originally hesitant, the monk had been prompted to act after hearing Qin Sang¡¯s bluff.


    It was Qin Sang''s ownck of martial world experience that had given him away.


    After that battle, among Xuanji Temple''s only two innate stage grandmasters, one was dead and one was heavily injured, with his vital energy severely depleted. It wasn''t until Saint Yuanjue broke through to the innate stage that the situation stabilized.


    However, the gains from this battle were far from proportional to the losses.


    The immortal cultivator''s body had not contained the immortal cultivation methods they had hoped for. All they found was a purple bell, two talismans, and a bare jade slip¡ªnothing else.


    They tried to infuse true qi into the bell and the jade slip, but neither reacted. They even destroyed one of the talismans in their experiments.


    After achieving the innate stage, Saint Yuanjue set out on his travels, with his most important goal being to find a way to unlock the secrets of the purple bell and the jade slip. ?


    During the upheaval in the Great Sui, the monk received a message to return to his sect and happened to pass through Hening County on his way.


    Qin Sang pondered for a moment before bending down to pick up the corpse of the monk. He felt a wave of weakness; the recent escape and struggle, though brief, had nearly exhausted his strength.


    He quickly activated the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, circting it for a full cycle to recover some energy. Qin Sang then turned back to retrieve the body of the Reckless Monk and kicked open the inner manor''s door. The scene outside made him involuntarily gasp.


    He had killed before¡ªmore than once.


    He had stood on battlefields between opposing armies and witnessed the horrific scenes of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.


    But seeing dozens of bodies lying on the ground, without a single fatal wound, either lying down or sprawled out like statues, made him feel a bit queasy.


    Qin Sang picked up the Yan Luo Banner and inspected it, noticing that several of the holes in the g had disappeared. King Yan stood obediently to the side.


    The Reckless Monk had been a strict disciplinarian, and the curfew in Hening County was strictly enforced. Even though such amotion had been made, the surrounding residents kept their doors tightly shut, not daring toe out and investigate.


    Qin Sang looked around, then used his sword to stab each body in a vital spot. He piled the bodies beside the woodshed and tossed in a fire starter. Before long, the Chu Manor[1] was aze.


    So many bodies couldn¡¯t be burned to ash, but Qin Sang only intended to cover up the Yan Luo Banner; burning them to charred corpses would suffice.


    Reciting a scripture under his breath, Qin Sang thought about how his hands were already stained with blood. Such pretentious behavior felt hypocritical, and he couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly. He was bing increasingly cold-hearted.


    ¡­


    Registrar Ma draped a coat over his shoulders, his gaze filled with anxiety as he looked out the window. He had been drafting official documents when he noticed a fire had broken out outside.


    <em>Why hasn''t Magistrate Li sent anyone to extinguish the fire?</em>


    <em>Bang!</em>


    Just as the registrar was about to return to his room to change into his official robes, two severed heads were suddenly mmed onto the table in front of him, causing him to scream in terror. His hand trembled, and he threw his pen aside. He fell backward, toppling over with his chair, and hit the back of his head on the ground, letting out another cry of pain.


    "Spare me, brave warrior!"


    Though over fifty years old, Registrar Ma moved swiftly. He scrambled onto the floor, not daring to lift his head, and kowtowed to the pair of feet before him.


    "Whatever you desire, please just give the order! I will do anything you ask. Just spare my life!"


    To his horror, the severed heads were those of Magistrate Li Ji and Chu Dazhuang. The registrar was nearly scared to death.


    The Reckless Monk, who had been reputed as a top martial artist, had died inexplicably. The registrar knew he stood no chance of resisting.


    Then, with another <em>thud</em>, the county magistrate''s seal was tossed in front of him.


    "Go out and calm the people. At midnight tonight, take this seal and open the city gates. If you miss the appointed time, your entire family¡¯s lives will be at stake!"


    With his head still bowed, Registrar Ma swore, "Brave warrior, rest assured, I will handle this matter without fail. If I don¡¯t, there¡¯s no need for you to take action¡ªI¡¯ll end my own life!"


    Qin Sang chuckled. "Aren¡¯t you curious why you¡¯re being told to open the city gates?"


    Registrar Ma¡¯s eyes darted, and he responded with a tone of righteousness, "Brave warrior, you may not know this, but I have long awaited the arrival of the king¡¯s forces! The current fake emperor is immoral and corrupt, provoking the wrath of the heavens, which brought down natural disasters that left the thirteenmanderies of the Great Sui littered with exposed bones. This is an outrage against both humans and gods! Yet Li Ji and the otherckeys of the fake emperor remain stubbornly deluded, using their power to oppress others. I can only regret that I am old, weak, and of lowly status, forced to feign cooperation with these viins. Day and night, I yearn for a wise ruler to save the people, shedding tears in secret. Today, my wish is finally granted. I shall exert all my efforts to repay you and the king¡­"


    Registrar Ma, filled with righteous indignation, finished his impassioned speech, only to realize that the pair of feet in front of him had vanished at some point. He cautiously raised his head¡ªno one was there.


    ¡­


    Hening County''s seat fell, and the rebel forces set their sights on the district''s capital. The elite of Jiangzhou panicked, issuing one blunder after another, and forcibly recalled the garrison troops from Duling County to defend the district''s capital. However, they were ambushed on the way, and the defeat was catastrophic.


    The day after the fall of the city, Qin Sang left Hening County. Heter heard that Wang Liu had flown into a rage, but Qin Sang couldn¡¯t have cared less.


    That year, the people of Jiangzhou spent their New Year amidst the chaos of war.


    Less than three monthster, Jiangzhou¡¯s capital fell. The army, after a brief rest in Jiangzhou, split into two forces, one heading north to Beipingzhou and the other to Huzhou.


    By then, Qin Sang had already spent over a month in Hunwu County in Jiangzhou.


    He still hadn¡¯t managed to break through to the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. Now, after a full night of cultivation, he saw little progress, stuck at a bottleneck that had persisted for an entire month.


    1. This is the manor of Chu Dazhuang. It ismon to put the surname of the owner before the word "manor" to indicate ownership. ?

 Chapter 36: Xuanji Temple

    When Qin Sang had broken through to the second stage, the process had gone smoothly and effortlessly. He had been quite pleased with himself, even considering the possibility that he might be a natural genius in cultivation. But now, as he found himself stuck without any progress for so long, he couldn¡¯t help but start doubting his abilities.


    Even if he wasn¡¯t a genius, he could ept being of average talent¡ªbut surely he wasn¡¯t a fool, right?


    He didn¡¯t know if this kind of situation was normal, but with no progress over such a long time, his patience was gradually wearing thin, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel anxious.


    Without a master to guide him, Qin Sang had to figure things out on his own. The second stage had been so easy to break through, yet now he was stuck at a bottleneck. <em>Is it just the art itself, or are there other factors involved?</em>


    <em>Perhaps it is rted to herbal baths.</em>


    After settling down in the Blood-d Tower, Qin Sang had taken the opportunity to return to the City of Three Witches, but he hadn¡¯t found Daoist Jixin or Ming Yue. He heard that shortly after the fire at their temple, they had given it over to the disaster victims and sailed south, leaving the Great Sui Kingdom behind.


    It was around the same time that the Dongyang King and Zhenshui King had raised their gs in rebellion.


    Without Daoist Jixin, Qin Sang had to find another way. He managed to gather a few prescriptions for strengthening the body and nourishing vitality within the Blood-d Tower, but unfortunately, none of them were as effective as the herbal baths.


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.Outside, the Water Monkey spoke in a low voice, "Leader, General Zhou has arrived."


    Qin Sang¡¯s face lit up with joy. He hurriedly got up to straighten his clothes and called out loudly, "Quick, invite him in!"


    Before long, the Water Monkey led a middle-aged man in armor through the door. The man walked up to Qin Sang and bowed deeply, "I, Zhou Mingguang, greets Mr. Qin!"


    Officially, Qin Sang was an aide to the Dongyang Lady, with no formal rank. Thus, those outside the Blood-d Tower addressed him as Mr. Qin.


    Qin Sang extended his hand to support Zhou Mingguang, looking him over with a smile. "General Zhou, we¡¯ve known each other for a while now; there¡¯s no need for such formalities. I¡¯ve been deeply worried about troubling you to detour to Hunwu County, fearing it might interfere with the crucial military matters of the militarymander."


    Zhou Mingguang was a trusted aide of General Mu. Two months earlier, after Hening County had fallen, Qin Sang had met him once.


    General Mu had captured Hening County without losing a single soldier, earning great merit. With themanderydy''s rmendation, he was promoted to the right militarymander of the Brave Regiment. As a result, Zhou Mingguang also rose in rank, bing a vanguard general[1] inmand of the crossbow unit.


    Qin Sang, in turn, was rightfully promoted to the leader of the Blood-d Tower, though the official documents had yet to arrive.


    The only thing that displeased Qin Sang was that Wang Liu, who had dyed military orders, hadn¡¯t been punished. Instead, he had gained a great advantage during the attack on Jiangzhou¡¯s capital and was now appointed the right militarymander of the Might Regiment.


    "I wouldn¡¯t dare!"


    Zhou Mingguang, who had witnessed the hellish scene at Chu Dazhuang¡¯s residence, treated Qin Sang with the utmost respect. "Mr. Qin, the militarymander sends his regards. He had intended to visit you personally, but urgent military matters required him to lead his troops to Beipingzhou via the main road. However, he entrusted me with the crossbow unit under hismand, bringing five hundred Divine Crossbows here, all at your disposal!"


    "Excellent!"


    Qin Sang pped his hands in delight. He had shared the majority of the credit with General Mu and had stayed in Hunwu County for so long precisely for these crossbowmen.


    His target was, of course, Xuanji Temple within Hunwu County!


    Ever since learning from Saint Yuanjue that Xuanji Temple housed the remnants of an immortal cultivator¡¯s legacy, Qin Sang had been plotting how to get his hands on it.


    His qinggong couldn¡¯tpare to the top martial artists in the world, so sneaking into Xuanji Temple undetected was impossible. Although Saint Yuanjue was dead, Xuanji Temple still had innate-stage masters and countless top-tier experts guarding it. ??


    He could have used King Yan¡¯s abilities to silently kill them, but Xuanji Temple was a sacred ce known throughout the Great Sui Kingdom. If word got out that all the monks at Xuanji Temple had suddenly perished, it would cause an uproar across the kingdom.


    And the Great Sui Kingdom had immortal masters watching over it.


    After much deliberation, Qin Sang concluded that relying on secr forces was the most reliable method. Faced with five hundred Divine Crossbows, even the abbot of Xuanji Temple wouldn¡¯t dare act recklessly unless he wanted the entire temple wiped out.


    When Zhou Mingguang heard that Qin Sang¡¯s target was Xuanji Temple, a troubled expression crossed his face. "Mr. Qin, I¡¯ve heard that Xuanji Temple has an innate-stage master guarding it. I fear that a mere five hundred crossbowmen may not be enough¡­"


    "General Zhou, there¡¯s no need to worry!"


    Qin Sang replied confidently, "If the innate-stage master dares to strike, I¡¯ll handle it myself. The only concern is that the monks of Xuanji Temple may be stubbornly loyal to the fake emperor and refuse to submit to the rightful king. That¡¯s why I need you to bring troops to intimidate them. If they¡¯re sensible and admit their guilt, the king has no desire topletely annihte them¡­ I¡¯ve already prepared food and wine. I¡¯ll trouble you, General Zhou, to take it back and reward the soldiers. We¡¯ll set off at dawn tomorrow to avoid dying the march. Once the task isplete, you can expect a generous reward from me."


    "Yes sir!"


    ¡­


    At dawn the next day, Qin Sang led the Blood-d Tower''s forces to rendezvous with Zhou Mingguang. After a quick meal, they set off on a forced march. By midday, they had stationed their troops before the gates of Xuanji Temple.


    The ancient temple was hidden deep within the mountains.


    As the mountain wind rustled through the dense forest, a soft, whistling sound echoed.


    The path up the mountain was paved with bs of azure stone, each about half a step wide, extending from the base of the mountain all the way to the temple gate, wide enough for five riders to walk abreast.


    Xuanji Temple.


    The bold and vigorous characters on the que emanated a profound and ancient aura.


    In front of the mountain gate, two stone-carved lions red fiercely at the approaching visitors.


    The tall steps leading up to the temple were littered with fallen leaves, and not a single monk could be seen. The massive red doors, several zhang[2] high, were tightly shut, with no sounding from within.


    The autumn wind was bleak.


    Before the temple gatey a vast, t area. Qin Sang, dressed in the armor of an ordinary soldier, looked up at this martial arts sanctuary, his gaze passing over the tall outer walls to glimpse the curved eaves and upturned corners within.


    He could hear the nervous breathinging from inside Xuanji Temple.


    Leading the group, Zhou Mingguang waved his hand, and the sound of footsteps echoed as over a thousand soldiers spread out in formation. Five hundred Divine Crossbows were simultaneously drawn, arrows aimed at the red doors.


    Zhou Mingguang nced at Qin Sang, who gave a slight nod.


    "Switch to fire arrows!"


    Zhou Mingguang shouted themand. The moment his words fell, a deep, resonant Buddhist chant suddenly echoed from within Xuanji Temple.


    "Wait!"


    Following the chant, a series of hurried footsteps sounded from inside. The red doors creaked open, and an elderly monk with a rosyplexion and white brows and beard stepped out first.


    Behind him, a group of monks filed out in session, their faces filled with indignation, brandishing staffs and pointing them at the soldiers.


    Seeing the monk¡¯s kasaya, Qin Sang thought to himself that this must be Abbot Yuanzhen of Xuanji Temple, the junior brother of Saint Yuanjue, and one of the most revered figures in the martial world of the Great Sui.


    "Amitabha."


    Abbot Yuanzhen¡¯s gaze was sorrowful as he scanned the scene. Fixing his eyes on Zhou Mingguang, he asked in a solemn voice, "I am Yuanzhen. May I ask the general¡¯s name?"


    Zhou Mingguang replied in a deep voice, "I am Zhou Mingguang, a humble general under themand of the king."


    Abbot Yuanzhen nodded slightly, then his expression darkened as he questioned, "General Zhou, Xuanji Temple is a ce of monks, devoted topassion, apanying the ancientmps and Buddhas, untouched by worldly affairs. What crime could we havemitted to warrant such a military confrontation and the presence of your troops?"


    "Ancientmps and Buddhas?"


    Zhou Mingguang sneered andughed heartily. "The monk soldiers from Duling County who helped the fake emperor defend the city, ughtering countless sons of Dongyang Commandery¡ªwere they not disciples of Xuanji Temple?"


    Abbot Yuanzhen¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he argued, "General Zhou, you must understand, those monk soldiers merely learned their skills at Xuanji Temple. Once they left, they had no further connection with us. I have already exined this to the eldest prince in person. If you inquire, you will know the truth."


    1. This is a military rank in ancient China. ?


    2. An ancient Chinese unit of length, about 3.33 meters. ?

 Chapter 37: Stealing Treasure

    "Bald Thief, you dare use crafty words to deceive the eldest prince! I am here under the orders of the king to exterminate you traitors! And this man¡ªdo you dare say you don¡¯t recognize him?"


    Zhou Mingguang raised the royal decree given to him by Qin Sang and, with a fierce gesture, one of his attendants pulled a well-preserved head from a bundle and threw it forward.


    Abbot Yuanzhen''s face turned ashen as he hurriedly caught the head, his hands trembling violently.


    The monks behind him fell to their knees, wailing in grief, calling out for their master or grandmaster.


    Zhou Mingguang remained unfazed, unfurling a scroll with a list of names.


    "Xuanji Temple, head of the Arhat Hall, Dharma name[1] Yuanjue! Hmph! This man held a high position, yet he willingly became ackey of the fake emperor, nearly ruining the king''s grand ns. The evidence is irrefutable, so what do you bald thieves have to say now?"


    "Nonsense!"


    Arge monk, eyes bloodshot and teeth clenched, growled, "Master was an innate stage expert! There''s no way you traitors could have bested him! What vile trick did you use to harm my master?"


    Hearing this, Zhou Mingguang cast a discreet nce at Qin Sang."Traitors?"


    Zhou Mingguang nearlyughed out loud, his voice dripping with malice. "It seems that Yuanjue isn¡¯t the only dog of the fake emperor in Xuanji Temple. Everyone, listen up! Search the temple thoroughly! Anyone who dares to resist¡ªkill them without mercy!"


    In an instant, the sound of drums and armor ttering filled the air.


    The monks of Xuanji Temple formed a battle formation, clearly prepared to resist to the end.


    The atmosphere grew tense, a deadly stillness hanging in the air.


    At this moment, Abbot Yuanzhen suddenly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh, solemnly handing the severed head to a monk beside him.


    "Amitabha."


    Abbot Yuanzhen stepped forward. "General Zhou, my junior brother Yuanjue left the Great Sui Kingdom to travel the world and has been away for ten years. He must have only just returned to the kingdom and, not knowing the truth, was momentarily confused and deceived by the fake emperor. The monks of Xuanji Temple would never willingly serve as the fake emperor¡¯sckeys. I ask General Zhou to discern the truth."


    "Abbot!"


    Seeing that Abbot Yuanzhen seemed willing to admit guilt and ept punishment, the monks of Xuanji Temple were shocked.


    Qin Sang, however, was relieved that Abbot Yuanzhen had the sense to cooperate. It was best to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.


    Zhou Mingguang¡¯s tone softened slightly. "Abbot, you are a man of high moral standing, and I trust you wouldn¡¯t speak falsely. However, Xuanji Temple has many monks, and it¡¯s inevitable that some may be of dubious character. If any of the fake emperor''sckeys are hiding among them, and they cause trouble, it would tarnish the reputation of Xuanji Temple. There¡¯s no need to worry, Abbot. I will ensure that my troops only capture the fake emperor''sckeys. There will be no needless killing of the innocent."


    ¡­


    The scripture repository.


    Qin Sang looked up at the seven-story pagoda before him, a ce he had long admired. It was said that the martial arts world¡¯s greatest techniques all originated from Shaolin, and the essence of Shaolin¡¯s teachings was housed in the scripture repository¡ªa sanctuary revered by anyone who had ever read a martial arts novel.


    However, Qin Sang knew that Xuanji Temple¡¯s scripture repository was just a facade, containing only volumes of Buddhist scriptures, with no advanced martial arts to be found.


    The true treasure trove was not here.


    Qin Sang turned his head, ncing at Abbot Yuanzhen, who was seated in the distance, reciting Buddhist scriptures.


    All the monks of Xuanji Temple had been confined to the Mahavira Hall by Abbot Yuanzhen, surrounded by crossbowmen.


    Meanwhile, Abbot Yuanzhen watched with an expressionless face as the soldiers emptied the temple¡¯s treasury, carrying chest after chest of gold and silver down the mountain. His calmness, unaffected by joy or sorrow, was truly remarkable.


    Zhou Mingguang strode over, sweeping his gaze around before pointing to an inconspicuous path behind the scripture repository. He shouted, "There¡¯s another path here! Someone, take a squad and search it thoroughly! If even one traitor escapes, I¡¯ll have your heads!"


    Abbot Yuanzhen¡¯s expression changed slightly as he quickly stepped forward to block the path. "General Zhou, you must not! This path leads to the secluded retreat of our temple¡¯s grandmaster. It is absolutely forbidden to disturb it!"


    Zhou Mingguang snorted coldly. "Nonsense! If we don¡¯t search it thoroughly, who knows what¡¯s really there? The Abbot seems awfully nervous¡ªcould it be that whoever is inside can¡¯t bear the light of day?"


    "You!"


    Abbot Yuanzhen¡¯s hand, gripping his prayer beads, suddenly tightened, veins bulging as a sliver of wood splintered from between his fingers.


    "Fine! Fine! Fine! Then I ask General Zhou to thoroughly search and clear my temple of any false usations! However, there is one thing I must request¡ªwithin the cliffside resides our temple''s grandmaster in deep meditation. I beg the general to allow me to invite the grandmaster out first, so as not to disturb his cultivation and cause a grave mistake."


    Zhou Mingguang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had almost pushed Abbot Yuanzhen to the point of fury, and cold sweat had nearly soaked his back. He quickly waved his hand and said, "Please, go ahead, Abbot."


    With Abbot Yuanzhen leading the way and Zhou Mingguang following with his soldiers, they soon rounded a stone forest and saw a cliff.


    The cliffside was adorned with countless carvings, inscribed with the names of once-prominent nobles, esteemed monks, and famous martial artists, as well as renowned literary figures. At the base of the cliff, a set of stone steps led upward, connecting to a stone path that cut through the cliff, lined with exquisite Buddhist sculptures.


    The cliff had two faces, east and south. The eastern face, aligned with the sunrise, symbolized the Buddhist principles and served as the secluded retreat of the grandmaster of Xuanji Temple.


    Zhou Mingguang waited with his soldiers at the base of the steps while the old abbot went up to invite each of the grandmasters down. Most of them were frail old monks, including top-tier experts and eminent monks who knew nothing of martial arts.


    Abbot Yuanzhen patiently consoled each one, clearly exhausted. Zhou Mingguang ordered his soldiers to conduct a perfunctory search, while he mentally calcted the time.


    ording to their agreement, he needed to dy for at least a quarter of an hour for Qin Sang.


    Meanwhile, Qin Sang, now dressed in civilian clothes, had quietly climbed to the top of the cliff. Hey low, watching carefully, and as soon as he saw the innate-stage grandmaster of Xuanji Temple being escorted down, he began silently descending the cliff.


    He had prepared a rope earlier, but the uneven carvings on the cliff provided enough footholds for his qinggong, making the rope unnecessary.


    At the end of the stone path, a staircase extended downward. Qin Sangnded lightly on the path, his footsteps silent, and began descending the stairs.


    The staircase was deep, and the silence was profound.


    On either side were mountain caves, once upied by the meditating grandmasters of Xuanji Temple, who had now been escorted out.


    If it weren¡¯t for Zhou Mingguang¡¯s relentless interference forcing them out, Qin Sang would never have been able to slip in undetected.


    Finally, he reached the end of the staircase, where a narrow crevice in the corner stretched into the darkness.


    The crevice was narrow on the outside but widened inside, containing dangerous traps that Qin Sang was already aware of. He carefully stepped forward, avoiding all the traps. The crevice split into several branches, each leading to a ce where Xuanji Temple stored its rare treasures.


    Qin Sang headed straight for the ce where the bell was kept. The other branches also held treasures of immense value, but to Qin Sang, they were as worthless as dust, and time was not on his side.


    The small grotto had been artificially shaped into a square, with a luminous pearl embedded in the ceiling, casting a bright light.


    In the center of the grotto stood a stone pedestal, on which rested a purple bell, a jade slip, and a talisman, all covered by a ss dome.


    The pedestal had one final trap, which Qin Sang carefully dismantled by locating the poison arrow and disabling the mechanism. He then lifted the ss dome.


    Time was running out, and Qin Sang, suppressing his excitement, quickly gathered the three items and quietly exited the grotto.


    1. A Dharma name is a new name acquired during bothy and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism. ?

 Chapter 38: Artifacts, Spiritual Power, Spiritual Consciousness, Primordial Spirit

    Hunwu County''s office was piled high with treasure chests, filled with gold, silver, and jewels that dazzled the eyes.


    Qin Sang was overseeing the task of inventorying the goods.


    "Thesend deeds belong to themon folk around Hunwu County. They were likely seized by those thieving monks. Chuanzong, take them to the magistrate of Hunwu County and return them to the people."


    The overt treasure vault of Xuanji Temple had been nearly emptied, and among the spoils was a small chest ofnd deeds. Qin Sang flipped through them and found that they were all properties from the surrounding areas of Hunwu County.


    Qin Sang handed the chest to Wu Chuanzong but noticed that he seemed hesitant to speak, which made Qin Sang quietly wonder.


    "Chuanzong, what''s on your mind? Speak freely."


    Wu Chuanzong was a sharp and perceptive young man. Qin Sang found him handy to keep around and had kept him close for his own use.


    Moreover, Wu Chuanzong was diligent and intelligent. He never ckened in his studies or martial training, despite missing the best age to start martial arts. With proper guidance, he could still achieve significant sess.


    "Sir."Wu Chuanzong, who always addressed Qin Sang as "sir," began, "I''m just worried that themon folk may not want to take back thesend deeds."


    Qin Sang was surprised. "Why not?"


    Was there really anyone who wouldn¡¯t want theirnd back?


    "In my hometown, there was a temple where many people voluntarily donated theirnd. During the drought a couple of years ago, the local vigers couldn¡¯t survive, but the tenants of the temple managed to get by. I¡¯ve heard that templends are exempt fromnd taxes, and the vigers only needed to donate a portion of their harvest to the temple each year. In years of disaster, when they couldn¡¯t pay in full, the temple would be lenient and sometimes even provide relief. But with the government, even if you miss a single dou[1] of grain, there''s no leniency. There''s also the issue of shrinkage during weighing, and sometimes people weren''t starved to death¡ªthey were driven to their deaths by the government."


    Qin Sang was even more astonished at this. Had his rare act of kindness almost backfired?


    He looked at the others. "Is it like this everywhere?"


    Zhang Wenkui coughed lightly and replied, "Sir, the situation varies across regions. There are indeed virtuous monks, but there are also plenty of evil monks who seizend and oppress the people. If a temple grows too powerful, even the government can''t deal with them. As for Xuanji Temple, whether it''s good or evil remains to be seen."


    "Then investigate it," Qin Sang said, tossing thend deeds to Zhang Wenkui and Wu Chuanzong. "You have one day to figure it out. Decide whether thend deeds should be returned to the people or sent back to the temple."


    Seeing Zhang Wenkui''s crestfallen expression, Qin Sangughed and scolded, "Who are you making that face for? There will be no shortage of benefits for you here!"


    After arranging the manpower, Qin Sang had Zhou Mingguang and Water Monkey oversee the inventory, while he eagerly returned to his quarters and shut the door behind him.


    The texture of this talisman was entirely different from the paper that Daoist Jixin used. It was pure white like snow, incredibly resilient, even better than the finest rice paper.


    The lines drawn on the talisman were beyond Qin Sang''sprehension, far moreplex than the deceptive talismans Daoist Jixin had used. After studying it for a while, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t make any sense of it.


    ording to Saint Yuanjue, after the immortal cultivator released the water barrier, the talisman shattered. It was likely a single-use item, and with only one in his possession, Qin Sang was reluctant to experiment further, fearing he might destroy it.


    Picking up the purple bell and jade slip, Qin Sang recalled how he had controlled the Yan Luo Banner. All it took was channeling his qi into the Yan Luo Banner, and the incantation appeared in his mind.


    However, the ebony sword was an exception. No matter how much qi he channeled into it, it was as if it vanished without a trace.


    Why there was such a difference, Qin Sang didn¡¯t know.


    After a moment of hesitation, Qin Sang decided to test the jade slip first. The purple bell had shown its deadly potential, likely simr to the Yan Luo Banner, but the jade slip emitted a gentle, warm glow. It seemed harmless enough.


    He put the bell aside, held the jade slip in his hand, and cautiously channeled a stream of qi into it.


    Unexpectedly, the jade slip suddenly detached from his hand and adhered to his forehead.


    Qin Sang felt as if his consciousness was being drawn into the jade slip. Startled, he recalled his experience with the Yan Luo Banner, but he remained calm, refusing to panic.


    <em>Is there a hidden secret inside the jade slip?</em>


    As Qin Sang was pondering this, he discovered a text within the jade slip, which immediately caught his attention.


    Half an hourter, Qin Sang, who had been sitting motionless by the table, raised his hand to remove the jade slip. He opened his eyes, staring at the jade slip with excitement gleaming in them.


    Now he understood. The jade slip wasn''t a weapon but a carrier of text, containing information about the bell''s abilities and how to control it.


    The bell was actually named the Purple Soul Bell, a high-grade artifact with the ability to confuse the soul and bewilder the mind. If the practitioner was powerful enough, it could even directly annihte the enemy¡¯s primordial spirit[2].


    The usage of the Purple Soul Bell was straightforward. It required no incantations; the practitioner simply needed to channel spiritual power to produce the bell''s sound and then control it with their spiritual consciousness.


    The jade slip detailed the process of controlling the Purple Soul Bell extensively.


    Initially, when a practitioner was not yet adept at using the Purple Soul Bell, they needed to use their spiritual consciousness to control the bell''s sound and focus all their efforts on a single enemy to maximize its power.


    Once a practitioner mastered the Purple Soul Bell, it could unleash its full potential and bewilder three or four people with ease.


    Eagerly, Qin Sang picked up the Purple Soul Bell and followed the method described in the jade slip. He immersed his spiritual consciousness into the artifact and then used the qi within his body to activate it.


    His movements were unrefined, and it took several attempts before he became familiar with the process.


    Unexpectedly, the Purple Soul Bell seemed like a bottomless pit. He exerted all his energy and exhausted his spiritual power before barely seeding.


    <em>Dingling...</em>


    The Purple Soul Bell rang on its own without any wind, its clear, crisp sound resonating through the room.


    Qin Sang wiped the sweat from his forehead. His spiritual power had beenpletely depleted, leaving him incredibly weak, but his face was full of excitement.


    While acquiring such a magical artifact was certainly gratifying, what thrilled Qin Sang the most was the text itself.


    The qi within his body was precisely the spiritual power described in the jade slip!


    The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was indeed a cultivation technique for immortals!


    This revtion finally put Qin Sang¡¯s restless mind at ease.


    Moreover, Qin Sang learned a great deal from the jade slip.


    It seemed that an immortal cultivator''s soul differed from that of a mortal and was referred to as the primordial spirit.


    Spiritual consciousness, which was not mentioned in the Netherworld Scripture, was now something Qin Sang learned about for the first time. ording to the jade slip, once one began cultivation, spiritual consciousness would emerge from the primordial spirit. Spiritual consciousness could not only control artifacts but also had other wondrous uses, though Qin Sang would have to explore them on his own.


    With this in mind, Qin Sang quickly retrieved the ebony sword and other items he had previously obtained.


    He took up the ebony sword and extended his spiritual consciousness into it, but unfortunately, it remained like a bottomless pit. The spiritual consciousness and spiritual power met with no response.


    When he extended his spiritual consciousness into the Yan Luo Banner, he had new findings.


    King Yan, though instinctively inclined to avoid danger and seek fortune, had limited intelligence. Previously, when Qin Sang used the Yan Luo Banner, it could only target those within his line of sight. Otherwise, it was impossible to restrain King Yan''s actions.


    Now, he couldpletely envelop King Yan with his spiritual consciousness andmand it at all times.


    1. unit of weight, used for grains, approx. 7 kg. ?


    2. Primordial Spirit, or yuanshen, is a concept in Daoism. It is defined to be a level of existence surpassing that of physical existence, capable of existing independently in the form of a soul. It is viewed to be the center and essence of a human''s existence. ?

 Chapter 39: Inquiry

    Qin Sang found it odd that the Yan Luo Banner, Purple Soul Bell, and ebony sword¡ªthree artifacts of immortal cultivators¡ªhadpletely different methods of use.


    <em>The Purple Soul Bell is a high grade artifact, but are the others also artifacts? What grade are they?</em>


    Setting the Yan Luo Banner aside, Qin Sang turned his attention to the sheepskin and the multicolored pouch.


    To his disappointment, the sheepskin was as unresponsive as before. Whether it was his spiritual consciousness or spiritual power, they passed through it without any effect. It was just an ordinary piece of skin.


    Qin Sang had not held much hope for the multicolored pouch, but to his surprise, as soon as his spiritual consciousness entered the pouch, a strange space appeared before him with a <em>boom</em>.


    Despite his multiple attempts to use spiritual power on the pouch with no response, his spiritual consciousness had opened it immediately!


    The space was small and filled with misceneous items.


    Qin Sang nced around and noted that the most prominent items were two small piles of gold and silver, sparkling and dazzling.


    Even just these metals would make Qin Sang a wealthy man if he were an ordinary person.Strangely, beside the gold and silver were not jade or jewels but scattered stones. The stones, while differing in color¡ªyellow, blue, and red¡ªwere otherwise quite simr and had no mixed hues. They were very peculiar.


    Qin Sang counted a total of eight stones.


    Aside from these, there were everyday necessities such as cooking pots, dishes, and spices. Nothing seemed to be rted to immortal cultivation.


    As he examined each item, Qin Sang''s disappointment grew. In the end, only a few books and an empty wooden box remained in the corner.


    One of the old books looked very ancient, with the title on the cover reading <em>Song n Genealogy.</em>


    <em>Can this be the genealogy of the sword-wielding youth?</em>


    Qin Sang mused that the youth''s surname was Song. He wondered if the genealogy had the youth¡¯s address or the location of the Song family ancestral hall, which he might visit to deliver a message if the opportunity arose.


    Another book was titled <em>Profound Yin Book</em>, while thest one had no title on the cover.


    These two books might be cultivation arts practiced by the Song youth. Qin Sang was intrigued and wanted topare them with his own Netherworld Scripture, but found that he could not touch or open them.


    He suddenly realized that the contents of the pouch could only be viewed but not touched!


    Feeling as if he had been doused with cold water, Qin Sang was frustrated and tried repeatedly but couldn¡¯t move or extract even the most ordinary clothes. After a long time, he despondently gave up.


    Returning empty-handed from a treasure trove was a disheartening experience. Qin Sangforted himself that the items in the pouch didn¡¯t seem very valuable.


    After examining everything, he noticed that it had bepletely dark outside. Unknowingly, he had been busy untilte into the night.


    Even though he couldn¡¯t retrieve anything from the pouch, the past two days had yielded substantial gains.


    What he had initially thought to be mere decorative items turned out to be a storage pouch. Qin Sang no longer underestimated the sheepskin, carefully storing it along with the talisman paper and other items. As for the Purple Soul Bell, he tied it to his wrist with a string, making it more convenient to use.


    After organizing everything, Qin Sang sat down to meditate and cultivate. Perhaps due to his uplifting mood, he soon found that the bottleneck that had troubled him for a month had loosened!


    Qin Sang was overjoyed and dared not ck off. He devoted himself fully to his cultivation, and finally broke through to the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>!


    <em>It has been a challenging journey!</em>


    Qin Sang reflected on how it had taken him two years of uninterrupted cultivation to reach the third stage. Theter stages of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> would undoubtedly be even more difficult. He wondered how many more years it would take to break through to the sixth stage.


    <em>What would the realms beyond the sixth stage be like?</em>


    <em>Without further cultivation methods, how should I continue my path?</em>


    Calming his restless aura, Qin Sang exhaled deeply and opened his eyes to find that the sun had already risen.


    After breaking through to the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, his spiritual power had increased several fold, making the use of the Purple Soul Bell less taxing. He was wide awake and could not put the Purple Soul Bell down, feeling even more attached to it than to the Yan Luo Banner.


    After all, it was the first artifact he could use directly.


    <em>Bang! Bang!</em>


    The outer gate was suddenly knocked upon. Qin Sang frowned and asked, "Who is it?"


    Zheng Kun''s voice came from outside. "Leader, General Zhou has sent someone to deliver a message. Themanderydy is arriving and is on her way to the county office."


    <em>Themanderydy?</em>


    Qin Sang noted how quickly they arrived and quickly tidied up, hiding the Purple Soul Bell in his sleeve. He hurried to the county office.


    As he approached the county office, he heard the rapid clip-clop of hooves on the street. The Dongyang Lady led the way on horseback, followed by Zhou Mingguang and Bai Jiann, along with a few attendants, all galloping swiftly.


    Since their first meeting, Qin Sang had never seen the Dongyang Lady dressed as a woman, and this time was no exception.


    The sky was a dim cyan.


    On the long stone street, the autumn wind blew, scattering yellow leaves.


    The Dongyang Lady wore light armor and a cherry-colored helmet, with a treasured sword hanging at the waist and a ck-red cloak billowing high with each gallop.


    Upon spotting Qin Sang, the Dongyang Lady''s eyes locked onto him with a glint of cold light, as if a storm was about to break.


    Bai Jiann subtly signaled to Qin Sang, indicating that he should remain calm.


    As the horse was about to reach Qin Sang, its speed did not cken. At thest moment, the Dongyang Lady pulled hard on the reins, causing the horse to rear up with a loud neigh.


    The Dongyang Lady dismounted and, with fierce eyes and gritted teeth, demanded, "Forgery of the royal seal, false transmission of imperial decrees, unauthorized troop movements and causing chaos in the sacrednd! Leader Qin, are you stupid?"


    Facing the Dongyang Lady''s intense gaze, Qin Sang remainedposed. He extended his hand and said, "Dongyang Lady, please calm down. Enter the county office first, and I will show you something."


    The Dongyang Lady snorted coldly, flicked her whip forcefully, and strode into the county office.


    Qin Sang stepped aside to lead the way, directly into the county office''s main hall.


    The gold and silver treasures had already been sorted and neatly arranged in boxes. The Dongyang Lady stood at the entrance, nced around, and with an impatient tone asked, "What is this?"


    Qin Sang approached one of the boxes, opened it to reveal a neatly arranged stack of silver ingots, and then opened another box.


    He took the books handed to him by Water Monkey and said, "Lady, these are the items taken from one of Xuanji Temple''s treasure houses. Just the silver alone amounts to a hundred thousand taels, and there are countless pieces of jewelry and jade. The white kiln porcin and silk fabrics are numerous as well. Over a thousand people worked for a whole day and night to move everything."


    This was after Zhou Mingguang had taken his share. The wealth of Xuanji Temple had astonished everyone.


    The Dongyang Lady frowned slightly and remained silent for a while, lost in thought.


    Qin Sang, feeling curious, waited until the Dongyang Lady fixed her intense gaze on him and said, "There are a thousand soldiers still stationed in Jiangzhou City. I will give them all to you. How confident are you?"

 Chapter 40: Nineteen Years Old

    "Enough!"


    Without waiting for Qin Sang''s response, the Dongyang Lady shook her head and said coldly, "Do you know? Because of your reckless actions, the court is in an uproar. The eldest prince flew into a rage in themandery seat, issuing three secret decrees in one day, swearing to execute Zhou Mingguang, and ordered Military Commander Mu to personally go to Xuanji Temple to apologize with his life and return the looted treasures."


    Themandery seat referred to the seat of Yingshui Commandery.


    After the Dongyang King raised his army, he established a small court in Chun City, personally donning armor and leading the charge, while the eldest prince remained in the centralmand. Once Yingshui Commandery was captured, the supply lines for both major armies ran through Yingshui Commandery, and the eldest prince also tookmand in Yingshui Commandery Seat.


    However, before the eldest prince arrived in Yingshui Commandery, the Dongyang Lady had already rified the situation among the various factions, leaving him with an easy task.


    Two days ago, Qin Sang led his troops to Xuanji Temple to steal treasures. Although it had only been two days, the eldest prince, who was far away in Yingshui Commandery, had already taken a stand for Xuanji Temple, and the Dongyang Lady had rushed over from Jiangzhou City overnight.


    Qin Sang lowered his head in repentance. "Lady, I confess. The decree was forged by me. The militarymander and General Zhou were both deceived by me. If anyone should be executed, it should be me."


    "How much harder is your headpared to Zhou Mingguang''s? If it weren''t for the fact that you once saved my life, I would have beheaded you right here!"


    The Dongyang Lady shouted in anger, "Elder Yue has already gone to meet with ck Crane Sage and voluntarily handed over control of the military hall. He also gave me a list of your men. In the future, whether you want to be a general or a minister, which path do you choose?"Qin Sang replied without hesitation, "Leading troops into battle and earning merits is faster."


    The Dongyang Lady gave Qin Sang a deep look. "Very well, pack your things immediately and head to the Might Regiment in Huzhou. I will report to my father, and based on your previous achievements, a position as staff general is more than sufficient."


    Qin Sang''s face turned bitter. "Could I go to the Brave Regiment instead?"


    The position of staff general was not low; in the Might Regiment, it was second only to the left and right militarymanders and their deputies. But now, themander of Might Regiment was Wang Liu, the very person Qin Sang had offended in Hening County. Now he was expected to work under him.


    Wasn''t this just delivering himself on a silver tter?


    "No way!"


    The Dongyang Lady gave him a fierce look, leaving no room for negotiation.


    "Zhou Mingguang,e with me up the mountain to apologize to the abbot."


    Qin Sang quickly followed. "I was the one who caused the trouble, so it should be me who goes to apologize, not you, Lady, who should bow your noble head to those bald donkeys! General Zhou, Brother Bai, quickly bring a troop and gather these silver..."


    Before he could finish, the Dongyang Lady interrupted sternly, "What silver? The Buddhist monks live a frugal life, and the monks of Xuanji Temple are all virtuous. How could they indulge in greed andmit such disgraceful acts? Don''t nder them!"


    Qin Sang chuckled.


    The Dongyang Lady, with a trace of anger on her face, flicked her sleeves and left. After a moment of hesitation, she turned back and asked, "What did you use to forge my father''s royal seal?"


    "A radish."


    ¡­


    Qin Sang didn''t know how the Dongyang Lady managed to appease the monks at Xuanji Temple, but that very day, he took his men, including Water Monkey, and rode to Huzhou.


    After Qin Sang assumed the position of staff general, his original task was to clean up and scout the battlefield, but Wang Liu requested the militarymander to appoint Qin Sang, under the pretext that he had once led the Military Branch, to be the leader of the night patrol.


    Little did anyone know, this was exactly what Qin Sang wanted. From then on, Qin Sang led his troops in the field, rarely interacting with Wang Liu. With General Feng, the left deputymander, mediating between them, Wang Liu, who was only a right militarymander, had no choice but to endure his dislike of Qin Sang.


    In the Battle of Duling County, the government troops of Pingshan Commandery were thoroughly crushed, and Huzhou and Beipingzhou copsed without much resistance. ??


    In less than half a year, the Might Regiment and Brave Regimentpletely took over Pingshan Commandery, even faster than Dongyang King''s forces.


    After the Dongyang King captured Zhaoyang Commandery, he did not rush to conquer the threemanderies of the capital but instead turned west to Xitai Commandery. However, Qin Sang and his forces had to tackle the hardest part: the threemanderies of the capital.


    No one expected that in just two years since the Dongyang King raised his army, he would achieve such brilliant results, forcing the fake emperor to retreat and hold up in the imperial capital and the threemanderies, making it clear to everyone where the futurey.


    ¡­


    Another early spring had arrived.


    The bleakness of winter had yet to fade, and the spring rain had failed to bring life back to thend.


    Qin Sang tightened the raincoat around his body as he trudged through the mountain forest, each step sinking deep into the mud.


    Unknowingly, he had been in this world for three and a half years, and by Qin Sanwa''s age, he was now exactly neen.


    The rain was bing heavier, so Qin Sang found a ce to take shelter. As he gazed at the distant mountains, shrouded in mist, his thoughts drifted.


    For the past year, he had been wholly focused on cultivating and refining his abilities, merely going through the motions with military affairs. He had held the position of staff general for a year without making any progress.


    Bit by bit, he had slowly experimented, and the holes in the Yan Luo Banner were now fully repaired. King Yan''s power had been restored to its former peak, yet he still obeyed Qin Sang without question.


    This made Qin Sang realize that the Jade Buddha that had apanied him seemed to possess an unfathomable, immense power.


    However, no matter how much spiritual power or spiritual consciousness he used to probe it, the Jade Buddha remained unmoved.


    The same was true for the ebony sword, the sheepskin, and the multicolored pouch. Qin Sang had no way to make use of them.


    Speaking of spiritual consciousness, after some exploration, Qin Sang had be adept at using it. By extending his spiritual consciousness, he could detect anything approaching within a few inches around him, without needing to see or hear it. This amazed him.


    Although the range was only a few cun[1], before he broke through the third stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, it had been even shorter.


    Qin Sang spected that as his cultivation and realm advanced, the range of his spiritual consciousness would expand, making it impossible for anything around him to escape his notice.


    He would need to wait until he broke through to the fourth stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> to confirm this.


    His cultivation was nearing the peak of the third stage, but Qin Sang was afraid of encountering another bottleneck during the breakthrough, likest time. That feeling of being stuck, with no progress and no direction, was maddening, and it could take a long time to ovee.


    He was eager to break through, not just to gain stronger spiritual consciousness but also because of the Purple Soul Bell.


    Qin Sang had now mastered the Purple Soul Bell, and its power was indeed terrifying. He had tested it several times, and his targets had no ability to resist, inevitably facing the fate of having their souls scattered.


    However, every time he used the Purple Soul Bell, his spiritual power was almostpletely drained, and he had to restore it before he could use it again.


    Qin Sang didn''t know if other immortal cultivators had a way to quickly restore their spiritual power. He could only recover slowly by circting his cultivation technique, which was a slow process. In aplex situation with a powerful opponent, there was no way he could afford to take his time.


    Moreover, the Purple Soul Bell could only focus on one enemy at a time. If he tried to target two people simultaneously, it caused him unbearable headaches, and he couldn''t keep it up.


    This made him all the more eager to break through to a higher realm.


    <em>Looks like the rain will continue for a while.</em> Just as Qin Sang was about to sit down and cultivate, he suddenly noticed the treetops at the foot of the mountain swaying. A figure was swiftly moving through the forest¡ªit was Water Monkey, clearly in a hurry.


    1. A cun, often glossed as the Chinese inch, is a traditional Chinese unit of length. Its traditional measure is the width of a person''s thumb at the knuckle, whereas the width of the two forefingers denotes 1.5 cun and the width of four fingers side-by-side is 3 cuns. ?

 Chapter 41: Unexpected Change

    Qin Sang lightly tapped his foot, leaping onto a treetop to meet the approaching figure.


    "Old Zhou, what happened?"


    "General Qin!"


    Seeing Qin Sang, Water Monkey¡¯s face lit up with relief as he shouted, "I just received a message from a homing pigeon. The militarymander has ordered you to immediately withdraw from Guling Mountain with your men. You have three days to return to the main camp."


    Qin Sang frowned at the news. "What¡¯s the reason? Is this just for me, or does everyone need to retreat?"


    Water Monkey took a few quick steps closer and pulled out a letter wrapped in oil paper from his chest. "The letter says to bring everyone back. It doesn¡¯t exin the reason."


    Qin Sang took the letter and carefully read it. It was indeed an ordermanding him to withdraw all scouts from Guling Mountain within two days. The tone in the letter was far more severe than Water Monkey''s words.


    Holding the letter, Qin Sang nced at the deste mountains surrounding him, filled with doubt.


    By now, the Dongyang King had already taken Xitai Commandery. All the armies were converging on the threemanderies surrounding the imperial capital. The Might Regiment had entered Guize Commandery two months ago, capturing several cities along the way, with their current target being Raven¡¯s Mouth.Raven¡¯s Mouth was actually a sizable city, originally a dock on the Lingshui River, which had gradually developed into a town.


    The Lingshui River was thergest river in Guize Commandery, running from northwest to southeast, cutting across the entiremandery. Although it wasn''t as wide as the Wuling River, it flowed continuously and had never dried up, making it vital for transporting troops and supplies.


    Because of the convenience of the dock, thergest granary of the defending forces was now located at Raven¡¯s Mouth.


    Capturing Raven¡¯s Mouth would cut off the Lingshui River, isting seven cities downstream. These cities would effectively be severed from their lifeline, leaving them no choice but to surrender.


    Originally, the Might Regiment had no intention of attacking Raven¡¯s Mouth just yet because a massive mountain range called Guling Mountain stood to the south.


    To attack Raven¡¯s Mouth, the army would have to cross Guling Mountain.


    Guling Mountain was steep and densely forested, deste and uninhabited, with legends iming that even birds couldn¡¯t fly over it.


    Except for hunters, ordinary people who ventured into the mountain would lose their way and never make it out alive, let alone an entire army.


    ording to the original n, they were supposed to march several hundred li eastward, loop around Guling Pass, and then attack the seven cities downstream of the Lingshui River one by one.


    By now, Guling Pass was heavily fortified, with troops ready for battle. This approach would be time-consuming and result in heavy casualties.


    A few days ago, when the Might Regiment captured a small town in front of Guling Mountain, Qin Sang had learned from an elderly man, who used to be a hunter in the area, about an ancient path in Guling Mountain. ording to local legend, this path was carved out by the founding emperor of the previous dynasty during a military campaign. It had since fallen into disuse and was now almost forgotten, being nearly a thousand years old.


    Qin Sang had reported the intelligence about the ancient path and was then ordered to lead scouts into Guling Mountain to investigate. They had just entered and dispersed the scouts when they received the order to retreat.


    The letter was stamped with themander''s seal, making it an official military order.


    Wu Chuanzong, who had stayed back at the main camp, hadn¡¯t sent any prior warning, suggesting that this decision by the Might Regiment''s higher-ups was likely made suddenly.


    Seeing the troubled expression on Qin Sang''s face, Water Monkey also realized that gathering all the scattered scouts wouldn¡¯t be a task that could be aplished in just one or two days. "General, what should we do now?"


    Qin Sang thought for a moment and then said, "Old Zhou, send a message to Zheng Kun and Zhang Wenkui. Hand over all our men to them and have them stay in Guling Mountain to continue searching for the ancient path. You and I will return to the main camp."


    "Yes, sir!"


    ¡­


    The rain poured down heavily, and the two of them traveled without rest throughout the night. They rode out of Guling Mountain and only reached the main camp by 7 PM the next day.


    Outside the camp, Qin Sang immediately sensed that something was amiss. The atmosphere was far more tense and oppressive than usual, with patrols being much stricter.


    Covered in dust from the journey, Qin Sang changed into his armor and was about to head to the camp to find Wu Chuanzong when he noticed Wu Chuanzong waiting for him outside.


    "Sir! Deputy Commander Feng personally came to see me. He instructed that you should go to him immediately upon your return to the camp."


    Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Have you found out what happened?"


    Wu Chuanzong, looking ashamed, replied, "I¡¯ve been ipetent. The central military camp was suddenly sealed off the night beforest, guarded by heavy troops for twelve hours. No one was allowed near without orders, under threat of death. I tried to gather information but couldn¡¯t get any concrete answers."


    Qin Sang noticed Wu Chuanzong¡¯s haggard appearance and dark circles under his eyes, understanding that he had done his best. If something had indeed happened in the central camp, it wouldn¡¯t be something Wu Chuanzong could easily uncover. Qin Sang patted his shoulder and reassured him, "It¡¯s not your fault. Go get some rest. I¡¯ll go see Deputy Commander Feng."


    As Qin Sang walked through the military camp, watching squad after squad of soldiers, he felt a growing sense of unease and hesitation.


    Since he hadn¡¯t received any message from themanderydy, it likely wasn¡¯t a problem in the rear.


    However, if a mutiny had urred in the central army camp, the danger would still be significant.


    Although Qin Sang considered himself no longer an ordinary person, if faced with hundreds of powerful crossbows, he would have no choice but to close his eyes and ept a grim fate.


    As he approached the central camp, Qin Sang hesitated for a moment. He quietly summoned King Yan, covering him with a thread of spiritual consciousness, and sent him to scout inside the camp.


    King Yan silently moved through the camp, which wasn¡¯t as filled with hidden threats as Qin Sang had imagined. He then guided King Yan towards Deputy Commander Feng¡¯s tent.


    Seeing that there were no ambushes or hidden dangers in the tent, Qin Sang finally felt reassured.


    By now, he had reached the entrance of the central camp. He presented his waist token, but despite his status as a staff general, he still had to wait for approval from Deputy Commander Feng before being allowed entry.


    "Greetings, General Feng!"


    Qin Sang saluted as he spotted Deputy Commander Feng approaching from a distance.


    "Brother Qin!"


    Deputy Commander Feng quickly walked over, grasping Qin Sang¡¯s arm with a sense of urgency. "You¡¯re finally back. Come with me, quickly!"


    The two of them walked arm in arm into Deputy Commander Feng¡¯s tent. After cautiously ncing outside, Deputy Commander Feng leaned in and whispered a shocking piece of news, "The militarymander has suddenly fallen gravely ill and is now in aa. His condition is critical, and he might notst a few more days!"


    Qin Sang let out a surprised exmation, clearly taken aback. The Might Regiment had two militarymanders, with Wang Liu being the rightmander. However, the leftmander was the true leader of the military, well-versed in strategy, disciplined, and strictly enforcing militaryw.


    The left militarymander was a close confidant of the Dongyang King, loyal only to him. In his presence, everyone was expected to focus solely on military affairs. He remained neutral in the covert power struggles between the eldest prince and themanderydy.


    With his control, Wang Liu had been unable to act recklessly or use deceitful tactics against Qin Sang.


    Qin Sang pulled out the military order he had received. "I just received this letter yesterday. Who is using themander¡¯s seal?"


    Deputy Commander Feng replied with a furious expression, "Before the militarymander fell unconscious, he entrusted military affairs to Wang Liu, including themander''s seal and the tiger tally[1]¡­ all of it!"


    Qin Sang fell silent.


    The situation was now quite clear. It was only a matter of time before the Dongyang King ascended to the throne. Already, there were discussions in the small court about the position of the heir.


    Other than the eldest prince, no one couldpete for the position of the heir, except for the forces backing themanderydy.


    However, since the founding of the Great Sui, there had never been a precedent for a woman taking charge. The stance of those backing themanderydy was predictable.


    Back in Hening County, ck Crane Sage had secretly allied with the eldest prince.


    As the left militarymandery on his deathbed, entrusting military power to Wang Liu to curry favor with the eldest prince and secure a good future for his descendants was only natural.


    1. It was through the tiger tally that the Emperors of China would authorize and delegate the power to his generals tomand and dispatch an army.? ording to Chinese tradition, the tiger was a symbol of valor; therefore, a tiger-shaped tally symbolized the expectation that an imperialmand should bepleted as promptly and as courageously as a tiger with the authorization of the emperor. ?

 Chapter 42: Death By Losing Yang Qi

    "Wang Liu dares to disregard everyone¡¯s opinions and arbitrarily change the military strategy decided by the generals?"


    If they could find the ancient path and capture Raven''s Mouth, taking all seven cities in a row, it would be a significant achievement. With such a merit, Qin Sang could be promoted directly to militarymander, and no one would dare to question it.


    Qin Sang knew that Wang Liu disliked him and definitely didn¡¯t want him to earn any credit.


    "It¡¯s not entirely without reason." Deputy Commander Feng sighed. "A few days ago, a soldier captured a local herb gatherer in the mountains. The medicine gatherer imed that there was a massive earthquake deep within Guling Mountain a few days ago, shaking the entire range and causing all the animals to flee. The tremorssted for most of the day, and this became Wang Liu¡¯s excuse. Wang Liu dered that even if there was an ancient path in Guling Mountain, it must have been buried under the rubble, making it useless and only dying military operations."


    "Was it an earthquake?" Qin Sang frowned, realizing that he had only just entered Guling Mountain and wasn¡¯t aware of this event.


    "No, not exactly..."


    Deputy Commander Feng¡¯s tone became somewhat peculiar. "The herb gatherer swore that he saw two immortals flying overhead, iming that it was their battle that caused the earthquake in Guling Mountain."


    "Did he really see immortals?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up.Deputy Commander Feng sneered. "Brother Qin, don¡¯t listen to that herb gatherer¡¯s nonsense. My wife¡¯s family is from the nearby area, and there have never been any legends of immortals in Guling Mountain. This herb gatherer had a fewpanions, but they all perished at the mouths of tigers and wolves, leaving him as the sole survivor. He escaped with a terrified expression, likely driven mad by fear. Wang Liu isn¡¯t stupid; he might be using this tale to target us."


    Qin Sang didn¡¯tment but instead pondered for a moment. "Can I meet this herb gatherer?"


    Deputy Commander Feng misunderstood his intent. "You want to use him as a breakthrough point? He¡¯s currently being held by Wang Liu¡¯s men, so it might be difficult..."


    Before he could finish speaking, footsteps approached from outside. Someone called out, "General Feng, is General Qin back? I am here on orders from the militarymander to request General Qin¡¯s presence in the central tent for a meeting."


    Qin Sang exchanged a nce with Deputy Commander Feng, realizing that Wang Liu couldn¡¯t wait any longer.


    Following Wang Liu¡¯s personal guards, Qin Sang entered the central tent. As he stepped inside, the first thing he heard was a burst of coquettishughter. Looking up, he saw Wang Liu seated behind themander¡¯s desk, with a woman in each arm.


    Wang Liu, in a debauched state, had his hands wandering in unknown ces. Two beautiful maids clung to him, one pouring wine, the other feeding him, and he was enjoying himself immensely.


    "Greetings, Commander."


    Qin Sang cupped his fist in salute. Wang Liu acted as though he hadn¡¯t heard anything, continuing to y with the maids, his lewd words unfit for ears.


    Qin Sang stood silently in ce, his expression unchanged, showing neither joy nor sorrow.


    "Oh! It¡¯s General Qin!"


    After letting Qin Sang stand for a while, Wang Liu finally pretended to notice him, feigning surprise with a mocking tone. "General Qin, you¡¯re truly exceptional, bing a staff general before the age of twenty. You should all befriend him well. If any of you could be sworn siblings, like brother and sister or husband and wife, you¡¯d soar to great heights and no longer have to serve me! Don¡¯t you agree, General Qin?"


    The two women giggled and yfully refused.


    These women had a heavy air of vulgarity about them, and Wang Liu¡¯s suggestion of bing sworn siblings was clearly intended as an insult to Qin Sang.


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained as calm as a stillke. "Commander, you must be joking. I wouldn¡¯t dare."


    "Wouldn¡¯t dare? Why not?"


    Wang Liu smirked. "If General Qin aplishes another great feat, like the one in Hening County, I¡¯d have to step down and let you take my ce. What would you have to fear then? But what a shame, what a shame! Those damned immortals, who usually stay hidden, had toe out and fight right when you were about to achieve something great. Isn¡¯t that just disappointing? Haha..."


    Qin Sang maintained a passive stance, letting the mockery wash over him. After a while, Wang Liu grew bored of taunting him and his expression changed to one of severity. "Do not mention the ancient path again. Stop wasting the military¡¯s time with such nonsense! I¡¯m ordering you now to go to Guling Pass and gather intelligence. If you dy the military¡¯s operations, you will be executed without mercy!" ?


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes flickered. Guling Pass was heavily fortified and well-defended, with everything in the surrounding area cleared of resources. Trying to gather intelligence there would be as good as a death sentence.


    "Yes sir!"


    Qin Sang epted the order, then exited the tent, casting a deep look back as he left.


    After walking around the camp a few times, Qin Sang returned to his own tent. He whispered a few instructions to Water Monkey, who nodded and left. Qin Sang then sat quietly in his tent, lost in thought for a while before calming his mind to cultivate the<em> Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    The entire day passed, and as the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, dusk settled in.


    Water Monkey hurried back to the tent, holding a small note in his hand. In a low voice, he said, "General Qin, Zheng Kun has sent a message. Three days ago, there was indeed a tremor in Guling Mountain, but they didn¡¯t find anyone who saw the immortals. Additionally, a team of scouts has discovered a location that might be the ancient path. Zhang Wenkui is personally going to investigate it."


    Qin Sang took the note, nced at it, then burned it to ashes over the candle. He waved his hand and said, "I got it. You may go."


    Late at night.


    Outside the tent, only the sound of patrolling soldiers'' footsteps could be heard. Qin Sang paused his cultivation. The firelight from outside flickered into the tent, and Qin Sang''s eyes shone brightly.


    Qin Sang took out the Yan Luo Banner, attaching his spiritual consciousness to King Yan. With his eyes half-closed, hemanded King Yan to sneak into Wang Liu¡¯s tent, as if his own eyes were on King Yan. This sensation was extraordinary.


    The central camp wasn¡¯trge, so it was easy to locate Wang Liu¡¯s tent. The guards outside never imagined that an evil spirit would sneak into the tent right under their noses.


    When Qin Sang saw the scene inside the tent, his brow furrowed deeply.


    There were three people in the tent now, but the two vulgar women from earlier in the day were gone, reced by a young girl and a young woman. The girl was tied up, her face full of terror and even despair.


    Wang Liu held a wine cup, leering as he forced her to drink.


    The girl, with a fiery temperament, shook her head and refused to drink, biting her lip so hard that it bled. She was forced to swallow two sips of wine, but then she spat it all over Wang Liu, who pped her twice, hard.


    "You little bitch! You refuse a toast, so now you¡¯ll drink in punishment!"


    Wang Liu flew into a rage, while the young woman clung to him like a snake, her voice seductive, "General, please calm down. The girl is young and ignorant; if she¡¯s upset you, let me soothe your anger first..."


    Wang Liu took arge gulp of medicinal wine, squeezed the woman¡¯s chest hard, and sneered. "You know how to please me. Serve me well, and once I¡¯ve imed my merits, I¡¯ll release your dead husband so you can be reunited. Haha..."


    The young woman repeatedly agreed, taking the initiative to please him, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.


    Qin Sang watched coldly; he recognized the woman¡¯s identity.


    Some time ago, before the Might Regiment captured the small town near Guling Mountain, the county magistrate had been captured but refused to surrender. Wang Liu had him tied behind a horse and dragged to death. The young woman was the county magistrate¡¯s wife.


    In an instant, Wang Liu let out a muffled grunt, trembling. At that moment, King Yan seized the opportunity to strike.


    ¡­


    At midnight, the Might Regiment¡¯s camp was brightly lit with torches as the generals gathered in front of themand tent, including Qin Sang.


    Wang Liu''s body was covered with a white cloth, and his personal guards knelt on the ground, trembling with fear. Some of them were so frightened that they had wet their pants.

 Chapter 43: Traces of Immortals on Guling Mountain

    In just two days, one of themanders had fallen ill, while the other had died. The remaining generals were extremely solemn, and the atmosphere was heavy with tension.


    However, when their gazes swept over Wang Liu''s corpse, a faint, peculiar smile appeared on the corners of their mouths. The stories of death by sexual overindulgence were well-known, but this was the first time they had witnessed it firsthand.


    No one doubted the cause of Wang Liu''s death. His notorious lust and indulgence were obvious to everyone.


    "General Feng, with the Might Regiment now under yourmand, how should we handle this situation? We look to you for guidance!"


    The other deputymanders were far less experienced and esteemed than Deputy Commander Feng.


    All the generals echoed in agreement, and Qin Sang joined in as well.


    Deputy Commander Feng quickly waved his hand. "Ick the skill and knowledge to take charge¡­ In my opinion, we should report this to the militarymander and let him decide."


    The militarymander had been unconscious for some time. Qin Sang followed the other generals into themander''s tent, and when he saw the militarymander¡¯s sunken eyes and sallowplexion, he was startled.


    The illness had truly struck with overwhelming force.They ordered the army physician to wake the militarymander. Deputy Commander Feng leaned in to briefly exin the situation. The militarymander¡¯s lifeless eyes suddenly widened, his face flushed with a sickly redness, and he began to cough violently, his lips trembling.


    From the shape of his mouth, it seemed he was trying to say the word "useless."


    In front of everyone, the militarymander struggled to hand over themander''s seal to Deputy Commander Feng before losing consciousness.


    By the time they had discussed how to handle Wang Liu''s funeral arrangements, dawn had arrived.


    When Qin Sang returned to his tent, he found Wu Chuanzong waiting inside.


    "Sir," Wu Chuanzong hesitated before speaking, "how should we handle General Wang''s funeral? I heard that the two women in the tent are to be executed?"


    It seemed that Wang Liu''s disgraceful deeds had spread through the camp overnight, even reaching Wu Chuanzong.


    Qin Sang wasn¡¯t surprised. Wang Liu¡¯s arrogance had earned him many enemies who were more than happy to spread the news.


    "Don¡¯t speak carelessly after you leave," Qin Sang saidzily as he leaned back on his bear-skin chair. "General Feng has already issued a gag order. General Wang died from the stress of military duties, working tirelessly day and night. Naturally, those present inside and outside the tent at the time must die¡­ Hmm?"


    Qin Sang suddenly sat up straight. "Have you taken a liking to one of them?"


    Wu Chuanzong¡¯s face turned bright red, and he quickly waved his hands. "No, no¡­ Sir, you misunderstood. I just heard that those two women were victims of General Wang¡¯s cruelty. Back in Hening County, if it hadn¡¯t been for you, my siblings and I would have either starved to death or been killed by marauding soldiers. I remember praying every day for heaven¡¯s mercy, and then you appeared. I think those women must be feeling the same way I did back then¡­"


    Qin Sang let out a thoughtful "oh." Wu Chuanzong had been by his side for some time, always adhering to his principles, and Qin Sang had never interfered.


    "The wife of the county magistrate hanged herself in prison after learning the truthst night. The girl is still alive. I¡¯ll go speak with General Feng soon and arrange for you to handle the aftermath. Make sure it''s done cleanly."


    "Understood!"


    ¡­


    Guling Mountain, an ancient path thousands of years old.


    Before a new militarymander could be appointed, Deputy Commander Feng temporarily took charge of the Might Regiment.


    With Wang Liu no longer in the way and the scouts providing confirmed intelligence on the location of the ancient path, Deputy Commander Feng immediately deployed half of his forces to Guling Pass tounch a feigned attack, diverting the enemy¡¯s attention. Meanwhile, Qin Sang led the First, Eighth, and Logistics Regiments to clear the ancient path.


    Qin Sang stood on the mountaintop at the entrance of the ancient path, looking out at the seemingly endless mountain ranges ahead.


    Despite the overgrown vegetation, upon closer inspection, one could still make out traces of man-made chiseling on the cliffs.


    It was hard to imagine how such a treacherous military road had been carved out of these steep mountains by sheer human effort.


    "Do you remember where it is?"


    Qin Sang turned to the herb gatherer beside him.


    This herb gatherer was the one who had encountered an immortal on Guling Mountain and waster captured by Wang Liu. Wang Liu had kept him alive to silence others, and he had narrowly survived.


    After finding the herb gatherer, Qin Sang had conversed with him several times. He didn¡¯t seem like a madman, but he had been scared witless by the ferocious soldiers.


    The herb gatherer, trembling, pointed deep into the ancient path. "I remember now, it''s right over there."


    Following the direction indicated by the herb gatherer''s finger, Qin Sang''s expression suddenly darkened. He coldly reprimanded, "How dare you lie to me! How could a few herb gatherers have ventured this far?"


    "I wouldn''t dare, I wouldn''t dare..."


    The herb gatherer''s legs were shaking so badly that he nearly lost his bnce. "I-I entered the mountain from over there. There''s a beast trail w-where you can ride a donkey. Later, the wolves got them, and I-I got scared a-and lost my way..."


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression softened slightly. He nodded and ordered his men, "Down the mountain, clear the path!"


    Even with the manpower from three regiments, clearing the path was no easy task. Some trees within the ancient path had grown so thick that it took several men to wrap their arms around them. These couldn''t be cut down and had to be circumvented by carving out a new passage.


    Fortunately, their objective was a surprise attack, and since the Raven''s Mouth had arge warehouse guarded by enemy troops, they hadn¡¯t brought much in the way of supplies and rations. The army was traveling light and fast, so even narrow paths could be managed.


    Once the soldiers got the hang of it, they spread out, and their pace quickened. Within half a day, they had already advanced a considerable distance. At this rate, it wouldn¡¯t take long to clear the ancient pathpletely.


    After toiling for most of the day, Qin Sang finally finished organizing the men and was about to take the herb gatherer into the mountains to search when amotion erupted ahead. A messenger hurried over, reporting, "General, there''s been andslide up ahead, blocking the ancient path."


    "Andslide?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression shifted slightly. If the path was impassable, it could jeopardize more than just the timing of their attack.


    "What exactly happened? How severe is it?"


    The soldier hesitated before answering, "A section of the cliff broke off and crashed down. It looks a-as i-if it was sliced clean with a de."


    The soldier¡¯s face was filled with disbelief.


    Upon hearing this, Qin Sang''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He quickly ordered, "Take me there at once."


    The soldiers at the front had already ventured deep into the mountains. After passing through two peaks, Qin Sang finally saw the copsed section of the cliff. As the soldier had described, arge portion of the rock had broken away, and the break was smooth as ss, as if it had indeed been cut by a de.


    The fallen rocks hadpletely blocked the ancient path, leaving it impassable.


    "Send word for the Logistics Regiment to bring up the equipment and clear the path!"


    Qin Sang gave the order absentmindedly, then looked around before impatiently using his movement art[1] to scale the highest peak nearby.


    The herb gatherer had said that the immortals he saw had flown in this direction!


    Could it be that immortal cultivators had actually fought here in Guling Mountain?


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart raced with anticipation as he swiftly ascended to the mountaintop.


    The peak had copsed, rocks shattered, ancient trees snapped, and the vegetation was ttened.


    In addition to this, there were scorch marks, and even more astonishingly, in some of the shadowed areas, remnants of ice crystals clung to the nts. It was as if this area had experienced all four seasons in a single night.


    This scene instantly reminded Qin Sang of the banks of the Chenshui River, filling him with a mix of surprise and excitement.


    1. motion or movement of one''s martial art. ?

 Chapter 44: The Decision

    Before long, Qin Sang¡¯s face fell into deep disappointment as he sighed softly.


    He rushed down the mountain and, unable to contain his impatience, scoured the chaotic battlefield for a long time. Besides finding two strips of cloth hanging from tree branches, he did not see a single soul, not even a body.


    The battlefield appeared to be confined within a few hundred zhang in radius. Unwilling to give up, Qin Sang widened his search but found no further traces.


    Holding the two pieces of high-quality blue fabric, he gazed thoughtfully at the valley below, which had been severely altered.


    The peaks on either side of the valley had copsed, filling it with rubble, and a small river that once flowed through the valley was now blocked, forming a smallke upstream. <em>Can someone be trapped under the debris in the valley?</em>


    With so much rubble, it was impossible for him to clear it alone. Qin Sang hesitated for a moment before returning to the ancient path and ordering a battalion of soldiers toe and dig.


    Though the valley was not on the ancient path, no one dared defy Qin Sang¡¯s orders. They immediately began working enthusiastically.


    Impatient, Qin Sang also stepped in to help.


    The valley was small, but the umtion of earth and rocks was deep. Qin Sang could not help but worry that even if someone was buried beneath, they might have been crushed into a pulp. He hoped that the materials had not been damaged.Asyers of earth and rock were removed, the sky darkened. Qin Sang, anxious and impatient, ordered the preparation of meals and continued working through the night.


    Some soldiers grumbled, but he pretended not to hear. Torches illuminated the valley, and they workedte into the night until they finally reached the bottom.


    The finalyer of earth and rock had turned into mud from water soaking through it. Baskets of mud were hauled away, and Qin Sang was almost covered in muck himself.


    At that moment, a sudden cry came from ahead. Qin Sang''s heart skipped a beat. He looked up to hear the soldiers ahead shouting, "General Qin, there¡¯s someone down there!"


    Qin Sang was overjoyed and quickly shouted, "Don¡¯t touch him!"


    Several men leaped forward, and Qin Sang discovered that an underground river had been unearthed.


    The terrain here was peculiar; the base of a massive cyan stone on the riverbank had been hollowed out by the river, forming a natural barrier. A fewrge stones had fallen and blocked the gap, so the underground river was not obstructed, and the water still flowed gently.


    The persony motionless in the water.


    He was dressed in dark cyan clothing, and Qin Sangpared the fabric with the one he had taken from this person. It was indeed the same.


    Qin Sang crouched down to examine him. As he was about to determine whether the person was alive or dead, he heard another call from behind, "We found another one!"


    Then Zhang Wenkui shouted, "General Qin, this person is dead. His head has been crushed by rocks."


    <em>Another case of mutual destruction?</em>


    Qin Sang thought to himself that the world of immortal cultivation was indeed a strange ce; it seemed that death often came in pairs. However, for him, this was undoubtedly a stroke of good fortune.


    Qin Sang immediately ordered all soldiers to leave the valley.


    The firelight illuminated the mountains, and distant wolves howled while night owls screeched, creating an eerie atmosphere. Yet, Qin Sang¡¯s heart was aze with excitement.


    He reached into the stream, grasped the arm of the person, and was about to pull him out when his expression changed slightly.


    Half of the person¡¯s body was submerged in the water, and he was icy cold, indistinguishable from a corpse. However, the moment Qin Sang held his arm, he detected a faint pulse!


    <em>He is still alive!</em>


    For a moment, Qin Sang did not know whether to feel joy or anxiety. His face showed a mixture of emotions as he hesitated before deciding to carefully pull the person from the water.


    The youth, who had been submerged for an extended period, had a paleplexion, and his lips were white.


    He appeared older than the Song boy, around twenty years old, with a rugged face and sharp features. His vital signs were extremely weak, with a pulse and breathing so faint they were barely perceptible. His injuries were likely severe, and he remained unconscious even after being dragged out by Qin Sang.


    But an immortal cultivator was not the same as an ordinary person; this individual might still be salvageable.


    Qin Sang stared at the youth, torn between conflicting thoughts. He was inclined to save him.


    Seeking immortality, he had gone through so much, dealing with ordinary people, all for the sake of finding an immortal. Now that he had finally encountered an immortal cultivator, was it worth wasting time with mortals?


    Although killing him might allow King Yan to extract his soul for interrogation, the soul¡¯s existence was too brief to fully understand the world of immortal cultivation.


    Yet, Qin Sang could not shake the thought of the ck-d demon who had consumed human blood. <em>What if this person is also a demon? Or, if he is a righteous cultivator but discovered that I practiced demonic arts, would he eradicate me himself?</em>


    Qin Sang was truly at a crossroads, unable to make a decision.


    Unexpectedly, as Qin Sang wrestled with his thoughts, the youth suddenly opened his eyes without warning. His narrow, sharp gaze shed like drawn swords, piercing directly into Qin Sang¡¯s eyes with a fierce intensity.


    Taken aback by the youth¡¯s sudden awakening, Qin Sang felt as if his deepest thoughts were beingid bare. Startled, he quickly suppressed his intentions, making a swift decision. He lowered his head and repeatedly said, "Qin Sang greets the immortal master! I wish the immortal master good health!"


    At the same time, his heart raced with unease, and he remained on high alert.


    The youth stared at Qin Sang for a moment. The ferocity in his eyes softened slightly as he nced around and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you a general from the mortal world?"


    The youth¡¯s injuries were indeed severe, and his voice was barely audible, but Qin Sang heard him clearly and nodded, "I am a staff general of the Might Regiment."


    "The Might Regiment?"


    A flicker of confusion passed through the youth¡¯s eyes, but he did not delve further. Instead, he asked, "If you are a general, why have you brought troops to Guling Mountain?"


    Qin Sang hesitated. The surprise attack at Raven''s Mouth was a military secret. Revealing it could jeopardize the entire campaign and undermine the significant achievements.


    However, considering that the youth was an immortal cultivator, Qin Sang thought that pleasing him might be more beneficial than continuing to seek out the Holy Mountain Zhao. The oue of the Dongyang King¡¯s victory or defeat was irrelevant. He decided to disclose everything.


    "I see¡­"


    The youth nodded and strained to look around. "There should be another person nearby¡­"


    Qin Sang quickly stood up and brought over the other corpse. It was in a dreadful state, with its neck crushed by a massive rock, leaving only a headless body.


    "Please ept my condolences, immortal master. Yourpanion has unfortunately met with disaster."


    The youth sneered coldly. "How can I, Han, bepanions with a demon? This person was a practitioner of demonic arts,mitting many evil deeds. I happened to encounter him and killed him. However, his magical artifacts were peculiar, and I almost fell victim myself¡­"


    As he spoke, the youth was suddenly overtaken by a violent coughing fit. He struggled to lift his hand to cover his chest, his face contorted in pain. "Search his body¡­ See if there is a palm-sized pouch¡­"


    <em>Is this youth surnamed Han truly a righteous person who despises evil?</em>


    Qin Sang suppressed his unease and dared not show any signs of hesitation.


    He carefully searched the corpse¡¯s waist and indeed found a small pouch. When he examined it, it was about the same size as a colorful brocade pouch but was made of in gray fabric, inconspicuous and dull.

 Chapter 45: The Ice Silkworm Armor

    "Give it to me..."


    The youth with the surname Han reached out and took the pouch, holding it in his hand as he closed his eyes slightly.


    At that moment, Qin Sang suddenly sensed a strange fluctuation emanating from the youth''s body. The sensation was familiar, containing both spiritual power and spiritual consciousness!


    A sh of light appeared at the pouch¡¯s opening, and then, seemingly out of nowhere, a jade bottle materialized in the youth¡¯s hand.


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment.


    <em>It is indeed a storage pouch!</em>


    Yet he was deeply puzzled. <em>The youth¡¯s actions appeared simple enough, so why couldn''t I open the colorful brocade pouch himself?</em>


    Inside the jade bottle were several transparent pills.


    The youth opened his eyes, nced at the bottle, and with a look of relief, said, "Water Dew Pills... Fortunately! Fortunately!"With that, he uncorked the jade bottle, poured out all the pills, and swallowed them in one go.


    As the bottle opened, a strange fragrance wafted into Qin Sang''s nostrils. In that instant, Qin Sang felt a surge of rity, as if his entire body had be lighter.


    After consuming the Water Dew Pills, a flush of color suddenly appeared on the youth¡¯s face, and his breathing quickly became steadier and stronger. The youth, who had previously been unable to move, even managed to sit up.


    A miraculous medicine of the immortals!


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes were wide with amazement as he fixated on the jade bottle and storage pouch, a strong desire gnawing at him.


    The youth noticed Qin Sang¡¯s expression and chuckled. "Don¡¯t bother staring. This is a mustard seed pouch, which requires spiritual consciousness to open. You use the Object Maniption Technique to retrieve and store items. Even if I gave it to you, a mere mortal general like you wouldn¡¯t be able to use it."


    The youth exhaled deeply and, with great difficulty, stood up. After surveying his surroundings, he suddenly said, "General Qin, I owe you my life. I must repay this debt. Tell me, what do you desire? Gold and silver, a beautiful wife, or wealth and power? I can help you obtain any of these."


    Upon hearing this, Qin Sang did not hesitate. With a thud, he knelt down and said, "Qin Sang wants nothing but to be taken as a disciple by Immortal Master Han and to be taught the ways of immortality!"


    "Heh¡­"


    The youth surnamed Han chuckled lightly, seemingly unsurprised. He gave Qin Sang a peculiar look and asked, "Since you''re heading north, does that mean your lord is the Dongyang King?"


    <em>He knows about the Dongyang King as well?</em>


    Qin Sang was puzzled but responded affirmatively.


    The youth nodded, then said, "The path to immortality is not easy, and not everyone can cultivate it¡­ Since you are a great general under the Dongyang King, we will meet again soon. You should think carefully. By the way¡­"


    Before Qin Sang could argue, the youth bent down and removed a garment from the corpse.


    This garment emitted a faint icy blue glow. It appeared to be an undergarment, like thermal wear, made from thin, transparent threads. It was incredibly light and felt unusually soft in the youth¡¯s hands.


    "You lead troops into battle, and it¡¯s inevitable that you may get struck by stray arrows. If anything happens to you, I would have failed to repay my debt. This garment is an artifact made from Ice Silkworm''s silk, a protective inner armor as light as air, which even mortals can wear to shield themselves. Ordinary weapons cannot pierce it. General Qin, think it over carefully, and we shall meet again at Holy Mountain Zhao!"


    After saying this, the youth flicked his wrist, releasing a green light. His face instantly turned pale as he coughed violently.


    A verdant green gourd appeared, growingrger in the wind. The youth, now appearing extremely weak, shakily mounted the gourd. He nodded to Qin Sang, and the gourd shot into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving only a distant green light trailing like a shooting star.


    Qin Sang gripped the Ice Silkworm Armor, feeling its coldness seep into his palm.


    As he watched the youth fly away, Qin Sang¡¯s expression shifted. It seemed that the youth¡¯s identity was closely tied to the immortal master who passed on the imperial seal at Holy Mountain Zhao.


    He had wanted to inquire about the Object Maniption Technique and why not everyone could cultivate immortality, but the youth left so abruptly that he had no choice but to wait for another opportunity.


    Qin Sang could vaguely guess that the youth¡¯s hasty departure was likely due to his injuries. The Water Dew Pills only temporarily suppressed his wounds, and his spiritual power was almost entirely depleted, leaving him barely able to control the gourd artifact.


    If Qin Sang had insisted on attacking, it wouldn¡¯t have been difficult to kill him. But since things had alreadye to this, there was no need for regret. The Ice Silkworm Armor and the youth¡¯s promise were already significant gains.


    <em>I have finallye into contact with an immortal cultivator!</em>


    Despite his excitement, one thing troubled Qin Sang. The youth seemed to be the type who could not tolerate even the slightest injustice. Encountering a demonic cultivator, he had not hesitated to risk his life to kill him.


    Lost in thought, Qin Sang stood there for a while before snapping back to reality. He scanned his surroundings.


    The situation had unfolded so suddenly that Qin Sang hadn¡¯t had a chance to dismiss the soldiers. They had witnessed everything that had just transpired, and now, they were all subtly ncing at Qin Sang, their eyes full of various meanings.


    Qin Sang let out a cold snort and shot them a frosty re, causing the soldiers to quickly lower their heads.


    "Everyone, return to the camp and rest. Tomorrow morning, we will continue clearing the path. Capturing Raven''s Mouth will earn you a great merit, and I¡¯ll ensure promotions and wealth for you all. As for what happened today, keep it to yourselves¡ªanyone who dares to leak it will lose their head!"


    "Understood!"


    ¡­


    Returning to the camp, Qin Sang noticed that all the soldiers were looking at him with a strange expression. He sighed inwardly, realizing that with so many witnesses, it would be unrealistic to keep this a secret.


    Even those who had been with him for a long time, like Water Monkey, Wu Chuanzong, and others, seemed hesitant to speak, as if they had something on their minds.


    Qin Sang sat in his tent, pondering for a while, then instructed Water Monkey to gather Zhang Wenkui, Wu Chuanzong, and the others in the tent.


    "You¡¯ve been by my side for years, and it¡¯s time you started taking charge," Qin Sang said bluntly. Seeing their uneasy and hesitant expressions, he smiled lightly and softened his tone, "My aspiration to seek immortality has never changed. I don¡¯t care at all for worldly riches and honors, as Old Zhou knows well. If I had no opportunity, I¡¯d ept it. But now that I¡¯ve had the fortune to encounter a chance at immortality, I¡¯m absolutely not going to give it up."


    Water Monkey, Zhou Ning, nodded. When they first met Qin Sang, Bai Jiann had already noticed Qin Sang¡¯s aspirations, and it was surprising that he still hadn¡¯t changed.


    Wu Chuanzong, excited, asked, "Sir, did the immortal master agree to take you in?"


    Qin Sang nodded. "In a way. If I leave, and since Big Brother Bai is unwilling to take up an important position, you will have no one to rely on and will have to fend for yourselves. I¡¯ll stay for a while longer and do my best to pave the way for you. After we capture Raven''s Mouth, the report will highlight your contributions, andbined with your previous military achievements, it should help you secure good positions. After I¡¯m gone, whether you rise to power or fade into obscurity will depend entirely on your own abilities."


    Hearing this, the group of officers became excited. "Thank you, General, for your care!"


    After sending the officers away, Qin Sang closed his tent and took out the Ice Silkworm Armor.


    The youth had said that the Ice Silkworm Armor was an artifact, so Qin Sang tried to use it the same way he controlled the Purple Soul Bell.


    The Ice Silkworm Armor automatically floated out of Qin Sang¡¯s hand, expanding and shrinking in mid-air before finally fitting onto his body and then disappearing from sight.

 Chapter 46: Great Victory, Summoning, and Ambush

    Qin Sang, fully immersed in his y, summoned the Ice Silkworm Armor. Drawing a sharp sword from the side, he thrust it forward with all his might.


    Unexpectedly, the sword''s tip barely touched the armor before it automatically slid off to the side. This happened several times in a row, and not a single mark was left on the armor.


    <em>What a treasure indeed!</em>


    Qin Sang thought, unable to put it down. He studied it for a long time and discovered that when he wore the Ice Silkworm Armor and infused it with spiritual power, a thinyer of frost-like mist would appear around his body, enveloping himpletely. This mist seemed to enhance the armor¡¯s defensive capabilities.


    Moreover, the spiritual power consumption of this Ice Silkworm Armor was far less terrifying than that of the Purple Soul Bell. Qin Sang could sustain it for a long time.


    This made Qin Sang extremely happy. With this armor, even if he encountered an innate stage expert like Saint Yuanjue in the future, he wouldn¡¯t have to fear being caught off guard.


    ¡­


    "General, a person iming to be a messenger from themanderydy has brought a secret letter and requested a meeting with you!"


    Qin Sang was in the middle of his cultivation when he was startled awake by the soldier outside the door. Frowning slightly, he pushed the door open and stepped outside.The morning sun had just risen, casting a dazzling glow at the end of the Lingshui River. The air in Raven''s Mouth was filled with the lingering scent of something burnt.


    After encountering the youth surnamed Han, it took another ten days before they cleared the ancient path. To their surprise, they found the defenses at Raven''s Mouth remarkably weak. Sensing the opportunity, Qin Sang only took a brief rest before leading his three regiments to storm Raven''s Mouth.


    The defenders at Raven''s Mouth never expected the enemy to appear from behind. In their panic, they put up a brief resistance before surrendering entirely.


    Unexpectedly, the fake emperor''s army reacted swiftly. Just three days after Qin Sang took control of Raven''s Mouth, they gathered their forces andunched a counterattack by boat. At that time, General Feng¡¯s main army had yet to arrive, leaving Qin Sang with no choice but to hold out for several days before burning all the grain stores and retreating into the mountains.


    Despite this, the final oue wasn¡¯t affected. The defenders of Guling Pass, now cut off from their supplies and with their rear path severed, soon faced internal rebellion. A high-ranking general willingly acted as an insider and opened the city gates to surrender.


    With the situation now under control, Qin Sang and General Feng merged their forces, rounding up the remnants of the fake emperor''s troops and stabilizing the region. Theirbined strength was now even greater than that of the Might and Brave Regimentsbined.


    The news of their victory had been sent back half a month ago, but Qin Sang wasn¡¯t sure why themanderydy had sent someone with a secret letter.


    When he met the messenger, Qin Sang took the secret letter and read it carefully, pondering over it for a long time.


    The letter stated that upon hearing of the great victory, the Dongyang King was overjoyed.


    The Might Regiment would be renamed the Victorious Regiment, with Deputy Commander Feng promoted to Left Military Commander of the Victorious Regiment, while Qin Sang was promoted to Right Military Commander of the Brave Regiment, recing the previous Military Commander Mu. The meritorious officials mentioned in the victory report would also receive substantial rewards.


    Moreover, the king highly valued Qin Sang. The eldest prince had spoken highly of him before the king, and the king intended to summon Qin Sang to Zhaoyang Commandery. Themanderydy advised him to go to Zhaoyang Commandery to meet the king before assuming his new position.


    Though the letter merely stated the facts, Qin Sang could sense a deeper, unspoken meaning.


    Would the eldest prince really be so kind as to speak well of him?


    Qin Sang sneered inwardly. News of his encounter with an immortal had already spread within the camp, with all sorts of rumors circting. However, the story about the immortal master gifting him a treasure was consistent across all ounts, detailed and believable. ??


    He didn''t believe the eldest prince wouldn¡¯t have spies within the Might Regiment.


    With the Ice Silkworm Armor protecting him, Qin Sang naturally wasn¡¯t afraid of any schemes the prince might have. If the prince dared to extend his ws, Qin Sang would cut them off and make him taste real pain!


    "Chuanzong, prepare the horses!"


    Qin Sang called upon Wu Chuanzong, Water Monkey, and other officers who would apany him to take up his post at the Brave Regiment. After bidding farewell to Military Commander Feng, he rode back to Pingshan Commandery first and then headed straight to Zhaoyang Commandery.


    The Dongyang King¡¯s pce was situated in Ming City, where Zhaoyang Commandery and Xitai Commandery bordered each other. Qin Sang rode non-stop, taking ten days to reach Ming City.


    However, upon entering Ming City, Qin Sang didn¡¯t rush to meet the king. Instead, he instructed Water Monkey to report to the Lady while he found a ce to stay, locking himself in for secluded cultivation.


    With no shortage of Soul Pills, he cultivated continuously until he finally felt the bottleneck of the fourth stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. Qin Sang was unsure how difficult this breakthrough would be, leaving him with some anxiety.


    To his surprise, this time Qin Sang didn¡¯t encounter much difficulty. It took only two days for him to sessfully break through the stage. The unpredictable nature of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> left Qin Sang puzzled.


    ¡­


    "Qin Sang pays respects to the King and the young prince."


    After sessfully breaking through, Qin Sang went to meet themanderydy, who then escorted him into the royal pce.


    The Dongyang King had not yet dered himself emperor, so he was still addressed as "King."


    "General Qin, I heard that you arrived in Ming City three days ago, yet you only came to see my father now. Did you encounter some trouble?" The eldest prince asked with a seemingly concerned tone.


    "Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Qin Sang replied calmly, "After receiving the summons, I rode day and night to get here as quickly as possible. I was covered in dust and in a rather disheveled state. I feared disturbing Your Majesty, so I took some time to clean up beforeing to pay my respects."


    The King, who appeared to be in his fifties with a small goatee and the face of a schr,ughed heartily upon hearing this. "I, too, am a rough man who fought battles on horseback. Do you think I¡¯d be frightened by you? Someone, quickly bring a seat and tea for General Qin. With General Qin¡¯s wisdom and bravery, repeatedly achieving remarkable feats, how could I not seed in my grand endeavor with his support?"


    Qin Sang bowed slightly. "Your humble servant dares not take credit! Whatever I have achieved is entirely due to the guidance and care of Your Majesty and themanderydy. I wouldn¡¯t dare to im any merit."


    After Qin Sang spoke, he noticed a brief sh of displeasure on the eldest prince''s face, but he pretended not to see it.


    The Dongyang King smiled and patted the small hand of the Dongyang Lady affectionately. "Anning certainly has a keen eye, but General Qin, you shouldn¡¯t underestimate yourself."


    "Indeed," the eldest prince suddenly interjected, "Even the immortal master holds General Qin in high regard, proving that General Qin is truly a rare talent! I heard that before the immortal master left, he bestowed a treasure upon General Qin. Might we have the honor of seeing it, so that my father and I can admire it?"


    <em>Here ites!</em>


    Sensing the greed in the eldest prince''s gaze, Qin Sang sneered inwardly.


    As long as his spiritual consciousness was linked with the Ice Silkworm Armor, he could retract it with just a thought. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to let them see it, but he couldn¡¯t simply hand it over the moment the eldest prince asked.


    Qin Sang nced at the Lady, only to see her lean closer to the Dongyang King, speaking in a delicate voice, "Father, every treasure you¡¯ve ever bestowed upon me, I¡¯ve cherished and handled with great care. I wouldn''t dare to bring them out lightly, for fear of damaging them and incurring your wrath. I¡¯ve heard that those immortal masters have strange tempers, quick to anger, and prone to violence. If they were to take offense and me us, wouldn¡¯t that be a great loss?"


    The Dongyang King hesitated for a moment before bursting intoughter. "Those things are yours to handle as you please since I gave them to you, Anning. They are merely worldly possessions, and I would never me you. But Anning is right. Since it was a gift from the immortal master to General Qin, you must take good care of it and not treat it lightly."


    "Understood!"


    After attending a banquet at the Dongyang King¡¯s pce, Qin Sangter went to the Lady¡¯s residence for a private discussion. The next day, he left the city, carrying the tiger tally and other items, and rode to the Brave Regiment in Guize Commandery to take up his new post.


    Riding swiftly throughout the day and traveling under the stars at night, Qin Sang was galloping through a forest when he suddenly heard a sharp whistle. He abruptly pulled on the reins and called out coldly, "Be careful, there are assassins!"

 Chapter 47: Breaking a Promise

    Before Qin Sang could finish speaking, dozens of hidden arrows shot out from the dense forest, all aimed directly at him.


    With one hand holding the reins, Qin Sang swiftly reached out with the other, effortlessly knocking down most of the arrows and catching a few in his grasp. The remaining arrows hit him but immediately fell to the ground, appearing quite strange.


    Then, with a sudden flick of his wrist, a few dull thuds sounded from within the forest, followed by startled cries.


    "Attack!"


    Qin Sang gave a light shout, and his figure instantly vanished from his horse. Water Monkey and the others also dismounted, rushing into the dense forest together. Wu Chuanzong and a few others with slightly weaker martial arts skills formed a defensive formation around the horses, using crossbows to counterattack.


    In the darkness, Qin Sang summoned his ice crystal armor, his movements swift as lightning, and ferocious like a tiger. King Yan had already been called out.


    Such mere hidden arrows posed no threat to him whatsoever.


    In an instant, more than a dozen assassins fell at Qin Sang''s hands. The remaining assassins, terrified, fled deeper into the forest. Their movements, of course, did not escape Qin Sang¡¯s keen hearing. He was about to pursue them when he suddenly sensed something, looking up toward the mountaintop.


    In the dim moonlight of the night, the mountaintop was shrouded in a thin mist. Just moments ago, a figure had shed through the mist. If not for Qin Sang¡¯s sharp eyes, he might have thought he was seeing things.The person spying from the mountaintop, sensing the situation turning unfavorable, attempted to flee. Qin Sang sneered and ordered King Yan to pursue the enemy, while he used his movement art to leap towards the mountaintop.


    As soon as he reached the mountaintop, he saw a man dressed in white lying lifeless on a rock. Qin Sang crouched down, flipping over the man¡¯s waist token¡ªit turned out to be someone he knew: White-Robed Schr, one of the four protectors of the Blood-d Tower!


    This man¡¯s martial arts skills were on par with Bai Jiann, yet he had died here without a sound.


    Qin Sang pondered quietly. White-Robed Schr¡¯s ambush was likely not orchestrated by the Dongyang King but more probably by the eldest prince, greedy for the treasure. However, if they dared to reach out, they should be prepared to have their hands chopped off.


    Water Monkey quietly made his way to the mountaintop. "General Qin, only one of our brothers was slightly injured. We¡¯ve captured two of the attackers alive and have them restrained."


    "Send a signal. We don¡¯t need any captives; kill them all!"


    Qin Sang picked up White-Robed Schr¡¯s body and descended the mountain, tossing it to Water Monkey. "You and Wen Kui take half of the men and return to Ming City quietly. Hand this body over to themanderydy without saying anything more."


    ¡­


    In the sixth winter sinceing to this world, Qin Sang, now holding the position of Left Military Commander of the Brave Regiment, walked into the imperial capital of the Great Sui for the first time.


    After threemanderies near the imperial capital fell in quick session, the defending generals surrendered without a fight. The Dongyang King, wielding the momentum of the entire nation, besieged the imperial capital. After three months of holding out, with supplies and food exhausted, the fake emperor refused to flee north and hanged himself in the pce, leading the defending generals to surrender.


    The Dongyang King did not enter the pce immediately but first went to the Holy Mountain Zhao to pay homage to thete emperor. His coronation was set for the first day of the new year, leaving less than two months for the generals and ministers to prepare for the Fengshan ceremony on the Holy Mountain Zhao. The matter of pacifying the rebel forces in the north seemed to be of little urgency to anyone.


    Qin Sang upied the residence of a former minister of the fake emperor¡¯s court, leaving only a small guard detail at the gate. Apart from Wu Chuanzong and a few others, he refused to see any visitors.


    Among the various military leaders, below the two chiefmanders[1], there were only a handful of left militarymanders like Qin Sang. The Brave Regiment, under hismand, had cooperated with the Victorious Regiment in Guize Commandery, earning distinguished battle achievements. Although their performance in the final assault on the imperial capital was somewhatckluster, it didn¡¯t affect Qin Sang''s status. Even if he wasn¡¯t granted the title of amandery king, a marquisate was almost certain. ??


    Despite being such a prominent figure, his peculiar temperament left many puzzled.


    Little did they know that after the battle at Raven¡¯s Mouth, Qin Sang had devoted much less energy to military affairs, focusing entirely on his cultivation. Sometimes, he would meditate for an entire day.


    It was only after the left militarymander of the Brave Regiment made a grave error that themanderydy personally came to the camp and forcibly assigned the position to Qin Sang.


    This exined why the Brave Regiment didn¡¯t shine in the subsequent battle for the imperial capital. However, because Qin Sang delegated his authority, Wu Chuanzong, Water Monkey, and others had ample opportunity to grow and were now capable of leading on their own.


    Qin Sang also reaped significant rewards, having just recently seeded in breaking through to the fifth stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    With the long-awaited Fengshan ceremony on Holy Mountain Zhao fast approaching, Qin Sang¡¯s anticipation grew. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of surprise that young man with the surname Han would eventually bring him.


    Before the New Year arrived, heavy snow fell for three days straight.


    However, this New Year was the most reassuring one the people of the Great Sui had experienced in recent years. What would have been considered a snow disaster in the past was now praised as an auspicious snow, heralding a bountiful year.


    The clouds dispersed, the snow ceased, and the sky cleared.


    Although it was still dark, the snow on the path up Holy Mountain Zhao had been thoroughly cleared overnight. Straw and ash were spread on the ground to prevent slipping. Qin Sang, along with Chief Commander Feng and Chief Commander Mu,ughed and chatted as they steadily climbed the mountain. Surrounding them were other military leaders and meritorious officials.


    At the front, the internal guards cleared the way, followed by the Dongyang King, then the eldest prince, themanderydy, and a few other princes.


    At the rear were the officials, guards, and the sacrificial offerings of jade, silk, and grains.


    Everyone ascended on foot, leaving the carriages at the foot of the mountain as a sign of respect.


    It took an hour and a half to reach the mountaintop, where they were greeted by the sight of the Sacred Pce. The generals, strong and vigorous, showed little fatigue, but among the officials, the weaker ones nearly fainted from exhaustion. The eldest prince was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, not faring as well as the Dongyang King, while the Dongyang Lady remained asposed as ever.


    The officials from the Ministry of Rites stood at the entrance of the Sacred Pce. Upon seeing the Dongyang King, they knelt and saluted. After a series of rituals, the pce master of the Sacred Pce presented a new dragon robe, and the Dongyang King entered to change into it. Meanwhile, the others busied themselves with the preparations.


    Countless offerings flowed into the Sacred Pce like a stream, while monks and Daoists chanted prayers. Qin Sang watched with amusement, feeling some of his anxiety dissipate.


    At noon, an official from the Ministry of Rites came forward holding a silk scroll. Those whose names were called could hardly conceal their excitement, though they tried to appearposed as they stepped into the Sacred Pce under countless envious and reverent gazes.


    When Qin Sang heard his name, he too walked in as if nothing were amiss.


    Inside the Sacred Pce,rge incense burners were lit, and countless offerings wereid out. In the center, jade tablets and books were disyed. The Dongyang King stood silently with his hands sped, his tightly clenched fists revealing his inner tension.


    In the end, only thirty-one people were qualified to enter the Sacred Pce!


    "The auspicious hour has arrived! The Holy Emperor shall be enfeoffed!"


    The pce master shouted, raising his arm high and striking an ancient bell. The melodious bell rang out, echoing across thend.


    The Dongyang King recited the sacrificial text in person.


    The bell rang a total of eighty-one times. Qin Sang grew impatient, thinking these immortal masters really knew how to put on a show.


    As the final bell echoed and faded away...


    <em>Gawk!</em>


    A loud, clear crane cry resounded across the sky, causing everyone to look up in shock.


    In the cloudless sky,yers of radiant clouds had somehow risen, their glow spreading rapidly until they covered the entire sky. Deep within this glow, a mysterious heavenly gate seemed to exist.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    A massive celestial crane broke through the radiant clouds, soaring through the sky. In an instant, it hovered above the Sacred Pce. With a snap of its beak, a jade seal, trailing streams of light, descended into the Dongyang King¡¯s hands.


    The celestial crane¡¯s figure gradually faded away.


    "Please invite the immortal to rest in the pce," the Dongyang Lady said, bowing towards the offering table after the celestial crane disappeared. Just as everyone was wondering who she was addressing, a figure shifted from illusion to reality¡ªa chubby young man appeared out of thin air.


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart sank. <em>It isn''t the young man with the surname Han!</em>


    1. This is an ancient military rank in China; it is the highest ranking military officer, above the militarymander. ?

 Chapter 48: Spiritual Roots

    The chubby man seemed to enjoy the reverent gazes from those around him. With a beaming smile, he said, "No need to be so formal..."


    The Dongyang Lady led the way, with the chubby man following closely behind. As they were about to enter the rear hall, the man suddenly halted. He turned around, his small eyes squeezed into slits by his fat as they swept over the crowd. In a calm tone, he asked, "Who is Qin Sang?"


    In an instant, all eyes in the Sacred Pce turned towards Qin Sang.


    The Dongyang Lady raised her gaze slightly.


    Qin Sang, who had been feeling disappointed, thinking that the young man with the surname Han had broken his promise, quickly bowed and said, "Esteemed Immortal, I am Qin Sang."


    The young man scrutinized Qin Sang for a moment before giving a soft "hmm." He pointed at Qin Sang and said, "Come see me after the coronation ceremony."


    With that, he turned and walked into the rear hall.


    The main hall fell silent.


    Qin Sang could feel the surprise and envy in those gazes, as well as the jealousy from the eldest prince. Even the Dongyang King, who was about to ascend the throne, stared intently at Qin Sang.Military Commander Mu approached him and whispered, "There were rumors that you saved an immortal master''s life. Are they really true?"


    Chief Commander Feng, who knew a bit more, added, "I remember that person was supposed to be slimmer, right?"


    Qin Sang, still immersed in joy, ignored the two men. Since the young man with the surname Han had not forgotten him and even sent someone to fetch him, didn¡¯t that mean there was a good chance his request had been granted?


    After a brief silence, the pce master of the Sacred Pce softly reminded the Dongyang King, "Your Majesty, the auspicious time is slipping away."


    "Oh? Oh!"


    Only then did the ministers and officials in the hall snap back to reality. The Dongyang King quickly stepped forward, holding the imperial seal with utmost care, and ced it between the jade tablets, marking the beginning of the coronation ceremony.


    The ceremony was borate and lengthy. Later, they moved outside the hall where the officials received their titles. The whole process took nearly three hours. Fortunately, the mountain breeze was mild, and the winter sun was pleasantly warm, making it bearable.


    In the end, the Dongyang King ascended the throne and named the era Wude[1].


    Qin Sang was conferred the title of defender general[2] and marquis of Jiangzhou.


    Qin Sang epted the title with a calm expression, waiting until the coronation ceremony was over. The new emperor led the officials down the mountain back to the Jade Pce, while Qin Sang remained in the Sacred Pce, guided by the pce master towards the rear hall. R


    The Dongyang Lady, now addressed as the grand princess, had disappeared somewhere.


    Inside the hall, only the chubby young man remained, seated on a grand chair with his eyes closed, motionless, as if asleep but actually cultivating.


    As they entered the hall, the chubby young man opened his eyes, waved the Pce Master away, andzily said to Qin Sang, "Let''s keep this brief. Senior Brother Han asked me to tell you something. The path to immortality is hard to obtain, not just because of the countless dangers after embarking on it, but also because one must possess a spiritual root to cultivate. Only one in ten thousand mortals have a spiritual root. In other words, if you choose to cultivate immortality, your chances are extremely slim. However, if you remain in the secr world, the Sacred Pce will ensure that your descendants enjoy wealth and prosperity for three generations. The choice is yours."


    Qin Sang was slightly taken aback, only now realizing that cultivating immortality required having a spiritual root.


    Then, he quickly recalled that he had already cultivated the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> to the fifth stage, which surely meant he possessed a spiritual root, so there was no need to worry.


    Still, Qin Sang asked a few more questions, "What exactly is a spiritual root?"


    "How should I know?"


    The chubby young man pouted. <em>I don''t understand why Senior Brother Han is so concerned about a mere mortal, even asking me to exin everything carefully.</em> "Spiritual roots are categorized into the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. They correspond to the spiritual power of the five elements in the world. Only those with spiritual roots canprehend the Heavenly Dao and cultivate spiritual power and true essence within themselves. Without a spiritual root, you wouldn''t even be able to sense the spiritual power in the world, let alone cultivate. Also, just because you have a spiritual root doesn¡¯t mean our Han Family will ept you. If you possess a pure Heavenly Spiritual Root, every major cultivation sect wouldpete to recruit you, not just the Han Family. But if your spiritual root is mixed, with four or even five elements, you won¡¯t be able to reach the Foundation Building Realm in your lifetime. Even with Senior Brother Han¡¯s rmendation, you wouldn¡¯t be epted into the inner sect of the Han Family."


    Hearing this, Qin Sang, who had been confident of his chances, began to feel anxious again. He asked more questions, to the point where the chubby young man became visibly impatient. Finally, Qin Sang gained a basic understanding of what it meant to be an immortal cultivator.


    It turned out that after entering the immortal cultivation path, one¡¯s initial realm was known as the Qi Refining Realm, where one refined essence into qi. During this stage, one nurtured the primordial spirit and transformed the physical body, extending one¡¯s lifespan by several decadespared to ordinary mortals.


    The Qi Refining Realm had thirteen stages. Once one reached the tenth stage, they could begin preparing for Foundation Building.


    Cultivators who reached the Foundation Building Realm possessed formidablebat power and were considered true cultivators in the cultivation world. Those who failed to establish their foundation were of little use to a sect.


    Whether one couldplete Foundation Building depended on both fortune and, more importantly, innate talent, which was tied to one¡¯s spiritual root.


    True spiritual roots such as the single spiritual roots, double or triple roots, had a decent chance ofpleting Foundation Building. However, with four or five roots, known as false spiritual roots, the hope of Foundation Building was slim.


    The chubby young man exined to Qin Sang very clearly that spiritual roots were rare, with only one in ten thousand having them, and true spiritual roots were even rarer. A single spiritual root was something that appeared only once in decades, so he advised Qin Sang not to get his hopes up.


    If Qin Sang possessed a false spiritual root, he could still go to the Han Family, but he would only be able to live as an ordinary person in the outer sect. Perhaps he would live a few years longer than a mortal and have no worries about food and clothing, but it would be better to remain in the secr world as a marquis, enjoying a life of wealth under the protection of the Sacred Pce.


    But how could Qin Sang be willing to give up now?


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t know if the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> corresponded to the stages of the Qi Refining Realm, but he had reached the fifth stage in just five years. <em>This pace shouldn¡¯t be considered slow, right?</em>


    <em>Doesn''t this indicate that my talent isn''t bad?</em>


    "Esteemed Immortal, I¡¯ve made my decision," Qin Sang said solemnly, "Please test my spiritual root."


    The chubby young man had long been annoyed with Qin Sang and, upon hearing this, snorted. "Do you think the path to immortality is so easily attained? I see you¡¯re determined to crash into the wall. Fine, extend your hand."


    Qin Sang nervously extended his hand, fearing that his talent might not be sufficient and that the chubby young man might discover his cultivation of demonic arts.


    Unexpectedly, while Qin Sang was still secretly worrying, he suddenly heard the chubby young man coldly dere, "You have no spiritual root, and are not destined for the path of immortality. You can go back now."


    Qin Sang froze. He had thought that testing for a spiritual root would involve some sort of mystical method.


    But the chubby young man had merely ced his hand on Qin Sang¡¯s arm for a moment before quickly withdrawing it, concluding that Qin Sang had no spiritual root.


    "Impossible!"


    Qin Sang eximed in shock. <em>How could I have cultivated the Netherworld Scripture, developed spiritual power, and controlled the Purple Soul Bell and Ice Silkworm Armor without a spiritual root?</em>


    "What do you mean, impossible?"


    The chubby young man shouted angrily, "I¡¯ve already warned you¡ªthose with spiritual roots are one in ten thousand. Even among cultivation families, those with spiritual roots are rare. No spiritual root means no spiritual root! Stop making a scene here!"


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes grew cold. He didn¡¯t know how he had offended this Immortal, but it seemed the man had taken a strong dislike to him.


    Seeing the chubby young man turn to leave, pushing the door open, Qin Sang quickly stepped forward and blocked his way. "I demand to see Immortal Master Han!"


    1. Chinese era names, also known as reign mottos, were titles used by various Chinese dynasties and regimes in Imperial China for the purpose of year identification and numbering. ?


    2. This is an imperial official rank, also known as general of first rank ?

 Chapter 49: Market Token

    "You think you''re someone important? Just because you want to see Senior Brother Han doesn''t mean you can!" the chubby young man fumed with anger. "Get out of my way, or don''t me me for being rude!"


    Qin Sang, unyielding and fearless, coldly retorted, "I am Immortal Master Han''s lifesaver. He once told me that if I ever needed anything, I coulde to see him. Why are you blocking me? Are you trying to make Immortal Master Han break his word?"


    "Lifesaver?"


    The chubby young man was taken aback. "You saved Senior Brother Han''s life?"


    Qin Sang recounted the events that had transpired on Guling Mountain.


    The chubby young man''s anger dissipated considerably, his expression shifting between uncertainty and frustration. After a moment, he red at Qin Sang, then took out a small scroll, which he unfurled with a wave of his hand. An ancient painting stretched out before them.


    In the painting, mist and clouds obscured the sky,yer uponyer, extending endlessly like the thirty-three levels of heavens, shrouded in mystery.


    Among the clouds, a flock of celestial cranes soared gracefully, their lifelike movements so vivid they seemed alive.


    Qin Sang then sensed a surge of spiritual power as the chubby young man infused the scroll with it. In the next moment, a mass of clouds emerged from the scroll, and within the swirling mist, a celestial crane cried out, its call echoing through the air.The crane in the paintingnded on the chubby young man¡¯s palm. He whispered a few words into its ear, and the crane pped its wings, growingrger with the wind, before disappearing into the horizon.


    Momentster, the clouds in the painting suddenly began to churn, eventually transforming into a figure¡ªit was the young man from Guling Mountain who had narrowly escaped death.


    "Junior Brother Zhen Ming," the cloud-formed figure of the young man seemed somewhat ethereal, his voice faintly distant, "What urgent matter has prompted you to summon me?"


    He then caught sight of Qin Sang standing nearby and immediately recognized him, smiling warmly. "General Qin, it''s been a while. I hope you''ve been well."


    Qin Sang was just about to speak when Zhen Ming stepped forward and began toin. "Senior Brother Han, it wasn''t my intention to disturb you, but this Qin fellow insisted on seeing you. I had no choice. I followed your instructions, asked him if he was determined to pursue the path of immortality, and after he made his decision, I tested his spiritual roots. I warned him that having spiritual roots is a rarity, and sure enough, this mere mortal has none. I advised him to return to his normal life, but he wouldn''t listen, using me of trying to harm him. He kept insisting that he''s your lifesaver and demanded to see you."


    Having finished, Zhen Ming red at Qin Sang with a huff, looking utterly aggrieved.


    The young man nced at Zhen Ming, then at Qin Sang, and smiled. "General Qin, Junior Brother Zhen Ming isn''t lying. It¡¯s true that only one in ten thousand mortals possess spiritual roots. The path of cultivation is more difficult than ascending to the heavens, and even if you manage to cultivate, the immortal world is fraught with countless dangers. You could perish at any moment. Living as a mortal may not be so bad. Why not let Junior Brother Zhen Ming ask the Sacred Pce''s pce master to look after you? Even if dynasties change, you¡¯ll live out your life in peace."


    "But..."


    Hearing the young man echo Zhen Ming''s words, Qin Sang felt a wave of frustration. He wanted to ask why, if he had no spiritual roots, he had been able to cultivate the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    Yet, recalling his encounters with immortals, the life-and-death struggles between righteous and demonic cultivators, and the many mortals he had killed with the Yan Luo Banner¡­


    He couldn''t even confidently say that he was not a demonic cultivator.


    "Immortal Master Han," Qin Sang asked, his face full of unwillingness, "Is it really impossible to be an immortal without spiritual roots? Are there no exceptions?"


    <em>Is it because I wasn''t originally from this world, I was an exception? Or perhaps it was an ability granted by the Jade Buddha?</em>


    The young man¡¯s expression softened, and Zhen Ming also paused, ncing at Qin Sang with a frown before falling silent.


    The young man hesitated for a long time before saying, "General Qin, as far as I know, in the righteous path, there are indeed no cases of someone without spiritual roots entering the immortal path. Even those from the most prestigious sects require spiritual roots to cultivate. However..."


    Seeing the young man¡¯s hesitation, Qin Sang''s eyes lit up. "Immortal Master Han, is there another way?"


    The young man smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Without spiritual roots, no method will work. If you can''t sense spiritual power, how can you cultivate? What I was about to say is that our Han family only knows about the righteous cultivators. We know very little about the demonic sects. Their cultivation methods are strange, filled with countless sinister techniques. Whether they have a way to break this limitation is unknown to us." ?


    "Demonic sects?"


    Qin Sang was surprised. <em>Is the young man suggesting that I join the demonic sects?</em>


    The young man conjured a circr jade disk from a cloud of mist in his palm and said solemnly, "Since I made a promise, I won''t go back on my word. This jade disk is a token from a cultivation market located in the border area between the Northern Lands and the demonic sects. I obtained it from the mustard seed pouch of that demonic cultivator. If you''re determined to take your chances, I''ll have the crane deliver it to you. But remember, if you truly join the demonic sects, the next time we meet, we will be enemies, not friends. I won''t show any mercy."


    Qin Sang didn''t hesitate, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. "Thank you, Immortal Master Han!"


    The young man gave Qin Sang a deep, meaningful look, nodded, and then his cloud-like image dissipated.


    After waiting for a short while, the crane returned, holding a jade disk and a scroll in its beak.


    Zhen Ming took the items, handed them to Qin Sang, gave him a nod, and then mounted the crane and flew away.


    Qin Sang unfolded the scroll, discovering that it was arge, detailed map¡ªby far the most extensive and detailed one he had ever seen. He quickly located the position of the Great Sui, which appeared remarkably small on the map.


    To the north was the Heng Kingdom, an area dozens of timesrger than the Great Sui. Even further north, there were many nationsrger than the Heng Kingdom.


    After crossing the Heng Kingdom and several other countries, Qin Sang finally found the location marked by the young man, within a region called Biyun Kingdom. As for the exact location of the cultivation market, the young man left a note stating that Qin Sang only needed to bring the jade disk near the area, and the te would automatically guide him to the market.


    The young man also briefly introduced the cultivation market and warned Qin Sang that demonic cultivators were extremely dangerous, especially for mortals. If things went wrong, Qin Sang was advised to flee as quickly as possible, considering it a final act of kindness.


    Qin Sang mentally calcted the distance. If he traveled on horseback, resting overnight and continuing at dawn, it would likely take him several years to reach his destination. Fortunately, he noticed that there was arge river called the Tianlu River to the west of the Great Sui, which connected the north and south. The Wuling River was just a tributary of this great river.


    Traveling by boat along that river would greatly speed up his journey.


    After carefully storing the scroll, Qin Sang examined the jade disk for a moment. Resisting the urge to probe it with his spiritual power, he nodded to the pce master who was waiting nearby and then began his descent down the mountain.


    As night fell, the Holy Mountain of Zhao offered amanding view of the entire imperial capital. The lights in the Jade Pce were aze, no doubt due to the new emperor''s ascension and the officials, busy with the restoration of the empire, had yet to conclude their discussions.<blockquote>


    Joash''s Thoughts


    Author''s thoughts:


    A Few Words.


    The release of the Mortal''s Journey anime has stirred up old memories for me. With some free time on my hands, I felt inspired to start writing. Upon reflection, the most profound impression Mortal''s Journey left on me wasn¡¯t the intricate and captivating plot or the mysterious spells and treasures of the Old Devil. Instead, it was a single line from Mo Caihuan. The first fifty chapters, nearly a hundred thousand words, were all written to lead up to that one line from the protagonist.


    This is my tribute to Mortal''s Journey, to Wang Yu, and to fondly remember Han Paopao. It¡¯s a way tomemorate the time I spent reading those books in the past.


    Thankfully, the story so far has unfolded without much deviation from my initial ns, and I was able to incorporate that line sessfully. For me, this feels like achieving a small goal.However, this has also made the early plot somewhat slow-paced. I¡¯m not sure if readers are still interested in stories about the mundane world.


    With a hundred thousand words written, I haven¡¯t secured a contract, and the collection count has barely reached one hundred¡ªsuch a dismal and tragic situation. I wonder how many of these hundred-odd collections are from readers who are truly following the story. Some readers have consistently voted with rmendation tickets, and I¡¯ve noticed and appreciated your support. Thank you.


    As always, if you find my writing worth your time, please consider adding it to your collection, voting, or helping to spread the word. I¡¯d greatly appreciate it! Thank you!</blockquote>

 Chapter 50: A Night Visit

    A man from the Ning Kingdom had be the Marquis of Jiangzhou in the Great Sui.


    Even after five years in the Great Sui, Qin Sang still didn¡¯t feel very familiar with it, he reflected with a heart full of emotions.


    Returning to his own residence, Qin Sang entered the study.


    He was alone, with nothing much to carry except for his ebony sword and a few other belongings.


    After breaking through to the fifth stage of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, his consumption of Soul Pills had increased. A few days of intense cultivation would deplete one pill. Without the assistance of Soul Pills, the pace of his cultivation advancement was despairingly slow.


    Fortunately, he had anticipated this and had stored some Soul Pills before the war ended. Additionally, King Yan had recovered to peak strength, and if he fully exerted himself, he could sustain Qin Sang''s cultivation for quite some time.


    As for money, Qin Sang didn¡¯t carry much. After all, an immortal cultivator wouldn¡¯t be constrained by ack of funds; he could always find a way to gather what he needed.


    However, he couldn¡¯t leave just yet¡ªthere were still mundane matters to arrange. Qin Sang sent his personal guard to wait at Wu Chuanzong¡¯s residence, instructing him toe and meet after court.


    After packing, including his clothes, he only had a small bundle.<em>If only I could master the Object Maniption Technique, then I could use a Mustard Seed Pouch.</em> Qin Sang thought wistfully.


    From the introduction given by a young man surnamed Han, the immortal cultivation market was like a marketce for the cultivation world, where cultivators traded, bought, or exchanged the items they needed.


    In arge immortal cultivation market, one could encounter disciples of prominent sects, demonic cultivators, and even rogue cultivators. Given its location near the border between righteous and demonic sects, one could easily run into demonic sect cultivators, which was why Qin Sang had gone to try his luck.


    However, what Qin Sang was most eager to achieve was not joining a sect, but rather finding a way to ess the world of immortal cultivators.


    Object Maniption Technique, Mustard Seed Pouches, artifacts, Qi Refining Realm, Foundation Building Realm, malevolent yin qi...


    These weremon knowledge to immortal cultivators, yet Qin Sang knew nothing about them. Only by understanding these basics could he determine his path forward.


    The key to the market would also open the door to the world of immortal cultivation for him. This was why Qin Sang hadn¡¯t quarreled with the young man surnamed Han.


    Even if no sect epted him, he could always be a rogue cultivator. ording to the young man, rogue cultivators were not umon among immortal cultivators.


    Once he reached the market, he nned to first obtain the Object Maniption Technique, retrieve the items inside the seven-colored pouch, and then ask about how to find malevolent yin qi so as not to dy his cultivation.


    He also needed to figure out the secrets surrounding him¡ªthe ebony sword, the Jade Buddha, the sheepskin... What were these items, and why could he cultivate despitecking a spiritual root?


    And then there was the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    After breaking through to the fifth stage, Qin Sang had a vague feeling that the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> might have more than six stages. It seemed this art was iplete.


    Later, the information he gathered from Zhen Ming about the Qi Refining Realm further confirmed Qin Sang¡¯s suspicions.


    He wondered if he could find aplete version of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> in the market.


    <em>Are the immortal cultivation arts expensive?</em>


    <em>What can I trade with immortal cultivators?</em>


    The more Qin Sang thought about it, the more his head ached. He was practically a pauper. If it came to it, he could only sell his artifacts or that mysterious talisman in exchange for a cultivation art, as the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was the foundation of his practice.


    With these thoughts, Qin Sang took out the jade disk to inspect it. Though called a disk, it had a round hole in the middle, resembling a jade ring.


    The jade disk was only palm-sized, very thin, and entirely translucent without any impurities or patterns, which made Qin Sang worry that it might be too fragile and shatter at the slightest touch. ?


    After hesitating for a moment, Qin Sang cautiously infused his spiritual consciousness and power into the jade disk. Immediately, a halo of light appeared, and the four characters for Youshan Market emerged. Aside from this, there were no other reactions.


    It seemed he really needed to go to the Biyun Kingdom.


    Qin Sang carefully put away the jade disk. Shortly after, he heard footsteps in the courtyard, knowing that Wu Chuanzong had arrived.


    "This is the address of my hometown, Wang Vige in Ning Kingdom. Apart from you, I haven¡¯t mentioned this to anyone else," Qin Sang said, handing a hand-drawn map to Wu Chuanzong. "If nothing unexpected happens, my parents should still be alive, and I have two elder brothers... I am determined to pursue the path of immortality and can no longer concern myself with worldly affairs. These rtives, I entrust to you. Just tell them I have died."


    After taking over Qin Sanwa''s body, Qin Sang had been avoiding the familial ties of this body, and hadn¡¯t returned home even once in the past five years.


    Wu Chuanzong solemnly put the map away, tears in his eyes as he said, "Sir, rest assured. Without you, I wouldn''t be where I am today. I will definitely treat them as if they were my own family¡­"


    Qin Sang waved his hand dismissively. "That¡¯s not necessary. For my parents and my elder brother and sister-inw, you only need to ensure they are well provided for. If any of the younger generation show promise, you may help them out as you see fit. Beyond that, you don¡¯t need to intervene. Let them rely on their own fate."


    Wu Chuanzong was clever and talented, with outstanding military achievements. Despite his young age, he already held a high position and had a bright future ahead of him.


    Even in ordinary families, wealth rarelysted beyond three generations. With this arrangement, Qin Sang felt he had done right by Qin Sanwa.


    Beyond that, there were only some minor affairs to attend to. Once Qin Sang left, his subordinates would be without a patron for a while. Fortunately, the grand princess and others would look after them.


    The two talked in private for a while when suddenly, urgent footsteps sounded from outside. A personal guard lowered his voice and said, "My lord, the grand princess hase in secret."


    Qin Sang frowned, puzzled as to why the grand princess would visit sote at night. He had nned to bid farewell to her tomorrow.


    "You should go," Qin Sang said as he rose to see Wu Chuanzong out. He personally went to the gate to greet the grand princess, only to find her lightly dressed, apanied by Bai Jiann and two guards, riding over on horseback.


    "Let¡¯s talk inside."


    The grand princess flicked her whip and led the way into the residence as if it were her own, heading straight for Qin Sang¡¯s study.


    Qin Sang could only nod to Bai Jiann and follow silently. Once inside, he saw the grand princess standing still, her tall, graceful figure poised, hands sped behind her back.


    "Marquis of Jiangzhou!"


    The grand princess suddenly spoke, her voice cool and clear.


    Qin Sang replied, "I am here."


    The grand princess abruptly turned, her eyes as sharp as autumn waters in the candlelight, and stared at Qin Sang, questioning, "Have I ever treated you unfairly?"


    Qin Sang sighed inwardly. "What do you mean by this, Your Highness¡­"


    "Then why are you so determined to leave?"


    The grand princess stepped forward, her gaze intense, not allowing Qin Sang to interrupt. "What is so good about immortal cultivation? Look at how many seekers of immortality live lonely lives, dying in the deep mountains and wild forests, their bodies devoured by tigers and leopards, ending up with no one to mourn them, achieving nothing. Now look over there!"


    The grand princess raised her hand, pointing in the direction of the Jade Pce, her words growing more rapid. "Over there, in those towers and pces, lies supreme power, countless beauties, the finest wines and delicacies, luxurious clothing and sumptuous food, indulgence in every pleasure¡­ Everything you desire can be easily attained! Why are you so stubborn?"


    Qin Sang remained silent and then said, "Your Highness, please follow me."


    He led the grand princess out of the study, then softly said, "Forgive my rudeness," before taking her hand, and with a light step, leaped onto the roof. Gazing in the direction of the Jade Pce, the grandeur and beauty were indeed breathtaking.


    The grand princess tilted her head slightly, her expression puzzled, not knowing what Qin Sang was up to.

 Chapter 51: Ambition

    "I recall that the Jade Pce was built by the founding emperor of the Great Sui. This ce used to be the imperial pce of the previous dynasty, which waster burned to the ground by the army."


    Qin Sang looked at the grand princess and saw her nod slightly before continuing, "The Great Sui Dynasty hassted for five hundred years, with over thirty emperors having reigned. Each ruler enjoyed boundless glory, but in the end, none escaped bing just a handful of dust, while the Jade Pce remains."


    The grand princess seemed to grasp something. "You¡ª"


    Qin Sang impolitely interrupted her, pointing to the towering shadow in the distance. "Look at Holy Mountain Zhao over there. It has witnessed the Jade Pce transform from new to old, seen the previous dynasty''s pce destroyed, and before that, it saw dynasty after dynasty rise and fall."


    He then pointed to the sky. "Up there, perhaps there¡¯s an immortal who has witnessed Holy Mountain Zhao rise from the seabed to the ins, growing cun by cun into this towering mountain. And when one day Holy Mountain Zhao copses, that immortal may not even bother to look."


    "My ambition is great," Qin Sang said with a self-deprecating smile, "I want to achieve immortality, to witness the birth and death of immortals."


    The grand princess sighed deeply. "I understand¡­ But have you thought about what will happen to Wu Chuanzong, Zhou Ning, and Zhang Wenkui after you leave? The heir to the emperor hates you deeply. If he can''t find you, he''ll take out his anger on them. Can they withstand that?"


    Qin Sang turned to look at the grand princess, her eyes shining brightly.


    ¡­On the night of the second day of New Year.


    At the residence of the Marquis of Jiangzhou.


    Qin Sang had dismissed all his personal guards, leaving him alone in the main hall, sitting with his eyes closed.


    The dead of night was silent. Suddenly, the sound of soft footsteps outside the residence reached his ears. Qin Sang abruptly opened his eyes, picked up the bundle beside him, slung it over his shoulder, then drew his sword and slowly pushed open the main gate.


    Torches illuminated the street, which was filled with elite soldiers surrounding the marquis''s residence. Countless powerful crossbows were aimed at the gate.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly.


    The wheel of fate had turned. Three years ago, he had led crossbowmen to besiege Xuanji Temple, and now it was his turn.


    As he stepped out of the gate, a beardless man with a sharp voice shouted, "The Marquis of Jiangzhou is ambitious and has conspired with his subordinates to rebel. Now that your plot has been exposed, surrender at once! The heir to the emperor has decreed that anyone who resists shall be killed without mercy!"


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he scanned the soldiers, eventually spotting the heir to the emperor.


    Four others stood beside the heir.


    A seductive-looking woman, leaning closely against the heir, was none other than the Red Embroidered Lady, whose martial arts rivaled that of the White-Robed Schr, making her one of the top martial experts in the martial world.


    On the other side of the heir to the emperor was an old monk with a long beard almost reaching the ground, carrying a treasured sword on his back. Qin Sang had seen him at Xuanji Temple; he was the grandmaster who had killed an immortal cultivator with his sword light. The monk was likely over a hundred years old now.


    He was here for revenge.


    Next to the old monk stood a schr whom Qin Sang had never met, but he knew this man to be the current master of Yan Manor, another sacred ground of martial arts in Great Sui, and an innate stage expert.


    Lastly, in the darkness, there was a figure in a ck robe, with a shadow seemingly perpetually shrouding his face, as if he always lurked in the shadows, never fully revealing himself¡ªck Crane Sage, the leader of Blood-d Tower.


    There were three innate stage experts. The heir certainly didn¡¯t underestimate him.


    The heir seemed confident, with so many experts protecting him. He parted the soldiers and walked forward, smiling as he gazed at Qin Sang, his tone one of bitter disappointment. "General Qin, you were a meremoner, yet you earned the grand princess''s favor and were elevated to the rank of marquis. What more could you want? How could you secretly conspire with other generals to rebel? Do you not feel ashamed before the grand princess, before the emperor?"


    Qin Sang replied calmly, "Your Highness, I don''t understand what you''re saying. Since entering the imperial capital, I¡¯ve stayed in my residence, rarely stepping out. How could I have conspired with anyone?"


    The heir to the emperor sneered. "You¡¯ve conspired with your subordinates. The evidence is irrefutable, yet you still dare to deny it! ck Crane Sage, bring the culprits forward!"


    To everyone''s surprise, ck Crane Sage remained motionless, respectfully saying, "Your Highness, Blood-d Tower has not found any evidence of the Marquis of Jiangzhou conspiring or attempting to rebel. I do not know who you want me to bring forward. Please rify, Your Highness."


    His words caused an uproar.


    The heir was stunned, turning sharply to re at ck Crane Sage in disbelief. "You!"


    Feigning anger, Qin Sang spoke firmly, "I have been entrusted by themanderydy to serve as a general in the army, always diligent in my duties, expanding our empire''s territory without a moment''s negligence. I allied with Zhenshui King to break through Yingnan Commandery, infiltrated Hening County, set fire to Raven''s Mouth, and conquered Jiuwei Pass, achieving numerous military sesses. This is known to all. In the army, who can match me? Now Your Highness falsely uses me of treason, yet cannot produce a shred of evidence! As the saying goes, ''When the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the rabbits are dead, the hounds are cooked.''[1] If Your Highness forces me to rebel, then I have no choice but to rebel."


    Before the words even finished leaving his mouth, Qin Sang shifted his stance and suddenly lunged toward the heir.


    The heir turned pale with fright. "What are you doing?! Kill him, kill him now!"


    With ck Crane Sage¡¯s sudden betrayal, everyone was still in shock and uncertainty.


    The master of Yan Manor hesitated, but the old monk, who had a longstanding grudge against Qin Sang, did not. Without a moment''s pause, he summoned his sword from his back, which flew out of its scabbard with a sharp ng.


    Gripping his sword tightly, the old monk moved like lightning, the sword¡¯s tip radiating a dazzling sword light, apanied by a sound resembling a dragon''s roar, as it thrust toward Qin Sang.


    At that moment, a sudden ringing sound filled the old monk¡¯s ears, causing him to remember something. His face changed drastically, and his eyes widened in horror as he stared at Qin Sang.


    He opened his mouth to say something but never got the chance. Qin Sang, like a ghost, slipped into the old monk''s embrace, grabbing his neck and twisting it sharply.


    <em>Crack!</em>


    The old monk died instantly.


    Witnessing this, not only did the master of Yan Manor hesitate, but even ck Crane Sage¡¯s eyelids twitched in shock. An innate stage expert had been defeated by Qin Sang in a single move.


    They couldn¡¯t hear the ringing and assumed Qin Sang¡¯s martial arts had reached an extraordinary level.


    The heir was even more terrified. He shoved the Red Embroidered Lady aside and turned to flee, shouting desperately, "Kill him! Release the arrows! Release the arrows now!"


    Qin Sang was so close to the heir that the soldiers hesitated, not daring to act recklessly. Several generals looked toward theirmander, who remained silent. Were they really going to stand by and watch the heir be captured?


    With ck Crane Sage¡¯s betrayal and themander¡¯s silence, a heavy fog of confusion hung over them, leaving them paralyzed with indecision.


    Even the old monk couldn¡¯t stop Qin Sang, and the Red Embroidered Lady, who had just been pushed forward, was swiftly killed by Qin Sang with a single thrust of his sword. In the blink of an eye, Qin Sang had captured the heir to the emperor amidst thousands of soldiers.


    "What are you trying to do...?"


    The heir stammered, his face filled with terror as he met Qin Sang¡¯s cold gaze.


    Qin Sang replied icily, "Such a cruel and heartless person cannot be the ruler of a nation! I¡¯d rather not be the Marquis of Jiangzhou. I swear to seek justice!"


    With that, Qin Sang lifted the heir by his neck. His other hand curved and extended, and his sword shot forward like lightning, effortlessly impaling the heir. The sword drove the heir¡¯s corpse deep into the gate of the marquis''s residence.


    <em>Splurt!</em>


    Blood spurted out, staining the night sky and leaving everyone in stunned silence.


    1. This is a Chinese proverb, meaning that someone useful is gotten rid of after serving their purpose. ?

 Chapter 52: A Toast of Ambition

    "Move aside!"


    Qin Sang swept his cold gaze over the surrounding soldiers. Though he had not a drop of blood on him, in their eyes, he appeared no different from a fearsome demon.


    As he took a step forward, before any general could issue an order, the soldiers automatically parted like a receding tide, clearing a path. They looked at Qin Sang with faces full of awe; none dared to block his way.


    Qin Sang seized a horse and, under the watchful eyes of everyone, galloped straight toward the city gates.


    Back at the marquis'' residence, the newly reced que had been pierced by a long sword, with the heir''s corpse hanging from it, swaying slightly. A pool of blood had gathered on the steps, ringly red.


    <em>Gallop, gallop¡­</em>


    Riding swiftly through the streets, Qin Sang soon reached the imperial capital¡¯s city gates, where he saw Wu Chuanzong guarding the entrance with a squad of soldiers.


    As Qin Sang approached, Wu Chuanzong personally opened the gate, shouting, "Sir, take care!"


    "Marquis!"Water Monkey Zhou Ning appeared, leading a fine horse. "Fast horses have been prepared at each military post along the way. Marquis, take care on your journey!"


    Seeing Zhou Ning, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but recall their first meeting on the Wuling River. Filled with emotion, he patted Zhou Ning on his shoulder, where his arm had been severed, not knowing what to say.


    "Take care, until we meet again!"


    Qin Sang mounted the horse and galloped out of the city. After riding a short distance, he suddenly felt a premonition and turned to look back.


    On the city wall, he saw avish banquet set up, with the grand princess seated behind the table, gazing at him. Bai Jiann and Elder Yue stood by her side, bowing slightly toward Qin Sang.


    The grand princess, dressed in the armor of a city guard, had eyes that shone like stars under the moonlight. She raised a cup of amber wine, offering a distant toast to Qin Sang, then drained it in one gulp.


    She stood up and left.


    Her crimson cloak soon disappeared into the darkness.


    ¡­


    Qin Sang traveled along the official road, his journey smooth and uninterrupted.


    He headed southwest from the imperial capital until he reached the Zhenshui Commandery. The City of Three Witches remained as before, while Qingyang Temple had changed hands, now upied by disaster victims.


    From there, Qin Sang turned west, crossing the Wuling River to revisit the banks of the Chenshui River.


    The traces of the great fire had long been erased by time, but Qin Sang could still find some white bones.


    After some searching, he uncovered the remains of the young man surnamed Song and the ck-d demon from beneath the roots and soil.


    The two sets of bones were easily distinguishable. Qin Sang carefully arranged the young man''s remains and built a grave for him. He alsoid the ck-d demon to rest in the ground, for after all, the Netherworld Scripture had been obtained from the demon, opening the door to the path of immortality for him. ??


    After paying his respects, Qin Sang set out once more.


    He no longer feared wolves or tigers, walking boldly through the mountains. Before long, he reached the northern border of the Ning Kingdom.


    Further west, after crossing another kingdom, he would arrive at the Tianlu River.


    Qin Sang hesitated for a moment. Ever since entering the Ning Kingdom, an inexplicable urge had been gnawing at him,pelling him to visit Wang Vige.


    He wasn¡¯t sure if this was due to the fusion of Qin Sanwa''s memories, creating a sense of empathy, or if it stemmed from a desire to make amends to Qin Sanwa.


    Detouring would only dy him by a few days, a trivial matterpared to the long journey to the Biyun Kingdom. It wouldn¡¯t interfere with his ns. After a brief moment of hesitation, Qin Sang decided to take a detour to Wang Vige.


    When he arrived at Wang Vige, it waste at night.


    This peaceful little vige had changed little over the years, matching Qin Sanwa''s memories exactly. Qin Sang felt a strange mix of familiarity and alienation.


    Qin Sanwa''s family home was at the northernmost end of the vige, with fields stretching out behind it. The courtyard was spacious, with a row of five stone houses. When Qin Sanwa met his fate, only his eldest brother had married, while his second brother was recently engaged but hadn¡¯t yet brought his bride home. The whole family lived together.


    His mother and sister-inw often quarreled, something that used to annoy him but now seemed oddlyforting in retrospect.


    An owl hooted from the tree.


    Qin Sang suddenly realized, with a start, that he had been smiling, nearly losing himself in Qin Sanwa''s world.


    He reminded himself that he was Qin Sang, an outsider. Qin Sanwa was already dead, and those memories were like watching a long movie, with the actors being strangers to him.


    The Qin family''s small courtyard appeared before him.


    Compared to when Qin Sanwa had left, not much had changed. Qin Sang steadied his mind, activated <em>Shadowless Steps</em>, and stealthily entered.


    It waste at night, and the family was asleep, with only the asional cough breaking the silence.


    From the sound of the breathing, he could tell there were nine people in the courtyard, three of whom had faint, delicate breaths, clearly children.


    His elder brothers had children.


    Qin Sang stood outside the windows, peering into each room one by one. Some of the faces were familiar, while others were strange to him. Suddenly, he paused and stood before a particr room.


    Inside, where the Qin family¡¯s ancestral tablets and the household deity were once ced, there was now an additional memorial tablet. Because Qin Sanwa had died before reaching adulthood, the name on the tablet was simply Qin Sanwa.


    Suddenly, there was a small noise from the room at the far end¡ªit was the room of Qin Sanwa''s parents.


    "Old Qin, Old Qin..." It was Qin Sanwa¡¯s mother''s voice, kept low, perhaps to avoid disturbing the children in the adjacent room.


    After a while, the drowsy voice of Qin Sanwa¡¯s father responded, "What¡¯s wrong? Why aren¡¯t you asleep in the middle of the night? What¡¯s gotten into you... Did you dream of Sanwa again?"


    "Yes, I dreamed of him."


    "If you dreamed of him, so be it... how many times has it been now..."


    Qin Sanwa¡¯s father mumbled something, then suddenly made a surprised sound, "Howe you''re not crying this time? Every time you dream of Sanwa, you cry all night. Hey? You¡¯re even smiling?"


    "Why shouldn''t I smile?"


    Qin Sanwa¡¯s mother huffed. "I haven¡¯t dreamed of Sanwa for so many days; I¡¯ve been too scared to even eat. Now, I finally saw my child today. Do you think I shouldn¡¯t smile?"


    "Sanwa¡¯s been dead for years..."


    "You¡¯re the one who¡¯s dead!"


    Qin Sanwa''s father let out a pained cry, as if he had been pinched by Qin Sanwa¡¯s mother, then grumbled, "You¡¯re as stubborn as a mule! If Sanwa weren¡¯t dead, why hasn¡¯t hee home? And what about Old Wang? He hasn¡¯te back either. The shop was taken over by others, the house was upied, and if it weren¡¯t for Old Wang¡¯s patriarch holding things together, Old Wang¡¯s wife wouldn¡¯t even have those few acres ofnd left. The family¡¯s in such a pitiful state..."


    "Oh, you¡¯re so concerned about Old Wang¡¯s wife. Why don¡¯t you bring her home and take care of her yourself!"


    "What am I concerned about? I¡¯m just bringing it up! You¡¯re the one who¡¯s always bringing them food... What are you doing in the middle of the night?"


    "I¡¯m doing it out of respect for how Old Wang took care of our Sanwa!"


    Qin Sanwa¡¯s mother picked up an oilmp and opened the door, "I dreamed that Sanwa came back again. I have to go out and check, to open the door for him."


    Qin Sang quickly slipped into the shadows.


    "You¡¯ve had this dream at least eighty times if not a hundred, and it¡¯s always just pointless fussing because you can¡¯t let go! Wait for me, I¡¯ming too..."


    "Didn¡¯t you say you didn¡¯t believe?"


    "I¡¯m going to take a dump!"


    Qin Sang remained motionless, watching as Qin Sanwa¡¯s parents, with looks of disappointment, returned to their room and extinguished themp.


    After they had fallen into a deep sleep, Qin Sang reappeared, silently pushed open the door, and picked up the wine cup in front of the ancestral tablets. He poured a cup of murky wine and gently sprinkled it on the ground.


    "You¡¯re already dead."


    Qin Sang sighed softly, speaking to himself, not knowing who he was addressing.


    ¡­


    Before leaving, Qin Sang made a visit to the Wang family. In front of the memorial tablet of Manager Wang, he left a pouch of broken silver, fulfilling hisst earthly ties.

 Chapter 53: Youshan Market

    Qin Sang stepped off the boat, feeling as if the ground beneath him was swaying.


    For nearly a year, he had spent almost every day aboard the vessel.


    During this time, there were many treacherous mountains and dangerous waters that required him to disembark and travel on foot. He had encountered numerous unforeseen events, including wars, pirates, floods, and had to switch to countless different boats, making his journey a stop-and-go ordeal. By the time he finally reached the Biyun Kingdom, a full year had passed.


    Based on his own understanding, Qin Sang believed that he was currently at the middle of the fifth stage of the Netherworld Scripture. However, he was still far from breaking through to the sixth stage. His stock of Soul Pills was nearly depleted, making it imperative for him to find malevolent yin qi or to collect souls anew.


    Without Soul Pills, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t fathom when he might finally break through to the sixth stage.


    "Sir, from here, just head east, and in less than a month, you''ll reach Youshan. You can hire a carriage at the dock, but you seem like you''re from out of town, so be careful..."


    The boatman reluctantly saw Qin Sang off the boat.


    This passenger had left a deep impression on him. After boarding, Qin Sang had holed up in the cabin and never came out. He only required three meals a day delivered by the boat crew, and despite his generous spending, he caused little trouble.


    As they neared the Biyun Kingdom, Qin Sang had already gathered information. The location marked on the geographic maps of various nations indicated that Youshan Market was situated near thergest mountain range, You Mountain, in the Biyun Kingdom, aligning perfectly with the name "Youshan Market."[1]Upon reaching the shore, Qin Sang immediately spent silver to buy a horse. Traveling day and night and changing horses along the way, he reached the vicinity of You Mountain in just five days.


    The You Mountain Range was an enormous chain, countless timesrger than the Guling Mountain. Only a small section of ity within the borders of the Biyun Kingdom. From the local popce, Qin Sang heard many legends about You Mountain.


    At the edge of You Mountain, the jade disk in his possession reacted, automatically emitting a halo of light that guided his direction.


    Following the jade disk''s guidance, Qin Sang delved deep into the mountains, crossing peaks and forests, until he arrived at a deste mountain valley.


    The peaks on either side of the valley pierced the clouds, and the entire valley was shrouded in thick fog, its depth unknown. The jade disk pointed toward the interior of the valley.


    Qin Sang stood before the valley for quite some time, his expression hesitant. The dense fog within the valley seemed particrly eerie, yet he couldn¡¯t see through it.


    Just then, the thick fog within the valley began to churn.


    Qin Sang became quietly vignt. Momentster, the fog parted to reveal a narrow path, and the sound of footsteps echoed from within. Soon after, a man dressed in a long robe appeared.


    The robed man walked briskly out of the fog. His gaze swept around, and upon seeing Qin Sang, he quickly trotted over, a smile on his face. Bowing respectfully, he greeted warmly, "Greetings, Immortal! Wee to Youshan Market. I have had an excellent memory since childhood and do not recall seeing you before, so this must be your first visit to Youshan Market, correct?"


    Seeing Qin Sang nod, the robed man began to boast, "Then you''vee to the right ce! Youshan Market is thergest market in the entire You Mountain Range. We have everything from artifacts, talismans, to elixirs and spells. Many immortal cultivation families have also established their businesses here, ensuring that you will leave satisfied..."


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained mostly unchanged as he listened, but he couldn¡¯t help but curiously study the robed man before him. Finally, he asked, "Are you a mortal?"


    The robed manplimented, "You have a keen eye, Immortal. Indeed, I am a mortal."


    Qin Sang asked in confusion, "Then how did you recognize that I am an immortal cultivator?"


    The robed man let out an "Oh," and then spread open his palm, revealing a small blue disk that glowed faintly. "Please take a look, Immortal. This is a special magic disk crafted by my master. It doesn''t require spiritual power to activate. When ites near an immortal like yourself, it lights up, allowing us to identify you as an immortal cultivator."


    "So, it¡¯s a magic disk."


    Qin Sang murmured, suddenly understanding, though inwardly he was deep in thought.


    He had never heard of such a magic disk before. To think that a mere mortal would have something like this while he remained ignorant¡ªit made him feel like a country bumpkin. Today, he resolved to broaden his knowledge.


    The robed man smiled apologetically and gestured. "Please, Immortal, this way."


    Qin Sang nodded and took a few steps forward before suddenly remembering something. "Does Youshan Market not require tokens for entry?"


    The robed man shook his head and replied, "My master is generous in weing guests from all corners of the world, so there''s no need for entry tokens. In the future, when you arrive, you can simply walk in. The market¡¯s barrier will detect your identity as an immortal cultivator, and the fog will automatically disperse, allowing you toe and go freely."


    Qin Sang let out an "Oh" in response and continued walking, though he couldn¡¯t help but find it odd. If the jade disk wasn¡¯t the entry token for Youshan Market, then what was its purpose?


    The direction indicated by the jade disk pointed to somewhere within the market.


    Qin Sang intended to pry more information from the robed man, but unfortunately, the path was short. After only a few steps, they reached the end.


    "Immortal, we have arrived at the market. Immortal cultivators can trade freely within the market. However, my master has established a rule that I need to exin to you first."


    The robed man spoke to Qin Sang with great respect, though his tone carried an underlying warning. "Whether you are a rogue cultivator or a disciple of a renowned sect, no weapons are to be drawn within the market. If you have disputes with others that cannot be resolved, please handle them outside the market... I will not trouble you further."


    Before he could finish his words, the robed man stepped aside and vanished into the dense fog.


    Having guarded the market for many years, the robed man was well aware that most immortal cultivators had entric temperaments and disliked being disturbed. He knew better than to be overly chatty, whereas Qin Sang had hoped he would borate a bit more.


    With the robed man gone, calling him back was no longer an option.


    Qin Sang sighed, looked at the thinyer of fog ahead,posed himself, and assumed an expression of a supreme expert as he stepped forward, only to be greeted by a whirlwind of noise.


    One would not expect that an immortal cultivation market could be as bustling and noisy as a mundane market unless seen firsthand.


    The valley was vast, and the entire area had been developed into a market, resembling a mortal city with its intricate streets, numerous shops, shaded willows, and a constant flow of people on the main street.


    From what he learned from the robed man, the market was not exclusively inhabited by immortal cultivators; a significant portion of its poption were ordinary people. Immortal cultivators generally were not permitted to act against mortals.


    After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang chose his direction and walked into the market.


    Entering a street paved with cyan stones, he noticed the number of people around him had noticeably decreased. Most shops owned by immortal cultivators were situated here, while those that preferred more traffic were located outside.


    Ordinary people dared not venture here, as offending an immortal cultivator could lead to catastrophic consequences.


    Qin Sang, aware that he had no leverage to act arrogantly, walked quietly down the street. He made way for others and discreetly observed the shops around him.


    Like mundane stores, the shops had signs hanging in front of them.


    Treasured Pill Pavilion, House of Jade, House of Sword, Joyful Lane...


    Some names provided hints about their business, while others left Qin Sangpletely puzzled.


    1. Youshan trantes to You Mountain in Chinese. ?

 Chapter 54: Complete Book of the Netherworld Scripture

    Qin Sang did not rush into the shops. His goaly ahead, where the market for immortal cultivators had been set up, providing an area for free trading.


    The gentle breeze and thin mist apanied the murmurs of swallows.


    In the winding za, the noise of the crowd was constant. Most immortal cultivators appeared in normal attire, but some stood out with their entric outfits¡ªsome were wrapped in serpents, while others rode tigers, leopards, or eagles.


    A few were shrouded in ck mist, exuding a menacing aura, clearly aiming to make others recognize them as demonic sect practitioners.


    It seemed that the sects of righteous and demonic paths were not as antagonistic as expected, possibly due to the market''s regtions.


    These immortal cultivators resembled mundane vendors, setting up their stalls, disying their goods, while customers squatted in front of the stalls, examining and bargaining.


    Qin Sang was taken aback, not expecting the supposedly high-level trading among immortal cultivators to be so mundane.


    However, these stall owners were quite different from ordinary merchants. Most were seated cross-legged, evidently practicing their cultivation in the gaps between customers. They only opened their eyes to engage when discussing prices.


    Curious to observe, Qin Sang walked into the za and mingled with the crowd."Spirit Travel Talisman: five low-grade spirit stones."


    "Burning Wood Talisman: two low-grade spirit stones."


    "<em>Five-elemental spell</em>: exchange for an array."


    "Middle-grade artifact, Hanli Wishing Ring: only for trade with defensive artifacts of the same grade."


    "Ninefold Cycle Pills: beneficial for solidifying and nourishing the body, price negotiable."


    ¡­


    Qin Sang focused on the stalls with upright signs, examining them one by one, expanding his knowledge significantly. The strange talismans, unique artifacts, and mysterious arts were almost enough to make him drool.


    Most of the signs indicated exchanges with low-grade spirit stones, suggesting that spirit stones were likely the unified currency in the world of immortal cultivation. Qin Sang thought of the eight stones in his colorful pouch, which were probably spirit stones as well.


    With this realization, Qin Sang began to look around. As he took a few steps, he saw a person in a ck cloak at a nearby stall, haggling over an artifact.


    Intent on observing, Qin Sang slowed his pace. He noted the cloak-wearing individual and pondered that he might need to adopt such a disguise in the future. Immortal cultivators often engaged in fierce battles; learning to conceal oneself and remain low-key might be a way to live longer.


    "Brother, could you lower the price on this Ice Bee Needle?" The cloaked figure''s voice was shrill and strange.


    Qin Sang focused on the artifact in the cloaked figure''s hand. It was a transparent needle, about the length of a finger, thinner than a regr needle, and seemingly made of ice. It shimmered faintly and emitted a chill that Qin Sang could feel even from a distance.


    The sign at the stall read. "Low-grade artifact Ice Bee Needle, thirty spirit stones."


    The stall owner, an elderly man with a wrinkled face, lifted his eyelids upon hearing the request and replied calmly, "How much are you willing to offer?"


    The cloaked figure said, "Generally, low-grade artifacts are of little use, especially in battles, where they can easily be destroyed by an opponent¡¯s spell. More than ten spirit stones would be considered expensive. This Ice Bee Needle is no exception. If it weren¡¯t for the bit of cold qi it carries, which is somewhat useful to me, I wouldn¡¯t buy it. I''ll offer thirteen spirit stones. How about that?"


    The stall owner smiled, "It seems you are knowledgeable. However, your offer is not quite fair. I dare to sell the Ice Bee Needle for thirty spirit stones precisely because of its cold qi. This needle is crafted from the tail of a Jade Ice Bee, which not only carries cold qi but also the bee¡¯s venom. Thirty spirit stones is already a low price."


    The cloaked figure was unconvinced. "The Jade Ice Bee¡¯s venom is not a difficult venom to counter. Your words might deceive others, but not us. Let¡¯s not speak in riddles. I¡¯ll add two more spirit stones and offer fifteen in total..."


    "Deal!"


    The stall owner agreed decisively. The cloaked figure snorted, seemingly feeling he had paid too much. He pulled out fifteen multi-colored stones from his Mustard Seed Pouch and tossed them to the stall owner before turning and leaving quickly.


    Seeing the stones the cloaked figure had tossed, Qin Sang''s eyes lit up. These were indeed the spirit stones from his colorful pouch.


    It turned out he had some wealth after all; eight spirit stones could buy several talismans.


    However, he still needed to learn the Object Maniption Technique first.


    As the stall owner finished counting the spirit stones, he suddenly looked up, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Qin Sang. With a tone that carried a hint of suspicion, he asked, "Young man, you¡¯ve been looking for a while. Have you found something you like?"


    Qin Sang was startled. Despite his efforts to blend in, he had still been noticed.


    Qin Sang respectfully said, "I merely found the Ice Bee Needle peculiar and couldn''t help but take a closer look. I apologize for disturbing you."


    The stall owner responded with a simple "oh" and then closed his eyes, resuming his cultivation.


    Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Qin Sang moved to the side, reminding himself to be cautious in the future. Meanwhile, he assessed that if a low-grade artifact could sell for over ten spirit stones, then his Purple Soul Bell, being a high-grade artifact, must be exceptionally valuable in terms of both power and worth.


    After wandering for a while, he had seen only a few middle-grade artifacts, most of which were for barter, and none of the high-grade artifacts.


    He wondered what grade the Ice Silkworm Armor given to him by the Han Family youth was.


    Tightening his sleeve to conceal the Purple Soul Bell better, Qin Sang continued to walk and observe.


    Many stalls sold arts and spells, but strangely, after nearly half the za, he had yet to find anyone selling the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> or the Object Maniption Technique.


    Just as he was growing impatient, he noticed a familiar item at a stall ahead.


    "Spirit Talisman: Water Barrier, eight low-grade spirit stones."


    The few talismans disyed under the sign were identical to the one Qin Sang had obtained from Xuanji Temple, revealing their high value.


    It seemed this Water Barrier Talisman might be the same water curtain released by the immortal cultivator before their death¡ªa defensive talisman. Qin Sang pretended to be interested and haggled with the stall owner, confirming his suspicions.


    He reasoned that since the Water Barrier Talisman was for defense and ovepped with the effect of the Ice Silkworm Armor, it was not urgently needed. He could use it for trade rather than selling his own artifacts.


    With this thought, Qin Sang quickened his pace, scanning the stalls rapidly but failing to find what he sought. As he approached the edge of the za, his gaze suddenly sharpened, and he sighed in relief as he finally spotted the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    It was a thick book with a ck cover and bold characters reading "<em>Netherworld Scripture: Complete Edition.</em>"


    Just by its appearance, the book was more than twice as thick as the one Qin Sang had obtained from the ck-d demon. It was clear that his copy of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was indeed iplete.


    With a calm expression, Qin Sang casually walked over and squatted down in front of the stall, picking up the <em>Netherworld Scripture: Complete Edition</em>.

 Chapter 55: The Tan Brothers

    "Brother, you have a good eye. This <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> is indeed a top-tier foundational water art!"


    The stall owner was a short, stout man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties. Before Qin Sang could even speak, the man enthusiastically began his pitch. "Among all the foundational water arts, the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> is absolutely top-notch. Once cultivated, it greatly refines the body and enhances the five senses, far surpassing other arts. It provides a significant advantage inbat. I''m offering it to you for fifteen spirit stones, which is a fair price."


    Qin Sang flipped through a few pages. The copy he owned ended at the sixth stage, but this one continued beyond that. As he kept turning the pages, he discovered it had a total of thirteen stagesplete from start to finish!


    Indeed, the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> corresponded perfectly with the stages of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Qin Sang remained impassive. Along the way, he had seen many vendors selling foundational arts, most priced at five or six spirit stones at most. It was clear that these foundational arts weren''t rare in the world of immortal cultivation, yet this <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was being sold for fifteen spirit stones.


    His Water Barrier Talisman was only worth eight spirit stones, and he''d still need to add more stones for the difference. He certainly wouldn''t spend such an exorbitant amount without bargaining. Just as he was about to start negotiating, someone nearby suddenly shouted.


    "You deceitful merchant! It''s bad enough that you lie, but to mislead others into cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> for a few spirit stones¡ªhave you no conscience?"


    Qin Sang was startled and turned to see who had spoken. It turned out to be two young men who had just purchased something from a nearby stall. One of them was burly and rugged, with a full beard, and was ring angrily at the stall owner.


    The other youth was much slimmer and was anxiously pulling on hispanion''s arm, forcing a strained smile as he repeatedly apologized to Qin Sang and the stall owner.<em>From his tone, could there be some w in the Netherworld Scripture?</em>


    Qin Sang furrowed his brow in thought.


    The stall owner, now furious that his business had been disrupted, red at the burly youth and snapped, "It''s a willing buyer and a willing seller¡ªno one''s forcing anyone. What business is it of yours? Keep your nose out of it!"


    The burly youth snorted, shrugged off hispanion''s hold, and strode over, his eyes zing with righteous indignation. "You deceitful merchant! The <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> is one of the hardest foundational arts to cultivate. The cultivation speed is excruciatingly slow, and breaking through bottlenecks is much more difficult than with other arts. The supposed benefits are insignificantpared to the drawbacks. No one would buy it for even five spirit stones, yet you dare to sell it for fifteen! You only mention the benefits and not the ws, misleading people into cultivating the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and leading them astray. If you''re not a deceitful merchant, then what are you?"


    Hearing this, Qin Sang was taken aback. Throughout his cultivation journey, he had only encountered a bottleneck when breaking through the third stage, but he hadn''t found it particrly difficult.


    Moreover, ording to Zhen Ming, some cultivators never reach the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm in their lifetime. Yet Qin Sang had reached the fifth stage in less than five years, so his progress couldn''t be considered slow, could it?


    Qin Sang''s mind stirred, and he flipped a few more pages, making a discovery.


    This <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> made no mention of the Yan Luo Banner!


    The youth''s loud voice had attracted the attention of those nearby.


    The stall owner''s face turned crimson with rage. He wished he could strike down the burly youth with a single blow, but not only was fighting prohibited in the market, the youth''s cultivation level also seemed to be on par with his own.


    Unable to win a fight, the stall owner was infuriated and angrily retorted, "I wasn''t even finished exining! I was just about to talk about the art''s drawbacks when you jumped in! Moreover, this <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> isn''t just aplete art; it also includes many carefully selected water-based spells at the end. It''s definitely worth fifteen spirit stones! If you don''t understand, don''t butt in."


    Qin Sang nodded. "There are indeed some spells, but they''re quitemon."


    He had already noticed a list of spells at the end of the book, including the Object Maniption Technique and the Qi Perception Technique, as well as more impressive-sounding spells like River-Locking Fog and Thousand Li Ice Seal.


    Whether it was the art or the spells, they were all things he urgently needed.


    "Big Brother, stop talking!"


    "Please forgive him, Senior. My big brother acted on impulse..."


    The slender youth finally managed to drag hispanion away, repeatedly apologizing to Qin Sang and the stall owner. He whispered a few words into the burly youth''s ear, and only then did the burly youth, still huffing in anger, allow himself to be pulled away. ?


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected that even in the world of immortal cultivation, there would be people with such a strong sense of justice. They had saved him the trouble of bargaining. Seeing that they were about to leave, he quickly set down the art he was holding and stepped forward to stop them, cupping his hands in greeting. "My name is Qin Sang. It''s an honor to meet you both. May I ask how you are addressed?"


    The slender youth seemed a bit shy, lowering his head slightly as he replied, "I am Tan Jie. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Brother Qin. This is my elder brother, Tan Hao. My brother acted impulsively and may have caused you some trouble. I hope you won¡¯t hold it against him."


    <em>These two don''t resemble each other at all, yet they are brothers?</em>


    Qin Sang was inwardly surprised, thinking to himself. <em>Why would I me you? I¡¯m too grateful as it is.</em>


    "Tan Jie, there''s no need to be so formal. I should be thanking both of you for your guidance. Otherwise, I might have almost gone down the wrong path. Meeting by chance is fate, and both of you have done me a great favor. There¡¯s a Drunken Immortal Tavern up ahead. I¡¯d like to treat you both to a drink as a token of my gratitude. Would you do me the honor?"


    He wasn¡¯t familiar with the taverns on the street paved with cyan stones and didn¡¯t dare enter, but those outside epted silver.


    However, Tan Hao wasn¡¯t interested at all and coldly replied, "I simply couldn¡¯t stand that merchant¡¯s deceit. It would have been the same if it were someone else. There¡¯s no need for your thanks, and I don¡¯t have time to drink with you. Step aside!"


    "Brother!"


    Tan Jie looked distressed and cupped his hands to Qin Sang, "Please don¡¯t mind my brother, Brother Qin. That¡¯s just how he is... We truly have urgent matters to attend to. If we have the chance in the future, we¡¯d be happy to share a drink with you."


    The Tan brothers hurriedly left, leaving Qin Sang scratching his head. He mused that there were still such straightforward and brash individuals among immortal cultivators. But since they had helped him out significantly, he wouldn¡¯t hold a grudge over something so minor.


    Qin Sang nced at the stall owner and then turned to leave.


    "Brother! Brother Qin! Please wait!"


    The stall owner quickly stepped forward and grabbed Qin Sang¡¯s arm, speaking with righteous fervor, "Brother Qin, don¡¯t be misled by that young hothead. Choosing a cultivation art depends entirely on what suits you best. How can you let someone else¡¯s words sway you? Besides, I have more than just the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> here. Why don¡¯t you take a closer look? The price is negotiable."


    From what Tan Hao had said and the murmurs from the crowd, Qin Sang already knew that few people were interested in buying the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. This fat stall owner had likely had it on disy for who knows how long. Having finally caught someone interested, he wasn¡¯t about to let go easily, which was why Qin Sang had feigned leaving.


    His guess had been right.


    Feigning reluctance, Qin Sang allowed himself to be pulled back to the stall, hesitating as he said, "To be honest, I¡¯m notcking in cultivation arts. I was just curious about the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> since I¡¯ve never seen it before. But if it¡¯s that difficult to cultivate, it might not be of much use to me. And it¡¯s so expensive..."

 Chapter 56: Divine Artifact Pavilion

    The stall owner¡¯s eyes lit up when he heard this, and he began toin, "Brother Qin, just for these meticulously selected spells alone, fifteen spirit stones isn¡¯t expensive at all¡ªFine! How much are you willing to pay?"


    Qin Sang frowned as if he were struggling to make a decision, and finally, he gritted his teeth. "Four spirit stones, at most!"


    The stall owner¡¯s face fell. "Brother, you might as well rob me! Absolutely not!"


    It seemed he had indeed offered too little.


    Qin Sang hesitated, flipping through the book repeatedly for a while. Then, he pulled out the Water Barrier Talisman and said, "These spells are all verymon; the only thing of value to me is this art. However¡­ How about this: this talisman is worth ten spirit stones. I won¡¯t ask for change. If you¡¯re willing to trade, we have a deal. If not, forget it."


    "Change? This Water Barrier Talisman is worth no more than six spirit stones..."


    The stall owner rolled his eyes, grumbling reluctantly, but he acted quickly. He snatched the Water Barrier Talisman and pped the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> into Qin Sang¡¯s hands.


    Having finally secured it, Qin Sang was itching to find a ce to thoroughly examine the book. Yet, he restrained his eagerness and took another twops around the market square, seizing the opportunity to gather some information.


    The first thing he inquired about was spiritual roots.No matter who he asked, everyone gave the same answer with conviction¡ªwithout a spiritual root, it was absolutely impossible to cultivate. Even a few suspected demonic sect cultivators said the same thing.


    This deepened Qin Sang¡¯s confusion as to why he was such an exception.


    The second inquiry was about malevolent yin qi.


    It turned out that malevolent yin qi wasmon knowledge among immortal cultivators. When Qin Sang asked about it, he was nearlyughed at.


    Malevolent yin qi was an extremely cold and malevolent force born from the heavens and earth. Its origins were difficult to exin, but it was said that battlefields from ancient immortal wars had the most malevolent yin qi. In those ces, where corpses piled up like mountains, the yin qi would slowly emerge due to some special reasons.


    Without protective measures, prolonged exposure to malevolent yin qi could not only hinder cultivation but also result in death, even for an immortal cultivator, as the malicious energy invaded the body.


    Except for extremely rare secret arts or artifacts that could utilize malevolent yin qi, ordinary immortal cultivators were best advised to avoid it altogether.


    Of course, most immortal cultivators didn¡¯t need to worry about this, as malevolent yin qi was exceedingly rare and typically formed in dark, secluded ces, making it hard to encounter.


    After learning about malevolent yin qi, Qin Sang didn¡¯t feel relieved; instead, his heart sank.


    If malevolent yin qi was so difficult to find, would he have to resort to his old method again¡ªfinding a nation at war, infiltrating the mortal world, and collecting souls?


    Now that he knew about Youshan Market and had ess to the immortal cultivation world, returning to the mundane world was still an option.


    However, it would waste a lot of time, and as Qin Sang¡¯s cultivation level increased, he increasingly felt that using the souls of ordinary people to create Soul Pills was far too inefficient to support his cultivation.


    Unless he ughtered hundreds or thousands at once.


    It might be better to stay at Youshan Market for a while longer and see if he could find any clues about the existence of malevolent yin qi. He assumed that no one else wouldpete with him for such a thing.


    After wandering for so long, the sky had gradually darkened, and the number of people in the square was dwindling. Qin Sang decided to find an inn within the market and stay for a while.


    But before that, he found a secluded spot and secretly took out the jade disk.


    Even the young man surnamed Han had mistaken the jade disk for a token of Youshan Market.


    The jade disk¡¯s glowing mist lingered, still pointing deep into the cyan stone street. Following its guidance, Qin Sang walked and stopped intermittently until he finally stood before a three-story wooden building. §²


    The signboard on the building read, "Divine Artifact Pavilion."


    The entire street was lined with various shops, but the Divine Artifact Pavilion was the only one with its doors and windows tightly shut. Qin Sang watched for a while but didn¡¯t see a single customere out.


    <em>Such grandiose ims¡ªhas the shop gone out of business?</em>


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but harbor some bad thoughts.


    Not far away, the owner of a nearby shop noticed him and asked, "Young man, are you here to buy artifacts from the Divine Artifact Pavilion as well?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s interest was piqued. He approached the shopkeeper, scanning the shop and noticing that it was stocked with various animal hides and bones. However, since this was an immortal cultivator¡¯s shop, these materials were likely from demonic beasts.


    "Greetings, Senior, I am Qin Sang," Qin Sang said, cupping his hands respectfully, "I¡¯ve indeede because of the reputation of the Divine Artifact Pavilion, but I¡¯m curious as to why its doors are tightly shut?"


    Seeing Qin Sang¡¯s respectful demeanor, the shopkeeper found him agreeable and was happy to exin, "Young Brother Qin, you may not know, but the Divine Artifact Pavilion only opens its doors for one day in the middle of each month. You¡¯vee early and will need to wait two more days."


    Qin Sang was surprised. "It only opens for one day in the middle of the month?"


    <em>Is that any way to run a business?</em>


    "You may not be aware," the shopkeeper said, his face showing deep admiration, "but the owner of the Divine Artifact Pavilion is likely from a major sect specializing in artifact crafting. The artifacts they sell are top-notch, crafted with extraordinary skill, and they have no trouble selling them. Right now, the market is crowded with people who havee just for the Divine Artifact Pavilion. Every time they put artifacts on disy, they¡¯re sold out within a day, and people even bid against each other to get them. Their skill is something we rogue cultivators can only envy. The rent for a shop here is nothingpared to the profit from a single artifact, so they can afford to be selective."


    <em>So they¡¯re truly skilled.</em>


    Qin Sang understood. It seemed that even in the world of immortal cultivation, having a specialized skill was highly valued. However, since he was still struggling with cultivation itself, he had neither the time nor the resources to learn artifact crafting or alchemy. He cupped his hands again and asked, "May I ask, Senior, do you need any special tokens to enter and make purchases?"


    "I haven¡¯t heard of such a thing," the shopkeeper replied hesitantly, "I¡¯m not wealthy, and I cultivate a fire-based technique. Most of the artifacts sold by the Divine Artifact Pavilion carry a hint of coldness, which isn¡¯t suitable for me, so I¡¯ve only visited the first floor. I¡¯ve heard that the second and third floors have high-grade and even top-grade artifacts for sale, and there might be some requirements to ess those."


    After thanking the shopkeeper, Qin Sang walked towards the outskirts of the cyan stone street, pondering that the jade disk might be a token for the Divine Artifact Pavilion.


    In his past life, such things weremon at various mid-sized auctions¡ªa gimmick akin to a membership, iming that only those with status and standing could participate, instantly boosting the prestige.


    Since even the shopkeeper dared not go upstairs, there was no use for someone as poor as him.


    Finding an inn, Qin Sang spent a considerable sum to rent a small courtyard. After dinner, he closed the courtyard gate, suppressing his inner excitement, and took out the two copies of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>.


    Comparing the first six stages carefully, Qin Sang confirmed there were no errors and was finally at ease. He sat down with the two copies of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, deep in thought.


    He had originally assumed that the Yan Luo Banner was a matching artifact for the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and had always regarded the scripture as an evil demonic art.


    It turned out that whether it was a demonic path or righteous path, the foundational arts were the same: drawing the spiritual qi of five elements from heaven and earth into the body to temper oneself, without any distinction between good and evil. Only now did Qin Sang realize how foolish his previous thoughts had been.


    However, while the art itself might not be inherently good or evil, the cultivators practicing them could be. To Qin Sang, absorbing human souls to enhance one¡¯s cultivation was undoubtedly the work of the demonic path.

 Chapter 57: Sword Will and Command

    When Qin Sang flipped to thest page of theplete <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, he found the carefully selected spells that the fat shopkeeper had mentioned.


    Mind Clearing Spell, Qi Perception Technique, Object Maniption Technique, Dust Repelling Spell, Secret Voice Transmission, Breath Concealing Technique, Windwalking Mantra, Airborne Technique¡­


    The so-called Qi Perception Technique was like opening a third eye in the center of the forehead. Once activated, it allowed one to not only perceive the general cultivation level of other cultivators but also to discern the grade of artifacts. It could also observe the spiritual qi of mountains, rivers, andkes, and pierce through illusions, making it an extremely versatile technique.


    There were more than a dozen such auxiliary spells simr to the Qi Perception Technique.


    Qin Sang quickly skimmed through them, his gaze finally settling on thest five spells: Water Barrier, Cloud Evasion, Shapeshift, River-Locking Fog, and Thousand Li Ice Seal.


    The Water Barrier was the same as the talisman he had purchased earlier. The scripture exined that after mastering this spell, one could manipte spiritual power to condense a barrier of water around oneself, providing defensive protection.


    When fully mastered, the water barrier could be shaped into a shield, moving ording to one''s will, bing even more robust.


    Cloud Evasion was one of the Five Elemental Evading Methods.


    As for thest three, though their names sounded intimidating, they were essentially simr. Qin Sang strongly suspected that the fat shopkeeper had privately altered the spell names to increase their value.After mastering Shapeshift, one could use spiritual power to create a clone that was almost identical to the original body, resembling a living person. However, it possessed no abilities and could only be used to confuse enemies.


    The River-Locking Fog created a dense fog to envelop the enemy, obscuring their vision. When fully mastered, it could even block spiritual consciousness.


    The Thousand Li Ice Seal was actually a spell to condense mystic ice. If a cultivator''s spiritual power was strong enough, they could indeed seal thousands of li with ice. At the right moment, it could directly trap the enemy within the mystic ice, and then... make a quick escape.


    Qin Sang pondered over these spells for a while before suddenly realizing that all five of them were rted to escape and self-preservation. No wonder he had found it strange that there wasn''t a single offensive spell among them.


    The Thousand Li Ice Seal was the only one that Qin Sang felt had potential for development. It didn¡¯t necessarily have to be used to imprison enemies; it could also be adapted to form ice spikes or des, which could be just as lethal.


    Qin Sang was speechless. <em>Just how fearful is that fat shopkeeper to have collected only escape-rted spells?</em>


    However, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t say that the shopkeeper''s choices were wrong. As the saying goes, "The overly rigid break easily."


    Immortal cultivators were different from mortals. Mortals only had a few decades at the peak of their lives, so if they wished to achieve anything, they had to be bold and give it their all, lest they waste their prime years. Once dead, it was all over.


    Moreover, even mortals said, "A man''s revenge is never toote, even after ten years."[1]


    Applied to immortal cultivators, this would be, "A man''s revenge is never toote, even after a hundred years."


    Qin Sang had learned that after the Qi Refining Realm and the Foundation Building Realm, there was the Golden Core Realm, also known as the Core Formation Realm. Above the Golden Core Realm was the Spiritual Infant Realm, where the most powerful elders resided.


    Cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm could live for more than a hundred years. Those in the Foundation Building Realm could live for over two hundred years without much difficulty. As for the Golden Core Realm masters and Spiritual Infant Realm grandmasters, their lifespans were even more astonishing.


    In his past life, it was said that Peng Zu lived for eight hundred years. In this world, Spiritual Infant cultivators could definitely achieve that.


    With such a long lifespan, if one encountered an unbeatable enemy, there was no need to fight to the death. One could simply flee, then live incognito and train diligently. Once their cultivation surpassed that of their enemy, they could return for revenge.


    This survival philosophy of the fat shopkeeper resonated deeply with Qin Sang. In the world of immortal cultivation, as long as one survived, anything was possible.


    After reviewing the spells, Qin Sang focused on the basic spells like Qi Perception Technique. Cultivating spells wasn¡¯t something that could be done in one go. Initially, one would be clumsy, and only through diligent practice could they fully unleash the spell''s power.


    The basic spells weren¡¯t particrly difficult to cast. The incantations were short, just a few lines, and after a few tries, Qin Sang managed to barely cast them. The first spell he practiced was naturally the Object Maniption Technique. Once he had learned it, he immediately took out the colorful pouch.


    <em>tter!</em>


    The room was suddenly filled with a heap of misceneous items. Qin Sang felt embarrassed; he wasn¡¯t yet skilled at casting the spell and had identally dumped everything from the colorful pouch all at once.


    Qin Sang had already examined the contents of the pouch countless times before, so he immediately grabbed a spirit stone, feeling the abundant and pure spiritual power within it, unable to put it down.


    In the cultivation world, spirit stones were highly valuable. They could be used as currency, directly absorbed for cultivation, arranged into spirit-gathering arrays to aid in training, or even quickly replenish spiritual power duringbat. And these were just low-grade spirit stones; the effects of higher-grade spirit stones were even greater.


    After carefully storing the spirit stones, Qin Sang nced around. Only the gold and silver might be of some use in the future, so he collected those as well.


    As for the other misceneous items, Qin Sang inspected them one by one, confirming that there was nothing particrly special about them, before kicking them aside. Finally, he found the three books he had been yearning to read.


    As expected, the <em>Profound Yin Book</em> was simr to the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> in that it was also a foundational cultivation art, but it was aligned with the earth element, requiring an earth-based spiritual root to cultivate.


    Each person only needed to cultivate one foundational art; cultivating more would be useless unless there was no progress for a long time or no follow-up arts avable, in which case one might choose to switch to a different art.


    The<em> Profound Yin Book</em> also included some spells, such as the Earth Evasion and the Mystic Earth Shield. Qin Sang wasn¡¯t sure if he could cultivate them, given that the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and the <em>Profound Yin Book</em> belonged to different elements.


    After skimming through the <em>Profound Yin Book</em>, Qin Sang set it aside and picked up the Song Family genealogy.


    The genealogy started by introducing the origins of the Song Family ancestor. After reading it, Qin Sang was surprised and quickly flipped through the following pages. The Song Family wasn¡¯t very populous; from the ancestor down through more than ten generations, only two direct descendants remained.


    One was named Song Hua, and the other was Song Ying.


    Song Hua was male, while Song Ying was a girl. The one who perished alongside the ck-robed demon by the Chenshui River should have been Song Hua.


    Throughout the entire Song Family genealogy, only a few members had their life stories recorded, and without exception, they were all immortal cultivators. However, all of them had perished during the Qi Refining Realm, most of them missing or meeting with idents, with very few dying peacefully of old age.


    The entire Song Family genealogy was a microcosm of the harsh reality of the cultivation world, giving Qin Sang a true sense of its brutality.


    Qin Sang was amazed that a single family could produce so many descendants with spiritual roots, and he carefully read through the life stories of these individuals.


    He was trying to confirm one thing: whether the descendants of the Song Family had retrieved the sword will decree from the ancestor''s tomb.


    The Song Family ancestor had an extraordinary background. ording to the genealogy, he had once trained in a sect called Shaohua Mountain, a powerful righteous sect. The ancestor had originally been an inconspicuous disciple of Shaohua Mountain, cultivating to the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. However, due to hisck of talent, he was unable to break through to the Foundation Building Realm.


    Eventually, disheartened, he left the sect and settled in a market at the foot of the mountain, where he married and had children. However, during his time at Shaohua Mountain, he had rendered a great service, and as a reward, Shaohua Mountain had granted him a sword intent decree upon his departure, stating that if any of his descendants possessed outstanding talent, they could present the decree to enter Shaohua Mountain and cultivate there.


    This sword intent decree was a reward Shaohua Mountain bestowed upon disciples who had rendered great service to the sect, and its value was immeasurable.


    After founding the Song Family, the ancestor took the sword intent decree to his grave, warning his descendants that it should only be retrieved when a highly talented descendant with the potential to break through to the Foundation Building Realm appeared, so they could enter Shaohua Mountain and restore the family''s former glory.


    1. This is a Chinese proverb, meaning it''s never toote to have revenge for someone who is determined. ?

 Chapter 58: Sword Cultivation Arts

    Qin Sang flipped to thest page of the family genealogy, yet he still couldn¡¯t find any mention of a Foundation Building cultivator. The highest level recorded was that of Song Hua''s grandfather, Song Yi, who had only reached the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm before disappearing without a trace during a journey.


    The sword will decree of Shaohua Mountain might still be lying in the tomb of the Song n ancestor!


    Qin Sang held the Song Family genealogy, his expression fluctuating with indecision. Although his understanding of the cultivation world was still limited, the benefits of joining a sect were obvious.


    Just like that shopkeeper beside the Divine Artifact Pavilion, the envy of rogue cultivators towards sect disciples was evident from their few words.


    However, Song Hua had saved his life. Whether intentionally or not, Qin Sang owed him a debt of gratitude. He never prided himself on being a good person, but he wouldn¡¯t harm the person who saved his life.


    Moreover, Shaohua Mountain was a prominent sect of the righteous path. If he trulycked a spiritual root, obtaining the sword will decree would be useless.


    Qin Sang sighed softly, setting aside the Song Family genealogy, and picked up another unnamed book. He also retrieved the ebony sword hidden in his chest.


    The unnamed book was actually the Song Family Sword Art, which was also the sword art used to activate the ebony sword!


    This so-called Song Family Sword Art was merely a modified version of the sword control techniques from Shaohua Mountain, adapted by the Song Family''s ancestor.Once the sword art was mastered, one could control a sword with spiritual consciousness, soaring through the skies. With a single thought, the sword light would streak across the sky like a startled swan or a wandering dragon,ing and going in a sh, striking down enemies from a thousand li away.


    When the sword control technique reached a certain level, one could transform sword qi into a rainbow and fly using the sword, exuding immense divine power that would leave others in awe.


    Qin Sang had long coveted the ability to fly using a sword. The basic spells of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> included the Windwalking Mantra, which merely enhanced movement speed, and the Airborne Technique, which allowed one to hover briefly, but neither enabled true flight.


    The reason Qin Sang couldn''t activate the ebony sword was because hecked this sword art.


    The Song Family genealogy recorded that the fourth-generation ancestor of the Song Family had once found a fragment of a flying sword astra[1] while exploring the cave of an ancient cultivator.


    Although it was just a fragment, it was still of astra quality.


    Only a cultivator in the Core Formation Realm or higher could refine astra. Each astra was crafted from extremely precious spiritual materials and painstakingly refined day and night by a Core Formation Realm cultivator, resulting in immense power, far surpassing even the finest artifacts.


    After acquiring the flying sword fragment, the Song Family ancestor was overjoyed and spared no expense tomission a renowned artifact refiner from the market to forge it into the ebony sword.


    As a result, the ebony sword was neither an astra nor an artifact, yet it differed significantly from ordinary spiritual swords and artifacts. Because it was originally a treasure fragment, it was far more durable and sharp thanmon spiritual swords and artifacts. However, it could only be activated using a specific sword art.


    But the drawback was also significant: the ebony sword consumed a vast amount of energy, requiring a Foundation Building cultivator to sustain its usage. A cultivator at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm could barely activate it.


    For cultivators below the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, their spiritual power was too meager, necessitating the use of spirit stones to umte enough power to release even a single strike.


    Given Qin Sang''s current resources, he could at most unleash eight strikes.


    Of course, the ebony sword''s power was extraordinary, making it difficult for opponents of the same level to withstand.


    Qin Sang held the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> in one hand and the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> in the other, lost in thought.


    Whether cultivating the sword art or spells, neither could be aplished overnight; both required a long, painstaking effort.


    If cultivating the spells hindered his progress in cultivation, it wouldn¡¯t be worth the loss.


    He had to decide for himself whether it was worth it.


    He had yet to face another cultivator, so he wasn¡¯t sure which of the five spells to prioritize. However, focusing all his efforts on the Song Family Sword Art was undoubtedly unwise. R


    Even if he found malevolent yin qi and his Soul Pill was replenished, as his realm increased, his cultivation speed would slow down, and asional bottlenecks could further dy his breakthrough to the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Until he reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, he would have to absorb spirit stones and prepare in advance before each use of the ebony sword. In a critical moment, his opponent wouldn¡¯t give him time to prepare.


    He would still need to rely on spells and artifacts like the Purple Soul Bell to fight his enemies. The ebony sword would serve best as a hidden ace.


    Of course, the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> was still worth practicing.


    Qin Sang threw away Song Hua''s misceneous items and packed his own belongings, feeling much lighter. After all, carrying that gold and silver had been quite exhausting.


    The Purple Soul Bell and the Ice Silkworm Armor remained outside, ready to respond to any crisis. With those items secured, Qin Sang lost interest in practicing the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and immersed himselfpletely in the <em>Song Family Sword Art.</em>


    For an entire day, Qin Sang did not leave the courtyard, bing entirely absorbed in the <em>Song Family Sword Art.</em>


    The primary focus of a sword control technique was to nurture the sword. Only by thoroughly understanding the characteristics of one¡¯s spiritual sword and merging one¡¯s mind with the sword could one wield it with full control and unleash the true power of the sword art.


    Qin Sangmunicated with the ebony sword using his spiritual consciousness. Following the guidance of the sword art, he first used his essence and blood to refine the sword, earning its recognition. After spending a whole day, he finally stored the ebony sword in his dantian, where it was constantly nourished.


    This method of nourishing a spiritual sword was the most fundamental sword cultivation technique of Shaohua Mountain.


    ording to the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em>, only when one had achieved the realm of unity between person and sword could one be considered to have entered the path of the sword. This was still a distant goal for Qin Sang.


    Even when he was not in a cultivation state, Qin Sang could still feel the presence of the ebony sword in his dantian.


    Qin Sang opened his palm, and with a thought, a wisp of dark light appeared in his hand. The small ebony sword floated above his palm, its previously unremarkable form now gleaming with a faint light, exuding an extraordinary aura.


    Although Qin Sang''s face was slightly pale, his excitement was unmistakable. He couldn¡¯t help but point forward and softlymand, "Go!"


    The ebony sword trembled, then shakily flew forward. Its speed was very slow, and it had barely traveled a few zhang before Qin Sang¡¯s face turned ashen. He quickly recalled the ebony sword into his body, letting out a sigh of relief with a lingering expression of fear.


    In his excitement, he had forgotten that nurturing the sword consumed a great deal of spiritual power.


    Moreover, the ebony sword¡¯s consumption of spiritual power was astonishing. Even such a short distance nearly depleted his reserves.


    After meditating to restore his energy, Qin Sang returned to his previous state. He knew that sword cultivation could not be rushed, so he took out the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> and practiced the spells first.


    These basic auxiliary spells were quite simple. With his experience in Object Maniption Technique, Qin Sang learned them all within a few hours.


    Of course, mastering their application would require diligent practice.


    Qin Sang tried each spell on parchment, but the results were disappointing.


    In the end, Qin Sang decided to focus on the Cloud Evasion and Thousand Li Ice Seal spells¡ªone for escaping and one for defense¡ªboth of which were urgently needed.


    With the Purple Soul Bell and the Ice Silkworm Armor already at his disposal, which had simr effects to the River-Locking Fog and Water Barrier spells, he didn¡¯t need to prioritize these two.


    As for the Shapeshift spell, Qin Sang felt that even if he could create an illusory clone to confuse his enemies, if the illusion was seen through, it wouldn¡¯t help him escape.


    1. An astra is a supernatural weapon. It is presided over by a specific deity and imbued with spiritual and ult powers. The term came to denote any weapon that was released from the hand (such as an arrow),pared to holding it (such as a sword). ?

 Chapter 59: The Five-Elemental Spiritual Root

    As dawn broke, Qin Sang finished his cultivation and headed out.


    ording to the shopkeeper, there weren''t usually many cultivators in the market. Only during the middle of the month did cultivators from around You Mountain gather together, each seeking what they needed.


    These few days were the best opportunity to gather information.


    Qin Sang genuinely wanted to make a few friends, but unfortunately, every cultivator he approached was extremely cautious. Each time he tried to strike up a conversation, he was met with wary gazes as if he had ulterior motives, and he was often met with a cold attitude.


    The brash Tan brothers were a rare exception.


    Remembering the many disappearances, idents, and hidden enemies mentioned in the Song Family genealogy, Qin Sang understood their wariness.


    He thought that to gather information, he needed to frequent ces with a lot of people, simr to the City of Three Witches, and make acquaintances.


    ces like the Immortal Tea House and Joyful Lane were undoubtedly the best, but entry required spirit stones.


    Reluctantly spending his resources, Qin Sang walked into the cyan stone-paved street and noticed the crowd gathering deeper into the street, which was unusually lively. It suddenly dawned on him that today was indeed the middle of the month.It seemed that the Divine Artifact Pavilion was about to open its doors. As expected, a grand scene unfolded before him, with high-spirited cultivators lining up to enter the Divine Artifact Pavilion.


    Though he didn¡¯t have the funds to buy anything, Qin Sang was eager to see the spectacle and headed towards the Divine Artifact Pavilion.


    The hall of the Divine Artifact Pavilion was spacious, with shelves disying various magical artifacts. Like an ordinary shop, many cultivators crowded around the shelves, browsing the items without any attendants nearby.


    Qin Sang discreetly used the Qi Perception Technique to observe and noticed that the elderly man in ck standing at the entrance of the pavilion exuded an overwhelming aura of spiritual power. His demeanor was calm and detached, suggesting that he was likely a Foundation Building cultivator!


    No wonder there was no fear of theft.


    Qin Sang was taken aback and his respect grew even more. Just as he was about to step inside, the elderly man in ck suddenly reached out and stopped him.


    With so many people entering before him without incident, Qin Sang felt anxious as the elderly man scrutinized him. He nervously said, "Greetings, Senior, I am Qin Sang."


    "Are you a rogue cultivator? How old are you this year?" the elderly man in ck suddenly asked.


    Qin Sang was momentarily stunned and replied, "Senior, I am a rogue cultivator, twenty-two years old this year."


    "Twenty-two¡­ Qi Refining Realm, fifth stage. Hmm¡­ Oh? You practice the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> as well. Follow me¡­"


    The elderly man nodded and turned to walk towards the inner chamber.


    Qin Sang was shocked that his background had been discerned so easily and was also confused.


    Given that the elderly man was a Foundation Building cultivator, he could easily crush him like an ant. Qin Sang had no choice but to follow cautiously, asking, "Senior, this is my first visit to the Divine Artifact Pavilion. May I ask why you have stopped me?"


    The elderly man looked at Qin Sang with a puzzled expression and said, "Do you think I would harm you when you came here with the token? Give me the token and you may enter."


    <em>A token?</em>


    Qin Sang recalled the jade disk and quickly took it out, handing it to the elderly man. He was curious about the token''s purpose but hoped it wasn''t a bad sign. If it turned out to be an internal auction, he could simply refrain from bidding and consider it a chance to observe.


    While they spoke, the elderly man opened the door to the inner chamber. Qin Sang was momentarily stunned by the scene inside.


    At the entrance of the room stood a table. Behind it, a pale-faced young man in a brocade robe yed with a blood-red snake,zily leaning against the table. He was evidently at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. R?


    The room contained some cushions, on which five people sat cross-legged. They were of simr age to Qin Sang, with cultivation levels around the fourth or fifth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Among them were the Tan brothers he had seen the other day.


    The noise of the door opening drew the attention of everyone in the room.


    The young man in the brocade robe quickly hid hiszy demeanor, stood up, and greeted respectfully, "Senior Uncle Yue."


    ncing at Qin Sang, he added with a smile, "Senior Uncle Yue has brought another junior brother this time. It seems that this visit will be more fruitful than usual."


    Everyone in the room eyed Qin Sang discreetly. The Tan brothers clearly recognized him, with Tan Hao opening his mouth only to be quietly tugged back by Tan Jie.


    Seeing their reluctance to acknowledge him, Qin Sang also refrained from greeting them.


    However, despite their subtle actions, they did not escape the notice of the elderly man in ck.


    "Do you know them?" the elderly man in ck turned and narrowed his eyes at Qin Sang.


    Qin Sang dared not hide the truth and briefly recounted how he had met them.


    The elderly man in ck nodded and did not pursue the matter further. He pointed at Qin Sang and said to the brocade-robed youth, "Test his spiritual root."


    "ÊÇ¡£"


    "Understood."


    The brocade-robed youth approached Qin Sang and, after a series of tests, a look of deep astonishment appeared on his face. He frowned, staring at Qin Sang as if he couldn¡¯t believe the results, and then proceeded to test again.


    Seeing the brocade-robed youth¡¯s expression, Qin Sang had a sinking feeling. <em>It seems that Zhen Ming hadn¡¯t lied to me; I really have no spiritual root.</em>


    <em>Is the Divine Artifact Pavilion looking to ept disciples?</em>


    <em>Could the jade disk be a type of token, simr to the Shaohua Mountain sword will decree?</em>


    ording to the shopkeeper, the Divine Artifact Pavilion was backed by a powerful sect. Joining a sect would be advantageous, but the problem was hisck of a spiritual root.


    Without a spiritual root, having cultivation would only lead to being sent for dissection.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected to be tested for his spiritual root as soon as he entered. With a Foundation Building cultivator watching, he couldn¡¯t even think of escaping. He was filled with panic, his mind racing on how to get out of this situation.


    The elderly man in ck furrowed his brow and said, "Liang Yan, what are you doing?"


    Startled, Qin Sang heard the brocade-robed youth respond quickly, "Reporting to Senior Uncle Yue, this junior brother actually has false spiritual roots¡­ and all five elements at that. At first, I thought the test was wrong. ording to the sect''s rules, this junior brother is not qualified to enter the sect."


    "What?"


    Not only did the elderly man in ck have a strange expression, but the others in the room were also taken aback. They had already used Qi Perception Technique to gauge Qin Sang¡¯s cultivation level, and though he was young, he was a genuine fifth stage Qi Refining Realm cultivator. His talent seemed promising, yet he had all false spiritual roots of all five elements.


    A young man with an unusual gaze stared at Qin Sang. His cultivation was only at the fourth stage of Qi Refining Realm, lower than Qin Sang¡¯s, but he had three spiritual roots!


    The reason why false spiritual roots were so called was that their cultivation speed was notoriously slow. The hope of breaking through to Foundation Building Realm was slim, and a mixed five-elemental false spiritual root was even slower, making it undesirable for any sect to ept.


    Unbeknownst to everyone present, Qin Sang was the most shocked.


    <em>I actually have a spiritual root? Zhen Ming lied to me!</em>


    <em>I never wronged him. Why would he do this? If not for Zhen Ming, I would already be cultivating in the Han Family, instead ofing all this way.</em>


    Fuming with anger, Qin Sang momentarily forgot what having a five-elemental spiritual root implied.


    The elderly man in ck frowned. "It''s not impossible for someone with false spiritual roots to reach the fifth stage of Qi Refining Realm at this age, but your cultivation method is the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>¡­ Have you had any unusual experiences?"

 Chapter 60: Kuiyin Sect

    The existence of the Yan Luo Banner must never be revealed.


    Despite his pitiful aptitude, Qin Sang''s cultivation speed had never been inferior to those with true spiritual roots, thanks to the help of the Yan Luo Banner. It was undoubtedly a rare and extraordinary treasure.


    Qin Sang quickly thought on his feet and spouted nonsense, "Senior, when I was young, I once consumed a fruit. Afterward, my whole body burned with heat for three days before the fever subsided. I almost died. Later, when I started cultivating, I realized that my meridians were much wider and sturdier than others, and I could absorb spiritual qi at an extremely fast rate. I¡¯m not sure if it had something to do with the fruit..."


    Liang Yan''s eyes lit up. "What kind of fruit was it?"


    "It was blue... it seemed like some kind of berry..."


    Qin Sang made up as much as he could, describing it based on the color of copper sulfate solution, adding patterns like iron oxide. Overall, it sounded strange, and even he didn¡¯t believe there could be a spiritual fruit like that.


    "A blue one? It can expand the meridians..."


    Liang Yan pondered for a moment. "Could it be a Drunken Divine Fruit? Did its skin have tiny white specks, with a rich fragrance of fine wine?"


    "I don''t remember it having a wine scent."Qin Sang tried his best to recall. How would he know the properties of a Drunken Divine Fruit? If Liang Yan was trying to deceive him, he definitely couldn''t admit to anything.


    After a round of questioning led to no results, Liang Yan looked somewhat disappointed.


    "Enough!"


    The old man in ck interrupted Liang Yan. "Liang Yan, go write Qin Sang¡¯s name in the registry. From now on, he will be your junior brother."


    Liang Yan was stunned and said, "Senior Uncle Yue, but Junior Brother Qin has a five-element spiritual root. That doesn''t seem to align with our sect''s rules, does it?"


    The ck-robed elder snorted. "What rules? It¡¯s merely a tradition. From ancient times to now, it''s not unheard of to break this rule. Being fortunate enough to consume a spiritual fruit and find a sect''s token shows he has deep fate. You, with your true spiritual roots, also owe much to fate. As long as Junior Nephew Qin can meet the sect''s standards, there''s no need to keep him out. Just record his name."


    Liang Yan hurriedly nodded and wrote Qin Sang¡¯s name down, then arranged a meditation cushion for him, telling him to wait patiently. By nightfall, after the auction concluded, they would return to the sect.


    From Liang Yan¡¯s mouth, Qin Sang learned that their sect was called the Kuiyin Sect.


    Sitting on the cushion, Qin Sang was still in a daze. Had he just been epted as a disciple of an immortal cultivation sect?


    "Congrattions, Brother Qin! From now on, we¡¯re senior and junior brothers."


    Suddenly, Qin Sang heard Tan Jie¡¯s voice transmission and, after a moment of thought, he transmitted back with self-mockery, "Senior Brother Tan, you should follow sect rules and call me Junior Brother from now on. To be honest, it still feels a bit unreal for me. Do you all also have jade disk tokens?"


    The title of senior brother and junior brother followed the order in the registry. Although Qin Sang was older than Tan Jie, he still had to obediently call him Senior Brother. Unless he reached the Foundation Building stage first, making the Tan brothers call him Senior Uncle instead.


    "Of course! Without a token, there''s no way the Divine Artifact Pavilion would recognize us. You should know that it¡¯s extremely rare for rogue cultivators like us to join an immortal sect. Not only those near You Mountain, but even many faraway rogue cultivators search for the tokens of the Divine Artifact Pavilion, and thepetition is fierce. My brother and I were only able to obtain these two tokens through great effort and a stroke of luck."


    It seemed that his fortune in obtaining a token from the young man with the surname Han had been quite fortunate.


    As the saying goes, "Fortune and disastere hand in hand." Given his poor aptitude, he would have only been able to enter the outer sect of the Han Family, but now he had joined an immortal cultivation sect. He wasn¡¯t sure whether to curse or thank Zhen Ming. ?


    Qin Sang smiled bitterly and sighed lightly. "Senior Brother Tan, do you know where our sect¡¯s mountain gate is located? And how strong is the sect?"


    "I¡¯ve heard of the sect¡¯s name before. It''s said to be a renowned immortal cultivation sect in the northern region, located in the extreme northern cold region. I never expected them to set up a Divine Artifact Pavilion this far south. Don¡¯t worry, Brother Qin. Just from seeing the Divine Artifact Pavilion, you can tell that our sect isn¡¯t weak. Now that we¡¯re under the protection of the sect, we finally have hope for the future." Tan Jie¡¯s tone was filled with excitement.


    The two exchanged a few more words through voice transmission.


    Joining an immortal sect was undoubtedly a good thing. The resources avable to sect disciples were vastly superior to those of rogue cultivators. Whether for cultivation or searching for malevolent yin qi, being part of a sect was far more convenient than wandering around aimlessly.


    But when he thought about his five-element spiritual root, Qin Sang couldn''t bring himself to feel too happy.


    Night fell, and during this time, Uncle Yue brought in several more rogue cultivators, but in the end, only one girl was epted. The Divine Artifact Pavilion was thorough in their work. Those rogue cultivators who were rejected werepensated with a middle-grade artifact.


    There was one cultivator whose cultivation was even higher than Liang Yan¡¯s, having reached the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but he was rejected due to being slightly older. Naturally, this person was unhappy, but in the presence of a Foundation Building cultivator, he didn¡¯t dare cause any trouble. He epted his artifact begrudgingly and left, full of resentment.


    In the end, only seven people were epted into the Kuiyin Sect¡ªfive men and two women, all around twenty years old. None of them had exceeded the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, and Qin Sang couldn¡¯t understand what criteria the sect used to select disciples.


    By nightfall, the bustle had quieted down, and Uncle Yue, along with two other ck-robed elders, entered the room.


    Qin Sang and the others quickly stood up and respectfully followed Liang Yan in greeting. "Greetings, Senior Uncle Dong, Senior Uncle Yue, and Senior Uncle Wu."


    The elder in the middle, who had a hooked nose, was Senior Uncle Dong. His gaze was as sharp as a de, making their eyes sting. None of them dared to meet his eyes, so they lowered their heads in fear.


    Suddenly, Senior Uncle Dong let out a sinisterugh. The overwhelming aura of a Foundation Building cultivator erupted from him. Qin Sang was terrified and felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him. He had to exert all his strength just to avoid copsing to the ground. Looking around, he saw that the others were also flushed and struggling to hold on.


    "You¡¯ve been chosen by my Kuiyin Sect, which shows you have good talent. After joining, you must devote yourselves fully to cultivation and sever all worldly ties! Before breaking through to the Foundation Building stage, you are not allowed to leave the mountain without permission, except for sect tasks. Otherwise, you will be treated as traitors. Don¡¯t me me for not warning you!"


    A murmur of unrest swept through the crowd.


    Qin Sang felt a chill in his heart. The pursuit of immortality naturally required undivided focus, and he wouldn¡¯t be distracted even without the sect¡¯s restrictions. But not being allowed to leave the mountain¡ªhow would he find malevolent yin qi?


    After closing the Divine Artifact Pavilion, Qin Sang and the others followed the three senior uncles as they quietly left the market.


    Once outside, the three Foundation Building cultivators from the Kuiyin Sect brought out a milky-white jade flying shuttle[1]. The shuttle emitted a glowing light, enveloping the group as they shot toward the sky.


    However, just as they had flown a short distance, a fiery red sword light suddenly shot out from deep within You Mountain, colliding with the flying shuttle like aet.


    An unexpected scene unfolded¡ªthe sword light easily pierced through the shuttle, shattering it into fragments of light that scattered like rain. It turned out to be an illusion.


    Shouts of surprise echoed from deep within You Mountain, followed by several figures bursting out of the darkness, fleeing in all directions. But to their despair, they realized that they had been surrounded by strange ck qi without knowing when.


    The ck qi roiled ominously, and it seemed as though countless evil spirits were howling within it. In an instant, the attackers were swallowed by the ck qi, not even managing a single scream. When the qi passed, all that remained were skeletons.


    Qin Sang, who had witnessed the entire battle, was drenched in cold sweat.


    1. The flying shuttle is a type of weaving shuttle. It was a pivotal advancement in the mechanization of weaving during the initial stages of the Industrial Revolution, and facilitated the weaving of considerably broader fabrics, enabling the production of wider textiles. ?

 Chapter 61: Desolation

    ck mist rolled and gathered into one spot, revealing the figures of three cultivators at the Foundation Building stage.


    After ncing at the corpses on the ground, Senior Uncle Wu sighed. "These desperate scoundrels are getting bolder."


    Senior Uncle Yue frowned and said, "They''re also growing stronger. Last time, it was just a few insects in the Qi Refining Realm, but now even Foundation Building cultivators have shown up. Judging by the artifacts they''re using, they don''t seem to be ordinary rogue cultivators. I suspect they¡¯re connected to the nearby cultivation families. Greed truly drives people! It seems we¡¯ll have to abandon this Divine Artifact Pavilion. What a shame..."


    With a cold snort, Senior Uncle Dong dered, "Next time, let¡¯s invite a few of our senior brothers and give the surrounding cultivation families of You Mountain a bloodbath. We''ll see which clown dares to show themselves then!"


    ¡­


    Under the night sky, the flying shuttle transformed into a streak of light, speeding forward like a gust of wind.


    The three senior uncles positioned themselves in a Three Talents Formation[1], jointly controlling the flying shuttle, while Qin Sang and the others stayed in the center.


    Wrapped in the light of the shuttle, Qin Sang felt no bumps or cold winds. The mountains and ins below passed like fleeting shadows, evoking memories of his past life.


    <em>Such speed!</em> Qin Sang was full of admiration for the abilities of Foundation Building cultivators, but all he could do now was focus on cultivating diligently.In front of others, Qin Sang dared not bring out the Soul Pill to assist his cultivation. The five-element spiritual root truly lived up to its reputation. Afterpleting one cycle of the cosmic orbit, only a minuscule amount of spiritual power had umted in his body. He decided not to waste any more time and took this opportunity to practice spells instead.


    Complex spells required not only reciting incantations but also coordinating them with hand seals.


    Initially, Qin Sang thought himself to be quite clever and assumed learning the spells would be simple. However, he soon discovered that the incantations were all twisted and obscure, with strange rhythms and difficult-to-understand ancient sounds and hidden phrases.


    That alone was bad enough, but each verse of the incantation required close coordination between his spiritual consciousness, hand seals, and spiritual power, leaving Qin Sang scrambling. Only then did he realize how difficult cultivation truly was.


    At this point, he could only stumble his way through reciting the incantation for <em>Cloud Evasion.</em> He knew it would take a long time before he could cast the spell effectively.


    Even if he could barely manage to release a spell, the lengthy casting time would be meaningless in actualbat. His spell wouldn¡¯t be ready before his opponent took him down.


    To reach a point where spells could be cast instantly, he would need long hours of hard training, which would inevitably conflict with his cultivation art practice.


    For three days, the flying shuttle sped on. Qin Sang estimated that in these three days, they had covered a distance several times greater than what had taken him a whole year to travel.


    This was just a glimpse of the vast difference between immortals and mortals.


    Though You Mountain was still in the grip of early spring''s chill, the winter snow had mostly melted. As the shuttle flew farther north, thend grew increasingly barren, the ins reced by ice fields and heavy snowfall.


    On the morning of the fourth day, the shuttle suddenly descended, startling Qin Sang and the others awake. At first, they were rmed, but soon realized they had finally arrived at their sect. Anticipation filled their faces.


    Momentster, Qin Sang felt the ground beneath him. The surrounding light dissipated as the flying shuttle shrank to the size of a palm andnded in Senior Uncle Dong''s hand, who promptly stored it away.


    But as Qin Sang took in the scene before him, his heart sank.


    Everywhere around them was an endless snowy wastnd,pletely devoid of human presence.


    Towering snow-capped mountains stretched as far as the eye could see, their perilous peaks piercing the sky. Sheer cliffs descended into abyssal chasms below, shrouded in a perpetual, gloomy fog that obscured the depths.


    This mountain resembled a sharp sword extending from the underworld, its de pointing at the heavens.


    The barren mountain was nketed in snow, with not a single nt in sight. The exposed rocks were all pitch ck, symbols of destion.


    There were none of the imagined pavilions, flowing waters, or flourishing greenery. Instead, there were only a few caves carved into the cliffs, their entrances blocked by snow, looking incredibly crude and destitute.


    <em>This deste and lonely peak... is my sect?</em>


    Seeing the stunned expressions on Qin Sang and the others, Senior Uncle Yue smiled and said, "The Kuiyin Sect doesn''t have a shred of that immortal aura you might expect. Are you disappointed?"


    Everyone''s gaze shifted toward Senior Uncle Yue. Though no one dared to speak, their eyes clearly revealed their agreement.


    Senior Uncles Dong and Wu flew up to the mountain peak, riding their artifacts, while Senior Uncle Yue led Qin Sang and the others down into the canyon below.


    "Now that you''ve stepped onto the path of cultivation, the grand scenery, luxurious life, even your family and friends, all are external. Only what helps you improve your cultivation is real... Feel the difference between here and the outside world."


    Senior Uncle Yue opened a gap in the protective light, allowing a st of cold wind to rush in. Qin Sang shivered from the chill and quickly circted his spiritual power to drive away the cold. Just then, he heard a series of gasps from the others.


    At that moment, Qin Sang also felt it. Upon entering the Kuiyin Sect''s territory, the spiritual qi in the world around them had suddenly be incredibly dense.


    For immortal cultivators, the density of the surrounding spiritual qi directly affected their cultivation speed. However, most ces rich in spiritual qi had already been divided among the major immortal sects and cultivation families. Only a few wealthy rogue cultivators could afford to set up spirit-gathering arrays with spirit stones to aid their cultivation.


    The fact that the spiritual qi within the Kuiyin Sect was so dense suggested that there might be legendary spiritual eyes or spiritual springs in the area. This was the foundation of an immortal sect''s strength.


    Senior Uncle Yue was rightpared to the richness of the spiritual qi, the mere sight of beautiful scenery was insignificant.


    Senior Uncle Yue led them deeper into the canyon. Soon, they reached the top of the mist, but to their surprise, Senior Uncle Yue did not stop. Instead, they were swallowed by the fog, whichpletely blocked their vision.


    After descending for a while longer, Senior Uncle Yue finally halted the sword light. Qin Sang stepped onto solid ground and looked around. They were standing on a narrow stone bridge at the edge of a cliff.


    The bridge was precariously narrow, with the abyss stretching thousands of zhang below. One of the senior brothers, who was afraid of heights, clung tightly to the rock wall, his face pale.


    Qin Sang scanned the area and noticed that the entire cliffside had been carved with simr stone bridges, pathways, and stairways. Each bridge connected to a cave dwelling, some with their stone doors tightly shut, others wide open, but there wasn¡¯t a single person in sight.


    Standing there, Qin Sang felt like he was in an ice cave. The dense fog never dissipated, and sunlight never reached this ce. Cold winds from the depths of the earth prated to the bone. Only immortal cultivators could barely withstand the harsh environment.


    In such a ce, no matter how dense the spiritual qi was, cultivating would be difficult.


    "Follow me¡­" Senior Uncle Yue said, leading them toward one of the cave dwellings at the end of the stone bridge. The group hurried after him.


    When they reached the entrance, Senior Uncle Yue waved his hand, and a beam of golden light shot out, causing the stone door to open automatically. The group followed him inside, and the chill in their bodies immediately dissipated. Only then did they realize the dwelling held hidden wonders.


    The interior was sparsely furnished, with just a stone bed, a meditation mat, and an incense table.


    Behind the incense table hung a portrait of an old man in a ck robe, standing in midair among the clouds, exuding an ethereal, immortal aura.


    Senior Uncle Yue approached the incense table, lit a stick of incense, and bowed before the portrait. When he turned around, he saw that Qin Sang and the others were standing solemnly, and he nodded in satisfaction. Smiling, he said, "From today onward, you are disciples of the Kuiyin Sect. The Kuiyin Sect was founded by our sect''s founder, Saint Kuiyin. Now, pay your respects to the founder."


    1. This is an ancient battle formation. ?

 Chapter 62: The Demonic Sect

    After Qin Sang and the others finished paying their respects to the founder, Senior Uncle Yue continued, "Our sect''s founder was a Spiritual Infant Realm cultivator. After realizing he couldn''t break through to the Divine Transformation Realm, he founded the Kuiyin Sect here and passed down his legacy. He ascended at the age of 1,083. Currently, our sect is led by three Golden Core Realm masters, all disciples of Saint Kuiyin. You must know that, like other immortal cultivation sects, our Kuiyin Sect ranks its members by cultivation level. If you manage to break through to the Foundation Building Realm, you may then be a disciple of one of the Golden Core Realm masters, which would make you my junior brother..."


    Liang Yan, grinning, interjected, "Then I''ll have to call all of you senior uncles."


    Senior Uncle Yue continued, "On this Yin Malevolent Cliff, there are many cave dwellings, and nearly a thousand Qi Refining Realm disciples. You don''t see them now because they''re all cultivating in their caves. From now on, you are fellow disciples. While the sect does not forbid duels, killing one another is strictly prohibited. Anyone who does so will face severe punishment! Do you understand?"


    With a stern warning in his voice, Senior Uncle Yue made it clear, and naturally, Qin Sang and the others quickly nodded in agreement.


    Seeing that they were being obedient, Senior Uncle Yue softened his expression slightly. He patted his Mustard Seed Pouch, and seven streaks of ck light flew out, each containing two items: a gray pouch and a yellow-white bead the size of a longan.


    "These are Malevolence-Avoiding Pouches. When you venture into the Yin Malevolent Abyss, activate them to prevent the malevolent yin qi from invading your body. The bead is a Yang Warming Pearl. Keep it on you while cultivating, and it will warm your body, shielding you from the surrounding cold. If you encounter evil spirits in the malevolent yin qi, activate the yang qi within the bead to repel them. However, the Yang Warming Pearl only works on weaker spirits. Never venture too deep into the qi." [1]


    As the pouches and beads fell into everyone''s hands, Qin Sang gripped the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch tightly. It felt like coarse cloth, while the Yang Warming Pearl emitted a faint warmth. Both were artifacts, but of a low grade¡ªmerely low-grade artifacts with unique functions.


    While inspecting the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch, Qin Sang was startled by Senior Uncle Yue''s words and couldn''t help but ask, "Senior Uncle Yue, does the base of the cliff contain nothing but malevolent yin qi?"


    Senior Uncle Yue nodded. "The intense cold in the Yin Malevolent Abyss is caused by the malevolent yin qi at the bottom of the cliff."Seeing the group react with slight rm, Senior Uncle Yue chuckled. "There''s no need to fear. The malevolent yin qi isn¡¯t entirely a bad thing. In fact, the sect''s ability to produce so many artifacts for sale is thanks to this qi. Moreover, within the Kuiyin Sect, there''s a special secret art that allows one to use the malevolent yin qi to cultivate. However, before you can practice it, you must change your cultivation arts."


    Upon hearing this, Qin Sang suddenly had a strong premonition.


    Senior Uncle Yue tapped at each of them with his finger, then said, "Qin Sang, your current cultivation art is the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, so you don¡¯t need to switch. Tan Hao, you can continue cultivating the <em>Yin Maic Sword Scripture</em>. As for the rest of you, three of you practice water-based arts, so you¡¯ll need to switch to the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>. Tan Jie, since your cultivation is earth-based, you will switch to the <em>Earth Elemental Secret Chapter</em>. And Shi Hong, you must switch to the <em>Yin Maic Sword Scripture</em> as well."


    This announcement stirred an uproar among the group.


    Changing cultivation arts wasn''t a simple matter. Although their cultivation levels wouldn''t decrease, they would have to start from scratch with the new art, halting their progress for a time.


    Though they could regain their strength quickly, it would still take time.


    Moreover, they had all spent years cultivating their original arts, and bing proficient in a new one would require additional time and effort.


    The three who practiced water-based arts were especially worried, as it was well known that the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> was one of the most difficult foundational arts to master.


    Only Qin Sang remained silent, head bowed.


    The others wore troubled expressions, murmuring among themselves. Senior Uncle Yue, his eyes suddenly sharp, shouted, "What is thismotion? The sect has its reasons for requiring you to change your arts! Take these!"


    Seven more streaks of light shot from the Mustard Seed Pouch, each containing a book and a small banner.


    Qin Sang received the items and squinted. They were all too familiar¡ªone was the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, and the other was the Yan Luo Banner!


    However, this Yan Luo Banner had a much paler King Yan image than his own. The lines were sparse, and the King Yan didn¡¯t look as lifelike, appearing quite dull.


    Liang Yan bowed with a smile and said, "Senior Uncle Yue, please don¡¯t be upset. After all, switching cultivation arts is a significant matter, so it''s normal for junior brothers and sisters to have doubts. I will exin everything to them shortly, and I¡¯m sure they will understand the sect¡¯s good intentions."


    Only then did Senior Uncle Yue withdraw his intimidating gaze, grunting in acknowledgment. He continued, "This secret art is a closely guarded secret of the sect, and no one is allowed to disclose it. Anyone who does will be treated as a traitor to the sect. The reason we don¡¯t allow you to leave the mountain before reaching the Foundation Building Realm is precisely because of this. Liang Yan, take them out and assign each of them a cave dwelling so they can begin their cultivation. Also, ording to sect rules, if any of you manage to break through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm within two years, you will be rewarded with a top-grade artifact, but this opportunityes only once. Make the most of it."


    Upon hearing the reward of a top-grade artifact, everyone''s eyes immediately lit up with excitement.


    Most rogue cultivators live in poverty, and even having a high-grade artifact is a rarity. Seeing a top-grade artifact was a luxury they couldn¡¯t afford, only something they could drool over with envy.


    Suddenly, the group¡¯s reluctance to switch cultivation arts seemed to dissipate. They eagerly bid farewell to Senior Uncle Yue and excitedly headed out to select their cave dwellings.


    While walking down the mountain path, Liang Yan began exining the uses and taboos of the Yan Luo Banner.


    Qin Sang, already well-versed in the Yan Luo Banner, pretended to listen to Liang Yan while his mind wandered.


    The Yan Luo Banner was a secret of the Kuiyin Sect, and the ck-d demonic cultivator who had died at Song Hua¡¯s hands was most likely a disciple of the Kuiyin Sect.


    No wonder when he left Youshan Market, he had felt the eerie, ghostly aura in the methods of the three senior uncles when they killed their enemies. It turned out the sect truly was a demonic sect!


    Even now, whenever he thought of that mummified corpse, Qin Sang couldn''t shake the feeling of dread.


    The excitement he had initially felt from joining an immortal cultivation sect was now thoroughly doused. Staring up at the misty sky, his gaze grew deep, and a seed of doubt started to take root in his heart.


    As he descended two more flights of stairs, a sudden scream echoed from a nearby cave dwelling, followed by a terrifying roar. The dreadful howls, like those of an evil spirit, mingled with cries of agony, sending chills down their spines.


    Except for Qin Sang, the others all turned pale with fear. Liang Yan''s figure flickered, and with a swift kick, he forced the cave dwelling''s door open. Inside, they saw a boy around their age writhing on the ground, clutching his head, blood and tears streaming down his face, his expression maddened and deranged.


    When the boy saw Liang Yan, a glimmer of hope shed in his eyes. He wed at the ground, veins bulging in his arms, struggling to crawl forward, desperate for help.


    In the next moment, the boy''s face suddenly froze, his twisted body crashing to the ground with no sign of life left.


    1. Trantor''s note: It''s helpful to exin the concept of yin and yang here. Yin and yang is a concept that originated in Chinese philosophy, describing an opposite but interconnected, self-perpetuating cycle. Yin and yang can be thought of asplementary and at the same time opposing forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts and the parts are important for cohesion of the whole. In Chinese cosmology, the universe creates itself out of a primary chaos of material energy, organized into the cycles of yin and yang form and matter. Yin is retractive, passive and contractive while yang is repelling, active and expansive; in principle, this dichotomy in some form, is seen in all things in nature¡ªpatterns of change and difference, such as biological and seasonal cycles, evolution of thendscape over days, weeks, and eons (with the original meaning of the words being the north-facing shade and the south-facing brightness of a hill), gender (female and male), as well as the formation of the character of individuals and the grand arc of sociopolitical history in disorder and order. ?

 Chapter 63: King Yans Rebound

    A ghostly figure floated out of the boy''s body,ughing eerily. Liang Yan snorted coldly as he flicked a banner from his palm. The banner pped in the air, releasing streams of ck qi, which swiftly surrounded the ghostly figure.


    The spirit struggled violently within the ck qi, but it could not escape and was eventually consumed by the dark energy.


    After retrieving the banner, Liang Yan waved his hand, conjuring a burst of me that reduced the corpse in the cave dwelling to ashes.


    Nearby, the disciples in other cave dwellings who had been cultivating were startled. They opened their doors and witnessed the entire scene. After bowing respectfully to Liang Yan, they nced indifferently at Qin Sang and the others, then returned to their cultivation as though this was a routine urrence.


    In the now-empty cave dwelling, only a pile of ash remained, swept up by a cold wind and scattered into the canyon. Thest traces of the boy were the w marks on the ground.


    Liang Yan led them down another seven or eight flights of stairs to a row of unupied cave dwellings. "These caves have no owners. Choose one and begin your cultivation. Senior Uncle Yue will hold a monthly lecture at the end of each month. If you have any questions about your practice, make sure to ask him then."


    The group remained silent, staring at the dark, empty cave dwellings with a mix of awe and unease. Had simr scenes unfolded inside these caves before?


    Noticing their apprehension, Liang Yan smiled and said, "What¡¯s wrong? Scared by such a small event? If you don¡¯t want to end up like that, remember what I just told you: Use your spiritual consciousness to suppress King Yan and make sure it submitspletely before entering the Yin Malevolent Abyss to absorb the malevolent yin qi. The Yan Luo Banner is a powerful tool, but you must curb your greed when absorbing Soul Pills. Never give King Yan a chance to break free, or even immortals won¡¯t be able to save you. What happened to that junior brother just now is a warning! Never forget this!"


    After speaking, Liang Yan mounted his flying artifact and left.Qin Sang and the others exchanged nces, but none of them had much to say. Each selected a cave dwelling for themselves. Just as Qin Sang was about to enter his cave, he heard Tan Jie''s voice through a transmission, "Brother Qin, what¡¯s your opinion on the Yan Luo Banner?"


    Qin Sang paused and turned to see Tan Jie standing at the entrance of the neighboring cave, looking worried.


    Seeing Tan Jie¡¯s expression, Qin Sang knew he had likely been shaken by what had just happened. Qin Sang himself had already witnessed the terrifying power of King Yan, and without the protection of his Jade Buddha, he too would have been devoured by King Yan.


    However, aside from the risk of King Yan''s rebound, Qin Sang had not encountered any other dangers with the Yan Luo Banner during his cultivation thus far.


    Thinking this, Qin Sang transmitted a warning, "Senior Brother Tan, ording to Brother Liang Yan, over a thousand disciples in the Kuiyin Sect use the Yan Luo Banner for cultivation, so its effectiveness has likely been well-proven. However, the danger of this secret art is significant. We should be very cautious going forward."


    Tan Jie nodded, saying no more as he walked into his cave, clearly still troubled.


    After closing the door to his cave dwelling, Qin Sang sat down on the stone bed and put on the Yang Warming Pearl. Without needing to activate any spiritual power, the warmth from the Yang Warming Pearl gradually dispelled the cold qi around him, though it couldn¡¯t drive away the chill deep in his heart.


    Reflecting on Liang Yan¡¯s actions and the indifferent expressions of the other disciples as they watched the burning of the corpse, Qin Sang realized that, in the Kuiyin Sect, the lives of disciples seemed no more valuable than those of mortals in the outside world¡ªlike des of grass.


    Perhaps only after breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm could one gain any real status.


    Qin Sang believed that with the protection of the Jade Buddha, he needn¡¯t fear King Yan¡¯s rebound. Standing out among his fellow disciples shouldn¡¯t be too difficult. But what Qin Sang feared more was drawing unwanted attention.


    Even though Senior Uncle Yue had forbidden internal killings, what if a Foundation Building Realm cultivator decided to murder someone for their treasures?


    ¡­


    The cave dwelling was still as simple as ever.


    Qin Sang, who had been sitting cross-legged on his meditation cushion, suddenly opened his eyes. He quietly pushed open the stone door of his cave dwelling and caught a glimpse of a slender figure disappearing into the fog of the Yin Malevolent Abyss. From the back, it was clear that the figure was Shi Hong, the senior sister who had entered the sect at the same time as him.


    It had already been a month since Qin Sang joined the Kuiyin Sect. At the end ofst month, Senior Uncle Yue held a lecture, during which Qin Sang asked him about the various doubts that had troubled him for years. He finally understood why his cultivation bottleneck appeared sporadically.


    It turned out that for immortal cultivators, each breakthrough between realms was a critical checkpoint. If one''s aptitude was insufficient, being stuck for ten or more years without breaking through was perfectly normal.


    Moreover, during the third, sixth, and ninth stages of the Qi Refining Realm, both the physical body and spiritual consciousness underwent subtle transformations, making the bottlenecks at these stages even more solid and difficult to break through.


    Each of these checkpoints was harder to ovee than thest. The Soul Pills not only elerated cultivation speed but also helped with breakthroughs, which exined why Qin Sang had progressed so smoothly so far.


    Of course, these smaller checkpoints couldn''tpare in difficulty to the bottlenecks at the Foundation Building Realm or the Core Formation Realm.


    Among Qi Refining Realm cultivators, fewer than one in ten sessfully broke through to the Foundation Building Realm. And that was assuming they even reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, since not everyone had the chance to obtain a Foundation Building Pill.


    The Foundation Building Pill was a spiritual medicine that helped break through the bottleneck of the Foundation Building Realm, increasing the likelihood of sess.


    If someone had excellent innate talent, such as possessing a single spiritual root, they wouldn¡¯t need the Foundation Building Pill. But for most cultivators, the small increase in sess provided by the Foundation Building Pill was extremely precious.


    However, the current immortal cultivation world was suffering from a scarcity of spiritual power and a shortage of spiritual medicine. Many of the ancient spiritual pills, which were once as effective as the Foundation Building Pill, could no longer be refined due to ack of ingredients. Even the pill recipes had been lost.


    As a result, even among the disciples of immortal sects, not everyone could obtain a Foundation Building Pill.


    If breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm was already so difficult, the number of cultivators who sessfully formed a Golden Core was even rarer. The entire Kuiyin Sect had only three Golden Core Realm cultivators.


    Cultivation was truly like a narrow bridge, with countless people fighting to cross it.


    After learning all this, Qin Sang was dispirited for several days. Even if he somehow managed to break through to the Foundation Building Realm, and even if he reached the peak of the Foundation Building Realm before the end of his lifespan, there would still be almost no hope of bing a Golden Core Realm cultivator.


    Thinking back on the bold ims he had made in front of the grand princess, it all seemed soughable now.


    But soon, Qin Sang pulled himself together. Only someone who had experienced death could truly understand the terror of it, and the beauty of being alive. He resolved to give his all, and even if he couldn¡¯t escape death, at least he would die without regrets.


    Over the past month, he had resisted entering the Yin Malevolent Abyss to absorb the malevolent yin qi, having already exhausted his remaining Soul Pills. Instead, he focused on refining incantations, waiting for the right moment. After waiting for an entire month, the first person to suppress King Yan and enter the Yin Malevolent Abyss was Shi Hong.


    Shi Hong possessed dual spiritual roots of wood and metal, making her the most talented among the seven who had joined the sect at the same time. It wasn¡¯t surprising that she was the first to suppress King Yan.


    After waiting in his cave dwelling for a bit longer, Qin Sang took out his Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch, activated it with spiritual power, and covered himself with it before leaping into the Yin Malevolent Abyss.


    The Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch also had the ability to assist in flying, and whenbined with the Airborne Technique, Qin Sang¡¯s body floated down like a falling leaf.


    The deeper he went into the Yin Malevolent Abyss, the denser and colder the malevolent qi became, until it waspletely dark below, like inky ck clouds swirling endlessly in the abyss. Amid the howling winds, faint roars of ghostly creatures could be heard, as if countless evil spirits were trying to break into the mortal world and wreak havoc.

 Chapter 64: Sixth Stage

    In this ce, even with the Yang Warming Pill on him, he could not ward off the bone-chilling cold.


    ording to Senior Brother Liang Yan, when they first acquired the Yan Luo Banner, King Yan''s strength was only equivalent to a cultivator in the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm. They only needed to absorb the malevolent yin qi from the topyer of the Yin Malevolent Abyss, allowing King Yan¡¯s strength to gradually increase before delving deeper bit by bit.


    At this position, even when using the Qi Perception Technique, the visibility was quite limited. Qin Sang could only see a senior brother sitting cross-legged on the cliffs on either side of the Yin Malevolent Valley, controlling King Yan to absorb the malevolent yin qi.


    Every time King Yan absorbed a wisp of malevolent yin qi, the senior brother would collect it into the Yan Luo Banner, his spiritual consciousness sinking into the banner to suppress King Yan, and then repeat the process after a while.


    Others,cking the protection of the Jade Buddha, had to be extremely cautious whether they were controlling King Yan to absorb malevolent yin qi or using Soul Pills for cultivation. Only Qin Sang dared to use Soul Pills continuously and let King Yan be so unrestrained.


    Finding a secluded corner, Qin Sang activated the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch to its fullest, ventured into the malevolent yin qi, and after a certain distance, took out the Yan Luo Banner, clearly feeling King Yan¡¯s excited emotions.


    Indeed, the efficiency of absorbing malevolent yin qi was much higher than that of devouring souls. In no time, King Yan''s strength was restored, and Qin Sang ordered him to produce Soul Pills until he had umted a month''s worth. After waiting a few more hours, he set up the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch and returned to his cave dwelling.


    From then on, Qin Sang¡¯s life became highly regimented. At the end of each month, he would consult Senior Uncle Yue, retrieve Soul Pills from the Yin Malevolent Abyss, and then remain in his cave dwelling, where food was delivered daily.


    With no disturbances, he could focus entirely on cultivation, bncing both his arts and spells.In less than a year, Qin Sang reached the peak of the fifth stage, feeling the bottleneck of the sixth stage, and the sense of helplessness returned.


    He had now received guidance from Senior Uncle Yue, understanding that being more anxious only worsened the situation. Therefore, he only spent three to four hours daily on cultivation, dedicating the rest of his time to practicing spells and the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em>.


    Six monthster, Qin Sang became quite proficient with Cloud Evasion and Thousand Li Ice Seal. Although not yet at the level of manipting spells with ease, he was adept enough forbat.


    Nowadays, even without the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch, Qin Sang could use Cloud Evasion to traverse the air for a while. The primary use of Cloud Evasion remained in concealment, allowing him to hide within clouds and mist or make a swift escape when faced with powerful foes.


    Regarding Thousand Li Ice Seal, Qin Sang focused not only on the extent and strength of the mystic ice but also on refining his techniques¡ªtransforming ice into swords, knives, or even ice needles for traps.


    The mystic ice created by this spell was exceptionally sturdy, and with precise timing, it could yield surprising results in battle.


    The Song Family Sword Art progressed the slowest. Despite prolonged nurturing, Qin Sang still struggled to master the ebony sword.


    Today was another session where Senior Uncle Yue lectured on the scriptures. Qin Sang stopped his training and walked out of his cave dwelling, coincidentally encountering Tan Jieing out as well.


    Among the seven who had entered, only four remained: Qin Sang, the Tan brothers, and Shi Hong.


    One senior brother had died in the cave dwelling due to King Yan''s bacsh, while the other two had never emerged from the Yin Malevolent Abyss, with their deaths being predictable.


    Qin Sang privately sighed, realizing why senior brothers and sisters had been so indifferent to seeing someone struck by King Yan¡¯s bacsh on their first day. Such urrences were toomon.


    Over the past year, Qin Sang had witnessed several bacshes firsthand, and countless had died inexplicably in the Yin Malevolent Abyss. The fact that more than half of their batch had survived was quite rare.


    Later batches of junior brothers and sisters had sufferedplete annihtion.


    The entire Kuiyin Sect, though said to have over a thousand disciples, only had three to four hundred listeners each time Senior Uncle Yue gave a lecture. This was with a continuous influx of new disciples.


    Seeing only Tan Jieing out, Qin Sang knew that Tan Hao was once again in secluded cultivation.


    Since joining the sect, Qin Sang had only seen Tan Hao twice. Tan Hao had never attended Senior Uncle Yue''s lectures, with only Tan Jie attending each time. Tan Jie exined that his older brother was obsessed with cultivation and did not want to waste time, so any questions were posed by Tan Jie on his behalf.


    Although Qin Sang had a good rtionship with Tan Jie, he remained quite unfamiliar with Tan Hao.


    Passing by Shi Hong¡¯s cave dwelling, Tan Jie nced over and asked softly, "Brother Qin, is Senior Sister Shi Hong still in secluded cultivation?"


    Qin Sang nodded. "She¡¯s been in seclusion for two full months. She should be on the verge of breaking through to the sixth stage."


    Shi Hong was the most talented among their group and, like Tan Hao, was a cultivation fanatic. Two months ago, she sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough and had since been in seclusion.


    Tan Jie expressed his envy. "If Senior Sister Shi Hong can break through within six months, she will receive a top-grade artifact as a reward. Brother Qin, you should be close to a breakthrough yourself, right?"


    Qin Sang smiled wryly. "It¡¯s not that easy. You know my aptitude. I¡¯m still struggling to find a breakthrough. You¡¯ll likely advance faster than I will."


    In fact, Qin Sang had felt a loosening of the bottleneck three months ago. With a period of secluded cultivation, breaking through to the sixth stage would be possible, but he had held back.


    The two continued exchanging cultivation insights as they walked towards Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling.


    During this lecture, Qin Sang focused on asking about issues rted to spell cultivation. Senior Uncle Yue was generous with his teachings, providing detailed exnations that greatly benefited Qin Sang.


    As the lecture was nearing its end, a red streak of light suddenly pierced the air with considerable momentum. Qin Sang turned to see that it was Senior Sister Shi Hong.


    Shi Hong had a red silk artifact before joining the sect, which now enveloped her and condensed into a streak of light. Her speed was astonishing.


    Shi Hong¡¯s spiritual power fluctuations were noticeably more profound than before. Qin Sang, sensing this, stepped aside and cupped his hands, saying, "Congrattions, Senior Sister, on breaking through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm!"


    Even though Shi Hong was typically reserved, her excitement was apparent as she nodded at Qin Sang and then addressed Senior Uncle Yue. "I pay my respects to Senior Uncle Yue."


    Senior Uncle Yue, having examined Shi Hong¡¯s cultivation, pped his hands and smiled, "Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Truly deserving of your dual spiritual roots. You all may leave for now. Shi Hong,e with me."


    By evening, Qin Sang heard the sound of Shi Hong¡¯s streak of light as she exited the cave dwelling. Just then, he coincidentally encountered Tan Jie also leaving his room. The two shared a smile and knocked on Shi Hong¡¯s cave dwelling door.


    Though they had entered the sect together and exchanged little on a daily basis, they were closer to each other than to other senior brothers. Qin Sang and Tan Jie inquired about various matters, and Shi Hong answered them with great care.


    It turned out that the promised top-grade artifacts were not given out at the moment of breakthrough but were distributed to all disciples meeting the requirements at an agreed-upon time.


    During this period, Shi Hong was to remain focused on cultivation in her cave dwelling. Senior Uncle Yue provided her with thetter part of the cultivation method and gave her detailed guidance and encouragement, without assigning her any additional tasks.

 Chapter 65: Selecting Disciples

    After leaving Shi Hong''s cave dwelling, Qin Sang gathered enough Soul Pills from the Yin Malevolent Abyss and immediately began his secluded cultivation.


    In less than two months, Qin Sang emerged from seclusion, having sessfully broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    At Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling.


    When Qin Sang knocked and entered, he found Liang Yan also present in Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling.


    Hearing that Qin Sang had sessfully broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, even Senior Uncle Yue showed a look of surprise. In their view, Qin Sang was considered the least likely among the seven to make a breakthrough.


    Liang Yan¡¯s eyes brightened. "Junior Brother Qin must have an exceptionally resilient will to achieve this breakthrough! Senior Uncle Yue, let¡¯s have Junior Brother Qin join me in cultivation."


    Senior Uncle Yue shot Liang Yan a stern look, and Liang Yan quickly fell silent, his expression awkward.


    Senior Uncle Yue then looked at Qin Sang and said after a moment of contemtion, "Junior Nephew Qin, your achievement with your five-elemental spiritual roots is truly remarkable. You will certainly receive a top-grade artifact as a reward. However, you will need to wait another four months for the sect leader to personally distribute the rewards to all qualifying disciples. In the meantime, you should return to your cave dwelling for cultivation. Since you¡¯ve already broken through to the sixth stage, you can now also focus on practicing spells. You had previously asked me about spell cultivation, so you must have simr ideas. You may choose one of these spells, and if you encounter any issues, feel free toe to my cave dwelling."


    As he spoke, Senior Uncle Yue handed Qin Sang a jade slip. Qin Sang took it and saw that it contained aprehensive list of spells, including water-based spells and five-elemental spell, with hundreds of varieties densely packed within.Senior Uncle Yue also reminded Qin Sang that while any spell could be practiced, his cultivation art was the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em>, and practicing water-based spells would be easier. Otherwise, it would be a case of more effort for less result.


    Qin Sang focused on the water-based spells and quickly found the Water Barrier and Cloud Evasion. Uponparison, he realized that the River-Locking Fog was originally named Mist-Binding Technique, which left him a bit speechless.


    Looking at the numerous intriguing spells, Qin Sang was almost overwhelmed with choices. However, as Senior Uncle Yue had mentioned, quality mattered more than quantity when it came to spells; having many spells was useless if one was not proficient in them.


    After careful consideration, Qin Sang''s attention settled on a spell called the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell.


    The jade slip described the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell as an extremely powerful and yin thunder spell. Furthermore, if the casterter found a spiritual item imbued with thunderous power, they could release even more terrifying yin thunderbolts.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang was thrilled. This was exactly the type of offensive spell he needed. Although he did not have a spiritual item, the power of the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell itself was formidable. The spell was as swift as lightning and difficult to evade, and it had a certain restraining effect on demons and evil spirits.


    Once Qin Sang made his selection, Senior Uncle Yue patiently exined the cultivation essentials for the spell and then handed over thetter part of the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> before sending him on his way.


    Back in his cave dwelling, Qin Sangpared the two <em>Netherworld Scriptures</em> and found no discrepancies.


    ¡­


    That morning, Qin Sang woke from his meditation. It was the appointed time for the disciples who had broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm to gather at Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling to pay their respects to the sect leader.


    <em>Knock, knock¡­</em>


    Someone knocked on the door from outside. Qin Sang opened it and invited Tan Jie in.


    Tan Jie had been stuck at the bottleneck of the sixth stage and had not made any progress, missing out on the reward.


    "Congrattions, Brother Qin. After receiving a top-grade artifact, you¡¯ll definitely be even more formidable and gain the sect¡¯s favor!" Tan Jie said with a face full of envy, grinning widely.


    Qin Sang waved his hand. "Don¡¯t tease me. It was just luck. I heard that Senior Sister Shi Hong is almost at the seventh stage. Even if the sect favors someone, it will likely be her. Is she still in her cave dwelling?"


    "I haven¡¯t heard of her leaving, so she¡¯s probably still inside."


    After meeting with Shi Hong, Tan Jie saw them off. Qin Sang and Shi Hong waved goodbye to Tan Jie and then headed towards Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling together.


    By the time they arrived at Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s cave dwelling, there were already over a dozen people present, but Senior Uncle Yue was not among them.


    The people in the cave dwelling were all influential figures. Qin Sang had heard of them, and some he had seen a few times during Senior Uncle Yue''s teachings. He greeted those he was familiar with and then quietly waited in a corner.


    More people arrived one after another.


    In the end, only twenty-two people from the Kuiyin Sect were qualified to stand there.


    Once everyone had arrived, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the cave dwelling. Senior Uncle Yue and Liang Yan then entered, apanied by four other individuals, including Senior Uncles Dong and Wu, as well as two others who were Foundation Building Realm cultivators whom Qin Sang had never met.


    After they entered, Senior Uncle Yue scanned the room and looked at Shi Hong. "Shi Hong,e here and stand behind Liang Yan."


    Shi Hong, not understanding the reason, could only follow Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s instructions.


    Next, the other senior uncles also began designating individuals to stand behind them.


    "That boy with the scar on his face, and that young girl. Yes, you two,e here."


    Senior Uncle Dong pointed out the two people, but Senior Uncle Yue intervened. "Senior Brother Dong, this is not eptable. You can only take one. Otherwise, I won''t be able to ount for it with the sect leader."


    Senior Uncle Dong looked displeased. "It¡¯s just a disciple. There are still so many left. It¡¯s perfectly fine to report to the sect leader! What are you worried about?"


    "Absolutely not!"


    Senior Uncle Yue was adamant. "Senior Brother Dong, you should be very clear on the priorities. I am only making an exception due to our shared sect affiliation and because some of these disciples are exceptionally talented. Otherwise, none of these disciples would be chosen by you. If you are dissatisfied, you can speak to the sect leader directly."


    Senior Uncle Dong¡¯s face alternated between green and white. Finally, in frustration, he pointed at the scar-faced youth. "You,e here."


    The youth nced at the girl beside him, looking somewhat hesitant.


    Senior Uncle Dong, already fuming, red with his eyes wide open and shouted, "Stop dawdling! Do you think I¡¯m going to steal your top-grade artifacts or something?"


    After giving the scar-faced youth a harsh reprimand, Senior Uncle Dong took him away. The other senior uncles also bid farewell to Senior Uncle Yue, while Shi Hong followed Liang Yan out of the cave dwelling, casting a parting nce at Qin Sang.


    With seventeen disciples remaining in the cave dwelling, they whispered among themselves, their voices filled with envy.


    The five who had been selected were all exceptionally talented, with even the least gifted possessing a three-spiritual-root constitution.


    Qin Sang could roughly guess that the senior uncles were selecting them as their disciples, while Senior Uncle Yue was focused on Shi Hong.


    During his time in the Kuiyin Sect, Qin Sang had heard that disciples with exceptional talent might be taken on as apprentices by Foundation Building senior uncles, moving to the back mountains for cultivation and bing true disciples of the Kuiyin Sect.


    Such disciples not only received more cultivation resources but also had a powerful backing, making their status vastly different from before.


    Qin Sang was not envious of the resources they would gain after bing apprentices. As long as he had enough Soul Pills, he was confident his cultivation speed would notg behind theirs.


    What he envied was that they would have a master, eliminating the need to worry about Foundation Building Pills.

 Chapter 66: Falling Cloud Wings

    Senior Uncle Yue stepped out of the cave dwelling. The sword light surged, carrying everyone upward. In the blink of an eye, it broke through theyers of fog and revealed the clear sky.


    Since joining the Kuiyin Sect, not only was it impossible to leave the sect, but they were also forbidden from leaving the Yin Malevolent Abyss.


    Staying all day in the abyss, shrouded in howling winds and thick fog, the sudden view of the vast, clear sky and the boundless earth made someone unable to help but throw their head back and howl, releasing the pent-up emotions within.


    The sword light flew straight to the mountain peak, parting theyers of clouds, and finally settled in front of a cave dwelling atop the peak. This dwelling, carved out of the cliff, was covered with mysterious and ever-changing barriers that gave it an enigmatic aura.


    The Kuiyin Sect Leader was practicing inside this cave dwelling, where the spirit tablet of the founder Kuiyin was also ced. Every sect meeting was held here.


    Senior Uncle Yue respectfully bowed to the cave dwelling and said, "I report to the esteemed master that I have brought this batch of disciples."


    The cave dwelling¡¯s main door opened silently, and a deep voice soon followed.


    "Come in."


    All the disciples followed Senior Uncle Yue obediently, not daring to act out. They had expected the interior to resemble a celestial realm but were instead greeted by a rather simple setting.There were no decorations along the way, and the cave dwelling¡¯s sides were smooth stone walls. After walking a short distance, they arrived at a resplendent hall.


    Senior Uncle Yue knelt on the ground and said, "Disciple Yue Wu pays respects to the master."


    Qin Sang quickly followed suit, kneeling and keeping his head down, as instructed by Senior Uncle Yue, to pay his respects to the sect leader.


    Four dragon pirs stood in the corners of the hall, each adorned with a pearl the size of a fist, whose light illuminated every corner of the hall. The furnishings inside were simple, with the founder Kuiyin''s portrait hanging on the innermost wall. Below the portrait were several grand master chairs, and a man seated in one of them was the current sect leader, Yi Tianye.


    Sect Leader Yi wore an ordinary cyan robe and appeared as young as Qin Sang and the others. In contrast, his disciple Yue Wu looked more like he was from an older generation.


    Sect Leader Yi spoke in a gentle tone, "Rise."


    Seizing the opportunity, Qin Sang stole a nce at the sect leader, astonished by his youthful appearance. He had heard that the sect leader was nearing five hundred years old, yet he looked so young.


    Yue Wu stepped aside and pointed to a row of disciples behind him, saying, "Master, these seventeen disciples have met the requirements and are here."


    Sect Leader Yi nodded, a look of approval on his face. "Having seventeen people break through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm is quite an aplishment for you, Yue Wu."


    Yue Wu¡¯s eyes shone with excitement as he quickly replied, "I am unworthy of such praise. It is my duty to ease the master¡¯s concerns, and I will certainly do my utmost."


    Sect Leader Yi pondered for a moment and said, "I see you have reached the middle stage of Foundation Building. These are some insights I gained from the Tongxuan Record during my Foundation Building stage. Take them and study them well."


    Sect Leader Yi¡¯s finger flicked, sending a ray of spiritual light into Yue Wu¡¯s forehead.


    Yue Wu was overjoyed, eximing, "Thank you, Master!"


    Sect Leader Yi nodded and then addressed the disciples below, "Yue Wu should have told you that those who break through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm before this would be rewarded with a top-grade artifact. You may choose one now."


    As he spoke, Sect Leader Yi lightly pressed a Mustard Seed Pouch, and a dazzling stream of light burst forth, filling the hall with the brilliance of the artifacts.


    <em>Swoosh!</em>


    The artifacts flew before the crowd, swirling around them. All the artifacts were enveloped in the stream of light. Qin Sang used his spiritual consciousness to probe but was blocked by the light. The Qi Perception Technique also couldn¡¯t prate the light, so he had to rely on his own judgment to choose, leaving the quality of the artifacts to chance.


    Since all were top-grade artifacts, their power was roughly simr, though they had different emphasis.


    Like Qin Sang, others were seeing so many top-grade artifacts for the first time. They were dazzled and wished they could possess them all.


    While everyone hesitated, a senior brother named Yang Yuanzang suddenly leaped forward and reached out to grab a streak of light.


    Within this streak of light was a sword-shaped artifact.


    It was easy to guess that this was likely a spiritual sword. In the realm of immortal cultivation, offensive artifacts with sufficient power were extremely rare and precious. Senior Brother Yang had made a keen choice.


    Once Senior Brother Yang''s hand grasped the streak of light, it dissipated automatically, and the spiritual sword within fell into his hand, returning to its normal size.


    The three-chi-long[1] azure de was surrounded by a swirling ck-blue cold aura, constantly flowing and exuding a chilling presence. The cold aura resembled a chi dragon, with faint dragon roars emanating from it.


    Holding the sword, Senior Brother Yang stood in mid-air, surrounded by the Chi dragon[2], radiating a heroic demeanor.


    Seeing this, everyone was jolted awake and immediately scrambled to grab the streaks of light in the air. The most fiercely contested was a ck, cone-shaped artifact.


    The cone-shaped artifact and the sword-shaped artifact were the most formidable among the artifacts. Qin Sang had actually had his eye on them for a while, but after some thought, he decided to choose an artifact that suited him better.


    He had the ebony sword, an astra. As long as he mastered the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em>, it would be as powerful as the Chi Dragon Sword. What hecked was an artifact to aid in escaping from danger.


    Scanning the avable options, Qin Sang focused on a streak of light that contained a pair of white feathered wings.


    Originally, Qin Sang had his eye on an artifact that looked like a pair of shoes, but a senior sister, quick on her feet, snatched them up before him.


    It seemed this senior sister had the same intention as Qin Sang. With no choice, Qin Sang settled for the feathered wings.


    After everyone had chosen an artifact, Sect Leader Yi gathered the remaining artifacts and handed each disciple a jade slip, which contained an introduction to the artifacts and their refining methods.


    Qin Sang used his spiritual consciousness to scan the jade slip, furrowing his brow slightly.


    The feathered wings were called Falling Cloud Wings. Contrary to Qin Sang¡¯s expectations, they did not function as an enhancement for speed but rather as a concealment artifact, covering the entire body, obscuring one¡¯s aura and form, making them a pure stealth tool, even more refined than Cloud Evasion.


    It was still useful for saving his life, Qin Sang reassured himself.


    Seeing everyone¡¯s delight as they clutched their artifacts, Sect Leader Yi said calmly, "Distributing a top-grade artifact to each disciple is quite a generous act. Even in sects with Spiritual Infant grandmasters, such a gesture is rare. You must have significant doubts in your hearts¡­ The reason for this is that the sect has a task that requires you to undertake. Are you willing?"


    Sect Leader Yi paused, smiling at the crowd.


    In the face of the sect leader, who would dare to refuse?


    Everyone, clutching their artifacts and looking pleased, bowed in unison. "Please give your orders, Sect Leader. We will not shirk our responsibilities!"


    Qin Sang knelt with the others, but his heart raced with concern. With three Golden Core grandmasters in the sect and countless Foundation Building cultivators, what could require the Qi Refining Realm disciples to be mobilized?


    1. The chi is a traditional Chinese unit of length. Although it is often tranted as the "Chinese foot", its length was originally derived from the distance measured by a human hand, from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the forefinger, and is simr to the ancient span. It is approximately a third of a meter. ?


    2. The Chi dragon is a hornless dragon in Chinese mythology. ?

 Chapter 67: Qi-Gathering Pills

    Seeing their anxious and unsettled expressions, Sect Leader Yi chuckled softly and said, "Don¡¯t be afraid. There will indeed be dangers, but it¡¯s not a life-or-death situation. It¡¯s merely a matter of attending an immortal sect¡¯s ascension conference."


    Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, thinking they had misheard.


    Qin Sang had heard of the ascension conference before.


    Not every immortal sect remained insr; some recruited rogue cultivators through various selection processes to bring in fresh blood.


    This was one of the few opportunities for rogue cultivators to join an immortal sect.


    Each sect had its own way of selecting disciples, but collectively, these events were referred to as the ascension conference. In a sense, the Kuiyin Sect¡¯s use of the Divine Artifact Pavilion to issue a jade disk and recruit rogue cultivators could also be considered an ascension conference.


    However, those who passed the ascension conference were either exceptionally powerful or gifted, making the process quite difficult.


    They were already disciples of the Kuiyin Sect, and now Sect Leader Yi was asking them to participate in another sect¡¯s ascension conference. Even someone as na?ve as a fool could sense the strong undercurrents of conspiracy, and fear surged even more.


    With their current level of cultivation, getting entangled in the schemes of a Golden Core master and two immortal sects could easily result in their demise.Moreover, immortal sects despised traitors and spies the most. Once discovered, the punishments were always severe, meant to serve as a deterrent.


    In the world of immortal cultivation, there were countless methods of torture; even wishing for death was a luxury.


    Despite the disciples¡¯ terror and the turmoil in their hearts, Sect Leader Yi continued, "I understand your concerns. The sect will never assign tasks beyond your capabilities. As long as you are cautious, you willplete the task with ease. Of course, it¡¯s too early to discuss this now; you must first pass the ascension conference. To this end, I have prepared a Qi-Gathering Pill for you in advance¡­"


    Sect Leader Yi produced a jade vial from which emerged a series of azure pills, resembling translucent ss. The vial was uncorked, releasing a fragrant aroma that immediately drew everyone''s attention.


    In the world of Immortal Cultivation, alchemists were rare, and the spiritual herbs required for crafting spiritual pills were even rarer. Powerful pills required not only rare herbs but also specific ages of those herbs.


    Common cultivators often encountered herbs that were either too young or guarded by formidable demonic beasts.


    True immortal and divine herbs grew in perilous and obscure ces, fraught with countless dangers and potentially ancient barriers. Without sufficient strength, even entering these ces was almost a death sentence.


    Elixirs made from mundane herbs, like those for strengthening the body or detoxification, were useful to lower-level cultivators and were the mostmonly encountered by rogue cultivators.


    However, those who could craft such elixirs were considered neophytes in the field of alchemy and were not yet worthy of the title of alchemist.


    The Qi-Gathering Pill was an elixir capable of directly enhancing one¡¯s cultivation, effective even for Foundation Building cultivators, and was truly an immortal pill!


    "There is a saying, ''The emperor does notck hungry soldiers.'' As long as you agree to attend the ascension conference, this Qi-Gathering Pill is yours. Furthermore, if you achieve notable sess, there will be even greater rewards. If you make enough contributions, bing my direct disciple is not out of the question."


    Sect Leader Yi¡¯s words were as tempting as a devil¡¯s whisper.


    "Is there anyone who does not wish to attend the ascension conference? You may speak now."


    "We are all willing to go!"


    Without hesitation, Qin Sang knelt and responded loudly.


    Even if ten Qi-Gathering Pills were ced before him, Qin Sang would still have refused to attend.


    But once Sect Leader Yi had spoken, there was no room for choice. Qin Sang had no desire to know the consequences of refusal.


    Among the seventeen, none were fools.


    Sect Leader Yi was very pleased. With a wave of his hand, the Qi-Gathering Pills flew out of the vial and into the hands of each person.


    "You should take the Qi-Gathering Pills now. Yue Wu and I will act as your protectors."


    Holding the Qi-Gathering Pill, Qin Sang¡¯s gaze wavered. He had seen through his sect and doubted that the pill was without its tricks. However, with a Golden Core master watching, he dared not make any small moves.


    Seeing a few senior brothers and sisters happily swallowing their pills without suspicion, Qin Sang felt a pang of sadness and quickly swallowed his own pill.


    The Qi-Gathering Pill turned into a cool medicinal energy that flowed down his throat into his abdomen, then spread through his meridians, causing his internal spiritual power to surge chaotically, like a turbulent sea.


    Qin Sang hurriedly activated his cultivation technique to stabilize the restless spiritual power. When he assessed his cultivation level, he found it had significantly improved from before.


    After digesting the medicinal energy of the Qi-Gathering Pill, his cultivation level had at least risen to thete sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, achieving what would have otherwise required a year of arduous training with just one pill.


    "If I can survive this task, it might turn out to be an opportunity. Perhaps I won¡¯t have to worry about Foundation Building Pills¡­"


    Just as Qin Sang wasforting himself, he suddenly felt an unusual sensation in his primordial spirit. He quickly used his inner vision and was horrified to see a ck dot on his primordial spirit. Upon closer inspection, it was a worm!


    Specifically, the worm was on the surface of the Jade Buddha¡¯s golden light on his primordial spirit, resembling a wriggling worm with two fangs at its mouth, fiercely gnawing at the golden light.


    Qin Sang was appalled. He was certain that there had been no worm on his primordial spirit before; the only possibility was that the worm hade from the Qi-Gathering Pill.


    Suddenly, he heard a scream and jolted. Opening his eyes, he saw his fellow disciples writhing on the ground, clutching their heads in agony, their faces contorted in pain, their cries of distress making Qin Sang¡¯s hair stand on end.


    <em>This is bad!</em>


    Qin Sang realized with a shock that the worm was causing this suffering by gnawing at their primordial spirits.


    Thanks to the Jade Buddha¡¯s protection, the worm was kept outside his primordial spirit, so he hadn¡¯t felt the pain and seemed out of ce in the hall.


    He sensed Sect Leader Yi and Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s gaze on him.


    In his desperation, Qin Sang made a decisive move, immediately directing his spiritual consciousness into a sharp spear to stab at his own primordial spirit.


    The pain in his primordial spirit was unimaginable, a soul-wrenching agony. At that moment, Qin Sang felt as if he were being torn apart, his face turning ashen. He screamed loudly, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted, copsing to the ground with a thud.


    Seeing this, Sect Leader Yi expressed his displeasure, "How can someone who has broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm at such a young age have such a fragile primordial spirit?"


    Yue Wu was also surprised and after a moment of thought, replied, "Reporting to the master, his name is Qin Sang. I remember he has a five-elemental spiritual root and took a spiritual fruit in his youth to broaden his meridians. Although his cultivation speed is not slow, his talent is somewhatckingpared to others."


    "A five-elemental spiritual root?"


    Sect Leader Yi nced at the unconscious Qin Sang and remarked indifferently, "What a waste of a Qi-Gathering Pill."

 Chapter 68: Heart-Devouring Insect

    Qin Sang was carried out of the sect leader¡¯s cave dwelling by two senior brothers.


    Seventeen people were all pale-faced, looking ashen as though they had sheets of gold paper pasted on their faces. Others were terrified, but Qin Sang was injured. In a moment of desperation, he had overexerted himself, and his primordial spirit was severely damaged. It would likely take a long time to recover.


    The insect was called the Heart-Devouring Insect, an ancient demonic creature that had long since gone extinct in the current world of immortal cultivation. It fed on the primordial spirits of cultivators, moving stealthily and almost impossible to defend against. Once, it had caused a demonic insect disaster, striking fear into the hearts of immortal cultivators.


    As the sect leader had exined, nting the Heart-Devouring Insects inside them was not meant to control them, but as a precaution.


    As long as they obeyed and put all their efforts intopleting the tasks assigned by the sect, the Heart-Devouring Insects would remain dormant within their primordial spirits, posing no danger. Once the mission was over, the sect would provide them with the antidote.


    However, should anyone harbor thoughts of fleeing, or attempt to leak information and betray the sect, the Heart-Devouring Insects would immediately awaken, devouring their primordial spirits in the blink of an eye.


    No one knew how much truth was in the sect leader¡¯s words and how much was a lie.


    But they had already experienced the pain firsthand. Just the thought of the terror they had felt when the Heart-Devouring Insects gnawed at their primordial spirits sent shivers down their spines. No one wanted to experience it a second time.


    Senior Uncle Yue unleashed a beam of sword light, sweeping everyone toward the Yin Malevolent Abyss. This time, however, they did not return to the previous cave dwelling. Instead, they descended deep into the abyss.On the pitch-ck cliffside, a row of cave dwellings could be seen, each sealed tightly with a barrier. They resembled prisons more than homes.


    ¡°You have one month left. Do your best to absorb the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pills. Only by bing strong enough will you have a chance of surviving the ascension conference. Many have died at Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s ascension conference.¡±


    Yue Wu casted a meaningful nce at them before sealing them inside the cave dwelling with a wave of spiritual power, then flying off on his sword.


    In the pitch-ck cave dwelling, Qin Sangy unconscious on the ground for an unknown amount of time. When he awoke, he felt a bit better, but his head still throbbed with pain.


    Lying on the icy cold floor, Qin Sang stared into the darkness, wide-eyed. He repeatedly recited the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em>, but no matter how many times he did, he couldn¡¯t calm the fear and unease in his heart.


    After a long while, a weary sigh echoed through the deathly silent cave dwelling.


    Qin Sang got up, enduring the pain in his head. He flicked his fingers to summon a me for light. The cave was much like the one he had been in before, the only difference being that the door was now sealed by a barrier.


    Fortunately, before leaving, Senior Uncle Yue had told them that if they needed to absorb the malevolent yin qi, they could activate a barrier within the cave dwelling, and the qi would flow in.


    Qin Sang returned to his sea of consciousness, where he saw that the Heart-Devouring Insect was wrapped in ayer of ck membrane, clinging to the golden light emitted by the Jade Buddha, sleeping soundly.


    Although the golden light of the Jade Buddha had been gnawed at by the Heart-Devouring Insect, it showed no sign of being pierced. The insect was firmly held at bay.


    It was the second time the Jade Buddha had saved his life.


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but wonder what the others were thinking right now. He was fortunate to have the protection of the Jade Buddha, making him unafraid of the Heart-Devouring Insect devouring his primordial spirit. This gave him a slight margin of maneuver.


    With a sliver of hope, he had to give it his all!


    The confusion in Qin Sang¡¯s eyes gradually gave way to unwavering determination.


    He cleared his mind of distractions, sat cross-legged, and began to cultivate. After dozens of cosmic orbits, the excruciating pain in his primordial spirit finally subsided, allowing him to calm down and carefully assess his situation.


    This ascension conference was being hosted by an immortal sect called Yuanzhao Sect. Only rogue cultivators under the age of thirty who had broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm were eligible to participate, and each time, only twelve people would be epted into the sect.


    If they failed, even if they didn¡¯t die in the ascension conference, Qin Sang didn¡¯t believe Sect Leader Yi would be kind enough to spare their lives.


    With only one month left, even if Qin Sang absorbed all the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill, he could at most reach thete sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but this would not result in a qualitative breakthrough. Only by advancing a whole stage could his strength significantly increase.


    In the end, Qin Sang decided to stop cultivating. He would spend the entire month practicing the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> and spells instead.


    Those rogue cultivators did not possess the Yan Luo Banner, yet they had all managed to break through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm before the age of thirty. Each of them was a formidable opponent.


    Without a doubt, merely surviving would not be enough in this situation. To stand out, he had to give it his all. Even the sixteen fellow disciples were potentialpetitors!


    Moreover, after entering Yuanzhao Sect, there would likely be no more malevolent yin qi avable, so he needed to collect more Soul Pills while he could.


    Qin Sang opened the barrier on his cave dwelling, releasing King Yan to absorb the malevolent yin qi. He then sat in the lotus position, his mind sinking into his dantian. Within his Qihai acupoint[1], the ebony sword trembled faintly.


    ¡­


    "The ascension conference of Yuanzhao Sect has always been held in a ce where ancient barriers still exist. It used to be a forbidden ground, but after the treasures inside were looted clean, Yuanzhao Sect imed it. The terrain inside is shaped like the Eight Trigrams, and once you enter, the barriers will randomly send you to one of the eight outer areas. Due to the barriers, no messaging artifacts will work inside. I will give you a secret signal. When you meet fellow disciples, you must work together topete for a spot. Under no circumstances should you kill each other¡ªotherwise, you will not be spared!"


    "That¡¯s it. I''ve exined everything. You can now head to Yuanzhao Sect, and remember, travel separately. And don¡¯t even think about running away. I can sense your location through the Heart-Devouring Insect. If you try, you will be killed without mercy! Is that clear?"


    The dark night was thick with clouds, obscuring the moon.


    In a deserted mountain forest, Senior Uncle Yue stood with a slightly darkened expression, his gaze carrying a heavy warning.


    Qin Sang and the others quickly responded affirmatively.


    They had been confined at the bottom of the Yin Malevolent Cliff for an entire month and had only been released today. Senior Uncle Yue had flown them here in a shuttle all day,nding in this forest.


    Not far ahead was the mountain gate of Yuanzhao Sect, and the ascension conference would begin in two days.


    Qin Sang waited until the others had left one by one before taking his leave from Senior Uncle Yue. He then used Cloud Evasion to vanish into the forest.


    From his observations, out of the sixteen fellow disciples, five had broken through to the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm after taking the Qi-Gathering Pill. One senior brother¡¯s spiritual power was especially deep, likely close to breaking through to the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. This filled Qin Sang with worry.


    Each of them carried top-grade artifacts, making them formidable foes.


    As for Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s words about not killing fellow disciples, Qin Sang had long since dismissed them.


    He could only hope he wouldn¡¯t be sent to the same area as any of the others.


    After leaving the forest, Qin Sang stood beneath arge boulder, pondering for a long time before letting out a soft sigh. He circled around and made his way toward Yuanzhao Sect.


    Even though Senior Uncle Yue had said it wasn¡¯t far, Qin Sang still traveled for an entire day before finally reaching the mountain gate of Yuanzhao Sect by dusk.


    The ce appeared surrounded by treacherous peaks, ancient trees towering high, and clouds shrouding the area year-round. In reality, this was just a barrier meant to block mortals.


    Only by using the Qi Perception Technique could one see that within the mountains, there were no thick clouds covering the sky. Instead, there were countless pavilions, bridges, and water pavilions, all enveloped in immortal clouds, creating a grand and otherworldly scene.


    1. This acupoint is where the dantian is located. ?

 Chapter 69: The Moon-Crossing Raft

    Many immortal cultivators were gathering at the mountain gate of the Yuanzhao Sect. Some were flying through the air, some relied on artifacts, and others had no choice but to travel on foot. These were likely all participants of the uing ascension conference.


    However, not all of them were rogue cultivators.


    Senior Uncle Yue had warned them not to let their guard down against any opponents once they entered the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground. The Yuanzhao Sect was a prominent righteous sect, well-known in the local cultivation world. Disciples who broke through the tenth stage before the age of forty would be rewarded with a Foundation Building Pill. Many disciples from well-established immortal cultivation families participated in the ascension conference, and they were certainly not as poor and miserable as rogue cultivators. Each of them had deep foundations and were equipped with family-passed artifacts for protection.


    As Qin Sang gazed at the mountain from below, two immortal cultivators flew past him.


    Everyone was apetitor. It was very likely that they would meet again in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, where they would be rivals. There was no need for pleasantries.


    ¡­


    "What is your name?"


    "My name is Qin Sang."


    "Where are you from?""I am from Ning Kingdom and once served as a general in the mortal world of Great Sui Kingdom."


    ¡­


    When faced with the questioning of a Foundation Building Realm cultivator from the Yuanzhao Sect, Qin Sang answered truthfully as instructed by Senior Uncle Yue. If he passed the ascension conference and joined the Yuanzhao Sect, the sect might send someone to investigate.


    "Ning Kingdom... Great Sui..."


    The cultivator from Yuanzhao Sect thought for a moment and then said, somewhat surprised, "The participants in the ascension conference areing from farther and farther away these days."


    Qin Sang respectfully replied, "I have long admired the path of immortality but have never been able to find a way in. When I heard that the Yuanzhao Sect was willing to guide rogue cultivators like myself on the path to immortality, opening its doors wide, I couldn¡¯t resist the urge and traveled thousands of li toe here."


    The Yuanzhao Sect cultivator stroked his beard and smiled. "For a rogue cultivator like yourself to reach the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm at your age is no easy feat. There¡¯s no need to look down on yourself. Take this jade token, go to the dwelling behind the mountain, and rest up. Early the day after tomorrow, the sect¡¯s cultivators will take you all to the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground. Do not miss the timing."


    "Yes!"


    Qin Sang took the jade token and followed a young cultivator from the Yuanzhao Sect toward the back of the mountain. Along the way, he crossed paths with a senior sister from the Kuiyin Sect. Their eyes met briefly, but both acted as though they didn¡¯t know each other.


    Once he settled into the dwelling, Qin Sang took out the jade token and recalled the rules of the ascension conference that Senior Uncle Yue had exined to them.


    Unlike other immortal cultivation sects, the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s ascension conference was not apetition fought on tforms.


    The Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground was divided into nine regions. All participants would be randomly transported to one of the eight outer regions, each of which was separated by a barrier but connected to the core region.


    Among all the participants, the first twelve to reach the core region would be the winners of this ascension conference.


    Due to the barriers within the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, even immortal cultivators couldn¡¯t tell directions clearly. Each rogue cultivator participating in the ascension conference would have a jade token. Once inside, they had to seize jade tokens from others, and only after collecting ten tokens would the jade token show the direction to the core region.


    Without enough tokens, even if one managed to find the core region by sheer luck, they wouldn¡¯t be able to enter.


    In the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, fighting was inevitable. If luck was on one¡¯s side and they encountered a weaker opponent, they could quickly gather enough tokens. But if they were unlucky and faced a bloodthirsty opponent, not only would they fail to obtain tokens, but they might even lose their lives.


    Moreover, there were many demonic beasts living in the forbidden ground, making every step a potential danger.


    ¡­


    On the third morning¡­


    Qin Sang hurried to the gathering spot in front of the dwelling and found that three to four hundred people had already assembled, with more still arriving. When the time came, the cultivators from the Yuanzhao Sect exined the rules for the ascension conference, which werergely the same as what Senior Uncle Yue had told them.


    Finally, a cultivator from the Yuanzhao Sect summoned an unremarkable wooden raft. Listening to the murmurs around him, Qin Sang learned that this raft was called the Moon-Crossing Raft, a well-known artifact of the sect.


    Though the raft appeared small, it expanded with each person who boarded it, until it eventually grewrge enough to carry everyone and soared into the sky.


    As the raft flew through the clouds, a cold wind battered it, but the azure light it emitted kept the chill at bay. Despite carrying so many people, the raft moved with lightning speed, and the mountains, rivers, andkes below passed by in a blur, leaving everyone in awe.


    The mountain range where the Yuanzhao Sect was located was as vast as the You Mountain Range. The Moon-Crossing Raft flew through the mountains for two hours before finally descending onto a stone tform atop a deste peak.


    Looking around from the tform, all that could be seen were barren mountains and wilderness, a destendscape without the rich spiritual power they had expected. There was no sign of the so-called Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground.


    As Qin Sang nced left and right, puzzled, he noticed a cave dwelling next to the tform. Just as the raftnded, the doors of the cave opened, and four cultivators from the Yuanzhao Sect emerged. All of them had reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm or higher. They hurried over to the raft and bowed deeply.


    "Greetings, Senior Uncle!"


    The Yuanzhao Sect cultivator who had been controlling the Moon-Crossing Raft nodded and said, "The ascension conference begins today. Go and open the barrier."


    "Yes!"


    The four Yuanzhao Sect cultivators moved to the edges of the tform, each taking a position in one of the four corners. They sat cross-legged and began chanting softly.


    On the tform, spiritual inscriptions manifested, forming a mysterious array. Each of the four cultivators then summoned a short sword. The swords were all different, shining in four distinct colors: azure, red, yellow, and white. It was impossible to discern their material.


    The four cultivators¡¯ expressions turned serious as they tapped the short swords several times. Instantly, the swords shone brightly, forming four fluctuating orbs of light that swirled around their fingertips.


    In the next moment, the orbs of light elongated, transforming into four towering swords, several zhang high.


    With a sudden movement, the four of them raised their hands, pointing the swords toward the sky, and shouted in unison.


    "Go!"


    The swords shot forward.


    <em>Swoosh!</em>


    Unexpectedly, the swords didn¡¯t fly into the distant heavens. Instead, they seemed to collide with an invisible barrier, their momentum abruptly halted. Then, the space above the swords began to ripple, creating massive waves in the air. The surrounding winds howled, and clouds churned as the outline of the ancient barrier finally appeared before everyone''s eyes.


    It was as though the sky had been torn open, revealing a massive gaping hole. From the hole, fierce winds roared, and even visible wind des sliced through the air, threatening to tear anything apart. Multicolored divine lights shed and dissipated, sending shockwaves of terrifying pressure that made everyone¡¯s scalps tingle.


    At the sight of this apocalyptic scene, the faces of everyone on the raft turned deathly pale. They had no doubt that if they were sucked into the barrier, they would be instantly torn to shreds.


    At that moment, the four cultivators let out a soft shout, and the four swords plunged into the hole, shattering into countless fragments.


    As the four swords disintegrated, their fragments scattered into the dark hole, and for a brief moment, the chaotic barrier seemed to calm. The Yuanzhao Sect cultivator controlling the raft seized the opportunity. With a slight tremor, the Moon-Crossing Raft shot forward, heading straight for the barrier.


    Amid cries of shock, just as they were about to enter the hole, the Yuanzhao Sect cultivator suddenly withdrew the raft, causing everyone to tumble into the abyss like dumplings being dropped into a pot.


    Qin Sang only felt the world spinning around him before he plunged into a sea of darkness. Everyone around him vanished.

 Chapter 70: The Key Moment

    It wasn¡¯t night, but it wasn¡¯t the bright daylight found outside either.


    It felt as if a thinyer of mist lingered, making it hard to see clearly into the distance. Only the vague outlines of mountains were visible, and the forbidden grounds wererger than Qin Sang had initially imagined.


    A thick stench of decay assaulted his nose. Qin Sang immediately held his breath and nced around. Ahead of him was a swamp emitting a foul odor, while behind himy a seemingly endless stretch of dark forest.


    The forest was overgrown with tangled branches, shrouded in a thick mist. Whether it was water vapor or miasma, Qin Sang couldn''t tell. The shadows of the trees seemed to transform into the forms of countless evil spirits, baring their fangs and ws.


    Upon entering the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, where onended was a matter of luck. If one were unfortunate enough tond in a demonic beast¡¯sir, it could only be attributed to fate.


    This ce was far from a safe haven. Qin Sang pondered for a moment, and soon, wings sprouted from his back. Clouds formed around the wings, enveloping him until he vanished from sight.


    He climbed up a tree and waited in silence. After ensuring there were no unusual sounds or movements around him, Qin Sang leapt down from the tree and, using Cloud Evasion, swiftly moved in the direction he had chosen.


    After traveling some distance through the forest without incident, Qin Sang eventually arrived at the foot of a mountain. The mountain was not veryrge, but from Qin Sang''s observations, it appeared to be the highest point in the surrounding area.


    However, as he neared the summit, Qin Sang quietly hid behind arge rock.Momentster, another Qin Sang emerged from behind the rock, boldly walking upward. Just as "Qin Sang" was about to reach the summit, he suddenly copsed with a ssh, turning into a puddle of water that soaked the ground.


    A whileter, the real Qin Sang cautiously stepped out from behind the rock.


    The previous figure had been a clone he had created using the Shapeshift spell. In preparation for the uing ascension conference, he had spent extra time practicing this particr spell.


    Due to limited time and energy, he had not chosen to master more difficult spells such as the Water Barrier or the River-Locking Fog.


    His mastery of Shapeshift was far from perfect, and the clone it produced wasn¡¯t wless either. However, if his opponent wasn¡¯t paying close attention, it could still be enough to deceive them, allowing Qin Sang to gain the upper hand.


    As his cultivation level advanced, Qin Sang''s perspective broadened. He realized that each spell had its own unique use. What he once considered an insignificant spell, such as Shapeshift, turned out to be incredibly versatile. Its applications ranged from scouting ahead to luring enemies.


    Being this cautious would inevitably cost him time, but in a ce filled with danger at every step, he had no other choice.


    The mountain appeared free of threats, but Qin Sang remained on high alert. The mountain¡¯s wide view of the surrounding terrain was an advantage for observation, but it also posed a risk. If there were others in the area, they might be thinking the same as he was.


    Qin Sang gripped the Purple Soul Bell in his palm, while his spiritual consciousness was ready to activate the Ice Silkworm Armor at any moment. Although this armor was only a middle-grade artifact, it could still block a surprise attack and buy him some time.


    With everything in ce, Qin Sang continued to use his Falling Cloud Wings, stealthily making his way toward the summit. Every few steps, he scanned his surroundings cautiously. It took him quite some time, but he eventually reached the peak.


    The view instantly broadened. Within his line of sight, the terrain varied dramatically.


    To his left was the area he had juste from¡ªthe boundary between the swamp and the forest. Both the swamp and the forest stretched out as far as the eye could see, with no end in sight.


    asionally, he could see the treetops in the forest swaying, though it was unclear whether something was moving below or if the wind was causing the motion.


    The swamp was no safer. While the edges seemed passable, the deeper parts appeared to be boiling, constantly bubbling with mud. Above the swamp, colorful clouds of mist gathered, likely containing toxins.


    Those two ces were definitely off-limits!


    Qin Sang feared he might not even encounter another person before being devoured by demonic beasts or poisonous creatures lurking within.


    After all, the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground was home to demonic beasts that had reached the Ordinary Demon Realm.


    Birds, beasts, nts, spirits, and even stones or objects, if blessed with good fortune or awakened by instinct, could absorb spiritual power from the heavens and earth, drawing in the essence of the sun, moon, and stars. These were called demons.


    All the so-called demons, spirits, and ghosts in the mortal world were of this nature.


    These demons possessed only the instinct to seek fortune and avoid danger, without true intelligence. They were ssified as Ordinary Demons. Some Ordinary Demons were so weak that even ordinary humans could kill them using special techniques.


    However, older and stronger demons often developed considerable intelligence, along with various strange and formidable abilities, making them a challenge even for Qi Refining Realm cultivators.


    At the peak of the Ordinary Demon Realm, when a demonic beast was on the verge of nurturing a true demonic spirit, it would possess strength equivalent to a cultivator at the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Once a true demonic spirit was formed, the creature would gain intelligence and enter the Demonic Spirit Realm,parable to the Foundation Building stage of human cultivators.


    Fortunately, the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground did not harbor any demons at the Demonic Spirit Realm, but it was said that there were demonic beasts in thete stage of the Ordinary Demon Realm, some even at its peak. Even though Qin Sang possessed top-grade artifacts, he dared not provoke them recklessly.


    The Kuiyin Sect did not have a map of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, and Qin Sang had no idea which part of the area he had been sent to.


    With no clear direction, he could go anywhere. Only after collecting enough jade tokens would he know the way to the core region. Until then, his only goals were to survive and to seize jade tokens from others.


    Qin Sang surveyed the surrounding terrain and pondered for a moment before deciding to head in the direction to his right, where there was arge mountain range. The mountains were lush with vegetation, but not as dense and dark as the forest. Theplex terrain would suit his abilities well.


    Having made his decision, Qin Sang was just about to descend the mountain when he sensed something was wrong. He looked up sharply and focused on a bird that resembled a yellow oriole hovering in the sky.


    Shortly after he had climbed the mountain, this oriole had appeared. There were wild animals in the forbidden ground, so at first, Qin Sang had paid it little attention.


    But this oriole never descended to feed. Since its arrival, it had been circling the peak, patrolling like an eagle, especially around the summit, where it had made several rounds.


    The more Qin Sang observed the bird, the more suspicious he became. After a moment of contemtion, he scanned the mountainside below him, carefully inspecting every inch, but found nothing unusual.


    Just as Qin Sang was beginning to think he was being overly cautious, the oriole suddenly spread its wings and flew down the mountain. Qin Sang''s eyes lit up as he followed the bird with his gaze, watching as itnded in a patch of wild grass and disappeared.


    The area was a small depression in the mountain, overgrown with tall mugwort grass, making it a highly concealed spot.


    Soon, the grass rustled, and a figure emerged from within. The oriole perched on his shoulder, grooming its feathers with its beak.


    The person nced around before swiftly heading toward the summit.


    "Good thing I didn¡¯t put away my Falling Cloud Wings."


    Qin Sang was secretly relieved by his caution. He hadn''t expected someone tond so close to him, and now, his nerves were on edge.


    Though he had taken many lives in the past, this was the first time he was facing another immortal cultivator as an opponent.


    Qin Sang quickly used the Qi Perception Technique and found that the person''s cultivation was about the same as his own, so there was no need to avoid a confrontation.


    However, given the many strange techniques at the disposal of immortal cultivators, he knew he couldn''t afford to be careless.

 Chapter 71: Wishing Shield

    This man had disheveled hair, an unkempt appearance, and his Daoist robe was filthy, giving him the look of a scruffy Daoist. Judging by his appearance, no one would have guessed he was under thirty.


    <em>Swish...</em>


    The scruffy Daoist tapped his toes on the tips of the grass, covering several zhang in the blink of an eye. There was no spiritual power fluctuation from his body; it seemed like he was using a mortal-world qinggong movement art. This wasn¡¯t unusual. Many rogue cultivatorscked spells and had to rely on martial arts, which could sometimes produce remarkable effects.


    <em>Such speed!</em>


    It was toote to prepare the ebony sword now, unless the scruffy Daoist lingered at the summit after surveying the terrain. Otherwise, activating the ebony sword would only waste a spirit stone.


    Qin Sang frowned, thinking carefully. He had the upper hand, and it was a sneak attack, so there was no need to resort to the ebony sword.


    As the scruffy Daoist neared the summit, Qin Sang held his breath, his heart pounding. The moment the Daoist stepped onto the peak, Qin Sang suddenly activated the Purple Soul Bell.


    <em>Jingle¡­</em>


    Under Qin Sang¡¯s full control, the crisp sound of the bell echoed across the mountain peak like an enchanting melody.The scruffy Daoist, shocked to find someone lying in wait on the seemingly empty summit, paled and hurriedly reached for his waist. But he was toote. The Purple Soul Bell captured his mind, freezing his body in ce. His eyes grew dull, reflecting pain and confusion.


    Seeing that the Purple Soul Bell had worked, Qin Sang was delighted but did not rx. He quickly began silently chanting the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell, and in a moment, a dark yin thunderbolt appeared in his palm.


    The yin thunderbolts resembled flowing water, writhing in his hand, with asional flickers of blinding lightning surging within, disying its fierce power.


    At the same time, Qin Sang noticed that the confusion in the Daoist¡¯s eyes was gradually being reced by a look of ferocity and desperation. His body had begun to tremble.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang¡¯s heart sank. In just three breaths¡¯ time, the Daoist was already beginning to break free.


    <em>He''s an immortal cultivator after all!</em>


    Qin Sang sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn''t afford to wait any longer. He hastily stopped his chanting and hurled the yin thunderbolt toward the Daoist.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    The yin thunderbolt shot forward with incredible speed. Almost as soon as it left Qin Sang¡¯s palm, it struck the scruffy Daoist. A blinding bolt of lightning stretched between them.


    But in that moment, Qin Sang¡¯s expression did not show relief. Instead, his face darkened.


    He had aimed to kill with one blow, targeting the Daoist¡¯s heart. But just as the yin thunderbolt was about to strike, a ck shield appeared out of thin air on the Daoist¡¯s chest!


    The shield was only the size of a palm, slender in shape, entirely ck. Three sword-shaped grooves converged at the sharp tip of the shield, exuding a murderous aura.


    The yin thunderbolt struck the shield directly. Lightning flickered across the surface, but the shield absorbed the impact, leaving the Daoistpletely unharmed.


    <em>An automatically defending artifact!</em>


    Qin Sang cursed inwardly. Though the ck shield was only a middle-grade artifact, it possessed the rare ability to defend its owner automatically.


    Such artifacts required no activation from their owner. As long as danger was sensed, they would appear on their own to provide protection. Their value couldn¡¯t be measured by grade alone. Even disciples of major immortal sects would dream of having such an artifact.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected his first opponent to be so troublesome. Despite his ragged appearance, the Daoist possessed such a rare artifact.


    For safety, Qin Sang had even avoided using the more familiar but slightly weaker Thousand Li Ice Seal, only for something unexpected to ur anyway.


    Had he known, he might have gambled and summoned the ebony sword directly. After all, the ck shield was only a middle-grade artifact and couldn¡¯t possibly withstand the power of the ebony sword.


    <em>Bang!</em>


    The power of the yin thunderbolt dissipated, and an unexpected scene unfolded. The ck shield, having lost its spiritual qi, dropped to the ground as if its connection had been severed. It shattered into three pieces and rolled into a crevice between the rocks.


    After all, it was only a middle-grade artifact. Being able to block the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell was already its limit. Qin Sang hadn''t expected it to be destroyed outright, which was a pleasant surprise.


    Feeling emboldened, Qin Sang abandoned the idea of retreating. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, and suddenly, cold winds howled across the mountaintop, and the temperature plummeted.


    Before the scruffy Daoist, strands of blue-white cold qi emerged, carrying countless shards of ice, which quickly began to condense.


    But at that moment, the scruffy Daoist let out a sudden shout, his eyes widened, and he unexpectedly broke free from the sound of the bell.


    <em>Huff! Huff!</em>


    The scruffy Daoist gasped for breath, still shaken. As soon as his mind cleared, he noticed the cold qi in front of him and the shattered remains of his Wishing Shield at his feet. His expression changed drastically, filled with terror.


    The Wishing Shield was something he had specifically prepared for this ascension conference. He hadpeted fiercely for it at an auction, nearly exhausting all his wealth. Yet, he hadn¡¯t expected to use it so soon after entering the forbidden ground.


    His eyes darted around frantically until he finally spotted Qin Sang standing at the edge of the mountain peak.


    Qin Sang had to focus his spiritual consciousness on casting the spell, so he couldn¡¯t maintain the Falling Cloud Wings to hide his figure. His form naturally became visible.


    "You despicable coward!"


    The scruffy Daoist gritted his teeth, ring at Qin Sang with hatred as he cursed him viciously. Without waiting for a response, he turned and fled, not even daring to retrieve the shattered Wishing Shield.


    This move greatly surprised Qin Sang. He frowned. If he let the scruffy Daoist escape, all his efforts would have been for nothing. More importantly, he still had a chance to seize a jade token. He couldn¡¯t give up so easily.


    Qin Sang quickly made up his mind. Calmly watching as the Daoist fled, he waited until the man stepped onto the edge of a boulder, ready to leap down the mountain. At that moment, a thinyer of ice silently spread over the edge of the stone.


    With a startled cry, the Daoist slipped, losing control of his body, and fell down the mountain.


    The terrain was steep, and the direction the Daoist had chosen to flee led directly to a high cliff. At the base of the cliff were ancient trees, their trunks as thick as several people. As the Daoist tumbled, the cold qi finally solidified into several long, sharp ice spikes, their tips gleaming coldly and lethally.


    "Go!"


    Qin Sang flicked his finger, and the ice spikes shot out like lightning, tracing an arc through the air. They caught up to the Daoist just as he was about to fall into the dense ancient forest below.


    The Daoist, suspended in mid-air, had no chance to dodge. He could only muster a bit of spiritual power to defend himself, but how could that withstand the ice spikes Qin Sang had meticulously prepared?


    A scream echoed through the air as the ice spikes drew a spray of blood, and the scruffy Daoist, along with the spikes, crashed into the forest below.


    <em>Snap! Snap! Snap!</em>


    Countless branches snapped, and leaves scattered in all directions. After the chaos subsided, the forest fell silent.


    <em>Is he dead?</em>


    Qin Sang stood at the edge, peering down, but his view was obstructed by the leaves. He couldn¡¯t see where the scruffy Daoist had fallen or whether he was dead.


    All that stood out was the vivid blood staining the trees.


    The timing of his attack had been perfect, and even if the Daoist wasn¡¯t dead, he was at least incapacitated. Feeling a bit pleased with himself, Qin Sang allowed himself a small smile.

 Chapter 72: Blood Pack

    Qin Sang focused his gaze on the silent and eerie forest below. After a moment of contemtion, he decided not to descend immediately. Instead, he pretended to search the surroundings for a path down the mountain.


    As he passed a spot where the rocks protruded, he quickly created a clone using his spiritual power. Hiding his real body at the mountain''s peak, he cast the Airborne Technique on his clone, controlling it to glide toward the base of the cliff.


    The clone leaped swiftly between the rocks and trees on the cliffside. Just as itnded on the branch of an ancient tree, an unexpected change urred.


    Without warning, a beam of green light shot out from the forest. Within the light, there was a vibrant green vine.


    The vine twisted like a snake, coiling and extending, and in an instant, it shot toward Qin Sang¡¯s clone. The vine swiftly wrapped around the clone, binding it tightly.


    "Haha!"


    A burst of wildughter echoed from within the forest. A scruffy Daoist, his hair disheveled, flew up to the treetops. His entire body was drenched in blood, covered with rotten grass and leaves. Broken ice spikes protruded from his arms and legs, making him appear very battered, but his injuries were far less severe than Qin Sang had expected.


    The scruffy Daoist red fiercely at the clone bound by the vine and said viciously, "Dare to ambush me? Let me show you the power of the Spirit Binding Technique!"


    Then, the Daoist raised his head and looked toward the mountaintop, chanting something under his breath. Suddenly, a whistling sound came from the peak, and three beams of ck light shot out¡ªthey were fragments of the Wishing Shield.Qin Sang, who was hiding on the mountaintop, looked furious and shocked.


    Had he not been so cautious, if he had boldly gone down to loot the corpse or greedily tried to pick up that shield fragment, he would have undoubtedly fallen into the Daoist¡¯s trap and faced a grim fate.


    "Sword transformation!"


    The Daoist shouted, and with two sharp <em>bang</em> sounds, the Wishing Shield fragments merged in mid-air like three sharp swords.


    The Wishing Shield was no longer in its original shield form but had transformed into a strange three-edged ck sword, each with ferocious blood grooves, making one¡¯s heart tremble at the sight. The sword tips gleamed with a chilling light, as if they were imbued with sword energy. There was no trace of damage anymore, and instead, the shield was now unleashing power far exceeding that of a middle-grade artifact.


    Looking at the transformed Wishing Shield, the Daoist¡¯s face was full of pain. His eyes showed even deeper hatred as he red at Qin Sang''s clone. With a wave of his hand, the ck sword immediately changed direction, piercing straight into the clone¡¯s body.


    <em>Ssh¡­</em>


    The ck sword passed through and embedded itself into the ancient tree, causing water to ssh everywhere.


    The Daoist¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted, his expression drastically changing. An uneasy feeling gripped his heart, and he hastily looked up, only to see a brilliant sh of lightning, like a bolt from the blue.


    The Daoist was utterly terrified and tried to flee in panic, but how could his speedpare to that of lightning? He barely took half a step before the yin thunderbolt struck him right in the forehead.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    The full force of the yin thunderbolt exploded, splitting the giant tree branch beneath the Daoist''s feet. With a loud crash, arge crater appeared on the ground, and insidey a charred figure.


    Still feeling cautious, Qin Sang condensed several ice spikes and shot them into the crater. After seeing no signs of movement from the Daoist, he finally rxed and leaped off the cliff.


    When hended at the edge of the crater, Qin Sang suddenly stopped, a look of surprise shing across his face. The Daoist was in such a miserable state, yet there was still a faint breath of life left in him. ?


    After a moment of thought, Qin Sang put away the spirit stone in his hand and took out the Yan Luo Banner. Summoning King Yan, hemanded it to devour the Daoist¡¯s soul.


    Qin Sang had always been curious about the Daoist¡¯s beast-taming abilities. The yellow oriole had fled when Qin Sang first attacked, and its whereabouts were now unknown. Although it had nobat abilities, it could be useful for scouting.


    However, King Yan was easily detected by immortal cultivators and struggled to get close. Moreover, it tended to cower when facing such opponents, making it unreliable in battle.


    If the Daoist hadn¡¯t been on the brink of death, King Yan wouldn¡¯t have dared to rush in and devour his soul.


    Qin Sang still couldn¡¯t understand where King Yan¡¯s ferocity had gone, the same ferocity it had shown when it turned against him in the past.


    Unexpectedly, when King Yan flew out of the Daoist¡¯s body, it hadn¡¯t captured the soul but was only holding a small wisp of green light.


    Qin Sang was greatly surprised. He took the green light and examined it, discovering it was just a trace of primordial spirit.


    After a moment of contemtion, Qin Sang suddenly remembered that when he previouslymanded King Yan to extract Saint Yuanjue''s soul, it onlysted for half the usual time. Yuanjue, an innate stage master, had a soul that was more solid than that of an ordinary person. For an immortal cultivator who had refined their soul into a primordial spirit, the soul would be even stronger.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected King Yan to be ineffective against immortal cultivators, which left him feeling disappointed. His gaze swept over and fell upon the Mustard Seed Pouch still intact and hanging at the waist of the Daoist. With a sweep of his hand, Qin Sang took the pouch, then cast a me to incinerate the Daoist''s body.


    Without rushing to inspect the contents of the pouch, Qin Sang swiftly moved to the side of an ancient tree. He dug out the deformed Wishing Shield from within the tree trunk and then flew up to the treetops, vigntly scanning the surroundings.


    The battle between him and the Daoist had caused quite amotion. He wasn¡¯t sure if anyone else had been drawn over. Having used several spells and artifacts in session, more than half of his spiritual power was already depleted. If he encountered another formidable enemy, he was certain he wouldn''t stand a chance.


    Seeing no signs of anyone approaching, Qin Sang used an evading method, fleeing a great distance in one go and finding a hidden spot to take refuge.


    He ced the two jade tokens together, but there was no reaction at all. After examining them for a moment, he put them back into the Mustard Seed Pouch.


    Aside from that, the Daoist¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch contained nothing of value¡ªjust a foundational wood-based cultivation art and a few mundane martial arts techniques. There wasn¡¯t even a single beast-taming method, nor a single spirit stone.


    What caught Qin Sang¡¯s attention the most, however, were a dozenrge pouches of blood stored in the dders of some unknown animal. The dders were washed spotlessly clean, without a trace of stench.


    <em>Blood packs¡­</em>


    Staring at these items, Qin Sang was speechless for a long time.


    In his previous life, Qin Sang¡¯s family background wasn¡¯t good. He worked hard to finish his studies, and his first job was very demanding. He worked tirelessly without allowing himself any ck, and when he could no longer bear the stress, the only way he could unwind was by watching action-packed movies. That was one of his few ways of rxing.


    Now, seeing props that looked like something out of those movies, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a wave of nostalgia.


    There was also a jade slip that contained information about the Wishing Shield. After reading it, Qin Sang¡¯s expression shifted, and he silently cursed for quite a while.


    He had thought that apart from the jade token, the biggest reward was the Wishing Shield. But to his surprise, the shield was already destroyed!


    It turned out that, besides its ability to automatically protect its owner, the Wishing Shield had another feature: it could change form and transform into a flying sword, instantly concentrating the power of the three shield fragments to unleash an attack with the sharpness of a high-grade artifact.


    This transformation could happen in a split second, catching an opponent off guard¡ªa truly strange and unpredictable ability.


    But there was only one chance for this transformation. After bing a sword, all three fragments of the Wishing Shield would shatter.


    Upon examining the shield closely, Qin Sang saw that the three ck fragments were indeed covered in cracks and could no longer be used.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 73: Secret Sign

    Before leaving, Qin Sang quietly made another round around the mountain. Lying in wait was always easier than rushing into an encounter, but unfortunately, he gained nothing.


    In the end, Qin Sang sped off in the direction he had previously chosen.


    Meanwhile, the entire Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground had already descended into chaos.


    The core area of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground was notrge. It was a circrke, with water as clear as jade, undisturbed by even the slightest ripple.


    In the center of theke was a small ind, lush with green nts and vibrant flowers. At the center of the ind stood a towering tree with huge, coiling roots, and its fiery red leaves stacked inyers, resembling a pagoda.


    A Yuanzhao Sect cultivator, who had been operating the Moon-Crossing Raft, was meditating on a reef at the edge of the ind. Suddenly, his face twitched slightly, and he opened his eyes, looking upward.


    The sky above suddenly shifted, with wild winds raging, but they couldn¡¯t shake the massive tree in the slightest. Two figures surrounded by the glow of protective artifacts flew through the winds and headed toward the ind.


    Seeing the faces of the neers, the tense expression of the Yuanzhao Sect cultivator rxed, and he asked in surprise, "Junior Brother Yu, why are you here? Where is Senior Brother Du?"


    The man was a Foundation Building stage cultivator in his forties, followed by a young man in white who appeared to be in his twenties, with cultivation at the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.The twonded on the ind, and the young man bowed respectfully. "Zhao Yan greets Senior Uncle Luan."


    The cultivator surnamed Yu smiled and said, "Senior Brother Luan, you may not know, but it seems something happened within Senior Brother Du¡¯s family. Early this morning, one of his children rushed up the mountain seeking help. Senior Brother Du was overwhelmed, so he entrusted me to handle the assignment of menial tasks for the new disciples."


    "So that¡¯s it. No wonder Senior Brother Du hasn¡¯t shown up."


    Luan Shan suddenly understood. Most of the new recruits from the ascension conference were wandering cultivators with unruly temperaments, and they needed to be tempered.


    For the first two years, many menial tasks that the inner disciples were unwilling to do would be assigned to them, under the pretense of refining their temperament.


    These tasks, which often earned resentment, were typically assigned by Senior Brother Du.


    Since Senior Brother Du had delegated this to Junior Brother Yu, Luan Shan was more than happy to let him take over.


    "I¡¯ll leave it to you, Junior Brother Yu."


    After a few more exchanges, the three of them each found a reef to meditate on, not daring to step onto the ind itself.


    ¡­


    In a dark, damp canyon on a deste mountain, the rocks were covered in moss, and strange bugs asionally crawled through the crevices, emitting a faint rotting stench.


    Qin Sang weighed the Mustard Seed Pouch in his hand and flicked a finger, casting a me to burn the corpse at his feet.


    This was the second opponent he had encountered after entering the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground. Although not as troublesome as the Daoist, this fight still left Qin Sang drenched in cold sweat.


    He had concealed himself in the shadows and used the Purple Soul Bell to bewilder the opponent, following up with a yin thunderbolt that severely injured him, then finished him off with a few ice spikes. The opponent hadn¡¯t even had time to activate his protective artifact.


    Qin Sang was bing increasingly adept at using this method.


    He only aimed to severely injure the man and steal his jade token. But while pleading for mercy, the man had secretly reached for his Mustard Seed Pouch, with a faint red glow flickering in his palm. This infuriated Qin Sang. Having nearly suffered from not finishing off an opponent before, he wasn¡¯t about to take any more chances. Without hesitation, he killed the man to be sure.


    When Qin Sang opened the Mustard Seed Pouch and searched through it, he couldn¡¯t find the jade token!


    The man¡¯s jade token had either been stolen or hidden away.


    There was no distinction between day and night inside the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, but Qin Sang estimated that he had been inside for about two hours and had only obtained one jade token.


    Collecting ten jade tokens was turning out to be far more difficult than he had imagined. He couldn¡¯t afford to be so cautious anymore!


    However, this man¡¯s possessions were more valuable than the Daoist''s. When Qin Sang unfolded the man¡¯s hand, he found a stack of twelve talismans clenched in his palm. Taking a closer look, they were all Fire Feather Talismans, which made Qin Sang break out in a cold sweat.


    The Fire Feather Technique was a type of fire-based spell. Once activated, countless mes would transform into feathers, each one shooting out like an arrow, filling the sky. Although the dispersed fire featherscked the concentrated power of the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell, they were still more powerful than the ice spikes formed by the Thousand Li Ice Seal.


    If an opponent used a single Fire Feather Talisman, Qin Sang naturally wouldn''t be afraid, but the thought of twelve Fire Feather Talismans being unleashed at once made his scalp tingle. He was grateful that he hadn¡¯t given his opponent the chance to release them.


    Aside from the dozen Fire Feather Talismans, the man¡¯s artifacts were nothing remarkable¡ªa defensive artifact resembling a green gauze canopy, which wasn¡¯t even as good as the Ice Silkworm Armor, and a blood-colored long saber. It was decent for a middle-grade artifact and could be barely used.


    Qin Sang gave the saber a few swings and found it surprisingly handy, so he kept it.


    Once the corpse was fully burned, Qin Sang nced around before hiding himself. After leaving the canyon, he crossed over two mountains and found a cave to take shelter in.


    After meditating to recover his strength, Qin Sang gripped the Blood Saber and set off again.


    The mountains seemed endless, and the terrain was incrediblyplex. Picking up his pace, he continued for a while until he spotted a solitary peak ahead. It stood tall, with its summit nearly piercing the clouds. Being the tallest mountain in the area, it promised a broad and expansive view, so Qin Sang decided to ascend and take a look.


    In a ce like this, one had to be extremely cautious. Qin Sang silently climbed to the summit, where his eyes suddenly sharpened.


    On a rock at the top, there was a subtle mark that only the seventeen of them could recognize. It was the secret sign that Senior Uncle Yue had arranged for them.


    Since entering the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, Qin Sang hadpletely forgotten about the secret sign. He had no intention of leaving one himself for others to find him and assumed the others shared the same mindset.


    To his surprise, one of his fellow disciples had actually left a sign.


    <em>Naivety? Or a trap?</em>


    Qin Sang furrowed his brows, following the direction indicated by the mark. It pointed exactly where he was nning to go, suggesting that the fellow disciple was likely not far ahead.


    After two battles and only obtaining one jade token, Qin Sang realized that standing out in the ascension conference was far from easy.


    <em>Compared to the consequences of failing to join the Yuanzhao Sect, is it more eptable to team up with a potential adversary?</em>


    Qin Sang hesitated for a moment, deep in thought, before deciding that each person should walk their own path. He had no idea which discipley ahead, and if it turned out to be someone at the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, with ill intentions, he might be in serious danger.


    The allure of a top-grade artifact was almost as tempting as a jade token.


    Changing his direction, Qin Sang noticed shimmering waves in the distance to his left, which seemed to be arge river. Thend around the riverbank was open, and not far across was the poisonous swamp.


    After descending the mountain, Qin Sang changed course to the right, continuing his trek through the deep mountains.

 Chapter 74: Senior Sister Shen Jing

    "Who''s there? Show yourself!"


    By a mountain stream, a man and a woman stood facing each other from opposite sides.


    The man was dressed like a martial artist from the mundane world, even wearing a straw hat, but the sword in his hand was clearly an artifact. It waspletely blue, with a faint ripple of water flowing over it.


    The woman, on the other hand, was beautiful with a seductive figure, holding a palm-sized copper mirror. She gazed warily across the stream, looking rather pitiful.


    Both of them simultaneously looked up and fixed their gaze on the same spot upstream. The woman even let out a startled cry.


    At the stream''s edge, there was a rustling sound in the grass. Momentster, Qin Sang emerged from it, his face showing no embarrassment at being discovered. He calmly nodded at the woman.


    It turned out that this woman was a fellow disciple from the Kuiyin Sect, a senior sister named Shen Jing, who, like Qin Sang, had a cultivation level at the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Although they had never spoken, they had seen each other once when Senior Uncle Yue was giving a lecture.


    However, Qin Sang hadn''t revealed himself because of Shen Jing''s identity.


    In fact, he had little choice. The Falling Cloud Wings, being a top-grade artifact, consumed arge amount of spiritual power, making it unsustainable for long periods. If he kept it active, he wouldn¡¯t be able to maintain it for much longer given his current cultivation.He had been cautious enough, stopping periodically to scout from mountaintops and using Cloud Evasion to travel. Yet, he hadn¡¯t expected to stumble upon two people hiding in this unremarkable mountain stream.


    The towering trees on both sides of the stream obscured the area entirely. When Qin Sang discovered the two, he was both surprised and pleased, immediately attempting to use the Falling Cloud Wings to hide himself, hoping to profit from their confrontation.


    Unfortunately, it was toote. Shen Jing and her opponent were on high alert, their lives hanging in the bnce. In such a tense state, even the slightest disturbance couldn¡¯t escape their notice. Cloud Evasion was just a basic evasion technique and insufficient to conceal him at such close range. He was easily detected.


    Qin Sang decided not to hide any longer and walked out boldly.


    When Shen Jing saw that it was Qin Sang, her eyes lit up, and her wary expression turned into one of joy as she eximed, "Junior Brother Qin!"


    "Senior Sister Shen."


    Qin Sang acknowledged her with a nod, then turned his gaze toward the man in the straw hat across the stream.


    Yue Wu had not ced any strict restrictions on their behavior, and the Yuanzhao Sect couldn¡¯t monitor the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground.


    Upon hearing how Qin Sang and Shen Jing addressed each other, the straw-hat man¡¯s already dark expression became even more grim, and his grip on his sword tightened. His eyes darted around as if considering which direction to flee.


    "Junior Brother Qin, this is wonderful! We''ve ended up in the same area." Shen Jing¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, making her seem even more charming.


    "Senior Sister Shen, let¡¯s deal with the trouble in front of us before catching up."


    Before the words had even left his mouth, Qin Sang''s figure flickered as he blocked the straw-hat man''s escape route.


    If it had been him in this situation, his first instinct would have been to run.


    With the jade token right in front of him, there was no reason to let this man go. As for how to divide the spoils, that could be discussed once they had it in hand.


    Shen Jing suddenly realized this and hurriedly said, "Yes, yes¡­ Luckily, Junior Brother Qin came. Otherwise, I would have been in serious danger. But be careful¡ªthis man''s sword art is quite strange." ???


    As she spoke, Shen Jing raised the copper mirror in her hand, aiming it at the straw-hat man.


    Suddenly, the straw-hat man rasped, "I''ll give you my jade token. Can you let me go?"


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t respond. If the man cooperated, negotiations might have been possible. But Shen Jing had foolishly revealed their connection the moment Qin Sang appeared, making it impossible to let him go.


    Shen Jing red angrily at the straw-hat man, clearly unwilling to agree either.


    The straw-hat man sneered. "I wonder how the two of you n to split the jade token?"


    "I don''t want it!"


    Before Qin Sang could say anything, Shen Jing suddenly dered, "Junior Brother Qin, if it weren¡¯t for you, I¡¯d have lost my life today. You can take everything¡ªI don¡¯t want a single thing."


    This response took Qin Sang by surprise. He nced at Shen Jing with a strange expression, wondering if he had over-thought things earlier. After all, there were people like Immortal Master Han who repaid kindness generously, as well as those like the Tan brothers, who were righteous and intolerant of evil.


    Since Shen Jing had willingly given up the spoils, Qin Sang naturally had no objections.


    The two of them easily handled the straw-hat man. Qin Sang severely injured him with the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell, then swiftly beheaded him with a single stroke.


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t even need to use the Purple Soul Bell.


    He used the tip of his de to pick up the Mustard Seed Pouch and the sword from the straw-hat man¡¯s body, then looked up at Shen Jing, praising her, "Senior Sister Shen, your treasure mirror is truly formidable."


    During the battle, the straw-hat man, uncertain of Qin Sang¡¯s strength, had initially chosen to break through on Shen Jing¡¯s side. However, he was tightly bound by Shen Jing¡¯s copper mirror.


    Each time the man thrust his sword, Shen Jing¡¯s mirror emitted a golden ring that firmly blocked him, giving Qin Sang ample time to prepare his spell. By the time the man realized his mistake and turned his attack toward Qin Sang, it was already toote.


    Qin Sang recalled that this copper mirror was Shen Jing¡¯s reward from the sect leader¡¯s cave dwelling¡ªa top-grade artifact, as expected.


    "Junior Brother Qin, you overpraise me," Shen Jing said, a hint of shyness shing across her face.


    It seemed that the recent battle had drained her strength. Shen Jing¡¯s breathing was slightly hurried, her cheeks flushed, and the sweat on her forehead had dampened her bangs. She curled her finger to brush her hair aside, her delicate lips parting as she softly said, "If it weren¡¯t for your help, no matter how sturdy this mirror is, it would have only been a matter of time before he wore me down. It¡¯s your Guishui Yin Thunder Spell that¡¯s truly impressive."


    As she spoke, Shen Jing naturally began to move toward Qin Sang.


    "Senior Sister Shen, stop right there!"


    Qin Sang suddenly retreated, putting some distance between them before calmly saying, "It¡¯s better if we maintain some space between us."


    Shen Jing looked stunned, a trace of grievance in her expression. "Junior Brother Qin, what do you mean by this? I haven¡¯t taken anything from him at all. Isn¡¯t that enough to show my sincerity? Do you still not trust me?"


    Qin Sang cupped his hands in a polite gesture. "It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust Senior Sister Shen, but the ascension conference is too brutal, and I¡¯m merely taking precautions. Please forgive me."


    "Junior Brother Qin, are you saying¡­ you don¡¯t n to team up with me?"


    Shen Jing asked in disbelief. "Have you forgotten Senior Uncle Yue¡¯s instructions? Aren¡¯t you afraid of punishment from the sect?"


    Qin Sang smiled slightly, "As long as I can enter the Yuanzhao Sect andplete the sect¡¯s mission, why would Senior Uncle Yue punish me for such a trivial matter?"


    "What Junior Brother Qin says does make sense."


    Shen Jing muttered, but she still seemed reluctant. She spoke softly, her voice tinged with sorrow, "But¡­ don¡¯t you realize how difficult it is to obtain a jade token? I¡¯ve been here for so long and only managed to snatch one, using up all the talismans I umted as a rogue cultivator. If it weren¡¯t for my treasure mirror, you¡¯d be looking at my corpse right now. There are five of our fellow disciples who¡¯ve broken through to the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm, and even among the rogue cultivators, there are experts at the seventh stage. How can the two of uspete with them?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 75: Cooperation and Discord

    Upon hearing these words, Qin Sang''s gaze narrowed, and a hint of hesitation appeared on his face.


    Shen Jing, thinking that Qin Sang was tempted, hurriedly urged, "Junior Brother Qin, right now, there are definitely quite a few people cooperating within the Forbidden Ground. You just saw how easily the two of us handled our enemies together. If you¡¯re concerned, we can make an agreement¡ªafter defeating our foes, we¡¯ll take turns choosing the spoils. Once we build trust, we can n further."


    Qin Sang pondered for a moment, then suddenly lifted his head. His eyes, sharp and bright, locked onto Shen Jing as he asked, "Senior Sister Shen, was it you who carved the mark on that mountain peak?"


    Shen Jing was startled at first, but then it dawned on her. She nced back at the faint silhouette of the solitary mountain peak in the distance and said, "So you came from that direction as well. To be honest, after leaving the mark, I kept moving forward. I didn¡¯t expect to encounter a mountain crocodile deep in the forest. It was perched by a deep pool, luckily devouring a corpse. Fortunately, it only nced at me and didn¡¯t pursue. In my terror, I kept a wide distance but, in my panic, I lost my way and was stopped by this man."


    Fear and frailty flickered in Shen Jing''s eyes, as if she was still shaken by the memory.


    "A demonic beast?"


    Since entering the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, Qin Sang hadn¡¯t encountered a demonic beast yet, likely due to his caution in avoiding ces that seemed abnormal.


    "That¡¯s right!"


    Shen Jing suddenly pped her hands, eximing in surprise, "Junior Brother Qin, that mountain crocodile only devours corpses, so the jade token should still be intact! Moreover, I¡¯ve heard that where demonic beasts dwell, there are always precious spiritual herbs, and the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground must be no exception. If the two of us join forces,bining the strength of our top-grade artifacts, even if we can¡¯t kill it, we should at least be able to retreat safely. Why don¡¯t we¡ª"The more Shen Jing spoke, the more excited she became, but she was abruptly interrupted by Qin Sang¡¯s shaking head.


    "If that mountain crocodile could easily kill an immortal cultivator, and it scared Senior Sister Shen away with just one nce, it won¡¯t be that simple. Senior Uncle Yue once said that the Forbidden Ground is home to manyte-stage and peak Ordinary Demon Realm beasts. There are plenty of jade tokens avable, so why take the risk for just one? As for the spiritual herbs, only a few can directly enhance one¡¯s cultivation, and neither of us is an alchemist. What¡¯s the point of seizing them now?"


    Qin Sang knew well how difficult the participants of the ascension conference could be to deal with. Even the scruffy Daoist had his own methods of survival.


    That mountain crocodile had killed an immortal cultivator without a scratch, clearly indicating its formidable strength.


    Shen Jing gave a dryugh, her face flushing with embarrassment. "You are right; I was too reckless."n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    <em>Reckless? More like being swayed by the allure of treasure and power.</em>


    After all, immortal cultivators were still humans, merely wielding immense power.


    Qin Sang smiled without taking offense. His spiritual consciousness delved into the Mustard Seed Pouch of the straw-hatted man and was pleasantly surprised to find two jade tokens inside. It was clear this man had already defeated an opponent but had the misfortune of running into Qin Sang and Shen Jing.


    Seeing the two jade tokens in Qin Sang¡¯s hand, Shen Jing¡¯s eyes were filled with envy, but soon her face showed a trace of determination, and she remained silent.


    Qin Sang noticed this, nodded slightly, and then pulled a low-grade spiritual sword from the straw-hatted man¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch and tossed it over to her. "Senior Sister Shen, take this artifact for now to defend yourself. We may face more tough battles ahead, and we¡¯ll need to work together."


    With that, Qin Sang reced his sword with the straw-hatted man¡¯s Emerald Wave Sword, activated his evading method, and swiftly moved towards the mountain stream.


    Shen Jing, overjoyed at receiving the spiritual sword, was about to say something but saw Qin Sang¡¯s figure moving farther away. Hastily, she stamped her foot and hurried to catch up.


    The two moved in tandem, though Qin Sang always maintained some distance from Shen Jing.


    Qin Sang¡¯s Cloud Evasion was slightly superior to Shen Jing¡¯s evading method, so he let her reveal herself while he concealed his aura, trailing behind.


    Yet, it seemed that everyone around had disappeared without a trace. After walking for some time, they didn¡¯t encounter a single soul.


    Just as Qin Sang was frowning, considering whether to change direction, Shen Jing, ahead of him, crossed over a hill and suddenly stopped. She turned and called out, "Junior Brother Qin, there seems to be a mountain ahead."


    Qin Sang leaped onto the treetops, and sure enough, he saw a towering peak at the edge of his vision.


    Now that Shen Jing was his ally, it was best to encounter others as soon as possible. Qin Sang decided to go up and survey the surrounding terrain. "Senior Sister, wait for me at the foot of the mountain."


    Shen Jing agreed without hesitation. The two hurried to the base of the mountain, where Shen Jing found a hiding spot. Qin Sang, cloaking himself, began climbing toward the summit.


    Standing on the mountaintop, Qin Sang realized they were nearing the edge of the mountain range. Beyond a few more peaksy a vast in overgrown with wild grass, tall enough to reach a person''s height. The wind stirred the grass like rolling waves.


    Unless oney hidden in the grass, there was nothing around to obscure their presence.


    This ce was quite suitable for an ambush. Qin Sang, eager for the opportunity, was about to descend the mountain to inform Shen Jing when he suddenly heard a loud crash from below. His expression shifted slightly.


    He moved to the edge of the mountaintop and saw that rocks were copsing at the base of the mountain, with dust and smoke billowing up. Amidst the haze, shes of des and swords could be vaguely seen, along with Shen Jing¡¯s urgent shouts, suggesting that the situation was dire.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang made to rush down the mountain to rescue Shen Jing but hesitated as he took a few steps.


    <em>Could it be a trap?</em>


    Qin Sang¡¯s face was uncertain. After all, he had been on the mountaintop for some time and had seen no sign of anyone passing by. Yet Shen Jing, who had been hidden, suddenly encountered enemies.


    This thought crossed his mind. Although he deemed it unlikely, he remained cautious and used his Falling Cloud Wings to conceal his presence, approaching the base of the mountain silently.


    Unexpectedly, as Qin Sang reached halfway down the mountain and was about to pass over a valley, an unusual change urred.


    Suddenly, several strands of eerie ck mist shot out from the valley. The source of the mist was a series of copper mirrors arranged in a formation, hidden and carefully ced, making them difficult to detect.


    These mists were ghostly and chilling, moving with lightning speed. The concealment of the Falling Cloud Wings seemed ineffective against them as they headed straight for Qin Sang.


    <em>These copper mirrors...</em>


    Qin Sang¡¯s face was a mix of surprise and anger. In his haste, he couldn¡¯t avoid the attack and swung his Emerald Wave Sword.


    <em>Swish!</em>


    The sword light from the Emerald Wave Sword surged like concentric ripples, spreading rapidly around Qin Sang and striking the advancing ck mist.


    To Qin Sang¡¯s surprise, the sword light passed through the mist without any obstruction, proving ineffective. He barely had time to activate his Ice Silkworm Armor, forming ayer of frost around him before the mist enveloped him.


    The mist made no sound upon hitting Qin Sang, and he felt no pain.


    <em>Buzz...</em>


    The copper mirrors on the ground began to vibrate simultaneously, slowly rising into the air. More mist poured out from the mirrors,pletely surrounding Qin Sang in a thick, pitch-ck haze.


    A figure suddenly appeared in the valley¡ªit was Shen Jing, unharmed!

 Chapter 76: Same Sect

    Shen Jing, clutching her copper mirror artifact, nervously watched the mirror array.


    Her fingers quickly tapped the surface of the mirror several times. The mirror then floated into the air and positioned itself above the array, sealing the only gap.


    The trembling copper mirrors immediately stabilized and emitted even more ck mist, which gathered into a dark, iron-like curtain.


    Sweat beaded on Shen Jing¡¯s forehead as she exhaled deeply, murmuring, "Junior Brother Qin, it¡¯s not easy to set a trap for you."


    A look of hesitation appeared on Shen Jing''s face. Finally, she tapped her Mustard Seed Pouch, from which flew a crystal-like arrow. Infusing spiritual power into the arrow, it shone with a cold light as it shot into the sky.


    Mid-air, it exploded with a loud bang, shaking the mountains and spreading ice shards like fireworks.


    Momentster, a gray whirlwind roared towards them from the direction they hade. It soon arrived before Shen Jing, where the wind abruptly ceased, and the swirling mist was drawn into the mouth of a young man.


    The man carried a treasured sword and had a small azure snake coiled around his left arm.


    The azure snake hissed and flicked its tongue, then leapt from his arm to Shen Jing''s hand, rubbing its small head affectionately against her palm.The man red at Shen Jing, his expression clearly displeased. "Junior Sister Shen, I told you before that I could refine the hundred-year-old Stone Milk in a few hours. Once I break through to the seventh stage, gathering our jade tokens won¡¯t be a problem. Why did you have to wake me with the azure snake?"


    Shen Jing turned her head away with a huff. "The Stone Milk can¡¯t be lost if not refined immediately. In Senior Brother Yang¡¯s mind, is my life less important than those few drops of Stone Milk?"


    The man¡¯s expression turned awkward. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over to Shen Jing, gently lifting her shoulders and softly reassuring her. "Junior Sister, I¡¯m anxious too. With so many experts in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, if we can¡¯t enter the Yuanzhao Sect, we don¡¯t know how those old demons from the Kuiyin Sect will deal with us. Besides, this person has already been easily trapped by your Bewitching Mirror. What are you still afraid of?"


    Qin Sang, trapped within the mirror array, heard their conversation clearly. The sound of the man¡¯s voice and Shen Jing¡¯s address shocked him profoundly.


    The neer was also a Kuiyin Sect disciple¡ªSenior Brother Yang Yuanzang, whom he had encountered at the sect leader¡¯s cave dwelling while obtaining the Chi Dragon Sword.


    It was a coincidence that all three had ended up in the same area, and these two had evidently been colluding!


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression shifted unpredictably as he stared at the barrier of ck mist around him. He was beginning to understand how he had fallen into this trap.


    During his fight with the straw-hatted swordsman, the golden rings were definitely not produced by the Bewitching Mirror. Shen Jing must have another defensive artifact to conceal the true function of the Bewitching Mirror, deceiving even him.


    The trap was not without cause; the woman¡¯s acting was too superb. She had disguised the real power of the Bewitching Mirror, pretending to be weak to lower his guard.


    It was likely that she had been plotting against him since he first appeared.


    Qin Sang sighed inwardly, his brow furrowed in worry. Facing two fellow disciples with top-grade artifacts, how could he escape?


    The mist seemed only to trap him. Qin Sang felt as if he were confined within a hollow iron ball. The mist around him was chilling, but other than that, there was no significant effect.


    He swung his hand, releasing a st of cold air that turned into ice shards, which were deflected by the mist barrier.


    At the same time, the mirror array outside quivered.


    Shen Jing¡¯s eyes widened as she pointed at the mirror array and eximed, "Easily? Do you know who this person is?"


    Yang Yuanzang looked stunned. "Could it be¡­"


    Shen Jing nodded. "Yes, it¡¯s our fellow disciple, Qin Sang!"


    "The one who fainted out of fear in the sect leader''s cave dwelling?"


    Yang Yuanzang chuckled, clearly remembering Qin Sang vividly. "I recall Senior Uncle Yue mentioning that he has five-elemental spiritual roots. It seems he stumbled upon some incredible luck and consumed a rare fruit, barely stepping onto the path of immortality. A coward like him isn¡¯t worth worrying about..."


    Shen Jing snorted. "Senior Brother Yang, if you keep underestimating people like this, you might suffer a serious setback in the future! You have no idea how difficult Junior Brother Qin is to deal with. I used every method I could, but I still couldn¡¯t gain even a sliver of his trust. I didn¡¯t even get the chance to leave a secret mark on him. I tried tempting him with jade tokens and spiritual medicines to lure him into the mountain crocodile''sir where you were, but he wasn¡¯t moved at all. And he never once revealed the full extent of the abilities of his winged artifact. I had to rack my brain just to find an opportunity to set up the Bewitching Mirror; otherwise¡ª"


    Before she could finish, Yang Yuanzang¡¯s face had already darkened like the bottom of a pot, and he barked angrily, "What means did you use to win his trust? Could it be that you¡ª"


    "What do you take me for?!"


    Shen Jing looked utterly aggrieved, on the verge of tears. "Ever since Imitted myself to you, I''ve been loyal and devoted! After being coerced by Junior Brother Qin, I had no choice but to put on an act while secretly signaling the azure snake to call for your help. I never forgot to seek an escape for even a moment, and yet you still doubt me!"


    "I only care about you, that''s why..."


    Seeing Shen Jing¡¯s tearful expression, Yang Yuanzang''s fiery temper quickly dissipated. He hurriedly apologized, but when it didn¡¯t seem to help, he immediately shouted, "Junior Sister Shen, open the mirror array! That wretch Qin dared to threaten you; I¡¯ll cut him down with the Chi Dragon Sword and avenge you right now!"


    "The one I hate the most is you!"


    Shen Jing cast a seductive yet annoyed nce at Yang Yuanzang. "Why are you in such a hurry? I suspect Junior Brother Qin''s winged artifact likely has an escape ability, and the artifact refined by the sect might be too fast for your Empty Wind to catch. Let him stay in the array for a while longer. The mist from the Bewitching Mirror has a disorienting effect. Once he¡¯s confused and disoriented, it won¡¯t be toote to strike. He¡¯s carrying at least three jade tokens. You absolutely can¡¯t afford to let this opportunity slip!"


    Yang Yuanzang''s eyes gleamed. "Three jade tokens? With oursbined, that makes seven!"


    Shen Jing smiled and nodded.


    ¡­


    Inside the mirror array, countless fragments of ice swirled into a pale blue wind, filling the confined space and crashing against the mist barrier, blocking any view outside.


    Qin Sang, however, sat cross-legged, holding a spirit stone in each hand. His ebony sword flew out from his Qihai acupoint and hovered in front of him, its spiritual power growing ever brighter. The de trembled incessantly, as if it could barely contain its thirst for blood.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Trapped in the mirror array, Qin Sang initially nned to escape the moment Shen Jing opened the array by using the Falling Cloud Wings. However, after hearing the conversation between Shen Jing and Yang Yuanzang, he immediately decided to deploy his ebony sword instead.


    He hadn¡¯t felt any disorienting effects from the mist inside the mirror array; his mind was as clear as ever.


    To quickly umte enough spiritual power, Qin Sang took a risk by simultaneously absorbing the energy from two spirit stones. The immense spiritual power surged into his meridians, causing him excruciating pain, as though his meridians were being torn apart. His Qihai felt like it was on the verge of exploding.


    Gritting his teeth to endure the agony, Qin Sang¡¯s face twisted with pain, but his gaze remained icy calm.

 Chapter 77: A Gentle Smile

    Themotion within the mirror array grew smaller and smaller until, atst, itpletely fell silent.


    The two exchanged nces, and Shen Jing said, "Senior Brother Yang, I will now open the Bewitching Mirror. Do not let him escape."


    Yang Yuanzang casually nodded, and the Chi Dragon Sword in his hand suddenly emitted a deep dragon roar. The cold qi surrounding the sword transformed into a Chi dragon, raising its head, ring at the heavens with fury and roaring like thunder.


    Shen Jing took a deep breath and waved her hand gently. The topmost bronze mirror soared through the air andnded in her palm. She held the copper mirror toward the mirror array and softly shouted, "Gather!"


    <em>Swoosh! Swoosh!</em>


    All the copper mirrors flew back simultaneously, stacking on top of each other until they merged into one.


    The fog, sustained by the mirror array, instantly copsed. The thick mist exploded as though it had been boiled, violently surging like waves. Within the tumultuous tide, it seemed as if a ferocious dragon was sealed inside, ready to break free.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    A cold wind, sharp as a de, sliced through the dark mist. The blue-white cold qi carried countless ice shards, followed by even more shards that shredded the ck mist into pieces, covering the sky and nearly blotting out the sun. The scene was so powerful it seemed as though it would tear everything in the valley to shreds.Shen Jing¡¯s expression immediately changed, and she cried out, "Senior Brother Yang, act quickly!"


    Yang Yuanzang''s gaze sharpened. He suddenly stomped the ground, propelling himself into the air. With a swift motion, the Chi Dragon Sword easily cut through the ice shards in his path. The cold qi on the sword coalesced into an evenrger ice sword, its glint sharp and menacing, unstoppable.


    Just as Yang Yuanzang was about to sh toward the center of the cold qi, he felt a sudden change in his heart. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure concealed within the ice on the other side of the valley, slipping away without a backward nce.


    Yang Yuanzang halted his strike, sneering coldly. A fierce wind rose under his feet, propelling his speed to new heights. In an instant, he appeared behind the fleeing figure and, without hesitation, swung his sword down.


    Just as Qin Sang was about to be sliced in two by the Chi Dragon Sword, a faint smile crept across Yang Yuanzang''s lips. But then, from behind, he heard Shen Jing shout, "Senior Brother Yang, be careful!"


    At that very moment, a streak of ck light shot out from the center of the cold qi.


    Within the ck light was a small flying sword!


    The speed of the flying sword was astounding. By the time Shen Jing noticed it, it was toote to provide assistance.


    Yang Yuanzang''s heart was gripped by terror. He already sensed the razor-sharp qi approaching from behind. Twisting his body with all his might, he saw the ebony flying sword hurtling toward his chest, mere inches away.


    Yang Yuanzang let out a desperate cry. His arm bulged with veins as he forcefully pulled the Chi Dragon Sword back, positioning it in front of his chest.


    At the veryst moment, the Chi Dragon Sword barely blocked the trajectory of the ebony sword. However, due to the waning force, the ebony sword struck the Chi Dragon Sword, sending it flying from Yang Yuanzang''s grip. It smashed into his body before falling to the ground.


    With a muffled grunt, Yang Yuanzang felt an overwhelming force hit him, his body curling up like a shrimp. He was flung away like a rag doll, crashing into arge boulder.


    The ebony sword, relentless, paused in the air for a moment before resuming its pursuit.


    Terror filled Yang Yuanzang¡¯s face. In a panicked rush, he managed to raise his body by a few inches with the help of the Empty Wind.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    The ebony sword, sharp and unstoppable, pierced straight through Yang Yuanzang¡¯s abdomen, leaving a trail of blood that slowly seeped from the wound.


    The pain was excruciating. Yang Yuanzang let out a heart-wrenching scream. Just then, Shen Jing¡¯s figure shed before his eyes, and hope filled his gaze.


    "Junior Sister, save me..."


    But to his shock, Shen Jing smiled sweetly at him and raised her hand, plunging it directly into Yang Yuanzang¡¯s abdomen. Blood sprayed all over Shen Jing as she withdrew her hand, grasping a wisp of smoke. ?


    In the next instant, the returning ebony sword pierced through the back of Yang Yuanzang¡¯s skull.


    His face was filled with terror and disbelief as he copsed to the ground, lifeless.


    Shen Jing waved her hand, snatching Yang Yuanzang''s Mustard Seed Pouch into her grasp. A gust of wind and smoke swirled beneath her feet as she swiftly retreated, clearly having mastered Yang Yuanzang''s Empty Wind.


    In an instant, Shen Jing¡¯s figure shed more than ten zhang away, rushing toward the mouth of the valley. Her face was filled with vignce as she nced at the ebony sword, and a golden ring flew from her wrist, hovering above her head.


    "Junior Brother Qin, how about we stop here?" Shen Jing called loudly toward the center of the valley.


    <em>Whoosh...</em>


    The cold wind within the valley gradually dissipated, revealing Qin Sang¡¯s figure.


    He was sitting cross-legged on the ground, secretly clutching two spirit stones in his hands. His face was deathly pale as he gazed at Shen Jing, his voice hoarse. "Senior Sister Shen, you truly have remarkable methods! I¡¯m afraid Senior Brother Yang won¡¯t die in peace."


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t expected Shen Jing to be so ruthless, killing her ally without hesitation and stealing his belongings. He hadn¡¯t had time to stop her.


    Now, with Yang Yuanzang¡¯s artifact of wind and smoke in her possession, it would be difficult to stop Shen Jing if she intended to flee.


    Moreover, after controlling the ebony sword in that intense maneuver, Qin Sang had nearly exhausted all of his spiritual power. He had been forced to rece his depleted spirit stones with two new ones.


    If he pursued her too far, both his spiritual power and spiritual consciousness would be drained.


    "I was only acting in self-defense. Junior Brother Qin, you certainly hid your strength well! I warned Senior Brother Yang not to underestimate you, but he was too overconfident and brought this disaster upon himself. I didn¡¯t expect Junior Brother Qin to possess such a powerful flying sword. Could it be a talisman astra?"


    Shen Jing stared at the ebony sword, a flicker of fear passing through her eyes.


    Qin Sang¡¯s gaze flickered. During Yue Wu¡¯s teachings, he had heard his fellow disciples mention talisman astra.


    It was said that a talisman astra was a type of talisman imbued with a portion of the power of an astra. Only cultivators at or above the Core Formation Realm could sacrifice their own astra to forge one, intended as protection for their descendants. In the hands of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator, it could disy a power slightly stronger than that of top-grade artifacts.


    Qin Sang had no elder at the Core Formation Realm, nor the financial resources to purchase a talisman astra, and he had never seen one before.


    Since Shen Jing had misunderstood the ebony sword to be a talisman astra, Qin Sang had no reason to correct her. He responded in a low voice, "Since Senior Sister Shen wishes for peace, why haven¡¯t you left yet?"


    Shen Jing let out a charmingugh. "Junior Brother Qin, have you forgotten our previous agreement?"


    Qin Sang nced at Yang Yuanzang''s corpse and scoffed, "I don¡¯t want to follow in Senior Brother Yang¡¯s footsteps!"


    Shen Jing''s eyes reddened slightly, and her tone turned pitiful. "Junior Brother Qin, you misunderstand me. I have always kept myself pure, but I was forced by that vile Yang¡ª"


    "Enough!"


    Qin Sang interrupted coldly, "I heard everything you and Senior Brother Yang discussed while I was inside the array. Don¡¯t pretend in front of me."


    "So, Junior Brother Qin¡¯s winged artifact can really resist the Bewitching Mirror¡¯s mind-altering effects."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    The sorrowful expression on Shen Jing''s face vanished without a trace, reced by a look of feigned confusion. "Now that we both know each other¡¯s abilities, why can¡¯t we continue to cooperate? I have nothing on me that could threaten you, so what are you afraid of? Between the three of us, we already have nine jade tokens. If we seize just one more, we can gather all the tokens and find the entrance to the core area. Once we ambush one person at the entrance, you and I can join the Yuanzhao Sect together, saving so much time. Why not?"

 Chapter 78: Seizing the Body

    "Senior Sister Shen, with your cunning mind and having obtained Senior Brother Yang¡¯s jade token, why insist on dragging me into this?"


    Qin Sang''s face showed a contemtive expression, though he was actually stalling for time. Without pause, he absorbed the spiritual power from his spirit stones. Since Shen Jing wasn¡¯t willing to leave, she wouldn¡¯t be leaving!


    He would never coborate with Shen Jing again.


    How can one expect to guard against a thief every day without fail?


    He had to admit that, facing such a ruthless and calcting woman with exceptional acting skills, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel a chill deep in his heart.


    "To be honest, Junior Brother Qin, my original set of needle-shaped artifacts was destroyed by Yang Yuanzang''s Chi Dragon Sword. The Golden Ring, Bewitching Mirror, Empty Wind, and even the Sand Mirage Spell I practiced can protect my life, but theyck sufficient power when ites to killing enemies. I had no choice but to rely on you and Senior Brother Yang."


    As Shen Jing spoke, her eyes flickered toward the ground between the two of them. The Chi Dragon Swordy quietly there, with the ebony sword hovering above it.


    Seeing Qin Sang ignore her, Shen Jing opened Yang Yuanzang¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch and took out four jade tokens, disying them to Qin Sang. "Junior Brother Qin, here are four jade tokens. I¡¯ll give you two, and I¡¯ll keep two for myself. With the two I already have, we just need to seize one more, and then we can jointly control the jade tokens. There¡¯s also that bottle of century-old Stone Milk. Once we join the Yuanzhao Sect, I¡¯ll split half with you. How about that?"


    Before Qin Sang could respond, Shen Jing decisively tossed two jade tokens toward him, waiting patiently for his decision.Qin Sang hesitated for a long time. Since they were too far apart, he couldn¡¯t examine them with his spiritual consciousness, so he sent a wave of spiritual power to lift the jade tokens. There was nothing unusual.


    The jade tokens flew toward Qin Sang, and he raised his hand as if to catch them, but suddenly stopped midway, a sharp glint shing in his eyes.


    He shouted, "Go!"


    Without warning, the ebony sword suspended in mid-air shot out like lightning.


    Unexpectedly, Shen Jing showed no signs of panic. Facing the attack, she neither dodged nor evaded,ughing softly. "I knew you wouldn¡¯t agree!"


    Before her words had even faded, the Golden Ring above her head shot up, releasing a dazzling golden light that urately intercepted the iing ebony sword.


    With a loud ng, the Golden Ring encased the ebony sword. Brilliant golden light erupted, pressing inward and trapping the sword. For the moment, the ebony sword couldn¡¯t break free.


    <em>Bang, bang, bang¡­</em>


    As the ebony sword continued its relentless assault, cracks began to appear on the Golden Ring. Shen Jing was willing to sacrifice this defensive artifact just to trap the sword for an instant!


    At the same time, an enraged shout came from the center of the valley.


    While Qin Sang was fully focused on controlling the ebony sword, two jade tokens suddenly emitted a blue glow, and in the blink of an eye, a blue sphere of light flew toward his face with lightning speed.


    It was Yang Yuanzang¡¯s primordial spirit!


    When a cultivator¡¯s physical body died, if the primordial spirit didn''t escape in time, it would perish along with the body. However, Yang Yuanzang had been killed by Shen Jing, who had cunningly extracted his primordial spirit before finishing him off.


    Seeing her n seed, Shen Jing was overjoyed. Wind rose beneath her feet as she swiftly flew toward Qin Sang. A sh of cruelty passed through her eyes as she raised her sword to stab at his head.


    Just as she was about to seed, the smile on Shen Jing¡¯s face froze. She saw Qin Sang¡¯s eyes suddenly open¡ªclear and calm, even carrying a hint of mockery. There was no trace of fear or pain from someone about to be possessed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "You!"


    A deep unease surged within Shen Jing, and from the corner of her eye, she saw a sh of red light in Qin Sang¡¯s hand. He raised his hand and threw a stack of talismans at her.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    In an instant, all the talismans shattered, and the space between them was filled with swirling pieces of paper, transforming into endless fire feathers. These feathers filled the sky, shimmering like the plumes of a fire phoenix, with each one burning with ethereal mes. It was as if the area had turned into a sea of fire, the scorching and wild energy sweeping in all directions. Intense waves of heat surged skyward, and in mere moments, the nts and trees in the valley withered to ash.


    Every fire feather pointed directly at Shen Jing.


    Shen Jing¡¯s hair stood on end as she screamed in terror, "No!"


    Qin Sang sneered, and without hesitation, he fiercely waved his hand. All the fire feathers trembled slightly before shooting out in unison.


    <em>Poof, poof, poof¡­</em>


    At such close range, Shen Jing had nowhere to escape. When the smoke cleared, a charred corpsey on the ground. Qin Sang had deliberately aimed at her head, obliterating it with a barrage of fire feathers. Her body was burned beyond recognition, and she met a tragic end.


    At this moment, the danger was over. Though Qin Sang¡¯s body throbbed with unbearable pain, he felt a profound sense of relief.


    He cast aplicated look at Shen Jing¡¯s corpse. This woman had truly taught him a hard lesson.


    Fortunately, he had never let his guard down, keeping the Fire Feather Talismans hidden in his palm. When Yang Yuanzang''s primordial spirit appeared, he could have immediately unleashed the Fire Feather Talismans, but he held back, trusting in the Jade Buddha and ying along with the n. As expected, Shen Jing had fallen into the trap.


    It might have seemed like a waste to use all twelve Fire Feather Talismans at once, but Qin Sang wasn¡¯t sure if this deceitful woman had any other protective artifacts.


    "There¡¯s still one more thing¡­"


    Qin Sang muttered to himself. Focusing inward, he entered his sea of consciousness and saw Yang Yuanzang attacking his primordial spirit with futile strikes of spiritual consciousness. The golden glow of the Jade Buddha remained unmoved.


    Qin Sang immediately began to counterattack. As his power grew and Yang Yuanzang''s diminished, his primordial spirit weakened rapidly. Terrified, Yang Yuanzang no longer dared to linger and quickly fled from Qin Sang¡¯s sea of consciousness.


    "Junior Brother Qin, spare me! I can help you¡ªah¡­!"


    Yang Yuanzang¡¯s plea for mercy echoed in Qin Sang¡¯s mind, but he ignored it. Without hesitation, he directed the ebony sword outside and mercilessly shattered Yang Yuanzang¡¯s primordial spirit.


    <em>Thud!</em>


    Just as Qin Sang was about to stand up from the ground, a wave of excruciating pain surged through his body, causing him to copse, screaming in agony.


    Earlier, the intense focus during the fight had helped him endure the pain.


    But now that he rxed, it felt like his entire body had turned into a tattered cloth, riddled with pain. Especially his Qihai and meridians, which felt as though they had been mercilessly stirred with a knife.


    After absorbing four spirit stones in session, it was a miracle that his meridians hadn¡¯t burst from the excess spiritual power.


    Qin Sang could only smile bitterly. He pulled out several jade bottles from the Mustard Seed Pouch. Most of them had been taken from the pouch of the straw hat swordsman, and Qin Sang didn¡¯t recognize most of them. However, one bottle contained Water Dew Pills, which he was familiar with.


    There were eight Water Dew Pills in the bottle. Qin Sang took out two and swallowed them. A cool medicinal energy flowed through his body, relieving much of the pain.


    Struggling to his feet, Qin Sang stumbled over to search through the remains of Yang Yuanzang and Shen Jing. After looting their belongings, he burned the corpses. Not daring to retrieve the ebony sword, he endured the pain and used the remaining spiritual power within him to activate his evading method, fleeing from this perilous ce as quickly as possible.


    He crossed several mountain ranges in session before finally hiding in a stone cave.


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t even have the energy to assess his spoils. He set up the Bewitching Mirror at the cave¡¯s entrance and hurriedly activated the <em>Netherworld Scripture</em> to begin meditating.


    It was unclear how much time had passed when Qin Sang finally woke up. Although his meridians and Qihai still throbbed with a dull ache, time didn¡¯t permit him to continue meditating indefinitely.

 Chapter 79: Middle-Grade Spirit Stone

    After taking two more Water Dew Pills, Qin Sang allowed his body to gradually recover. He couldn''t wait any longer and opened the Mustard Seed Pouch, pouring its contents onto the ground.


    On his way here, he had already refined the Bewitching Mirror, making it his own.


    The Bewitching Mirror wasn''t actually a single mirror but a set of eight copper mirrors stacked together¡ªone primary and seven auxiliary mirrors.


    These eight copper mirrors could form a mirror array, which was exceptionally sturdy and could trap opponents. The mist emitted by the array had a bewitching effect.


    However, setting up the mirror array wasn''t easy. It required some time to prepare and was even harder to use than the ebony sword. The array couldn¡¯t be moved once set up, so it could only trap opponents if they entered it of their own ord; otherwise, it was useless.


    Additionally, the bewitching effect of the mist was short-lived. One had to seize the moment when the array was first activated, before the opponent could break free from the mist, to achieve the best results.


    While inside the mirror array, Qin Sang had not felt any confusion, and after some thought, he realized it must have been due to the Jade Buddha.


    The power of the Bewitching Mirror was undeniable, but it was difficult to unleash its full potential in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground. He couldn''t tell whether Shen Jing¡¯s luck had been good or bad.


    Compared to the Bewitching Mirror, what excited Qin Sang the most were the Chi Dragon Sword and Empty Wind.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omWith these two artifacts alone, Yang Yuanzang would have been guaranteed a ce in thepetition if he hadn¡¯t fallen at the hands of Qin Sang and Shen Jing.


    The power of the Chi Dragon Sword was unquestionable. It was a top-grade spiritual sword, far superior to the Blood Saber and Emerald Wave Sword.


    While Qin Sang¡¯s ebony sword was sharp, it consumed a great deal of energy and required preparation before use. The Chi Dragon Sword, on the other hand, could be used directly in battle, withparable power.


    Empty Wind was a high-grade artifact, resembling a wisp of gray-white wind that felt smooth like silk when held in the palm.


    This was Qin Sang¡¯s first time seeing such an artifact, and he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at it.


    Once refined, Empty Wind would allow its wielder to ride the wind and fly a short distance off the ground. The speed was impressive, and it consumed little spiritual power. Though it could only carry one a couple of zhang above the ground, it was enough to cross mountains and escape danger.


    For cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm, this was an extraordinary treasure.


    Qin Sang immediately used his spiritual consciousness to refine Empty Wind. It was easily absorbed, and with a single breath, he swallowed it into his body, hiding it within his Qihai. With just a thought, a gust of wind would rise beneath his feet.


    Fully armed, Qin Sang felt incredibly satisfied, though he regretted not having a good defensive artifact. Unfortunately, the Golden Ring had been destroyed in its sh with the ebony sword.


    Yang Yuanzang had been quite loaded. Besides Empty Wind, he also had a few low-grade artifacts and some spirit stones. Shen Jing¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch, on the other hand, was filled with worthless items¡ªfabrics, cosmetics, and jewelry.


    The only thing that surprised Qin Sang was finding a middle-grade spirit stone in Yang Yuanzang¡¯s pouch!


    In terms of value, one middle-grade spirit stone was equivalent to a hundred low-grade spirit stones, though the exact trade value could vary depending on negotiations.


    The spiritual power contained within a middle-grade spirit stone was not only more abundant than that in low-grade stones, but also purer. This meant that it could be absorbed and refined much faster.


    However, for Qin Sang, the middle-grade spirit stone held even greater significance.


    ording to the <em>Song Family Sword Art¡¯s</em> exnation of the swordsmanship realms, Qin Sang had now reached the point where he could control his sword with spiritual consciousness, making it move ording to his will. He had begun to grasp the fundamentals, but his low cultivation limited how far his flying sword could be sent.


    Once he advanced further in swordsmanship, he would be able to generate sword qi, eventually reaching the realm where sword qi would arc like a rainbow across the sky.


    The <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> stated that, once sword qi was mastered, the ebony sword would be imbued with it, doubling its power and dramatically increasing its speed¡ªswift as lightning, streaking across the sky like a white rainbow piercing the sun.


    But with this increase in power came a significantly higher consumption of spiritual power, several times greater than before.


    Cultivators above the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm could no longer rely solely on low-grade spirit stones to sustain their cultivation. They would need to use middle-grade spirit stones just to barely activate sword qi.


    Although Qin Sang hadn''t reached the sword qi realm yet, he carefully stored the middle-grade spirit stone away.


    Originally, Qin Sang hadn''t expected to obtain a middle-grade spirit stone. He had nned to focus on advancing his cultivation after reaching the stage where he could control his sword with his spiritual consciousness. Now, it seemed like the time to prioritize it hade.


    Being a spy in an immortal sect was undoubtedly dangerous. Qin Sang had no idea what the Kuiyin Sect was nning, nor did he care to know. The only thing he could do was wait for the right moment to escape. If escape proved impossible, he would need to increase his strength as much as possible to face any dangers ahead.


    With this thought in mind, Qin Sang continued searching and picked up a jade bottle from Yang Yuanzang¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch. The thumb-sized bottle contained a few drops of milky white liquid, thick like ointment. As he opened the lid, a fragrant aroma wafted into his nose, instantly reducing some of his pain.


    This must be the Stone Milk that Yang Yuanzang and Shen Jing had mentioned, possibly found in the mountain crocodile¡¯s nest.


    Although the treasures of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground had been almost entirely looted by the Yuanzhao Sect, it wasn''t unusual to find overlooked remnants. Besides, the Yuanzhao Sect might not have considered this small amount of Stone Milk to be valuable.


    Yang Yuanzang had already reached the peak of the sixth stage. By refining the Stone Milk, he would have had a high chance of breaking through to the seventh stage. However, the medicinal energy of the Qi-Gathering Pill was still building up in Qin Sang¡¯s body, and he was far from breaking through. For now, the Stone Milk held little value for him, so he stored it alongside the middle-grade spirit stone.


    In front of him, ten jade tokens were neatlyid out.


    Four from Yang Yuanzang, two from Shen Jing, and four from Qin Sang himself.


    Qin Sang thought to himself that there shouldn¡¯t be many others in the Forbidden Ground who had collected tokens faster than him. Despite all the struggles, it hadn''t been in vain.


    When the ten jade tokens were brought together, they formed a jade booklet. The tokens were crystal clear, and ayer of mist appeared out of thin air on them. Beneath the mist, mountains, rivers, andkes seemed to be faintly visible, but the mist obscured everything, making it impossible to see clearly. The only visible feature was a bright arrow, which remained pointed in the same direction no matter how Qin Sang moved the jade tokens.


    The more tokens one gathered, the thinner the mist on the jade booklet became, and the clearer the guidance. With ten tokens, all Qin Sang could see was the arrow. He had no idea what the terrain ahead looked like or whether the path was navigable.


    Qin Sang had long known about this, so he wasn''t surprised. After confirming the direction, he ced the jade tokens and other useful items into his Mustard Seed Pouch. He checked his internal injuries and, feeling that they weren''t too serious, strapped the Chi Dragon Sword to his back, activated Empty Wind, and flew out of the cave.


    Flying on the wind felt exhrating, though it made him an obvious target.


    The direction indicated by the jade tokens led deep into the ins, and luckily, he wouldn¡¯t need to return to the poisonous swamp.


    In the blink of an eye, Qin Sang flew out of the mountains and onto the ins. He lowered himself into the grass to race across thend.


    The wide expanse of the in gave him a clear view, and with the speed of Empty Wind and three top-grade artifacts at his disposal, Qin Sang felt confident that no one would dare provoke him. Even if they did, he was sure he could escape if necessary.


    He had hoped to collect a few more jade tokens while flying across the in, but to his surprise, after traveling for quite some time, he hadn''t encountered a single opponent. It was truly strange.


    Less than two hourster, Qin Sang had crossed the in, and before him appeared numerous ravines and cliffs.

 Chapter 80: Bait and Struggle

    In the field of vision, the earth appeared as if it had been torn apart, with deep ravines crisscrossing thendscape. Between these ravines stood rock cliffs of varying heights. Most of the cliffs had razor-thin summits, resembling sharp des, making it nearly impossible to find footing.


    Separated by a single cliff, the ecosystems within each ravine were surprisingly different.


    In some, lush grass thrived with small streams meandering through, while in others, rivers surged wildly. Towering ancient trees, some even taller than the cliffs themselves, loomed, while in other areas, barren red soil or exposed rocks dominated. When two ravines merged or intersected, even moreplex and striking scenery appeared, making one wonder how such a uniquendscape had formed.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    This kind of ce was perfect for an ambush.


    If a demonic beast¡¯s nest were hidden within one of these ravines, it would be nearly impossible to detect. Traversing the ridge tops was definitely not an option.


    Qin Sang stood at the edge, observing for a while, quietly sighing in his heart. He took out a jade token, checked his direction, and leaped into one of the ravines. Not daring to recklessly fly through the air, he relied on Cloud Evasion to move forward.


    The ravines were chaotic and winding, forcing Qin Sang to take many detours and frequently adjust his course. Fortunately, he had not encountered any demonic beasts blocking his path, but he also had not seen any immortal cultivators.


    Qin Sang had been running through the ravines for more than an hour, yet he still hadn¡¯t reached the end. Feeling somewhat frustrated, he concealed his figure and climbed to the top of a cliff. However, all he saw ahead were more endless ravines, and his patience finally wore thin.


    After carefully examining the terrain, Qin Sang let out a soft "Hmm" of surprise. Up ahead, about a dozen ravines converged like the neck of a gourd, gathering at a single point before dispersing again. The variousndscapes intersected there, creating what must have been an extraordinarily unique sight.After checking his direction, he found that the route pointed by his jade token led directly toward this gourd-shaped junction. He sped toward the area, but just as he neared the convergence point, his body abruptly halted.


    Suddenly, clouds of mist appeared around Qin Sang, and he immediately used his Falling Cloud Wings to conceal his form, swiftly hiding behind a boulder.


    From his vantage point, he saw that in the area where the ravines converged, streams from several of the ravines pooled into a clear pond. The water was so transparent that the bottom was visible, and the banks were lined with all kinds of flowers, grasses, and trees. However, beside the pondy a person.


    The ravine where Qin Sang was hiding only had low shrubs, and he immediately spotted the person.


    The individual had disheveled hair and was dressed in a white robe, lying face-down on the grass,pletely motionless. A trail of bloody footprints, chaotic and disorderly, stretched from the person''s location into the forest behind them.


    The white robe on the person was heavily damaged and stained with dark red blood, making it strikingly conspicuous. Though no wounds were visible, they were likely on the chest or abdomen.


    It was easy to imagine that this person must have fled to this spot after suffering severe injuries. Their steps had be increasingly unsteady, and they ultimately copsed by the pond, unconscious from exhaustion. Judging by the color of the bloodstains on the robe, it seemed the person had been dead for quite some time. Their opponent hadn¡¯te after them, as the Mustard Seed Pouch hanging from their waist remained untouched.


    Though it appeared like an easy opportunity to pick up something valuable, Qin Sang¡¯s expression remained somber. Instead of joy, his face grew serious, lost in thought.


    The incident with Shen Jing had left Qin Sang wary of ever underestimating any immortal cultivator, no matter how powerless they seemed. After all, finding a corpse so suddenly in this deste ravine was extremely suspicious.


    He narrowed his eyes and carefully observed the area around the pond. The water gurgled softly, and birds chirped cheerfully, but he didn¡¯t notice anything out of the ordinary. Just as Qin Sang was about to conjure a clone to investigate, a thought struck him. After pondering for a moment, he quietly retreated to the mouth of the ravine. There, in a hidden spot, he took out the Bewitching Mirror and set up the mirror array, finally feeling a sense of security.


    It was better to be cautious.


    After all, he only had one life, and he couldn¡¯t rely on the Jade Buddha to save him every time he encountered danger.


    Returning to the ravine, Qin Sang hid himself and summoned a clone, directing it to rush toward the pond from behind the boulder.


    The clone reached the edge of the pond without any obstacles and crouched down to inspect the person in the white robe. Lifting the body slightly, the clone revealed a gaping wound in the abdomen, with mangled flesh and organs spilling out, forming a pool on the ground. The person was undeniably dead.


    <em>Maybe I¡¯ve be too fearful of death.</em>


    A trace of self-mockery appeared on Qin Sang''s face. He was just about to order the clone to take the Mustard Seed Pouch from the white-robed figure when a sudden wave of dread washed over him. A piercing whistle of an arrow rang out from above.


    A rainbow streaked down from the sky, plunging rapidly towards his hiding spot like a bolt of lightning.


    Within the rainbow was unmistakably an arrow!


    Qin Sang was startled and reacted instantly, quickly summoning the Empty Wind to dash out from behind the rock without hesitation.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    The rock shattered into pieces, and the ground was sted into a deep pit by the fierce arrow. A storm of spiritual power whipped up debris and grass, creating chaos in its wake.


    Not far away, Qin Sang felt a chill run down his spine. Had he stayed behind that boulder, he would have been severely injured, if not killed!


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes quickly scanned the area, and he finally spotted the archer standing on top of the cliff. The person appeared young, dressed in tight-fitting clothing, standing tall in the wind like a graceful noble youth.


    The young man held a bow in his hand. The bowstring seemed to be made from the tendons of some demonic beast, and the bow itself shone with a seven-colored radiance like a rainbow. It was embedded with dazzling gemstones, and the spiritual power lingering on the bow had yet to dissipate¡ªit was clearly a top-grade artifact.


    The terrifying arrow from earlier had undoubtedly been fired from this very bow!


    The young man in the tight clothing lowered his head slightly, locking his gaze on Qin Sang. It was clear he hadn¡¯t expected Qin Sang to dodge his sneak attack. But without hesitation, he raised the bow again, aiming directly at Qin Sang.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang¡¯s heart sank. He knew he couldn¡¯t remain a target in the ravine, so he decisively drew the Chi Dragon Sword from his back. Wind surged beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, he shot up towards the cliff.


    The young man hadn¡¯t anticipated Qin Sang¡¯s sudden burst of incredible speed and was momentarily startled. He quickly raised his bow and shot again.


    Remarkably, the bow didn¡¯t require physical arrows. The moment the young man pulled back the string, the bow shimmered with light, which coalesced into an arrow.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    The arrow streaked towards Qin Sang¡¯s face, just as powerful as the previous one.


    Qin Sang narrowly dodged the first arrow with quick movements, but the second arrow followed immediately, its angle impossibly tricky, leaving him no room to evade.


    Out of options, Qin Sang dispersed the Empty Wind, knowing his spiritual consciousness couldn¡¯t support wielding two high-grade artifacts simultaneously. Fortunately, the cliff¡¯s summit was wide enough to stand on. Landing on solid ground, Qin Sang raised his Chi Dragon Sword, ready to face the next attack.


    The spinning arrow trailed a seven-colored glow, like aet streaking toward him.


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes were fixed on the arrow¡¯s tip, and with a sudden movement, he shed out with his sword. The cold qi of the Chi Dragon Sword erupted with a thunderous roar, surging forward to meet the arrow.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    A deafening explosion echoed through the air as the cold qi of the Chi Dragon Sword collided head-on with the rainbow arrow. The two forces expanded violently, neither yielding an inch. Momentster, both lights dimmed simultaneously¡ªresulting in a deadlock between the two powers.

 Chapter 81: Destruction

    Seeing this, both of their expressions turned grim.


    Qin Sang took a step forward, and the young man in tight clothes immediately retreated gracefully. Then, he drew his bow and shot another arrow, forcing Qin Sang to raise his sword once more to defend.


    Above the ravine, streaks of rainbow light shed continuously, while the Chi Dragon that had been formed by the cold qi of the sword dissipated and reformed again and again. Neither could gain the upper hand.


    Qin Sang had also attempted to cast two yin thunderbolts and some ice spikes, but the young man easily dodged them. So far, Qin Sang had been unable to close the gap between them.


    The spirit arrows came one after another, and the young man¡¯s archery was superb. Qin Sang couldn¡¯t even find an opportunity to escape. Moreover, at this distance, his Purple Soul Bell was of no use.


    Qin Sang could feel his spiritual power depleting at an rming rate, but he didn¡¯t have the chance to absorb spirit stones to replenish his energy.


    However, Qin Sang had already noticed that the bow was taking longer to condense the spirit arrows.


    Although the young man¡¯s cultivation was one stage higher, the bow required frequent condensation of spiritual power to form arrows, which drained far more energy than the Chi Dragon Sword.


    If this deadlock continued, the advantage would eventually shift in his favor.Just as this thought crossed his mind, Qin Sang¡¯s eyes sharpened. He saw the young man smirk after firing another arrow, then swiftly pulled out a jade bottle from his Mustard Seed Pouch. Inside were two pills that Qin Sang didn¡¯t recognize.


    Without hesitation, the young man swallowed one. His face, previously pale from the overuse of spiritual power, gradually regained its color, and he looked at Qin Sang with mocking disdain.


    <em>A pill to restore spiritual power!</em>


    Seeing this, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but curse silently. This man¡¯s resources were too profound.


    The bow was undoubtedly a top-grade artifact among top-grade artifacts, and the rare spirit pills¡ªhe had two of them and consumed one without hesitation, not showing the slightest sign of reluctance.


    <em>Is this even a rogue cultivator?</em>


    The young man fired arrow after arrow without pause, forcing Qin Sang into a tight spot. Knowing that continuing like this would only put him at a disadvantage, Qin Sang¡¯s gaze began to flicker uncertainly.


    The young man suddenly let out a sharp cry, and an overwhelming surge of spiritual power poured from his hands into the bow.


    The bow red brightly as the young man lifted it high, his eyes ring fiercely at Qin Sang. His arm muscles bulged with effort as he pulled the bowstring taut, instantly forming three enormous spirit arrows.


    "Kill!"


    With a thunderous roar, the three arrows shot forth together, merging into one in mid-air.


    The whirlwind created by the spirit arrow sted toward Qin Sang, its sharp whistle carrying a trace of thunderous might that shook the heavens. The power behind it far surpassed any of the previous arrows, and it was upon him in an instant.


    Qin Sang¡¯s instincts screamed in rm, and every hair on his body stood on end. The arrow was too fast¡ªthere was no time to dodge.


    Gripping the Chi Dragon Sword with both hands, Qin Sang focused entirely on the sword, pushing all distractions aside. He poured all his strength into one desperate strike.


    The cold qi of the Chi Dragon Sword waspletely drained, leaving both the sword and Qin Sang¡¯s face unnaturally pale.


    The Chi Dragon¡¯s body doubled in size, resembling a true Jiao dragon[1], rising proudly to face the challenge without fear.


    The Chi dragon opened its maw wide and roared, swallowing the spirit arrow whole.


    Suddenly, a streak of rainbow light appeared within the Chi dragon¡¯s body, churning violently as it struggled against the cold qi but failed to break free.


    Astonishingly, it seemed the Chi dragon had the upper hand.


    This scene greatly exceeded the young man¡¯s expectations, causing his brows to furrow.


    On the other side, Qin Sang¡¯s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly raised the Chi Dragon Sword in front of his face to shield himself.


    The next moment, with a thunderous explosion, the Chi dragon burst apart. The cold qi that had formed its body shattered into countless fragments, unleashing a violent gust of cold wind in all directions. The ravine on either side seemed to instantly plunge into winter, as frost coated the surrounding nts with ayer of ice.


    Although the spirit arrow had dimmed significantlypared to before, it still had some power left. In a sh, it appeared right in front of Qin Sang¡¯s face, striking the Chi Dragon Sword dead center.


    Luckily, Qin Sang reacted quickly. Feeling fortunate, he sensed an immense force hit him, causing his arms to tremble. The Chi Dragon Sword emitted a crisp ringing sound, and the tone seemed somewhat off.


    Qin Sang had no time to dwell on this. Using the force of the impact, he took the opportunity to retreat swiftly. Then, without hesitation, he summoned the Empty Wind and turned to flee.


    The young man wasn¡¯t about to let him off easily. He raised his bow again, aiming at Qin Sang. The first arrow missed, and as he was preparing to fire a second, the spirit arrow dissipated before it could even form. rmed, he flipped his bow around to inspect it, finding that most of the gems embedded in it had lost their luster, with some even showing faint cracks.


    With an angry snort, the young man swung his arm in frustration, ring hatefully at the fleeing Qin Sang. After a moment¡¯s thought, he stowed the bow in his Mustard Seed Pouch and drew a pair of slender swords. He then summoned a green leaf.


    The leaf resembled a bamboo leaf, vibrant and jade-like. It grewrger as it caught the wind. The young man leaped onto it, holding his swords, and gave chase relentlessly. His speed was no slower than that of Qin Sang¡¯s Empty Wind.


    The mirror array was not far from the mouth of the ravine. Riding the wind, Qin Sang quickly reached it after a few swift moves.


    The young man, unsuspecting, followed closely behind. Seeing Qin Sang¡¯s speed slow down, he assumed that Qin Sang¡¯s spiritual power had been exhausted and that he could no longer control his artifacts. A hint of delight appeared on his face. But just as that smile emerged, the ground beneath him shifted, revealing copper mirrors that unleashed plumes of ck qi. The young man¡¯s expression turned to shock and fury as he fell into the trap of the mirror array.


    The misty barriers of the mirror array reverberated with loud bangs, and the copper mirrors trembled continuously, emitting crisp vibrations. Clearly, the young man inside was fighting back wildly.


    Qin Sang clutched the Bewitching Mirror, his expression tense. When the mirror array was finallypleted, the copper mirrors rose to cover the top of the array, stabilizing it.


    Qin Sang exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. Thankfully, he had been prepared; otherwise, facing such a formidable opponent, his only option would have been to flee for his life.


    Letting the young man struggle inside the mirror array, Qin Sang suddenly recalled something and hurriedly took out the Chi Dragon Sword to inspect it. What he saw made his face darken instantly.


    A noticeable crack had appeared along the rain-guard of the Chi Dragon Sword!


    Whether by coincidence or due to the sword¡¯s inherent fragility, this top-grade artifact had been damaged so easily.


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression flickered. The Chi Dragon Sword didn¡¯t seem to bepletely broken, but until it was repaired, he didn¡¯t dare use it again. A damaged sword was a minor issue, but if it broke mid-battle, his life could be at risk.


    Stowing the Chi Dragon Sword back into his Mustard Seed Pouch, Qin Sang red at the mirror array. The thought of such a fine top-grade artifact being ruined by this person filled him with frustration. He promptly sat down cross-legged, grasping a spirit stone and summoning the ebony sword.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    1. Jiaolong or Jiao is a dragon in Chinese mythology, often defined as a "scaled dragon"; it is hornless ording to certain schrs and said to be aquatic or river-dwelling. ?

 Chapter 82: Righteous and Demonic

    Before long, Qin Sang opened his eyes, and the ebony sword stirred from its stillness, flying to the edge of the mirror array.


    By now, the mirror array had bepletely silent, and it seemed the young man had already fallen under the Bewitching Mirror''s charm.


    Qin Sang ordered the ebony sword to hover before the array, took a deep breath, and reached out to fully withdraw the Bewitching Mirror. Without waiting for the mist to clear, the ebony sword shot forward in a sh.


    Immediately, a crisp <em>ding</em> rang out from within the fog.


    As the mist gradually dispersed, Qin Sang saw that the ebony sword had been tightly blocked by a crescent-shaped machete. The two weapons were locked in a stalemate, suspended mid-air, neither able to advance.


    The young man¡¯s face was filled with shock and fury as he cried out, "You have a talisman astra too? No, why is your talisman astra so strange?"


    Qin Sang looked at him coldly, saying nothing, but inwardly, he felt a wave of fear. He hadn¡¯t expected the young man to resist the Bewitching Mirror¡¯s charm. Atop the young man''s head was a gray cloth cap, something Qin Sang hadn¡¯t seen before, likely the reason he was immune to the mirror¡¯s effect.


    What surprised Qin Sang even more was the crescent-shaped machete. Judging by the young man¡¯s words, it was also a talisman astra.


    This was the first time Qin Sang had ever seen a talisman astra. The scimitar, shaped like a crescent moon, was slightlyrger than the ebony sword, its de emitting a cold, sharp light. No wonder it could match the ebony sword in strength.While Qin Sang had prepared the ebony sword outside, the young man had pretended to be ensnared by the charm while preparing his talisman astra inside the array. Both had anticipated the other¡¯s moves.


    Qin Sang now deeply regretted not being able to kill the young man, even after using the ebony sword. If he had known how difficult this opponent would be, he would have avoided him entirely.


    Now, with the ebony sword locked against the machete, neither dared retreat, as doing so would mean instant death. Yet continuing this stalemate would make it hard to determine who would emerge victorious.


    The young man realized this as well, his face darkening. He certainly didn¡¯t want to lose his life here over something so trivial, nor was he willing to die alongside Qin Sang. His life was far more precious than that of some mere rogue cultivator.


    Gritting his teeth, the young man channeled all his spiritual power into the machete. The machete gleamed coldly, forcing the ebony sword to retreat bit by bit.


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression shifted slightly, and he quickly responded, driving the ebony sword forward again to block the machete.


    Both were burning through their spiritual power at a rapid rate.


    Soon, Qin Sang felt a crisp crack in his palm. The spirit stone in his hand had shattered into useless fragments, and he immediately reced it with a new one. The young man across from him did the same, but the spiritual power supplied by the spirit stones was little more than a drop in the oceanpared to the immense consumption.


    The young man¡¯s expression flickered, and he suddenly called out, "You¡¯re definitely not a rogue cultivator. Which family do you belong to?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart stirred, and he replied sternly, "I am just a rogue cultivator!"


    The young man snorted in dissatisfaction. "There¡¯s no way a rogue cultivator could have such vast resources. A talisman astra is beyond a rogue cultivator¡¯s reach. Even if you don¡¯t admit it, I can guess. You didn¡¯te here to join the Yuanzhao Sect, but to gain experience and collect a few useful artifacts."


    Hearing this, Qin Sang was surprised and asked in return, "Isn¡¯t that your goal?"


    "Exactly!"


    The young man didn¡¯t bother to hide it, saying proudly, "I¡¯m the most talented descendant in my family. I don¡¯tck Foundation Building Pills, so why would I lower myself to be a servant disciple of the Yuanzhao Sect? This is my second time participating in the Yuanzhao Sect''s ascension conference. This green leaf artifact was something I snatchedst time, and it¡¯s very useful. But you¡¯re the toughest opponent I¡¯ve encountered so far. Since we share the same goals, there¡¯s no need for us to fight to the death. How about we call it a truce and go our separate ways from now on?"


    Qin Sang sneered. "You¡¯re mistaken. I¡¯m participating in the ascension conference to join the Yuanzhao Sect. However, if you put away your talisman astra first, I¡¯ll agree to stop here."


    "You think I¡¯m a fool?"


    The young man¡¯s face filled with anger as he flipped his hand, producing a jade bottle filled with spiritual pills, preparing to swallow them.


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t afford to lose momentum either. Ignoring the pain in his heart, he took out hisst middle-grade spirit stone, adopting a stance that showed he was willing to risk everything.


    The young man¡¯s face stiffened, his eyes shifting. After a long moment, he grudgingly said, "Fine! I¡¯ll admit defeat today! You want to join the Yuanzhao Sect, right? I have four jade tokens here. You can take them all. Consider it a payment for you to stop."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With that, the young man tossed out four jade tokens onto the ground, as if he truly didn¡¯t care about them.


    Qin Sang nced at the jade tokens on the ground, his face showing a pensive expression. Then, he suddenly fixed his sharp gaze on the young man. "With your strength, if you¡¯re here for experience, why not seek out opponents proactively? Why set a trap in such a remote area, waiting for someone to stumble upon it? Unless you''re certain that someone powerful would pass through here. Either you have more than just four jade tokens, or you already know that anyone going to the core area has toe through this ce. Am I right?"


    The young man¡¯s expression shifted slightly. He opened his mouth to speak, but Qin Sang cut him off. "Don¡¯t try telling me that you just happened to end up in the same area twice by coincidence. That kind of lie might fool an idiot."


    The young man was left speechless for a moment before finally offering a bitter smile. "You arrived too soon. I really only have four jade tokens."


    Qin Sang¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "So that means¡­"


    The young man nodded. "That¡¯s right, I have a map of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground. Though the Yuanzhao Sect now controls it, before all the treasures werepletely plundered, it was co-managed by several factions. This map was lost during that time. If you¡¯re willing to stop here, I can give you a copy. It shows a shortcut that will allow you to bypass the dangers ahead, ensuring you secure a spot. But you must swear not to reveal it to anyone!"


    Qin Sang responded, "Even if I swear, you wouldn¡¯t believe me. All I can tell you is that I won¡¯t do anything that doesn¡¯t benefit me. You¡¯re just trying to stir up trouble in the ascension conference. Do you really think the Yuanzhao Sect, a great righteous sect, would go out of their way to hunt you down over such a trivial matter?"


    "A great righteous sect?"


    The young man sneered. "You really think so highly of them. Have you ever wondered why, when they could easily host the ascension conference in an arena, they go through all the trouble to hold it in a forbidden ground, where so many people die each time?"


    Qin Sang asked curiously, "Why?"


    "The barriers on the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground began crumbling two hundred years ago. But the Yuanzhao Sect discovered a secret art to prolong them. Ever since then, they moved the ascension conference into the Forbidden Ground and changed the rules¡­ What is truly righteous? What is demonic?"


    The young man wore a mocking smile as he pulled out a jade slip. "Here¡¯s the map. Let¡¯s both withdraw our talisman astra at the same time, and I¡¯ll give it to you."


    Qin Sang gently shook his head. "Wait¡­"


    The young man¡¯s face twisted in anger. "Do you think I¡¯m really afraid of you? If you keep pushing, I swear, even if I die, I¡¯ll make sure youe down with me!"

 Chapter 83: Outbreak of the Insect Poison

    It seemed he had already been pushed to his limit.


    Qin Sang''s eyes flickered, and he spoke with a rxed tone, "What''s the rush? I just want to inspect the goods first. What if the jade slip you have doesn''t contain the map?"


    In the end, the young man reluctantly threw the jade slip over to Qin Sang. After confirming that it indeed contained the map, Qin Sang agreed to make peace.


    Both of them retracted their spiritual power at the same time, keeping a close watch on each other while slowly retreating, wary that the other might break their promise.


    Once the young man''s figure was nearly out of sight, Qin Sang finally put away his ebony sword and rode the Empty Wind to make a swift escape.


    The young man, still staring in the direction Qin Sang had left, was filled with unwillingness. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly raised the talisman astra in his hand. To his dismay, he saw several cracks of varying sizes across its surface.


    This was a sign that the talisman astra''s power was nearly depleted. It could only be used one more time before beingpletely destroyed.


    In this battle, both of his life-saving treasures had suffered significant damage.


    A deep sense of heartache filled his eyes as he carefully put away the talisman astra. He then cursed a few times in the direction Qin Sang had escaped, slightly relieving some of the frustration in his heart. After swallowing a spiritual pill, he flickered to the side of a pond. With a wave of his hand, the waters rippled, and arge cyan g floated to the surface.After retrieving the g and burning the bait, the young man paused in contemtion. He then summoned his green leaf artifact and disappeared into the ravine.


    ¡­


    Qin Sang had found a secluded ce to heal.


    Both had pushed their limits during the confrontation. His spiritual power had beenpletely drained, leaving him more exhausted than thest time. He had merely been putting on a brave front before the young man.


    However, he estimated that the young man''s condition was likely just as bad; otherwise, he wouldn''t have yielded so easily.


    It was two full hours before Qin Sang emerged from his hiding ce, his face still pale. It was clear that fully recovering wouldn''t be easy.


    Qin Sang took out both the map and the jade token.


    He couldn''t be sure if the map given by the young man contained any trickery, but he had to be cautious. Therefore, he cross-referenced the map with the jade token. When the fourteen jade tokens were ced together, the mist on them thinned slightly, revealing a faint outline of the nearby terrain.


    ¡­


    In the core region of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground.


    Five rocky skerries along the edge of a small ind had already been imed by others. Besides Yuanzhao Sect''s two Foundation Building cultivators, Yu and Luan, as well as Zhao Yan, there was also a man and a woman. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    If Qin Sang were here, he would have recognized them at a nce. The man was none other than Senior Brother Ruan Nanfeng, who was on the verge of breaking through to the eighth stage.


    The woman, however, was an unknown rogue cultivator, but her cultivation was profound, no weaker than Ruan Nanfeng''s.


    It was clear that these two were the first to stand out from the ascension conference.


    Each of the five had taken a position on one of the skerries, silently meditating, with no one speaking.


    Luan Shan suddenly opened his eyes and raised a hand, sending out a stream of spiritual power into the void. A momentter, a glowing portal appeared where the spiritual power had vanished.


    Fourteen jade tokens emerged from the portal first.


    Luan Shan nodded slightly. "Impressive."


    Then, a figure followed closely behind, flying out from the portal along with the jade tokens.


    Luan Shan frowned slightly andmented indifferently, "Fortunate, I see."


    It was Qin Sang who had appeared. The map given by the young man was urate, allowing Qin Sang to easily avoid all the dangerous areas. He had gathered enough jade tokens. Along the way, he encountered a few rogue cultivators but didn¡¯t engage with them. Without any major obstacles, he soon found the entrance to the core region.


    Qin Sang rode the wind, scanning the area. He spotted five people sitting cross-legged along the edge of the small ind. He flew over andnded on one of the skerries, bowing respectfully. "Qin Sang greets the two senior uncles and the senior brother and sister."


    Ruan Nanfeng and the woman nodded in acknowledgment toward Qin Sang.


    Zhao Yan, on the other hand, looked at Qin Sang with interest and took the initiative to introduce the others to him. "Junior Brother Qin, this is Senior Uncle Luan Shan, and this is Senior Uncle Yu Hua. I am Zhao Yan, you can call me Senior Brother Zhao."


    "Senior Uncle Luan, Senior Uncle Yu, Senior Brother Zhao..."


    After respectfully greeting each of them, Qin Sang heard Senior Uncle Luan speak. "The ascension conference has not yet ended. Find a skerry and meditate in silence. Do not enter the ind or cause any disturbance, or you will be expelled from the Forbidden Ground. Once all twelve have gathered, we will return to the sect together."


    Qin Sang had no objections. After ncing at the mysterious ind, he followed the instructions and sat cross-legged on a skerry. However, instead of immediately entering meditation, he kept his head slightly lowered, his eyes flickering with thoughts, as if lost in contemtion.


    Just then, Qin Sang sensed something odd. He casually lifted his head and saw Zhao Yan staring at him with a yful look. Feeling a chill in his heart, Qin Sang forced a smile in return and quickly cleared his mind, focusing on his cultivation art as he entered meditation.


    It was unclear how much time had passed when Luan Shan opened the glowing portal again, allowing two more men to enter, who were both epted.


    After a while, Luan Shan opened the portal several more times, letting in two more people.


    By this point, everyone knew that the remaining participants would arrive more quickly, and that the ascension conference was about to conclude, so they ceased meditating.


    Qin Sang noticed that, aside from himself and Ruan Nanfeng, another member of Kuiyin Sect, Senior Brother Liu Yi, had also stood out. He was one of the five who had broken through to the seventh stage of Qi Refining.


    Strangely, ever since entering the core region, Liu Yi had appeared deeply troubled, sitting on his skerry with a sullen expression, as if weighed down by a difficult matter.


    Liu Yi sat restlessly, suddenly clenching his fists. He abruptly lifted his head and spoke, "Senior Uncles, I have something to report..."


    But before he could finish, his face contorted in pain, and his voice cut off. A foul stench spread as ck mist enveloped his face. His body slumped to the side and fell into theke without a sound.


    The sudden turn of events startled everyone. They immediately flew into the air, while Yu Hua quickly rushed to Liu Yi''s skerry, pulling out his lifeless body. After inspecting it briefly, he said calmly, "It seems to be a type of insect poison that had been lying dormant until now. Senior Brother Luan, could there still be poisonous insects roaming in the Forbidden Ground?"


    As he mentioned the insect poison, Yu Hua cast a meaningful nce at Qin Sang and Ruan Nanfeng.


    Qin Sang felt a chill run through his entire body. He noticed the same deep fear hidden in Ruan Nanfeng''s eyes.


    <em>Could it be that Senior Uncle Yu is also an informant for Kuiyin Sect? How many people from Kuiyin Sect has infiltrated Yuanzhao Sect, even among the Foundation Building cultivators?</em>


    Earlier, Qin Sang had considered reporting the matter. After all, he wasn¡¯t afraid of the Heart-Devouring Insect¡¯s threat. Fortunately, reason had prevailed, and he had abandoned the idea.


    Now, reflecting on it, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel a lingering sense of fear.


    Luan Shan, oblivious to the subtle exchange between them, remarked indifferently, "I''ve only been in charge of the ascension conference for a short time, but I did hear that there are poisonous marshes inside. There must be poisonous insects residing there. This disciple was poisoned without even realizing it. He deserved to die. Junior Brother Yu, throw the body outside. We don''t want to contaminate this ce. We¡¯ll just rece him with the next participant."


    Yu Hua pped his hands and smiled. "No need to rush. Let¡¯s leave the body as a warning for the disciples whoeter. It might teach them to be more careful in the world of immortal cultivation, so they won¡¯t die without knowing how."


    Liu Yi¡¯s corpse was left on the skerry, with all the disciples keeping their distance. After some time, all twelve were finally present.

 Chapter 84: Cloud Valley

    The Moon-Crossing Raft carried Luan Shan, Yu Hua, Zhao Yan, along with Qin Sang and the eleven newly inducted disciples, back to Yuanzhao Sect, retracing their steps. The other rogue cultivators, who had failed to make it into the top twelve, were dismissed on the spot.


    Besides Qin Sang and Ruan Nanfeng, there was also a senior sister named Wu Liuyue who earned one of the spots, though her cultivation level was only at the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Had Liu Yi not died, Kuiyin Sect members would have made up one-third of the group.


    Qin Sang also saw several senior brothers and sisters who had failed to pass, leaving the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground with heavy hearts. What fate awaited them, he could not tell.


    However, Qin Sang¡¯s biggest concern was still himself.


    "You are now disciples of the Yuanzhao Sect and must follow the sect¡¯s rules. If you betray the sect, you will be killed without mercy!"


    Yu Hua was giving them a lengthy speech on the rules of Yuanzhao Sect, his expression full of righteous fervor. To Qin Sang, it felt incredibly ironic.


    "After joining the sect, you will begin as servant disciples to temper your hearts and minds. Normally, Senior Uncle Du would personally handle the allocation of tasks, but he is upied today, so I will take his ce."


    As he spoke, Yu Hua retrieved twelve nk wooden waist tokens from his Mustard Seed Pouch, sweeping his gaze over the group. After a moment of thought, he pulled out one token and, with a stroke of spiritual power, quickly inscribed it before tossing it to Ruan Nanfeng."Ruan Nanfeng, since you cultivate the <em>True Art of Yin Fire</em>, you will go to the fire room and guard the furnace."


    "Kun Li..."


    "Wu Liuyue..."


    ¡­


    One by one, Yu Hua assigned each person their task, and no one dared object.


    Then, Qin Sang heard his own name.


    "Qin Sang, since you cultivate a water-based art, you will go to Cloud Valley to tend to the spirit fields. Take this."


    Under Yu Hua''s watchful gaze, Qin Sang obediently answered, reaching out to catch the waist token. He flipped it open and saw a few lines written on it.


    "Yuanzhao Sect disciple, Cloud Valley, Qin Sang."


    In the end, all twelve were assigned to different ces. Ruan Nanfeng went to the fire room, while Wu Liuyue was sent to the Beast-Taming Ridge. None of the assignments seemed particrly important, and from Yu Hua¡¯s tone, it was clear that these tasks were rather burdensome.


    Qin Sang recalled the disdainful tone of the young man in thebat suit when he mentioned servant disciples. With a bitter smile, he reflected on how he had joined the immortal sect seeking the path to immortality, only to end up with such menial duties. Not only were they tiring, but they would also take up most of his time, leaving little for cultivation. No wonder the young man looked down on them.


    "Do your best in your assigned tasks, and the sect will take notice. If you are diligent enough, it is not umon for a senior brother at the Foundation Building Realm to ept you as a true disciple."


    Yu Hua offered some words of encouragement. As he spoke, the Moon-Crossing Raft was already nearing the gates of Yuanzhao Sect.


    Just then, a streak of light flew out from the nearby mountains. A thin elder, appearing to be in his fifties or sixties, with a slightly anxious expression, wearing a cyan Daoist robe, stood atop a green bamboo staff, speeding toward them.


    "Senior Brother Du!"


    Luan Shan quickly halted the Moon-Crossing Raft, and both he and Yu Hua greeted the approaching figure with a bow.


    Zhao Yan addressed him as "Senior Uncle Du," and Qin Sang, along with the others, followed suit. They had already heard from Yu Hua that this was Du Siyu, the one responsible for assigning tasks to new disciples.


    "Senior Brother Du, wasn¡¯t there a family matter? Why have you returned so hastily?" Yu Hua asked curiously.


    Du Siyu shook his head, a hint of anger in his tone. "It was nothing worth mentioning, Junior Brother Yu. My family¡¯s younger generation made a fuss over a minor issue, nearly dying my important matters. I¡¯ve already ordered them to reflect on their actions."


    Yu Hua offered words offort. "Senior Brother Du, as the head of the family, managing household affairs isn¡¯t easy. Don¡¯t let trivial matters upset you. Rest assured, I¡¯ve followed your instructions and assigned tasks to the disciples ordingly. Take a look and see if there are any oversights that need adjustment."


    "Oh?"


    After inspecting the waist tokens of everyone present, the elder surnamed Du''s expression softened. He praised, "Junior Brother Yu, your assignments fit each person¡¯s strengths perfectly¡ªno adjustments are needed. I was merely making a casual remark before, but you went to the trouble of personally handling it. I truly appreciate it."


    After a few morepliments, Du Siyi turned his attention to Qin Sang and the others. With a wave of his hand, countless items flew out from his Mustard Seed Pouch, filling the sky and almost blotting out the sun.


    "These are entry artifacts for you. Some are for cultivation, while others will be used for your duties as servant disciples."


    Qin Sang saw several beams of light flying toward him and quickly reached out to catch them.


    Among the items were a dusty-looking Mustard Seed Pouch and a book inscribed with five-elemental incantations.


    As for the artifacts, there was a rather ordinary spiritual sword, which was only a low-grade artifact. This sword was actually a flying artifact and not rted to sword cultivation¡¯s sword-flying technique. It was simply shaped like a sword, though its speed was far inferior to the Empty Wind.


    There was also a cyan Daoist robe, likewise a low-grade artifact. Though useless inbat, wearing it could keep one free of dirt and dust¡ªquite practical.


    Another item was a mat woven from bamboo leaves. Senior Uncle Du exined that it was crafted from the leaves of a spiritual bamboo called Waterheart Bamboo. Sitting on it during cultivation was said to help immensely with calming the mind.


    Lastly, there was an artifact resembling a cloud, and after looking around, Qin Sang realized he was the only one who had received this particr item.


    ¡­n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    With various items in hand, Qin Sang carefully sorted them and stored them in his Mustard Seed Pouch.


    By this time, the Moon-Crossing Raft had entered Yuanzhao Sect. At a dormitory area, Luan Shan dropped them off.


    It was said that Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s leader was not one of the two Golden Core Realm masters but a Foundation Building Realm cultivator. People like Du Siyu had reached the Foundation Building Realm but, due to their age andck of further breakthroughs, had taken on the sect¡¯s worldly affairs.


    Qin Sang had hoped to meet the sect leader, but to his disappointment, there was no such opportunity. As soon as theynded, Du Siyu handed them over to a few senior brothers and departed swiftly.


    Dozens of majestic spiritual peaks surrounded the towering central mountain, which was the main peak of Yuanzhao Sect¡ªYuanzhao Peak.


    Standing on his spiritual sword, Qin Sang followed a senior brother surnamed Zhu, listening as he exined the sect¡¯s entry protocols. Qin Sang nodded frequently as he absorbed the information.


    It was said that the main peak was the convergence point of the sect¡¯s spirit veins, and the spiritual power within the gates was even denser than that of Kuiyin Sect.


    Senior Brother Zhu led Qin Sang through the area for quite some time. Yuanzhao Peak and several nearby mountains were filled with forbidden grounds. Eventually, they arrived at a grandplex of halls.


    "Junior Brother Qin, this is the lecture hall. Senior uncles and senior brothers frequently hold lectures here on cultivation, spells, and how to wield artifacts. However, to listen in, you¡¯ll need spirit stones, and the cost varies depending on the speaker¡¯s cultivation level. Though your tasks will be arduous, the monthly stipend is generous, so you can attend a few lectures each month."


    Following Senior Brother Zhu¡¯s direction, Qin Sang took a distant look at the hall before Senior Brother Zhu hurried to leave.


    "I¡¯ve exined all the key locations in the sect. Now, let¡¯s head to Cloud Valley. You¡¯re in luck¡ªCloud Valley is within the inner sect. Though the duties are heavier, the spiritual power there is far denser than in the outer sect, and it¡¯s close to the lecture hall. Plus, you¡¯re more likely to encounter senior sect members. You might even be chosen as a disciple."

 Chapter 85: Mundane Affairs

    Qin Sang learned that the territory under Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s control was actually vast. Once a disciple earned the qualification to establish a cave dwelling, they could freely choose any spot within this immense mountain range with concentrated spiritual power to build it.


    Yuanzhao Peak was the foundation of Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s protective array. The supreme sect leader cultivated on the main peak, and important ces like the sect leader¡¯s hall were also built around the main peak, thus it was referred to as the inner sect.


    Following behind Senior Brother Zhu, after flying for a while, they reached the edge of the sect¡¯s protective array. Senior Brother Zhunded and pointed to the entrance of a valley shrouded in mist. He said to Qin Sang, "Junior Brother Qin, ahead is Cloud Valley. The valley is protected by an array, and only those with a Cloud Valley waist token can enter. I won¡¯t go further. That cloud-like artifact you have is for managing clouds and rain, nourishing spiritual nts. Inside your Mustard Seed Pouch are things like Nine-Spirit Sand, which are used for cultivating spiritual nts... This is a month¡¯s supply, and new supplies will be deliveredter."


    As he spoke, Senior Brother Zhu raised his hand and sent a streak of spiritual power into the valley. A momentter, the mist parted, and an old man, even older than Senior Uncle Du, but only at the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, flew out of the valley.


    The old man descended in front of them, eyeing Qin Sang with a strange, sarcastic tone. "Senior Brother Zhu, you rarelye here without reason. Truly a rare guest... This junior brother seems unfamiliar. What¡¯s his name?"


    Qin Sang quickly bowed. "I am Junior Brother Qin Sang, greetings to Senior Brother."


    Senior Brother Zhu gave a wry smile but did not get angry, responding in a slightly bitter tone, "Senior Brother Meng, this is Junior Brother Qin Sang, who just joined and has been assigned to help in Cloud Valley. I personally brought him over, only to receive such a wee from you."


    Senior Brother Meng¡¯s eyes lit up. "Has Old Du finally let someone go? Oh, I nearly forgot today is the ascension conference."


    Senior Brother Zhu seemed to tease him deliberately, shaking his head. "I heard Senior Uncle Du had other matters today and entrusted Senior Uncle Yu to assign the servant disciples. Otherwise, with so many senior uncles waiting for extra hands, it wouldn¡¯t have been your turn."Senior Brother Meng snorted but suddenly froze. "Senior Uncle Yu? Which Senior Uncle Yu?"


    Senior Brother Zhu replied calmly, "It¡¯s Junior Brother Yu Hua, who recently entered seclusion to break through to Foundation Building and seeded. From now on, you¡¯ll need to address him as Senior Uncle Yu."


    The two fell silent, both looking dejected and disheartened.


    ¡­


    After Senior Brother Zhu left, Qin Sang followed Senior Brother Meng into Cloud Valley.


    After a few exchanges, Qin Sang learned that this Senior Brother Meng''s full name was Meng Ruhui. He was now eighty-eight years old and had long epted that breaking through to Foundation Building was hopeless. Thirty years ago, hepletely gave up on the idea of cultivating immortality, left the sect, and returned home.


    However, his parents had long passed, and his hometown was filled with unfamiliar faces. Disheartened, Meng Ruhui returned to the sect to take up mundane duties, nning to spend the rest of his life in the sect.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Over the past thirty years, his cultivation had gradually reached the peak of the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but it was impossible for him to reach the Foundation Building Realm. Out of recognition for his diligence, the sect assigned him to manage Cloud Valley.


    Cloud Valley consisted of several interconnected valleys, each of which had been cultivated into numerous spirit fields. These fields grew countless spiritual trees, bamboo, and grains, along with spiritual herbs.


    Meng Ruhui led Qin Sang further into the valley, and along the way, they encountered several senior brothers and sisters, all in a rush. They greeted each other briefly before continuing with their tasks.


    Seeing how busy everyone was, Qin Sang couldn''t help but feel a heavy weight in his heart.


    Finally, they arrived at a small valley. Compared to other areas, this valley wasn¡¯trge. Both sides of the slopes were nted with purple bamboo, and at the center was arge herb garden.


    "Junior Brother Qin, from now on, you¡¯ll be responsible for taking care of this herb garden. Every so often, a portion of the spiritual herbs must be handed over, and the sect will send someone to collect them. The characteristics of each herb and the methods of care are all recorded in this jade slip. Some of the herbs are very delicate, so be extra careful. If you fail to meet the required quota, not only will your monthly stipend be deducted, but you could also be expelled from the sect. As for this valley, you can pick any spot you like to establish your cave dwelling."


    After giving Qin Sang a lengthy exnation, Meng Ruhui hurriedly left. Qin Sang rode the wind to the herb garden and looked at the various spiritual herbs inside. They were vibrant and lush, with colors he had never seen before.


    Qin Sang¡¯s face darkenedpletely after carefully reading the jade slip with his spiritual consciousness.


    The cloud-like artifact he had was actually called the Five-Elemental Cloud. When activated, it could blend the five-elemental spiritual qi from the world into the rain, nourishing the spiritual nts.


    Since each spiritual herb had different characteristics, the frequency and timing of the rain, as well as the types and amounts of five-elemental spiritual power infused in the water, had to be carefully controlled.


    Missteps could not only hinder the growth but could also damage the herbs or, in severe cases, cause them to wither and die.


    The Nine-Spirit Sand was made from the feces of nine different demon bats. For ordinary spiritual nts, it needed to be applied every ten days, with no further maintenance required. But for spiritual herbs, the requirements were far moreplex, and Qin Sang found himself increasingly overwhelmed.


    If he followed the jade slip¡¯s instructions strictly, he would have to spend more than half his time tending to the herb garden, leaving him precious little time for cultivation.


    No wonder Meng Ruhui left so quickly, not giving him a chance to protest.


    Qin Sang flew to a higher vantage point and spotted a bamboo building deep within the bamboo forest. He flew over and found that the building had fallen into disrepair. With the wind blowing, the whole structure swayed. He decided to find a cliff behind the bamboo forest, where he used the Emerald Wave Sword to carve out a simple cave dwelling and sat down to reflect.


    Senior Uncle Yu had assigned him to Cloud Valley but hadn¡¯t clearly stated his duties. It was possible that Du Siyu¡¯s sudden appearance had disrupted the n.


    This left Qin Sang feeling unsettled.


    Qin Sang had considered reporting this, but in Yuanzhao Sect, besides Yu Hua, how many spies from Kuiyin Sect were there? Could Meng Ruhui be one of them?


    Aside from the two Golden Core Realm masters and the sect leader of Yuanzhao Sect, Qin Sang really didn¡¯t trust anyone else.


    Moreover, seeing how Yuanzhao Sect used the ascension conference to lure and kill rogue cultivators, would reporting them truly absolve him of guilt?


    It was a gamble with his life!


    If he reported them, to prove the truth, the secret of the Jade Buddha would inevitably be exposed.


    Qin Sang¡¯s understanding of the Jade Buddha had deepened.


    The primordial spirit was fundamental to an immortal cultivator. The Jade Buddha not only protected his primordial spirit from external malevolent influences but also helped resist the Bewitching Mirror¡¯s mind-confusing effects.


    Qin Sang analyzed that this ability likely only affected the primordial spirit, ensuring it remained untainted and steadfast no matter where he was. However, for things like the misty array around Cloud Valley or Youshan Market, he couldn¡¯t see through them with his naked eye.


    Although he couldn¡¯t yet determine the limits of the Jade Buddha¡¯s protection, he could imagine that, under its safeguard, he would be able to resist any threats to his primordial spirit, mind-confusing artifacts, spells, evil influences, or even arrays.


    The Jade Buddha was definitely a priceless treasure, and its secret absolutely must not be leaked.

 Chapter 86: Endurance

    It wasn¡¯t until the bright moon hung high in the sky that Qin Sang finallypleted the day''s tasks. Dragging his exhausted body, he entered a meditative state to cultivate.


    Controlling the Five-Elemental Cloud to nourish the spiritual herbs had nearly drained all of his spiritual power. However, as he cultivated, he felt that his cultivation seemed to have slightly improved, though the progress was so minimal that Qin Sang, with his poor aptitude, barely noticed. Having grown ustomed to the Soul Pills, this small improvement was hardly worth his attention.


    Since he had just joined the Yuanzhao Sect, even if he wanted to escape, now wasn¡¯t the right time. Qin Sang decided to endure for a while, keeping a low profile and observing the situation. His top priority now was to increase his strength.


    The medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill had yet to be fully refined, and within his Mustard Seed Pouch, there remained a bottle of Stone Milk and a sufficient supply of Soul Pills. Qin Sang estimated that it wouldn¡¯t take long before he could break through to the seventh stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Qin Sang used his inner vision to observe his Qihai, where the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill had been suppressed. It was time to start refining it.


    ¡­


    More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye. This period had been incredibly peaceful, with no disturbances.


    The fellow disciples of Cloud Valley were all busy, each tending to their own small plots ofnd. No one paid any attention to this newly arrived junior brother, let alone caused him any trouble.


    During all this time, Qin Sang had only gotten to know one person, Meng Ruhui.However, what made Qin Sang uneasy was that Yu Hua still hadn¡¯te to find him.


    Qin Sang had already adapted to the rhythm of life in Cloud Valley. During the day, he manipted the clouds and rain, maintaining the herb garden. In the evenings, he quietly cultivated in his cave dwelling, refining the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill. His cultivation level advanced rapidly.


    "Another ten days should be enough topletely refine the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill."


    Qin Sang calcted silently as he controlled the Five-Elemental Cloud to water a spirit field where a patch of Seven-Star Paris nts was growing.


    If everything went smoothly, by the time he had fully consumed the medicinal energy from the Qi-Gathering Pill, his cultivation level would have solidly advanced to thete sixth stage, with only a small gap left to the seventh stage. At that point, consuming the bottle of Stone Milk would likely allow him to break through in one go.


    However, once he reached the seventh stage, he would need to find a way to rid himself of the menial chores.


    Currently, every time Qin Sang refined a portion of the Qi-Gathering Pill''s medicinal energy, he had to pause his cultivation and allow his body time topletely digest the energy. This also helped him adapt to the rapid advancement of his cultivation level. Rushing this process would not only be counterproductive but might also leave hidden risks.


    Therefore, during this period, the chores in the herb garden hadn¡¯t actually hindered his cultivation.


    But after refining the medicinal energy and breaking through to the seventh stage, there would be no more shortcuts. He would have to rely on hard work, and at that point, the herb garden would be a significant obstacle.


    After he finished watering thest spirit field, the sky was still early. At that moment, two streaks of light flew into the valley. Seeing that it was Meng Ruhui, Qin Sang hurriedly went forward to greet him.


    Beside Meng Ruhui was a young man of simr age to Qin Sang, his face showing barely concealed joy. It was only when he saw Qin Sang that his expression slightly calmed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Greetings, Senior Brother Meng. May I ask this senior brother¡¯s name?" Qin Sang cupped his hands in respect.


    The young man returned the gesture and said, "Junior Brother Qin, my surname is Bi."


    Qin Sang noticed that Meng Ruhui appeared hesitant, his expression somewhat strange. Curiously, Qin Sang asked, "Senior Brother Meng, Senior Brother Bi, is there something you need from me?"


    After a brief hesitation, Meng Ruhui spoke, "Junior Brother Qin, be honest with me¡ªdid you ever offend Senior Uncle Yu?"


    <em>Yu Hua!</em>


    Qin Sang''s heart immediately tightened, but his face remained calm as he responded with confusion, "I¡¯ve only met Senior Uncle Yu once during the ascension conference, and I followed his instructions toe to Cloud Valley. I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ve done anything disrespectful." ?


    Meng Ruhui shook his head and said, "Junior Brother Qin, from now on, this part of the valley will be under Junior Brother Bi¡¯s care. Come with me."


    Qin Sang was filled with doubt, unsure of what Yu Hua intended. After bidding farewell to Senior Brother Bi, he returned to his cave dwelling, packed up his belongings, and flew after Meng Ruhui, using his artifacts to follow him to his residence.


    Meng Ruhui¡¯s residence was a simple thatched hut built in a river valley, nestled against the mountain and beside a stream. He even kept a few azure oxen forpany, living a peaceful and leisurely life. ording to him, the house was modeled after memories from his childhood.


    "Come in, Junior Brother Qin, try some of Junior Sister Yan''s freshly picked Spirit-Nourishing Tea. You won''t find tea this good anywhere else," Meng Ruhui said with a warm smile.


    Meng Ruhui had a friendly nature. Although Qin Sang had only met him a few times, he already felt that Meng Ruhui was a good person.


    However, Qin Sang wasn¡¯t in the mood for tea. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Meng, please be honest with me. What exactly is going on? You''ve seen how I''ve conducted myself since joining the Yuanzhao Sect. I''ve been diligently tending to the spiritual herbs in Cloud Valley and haven''t even set foot in the lecture hall. There¡¯s no way I could have offended anyone."


    Meng Ruhui¡¯s smile faded as he let out a light sigh. "Junior Brother Qin, I also believe you''re not the type to act recklessly. But in this world of immortal cultivation, if your strength iscking, there''s no reasoning with others. Sometimes, a single gesture, a look, or even the tone of your voice might cause someone to hold a grudge. From now on, Junior Brother, you must be more cautious in how you interact with others..."


    After offering a long string of advice, Meng Ruhui finally said, "That Junior Brother Bi from earlier? He identally offended a Foundation Building Realm senior uncle. I was given a hint and had no choice but to assign him the most difficult menial tasks. He endured for ten years. Luckily, we¡¯re within the sect, where even Foundation Building Realm cultivators must follow rules and can¡¯t just resort to violence. If this had happened outside, he might¡¯ve lost his life."


    Qin Sang understood and spoke in a serious tone, "Senior Brother Meng, are you saying¡­?"


    Meng Ruhui nodded. "Follow me, Junior Brother."


    The two flew directly out of Cloud Valley, heading west. Along the way, Qin Sang noticed several valleys simr to Cloud Valley, all shrouded in mist. Before long, Meng Ruhui stopped in front of one such valley, took out a spiritual talisman, and opened the array. Then, he handed the talisman and a jade slip to Qin Sang.


    They entered one after the other, and Qin Sang immediately smelled a rich herbal fragrance. He guessed that this valley must also contain a herb garden.


    "This is Huiyang Valley. It¡¯s also under my care, and like before, it¡¯s nted with spiritual herbs," Meng Ruhui exined. After a pause, he nced at Qin Sang. "However, the spiritual herbs here are all used by the Longevity Hall for refining pills. Each nt is far more troublesome to tend to than those in Purple Bamboo Valley. But since you are already familiar with how to care for herb gardens, you should find it easy to adapt¡­"


    Huiyang Valley was slightlyrger than Purple Bamboo Valley, and the variety of spiritual herbs in its fields was several times greater. When Qin Sang used his spiritual consciousness to scan the jade slip, he saw rows of detailed requirements and taboos, which left him feeling dizzy and overwhelmed.


    Caring for this herb garden would take up even more time than his duties in Purple Bamboo Valley.


    Just as Meng Ruhui turned to leave, Qin Sang hurried to catch up. "Senior Brother Meng, please wait."


    Meng Ruhui assumed that Qin Sang was unwilling to endure the injustice and began to offer consoling words, "I understand your frustration, Junior Brother Qin. But you must endure for a few more years. Once Uncle Yu''s anger subsides, things will go much more smoothly. When the next ascension conferencees, I¡¯ll do my best to help mediate the situation."


    Qin Sang smiled and said, "Don¡¯t worry, Senior Brother. I¡¯m quite familiar with the concept of ''endurance.'' What I wanted to ask, though, is if you could advise me on where I can buy a few items I urgently need?"

 Chapter 87: Tianyuan Market

    Meng Ruhui let out an "Oh" and said, "Junior Brother, you should be aware of the lecture hall, right? At the end of each ten-day period, a Foundation Building Realm senior uncle will give a lecture in the lecture hall. At that time, most of the sect¡¯s disciples gather to listen. Since so many peoplee together, some take the opportunity to exchange items they need. Over time, it became a tradition, and now, every evening at the end of the ten-day period, the lecture hall bes a ce for the sect¡¯s disciples to conduct transactions. The sect doesn¡¯t forbid it, in fact, they actively encourage it. Sometimes, even Foundation Building Realm senior uncles will appear at the market, but..."


    Meng Ruhui''s tone changed slightly. "However, the marketce is mainly for inner disciples, so the good items are limited. If Junior Brother wants to purchase high-quality artifacts or rare items, you¡¯ll need to visit an external immortal cultivation market. If you leave the sect and head north, you¡¯ll find Tianyuan Market... Tianyuan Market is owned by our Yuanzhao Sect and is quite prosperous. It¡¯s well-known throughout the surrounding immortal cultivation world. Once you enter, as long as you present your waist token, you''ll be under our sect''s protection, so there¡¯s no need to worry about your safety."


    <em>Tianyuan Market.</em>


    Qin Sang made a mental note of the location and cupped his hands in thanks. "Senior Brother Meng, thank you for the guidance. There are still several days until the end of the ten-day period, so I¡¯d like to visit Tianyuan Market and broaden my horizons. Since I¡¯m making the trip, is there anything Senior Brother Meng needs? I can help with the errand."


    Upon hearing this, Meng Ruhui squinted and gave Qin Sang a once-over, then smiled and said, "Now that you mention it, there actually is something. Please wait for a moment."


    With that, Meng Ruhui took out a Mustard Seed Pouch and handed it to Qin Sang.


    "Thank you, Junior Brother Qin. When you get to Tianyuan Market, give this pouch to the manager of Huichun Hall and tell him it¡¯s from Old Meng. Afterward, when you buy medicine at Huichun Hall, just mention my name, and you¡¯ll get a twenty percent discount."


    Qin Sang didn¡¯t ask what was inside the pouch. After seeing Meng Ruhui off, he took a walk around Huiyang Valley, set up a simple cave dwelling, and then prepared to depart.


    Unexpectedly, within just an hour, Qin Sang returned to Cloud Valley, his expression extremely grim. Only when he approached the thatched hut did he force a smile and return the Mustard Seed Pouch to Meng Ruhui.Meng Ruhui¡¯s face darkened, and he frowned. "What is the meaning of this, Junior Brother?"


    Qin Sang forced augh and said, "Please forgive me, Senior Brother Meng. Just as I was about to leave the sect, I suddenly had a premonition of a breakthrough and felt the need to enter seclusion toprehend it. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to visit Tianyuan Market for the time being. I haven¡¯t touched or even looked at the contents of the Mustard Seed Pouch. Please, Senior Brother, check i¡ª"


    Meng Ruhui cast a cold nce at Qin Sang, grabbed the Mustard Seed Pouch, and turned to enter the cottage, shutting the door with a loud <em>bang</em>.


    Qin Sang smiled bitterly, knowing he had just offended Senior Brother Meng. The days ahead would likely be difficult, but there was no other choice. He could only face whatever came next. <em>Things can''t get much worse, can they?</em>


    With a light sigh, Qin Sang shook his head and rode the Empty Wind back to Huiyang Valley.


    He was extremely cautious on the way, constantly looking over his shoulder, fearing someone might be following him. After returning to his cave dwelling, he set up a mirror array with the Bewitching Mirror at the entrance, finally letting out a long sigh of relief.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Sitting on a Waterheart Bamboo mat, Qin Sang appeared restless, his expression shifting constantly. After a long while, he slowly opened his left hand.


    In his palm was a ck eye!


    The eye was entirely pitch ck, and shockingly, it was alive. It rolled back and forth in Qin Sang''s palm, and the ck eyeball seemed to possess intelligence. When it swept across Qin Sang¡¯s face, he felt as if it carried a strange smile, as though it could see through to his very soul, making his hair stand on end.


    This demonic eye had been given to him by Zhao Yan.


    Recalling the events that had transpired earlier, Qin Sang¡¯s hand clenched tightly.


    He had inquired about Tianyuan Market with his own ns in mind. If no one had intercepted him by the time he reached the market, he had intended to flee and never look back, running as far as he could.


    However, just as he stepped out of Huiyang Valley, Zhao Yan''s voice suddenly echoed in his ear.


    "Junior Brother Qin, where are you going thiste at night?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart tightened, and he quickly suppressed his artifacts. When he looked up, Zhao Yan had already appeared in front of him, staring at him with a dark expression.


    Back at the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, Qin Sang had already noticed that Zhao Yan and Yu Hua had a suspicious rtionship, and it was likely that Zhao Yan was also a spy from Kuiyin Sect. Thus, he wasn¡¯t surprised. He calmly saluted Zhao Yan, ready with the excuse he had prepared in advance.


    "Greetings, Senior Brother Zhao. Senior Brother Meng from Cloud Valley has asked me to deliver something to Tianyuan Market. Seeing that it¡¯s gettingte, I was hurrying to leave the sect."


    Zhao Yan let out a long "Oh," his gaze sweeping across Qin Sang¡¯s face. In an ambiguous tone, he asked, "Junior Brother Qin, you certainly are something¡ªgaining Senior Brother Meng''s trust so quickly. I wonder, what exactly did Senior Brother Meng ask you to deliver? May I take a look?"


    Qin Sang hesitated. "Uhh..."


    With a snort, Zhao Yan¡¯s lips moved slightly, but instead of speaking aloud, he transmitted a message telepathically.


    Hearing the content of the message, Qin Sang feigned shock, eximing, "Senior Brother Zhao, you¡¯re also..."


    "Shut up!"


    Zhao Yan snapped, ring at Qin Sang. Coldly, he added, "Don¡¯t forget your ce, or you¡¯ll end up like Liu Yi! Hand over whatever Meng Ruhui gave you!"


    Qin Sang hurriedly took out the Mustard Seed Pouch given to him by Meng Ruhui and handed it to Zhao Yan, finally dispelling Zhao Yan¡¯s suspicions.


    Although he managed to get through the situation, Qin Sang was now certain of one thing¡ªescaping from the Yuanzhao Sect was virtually impossible. Instead, he would only sink deeper into this quagmire.


    The demonic eye had been given to him by Zhao Yan. It was supposedly a task from the sect and had fused with his bloodline. If it moved more than a zhang away from his body, it would vanish into thin air and automatically return to him.


    Zhao Yan had ordered him to go to an open area every night and activate the demonic eye, directing it toward the sky above Huiyang Valley to observe the changes in the valley¡¯s array. Once the eye had recorded all the transformations of the array, his task would beplete.


    After some time, Zhao Yan and Yu Hua would check on his progress.


    The demonic eye had to be embedded in the Yan Luo Banner, and only with the Yan Luo Banner could it be activated.


    Qin Sang took out the Yan Luo Banner that the Kuiyin Sect had given him, which he had never used. Following the incantations Zhao Yan had taught him, he tried to merge the demonic eye with the Yan Luo Banner, but he failed.


    He tried several more times, but each attempt resulted in the same oue¡ªthere was no sign of fusion between the demonic eye and the Yan Luo Banner.


    Qin Sang stared at the demonic eye, hesitation written in his gaze. After a long period of contemtion, he finally retrieved his own Yan Luo Banner. With just one round of the incantation, the demonic eye flew toward the banner on its own.


    Instantly, ck qi surged from the Yan Luo Banner, roiling wildly. Once the ck qi dissipated, the demonic eye had vanished, and in its ce, a design of an eye appeared on the banner, making it look a little less sinister.


    Qin Sang quickly summoned King Yan to examine it. After confirming that it hadn¡¯t changed from its previous state, he was finally at ease.


    Grabbing the Yan Luo Banner, Qin Sang left his cave dwelling. By now, night had fallen, and the sky was filled with twinkling stars.

 Chapter 88: The Lingering Effects of Stone Milk

    Qin Sang concealed his form and searched the valley for a long time before finding a spot with a broad view that was sufficiently hidden. He then raised the Yan Luo Banner.


    As he channeled spiritual power into it, the Yan Luo Banner began to sway without wind. The demonic eye on the banner came to life again, surfacing on the banner¡¯s surface. It blinked a few times and cast a strange smile as it swept over Qin Sang, emitting a cloud of ck qi that cloaked his figure.


    Finally, the demonic eye widened, facing the easternmost part of the starry sky. The eye was filled with chaos, and strange lights flickered within.


    After less than an hour, Qin Sang¡¯s face turned pale, and he was drenched in sweat. His spiritual power waspletely drained. Retrieving the demonic eye into his body, he returned to his cave dwelling, holding a Soul Pill in hand to meditate and cultivate.


    Throughout the night, Qin Sang activated the demonic eye twice. It remained fixed on the east, unmoving, as if trying to fullyprehend the changes in the array protecting Huiyang Valley¡ªa task that clearly couldn¡¯t be aplished in just a day or two.


    Qin Sang nodded to himself. At least for now, he was safe.


    He could also now guess that the Kuiyin Sect was likely nning a major assault on the Yuanzhao Sect.


    The demonic eye wasn¡¯t just spying on the changes in Huiyang Valley¡¯s array; its true target was likely the sect¡¯s protective array near the valley.


    Qin Sang had no idea why the two sects had be enemies, nor did he care.Kuiyin Sect had three Golden Core Realm cultivators, while Yuanzhao Sect only had two. Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s sole reliance was the legendary protective array established by two Primordial Infant elders, whom the sect¡¯s grandmaster had invited long ago.


    If the protective array were to fail, the Yuanzhao Sect would undoubtedly fall to the Kuiyin Sect.


    Should that happen, Qin Sang actually felt he might be safer.


    In a war between the two sects, the main battles would be fought by Foundation Building and Core Formation experts. Weaker cultivators like him, still in the Qi Refining Realm, would simply be swept along by the tide.


    Once the chaos ensued, no one would pay attention to him. As long as he stayed away from the battlefield''s center, escaping in the midst of the turmoil shouldn''t be too difficult.


    Moreover, with dual allegiances to both sects, he had ample room to maneuver and adapt as the situation unfolded.


    ¡­


    Twelve dayster.


    Late at night, inside his cave dwelling.


    Qin Sang sat cross-legged on a Waterheart Bamboo mat, slowly exhaling. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, a sh of light in his gaze, and a joyful expression appeared on his face. He then yawned andy down on the floor, still fully clothed, falling into a deep sleep. R


    Tending to the herb garden, controlling the demonic eye, and refining the medicinal energy of the Qi-Gathering Pill¡ªall without a moment of rest for twelve days straight¡ªhad left him exhausted. While immortal cultivators could substitute meditation for sleep, deep down, he still felt the weariness.


    Now that he had finally refined the medicinal energy of the Qi-Gathering Pill, and his cultivation level had smoothly advanced to thete sixth stage, Qin Sang naturally decided to indulge in a proper rest.


    He slept soundly, and when he awoke, he felt refreshed. Noticing that it was already daylight outside, he hurriedly left his cave dwelling and resumed his busy routine.


    After refining the Qi-Gathering Pill¡¯s effects, Qin Sang took out the Stone Milk.


    Yang Yuanzang had already refined most of the impurities from the Stone Milk. It didn¡¯t take Qin Sang much effort to extract five drops of pure Stone Milk. After swallowing them and refining the substance, he easily advanced to the seventh stage, as if it were a natural progression.


    A few days passed like this. One day, Qin Sang sensed that the barrier at the entrance of the valley had been triggered. Upon opening it, he saw Meng Ruhui standing there with another senior brother who appeared just as elderly. The two were chatting andughing, clearly very familiar with one another.


    Qin Sang straightened his robes and approached them with a broad smile.


    When Meng Ruhui saw Qin Sang, the smile on his face faded a bit. He pointed at Qin Sang and introduced him to the other person, "Senior Brother Jiang, the herb garden in Huiyang Valley is now being tended by Junior Brother Qin Sang. This is Senior Brother Jiang, who works in the Longevity Hall and is highly skilled in alchemy, responsible for harvesting spiritual herbs. Junior Brother Qin, take us to the herb garden¡ªHuh, have you already broken through to the seventh stage?"


    Meng Ruhui was utterly surprised. He clearly remembered that a month ago, when Qin Sang had just arrived in the valley, his spiritual power fluctuations were still weak, as if he had just recently broken through to the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    When Qin Sang flew over on his artifact, Meng Ruhui had felt something was off and quickly realized Qin Sang had advanced by an entire major realm.


    "Greetings to Senior Brother Meng, and Senior Brother Jiang."


    Qin Sang took the lead and spoke calmly, "It was pure luck. During the ascension conference, I discovered an underground demonic beast nest in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, where I found over a dozen drops of hundred-year-old Stone Milk. After consuming it, I unexpectedly broke through."


    Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Jiang said enviously, "Hundred-year-old Stone Milk is a divine medicine with longsting effects. After consuming it, the medicinal energy nourishes the meridians for up to a year or two. I didn¡¯t expect Junior Brother Qin to have such fortune. At this rate, you might surpass us in cultivation within a few years."


    Hearing this, Qin Sang¡¯s heart stirred. No wonder he had felt his cultivation speed increasing slightly after his breakthrough. He had thought it was due to his higher stage, but it turned out to be the lingering effects of the Stone Milk.


    Qin Sang also understood that Senior Brother Jiang¡¯stter words were just politeness. Both Senior Brother Jiang and Meng Ruhui had already reached the peak thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Since they couldn''t break through the Foundation Building bottleneck, they had stagnated at that stage. For Qin Sang, it would take at least ten years to catch up, barring any unexpected developments.


    Without dy, Qin Sang began asking Senior Brother Jiang for advice.


    It turned out that Meng Ruhui wasn¡¯t exaggerating¡ªSenior Brother Jiang was indeed highly knowledgeable in alchemy. After a few pointers, Qin Sang quickly gained a better understanding of the properties of hundred-year-old Stone Milk and learned how to maximize its effects without wasting any of its medicinal energy.


    "I didn¡¯t expect there to be a hundred-year-old Stone Milk in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground," Senior Brother Jiang remarked, "It might be time to petition the sect leader to conduct a thorough search, but such spiritual herbs are rare and elusive¡­"


    After confirming the location, Senior Brother Jiangmented, "It¡¯s a pity you were too hasty, Junior Brother Qin. Consuming the Stone Milk directly wasted a good portion of its medicinal energy. With that much Stone Milk, if you had taken it to Longevity Hall for refining into pills, it might have helped you reach thete seventh stage."


    Qin Sang smiled calmly. <em>Who can say whether I¡¯d still get my share of the Stone Milk if I handed it over?</em>


    Moreover, with his pitifully small number of spirit stones, he couldn¡¯t afford to hire someone to refine the pills. Considering the results he had now, he was already more than satisfied.


    As they walked and talked, Meng Ruhui remained silent, following behind them. Watching Qin Sang¡¯s back and thinking about his young age, Meng Ruhui couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of bitterness in his heart. A sh of jealousy appeared in his eyes, but he quickly shook his head and returned to his usualposure.


    When they arrived at the herb garden, Senior Brother Jiang, who had been enthusiastically offering guidance to Qin Sang, suddenly fell silent, his expression displeased.


    Qin Sang stood aside, offering an apologetic smile.


    After all, cultivation was the foundation of everything. Qin Sang had focused so much on his own cultivation that he hadn¡¯t had the energy to properly care for the herb garden. Sometimes he would just scatter some Nine-Spirit Sand and leave it at that. Though the spiritual herbs in the garden weren¡¯t in dire straits, they still fell short of the standards required by Longevity Hall.


    Meng Ruhui frowned in thought and then spoke up, "Senior Brother Jiang, Junior Brother Qin just took over the responsibilities of Huiyang Valley and might not be familiar with everything yet. Besides, managing Huiyang Valley is indeed more demanding than other ces. Perhaps we can give him a bit more time."


    Surprised by Meng Ruhui¡¯s willingness to help ease the situation, Qin Sang sped his hands in thanks.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 89: One Year

    Senior Brother Jiang spoke calmly, "Junior Brother Qin, I can make an exception this time on ount of Junior Brother Meng. This time, I will only deduct your monthly sry. However, if you fail toplete the task again, I will have no choice but to report it truthfully and let the sect handle your punishment ording to the rules."


    Meng Ruhui added, "Junior Brother Qin, you must take care of yourself."


    As Qin Sang watched the two senior brothers leave, the look of shame on his face vanished without a trace.


    Finally, when the agreed time arrived, Qin Sang sensed the barrier at Huiyang Valley being triggered. He opened it and weed Zhao Yan inside.


    "Junior Brother Qin, here is your Nine-Spirit Sand..."


    Zhao Yan, holding up a Mustard Seed Pouch, shouted as he approached. Once he stood before Qin Sang, he said in a deep voice, "Let''s talk inside."


    Immediately afterward, Yu Hua appeared out of thin air and joined them inside as well.


    When Yu Hua asked about Qin Sang''s cultivation, Qin Sang answered the question by mentioning his Qi-Gathering Pill.


    After inspecting Qin Sang¡¯s demonic eye, Yu Hua nodded in satisfaction. "Junior Nephew Qin, you¡¯ve been diligent, but you''re still too slow. From now on, you must activate the demonic eye at least three times a day and master the array in Huiyang Valley as quickly as possible!"Qin Sang stood there, hesitating as if he had something to say.


    Yu Hua noticed this and asked curiously, "Junior Nephew Qin, is there something else?"


    Feigning hesitation, Qin Sang embellished the events from two days ago andined, "I spend the entire night controlling the demonic eye, leaving me only the daytime to cultivate. I barely have any time to manage the herb garden. Could I trouble Senior Uncle Yu to say a few kind words to Senior Brother Jiang? Otherwise, I really won¡¯t be able toplete the task and might be expelled from the Yuanzhao Sect."


    Zhao Yan snickered from the side. "So what if you don¡¯t cultivate for a year or two? Do you really think you can¡ª"


    Yu Hua cleared his throat, cutting off Zhao Yan. Frowning, he said, "This is indeed a tricky situation. I can''t interfere with matters in Cloud Valley too often..."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Qin Sang gazed at Yu Hua expectantly. Zhao Yan was clearly a hothead, but Yu Hua was an experienced hand in the martial world, which was why Qin Sang had waited until seeing him to make his request.


    Kuiyin Sect had gone to great lengths to get Qin Sang into Huiyang Valley. Until their objective was achieved, they certainly wouldn¡¯t harm him, nor would they allow him to be expelled.


    It was just as Qin Sang had predicted.


    After pondering for a moment, Yu Hua said, "Let¡¯s do it this way. I''ll teach you a method to set up a spirit-gathering array. Take these spirit stones and arrange them around the herb garden. This will greatly enhance the spiritual power there and aid the growth of the spiritual herbs. Though it won¡¯t be as effective as the Five-Elemental Cloud, it should be enough to help youplete your task. But, Junior Nephew Qin, be clever about it and make sure no one sees what you''re doing."


    After they left Huiyang Valley, Zhao Yan, visibly displeased, scoffed, "Senior Uncle Yu, why let him use you? Just use the Heart-Devouring Insect to teach him a lesson! Let''s see if he dares to act out after that!"


    "Do you think I can¡¯t see through that boy''s little schemes?"


    Yu Huaughed it off,pletely unconcerned. "When you want someone to do something, threats alone aren¡¯t enough. You also need to offer enough temptation and make them do it willingly. Only then will they work quickly and perfectly. This applies even to people like Ruan Nanfeng and others. When you have the chance, ask them what difficulties they¡¯re facing. Compared to the grand ns of our holy sect, a few spirit stones are nothing. As long as we aplish the sect¡¯s mission, do you think the sect leader would deny us our rewards? If you''re still angry, once the mission isplete, you can take it out on him however you like. Do you really think he can escape our grasp?"


    Zhao Yan lowered his head in thought before cupping his hands and saying, "I have learned my lesson, Senior Uncle Yu. The sess of this n is entirely thanks to your brilliant strategy. Once it¡¯s done, I¡¯ll be sure to speak highly of you to Uncle Yi and seek credit on your behalf."


    Yu Hua''s eyes lit up. "Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance, Junior Nephew Zhao! By the way, I¡¯ve managed to secure a task at the sect leader''s hall today, so I can now officially enter Yuanzhao Peak. As for the matters here, I¡¯ll leave them in your capable hands."


    Zhao Yan was overjoyed. "I wish you great sess, Senior Uncle Yu!"


    ¡­


    Qin Sang wasn¡¯t sure if the Bewitching Mirror counted as an array. If it didn¡¯t, then this spirit-gathering array was the first array he had learned.


    In reality, this was the most basic kind of spirit-gathering array. After some time, it would consume a batch of spirit stones. The herbs nted in the herb garden were verymon in the world of immortal cultivation, not particrly valuable. Using a spirit-gathering array to cultivate them was definitely not worth the effort.


    However, since the spirit stones weren¡¯t his, Qin Sang didn¡¯t feel any need to be frugal.


    The only downside was that if someone discovered it, they would surely wonder¡ªhow could an entry-level disciple possess such wealth?


    Fortunately, Qin Sang had no friends, and no one came to visit him. He only needed to dismantle the spirit-gathering array before Senior Brother Meng or Senior Brother Jiang came to collect the herbs. Each time, Qin Sang barely managed to meet the requirements, and neither senior brother gave him a hard time. Thus, things had been peaceful.


    Time passed unnoticed in the mountains, and just like that, more than a year went by.


    Late one night, Qin Sang was controlling the demonic eye, conducting his third probe of the grand array in Huiyang Valley.


    By now, the demonic eye¡¯s sight had turned westward. Based on Qin Sang¡¯s calctions, he wouldplete his task in another three or four months.


    Over the past year, Qin Sang had been confined to Huiyang Valley. He had only seen Yu Hua twice, both times through Zhao Yan¡¯s arrangements.


    Whenever Zhao Yan urged him, his tone grew increasingly anxious, giving Qin Sang a foreboding sense that when their mission wasplete, a great upheaval would surely follow!


    Sensing that the spiritual power within him was nearly depleted, Qin Sang withdrew the demonic eye and returned to his cave dwelling.


    His cultivation level wasn¡¯t high, but the spiritual qi in the Yuanzhao Sect was more than enough for him, so he didn¡¯t need to rely on the spirit-gathering array.


    Sitting cross-legged on his Waterheart Bamboo mat, Qin Sang examined himself with his inner vision. Thanks to the lingering effects of the hundred-year-old Stone Milk, his cultivation had advanced rapidly over the past year. He was now only a step away from reaching the eighth stage.


    Today, he finally sensed the opportunity to break through. Qin Sang quickly took out the Bewitching Mirror and set it up at the entrance of the cave before settling into meditation.


    Ten dayster, Qin Sang emerged from seclusion, feeling refreshed and energized. He was almost ready to shout to the heavens in triumph. His long period of arduous cultivation had finally paid off¡ªhe had sessfully broken through.


    That day happened to be the scheduled time for herb gathering. Not long after Qin Sang dismantled the spirit-gathering array, Meng Ruhui and Senior Brother Jiang arrived together. When they discovered that Qin Sang had once again broken through, they were both shocked beyond belief. After collecting the herbs, they left in low spirits.


    Qin Sang respectfully saw them off, without disying the slightest hint of pride. There was no benefit to offending them.


    At the end of the month, Zhao Yan arrived once again.


    Standing at the valley entrance, Zhao Yan spotted Qin Sang flying toward him on an artifact and was momentarily stunned. He couldn¡¯t help but exim, "You¡¯ve broken through again?"


    Landing, Qin Sang greeted him with a bow. "Congrattions to Senior Brother Zhao for breaking through to the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm!"


    A hint of pride appeared on Zhao Yan¡¯s face, but he quickly restrained it, though he couldn¡¯t hide the envy in his eyes. "It¡¯s nothingpared to you, breaking through two stages in a single year."


    Qin Sang hurriedly replied, "I wouldn¡¯t dare. I only managed this thanks to the great favor of the sect leader, who bestowed upon me a Qi-Gathering Pill. When Senior Brother Zhao aplishes great feats and returns to the sect, the sect leader surely won¡¯t be stingy with rewards. I, as your junior brother, can only look on in envy."


    Zhao Yan, indeed pleased,ughed heartily. He found Qin Sang much more agreeable than before, his eyes glinting with thoughts unknown.

 Chapter 90: Setting Ones Own Trap

    After seeing Zhao Yan off, Qin Sang stood in the empty valley, gazing at the sunset¡¯s afterglow, unmoving for a long time.


    Just earlier, Zhao Yan had sternly ordered him toplete the exploration of all changes in the Huiyang Valley array within two months.


    This meant he only had a maximum of two months of peace.


    Fortunately, his practice of the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> had been uninterrupted, and a breakthrough was imminent. Once heprehended the sword qi, it would be his most powerful asset.


    After standing for a while, Qin Sang suddenly took out the Emerald Wave Sword from his Mustard Seed Pouch, flew out to survey Huiyang Valley, and eventually arrived at the riverbank at the valley¡¯s bottom. He leapt into the river and began hacking at a hidden stone wall on the riverbed with his sword.


    Qin Sang nned to build a refuge at the river¡¯s bottom to escape the fiercest battle that would ensue after the array was broken.


    He didn¡¯t understand the various arrays used by immortal cultivators, but he could use mundane mechanisms,bined with the river¡¯s concealment, to hide the refuge.


    While in the Blood-d Tower, he had studied countless manuals and learned several practical mechanisms. As long as a high-level cultivator didn¡¯t use their spiritual consciousness to search inch by inch, discovering the mechanisms would be quite difficult.


    Over the past two months, Qin Sang had repeatedly revised his ns and refined various details. Finally, hepleted the construction of the refuge.When the array at the valley¡¯s entrance was suddenly triggered, Qin Sang flew out of his cave dwelling, his face contemtive. He didn¡¯t immediately open the array but instead returned to his cave dwelling to set up the Bewitching Mirror, in case Zhao Yan was plotting against him.


    After setting up the Bewitching Mirror, Qin Sang casually opened the valley¡¯s array, only to find Yu Hua, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for a long time. A chill ran down his spine; if Yu Hua wanted to kill him, he had no means to resist!


    "Qin Sang greets Senior Uncle Yu."


    Suppressing his unease, Qin Sang bowed to Yu Hua.


    Yu Hua nodded slightly and asked impatiently, "Have youpleted it?"


    Qin Sang nodded. "I have fulfilled the task."


    As soon as he summoned the demonic eye, Yu Hua immediately grabbed it and, after probing with his spiritual consciousness, eximed with immense joy, "Haha¡­ Junior Nephew Qin, you truly lived up to expectations!"


    At that moment, Qin Sang felt the connection between the demonic eye and himself severed. While he was suddenly anxious, he also felt a sense of relief.


    Yu Hua put away the demonic eye and said to Qin Sang, "Leave a Sound Transmission Talisman to mislead others. You don¡¯t need to stay in Huiyang Valley any longer."


    Qin Sang was astonished. He was relieved that Yu Hua didn¡¯t turn hostile, but he had no intention of returning to the Kuiyin Sect.


    Though he didn¡¯t have deeply ingrained notions of good and evil, the Kuiyin Sect¡¯s threat had hung over him like a sword for the past year. His life had otherwise been quite peaceful.


    What he sought was simply to find a sect for immortal cultivation where he could practice peacefully, rather than living in constant anxiety.


    For his own safety, he would rather be a rogue cultivator than return to the Kuiyin Sect.


    As this thought crossed his mind, Qin Sang worried. "If we leave now, if Senior Brother Meng and the otherse, it might not be long before they find out¡ª" ?


    Yu Hua sneered. "The Yuanzhao Sect is about to fall apart. What is there to hide?"


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart grew cold. Following Yu Hua¡¯s instructions, he returned to his cave dwelling to put away the Bewitching Mirror. Before leaving, he nced back at the carefully constructed refuge, his expression tinged with a hint of self-mockery.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Yu Hua¡¯s cave dwelling was on the Muyang Peak. As Qin Sang followed him inside, he discovered three other people present. One of them was Ruan Nanfeng, who had entered the Yuanzhao Sect with him. The other two, a man and a woman, were unfamiliar faces, both wearing the attire of servant disciples.


    These two might have been secretly stationed there before him.


    <em>The Kuiyin Sect must have more operatives within the Yuanzhao Sect; why are there only three people?</em>


    While Qin Sang was quietly pondering, he suddenly had a thought and discreetly used the Qi Perception Technique. He discovered that the three people¡¯s cultivation levels were the same as his own¡ªeighth stage of Qi Refining Realm!


    Yu Hua nodded to the anxious Zhao Yan, whose gaze swept over Qin Sang and the others. He said in a deep voice, "Wu Liuyue and the others have already been secretly sent out of the Yuanzhao Sect. The reason for keeping you here is because of your high cultivation levels. There is one more task that requires your assistance to help Junior Nephew Zhao. If you canplete this task, you will achieve remarkable merit and not only receive a Foundation Building Pill as a reward, but the sect leader has also promised to personally ept you as disciples."


    The four of them exchanged nces, clearly perplexed.


    Qin Sang was particrly stunned. He had worked so hard to cultivate, aiming to gain an edge in his escape, only to find himself ensnared in an even more dangerous vortex.


    The prospect of receiving a Foundation Building Pill and bing a disciple of a Golden Core master was indeed tempting, but he needed to survive first.


    The Kuiyin Sect had already grasped all the changes in the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s protective array; they only needed tounch a full-scale attack. A Golden Core master could obliterate him with a mere thought, so what could he possibly do?


    Yu Hua, however, made no attempt to exin and instructed them to meditate in silence.


    The night passed without incident.


    The following night, Yu Hua suddenly departed. Zhao Yan threw a jade waist token to each of them, his tone icy. "Follow me closely. If anyone dares to speak or act out of line without mymand, I will kill them on the spot. Understood?"


    Qin Sang and the others exchanged uneasy looks but dared not object.


    Zhao Yan gave a contemptuous smile, his lips moving slightly.


    Then, a series of horrific screams erupted from within the cave dwelling. Including Qin Sang, all four of them clutched their heads, rolling on the ground and wailing.


    This action was something Qin Sang had practiced countless times in private. Even though it was not as severe as it could be, it was still a convincing performance.


    The four stood up, their faces drained of color, swaying as they tried topose themselves, their eyes filled with intense fear.


    Zhao Yan said coolly, "I just want you to understand that with a mere thought, I can control your lives. We are all from the same sect; do not force me to resort to violence. As long as you obey my orders, you will be rewarded."


    "Yes!"


    ¡­


    The four of them put on the waist tokens and obediently followed Zhao Yan, flying towards the Yuanzhao Peak.


    This was the first time Qin Sang had been so close to Yuanzhao Peak.


    Nervous and apprehensive, Qin Sang followed behind. He had been confined to Huiyang Valley and had been blocked by Zhao Yan during his previous attempts to explore. This was his first time being so near Yuanzhao Peak.


    The sky was overcast, with no stars or moon, and it was pitch ck.


    The peak appeared as a massive shadow in the darkness, obscuring the summit. A few ces on the mountain were lit with faint lights. Qin Sang recalled that the summit was where the supreme leader of the sect resided, while other areas were also restricted.


    At the foot of Yuanzhao Peak was argeke, surrounded by three peaks in a protective formation. The sect leader¡¯s hall was situated atop one of these peaks, known as the Sect Leader Peak.


    As they approached the Sect Leader Peak, two streaks of light flew towards them, apanied by a stern shout, "Who''s there?"


    Zhao Yan immediately signaled for them to stop.


    The two streaks of light approached, revealing the figures of two young men.

 Chapter 91: The Invaders

    Upon seeing Zhao Yan, the expressions of the two men eased slightly. One of them asked, "Oh, it¡¯s Junior Brother Zhao. What brings you to the Sect Leader Peak at this hour?"


    Zhao Yan bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior Brothers. Senior Uncle Yu sent word that there are some menial tasks at the Sect Leader¡¯s Hall that require additional hands. I¡¯ve been asked to bring a few junior brothers up the mountain, and we¡¯ll leave by dawn tomorrow."


    "Menial tasks?"


    The two men exchanged puzzled nces. However, upon seeing the jade waist tokens hanging from Qin Sang and the others, they did not probe further. "Junior Brother Zhao should be aware of the mountain¡¯s regtions. Be sure none of the junior brothers vite any rules, or we will have trouble exining."


    Zhao Yan quickly assured them, "Rest assured, Senior Brothers. I will keep a close watch on them."


    The two men nodded and cleared the way.


    Zhao Yan led them to the base of the Sect Leader Peak and then walked up the stone steps leading to the summit. Instead of heading directly to the sect leader¡¯s hall, he took a side path, and Qin Sang and the others followed closely.


    Along the way, they encountered a few senior brothers. Zhao Yan had his excuses ready to deflect any questions, and eventually, the five of them arrived at a secluded wooden building. The building looked old and dpidated, showing signs of neglect, but there was no hint of decay.


    The wooden building was located at the rear of the Sect Leader Peak. From below, it provided a clear view of Yuanzhao Peak and thergeke at its base.Zhao Yan peeked outside and then closed the door. From his Mustard Seed Pouch, he took out four small triangr gs and distributed one to each of the four, saying, "These are Cloud gs personally crafted by the sect leader. They are artifacts of the forbidden art Four-Clouded Divine Seal. We need all five of us to jointly control them. Each of you will refine one now, as they will be needed shortly."


    Qin Sang took the triangr g and noticed that each g had different patterns.


    His g was adorned with water-blue cloud patterns. Holding it, he felt a surge of water-based vital energy, as if immersed in rivers and seas.


    Ruan Nanfeng¡¯s g had red cloud patterns, while the other two had yellow and green patterns respectively.


    Qin Sang was unfamiliar with the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, but he knew that the reputation of forbidden artifacts was significant. It was said that skilled cultivators, based on their understanding of arrays, could craft unique artifacts to form a set of forbidden artifacts.


    By arranging these forbidden artifacts in specific positions, they could exert part of the array''s power, consuming far less time than setting up an actual array.


    Qin Sang held the g and, following Zhao Yan¡¯s instructions, probed into it with his spiritual consciousness. His vision shifted, revealing an endless water surface within the g, with shes of silver light in the water, as if countless lightning bolts were swimming within.


    As Qin Sang wondered about this, he suddenly saw a figure standing with his hands sped behind his back on the water¡¯s surface¡ªit was Yi Tianye, the Sect Leader of Kuiyin Sect!


    Qin Sang was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Qin Sang pays respects to the Sect Leader!"


    Yi Tianye remained silent and expressionless, standing there unmoving.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang gave a self-deprecating smile. It was unlikely for Yi Tianye to actually be here. He realized he was overreacting. However, since these forbidden artifacts were crafted personally by Yi Tianye, could it be that he had left some of his power within them?


    Uncertain, Qin Sang followed Zhao Yan¡¯s instructions and began refining the g.


    The other three did the same, and the wooden building fell into silence.


    Before long, all four gs exhibited unusual phenomena. Puffs of clouds emerged from the gs, with electric serpents darting through the clouds and faint thunder rumbling.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Zhao Yan held up a transparent gem to absorb the lightning from the clouds, and the wooden building immediately returned to silence.


    Time passed quickly.


    Qin Sang and the others hadpleted refining the forbidden artifacts and sat in the wooden building, waiting in silence. They had not seen any sign of Yu Hua and did not know where he had gone. Under Zhao Yan¡¯s watchful eye, Qin Sang found no opportunity to prepare the ebony sword and had no choice but to endure.


    After an indeterminate period, the ground suddenly trembled.


    A thunderous roar echoed from the Sect Leader Peak, "Who''s there?!"


    Zhao Yan¡¯s face lit up with joy. He quickly opened the wooden door, revealing a massive yin-yang symbol hovering above Yuanzhao Peak, slowly rotating in the night sky. It was the manifestation of Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s protective array.


    Above the symbol, endless ck mes roiled, obscuring the sky and sun.


    A chilling wind howled, and ghostly shadows flickered within the infernal mes. The terrifying screams of the spirits made it seem as if a legion of evil spirits was assaulting the sect¡¯s protective array, advancing relentlessly.


    A sinister voiceughed derisively. "Old Ghost Ji, did you ever think this day woulde when you ambushed me on the Ancient Immortal Battlefield?"


    Thebined cries of countless ghosts shook Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s mountains, and huge waves surged in theke below.


    At that moment, a deafening bell rang from Yuanzhao Peak, reverberating through the heavens.


    The ringing of the bell signaled impending disaster for the sect!


    <em>Whoosh! Whoosh!</em>


    The Yuanzhao Sect was thrown into chaos. Rays of light shot up from various locations within the inner sect, and the disciples looked up in panic at the terrifying scene above, unsure of what was happening.


    Zhao Yan closed the wooden door and said in a deep voice, "Form the array! Execute the evasion technique!"


    Qin Sang¡¯s heart tightened. The four of them moved swiftly, each holding a g and positioning themselves around Zhao Yan¡ªfront, back, left, and right.


    Zhao Yan held a precious jade in his hand. Following hismand, Qin Sang and the others raised their gs, chanting incantations.


    Qin Sang felt as if the g in his hand were a bottomless pit, greedily devouring his spiritual power. Fortunately, this did notst long.


    The four gs rustled as clouds of various colors burst forth, enveloping the five of them. From the outside, it appeared as though they had vanished from their original location.


    Zhao Yan whispered, "Move!"


    The five of them silently left the wooden building and headed downhill.


    ¡­


    At the entrance to the supreme sect leader''s cave dwelling on Yuanzhao Peak.


    The stone door was tightly shut. Xuan Chengzi, the current sect leader of Yuanzhao Sect, paced anxiously outside the cave dwelling. He alternated between looking up at the sky and staring at the cave dwelling¡¯s door, clearly distressed.


    Rays of light streaked towards him from below,nding around Xuan Chengzi. The arrivals were the heads of various halls.


    "Sect Leader, the enemy¡¯s forces are immense, and the Evil-Striking Bell has already been rung. Has the Supreme Sect Leader not emerged yet?" an old man with a red face asked urgently.


    Xuan Chengzi¡¯s face showed a pained expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but the stone door suddenly opened, and a deep voice came from within, "Come in and speak."


    The group¡¯s faces brightened, and they entered in an orderly fashion.


    "We pay our respects to the Supreme Sect Leader!"


    Everyone bowed, and Xuan Chengzi looked up, speaking urgently, "Master, the demon¡¯s attack came suddenly and without warning. I only managed to activate the great array. I still do not know the demon¡¯s origin. Outside is engulfed in demonic mes. Please, Master, make a decision¡­"


    The supreme sect leader of Yuanzhao Sect, with white hair and beard yet a youthful face, kept his head slightly raised, staring intently at the sky. His gaze seemed to pierce through the cave dwelling to see beyond the array.


    "I am aware. The enemy is that Old Demon Yi of Kuiyin Sect, and three Golden Core Realm demons from Kuiyin Sect have arrived."

 Chapter 92: The Clam

    "Three Golden Core cultivators!"


    Everyone was shocked and rmed, but then the supreme sect leader revealed even more startling news. "I just contacted Junior Brother Gu. After his seclusion, he discovered that the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground had been sealed off by a strange forbidden art. The art is mysterious and difficult to decipher, so it might be impossible to break through it in a short time to send reinforcements."


    Seeing the panic on everyone¡¯s faces, the supreme sect leader smiled and said, "There¡¯s no need to be afraid. The Sect''s Protective Array, set up by two Spiritual Infant cultivators invited by the patriarch, can''t be breached by just a few Core Formation Realm cultivators. Right now, ring the Evil-Striking Bell to gather all Foundation Building disciples on the mountain. Together, we¡¯ll operate the array to defend against the enemy. I''ve already sent messages requesting reinforcements. Once a few of our allies arrive, the crisis will naturally resolve itself."


    After Xuan Chengzi and the others left the cave dwelling, filled with fear and anxiety, the smile on the supreme sect leader¡¯s face immediately disappeared. His expression became extremely grave as his figure gradually faded from the cave dwelling and reappeared above the sect''s protective array.


    Demonic mes surged, and after the Supreme Sect Leader of the Yuanzhao Sect manifested, Yi Tianye¡¯s figure also emerged from the mes.


    ¡­


    Zhao Yan, with Qin Sang and three others, descended from Sect Leader Peak and dove straight into theke.


    The ground continued to tremble without end, the silt at the bottom of theke rose, and the water rippled, turning murky. Using the chaotic conditions at the bottom of theke as cover, the five of them quickly dove deeper.


    Their visibility was limited to the filthy water around them, and it was unclear how deep they had gone when a faint light suddenly appeared ahead. Zhao Yan immediately ordered them to slow down and quietly approach the light.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//omWhen they finally reached it, they were met with an incredibly beautiful scene.


    A giant m, the size of a house,y quietly at the bottom of theke, its massive shell wide open. Surrounding it, exotic flowers bloomed in full splendor, and aquatic nts swayed gently. The ground was covered in ayer of white sand, studded with countless gems, twinkling like an underwater immortal pce.


    It seemed as though an invisible barrier was present, keeping the rising silt from invading this space, maintaining its serene tranquility.


    Zhao Yan signaled for them to stop. The five of them stood motionless within the murkyke water, hidden by the Four-Clouded Divine Seal.


    As Qin Sang gazed at the breathtaking scene before him, he was secretly astonished. He recalled Senior Brother Zhu¡¯s introduction to the forbidden areas within the Yuanzhao Sect, but he had never heard of such a mysterious ce existing beneath theke.


    The enormous m clearly wasn¡¯t an ordinary object. <em>What is inside it that made Zhao Yan risk his life for this?</em>


    Before Qin Sang could ponder further, two figures suddenly emerged from the m, one tall and the other short, both Foundation Building Realm cultivators.


    After they appeared, all five of them, including Zhao Yan, tensed up. The two sides were so close¡ªwould the Four-Clouded Divine Seal really be able to hide their presence?


    While they were filled with anxiety, the two Foundation Building cultivators stood outside the m, looking up toward the surface.


    At that moment, Qin Sang and the others faintly heard the sound of bells ringing. They knew the Evil-Striking Bell of the Yuanzhao Sect had been rung again.


    The Evil-Striking Bell rang nine times in session, causing the expressions of the two cultivators to shift slightly.


    The shorter cultivator spoke urgently, "Senior Brother Miao, the Evil-Striking Bell rang nine times. It seems the enemy is strong. The sect is summoning all Foundation Building cultivators to operate the array and defend against the enemy. What should we do?" ?


    Senior Brother Miao furrowed his brows slightly and hesitated before saying, "When the Evil-Striking Bell rings, all disciples must obey without exception, or face punishment under the sect''s rules. Since no one specifically informed us, we have no choice but to follow orders. However, someone must stay behind to watch this ce. Junior Brother, you remain here while I go up and take a look. I¡¯ll exin the situation to the sect leader¡ªhe¡¯ll surely understand."


    After exchanging a few more words in low voices, Senior Brother Miao summoned his artifact, broke through the water''s surface, and sped away.


    The shorter cultivator watched Senior Brother Miao''s figure disappear, then returned to the m, looking worried.


    Zhao Yan furrowed his brows and, after a moment of contemtion, ordered Qin Sang and the others to stay put. He then took out arge ghostly banner from his Mustard Seed Pouch. The banner was as tall as a person. At first, Qin Sang thought it was arge version of the Yan Luo Banner, but upon closer inspection, he noticed it was quite different. The banner was etched with countless vicious and terrifying evil spirits, exuding an eerie and sinister aura.


    What surprised Qin Sang even more was that the ghostly banner wasn''t just an artifact¡ªit appeared to be an astra!


    Without reaching the Core Formation Realm, one couldn¡¯t use an astra. Qin Sang had only been able to use the ebony sword because it was a fragment of an astra that had been reforged by a skilled artificer.


    <em>Can Zhao Yan actually control an astra?</em>


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel relieved that he hadn¡¯t acted rashly. While operating the Cloud g, he carefully watched Zhao Yan''s movements from the corner of his eye.


    He saw Zhao Yan holding a jade in one hand while gripping the banner tightly with the other. Pressing the jade close to the banner, he began chanting under his breath. Instantly, all the evil spirits depicted on the banner came to life, baring their fangs and ws, as though ready to tear through the banner and rush into the real world.


    <em>Whoosh!</em>


    A gust of eerie wind suddenly arose as countless ghostly mists poured out from the banner, apanied by the evil spirits that surged past its boundaries. In an instant, Zhao Yan was engulfed by a thick fog so dense that even the outline of his figure was obscured.


    A muffled grunt came from within the fog, and though Qin Sang couldn¡¯t see what was happening, it was clear that Zhao Yan had done something to subdue the unruly evil spirits, as they gradually quieted down.


    Then, with a loud shout, Zhao Yanmanded, "Go!"


    The banner, now swarming with evil spirits, flew directly out of the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, heading straight for the m. Its movements were so conspicuous that the short cultivator guarding the m immediately noticed it.


    "Who¡¯s there?"


    The short cultivator shed in front of the m and, upon seeing the banner flying toward him, cried out in shock, "Astra!"


    He clearly understood what the presence of an astra meant, and terror spread across his face. In a panic, he hurriedly summoned a golden oryoki[1] artifact, activating ayer of golden light to block the iing attack.


    At the same time, a flying sword appeared in his palm, and he desperately poured spiritual power into it, preparing to send out a message.


    However, just as the banner reached him, the ghostly mist suddenly expanded several times over. The golden light from the oryoki offered no resistance at all as both it and the short cultivator were swallowed up by the mist.


    The banner nted itself firmly in the ground, surrounded byyers of ghostly mist. Countless evil spirits poured from the banner, quickly forming a ghostly domain. The short cultivator was trapped within, and soon, there was no sounding from him.


    Breathing heavily, Zhao Yan growled, "Let¡¯s go!"


    As they moved past the edge of the ghostly mist, Qin Sang was still deeply shocked. <em>Even a Foundation Building cultivator can''t escape the grip of the ghostly banner. How can I, with just his sword qi, possibly contend with Zhao Yan?</em>


    Inside the m, the space was small but protected by a water-repelling barrier. It was dry and refreshing, with only a simple arrangement of two Waterheart Bamboo meditation cushions.


    The most eye-catching feature, however, was a deep pit at the far end of the m. A stone staircase descended into the depths, leading to a bottomless abyss.


    Urged on by Zhao Yan, they followed the stone steps downward and finally reached the bottom of the pit. Before them appeared a vast underground cavern, filled with an endless mass of gray-white mist.


    The sight of the gray-white mist alone made it clear that it was nothing to be trifled with. There could be dangerous arrays hidden within. Qin Sang and the others nced at Zhao Yan, uncertain of what tricks he still had up his sleeve.


    1. ¨­ry¨­ki is a set of nested bowls and other eating utensils for the personal use of Buddhist monks. ¨­ry¨­ki also refers to a meditative form of eating using these utensils that originated in Japan and emphasizes mindfulness awareness practice by abiding by a strict order of precise movements. ?

 Chapter 93: The Mysterious Orchid

    "This is the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities. It''s said to have been created by a powerful cultivator, modeled after the heavenly tribtions. Not only does it recreate the three cmities[1], but it also confuses the mind and induces the evil within. Even a Golden Core cultivator would struggle to escape if trapped by the array."


    Zhao Yan warned them, "You must fully activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and call upon the power the sect leader left in the Cloud g for protection. Only then will we be safe. If we fall into the array, there¡¯s no chance of escape. Even if we don¡¯t die from the three cmities, we¡¯ll be trapped until our vital energy is exhausted and we perish. Once inside, we all share in sess or failure¡ªno one can afford to be careless."


    Upon hearing about the effects of the Soul-Devouring Array, Qin Sang was rmed. He wondered if his Jade Buddha could help him resist the evils within.


    Keeping a calm expression, he followed Zhao Yan''s instructions, fully activating the Cloud g. The five of them took their positions, and the four-colored clouds around them grew denser.


    Then, Qin Sang saw the sect leader''s phantom rise from the Cloud g. With a single gesture, four streams of spiritual power shot from the Cloud g and struck the transparent jade in Zhao Yan''s hand.


    The transparent jade radiated brilliantly, and as its light touched the surrounding shifting clouds, it immediately transformed into a solid protective barrier, enveloping the five of them.


    Once they entered the Soul-Devouring Array, the scenery around them changed dramatically. Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning everywhere¡ªthey had entered a vast lightning swamp. Endless bolts of lightning raced above them, painting a doomsday-like scene that turned their faces pale. The terrifying thunderbolts were far beyond what ordinary cultivators could endure.


    Even Zhao Yan was somewhat shaken as he observed the dense lightning in the swamp, hesitating for a moment before shouting, "Let¡¯s go!"


    As soon as they stepped into the lightning swamp, dozens of lightning serpents lunged at them. Startled, everyone panicked. Zhao Yan hurriedly raised the transparent jade, and the jade¡¯s light surged, revealing the phantom of Sect Leader Yi. The terrifying lightning dissolved as soon as it reached the sect leader''s phantom."Move quickly!"


    Overjoyed, Zhao Yan shouted as they advanced rapidly under the sect leader''s protection. After passing through the lightning swamp, they were met with a sea of mes. Beyond the firey endless hurricanes, making it seem like there was no end to their journey.


    Qin Sang was inwardly rmed. Even if the Jade Buddha could protect him from the evil within, it couldn¡¯t shield him from the terrifying three cmities. This might be his only chance to escape¡ªwas he really resigned to his fate?


    Their progress was slow and treacherous, but after much effort, Zhao Yan finally revealed a look of joy. They had safely passed through the three cmities.


    The array returned to calm, and they found themselves surrounded by endless gray-white mist. Knowing that this mist could confuse their minds and trap them until death, a fate worse than dying under the three cmities, no one dared rx. They continued walking cautiously until the scenery ahead suddenly opened up.


    Atst, they had emerged from the array.


    Immediately, gasps of amazement escaped from everyone''s lips, including Qin Sang. They stared straight ahead, their eyes filled with astonishment.


    In the center of the vast underground cavern was a square pool of water. The water was perfectly still, with a light mist rising from its surface. Floating in the middle of the pool was a strange orchid.


    The orchid floated quietly on the water, its roots forming a tight bundle. Its petals were pristine white, while some of its leavesy submerged and others floated on the surface, verdant and full of life.


    There were seven petals in total, all a deep purple. They shimmered like amethyst, translucent and radiant. The orchid¡¯s form closely resembled a type of spiritual herb called Snowy Ink Orchid that Qin Sang had once seen in Huiyang Valley, though the color was different. ??n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    What was even more extraordinary was the orchid¡¯s stamen, where a wisp of smoke floated above it. The smoke transformed into scenes of suns, moons, stars, mountains, rivers, mythical beasts, celestial herbs, carriages, and people...


    Within just a few breaths, countless vivid and lifelike images shed across the orchid, as if a mysterious small world was hidden within it, revealing only a glimpse of its wonders to those outside.


    "What kind of spiritual herb is this?"


    Ruan Nanfeng asked in awe, mesmerized by the orchid. Qin Sang was also incredibly curious. Compared to this orchid, all the spiritual herbs in the Huiyang Valley herb garden paled inparison¡ªthey seemed like mere weeds.


    Zhao Yan stared at the orchid with intense fervor, his breathing heavy andbored. He ignored Ruan Nanfeng''s inquiry and made no attempt to exin anything to the others. Instead, he shouted urgently, "Form the array! Channel the thunderbolt art!"


    A trace of displeasure shed across Ruan Nanfeng''s face, but he dared not defy Zhao Yan''s orders. The four of them quickly shifted positions, activating the clouds.


    The sound of thunder roared as lightning flickered within the swirling clouds released from the Cloud g, exuding a powerful aura of pure yang energy.


    Zhao Yan raised the transparent jade high into the air. The lightning immediately became restless, madly surging into the jade. In moments, the transparent jade was filled with thunderous energy, transforming it into a glowing lightning sphere, radiating a blinding light that was hard to look at directly.


    One couldn''t help but worry that the jade might be torn apart by the violent lightning.


    Sensing the terrifying energy umting within the jade, Qin Sang and the others grew increasingly anxious. If the transparent jade were to explode here, none of them would survive.


    Zhao Yan suddenly rushed to the side of the pool, aimed the jade at it, and shouted, "Open!"


    Blinding arcs of lightning shot from the transparent jade as the sect leader''s phantom pointed a finger, unleashing a massive bolt of electricity.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    Blinding silver light erupted. Qin Sang squinted, unable to see what was happening at the pool¡¯s edge. When the light finally dimmed, he noticed that a previously unseen barrier had appeared above the pool.


    The barrier was now being attacked by the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, yet remained intact.


    Zhao Yan roared, "Activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal with all your might!"


    The four dared not disobey and poured all their strength into the effort. Lightning bolts struck the barrier until it finally cracked open, revealing a faint fissure.


    Zhao Yan was ecstatic. In a sh, he appeared before the crack, staring intently at the mysterious orchid within the pool,ughing maniacally.


    However, the barrier began to slowly close. Zhao Yan''s expression changed as he urgentlymanded Qin Sang and the others to keep the Four-Clouded Divine Seal fully activated and continue using the jade to unleash divine lightning to prevent the fissure from closing.


    Then, Zhao Yan retrieved a jade box from his Mustard Seed Pouch and sat cross-legged at the pool''s edge. His hands radiated spiritual power, which transformed into arge hand that reached through the barrier and into the water, carefully grasping the orchid''s roots.


    To everyone''s surprise, the mysterious orchid seemed to possess a will of its own. As soon as Zhao Yan grabbed it, the orchid began to struggle violently, nearly slipping from his grasp.


    Zhao Yan''s face flushed with anger as he red at the orchid. He poured more spiritual power into his hand, barely managing to maintain his hold as he forcefully yanked the nt upward.


    The four behind him could only watch with envious eyes as Zhao Yan collected the spiritual herb. But they also understood that such a miraculous herb wouldn¡¯t remain in Zhao Yan''s possession for long¡ªit would inevitably end up in the hands of the Kuiyin Sect''s leader or some other Golden Core master.


    The attack on Yuanzhao Sect was likely just a cover; the real objective had always been this spiritual herb.


    For a Golden Core cultivator to plot for years to steal it, the value of this mysterious orchid was beyond imagination. Who knew which legendary immortal herb it might be?


    1. These catastrophes are described in various Buddhist sutras. There are three greater cmities of fire, water and wind, which are said to destroy the world. ?

 Chapter 94: Scheming

    While Zhao Yan had his back turned, fully focused on collecting the mysterious orchid, Ruan Nanfeng discreetly cast a barrier and transmitted a voice message, "Don''t let anything show on your faces. Everyone, are you really willing to let Zhao Yan manipte us as he pleases?"


    The group exchanged nces. The only woman among them, with the surname Cen, asked skeptically, "Junior Brother Ruan, what do you mean by that? With the Heart-Devouring Insects lurking in our primordial spirits, one thought and we''re dead. What choice do we have but to follow orders?"


    "Perhaps not much, but I''m not willing to just sit here and wait to die."


    Ruan Nanfeng sneered. "That guy surnamed Yu imed he safely escorted Junior Sister Wu and the others out of the Kuiyin Sect, but I doubt it. Instead of going through the trouble of sending them away, killing them and erasing the bodies would be a much easier way to cover things up. If we hadn''t luckily broken through to the eighth stage, we would¡¯ve been long dead by now. Senior Sister Cen, do you really want to gamble on a demon''s conscience?"


    Senior Sister Cen fell silent and turned to the quiet young man beside her, "Senior Brother Liu, do you feel the same?"


    The young man surnamed Liu grunted softly and sighed. "I''ve also begun to doubt what happened to our other sect members. Who knows how many souls have perished in the Yin Malevolent Abyss? To the Kuiyin Sect, a few more or less of us wouldn¡¯t matter. Once Zhao Yan takes the spiritual herb, he''ll have to find a way to escape from Yuanzhao Sect. Do you really think he¡¯d take us along as burdens and share his reward? As for the promises after sess... we can all forget about them..."


    "But..."


    Senior Sister Cen still hesitated. "Unless we can kill Zhao Yan instantly, the moment he has time to think, he¡¯ll awaken the Heart-Devouring Insects in our primordial spirits, and we¡¯ll die just the same..."


    Qin Sang, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up, "I have an artifact called the Purple Soul Bell that can confuse Zhao Yan¡¯s mind, but since his cultivation is higher than mine, it will only trap him for less than two breaths of time."Qin Sang had long considered striking against Zhao Yan, but since Zhao Yan never left his side, he hadn''t had the opportunity to prepare his Bewitching Mirror or ebony sword.


    As for secretly conspiring with Ruan Nanfeng and the others, Qin Sang had considered it but ultimately gave up. First, there was never a chance to discuss anything without Zhao Yan noticing, as sending voice transmissions under his watch would certainly be detected.


    Second, they were still under the control of the Heart-Devouring Insects, and Qin Sang wasn''t sure they had the courage to resist. If they still harbored hope for the Kuiyin Sect and exposed his ns, it would only make things worse.


    Now that they had taken the initiative, Qin Sang was naturally happy to cooperate.


    Ruan Nanfeng was delighted. "As long as you give me the chance to use my Golden Crow Hammer, two breaths of time will be enough. Senior Brother Liu, Senior Sister Cen, surely you both have attack artifacts too? If the three of us strike at the same time, we can definitely kill Zhao Yan in an instant!"


    Senior Brother Liu''s voice betrayed his excitement. "My top-grade artifact is the Soul-Devouring Spear, and Senior Sister Cen has a high-grade spiritual sword. Once we get out of the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities, Junior Brother Qin can immediately activate the Purple Soul Bell to prevent Zhao Yan from acting first."


    Finally convinced, Senior Sister Cen cast a cold nce at Zhao Yan, who was still busy extracting the orchid from the pool. Her voice turned icy. "Then I¡¯ll join you in taking this gamble. In my opinion, there''s no need to wait any longer. To prevent anything from going wrong, why not act now? Zhao Yan has exhausted his spiritual power to harvest the orchid¡ªthis is when he''s weakest. We can ensure there are no mistakes!"


    Senior Brother Liu hurriedly interjected, "We can''t. The Four-Clouded Divine Seal requires five people to control it. We still need him to get out of the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities, so we can¡¯t act just yet."


    Ruan Nanfeng grinned sinisterly, his eyes fixed on the orchid as Zhao Yan slowly pulled it out inch by inch. "Senior Brother Liu is right. We''ve been at the mercy of these demons for too long, constantly living in fear. We have to get something out of this. Let''s wait until he finishes harvesting the orchid. After we kill him, we¡¯ll divide the orchid among us. Even if we can''t use this immortal herb coveted by Core Formation cultivators, we can certainly exchange it for a few Foundation Building Pills. Yuanzhao Sect still has two Golden Core elders in residence. Even if the sect¡¯s protective array is breached, it won''t be easy for them to wipe us out. Amid the chaos, we can escape far away. If any of you are willing to follow me, I know an elder who is about to reach the Core Formation stage. Once he returns from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, he¡¯ll definitely help us get rid of the Heart-Devouring Insects."


    Hearing this, the eyes of both Senior Brother Liu and Senior Sister Cen lit up with excitement. Qin Sang noticed the fervor in their eyes and silently vowed that after escaping, he wouldn¡¯t stick around with them.


    The four of them discussed the details further. Seeing that Zhao Yan was about to finish harvesting the orchid, they quickly fell silent, pretending as though nothing had happened.


    The mysterious orchid was tightly grasped by Zhao Yan. No matter how much it struggled, it couldn''t break free. The moment its roots left the water, it suddenly stopped moving, and the misty illusion around its petals dissipated, turning it into a lifeless object.


    However, Zhao Yan was not the least bit disappointed. Instead, his face lit up with joy. Eagerly, he channeled more spiritual power and urged the remaining thunderous force within the transparent gem, releasing several bolts of divine lightning in quick session. They split open arge fissure, and he grabbed the orchid in one swift motion.


    Laughing maniacally, Zhao Yan held the mysterious orchid up before him, admiring it as if he were mad.


    But none of Qin Sang and the others could see that, despite Zhao Yan''s back being turned to them, his eyes were not filled with madness. Instead, they were as cold as ice, and a strange smile curled at the corner of his lips.


    The next moment, screams echoed through the cave, followed by several muffled thuds.


    Zhao Yan waved his hand, and the four Cloud gs shot back into his palm with a whooshing sound. He slowly turned around, his face brimming with pride. "Did you really think I didn¡¯t know what you were nning? I can control the Four-Clouded Divine Seal on my own. If it weren¡¯t for the powerful barriers on it¡­"


    But as he looked at the scene behind him, the smile on Zhao Yan''s face froze.


    One, two, three¡ªthere were only three corpses!


    Zhao Yan''s expression changed drastically. <em>I have clearly awakened the Heart-Devouring Insects, so how have only three people died? Where is the other one? Have the Heart-Devouring Insects failed?</em>


    There was no time to ponder. Zhao Yan shouted fiercely, "Come out now!"


    With a sh of light from the blue Cloud g, mist began to rise in the cave, filling it with swirling fog. Slowly, Qin Sang''s silhouette emerged from within the mist.


    The Falling Cloud Wings could hide his presence, but they couldn''t make him disappearpletely.


    Qin Sang hadn¡¯t anticipated that Zhao Yan''s insistence on having them help activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal to break through the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities was all part of a ruse to divert their attention. His true goal was to use thebined power of the four to unleash the most powerful thunderbolt art from the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and break the barrier on the mysterious orchid.


    Before storing the orchid in a jade box, Zhao Yan had immediately activated the Heart-Devouring Insects, leaving Ruan Nanfeng and the other two with no chance to resist as their primordial spirits were devoured, killing them instantly.


    At the same time, Zhao Yan forcibly reimed the Cloud gs.


    Caught off guard, Qin Sang quickly hid himself. He knew that Zhao Yan had expended a significant amount of energy collecting the mysterious orchid, and to y it safe, without knowing if the Jade Buddha could protect him from the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities, he chose to attack rather than flee.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Though his Falling Cloud Wings had been easily broken, Qin Sang remained calm, a Guishui Yin Thunderbolt Spell already forming in the palm of his hand!

 Chapter 95: Sword Qi

    The moment his figure was revealed by the Cloud g, Qin Sang immediately shook the Purple Soul Bell.


    <em>Ring...</em>


    The crisp sound of the bell echoed throughout the underground cavern. Qin Sang was about to seize the moment to gather yin thunderbolt and strike Zhao Yan, aiming to snatch the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, when an intense sense of unease suddenly arose within him.


    Frowning deeply, his gaze swept over Zhao Yan and finally fixed on his left hand.


    Zhao Yan held the jade box containing the mysterious orchid in his right hand, while a transparent gem floated in front of his chest. However, his left hand was stealthily reaching for his Mustard Seed Pouch, and in the palm of his hand, a faint ck bead could be seen.


    Qin Sang had never seen this unremarkable bead before, yet it gave him an overwhelming sense of danger. The moment he saw it, his entire body broke out in goosebumps, and an indescribable fear surged from the depths of his soul, refusing to subside.


    "Something''s wrong!"


    Shocked, Qin Sang didn¡¯t dare gamble with his life. Without any hesitation, he dispelled the Guishui Yin Thunder Spell, transforming into a violent gust of wind as he desperately fled toward the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities.


    Just then, Zhao Yan let out a furious roar, and something shot towards him with a <em>whoosh</em>.Qin Sang felt his scalp tingle with terror. With no regard for his own life, he frantically channeled his spiritual power to control the Empty Wind, rushing toward the array. As he was about to break through, he hastily summoned the artifact he had acquired in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, a green silk canopy, and hurled it behind him. At the same time, he activated the Ice Silkworm Armor on his body.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    A thunderous explosion erupted behind him. Qin Sang¡¯s ears went deaf as a terrifying force struck his back with great force. The ice armor formed by the Ice Silkworm Armor let out a brittle creak before shattering into pieces in an instant. The Ice Silkworm Armor itself also broke apart, and the green silk canopy artifact was reduced to nothingness.


    Qin Sang was thrown by the immense force into the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities, his back torn and bloodied, with bones visible through the gaping wounds.


    The underground chamber shook violently, and brilliant white light lingered for a long time before it finally dissipated.


    Zhao Yan clutched the jade box containing the mysterious orchid tightly in his arms. Supporting himself with one hand, he almost toppled over from the force of the st that had swept toward him, but he barely managed to steady himself.


    His face still bore traces of anger, and he red viciously at the sudden crater that had appeared on the ground. The bodies of Ruan Nanfeng and the other two were reduced to dust, along with the surrounding debris.


    Zhao Yan spat fiercely, his voice hoarse as he cursed, "Wasted one of my Profound Yin Thunderbolts!"


    Then, his face showed a deep sense of confusion. He couldn''t understand why the Heart-Devouring Insect, which had never failed him before, had been ineffective against Qin Sang. Summoning the Cloud g, he conjured a gust of wind, blowing away the rubble in the pit below, but there was nothing left.


    Even the Mustard Seed Pouches of the others had beenpletely obliterated by the Profound Yin Thunderbolt.


    Zhao Yan made a mental note to ask the sect leader about it when he returned.


    <em>Phew!</em>


    Zhao Yan let out a long sigh of relief, then took a look at the jade box in his arms, letting out two heartyughs. He carefully stored it in his Mustard Seed Pouch before sitting down cross-legged to recover his spiritual power. ?


    The unexpected turn of events had caught Zhao Yan off guard. His greatest fear now was attracting the attention of the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s Golden Core cultivators. Against them, even with more Profound Yin Thunderbolts, his life would not be spared.


    It seemed, however, that the Yuanzhao Sect cultivators were all tightly stuck with the experts from his own sect.


    Still uncertain about the situation outside, Zhao Yan decided it was best to leave this ce as quickly as possible. The task given to him by the sect leader had been sessfullypleted, and he was sure to receive generous rewards upon his return. The breakthrough to the Foundation Building Realm was now within his grasp!


    As Zhao Yan focused on circting his cultivation art to restore his spiritual power¡­


    Inside the Soul-Devouring Array.


    Qin Sangy motionless on the ground. The injuries on his back were ghastly. If he had been a mere mortal, he would have already been dead.


    Suddenly, a faint groan escaped his lips. Qin Sang, clutching the ground with both hands, endured the excruciating pain in his back and struggled to sit up. The movement tugged at his wounds, causing him to gasp in pain.


    Qin Sang hurriedly retrieved several spirit pills from his Mustard Seed Pouch. He had consulted Senior Brother Meng in Cloud Valley and learned that the spirit pills obtained from the man wearing the straw hat were all healing medicines, though their effects varied. Some were of high quality, like Water Dew Pills, while others were merelymon medicines for mortals. Qin Sang didn¡¯t have the luxury of choice at the moment, so he grabbed two pills and swallowed them.


    A refreshing coolness immediately spread across his back, and some of the smaller wounds began to scab over, significantly alleviating the pain.


    The destruction of his two defensive artifacts hadn¡¯t been in vain, and Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel secretly relieved.


    Recalling the perilous moments just now, Qin Sang was still filled with lingering fear and shock.


    <em>What exactly was that bead?</em>


    The shockwave from the explosion alone had destroyed both of his defensive artifacts and left him gravely injured. Luckily, he had reacted swiftly and fled with the Empty Wind when he sensed danger. Otherwise, he might have been vaporized like the green silk canopy.


    Without waiting for his wounds to fully stabilize, Qin Sang began to scan his surroundings to assess his current situation.


    The ground beneath him was cold, and the air around was filled with a gray-white mist. His visibility was extremely limited.


    He was now inside the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Cmities, but his mind remained clear. There was no sign of mental confusion or demonic influences, indicating that the Jade Buddha was protecting his primordial spirit.


    However, Qin Sang was now worried he might be trapped inside the array.


    Without the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, it was impossible for him, at his current cultivation, to pass through the trials of the three cmities ahead. If he wanted to escape, he would have to seize the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, and his only reliable weapon was the ebony sword.


    With this in mind, Qin Sang could no longer focus on healing. Enduring the pain, he climbed to his feet and cautiously took a step back. The gray-white mist around him didn¡¯t change, and no danger appeared.


    He walked a few more steps, and the mist in front of him suddenly thinned. He immediately stopped, fearing Zhao Yan might spot him and hurl another bead.


    Activating the Falling Cloud Wings to conceal his presence, Qin Sang silently approached the edge of the array, where he caught a blurred glimpse of Zhao Yan.


    Zhao Yan was sitting cross-legged, restoring his spiritual power. He clearly hadn¡¯t anticipated that Qin Sang was still alive, and had left himself unprotected.


    Qin Sang quietly retreated back into the Soul-Devouring Array, touched the wounds on his back, and felt that they were no longer life-threatening. Sitting down cross-legged on the ground, he summoned the ebony sword and then pulled out a middle-grade spirit stone from his Mustard Seed Pouch¡ªa treasure he had kept hidden for a long time. Grasping it with both hands, he took a deep breath and focused his mind.


    The ebony sword hovered in front of Qin Sang, its de flickering with a faint ck glow, appearing rather unremarkable.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Qin Sang linked his spiritual consciousness to the spiritual sword, absorbing the spiritual power from the spirit stone at a frantic pace. As the spiritual power poured into his dantian, his previously stable Qihai suddenly became turbulent, and his meridians began to throb with agonizing pain.


    <em>This middle-grade spirit stone truly lived up to its reputation.</em> Qin Sang thought to himself.


    Had this been a year ago, when he was still at the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, he doubted he could have withstood the strain. If he continued to absorb spiritual power at this rate, he might have killed himself through self-detonation before he could even deal with Zhao Yan.


    As time passed, the glow of the spirit stone grew dimmer, and at that moment, a trace of green sword qi appeared on the ebony sword, flickering at the tip of the de and emitting a faint sword hum.


    The sword qi was an embodiment of the sword¡¯s material. The ebony sword had been refined from spiritual wood.


    Gradually, the sword qi enveloped the entire ebony sword.

 Chapter 96: Each Fled Their Own Way

    <em>Crack!</em>


    With his spiritual power depleted, the spirit stone shattered into several pieces.


    Qin Sang suddenly opened his eyes, a sh of determination in his gaze, andmanded, "Go!"


    The ebony sword pointed towards the cavern. The de trembled and instantly transformed into a streak of light, vanishing from Qin Sang¡¯s sight. The speed of this burst left him astounded.


    Next, Qin Sang activated the Empty Wind and flew out of the Soul-Devouring Array, only to find Zhao Yan copsed on the ground, unmoving.


    A pool of bloody on the ground, bright red.


    Qin Sang further used the ebony sword to probe Zhao Yan¡¯s body, then flew over and lifted him up. Zhao Yan¡¯s eyes were wide open in shock, likely having just seen the ebony sword before being struck down.


    <em>Phew!</em>


    Qin Sang¡¯s tense nerves finally rxed as he slumped to the ground, feeling the pain throughout his body and overwhelming exhaustion, wishing for nothing more than a good rest.But he couldn¡¯t afford to rx yet. The danger had not passed, and the current state of the battle outside remained unknown.


    Fortunately, the ebony sword had efficiently killed Zhao Yan without a deadlock, leaving Qin Sang with plenty of spiritual power still remaining from the spirit stone.


    Qin Sang grabbed Zhao Yan¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch and looked at the mysterious orchid securely ced in the jade box. He grinned, feeling that despite his suffering, it was worth it to take the orchid.


    If the Yuanzhao Sect had been taken over by the Kuiyin Sect and he was unable to escape, he could im to have encountered formidable enemies. With Zhao Yan dead and him controlling the Four-Clouded Divine Seal to flee, he might still find a chance.


    The possibility of the Kuiyin Sect being counterattacked by the Yuanzhao Sect seemed slim.


    However, he wasn¡¯t sure if this exnation would save his life. He would have to assess the situation and adapt ordingly once he was out.


    For now, his priority was survival.


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. There was little he could do about it; such immortal herbs were never meant for someone like him.


    Sensing the spiritual power within him slowly dissipating, Qin Sang dared not dy any longer. He seized the transparent jade from Zhao Yan¡¯s hand.


    The refining method he had learned previously could be applied to the jade. Qin Sang refined it and discovered that controlling all five forbidden artifacts was unnecessary. By using his spiritual consciousness to manipte the jade, he couldmand the four Cloud gs, making it possible for a Qi Refining Realm cultivator to use them alone.


    However, a single person could only wield a portion of the Four-Clouded Divine Seal¡¯s power.


    A wave of pain surged from his dantian, but Qin Sang gritted his teeth, stood up, and raised the transparent jade. The four Cloud gs flew up automatically, revolving around him. R


    He snapped his fingers to incinerate Zhao Yan¡¯s corpse, making sure to erase any traces of his presence. He then stepped back into the Soul-Devouring Array. To conserve spiritual power, he only activated the Four-Clouded Divine Seal when he saw the cmity of wind.


    Manipting forbidden artifacts alone was evidently much harder. Even with the power left by the sect leader, Qin Sang struggled and took several times longer to exit the Soul-Devouring Arraypared to his entry.


    Emerging from the m, Qin Sang saw that the ghostly banner was still standing outside. He had no idea how the Foundation Building cultivators inside were faring.


    Considering the time, not much had psed since he entered the cave, but the rapidly changing, perilous situation had left him feeling utterly exhausted.


    The astra was right in front of him, but Qin Sang dared not im it. If the Foundation Building cultivators inside were still alive, he would be in trouble.


    If an opportunity arose amidst the chaos, he might have to abandon both the mysterious orchid and the Four-Clouded Divine Seal.


    In the Cloud g, remnants of the sect leader''s power still lingered. A Golden Core cultivator''s divine might was inscrutable, making it hard to say whether some mysterious means would trace him.


    Qin Sang used the Four-Clouded Divine Seal''s evasion method, concealing his figure. Zhao Yan''s ability to infiltrate here under the noses of high-level cultivators at Yuanzhao Peak demonstrated that the Four-Clouded Divine Seal was far superior to the Falling Cloud Wings.


    Suppressing his presence, Qin Sang swiftly swam toward theke. As he neared the surface, he slowed his movements, carefully climbing onto the shore before quickly escaping from Sect Leader Peak, only daring to lift his head once he was a safe distance away.


    Qin Sang was shocked by the scene above him.


    Dozens of figures hovered above Yuanzhao Peak, forming arge formation.


    These individuals were all Foundation Building cultivators, and it was unclear whether Yu Hua was among them.


    Among them stood a white-haired elder, holding up the sky with one hand. A massive yin-yang diagram slowly rotated, seemingly supported by him alone. Endless demonic mes zed on the diagram, with evil spirits roaring and fierce impacts shaking the air.


    With his other hand, the elder grasped the ground, drawing streams of white qi from Yuanzhao Peak, flowing upwards like a giant whale drinking water, converging in the elder''s palm.


    Qin Sang had heard that Yuanzhao Peak was a convergence point for the spirit veins of the mountains. <em>Is the elder extracting spiritual power from these veins to sustain the array?</em>


    But the protective array of the sect was covered in cracks, indicating the situation was dire.


    Qin Sang quietly climbed to a higher vantage point and saw that Yuanzhao Sect was in chaos. The disciples inside were like headless flies, with escaping lights darting everywhere and distant sounds of frantic shouting.


    After some thought, Qin Sang put away the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and used Empty Wind to fly toward his Huiyang Valley. Fortunately, Yu Hua did not appear.


    However, as Qin Sang passed Cloud Valley, he was intercepted by Meng Ruhui, who found the disciples from Cloud Valley standing outside the valley, looking worried.


    "Junior brother Qin, where have you been? I''ve been searching for you for ages," Meng Ruhui said urgently.


    Qin Sang had already prepared an excuse. He replied with a panicked tone, "I was in the lecture hall. After the sect encountered a change, Senior Uncle told us to find a ce to hide, and only now did I dare toe out. Senior brother Meng, what''s the situation now? What is going to happen to us?"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Meng Ruhui said, "A senior uncle just passed a message that the sect will gather the power of the array to fight the demonic sect to the death. The demonic sect doesn''t have enough manpower to deal with our Qi Refining Realm cultivators, so once the array opens, we¡¯ll disperse and wait¡ª"


    Before he could finish, a thunderous crash suddenly echoed.


    Everyone looked up in shock to see a massive crack appear along the edge of the protective array. A corner of the array had copsed, with several mountains at the edge breaking apart, rocks flying, and demonic mes igniting on the mountains, causing the mes to surge wildly, threatening to incinerate everything. The disciples of Yuanzhao Sect screamed in terror.


    The protective array... was broken!


    "Run!"


    Meng Ruhui summoned his flying needle artifact, calling out urgently.


    In an instant, countless escape lights lit up across Yuanzhao Sect, like thin fireflies in the night sky. The sect''s disciples fled in all directions, each relying on their own methods.


    Qin Sang deliberatelygged behind, avoiding Meng Ruhui. Besides Meng Ruhui, he was unfamiliar with the other disciples from Cloud Valley and they wouldn''t pay him much attention.


    After escaping Yuanzhao Sect with the crowd, Qin Sang left the group and flew southwest alone.


    He was most afraid of high-level cultivators from Kuiyin Sect ambushing him outside, so he remained vignt.


    Just as he was about to rx after flying far from Yuanzhao Sect, he suddenly felt a fierce wind from behind, mming him forcefully into the forest.

 Chapter 97: Unexpected Events and Decisions

    The night sky shone as bright as day!


    Qin Sang crawled out of a pile of mud, brushing off the tangled branches clinging to him and spitting out the blood and rotten leaves in his mouth. He twisted his head around, staring in shock at the direction of the Yuanzhao Sect.


    A brilliant sun hung on the horizon, illuminating Yuanzhao Peak with crystal rity.


    The entire mountain range was bathed in daylight.


    Mountains crumbled, and animals fled in panic.


    Several furious roars followed, filled with endless rage and despair.


    Then, dazzling light engulfed everything, and the earth shook continuously, making it impossible to see anything.


    Qin Sang tightly shut his eyes, his heart racing with fear. He had no idea what had happened there, but he could sense the terrifying energy radiating from that golden sun.


    As the light gradually dimmed and his vision returned, Qin Sang noticed that the towering Yuanzhao Peak had been cleaved in half, and several surrounding mountains had also mysteriously lost a portion of their height.This was the destructive power of a Core Formation Realm cultivator. A chill of fear and awe arose in Qin Sang''s heart.


    His expression subtly changed. Initially, he had nned to find a safe ce to observe the situation.


    Previously, he hadn''t been entirely opposed to the demonic path. He had no direct experience with the righteous and demonic factions shing in the world of immortal cultivation, and didn''t feel any deep-seated revulsion. Especially after hearing that young man in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground reveal the dark secrets behind the ascension conference, Qin Sang realized that even the so-called righteous path wasn''t necessarily clean.


    He had only ever wanted to save his own life and extend it for as long as possible, which was why he was so determined to leave the Kuiyin Sect.


    There was, after all, a difference between the righteous and demonic paths.


    The Yuanzhao Sect at least used the ascension conference to lure rogue cultivators into the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground to mask their true intentions, without sending their own disciples to die.


    But in the Kuiyin Sect, even if sacrificing disciples'' lives was required, Sect Leader Yi probably wouldn¡¯t hesitate for a moment. Just thinking about the countless souls lost in the Yin Malevolent Abyss, which far outnumbered those in the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground, sent chills down his spine.


    There''s a saying, "no cost too high." In the world of immortal cultivation, if a low-level Qi Refining Realm cultivator didn¡¯t have anyone powerful backing them, they could easily be part of that "cost" in times of crisis. And in a demonic sect, they were even more likely to be the "cost."


    Either someone like Liang Yan, who was close to Yue Wu and protected from trouble, or someone like Yue Wu himself, a Foundation Building Realm cultivator and a powerful force in his sect, could have a chance at keeping their lives.


    But unfortunately, he was just a small pawn struggling to survive day by day.


    However, as they say, times change.


    After obtaining the mysterious orchid, Qin Sang seemed to have gained another option. If the Kuiyin Sect emerged victorious, no matter how valuable the mysterious orchid was, he wouldn¡¯t dare to keep it for himself, not when a Core Formation Realm cultivator had set their eyes on it.


    Even if he fled for an entire day, the Core Formation cultivator could catch him with a flick of a finger. With a sweep of their spiritual consciousness, he would have no ce to hide, and the Heart-Devouring Insect attached to his primordial spirit was still there. They could probably track his location through the insect within a certain range. ?


    With Zhao Yan dead and no one to testify against him, Qin Sang could offer the mysterious orchid to the sect leader as a great contribution. Such an extraordinary achievement might make obtaining a Foundation Building Pill no longer a distant dream.


    As long as he had a chance to break through to the Foundation Building Realm, it wouldn''t matter if he had to follow the demonic path all the way to the end.


    But deep down, Qin Sang knew that this choice was no different from asking a tiger for its skin[1]!


    However, it seemed that the Yuanzhao Sect was not entirely powerless. After that sun exploded, a deathly silence had fallen over the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s direction.


    The demonic mes, the great array, the ghostly shadows, the cultivators¡­


    All of them had vanished without a trace!


    The night sky was eerily still.


    Suddenly, a heart-wrenching roar echoed from the distant sky, "Senior Brother!"


    A fiery red streak of light shot toward the Yuanzhao Sect with overwhelming momentum, like a meteor rushing across the heavens. In the blink of an eye, it arrived above the Yuanzhao Sect, revealing the figure of a young man dressed in ck.


    The youth stared in disbelief at the shattered remains of the Yuanzhao Sect, his face filled with immense grief.


    At that moment, a thunderous explosion shook the air.


    The remaining half of Yuanzhao Peak copsed with a deafening roar. From the dust and debris, over a dozen disheveled figures flew out. Upon seeing the young man standing in the sky, they cried out in joy, "Senior Uncle! You''ve finally arrived!"


    Only Yu Hua seemed paralyzed with fear, his eyes vacant and lifeless.


    But when he met the icy gaze of the youth and took in the devastation of his sect, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head.


    <em>Crack!</em>


    The sky suddenly split open, revealing a narrow fissure. A wisp of ck qi seeped through the crack¡­


    The youth snapped his head up, staring fixedly into the depths of the fissure, his eyes filling with a crazed hatred in an instant.


    "Kill!"


    ¡­


    The fiery red divine sword carried an overwhelming momentum capable of cutting through everything. Meanwhile, a thin strand of ck qi frantically fled northward, not daring to pause for even a moment.


    Qin Sang watched this scene with a heart full of terror. <em>Is this person who has arrived so suddenly the reinforcement of the Yuanzhao Sect? Is it possible that, even after being besieged and having their array broken, the Yuanzhao Sect has somehow turned the tide and emerged victorious in their moment of despair?</em>


    This was far beyond Qin Sang¡¯s expectations.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The divine sword chased the ck qi into the distance, eventually disappearing beyond the horizon.


    Qin Sang¡¯s expression fluctuated wildly as he quickly made up his mind. He took out the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and discarded it. Holding the jade box in his hands, he hesitated for a long time, but in the end, he couldn¡¯t suppress the greed that surged in his heart.


    A wry smile appeared on Qin Sang¡¯s face as he hurriedly searched through Zhao Yan¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch, taking out anything useful and leaving behind anything he didn¡¯t recognize.


    In the end, he found a familiar-looking bead. Overjoyed, Qin Sang remembered the bead¡¯s terrifying power all too well. Even if he faced a powerful Foundation Building Realm enemy, throwing out this bead would at least leave them scrambling, if not fatally wounded.


    Qin Sang gripped the bead tightly and activated the Empty Wind with all his strength. One thought consumed his mind. <em>Escape. The farther, the better.</em>


    Suppressing his injuries with spiritual pills, Qin Sang dragged his wounded body through the wind, fleeing westward. After several days, he found a cave, where he discarded Zhao Yan¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch and then changed direction, heading south.


    Whenever his spiritual power was depleted, he would find another cave to recover, then continue running. He survived on wild fruits and spring water, avoiding people at all costs.


    He had set his course toward the southwest.


    While he had been confined in Huiyang Valley at the Yuanzhao Sect, Qin Sang had wanted to buy a geomantic map[2] of the immortal cultivation world but never had the chance. He had only learned bits and pieces from listening to Yue Wu¡¯s lectures at the Kuiyin Sect and from conversations with fellow disciples, but as Qi Refining Realm cultivators, their knowledge was limited.


    Their location was in the far northwestern corner of the continent, in a region known as the Small Cold Domain within the immortal cultivation world. It was said that the continent was vast, its edges encircled by boundless seas, but how far to the east and south it stretched, or how many great sectsy beyond, was something only Spiritual Infant Realm cultivators might know.


    Even the western and northern borders, the closest to them, were rarely reached. To the far west of the Small Cold Domainy the territory of the demon race, while the north was home to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.


    The Ancient Immortal Battlefield was said to be unimaginably dangerous, but also filled with heaven-defying opportunities, with countless ancient immortal ruins and remains hidden within.


    Regarding the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, Yue Wu had been tight-lipped, and the other Qi Refining Realm disciples knew little about it, only passing along rumors they had heard from others.


    Within the Small Cold Domain, there were three main forces. The western region was upied by the demon race, the northeast was controlled by demonic sects, and Qin Sang was now fleeing toward the territory of the righteous sects.


    The Kuiyin Sect and Yuanzhao Sect happened to be located at the buffer zone between the righteous and demonic forces within the Small Cold Domain. Both had once been powerful with Spiritual Infant Realm ancestors overseeing them, but had since declined. Yet, even in their weakened state, they still retained a certain degree of fame in the Small Cold Domain.


    1. This is a Chinese saying which means "to request others for something against their interests". ?


    2. The Chinese geomantic map is a type of cartographic expression of andform that portrays a ce as geomantically auspicious or inauspicious. ?

 Chapter 98: Phoenix Peak of Nine-Peak Mountain

    The robes issued by the Yuanzhao Sect werepletely destroyed in the underground cavern explosion, and Qin Sang hadn¡¯t had the time or mind to tidy himself up. After months of fleeing, he now resembled nothing less than a wild man.


    As the weather warmed, the poption grew denser, and the towns along the way became more prosperous. Qin Sang felt it was about time. He changed into clean clothes and slipped into a small town to find out his current location.


    "Zheng Kingdom..."


    Qin Sang devoured arge meat bun at a bun shop, having just learned that he was now within the borders of Zheng Kingdom. The name felt vaguely familiar, and after a moment of thought, he recalled that Immortal Master Han had marked Zheng Kingdom on the geomantic map he had given him.


    After leaving the bun shop, Qin Sang found a quiet ce and took out the geomantic map from his Mustard Seed Pouch, silently thanking his good fortune.


    Indeed, Zheng Kingdom was marked on the map, situated on the far western edge. If he continued westward for a little longer, he would soon be beyond the map¡¯s scope.


    Zheng Kingdomy southwest of the You Mountain Range, separated by a considerable distance. It was already within the territory of the righteous sects.


    In the southern part of Zheng Kingdom, there was a ce called Nine-Peak Mountain. Judging from the small portion shown on the map, although it couldn¡¯tpare to You Mountain, it was still a notablendmark in the area.


    After some thought, Qin Sang decided to head to Nine-Peak Mountain. He nned to find a spiritually rich and secluded ce to establish a cave dwelling, where he could first heal his old wounds. Then, he would try to find other immortal cultivators to gather information, before continuing south to escape deeper into the territory of the righteous sects.Qin Sang wasn¡¯t certain about what happened that night, but when he recalled the terrifying giant sun and the unexpected appearance of the Golden Core master at the end, he felt that the Kuiyin Sect might not have fared well.


    Over all this time, no one from the Kuiyin Sect hade after him, which helped ease his long-standing anxiety.


    ¡­


    Nine-Peak Mountain, Phoenix Peak.


    Once, Phoenix Peak had been the most beautiful of the nine peaks, home to countless enchanting legends.


    From afar, Phoenix Peak resembled a divine phoenix spreading its wings, ready to take flight. Unfortunately, a mysterious earthquaketer caused the copse of the Divine Phoenix Stone Altar, destroying thendmark.


    Though the mountain was still called Nine-Peak Mountain, Phoenix Peak gradually fell into obscurity, bing an ordinary peak.


    Later, one day, Phoenix Peak became shrouded in a dense mist that never dissipated. Mortals who wandered into the mist would get lost and, after wandering for half a day, would barely find their way out. Slowly, new legends began to emerge.


    Little did most people know that the once-famous Phoenix Peak had now be a gathering ce for immortal cultivators in the area surrounding Nine-Peak Mountain. The ever-present mist was actually a simple barrier, designed to keep out mortals.


    At the end of each ten-day cycle, the scattered cultivators and members of small immortal cultivation families around Nine-Peak Mountain would gather here. Though the gatherings weren¡¯trge and couldn¡¯tpare to those held at immortal cultivation markets, the low-level cultivators who attended could still trade goods, share cultivation insights, and exchange bits of news.


    Today was the end of one such cycle, and early in the morning, several beams of light flew together toward Phoenix Peak. Gradually, more people began entering the mist.


    By the time daylight fully illuminated the sky, a woman in her thirties descended in front of Phoenix Peak. She smiled with delight at the young man beside her and said, "Daoist Qin, your Cloud Evasion is truly remarkable. It¡¯s far more discreet and faster than my Water Evasion Technique. Thank you for teaching it to me."


    Qin Sang nodded with a smile.


    The woman apanying him was named Li Youniang. She was over thirty years old and had originally been an ordinary person from a small vige outside Nine-Peak Mountain. She had married at a young age, in her teens.


    Later, her husband, while chopping wood in the mountains, saved the life of an injured immortal cultivator. The cultivator was gravely wounded and on the verge of death. To repay the life-saving favor, he decided to teach them immortal cultivation arts before he died. Unfortunately, only Li Youniang had a spiritual root, and it was a four-spiritual-root type. After years of cultivation, she had only reached the third stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    Despite obtaining the legacy of an immortal cultivator, Li Youniang didn¡¯t leave her vige to seek the path of immortality in the outside world, nor did she disdain her mortal husband. Instead, she continued to live an ordinary life, hiding her cultivation.


    Now, she had three children, and the family lived in harmony and happiness.


    Half a month ago, her husband suddenly fell gravely ill. In her desperation, Li Youniang went to Phoenix Peak to seek medicine and happened to pass by Qin Sang''s cave dwelling, where he stopped her. ?


    At the time, Qin Sang had found a secluded mountain stream at Nine-Peak Mountain to establish his cave dwelling, where he had been in seclusion, healing his injuries.


    He had originally nned to reach out to the local rogue cultivators to gather information, and with Li Youniang presenting herself, he was happy to befriend her. Upon hearing her troubles, he immediately gave her a spiritual pill, which cured her husband¡¯s illness.


    Grateful, Li Youniang considered Qin Sang her family''s savior. When Qin Sang mentioned his desire to attend the Phoenix Peak gathering, she readily agreed to bring him along. She also informed him that the best time to gather information was at the end of the month.


    Before her master passed away, he had a close friend named Yu Lian, who was a disciple of the Yu family, a prominent immortal cultivation family near Nine-Peak Mountain. Well-connected and sociable, Yu Lian enjoyed making friends and would often share news of the immortal cultivation world during gatherings at Phoenix Peak at the end of each month.


    Most of the nearby rogue cultivators'' knowledge of the cultivation world came from Yu Lian¡¯s discussions.


    Qin Sang stayed at Li Youniang¡¯s home and only set out on this day, the end of the month. While watching the harmonious and joyful life of Li Youniang¡¯s family, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t fully agree with her choices, but he admired her steadfastness.


    Li Youniangposed herself and said, "Daoist Qin, follow me. I¡¯ll introduce you to Senior Uncle Yu."


    The barrier at Phoenix Peak was ineffective against immortal cultivators. By using the Qi Perception Technique, one could easily see a path leading directly to the mountain''s summit. As Qin Sang followed Li Youniang, he marveled at the unique scenery Phoenix Peak had to offer.


    Atop the remnants of the Divine Phoenix Stone Altar sat a hollowed-out white rhino horn, a low-grade artifact that only served to gather water qi. Positioned toward the stream below, water constantly flowed from the horn, trickling down in a soothing melody. The stream wound its way down the mountain, nked by elegant pavilions and winding paths, creating an exceptionally refined atmosphere.


    Scattered throughout the pavilions were numerous immortal cultivators, gathered in small groups, conversing with one another. Li Youniang greeted many of them as they ascended, clearly familiar with the local rogue cultivators around Nine-Peak Mountain.


    Curious, everyone eyed Qin Sang, the neer, though no one asked any questions.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Li Youniang led Qin Sang all the way to the summit of Phoenix Peak, stopping in front of a bamboo pavilion where seven people were seated around an elderly man with a goatee, who appeared to be about seventy. They were drinking and chatting.


    "Lately, in the immortal cultivation world, a few major events have taken ce..."


    The elderly man with the goatee took a sip of wine, his face slightly flushed with drunkenness. He raised his voice, clearly in high spirits, but as soon as he spotted Li Youniang and Qin Sang, he warmly waved them over. "Youniang, you''re here! Come, have a seat and bring me two more pots of wine. Oh? And this Daoist is?"


    "Senior Uncle Yu, this is Daoist Qin, Sng''s savior," Li Youniang introduced, exining the situation.


    Qin Sang stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. "Qin Sang greets Senior Yu."


    Yu Lian¡¯s drunken expression quickly faded, and he carefully sized up Qin Sang. "Youniang and Sng are truly fortunate to have met such a benevolent friend. Please,e in."

 Chapter 99: Ruthless Person

    After Qin Sang sat down, Yu Lian leaned forward slightly and said, "I heard from Youniang earlier that Daoist Qin has something to ask. If there''s anything I can help with, please feel free to speak."


    "This matter isn¡¯t urgent." Qin Sang smiled. "I just heard Senior Yu mention some major events in the world of immortal cultivation, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel intrigued. I wouldn¡¯t dare interrupt everyone''s gathering, so I¡¯ll listen to Senior Yu finish these secrets first."


    Hearing this, the others nodded repeatedly, with a few offering Qin Sang friendly smiles.


    Li Youniang personally served several cups of wine, handing one to Qin Sang before sitting down beside him.


    Yu Lian took a sip of wine and praised, "Youniang¡¯s skills have improved once again! Since Daoist Qin is also interested, I¡¯ll tell you all the details... The biggest event recently in the world of immortal cultivation happened just a few months ago, when the demonic Kuiyin Sect suddenlyunched an invasion on the renowned righteous Yuanzhao Sect. During that time, several Golden Core masters fought in session. The battle was so fierce that the sun and moon seemed to lose their light, and the veryndscape changed. In the end, the Kuiyin Sect waspletely wiped out."


    Qin Sang had been staring at the amber wine in his cup when he heard this and raised his head in shock.


    The others also erupted into chatter. "Old man, you¡¯re not pulling our leg, are you? How did the Kuiyin Sect invade the Yuanzhao Sect only to wipe themselves out? What happened to the Yuanzhao Sect? And what¡¯s the origin of this Kuiyin Sect?"


    Yu Lian chuckled. "Patience, patience. Let me exin. To understand the reason behind this battle, we must first talk about the origins of both the Kuiyin Sect and the Yuanzhao Sect. I¡¯m sure some of you have heard of them but might not know the full story. Let¡¯s take the Yuanzhao Sect for instance. Although it¡¯s now in decline, several hundred years ago, its reputation was no less impressive than the current eight major sects of the Small Cold Domain! The Kuiyin Sect, too, was once a rival capable of matching the Yuanzhao Sect in strength."


    "The founder of the Yuanzhao Sect was none other than Grandmaster Yuanzhao, a Spiritual Infant Realm. As for the Kuiyin Sect, it was established by Grandmaster Kuiyin, a Spiritual Infant Realm demon. Both of these figures were powerhouses of their time, and their sects were founded around the same time. Even their names were passed down from their founding grandmasters. Isn''t that quite the coincidence? What¡¯s more, the two sects were located near each other, resulting in a long-standing rivalry and animosity.""Back in the day, Grandmaster Yuanzhao and several of his top disciples died unexpectedly on the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. If it weren¡¯t for the intervention of the Wuji Sect, Grandmaster Kuiyin would¡¯ve crushed Yuanzhao Peak by using his superior strength. It wasn¡¯t until the Kuiyin Grandmaster passed away that both sides finally ceased hostilities. Yet, it seems the Kuiyin Sect never forgot the old grudge. They used the entire strength of their sect tounch a surprise attack on the Yuanzhao Sect, only to end up destroying themselves."


    Yu Lian took another sip of wine, closed his eyes, and leisurely savored it.


    The crowd, who had been listening intently, immediately burst into outrage, cursing Yu Lian.


    "You old rascal! Always leaving us hanging!"


    "That¡¯s right, it¡¯s too frustrating!"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ¡­


    Qin Sang also grew anxious as he listened, wishing he could pry open Yu Lian¡¯s head and see for himself. If the Kuiyin Sect had truly been wiped out by the Yuanzhao Sect, wouldn¡¯t he have nothing left to worry about? That mysterious orchid would be his!


    Yu Lian, however, looked rather smug and burst into heartyughter. "Wouldn¡¯t it be far too boring if I didn¡¯t tease you all a little?"


    His words prompted another wave ofints from the group, and only then did Yu Lian, still grinning, continue, "When word of this spread, even my family was discussing it. What¡¯s puzzling is why the Kuiyin Sect dared to invade the Yuanzhao Sect in the first ce. Everyone knows the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s protective array isn¡¯t simple. It was arranged by Grandmaster Yuanzhao himself, with the help of two other Spiritual Infant Realm friends¡ªone of them even from the Yuanshen Sect. A mere few Golden Core cultivators wouldn¡¯t be able to break it. But strangely enough, it seems the array really was breached!"


    "Breached?"


    The crowd was astonished. "If the protective array was broken, how did the Kuiyin Sect end up being wiped out?"


    Yu Lian shook his head. "There are so many rumors now, and since I wasn¡¯t there myself, I can¡¯t say what¡¯s true and what¡¯s not. But there¡¯s one piece of news that¡¯s likely credible, as it came from within the Wuji Sect. It¡¯s said that on that night, demonic mes engulfed the sky, and the Kuiyin Sect attacked with overwhelming force, forcing the Yuanzhao Sect¡¯s supreme sect leader to self-destruct his Golden Core. Along with the protective array and the sect¡¯s spiritual veins, the resulting explosion was so terrifying that one of the Kuiyin Sect¡¯s Golden Core cultivators died on the spot, while the other two were gravely injured. As for the Foundation Building cultivators, their casualties were countless. If the situation hadn¡¯t been dire and irreversible, would that supreme sect leader have chosen to self-destruct his Golden Core?" ?


    The crowd gasped. "Self-destructed his Golden Core!"


    Golden Core cultivators were far beyond their reach, and they couldn¡¯t even imagine the horror of such a powerful figure detonating his own core.


    Qin Sang, too, was momentarily lost in thought. He had already suspected something like this when he witnessed the terrifying sight of that zing sun on that night. Now that it was confirmed, the shock was even greater. He muttered to himself, "What ruthlessness..."


    The simultaneous destruction of the Golden Core, the protective array, and the spiritual veins of Yuanzhao Peak¡ªthat supreme sect leader was so decisive.


    "Truly a ruthless person!"


    Yu Lian remarked, his tone filled with admiration, "That self-destruction seemed like mutual destruction, but in reality, it preserved the legacy of his sect and cut off his enemy¡¯s foundation. No wonder he was able to reach the Golden Core Realm and be the supreme sect leader."


    A young man nearby snorted coldly. "That¡¯s only because he had a Spiritual Infant Realm master. If I had the same cultivation resources, I¡¯d be no worse than him!"


    Yu Lian chuckled and nodded, steering the conversation back. "The three Golden Core cultivators of the Kuiyin Sect clearly never expected the supreme sect leader of the Yuanzhao Sect to be so resolute. One of them died instantly, and the other two, gravely injured, fled in terror. They were pursued by another Golden Core master of the Yuanzhao Sect, who killed one more. Thest survivor hid within the Kuiyin Sect and dared not show his face again. When the Wuji Sect reinforcements arrived, they found the Kuiyin Sect in shambles, with its members scattered to the winds. It¡¯s said that the surviving Golden Core demon escaped into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. The Yuanzhao Sect has since taken control of the Kuiyin Sect¡¯s territory, and thetter lost everything."


    Qin Sang suddenly asked, "Which Golden Core demon of the Kuiyin Sect survived?"


    Yu Lian furrowed his brows. "I¡¯m not sure. The Wuji Sect only reported that the leader of the Kuiyin Sect brought about his own destruction bymitting too many evil deeds. It¡¯s likely that demon is already dead. The other two were not well-known, so it¡¯s unclear which one survived by hiding. To think the old Kuiyin demon was such a fearsome figure in his lifetime, and yet, in just a few short years, his sect has been utterly wiped out. It¡¯s hard to imagine what the Kuiyin Sect''s leader was thinking. At over five hundred years old and on the verge of dying, he suddenly stirred up all this chaos. Not only did he lose his own life, but he also destroyed his ancestor¡¯s legacy."


    Qin Sang lowered his head in deep thought. As long as one Golden Core master from the Kuiyin Sect remained alive, he might not be safe.


    With that in mind, Qin Sang decided to tter Yu Lian. "The secrets you¡¯ve shared, Senior Uncle Yu, have been truly eye-opening. Earlier, when you mentioned the eight major sects of the righteous path, I realized how ignorant I am. I¡¯m unfamiliar with many of these sects. Could you briefly introduce them to me so I can broaden my knowledge?"

 Chapter 100: Wenyue Market

    The eight righteous sects referred to the Cunyang Sect, Taiyi Core Sect, Wuji Sect, Yuling Sect, Shaohua Mountain, Shangyuan Tranquility Pce, Xuling Sect, and Yuanshen Sect. Each of these powerful sects had a Spiritual Infant grandmaster stationed within, earning them the collective title of the Eight Sects.


    In the Small Cold Domain, the names of these righteous sects were not immutable. If a sect''s Spiritual Infant grandmaster passed away with no suitable sessor, the sect would decline, and another sect would take its ce, much like what happened with the Yuanzhao Sect.


    In fact, most of the immortal cultivation families in the Small Cold Domain were dependent on these sects for survival.


    Yu Lian boasted endlessly, though his words were not much different from what Qin Sang had heard in the Kuiyin Sect.


    By the time Yu Lian finished speaking, the sky had already darkened, and everyone parted ways contentedly, bidding each other farewell.


    It was only then that Qin Sang brought up his request to Yu Lian; he wanted a geomantic map of the Small Cold Domain¡¯s immortal cultivation world. He didn¡¯t care if the mortal kingdoms weren¡¯t marked, but the locations of the major sects had to be clear.


    "Senior Yu, could you kindly point me in the right direction? Where nearby could I purchase such a geomantic map? I¡¯ve been wandering aimlessly ever since I left home to explore the world, like a headless fly. I wish to pay homage to the immortal sects, but without a map, it¡¯s been incredibly difficult."


    Yu Lian, of course, didn¡¯t believe Qin Sang¡¯s pretext of wanting to pay homage. He inwardly remarked that this was yet another person seeking immortality.


    This sort of thing was all toomon. With a smile, Yu Lian replied, "You don¡¯t need to go elsewhere to buy a geomantic map of the Small Cold Domain. My family has one. If you can wait a few days, I¡¯ll bring you a copy at the next gathering on Phoenix Peak."Qin Sang was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior! Does your family require anything in return? I have a few spirit stones on me, or I could trade some artifacts instead..."


    Perhaps Zhao Yan, fearing too much treasure might expose his identity, hadn¡¯t carried much with him. Nevertheless, the items Qin Sang scavenged from Zhao Yan¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch were all valuable.


    There were three middle-grade spirit stones, along with over a hundred low-grade spirit stones.


    Furthermore, besides the mysterious orchid and the ck beads, there were also two very practical artifacts.


    One was a high-grade artifact called the Sky Shuttle, which allowed flight through the air. Though its speed couldn¡¯tpare to the Empty Wind, it flew much higher and could automatically generate a protective shield against cold winds, allowing it to fly above the clouds. However, it was too conspicuous for immortal cultivators, so Qin Sang rarely used it.


    The other artifact was a teardrop-shaped item left behind after burning Zhao Yan¡¯s corpse. Called the Heavenly Star Tear, it was a top-grade artifact that could be refined into the body, and with just a thought, it would generate a protective divine light.


    Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit of fear in hindsight. If he hadn¡¯t caught Zhao Yan at the exact moment his spiritual power was exhausted, the ebony sword might not have been able to kill him in one strike.


    There were also a few spiritual pills, over a dozen spirit talismans with various functions, all of which Qin Sang had carefully stowed away.


    Buying a geomantic map was certainly within his means.


    But Yu Lian waved his hand dismissively. "Youniang is my junior. You helped her without expecting anything in return and cured Sng¡¯s illness. How could I ask for your spirit stones? Consider this geomantic map a gift from me on Youniang¡¯s behalf."


    "I¡¯ll gratefully ept your kindness, Senior."


    Ten dayster.


    Qin Sang received the geomantic map and bid farewell to Li Youniang and Yu Lian. He mounted the Sky Shuttle, soared into the white clouds, and headed due south toward the Yuncang Marsnds.


    Shaohua Mountain¡¯s sect entrancey on the edge of the Yuncang Marsnds, at the southernmost tip of the Small Cold Domain.


    Compared to Nine-Peak Mountain, there was far less conflict in this area. Though it was safer, the path to immortality was also far more uncertain. Many wandering cultivators didn¡¯t even dare to hope for the Foundation Building Realm. Some cursed the heavens, while others, like Li Youniang, lived as ordinary mortals. Still, others abandoned their pursuit of immortal cultivation entirely, choosing instead to indulge in a life of debauchery.


    Qin Sang, however, had never given up. He would fight for his chance.


    His journey to Shaohua Mountain was an attempt to test his luck, to see if the sword will decree of the Song Family''s ancestor still remained.


    In truth, Qin Sang wasn¡¯t very confident. He had no idea what his chances were. Song Hua was an immortal cultivator, but his sister, Song Ying, had no spiritual root and was merely a mortal. ?


    He had already been in this world for eleven years.


    Eleven years might pass in the blink of an eye for an immortal cultivator, but for mortals, it was an entire decade of worldly change.


    Song Hua had died on the banks of the Chenshui River and had not returned for eleven years.


    At that time, Song Ying was just a ten-year-old girl. How had she managed to survive alone in an immortal cultivation market for eleven years? Could she have kept their family business going?


    Or worse¡ªperhaps she had already perished.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Still, Qin Sang decided to make the trip. It would be great if he could join Shaohua Mountain, but if not, settling down in a market near Shaohua Mountain would also make it easier to find malevolent yin qi and connect with higher-level cultivators.


    The Soul Pill he had saved from the Kuiyin Sect would only support him up to the ninth stage. While returning to the Kuiyin Sect was out of the question, that was not the only ce where malevolent yin qi could be found.


    With malevolent yin qi, he wouldn¡¯t need to worry about his cultivation. As for obtaining a Foundation Building Pill, he could think of a way over time.


    ¡­


    Shaohua Mountain. Wenyue Market.


    Qin Sang stood outside the market, filled with emotion. This was the third immortal cultivation market he had found.


    It had now been two years since he set off from Nine-Peak Mountain. A month ago, he had arrived at the borders of the Yuncang Marsnds and had been awestruck by the vast, boundless wends. It was then that he located Shaohua Mountain¡¯s sect entrance.


    Shaohua Mountainy on the edge of the Yuncang Marsnds, its sect entrance marked by dozens of sword-like peaks, exuding an air of sharpness reminiscent of sword cultivators.


    As Qin Sang traveled, he continued to cultivate. His cultivation had now reached thete eighth stage, but he was stuck at the bottleneck before the ninth stage, unable to break through no matter how anxious he was.


    However, with only a few Soul Pills remaining, Qin Sang had to make preparations soon.


    There were four well-known immortal cultivation markets near Shaohua Mountain, each of considerable size. Qin Sang had searched them one by one, starting with the closest, but had not yet found the Song Family. Wenyue Market was the third one.


    By now, Qin Sang was well acquainted with the rules of these markets. Immortal cultivators only needed to pay some spirit stones to stay in the market for extended periods, and they could even purchase property in the immortal cultivation markets.


    Ordinary residences where mortals lived could easily be afforded by immortal cultivators, and with Shaohua Mountain¡¯s backing, safety and credibility were guaranteed.


    However, in the immortal cultivation markets, houses rich in spiritual power and conducive to cultivation were extremely expensive. Though Qin Sang had ample savings, he would have to spend nearly everything to barely afford one.


    Blending inconspicuously into the crowd, Qin Sang began his inquiries in Wenyue Market, following the usual process.


    Before long, he emerged from a shop, a hint of delight on his face¡ªhe had finally found what seemed to be the Song Family''s residence.


    Shaohua Mountain had strict rules: immortal cultivators were forbidden from showing off or humiliating mortals in the market. Though Qin Sang was eager, he could only walk slowly through the crowd, making his way from the market entrance to its deepest part.


    Compared to the bustling outer sections, this area was much quieter. Large, spacious courtyards, brimming with spiritual qi, indicated that this was an ideal ce for a cave dwelling. Clearly, only immortal cultivators or their descendants lived in this area.


    Even the shops along the street were serene.


    Qin Sang stopped in front of arge mansion and saw the que above the gate bearing the name "Li Residence." He couldn¡¯t help but frown.


    Turning his head, he noticed what appeared to be a refining shop across the street. His heart stirred, and he walked over.

 Chapter 101: Song Ying

    "Sir, this artifact... I truly cannot repair it. I''m powerless in this matter."


    Qin Sang was sitting in the shop, sipping tea. He had waited for quite some time before the shopkeeper finally emerged from the back, holding the Chi Dragon Sword in his hand, looking utterly helpless. His eyes still lingered on the sword, filled with reluctance.


    Qin Sang wasn¡¯t surprised by this oue.


    During this period, he had consulted several artifact forgers, including one whose ancestors had once been part of the prominent Xuling Sect. Yet without exception, the result had been the same.


    "Do you know where I can find a master capable of repairing the Chi Dragon Sword?" Qin Sang asked.


    The ebony sword took too long to prepare, so it could only serve as ast resort. For daily self-defense, he needed an artifact that was easier to wield. Though the Emerald Wave Sword could be used, it paled inparison to the Chi Dragon Sword.


    As Qin Sang searched for the Song Family in the immortal cultivation market, he had also been trying to find someone who could repair the Chi Dragon Sword. Unexpectedly, every response he received was that it couldn''t be done, which left him puzzled.


    The shopkeeper shook his head. "Sir, to be frank, the crafting technique of your Chi Dragon Sword is extremely unique. The barriers on it are enigmatic, not something an ordinary person can decipher. Whoever forged this sword must have been a true expert. I¡¯ve tried everything, but I can¡¯t even figure out the material it¡¯s made of. Unless you can find a Foundation Building expert who specializes in both barriers and artifact forging, there¡¯s no chance of repairing it. But the cost..."


    Qin Sang understood. Even if he found such a master, the cost to repair the Chi Dragon Sword would likely beparable to purchasing a brand-new top-grade artifact."Thank you for your efforts."


    Qin Sang reached out and took back the Chi Dragon Sword. However, the shopkeeper, still reluctant, bit his lip and said, "To be honest, if this artifact isn¡¯t repaired, it willpletely break and be ruined after just two more uses. It¡¯s truly a pity. If you''re willing, I¡¯m prepared to offer the price of a high-grade artifact to buy it from you. What do you think?"


    Without much hesitation, Qin Sang shook his head and declined.


    Several artifact forgers had expressed interest in purchasing the Chi Dragon Sword, and this shopkeeper had shown the most sincerity. However, Qin Sang didn¡¯tck spirit stones, and he didn¡¯t want the Chi Dragon Sword to fall into someone else¡¯s hands.


    Noticing the shopkeeper¡¯s eyes still glued to the sword, Qin Sang, wanting to befriend him, handed the sword back for him to examine further. The two of them sat down, enjoying tea and chatting amicably.


    ncing at the Li Residence across the street, Qin Sang casually brought it up. "Daoist Wu, I recall that when I came to Wenyue Market a few years ago, the house across the street was still the Song Residence. How did it be the Li Residence? Did they sell their ancestral home?"


    "At least eight years ago, I¡¯d say. You¡¯ve got a good memory."


    The shopkeeper looked up, cast a nce at the Li Residence, and replied with disdain, "Nothing surprising. It¡¯s just another case of someone seizing the property of an orphaned family. Mortals do it, and so do cultivators."


    Seeing that Qin Sang was interested, the shopkeeper borated.


    "The Song Family was once quite prosperous, but they had few descendants, and gradually fell into decline. Even so, just this ancestral home alone made them far better off than most wandering cultivators. I was familiar with the previous head of the family, but family matters areplicated, and no matter how much I disapproved, I couldn¡¯t interfere.


    The Song couple died young, leaving behind a son and a daughter. The boy was named Song Hua¡ªhe had decent talent and broke through to the fourth stage of the Qi Refining Realm when he was just a teenager. The girl, Song Ying, had no spiritual root and was a mortal.


    As they say, life is unpredictable. Over ten years ago, Song Hua went traveling alone, but never returned. The poor girl was left behind, a mere mortal, guarding such a valuable house¡ªit didn¡¯t take long before others started coveting it.


    When a cultivator was away for more than five years without any news, it''s usually safe to assume they wouldn''t return.


    The children¡¯s aunt, originally from the Song Family but married into the Li Family, used her seniority to take Song Ying in, supposedly to care for her. I heard that things were fine at first, but eventually, the aunt¡¯s true colors showed. When Song Ying was only fifteen, she was forced to marry a sickly man. From that point on, the Song Residence became the Li Residence. I heard the man she marriedter died of illness, and Song Ying was kicked out by her inws. I doubt she''s faring well now."


    ¡­


    Qin Sang left the shop and went to the manager of Wenyue Market to pay a sum of spirit stones, renting a small residence. He spent his time cultivating and gathering information.


    Wenyue Market wasrge, but finding a mortal wasn¡¯t difficult.


    In just a few days, Qin Sang had located Song Ying and uncovered her life story. There were no reports of anyone from the Li Family suddenly joining Shaohua Mountain. ?


    Six months after Song Hua¡¯s disappearance, their aunt had taken Song Ying into the Li Family¡¯s care. For the first few years, they treated her reasonably well. However, after five years of no news from Song Hua, the Li Family ran out of patience.


    At that time, the Li Family had ties with another family whose son had contracted a strange illness that even immortal cultivators couldn¡¯t cure. The two families came up with a n to marry Song Ying to the sick man in hopes of warding off bad luck.


    On the third day of the marriage, Song Ying¡¯s husband died, and she was subsequently kicked out by her inws, used of being a curse that brought death to her husband.


    As a mortal woman, weak and burdened with such a vicious reputation, life in Wenyue Market wasn¡¯t easy for Song Ying.


    Her brother, Song Hua, had been a handsome man, and Song Ying was also exceptionally beautiful. Fearing that others might covet her for her looks, she chose to embrace the rumors and always wore a ck veil in public, dressed in coarse and simple clothing, working whatever jobs a mortal could do to survive.


    ¡­


    "Grandmother, I¡¯m leaving now."


    Song Ying gently closed the shop door.


    A coughing sound came from inside, followed by a frail voice, "Be careful on your way."


    Song Ying responded with a soft "Ah," checked her veil, tightened her sleeves, then nced down at her feet as she walked down the street. She quietly purchased some food and wine from a nearby shop before slowly making her way back home, sticking to the shadows of the walls.


    The Li Family hadn¡¯tpletely cut her off¡ªthey left her a small courtyard as a token ofpensation.


    Song Ying cautiously nced behind her as she pushed open the gate to her courtyard, closing it tightly after entering.


    "Miss, you¡¯re back."


    An elderly man with a weathered face opened the door. Leaning heavily on his cane, he walked with a trembling gait.


    Song Ying quickly rushed over to support him. "Uncle Zhou, the weather¡¯s getting cold. I bought some wine to warm you up."


    The old man tightly gripped Song Ying¡¯s hand, his eyes welling with tears as he choked. "I am so worthless, letting you suffer so much... and yet you still think of me... In the future, I won¡¯t have the face to meet the master and the young master..."


    Song Yingforted him with a few words before entering the house. She removed her veil, revealing her delicate features, and gazed at the empty house, her expression sorrowful.


    "Brother, where are you..."


    ¡­


    Qin Sang stood at the street corner, his gaze fixed on Song Ying¡¯s small courtyard, lost in thought.


    The Song Family''s ancestor had sealed the sword will decree in the ancestral tomb, and it would not be easy to retrieve it. It might even require someone with Song Family''s blood.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The best course of action would be to help Song Ying reim her ancestral home and vent her grievances.


    However, the Li Family wasn¡¯t easy to deal with. They were fairly well-known in Wenyue Market, and their family had two cultivators at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Qin Sang was not strong enough to confront the Li Family directly.


    A carefree young man walked by, whistling. His breath reeked of alcohol, and his lecherous eyes were fixed on Song Ying¡¯s courtyard. At first nce, he seemed like amon rogue, but surprisingly, he was also an immortal cultivator, albeit only at the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

 Chapter 102: Leaving the Market

    <em>Bang! Bang!</em>


    Suddenly, there was a knock on the courtyard door, startling both master and servant who were in the middle of their meal.


    Uncle Zhou furiously jumped to his feet. "That scoundrel is here again! I¡¯m going to fight him!"


    Song Ying quickly pulled him back. "Don¡¯t be angry, Uncle Zhou. Let him say whatever he wants. In the market, he wouldn¡¯t dare actuallyy a hand on us mortals. You just need to keep the gong ready. If he tries anything, he¡¯ll get into big trouble."


    Uncle Zhou clenched his fists in frustration. "But, Miss, your whole life is being ruined by this!"


    Song Ying adjusted her veil. She knew that the veil couldn¡¯t hide her from the eyes of an immortal cultivator. She had always been careful, never wandering about unnecessarily. Yet, despite her precautions, an immortal cultivator had caught sight of her true face, and since then, he had been relentlessly pestering her.


    Fortunately, the rules of Shaohua Mountain were strict, and Song Ying''s background wasn''t ordinary. The man dared not cross the line.


    Still, Song Ying knew that this couldn¡¯tst forever. The divide between mortals and immortals was vast. Even if his cultivation level was low, the man had countless ways to deal with a mere mortal like her. So, she endured his harassment, never daring to provoke him.


    <em>Creak.</em>Song Ying opened the main door, only to be surprised by what she saw: the man was standing at the door with a serious expression.


    Though he still reeked of alcohol, his gaze no longer had the lecherous glint it once did, and he refrained from saying anything inappropriate. Instead, he bowed deeply and spoke with utmost respect, "Miss Song, I was blind and ignorant before. Please forgive me and give me a chance to make amends. I swear I will never appear before you again. If I break this vow, may the heavens strike me down with lightning!"


    Song Ying was utterly stunned, unable to understand why this scoundrel had suddenly changed his attitude.


    After making his solemn vow, the man turned to the side, nodding and bowing, nervously offering a fawning smile. "Senior, does this satisfy you?"


    Qin Sang stepped out from the shadows, his voice cold. "Get lost. If I see you again, I¡¯ll skin you alive!"


    "Yes, yes! I¡¯m leaving right now!"


    The young man scrambled away, not daring to look back.


    Qin Sang turned to the still bewildered Song Ying, his tone much softer. "Youngdy, you must be Song Ying, correct?"


    Clutching the door ring tightly, Song Ying replied, "Immortal, I am Song Ying. Thank you for driving away that vile person. I am deeply grateful."


    However, instead of feeling relieved, she grew even more fearful.


    If this man could scare away that rogue so easily, she would have no way to resist him if he had any ill intentions.


    Noticing Song Ying¡¯s fingers turning pale from how tightly she was gripping the door ring, Qin Sang smiled and said, "Miss Song, there¡¯s no need to be afraid. I mean you no harm. Your brother, Song Hua, saved my life, and I¡¯vee here specifically to find you." ????


    "Song Hua? My brother!"


    Song Ying gasped, even forgetting her fear. She took a step forward, her face filled with urgency. "Immortal, is my brother still alive? Where is he now?"


    Qin Sang nced around and suggested, "Miss Song, perhaps we should continue this conversation inside."


    ¡­


    The three of them sat facing each other.


    Seeing the elder and the younger in front of him embracing and weeping bitterly, Qin Sang sighed inwardly. He hadn''t hidden much, as he didn''t know much about Song Hua either.


    Qin Sang ced a colorful pouch on the table. "This is Song Hua¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch. Back then, I was fortunate to be saved by him and escaped from danger. I swore that if I ever had the chance, I would return this to the Song Family. There were originally eight spirit stones inside, but since you cannot open the pouch, I''ll give you the spirit stones separately, and I can help retrieve the items inside for you."


    Qin Sang then took out twenty spirit stones and ced them on the table.


    In truth, Song Hua''s Mustard Seed Pouch was more advanced than those issued by Kuiyin Sect and Yuanzhao Sect, with arger space. However, Qin Sang didn¡¯t feel reluctant to return it.


    The <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> was already etched into his memory, and along with the <em>Profound Yin Book</em> and the Song n Genealogy, these were returned to their rightful owners.


    What surprised Qin Sang was how quickly Song Ying managed to suppress her grief after her sobbing. She calmed down, staring nkly at the items on the table for a while. Then, she suddenly said to Uncle Zhou, "Uncle Zhou, it¡¯s gettingte. Let me help you to rest first."


    Watching her retreating figure, Qin Sang was a bit taken aback. After a moment of contemtion, he chuckled to himself.


    "Immortal."


    Song Ying returned and sat down in front of Qin Sang, her eyes shining as she looked at him. "Immortal, I wonder if you¡¯ve seen our Song Family Genealogy. Our ancestor was once a disciple of Shaohua Mountain and, for meritorious service, was granted a sword will decree when he left. Shaohua Mountain has a rule: any descendant of the Song Family who holds the sword will decree may enter Shaohua Mountain directly. The decree is currently sealed in my ancestor''s tomb."


    "You know about the sword will decree?"


    Qin Sang asked, "Why are you telling me this?"


    Song Ying nodded. "Before my brother left in a hurry, he managed to leave me a letter. The letter mentioned this secret and told me to remember it. I¡¯ve been waiting for my brother¡¯s return, but now¡­ I am just a mortal, and keeping this secret means nothing anymore. I wonder if you would be willing to take the sword will decree. If so, I will retrieve it for you."


    This was precisely what Qin Sang hade for. Hearing Song Ying¡¯s words, he realized she was exceptionally intelligent and saw no need to feign politeness. He asked directly, "What do you want in return?"


    Song Ying seemed to have thought this through long ago and decisively replied, "I only have two requests. First, please take us away from Wenyue Market, to settle us in a mortal kingdom where we can live peacefully. Second, if I have a child in the future who possesses spiritual roots, please take them as a disciple. We can establish a contract with the manager of Wenyue Market as a witness."


    These two requests took Qin Sang by surprise.


    He had originally thought that Song Ying would ask him to help reim the ancestral home. He had even been thinking about how to persuade her or promise that he would deal with the Li Family once he had enough power.


    He never expected her to want to leave Wenyue Market altogether. Once a mortal left, there was noing back.


    Song Ying smiled bitterly. "Even if you help me reim the ancestral home, what would that aplish? For us mortals, possessing such valuable things only brings disaster. Could we really hold onto it? I¡¯ve long understood that in the eyes of immortal cultivators, mortals are no different from pigs. But if I possess martial skills in the mortal world, I can at least protect myself and avoid being bullied."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Some seeked immortality in vain, while others feared it as if it were a deadly tiger.


    Qin Sang sighed deeply and said earnestly, "These two things are not difficult. If your child has a good aptitude and I am fortunate enough to break through to the Foundation Building Realm, I will take them as my disciple. Introducing them to Shaohua Mountain will not be a problem either."


    ¡­


    Three dayster.


    Qin Sang led Song Ying and herpanions to find the manager of Wenyue Market.


    Among them was a young man who had privately pledged his life to Song Ying. He had a good character and didn¡¯t care about Song Ying¡¯s past.


    Previously, the two had only dared to express their feelings in secret, afraid of provoking the immortal cultivator. Now, they could finally be together openly, and the young man was willing to apany Song Ying back to the mortal world.


    Under the manager¡¯s witness, the two set their contract, though the matter of the sword will decree was, of course, left unmentioned.

 Chapter 103: Clouds in the Green Mountains, Water in the Sky

    The four descended the mountain and arrived at the capital of a prosperous and powerful kingdom below.


    Qin Sang took out all the gold and silver from his Mustard Seed Pouch and handed it to Song Ying. With just this wealth, she could easily be one of the richest people in the region. After everything was settled, Song Ying followed Qin Sang back to Wenyue Market, where they stood before the ancestral tomb of the Song Family.


    To retrieve the sword will decree, it not only required the Song Family''s bloodline but also a unique spiritual talisman.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Qin Sang took the talisman Song Ying handed him, drew a drop of her blood, and infused it with his spiritual power. The talisman floated up automatically and merged into the tomb of the Song Family''s ancestor.


    Momentster, the tomb split open, and a green light shot into the sky.


    Qin Sang reached out and grasped the green light in his palm, discovering it was a small sword talisman.


    <em>Is this the sword will decree of Shaohua Mountain?</em>


    Qin Sang wondered, probing it cautiously with his spiritual consciousness. The sword talisman trembled slightly, bursting forth with a sharp, overwhelming aura. Qin Sang''s face paled, and he dared not probe further. Holding the sword talisman, he turned to Song Ying and said, "Miss Song, may I trouble you to apany me to Shaohua Mountain once more?"


    Qin Sang summoned the Sky Shuttle, and together with Song Ying, they flew toward Shaohua Mountain''s entrance.Previously, he had only observed it from afar, but now that they had arrived at the mountain gate, he saw that Shaohua Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist, its array sealing the area.


    Unwilling to recklessly barge into the array, Qin Sangnded with Song Ying at the edge of the array and inserted the sword talisman into it, quietly waiting.


    Before long, a light streak shot out from the formation, pausing mid-air before heading straight toward them. In an instant, the figure of an elderly man with white hair appeared.


    A Foundation Building Realm cultivator!


    Qin Sang''s heart tensed, and his expression grew more respectful.


    The white-haired elder gazed at them, his eyes finally resting on Qin Sang as he asked, "Was it you who sent in the sword will decree just now?"


    Qin Sang respectfully bowed and replied, "Yes, Senior. It was me."


    The elder nodded. "Are you both descendants of the Song Family?"


    "My name is Qin Sang; I am not a descendant of the Song Family," Qin Sang raised his hand and gestured toward Song Ying beside him, "This youngdy is Song Ying, of the Song Family''s bloodline."


    The elder frowned slightly and addressed Song Ying, "Raise your hand."


    After verifying Song Ying''s blood and the sword will decree, the elder''s voice suddenly turned stern. "Miss Song, what is your rtionship with him? Why are you allowing an outsider to use the sword will decree? Did he force you into this?"


    Qin Sang was taken aback and was about to speak, but the elder shot him a cold nce. The intense killing intent in the elder''s eyes made Qin Sang break out in a cold sweat. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.


    Song Ying respectfully bowed and said in a calm tone, "Immortal, Brother Qin did not force me. In fact, he helped me at Wenyue Market, rescuing me from a difficult situation. Now, I am the only descendant of the Song Family left, and I willingly give the sword will decree to Brother Qin."


    Qin Sang let out a silent sigh of relief.


    The elder, however, still seemed unconvinced. He spoke earnestly, "You need not fear or worry about anyone threatening you. Now that you are at the mountain gate, if you have any grievances, you can speak to me, and Shaohua Mountain will ensure justice is served."


    Song Ying shook her head firmly. "Immortal, everything I said earlier is true. I am willingly giving the sword will decree to Brother Qin."


    Only then did the elder¡¯s expression soften. "Since you are giving the sword will decree of your own free will, you may not regret this decision in the future. Do you understand?"


    Song Ying acknowledged, and the elder gently raised his hand, conjuring a cloud in his palm that transformed into an azure Luan[1]. "Ride this. It will take you down the mountain."


    Qin Sang cupped his hands in farewell. "Miss Song, until we meet again."


    After sending off Song Ying, the two entered the array.


    Once inside, the scenery changed dramatically. Before them stood a strange mountain peak, cleaved in half by a single sword, forming a narrow passage between towering cliffs. Both sides of the slope were covered with peach trees, their blossoms in full bloom, making the entire mountain look as if it had been draped in a red carpet. Peach petals fluttered through the air like butterflies, their fragrance filling the surroundings, creating a breathtaking view. ?§Ñ?§°?¨¨??


    Qin Sang followed the white-haired elder, passing through the cleft in the mountain. He saw several young women ying among the peach trees, theirughter ringing out freely.


    <em>They will be my senior and junior sisters in the future.</em> Qin Sang thought to himself.


    Noticing their light, the girls quickly restrained theirughter and curiously sized up Qin Sang before greeting the elder in sweet voices, "Greetings, Senior Uncle Wen."


    The elder smiled kindly, a much warmer demeanor than he had shown Qin Sang.


    Once they passed through the mountain, the view opened up before them.


    Clear skies and white clouds stretched over vast waters, dozens of sword-like peaks scattered across the horizon. Below, tranquil waters reflected the heavens, while flocks of celestial cranes soared through the air, and numerous koi fish leaped from the water. asionally, cultivators could be seen flying on magical artifacts, exchanging greetings as they passed.


    As Qin Sang beheld the grand scene of Shaohua Mountain¡¯s gate, a verse from his previous life came to mind, perfectly capturing the beauty before him.


    "When asked of Peni, I reply: clouds cling to the mountains, and waters meet the sky.[2]"


    ¡­


    The twonded on Shaohua Mountain¡¯srgest, yet most unremarkable peak, and entered a wooden hall. Inside, Senior Uncle Wen examined Qin Sang¡¯s spiritual roots and was somewhat surprised. "You have five-elemental spiritual roots? For your age, your current cultivation isn¡¯t bad, but the chances of you breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm in the future are extremely slim. Are you sure you want to waste this sword will decree?"


    Qin Sang was stunned. "Can I pass it on to my descendants?"


    Senior Uncle Wen nced at him. "There¡¯s precedent for that. I can rece the Song Family ancestor¡¯s blood and essence with yours. In the future, if one of your descendants has outstanding talent, they can use the sword will decree to join Shaohua Mountain."


    Qin Sang took a deep breath and firmly replied, "Thank you, Senior Uncle Wen, but there¡¯s no need. I am solely devoted to the immortal path, unwavering in my pursuit!"


    Seeing Qin Sang''s resolve, Senior Uncle Wen no longer tried to dissuade him. He extracted Qin Sang¡¯s blood and essence and crafted it into a waist token, then summoned a disciple to arrange Qin Sang¡¯s formal entry into the sect.


    The entry procedures were quite simr to those at Yuanzhao Sect. The senior brother in charge of his induction was surnamed Zhuang, and although only a year older than Qin Sang, his cultivation had already reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. He mentioned that he had already received the Foundation Building Pill and was preparing to attempt the breakthrough to the Foundation Building stage.


    Shaohua Mountain had a special rule: any disciple who reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm before the age of forty could receive a Foundation Building Pill for free.


    This was an unexpected delight for Qin Sang, but he also knew that, given his talent, a single Foundation Building Pill wouldn¡¯t be enough for him to reach Foundation Building at the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm.


    He needed to continue cultivating, pushing his cultivation to the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, where his chances of breaking through would be greater.


    "Junior Brother Qin, this mountain is called Dao Peak. Its name signifies that upon entering the sect, youmit yourself to the immortal path.[3] Be sure not to let the mundane world distract you and hinder your cultivation."


    Qin Sang nodded in agreement as Senior Brother Zhuang exined further. Dao Peak, along with the surrounding mountains, served as the training grounds for Shaohua Mountain¡¯s entry-level disciples. Senior uncles and senior brothers often imparted their teachings on Dao Peak.


    "Do you see ahead?"


    Qin Sang flew on the flying sword issued by Shaohua Mountain, following Senior Brother Zhuang off Dao Peak. Senior Brother Zhuang pointed to the peach blossom-covered mountain in front of them with a hint of admiration in his expression. "That¡¯s Sword Pass, cleaved by a single sword strike from an elder in the past."


    1. Luan, also known as Luanniao, is a mythological bird in East Asian mythology. ?


    2. This is a part derived from a Chinese poem. The general meaning of this is to express the unchanging essence of nature. ?


    3. The "Dao" in Dao Peak refers to "path". ?

 Chapter 104: The Year the Peach Blossoms Bloomed

    "That senior''s Dharma name was Qingzhu. His story is quite simr to yours, Junior Brother Qin. Originally a rogue cultivator, heter joined Shaohua Mountain."


    "After Qingzhu achieved Foundation Building, he seeded in forming his core in just forty years¡ªa record that remained unbroken in the sect. However, he became half-mad and was ced under house arrest by the sect."


    "It was said that Qingzhu, enraged for the sake of a beauty, cleaved this mountain with a single sword strike and broke through the array, leaving behind the Sword Pass. There must be a fascinating story behind this, but unfortunately, it remained a mere legend, with no concrete details known."


    "Interestingly, after Qingzhu left, the spiritual herbs and flowers on the mountain were all damaged by the sword qi and withered away, leaving a deste scene. Only the Red Jade Peach Tree remained unaffected and even thrived with increased vitality."


    "That year was precisely during winter when the peach blossoms were in full bloom, surviving the winter, and it took three years for the fruit to mature."


    "Since then, although the Red Jade Peach is an ordinary fruit, its sweetness surpasses that of other spiritual fruits. Every time it ripens, many senior uncles leave their seclusion to harvest and taste it."


    Standing on a spirit artifact, Senior Brother Zhuang gazed at the Sword Pass, immersed in the legend of Qingzhu with a sense of reverence.


    Qin Sang, however, envied Qingzhu¡¯s talent even more. Achieving Core Formation in just forty years was astonishing. Even those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, who didn¡¯t face the bottleneck of the Core Formation Realm, required meticulous preparation and several years of seclusion, without daring to be careless.


    It was unexpected that Senior Brother Zhuang, who seemed soposed, had such a romantic side. Qin Sang inquired, "Is Senior Qingzhu still in the sect?"Senior Brother Zhuang shook his head, regretfully replying, "After Senior Qingzhu cleaved the mountain and left, he never returned. The senior uncles and grandmasters have kept his whereabouts a closely guarded secret. There are rumors that he was seen on the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, but it has never been confirmed. It has been many years without any news of him. If he failed to reach the Spiritual Infant Realm, he is likely¡­"


    Qin Sang fell silent. The path of immortal cultivation was indeed one where sess came at great cost.


    With Qingzhu¡¯s talent, all that remained now was the legend of the Sword Pass. If Qin Sang were to fall, would anyone remember him?


    "This is Treasure Tower Peak."


    Senior Brother Zhuang turned to point at a distant peak.


    The mountain was quite unique, with a massive stone tower atop it. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the tower had been carved directly into the summit, with several smaller towers scattered around the mountainside.


    ording to Senior Brother Zhuang, Treasure Tower Peak was where Shaohua Mountain stored its arts, spells, and various cultivation texts. Qin Sang made a mental note to visit Treasure Tower Peak when he had the chance.


    Perhaps he could find information about the mysterious orchid he had encountered.


    "Disciples in the Qi Refining Realm can use their waist tokens to ess the first level of Treasure Tower Peak for research, though they must pay in spirit stones. There are additional fees if you wish to take anything out of the peak. Likewise, listening to teachings from senior brothers and senior uncles at Dao Peak also requires spirit stones. However, you need not worry, Junior Brother Qin. Once you take on menial tasks within the sect, you will receive a monthly stipend that should cover your cultivation expenses. This is one of the benefits of being a sect disciple. You should understand the hardships of being a rogue cultivator better than I do."


    Qin Sang then asked about the various menial tasks avable at Shaohua Mountain. He had already experienced the difficulties at Yuanzhao Sect and was determined to avoid roles with excessive trivial tasks.


    Without Yu Hua¡¯s support, he couldn¡¯t afford to waste spirit stones on setting up spirit-gathering arrays.


    After taking Zhao Yan¡¯s Mustard Seed Pouch, he had umted a modest amount of wealth. Setting aside a portion of middle-grade spirit stones for emergencies, he believed it would be manageable to support his cultivation with the remaining resources. He nned to choose a lighter menial task and focus on diligent cultivation.


    Senior Brother Zhuang advised Qin Sang not to rush but instead to familiarize himself with Shaohua Mountain. The two flew on their swords from Dao Peak, with Senior Brother Zhuang introducing Qin Sang to each peak along the way.


    At Shaohua Mountain, disciples in the Qi Refining Realm were restricted to the area around Dao Peak. The inner peaks were essentially off-limits and should not be trespassed.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "This is Jingyue Peak. Fairy[1] Chenyan is in seclusion here."


    Following Senior Brother Zhuang¡¯s direction, Qin Sang saw a modest, low mountain that seemed inconspicuous among the peaks. However, it was surrounded by lush forests, bamboo groves, and clear springs, exuding a unique spiritual charm. ??¦­¨°?§§S?


    Throughout the journey, Senior Brother Zhuang had mentioned Fairy Chenyan repeatedly, to the point where Qin Sang felt his ears were about to develop calluses.


    In Senior Brother Zhuang¡¯s descriptions, Fairy Chenyan was a peerless beauty with an ethereal aura, almost to the point of saying she was a celestial maiden descended to the mortal realm.


    Qin Sang asked if Senior Brother Zhuang had ever seen her in person. To his surprise, Senior Brother Zhuang had only seen a portrait but was infatuated to such an extent, leaving Qin Sang speechless.


    <em>Where is the senior brother who previously reminded him to dedicate his life to the path of immortality and forget the mundane world?</em>


    Fairy Chenyan¡¯s talent was even more enviable than her appearance. It was said she possessed a Heavenly Spiritual Root and had reached thete stage of Core Formation Realm. She had been in seclusion on Jingyue Peak for over twenty years, striving to break through to the Spiritual Infant Realm.


    <em>Hundreds of years old, perhaps?</em>


    Qin Sang thought to himself.


    After wandering around for a while, they finally gazed up at Shaohua Mountain from below. The name of Shaohua Mountain was derived from this very mountain, and it was here that the sect¡¯s only Spiritual Infant grandmaster, Dong Yangbo cave dwelling, was located.


    Upon returning to Dao Peak, Senior Brother Zhuang led Qin Sang to a nearby mountain and settled him into a dormitory. He then said, "If Junior Brother Qin has no other matters,e with me to select a menial task."


    The two flew back to Dao Peak. Along the way, they encountered several senior brothers and sisters who were hurrying along. Qin Sang learned that a senior uncle proficient in spells was going to give a teaching session that evening.


    As they were talking, a gust of wind suddenly swept from behind. Qin Sang quickly dodged, and a swift streak of light shed past him.


    Qin Sang frowned slightly but said nothing. He then saw the streak of light return, revealing a young man with a square face riding an artifact. The young man looked at them, smiling as he said, "Ah, it¡¯s Junior Brother Zhuang. This junior brother here is unfamiliar to me. May I ask for your name?"


    "This is Senior Brother Sun De."


    "Senior Brother Sun, this is Junior Brother Qin Sang, who has just joined the sect and carries the sword will decree. Senior Uncle Wen asked me to guide him. It¡¯s normal that you haven¡¯t met before."


    Sun De¡¯s eyes lit up with understanding. "I was wondering why someone would join the sect at this time. Junior Brother Qin, I was also hurrying to Dao Peak to listen to the senior uncle¡¯s teachings and nearly bumped into you. Please don¡¯t take offense."


    With that, he offered an apologetic gesture.


    Seeing this, Qin Sang naturally harbored no resentment and returned the gesture. "Senior Brother Sun, you¡¯re too kind."


    Sun De¡¯s eyes shifted, and he asked with a smile, "Since Junior Brother Qin has just joined, have you chosen a menial task yet?"


    Qin Sang shook his head.


    Zhuang Yan said, "I¡¯m about to take Junior Brother Qin to Dao Peak to select one."


    "Junior Brother Qin, don¡¯t be fooled by Junior Brother Zhuang. If you don¡¯tck spirit stones, definitely avoid those notoriously troublesome tasks, or you¡¯ll regret itter!"


    Sun Deughed heartily, ignoring Zhuang Yan¡¯s protests and leaving with a wave.


    1. The term "fairy" is used to refer to female immortals who are extremely beautiful. ?

 Chapter 105: The Sunken Cave

    After Sun De had left, Qin Sang looked at Zhuang Yan with suspicion and asked, "Senior Brother Zhuang, what exactly are the notoriously troublesome tasks that Senior Brother Sun mentioned?"


    Zhuang Yan sighed lightly and shook his head. "Junior Brother Qin, the menial tasks within our sect are indeed varied¡ªsome are tedious while others are rtively light, but they are generally fair. Heavier taskse with higher monthly stipends, and some might even offer unexpected opportunities. However, they do take up time that could be spent on cultivation, which is why many senior brothers and sisters prefer not to choose them. But these tasks need to be done, and as a senior brother, I have been struggling with this issue. I¡¯ve had to assign them to newly admitted junior brothers and sisters, which has led to quite a bit of criticism. Since we get along well, I¡¯ll give you a list. You can choose whichever task you want. Once you pick one, there¡¯s no backing out¡ªyou¡¯ll need to fulfill it for five years, unless you advance to Foundation Building. How does that sound?"


    Qin Sang knew that Zhuang Yan¡¯s willingness to amodate him to this extent was already a sign of consideration. Persisting would be ungrateful, so he gratefully responded, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhuang."


    As they walked and talked, Qin Sang learned that the sect''s duties extended beyond the sect itself, reaching far into other areas.


    For example, the several major markets around the mountain gate had Shaohua Mountain''s cultivators stationed there to keep the unruly wandering cultivators in check. These duties were highly lucrative, and Zhuang Yan made it clear to Qin Sang that such positions were unlikely to be avable to him unless he could gain favor with a senior uncle.


    There were also numerous mortal kingdoms under Shaohua Mountain''s jurisdiction, some governed by immortal cultivation families allied with Shaohua Mountain, while others required Shaohua Mountain to send representatives to oversee them.


    The primary goal was to prevent wandering cultivators from causing chaos and to stop demons and evil cultivators from wreaking havoc. Interference in the mortal realm was strictly prohibited, and any manifestation in the human world would be harshly punished.


    After careful consideration, Qin Sang decided to opt for a task outside the mountain gate.


    While searching for the Song Family in the major markets, he also kept an eye out for any signs of malevolent yin qi and noted several remote locations that he hadn¡¯t yet had the chance to investigate.With a Soul Pill, his cultivation speed would notg behind others, and being outside might even be more convenient. The spiritual qi might not be as rich as Shaohua Mountain¡¯s, but the impact would be minimal.


    Returning to the wooden hall, Zhuang Yan handed Qin Sang a jade slip. As Qin Sang examined it with his spiritual consciousness, he immediately understood why many of the tasks were avoided.


    The first one was to be an apprentice alchemist at Nine-Cauldron Peak. The jade slip described it in glowing terms, listing numerous senior brothers and sisters who had been taken in as disciples and had be grandmasters of alchemy. However, it briefly mentioned the drawbacks¡ªone would need to guard the alchemical furnace and its ground fire for at least six hours a day.


    Qin Sang skimmed over the sect duties and turned to thetter part of the list, where he found a position for guarding the Sunken Cave.


    The description stated that the Sunken Cave was bottomless and filled with malevolent yin qi. Shaohua Mountain had set up a barrier to contain it, and disciples were required to constantly guard it. Any changes had to be reported immediately to prevent the leakage of malevolent yin qi, which could lead to cmity for living beings.


    Qin Sang was somewhat surprised.<em> For Shaohua Mountain to be so cautious, does the malevolent yin qi in the Sunken Cave surpass that of the Yin Malevolent Abyss?</em> He retracted his spiritual consciousness and asked Zhuang Yan, "Senior Brother Zhuang, are there any vacancies for the duty of guarding the Sunken Cave?"


    Zhuang Yan looked at him with a peculiar expression. "You chose this?"


    When Qin Sang nodded, Zhuang Yan pped his hands in delight and said, "Excellent! The Sunken Cave will be under your care from now on. I¡¯ll get your waist token changed immediately."


    As Qin Sang handed over his waist token, he asked with a frown, "Senior Brother Zhuang, can you tell me the truth now? Is the Sunken Cave one of those notoriously troublesome tasks?"


    Zhuang Yan seemed to shed a huge burden, his demeanor rxed as he smiled. "The Sunken Cave is indeed one of them. The cave is full of changes, and its true nature cannot be seen from outside the barrier. The cave dwelling is in the Sunken Cave, perpetually shrouded in darkness and cold. Those with unsettled hearts cannot endure it. But if you can tolerate the solitude, it is indeed one of the best tasks."


    Qin Sang nodded slightly. In his heart, he thought, among immortal cultivators, the ability to endure solitude was notcking. Zhuang Yan¡¯s words certainly contained some exaggeration.


    Nevertheless, he was in need of malevolent yin qi, and as long as it didn¡¯t pose a threat to his life, he could endure it.


    The two of them quickly settled on the duties, and Zhuang Yan then took Qin Sang to the Dharma Hall, where the senior uncle who was giving the lecture had already arrived. Since Qin Sang was new and exempt from spirit stone fees for the first month, he was allowed to join in and listen.


    Qin Sang was captivated from the moment he started listening. The senior uncle¡¯s reputation was well-deserved; his mastery of spells, especially the five-elemental spell, was exceptional. Each sentence was profoundly enlightening to Qin Sang, far surpassing Yue Wu.


    Previously, Qin Sang had many doubts, but after an hour of listening, he gained significant insights and silently marveled. Just this alone made it clear that there was noparison between rogue cultivators and sect disciples.


    He now understood why others were reluctant to go to the Sunken Cave.


    The Sunken Cave was located in a remote area and required constant guarding, which meant missing out on numerous opportunities to hear teachings from senior uncles.


    After the lecture, the disciples stood to respectfully see off the senior uncle. With a month left before his departure from Shaohua Mountain and currently being stuck at the ninth stage''s bottleneck, Qin Sang decided not to rush to the Sunken Cave and to stay a bit longer to listen more, hoping to avoid detours in the future.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Which duty did Junior Brother Qin choose?"


    As people began to disperse in small groups, Qin Sang heard Sun De¡¯s voice behind him. Turning around, he said, "Greetings, Senior Brother Sun. Senior Brother Zhuang assigned me to guard the Sunken Cave."


    Sun De said to Zhuang Yan, "You¡¯ve managed to fool another one."


    Zhuang Yan, looking pleased, replied, "You can¡¯t me me. Junior Brother Qin chose it himself."


    Sun De looked at Qin Sang in surprise. "Going to the Sunken Cave isn¡¯t too bad. It¡¯s just five years of hard work. When do you n to set out? We can travel together."


    Zhuang Yan turned to Qin Sang and exined, "Senior Brother Sun oversees the herb garden on Peak Cloud Mountain, which is not far from the Sunken Cave. If you run into trouble outside, you can ask him for help. Senior Brother Sun is known for his timely assistance here at Shaohua Mountain."


    Qin Sang showed his gratitude. "I¡¯ll rely on Senior Brother Sun¡¯s care in the future. However, I have some matters to attend to and n to stay at the sect for another month. I¡¯ll travel with Senior Brother Sun next time."


    ¡­


    The next day, Qin Sang flew alone to Treasure Tower Peak.


    As a neer, Qin Sang¡¯s status did not help him at Treasure Tower Peak. He paid the spirit stones honestly and entered the first level of Treasure Tower Peak, which housed spiritual herbs and fruits.


    An hourter, Qin Sang emerged from Treasure Tower Peak with a look of disappointment. Although he had been prepared for it, he could not help but feel let down.


    The first stage of Treasure Tower Peak was meant for Qi Refining Realm cultivators, disying onlymon herbs and fruits. Qin Sang had already studied some of these at Yuanzhao Sect, so he patiently reviewed them but found nothing like the mysterious orchid he was hoping for.


    However, the trip was not entirely wasted. At least now he could recognize various herbs and spiritual fruits when he encountered them in the future.


    As for the second stage of Treasure Tower Peak, entry required a Foundation Building cultivator¡¯s waist token, and Qin Sang only knew Senior Uncle Wen, with whom he had little acquaintance. So, he had to leave that for another time.


    Afterwards, Qin Sang stayed at Shaohua Mountain but left abruptly before the month was up.

 Chapter 106: Breaking the Barrier

    To the south of the Wuchen Kingdom, there stretched a range of deste mountains, uninhabited and forlorn.


    Unbeknownst to mortals, in the midst of these mountainsy several enormous ranges of utter destion. The peaks were devoid of any vegetation, and no birds or beasts could be seen. The stones and soil were an eerie ck, and ck smoke continuously emanated from the fissures in the ground, corroding the surrounding forests.


    A chill pervaded the area, not only affecting Qin Sang¡¯s body but also seeping into his heart.


    Qin Sang arrived by flying through the air andnded his Sky Shuttle. As he gazed at the boundless ck mountains, he mused that the name Sunken Cave was misleading¡ªit was evenrger than the Yin Malevolent Abyss!


    The entrance to the Sunken Cave resembled a crater created by a meteorite impact, with a diameter of several hundred zhang. The dark, gaping mouth faced the sky, and streams of malevolent yin qi surged against the cave¡¯s barrier, trapped inside and moving like fish. The cave¡¯s floor was shrouded in darkness, resembling an entrance to theherworld.


    Fortunately, the Sunken Cave was located deep in the mountains and forests; if it were closer to the neighboring small kingdom, the potential disaster would be unimaginable.


    Qin Sang jumped into the cave, immediately feeling a shiver. His expression changed slightly. Though he had the Yang Warming Pill and the Malevolence-Avoiding Pouch¡ªartifacts specifically designed to counter malevolent yin qi¡ªhe could still feel the chilling cold of the yin qi in the Sunken Cave.


    Descending further into the cave, Qin Sang found that it expanded into a vast abyss, rivaling the Yin Malevolent Abyss. Countless fissures lined the sides of the abyss, stretching like branches into even more distant areas, affecting all living beings within hundreds of miles.


    Finding his cave dwelling on the rock walls, Qin Sang entered and activated the barrier, which restored a bit of warmth to his body.The cave dwelling was as simple and crude as ever. Qin Sang took a jade slip from within, pressed it to his forehead, and discovered apleteyout of the Sunken Cave, focusing on the various barriers set up by Shaohua Mountain.


    Given the vast area, fully sealing it with barriers would be too costly. Shaohua Mountain had instead used a simple illusory array to obscure the Sunken Cave and blocked therger entrances and fissures to slow the spread of the malevolent yin qi.


    Due to the constantly changing terrain, newrge fissures could appear, and sometimes these barriers could be damaged by intrusions.


    Thus, Qin Sang¡¯s task was to inspect the entire Sunken Cave every two days, record any changes, and report back to the sect to prevent unexpected anomalies.


    After some quick thinking, Qin Sang decided to go for an inspection first.


    Reflecting on his recent experiences and inspired by a senior uncle¡¯s lectures on breaking through bottlenecks during the Qi Refining Realm, Qin Sang felt a surge of inspiration. He hurried to the Sunken Cave, hoping to address the ninth stage bottleneck he was experiencing.


    The inspection took most of the day. Upon returning, Qin Sang felt as though he had been exposed to the ciers. He sat in meditation for a long time, using his cultivation methods to dispel the chill from his body.


    He recorded the cave''s changes on the Sound Transmission Talisman given by the sect, sent the message, and then sealed his cave dwelling. He set up the Bewitching Mirror at the entrance and began his seclusion.


    ¡­


    A monthter.


    Peak Cloud Mountain.


    Qin Sang, Sun De, and several rogue cultivators gathered at the mountain''s summit, enjoying drinks and merriment. Sun De had grown numerous spiritual fruits in his herb garden, each sweet and delicious. However, Sun Demented that they were still far inferior to the Red Jade Peaches of Shaohua Mountain.


    The other rogue cultivators nodded in agreement.


    Qin Sang, having recently broken through to the ninth stage, was in high spirits and joined in the conversation, promising to return to the sect to savor the Red Jade Peaches once they ripened.


    Sun De raised his cup in a toast to Qin Sang, saying, "Congrattions to Junior Brother Qin for breaking through to the ninth stage. I offer this humble drink, far inferior to the celestial wine brewed from our sect''s spiritual fruits. I hope Junior Brother Qin won''t be disappointed."


    Qin Sang graciously epted, clinking sses with Sun De and the other cultivators.


    The distance between Peak Cloud Mountain and the Sunken Cave was considerable, with arge river and natural barriers in between. However, these posed no problem for immortal cultivators. Since Qin Sang arrived at the Sunken Cave, he had consistently declined Sun De¡¯s invitations, citing his seclusion and breakthrough as reasons.


    This time, with Sun De visiting in person and Qin Sang having recently achieved a breakthrough, he did not refuse.


    Upon arriving at Peak Cloud Mountain, Qin Sang discovered why Sun De had earned his reputation as a "timely rain"¡ªhis excellent reputation extended beyond Shaohua Mountain to the surrounding rogue cultivators.


    Sun De frequently invited local cultivators to gatherings on Peak Cloud Mountain. He did not exhibit any airs of a sect disciple and weed even the lowest-ranked cultivators with a warm and friendly demeanor, making everyone feel at ease.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    During the gathering, Sun De offered guidance to anyone who asked for it, showing no reluctance to share his knowledge.


    Qin Sang listened attentively, feeling the visit was well worth it. He admired Sun De and resolved to visit more often in the future.


    After bidding farewell to Sun De and returning to the Sunken Cave, Qin Sang proceeded with his routine inspection. As he passed by a fissure, he suddenly sensed something unusual. Feeling a chill, he immediately retreated and took out the Emerald Wave Sword from his Mustard Seed Pouch. Activating the Heavenly Star Tear for protection, he called out sternly, "Who¡¯s there! Show yourself!"


    Momentster, a dark figure emerged from the fissure, repeatedly saying, "Daoist Qin, please don¡¯t be hasty. It¡¯s me, it¡¯s me¡­"


    As the figure revealed himself, Qin Sang was surprised to see, "Daoist Hong?"


    Daoist Hong was a scattered cultivator Qin Sang had met during the Peak Cloud Mountain gathering, named Hong Shan. They had parted ways only recently.


    Though their acquaintance was limited to a nodding acquaintance, Qin Sang remained cautious and questioned, "Daoist Hong, why did you not return to your cave dwelling after the gathering and instead trespass into the Sunken Cave?"


    Hong Shan chuckled awkwardly. "Daoist Qin, you may not know, but my self-forged protective artifact requires refinement with malevolent yin qi. Therefore, I often need to go to the depths of the Sunken Cave. The previous guard, Daoist Wang, and Daoist Sun from Peak Cloud Mountain were aware of this. I intended to inform you during the gathering, but was too engrossed in the festivities to remember. If you don¡¯t believe me, you can ask Daoist Sun. He can vouch for me."


    Although Shaohua Mountain had sealed the Sunken Cave, it did not prohibit others from entering to collect malevolent yin qi. The various fissures allowed free ess.


    Many scattered cultivators, unable to afford artifacts, crafted their own with varied and unconventional methods. The malevolent yin qi, being extremely cold, could enhance the potency of these self-made artifacts.


    Qin Sang, possessing several top-grade artifacts, had no need to forge his own.


    For safety, Qin Sang verified Hong Shan''s ims with Sun De. Receiving confirmation through a Sound Transmission Talisman, Qin Sang no longer obstructed him. He nodded and warned, "Daoist Hong, be sure not to disturb the restricted areas. If the malevolent yin qi erupts and causes harm, we¡¯ll both face severe consequences."


    "Understood, understood," Hong Shan replied, patting his chest. "Rest assured, Daoist Qin. I only need to find a fissure and collect a small amount of malevolent yin qi. I won¡¯t venture into the core areas."


    However, at the next gathering, Qin Sang did not see Hong Shan.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 107: Earth Malevolent Yin Vein

    "Daoist Hong was not in his cave dwelling, and he didn¡¯t leave any message for his friends. Daoist Liu and I had to force the door open, but inside, it¡¯s been lifeless for a long time. Either Daoist Hong had an urgent matter and left in a hurry, or something happened to him while he was outside."


    Two rogue cultivators who were close to Hong Shan returned to Peak Cloud Mountain in haste, their faces filled with exhaustion as they spoke.


    Both of them were deeply worried. They had always shared a strong bond with Hong Shan. After theirst encounter, they hadn¡¯t seen him since and assumed he had gained some insight and was in secluded cultivation.


    But now, having missed a gathering that he never failed to attend, they realized something was wrong.


    Sun De furrowed his brows, nced around, and asked, "Since thest gathering, has anyone spoken to Daoist Hong?"


    Everyone shook their heads.


    At that moment, Qin Sang arrived on his Sky Shuttle. As he descended, Sun De¡¯s eyes lit up, and he stood eagerly, asking repeatedly, "Junior Brother Qin, when youst saw Daoist Hong in the Sunken Cave, did he mention where he was nning to go?"


    As Qin Sangnded before the group, he noticed the peculiar looks everyone was giving him, and his brows furrowed slightly.


    After listening to Sun De patiently, Qin Sang immediately understood the situation.In truth, they had only drunk together once and shared little connection. And even if they had, in the world of immortal cultivation, incidents of killing for treasures were far toomon.


    Qin Sang had done nothing wrong, and his conscience was clear. He calmly responded to Sun De, "Daoist Hong mentioned that he wanted to use malevolent yin qi to temper his artifacts. I even sent a flying message to Senior Brother Sun to confirm it. After Senior Brother Sun confirmed it, I returned to my cave dwelling for cultivation. During subsequent visits to the Sunken Cave, I never saw Daoist Hong again. Has he gone missing?"


    Sun De replied regretfully, "No one has seen Daoist Hong since then. Could it be¡­?"N?v(el)B\\jnn


    ¡­


    A dozen streams of light descended upon the Sunken Cave. After Qin Sang pointed out several critical barriers, the group focused their search around the crevice Hong Shan had entered through.


    Qin Sang frequently patrolled the uppermost stage, and as expected, there was no sign of Hong Shan. The other rogue cultivators,cking strong cultivation, could not stay long in the malevolent yin qi. Only Qin Sang and Sun De ventured deep into the Sunken Cave.


    Since this incident happened in his territory, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t simply ignore it, so he joined in the search. Not long after, Sun De suddenly pointed at a crack and shouted, "Over here!"


    Qin Sang darted over and, upon seeing the scene before him, sighed softly.


    The crack was extremely hidden, with a narrow entrance that gradually widened inside. At its widest point, a smooth stone tform stretched out, on which several array gs had been nted, likely to fend off the erosion of the malevolent yin qi.


    In the center of the array, Hong Shan sat motionless on the ground, his body rigid and his face darkened with a ghastly hue. There was not a trace of life left in him.


    His hands rested on an artifact that resembled an ice de, which still gleamed faintly with cold light. A wisp of malevolent yin qi lingered over it.


    Sun De kicked aside the array gs and walked up to Hong Shan. After examining him, he shook his head and said, "The malevolent yin qi has entered his body, turning him into a block of ice. I had warned Daoist Hong before that using malevolent yin qi to refine artifacts was not a proper method. It¡¯s incredibly dangerous and could easily harm the practitioner if mishandled. But he didn¡¯t take it seriously, and now he¡¯s met this tragic end¡­ Junior Brother Qin, gather Daoist Hong¡¯s belongings. I¡¯ll take his body up and give him a proper burial."


    Together, they carried Hong Shan¡¯s corpse back up. Upon hearing what had transpired, the others fell silent.


    Sun De handed Hong Shan¡¯s ice saber artifact, array gs, and Mustard Seed Pouch to one of his close friends and said, "Daoist Bai, I remember Daoist Hong still has descendants. These are his belongings¡ªgive them to his family. Let me know when you n to bury him, and I¡¯ll definitely attend to pay my respects."


    With the sorrowful news, the group lost all interest in their gathering and quietly dispersed in small groups.


    As he watched the others leave, Qin Sang felt uncertain and turned to Sun De, asking, "Senior Brother Sun, should we report this matter to the sect?"


    Sun De replied, "Junior Brother Qin, it¡¯s up to you to decide. You could report it, or not¡ªit doesn¡¯t really matter. No one seems to care. The senior brother who guarded the Sunken Cave before you, Senior Brother Wang, also disappeared suddenly. His fate was even worse than Daoist Hong¡¯s¡ªhis body was never found. It¡¯s suspected he might have fallen into the depths of the Sunken Cave. The sect sent a senior uncle to investigate, but after a brief nce, he left it alone. Daoist Hong was just a rogue cultivator; who¡¯s going to care?" R????¨¨?


    Qin Sang was surprised and asked, "Did the senior uncle not search deeper into the Sunken Cave?"


    "How could he? There¡¯s no way to find anything down there."


    Sun De shook his head with a wry smile and exined, "Beneath the Sunken Cave lies an Earth Malevolent Yin Vein. The malevolent yin qi on the surface is only the tip of the iceberg¡ªit¡¯s formed from countless souls devoured by the Earth Demons, condensed into yin qi. Compared to Earth Malevolent Qi, it¡¯s like the difference between clouds and mud. It¡¯s said that even a Golden Core Realm ancestor from our sect once attempted to venture deeper, but didn¡¯t dare go too far. Instead, they set up barriers on the outside to seal it. That senior uncle would never risk going in. The Earth Malevolent Yin Vein is full of unknown dangers, perhaps even supernatural entities. You must be careful, Junior Brother Qin."


    After Sun De left, Qin Sang became lost in thought. No wonder the artifacts he carried couldn¡¯t withstand the cold within the Sunken Cave. It was said that the Earth Malevolent Qi was among the most extreme malevolent qi in the world, and this Sunken Cave harbored an entire Earth Malevolent Yin Vein.


    With this in mind, Qin Sang no longer dared to venture deep into the Sunken Cave. He stayed cautiously on the uppermost stage, where the malevolent yin qi was abundant enough for his cultivation needs.


    He divided his time between patrolling the cave and cultivating. During rare moments of leisure, he returned to Shaohua Mountain to listen to the teachings of his senior uncle, or attended gatherings at Peak Cloud Mountain.


    This focused cultivation made Qin Sang recall his time at the Kuiyin Sect. He wondered about the fate of the Tan brothers and Senior Sister Shi Hong. Had they fled with the remaining members of the Kuiyin Sect, or had they fallen back into the ranks of rogue cultivators?


    After everything he had been through, Qin Sang found it difficult to truly open up to others. Even with Sun De, despite attending so many gatherings together, Qin Sang still felt there was a barrier between them.


    After confirming which sword control technique the <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> was derived from, he went to Treasure Tower Peak and exchanged for the authentic sword art. This sword control technique was called the <em>Zhixuan Sword Art</em>. It contained intricate methods for nurturing and controlling a sword, greatly enhancingbat power. Many disciples of Shaohua Mountain chose to practice this sword art.


    The sword art had three stages. The first stage focused on nurturing and controlling the sword. Now that Qin Sang had grasped sword qi, he was in the second stage. Many disciples of Shaohua Mountain didn¡¯t have high-quality spiritual swords capable of withstanding the power of sword qi, causing them to be stuck at this point. The third stage involved transforming sword qi into a rainbow light, allowing one to ride the sword in flight. This required reaching the Foundation Building Realm to use freely.


    The <em>Song Family Sword Art</em> devised by the Song Family''s ancestor had many unnecessary additions. After Qin Sang went through the original <em>Zhixuan Sword Art</em> from start to finish, filtering out the superfluous elements, he found that his connection with the ebony sword became even closer, bringing a faint smile to his face.


    Once he broke through the tenth stage, he would no longer need to constantly rely on spirit stones to absorb spiritual qi. With just a thought, he could control his spiritual sword to y enemies. Only then could he truly be called a sword cultivator!

 Chapter 108: Intrusion

    "Senior Brother Sun, fellow Daoists, I might not be able to attend the next gathering, so I¡¯m apologizing in advance."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Qin Sang raised a cup of wine, offering a toast to the group.


    A swordsman in a green robe stirred slightly and leaned forward, asking, "Daoist Qin, are you on the verge of a breakthrough?"


    Qin Sang smiled and nodded, instantly drawing a round of congrattions and envy.


    Since joining Shaohua Mountain, he had never cked off. Just a few days ago, he sensed the signs of breaking through to the tenth stage. He had paused his cultivation thesest two days to adjust his state of mind and was nning to return tonight for secluded cultivation to break through.


    With this breakthrough, he would be able to return to Shaohua Mountain and receive a Foundation Building Pill. However, Qin Sang had no intention of taking it immediately. Given his talent, using the pill too early would be a waste. He had been cultivating for so long, so he had the patience to wait until he reached the thirteenth stage.


    It was unfortunate that the Kuiyin Sect had acted too soon. If he had a few more years, he could have obtained two Foundation Building Pills.


    Sun De was also particrly delighted. Raising his cup toward the bright moon, he called out, "Then let¡¯s wish Brother Qin an early breakthrough, so we can all celebrate your sess!"


    ¡­Returning to his cave dwelling, Qin Sang patrolled the Sunken Cave, sent a Sound Transmission Talisman to report to the sect, and, as usual, set up the Bewitching Mirror in his cave dwelling. He then sat on a Waterheart Bamboo cushion, silently reciting the <em>Scripture of Tranquility</em> several times. Once he reached a state ofplete calm, he began to meditate and circte his cultivation art.


    The bottleneck at the tenth stage was as difficult to break through as the ninth stage, but it was a known challenge, requiring only diligent effort. In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days passed, and Qin Sang sessfully broke through the tenth stage. Though he was overjoyed, he didn¡¯t stop. He continued his meditation, stabilizing his newly achieved realm.


    Days passed, and Qin Sang remained in seclusion. Outside his cave dwelling, however, more than a dozen Sound Transmission Talismans had umted.


    The Sunken Cave remained deathly still and deste, with waves of malevolent yin qi continuously surging from the depths, attempting to break through the barriers. The escaping yin qi endlessly eroded the surrounding forests and nts.


    One day, a shadow silently entered the area, standing at the edge of the Sunken Cave¡¯s entrance. The figure stared into the deep, dark cave below, their expression uncertain.


    The person was dressed in Shaohua Mountain''s clean dust robes¡ªit was Sun De!


    Sun De stared at the Sunken Cave for a while, a thoughtful look appearing on his face as he muttered, "One month should be enough. Junior Brother Qin, I hope you live up to my expectations."


    After saying that, Sun De looked around, then swiftly darted into a crevice near the Sunken Cave. It seemed he was very familiar with theyout, effortlessly navigating the winding cracks and tunnels. Before long, he arrived at the entrance of Qin Sang¡¯s cave dwelling.


    Seeing the Sound Transmission Talismans hovering outside the barrier, Sun De counted them. Not a single one was missing. A strange smile appeared on his face as he waved his hand, collecting all the talismans.


    <em>Knock, knock...</em>


    Sun De stood before the cave entrance and knocked twice on the stone door. When there was no response, he eagerly pressed his hand against the door. Spiritual power surged from his palm, and the barrier around the cave dwelling immediately began to dissolve.


    Inside the cave dwelling, Qin Sang was both shocked and furious. The knocking had startled him awake. He had just calmed his qi and blood and was wondering who would be seeking him at this time when he realized that someone outside was trying to break through his barrier.


    The barrier protecting the cave dwellings granted by the sect wasn¡¯t weak, and most rogue cultivators would find it difficult to break in. To ensure absolute safety, Qin Sang had also set up the Bewitching Mirror as a safeguard.


    <em>Yet the intruder was easily dismantling the barrier. Who could it be?</em>


    Qin Sang racked his brain. Since joining Shaohua Mountain, he had always been cautious and never engaged in conflicts with others. He didn¡¯t believe he had offended anyone. Could it be a rogue cultivator who had stumbled upon the Sunken Cave and discovered an immortal cultivator¡¯s cave dwelling inside, sparking greedy intentions?


    Regardless of the intruder¡¯s identity, entering his cave dwelling without permission was undoubtedly malicious. With the enemy right outside, sending a distress talisman to the sect would likely be intercepted.


    Qin Sang¡¯s mind raced. Seeing the mirror array in front of him, he felt a slight sense of relief. The array was right by the entrance. As soon as it was triggered, the intruder would be caught off guard. If the enemy proved formidable, Qin Sang could use the distraction to escape and send a distress signal.


    His body was equipped with top-grade artifacts. Even if he couldn¡¯t win, it shouldn¡¯t be hard to hold out until the sect came to his aid, especially with that ck bead in hand.


    If the intruder was weak, he could kill them with a single strike, and no one could use him of wrongdoing. After all, the Sunken Cave was an ideal ce to dispose of bodies without leaving any traces. £Ò????????S


    With that thought, Qin Sang quickly calmed down. He nced at the barrier in front of the cave door, which was flickering unsteadily. He created a clone to sit on the cushion, while his true body hid in a corner. Then, he summoned his ebony sword.


    Having broken through to the tenth stage, his spiritual power was deep and abundant. He could control his sword to kill enemies without needing to replenish with spirit stones. However, using sword qi consumed a lot of energy, so if he didn¡¯t prepare in advance, he wouldn¡¯tst long.


    To be safe, Qin Sang took out a middle-grade spirit stone and quietly umted his spiritual power.


    Momentster, the main door of the cave dwelling emitted a soft <em>click</em>. The light of the barrier flickered for a moment, then vanished, and the door was pushed open from the outside.


    As soon as Sun De opened the cave dwelling, everything before him went dark. He had fallen into the mirror array trap, his entire body enshrouded in a dense ck mist. Yet, his face showed no sign of panic. Instead, as he examined the swirling ck mist, a smile tugged at his lips. "A malevolent artifact personally crafted by Old Ghost Yi... Junior Brother Qin, you really are cautious. No wonder you¡¯ve managed to survive until now. But it¡¯s a shame¡ªyou¡¯re destined to be a sacrificial offering."


    As he spoke, Sun De waved his hand, tracing a mysterious rune in the air and sending it into the ck mist. Immediately, the mist began to show signs of dispersing.


    From the outside, Qin Sang could see everything clearly. Just after Sun De entered the mirror array, the main body of the Bewitching Mirror began to tremble violently, emitting faint cracking sounds. Tiny fissures began to appear on its surface, and it looked as though it would be destroyed. The ck mist at the center was dissipating at an rming rate.


    Qin Sang was extremely surprised when he realized the intruder was Sun De, wondering if there might be some misunderstanding.


    Of course, Qin Sang didn¡¯t intend to stop his actions. Sun De had forcibly entered his cave dwelling¡ªwhether it was a misunderstanding or not could be determined after he subdued him. Otherwise, he would be the one in danger.


    Seeing that Sun De had easily dismantled the Bewitching Mirror, Qin Sang was rmed and didn¡¯t dare hesitate any longer. He silently recited an incantation, causing the sword qi on his ebony sword to surge dramatically, instantly piercing into the ck mist.


    "Ah!"


    A miserable scream echoed from within the ck mist. Sun De, now in a sorry state, flew out of the mirror array. His left arm had been severed at the root, blood gushing out, and the smug smile on his face had vanished. His face was now as pale as paper.


    Sun De clutched his wound with one hand, locking eyes with Qin Sang¡¯s cold gaze. His eyes suddenly bulged in shock, and he cried out in disbelief, "The tenth stage! You¡¯re still alive?"


    Qin Sang furrowed his brows, inwardly thinking it was a pity. He raised his hand and sent out a yin thunderbolt, and with a thought, his ebony sword reversed its course and shot straight toward Sun De¡¯s vital spot.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 109: The Sacrifice for the Yan Luo Banner

    Sun De''s face turned pale with fear as he hurriedly unleashed a beam of multicolored light. Within the light was a fine celestial, which rapidly spread open just in time to block the yin thunderbolt. However, Qin Sang immediately tossed several pre-prepared talismans. Ice, fire, and earth spikes flew forth in a chaotic barrage, causing the to tremble violently.


    Taking advantage of the weakened light from the, Qin Sang''s ebony sword sliced it cleanly in two.


    Caught off guard, Sun De could only dodge to the side as the ebony sword grazed his lower rib, leaving a long, narrow wound.


    Sun De screamed in pain again, his face full of panic, and shouted desperately, "Junior Brother Qin, stop! It''s a misunderstanding!"


    Qin Sang ignored him.


    Sun De''s behavior was highly suspicious, and although Qin Sang had many doubts, he knew he couldn¡¯t afford to give him a chance to recover. If Sun De managed to summon a powerful artifact, the situation could easily turn against him. He had to strike decisively to incapacitate him.


    The ebony sword pressed forward relentlessly, and with Qin Sang continually throwing talismans and yin thunderbolts, Sun De didn¡¯t even have time to retrieve an artifact. ring hatefully at Qin Sang, Sun De muttered something under his breath. Momentster, his face twisted in astonishment, as if he had just witnessed something unbelievable.


    Qin Sang had no idea what trick Sun De was up to, but he continued to push his sword art to the limit. The ebony sword transformed into streaks of sword light, enveloping Sun De and shattering his Qihai.


    In the end, Sun De was forced into the corner of the cave dwelling with nowhere left to escape.Qin Sang severed Sun De¡¯s limbs, sending his Mustard Seed Pouch flying, but left him alive by a thread.


    Sun Dey motionless on the ground, seemingly unconscious. Qin Sang cautiously scanned him with his spiritual consciousness to ensure he couldn¡¯t stir up any more trouble, then retracted his ebony sword.


    A blue orb of light suddenly shot out from the top of Sun De¡¯s head like a meteor, heading straight for Qin Sang''s forehead.


    Qin Sang remained calm. Just as the orb was about to make contact, he silently activated his Heavenly Star Tear, and a protective barrier appeared around his body, deflecting the orb away.


    The orb trembled in mid-air, attempting to flee the cave dwelling. But Qin Sang moved swiftly, blocking its path. His palm radiated spiritual power as he reached out, grasping the orb firmly. From within came a cry of pain.


    "Junior Brother Qin, spare me! I only came to check on you because you hadn¡¯t emerged from seclusion for a long time. I wasn¡¯t intentionally trying to break into your cave dwelling¡ªit¡¯s all a misunderstanding! For the sake of our brotherhood, I beg you to show mercy!"


    Sun De¡¯s voice echoed in Qin Sang¡¯s mind, pleading desperately. But Qin Sang remained unmoved, staring coldly at Sun De¡¯s primordial spirit. He nced at the destroyed Bewitching Mirror on the ground and said icily, "Senior Brother Sun, if this is truly a misunderstanding, then exin how you destroyed my Bewitching Mirror. And why were you so certain that I would die?"


    Initially, Qin Sang had assumed Sun De possessed a powerful artifact that allowed him to break the Bewitching Mirror. But upon confronting him, he realized that wasn¡¯t the case.


    <em>How can a top-grade artifact, especially one integrated into an array, be destroyed so easily?</em>


    <em>And then there was that odd statement Sun De had made earlier. Breaking through the tenth stage of immortal cultivation posed no danger¡ªwhy has Sun De assumed I was dead?</em>


    Suddenly, Qin Sang had a strong premonition.


    "Uhh¡­"


    Sun De hesitated in his reply, prompting a cold snort from Qin Sang, who tightened his grip on the orb once again.


    The light orb quivered violently as Sun De let out a painful cry and shouted, "Junior Brother Qin, spare me! It¡¯s because your mirror is crafted using a special barrier and refined with malevolent yin qi. I¡¯ve seen this type of barrier before and know how to break it. That¡¯s why... Junior Brother Qin, please don¡¯t be angry. This kind of artifact won¡¯tst long. Even if I hadn¡¯t destroyed it, it would have eventually copsed on its own after some time¡­" ?a?£Ï§£§§S?N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Hearing Sun De¡¯s exnation, Qin Sang kept a firm grip on Sun De¡¯s primordial spirit, his face thoughtful.


    If what Sun De said was true and the Bewitching Mirror was indeed a malevolent artifact, then the seventeen artifacts they had obtained from Sect Leader Yi likely shared the same nature, all refined using malevolent yin qi. No wonder each one carried a lingering chill.


    The Chi Dragon Sword was like this, as was the Bewitching Mirror. The Falling Cloud Wings were less obvious since their only function was to conceal one''s presence.


    Qin Sang lowered his gaze to Sun De¡¯s primordial spirit, a strange glint shing in his eyes. Out of nowhere, he asked, "All the artifact masters in the market couldn¡¯t tell, yet Senior Brother Sun, you seem so knowledgeable. It seems your connection with the Kuiyin Sect is quite deep."


    Qin Sang had never heard of so-called malevolent artifacts. He had consulted numerous artifact refiners in the immortal cultivation market, yet none had been able to identify it. But Sun De knew about it so well.


    The light orb remained silent.


    Qin Sang was inwardly startled. He had been bluffing, but it turned out Sun De truly was connected to the Kuiyin Sect.


    After a long silence, Sun De sighed. "Junior Brother Qin, I¡¯ll tell you everything you want to know, but you must swear to spare my life once I¡¯ve told you."


    Qin Sang''s eyes gleamed as he replied indifferently, "Senior Brother Sun, you don¡¯t seem to be in a position to negotiate. If you refuse to speak, I¡¯ll kill you right now! And don¡¯t think that in the world of immortal cultivation, there are no methods to make you talk. I¡¯d like to see how tough you really are!"


    Without waiting for Sun De¡¯s response, Qin Sang¡¯s expression darkened, and he intensified the spiritual power in his palm, tightening his grip on Sun De¡¯s primordial spirit and grinding down on it. Having experienced the pain of his own primordial spirit being tormented before, Qin Sang didn¡¯t believe Sun De could endure it.


    As expected, Sun De screamed repeatedly, and the light orb dimmed even further. Finally, a face materialized from the orb, pleading with Qin Sang in a pitiful tone.


    "Junior Brother Qin, stop, stop! I¡¯ll talk! I¡¯ll tell you everything¡­"


    Satisfied that he had taught him a lesson, Qin Sang finally eased up. His eyes gleamed coldly as he stared at Sun De.


    Sun De cautiously nced at Qin Sang. "Junior Brother Qin, you guessed right. My background is indeed rted to the Kuiyin Sect. But let me ask you a question first. Have you not used the Yan Luo Banner for cultivation?"


    Qin Sang countered, "How did you know I have the Yan Luo Banner?"


    He had acquired the Yan Luo Banner when he joined the Kuiyin Sect at the Youshan Market, and even Yue Wu hadn¡¯t noticed it.


    "Junior Brother Qin, you haven¡¯t forgotten about the Heart-Devouring Insect in your primordial spirit, have you?"


    Sun De chuckled dryly. Seeing the displeased look on Qin Sang¡¯s face, he quickly dropped the pretense. "The Kuiyin Sect''s founder found some Heart-Devouring Insect corpses in a thousand-year-old cier and developed a method to manipte the corpses as venomous parasites to control others. This isn¡¯t a secret within the Kuiyin Sect.


    "As far as I know, there aren¡¯t many Heart-Devouring Insect corpses left; most have been taken by Sect Leader Yi. Recently, he¡¯s been using them to infiltrate Yuanzhao Sect with disciples."


    "When I sensed the Heart-Devouring Insect within you on Shaohua Mountain, I guessed you had escaped from Yuanzhao Sect. Sect Leader Yi''s trusted confidants wouldn¡¯t betray him, but those chosen from the Yin Malevolent Abyss are untrustworthy and controlled by the Heart-Devouring Insect. Those disciples must carry the Yan Luo Banner."


    "I tested you slightly and saw that you had indeed chosen a menial task in the Sunken Cave, so I thought it was foolproof. I never expected you to resist the temptation of the Yan Luo Banner and avoid using a Soul Pill for cultivation. Junior Brother Qin, your willpower is admirable. I must admit, I¡¯ve lost fairly this time."


    Hearing this, Qin Sang¡¯s suspicions deepened. "What happens if you use the Yan Luo Banner for cultivation?"


    "You be a sacrifice," Sun De answered.

 Chapter 110: Yan Luo Array of Ten Directions

    "Founder Kuiyin''s renowned astra was called the Yan Luo Array of Ten Directions. It was arranged using ten Yan Luo Banners, with an unpredictable and fearsome power. In the past, it caused righteous cultivators to tremble with fear, and even Spiritual Infant Realm cultivators dared not challenge him lightly."


    "Later, when Founder Kuiyin was attempting to transcend his tribtion, five of the Yan Luo Banners were destroyed by minor heavenly tribtions[1]. Before his passing, he distributed the remaining five banners to his disciples and passed down a method for crafting artifacts simr to the Yan Luo Banner, which could be used even by cultivators at the Foundation Building Realm and below."


    "To craft this artifact, one needed to select an immortal cultivator whose cultivation level didn¡¯t exceed the sixth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Before their primordial spirit and physical body underwent a second transformation, they would be tricked into switching to a specific cultivation method and cultivating with the Yan Luo Banner. The Soul Pill helped immortal cultivators quickly absorb spiritual power, making it easy to break through bottlenecks. However, few had the mental fortitude of Junior Brother Qin to resist such temptation."


    "Due to the numerous rare spiritual materials required to craft the Yan Luo Banner and the extremely demanding techniques, the Kuiyin Sect had a limited number of Yan Luo Banners. Thus, they lured promising immortal cultivators to the Yin Malevolent Abyss under the guise of recruiting disciples, where they provided the necessary malevolent yin qi."


    "These cultivators believed they would be taken in as disciples of the Kuiyin Sect, but in reality, they were destined to be sacrifices for crafting the artifacts."


    "While cultivating with the Soul Pill, as their realm rapidly increased, their primordial spirit would unknowingly be slowly assimted by both the Yan Luo Banner and King Yan. The higher their cultivation level rose, the fiercer the bacsh from King Yan, for the deeper the connection between their primordial spirit and King Yan, the harder it became to resist. Only those with extraordinary talent and iron will could suppress King Yan."


    "However, once they broke through to the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, even the strongest of wills would be useless. They could no longer resist, and their primordial spirit would be fully assimted by King Yan, merging into one, bing the primary soul of the Yan Luo Banner."


    "Once a Yan Luo Banner gained a primary soul, the artifact wasplete. Very few people could continuously suppress King Yan without being devoured, so even now, there weren¡¯t many Foundation Building cultivators in Kuiyin Sect who had managed to gather all ten Yan Luo Banners. Fortunately, with six banners, one could barely arrange the Yan Luo Array of Ten Directions."


    "After that, as the Yan Luo Banners absorbed more living souls and blood sacrifices, their power would gradually increase until they became top-grade artifacts. By then, the Yan Luo Array would reach terrifying levels of power.""As for how to turn the Yan Luo Banner into an astra, that I don¡¯t know..."


    Qin Sang listened as Sun De exined the origins of the Yan Luo Banner, and he stood there, frozen in ce. A chill ran from his chest all the way down to his feet.


    He had once envied Senior Sister Shi Hong, who had been favored by Yue Wu and chosen as a disciple, thus avoiding the fate of bing a spy.


    Only now did he realize the reason Yue Wu favored Shi Hong was due to her exceptional talent, which greatly increased the likelihood that she would help him forge a Yan Luo Banner.


    That day in Yue Wu¡¯s cave dwelling, what those senior uncles were fighting over wasn¡¯t disciples, but a Yan Luo Banner!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    With Senior Sister Shi Hong¡¯s talent, even as a rogue cultivator without a Foundation Building Pill, she had a good chance of breaking through to the Foundation Building Realm. Yet, she had unknowingly fallen into such a tragic fate.


    Then there were the Tan brothers and those fellow disciples left behind in the Yin Malevolent Abyss. Even if they managed to escape the clutches of Kuiyin Sect during this upheaval, they would still not be able to avoid bing sacrifices.


    To be the primary soul of the demonic banner, never to reincarnate¡ªit sent shivers down Qin Sang¡¯s spine just thinking about it. He would rather be killed by King Yan¡¯s bacsh than face such a fate.


    <em>If it weren¡¯t for the protection of the Jade Buddha, I would have already been turned into an artifact spirit by Sun De. No, I would have been devoured by King Yan back at Qingyang Temple long ago.</em>


    "Is there a way to cultivate with the Soul Pill and avoid being assimted by King Yan?" Qin Sang asked Sun De.


    Sun De replied, "As far as I know, no. Even the direct disciples of the Kuiyin Sect don¡¯t dare to cultivate with the Yan Luo Banner. If they could, Founder Kuiyin would have already led the Kuiyin Sect to dominate the Small Cold Domain."


    "What about those who have already started cultivating with the Yan Luo Banner? How can they avoid being assimted by Yan Luo?"


    Sun De thought for a moment and said, "Unless they abolish all their cultivation and start over."


    Upon hearing this, Qin Sang couldn¡¯t help but smile bitterly to himself. Howughable¡ªhe had still been thinking of using the mysterious orchid to earn merits upon his return, but now he realized how naive that was. Returning would just be walking into a trap.


    He had once thought that Yuanzhao Sect''s practice of luring rogue cultivators to maintain the barrier of the Eight Trigrams Forbidden Ground was the work of a demonic sect. But now he realized,pared to the true methods of a demonic sect, it was nothing but child''s y.


    The Kuiyin Sect had been established for hundreds of years, using its own disciples to forge demonic artifacts. How many souls had perished in the Yin Malevolent Abyss? How many souls had been imprisoned in the Yan Luo Banner, never to reincarnate?


    It took Qin Sang a while to calm the storm in his heart before he spoke coolly, "Senior Brother Sun, you seem to know quite a few secrets. Your identity must be extraordinary, right? What¡¯s your real purpose for infiltrating Shaohua Mountain?"


    A trace of embarrassment appeared on the face of Sun De¡¯s illusion, "Junior Brother Qin, don¡¯t misunderstand. I¡¯m just like you¡ªlooking for a ce to settle down in Shaohua Mountain and cultivate in peace."


    "My father¡¯s master was Founder Kuiyin''s youngest disciple, but he never broke through to the Golden Core Realm. My father was his only direct disciple, so his status in Kuiyin Sect wasn¡¯t low." ?¨¢£Î¨¯£Â?S


    "Then, for some reason, Old Ghost Yi went mad and suddenly forbade anyone from vying for disciples in the Yin Malevolent Abyss, insisting on plotting against Yuanzhao Sect."


    "At that time, my father sensed something was amiss. I was still young, and my father happened to acquire a sword will decree from Shaohua Mountain, so he secretly sent me there. Looking back, my father¡¯s foresight was spot-on¡ªthe foundation of Kuiyin Sect has beenpletely destroyed by Old Demon Yi¡­"


    Qin Sang stared at Sun De. "Cultivate in peace? I¡¯m afraid Senior Brother Sun¡¯s words contain more falsehoods than truths. Daoist Hong who died in the Sunken Cave three years ago¡ªwas he really only refining artifacts with malevolent yin qi?"


    Sun De let out an awkwardugh. "Junior Brother Qin, you are sharp. Before my father sent me here, he left me with a few Yan Luo Banners. I did have some schemes, but unfortunately, these rogue cultivators were either of poor talent or too enamored with the mortal world,cking the proper mindset. Under the watchful eyes of Shaohua Mountain, I couldn¡¯t be too tant, and to this day, I¡¯ve only managed to lure a few. I haven¡¯t even forged a single Yan Luo Array. As for Hong Shanst time, I had warned him to wait a few more years, until you left the Sunken Cave. But he dared to disobey my orders, so I had no choice¡­"


    Qin Sang sneered. "Were you waiting for me to be the primary soul of the Yan Luo Banner? Sorry to disappoint you, Senior Brother Sun."


    Sun De smiled sheepishly, not daring to respond.


    Qin Sang¡¯s gaze sharpened. "Senior Brother Sun still hasn¡¯t told me how to remove the Heart-Devouring Insect."


    Earlier, Qin Sang had carefully questioned Sun De, learning that anyone who had learned the Venomous Gu Art created by Founder Kuiyin would be able to sense anyone infected with the Heart-Devouring Insect as soon as they entered the range of their spiritual consciousness.


    At Qin Sang¡¯s current realm, his spiritual consciousness could only detect a few zhang around him. However, for Foundation Building and even Core Formation Realm cultivators, their spiritual consciousness range was terrifyingly vast. If he were unfortunate enough to encounter leftover members of the Kuiyin Sect, there would be no escape. It would be a major hidden threat.


    1. a term in Daoism; tribtions from heaven to punish one''s wrongdoings. ?


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