Transformation

"Stabilizing my origin vitality is only temporary. Even if I didn't want to undo the Heavenly Corpse Talisman, when the time comes to attempt a breakthrough to the Corpse King realm, I would still need your help to succeed," Bai said helplessly. He had tried many methods to no avail, thoroughly defeated by the Heavenly Corpse Talisman. Qin Sang agreed readily, of course. Bai's willingness to stick with him was also a good thing. Once Bai's Heavenly Corpse Talisman was undone, there would be hope of reviving Yagu as well. "The Hall of Seven Kills and Ziwei Palace are connected by an ancient teleportation formation, so perhaps they were once part of a single whole. The world today has become so chaotic that it's probably hard to match it with the ancient cultivation world, so traveling around might not be a bad idea. But before leaving, I would like to journey around the Canglang Ocean. Ten years should be enough..." Bai pondered for a moment and continued, "Since that's the case, I won't rush to make a breakthrough during this time. Once I temporarily stabilize my vitality, I can find a way to mask my corpse qi. So long as I don't rashly enter major cultivator cities, I won't be easily exposed. You likely have matters of your own to attend to as well. Let us act separately, set a date, and meet again then." Bai's suggestion was indeed a sound approach. After some thought, Qin Sang nodded. "I have agreed with Ning Wuhui to return to the Tiandao Sect in ten years—just before the Hall of Seven Kills emerges—to discuss entering the hall. Why don't you return around then as well, Fellow Daoist?" "Very well!" The two returned to the cave dwelling and stayed for a few days, during which Qin Sang prepared some protective treasures for Bai. In truth, given Bai's strength, even without the amplification of the ghost mist, he had few rivals within the Core Formation stage. However, having to divide his attention to stabilize his origin vitality would leave him feeling constrained against cultivators of the same rank, and unless left with no choice, he would not easily strike. Qin Sang extended the lease on the cave dwelling for ten years. Having arranged to meet both Bai and Ning Wuhui at this cave dwelling, he then departed the market. "Take care on your journey, Fellow Daoist. Until we meet again!" Qin Sang bid farewell to Bai. He would travel south to fulfill his appointment and meet Yuan Zhu. Bai's choice was peculiar: he had taken an interest in the Rain Desert of the North Sea and decided to visit it first. "Until we meet again!" Wearing an enormous hooded cloak that concealed his entire body, Bai flew off toward the North Sea. Qin Sang watched Bai vanish into the distance, then waved his hand to summon a flying chariot, conjuring the flood dragon soul to draw it, and departed in the opposite direction. ... The storm belt. After a long and arduous trek, Qin Sang arrived near Yuan Zhu's cave dwelling and activated the scale restriction. Before long, a white light shone beneath the sea. After an ethereal flicker, a beam of light erupted before Qin Sang, from which Yuan Zhu's hearty laughter rang out, "Fellow Daoist Mingyue, you have finally arrived! Please, enter quickly!" Seeing this, Qin Sang flickered and slipped into the pillar of light, entering the secret realm. Yuan Zhu stood before the cave dwelling with a smile on his face. "Fellow Daoist Yuan looks in good spirits," Qin Sang said, his mind stirring. He noticed that Yuan Zhu's aura had changed noticeably compared to ten years ago, but having limited knowledge of the demon race, he could not tell whether this change was good or bad, or what had brought it about. Yuan Zhu gestured inward with a hand. "I have Fellow Daoist Mingyue to thank for this. It is a long story. I have prepared a pot of spiritual wine. Fellow Daoist, after you..." They took their seats in the cave dwelling. Yuan Zhu produced two amber cups and a long-necked jade pot. Inside the jade pot, the wine was actually azure-green, as though imbued with boundless vitality, causing the entire jade pot to resemble a piece of flawless emerald, breathtakingly magnificent. Yuan Zhu tilted the pot and poured the wine into the cups. Instantly, an exotic fragrance filled the cave dwelling! "Fine wine!" Qin Sang was visibly moved. This was not mere spiritual wine; it was practically like a spiritual elixir, exuding an exceptionally abundant vitality. "This is a spiritual wine brewed by the demon monkey tribe of the Demon Sea using all kinds of rare spiritual fruits. Drinking it has the effect of boosting one's cultivation, surpassing even the spiritual elixirs concocted by your human race, and it is highly sought after across the Demon Sea. Because the required spiritual fruits are extraordinarily precious, the production of this wine is exceedingly low, and the demon monkeys only release a few pots on rare occasions. Through a stroke of fortune, I managed to obtain a single pot. Alas, I doubt I will ever have the chance to drink it again in the future..." Thinking of his circumstances of being driven from his homeland, Yuan Zhu's smile faded, and he gave a soft sigh. "Fellow Daoist, please!" "Please!" Qin Sang took the cup and swirled it slightly, releasing an even richer aroma. He drained the cup in a single gulp. Sweet to the taste. Yet no sooner had the wine slid down his throat than a searing sensation flared, as if a line of fire were plunging into his abdomen. The potency of the wine transformed into exceptionally pure spiritual power. Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly, and he circulated his cultivation technique with all his might, slowly refining the wine's power. "Fine wine!" Qin Sang exhaled slowly, savoring the lingering taste with eyes closed, unable to keep from praising it once more. With just a single mouthful of this spiritual wine, his true essence had noticeably increased. "For Fellow Daoist to bestow such a generous gift without cause leaves this humble Daoist feeling undeserving!" Qin Sang opened his eyes and looked at Yuan Zhu. "Fellow Daoist Yuan, please speak plainly! I have not forgotten our agreement from ten years ago. If you have any need of me, I will surely spare no effort." Yuan Zhu clapped his hands and laughed. "How could it be without cause? You simply do not realize how great a favor you have done for me. As for the agreement from ten years ago, there is no need to trouble your mind over it." Qin Sang asked in surprise, "What does Fellow Daoist Yuan mean by that?" "You may not know this, Fellow Daoist, but even before interrogating King Nine Phoenix, I had a premonition and was constantly searching for a way to break this secret art. "Later, by chance, I discovered a place sealed by ancient restrictions in the Canglang Ocean. "That place is not particularly well-concealed, but it is very peculiar, likely left behind by a senior of the demon race. Even if your human race were to find it, you would not be able to discover the secrets within. "That sealed place is extraordinarily mysterious and dangerous. "Previously, believing I had reached a dead end, I intended to wait for an opportune moment to invite you to join forces with me, break the seal, and venture inside to explore. "To my surprise, I found hope in the Heavenly Demon Refining Form technique. There is no longer any need to brave the sealed place, nor do you need to take risks alongside me." Yuan Zhu explained the circumstances in detail. "By cultivating the Heavenly Demon Refining Form, you can undo the secret art upon you and restore your true form?" Qin Sang asked, a look of surprise on his face. The corners of Yuan Zhu's mouth curved up, and he replied in a relaxed tone, "Although I cannot be entirely certain, the prospects are extremely promising. What is more, after cultivating this technique and breaking the secret art, I might even have a slim chance at transformation—a blessing in disguise, one could say! The origins of the Heavenly Demon Refining Form are extraordinary. I underestimated its heritage before; in the ancient era, such a technique would certainly have been of the caliber passed down among top factions. Having resolved my greatest predicament so easily, how could I not express my gratitude to you?" Upon hearing this, Qin Sang was astonished, never having anticipated such an outcome. If Yuan Zhu could resolve his hidden danger on his own, nothing could be better. Qin Sang was confident in his own cultivation, but Yuan Zhu was also a top expert. If even Yuan Zhu considered that sealed place extremely dangerous, one could well imagine what kind of place it was. Qin Sang naturally had no desire to undertake unnecessary risks. He did not press further regarding the sealed place, but smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Yuan is being far too courteous. I, too, was only able to shake off a formidable enemy with the aid of your Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros Horn! Since Fellow Daoist Yuan is well, my mind is at ease. I wish you a swift deliverance from your plight."