Parting for Years

Qin Sang followed the two women through the stone tunnel. Light suddenly broke ahead, and an idyllic paradise unfolded before his eyes. Flowers bloomed in lavish profusion, and waterfalls tumbled into rushing streams. Young maidens danced among the blossoms as bees and butterflies fluttered about. Qin Sang drew a deep breath, instantly feeling his mood ease considerably. He had once thought that if he were not chasing the ethereal dream of immortality, finding a cave abode resembling an earthly paradise to spend the rest of his days would also make for a life well-lived. "Signs of decline had long appeared in our sect. Even our master, the sect leader, was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. After Master passed away, we set up an additional defensive spiritual formation and went out to recruit several more disciples. Our sect is quite humble, so please forgive our modest accommodations, Daoist priest." Wang Shi gently brushed aside a stray lock of black hair on her forehead, speaking with a faint smile. Qin Sang instinctively glanced at her, sensing that she seemed different from moments ago, as if she had undergone some kind of transformation, though he could not put his finger on why. Under the curious gazes of the young disciples, Qin Sang followed the two sisters into a bamboo building. "These disciples possess good natural talent. You two have clearly taken great pains." Noticing that the Wang sisters' sect had only female disciples, Qin Sang smiled inwardly. Wang Xiang scurried back and forth, first serving spiritual tea, then bringing over a pile of spiritual fruits. Claiming they were delicious, she repeatedly urged Qin Sang to give them a try. Not standing on ceremony, Qin Sang chatted with the two women, bringing up events from the past. "By the way, after Fei You warned me back then, we went our separate ways. Did he ever come by here?" Qin Sang asked. Wang Shi smiled softly and said, "The two seniors' service to you was not in vain; Fei You was quite thoughtful. He did not return, but he found a way to send a message. Only then did we learn that Daoist priest's strength has far surpassed our imagination." Wang Shi's lovely eyes flickered with a hint of doubt. "According to Fei You, multiple late Core Formation experts were following by your side. Where might those fellow Daoists be now?" "Fei You exaggerated a bit. You have both seen the two-headed hou. Its strength has increased greatly, and it can indeed contend against late Core Formation cultivators. One of the others was merely my external incarnation. As for that other fellow Daoist, he was not following me, but simply lending a hand when circumstances aligned. However..." Qin Sang smiled bitterly. "Not long after Fei You left, Old Devil Mou came looking for me. First, my incarnation detonated itself, and later, I was forced to release the two-headed hou into the wild before I barely escaped with my life..." Qin Sang briefly recounted the situation at the time, drawing repeated gasps of shock from the two women, whose faces grew tense with worry. Being pursued by Old Devil Mou had cost him dearly. Having had no one to confide in, speaking of it today relieved some of his gloom. "Right!" Qin Sang's gaze sharpened, his voice turning grave. "Old Devil Mou may still be alive. He will certainly scour everywhere for me, so you and Fei You must be exceedingly careful in the future and never reveal your true identities." Wang Shi gasped in shock. "With experts of both the righteous and demonic factions gathered to hunt him down on Tianfeng Island, could Old Devil Mou have actually escaped alive?" Wang Xiang was both startled and furious. "That old devil truly deserves death! Fortunately, my sister and I have been careful enough, concealing our identities whenever we go out." "Old Devil Mou's cultivation is second only to Great Cultivators, and his methods are bizarre and treacherous. His strength places him at the very peak among Nascent Soul Patriarchs. Cheating death is by no means impossible for him." Qin Sang then asked after Ran Luo's whereabouts. From Wang Shi, he learned that after the Demon Sea fell into turmoil, Old Zou grew disheartened and ceased concerning himself with worldly affairs. Soon after, Ran Luo and several other members in the Demon Sea left the guild to seek their own livelihoods. They still remained in contact. Upon receiving Fei You's warning, the Wang sisters had immediately sent a message to Ran Luo, who went into hiding in good time and was now safe. After more casual conversation, Qin Sang gathered that the Wang sisters were not doing well. Knowing their hopes of reaching the Nascent Soul realm were slim, they had poured most of their past savings from the Demon Sea into developing the sect. Now that this crisis had struck, they dared not venture outside rashly to seek opportunities. Not only did they lack the money to purchase pills to cleanse fiend demon qi, they did not even have life-bound magic treasures. Wang Shi was still using the azure jade tablet Qin Sang had given her years ago. They had gathered some spiritual materials to forge magic treasures, but could not bear the expense of hiring a skilled artifact refiner. "Bring out the materials you've gathered and let me take a look. I have nothing pressing to attend to right now anyway, so I can try to help you forge your magic treasures," Qin Sang offered. Delight washed over the faces of both women. "Thank you, Daoist priest!" Though they had never seen Qin Sang forge a magic treasure, they did not doubt his abilities in the slightest. After inquiring about their requirements, Qin Sang traveled to the cultivation market closest to Lingchun Island and rented a fire chamber. Although it was not his first time forging magic treasures, Qin Sang remained exceptionally cautious. He needed not only to succeed in forging them, but also to ensure they were tailored to the two women to serve as their life-bound magic treasures. Since they were only low-grade magic treasures, the bones and hides of Demon Core stage beasts were suitable materials. Qin Sang even added some of his own stock to enhance their power. Before long, two magic treasures were completed. Returning to the bamboo pavilion, Qin Sang raised his hand slightly. Two streaks of light shot out and hovered in midair, their radiance pulsating to reveal a phoenix hairpin and a delicate flying sword. Not only were they formidable, but their appearances were exquisite and charming. The moment they saw the magic treasures, the two women could not tear their eyes away. "This is my phoenix hairpin!" Wang Xiang snatched it up, utterly captivated. After giggling foolishly for a while, she pinned it into her hair bun and danced before a mirror, admiring herself. Wang Shi gently stroked the flying sword, feeling it resonate with her, and was thoroughly entranced. Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, Wang Shi blushed slightly, curtsied to him, and said, "Thank you, Daoist priest. Words cannot express our gratitude; my sister and I will surely engrave this kindness in our hearts." Qin Sang sighed. "Qin does not have many friends in the Canglang Ocean. Consider these two magic treasures a token of my regard. Once we part today, who knows when we will meet again. Take care of yourselves, fellow Daoists." "Daoist priest, you are leaving already?" Wang Shi detected the unusual note in his voice, surprise flashing in her eyes. Wang Xiang halted her dance, her delicate brows drawing tight. Qin Sang then handed the two women a pair of masks he had specially forged, capable of concealing their true appearances and auras. Rising to his feet, he offered a bow, then turned and strode out without hesitation. The two women hurriedly chased after him. At the exit in the stone cliff, Qin Sang turned to bid them farewell. Summoning the flood dragon soul and the flying carriage, he tore through the air and departed. A long time passed before Wang Xiang whispered softly, "Sister, let's head back." "Mm." ... Flying across the boundless ocean, Qin Sang looked up at the pristine azure sky. Partings like this were not his first, and he had no idea how many more he would experience in the future. More than a century had passed since he left the Xiaohan Realm. He wondered how many of his old acquaintances were still alive, and how many had long turned to dry bones. Separated by life and death. Yet, looking back, he had made very few true friends in the Canglang Ocean—perhaps not even as many as his enemies. Qin Sang gave a self-deprecating laugh, reined in his thoughts, and looked straight ahead. Traveling virtually without pause, he returned to Tianxing Island. After entering the city, Qin Sang recalled the deeds of the Four Sages he had previously heard about. He stopped to gaze in reverence at the Four Sacred Mountains for a moment, then made his way toward the Teleportation Hall. Teleporting to Dahuang Island, he navigated the familiar routes to purchase the latest nautical chart. Ordinary demon beasts posed no threat to him. To comprehend the Killing Talisman, he would have to venture deep into the Demon Sea in search of stronger opponents.