Arrangements

"The Heavenly Corpse Sect's rise was short-lived, and it was said to have declined abruptly, the reason long lost to history. Having practiced corpse refining, I once inquired into news about them and learned a few details. The Heavenly Corpse Sect refined living cultivators into corpse puppets. Cruelty of that degree was rare even among the demonic path and struck fear into everyone's hearts, so it was hardly surprising that other factions joined forces to eradicate them." Eager to reclaim the Death Jade, the Judge held nothing back, telling all he knew. Recalling the corpse king he had found in the Immortal Tomb, Qin Sang could roughly guess why the Heavenly Corpse Sect had collapsed so swiftly. The Sect Master of the Heavenly Corpse Sect had entered the Ziwei Palace all those years ago and unexpectedly met his end inside for reasons unknown. The corpse king was likely his refined corpse, left trapped in the Immortal Tomb ever since, until Bai discovered it. Furthermore, aside from the Sect Master himself, no one knew there was a mysterious figure trapped in the water dungeon—or perhaps someone did know, yet had no means to contact him. From then on, the Heavenly Corpse Sect was left leaderless, beset by troubles both within and without. In the cultivation world, factions like the Heavenly Corpse Sect that flared brightly only to vanish were beyond count. Those capable of enduring and prospering over generations were few, and almost all possessed legacy treasures to protect their sect. The Nascent Soul talisman puppet of the Shangyuan Pure Tranquility Palace was one such example. "In recent years, have you heard of anyone or any news related to the Heavenly Corpse Sect?" Qin Sang pressed. The Judge searched his memory thoroughly for a good while before shaking his head. "I have not. If Fellow Daoist Qin wishes to search for successors of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, I will immediately dispatch men to investigate. Cultivators of the corpse dao are quite distinct; as long as he needs to refine corpses, clues are bound to turn up." The Judge took the initiative to offer his services. This was precisely Qin Sang's goal, so he said, "Very well! I will trouble Fellow Daoist then. Whether it is an inheritor or the cultivation techniques of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, Qin wants both. Furthermore, remember not to make a commotion, lest we startle the snake in the grass. Perhaps that person will even contact you of his own accord." The mysterious figure behind the Heavenly Corpse Sect had managed to stir up an entire sect even while imprisoned in the water dungeon; he was certainly not one to sit quietly. The premature opening of the Ziwei Palace, Old Demon Ye's conspiracy, the mysterious figure behind the Heavenly Corpse Sect... While the cultivation world appeared calm on the surface, dark currents surged beneath. If that person wanted to rebuild the Heavenly Corpse Sect, the quickest route would be to subjugate other corpse dao demonic cultivators. Catching the deeper implication in Qin Sang's words, the Judge felt a jolt in his heart, his guard rising several notches. "The war between the Three Realms has subsided, so Fellow Daoist will have no need to fight anyone. The Death Jade shall remain with Qin for now. Rest assured, I will not tamper with it. Once you have gathered the spiritual materials or found the person I seek, I will return it to you at once, untouched." Qin Sang closed his fingers, laid a layer of restrictions over the Death Jade right before the Judge's eyes, and stored it into the Qianjun Ring. The Judge could only look on helplessly. Letting out a silent sigh, he cupped his hands and took his leave. Once the Judge's figure disappeared, Bai emerged from the corpse puppet bag. Gazing in the direction the Judge had departed, he said, "He likely hid nothing. That mysterious person was sealed for who knows how many years; he is probably tending his wounds and recovering right now. We can only wait for him to come out himself... First, take me to the Heavenly Corpse Sect's head altar." Soon, the two entered the water dungeon. Bai examined the seal inside the dungeon and inspected the Heavenly Corpse Sect's head altar, but turned up empty-handed as well. Next, they returned to the branch altar where they had first discovered the clues. All signs indicated that Tan Hao had never returned after his departure. Failing to find any useful information, Qin Sang sent word to his Senior Sister and left Sin Abyss. Although the Three Realms had made peace, Qin Sang had killed and injured several Nascent Soul cultivators, so many people likely harbored grudges against him; thus, he made no social visits. The southern foot of the Tianxing Plateau. The first plateau tier, Mount Wanye. Mount Wanye rose high into the clouds, its summit blanketed in snow that never melted throughout the year. Below the snow line, however, lush greenery flourished with vibrant life. The mountain was rich in spiritual energy. Originally, it had belonged to a sect that was wiped out by Sin Abyss, after which the land was occupied by them. Now that Mount Wanye was left ownerless, Qin Sang had claimed it to serve as a temporary base for Qingyang Temple. Qin Sang did not intend to establish the sect's mountain gate here, so he had instructed that only a simple protective formation be set up. This location bordered the grasslands, where most of the resources allocated to Qin Sang lay. In the future, Mount Wanye would serve as a transit station where disciples could rest. *Whoosh!* Two streaks of light, one azure and one crimson, flew through the sky—it was Li Yufu and Meigu. Approaching Mount Wanye, Li Yufu swept his gaze across the mountain and remarked, "It seems we arrived early. Junior Brother Tan and the others haven't reached here yet." Meigu nodded. "Let us wait at the foot of the mountain first. Once everyone arrives, we can go pay our respects to Master together." "Very well." Li Yufu nodded and lowered his light, landing on a large boulder at the foot of the mountain. With a distant look in his eyes, he gazed out across the magnificent landscape. Not long ago, they had received a transmission from Qin Sang instructing them to come to Mount Wanye to discuss affairs. Envisioning a bright future, Li Yufu was filled with ambition. Turning his head to examine Mount Wanye, he found himself liking it more and more. He thought to himself that although the area was somewhat small, its spiritual energy was dense; as a sect mountain, it would certainly not disgrace Qingyang Temple. He wondered what his Martial Uncle's plans were. Just then, the sound of breaking air came from the distance, and in the blink of an eye, four figures landed before them: Fat Chick, White Cat, Shangguan Lifeng, Tan Yi'en, and Bai Hanqiu. During this period, Shangguan Lifeng had been campaigning alongside Li Yufu, and the two had grown quite familiar. Li Yufu also knew Shangguan Lifeng was an old acquaintance of Qin Sang, so he did not dare treat him with any neglect. After greeting Shangguan Lifeng, Li Yufu looked toward Fat Chick and White Cat. "Fellow Daoists, when will Senior Willow Tree and Senior Spirit Monkey arrive?" "They won't be coming." A trace of worry flickered in Fat Chick's eyes. "My mother entered seclusion a few days ago to prepare for a breakthrough. The two seniors need to stay behind and guard the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to prevent outsiders from disturbing her." Noticing Fat Chick's distress, Li Yufu consoled him, "Fellow Daoist Chilei, rest assured. Senior Jingyu is blessed by Heaven and will surely succeed in her breakthrough!" Jingyu's heavenly tribulation was drawing near; for this breakthrough, it was do or die. This matter could not be leaked under any circumstances, known only to Qin Sang and Fat Chick. Fat Chick could only suppress his worry deep within and nod gently. On the other side, Bai Hanqiu, who had successfully established his foundation, followed behind Tan Yi'en. Tan Yi'en had already reached the False Core stage. He walked over to Meigu's side and whispered a few words into her ear. Meigu froze, her expression turning sorrowful. With everyone gathered, the group walked up the mountain on foot, passing through the dense forest until they reached a cavern at the summit. Here, draped in a silver coat of frost and snow, the view was one of pure, pristine white. Inside the cavern stood an ice door radiating waves of chill. The ice door opened on its own. Stepping inside, everyone saw Qin Sang and came forward one after another to pay their respects. Learning of Jingyu's seclusion, Qin Sang knew there was little he could do to help. With the corpse flower blood amber, her chances of breaking through were quite high. "Where is Zhao Shanran?" Qin Sang asked. Meigu said in a grief-stricken voice, "Reporting to Master, Junior Brother Zhao failed in his attempt to form his golden core and passed away in his cave dwelling not long ago." Even a Fiend Demon Pill could not guarantee core formation. Qin Sang nodded. Having long grown accustomed to life and death, his expression showed not the slightest ripple. "I originally intended for Zhao Shanran to oversee the sect's daily affairs in the future, never expecting he would still fail to cross this hurdle. Until a suitable person is found, you few will each shoulder a share of Qingyang Temple's matters from now on."