"Fellow Daoist Qin, though my primary cultivation technique is the Crimson Profound Scripture, I began my journey through the sword path and have never neglected it since, priding myself on having attained some modest achievement in swordcraft. Listening to your exposition today, I finally realize that there are always peaks beyond peaks and talents above talents! Your insights are truly original, yet strike straight at the true meaning of the Great Dao..."
A Nascent Soul cultivator dressed in a crimson robe bowed slightly, clasping his hands toward Qin Sang.
Listening to these seemingly flattering words, Qin Sang remained placid.
He recognized the man.
His name was Jiang Xue, one of Patriarch Chifa's two Nascent Soul disciples.
The premier righteous sect of the Xiaohan Realm had split in two by their hands. Harboring bitter enmity for one another, each fought for the legitimate title of the Chunyang Sect.
In the end, it was a lose-lose conflict. Others took advantage of their internal strife, inflicting heavy losses on both sides and setting them on the path of decline.
As Jiang Xue sang Qin Sang's praises, a female cultivator on the other side of the Immortal Terrace looked on with undisguised contempt.
She was Patriarch Chifa's other disciple, known by the Daoist name Chi Qin.
The two were like fire and water, virtually never appearing in the same place unless an extraordinary event occurred, such as the matters of the Blood Lake or the Ziwei Palace.
That both had come in person today to offer their congratulations was quite an honor for Qin Sang.
"However..."
Jiang Xue's tone shifted, turning serious. "Merely listening to Fellow Daoist Qin expound the Dharma still leaves me feeling a veil away from the Great Dao. I venture to ask for a brief exchange of pointers—stopping at the first touch. I wonder what you think, Fellow Daoist?"
Jiang Xue's cultivation was comparable to Qin Sang's, so it could not be considered an elder bullying the young. Judging by his tone, he did not seem intent on making trouble either.
All eyes turned to Qin Sang.
Qin Sang gave Jiang Xue a look. Exchanging pointers while discussing the Dao was standard practice, yet for some reason, he sensed that Jiang Xue had ulterior motives.
In recent years, aside from managing Qingyang Temple's affairs, Qin Sang had devoted himself entirely to bitter cultivation with single-minded focus, paying little heed to outside matters.
Unable to fathom Jiang Xue's intent, Qin Sang nevertheless had nothing to fear. Without hesitation, he nodded in agreement.
Delight showed on Jiang Xue's face. He offered his thanks, and a burst of profound crimson light flew from between his brows. In a deep voice, he said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, please make the first move!"
Qin Sang did not hold back in the slightest. Summoning the Jinchen Sword, he gave it a gentle tremor. It transformed into a beam of sword light, the Seven Po Killing Array held at the ready without erupting, darting forward to pierce the sphere of light before Jiang Xue!
To the naked eye, nothing extraordinary seemed to be taking place, but those present were all top experts. At a single glance, they recognized the lethal danger harbored within this strike, breaking into a cold sweat on Jiang Xue's behalf.
"Well struck!" Jiang Xue roared.
The sphere of light flared and condensed inward, revealing a spirit sword.
In the blink of an eye, the spirit sword turned into a crimson rainbow, shooting out to meet the Jinchen Sword.
The spirit sword emitted very little fluctuation, its sword light drawn in to the utmost degree, leaving the rest of the Immortal Terrace utterly undisturbed.
Yet every Nascent Soul cultivator present could sense that Jiang Xue's strike was far from simple. He had fused the Crimson Profound Scripture into his swordcraft, forging a distinctive style of his own!
His earlier claim of having achieved something in the way of the sword was certainly no empty boast.
Clang!
The two spirit swords met and parted in an instant. A faint, somber glow erupted, but before it could spread, it was swiftly absorbed back into the blade of the Jinchen Sword.
Such control was refined to the pinnacle of perfection.
The Jinchen Sword hovered in place, completely motionless.
Jiang Xue's spirit sword, however, was forced back three feet. The victor was decided in a single breath!
Jiang Xue recalled his spirit sword and praised, "Fellow Daoist Qin's sword arts are truly profound! I am filled with admiration. What a pity that Martial Nephew Han is not here. Although he is only at the Golden Core stage, his attainment in the Dao of the sword runs exceptionally deep. If he could receive your guidance, Fellow Daoist Qin, his progress would surely soar."
The Nascent Soul cultivators were taken aback. They could not understand why Jiang Xue had suddenly brought up a 'Martial Nephew Han'. Was he trying to introduce a disciple to Qin Sang?
On the other side, Chi Qin's guard shot up.
"Han..."
Qin Sang's eyes flickered, immediately recalling someone.
Back then, the very man who had nearly led him into the Han Family Fort—Immortal Master Han!
The Han family was precisely a cultivation clan subordinate to the Chunyang Sect.
"Is Brother Han at Qingyang Temple?"
Qin Sang's gaze pierced the mist, looking down toward the foot of the mountain.
Jiang Xue shook his head. "When Martial Nephew Han heard Fellow Daoist Qin's name, he found it hard to believe. Later, upon confirming it was truly you, he was greatly inspired. He has spent years in secluded cultivation, hoping to catch up to your footsteps. Only later did I learn that you and Martial Nephew Han shared such history. I can only lament our blindness for missing out on a genius like Fellow Daoist Qin back then!"
Qin Sang chuckled. "Had I been given the chance to join the Chunyang Sect, my path of cultivation likely would not have been so arduous."
The two of them were speaking in riddles.
The surrounding Nascent Soul cultivators were filled with suspicion. They all knew Qin Sang had once been a disciple of Shaohua Mountain, but they had no idea how he had become connected to the Chunyang Sect.
Chi Qin wore a grave expression as she secretly conferred with Si Di and Yao Jing.
After the Chunyang Sect fractured, she had forged close ties with the neighboring Taiyi Dan Sect and secured the backing of Daoist Chongyi. Jiang Xue, on the other hand, formed a mutual alliance with the Shanxing Sect, backed by the shadow of Dongyang Bo.
After Si Di and Yao Jing took over the Taiyi Dan Sect, they honored Daoist Chongyi's wishes and continued to support Chi Qin.
The sect master of the Shanxing Sect had only reached the Nascent Soul stage recently, and the sect's foundation fell far short of the Taiyi Dan Sect's.
With all his schemes undone by Qin Sang, Dongyang Bo had lost the ambition to vie for supremacy, and the Shanxing Sect was gradually showing signs of retreat. Jiang Xue's situation grew more perilous by the day.
Chi Qin had already seen the dawn of victory, only for Jiang Xue to suddenly bring up a 'Martial Nephew Han' who seemed deeply entangled with Qin Sang.
***
In the end, after a small trade fair was held, the Nascent Soul cultivators each harbored their own thoughts as the Dao gathering drew to a close, taking their leave of Qin Sang one after another.
Qin Sang saw them off in person.
The grand ceremony ended.
The dust settled on everything.
Since Jingyu needed to return to the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to discipline Fat Chicken, she departed along with the lesser demons.
With Qingyang Temple on the right track, it required no further worry from Qin Sang.
Taking the White Cat along, Qin Sang flew toward Peach Blossom Valley.
Not long after they entered Peach Blossom Valley, a figure appeared outside the valley—it was none other than Jiang Xue.
Qin Sang came out in person to welcome him.
An hour later, Jiang Xue flew out of Peach Blossom Valley, his expression a mix of joy and apprehension.
Inside the cave dwelling.
Qin Sang toyed with the jade cup in his hand, murmuring softly under his breath, "The Vajra Nut..."
Just moments ago, Jiang Xue had told Qin Sang all about Patriarch Han's situation.
Jiang Xue had been worried Patriarch Han might have mistaken the person, so he had not dared bring him uninvited. Now that he knew it was true, he would certainly arrange for Patriarch Han to pay a visit in the future.
During their conversation, Qin Sang listened to Jiang Xue speak of his grievances with Chi Qin and the Taiyi Dan Sect, coming to understand his intentions.
Jiang Xue wished to form an alliance with Qingyang Temple.
Qin Sang felt neutral about the prospect. In any case, even if Jiang Xue perished, shielding Patriarch Han's life would not be difficult for him. He made no promises, choosing to wait and see Jiang Xue's sincerity.
Instead, Qin Sang managed to pry a secret out of Jiang Xue.
The legendary Ten Great Divine Woods had appeared three times in the Xiaohan Realm.
The first was the Boundless Blood Mulberry. Now that the Blood Lake had been destroyed, the Boundless Blood Mulberry that fell into it was almost certainly doomed.
The second was Yunyouzi's true form, which had turned into charred wood under the heavenly lightning tribulation.
The third was a single Vajra Nut!
Back then, in order to seize the Vajra Nut, Patriarch Chifa had spared no effort, mobilizing the entire Chunyang Sect to ruthlessly annihilate the Xueming Sect. To everyone's surprise, the Xueming Sect disciple who obtained the nut proved exceptionally vigilant and escaped before the sect fell.
Patriarch Chifa ordered his disciples to scour every corner, tracking the trail all the way into the desert, where they discovered traces suspected to have been left by the disciple. Yet in the end, they still failed to capture him.
From then on, that Xueming Sect disciple and the Vajra Nut vanished without a trace, never to be heard from again.
Chapter 1361