Nine Precepts Island

"The Kongling Sea..." Qin Sang searched his memory of the well-known sea regions in the Boundless Sea, but none went by the name of the Kongling Sea. Noticing Qin Sang's confusion, Deacon Luo explained further, "Do not misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. Whether under its old name of Pure Lake or its current name of the Kongling Sea, it has never been well known in the Boundless Sea, nor are there any remarkable rumors surrounding it. It is merely a name on a sea chart. Cultivators active in the southern reaches of the Boundless Sea might be a bit more familiar with it. It is said that there are no islands in the Kongling Sea, its waters are extraordinarily clear, and storms never blow there year-round. Vessels sailing through face no danger of capsizing in tempests, which is quite rare in the south. Drifting through such a place naturally empties and clears the mind, leaving it serene and ethereal. It was probably called Pure Lake in the past for the same reason..." With that, Deacon Luo produced a sea chart and pointed out the location of the Kongling Sea to Qin Sang. The Kongling Sea lay even farther south than Nine Precepts Island, and the distance between them was considerable. For a Nascent Soul cultivator, however, it was merely three to five days of travel. It was definitely no coincidence! Qin Sang estimated that the Pure Lake mentioned by Valley Master Mu had to be this place. What surprised him was that there were no rumors of ancient ruins or secret realms in Pure Lake. *The Witch Clan's heritage couldn't have just sprung out of a crack in a rock. Something must have been covered up. Did Valley Master Mu return to Pure Lake because he made a new discovery?* Looking at the sea chart, Qin Sang weighed his thoughts in secret. Pure Lake—or rather, the Kongling Sea—was a vast body of water. Searching alone for a secret realm that might not even exist would truly be looking for a needle in a haystack. Moreover, since no relevant legends had surfaced after all this time, even if some secret lay hidden there, uncovering it would be no simple feat. For now, the best course was to meet with Valley Master Mu first. Next, Qin Sang inquired with the Nine Stars Association about Xuantian Palace, asking whether there had been any recent rumors or unusual movements. Deacon Luo was taken aback by Qin Sang's out-of-the-blue inquiry and said with some difficulty, "Most of our forces are stationed in the central and western parts of the Boundless Sea. Unless Xuantian Palace launches an attack on the Boundless Sea, or their experts do something here, news wouldn't make it back to us so quickly..." Afterward, Qin Sang left the Nine Stars Sea. Hesitating no longer, he flew straight toward Nine Precepts Island. Several months after parting ways with Lan Jingsi, Qin Sang finally arrived at Nine Precepts Island. The island's current master was only in the early Nascent Soul stage, yet thanks to the fame of Nine Precepts Island, his renown spread far and wide across the Boundless Sea. This was entirely because the island's first master, Master Nine Precepts, had been an undeniable powerhouse. Legend had it that he was only a single step away from becoming a great cultivator, once sharing equal renown with Old Man Hunmo. In the end, Old Man Hunmo took that step successfully, whereas Master Nine Precepts halted there and ultimately perished. *After all this time, I wonder if any unforeseen changes have occurred.* Qin Sang cast a glance at Nine Precepts Island, flew at a leisurely pace into its bounds, and landed before the city gates. Nine Precepts Island was bustling, with cultivators and mortals living together without any obvious divide. The crowds in the city flowed like water. After a few casual inquiries, Qin Sang easily found his destination: a moderately sized shop named Baohua Pavilion. Coincidentally, there were no customers inside, only an elderly shopkeeper. As Qin Sang stepped into the shop, the old shopkeeper glanced at him and hurriedly rose to greet him. "Does Fellow Daoist need pills or magic tools?" "Are you Zhang Xuan?" Qin Sang swept a glance over his surroundings. Seeing the old shopkeeper nod, he continued, "This poor Daoist is Mingyue. I have come at Fellow Daoist Mu's invitation." With that, Qin Sang produced the token Lan Jingsi had given him before his departure. The old shopkeeper's expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Senior, please follow this junior to the inner hall! Senior Mu has already prepared a top-grade cave dwelling for you..." "No need!" Qin Sang waved a dismissive hand. "How long until Valley Master Mu can come to see me?" The old shopkeeper replied, "Senior Mu gave this junior specific instructions just a few days ago. Once word is sent, he will arrive in at most five days." Qin Sang nodded and handed the old shopkeeper a guiding talisman. "When Fellow Daoist Mu returns, give this talisman to him. By igniting it, he will be able to find me." Leaving the talisman behind, Qin Sang turned and walked out of the shop without lingering. The old shopkeeper dared not stop him, watching helplessly as Qin Sang vanished into the bustling crowd. Qin Sang inquired about the Kongling Sea throughout the city, but the details were largely the same as what he had learned at the Nine Stars Association. Reluctant to linger any longer, he left Nine Precepts Island that very night. Five days later. Qin Sang had casually opened a cave dwelling on a deserted island and was meditating quietly when he was suddenly stirred by a ripple of spiritual fluctuation. The talisman in his hand ignited without fire. Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. Dropping the talisman at once, he flashed away from the spot. Before long, an undisguised streak of light tore through the sky from the direction of Nine Precepts Island and descended upon the deserted island, revealing a man. The newcomer appeared to be in his forties, handsome and dignified, with bright, spirited eyes. He wore a robe embroidered with the very same spirit insects seen on the disciples of Hundred Flowers Valley. It was none other than Valley Master Mu! Spotting the cave dwelling, he was just about to speak when an intuition struck him. Turning around, he saw Qin Sang walking out from the dense woods. "Are you Daoist Mingyue?" Valley Master Mu asked, his expression brightening with delight. Qin Sang nodded. "This poor Daoist was delayed on the road and kept Valley Master Mu waiting." He subtly sized up Valley Master Mu. Judging this man's cultivation depth from his aura alone was difficult. "Not late at all! It is enough that you arrived safely, Daoist!" Valley Master Mu laughed heartily. "You are exceedingly cautious, Daoist. Had I known, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of making so many arrangements on Nine Precepts Island!" "Traveling abroad demands caution; I hope you take no offense, Fellow Daoist. Seeing you in person puts my mind at ease." As Qin Sang spoke, he invited Valley Master Mu into the cave dwelling for a detailed discussion. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they turned to the matter at hand. "Three months ago, my junior sister used a secret transmission technique to inform me about you, Daoist... Allow me to ask once more: are you truly determined to learn the Spirit Ascension Rite?" Valley Master Mu asked in a grave voice. "Indeed," Qin Sang nodded. "Fellow Daoist Mu, please feel free to state whatever conditions you have. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly strive to meet them." Valley Master Mu hesitated briefly, then said, "Since you have traveled thousands of li to come here, Daoist, I will not beat around the bush. It is not impossible to pass the Art of Spirit Ascension to you, but I must first confirm one thing: do you possess a Fire Jade Centipede that has undergone three metamorphoses?" With that, Valley Master Mu looked at Qin Sang with expectant eyes. Hearing this, Qin Sang's heart stirred. *As expected, there was a reason Valley Master Mu invited me instead of Master Feng, with whom he shared a closer bond, to come help him.* It turned out he was after the Fire Jade Centipede's treasure-seeking ability. *So it's to search for a treasure. What sort of treasure could it be, and what does it have to do with the Witch Clan?* Thoughts raced through Qin Sang's mind, but he readily opened his spirit beast bag. The Fire Jade Centipede dropped onto his palm, blissfully oblivious to its impending fate as it clutched a Fire Melting Pill and feasted voraciously. Qin Sang looked down at the Fire Jade Centipede with tender affection and said tenderly, "This poor Daoist wished to learn the Spirit Ascension Rite precisely for the sake of this little fellow." Valley Master Mu stared intently for a moment before crying out in pleasant surprise, "It truly is a Fire Jade Centipede, and it is on the verge of entering the late stage of its third metamorphosis! As long as the legends hold true, it should meet the requirements!"