As long as no backlash occurred, a cultivator's bond with a natal insect gu was far closer than with any ordinary spirit insect, comparable to that with a natal magic treasure—completely intimate and intertwined.
Furthermore, the closer and more trusting a spirit insect was toward its master, the higher the chances of success for the Spirit Ascension Rite.
It could be said that the Spirit Ascension Rite was tailor-made for natal insect gu, and it undoubtedly originated from the Witch Clan.
*I wonder if the Witch Clan in the Canglang Ocean know of the Spirit Ascension Rite?*
The thought flickered through Qin Sang's mind.
He knew very little of the Witch Clan's heritage, but even he could tell that the Spirit Ascension Rite was immensely intricate, by no means an ordinary secret technique.
Having obtained the rite, this trip was already worthwhile, regardless of whether he could enter the Jinghai Sect.
With his mind set at ease, Qin Sang turned his attention to the Three Spirits Pan King Formation.
The formation was not overly complex. The three spirit insects merely needed to assume a Three Powers disposition, which required precise control from the one presiding over the array.
Of course, another prerequisite was that the three spirit insects could not violently resist during the process of activating the formation, which was why Qin Sang had to soothe the Fire Jade Centipede.
In addition, a specialized altar was required.
The altar could be prepared in advance and simply erected when laying out the formation.
However, each altar could only be used once.
The previous altar had already been consumed on the Jade-bearing Bee.
Over the past three days, Cultivator Qi had made a trip out to bring back the required spirit materials. Valley Master Mu had only refined a small portion so far and would need more than ten days to finish crafting the rest.
After a brief period of comprehension, Qin Sang flew over to lend a hand.
***
While they were busy at work, far away, beneath the open expanse of the water, a figure lurked in silence.
This spot was also within the Kongling Sea, but the person was exceedingly cautious, hiding at a great distance from Qin Sang and the others. As a result, not even the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had noticed his presence.
He wore a black robe, and on the thumb of his right hand was a yellow jade archer's ring engraved with two blocky, upright characters: *Jiujie*—Nine Precepts!
This person was none other than the contemporary island master of Nine Precepts Island—Realized Master Chijie!
This Nine Precepts ring had been passed down to him by his master, Realized Master Jiujie.
The religious names of the master and disciple were both somewhat peculiar. Some speculated that the name Chijie, meaning "holding the precepts," came from the fact that he possessed the Nine Precepts ring.
Yet no one dared utter a word of gossip before a Nascent Soul cultivator.
At that moment, Realized Master Chijie had completely reined in his aura, sitting cross-legged beneath the water, utterly motionless. His hands rested crossed upon his lap, cradling a yellow orb.
Inside the orb was an undulating scene of rippling water.
In the depths of those ripples, the busy silhouettes of Qin Sang and the others were faintly reflected.
However, the image was very blurred and distant. Realized Master Chijie was clearly worried about being discovered and did not dare spy on them openly.
Even so, it was enough.
Realized Master Chijie stared fixedly at the orb. Seeing the scene within, a flicker of anxiety surfaced in his eyes.
"Could it be... they really have a way?" Chijie murmured to himself.
His gaze shifted, settling upon the new face—Qin Sang.
Then, letting out an almost imperceptible sigh, Realized Master Chijie silently slipped away.
Before long, he emerged above the surface of the sea and sped northward.
Once out of the Kongling Sea and certain there were no mishaps, Realized Master Chijie halted his flight light and brought out a jet-black token, a look of struggle emerging in his eyes.
The token bore no superfluous ornamentation, only two words: *Hunmo*!
Gritting his teeth, Realized Master Chijie abruptly channeled his true essence, pouring it into the token.
A brilliant black light flared!
The token trembled violently as thick demonic qi suddenly poured forth. The characters for *Hunmo* twisted and distorted, gradually transforming into a vortex of demonic energy that radiated a chilling ripple.
*Crack!*
Realized Master Chijie's expression shifted slightly, and he tossed the token away.
The token shattered upon release, turning into a cloud of demonic qi that vanished into thin air, and the surroundings returned to normal.
Then, Realized Master Chijie quietly gazed toward the north, remaining in place as if waiting for something.
Several days later, a streak of black flight light appeared on the horizon, demonic qi surging to the heavens as it hurtled straight toward Realized Master Chijie.
Startled out of his meditation, Realized Master Chijie rose into midair. Seeing the astonishing momentum of the incoming light, joy crept onto his face. He quickly tidied his robes and bowed respectfully in that direction. "Chijie pays his respects to Senior."
The newcomer was none other than the master of Hunmo Island—Old Man Hunmo!
Though both were Nascent Soul cultivators, Chijie treated him with the etiquette of a junior.
*Boom!*
The sound of rushing air was deafening. Making no attempt to conceal his arrival, Old Man Hunmo descended before Realized Master Chijie in the blink of an eye.
Immediately after, a frosty voice rang out from within the flight light. "Chijie, that Hunmo Token was a gift from this old man to your master. Do you know the consequences of daring to use it?"
Realized Master Chijie's eyelid twitched, yet his tone remained extraordinarily calm. "Junior understands. Unless used by someone to whom Senior personally gifted it, an outsider using the Hunmo Token must pay a corresponding price!"
"Good that you know!"
Before the words had finished echoing, a figure landed before Realized Master Chijie—an elderly man clad in grey robes, with a head of snow-white hair and a kind, benevolent countenance.
It was hard to imagine that Old Man Hunmo, whose renown struck terror throughout the Boundless Sea and across the entire North Sea, would look like this.
His back was slightly hunched, and he leaned on a black bamboo cane.
The moment he dispersed his flight light, his aura vanished along with it, devoid of any overwhelming presence.
He looked just like an ordinary octogenarian.
Yet the moment he saw Old Man Hunmo, strong as Realized Master Chijie was, his mind tightened, and his demeanor grew even more cautious.
Old Man Hunmo's eyes appeared somewhat cloudy. Looking at Realized Master Chijie, he said flatly, "Seeing as you are Jiujie's sole successor, as long as you provide a reason that satisfies me, this old man can let the matter rest."
"Thank you, Senior!"
Realized Master Chijie showed no joy at the concession, his expression turning solemn. "Junior discovered the ruins of an ancient sect containing something of vital importance to me. However, others have discovered the ruins as well. The other side has strength in numbers, so Junior had no choice but to boldly implore Senior to intervene."
"The ruins of a mere ancient sect?" Old Man Hunmo sneered.
Seeing Old Man Hunmo's displeasure, Realized Master Chijie's heart raced, and he hurriedly said, "This sect has an extraordinary background. It is a rare Buddhist sect in the cultivation world, named the Jinghai Sect!"
Upon hearing the name Jinghai Sect, Old Man Hunmo's eyes flashed, yet he made no sound.
Realized Master Chijie dared not keep him in suspense and continued in a rush, "Many years ago, my master had the fortune to obtain part of the Jinghai Sect's heritage, and thereafter considered himself its successor. Later, he occupied Nine Precepts Island precisely to search for the sect's ruins. Master only knew that the Jinghai Sect was located in the Kongling Sea. Having spent countless years without finding the slightest clue, he could only pass away with regret. Junior originally thought the Jinghai Sect had vanished completely, but unexpectedly, an anomaly recently appeared. Junior was just about to investigate, only to find that others had beaten me to it..."
"Jiujie! Chijie! So that is how it is!"
Old Man Hunmo glanced toward the Kongling Sea and chuckled softly. "In the entire Boundless Sea, fewer than ten people know of the existence of the Jinghai Sect. And as for knowing that it lies within the Kongling Sea, I thought there was no one left besides this old man. It turns out you master and disciple were Buddhist inheritors all along. This old man never noticed back then—Jiujie hid it very deeply indeed."
He seemed quite knowledgeable about the Jinghai Sect.
Surprise flickered in Realized Master Chijie's eyes as well.
Chapter 1402