Shi Xue publicly announced Qin Sang's appointment as guest elder, drawing looks of deep respect from the crowd.
With Tong Lingyu's quiet maneuvering behind the scenes, the tale of Daoist Qingfeng infiltrating the demon lair alone to relay critical intelligence and render tremendous service had recently spread throughout Xuantian Palace. He was practically being hailed as a lone hero.
Faced with flattering praise from the two other Nascent Soul cultivators, Qin Sang felt slightly embarrassed and repeatedly demurred with humble modesty.
However, the moment Shi Xue proclaimed that Daoist Qingfeng was to become Dao companions with Liuli and that a grand ceremony would be held in the coming days, the disciples' reverent gazes vanished in an instant.
Even veiled, Liuli's natural, breathtaking beauty was impossible to conceal.
Ever since her return to Snow Listening Tower, every disciple who laid eyes on her had regarded her as a celestial being. If anything, her popularity here surpassed what it had been back at Mount Shaohua.
To these disciples, Liuli was the very embodiment of a fairy maiden. Her cool, aloof temperament only reinforced the image, making her seem like a celestial nymph stepped straight from the lunar palace.
In ordinary times, catching a mere glimpse of her was enough to leave them walking on air.
Yet now, their fairy maiden was being pulled down into the mortal dust by a strange man. How could they not feel stifled and bitter?
To make matters worse, their lineage head had ordered them to run about and busy themselves preparing the grand ceremony for him.
And worse still, they did not dare utter a single syllable of protest.
Noticing the rather peculiar atmosphere, Qin Sang could not help but recall Senior Brother Zhuang Yan, who had swooned over Liuli's portrait back when Qin Sang had first joined Mount Shaohua.
Having missed his final chance to see him again, Qin Sang had only learned of Zhuang Yan's passing from Mu Yifeng much later. Zhuang Yan had long since reached the end of his lifespan, though fortunately, he had left behind a granddaughter of fine aptitude. Mu Yifeng had planned to foster her development, and Qin Sang had also instructed Li Yufu to lend a helping hand.
"My thanks to you all for your trouble."
Qin Sang offered a dry chuckle, cupping his hands in gratitude toward the crowd. Then, without lingering, he hurried away from Snow Listening Tower with Liuli, casting his escape light and soaring toward Lingxiao Peak.
Before having an audience with the Palace Master, they first needed to pay a visit to Hall Master Jiang.
Hall Master Jiang was Bing Yao's senior martial brother, reputed to have been the eldest disciple of Bing Yao's generation. Hampered by the limits of his talent, he had remained at the mid-Nascent Soul stage for many years without making any further headway.
One could say he had watched Bing Yao grow up with his own eyes.
Not only did he command tremendous prestige within Snow Listening Tower, but he was also renowned across all of Xuantian Palace and even far beyond its borders—a venerable, highly esteemed veteran powerhouse.
Every branch of Xuantian Palace, particularly the four primary lineages, sent powerhouses from their ranks to serve as elders or hall masters to preserve their lineage's influence across the broader sect.
According to the rules, these individuals had to set aside their factional biases, treat all branches of Xuantian Palace impartially, and refrain from holding the seat of lineage head in their home branch.
Had he not moved to Lingxiao Peak to oversee Yuanji Hall, the seat of lineage head for Snow Listening Tower would undoubtedly have belonged to him.
Even now, whenever Shi Xue faced a major decision, she would first seek Hall Master Jiang's counsel.
When Snow Listening Tower invited Qin Sang to become a guest elder, the Grand Elder had personally visited Hall Master Jiang to explain the matter, which spoke volumes about the man's standing.
Yuanji Hall took its name from being situated above Yuanji Spring, one of the Seventy-Two Springs.
It was said that this spring produced a luminous pearl prized as an excellent material for artifact refining and alchemy. Consequently, Yuanji Hall oversaw the sect's external auxiliary arts, including pills, artifacts, formations, and talismans.
Qin Sang had long wished to call on Hall Master Jiang.
Having dabbled in both artifact refining and formations to draw upon the strengths of various schools, he naturally wanted to peruse Xuantian Palace's ancient records and study them at his leisure.
Yuanji Spring.
Qin Sang and Liuli lowered their escape lights, catching sight of an ancient, austere hall at the lake's center, surrounded by smaller pavilions and halls scattered like stars across a chessboard.
The complex was built on an island shaded by lush green foliage, remarkably serene.
From time to time, streaks of light flew in or out—all disciples from various lineages studying auxiliary arts, the weakest among them at the Foundation Establishment stage.
As they drew near Yuanji Hall, even disciples engaged in lighthearted chatter instinctively hushed their voices and assumed solemn expressions.
The name of Fairy Liuli was renowned throughout Xuantian Palace. Qin Sang and Liuli wished to avoid drawing undue attention, so they adopted slight disguises and descended alongside the other disciples before the decorative archway of Yuanji Hall, making their way inside on foot.
Even so, their presence did not go unnoticed.
No sooner had they passed beneath the archway than their vision blurred, and a white-haired elder leaning on a staff appeared ahead of them.
Catching sight of the elder, the bustling disciples all showed surprised looks and bowed in reverence. "Disciples pay our respects to the Hall Master."
"You may all carry on. Do not squander your time."
Hall Master Jiang gave them an encouraging nod before turning toward Qin Sang and offering a polite greeting. "Is Fellow Daoist the esteemed Daoist Qingfeng?"
The disciples bowed and withdrew, not forgetting to cast curious glances back at Qin Sang as they wondered what formidable figures these were to warrant the Hall Master welcoming them in person.
"This poor Daoist is Qingfeng. Greetings, Hall Master Jiang."
Qin Sang cupped his hands in return.
"Junior Liuli pays her respects to Martial Uncle Jiang."
Liuli also offered a respectful bow and handed Shi Xue's letter to him.
Hall Master Jiang unfurled the letter and read through it. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he appraised Qin Sang, glanced at Liuli, and then said cordially, "We shall soon be family, so there is no need for such formalities. Follow me."
The three of them strolled among the ancient trees and courtyards.
Eventually, they arrived at a secluded, tranquil courtyard.
Hall Master Jiang came to a halt. Gazing up into the heavens, his eyes grew distant, as if reminiscing about the past. Only after a long silence did he speak. "I have long heard of Daoist Qingfeng's divine abilities and feel deeply humbled. Your joining us is a great blessing for both Snow Listening Tower and Xuantian Palace. Shi Xue mentioned that you and Liuli met during your humble beginnings. As Liuli is my junior sister's closed-door disciple, since she trusts you, I trust her judgment. I will not meddle in the affairs between you two, lest you think this old fellow talks too much. Even so, had it been up to me, I would never have agreed to such an absurd arrangement. A sham partnership places virtually no binding restraint upon you, and even inner demon oaths are not entirely free of loopholes."
Facing Hall Master Jiang's piercing gaze, Qin Sang remained neither servile nor haughty, replying calmly, "This poor Daoist has always lived by one principle: my word is my bond."
The two held each other's gaze in silence.
After a long while, Hall Master Jiang gave a gentle nod. "I have already sent word to the Grand Elder. She will escort you to Lingxiao Peak for an audience with the Palace Master."
This was his tacit consent.
For Snow Listening Tower, Liuli was the sole hope among her generation of disciples.
Her failure to break through meant Snow Listening Tower had lost its eligibility.
Refusing Qin Sang would be tantamount to ceding the opportunity to the other three lineages. As one side waxed while the other waned, Snow Listening Tower's decline would only accelerate.
If Qin Sang could secure the Palace Master's approval and win the right to enter the Body Cleansing Pool, then even if he and Liuli shared only a transient marital bond, it would still foster goodwill with him, bringing Snow Listening Tower nothing but benefit.
According to Shi Xue, though this man was only in the mid-Nascent Soul stage, his strength was already on par with that of a Great Cultivator. He was already capable of holding dominion over a region, and his future potential was boundless.
Hall Master Jiang had initially been skeptical, but after corroborating the claim with Tong Lingyu, he had no choice but to believe it.
The three waited in the courtyard.
Before long, a fragrant breeze swept past as Tong Lingyu drifted gracefully into view.
Catching sight of Qin Sang and Liuli, Tong Lingyu's beautiful eyes lit up. She raised a delicate hand, hiding an amused smile behind her sleeve. "What a handsome couple! How fortunate that I asked Hall Master Jiang and Lineage Head Shi to invite Daoist Qingfeng to serve as Snow Listening Tower's guest elder. Otherwise, wouldn't we have missed out on such a splendid match?"
Naturally, the truth of the sham marriage could not be divulged to Tong Lingyu.
Believing that old acquaintances had reunited and rekindled old sparks, she wore a teasing smile.
Qin Sang cupped his hands in greeting.
After exchanging pleasantries, Tong Lingyu stood up. "Since I can be considered half a matchmaker for your union, I naturally have no objections. However, presenting yourselves to the Palace Master is only proper. Time is of the essence; come with me to Lingxiao Peak at once."
Taking their leave of Hall Master Jiang, the three took flight together toward the center of the Seventy-Two Springs, soon arriving at the base of Lingxiao Peak.
Even with the Grand Elder leading them in person, they were subjected to questioning by the guards, permitted onto the mountain only after declaring their purpose.
The three ascended to a guest-welcoming pavilion midway up the mountain.
"Wait here a moment; I will go up first."
Leaving them behind, Tong Lingyu made no mention of having Qin Sang remove the Thousand Fox Mask, her tone laced with a faint touch of oddity. "No need to be nervous. The Palace Master has been in secluded cultivation for many years and may not necessarily have the time to receive you."
Qin Sang and Liuli exchanged a look.
The Palace Master declining to summon them suited their desires perfectly.
Qin Sang did not necessarily fear the Palace Master, but he had no wish to stir up unnecessary complications.
While they spoke, Tong Lingyu performed a movement technique and vanished from sight.
At the summit of Lingxiao Peak stood a jade cliff face embedded in the rock, facing south with its back to the north, as smooth as a mirror.
Before the jade cliff lay a small, crystalline pool where two golden carp swam placidly. The surface was undisturbed by ripples, profoundly tranquil, with not a guard in sight.
Arriving at the pool's edge, Tong Lingyu gazed at the jade cliff, bowed, and declared in a clear voice, "Tong Lingyu pays her respects to the Palace Master."
No reply came from within the cliff.
Tong Lingyu remained motionless where she stood, her expression completely free of impatience.
After an indeterminate time, a slightly raspy voice drifted out from inside. "Lingyu, you have come."
The tone was exceptionally flat, devoid of any discernible emotion.
"Palace Master," Tong Lingyu reported, "the Ice Demon Crystal is nearing maturity. Through joint deliberation, the various lineages intend to open the Sacred Grounds one year from now."
"Very well. When the time comes, I shall make an appearance."
Tong Lingyu hesitated for a moment before asking with genuine concern, "Palace Master, your injuries..."
"They are of no consequence."
The voice within the jade cliff remained utterly devoid of inflection.
Tong Lingyu nodded and pressed no further. "Two juniors intend to become Dao companions. Since this pertains to the contention for the Body Cleansing Pool, they have come to pay their respects to you and are currently waiting at the foot of the mountain."
"What is your view?"
"A match made in heaven," Tong Lingyu replied without hesitation.
"Then grant it."
The Palace Master casually approved the matter. Just as Tong Lingyu had anticipated, he showed no inclination to summon Qin Sang and Liuli.
Tong Lingyu's expression faltered slightly. "Understood!"
Keeping her head lowered, a glimmer of understanding flashed across her eyes. She bowed once more, then turned and walked back down the mountain.
Deep inside the cliff, behind the flawless jade wall, lay a stone cavern so crude it could only be described as desolate.
White mist drifted throughout the cave, exuding an appalling chill. Any cultivator of modest cultivation would be frozen solid upon stepping inside.
Beneath the layers of mist lay a frigid pool.
Floating quietly atop this pool, enveloped in freezing fog, was an ice coffin.
A man lay within.
Wreaths of freezing mist seeped steadily into the coffin in faint strands.
Countless translucent runes faintly flickered across the surface of the ice coffin, difficult to discern with the naked eye. These runes were exceedingly peculiar, and the coffin itself emanated an extraordinary fluctuation, as though it and the man resting inside had merged into one with the world.
The man was clad in white robes and wore a jade crown. He possessed dignified features, and even lying as still as a corpse within the ice coffin, he carried an indescribable majesty that naturally inspired veneration.
Though he appeared very young, an aura of decay emanated from him, and his exposed skin was deathly pale.
This man was none other than the Palace Master of Xuantian Palace—Yin Changsheng.
Had anyone else witnessed the scene behind the jade wall, they would have been utterly shocked, unable to imagine that the Palace Master resided within an ice coffin.
The instant Tong Lingyu turned to leave, Yin Changsheng's eyelids twitched slightly. He opened his eyes, revealing irises that resembled carved mystic ice, his dark pupils virtually gone. Then, he slowly closed them once more.
Walking down Lingxiao Peak alongside Tong Lingyu, Qin Sang recalled Old Man Hunmo's invitation and probed with a few roundabout questions, quickly discerning that Tong Lingyu had received no such overture.
This was rather thought-provoking.
Nevertheless, the Sacred Grounds would open in one year.
For now, he needed to devote all his attention to preparing for his entry into the Sacred Grounds and contending for a spot in the Body Cleansing Pool. With a great deal still to accomplish and no room for distraction, he set the matter aside.
The pair did not linger long at Yuanji Hall. After agreeing to visit Hall Master Jiang again in the future, Qin Sang returned to Snow Listening Tower.
Preparations for the grand ceremony were underway in full swing.
Qin Sang and Liuli had no special requests, leaving everything entirely in Shi Xue's hands.
Qin Sang resumed his quiet cultivation in the pavilion.
No matter the bustle outside, he kept his doors firmly shut against visitors and sealed off his abode.
Patting his spirit beast pouch, he released the Fire Jade Centipede.
After being subjected to the Three Spirits Pan King Formation, the centipede had remained listless for a long time, only regaining its vitality in recent years. Fed on pills Qin Sang had procured for it, its cultivation had now been pushed to the peak of the Third Metamorphosis.
Next, Qin Sang summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.
Watching the two little creatures frolic, a pensive look crossed Qin Sang's face.
He had previously debated whether to perform the Spirit Ascension Rite on the Heavenly Eye Butterfly now or allow it to cultivate slowly, break through to the middle stage of the Fourth Metamorphosis on its own, and only then use the rite to push it straight into the late Fourth Metamorphosis.
The higher the realm, the harder cultivation became.
Only by saving it for later could he maximize the value of the Spirit Ascension Rite.
Qin Sang harbored immense expectations for the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. In the future, whether breaking through to the late Nascent Soul stage or even the Deity Transformation realm, he would need her assistance.
For that sake, he was willing to wait hundreds of years.
Now, however, he leaned toward performing the rite for her immediately.
First, the higher the realm, the greater the likelihood of failure. Waiting for greater returns down the road came with commensurate risk, which was not necessarily wise.
Second, he had been influenced by Liuli's words.
Liuli's master was a genuine Great Cultivator who cultivated the Ice Soul Divine Light; her terrifying prowess was easy to imagine.
Even though Qin Sang's cultivation was a full realm higher than Liuli's, he had still been startled by her, and at that point, Liuli's Ice Soul Divine Light was far from reaching full mastery. This alone demonstrated how dreadful the technique was.
Yet a master of such formidable might feared the Palace Master so deeply that she dared not return to Xuantian Palace, preferring to remain trapped in Ziwei Palace for centuries rather than seek aid from the sect.
Qin Sang found it difficult to imagine the depth of Yin Changsheng's cultivation. Did the legendary half-step Deity Transformation realm truly exist?
Or did the Palace Master possess a Spirit Treasure or some similarly formidable method that struck terror into Bing Yao?
Against Yin Changsheng, the Sun God Tree would likely confer little advantage.
Qin Sang would do his utmost to avoid conflict with Yin Changsheng, but preparations still had to be made.
In battles between Great Cultivators, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly could only serve as an early warning system; its divine eye could no longer spy on such adversaries undetected.
If it broke through to the middle stage of the Fourth Metamorphosis, it might just be able to elude a Great Cultivator's spiritual sense.
Chapter 1477: Realm Breakthrough
Netherworld Earth.
Primordial Yin Water.
Seven-Colored Lingzhi Fruit.
...
A wide assortment of spiritual materials lay arrayed before Qin Sang.
To set up the Spirit Ascension Rite, the first step was refining an altar. Netherworld Earth and Primordial Yin Water served as the indispensable core. Only when combined with the Seven-Colored Lingzhi Fruit could their wondrous effects be unleashed.
Refining an altar shared much in common with artifact crafting, which naturally posed no challenge to Qin Sang.
First, he reviewed the refinement method for the altar in his mind.
Worried that the domineering aura of the Nine Nether Demonic Fire might compromise the altar's efficacy, Qin Sang planned to use only his Nascent Fire. Resting his hands on his knees with palms facing the heavens, he sent forth his Nascent Fire, gathering it into a radiant sphere before him.
His gaze swept over all the spiritual materials. Without any visible movement from him, a clump resembling gnarled tree roots rose of its own accord and plunged into the Nascent Fire.
In an instant, the material was engulfed in flames.
Beneath the scorching heat of the Nascent Fire, the item did not melt to ash. Instead, its impurities were purged away, stripping it of its dross until it became harder than tempered metal.
One by one, the framework for the altar was erected.
Simultaneously, Qin Sang drew in other spiritual materials, either liquefying them into essence or grinding them to fine powder before continuously incorporating them into the framework.
As Qin Sang worked, multicolored lights flashed across the framework's surface. Each flicker heralded the birth of new runes and an intrinsic transformation of its nature.
As time slipped by, the framework was completed. Qin Sang took a brief moment to adjust his breathing, then proceeded to flesh out the altar with the remaining materials.
Before him, a four-sided altar—tapering from a broad base to a narrower top—gradually took shape. When inert, it was no larger than an inkstone, an unassuming deep black.
*Whoosh, whoosh...*
The Nascent Fire blazed, refining the altar without pause.
Beads of sweat rolled steadily down Qin Sang's temples as his true essence drained at an alarming rate, yet he paid it no heed. He had arrived at the most critical juncture.
He watched the spinning altar with unblinking focus, striving to catch every minute change.
Finally, the moment arrived.
*Swish!*
A piece of Netherworld Earth soared into midair. With a crisp snap, the grayish-white stone shattered, dissolving into a cloud of even paler dust.
Dividing his attention between two tasks, Qin Sang continued refining the altar while shifting his hand seals in rapid succession, driving various runes into the Netherworld Earth.
Peculiar changes swiftly manifested within the earth. White points of light began to twinkle inside the dust, shimmering like countless minuscule stars.
"Go!"
Qin Sang guided it with a wave of his hand. Like a river of light, the Netherworld Earth flowed smoothly into the altar, merging into it without a sound.
Every inch of the altar absorbed the Netherworld Earth.
He was not done yet.
Without missing a beat, Qin Sang drew forth a droplet of Primordial Yin Water. It hovered above his palm like a pearl, containing a tiny swirling vortex within.
Flicking his finger, he sent the Primordial Yin Water falling gently onto the top of the altar.
Tiny rivulets could be seen spreading across the etched lines of the altar's surface. As they met the power of the Netherworld Earth, new transformations took place. The intersecting runes wove an extraordinarily profound pattern across the altar.
One moment it portrayed mountains and rivers upon the earth, and the next, it conjured the sun, moon, stars, wind, rain, and thunder.
Behind these various phenomena, phantom silhouettes of spirit insects faintly flickered into view.
The altar seemed to come alive, bursting with dazzling radiance that illuminated the entire cave dwelling.
Qin Sang slowly withdrew his Nascent Fire, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the altar.
Before long, its light subsided, and it settled quietly into his palm. Qin Sang swept his divine sense over it in careful examination, confirming there were no defects. Following the same procedure, he refined all three altars.
Afterward, Qin Sang meditated to recover his strength and bring himself to his peak state. Carrying the altars and his spirit insects, he quietly slipped away from Snow Listening Tower.
According to Valley Master Mu, the commotion caused when elevating a spirit insect was immense; Hundred Flowers Valley had relied entirely on their grand sect formation to conceal it.
Cultivators were common in the vicinity of Snow Listening Tower. Qin Sang flew swiftly out to sea, making a beeline for an island he had scouted earlier. When the demon race had invaded the borders, cultivators had fled back to the mainland, abandoning their island abodes.
This particular island had since been overrun by beasts, reduced to a foul and chaotic state.
Qin Sang eliminated all the beasts, summoned his external incarnation to stand guard, and then flew to the highest peak at the island's center to begin his preparations.
This was also where the island's spiritual energy was densest, atop its spirit vein.
Before long, Qin Sang finished laying out the spirit formation required for the Spirit Ascension Rite. With a flick of his finger, an altar flew straight into the formation's core.
Mid-flight, the altar radiated brilliant light, swelling rapidly until it transformed into an enormous elevated platform and slammed onto the ground.
*Boom!*
The mountain shuddered.
Qin Sang leaped onto the altar, surveyed his surroundings with satisfaction, and patted his spirit beast pouch to summon the Fire Jade Centipede.
"Whether you can break through will depend on your own fortune," Qin Sang murmured, gently stroking the centipede's carapace.
The Fire Jade Centipede nuzzled Qin Sang's finger. At Qin Sang's urging, its countless legs blurred into motion as it transformed into a streak of red light, settling motionless at the altar's center.
Possessing limited intelligence, it remained simple and muddled, not understanding what its master intended to do.
Qin Sang glanced up at the sky and waited for an hour until total darkness fell and the full moon hung high in the sky like a silver platter.
Then, he sat cross-legged beside the Fire Jade Centipede, closed his eyes, and attempted to commune with its consciousness.
The Fire Jade Centipede was not his natal spirit insect, so a slight barrier always separated them, leaving it less close than the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Even so, having consumed a Myriad Spirit Fruit, its spiritual awareness had improved markedly compared to before.
"We may begin..."
Qin Sang crushed the Seven-Colored Lingzhi Fruit, feeding all its juice to the centipede while simultaneously activating the grand formation and stimulating the altar.
After consuming the fruit's juice, the Fire Jade Centipede went limp, swaying as though intoxicated. Yet Qin Sang could sense that its consciousness was clearer than ever before.
*Hum!*
The altar shuddered.
Wondrous light surged skyward.
Around the centipede, the light coalesced into the shape of a jade bowl—an extraordinary sight.
At the same time, the surrounding environment was stirred by the altar's power.
A sudden wind arose!
Though no dark clouds were visible high above, the faint rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.
Gales swept across the island, snapping vegetation and leaving havoc in their wake.
This was no ordinary sea breeze, but a celestial phenomenon triggered by the altar drawing upon spiritual energy, pulling it inexorably toward the platform.
The altar's radiance grew ever more dazzling.
The silver moon shone with increasing brilliance, looking near enough to pluck by hand.
Cool lunar radiance spilled downward, gathering into the jade bowl alongside the spiritual energy. Within the bowl, the light rippled like water.
Qin Sang's gaze fell upon the shimmering runes on the altar's surface, his eyes gleaming with fascination. These runes formed a seamless whole that harmonized with nature, giving him an uncanny sense of familiarity.
Divine runes of the Witch Clan!
Moreover, as the runes emerged, the insect-like phantoms grew clearer and clearer, dancing upon the altar much like the priestess performing her shamanic dance in the Winged Python Village.
Though these phantoms were illusory and bizarrely shaped, they possessed a singular beauty and boundless profundity.
Just then, Qin Sang felt the Fire Jade Centipede's consciousness begin to waver. Not daring to be distracted any further, he immersed his mind into the centipede's body to soothe it.
Under the altar's influence, the lunar essence and spiritual energy transformed into the 'water' of the jade bowl—exceedingly pure, gradually rising until it submerged the Fire Jade Centipede.
Throughout this process, the centipede's latent potential was drawn out. As it absorbed and endured the energy contained in the 'water,' its aura surged.
Such energy brought both benefits and perils.
Even as it flooded the centipede's body, it battered the creature's mind, inflicting indescribable agony.
Given the centipede's cultivation realm, it would not lose itself easily, but this energy was simply too vast—it was a formidable force meant to smash through bottlenecks.
Furthermore, forcibly drawing out its latent potential took a toll on the creature itself.
Had it been his natal spirit insect, Qin Sang would have had numerous methods to assist it, but the aid he could provide now was limited.
He drove the altar with all his might, making the force within the bowl as gentle as possible while soothing and calling out to the centipede to keep its consciousness from scattering.
As time passed, the Fire Jade Centipede's aura grew steadily stronger, advancing firmly toward the Fourth Metamorphosis.
Yet Qin Sang's expression turned exceedingly grave, for the centipede's consciousness was growing increasingly blurred.
Had it not previously consumed a Myriad Spirit Fruit, it would already have succumbed.
Qin Sang could sense the centipede's unyielding will as it fought desperately to hold on. Even the lowliest ant possessed the instinct to grow stronger, let alone a spirit insect.
Its body curled into a ball, giving off a thick crimson glow that pulsed rhythmically, as if swelling. It radiated an unstable aura, on the verge of collapsing at any second.
Qin Sang looked grim, his mind taut as a bowstring.
He hesitated, taking a gamble by letting the centipede endure a little longer, but the will of heaven proved unyielding.
"Enough."
Qin Sang sighed softly and forcibly halted the Spirit Ascension Rite.
The jade bowl shattered, and the energy within erupted violently, destroying the altar beneath it.
At the final instant, Qin Sang snatched the Fire Jade Centipede and materialized in the void some distance away.
The centipede gripped Qin Sang's finger tightly, letting out a faint, mournful cry—exceedingly weak, yet laden with profound unwillingness.
"Though you failed to break through, you still gained considerable benefits; consider it an opportunity. The time was simply not ripe; there will always be other chances in the future."
Qin Sang sent comforting thoughts to soothe the centipede.
This was no empty platitude. Even when the Spirit Ascension Rite failed, the process of stimulating latent potential and battering against the bottleneck still provided considerable benefits to a spirit insect.
The centipede seemed to understand. Its body gradually relaxed, and it fell into a deep slumber.
Returning it to the spirit beast pouch, Qin Sang surveyed the waters around the island. Waves churned as shadows of sea beasts surfaced from all directions, drawn by the earlier phenomenon.
However, none dared approach, instinctively terrified by the Nascent Soul-level aura radiating from his external incarnation.
Qin Sang swiftly wiped away all traces, recalled his incarnation, and departed.
Arriving at another island rich in spiritual energy, Qin Sang set up the second altar using the same method. This time, however, he summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly rather than the fat silkworm.
During the previous attempt, Qin Sang had gained some insight.
The fat silkworm was in an even worse position than the Fire Jade Centipede; it was not even his spirit insect. He could offer it virtually no assistance, nor could he exert precise control. The silkworm would not last long and would reap little benefit.
Furthermore, Qin Sang worried that shocking the silkworm's consciousness might adversely affect Yagu. In her recent recovery, the fat silkworm had played an indispensable role.
Consequently, Qin Sang decided against using the rite on the silkworm.
He sat quietly for over an hour, reflecting on the earlier successes and shortcomings to absorb the lessons learned before finally summoning the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.
"It is up to you now..."
Qin Sang whispered tenderly, a hint of nervousness unexpectedly creeping into his heart.
There was only one chance for spirit ascension, and the butterfly was not yet at the peak of the early Fourth Metamorphosis; attempting it now was admittedly somewhat forced.
Her advantage lay in having consumed two Myriad Spirit Fruits, granting her spiritual awareness far beyond that of her kin. Having undergone two metamorphoses and fused with the lightning power of the Azure Phoenix, she could no longer be judged as a mere spirit insect.
Moreover, Qin Sang cultivated authentic Witch Clan secret arts, giving them slightly better odds than the cultivators of Hundred Flowers Valley.
The Heavenly Eye Butterfly fluttered before Qin Sang, her wings gently brushing against his cheek as though comforting her master in turn. Then, she settled at the center of the altar and raised her wings upright.
Qin Sang took a deep breath. Without further hesitation, he fed her the fruit's juice and activated the altar.
Every step proceeded smoothly.
The 'water' in the jade bowl gathered far more slowly than before, as the Heavenly Eye Butterfly absorbed it at a rate far exceeding that of the Fire Jade Centipede.
That familiar sensation returned.
The butterfly's conscious fluctuations began to rise and fall.
Qin Sang's heart tightened. He immediately deployed his Witch Clan secret arts, doing everything in his power to support her.
The butterfly's aura climbed steadily in an encouraging trend.
Before long, her cultivation was pushed to the peak of the early Fourth Metamorphosis—the combined result of awakened potential and the infusion of spiritual energy. This state was only temporary; if she could not shatter the bottleneck, it would recede.
At this point, the butterfly still possessed ample strength and had not reached her limit.
Yet what lay ahead was the most perilous trial. The backlash of attempting a breakthrough would far surpass what had come before.
*Splash!*
Ripples stirred within the jade bowl. The butterfly's wings trembled faintly as she launched her assault on the bottleneck!
Qin Sang unleashed every secret art at his disposal, lending his full strength, yet he could not prevent her consciousness from sliding toward the abyss. The onslaught she endured was incomparable to what the Fire Jade Centipede had faced.
Her body shuddered, wings tightly folded.
Qin Sang could intimately feel the agony she was enduring.
Like the centipede, though her awareness grew hazy, her will remained steadfast and unyielding.
Yet that alone could not guarantee a breakthrough.
Time ticked away.
The butterfly's condition deteriorated steadily, with still no sign of a breakthrough. Qin Sang could not help but grow anxious.
At some point, he had opened his eyes, staring intently at the butterfly within the bowl. He had done all he could; now, he acted like a lifeline, anchoring her consciousness and calling out to her relentlessly.
He could not bear to see her foundation damaged. Once she reached her absolute limit, regardless of the outcome, he would have to call a halt.
Qin Sang's gaze dimmed. The butterfly was nearing her breaking point, with dawn nowhere in sight.
Right at that moment, an abrupt change occurred.
The Heavenly Eye Butterfly snapped her wings wide open.
Whether it was an illusion or not, the heavenly eyes upon her wings seemed to blink.
*Crackle!*
A flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the jade bowl.
The moment Qin Sang sensed the lightning, an instinctive shudder seized his heart. That lightning contained the true intent of tribulation lightning, stronger and more tangible than ever before.
It was the majesty of heaven itself, yet it manifested upon a tiny butterfly.
"This is..."
Delight bloomed across Qin Sang's face.
The tribulation lightning scattered through the jade bowl, countless arcing threads darting through the 'water.'
In the next instant, the butterfly reabsorbed the lightning into her body. The 'water' in the bowl seemed to encounter a drain, swirling madly.
Like a great whale gulping down the sea, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly drained the bowl dry in an instant!
*Rumble!*
Lightning flashed and thunder roared high in the heavens, resonating with the tribulation lightning.
The jade bowl and altar crumbled simultaneously.
Trailing her long phoenix tail feathers, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly took flight, her aura skyrocketing alongside her ascent.
Middle stage of the Fourth Metamorphosis!
Chapter 1476