Deep within the Sacred Ground.
The darkness receded.
Prismatic light illuminated the void.
The Linglong Treasure Pagoda descended.
At the very last moment, shrill wails from the trapped demons echoed from beneath the pagoda, only to be cut short the instant it slammed down.
The place where the Linglong Treasure Pagoda landed was precisely where the stone stele had stood.
The stele was gone, replaced by a colossal pagoda radiating a seven-colored halo, its entrance now sealed shut.
The void shuddered as lingering shockwaves rippled outward. The mist surrounding the pagoda was jarred into turbulence, and the rainbow luminescence filtered through the vapor, spilling across the sky in expansive sheets.
Even from the floating mountains outside, one could clearly see the deep reaches of the Sacred Ground awash with vibrant, enduring auroras.
The cultivators of Xuantian Palace, including Tong Lingyu, stared up at the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, completely dazed.
When the upheaval began, they had sensed that remaining inside the stele space would bode ill, but none had imagined the Linglong Treasure Pagoda would wield such awe-inspiring might—suppressing every last demon trapped within!
Tong Lingyu and the others were thoroughly shaken by the spectacle, finding it almost impossible to believe.
The stele space had opened without warning, and now a magnificent pagoda had materialized deep within the Sacred Ground. There was no telling what repercussions this might bring.
At the very least, it was not a bad outcome for now, as those suffering the calamity were their enemies.
The moment the Linglong Treasure Pagoda struck the earth, its rainbow radiance peaked in brilliance before gradually waning.
Deep within the prismatic light, the pagoda shrank at astonishing speed, returning to normal proportions while gleaming resplendently.
Yet as time passed, the rainbow hues faded until they vanished entirely. The Linglong Treasure Pagoda lost all luster, turning into an ordinary, ash-gray stone pagoda.
Its texture bore an uncanny resemblance to the earlier stone stele.
"Grand Elder..."
Having confirmed that Old Man Hunmo was pinned beneath the base, Elder Mei breathed a sigh of relief. She flickered over to Tong Lingyu's side and whispered a few words.
Tong Lingyu glanced sideways at Hall Master Jiang before flying up to the stone pagoda. She circled it once, but found no entrance.
The stone pagoda had taken the place of the earlier stele, standing here in lonely isolation.
A single question lingered in everyone's mind: Where were Liuli and her partner?
Did the pagoda's seal have anything to do with them?
In the final moments, the demons had appeared all at once, yet Liuli and Qin Sang had been nowhere to be seen.
Could they have run into danger inside, perhaps besieged by the demons, managing only to send out an advance warning?
Just then, a stir rippled through the Xuantian Palace cultivators. Influenced by the stone pagoda, the surrounding spatial turbulence was growing increasingly violent; if this continued, the danger level would soon rival the innermost depths of the Sacred Ground.
Tong Lingyu furrowed her delicate brows and scanned her surroundings. "Hall Master Jiang and I will remain behind. Elder Mei, take the others and hunt down the remaining demons without delay. It would be best to capture one alive so we can ascertain exactly what happened inside."
With major threats like Old Man Hunmo and Great Sage Tianpeng suppressed under the pagoda, the surviving demons could stir up little trouble, requiring no personal intervention from her.
"Understood!"
Elder Mei accepted the command and departed.
After conferring, Tong Lingyu and Hall Master Jiang attempted various methods, yet they could not budge the stone pagoda in the slightest, let alone unseal it.
As the spatial turbulence raged ever more fiercely, Hall Master Jiang was also forced to pull back. Tong Lingyu never saw Qin Sang or Liuli emerge.
When the Sacred Ground reached its time to close, she would have no way to hold it open and would be forced to lead her people out first.
Even so, Tong Lingyu felt in her bones that Qin Sang could not have been so easily suppressed. The more she examined the Linglong Treasure Pagoda, the more familiar it looked, reminding her of the seven-story pagoda Qin Sang had taken from Xuantian Palace's treasury.
What connection was there between the two pagodas?
Yin Changsheng had effectively died by his hands; how could such a man be ordinary?
Even with Old Man Hunmo and Great Sage Tianpeng joining forces, they might not have been able to keep him there!
Before long, the hour of the Sacred Ground's closure drew near. Receiving a signal, Tong Lingyu flew back to find Elder Mei wearing an expression of disbelief.
Elder Mei reported all the intelligence she had gathered in meticulous detail. The more she spoke, the more astounded she became, unable to fathom how Qin Sang's strength could have reached such a terrifying height.
Only then did Elder Mei understand why Old Man Hunmo's counterattack had lacked its usual ferocity—in plain view of all those gathered, the pair had nearly claimed the old devil's life!
"The two of them took the initiative to enter the Linglong Treasure Pagoda holding a small pagoda. This upheaval was very likely orchestrated by them, and there may well be deeper secrets inside the pagoda!"
Tong Lingyu refused to believe Qin Sang would willingly perish alongside the demons. Yet with so little information—they did not even know the origins of the small pagoda kept in the sect treasury—there was no way to deduce the full truth.
By this point, only the disciples of Xuantian Palace remained in the Sacred Ground; all the other demons had fled for their lives.
Tong Lingyu led her people to guard the Sacred Ground's entrance, waiting until the very last instant, but there was still no sign of Qin Sang and Liuli.
Hall Master Jiang was equally helpless, watching with open eyes as the Sacred Ground began to shut.
The Chongming bird pulled the ornate carriage, prostrating itself obediently at Tong Lingyu's feet.
This spiritual bird possessed sharp wit. Seeing that its master had not emerged, it understood the situation and chose to submit to the strongest cultivator present, showing none of its previous swagger. Another reason was that it sensed the aura of the Xuantian Token upon Tong Lingyu.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Gales howled in their ears.
The entrance to the Sacred Ground contracted at high speed, turning into a thin black line before vanishing entirely.
Tong Lingyu looked around.
The turmoil during this venture into the Sacred Ground had been unprecedented. Xuantian Palace had suffered grievous losses, with the vast majority of casualties stemming from internal strife.
She had expected to lie low and nurse their strength for a long period upon returning. Unexpectedly, the situation had taken a dramatic turn at the very end—the demons had met an even more miserable fate, nearly wiped out in one fell swoop.
Xuantian Palace remained the preeminent power in the North Sea!
*Fellow Daoist Qin has truly pulled off a staggering feat. Once word spreads, the North Sea will be thoroughly shaken, and the dread surrounding their names will reach an unprecedented peak. If only I knew where the two of them are now...*
With that thought crossing her mind, Tong Lingyu summoned a flying boat and led her disciples back to the unnamed islet.
Using the Xuantian Token and her personal keepsake, she opened the spiritual formation, leaving the disciples on the island. She then set out again with Hall Master Jiang and the others, intending to search the surrounding seas for a while longer.
The cultivators on the island could feel the heavy atmosphere. When they noticed that the Palace Master and Master Shang were nowhere to be seen, the disciples of those two lineages grew anxious and uneasy. Yet without the Grand Elder's permission, no one could activate the teleportation array.
***
Meanwhile.
Qin Sang and Liuli had already been transported out of the Sacred Ground by the Linglong Treasure Pagoda.
At the final moment, they had felt an immense force bind their physical bodies. Their vision blurred, and the mournful wailing of wind filled their ears, only to find themselves cast out into the storm belt.
Having nearly been drained dry by the pagoda, Qin Sang immediately popped several pills into his mouth.
He looked around.
The relocation seemed random; there was no teleportation array nearby.
The gale raged incessantly, the surroundings bleak and monotonous. Without an ice demon crystal in hand, they could not sense the Sacred Ground's location.
"The Linglong Treasure Pagoda shouldn't have thrown us too far. We must still be in the southern region. As long as we head north, we can return to the North Sea..."
Qin Sang turned to speak to Liuli.
Liuli nodded. With a flick of her fair finger, a wisp of azure light danced at her fingertip before transforming into an azure flying shuttle.
The shuttle was slender with upturned ends. A strand of azure qi swirled continuously around it like an elegant ribbon, giving it a remarkably light and spiritually vibrant aura.
Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, Liuli said, "This is my master's Ten Directions Earth-Cleaving Divine Shuttle. Its speed is only passable, but it will save us some strength."
In the past, it was precisely by relying on the Ten Directions Earth-Cleaving Divine Shuttle that Bing Yao had been able to roam about with Liuli while she was still in the Qi Refinement stage, traversing the storm belt.
This was one of the few treasures Bing Yao had left behind for her.
Both of them, along with Qin Sang's incarnation, were severely depleted of true essence.
Qin Sang followed Liuli into the divine shuttle. The interior was modest in size, yet not stifling.
From inside, the surrounding landscape remained visible in minute detail, allowing them to react to changes at any moment.
The shuttle seemed to carry inherent defensive capabilities, buffering away any turbulence within.
With a silent nudge of Liuli's true essence, the divine shuttle became a streak of azure light that broke through the air, flitting between the gales like a graceful gust of wind, agile and swift.
Only then did Qin Sang remember to retrieve the Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros horn, channeling the moonlight to confirm their direction.
***
Tong Lingyu led the search for a long time to no avail, returning to inspect the entrance of the Sacred Ground several times herself.
In reality, Qin Sang and Liuli had long since escaped the storm belt and settled on an island to adjust their breathing.
Their injuries were not severe, mostly sustained during their clash with Yin Changsheng. The pills they had taken to restore true essence were few in number and top-grade, leaving little burden from accumulated medicinal residue.
Circulating their profound arts, they quickly recovered most of their strength before flying together toward the unnamed islet. Midway, they happened to cross paths with Hall Master Jiang.
Seeing Qin Sang and Liuli, Hall Master Jiang was overjoyed; he had been on the verge of giving up.
"Good! Splendid! It is wonderful that you've returned!"
Hall Master Jiang was profoundly relieved. He sent a message back, and the three of them flew along at an unhurried pace.
Qin Sang sensed that Hall Master Jiang's attitude toward him had changed. It carried distinct deference, and even toward Liuli, the elder no longer possessed the casual ease one typically showed a junior.
With a quick thought, Qin Sang guessed that news of the battle inside the stele space had likely leaked out. He smiled inwardly, unbothered by it.
Upon learning the fates of Old Man Hunmo, Great Sage Tianpeng, and the other demons from Hall Master Jiang, Qin Sang's expression softened.
This time, he had forged a blood feud with those demons.
Had Hunmo and Tianpeng escaped, he would not have feared them, but having such formidable foes glaring at him from the shadows would have been unsettling, like thorns in his back.
Qin Sang had calculated that Tong Lingyu would never let the demons escape lightly, yet unexpected turns were always possible.
Fortunately, she had not disappointed him.
Before long, the three touched down on the unnamed islet.
Having received word in advance, the cultivators of Xuantian Palace emerged from their cave dwellings, greeting them as though welcoming honored guests.
At the sight of Qin Sang, reverence and an undeniable hint of fear surfaced involuntarily in everyone's expressions.
It was simply because suppressing so many demons in a single stroke was too earth-shattering. Even Yin Changsheng, whom Xuantian Palace had revered like a deity, had never achieved such a staggering feat.
Though he had relied partly on ancient formations and treasures, the battle fought before entering the Linglong Treasure Pagoda had been genuine and unembellished.
With the Palace Master fallen, this man was very likely the foremost expert in the North Sea today!
Tong Lingyu, Elder Mei, and the others stepped forward to receive him personally. Veiled gazes—scrutinizing, wary—converged upon Qin Sang.
Smiling, Qin Sang cupped his hands in greeting, prompting the others to hurriedly return the courtesy.
After pleasantries were exchanged, Qin Sang grew somewhat weary of the endless flattery.
Sensing his mood, Tong Lingyu dismissed the onlookers and sat down face-to-face with him alone.
"After this battle, your name will shake the world, Fellow Daoist Qin! Known far and wide in a single stroke!"
Tong Lingyu sighed with feeling, devoid of envy, as Xuantian Palace had reaped substantial benefits as well.
She paused, inquiring into what had occurred, before adding, "If there is anything inconvenient to share, please regard it as an intrusion on my part..."
"There is nothing that cannot be told. Thanks to the legacy left by Senior Xiaoxiangzi, I happened to assemble two small pagodas and fused them into one, allowing me to command the ancient formation. Now, the stupa pagoda remains inside the Linglong Treasure Pagoda..."
Qin Sang gave a brief account of the ties connecting Xiaoxiangzi, Xuantian Palace, and the Jinghai Sect, the origins of the small pagodas, and the reasoning behind what had unfolded.
He still hoped Xuantian Palace would aid him in investigating Xiaoxiangzi, so he held virtually nothing back.
Naturally, concerning the treasures within the pagoda, Qin Sang spoke not a word.
Only then did Tong Lingyu comprehend the full cause and effect. Enlightened, she sighed, "Senior Xiaoxiangzi went to painstaking lengths; we juniors should feel ashamed! Fortunately, the seniors of the Jinghai Sect did not fail his trust and prevented a catastrophic disaster. Once we return, I will order the disciples to spread word of Senior Xiaoxiangzi's and the Jinghai Sect's glorious deeds, erecting monuments and recording their annals. Their sacrifices must not be in vain..."
Qin Sang nodded slightly, indicating that he, too, would lend full support.
The two conferred, setting down plans, and exchanged thoughts regarding the expedition into the Sacred Ground for a while longer.
Toward the end of their conversation, Tong Lingyu asked with a smile, "I would like to nominate you to take over the position of Grand Elder. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"
"Oh?"
Qin Sang let out a soft exclamation. "I am an outsider after all. Can I truly serve as Grand Elder?"
Tong Lingyu nodded with certainty. "You and Liuli have become Dao companions, and you have rendered tremendous service. No one in the sect would dare object—why couldn't you? Were it not for the rule that the Palace Master must come from the direct lineage of the Xuantian branch, even if you were to assume the seat of Palace Master, none would dare utter a word of dissent!"
"If I become Grand Elder, where does that leave you, Fellow Daoist Tong? A gentleman does not seize what belongs to another. My heart is devoted entirely to the Dao; I have no energy to squander on sect affairs." Qin Sang shook his head in outright refusal without hesitation.
A flicker crossed Tong Lingyu's eyes, and a troubled look surfaced on her face. "To tell you the truth, I must help Senior Brother Luo heal and concentrate on my own breakthrough, which may take an untold amount of time. Currently, the position of Palace Master sits vacant, and I cannot afford distractions. If you are unwilling to step forward, Xuantian Palace will be left without a leader, and I fear chaos will erupt..."
"How about letting Hall Master Jiang take over the position of Grand Elder?"
As though seeing right through Tong Lingyu's thoughts, Qin Sang let out a soft chuckle. Unwilling to play games of probing, he laid it bare and gave her a push.
"Both are primary lineages—why must the seat of Palace Master belong solely to the Xuantian branch? Yin Changsheng has fallen, and Fellow Daoist Luo lies in deep slumber with an uncertain future. No one in the Xuantian branch is capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility. Is the position to remain vacant forever? Such unreasonable rules ought to be changed. In my view, whether in terms of cultivation or capability, no one is better suited than you, Fellow Daoist Tong. You perceived Yin Changsheng's wolfish ambitions and did not shrink away, risking your life to contend with him. Who could match such courage and devotion to protecting the sect?"
Tong Lingyu stared intently at Qin Sang for a long moment. "You jest, Fellow Daoist Qin. This matter carries enormous implications. It is fine as private banter between us, but we must never..."
"Which lineage are you worried won't comply?"
Qin Sang cut her off. "The Tianshan lineage or the Xuantian lineage? Yin Changsheng and Shang Lu brought about a disastrous blunder, nearly plunging Xuantian Palace into eternal damnation. Could it be that there were only those few ringleaders, with no accomplices abetting their villainy?"
Given his temperament, he normally preferred not to meddle in such affairs. Yet Xuantian Palace possessed cultivation resources of immense abundance; even carving out a single primary branch would be enough to gorge Qingyang Temple to bursting.
Qin Sang himself could also reap benefits amidst the upheaval.
Taking advantage of the momentum was something he would never refuse.
He did not believe for a second that Tong Lingyu harbored no ambition; he had merely voiced it on her behalf.
It was time for the heavens of Xuantian Palace to change!
Chapter 1513