Sky-Stepping Technique

Back in the North Sea, Ghost Mother had forcibly breached Xuantian Palace, the greatest power of that realm. A Xuantian Palace traitor had used the chaos to steal away the sacred relic, sending Tong Lingyu and the others rushing all over in pursuit. Could Ghost Mother have pulled the same stunt upon arriving in Zhongzhou? Ganlu Monastery had a Buddhist Saint presiding over it. No matter how powerful Yin Changsheng had been, he could not have matched a true Deity Transformation cultivator. Going by the information Qin Sang had gathered before, Ghost Mother's strength should not have been sufficient to raise hell in Ganlu Monastery. Pushing these thoughts aside, Qin Sang asked, "Did Zen Master catch a glimpse of this person's face?" Zen Master Xiaoxing did not speak. Raising his right hand, a faint yellow light flickered from the wooden bracelet on his wrist, and a round bronze mirror appeared in his palm. The wooden bracelet was likely a sumeru storage treasure similar to the Qianjun Ring. Qin Sang glanced at the wooden bracelet, then turned his gaze to the bronze mirror. He watched as Zen Master Xiaoxing pressed his hand against the mirror's surface. Strands of light immediately rose from the bronze, and when the monk drew his hand away, a figure flickered into view across the mirror before vanishing in an instant. Rather than a figure, it was more like a streak of white shadow. Qin Sang looked at it twice, somewhat speechless. The most crucial feature, the face, could not be seen at all. It was as blurred as a ghostly apparition, giving no clue as to the person's true appearance. Ganlu Monastery was searching for someone based on just this? Noticing Qin Sang's bewilderment, Zen Master Xiaoxing straightened the bronze mirror, replayed the image, and pointed out, "Fellow Daoist, take note of the movement technique this person is using." Hearing this, Qin Sang focused his gaze and scrutinized the image. Finally, he noticed something unusual. The moment the figure vanished, both feet kicked three successive steps in empty air, seemingly following a distinct rhythm. Because it was merely an illusionary recording, the spatial ripples could not be felt. Yet upon careful contemplation, one could discern a unique resonance hidden within the footwork, indicating it was far from ordinary. "Our abbot suspects this person is using the Sky-Stepping Technique, a supreme escaping art long thought lost in the Central Plains," Zen Master Xiaoxing explained. "Cultivating this art to completion is exceedingly difficult. As early as the Foundation Establishment stage, one must concoct a unique medicinal solution and soak the legs to assist in practice. Anyone who cultivates this technique should possess formidable achievements in body refinement as well, potentially practicing arts akin to the Golden Body Formula. Before mastering the Sky-Stepping Technique, the practitioner will already exhibit extraordinary escaping abilities that leave identifiable traces, and their body will emit a distinctive medicinal fragrance..." Zen Master Xiaoxing then went on to demonstrate several key characteristics of the Sky-Stepping Technique. Qin Sang felt immense admiration for Ganlu Monastery's abbot, who had managed to deduce so many clues from just a single blurred image. Hearing all this, Qin Sang felt that the culprit was most likely not Ghost Mother. Feigning a contemplative expression, he pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "This poor Daoist has never encountered such a person before. Does Zen Master have any other information? Perhaps we could deduce something from their objective." Zen Master Xiaoxing hesitated for a moment before answering, "This person secretly infiltrated the monastery and was later detected by a junior brother. However, their stealth and escaping arts were both exceptional, and my junior brother was quickly shaken off. This image was reproduced entirely from his memory. In addition, that junior brother made another discovery, though he is less than ten percent certain of it and feared it might be misleading. At the moment the intruder was exposed, the aura of a high-grade spirit insect seemed to flash for an instant. It is possible they are also skilled in insect mastery." Spirit insects! At the mention of those two words, Qin Sang's heartstrings instantly tautened. When it came to insect-controlling arts, perhaps no one was more proficient than Ghost Mother. *Could it really be her? To think someone actually dared sneak into Ganlu Monastery—this style of action certainly resembles Ghost Mother's. The Sky-Stepping Technique might just be a smokescreen. While difficult for others to fake, it wouldn't necessarily be beyond Ghost Mother's capabilities...* Thoughts raced through Qin Sang's mind. Yet as he reflected further... Mastery of escaping arts, dual cultivation in body refinement, and rearing spirit insects. Why did this sound more and more like what his own true body would do? Calculating secretly, Qin Sang maintained an impassive expression. He had intended to press further about what Ganlu Monastery had lost, but seeing Zen Master Xiaoxing keep his mouth shut, unwilling to divulge anything, he could only suppress his curiosity and promise, "This poor Daoist will contact Fellow Daoist Qin at once and ask him to keep an eye out." Zen Master Xiaoxing rose to his feet and chanted a Buddhist prayer. "We trouble both of you with this matter. If the culprit can be apprehended, the monastery will surely reward you handsomely! This humble monk must still consult other Daoists and cannot linger. I shall visit Daoist Master again in the future." Unable to persuade him to stay, Qin Sang personally escorted Zen Master Xiaoxing out of the mountain gates and agreed on a method of contact. Zen Master Xiaoxing invited Qin Sang to visit the monastery as a guest, an offer Qin Sang readily accepted. So long as there was even the slightest possibility that this person was Ghost Mother, he had to intervene and await an opportunity. Even if it turned out not to be her, he could use the chance to form good relations with Ganlu Monastery. Zen Master Xiaoxing took his leave, but Lu Zhang stayed behind. Qin Sang knew he had more to say. The two watched the monk depart before returning to the main hall. There was no need to beat around the bush with Lu Zhang, so Qin Sang asked directly, "Did Ganlu Monastery suffer a heavy loss?" What truly warranted deep thought was: if this person was indeed Ghost Mother, what had been her purpose in sneaking into Ganlu Monastery? Lu Zhang seemed lost in thought, responding half a beat late. He shook his head. "Ganlu Monastery has clamped down on this matter with utmost secrecy. No verifiable information can be found anywhere. I probed several times, but Zen Master Xiaoxing kept his lips sealed." In time, some traces were bound to surface. Qin Sang did not pursue the point, changing the topic instead. "Are you quite close with Zen Master Xiaoxing, Fellow Daoist?" "Are you asking about Bunian Mountain and Ganlu Monastery, Fellow Daoist?" Lu Zhang chuckled. "The Central Plains once witnessed disputes between Buddhism and Daoism, but today, the two paths are no longer so strictly divided. This is most apparent in the Seven Western Prefectures, where almost every sect and power shows traces of Buddhist and Daoist blending. In the Nineteen Misty Rain Prefectures, the closer one gets to the fringes, the more heterogeneous the lineages become—Buddhism, demon arts, ghost paths, unorthodox teachings, everything is included. How could anyone tell them apart anymore? Even in Bunian Mountain, many junior brothers cultivate Buddhist divine abilities on the side and have gained much from it. You might try it yourself in the future, Fellow Daoist, to draw connections and broaden your perspective. Bajing Abbey is qualified to rival Ganlu Monastery and vie for supremacy over the immortal path, but the rest of us naturally play both sides. As for sectarian doctrinal disputes, no one has mentioned those in a very long time." What Lu Zhang said matched everything Qin Sang had observed. Upon learning that both Buddhism and Daoism flourished in the Central Plains, Qin Sang had assumed the division between them would be severe. Later, he discovered the reality was vastly different from what he had imagined. Apart from a few cruel, bloodthirsty demonic sects that acted without restraint and cowered in the Northern Barrens, there were no clear boundaries among the various inheritances across Zhongzhou. They blended together, indistinguishable from one another, competing only over practical interests. When people no longer even studied the scriptures, what orthodoxy was left to speak of? Given enough time, they might truly merge into one. Naturally, this had much to do with the stable situation in the Central Plains. Once chaos erupted, no one could guarantee what would happen; only those of the same path were natural allies. So long as the will of Deity Transformation cultivators endured, the Central Plains could not fall into turmoil. At this moment, Lu Zhang suddenly shifted the topic and asked, "Daoist Master, when did you leave the Eastern Sea to travel to the Central Plains?" Qin Sang was slightly taken aback. Sensing something unusual in his tone, he pondered and said, "By my reckoning, it has been nearly a hundred years. However, when this poor Daoist was in the Eastern Sea, it was much like now—closed in seclusion year after year, rarely venturing out. My Qingyang Island lies east of the Northern Barrens, a rather remote location where news does not travel easily. Have you heard some rumors, Brother Lu?" Over the past fifty years, Qin Sang had rarely left Mount Pu. Lu Zhang nodded. "I recalled something. Less than two hundred years ago, a rumor spread that someone had spotted a person resembling Saint Huiguang in the outer sea. Not long after, violent winds erupted and thunderstorms poured like rain across the deep sea, giving rise to an apocalyptic spectacle even more terrifying than the storm belt—right in the direction Saint Huiguang had traveled. Back then, the rumor was exceedingly vague, its origin unknown. There were several versions, some claiming Saint Huiguang had someone traveling alongside him, or perhaps even several people..." Pausing, Lu Zhang continued, "At the time, the rumors didn't stir up much of a commotion. No one believed a dignified Saint could fall to mere wind and thunder, treating it only as baseless gossip spread by meddlers for amusement. No one paid it any mind, and after circulating for a short while in the Eastern Sea, it vanished without a trace. I only heard of it by coincidence. When Zen Master Xiaoxing came knocking on my door, that rumor suddenly flashed back into my mind, and I conducted a deliberate investigation. Judging by Ganlu Monastery's various actions, I suspect the place that person infiltrated was very likely Ganlu Monastery's forbidden ground—Mount Little Fangcun!" Without waiting for Qin Sang's reply, Lu Zhang said in a heavy voice, "The meditation hall where Saint Huiguang quietly cultivates is located on that very mountain!" *Hiss...* Qin Sang realized what Lu Zhang was truly implying. "The one who traveled alongside Saint Huiguang... could it be...?" Lu Zhang gave neither confirmation nor denial, only remarking, "Coincidentally, since then, neither Saint Huiguang nor True Monarch Danyu has ever manifested before the world, both remaining in closed-door seclusion." "Over a hundred years ago... over a hundred years ago..." Qin Sang stood up and paced back and forth a few times. Lu Zhang assumed Qin Sang was pondering the immense impact the disappearance of two Deity Transformation cultivators would have on the cultivation world. In truth, Qin Sang was thinking of an entirely different matter. What had drawn Saint Huiguang and True Monarch Danyu to rush toward the outer sea so suddenly? The two immortal halls of Tiantong and Tianxiang, the Hall of Seven Kills, and Ziwei Palace had all been linked by the Earth Killing Sword fragments. To those unaware of the truth, when Old Demon Ye and Qingjun followed Ziwei Palace's ascension, had they not vanished into thin air just the same? Qin Sang pressed further, but because so much time had passed and Lu Zhang had laughed it off as unbelievable back then without conducting a detailed inquiry, he could not provide an exact time or location. Seeing Qin Sang silent in thought, Lu Zhang stood up, his tone inscrutable. "Let us wait and see when Ganlu Monastery manages to capture the culprit. Otherwise, the credibility of that rumor will increase dramatically, and I am certainly not the only one who remembers it. Unless Saint Huiguang or True Monarch Danyu steps forth in person to shatter the rumors, troubles will soon multiply in the Central Plains!" With a soft sigh, Lu Zhang turned and walked outside. Snapping back to his senses, Qin Sang hurried to see him off down the mountain. Upon his return, Qin Sang sat in the main hall and contemplated for a long time before returning to the Qingxu Illusion Realm. From then on, Qin Sang's incarnation no longer remained confined to the cave dwelling. He ventured out frequently, sometimes disguising himself under various identities, and at other times paying open visits to Zen Master Xiaoxing to probe into Ganlu Monastery's movements. His true purpose in helping Ganlu Monastery search for the person was something he could not reveal to outsiders. After all, the strength of one person was limited. Whether Ganlu Monastery had genuinely turned up nothing or their secrecy was simply too airtight, Qin Sang failed to gather any useful information, unable even to discover what the mysterious intruder had been after. During this time, Qin Sang did manage to travel through many parts of Zhongzhou, particularly the Six Jiangzuo Prefectures, where he witnessed the true grandeur of the immortal realm and came to understand why the immortal path flourished so greatly in Zhongzhou. In Zhongzhou, spirit veins were also called dragon veins. As the dragon traversed the Central Plains, the Six Jiangzuo Prefectures served as the gathering place for ten thousand dragons. Yet beneath this prosperity lurked hidden anxieties. Lu Zhang's earlier concerns proved justified. Ganlu Monastery's movements caught the attention of discerning individuals, and the old rumors were swiftly dredged up. After all, to high-level cultivators, a hundred-odd years was hardly an eternity. The rumors spread with astonishing speed, growing louder and more clamorous by the day. Before long, the entire world was watching the actions of the two great sects. Intriguingly, Bajing Abbey remained silent from beginning to end. Ganlu Monastery seemed to realize it had inadvertently stirred up a massive storm, and its search for the mysterious person turned cautious and subdued. As the rumors grew fiercer, True Monarch Danyu and Saint Huiguang still never showed themselves, and neither sect offered any response. In the eyes of outsiders, this was undoubtedly tacit admission. For many years, the situation in the Central Plains had been peaceful, and signs of turmoil were not immediately apparent. Yet old monsters, including Qin Sang, saw the reality clearly: without Deity Transformation cultivators watching over the realm, the greatest deterrent against ambitious figures was gone. Sooner or later, someone would begin to stir. Qin Sang issued strict orders forbidding the disciples of the Xie Clan and Loudai Monastery from leaving Fudu Commandery, and he himself acted with greater caution when outside. Due to this upheaval, inquiring into Ganlu Monastery's affairs became even more difficult. Qin Sang searched tirelessly. Only several years later did he learn that several holy monks of Ganlu Monastery had traveled together to the Western Desert. By the time the news reached him, those holy monks had already returned, and it was impossible to confirm whether Saint Huiguang was among them. Thereafter, Ganlu Monastery halted its manhunt entirely, sealing its mountains and closing its gates. Qin Sang could only hope Ghost Mother had not been slain by Ganlu Monastery. *** In the blink of an eye, another twenty-odd years passed since Zen Master Xiaoxing's visit to Mount Pu. The true body continued his single-minded cultivation. Having yielded no results in his search, the incarnation also returned to the mountain to cultivate in quiet seclusion. On the Fu River, a treasure ship sailed out from the estuary. Passing from the calm river into the Eastern Sea, it immediately met the onslaught of rolling waves. At that moment, dense runes lit up across the bottom of the ship, and an azure light enveloped the entire hull. The wooden vessel instantly turned lush and green as jade, as if infused with new life. This layer of light was not merely decorative; it possessed defensive capabilities as well. The impact of the waves was absorbed by the azure light, and after a slight tremor, the ship regained its balance, leaving not a ripple felt within. "Mm, engraving a talisman formation directly onto the hull... The ship isn't made of spiritual wood, but coated with a special lacquer capable of absorbing true essence, maintained with spirit stones. Not much different from the North Sea, really..." Inside a superior cabin, a person leaned against the window, gazing out across the distant sea, yet fully aware of every change occurring beneath the ship. Clad in scholar's robes with a feather fan and a silk headdress, he looked entirely like an elegant young noble. It was none other than Qin Sang's external incarnation. Unable to find Ghost Mother, Qin Sang could only turn his attention to the other matter. His venture out to sea this time was to search for the source of the rumors and see if he could uncover anything. This ship belonged to a certain merchant guild. With its talisman formation fully activated, it could withstand the impact of storms at sea, and cultivators guarded the voyage. Its grade was not top-tier—inferior to those of the Hall of Six Prefectures—but it had the advantage of a long voyage, sailing directly to the edge of the inner sea. As they entered the Eastern Sea, treasure ships came sailing past from the opposite direction. Without even deliberately probing, Qin Sang could sense that nearly every ship carried cultivators aboard. "Has it always been like this, or have even those outside the Central Plains spotted an opportunity and gathered here?" Qin Sang murmured to himself.