True Void Fairy Land

"Is Fellow Daoist Qin also nearby? Can you contact him now, Daoist Priest?" The first person Lu Zhang asked about was actually Qin Sang's true body. Qin Sang was somewhat surprised. He naturally could not bring Lu Zhang directly to meet his true body, so he replied vaguely, "Fellow Daoist Qin has been in closed-door cultivation for many years and is currently at the most crucial juncture. I can only send a message to his cave dwelling, but as for when he might be free, that is hard to say. Furthermore, even if he receives the message and rushes over, it will take some time... Is your matter urgent, Fellow Daoist Lu?" It was not yet the critical moment for his true body to break through the bottleneck, so he could emerge from seclusion if necessary, but it had to be for something of utmost importance. Hearing Qin Sang say this, disappointment visibly showed on Lu Zhang's face. "What I lack most right now is time. It brooks no delay. Otherwise, I could simply return to my sect first and ask Senior Brother Sect Master to step in. I had thought Fellow Daoist Qin might be traveling together with you, and that I could rely on his ability to see through illusions." Qin Sang murmured an acknowledgment, understanding dawning on him. When his true body defeated Chenghuanzi of the Six Void Sect, he had shattered Mount Liuxu with a single sword technique. However, any discerning person could tell that he must have used another divine ability to unravel the illusion in order to accurately pinpoint Chenghuanzi's real body. Chenghuanzi was the master of a sect whose cultivation was no weaker than any of them. Few people could easily break through Mount Liuxu's illusions. Unfortunately, that had been the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's ability. As the true body's natal insect gu, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly was bound to his very life and fortune, offering tremendous aid to his cultivation and breakthroughs. Even though the butterfly possessed concealment and life-preserving capabilities of its own, he could never let his avatar run around with it. Lu Zhang sighed and explained, "I have been cultivating a Daoist art. If I can bring it to great completion, it will feed back into my core cultivation method, but I have been stuck at the final hurdle for years. To achieve great completion, I must find at least one of several rare wonders in the world and refine it into my body. My sect previously knew the whereabouts of one such wonder, but an unexpected accident occurred and we failed to secure it. Over the years, the sect has helped me search, but after experiencing disappointment time and again, I had almost given up on this path. Unexpectedly, I stumbled upon a clue this time in the Chinan Island Chain. However, the opportunity is fleeting, and I must set out as soon as possible without time to seek aid from my sect..." Hearing up to this point, Qin Sang roughly understood the reason. "Could this wonder be adept at illusory arts?" "Indeed. Divine items naturally conceal themselves. Rare wonders of the world are born with self-preserving instincts; even if one knows their whereabouts, locating them is far from easy. I possess a magic treasure called the Baose Bell, an unconventional treasure capable of dispelling illusions. However, it does not specialize in this path and cannot compare to Fellow Daoist Qin's divine ability. Moreover, using it is somewhat cumbersome." With that, Lu Zhang brushed his palm across his waist. A flash of golden light gleamed in his hand, revealing an object. Judging purely by its appearance, the Baose Bell did not resemble a bell so much as a small pagoda. It was square overall, surrounded on the outside by neat concentric ripples stacked like the tiers of a pagoda, tapering upward. The interior was hollow, and there was no clapper. Lu Zhang poured true essence into it. The bell did not move, yet a crisp chime rang out, accompanied by visible ripples of precious light undulating outward. "This treasure uses this precious light to dispel illusions. As you can see, to ensure sufficient power, its range must be restricted, and it must be constantly fueled by true essence. While activated, the vibrations generated by the Baose Bell cannot be concealed. If the wonder can be found quickly, all is well; but if it takes too long, I worry I will deplete myself too much and invite trouble." Lu Zhang closed his fingers, putting away the Baose Bell. "Could you accompany me on a trip, Daoist Priest? This item is hidden deep in Nanzhou, near the border of Manzhou. Mount Bunian rarely sets foot there. Being unfamiliar with the territory, I also need an ally." Nanzhou and Manzhou were separated by a great distance from the Four Northern Provinces, situated at the southernmost tip of the Zhongzhou continent. Qin Sang had never visited either province before. Heading due west from the Chinan Island Chain led straight to Nanzhou. Manzhou was located southwest of Nanzhou and was said to be the most expansive yet most sparsely populated province among the Nineteen Misty Rain Provinces. Unable to find a better ally in short order, Lu Zhang did not hesitate to offer a hefty reward to persuade Qin Sang: "You excel in divine abilities of the ice Dao, Daoist Priest, and Senior Brother Sect Master happens to possess a peculiar cold crystal containing an extremely frigid cold baleful qi. If you can refine it, your divine abilities will gain an added layer of cold baleful aura. Regardless of whether this venture succeeds or fails, I will ask Senior Brother Sect Master for the cold crystal as your compensation. If you do not need it, simply name your conditions, and I will do my utmost to meet them." Hearing Lu Zhang's description, Qin Sang could not help but feel tempted. For many years, his Ice Soul Divine Light had progressed slowly, and walking the conventional path would most likely lead nowhere. A thought had long occurred to Qin Sang: to follow Liuli's approach back then and forge a new path by using treasures of extreme yin and cold to forcefully accumulate power until reaching great completion. The Ice Soul Divine Light was one of the strongest divine abilities he had encountered since beginning his cultivation journey; even after his true body advanced to the late stage in the future, it would still provide immense help. Treasures like the Yinli Pearl and the shed husk of the Eight-Winged Heart Cicada were things one could only encounter by luck, impossible to seek deliberately. Other treasures might not be compatible with the Ice Soul Divine Light, and Qin Sang was not certain either; he could only test them little by little. A special treasure like this cold crystal was precisely what he needed. After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang inquired about various details. Weighing the pros and cons, he decided to accompany Lu Zhang. Lu Zhang was overjoyed and immediately stood up, saying impatiently, "If you have no other urgent business, Daoist Priest, how about we set out now?" Qin Sang returned to the quiet room, summoned the Zhou couple, and instructed them to remain in the East Sea to observe the situation. Once they subdued the blue jiao, their safety would be guaranteed as long as they did not provoke any Nascent Soul experts. An incense stick's time later, Qin Sang left the market with Lu Zhang, heading for Nanzhou. ... Shuonan Port. The largest seaport in Nanzhou. Mount Bunian maintained a stronghold here. With virtually no rest along the way, Qin Sang and Lu Zhang flew straight to Shuonan Port, found the stronghold, took a brief rest to adjust their breathing, requested a geographical map of Nanzhou, and set off once more. This time, their direction was southwest. Venturing deep into the heart of Nanzhou, the sights before him stirred a sense of familiarity within Qin Sang. He soon recalled the source of this feeling: it was the Western Borders of the Witch God Continent in the Canglang Ocean, the place where he had tumbled out after being teleported from the Ziwei Palace. Both shared the same treacherous mountains and hostile waters. Mortals lived grouped in fortified tribal stockades. Transportation was inconvenient, and the closed environment offered few chances for interaction with the outside world. Only the northern region closest to the Six Jiangzuo Provinces was relatively normal, where most of Nanzhou's sects congregated. The difference was: This place was not desolate or barren; instead, miasma drifted everywhere in vibrant, multicolored clouds. Danger lurked at every turn, potent enough to threaten even immortal cultivators. Lu Zhang chuckled. "Do you feel that Nanzhou hardly lives up to the reputation of the Nineteen Misty Rain Provinces, Daoist Priest? When you get the chance to visit Manzhou, you'll realize that compared to Manzhou, Nanzhou is practically paradise. In Manzhou, it's common to find several tens of thousands of li devoid of human traces, even more desolate than the Northern Wilderness. People proposed long ago that Nanzhou and Manzhou don't deserve to be grouped with the other seventeen provinces and ought to be cast out. However, legend has it that in ancient times, the two southern provinces were not like this..." As for what it had been like in the past, even Lu Zhang could not say for sure. Along the way, they passed through several market towns. Qin Sang noticed that the deeper they traveled into the Nanzhou hinterland, the more proficient the local cultivators were in gu poison arts due to their environment, bearing a resemblance to the methods of the Three Heroes of the Leng Clan. They most likely originated from Nanzhou or Manzhou, making this place a very probable source of the Gu God Cult. Qin Sang voiced this observation. Lu Zhang deeply agreed. "If the Gu God Cult develops in Nanzhou and Manzhou, it truly won't attract much attention. Once we secure the treasure, we can stay for a few days to investigate their origins." When they reached the border between Nanzhou and Manzhou, it was indeed just as Lu Zhang had described: human habitation grew even sparser. Holding several maps in hand, Lu Zhang compared and verified them for a long while before finally confirming a direction. After flying through the craggy mountain ranges for the better part of an hour, they neared their destination. Qin Sang inadvertently caught sight of a mortal village stockade below, let out a soft exclamation of surprise, and descended from his flying light. Noticing Qin Sang's reaction, Lu Zhang halted ahead and followed his gaze downward. This mountain stockade was quite large, built along a river at the foot of the mountain. Tier upon tier of stilted bamboo buildings extended all the way to the mountain summit, occupying almost the entire slope. The peak was a single, vast slab of bedrock, flat and forming a natural stone platform. There were no redundant structures on the stone platform, save for a wooden statue set up to the north, and a fire pit dug into the center. Dusk had fallen, and the pit was piled high with firewood burning crimson red. The wind blew fiercely atop the peak, feeding the fire until flames leapt several zhang high. Sparks were whipped into midair by the gale, drifting far like a river of stars. Today seemed to be a special festival for the village. Every resident, young and old, male and female, had gathered upon the stone platform. The night was cold with heavy dew. Perhaps because the chill had been dispelled by the fire pit, none of these people felt cold. They encircled the fire pit, performing a bizarre dance and chanting rhythmic cries, as though conducting some manner of sacrificial rite. Before long, every one of them knelt facing the northern statue, crying out in unison: "True Void Fairy Land." "True Void Fairy Land." ... Their voices and expressions were filled with fanatical zeal. This was a world where immortal cultivators existed. Even a Qi Condensation cultivator could domineer over mortals. As long as one was willing to dispense a few healing pills or talisman water to relieve illnesses, duping ignorant mortals was simplicity itself. Receiving mortal worship and veneration purely for personal indulgence was common practice. In the central provinces, strict oversight by various sects left no soil for evils to fester, but remote regions like Nanzhou and Manzhou were entirely different. Similar sights were commonplace in the mortal realm. However, what drew Qin Sang's attention was that statue. The carving was crude, depicting an emaciated, awkwardly proportioned figure whose face bore no features at all—just a smooth, flat surface, thoroughly bizarre. Most bizarre of all was the crown atop its head, studded with five jade plates. Naturally, these jade plates were not made of fine jade, being cloudy and rough, but both their shape and colors matched the pattern on the back of the Gu God Token. *This is the Gu God Cult?* Qin Sang was surprised. He had not expected to find traces of the Gu God Cult so easily, let alone in an ordinary mortal stockade. If the Gu God Cult only proselytized among mortals in Nanzhou and Manzhou, it was no wonder few had noticed them. But why would an organization possessing Nascent Soul protectors bother bewitching ordinary mortals? What did they stand to gain? Qin Sang thought of the Gu God Token. He had not revealed that matter to Lu Zhang. With the Deity Transformation figures of Zhongzhou missing and the future state of the cultivation world uncertain, once his true body achieved breakthrough, he would have every qualification to establish his own faction and watch the world's shifting currents. There was no need to tie himself to Mount Bunian so early. In the future, opportunities to cooperate with the Gu God Cult might not be out of the question. Making an excuse, Qin Sang pointed to the crown atop the statue's head and told Lu Zhang that it might be connected to the Gu God Cult. Lu Zhang could not fathom the cult's motives either. Sweeping his divine consciousness back and forth across the statue several times, he confirmed it was merely an ordinary wood carving, not a dharma artifact, and held no special power. "True Void Fairy Land." "True Void Fairy Land." ... The mortals continued their fervent chants, seemingly immersed in a world of illusion. Repeating this single phrase over and over, not one uttered the Gu God's name. Near the end of the rite, an old man who appeared to be the village chieftain burned a stack of yellow talisman papers, had the ashes mixed into water, and distributed the talisman water to everyone in the stockade. After drinking it down, the villagers returned home in contented satisfaction. "They weren't spirit talismans; there was no effect whatsoever. Those people just drank a bellyful of ash water," Qin Sang said, shaking his head. A single stockade proved nothing. The two lingered no longer. Flying for a while more, they arrived atop another mountain. The terrain here was exceptionally treacherous, though common in Nanzhou and Manzhou. Ahead lay a rare, level basin. Across ten thousand li, not a single normal plant could be found; the scent of decay permeated the air, devoid of vitality. As night deepened, miasma rose from the depths, thick layers accumulating within the basin and spreading rapidly upward. One could well imagine that by midnight, this basin would be completely locked down by miasma. "It should be here," Lu Zhang said, gazing ahead. A green bead had appeared in his hand. Jade-green yet opaque with a soft surface, it resembled the seed of some plant or flower. "Can't you locate the stone toad through this spirit illusion seed?" Qin Sang asked, looking at the bead. The wonder Lu Zhang sought was precisely an oddity known as a stone toad. Nurtured by heaven and earth, stone toads were said to be born from stone, possessing an innate gift for illusions. By absorbing the purple qi of heaven and earth over years, a stone toad would gradually mature and eventually metamorphose into a purple-veined spirit toad. At that point, it would develop sentience and become a true living creature. A purple-veined spirit toad came and went without a trace, and while its efficacy was superior, capturing one was nearly impossible. This was why Lu Zhang was so anxious: what he sought was a stone toad nearing maturity. A stone toad's intake of purple qi triggered peculiar phenomena. When threatened, it would scatter spores disguised as the seeds of a plant called the spirit illusion flower—known as spirit illusion seeds. Their appearance was virtually identical, and their effects were similar. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would fail to tell the difference without knowing the secret. Without needing refinement, infusing them with true essence produced illusions useful in battle, making them highly alluring to low-level cultivators. Anyone finding a spirit illusion seed would treasure it, completely unaware that they had missed the true prize. The closer the stone toad was to maturity, the more potent its scattered spores became. The one in Lu Zhang's hand could already conjure whole houses and courtyards, making it virtually top-tier. A Nascent Soul cultivator had displayed it when sharing oddities, and Lu Zhang had seen through the facade—recognizing it as a stone toad spore rather than a spirit illusion seed—before subtly prying its origin loose. Lu Zhang shook his head. "Once a stone toad scatters its spores and executes its cicada-shell escape, all connection to it is completely severed."