An Immortal Palace in the South Sea

The poison of the Gu King was far more formidable than expected, but the price to pay was just as steep. The grotesque-faced cultivator had underestimated it. This was understandable. With his level of cultivation, few beings in the mortal world could contend against him, and he had never anticipated that he would fail to suppress a creature he had raised with his own hands. The gray-robed disciple was still fretting over his gu beast, unable to disguise the urgency in his voice. "Master, that man took the poison spider. How will we cultivate the Gu King in the future...?" "The Gu King is on the verge of full completion. Whether we have the five-colored poison spider matters little; at most, it will only cost a few more years." Glancing at his disciple with displeasure, the grotesque-faced cultivator thought to himself that taking shortcuts in cultivation truly left behind many hidden flaws—the man's composure was worse even than someone who had only just formed their Nascent Soul. "I had you choose the five-colored poison spider because that kind of gu beast is best suited for nurturing the Gu King. Do you truly believe your master cannot find you another one with even greater potential?" Feeling sheepish, the gray-robed man fell silent, only to see his master toss an object over to him. It was a Gu God Token, though its design and markings differed greatly from Qin Sang's. "That stone spirit is of secondary importance. The other man possesses a Wood Spirit aura of consummate purity, a rarity in this world. He also wields a spirit treasure and clearly has a formidable background. If he manages to flee back to his lair, we will never find such an opportunity again. I must first suppress the Gu King. Take this token to nearby Qiling Cave, seek out the Master of Qiling Cave, and ask him to come out of seclusion." The grotesque-faced man's right hand reverted to normal flesh. With his thumb and forefinger, he dug straight into the bloody hole in his left palm and pinched out the jade beetle. *Hiss... hiss...* The jade beetle was exceptionally vicious, twisting its head in an attempt to bite. He gave his left hand a shake. The flesh inside the bloody hole was already festering, the toxin seeping into his meridians as grey qi crept toward his wrist. Fortunately, he was the one who had bred the Gu King; by turning his left arm into withered wood, he could still hold it at bay. With a cold sneer, the grotesque-faced cultivator remarked, "How could anyone easily recover after being struck by the Gu King's poison? That Mount Bunian Daoist forced his qi, so the venom must have invaded his vitals by now. If his companion abandons him, so be it; otherwise, they won't get far and will surely leave a trail!" With that, his body plummeted, vanishing deep underground. Tucking away the Gu God Token, the gray-robed man glanced around, then turned and flew toward the surface. *** At that very moment. Within an underground tunnel, azure light flared into view, waning steadily as it sped along until it finally ground to a halt. Two figures emerged: Qin Sang and Lu Zhang. Qin Sang appeared hale and hearty, entirely unscathed. Lu Zhang, by contrast, was deathly pale, his lips turning an ashen grey. Seeing his state, Qin Sang asked grimly, "Fellow Daoist Lu, the poison inside you..." "I won't die just yet." A bitter look crossed Lu Zhang's face. "What terrifying venom! In just this short span, both my blood and qi have withered, and even the true essence in my body has begun to stagnate. I swallowed a Shouzhen Pill earlier just to suppress the toxin. But forcing my true essence to drive the Sitting Contemplation Bell allowed the poison to flare up again. If it seeps into my Nascent Soul, I won't even be able to use teleportation if my soul leaves my body, and I will be truly doomed. I have never heard of such virulent poison." Qin Sang had heard of the Shouzhen Pill before. Supposedly, only Mount Bunian could refine it, making it exceptionally precious, yet even it could only manage to suppress the venom. As they spoke, the azure light grew fainter and fainter until only a speck of radiance the size of a mung bean remained. It circled Lu Zhang once, leaving a faint green trail behind. Of the immense Sitting Contemplation Bell, only a shred of its core power was left. A look of heartache flickered in Lu Zhang's eyes. He caught the speck of light, tucked it away somewhere, and immediately broke into violent coughing, grey qi faintly surfacing between his brows. Forcing himself to employ the Sitting Contemplation Bell had given the poison another opening to exploit. Seeing his dire condition, Qin Sang said in a deep voice, "We are still within the range of the subterranean miasma and have not escaped danger. We cannot linger here. I have a way to conceal our tracks and move stealthily through the toxic miasma. If you trust me, you may temporarily seal your qi meridians." "Were it not for your desperate rescue, Daoist, I would have been doomed. How could I not trust you? I must trouble you, Daoist." Lu Zhang nodded without hesitation. Closing his eyes, he secretly gripped a jade talisman and entered a state of turtle-breathing, sealing his blood and qi to cut himself off from the outside world. Qin Sang unleashed a beam of frigid light, sealing Lu Zhang in ice, and caught the block in his hand. At the same time, he dispersed his protective true essence, blending his figure into the miasma until he vanished. He traveled hidden within the miasma for a long time. Qin Sang detected no pursuers. He did not know whether Lu Zhang's divine ability had been so extraordinary that it threw off the enemies directly, or if something else was at play. In fact, during the clash, Qin Sang had noticed something abnormal in the grotesque-faced cultivator's actions. With his experience, he could hazard a few guesses. For instance, though the jade beetle's venom was so terrifying, it had only been used once before remaining clasped in the grotesque-faced cultivator's left hand. There had to be a reason for that. Wielding a spirit treasure himself, Qin Sang had not necessarily needed to flee. Yet there was truly no need to take unnecessary risks. The other party was a great cultivator after all; Qin Sang might have won, but the chances of actually slaying him were miniscule, and a fight to the death offered no benefit. This was the enemy's territory, and reinforcements could be summoned at any moment. The expanse of the underground miasma was far vaster than anticipated. Qin Sang judged that he had already left the perimeter of the basin, yet he was still far from reaching the edge of the miasma, though the subterranean tunnels were growing sparser. After flying for a long time, he heard the rushing sound of water ahead and discovered subterranean rivers—more than one, in fact. All of them were toxic rivers. The waters had mingled with the toxic miasma, but having determined that they posed little threat to him, Qin Sang plunged into one and drifted along with the current. *** Emerging onto the surface, the gray-robed man got his bearings and tore through the air. Beyond the basin. In a land blanketed by unbroken toxic miasma, a mountain range loomed faintly, sprawling like a ferocious dragon coiled to devour any who approached, a sight that struck fear into the heart. As the gray-robed cultivator flew near the mountains, he made no effort to conceal his aura. The moment he drew close, a cultivator within the mountains noticed him, and a voice called out from afar, "May I ask which fellow Daoist graces my humble abode?" Before the words faded, a silhouette burst through the miasma. The gray-robed cultivator halted his flying light, secretly on guard. "Are you the Master of Qiling Cave?" The newcomer was an elder with snow-white hair and beard. Sizing up the gray-robed man, he asked in puzzlement, "Indeed I am! Fellow Daoist, your face is unfamiliar. You must not typically cultivate in Nanzhou?" Without answering, the gray-robed man flicked his wrist, sending the Gu God Token flying toward the Master of Qiling Cave. The cave master snapped his fingers, sending forth a ghostly phantom that caught the Gu God Token in its jaws. Seeing that it was a Gu God Token, his expression darkened, and he said with displeasure, "Did I not make it clear? Unless you have absolute certainty, do not even think of dragging me into your affairs, much less disturbing my quiet cultivation..." Halfway through his sentence, the cave master's gaze suddenly froze, fixed intently on the Gu God Token as he cried out in shock, "Mu Xiang?" He snapped his head up, scrutinizing the gray-robed man. "You cannot be Lord Mu Xiang, can you?" "He is my master." The gray-robed man moved his lips, transmitting a few words. The cave master's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally nodded. *** Not long after the battle over the stone toad, nearby cultivators discovered that the center of the basin had caved in, leaving behind a bottomless crater filled with toxic miasma—a lake of poisonous fog conjured out of nowhere. Over the days that followed, streaks of flying light occasionally flashed through the sky at astonishing speeds, all belonging to mysterious experts who came and went without a trace. These unusual occurrences left the local cultivators terrified, prompting them to flee the area in droves, and all sorts of bizarre tales began circulating through the cultivation world. It was not until several months later that the unrest gradually subsided and life began returning to normal, though the great crater in the basin would remain forever. By this time, Qin Sang had already left Nanzhou. Carrying Lu Zhang with him, he had drifted along the subterranean toxic river, making a safe escape. Upon returning to the surface, he found they had crossed into the territory of Manzhou. Manzhou was vast and sparsely populated. Once certain they had shaken off any pursuit, the two sought out a deserted mountain and carved out an abode to heal. Qin Sang had suffered no injuries. After a brief period of meditation, he was fully restored and remained outside to stand guard for Lu Zhang. A ward flickered. Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. Pushing open the door, he saw Lu Zhang stepping out of the dwelling. Color had returned to Lu Zhang's face and his complexion was healthy, indicating he had successfully purged the poison from his body. Qin Sang nodded. "Congratulations on escaping danger, Fellow Daoist Lu." Lu Zhang sighed, clasping his hands in a formal bow toward Qin Sang. "Fortunate indeed that I had the foresight to invite you along, Daoist. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable." Had Qin Sang not held the grotesque-faced cultivator at bay to buy time, Lu Zhang would merely have turned into a turtle hiding in its shell even after escaping into the green bell, and sooner or later that shell would have been broken. Qin Sang shook his head, declining the credit. "Our escape from his clutches was largely thanks to your Sitting Contemplation Bell, Fellow Daoist Lu. It is truly an extraordinary treasure, possessing multiple remarkable abilities." "The Sitting Contemplation Bell was developed by successive generations of our sect's patriarchs to best complement our divine abilities. However, both of those techniques inflict irreversible damage upon it, consuming the treasure's very core. It is the ultimate life-saving measure for disciples of our sect," Lu Zhang explained. Recalling the ruined Sitting Contemplation Bell, Lu Zhang's eyes darkened. Qin Sang consoled him, "At least its core was not extinguished. With Mount Bunian's deep heritage, helping you re-refine the bell should not be difficult. By comparison, obtaining the stone toad is cause for greater celebration, more than enough to offset the loss." Hearing this, Lu Zhang's mood improved somewhat. He could naturally tell that Qin Sang was deliberately steering the conversation away, so he tactfully avoided mentioning the spirit treasure, asking instead about Qin Sang's impression of the grotesque-faced cultivator. "That man possessed an eccentric appearance, and his mastery of Wood-phase arts was extraordinary. Do you truly have no impression of him, Fellow Daoist Lu?" Qin Sang asked in turn. In Zhongzhou, great cultivators were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. The path of cultivation was entirely defined by the word 'struggle.' No wall was completely airtight; so long as one ventured out to contend for opportunities, news would inevitably spread and become known. Among those who had attained such a realm, which of them was not blessed with countless fortunes? Even the masters of the Buddhist sects could not completely sever themselves from the mortal dust to sit beside a cold lamp and ancient Buddha. Qin Sang deliberately highlighted the man's Wood-phase techniques rather than the jade beetle. It was plain to see that the jade beetle was an external tool, whereas the Dao of Wood was the foundation of the grotesque-faced cultivator's great path. Lu Zhang pondered for a long time. "The Dao of Wood is one of the Five Elements, and there are many who specialize in it. Cultivators from Nanzhou and Manzhou have always been known for their secrecy. If he only recently advanced to the late stage and has been hiding here to breed that jade beetle, his reputation might not have spread yet. Once I return to the sect, I will ask my sect master senior brother to look into him. That man acts with ruthless cruelty; now that he has refined that venomous creature, who knows how many fellow Daoists will fall victim to his poison in the future." Once the jade beetle reached full maturity, any cultivator lacking the means to repel or neutralize poison would face certain death if struck. Qin Sang was also exceedingly wary of the grotesque-faced man. Having set his sights on Qin Sang's avatar, the man was unlikely to give up easily. The avatar would need to remain constantly vigilant whenever roaming outside. *** Once Lu Zhang had recovered, the two decided to leave this troubled land and return to Zhuo Prefecture. Taking a detour through western Manzhou, they deliberately slowed their pace to observe the local customs. Before long, they made an observation: traces of the Gu God Cult frequently appeared even among the mortals of Manzhou, having spread in secret for who knew how long. The cult spread exclusively among mortals, deceiving them with hallucinogenic concoctions. The cultivators of Manzhou were accustomed to it and sneered at the practice, so it caused barely a ripple in the cultivation world. Had Qin Sang not known that the Gu God Cult possessed Nascent Soul cultivators serving as protectors, he would not have paid it any heed either. If the Gu God Cult were to step from behind the curtain onto the open stage, would it trigger an earth-shattering upheaval? Qin Sang decided to stay out of it and leave the headaches to the great sects. Unexpectedly, one night as they flew above a mountain stockade, a single sentence caught Qin Sang's ear and put him on alert. The mortals of Nanzhou and Manzhou lived in similar environments, and their stockades were largely identical in layout and construction. That night, the stockade below was also offering worship to an idol. The mortals within had consumed genuine hallucinogens, resulting in a scene even more chaotic than the first stockade they had seen, a veritable revelry of demons. Once the effects of the drug began to fade, the village chief, an old man nearing ninety, led the villagers to kneel before the idol, muttering under his breath what seemed to be a passage of scripture. This scripture pointed out the location of the Immortal Realm of True Emptiness, declaring that the gods took pity on mortals and had caused an immortal palace to descend into the world to receive the faithful. Only those of utmost devotion and sincerity could earn the right to transcend all suffering, knowing neither birth nor death, dwelling in eternal joy. Within the Immortal Realm of True Emptiness stood forests of immortal palaces stretching boundlessly across the South Sea! Qin Sang was most sensitive to the words 'immortal palace,' and upon hearing them, he stopped immediately. Were it any other wicked cult, he could have dismissed it as nonsense. But with Nascent Soul protectors standing behind the Gu God Cult, their scriptures might truly hold hidden secrets and might not be entirely fictitious. The scripture spared no praise, describing the immortal palace in the South Sea in glowing, idyllic terms. From what Qin Sang had witnessed in Ziwei Palace and the Hall of Seven Kills, not a single detail matched. Yet different immortal palaces might well have different environments, and since these scriptures were designed to bewitch mortals, they were bound to embellish and exaggerate. Connecting a mortal cult to a mysterious immortal palace sounded utterly absurd. Yet Qin Sang had investigated the cultivation world for many years without making any progress. This was the first time he had stumbled upon a plausible lead, and it could not be ignored. He glanced at Lu Zhang beside him; when Lu Zhang heard mention of an immortal palace in the South Sea, his expression remained completely unchanged. It was unclear what had occurred in Zhongzhou, or why Tiantong Hall and Tianxiang Hall were hidden so deeply. Qin Sang could not make his interest too obvious. After listening to the rest of the scripture, he continued northward with Lu Zhang, though he had firmly etched the Gu God Cult into his memory. Nanzhou and Manzhou were no safe havens, and the Gu God Cult was bizarre and inscrutable. To be safe, it would be best to wait until his true body made a breakthrough before investigating in person. *** Aside from the Fu River, the Central Plains held another great waterway: the Feiyun River. It flowed from north to south, originating in the Northern Barrens, cutting through Zhaoyao Prefecture and eastern Zhuo Prefecture, converging with the Fu River across the six prefectures of Jiangzuo before branching off again. It wound through Nanzhou and Manzhou before ultimately emptying into the South Sea, traversing the entire Central Plains. After leaving Manzhou, the two boarded a vessel on the Feiyun River and traveled upstream, heading straight for Zhuo Prefecture. Mount Bunian's Daoist sanctuary stood on the western bank of the Feiyun River. After disembarking, Lu Zhang invited Qin Sang to visit Mount Bunian, but Qin Sang was eager to return to Mount Pu. Lu Zhang did not insist, saying solemnly, "Rest assured, Daoist. Once I return, I will request the cold crystal from my sect master senior brother and have someone deliver it to your residence..."