The Ullambana Assembly and the Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly were originally of one origin, and their general procedures were quite similar.
Of course, Buddhism and Daoism differed, so their formats naturally held many distinctions.
What was called the preeminent grand event was actually such only to the sect cultivators of the Nineteen Misty Rain Prefectures. Cultivators and rogue cultivators from the Northern Barrens, Western Desert, and Eastern Sea were not eligible to take part, left only to watch the excitement.
Even so, it still drew countless immortal cultivators to observe.
At the dharma assemblies, magical duels, Daoist debates, and the hundred arts of cultivation were all on full display, making it an extraordinary opportunity for exchange.
However, these were secondary.
The sect powers of the Nineteen Misty Rain Prefectures valued the assemblies most because each was an opportunity to divide interests—and could even determine the layout of the Central Plains for the next five hundred years.
Bearing the names of Ullambana Assembly and Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly, they were naturally led by Ganlu Zen Monastery and Bajing Belvedere, respectively.
Yet the hosting venue was not fixed, rotating among the nineteen prefectures. Whenever a prefecture's turn came, the sects and powers of that prefecture had to offer their utmost cooperation.
Weaker prefectures—such as the Seven Western Road Prefectures, which were gradually incorporated into the Central Plains later on—could co-host in pairs if their strength proved insufficient.
Hosting a dharma assembly brought countless benefits, and any sect or faction that earned the qualification was only too eager, including demonic sects.
Tianhao Tower, the number one demonic sect of the Central Plains, was located in the Six Jiangzuo Prefectures alongside Bajing Belvedere and Ganlu Zen Monastery. While their relations were hardly harmonious, Tianhao Tower had still cooperated with Bajing Belvedere to host a Zhongyuan Dharma Assembly.
During the assembly, an atmosphere of harmony prevailed.
From Jiang Mu, Qin Sang learned that the next Ullambana Assembly was less than eighty years away.
This upcoming assembly had fallen to Jinyu Prefecture, one of the four northern prefectures.
Wealthy and imposing, the Jinyu Sect had reportedly spread the word long ago that they were fully prepared, proclaiming they would host an unprecedentedly grand assembly. Moreover, all expenses would be shouldered entirely by the Jinyu Sect, requiring no contribution from other forces in Jinyu Prefecture.
*Mount Bunian sealed their mountain for a century—do they not intend to attend the Ullambana Assembly? Or will they just send a few disciples to go through the motions when the time comes? Or did Situ Yu anticipate potential upheaval at this assembly, having little confidence in what comes after...?*
The first thing Qin Sang thought of was Mount Bunian.
For Situ Yu to choose this exact moment to seal the mountain, he had surely weighed the matter carefully.
*The Ullambana Assembly will be a critical juncture!*
Qin Sang thought to himself.
Those factions hiding in the shadows, those sects harboring ulterior motives—they were all very likely waiting for the Ullambana Assembly.
Over the past assemblies, Deity Transformation cultivators had often manifested miracles.
In recent years, rumors of their disappearance had spread like wildfire.
If a Deity Transformation cultivator showed themselves, all would continue as before.
If no Deity Transformation cultivator appeared at this assembly, the situation would likely spiral out of control. Around the time of the assembly, the cultivation world was bound to undergo earth-shaking upheaval.
Qin Sang was a solitary man with no attachments.
To him, chaos in Zhongzhou was not necessarily a bad thing; muddy waters made for better fishing.
The premise, of course, was having sufficient strength. Otherwise, inadvertently getting swept into the storm could easily end with him buried in the turmoil. Among cultivators of the same rank, he was certainly far from weak, but those great cultivators from top-tier heritages never lacked secret arts and extraordinary treasures.
Not to mention, Zhongzhou possessed heritages left by Deity Transformation cultivators.
Noticing Jiang Mu's gaze, Qin Sang reined in his thoughts and countered, "Why did Fellow Daoist Jiang bring up the Ullambana Assembly? If I have free time then, I will certainly go to Jinyu Prefecture to observe... Could it be that treasures surpassing the *Turtle Guidance Art* and the Indeterminate Flower might appear at the Ullambana Assembly?"
Jiang Mu nodded and then shook his head, saying, "During the assembly, auctions are held every day, featuring some final showpieces, but there probably won't be many treasures surpassing the *Turtle Guidance Art*. Even if treasures of that caliber exist, they rarely reach the public. During the assembly, cultivators from the super sects organize private treasure exchanges. Outsiders are barred, and one must be introduced by someone to attend."
Hearing this, Qin Sang felt a pang of regret; he could have asked Lu Zhang for an introduction.
He had devoted all his energy to bitter cultivation, assuming maintaining good relations with Mount Bunian would suffice. Who could have foreseen Mount Bunian would seal itself at this exact time?
The Xie family's name would probably carry no weight at such an assembly.
With the state of the cultivation world unstable, Qin Sang was no hotheaded youth. He had no wish to step forward publicly right now, exposing his identity and cultivation and drawing unwanted attention.
A gentleman kept his weapons hidden on his person, biding his time to act.
"Your hall should have preparations as well, yes?" Qin Sang looked toward Jiang Mu.
"For such a grand event, our Six Prefectures Hall certainly won't miss out. If you are interested, Fellow Daoist Qin, you can contact me when the assembly draws near, or find me in Jinyu Prefecture. I will report to the head hall to secure a spot for you. Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, our hall stakes its reputation that nothing will go wrong at the treasure exchange."
Jiang Mu admitted openly; the more high-level experts joined the exchange, the better.
Roping in a Nascent Soul cultivator with just a few words would count as his own merit.
Qin Sang agreed, but this could not resolve his pressing need. After the assembly, Zhongzhou would fall into chaos; was he supposed to go back and continue secluding himself until then?
Sensing Qin Sang's hesitation, Jiang Mu shifted his tone. "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist. In the coming period, auctions and treasure exchanges will likely be held quite frequently."
"Oh? How so?"
"Performance at the Ullambana Assembly exerts a certain influence on the final distribution of interests. Before the assembly, every sect will exert all their strength to prepare thoroughly. To make up for their shortcomings, they won't hesitate to trade treasures hoarded for many years. Exchanging among the sects alone won't be enough, and many fellow daoists don't wish to expose their weaknesses lest their rivals find clues. When that time comes, they will seek to purchase from outside through other channels. The five hundred years of accumulation by these sects can easily be imagined—it is a prime opportunity for rogue cultivators like us to acquire treasures!"
Jiang Mu rubbed his hands together as he spoke, wearing an expression of keen anticipation.
Qin Sang's demeanor closely resembled that of a rogue cultivator or an outsider from the outer domains, or perhaps a sect cultivator in disguise, but Jiang Mu did not care. Just as he said, more such people would appear as the assembly drew near.
Qin Sang was also greatly tempted.
As one of the largest merchant associations in Zhongzhou, Six Prefectures Hall would certainly not lack such commissions!
So Jiang Mu had talked in circles with this true purpose in mind.
"What are the requirements to participate in such exchanges?" Qin Sang asked straightforwardly.
"You are straightforward, Fellow Daoist!"
Jiang Mu gazed at Qin Sang. "For ordinary treasure exchanges, any Nascent Soul fellow daoist may attend—the more, the merrier. But there are also distinguished guests with stringent requirements. In cultivation alone, they require at least mid-Nascent Soul stage, or strength comparable to it! Of course, such exchanges certainly will not disappoint, and rare treasures are bound to surface!"
Qin Sang had been inside Six Prefectures Hall for so long, yet Jiang Mu had been entirely unable to gauge the depth of his cultivation, and a suspicion had already formed in his mind.
Qin Sang raised his right hand onto the table, his fingers tapping lightly a few times. Suddenly, a minuscule wisp of sword qi shot from his index finger, piercing into the wall in a flash.
The sword qi penetrated the wall, leaving a tiny pinhole, and vanished immediately—a display of exquisite precision.
Jiang Mu's pupils constricted. He pressed his hand downward, preventing the restrictions from counterattacking. Although the restrictions in the quiet room were inferior to the protective spirit array outside, the other man's ability to pierce them so effortlessly spoke volumes.
He hesitated no longer, promptly taking out a medallion and handing it to Qin Sang.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, please keep this medallion safe. When attending an exchange, you may bring two companions without restriction. Once there is news, how should I contact you? Our hall has several transmission methods, and you may choose whichever you prefer."
Qin Sang took the medallion and found it similar to the Six Prefectures Token he had received before, though its patterns were more intricate, containing extremely complex internal markings that were nearly impossible to forge.
Putting away the medallion, he asked, "No rush on that. Does your hall rent out cave dwellings in Yanshui Market? I plan to rent one here to stay for a few days."
Jiang Mu was taken aback. "This... I fear they might not meet your standards, Fellow Daoist."
The cave dwellings in Yanshui Market were decent enough, but how could they compare to the blessed grottos of Nascent Soul cultivators?
"No matter, a top-grade cave dwelling will do," Qin Sang said offhandedly.
Refining demonic fire did not demand much in the way of spiritual energy.
In his future plans, making enemies would be unavoidable, especially when searching for the Wuxiang Immortal Sect. If he ended up offending Bajing Belvedere or Ganlu Zen Monastery, he needed to prepare an escape route.
Very few people knew of the connection between him and his incarnation.
Severing ties early and acting separately would prove useful.
Jiang Mu had not expected Qin Sang to make such a request, yet he could not refuse. He personally arranged the best cave dwelling and assigned maids to attend to Qin Sang's bidding.
The cave dwelling was situated on an immortal mountain in the northern part of Yanshui Market.
Qin Sang occupied an entire peak and lake to himself—a scenic retreat of tranquility amidst the bustling market.
After settling Qin Sang in, Jiang Mu took his leave, and Qin Sang personally saw him to the door.
Several maids stayed in the small building by the lake, awaiting orders.
Qin Sang paid them no mind and returned to the cave dwelling alone.
He had already instructed Jiang Mu not to disturb him unless a top-tier treasure exchange arose, so he could enter secluded cultivation with peace of mind. Surveying the cave dwelling, Qin Sang wiped away the original restrictions, laid down a grand array of his own, and sat cross-legged.
A demonic banner floated before him.
A fire lotus flickered indistinctly between his brows.
The petals of the fire lotus had unfurled a bit more.
Wisps of demonic fire were refined by Qin Sang in silence, shifting from one demonic banner to the next.
Time slipped quietly away inside the dim cave dwelling.
At the foot of the mountain, by the lakeside wooden lodge, batch after batch of maids were rotated out. They were arguably the most relaxed maids in Six Prefectures Hall; from arrival to departure, they never even caught a glimpse of the master they served, making them the envy of everyone.
Every rotation sparked fierce competition.
Everyone was curious about who lived on this mountain, so important that Chief Manager Jiang Mu had personally ordered that no one disturb him.
Over twenty years passed in this manner.
Qin Sang never took a single step out of the cave dwelling, completely indifferent to changes in the outside world.
Inside the cave dwelling.
Black demonic fire danced in the void. Wild and untamed at first, it was gradually brought to heel, transforming into a wisp of water-like black flame that flowed between Qin Sang's brows and poured into the fire lotus.
Day after day, this scene repeated countlessly within the chamber.
"It truly is growing slower..."
A soft sigh broke the silence of the cave dwelling.
Qin Sang awoke. The fire lotus between his brows receded, and with a wave of his sleeve, he put away the demonic banner.
Sensing his own state, he could already clearly feel the oppressive weight originating from the Heavenly Dao—the heavenly tribulation was at hand!
It was a testament to his sheer daring.
While others trembled in fear before their tribulations, Qin Sang had waited until the tribulation hung directly over his head while still practicing secret arts, without making excessive preparations.
*Time to head out and prepare for the tribulation,*
Qin Sang thought. After a brief regulation of his breath, he stepped out of the cave dwelling.
The piercing sunlight fell upon him, bringing a touch of warmth. Pausing before the entrance, he realized that the scenery of Yanshui Market was truly lovely, yet he had only noticed it after more than twenty years.
Cultivation knew no years; one was destined to miss much of the scenery.
With nothing to do, the maids were frolicking by the lake, painting a picture of carefree youth.
Qin Sang did not disturb them, flying silently out of Yanshui Market. As he passed Mount Pu, his incarnation sensed the main body, emerged from seclusion to rendezvous, and served as his dharma protector.
The second Nascent Soul slipped into the main body to be nourished.
Qin Sang learned of his incarnation's progress over the years.
With the aid of the ice disc, the *Ice Soul Divine Light* had advanced by leaps and bounds, with no sign of a bottleneck for the time being. The divine ability would most likely reach mastery.
However, as cultivation proceeded, the divine light diverged further and further from the original version; it was hard to say what form it would take upon reaching great completion.
Qin Sang had already chosen a location for the tribulation: an uninhabited wasteland lying between Zhuo Prefecture and Zhaoyao Prefecture.
Soaring across countless mountains and rivers,
a flat expanse of plains stretched ahead.
Qin Sang flew a while longer, lowered his escape light, and landed in the center of the wasteland. He sent out his incarnation to scout the surroundings for uninvited guests.
The main body set to work.
He had prepared a spirit array for the tribulation called the Mysterious Mirror Chill Gale Array. Combining the Yuanshen Sect's Mysterious Mirror Array with the Cold Yin Fierce Wind Array inherited from the Snow-Listening Tower, it drew upon the strengths of both, though setting it up was exceptionally tedious.
Once the array was established,
Qin Sang sat cross-legged at its center and entered meditation, while his incarnation stood guard not far away.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The heavenly tribulation had not yet arrived, but the oppressive presence of the Heavenly Dao had already manifested.
Sensing danger, the living creatures of the wasteland fled in panic without Qin Sang needing to drive them away.
Suddenly,
both the main body and the incarnation looked up toward the firmament at the same time.
What had been ten thousand li of clear skies suddenly echoed with muffled thunder. The instant the thunder boomed, the sunlight dimmed sharply, followed by rising winds and gathering clouds.
Clouds surged from all directions.
In the blink of an eye, rolling black clouds churned in the void, frantically congregating above Qin Sang's head. The sky grew darker and darker as gale-force winds swept across the wasteland, sending withered grass dancing wildly into the air, casting heaven and earth into vast desolation.
His incarnation's robes whipped in the wind. Alert and vigilant, he scanned the surroundings before his figure flickered and vanished.
The main body remained still. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly rested on his shoulder, her wings slowly fanning open and closed with leisurely grace.
*Swish!*
The Jinchen Sword transformed into sword light, circling Qin Sang.
Qin Sang glanced at the Heavenly Eye Butterfly out of the corner of his eye. He was confident in surviving this tribulation, but an even more important task lay ahead: helping the Heavenly Eye Butterfly devour more tribulation lightning.
*Rumble...*
The tribulation clouds formed rapidly, granting the tribulation-crosser no time to catch his breath before the lightning descended!
A deluge of lightning cascaded down.
The wasteland went from darkness to blinding light, illuminated bright as day.
With a resonant metallic hum, the Jinchen Sword soared against the cascade.
The Heavenly Eye Butterfly fluttered her wings, following close behind.
When he crossed the Nascent Soul tribulation back then, Qin Sang had only dared let her absorb stray threads of lightning from the periphery. Now possessing the power to handle unexpected mishaps, he dared allow the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to face the tribulation lightning directly.
Thunder clattered wildly as the Jinchen Sword was submerged in the lightning glare.
*Whoosh!*
Countless sword lights scattered abruptly, beyond count, forming a disc of sword radiance in midair to block the tribulation lightning!
Amidst the deafening roar, sword light and tribulation lightning annihilated each other. Yet Qin Sang deliberately allowed some of the lightning to slip through. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly flapped her wings and met it head-on, shooting seemingly delicate lightning from her wings to weave a lightning net—thicker and sturdier than when she had broken through to the fourth transformation.
The spectacle of devouring tribulation lightning unfolded once more.
Seeing it again, Qin Sang still marveled, holding even higher expectations for the butterfly.
Then, he felt an impression of pain transmitted from the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Devouring the tribulation lightning directly was far harder than absorbing stray threads, but since she still had the mood to act coquettishly, she could certainly endure it.
Qin Sang soothed the Heavenly Eye Butterfly while wielding his sword to fend off the tribulation lightning.
Chapter 1580