Beneath a veil of hazy clouds and mist.
The incarnation came to a halt before the monastery gates, his gaze looking past Master Xingji and the other eminent monks.
Apricot-yellow temple walls, gray ridgepoles, and ink-dark mountain peaks—the ancient monastery stood like a silhouette fading in and out of the floating clouds, serene and solemn.
Monks filed out one after another, lining both sides of the path.
Inside and outside the monastery, many people from outside the Buddhist path had also gathered.
Everyone was sizing up the incarnation, eager to see what kind of extraordinary figure this Xie clan ancestor truly was. Naturally, there were also those with ulterior motives whose eyes were fixed on the Five Elements Pill.
While the incarnation was conversing with Master Xingji, several people had already sent urgent voice transmissions his way.
The conversation between the incarnation and Master Xingji astonished the onlookers before the truth dawned on them. No wonder Saint Huiguang had gone out of his way to clear his name—it turned out he had become a lapdog of the Buddhist sect.
This was precisely Qin Sang's intention.
He harbored no sectarian prejudice himself, treating Daoism and Buddhism equally.
By publicly declaring his stay at Ganlu Zen Monastery, he bound his incarnation to the Buddhist path and seized the moral high ground. Within Ganlu Zen Monastery at least, his safety would be reasonably assured.
After completing the exchange, the incarnation would not leave right away either; he intended to remain at Ganlu Zen Monastery to break through his bottleneck.
Afterward, if everything went smoothly, the incarnation could rely on the monastery's vast reach to gather the resources required by his true body across Zhongzhou, leaving his true body free to focus entirely on cultivating in Luye.
Before coming, Qin Sang had meticulously screened the incarnation's memories and placed restrictive seals upon him.
Should anything go awry, he would decisively abandon the incarnation!
The incarnation chatted pleasantly with Master Xingji, though in the eyes of those harboring malice, the two looked very much like villains working hand in glove.
After exchanging pleasantries, both parties entered the monastery together.
Ganlu Zen Monastery had arranged an immense spectacle, fulfilling Saint Huiguang's promise to the letter. Qin Sang naturally disliked such fanfare, but he could only play along.
Like a marionette on strings, the incarnation bustled from dawn until noon, putting on a thorough performance before the assembled guests.
Once the guests dispersed, Master Xingji personally led the incarnation to a cave abode to rest. It was evident the preparations had been somewhat hasty; they had never anticipated that the incarnation would dig in his heels and refuse to leave the monastery.
The cave abode was situated on one of Ganlu Zen Monastery's rear peaks. Secluded, quiet, and refined, it was truly a first-rate cultivating sanctuary.
The incarnation was exceptionally pleased with it, musing that it truly lived up to the monastery's reputation as a sacred cultivation site.
In the North Sea, perhaps only Lingxiao Peak of Xuantian Palace could solidly surpass a cave abode like this, and within Ganlu Zen Monastery, this place was certainly not the absolute best.
The only slight imperfection was that he did not have the mountain entirely to himself; another eminent monk of Ganlu Zen Monastery also cultivated on the peak.
Declining any further arrangements, the incarnation saw Master Xingji off. Just as he sat down to ponder his situation, the guest-welcoming monk led over Xie An, Zhou Ruan, and their company, who had been waiting elsewhere.
"Greetings, Ancestor!"
"Greetings, Senior!"
Several people knelt and kowtowed, their voices and expressions brimming with undisguised excitement.
Even now, they felt as though they were in a dream.
The incarnation said indifferently, "Xie Yi and Zhou Li have already been taken as disciples by Shen Chen. As for the rest of you, carry on as you should once you return. The Xie clan and Loutai Daoist Temple must work together with one heart to govern the three commanderies. I will no longer concern myself with mundane affairs. If you run into any trouble, go cry to Ganlu Zen Monastery for help..."
Having dismissed them, the incarnation sat quietly for a short while before walking out of the cave abode.
The guest-welcoming monk was still standing respectfully outside the door.
"This humble Daoist wishes to visit the Saint at Lesser Fangcun Mountain. Could the master lead the way?" the incarnation asked casually.
The monk nodded without asking questions and silently led the way ahead.
One in front and one behind, they walked along the mountain paths, taking in the picturesque scenery.
This area was already the innermost sanctum of Ganlu Zen Monastery and was heavily guarded. Along the way, the incarnation sensed powerful auras lingering in the shadows more than once.
However, these protectors had evidently received instructions beforehand, and none stepped out to question him.
His passage was completely unimpeded.
Arriving at the foot of a verdant mountain, the guest-welcoming monk stopped and pressed his palms together.
The incarnation offered his thanks. As he stepped toward the mountain, a voice suddenly sounded: "Almsgiver Qin, please enter."
A stone path abruptly materialized within the forest.
The mountain seemed unremarkable from the outside, yet only upon entering did one perceive its hidden grandeur. Compared to this place, his own cave abode was thoroughly outclassed, fully worthy of a Deity Transformation cultivator's sanctuary.
The stone path was shaded beneath the mountain forest, surrounded by the chirping of birds.
The incarnation saw no traces of Buddhist statues or stone carvings. Reaching the end of the stone path, he arrived at the mountain peak.
To his surprise, there were no temples on the summit. Only two prayer mats rested upon a flat boulder, occupied respectively by Saint Huiguang and the Azure Fox Saint King, alongside an altar.
Both had been sitting with their eyes closed in quiet meditation, but they opened their eyes in unison to look at him.
Under the gaze of two Deity Transformation powerhouses, the incarnation's expression remained unchanged. He noticed that three fluffy fox tails had grown behind the Azure Fox Saint King once more, though they appeared somewhat illusory.
"Greetings, Holy Monk, Saint King."
The incarnation offered a formal bow.
"Greetings, Almsgiver Qin," Saint Huiguang responded with a slight nod. With a point of his finger, a prayer mat manifested out of thin air, and he gestured for him to sit.
The Azure Fox Saint King wore a half-smile. "You do have a bit of nerve after all!"
The incarnation sat down without standing on ceremony and directly stated his demand: "The two of you will not interfere in the transactions between Qin and Fellow Daoist Mo in the future, correct?"
"We shall not interfere in any way," Saint Huiguang promised.
The incarnation nodded, then retrieved a jade slip and handed it to Saint Huiguang. "I will have to trouble the Holy Monk to lay out a spirit array according to the specifications on this jade slip."
After examining it, Saint Huiguang flicked his finger, sending the jade slip flying out of the mountain as a streak of light.
"This array is rather intricate and will require some time."
"No matter."
The incarnation inwardly breathed a sigh of relief; at least the first step had gone smoothly.
This array was called the Ten-Thousand-Li Azure Void Array, a type of message-transmitting spirit array. With the incarnation residing in Ganlu Zen Monastery and his true body unable to approach freely, they would rely on this array for future communications. Ganlu Zen Monastery certainly possessed secret techniques of its own for long-distance communication, but Qin Sang could only feel at ease using his own.
He had obtained this array from Xuantian Palace. Because the layout requirements were exceedingly intricate and the necessary materials were far too costly—all for a mere messaging function that had a limited number of uses—it was thoroughly impractical under normal circumstances.
Only a powerhouse as fabulously wealthy as Ganlu Zen Monastery could afford to set it up casually.
Next, the three began negotiating the terms of the karma oath.
The discussion was primarily an argument between the incarnation and the Azure Fox Saint King, with Saint Huiguang occasionally chiming in to uphold fairness.
Qin Sang's sole objective was self-preservation.
For the most part, the Azure Fox Saint King accepted the incarnation's demands, but she stood firm on one point: all her promises were strictly limited to this realm, and before Qin Sang broke through to the Deity Transformation stage, she guaranteed never again to bully him as a senior.
With the oath decided, they set up an altar to swear it.
The rituals for a karma oath were complex and took a full three days to complete.
Three days later, the corners of the Azure Fox Saint King's lips curved upward slightly. "Have you decided what you want?"
The incarnation said in a deep voice, "Qin would like to inspect the Saint King's treasures more closely."
"Very well!"
The Azure Fox Saint King smiled brilliantly, exuding effortless allure.
Tapping the jade belt at her waist, streaks of spiritual light flew forth like flowing water, suspending themselves in the air between the three of them for the incarnation to browse at will.
The incarnation scanned them briefly, his expression turning puzzled. There was no Spirit Gathering Array among them.
The Azure Fox Saint King explained lazily, "The ancient Spirit Gathering Array is hidden within a secret realm in the Eastern Sea. Whether I should move it out of the secret realm or simply tell you its location depends on your preference. Forcibly relocating the array carries the risk of damaging it. Of course, if the array is ruined, this king will offer alternative compensation."
The incarnation gave a nod. Though he did not reply, his mind was already made up.
He would definitely make the Azure Fox Saint King relocate the Spirit Gathering Array. Otherwise, wouldn't he be giving her the chance to trap him like a turtle in a jar?
He turned his gaze back to the treasures before him.
Various immortal trees and rare blossoms, jade slips and ancient tomes, elixir pills and precious artifacts formed an overwhelming display. Their values varied, but every single one was an extraordinary rarity in the world.
Inwardly marveling at the sheer wealth of Deity Transformation cultivators, the incarnation raised a hand and beckoned. The spiritual light before him trembled, and an object flew out, landing squarely in his palm.
It was a spirit bamboo resembling green jade, barely three chi tall and shaped like a long flute. The bamboo stalk was straight, divided into seven segments that were completely uniform in length and thickness.
What made it truly bizarre was that there was not a single leaf on the stalk; only a crystalline flower bloomed at its very tip.
It was none other than the Grade Seven Azure Spirit Bamboo!
Growing a flower without bearing leaves was precisely the hallmark of a mature Grade Seven Azure Spirit Bamboo. The spirit blossom could be used in medicine, but if the bamboo were used for artifact refining, the blossom would be refined along with it to enhance its power.
The incarnation examined it closely, primarily checking for any defects or damage. This was a prerequisite for the Post-Heaven Wooden Human Stele—the spiritual wood used as a medium had to be entirely intact.
Having verified it, the incarnation returned the spirit bamboo and beckoned over a silver flower as large as a plate, a crescent-shaped azure fruit, and a gnarled tree root covered in nodules...
The Azure Fox Saint King had preserved them impeccably; they looked as fresh as if they had just been plucked, dripping with vitality.
These spirit herbs and bottled pills possessed diverse medicinal efficacies. For instance, the crescent fruit could strengthen divine consciousness, boasting a potency no less than that of a Nether Ginseng Fruit.
The incarnation held the azure fruit in his hand with seeming reluctance, only returning it after a long while.
Next, he turned his attention toward several jade slips, which contained the post-Deity Transformation manuals and other secret techniques mentioned by the Azure Fox Saint King.
The *Ancient Splendor Sutra*, the *Hundredfold Yin Lightning*, the *Divine Records of the Four Mysteries*...
Sure enough, every one of them was a superior human cultivation art.
The *Hundredfold Yin Lightning* in particular was a pinnacle secret technique of the Profound Water path, cultivable only after reaching the Deity Transformation stage. Once mastered, it produced Profound Water Yin Lightning layered several times over, which not only possessed terrifying destructive might but also drew upon the power of heaven and earth when unleashed, making it nearly impossible for enemies to evade.
It required the practitioner to cultivate a water-attribute cultivation method backed by consummate water-attribute true essence; otherwise, mastering it was exceedingly difficult.
It was practically tailor-made for the incarnation.
Yet it remained uncertain whether Qin Sang's true body could even step into the Deity Transformation stage, let alone the incarnation, for whom it was an even more distant prospect. No matter how tempting the secret technique was, he could only bear the pain of giving it up.
Returning the *Hundredfold Yin Lightning*, he picked up another jade slip. Upon reading the title inscribed upon it, his spirits were immediately lifted—this was the very technique that had ultimately convinced him to take the risk.
*Heavenly Demon Spirit Reflection Sutra*!
Five large characters met his eyes, followed by an outline of the secret art. The jade slip bore restrictive seals, allowing him to view only a portion of the contents, yet that was enough to grasp the crux of the technique.
It actually involved taking the initiative to draw in a wisp of demonic nature from an extraterrestrial heavenly demon, inviting the outer demon into one's body to illuminate and penetrate the origin spirit!
Lastly, he looked over the various artifacts. Though there were no true spirit treasures, there were pseudo-spirit treasures.
Having inspected everything, the incarnation found himself in a dilemma. He wanted the ancient Spirit Gathering Array, the *Heavenly Demon Spirit Reflection Sutra*, and the Grade Seven Azure Spirit Bamboo. Furthermore, that segment of Seven Star Root could serve as a primary ingredient to refine a pill recorded in the *Panhu True Scripture*, which would elevate his Heavenly Eye Butterfly.
Yet the compensation offered by the Azure Fox Saint King, even combined with the recipe for the Spirit Calming Incense, was not enough to exchange for all of them. As for the stick of Spirit Calming Incense itself, he needed to keep it for Liuli.
Since the Azure Fox Saint King had wronged him first, he could demand an inflated price, but she had already offered compensation, and he also had to give face to Saint Huiguang for mediating. He could not push things too far.
After a moment's thought, the incarnation said, "In the Wuxiang Immortal Sect, Qin obtained the alchemy legacy of the Water Phase Hall. The senior who created the Spirit Calming Incense likely originated from the Wuxiang Immortal Sect as well, which may prove helpful when refining the incense."
The Azure Fox Saint King's beautiful eyes rippled as she watched the incarnation choose with great amusement. Hearing his words, she did not even blink. "Deal."
"There are also the primary ingredients for the Spirit Calming Incense, including two Myriad Spirit Fruits..."
He had three Myriad Spirit Fruits remaining and planned to part with two.
Before the incarnation could finish, the Azure Fox Saint King cut in decisively, "Done, all of it."
With both parties inclined toward making the trade, the rest of the process proceeded smoothly. The incarnation took the *Heavenly Demon Spirit Reflection Sutra* and the Grade Seven Azure Spirit Bamboo, and required the Azure Fox Saint King to relocate the ancient Spirit Gathering Array.
He then traded the Myriad Spirit Fruits and other herbs he had previously gathered for the Seven Star Root, and had the Azure Fox Saint King agree to help search for various spirit medicines needed by the *Panhu True Scripture*, as well as core spirit materials for the Taiji Immortal Platform.
As for the Ice-Fire Orders, the incarnation could gather them slowly over time.
Doing this could be seen as aiding the enemy, but Qin Sang did not care how powerful his opponent was. So long as he kept advancing, the day would come when he caught up to and surpassed them all!
"Once the Ten-Thousand-Li Azure Void Array is established, I will inform my true body to send the pill formula and treasures over." The incarnation offered a slight bow, then drifted down the mountain, returning with a full harvest.
Watching the incarnation's figure vanish amid the rolling mountains, the Azure Fox Saint King smiled playfully. "I thought it would take some doing to slip the *Heavenly Demon Spirit Reflection Sutra* to him without leaving a trace. Who would have thought he would pick it out himself, saving this king the trouble."
With that, she turned her head to glance at Saint Huiguang. "They say extraterrestrial heavenly demons are drawn by heavenly disturbances when cultivators face the Void Refining heavenly tribulation, as the tribulation is so intense that external evils peer in from beyond, infiltrating during the inner demon tribulation. Cultivators pale at the mere mention of heavenly demons, yet someone actually dared to voluntarily invite a heavenly demon in. Old monk, did you truly not tamper with it? Aren't you afraid he might sense something amiss and shelve it away?"
Saint Huiguang replied, "This technique is a Deity Transformation-level secret art. This poor monk lacks the ability to alter it; any alteration would leave flaws and be easily detected. In ancient times, there were ascetic monks of the Buddhist path whose wills were forged like iron, daring to actively use extraterrestrial heavenly demons to uncover their own mental weaknesses in hopes of reaching flawless perfection. This sutra was born from that endeavor. It is merely that the sutra leans more heavily toward strengthening divine consciousness; because practitioners dared not truly invite a heavenly demon, the effect of tempering one's state of mind was severely diminished."
"You suspect the Demonic Voice of the Heavenly Dao is connected to extraterrestrial heavenly demons?"
The Azure Fox Saint King clicked her tongue in admiration.
"What a venomous scheme!
"That man's divine consciousness far surpasses those of his own cultivation stage, even exceeding his actual cultivation base. Even if he isn't a soul cultivator, his attainments in that path must be profound. It is entirely possible his divine consciousness might leap forward first, rivaling that of a Deity Transformation cultivator.
"As it stands, the Demonic Voice of the Heavenly Dao seems to blend seamlessly with the Heavenly Dao. Unless he breaks through to the Deity Transformation realm and resonates between heaven and humanity, he will not perceive the Demonic Voice even if his divine consciousness grows substantially.
"If he breaks through to Deity Transformation, he will surely perish during the inner demon tribulation.
"If he fails to break through, trapped at the bottleneck with nowhere left to turn, he will inevitably think of the *Heavenly Demon Spirit Reflection Sutra* to keep expanding his divine consciousness in search of a breakthrough. When he invites the heavenly demon in, if your suspicion proves true and extraterrestrial heavenly demons are indeed the source of the Demonic Voice, what he draws in will not be a mere wisp of demonic nature, but the gaze of an actual heavenly demon!
"His sudden demise would allow us to confirm the source of the Demonic Voice of the Heavenly Dao.
"Even if this realm's anomalies have nothing to do with extraterrestrial heavenly demons, once this man is tainted with demonic nature, he will surely be the first to be affected if the Demonic Voice continues to strengthen in the future. Once the demonic nature erupts, he will still be doomed.
"Soul cultivators are rare in this world, and those who know of the Demonic Voice would never dare cultivate this technique. Someone like him is one in a million; truly, no one is better suited for this than him.
"Old monk, you truly dread him deeply. If he cannot reach Deity Transformation, you have no intention of letting him live either!"
Saint Huiguang rolled his prayer beads between his fingers, his eyes lowered in silence.
The Azure Fox Saint King sighed. "In the past, though this king found you an eyesore, your conduct was at least open and grand. When did you ever stoop to such petty schemings and treacherous underhanded tricks?"
In the end, the Azure Fox Saint King shook her head in judgment. "Obsessing over gains and losses—it amounts to nothing more than this. Having too many attachments truly is no good thing."
***
Far away in Luye of the Northern Wilderness.
Qin Sang's true body was not cultivating at this moment either. Instead, he was constantly deducing something, his mind returning to the *Lifeless Demon Seal* that Senior Sister Qingjun had given him.
Ever since obtaining this secret technique, Qin Sang had harbored an idea, yet scouring both the North Sea and Zhongzhou had yielded no cultivation method or secret art capable of verifying his theory.
Extraterrestrial heavenly demons, also known as external form heavenly demons, were terrifying beings capable of turning into a cultivator's inner demons, killing without a trace.
When no inner demon arises,
what can an outer demon do?
Chapter 1701