The so-called orthodox registers referred to the talismanic registers bestowed by the Twin Courts of the Daoist Court, also known as official registers.
Corresponding to them were the talismanic registers conferred by the various sects and schools outside the Daoist Court, known as private registers.
Whether orthodox or private, both essentially required a corresponding cultivation method to commune with the heavenly heart above, summon the altar-guarding divine general paired with the register, and advance through the cultivation order step by step.
And as far as Qin Sang understood, there was another category of talismanic registers in the Daoist sects: those whose cultivation methods were missing, or whose paired divine generals could no longer be sensed.
Holders of the former could cultivate alternative methods, but because the method did not match the register, they were unable to enjoy most of the register's benefits, making their cultivation and breakthroughs far more difficult than others'.
Holders of the latter could only forcibly visualize other divine generals, and for that same lack of harmony, they risked instability in temperament and mental state.
These were known as external registers.
Learning of this, Qin Sang instantly conceived an idea. Obtaining an external register would obviously be easier.
His own cultivation method was sufficiently powerful, and unless pushed to the absolute brink, he had no desire to switch to another, nor did he care how much benefit a register could bring to his progression.
With the jade Buddha shielding his primordial spirit, an altar-guarding divine general was completely dispensable.
In other words, all the disadvantages of an external register were non-issues for him—so long as its power to stabilize origin qi remained intact!
The more Qin Sang thought about it, the more he felt an external register suited him perfectly.
However, an incomplete register meant the original sect's lineage had died out. Conferring a register required an ancestral altar, yet if even the lineage was broken, where was he to find the altar? Who could confer the register upon him?
The Daoist Court might possess such information, but that brought the problem right back to where it started: how could he gain the Daoist Court's trust to access those secrets?
Regardless, Qin Sang had at least found a viable path, and more than one.
As far as he knew, the Daoist Court also had a practice called supplementary register conferral.
When a Daoist cultivator gained the Daoist Court's recognition and joined as an immortal official, if they wished to sever ties with their original sect, they could even be additionally bestowed an orthodox register, genuinely entering the cultivation order of the Daoist Court's Twin Courts.
It sounded much like receiving promotions and noble titles in the secular world.
Yet joining the Daoist Court surely involved extremely rigorous scrutiny; acquiring a flaw-free identity was practically impossible.
Once inside the Daoist Court, one's freedom was no longer one's own.
Inevitably, many mundane duties would be heaped upon him, hindering his cultivation—something Qin Sang had no desire for.
He had not even been willing to expend much effort on the Qingyang Temple he founded with his own hands, choosing to be a hands-off master the moment the basic framework was erected.
With these myriad concerns, he would never compromise unless left with no alternative.
As his thoughts turned, a contemplative look surfaced on Qin Sang's face.
After a moment, he shook his head and said, "This poor Daoist does not seek a Fellow Daoist who cultivates star-killing talismans, but rather one skilled in supplication and form-refining."
Seeing the rewards on the ritual writs earlier had sparked an idea: if he could not find a place where starlight converged, why not approach the problem from another angle?
The Daoist sects of this world boasted countless experts, and the Dao of talismans was rich with arts tied to the celestial stars.
If he could enlist a mighty expert to channel starlight via talismans and perform an astral essence body infusion for him, that ought to be feasible as well.
This placed exceptionally high demands on the caster; their cultivation could certainly be no lower than the Deity Transformation stage.
Engaging an expert of that caliber would be no easy feat.
During the astral essence body infusion, Qin Sang would need to concentrate wholly on his breakthrough, while also guarding against the other party going back on their word and harboring ill intent.
The Daoist Court's ritual writs had shown Qin Sang a glimmer of hope.
If he accepted a writ or traded merit for a master's assistance, it would be equivalent to entering a sworn covenant with the Daoist Court, backed by its reputation.
The person taking action would surely not dare defy righteousness and court universal condemnation by plotting against him in secret.
His worries would be resolved at the root.
Still, careful consideration was needed regarding which talisman to use for the astral essence body infusion.
Star-killing talismans, as the name implied, were purely offensive talismans meant for slaughter. Qin Sang sought a breakthrough, not death, so they were obviously unsuitable.
The talisman system of this world's Daoist sects was comprehensive and all-encompassing. Because many talismans possessed multiple powers, no one drew rigid boundaries, relying instead on a few conventional classifications.
The so-called supplication and form-refining referred to two categories.
Talismans of the supplication division could dispel filth and draw out toxins, resolving all manner of detrimental conditions, with many also possessing healing effects.
Form-refining talismans were blessing and enhancement talismans. Cultivators of the Soldier-Horse Altar mostly applied them to the soldiers and horses under their command, whereas cultivators of the Dragon-Tiger Altar applied them to themselves and excelled most in this art. Shen Huo's body swelling several zhang during the temple-razing had been achieved through such a talisman.
Evidently, talismans of the supplication and form-refining categories were mostly beneficial and harmless, which was precisely what Qin Sang required.
The old Daoist caught on quickly, grasping Qin Sang's requirements. Stroking his long beard in contemplation for a moment, he said, "This old Daoist understands what Fellow Daoist means. The talismans of this world are countless, but when it comes to supplication arts of this sort, none can surpass the Xuanji Sect—especially their Northern Palace Southern Dipper Visualization and Refining Talisman, which is truly unparalleled in subtlety!"
"Northern Palace Southern Dipper..."
Qin Sang murmured in thought. Hearing the talisman's name, it seemed to channel only the astral power of the Northern and Southern Dippers.
Cultivating *Heavenly Demon Refining Form*, he had never deliberately selected specific stars, nor did the technique itself impose such restrictions.
From the very beginning of his cultivation, he had indiscriminately channeled all starlight from the void—the celestial stars in their entirety.
He had walked this path without a single misstep.
If he channeled only the starlight of the twin dippers for the infusion, would the lack of full stellar representation affect him?
Since his own Daoist path was at stake, Qin Sang naturally had to inquire thoroughly about this talisman.
Upon hearing his question, the old Daoist chuckled. "Fellow Daoist has asked the right person! Three hundred years ago, this old Daoist had the fortune to witness the power of the Northern Palace Southern Dipper Visualization and Refining Talisman from afar. Despite its name, it begins with the Northern Dipper to channel the celestial stars, and as the saying goes, 'the Southern Dipper governs life,' it ultimately shifts to the Southern Dipper to release the incantation. The power of the celestial stars is immensely vast and chaotic, yet when this talisman is unleashed, there is not the slightest disorder. It is precisely because of this that it earned such tremendous renown."
Hearing this, Qin Sang's expression eased slightly. Now it remained to be seen whether the Xuanji Sect possessed an expert capable of assisting his breakthrough.
Observing his expression, the old Daoist softened his tone slightly and cautioned, "Fellow Daoist should not celebrate too soon. The more profound the Northern Palace Southern Dipper Visualization and Refining Talisman, the harder it is to cultivate, and the higher the requirements placed upon the caster. Such figures are not so easily swayed..."
His expression unchanging, Qin Sang asked, "May I ask how many people in the Xuanji Sect have mastered this talisman?"
The old Daoist held up a single finger. "As far as I know, currently only one!"
"Only one?"
Qin Sang's gaze focused slightly. Could it be the sect master of the Xuanji Sect?
"Only one—unless the Xuanji Sect has produced another Dongxuan-rank Real Man and kept it secret," the old Daoist nodded.
A Real Man of the Dongxuan Dharma rank was equivalent to a Deity Transformation cultivator.
In other words, this talisman required a Deity Transformation cultivator to practice. If Qin Sang could convince them to cast it with full strength, it would most likely satisfy his requirements.
Yet the only person who had mastered this talisman was the sect master of the Xuanji Sect. As the old man said, the head of a sect was not so easy to invite.
After brief deliberation, Qin Sang made a mental note of the Xuanji Sect to revisit later; he still had thirty years left.
He pressed the old Daoist further on whether other sects possessed similar talismans, obtaining several more clues.
The Daoist Court also had comparable talismans.
Yet after weighing them against one another, the Xuanji Sect's Northern Palace Southern Dipper Visualization and Refining Talisman remained the most suitable.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!"
Qin Sang produced a magic treasure and pushed it across to the old Daoist.
Seeing the treasure, the old Daoist's eyes lit up, and he accepted it with a smile. "If Fellow Daoist has any other questions, this poor Daoist will share everything without reservation. The crafting method of this treasure is quite ingenious, far more than enough payment for the previous inquiry. Moving forward, so long as it does not involve core secrets, this old Daoist can provide answers free of charge."
Daoist cultivators in this world also used external objects; it was just that this realm relied more heavily on divine abilities and talismans. The three major traditions each had their own foundations of formidable might, unlike the cultivators of the Storm Realm who depended so heavily on magic treasures.
Of course, if they came across high-grade magic treasures or spirit treasures, they would not hesitate to fight for them either.
With all of Qin Sang's artifact-refining skills, he would have ample opportunity to display his prowess in this realm, but now was not the time to dwell on such things; his immediate priority was to resolve the looming threat.
Since the old Daoist had made the offer, Qin Sang did not stand on ceremony. He carefully framed several questions he wished to ask and gleaned a great deal of information.
Upon leaving the shop, it was already late at night.
Before arriving, Qin Sang had heard that the night sky over Jushan Parish was exceptionally dark, with stars and the moon rarely visible.
Looking up, it proved to be true.
A layer of overcast gloom seemed to shroud the night sky, obscuring the starlight. Only a faint halo hung high above, which was likely the bright moon.
With his wide sleeves fluttering, Qin Sang walked alone down the street, pondering his next move.
He had asked the old Daoist earlier about two peculiar zones within Jushan Parish where starlight was inexplicably drawn and gathered.
Due to their unusual phenomena, they held some minor fame in Jushan Parish, but many Daoist cultivators had investigated them without discovering the cause.
Qin Sang had requested the records, and after inspecting them, he determined that the astral essence in those two locations was not dense enough to meet his requirements, losing interest as a result.
In keeping with Qin Sang's habits, even if he had devised another method, he could not pin all his hopes on it alone; only a two-pronged approach could guarantee success.
He still needed to continue searching for places where astral essence gathered!
The Daoist Court was not the only power in the world; there was also the Guifang Kingdom, as well as the boundless Sin Sea and Sin Plains.
Just because the Daoist Court lacked such a place did not mean other regions did not have one.
At this thought, Qin Sang remembered the snake and the bei; it was time for them to play their part.
However, Qin Sang was in no hurry to act just yet, as he had not met with Shi Xuan and the others this time.
Taking out a jade talisman, he crushed it, then turned his steps into a nearby inn.
Inside the inn were standalone courtyards, each serving as an individual cave dwelling.
Before long, three figures hurried into the inn and triggered the restrictions.
"Enter."
The restriction parted.
Shi Xuan was the first to step into the courtyard. Seeing Qin Sang, he bowed deeply. "The three of us pay our respects to Senior."
Facing Qin Sang once more, the trio appeared far more composed.
Their sect did not lack Shengxuan-rank Real Men; earlier, they had merely been caught off guard and at a loss after abruptly learning Qin Sang's true realm.
Even so, having a powerful sect behind them did not mean they dared offend a Real Man, and their demeanor remained thoroughly deferential.
"I have kept you waiting," Qin Sang said pleasantly, gesturing for them to take a seat.
The three quickly murmured that they did not dare, bowing slightly as they sat down. Before Qin Sang could ask, Shi Xuan took the initiative to say, "Reporting to Senior, upon our return, we presented the tiger carcass to the immortal officials of the Northern Pole Exorcism Court and received an award of over ten thousand merits, which rightfully belongs to Senior."
"Over ten thousand?"
Qin Sang was slightly surprised.
Among the ritual writs he had viewed, slaying a demon commander of comparable strength to the tiger demon yielded three thousand merits at most.
Writs at the Nascent Soul level rarely exceeded ten thousand, and those that did were extraordinarily difficult.
Such a massive sum of merit was clearly not merely for the tiger demon; they had most likely stumbled upon some conspiracy.
Shi Xuan added that the Northern Pole Exorcism Court wished to invite Qin Sang over, asking if he was interested.
"There is no rush on that matter," Qin Sang replied, shaking his head slightly.
At this point, Shi Xuan recalled something else and adopted a solemn expression. "Junior remembers Senior inquiring about places where astral essence gathers. Without Senior's permission, Junior took the liberty of asking our sect elders. Junior begs Senior's punishment."
Qin Sang looked him up and down, remarking meaningfully, "Gathering information for this poor Daoist—what crime is there in that? Not only is there no punishment, but whether there are results or not, this poor Daoist will reward you handsomely!"
Shi Xuan seemed to genuinely breathe a sigh of relief, his expression turning to delight. "Thanks to Senior's blessing, Junior has not failed the task. I managed to learn of a location from a sect senior that happens to be in Jushan Parish. Because it is secluded, few know of it! However, I do not know whether the astral essence there is dense enough to meet Senior's requirements."
Upon hearing this, Qin Sang was instantly intrigued. Inquiring closely, he learned that the place was located to the north of Mount Heming, in a very remote area, and had been named Star Valley by the Jiuhua Grotto-Heaven Real Man who discovered it.
Judging by the description, its astral essence was far more concentrated than the other two locations!
"Very good!"
Qin Sang praised him, retrieving a whip-like magic treasure from his Qianjun Ring as a reward.
Shi Xuan accepted it, unable to put it down.
Transferring merit required visiting the Daoist Court's post. Qin Sang had already registered a spiritual covenant with the Daoist Court, so Shi Xuan and the others could simply transfer the merit directly to him without him needing to appear in person.
Qin Sang took only the round sum, giving all the remainder to them.
After Shi Xuan and his companions departed, Qin Sang stayed in the immortal city for another two days before heading out once more.
This time, he left through the north gate, flying alone toward the northeast. Nearing the boundary where the two major powers confronted each other, he descended onto a desolate mountain and opened his spirit beast bag.
*Thud! Thud!*
A snake and a bei tumbled out onto the ground. The moment they saw each other, they bared their teeth again.
"Enough!" Qin Sang barked in a deep voice.
Startled, the two demons prostrated themselves on the ground.
"Not far ahead lies the territory held by the Guifang Kingdom," Qin Sang said, looking at the snake demon, and threw the token of trust toward it.
The snake demon summoned a gust of demonic wind to catch it, looking at Qin Sang in bewilderment and doubt. It could hardly believe Qin Sang would let it go.
Naturally, Qin Sang would not let it leave so easily. He needed an operative to infiltrate the Guifang Kingdom to gather intelligence for him, and had already planted the origin poison of the bloodthirsty miasma spirit within the snake demon's body.
Looking at the snake demon, he said, "Even with that token, returning to the Guifang Kingdom and expecting to be placed in an important post will likely not be so simple. Why don't we cooperate?"
"What... does the exalted immortal want me to do?" the snake demon asked warily.
"You want to achieve merit, and I want to achieve merit as well." Qin Sang pointed at it, then at himself. "If the opportunity arises, why not exchange what we have?"
The snake demon fell silent. Though it had little worldly experience, it understood that spies generally met grim ends.
"Rest assured. This poor Daoist can swear an oath: whenever something needs to be done in the future, I will seek your agreement first and will not force you to risk your life snooping for secrets. After a hundred years, this poor Daoist will remove the restriction on you. However..." Qin Sang's tone turned cold. "If you contemplate betraying this poor Daoist, you must think it through carefully. Having once been captured by humans, will they trust you completely?"
The snake demon's heart trembled. After a long silence, it nodded. "I hope you keep your promise."
Before long, the snake demon slithered away into the distance.
Qin Sang watched it leave, treating this merely as an idle piece on the board.
When the snake demon returned with the token, if it came into contact with higher-ups of the Guifang Kingdom, the hidden poison in its body might be detected.
If it proved useful, well and good; if it slipped beyond his control, he lost nothing either.
The bei demon watched the snake demon regain its freedom with a face full of envy.
However, when Qin Sang had first arrived, he had revealed quite a few things before this demon, so he could not let it go just yet.
Chapter 1758