A Visit

Inside the hall. Master Qi sat facing a red-faced old man wearing a thunder-patterned Daoist robe. The two had known each other for a long time. Master Qi got straight to the point. "I have come today hoping to ask a favor of Elder Li." The red-faced old man burst into hearty laughter. "I just told my boy that Master Qi never visits without a reason!" Master Qi looked slightly embarrassed. The red-faced old man merely teased his old friend with a couple of sentences before turning serious. "Speak freely of whatever you need, Fellow Daoist. Does it have something to do with this young friend?" As he spoke, the red-faced old man looked toward the young Daoist standing respectfully behind Master Qi with hands hanging by his sides. He recognized almost all of Master Qi's disciples and Daoist boys, but he had never seen this person before. Little did he know, this young Daoist was Qin Sang, who had accompanied Master Qi disguised as a disciple of Daoist Mingyue. "Greetings, Senior Li," Qin Sang bowed in salutation. This Elder Li was an elder of Thunder Right Manor. Master Qi nodded. "Nothing escapes your discerning eyes, Fellow Daoist. He is the disciple of an old acquaintance. You can likely tell as well that his cultivation has reached the perfection of the Dharma rank of Virtue and he seeks to break through, but he has yet to be conferred a second-rank talismanic register." Elder Li had already guessed as much and was not surprised. With an amiable expression, he said, "May I ask which year this young friend was registered? Any candidate who received a register at our Thunder Right Manor shares karmic affinity with our sect. Even if he is not an inner disciple, so long as he has done nothing detrimental to our manor, the sect will not make things difficult during his advancement." He scrutinized Qin Sang with an appraising gaze. "He was not registered with Thunder Right Manor; otherwise, why would I trouble you?" Master Qi shook his head. "Oh?" Elder Li pondered. "What register was he initially conferred? You should know, Fellow Daoist, that our sect's High Shenxiao Register has an ancient pedigree and is far from ordinary. Even among registers of the Thunder Department, not all can be advanced to our sect's registers. Only a scarce few are barely compatible." Master Qi said meaningfully, "His initially conferred register is none other than the High Shenxiao Register." Elder Li froze for a moment, then immediately understood. In Jushan Diocese, aside from Thunder Right Manor, only Thunder Left Manor could confer the High Shenxiao Register. This youth was registered with Thunder Left Manor, yet sought advancement at Thunder Right Manor. There was only one explanation: either he or his master's lineage had offended Thunder Left Manor. Elder Li could not help hesitating. Thunder Right Manor and Thunder Left Manor were on poor terms, and he was more than happy to make trouble for Thunder Left Manor. However, if this youth's seniors held a deep grudge against Thunder Left Manor, helping him and provoking an open conflict between the two sects was not something their sect wished to see. Master Qi said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, this youth carries no great karmic entanglements. Should any dispute arise, I will shoulder it alone." Elder Li nodded slightly. This old friend of his was trustworthy. To be able to move Master Qi, this youth's background was well worth pondering. Master Qi was a famed crafting master throughout Star Island Immortal Lake. When he first made a name for himself, numerous factions had sought to recruit him, but Master Qi possessed his own unyielding pride and had declined every offer. Rarely had he ever been seen asking for favors. "Very well!" Elder Li produced a thunder talisman. "Young friend, remember to bring this talisman to our sect on the day of register conferment two years from now." "Thank you for your accommodation, Fellow Daoist." Master Qi cupped his hands. Qin Sang received the thunder talisman, noticing that while it was similar to that of Thunder Left Manor, there were subtle differences in the details. He voiced his gratitude repeatedly. After reminiscing with Elder Li for a while longer, Master Qi rose to take his leave. Upon returning to Kettle City, Qin Sang made to bid Master Qi farewell, but Master Qi stopped him. "Once your master finishes his secluded cultivation, tell him that I have a matter I wish to discuss with him." Qin Sang was slightly surprised, but voiced his assent. He wondered what Master Qi could want with him. Qin Sang waited a few more days. When he changed his appearance to visit Master Qi again, a Daoist boy led him straight to the fire chamber, where he found an unkempt Master Qi sprawled casually inside. The true treasure fragment lay before him, surrounded by a chaotic sprawl of spiritual materials covering the ground. Most of these spiritual materials were worldly treasures. An ordinary person seeing this would be struck dumb with bated breath. Master Qi's hair was a tangled mess. Had his Daoist robe lacked a self-cleaning ability, he would have looked utterly disreputable. He stared at the scroll, scratching his head and ears from time to time as though pondering a problem, only to reject his own thoughts repeatedly. "No!" "That's not right!" "Yes, it should be like this! But..." Master Qi was thoroughly immersed in his own world, completely unaware of Qin Sang standing by the doorway. Qin Sang cleared his throat softly. Startled awake, Master Qi looked up, a hint of confusion lingering in his eyes before his awareness gradually returned. "Ah! Fellow Daoist Mingyue, come, sit!" He brushed off nonexistent dust, swept away the clutter, produced two prayer mats, and urgently waved Qin Sang over. Qin Sang sat across from him and glanced at the scroll. "Master Qi summoned me in such haste—could it be you have had new insights?" Only the true treasure fragment could entrance Master Qi to such an extent. Instead, Master Qi asked, "I recall you recently obtained a suit of spirit armor?" "Indeed, that very armor." Qin Sang nodded. With a thought, the Wind-Returning Armor manifested over his body. His eyes peered curiously through the visor at Master Qi, guessing his intention. Master Qi gazed at the Wind-Returning Armor for a moment and nodded slightly, showing an uncharacteristic look of hesitation. "After meditating on this true treasure fragment for days, I had an idea, but I lack absolute certainty. This treasure belongs to you, so I must discuss it with you first..." "Speak freely, Master," Qin Sang replied readily. Master Qi then laid out his entire plan. Qin Sang was astonished by what he heard. Master Qi had actually conceived a method to refine the true treasure fragment. It was not restoration. Master Qi confessed that even if his cultivation advanced another step, repairing a true treasure was beyond his ability. The method he devised was to melt and forge the true treasure fragment into a certain magic treasure. Fusing the two treasures into one was impossible, but connecting their qi could be done. With luck, this might awaken a portion of the true treasure fragment's might, bringing a tremendous boost to the magic treasure. However, no one knew how much might remained within the fragment. Furthermore, Master Qi did not have much confidence. If it failed, the magic treasure would certainly be destroyed, and the true treasure fragment might suffer further damage, adding frost to snow. Pseudo-spirit treasures were too precious; a failure would mean disastrous loss. Qin Sang's Wind-Returning Armor was among the finest of magic treasures, making it the most suitable candidate. "By my estimation, when this true treasure was whole, it was likely a defensive true treasure. If you agree, I will use the Wind-Returning Armor as a foundation, supplemented by certain spiritual materials, to reforge a top-tier suit of spirit armor, striving to make it more compatible with the true treasure fragment..." Master Qi looked at Qin Sang with a trace of nervousness. After all, Qin Sang was the owner of the true treasure fragment. He worried Qin Sang might take it back and turn to a crafting master of the Daoist sects instead. Master Qi acknowledged he could not compare to the true experts of the Daoist sects, and could only promise to give his utmost effort to preserve the fragment as best he could. Qin Sang looked at the true treasure fragment and, without much hesitation, gave the answer that delighted Master Qi: he should feel free to proceed boldly! However, Qin Sang made a request. "When you refine this treasure, Master, could you allow me to control the flames for you?" Calling it controlling the flames was merely an excuse to observe the crafting process. Qin Sang considered that, for one, experts of the Daoist sects were not easily engaged; for another, the Daoist sects had deep foundations and had likely seen whole true treasures, so they might not take it to heart. Even if they agreed, they would never allow him to observe. The true treasure fragment had been an unexpected windfall to begin with. Failure would only cost a suit of spirit armor, an expense he could afford. Success would yield a suit of spirit armor whose might far exceeded ordinary magic treasures, alongside invaluable crafting experience. Master Qi would undoubtedly deploy all of his skills this time, which would practically make Qin Sang half an apprentice in his lineage. Master Qi was ecstatic. "I am deeply grateful for your trust! I must think through every detail before starting. Please stay here for a few more years, Fellow Daoist." Qin Sang still had to wait for his advancement to the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Register, so he had no plans to leave Star Island Immortal Lake anytime soon. He immediately withdrew his spiritual mark from the Wind-Returning Armor, restored it to its original form, and handed it to Master Qi. The true form of the Wind-Returning Armor was a suit of bronze armor smaller than a palm. Master Qi solemnly put it away, and the two began discussing the dao of artifact crafting. After leaving Master Qi's residence, Qin Sang's tasks were simple: visualize his gods continuously and await the day Thunder Right Manor opened its altar to confer registers. One day, Qin Sang finished reciting his visualization incantations and pondered whether it was time to make a trip to Sword Heart Island. The agreed date between him and Real Person Zhijian had already passed. Now that he had received his initial register and had prospects for the second-rank register, it was time to consider how to advance to the third rank. The third-rank register corresponding to the High Shenxiao Register was called the Five Thunders Secret Register. According to his inquiries, the ancestral altars of both the Left and Right Thunder Manors did not confer the Five Thunders Secret Register. Going by what Real Person Zhijian had said, it was very likely not that they refused to confer it outwardly, but that they were incapable of doing so altogether. *It is time to visit Real Person Zhijian,* Qin Sang thought to himself. Shortly after, Qin Sang flew out from Kettle Island, heading north. Two days later, he entered a relatively vacant expanse of water. At the center of this water lay a single round islet. The island was covered with spiritual trees known as Sword Heart Orchids, from which the island took its name. From afar, Qin Sang could see the Sword Heart Orchids on the island standing straight and upright, like sharp swords pointed at the heavens. Before he drew near, ripples suddenly surged across the water. A spiritual sword formed of water shot out, blocking Qin Sang's path, while a commanding shout echoed forth, "Halt, visitor!" Qin Sang lowered his flight light, only to see a somewhat stooped, black-robed old man fly out from Sword Heart Island. Upon seeing Qin Sang, the old man's eyes brightened. "Are you Daoist Qingfeng?" "It is indeed I. I have come to visit at the invitation of Real Person Zhijian. May I ask how to address you, Fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang nodded. The old man bowed deeply. "My master is currently in secluded cultivation, and this old servant was ordered to wait for Daoist Qingfeng. Forgive this old servant's poor eyesight just now; please do not take offense, Daoist." A glint of surprise flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. This old man was a great cultivator of the late Nascent Soul stage, yet he called himself an old servant and acted so humbly. Qin Sang would not look down upon him simply because of his status. Learning from the old man that Real Person Zhijian would remain in seclusion for some time, Qin Sang dissuaded him from disturbing Zhijian and took up residence in an immortal's cave on Sword Heart Island. Half a year passed in a flash. On this day, Qin Sang felt the cave's warding restriction ripple. He opened the door, greeted first by clear, hearty laughter. Real Person Zhijian entered briskly with a smile on his face. "I have kept you waiting... huh?" Seeing Qin Sang, Real Person Zhijian was momentarily taken aback, examining him closely for a moment. "Since our last parting, your cultivation seems to have advanced considerably?" Qin Sang noted inwardly that this man had keen eyes indeed. Smiling without answering, he invited him to sit. Real Person Zhijian sighed with admiration. "Earlier, I heard Fellow Daoist Guzhou speak of you, saying you remained in seclusion at Mount Heming for decades without wavering, oblivious to worldly affairs. Such steadfastness of will fills me with deep respect. A few years ago, after settling my trivial matters, I intended to visit you at Mount Heming, but I happened to receive your letter. I have been awaiting your arrival here, not daring to travel far before you came." "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist," Qin Sang showed a questioning look. "Is there something amiss?" Real Person Zhijian shook his head. "It is only that I owe you too many favors, which leaves me ill at ease. If there is anything you require, just say the word! In addition, I wish to introduce you to a few experts. They are all Daoist friends of agreeable temperament, though being idle wanderers of the wilds, I fear they may not catch your eye." Since they were friends of Real Person Zhijian, their cultivation would not be weak; how could Qin Sang lack interest? First occupied by his tribulation, then busy with receiving a register, Qin Sang had been occupied with these two matters and had not yet properly interacted with the powerhouses of this realm. Qin Sang sensed there was more to Real Person Zhijian's words, but since the man did not elaborate, he did not press the matter. After agreeing to the meeting date, Qin Sang changed the subject. "I actually have a matter on which I wish to consult you, Fellow Daoist." Real Person Zhijian assumed a solemn expression, listening attentively. Qin Sang weighed his words carefully before asking, "Could you disclose the process of advancing to a third-rank talismanic register?" He had already investigated: there was no such thing as a sword register in this world. Talismanic registers of the Daoist sects corresponded to heavenly deities, primarily those of the Thunder and Dipper Departments. Among them, the deities of the Dipper Department encompassed myriad aspects; for instance, the Nine Luminaries Star Lords encompassed the five elements and yin-yang. Yet in Daoist legends, the Heavenly Court had no divine seat for a Sword God. However, when Real Person Zhijian wielded his sword, no register altar appeared, so Qin Sang still did not know what register he cultivated. Hearing this, Real Person Zhijian was first surprised, then astonished. "You are not a disciple of a Daoist lineage?" He had mentioned to Qin Sang before that third-rank registers were conferred at the Dao Court. Previously, Qin Sang had seemed like an expert concealing his true strength, showing no panic even within the Guifang State. Were he a Dongxuan master of a Daoist lineage, looking into these secrets would not have been difficult. Qin Sang nodded. Real Person Zhijian repeatedly murmured that it was no wonder, before saying seriously, "My advancement to the third-rank register was indeed obtained from the Dao Court! Do you recall what I told you in Star Valley? I can assure you that across the entirety of Jushan Diocese, while one cannot rule out sects hidden exceedingly deep, I have yet to discover any sect whose ancestral altar can confer a third-rank register!" Hearing this, the last wisp of hope in Qin Sang's heart extinguished. It seemed he had no choice but to seek the Dao Court. Qin Sang made no effort to hide his reaction, and Real Person Zhijian naturally saw his intention, explaining in detail, "Within Daoism, one must view the Dao Court and the local shrines and abbeys separately. If one possesses affinity with a certain sect, obtaining the qualifications for advancement is somewhat easier, but abbeys only hold their own lineage's inheritance, which may not be suitable for us. You must know, Fellow Daoist, switching registers halfway through—even within the same path—inevitably risks an unstable foundation." Catching the underlying meaning, Qin Sang said in surprise, "Can the Dao Court unify all the registers under heaven?" Real Person Zhijian shook his head slightly. "Only the immortal officials of the Dao Court know! However, I truly did obtain the third-rank register I desired from the Dao Court. Even if they lack it, with the Dao Court's capabilities, they can definitely find the third-rank register that best suits you—of that there is no doubt!" Qin Sang fell into thought, once again feeling the immense control the Dao Court held over this realm. "Seeking qualification for conferment from the Dao Court is probably no easy feat, is it?" Real Person Zhijian's tone was heavy with meaning. "It is both hard and not hard. It all depends on whether you are willing to add another chain of restraint upon yourself."