The three left the wind sack and, after taking several winding paths, rendezvoused with Real Person Zhijian and the others.
Except for Venerable Zhenru, everyone who had set out together was now present.
Real Person Zhijian and Real Person Zhang had steady auras and showed no signs of injury. Accompanying them was another Daoist.
This man wore a tall cap and wide robes, exuding an air of ethereal grace and immortal transcendence.
Catching sight of the jade pendant at his waist, Qin Sang and his two companions could not help but stiffen. With solemn expressions, they stepped forward and offered greetings. "Greetings, Nine Heavens Inquiry Commissioner, and greetings to you two Real Persons."
The ranks of the Daoist Court flashed through Qin Sang's mind.
A Nine Heavens Inquiry Commissioner was a fourth-rank official within the Northern Pole Exorcism Court, a post typically held by late Deity Transformation cultivators or mid Deity Transformation cultivators who had rendered great service.
Judging from this man's aura, he was a cut above even Marquis Li.
Whether by virtue of his cultivation or the Northern Pole Exorcism Court backing him, he commanded their deepest respect.
Real Person Zhijian stepped forward to make introductions. "This is Nine Heavens Inquiry Commissioner Real Person Wan; we too crossed paths with him only moments ago. Real Person Zhang and this poor Daoist have been searching for you three fellow Daoists all this time. Fortunately, you are all unharmed. We are heading to another location now to join up with the rest."
"Are we meeting Venerable Zhenru?" Real Person Guyun asked.
Real Person Zhang shook his head. "We found a message left behind by Venerable Zhenru. Having suffered an accidental injury, he has already withdrawn from the Astral River and is awaiting us at the Golden Palace."
Real Person Wan swept his gaze over the three and spoke. "This poor Daoist had been traveling in the Sin Plains when I received a transmission from that old Daoist Hongyuzi. I arrived not long ago myself. Have you uncovered any clues as to why the golden light erupted?"
Both Real Person Youhuang and Real Person Guyun turned to look at Qin Sang.
Seeing Qin Sang shake his head, they both replied that they did not know.
Marquis Li had kept his mouth tightly shut; while chasing him, Qin Sang had tried to fish for information, but the demon had not let slip the slightest secret.
Still, neither Marquis Li nor the other two demon marquises had been wounded, suggesting that the source of the golden light's eruption was likely free of danger, and the forces of the Guifang State had suffered no losses.
Real Person Zhijian sent a secret voice transmission to remind them: "Real Person Hongyuzi holds the esteemed post of Imperial Censor of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace in the Celestial Pivot Court. When you meet him, please take care not to show any slight."
Qin Sang and the other two exchanged glances, secretly amazed.
An Imperial Censor of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace and a Nine Heavens Inquiry Commissioner had both arrived. The Daoist Court's two courts attached immense importance to this matter, dispatching two fourth-rank immortal officials even before obtaining clear intelligence.
Great Real Persons rarely manifested in the world, making fourth-rank immortal officials the very pinnacle of power an ordinary cultivator could ever behold.
Real Person Wan pinched an incantation gesture, casting an unknown spell to confirm Hongyuzi's position. With a broad sweep of his sleeve, talisman silhouettes manifested above, hanging over their heads like blazing stars and casting down a cascade of shimmering fringes.
It felt as though they were riding within a precious carriage; all outside fluctuations were entirely walled off. All they had to do was fly along behind Real Person Wan.
Real Person Wan seemed pressed for time. He rarely altered course, advancing in an almost straight line and plunging through every illusory landscape in his path without hesitation. Little could impede his progress.
Yet no one saw him employ any other technique; merely the shifting interplay of the talisman silhouettes was enough to shield them securely.
It was evident that Real Person Wan was employing a talisman chart.
A talisman chart was a combination of multiple divine talismans, akin to an array formation diagram. Its power far exceeded that of an individual divine talisman, and it demanded far more from the caster, typically requiring advance preparation or the joint casting of several people.
Even when their cultivation was low, cultivators of the Troops and Horses Altar could coordinate their spirit troops to cast simple talisman charts.
Yet Real Person Wan had not summoned a single soldier or officer.
The others exchanged subtle glances, awe blooming in their hearts as they silently followed behind him, barreling straight through the interior of the diocese altar.
After an incense stick's worth of time, their way forward was blocked by a gray curtain.
The dense gray curtain stood like an iron wall.
The talisman chart trembled, and a ripple swept out, immediately scattering the gray curtain and opening several fractures. Real Person Wan strode inside first.
More gray curtains hung within, but they were exceptionally thin. Real Person Wan struck several times in succession, tearing through layer after layer of the gray haze.
Qin Sang and the others followed close behind. Just as they breached the final curtain, they heard Real Person Wan's surprised voice: "Old ox-nose, you're injured?"
Everyone focused their vision. Beyond the gray curtain stood an octagonal stone pavilion.
The pavilion was archaic and elegant, etched with the marks of ages, a relic of antiquity.
Oddly enough, there were no mountains, rivers, or earth here. The gray curtain enclosed a compact space, within which the stone pavilion floated all alone.
At present, two figures were inside the pavilion, one seated and one standing.
The seated figure had crane-white hair and a youthful complexion, his transcendent aura equal to Real Person Wan's. However, his face was as pale as golden paper, his breath came heavily, and his chest heaved unevenly, clearly showing he had sustained wounds.
*This person must be the Imperial Censor of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace...*
The thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind as his gaze shifted toward the other figure.
He saw a heavily armored, burly man with a rigid, expressionless face that was vastly different from an ordinary person's.
The sight stirred an inexplicable sense of familiarity in Qin Sang. Suddenly realizing what it was, a shock ran through his heart.
This kind of fluctuation...
It was all too familiar!
A Yin-Yang puppet!
Qin Sang had a profound impression of the Yin-Yang puppet. Back in the Wuxiang Immortal Sect, Mo Xingdao had used a Yin-Yang puppet to snatch a Spirit Consonance Immortal Fruit, and even Daoist Zilei had been powerless to stop him.
The Yin-Yang Puppet Crystal had even passed through Qin Sang's own hands; he had practically taken a loss on that sale, allowing Mo Xingdao to get a bargain.
Qin Sang had never imagined he would sense the exact same fluctuations in another realm. What was more, the dark-skinned oddity in the pavilion looked almost identical to Mo Xingdao's puppet.
It would not be surprising if this realm possessed a similar puppet craft, but for puppets crafted by people in two different realms to look identical—no one could believe such a coincidence.
Just then, the dark-skinned oddity lifted his head. His indifferent gaze swept across the crowd, lingering not a moment on Qin Sang.
Yet the instant their eyes met, Qin Sang's heart jumped once more. The sense of familiarity grew even sharper; he could feel that the other's look carried a profound, unspoken meaning.
The dark-skinned oddity was standing guard for Hongyuzi. Once he confirmed that the newcomers were not demons, he lowered his head again without uttering a single word.
Seeing that the dark-skinned oddity treated him no differently from the rest, Qin Sang seemed to understand something. Acting as if nothing had happened, he withdrew his gaze.
Fortunately, having cultivated for many years, he possessed ample mental composure. His expression showed no hint of anomaly, even though waves churned within his heart for a long time.
"Forgive my poor showing, Brother Wan," Hongyuzi said, opening his eyes and sighing softly. "When the golden light erupted, Fellow Daoist Mo and I happened to be inside an illusion deep within the diocese altar. The golden light activated the divine abilities left behind by an ancient master within that illusion. Fortunately, we reacted quickly enough and withdrew decisively. Otherwise..."
*Surnamed Mo!*
Qin Sang's heart stirred.
He was eighty percent certain that this person was Mo Xingdao!
*A puppet's body... Could Mo Xingdao have chosen to anchor his soul into a puppet? But why did he appear in this realm? Where are Saint Huiguang and Azure Fox Saint King?*
Reuniting with an old acquaintance so unexpectedly stirred countless questions in Qin Sang's mind.
After establishing a foothold in this realm, Qin Sang had begun investigating whether any ascended cultivators existed, hoping to determine whether he had truly ascended to a Great Thousand World.
Cultivation was difficult in the Storm Realm, and reaching Deity Transformation was arduous, yet Zhongzhou had never lacked ascended individuals.
In the distant past, there was the Wuxiang Immortal Sect; in recent times, there were Bajing Abbey, Ganlu Zen Monastery, and the Eastern Sea demon clan. Added together, the number of ascended cultivators was not small.
These people were either peerless geniuses or blessed by the destiny of an entire realm. Even if they had gradually faded into mediocrity after ascending to the upper realm, they could not have vanished without a ripple.
Yet whether among the sects of the Jushan Diocese or the two courts of the Daoist Court, there was not a single rumor concerning ascended individuals. Qin Sang had not even been able to find ancient texts describing heavenly tribulations of ascension.
Either the ascended had concealed themselves for some reason, or he had ended up in the wrong place.
Qin Sang had once thought it was the latter, never expecting to meet an old acquaintance in a foreign land.
Real Person Wan entered the stone pavilion. Inspecting Hongyuzi's injuries, he asked, "Are you certain the disturbance in the diocese altar is the work of demons?"
"It is certain that the golden light is inextricably linked to the demons. However, what they have done inside remains unknown. The fellow Daoists who entered the diocese altar with me are currently attempting to track down the demons, but we are short on hands. Fortunately, Brother Wan arrived in the nick of time, allowing this poor Daoist to breathe a sigh of relief," Hongyuzi said, sounding as though a great burden had been lifted.
"This poor Daoist still has a bottle of Yuxue Pills, which should help soothe your wounds."
Real Person Wan produced a pill bottle. Hongyuzi expressed his thanks, immediately took it, and swallowed a pill.
After a moment of contemplation, Real Person Wan addressed the crowd outside the pavilion. "Recount what you saw and heard before and after the golden light erupted..."
While refining the medicinal strength, Hongyuzi kept his eyes closed and added, "Fellow Daoists, please also adjust your breath and recover as quickly as possible. Once this poor Daoist suppresses his injuries, you will accompany us deep into the diocese altar to investigate. Rest assured, the Daoist Court will not treat you poorly."
The cultivators exchanged looks.
Among the five Real Persons present, apart from Qin Sang, only Real Person Zhijian possessed the confidence to refuse the Daoist Court.
Real Person Zhang, Real Person Youhuang, and Real Person Guyun had agreed to the Daoist Court's terms either by relying on ancestral legacy or to earn the qualification for a talisman promotion.
Moreover, Real Person Zhijian was the organizer of this expedition, making it difficult for him to back down lightly.
Real Person Zhang spoke first. "At first, we were searching for the demons in the Golden Palace..."
Real Person Zhijian also recounted his experience.
As it turned out, after being blasted off the stone platform, they had been forced apart. Just like Qin Sang and his group, they had converged toward the place mentioned by Real Person Youhuang and ultimately regrouped.
Next, Real Person Youhuang and Real Person Guyun recounted their encounter, stating only that Qin Sang had helped frighten off their pursuers, making no mention of him slaying Marquis Li.
Qin Sang spoke last. Making a Daoist salute toward the two Real Persons in the pavilion, he said, "I fear this poor Daoist will be unable to accompany you two Real Persons."
With the demon marquis's corpse already in hand, the objective of his trip had been accomplished. Returning to promote his talisman and restore his strength was the most urgent priority.
Two fourth-rank immortal officials had appeared one after another; the waters were growing muddier and muddier.
He had no desire to sink deeply into it.
The golden light the demons were pursuing might well be an extraordinary treasure, but Qin Sang had not yet fully mastered his own divine abilities and treasures, and he was unwilling to take risks for it.
At these words, Hongyuzi slowly raised his head, looking over with his eyes slightly narrowed.
Real Person Wan's expression remained unchanged. Sizing Qin Sang up, he remarked with a smile, "Real Person Qingfeng appears to specialize in physical strength, but in this poor Daoist's view, that is merely the surface. To practice both spell and body, achieving remarkable attainments in both, shows your extraordinary natural talent! What a pity that this poor Daoist had never heard of you before. Truly, a pearl was left hidden in the vast sea."
Hearing this, Qin Sang's heart sank. Real Person Zhijian and the others had not revealed his background, yet Real Person Wan had seen right through him at a single glance!
"During the chaos, this poor Daoist encountered a demon marquis and slew it, but I suffered heavy injuries in the process, leaving my blood and vitality unstable. I ask the two Real Persons to consider this."
Cupping his hands, Qin Sang retrieved the demon corpse of Marquis Li, secretly casting a sidelong glance at the dark-skinned oddity.
If this person following Hongyuzi truly was Mo Xingdao, he would sooner or later find out about Qin Sang's actions in this realm.
The fact that he had not exposed his origins on the spot indicated that he had other plans.
"You killed a demon marquis?"
Real Person Wan was somewhat surprised.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the badger beast corpse in Qin Sang's hands.
"When this poor Daoist encountered it, it was already wounded for reasons unknown. I found an opening and trapped it, but unexpectedly, the demon still possessed terrifying might. This poor Daoist took a Dingzhen Pill and fought desperately, barely managing to slay it," Qin Sang said with lingering fear.
The effects of the Wood Spirit Qi still lingered; his internal blood and vitality were unstable and hollow, making him appear very much like someone recovering from severe injuries.
Real Person Zhijian and the others also helped verify that Qin Sang had only advanced recently and had joined the expedition at their invitation solely to obtain the qualification for a talisman promotion.
"It is actually Marquis Li!"
After examining it closely, Real Person Wan revealed an expression of astonishment and could not help but take another look at Qin Sang.
The Daoist Court possessed little intelligence on Marquis Li, but it was certain that this demon was formidable, possessing several powerful techniques.
For someone newly entered into the Dongxuan realm, even with dual cultivation of spell and body, hunting down such a demon without paying a steep price was virtually impossible.
Real Person Wan and Hongyuzi exchanged a secret transmission, after which Real Person Wan nodded. "Fellow Daoist, you have rendered great merit by slaying a demon, and healing your wounds must come first. However, you are injured, and returning alone might be dangerous. This place is relatively concealed, and the demons will not find it anytime soon. If others are wounded later, they will also return here to heal. We hope you can remain behind to assist in receiving them."
"Before this matter is settled, do not leave the diocese altar lightly. This poor Daoist is not trying to alarm you needlessly—if the demons have grand ambitions this time, an ambush is certain to be waiting outside. There might even be demon kings watching this place, ready to appear at any moment!" Hongyuzi said in a solemn voice, directing his words not only to Qin Sang, but also as a warning to everyone present.
Qin Sang felt the pressure as well; he had harbored such a premonition the moment he saw two fourth-rank immortal officials.
Fortunately, Great Real Persons and demon kings dared not enter the diocese altar.
The jade pendant at Real Person Wan's waist flashed, shooting out a streak of flowing light that formed a talisman seal and flew toward Qin Sang. He said, "We must take this corpse with us. Once the matter is over, you may take this seal to either of the Daoist Court's two courts to receive the corresponding merits and compensation."
Slaying a demon marquis was a major merit. One did not necessarily have to hand over the demon corpse, but surrendering it to the Daoist Court allowed one to exchange it for treasures of equivalent value.
Marquis Li's belongings, claws, and the throat-bone spikes—all the most valuable items—had already been kept by Qin Sang.
It was a pity that to keep the demon corpse intact, he had not stripped away Marquis Li's hide armor; Qin Sang had originally intended to melt its scales into his Wind Returning Armor.
However, the Daoist Court would certainly not lack such treasures. Qin Sang raised no objection and handed over the corpse.
The stone pavilion was cramped.
Fortunately, the expanse shrouded by the gray curtain was vast, partitioned into many spaces of varying sizes, most of which contained floating stone fragments.
Leaving the pavilion's space, Qin Sang and the others sought out nearby spots to rest and quietly adjust their breath.
Qin Sang arrived alone in a modest space where several irregular boulders drifted.
Just as he sat down, Qin Sang looked with a grave expression toward a small rock beside him. A black light quietly washed over the rock's surface, and chiseled facial features sprouted from the stone.
"Fellow Daoist Mo, it truly is you!"
Qin Sang split off a strand of divine consciousness and touched the stone.
He had not expected the man to dare contact him right under the noses of two Daoist Court immortal officials.
"Hongyuzi discovered you before you even entered the diocese altar. Mo has been waiting for you all along."
The stone seemed to have become Mo Xingdao's puppet.
Its hollow eyes stared at Qin Sang, its tone devoid of inflection.
"Before seeing you with my own eyes, Mo could never have imagined that the first old acquaintance I met in this realm would be you! Should I address you as Real Person Qin, or Real Person Qingfeng?"
Chapter 1794