Based on Qin Sang's criteria, Yunyouzi had selected Yu Kong from among the three targets.
"Fellow Daoist Yu Kong once entered Qiuhong Market and walked out of the protective grand formation alive, giving him a thorough understanding of it. That is an advantage no one else possesses. Moreover, his requirements for everyone are not harsh. Once inside the formation, if you are willing to continue cooperating, Daoist, that would be wonderful; if not, Fellow Daoist Yu Kong will not force your hand. Of course, when breaking the formation, working together with one heart and mind is an absolute necessity—there can be no selfish motives. What do you think, Daoist?"
The shopkeeper spoke with a look of anticipation.
A look of hesitation surfaced on Qin Sang's face. His gaze shifted over the shopkeeper, appearing thoroughly undecided.
Seeing this, the shopkeeper lightly slapped his thigh and rose to his feet. "Old me was being too forward. Please enjoy your tea, Daoist. I won't disturb your leisure."
Qin Sang quickly stood up and stopped him. "You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. It's not that I distrust you. It's just that I've heard Qiuhong Market's protective grand formation won't enter its low ebb for more than a year. There seems to be no need to rush into anything right away."
Only after Qin Sang warmly urged him did the shopkeeper sit back down. "The longer you hone your teamwork, the smoother your coordination will be, and the greater your odds of breaking the formation. A Daoist of your caliber surely understands this principle. It is always better to plan ahead. My teahouse happens to have an empty upper guest room. You can stay here first, Fellow Daoist, and make a few inquiries around town. Then you will know whether what old me said is true or false."
That night, Qin Sang took up lodging at the teahouse.
The next day, after stepping out of the teahouse, Qin Sang deliberately put on a show. While strolling through Xihuang Town, he faintly sensed eyes watching him, but he turned a blind eye to it all.
Whenever he came across places recruiting hands, he took the initiative to approach and inquire. Sometimes he was politely declined, and sometimes he received enthusiastic invitations, but he was in no hurry to commit.
For two days straight, Qin Sang thoroughly surveyed Xihuang Town. Having played his part to the fullest, he sought out the shopkeeper once more and asked him to arrange an introduction.
The shopkeeper took no offense and personally led him to meet Yu Kong.
Yu Kong was wealthy and ostentatious, having rented an immortal's cave dwelling in Xihuang Town consisting of a small two-courtyard compound. Qin Sang followed the shopkeeper inside and met Yu Kong in the main hall.
Yu Kong was tall and thin. Holding a feather fan and wearing a silk headband, he carried a tranquil demeanor. Dressed in fine brocade robes, he looked more like a refined scholar, appearing roughly forty years of age.
However, he had already been a Foundation Establishment cultivator thirty years ago when he entered Qiuhong Market, so his true age was bound to be far greater than his outward appearance suggested.
Including Yu Kong, all three suspects were cultivators in the middle Foundation Establishment stage. Furthermore, they had consistently holed up inside Xihuang Town without leaving, gathering manpower and drilling formations.
Fortunately, Qin Sang and his companions only sought to locate the secret passage through Yu Kong and the others rather than actually murder them for their treasures; otherwise, their odds of success would have been minuscule.
Of course, once they found the herb garden, the scramble for the spiritual herbs would come down to each person's own abilities.
Seeing Qin Sang step into the main hall, Yu Kong immediately stood up and said in a delighted tone, "This must be Daoist Qingfeng, correct? The old shopkeeper has mentioned you to me many times. Seeing you today, you truly possess an extraordinary bearing!"
The shopkeeper smiled faintly. "Well? When has old me ever lied to you?"
Qin Sang had seen Yu Kong's portrait long ago, and the disparity between their cultivation realms was more than enough reason for him to adopt a deferential posture.
"This poor Daoist is Qingfeng. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yu! I have only just arrived and had nowhere to turn, but fortunately the old shopkeeper recommended me. I have heard that Fellow Daoist Yu is motivated by righteousness and is willing to lead us rogue cultivators into Qiuhong Market. Although my strength is modest, I am willing to serve at your disposal, and I only hope Fellow Daoist Yu will not look down on me."
Seeing that Qin Sang spoke respectfully without the slightest trace of arrogance, Yu Kong nodded inward with satisfaction and smiled warmly. "Daoist Qingfeng is being far too modest. I merely visited Qiuhong Market once in the past and gained a bit of understanding regarding the protective grand formation, which is why I dared step forward to organize this endeavor. When breaking the formation, we will still require the concerted efforts of all our fellow Daoists to succeed. How could I ever turn you away at the door?"
After a round of pleasantries, the matter was settled.
Once the shopkeeper took his leave, Yu Kong led Qin Sang toward the rear courtyard. "Daoist Qingfeng, follow me. The spiritual power in this courtyard is reasonably dense. Find an empty room to settle into, where you can cultivate while practicing the formation. There are also a few fellow Daoists you should meet, as we will need seamless cooperation when breaking the formation."
With that, Yu Kong swept out his spiritual sense, lightly touching the restrictions guarding three rooms.
Before long, the doors swung open one after another, and four people stepped out. All were cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment stage, their auras varying slightly, though the gap between them was not wide.
Stepping out of the first room were two sisters who looked quite alike, yet possessed entirely different temperaments.
"These are the Xiu sisters. They excel in a combined sword art called the Liubo Sword, which can be rigid or soft, shifting fluidly with extraordinary power."
After introducing Qin Sang to them, Yu Kong introduced the others in turn.
One of the Xiu sisters was brimming with coquettish charm. Her name was Xiu Zhirui. She sized Qin Sang up with curiosity, and seeing him look her way, she covered her mouth with a soft giggle, ripples of allure dancing in her almond eyes.
The other sister was exceptionally cold and aloof. Her name was Xiu Zhiying. She merely cast an indifferent glance at Qin Sang before paying him no further mind.
"This is Fellow Daoist Shangguan Lifeng. With his precious blade, he can cleave through anything, and he is renowned among the rogue cultivators in this region," Yu Kong said, pointing toward a man who had stepped out of the second room cradling a long saber in his arms.
The saber was entirely pitch-black. Although the blade was not pointed toward Qin Sang, he could still sense an extreme edge of sharpness radiating from it, showing that this weapon was definitely no ordinary magic tool.
Inside the town, one could easily store a magic tool inside their body or in a mustard seed bag.
Qin Sang knew, however, that Shangguan Lifeng was not merely putting on airs. He likely practiced a profound saber technique that required constant contact with his blade to achieve a state of unity between man and saber, thereby elevating the technique's might to an even higher level.
"And this one is—"
Just as Yu Kong was about to introduce the last person to Qin Sang, he was abruptly cut off.
"I do not change my name whether moving or sitting—I am Yan Wu! I dabble a bit in the Dao of talismans, and I am confident I'm no worse than those old bull-noses from Shangyuan Qingjing Palace! Daoist Qingfeng, don't assume that just because Senior Yu Kong brought you here, you don't have to pass our test. Show everyone what you're capable of, so you don't end up dragging us down when the time comes."
This man was a tall, burly fellow with rugged features. He pointed at Qin Sang without the slightest courtesy, his words carrying no reserve at all.
"Fellow Daoist Yan is a straightforward man. Please don't take offense, Daoist..."
Yu Kong stepped in to smooth things over, yet showed no intention of stopping the man. He looked at Qin Sang, clearly waiting to see him display his abilities as well.
Qin Sang had long anticipated this. Chuckling softly, he suddenly allowed a gleam of light to flash between his brows.
*Swoosh!*
A dazzling sword light burst forth, its sword qi instantly swelling several dozen zhang.
The sword soared like a startled swan, faintly carrying the roar of a dragon. Had the courtyard above not been shielded by restrictions, the disturbance likely would have startled more than half of Xihuang Town.
Immediately after, under several shocked gazes, the sword qi abruptly dispersed into an array. The immense might of the sword array bore down without holding back, the brunt of it aimed straight at Yan Wu.
*Thud, thud...*
Caught entirely off guard, Yan Wu stumbled several paces backward.
"Is this poor Daoist's life spirit sword, paired with this array, enough?"
Chapter 278