Helpless

Qin Sang had originally planned to ask his fellow disciples after returning to his sect about Ziwei Palace, and hearing Yunyouzi speak of it only strengthened his resolve to investigate it thoroughly. The two discussed matters regarding Ziwei Palace for a while longer. Qin Sang used spiritual power to conjure an illusion of the Ziwei Secret Talisman, displaying its appearance to Yunyouzi. "Does Senior have any leads on where you will go next?" Qin Sang asked. Because of the hidden wound in his soul, Yunyouzi was stuck just before the middle Foundation Establishment stage, unable to break through. Bitter cultivation was useless; he had to first find a way to resolve this dilemma. Yunyouzi nodded. "I have two choices at present, though neither is easy. As for where specifically to go, I cannot yet decide. I came to Yinshan Pass first to take a look at the Ziwei Secret Talisman, and second to gather the materials I need to prepare in advance. Because of Yinshan Pass's unique location—belonging neither to the orthodox path nor the demonic path—the cultivators passing through are a varied sort, and rare items often turn up here. If you find time in the future, it wouldn't hurt to visit more often." Yunyouzi had roamed the Ancient Immortal Battlefield ever since he was in the Qi Refinement stage, so he was experienced and knowledgeable. Thinking of the Nether Silk Cloud, Qin Sang nodded in deep agreement. That flying magic tool was exceptionally useful; anywhere else, it would have been impossible to buy so easily. "If Senior ever has need of me, please do not hesitate to ask," Qin Sang said. The two of them could be considered brothers in distress. Seeing Yunyouzi rushing about to treat his injury, Qin Sang could not help but feel a pang of sympathy. Given the friendship they had forged in Qiuhong Market, Qin Sang certainly would not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Yunyouzi cupped his hands with a smile. "Then this old Daoist will thank Brother Qin in advance." Qin Sang waved his hand. "First, I must ask for your help with a matter. I wonder if Manager Pu mentioned it to you, but an old friend of mine is gravely injured, and his origin soul is on the verge of dissipating..." Qin Sang gave a rough summary of Tan Jie's condition. Unable to see Tan Jie in person, Yunyouzi could not make a judgment, so the two set off out of the city. Tan Hao was waiting anxiously in the cave dwelling. Seeing Yunyouzi arrive, he strode out in a few quick steps and bowed respectfully. "Junior Tan Hao greets the Daoist master. Thank you for troubling yourself on our behalf." All these years, Tan Hao had been using an alias; only before Qin Sang did he use his real name. "Fellow Daoist Tan, there is no need for such ceremony." Yunyouzi helped Tan Hao up. "Though my medical skills are humble, Brother Qin invited me, and I deeply respect Fellow Daoist Tan's peerless loyalty. I will certainly do my utmost. Without further ado, let us examine your brother first." "Daoist Master, Brother Qin, please come in..." Tan Hao hurriedly stepped aside and invited the two into the cave dwelling. Inside the spacious tree hollow, the crystal coffin rested upon a wooden bed. Tan Jie lay within the coffin, showing no signs of awakening. "Oh? This magic tool is quite good." Seeing the crystal coffin, Yunyouzi's eyes lit up, and he praised it offhandedly. Then his gaze fell upon Tan Jie, carefully observing Tan Jie's complexion. After observing for a while, Yunyouzi gently opened the crystal coffin, slightly closed his eyes, and sent his spiritual sense into Tan Jie's body, inspecting his physical form and, most importantly, his origin soul. The cave dwelling fell into silence. Qin Sang and Tan Hao did not dare disturb Yunyouzi and stood quietly to one side. Tan Hao clutched his hands tightly together, staring unblinkingly at Yunyouzi, his gaze betraying just how tense he was. A moment later, Yunyouzi opened his eyes, closed the crystal coffin, and glanced at Tan Hao. A look of pity crossed his face, and he gave Qin Sang a slight shake of the head. Qin Sang's heart sank. Tan Hao gritted his teeth and said in a raspy voice, "Daoist Master, whatever the result, please speak plainly!" Qin Sang also nodded to Yunyouzi, indicating that he could speak freely. Tan Hao had carried his living-dead brother without ever abandoning him, day after day for forty years. Whatever else might be said, his willpower had surely been tempered through countless trials; he could bear any outcome. Yunyouzi spoke frankly. "My view may not be entirely accurate, but Fellow Daoist may take it as a reference. "Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's condition is not good, as I am sure you have noticed. "At present, Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's origin soul power has thinned to the absolute limit and could dissipate at any moment. Barring legendary immortal elixirs, this old Daoist cannot conceive of any way to cure him. "In fact, even if Fellow Daoist gathers more Spirit-Calming Pills, it won't stall the end for long—at most a year or two... Fellow Daoist Tan, you must prepare yourself!" Yunyouzi's tone was heavy. Qin Sang sighed inwardly. His assessment was much the same as Yunyouzi's. Tan Jie was already like an oil lamp burning to its last drop. Even if they could find pills that healed the soul right now, it would be difficult for them to take effect. Hearing Yunyouzi's words, the last glimmer of hope in Tan Hao's heart shattered. His robust frame trembled violently as he braced his arms against the crystal coffin, staring fixedly at Tan Jie inside. His eyes turned bloodshot, yet no tears fell. After a long time, suppressing the grief in his eyes, he spoke in as calm a voice as he could manage: "Thank you both, Brother Qin and Daoist Master, for your trouble. Tan Hao is boundlessly grateful. I... indeed had a premonition, but I simply refused to believe it. It is my fault for having such low cultivation—I failed him..." Tan Hao's palms gripped the crystal coffin tightly, veins bulging on his hands, his tone saturated with self-blame and remorse. Yunyouzi stood up and exchanged a few words with Qin Sang via voice transmission. He left two medicinal formulas, both for nourishing the soul. Fortunately, the required spiritual herbs were inexpensive. While their effects were only slightly better than nothing, they could probably prolong Tan Jie's life by a few months. Yet what meaning was there in a few extra months? Yunyouzi shook his head in regret. "Brother Qin, I rented a cave dwelling nearby as well while waiting for the auction, so I won't disturb you further. While examining him earlier, I used a secret art to soothe Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's condition. Doing so twice more over the next few days might extend his time a bit longer..." Seeing that Yunyouzi looked rather fatigued, Qin Sang hurriedly escorted him back to his cave dwelling to recuperate. After seeing Yunyouzi off, Qin Sang returned to Tan Hao's cave dwelling. Looking at Tan Hao, who was deeply mired in inescapable sorrow, Qin Sang hesitated for a moment before carefully broaching the idea he had been pondering for a long time. "Brother Tan, I know of another secret art that might prevent Brother Tan Jie's origin soul from dissipating, but it comes at a very grave price. A price that may be unbearable... I wonder if you are willing?" "What secret art?" Tan Hao jerked his head up and seized Qin Sang's arm, his expression intensely agitated, as if clutching at the final straw, without the slightest hesitation. "Brother Qin, I'll pay any price! As long as it works for Tan Jie, I'd willingly die!" "Brother Tan, calm down and listen to me carefully. This price is not for you to pay, but for Brother Tan Jie. "Once this secret art is used, no one can predict what changes Brother Tan Jie will undergo. He might never have a chance at release. "Furthermore, this secret art only seals Brother Tan Jie's origin soul, keeping him in his current state so it dissipates no further; it cannot cure him. "Brother Tan, you must consider this carefully before making a decision..." What Qin Sang referred to was using the Heavenly Corpse Talisman to seal Tan Jie's origin soul. Back then, Senior Sister Qingting had searched for the Heavenly Corpse Talisman presumably for this exact purpose, which was why Qin Sang had thought of this method after seeing Tan Jie's condition.