Back at the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, although Qin Sang had spent years in bitter cultivation within the Tianjing Secret Realm, every time he returned to Xuanlu Pass he made sure to prepare thoughtful gifts for Qi Yuanshou, Yuyangzi, and the others.
Qi Yuanshou's arrangement suited Qin Sang's wishes perfectly.
His cultivation method truly was unsuited to secluding himself in a cave dwelling for endless quiet cultivation.
Short of intending to betray the sect, sect-assigned duties could never be defied. Fortunately, Qi Yuanshou had intervened on his behalf, sparing him that predicament.
Qin Sang immediately stood, bowed, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
"I will follow Martial Uncle Qi's arrangements in everything!"
Qi Yuanshou gave a slight nod, signaling for Qin Sang to sit, and asked, "Do you still plan to return to Xuanlu Pass to cultivate? The spirit tide's influence is growing, and the Ancient Immortal Battlefield is unstable. I can write a letter for you to deliver to your Senior Brother Rong, exempting you from future Shadow Guard duties."
To his surprise, Qin Sang shook his head. "To report to Martial Uncle Qi, I plan to cultivate in Wuya Valley for a time and will not return to Xuanlu Pass for now."
Indeed, back at Qingyang Market, Qin Sang had already made up his mind not to return to Xuanlu Pass, but to go to Wuya Valley to cultivate instead.
Moreover, he had already negotiated for a cave dwelling at Qingyang Market. Paying a hefty sum to cultivate in the market was something he could afford with such swagger only thanks to the massive windfall of spirit stones Yu Hua had delivered to him.
Furthermore, having obtained the Boundless Blood Mulberry, he no longer needed to spend spirit stones purchasing spiritual wood, giving him far more breathing room with his cultivation resources.
There were two primary reasons for remaining near Qingyang Market.
First, Qingyang City lay to the north of Qingyang Market, not far off, making it convenient to investigate and monitor the remnants of the Kuiyin Sect.
Second, he was after the Qingyang astral essence of the Qingyang Demonic Sect.
The other source of Qiantian astral essence lay in a Nascent Soul cave dwelling, an avenue Qin Sang dared not even contemplate.
The Qingyang Demonic Sect was different. According to what he knew, even Qi Refinement disciples of the Qingyang Demonic Sect could practice the Qingyang demonic fire and come into contact with Qingyang astral essence. It was not impossible that an opportunity might present itself.
Qingyang Market sat right outside the mountain gate of the Qingyang Demonic Sect, very close to the sect itself. Qin Sang planned to stay there continuously to thoroughly map out the sect's background.
All of this was to prepare ahead of time for his Core Formation.
Demon beasts and evil ghosts in Wuya Valley were beyond count. Tempering himself in the valley offered effects similar to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, causing no detriment to his cultivation.
"Wuya Valley?"
Qi Yuanshou frowned, his gaze turning stern. "Deep in Tianduan Mountain, in the heart of the demonic sects' territory—how confident are you?"
Qin Sang replied with confidence, "Rest assured, Martial Uncle Qi. I will disguise myself as a rogue cultivator, and I possess some methods of my own. Preserving my life will not be an issue."
He had the Ten Directions Yanluo Array and magic treasures to protect himself, as well as treasures like the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman. This would be especially true once Yu Hua was refined into a living corpse and the ebony sword devoured the Boundless Blood Mulberry to undergo its metamorphosis into a magic treasure.
Qin Sang felt he was not far from being invincible among peers of his cultivation realm.
Qi Yuanshou gave an acknowledging hum. After a moment's contemplation, he tossed a token to Qin Sang.
"This is a secret order token for one of the sect's secret guard sub-branches in Qingyang City. Should your life be in danger, you may seek help there. With your cultivation, your combat prowess far exceeds cultivators of your realm; remember to preserve your useful life. I still have the sect's trivial affairs to manage and do not wish to find myself with no one to deploy in the future."
Qi Yuanshou gave Qin Sang a profound look.
Qin Sang was overjoyed and caught the token with both hands.
Having this token was equivalent to an extra life.
As for being called upon by Qi Yuanshou, Qin Sang was not worried in the slightest—his only fear had been that Qi Yuanshou might not use him!
He was confident Qi Yuanshou would never assign tasks beyond the capabilities of his confidants.
And concealing his true strength as he did, he would surely complete them with ease.
Qi Yuanshou gave no further instructions. Sensing the right moment, Qin Sang excused himself, bid farewell, and flew away from Sect Master Peak. Glancing back for a moment in thought, he redirected his flight toward Pagoda Peak.
Entering the repository where ancient texts were kept on Pagoda Peak, Qin Sang began browsing with patient focus.
After a full day, Qin Sang emerged from Pagoda Peak, his gaze shifting with uncertainty.
He had combed through the ancient texts hoping to find any clues resembling Wu Shang's secret art.
Regrettably, these ancient texts were severely fragmented, many reduced to mere scattered phrases, and very few genuine relics passed down from antiquity remained.
Among all those volumes, he had found only a few fragmentary sentences in a single surviving excerpt—that in the ancient cultivation world, there existed a grand path of ascension known as Lunar Body Refining, the Grand Dao of Corpse Deliverance!
This was an orthodox secret art of the Daoist sects. The practitioner committed their body to the Dao of corpses while keeping their true spirit unclouded, holding the prospect of catching a glimpse of the immortal realm!
Unfortunately, the secret art of Lunar Body Refining had long been lost.
Could the secret art Wu Shang created share a similar principle with Lunar Body Refining?
Qin Sang did not know.
He gave a faint shake of his head, departed Pagoda Peak, and returned to Daomen Peak. There, he met familiar acquaintances such as Senior Brother Zhuang Yan, and also saw Song Yi.
Song Yi had used Qin Sang's token of trust to enter Shaohua Mountain.
Knowing that Song Yi had been recommended by Qin Sang, Zhuang Yan kept Song Yi by his side to run errands. In truth, menial tasks were handled by other Daoist boys, leaving Song Yi free to cultivate in peace.
Such were the benefits of having a backer.
After an exchange of pleasantries, Qin Sang made another trip to Wenyue Cultivation Market.
He met Shopkeeper Wu once more for a deep conversation on artifact crafting. Before leaving, he stopped by Tianhen Tower to purchase spirit medicines to treat corpse transformation.
Returning to Huilong Temple, Qin Sang activated the warding restrictions, sealing his cave dwelling to begin secluded cultivation.
Inside the dwelling.
Qin Sang sat cross-legged on the stone bed, two items laid out before him.
One was the refined corpse embryo made from Yu Hua, and the other was the Boundless Blood Mulberry.
During this time, he had been continuously feeling his way forward, but unfortunately, he still had no certainty whatsoever regarding the refinement of Yu Hua.
After some thought, Qin Sang stored Yu Hua into the corpse puppet pouch, deciding to wait until he had refined several more living corpses before attempting it.
Capturing a False Core stage cultivator alive was no easy feat, an encounter that could only be hoped for rather than sought. Furthermore, it concerned the elixir-refining secret art created by Wu Shang, meaning failure was not an option.
Qin Sang believed Wu Shang would not make claims without foundation, but he had to witness a living corpse metamorphosing into a Flying Yaksha with his own eyes and fully understand this secret art before placing complete trust in it.
Putting Yu Hua away, Qin Sang turned his gaze to the Boundless Blood Mulberry and waved his hand, breaking the restriction upon it.
Blood-red light soared to the ceiling!
It began spreading toward Qin Sang's body.
Qin Sang's expression remained unchanged. Grasping the Boundless Blood Mulberry with one hand, he summoned the ebony sword from his origin soul.
Sensing the aura of divine wood, the ebony sword let out a brisk hum, seeming to leap with joy, impatient to devour this piece of spiritual wood to elevate itself.
Qin Sang was fully prepared.
Tossing the Boundless Blood Mulberry gently into the air, he channeled the ebony sword. Sword qi surged dramatically, enveloping the wood.
In an instant, the azure sword radiance and the eerie blood-red light illuminated each other across the cave dwelling.
It truly was worthy of being divine wood!
Other spiritual woods, no matter how high their grade, could not resist the ebony sword's consumption. Yet the Boundless Blood Mulberry was able to hold its ground, plunging the two into a stalemate!
In midair, the blood-red light released by the Boundless Blood Mulberry grew dense to the utmost, surging back against the ebony sword.
Refusing to be outdone, the ebony sword hummed ceaselessly, its sword radiance blazing brighter and brighter.
Watching this wondrous spectacle, Qin Sang marveled inwardly, filled with even greater anticipation for what lay ahead!
Then, half-closing his eyes, he linked his spiritual sense to the ebony sword and began assisting it with all his might.
Time trickled by as the two wondrous items remained locked in their deadlock. Bolstered by Qin Sang's aid, the ebony sword grew increasingly fierce, while the Boundless Blood Mulberry gradually began to flag.
Chapter 410