After all, they were the auxiliary spiritual aids with the greatest efficacy for Core Formation in the present cultivation world. Even heaven-favored geniuses blessed with dual spiritual roots would never pass up the chance to obtain such spirit herbs if given the opportunity.
One more shred of hope meant one more possibility.
*Whoosh!*
A streak of light suddenly flew out from the seam of the door, flashed before Qin Sang, and split into three, darting off in different directions.
Three of them!
Qin Sang felt fortunate that he had made the right choice not to return directly to the sect. Otherwise, under the pressure of three Golden Core seniors, whether he could have held onto the spirit herbs would have remained an open question.
Though he had ultimately failed in the end, he had no intention of handing the opportunity over to others on a silver platter either.
The cave abode fell quiet for a moment before Qi Yuanshou's voice sounded once more. "What are your plans now?"
What are my plans?
A trace of melancholy surfaced in Qin Sang's eyes. Bowing deeply, he said, "I beg Martial Uncle Qi to point a way forward for this disciple. Is there still any possibility... of me forming a core?"
Qi Yuanshou did not answer directly. "Tell me in detail: when you consumed those two spirit herbs, what changes occurred in your cultivation, and what did you realize?"
"After taking the spirit herbs, their effect was somewhat better than the Kanli Golden Pill..."
Qi Yuanshou still did not open the cave abode. Qin Sang stood outside facing the stone doors, recounting in thorough detail every subtle change within his body from the moment he swallowed the herbs until their medicinal strength was completely exhausted.
He did not dare conceal the slightest detail; his entire future hinged on this.
"Five spiritual roots..."
Qi Yuanshou gave a low, sorrowful sigh. "It seems that spirit fruit did not allow you to completely break past the limitations of your innate talent..."
*He even knows about that?*
Qin Sang was secretly astonished. When he had first entered the sect, he had mentioned that as an offhand, half-joking pretext while chatting with Senior Brother Wen, yet it had somehow reached Qi Yuanshou's ears.
He had not expected Qi Yuanshou to pay so much attention to him.
"Innate talent..."
Qin Sang was unwilling to accept it. "Is this disciple truly at a dead end? Among the other martial uncles and senior martial uncles, is there any method of Core Formation they could teach me? I am willing to do anything!"
He held three Ten Directions Yanluo Banners in his hands. Since half of Patriarch Kuiyin's Ten Directions Yanluo Banners were already destroyed, the complete formation could never be assembled anyway; keeping just one was enough for him.
Even Golden Core cultivators hailing from Shaohua Mountain surely could not resist the temptation of a magic treasure, could they?
Then there was also the iron ring left behind by Daoist Jiupao.
He was not greedy; all he sought was Core Formation.
For a Core Formation stage cultivator, trading a method of forming a core for a magic treasure was the most profitable bargain imaginable. They would never refuse.
All of these things could be offered up!
As for the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid, unless he truly had no other path, Qin Sang was determined never to trade it away. That spirit herb represented a sliver of hope for Nascent Soul formation.
Having come this far, as long as he could form a core, the Nascent Soul stage was not entirely out of reach.
Qi Yuanshou let out a dry chuckle. "If there were some so-called superior method for Core Formation, would they still have coveted your snow spirit lotus and iris flower? The present cultivation world is merely a broken realm. It is no longer the golden age of antiquity, when heavenly treasures could be gathered at will and secret arts and inheritances were everywhere for the taking. Those two spirit herbs are already the finest medicines that can be found in this era. Had it not coincided with the wager battle between the two domains, how could they have ever fallen into your hands? You consumed them and achieved only this much; even if you obtained other spirit herbs, what difference would it make?"
Qin Sang fell silent.
After a stretch of quiet, Qi Yuanshou's tone softened, and he spoke calmly.
"The old man will gift you two phrases, which are also the insights I gained during my decades stationed at Xuanlu Pass.
"First: human strength has its limits; never force what cannot be.
"Those who fail Core Formation and die with regret have been countless since antiquity. Dual and triple spiritual root cultivators among them are as numerous as the sands, let alone someone like you.
"Do not fall into the demonic path over an obsession. This old man has no desire to clean up the sect with his own hands.
"Second: each person has their own fated destiny.
"With the aptitude of five spiritual roots, you reached the False Core stage in a single century, which outsiders look upon as a miracle. Only those who know the truth understand that since you possessed the sheer willpower to survive the Mysterious Female Jade Cauldron Sutra during the early Foundation Establishment stage, enduring the agony of the Origin Soul Sword-Nurturing Chapter was only natural. Those two cultivation methods are your destined affinities.
"In the future, perhaps another fated opportunity will help you form your core.
"It is just that... as the years roll by and not a single shred of hope appears, far more people have their fighting spirit ground away. You might as well search your own heart: is your Dao heart resolute?"
Qin Sang raised his head and replied without hesitation, "This disciple's heart is set solely upon the Grand Dao!"
Qi Yuanshou gave an affirmative hum.
"Since that is so, this old man shall grant you a Xuanlu Guard token. Take this token to Xuanlu Pass, join the Xuanlu Guard, and accumulate some seniority.
"Three years from now, when the spirit tide nears its end, you can use your status as a Xuanlu Guard as an excuse to be among the very first to enter the Ancient Immortal Battlefield and inspect the secret realms.
"At that time, just as the spirit tide recedes, the traces of certain hidden restrictions will be exposed. If your luck holds and you find a few newly opened secret realms, arriving before anyone else, you might encounter a peerless opportunity to defy the heavens and change your destiny.
"During these three years, you will have no need to venture out to repel the cloud beast tide; simply stay comfortably within the pass. Since you are already at the False Core stage, there is no need to exhaust yourself in bitter cultivation either. Mingle into the mortal world and experience the simple joys of mortals; there is much wonder to be found in that as well..."
A streak of light flew out from the cave abode and landed in Qin Sang's palm. The light dispersed, revealing a Xuanlu Guard token.
Three years.
Clutching the token, Qin Sang noted the timeframe Qi Yuanshou had mentioned.
In three years, the spirit tide would reach its peak and then subside.
The third year was precisely when Ziwei Palace would open.
Just as the war between the two domains was reaching its fiercest point, both sides had suddenly called a truce; it was undoubtedly related to the opening of Ziwei Palace. This timing matched Qin Sang's expectations closely.
Pondering this, Qin Sang looked down at the token. He had seen a Xuanlu Guard token from Yuyangzi before; this token was identical to Yuyangzi's, signifying the status of a captain.
Ever since the spirit tide struck, the ancient teleportation array at Shangyuan Qingjing Palace had remained constantly active, teleporting whenever enough people gathered, so there was no rush on the journey.
Even so, arriving at Xuanlu Pass earlier was certainly better.
His agreements with Granny Jing and Yunyouzi both required careful scheming and early preparations.
With this token, he would not have to fear being abruptly conscripted to hunt cloud beasts after entering Xuanlu Pass. Moreover, once the spirit tide ended, he could be among the first to enter the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to search for opportunities.
This was no small favor; Qi Yuanshou had truly gone out of his way.
Qin Sang was deeply grateful. He said respectfully, "This disciple shall etch Martial Uncle Qi's care and guidance into his heart."
"You..."
Qi Yuanshou had just spoken when he paused, letting out a nearly imperceptible sigh before issuing a decisive dismissal. "From this moment on, this old man shall enter closed-door seclusion and receive no visitors. Now that you have the token, proceed to Xuanlu Pass without delay. Do not dawdle for too long. In the future... look after yourself! Go!"
"Ah..."
Caught completely off guard, Qin Sang suddenly felt his body tighten. His vision blurred, and in the next breath, he had been teleported to the foot of the mountain.
He watched as the light mist closed and the verdant peak faded from sight.
Standing within the mist, Gao Yang waved to Qin Sang before hurrying back up the mountain.
Having no other choice, Qin Sang could only give up for now, resolving to seek Qi Yuanshou's guidance again if an opportunity arose in the future.
Flying out of the sect,
Qin Sang arrived at a nameless high mountain and stood upon its summit for a full day and night.
He watched the sun rise and set, the moon brighten and fade.
Gradually, his gaze grew resolute once more.
Chapter 500