"Talisman treasures are also universally recognized."
Qin Sang pondered this, silently noting that although the location he had been teleported to was remote, it remained inextricably linked to the Lesser Cold Domain's cultivation world; it was still the same world.
Though talisman treasures were rare, Qin Sang possessed more than one.
From Daoist Jiupao's belongings alone, he had obtained two intact talisman treasures.
During the years of fierce fighting against the Heaven-Traversing Alliance in the Luandao Waters, the cultivators on the battlefield were all elites.
Among the spoils of war Qin Sang had seized, there had also been talisman treasures, but having been used multiple times, little of their power remained, so he had basically expended them immediately upon acquiring them.
The one Qin Sang currently held was a flying sword talisman treasure, with roughly seventy to eighty percent of its power remaining, which was also part of his spoils of war.
Afterward, he went through the treasure hunt at Heaven-Pointing Peak and left the Luandao Waters, never using it on the battlefield.
Now that Qin Sang had attained Core Formation and could freely wield magic treasures, he had even less use for a talisman treasure. He might as well trade it for things he needed.
Sensing that Cui Xuanzi was lacking in confidence, Qin Sang decided to take out this partially depleted talisman treasure to test Cui Xuanzi's attitude.
"Qin has already formed a golden core and has little interest in your sect's core cultivation techniques. It is only because I intend to seek a natal insect gu that I wish to peruse your insect-controlling arts."
Seeing Cui Xuanzi staring at the talisman treasure with an unsettled expression, Qin Sang took the initiative to ease his conditions.
Cui Xuanzi was indeed tempted.
Although the Five Insects Sect was the hegemon of the Bear Mountain region, without a Core Formation cultivator, its position in the Bear Mountain region could hardly be called secure. Some of the major mountain strongholds also possessed Foundation Establishment experts.
Though few, if those strongholds banded together, their collective strength was nothing to scoff at and could pose a formidable challenge to the Five Insects Sect.
The Five Insects Sect lacked deep foundations; Cui Xuanzi's martial uncle had once been their sole trump card.
Back when that martial uncle was still in the sect, the Five Insects Sect had indeed enjoyed a period of great prominence. But in the prime of his life, that martial uncle would certainly not have damaged his own magic treasure to leave a talisman treasure behind for the sect.
Now that this martial uncle had failed to appear for so long, outside factions had long harbored doubts, and some were already growing restless.
If they had a talisman treasure in hand to protect the sect, not only would their standing in the Bear Mountain region become much firmer, but outside forces coveting Bear Mountain would also be deterred from acting rashly.
Upon hearing Qin Sang's terms, Cui Xuanzi's eyes lit up. "Is Senior speaking the truth? Can we truly exchange only our insect-controlling arts for Senior's talisman treasure?"
Compared to the priests of those major strongholds, the Five Insects Sect's insect-controlling arts indeed possessed unique advantages, which was one reason why the Five Insects Sect had consistently maintained its hegemonic status.
Had someone else come knocking to demand them, Cui Xuanzi would never have agreed to hand them over.
However, Qin Sang was not a local cultivator, and being a Core Formation expert, he was bound to leave sooner or later. Yielding only the insect-controlling arts would hardly disrupt the local balance of power in the Bear Mountain region.
Qin Sang closed his palm. "Naturally, that is not enough!"
Under Cui Xuanzi's disappointed gaze, Qin Sang said indifferently, "Qin also requires you to do a few things for me."
Cui Xuanzi secretly frowned, but he still could not resist the immense temptation of a talisman treasure. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Please speak, Senior."
"There is no need for alarm. I merely want your help handling some trivial matters and gathering information. Having formed my core not long ago, I need to consolidate my cultivation and have no energy to spare on distractions. If you do well, not only this talisman treasure, but also pills and magic tools—things Qin has no shortage of—can be yours. Once the matter is resolved, you will still be the hegemons here. When Qin returns to his homeland, I will not order you about any further."
Seeing that Cui Xuanzi was indeed swayed, Qin Sang actually tossed the talisman treasure straight toward Cui Xuanzi. Turning to look toward the depths of the Western Frontier, he said, "As a newcomer, Qin knows little about the Western Frontier. Find a way to procure a detailed topographical map for me, including those untamed wilderness areas."
Cui Xuanzi breathed a sigh of relief. "That is not difficult. Junior's sect possesses an ancestral topographical map that is exceedingly detailed. Later, while my martial uncle was still with the sect, he explored extensively and added further additions. It will surely satisfy Senior."
Qin Sang glanced at him, pointed forward, and said impassively:
"Do not be so hasty to answer me. The map I want is not limited to your Bear Mountain region. I believe you have ways to contact the forces of other regions. Make the scope of the map as vast as possible, ideally encompassing the untamed wilderness.
"On these maps, not only must the various factions be marked, but the habitats of spirit insects must also be noted—no matter how perilous they are, none may be omitted.
"In addition, gather information on any places rumored to contain ancient cultivators' abandoned abodes, secret realms, and the like across the nearby major regions, including the wilderness deep in the heart of the Western Frontier, as exhaustively as possible."
Qin Sang paused, then added, "Even perilous dead zones that terrify cultivators, such as demonic lands and ominous terrains, must be marked. If you require any resources during this process, simply come to me."
"Secret realms? Abandoned abodes?"
Cui Xuanzi was taken aback.
It was normal for Qin Sang to inquire about habitats of spirit insects in order to find a suitable natal insect gu; there were indeed rare spirit insects roaming the Western Frontier.
Such spirit insects either possessed bizarre innate talents and elusive whereabouts, boasted formidable strength, or dwelt in treacherous lands.
Cultivators from outside frequently ventured into the Western Frontier to capture insects, not excluding Core Formation experts, but most returned disappointed. Even with Qin Sang's strength, capturing one was far from guaranteed.
Yet why search for secret realms and ancient cultivators' cave abodes?
Could he be taking advantage of his great strength to kill two birds with one stone and scavenge the Western Frontier clean?
Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Near your Bear Mountain region, are there any secret realms laden with countless restrictions, sealed by immortal formations, and impossible to enter? If you put your heart and soul into this, it is not out of the question to share one or two of the discovered treasures with you."
Cui Xuanzi shook his head. "To be frank with Senior, Junior has cultivated in the Five Insects Sect since childhood and has never heard of such a place nearby."
Seeing that Cui Xuanzi's tone did not seem feigned, Qin Sang secretly frowned.
For Qin Sang, after reaching Core Formation, the most urgent matter was to find the ancient teleportation array and open the way back; only then could he cultivate here with peace of mind.
Now with the Three Light Jade Liquid in hand and the pill refiner found, the Du'e Pill was within his grasp, yet he was separated by worlds from the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid.
Such an extraordinary item could only be found by chance, not sought.
Recalling the myriad difficulties of forming his core, Qin Sang knew reaching the Nascent Soul realm would be far worse, leaving him deeply uncertain. Before attempting Nascent Soul formation, he had to exhaust every means to return to the Lesser Cold Domain and refine the Du'e Pill.
Qin Sang had observed carefully: the waterways of the Western Frontier were intricate, extending in all directions.
The small river on which he had drifted was connected to other rivers, merely a single part of the vast water network, making its source impossible to trace.
What made matters even more troublesome was that Qin Sang did not know how long he had remained unconscious after being teleported, leaving him unable to estimate a rough radius.
Trying to locate an ancient teleportation array in such a vast land was no different from searching for a needle in the ocean. Qin Sang did not even know whether the ancient teleportation array was high in the sky or deep underground.
As for why he had awakened floating upon the river, he was even more at a loss.
Qin Sang reasoned that since the other end of the teleportation array was in the Ziwei Palace, there was a strong likelihood that this end was located within some secret realm.
Rather than searching aimlessly in every direction, it would be far more efficient to seek the ancient teleportation array by exploring various secret realms.
Chapter 623