Entering the Sect

The cave abode at Yihui Stockade was very good, and the cultivation resources left behind by those priests were considerable. Qin Sang looked down on them, but they could provide tremendous assistance to Yagu. However, remaining in Yihui Stockade meant, for one, a lack of peers to exchange insights with and mentors to offer guidance, leaving her future prospects limited. Furthermore, it was easy to be entangled by the mortal world; when one's cultivation was insufficient, those without steadfast willpower could easily lose their way. Yet Qin Sang had not expected Yagu would be able to renounce easily obtainable power so decisively, severing ties with it so cleanly. He was not foolish; he could guess at least some of Yagu's thoughts. However, they were fated to cross paths without lasting destiny. Yagu's innate talent was at the very bottom tier of the cultivation world. Even though the Southern Frontier possessed powerful aids for breakthroughs like natal insect gu, her chances of Foundation Establishment or Core Formation remained minuscule. Nor could Qin Sang ever abandon the immortal path to indulge in romantic passions. He had far too much to do. He would certainly leave the Western Frontier, and he would never remain in one place for long. Wandering the ends of the earth with Yagu by his side was simply unrealistic. To allow Yagu to grow, he had seized the opportunity and used drastic methods, which was in truth also due to a lack of time. He had come on this journey solely to repay a kindness and would offer no unneeded emotional responses. Hearing Yagu's decision, Qin Sang actually felt a sense of gratification. He thought back to his own journey of seeking immortality and pursuing the Dao back then; just like Yagu, he had resolutely cast aside easily obtained wealth and power. Although their obsessions differed, they arrived at the same destination through different paths. Qin Sang said solemnly, "Have you decided? I can have the Five Insects Sect take you in, but cultivating immortality is not carefree; it is far more filled with loneliness and hardship. In old age, you might regret it and wish you had lived a life of worldly prosperity and honor." Yagu shook her head. "I'm going to the Five Insects Sect. I won't regret it!" "Good!" Since Yagu had made her decision, Qin Sang said no more. He handed over all the relics of the Yihui Stockade priests to Yagu. "Before we leave, do you want to return to Qianhu Stockade once?" Qin Sang had never asked what Yagu had experienced in Qianhu Stockade on the day the Holy Maiden was chosen. She now possessed strength. If there was any lingering resentment in her heart, he would let her handle it herself. Yagu hesitated for a moment. "May I go see Grandpa Witch Doctor?" Qin Sang nodded, summoned the Nether Silk Cloud, and took Yagu flying away from Yihui Stockade. …… Qianhu Stockade. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Because it was the eve of the Witch God Festival, some clansmen in the stockade had gone to Yihui Stockade to attend the shamanic sacrifice, while others had gone to nearby large stockades for antiphonal singing. Not many remained in the stockade, and most were elderly elders. Word of the unexpected upheaval at the shamanic sacrifice had not yet reached here; Qianhu Stockade was calm and peaceful. The old witch doctor had already fallen fast asleep. By the window stood two figures. Under the moonlight, Yagu gazed at the old witch doctor. Her lips were pressed tight and her eyes were rimmed with red, full of reluctance to part. In the end, Yagu took out a bottle of pills capable of invigorating qi and blood and extending longevity, set it on the head of the old witch doctor's bed, then knelt outside the window and kowtowed several times to him. Rising to her feet, Yagu wiped her eyes and whispered softly, "One-armed Brother, let's go." She had only come to see Grandpa Witch Doctor one last time. …… Five Insects Sect. The overlord of the Bear Mountain region. Once, the Five Insects Sect had not only held sway over the Bear Mountain region, but the forces of several surrounding regions had also submitted to it—all because the sect had once produced a Core Formation stage cultivator. This was extraordinarily rare in the barren Western Frontier. Unfortunately, that Core Formation stage cultivator's ambitions did not lie in the Western Frontier. He harbored no desire to expand the Five Insects Sect or dominate the land, and not long after his breakthrough, he departed to travel abroad. Even so, his lingering prestige remained, and the Five Insects Sect had indeed reaped many benefits from it. However, with the passage of time, nearly a century had now gone by, and that Core Formation cultivator remained entirely unheard from. Many suspected whether he had long since perished out in the world. Coupled with the lack of worthy successors, the Five Insects Sect had fallen into increasing decline. Now, not only were outside forces watching like tigers eyeing their prey, but even the priests of the major stockades in the Bear Mountain region had begun to harbor different intentions. It was truly beset by troubles both from within and without. The site chosen for the Five Insects Sect's mountain gate was quite peculiar. Viewed from above, several mountain peaks within the sect gathered in a circle, resembling a blooming lotus flower. Even in the Western Frontier, such a spiritually refined and elegant place was rare. Qin Sang sped along on his flying sword the whole way, arriving at the Five Insects Sect just as dawn began to break, intending to collect certain items as agreed. "Once you enter the sect, remember never to let anyone know you have the Cold Metal sword and the Essence-Devouring Awls on you..." Qin Sang made no effort to conceal his trail. Leading Yagu before the mountain of the Five Insects Sect, he was just giving her instructions when he saw a streak of green light shoot out from within the mountains. It was none other than Cui Xuanzi, the sect master of the Five Insects Sect. "Junior pays respects to Senior Qin!" His voice reached them before his person arrived. Cui Xuanzi drew back his escape light, landed before Qin Sang, and acted with immense respect. "Please follow junior into the mountains first, Senior. Junior has already prepared spiritual tea." "Letting me in—aren't you afraid that I, Qin, might wreak havoc in your Five Insects Sect?" Qin Sang's face held an amused, teasing smile. Cui Xuanzi's expression froze, uncertainty and alarm flickering across his face. Qin Sang glanced at Cui Xuanzi, swept forward with Yagu, and said indifferently, "I have no interest in your Five Insects Sect. I have come this time for our agreement that day. How are the information I had you collect and the items I asked to purchase coming along?" Cui Xuanzi forced a smile. "Regarding the matters Senior entrusted to me, junior has done his utmost, and over these past few days there have indeed been some gains..." The two conversed as they walked, soon entering the Five Insects Sect and arriving at the Sect Master Hall. "Not a bad place." Qin Sang nodded, though to him, it was merely 'not bad.' The Five Insects Sect possessed scenic beauty and abundant spiritual energy, making it a rare treasure in the Western Frontier, but for a Core Formation stage cultivator, it still fell a bit short. "Senior, please have some tea." The three sat facing one another. Cui Xuanzi personally poured the tea, filling a cup for Yagu as well, and asked out of curiosity, "And who might this young lady be?" Qin Sang replied in an aloof tone, "I found the shamanic sacrifice at Yihui Stockade displeasing to the eye, so I casually slaughtered all the priests of Yihui Stockade. She is one of the Holy Maidens. Let her stay at the Five Insects Sect to cultivate for the time being." "Yihui Stockade?" Cui Xuanzi was taken aback. Displeasing to the eye, so he casually slaughtered them? Cold sweat broke out all over Cui Xuanzi, and he was secretly terrified. Hearing the second half of Qin Sang's words, Cui Xuanzi's heart stirred, and he agreed without hesitation, speaking loudly, "Junior has also heard of this. Yihui Stockade uses human lives to refine medicine and nurture gu worms, which is indeed venomous and cruel. Senior rid the people of a scourge; you killed them well! If this young lady is willing to cultivate in the Five Insects Sect, junior could ask for nothing better. As for the sect's finest cave abodes, the young lady may take her pick." Qin Sang turned his head to look at Yagu. "Stay here to cultivate for a period. If you find it agreeable, there is no harm in taking Sect Master Cui Xuanzi as your master. Presumably, Sect Master would not refuse." During the month or so at Yihui Stockade, Qin Sang had guided Yagu while wandering the Bear Mountain region in search of ancient teleportation arrays. During that time, he had come into contact with priests from several large stockades and learned that the Five Insects Sect enjoyed a fairly decent reputation. Qin Sang deliberately refrained from clarifying his relationship with Yagu. After he departed, the Five Insects Sect would not dare mistreat Yagu in the short term. By the time the Five Insects Sect realized what was going on, Yagu's cultivation would have progressed, and with powerful weapons like the Cold Metal sword and the Essence-Devouring Awls, whether she stayed or left would be hers to decide.