The Four Sacred Mountains

Compared to the Demon Sea, the Inner Sea was bound by far more constraints. There were plenty of factions unwilling to take sides or get entangled in the feud between the orthodox and demonic paths, but unable to stand against them openly, they had no choice but to comply on the surface. Small wonder those old Nascent Soul monsters were willing to abandon their foundations in the Inner Sea and carve out islands of their own in the Demon Sea, all for the sake of free and untrammeled autonomy. After continuous flight, Qin Sang finally caught sight of Tianxing Island's outline. This island held immense significance for humanity, revered as the cradle of their resurgence. Later, the teleportation formation connecting to the Demon Sea was also established here. Thus, even though Tianxing Island was not at the center of the Canglang Sea but rather situated toward the east, it remained a sacred land for the human race. The orthodox and demonic paths had agreed to govern it jointly, and Tianxing City on the island had gradually grown into the largest human metropolis. Tianxing City was vast beyond measure. Countless cultivators gathered here, alongside the mortals residing within its bounds. Figures moved in an endless stream like surging ants—a spectacle unseen in the Lesser Cold Domain. Visiting Tianxing Island for the second time, Qin Sang was still awed by the magnificent sight before him. Having toured it briefly during his previous visit, he knew where to go to rent a cave dwelling. Within Tianxing City stood four sacred mountains, where the island's spirit veins converged. The Four Sacred Mountains were named after four venerable predecessors who had turned the tide and saved mankind in its darkest hour during the fragile early days of humanity's survival. The mountains served as sanctuaries to honor them. One of the sacred mountains housed the teleportation formation, making it the most heavily guarded place on Tianxing Island. The cave dwellings on two of the other mountains were reserved for cultivators belonging to the city's orthodox and demonic factions, respectively. Only the last mountain had cave dwellings available for lease to rogue cultivators and outsiders. Cave dwellings in Tianxing City were extraordinarily expensive, though their quality was beyond reproach. Having recently acquired the legacies of two powerful cultivators, Qin Sang was wealthy enough to afford it, whereas other cultivators might not be so fortunate. After taking in the sight of Tianxing City, Qin Sang flashed across the distance and arrived before one of the city gates. All around, streaks of escape light flickered constantly, entering and leaving through the island's major gates, demonstrating just how densely populated by cultivators the city was. Mortals were even more numerous. Outside the walls, roads crisscrossed in every direction, and countless ships sailed off the island's coast in a scene of bustling prosperity. Mortals and immortal cultivators entered and exited through separate gates. Tianxing City possessed a protective city array, and not wishing to test the strength of the city guard, Qin Sang obediently took the gate. Qin Sang revealed his presence. Though the guards possessed meager cultivation, they somehow accurately perceived Qin Sang's realm through an unknown method and instantly put on respectful expressions. "Greetings, Senior. Have you been to Tianxing City before? If you possess a token, you may enter directly. As a Core Formation stage expert, Senior does not need to pay spirit stones." Qin Sang produced a token he had prepared earlier. "After forming my core, I have been active in the Demon Sea and only hold a token from Dahuang Island. Will that suffice?" Obtaining such a token was not difficult. Using two identities, Qin Sang had acquired two on Dahuang Island. Confident in their formidable strength, the orthodox and demonic paths had no fear of petty scoundrels, and both Tianxing City and Dahuang Island possessed an open-handed magnanimity that embraced all comers. However, Dahuang Island's spirit veins were vastly inferior to those of Tianxing Island. Taking the teleportation formation cost a hefty sum; one could hardly use it back and forth on a whim. "So Senior has been hunting demons in the Demon Sea," the guard said, his tone growing even more deferential as he gestured forward. "The tokens of both cities are interchangeable. Please enter, Senior." Qin Sang did not move immediately. Instead, he asked, "I intend to stay and cultivate in the city for a time. Is anything else required to rent a cave dwelling?" "May I ask which sect or force Senior belongs to?" the guard inquired. Qin Sang shook his head. "I am a rogue cultivator." Realization dawned on the guard, and he pointed toward one of the sacred mountains. "If Senior wishes to rent a cave dwelling, simply bring your token to Mount Baogu. There will certainly be a dwelling suitable for you there. From the base to the summit, the quality of the dwellings rises, and the prices vary accordingly. If Senior requires, I can summon a guide for you..." Baogu was one of the four sages, and she had been a Daoist priestess. With that, the guard called out, and several figures promptly emerged from behind the gate, including low-level cultivators and mortals. To everyone's surprise, Qin Sang selected a mortal youth. The young man was in his early twenties, with a crafty glint in his eye, looking rather like a street loafer. Yet before Qin Sang, he dared not display the slightest insolence; he had heard the guard mention Qin Sang's cultivation and knew this Immortal Master could crush him with a single finger. He was also thoroughly astonished that such a powerful Immortal Master had picked him. "Take me to the property brokerages where mortals buy residences. This is your reward," Qin Sang said, tossing the youth a spirit stone. Apart from the vicinity of the Four Sacred Mountains, Tianxing City was largely populated by mortals and low-level cultivators, who occupied the vast majority of its expanse. Catching the spirit stone, the youth was overcome with pleasant surprise. He bowed repeatedly, not daring to utter any nonsense. "Please follow this lowly one, Immortal Master." Low-altitude flight was permitted within the city. Qin Sang had no patience for walking on foot, so he lifted the youth by the collar and had him give directions aloud. Before long, they had turned past several streets. The youth pointed tremulously at a small multistory building in the distance and said shakily, "Immortal Master, that is the most renowned property brokerage. They are guaranteed to hold the best locations in the city, though the prices are somewhat steep. Of course, that is surely nothing to an Immortal Master like you." "Understood. You may go." Qin Sang set the youth down. He had the youth point out several other brokerages. When the time was right, he planned to disguise himself as a mortal and purchase a small courtyard near Mount Baogu to serve as a contact point for Madam Liu. Given the involvement of Xiang Yi and the alliance leader of the Eastern Pole Alliance, caution was best. Leaving the youth behind, Qin Sang rode his flying sword straight toward Mount Baogu, locating the rental office at the mountain's foot. Wealthy as he was, he could not help but wince upon seeing the rental prices. Still, the Four Sacred Mountains sat atop Tianxing Island's greatest spirit vein, brimming with exceptionally abundant spiritual energy. There was good reason for the steep cost. Cultivating in a mountain dwelling here would indeed accelerate his progress considerably. In the end, he selected a site as close to the summit as possible, paying for a thirty-year lease in one lump sum. After handing over the spirit stones, he received the jade talisman controlling the dwelling's spiritual array. The cave dwelling was built against the mountain slope, not far below the peak. Standing at its entrance, one could see the statue of Baogu perched at the summit. The statue radiated peerless grace, befitting her status as the foremost expert of her era. Qin Sang activated the jade talisman, opening the spiritual array. Stepping inside, he found the cave dwelling fairly spacious and the surroundings serene and quiet. Spending several decades in seclusion here would feel neither cramped nor confined. Accustomed to ascetic cultivation, he cared little for luxury. He inspected the premises thoroughly and set up an additional isolating array inside before finally putting his mind at ease. *I will be cultivating here from now on. It almost feels like a home of sorts.* A strange sentiment stirred in Qin Sang's heart. He sat quietly in the cave dwelling for a time, dispelling the exhaustion from his days of travel, and began to map out his subsequent cultivation path in detail. *None of these matters can be accomplished overnight; there is no need to rush. However, the sword soul must be refined first. It will require a period of gestation before transforming into a demonic seed. Once that is done, I can head out to search for a corpse. With so many islands around Tianxing Island, I will surely find a suitable one...* Acting on his thought, Qin Sang began to study the *Origin-Seeding Demonic Embryo*.