Chapter 1007: Meeting

Zou Family Island.

On the island lived an immortal cultivation family named Zou. It was said that an Ancestral Master at the Nascent Soul stage once emerged from their lineage, which is why the island's name has been retained ever since.

After the Nascent Soul cultivator's demise, the Zou family gradually declined. However, even a lean camel is larger than a horse; ordinary small sects couldn't compare to the Zou family. In the cultivation world of the nearby sea region, the Zou family had always maintained a certain reputation.

The previous head of the Zou family was a top expert, second only to Nascent Soul cultivators. However, for some unknown reason, the previous family head suddenly resigned his position, passed it on to a junior, and embarked on a distant journey alone. Subsequently, the Zou family paradoxically became even more prosperous. The Zou family disciples spent lavishly, seemingly having acquired a windfall from an unknown source.

Surprisingly, twenty years ago, the Zou family suddenly announced the sealing off of their island. It wasn't until two years ago that Zou family disciples finally began to emerge and travel again, and their actions became extremely low-key. The reasons behind these changes were difficult for outsiders to fathom.

Zou Family Island was home not only to the Zou family but also to many mortals, who lived rather peacefully under the family's patronage.

In one of the large mortal cities on the island.

An ordinary-looking man entered the city, wandered aimlessly for a while, and then left. In a secluded spot, his appearance changed; it was Qin Sang.

"I didn't expect the Zou family to have such a significant background. The main Zou family cultivation area must be sealed by a grand formation. It seems unlikely I can discreetly visit Elder Zou's grave to pay my respects and return the jade pendant..."

A thought stirred in Qin Sang's mind, and he quietly flew deeper into Zou Family Island. Not long after, Qin Sang appeared in a patch of jungle. Looking at the misty mountain shadows ahead, he muttered to himself, "Just as I thought."

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang quietly retreated.

The largest mortal city on the island.

Within the city stood a magnificent palace, rumored to be an immortal's residence. Mortals dared not approach it, only admiring its splendor from afar. This palace was the temporary residence of Zou family members who had been assigned to handle mortal affairs and whose path to immortality was without hope.

Inside the palace, an old man with a white beard and hair knelt on the ground, meticulously tending to the garden's flowers and plants like a farmer. The old man was, surprisingly, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. What was surprising was that not a single spiritual flower grew in the garden; all were common mortal plants. Yet, the old man was extremely serious, his movements gentle, fully immersed in his task.

After a long while, the old man stood up, looked at the fruits of his labor, nodded with satisfaction, and turned to walk towards his room.

Creak!

The door opened. The smile on the old man's face suddenly froze. On the previously empty desk, a jade pendant had inexplicably appeared. Someone had infiltrated his residence right under his nose, and he had been completely unaware.

A cold sweat broke out on the old man's back. His spiritual sense swept across the surroundings, but he saw no one. Just then, he noticed an inscription on the desk.

"The deceased has passed, the item returns to its rightful owner."

The old man was startled. He boldly stepped forward, picked up the jade pendant, and took a look. He suddenly remembered something, his expression instantly changing drastically. He hastily left the city and flew towards his clan's main residence.

Qin Sang didn't concern himself with the Zou family's reaction. After returning Elder Zou's belongings, he departed immediately.

The flying chariot sped across the boundless sea. Bai He acted as the driver. Qin Sang leaned against the railing, gazing out. Before long, the outline of a large island appeared at the edge of his vision. Qin Sang called Bai He back. His figure flickered, and he landed on the island.

After entering the city, Qin Sang headed straight for his immortal's abode. He found it empty; Bai He hadn't returned, nor was there any sign of Ning Wuhui.

"There's still more than a month until our scheduled meeting..."

Qin Sang pondered for a moment and decided not to act rashly. Ning Wuhui had mentioned before leaving that he might not stay in Tian Dao Sect the whole time and would likely go to other places. Qin Sang then settled down in his abode to cultivate in seclusion.

More than ten days passed in a flash.

Qin Sang, who was cultivating in seclusion, suddenly felt the protective formation of his abode being touched. His spiritual sense swept out, and he saw that the person outside was Ning Wuhui.

"Fellow Daoist Ning!"

Qin Sang's heart filled with joy, and he quickly stepped out of his abode to greet him.

"Fellow Daoist Qin!"

Ning Wuhui cupped his hands in greeting.

"Have you found out anything, Fellow Daoist Ning? Is there a definite timeframe for the emergence of the Seven Kills Palace?" As soon as they entered the abode, Qin Sang eagerly pressed for answers.

Ning Wuhui nodded. "No need to rush, Fellow Daoist Qin. Several seniors from Tian Dao Sect have been in the storm belt, monitoring the changes in the Seven Kills Palace's immortal formation. According to reports, it should emerge within two years."

"Two years? It seems I can only continue my secluded cultivation and wait..."

Qin Sang hummed in acknowledgment. Then he suddenly remembered something and hastily asked, "The legends say that whenever the Seven Kills Palace appears, cultivators who enter the inner hall have a chance to gain benefits. Is that true?"

Previously, Qin Sang was solely focused on returning to the Small Cold Domain and primarily inquired about the outer hall of the Seven Kills Palace. Now that he was certain to enter the inner hall, Qin Sang naturally made thorough inquiries on Tian Xing Island. Most of the rumors circulating about the inner hall of the Seven Kills Palace were vague and unreliable. Fortunately, Qin Sang's cultivation level was far higher than before, and he had access to cultivators of higher status. After offering some compensation, he managed to gather a good deal of useful information. It was difficult to discern what was true and what was false, so he could only seek Ning Wuhui's advice.

Ning Wuhui was indeed knowledgeable. He said, "Yes, it is said that after entering the inner hall of the Seven Kills Palace, one must pass through a trial ground. Those who successfully complete the trials receive treasure as a reward. I've heard that this trial was left behind by a senior to ensure the prosperity and longevity of our human race. However, passing the trial is not easy; it is very dangerous..."

"Rumor has it that the Seven Kills Palace might have been discovered first by the Four Sages. And the senior who left the trials is likely one of the Four Sages, right?" Qin Sang recalled Four Sages Mountain on Tian Xing Island.

"Perhaps!" Ning Wuhui wasn't entirely certain. "The era of the Four Sages is too distant from the present. Many secrets have been lost to time; only numerous legends related to them remain."

Qin Sang was very curious about the Four Sages and remarked with emotion, "If they discovered the Seven Kills Palace, they must have obtained many supreme treasures to turn the tide and force back the Wu Clan! I wonder what their final cultivation level was, and whether they ever passed through the storm belt to other cultivation realms."

There were no legends of the Four Sages in the Small Cold Domain. Perhaps the Four Sages never went there, or perhaps they acted too discreetly. Qin Sang estimated that it was more likely the Four Sages had not been there; otherwise, there would certainly have been conflicts with cultivators from the Small Cold Domain in the Ziwei Palace, and there wouldn't have been absolutely no clues. Even the Four Sages were unaware of the ancient teleportation array's existence, which showed how hidden its location was. Without the help of Senior Qing Zhu, it would be almost impossible for him to find it on his own.

Qin Sang and Ning Wuhui conversed privately in the abode for a long time.

After seeing Ning Wuhui off, Qin Sang stood before his abode, frowning as he looked outside. The appointed time was fast approaching, but there had been no news from Bai He.

It wasn't until the day before the appointed time that Bai He finally rushed back. Seeing that Bai He was unharmed, Qin Sang felt a sense of relief. He then noticed that Bai He's aura was far weaker than before their separation and quickly asked, "Did Fellow Daoist encounter a formidable foe?"

Bai He sighed. "It wasn't a formidable foe. Rather, I was unexpectedly trapped in a place for several months, nearly causing me to miss this important matter. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything useful."