Chapter 1093: Peach Blossoms

Qin Sang inwardly examined his Qi Sea, staring at the gray mist.

The gray mist, which had always remained quietly within him, was actually the Sword Spirit of the Spirit Sword. Far from being docile, it had been stirring up trouble while he was unconscious.

"I'm not sure if the Sword Spirit truly recognizes you as its master, so you'd best be on your guard in the future. However, this might not be a bad thing. Once the Sword Spirit awakens, you'll be able to easily locate the other Spirit Sword fragments and collect all parts of this astonishing cultivation method!"

Qing Zhu was filled with emotion. He had held on this long specifically to help Qin Sang retrieve this cultivation method and to guide the younger generation. His unfulfilled path to immortality would now be continued by Qin Sang, with great hope!

Qin Sang struggled to process such a large amount of information, unsure whether to feel excited or relieved. Yet, one question remained. The Sword Spirit had entered his body even before the teleportation. When exactly had he acquired it?

It couldn't have been in the Sword Path Hall where the ancient teleportation array was located. Otherwise, since Qing Zhu also cultivated the *Soul Nurturing Sword Art*, there would be no reason for the Sword Spirit not to recognize Qing Zhu as its master and instead seek out a newcomer like himself.

"Could it be...?" Qin Sang suddenly recalled the scene where Dongyang Bo had imprisoned him in the Bronze Grand Hall—the same place where Master Chenyan disappeared—and used him to threaten Chenyan. Before that, he was certain there was nothing unusual about him; the Sword Spirit couldn't have silently infiltrated him. Only at that time was Qin Sang's entire body sealed by Dongyang Bo with restraining talismans. Could the Sword Spirit have been hiding in that Bronze Grand Hall all along, finally waiting for someone who had cultivated the *Soul Nurturing Sword Art* to quietly enter his body?

The more Qin Sang thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

When Qing Zhu heard Qin Sang mention this, he mused, "It's possible! The Seven Kills Hall and the Purple Micro Palace are both deeply connected to the *Soul Nurturing Sword Art* and the Spirit Sword fragments... Unfortunately, I can't accompany you, so you'll have to explore these matters yourself later."

Qing Zhu patted Qin Sang's shoulder and then briefly recounted the events that followed.

"After sending you and the Sword Spirit away, I had intended to return and retrieve the Spirit Sword fragments and the cultivation method. However, the demonic soul grew suspicious and relentlessly searched the Sword Qi Grand Hall, refusing to leave. If I had forcibly broken the seal, the commotion would have been too great, undoubtedly alerting the demonic soul. At that time, I was no match for him; I would have fallen into his hands before I could even get the fragments. This stalemate continued until the Seven Kills Hall closed, at which point I had no choice but to give up and leave the inner hall first."

"After emerging, I searched for traces of the demonic soul across the two great seas and discovered that as its cultivation advanced, the seal began to loosen. Moreover, the demonic soul frequently changed identities, seemingly plotting something. If I waited until the inner hall reappeared, the seal would already be broken, so I had to find a way to counterattack."

"Subsequently, when the Witch Tribe first opened the outer hall, I left a jade slip in the Sword Path to lure the demonic soul to Spirit Turtle Island. Simultaneously, I misled the demonic soul into believing its true identity was my sword soul, preventing it from consuming me first."

"By actively drawing the demonic soul into my body and personally controlling the Spirit Sword fragments, the seal indeed became stable."

"Before this, I sent my sword soul avatar into the Heavenly Dao Sect. If the avatar failed to break through, it would use the Earth Blood Ginseng to form an unorthodox Nascent Soul, retrieve another Spirit Sword fragment for me, and use the power of the two fragments to reseal the demonic soul."

"Unexpectedly, the situation was far more complex than I imagined. The demonic soul tried to release ancient demons, causing chaos and inciting various factions throughout the cultivation world, while I could only watch, powerless. When the Witch Tribe opened the Seven Kills Hall for the second time, I intended to use you to send a message, but the demonic soul thwarted me. And then came the events at Mount Yitian..."

After listening to Qing Zhu's account, Qin Sang also let out a long sigh. He hadn't imagined that Senior Qing Zhu had endured so many twists and turns, far exceeding his own experiences.

After a moment of silence, Qin Sang softly asked, "Senior... do you have any message you wish for me to convey back?" Though cruel, Qin Sang had to ask, as he sensed Qing Zhu's condition was deteriorating rapidly.

"There's no need to grieve for me! Just send my body back after I'm gone. They have waited for me for many years, and finally, we can reunite in the netherworld. As for Qing Jun, there's no need to bother her with further words..." Qing Zhu shook his head, saying, "To her, I failed in my duties; I am merely her biological father, nothing more."

Qing Zhu walked by himself to the edge of the Underworld Valley, gazing for a long time. Suddenly, he turned and asked Qin Sang, "Having dedicated yourself to the elusive path of immortality, do you ever regret it?"

Qin Sang was startled, then shook his head without hesitation.

"Very good!" Qing Zhu praised him. He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze profound, looking nowhere in particular, with a hint of remembrance and nostalgia in his eyes.

"Do you still remember the Crimson Jade Peach?"

Qin Sang nodded. Of course he remembered. The Crimson Jade Peaches from Sword Gate Pass on Mount Shaohua were sweeter than spirit fruits. It was from that time that he first heard the legends of Senior Qing Zhu, and now he was about to witness the legend's end.

"It's a pity I haven't tasted one in many years," Qing Zhu murmured. He had once searched everywhere for peach seeds, hoping to cultivate Crimson Jade Peaches on Spirit Turtle Island, but they never quite tasted like those in his memory.

Hearing this, Qin Sang suddenly remembered something and frantically searched through his Qianjun Ring. To his surprise, he actually found a few peach pits. Years ago, he had collected a few with the intention of planting Crimson Jade Peaches in his cave dwelling, and they had remained with him until now.

Qin Sang planted the peach pits on the earthen platform and asked Senior Qing Zhu to activate the Three Luminaries Jade Liquid within his body to infuse them with vitality. The peach pits took root, sprouted, grew branches, and unfurled leaves, rapidly growing into a peach tree before their very eyes.

In an instant, peach blossoms burst forth! Their fragrance filled the valley. Soon, the peach blossoms withered, and green fruits appeared, then blushed with red, finally maturing into Crimson Jade Peaches! The tree was laden with fruit, radiant and appealing! Such a miracle could only occur in the cultivation world. The peach tree continued to grow new branches, becoming lush and leafy, with blossoms continuously blooming.

Qing Zhu stopped infusing vitality and gazed at the peach tree, his eyes soft. He nodded to Qin Sang and gently plucked a Crimson Jade Peach. Taking a bite, Qing Zhu savored it carefully, then sighed, "It is, after all, a fruit grown quickly, not having endured the hardships of wind and frost."

Qin Sang ate one as well, agreeing, "It's not as sweet as those from Sword Gate Pass."

"You haven't tasted the even better ones," Qing Zhu said with regret. Despite his words, Qing Zhu finished the entire Crimson Jade Peach.

"Go now," Qing Zhu said.

With a touch of worry, Qin Sang glanced at Qing Zhu and then flew towards the Underworld Valley. Once Qin Sang disappeared into the underworld qi, Qing Zhu summoned his Spirit Sword and unleashed an astonishing sword qi, clearing a path for Qin Sang. He murmured softly:

"With my sword, I sever the netherworld;In the next life, may I no longer tirelessly pursue the scriptures!"

The sword qi carved a path, breaking through ancient restrictions. Qin Sang entered the depths of the Underworld Valley. Indeed, just as Qing Zhu had said, a copy of the *Soul Nurturing Sword Art* was here.

After obtaining the cultivation method, Qin Sang flew out of the Underworld Valley and landed on the earthen platform, instinctively slowing his steps. Qin Sang saw that on the stone wall were a few lines of writing, left by Senior Qing Zhu:

A small courtyard, filled with peach blossoms,A clear pond, flawless as jade.A senior sister, sixteen years old,A junior sister, still in her youth.

A lifetime spent seeking immortality,Yet never knowing where my lonely grave lies.Beside mountains and water, tilling fields and rowing boats,Catching demons, casting lots for divination,Writing with a flying sword, each character containing sword scripture.

A Spirit Sword fragment was embedded in the stone wall, accompanied by the inscription: "Sword gifted to Fellow Daoist Qin."

Qin Sang saw Qing Zhu, embracing a peachwood sword, lying eternally asleep against the peach tree. A gentle breeze blew. Petals drifted down, scattering beautifully.

(End of Volume Two!)

***

**Author's Notes:**

1. Upon arriving home today, I went nowhere else. I consecutively wrote four chapters to complete this volume, releasing them all at once. This also serves to make up for the two previously owed chapters and to extend New Year's greetings to all my readers. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and all the best!2. Volume Two has been renamed *Peach Blossom*.3. Volume Three is tentatively titled *Ascension*.4. This entire volume largely covers everything I intended to write, with no additional explanations needed, hence there is no summary.5. As you may have noticed, the latter part of this volume was challenging to write, but I've finally completed it, which gives me a strong sense of accomplishment. I feel completely drained and just want to get some deep sleep now. Taking advantage of the New Year holiday and the end of the volume, I'll rest for two or three days (depending on my recovery).