Chapter 1108: Cause and Effect

The Mortal Realm

“Martial Uncle, everyone has been brought.”

Tan Yien returned and whispered, “Your disciple just found out that of the two warring parties, one consists of the noble houses of Great Sui—primarily the Qin, Wu, and Bai families—while the other is an external enemy. Great Sui is already showing signs of defeat…”

As he spoke, Tan Yien secretly glanced at Qin Sang.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had easily apprehended the cultivators behind both sides and stopped the fighting.

Upon hearing about the Qin family of Great Sui, and learning that these families previously possessed blood-forbidden jade pendants left by their ancestors, Tan Yien immediately realized that Qin Sang’s deliberate stay in Great Sui and his visit to the mountain for offerings must have a reason.

When taking action, he had deliberately shown favoritism towards Great Sui’s side, carefully questioned the reasons, and then came to report.

“The Qin, Wu, and Bai families?”

Qin Sang was somewhat surprised. “Where is the Great Sui imperial family?”

“It is said that the chaos in Great Sui began with the demise of Old Ancestor Scarlet Hair. The Pure Yang Sect fell into great disorder, unable to attend to the mortal realm. Cultivators, unchecked, entered and exited the mortal world, wreaking havoc and enjoying their power.

“Not only Great Sui, but all nations within the Pure Yang Sect’s territory were greatly troubled by this.

“Most of these cultivators still had some reservations, fearing retribution later, so they successively supported puppets to engage in conflicts. However, they were not united in their efforts, leading to great chaos in the mortal world with countless mortal casualties.

“It wasn’t until one instance, when the Qin family and others inadvertently revealed a blood-forbidden jade pendant, that the rogue cultivators discovered the pendant was left by a cultivator. Learning that the Qin family actually had a cultivator ancestor, they only then hesitated and became more restrained.

“Afterward, the situation in the Pure Yang Sect stabilized, and cultivators no longer dared to act wantonly. This situation has been maintained ever since.

“Cultivators hid behind the scenes, enjoying offerings, entrusting Great Sui’s governance to the Qin and other families. These families enjoyed close relations, while the imperial family gradually lost its influence. Yet, the nation’s power steadily grew.

“In recent years, the Pure Yang Sect experienced internal strife for unknown reasons. It is likely that after Old Ancestor Scarlet Hair’s demise, there was no one capable of commanding universal respect. Upon hearing this news, these rogue cultivators began to stir restlessly again, and the Qin family’s ancestor had been missing for many years, which led to today’s chaos…”

Tan Yien briefly recounted what he had discovered.

“By an unexpected turn of events, the Qin family has actually developed to such a state?”

Qin Sang couldn’t help but chuckle.

If it were just the Qin family alone, he might still have doubts.

The Wu and Bai families should be the descendants of Wu Chuanzong and Bai Jianglan. With these two families included, it could largely be confirmed that this Qin family was the main branch of this body’s original family. They were merely farmers in the past, but now they were only one step away from becoming the ruler of a nation.

While Qin Sang and Tan Yien were conversing, some figures stood in the distance, divided into two distinct groups. They were precisely the cultivators behind both warring parties.

Each of them was adorned with jewels and richly dressed, having enjoyed immense wealth and luxury in the mortal realm.

At this moment, they had no thoughts of fighting. The Great Sui side fared slightly better, while the other side was filled with apprehension, their faces long, as if a great disaster was about to befall them.

Tan Yien, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was enough to give them a hard time.

Although some of these rogue cultivators had some background and could claim some connection to Foundation Establishment cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators would certainly not provoke fellow experts of the same level for their sake.

Even more terrifyingly, Tan Yien, whom they feared, was treating another person with utmost reverence.

This person’s identity was self-evident.

All the cultivators were utterly terrified.

“If only we had known there was a Golden Core mighty figure behind Great Sui, we would rather die of old age in the mountains and never set foot in Great Sui!”

The same thought emerged in the minds of all cultivators. They were filled with boundless regret.

Just then, Qin Sang looked up and glanced at them.

Catching Qin Sang’s gaze, everyone instinctively shivered, and a ripple of unrest spread through them.

Qin Sang stepped forward and asked, “I recall that Great Sui and other nations were previously overseen by Han Family Fort. Aren’t you afraid of Han Family Fort troubling you for causing trouble in the mortal realm?”

After a moment of silence, an elderly man from Great Sui’s side bravely stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and replied, “Reporting to Senior, after the invasion of Sin Abyss, all Han family experts were conscripted back to the Pure Yang Sect. The remaining members have sealed off their mountain and haven’t emerged since. They haven’t concerned themselves with worldly affairs for a long time.”

So that’s how it is.

Qin Sang couldn’t help but recall the Han Family Fort Master, an old acquaintance.

“Are you Bai Hanqiu?”

Qin Sang’s gaze fell upon a young girl behind the elder. “What is Bai Jianglan to you?”

Bai Hanqiu was surprised that this mysterious person would notice her. Her heart startled, filled with apprehension. She bowed respectfully and replied, “Reporting to Senior, Bai Jianglan is my ancestor.”

Her heart surged with tumultuous waves. Her Bai family ancestor was clearly a mortal, yet this Golden Core stage senior knew her ancestor!

Indeed, she is of Bai Jianglan’s bloodline.

Qin Sang nodded, glanced at the elder and the others, and continued to ask, “I didn’t expect the Bai family to produce a descendant with spiritual roots. Who is your master?”

Before the young girl could speak, the elder hastily bowed and said, “Senior, Hanqiu has not taken a master. I received offerings from Great Sui and once made an agreement with several princes that if any descendant possessed spiritual roots, I would bestow cultivation techniques upon them and guide them onto the path of immortality. Over these many years, among the Qin and other families, only Bai Hanqiu has shown talent for cultivation.”

Bai Hanqiu was stunned by this, noticing the elder desperately winking at her.

“Four spiritual roots…”

Qin Sang pondered for a moment and said to Bai Hanqiu, “Since you have no master, and I have quite some connection with your ancestor, having once received his kindness, are you willing to take me as your master and cultivate under my guidance?”

The life-saving grace of Bai Jianglan should be repaid now.

Back then, Qin Sang had considered this idea, but none of the descendants of these families had talent. With only four spiritual roots, Bai Hanqiu would likely struggle to achieve great things in the future. However, she would be a seed.

Bai Hanqiu was dumbfounded. When she first began cultivating, the elder had reminded her that the hope of reaching Foundation Establishment was slim, and that she shouldn’t waste too much time on cultivation, squandering her youth. She never imagined that, due to her ancestor’s legacy, she would have the chance in this life to become a disciple of a Golden Core cultivator.

As soon as these words were spoken, all cultivators looked on with faces full of envy.

Seeing Bai Hanqiu standing motionless in a daze, the elder grew extremely anxious, wishing he could take her place.

Tan Yien also felt a touch of envy. He stepped forward, took out a short sword artifact, handed it to Bai Hanqiu, and said, “Congratulations, Junior Sister. Your Senior Brother has no valuable possessions. Consider this sword a welcoming gift, wishing you great achievements in cultivation in the future… Why don’t you quickly kneel and thank your master for his grace?”

Only then did Bai Hanqiu regain her senses. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her face as she knelt and kowtowed.

“Your disciple humbly thanks Master!”

“Rise! Since your Senior Brother is so generous, it seems I must also show some appreciation. This bottle of pills can help you break through. Remember to cultivate diligently from now on; you may yet have a chance at Foundation Establishment…”

Qin Sang took out a jade bottle, tossed it towards Bai Hanqiu, and offered a few words of encouragement. He then handed a sword pendant to Tan Yien and transmitted a message: “You and Hanqiu descend the mountain, handle the mortal affairs, and hang this pendant in the Imperial Palace. I will go ahead and wait for you at Cui Ming Mountain.”

A sword qi was sealed within the sword pendant. Any cultivator approaching it would sense the aura of a Golden Core cultivator. This item was not a magic treasure, but it was enough to deter petty wrongdoers.

“Your disciple understands!”

Tan Yien and Bai Hanqiu acknowledged the command and departed.

Qin Sang paid no attention to the others. His figure flickered, and he vanished into the vast night.