Chapter 1115: Life and Death Separation

Before his seclusion, Qin Sang made a trip out of Peach Blossom Valley, visiting several larger market cities nearby. As an elder of the Primordial Mirage Sect, he could now move openly in and out of these markets, no longer needing to act furtively.

He discreetly sold off a portion of his demonic cores and bones, acquiring several necessary treasures.

The remaining items he commissioned them to gather, with prices open for negotiation.

Next, Qin Sang hurried back to Great Sui to inform Li Yufu of his cave dwelling's location. He spent some time there, instructing Li Yufu and his two fellow disciples in their cultivation and granting them some resources.

Before achieving Nascent Soul, Qin Sang had no intention of being sidetracked by establishing a power, so he left them to cultivate independently.

Since his seclusion would last for an unknown number of years, he felt it was his responsibility to guide them before departing.

With Li Yufu only in the early Core Formation stage, Qin Sang's guidance was more than sufficient, let alone for Tan Yien and Bai Hanqiu.

"If your Grand-Master returns, or should you encounter any difficulties, send word to me. The current state of affairs is still uncertain, and undercurrents churn within the cultivation world, particularly concerning the Pure Yang Sect, where various forces covet the legacy left by the Red-haired Ancestor. During this time, try to minimize your travels and outdoor training to avoid getting caught in the turmoil…"

Qin Sang gave these instructions to the three disciples before his departure.

The disciples bowed and replied, "As you command."

They bowed respectfully as Qin Sang departed.

On his return journey, Qin Sang took a detour through the Shaohua Mountain territory.

Disguised as an elder of the Primordial Mirage Sect, Qin Sang moved more freely and managed to gather news about some old acquaintances.

For instance, Qi Yuanshou, his Senior Brother Qi from back then.

Sadly, he had perished on the battlefield during a conflict with the Sin Abyss.

Qin Sang's feelings toward Qi Yuanshou were complex.

Before discovering the truth, Qin Sang had frequently received guidance from Qi Yuanshou, bearing him no ill will and even relying on him as a steadfast support.

Admittedly, Qi Yuanshou had been an accomplice, covertly monitoring him on behalf of Earl Dongyang and harboring ulterior motives.

Yet, without Qi Yuanshou's discreet protection, his time at Shaohua Mountain would not have been so smooth. Neither the internal struggles within the sect nor external disturbances affected him, allowing him to concentrate solely on cultivation.

In their few interactions, Qin Sang could also sense a flicker of goodwill from Qi Yuanshou towards him, possibly out of guilt or for some other reason.

However, he dared not defy Earl Dongyang's orders.

Qin Sang deeply empathized with Qi Yuanshou's powerlessness.

But this didn't mean Qin Sang could simply look at him, smile, and consider all past grievances erased.

Every wrong has its perpetrator, and every debt its claimant.

Qin Sang's true target was Earl Dongyang.

Perhaps the best outcome would have been for them to simply forget each other in the vast world.

However, upon his return, he received dire news.

Qi Yuanshou was not buried at Shaohua Mountain; his grave was in his hometown.

A century had passed, and his solitary grave lay almost derelict.

His body was gone, his path vanished, leaving no more trace than a goose flying across the sky.

At such a time, there was no distinction between a cultivator and a mortal.

Uncertain of his own feelings, Qin Sang arrived before Qi Yuanshou's grave, paused for a moment, let out a sigh, and then departed on his sword.

Following this, he traveled to a mortal kingdom within the Shaohua Mountain region.

There resided a cultivation family, the Wen clan.

The Wen clan, not particularly strong, managed the nearby mortal states on behalf of Shaohua Mountain. They had an external elder, Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan and his arranged partner became Dao companions, cultivating together. They both eventually achieved Foundation Establishment, but their subsequent cultivation journey was not smooth, stalling at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Knowing their immortal path was hopeless in this life, their spirits dulled, they eventually bid farewell to their sect and returned to Zhuang Yan's master's family to establish a lineage.

This was none other than Senior Brother Wen, who had guided Qin Sang when he first entered Shaohua Mountain.

Senior Brother Wen had long since passed away naturally and was buried in the Wen family's back mountain.

A rather prosperous courtyard, beautifully situated at the foot of the mountain beside a lake, boasted exceptionally scenic views.

At that moment, an elderly man in his twilight years sat on a lounge chair by the lake, a few bamboo fishing rods laid out before him. His eyes were half-closed, as if he were about to drift into a deep slumber; it was indeed Zhuang Yan.

"Splash!"

Suddenly, a water dragon shot out from the lake, lunging at the old man with bared fangs and claws. But as soon as it took shape, it dispersed into droplets.

It didn't splash the old man, but it startled all the fish away.

"You cheeky girl! You've got quite the nerve, daring to ambush your grandpa!"

Zhuang Yan opened his eyes, a flicker of amusement appearing in them as he watched the girl skip towards him.

"Grandpa, I mastered the Water Condensation Art in just a few days. Isn't that enough to qualify for Shaohua Mountain?" the girl pouted, grabbing his arm and shaking it.

"Oh, you're still far from it!" Zhuang Yan chuckled, tweaking her delicate nose. "Cultivate diligently for a few more years, and then Grandpa will send you to Shaohua Mountain, so that no one will look down on our Zhuang family."

Zhuang Yan tweaked the girl's delicate nose, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He was already over two hundred years old, with one foot in the grave, his lifespan nearing its end. He couldn't continue to protect his descendants.

The shadow of the Sin Abyss still loomed over the Minor Han Domain.

The cultivation world's stability remained uncertain. These descendants were born into the most tumultuous era; even if they joined Shaohua Mountain, their fates would be unpredictable.

In recent years, many Shaohua Mountain disciples had perished on the battlefield.

Zhuang Yan suddenly recalled an old friend.

"Alas! If Junior Brother Qin were still alive, with his willpower, he surely would have formed a Core… How could he have left before me?"

Zhuang Yan always felt immense regret whenever he thought of it.

As if sensing something, he suddenly raised his head.

"Grandpa, what's wrong?"

The girl turned her head to look at the lake's surface.

The lake was empty; no one was there.

Zhuang Yan shook his head, suddenly losing interest. He packed up his belongings and, supported by the girl, walked towards the courtyard, his steps faltering.

Qin Sang, passing by the Wen family residence, paid his respects to Senior Brother Wen's grave and cast a distant glance at Zhuang Yan.

This was likely their last encounter, yet Qin Sang could not reveal himself.

Zhuang Yan had not managed to form a Core.

Nevertheless, spending his life with the person he loved and raising a family was, perhaps, a form of happiness in itself.

Qin Sang gathered his thoughts and returned directly to Peach Blossom Valley.

Qing Jun was not in the valley.

Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling to prepare for his seclusion.

Bai also emerged from the Corpse Puppet Bag, chose a room, and prepared to enter seclusion alongside Qin Sang, vowing not to emerge until he had fully comprehended the Corpse Soul Pearl.

"This Peach Blossom Valley is truly remarkable, and its master is formidable," Bai remarked. "Even from inside the Corpse Puppet Bag, I sensed a keen edge about her. However, I was at a critical juncture in comprehending the Corpse Soul Pearl then and couldn't manifest. I recall a similar sensation from Qingzhu in the past; they are indeed father and daughter, both extraordinary."

Bai held Qing Jun in high regard. "It doesn't feel right to simply occupy her space without permission," he added. "When the opportunity arises, I intend to personally pay my respects to the true owner."

"Fellow Daoist, please be extremely careful when comprehending the Corpse Soul Pearl," Qin Sang cautioned. "Ensure you don't damage the peach forest."

Qin Sang emphasized, as he had no desire to incur Qing Jun's wrath.

After a brief discussion, the two returned to their respective cave dwellings.

Qin Sang activated the restrictions and summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly's cultivation couldn't be neglected either, as its assistance would be crucial for his Nascent Soul formation.

Fortunately, he had acquired several spiritual herbs that could nourish the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. He had nearly completed the necessary formula, which would significantly accelerate the butterfly's growth compared to before.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly consumed the spiritual herbs, settled on Qin Sang's shoulder, snuggled close, and entered a deep slumber.

His next task was to quickly restore his previous cultivation level.

Re-cultivating the Killing Talismans proved much easier than before.

Qin Sang settled into deep meditation, his mind linking with the Ebony Sword. As he comprehended the true Killing Talismans, his cultivation rapidly improved.