Chapter 1116: Great Progress in Cultivation

Rain hitting bluestone.

Time passed swiftly.

Eighteen years passed in a flash as Qin Sang cultivated in seclusion in Peach Blossom Valley. Fortunately, the cultivation world was relatively peaceful, allowing Qin Sang to cultivate undisturbed. Aside from occasional visits to the market to collect resources purchased through merchant associations, he rarely left Peach Blossom Valley.

A year into his seclusion, Qing Jun departed. Her movements were elusive, and she became impossible to track. Over the past decade, Qin Sang only saw her return once, and she quickly departed again. Li Yufu and the other two would send messages annually, seeking his guidance. However, what concerned Qin Sang was that Yun Youzi remained out of contact. Li Yufu mentioned that this was typical for Yun Youzi, which eased his worries somewhat.

His swift progress was a result of two factors: eighteen years of single-minded arduous cultivation, and Qin Sang's generous use of resources. The materials he brought back from the Canglang Sea were consumed at a rapid rate, naturally leading to immense advancements.

In these years, Qin Sang focused primarily on cultivating his techniques. The "Green Bamboo Sword Manual" was set aside for the time being; he didn't deliberately focus on understanding it. With "Primordial Spirit Sword Cultivation" as a foundation, comprehending sword intent and sword formations would come naturally after successfully forming his Nascent Soul. It would be much easier to study the "Green Bamboo Sword Manual" then.

Additionally, "Golden Lotus of Incubation" also stagnated. After slightly refining the Fire Lotus Seeds, Qin Sang's cultivation prevented further progress, so he had to temporarily put it aside, along with the "Green Bamboo Sword Manual." The number of demonic banners he could control was related to "Golden Lotus of Incubation." The Twelve Demonic Banner Array was even more powerful than the "Lightning Control Art," making it Qin Sang's strongest current ability. With secret arts difficult to advance and Soul Cleansing Liquid depleted, he could only seek other methods, like elixirs that could temporarily boost spiritual sense.

After his seclusion, Qin Sang quickly recovered his previous cultivation level. Afterward, after careful consideration, Qin Sang decided to prioritize "Heavenly Demon Body Tempering" for now, with "Primordial Spirit Sword Cultivation" as a secondary focus, aiming to cultivate his physical body to its peak first. Even during his ten years of training in the Demonic Sea, Qin Sang hadn't neglected body tempering. Fortunately, Qin Sang had commissioned various merchant associations and powers, and indeed managed to purchase several spirit fruits recorded in ancient demonic texts. Although their efficacy was inferior to the Overlord Blood Fruit, they were still quite beneficial to him. Their value was also considerable, and Qin Sang bought them all, though it pained him to spend so much. Thanks to the spirit fruits and years of arduous cultivation, Qin Sang's physical body grew increasingly powerful. Within a few years, the third layer of "Heavenly Demon Body Tempering" was perfected.

Of course, "Primordial Spirit Sword Cultivation" had not been abandoned, but its progress was slower than "Heavenly Demon Body Tempering." The true killing talismans did not disappoint him. After breaking through to the late Core Formation stage and the sixth killing talisman was etched, Qin Sang's cultivation speed had already surpassed that of dual spirit root prodigies. If all seven talismans were complete, he would be not far from the celestial geniuses with heavenly spirit roots. It was precisely this rapid cultivation speed, coupled with the absence of minor realm bottlenecks, that allowed Qin Sang to cultivate both techniques concurrently.

Both Qin Sang and his vital Gu worm achieved breakthroughs. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly, fed with a continuous supply of spiritual herbs, had also successfully entered the late third transformation stage. It was only a minor realm advancement, and the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's changes were not obvious, except for the Heavenly Eyes on its wings becoming deeper and more vibrant, and its power increasing to a new level. The lightning control divine ability it had gained from its previous mutation remained unremarkable. Perhaps new changes would occur after it completed its fourth metamorphosis. However, with the Scarlet Fire Gilding almost depleted, Qin Sang had no idea how to help the Heavenly Eye Butterfly with its fourth metamorphosis.

Additionally, there were two spirit insects: the Fire Jade Centipede and the Fat Silkworm. After consuming the Scarlet Fire Gilding, the Fire Jade Centipede did not undergo metamorphosis, but its attitude towards Qin Sang became somewhat friendlier. The Fat Silkworm's condition was even worse. Qin Sang had initially thought that the Fat Silkworm, like before, was simply dormant due to overexertion and would recover eventually. Unexpectedly, even after such a long time since their return, it remained dormant within Dumb Girl, showing no signs of awakening, just like its owner. There were no visible changes on its appearance. Qin Sang didn't know the current state of the person or the insect, so he dared not rashly awaken the Fat Silkworm, choosing instead to patiently wait for it to awaken on its own.

At night, under the starlit sky.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged on the Star Platform, drawing in the power of starlight to temper his physical body. The stellar malevolence was blocked by the jade Buddha and expelled from his body. At this moment, Qin Sang manifested his demonic transformation, with phoenix wings sprouting from his back. Enveloped by the stellar essence, Qin Sang's body became as clear as precious jade, slightly translucent, and emitted a faint glow. The phoenix wings appeared even more solid, perfectly integrated with his physical body. It would be hard for outsiders seeing the phoenix wings to imagine that they were a manifestation of a divine ability. Specks of stellar essence permeated Qin Sang's body, refining impurities from his flesh and blood, and strengthening his tendons and bones. While the cool, ethereal stellar essence refined his body, the sensation it brought to Qin Sang was actually one of tearing and pain. However, his physical body was no longer what it once was, and he remained unmoving.

It was unknown how much time had passed. The glow on Qin Sang's body suddenly dimmed, and the stellar essence receded like a tide. With a soft exhalation, Qin Sang awoke from his meditative state and instinctively clenched his fist.

"Excellent!" A satisfied expression appeared on Qin Sang's face. "Dual cultivation of body and magic brings significant improvements with each step... I should reach the peak within the next two years." He retracted his phoenix wings, stood up, and turned to glance at Bai's cave dwelling. The only time Bai emerged from seclusion to pay respects was when Qing Jun returned to the valley. At other times, he remained in his cave, and Qin Sang hadn't seen him show his face. He wondered how Bai's comprehension of the Corpse Soul Orb was progressing.

"Eighteen years have passed so quickly. I've gathered some speculative rumors from the markets and various merchant associations that the cultivation world is rife with undercurrents, far from a stable period. It's said that border tensions are gradually escalating, and a major war could erupt at any moment. To get accurate information, I'd have to ask my senior sister, but unfortunately, her whereabouts are so elusive..." With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Qin Sang stepped out of his cave dwelling.

A crane cried.

A white shadow flew before Qin Sang, revealing a magnificent celestial crane. During his seclusion, Qin Sang had left the white crane outside to look after the peach grove. He didn't restrict the white crane's cultivation. If the white crane could break through to the late Demonic Core stage on its own, releasing it would be acceptable. However, the white crane didn't seem to have the same high ambitions as the Two-Headed Ferocious Beast, lacking a strong desire to escape control. Its only complaint was being confined to the valley by Qin Sang, forbidden from leaving. It couldn't go out and flirt with other birds, nor could it find a companion.

The white crane landed before Qin Sang, flapping its wings and acting agitated, scratching at its head in frustration.

"This is cultivators' territory. Aren't you afraid of being caught, plucked, and roasted if you go out?" Qin Sang reprimanded it, "Enough nonsense! Any news recently?"

The white crane hung its head in dejection, its cries mournful, and it shuffled back to its nest, gazing at the boundless blue sky with vacant eyes. Qin Sang almost chuckled in exasperation.

He was about to return to his cave to continue cultivating when the grand array outside the valley suddenly rippled. Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly, and he flashed out of Peach Blossom Valley. Outside stood a person, who was Li Yufu.

Seeing Qin Sang, Li Yufu bowed and said joyfully, "Senior Martial Uncle, Grand Master has returned! He was delighted to hear of your safe return and wanted to personally see you, but he urgently needs to enter seclusion and is temporarily unavailable, so he ordered me to invite you over!"

Qin Sang was overjoyed to hear this. "Let's go!"