Chapter 1124: Sparring

Qin Sang knew.

Over the years, Yun Youzi had chosen many people.

Among them were undoubtedly talented individuals from both human and demon races, each more gifted than himself, and with greater potential to advance further.

Yet, ultimately, he entrusted the scorched wood to Qin Sang.

This was not just a sign of trust, but also Yun Youzi's acknowledgment of Qin Sang's abilities and his boundless expectations.

"To cultivate a tool spirit... can senior truly return?"

Qin Sang clenched his fist.

After hearing Yun Youzi's words through the jade slip, Qin Sang had unhesitatingly agreed.

If there was a chance to revive Yun Youzi, who else but him would take on the task?

Suddenly, Qin Sang felt a heavy weight on his shoulders.

On the path to immortality, he now carried something called responsibility.

"Martial Uncle."

Seeing Qin Sang standing motionless and silent, Li Yufei couldn't help but call out.

"Yufei, from now on, it's just you and I relying on each other."

Qin Sang withdrew his thoughts, patted Li Yufei's shoulder, and sighed softly.

He silently put away the scorched wood and the Du'e Pill; he was in no mood to examine treasures now.

"Let's go back."

Qin Sang looked around, then towards the direction of the Great Sui, and said solemnly, "The person is gone; there's no need for sorrow. We, as their descendants, must only strive forward and live up to their expectations."

Although Yun Youzi had left behind a contingency plan, both Qin Sang and Li Yufei understood that the hope was slim.

Li Yufei vowed, "This disciple will surely bring prosperity to Qingyang Temple."

They cleared away their traces and returned to the cave abode.

Inside the cave abode, Tan Yien and Bai Hanqiu knew that Yun Youzi was about to undergo his tribulation.

If he succeeded, they would have an additional Nascent Soul Patriarch to look after them.

Besides having weaker foundations than those top sects, they were in no way inferior to the disciples of major factions. The siblings had no mind for cultivation and sat in the main hall, anxiously awaiting the outcome.

The grand formation outside the mountain was triggered, and spiritual light flickered.

"They're back!"

Tan Yien's face brightened with joy.

The two hastily flew out of the cave abode to greet them, but only Qin Sang and Li Yufei had returned.

Seeing their expressions, the siblings vaguely sensed what had happened.

"Grand Martial Ancestor, he..."

Qin Sang said in a deep voice, "Senior failed his tribulation. Keep this in your hearts and do not spread it."

The two stood stunned, unable to believe what they had heard.

Tan Yien murmured, "The Nascent Soul tribulation is truly terrifying..."

Qin Sang and Li Yufei arrived at the forbidden area in the mountain.

An altar was set up there, bearing the spirit tablets of three individuals.

They belonged to Daoist Jixin, Mingyue, and Li Yufei's disciple, Jingtian.

Jingtian was a mortal; even though Li Yufei never forgot him and often brought spirit pills to regulate his body, it was still beyond salvation.

Nevertheless, Jingtian had widely accepted disciples and revitalized Qingyang Temple's secular lineage. Today, Qingyang Temple on Cuiming Mountain was a grand Daoist temple with thriving incense offerings.

Li Yufei meticulously placed Yun Youzi's spirit tablet at the very top and respectfully kowtowed.

Qin Sang gazed at the familiar names on the spirit tablets.

Back then, when he returned from the ancient immortal battlefield and saw Yun Youzi's spirit tablet in Qingyang Temple, he had even joked about it with Li Yufei. Now, it had become a reality.

"To cultivate a sword spirit... Is it possible for senior to be reborn through the sword spirit's body, using that wisp of origin true spirit?"

Qin Sang secretly communicated with Bai.

On the way back, Qin Sang had already explained everything to Bai, seeking his advice.

Without a doubt, if the scorched wood were to be integrated into a magic treasure, the Ebony Sword was the best choice. He still had half a piece of Soul-Nourishing Wood, so it wouldn't be difficult to upgrade the Ebony Sword to a top-tier magic treasure.

As Qin Sang's natal magic treasure, the sword would be easier to control during the integration process, preventing any damage to Yun Youzi's origin true spirit.

Previously, Qin Sang had been searching for a way to advance a magic treasure into a spirit treasure.

Now, he knew how.

But he would rather not know!

Bai remained silent for a long time, then suddenly retorted, "If I said there was no hope, would you not do it?"

Qin Sang silently shook his head.

He knew he wouldn't give up.

After a pause, Bai continued, "The path of immortality sought in cultivation is equally elusive. Among countless beings and cultivators, who can be certain they will become immortal? In the vast world, anything is possible. In the cultivation world, anything is possible!"

Qin Sang certainly understood this principle.

Where was the immortal path?

Was there still a chance for Mute Aunt to awaken?

Could Yun Youzi be reborn?

Or were these merely beautiful hopes?

Qin Sang didn't know the outcome, but he would remain unwavering and steadfastly continue his journey, step by step.

Bai thought for a moment, then reminded him:

"I didn't expect his origins to be the Pure Fortune Rectified Bamboo.

"If it were an ordinary plant spirit, even if you captured a living one and refined it into a magic treasure, it wouldn't easily advance to a spirit treasure.

"Such a heavenly material and earthly treasure is born from absorbing the essence of heaven and earth and cannot be equated with ordinary plants. To die under a heavenly tribulation yet still be able to preserve its origin true spirit...

"It's unimaginably difficult for heavenly materials and earthly treasures to develop sentience, and they face numerous natural enemies. Among tens of millions of such treasures, it's uncertain if even one will have the fortune to become a spirit.

"Integrating this scorched wood, at least the cultivation of sentience within the magic treasure should be certain. As for whether a tool spirit can be born, it's hard to say; it will depend on your cultivation and fortuitous encounters.

"However, you must be careful. If you don't want to damage that fragile wisp of origin true spirit, you need to be extremely delicate and cautious. Do not refine it like Soul-Nourishing Wood; it's best to wait until you form your Nascent Soul.

"Truly integrating this scorched wood into the Ebony Sword and merging it with the origin true spirit might take a very long time.

"During this process, it's best not to use the Ebony Sword in combat with enemies..."

Qin Sang nodded upon hearing this. "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist friend. I know what to do."

Protecting Yun Youzi's origin true spirit was the top priority; at most, it would mean a slight loss of combat power.

He had other magic treasures in hand, so he wasn't afraid.

After forming his Nascent Soul, the "Divine Soul Sword Cultivation Chapter" would no longer involve inscribing new killing talismans. Cultivation would primarily be related to the seven sword souls, so not being able to use his natal spiritual sword would not affect his cultivation.

After the memorial ceremony, Qin Sang stayed for a period.

"Before I form my Nascent Soul, you needn't consider establishing a sect. Remember to focus on cultivation. In the cultivation world, cultivation is the foundation!"

Before leaving, Qin Sang admonished the three of them.

He glanced at Li Yufei, somewhat concerned about his state of mind. "Yufei, with your extraordinary talent, having fully inherited your Grand Martial Ancestor's true teachings, you should be able to go much further on the immortal path. Revitalizing Qingyang Temple, though your Grand Martial Ancestor's wish, is a minor matter compared to your own cultivation. If you develop an obsession with it and become confined to Qingyang Temple, that's not what your Grand Martial Ancestor would want..."

Li Yufei was silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "This disciple will respectfully obey your teachings."

Qin Sang didn't know if Li Yufei had truly taken the words to heart. This was a spiritual obstacle, and only Li Yufei himself could awaken from it.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly.

He glanced at the cave abode, as if Yun Youzi was still cultivating inside.

The experiences of this period felt like a dream.

Qin Sang turned and left, flying back to Peach Blossom Valley.

Mist swirled.

The spiritual formation activated.

Qin Sang was about to enter the valley.

Bai suddenly emerged from the corpse puppet bag, looked at Qin Sang, and asked, "Would you like to spar?"

Qin Sang was silent for a moment.

"Alright!"

A flash of escape light.

The two flew together into the Great Cloud Cang Marsh.