Chapter 1129: Smooth Success

“I recall this young friend Qin Sang was only at the False Core stage when Fellow Daoist Dongyang and Miss Chen Yan brought him into the Ziwei Palace. As a former disciple of Shaohua Mountain, when did he change allegiances?”

Taoist Chongyi’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized Qin Sang, then glanced at Dongyang Bo, and abruptly posed a question. Many Nascent Soul Patriarchs in the main hall had been present that year. Remembering the past entanglement between the two factions, they watched Qin Sang walk straight to stand behind Qing Jun, showing distinct coldness toward his former Patriarch, Dongyang Bo. Their gazes, full of amusement, turned to Dongyang Bo.

At this point, few truly paid much attention to Qin Sang himself. Taoist Chongyi tsk-tsked, “When he entered the Ziwei Palace, this young man was merely at the False Core stage. Now, his cultivation ranks among the top of the younger generation of Core Formation cultivators in both realms. Fellow Daoist Dongyang, how could you bear to let go of a disciple with such talent?”

“Could he be a traitor, having betrayed his sect and disrespected his ancestors? Otherwise, Fellow Daoist Leng wouldn't have accepted him into the Yuanshen Sect and made him an elder.”

A cultivator from the Heaven's Path Alliance, purely observing the drama, shifted his gaze back and forth between Dongyang Bo and Qing Jun. The main gates of Shaohua Mountain and the Yuanshen Sect are both located on the north bank of the Yun Cang Great Lake, one to the east and one to the west. Could it be that not only are they neighbors, but their disciples can also freely transfer between them?

Qing Jun, wearing a mask, attended the alliance meeting still disguised as Leng Yuntian. Although the Nascent Souls present vaguely knew the truth, they all implicitly accepted it, and no one exposed her.

Dongyang Bo's smile remained, and his tone, tinged with feigned regret, was mild as he said, “People strive for advancement, just as water flows downward. What's wrong with that? No wonder Miss Chen Yan searched for Qin Sang for years without success; it seems Sect Master Leng had him hidden away.”

“Miss Chen Yan was looking for him?”

“This young man was only at the False Core stage back then, wasn't he? What possible connection could the dignified Nascent Soul Patriarch Miss Chen Yan have with him?”

The Nascent Souls present were clearly very familiar with Chen Yan. They had all witnessed her exquisite true appearance, and most of them also knew of her origins. Hearing this, they were all greatly surprised. They were intensely curious whether Qin Sang had done something to anger Chen Yan or if there was another reason entirely. Yet, Dongyang Bo suddenly fell silent, leaving them in suspense and piquing their curiosity.

“This young man certainly has good fortune with women...”

Someone inwardly sighed, but ultimately dared not voice it in Qing Jun's presence. Qin Sang stared coldly at Dongyang Bo. He truly was a cunning, shameless old fox. Without mentioning the root cause of their grievances, he shifted everyone's attention with a few light, suggestive remarks.

Qin Sang couldn't tell how much of Dongyang Bo's statement was true and how much was false. Had Chen Yan truly sought him out, and if so, for what reason? Could Chen Yan genuinely be trapped by the repercussions of the *Xuanpin Jade Cauldron True Scripture*, needing to cultivate the Stone Bridge Zen to resolve the hidden danger, and thus continued cooperating with Dongyang Bo to find him? In the Ziwei Palace, Chen Yan's assistance in his escape had merely been a coerced, temporary measure by Dongyang Bo. If that were truly the case, he would inexplicably gain another adversary, and one of formidable origin. Qin Sang seethed inwardly.

Dongyang Bo deliberately spoke ambiguously, clearly unwilling to reveal the truth. For anyone else, whether harboring unwarranted ambitions or feeling fearful under the pressure of facing two powerful Nascent Soul enemies simultaneously, hearing those words would likely cause them to become apprehensive and indecisive. If there was the slightest flaw in their Dao Heart, Dongyang Bo would have succeeded.

Qin Sang suppressed his thoughts and remained silent, refraining from any argument. For now, his priority was entering Zhantian Peak, and he did not wish to create any unnecessary complications. To seek justice, he would have to wait until he possessed sufficient strength.

Seeing both Qin Sang and Dongyang Bo, the two directly involved parties, being so secretive, the others turned their attention to Qing Jun. Could it be that she and Chen Yan had some sort of past grievance?

Qing Jun went straight to the point, "Regardless of which sect Qin Sang belongs to, his contributions are undeniable. Most of you Fellow Daoists were present when this matter was initially decided; surely, you haven't forgotten?"

Before she had even finished speaking, a rather young cultivator from the Heaven's Path Alliance echoed, "Indeed, thanks to these two young ones, this old man only lost his physical body, and my Nascent Soul managed to escape in time." As he spoke, he gave Qin Sang a benevolent nod.

Qin Sang felt a surge of relief and immediately bowed in thanks to the man. True One Old Daoist nodded gently, "The other junior has already been rewarded; it would indeed be unfair to show favoritism. Fellow Daoist Leng, I understand your intentions. Young friend Qin wishes to enter Zhantian Peak to cultivate a secret art, utilizing its abundant stellar essence? Such secret arts are exceptionally rare in this age. May I inquire what kind of cultivation method it is, and whether its practice will affect the fragile space within Zhantian Peak?"

Tongyou Demon Lord added, "Whether the power of the Ziwei Palace's immortal formation will continue to wane is still uncertain. Until that is resolved, the Star Essence Stones and the Minor Northern Dipper Star Essence Formation must not be compromised."

Qin Sang hesitated. If *Heavenly Demon Refinement* were exposed, and these individuals learned that his body refinement prowess far surpassed his cultivation, it would undoubtedly lead to trouble. Fortunately, his Senior Sister was there to intercede.

Qing Jun quickly interjected, "I will personally take him to open the restriction. Before he enters, I will seal the true essence within his body, guaranteeing he will not damage Zhantian Peak."

True One Old Daoist and Tongyou Demon Lord exchanged a glance. Tongyou Demon Lord nodded, "With Fellow Daoist Leng's personal guarantee, there should be no issue."

To Qin Sang's surprise, Dongyang Bo did not interject. "I trust Fellow Daoist Leng would not intentionally damage Zhantian Peak," he stated.

The leaders of both the righteous and demonic paths in the Little Cold Region voiced their agreement in succession. Seeing this, True One Old Daoist mused for a moment, then looked at an armored general beside him. "Jiugu," he instructed, "you will accompany Fellow Daoist Leng later."

"You may go down first. Wait for me at the bamboo building," Qing Jun transmitted her voice to him.

"Yes! This junior takes his leave!"

Qin Sang turned and departed, feeling a significant sense of relief. He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly, gaining permission to enter Zhantian Peak with so little effort. As he exited the main hall, Qin Sang overheard the Nascent Souls discussing the ongoing war. He faintly sensed a subtle, almost imperceptible gaze consistently fixed upon him. He paused for a moment, then quickened his pace towards the exit. For now, he needed to concentrate on refining *Heavenly Demon Refinement* and could not afford any distractions.

Upon returning to the bamboo building, Qin Sang waited for a full two hours. As twilight enveloped the surroundings, Qing Jun finally returned. Jiugu, the Nascent Soul from the Heaven's Path Alliance, arrived with a Demonic Path Nascent Soul from the Little Cold Region. They took Qin Sang and flew tirelessly toward the depths of the Yun Cang Great Lake.

Zhantian Peak continually shifted its location within the Yun Cang Great Lake. To pinpoint its exact position, the talismans from both the Heaven's Path Alliance and the Little Cold Region had to be combined to sense the location of its protective restrictions. They flew for an indeterminate distance. The four stopped over an open expanse of water, retrieved the complete talisman, and activated it with their true essence. After a brief period of sensing, they changed direction and flew northeast. They continued their swift flight for another while.

From a distance, Qin Sang spotted a familiar sight. In the night, a beam of light descended from the heavens, reaching up to the starlit sky and down to the watery expanse below. A peculiar energy flowed through the light beam. Above the water's surface, it gleamed with a mercury-like luster, appearing like a polished mirror. This was the entrance to Zhantian Peak.