Chapter 113: Master's Sword of the Sect Leader

The Wooden Hall of Daoist Peak.

Qin Sang, after consulting Uncle-Master Wen on how to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, did not rush to leave. Instead, he took out two mid-grade spirit stones and presented them to Uncle-Master Wen with both hands.

Uncle-Master Wen glanced at Qin Sang, his expression unmoved, and said indifferently, "What is the meaning of this, Nephew Qin?"

"It is said that knowledge is not easily imparted. I, Qin Sang, have benefited greatly from Uncle-Master Wen's guidance and am deeply grateful. I don't know how to repay your kindness. Considering my own possessions, these mundane items are all I have to offer. I hope Uncle-Master Wen will not despise them," Qin Sang said with a sincere expression.

In truth, his heart ached terribly. He only had eight mid-grade spirit stones in total, and one of them had already been partially consumed when he killed Sun De.

Just now, he had refused Uncle-Master Ye's request to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill. Although Uncle-Master Ye spoke pleasantly, Qin Sang keenly sensed the sudden coldness in his gaze.

With the Foundation Establishment Pill in hand, if the Yama Banner had no issues, Qin Sang would only need to cultivate peacefully, ignoring everyone, living like a carefree wanderer. Once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, everyone would be on equal footing, and who would fear whom?

But now, that was no longer an option. He had to seek more assistance for himself.

Of course, his reason for offering the spirit stones to Uncle-Master Wen was not solely because of Uncle-Master Ye.

Befriending a Foundation Establishment cultivator was an idea Qin Sang had long held, but now, without the reliance on the Soul Pill, it had become even more urgent than before.

The mysterious orchid still lay in his mustard seed bag. To this day, he didn't know what kind of spiritual herb it was, what elixirs it could refine, or what effects it had.

Originally, Qin Sang had planned to investigate it slowly after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, but it now seemed he might not have that much time. If he couldn't break through to Foundation Establishment, Qin Sang was prepared to offer the orchid as a means to advance his future.

If he couldn't break through to Foundation Establishment, what good was even the most powerful mysterious orchid?

Unless it was a spiritual herb that allowed one to ascend to immortality in broad daylight, even if this mysterious orchid could help a Core Formation cultivator break through to the Nascent Soul stage, it would still be an illusory castle in the air, meaningless to him.

There was a truth he was unwilling to admit: Without the support of the Soul Pill, what were his chances of breaking through to Core Formation? How far could he go in the future? Qin Sang didn't even dare to dwell on these thoughts, fearing despair.

Of course, if he were to sell it, he would have to get a good price. It would be too much of a loss to offer the entire spiritual herb if what he needed could be obtained with just a single petal.

It was said that the second floor of Pagoda Peak contained many ancient texts of the cultivation world, including ancient pill formulas, archaic secret manuals, and more. Qin Sang planned to cultivate his relationship with Uncle-Master Wen, and once the time was right, borrow his waist token to enter Pagoda Peak and consult the information.

Qin Sang sought to curry favor with Uncle-Master Wen partly because Uncle-Master Wen was the only Foundation Establishment cultivator he was most familiar with. Another reason was that, from Uncle-Master Wen's words and actions when he first entered the sect, it was clear that he was not a heartless person and likely wouldn't turn his back on someone after receiving benefits.

He just feared that two mid-grade spirit stones wouldn't be enough to satisfy him, and he wasn't sure if his meager possessions would be enough to make a difference.

Qin Sang held up his hands, his thoughts racing. Then, feeling his palms lighten, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Uncle-Master Wen nodded, very satisfied with Qin Sang's respectful attitude. He drew the two mid-grade spirit stones into his mustard seed bag and said, "Do you have any other questions, Nephew Qin? Feel free to ask."

Money makes the world go round – truly a profound adage.

Seeing how quickly these two spirit stones took effect, Qin Sang secretly sighed with emotion and seized the opportunity to ask, "Disciple wishes to ask Uncle-Master Wen if there are any cultivation techniques or secret arts that can rapidly increase cultivation. It doesn't matter if my strength is weaker than others at the same stage; disciple only wishes to quickly reach the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage and break through to Foundation Establishment."

"Nephew Qin, your cultivation speed isn't slow. Are you already so impatient?"

Uncle-Master Wen's brows furrowed slightly, and he looked at Qin Sang with displeasure, his tone implying a warning. "To my knowledge, there are no cultivation techniques or secret arts in the Qi Refinement stage that can rapidly increase cultivation as you describe. Even if there were, they would belong to demonic sects and unorthodox cultivators, and Mount Shaohua would certainly not record them. Nephew Qin, you should be patient and cultivate diligently, lest you go astray."

Qin Sang adopted an attentive posture, indicating he would heed the advice, but he was not ready to give up easily. "Uncle-Master Wen, I've heard some senior disciples mention the legend of Senior Qingzhu. It's said that Senior Qingzhu's talent wasn't top-tier, yet he managed to form a Core in only forty years, achieving the fastest cultivation speed in the sect. I wonder what Senior Qingzhu's cultivation technique was, and if this disciple can cultivate it?"

This was something Qin Sang had inquired about repeatedly during this time, but other disciples knew little about it. Uncle-Master Wen should know more clearly.

"This isn't a secret. Senior Qingzhu's cultivation technique was actually an incomplete one. That technique..."

At this point, Uncle-Master Wen's voice trailed off, and Qin Sang noticed a hint of fear in his eyes.

Uncle-Master Wen suddenly shook his head and said definitively, "The hidden dangers are immense; not just anyone can cultivate it. The reason Senior Qingzhu became half-mad and half-delirious was precisely due to cultivating this technique. Moreover, this is a technique that only Foundation Establishment cultivators can practice, so you shouldn't..."

He was midway through his sentence when a deafening sword cry suddenly resounded from outside. Uncle-Master Wen's expression changed drastically, and his figure abruptly vanished from where he stood, appearing outside the Wooden Hall the next moment.

What astonishing speed!

Qin Sang's heart was awed. Just now, he hadn't even seen how Uncle-Master Wen moved; his vision blurred, and Uncle-Master Wen was already outside the door. This was the true gap of a major realm!

"Uncle-Master Wen, what happened?"

Qin Sang darted to Uncle-Master Wen's side and, following his gaze, looked towards the depths of Mount Shaohua. Amidst the layers of clouds and mountains, the majestic outline of Mount Shaohua was faintly visible. At the very peak of Mount Shaohua, an enormous white sword qi shot straight into the sky, its momentum earth-shattering. The prolonged sword cry echoed endlessly, shaking the entire sect.

What surprised Qin Sang even more was that upon hearing the sword cry, the Ebony Sword in his Qi Sea actually trembled, seemingly indicating fear and submission!

Immediately after, streams of sword light suddenly ignited from various peaks, rushing towards Mount Shaohua like shooting stars, forming a magnificent spectacle.

"The Sect Master's magical sword has summoned. Nephew Qin, please excuse yourself."

Leaving these words behind, Uncle-Master Wen also transformed into a streak of sword light and hastily departed.

There were still many questions he hadn't had the chance to ask.

With a helpless expression, Qin Sang activated his Flying Shuttle and flew towards the outside of the mountain gate. As he left, he pondered Uncle-Master Wen's words: Senior Qingzhu's cultivation technique required Foundation Establishment cultivators to practice, so he shouldn't think about it for now.

Uncle-Master Wen mentioned that this technique had significant hidden dangers. He wondered what aspect it referred to. If it concerned the primordial spirit, the Jade Buddha might be able to mitigate it. He decided it wouldn't hurt to investigate it once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Ultimately, he needed to break through to Foundation Establishment first to have any future.

Qin Sang sighed softly. After arriving at the Sunken Earth Cave, he descended his flight, closed his cave dwelling, and cultivated peacefully for a period. Feeling only a minuscule increase in his cultivation, he couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation and woke from his meditative state.

Staring up at the dark, cavernous ceiling of the stone dwelling, after a long while, Qin Sang suddenly took out the three Foundation Establishment Pills from his mustard seed bag.