Chapter 1226: Now and the Future

The Mortal World

The secret art, "Golden Lotus Seed of Fire," contains no instructions for refining spiritual flames before assimilation. Instead, it employs a straightforward and crude method: directly absorbing the spiritual flame itself to form a fire seed. If one were to absorb only one or two types of spiritual flames, this method would be acceptable. However, for cultivators aiming to advance further in this secret art, it necessitates continuously absorbing and assimilating a wide variety of spiritual flames, merging them into a single lotus-seed fire seed. Different spiritual flames inherently risk conflict. As miscellaneous energies accumulate, the foundation becomes unstable, making future refinement even more difficult. Could this lead to the fire seed suddenly escaping control one day? Since the fire seed is rooted in the primordial spirit, precautions are essential. It is unclear whether the ancient sage who created "Golden Lotus Seed of Fire" overlooked this matter, or if they had already verified that such concerns were unfounded, making it safe to cultivate without worry.

In truth, Qin Sang had considered this point before, as the Great Dao is interconnected. The Nine Nether Demonic Flame, being artificially cultivated, also requires refinement to obtain its pure essence. However, first, there was no relevant record in the secret art, and second, his assimilation of the Nine Nether Demonic Flame was already extremely strenuous, leaving him with no ability to refine it at all. This secret art from the Qingyang Demonic Sect perfectly aligned with his thoughts!

Qin Sang silently immersed himself in studying the secret art. This secret art was created based on the Qingyang Demonic Sect's cultivation method and the Qingyang Demonic Flame, so it could not be directly applied to the Nine Nether Demonic Flame. However, it offered Qin Sang an idea for reference.

"Should I trust 'Golden Lotus Seed of Fire,' or follow my own intuition?" Qin Sang fell into deep thought, weighing the pros and cons. If he trusted the secret art and its creator, directly absorbing the Nine Nether Demonic Flame would grant him formidable power in the future, and the temptation was immense. Based on the Nine Nether Demonic Flame's past performance, once all the demonic flames sealed within the nineteen demonic banners were assimilated, he could become unrivaled among Nascent Soul cultivators, dominating his era. Perhaps he could even contend with a Soul Transformation stage grand elder.

However, if he refined the Nine Nether Demonic Flame before assimilation, he would lose some of its immediate power, but it would lay a solid foundation for the future. In this realm, Soul Transformation cultivators were reclusive or absent, and Nascent Soul Patriarchs were the pinnacle of existence. The first option seemed unproblematic. But Qin Sang's aspirations weren't limited to these. He sought eternal life, free from decline and tribulation! Once he had settled his affairs and cultivated to a certain realm, he would certainly leave the Beichen Realm, travel across all directions, seek opportunities for Soul Transformation, or find a way to exit the storm belt, and explore the true secrets of this world. His gaze was always set beyond the Nascent Soul stage, beyond the storm! He would never stop here. Otherwise, wouldn't the grand vow he made before the princess become a joke? Qin Sang didn't need to overthink; he chose the future.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Xiang, for bestowing this secret art." Qin Sang sincerely thanked him, glanced at the Ancestral Sacred Flame, then withdrew his gaze. "Before attempting further, I wish to seclude myself for a period to comprehend the secret art."

Xiang Qing had no objections and immediately led Qin Sang down the mountain.

Bing Han smiled and said, "It seems Fellow Daoist Mingyue is fully confident. My continued presence would be of no help, so I won't disturb you two. I wish you both success."

"Fellow Daoist, why not stay a few more days?" Xiang Qing tried to persuade her to stay.

Bing Han insisted on leaving. "I have some minor matters to attend to within my sect. Meeting Fellow Daoist Mingyue today has already made this trip worthwhile. Fellow Daoist Mingyue's reputation is well-deserved. If you have leisure, I hope you can visit the Xuling Sect as our guest. I also wish to consult you on flame manipulation techniques."

She and Xiang Qing exchanged a glance, seemingly conveying a hidden meaning.

"Certainly! Certainly!" Qin Sang readily agreed. The Xuling Sect was not only renowned in the Lesser Cold Domain but also held considerable fame throughout the entire Beichen Realm, precisely because of their mastery in artifact refinement. Qin Sang's introduction to artifact refinement began with the insights of a Core Formation cultivator from the Xuling Sect. However, he later didn't receive good inheritance and had to explore on his own. Learning alchemy from scratch would likely be difficult, and he didn't have many spiritual herbs to practice with, but the skill of artifact refinement couldn't be given up. Furthermore, to craft a magic treasure to subdue the Southern Brightness Detached Flame, he would need to consult Bing Han, an artifact refinement grandmaster. For Qin Sang, meeting Bing Han was truly what made the trip worthwhile.

He and Xiang Qing accompanied Bing Han out of the mountain, then returned to the cave abode arranged by Xiang Qing and focused on comprehending the secret art.

Until the end of the alliance meeting, Sect Master Dong did not see Qin Sang. He could only return to his sect with an uneasy heart, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety for a long time. The only thing he could do was try his best to make amends and curry favor with the Demonic Flame Sect.

The previously unknown patriarch of the Demonic Flame Sect had suddenly advanced to the Nascent Soul stage! This news swept through every corner of the Lesser Cold Domain like a hurricane. Suddenly, the Demonic Flame Sect became highly sought after, with visitors flocking to its gates. Some Nascent Soul cultivators even sent messages to Xiang Qing, seeking confirmation. Upon learning that this newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator was Demon King Mingyue, they all dismissed it with a smile. In the past, they would have certainly driven the Demonic Flame Sect to the Heavenly Demon Mound. However, it was currently not advisable to antagonize the demon race, so they would tolerate it for now.

Zhao Shanran, who remained at the Demonic Flame Sect, was initially bewildered. After learning the news, he stood stunned for a long time, unable to believe it. Only after Aunt Mei sent back confirmation did he dare to believe. He was both surprised and delighted, seeing former arrogant Core Formation cultivators addressing him as an equal and calling him 'Fellow Daoist,' as if in a dream. Yet, after a long wait, the patriarch did not return. After his initial excitement, Zhao Shanran remembered the patriarch's instructions before his departure and diligently focused on handling sect affairs. Countless forces extended goodwill to the Demonic Flame Sect, and countless cultivators visited, wishing to join the Nascent Soul patriarch's lineage. The sect's affairs were incredibly complex, item by item, but he tirelessly enjoyed it. He knew in his heart that the Demonic Flame Sect's prosperity was imminent!

At this time, Qin Sang was still in the Qingyang Demonic Sect. He had already comprehended the secret art and gained some insights, deciding to draw lessons from it and apply them to the Nine Nether Demonic Flame. The essence of this secret art was to use divine sense in conjunction with spiritual energy, forming unique restrictions one after another, like water washing away 'impurities' from the spiritual flame, leaving behind only the most refined spiritual flame essence.

He summoned the fire seed and, without hesitation, dispersed the Nine Nether Demonic Flame he had carefully assimilated previously. Then, he drew a wisp of Nine Nether Demonic Flame from the demonic banner. After countless failures, he finally purged the impurities and refined the purest demonic flame. After re-forming the nascent fire seed, Qin Sang contacted Xiang Qing and returned to Shengang Peak.

This time, Qin Sang guided a wisp of Ancestral Sacred Flame into the fire seed. He first refined the Ancestral Sacred Flame using the secret art, then assimilated it, and it was indeed successful. Thus, Qin Sang began to assimilate the Ancestral Sacred Flame little by little, like a skilled butcher carving an ox.

What Qin Sang hadn't expected was that assimilating the Ancestral Sacred Flame and cultivating "Golden Lotus Seed of Fire" was far smoother than anticipated. Qin Sang pondered for a moment and could only attribute the success to the Soul-Nourishing Wood. The ebony sword, infused with Soul-Nourishing Wood, constantly emitted soul light, nurturing his primordial spirit and condensing his divine sense. For others, finding even a small piece of Soul-Nourishing Wood to craft a wooden token was difficult. He, however, had pried a large section from Bai, most of which was used for sword refinement. After decades of nurturing, its effects had finally become prominent. This was likely the benefit of condensed divine sense! With condensed divine sense, cultivating techniques and secret arts related to divine sense would be easier and faster.