Chapter 1274: Roaring Thunder

Rain hitting blue stone.

If there were soul fragments of Nascent Soul mid-stage or even late-stage cultivators, wouldn't I also be able to sense them and comprehend the mental states of higher realms?

Sensing the soul fragments left behind by cultivators of the same stage would certainly be of great benefit to me!

At the Blood Lake, Qin Sang didn't have time for a detailed investigation. He only noticed the countless soul fragments within the Talisman Puppet, which were extremely chaotic and frenzied, like a parade of a hundred ghosts.

He hadn't expected such an unexpected gain!

Inside the cave, Qin Sang sat cross-legged, holding the Talisman Puppet.

The Talisman Puppet was covered in a layer of green light. Qing Jun had placed several layers of restrictions on it to prevent it from getting out of control.

Qin Sang didn't know how Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace managed it. However, with the Jade Buddha protecting his nascent soul, he wasn't afraid of the Talisman Puppet devouring his spirit. He fearlessly delved into the puppet's interior and began a thorough search.

In fact, Qin Sang wasn't the first person to have this idea. Ancestors of Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace throughout history had attempted it.

The Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet indeed contained soul fragments of Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators, but none from higher realms. It was unclear whether no Grand Cultivators had ever used the Talisman Puppet, or if there was another reason.

However, the strongest soul fragments were hidden deep within the Talisman Puppet. Cultivators from Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace only dared to sense two or three of the outer fragments. Now, the inside of the Talisman Puppet was becoming increasingly chaotic, and even the peripheral soul fragments were extremely dangerous.

To find soul fragments of Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators, one had to search deep within the Talisman Puppet. Doing so without protection, exposing one's nascent soul to the fragments, and enduring the pain of soul-devouring while experiencing them, was more than even Grand Cultivators could bear. Unless there was a way to fully protect one's nascent soul, it would not be worth the risk.

Qin Sang had no such concerns. His nascent soul's golden light was dazzling, causing the soul fragments to retreat, unable to harm him in the slightest.

The deeper he went, the stronger the soul fragments became. Finally, he indeed found soul fragments of Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivators, and there were three of them!

"I wonder which ancestor of Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace refined this Talisman Puppet," Qin Sang mused, "It seems a long time has passed. Later, there were also three ancestors who reached the Nascent Soul mid-stage."

Qin Sang thought to himself, overjoyed.

The soul fragments, with ferocious expressions, swarmed him but were utterly helpless against him.

Qin Sang thought for a moment and, instead of rushing to sense the soul fragments, withdrew. He had only recently formed his nascent soul, and it was still too early for the mid-stage. He could start with the outer soul fragments and gradually comprehend them as his cultivation progressed.

"What spiritual material was used to refine this Talisman Puppet to have such a heaven-defying effect? It's a pity there are no soul fragments from late-stage Nascent Soul or Soul Transformation cultivators, otherwise, breakthroughs later on would be much easier..." Qin Sang fondled the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet, unable to put it down. It felt smooth and warm like jade, making its material indistinguishable.

"Fortunately, Baron Dongyang didn't get his hands on it. Otherwise, Shaohua Mountain might have produced new Nascent Soul cultivators. If there's an opportunity, I could let Mu Yifeng and Li Yufu try it. The prosperity of Qingyang Temple would be within reach! But they don't have the Jade Buddha, so how would they sense the soul fragments?"

Qin Sang pondered this dilemma for a moment, then suddenly remembered something: "The Inner Scenery Yuan Talisman! So that's it! The Inner Scenery Yuan Talisman must be a treasure to help Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace disciples sense the soul fragments, and it could also divert external attention, preventing others from associating it with the Talisman Puppet. But then, if generations of Shangyuan Pure Serenity Palace disciples failed to form their nascent souls, was it simply due to their insufficient aptitude?"

Qin Sang suspected that the Inner Scenery Yuan Talisman was a secret talisman of the Core Formation stage, and it might not have been sufficient to protect them. The inside of the Talisman Puppet was extremely chaotic; without the Jade Buddha, he wouldn't have dared to try easily either.

For a moment, Qin Sang couldn't think of any good solution.

Just then, sensing that the cave's restrictions had been triggered, Qin Sang looked up. His divine sense swept out, revealing Jing Yu and the chubby chicken. He stood up and went out.

"Has your cultivation recovered, Fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang scrutinized Jing Yu. Her cultivation was higher than his own, estimated to be at the peak of the early Human Form stage. If Jing Yu could break through to the mid-stage and agree to protect Qingyang Temple, he could then travel with peace of mind.

Jing Yu nodded, "Thank you for the elixirs you sent, Fellow Daoist. After a period of quiet recuperation, I can attempt a breakthrough. However, before my seclusion, I'll first help you place the Corpse Flower Blood Amber into the spiritual vein. Have you collected all the spiritual materials required for the formation in the secret art?"

"I've already ordered people to search for them. Although those spiritual materials are rare, I don't think they'll be difficult to find. I wonder how many years of arduous cultivation these three Corpse Flower Blood Ambers will save me!" Qin Sang showed an expectant look.

Once the Corpse Flower Blood Amber was purified, he would sense the soul fragments while refining the spiritual medicines, and his cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds!

Jing Yu hesitated, saying, "I'm not entirely sure. My ancestors were fortunate enough to obtain Corpse Flower Blood Amber, which they all cherished as treasures and used for breakthroughs. No one has ever directly refined and absorbed it. Fellow Daoist, have you considered exchanging the Corpse Flower Blood Amber for other treasures with other demon kings?"

Qin Sang thought about it and shook his head decisively. At this stage, even saving ten years of arduous cultivation was incredibly precious, signifying more possibilities. Since he could use it himself, there was no need to exchange it; he might not get anything better in return, unless it was a treasure that aided breakthroughs. And now that he had the Talisman Puppet, if he could break through to the Nascent Soul mid-stage sooner, he could venture out, seek opportunities for Soul Transformation, and find the remaining fragments of the killing sword. Even if he exchanged it for some external objects, how could they compare to his own personal improvement? He didn't lack magic treasures.

Seeing Qin Sang's resolve, Jing Yu stopped trying to persuade him. She hesitated for a moment, a difficult expression on her face.

Qin Sang felt curious and quietly watched the situation unfold.

Then Jing Yu called over the chubby chicken and said, "When I left, he was still young and only had a nickname. He still doesn't have a formal name, which is quite embarrassing. Fellow Daoist Qin has shown him immense kindness, like giving him a new life. Would you be willing to personally bestow a name upon him?"

"How can this be?" Qin Sang was surprised and waved his hand, refusing, feeling it was somewhat strange. But Jing Yu insisted on persuading him, and the chubby chicken also bowed to Qin Sang.

Unable to decline, Qin Sang pondered for a moment, "The Thunder-Swallowing Falcon is naturally gifted with thunder manipulation abilities. How about 'ChilLei' (Chiding Thunder) as his Daoist name from now on?"

The chubby chicken was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude, "ChilLei thanks Senior for bestowing the name!"

Jing Yu's face was filled with relief, and she added, "Fellow Daoist Qin, I just heard ChilLei say that he once swore that if he could rescue me, he would acknowledge you as his master..."

Before Jing Yu could finish, Qin Sang interrupted her, laughing, "It was just a casual remark. I never agreed to it, Fellow Daoist, so please don't take it to heart."

"Please don't misunderstand, Fellow Daoist Qin!" Jing Yu quickly said, "You bestowed upon ChilLei the thunder power of the Azure Luan Divine Beast, greatly increasing his potential, and you rescued me from the dark prison. My son and I are not ungrateful. I heard that you intend to establish a sect and command the demons of the Thousand Mountains and Bamboo Sea. If I fail in my breakthrough, then naturally, all of this is moot, and I will let ChilLei serve by your side. But if I succeed in breaking through, would you allow me to take ChilLei's place and remain here as the mountain-guarding spiritual beast?"

Qin Sang was slightly taken aback. Jing Yu was precisely the one he had been eyeing, but he hadn't expected her to propose it herself, and to volunteer to be a mountain-guarding spiritual beast. "Is this true?"

Jing Yu solemnly replied, "I can make a blood oath."

The chubby chicken was extremely anxious and wanted to argue, but Jing Yu touched him with her jade finger, rendering him speechless.

Qin Sang pondered. This outcome was even better than he had anticipated. However, he certainly couldn't truly treat a majestic Human Form Grand Demon as a mere spiritual beast, nor could he keep her confined within the sect indefinitely.