Chapter 131: 扶墙而出

When Sect Master Yu arrived, the cave dwelling was already wide open. Qin Sang stood at its entrance, gazing into the distance, taking his time to properly observe the vast Cloudmist Marsh for the first time. The boundless marsh stretched as far as the eye could see, where water and sky merged into one, an endless expanse.

Catching sight of a sword light streaking through the air, Qin Sang bowed from a distance. "Disciple greets Sect Master."

"Congratulations, Junior Disciple Qin!" Sect Master Yu halted his escape light, glancing at Qin Sang. He seemed even happier than Qin Sang himself. "Junior Disciple Qin, there's no need for such formalities. According to cultivation world custom, since we are both Foundation Establishment cultivators now, we should interact as peers. I am merely a few years older than you; if Junior Disciple Qin doesn't mind, you can simply call me Senior Brother."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Sect Master." Qin Sang readily adapted, changing his address but not neglecting his courtesy. "My achievements today are entirely due to Senior Brother Sect Master's care."

Sect Master Yu stroked his beard and smiled, thinking to himself that this disciple was polite and respectful, making his efforts worthwhile. Although he was being sent for dual cultivation purposes, it wasn't impossible for True Lord Mawu to develop feelings, potentially transforming Qin Sang into the dual cultivation partner of a Golden Core cultivator.

"And the 'Profound Female Jade Cauldron True Scripture'..." Qin Sang nodded and said, "Junior Disciple has already successfully established my Foundation, and I didn't dare to disturb Senior Brother Sect Master. I have also cultivated the third layer of the 'Profound Female Jade Cauldron True Scripture.' Now that the Jade Cauldron is complete and the Jade Elixir is full, please instruct me on what to do, Senior Brother Sect Master. Junior Disciple will certainly follow your orders."

Sect Master Yu nodded. "It's good that Junior Disciple Qin is willing. Please wait a moment; I will report to Martial Uncle Mawu now." With that, Sect Master Yu sent out a sword talisman. The two stood silently outside the cave dwelling, waiting. Qin Sang watched the sword talisman disappear into the distance, a sudden unease bubbling up in his heart. Although he had mentally prepared himself, he was still filled with apprehension when actually facing the situation.

The sword talisman vanished into the distance. Not long after, a dazzling silver-white light suddenly illuminated the depths of the Cloudmist Marsh. Its speed was astonishing, and in an instant, a small white flying boat appeared and hovered before them.

Sect Master Yu understood. He turned to Qin Sang and said, "Junior Disciple Qin, True Lord Mawu is using a magical artifact to receive you. Please follow the artifact. It's inconvenient for your Senior Brother to accompany you further."

Qin Sang took a deep breath, just about to step onto the boat, when Sect Master Yu called out to him again and handed him a jade bottle.

"This is the Nine-Yang Pill. If Junior Disciple finds a use for it, remember not to delay too long. Quickly find a place to consume it, refine its medicinal power, and rebuild your foundation for the best effect. Otherwise, if your Sea of Qi shatters, all will be lost. After the matter is concluded, Junior Disciple Qin, remember to come to Sect Master Peak. I will update your jade registry, and there are many benefits only high-ranking disciples can receive, all available for you to claim. Don't forget."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Sect Master." Qin Sang took the jade bottle and saw a fiery red pill inside. Even without opening the bottle, he could feel the pure Yang energy emanating from the elixir, indicating it was an excellent nourishing spiritual pill.

Bidding farewell to Sect Master Yu, Qin Sang stepped onto the flying boat. He felt a tremor beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, it had traveled several hundred feet. The flying boat moved with lightning speed, quickly leaving the vicinity of Shaohua Mountain's gate. It continued without stopping, heading deep into the marsh. Islands of various sizes and picturesque peaks flashed by beneath him. Gradually, land became scarcer, with only scattered small islands visible.

The fastest magical artifact Qin Sang had ridden before was the shuttle jointly operated by three Martial Uncles when he first joined the Kuiyin Sect. Compared to this flying boat, it was as slow as a snail.

After flying for some more distance, the flying boat's speed sharply decreased, eventually coming to rest above an island. Qin Sang looked down. The island was not large, slightly bigger than the desolate island where his own cave dwelling was. What was peculiar was its perfectly circular shape. A thin layer of mist hovered above it, through which he could faintly discern two mountain ranges on the left and right sides of the island. In the valley between them, a stream babbled, lush greenery carpeted the ground, and exotic flowers and plants made for an excellent scenic view.

The flying boat slowly descended. The clouds and mist on the island automatically parted to the sides. Qin Sang sensed this and realized that these mists were actually phenomena generated by a formation. Just a hint of spiritual energy that leaked out when the grand formation opened had secretly frightened Qin Sang, making him hesitant to act rashly.

Upon entering the island, Qin Sang immediately felt an extremely dense spiritual energy. He knew that this small island was likely more than just a simple spiritual eye; his own cave dwelling couldn't compare to this place at all. After all, it was the cave dwelling of a Golden Core cultivator; it was beyond envy.

"Whoosh!" The flying boat carried Qin Sang to a thatched hut in the valley. After dropping him off, it immediately turned and flew away, which surprised Qin Sang.

Qin Sang looked around. The thatched hut was small, its doors and windows tightly shut, with no sound coming from within. He didn't dare to use his spiritual sense to probe, fearing offense. He stood solemnly in front of the door. After a long wait with no one speaking from inside, he couldn't help but feel a secret wonder. He bowed slightly and softly said, "Disciple Qin Sang greets Martial Uncle Mawu."

Still, there was no reply. "Is no one inside the house?" Qin Sang was filled with doubts, wondering what had happened. Left waiting outside like this, he didn't dare to leave on his own, and ended up waiting for an entire night and a day.

Deep in the night, the moonlight was pale. Suddenly, with a creak, the wooden door opened automatically, and a cool voice called out, "Come in."

"What a pleasant voice." Qin Sang shivered, then quickly brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes. With a solemn expression, he stepped inside. His eyes immediately fell upon a young woman sitting in the candlelight within the wooden hut. She seemed to have been sitting there all night as well.

"Disciple greets..." Qin Sang was about to bow when his peripheral vision caught sight of the woman's appearance, and he suddenly froze.

He had heard the name Fairy Chenyan more than once on Shaohua Mountain. Anyone who mentioned Fairy Chenyan would become utterly captivated. Even his female senior disciples, if they had seen Fairy Chenyan's true appearance, would have a look of infatuation. Out of curiosity, he had asked Zhuang Yan for a privately circulated portrait on Shaohua Mountain, said to be painstakingly drawn by a senior disciple renowned as a master painter in the mortal world. The woman in the painting was accompanied by white clouds and cranes, her robes fluttering. She truly stood aloof from the world, possessing an ethereal aura, a peerlessly beautiful woman rarely found.

Now, it seemed the portrait's charm couldn't even capture a fraction of the real person's beauty.

Qin Sang wasn't captivated by her beauty, however. What shocked him was that it was supposed to be True Lord Mawu, so why was Fairy Chenyan inside the wooden hut?

"Chenyan..." Qin Sang opened his mouth, stammering. He suddenly realized he didn't know how to address Fairy Chenyan. Her origin seemed very mysterious; disciples in the sect always referred to her as 'Fairy,' not 'Martial Ancestor' as per custom.

"Disciple Qin Sang greets Martial Uncle Chenyan." Qin Sang composed himself, bowing deeply. His eyes fixed on the lamplight on the ground, his mind in turmoil, unsure of what was truly happening.

It was then that he suddenly remembered: Fairy Chenyan had been in seclusion for twenty years to form her Nascent Soul. When he first joined Shaohua Mountain, Fairy Chenyan was still in seclusion on Jingyue Peak. She had only recently emerged from seclusion, reportedly having failed in her breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.

Could it be that it wasn't True Lord Mawu, but rather... Dongfang Bai.

Qin Sang stumbled out, supporting himself against the wall. His eyes were lifeless, his face sallow, and his hair had turned white.