Chapter 1323: Overseas Concerns

Spiritual Sect.

Qin Sang emerged from the Scripture Pavilion just as dusk fell. Counting on his fingers, he realized more than two months had passed without him noticing.

Qin Sang gazed at the setting sun, still engrossed in the scriptures and feeling as if he hadn't had enough. The Scripture Pavilion was guarded by an elderly Golden Core cultivator, advanced in years with no hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage, who was living out his remaining years in the sect. Though significantly older than Qin Sang, he respectfully stood by, awaiting Qin Sang's instructions.

"Thank you for your trouble these past years; you've gone to a lot of effort," Qin Sang said, turning to the elder.

The elder repeatedly said he wouldn't dare, replying, "Senior Qin, you speak too highly. I am simply fulfilling my duty as ordered by the Sect Master."

Qin Sang nodded. "I was just thinking of going to thank Fellow Daoist Bing Han in person. Is Fellow Daoist Bing Han available?"

"Reporting to Senior," the elder replied, "the Sect Master is currently meditating in her cave abode."

Qin Sang activated his light escape technique and flew towards Bing Han's cave abode. Having been in the Spiritual Sect for many years, he moved without hindrance. Along the way, he encountered Spiritual Sect disciples who had grown accustomed to this external Nascent Soul Grandmaster. They weren't afraid of Qin Sang and stopped to bow in respect.

As soon as Qin Sang flew to the front of the cave abode, he saw the abode's protective barrier flicker, and Bing Han herself emerged to greet him.

Bing Han invited Qin Sang into her cave abode, guessed his intention, and asked, "Has Fellow Daoist Qin comprehended all the ancient texts?"

"I wouldn't dare claim to have comprehended them fully," Qin Sang replied. "I've only memorized all the texts. Their profound meanings are still somewhat vague to me; I need to practice them firsthand to truly grasp them. I'll likely need to frequently visit and bother you for guidance in the future." Qin Sang was, in fact, bidding farewell to Bing Han this time.

The Northern Reaches were peaceful, with no major events occurring. Knowing his own weak foundation, he decided to treat himself as a beginner. He patiently focused on strengthening his fundamentals, studying the texts and practicing simultaneously. It took him a full ten years to finish reading all the Spiritual Sect's treasured collections! Of course, to fully master and integrate them, he still needed to continue diligent practice.

Bing Han smiled. "Fellow Daoist Qin visiting is exactly what I wish for. My disciples all say that with Fellow Daoist Qin stationed in the sect these past years, they've felt an unprecedented sense of security. I only fear that Fellow Daoist Qin's talent is extraordinary and his progress too swift; soon, I'll have nothing more to teach."

After some pleasantries, Bing Han asked again, "Are you leaving now to go to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Qin Sang nodded. "Precisely. I recently received a message from Daoist Zhenyi. The spiritual tide in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield is intensifying, and it's time to re-examine the immortal array of the Ziwei Palace. This time, we should be able to determine the approximate time of its emergence. Additionally, it's almost my turn to oversee the Seven Waters Heaven-Obscuring Array."

"Since the time can be determined, it means the Ziwei Palace's emergence is not far off, which aligns with previous predictions. This time, the interval should be within a century..." Bing Han said, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. "Old Devil Ye fled into the Sin God Palace and hasn't emerged for ten years. Who knows what plot he's preparing. There are too many variables in this exploration of the Ziwei Palace!"

"When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we stem it!" Qin Sang showed no fear. He had already instructed Fat Chicken and the others to find a refuge overseas. If all the forces in the Northern Reaches combined couldn't contend with Old Devil Ye, they would have no choice but to flee far away and avoid his might.

After bidding farewell to Bing Han, Qin Sang flew north, arrived at Xuanlu Pass, met up with Daoist Zhenyi and others, and entered the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. It was the height of the spiritual tide, but those who came this time were all top experts from various regions. They appeared calm and at ease as they flew through the spiritual tide.

They arrived at the location of the Ziwei Palace. Daoist Zhenyi took out a set of array tools, and everyone worked together to investigate the fluctuations emanating from the Ziwei Palace's immortal array. After a full day and night, they finally made a discovery.

"Let's go!" Daoist Zhenyi put away the array tools and swept outwards, saying, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Ziwei Palace will open in ten years."

"By this timeline, this interval is nearly seventy years, half the previous one. Will the next interval be just over thirty years?" Demon Monarch Tong You asked.

A look of anticipation appeared on Daoist Zhenyi's face. "It's possible! Perhaps the Ziwei Palace will eventually open completely, allowing unrestricted entry, revealing all its secrets to the world. The cultivation world might finally usher in a golden age!"

True Master Cang Hong was guarding the immortal gate in the Abyss Ruins, so this time, it was Immortal Lady Qiuzhi who came. Her expression was calm as she said indifferently, "The emergence of the Ziwei Palace is unpredictable, bringing both fortune and calamity! If cultivators from outside the Northern Reaches learn of this news, how could they not be tempted?"

As soon as she spoke, some of the joy on everyone's faces faded, and they all felt the pressure. "Even mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would face some danger traversing the Storm Belt, so there's no need to worry about a large-scale invasion of the Northern Reaches by them," the cultivator surnamed Lu said in a deep voice. "However, the Immortal Lady's concerns are not unfounded. It would indeed be very difficult for our single Northern Reaches to contend with experts from three realms. We must take precautions early and seal off the news as much as possible."

King Yu shook his head. "There are no impenetrable walls in the world; news cannot be perfectly sealed forever! As far as this King knows, there are several secret realms within the Ziwei Palace, and previously, due to time constraints, we couldn't break the ancient restrictions. Now that past grudges are set aside, we can fully share information and work together to break the restrictions! In the first few years, our gains will surely be beyond imagination, and we absolutely cannot allow outsiders to interfere."

Qin Sang and the others understood King Yu's concerns: he was worried that the demon race would be ostracized by humans. The opening of the Ziwei Palace would bring immense benefits, which humanity couldn't monopolize, especially with experts from outside the realm eyeing it covetously. No one present was foolish; they knew that internal strife at this time would bring a hundred harms and no benefit, only benefiting outsiders. They all voiced their agreement to reassure the demon race. Of course, the prerequisite was that they first resolve the trouble with Old Devil Ye.

Returning from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, Qin Sang, in a hurry, first went to Peach Blossom Valley, learned that his senior sister was in seclusion, then went to Earth Sinking Cave to confirm Bai's safety, and finally flew towards Wanye Mountain.

The disciples of Qingyang Temple were all on Wanye Mountain. Before Qingyang Temple officially established its sect, Li Yufu had used this place as a temporary mountain gate and meticulously rebuilt it. By now, Wanye Mountain had regained its former prosperity.

Qingyang Temple and its disciples had also undergone tremendous changes over these ten years.

Tan Yien failed several attempts at forming a Golden Core, but eventually succeeded in breaking through after consuming a Fiend Demon Pill. He was skilled at handling affairs, managing both internal and external matters with a balance of benevolence and authority. He handled sect affairs with ease and managed everything in an orderly manner, effectively becoming the chief steward of Qingyang Temple. Li Yufu and Aunt Mei both praised him highly and fully supported him.

Bai Hanqiu made a similar choice. After struggling to establish her foundation, she realized that her talent would make it difficult to achieve great things. She then met a man she admired, formed a Dao companion bond with him, assisted Tan Yien, and lived the life of an immortal couple.

Li Yufu, Aunt Mei, Shangguan Lifeng, and several newly joined Golden Core cultivators of Qingyang Temple also encountered their own opportunities.

The demons of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea began cultivating the "Heavenly Demon Refinement" technique, and under Jingyu's careful guidance, they also advanced rapidly.

Qin Sang's figure landed on the summit of Wanye Mountain. He flashed into his cave abode, then sent a stream of light outside to summon Tan Yien.