Chapter 1354: Corpse Flower Blood Amber Effect

After entering Skull Pass, the Nascent Soul cultivators observed for another month.

As they had anticipated, the hurricanes and spiritual tides within the Ancient Immortal Battlefield showed no signs of subsiding, effectively turning it into a storm zone. Fortunately, whether due to the lingering power of the Ziwei Palace or other unknown reasons, the storms in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield were much weaker than those in other storm zones and exhibited tidal variations in intensity. Various factions in the Beichen Realm collaborated to guard the pass, and the pressure wasn't as great as initially feared. When the tides were low, lower-tier cultivators, if bold enough and well-prepared, could also venture out to seek opportunities in the outer reaches of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. However, it was no longer possible to venture as deeply as before.

In comparison, the Abyss Ruins suffered more severe damage, and even Nascent Soul cultivators dared not enter. Boundless Valley was not spared. Fortunately, only the inner valley was destroyed, while the outer valley was impacted but partially survived. Jingyu's cave dwelling vanished along with the Blood Lake, meaning she could now only reside peacefully in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. Taking this as an opportunity, the establishment of the Beichen Alliance faced almost no resistance. Given the circumstances, the Minor Cold Domain no longer harbored ambitions of monopolizing the Ancient Immortal Battlefield and proactively relinquished its interests in Seven Heroes Pass. The five major territories — Heavenly Demon Mound, Minor Cold Domain, Skyfaring Alliance, Sinful Abyss, and Beichen Great Desert — uncommonly formed an offensive and defensive alliance to jointly guard a secret. After a long period of division, the world tends toward unity. Due to the existence of the Beichen Alliance, the cultivation world of the Beichen Realm ushered in a long period of peace.

"The perpetual spiritual tides have both advantages and disadvantages. Some deeply hidden ancient restrictions might be activated by the tides, reappearing in the world. Perhaps there are immortal palaces comparable to Ziwei Palace, containing reception altars..."

In a small courtyard, Qin Sang, Bing Han, and several other Nascent Soul cultivators were enjoying tea and discussing the Dao. They occasionally looked up at the sky, where the spiritual tides constantly impacted the barrier, causing it to flicker. It was Xiang Qing who spoke. He was a rising star with a promising future, and he placed great importance on the reception altars. In the future, Nascent Soul cultivators of the Beichen Alliance would frequently venture into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield in groups to explore and seek opportunities.

Bing Han's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. She said, "Cultivators in this era already face difficulties in their practice. Now, the largest treasure grounds in the Beichen Realm—the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, Abyss Ruins, and Boundless Valley—have all experienced incidents, making it even harder for disciples to find opportunities. In my opinion, the Beichen Alliance should add another rule: Nascent Soul cultivators must not extensively plunder the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, leaving a path for future generations."

"That makes sense. Most of the treasures are already useless to us..." The others chimed in, one after another.

After finishing a pot of tea, Qin Sang stood up to take his leave.

"Where are you off to, Fellow Daoist Qin?"

"To collect the souls of cloud beasts." Qin Sang replied, then flew out of Skull Pass.

He had re-refined a batch of Beast King Banners, and together with those seized from the Witch Clan's Core Formation cultivators, he had gathered eighty-one of them. With slight modifications, they could now be used to collect the souls of cloud beasts. The cloud beasts of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield were unique creatures that appeared intermittently due to the spiritual tides. Now that the spiritual tides were continuous, cloud beasts would become increasingly rare.

In the ten years that followed, with the establishment of the Beichen Alliance, cultivators from various regions could communicate freely, and their previous estrangements gradually faded. No single leader commanded universal respect. The Beichen Alliance had no single leader, but rather an Elder Council that collectively decided major affairs of the Beichen Realm and balanced the interests of all parties. Qin Sang was also a member of this council.

After dealing with the Beichen Alliance matters, Qin Sang began preparations for establishing his own sect. Now, the grand ceremony was imminent! Qin Sang reflected on the events of the past decade, gradually withdrawing his thoughts.

*Whoosh! Whoosh!* With a flash of light from the Thousand Pounds Ring, two items flew out. One was the eighty-one Beast King Banners, and the other was a cushion-shaped magic treasure. This cushion was the Heartlight Cushion, another sect-protecting treasure Qin Sang had prepared for Qingyang Temple. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the material used to weave the Heartlight Cushion was not plant-based; it shimmered with a faint blue light, appearing to be refined from a type of crystal. Its main material was a rare spiritual substance called Phantasmic Light Crystal, which Qin Sang had acquired from a Nascent Soul cultivator in the desert.

The Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet's ability to seal soul remnants was due to the Dao-Evolving Tree. Bai later provided Qin Sang with an idea. After careful consideration and several attempts, Qin Sang refined the Heartlight Cushion using Phantasmic Light Crystal, which had a similar effect of preserving soul remnants. However, the Heartlight Cushion was far inferior to the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet. Firstly, the Heartlight Cushion could not absorb soul remnants on its own; Qin Sang had to transfer them from the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet. Secondly, the Heartlight Cushion could only seal a limited number of soul remnants, and these would weaken over time until they completely dispersed, unlike those in the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet which could exist long-term. Qin Sang had no better solution. This sufficiently proved that the Dao-Evolving Tree was indeed extraordinary and could not be replicated.

At this moment, Qin Sang had already transferred two soul remnants into it, both from early Nascent Soul cultivators. Activating his divine sense, he probed the Heartlight Cushion. The soul remnants inside were stable, but adding one more would be the limit. Qin Sang summoned the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet. A blood-red, teardrop-shaped mark now adorned the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet's brow. This was also taught to Qin Sang by Bai, allowing him to conceal the fluctuations of the Dao-Evolving Tree and prevent discerning individuals from identifying the puppet's true material. Even though it was an immature and contaminated Dao-Evolving Tree, it was still a rare treasure in the world, so caution was paramount. Qin Sang set the Beast King Banners aside and guided a soul remnant from within the Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet, integrating it into the Heartlight Cushion. The Heartlight Cushion trembled a few times before settling down.

*Creak!* Qin Sang pushed the door open and found Jingyu, then darted into the pavilion. The white cat tactfully retreated.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Fellow Daoist." Qin Sang said with an apologetic expression.

Jingyu scrutinized Qin Sang. "Your cultivation has improved remarkably during this retreat. It seems you've refined a Corpse Flower Blood Amber?"

"Indeed!" Qin Sang nodded.

He took out a pot of peach blossom wine and poured a cup for Jingyu and himself. The peach blossom wine brewed by his senior sister was running low, and he only brought it out when distinguished guests visited.

"I also have you to thank for that secret art to purify the Corpse Flower Blood Amber. After dispelling the blood poison, cultivators like us can directly refine it. The process was quite smooth, and the improvement it brought me far exceeded my imagination!" Qin Sang's spirits soared, and his tone carried a hint of joy. "If all goes as planned, after refining all three Corpse Flower Blood Ambers, I should be able to reach the bottleneck of the Mid Nascent Soul stage!"

Jingyu, well aware of the Corpse Flower Blood Amber's miraculous effects, wasn't surprised. She smiled faintly and raised her wine cup. "Then I wish Fellow Daoist Qin an early breakthrough to the Mid Nascent Soul stage, astonishing the world!" To break through to the Mid Nascent Soul stage within a century of forming one's Nascent Soul was exceedingly rare in the history of the cultivation world, a feat worthy of a peerless genius!

Qin Sang thanked her, raised his cup, and drank, without offering any humble words. He felt no arrogance in his heart either. It was only with the three Corpse Flower Blood Ambers, aided by the Dao-Evolving Tree's soul remnants, that a breakthrough to the Mid Nascent Soul stage was possible. If he had cultivated step-by-step, he wouldn't know how long it would take.

The two put down their cups and began discussing other matters. Just then, the white cat returned. "Tan Yien sent an urgent letter, and also said that an old friend of Master's has come to visit and is waiting for you at the mountain gate."