Chapter 1398: Nine Restrictions Island

"Ethereal Sea..."

Qin Sang recalled the famous sea areas he knew in the Boundless Sea, but the Ethereal Sea was not among them.

Deacon Luo noticed Qin Sang's confusion and continued to explain, "Fellow Daoist, please don't misunderstand. Neither the former Clear Lake nor the current Ethereal Sea is particularly well-known in the Boundless Sea. There are no remarkable rumors associated with them; they are merely names on a sea chart. Fellow Daoists active in the southern part of the Boundless Sea might be more familiar with the Ethereal Sea. It is said that there are no islands in the Ethereal Sea, its waters are exceptionally clear, and it is free from storms year-round. Ships sailing here don't have to worry about capsizing due to storms, which is quite rare in the south. When traveling through this area, one's mind naturally becomes ethereal. It was probably called Clear Lake for this very reason..."

As he spoke, Deacon Luo took out a sea chart and pointed out the location of the Ethereal Sea to Qin Sang.

The Ethereal Sea was even further south than Ninefold Island, and the two locations were not close. However, for a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was merely a journey of three to five days.

This certainly wasn't a coincidence!

Qin Sang surmised that the Clear Lake mentioned by Valley Master Mu was this very place.

What surprised him was that there were no rumors of ancient ruins or secret realms in the Clear Lake.

"The Witch Clan's inheritance couldn't have just sprung from a rock," Qin Sang thought. "Perhaps something is hidden. Did Valley Master Mu make a new discovery upon returning to Clear Lake?"

Qin Sang gazed at the sea chart, pondering silently.

Clear Lake, now known as the Ethereal Sea, was a vast expanse of water. Searching for a potential secret realm alone there would truly be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Moreover, with no related legends for so long, even if a secret was hidden, it wouldn't be easy to uncover.

For now, the best course of action was to meet with Valley Master Mu first.

Next, Qin Sang inquired with the Nine Stars Association about news concerning the Profound Heaven Palace, asking if there had been any recent rumors or unusual activities.

Deacon Luo was taken aback by Qin Sang's wild request and replied awkwardly, "Most of our forces are in the central and western parts of the Boundless Sea. Unless the Profound Heaven Palace attacks the Boundless Sea, or its experts do something significant here, news wouldn't reach us so quickly..."

Afterwards.

Qin Sang left the Nine Stars Sea and, without further hesitation, flew directly towards Ninefold Island.

Months after bidding farewell to Lan Jingsi, Qin Sang finally arrived at Ninefold Island.

The current island master of Ninefold Island was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, but thanks to the island's reputation, it was widely known throughout the Boundless Sea.

This was because the first island master of Ninefold Island, True Master Ninefold, was an undisputed powerhouse, said to be only a step away from becoming a Grand Cultivator, and once as renowned as Old Man Chaos Demon.

Ultimately, Old Man Chaos Demon successfully took that step, while True Master Ninefold stopped there and eventually perished.

"After all this time, I wonder if anything has changed in the interim."

Qin Sang glanced at Ninefold Island, then slowly flew into the island, landing before the city gates.

Ninefold Island was quite prosperous, with cultivators and mortals living together without obvious segregation.

The city was bustling with people.

After a brief inquiry, Qin Sang easily found the place: a moderately sized shop called Precious Radiance Pavilion.

The shop happened to have no customers, only an old shopkeeper.

Qin Sang entered the shop. The old shopkeeper glanced at him, then quickly rose to greet him, "Fellow Daoist, do you require elixirs or magical artifacts?"

"Are you Zhang Xuan?"

Qin Sang quickly scanned his surroundings. Seeing the old shopkeeper nod, he said, "This humble Daoist is Bright Moon; I have come at the invitation of Fellow Daoist Mu."

As he spoke, Qin Sang took out the token Lan Jingsi had given him before his departure.

The old shopkeeper's expression subtly changed. He whispered, "Please follow this junior to the back hall, Senior! Senior Mu has already prepared a superior cultivation cave for you..."

"No need!"

Qin Sang waved his hand. "How soon can Valley Master Mu come to meet me?"

The old shopkeeper replied, "Senior Mu specifically instructed this junior a few days ago. After receiving the message, he will arrive within five days at the most."

Qin Sang nodded and handed the old shopkeeper a guiding spiritual talisman. "When Fellow Daoist Mu returns, give him this talisman. Once lit, it will lead him to this humble Daoist."

Leaving the talisman, Qin Sang turned and walked out of the shop with a decisive air.

The old shopkeeper dared not stop him and could only watch as Qin Sang disappeared into the crowd.

Qin Sang inquired about Ethereal Island in the city. Since the information he received was largely similar to what he had learned at the Nine Stars Association, he didn't linger and left Ninefold Island that very night.

Five days later.

Qin Sang had casually opened a cultivation cave on a deserted island and was meditating when he was suddenly awakened by a ripple of energy.

The spiritual talisman in his hand spontaneously combusted without fire.

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He immediately dropped the talisman and vanished.

Soon after, an undisguised streak of light cut through the air from the direction of Ninefold Island, landing on the deserted island and revealing a man.

The man appeared to be around forty years old, with a dignified appearance and sharp, spirited eyes. He wore a magical robe embroidered with spiritual insects identical to those worn by disciples of Hundred Flowers Valley.

It was indeed Valley Master Mu!

He had just discovered the existence of the cultivation cave and was about to speak when he suddenly felt something and turned to see Qin Sang emerging from the dense forest.

"Are you Daoist Priest Bright Moon?" Valley Master Mu asked, his expression brightening.

Qin Sang nodded. "This humble Daoist was delayed too long on the journey, causing Valley Master Mu to wait."

He subtly observed Valley Master Mu.

It was difficult to ascertain the man's strength based solely on his aura.

"Not at all! Not at all! It's good that Daoist Priest arrived safely," Valley Master Mu chuckled. "Daoist Priest is remarkably cautious. Had I known, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths setting up so many arrangements on Ninefold Island!"

"When traveling, one must be cautious, Fellow Daoist. Please don't take offense. Seeing Fellow Daoist Mu, this humble Daoist feels at ease."

As Qin Sang spoke, he invited Valley Master Mu into the cultivation cave to discuss matters in detail.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they got straight to business.

"Three months ago, my junior sister informed me about Daoist Priest through a secret communication art... Allow me to ask now, does Daoist Priest truly wish to learn the Spirit Ascension Ritual?" Valley Master Mu asked gravely.

"Indeed," Qin Sang nodded. "Fellow Daoist Mu, please state your conditions. As long as this humble Daoist can fulfill them, I will certainly do my best to achieve them."

Valley Master Mu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Since Daoist Priest has traveled so far, I won't beat around the bush. The Spirit Ascension Art can be passed on to Daoist Priest, but I first need to confirm something: do you possess a Three-Transformation Fire Jade Centipede?"

As he spoke, Valley Master Mu looked at Qin Sang with anticipation in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang's heart stirred.

As expected, there was a reason why Valley Master Mu had invited him instead of Senior Master Feng, with whom he had a better relationship, to assist.

It turned out he was interested in the Fire Jade Centipede's treasure-seeking ability.

"It's for treasure hunting," Qin Sang mused. "What kind of treasure could it be, and what connection does it have to the Witch Clan?"

Thoughts flashed through Qin Sang's mind. He readily opened his spirit beast pouch.

The Fire Jade Centipede landed in Qin Sang's palm, oblivious to its impending fate, happily devouring a Fire Melt Pill.

Qin Sang gazed at the Fire Jade Centipede with affectionate eyes and said tenderly, "This humble Daoist is learning the Spirit Ascension Ritual precisely for this little fellow."

Valley Master Mu gazed at it for a moment, then exclaimed with delight, "It truly is a Fire Jade Centipede, and it's about to enter the late stage of its third transformation! As long as the legends are true, it should meet the requirements!"