Chapter 142: Yu Daiyue

After three years of cultivating his mind and two years of refining his sword, the Ebony Sword's form had undergone a significant transformation. It no longer possessed a guard or a hilt, as Qin Sang had gradually refined away all impurities from its blade, transforming it into a pure sword embryo.

The sword embryo floated before Qin Sang, glowing with an emerald green hue. Its slender, elongated form was exquisitely beautiful and incredibly pure, resembling a mesmerizing piece of green jade. This piece was the original essence of the magic treasure fragment. It had already been refined by a Golden Core cultivator using their Pill Fire, and Qin Sang, employing the essence of slaughter, meticulously refined it for nearly two years, finally meeting the requirements of the *Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter*.

The first layer of the cultivation method was not difficult; it merely laid the foundation for further practice. Once the spirit sword was fully refined, and a Killing Talisman inscribed upon its blade, one could truly embark on the path of cultivation. However, Qin Sang found himself stuck at this final step. For two years, he had meticulously familiarized himself with every stroke of the Killing Talisman. He could visualize the talisman perfectly in his mind, identical to the one described in the cultivation method. Yet, he was unable to engrave it onto the sword's blade; he always felt something was missing.

He spent two full months in seclusion within his cave dwelling, making various attempts, but consistently made no progress. With the cultivation method stalled, his cultivation remained stagnant, unable to advance even an inch. Due to being drained of vital essence, his current cultivation was even weaker than when he had first broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Buzz..."

As if sensing Qin Sang's vexation, the Ebony Sword trembled slightly, emitting a faint hum. A layer of blood-red light also emanated from its blade. After cultivating the *Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter*, the Ebony Sword's sword qi had transformed into an astonishing crimson, as vivid as blood and brimming with murderous intent. Although the Ebony Sword's physical form appeared slightly smaller than before, its refinement through the essence of slaughter had purged impurities and preserved its essence. Consequently, both its power and quality were a notch above what they had been. Its sword qi crisscrossed, and its divine light flashed like lightning.

When the Ebony Sword's sword qi was condensed to its utmost, if fully unleashed, the Ebony Sword would completely transform into a blood-red flying sword, becoming entirely invisible to the naked eye. Its outer layer was, in fact, composed of illusory sword qi, not only harboring a soul-seizing murderous intent but also possessing a sharpness far surpassing its previous state.

Upon breaking through to the second layer of the *Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter*, the cultivation method also granted a divine ability: "Man and Sword as One, Shadowless Evasion." Since he had been unable to break through to the second layer, Qin Sang could only speculate on the true function of this divine ability. It sounded more like a sword evasion technique than an offensive killing move. The Flying Shuttle could be used for long-distance travel, but its speed was not exceptional. If he were to engage in combat with cultivators of the same realm, it would be difficult to rely on it to escape an unfavorable situation.

Once the *Profound Sword Art* was mastered, one could fly on a sword. Sword cultivators' evasion techniques were among the most formidable. Over the past five years, Qin Sang had utilized his free time to cultivate the *Profound Sword Art* to mastery. He had already mastered its sword evasion technique and hoped it wouldn't conflict with the divine ability granted by the *Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter*.

At this moment, Qin Sang suddenly recalled Senior Brother Gong's advice: "This cultivation method demands the most extreme essence of slaughter. Merely visualizing the Killing Talisman is insufficient; one must truly immerse oneself in the Path of Slaughter to gain insight." Qin Sang vaguely understood. Visualizing out of thin air was akin to discussing tactics on paper, always lacking a crucial element. Could it be that he needed to experience the Path of Slaughter through actual combat to truly forge the Killing Talisman?

After much deliberation, Qin Sang decided to emerge from seclusion and attempt it. However, his opponent would need to be carefully chosen. If the opponent was too weak, leading to an overwhelming victory, it likely wouldn't be effective. But if the opponent was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his qi sea was inferior to others. He had spent the past five years refining and nurturing his sword, neglecting his own cultivation advancement, so even with a few magic artifacts, victory would be difficult. Moreover, he couldn't simply go out into the street and challenge the first person he met.

Pondering this, Qin Sang spent a few days meticulously reviewing the various spells he had mastered. He then sealed off his cave dwelling and returned to Shaohua Mountain for the first time in five years. The peach blossoms at Sword Gate Pass were still vibrant. Several female disciples saluted him from a distance, but Qin Sang didn't recognize any of them. He wondered if they were newly initiated disciples.

Fortunately, Senior Brother Wen was still the manager of Daomen Peak.

"Zhuang Yan was spurred on by you."

Senior Brother Wen poured Qin Sang a cup of spirit tea. Hearing Qin Sang inquire about Zhuang Yan, he smiled and said: "The cave dwelling at Cloud-Peak Mountain is excellent. I've assigned him there to look after the herb garden. That lad has finally understood, and his temperament has become much more stable. For a cultivator, if one cannot even achieve Foundation Establishment, how can temporary enjoyment truly last? He himself admitted he's too embarrassed to face you. These past few years, he's been in arduous secluded cultivation, living a simple life, displaying some of your demeanor from your Qi Refining days."

Qin Sang couldn't help but recall his desolate time in the Earth-Sinking Cave. He shook his head with a sigh of emotion. Little did Senior Brother Wen know, Qin Sang himself had never relaxed. He had endured five long years of excruciating pain to his primordial spirit, all for the faint hope of achieving the Dao.

Upon hearing Qin Sang's purpose for this visit, Senior Brother Wen mused: "If Junior Brother Qin wishes to gain combat experience, the Ancient Immortal Battlefield is undoubtedly the best place. However, for cultivators in the early Foundation Establishment stage, it holds many unpredictable dangers. You should thoroughly research it and prepare ample life-saving measures before venturing there. Within the sect, you could inquire with Senior Brother Sect Leader about any demon-slaying missions. Alternatively, the Cloud-Azure Great Marsh harbors some demon beasts in the early Demon Spirit stage. Their intellect is rudimentary, their wild nature unyielding, and they are driven purely by instinct. They sometimes emerge to cause trouble, which would be suitable for your practice, Junior Brother."

What Senior Brother Wen said perfectly aligned with Qin Sang's thoughts; he had considered the same. Demon beasts did not possess the varied and peculiar magic artifacts of human cultivators, and even if they had innate divine abilities, they were typically singular in nature.

Qin Sang sat with Senior Brother Wen, drinking tea for a while. The two exchanged cultivation insights, from which Qin Sang greatly benefited. Just as he was about to depart, his expression suddenly shifted, and he turned his head to look outside the hall entrance.

"Whoosh!"

A whooshing sound pierced the air, followed by a streak of light rapidly arriving. A middle-aged cultivator, looking hurried and somewhat anxious, stepped into the hall. Upon seeing Qin Sang, his expression immediately softened.

Senior Brother Wen pushed his cup aside, stood up, and said with a smile: "Junior Brother Yu, you never visit unless it's for an important matter. What brings you to my humble abode today?"

"Yu?"

Qin Sang's expression subtly changed. He was somewhat surprised to see the newcomer, as he had met this person previously. At that time, seven individuals had successfully passed through the Treasure Gourd Illusion: Qin Sang, Chu Wenjian, He Mu, Senior Brother Gong, and the elder surnamed Zhao, along with two other middle-aged cultivators. Though they had communicated with Sect Leader Yu via spiritual message at the time, Qin Sang hadn't learned their names. The cultivator named Yu, whom he now saw, was one of those two.

Seeing this person, Qin Sang recalled Yu Daiyue, who had sent him several communication talismans over the past two years. Could this be him?

"Senior Brother Wen, your words are as sharp as ever." The cultivator surnamed Yu seemed quite familiar with Senior Brother Wen. After a brief jest, he looked directly at Qin Sang without hesitation, saying, "You guessed correctly; my visit this time indeed has another purpose. Junior Brother Qin, after several years apart, do you still remember me?"