Chapter 1476: Ascending Spirit (4k)

When Shi Xue publicly announced Qin Sang's status as a guest elder, it drew numerous gazes of reverence.

Under Tong Lingyu's influence, the story of Daoist Qingfeng's solo infiltration into the demon lair to deliver crucial intelligence, earning great merit, had recently spread throughout Xuantian Palace, where he was hailed as a lone hero.

Faced with the flattery from the other two Nascent Soul cultivators, Qin Sang felt a little ashamed and repeatedly expressed his humility.

However, as Shi Xue announced that Daoist Qingfeng and Liu Li would become Dao companions and that a grand ceremony would be held soon, the respectful gazes of the disciples quickly vanished.

Even with a veil, Liu Li's natural beauty was undeniable. Since her return to Tingxue Tower, all disciples who saw her were struck by her ethereal beauty, and her popularity seemed even greater than it was at Shaohua Mountain. For these disciples, Liu Li embodied their ideal of a fairy. Coupled with her serene and aloof demeanor, she truly seemed like an immortal maiden who had descended from the Moon Palace.

Normally, a mere glimpse of her was enough to satisfy them. Yet, at this moment, their fairy was being pulled into the mortal world by a man. How could they not feel resentful? What was even more annoying was that the sect master had ordered them to prepare the grand ceremony for the couple, keeping them busy. And what was most infuriating was that they dared not utter a single word of defiance.

Qin Sang sensed the awkward atmosphere and couldn't help but recall Senior Brother Zhuang Yan, who had doted on Liu Li's portrait when he first entered Shaohua Mountain. Having missed the last chance to meet him, Qin Sang later learned of Zhuang Yan's fate from Mu Yifeng. By then, Zhuang Yan had already passed away peacefully. Fortunately, he had a granddaughter with good talent, whom Mu Yifeng intended to train intensively, and Qin Sang had also asked Li Yufu to assist her.

"My thanks to all of you," Qin Sang gave a dry laugh, cupped his hands to thank everyone, and then hastily departed Tingxue Tower with Liu Li, soaring into the air towards Lingxiao Peak.

Before meeting the Palace Master, they first needed to visit Hall Master Jiang. Hall Master Jiang was Bing Yao's senior brother, reportedly the leading disciple of Bing Yao's generation. Limited by his talent, he had cultivated to the mid-Nascent Soul stage and had made no further progress for many years. Bing Yao had essentially grown up under his watchful eye. This individual held immense prestige not only within Tingxue Tower but also throughout Xuantian Palace and even beyond, being a highly respected and established powerful cultivator.

Each lineage of Xuantian Palace, especially the four main ones, would send their powerful cultivators to become elders or hall masters, ensuring their lineage's influence within Xuantian Palace. According to the rules, these individuals must set aside personal interests and treat all lineages of Xuantian Palace equally, no longer serving as sect masters of their respective lineages. If he hadn't come to Lingxiao Peak to become the Hall Master of Yuanji Hall, the position of Tingxue Tower's sect master would have undoubtedly been his.

Currently, whenever Shi Xue made a major decision, she would first seek Hall Master Jiang's opinion. When Qin Sang was invited to be a guest elder of Tingxue Tower, even the Grand Elder had to personally visit Hall Master Jiang to explain the matter, which clearly demonstrated his significant standing.

Yuanji Hall was named after Yuanji Spring, one of the seventy-two springs, upon which it was built. It was said that this spring produced a type of radiant pearl, an excellent material for artifact refining and alchemy. Consequently, Yuanji Hall was responsible for external affairs such as pills, artifacts, formations, and talismans within Xuantian Palace. Qin Sang had long wished to visit Hall Master Jiang. As he cultivated both artifact refining and formation arts, drawing from the strengths of various schools, he naturally desired to examine Xuantian Palace's ancient texts and gain insights.

Yuanji Spring.

Qin Sang and Liu Li descended with their flight, observing the ancient grand hall at the center of the lake, surrounded by numerous smaller halls scattered like stars. The main hall stood on an island, shaded by green trees, exceptionally tranquil. From time to time, streaks of flight would fly in or out, belonging to disciples from various lineages of Xuantian Palace who practiced external arts, with even the lowest cultivation being at the Foundation Establishment stage. As they approached Yuanji Hall, these disciples, even if they were chatting, would instinctively quiet down and adopt a solemn expression.

The name "Fairy Liu Li" was widely known throughout Xuantian Palace. Qin Sang and Liu Li, not wishing to attract too much attention, made slight disguises and, blending in with the other disciples, landed in front of Yuanji Hall's archway before walking inside.

However, they were still discovered. Just as they passed through the archway, their vision blurred, and a white-haired elder leaning on a staff suddenly appeared before them. The hurrying disciples, seeing the elder, all showed surprise and bowed in respect, saying, "Disciples pay their respects to the Hall Master."

"You may withdraw now. Do not waste your time," Hall Master Jiang nodded at them and offered a word of encouragement, then turned to Qin Sang and bowed slightly, "Are you Daoist Qingfeng?"

The disciples bowed and retreated, not forgetting to steal glances at Qin Sang, wondering who these extraordinary individuals were to warrant the Hall Master's personal welcome.

"This humble Daoist is Qingfeng. I pay my respects to Hall Master Jiang." Qin Sang cupped his hands in return.

"Greetings, Senior Uncle Jiang." Liu Li also respectfully bowed and handed Shi Xue's letter to Hall Master Jiang.

Hall Master Jiang unfolded and read the letter, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. He glanced at Qin Sang, then at Liu Li, and said kindly, "From now on, we are family. No need for such formalities. Come with me."

The three walked leisurely among the ancient trees and halls. They arrived at a secluded small courtyard. Hall Master Jiang suddenly stopped, looked up at the sky, his gaze deep, as if lost in thought. After a long silence, he said, "I have long heard of Daoist Qingfeng's divine abilities and feel ashamed of my own inferiority. Your joining is a great fortune for both Tingxue Tower and Xuantian Palace. Shi Xue mentioned that you and Liu Li met in your nascent stages. Since Liu Li is my junior sister's closed-door disciple, and she trusts you, I trust her judgment. I will not comment much on your personal affairs, lest you think this old man talks too much. However, in my opinion, I originally did not wish to agree to this absurd matter. The proposal of a false Dao companion offers almost no real constraint on you, and even a Heart Demon Oath is not without loopholes."

Facing Hall Master Jiang's piercing gaze, Qin Sang replied neither subserviently nor arrogantly, "This humble Daoist has always adhered to one principle: 'My word is my bond.'"

The two exchanged gazes across the space between them. After a long moment, Hall Master Jiang nodded gently. "I have already sent a message to the Grand Elder. She will take you to Lingxiao Peak to meet the Palace Master."

This was taken as his implicit approval of the matter. For Tingxue Tower, Liu Li was the sole hope among this generation of disciples. Liu Li's failed breakthrough meant that Tingxue Tower had lost its qualification. Refusing Qin Sang would be akin to ceding the opportunity to the other three lineages, which would further exacerbate Tingxue Tower's decline. If Qin Sang could gain the Palace Master's approval and secure a spot in the Cleansing Pool, even if Liu Li and he were merely a "dewdrop couple" (a temporary or nominal couple), it would still forge a beneficial connection for Tingxue Tower. According to Shi Xue, despite his mid-Nascent Soul cultivation, Qin Sang already possessed strength comparable to a Great Cultivator, capable of becoming a regional overlord, with limitless potential in the future. Hall Master Jiang had initially been skeptical but had no choice but to believe after receiving confirmation from Tong Lingyu.

The three waited in the courtyard. Before long, a fragrant breeze swept by, and Tong Lingyu gracefully arrived. Seeing Qin Sang and Liu Li, Tong Lingyu's beautiful eyes lit up. She lightly raised a hand to cover her mouth, smiling, "What a perfect match! Fortunately, I asked Hall Master Jiang and Sect Master Shi to help invite Daoist Qingfeng to be a guest elder of Tingxue Tower. Otherwise, wouldn't we have missed this wonderful match?"

Naturally, the matter of the fake marriage could not be revealed to Tong Lingyu. Tong Lingyu simply assumed they were old acquaintances reuniting and rekindling their past affection, displaying a playful smile. Qin Sang cupped his hands in return.

After some pleasantries, "Since you two are becoming Dao companions, I'm half a matchmaker, so naturally, I have no objections. However, it is appropriate to meet the Palace Master." Tong Lingyu stood up. "There's no time to lose. You two will come with me to Lingxiao Peak now."

The three bid farewell to Hall Master Jiang and flew together towards the center of the seventy-two springs, quickly arriving at the foot of Lingxiao Peak. Even with the Grand Elder personally escorting them, they still had to face questioning from the guards and explain their purpose before being allowed into the mountain. The three ascended to a reception pavilion on the mountainside.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll go up first." Tong Lingyu left them behind, surprisingly not asking Qin Sang to remove his Thousand Fox Mask. Her tone carried a hint of peculiarity. "No need to be nervous. The Palace Master has been in seclusion for many years and may not have time to see you."

Qin Sang and Liu Li exchanged glances. The Palace Master refusing to grant an audience was exactly what they desired. Qin Sang was not necessarily afraid of the Palace Master, but he did not wish to stir up unnecessary trouble. As they spoke, Tong Lingyu executed a movement technique and vanished from sight.

At the summit of Lingxiao Peak. Here, a jade wall was embedded in the cliff, facing south from the north, smooth as a mirror. In front of the jade wall was a small lake. Its water was crystal clear, revealing the bottom, and two golden carp silently glided through it. The surface was undisturbed and exceptionally tranquil, with no guards visible anywhere.

Tong Lingyu approached the lakeside, gazed at the jade wall, bowed, and announced clearly, "Tong Lingyu pays her respects to the Palace Master."

There was no response from within the jade wall. Tong Lingyu stood perfectly still, with no trace of anxiety on her face. After an unknown period, a slightly hoarse voice emerged from within, "Lingyu, you have arrived." The voice was extremely flat, devoid of any emotion.

Tong Lingyu replied, "Palace Master, the Ice Demon Crystal is about to mature. All lineages have jointly decided to open the Sacred Land in one year."

"Good. I will make an appearance then."

Tong Lingyu hesitated, then asked with some concern, "Palace Master, your injuries..."

"They are fine." The voice from within the jade wall remained emotionless.

Tong Lingyu nodded and asked no further questions. "There are two young cultivators who intend to become Dao companions. As their union involves the competition for the Cleansing Pool, they have come to pay their respects to you and are waiting at the foot of the mountain."

"What do you think of it?"

"It's a match made in heaven," Tong Lingyu responded without hesitation.

"Then grant them permission." The Palace Master approved the matter very casually, indeed, just as Tong Lingyu had expected, without any intention of summoning Qin Sang and Liu Li.

Tong Lingyu's expression flickered slightly. "Yes!" She lowered her head slightly, a flicker of understanding in her eyes, then bowed again and turned to walk down the mountain.

Inside the cliff. Behind the pure, flawless jade wall was a simple, even austere, stone grotto. White mist drifted within the grotto, emanating an extremely terrifying coldness. Cultivators with slightly lower cultivation would be frozen stiff upon entering. Beneath the layers of mist was a cold pool. Above the cold pool, an ice coffin floated silently, enveloped by the chilling mist. A man lay inside the ice coffin. The cold mist swirled, permeating the ice coffin in wisps. Innumerable transparent runes, faintly shimmering, covered the ice coffin, though they were not easily discernible to the naked eye. These runes were extremely peculiar, and the ice coffin itself emitted a strange fluctuation, as if, along with the person inside, it had merged with the heavens and earth.

The man wore a white robe and a jade crown. He had a dignified appearance, and even lying in the ice coffin like a corpse, he exuded an indescribable majesty that naturally inspired reverence. He appeared very young, yet he exuded an aura of decay, and his exposed skin was extremely pale. This was precisely the Palace Master of Xuantian Palace — Yin Changsheng. If anyone else were to see the scene behind the jade wall, they would surely be astonished, finding it hard to imagine that the Palace Master lay within an ice coffin.

At the moment Tong Lingyu turned to leave, Yin Changsheng's eyelids twitched slightly, then suddenly opened to reveal eyes like carved dark ice, his black pupils almost entirely absent. He then slowly closed them again.

As they walked down Lingxiao Peak with Tong Lingyu, Qin Sang recalled the invitation from the Elder of Chaotic Demons. He subtly asked a few questions and realized that Tong Lingyu had not received an invitation. This was somewhat intriguing. However, the Sacred Land was set to open in one year. Currently, he needed to focus on preparing for entry into the Sacred Land and competing for a spot in the Cleansing Pool. There was much to do, and he could not afford to be distracted, so he put this matter aside.

The two did not stay long at Yuanji Hall. Qin Sang arranged to visit Hall Master Jiang again in the future and then returned to Tingxue Tower. The grand ceremony was being meticulously prepared. Qin Sang and Liu Li had no special requests, leaving everything entirely to Shi Xue. Qin Sang continued to cultivate in the small building. Regardless of the bustling preparations outside, Qin Sang closed his doors to visitors and sealed his cave dwelling.

He lightly patted his spirit beast pouch. The Fiery Jade Centipede flew out from it. After he had used the Three Spirits Coiling King Formation on it, the Fiery Jade Centipede had been listless for a long time, only recovering its vitality in recent years. It had also successively consumed pills Qin Sang had obtained, pushing its cultivation to the peak of the third transformation. Next, Qin Sang summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Watching the two small creatures play, Qin Sang's face showed a pensive expression.

He had been contemplating whether to assist the Heavenly Eye Butterfly with its spirit elevation now, or to let it cultivate slowly, break through to the mid-fourth transformation on its own, and then aid its spirit elevation to push it to the late fourth transformation in one go. The higher the realm, the harder the cultivation. This was to maximize the value of the Spirit Elevation Sacrifice. Qin Sang held great expectations for the Heavenly Eye Butterfly; in the future, when he broke through to the late Nascent Soul stage and even the Soul Transformation stage, he would need its assistance. For this, he was willing to wait several hundred more years.

However, Qin Sang was now more inclined to directly perform the spirit elevation for it. Firstly, the higher the realm, the greater the chance of failure for spirit elevation. While the potential gains would be larger later on, the risks would also be higher, which might not be a good thing. Secondly, he was also influenced by Liu Li's words. Liu Li's master was a true Great Cultivator who practiced the Ice Soul Divine Light, whose strength could only be imagined. Qin Sang, whose cultivation was one realm higher than Liu Li's, was still startled by her, and at that time, Liu Li's Ice Soul Divine Light had not even reached mastery, demonstrating the terrifying power of this divine ability. Despite her master's immense power, she was so afraid of the Palace Master that she dared not return to Xuantian Palace, preferring to be trapped in Ziwei Palace for several hundred years rather than seeking aid from Xuantian Palace.

Qin Sang found it hard to imagine Yin Changsheng's cultivation. Could the legendary half-step Soul Transformation stage truly exist? Or perhaps the Palace Master possessed a spiritual treasure, or a similar powerful means, that instilled such fear in Bing Yao. Facing Yin Changsheng, the Solar Divine Tree would likely not provide much advantage. Qin Sang would try his best to avoid conflict with Yin Changsheng, but necessary preparations still had to be made. In battles at the Great Cultivator level, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly could only be used for warning; its Heavenly Eye divine ability could no longer surreptitiously spy on opponents. Breaking through to the mid-fourth transformation might allow it to evade a Great Cultivator's spiritual perception.