Chapter 1514: Change of Heaven

Deep within the Sacred Land, darkness receded, and rainbow light illuminated the void. The Linglong Pagoda descended. In its final moments, piercing screams of demons echoed from the pagoda's base. As the Linglong Pagoda landed, the cries abruptly ceased.

The Linglong Pagoda settled precisely where the stone stele once stood. The stele had vanished, replaced by a massive, iridescent tower with its entrance now sealed. The void trembled, and residual shockwaves continuously impacted the area. Mist surrounding the pagoda vibrated outwards, and rainbow light diffused through it, spreading in brilliant swathes. Even from the floating mountains outside, the deep reaches of the Sacred Land glowed with prolonged, vibrant radiance.

The numerous cultivators of Xuan Tian Palace, including Tong Lingyu, gazed up at the Linglong Pagoda, all in a daze. When the anomaly first occurred, they had anticipated that remaining in the stele space might not end well. They never imagined the Linglong Pagoda's power would far exceed their expectations, suppressing all the demons within. Tong Lingyu and the others were utterly astonished and incredulous by the scene before them.

The mysterious opening of the stele space and the appearance of a pagoda deep within the Sacred Land raised questions about its potential impact. At least for now, it was not a bad development; only their enemies had suffered.

The moment the Linglong Pagoda landed, its rainbow light reached its peak brilliance before gradually dimming. From within the fading light, the Linglong Pagoda rapidly shrank, returning to its normal size, still gleaming. However, as time passed, the rainbow light became increasingly faint until it vanished entirely. The Linglong Pagoda, too, lost all its luster, transforming into an ordinary, grey stone tower. Its texture was remarkably similar to the previous stone stele.

"Grand Elder..."

Elder Mei, relieved that the Old Demon of Chaos was suppressed at the pagoda's base, flashed to Tong Lingyu's side and whispered a few words. Tong Lingyu glanced at Hall Master Jiang, then flew to the stone tower. She circled it but found no entrance. The stone tower, replacing the former stele, stood solitarily. A single question resonated in everyone's minds: Where were Qin Sang and Liu Li? Were they involved in the tower's sealing? In the final moments, all the demons appeared, but the couple was nowhere to be seen. Had they encountered danger inside, perhaps even besieged by demons, managing only to issue a warning?

Just then, the Xuan Tian Palace cultivators stirred. Influenced by the stone tower, the surrounding spatial turbulence intensified, threatening to reach the dangerous levels of the Sacred Land's deepest parts. Tong Lingyu frowned slightly, scanning the surroundings. "Hall Master Jiang and I will stay. Elder Mei, you and the others must swiftly pursue the remaining demon remnants. Try to capture one alive to ascertain what truly happened inside." With the major threats like the Old Demon of Chaos and Great Sage Tian Peng suppressed, the remaining demons posed no significant danger, making her personal intervention unnecessary.

"Understood!" Elder Mei took her leave.

After discussing with Hall Master Jiang, Tong Lingyu attempted various methods but could not affect the stone tower in the slightest, let alone open it. The spatial turbulence escalated, forcing Hall Master Jiang to retreat. Tong Lingyu never saw Qin Sang and Liu Li emerge. If they did not appear before the Sacred Land closed, she would be powerless to stop it and would have to lead her people away. However, Tong Lingyu felt it was unlikely Qin Sang would be so easily suppressed. The Linglong Pagoda looked increasingly familiar to her, reminding her of the seven-story pagoda Qin Sang had taken from the Xuan Tian Palace treasury. What connection did the two pagodas share? Someone who had essentially killed Yin Changsheng could not be simple. Even with the combined forces of the Old Demon of Chaos and Great Sage Tian Peng, they might not have been able to keep him.

Unbeknownst to them, the time for the Sacred Land to close was nearing. Tong Lingyu received a signal and flew back, encountering Elder Mei, who looked astonished. Elder Mei meticulously reported her findings, growing more shocked as she spoke, unable to believe Qin Sang's power had reached such a level. Only then did Elder Mei understand why the Old Demon of Chaos's counterattack had been so weak, and how the couple had nearly taken his life in plain sight.

"They voluntarily entered the Linglong Pagoda, carrying a small tower. The anomaly could have been orchestrated by them, and there might be other secrets within the pagoda!" Tong Lingyu refused to believe Qin Sang would willingly perish alongside the demons. However, the information was too scarce, and she didn't even know the origin of the small pagoda in the sect's treasury, leaving her unable to analyze further.

By this time, only Xuan Tian Palace disciples remained in the Sacred Land; the other demons had already fled. Tong Lingyu waited at the Sacred Land's entrance until the very last moment, but Qin Sang and Liu Li remained unseen. Hall Master Jiang was helpless, watching as the Sacred Land sealed shut. The Bright-Winged Bird, pulling a chariot, knelt before Tong Lingyu. This intelligent spirit bird, sensing its master's absence, instinctively sought refuge with the strongest person present, completely shedding its previous arrogant demeanor. Another reason was that it felt the aura of the Xuan Tian Token from Tong Lingyu.

'Whoosh whoosh…' A fierce wind howled in their ears. The Sacred Land's entrance rapidly shrunk, finally becoming a black line before vanishing entirely. Tong Lingyu surveyed her surroundings. This journey to the Sacred Land had been unprecedented in its chaos. Xuan Tian Palace suffered heavy losses, with most casualties resulting from internal strife. She had thought they would need to lay low for a while after returning, but unexpectedly, events took a turn, and the demons met an even more tragic end, almost completely wiped out. Xuan Tian Palace remained a top force in the North Sea!

"Fellow Daoist Qin has truly made a grand statement! When this news spreads, the North Sea will surely be shaken, and their fearsome reputation will be propelled to an unprecedented level. I only wonder where they are now..." Tong Lingyu mused, then summoned a spirit boat and led her disciples back to the nameless island. She used the Xuan Tian Token and her own token to activate the spirit array, leaving her disciples on the island. Then, she departed with Hall Master Jiang and others, preparing to search the nearby sea for a period. The cultivators on the island felt the solemn atmosphere. Upon discovering the absence of the Palace Master and Sect Master Shang, the disciples from both lineages grew uneasy, but without the Grand Elder's permission, no one could activate the teleportation array.

At this moment, Qin Sang and Liu Li had already been transported out of the Sacred Land by the Linglong Pagoda. In the final moments, they felt their bodies bound by immense force, their vision blurred, and then they heard the whistling of wind, realizing they had been thrown into a storm belt. Qin Sang, nearly drained by the pagoda, immediately swallowed several pills. He looked around. The relocation seemed random; there was no teleportation array nearby. The hurricane never ceased, and the surrounding scenery was monotonous. They had no Ice Demon Crystals and couldn't sense the Sacred Land's location.

"The Linglong Pagoda shouldn't have moved us too far. We must still be in the Southern Domain. We just need to head north to return to the North Sea..." Qin Sang turned and said to Liu Li.

Liu Li nodded. With a light flick of her jade finger, a wisp of azure light shot out from her fingertip. The azure light circled her finger, transforming into an azure shuttle. The shuttle was long and slender, with pointed ends, and a w wisp of azure energy encircled it, flowing ceaselessly like a delicate azure ribbon, appearing exceptionally light and full of spiritual energy. Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, Liu Li said, "This is my master's Ten Directions Earth-Splitting Divine Shuttle. Its escape speed is only passable, but it can conserve some energy." In the past, Bing Yao had relied on this Ten Directions Earth-Splitting Divine Shuttle to traverse the storm belt with the qi-refining stage Liu Li. This was one of the few treasures Bing Yao had left for Liu Li. Both of them, including Qin Sang's avatar, were severely depleted of true essence.

Qin Sang followed Liu Li and entered the divine shuttle. He found the space inside to be small but not cramped. From within the shuttle, the surrounding scenery was perfectly clear and detailed, allowing them to react to anything at any time. The shuttle seemed to have its own defensive capabilities; they felt no turbulence inside. Liu Li silently activated her true essence, and the divine shuttle transformed into a streak of azure light, piercing through the air. It moved like a wisp of breeze dancing amidst the hurricane, weaving through it lightly and agilely. Only then did Qin Sang remember to take out his Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros Horn, activating its lunar essence to confirm their direction.

Tong Lingyu and her team searched for a long time without success. She herself returned to check the Sacred Land's entrance several times. In fact, Qin Sang and Liu Li had already left the storm belt, found an island, and were recuperating. Their injuries were not severe, mostly sustained during their direct confrontation with Yin Changsheng. The pills they took to restore their true essence were few, but all were top-grade spirit medicines, so the accumulated medicinal power in their bodies was not a burden. They circulated their cultivation arts and quickly recovered most of their strength. They then flew towards the nameless island together, coincidentally encountering Hall Master Jiang halfway.

Seeing Qin Sang and Liu Li, Hall Master Jiang's face lit up with surprise and joy; he had almost given up hope. "Good! Good! Good! It's good that you're back!" Hall Master Jiang was deeply relieved. He sent back a message, and the three of them flew unhurriedly. Qin Sang noticed that Hall Master Jiang's attitude towards him had changed, carrying a clear sense of reverence, and even towards Liu Li, he no longer displayed the casualness he had shown to a junior. With a thought, Qin Sang guessed that news of the great battle in the stele space had probably spread. He smiled inwardly, not minding it. Upon learning the fate of the Old Demon of Chaos, Great Sage Tian Peng, and other demons from Hall Master Jiang, Qin Sang's expression eased slightly. This time, he and the demons had formed a mortal enmity. If the Old Demon of Chaos and Tian Peng had escaped, while he wasn't afraid, being constantly targeted by powerful enemies would be uncomfortable, like a thorn in his back. Qin Sang had counted on Tong Lingyu not letting the demons escape, but unforeseen circumstances could always arise. Thankfully, he wasn't disappointed.

Soon, the three of them landed on the nameless island. The Xuan Tian Palace cultivators had already received the news and now emerged from their cave dwellings, as if welcoming honored guests. Seeing Qin Sang, a sense of involuntary reverence, and even a hint of fear, appeared on everyone's faces. It was simply too astonishing to suppress so many demons in one swoop; even Yin Changsheng, revered as a deity by Xuan Tian Palace, had never achieved such an incredible feat. Although there was some cleverness involved, relying on ancient formations and treasures, the battle before entering the Linglong Pagoda was a genuine confrontation. With the Palace Master's demise, this person was likely the foremost expert in the North Sea today!

Tong Lingyu and Elder Mei personally greeted him. Several subtle gazes, scrutinizing or wary, converged on Qin Sang. Qin Sang smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, causing everyone to hastily return the gesture. After some pleasantries, Qin Sang listened to the praises, feeling somewhat impatient. Tong Lingyu noticed his impatience and dismissed the others, leaving only Qin Sang. They sat opposite each other.

"After this battle, Fellow Daoist Qin's name will shake the world! You will achieve renown throughout the land!" Tong Lingyu exclaimed with emotion, without envy, as Xuan Tian Palace had also gained substantial benefits. She paused, then began to inquire about the events, adding at the end, "If Fellow Daoist Qin finds it inconvenient to speak, please forgive my presumption..."

"There is nothing that cannot be told. Thanks to the legacy of Senior Xiaoxiangzi, I unexpectedly gathered two small pagodas, which merged into one, allowing me to control the ancient formation. Now, the Futu Pagoda has been left within the Linglong Pagoda..." Qin Sang briefly explained the relationship between Daoist Xiaoxiangzi, Xuan Tian Palace, and the Pure Sea Sect, the origin of the small pagodas, and the reasons behind it all. He still wanted Xuan Tian Palace's help in investigating Daoist Xiaoxiangzi, so he held back almost nothing. Of course, Qin Sang did not mention a single word about the treasures inside the pagoda.

Only then did Tong Lingyu understand the full story, realizing and sighing, "Senior Xiaoxiangzi's intentions were painstaking; we, their descendants, are ashamed! Fortunately, the seniors of the Pure Sea Sect did not fail the senior's trust and did not make a grave mistake. After we return, I will command my disciples to spread the glorious deeds of Senior Xiaoxiangzi and the Pure Sea Sect, erecting monuments and writing their biographies, so their sacrifices are not in vain..." Qin Sang nodded slightly, indicating he would also wholeheartedly assist.

The two discussed for a while, formulating a plan, and then exchanged thoughts on the recent Sacred Land expedition. Towards the end of their conversation, Tong Lingyu smiled and asked, "I would like to propose that Fellow Daoist take over the position of Grand Elder. What are your thoughts?"

"Oh?" Qin Sang lightly exclaimed, "I am, after all, an outsider. Can I truly become Grand Elder?"

Tong Lingyu nodded, stating confidently, "Fellow Daoist Qin and Liu Li are Dao companions, and you have made such a great contribution. No one in the sect would object. Why not? If not for the Palace Master position being restricted to direct lineage of the Xuan Tian line, no one would dare question you even if you were Palace Master!"

"If I become Grand Elder, how would Fellow Daoist Tong manage? A gentleman does not take what others desire. My heart is set on the Dao, and I have no energy to handle sect trivialities," Qin Sang refused without hesitation, shaking his head.

Tong Lingyu's eyes flickered, and she looked troubled. "To be frank, I need to help Senior Brother Luo recover from his injuries and focus on my breakthrough, which will take an unknown amount of time. Currently, there is no Palace Master, and I cannot divide my attention. If Fellow Daoist is unwilling to step forward, Xuan Tian Palace will be leaderless, and I fear chaos might ensue..."

"How about letting Hall Master Jiang take over as Grand Elder?" Qin Sang seemed to see through Tong Lingyu's thoughts, chuckling softly, too lazy to test her, and directly pointed it out, giving her a push. "Since they are all from the main lineage, why must the Palace Master position be exclusively from the Xuan Tian lineage? Yin Changsheng and Shang Lu committed grave errors, nearly bringing Xuan Tian Palace to ruin. Were there only a few masterminds, or were there others who aided and abetted them? Such an illogical rule should be changed. I believe that in terms of cultivation and ability, no one is more suitable than Fellow Daoist Tong. Fellow Daoist Tong sensed Yin Changsheng's wicked ambition and did not shy away, daring to risk her life to contend with him. Who can match that courage and devotion to protecting the sect?"

Tong Lingyu stared at Qin Sang for a long time. "Fellow Daoist Qin is joking. This matter is of great importance. Let us treat it as a private jest; we must not..."

"Is Fellow Daoist worried about which lineage will not accept it?" Qin Sang interrupted Tong Lingyu. "The Tianshan lineage or the Xuan Tian lineage? Yin Changsheng and Shang Lu made a huge mistake, nearly destroying Xuan Tian Palace. Were there only a few masterminds, or were there others who aided them?" Given his personality, he generally preferred not to get involved in such matters. However, Xuan Tian Palace's cultivation resources were too abundant; even if he only secured a share of one main lineage, it would be more than enough for Azure Goat Temple. Qin Sang himself could also seize benefits during the chaos. He would not refuse to go with the flow. He did not believe Tong Lingyu had no ambition; he was merely speaking it aloud for her. Xuan Tian Palace was due for a change!