Chapter 1521: Old Friend

Qin Sang stood before the stone monument, gazing at it for a long time, then looked up at the sky again.

He raised his arm, as if to reach for the immortals in the heavens.

Recalling his past, he had made a boastful vow, unaware of the vastness of the world. He never imagined he could truly reach this point step by step; though not at the peak of this realm, he was not far from it.

"Now, I have taken another step forward..." Qin Sang murmured, his hand forming a loose fist, as if capturing a wisp of cloud and revealing the clear sky behind it.

He paused, then whispered, "I am about to embark on a distant journey. The path ahead is uncertain; I don't know if it leads to an abyss or helps me ascend another level, drawing closer to the distant immortal realm."

As he spoke, he took out his wine flask and poured a libation for the Empress.

He gently shook the flask, and a sloshing sound came from within.

Along the way, Qin Sang had visited the graves of Wu Chuanzong, Bai Jianglan, and others to pay his respects, and the flask was nearly empty.

He drained the last of the wine.

Qin Sang set up a stronger protective enchantment, cast a deep gaze at the stone monument, then turned and descended Pilgrimage Mountain, gradually disappearing into the distance.

The Bamboo Sea of a Thousand Mountains.

After Jingyu took charge, she didn't make many changes to the place.

Aside from her own cave dwelling, most other areas remained largely the same. She also continued the practice of protecting the spirits of flora, as Yun Youzi once did.

Inside the main hall.

Qin Sang was speaking to his companions.

The white cat squatted on a meditation cushion, fully focused.

The old horse monkey scratched its ears and head.

The white crane appeared respectful, but its eyes darted around, while Yue'er nestled close beside it.

They had been cultivating the *Heavenly Demon Refinement Art* and had also received guidance from Jingyu. Their transformations were very noticeable, and their cultivation had all advanced significantly.

The Willow Demon offered spiritual tea.

Qin Sang took it, took a sip, and sensing something, he stood up and looked towards Jingyu, who was walking in through the doorway.

"I hope I haven't disturbed your seclusion, fellow Daoist?"

Jingyu gently shook her head, a slight smile on her lips. "I didn't expect fellow Daoist Qin to return from the Northern Sea so soon. You seem full of vigor; your gains must have been substantial, I presume?"

"Indeed, quite substantial!"

Qin Sang didn't bother with modesty. He waved his hand to dismiss the other demons, then his expression turned serious as he spoke to Jingyu about his decision.

"Relocate the sect?"

Jingyu was startled.

Even greater shock followed. Hearing Qin Sang's decision to travel to the Central Plains, Jingyu exclaimed aloud.

"Your cultivation hasn't reached its peak, your lineage is complete, and you haven't encountered an insurmountable bottleneck. Why risk it now?" Jingyu found it hard to understand.

Traveling and exploring aren't always beneficial.

Many people only see others obtaining opportunities and defying fate to change their destiny.

They fail to see that these are but a tiny minority. How many cultivators have died in foreign lands, and even Nascent Soul Grandmasters can encounter danger at any moment?

Jingyu had a profound understanding of this.

Unless one's path is cut off or an irresistible opportunity arises, the wisest course of action is to focus on diligent cultivation.

"If I didn't have Liuli and the Ten Directions Earth-Splitting Divine Shuttle, I would only be able to cultivate patiently in seclusion. But since I have a way, there's no reason not to go, even if it's just to obtain an opportunity and then return."

Qin Sang had carefully weighed his options.

Cultivating the *Fire Seed Golden Lotus* and refining demonic flames concerned the cultivation of divine sense, an important part of his Daoist path that he would have to undertake sooner or later. Doing it while traveling wouldn't delay him, nor would it be a waste of time; it simply brought the matter forward.

Hearing this, Jingyu no longer tried to dissuade him.

Cultivators at Qin Sang's level would certainly have thoroughly considered any decision they made and would not be easily swayed by others.

"How is Chih Lei?" Qin Sang asked.

Jingyu replied, "I'm currently using a bloodline secret art to help him cleanse his blood and marrow. There's no rush for him to break through for now. Once the secret art is complete, there will be many benefits after he transforms into human form."

Among the demons, the fat chicken had the best talent and the most potential for a rapid transformation.

Spirit beasts below the Transformation stage could no longer provide him assistance.

Since the fat chicken hadn't transformed yet, Jingyu would certainly not leave either.

Qin Sang said no more, handing Jingyu a jade slip engraved with a map of the Central Plains' seas.

Jingyu examined it, then sighed, "The journey is indeed long, fellow Daoist; please be extremely careful! If I ever have the chance to break through to the late Transformation stage, I might consider going to the Central Plains. However, hearing you speak of the scenery in the Northern Sea has indeed piqued my interest. There are still too few demons in the Beichen Realm. Interacting with more of our kind would also benefit the White Crane and the others. When Qingyang Temple relocates, I will accompany you all."

"In the future, Qingyang Temple will be divided into two locations, and Tan Hao alone will find it difficult to manage both. I'll have to trouble fellow Daoist to look after things," Qin Sang said, cupping his hands in a respectful bow.

Jingyu blinked, then smiled. "Isn't this something I already promised you? Besides, your journey to the Central Plains is equivalent to paving the way for us. Naturally, we must help you look after things here!"

Qin Sang nodded. "I will leave the sea map at Qingyang Temple. If anyone seeks it out in the future, there's no need to conceal it; simply give it to them."

Jingyu diligently noted Qin Sang's instructions.

After a brief stay, Qin Sang bid farewell.

Mount Shaohua.

Mu Yifeng was cultivating in seclusion.

Suddenly, a streak of light flew into the cave dwelling. Mu Yifeng slowly opened his eyes, drew the light into his palm, and immediately his face lit up with joy. He quickly rose and personally went out to welcome Qin Sang at Sword Gate Pass.

"Junior Brother Qin, it's been many years! Your demeanor is even grander than before!"

Mu Yifeng cupped his hands and smiled.

"Senior Brother Mu, when did you become so glib?"

Qin Sang joked, then followed him, flying into Mount Shaohua. As they passed through Sword Gate Pass, his figure paused slightly, and he gazed at it for a long time.

Peach blossoms were in full bloom on the mountainsides, and young girls played among them, as if an old scene had reappeared.

The two entered Mu Yifeng's cave dwelling and sat down.

"I saw Lord Dongyang in the Northern Sea. He is now dead."

Qin Sang said with a solemn tone.

Mu Yifeng's movements stiffened, and his mouth fell slightly open.

"When I met him, his vital energy was depleted, and he had only a breath left. He entrusted this item to me..."

Qin Sang didn't keep him in suspense any longer. He took out the Yang Puppet Crystal and briefly explained what had happened. "Senior Brother Qiu is still alive. Lord Dongyang meticulously paved the way for him, so he likely has hope of forming a Nascent Soul in the future. I've decided to relocate some Qingyang Temple disciples to the Northern Sea. Senior Brother, please do not spread this news. If you have the time, you can accompany me to the Northern Sea. If you meet Senior Brother Qiu, perhaps you can persuade him to return."

Mu Yifeng stared steadily at Qin Sang. "Junior Brother, you..."

Qin Sang said, "Lord Dongyang is dead, and the grievances between us are now settled. I will not direct my anger toward innocent people. I also have fond memories of my time on Mount Shaohua and am happy to see it prosper."

"Thank you for your magnanimity, Junior Brother Qin!"

Mu Yifeng sighed softly. "If Master hadn't done those things back then..."

Qin Sang waved his hand. "Let's not dwell on that! I see that your realm, Senior Brother Mu, has already stabilized. Your next step will be facing the Nascent Soul bottleneck. The Northern Sea is far vaster than the Beichen Realm; perhaps there will be opportunities there..."

"I'm still far from that."

Mu Yifeng shook his head repeatedly. "My cultivation was forcefully advanced. Before I encounter the Nascent Soul bottleneck, I still have many trials to endure. Yufu will likely surpass me."

Li Yufu possessed dual spiritual roots, yet his progress had been mediocre.

When Qin Sang founded Qingyang Temple, he fulfilled Yun Youzi's dying wish.

Li Yufu resolved his inner turmoil, and after breaking through to the Mid Core Formation stage, his momentum continued unabated.

During Qin Sang's seclusion, Li Yufu also made rapid strides, and now he had even broken through to the Late Core Formation stage in one go. If this trend continued, he was expected to become Qingyang Temple's next Nascent Soul cultivator!