Chapter 1522: Migration

Peach Blossom Valley.

After meeting Mu Yifeng, Qin Sang spent a month traveling around, visiting old friends.

He spent most of that time in the Lesser Cold Domain.

It was like retracing half of his cultivation journey.

Having reached the Nascent Soul realm, Qin Sang's temperament meant this trip wouldn't evoke strong emotions. His purpose was simply to look back and reminisce.

He didn't know when he would be able to return from his upcoming journey to Middle State.

After circling back, Qin Sang finally arrived at Peach Blossom Valley.

Unable to return to the Seven Kills Hall to pay respects to Senior Qingzhu's final words, he could only mourn at his tomb.

Inside the wooden pavilion.

Qin Sang placed four wine cups on the table.

He tried to conserve it, but his treasured peach blossom wine was nearly gone. This wine had been carefully brewed by Senior Sister Qingjun, and its sweet, clear taste far surpassed any other.

Qin Sang didn't know how to brew it, nor did he want to learn.

He raised his cup.

One cup was offered to Qingzhu.

The other two were raised in distant homage to Senior Sister and Bai.

Qingyang Temple.

The area in front of the forbidden grounds was packed with people.

Li Yu-fu, Shangguan Lifeng, Aunt Mei, Zhao Ying, and other renowned Core Formation cultivators were all present.

"Brother, what major announcement is the Temple Master going to make this time? Did he bring back some treasure from the North Sea?" Zhao Ying quietly asked Li Yu-fu, walking up to his side.

Zhao Ying had the least interaction with Qin Sang. Her previous understanding was limited to various rumors, and she held both respect and awe for him.

After Qingjun ascended, she joined Qingyang Temple. Initially, she worried about being ostracized, but she found that the temple fostered mutual respect and camaraderie, without any power struggles, giving her a true sense of belonging.

"Junior Brother Tan has always handled the sect's affairs. If there's a big move within the temple, he should be the most informed. Why isn't he here?"

Aunt Mei interjected, looking around but not finding Tan Yien.

"Senior Sister just returned, so you probably don't know yet, do you?"

Bai Hanqiu said with a hint of envy, "Senior Brother Tan has done well. Senior Tan and Master reunited in the North Sea and returned together. Moreover, Senior Tan is already a Nascent Soul cultivator, and Master has invited him to be Qingyang Temple's Grand Elder."

"Nascent Soul!"

Aunt Mei was naturally overjoyed.

The stronger Qingyang Temple became, the more its disciples would benefit.

Jing Yu was close to Qingyang Temple, but more like an honored guest.

Qingyang Temple was still in its nascent stages, with only the sect master and no elders.

Tan Hao was the first.

After her initial delight, Aunt Mei remembered something and chuckled, "Junior Brother Tan probably won't be able to live so freely anymore, will he? Before, I truly envied him for being free from the hardships of cultivation."

Bai Hanqiu shrugged. Just as she was about to speak, the forbidden grounds surged with mist, parting to reveal a small path. Qin Sang's voice came from within, specifically calling Li Yu-fu and the others inside.

Everyone straightened their expressions, fell silent, and walked into the forbidden grounds with respectful looks, not daring to glance sideways.

Qin Sang had just returned from Qingyang Temple's spiritual ley line. He had planted the roots of the Myriad Spirit Fruit Tree, set up restrictions, and was carefully nurturing it.

"Greetings, Temple Master!"

Li Yu-fu and the others bowed in unison.

Qin Sang nodded slightly, bade them rise, and pointed to Tan Hao, who was sitting nearby. "From now on, Brother Tan will be Qingyang Temple's Grand Elder. When you see Elder Tan, it is as if you see me."

Tan Yien stood behind Tan Hao.

Qin Sang wasn't sure how the father and son communicated.

He only knew that Tan Yien still did as he pleased, while Tan Hao looked helpless.

"Disciples obey! Greetings, Elder Tan!"

Only after bowing did Li Yu-fu and the others dare to secretly size up Tan Hao.

They saw that he was tall, powerful, and imposing in demeanor.

They had all heard Tan Yien recount the stories between Qin Sang and Tan Hao, knowing in their hearts that this man valued loyalty and righteousness, and was also a heroic figure, so they couldn't help but feel admiration.

Tan Hao cupped his hands in return, looking at the assembled outstanding juniors. He secretly nodded, marveling that Qin Sang not only progressed rapidly himself but also managed to establish a sect.

After introducing Tan Hao, Qin Sang announced two more major decisions: relocating the sect and passing the position of Temple Master to Li Yu-fu.

He had initially wanted the highest-cultivated Tan Hao to take the helm, but Tan Hao firmly declined.

Each shocking piece of news stunned the disciples, leaving them dazed and unable to believe their ears. It took a long time for them to slowly process everything.

Qin Sang brooked no argument. He already had a clear plan for arranging the sect, and he issued commands in an orderly fashion.

Next, Qin Sang summoned Li Yu-fu and the others individually.

Li Yu-fu accepted the heavy responsibility of Temple Master but applied to Qin Sang to remain in the Northern Star Domain.

Though he yearned for a broader world, he understood that cultivation was fundamental. He planned to continue his rigorous training until he reached the peak of Core Formation, and only then, upon encountering the Nascent Soul bottleneck, would he seek opportunities in the North Sea.

Another reason was that the North Sea's situation was intricate and rife with intense conflicts, incomparable to the Northern Star Domain.

Compared to major powers like Xuantian Palace, Qingyang Temple was still very weak. Tan Hao had to personally remain in the North Sea to oversee it, and even Jing Yu would often have to lend a hand.

The Northern Star Domain was Qingyang Temple's vast rear, requiring someone of sufficiently high status to preside over it. Li Yu-fu was the ideal candidate.

The second was Aunt Mei.

She didn't hesitate, asking Qin Sang to take her to the North Sea.

Previously, she had been bound by her responsibilities to the Demonic Flame Sect.

After Qin Sang's return, Aunt Mei laid down her heavy burden and could finally act according to her true desires. Without delaying her cultivation, she traveled extensively whenever possible, her footprints covering almost the entire Northern Star Domain, gaining opportunities and encountering dangers.

Upon learning that the three domains of the North Sea were far vaster and more exciting than the Northern Star Domain, Aunt Mei's eyes lit up, and she could barely wait another moment.

If Qin Sang had agreed to take her to Middle State, Aunt Mei probably wouldn't have hesitated.

The third was Shangguan Lifeng.

His decision was the same as Aunt Mei's.

However, his goal was to meet sword cultivators and witness more exquisite sword techniques.

He had once delayed his cultivation by delving into saber arts and the way of killing, almost failing to form his Core and reaching the end of his lifespan. After obtaining the 'Qingzhu Sword Sutra', Shangguan Lifeng became utterly engrossed, completely forgetting his past lessons.

He confessed to Qin Sang that he knew he hadn't yet broken through to the middle stage of Core Formation, and his hope of forming a Nascent Soul in the future was slim. He only wished to wholeheartedly pursue the sword path and achieve something.

If, one day, he could cultivate a successor and carry forward Senior Qingzhu's legacy, his life would not have been in vain.

Next was Bai Hanqiu.

Over the years, she and her husband enjoyed a loving relationship, had one son and two daughters, and savored the joys of family life. Although she watched many junior disciples surpass her in cultivation and felt a twinge of envy, she had no regrets.

Nor did she wish to leave her loved ones and journey far to the North Sea.

She was content to live out her days there.

As for Tan Yien, Qin Sang knew without even talking to him that he would definitely go to the North Sea.

Tan Yien's lifelong ambition had shifted from establishing the foremost sect in the Northern Star Domain to establishing the foremost sect in the North Sea. He was eagerly anticipating the challenge, full of fighting spirit.

After Tan Yien's departure, Bai Hanqiu would take over his supervisory role.

Bai Hanqiu's eldest daughter possessed cultivation talent and was around the same age as Qin Niansui. Bai Hanqiu had previously wanted to ask Qin Sang to arrange for them to become cultivation partners.

Qin Sang neither confirmed nor denied this.

After some thought, Qin Sang took out a piece of jade, cut it into two pendants, and suspended them in his palm. He then refined them into protective treasures using demonic fire and handed them to Bai Hanqiu.

Finally, there was Zhao Ying.

She inherited Qingjun's lineage, and Qin Sang treated her as his own junior, without favoritism.

Zhao Ying decided to temporarily remain in the Northern Star Domain to assist Li Yu-fu, and then go to the North Sea when the time was right.

"Take a look at these two items. Have you ever seen them before?"

Qin Sang took out the Yang Puppet Crystal and the Abyssal General's puppet.

He had studied them for a long time but found no clues.

It was a pity Qingjun wasn't here.

Zhao Ying had been exposed to Qingjun's teachings, so she might have heard something.

Zhao Ying took the Yang Puppet Crystal and the puppet in both hands, examining them repeatedly for a while. Her brow furrowed deeper and deeper. She excused herself, sat down cross-legged on the spot, closed her eyes, and began to perform a secret technique.

Qin Sang said nothing, waiting patiently.

It was a full two hours before Zhao Ying finally awoke. Pointing at the puppet, she said, "Reporting to the Temple Master, I have never seen this type of puppet before. However, I have a feeling it is similar to Senior Qingjun's Azure Luan puppet on some level. It's born from its master's internal imprint, and once the master perishes, it completely falls silent, losing all its power, and outsiders cannot control it."

Qin Sang nodded thoughtfully. He suspected this might be the Abyssal General's intrinsic puppet, a highly mysterious and intricate type of puppetry.

Pausing, and seeing that Qin Sang did not speak, Zhao Ying continued, "As for this type of puppet crystal, I seem to recall Senior Qingjun mentioning it once. At the time, she only briefly remarked that it might be a treasure used by ancient cultivators to refine puppets, now lost. I also don't know its specific function. This puppet appears not to have fully refined the Yin Puppet Crystal. Forgive my dullness, but I've racked my brains and still can't figure out how to separate it intact."

Qin Sang did not reprimand her; his eyes showed approval.

Given that the puppet crystal could enhance Nascent Soul-level puppets, it was already quite impressive that Zhao Ying could discern so much.

In the following period, Qingyang Temple appeared calm, but beneath the surface, preparations for the sect's relocation were underway.

Qin Sang learned from Xuantian Palace's lessons and made some adjustments to Qingyang Temple. However, he also understood that it wouldn't be a permanent solution; the future of Qingyang Temple lay in the hands of its disciples.

Besides the Myriad Spirit Fruit Tree, he also left three other items for Qingyang Temple.

First, a sea chart of Middle State.

Second, the formula for the Spirit-Suppressing Incense.

He established a rule that, in the future, only the Temple Master and Grand Elder of Qingyang Temple would be privy to these two items. Qingyang Temple would also need to focus on collecting the spiritual herbs listed in the Spirit-Suppressing Incense formula.

Third was the Primordial Offering Art.

In the North Sea, the status of this secret art was equivalent to an immortal art.

Learning this art and refining pseudo-spirit treasures would allow late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators to reach an even higher level of power.

If word of it spread, it would cause a huge stir throughout all four domains of the North Sea.

Xuantian Palace also knew the Primordial Offering Art, so the technique itself wasn't a secret.

Out of multiple considerations, Qin Sang decided to leave it behind, but he set up a spiritual consciousness restriction. Only when a junior reached the Spirit-Forming stage of spiritual consciousness could they obtain this secret art.

With these three items, Qingyang Temple's foundation would be as deep as, if not deeper than, other sects'.

However, Qingyang Temple was still too weak, and it would likely be a long time before they could fully benefit from these.

Six months later.

Qin Sang personally attended the Northern Star Alliance Assembly for the last time.

News of Qingyang Temple's new Nascent Soul elder spread like wildfire among all the sects. Upon seeing Qin Sang, they all came forward to congratulate him.

Qin Sang didn't care what they thought internally. He publicly announced that he would enter seclusion, vowing to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage.

On the third day after the assembly concluded.

Qin Sang and Tan Hao, along with Mu Yifeng and the first batch of elite disciples selected from Qingyang Temple, quietly flew to the southernmost tip of the Northern Star Domain to rendezvous with Jing Yu and the demon cultivators from the Thousand Mountain Bamboo Sea.

As it was the first time, the group was small.

Using the Ten Directions Earth-Splitting Divine Shuttle, they rested at two shelters along the way and safely guided these juniors through the storm belt, without any major incidents.

Entering a completely new world, the disciples felt immense novelty and excitement. However, after flying with Qin Sang for a few days, they grew bored, as it seemed not much different from the Northern Star Domain.

While bypassing the Demon Realm on the way, Jing Yu clarified the location of the Emerald Bright Archipelago and entered the Demon Realm alone to travel.

The others continued with almost no breaks, successfully arriving at the Emerald Bright Archipelago.

Above Qingyang Island.

Qin Sang shimmered into existence, looking down below.

Even after he had been away for so long, the grand formation on Qingyang Island remained intact, and no one dared to set foot on it.

Seeing such a vast sea area exclusively enjoyed by Qingyang Temple, and learning that treasured islands like Nine Precepts Island were also under Qin Sang's control, Tan Yien and the others became incredibly excited, their anticipation for the future growing even stronger.

They had once built Qingyang Temple from scratch.

Now, establishing a branch temple, they were naturally highly skilled. Drawing on their past experiences and lessons, they quickly built Qingyang Island into a respectable form.

During this period, they finally learned of their Temple Master's glorious achievements from outsiders.

In just twenty years, he had turned the Boundless Sea upside down, and his formidable reputation had spread throughout the North Sea.

In their hearts, their reverence for Qin Sang had reached an unparalleled level.

At the same time, news of Qin Sang establishing a sect in the Boundless Sea spread like wildfire, attracting attention from all sides.

The North Sea's situation was complex, with far more considerations than the Northern Star Domain.

For example, the Boundless Sea was vast, and merchant guilds were prevalent. Many guilds, unlike those in the Northern Star Domain, were not controlled by sects; they were powers unto themselves.

Qingyang Temple had to learn how to deal with them.

There were numerous other factors, too many to list.

With Qin Sang's notorious reputation still fresh, things became very simple.

Especially since he had publicly slain the Abyssal General a few years prior without suffering any harm himself, proving his might, all parties had no further doubts, and those restless demons completely vanished.

Tan Yien, representing Qingyang Temple, frequently contacted various parties. Regardless of their cultivation level, they treated him with great courtesy, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Two years later.

Qingyang Temple was officially established!

Tong Lingyu emerged from seclusion and personally led the masters of various lineages to deliver congratulatory gifts.

Additionally, renowned Nascent Soul cultivators like Master Feng, Valley Master Mu, and Daoist Yin Quan from the Crescent Moon Domain, as well as fellow daoists Qin Sang had befriended in the Star Sand Archipelago, traveled thousands of miles to celebrate with Qin Sang.

The forces of the Boundless Sea naturally wouldn't be absent.

The surviving demonic cultivators dared not visit in person. After the Abyssal General's slaying, Qin Sang had contacted Xuantian Palace to search for remnants, keeping them on edge. This provided a perfect opportunity for them to send congratulatory gifts to express their intentions.

The grandeur of the event was such that even a grand cultivator's enlightenment celebration might not surpass it.

Major figures arrived one after another; any one of them could command the wind and rain in the Northern Star Domain, and yet there were so many in the North Sea.

Tan Yien and the others' slight pride was shattered. They finally realized the heavy responsibility they bore and the long road ahead.

No demon kings were present from the Demon Realm.

Jing Yu, who had been traveling for a long time, rushed back.

Qin Sang reminded her that the Nine-Headed Great Saint might have connections with King Yu and know about their relationship, so she needed to guard against its potential schemes.

Jing Yu didn't visit the Nine-Headed Great Saint but observed it from afar.

This demon was a nine-headed demonic serpent that had attained dao. Surprisingly, it had yet to transform into human form, maintaining its demonic body, always moving with clouds and mists, presenting a magnificent spectacle.

Qin Sang's decision not to let Qingyang Temple monopolize the sea chart was precisely to guard against this demon.

The grand ceremony concluded.

Shi Xue, Liuli, and others remained on Qingyang Island. Liuli's heavenly tribulation was approaching.