Chapter 1523: Xuantian Unified Great Capture Technique (4k)

Rain striking bluestone.

In the heart of Qingyang Island.

A Taoist temple stood tall.

All traces of the Yellow Heaven Gate had been completely removed.

The temple was hidden among towering mountains and lofty ridges, not at all conspicuous.

This was Qin Sang's intention; after his departure, Qingyang Temple had to maintain a very low profile.

Qin Sang built a cold pond here and raised snow pythons.

He only left behind one Tianshan Snow Python at the late Demon Core stage, which he had acquired after slaying a cultivator surnamed Yue in the Holy Land.

This Tianshan Snow Python, at the late Demon Core stage, could barely participate in Nascent Soul-level combat when combined with the Python Banner. It was left for his external avatar to enrich its combat techniques.

All other resources were categorized by Qin Sang and left at the two Qingyang Temples, to be managed judiciously by Tan Hao and Li Yufu to support the sect's development.

Qingyang Temple gradually got back on track.

Qin Sang did his best to pave the way for the sect.

He stood on the hilltop, gazing around.

Qingyang Island was vast.

His gaze swept over towering mountains, vast wildernesses, and meandering rivers. Through the faint morning mist, he could vaguely discern the distant shoreline, where waves surged and receded.

Further still, the water met the sky, a boundless expanse of blue where heaven and earth seemed to merge.

Should misfortune ever befall him, leading to his demise, Qingyang Temple would be his mark left upon this world. At the very least, someone would remember him as the founder of Qingyang Temple.

Qin Sang thought of Taoist Jixin and Mingyue.

During his travels in the Minor Cold Domain, he had personally visited the places where the master and disciple pair had left their benevolent mark.

The shrines built for them by the common people in days past were often dilapidated; some had even been completely abandoned, swallowed by overgrown weeds and dense forests, and forgotten.

Rabbits entered through dog holes, pheasants flew from the rafters.

Weeds grew in the courtyard, and wild mallows bloomed by the well.

Yet, some places flourished with offerings, where the common people orally recounted their deeds. Some even erected monuments and biographies for them, performing annual sacrifices, treating them almost like deities.

To be forgotten by all was true death.

Of course, Qin Sang did not desire this kind of 'immortality.' His goal had never changed, and he pursued it tirelessly!

The rising sun dispelled the morning mist.

Qin Sang withdrew his gaze, leisurely walked down the mountain, and returned to his cave abode.

Inside the cave abode.

His external avatar was in meditative cultivation.

If Liu Li and the others were to see it, they would surely be surprised. The avatar's aura had changed; although still aligned with the path of ice, there was a noticeable difference.

This was because Qin Sang had already instructed his external avatar to switch to cultivating the inherited cultivation method of the Xuantian lineage, the 'Records of Clarity and Subtlety'.

After changing the cultivation method.

The external avatar could no longer maintain its illusory Nascent Soul form and would gradually condense into a corporeal Nascent Soul.

From then on, the main body's control over the external avatar would decrease, increasing the likelihood of rebellion. However, the 'Records of Clarity and Subtlety' was clearly more profound than the previous cultivation method, offering broader prospects.

Several of the divine abilities within the 'Records of Clarity and Subtlety' were quite powerful.

However, what truly captivated Qin Sang was that after switching to 'Records of Clarity and Subtlety', the external avatar could cultivate the Netherfall Divine Restriction, or the Profound Qi Grand Grab divine ability once used by Yin Changsheng.

This divine ability was called the 'Profound Heaven One Qi Grand Seizing Hand'.

Naturally, cultivating such top-tier divine abilities was extremely difficult and mentally taxing. One person's energy could hardly manage two of them. Qin Sang hadn't made a decision yet, waiting for Liu Li's improved Ice Soul Divine Light.

The main body entered the cave abode.

The external avatar sensed his presence, stopped cultivating, opened its eyes, and said, "You're back."

The main body nodded, "You've worked hard, fellow Daoist."

"You are me, and I am you."

The external avatar smiled brightly, its expression lively and no different from a normal person's. "Since it's for immortality, what hardship is there to speak of?"

With that, the external avatar opened its mouth, and a stream of light flew out—a nascent soul that had just begun to condense. The avatar's expression then stiffened, losing its liveliness.

This corporeal nascent soul was equivalent to Qin Sang's second nascent soul.

The second nascent soul paused briefly before merging into Qin Sang's body.

Qin Sang was using his own body to nurture the second nascent soul, aiming to maintain the closest possible connection between the external avatar and his main body, thereby reducing the chance of betrayal.

After retracting the second nascent soul and the avatar, Qin Sang had not been cultivating for long when he suddenly felt the cave abode's restrictions being triggered. His divine sense swept outwards, revealing that Shi Xue had come to visit.

Shi Xue stood at the entrance, her voice solemn. "Junior Sister has sensed the heavenly tribulation."

Qin Sang nodded, rose, and walked out of the cave abode, flying with Shi Xue towards the pre-selected tribulation-crossing site.

Their expressions showed little solemnity, nor were they particularly nervous.

Nascent Soul cultivators had a high chance of passing their first heavenly tribulation, unless severely injured or facing other special circumstances. Moreover, Liu Li's strength was incomparable to other cultivators of the same stage.

Qin Sang had Liu Li undergo her tribulation on Qingyang Island to use her as a deterrent against petty individuals.

Within a short period, two Nascent Soul cultivators had successfully passed their tribulations on Qingyang Island. Coupled with Qin Sang, whose formidable reputation preceded him, this made Qingyang Temple a top-tier sect anywhere.

Even if he were to remain out of sight for extended periods in the future, others would still have to carefully weigh their options before considering any schemes against Qingyang Temple.

Even before reaching the tribulation site, the two of them felt the oppressive might of heaven.

Gazing intently into the distance, it was clearly broad daylight, yet a mass of dark clouds had gathered at the horizon at some unknown time. Their scope grew wider and wider, accompanied by continuous thunder.

The tribulation site was chosen in an open wilderness, and all idle personnel nearby had been cleared away.

Tan Hao had arrived early.

"Brother Qin! Master Shi!"

Seeing Qin Sang, Tan Hao approached, cupped his fists in salute, and said, "The island's protective formation has been activated. I just flew a round and noticed some concealed gazes, but no one should dare to approach Qingyang Island."

Qin Sang nodded, "Thank you, Brother Tan, for leading the disciples in managing the formation. Master Shi and I will go ahead to protect Fellow Daoist Liu Li."

As they spoke, Qin Sang and Shi Xue flew to the mountain closest to the wilderness, where they saw the graceful figure in the distance.

Liu Li, as always, wore no makeup and was clad in simple white robes.

The might of heaven was imminent; dark clouds gathered thickly, and strong winds began to rage.

Her dark hair danced in the wind.

Liu Li glanced their way, then tilted her head back, focusing intently on the increasingly thick tribulation clouds, awaiting the arrival of the heavenly tribulation.

A flash of sword light.

The phoenix-shaped treasured sword appeared, transforming into a stream of light, circling Liu Li.

"Rumble..."

The thunder was deafening.

The tribulation clouds blotted out the sky, and even from outside, one could see the gloomy clouds above Qingyang Island and feel a hint of the heavenly might.

On an outer island of the Cui Ming Archipelago.

Two middle-aged men were playing chess. The one playing black was a Nascent Soul cultivator, while the one playing white, despite only being at the Core Formation stage, showed no signs of restraint in his demeanor, clearly indicating a good relationship between the two.

Both were members of a merchant guild from the Boundless Sea.

Qin Sang did not prohibit other cultivators from entering the Cui Ming Archipelago, so active merchant guilds began considering setting up branches there. These two were pioneers.

"Oh?"

The man playing black was the first to notice something amiss. He dropped his chess piece, his figure flickered, and he appeared in mid-air.

A moment later, the man playing white caught up, following the Nascent Soul cultivator's gaze, and looked towards Qingyang Island.

"This is... someone undergoing a heavenly tribulation?"

The man playing white hesitated. "Didn't someone break through to Nascent Soul on Qingyang Island just a few years ago? Has Old Demon Qin actually cultivated so many talented disciples?"

"It's not a Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation," the man playing black gazed for a long time, then shook his head. "It's the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation that occurs every three hundred years. Judging by its aura, it seems to be the first Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation."

"The Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation... it couldn't be Old Demon Qin himself, could it? Aren't there rumors in Xuantian Palace that Old Demon Qin's talent is astonishingly prodigious, that he broke through to Nascent Soul in less than three hundred years, and his strength already reigns supreme in the cultivation world?"

The man playing white looked surprised and uncertain, and when he spoke of Qin Sang, his tone subconsciously carried a hint of fear.

The man playing black mused, "About a month ago, I visited the island and was fortunate enough to meet him. There was no aura of heavenly tribulation on him, so it shouldn't be him..."

Before he finished speaking, a sudden peal of thunder exploded.

The entire Cui Ming Archipelago could clearly hear it. Both mortals and cultivators felt their hearts shaken, experiencing an inexplicable sense of unease and dread. The higher one's cultivation, the more pronounced the feeling.

The wilderness was dazzlingly bright, with every detail starkly visible.

Lightning poured down like a torrent.

The Heavenly Lightning's might remained terrifying, seemingly intending to engulf Liu Li.

However, the power of this lightning tribulation was clearly not as strong as Yin Changsheng's. Qin Sang sensed it briefly, nodded inwardly, and believed Liu Li should have no difficulty passing this tribulation.

Furthermore, she had a spiritual treasure as a fallback.

The moment the lightning tribulation descended, Liu Li rapidly cast sword incantations.

The phoenix-shaped treasured sword stopped rotating, its blade standing upright, pointing directly at the heavens.

"Whoosh!"

In an instant, sword qi burst forth. The phoenix-shaped treasured sword's true form was imperceptible to the naked eye; only a light blue sword light could be seen, faster than lightning, leaving a blue thread in the air.

The sword intent was restrained, and the thread was as fine as hair. Especially when compared to the lightning tribulation, it appeared frail and thin, giving the impression it would be instantly destroyed by the tribulation lightning.

A loud "boom" reverberated.

As expected, the thread was submerged by the lightning tribulation, but instead of being destroyed, it erupted with astonishing momentum, a mass of blue light exploding within the tribulation lightning.

If anyone could see through the lightning tribulation, they would find that these blue lights were actually composed of numerous sword lights, easily annihilating the first bolt of tribulation lightning.

At the same time, Liu Li floated up from the ground, rising slowly.

Her dark hair fluttered wildly, and her robes flapped in the wind.

Her eyes were slightly closed, and she murmured incantations. The phoenix-shaped treasured sword revealed its true form, unleashing one sword qi after another towards the sky, each striking with immense power.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Liu Li, a true heroine, fiercely confronted the lightning tribulation, fighting with unrestrained vigor.

It must be said, such a sight was truly exhilarating.

The tribulation clouds spun faster and faster, as if enraged by Liu Li. The might of the lightning tribulation grew even more terrifying, with thick, serpentine bolts surging out continuously, striking relentlessly.

At the final moment, countless bolts of lightning intertwined, gathering into a single mass.

Mid-air, all the tribulation lightning merged into one, its blinding electric light descending like a river of thunder.

Liu Li showed no fear. She raised her hand and made a grabbing motion towards the phoenix-shaped treasured sword. The sword returned to her, she gripped it firmly, twisted her fair wrist, and fiercely struck a sword towards the heavens.

"Boom!"

The ground trembled.

The sword light burst forth with brilliant splendor and then vanished.

The lightning tribulation shattered in response, countless thick or thin threads of lightning dispersing and raging across the wilderness, their aftershocks completely destroying the scenic landscape.

Moments later, the chaos slightly subsided.

The tribulation clouds showed no signs of dissipating, continuing to brew the next wave of lightning.

Liu Li had landed on the ground at some point, a deep crater appearing beneath her feet, knocked down by the lightning tribulation. Her hair was disheveled, and her face was slightly pale, but thankfully, she was not injured.

She quickly regulated her breathing, remaining fully prepared.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Liu Li continuously employed her magic treasures and divine abilities, successfully fending off wave after wave of tribulation lightning.

Qin Sang's and Shi Xue's expressions also grew increasingly relaxed.

Until the final, most terrifying bolt of tribulation lightning descended, Liu Li, who had endured until then, finally unleashed her strongest divine ability—the Ice Soul Divine Light!

The tribulation lightning broke through layers of obstruction and was now almost upon her.

A deep blue light suddenly appeared in Liu Li's eyes. Without the slightest warning, the remaining tribulation lightning instantly solidified, frozen solid.

The next moment, Liu Li vanished from her spot.

"Bang!"

The tribulation lightning shattered the ice shards, but it could no longer harm Liu Li in the slightest.

The menacing tribulation lightning finally reached its end. The tribulation clouds in the sky stopped rotating, lost the support of heavenly might, and became ordinary dark clouds that dispersed with a gust of sea breeze.

"She succeeded!"

Shi Xue's expression brightened with joy, and she prepared to fly towards Liu Li.

Qin Sang suddenly frowned and stopped Shi Xue. "Wait!"

Shi Xue froze, not understanding why, but she halted, following Qin Sang's gaze, and looked at Liu Li with confusion.

The wilderness was a mess, covered in charred marks and deep craters everywhere.

Liu Li appeared in an open space, not looking at the tribulation clouds above her head, nor was she joyous at having passed the heavenly tribulation. Instead, she sat down cross-legged on the spot, her expression completely serene.

Her actions did not resemble recuperation or recovery.

Sensing the change in Liu Li's aura, Shi Xue's face filled with shock, and she exclaimed, "Is Junior Sister going to break through now?"

Qin Sang's eyes flickered. He remained silent, staring intently at Liu Li. He hadn't expected Liu Li to be so reckless as to attempt a breakthrough immediately after enduring the tribulation.

He was considering sealing off the area around Liu Li to block the sight of others, including Shi Xue.

Unless something unexpected happened, Liu Li was about to use the Spirit-Calming Incense.

To date, only he and Liu Li knew about the Spirit-Calming Incense within the Exquisite Pagoda.

The Spirit-Calming Incense was of immense importance.

News of this rare treasure absolutely could not be leaked!

Although Qin Sang had left the formula at Qingyang Temple, he had not mentioned the words 'Spirit-Calming Incense' and had deliberately added a layer of concealment, so that only future generations, upon gathering all the spiritual herbs and refining the Spirit-Calming Incense, would comprehend its true nature.

Just as Qin Sang was about to do so.

He was surprised to find that Liu Li only took out one item—the Eight-winged Heart Cicada's exuviae.

Then, she gently tossed the exuviae into the air. The deep blue light in her eyes intensified immensely, her eyes completely turning azure blue. The deep blue light emanated outwards, enveloping the exuviae.

At that moment, the exuviae was also steeped in blue, appearing as if it could come alive at any moment, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was a living Eight-winged Heart Cicada or just its exuviae.

Silently, the shadow of the exuviae grew fainter and fainter, gradually melting away.

During the process of merging with the exuviae, the deep blue light also gradually changed, its color fading from intense to increasingly faint, until only a light tinge remained.

Qin Sang was too far away and knew little about the Ice Soul Divine Light, so he was unsure what benefits the exuviae would bring to it.

However, the benefits to Liu Li were very clear.

After refining the exuviae, the deep blue light receded like a tide back into Liu Li's eyes.

The next moment, Liu Li's aura surged dramatically, once again impacting the bottleneck!

The following scene was not unexpected.

Her expression suddenly rippled, and her body trembled slightly, still affected by the evil technique's imprint, startling Shi Xue, who clenched her hands and held her breath.

But Liu Li remained resolute!

Seeing this, Qin Sang suddenly understood, finally grasping Liu Li's intention.

She was actually using the impact of the heavenly tribulation's might on her mind to counter the influence of the evil technique's imprint, while simultaneously using the transformation of the Ice Soul Divine Light to break through the bottleneck!

Liu Li clearly had two Spirit-Calming Incense sticks, and only one was needed to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, yet she chose to take a risk.

Her ambition... was vast!

(End of Chapter)