Chapter 1543: Xie Family

Having advanced to the fourth transformation, equivalent to the Nascent Soul cultivator level, the fat silkworm still hadn't seemed to comprehend any new divine abilities, possessing only detoxification capabilities.

Qin Sang had initially thought it would at least be able to use poison to combat enemies, gaining some combat prowess.

Even something like the Heavenly Eye Divine Light of the Skyeye Butterfly would play a crucial role in battles.

However, the fat silkworm could only be effective in special environments like the three major poisonous lands of the Seven Kills Hall, or when encountering poison-wielding opponents like the Frogfish.

How could such a spirit insect survive alone in the treacherous cultivation world?

Forced by Qin Sang, the fat silkworm spewed out several colorful halos, its tongue lolling out from exhaustion and its eyes vacant; it could only thicken the detoxification armor.

Qin Sang reluctantly gave up and turned to check on Dumb Girl's condition.

With just one glance, Qin Sang sensed Dumb Girl was different from before.

However, this change wasn't outwardly apparent.

She was still the same as before, with rosy cheeks, eyes tightly shut, and stable breathing—a sleeping beauty.

The change originated from her soul.

Qin Sang could clearly perceive that Dumb Girl's soul had become more stable.

This was clearly related to the fat silkworm. As it advanced, the 'anchor' became firmer, allowing Dumb Girl to tightly grasp the rope connecting her to the light, even when facing the raging storms and waves in the darkness.

Perhaps there were other reasons Qin Sang was unaware of.

The connection between Dumb Girl and the fat silkworm was much closer than he had imagined.

Although Dumb Girl still couldn't respond, her condition had significantly improved. Had it not been for the incident at the Seven Kills Hall, she would certainly be in a better state than now, and might even have woken up already.

Finally, there was hope.

Qin Sang rubbed the fat silkworm's head. If Dumb Girl could be awakened, even if the fat silkworm developed no divine abilities, it wouldn't have been raised in vain.

'Whoosh!'

The fat silkworm, finally free, eagerly burrowed into the space between Dumb Girl's eyebrows and fell into a deep sleep.

Qin Sang remained where he was, not rushing to leave.

He hadn't moved far from the tribulation site, planning to wait and see if any cultivators were disturbed by the Heavenly Tribulation and came to investigate.

The fat silkworm's tribulation was unexpected and too sudden, making it difficult to avoid detection.

A fourth-transformation spirit insect was an absolutely rare existence in the cultivation world. Once news spread, it would likely attract Nascent Soul cultivators to capture it, or even draw the attention of major sects.

As Qin Sang had predicted.

Before long, two streaks of light flew from the distance, revealing two male cultivators, one old and one young. They appeared to be grandfather and grandson, but their cultivation levels were actually quite strong.

Moreover, the younger man's cultivation was higher, having reached the Mid Core Formation stage, while the elder was only slightly weaker.

'To casually attract two Core Formation cultivators... it seems the immortal sects of Fudu County are quite powerful...'

Qin Sang observed their movements and mused inwardly.

The two headed directly for the tribulation site.

Although the tribulation clouds had dispersed by then, the heavenly might carried by the tribulation lightning had not completely vanished, and Qin Sang was unable to clear away this heavenly power.

The two were quite experienced. Even before they drew close, sensing this heavenly might, they immediately recognized it.

'Heavenly Tribulation!'

The two exclaimed in alarm, exchanged glances, their faces filled with shock.

They had previously been busy with another matter and hadn't personally witnessed the tribulation lightning. Having sensed abnormal fluctuations in the spiritual energy from afar, they had impulsively decided to investigate, never imagining that someone would be undergoing tribulation here.

It was common knowledge that only Nascent Soul cultivators were qualified to trigger Heavenly Tribulations.

Immediately, both felt a chill down their spines, regretting their rashness, and instinctively turned to flee.

However, they had already seen the scene at the tribulation site.

The entire area was scorched black, the mountaintop almost leveled by the tribulation lightning, and the whole mountain was in ruins. This was partly due to the tribulation lightning and partly to Qin Sang's manipulations.

The destruction caused by the Heavenly Tribulation was evident, but the person undergoing tribulation was nowhere to be seen.

Recalling just now, the thunderous roar hadn't lasted long.

Had that mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator failed their tribulation?

The two exchanged glances, unable to resist the immense temptation. They bravely approached and meticulously searched the area, but found no relics of a Nascent Soul cultivator, which greatly disappointed them.

'Let's quickly go back and report to the sect master brother. I wonder which Nascent Soul senior passed by and actually underwent tribulation here. Have our sect brother report this to the Six Void Sect; perhaps we can find some clues,' the younger cultivator said.

The elder stroked his goatee and agreed, 'That's right. Regardless of the senior's origin, it has nothing to do with us. It's a pity, under the Heavenly Tribulation, not a single piece remains!'

'That senior might not have truly failed the tribulation. Who among us has ever seen a true Heavenly Tribulation?'

The younger cultivator shook his head. He used a formation to seal the area around the mountain peak, summoned the elder, and flew away on a streak of light.

Qin Sang stood not far from them.

The two were completely unaware that their entire conversation was heard by another person.

Confirming that the two hadn't personally witnessed the silver tribulation lightning and had indeed been misled into believing it was a cultivator undergoing tribulation, Qin Sang decided not to interfere with them and allowed them to leave.

News of a Nascent Soul cultivator undergoing tribulation would stir up the situation in Fudu County, but wouldn't necessarily spiral out of control, which might not be a bad thing.

'Six Void Sect...'

Qin Sang muttered the three words, his figure flickered, and he vanished.

Afterward, Qin Sang returned to Fudu County and selected an elegant room at the Six Provinces Hall to await Zhou Jin's arrival.

Two months later.

Zhou Jin arrived as scheduled.

Upon seeing Qin Sang, Zhou Jin was overjoyed and bowed deeply, 'Greetings, Senior Qin.'

Qin Sang nodded. 'I also didn't expect that nearly ten years would pass since I left. You've stayed in Fudu County all these years; have you found anything?'

Zhou Jin had been worried about Ruan Yu's illness, and with no news from Qin Sang for nearly a decade, he feared the senior might have met with an accident or had forgotten the matter. He had been on tenterhooks every day, yet dared not slack off.

Fortunately, his worst fears hadn't materialized.

Zhou Jin suppressed his excitement and spoke rapidly, 'This junior followed your instructions, Senior. After leaving Zezhou that year, I immediately came to this area to investigate information about Mount Pu and the Xie family...'

Mount Pu, the Xie family.

This was related to the top-tier Daoist temple recorded by Xiao Xiangzi.

The Daoist temple, named Pure Void Illusion, was located on Mount Pu.

The Xie family, with two Nascent Soul cultivators at the time, could hold its own even in Zhongzhou, where masters abounded. The Pure Void Illusion was extremely secluded and had always been controlled by the Xie family, unknown to outsiders.

The Pure Void Illusion served not only as a cultivation dwelling but also held other secrets within.

Generations of Xie family descendants painstakingly researched but had been unable to unlock the secret, until one of the Xie family's Nascent Soul cultivators met Xiao Xiangzi. Seeing his unique divine abilities, they invited him into the Pure Void Illusion, and finally, the secret was deciphered.

What benefits the three obtained in the Pure Void Illusion was not detailed in the jade slip.

Regrettably, just as they deciphered the secret and were about to divide the treasures, the Xie family's Old Ancestor was overcome by greed and attempted to kill Xiao Xiangzi to monopolize the treasures.

Xiao Xiangzi certainly hadn't broken through to the Soul Transformation stage at that time, otherwise, the Xie family's Old Ancestor wouldn't have courted death like that.

Even so, both Xie family Nascent Soul cultivators were still counter-killed by Xiao Xiangzi.

Xiao Xiangzi did not wipe out the entire Xie family. However, in his rage, he also wasn't going to let the Xie family off so easily. He personally sealed the Pure Void Illusion, making it impossible for future Xie family descendants to enter.

Cooperation and betrayal occurred constantly in the cultivation world.

Qin Sang was used to such occurrences.

Xiao Xiangzi also didn't feel his actions were inappropriate.

This betrayal ignited Xiao Xiangzi's murderous intent, and he almost slaughtered the entire Xie family, teetering on the brink of demonic possession. It was this incident that suddenly made him vigilant and realize that inner demons were at play.

He later traveled extensively to refine soul-calming incense, timely resolving the hidden dangers, only then gaining the opportunity to advance to Soul Transformation.

However, when he later reviewed his past cultivation path, he realized that the other Xie family Nascent Soul cultivator initially had no intention of betraying him, but was coerced by the Xie family's Old Ancestor and acted out of necessity.

Since the opponent chose to act against him, regardless of whether it was sincere, Xiao Xiangzi could not hold back.

Nevertheless, the anger caused by the betrayal had significantly diminished.

Xiao Xiangzi recorded this matter, requesting the person who obtained the jade slip to travel to Zhongzhou, find the Xie family, and if the Pure Void Illusion's restrictions were still present, to open it and return it to the Xie family, thus settling this grudge.

Qin Sang sent Zhou Jin to find the Xie family.

Firstly, to fulfill Xiao Xiangzi's entrustment, and secondly, so he could cultivate in seclusion within the Pure Void Illusion.

With the passage of time, place names changed and powers shifted. Just like the destroyed cave dwelling in Heavenly Rift Valley and the renamed Zhulan Temple, even if the Xie family no longer existed or the Pure Void Illusion had a new owner, Qin Sang wouldn't be surprised.

'After arriving here, this junior traveled throughout Fudu County and the three neighboring counties but couldn't find Mount Pu. Later, I learned that after Zhuozhou was incorporated into the Nineteen Misty Rain States, Mount Bunian had conducted a large-scale survey, dividing Zhuozhou into various counties and changing many place names. So, this junior found ways to collect ancient texts...'

Zhou Jin's tone was light, clearly indicating a discovery. 'Three years ago, this junior finally saw the words 'Mount Pu' in an ancient text. After extensive research and verification, it was confirmed that Mount Pu was within Fudu County and is now Mount Luoyan! However, Mount Luoyan's owner is no longer the Xie family, but the Luoyan Sect.'

'Luoyan Sect?'

Qin Sang's heart stirred. 'Do cultivators from this sect wear jade pendants engraved with the character 'Luo' at their waists?'

The two individuals attracted by the fat silkworm's Heavenly Tribulation had such jade pendants.

Mount Pu had indeed changed hands. It was just unknown whether the Luoyan Sect had discovered the Pure Void Illusion.

'Senior, have you met disciples of the Luoyan Sect?'

Zhou Jin nodded. 'The Luoyan Sect has many masters, so this junior dared not be overt. I could only secretly investigate the relationship between the Luoyan Sect and the Xie family. Later, I discovered that Mount Luoyan had originally been forcibly occupied by the Luoyan Sect from the Xie family. The Xie family was forced to relocate from Mount Pu, and the family had already declined.'

With the fall of two Nascent Soul ancestors and the loss of the Pure Void Illusion, the Xie family lost its foundation for prosperity, and its peak turned into decline.

That they could still pass down their lineage to this day, with their bloodline unbroken, was extremely difficult, and also owed to the stable situation in the Central Plains.

Upon learning the Xie family's whereabouts, Zhou Jin immediately found them.

Now, the Xie family had become one of the most ordinary families in the cultivation world, with the current patriarch possessing only Foundation Establishment stage cultivation. Mount Pu, the Xie family's ancestral land, had been forcibly occupied by others and its name changed, yet they dared not utter a single word of dissent.

'This junior deliberately approached the Xie family and learned something,' Zhou Jin paused. 'Back then, when the Xie family gave up Mount Pu, they made a deal with the Luoyan Sect. Now, the agreed-upon time has long passed, but the Luoyan Sect shows no intention of returning it. If Senior wishes to help the Xie family reclaim Mount Pu, you can start from this point.'

Zhou Jin had now mistakenly taken Qin Sang as an exiled bloodline of the Xie family, returning to their ancestral land to seek justice for the family.

'Is the Luoyan Sect very strong?'

Qin Sang counter-asked.

From Zhou Jin's tone, it seemed he couldn't force the Luoyan Sect to comply by sheer cultivation and return Mount Pu to the Xie family.

Zhou Jin respectfully said, 'The Luoyan Sect Master is only at the late Core Formation stage; Senior can easily destroy him. However, there's one thing to be wary of: the Six Void Sect is behind the Luoyan Sect. The transaction between the Luoyan Sect and the Xie family was witnessed by someone from the Six Void Sect. This junior has been investigating their connection recently and found that the Luoyan Sect Master has a close relationship with the Six Void Sect. The Six Void Sect has three Nascent Soul elders within it. Their power is immense, and they are overlords in the neighboring counties. Even Mount Bunian finds it difficult to interfere, and the Prefect of Fudu County cannot control matters outside the county seat.'

Zhou Jin was diligent and conscientious and had even thoroughly investigated the difficulties Qin Sang would face.

'Well done.'

Qin Sang was quite satisfied with Zhou Jin and praised him. Keeping his promise, he took out a jade slip containing the medicinal recipe and a jade box.

Zhou Jin was overjoyed and hastily reached out with both hands to receive them. Upon opening the jade box and seeing a spiritual herb inside, he looked up in astonishment.

'This Dark Essence Grass is the main ingredient of the pill recipe. I unexpectedly found it in the Western Desert. This herb is precious. If you were to search for it yourself, it would take at least ten years or more, which would likely delay the treatment.'

Qin Sang paused slightly, looking at Zhou Jin. 'I am currently short of hands. If you are willing, you can bring Ruan Yu to cultivate with you on Mount Pu when you return.'

'Thank you, Senior!'

Zhou Jin knelt and kowtowed, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

Next, Qin Sang thoroughly questioned Zhou Jin about the details and pondered his next plan.

If it were only the Luoyan Sect, he could simply go there and drive them off the mountain, keeping the impact to a minimum. But now that the Six Void Sect was involved, he needed to plan carefully.

Of the Six Void Sect's three Nascent Soul cultivators, only one was at the Mid Nascent Soul stage.

Going directly to their sect with his avatar would be satisfying, but he had to consider the subsequent consequences.

In Zhongzhou, no matter how high one's cultivation, one could not act recklessly.

Moreover, it was still unclear whether the Pure Void Illusion had been exposed. If it involved a dispute over a Daoist temple, it would be even more troublesome.

After some thought.

Qin Sang instructed Zhou Jin to take him to the Xie family first.

The Xie family had been driven off Mount Pu by the Luoyan Sect. Their strength was insufficient to occupy good spirit veins, so they had settled in a poor spirit vein.

As a result, the Xie family's decline accelerated. Their previously accumulated family fortune was almost completely depleted. Even now, the dignified patriarch hadn't broken through to the Core Formation stage, remaining stuck in the False Core realm.

However, given their former foundation, the Xie family's mountain-protecting formation was not weak.

'Patriarch Xie, an old friend has come to visit.'

Arriving before the Xie family stronghold, Zhou Jin circulated his True Essence and called out loudly.

The voice echoed into the Xie family grounds.

Soon after, the mist parted to both sides, and a figure emerged. It was Xie An, the Xie family patriarch, whose demeanor was indeed extraordinary.

'Fellow Daoist Zhou, what a rare guest, what a rare guest,' Xie An quickly stepped forward, his attitude extremely warm. Upon seeing Qin Sang beside Zhou Jin, whose cultivation he couldn't perceive, his heart tensed. 'And this fellow Daoist is?'

Zhou Jin coughed lightly and said, 'This is Senior Qin.'

'Senior!'

Xie An was stunned.

Zhou Jin was a Core Formation cultivator, so the 'Senior' he spoke of, could it be...?