Chapter 1546: Honored

Patriarch Mo was baffled, and seeing Daoist Luorong's expression, he grew increasingly uneasy, even feeling an urge to turn and flee.

The imperial carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain.

A flicker of vigilance crossed Daoist Luorong's eyes, and he secretly crushed the thumb ring he held.

Qin Sang stepped forward, cupped his hands slightly, and bowed. "This must be Fellow Daoist Luorong of the Six Illusions Sect? My Daoist name is Qingfeng, and I have long admired you!"

"My Daoist name is indeed Luorong. I consider myself quite well-connected, having frequent interactions with fellow Daoists. I don't recall meeting Fellow Daoist Qingfeng before. May I ask where you hail from?"

Luorong's expression had returned to normal, and a smile was forced onto his lips.

"I am but a free spirit, an unknown individual, so it's understandable that you don't recognize me," Qin Sang said, turning sideways and gesturing towards the Guest Hall. "Please!"

Noticing that Qin Sang was being evasive and unwilling to disclose his origins,

Daoist Luorong's expression slightly darkened, and his tone grew cold. "No need! I have just heard Patriarch Mo explain the situation and understand your intention. Let's address the main issue first."

A stir went through the crowd at his words.

The Xie family members stood behind Qin Sang.

The Six Illusions Sect disciples brought by Daoist Luorong and Patriarch Mo also landed on the ground.

The two sides were distinctly separated.

Patriarch Mo's face was blank; the ownership of Mount Pu no longer concerned him.

The Six Illusions Sect disciples formed a battle array behind Daoist Luorong, secretly on guard.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed straightforward."

Qin Sang seemed oblivious to the subtle movements of the Six Illusions Sect disciples, turning his head to look at Mount Pu's main peak. "This mountain was originally the ancestral land of the Xie family, and their lineage continues unbroken to this day. The Six Illusions Sect is the largest sect in this vicinity, so Fellow Daoist Luo must be somewhat aware, correct? The Luoyan Sect drove the Xie family from the mountain, occupying Mount Pu and clinging to it. This is unreasonable both emotionally and logically. Shouldn't it be returned?"

"Oh?"

Daoist Luorong calmly replied, "In the Central Plains, across the nineteen Misty Rain Provinces, I cannot speak for other provinces, but at least in Zhuozhou, all four directions are stable. It's impossible for such malicious acts of forcibly occupying others' spiritual lands to occur. Otherwise, without you, Fellow Daoist, to uphold justice, our Six Illusions Sect would not let them off. To my knowledge, the Xie family made a transaction with the Luoyan Sect regarding Mount Pu back then, and it was witnessed by our sect's inspector. Is this true?"

Patriarch Mo nodded numbly.

From behind, an old Golden Core cultivator stepped forward. "Reporting, Martial Uncle, I was indeed the inspector responsible back then. The Luoyan Sect temporarily borrowed Mount Pu, mortgaging the sect's most precious Azure Gauze Canopy to the Xie family, with a stipulated return date. Now, that date has passed, yet the Xie family has destroyed the Azure Gauze Canopy and cannot produce the treasure. According to the previous agreement, Mount Pu should belong to the Luoyan Sect."

Daoist Luorong scoffed, shaking his head and sighing as if regretting Qin Sang's situation. "Did you hear that, Fellow Daoist? You must have been misled by the Xie family's one-sided account, which likely contains many inaccuracies. The Central Plains has its own rules, and they cannot be discarded arbitrarily. You are an immortal figure, free and unfettered; why bother getting involved in this mess and damaging your reputation?"

Qin Sang clapped his hand.

Xie Qian stepped forward, presenting a wooden box with both hands.

Qin Sang opened the wooden box, took out the azure gauze canopy, and gently shook it. The canopy unfolded, transforming into a wisp of green smoke, revealing itself as a magical artifact.

However, the artifact's glow was dim, its power less than a tenth of its peak, and it was beyond recovery.

"Whether this treasure was destroyed by the Xie family is still debatable. I pride myself on having some insight into artifact refinement; there are no fewer than ten ways to achieve self-destruction of a treasure. Such petty tricks might deceive younger generations, your sect's disciples, and the Luoyan Sect, but surely, Fellow Daoist, you can see through it? As for why I must intervene…"

Qin Sang did not dwell on the reason for the Azure Gauze Canopy's damage. His gaze shifted to Patriarch Mo. "Patriarch Mo, could you open the mountain protection formation?"

Patriarch Mo subconsciously looked at Daoist Luorong.

Daoist Luorong frowned deeply and said in a deep voice, "Open it!"

"Yes, sir!"

Patriarch Mo hastily flew into the main peak.

Seeing their patriarch's demeanor, the Luoyan Sect disciples huddled together, silent as cicadas in winter. The main peak fell silent.

The clouds and mist on the main peak parted.

Qin Sang conjured clouds beneath his feet and, leading the Xie family disciples, was the first to ascend the main peak.

Daoist Luorong stared intently at Qin Sang's retreating figure, then flicked his sleeve and followed.

A moment later, everyone arrived before the Xie Family Stone.

Qin Sang stepped forward alone, reached out to touch the Xie Family Stone, and gently stroked it, letting out a barely audible sigh. "The Xie Family Stone was erected by the Xie family ancestors and has always been their emblem. It can test spiritual roots and transmit cultivation methods. What outsiders don't know is that it has another function: due to its unique material, it once merged with the ancestral essence blood. When a Xie family bloodline directly touches the Xie Family Stone, it will generate a resonance."

Before he finished speaking, a faint white light illuminated the top of the Xie Family Stone, and its texture transformed into warm, white jade.

This sight astonished not only Daoist Luorong and his companions but also left Xie Qian and Xie An dumbfounded.

Every word Qin Sang spoke was true.

Only the Xie family bloodline could trigger such a transformation in the Xie Family Stone.

The Xie family had been in decline, lacking resources and unable to support all its branches. Could this Nascent Soul Grandmaster be a lost bloodline of the Xie family?

In an instant, the Xie family members' expressions shifted from shock to ecstatic joy.

"You are a Xie family member?"

Daoist Luorong's expression also changed.

An outsider reclaiming Mount Pu for the Xie family and the return of a Xie family ancestor were two entirely different concepts.

This meant that a new Nascent Soul power, specifically a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert, would appear within the Six Illusions Sect's sphere of influence!

Previously, negotiations might have been possible, but now, it absolutely could not be easily acknowledged!

Daoist Luorong made no attempt to hide his intentions, releasing his spiritual sense to sweep over the Xie Family Stone several times. He even stepped forward to test it himself, but could not discern any trickery from Qin Sang.

Qin Sang smiled but said nothing.

Indeed, only the Xie family bloodline could activate the Xie Family Stone.

However, he could also subtly activate the restrictions left by Xiao Xiangzi in the Pure Void Illusion, mimicking this effect.

To this day, the Xie family had not figured out this layer of restriction.

Back then, Xiao Xiangzi was furious; had the Pure Void Illusion not been so sturdy, he might have directly destroyed this Daoist sanctuary. The remaining restrictions were extremely powerful and very well hidden.

Furthermore, Daoist Luorong's cultivation was inferior to Qin Sang's, so he naturally couldn't see through Qin Sang's methods.

Daoist Luorong's expression flickered as he pondered how to respond. Suddenly, his eyes glinted, his demeanor relaxed slightly, and his lips moved as if he were communicating with someone.

Qin Sang did not stop Daoist Luorong; instead, he raised his head and looked at the sky.

At this moment, the sky was cloudless for thousands of miles.

The sky was a clear blue, completely unobstructed.

In the empty void, subtle ripples like water patterns suddenly appeared, followed by the emergence of two figures in Daoist robes. They were the Six Illusions Sect's other two Nascent Soul Grandmasters.

One was a female cultivator, Daoist Jingning, whose realm was similar to Daoist Luorong's, both in the early Nascent Soul stage.

The other was a lean, elderly Daoist, holding a horsetail whisk, exuding an immortal aura. This was Chenghuanzi, the current sect master of the Six Illusions Sect, and the highest cultivated among the three, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

As soon as he saw Qin Sang, Daoist Luorong sensed trouble and secretly sent a message to his sect.

Now, all three Nascent Souls of the Six Illusions Sect had appeared at Mount Pu.

"I am Chenghuanzi."

His voice echoed throughout the four directions.

As he spoke the last word, Chenghuanzi appeared beside Daoist Luorong, followed immediately by the female cultivator Jingning.

"Senior Brother, Junior Sister."

Daoist Luorong bowed.

Chenghuanzi nodded, looked at Qin Sang, and waved his horsetail whisk. "Our Daoist sect truly produces many heroes. Upon receiving my junior brother's message, I learned of Daoist Master Qingfeng's esteemed presence. Please forgive our failure to welcome you earlier."

"I never expected to disturb the cultivation of three fellow Daoists over such a minor matter between juniors; I am truly humbled," Qin Sang chuckled, his tone not without sarcasm.

Chenghuanzi glanced at the Xie Family Stone and said gravely, "I already know the origin of this matter. While my methods are inferior to yours, I also have ways to deceive the heavens and cross the sea, capable of eliciting a reaction from this peculiar stone and feigning to be a Xie family member. For you to use this as proof is a bit too vague."

Qin Sang's gaze turned cold, and he scoffed, "Nonsense! I wish to return to my ancestral land and revive my family. Must I seek the approval of outsiders like you?"

"Not at all! Not at all! Fellow Daoist has misunderstood!"

Chenghuanzi shook his head. "In the Central Plains, the immortal path flourishes, far surpassing the Northern Barrens and Western Desert. This is not unrelated to our long-standing stable situation. Countless individuals with ill intentions infiltrate, attempting to sow chaos in the Central Plains, and instances of cuckoo-like usurpation are common, always leading to terrible disasters. We must be vigilant. We are also considering the larger picture, identifying evil, and hope Fellow Daoist can understand."

Unless absolutely necessary, no sect wished to offend a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

However, allowing this person to occupy Mount Pu would lead to even greater trouble in the future!

Their positioning was meticulously chosen, fanning out to face Qin Sang, subtly forming an encirclement.

The three Nascent Souls' combined aura silently suppressed Qin Sang.

Qin Sang's gaze swept over the three, and he sneered without speaking.

Chenghuanzi narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, "I possess a bloodline testing method. If Fellow Daoist is indeed a descendant of the Xie family, why not offer a drop of essence blood? If it passes the test smoothly, it could at least prove your identity."

The more Qin Sang feigned, the less Chenghuanzi believed such a coincidence could exist.

Patriarch Mo's conjecture was likely true: Mount Pu held a great secret!

"Fellow Daoist, your words are mistaken!"

Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice echoed from afar, like rolling thunder, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

A fierce wind swept across Mount Pu.

A white cloud appeared in the sky at some unknown point, and two figures approached side by side.

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, I am fortunate not to have failed in my mission; I have invited Elder Lu to preside over justice."

Qin Sang's true self nodded to his avatar, then turned to Chenghuanzi. "Essence blood is the foundation of a cultivator. How can it be easily handed over to others?"

The composure on Chenghuanzi's face vanished instantly.

Firstly, Qin Sang's true self was no weaker than his avatar in cultivation, introducing yet another Nascent Soul expert of unknown origin!

Secondly, there was Lu Zhang beside Qin Sang.

"Elder Lu!"

Why was Lu Zhang here now?

In an instant, many thoughts raced through Chenghuanzi's mind.

"It's been many years, and Fellow Daoist's cultivation has become even more refined," Lu Zhang nodded, explaining, "I happened to be passing through Fudu Commandery and heard of an injustice. On a whim, I came, not expecting the three of you to have arrived first."

Then, without waiting for Chenghuanzi to speak, Lu Zhang looked at the Azure Gauze Canopy in Qin Sang's avatar's hand. "Is this the item?"

He beckoned the Azure Gauze Canopy into his hand.

Lu Zhang clasped his hands and, after a brief inspection, a hint of anger appeared on his face. He sternly shouted, "This item was mixed with spirit materials of conflicting attributes during its refinement, deliberately concealed. Over time, even without being used in combat, it would naturally collapse. The person who refined this treasure deserves to be condemned! Who is the patriarch of the Luoyan Sect?!"

The small Mount Pu.

Now gathered six Nascent Soul cultivators.

Patriarch Mo could never have imagined things escalating to this point and was on the verge of tears. If he had known, he would have taken his disciples and fled the mountain from the very beginning.

*Thud!*

Patriarch Mo's face turned ashen, and he fell to his knees, struggling desperately for a last chance.

*Thump! Thump! Thump!*

Patriarch Mo kowtowed repeatedly, weeping profusely. "The Azure Gauze Canopy was my master's relic. This junior truly does not know its origins. Please, Senior, forgive me! Senior, forgive me! Martial Uncle, Martial Uncle, save me…"

He pushed all the blame onto his deceased master.

A sect patriarch, a dignified Golden Core Venerable, had become a stray dog.

Everyone in the Luoyan Sect was terrified, trembling with extreme fear.

"Scoundrel!"

Lu Zhang disdained to acknowledge Patriarch Mo, looking instead at Chenghuanzi and the other two. "This person deliberately used a damaged treasure as a scheme to seize another's spiritual mountain, harboring ill intentions! What do the three of you think?"

Patriarch Mo was still pleading with Daoist Luorong for help.

Daoist Luorong wished he could kick him away.

Chenghuanzi watched Lu Zhang's actions with cold eyes, but instead grew calmer.

Lu Zhang's appearance here was definitely no coincidence.

In fact, the mastermind behind this was likely Mount Bunian! Whether Mount Pu held a secret was irrelevant; Mount Bunian was merely using this as a pretext to establish a foothold in Fudu Commandery.

The ownership of Mount Pu, and whether this person was truly a Xie family ancestor, no longer mattered.

What Chenghuanzi now cared about was Mount Bunian's objective in doing this.

These two Nascent Souls were of unknown origin, willingly manipulated by Mount Bunian, and clearly targeting the Six Illusions Sect. Were they merely meant to restrain the Six Illusions Sect, or did Mount Bunian intend to expel them entirely?

Chenghuanzi regretted not contacting Dragon's Dwelling Grotto-Heaven before coming.

The emergence of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator of unknown origin within their territory should have raised alarm.

Thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind. Chenghuanzi knew his side was no match and decided to play for time. He gave a light cough and said, "Whether the Luoyan Sect harbored ill intentions and acted deliberately cannot be judged arbitrarily. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding, and the Luoyan Sect might even be a victim. Of course, this transaction has lost its basis and thus its necessity. Mount Pu should rightfully be returned to the Xie family."

Lu Zhang seemed somewhat displeased but did not flare up. He returned the Azure Gauze Canopy to Qin Sang's avatar. "It's inconvenient for me to stay long. I trust that you all, Fellow Daoists, will be able to ascertain the truth."

Qin Sang's true self smiled, saying, "I also believe the Six Illusions Sect administers clear rewards and punishments."

No one cared about the fate of the Luoyan Sect or Patriarch Mo.

The atmosphere softened.

Chenghuanzi appraised Qin Sang's true self. "And this Fellow Daoist is?"

"My surname is Qin, and my given name is Sang. I am a rogue cultivator from overseas," Qin Sang repeated his previous statement.

"Oh?"

Chenghuanzi's expression shifted. "Did Daoist Master Qingfeng also cultivate his divine abilities overseas? I've heard that Daoist sects abroad differ greatly from those in the Central Plains, and I've long been curious but regret never having the chance to meet fellow Daoists from overseas. May I be so bold as to use this opportunity to ask Daoist Master for a pointer or two?"

If only Qin Sang and Daoist Master Qingfeng were present, Chenghuanzi wouldn't have been so reckless.

With Lu Zhang here, he was not afraid; instead, he seized the opportunity to propose a sparring match, testing the other party.

Qin Sang's avatar was about to step forward when his true self suddenly stopped him.

"I, Qin, will be returning to my mountain soon, and I too regret not having had the opportunity to spar with fellow Daoists from the Central Plains. It seems we think alike. Might I have the honor?"