Chapter 1550: Step Sky Technique

Martial Arts and Immortal Heroes

While in Beihai, the Ghost Mother forcibly entered Xuan Tian Palace, the largest power in Beihai.

A traitor from Xuan Tian Palace used the chaos to steal a sacred artifact, causing Tong Lingyu and others to rush about.

Could the Ghost Mother be pulling the same stunt here in Zhongzhou?

The Ganlu Zen Temple is guarded by Buddhist saints. No matter how strong Yin Changsheng is, he cannot surpass a true Nascent Soul cultivator. According to previously obtained information, the Ghost Mother's strength should not be enough to cause a ruckus at Ganlu Zen Temple.

Qin Sang dismissed these thoughts and asked, "Has the Zen Master seen this person's face?"

Zen Master Xiaohang said nothing, raising his right hand. The wooden bracelet on his wrist shimmered with a faint yellow light, and a perfectly round bronze mirror appeared in his palm.

The wooden bracelet must also be a spatial treasure, similar to the Thousand Jin Ring.

Qin Sang glanced at the wooden bracelet and then at the bronze mirror.

Zen Master Xiaohang pressed his hand onto the bronze mirror. Threads of light immediately emerged from its surface. When the Zen Master released his hand, a fleeting silhouette appeared on the mirror's surface, vanishing in an instant.

It was less a human figure and more a white shadow.

Qin Sang looked twice, somewhat speechless.

The most crucial part, the face, was completely invisible, as blurry as a ghost. It was impossible to discern the person's features.

Is Ganlu Zen Temple relying on such sparse information to find someone?

Noticing Qin Sang's confusion, Zen Master Xiaohang held up the bronze mirror steadily and replayed the image, reminding him, "Fellow Daoist, pay attention to the movement technique this person uses."

Qin Sang focused his gaze upon hearing this.

He finally noticed something unusual.

At the moment the figure disappeared, its feet pushed off the void three times in succession, seemingly with a certain pattern.

Because it was a mere image, there was no perception of spatial fluctuations, but a careful study revealed that these footsteps contained a unique, profound rhythm, far from simple.

"The Abbot suspects this person is using the *Step of the Heavens Art*, a top-tier遁术 (escape technique) that has been lost in the Central Plains for many years. This escape technique is extremely difficult to master. During the Foundation Establishment stage, one must prepare a unique medicinal liquid to soak the legs, aiding in its cultivation. Those who practice this art must also have a high level of achievement in body tempering, possibly cultivating methods like the *Golden Body Art*. Before fully mastering the *Step of the Heavens Art*, this person will display extraordinary abilities in escape techniques, leaving discernible traces, and will also emit a peculiar medicinal fragrance..."

Following this, Zen Master Xiaohang demonstrated several characteristics of the *Step of the Heavens Art*.

Qin Sang greatly admired the Abbot of Ganlu Zen Temple, who could deduce so many clues from just a blurry image.

Hearing this, Qin Sang felt it was highly unlikely to be the Ghost Mother.

He deliberately put on a pensive expression, recalling things, and after a moment, shook his head, saying, "I have never seen such a person before. Does the Zen Master have any other information? Perhaps we can start by understanding the person's objective."

Zen Master Xiaohang hesitated for a moment and said, "This person secretly infiltrated the Zen Temple and was later discovered by one of my junior brothers. However, this person's stealth and escape techniques were both excellent, and my junior brother was shaken off. This image was derived from his recollection. Furthermore, my junior brother made another discovery, but with less than a 10% certainty, so he worries it might be misleading. The moment this person was exposed, there seemed to be a fleeting aura of a high-level spirit insect, suggesting they might also be proficient in insect manipulation techniques."

Spirit insect!

Upon hearing these two words, Qin Sang's heart immediately tensed.

When it came to insect manipulation, no one was more proficient than the Ghost Mother.

"Could it really be her? I didn't expect anyone would dare to infiltrate Ganlu Zen Temple. This style of action is indeed very similar to the Ghost Mother. The *Step of the Heavens Art* might just be a disguise. It's difficult for others to feign, but the Ghost Mother might be capable of it..."

Qin Sang's thoughts raced.

However.

Proficient in escape techniques, also cultivating body tempering, and raising spirit insects.

The more he listened, the more it sounded like something his true self would do.

Silently deliberating, Qin Sang maintained a calm expression. He had intended to ask about Ganlu Zen Temple's losses, but seeing Zen Master Xiaohang remain silent and unwilling to disclose anything, he suppressed his curiosity and promised, "I will immediately contact Fellow Daoist Qin and ask him to keep an eye out."

Zen Master Xiaohang stood up, recited a Buddhist chant, and said, "Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your trouble. If the perpetrator can be apprehended, the Zen Temple will offer a generous reward! I must consult with other fellow Daoists, so I cannot stay long. I will visit you again later, Daoist."

Qin Sang could not persuade him to stay and personally escorted Zen Master Xiaohang out of the mountain gate, agreeing on a method of contact.

Zen Master Xiaohang invited Qin Sang to visit the Zen Temple, and Qin Sang readily agreed.

If there was even a slight chance that this person was the Ghost Mother, he would intervene and act opportunistically. Even if it wasn't the Ghost Mother, it would be an opportunity to forge a good relationship with Ganlu Zen Temple.

Zen Master Xiaohang bid farewell, but Lu Zhang remained.

Qin Sang knew he had more to say.

The two watched the Zen Master depart, then returned to the main hall.

There was no need for circumlocution with Lu Zhang. Qin Sang directly asked, "Did Ganlu Zen Temple suffer significant losses?"

What was worth pondering was, if this person was the Ghost Mother, what was her objective in infiltrating Ganlu Zen Temple?

Lu Zhang seemed to be contemplating something and took a moment to respond, shaking his head. "Ganlu Zen Temple has kept this matter extremely quiet. I haven't found any verifiable information. I tried probing a few times, but Zen Master Xiaohang remained tight-lipped."

Over time, some clues would inevitably surface.

Qin Sang did not press further and changed the subject. "Are you and Zen Master Xiaohang deeply acquainted?"

"Are you asking about Mount Buni and Ganlu Zen Temple?"

Lu Zhang smiled. "There was once a conflict between Buddhism and Daoism in the Central Plains, but today, the two factions are no longer so distinct. This is most evident in the seven western provinces, where almost all sects and powers, large and small, show signs of Buddhist-Daoist integration. In the Nineteen Provinces of Misty Rain, the closer you get to the fringes, the more convoluted the lineages become, encompassing Buddhist, demonic, ghostly, and unorthodox paths. How can one even differentiate them anymore? Mount Buni also has many junior disciples who cultivate Buddhist supernatural powers concurrently, with considerable success. Fellow Daoist might consider trying it in the future, it fosters a deeper understanding. The Eight Scenery Temple is qualified to contend with Ganlu Zen Temple for the title of immortal path's leader. It's only natural for us to maintain good relations with both. As for doctrinal disputes, no one has mentioned them for a long time."

Lu Zhang's words aligned with the various observations Qin Sang had made.

After learning that Buddhism and Daoism flourished in the Central Plains, Qin Sang had initially expected them to be very segregated.

He later discovered that it was quite different from his imagination.

Except for some cruel, murderous, and unscrupulous demonic sects that remained hidden in the Northern Wilderness, there were no clear boundaries between the various inheritances in Zhongzhou. They intermingled and were difficult to distinguish, with only conflicts of interest existing.

If even the scriptures are no longer studied, how can there be talk of orthodoxy?

In the long run, they might truly merge.

Of course, this is not unrelated to the stable situation in the Central Plains. Once chaos erupts, no one can guarantee what will happen, and fellow practitioners are natural allies.

With the will of the Deity Transformation cultivators, the Central Plains would not fall into chaos.

At this point, Lu Zhang suddenly changed the topic and asked, "When did Daoist Priest leave the East Sea to travel in the Central Plains?"

Qin Sang paused, sensing something unusual, and mused, "By my reckoning, it has been nearly a century. However, even when I was in the East Sea, I was much like I am now, always in seclusion and rarely venturing out. My Green Goat Island is located to the east of the Northern Wilderness, a rather remote place, so news doesn't travel well. Has Fellow Daoist Lu heard something?"

In the past fifty years, Qin Sang had rarely left Pushan.

Lu Zhang nodded. "I recall something. Less than two hundred years ago, there was a rumor that someone saw a person suspected of being Venerable Huiguang in the outer sea. Not long after, a fierce storm suddenly arose in the deep sea, with torrential thunder and rain, creating a scene more terrifying than the storm belt itself. This was precisely in the direction Venerable Huiguang was headed. At the time, the rumor was very vague, with no clear source, and several versions claimed that Venerable Huiguang was accompanied by another person, or even more..."

He paused, then continued, "The rumor at the time didn't cause much stir. No one believed that a venerable saint would be no match for mere wind and thunder. It was simply regarded as gossip spread by idle people for amusement, and no one paid it any mind. It circulated in the East Sea for a while before dying out. I only heard of it by accident. When Zen Master Xiaohang came to my door, I suddenly remembered that rumor and specifically investigated it. Based on Ganlu Zen Temple's various behaviors, I suspect the place that person infiltrated might be the forbidden area of Ganlu Zen Temple—Mount Xiaofangcun!"

Without waiting for Qin Sang's response, Lu Zhang said gravely, "The meditation hall where Venerable Huiguang cultivates is on that very mountain!"

"Hiss..."

Qin Sang realized what Lu Zhang truly wanted to say.

"Could the person who accompanied Venerable Huiguang be...?"

Lu Zhang neither confirmed nor denied it, merely stating, "Coincidentally, since then, Venerable Huiguang and True Monarch Danyue have never appeared in public, both remaining in seclusion."

"More than a hundred years ago, more than a hundred years ago..."

Qin Sang stood up and paced back and forth several times.

Lu Zhang thought Qin Sang was contemplating the profound impact the disappearance of two Deity Transformation cultivators would have on the cultivation world.

In reality, Qin Sang was thinking about something else.

What attracted Venerable Huiguang and True Monarch Danyue to the outer sea so suddenly?

The Celestial Twin and Celestial Aspects Immortal Palaces, the Seven Kill Hall, and the Purple Star Palace were linked together by fragments of the Earth Kill Sword.

To those unaware of the inside story, wasn't it as if Old Demon Ye and Qing Jun vanished into thin air after ascending with the Purple Star Palace?

Qin Sang pressed for more details, but due to the long passage of time, Lu Zhang had not believed the rumor back then and had dismissed it with a laugh, so he had not conducted a detailed investigation and could not provide accurate times or locations.

Seeing Qin Sang lost in thought, Lu Zhang stood up, his tone enigmatic, "Let's wait and see when Ganlu Zen Temple can apprehend the villain. Otherwise, the credibility of that rumor will greatly increase, and I'm certainly not the only one who remembers it. Unless Venerable Huiguang or True Monarch Danyue personally steps forward to dispel the rumor, the Central Plains will face trouble!"

With a sigh, Lu Zhang turned and walked out.

Qin Sang came back to his senses and hastily escorted him out of the mountain.

Upon returning, Qin Sang sat in the main hall, deep in thought for a long time, before finally returning to the Pure Void Illusory Realm.

From then on, Qin Sang's avatar no longer stayed in the cave dwelling continuously but frequently went out, sometimes disguised in various identities, and other times openly visiting Zen Master Xiaohang to inquire about the movements of Ganlu Zen Temple.

His purpose in helping Ganlu Zen Temple search for the person was not something to be revealed to outsiders.

After all, his power alone was limited.

Perhaps Ganlu Zen Temple had yielded no results, or perhaps they had maintained extremely strict secrecy, but Qin Sang never received any useful information, nor could he ascertain the mysterious person's objective in infiltrating Ganlu Zen Temple.

During this period, Qin Sang did travel to many places in the Central Plains, especially the six provinces of Jiangzuo, where he witnessed the true atmosphere of immortal families and understood why the Central Plains' immortal path was so prosperous.

Spirit脉 (veins) in the Central Plains were also called Dragon Veins.

Where dragons traversed the Central Plains, the six provinces of Jiangzuo were the gathering place of myriad dragons.

However, beneath the prosperity lay hidden worries.

Lu Zhang's earlier concerns had come true.

Ganlu Zen Temple's actions attracted the attention of interested parties, and the old rumors were quickly dug up. After all, for high-level cultivators, a hundred years was not a very distant past.

The rumors quickly spread rampantly at an astonishing speed, gradually reaching a fever pitch.

For a time,

The entire world was watching the movements of the two major sects.

Intriguingly, the Eight Scenery Temple maintained silence throughout.

Ganlu Zen Temple also seemed to realize that it had inadvertently stirred up a great storm, and its search for the mysterious person became more cautious.

As the rumors intensified, True Monarch Danyue and Venerable Huiguang never showed themselves, and the two major sects made no response.

To outsiders, this was undoubtedly an implicit acknowledgment.

For many years, the Central Plains had been stable, and no immediate signs of chaos were visible.

However, old cultivators, including Qin Sang, understood clearly: without Deity Transformation cultivators guarding them, the greatest deterrent was lost for some ambitious individuals, and sooner or later, someone would stir up trouble.

Qin Sang strictly ordered the Xie family and the disciples of the Tower Pavilion not to leave Fudu County, and he himself acted with greater caution when outside.

Due to this change, it became even harder to inquire about the movements of Ganlu Zen Temple.

Qin Sang searched assiduously.

It wasn't until several years later that he learned that several Holy Monks of Ganlu Zen Temple had traveled to the Western Desert.

By the time he received the news, those Holy Monks had already returned, and it was impossible to confirm whether Venerable Huiguang was among them. From then on, Ganlu Zen Temple ceased its search, sealing its mountains and closing its temple.

Qin Sang could only hope that the Ghost Mother had not been killed by Ganlu Zen Temple.

In a flash,

More than twenty years had passed since Zen Master Xiaohang's visit to Pushan.

His true self was still cultivating with single-minded devotion.

After failing to find the person, the avatar also returned to the mountain for quiet cultivation.

Fujiang.

A treasure ship sailed out of the estuary.

As it left the calm river surface and entered the East Sea, it immediately encountered successive waves and storms.

At this moment, dense runes illuminated the ship's bottom. A greenish light enveloped the entire hull, and the wooden vessel instantly became vibrant green, as if reborn.

This layer of light was not only beautiful but also provided defense.

The impact of the waves was absorbed by the green light. The ship merely trembled slightly before regaining its stability, feeling no disturbance.

"Hmm, the rune array is carved into the hull. The hull isn't made of spirit wood, but coated with a special lacquer that can absorb true essence and be maintained with spirit stones. It's quite similar to what they have in Beihai..."

In the superior cabin, a person leaned by the window, gazing at the distant sea, yet fully aware of the changes happening beneath the ship.

This person, dressed as a scholar with a feather fan and a silk headscarf, was none other than Qin Sang's external avatar.

Unable to find the Ghost Mother, Qin Sang could only focus his energy on another matter.

This voyage was an attempt to find the source of the rumors and see if anything could be uncovered.

This ship was an asset of a certain merchant guild. With its rune array fully activated, it could withstand the impact of sea storms, and there were cultivators on board to provide escort.

Its grade was not top-tier, inferior to the Six States Hall, but it excelled in its long range, reaching the edge of the inner sea.

As they entered the East Sea,

Treasure ships sailed towards them.

Qin Sang could sense without deliberately perceiving that almost every ship carried cultivators.

"Was it always like this, or have even people from outside the Central Plains seen an opportunity and gathered here?"

Qin Sang murmured to himself.