Chapter 1588: Leaving the Dream Behind

Wuxia Xianxia

Qin Sang had already made some preparations.

These included two Triple-Transformed Spirit Insects: the Blazing Fire Silkworm and the Crimson Wilderness Beetle.

The Blazing Fire Silkworm grew in magma, while the Crimson Wilderness Beetle was usually active near the magma's edges, hidden in gray rock crevices, feeding on the fire spirits within the magma.

Both types of spirit insects were relatively common in the cultivation world, and their habits were similar, so with good luck, they could all be caught at once.

However, the transformation of spirit insects was a long and difficult process.

Qin Sang required two spirit insects that were at least at the mid-stage of Triple Transformation, which were harder to find than mid-stage Core Formation cultivators. Knowing that personally searching for them would take an unknown amount of time, he had Jiang Mu post a spirit insect search mission at the Six Prefectures Hall.

Because Qin Sang offered a very high price, it was said to have attracted many late-stage Core Formation cultivators to emerge from seclusion. In just over a month, the two spirit insects were delivered to Qin Sang.

For over ten years, Qin Sang had continuously fed them with Fire-Melting Pills and other elixirs. The Blazing Fire Silkworm was now at the late-stage of Triple Transformation, and the Crimson Wilderness Beetle had also reached the peak of the mid-stage of Triple Transformation.

They would serve as materials for the transformation of the Fiery Jade Centipede.

Before this, Qin Sang still needed to help the Crimson Wilderness Beetle advance.

Triple-Transformed Spirit Insects were extremely rare. Consuming two late-stage Triple-Transformed Spirit Insects to aid the Fiery Jade Centipede's transformation seemed like a very extravagant act.

However, this was only because the Fiery Jade Centipede had already consumed numerous rare heavenly treasures, and its cultivation had long reached the peak of the late-stage Triple Transformation, being just a step away from true transformation. Otherwise, even more resources would be required.

The art of Gu cultivation, in essence, was also about accumulating vast resources to achieve a qualitative change, consuming other spirit insects in the process.

Nevertheless, these two spirit insects were not rare or unique types; their potential was almost exhausted. Unless a special fortuitous encounter occurred, the possibility of them transforming into the Fourth Transformation in the future was negligible. From Qin Sang's perspective, there was nothing regrettable about using them.

In addition, Qin Sang had also prepared most of the elixirs mentioned in the *Gu Scripture*.

He either acquired them himself or gathered the spiritual herbs through various merchant associations and then commissioned alchemists to refine them.

However, for one specific elixir named Dream-Dispelling Powder, there had been no news regarding its two main ingredients. Later inquiries revealed that the main ingredients were produced in Barbarian Province and monopolized by the Myriad Poison Mountain sect.

Coincidentally, Dream-Dispelling Powder was indispensable, as it could, to some extent, neutralize the fierce and aggressive aura of Gu insects. Qin Sang estimated he needed to prepare at least three doses for the Fiery Jade Centipede.

He could only purchase it from Myriad Poison Mountain.

Dream-Dispelling Powder was not only highly useful during Gu cultivation but also when cultivators attempted to subdue spirit insects, as it could be used to lure and soothe them, increasing the chances of success.

Myriad Poison Mountain occasionally released a batch, but the price was extremely high.

Only after confirming the secret technique was viable did Qin Sang decide to make the purchase.

Seven Fragrance Pavilion.

Although not as prominent as the Six Prefectures Hall, it was still a well-known large merchant association in Central Province. Its reach extended further than the Six Prefectures Hall, with branches even visible in major market towns of the Northern Barrens. Rumor had it that it maintained close ties with Myriad Poison Mountain.

For Nascent Soul cultivators, none of this was a secret; anyone with the intent to inquire could always find out.

The "Yi" District of Immortal City was a gathering place for merchant associations, and there was a Seven Fragrance Pavilion located there.

The "Yi" District was bustling with people.

The entrances of the major merchant associations were especially crowded, with cultivators constantly coming and going.

The Seven Fragrance Pavilion was a seven-story jade building, constructed from a dark green precious jade, emanating a shimmering green glow.

Jade posts outside the entrance were tethered with various mounts, including dragons, phoenixes, and Qilin, a dazzling array. All were thoroughly domesticated, lazily lounging and feigning sleep.

Qin Sang applied a layer of disguise, then strolled across a jade bridge to the jade pavilion's entrance and walked inside.

Inside the Seven Fragrance Pavilion, there was another world: treasures filled the display counters, mostly elixirs and poisonous items. At the entrance stood over a dozen young attendants and maidservants, all cultivators at the Qi Condensation stage.

"Please come in, honored guest!"

As Qin Sang entered, a maidservant immediately greeted him with a smile, swaying her slender waist. Just as she was about to step forward and attend to him, a deep voice suddenly resounded in her ear.

"Please invite this senior upstairs."

The maidservant's heart jolted, and the smile on her face stiffened slightly. Fortunately, it wasn't her first time experiencing such a situation, so she didn't lose composure. She curtsied and said, "This senior requests your presence."

Qin Sang detected the spiritual message but remained expressionless. He followed the maidservant to the second floor, where he saw a man in white robes hastily descending the stairs. The man said to the maidservant, "You may go."

He then cupped his hands and bowed to Qin Sang, saying, "Senior, your esteemed presence honors us. This junior apologizes for not greeting you sooner. I hope you will forgive my oversight. The treasures on the lower floor would likely not catch your esteemed eye. Would you care to accompany this junior to a private room for a detailed discussion?"

Qin Sang saw no objection and followed the man to the fifth floor, where spiritual tea and immortal fruits had already been served.

The two sat facing each other. The man in white robes was about to make small talk, but Qin Sang, not wanting to waste time, interrupted him. He scrutinized the man for a moment, then directly stated, "This humble Daoist wishes to purchase an item from your esteemed pavilion. Are you authorized to make decisions?"

The man in white robes chuckled apologetically, "This junior has the honor of being the manager of Seven Fragrance Pavilion, and I can decide most of the pavilion's affairs. If your request exceeds my authority, I will immediately report it to the pavilion's elders, and we will certainly give you a satisfactory answer."

Branch offices of major merchant associations were spread throughout the Central Plains; it was impossible for every outpost to have a Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing it.

For instance, the Six Prefectures Hall in Misty Waters Market had a Core Formation cultivator as its original manager. It was only due to Mount Bunan's sealing and the instability in Zhuo Province that Six Prefectures Hall sent Jiang Mu to take charge.

Once the situation in Zhuo Province stabilized, Jiang Mu was transferred back.

Only the Immortal City at Flying Cloud Ferry, due to its critical location, would always have a Nascent Soul cultivator stationed there.

Qin Sang nodded and said calmly, "This humble Daoist wishes to purchase Dream-Dispelling Powder."

The smile on the man in white robes' face stiffened. Without any unnecessary words, he immediately stood up and said, "Senior, please wait a moment."

Not long after the man in white robes left, someone knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Qin Sang looked up at the doorway and saw an old man with a youthful complexion and crane-like hair push open the door and enter. A hint of surprise flashed in Qin Sang's eyes.

He was actually a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Could he be the Pavilion Master of Seven Fragrance Pavilion?

The old man was also assessing Qin Sang, and realizing he couldn't discern Qin Sang's cultivation level, he was secretly awed. He then let out a hearty laugh and said, "This old man was in seclusion, but regrettably, I failed to give due welcome to fellow Daoist."

"It is this humble Daoist who has disturbed you."

Qin Sang rose and returned the bow.

After some polite exchanges, the old man tried to probe into Qin Sang's background, but Qin Sang subtly deflected all his attempts.

Seeing this, the old man ceased his futile efforts. After a brief contemplation, he said, "Fellow Daoist wishes to purchase Dream-Dispelling Powder. You should know that this medicine is controlled by Myriad Poison Mountain and is only released in small quantities at intervals. It circulates very little externally and is extremely valuable."

Qin Sang let out a light chuckle.

The old man's expression remained unchanged, but his tone shifted. "This pavilion does indeed have some in our collection, but such highly sought-after treasures are very limited in quantity. May I ask how much Fellow Daoist requires, and do you intend to trade items or purchase with spirit stones?"

"At least three doses!"

Qin Sang held up three fingers. "As for the method of transaction, it will depend on the quality of the Dream-Dispelling Powder."

Dream-Dispelling Powder was divided into three grades: superior, medium, and inferior. Both medium and superior grades were effective, differing only in potency, while the inferior grade was essentially useless for the Fiery Jade Centipede.

Hearing this, the old man knew Qin Sang had come prepared. He put aside other thoughts and took out three porcelain bottles from his mustard seed pouch, placing them on the table.

Qin Sang opened the porcelain bottles and examined them one by one.

The porcelain bottles contained white powder, which was indeed Dream-Dispelling Powder. One bottle of powder was slightly yellowish, indicating it was of medium grade, while the other two bottles were of superior grade.

These three bottles of Dream-Dispelling Powder were essentially sufficient.

The old man watched Qin Sang's actions and suddenly chuckled, "Congratulations, fellow Daoist!"

"What brings this joy?"

Qin Sang looked up at him.

"Fellow Daoist purchasing three bottles of Dream-Dispelling Powder at once means you must have encountered a Fourth-Transformed Spirit Insect, correct? Isn't that a great cause for joy?" the old man said with a hint of envy.

Other spirit insect control secret techniques, unlike the *Gu Scripture*, didn't have such severe hidden dangers or such stringent requirements.

The old man didn't know Qin Sang possessed half of the *Gu Scripture* and misunderstood Qin Sang's true objective.

In the cultivation world, Triple-Transformed Spirit Insects could still be found, but naturally transformed Fourth-Transformed Spirit Insects were exceedingly rare. Moreover, such insects possessed extremely high potential. Even Myriad Poison Mountain, which dominated Barbarian Province, had only seen them a few times.

Encountering one didn't guarantee capturing it, and capturing it didn't guarantee subduing it.

The old man was naturally envious of Qin Sang's fortune.

After checking each bottle, Qin Sang put them down and replied, as if casually, "Spirit insects generally have single abilities. Even a Fourth-Transformed Spirit Insect is often useless most of the time. This humble Daoist has paid such a high price and worked diligently for many years, yet I'm not certain if it will truly help me. If only it were like the spirit insect of a fellow Daoist I once encountered! With just a single flash of poisonous light, it could easily poison and kill a master of the same cultivation level. It was the most terrifying spirit insect this humble Daoist has ever seen in my life!"

"Poison a Nascent Soul cultivator to death?"

The old man's expression changed dramatically, and his tone became urgent. "What kind of poisonous light? What did that spirit insect look like?"

Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly. Without a change in expression, he pretended to recall carefully for a moment, then said, "The poisonous light flashed by; I remember it was milky white. As for the spirit insect, it seemed to be a jade-like beetle. Heh heh... This humble Daoist has always suspected it belonged to a highly skilled expert from Myriad Poison Mountain. Does fellow Daoist recognize it?"

"Jade Beetle... Jade Beetle..."

The old man murmured to himself, then suddenly remembered something and pressed eagerly, "Who was controlling the Jade Beetle? Where did Fellow Daoist encounter him?"

As expected, there was an issue!

Upon seeing the *Gu Scripture*, Qin Sang had been pondering the relationship between the scarred-face man and his apprentice and Myriad Poison Mountain, but outwardly, Myriad Poison Mountain didn't seem to have such a figure.

He suspected the *Gu Scripture*'s origins were dubious, so he probed slightly, unexpectedly finding a potentially bigger secret hidden within.

Qin Sang remained silent, looking at the old man with a faint smile, then glanced at the porcelain bottles on the table.

The old man was startled, then understood. He gritted his teeth and said, "If Fellow Daoist can provide this old man with useful information, these Dream-Dispelling Powders can be given to you for free!"

Only then did Qin Sang relent, musing, "That person's methods were formidable, instantly killing a Nascent Soul cultivator. At the time, this humble Daoist only dared to observe from afar; how could I approach? I vaguely saw that the person's face was covered in scars, very peculiar. As for their origin, fellow Daoist can search the border between the two Southern Barbarian Provinces..."

As he spoke, he activated his spiritual power, sketching a simplified geomantic map of the two Southern Barbarian Provinces in the air, outlining a large area.

The old man stammered. Qin Sang was unaware of the grievances between them, so he intentionally merged his two encounters with the scarred-face man, believing that guiding them to the scarred-face man's hiding place would be sufficient.

However, Qin Sang felt that the scarred-face man was likely no longer in the Poisonous Miasma Basin.

The old man kept this in mind and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist must have guessed by now that this old man's other identity is an elder of Myriad Poison Mountain. The person you spoke of has long-standing grievances with our sect. Two of our Nascent Soul elders tragically fell victim to his poison. If Fellow Daoist ever encounters this person again, we hope you will inform our sect promptly; there will definitely be a generous reward!"

"The grievances between you have nothing to do with this humble Daoist. That person's spirit insect is too vicious, and this humble Daoist values my life very much. I don't wish to encounter him again, nor do I want to provoke such a powerful enemy."

Qin Sang shook his head repeatedly, put away the porcelain bottles, and rose to leave.

The old man quickly called out to Qin Sang, "Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, the old man hastily exited, then returned just as quickly, carrying a jade box.

The jade box opened, revealing layers of restrictive seals covering and containing a hair-thin gray filament.

Upon closer inspection, it was revealed to be a fine gray hair, whose origin was unknown.

Qin Sang gazed at it for a long while, unable to discern its nature, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.

The old man pushed the jade box towards Qin Sang. "That person, years ago, was arrogantly overconfident and was struck by a supreme treasure of our sect. The poison entered his internal organs. Had it not been for his profound cultivation, he would have long since perished; the strange scars on his face are precisely a result of that poisoning. This item contains a portion of that supreme treasure's power. If Fellow Daoist encounters that person in the future, you can activate this item to detonate the residual poison within his body. This will certainly make him too preoccupied to deal with you, allowing you to seize the opportunity to escape! Of course, if Fellow Daoist can slay this person and capture the Jade Beetle alive, returning it to Myriad Poison Mountain, our sect will exchange it for a valuable treasure!"

Qin Sang inwardly thought, "So that's how it is."

No wonder such a formidable grand cultivator couldn't even restore his appearance.

The Myriad Poison Mountain's sect's supreme treasure had actually left a grand cultivator in such a sorry state. The profound foundations of renowned sects were truly unfathomable!

Qin Sang reminded himself of this, then frowned and said, "It has been decades since this humble Daoist encountered him. That person is a late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator. After so much time, will this item still be effective?"

"The fact that the scars on that person's face haven't faded means the residual poison hasn't been removed, so it will definitely be effective! If it were so easy to neutralize, would it still be revered as a supreme treasure by our sect?"

The old man said with full confidence, "The residual poison lies dormant within him; as long as it's not detonated, it won't cause much impact. That person is fully devoted to cultivating the Jade Beetle, which will undoubtedly consume a vast amount of his energy. Before the Jade Beetle reaches completion, he won't have any spare energy to expel the residual poison."

Qin Sang claimed he had only observed from a distance.

However, the old man knew full well that battles between grand cultivators were not something just anyone could observe. Furthermore, since the scarred-face man had provoked Myriad Poison Mountain, a formidable enemy, he would surely silence anyone who risked exposing his whereabouts.

Perhaps they had already engaged in a major battle.

Qin Sang being lively and well at least indicated his divine abilities were not weak.

Creating this fine hair would cause the supreme treasure to lose some of its power, but it would recover on its own after some time, so giving one away was harmless. The old man saw that Qin Sang was wary of them and didn't expose him, but he didn't mind recruiting an ally.

He wasn't worried that Qin Sang would steal the Jade Beetle.

Regardless of whether Qin Sang could kill the opponent, apart from Myriad Poison Mountain and the scarred-face man who personally cultivated the Jade Beetle, no one else possessed the ability to subdue it. If Qin Sang obtained it, he could only seal it.

If sealed for too long, there was a danger of the Jade Beetle exploiting weaknesses and backfiring on its possessor.

The best choice would be to trade with Myriad Poison Mountain.

"In that case, this humble Daoist respectfully accepts!"

Qin Sang picked up the jade box, slightly cupped his hands, and turned to leave.

The old man personally escorted Qin Sang out of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion, then returned to his private room and closed his eyes to meditate.

Not long after.

A dark shadow emerged in the private room.

"Did you lose him?"

The old man asked calmly, seemingly unsurprised.

The shadow grunted, "This person's spiritual senses are acute. I hadn't followed for even a hundred *zhang* before I faintly felt him lock onto me and warn me."

"Very good! The higher his cultivation, the better! I can't believe that fellow actually cultivated the Gu King. We can't keep this information locked down any longer; otherwise, relying solely on the sect's strength will surely result in heavy losses... I will personally report this to the Sect Master."

The old man said.