Chapter 1692: Meeting

"His spiritual fire possesses the power of a Soul Transformation cultivator. Aren't you tempted, old monk?" the Azure Fox Saint King retorted.

"Although I couldn't focus then and didn't sense the spiritual fire's aura, from their descriptions, it must be a demonic fire, correct?" Saint Huiguang immediately saw through the Azure Fox Saint King's intentions. Both the Spirit-Calming Incense formula and the Southern Blazing Fire were things she was determined to acquire. Qin Sang's possession of such treasures was his misfortune.

The Azure Fox Saint King fell silent.

Saint Huiguang didn't press further, reminding her, "Unless you, Saint King, can refine this fire and greatly enhance your cultivation and divine abilities, it's not worth pursuing. If it's merely for an extra means of attack, this fire's power is too volatile and difficult to control. Recklessly using it in the Returning Ruins could cause severe fluctuations, potentially attracting swarms of fierce beasts and putting us in a more perilous situation. This person is already like a startled bird; we cannot use force. Saint King, it would be best to heed my words and not act impetuously, causing unnecessary complications."

In the Eastern Sea's Returning Ruins, fierce beasts ran rampant. Even before the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound incited the beasts to riot, the Returning Ruins was an extremely dangerous place. Soul Transformation cultivators would only dare to venture in after reaching the peak of their cultivation and making thorough preparations. Now, with the beasts maddened by the demonic sound, the situation within their lairs was unknown. For those crossing eastward to ascend, fierce beasts were one of the greatest threats. Especially deep within the Returning Ruins, while they might be able to handle a single fierce beast, a direct confrontation could cause fluctuations that attract even more beasts.

"If I can subdue the artifact spirit and control this treasure, I won't have to insist on anything else," the Azure Fox Saint King said, her tone finally softening as she glanced at the Five Elements Crown on the demonic body's head. Of course, she also understood that after this failed attempt, it would be very difficult to capture that person again. Unless she and the old monk personally intervened, anyone else encountering him would merely be seeking death. If there was any hint of trouble, that person would sense danger, go into hiding, or even escape from Middle-state and find a sanctuary in the storm belt. Would they then delay their ascension indefinitely, guarding Middle-state until he was found? The old monk was a local influential figure; to find that person, they would have to rely on the power of Buddhism.

The most pressing matter now was to find a way to help the ancient devil suppress its madness, regain some sanity, and then interrogate it for secrets. Incidentally, they could also use the ancient devil to verify some previous theories and investigate the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound.

*Whoosh!*

Several monks rushed towards the broken mountain. Within the five-colored clouds, spiritual lights of other colors could be seen, indicating that the Five Elements Divine Restriction hadn't destroyed all the formations on the mountain. They were ordered to rescue the treasures of the Formless Immortal Sect. Other Buddhist masters also dispersed, occupying various key locations within the ancient abode and driving away unauthorized individuals. Unfortunately, there weren't enough personnel, and with constant changes, people scattered as soon as the demonic body showed signs of defeat. The abode's passage had also been expanding, now covering almost half of the Taiyue Mountain Range, and the abode was about to return to the real world. Saint Huiguang's idea of capturing everyone at once couldn't be realized; they could only secure control of the abode first.

In the sky, the Poison King had emerged from the gray cocoon, having narrowly escaped death. He scanned the mountains of the ancient abode, his gaze flickering. Just now, the Poison King had learned from Yue Lingtian what had happened during his confinement, feeling both relieved and worried. He was relieved that he had previously leaned towards a transaction and hadn't formed a mortal enmity with that person. His worry was how to retrieve the Gu King, which had fallen into the hands of such a figure.

Mo Xingdao, while regulating his breath, observed the Azure Fox Saint King and Saint Huiguang, then glanced at the others. He discreetly began to retreat, but suddenly, a voice transmission sounded in his ear, freezing him in place.

"I'm injured, so it's inconvenient for me to stand and greet you. Please forgive my rudeness."

In the simple stone dwelling carved out of a corner of the desolate mountain, Qin Sang stopped healing and looked at Liu Li as she entered, a smile appearing on his pale face. It was evident that smiling was difficult for him; he had to force the corners of his mouth.

The avatar brought Liu Li and then hurried away. Qin Sang explained, "Previously, my avatar disguised itself as the Old Ancestor of the Xie family in Pushan. Now that its identity has been exposed and it has provoked the Demon Race Saint King, it's likely to bring disaster to the Xie family. I have some friends still in Pushan who are unaware of this change. I need to send a message urgently to warn them so they can prepare." Before rumors spread, the fastest way was through the Six Continents Hall. He didn't know if it would be in time. Qin Sang could only do his best and leave the rest to fate. He figured with the Ghost Mother present, arrangements should be made properly.

Liu Li lightly nodded her head, seeing that Qin Sang's main body was severely injured. "What are your plans now?"

"Naturally, I'll first find a place to heal..." Qin Sang pulled at the corner of his mouth, but unexpectedly, it tugged at his internal injuries, almost making him gasp. He actually forced himself to maintain the smile, gazing at Liu Li. He saw her dressed in a Haiqing robe, and although she wore a monk's hat, he could still see her dark hair tied up beneath the brim. The lay practitioner's attire not only failed to conceal Liu Li's exquisite beauty but also added a touch of elegance and serenity to her, softening her usual coldness, making her less unapproachable than before.

Qin Sang inexplicably felt a sense of relief. Back then, Liu Li had cut her hair as a sign of her resolve and departed decisively. He had once thought they would never meet again. Looking at her familiar face, he blurted out, "Fortunately, Fairy didn't truly become a nun."

Liu Li remained silent, staring at him with cold eyes. Qin Sang quickly fell silent, letting out two dry laughs. Given his current condition, it was best not to be too arrogant; otherwise, Liu Li could easily kill him with a single slap.

At this moment, Qin Sang noticed that Liu Li's cultivation was still at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, but her aura was already comparable to an avatar, reaching the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage. "Fairy's cultivation level?" The thought that Liu Li could still sense him meant that the hidden danger from the evil art hadn't been resolved. Was she perhaps trapped by a bottleneck again? Qin Sang couldn't help but worry.

Liu Li calmly said, "When the ancient abode emerged, I already sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough and was about to go into seclusion." Guessing what Qin Sang wanted to ask, Liu Li paused, looked at him, and said, "You can block the imprint." Both of them cultivated the *Xuanpin Jade Cauldron Scripture*. Qin Sang had taken the dominant position, acting as the master. Although she tried her best to suppress the imprint, if Qin Sang simply willed it, her efforts would be in vain, and he would discover the imprint's secret. Qin Sang seemed completely unaware of this, which only indicated that he had never entertained such thoughts. Even when she had willingly opened her mind to him during the battle against Yin Changsheng in the sacred land, Qin Sang had merely used her true essence to control the Solar Divine Tree, then immediately severed the connection, without any extraneous thoughts or actions.

"It would still be best to find a way to remove the imprint as soon as possible!" Qin Sang sighed. From Liu Li's tone, cultivating Buddhist Dharma seemed quite effective, but it apparently wasn't enough to completely resolve the hidden danger.

Since the topic of breakthrough came up, Qin Sang took out a jade orb from his Qianjun Ring and handed it to Liu Li. The jade orb was the size of a baby's fist, emitting a pure emerald green light that shimmered like a luminous pearl. It contained countless tiny, nested hollows. However, some parts appeared incomplete, suggesting an unfinished state. The jade orb was precisely the Heavenly Exquisite Spirit Embryo.

Liu Li didn't take it, but her gaze was drawn to the Heavenly Exquisite, intuitively sensing it was no ordinary item. Qin Sang explained, "This item is called the Heavenly Exquisite. I obtained it from an opponent; it's a supreme treasure crafted by the Wood Element lineage, capable of assisting in breaking through to the Soul Transformation stage. For advancing to Soul Transformation, the Heaven-Man Connection step is crucial and closely related to one's spiritual root... As you know, I have a five-element spiritual root, so this item is useless to me. I also don't lack treasures to aid in breakthroughs. I plan to trade that Five Elements Pill with Mo Xingdao for the Spirit Rhinoceros Immortal Fruit; I just don't know if he'll be able to get away."

As he spoke, Qin Sang took out a wooden box, revealing a cyan light orb that contained the secret art of the Heavenly Exquisite. Liu Li extended her spiritual sense into the light orb. After reviewing its contents, an unusual expression appeared on her face. After a moment of silence, Liu Li shook her head, "It was merely a small effort on my part."

Her personality hadn't changed! Despite all his explanations, he still couldn't get Liu Li to accept it. Qin Sang sighed inwardly, "For you, it might be a small effort, but for me, it was a life-saving grace. Moreover, Fairy took a great risk by intervening. As one who cultivates Buddhist Dharma, doesn't Fairy know that being overly vigilant and defensive towards me is attachment to form, and allowing things to take their natural course is the true path?"

Liu Li still insisted on her view, only making a copy of the light orb's contents. "I haven't broken through to the late-Nascent Soul stage yet, so I have plenty of time to gather materials and prepare to refine the Heavenly Exquisite. Since the Moon Laurel Immortal Dew has appeared in Middle-state before, it means it's not extinct, and it might not be impossible to find."

Qin Sang opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only put away the Heavenly Exquisite Spirit Embryo. "If that's the case, I'll keep this item for you for now, Fairy. Also, I still have one Spirit-Calming Incense stick left. If Fairy has any need for it, please just say the word."

Liu Li neither confirmed nor denied.

Qin Sang didn't insist further and changed the subject. "Which force did Fairy join? Will today's events have any negative repercussions?" With the teleportation passage exposed, the relationship between that force and the Formless Immortal Sect would also be revealed. If any consequences arose, the sect might very well blame Liu Li.

"Yan Yue'an (Veiled Moon Nunnery). Its founding ancestor once formed a Dao-partner relationship with an elder of the Formless Immortal Sect. After the Formless Immortal Sect's demise, its disciples withdrew from the world, and when they traveled outside, they used other identities to conceal themselves..." Liu Li briefly introduced the origins of Yan Yue'an.

Learning that Yan Yue'an's ancestor originated from the Water Element lineage and also had strong ties with the Metal Element lineage, Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He quickly took out several more items. These included jade slips obtained in the Ice Ceremony Palace, which recorded legacies from the Water Element Hall, such as *Taiyi Hidden Water*, *Lightless Shield*, *Primal Stillness Divine Wheel*, and *Misty Wave Shadowless Phantom Body*. There was also the golden sword obtained at Emperor's Grant Mountain, which contained the sword formation legacy of the Metal Element Hall. Qin Sang handed them all to Liu Li for her to arrange.

After scanning the contents of the jade slips and the golden sword, Liu Li couldn't help but glance at Qin Sang again, surprised by how bountiful his gains from the Formless Immortal Sect were. This time, Liu Li didn't refuse. She had falsely claimed to return to the secret hall to retrieve treasures, but in reality, it was to rescue Qin Sang. The old nun saw through her lie but didn't get angry; instead, she offered help. Ultimately, they still couldn't retrieve the treasures from the secret hall. This favor always needed to be repaid. Recovering the legacies of the two lineages would give them a proper explanation.

Perhaps it was due to being separated for too long, leading to a sense of unfamiliarity; after discussing these serious matters, Qin Sang suddenly didn't know what to say, and Liu Li, with her naturally icy temperament, was even less likely to speak first. For a moment, the dwelling was silent, and they looked at each other without a word.

After a period of silence, Qin Sang looked outside the dwelling. "My avatar should soon reach the nearby Six Continents Hall. Fairy, do you know who is currently at the Xie family?" Not expecting Liu Li to offer him a way out of the awkwardness, Qin Sang answered his own question: "I originally headed north to Jinyu State to attend the Ullambana Festival, but unexpectedly met Senior Ghost Mother there. Being able to arrive in time before the ancient abode emerged was also thanks to her guidance. I originally came for the Middle-state Immortal Palace, but it seems the path to it is cut off. Judging by Purple Thunder True Person's performance at the Eight Scenery Temple, he must have also ascended to the Upper Realm."

Hearing "Ghost Mother," Liu Li's eyes subtly shifted. "Dumb Aunt?"

Finally, a response! It was admirable that she still remembered Dumb Aunt. Qin Sang's spirits lifted, and he smiled, "My previous efforts haven't been in vain after all. After Senior Ghost Mother examined her, Dumb Aunt's condition is very well preserved. Senior Ghost Mother is helping her sort things out and will definitely be able to remove the Heavenly Corpse Talisman and awaken her."

Liu Li seemed affected by Qin Sang's smile, her expression softening slightly as she softly said, "Congratulations."

Qin Sang knew she must be thinking of her master. To some extent, both of them were bound by obsessions. His obsession was about to be resolved, while Liu Li and her master were separated by two realms, with no end in sight. "Fairy, don't worry. Your master is a blessed person; she will surely turn danger into safety. This time, meeting Senior Ghost Mother, I learned many secrets..." Qin Sang spoke quickly, telling Liu Li everything he had learned from the Ghost Mother.

"The Ascension Platform flew to the Demon Realm, but the Immortal Palace and the Ascension Platform shouldn't be related... The Immortal Palace's ascension was grand and monumental. Unless someone in the Upper Realm had made prior arrangements to conceal it, news would surely have spread. Senior Ghost Mother is preparing for her ascension. I will ask her to investigate this matter once she reaches the Upper Realm; perhaps we can get news of your master. It would be even better if she could offer help. After we ascend, we can visit Senior Ghost Mother in the Witch Tribe."

"Ascension..." Liu Li looked wistful, yet there was also a hint of anticipation in her eyes. This anticipation was precisely the driving force behind her relentless efforts.

As his avatar hadn't returned for a long time, Qin Sang didn't plan to wait any longer. He suggested they leave first and shamelessly requested protection, saying, "Why trouble two masters with one task? Fairy, could you escort me a bit further?"

Learning that the Crying Spirit Cave Master had also died by Qin Sang's hand, Liu Li was speechless. How long had they been in Middle-state? How could this person have enemies everywhere? The Crying Spirit Cave Master also had a fearsome reputation in the Southern Barbarian Two States. Proficient in ghost arts, his divine abilities were strange and unpredictable. Once he targeted someone, they wouldn't even know how they died; often, death itself was a luxury. Sects, including Mount Myriad Poisons and Taiyue Sect, were unwilling to provoke such a vicious person. This person rarely appeared after achieving his cultivation, yet his fearsome reputation remained undiminished. He unexpectedly died here without a sound.

Qin Sang prepared to go to the Crying Spirit Cave Master's dwelling first, though not the publicly known one. This person had "three burrows for a cunning rabbit"; his medicinal garden was located in his most secret dwelling, its exact location unknown even to his disciples. Perhaps they could find spiritual herbs there that would aid in his healing and speed up his recovery. He could also recuperate in the Crying Spirit Cave Master's dwelling for a while, but being too close to the Poison King was never a long-term solution.

After taking some pills, Qin Sang was barely able to move. The Crying Spirit Cave Master's dwelling was located in an uninhabited area of Man State. They headed southwest. The Southern Barbarian Two States were full of poisonous miasma, vast, and sparsely populated, so they didn't need to worry about revealing their tracks. Along the way, Qin Sang recounted his experiences over the years and also learned that Liu Li had originally intended to find a Buddhist temple in the Western Desert for quiet cultivation but unexpectedly met the abbess, who was traveling outside. They traveled together in the Western Desert, forming a friendship. Liu Li accepted the abbess's invitation to join Yan Yue'an and, under the abbess's counsel, chose to cultivate while retaining her hair. After that, she hadn't left the nunnery.