Chapter 1708: Gathering the World

The Seven Western States.Zhenzhou.

The western part of this state borders the Western Desert, but the frontier is defined by thousands of mountains and valleys that block the encroaching sandstorms. The mountains are lush and green, brimming with spiritual qi, forming a stark contrast with the vast yellow sands. In this region, almost every mountain has a cultivator’s abode. Innumerable large and small sects and reclusive cultivators practice here, earning it the moniker, “A Thousand Mountains, A Thousand Sects.”

The Profound Stratagem Sect is one such sect. Although it is not a single-lineage transmission, the entire sect comprises just over thirty people. They prioritize quality over quantity when accepting disciples, and all disciples are meticulously chosen. Despite its smaller scale compared to renowned major sects, the Profound Stratagem Sect is quite famous, and its sect master, Venerable Mingce, is highly respected in the vicinity.

Below the waterfall, within a mountain pavilion, Venerable Mingce felt the Daoist's piercing gaze and frowned deeply. "How did Daoist Priest learn that our sect possesses the Everlasting Dendrobium?"

"Three hundred years ago, a stalk of Everlasting Dendrobium was discovered in an oasis in the Western Desert. It caused a great scramble, but its whereabouts eventually became unknown. Coincidentally, this humble Daoist found that fellow Daoist was near that oasis at the time, and appeared in a nearby market town..." The Daoist opposite calmly explained the situation, not hiding the fact that he had investigated Venerable Mingce's movements.

The Daoist was none other than Qin Sang’s avatar!

The Underworld Moon Guard had dispersed into the cultivation world, gathering information on various treasures. It was time to reel them in. The Everlasting Dendrobium was one such treasure. It could be refined into a pill for the *Panhu True Scripture* to enhance the cultivation of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. However, this spiritual medicine also greatly benefited cultivators, so convincing Venerable Mingce to part with it would likely not be easy.

The Underworld Moon Guard had been busy collecting most of the treasures on the list. The remaining ones either had no information or were difficult to obtain, so Qin Sang had to personally intervene.

"The Everlasting Dendrobium is of great use to this humble Daoist. As long as fellow Daoist is willing to part with it, I will do my utmost to satisfy you." The avatar’s tone carried immense confidence. Such powerful confidence stemmed from equally powerful strength!

Even without considering Qin Sang’s true body, the avatar alone was virtually unrivaled in the world. Only two Soul Transformation stage experts could reliably suppress him. If his true body was included, he no longer harbored as much apprehension towards Soul Transformation cultivators as before.

After only fifty years of secluded cultivation, Qin Sang’s true body’s cultivation had astonishingly reached the peak of the late Nascent Soul stage! Calculating the time, it had been a considerable period since Qin Sang broke through to the late Nascent Soul stage. The Formless Immortal Sect was opened by Zhu Wudao more than eighty years *after* his breakthrough. However, cultivating the *Fiery Seed Golden Lotus* consumed most of his time. He truly began cultivating seventy years ago, after refining the demonic fire. He reached the peak in just seventy years, and for the first twenty years, he was often distracted by other matters! Such astonishing cultivation speed, even in the late Nascent Soul stage, was extremely rare among the renowned major sects in the Central Plains.

The Daoist charm of the Wordless Jade Tablet and the Buddhist relic bone were instrumental. Even when encountering bottlenecks, Qin Sang only needed to patiently meditate for a period to consistently break through. The killing talisman from the *Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter* and the Cleansing Pool enhanced his talent. Coupled with the aid of the Four Saints Spirit Gathering Formation, Qin Sang's cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

Currently, Qin Sang still harbored apprehension towards the two Soul Transformation experts. However, with his current strength, and relying on the Luye Grand Formation, even if the Azure Fox Saint King reneged on her promise and sought him out, he would be able to contend with her. With such confidence, the avatar no longer needed to stay confined to the Sweet Dew Zen Temple. This appearance was to scour the world!

"What grand ambition, Daoist Priest!" Venerable Mingce looked deeply at the avatar. Various signs indicated that Daoist Qingfeng had a deep connection with the Sweet Dew Zen Temple, and he himself was a peak cultivator in this realm, possessing sufficient strength to make such promises. Conversely, Venerable Mingce had to consider the consequences of angering him.

The avatar responded with a smile.

Venerable Mingce fell silent, then sighed lightly. "The Everlasting Dendrobium was originally prepared for my next breakthrough. Since Daoist Priest has taken an interest in it, though I am reluctant, I am willing to oblige..." The avatar did not show joy at the other party's quick agreement, knowing there must be more to it.

As expected, Venerable Mingce’s tone shifted. "However, I have an impolite request..." He paused, then said gravely, "If Daoist Priest could generously lend a hand and save my beloved disciple's life, I will immediately offer the treasure to you!"

The avatar was slightly startled. "Which powerful figure has your disciple offended?"

"No, my disciple, though unruly, knows when to advance and retreat." Venerable Mingce shook his head, then flicked a command towards the mountaintop to summon his disciple. He explained in detail to the avatar, "My young disciple, Yu Zhensheng, has been intelligent since childhood. I have placed great hopes on him, wishing for him to inherit my legacy and revitalize the sect. My disciple has also lived up to expectations, now being in the late Core Formation stage, just one step away from the Nascent Soul stage. Unfortunately, it was only at this critical moment of breakthrough that my disciple and I discovered that, in addition to the normal Eight Extraordinary Meridians, he actually has an extra hidden meridian!"

"A hidden meridian?" The avatar was surprised and searched through ancient texts, finding records about hidden meridians. Possessing a hidden meridian can be considered a type of special constitution. Some are easy to unblock, while others might never be discovered until death. Whether it's good or bad isn't certain; it depends on the meridian's location. Some hidden meridians not only have no drawbacks but, once unblocked, can even grant cultivators special talents, allowing them to achieve twice the results with half the effort when cultivating certain specific techniques.

From Venerable Mingce's tone, Yu Zhensheng was likely not among those.

"I have consulted countless ancient texts. My disciple's hidden meridian has no inherent harm. For others, they could forcefully unblock it, and over ninety percent would gain opportunities envied by ordinary people. However, our sect's cultivation methods are unique. Forcibly unblocking the meridian, even with a slight mistake, could endanger my disciple's life, and the higher his cultivation realm, the more dangerous it becomes. If left unaddressed, my disciple's potential would be limited by this hidden meridian..." Venerable Mingce recounted everything in detail.

Just then, a figure swiftly descended from the mountaintop, landing beside the stone pavilion. He had a refined and elegant demeanor. Guided by his master, Yu Zhensheng bowed respectfully to the avatar.

"From your tone, it seems you've found a solution?" The avatar released his perception. Yu Zhensheng's body trembled slightly. He strained to control his instincts, allowing the avatar to examine him, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"I acquired a secret meridian-unblocking technique that can preserve my disciple. However, this technique requires someone to guard him, expending their primordial vital energy to protect him in times of crisis. The protector should preferably be a late Nascent Soul stage cultivator. If I were to do it myself, the success rate would only be fifty percent..." Venerable Mingce glanced at the avatar. He had originally intended to do it himself. It wasn't that he didn't want to invite a grand cultivator, but he lacked the conditions to sway them. Expending primordial vital energy would inevitably require long periods of secluded cultivation to replenish. For grand cultivators aiming for Soul Transformation, time was incredibly precious. If the meridian unblocking failed and Yu Zhensheng died, the protector would also be implicated. Who would be willing to risk their life for an unrelated person?

The avatar requested the secret meridian-unblocking technique. After reading it, he pondered for a moment, then readily agreed. "Have your disciple prepare himself according to the secret technique. Once I conclude my other affairs, I will come to protect him! Fellow Daoist, have the Everlasting Dendrobium ready!"

With that, the avatar rose to his feet, gave a slight bow, and drifted down the mountain.

"Master, he..." As it concerned his very life, Yu Zhensheng was anxious about gain and loss. Seeing that the other party had only left a single sentence, he couldn't help but worry. Venerable Mingce stood at the edge of the stone pavilion, watching the avatar depart, and said with a sigh of relief, "Do not worry, my disciple. Daoist Qingfeng is an extraordinary individual; he will not break his word!"

***

Ningzhou, Central Plains.Yinyan Sect.

After leaving the Profound Stratagem Sect, the avatar reappeared before the gates of Yinyan Sect. The moment his figure appeared, Yinyan Sect immediately opened its gates wide. Disciples lined up in two rows, their expressions solemn, respectfully welcoming the avatar with meticulous courtesy. Then, the Yinyan Sect Master, leading several elders, came out to greet him.

"Daoist Qingfeng's esteemed presence graces our humble sect..." After the polite greetings, the avatar was welcomed into the main hall. Yinyan Sect offered fragrant tea and immortal wine. The Yinyan Sect Master was a white-haired old man, very shrewd. Every sentence was filled with flattery, but he absolutely avoided asking about the avatar's purpose. The avatar tried to speak several times, but each time the other party skillfully intercepted him.

"Does your esteemed sect still possess that piece of Fiery True Treasure Gold?" The avatar, disliking the circumvention, asked directly. Fiery True Treasure Gold was one of the indispensable spirit materials for the Iceflame Token.

The Yinyan Sect Master's eyes flickered. He stroked his white beard, looking troubled. "This... I already told Daoist Qingfeng last time that this item was originally intended as a gift for Elder Fan of Heavenly Hao Pavilion to celebrate his millennium birthday. Surely, we can't..." Yinyan Sect was affiliated with Heavenly Hao Pavilion, so they were not afraid of the avatar using his power to intimidate them.

Before he could finish, a flash of fire suddenly appeared in the avatar's palm. The firelight was reddish, with faint hints of dark green. Inside were four screens, each with a simple pattern: a cluster of flames in the center that seemed to burn perpetually. The Yinyan Sect Master nearly tore off his beard, exclaiming in surprise, "This is..."

"I heard that fellow Daoist has always desired to refine the Fire Cloud Smokescreen. Please examine the quality of this treasure. Does it meet your requirements?" The avatar's palm trembled slightly, and the small screen flew towards the Yinyan Sect Master. The Fire Cloud Smokescreen was a special treasure whose grade depended not on the screen itself, but on the four clusters of spirit flames melted into it. The avatar wanted to cater to his preferences, so he ordered the Underworld Moon Guard to find the method for refining the Fire Cloud Smokescreen. He then sent a message to Luye, where his true body personally undertook the refinement. The screens did not contain the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, but rather the Ancestral Sacred Flames derived from the Fire Lotus, which made the Yinyan Sect Master's eyes go wide.

An incense stick later, the Yinyan Sect Master, beaming, escorted the avatar out of the sect gates, actually showing some reluctance to part.

***

The sky was overcast. The undulating mountains below seemed veiled in a layer of grey mist. A faint, ethereal grey mist permeated this land. As far as the eye could see, all the rocks were grey, devoid of any greenery, as if all life had been extinguished in this area.

"Ahead lies the core region of the Ash Mountain Desolate Zone. If Daoist Priest can venture deep into the zone and find my esteemed master's remains, I only ask for one jade slip; everything else will belong to Daoist Priest. I will also immediately have my junior sister deliver the Rootless Stone!" Two figures flew unhurriedly. The speaker was a black-robed youth, who intentionally lagged half a step behind, his demeanor reserved. The other person was the avatar, who focused his vision, looking deep into the Ash Mountain Desolate Zone. The Rootless Stone was an auxiliary material for the Iceflame Token, but the avatar's true goal was not the Rootless Stone, but an item among the youth's esteemed master's relics.

The black-robed youth was no simple character either. His master, Guituo, had long been notorious and had once defected from Futian Valley. Their current location was the southernmost part of the Seven Western States, bordering Manzhou. The fact that this grey mountain range was called a "desolate zone" indicated just how perilous it was. To the naked eye, the distance was a vast grey expanse, obscuring vision. It was rumored that this desolate zone harbored countless ferocious evil creatures, and no small number of Nascent Soul Grandmasters had perished here. Searching for a corpse here was akin to looking for a needle in a haystack.

The two did not linger. After a brief discussion, they proceeded directly into the desolate zone. The avatar raised his hand and summoned the Three Corpses Soul-Annihilating Banner, and a demonic soul materialized. Seeing the demonic soul formed by Su Zinan, the black-robed youth was dumbfounded. Only then did he realize the rumors were true, and his gaze towards the avatar inevitably carried fear.

The demonic soul led the way. Along the path, grey mists roared, and evil creatures formed from yin energy, such as shadow wolves and demonic apes, sprang forth, none of them a match for the demonic soul. After slaughtering their way through, the grey mist ahead suddenly thinned, and the ferocious evil creatures vanished without a trace. The avatar instantly understood that someone was manipulating events from behind, presumably the legendary Master of Ash Mountain. Seeing the powerful adversaries, he adopted a stance of allowing them free passage.

"It knows what's good for it!" The avatar sneered, summoned the demonic soul to his side, and began to carefully search the Ash Mountain Desolate Zone. Indeed, they proceeded unhindered; no evil creature dared to appear before them again.

Three days later, the two found a cave in a valley within the desolate zone. Inside the cave, only a skeleton remained. The black-robed youth identified it as his master, who had suffered severe injuries and perished there. Since the Master of Ash Mountain was so sensible, the avatar did not make things difficult for him. After obtaining the relics, he left the Ash Mountain Desolate Zone. Only after the avatar departed did a sigh of relief echo from a certain underground cavern.

***

East Sea.Seven Water Mirror Islands.

These seven offshore immortal islands each housed a sect. All seven sects excelled in artifact refining, each specializing in a different aspect. Though not individually powerful, the seven factions were united, forming a considerable force and remaining free from the control of Qiongying Gate. The avatar visited the Seven Water Mirror Islands not to commission artifact refining, but to request the seven sects to open their treasuries and sell him spirit materials.

"Our seven sects have decided: if Daoist Priest is willing to become an honorary elder of the Seven Water Mirror Islands, both of these treasures will be gifted to you, free of charge!" The person receiving Qin Sang was the sect master of Luo Mirror Gate, one of the seven sects, clearly a shrewd individual from his appearance.

"This..." The avatar hesitated. It wasn't that he lacked the qualifications to be an honorary elder, but that the Seven Water Mirror Islands were located in the East Sea, posing inconveniences due to the threat of the Azure Fox Saint King. This meeting also took place at a stronghold of the Seven Water Mirror Islands, located at the mouth of the Fujian River.

"Daoist Priest, please don't worry. We would not ask you to confront powerful enemies. We merely wish to invite you to speak on our behalf within the Three Sect Alliance, to gain us more advantages," the Luo Mirror Gate sect master explained repeatedly.

"The Seven Water Mirror Islands wish to join the Three Sect Alliance?" The avatar was surprised. After a moment of thought, he nodded in agreement.

The so-called Three Sect Alliance was an alliance jointly formed thirty years ago by the Sweet Dew Zen Temple, the Eight Vista Temple, and Heavenly Hao Pavilion. Its establishment created a huge stir in the cultivation world. No one could have imagined that Daoists, Buddhists, and Demonic cultivators—whose Great Daos were fundamentally incompatible—could set aside their prejudices and unite. With the three sects united, everyone in the cultivation world felt insecure! The "Three Sect Alliance" was actually a name given by outsiders, but it was quite fitting, so it became commonly accepted.

Anyone with discernment could see that the initiator must have been Saint Huiguang, though the full story remained unknown. Saint Huiguang had only appeared once, on the day of the alliance thirty years ago, and had been in secluded cultivation ever since. Although the Xie family had also joined the Three Sect Alliance, Qin Sang was fully dedicated to his cultivation and paid little attention to the alliance's details. Given the avatar's merits in slaying demons, speaking a few good words for the Seven Water Mirror Islands was certainly something he could do.

As the avatar traveled extensively, acquiring one treasure after another, the spirit materials gradually became complete. His true body remained steadily in Luye, poised to resume cultivating the *Heavenly Demon Refinement Scripture*. Unexpectedly, when sensing the Boundless Demonic Mark within his body, Qin Sang felt an inexplicable surge.