Chapter 1710: Transforming God (Part 1)

Inside the fiery chamber.

A ball of demonic flame pulsed above Qin Sang's palm.

The wild demonic flame appeared as docile as water before Qin Sang. Its aura was confined to a small area; even if someone stood directly in front of him, they would sense no threat.

Inside the demonic flame, a Celestial Platform rotated slowly.

Each rotation sent out a ripple. However, under Qin Sang's exquisite control, the ripples quickly subsided, and the refining process was exceptionally smooth.

The Celestial Platform was the core of the Tribulation Array—the Taiji Celestial Platform.

Compared to the one he had seen in the Ice Phoenix Palace, this Celestial Platform was more complete in form. Its outer rim was fully equipped with forty-nine grooves for inserting the Ice-Fire Tokens. Only the positions for the Yin and Yang poles had yet to take shape, with runes flickering and the light of restrictions shimmering.

The Ice Phoenix Divine Disk and the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant floated on either side of the demonic flame, one to the left and one to the right.

A streak of cold vital energy extended from the Ice Phoenix Divine Disk, connecting to the Yin pole. Likewise, a slender crimson cord linked the Yang pole to the Fire Rhinoceros Pendant.

The energies of the two treasures slowly infused into it.

Qin Sang watched the Celestial Platform at the heart of the demonic flame, his hand seals constantly shifting. He meticulously embedded restriction after restriction, guiding two vastly different energies to circulate within the platform's internal energy channels.

If the Celestial Platform were likened to a human body, its internal energy channels would be its meridians. As these channels circulated, connecting their vital energies and integrating with the restriction runes, the treasure would finally be complete!

Ten years ago.

It hadn't taken Qin Sang long to refine the Ice-Fire Tokens. The Taiji Celestial Platform was more troublesome. After shaping it, Qin Sang handed it over to his clone to regulate its energy channels, a process that took ten years to complete.

As time passed, one could visibly see complex blue and red patterns forming on the platform's surface, centered around the Yin and Yang poles, respectively.

The patterns gradually spread across the entire platform, meeting in the middle. Under Qin Sang's masterful control, they did not clash. Instead, they extended into each other's territories until the blue and red lights on the entire platform merged, becoming indistinguishable, and then collectively faded away.

The Celestial Platform's spiritual light receded. The Yin and Yang pole positions now had a spiritual disk and a jade pendant-shaped indentation, respectively. When the two treasures were placed upon them, they fit perfectly.

“Hoo…”

Drawing back the spiritual flame, Qin Sang gently exhaled a breath of turbid air. He examined the Taiji Celestial Platform before him.

Then, as if remembering something, he flipped his hand. He successively launched forty-nine streaks of light, which were all Ice-Fire Tokens, inserting them into the grooves along the platform's outer edge. Simultaneously, the Ice Phoenix Divine Disk and Fire Rhinoceros Pendant returned to their designated positions.

‘Om!’

The Taiji Celestial Platform vibrated gently.

Two brilliant beams of light, one blue and one red, shot forth from the Yin and Yang poles. Following this, the forty-Fire Tokens buzzed and trembled as if they wanted to detach from the platform.

Qin Sang did not continue to activate it. Otherwise, the Yin and Yang poles would have transformed into pillars of ice and fire, and the Tribulation Array would have fully initiated.

His eyes gleamed with a strange light as he gazed at it for a long time. Sensing the changes in its vital energy, his face filled with satisfaction.

The Tribulation Array was complete!

In fact, the Ice Phoenix Palace contained not only the Tribulation Array but also restrictions capable of recording the tribulation scenes of ancestors for future generations to study. Unfortunately, Qin Sang had not obtained this method.

Next, he only needed to place the Tribulation Array in a suitable location and await the moment to break through his tribulation!

Putting away the various treasures, Qin Sang exited the fiery chamber.

It was noon.

The bright sun hung high in the sky.

Its intense rays shone upon Luye.

Qin Sang paused briefly at the fiery chamber's entrance, surveying the entire cultivation ground. He slowly closed his eyes. Without using his divine sense, he felt a peculiar sensation of merging with heaven and earth, completely losing himself.

With his Five Elements spiritual roots, nascent soul-level divine sense, and various other advantageous conditions, all concentrated within him, he grasped the key to achieving the harmony between heaven and man after overcoming his initial confusion.

He had achieved minor success in just twenty years, and in the last decade, his progress had been remarkably swift.

For anyone else, such rapid progress would be unimaginable.

Of course, merely achieving a certain level of mastery in the harmony between heaven and man was not enough to directly propel Qin Sang into the Nascent Soul stage. He still needed to spend a long time comprehending the Great Dao, reflecting upon himself, and seeking an opportunity for breakthrough.

The key lay in the ‘Unborn Demonic Seal’.

Now, the ‘Unborn Demonic Seal’ was close to completion; only the final step of forming the seal remained.

After years of careful contemplation, Qin Sang confirmed it was not his imagination: the Unborn Demonic Seal he had condensed indeed possessed extraordinary power!

Furthermore, the Celestial Eye Butterfly had been cultivating by Qin Sang's side all this time. After completely refining the strange energy of the near-dragon saliva, and with the support of the Spirit-Feeding Art and various spiritual medicines, it had also reached the peak of its late stage.

Since there was still no sign of the main ingredient for the Azure Frost Elixir, and Qin Sang had discovered the secret of the Unborn Demonic Seal, he no longer focused on helping the Celestial Eye Butterfly break through, instead concentrating his efforts on himself.

His natal insect-gu of the fourth transformation's peak also possessed the ability to aid in breaking through bottlenecks.

With the Tribulation Array refined, the conditions for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage were essentially complete.

As his thoughts raced, the entire cultivation ground fell within Qin Sang's perception, every blade of grass and tree seemingly before his eyes.

His clone, having completed its task, was recuperating in the cave dwelling.

The bamboo forest outside the cave dwelling was forbidden territory. No one from Green Goat Abbey, including Shen Chen, dared to approach it without permission.

A gentle breeze rustled through the bamboo, creating a serene and secluded atmosphere.

Green Goat Abbey was built on the other side of Luye, referred to as the ‘Inner Abbey’ by its disciples.

Within Qin Sang's perception, several cave dwellings in the Inner Abbey housed cultivators. Green Goat Abbey already had Golden Core stage disciples, and several False Core cultivators were preparing for their breakthrough.

Before these disciples entered Luye, Shen Chen would bring them to pay respects to the patriarch, and Qin Sang had some impression of them.

But that was all.

Unless someone possessed extraordinary talent and cultivated at a speed far surpassing their peers, they would not catch Qin Sang's special attention.

Deep within the Inner Abbey, a stone chamber remained closed, which was Shen Chen's cave dwelling.

Several other notable events had occurred over the years.

As Shen Chen advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, Qin Sang passed the position of Abbot of Central Plains Green Goat Abbey to him.

Shen Chen's talent was already considerable. While Qin Sang's clone was traveling, it fortuitously obtained a medicinal pill that aided breakthroughs and sent it back to Luye to help Shen Chen advance.

However, Shen Chen's success in breaking through on his first attempt greatly surprised Qin Sang. When he first decided to take on this unofficial disciple, it was primarily for his artifact refining talent, but he hadn't expected him to be so capable.

Central Plains Green Goat Abbey now had its second Nascent Soul patriarch!

With Shen Chen present, the Green Goat Abbey's legacy would be secure. Qin Sang could now effectively be a hands-off manager.

The Roaming Cloud Sword had also undergone significant changes.

As he continuously refined it using the ‘Essence Offering Art’, Qin Sang clearly felt that the Scorched Wood True Spirit was more stable than before and was currently gestating.

Another matter concerned the Fiery Jade Centipede.

After devouring the fire spirits from the Blazing Mirage Pool on Fire Rhinoceros Island, the Fiery Jade Centipede had slept for many years. Upon awakening, it possessed cultivation at the mid-stage of the fourth transformation.

Qin Sang then successively fed the fire spirits sealed by his clone to the Fiery Jade Centipede, letting it continue its slumber. He wondered if these fire spirits could push it to the late stage of the fourth transformation.

Everything was progressing favorably.

His thoughts returned to the present.

Qin Sang smiled faintly and walked down the stone steps. After only a few steps, he heard rustling from the bamboo forest, and suddenly, a dozen or so long, greenish lines shot out and lunged toward him.

The long lines, upon reaching Qin Sang, emitted chirping sounds. They prostrated themselves at his feet.

These were the Earthbound Dragons raised by Su Zinan. Qin Sang had removed their ferocity and kept them as guardian spirit beasts for the mountain.

The Earthbound Dragons were very fond of Qin Sang's aura, lying on their backs and exposing their bellies. Their chirps were filled with eagerness. Qin Sang smiled and flicked out a few pills.

After snatching and devouring the pills, the Earthbound Dragons followed behind Qin Sang, either in a line or scattered, darting and playing through the bamboo forest. Only when Qin Sang entered the bamboo building did they return to their nests.

Inside the bamboo building.

Qin Sang sat upright with a serious expression.

With his divine sense turned inward, he silently circulated the ‘Unborn Demonic Seal’ art. Sensing the demonic seal that was about to take shape, he continued to contemplate it.

He remained in seclusion like this for ten years.

Then came this day.

Suddenly, the spiritual energy around the bamboo building became turbulent.

Qin Sang's face underwent strange changes. At times, it lost all color, becoming pale. At other times, it was covered in a layer of grayish-black aura, as if he were plagued by demonic energy, terminally ill.

His aura fluctuated erratically, affecting the surrounding environment.

‘Whoosh…’

The bamboo building swayed, and a wild wind swept through the bamboo forest, scattering broken leaves.

Feeling the aura emanating from Qin Sang, the Earthbound Dragons hid in their nests, trembling.

Qin Sang was completely unaware of the changes outside. His mind was entirely drawn by the demonic seal within him. The time had come; he was prepared to form the seal today!

Even though his long-held desire was not yet complete, Qin Sang disregarded it completely and forcefully formed the seal.

At this point, the demonic will of the Sky Devil had become very faint. The demonic seal was no longer in its nascent form; its structure was complete, lacking only the final step. As expected, because his desire was unfulfilled, there were many inconsistencies when he circulated the cultivation art. The demonic seal was often on the verge of going out of control, making the process extremely difficult.

The greatest danger was triggering inner demons and losing control of his mind. However, Qin Sang's spiritual platform remained clear; completely absorbed, he unswervingly pushed forward with the secret art.

‘Form!’

Suddenly, a low shout escaped him.

A thunderous roar seemed to echo within his body. Black and white colors flickered alternately across Qin Sang's face. The demonic energy threatened to erupt but was immediately suppressed by Qin Sang until he completed the final incantation.

In an instant, the demonic energy receded.

Within Qin Sang's perception, a square seal slowly rotated within his body. The demonic seal was jet black and sinister, seemingly capable of absorbing everything, including the consciousness of the cultivator himself.

“It’s finally done!”

Qin Sang had no time for reflection. He immediately circulated his cultivation art and began to comprehend the demonic seal.

Just as he had sensed before, the demonic seal was intimately connected to him. A slight touch to the demonic seal would cause his internal true essence to vibrate accordingly. Qin Sang instinctively sensed that the demonic seal's power was even stronger than anticipated!

The stronger the demonic seal's power, the more it demonstrated the terrifying hidden dangers involved in the process of drawing in the demonic will. It filled him with lingering fear.

It was too late to dwell on such thoughts now.

Qin Sang's mind returned to the present. After pondering for a moment, he summoned the Celestial Eye Butterfly and took out a jade box.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly seemed to know its master was contemplating something important. It perched on Qin Sang's shoulder, utterly silent.

He gently opened the jade box, which contained a crystal-clear spiritual fruit. It was precisely the Spirit Rhinoceros Immortal Fruit.

He smelled the medicinal fragrance of the immortal fruit, and at the same time, Qin Sang's mind merged with the Celestial Eye Butterfly. As he further comprehended the Unborn Demonic Seal, that profound sensation became even clearer, on the verge of materializing!

Everything was ready.

Only his physical body was slightly lacking.

But he had seized the opportune moment; there was no need to wait any longer!

‘Whoosh!’

Qin Sang rose to his feet.

Inside Green Goat Abbey, Shen Chen was cultivating. He suddenly heard a voice transmission from his master, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. Then, recalling something, he felt both shock and joy. He immediately rushed out of his cave dwelling, woke the other disciples, and led them back to the lower courtyard.

When Shen Chen returned, bringing the Dark Moon Guards with him, they saw Qin Sang's outer clone standing behind him.

As they ascended Luye, they felt the entire Luye tremor. It then sped westward.

Upon reaching the vicinity of the Storm Belt, a desolate wilderness ravaged by the Nine Disasters, Luye halted in place, and then ripples suddenly spread through the surrounding void.

White clouds materialized out of thin air, filling the sky in layers.

Subsequently, waves churned within the sea of clouds.

At the center of the cloud sea, a cultivation ground with dragon-like mountain ranges and towering peaks gradually appeared in reality.

This was because Luye's protective grand array had been shut down, leaving only the formation that protected Luye itself.

Qin Sang's true body now appeared on Luye's main peak. He gazed up at the sky and down at the earth.

The Tribulation Array was placed here, connected to the spiritual veins. He was preparing to break through and undergo his tribulation at this cultivation ground!

“All of you, quickly patrol the surroundings and drive away anyone unrelated!”

A low voice echoed in the Dark Moon Guards' ears.

The clone led the others, flying out of Luye, scattering to act according to his orders.

Ten days later.

The clone stood atop a mountain not far from Luye. Shen Chen and the Dark Moon Guards each guarded a different area.

Within the cultivation ground.

Qin Sang's true body sat cross-legged above the Taiji Celestial Platform. The Ice-Fire Tokens, Ice Phoenix Divine Disk, and Fire Rhinoceros Pendant were all in their respective places.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly hovered above Qin Sang's head. Suddenly, it transformed into a streak of light and darted into Qin Sang's glabella.

The next moment, a thunderous roar erupted within Qin Sang's body.

A layer of black demonic energy, seemingly from nowhere, surged around Qin Sang. The Unborn Demonic Seal within him had already shattered!

Shattering the seal, breaking through!

‘Boom!’

Qin Sang's true essence surged, boiling within his body. His Qi Sea and meridians felt as if they were about to burst, sending waves of pain.

But he was completely absorbed, experiencing the harmony between heaven and man.

This feeling was akin to actively merging himself with heaven and earth, returning to his origin, yet without completely losing his own path. Instead, he sought the point of greatest harmony with heaven and earth, thereby gaining feedback from the Heavenly Dao.

Even so, Qin Sang could clearly feel that the moment the Unborn Demonic Seal shattered, his bottleneck loosened!

‘Pop!’

The jade box opened, and the Spirit Rhinoceros Immortal Fruit went into his mouth.

The immortal fruit, his natal insect-gu, and the Unborn Demonic Seal—the powers of all these treasures erupted simultaneously.

In an instant, the Great Dao, which had previously been somewhat hazy, became incredibly clear. He finally grasped the profound truth!

“Haha…”

Qin Sang laughed heartily, looking up at the sky.

His voice shook the cosmos!

Dark clouds gathered above Luye, and thunder rumbled. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth became exceptionally turbulent. Within the howling spiritual tide, the elemental energy fluctuated, giving birth to countless luminous orbs of varying colors that drifted around Qin Sang and Luye, descending from the sky.

A terrifying pressure emanated from Luye's main peak.

Even the Dark Moon Guards, who possessed Nascent Soul cultivation and were located outside Luye, unconsciously trembled as the pressure descended upon them.

The heavenly omen had not yet ended. Colorful clouds and streaks of light filled the sky. Then wind and thunder intertwined, and this corner of the world became completely chaotic. Finally, a familiar fluctuation was felt by everyone, and they saw an intangible flame flickering in the center of the storm.

“Yin Fire Tribulation! Master… he succeeded!”

One Dark Moon Guard almost groaned these words. His gaze towards Luye was filled with both reverence and awe.

Luye's main peak.

Qin Sang was lost in a state of self-forgetfulness, allowing the Yin Fire to burn him.

The Tribulation Grand Array had already activated. The two treasures at the Yin and Yang poles shone with spiritual light, emitting pillars of ice and fire respectively. The forty-nine Ice-Fire Tokens broke free from their grooves, soared into the air, and continuously revolved around Qin Sang.

The Ice-Fire Tokens bore the power of ice and fire. Two incompatible energies, flowing through the Ice-Fire Tokens, merged into a single current that continuously circulated around Qin Sang.

Protected by this energy, the surging Yin Fire around Qin Sang indeed showed signs of weakening, no longer as formidable as it had been at the start.