Chapter 1713: Road

True essence circulated.

After completing a cycle, Qin Sang awoke from meditation.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly flew to Qin Sang's shoulder, its wings opening and closing, casting a faint glow in the dim cave.

After devouring Qin Sang's tribulation lightning, the patterns on its wings subtly changed again, becoming not only more intricate but also somewhat sharper.

Qin Sang glanced sideways, but he could not be as carefree as the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.

After becoming a Nascent Soul, his path should have been smooth.

Just as the Ghost Mother had said, upon breaking through to the corresponding realm, Qin Sang felt a connection to the boundary markers of this realm, pointing eastward.

Following that inexplicable sensation, even without a sea chart, he wouldn't fear getting lost in the storm belt.

If all went as expected, like his predecessors, Qin Sang would cultivate in this realm for a while, prepare thoroughly, then cross the Void to ascend via the boundary markers into a new world.

The Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound had disrupted everything!

His Natal Spirit Insect, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, was already at the late-stage peak of its Fourth Transformation. After Qin Sang reached the Nascent Soul stage, he used the Spirit Nurturing Method to cultivate the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Even if he couldn't refine Azure Frost Pills, there was hope for it to break through to the Fifth Transformation. Now, however, he had to proceed cautiously.

Since spirit insects had not yet opened their spiritual intellect, the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound's impact on them should be greater than on cultivators and demon beasts.

"I can only start with myself… how can I quickly increase my strength?"

Qin Sang pondered.

Should he be forced to cross the Void, only sufficient strength would offer a hope of survival.

He withdrew his mind and silently circulated his cultivation method.

The content of the eleventh layer of the cultivation method appeared in his mind.

When he was comprehending the Nascent Soul stage portion, Qin Sang had felt that the lethality of this killing path cultivation method seemed to be weakening. Throughout the entire Nascent Soul stage, he had not deliberately leaned towards the killing path or engaged in widespread slaughter.

The gains from repeatedly challenging powerful enemies beyond his level were enough to support his comprehension of the cultivation method.

Obtaining the subsequent cultivation method confirmed this.

The eleventh layer of the cultivation method was the process of condensing the Sword Soul, shifting from continuously killing to condense Kill Talismans and Sword Souls, to integrating the killing path into himself, and dividing the Sword Soul!

"Rather than saying its lethality weakened, it's more accurate to say that the cultivation method's owner no longer needed 'killing' as a means, entering a more refined state, standing at a higher level! There's no need for indiscriminate slaughter, no need to pursue external things like Kill Talismans and Sword Souls; the killing path is one's own path!"

Understanding this, Qin Sang vaguely grasped the essence of this cultivation method, sensing the journey of its creator, followed by shock.

Before the tenth layer, Sword Talismans, Sword Souls, and so on, seemed like attempts made by the creator of the cultivation method.

He comprehended the Dao through slaughter, but at first, he only gained external objects, struggling every step of the way, until he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, and that senior finally found his own Dao!

Qin Sang could even feel his arduous process of seeking.

"Could it be that senior created this cultivation method from the very beginning, taking one step at a time?"

Qin Sang couldn't help but be amazed.

Creating his own cultivation method was something he could do now; it shouldn't be difficult before the Core Formation stage. However, upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, it would require significant thought and immense effort for deduction.

This was because his realm was high enough, with centuries of deep accumulation, allowing him to approach it from a higher perspective.

After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, going beyond his own realm, Qin Sang found it difficult to control the direction. If he went astray, he could ruin centuries of hard cultivation, leading to endless regret.

Qin Sang knew his own limitations. Creating his own cultivation method might not be suitable for him; it was safer to follow established methods.

During the Foundation Establishment or even Qi Refining stages, living hand to mouth, muddled, not understanding what the Dao was, unable to see the path ahead, and without other cultivation methods to verify, how could he have the ability to create his own cultivation method?

Qin Sang knew that cultivators in the world were as numerous as grains of sand in the Ganges; how many astonishingly talented individuals were there, with so-called geniuses being like carp swimming across a river.

The senior who created it, if Qin Sang's conjecture was true, must have been a peerless genius who stood out in the Great Thousand Worlds.

What was the fate of such a figure?

Ascending to immortality, or...

Qin Sang couldn't help but recall the pieced-together Earth-Slaying Sword in his dantian.

He hoped it wasn't a case of the sword breaking and the person dying!

Having broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, Qin Sang had eagerly awaited a response from the sword spirit.

Unfortunately, the sword spirit remained unresponsive.

Qin Sang recalled the thought previously conveyed to him by the sword spirit, urging him to find more fragments.

Even after obtaining two Earth-Slaying Sword fragments in the Xuantian Palace sacred land and having them spontaneously piece together to form the Earth-Slaying Sword, it was still not enough to awaken the sword spirit.

"Can the sword spirit hear the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound?"

Qin Sang suddenly thought of this question.

The Earth-Slaying Sword's main body had only recently been restored, and it was unclear if any hilt fragments were still unaccounted for. The sword spirit should still be in a weakened state, and its current realm was unknown.

"The sword spirit must know many secrets. Once it awakens, I might be able to wield this peerless treasured sword and uncover the secret of the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound."

Qin Sang realized he had quite a few paths before him.

The Void in the East Sea, the Ascension Platform, the sword spirit—he could also visit Canglang Sea to see if the Seven Kill Hall had ascended. Successfully pursuing any of these paths could resolve his current predicament.

Speaking of sword spirits.

He had one too!

With a slight thought, the Cloud Roaming Sword emerged from his brow.

Qin Sang silently circulated his cultivation method and performed a secret technique. The effect was far superior to when he was in the Nascent Soul stage, filling him with joy.

Once the Jiao Mu True Spirit was fully nurtured, he would be able to use his Natal Spirit Sword.

Comprehending the cultivation method revealed that once the Sword Soul is transformed and integrated into the Killing Array, the power of the Seven Souls Killing Array will greatly increase, providing him with a better chance of survival in the Void.

However, without the Natal Spirit Sword taking command, the power would always be a level lower.

The Earth-Slaying Sword spirit and the Cloud Roaming Sword's true spirit both required patient waiting.

Qin Sang tapped his fingers on his knee, remembering another sword array, one he had obtained in the Boundless Immortal Sect.

Although Qin Sang had not cultivated this sword array after obtaining it, he had comprehended some of its intricacies and understood its key points.

Just by looking at their encounter with the Five Element Divine Restrictions in Emperor's Impartation Mountain, one could tell that this sword array was extraordinary. If not for Zhu Wudao's scheme to undermine the array's foundation, they might still have been trapped in the Five Element Divine Restrictions until a Nascent Soul cultivator arrived.

Unless the enemy was extremely powerful and could break through with brute force, or find the main star—the sword star where the main array controller was hidden—they would have to endure the array's attacks.

The Seven Constellations correspond to the Seven Constellations of the White Tiger.

All seven constellation positions can serve as array eyes. Although one person controlling the array is powerful, it is not a complete sword array.

Only by gathering seven top sword cultivators, each commanding a constellation, can the sword array possess infinite variations. It is a fundamental true inheritance of the Jinxiang lineage of the Boundless Immortal Sect.

It conveniently allows for the division of seven Sword Souls. At that time, the Sword Soul avatars would each guard a constellation, with the main body controlling the overall situation, transforming between reality and illusion, making it hard to distinguish true from false.

Qin Sang alone would be able to set up this magnificent sword array!

Moreover, it does not require a Natal Spirit Sword.

Beyond that, the most immediate method was certainly to continue advancing. As long as he obtained suitable spiritual fires, he could continuously enhance his spiritual consciousness. This secret technique would not be limited by the lack of spiritual energy in this realm.

After entering the Nascent Soul stage, Qin Sang felt he was nearing the limits of this world.

Even in the early Nascent Soul stage, his cultivation was subtly restricted, influenced by the external environment. The incomplete Four Saints Gathering Spirit Array had far less effect on Nascent Soul cultivators than it did on Core Formation cultivators, and this array could not last much longer.

Qin Sang estimated that it was extremely difficult for cultivators in this realm to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Even if they managed to break through, they would face the pressures of heavenly tribulation and lifespan upon entering the upper realm, making it a loss rather than a gain.

He guessed that Nascent Soul cultivators in this realm generally ascended eastward in the early Nascent Soul stage, with only a rare few obtaining heaven-defying opportunities being exceptions.

Now, ordinary spiritual fires could no longer meet his requirements.

Qin Sang again considered the idea of the South Ming Li Flame, hoping for a breakthrough.

In an instant, Qin Sang put away the Cloud Roaming Sword and circulated his cultivation. Both the Fire Lotus and the Sun God Tree floated before him.

The Fire Lotus was fully under his control.

Wielding the Sun God Tree was also much easier than before.

Qin Sang first used the Fire Lotus to draw the South Ming Li Flame.

Black and crimson flames danced in the cave, casting shifting shadows and bright light on Qin Sang's face.

The Fire Lotus floated above the Sun God Tree.

Regrettably, despite his best efforts, Qin Sang was still unable to make the Fire Lotus devour even a trace of the South Ming Li Flame. This showed that the flame's rank was far beyond the Nascent Soul stage.

No wonder a mere firebird condensed from the demon fire's aura possessed such terrifying power.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, abandoning the attempt. He held the Sun God Tree in his palm, gazed at it for a moment, then closed his eyes slightly, activating his spiritual consciousness to summon the Sun God Birds.

On the branches, the flames on the nine Sun God Birds shimmered in sequence.

He was actually attempting to unleash all nine divine birds simultaneously!

The next moment.

Qin Sang's body trembled, his expression slightly changed, and he hastily ceased his cultivation.

"I shouldn't be too ambitious!"

Qin Sang shook his head. His current goal should be to freely control six divine birds, which would be sufficient to handle most situations in this realm.

"It seems I must go to Canglang Sea. I hope the Nine Phoenix King's remaining feather is still there..."

Qin Sang mused, but did not plan to set off immediately, at least not until matters in Zhongzhou were concluded.

Qin Sang had not yet decided how to deal with Saint Huiguang and Saint King Qinghu; personal grudges, the path to ascension, and the general situation of the world involved too many complexities.

And next was the matter of cultivation.

These three cultivation methods and secret techniques were carefully selected by Qin Sang over centuries from numerous texts. They suited him, maximized the utility of the Jade Buddha, avoided dangers, and achieved simultaneous cultivation of essence, qi, and spirit.

Currently lagging, he should be able to catch up soon.

During his tribulation, Qin Sang used the Yin Fire Tribulation to temper his body, achieving remarkable results.

He took out the Star Platform and sat cross-legged upon it.

After circulating his cultivation for a brief period, Qin Sang immediately felt the difference. His body had been broken down and rebuilt, and his progress was rapid. He estimated he would soon advance to the mid-fourth layer.

If he could elevate his physical body to the Nascent Soul level before ascending, there was no doubt his chances of survival in the Void would greatly increase.

A figure emerged in Qin Sang's mind.

Back in Emperor's Impartation Mountain of the Boundless Immortal Sect, the female cultivator had designed a trap in the Five Element Divine Restrictions, luring them into the Nine Earth Magnetic Fields to contend for treasures. Master Huaiyin was the first to be ambushed.

Master Huaiyin was severely wounded, facing certain death, but he employed some unknown secret technique that instantly restored his injuries and full combat strength, thwarting the female cultivator's scheme.

Qin Sang, who was present, was deeply impressed by Master Huaiyin.

He guessed this must be a rare body cultivation secret technique.

"This secret technique is enough to reverse life and death! After breaking through to the late fourth layer, when I have time, I will use the seventh-grade Azure Spirit Bamboo as a medium to cultivate, gaining a spiritual wood body. Coupled with this secret technique and a fully potent Lightning Escape Art, my body cultivation methods will not be inferior! In the future, I must visit the Western Lands and pay my respects to Master Huaiyin..."

Qin Sang did not want to miss any means of preserving his life.

Furthermore, Qin Sang was also very curious: were there Immortal Palaces in the Western Lands?

There was the Seven Kill Hall in Canglang Sea, the Ziwei Palace in Beihai, and Tian Tong and Tian Xiang in Zhongzhou. This shouldn't be a coincidence.

Each Immortal Palace contained a fragment of the Killing Sword.

Qin Sang had always suspected that the hilt of the Earth-Slaying Sword was still missing and might have been obtained by cultivators in the Western Lands, similar to what happened in Zhongzhou.

Obtaining the complete Earth-Slaying Sword would help the sword spirit recover as quickly as possible.

A journey to the Western Lands was imperative!

"Oh, and the Poison Bead."

Qin Sang's mind sank into his dantian, summoning the Poison Bead.

Visibly, there was a ball of white light inside the Poison Bead, shaped like a cocoon, vaguely revealing the outline of the Jade Armor Worm.

Over the past hundred years, the Poison Bead had subtly devoured the Gu King's power, which had imperceptibly faded, showing very obvious changes compared to before.

After Qin Sang reached the Nascent Soul stage, he could easily suppress the Gu King without the aid of the Cloud Roaming Sword, so he no longer needed to be so cautious. It was time for the Poison Bead to bare its fangs and forcibly devour the Gu King!

Devouring the Gu King was not enough for Qin Sang.

The Gu King's poison, combined with the poison of the Ten Thousand Poison Mountain's sacred object, was extremely virulent.

Recalling the final fate of the grotesque-faced man, Qin Sang felt that without the Poison Bead, he would still need to be cautious if facing such potent poison. Utilizing this poison to cultivate was also a great divine ability of the poison path, capable of threatening fierce beasts in the Nascent Soul stage.

Besides his main body, he also had an avatar.

His second primordial spirit, touched by the Buddha's light of the Jade Buddha, also had resistance against the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound. Qin Sang was considering how to help his avatar break through.

Qin Sang meticulously sorted out his cultivation path.

His future path was very clear.

With essence, qi, and spirit progressing simultaneously, and various divine abilities, secret techniques, and treasures working in conjunction, he didn't even need to break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage to possess formidable strength.

Aside from this, there were no bottlenecks. He only needed to travel from Ten Thousand Poison Mountain to the Western Lands, then to Canglang Sea, and cultivate diligently for a period.

The question was, did he have that much time?

These days, Qin Sang had adapted to the presence of the demonic sound, finding it merely noisy.

He was unsure if the demonic sound had always been like this from the beginning, or if it had gradually strengthened over time.

If it were only the demonic sound, he certainly wouldn't be afraid and could patiently focus on strengthening himself.

But what if one day the world changed again, no longer confined to the soul level? What then?

His external avatar entered Zhongzhou and arrived at Ganlu Zen Temple.

The monks at Ganlu Zen Temple were already accustomed to Daoist Qingfeng's arrival. The guest monk didn't even report to the temple's higher-ups, greeting him familiarly and letting him come and go as he pleased.

His cave dwelling was still reserved.

His avatar, familiar with the paths, walked through halls and alleys towards the back mountain. Along the way, he met several esteemed monks, with whom he had more or less interacted, and they would chat a few words with him.

Some had even offered him guidance.

Unfortunately, his mindset had changed.

Before this, he had wanted to build good relations with the Buddhist sect.

Parting ways with a familiar monk, his avatar put away his smile. His gaze swept over the ancient temple hidden in the misty haze. With a soft sigh, he walked to his cave dwelling, looked towards Xiaofangcun Mountain, and stared for a long time.