Chapter 1721: Pointing to Enlighten a World

The Mortal World

Ganlu Zen Monastery relayed the True Monarch’s summons.

Not only the major sects of the Central Plains, but also the top monastic and sectarian forces from the Western Desert Buddhist Faction, Northern Wilderness Demonic Sects, and Eastern Sea Immortal Islands, all received formal invitations personally drafted by Master Xingji. The chosen location was Ghost Rock Plateau, where the former Boundless Immortal Sect’s ancient residence now served as the Three Sects Alliance’s general headquarters.

As soon as the news broke, the cultivation world was shaken. Another True Monarch had finally appeared, but it was unclear why he hadn't joined the Daoist sects and was instead involved with the Buddhist Faction. Further investigation revealed: The renowned Daoist Priest Qingfeng was actually an external incarnation of this True Monarch Qin!

Now that Qin Sang had broken through to the Soul Transformation stage, there was naturally no need to deliberately conceal the relationship between his true body and his incarnation. Those who witnessed the battle at the Boundless Immortal Sect also knew some details. Upon learning this, some had an epiphany, while others remained confused. It was widely known that True Monarch Qin had been pursued by Saint King Qinghu and almost perished years ago.

Some believed that Venerable Huiguang and Ganlu Zen Monastery's recognition of Daoist Priest Qingfeng's identity was due to his merits, intended to protect him and share the pressure from Saint King Qinghu. Others questioned, if he had such merits, why was only his external incarnation being formally acknowledged?

Only those involved knew the true circumstances; outsiders debated without resolution but surmised that Venerable Huiguang, True Monarch Qin, and Saint King Qinghu must have secretly come to some arrangement. This invitation was widely considered True Monarch Qin's Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony.

When his external incarnation broke through to the late Nascent Soul stage, the ceremony was held at Ganlu Zen Monastery. Now, his Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony was at the Three Sects Alliance's headquarters. True Monarch Qin's actions were indeed unconventional. The Three Sects Alliance was now a colossal power in the cultivation world, unshakeable by other forces.

Initially, various factions had hoped for a Soul Transformation cultivator to emerge from outside the Three Sects Alliance to counterbalance them, but unexpectedly, another True Monarch close to the Alliance appeared. Some lamented, while others discerned potential changes.

The invited forces, each with their own intentions, prepared their congratulatory gifts and hurried to Ghost Rock Plateau. It was a time of significant gathering.

In the South Sea, on a spiritual island isolated far offshore. At the bottom of a valley on the island, lights flickered, revealing two figures.

The arrivals were none other than Qin Sang and Master Xingji. In the valley, a young Buddhist novice and a Daoist boy were meditating. Seeing the abbot of Ganlu Zen Monastery, they quickly rose and bowed.

It turned out there was an ancient teleportation array here that led directly to the South Sea, jointly managed by Buddhist and Daoist factions. It was usually only activated when entering the Immortal Palace to save travel time, with one disciple from each side guarding it normally. The two left the island and continued south.

Master Xingji led the way. After entering the storm zone and traveling for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Master Xingji stopped first, pointing to the sea below and saying, "True Monarch Qin, the two Immortal Palaces were located here back then. They were connected: one named Tian Tong, the other Tian Xiang." Qin Sang scanned his surroundings, but saw no abnormalities whatsoever.

Like the Seven Kills Hall and Ziwei Palace, the Immortal Palaces in the Central Plains were also situated within a storm. Qin Sang closed his eyes, released his divine sense, swept it across the void, and then extended it beneath the surface of the sea, seemingly searching for something.

As he searched, Master Xingji stood quietly to the side, not daring to disturb him. Not until Qin Sang withdrew his divine sense did Master Xingji忍不住 ask, "In this world, beyond the Return to Origin Abyss, is there truly still an Ascension Platform?"

"I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be false?" Qin Sang said calmly, a hint of weariness flashing across his expression; his divine sense had been overly consumed just now.

Regarding the Immortal Palace's ascension, he still needed Master Xingji to bring him here, hoping that, like the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, the Ascension Platform would be near the Immortal Palace. Unfortunately, he didn't find it.

Upon asking Master Xingji, he learned that the Central Plains Immortal Palace differed greatly from Ziwei Palace; there was no distinction between inner and outer halls here. Even Soul Transformation cultivators had to be extremely cautious when entering the Immortal Palace, facing terrifying dangers and all sorts of unimaginable beings. It sounded somewhat similar to the inner hall of Seven Kills Hall.

And Ziwei Palace only revealed its divine wonders at the very moment of ascension. If the Central Plains Immortal Palace were situated within the Seven Kills Hall and Beichen Realm, cultivators would find it impossible to even take a single step in its periphery, only able to gaze at the Immortal Palace and sigh. It was only due to the continuous emergence of masters in the Central Plains cultivation world that various immortal treasures and superior cultivation techniques could be unearthed, and their legacies continued unbroken thanks to the benevolence of the Immortal Palace.

Even so, only a very small part had been explored over the years. A black light flashed in Qin Sang's palm, revealing an iron chain.

After Shen Chen formed his Nascent Soul, he diligently studied artifact refining techniques as per his master's instructions, comprehending the fragments of the Demon Binding Chain within the Meteorite God Whip to repair this treasure. With an authentic Demon Subduing Spirit Array, repairing the Demon Binding Chain would be easier.

To Qin Sang's surprise, Shen Chen forged a Demon Binding Chain in just a few decades. Although its power was not as great as a true Demon Binding Chain, and Qin Sang saw many areas for improvement, it already possessed the ability to subdue demons, proving his exceptional talent.

Qin Sang was pleased, and he unreservedly passed on his insights into artifact refining and various ancient texts he had acquired to Shen Chen, also bestowing upon him the Golden Sunken Sword as encouragement. He gently shook the Demon Binding Chain.

Qin Sang recalled how he had obtained the Demon Binding Chain: it was in a stone house within an ancient cultivator's ruined dwelling, where an ancient demon was likely sealed. Furthermore, he had also seen a replica Demon Binding Chain in the Seven Kills Hall, which must have also been refined using fragments.

Qin Sang remembered Ghost Mother's speculation that the ancient demons outside and the Immortal Palace Demon Lords were not of the same origin, and like her, their cultivation might also be sealed below the Soul Transformation stage. Once these ancient demons awakened, they would surely seek an Ascension Platform. Would they all risk passing through the storms and travel thousands of miles to reach Beichen Realm?

Qin Sang suspected that there might also be Ascension Platforms in the Central Plains and other areas, but unlike the outer hall of Ziwei Palace, they were hidden somewhere, awaiting activation by ancient demons. The purpose of this gathering of various sects and factions was to unite all forces in this realm, search thoroughly for an Ascension Platform, and thus reopen the path to ascension for this world!

Even ascending to the Demon Realm would be better than being trapped in a cage. This was not a sudden decision by Qin Sang; before coming here, he had already ordered Dragon Whale Great Sage and and other demon kings to command all demon tribes to begin searching in the Eastern Sea.

The two did not stay there for long before returning to the Central Plains, heading directly to the Three Sects Alliance's general headquarters. Sect Master Yu of Tianhao Tower and True Man Hegao of Bajing Temple were already waiting there.

Sect Master Yu, with a feather fan and silk scarf, looked less like a demon lord and more like a refined scholar. "I've long heard of Daoist Friend Qin's great renown, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet you. To my surprise, our first meeting is with a True Monarch face to face. Your reputation is indeed well-deserved!" As he spoke, Sect Master Yu bowed deeply, a look of admiration on his face, then forced a wry smile. "Elder Fan has encountered a bottleneck and is in secluded cultivation for a breakthrough, so he is unable to come and pay respects to the True Monarch. I hope the True Monarch will not take offense."

True Man Hegao also bowed, saying apologetically, "Years ago, I only had a fleeting glimpse and didn't know your esteemed presence, True Monarch. I spoke presumptuously and offended you. Thinking back now, I am utterly mortified." After speaking, both presented jade slips. "We heard from Master Xingji that the True Monarch wishes to find cultivation techniques unearthed from the Immortal Palace. These are the accumulated findings of our two sects over many years. Please, True Monarch, enlighten us."

Qin Sang accepted them with a smile, calmly saying, "Let bygones be bygones; let's look forward." The path to ascension was difficult, but Qin Sang would not despair or stop. His search for various ancient cultivation techniques was to see if there were any loopholes to exploit, to find an alternative path with the help of the Jade Buddha, and rapidly increase his strength in this realm.

The two exchanged glances, their expressions softening. Once Qin Sang withdrew his divine sense from the jade slips, they both bowed and said, "True Monarch, you possess a chivalrous spirit and a righteous heart. The path of immortality in this realm is blocked. May we ask what guidance you have for us?"

It turned out that Venerable Huiguang had already informed them about the celestial changes before his departure. This was how the Three Sects Alliance came to be.

For many years, the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic factions had maintained a delicate balance, fighting without breaking apart, naturally having an unspoken understanding that none wished to see chaos in the cultivation world. They found it hard to believe, but Venerable Huiguang had shown them the indescribable Five Element Crown Demon Spirit, and recalling True Man Zilei's tribulation scene, they had no choice but to believe.

"The efficacy of the high-grade Spirit Suppressing Incense varies from person to person, and I cannot guarantee it. However, the matter of the Ascension Platform is beyond doubt..." Qin Sang glanced at True Man Hegao. "When you and I first met outside the storm zone, I was coming from the North Sea. At that time, I didn't know there were fierce beasts roaming within the storm zone, so my safe arrival in the Central Plains was pure luck. I personally witnessed the Ascension Platform activate and four people break through the realm and ascend."

True Man Hegao's expression was complex as he sighed, looking up at the sky: "Alas, Heaven is blind! My Senior Brother, with his peerless talent, was born at the wrong time!" Soon after, all parties arrived as promised, gathering on Ghost Rock Plateau.

Qin Sang's original intention was not to hold a Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony, but unexpectedly, Master Xingji took it upon himself to organize a celebration almost equivalent in scale to the Zen Monastery's founding master's Soul Transformation Dharma Assembly. Unable to refuse such elaborate hospitality, Qin Sang let him proceed.

At the celebration, Qin Sang appeared with the Abbot of Qingyang Temple, the Head of the Xie family, and the Abbot of Loutai Temple. This was the first time the Central Plains' Qingyang Temple stepped into the limelight, though only Abbot Shen (Shen Chen) made an appearance. Shen Chen, remembering Qin Sang's teachings, was cautious in his words and actions, aiming only to establish connections with prominent figures from various factions.

Compared to the top forces in the Central Plains, Qingyang Temple was insignificant and needed to bide its time. At the celebration, Qin Sang met many old acquaintances.

There was Hall Master Mu of the Six Continents Hall, who was likely the first to assist Qin Sang in searching for the Ascension Platform, but a mercantile guild's capabilities were ultimately limited, and no valuable clues had been found yet. There were also Sect Master Situ Yu and Grand Elder Lu Zhang from Mount Bunian.

Lu Zhang had already broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage! Old friends reuniting, each having made progress, naturally brought joy.

The Seven Water Mirror Islands felt it was a wise decision to invite Daoist Priest Qingfeng as an honored guest. There were also those who were not so pleased.

For instance, Poison King, the Sect Master of Myriad Poisons Mountain, and the eminent monks from the vast desert of the Western Wilderness. After the grand ceremony, Qin Sang dismissed the unessential personnel and led the leaders of various sects and factions to the Three Sects Alliance's deliberation hall.

Inside the grand hall. Qin Sang stood with his hands behind his back, facing away from the crowd.

Master Xingji, Sect Master Yu, True Man Hegao, and others stood respectfully to the side. The silence was so profound that a pin drop could be heard.

Most people were bewildered, looking at Qin Sang with confused expressions, wondering what this True Monarch Qin, who had stirred unrest throughout the cultivation world, truly intended to do. "This humble Daoist once received the benevolence of the descendants of the Boundless Immortal Sect, which led to my current achievements."

Qin Sang turned around, and his very first sentence caused an uproar. Even if Xiaoxiang Zi wasn't a direct descendant of the Boundless Immortal Sect, he definitely had a deep connection, so Qin Sang's statement wasn't inaccurate.

The Buddha Bone Relic, the three Spirit Suppressing Incenses, and their formula brought him calamity, but also immense opportunities; otherwise, he truly wouldn't know when he could have reached the threshold of Soul Transformation. "Over a hundred years ago, it was the ancient demon's kin who opened the Boundless Immortal Sect's ancient residence, masquerading as its descendants and using the sect's name to release the ancient demons sealed within the mountain, not the true descendants of the Boundless Immortal Sect. The Boundless Immortal Sect's downfall began with a demonic calamity, and all its descendants took it upon themselves to exterminate demons. Unfortunately, their reputation was tarnished by the ancient demon's kin, making it impossible to defend themselves and causing them to suffer great injustice. Now that the ancient demons are destroyed and their kin eradicated, we should clear their name today."

At this grand assembly, all the wise and powerful had gathered, yet the descendants of the Boundless Immortal Sect were conspicuously absent. They were already like startled birds, and the Moon Veiling Temple had only secretly sent congratulatory gifts, not daring to appear openly. Qin Sang needed to integrate the forces of the Central Plains to search for the Ascension Platform, and the descendants of the Boundless Immortal Sect were essential; they undoubtedly knew many unknown secrets, but unfortunately, these secrets had vanished with their concealment in the world.

One of his purposes in orchestrating the demon tribe's internal strife was also to swiftly end the chaos among them, so that all tribes could unite and focus on this matter. Fortunately, the human race was relatively stable, saving Qin Sang much effort. His tolerance towards Master Xingji and his decision not to destabilize the Three Sects Alliance were also to avoid affecting the grand ascension plan.

Qin Sang was a meritorious figure in subduing demons, so his words carried high credibility. Furthermore, some had long suspected him to be the fire-phase inheritor of the Boundless Immortal Sect. The expressions of the crowd varied, and then they saw Master Xingji and the other two corroborating his words and jointly swearing an oath. This effectively cleared the name of the Boundless Immortal Sect before the entire world, finally resolving that long-standing case.

Doing so was not enough to entirely alleviate the concerns of the Boundless Immortal Sect's descendants, but it could at least reduce their pressure and dispel some doubts, enabling them to venture outside. The collapse of the Boundless Immortal Sect was clearly not that simple.

What exact roles did the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic factions play? Qin Sang did not delve deeply into this; history was best kept broad, not detailed.

Then, Qin Sang announced another earth-shattering piece of news. There was an Ascension Platform in the world, and one didn't need to be at the Soul Transformation stage; even late Nascent Soul cultivators had a chance!

Suddenly, everyone was utterly shocked, their burning gazes almost setting Qin Sang's Dharma robes ablaze. How could anyone not know what an Ascension Platform represented?

Late Nascent Soul was difficult, but compared to Soul Transformation, it was infinitely easier! "Fierce beasts have emerged from their nests, and what changes have occurred in the Return to Origin Abyss is still unknown. Venerable Huiguang and Saint King Qinghu have already gone east, their future uncertain. This humble Daoist remains, seeking another path. After this assembly, I will also travel to other realms to spread this information, striving to unite the cultivators of this world to jointly search for an Ascension Platform. By advancing together, I believe we can surely find a way out for the cultivators of this realm!"

Qin Sang stated gravely, "This humble Daoist can swear before you all: I once personally witnessed someone use an Ascension Platform in an outer realm to break through the boundary and ascend. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the full circumstances then, and the Ascension Platform was accidentally destroyed. However, I believe there is a high probability that another Ascension Platform exists in the Central Plains, and your collective effort is needed to find it." "Breaking through the void is a path of certain death. Can an Ascension Platform truly protect us?" someone asked.

Qin Sang nodded. "It offers a certain degree of protection. For late Nascent Soul cultivators, it's a nine-deaths-one-life situation. But consider, isn't breaking through to Soul Transformation also the same?" Back then, Old Demon Ye and his group used the Immortal Palace to resist spatial turbulence, but now they could only rely on their own abilities.

"How many people can stand on an Ascension Platform? If it's destroyed after one use, wouldn't we just be paving the way for someone else? What if someone finds an Ascension Platform and keeps it a secret?" Someone asked bluntly.

Qin Sang answered candidly, "The Ascension Platform does have limitations, and activating it is not easy. Only this humble Daoist knows the method of activation. At that time, I will bring the Daoist friend with the greatest contribution to ascend with me, and before I leave, I will leave behind the ascension method and the experience of resisting spatial turbulence. With the lesson from last time, I guarantee the Ascension Platform will not be damaged. I can swear an oath before you all." After answering many questions, Qin Sang went to a side hall.

The main hall was still in an uproar. Master Xingji and the other two invited several more people in.

These included Poison King, Situ Yu, and the sect masters of Dragon Dwelling Grotto-Heaven and Qiongying Sect, among others. All of them were top experts of this realm, their cultivation complete or nearing completion.

Qin Sang nodded to Master Xingji. Master Xingji then began to tell them about the Demonic Sound of Heavenly Dao.

Qin Sang watched quietly. This action served two purposes: first, to motivate them to wholeheartedly search for the Ascension Platform; second, to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries from people impulsively attempting breakthroughs without preparation, hoping that with ample preparation, some might survive the Soul Transformation breakthrough and become his allies. If the Ascension Platform could not be found, a journey to the Return to Origin Abyss would eventually be necessary.

In the future, as others' cultivation caught up, they would also be informed gradually. Venerable Huiguang and Saint King Qinghu were impatient, but Qin Sang, protected by the Jade Buddha, was not in a hurry.

Qingyang Temple was still very weak, but it was backed by Luye, so regardless of how the cultivation world's situation changed, it would not greatly affect his Daoist lineage. Thus, Qin Sang had fewer concerns and entanglements. Although the demonic sound blocked the path, and an Ascension Platform now offered hope, these people would not fall into despair and act recklessly.

Everything was for ascension!