Chapter 1732: Transformation God's Legacy

The Human World

Among the major domains, the Canglang Sea and the Demon Sea were closest to Gui Xu. They were the first to discover fierce beasts roaming the storm belt, and the frequency of these beasts appearing was higher than in other domains, which once caused a wave of panic.

The cultivators of Canglang Sea discovered that the Demon Sea, not far from them, was also connected to the fierce beasts.

At that time, cultivators captured a descendant of the Golden Toad clan in the Demon Sea. This descendant held a high position within the Golden Toad clan, and they interrogated it, extracting many secrets.

Among these secrets was a piece of information that initially didn't draw much attention from the cultivators: a master from the Golden Toad clan had encountered a fierce beast outside the Demon Sea and was almost completely annihilated.

Unexpectedly, not long after, news came from the Canglang Sea that the same fierce beast was spotted near the Canglang Sea.

At that point, everyone generally concluded that fierce beasts would not actively approach the cultivation world. Before they could even sigh in relief, they realized that the threat from the demon race was imminent.

Centuries passed, and the presence of fierce beasts in the storm belt gradually diminished. However, the threat persisted and was fatal to Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even powerful cultivators like Bao Zhengnan and Zhuo Ming only dared to explore cautiously outwards. Qin Sang flying alone through boundless storms, crossing several major domains, was unimaginable to them; his courage was simply too great.

Qin Sang was still contemplating the matter of the celestial palaces.

He had always wondered what connection existed between the celestial palaces and the major cultivation domains.

Was this world already like this before the celestial palaces descended, meaning the shelters had nothing to do with them?

Or, as this world was about to be destroyed by the storm, did the celestial palaces sense it, activate invisible barriers, form shelters, and protect the beings of this world?

Even more, could the storm itself have been brought when the celestial palaces descended upon this world?

Now, hearing that the Seven Killings Palace had always protected the Demon Sea and Canglang Sea, was the first piece of evidence Qin Sang found, and also what he least wanted to see.

If the power protecting the cultivation world originated from the celestial palaces, and they ascended, how long could the barrier resisting the storm last?

A mere few centuries was nothing in the cultivation world. Aside from the disappearance of the invisible barrier between the Canglang Sea and the Demon Sea, no significant changes had been felt yet.

But what about a thousand, or ten thousand years from now...?

Was destruction by the storm truly the ultimate fate of this small realm?

As his thoughts raced, Qin Sang seemed to be roused by Zhuo Ming's question. He looked up to see the Bao siblings also watching him with curiosity. He smiled slightly, took out a jade box from his Qianjun Ring, and opened it to reveal a demon core.

The three were drawn to the demon core in Qin Sang's palm.

The Canglang Sea had no shortage of demon cores.

Countless demon beasts had died by their hands, including many great shapeshifting demons.

However, they sensed that no demon core they had ever seen could compare to this one. This was a difference in spiritual essence, even though this core's luster appeared somewhat murky and not entirely clear.

"This is..."

Bao Xi hadn't realized yet, but Zhuo Ming and Bao Zhengnan's expressions suddenly changed.

"Thud!"

Qin Sang placed the jade box on the table and generously pushed it towards them. He said, "It was luck, really. When I encountered it in the storm belt, it had fought a fierce battle with other beasts and had old injuries..."

The three abruptly stood up.

The demon core before them, and the sudden imposing pressure emanating from Qin Sang, struck their minds like a heavy hammer, leaving them utterly shocked.

The three were still seated before Qin Sang.

Bao Xi's eyes still held a hint of confusion and disbelief.

She clearly remembered that back at Yitian Peak, Qin Sang's cultivation level was, at most, similar to theirs.

The achievements of the siblings today, especially her brother, were widely praised. Anyone in the cultivation world who mentioned him would commend his great talent and strategic mind, calling him a cultivation genius.

Upon meeting again, while they were still struggling in the Nascent Soul realm, their old acquaintance had already surpassed the most difficult barrier, far exceeding them!

Zhuo Ming's posture was the most upright, subtly revealing a touch of constraint.

Bao Zhengnan, who had long held a high position, was experienced and well-informed, and had a past acquaintance with Qin Sang. For a moment, he didn't know how to treat him, shaking his head repeatedly. He exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Qin, you've certainly kept us in the dark!"

Saying this, he cupped his fist towards Qin Sang, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on attaining true freedom! The path to immortality is within reach!"

Bao Xi and Zhuo Ming also offered their congratulations.

For cultivators of this world, reaching the Soul Transformation stage was indeed considered true freedom.

"Freedom?"

Qin Sang inwardly smiled bitterly, then his expression turned serious. He said, "My purpose in coming here is not to boast, but for another important matter."

The three subtly exchanged glances.

With their intelligence, they quickly recovered from the shock Qin Sang had delivered, and instinctively began to weigh the pros and cons.

If Qin Sang had only been at the late Nascent Soul stage, they would have been happy to see an old acquaintance grow powerful.

But Qin Sang was too strong, beyond anyone's control, and whether this was good or bad for the Canglang Sea remained uncertain.

Fortunately, Qin Sang was human. If he was willing to protect humanity and appear on the battlefield, all dangers would be resolved. However, they didn't understand Qin Sang's temperament, and as someone from an outer domain, he might not care about the fate of the Canglang Sea's human race.

Bao Zhengnan hesitated, "What is this important matter? Please speak freely. Others might not dare say it, but the Four Sages Palace will certainly do its best to cooperate."

Qin Sang said, "I have come because of the celestial anomaly..."

His purpose in coming was to unite the cultivators of this world. He concealed nothing, recounting various events that occurred in Zhongzhou, starting from the ascension of the celestial palaces and leading to the demonic sounds of the Heavenly Dao.

The three gradually became captivated by the flourishing immortal path of Zhongzhou, a cultivation world filled with masters. They lamented the death of True Lord Zilei, then suddenly came to their senses, all stunned.

Regardless of their thoughts, Qin Sang clearly explained everything he knew.

Silence lingered in the hall for a long time.

What Qin Sang recounted was truly incredible.

Yet, the events Qin Sang described had a clear progression and did not seem fabricated.

"I wonder if you are familiar with Karma Oaths?" Qin Sang added, then spoke solemnly. "I am willing to set up an altar and swear that not a single word I have spoken is false. My purpose in coming here is twofold. First, to unite the cultivators of this world—human, demon, and witch races alike—to avoid internal strife, to work together, and to search for the Ascension Platform! Second, to ask cultivators from all domains to help search for the source of the demonic sounds of the Heavenly Dao, especially any treasures related to the celestial palaces..."

Three days later.

The core forbidden area of the Four Sages Palace.

Qin Sang proactively requested to set up a ritual altar and made a Karma Oath in front of Bao Zhengnan and the others, dispelling their doubts.

For these three days, Qin Sang did not disturb Bao Zhengnan, giving them time to process the information.

He believed Bao Zhengnan would make the right choice.

Once cultivators entered the path of cultivation, who wouldn't yearn for the immortal way? Enduring countless hardships to cultivate to their current realm, was it merely for the sake of fighting and asserting dominance?

The oath was completed.

The few returned to the quiet room.

Bao Zhengnan was also a decisive person. He had already thought it through and made his decision: "Tomorrow, I will personally draft invitations and send them to all sects and factions, asking them to come to Tianxing Island to discuss this important matter together. The constant conflict between the two domains and three races has caused heavy losses for the human race, and many elders of our palace have been killed or injured. Elders Wu and Xiao, for instance, returned to the palace to recuperate after being severely wounded by a demon king. All factions are mentally and physically exhausted, and they must have long hoped for someone to mediate. As for the Witch and Demon races, what do you intend to do, True Monarch?"

The animosity between the demon race and the human race was as deep as the sea, almost impossible to resolve.

Even if the human race wanted a truce, the demon race would not agree; it would depend on Qin Sang's methods.

The human race and the witch race were allies, but they also had many disagreements. It would be difficult for them to sit together unless it was to discuss a joint resistance against the demon race.

Qin Sang already knew that the current Grand Witch Priest of the Witch race was Old Devil Fang, a capable individual, but one who could only barely hold on against the great trends of the world.

Qin Sang showed a relieved expression and said, "You and I are old acquaintances; let's continue to address each other as fellow Daoists. I will personally visit the Demon Sea and Wushen Mountain. I believe the demon and witch races will show me some respect."

Bao Zhengnan sighed, "The grievances between the two domains have grown deeper and deeper, and no one can escape them. If Fellow Daoist can prevent this war, it would be a great merit. These are the ancient texts accumulated over many years in the palace; please take a look, Fellow Daoist."

Saying this, Bao Zhengnan took out two mustard seed pouches.

One was filled with various jade slips and silk scrolls.

The other contained some treasures.

"Over the years, a considerable number of treasures were extracted from the Seven Killings Palace. However, most were refined into pills or magical artifacts, or destroyed in conflicts, so not much remains. I'm not sure if there are any clues about the demonic sounds of the Heavenly Dao within."

His readiness was because Qin Sang had first presented the formula for the Superior Spirit-Suppressing Incense.

Qin Sang cherished it as a treasure. His divine sense swept over the artifacts, then he focused on examining the contents of the jade slips.

Bao Zhengnan sat nearby, patiently waiting.

Qin Sang looked through them one by one, but shook his head repeatedly, a look of disappointment on his face.

Putting down the last bamboo scroll, Qin Sang sighed softly, "Forgive my presumptuousness, but did the Four Sages leave anything behind in the palace back then?"

The Four Sages were the first to discover the Seven Killings Palace, acquiring heaven-defying opportunities, their power skyrocketing. They led the human race, once enslaved by the Witch race, to become the overlords of the Canglang Sea. No one understood the Seven Killings Palace better than them.

The Western Land Celestial Palace had not yet emerged, and the Ziwei Palace kept itself hidden.

Like the Zhongzhou Celestial Palace, the Seven Killings Palace had truly emerged and been thoroughly explored. However, the Zhongzhou Celestial Palace had changed hands multiple times, and as Soul Transformation cultivators ascended, celestial palace treasures were continuously taken away.

The Seven Killings Palace had always been secretly controlled by the Four Sages Palace, and only one ascender had appeared from it. Anything left behind by the Four Sages would be extraordinary!

Qin Sang's question directly touched upon a core secret of the Four Sages Palace. Under normal circumstances, it would indeed be very presumptuous.

He gazed at Bao Zhengnan. His Superior Spirit-Suppressing Incense formula was not something to be taken lightly.

As it concerned the path to ascension, he did not wish for the Four Sages Palace to conceal anything from him.

Bao Zhengnan's eyes flickered; he seemed to have anticipated Qin Sang's question.

Did the ancestors of the Four Sages Palace leave behind any relics?

Of course they did!

Back then, the Four Sages inadvertently released a demonic monarch's split soul. They paid the price of three of them being severely wounded and perishing to seal the demonic monarch. Bao Gu was the sole survivor and the only one to ascend.

Before her ascension, Bao Gu had left behind an ancestral instruction: there were things left for future generations in her immortal cave, which the Four Sages Palace called the Ancestral Legacy.

However, before she departed, Bao Gu had set up a grand formation in that immortal cave, sealing it.

The ancestral instruction stated that future generations could not open it unless they reached the Soul Transformation stage.

The Four Sages were broad-minded. Bao Gu's instruction was not just for the disciples of the Four Sages Palace, but for the entire human race: if a Soul Transformation cultivator appeared and their character was not poor, they could be invited to open the legacy.

As for whether later generations would follow the ancestral instruction and hand over their ancestor's legacy, that was another matter.

After Bao Gu's departure, the Four Sages Palace declined with each generation, with no one achieving Soul Transformation. Thus, the Ancestral Legacy remained unopened.

Over these three days, Bao Zhengnan and Zhuo Ming deliberated for a long time.

Not to mention the ancestral instruction had already clearly stated it.

Even if they monopolized the Ancestral Legacy, they lacked the ability to open it, making it useless to them.

Bao Zhengnan had high self-regard and ambitions for Soul Transformation. However, the news Qin Sang brought dealt him a heavy blow: if the immortal path was about to be cut off, what was the point of guarding the Ancestral Legacy?

The Four Sages Palace had various conjectures about the Ancestral Legacy.

The most widely accepted theory was that the Ancestral Legacy was related to ascension, and that ascension might involve further complications; otherwise, the ancestor wouldn't have needed to set up a seal that only a Soul Transformation cultivator could open.

After discussing, they finally decided to inform Qin Sang of the matter.

It was time for the Ancestral Legacy to reveal its secrets.

Of course, Bao Zhengnan did have conditions: if any treasures were related to breakthrough, Qin Sang was not to take them; if they were related to ascension, they should be shared with the Four Sages Palace, though only an oath could bind Qin Sang.

Bao Zhengnan slowly began to speak, explaining the situation.

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang's eyes flashed with surprise. He unhesitatingly agreed to Bao Zhengnan's conditions, made the oath, and eagerly asked, "Where is the senior's immortal cave now?"

"Please, Fellow Daoist."

Bao Zhengnan led Qin Sang out of the quiet room, where Zhuo Ming and Bao Xi were already waiting outside.

The four flew out of the palace complex and arrived at a verdant hillside.

Before entering the mountain, they smelled a refreshing medicinal fragrance; it was actually an herb garden.

The disciples guarding the herb garden had already been dismissed.

Bao Zhengnan landed at the top of the hillside, pointing to a stone stele on the summit. "Fellow Daoist Qin, it's here."

As he spoke, he saw Qin Sang's eyes gleaming with divine light, intently staring at the stele. Bao Zhengnan quickly fell silent and stood to the side.

The stone stele was only half a person's height, with no text on it, only some complex, unintelligible patterns. It stood alone in the soil, eroded by time and weathered by wind and frost.

With insufficient cultivation, one would sense nothing standing here; such was the case for Bao Zhengnan and Zhuo Ming.

But in Qin Sang's eyes, the patterns on the stele concealed something extraordinary.

"What an exquisite formation!"

Qin Sang suddenly exclaimed in admiration.

Bao Gu had left treasures for future generations to open, so breaking the seal here wasn't difficult. Moreover, with the assistance of his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, Qin Sang quickly found the key.

What he was marveling at was Bao Gu's profound mastery of formation arts.

Under the gaze of the three, Qin Sang extended his right hand, placing it on the center of the stone stele. His true essence surged from his palm, flowing along the stele's patterns, following a specific rhythm.

In an instant, the patterns shimmered with a faint light, and the stone stele became transparent, even ethereal.

Before Bao Zhengnan and the others could clearly see the runes appearing within the stele, they suddenly felt a disorientation. When they recovered, they found themselves already off the hillside, teleported into a hall.

The hall was not large, with a landscape screen placed in the center.

To the right were meditation cushions and an incense burner, which no longer contained any spiritual incense.

Since it was Bao Gu's immortal cave, it was likely where she cultivated and meditated.

To the left were chairs and teacups, indicating it was likely a reception area.

The furnishings were simple yet not crude, exquisite and elegant.

Time in this immortal cave had stood still for thousands of years; standing there, one could seemingly still feel the lingering aura of its former owner.

Bao Zhengnan and the others' gaze swept across the immortal cave, drawn by a jade slip containing a message on a table.

Bao Zhengnan's expression flickered slightly. He hesitated, then didn't move, instead glancing at Qin Sang. He saw Qin Sang intently staring at the screen. Following his gaze, he discovered Qin Sang was looking at a bright moon depicted within the landscape painting on the screen.

Only then did Bao Zhengnan notice something unusual: this moon and the landscape painting were not one piece. It seemed like a sphere of light embedded within, with moonlight constantly flowing, and a separate realm hidden within the moon!

"Fellow Daoist Qin?"

Bao Zhengnan couldn't help but ask.

Qin Sang walked to the table, opened the jade slip, and saw: "The path to ascension is arduous, its mysteries unknown. May future generations who open this cave and receive my gifts inherit my will and forge a path forward for humanity!"