Chapter 1734: White Chess

The Human World

Everyone flew and chatted.

True Master Bailu flew alongside the cultivators from Landou Sect, while the spirit bird followed obediently behind them. True Master Bailu continued to praise, "Fellow Daoist Qin possesses an extraordinary concealment art. May I ask which sect or lineage you hail from?"

Bao Zhengnan glanced at Qin Sang, who appeared to be deep in thought and not intentionally hiding his identity. He then sent a private message to True Master Bailu, offering a word of caution. He had a good relationship with True Master Bailu and didn't want to see him offend a True Monarch due to ignorance and carelessness. Besides, Qin Sang would eventually reveal himself once they reached Tianxing Island. That single, simple sentence struck True Master Bailu like a bolt of lightning. True Master Bailu turned pale with shock. The other Landou Sect disciples were both surprised and puzzled to see their usually composed Sect Master display such an expression.

"This junior greets..." As a sect master, True Master Bailu quickly composed himself and hastily bowed.

Qin Sang waved his hand to stop True Master Bailu from bowing and said to Bao Zhengnan and the other two, "I've just remembered something, and I need to leave for a few days. It's inconvenient for me to travel with you all."

Bao Xi asked in surprise, "Fellow Daoist Qin, if it's something important, perhaps disciples from the Four Sages Palace could assist you?"

Qin Sang shook his head. "This is a private matter of mine, and it's not suitable to involve others. Rest assured, I will return quickly and won't delay important matters."

Seeing that Qin Sang's decision was made, Bao Zhengnan and the other two said no more. They figured that with Qin Sang's cultivation, he could travel freely anywhere in the Canglang Sea. Bao Zhengnan glanced at True Master Bailu, and recalling Qin Sang's strangely warm demeanor when he first met him, he vaguely guessed something. As expected, he then heard Qin Sang say to True Master Bailu, "Sect Master Bailu, I wish to visit Senior Yang. Would you be so kind as to introduce me?" Of course, True Master Bailu had no reason to refuse. Qin Sang bowed respectfully to everyone and then departed with True Master Bailu, riding the wind.

After bidding farewell to the others, Qin Sang and True Master Bailu traveled northwest. Qin Sang remembered the location of Landou Island and didn't need True Master Bailu to guide him. Seeing True Master Bailu's nervous expression, Qin Sang proactively started a casual conversation with him, learning about the changes that had occurred on Landou Island over the years.

When the demon race from the Demon Sea invaded the Canglang Sea, they caused great unrest. The joint forces of humans and witches were stationed on Tianxing Island, fiercely battling the demons and desperately resisting the invaders. The large islands in the eastern sea region were mostly occupied by the demon race, their landscapes utterly transformed, and cultivators were displaced. Landou Island, with Landou Sect presiding over it, had the power to resist demon attacks. The island's geography remained unchanged from when Qin Sang last visited, but after several hundred years, the overall situation had changed significantly.

Back then, Qin Sang had used the 'Seed Yuan Demon Embryo' technique to refine an avatar and almost joined a sect called Yanmiao Pavilion, which no longer existed. It was said that Yanmiao Pavilion suffered heavy casualties in a demon invasion and could no longer maintain its mountain gate. Landou Sect stepped in and arranged for Yanmiao Pavilion to merge with another heavily damaged sect, renaming themselves Misty Cloud Lake. Through this, he also learned the whereabouts of an old acquaintance. When his avatar joined Landou Sect, he had befriended a female cultivator named Fang Ting. This woman had exceptional talent and, living up to expectations, had already reached Nascent Soul cultivation. Misty Cloud Lake was flourishing under her leadership, but it had not reverted to the name Yanmiao Pavilion.

Instead of flying directly to Landou Island, Qin Sang first made a detour to Dongming Island, which was near Landou Island. That half of the Star Platform was originally stored in the Thunder Pool on Dongming Island. When cultivators from Black Serpent Mountain caused a disturbance on Dongming Island back then, Qin Sang seized the opportunity and took the Star Platform. The repercussions of that turmoil were still felt today. The Thunder Pool had erupted with lightning essence, almost destroying Dongming Island.

Since then, the island's spiritual veins had been severely damaged, and it could only serve as a medicinal field for cultivating low-grade spiritual herbs. Only a rare few Landou Sect disciples today, who had heard from their elders about the Dongming Island Dharma Assembly, knew that this inconspicuous small island was once a secret island jointly managed by various sects, holding a crucial position.

Qin Sang entered Dongming Island and easily found a massive, bottomless sinkhole. An uninformed person might have thought it was formed by the impact of an underground magma vein. All traces had been wiped out by that explosion. Qin Sang activated his spiritual sense and swept it over the area several times but found no valuable information.

True Master Bailu, not understanding, cautiously asked, "True Monarch, what are you looking for?"

"There was originally a Thunder Pool on this island, and within it, a stone platform was stored. Your sect should have obtained a secret art from there, called the 'Lightning Command Technique'…" Qin Sang recounted the secret from six hundred years ago as if he had personally experienced it. His tone was calm, but True Master Bailu's expression changed several times, a mixture of shock and uncertainty. "True Monarch, why do you know our sect's secrets so clearly?"

"That stone platform is now in my possession," Qin Sang admitted candidly. He didn't explain the platform's origin, but instead asked, "Besides the 'Lightning Command Technique', did your sect obtain anything else from the Thunder Pool?"

Various conjectures flashed through True Master Bailu's mind. He shook his head and replied, "Only this one secret art, which caused great trouble within the sect. Since True Monarch knows of the 'Lightning Command Technique', you must also be aware of the turmoil at Dou Niu Peak back then. The 'Lightning Command Technique' has been kept under wraps by our sect ever since. If True Monarch is interested, we can present it to you upon our return to the sect…"

As they spoke, they entered Landou Island and flew directly towards the mountain gate of Landou Sect. Familiar sights greeted them, stirring old memories. True Master Bailu invited Qin Sang to sit comfortably in the Sect Master's main hall, instructed disciples to serve tea, and personally went to fetch Junior Brother Yang.

Qin Sang picked up the spiritual tea and took a sip. He then sensed two auras approaching, followed by True Master Bailu and a slender Daoist walking in. "It's really him!" Qin Sang recognized him at a glance: the slender Daoist was indeed the Daoist child who had been by Old Daoist Huayang's side. With the passage of time, this person was now a Nascent Soul cultivator, his demeanor and physique greatly changed, though his facial features were still faintly discernible.

Senior Yang had clearly been alerted by True Master Bailu. His movements were respectful as he quickly stepped forward and bowed. "True Monarch Qin, do you know this junior?" Looking at Qin Sang, Senior Yang's face was full of doubt. He was sure he had never met this person.

Qin Sang stood up, swept his hand across his face, changing it to another youthful, immature appearance, and sighed slightly, "Senior Uncle Yang, do you still remember your disciple, Zhang Yue?"

Senior Yang's eyes widened, and he froze on the spot. "You, you… you…" He lost his composure, a rare occurrence, pointing at Qin Sang, utterly speechless. Over hundreds of years, countless disciples had joined the Yin-Yang lineage, but Senior Yang always remembered this person. Zhang Yue, a child born with four spiritual roots, was considered to have no future in cultivation by other cultivators. Yet, he possessed extraordinary talent for cultivating the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' and was exceptionally accepted as a true disciple. He had personally presided over Zhang Yue's initiation ceremony and was also the first true disciple he had brought into the sect. After that great turmoil, Zhang Yue had vanished, and he had greatly regretted it. The sect had suspected him and conducted a thorough investigation, but it ultimately yielded no results.

With a flash of light, Qin Sang reverted to his original appearance. He turned to True Master Bailu, who was still stunned, and said, "I have something I'd like to consult Senior Yang about." True Master Bailu then recovered his senses and, understanding the hint, discreetly withdrew, handing Qin Sang a jade slip before leaving. His spiritual sense swept over it; the jade slip contained the 'Lightning Command Technique', which was no different from the one he had obtained. This powerful lightning art, once formidable, was gradually no longer keeping pace with his progress. It seemed Landou Sect was unaware of its full history. To clarify the origin of the Star Platform, he would have to go to the Witch God Continent.

Casually putting away the jade slip, Qin Sang motioned for Senior Yang to sit, taking the initiative. "Zhang Yue was me, but I am not Zhang Yue. Senior Yang, you bestowed upon me the grace of imparting cultivation." Senior Yang sat down as instructed, staring intently at Qin Sang. He vaguely guessed some things about the past but found it truly hard to accept that his old acquaintance had transformed into a Soul Transformation True Monarch!

Regardless of Senior Yang's reaction, Qin Sang took out an item on his own accord. "Senior Yang, please examine this jade." What he took out was precisely the Clumsy Jade he had obtained from the Langhuan Jade Pavilion. As soon as the Clumsy Jade was brought out, Senior Yang sensed something, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"This jade was obtained unexpectedly by me. Had I not previously condensed the Yin-Yang Armor, I would have missed it. Unfortunately, this jade shows no mystical properties in my hands. Can Senior Yang discern anything different?" Saying this, he directly handed the Clumsy Jade to Senior Yang.

Senior Yang hesitated slightly, then reached out and took it. After examining it in his hand, he apologized, closed his eyes, and silently activated his profound art. The next moment, Senior Yang's aura suddenly changed, and the Yin-Yang qi within his body began to flow and transform. In Qin Sang's eyes, his entire being, and the surrounding ten-foot radius affected by his aura, seemed to be undergoing a marvelous separation of Yin and Yang. Yin-Yang qi gathered in his palm, clearly divided into black and white, supporting the Clumsy Jade, and slowly seeping into it. Disappointingly, no matter how much Yin-Yang qi was injected, it was like a stone sinking into the sea; the Clumsy Jade showed no reaction.

A short while later, Senior Yang stopped cultivating and gave a wry smile. "I can feel that this jade has a deep connection with our sect's cultivation method, but I've exhausted all means and still cannot discern its profound mysteries. True Monarch should remember that the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' originally only had its first layer. It was our ancestor, Daoist Yin-Yang, who comprehended the path of Yin-Yang and supplemented the cultivation method, thus establishing our Yin-Yang lineage. However, what was supplemented by later generations, though not entirely divergent, surely has significant differences."

Qin Sang nodded silently. Senior Yang glanced at the Clumsy Jade, looking quite reluctant. "From my perception, it's only slightly clearer than True Monarch's; the profound mystery lies within the center of this clumsy jade. If one cultivates the true 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art', one might be able to start from here and comprehend the jade's divine abilities."

Qin Sang pondered for a moment, then said, "Senior Yang, would you allow me to examine the cultivation method?" Examining someone else's true lineage cultivation method was a somewhat excessive request. Unexpectedly, Senior Yang agreed without hesitation. Qin Sang was startled.

Senior Yang flicked his finger, sending out a streak of light, and looked at Qin Sang with an expression of anticipation. "Our ancestor, Daoist Yin-Yang, was exceptionally brilliant. He deduced from incomplete scrolls and cultivated to the peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage but ultimately stopped there, unable to break through in his lifetime. Later generations were unworthy, and none achieved this level. The later realms remain blank, and furthermore…" Senior Yang showed a look of shame. "Our talents are inferior to our ancestor's. After forming the Nascent Soul, we've felt numerous obstacles in cultivation, and advancing to the mid-stage is extremely difficult. This should be due to deficiencies in the cultivation method. However, deducing and refining the cultivation method is by no means easy. I admit I lack this ability, and other Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't possibly do it. True Monarch's magic power is profound; perhaps you could…" Saying this, he looked at Qin Sang with hope. Soul Transformation cultivators were not easy to find, and it was rare for Qin Sang to be interested in this cultivation method.

Qin Sang's spiritual sense entered the streak of light, and the complete 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' appeared in his mind. Senior Yang continuously provided explanations, helping him comprehend. Even with Qin Sang's cultivation, it was difficult to fully comprehend in such a short time. However, Qin Sang's cultivation path was also distinctly different from others. He truly discerned something and softly exclaimed, "This shouldn't be a cultivation method exclusively for spell cultivators, should it?"

Senior Yang's eyes lit up. He couldn't help but lean forward slightly, his face full of admiration. "True Monarch possesses brilliant insight! Our ancestor had the same thought back then, but unfortunately, he lacked the ability to achieve it."

The first layer of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' was complete. Based on this, Daoist Yin-Yang had deduced a spell cultivation method for absorbing Yin-Yang qi and refining qi to comprehend profundities. But one must not forget that the first step of the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' was to condense the Yin-Yang Armor within the nascent soul. Qin Sang, who was barely considered a triple cultivator of essence, qi, and spirit, sensed its profound mysteries. The original cultivation method was certainly not a pure spell cultivation lineage. It was likely a path of dual cultivation of spirit and spells, mutually verifying Yin and Yang, or even more complex. The Ghost Mother once said that cultivators in the world could generally be divided into three categories based on essence, qi, and spirit, but there were also those who did not fall into these three paths or who integrated multiple paths. Qin Sang dared not overtly comment on the original version of the cultivation method. However, the part comprehended by Daoist Yin-Yang was a pure qi refining path, and he could still discern some intricacies.

An hour later, Qin Sang withdrew his spiritual sense and pointed out an area that needed improvement, which filled Senior Yang with great joy. Looking at the joyful Senior Yang, Qin Sang suddenly asked, "When Daoist Yin-Yang obtained the cultivation method, was there anything else beside it?"

Senior Yang's pupils contracted, and his smile faded. Daoist Yin-Yang had not specified how he obtained the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art', but he left behind a treasure related to the cultivation method, stating that he largely relied on this treasure for comprehending the later stages. Unfortunately, he couldn't fully grasp its profound mysteries; it only served as a guide before the Golden Core stage. The cultivation methods after the Nascent Soul stage were entirely deduced by Daoist Yin-Yang's own talent. This treasure was a white chess piece. He was secretly astonished. Although he knew that Soul Transformation cultivators possessed immense divine powers, he hadn't expected Qin Sang to guess this merely from the cultivation method.

After a moment of hesitation, Senior Yang dared not conceal it. "Yes! But this item, like the Clumsy Jade, conceals its own divine properties. Successive ancestors have been unable to discern its profound mysteries, and even our ancestor, Daoist Yin-Yang, only gained a superficial understanding." He took out the white chess piece. The chess piece was pure white, with a gentle luster, indistinguishable from a common chess piece.

Qin Sang held it in his hand, his fingertips feeling slightly cool. Following Senior Yang's guidance, his spiritual sense entered the white chess piece, activating a faint white light, but that was all; it didn't display any more mystical properties in Qin Sang's hand.

Senior Yang gritted his teeth. "If True Monarch can help our Yin-Yang lineage complete the cultivation method, I am willing to present this treasure to True Monarch!"

Qin Sang glanced at him and shook his head slightly. "I can help you refine the existing parts, but supplementing the cultivation method is extremely difficult. Unless I switch to cultivating the 'Yin-Yang Heavenly Combat Secret Art' myself, it would require immense effort, and success is not guaranteed." He still had many other things to do and couldn't afford to be distracted. Senior Yang's face was filled with disappointment.

Unexpectedly, Qin Sang's tone shifted: "You can comprehend it yourselves. Senior Daoist Yin-Yang's choice was too extreme, affecting his nascent soul during cultivation, which is one of the reasons you feel so many obstacles. I will help you refine the cultivation method and also give you an item, which should give you a chance to continue breaking through…" Saying this, Qin Sang took out a Soul-Calming Incense stick and also presented its formula. Even if he offered the formula for a superior Soul-Calming Incense, the Yin-Yang lineage wouldn't have the ability to refine it, making this one more suitable. Of course, he intended to take this white chess piece with him. Qin Sang held the white chess piece in his right hand and the Soul-Calming Incense stick and formula in his left.

Senior Yang sniffed the scent of the Soul-Calming Incense and immediately felt his spiritual platform clear, greatly astonished. He looked left and right, weighed it for a long time, and finally decided to accept the Soul-Calming Incense and its formula. With this formula, even if he couldn't achieve it himself, there was great hope for future generations.

"Comprehending the cultivation method will still take some time. Senior Yang, you might as well accompany me to Tianxing Island for discussion and mutual verification."

Senior Yang naturally had no objections. Before long, the three of them flew out of Landou Island.