Chapter 1739: Suzaku, Qilin, Phoenix, and Qingluan

The Phoenix Spirit believed it had Qin Sang under its control, free to manipulate him. Little did it know, Qin Sang’s thoughts were elsewhere.

The ancient divine beast Qilin, transformed into a source seed, had fallen to this realm. This made Qin Sang think of the 'ancient' figures he had encountered previously.

According to the Ghost Mother, the Immortal Palace and its inhabitants had different origins. For now, he would set aside the Phoenix Spirit, Bai, and Demonic Lord, all from the Immortal Palace. Outside the Immortal Palace, there were also ancient powerful beings trapped in this realm.

The Witch Clan had the Ghost Mother. Among the Ancient Devils, there was the Jadebone Demon sealed in the Sin God Palace, and the demon suppressed beneath the Pure Sea Sect. Even within the Demon Clan, the Qilin source seed was not the first remnant of a divine beast Qin Sang had encountered. Years ago, when he obtained the stone slab in the Northern Star Realm, his primordial spirit was impacted by a remnant Azure Luan spirit.

The Qilin source seed tempted others to cultivate secret arts, reviving within the cultivator’s body. The remnant Azure Luan spirit waited patiently, its spiritual sentience dormant, only awakening and directly assaulting the primordial spirit of anyone whose aura resonated with the Azure Luan’s when they touched the stone slab. Ultimately, both methods aimed at possession.

Qin Sang couldn't help but make a connection. Besides humans, he had encountered ancient powerful beings from the Witch, Devil, and Demon clans! These powerful beings from the three clans were either sealed or existed only as remnant spirits, and they had all, by sheer coincidence, fallen into the same minor realm. This could not be a mere accident.

Had there been an ancient war affecting all clans, from which even these immensely powerful beings could not escape, each being cast down to the mortal realm? And was this minor realm unfortunately chosen as a battlefield?

Most intriguingly, these powerful beings from the three clans seemed to have anticipated their future predicament and prepared contingencies to leave this realm, each employing unique and unconventional ascension methods. The Devil Clan constructed ascension platforms. The Witch Clan had guides from the upper realm for realm-breaking ascension. The Demon Clan simply resorted to deceptive possession. He wondered if there were human powerful beings who suffered similar fates, and what contingencies they left behind.

Qin Sang suddenly frowned. He had a feeling that these powerful beings from the three clans all seemed to fear something. Were they, like the Ghost Mother, sealed below the Nascent Soul realm, unable to break through or enter the Return to Emptiness from this realm? Or was there an unknown risk at this realm’s waypoint that they dared not approach?

Qin Sang also thought of the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound, feeling a sudden unease about the waypoint gate. If he was fortunate enough to find an ascension platform, should he still explore Return to Emptiness? Could there be great terror within?

He wondered when the Immortal Palace fell into this realm. Perhaps he could glean some information from the Phoenix Spirit to confirm the Ghost Mother’s words.

Thinking this, Qin Sang suppressed his distracting thoughts and looked at the chirping nine divine birds, considering his words. "If what Senior said is true, and you haven't deceived me; if you can save my life, grant me a great opportunity, and protect my descendants, I truly cannot think of a reason to refuse. However..."

Qin Sang suddenly changed his tone. "Precisely because of this, I find it difficult to believe such a good thing exists in the world. Even if the Qilin's origin can be found, it must not be easy to subdue, right?"

The Phoenix Spirit sneered, "Of course, it's not that easy. Unless that Qilin was already on the brink of death, it surely left behind means to protect its origin. Don't even dream about it with your current cultivation level."

Throughout this realm, perhaps only the Phoenix Spirit dared to disparage Nascent Soul cultivators. Qin Sang was not angered; instead, he smiled. "So, Senior, you also lack the ability to devour the Qilin's origin right now? In fact, even if the Qilin's origin is found later, you're not entirely confident, and bringing me along is actually seeking a helper."

The Phoenix Spirit paused, then angrily retorted, "Many in this world want to help me find the Qilin's origin; only you are ungrateful! If your strength isn't enough by then, I won't bring a burden."

Qin Sang calmly said, "Senior, please don't be angry. I just want to confirm one thing: that I am not useless to you. Only then can I confidently follow you. Rest assured, I believe my ambition for the Dao is no less than others, and even without the Qilin origin's temptation, I will not lose my will to advance."

The Phoenix Spirit snorted, its anger slightly diminished. As he looked at the Sun God Tree, a strange glint flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. He had provoked the Phoenix Spirit with a hidden agenda. Ever since its appearance, he had been silently observing and subtly probing its strength.

"Senior, do you feel any discomfort?" Qin Sang suddenly asked a seemingly random question, his expression somewhat peculiar.

"What did you say?" The Phoenix Spirit was stunned, not understanding.

"Nothing," Qin Sang shook his head slightly. "I'm just worried that extracting the essence from the Qilin source seed might not suit your true spirit. If something unexpected happens, not only will you suffer backlash, but it will also affect me, leading to an even quicker death." As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at the Sun God Tree. The Phoenix Spirit hadn't mentioned the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound at all since its appearance, and its tone showed no signs of being affected. Could it be unaware? One should know that even the Five Elements Crown Demonic Spirit, not yet a true artifact spirit, had gone mad from the demonic sound's impact. Could the Phoenix Spirit be inferior to a demonic spirit? How could a Phoenix True Spirit, unaffected by the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound, command several divine birds?

Qin Sang recalled previous instances: when alone, he naturally wouldn't casually mention the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound. When gathering experts to discuss important matters, he either transmitted the information or, due to the crowd, wouldn't take out the Sun God Tree in front of them.

Seeing Qin Sang's interest, the Phoenix Spirit's anger subsided, and it patiently explained, "You don't need to worry about this. The essence within the Qilin source seed is to preserve the Qilin's true spirit. It's the purest essence in the world. If the Qilin source seed hadn't taken root and sprouted within you, you could also absorb it to strengthen your soul. But you are already connected to it, so anything you do will only accelerate its revival. I extract the essence to better suppress it, gradually removing its 'roots' from your body..."

Qin Sang’s heart stirred after hearing the explanation, but he put on a troubled, indecisive expression.

The Phoenix Spirit’s patience quickly wore thin, and it shouted angrily, "What are you still worried about?! How have you lived this long being so indecisive?!"

"It's not that I don't trust you, Senior. I understand your intentions completely, and I wouldn't mind swearing an oath now to help you refine the Qilin origin. But..." Qin Sang gave a bitter smile. "When I first acquired that true feather, I was overjoyed, not knowing it was your doing. To have you lurking by my side for hundreds of years, seeing my every move, gives me chills whenever I think about it. It's truly... truly..."

His concern was reasonable. The Phoenix Spirit put itself in his shoes, softened its tone, and reassured him, "I was mostly sleeping, so it's normal that you couldn't sense me. Since you brought me out of my cage, as long as you behave, I won't do anything to harm you."

Qin Sang showed surprise. "Senior, you can enter the spatial dimension within the Thousand Jin Ring and sleep there?" When not in use, Qin Sang always kept the Sun God Tree in the Thousand Jin Ring. This was his biggest mystery, as he had tried before and found the Thousand Jin Ring couldn't hold living beings. Could the Phoenix Spirit also enter the Thousand Jin Ring? Or were artifact spirits and Phoenix Spirits special, unrestricted?

"This iron ring of yours is somewhat peculiar." The Phoenix Spirit controlled the divine bird to look at Qin Sang's right hand. There was a dark, unadorned iron band on his thumb. "When you took me in, I could attach my spirit to it, but my perception was of a dark void, making me drowsy, and I would fall into a deep sleep without realizing it. Later, I found it had no negative impact on me, so I just let you be."

"Spirit attachment?" Qin Sang raised his right hand, examining the Thousand Jin Ring. He had obtained this treasure by killing the remnants of the Kuiyin Sect. It was discreet when worn and more convenient than a mustard seed bag, with ample internal space. That's why Qin Sang never replaced it despite encountering various spatial treasures later. This treasure was likely brought out of Ziwei Palace by Patriarch Kuiyin and also held unknown secrets.

Just then, Qin Sang suddenly remembered something else, his expression slightly hardening. The Thousand Jin Ring glowed, and a bone flute appeared. The 'Demonic Transformation' cultivation method had come from this bone flute! Qin Sang only knew the first four layers of 'Demonic Transformation'; the rest was a mystery, likely due to his insufficient cultivation. He clearly remembered the bone flute was also unusual; it couldn't be stored in other spatial magic treasures, only carried by others, yet it could be put into the Thousand Jin Ring! Coincidentally, he could cultivate the 'Demonic Transformation' method from the bone flute with the help of the Jade Buddha. Could it be...

Qin Sang's face turned as black as a pot, his mood sour. How many things of unknown origin were following him?!

"Can Senior identify the origin of this object?" Qin Sang grabbed the bone flute and opened his palm.

The Phoenix Spirit wasn't surprised and said indifferently, "I noticed your bone flute long ago. Don't worry, this object has no sentience. Otherwise, if it were to attach its spirit to the Thousand Jin Ring alongside me, I would definitely sense it. But don't underestimate its origin; I can't even discern the material of this bone flute."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang felt slightly relieved. He examined the bone flute repeatedly. Its material seemed to be some kind of demon bone. Was there a demon bone even the Phoenix Spirit couldn't identify? Just then, the Phoenix Spirit suddenly chuckled gleefully, its tone filled with schadenfreude. "I wonder what special physique you have. With countless cultivators in the world, why have so many old guys chosen you?"

Qin Sang sensed its implication, his mind stirring. He activated Demonic Transformation, and his phoenix wings spread wide, lightning coursing through the feathers, illuminating the cabin. The lightning glow could rival the fiery radiance of the Sun God Tree and the Heavenly Phoenix True Feather. "Are you talking about the Azure Luan? Do I still have a remnant Azure Luan spirit on me?" Qin Sang glanced at his phoenix wings, his expression calm; he was almost used to it. The Phoenix Spirit got one thing wrong: it wasn't that they chose him, but that only he had the good fortune to endure it, simply because they unluckily ran into the Jade Buddha. Otherwise, he would have long been possessed by the Azure Luan.

"Yes! Yes!" The Sun God Birds nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, the Azure Luan spirit has perished. I didn't expect you to be so capable. How did you devour it?"

"I didn't really do anything, nor did I sense the remnant spirit's presence. Perhaps the Azure Luan was already extremely weak, or even dead long ago." Qin Sang shrugged, then asked, "Senior, do you have a way to help me refine the lightning power in my wings?"

"No!" The Phoenix True Spirit was resolute, then changed its tone. "This should be a remnant wisp of the Azure Luan's original lightning power, different from the Qilin source seed's essence. Moreover, since the Azure Luan's remnant spirit has perished, it cannot invade you like the Qilin source seed. This lightning power is unowned and is subtly integrating with your vital energy, making it yours. Others cannot interfere. Even a slight mistake, causing the lightning to erupt, could be fatal for you."

"Integrating with my vital energy?" Qin Sang wondered, looking at his two wings. "Why don't I feel that?" Currently, he used the Azure Luan's lightning power for lightning escape through the Azure Luan Dharma Form. He only sensed the lightning in his phoenix wings was extremely violent and uncontrollable, so he dared not use it rashly.

"Either your cultivation is insufficient, or you don't have the method. You'll have to comprehend it yourself. However, if you can refine and absorb the lightning power, even if you can only control it, there will be countless benefits. If your potential wasn't good, why would I have taken a liking to you?" The nine Sun God Birds lifted their heads towards Qin Sang, looking proud.

"So many secrets on me," Qin Sang silently mused, not bothering to argue with it. He retracted his phoenix wings and pondered for a moment. "I can agree to your third and fourth conditions, and swear an oath. As for the earlier conditions, I still want you to agree to two requests of mine for my peace of mind. Rest assured, they won't impede you..."

The Phoenix Spirit remained noncommittal after hearing his detailed requests. "You swear the oath first." Qin Sang immediately swore an oath to the heart devil, promising to fully assist the Phoenix Spirit in finding the Qilin origin and not to leave its sight before finding it. The Phoenix Spirit, in turn, promised not to harm him. The Qilin origin was like a mirage; whether it could truly be obtained remained to be seen. As for how it would be divided then, that depended on their respective abilities.

After Qin Sang swore the oath, the Phoenix Spirit, trusting him, made its own promise. "After I thoroughly comprehend that feather and tame it, if your secret art doesn't reject this fire, it won't be a problem to give you a wisp."

"Thank you, Senior. The stronger I am, the more I can help you," Qin Sang smiled. If he could get help from the Phoenix Spirit, refining the Phoenix True Fire should be much easier.

"Senior, could you please tell me how to absorb the Qilin source seed's essence? Only by confirming this method won't harm me can I fully trust you and let you proceed."

The Phoenix Spirit grumbled softly, very unwilling. However, it believed the Qilin source seed was deeply rooted in Qin Sang’s body. Qin Sang would only get the method to absorb essence, not how to take control or suppress the Qilin True Spirit, meaning it was still a dead end, and he would have to rely on it. Therefore, the Phoenix Spirit finally agreed to teach Qin Sang the method first to put his mind at ease.

Qin Sang received the secret method, closed his eyes slightly, and began to study it intently. This secret method was different from any he had cultivated before, but that didn't prevent him from judging it to be truly ingenious and profound. Qin Sang found it incredibly novel, gaining much from just one read, sighing that the world truly held countless wonders. The divine abilities and secret arts he'd seen were merely the tip of the iceberg.

The Phoenix Spirit was already impatient and sharply demanded, "Now hand over the feather!" Qin Sang opened his eyes, stared at the Sun God Tree, and a strange smile played on his lips. The Thousand Jin Ring flashed, and a small box flew out. When opened, it revealed a transparent lotus seed.

"Senior, is this what you mean by the Qilin source seed?"

A long silence followed. Then, a piercing shriek suddenly filled the cabin.

"Impossible!"