Chapter 1768: North Palace Nandou Preserves the Talisman

The Mortal Realm

"Hundred-Joint Earth Bamboo..."

Qin Sang committed the name to memory and thanked him.

Master Lingxu nodded with a smile.

In truth, his visit to the Xuanji Sect this time was not for any important matter of his own, but rather stemmed from a private intention: to personally appear and increase Qin Sang's standing.

Although he wasn't clear about True Master Cuiwei's scheme, Master Lingxu could easily guess that answering that dharma summons was surely not a good thing.

Under the rules established by the Daoist Court, individuals like Master Lingxu, who were not adept at magical combat but excelled solely in alchemy, could receive excellent protection. However, some matters were unavoidable.

Master Lingxu's great reputation came from two things: his extraordinary accomplishments in alchemy and his gentle nature, always being kind to others.

Upon learning that the person who answered the summons was safe and sound, Master Lingxu was pleased for him. Now, doing what he could was a form of compensation.

Unexpectedly, Qin Sang produced such a peculiar elixir recipe, prompting Master Lingxu to exclaim that the trip was well worth it. His feelings toward Qin Sang were no longer just pity; he genuinely wished to form a friendship.

Unaware of this, Qin Sang also desired to befriend this grandmaster of alchemy.

With both sharing the same intention, their conversation naturally flowed pleasantly.

By the time they arrived at the Xuanji Sect, Master Lingxu was already addressing Qin Sang as "Brother Qingfeng."

"The Xuanji Sect is just above us," Master Lingxu said, pointing upwards.

They were currently standing on a wide river, nearly a thousand *li* across, its waters rushing eastward. It was said that this great river eventually flowed into the Star Island Immortal Lake in Jushan Prefecture.

Along the riverbanks, mountains rose and fell, resembling sleeping azure dragons.

Among the mountains, one peak stood out prominently, like a crane among chickens. The surrounding peaks, though reaching heights of ten thousand *zhang*, were less than half its size.

Qin Sang activated his vision, gazing towards the summit. He saw that the upper half of the mountain was almost devoid of vegetation, consisting instead of sheer, vertical stone walls, carved as if by knives and axes, making them exceptionally perilous.

On the side facing the great river, a stone staircase had been artificially cut, but its extreme danger meant that probably only immortal cultivators would dare to use it.

At the very top, thin mist drifted, emitting a faint, crystalline glow, like a layer of starlight. Only the faint shadows of pavilions within the mist could be vaguely discerned.

Master Lingxu flew upwards towards the summit, with Qin Sang following closely behind.

Before they reached the peak, a chime suddenly rang out. The Xuanji Sect's gate swung open, and several cultivators emerged to greet them.

The leader was an acquaintance of Master Lingxu.

After inquiring about Qin Sang's name, the leader said, "Master Lingxu, True Master Qingfeng, our Palace Master requests your presence."

Soon after, the group arrived at a Star Pavilion. Master Lingxu laughed heartily, "Wonderful! Simply wonderful! To think we'd encounter True Master Xingqiong emerging from seclusion. This old Daoist was worried that our abrupt visit might disturb your cultivation."

A woman's voice drifted from within the pavilion, "This Daoist had intended to re-enter seclusion yesterday. However, Master Lingxu's reputation precedes him; as soon as you two arrived at Sanyuan River last night, you were recognized by the Dragon Lord's soldiers..."

As the voice spoke, Qin Sang saw a Daoist nun descend from the Star Pavilion. Her cultivation was similar to Master Lingxu's, also in the early Nascent Soul stage.

The Daoist nun did not appear young, nor was her countenance particularly refined, yet there was an unusual dignity in her brows that others lacked.

Upon seeing the Daoist nun, the Xuanji Sect cultivators bowed in unison, "Greetings, Sect Master."

This woman was indeed True Master Xingqiong, the Sect Master of Xuanji Sect. She dismissed her disciples, then elegantly gestured towards the Star Pavilion, "Please, honored guests."

"Mere humble reputation, nothing worth mentioning," Master Lingxu said, shaking his head slightly, and gestured for Qin Sang to ascend to the Star Pavilion.

Once the three were seated, Master Lingxu exchanged a few pleasantries before getting straight to the point, "This old Daoist has a request for True Master."

He then pointed to Qin Sang, "This old Daoist once owed Brother Qingfeng a favor and promised to help him with something. Unfortunately, what Brother Qingfeng seeks is not related to alchemy, so I had no choice but to brazenly impose upon you."

"Oh?" True Master Xingqiong looked at Qin Sang upon hearing this.

She had secretly observed Qin Sang earlier, noting his abundant vital energy and sensing that he should be a powerful cultivator of the Dragon-Tiger Altar. Yet, his aura was remarkably subtle, making him somewhat inscrutable. Probing further would have been too impolite, so she had silently speculated about his identity.

"May I know what True Master Qingfeng seeks? Our sect has received Master Lingxu's benevolence many times. As long as our sect can assist you both, we will not hesitate."

Master Lingxu stroked his beard and smiled.

Receiving a nod from Master Lingxu, Qin Sang stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "This Daoist wishes to request a talisman from True Master—the Northern Palace Southern Dipper Preservation and Refinement Talisman!"

"This talisman?" True Master Xingqiong's brow furrowed slightly. "True Master Qingfeng should know that the Northern Palace Southern Dipper Preservation and Refinement Talisman possesses no destructive power. It is a charm from the Prayer, Purification, and Form Refining Division, and it is difficult for it to be effective for fellow Daoists outside our Xuanji Sect. In fact, it might even backfire. Furthermore, because this talisman is of a very high grade, and this Daoist's cultivation is still shallow, the success rate of crafting it into a spirit talisman is not high. Our sect currently has no preserved copies."

Some charms and spirit talismans in Daoism can be interconnected; certain charms can be crafted into spirit talismans, but all are extremely valuable.

"This Daoist understands! I am currently cultivating a secret art that requires external aid. I had a sudden idea to utilize your esteemed sect's Northern Palace Southern Dipper Preservation and Refinement Talisman. Regardless of its effectiveness, I will bear all consequences myself... May I inquire if True Master could personally cast this divine ability?" Qin Sang quickly explained his intention.

"This..." True Master Xingqiong hesitated, glancing at Master Lingxu. After a moment of deliberation, she said, "This Daoist is currently cultivating a Daoist technique that requires about two years of seclusion. Can True Master Qingfeng wait?"

"Yes! I can wait!" Qin Sang was overjoyed at the unexpected smoothness of the matter and repeatedly thanked them both.

With his part concluded, Qin Sang wisely withdrew, led by a Xuanji Sect cultivator to the guest house to rest.

That night, Qin Sang and Master Lingxu departed from the Xuanji Sect.

Qin Sang had already arranged to meet True Master Xingqiong again in Star Valley in Jushan Prefecture two years later. He had originally intended to wait at the Xuanji Sect for two years, but considering that he might need to make some preparations before the Star Essence Infusion, he returned first.

After escorting Master Lingxu to his residence, Qin Sang did not linger long before taking his leave.

Returning to Crane Cry Mountain, Qin Sang spent his time consolidating his cultivation and preparing for his upcoming breakthrough. His remaining accumulated merit was almost entirely depleted.

As the appointed time drew near, Qin Sang departed Crane Cry Mountain alone and headed directly for Star Valley.

Compared to twenty years ago, Star Valley had not changed.

Returning to the underground grotto, Qin Sang thoroughly explored the underground river, finding no trace left by True Master Zhijian.

For the past twenty years, Qin Sang had been in secluded, arduous cultivation and had not seen True Master Zhijian again. During this period, he received a letter from Zhijian, delivered via True Master Guzhou. The letter contained only greetings and an invitation for Qin Sang to visit Star Island Immortal Lake.

It was hard to refuse such hospitality.

Qin Sang mused to himself, "If this breakthrough is successful, perhaps I should visit Star Island Immortal Lake and pay my respects to True Master Zhijian."

As he pondered, Qin Sang began to set up various arrangements in Star Valley.

One by one, consecrated stellar essence stones flew in all directions, forming a grand array that encompassed the entire Star Valley. Qin Sang intended to break through within this array; even if something unforeseen occurred, the array could offer some resistance.

As a matter of fact, he had learned this array from his Senior Sister.

Thinking of his Senior Sister, Qin Sang couldn't help but fall into a trance.

During his unexpected years in this realm, Qin Sang had deliberately avoided thinking about his old acquaintances.

After a long moment, Qin Sang let out a barely perceptible sigh, gathered his thoughts, and resumed his preparations.

Finally, the appointed day arrived.

On that morning, Qin Sang stopped cultivating and waited until noon. He then sensed a familiar aura, approaching without concealment.

He flashed out of Star Valley, seeing two streaks of light flying from afar. They were True Master Xingqiong and True Master Fuyin, who had welcomed him at the Xuanji Sect.

"True Master Qingfeng, you've waited long." True Master Xingqiong landed before Qin Sang.

"It is this Daoist's fault for choosing too remote a location," Qin Sang replied with a slight smile, inviting them both into Star Valley.

Sensing the abundant stellar essence within Star Valley, True Master Xingqiong understood, nodding, "True Master has indeed chosen a treasure land."

True Master Fuyin, following behind, scanned Star Valley, his eyes lighting up. "This array is quite good."

"This Daoist is not skilled in the Dao of arrays; I merely cobbled this together, and there are still many uncertainties. I was just hoping True Master could offer guidance," Qin Sang said immediately, taking out a blank jade slip and inscribing the array formation into it.

"This..." True Master Fuyin hesitated, looking at his Sect Master.

True Master Xingqiong smiled faintly. "True Master Qingfeng, rest assured. Since this is Master Lingxu's request, this Daoist will do her utmost."

"Thank you for your trouble, True Master!" Qin Sang bowed solemnly.

Late into the night.

It happened to be a moonless night, with stars filling the sky, and the starry river, where they converged, shone with exceptional brilliance.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged on a stone platform at the bottom of Star Valley.

The two True Masters from Xuanji Sect stood atop the peak on the eastern side.

They had discussed the details during the day. True Master Xingqiong observed the celestial timing and nodded to True Master Fuyin.

True Master Fuyin leaped outwards, then summoned his talisman altar. The sigil within this altar differed from the Tianshu Institute's Seal of Proclaiming to All Spirits; instead, it was a scroll depicting the Big Dipper, with the first four stars particularly bright.

The talisman altar opened two gates.

At True Master Fuyin's command, spiritual soldiers and generals divided into four teams, flying in all directions, primarily guarding the east—the direction of the Guifang Kingdom.

Simultaneously, True Master Xingqiong had ascended into the air at some point, also summoning her talisman altar and her own spiritual soldiers and generals.

Immediately, baleful qi surged to the heavens, and banners obscured the sky.

Beneath in Star Valley, Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He could sense that while True Master Xingqiong's forces didn't include any Nascent Soul stage great demons, there were two late-stage transformation demon commanders leading the troops.

Moreover, merely casting a single talisman charm might not reveal True Master Xingqiong's full strength.

Qin Sang secretly marveled at the profound heritage of sects in this realm, and how even a powerful sect like Xuanji Sect could only breathe at the mercy of the Daoist Court.

Immediately after, true essence fluctuations emanated from above.

Qin Sang's expression turned solemn. He banished distracting thoughts and waited quietly.

The spiritual soldiers and generals deployed, guarding True Master Xingqiong. As their commanders waved their spirit banners, the troops instantly shifted formation, forming a complex array, their energies becoming a unified whole.

At this moment, True Master Xingqiong stood on the ritual altar, performing the steps of the Big Dipper, her eyes as deep as the stars.

She raised her right hand, her finger pointing into the void.

The Big Dipper diagram within the altar gently vibrated, emitting a streak of light that seemed to envelop a talismanic image, merging into True Master Xingqiong's fingertip.

As her fingertip moved, incredibly complex runes appeared in the void.

"Grand Star Palace, celestial host of stars.Gather essence in Northern Palace, stars fall to Southern Dipper.Hurry!"

At this moment, all living beings within a thousand *li* radius of Star Valley felt something, and looking up at the sky, they witnessed a wondrous sight.

The silver river that illuminated the heavens now shone with unprecedented brilliance, its stars radiating dazzling light.

Immediately, the silver river truly began to flow. The starlight seemed drawn by some attraction, converging unanimously towards one direction: the Big Dipper's position!

In an instant, the Big Dipper's seven stars prominently emerged from among the celestial host.

The seven stars connected.

Then, the starlight from the celestial host surged forth. As the starlight poured in, the Big Dipper's seven stars became even more dazzling.

The next moment, the starry sky seemed to tremble. The seven interconnected stars resembled an open celestial bow, firing all the gathered stellar power towards the Southern Dipper.

At this very moment, one could see with the naked eye a stellar arrow crossing the heavenly domain, piercing through the star sea, and swiftly approaching the Southern Dipper star region.

The Southern Dipper's six stars reacted, swallowing all the starlight. Then, the six stars suddenly brightened immensely, and starlight poured down from the heavens!

True Master Xingqiong's eyes gleamed with strange light. She tilted her arm downwards, pointing remotely at Qin Sang.

Like a surging river, immense stellar power roared into Star Valley, instantly engulfing Qin Sang.

The infusion of starlight simultaneously triggered an anomaly in Star Valley.

The accumulated stellar essence within Star Valley was all mobilized, surging wildly towards Qin Sang.

At this moment, Qin Sang's entire body was bathed in starlight, surrounded by dense stellar essence.

The celestial phenomenon gradually disappeared, while the light within Star Valley grew increasingly dazzling, illuminating the surrounding Purple Bamboo Sea.

Just then, individual points of light rose from within Star Valley. These points connected to form a large net, covering the entire Star Valley and sealing off the starlight.

Everything seemed to return to normal.

True Master Xingqiong put away her talisman altar, glanced at the sealed Star Valley, and said to True Master Fuyin, who had arrived, "Let's go."

Their purpose for this trip was to fulfill Master Lingxu's request. Whether Qin Sang succeeded or not was unrelated to them, and they had no obligation to protect him.

Qin Sang had not expected them to act as his protectors, which was why he directly used the grand array to seal Star Valley.

True Master Fuyin acknowledged this and frequently looked back as he departed, curious if Qin Sang would succeed. Such a grand display must indicate an extraordinary divine ability.

He, however, did not realize that someone could use the Northern Palace Southern Dipper Preservation and Refinement Talisman to achieve a breakthrough.

Inside Star Valley.

Qin Sang focused wholeheartedly, operating his cultivation technique at full power as the ethereal and profound stellar essence poured into his body through the crown of his head.

His skin immediately took on a crimson hue, as if blood might seep out at any moment.

Familiar pain washed over him; his flesh, blood, and bones felt as if they were being twisted by knives.

The stronger the physical body, the harder it is to break down and rebuild. Qin Sang's physique was no longer what it once was, and even undergoing Star Essence Infusion again, he still endured terrible agony.

However, Qin Sang was long accustomed to it; his only fear was that the stellar essence might not be abundant or strong enough!

Qin Sang's body was like a bottomless pit, continuously absorbing all the stellar essence. The stellar essence converged into a torrent, repeatedly grinding through his body.

Changing blood and refining bones, transforming tendons and washing marrow.

Strength cultivators precisely through such repeated baptisms and transformations tempered their physical bodies to the extreme.

*Swoosh!*

Phoenix wings appeared on Qin Sang's back.

Immediately afterward, the Azure Luan Dharma Form emerged from above his head. The Dharma Form flickered with a faint light, seemingly undergoing changes itself.

His divine sense and realm breaking through in advance had already laid a solid foundation for this breakthrough. However, Qin Sang's greatest concern was that he was not a descendant of celestial demons, fearing he might repeat the failure of his last attempt.

Fortunately, his fears did not materialize!

*Boom! Boom! Boom!*

Thunderous roars continuously echoed within Qin Sang's body. He felt an urge to let out a long howl towards the sky as his vital energy materialized, a streak of blood-red light shooting directly towards the Milky Way, only to be blocked by the grand array.

Finally, his aura seemed to cross a certain threshold, suddenly surging wildly.

Breakthrough!

(End of Chapter)

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