Chapter 1781: Thunder Jade Mansion

The Human World

He donned the spiritual armor.

Qin Sang's thought stirred, activating the spiritual armor. He raised his left arm, while his right hand silently formed the Demon-Crushing Seal.

Boom!

The moment the Demon-Crushing Seal struck the arm guard, the armor's texture disappeared, transforming into faint, rippling water.

Naturally, Qin Sang couldn't actually harm himself, nor did he activate his Spiritual Wood Body, but he still used fifty to sixty percent of his strength.

The Returning Wind Armor greatly surprised him.

The serene green ripples resembled a bottomless abyss, and almost all of the Demon-Crushing Seal's power was blocked and absorbed by the true treasure fragment, leaving his left arm completely unharmed.

"How is it? I told you, when the true treasure was intact, it might have been a supreme defensive treasure!"

Master Qi stroked his disheveled beard, a triumphant smile appearing on his face. He then sighed, "I truly don't know what level of powerful cultivator could have shattered such a supreme treasure!"

The Returning Wind Armor wasn't actually a complete success, falling short of their expectations.

Yet Master Qi, who had once forged a pseudo-spiritual treasure, still considered this his proudest work!

Most importantly, he had experienced an epiphany at the very last moment.

Once he assimilated what he had gained from this experience, he was sure to reach a higher realm in the art of artifact forging.

Qin Sang nodded in agreement.

That wasn't the Returning Wind Armor's limit just now, but Qin Sang didn't plan to continue testing it in front of Master Qi.

He was certain that this armor could protect him during battles with cultivators at the God Transformation stage, the only drawback being that the area protected by the true treasure fragment was not large enough.

Should he encounter a heaven-shshattering, earth-destroying divine ability, the true treasure fragment might remain unharmed, but the spiritual armor itself would be unable to withstand it.

Seeing Master Qi's reluctant gaze, Qin Sang smiled and handed the Returning Wind Armor back to him. He, however, remained at Master Qi's residence.

Observing Master Qi's artifact forging, he had also gained a lot and urgently needed to enter seclusion to comprehend it.

Every improvement Qin Sang made in the art of artifact forging benefited the nurturing of the spiritual embryo within his Cloud Roaming Sword.

Above the water, not far from Sword Heart Island, Qin Sang flew slowly, his fingers encircled by swirling lines of fire.

Upon closer inspection, it was a centipede, crawling on his hand.

After his Talisman Altar reached grand completion, Qin Sang continued to meditate on his inner truth. Now, the inner truth guarding the altar was barely enough to protect the Fire Jade Centipede, so Qin Sang awakened it.

The Fire Jade Centipede's cultivation realm was still at the mid-stage of the Fourth Transformation.

However, Qin Sang could feel its aura stirring restlessly, and if not for the influence of the Six-Heaven Old Qi, it would likely have already broken through.

Spirit insects at the late stage of the Fourth Transformation were not weak, each possessing life-saving divine abilities, though their overall capabilities were not as comprehensive as human cultivators.

In the future, should he encounter further opportunities, he could confidently allow the Fire Jade Centipede to search for treasures on its own in most places.

There were still some fire spirits remaining that he had extracted from the Stream of Fiery Illusions Pool of the Immaterial Immortal Sect, and many spiritual pills left over from the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Supplemented by the secret insect-controlling techniques taught by the Ghost Mother, it wouldn't be difficult to push the Fire Jade Centipede to the peak of the Fourth Transformation.

According to the Ghost Mother, the Fire Jade Centipede's potential could support it up to the peak of the Fourth Transformation, and if it luckily broke through to the Fifth Transformation, that would be its limit.

The Fire Jade Centipede coiled into a ball in his palm, carefree and at peace.

Qin Sang hadn't yet found a way to induce a mutation in the Fire Jade Centipede, so he could only first focus on helping it break through its current realm.

"Green Frost Elixir..."

Qin Sang thought of this medicine, but unfortunately, he had searched for a long time in Star Island Immortal Lake and found no news of the Hundred-Knot Earth Bamboo.

Master Lingxu had also promised to help him keep an eye out, and he would write a letter when he had time.

With these thoughts circulating in his mind, Sword Heart Island came into view. Qin Sang put away the Fire Jade Centipede and released his aura.

The island's restrictions immediately flickered, and True Master Zhijian flew before Qin Sang. "Fellow Daoist, are you ready?"

Qin Sang bowed slightly. "Thank you for accompanying me, Fellow Daoist, to visit True Master Zangui."

"I've been waiting for your message," True Master Zhijian smiled faintly, said, "Wait a moment," flew back to Sword Heart Island, and a moment later, flew back into the sky, flying north alongside Qin Sang.

They first arrived at a spiritual island equipped with a teleportation array, and were teleported to the northern part of Star Island Immortal Lake.

The islands in the northern part of the Immortal Lake were as numerous as elsewhere, but as they continued flying north, Qin Sang noticed that the presence of cultivators became increasingly sparse, and later even saw vast stretches of desolate spiritual islands.

Qin Sang knew that by the time they reached the northern shore of Star Island Immortal Lake, they would be at the edge of Jushan Dominion.

Continuing further north, they would delve deep into the Abyssal Wasteland, a place that made everyone's face turn pale at its mention.

Ferocious beasts roamed rampant in the depths of the Abyssal Wasteland, far more brutal than the demons and monsters of Ghostfang Nation, bloodthirsty and insane.

If it were near the Daoist Court's Twin Dominions, immortal guards and local deities under the Daoist Court would be stationed there to clear them out. However, Jushan Dominion was a scattered mess, unable to organize such a force.

The united sects of Star Island Immortal Lake could only send a few people to patrol the vicinity, guarding against ferocious beasts attacking the heartland of the Immortal Lake.

It was common for ferocious beasts to break into the Immortal Lake, thus, the closer to the northern shore, the more unsafe it became. Few cultivators dared to establish their cave dwellings here.

This was merely the visible danger.

It was said that the deeper one went into the Abyssal Wasteland, the denser the Six-Heaven Old Qi became, and even a Talisman Altar couldn't continuously protect cultivators. Many cultivators had ventured too deep or stayed too long in the Abyssal Wasteland and had become lost within.

Cultivators from Jushan Dominion who went out to hunt ferocious beasts would first set a range and a date. Once the time limit was up, regardless of their success, they had to return.

"We're here."

True Master Zhijian raised a hand, pointing ahead.

Qin Sang gazed intently, seeing only a sheer cliff thousands of feet high. The cliff wasn't particularly wide, and was, in fact, a spiritual island.

A little over a hundred *li* further north would bring them to the northern shore of Star Island Immortal Lake. No other cultivators were visible nearby, making it truly peaceful.

The two soared into the sky, and before long, landed atop the sheer cliff. Before their eyes lay a verdant landscape.

Under a faint shroud of mist, tree shadows swayed, and spiritual plants grew lushly.

Qin Sang inadvertently glanced around, his eyes narrowing slightly.

At this moment, a calm voice emerged from the forest. "You've come from afar as guests. Please, two fellow Daoists."

As soon as the voice fell silent, the ancient trees before them suddenly swayed and uprooted themselves.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

One by one, the ancient trees moved their roots, stepping aside, revealing a small path through the forest.

"The flora and fauna in this forest are all True Master Zangui's personal forces."

True Master Zhijian explained via spiritual transmission.

Qin Sang nodded, and walked into the forest alongside True Master Zhijian, where they saw several rustic wooden halls.

A Daoist priest wearing a tall crown stood before the hall; it was True Master Zangui himself. He smiled as he looked at them and bowed slightly, saying, "Many years have passed, True Master Zhijian, and your demeanor remains as it was. I apologize for not coming out to greet you; please don't take offense... And this Fellow Daoist is?"

"True Master, you are too kind," True Master Zhijian returned the bow and introduced them.

As they spoke, the group entered the main hall and took their seats as host and guests.

Learning that Qin Sang had come to seek advancement in his talismans, True Master Zangui gave him a once-over, then nodded approvingly. "True Master Zhijian's friends are indeed dragons among men!"

Qin Sang modestly replied, "I wouldn't dare," and was about to speak further when True Master Zhijian suddenly rose and said, "I am merely the guide. Now that the two of you are to discuss important matters, it would be best for me to withdraw."

With that, True Master Zhijian stepped out of the hall, leaving only the two of them in the main hall.

True Master Zangui went straight to the point. "May I ask what talisman True Master Qingfeng cultivates?"

"High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman!"

Qin Sang did not conceal it, nor could he.

True Master Zangui showed a surprised expression. "Is True Master not a direct disciple of the Thunder Palace?"

Among cultivators, it was customary to refer to the Thunder Left and Right Palaces collectively as the Thunder Palace.

Qin Sang shook his head. "I am an outer sect disciple, fortunate enough to have been granted the High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman."

True Master Zangui suddenly understood.

The Thunder Palace was highly renowned in Star Island Immortal Lake and had ties to the Daoist Court.

If Qin Sang hailed from the Thunder Palace, True Master Zangui would have heard about him long ago, and Qin Sang wouldn't have needed to personally come to him, but could have simply contacted the Daoist Court through his sect master.

"The third-tier talisman of the High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman is the Five Thunders Secret Talisman, and both divisions of the Daoist Court can grant this talisman..."

True Master Zangui listed the various talismans as if reciting from memory.

Hearing this, Qin Sang felt a slight relief. The greatest fear when cultivating talismans was encountering an incomplete one, being forced to switch mid-way, which would result in an unstable foundation for the Talisman Altar.

"However," True Master Zangui's tone suddenly shifted. "The Daoist Court can grant you the talisman, True Master, but it is unknown which Heavenly God of the Thunder Department you should meditate upon from the Immortal Guide to the Myriad Divine Thunder Department, or if you will succeed. At that time, you will need to figure it out yourself."

The Altar-Guardians are the most crucial part of a talisman.

Without guidance from predecessors, cultivators could only try each one according to the Immortal Guide to the Myriad Divine Thunder Department.

Qin Sang frowned. "What if I can't meditate upon an Altar-Guardian?"

"True Master can choose to be granted other talismans. As far as I know, the Spirit-Soaring Nine-Light Talisman should be able to replace the Five Thunders Secret Talisman. Of course, if True Master doesn't wish to change talismans, you can first meditate on your inner truth as a temporary measure, and gradually attempt to meditate upon a Heavenly God of the Thunder Department."

True Master Zangui paused. "If, even until your Nascent Soul shows signs of unease, you still haven't successfully meditated upon a deity, then you can return to the Daoist Court to add the Spirit-Soaring Nine-Light Talisman."

"How long can the inner truth last? And what are the conditions for adding a talisman?" Qin Sang seemed very concerned about this, wanting to know every detail.

"Before breaking through to the late stage of the Cavernous Mystery cultivation realm, there's no need to worry too much. As for adding a talisman, while the Daoist Court won't give it away for free, it also won't make things difficult for you, True Master," True Master Zangui said with a relaxed tone.

According to True Master Zangui's explanation, using inner truth to guard the altar could only last until the late stage of God Transformation at most. No wonder cultivators in this realm all chose to meditate upon Heavenly Gods.

Yet demon talismans, by meditating on inner truth, could contend with the Daoist Court. This was likely due to the enhancement from the demonic race's bloodline power.

Qin Sang seemed thoughtful, and after a moment, said, "The Thunder Palace should have relevant ancient texts, right?"

All cultivators from the Thunder Palace cultivated the High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman, and there were many powerful cultivators at the God Transformation stage among them, so they would definitely have experience.

True Master Zangui shook his head. "True Master might as well go to the Thunder Palace himself to inquire."

Hearing this, Qin Sang stopped asking questions.

In truth, whether he could meditate upon a Heavenly God had little impact on him. At least not until he knew the Heavenly Gods' true nature, he had no intention of inviting a deity into his body.

His questions were merely for show, to avoid True Master Zangui's suspicion.

"I choose the Five Thunders Secret Talisman!" Qin Sang stated definitively.

True Master Zangui nodded and pondered, saying, "Since you two are such close acquaintances, True Master Zhijian should have already explained to you..."

Qin Sang nodded, indicating he understood the rules.

"True Master, what choice will you make?" True Master Zangui gazed at Qin Sang and asked in a deep voice.

Qin Sang cupped his hands and solemnly declared, "I wish to accept the Daoist Court's decree!"

Accepting a decree, rather than serving the Daoist Court.

True Master Zangui's eyes showed a hint of regret.

Qin Sang had not concealed his aura, and True Master Zangui had already discerned Qin Sang's cultivation level. Those who broke through before advancing their talismans were all extraordinarily talented, and the Daoist Court was eager to recruit such geniuses. Unfortunately, such individuals were invariably proud and ambitious; who would be willing to be subservient to others?

Since high-tier talismans were controlled by the Daoist Court, why didn't they force compliance with them, but instead deliberately left an opening for them?

True Master Zangui had once asked his revered master, and the answer he received was that Ghostfang Nation could also grant certain high-tier Daoist talismans!

When he first learned this secret, True Master Zangui had been greatly shocked for a long time, gaining a deeper understanding of Ghostfang Nation.

Knowing that such people had firm resolve and could not be easily swayed, True Master Zangui no longer wasted words. He rose, said "Wait a moment," and then went to the back hall.

Before long, True Master Zangui returned, holding two jade slips in his hand. "True Master, you may choose one of these two decrees."

Qin Sang rose and first thanked True Master Zangui.

Upon arriving here, there was usually no room for negotiation. The fact that the other party allowed him to choose independently was likely out of respect for True Master Zhijian.

Qin Sang extended his spiritual consciousness into one jade slip, and after reading it, he pondered for a moment before examining the other.

As expected, both decrees were related to Ghostfang Nation, and required him to infiltrate its heartland. They were dangerous enough but did not involve truly sensitive secrets.

As for the level of difficulty, it needed to be assessed in conjunction with Qin Sang's divine abilities and magic treasures.

"I choose this one."

Qin Sang considered for a moment, picked up the second one, and then took a heart oath as required.

Only then did True Master Zangui lift the restriction on the jade slip, allowing Qin Sang to see the full decree. At the same time, he handed Qin Sang a small porcelain bottle.

Qin Sang opened the porcelain bottle and saw a snow-white pill inside, emitting a faint, ethereal fragrance. It was indeed the True Stability Pill.

"True Master, remember, you must escape the danger before the pill's effect wears off. Do not be overconfident. I await your good news..." True Master Zangui cautioned.

Qin Sang put away both items, and without lingering, cupped his hands in farewell.

Although he had accepted the decree, he didn't necessarily have to carry it out.

Not all predecessors had been able to complete their tasks. Failure allowed for a fresh start, but there was only one True Stability Pill.

True Master Zhijian should have news by now. He would weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

After seeing Qin Sang and his companion off, True Master Zangui stood still for a moment, then walked towards the back hall.

An old Daoist priest was actually seated in the back hall, a half-finished chess game laid out before him.

True Master Zangui sat down opposite the chessboard, picked up a piece, and pondered where to place it.

The old Daoist priest watched the game and said, "Another master has emerged from Jushan Dominion?"

True Master Zangui hummed in affirmation. "This person accepted a decree, and moreover, cultivates the High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman."

"Oh?"

The old Daoist priest looked up in surprise. "Not a successor of the Thunder Palace?"

True Master Zangui nodded.

"Interesting," the old Daoist priest tsked, shaking his head repeatedly. "To not cultivate scriptures, only talismans, yet reach Cavernous Mystery stage, is truly extraordinary! What a pity, what a pity..."

Snap!

True Master Zangui placed a piece, believing it to be a brilliant move. He picked up his jade cup and took a sip. "Are you so certain this person won't succeed? Could it be that the Right Palace Sect Master also failed to meditate upon a deity?"

The old Daoist priest pointed at True Master Zangui. "Many years have passed, and your insight is still as sharp, nothing can escape your notice. You're right, the Right Palace Sect Master indeed gave up. Generation after generation of Thunder Palace disciples followed, only to be in vain... Hmm, perhaps this person has profound fortune and might succeed? Wouldn't that bring a turning point?"

True Master Zangui sighed lightly. "How tragic! How lamentable! In ancient times, the Jade Palace of Thunder was as renowned as our Heavenly Pivot Court and the North Pole Exorcism Court, even surpassing them at times. The Thunder Commandery was so magnificent, hailed as supreme in thunder magic, able to summon the Thunder Ancestor and command all thunders! Just reading the records in the ancient texts fills this junior's heart with fervor, yet now it has fallen to such a state!"

"All that is in the past!"

The old Daoist priest shook his head. "The Heavenly Gods of the Thunder Department are dormant, with very few remaining. A grand High-Grade Divine Heaven Talisman, a third-tier talisman, actually has no deity to summon. And below the third tier, there are also few respondents. Isn't decline an inevitable outcome?"

As he spoke, the old Daoist priest suddenly picked up a piece and slapped it onto the chessboard, laughing heartily. "Letting you be distracted, it's only right that I, this old Daoist, win a game today!"

True Master Zangui was startled and quickly looked at the chessboard.