Chapter 1799: Breaking the Drum

The Mortal Realm

The moment the talisman seal appeared, Qin Sang felt a pull. Releasing his hold, the seal was drawn into the clouds.

A short while later, the clouds behind the archway parted, and two golden-armored guards emerged. “Greetings, True Immortal Qingfeng,” one said. “The talisman seal is authentic. Which department do you wish to visit, and which immortal official are you here to see?”

Qin Sang bowed in return and replied, “The Department of Merits.”

Within the Dao Court’s two main divisions, the Heavenly Pivot Court and the Northern Zenith Exorcism Court share similar structures, resembling mortal government offices. Each governs its respective region through various Jings and Altars. Within these Altars, further levels such as Halls, Pavilions, and Departments are established to oversee the Jings and manage various affairs.

Cultivators from outside the Dao Court most frequently interact with the Department of Merits. As its name suggests, the Dao Court’s official summons originate from this department, which is responsible for recording and deliberating merits.

The golden-armored guards exchanged a glance. Without seeming to cast any spells, the clouds parted, revealing a path of clouds that appeared to lead to an immortal palace.

“True Immortal, please proceed!”

The golden-armored guards led the way.

Qin Sang followed closely.

This was a vital hub of the Dao Court. To avoid offending any Grand True Immortals and incurring unnecessary trouble, Qin Sang did not awaken his Heavenly Eye Butterfly to observe.

Clouds and mist swirled around him.

Stepping into the clouds, he found the density very thick at first, but it was distinctly different from the auspicious clouds of the Jushan District’s Altar.

This place was very stable; there were no fluctuating chaotic energies. The immortal palace ahead seemed increasingly ethereal, and he felt an inexplicable sense of serenity.

Perhaps, the Jushan District’s Altar once looked like this too.

Qin Sang vaguely sensed the presence of restrictive arrays. Though not yet activated, he felt a sense of trepidation and dared not act rashly.

Passing through the clouds and mist, the scenery ahead gradually became clear. Qin Sang saw that the two golden-armored guards were leading him towards a cluster of golden halls.

Qin Sang was very familiar with the architectural style of these golden halls; it was similar to that of the Jushan District’s Altar. However, most of the Jushan District’s Altar had been destroyed, and the remaining parts exuded an ancient, weathered aura.

Reaching the end of the cloud path, his feet touched solid ground. Ahead was a courtyard with a plaque that read ‘Department of Merits’.

Qin Sang looked up at the sky and saw that the immortal palace was still ahead, though now a bit clearer. Immortal mountains rose from the sea of clouds, and layers of golden halls reached high into the azure sky—a sight that filled one with longing.

After escorting Qin Sang, the two golden-armored guards bowed and withdrew.

Qin Sang glanced around, seeing no other immortal officials. Just as he was wondering, a Daoist emerged from the courtyard.

After exchanging greetings, Qin Sang followed him towards the main hall, where a person stood before it.

This person wore a Two-Principles Intertwined Crown, adorned with a rhinoceros horn hairpin.

He wore a twenty-four-striped purple cape adorned with blue-green cloud patterns, mountain and water scenes, and seven stars. Beneath it was a light yellow Daoist robe patterned with blue-green clouds, a light yellow inner garment, and a five-panel, four-hemmed light yellow skirt.

He wore a white jade pendant and vermilion shoes.

With sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, he possessed an extraordinary demeanor.

“Mid-stage Soul Transformation cultivation. A fourth-rank official: the Nine Heavens Investigator!”

Qin Sang’s heart stirred. This person must be the Chief Registrar of the Department of Merits, the principal official of the department.

Ordinary people could not meet the Chief Registrar. Only because Qin Sang was also a True Immortal of Cavernous Mystery was he granted a personal audience.

“This humble Daoist, Qingfeng, greets the Nine Heavens Investigator,” Qin Sang said, bowing.

The Daoist did not act arrogantly about his status or put on the airs of a Dao Court immortal official. He returned the bow with a smile, saying, “True Immortal Qingfeng, a pleasure. My Daoist name is Ningluo. True Immortal Wan recently sent a dispatch to the Department of Merits, so this humble Daoist is well aware of the merits you have accrued. When I heard the news that you single-handedly slew Marquis Li, I was filled with admiration. I am honored to finally meet you in person.”

Qin Sang remained modest and calm, merely saying it was due to luck.

After a few more words, the two got down to business.

True Immortal Ningluo returned to his desk and took out a jade slip, holding it in his hand.

“Regarding the merit for slaying the demon marquis, the Department of Merits has its own regulations,” True Immortal Ningluo began. “However, True Immortal Wan took the demon corpse, and its value is hard to quantify precisely. We need to discuss it with you in person to determine if you wish to convert it into merits or exchange it for other treasures.”

Many factors influenced the value of a demon corpse.

Qin Sang had already taken the most valuable items, such as the demon core, but the remaining bones, scales, tendons, and blood were still quite valuable.

The easiest option was to exchange it for another demon corpse of similar value.

The jade slip in True Immortal Ningluo’s hand recorded various exchangeable treasures. Their values varied but generally fell within a certain range.

Qin Sang’s intention was not for these items. He directly asked, “Can the merit for slaying Marquis Li be exchanged for the qualification to be granted a third-tier Daoist Edict?”

“Which edict does the True Immortal cultivate?” True Immortal Ningluo asked.

“The Exalted Divine Firmament Edict!”

True Immortal Ningluo pondered, saying, “The third-tier Daoist Edict of the Exalted Divine Firmament Edict is the Five Thunders Secret Edict, which the Exorcism Court can bestow. Exchanging just Marquis Li’s corpse is more than enough to qualify. However, although the Exorcism Court has the corresponding Immortal Summons of the Myriad Gods Thunder Department, it’s uncertain which True Immortal can actually evoke them…”

Regarding this, True Immortal Zhanguai had already warned Qin Sang.

Qin Sang immediately stated that he still wished to receive the Five Thunders Secret Edict.

True Immortal Ningluo nodded and immediately sent a dispatch to the Edict Bestowal Department. He also said, “According to custom, setting up the altar for the True Immortal’s solitary edict bestowal requires the Edict Bestowal Department to prepare for three days. Three days from now, you can directly proceed to the Edict Bestowal Department.”

The matter was finally settled!

Qin Sang felt a sense of relief. He looked at the jade slip in True Immortal Ningluo’s hand but did not reach out for it. Instead, he said, “This humble Daoist wishes to exchange the remaining merits for the insights on altar casting left by predecessors who cultivated the Five Thunders Secret Edict. Is this possible?”

Unlike the first two tiers of Daoist Edicts, which Qin Sang could quickly comprehend based on his cultivation, from now on he would have to cultivate and comprehend the talisman forms simultaneously, gradually casting the altar.

With the experience of predecessors, he could avoid detours and save a lot of time.

This request actually involved the true inheritance of the Exalted Divine Firmament Edict, and Qin Sang felt a bit uneasy, unsure if the Dao Court would agree.

If Marquis Li had only been at the early stage of Soul Transformation, he estimated the chances would be slim.

True Immortal Ningluo seemed unsurprised by Qin Sang’s request. He put down the jade slip in his hand and mused, “In the Exorcism Court, there are indeed some relevant ancient texts. And regarding these contents, both courts share resources. This humble Daoist can retrieve texts from both courts for the True Immortal to examine…”

Qin Sang was overjoyed, not expecting such smooth progress. However, then he heard True Immortal Ningluo’s tone shift.

“However, this humble Daoist has a request,” True Immortal Ningluo continued. “If, while cultivating the Five Thunders Secret Edict, you can successfully summon a Heavenly Deity from the Thunder Department to guard your altar, using the Immortal Summons of the Myriad Gods Thunder Department, you must immediately report it to the Dao Court and record your insights without reservation.”

Saying this, True Immortal Ningluo smiled. “If the True Immortal can perform such a benevolent act, it would truly be a blessing for future generations! This humble Daoist can then try to mediate and request some texts from the Left and Right Thunder Palaces. The True Immortal cultivates both spirit and body, a rare and extraordinary talent; I believe the two palace lords would also be pleased to see this succeed.”

Hearing this, Qin Sang was somewhat surprised.

He had initially suspected that the Dao Court intentionally withheld guidance on summoning deities to restrict external forces and maintain the Daoist sect’s supreme status.

From True Immortal Ningluo’s tone, it seemed that Heavenly Deities from the Thunder Department were genuinely difficult to summon.

Could it be that even the Left and Right Thunder Palaces couldn’t summon Heavenly Deities?

Qin Sang’s heart stirred, and he thought of a question.

It was definitively accepted that the altar-guarding divine generals formed through inner contemplation were less effective at protecting the primordial spirit than Heavenly Deities.

According to True Immortal Zhanguai, by common sense, he could at least last until he broke through to the late stage of Soul Transformation.

When his inner truth reached its limit and could no longer protect him, he would be forced to request an additional edict from the Dao Court.

In the future, if his cultivation surpassed the limit, and he couldn’t summon a Heavenly Deity from the Thunder Department, and he didn’t seek other edicts from the Dao Court, it would certainly arouse the Dao Court’s suspicion.

Qin Sang couldn’t help but feel a little hesitant.

He didn’t know when he would find the path to ascension, and Qin Sang couldn’t be sure how long he would remain in this realm.

On second thought, he was still far from the late stage of Soul Transformation; he could think of an excuse then.

The texts from the Dao Court and the Left and Right Thunder Palaces could bring him immense help; clearly, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

One day, should he genuinely be pressured by the Dao Court, to prevent the Jade Buddha from being exposed, he could simply feign mental confusion of his primordial spirit and request an additional edict.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang immediately nodded in agreement and swore an oath as a covenant.

True Immortal Ningluo showed a pleased expression. “Consulting with the Heavenly Pivot Court and the Left and Right Thunder Palaces will take time,” he said. “We can only determine the value once the texts are all gathered. I must trouble the True Immortal to remain in the Altar for a few more days…”

Qin Sang found that the conditions True Immortal Ningluo offered him were truly generous. If he had remaining merits from battle, he could continue to exchange them for other treasures, and if his merits were insufficient, he could even incur a debt.

He felt the goodwill extended by the other party, but he didn’t know if it was True Immortal Ningluo acting on his own initiative or if the Dao Court held him in high regard.

‘It is necessary to display a certain level of strength at the appropriate time,’ Qin Sang thought to himself and thanked True Immortal Ningluo.

True Immortal Ningluo handed Qin Sang a token, allowing him to reside freely in a cave dwelling within the Altar during this period while awaiting news.

Having achieved his objective, Qin Sang did not linger and exited the Northern Zenith Exorcism Court.

As he walked, Qin Sang pondered the various matters ahead, preparing to go directly to his cave dwelling for quiet cultivation, awaiting the edict ascension in three days.

The cave dwelling was located next to the Northern Zenith Exorcism Court; it was usually rented out to outsiders and was also property of the Dao Court.

Upon the immortal peaks, there were grottoes, palace pavilions, and secluded courtyards hidden among the misty mountains and forests—all serving as cave dwellings of varying grades.

Qin Sang took out the token, and a Daoist led him towards the area where the higher-grade cave dwellings were located.

Looking at the higher-grade cave dwellings nestled within the mountains and forests, sealed by restrictive arrays, Qin Sang seemed to recall something and suddenly stopped. He said to the Daoist beside him, “Tell this humble Daoist the location of the cave dwelling, then you may withdraw.”

The Daoist bowed in assent, not daring to inquire about the reason. He told Qin Sang the secret incantation to open the cave dwelling and turned to descend the mountain.

Qin Sang glanced at his assigned cave dwelling, pondered for a moment, but then walked in another direction.

Before long, Qin Sang arrived before a courtyard.

Unlike other courtyards, this one was in a very secluded and simple location. Its outer wall was a fence, not even neatly built, and its two wooden doors were ajar.

Behind the fence was a large expanse of fertile land, which had been cultivated into a medicinal herb field. The spirit herbs were growing well, clearly indicating that someone lived here permanently and tended to it regularly.

Inside the courtyard, several black stone houses stood tall. The square stone houses formed a peculiar circle.

Qin Sang sensed the rich fire elemental energy in the area. He smiled slightly, activated the restriction, and said, “This humble Daoist, Qingfeng, has come to visit Master Gu.”

Before his words had faded, a delicate, jade-like young Daoist boy walked out of the stone house.

The Daoist boy quickly walked to the door and said formally, “My Master said he would not open the furnace for another ten years. If senior wishes to refine a magic treasure, please seek another esteemed master.”

The Master Gu Qin Sang was visiting was a master artificer who had some acquaintance with Master Lingxu. Qin Sang had learned of Master Gu’s residence from Master Lingxu and had originally intended to ask this master to examine those damaged treasures.

“Please trouble the young Daoist boy to inform him,” Qin Sang said. “This humble Daoist has not come for artifact refining. I have a treasure whose origin is unknown, and I wish to ask Master Gu to appraise it.”

The Daoist boy immediately returned to the stone house and swiftly returned a moment later, inviting Qin Sang inside.

The interior of the stone house was surprisingly spacious, with incredibly elegant furnishings. A bronze Boshan censer was placed there.

It had a tall, pointed, hollowed-out lid, shaped like overlapping mountains, intricately carved with cloud patterns, figures, birds, and beasts—a marvel of craftsmanship.

Incense burned in the censer, and light smoke drifted out, swirling around its body, naturally creating the effect of hazy mountains and floating beasts, as if it were an immortal mountain.

The room was filled with fragrance.

An elegant female cultivator sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. This was Master Gu, a stark contrast to the unkempt Master Qi.

“True Immortal Qingfeng, please have a seat,” Master Gu said. “I don’t believe we’ve met before.”

Master Gu’s voice was cool and clear.

“This humble Daoist has been cultivating in the Jushan District,” Qin Sang explained. “I recently broke through to the Cavernous Mystery Dharma Rank and am currently waiting in the Altar for my edict ascension.”

Master Gu suddenly understood. She had heard of similar situations before.

It was a common scenario: cultivators receiving a supreme treasure when their cultivation was low, not knowing its use, fearing that possessing it would bring trouble, and only daring to seek appraisal once their cultivation had matured.

A treasure that even a True Immortal of Cavernous Mystery couldn’t identify.

She couldn’t help but feel a hint of anticipation. “What treasure does True Immortal Qingfeng wish to have appraised?”

“A damaged drum…”

Qin Sang said hesitantly.

Of the three damaged treasures obtained by the Formless Immortal Sect, two still had unknown origins.

Qin Sang considered that this place was too close to the Northern Zenith Exorcism Court, and the broken drum clearly had a large hole. Even if it was some rare treasure, a mere damaged artifact wouldn’t cause too much of a stir.

Whereas the Chengying Sword appeared completely undamaged, it would be best to find another master artificer for that.

Saying this, Qin Sang immediately took out the damaged drum and placed it on the table.

There was a clear hole on the drum surface, and it didn’t display any obvious strange phenomena like true treasure fragments.

But the moment she saw the damaged drum, Master Gu’s gaze was deeply drawn to it, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away for a long time.

Noticing Master Gu’s expression, Qin Sang’s heart stirred, thinking to himself that the Formless Immortal Sect had indeed plundered many good treasures from the immortal palace.

Master Gu took a deep breath and glanced at Qin Sang. Qin Sang understood and nodded slightly.

Then Master Gu picked up the damaged drum, her movements very gentle, as if she were admiring some rare treasure.

Next, Master Gu gently hooked with her jade finger, and the smoke from the Boshan censer was attracted, swirling around the damaged drum.

Wisps of smoke seeped through the large hole on the drum’s surface, while the smoke outside transformed unpredictably, forming countless flying birds and walking beasts that continuously darted towards the damaged drum, their smoky bodies dispersing upon impact.

“So it’s a rare treasure of the art of artifact refining.”

Qin Sang glanced at the Boshan censer and thought to himself.

He could vaguely discern some clues: Master Gu was employing a secret technique to comprehend this treasure, and her secret technique was far more exquisite than Master Qi’s. Truly worthy of being a Daoist artifact refining grandmaster.

Soon, smoke filled the room.

Master Gu paid no heed, continuously changing various secret techniques. But the anticipation and excitement in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by disappointment.

Qin Sang, who had been observing her, couldn’t help but grow solemn, thinking to himself that something was amiss.

Slowly withdrawing her technique, Master Gu put down the damaged drum, looked at Qin Sang, and said, “This treasure appears to be a damaged Post-Natal Spirit Treasure!”

A Post-Natal Spirit Treasure!

Qin Sang’s spirits lifted. It was indeed as he suspected.

While assisting Master Qi in artifact refining, Qin Sang’s proficiency in the art of artifact refining had also advanced rapidly. He had actually made some discoveries before, conservatively estimating it to be a Spirit Treasure.

The problem was how to repair a Post-Natal Spirit Treasure.

Qin Sang had tried many times, but the damaged drum had shown no reaction. It could not be repaired, rendering it worthless.

At this moment, Qin Sang saw Master Gu sigh softly, saying with a look of regret, “Alas, its artifact spirit has perished.”