Chapter 1876: Late Transformation of the God Phase

The Mortal Realm

“Thank you, True Master Yuan.”Qin Sang had just learned that the old Daoist’s true name was Yuan Yanchu.

The contents of these jade slips were all inheritances from Chongxuan Temple, with the most central among them being a scripture called "Chongxuan Codex."

Qin Sang’s divine sense delved into the "Chongxuan Codex," immersing his mind. From time to time, True Master Yuan’s voice echoed in his ears. True Master Yuan was 'expounding the Dao' for him.

The "Chongxuan Codex" was not written in ordinary characters; instead, it was composed of extremely complex talisman diagrams.

The runes within the diagrams encompassed everything, and cultivators with less mastery in talisman arts might not even recognize all of them. Qin Sang, having studied talisman arts extensively for his talisman cultivation, still found many obscure points, which he only understood clearly after True Master Yuan's guidance.

After finishing the entire "Chongxuan Codex," Qin Sang understood why True Master Yuan had chosen this particular inheritance.

Daoism emphasizes talismans, and the Daoist way of artifact refining is inextricably linked to talisman arts; in fact, it could even be said to have developed based on them.

Qin Sang had previously observed Grandmaster Gu refining artifacts. The most crucial step when she refined artifacts was applying talismans. Before opening the furnace, she would first refine various spirit talismans, with preparation time exceeding the actual refining time. The variety of talismans was dazzling, and the timing and combination of their application were meticulously considered.

The "Chongxuan Codex," however, was different. It focused more on the spirit materials themselves, achieving extraordinary power by piling up as many high-grade spirit materials as possible and harmonizing their properties. In Qin Sang’s view, this approach was somewhat crude.

Of course, the "Chongxuan Codex" also included complementary talismans, but they were not as intricate as the orthodox Daoist artifact refining techniques, so it wouldn't be too difficult for Qin Sang to learn.

This inheritance had a requirement: the artifact refiner must be able to precisely grasp the characteristics of spirit materials. Otherwise, it would just be an ineffective pile, or even lead to conflicts. Qin Sang had considerable talent in this area; Grandmaster Gu had once praised his keen spiritual perception.

The spirit nurturing technique for refining spiritual treasures, which Qin Sang cared about most, was also inherited in the "Chongxuan Codex." It turned out to be a blood sacrifice art.

Blood sacrifice refining, though seemingly a dark art, was actually a type of orthodox artifact refining. However, the "Chongxuan Codex" appeared much more uninhibited.

'Feeding' the spiritual embryo through blood sacrifice would greatly deplete one's vital essence. Qin Sang suspected that Chongxuan Temple disciples must have cultivated the Dragon-Tiger Altar. Otherwise, they would likely become emaciated after only a few uses.

Compared to Grandmaster Gu, Chongxuan Temple left Qin Sang with the impression of a group of rough men: shirtless, their Daoist robes tied around their waists, revealing muscular physiques, constantly swinging large hammers to forge iron.

Qin Sang had to admit that True Master Yuan possessed sharp insight. This inheritance was indeed very well-suited for him.

This was it! Qin Sang put away the jade slips and thanked him again, “I wonder if Chongxuan Temple has any living descendants today?”

True Master Yuan stroked his beard and said, “The inheritance of Chongxuan Temple has been broken. From now on, you will be its sole inheritor. However, you need not be bound by this. If you are so inclined, you may take two or three disciples to carry on the lineage. This can be considered your fated connection with Chongxuan Temple.”

As he spoke these words, True Master Yuan’s tone remained calm.

Ever since the decline of Daoism, with the Daoist Court itself having fallen so far, countless Daoist sects had their inheritances severed. Many even lost their sectarian texts, leaving only a cold, brief mention in historical records.

Qin Sang suddenly felt the jade slips in his hand grow heavy.

“I heard Grandmaster Gu say that this war drum has been in her possession for many years,” True Master Yuan asked. “She later recorded her insights from studying the drum and gave them all to you. What have you gained these past years, and when do you plan to open the furnace?”

Qin Sang, understanding the unspoken meaning, replied without hesitation, “This junior’s cultivation is shallow. After seeing the 'Chongxuan Codex,' I’ve become even more aware of my own shortcomings. I wish to wait until I’ve made further progress before taking action. During this period, I cannot be distracted and it’s inconvenient to carry the war drum with me. I request True Master Yuan to safeguard it for me.”

Seeing Qin Sang’s perceptiveness, True Master Yuan smiled and nodded slightly. “Rest assured,” he said, “True Master Xun’s word is gold. When it’s time to restore the war drum, he will certainly wait for you to act personally. For now, it seems the situation will continue to drag on, and this humble Daoist also needs some time for contemplation. You need not be anxious...”

After a moment of thought, True Master Yuan added, “This humble Daoist must reorganize the grand formation and regulate the subterranean flame every seven years. You may come during that time. Now, I shall expound upon the essence of the 'Chongxuan Codex' for you!”

Qin Sang immediately adjusted his attire and sat upright and respectfully before True Master Yuan.

Soon after, Qin Sang left the altar by himself. After staying at Grandmaster Gu’s residence for several days, he embarked on his return journey.

Sword Heart Island.

Upon returning to his cave dwelling, Qin Sang couldn’t wait to enter meditation. He mentally replayed the sword light of True Master Sword Wielder.

What a brilliant and profound sword strike! Qin Sang was full of admiration, feeling that by observing this sword strike, his own sword Dao had been touched, and he vaguely felt a breakthrough.

However, he couldn’t fully immerse himself in the sword Dao. Soon, he resumed his usual cultivation.

In the following period, Qin Sang primarily focused on cultivating the "Primordial Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter." But he did not remain in seclusion the entire time.

Occasionally, he would go out. Firstly, to use Grandmaster Qi’s fire chamber to study the "Chongxuan Codex." Secondly, to exchange the elixirs he obtained from Spirit Nether King for resources needed for his own cultivation.

Among these elixirs, Qin Sang kept those he could use, which were mostly spirit elixirs for body tempering.

The remaining portions were only useful to demon cultivators. Although Qin Sang also had demon marquises under his command, he would certainly prioritize improving himself first.

Among Daoists, True Masters who cultivated the Military Altar were either Daoist Court Immortals or true inheritors of sects. Each was wealthy, so their elixirs were never difficult to sell.

Unknowingly, another twenty-five years passed on Sword Heart Island.

One day.

Qin Sang instructed Sword Slave not to disturb him and sealed the cave dwelling’s restrictions.

Over ten consecutive days passed.

Sword Slave sat cross-legged on a rock at the mountaintop. He had sensed that Qin Sang’s instructions were unusual and had been guarding outside.

Suddenly, Sword Slave, who was meditating, opened his eyes, which shone brightly. He looked towards Qin Sang’s cave dwelling.

A faint pressure emanated from the cave dwelling. Anomalies appeared in the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy around the dwelling, gradually spreading to the entire Sword Heart Island and even the surrounding waters.

“Could it be…” Sword Slave realized something, his face filled with surprise, joy, and envy. He immediately flew into the sky.

True Master Sword Wielder was not on the island at the moment. Only he and two demon marquises were protecting Qin Sang. Marquis Luo and Marquis Gui stood guard outside the abode, one on the left and one on the right.

The situation was unstable, and Sword Slave dared not be negligent. A brilliant light flashed in his palm as he conjured a token, activating the island-guarding formation.

‘Boom! Boom! Boom!’Sword Heart Island trembled slightly, and pillars of light shot out from all four sides of the island.

The four light pillars were not particularly grand, only a hundred zhang high. Then, using the pillars as support, a semi-circular light shield emerged, enveloping the entire island.

Lightning crackled across the surface of the light shield, poised to strike, giving off an incredibly dangerous aura.

With the grand formation activated, Sword Slave’s expression relaxed slightly.

The grand formation could not conceal the anomaly. The Heaven and Earth spiritual energy above Sword Heart Island was turbulent, already showing signs of a storm, and the sky itself became chaotic.

Dark clouds materialized out of thin air, condensing in the sky.

The anomaly grew increasingly violent. Sword Slave nervously scanned the surroundings of the island.

The inner lake was densely populated now, and high-level cultivators might pass by at any time, attracted by the anomaly.

The celestial phenomena changed extremely rapidly.

The area within a hundred li of Sword Heart Island became dim, and strong winds arose. Indeed, cultivators were alerted. Sword Slave sensed approaching auras and nervously tightened his grip on the token in his hand.

‘Rumble…’Dark clouds rolled, and the heavens and earth roared.

Sword Slave’s face showed shock. He knew this was not a heavenly tribulation, but merely a celestial phenomenon triggered by a breakthrough, yet it seemed to carry divine might.

‘Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!’Above Qin Sang’s cave dwelling, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy formed visible spiritual tides, surging powerfully.

At this moment, two streaks of light approached from afar, and a query came: “Fellow Daoist Sword Slave, has your island encountered some danger?”

“Fellow Daoists, please halt!” Sword Slave roared, his token in hand shimmering. A light sword appeared on one of the light pillars, pointing remotely at the approaching individuals, issuing a warning.

The newcomers retracted their escape light and exchanged glances. They had vague suspicions based on the celestial phenomena, and now seeing Sword Slave’s reaction, their suspicions were confirmed.

“True Master Sword Wielder broke through to the middle stage of the Cavern Profundity realm less than a century ago, didn’t he? I can’t believe he’s made another breakthrough. Could he one day become a Grand True Master? It’s a pity True Master Sword Wielder has a solitary nature and doesn’t like to socialize. We’ve visited several times but never had the chance to meet him. Otherwise, it would be good to form a positive connection.”

“The person breaking through might not be him...”

Above Sword Heart Island, a shocking thunderclap roared, interrupting their conversation. The spiritual energy storm seemed to have found an outlet, rushing madly towards Sword Heart Island.

The two trembled slightly, their faces filled with shock, murmuring, “Did it succeed?”

Before their words faded, an incomparably powerful aura erupted from Sword Heart Island, but it instantly retracted.

The dark clouds dispersed. The heavens and earth gradually returned to normal.

“This... did it fail or succeed?” The two were perplexed and dared not ask, fearing to incur displeasure.

Inside the cave dwelling.

Qin Sang slowly opened his eyes, felt the surging True Essence within his body, and smiled. He had finally entered the late stage of Nascent Soul transformation!

He wasn’t particularly surprised, as it was all within expectation.

Qin Sang had great confidence in this breakthrough, so he didn’t specifically choose a location. He simply attempted the breakthrough on Sword Heart Island.

The insights into the Dao of Killing gained from fighting Marquis Dingxiang and slaying Spirit Nether King, the elixirs exchanged from Spirit Nether King's relics, combined with the "Poison God Scripture" and the poisonous fruit pulp—all these favorable conditions allowed him to achieve such astonishing progress in a short amount of time.

Had he not diverted considerable energy to studying the "Chongxuan Codex" during this period, it would have been even faster!

Qin Sang glanced sideways and saw the jade bottle suspended beside him. He picked it up and shook it.

The jade bottle contained the pulp of the poisonous fruit; now only a thin layer remained. If the Flower Spirit still couldn’t produce flower dew, he would soon run out of medicine.

‘Swish!’Lightning illuminated the cave dwelling, and the Talisman Altar appeared!

Qin Sang gazed at the Talisman Altar, sensing the Azure Luan True Thunder within it. The power of the Thunder Turtle Demon Core had already been exhausted, so from now on, he would need to use Azure Luan True Thunder to cast the altar.

After these few times, Qin Sang became increasingly proficient, and this would not become an obstacle on his path of cultivation.

The Azure Luan True Thunder in the Phoenix Wings was more than enough to support him until the peak of the late Nascent Soul stage. As for how long it could last after the Void Refinement stage, that was beyond his estimation.

Sensing the Altar Guardian Divine General presiding over the Talisman Altar, Qin Sang couldn’t help but frown slightly.

He had always had a hidden concern: his Altar Guardian Divine General was an internal manifestation of 'contemplation,' not a Celestial God from the Thunder Department.

For now, he could explain it as simply having a firm will. But once he began to attempt Void Refinement, if he still couldn’t name which Celestial God it was and couldn’t find a suitable reason, it would surely arouse suspicion.

“I only hope there will be a turning point in the illusion storm, or that the Jade Buddha can continue to protect me...”

Qin Sang couldn’t think of any immediate solution, so he could only take things one step at a time. Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to change his cultivation talisman.

Although not enough Azure Luan True Thunder had been incorporated yet, Qin Sang already felt the changes it brought. It might bring him a huge surprise in the future!

What kind of power would a thunder spell unleashed with the Divine Firmament Thunder Seal, condensed from Azure Luan True Thunder, possess?

Qin Sang put away the Talisman Altar and then circulated "Heavenly Demon Refining Form," summoning the Azure Luan Dharma Idol.

He hadn’t cultivated this technique much in recent years, but taking Spirit Nether King’s elixirs had also brought about considerable improvement.

Qin Sang closed his eyes again, connecting his mind with his vital essence, and experienced his inner world.

A moment later, the head of the Azure Luan Dharma Idol suddenly moved. It lowered its head to look at Qin Sang, and its previously rigid expression gained a touch of spiritual vitality.

Ever since True Master Zuo pointed out the path of inner and outer scenery to Qin Sang, Qin Sang had gained a deeper understanding of Dharma Idols.

At this moment, he was sensing the Azure Luan Dharma Idol through his inner world. One day, perhaps he could use the power of the Dharma Idol like the demon kings who severed their own cultivation, greatly increasing his strength!

It sounded simple, but it was not easy to do. Other demon marquises found even comprehending Dharma Idols incredibly difficult.

Qin Sang, having first acquired the Azure Luan Dharma Idol and then comprehending it, found it smoother than expected. However, it quickly exhausted his mental energy, and he couldn’t hide his fatigue when concluding his practice.

Next, comprehending the Dharma Idol and regulating the Five Elements were essential tasks. But with the poisonous fruit pulp nearing exhaustion and the flower dew proving difficult to obtain, things wouldn’t be as smooth as before.

After regulating his breath, Qin Sang opened his cave dwelling and saw Sword Slave guarding outside.

“Congratulations, True Master, you are one step closer to the Great Dao!”

Qin Sang smiled and thanked him, “Thank you for guarding me, fellow Daoist... Are the spirit materials I asked you to collect complete?”

Sword Slave replied, “Most of them have been located, and nearly fifty percent have been acquired.”

Qin Sang nodded and handed Sword Slave a jade slip. The jade slip contained the refining methods for Heavenly Exquisite Bell and High-Grade Spirit Quelling Incense.

“This...” Sword Slave was both surprised and delighted. “This old slave is unworthy. I dare not accept such a grand gift from the True Master!”

Qin Sang reassured him, “Is guarding me not enough, fellow Daoist? I also want you to do me a favor. Of the spirit materials listed on it, keep what you need for yourself. As for the rest, take as much as there is. If you need anything, feel free to take it from me.”

These spirit materials were rare and hard to find in the Storm Realm, but they occasionally appeared in this realm. He was also keeping an eye out for them himself.

“This old slave obeys!” Sword Slave carefully put away the jade slip.

Qin Sang appraised Sword Slave from head to toe, then asked the question in his heart, “In my humble opinion, fellow Daoist, you already possess the ability to attempt the Cavern Profundity realm. The chances of success should not be low, so why not try earlier?”

Sword Slave respectfully replied, “My master instructed this old slave to continue refining my sword intent. Presumably, my accumulation is not yet sufficient.”

“I see. With deep accumulation, when fellow Daoist enters the Cavern Profundity realm, your progress will surely be rapid!” Qin Sang understood. After a few casual words, he conjured his escape light and flew towards Gourd Island.

Over these many years, Qin Sang had visited Baishi Altar several times to consult True Master Yuan. However, he had not yet opened the furnace to repair the war drum.

Since the Daoist Court wasn’t pressuring him, he was happy to delay. Higher cultivation was also beneficial for artifact refining.

“It’s time to open the furnace. Before that, I’ll first re-refine the Bright Mountain Armor...” Qin Sang pondered, then entered Grandmaster Qi’s residence and instructed Grandmaster Qi’s disciples to open the fire chamber.