Chapter 1916: Symbolic Magic Seventh Level

The Human World

According to the Inner Scripture Law of the Five Thunder Envoy Seal, thunder Dao talismans are divided into seven tiers.

Though not explicitly stated, Qin Sang speculated they correspond to Daoist official registers.

The Jade Purity Lightning Summoning Talisman, the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Lightning Summon, and the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Seal Talisman, which bear the High Firmament Divine Thunder Register, are in the first, second, and third tiers. These correspond to the ranks of the registers and roughly align with the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, Golden Core and Nascent Soul, and Soul Transformation and Void Refining stages, respectively.

As for fourth-tier talismans, only cultivators at the Body Integration stage can wield them.

Whether due to damage to the seal or intentional erasure, the precious seal contained some descriptions of the power of fourth-tier talismans, but no actual fourth-tier talismans were recorded.

As for the even higher fifth, sixth, and seventh-tier talismans, only fragmented mentions existed, making them impossible to fathom.

Among the talismans beyond the fourth tier, one that Qin Sang clearly knew of was a talisman carrying the fourth-tier register of the High Firmament Divine Thunder Register—the Purple Void Lightning Control Precious Register, named the Purple Void Lightning Guide.

Unfortunately, even if he were to break through to the Body Integration stage now, he wouldn't know where to go to advance his register.

Of course, the third-tier talismans recorded in the precious seal, if thoroughly comprehended, would be endlessly beneficial to Qin Sang; fourth-tier talismans were currently beyond his reach.

The Rainbow Concealment Talisman that the young boy had just used was a second-tier talisman.

“A coincidence? Or does a Daoist Court legacy truly exist here?”

Qin Sang had visited Mount Yundu several times, and in interacting with the cultivators there, he naturally conducted investigations. He had found no traces of the Daoist Court, yet unexpectedly, his travels down the mountain yielded a surprise.

And it was a legacy of the Thunder Department!

In the later period of the Daoist Court, the War Department was supreme, while the Thunder Department gradually declined. The Jade Mansion of Thunder became a guardian of the Daoist sect, and the Daoist Court's thunder magic should have become increasingly difficult to pass on.

For many years, there had been no news of the Daoist Court's return to Mount Yundu.

He never imagined there would be traces of the Daoist Court here. Did this imply that this place might have once been Daoist Court territory?

Would the Daoist Court, which had returned to the Great Thousand World, be not far from here?

Qin Sang pondered these thoughts and continued to ask, “What other talismans have you learned?”

“Lightning Transport Talisman, Astral Walking Talisman, Vast Pond Water Receiving Talisman, Great Prosperity Lightning Incantation…”

The young boy reeled off more than a dozen talismans.

Qin Sang's expression gradually grew serious. Half of the talismans were recorded in the Five Thunder Courtyard, and some, though their names sounded unrelated to thunder magic, were actually thunder talismans.

Most were first-tier, with the Great Prosperity Lightning Incantation being second-tier.

Even talismans of the same tier had varying degrees of potency. The Great Prosperity Lightning Incantation was more complex than the Rainbow Concealment Talisman, and with the boy's cultivation, he couldn't create the Great Prosperity Lightning Incantation on his own; otherwise, he wouldn't have fled at the first sign of trouble.

One talisman could be a coincidence, but so many talismans aligning certainly indicated a deep connection to the Daoist Court's Thunder Department.

Qin Sang's interest was piqued. What had originally been aimless travel now had a purpose; he might even find a Thunder Department legacy beyond the Five Thunder Courtyard.

“Ji Kingdom…”

Qin Sang asked a few more questions, and a rudimentary map formed in his mind.

The young boy lay prostrate on the ground, feeling anxious and uneasy. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but was suddenly swept up by a force.

Inside the Daoist temple.

Gao Ruoxu was interrogating the fox spirits when he suddenly felt something, and saw a streak of light shoot towards the temple entrance.

“Who goes there?!”

The various ghost deities shouted.

The Civil and Military Judges stepped forward, blocking the temple's main entrance from left and right. The Immortal Restraint Array had not yet been lifted, and the underworld emissaries vanished into the black mist as an eerie wind rose.

“Stop!”

Gao Ruoxu shouted loudly, waved his subordinates back, and quickly walked to the main entrance. Seeing Qin Sang and the others outside, his expression subtly changed, and he cupped his hands slightly, saying, “Daoist Priest Qingfeng, we meet again.”

As he spoke, he had already spotted the young boy, and his gaze suddenly sharpened like a blade.

“This humble Daoist followed you all here.”

Qin Sang smiled calmly, saying, “Fellow Daoist Gao must have already ascertained that those fox spirits were actually instigated by someone else, and there's another mastermind behind them, so their crime isn't punishable by death. This person tried to escape secretly, but I happened upon him, so I've brought him for you to handle.”

Gao Ruoxu showed no concern upon learning he had been followed. He nodded and pointed at the young boy, saying, “Civil Judge, Military Judge, apprehend this scoundrel!”

“As you command!”

The Civil and Military Judges swiftly stepped forward, put chains and shackles on the boy, and sealed his cultivation.

The young boy knew escape was hopeless. He dared not resist, his face filled with despair.

So many cultivators had died by his hand. According to the laws of the Divine Path, even if he wasn't executed immediately, he would suffer a fate worse than death.

“Chirp, chirp, chirp…”

Seeing this scene, the fox spirits began to whine pleas for mercy, as if recounting their grievances, and repeatedly bowed towards Gao Ruoxu.

“Hmph! Although you were coerced, your crime isn't punishable by death, but I presume draining mortals' Yang energy was not at this person's behest. Harming others for your own benefit is unforgivable! Take them back, investigate their crimes, and sentence them accordingly!”

Gao Ruoxu waved his hand, then turned and bowed deeply to Qin Sang, “Thank you, Daoist Priest, for your righteous assistance; otherwise, the main culprit would have escaped!”

“This humble Daoist merely acted out of convenience. I won't disturb Fellow Daoist Gao's interrogation of the demonic beings now, I shall take my leave.”

Qin Sang cupped his hands and was about to leave.

Gao Ruoxu hastily called out to Qin Sang, saying, “Daoist Priest, you have helped us capture this great menace. Please allow me to host a banquet as thanks, otherwise, it would be a breach of etiquette. Moreover, upon returning to the city, I will report your meritorious service to the prefecture, the province, and even the capital city’s God of Walls and Moats!”

He could naturally discern that Qin Sang had captured the young boy effortlessly, indicating unfathomable strength.

He figured the capital's City God wouldn't mind befriending such a master, as it would only benefit them.

Qin Sang thought for a moment and said, “A banquet isn't necessary. Would Fellow Daoist Gao be able to personally write a travel pass for me? This humble Daoist intends to travel south and will likely pass through the provincial city, at which point I will personally pay my respects to the Provincial City God.”

In some places, ghost deities establish checkpoints, and cultivators require a travel pass to enter or exit.

A travel pass, to some extent, could also serve as proof of identity and origin, appearing more formal than the City God token Gao Ruoxu had given him earlier. Qin Sang could then claim to be from Beikuo County in Liu Kingdom while traveling, better allowing him to integrate.

Qin Sang's thought was that if this place truly was former Daoist Court territory, there would surely be more than one location with a thunder magic legacy. Asking the Divine Path to help gather clues would be easier than searching alone.

“That's no trouble at all!”

Gao Ruoxu readily agreed, called his subordinates to escort the prisoners, and returned to the county town with utmost speed.

Before long, Gao Ruoxu personally escorted Qin Sang out of the city. In Qin Sang's hand was a golden document condensed from divine power, inscribed with “Liu Kingdom, Tanzhou, Fuchun Prefecture, Beikuo County,” and bearing Gao Ruoxu's City God seal at the bottom.

Under the moonlight, the travel pass glittered with golden light, like a rare treasure.

Qin Sang put away the travel pass and proceeded unhurriedly along the river. He passed through several county towns along the way without stopping.

The river gradually widened, eventually merging into a large river.

This river was named Fuchun River, rushing south. Following the river downstream to the south, one could reach Tanzhou's provincial city.

The river current was swift, and sails raced against each other.

Qin Sang traveled leisurely, and by the time he reached Fuchun River, it was already nightfall.

Before the dock at the confluence of the river and a larger river, numerous riverboats were moored. All were passenger boats traveling on the river. Some large boats were adorned with lanterns, beautiful like pleasure boats, while others were simple, wobbly sampans that made one worry they might capsize.

Qin Sang led his horse onto the dock, just as a passing multi-deck boat was untying its ropes, about to depart.

The boat was decorated with lanterns and festive streamers, draped with red silk. The sounds of string and wind instruments, and the melodious chatter of women, drifted from the cabins, along with a faint scent of cosmetics carried by the river breeze to the shore.

The passengers waiting on the dock all stood aside, keeping a distance from this boat.

For no other reason than the fare was surely expensive.

Qin Sang was not short of money. He led his horse forward, just as he was about to step onto the gangplank, a steward hurried out from the boat, stopped Qin Sang, and scrutinized him from head to toe.

“Esteemed Daoist Priest, may I ask…?”

Qin Sang glanced at the boat and asked, perplexed, “What, does your esteemed vessel not take passengers? Or is it already full?”

“We do take passengers, and the rooms aren't full, it's just…”

The steward looked troubled and whispered, “This is a pleasure boat that cruises the river. Do you know what a pleasure boat is for?”

Qin Sang chuckled, “This humble Daoist has traveled the world and seen everything; of course, I know what a pleasure boat is. Is the steward perhaps worried that I will persuade the guests on board not to cling to 'pink skeletons' and instead become ascetics?”

“Oh dear! I can't explain it to you!”

The steward repeatedly waved his hand, saying, “In short, this isn't a place for an extraordinary master like yourself. You surely wouldn't care for these 'pink skeletons,' so please don't make it difficult for me.”

Moreover, this person had a horse, a bird, and a little girl with him. He didn't look like someone who would visit a pleasure boat regularly, let alone a Daoist priest.

Just then, someone at the bow shouted, “Anchor aweigh!”

“Quick! Quick! Get on board and pull up the gangplank!”

The steward continued to block Qin Sang, called for the dockhands to board the boat, and even after the boat left the shore, he repeatedly cupped his hands at Qin Sang.

“My apologies! My apologies!”

The multi-deck boat cut two white waves on the river's surface, the sound of rushing water roaring, faintly mixed with the ethereal sound of a zither.

On the third deck of the multi-deck boat, inside a spacious embroidery room.

A woman in a modest blue dress and light makeup was playing a zither with her delicate hands, but her eyes stared blankly at the river outside the window.

Her eyes were somewhat red and swollen, as if she had just wept.

The zither music flowed from her fingertips, its mournful quality growing stronger, yet her expression remained utterly still, utterly desolate.

Beside the zither lay an open letter, with only two lines of text.

As the multi-deck boat sailed into the center of the river, the river wind suddenly intensified. The paper letter was caught by the wind and lifted into the air.

The woman's vacant eyes shifted slightly, mechanically following the paper letter, watching helplessly as it was swept out the window and into the river.

“Bang! Bang!”

Someone was knocking incessantly outside the door.

The ship's madam looked extremely anxious. Behind her stood several strong, muscular men, yet they dared not force the door open, fearing they might provoke the person inside.

“Qing'er! Qing'er! Please try to see things clearly!”

“There are so many men in the world. With your beauty and talent, whatever man you desire, Mama can find for you. Why must you… cling to that unfaithful scoundrel? Oh, dear!”

“Should I change my attire?”

Qin Sang gazed at the receding multi-deck boat, then looked at his Daoist robe, letting out a silent laugh.

The sounds of the zither and shouts reached his ears.

Qin Sang had originally intended to take Xiao Wu onto the boat, to meet the woman and hear about her love story.

In the human world, all kinds of emotions are indispensable.

Friendship, familial love, gratitude—Xiao Wu had seen them, and even experienced them personally.

Simply observing them fleetingly like this, Xiao Wu couldn't truly comprehend anything, but at least she would know that such things existed in the world.

Unexpectedly, they wouldn't even let him on the boat.

“Never mind, there are countless lovelorn men and women in the world…”

Qin Sang shook his head and looked towards a small boat by the riverbank.

The boatman was a burly man with a full beard, who lay casually at the bow, disregarding his appearance. He held a wine gourd larger than a human head in his hand, occasionally taking a swig, his eyes hazy with intoxication.

This boat was dilapidated, so the fare was surely not expensive, but few dared to board it, which had much to do with the boatman's appearance.

The boatman's senses were surprisingly keen; he immediately noticed Qin Sang's gaze, let out a burp, and shouted in a booming voice.

“Hey! Daoist, do you want to ride the boat?”

“To the prefectural city, chartered boat, how many taels of silver?” Qin Sang led his horse over.

This boat was smaller than Chen Ya'er's family's boat, and with the azure horse on board, there wouldn't be much space left.

The boatman spread his five fingers, flipping them over, “Ten taels!”

Qin Sang shook his head, “Too expensive. I'll give you eight taels at most!”

“Deal!”

The boatman didn't even bother to stand up. He merely shifted his body, making a little space, and gestured for Qin Sang to board.

Seeing Qin Sang actually board the boat, people on the shore began to whisper, some casting sympathetic glances.

Once Qin Sang was on board, the boatman forcefully kicked the dock, and the small boat shot towards the center of the river like an arrow from a bowstring, without even bothering to untie the mooring ropes.

The small boat sailed into the heart of the river.

The boatman propped up his legs, swaying his big feet and savoring his wine. Yet the boat was fast and steady, no slower than the multi-deck boat ahead.

Qin Sang, holding Xiao Wu, sat down by the cabin, and looked towards the bow, saying, “I never imagined a River God would also have to make a living on the river.”

The boatman chuckled, “I'm no River God. I'm barely a Water God for this stretch of the river. Before the great River God, I can only kneel in reverence. Those mortals are too stingy to offer good wine at the temple, so I have to earn money to buy my own wine.”

Qin Sang nodded. He had heard from Gao Ruoxu that Fuchun River stretched across multiple kingdoms, and the true River God's power surpassed even that of a capital's City God.

The Divine Path system was also intricate and complex.

Powerful River Gods and Mountain Gods were not under the jurisdiction of the capital's City God.

They accepted incense offerings, using the power of incense to connect with earth veins and water veins, assisting their cultivation. Some didn't even require incense offerings.

“Splash!”

Ahead, a huge splash suddenly erupted beside the multi-deck boat, and immediately, shouts and cries rose from the boat, as a group of people frantically rushed onto the deck.

“Oh no! Miss Qing'er jumped into the river!”

“What are you staring at?! Go down and save her!”

The madam jumped and screamed on the deck.

However, everyone present looked troubled.

Miss Qing'er harbored a death wish, and the section of the river she chose was famously known as the “River of Water Ghosts.” Not only was the current swift, but there were also many whirlpools underwater, and anyone caught in a whirlpool, even skilled fighters, would struggle to escape death.

Miss Qing'er's figure was nowhere to be seen on the river surface, most likely having been swept into a whirlpool.

Just then, a figure suddenly emerged from beneath the river's surface.

“Ah! There!”

“She's surfaced!”

“No whirlpools! She can be saved! Quick! Quick!”

Several strong men who could swim jumped in, and strenuously pulled Miss Qing'er back onto the boat.

“Cough! Cough!”

Miss Qing'er was still conscious. She coughed out two mouthfuls of water, caught her breath, and held her frail body, looking bewildered, but the desire to die in her eyes had significantly diminished.

Qin Sang observed this and said, “Fellow Daoist, you must have saved many lives over the years. You truly live up to the name of Water God.”

The boatman took a gulp of wine and casually said, “If someone accidentally falls into the water and I come across them, I save them if I can. As for those who jump into the river themselves, if saving them once doesn't make them reconsider, then so be it. To ask what love is in this world… Ha! It's nothing but a trifle!”

As he spoke, he tilted his head back, and playfully looked at Xiao Wu, saying, “Little girl, don't grow up to be like her.”

Xiao Wu remained silent.

Qin Sang leaned against the boat's railing, gazing at the faint moonlight in the sky, and remained silent for a long time.