Chapter 1917: Thunderstorm Conference

**The Mortal Realm**

Upon arriving at Tanzhou Prefecture City, Qin Sang paid the boat fare with eight taels of silver. Before reaching the city gate, he informed the Yin Messenger of his identity and successfully met the City God of Tanzhou Prefecture.

The City God's demeanor was cordial, yet tinged with a subtle wariness.

Qin Sang did not linger. Stating his intention to seek out lightning cultivation methods across the land, he asked the City God to look for cultivators and factions renowned for lightning techniques in the vicinity before taking his leave.

Returning to Fuchun River, Qin Sang boarded a passenger vessel with multiple decks.

The Fuchun River flows into Ji State, eventually merging with another major river. This particular boat traveled directly to Ji State, passing through two countries and stopping for supplies in every major prefectural city along the way. It was a true long-haul vessel, typically sailing continuously, day and night.

This ship could carry over a thousand people. With passengers boarding and disembarking along the route, there were still at least a hundred guests on board even at its emptiest.

Passengers traveled from all directions, creating a vibrant scene on board, even more diverse than what one might find in a city.

While the ship sailed, all daily necessities were handled on board. There were two dining areas, one on the upper deck and one on the lower.

The upper deck was elegant and expensive, but Qin Sang preferred the lower deck. He often sat there with Xiao Wu for an entire day, and under the guise of "healing the world and saving people," he genuinely began treating people's illnesses.

The ship owner, seeing that Qin Sang offered free consultations and charged no fees, waived any charges for him. They even set up a separate table for him in a corner, partly out of curiosity to observe.

After all, Qin Sang's requirement was quite eccentric: he charged no consultation fee, but in return, he asked patients to share a deeply memorable story.

Initially, most regarded him as a charlatan. Patients approached him with a playful attitude, often fabricating casual stories, but Qin Sang didn't seem to mind.

Later, people realized that this Taoist priest truly possessed remarkable skill. He often pinpointed the root of an illness accurately with just a few words, leading some to hail him as a "Divine Doctor."

The "Divine Doctor's" reputation gradually spread throughout the ship. Even passengers who typically dined on the upper deck heard of him and, disregarding their status, flocked to the lower deck.

With both medical consultations and captivating stories available, the hall became so overcrowded that it began to disrupt normal operations.

The ship owner had to limit the crowds and wanted to set up a private consultation room for Qin Sang, but Qin Sang refused.

Subsequently, new passengers boarding the ship would also receive friendly tips from the crew, approaching with a mixture of belief and skepticism. Qin Sang, in any case, never lacked customers.

Some quick-witted crew members even considered spreading the word when the ship docked, hoping to profit immensely from Qin Sang's reputation, as high-ranking officials and nobles in the prefectural cities could afford substantial fees.

However, as soon as the ship docked, Qin Sang would disembark and vanish without a trace, only to reappear suddenly when it set sail again, a phenomenon people found extremely peculiar.

Along the journey, Qin Sang met numerous City Gods from various prefectures and provinces. Unfortunately, the Fuchun River did not pass through the national capital, so Qin Sang did not make a special visit there.

As they traveled, Qin Sang and Xiao Wu heard countless stories—some true, some false, some poignant and lingering, some deeply moving, and others that provoked gnashing of teeth and profound sighs of lament.

When Qin Sang was seeing patients, Xiao Wu consistently remained by his side, dutifully playing the role of his medicine apprentice.

One evening.

The ship had long since left Liu State and was soon to arrive in Ji State.

Qin Sang's reputation grew steadily, and on board the ship, there was no one who didn't know him.

Even before mealtime, the crew members themselves crowded into the hall to watch the spectacle.

A plainly dressed auntie was tearfully recounting a lifetime of hardships, starting from marrying the wrong person in her youth, then being bullied by her in-laws, neighbors, and siblings, and finally, choosing the wrong daughter-in-law in her old age. She spoke incessantly, occasionally letting out a wail.

Having finally found an audience, the auntie rambled on by herself for over half an hour, showing no sign of stopping.

The listeners had long grown impatient, and some wanted to shoo the auntie away, but they saw Qin Sang listening with great interest.

Such was the advantage of his great reputation: everyone on the ship, from the owner to the passengers, now treated Qin Sang with utmost respect.

Xiao Wu also watched the auntie intently, it being the first time she had seen someone so exceptionally talkative.

Even immortals, it seemed, couldn't bear to listen anymore.

Next to Qin Sang's table, a chair remained empty. Those nearby seemed not to notice the vacant spot; no one sat there, and people would subconsciously make space around it.

No one saw a refined man in white, idly sitting on that chair.

The refined man stood up, dusted off his clothes, and sighed.

"Taoist priest, if you wish to drive me, Fu, away, you might as well say so directly. Why endure such suffering, causing harm to us both?"

Qin Sang smiled, "This person has long suffered from stagnant energy in her chest, which has accumulated into illness. Letting her thoroughly vent will instantly alleviate seventy percent of her symptoms. I am treating her, River God. How can you call this suffering? Besides, Xiao Wu is listening with great interest."

Xiao Wu leaned closer to Qin Sang, indicating she was listening attentively.

This individual was none other than the River God of Fuchun River, who, sensing an extraordinary person on board, had come to seek him out.

The refined man shook his head repeatedly. "Taoist priest, if you enjoy listening to such mundane, long-forgotten tales, you might as well visit my temple. I guarantee you'll be thoroughly entertained! I, Fu, do not possess such great interest as you, Taoist priest, so I shall not disturb you further. Farewell."

Qin Sang cupped his hands in farewell. "Rest assured, River God, this poor Taoist is merely acting on a whim and will not unduly interfere with the natural course of life."

"As long as you, Taoist priest, do not use your cultivation to harm people, whatever else you do is none of my concern. It is these people's good fortune to have met you..."

The refined man walked outside, and the crowd unconsciously parted, creating a path for him.

"Oh right," the refined man said, remembering something. He asked Qin Sang to produce his travel pass and stamped it with the River God's seal.

"Something significant is about to happen in Ji State; the divine realm is on high alert. With my seal, Taoist priest, you should be able to pass through unimpeded..."

As he spoke, the refined man disappeared outside the door. He didn't elaborate on the significant event, and Qin Sang didn't inquire further.

The multi-decked boat cut through the waves with remarkable speed, finally reaching Ji State.

At the border between the two countries, customs checkpoints were established on the great river, featuring both a 'Yang Pass' for the living and a 'Yin Pass' for the dead.

Several Yin Messengers boarded the ship, found Qin Sang, and upon seeing the River God's seal on his travel pass, bowed in unison.

"We are merely acting under orders. Please forgive any discourtesy, Taoist priest."

Qin Sang glanced at the river surface outside the boat and asked, "What has happened in Ji State? Is it as heavily guarded elsewhere?"

The Yin Messengers exchanged glances, and their leader asked, "Taoist priest, aren't you here for the Thundercloud Assembly?"

"The Thundercloud Assembly?"

Qin Sang's thoughts stirred slightly; it sounded related to the Thundercloud Sect.

His purpose for coming here was to investigate the legacy of the Thunder Department. He cupped his hands and said, "Please enlighten this poor Taoist."

The Yin Messengers then explained the entire situation.

"After the Thundercloud Sect fragmented, its legacy scattered. Those who acquired parts of the Thundercloud legacy all claimed to be the rightful inheritors, leading to years of endless, unresolved disputes.

"Among these, three factions are the strongest: the Savage Thunder Sect, the Five Radiance Gate, and Mount Jindu. The Five Radiance Gate, in particular, is a renowned and prominent sect within our Ji State.

"If it were merely a dispute over legitimacy, that would be one thing. But then, a treasure ground was discovered at the old site of the Thundercloud Sect, possibly containing its ancient treasures, which immediately caused a huge stir.

"These factions with ties to the Thundercloud Sect united to prevent outsiders from prying, but their internal disputes persisted, almost leading to major chaos.

"Later, they somehow decided to hold a Thundercloud Assembly.

"In two months, the Five Radiance Gate will host the Thundercloud Assembly at the old site of the Thundercloud Sect. At that time, all sects, families, and rogue cultivators within Ji State and nearby who have ties to the Thundercloud Sect will attend.

"People from all walks of life will be present, many of whom are cruel and behave erratically, so one must be vigilant!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang inwardly thought, "So that's how it is."

When that young man left Ji State, he had already heard rumors that someone had obtained a treasure at the old site of the Thundercloud Sect.

The turmoil has not subsided to this day, and they've even organized a Thundercloud Assembly, indicating another significant discovery at the Thundercloud Sect.

As fate would have it, Qin Sang had originally intended to visit the Five Radiance Gate first, but now he would go directly to the old site of the Thundercloud Sect.

After seeing off the Yin Messengers, Qin Sang also led his horse off the ship.

The ship owner, a plump squire, stood on the deck, watching his steward negotiate with the border guards.

Seeing Qin Sang descend, the ship owner smilingly came forward to greet him. "Taoist priest, are you going ashore again to enjoy the scenery? The border is a troublesome place. We only stop here for one night and depart tomorrow morning, so please don't miss the departure time."

Qin Sang cupped his hands and said, "For these past days, I thank you for your hospitality, owner. This poor Taoist must disembark now."

On the ship, he was not charged for food or drink, and his requests were always met. The steward had even refunded his boat fare.

"Disembark?"

The ship owner was startled. "Taoist priest, you're leaving?"

"All good things must come to an end; we will meet again," Qin Sang said, leading his horse toward the shore.

The ship owner quickly followed, saying anxiously, "Taoist priest, it's quite inconvenient for you to travel the jianghu with Miss Xiao Wu. Why not find a place to settle, so she doesn't have to endure rough travels with you? You can stay on my ship; food, drink, and all necessities are provided, and you can do whatever you wish. I'll even find a teacher for Miss Xiao Wu to teach her to read and write, so she won't have to worry about her livelihood in the future..."

Qin Sang showed no sign of stopping. "Rest assured, owner, take the medicine according to this poor Taoist's prescription, and it will restore your vitality, making you feel young again. However, all medicine has its drawbacks; you're getting on in years, so it's best to exercise some moderation in the future."

The ship owner blushed deeply and chuckled awkwardly. "It's just that I was young and foolish, not understanding the ferocity of 'tigers and wolves'. Now, two fists are no match for four hands... Are you determined to leave?"

Qin Sang stepped ashore, looked back at the expansive river, and meaningfully said, "Though the scenery of Fuchun River is beautiful, one viewing is quite enough."

With that, Qin Sang led his horse and disappeared into the crowd.

The ship owner and everyone on board craned their necks to see him off, watching until Qin Sang was no longer visible.

There were still two months until the Thundercloud Assembly.

Qin Sang took his time, traveling leisurely with Xiao Wu, and arrived at the old site of the Thundercloud Sect three days before the Thundercloud Assembly.

The Thundercloud Sect was located on the western frontier of Ji State, bordering the wild, undeveloped lands.

West of Ji State lay numerous mountains and sparse populations. One had to traverse vast stretches of desolate mountains and wild forests before reaching another country.

For the mortal realm, this area faced virtually no border defense pressure, needing only to guard against bandit raids.

However, the divine realm had to guard against cultivators and demons from the mountains who might descend to cause trouble.

In recent days, three City Gods had personally led their troops to the area, maintaining strict vigilance.

At its peak, the Thundercloud Sect was not only the largest sect in Ji State but also held significant influence in neighboring states, rarely encountering a worthy opponent.

The Thundercloud Sect once occupied an entire mountain range. After its fragmentation, various smaller and larger factions formed and scattered throughout the mountains.

This time, Qin Sang did not openly reveal himself.

As the Thundercloud Assembly approached, the Five Radiance Gate and other sects set up strict checkpoints at the foot of the mountain.

All who entered the mountain had to verify their identity and confirm their ties to the Thundercloud Sect before being granted entry.

The cultivators in the mountains, whose cultivation levels reached a maximum of the Nascent Soul stage, were naturally unable to detect Qin Sang.

Even before reaching the assembly location, Qin Sang had already thoroughly investigated all of its regulations.

It turned out that years ago, someone had unearthed a treasure at a certain old site of the Thundercloud Sect, and along with it, found a suspected entrance to a secret realm.

This secret realm was not recorded in the Thundercloud Sect's ancient texts; surprisingly, none of the numerous descendants of the Thundercloud Sect knew about it.

News of the secret realm spread, attracting countless curious eyes, with the descendants of the Thundercloud Sect being the most invested.

After all, when the Thundercloud Sect fell, many ancient texts and treasures were scattered; some remain unaccounted for to this day, including significant treasures. It had long been suspected that they were hidden within a secret realm.

This matter nearly triggered a brutal conflict. The Five Radiance Gate and the other two major sects jointly drove out outsiders, and after some unknown deliberations, decided to hold a Thundercloud Assembly once every sixty years. During this assembly, disciples would be sent into the secret realm, with their cultivation limited to the early Foundation Establishment stage and below.

Disciples who entered were permitted to fight and would rely on their own abilities. Whatever treasures they brought out, others were not allowed to covet.

However, the Five Radiance Gate and other sects would offer rewards: rogue cultivators and cultivation families who obtained valuable treasures in the secret realm and were willing to offer them could directly join their sects.

For rogue cultivators with no sect to join, it was undoubtedly an opportunity akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate; the Thundercloud Assembly was essentially an immortal ascension gathering.

Qin Sang stood on a rock, gazing at the bustling peak opposite him.

The entrance to the secret realm was right on the opposite mountaintop.

His gaze fell upon the outermost group: young cultivators in coarse magic robes, looking somewhat timid and apprehensive, yet also filled with anticipation. It was like looking at his younger self.

His descent from the mountain this time stirred up long-forgotten memories, one after another.

In the final two days, fewer people entered the mountain.

On the day of the Thundercloud Assembly.

In the early morning.

From the west came rumbling thunder, stirring winds and clouds. A magnificent ship and a colossal golden eagle arrived together, signaling the arrival of the Savage Thunder Sect and Mount Jindu.

A powerful oppressive aura descended, and the mountain instantly fell silent.

Just then, an elder slowly rose into the air, countering the pressure. It was the sect master of the Five Radiance Gate.

With all parties assembled, the Thundercloud Assembly began.

The assembly's ceremony was quite simple. Half an hour later, the cultivators designated to enter the secret realm were led to a stone wall.

The entrance to the secret realm was right there!

The three sect masters jointly cast spells to open the secret realm, and the disciples filed in.

The masters of each sect had sharp gazes, scanning the disciples entering the secret realm to prevent anyone from sneaking in unnoticed.

Yet no one noticed Qin Sang and Xiao Wu, who were following behind the crowd.

The moment one passed through the entrance, the secret realm would create ripples, becoming more intense with higher cultivation levels.

This also indicated that the secret realm's restrictions were not stable. The three major sects feared that if high-level cultivators entered and fought inside, it would cause the secret realm to collapse, which was why they adopted this method to resolve their disputes.

However, when Qin Sang and Xiao Wu entered the secret realm, there was not the slightest ripple.

Entering the secret realm marked the beginning of bloodshed.

Two youths at the Qi Refining stage happened to land in the same spot and immediately began to fight.

Both were rogue cultivators, and their treasures and spells were ordinary.

In the end, one youth, relying on a resolute ruthlessness, emerged victorious. He killed his opponent, wiped the blood from his face, and sat blankly for a while before remembering to scavenge for spoils. His expression gradually grew excited.

Qin Sang stood nearby, quietly observing this extremely crude fight.

"What's there to see in two little brats!"

Zhu Que impatiently pursed her lips.