Chapter 1970: Falling the Piece

Outside the capital city of Yan.

A carriage veered off the main road onto a mountain path. The dense vegetation on both sides indicated an increasingly rugged and difficult journey ahead. The driver was a burly man whose prominent temples clearly marked him as a martial arts master, yet he was content to serve as a coachman. On such a treacherous mountain path, even the highest level of martial arts offered little advantage. After a strenuous advance for some distance, a voice from inside the carriage instructed, "Stop here. Wait for us."

"Understood!" The coachman dismounted and stood respectfully at the side. The curtain was drawn open, and Yu Lang and Tao Teng stepped out. They began walking deeper into the mountains, their figures gradually disappearing into the forest. They moved with incredible speed, as if walking on flat ground. The atmosphere was somewhat somber; Tao Teng's expression remained dark, clearly burdened by something.

"Is that the one?" After crossing the ridge, Yu Lang pointed ahead. Through the mist, a faint outline of an immortal mountain was visible. Tao Teng nodded absently. Yu Lang sighed inwardly. He had returned to the capital and discussed a narrative with Sha Jiayu, which he then revealed to Tao Teng. This revelation had clearly distressed Tao Teng. He understood Tao Teng's aspirations better than anyone and could empathize with his current state, but he was at a loss for how to comfort his friend.

"I've implicated you!" Tao Teng suddenly said, his face filled with guilt. After learning the truth, Tao Teng realized that his master was rather unusual. Initially, he hadn't even broken through the Foundation Establishment stage; it should have been a time for focused cultivation. Yet, his master allowed him to descend the mountain, even seemed to encourage it, showing no concern that it would hinder his training. Tao Teng dared not delve deeper into his thoughts. However, his instinct told him that what he most resisted accepting might very well be the truth! He even suspected that Yu Lang and Daoist Qingfeng might also have been drawn into this because of him. After becoming a disciple, he recalled his experience at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, particularly the conversation between the storyteller and Daoist Qingfeng. The more he thought about it, the more he felt they were both extraordinary individuals, which naturally led him to seek guidance from his master. What if his master had long foreseen the impending chaos, or even directly intervened? What if, as Sha Jiayu claimed, the entire cultivation world would be swept into this turmoil, teetering on the brink? His master and he, who had originally lived in seclusion at Qingyang Temple, healing the sick and practicing cultivation away from the world, now found their peace disturbed because of him.

Yu Lang gently sighed, "You were kept in the dark too, and inviting me down the mountain was done with good intentions. Now that it's come to this, don't overthink it." In truth, he also had concerns, but they were few. His master's words had inexplicably filled him with confidence.

The mountain path vanished here. The two concealed their forms, activated their magical artifacts, and flew towards the immortal mountain, landing before a stone cave. Tao Teng knelt on both knees. "Your disciple greets Master."

"This junior, Qin Yu Lang, pays respects to Senior." Yu Lang bowed.

After a moment of silence, a powerful, ancient voice emerged from the cave. "Disciple, why have you returned to the mountain?" The stone door did not open. Tao Teng lowered his head and, trying to maintain a calm voice, recounted what Yu Lang had told him, seeking confirmation from his master. Upon hearing it, his master showed no surprise, stating calmly, "Since you already know, what do you plan to do next?"

"Disciple has questions and wishes to seek Master's guidance." Tao Teng paused. Seeing no response from his master, he continued, "When cultivators enter the mortal world, do they use ordinary mortals as pawns, driving them to fight each other until all kingdoms are unified and a victor emerges?"

"Yes," his master admitted frankly, offering no further explanation.

Tao Teng's body trembled slightly as he pressed on, "Will cultivators who enter the mortal world engage in battle, using treasures and spells to slaughter mortals?"

"No."

"But without divine oversight, their every word and action will still have a tremendous impact on the mortal world. With them present, unless mortals are completely wiped out, the war might never end!" Tao Teng stated gravely.

"In wars between mortals, when one army collapses, it doesn't necessarily mean more than half their forces are lost, or even that their generals are defeated. Sometimes, the leading general simply assesses that their strength is inferior to the opponent's, or external factors intervene, leading to a voluntary surrender. However, cultivators will alter this dynamic. For example, they don't need to fight on the battlefield themselves. They only need to reveal their identity as cultivators to kings, princes, or generals, promising them immortal pills or offering to guide them onto the path of immortality, thereby misleading the masses with their deceptive words. Undoubtedly, some will be swayed. To achieve their goals, they will stop at nothing, expend every last soldier, and even force all citizens onto the battlefield, refusing to admit defeat! Under such immense temptation, rebellions could erupt at any moment, and the conflict would never cease!"

After Tao Teng finished speaking, his master simply uttered "Oh," then asked, "What good plan do you have?"

"Disciple has two ideas. First, cultivators would no longer conceal their identities but would serve as generals or ministers, fighting on the front lines and settling matters with their divine abilities. Second, cultivators would be strictly forbidden from misleading mortals. They would leave once a victor is determined through mortal means, preventing prolonged, desperate struggles." These were the only actions he and Yu Lang, after much deliberation, believed they could take for the people of Yan. By drawing cultivators into direct conflict on the battlefield, the casualties among mortals would naturally be reduced. By eliminating the interference of cultivators, if the two brothers could lead Yan to continuous victory, it would be a form of accountability to the people of Yan. It was precisely as Sha Jiayu had said before: do your best!

Silence fell within the cave. His master neither approved nor disapproved, simply saying, "Go down the mountain. Achieve great merit, and when you return to the sect, there will be abundant rewards." Tao Teng opened his mouth, then gave a bitter smile. "Your disciple only wishes to restore a flourishing era to the people of Yan; I dare not hope for anything else." He did not dare to say more, kowtowed, and took his leave. Yu Lang stood silently beside him, about to bid farewell, when Tao Teng's master called out to him.

"Your esteemed master, Daoist Qingfeng, and I have long admired each other from afar. He dares to discuss the paths of Hinayana and Mahayana, so he must be a truly enlightened master. Tao Teng mentioned that your esteemed master lives in seclusion for pure cultivation. I did not wish to disturb him presumptuously, and being entangled with mundane affairs, I have never been able to visit. Please convey a message from me to your esteemed master. A great change is upon us, and all mortals are caught in its tribulation. When necessary, I hope Daoist Qingfeng will not hesitate to act. Of course, such opportunities will not be numerous. Normally, no one will disturb Daoist Qingfeng's tranquility!" Yu Lang waited for a moment, making sure Tao Teng's master had no further instructions, then respectfully affirmed, "This junior will certainly deliver the message."

The two returned the way they came. From beginning to end, they did not see the true face of Tao Teng's master.

On the way down the mountain, Yu Lang pondered to himself. The situation wasn't as grim as Brother Sha had described. Regarding the various factions, Cloud Heaven and Soulfall Abyss didn't merely treat them as servants to be driven; they also sought to win them over or suppress them, rather than simply deploying all their top experts to overwhelm them with sheer force. This was true strategy, like playing a game of chess. Those who were suppressed, like the Baili clan, and his master, were clearly being courted. His own persuasion by Tao Teng to descend the mountain was a brilliant move, marking the point where his master's stance began to lean in a certain direction. His master likely saw through their schemes long ago and had a tacit understanding, which explained his lack of worry. Upon this realization, Yu Lang felt completely at ease. However, unbeknownst to him, his understanding was ultimately one layer shallow.

After descending the mountain, Tao Teng and Yu Lang dedicated themselves to assisting the monarch. They diligently worked to strengthen the State of Yan, preparing for the era of great contention. War arrived as expected. The northern state of Qi boldly launched an invasion. Yan constantly retreated, yet did not send additional troops to the north. Yu Lang presided over the court, while Tao Teng led the army. Working in tandem, one internally and one externally, they calmly swept through the smaller states near Yan. Within just three years, all these states had submitted, and Yan's national power reached its zenith.

Not only Yan, but the entire mortal realm was in chaos. Large states swallowed small ones, large states suffered internal divisions, and large states waged war against each other. Annexations and splits were ubiquitous. By this point, the succession struggle in the Great Liang State was still unresolved, and the nation subtly showed signs of fragmentation. Behind these events, two factions were clearly at play, and anyone with discerning eyes could perceive the presence of cultivators. Yan, on one hand, resisted Qi, and on the other, colluded with the Third Prince of Great Liang, participating in their succession dispute. Similar situations were common throughout the mortal realm. Even within the same faction, conflicts arose due to competition for merit. No one was willing to remain subordinate, and alliances only formed after a victor was decided. Throughout the mortal realm, smoke signals of war rose everywhere, growing increasingly chaotic, and traces of cultivators were ubiquitous. Under the combined efforts of Yu Lang and Tao Teng, Yan gradually distinguished itself, its territory repeatedly expanding. Had it not been for the cultivation world constantly looming like a dark cloud overhead, preventing the cessation of war, Yan might truly have entered an unprecedented period of prosperity! However, the cost was incredibly heavy.

The mortal world was engulfed in conflict. In the cultivation world, fighting was ceaseless. Only Qin Sang's dao field remained a sanctuary, unaffected. All of Qin Sang's combat forces had been sent down the mountain, causing the dao field to become deserted for a time. Only a few remaining demon soldiers diligently patrolled the area around the dao field at regular intervals. The cave dwelling on the mountaintop remained sealed.

On this particular day, the stone door quietly opened, and Qin Sang emerged. He gazed out beyond the mountain, his sight seemingly sweeping across the entire fiery region. After a brief pause, Qin Sang extended his hand, and a golden thread shot out from the lava—it was the Fiery Jade Centipede. The Fiery Jade Centipede had successfully overcome its tribulation and entered its fifth transformation, its appearance becoming even more majestic and fierce. It was one of the few Five-Transformed Fiery Jade Centipedes in the world. However, after breaking through to the fifth transformation, the Fiery Jade Centipede had not undergone any other unusual changes, and the Water-Fire Divine Centipede remained an elusive concept. Qin Sang was unsure how to further assist the Fiery Jade Centipede and could only proceed one step at a time. Next, a butterfly silhouette flew out from his Dantian and landed on Qin Sang's shoulder. Unfortunately, getting the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to break through to its sixth transformation was not an easy feat; otherwise, it would have been a significant asset to Qin Sang. The man and two insects then vanished from sight.

Subsequently, Qin Sang traversed the entire fiery region. Utilizing the Fiery Jade Centipede's treasure-seeking ability and the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's divine eye ability, he explored every corner. Furthermore, Qin Sang paid particular attention to the ruins previously discovered by the Corpse Demon of Soulfall Abyss. He wanted to ascertain what exactly these two major powers were so interested in and were willing to go to such great lengths for. Both powers continuously dispatched experts into the fiery region, including top cultivators at the late Divine Transformation stage. However, the Void Refinement cultivators from both sides remained still, observing from a distance, making it impossible for these dispatched experts to discover Qin Sang's whereabouts. Qin Sang noticed that during this period, new ruins were continuously being unearthed. Among these, the majority were controlled by Soulfall Abyss. It appeared that Soulfall Abyss had gained the upper hand. There were some areas where Qin Sang found it inconvenient to force his way in. After careful sensing, he confirmed that these locations were intricately linked to the bronze pillars. During his travels, Qin Sang happened to witness a conflict between the two factions. A new ruin had been discovered. Four of Cloud Heaven's Nine Immortals of Cloud City appeared, and Soulfall Abyss matched their numbers. As the two sides fiercely battled, no one noticed a person quietly infiltrating the ruins. Qin Sang strolled leisurely through the ruins, unfazed by the potential arrival of the ancestors from either side. As expected, this ruin originated from the same source as his dao field. After some exploration, Qin Sang discovered more differences. The restrictions within these ruins, while seemingly similar to those in his dao field, actually had significant disparities. Comparatively, the formations and restrictions in his dao field were more complex and profound, likely indicating a more crucial section.

"Coiled Dragon Ancient Formation..." Standing at the center of the ruins, Qin Sang repeated the four words he had recently heard. He had never before heard of such an ancient formation. Yet, the current discoveries alone were enough to be astounding. If each ruin was merely a section of the Coiled Dragon Ancient Formation, then this ancient formation was likely even grander than the Altar Formation. Qin Sang even suspected that the entire fiery region was but a small part of the Coiled Dragon Ancient Formation. If this were true, the power of the entity that set up this ancient formation would be unimaginable. Even the combined might of Soulfall Abyss and Cloud Heaven could not compare, which explained their intense interest. Qin Sang also tried to locate other ruins, but despite the assistance of his two spirit insects, he found nothing. It was clear that the two major powers possessed special methods for discovery. Given this, Qin Sang ceased wasting his energy. After examining every unearthed ruin, Qin Sang concluded that the bronze pillars must be an extremely crucial component of the Coiled Dragon Ancient Formation. This presented an opportunity!

After completing his travels, Qin Sang returned to his dao field. He entered the fire chamber and fell into deep thought, contemplating the bronze pillars. Several days later, Qin Sang once again flew above his dao field. He directed his gaze downwards and unleashed a series of hand seals. With Qin Sang's movements, the entire dao field began to shake. The lava boiled, and formation flags shot up from the ground, pulling the very mountain peak along with them. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The mountain peak hovered in mid-air. The formation flags circled rapidly, inserting themselves uniformly into the mountain body. With a thunderous roar, all the unusual phenomena vanished. Behind Qin Sang, the Azure Luan appeared. It clasped the mountain peak and flew to a pre-selected lava lake, plunging into it. The cave dwelling, along with the demon soldiers inside, was sent down and concealed. Over two hundred years ago, Qin Sang had personally established this dao field; now, he had personally dismantled it. The dao field reverted to its previous appearance, and the ruins resurfaced. Qin Sang flicked his fingers repeatedly, and the array restrictions of the ruins gradually returned to their original state. However, Qin Sang did not fully restore the ruins; instead, he removed the bronze pillars and the most crucial core components. The area around the dao field had long been sealed by Qin Sang, so the entire process, despite generating unusual phenomena, did not alert anyone. Having completed all this, Qin Sang looked south. Cloud Heaven's Grand Sovereign, Solitary Cloud Old Man, and Soulfall Abyss's Unmortal Bone, Ancestor Ming Hu, were thoroughly enjoying their game of chess. It was time for him to make his move! Qin Sang's expression subtly darkened. With a sweep of his sleeve, he took the bronze pillars and flew south. He flew out of the fiery region and entered the desert. Below the desert, underground fiery veins connected to the fiery region, effectively making it part of the fiery region itself. Traveling through the desert, Qin Sang stopped at a certain location. This was the place Qin Sang had chosen to make his move!