Chapter 1978: A One Against Two

A streak of light shot out from the Soul-Shattering Abyss, moving with incredible swiftness. It traversed the wasteland, entered Twilight Mountain, and headed directly east.

The streak of light resembled a vast expanse of gray mist, tearing through the sky, surging onward with immense power.

"Boom!"

The sound of its passage was like thunder descending from the heavens, earth-shattering, bringing an unprecedented shock to the wasteland and Twilight Mountain.

Countless cultivators awoke from their meditation, their faces filled with horror.

Before even hearing the thunderous sound, they could feel an extremely terrifying pressure permeating heaven and earth.

It felt as if the heavens were about to fall!

Primal fear made countless people tremble, cowering and shivering in their cave dwellings.

Doomsday was approaching, with heaven and earth collapsing, leaving nowhere to escape.

No thought of resistance could even form in their minds, as if that pressure represented the will of heaven and earth. How could humans, born between heaven and earth, dare to defy its will?

In a mountain valley, lush greenery spread like an ocean, with towering ancient trees.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp..."

From the forest came bursts of joyful chirping.

Through the gaps in the leaves, one could see a group of spiritual apes with long, white fur frolicking.

These spiritual apes leaped about on the branches with remarkable nimbleness, as if on flat ground.

Their movements had a peculiar rhythm, resembling a unique, naturally formed movement technique.

The spiritual apes were completely unaware.

On a nearby tree stood a faint human figure, observing the group of spiritual apes with great interest, his fingers gently swaying as he seemingly imitated their movement technique.

Suddenly, the person's expression changed abruptly. His figure flickered and pressed tightly against the tree trunk, his body seeping into the bark like water, merging into the ancient tree.

The ancient tree's bark twisted, revealing a terrified human face.

The spiritual apes also sensed the anomaly, letting out sharp cries as they scattered in all directions.

Hidden within the tree trunk, the person still felt unsafe. He then escaped from the trunk into the ground, employing a secret technique to hide among the tree roots.

The next moment, the streak of light flew overhead.

Underground, a human figure the size of a cicada curled up among the tree roots, trembling uncontrollably, not daring to return to the surface for a long time.

***

A peculiar peak in Twilight Mountain.

The scenery was beautiful, filled with abundant spiritual energy.

A sect named Eight Tripod Sect was located here. Known for its mixed nature, neither purely good nor evil, it was quite famous throughout Twilight Mountain.

The founding patriarch of the Eight Tripod Sect was a Nascent Soul cultivator. Subsequent sect masters throughout the generations failed to surpass him, until the current sect master. He discovered flaws in the cultivation technique, rectified the deficiencies, and broke through to the Soul Transformation stage in one fell swoop, proving himself a truly extraordinary genius.

Because of the current sect master's feat, the Eight Tripod Sect's reputation spread throughout Twilight Mountain.

However, the sect master remained remarkably clear-headed. Not rushing to expand the Eight Tripod Sect, he proceeded steadily and surely, and restrained his disciples from becoming arrogant.

On this day, the tranquility of the mountain gate was shattered by urgent bell tolls.

The ringing of the Profound Bell signified that the Eight Tripod Sect had reached a moment of life or death.

Accompanying the bell tolls was the sect master's roar, "Quickly activate the mountain-protecting formation!"

The disciples of the Eight Tripod Sect turned pale with fright; it was the first time they had seen their sect master so anxious and flustered.

The moment the grand formation activated, a terrifying pressure swept across.

The mountain-protecting formation could not block that pressure.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The disciples of the Eight Tripod Sect's legs trembled, and they involuntarily knelt to the ground.

In front of the Sect Master's grand hall, the sect master of the Eight Tripod Sect stared fixedly at the streak of light in the sky, using immense willpower to steady his mind.

His eyes were filled with reverence, horror, and a deep sense of anticipation!

***

The river flowed mightily.

The river snaked between two mountain crevices; the terrain was treacherous, and the current was swift.

White waves constantly splashed on the river surface.

Occasionally, river fish would leap out of the water. As they fell back, a slender black shadow would emerge from beneath the surface, revealing a sharp snout filled with fangs, swallowing the fish in one gulp.

When the oppressive force arrived, in an instant, the wind picked up and waves grew fierce, and the riverbed seemed to churn upward.

The streak of light flew past, disappearing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

The river water gradually calmed down. A monster, neither fully snake nor fish, floated to the surface, belly up and lifeless.

It was precisely the beast that had been swallowing fish. It had been utterly terrified, scared to death on the spot!

The higher one's cultivation, the more one could sense how powerful the owner of this fleeing light was. They had finally witnessed the legendary Void Refinement cultivator who could control heaven and earth, but not everyone could withstand that kind of impact.

Patriarch Minghu seemed extremely anxious, fleeing through the air at high speed, making no attempt to conceal his presence. He had good reason to be anxious. The Coiled Dragon Celestial Pillar was unearthed by the Nine Immortals of Yundu, and with only two people present at the Soul-Shattering Abyss, they were utterly powerless to stop them. A slight delay, and Yundu might seize the opportunity first.

Concealing his aura was also meaningless. In the nearby area, the only one qualified to contend with him for the Coiled Dragon Celestial Pillar was Lone Cloud Elder. With the Coiled Dragon Celestial Pillar's emergence, Lone Cloud Elder would also be unable to remain idle and would certainly descend from the mountain. The value of a single Coiled Dragon Celestial Pillar surpassed all other ruins combined, and the gentlemen's agreement between the two sects did not include it!

Lone Cloud Elder's Dharma Body also set out. Although not as grand in scale as Patriarch Minghu, it also caused quite a stir in Yundu Mountain, and his escaping speed was not slow in the slightest.

***

Green Goat Abbey.

Qin Sang had no idea when he exited seclusion, leaving the underground chamber and rising high into the sky, looking north.

"They've already left the mountain?" Qin Sang murmured to himself, feeling quite surprised.

A Void Refinement cultivator's move shook the world.

He had made his move in the Fire Domain, interfering in the mortal realm. All his arrangements were designed to draw out the two Void Refinement cultivators from their mountains.

Today, his wish was granted, but it was somewhat unexpected. Too fast, too easy.

Qin Sang was not aware of the true value of the Scarlet Flame Bronze Pillar. Relying solely on this item to alarm two Void Refinement cultivators, perhaps there was a slight chance, but Qin Sang didn't hold much expectation. As long as it could provoke conflict between the two sects and deepen their animosity, it would have served its purpose.

Qin Sang had made two preparations: while making his move, he also interfered in the mortal realm, stirring up the situation and gradually dragging the two sects into a quagmire. He hadn't expected to succeed so easily, and all his subsequent plans were rendered unnecessary.

From this, it was clear that the value of the Scarlet Flame Bronze Pillar far exceeded his estimation. Despite missing out on a treasure of such magnitude, Qin Sang felt no regret whatsoever, because it wasn't important to him.

Instead, he felt a subtle excitement, eager to put things to the test.

This is good! Some of his ideas could finally be verified!

The sharp glint in Qin Sang's eyes receded as he looked down at Green Goat Abbey below.

At the foot of the mountain, cooking smoke curled upwards.

Yu Lang had achieved success and fame. The academy had become a sacred place in the hearts of Yan Kingdom's common people, with an endless stream of scholars coming to pay homage. Seven Rows Village benefited from this, expanding repeatedly and growing increasingly prosperous, practically transforming into a small town.

Qin Sang turned his palm downwards and pressed. An invisible light curtain enveloped the land, blocking mortal sight and concealing all fluctuations.

"Crack!"

The peak where Green Goat Abbey was located suddenly cracked open.

The crack ran through the mountain, passing right through Green Goat Abbey and splitting the abbey's main hall into two.

The mountain slowly tilted to either side, on the verge of collapsing.

The inside of the peak was exposed, lightning flashed, and the main altar appeared!

Qin Sang sat cross-legged high in the sky, directly above the main altar, closing his eyes in meditation and forming a lightning seal with his hands.

"Boom!"

Like muffled thunder echoing from deep underground, it resounded throughout this part of the world.

The mortals at the foot of the mountain couldn't hear the thunder at all and continued their normal lives. Even the cultivators near Jin County were completely unaware.

All strange phenomena were deliberately suppressed by Qin Sang, but his movements didn't stop, his hand seals changing rapidly, faster and faster.

Each time a hand seal was formed, a lightning talisman would fly out from his hand, sinking into the main altar. Then the main altar would generate lightning, shooting towards the sky, with divine thunder filling the heavens.

In an instant, a vast expanse of thunderous marsh formed between heaven and earth.

Qin Sang basked in the sea of thunder, which precisely formed an immense thunder altar beneath him.

This altar connected heaven and earth, brewing divine power, latent and unreleased!

The next moment, the main altar below manifested new anomalies, erupting with dazzling silver light that even overshadowed the thunderous marsh in the sky.

A silver 'paper' appeared within the main altar, emitting an exceptionally mysterious aura.

The surface of the silver paper was covered in writing. The text was constantly changing.

These characters were exceptionally profound, subtly aligning with the ultimate truths of heaven and earth; each character seemed to contain infinite knowledge. A mortal glance at it could lead to mental collapse and their head exploding!

The silver paper undulated, capable of breaking free from the altar at any moment and shooting towards the sky, but it was also suppressed by Qin Sang.

Qin Sang was activating the altar, gathering momentum but not yet launching it.

With the main altar's appearance, the entire altar formation moved in response.

In the four directions — southeast, northwest — Taiyi, Luohou, Ling Shi, and Gui Hou, the four Soul Transformation cultivators, were all sitting cross-legged on their respective sub-altars, their faces solemn.

Their presence on the four sub-altars could be seen as the four pillars of the altar formation, stabilizing the four cardinal points and safeguarding the main altar!

Qin Sang's will was transmitted through the main altar, via the formation, and the sub-altars beneath the four Soul Transformation cultivators simultaneously glowed with lightning.

Besides the four major sub-altars, other sub-altars also had altar masters presiding over them. These altar masters included fire spirits and monsters, with almost no humans among them, and all had revealed their true forms.

Over the years, they had been assigned to the command of the four Soul Transformation cultivators, practicing lightning arts and all achieving a certain level of mastery.

At this moment, these demonic beings sat cross-legged in human-like postures, casting spells according to an unseen command, with fierce lightning flames burning beneath them. As if the altars themselves were burning.

Qin Sang didn't demand high levels of comprehension from them; as long as they could cast lightning arts, preside over the sub-altars, and stabilize the formation, it was enough.

The four Soul Transformation cultivators received Qin Sang's guidance, and these sub-altar masters, in turn, obeyed the four Soul Transformation cultivators.

Sub-altars and the main altar, all altar masters were connected as one, forming a vast altar formation that covered the mortal realm!

Qin Sang was the master of the main altar and the controller of the altar formation.

This was his first time truly activating the altar, and as he felt the entire formation, he revealed a peculiar expression.

At this very moment, what he thought of were scenes from the Talisman Realm.

The remnants of the Daoist Court, relying on their altars, gathered the power of numerous Daoists. Celestial Master Zhang, with the help of an altar, invoked deities to break through, annihilating a Great Vehicle cultivator in one fell swoop.

That earth-shattering divine power was truly captivating.

Qin Sang finally personally experienced the power of the altar; it truly lived up to its reputation!

Yet, the altar beneath him surely wouldn't rank among the top within the entire Daoist Court. The path of immortal cultivation was long and arduous, and he still had a long way to go.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, slowly opened his eyes, and stood upon the thunder altar.

Glancing around, Qin Sang took a step to his left, leaving behind an identical copy of himself.

Two Qin Sangs stood side by side, one his true body, the other a Dharma Body. This was a true Dharma Body, not the avatars he had used to descend to the mortal realm in past lives.

The Dharma Body slightly raised both hands, palms facing down. A sword light flashed, and a sword silhouette appeared, its blade hanging upside down and slowly rotating.

This sword was precisely the Grey Warbler Sword. Moreover, it was the Grey Warbler Sword that had already transformed into a spiritual treasure, having birthed a spiritual embryo!

"Buzz! Buzz!"

The Grey Warbler Sword seemed to sense its master's thoughts, emitting a sharp sword cry, full of spiritual energy. The spiritual sword erupted with killing intent; its blade would move according to its master's will, slaying all enemies!

"Gak gak!"

Along with the sword cry, there was also a strange bird cry.

A fiery light circled the Grey Warbler Sword, dancing; it was precisely the Vermillion Bird. The Vermillion Bird seemed to have been suppressed for too long, showing no trace of a sacred beast's demeanor. Its cries were filled with excitement, urging Qin Sang: "Faster! Faster! Faster! This Vermillion Bird can't wait! The first kill is mine!"

This silly bird was truly audacious, as if afraid the world wouldn't descend into chaos. Qin Sang secretly shook his head. The Vermillion Bird knew what they were about to do, yet showed no hint of fear or worry.

The Dharma Body flicked its sleeve, drawing the Grey Warbler Sword and the Vermillion Bird into its sleeve.

At the same time, a pure green light appeared behind Qin Sang's true body. Accompanied by a phoenix cry, the Azure Luan Dharma Aspect was summoned!

The Azure Luan spread its wings, its phoenix wings obscuring the sky. The Azure Luan Dharma Aspect stretched its body freely, flew to high altitudes, then plunged downwards, transforming into a ray of green light that poured into Qin Sang's crown.

With the Dharma Aspect and physical body united, Qin Sang's aura instantly changed.

At the same time, five-colored light flashed, and Little Five immediately appeared.

Back on the mountain, Little Five seemed to have forgotten the mundane world and shed all her worldly glamor. She still had her eyes closed, standing beside Qin Sang, with a serene expression, innocent and carefree.

The true body took Little Five's small hand, nodded towards the Dharma Body, and headed northeast.

***

Yundu Mountain.

Lone Cloud Elder departed from his mountain gate, coming alone from the west.

His escape art was quite peculiar: he pointed his purple bamboo staff forward, its tip touching the void, and purple light burst forth. The purple light was like electricity, instantly soaring over mountains. When its power was exhausted, Lone Cloud Elder would appear within the purple light.

The purple lightning continuously leaped, gradually reaching the edge of Yundu Mountain.

Lone Cloud Elder held his staff in one hand, while with the other, he made hand gestures, calculating something, his expression not at all relaxed. "That Corpse Demon," he mused, "I wonder if his divine abilities have fully matured. If so, he'll be difficult to deal with..."

As he was pondering, Lone Cloud Elder suddenly felt something, his expression instantly changed. His purple bamboo staff forcefully tapped the void, and the purple lightning immediately stopped.

Directly ahead, on a mountaintop, stood an unfamiliar Daoist, looking his way with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Which Daoist friend," Lone Cloud Elder demanded, "why do you obstruct this old man!" He sternly shouted, but did not act rashly.

He sensed the aura of a Dharma Aspect from Qin Sang. Although some exceptionally talented demon cultivators could also comprehend Dharma Aspects in the Soul Transformation stage, it was absolutely impossible for them to possess such tyrannical and concentrated Dharma Aspect power! Something unusual must be afoot. This Daoist and he had never met before, yet he was blocking his path now. Could he be a helper summoned by the Corpse Demon?

"This humble Daoist is Qingfeng," Qin Sang said, "I have long admired Daoist friend Lone Cloud Elder's great name, and have specifically come to pay a visit." Qin Sang bowed from afar, stepping aside to reveal what was behind him: a chessboard carved from a stone table, two stone stools, and black and white chess pieces.

The chessboard and pieces were all carved from ordinary stone materials, made from locally sourced materials.

"I've heard Daoist friend is skilled in the art of chess," Qin Sang said, raising his hand in invitation, "this humble Daoist would like to invite Daoist friend for a game. What do you say?"

Lone Cloud Elder narrowed his eyes, scrutinized Qin Sang for a moment, then looked at the chessboard, pondering something unknown.

After a moment, he actually flew forward, landing beside the chessboard and gently tapping the ground with his purple bamboo staff.

Qin Sang flicked his Daoist robe, sat down, and instructed, "Little Five, tea!"

"Aye!"

Little Five walked up, carrying a tea tray. Like a well-behaved little Daoist acolyte, she sat neatly kneeling to the side, arranged the teapot and teacups, and meticulously began brewing tea.