Chapter 1988: The Shadow Bone Technique

"This time, stay at the annex temple. It will be more conducive to forming your Nascent Soul."

Taiyi noticed that Yulang was already at the peak of the Golden Core stage, just a step away from the Nascent Soul. The annex temple was a Void Refining cultivation ground, a sacred place for cultivation. Only by breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage would Yulang possess the ability to stand independently, thus truly earning his title as the temple's master.

Yulang's cultivation speed could be considered prodigious even in the Grand World, but given his status as a Void Refining disciple, this achievement wasn't astonishing. Taiyi knew that Yulang's cultivation wasn't purely focused on advancement; during his practice, he often pondered things beyond the scope of his current realm. For instance, his cultivation barely progressed during the years he spent descending the mountain to experience the world. Since Qin Sang allowed Yulang to do this, he must have had his reasons, and Taiyi would not interfere.

Taiyi activated his escape technique, a streak of light enveloping Yulang, and flew to the summit of the annex temple's mountain, triggering the restrictions of the cave dwelling. Qin Sang was not in the cave dwelling at the moment; he was deep underground. There was a reason why Luohun Abyss built its mountain gate here: the bottom of the gorge was a confluence of exceptionally pure Yin energy, and the black river was formed from this very energy.

The "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture" required the use of Yin energy to temper oneself. Qin Sang was fully immersed in the black river, strands of Yin energy being absorbed into his body, which he used for cultivation.

Relying on the poisons refined by Ling Shi and several potent toxins provided by Solitary Cloud Old Man, Qin Sang had cultivated "Heavenly Demon Refining Form" to the peak of its fifth level. Once he entered the sixth level, he would gain a true Azure Luan Dharma Idol. After cultivating to its peak, Qin Sang clearly perceived the presence of a bottleneck. Breaking through this barrier would grant him power comparable to the Void Refining stage. Cultivating to this realm meant each stage was incredibly difficult, like ascending to heaven, and countless individuals were turned away. Most late-stage Soul Transformation cultivators ceased their progress here in their lifetime. This time, there was no mighty cultivator to imbue Qin Sang with energy, allowing him to experience the profound mysteries of higher realms.

"Heavenly Demon Refining Form" was a rare and extraordinary cultivation method. Qin Sang was uniquely blessed, possessing a Dharma Idol illusion while still in the Soul Transformation stage, which was undoubtedly beneficial for his breakthrough. Qin Sang was already a Void Refining cultivator; even though the Great Dao he followed was different, he could still gain insights by analogy. However, Qin Sang wanted to maximize his chances of success, aiming for a single breakthrough during the Star Essence Imbuement. While refining his cultivation, he also needed to accumulate more resources.

The higher the realm of "Heavenly Demon Refining Form," the more it leaned towards the path of Dharma Idols. After cultivating to the peak of the fifth level, Qin Sang felt that this cultivation method had not tempered his physical body to its limit; there was still room for improvement. If he continued to temper his body, it might further aid his breakthrough. Therefore, Qin Sang had spent these past years studying the murals and the "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture." Cultivating the "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture" to its peak would transform the practitioner into an indestructible skeleton. Unlike his desperate situation when forming his Golden Core, Qin Sang had no intention of transforming back into a refined corpse this time.

He decided to extract the essence of the "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture" and corroborate it with the murals to create his own body-refining technique. This technique didn't need to be profoundly mysterious and wouldn't serve as his fundamental cultivation method. Qin Sang also didn't need to consider its future potential. For now, he only needed to create the Soul Transformation stage portion, aiming to strengthen himself as much as possible before his breakthrough, treating it as a secret art. For him, it wasn't a very difficult task.

Since it borrowed from the "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture," it was inevitably related to bone tempering. With the source of the cultivation method—the nine murals—and the cultivation insights of past generations of cultivators from Luohun Abyss, Qin Sang quickly put his thoughts in order. The core of the "Annihilating Yang Corpse Scripture" was using Yin energy to temper bones. Qin Sang combined this with the body-cultivation methods he had previously obtained, extracting the essence and discarding the dross. Recalling the Witch Tribe's "Shade Bone Patterns," he thus named his new technique the "Shade Bone Art"!

At this moment, Qin Sang bathed in the black river, silently circulating the "Shade Bone Art" to absorb the baleful Yin energy. As the Yin energy entered his body, it passed through his skin and flesh, seeping into his bones. It was intensely cold, making Qin Sang feel as if he were in an ice cellar. His expression was dark and inscrutable. His bones pulsed with sharp pain and itchiness, as if being shattered inch by inch, then countless ants crawled through them. Strange changes were occurring within his body. As the Yin energy contacted his bones, twisted black lines, like runes, appeared on them, eventually covering his entire skeletal structure. All the bones throughout his body turned as black as charcoal, as if they had necrotized. His flesh also seemed to separate from his bones, and his life force was being devoured.

The moment Taiyi triggered the restrictions, Qin Sang immediately sensed it, and his eyelids fluttered. His skin vibrated almost imperceptibly, shaking off the 'river water' from his body. The Yin energy that had already entered his body was instantly swallowed by his bones. Qin Sang formed a hand seal, and his flesh and bones gradually returned to their normal color, his vitality resuming with them. Clenching his fist, Qin Sang felt the improvements brought by his recent cultivation. Highly satisfied with his self-created secret art, he rose and left the black river.

The cave dwelling's door opened. Taiyi bowed respectfully and produced a bamboo slip. "Lord Envoy, this is a message talisman from Cloud Capital Heaven. They said it was for you."

"Oh?" Qin Sang raised his hand to summon the bamboo slip. Upon seeing its contents, he realized that Cloud Capital Heaven had just received the "Order of Clear Sky"! Solitary Cloud Old Man's guess was indeed correct; he must not be in the sect currently, otherwise he would have come personally to discuss. The appearance of the Order of Clear Sky meant that the Clear Sky Dharma Assembly was just ten years away!

The Clear Sky Dharma Assembly was the grandest event in the entire Moon Ditch Bay cultivation world. Various forces would gather, and powerful cultivators rarely seen in normal times would appear. It encompassed all aspects, had far-reaching implications, and the assembly itself would last for half a year. One could say that this assembly would determine the power structure of the Moon Ditch Bay cultivation world until the next Clear Sky Dharma Assembly. The Clear Sky Dharma Assembly was usually held at the Clear Sky Sect, and this time was no exception. Qin Sang would finally get to witness the hegemon of this world.

After a moment of thought, Qin Sang told Taiyi, "In ten years, you and Yulang will accompany me on a trip."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Taiyi immediately agreed without asking for reasons. Taking them along to experience the Clear Sky Dharma Assembly and make connections would benefit the Green Goat Temple. Yulang still needed to grow, and for a long time to come, Taiyi would be the backbone of the Green Goat Temple.

Putting away the bamboo slip, Qin Sang inquired about Taiyi's cultivation. "How has your cultivation progressed recently? Any problems?" With Qin Sang's unreserved assistance, Taiyi was now a master at the mid-stage Soul Transformation realm. However, once Taiyi was propelled to the late-stage Soul Transformation, Qin Sang's help to him would be very limited. Whether he could step into the Void Refining stage would depend on Taiyi's own destiny and fortune.

After providing guidance, Taiyi returned to the main temple, while Yulang remained at the annex temple to cultivate. For over a century, the cultivation world had been exceptionally calm, with little worth noting. Ten years passed in a flash.

On this day, Qin Sang flew out of the black river, left the annex temple directly, and leisurely soared over thousands of mountains and rivers, appearing at the Green Goat Temple. Since the establishment of the Green Goat Temple, it was the first time its founding patriarch had visited. Taiyi and Yulang, who was now a Nascent Soul cultivator, had been waiting early in front of the main hall and hurried forward to pay their respects.

Qin Sang did not enter the main hall. Standing with his hands behind his back in front of it, he gazed at the vibrant temple and nodded slightly, "Not bad!" Upon receiving Qin Sang's approval, both Taiyi and Yulang felt a sense of relief. They had always been apprehensive, fearing they might fall short of Qin Sang's expectations.

After a brief stay, Qin Sang took them and left the Green Goat Temple, continuing eastward into Cloud Capital Mountain. Today was the day he had agreed to depart with Solitary Cloud Old Man. Since entering the Grand World, Qin Sang had long admired Cloud Capital Heaven, but this was his first visit there. Cloud Capital Heaven's mountain gate was located on the main peak of Cloud Capital Mountain, a place of extraordinary spiritual beauty and perilous grandeur.

Qin Sang arrived on a cloud, and from afar, he saw a white silken ribbon cascading from the heavens. Looking up, the top of the waterfall was invisible, creating a vast and breathtaking spectacle. Water mist hung hazily, never dissipating year-round. Behind the waterfall, immortal mountains and majestic peaks appeared and disappeared, exceptionally mysterious, inspiring a desire to explore their depths. Yulang and Taiyi, who had previously been invited to visit, had normal expressions but could still recall the awe they felt upon their first sight. From a distance, one could see the waterfall but hear no sound of water. As the white cloud approached, a deafening roar suddenly erupted, the sound of water crashing against the earth like thunder.

Just then, a fissure suddenly split open in the middle of the waterfall, and the water slowly parted to either side, revealing an iridescent archway. Nine streaks of escape light flew out from behind the archway. The nine streaks of light halted in front of the waterfall, lining up in a row. They were none other than the Nine Immortals of Cloud Capital. Each of the Nine Immortals of Cloud Capital possessed outstanding grace and an ethereal aura. They bowed respectfully towards the white cloud, "We respectfully welcome Daoist Qingfeng!"

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, thinking that only when the Green Goat Temple could boast so many masters would it truly be considered a renowned major sect. He nodded with a smile and flew closer. Yun Xi stepped forward to personally lead Qin Sang. Taiyi and Yulang were already familiar with them and were led by others.

Passing through the iridescent archway, the space suddenly opened up. Peaks gathered like a multitude, and cloud waves raged like fury, creating a magnificent spectacle. Among the immortal mountains, countless pavilions and towers dotted the landscape. Innumerable disciples, some curious, some awestruck, gazed in their direction.

Qin Sang followed Yun Xi to the Grand Hall of the Sect Master, where he saw Solitary Cloud Old Man waiting in front of the hall. He chuckled loudly, "Fellow Daoist, there was no need to go to such trouble."

"When a distinguished guest arrives, how can one neglect propriety?" Solitary Cloud Old Man smiled, inviting Qin Sang into the hall. Yun Xi personally attended to them, serving spiritual tea.

"This old man has also invited a few fellow Daoists to travel with us. Daoist, you don't mind, do you?" Solitary Cloud Old Man asked.

"By all means! This humble Daoist was just hoping to get to know more fellow Daoists." Qin Sang turned his head and glanced outside the hall. A multi-story boat floated outside the mountain. It was neither too big nor too small, and its design was opulent. Qin Sang could tell at a glance that the entire boat was constructed from extremely precious spiritual wood. The formations carved onto the ship's hull did not suggest it was a warship, and its speed probably wouldn't be very fast. Could such an enormous expense merely be for a travel tool?

"This Cloud-Crossing Treasure Ship was purchased by our sect with great expense from Mount Yonggu. The Clear Sky Dharma Assembly has an unfortunate tradition: sects compete from the very beginning, vying over flying artifacts. If one's flying artifact is slightly inferior, it can be openly ridiculed. If one doesn't want to incur such expense, they either hitch a ride with another sect or simply choose not to use a flying artifact and quietly enter the city. This old man is not exempt from such customs..." Solitary Cloud Old Man self-deprecatingly remarked.

"Ancestor Ming Gu, I imagine, wouldn't be one to endure such scorn; he would definitely be the type to quietly enter the city. This humble Daoist will simply have to hitch a ride on your esteemed sect's treasure ship," Qin Sang said with a smile. (He recalled that Ancestor Ming Gu's relics did not include top-tier flying artifacts.)

"No problem at all! No problem!" After a few pleasantries, Solitary Cloud Old Man turned to the main topic, bringing up the jade slip Qin Sang had given him years ago. "The Azurefrost Divine Liquid you requested, Daoist, we now have a lead on it."

"Oh?" Qin Sang leaned forward slightly. "Have you gathered all the ingredients for the pill formula, Fellow Daoist?"

"Not all of them yet, but it's not far off," Solitary Cloud Old Man said. "During a previous Clear Sky Dharma Assembly, I befriended a grandmaster of alchemy, whom everyone calls Master Yue. His attainment in the Dao of alchemy is profound, and he isn't temperamental like some other alchemy grandmasters. Whenever I've needed to refine high-grade pills, I've always asked Master Yue for his assistance. This time, I sent him a message asking for his help. Not long ago, Master Yue replied, saying that he happens to possess the two rarest spiritual herbs on the formula, and he can provide them, but there's a condition."

"What condition?" Qin Sang asked.

The Azurefrost Divine Liquid was crucial for the cultivation of his Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Once both the Heavenly Eye Butterfly and his "Heavenly Demon Refining Form" achieved breakthroughs, he could consider setting out. Whatever Master Yue's condition, he would strive to meet it.

"Master Yue wishes to meet the owner of the pill formula," Solitary Cloud Old Man said, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. When he heard this condition, he initially thought Master Yue had discerned Qin Sang's origins, but upon asking, it was not the case. Master Yue's reply had been ambiguous, mysterious, yet somewhat urgent, leaving Solitary Cloud Old Man uncertain what connection the pill formula held.

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he immediately guessed some of the reasons. The "Pangu True Scripture" was a miraculous inherited method of the Witch Tribe. The pill formulas recorded within were vastly different from those of humans and held immense appeal for human alchemists. In the Talisman World, Qin Sang had repeatedly used pill formulas for exchange with great success. Master Yue must have also discerned the unique nature of the Azurefrost Divine Liquid, but Qin Sang wondered if he had realized the formula originated from the Witch Tribe. Perhaps Master Yue knew some secrets concerning the Witch Tribe, and from him, Qin Sang might be able to inquire about their whereabouts. Even if not for the sake of the pill, Qin Sang intended to meet Master Yue!

Thinking this, Qin Sang said, "This humble Daoist is the owner of the pill formula. Master Yue will also be attending the Clear Sky Dharma Assembly, correct? I'll trouble you, Fellow Daoist, to arrange a meeting between Master Yue and me."

Solitary Cloud Old Man naturally saw no objection and immediately agreed. The two continued to discuss their itinerary.

Yun Xi quietly exited, relaying an order. Figures flew out from the mountain, gathering in front of the Cloud-Crossing Treasure Ship. Taiyi and Yulang were also brought over. For this journey, Cloud Capital Heaven dispatched a considerable number of people, and other forces from Cloud Capital Mountain also joined, quickly assembling over a hundred individuals. Including Yun Xi, four of the Nine Immortals of Cloud Capital were dispatched. The remaining individuals were all elite disciples of Cloud Capital Heaven, with cultivation levels ranging from Foundation Establishment upwards, covering every realm. Their expressions were all excited and full of anticipation. The Clear Sky Dharma Assembly also featured competitions among disciples from various sects, with generous rewards. If one could secure a ranking, it would not only bring glory to their sect but also represent a great opportunity.

The full complement of people had arrived. Yun Xi activated the Cloud-Crossing Treasure Ship and ordered the disciples to board. Solitary Cloud Old Man glanced outside the hall and said, "Daoist, it's time for us to depart."

"Please!"

'Buzz!' The Cloud-Crossing Treasure Ship vibrated, waves formed beneath its hull, and clear ripples spread. Its bow slightly tilted upward, and a crystal embedded in its front suddenly shot out a blue light. In an instant, Cloud Capital Heaven was bathed in a blue glow. A streak of blue light then parted the sea of clouds, shooting towards the sky beyond. The void trembled greatly. The Cloud-Crossing Treasure Ship swelled against the wind, transforming into a colossal treasure ship. It "collided" into the sea of clouds and set sail!

The treasure ship traveled through the sky, and no turbulence was felt on board. After flying out of Cloud Capital Heaven, the blue glow dissipated, concealing the ship's body and blocking external prying. The treasure ship quickly left Cloud Capital Mountain, flew over the Fire Domain, and continued speeding northwards.