Chapter 2031: Curse

Qin Sang naturally couldn't fully trust what Young Master Xin said, as it was her word alone.

He indeed needed more people under his command; in human territories, Marquis Luo and other demons were subject to many restrictions. As for whether to subdue the Xin family, that required careful, long-term planning. Qin Sang's most immediate concern was the secret hidden deep within the grand formation.

As they spoke, the storm at the center of destruction intensified, and the anomaly deep within the grand formation became increasingly noticeable.

In the darkness, streams of colorful light continuously erupted. This light did not diffuse outwards but instead surged and transformed within a radius of several dozen zhang, resembling a kaleidoscope or a pulsating tunnel.

The anomaly was not yet complete. Deep within the passage, something seemed poised to emerge. Qin Sang waited, and Young Master Xin knew he was waiting.

Young Master Xin's entreaty indeed had some effect. Her sufficiently discerning behavior spared her from torture.

"What is the origin of this place?" Qin Sang asked directly, certain that Young Master Xin knew the answer. She was capable of controlling this grand formation to self-destruct; it would be a huge joke if she didn't know its origins.

Young Master Xin understood this perfectly and replied without hesitation, "Senior, you must have realized that this place is connected to the Witch Tribe. It's an ancient Witch Tribe ruin. This formation is an ancient Witch formation, vastly different from human legacies. That's why Attendant Pei and Loose Cultivator Zhong Liang failed to detect the hidden dangers within it. They never anticipated that I could control this formation to self-destruct; otherwise, they wouldn't have fallen into the trap so easily."

Qin Sang nodded inwardly. Not just Attendant Pei and Loose Cultivator Zhong Liang; even he had been completely unaware before the grand formation's self-destruction. The "Panhu True Scripture" contained records of some Witch Tribe legacies, but most of them pertained to the art of insect manipulation, with little information about Witch formations.

After a brief pause, Young Master Xin continued, "I wouldn't dare conceal anything from Senior. This place is not the secret realm my father discovered. Instead, while secretly searching for that realm in Fengju Yumen, following my father's dying wish, I inadvertently stumbled in during a peculiar lightning explosion and unexpectedly acquired the stone talisman that controls this grand formation. That's how my subsequent plans came about."

"Oh?" Qin Sang scrutinized Young Master Xin, surprised that she would voluntarily divulge such a secret.

Attendant Pei had always believed this was the secret realm the Xin family had desperately sought. If he knew the truth in the afterlife, Qin Sang wondered what he would think. However, that particular secret realm was capable of attracting Void Refinement cultivators and might represent the Xin family's last chance to defy fate and alter their destiny. Giving away their last hope like this, had she truly abandoned resistance and sincerely submitted to him?

"The secret realm my father discovered is indeed helpful for enhancing our Xin family's power," Young Master Xin explained. "It would undoubtedly allow our inherited secret techniques to transform, greatly increasing their might, and all Xin family cultivators would see their strength rise a level. However, for truly changing the Xin family's plight, it's merely a drop in the bucket. In truth, apart from our family, that secret realm might not hold much value in the eyes of Attendant Pei, Loose Cultivator Zhong Liang, or even you, Elder Qin. I deliberately exaggerated its importance, deceiving them with the lies I wove, which is why they have tolerated me and the Xin family up until now."

Young Master Xin spoke nonchalantly, but Qin Sang could sense the inherent dangers. Weaving lies was easy; the challenge lay in making two Void Refinement cultivators believe them, navigating such a situation as if walking on thin ice. Of course, lies alone wouldn't have sufficed. Without the Meditation Spirit, the Xin family would have been utterly destroyed long ago. They must have assessed that rash action would be counterproductive, and their mutual restraint provided Young Master Xin with room to maneuver.

"My father stated that opening that secret realm requires the assistance of an artifact master. When the time comes, Elder Qin will know that I am sincerely inviting you."

Young Master Xin revealed her true motive. After such a lengthy roundabout explanation, she was still trying to convince Qin Sang of her lack of ill intent. Qin Sang, however, was curious as to how Young Master Xin had the audacity to face him again after losing the Meditation Spirit. He realized that at that time, he hadn't known the Meditation Spirit was dead, and after witnessing Young Master Xin trap and kill Attendant Pei and Loose Cultivator Zhong Liang, he would undoubtedly have been wary. Young Master Xin must have calculated this precisely, but unfortunately, she hadn't accounted for the Thousand-Jun Ring!

Qin Sang merely nodded, gazing silently into the depths of the grand formation. Seeing that he was completely unmoved, Young Master Xin could only follow Qin Sang's gaze and softly asked, "Elder Qin, are you familiar with Witch Curses?"

"Witch Curses?" Qin Sang's heart stirred. In the "Panhu True Scripture," he had encountered a few Witch Curses used for insect manipulation, but as he was not of the Witch Tribe, he couldn't cast them.

"Legend says that when heaven and earth first opened, primordial deities were born," Young Master Xin began. "They were the first beings to appear after creation, manifestations of the Heavenly Dao, born imbued with the fortunes of heaven and earth. And the Witch Tribe claims to be the descendants of these primordial deities..."

Young Master Xin's subsequent words made Qin Sang perk up his ears and listen intently. Although much of what she said was based on legend, on some levels, it could be corroborated by the records in the "Panhu True Scripture." The Witch Tribe claims to be descended from primordial deities, possessing divine bloodlines and thus born favored by heaven and earth. They are said to be inherently divinely endowed, knowing without learning and understanding without explanation. Witch Curses are a manifestation of this unique ability.

Though both Witch Curses and Daoist incantations are termed 'curses' and appear to mysteriously invoke heaven and earth through spoken words, they possess fundamental differences. Daoist incantations necessitate prior cultivation of specific methods, requiring a profound mastery before one can cast them. Among humans, regardless of whether they belong to the Talismanic or Elixir factions, or whether they practice Buddhist, Daoist, or demonic arts, the fundamental principles of cultivation are similar: skills, methods, and the Dao progress sequentially. Here, 'skill' (术) relates to the 'Dao' (道) in alignment with the concept of essence (体) and function (用). As the saying goes, 'essence is the foundation of function, and function is the manifestation of essence.' Human cultivators practice methods to attain enlightenment of the Dao. They first gain insights from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, understanding the 'why' before grasping the 'what', thereby comprehending Daoist techniques for their own use.

The Witch Tribe, however, is the opposite. Witch Curses are a manifestation of 'skill'; they seem inherently close to the Dao. They can connect to heaven and earth and wield divine power through curses without understanding the underlying principles or the 'why' behind them. Legends claim that some Witch Curses are so mysterious and unpredictable they can slay enemies from hundreds of millions of miles away. This suggests the Witch Tribe could indeed be descendants of primordial deities, which would explain their unique cultivation system. This is also why the Witch Tribe of Canglang Sea, having lost their heritage, found it so difficult to adopt human cultivation methods.

"Are there Witch Curses here?" Qin Sang focused his spiritual senses; the fluctuations emanating from the colorful light were indeed unlike anything he had ever encountered.

"Yes, a Supplication Curse might be sealed here," Young Master Xin confirmed with a nod. Among Witch Curses, there exist categories such as praise, supplication, and slaying, each with different powers and effects. 'Supplication' (赞) implies praise and support. As their names imply, the praise and supplication curses within Witchcraft originate from Witch Tribe rituals. Unlike slaying curses, those who receive a supplication curse often gain benefits from it.

Qin Sang's eyes flashed. "What kind of Supplication Curse is it?"

"Actually, my previous gains here were not substantial," Young Master Xin admitted. "After discovering the function of this Witch formation, I focused entirely on planning how to lure Attendant Pei and Loose Cultivator Zhong Liang here. This Witch formation acts as a seal; only by opening it will the secrets within be revealed. I worried that opening it carelessly would leave traces and jeopardize my plans, so I dared not activate it. Therefore, I don't know its exact nature, but I am certain it holds immense benefits. I am willing to summon this curse for Senior, if only you would appease your anger and seriously consider my proposal." Young Master Xin spoke respectfully.

Qin Sang glanced at Young Master Xin, knowing this was her pledge of allegiance. With Witch Tribe altars, sacrificial insects, Witch formations, and Witch Curses present, this was undoubtedly a Witch Tribe ruin. Qin Sang twirled the Thousand-Jun Ring on his thumb. It seemed this ring was also inextricably linked to the Witch Tribe.

At this moment, Qin Sang noticed the changes deep within the grand formation growing more intense. Layers of light waves surged, as if an invisible door had opened in the void, finally allowing him a vague glimpse of what lay beyond. Faintly, Qin Sang discerned a corner of an ancient stone temple.

Massive stones, rough surfaces, and ancient carvings — this style closely resembled the Witch Tribe altars outside, clearly indicating a shared lineage.

A rumbling sound echoed! It was unclear if the tremors shaking the space were from the grand formation's destruction or the fluctuations caused by the ancient temple's emergence.

Whoosh! The long-accumulated five-colored aura suddenly erupted, and waves of multi-hued light swept in all directions, banishing the darkness. Qin Sang's gaze swiftly swept across the void. Where the multi-hued light waves passed, hidden presences were revealed. The fluctuations of the Thousand-Jun Ring indicated that these were likely other scattered small fragments. Strangely, there was no connection between the stone temple's location and the Thousand-Jun Ring, which didn't align with Qin Sang's expectations; he had originally thought this temple was part of the Thousand-Jun Ring's world.

Boom! Boom! Boom! With successive waves of light, the stone temple slowly rose from the 'passage', becoming increasingly distinct. Young Master Xin also saw the stone temple, and a flicker of eager anticipation appeared in her eyes.

It was an ancient, towering stone temple. Dozens of circular stone pillars stood on all sides, supporting a dome constructed from colossal stone slabs. Even the walls and doors were unpolished megaliths, exuding a raw, primitive grandeur. In front of the stone temple lay three tiers of steps, each a full zhang high. The temple itself was even more majestic. Patterns were carved onto the surfaces of the stone pillars and walls, but the strokes were too simple, making their meaning difficult to decipher.

As they stood before the passage, gazing up at the stone temple, a mysterious, primeval aura immediately washed over them. Their minds involuntarily wavered, giving rise to a strange sensation, an urge to prostrate themselves in worship. There were no idols here; they were not worshipping deities, but heaven and earth itself, as if the stone temple embodied the very cosmos.

"Phew..." Young Master Xin let out a long breath, shaking off that impulse. She subconsciously began to ascend the stone steps, then suddenly remembered something, pausing and looking at Qin Sang beside her.

Qin Sang's gaze swept over the murals. He frowned, pondering their meaning and trying to find correlations in the "Panhu True Scripture," but with little success. He recalled Ghost Mother mentioning that countless tribes existed within the Witch Tribe, and their legacies varied significantly from one another. He noticed a circular indentation in the center of the stone door, containing an orchid-like pattern. He wondered if it was this tribe's totem.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang did not ascend the steps. Instead, his body slowly rose, bringing him level with the stone temple. Young Master Xin could only follow Qin Sang and float upward. The stone temple's door was an uneven slab, not perfectly sealed against the wall. In places, the gaps were wide enough to insert a finger, yet it was impossible to glimpse the temple's interior through them.

As it had not yet fully emerged from the passage, the stone temple vibrated continuously, but the stone door showed no signs of opening.

"Is that Supplication Curse sealed within this temple?" Qin Sang asked.

Young Master Xin nodded. "It should be so."

"Only you can open the stone temple?" Qin Sang's gaze sharpened.

Young Master Xin's expression remained calm as she met Qin Sang's piercing gaze. "That talisman stone has already acknowledged me as its master," she explained. "Apart from me, no one else should be able to push open the stone door. If Senior doesn't believe me, you can try it yourself."

Qin Sang frowned slightly. He could naturally perceive that this temple, like the tomb outside, was enveloped by ancient restrictions, yet it was far more intricate and mysterious than the tomb's entrance. He condensed his true essence into a palm and pushed with force, but the door remained stubbornly unmoving.

But how could Qin Sang feel at ease letting Young Master Xin personally push the door? What was sealed within the stone temple might not truly be a Supplication Curse. Could Young Master Xin, in her efforts to gain his trust, be waiting for this very opportunity? The power disparity between them was indeed vast; Qin Sang could easily capture Young Master Xin and interrogate her. However, if it were truly as Young Master Xin claimed, and she personally had to open the door, then even if Qin Sang placed restrictions on her and controlled her actions, absolute safety couldn't be guaranteed. Such a scenario was not impossible.

Learning from Attendant Pei's mistake, he knew that when facing an unknown Witch Tribe ruin, he couldn't afford to give Young Master Xin any opportunity. Qin Sang would rather not open the stone temple at all than allow Young Master Xin to push its door. Thinking of the Thousand-Jun Ring, Qin Sang scanned the locations of its fragments. Since the ring had intricate connections with this place, perhaps recovering all its fragments would reveal a method to open the temple, without necessarily relying on Young Master Xin.

With this thought, Qin Sang glanced at Young Master Xin and calmly asked, "Are you finished?"

"Elder Qin, you..." Young Master Xin subconsciously took two steps back.

Just then, Qin Sang raised his hand and made a grasping motion towards her.

Just as Qin Sang moved to restrain Young Master Xin, the stone temple suddenly trembled violently.

A creaking sound! The sound of grinding stone was distinctly audible to both of them. Qin Sang abruptly turned, only to discover that the stone door had, surprisingly, opened a crack on its own amidst the vibrations.

The next moment.

"Gao!" An incantation resonated from within the stone temple.

This incantation consisted of only one peculiar syllable, yet it contained immeasurable meaning, like an ancient chant transcending endless ages. In an instant, both Qin Sang and Young Master Xin were stunned.

Distant, vast, ancient, weathered...

Qin Sang felt as if he was witnessing a scene: a boundless wilderness at dusk, where lush vegetation covered rolling mountains, and fierce beasts roamed, emitting primitive roars. He found himself atop a high mountain, with an ancient altar below. Countless torches blazed around it, their light illuminating a dense mass of kneeling figures before the altar. This crowd, led by a strangely dressed individual, knelt devoutly towards the altar, uttering the exact same syllable.

"Gao!"

"Gao!"

The incantation, vast and immensely powerful, reverberated through every mountain. Fierce beasts fell silent, and heaven and earth trembled.

With the Jade Buddha protecting his mind, Qin Sang was neither intimidated nor lost by the incantation. He subconsciously began to retreat but then abruptly stopped, his face revealing a mix of shock and delight. At this moment, he finally understood the meaning of the incantation: Young Master Xin had not lied; it was indeed a Supplication Curse!

Witch Curses must be cast by the Witch Tribe, but the recipient does not necessarily have to be a Witch.

Qin Sang stopped retreating and fully immersed himself in comprehending this Supplication Curse. He even awakened the two great Demon Marquises, the Fire Jade Centipede, and the Vermilion Bird in his spirit altar, as well as the Heavenly Eye Butterfly in his Qi Sea!