Chapter 2048: Mountain Wilderness

"Luo Hua Dream Interpretation" is the crystallization of everyone's wisdom, and also a catalyst. The process of discussion allowed everyone to reflect on and summarize their own understanding. Debates were inevitable, but truth becomes clearer through argumentation. When this secret technique was completed, everyone felt that their artifact refining skills had subtly advanced to a new level.

"Luo Hua Dream Interpretation" resembled a foundational guideline. As everyone continued to comprehend it, there would be further extensions and different developments due to their distinct cultivation methods. Even if it doesn't surpass the original, it could still be considered a superior secret technique in the path of artifact refining, worthy of being passed down as a true lineage.

Qin Sang held the jade slip, his mind not yet fully detached from "Luo Hua Dream Interpretation." At the same time, he thought of the Cloud-Roaming Sword. Whether this technique could help the Cloud-Roaming Sword become a Post-natal Spiritual Treasure still needed verification. However, he was certain that after comprehending this secret art, he would be much more at ease than before.

"Although I have questioned Elder Qin multiple times before, I am truly impressed by his ingenious ideas."

Perhaps due to their growing familiarity, the cultivator surnamed Yu spoke more, no longer as arrogant as when they first met.

"Fellow Daoist Yu is right; my siblings and I also gained much inspiration from Elder Qin," the male head of the strange duo said, respectfully nodding towards Qin Sang with great enthusiasm. The female head's gaze towards Qin Sang also held a touch more closeness.

The others also wore expressions of profound agreement. When it came to artifact refining, Madam Shuanghua was undoubtedly the strongest. It was rumored that her husband was a successor of a major artifact refining sect in Xunzhou, but later, for unknown reasons, they fell out, and she came to Kanzhou alone with her daughter. However, everyone's thinking had limitations, whereas Qin Sang consistently introduced fresh ideas.

"Elder Qin, may I ask which sect you inherited your techniques from?" Madam Shuanghua inquired curiously.

"My sect suffered a calamity, and its gates were destroyed many years ago. I was fortunate enough to obtain a partial inheritance and have been exploring the path of artifact refining on my own, taking many detours along the way."

Qin Sang was speaking the truth. His journey in learning artifact refining could be divided into two parts: first, in the Storm Realm, where he absorbed from various sources, and later, when he received the inheritance of the Daoist Chongxuan Temple, finally gaining a clear lineage. The origins of Chongxuan Temple involved the Dao Court, a matter not to be revealed to outsiders. Seeing Qin Sang's reluctance to reveal his lineage, everyone assumed he had an unspoken difficulty and discreetly refrained from asking further.

True Man Tonghu reclined against a rock, his chest bare, savoring fine wine with a leisurely expression. "If there's an opportunity in the future, we should hold more of these Dao discussion gatherings. What do you all think?"

Madam Shuanghua gazed at the verdant waves beyond the mountains, her look profound, but she made no statement. The two heads of the strange duo exchanged glances, their lips moving slightly as if communicating with each other before falling silent. Qin Sang was about to plan his journey to the Misty Sea and was unsure when he would have the chance to return to Kanzhou. The cultivator surnamed Yu had initially been eager, but seeing the situation, he couldn't help but lose interest, shaking his head without speaking. They were all mere acquaintances brought together by the invitation of Luo Hua Temple; it would likely be difficult to have such an opportunity again in the future.

There was a moment of awkward silence, and as everyone lost interest, they chatted for a few more sentences before some began to take their leave.

"There's still some distance to Yanling City, so there's no need to rush our parting. This humble Daoist happens to have a few more questions I'd like to ask you all," True Man Tonghu said, sitting upright and summoning his massive dragon-headed staff with a raised hand.

The others also began to prepare for departure. Only Qin Sang, after standing up, bowed in a full circle and said, "Fellow Daoists, I have an urgent matter that requires immediate attention. I cannot travel with you all and must bid you farewell here."

Seeing that his expression was not feigned, the others found it difficult to insist he stay. The cultivator surnamed Yu presented Qin Sang with a jade pendant and said, "Elder Qin, if you ever have leisure, take this token to Yu Island near Qiyuan City. I will surely sweep my humble abode to welcome you."

Everyone exchanged tokens of acquaintance. Qin Sang could only say that he currently had no fixed residence but would establish a base in Sleepless City in the future.

Watching everyone fly away on their clouds, Qin Sang took his two brothers, circled the nearby sea, selected a relatively secluded island, and landed. He meticulously set up a grand formation and opened a cave dwelling. Mist rose from the sea, sealing off the island. Qin Sang instructed his two brothers to stand guard outside, then entered the cave dwelling and summoned the Fiery Lotus.

This Dao discussion lasted nearly a year. Qin Sang was concerned about the Qilin Source Seed but found it difficult to leave. Fortunately, after all this time, the Qilin Source Seed remained unchanged, with no further anomalies.

Summoning the Fiery Lotus, Qin Sang focused his mind to sense it. The fluctuations of the Qilin Source Seed were still present, prompting him to ponder. Based on his previous conjectures, it was highly likely that he needed to actively cultivate the "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus" technique to trigger the next stage of transformation. According to Vermilion Bird, the person cultivating this technique served as a human field for incubating the Qilin Source Seed. Once the third layer of the secret technique, the Lotus Transformation Lotus Pedestal, was achieved, the Qilin would be reborn from his body. In other words, "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus" was also a crucial part of the Qilin's revival. Qin Sang had thwarted the Qilin's schemes, but this step was likely indispensable.

Since learning the truth and planning against the Qilin, Qin Sang had stopped cultivating "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus." However, this technique didn't rely solely on refining spiritual flames for advancement. Over the years, he had continuously drawn essence from the Qilin Source Seed, finding no power more suitable. Subtly, this secret technique had been progressing. As long as he willed it, he could immediately break through to the third layer, achieving great success in the divine art! However, before proceeding, he needed to consider it thoroughly to avoid any omissions that could lead to endless trouble.

Qin Sang then summoned Vermilion Bird, expressing all his thoughts and concerns, and sought Vermilion Bird's opinion. When facing major matters, Vermilion Bird still understood the gravity of the situation and didn't continue to fool around. After long deliberation, it stared wide-eyed and said, "We've done everything we can. Logically, there shouldn't be any more mistakes or omissions. Whether you stick your head out or pull it back, it's still one cut. Let's do it!"

Qin Sang looked at Vermilion Bird's bright, small eyes, and indeed, it sounded just like something it would say. However, his own thoughts were similar. Regardless, the Qilin had to be hatched eventually, and perhaps doing it sooner would allow for a chance at remedy.

"Guard me!"

With his mind made up, Qin Sang no longer hesitated. He cast aside distracting thoughts, merged his consciousness with the Fiery Lotus, and the contents of "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus" appeared in his mind. Despite not cultivating for a long time, Qin Sang operated the technique without any hindrance. As he activated the secret art, he closely monitored the changes in the Fiery Lotus and the Qilin Source Seed.

As soon as "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus" was activated, a fiery glow shimmered on the surface of the Fiery Lotus, making it slightly brighter. The overlapping lotus petals exhibited subtle trembling. The firelight reflected on Qin Sang's face rippled. The already fully bloomed lotus seemed poised to expand further, pushing its petals wide open. Qin Sang immediately grasped the source of the change, which was the core of the Fiery Lotus. He also discovered that the Qilin Source Seed had undergone an unknown transformation. His spiritual sense had almost replaced the Qilin Source Seed's outer shell, yet he still couldn't determine whether this change was good or bad for him.

Out of caution, Qin Sang paused, while Vermilion Bird stared intently at the lotus core. After patiently sensing for a long time, Qin Sang discussed with Vermilion Bird again before continuing to activate the secret technique.

A strange scene unfolded within the cave dwelling. Between Qin Sang and Vermilion Bird, a fiery lotus floated in mid-air. Its petals quivered slightly, and faint ethereal flames flickered on its surface. As time passed, the trembling of the lotus petals became more pronounced, and the ethereal flames fluctuated, appearing as if a stream of fire could erupt at any moment. Something was brewing within the lotus core, ready to emerge and push the petals open. Gradually, the outermost layer of petals fully unfurled, and then the second layer continued to expand outwards. During this process, the Fiery Lotus also grew. The firelight at its core intensified, and the Qilin Source Seed emitted fluctuations, though it remained unseen.

Before long, what the Fiery Lotus was nurturing finally matured. A vague outline could be seen, resembling a lotus pod forming within the flower's heart, or perhaps a circular platform. Eventually, as the petals unfurled, the Fiery Lotus transformed into a lotus pedestal. The Qilin Source Seed lay quietly on the lotus pedestal. Its aura had subtly changed from before, establishing a new connection with the pedestal and transforming along with its birth.

So far, everything remained under Qin Sang's control.

"Be careful!"

Vermilion Bird looked tense and couldn't help but offer a warning.

Qin Sang seemed not to hear. His mind was solely focused on the secret technique, oblivious to external matters. Sensing an imminent breakthrough, he did not hesitate and charged the critical juncture! With a single surge of effort, he finally entered the third layer, achieving great success in "Fiery Seed Golden Lotus"!

*Swish!*

A brilliant fiery glow swept across the lotus pedestal, illuminating the cave dwelling with dazzling radiance. The lotus pedestal slowly rotated, its beauty indescribable, as if a natural treasure from the heavens.

At this moment, Qin Sang had no time to admire it. As the secret technique broke through, he felt that his spiritual sense had also undergone some transformation. However, he had no time to fully grasp the extent of his gains, pouring all his concentration into the Qilin Source Seed. Without a doubt, the Qilin Source Seed had mutated. An consciousness within that chaotic spirituality was gradually growing stronger; the Qilin's true spirit was reviving, and very rapidly.

Qin Sang's heart tightened. Not only could he not withdraw the spiritual sense that formed the Qilin Source Seed, but he had to pour more spiritual sense into it, reinforcing it and adding another layer of shackles to the Qilin's true spirit. At the same time, he did not forget Vermilion Bird's earlier instructions: to leave his own mark at its foundation while the Qilin's true spirit was stirring but not yet fully awakened, and before its intelligence was born, thus becoming its master.

Although it was an opportunistic move, the process was much more arduous than Qin Sang had imagined. He had to constantly monitor every subtle change and be extremely careful while imprinting the mark to avoid triggering the Qilin's true spirit's instinctive resistance. Fortunately, having just broken through, his spiritual sense seemed inexhaustible. Just as Qin Sang was exerting his full effort, an unusual sensation suddenly arose in his heart. In the depths, something seemed to exist within the Qilin Source Seed, revealing a tip of the iceberg as the Qilin's true spirit revived, stirring Qin Sang's emotions. This presence was not a tangible object but an elusive and faint wisp of aura.

Qin Sang did indeed sense it, but now was the critical moment for imprinting the mark, and he was temporarily unable to investigate what it was. As the Qilin's true spirit revived, that consciousness rapidly grew, very quickly approaching that of a true living being. However, this being's vitality appeared somewhat weak, as if it suffered from a congenital deficiency. In fact, almost all the essence of the Qilin Source Seed had been drawn out by Qin Sang and Vermilion Bird, leaving only a small portion to barely sustain the Qilin's true spirit. Thus, a congenital deficiency was normal.

*Whew!*

Qin Sang exhaled a breath of stale air. Working intensely and exerting his utmost effort, he finally imprinted the mark before that consciousness was fully born, and there was no resistance from that consciousness! Successfully completing this step alleviated most of his worries. Even if any problems arose later, he could activate the mark to suppress them.

By the time Qin Sang regained his senses, the consciousness within the Qilin's true spirit had also developed to a certain extent, showing subtle signs of stagnation. Seeing the sight before him, Qin Sang showed a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected Vermilion Bird to be right. What lay on the lotus pedestal now could no longer be called a source seed; it was clearly an egg.

He had truly hatched a Qilin egg! A strong aura of life emanated from the Qilin egg. Perhaps due to its congenital deficiency, or perhaps it was meant to be this way, the Qilin's true spirit did not immediately manifest after its revival. That consciousness was slumbering within the egg and required further incubation before it could break free and be born. Because of Qin Sang's intervention, the vast majority of this egg was composed of his spiritual sense, meaning his spiritual sense would remain tied here until the Qilin hatched.

"When these return, to what extent will my spiritual sense grow? Of the essence within the Qilin Source Seed, apart from what was left for the Qilin's true spirit, only a small portion was given to Vermilion Bird; the vast majority was obtained by me..."

Qin Sang held expectations but also understood priorities and would not drain the pond to catch all the fish.

"Is that it?"

Vermilion Bird stared intently at the lotus pedestal. It was frustrated not to see a Qilin but an egg.

"No hurry."

Qin Sang smiled. With a slight shift of his thoughts, his consciousness once again sank into the Qilin egg, capturing the wisp of aura he had previously located. Soon, Qin Sang found his target. Upon contact, his mind was violently shaken.

Like drums beating against a zither, there was a hollow sound, and a grand resonance came from beyond the heavens. In an instant, Qin Sang was pulled into an unfamiliar world. He saw a vast wilderness. Lush vegetation and towering mountains made it feel as if he had been cast into a primeval wilderness; a desolate aura washed over him.

The next moment, an unusual phenomenon occurred in the sky: the void turned crimson, with boundless rays of light and red clouds filling the heavens. Suddenly, a streak of flowing fire descended from the firmament. The flowing fire struck a verdant mountain but did not cause the earth to collapse. However, the ensuing fierce flames brought a cataclysmic disaster to the wilderness. In an instant, the land turned to scorched earth, a thousand miles barren, and all life was extinguished.

Qin Sang desperately tried to discern what was within the flowing fire, but it was futile. After the flowing fire descended, it vanished without a trace. The vision ended there, and Qin Sang was pushed out of the illusion.

"What did you see?" Vermilion Bird asked repeatedly, noticing Qin Sang's expression.

Qin Sang pondered for a moment, then recounted everything he had seen in detail. Upon hearing this, Vermilion Bird immediately became extremely excited. "This is very likely where the Qilin's origin finally fell. This Qilin might have encountered some danger, forced to separate its origin and hide it here, sending this scene into the source seed at the last moment, awaiting its true spirit's revival before retrieving it. Did you get any more information? Can you tell where that place is?"

Qin Sang shook his head. "There was only this one scene within that wisp of aura."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Vermilion Bird shook its head like a rattle drum. Qin Sang also felt it shouldn't be so. He couldn't find any specific landmarks within that scene. The demon race resided in the boundless primeval wilderness, where such plains were commonplace. Even if that Qilin was active before the rise of humanity, there was no shortage of such places in the Eight Great Heavenly States. Moreover, there were endless primeval wildernesses between the Eight Great Heavenly States. Relying on just one scene was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

His heart stirred. He and Vermilion Bird exchanged glances, both looking at the Qilin egg.