Chapter 2059: Silu

As Qin Sang expected, Haitang Academy did not relentlessly pursue him.

After shaking off his pursuers, Qin Sang first found a place to recuperate before returning to the Turbid Waves Sea. His journey back was smooth.

By then, Su Nu had already brought the Siyou clansman back to their designated location. Before she departed, she had sensed the aura of the late-stage Void Refinement realm expert. Despite knowing Qin Sang was formidable, she couldn't help but worry. If Qin Sang hadn't sounded so confident, she would have considered sending the Siyou clansman away. Seeing Qin Sang return unharmed, she sighed with relief, quickly disengaged the cave mansion's restrictions, and ushered him inside.

They had established this cave mansion on a remote island, casually erecting several halls and pavilions.

"Where is the Siyou clansman?" Qin Sang asked.

Su Nu gestured towards the side hall. "He's injured. I gave him some medicinal pills, and he's currently recuperating."

Qin Sang turned his gaze. Su Nu had personally set up the restrictions here, allowing him to sense the situation within the side hall. He detected a prolonged aura inside, noting that the individual was recuperating without having set up any additional protective formations.

Unless the individual was incredibly naive, this act seemed to convey a specific message or attitude.

"Have you spoken with him?"

They had risked saving this person specifically to have him guide them to the Fog Sea; his refusal was not an option.

If he proved to be sensible, they could avoid a lot of trouble.

"We haven't had a chance for a detailed discussion yet. His injuries are severe, with new wounds on top of unhealed old ones. Furthermore, he only recently broke through to the Void Refinement stage—what the alien races call the early second level of the Empty Realm—so his cultivation isn't stable. Further delay could jeopardize his foundational cultivation and leave lasting issues. Since he will be useful to us in the future, I allowed him to recuperate first," Su Nu paused, "He seems quite pragmatic, though."

Qin Sang nodded, then asked, "Did you ask him what happened to the other Siyou clansman?"

Qin Sang hadn't detected the other person's aura, so it wasn't hard to guess that their fate was sealed.

Su Nu had already inquired. "He's dead! To help this one escape, the other person willingly burned his essence blood and detonated a secret treasure, attempting to perish with the enemy."

"Oh?"

Qin Sang's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "It seems this individual's background is not simple!"

This individual had only recently entered the Void Refinement stage, yet the enemy deployed so many masters to apprehend him, including a late-stage Void Refinement expert. Such significant attention suggested his companion must have been a formidable master, at least in the mid-stage, if not late-stage, of Void Refinement!

For such a powerful expert to willingly sacrifice their life for this individual, it suggested either a close familial connection, like a junior, or that the individual held an extremely high status.

They had previously learned that the Sky Department and Water Department of the alien races functioned merely as alliances. For instance, the Merman tribe would not interfere with the internal affairs of other tribes within the Water Department. Naturally, not everyone within a tribe was equal, leading to distinctions in status.

Su Nu smiled and concurred, "It seems we've caught a big fish. It's a shame we aren't from the alien races, or we might have been able to leverage him for something significant."

"Not necessarily..."

Qin Sang mused for a moment. "Let him focus on healing first. Until he emerges from his seclusion, you and I will take turns guarding him. How are the other arrangements progressing? Assuming all goes well, we should be ready to depart once he awakens."

Su Nu's smile faded. "Cultivators often set out from Lan Sha Prefecture, venturing deep into the ocean to hone their skills and seek opportunities. Some have identified a business opportunity in this, constructing 'treasure ships' to transport these individuals. These ship owners are familiar with the surrounding waters, and the sheer number of passengers provides security against external threats, allowing them to conserve their strength during the initial leg of the journey and face subsequent dangers at full power. Regardless of what information this individual provides when he awakens, taking a treasure ship will be our best option for the initial part of our sea voyage."

Knowing that Su Nu had spent years in Lan Sha Prefecture and was far more familiar with it than he was, Qin Sang deferred to her judgment, allowing her to take charge.

Su Nu nodded. "I've already contacted a few ship owners. While you keep watch here, Brother Qin, I'll go out now and inquire about their sailing schedules."

"Very well. Remember to be cautious, as those alien races might still be searching for us," Qin Sang advised. He watched Su Nu leave, then summoned Sword Slave and the brothers Qing Jia and Qing Yi.

"What are your instructions, Real Person?" Sword Slave asked with a bow.

Qin Sang looked at the two brothers.

They were about to embark on a long sea journey, and their Golden Core stage cultivation was simply too low. Qin Sang had long planned to elevate them to the Nascent Soul stage, preparing numerous elixirs for them. The brothers had been diligent, making significant progress in their cultivation, and had now reached the threshold of the fourth stage of the Yuan Realm, which corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage.

"During this period, I would appreciate it if you could guide them more, so they can achieve their breakthroughs sooner," Qin Sang told Sword Slave, entrusting the two brothers to him. Though not of the same race, their paths in cultivation were interconnected, making Sword Slave more than capable of guiding them.

Sword Slave readily agreed and immediately led the two away.

Qin Sang meditated for a moment, then flipped his palm, producing a jade gourd. This spatial artifact had been acquired from the Quanfeng clansman.

The Quanfeng clansman had dropped it when he was nearly slain by Qin Sang's sword formation.

After successfully breaking its restrictions, Qin Sang's divine sense swept through it. He immediately knew it wasn't the spatial artifact where the clansman would store his most valuable possessions. Qin Sang had anticipated this, as such artifacts, crucial to a cultivator's life and wealth, were typically specially refined and could not be easily seized unless their owner perished.

Although it contained no major treasures, the jade gourd's internal space was packed with neatly arranged rows of unrefined spirit herbs and materials, all of which were rare in the human realm.

Qin Sang instantly deduced the origin of these items. The alien races often visited Lan Sha Prefecture for trade with humans, so these were likely goods they had brought from the Fog Sea, intended for sale. Their unexpected acquisition now represented a significant windfall for him.

He accepted them with satisfaction and settled into a cross-legged meditative posture.

After an unknown period, Su Nu had yet to return. Qin Sang suddenly felt a ripple in the restrictions, rousing him from his meditation. He sensed that the restrictions on the side hall had been opened, indicating the Siyou clansman had awakened.

Qin Sang rose and pushed the door open.

The young Siyou master's face was pale, clearly indicating his injuries had not fully healed, though his internal aura had stabilized.

He was observing his surroundings within the cave mansion when he sensed something and looked towards the main hall. Upon seeing Qin Sang, his expression immediately became solemn.

Knowing that Qin Sang had single-handedly fended off the pursuers and engaged several formidable enemies before returning unharmed, the young master recognized his immense strength. Not daring to be disrespectful, he immediately bowed.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin! My injuries previously prevented me from expressing my gratitude in person; please forgive my delay."

Having already learned each other's names from Su Nu, there was no need for further introductions. Qin Sang observed Silu and said, "It's no trouble at all. Your old injuries haven't fully healed, and the prolonged delay has affected your foundational cultivation, which is somewhat problematic. However, you needn't worry; this place is perfectly safe, and no one will disturb your recuperation."

"My sincerest thanks to both of you, Fellow Daoists, not only for saving my life but also for providing me a safe haven. I am deeply grateful."

Silu spoke with earnest sincerity.

Qin Sang smiled and gestured towards the main hall. "Do you have some time now, Fellow Daoist? Perhaps you'd care to come in and chat?"

Silu agreed and entered the main hall, where host and guest took their seats. Gu Ya, who had already been instructed, served spiritual tea and then stood to the side.

Qin Sang gestured, "Please."

Silu's gaze briefly lingered on Gu Ya before he took a sip of the tea. His mind was heavy, preventing him from truly savoring its flavor, but he still offered a polite compliment on the quality of the tea.

Qin Sang set down his jade cup, getting straight to the point without preamble. "I observe that you possess a noble aura and such high cultivation. You must hold a distinguished status within the Siyou clan. Yet, I wonder why you've ended up stranded here, and why these pursuers are so relentless, even pursuing you all the way to Lan Sha Prefecture?"

Silu composed himself and sighed. "Those Quanfeng clansmen had no prior grievances with us. We merely stumbled upon them recently and were unfortunately identified. They then sought to capture us to claim credit from the Water Department. At the time, we were already injured and, despite our efforts, were no match for them, forcing us to continue fleeing. We hadn't anticipated their significant influence here, as they managed to track us down multiple times."

Qin Sang nodded in understanding. "I see."

"As for what happened earlier..."

Silu hesitated for a moment. "We provoked a powerful adversary within our clan, which led to our exile here."

Qin Sang wouldn't allow him to be vague. "What kind of powerful adversary?" he pressed.

Realizing he couldn't hide it, Silu gave a wry smile. "I don't know how much you two Fellow Daoists know about our alien races. Each tribe within the alien races has its own distinct structure. The Siyou clan, for instance, has a royal family that rules by delegation, appointing kings and marquises to govern the realm. I was originally a County King, cultivating within my own fiefdom. Unexpectedly, a long-standing rival suddenly gained power and launched an invasion. My allies, fearing this individual, dared not come to my aid, and some within my own ranks were bribed and betrayed me. At that time, I had not yet broken through to the second level of the Empty Realm. Isolated, outnumbered, and facing both internal and external pressures, I not only lost my fiefdom but also found myself in this dire situation."

Admitting his predicament, Silu couldn't help but feel a hint of shame.

Qin Sang observed his expression, which seemed genuine, though he suspected it wasn't the entire truth. Curious, he asked, "You were a feudal lord before reaching the second level of the Empty Realm? And how could the royal family tolerate an opponent so openly attacking a fellow clansman, seizing their fiefdom, and relentlessly pursuing you, leaving no quarter?"

He wondered how much emphasis the Siyou clan placed on bloodline. In the top clans, with countless masters, how could even a descendant of royalty command respect without formidable strength?

"My father, the king, left behind several loyal old ministers. It was their oversight that allowed me to secure my position. As for the royal family, they not only refrain from interfering but actively encourage conflicts among the various kings. In truth, they might not even possess the power to intervene; the royal family's strength isn't significantly greater than that of some of the kings and marquises, and their highest cultivation doesn't surpass the second level of the Empty Realm. Clan elders who have reached the Saint Realm have already entered the Sacred Land for cultivation, completely detached from worldly affairs..."

Hearing Silu's words, Qin Sang's eyes flickered. "Sacred Land?"

The Saint Realm in the alien races was equivalent to the Integration stage in humans. The Siyou clan indeed had Saint Realm experts!

"Exactly," Silu confirmed with a nod. "It is said that the Sacred Land contains resources necessary for cultivators even beyond the Saint Realm, allowing one to achieve twice the results with half the effort while cultivating there."

At this, Qin Sang suddenly realized something. He leaned slightly forward and pressed, "What kind of Sacred Land? Is it sacred only to your clan, or to the entire alien race?"

If it contained resources for Integration stage cultivators, any clan controlling such a Sacred Land would undoubtedly keep its existence a strict secret. Yet, Silu revealed it so easily. Was the Siyou clan not afraid of inciting the covetousness of other tribes?

Unless...

"It's the Sacred Land of our entire alien race, of course! It's said that in both the Sky Department and the Water Department, once someone steps into the Saint Realm, they typically enter the Sacred Land for cultivation, much like our own clan elders. Unless a major crisis arises, one that truly threatens the very survival of a clan, these elders rarely make an appearance. I presume it's the same for other tribes."

Silu had initially considered invoking the prestige of the clan elders, but quickly decided against it. At least within the Siyou clan, once elders entered the Sacred Land, they seemed to sever all worldly ties, and there was no precedent of them reappearing even if their bloodline descendants were threatened.

If not for Qin Sang's intervention, he would have already been a prisoner. If there were Saint Realm experts backing him, why had none appeared until now?

Such a claim would be easily debunked and could even backfire.

His immediate priority was to gain the trust of the person before him, ensure his own safety, and accumulate strength.

Qin Sang's eyes deepened as he pondered. He had never imagined such a situation existed among the alien races.

With Saint Realm experts secluded in the Sacred Land, detached from worldly affairs, it implied that the strongest individuals among the alien races in the current world were merely at the late-stage Void Refinement.

From his brief skirmish with Elder Quan, he had a general understanding of a late-stage Void Refinement expert's power. Once he broke through to the mid-stage Void Refinement, with his divine abilities and treasures, he might not need to fear them!

Previously, he had assumed the alien races possessed countless masters and had moved cautiously, like walking on thin ice, for fear of inadvertently drawing the attention of Integration stage experts. Now, knowing he wouldn't have to face such formidable opponents, he felt a significant reduction in pressure.

However, Silu hadn't entirely ruled out the possibility of Integration stage experts existing in the current world. The alien races were vast, with numerous internal tribes and external threats, so someone would inevitably be needed to oversee major affairs.

Furthermore, even if he attracted several late-stage Void Refinement experts, he would still have to flee in disarray. Thus, he still needed to proceed with caution in the future.

Seeing Qin Sang lost in thought, Silu could no longer contain himself. "Both of you Fellow Daoists saved me," he began, "and I'm unsure what instructions you might have for me. Please speak plainly, so I can understand what's expected and put my mind at ease."

He was prepared to be ordered to perform tasks.

Grand Steward Xia's dying words still echoed in his ears: *Preserve yourself at all costs; as long as the green hills remain, there will be a chance to rise again!*

Qin Sang looked at Silu, then channeled a wisp of spiritual energy, materializing an image in the air. It was a depiction of a Changyou clansman, precisely as remembered by Gu Ya.

"This clan is called Changyou, another alien tribe from the Fog Sea. Do you recognize them, Fellow Daoist?"

Silu gazed at the image, pondering for a long while before shaking his head slightly. "I apologize," he said, somewhat ashamed. "Before, I was preoccupied with breaking through to the second level of the Empty Realm, dedicating myself entirely to cultivation. All my necessary resources were provided by the clan, so I paid little attention to external matters. Within the Sky Department, I am only familiar with a few prominent major clans and genuinely do not recognize this one. However..."

Qin Sang frowned, seeing he seemed to have more to say, and didn't interrupt.

Silu pondered. "Observing their appearance and the divine abilities you described, I'm reminded of the Zhuyan clan. It's rumored that they and some of their vassal clans closely resemble apes or monkeys. The Changyou clan might be a vassal clan affiliated with the Zhuyan tribe."

Silu's explanation clarified that while the Sky Department revered the Feathered Race as their monarchs, there were also numerous powerful major clans whose strength was formidable. For significant matters, the Feathered Race was obliged to consult with these clans.

These major clans, in turn, attracted smaller tribes to attach themselves, becoming 'upper clans,' while the smaller, dependent tribes were referred to as 'vassal clans.'

The terms 'upper clan' and 'vassal clan' were relative, and attachment didn't necessarily imply complete subordination.