Chapter 2069: Saint Icon

The Bottomless Demonic Abyss is now encircled by towering mountains, all artificially created by the cultivators of the Storm Realm using grand formations to pile up earth and stones. Nearby spiritual veins were redirected here, creating a place where wind and water gather, abundant in spiritual energy, and completely transformed in scenery.

Currently, this area is arguably the most vital location for Storm Realm cultivators, protected by a vast spiritual defense formation and guarded by countless sentinels.

Its safety, rich spiritual energy, and position as a key thoroughfare for cultivators from two regions led to the spontaneous development of an immortal city. As more cultivators settled there, the city expanded repeatedly, making it one of the most prosperous places in the entire Four Borders of the North Sea.

Shen Chen emerged from the Teleportation Hall, clouds forming under his feet. The guard captain, who recognized him, quickly bowed and said, "Safe travels, Alliance Leader Shen!"

The other guards also showed immense respect.

Shen Chen, with the demeanor of a distinguished master, nodded slightly, then soared into the sky, disappearing into a tiny speck on the horizon in the blink of an eye.

One guard excitedly remarked, "Alliance Leader Shen has arrived in the North Sea. Could he have forged another powerful magic artifact and personally delivered it?"

"It's possible. I hear those monkeys are stirring again, frequently encroaching on our borders," another guard sighed. "I hope there isn't a major conflict this time. It'll be our turn to patrol the sea next month."

The expressions of all the guards grew grim.

Guarding the teleportation array was undoubtedly a desirable assignment, but it also meant countless individuals, including disciples from major sects, vied for the position.

With a formidable external enemy threatening them, no one in the Storm Realm could remain aloof; everyone had to contribute. Disciples from large sects, with their elders' protection, found it easier to secure less dangerous posts.

To ensure fairness, rotating assignments among various departments had become standard practice.

"Why think so much?" exclaimed the guard captain. "If we're really on the battlefield, are we going to be deserters? Killing just two monkeys will make it worthwhile!"

The guard captain's shout silenced all the guards.

Unaware of the guards' conversation behind him, Shen Chen was already planning what spiritual materials he would collect from various sects on this trip.

He didn't need to handle these matters personally, but because this trip involved visiting the Profound Heaven Palace, he came himself.

He moved through the immortal city without hindrance and quickly flew outside, observing cities scattered like stars across the land and flashes of spiritual light, emanating from formation enchantments, flickering through the mountain forests.

After this place flourished, many rogue cultivators and smaller sects relocated their mountain gates here. Some even brought their affiliated cultivation families and mortals, establishing roots in the wilderness, which accounts for the thriving appearance of today.

Shen Chen, hailing from an older era, still remembered what the Storm Realm used to be like. Seeing the current landscape, he couldn't help but lament, "It would be perfect without the Changyou Clan..."

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Shen Chen's vision blurred, and two figures suddenly appeared in the distant space ahead of him.

"Who's there!"

Shen Chen paled in shock; as a Spirit Transformation early-stage cultivator, he had not detected the slightest presence before their appearance.

No, there are three people!

One of them had a small figure perched on their shoulder, tilting its head and looking at him.

In recent years, while battling the Changyou Clan, the Storm Realm had been confined to this region, yet it wasn't entirely unaware of the outside world.

It was rumored that the Yi Ren Clan comprised all sorts of bizarre tribes. Could these be allies invited by the Changyou Clan, specifically to intercept him?

But his trip was a last-minute decision. How could they know he would come at this time? Was there an insider in the Alliance or Luye, and had his movements been leaked?

Shen Chen's imagination was undeniably vivid; countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant. His reaction was equally swift; he immediately activated his spiritual armor and retreated backward.

The next moment, Shen Chen's expression froze as he saw an even more unexpected person.

Staring at that incredibly familiar face, Shen Chen's eyes widened.

"What, only a few hundred years, and you no longer recognize your master?" Qin Sang smiled faintly, hands clasped behind his back, as he looked at his disciple.

"Master!"

Shen Chen trembled all over and blurted out the word.

If he had harbored any suspicion that someone might be in disguise just moments before, he was now utterly convinced: this was his esteemed master!

His master was alive and had returned!

"Master!"

Shen Chen couldn't help but call out again, suppressing his excitement. He flew closer to Qin Sang and bowed deeply on the clouds, saying, "Your disciple greets his esteemed master!"

Seeing his disciple, Qin Sang's heart also stirred.

For him, the Storm Realm felt more like home than his actual birthplace. Returning here, he felt an unprecedented tranquility in his mind.

Ever since ascending to the Talisman Realm, he had felt like a rootless wanderer, perhaps driven by this very feeling, not wishing to establish a dojo haphazardly or to remain in Moonlit Bay.

Returning here, it was as if he had found his roots. In the vast and boundless grand world, he finally had a place of his own. Many old acquaintances might have long passed away, but some would also be reunited with him.

Those increasingly distant memories gained a foothold, no longer vague and elusive. They were suddenly pulled close, and their colors became vibrant.

He still remembered not placing much importance on this disciple when he first took him in, though he later fulfilled his duties as a master.

When he left, Shen Chen had already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage; now, he was at the early stage of Spirit Transformation cultivation.

"Rise."

A faint spiritual light lifted Shen Chen.

Qin Sang looked at his now steady disciple and nodded, saying, "Well done."

Shen Chen was unaware of Qin Sang's cultivation level, but the moment he confirmed his master's return, for some reason, all the pressure and burdens lifted from him, as if he had returned to his carefree days at Luye.

Despite receiving his master's praise, Shen Chen showed no self-satisfaction. "Your disciple was distracted by artifact refining and neglected cultivation. Please punish me, Master."

Qin Sang asked, "Those guards called you Alliance Leader?"

"Yes! Due to the continuous warfare with the Changyou Clan, master artifact refiners from various sects gathered to form an alliance called 'Tiangong' (Heavenly Craftsmanship), working together to forge the magic artifacts and treasures needed for the battlefield."

At this point, Shen Chen said somewhat abashedly, "The position of Alliance Leader should have gone to the Qiongying Sect, but their sect master claimed to be too busy with sectarian affairs and pushed your disciple forward instead."

Seeing his expression, Qin Sang feigned displeasure. "The various sects jointly nominated you as the Alliance Leader of Tiangong, which shows your ability to win them over. As my disciple, you should have the courage to take what is rightfully yours!"

He knew his disciple's talent and had anticipated on his journey that if Shen Chen could cross the Spirit Transformation barrier, he should inherit his legacy in the path of artifact refining.

Shen Chen took a deep breath, all hesitation vanished from his heart. "Your disciple will respectfully follow Master's teachings!"

Next, he asked Shen Chen about his plans. Learning that Shen Chen was going to the Profound Heaven Palace, Qin Sang inquired, "Where is Liu Li now?"

"Reporting to Master, Fairy Liu Li is currently in secluded cultivation at the Profound Heaven Palace."

Shen Chen couldn't help but secretly glance at Qin Sang.

Over the years, rumors about Master and Fairy Liu Li had been widespread. As Qin Sang's disciple, he knew that some were not just rumors and had pieced together the history of their relationship.

He had always regarded Fairy Liu Li as his master's wife.

Shen Chen had personally witnessed Fairy Liu Li's solitary figure standing before his master's sacred statue and couldn't help but feel happy for her. "Knowing Master has returned, how joyful Fairy Liu Li must be!"

Learning that Liu Li was safe, Qin Sang was naturally pleased. "How long has Liu Li been in seclusion?"

Shen Chen thought for a moment, then replied, "It should be several decades. Reportedly, Fairy Liu Li is attempting to break through a certain barrier this time."

Qin Sang nodded. Liu Li was in the midst of breaking through a barrier, likely at a critical juncture, so it was inconvenient to disturb her. Since he had already returned, he could meet Liu Li anytime after she emerged from seclusion; there was no need to rush.

"You just said Yu Fu sent you to the other side?"

Shen Chen nodded. "When your disciple came, he made a detour to the mountain gate. Senior Brother then activated Luye to send your disciple here. He should not have gone too far yet."

After this teleportation array was discovered, Zhongzhou and the North Sea were connected, allowing the Qingyang Temples in both regions to finally establish contact.

Shen Chen remembered Qin Sang's teachings from when he first established the sect. Furthermore, he wasn't keen on power, nor was developing the sect his forte. He willingly integrated the Zhongzhou Qingyang Temple into the North Sea Qingyang Temple, acknowledging Li Yu Fu as its master.

Later, for convenience and at Liu Li's suggestion, it was decided that Luye would serve as the main Qingyang Temple. Valuable items from the sect were moved to Luye, and Li Yu Fu permanently resided there.

Of course, the North Sea Qingyang Temple was not abandoned, and many disciples continued their cultivation there.

"Let's go to Luye first," Qin Sang said.

"Yes!"

Shen Chen accepted the order and stepped forward to lead the way.

"Do not reveal our identities," Qin Sang said, activating his true essence to change his appearance. He then turned to Si Lu and Ji Hong, "I trouble you two fellow daoists to also apply some disguises."

Si Lu nodded, a wisp of grayish-white energy emerged from between his eyebrows, encircled his entire body, and as it dissipated, his appearance transformed drastically.

He transformed into a female human cultivator, while Ji Hong became a small monkey, appearing as Si Lu's spirit beast.

Ji Hong looked at himself, not feeling offended at all, but rather quite intrigued. He pulled out a yellow fruit and squatted on Si Lu's shoulder, enjoying a hearty meal.

Shen Chen's eye twitched. Ever since the animosity with the Changyou Clan, monkey demons in the Storm Realm had also been implicated and were not well-regarded.

"Alliance Leader Shen, you're back?"

Seeing Shen Chen return so quickly, the guard captain was secretly surprised. He glanced behind Shen Chen and saw two unfamiliar cultivators.

However, given Shen Chen's status, there was naturally no need for them to be interrogated.

Shen Chen nodded, took out spirit stones, and said, "Activate the grand teleportation array. We are returning to Zhongzhou now."

"Yes!"

The guard captain did not dare to hesitate and immediately carried out the order.

"Led personally by Alliance Leader Shen, could they be two fellow daoists skilled in artifact refining, intending to join the Tiangong Alliance?"

The guard captain secretly wondered, feeling a pang of envy.

The teleportation array was located at the very bottom of the Demonic Abyss. Now, the abyss no longer held any eerie aura; it had been transformed into a vast, brightly lit space, with luminous pearls embedded in its walls.

As they stepped onto the teleportation array, a flash of spiritual light later, they had already arrived in Zhongzhou.

On the other side was also a bustling immortal city. Qin Sang's mind stirred, sensing a massive entity on the horizon—it was Luye!

"After the storms dissipated, Zhongzhou and the Western Land connected, creating an extremely vast land out of nowhere, now collectively called Zhongzhou. Under the nourishment of spiritual energy, the originally desolate region, once flowing with lava, is now filled with cultivation sanctuaries. Moreover, some fortunate fellow daoists have discovered ancient legacies here, yielding significant gains.

"The Canglang Sea and Demon Sea were breached by the Changyou Clan, forcing those fellow daoists to relocate here, where they were resettled. Of course, many sects and rogue cultivators also found better blessed lands here and established their mountain gates.

"Currently, we only hold the North Sea and this continent. Most clans are gathered in these two locations. However, the land of Zhongzhou is vast enough and rich in vital energy, so it doesn't feel crowded at all."

Shen Chen walked alongside Qin Sang, recounting the changes of these past years.

As they spoke, the group soon approached Luye.

Currently, Luye could drift throughout Zhongzhou; it had previously only been confined by the storms.

Luye no longer remained perpetually hidden; it would appear periodically, visible to the world. This served two purposes: allowing people to gaze upon Qin Sang's sacred statue and boosting morale.

Qin Sang observed that Luye's main body was still as vast, but layers of daoist temples and pavilions had been built outwards along its edges, accommodating more cultivators. The grand formation had also been modified, enhancing its power.

Naturally, the spiritual energy here was also much denser. Significant changes had occurred within Luye, but the area around his cave abode remained untouched, becoming a forbidden zone.

His gaze swept across various spots, finally settling on the entrance.

The canyon there had been widened, the 'Luye' stele moved to one side, and a tall jade statue erected in the plaza.

Shen Chen activated a token, and the group passed through the grand formation, entering Luye.

Qin Sang landed in front of the jade statue, looking up at the sacred image that bore his exact likeness.

The sacred statue, carved from a single piece of spiritual jade, faced outwards, its head slightly bowed. It gazed at the myriad beings on Earth with compassionate eyes, its expression showing a hint of concern but more profoundly, determination, as if it worried for the future of all beings and was resolved to find a way out.

The sacred statue extended its right hand forward, a drop of sweet dew dripping from its fingertip. Beneath it blazed fierce flames, their tongues engulfing its waist, symbolizing its willingness to be utterly destroyed to bring hope to the world.

This jade statue possessed extraordinary spiritual charm and profound meaning.

Qin Sang didn't even know when he had acquired such a compassionate and benevolent appearance. But the moment his eyes met those of the sacred statue, his mind was suddenly shaken.

At that instant, he suddenly had a strange sensation, as if countless scenes flashed before his eyes.

Some devoutly kowtowed before the sacred statue, thanking the sage for protecting all beings.

Others offered tributes, pleading with the sage to grant their wishes.

Some made solemn vows, using the sage to inspire themselves.

Some cursed him vehemently because of the Changyou Clan.

Some were merely sightseers, some dismissed him with disdain, and some enthusiastically discussed his romantic tales...

And one person stood there alone, gazing at the sacred statue for a long time, their figure incomparably lonely.

The figures of these people were very blurry, unrecognizable, and quickly fragmented, as if they were illusions.

Countless indistinct fragments surged together. Qin Sang knew this wasn't an illusion; it was likely something that had truly happened. Those who had paid homage to the sacred statue would leave a wisp of their divine will, which would intertwine with the statue, gradually evolving into this power, previously attached to the statue, but now returning to his true body.

Qin Sang suddenly closed his eyes.

Si Lu and Ji Hong were surprised to find that Qin Sang's aura was changing.

After leaving the Jade Gate of Fengju, Qin Sang had not attempted to break through to the middle stage of Void Refinement, as his cultivation, having been obtained from the Witch Clan's incantations, needed a period of stabilization.

Another important reason was a faint feeling he had: an invisible barrier seemed to exist in his cultivation, which would become the greatest obstacle to his breakthrough.

At this moment, the barrier had inexplicably dissolved!