Chapter 2107: Seeing is Believing

Qin Sang understood Si Lu's intentions perfectly well, but he wouldn't specifically help Si Lu seek revenge and reclaim his throne. Ultimately, what he was doing now was merely preparing for a rainy day.

If Si Lu's identity were exposed, and the Lu family of Hanjiang came to kill them, and the Thunder Altar was already complete, Qin Sang would naturally show no mercy. However, if Si Lu's identity remained hidden, or if the Lu family deemed the cost too high and were unwilling to attack them, Qin Sang couldn't possibly take the initiative to attack them, nor did he possess the strength to do so. Ultimately, it still depended on how events unfolded.

Moreover, in Qin Sang's view, the Mirage Jade was nothing more than a vague, elusive hope. The chance for outsiders to enter the holy land of the Yi Ren tribe was too remote; Qin Sang merely chuckled and didn't hold out much hope. If Si Lu genuinely managed it, Qin Sang wouldn't mind making a trip to the holy land, even if most of the fortuitous encounters there might not be suitable for him. Nevertheless, it was the cultivation ground of Saint Realm and Ancestor Realm powerhouses of the Yi Ren tribe, offering opportunities at least at the Void Refining level. If he were fortunate enough to acquire one, he would benefit immensely. Of course, he maintained a good mindset, viewing it as an opportunity to broaden his horizons: "What I gain is my fortune; what I lose is my destiny."

Si Lu had been closely observing Qin Sang's expression. Seeing this, he felt a pang of disappointment but also understood the principle that haste makes waste. He said no more, quietly putting away the Mirage Jade.

"So, it means we'll have at least one enemy at the Late Void Refining stage," Qin Sang mused.

Si Lu nodded. "They don't yet know that Attendant Xia has fallen. Once they get the news, the Lu family's Grand Enshrined Elder will undoubtedly mobilize personally, and there will definitely be other helpers." The Lu family's Grand Enshrined Elder was at a similar cultivation level to Attendant Xia. To eradicate them completely, he alone wouldn't be enough. It was still unclear whether the Lu family had allies. If they had already allied with the Si You Imperial Family, they needed to be prepared to face two, or even three, top-tier powerhouses.

Qin Sang remained calm. He stated lightly, "Once the Thunder Altar is complete, it won't matter how many enemies there are."

Si Lu sensed a strong confidence in his tone, and the unease in his heart mysteriously subsided significantly.

The Western Lands.

A Dharma Vessel hovered in mid-air, and streaks of light continually flew from a distance, landing beneath it. Most of the arrivals were young boys and girls, all brimming with spiritual energy and possessing excellent talent, representing the future of their respective clans and sects. It was their first time seeing such an imposing Dharma Vessel, and their youthful curiosity made them unable to suppress their excitement. However, when they thought of the high hopes their masters placed on them, their mood immediately grew heavy, their expressions somber and worried.

*Swish!*

The Dharma Vessel suddenly projected several beams of spiritual light, forming a staircase in the void, and its cabin doors promptly opened. Everyone boarded the Dharma Vessel in an orderly fashion.

Above the Dharma Vessel, Qin Sang and Si Lu stood side by side, with Ji Hong perched on Si Lu's shoulder.

Qin Sang cupped his hands to Su Nü and said, "We'll be back shortly. If the Chang You tribe attacks, please contend with them first."

"Brother Qin, go without worry. I understand," Su Nü replied.

Su Nü watched as Qin Sang and the others boarded the Dharma Vessel. The vessel vibrated, then shot through the air. She returned the way she came and began patrolling the major regions. Currently, the various clans and sects in the Storm Realm were constructing altars with full effort, a furious undertaking, and were constantly encountering all sorts of problems.

Meanwhile, the Dharma Vessel, cloaked in invisibility, sailed steadily at high altitude, with Qin Sang and Si Lu working together to conceal its fluctuations. Reaching the edge of this sea area, the Dharma Vessel plunged into the mist surge, riding the wind and breaking through the fog, and quickly emerged from the other side of the mist. Ji Hong identified the direction and instructed Qin Sang to head due north. The sanctuary chosen by Su Nü was located northeast of the Zhu Yan tribe's territory, not too far from the Storm Realm.

On their return journey, they had already discovered a safe path. Therefore, Qin Sang and Si Lu only needed to be vigilant about the spiritual fluctuations around them, to avoid encountering powerful Yi Ren tribe members. The Dharma Vessel gradually increased its speed, traveling safely all the way until it reached the edge of the mist surge. Ji Hong found the mark they had left, and the Dharma Vessel plunged into the mist. After a rapid dash, Qin Sang felt a sensation and cast a spell.

The next moment, a glow appeared ahead. The mist was hazy, and lights flickered. Below them was not the ocean, but a vast, desolate land, covered in exposed rock and yellow earth. Only occasionally could a few plants that could survive in the mist surge be seen, but their proliferation was extremely difficult. Faintly visible ahead was a raised mountain range, with the light shining from the other side, like a gigantic lantern.

As they drew closer, the people on the Dharma Vessel were surprised to find the other side of the mountain range lush and green. These trees were unlike any they had ever seen, with straight trunks and crowns resembling gigantic open umbrellas. The source of the light came from the veins of their leaves, which intertwined into a luminous network, with the intersections being the most striking, resembling a bright starry sky. These were clearly not ordinary trees, but a type of spirit wood. Under the illumination of the spirit wood, the area beneath the trees was as bright as day. Even more remarkably, the halo of light seemed capable of repelling the mist surge; while the surroundings and sky were enveloped in mist, the area under the trees remained clear. Because the tree trunks were slender and their crowns remarkably large, the space below was very wide. At its center was a lake, truly an oasis in a desert. This place had been carefully selected by Su Nü and was abundant in spiritual energy.

The oasis was protected by a grand formation, the artifacts for which were made by Qin Sang, so he immediately sensed its presence upon arriving. The changes in the grand formation alerted Qing Jia and Qing Yi. They flew to the tree canopy, their faces filled with vigilance, but seeing the Dharma Vessel and Qin Sang at its prow, they were instantly overjoyed.

"Qing Jia, Qing Yi, greetings, Great Master." After Su Nü and the others left, they had been entrusted with managing the oasis and constructing dwellings and cave abodes, thus they had contributed significantly here.

"These are the Qiqi Trees, and the vines wrapped around them are called Qiqi Vines. Together, they not only block the mist but also disorient mist beasts. The light from the Qiqi Trees brightens with the sunrise and dims with the sunset, maintaining this rhythm even within the mist surge. This light can also nourish all things, allowing mortals to live with normal routines. This miraculous spirit wood was first discovered by our Jiao Jiao tribe." Ji Hong pointed to the spirit trees, her small face filled with pride.

"Truly remarkable," Qin Sang praised unreservedly, thinking to himself that the Jiao Jiao tribe was indeed a treasure trove.

Ji Hong beamed with delight at the praise, glancing behind her. "Unfortunately, Qiqi Trees have their limits. When they form a cluster, their power is strongest, but as their numbers increase, their power paradoxically weakens. Furthermore, the varieties of Qiqi Trees are rare, and I only have these few. You'd best not proliferate too many descendants here."

Qin Sang surveyed the entire oasis; it was more than spacious enough to accommodate the people from the vessel, but future considerations also needed to be taken into account.

"Are there other spirit trees that could expand the oasis's range?" Qin Sang asked.

Ji Hong nodded. "Yes! Our ancestors were always dedicated to finding ways to resist the mist, in case the mist surge swallowed the entire Mist Sea and never dispersed, so that the Yi Ren tribe would still have a place to live. However, it was later discovered that the power of the mist surge wasn't strengthening; instead, it was gradually waning, and the territories of various tribes were completely sufficient, so the research was put aside. But there are certainly records and spirit seeds preserved."

"The mist surge's power is waning?" Qin Sang inquired.

"Perhaps," Ji Hong shrugged. "Who knows if it's like the land of filth, also subject to tidal changes, and we just happen to be in a low tide period now. Even the lifespan of Saint Realm powerhouses is too brief in the grand scheme of the world."

Qin Sang agreed with Ji Hong's assessment and asked, "Where can I obtain these spirit seeds?"

"It depends on whether you can afford the price. This isn't something a single type of spirit tree can achieve. It might require dozens, even hundreds, of different kinds of plants and trees with various properties to cooperate, which is extremely complex. Each kind is incredibly precious, and I don't have any on me..." Ji Hong spread her hands. "I'd have to consult with the elders in the clan, but even if I could find them, they might not be willing to meet me."

Si Lu interjected, "The Jiao Jiao tribe's seniors are elusive; their cultivation grounds could be anywhere, making them difficult to find."

Ji Hong said indignantly, "They're afraid someone will steal their discoveries. Hmph, how petty! I'm more worried they'll be disrespectful in their old age and snatch away the spirit seeds I discovered first!"

"Why do you have to look for people outside? Doesn't your Jiao Jiao tribe have a territory?" Yu Nu couldn't help but ask. This time, it would remain in the oasis to look after the place. Li Yufu and Shen Chen had their duties, and Huan Hen needed experience on the battlefield, so only Yu Nu could come.

"Yes, but not the kind you imagine; ordinary people can't find it. And besides..." Ji Hong seemed to recall an unpleasant memory, pouting. "Our Jiao Jiao tribe is sparsely populated. I barely managed to get away; if I go back, I'll definitely be forced to breed. I'm not going back!"

Qin Sang and the others couldn't help but laugh.

As they spoke, the Dharma Vessel sailed into the oasis, letting off the juniors. Yu Nu bowed, disembarked, and gathered everyone, giving them instructions and making arrangements. After watching for a while, Qin Sang said to Si Lu, "Let's go."

The return journey had no such encumbrances, so they didn't need to take the Dharma Vessel again. The two performed their flight arts and traveled through the air. Soon after, they arrived near the core territory of the Zhu Yan tribe and landed on a mountaintop.

Ji Hong jumped down from Si Lu's shoulder, warning with concern, "Please be extremely careful."

Si Lu nodded. "You two wait here for a moment; I'll go!"

With that, Si Lu summoned his escape light and flew away through the air. En route, he took out the token Yuan Miao had given him and activated the restrictions on it. Shortly after, a faint fluctuation emanated from the token, indicating a direction. Si Lu's escape light changed course, and before long, he arrived before a mountain.

The mountain was adorned with ancient pines and green cypresses, and winding paths led to secluded spots. Si Lu's figure flickered, landing on a moss-covered bluestone. He saw thick vines, like pythons, hanging from the mountain wall above. Suddenly, a stone cave appeared, its stone door wide open. Moss covered the rocks on either side, and a clear stream meandered past the entrance, its waters murmuring softly.

"What a tranquil cultivation ground!" Si Lu praised.

Hearty laughter emerged from within, and Yuan Miao quickly walked out. Seeing only Si Lu, he said with disappointment, "Did Fellow Daoist Qin not come?"

Si Lu knew the temperament of the Zhu Yan tribe, so he took no offense, smiling, "I have come today to ask for something."

Fortunately, the Zhu Yan tribe wasn't entirely ignorant of social graces. Yuan Miao gestured, invitingly, "Fellow Daoist Qu, please come inside to speak."

Entering the cave, host and guest took their seats. Si Lu got straight to the point, directly stating his purpose: "My clan and I are at odds. I seek a place to settle, and it happens that the Storm Continent has no High Clans and is willing to pledge allegiance to me. I wonder if your noble tribe would agree? I am well aware of the rules of the Ancient Covenant and can swear an oath that my actions will never overstep boundaries. No matter what trouble arises, it will not involve the Zhu Yan tribe or other Vassal Tribes."

Yuan Miao listened, stunned. "Fellow Daoist Qu, are you saying there's a continent next to the Chang You tribe's territory, which is inhabited by outsiders and has pledged allegiance to you?"

Noticing Yuan Miao's expression, Si Lu's heart stirred. Could it be that the Zhu Yan tribe truly didn't know about the Storm Realm? He and Qin Sang had analyzed that, logically, it would be difficult to hide the sudden appearance of so many outsiders in their territory from the Zhu Yan tribe's senses. If they truly were unaware, it could only mean that the Chang You tribe had maintained excellent secrecy, and that the Zhu Yan tribe strictly adhered to the Ancient Covenant, never interfering in the internal affairs of Vassal Tribes. The Ancient Covenant was rigid in principle but allowed much leeway in practice. Some High Clans sought absolute control over their Vassal Tribes, while others, like the Jiao Jiao tribe, remained detached from worldly affairs. For the Vassal Tribes, both situations had their pros and cons. Given the temperament of the Zhu Yan tribe, this was indeed plausible. For them, this was undoubtedly good news. Since the Zhu Yan tribe was too lazy to even control their Vassal Tribes, there was a high probability they wouldn't reject the Storm Realm.

"That's right, Brother Qin hails from the Storm Continent and is their leader," Si Lu replied, his expression unchanged.

"Fellow Daoist Qin? Wasn't he Fellow Daoist Qu's escort, who came with you from outside?" Yuan Miao asked, puzzled.

Si Lu and Qin Sang had long prepared their explanation: "This place was originally Brother Qin's homeland. A long time ago, he left due to an accident and only found his way back after achieving considerable cultivation. His willingness to become my escort was also for convenience when operating in the Mist Sea. Fellow Daoist Yuan also knows that the Mist Sea belongs to our Yi Ren tribe, so Brother Qin decided to align himself with me, willingly becoming my Vassal Tribe."

"They've fought with the Chang You tribe?" Yuan Miao asked.

"They've been at war for many years, forming a generational blood feud!" Si Lu nodded. "Initially, neither side had a second-tier Void Realm powerhouse. When Brother Qin returned, he didn't immediately move against the Chang You tribe, intending to resolve the animosity between them. Unexpectedly, the Chang You tribe's leader unexpectedly broke through and somehow discerned Brother Qin's identity, gathering several helpers to attack. Fortunately, Brother Qin's strength is formidable, and both sides are wary of each other, so a full-scale war hasn't truly erupted. However, the situation already shows signs of spiraling out of control. Brother Qin cannot stand alone and feared you might favor the Chang You tribe, so aligning with me was a last resort, merely to seek self-preservation."

Pausing, Si Lu continued, "Of course, if Fellow Daoist can persuade the Chang You tribe to cease hostilities and acknowledge the Storm Continent as the ancestral land of outsiders, Brother Qin would also be willing to resolve the grievances between the two tribes." He didn't want to see the Storm Realm and the Chang You tribe reconcile, as he would then lose his value. However, he also clearly understood that trust between them was hard-won, and it was best not to make subtle moves behind Qin Sang's back. Moreover, a thousand-year-old blood feud was not easily resolved.

"This..." Yuan Miao stood up and paced a few steps. "This old man rarely concerns himself with the affairs of Vassal Tribes and cannot make a decision. I must seek instruction from above. Please wait a moment in my residence, Fellow Daoist Qu."

Si Lu had no objection and rose to see him off. Yuan Miao exited the cave, clouds forming beneath his feet, and vanished into the horizon a moment later. Si Lu stood by the clear stream, waiting only for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, when Yuan Miao returned, faster than anticipated.

"I need to go to the Storm Continent myself. Seeing is believing," Yuan Miao said gravely upon landing.