Chapter 2110: Illusory Divine Light

Qin Sang left the West Land and found an uninhabited sea area. He set up a formation and sat down cross-legged.

With their minds connected, Qin Sang sensed the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's urgency. He immediately activated a secret technique to help the butterfly break through its current barrier.

Time passed swiftly.

In the serene night, a solitary figure sat. Suddenly, a faint glow appeared, revealing a phoenix butterfly fluttering up and down. The phoenix butterfly stirred the elemental energy of heaven and earth. As its wings flapped, the energy undulated, rising and falling. More and more elemental energy was drawn in, forming a visible spiritual tide that whistled through the air above the sea.

Suddenly, Qin Sang felt a connection. He immediately channeled his secret art with full power, and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly flapped its wings, soaring into the immense spiritual tide. The spiritual tide surged violently, making the Sky-Eyed Butterfly appear tiny and insignificant. Yet, it bravely cut through the wind and waves, plunging deep into the tide. Dazzling spiritual light burst from its wings. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly stretched its form, stunningly beautiful, then created an energy vortex centered on its wings, continuously absorbing the elemental energy of heaven and earth.

Qin Sang maintained his connection with the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, dedicating part of his attention to protect her. At the heart of the spiritual tide, a magnificent display unfolded, with the phoenix butterfly's silhouette appearing and disappearing.

As the celestial phenomena reached their most intense peak, Qin Sang calmly awoke and gazed up at the sky. Simultaneously, the spiritual tide abruptly subsided. Under the tranquil night sky, a beautiful phoenix butterfly soared and circled, radiating feelings of joy and accomplishment.

Breaking through a minor cultivation realm wouldn't typically cause a fundamental transformation. Qin Sang's focus was on the changes to the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's divine abilities.

He raised his hand, and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly landed on his fingertip. Its wings stopped flapping, and its "heavenly eye" glowed with an unusual brilliance. Immediately, Qin Sang felt a gentle ripple of energy emanate from the butterfly. The next moment, both their forms flickered simultaneously, reappearing a hundred *zhang* away.

Qin Sang looked pensive, recalling the sensation. He could confirm it wasn't teleportation; he distinctly felt that a process had occurred in between. The instant the Sky-Eyed Butterfly activated its divine ability, they seemed to enter a peculiar state, existing in a way that ordinary people couldn't comprehend.

This sensation was difficult to describe. It felt as if the Sky-Eyed Butterfly had brought them into a void, or perhaps pulled them into a strange space. Of course, this description was an exaggeration; the Sky-Eyed Butterfly was not yet that powerful. Perhaps as its cultivation continued to advance, it might eventually grasp such an ability, but not yet.

When the Sky-Eyed Butterfly activated its divine ability, Qin Sang vaguely perceived a faint, peculiar radiance, as if they were enveloped by a layer of divine light. Their transformation was clearly related to this.

"This divine ability could be called 'Virtual Profound Divine Light'," Qin Sang mused.

"Virtual Profound" refers to its illusory and mysterious nature.

Qin Sang still couldn't fully grasp the true mystery of the Virtual Profound Divine Light, so the name was quite fitting. Aside from its ability to break through and bypass formation seals, other wondrous applications of the Virtual Profound Divine Light had yet to be discovered.

This was the most profound divine ability the Sky-Eyed Butterfly had manifested since Qin Sang subdued it. He recalled that in the past, each divine ability the butterfly comprehended possessed mysterious powers that, in some ways, transcended its own cultivation realm. Could the Virtual Profound Divine Light be similar, perhaps already touching upon the periphery of the Integration Stage, making it so difficult to comprehend?

If it were an ordinary spirit insect, Qin Sang wouldn't entertain such a notion. But he hadn't forgotten that the Sky-Eyed Butterfly could devour tribulation lightning. To some extent, tribulation lightning represented the will of heaven and earth!

Afterward, Qin Sang had the Sky-Eyed Butterfly use the ability several more times, but he still couldn't make sense of it. He then activated his escape light and flew back to the West Land.

After the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's breakthrough, Qin Sang concurrently oversaw the branch altar and continued his investigation into the Virtual Profound Divine Light.

One day, the restrictions outside the altar were triggered. Qin Sang awoke from his meditation and, with a sweep of his divine sense, saw a communication talisman delivered by Bao Xi. It turned out to be Yuan Miao visiting.

"I wonder if it's good news or bad news..."

Qin Sang pondered, then instantly appeared outside the altar.

Yuan Miao was currently at the Great Compassion Zen Temple. Qin Sang arrived by air, where the temple's esteemed monks were already waiting at the gate to usher him into the Grand Hall.

Upon seeing Qin Sang, Yuan Miao immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, has Clan Leader Minzhuo made any unusual moves recently?"

"This humble Daoist has been in secluded cultivation recently and hasn't received any such intelligence. Fellow Daoist Yuan, your trip must have been quite fruitful, wasn't it?"

Qin Sang observed Yuan Miao, who appeared travel-worn but had a rather relaxed expression.

Yuan Miao grinned. "This old man directly asked Clan Leader Zaizhen. His actions during your last battle, when he provided support for Clan Leader Minzhuo, had a reason. Among the ancestors of the Yonghe and Changyou clans, there was a generation of clan leaders who were very close. The Yonghe clan owed the Changyou clan a favor. So, when Clan Leader Minzhuo came seeking help this time, Clan Leader Zaizhen, pressured by this obligation, agreed."

"So that's how it is," Qin Sang nodded, sighing. "I never imagined that even a minor clan like the Changyou would possess such deep foundations."

Yuan Miao chuckled. "The origins between various tribes are so complex that even they might not fully understand them. Perhaps a seemingly minor clan has a Saint Realm expert backing them, cultivating in seclusion in the Holy Land, unbeknownst to others."

Qin Sang's heart tightened. "Isn't the distinction between Upper Clans and Imperial Clans based on the will of Ancestral Realm and Saint Realm experts?"

Yuan Miao shook his head. "Unless a clan is completely destroyed, those powerful individuals won't intervene. Rise and fall are the laws of the Heavenly Dao; as long as the bloodline endures, there will always be a day for resurgence. The difference between Upper Clans and Imperial Clans is solely determined by their influence *outside* the Holy Land. For instance, if my Zhuyan clan were to be defeated one day, our own powerful experts wouldn't concern themselves. We, too, would have no face to seek their help. Instead, we would intensely train ourselves and eventually reclaim our position!"

"I see..."

Yuan Miao, thinking Qin Sang was still concerned, added, "After speaking with Clan Leader Zaizhen, I also visited another individual. He, too, had to agree to Clan Leader Minzhuo's request for similar reasons. He bears no enmity toward you, Fellow Daoist, and after witnessing your strength, he is unwilling to offend you, which is why he concealed his identity. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Qin, you should have no further worries."

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. "Fellow Daoist Yuan, are you saying..."

In fact, from the moment Yuan Miao, representing the Zhuyan clan, acknowledged the Storm Realm, their situation had changed dramatically for the better. With the Zhuyan clan's recognition, other Imperial Clans could no longer act against them under the pretext of expelling outsiders. How many treasures could the Changyou clan alone offer to entice such powerful individuals to assist them?

Yuan Miao nodded. "They have already repaid their debt of gratitude from last time; they won't intervene again in the future! The Changyou clan's foundations are, after all, somewhat shallow. While Clan Leader Minzhuo might be able to invite experts to protect the Changyou clan, it's unlikely those experts would be willing to fight to the death against you, Fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, Yuan Miao's tone subtly deepened. "This old man is telling you this to put your mind at ease. It's not an invitation for you to discard your caution and launch a major offensive against the Changyou clan!"

Qin Sang understood completely and said earnestly, "We only seek to establish a foothold in the Mist Sea; we have never harbored ambitions of exterminating the Changyou clan."

As long as the Sacred Lake Great Formation remained, the Changyou clan's bloodline would not be severed.

"Good then!"

Yuan Miao's expression relaxed. "I've been away for so long; I can finally return and report back! Fellow Daoist Qin, we shall meet again. I'll trouble you again someday!"

Yuan Miao was decisive and swift, departing as soon as he spoke.

"Safe travels, Fellow Daoist!"

Qin Sang escorted him to the temple gate and watched Yuan Miao depart, then turned back to the branch altar to continue comprehending the divine ability.

For nearly a millennium, the West Land finally experienced a rare period of tranquility.

Seeing Qin Sang's confidence in the altars, Master Huaiyin, after careful consideration, commanded the West Land monks to re-enter the mortal world. Their mission was to guide the common folk back to the desert, establish oases, and restore life to the desolate lands. Altar after altar appeared across the desert, forming a vast network of formations, like a giant woven net. The oases they chose were all situated within this vast network, ensuring their safety as long as the altar formations remained intact.

In the desert, groups of common folk emerged, often migrating with their entire families. Led by one or more monks, they endured the elements and toiled laboriously, seeking the homeland they envisioned.

Endless yellow sand stretched out.

On a sand dune, a clear trail of footprints was visible. The team paused on the shaded side of the dune, seeking refuge from the midday sun. Camels and horses formed a wide circle around them, and a tarp was raised, immediately providing much-needed coolness. This was a migration of several large families together. In the center of the group sat three monks who, despite the scorching desert heat, remained calm while chanting scriptures, not a single drop of sweat on their bodies.

"There's a person over there!"

A sharp-eyed boy suddenly pointed into the distance and shouted. Everyone looked, and after a moment, they confirmed that indeed a person was walking on a distant sand dune. Everyone was greatly surprised. Even with their large group, ample water and food supplies, and a considerable number of camels and horses, they found the journey incredibly difficult. The person seemed to have no baggage. How could someone survive traveling alone in the desert?

Just then, someone gasped softly, wondering if their eyes were playing tricks. They rubbed their eyes vigorously and exclaimed, "That person is moving so fast!" In a blink of an eye, the figure had already crossed a sand dune.

At that moment, the three monks broke from their meditation and looked towards the approaching figure. Their expressions grew solemn, and after exchanging a glance, they were about to activate their magical artifacts when they suddenly felt a daze, and their minds became hazy. A strange scene unfolded among the crowd: everyone wore a blank expression, staring in the direction of the approaching person. The stranger had arrived near the crowd without anyone realizing it.

The newcomer was clad in white, possessing a delicate aura. His limbs and facial features were indistinguishable from a human's, except for his exceedingly handsome appearance. The sole difference was a peculiar round bead embedded in his forehead. He looked at one of the monks, who involuntarily met his gaze. As if charmed, the monk began to reveal everything he knew without being asked. Then the second, and then the third. By the time all three monks had finished confessing, the white-robed man had already passed through the crowd and vanished behind another sand dune.

After the white-robed man left, the crowd returned to normal. The three monks noticed nothing amiss and continued chanting scriptures.

In the desert, countless sand dunes rose and fell like waves. The white-robed man walked across the sand dunes, gazing eastward, muttering to himself, "I've questioned so many people, and their stories are all identical. That Great Realist Qin is remarkably tight-lipped. It seems to truly understand the nature of this altar, I must investigate it myself."

He had never witnessed a Daoist altar before, but he knew such altar formations always had a main and subordinate distinction. Investigating the main altar alone would be too risky. Perhaps it would be better to choose a branch altar first and proceed gradually. Additionally, he suspected that this type of altar contained many deceptive false altars designed to confuse enemies and mislead their judgment.

After pondering for a long time, the white-robed man withdrew his gaze and turned south.

Soon after, he arrived in the southern region, appearing atop a sand dune to gaze down. Below the sand dune lay an oasis, within which stood a Buddhist temple. The temple was heavily fortified with numerous restrictions, indicating strict defenses. This particular Buddhist temple housed an altar, one that was not yet completed.

The white-robed man reasoned that completed altars would surely be integrated with the main altar, making any tampering easily detected by the altar's master. An uncompleted altar, however, would be easier to discreetly investigate.

He strode towards the Buddhist temple. As he approached the gate, it silently opened and then slowly closed behind him, leaving the cultivators inside completely oblivious. The white-robed man entered the Buddhist temple, moving through doorways and alleys without disturbing anyone. The temple's defensive formations seemed to offer no resistance.

Finally, he arrived at the temple's rear courtyard, where a deep well was located. Most of the temple's monks were gathered there, sitting cross-legged around the well and chanting scriptures. Waves of energy emanated from the well, concealed by the temple's protective formations.

The white-robed man stood at the doorway, observing with interest. After a while, the monks ceased their chanting to regulate their breathing, and the well's fluctuations subsided. The white-robed man extended a small, colorful snake from his sleeve, which opened its mouth and exhaled a wisp of vapor into the courtyard. The vapor was colorless and odorless, and soon, loud snoring filled the air.

The white-robed man casually walked in and peered over the edge of the well, where he saw an altar at the bottom. An old monk sat cross-legged upon it, also in a deep slumber. A wisp of clear breeze drifted into the well, gently lifting the old monk out. The white-robed man then appeared on the altar.

His gaze swept across the altar. "Quite interesting..." the white-robed man thought to himself. He had never seen this style of altar before. He wondered if the Great Consecrator back home might know something about it.

"I wonder where that scoundrel found such help?" the white-robed man murmured. His gaze fell on a "gap" in the altar where the restrictions had not yet been fully inscribed. He had already learned the content of these restrictions from the old monk, but to understand their true power, he needed to observe them in conjunction with the altar.

He didn't act rashly. A shadowy mass emerged behind him, resembling a peculiar spirit bird. The shadow clung tightly to him, and his eyes began to transform, becoming like a pair of bird's pupils. His bird-like pupils gleamed with a somber light. As the white-robed man gazed at the altar, an invisible ripple of energy spread outward. Just as he was about to investigate further, he suddenly frowned.

Simultaneously, Qin Sang's main body, overseeing the branch altar, was startled awake. A cold light flickered in his eyes, and his form blurred, vanishing into thin air.

The white-robed man's frown deepened. He had just experienced a sudden, ominous premonition, a flash of insight that must have a cause. It was highly likely he had been exposed! He hadn't even done anything yet. The white-robed man trusted his spiritual perception. The only explanation was that Great Realist Qin's control over the altar far exceeded imagination, and it also indicated that the power of this altar formation was incredibly cohesive. Although he still didn't know the full extent of the altar's power, simply detecting this point was enough to reveal a great deal: this altar formation was far from simple! Fortunately, the formation wasn't complete, otherwise he might have been in serious trouble this time!

With this thought, the white-robed man immediately withdrew from the Buddhist temple. Breaking from his usual calm, he unleashed an escape technique and flew away, tearing through the air. Regardless of whether he had been exposed or not, he could not linger here!