Chapter 2138: Ning Zhenren

"Senior, if you fly south from here for over ten thousand miles, you will exit the Misty Tide Zone..."

Qin Sang stepped out of the teleportation hall and found himself on an island. The island was lush and green, while outside lay a dense white mist.

Eight stone pillars stood around the spiritual island, taller than the highest peak. At the top of each pillar, a head-sized crystal floated, emitting a fluorescent glow that illuminated the island and kept the mist at bay.

A guard followed Qin Sang, pointing south and respectfully introducing the surroundings.

This teleportation array was little known, and those who came here were usually masters from various tribes.

"Thank you for the information!" Qin Sang nodded, not rushing to take out his jade token. Just as he was about to transform into a streak of light and depart, he suddenly felt something and turned his head to look to his right.

A young man emerged from the mountain forest. He wore a green robe, held a feather fan, and had an extraordinary demeanor. His appearance was not much different from a human's, but his hair was purplish-red and exceptionally coarse, like thin vines.

"Fellow Daoist, wait!" The young man waved from a distance, calling out to Qin Sang. With a single step, as if shrinking the ground, he appeared right before Qin Sang.

Waving the guard away, the young man cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "My name is Zhao Hao. May I know your esteemed name, fellow Daoist?"

"What do you want?" Qin Sang's tone was icy, a clear sign of wanting to keep others at arm's length.

Other races could usually be identified by their appearance, but Qin Sang couldn't discern Zhao Hao's tribe. He was most familiar with the High Races, so if this person wasn't deliberately concealing his identity, he should belong to a lesser-known Imperial Clan.

The young man took no offense, continuing with a smile, "I've been in this region for many years and consider myself well-connected, yet I've never seen you, fellow Daoist. You must be new here. If you're unsure why you've arrived, I might be able to assist. This area borders the East Sea Aquatic Race, and the situation is complex. Those uncivilized demons are unreasonable, so making more acquaintances can help avoid being bullied."

"Thank you for your kind offer, fellow Daoist, but I prefer to travel alone!" With that, Qin Sang didn't wait for the young man's reply. Clouds formed beneath his feet, and he flew away into the sky.

The young man's brow furrowed slightly. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Qin Sang's swaying cloak, which revealed a token at his waist. His expression subtly changed, and he thought to himself, "So it's those troublesome monkeys!" He then shook his head and turned to leave.

Flying out from the spiritual island, Qin Sang traveled south. Suddenly, the view opened up wide; the mist receded, revealing a clear blue sky and azure sea.

Qin Sang paused and looked back. A wall of white mist rose to the heavens, with no end in sight.

This must be the border of the Misty Sea, but he wondered if the mist would spread out when the Misty Year arrived.

Qin Sang noted the location. Seeing no one around, he took out the jade token and channeled his true essence into it.

The jade token glowed faintly, emitting a subtle ripple. Qin Sang sensed it briefly, understood, and then, riding a streak of light, flew swiftly in the direction indicated by the token.

The journey was uneventful. Qin Sang flew for half a day until he reached an uninhabited sea area. The glow on the jade token dissipated, its guidance vanished completely, and the token lost all its power, becoming an ordinary object.

Qin Sang circled the area but found nothing unusual except for a deserted island. As he examined the jade token, feeling puzzled, a golden light suddenly streaked through the sky from a distance.

The golden light flew directly towards the deserted island, descending from the sky to reveal a monk. The monk, with ordination scars on his head and wearing a golden kasaya, landed on the ground, glanced at Qin Sang, and pressed his palms together. "This humble monk is Liao Chen, from Ziyun Mountain Monastery. Are you True Man Qin?"

"Indeed, this humble Daoist is he." Qin Sang bowed in return, secretly surprised.

Ziyun Mountain was actually a Buddhist sect. Could Liu Li's new master be a high-ranking Buddhist monk? Qin Sang had always suspected Liu Li's master was a high-level figure from the Pill Cauldron Sect, based on what Patriarch Yuan Xiang had said earlier.

It was said that Buddhist forces were mostly in the western part of Great Zhou, yet unexpectedly, one could encounter them in the East Sea, and even connected to Liu Li.

Liao Chen said, "This humble monk was ordered to await True Man. If True Man has no urgent matters, shall we depart immediately and return to the monastery?"

"Thank you, Saint Monk, for leading the way," Qin Sang replied.

"By no means. True Man may simply call me Liao Chen," Liao Chen turned around, transformed into a golden light, and ascended into the sky.

Qin Sang also summoned his escape light and followed Liao Chen, secretly frowning. For some reason, he felt Liao Chen's attitude towards him was somewhat cold, perhaps due to his personality.

Liao Chen's cultivation was comparable to Qin Sang's, and his golden light was clearly a superior escape technique. Other cultivators might have to exert their full strength just to keep up.

"Is he truly unfeeling, or deliberately testing me?" Qin Sang couldn't fathom Liao Chen's thoughts. However, what he feared least was a competition of escape techniques. Silently, he caught up to Liao Chen, flying alongside him with a relaxed and unhurried demeanor.

A flicker of seriousness crossed Liao Chen's eyes, and his escape speed slowed slightly.

Qin Sang also reduced his speed, feigning ignorance of their subtle competition, and asked the question he most wanted to know: "The jade token was left to invite this humble Daoist here. May I ask which Saint Monk from Ziyun Mountain sent it?"

Liao Chen replied, "This humble monk was ordered by True Man Ning to welcome True Man."

Hearing this, Qin Sang became somewhat confused.

Ziyun Mountain was a Buddhist sect, yet the person behind it was a True Man. How were they connected?

This meant Liu Li had indeed entered a Daoist sect.

"True Man Ning?" Qin Sang's tone was questioning.

Liao Chen guessed Qin Sang's confusion and explained, "When this humble monk was young, True Man Ning had already been living in seclusion on Ziyun Mountain for many years. The monastery always referred to True Man Ning as 'True Man.' Many monks in the mountain, including myself, have received guidance from True Man Ning and consider her a teacher in their hearts."

Within Daoism, mighty figures at the Integration Stage and Mahayana Stage were respectfully called True Monarchs and Heavenly Masters, respectively. It was unclear whether this originated from the Pill Cauldron Sect or the Talisman Sect, but it had become a convention used to this day. However, exceptions could exist, for example, if someone preferred the title 'True Man'.

True Man Ning had been in seclusion on Ziyun Mountain for many years when Liao Chen was young. Liao Chen was now at the Mid-Void Refinement Stage. What cultivation stage was True Man Ning at?

Although Liao Chen didn't explicitly state it, Qin Sang could glean a hint from his words.

Qin Sang was pleased that Liu Li had taken such a master, but he also felt a sense of pressure.

Qin Sang then asked a few more questions, but Liao Chen was clearly unwilling to say much. Qin Sang had no choice but to give up, assuming he would get his answers upon meeting True Man Ning.

The two flew side-by-side, heading southwest. Along the way, they frequently sensed the presence of demonic beings, but the demons couldn't detect them.

They flew until evening, yet still hadn't reached Ziyun Mountain.

It wasn't until the sun was almost sinking below the horizon, casting a sky full of crimson light, that Liao Chen finally lowered his escape light, formed a hand seal, and struck it towards the void.

The sea surface here was open and free of islands or reefs. As a golden handprint appeared, the void suddenly trembled slightly, and faint ripples emerged, though the sea surface remained calm.

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly as he sensed a peculiar fluctuation appearing, though there had been no signs of it before.

The fluctuation quickly spread towards them.

"True Man, do not resist it," Liao Chen reminded him.

Immediately, Qin Sang felt a pulling force, drawing him towards the source of the fluctuation. At the same time, the surrounding scenery underwent astonishing changes: the sky and sea seemed to flip, the firmament hung upside down, brilliant colors surged through the void, and all landmarks were distorted.

Qin Sang felt himself sinking deeper and deeper, as if about to fall into another dimension. However, he had no time to investigate the source of this power then.

He saw a massive mountain, standing solitary in the sea, majestic and steep, shrouded in clouds and mist.

Green pines and verdant cypresses, willows and exotic flowers. Auspicious mists connected to the sky, and propitious clouds reached the boundless void!

This was a true immortal mountain. Compared to it, putting aside its divine aspects, Mount Daiyu could only be considered a barren hill.

At the peak of the immortal mountain, purple clouds drifted, making the mountain appear even more mysterious. Ziyun Mountain truly lived up to its name.

All around was the boundless sea, with only this single immortal mountain. Qin Sang didn't know where he had been taken; it was likely no longer the same sea area as before.

"This mountain is Ziyun Mountain," Liao Chen raised his hand, gesturing. "True Man, please follow me."

With that, Liao Chen led Qin Sang directly towards Ziyun Mountain.

As they approached, Qin Sang saw countless pavilions and towers on the mountain. Near the summit, continuous halls and pavilions nestled among the trees, forming an ancient temple, which was presumably the Ziyun Mountain Monastery that Liao Chen had mentioned.

Most areas were covered by restrictive formations, obscured by mist, making the scenery indistinct. To avoid drawing unnecessary attention, Qin Sang did not let his Sky-Eyed Butterfly use its divine ability to probe.

Liao Chen did not take Qin Sang to the temple but bypassed the front of the mountain, flying towards the rear.

As they flew, Qin Sang sensed several gazes emanating from the mountain, falling upon him with an inquisitive intent, indicating that many people on Ziyun Mountain were observing his arrival.

However, these gazes held no hostility, only undisguised scrutiny and a slight aloofness.

Qin Sang remained composed and followed Liao Chen to the rear mountain.

The terrain of the rear mountain was rugged, shaded by green trees, with gurgling streams. A few scattered pavilions were visible, making it noticeably more secluded than the front mountain.

Hidden within the forest was a tranquil lake. The two landed on a flagstone path beside it. Liao Chen paused slightly, and Qin Sang also heard faint zither music drifting from ahead.

Liao Chen instinctively slowed his steps, crossed a stone bridge, rounded a grove of trees, and a lake pavilion came into their view.

The lake pavilion was exquisitely built with beautiful corners. Inside, a long table held a zither. A slender figure, presumably a woman, sat with her back to them, intently playing the instrument, the music flowing from her fingertips.

Liao Chen stopped, standing quietly outside the pavilion.

Qin Sang also remained silent. This was clearly ordinary zither music, devoid of any traces of true essence or magical power, nor was it a chapter of the Way of Music, yet it was the most beautiful zither music Qin Sang had ever heard in his life.

He couldn't help but close his eyes, listening intently. The zither music seemed to meld with nature, or perhaps nature melded with the zither music.

There were the chirping of insects, the singing of orioles, the sound of flowing water, the rustling of wind, and the rustle of leaves. Everything became harmonious and enchanting within the music, utterly captivating.

Yet, for some unknown reason, Qin Sang gradually detected a hint of sorrow in the music, which puzzled him, as the fish, insects, birds, and beasts harmonizing with the zither were clearly filled with boundless joy.

Had he misheard, or did each listener perceive the zither's melody differently?

After an unknown period, the music abruptly ceased.

Qin Sang opened his eyes, feeling a sense of loss. He was certain he hadn't been enchanted by the music; it wasn't some Daoist art. Yet, at this moment, his mind was exceptionally calm, explainable only by calling it "masterful skill."

As her hands moved away from the strings, Liao Chen softly said, "True Man Ning, True Man Qin has arrived."

With that, Liao Chen stepped aside, gesturing for Qin Sang to approach.

Qin Sang walked to the lakeside pavilion. True Man Ning also stood up and turned to look.

As expected, True Man Ning was a woman, dressed in a green Daoist robe with her hair coiled in a Daoist bun.

In front of True Man Ning, one would unconsciously disregard her appearance, perhaps even forgetting her features moments later, leaving only a vague yet unforgettable impression. At this moment, Qin Sang perceived no sorrow whatsoever from True Man Ning; her presence felt like the tranquil surface of the lake, or perhaps the boundless ocean.

Qin Sang couldn't see through True Man Ning. The only thing he could be certain of was that her cultivation realm was far superior to his, at least that of an Integration Stage mighty figure.

Qin Sang bowed in salute.

However, True Man Ning spoke first, her voice gentle, "May I ask, True Man Qin, what rank do you hold in the Daoist Court, and what is your official position?"

True Man Ning revealing his identity in one sentence was no surprise to Qin Sang. With his thunder altar and various thunder talismans, anyone familiar with Daoism could see his connection to the Talisman Sect.

However, before the Daoist Court emerged, the Great Thousand World only had scattered inheritances, and their inheritors had not yet gained official recognition from the Daoist Court. Yet, True Man Ning seemed to ascertain that he was from the Daoist Court.

Qin Sang's expression became solemn. "A third-rank official, Celestial Immortal of the Nine Heavens Golden Palace, Jade Pivot Envoy of Divine Lightning, Envoy Qin Sang of the Five Thunders Institute, greets True Man Ning!"

Throughout the journey, Liao Chen's attitude had made Qin Sang suspect that this trip might not be straightforward. Just facing True Man Ning, Qin Sang felt invisible pressure. He needed a source of strength to confront her directly, and besides his unrevealable secrets, only his Daoist Court official position could provide that.

As he announced his official title, Qin Sang subtly activated the aura of the Imperial Edict Golden Scroll within his talisman altar.

The Imperial Edict Golden Scroll was a Heavenly Master's decree, issued from the Nine Heavens Golden Palace, bearing the seal of the Daoist Scripture Master's Treasure. It was impossible for outsiders to forge, and True Man Ning would naturally be able to discern its authenticity.

"So it is Envoy Qin from the Jade Mansion of Thunder. This humble Daoist extends her greetings."

A flicker of surprise crossed True Man Ning's eyes, and she respectfully returned a bow.

Qin Sang noticed the change in True Man Ning's demeanor. To be treated so cautiously by a mighty figure simply by stating his title, he truly wondered what the Daoist Court was like in its heyday.

It was also apparent that True Man Ning was not hostile towards the Daoist Court, which allowed Qin Sang to secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

However, official ranks in the Daoist Court had grades. If he were just an ordinary immortal official, True Man Ning would certainly not have reacted this way. This showed that, during the Daoist Court's peak, with his current cultivation, he likely wouldn't have been qualified to preside over the Five Thunders Institute.

"Envoy Qin, please." True Man Ning gestured to the opposite side of the jade table.

A meditation cushion was placed on each side of the jade table. Qin Sang thanked her, entered the pavilion, sat down cross-legged, and looked at the ancient zither on the table.

The ancient zither was dark yellow, its material unknown. Qin Sang didn't sense any spiritual energy from it. It was either an ordinary artifact or a supreme treasure.

True Man Ning sat down again, put away the ancient zither, personally set out a jade pot and teacups, and meticulously brewed spirit tea.

The tea steam wafted gently.

Smelling the tea fragrance and watching True Man Ning brew tea was also a pleasure.

Qin Sang wondered what True Man Ning would say, and if she would first inquire about matters related to the Daoist Court.

What to say, what not to say, how to leverage his position – he had thoroughly considered all these points and had a plan before arriving.

Unexpectedly, True Man Ning's first question was surprising.

True Man Ning pushed a cup of clear tea towards Qin Sang and softly asked, "Has Mount Daiyu Immortal Mountain already been taken by Envoy Qin?"