Chapter 2142: Funeral

Liaochen activated the grand formation, sending Qin Sang out of Purple Cloud Mountain and back to the previously visited sea area.

Qin Sang flew directly into the foggy sea, returning to the Vermilion Ape clan via the teleportation array. The Yuanxiang Clan Elder happened to be in his cave dwelling.

"Has True Human Qin met True Human Ning?" the Yuanxiang Clan Elder asked, no longer concealing his intentions.

Qin Sang nodded. "True Human Ning's guidance has resolved many of my doubts. However, one matter still puzzles me: what is the connection between True Human Ning, Purple Cloud Mountain, and the Vermilion Ape clan that allows the Yuanxiang Clan Elder to willingly offer two sacred land quotas?"

The Yuanxiang Clan Elder let out a soft exclamation of surprise. "True Human Ning told you about this? Is True Human Qin now intended to enter the sacred land?"

"That is the intention, but I am unwilling to owe Purple Cloud Mountain a favor, so I plan to secure a quota from the Siyou clan instead," Qin Sang said.

"I'm not entirely clear on the exact origins, but it has been a long-standing custom. When I was young, one of my closest ancestors, who had been cultivating in the sacred land for many years, still had to address True Human Ning as a junior," the Yuanxiang Clan Elder said meaningfully.

Qin Sang's heart sank. Unless their aura was completely unmasked, it was difficult for Void Refinement cultivators to discern the cultivation levels of Integration Stage and Mahayana Stage cultivators. In his perception, True Human Ning felt unfathomably deep. Could True Human Ning be a Mahayana Stage cultivator? When True Human Ning mentioned Liuli, it seemed sincere, as if completely considering Liuli's well-being. But how could Qin Sang entirely trust True Human Ning's one-sided account? Helpless due to his limited power, he could only endure. Whatever he wanted to do, he had to consider the consequences of defying the other party's will. If the other party was an Integration Stage cultivator, there might still be hope of breaking free from their control in the future.

The Yuanxiang Clan Elder's tone shifted. "True Human, having achieved such a great victory this time, when do you plan to hold a celebration? I've prepared some congratulatory gifts and would love to sample the fine wine True Human Qin has in his collection. There are also several clan elders who, having heard of your impressive battle achievements, admire you greatly and wish to pay their respects. Some of these clans are gentle by nature and hold no xenophobic sentiments."

Qin Sang smiled faintly. "If Clan Elder Yuanxiang doesn't find the wine too plain, I will send someone to deliver it immediately. As for a celebration, there's no need, lest it become a laughingstock. If other fellow Daoists wish to visit, I welcome them heartily. My original intention was to find a place to settle down, content with a corner of peace. However, isolation is not a long-term solution; it only deepens estrangement. Yet, I don't know whom I can befriend, so I'll have to trouble Clan Elder Yuanxiang to make introductions on my behalf."

The Yuanxiang Clan Elder readily agreed, "No problem! No problem! With external threats removed, there are still countless matters awaiting True Human Qin's attention. I won't keep you any longer. We shall meet again."

"Farewell!"

Qin Sang left the cave dwelling, his smile fading. After a moment of contemplation, he flew directly back to the Storm Realm.

### Azure Sheep Temple

Upon learning of Qin Sang's return, Li Yufu came to report, presenting a jade slip. "Martial Uncle, the Storm Sea has been largely explored."

The Storm Realm had integrated into the Great Thousand World, making it inconvenient to continue calling itself the Storm Realm publicly. Qin Sang thus collectively referred to the Storm Realm's three major regions and the sea areas ceded by the Changyou clan as the Storm Sea.

Qin Sang's divine sense touched the jade slip, and a topographic map appeared in the void, its faint blue light illuminating the cave dwelling. The map's annotations were highly detailed, providing a complete view of the Storm Sea. This sea area, where the Storm Realm and the Changyou clan coexisted, was roughly square-shaped. Its eastern side bordered the River of Evil, while the other three sides were enveloped by fog tides. Originally, only the Changyou clan resided here, living contentedly and free from conflict.

Now, with most of the sea area belonging to the Storm Realm, the Changyou clan could only retreat to a corner in the southwest. Three island chains separated the Storm Realm from Saint Bathing Plain. The Changyou clan had originally built three strong defensive lines here, all of which had now been handed over. Additionally, large uninhabited sea areas lay to the north and south of the Storm Realm. Although lacking major continents, these areas had numerous islands and reefs, home to many demonic beasts. The Changyou clan members from those areas had also withdrawn to Saint Bathing Plain. For cultivators of the Storm Realm, the current Storm Sea was vast and boundless.

Li Yufu had dispatched people to traverse the entire Storm Realm, thoroughly mapping its terrain and annotating it on the topographic map.

"Your disciple plans to establish several branch temples in these locations..." Li Yufu pointed to several spots.

Qin Sang nodded slightly. The locations Li Yufu chose were all rich in spiritual energy and strategically important. Occupying these places would allow Azure Sheep Temple to be fully aware of any disturbances in the Storm Sea, clearly indicating careful consideration.

"And here," Li Yufu said, pointing to the outermost of the three island chains in the southwest. "This island chain is adjacent to Saint Bathing Plain, with only a short distance between them. If we press too hard, friction is inevitable. In your disciple's opinion, the Storm Sea is large enough to accommodate the three clans' cultivators. Prohibiting others from establishing sects here would prevent major conflicts. We only need to dispatch a few cultivators to be stationed here year-round to guard against restlessness from the Changyou clan." His proposal was also in accordance with Qin Sang's previous instructions. The Yuanxiang Clan Elder's meaning was clear: the conflict between the Storm Realm and the Changyou clan was over, unless another Void Realm Stage 2 powerhouse emerged from the Changyou clan and initiated hostilities.

"Is anyone willing to relocate their sect or establish new ones outside?" Qin Sang asked.

With internal and external troubles appeased, the Storm Realm had become Qin Sang's cultivation grounds, but there was still one crucial step: establishing an altar for imparting Dharma! The spiritual materials were already prepared, and construction of the Dharma Imparting Altar was about to begin. Furthermore, Qin Sang would rely on the Dharma Imparting Altar to rebuild the Five Thunders Institute! One of the purposes of Li Yufu's exploration this time was to find a suitable location for building the Dharma Imparting Altar.

Qin Sang did not intend to cover the entire Storm Sea for now. Most cultivators in the Storm Realm were in the three major regions, which would serve as the main body of the cultivation grounds. Expansion would be considered outward after the grounds were established. However, once the cultivation grounds were established, the Storm Realm would become Qin Sang's personal domain. Other sects and cultivators would have to live under his influence, subject to the supervision and constraints of the Five Thunders Institute.

Immortal cultivators seek freedom and unrestrained living, and there will always be those unwilling to be bound. Many had just earned merits in the recent war, and Qin Sang could not just discard them like a used tool or eradicate all dissenters. Even when the Dao Court was at its peak, it couldn't achieve this, and its downfall was likely significantly related to this very issue. Qin Sang left them a path: those unwilling to be constrained could move out of the three major regions. Of course, their freedom would only be relative, and they would also have to give up certain things. For instance, Qin Sang's construction of the Dharma Imparting Altar and establishment of the Five Thunders Institute meant that anyone willing to cultivate Thunder Arts could be granted the High Supreme Divine Firmament Talisman, regardless of their origin. Moreover, selected individuals would be chosen to enter the Five Thunders Institute as Immortal Officials, effectively creating a small Dao Court. Those cultivators and sects who moved out would naturally not be eligible for this. Even so, some were willing to forgo these benefits, intent on pursuing personal freedom.

"Your disciple has ordered people to send messages and contact some sects and cultivators to inquire about their intentions. The larger sects are mostly hedging their bets, sending a portion of their disciples out. Most of those who wish to relocate their entire sect to the outer sea are from the Demonic Dao. Among them, the demon race is the most eager, especially several major aquatic tribes from the East Sea, who have already chosen locations and are preparing for a full clan migration..." Li Yufu briefly summarized the current situation.

Qin Sang was not surprised by this; the Daoist sects were least friendly towards demonic sects and the demon race. Their minds were made up, and Qin Sang did not force them to stay.

Li Yufu continued reporting, "The sect has already selected some exceptionally talented disciples who will receive the talismans and switch to cultivating Thunder Arts once the altar is built, but they are all junior disciples. Junior Brother Shen Chen cultivates the Xuanzhong Temple heritage passed down by his Martial Uncle. Junior Brother Huan Hen is solely devoted to the Way of the Sword. Daoist Friend Yunu is a demon cultivator. None of them are suitable for cultivating Daoist Thunder Arts."

Back then, during the Divine Firmament Convention, when the Dao Court was first established, it brought together numerous Daoist traditions and had to accommodate various factions, thus no single lineage could dominate. The Storm Realm was different. It was Qin Sang's personal cultivation grounds, and the Five Thunders Institute was established by him. Naturally, it would not be handed over to others to manage. Key positions must be held by disciples of Azure Sheep Temple and its allies.

"What about you? Have you considered it?" Qin Sang asked, looking at Li Yufu.

Initially, although Qin Sang possessed superior cultivation methods, none were suitable for Li Yufu. Li Yufu was still cultivating the legacy left by Daoist Yunyou, facing the predicament of having no further methods to cultivate. After entering the Nascent Soul stage, it was Liuli who helped him deduce the subsequent cultivation techniques. Compared to the Dao Court's Thunder Arts, the disparity was immeasurable. This legacy was not created by Daoist Yunyou himself but originated from the Taiyi Pill Sect. As long as there was a successor, there was no need for Li Yufu to adhere to it indefinitely.

Li Yufu was not only Daoist Yunyou's successor; Qin Sang had long regarded him as his own disciple. While he might not be as dazzling as Shen Chen and others in some aspects, his talent was not inferior. He was mature and steady, possessing the demeanor of a great general as the temple master, making him Qin Sang's preferred choice and the best candidate to oversee the cultivation grounds. It would be a pity if Li Yufu ultimately stopped at the Nascent Soul stage. Different legacies had vast differences in potential, and the Dao Court's legacy was undoubtedly among the most superior. Furthermore, by switching to cultivating the Dao Court's Thunder Arts, Qin Sang could help him even more. It was foreseeable that the Thunder Arts lineage would become the mainstream and most powerful branch within Azure Sheep Temple in the future.

"Your disciple will respectfully obey Martial Uncle's command!" Li Yufu said reverently.

"You possess dual Water and Wood spiritual roots. Water spiritual roots are among the most suitable talents for cultivating Thunder Arts among the Five Element spiritual roots. After receiving the talisman, you shall govern the Five Thunders Institute on my behalf, temporarily serving as its Vice-Envoy..."

Qin Sang gave a few more instructions, then suddenly sensed something and looked out towards the sky.

Li Yufu exited the cave dwelling, then returned a moment later, his expression grave. "An urgent message from the Witch clan. Daoist Fang's elemental energy is exhausted; he's beyond help and will soon pass away."

Qin Sang sighed softly, stood up, and said, "Let us go and bid Daoist Fang farewell on his last journey."

Li Yufu affirmed, then formed a hand seal. A phoenix cry echoed outside the cave dwelling, and a colorful phoenix landed before it, its body bowing low. The colorful phoenix was none other than Phoenix King, who had rendered meritorious service in the previous great war. Qin Sang, considering that she was not a primary instigator of the demon rebellion, allowed her to leave the demon army and become Azure Sheep Temple's guardian spirit beast. The Phoenix King was also capable of enduring hardship. She willingly served as the Temple Master's mount for three hundred years, seeking to regain her freedom afterward. As the Temple Master, Li Yufu needed a certain presence when venturing out. After consulting Qin Sang, he granted the Phoenix King's request.

The master and disciple flew out of the temple gates on the colorful phoenix. Qin Sang released his true essence, enveloping all three, and their escape speed dramatically increased. The colorful phoenix flew like the wind, soaring over countless mountains and rivers, arriving at the Witch Clan's Sacred Mountain.

A young man from the Witch clan led others to greet them outside the mountain, his expression filled with sorrow.

"Are you Daoist Fang's adopted son?" Qin Sang asked.

The young Witch clan member performed a grand bow and saluted. "This junior, Ming Qiu, greets True Human Qin and Temple Master Li!"

"How is Daoist Fang's condition? I thought it would be another twenty or thirty years before Daoist Fang would..." Qin Sang said with regret.

Ming Qiu's face was full of self-reproach. "Foster Father exhausted his elemental energy prematurely because he helped this junior achieve a breakthrough... This junior is unfilial!"

Afterwards, Ming Qiu invited Qin Sang and the others into the Sacred Mountain, leading them to Fang Laomo's bedchamber. Entering the bedchamber, Qin Sang saw Fang Laomo sitting motionless on a throne, from whom he could only sense an extremely faint trace of life.

"Daoist Fang," Qin Sang called out.

The cicada wings trembled slightly, and an extremely weak, yet still spirited, laugh emerged. "With True Human Qin seeing me off, what is there to fear on the Netherworld Road? Ming Qiu!"

"Your son is here!" Ming Qiu knelt heavily on the ground.

"From now on, you will be the Witch clan's new Great Shaman Elder!"

Ming Qiu kowtowed, saying sadly, "Your son obeys!"

"Does anyone have any objections?"

Outside the bedchamber, a group of Witch clan elders saluted Ming Qiu in unison, saying, "Greetings, Great Shaman Elder!"

"True Human Qin..." It seemed he had just expended a lot of elemental energy. Fang Laomo paused for a while, then spoke with effort, "I have already selected some promising juniors as True Human Qin instructed. Ming Qiu will personally teach them in the future. Also... if my clan's descendants prove unworthy and incur True Human Qin's wrath, I hope True Human Qin will show leniency and simply cast them out to fend for themselves."

Qin Sang sighed, saying, "Now that the Storm Realm is free from internal and external worries, I also hope that the three clans can live in harmony and jointly pursue the Grand Dao."

Fang Laomo, being a spirit cicada, showed no discernible expression, but his cicada wings could be seen slowly drooping, his aura indicating he was on the verge of death.

"True Human Qin, do you still remember the Seven Killings Hall?" Fang Laomo's voice grew even weaker.

"How could I forget?" Images couldn't help but flash through Qin Sang's mind. The former Fang Laomo, now the Great Shaman Elder. Fang Laomo's destiny must have also taken a turn at that time, beginning from the moment the Great Shaman Elder saved his life at the cost of his own, right?

A long silence ensued. Fang Laomo's aura had almost completely dissipated, just as everyone thought he had ascended.

"This Fang's life..." Fang Laomo's voice was like a dying man's delirium. "No regrets in my heart! I did not fail the Witch clan, nor did I fail... the Great Shaman Elder."

Fang Laomo's body trembled, his cicada wings vibrated high, and a long cicada cry resonated inside and outside the Sacred Mountain. His last breath of life transformed into a final, resounding cry. It stopped abruptly!

"Foster Father!" Ming Qiu wept sorrowfully.

"Farewell, Great Shaman Elder!" Around the Sacred Mountain, countless arriving Witch clan cultivators spontaneously knelt, uttering cries of grief. In front of the bedchamber, even the Witch clan elders involuntarily knelt, showing Fang Laomo's immense prestige.

Li Yufu bowed solemnly.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, murmuring, "Daoist Fang, may you have a smooth journey!"

From then on, the world lost another old friend.

The funeral followed Fang Laomo's last wishes, keeping everything simple but not neglecting proper etiquette. Important figures, such as the various overlords of the Storm Realm, were invited. Upon learning that Qin Sang was also on the Witch Clan's Sacred Mountain, far more people came to offer condolences than expected. Aside from those in secluded cultivation, virtually all notable individuals arrived. Taking this opportunity, Qin Sang briefly communicated with the various forces, letting some information slip to prepare them. Only after the funeral concluded did Qin Sang leave the Witch Clan's Sacred Mountain and return to Azure Sheep Temple.