Chapter 2149: 矆睒珠

During this tribulation, the Tianmu Butterfly gained the most, aside from Yunyou Sword itself. It returned to sleep to digest the power of the tribulation lightning.

Qin Sang asked Yunyou about its feelings before its breakthrough, hoping to gain some insights that might help the Five Elements Crown advance quickly. Unfortunately, Yunyou couldn't explain much, as it was merely a muddled spiritual embryo before its transformation.

The Five Elements Crown had given birth to a spirit tool much earlier. Xiao Wu, having experienced the world, could already control the demonic intent within itself, yet the opportunity for a breakthrough had not yet arrived.

The situations of Yunyou Sword and the Five Elements Crown were completely different, making Yunyou an unsuitable reference. He could only wait patiently.

Soon after, Qin Sang returned to Qingyang Temple.

At the appointed time, Young Master Shao once again visited, bringing the Huoshan Pearl with him. Silu also accompanied him.

Welcoming Guest Peak.

On the jade table between Qin Sang and Young Master Shao, rested a precious pearl the size of a baby's fist.

The pearl emitted dazzling spiritual light, glowing like lightning, and faint rumbles of thunder echoed through the hall.

Qin Sang observed closely, seeing that the pearl's interior seemed to have swallowed a realm of thunder, containing it within a miniature space. Countless tiny bolts of lightning repeatedly came into existence and then vanished. These lightning bolts could not escape the pearl, yet they emitted genuine thunderous power, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

Young Master Shao appeared relaxed, full of confidence in the treasure. He smiled and said, "True Man, you may extend your spiritual sense into this treasure."

"Is this treasure man-made, or a wonder of heaven and earth?" Qin Sang raised his head and asked. He hadn't detected any traces of human craftsmanship. Of course, it was also possible that the method used to refine it was unknown to him.

What was certain was that the pearl had not developed a spirit and thus was not a spirit treasure.

"I do not know either! This treasure was obtained from an ownerless secret realm within the Sacred Land. Its true origin is unknown; perhaps it is a wonder of heaven and earth, or perhaps it was crafted by an ancient senior," Young Master Shao explained. "Emperor Si has already invited several fellow Daoists who wield the Mirage Jade to a banquet. If True Man Qin has no objections, you may proceed to refine this treasure."

Qin Sang nodded. He had carefully examined it and found nothing unusual. Now, he just needed to verify that the treasure's power was as Young Master Shao described, and then the oath could be made.

The Sacred Land of the Yi people would then open its doors to him!

"Then I shall not stand on ceremony!"

Qin Sang raised his right hand, and the Huoshan Pearl floated on its own into his palm.

He slightly closed his eyes, activated his true essence and spiritual sense, and extended them into the Huoshan Pearl, focusing intently on its sensations.

The Huoshan Pearl's previous owner had left no mark, nor was there a spiritual embryo to resist. When Qin Sang attempted to refine it, there was no resistance whatsoever, and the process was extremely smooth.

Soon, Qin Sang had refined the Huoshan Pearl. The pearl's divine light became subdued, making it appear much more ordinary.

"How do you feel, True Man?" Young Master Shao asked.

Qin Sang mused, "The divine ability of this treasure is indeed as Fellow Daoist Si described. However, I'm not yet certain if the Lightning Offering Vow will exceed its limits."

As he spoke, Qin Sang turned to Silu, saying, "May I trouble Fellow Daoist Silu to help me activate the Lightning Altar once more!"

Silu readily agreed, rose and departed, heading first to Xitu Jing.

At the same time, Vermillion Bird and Su Nu also headed to Canglang Jing and Beihai Jing respectively, to activate their respective core sub-altars.

"Fellow Daoist Si, come with me."

Qin Sang rose, and left the mountain gate with Young Master Shao, arriving at a vast, uninhabited wilderness where they prepared to seal the lightning talisman.

"Please wait here for a moment, Fellow Daoist Si."

There was a hill here, with a stone platform on it. Qin Sang placed the Huoshan Pearl on the stone platform, and returned alone.

Inside Qingyang Temple, clouds and mists billowed, forming a continuous shroud. The mountain protection array had been activated.

Qin Sang appeared in the restricted area and activated his true essence. The lightning altar in the valley vibrated, and beams of lightning shot straight into the sky.

The next moment, a phantom lightning altar materialized above Qingyang Temple. At the same time, the masters of the other sub-altars felt a resonance, and under the guidance of Silu, Vermillion Bird, and Su Nu, they immediately cast spells to activate their altars, responding to the main altar from afar.

The Lightning Altar Grand Array reappeared in Qingyang Territory!

Qin Sang sat cross-legged on the altar, his mind entering it. He immediately activated the lightning talisman inscribed within the altar.

This time, Young Master Shao could observe from a closer proximity. Although obstructed by Qingyang Temple's mountain protection array, he could vaguely see the phantom lightning altar in mid-air. He looked up towards the zenith, then surveyed his surroundings, sensing the vast thunderous power enveloping the area. The lightning altar was about to be unleashed!

Even though he had personally witnessed the power of the Lightning Offering Vow before, Young Master Shao still felt a secret tremor of fear. Even with precautions, he wasn't confident that he could safely escape after being targeted by the lightning talisman.

If this lightning talisman could be sealed within the Huoshan Pearl, it would undoubtedly be a formidable asset within the Sacred Land!

Young Master Shao suppressed the turmoil in his heart and focused his spiritual sense on the changes in the lightning altar's power.

"Rumble..."

After several decades, billions of living beings in Qingyang Territory once again felt the terrifying might of the heavens, trembling in fear.

The Five Thunder Courtyard had issued summons in advance, notifying all parties. Even mortals had been warned, so the celestial phenomenon didn't cause widespread panic. The ones who suffered were the birds, beasts, fish, and insects in the wilderness, who believed a natural disaster was imminent and fled in utter terror.

Black clouds covered the sky, and thunder roared.

As Qin Sang and the masters of the altars continued their actions, the celestial phenomenon grew increasingly terrifying. Finally, the Lightning Offering Vow was activated!

Thousands of lightning pillars pierced the firmament, and the world's primordial energy violently surged. Lightning pythons raced, and electric serpents galloped as countless bolts of thunder and lightning rushed towards Qingyang Temple.

Young Master Shao had been watching the sky above the hill. Suddenly, his vision blurred, and Qin Sang appeared on the hill. He nodded slightly at Young Master Shao, and then also looked up at the sky.

At the convergence point of the lightning, a ball of cyan lightning was born.

The cyan lightning descended, revealing a cyan lightning paper, which drifted gracefully downwards.

Qin Sang's expression was solemn. He silently circulated his true essence and activated the Huoshan Pearl. The precious pearl beside him flew up on its own, hovering above Qin Sang's head, shining brightly.

The Huoshan Pearl and the Lightning Offering Vow were positioned one above the other, like two masses of lightning, about to collide.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged beneath the lightning, performing hand seals and continuously striking them towards the Huoshan Pearl. The spiritual light on the pearl's surface grew increasingly dense, and gradually, the pearl's physical body merged into the treasure light. The treasure light flowed like water, constantly shifting.

Immediately after, the treasure light began to expand, quickly forming a giant silver orb of light. The orb itself was illusory, with lightning flashing and thunder rumbling within, but it appeared more like an image or a mirage, not truly substantial. The pearl's physical body seemed to have vanished.

As the silver orb of light was born, the Lightning Offering Vow was already close at hand. The silver orb was far larger than the Lightning Offering Vow, making it seem as though the Vow would be swallowed by the orb.

Both were controlled by Qin Sang.

With a slight thought, the lightning glow on the surface of the Lightning Offering Vow receded, restraining its thunderous power and preventing it from erupting.

A cyan lightning paper, light as a feather, drifted gently onto the silver orb of light. The edge of the silver orb seemed to be nothing, and the Lightning Offering Vow passed through without any resistance, effortlessly entering the orb's interior.

If the silver orb could contain the Lightning Offering Vow, and the Vow could remain stable within it, then this sealing attempt would be declared a success.

The next moment, an unexpected change occurred!

Black lightning bolts suddenly appeared around the Lightning Offering Vow, resembling cracks in space, and quickly spread within the orb.

Upon seeing this, Young Master Shao's expression changed, and he watched the silver orb nervously.

"Boom!"

Finally, the silver orb of light could no longer hold, as more and more black lightning appeared, and it collapsed with a crash.

Qin Sang was well-prepared, and immediately cast a prepared incantation, isolating the Lightning Offering Vow from the surrounding chaotic energy.

He could unleash the Lightning Offering Vow, but that didn't mean he could fully control its power. Every action had to be taken with extreme caution. If the internal balance was disturbed, it could explode, potentially harming even himself.

The Lightning Offering Vow remained suspended in place.

The illusion within the silver orb rapidly collapsed, and a stream of light leaped out — the Huoshan Pearl itself. Qin Sang's timing was extremely precise, and the Huoshan Pearl's physical body remained unaffected.

Recalling the process he had just gone through, Qin Sang's thoughts raced. The reason for the failure was simple: the power of the Lightning Offering Vow had exceeded the Huoshan Pearl's capacity.

However, he had only recently acquired the Huoshan Pearl, and it was normal for the first attempt to fail. He wouldn't give up so easily.

After reviewing the situation, he found several points he had overlooked before and devised countermeasures. He continued to activate the Huoshan Pearl.

The silver orb of light reappeared. The Lightning Offering Vow lightly vibrated, and re-entered it. Immediately, black lightning reappeared, repeating the previous collapse, and Qin Sang could only retrieve the Huoshan Pearl once more.

"True Man Qin?"

Young Master Shao sensed trouble and couldn't help but call out.

Qin Sang shook his head slightly, without a word. After a moment of contemplation, he tried the same method again.

Within mere dozens of breaths, he had already attempted it six times. The sixth attempt failed as expected, yet it offered Young Master Shao a glimmer of hope, as the silver orb of light was holding on for longer and longer.

The seventh attempt!

Qin Sang glanced at the Lightning Offering Vow. As time passed, the thunderous power was constantly accumulating, bound to erupt eventually. It was already stirring, allowing for only three more attempts at most.

The silver orb of light once again contained the Lightning Offering Vow. The black lightning still existed, but it was noticeably scarcer and much finer.

As the Lightning Offering Vow slowly descended into the silver orb, the black lightning rapidly increased.

"Crack!"

A massive black crack pierced through the orb, announcing the seventh collapse of the silver orb!

Then the eighth... and it collapsed again!

Qin Sang exhaled a long breath, gazing at the Huoshan Pearl before him. Through eight consecutive attempts, he had pushed himself to the limit, racking his brain. This was the last attempt. If it failed again, there would be no need to continue, and he could then consider sealing a different lightning talisman.

He steadied his mind, discarded distracting thoughts, adjusted his state to its peak, and activated the Huoshan Pearl.

"Whoosh!"

The pearl's spiritual light flared brightly, manifesting the silver orb of light, which appeared more stable and solid than before.

The Lightning Offering Vow descended lower and lower. Its thunderous power was almost at the brink of eruption. Qin Sang cautiously guided the two forces, slowly merging them.

"Thump!"

Like a stone dropped into a lake, ripples appeared within the silver orb. Faint, tiny shadows were visible, and the resulting vibrations were even smaller than the eighth attempt.

Qin Sang didn't allow the Lightning Offering Vow to drop directly, but waited for the ripples to slightly subside before continuing.

From then on, he paused for a moment with each step. Qin Sang had already exerted his utmost effort, executing it with exquisite precision. Under his guidance, the Lightning Offering Vow steadily approached the core of the silver orb.

Young Master Shao stared intently at the Lightning Offering Vow. He saw the black lightning around the Vow grow increasingly dense, yet no collapse occurred. Ultimately, it successfully settled into place!

"Buzz!"

The heavens and earth seemed to tremble in response, and tumultuous ripples surged within the silver orb.

Qin Sang's expression darkened. He fully exerted himself to control the Huoshan Pearl, but was still unable to stabilize the silver orb or mend the cracks. He then made a decisive move, forcing the silver orb to contract.

As the silver orb contracted, countless tiny lightning bolts appeared within it. These lightning bolts resembled mysterious runes, circling around the Lightning Offering Vow. Then, like true runes, they drifted towards the Vow, leaving faint imprints on its surface before dissolving and vanishing.

Although Qin Sang was the master of the Huoshan Pearl, he didn't know what these runes were. However, he could sense that they contained a sealing power, attempting to seal the Lightning Offering Vow.

More and more runes merged into the Lightning Offering Vow, and it seemed to be developing in a positive direction. However, Qin Sang acutely noticed that the black lightning around the Lightning Offering Vow had not dissipated. It had merely paused its expansion, as if it were contending with some other force.

"No good!"

Qin Sang's expression changed instantly. This thought flashed through his mind, followed by a sudden clap of thunder from a clear sky. Black lightning spread wildly, as if it had only been accumulating power moments before, now erupting completely.

"Retreat!"

Qin Sang shouted.

A stream of light shot out from the silver orb, which was the Huoshan Pearl itself. Qin Sang caught it in his hand and swiftly retreated.

Young Master Shao reacted even faster. Seeing the unfavorable situation, he had already retreated far away.

At the same time, Qin Sang exerted all his strength to hurl the Lightning Offering Vow high into the sky.

At this moment, the thunderclouds solidified, and all things fell silent. A sheet of lightning paper hung in the high heavens, suppressing the world. Its thunderous might was fully revealed!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The power of thunder wantonly vented itself across this land, leveling mountains, tearing apart the earth, and its might lingered for a long time.

Fortunately, this area was far from human settlements and sects, so no casualties were incurred.

Qin Sang and Young Master Shao stood side by side, silently watching the Lightning Offering Vow wreak havoc upon the land.

"What a pity!"

Young Master Shao shook his head with a slight sigh. It was clear that Qin Sang had put forth his full effort, without holding back intentionally.

In fact, Young Master Shao wasn't too surprised by this outcome.

After obtaining the Huoshan Pearl, Emperor Si had personally refined it and had already attempted it multiple times, testing the Huoshan Pearl's limits. It was only because Qin Sang possessed the Lightning Altar and his lightning techniques were unique that they wanted to try if there could be a breakthrough.

Qin Sang gazed at the lingering afterglow of the lightning in the sky, deep in thought.

It seemed that the Lightning Offering Vow had exceeded the Huoshan Pearl's limits, which was why it failed at the final step.

However, the most fundamental reason was actually that he couldn't fully control the Lightning Offering Vow, and therefore couldn't make it achieve a certain rhythmic harmony with the Huoshan Pearl.

This rhythm was extremely profound and difficult to describe. He had only just discovered it. At the precise moment the Lightning Offering Vow erupted, it had been stimulated from within the Huoshan Pearl, flashing by in an instant, elusive and fleeting.

Perhaps only cultivators with profound mastery of the Dao of Thunder could perceive the existence of this rhythm.

Qin Sang glanced at Young Master Shao. He wondered if Emperor Si had ever asked a top master of the Dao of Thunder to refine this pearl. Otherwise, they might never have noticed its hidden secret. However, if they knew the Huoshan Pearl held such a profound secret, they likely wouldn't have given it to him so readily.

Due to the existence of this rhythm, this was not the true limit of the Huoshan Pearl. However, whether it could seal the Lightning Offering Vow was difficult to say now. He would only be able to try again later, once his cultivation improved and his control over the Lightning Offering Vow became stronger.

Qin Sang naturally wouldn't reveal this secret. He showed an understanding expression and said, "It seems we'll have to choose from other lightning talismans. Which one do you have in mind, Fellow Daoist Si?"