Chapter 2235: Alternative Dual Cultivation

This grand formation may not have been built by his sect; there might be another hidden reason he doesn't want to disclose. Never mind, we've gained a great advantage. Qingfeng, when you next see that young Taoist friend, you can give him some benefits as appropriate," said Reverend Tongshen.

Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Can my Senior Disciple cultivate this technique?"

"It's perfectly suited for your Senior Disciple. However, the most wondrous part is this Abyss of Fire and Thunder. With the help of these thunder and fire energies, your Senior Disciple will surely make rapid progress!"

Reverend Tongshen looked around, planning how to modify the area.

"Master…"

Qin Sang looked hesitant.

Reverend Tongshen's expression darkened. "What's wrong? Why are you hesitating in front of your Master?"

"Master, please calm your anger! This disciple was thinking: since Senior Disciple will be cultivating in the Abyss of Fire and Thunder, we will be separated. If that's the case, why don't we relocate our sect's mountain gate here and rebuild Yuanjing Mountain?"

Qin Sang paused, then continued, "In Yongtu Immortal City, we only have a small hillside. Currently, with our sparse numbers, it's still manageable. But in the future, as Master and Senior Disciple take on more disciples, it will surely become increasingly crowded. Why not simply leave Yongtu Immortal City and enjoy more freedom outside?"

This was indeed Qin Sang's true thought. While it was safer in Yongtu Immortal City, it also came with many restrictions.

Next, he might need to undertake many clandestine actions, which would be more convenient outside the city.

Upon hearing this, Qingyan and the other two were all quite moved and looked at their Master.

Reverend Tongshen pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you know of any other sects or forces nearby?"

"This disciple hasn't investigated in detail, but I know there's a human sect nearby called the Qingjiang Sect. They only have some local reputation, so their strength shouldn't be too great," Qin Sang replied.

"This Abyss of Fire and Thunder contains a hidden spiritual vein, which would be an excellent foundation for a mountain gate. However, rebuilding the mountain gate outside the city is a major undertaking, and I need to consider it carefully…"

Reverend Tongshen mused, "After a while, I'll find an excuse to visit the Qingjiang Sect!"

Although Reverend Tongshen didn't immediately decide, his disciples could tell that he was already tempted.

During the subsequent arrangements, they all took great pains, treating this place as their future mountain gate.

The Abyss of Fire and Thunder would serve as Senior Disciple Qingyan's cultivation retreat. Since Qin Sang and the others did not cultivate this technique, they chose an adjacent mountain, meticulously planning and personally constructing pavilions and towers.

Several months later, Reverend Tongshen took Qingyan to visit the Qingjiang Sect. It was said that Reverend Tongshen sparred a few rounds with the Qingjiang Sect Master, gaining the upper hand. After that, the Qingjiang Sect tacitly acknowledged the existence of Yuanjing Mountain.

With the defensive grand formation completed, encompassing the Abyss of Fire and Thunder and the surrounding peaks, a brand new mountain gate appeared before them. Although this place was not as scenic as the original Yuanjing Mountain, they were content to rebuild their sect after such a tumultuous journey.

"A letter from the Immortal City. I must go again to escort our kin. You all stay in the mountain. Our Yuanjing Mountain lineage has not yet established a firm foothold here, so remember not to open the mountain gate easily!"

Reverend Tongshen gave careful instructions, then hurried back to Yongtu Immortal City.

Although they had left the Immortal City, his identity as an Immortal Guard could not be abandoned. Should a powerful enemy attack, they would still need to retreat into the Immortal City and seek its protection.

After Reverend Tongshen left, Qingyan eagerly entered the Abyss of Fire and Thunder to cultivate.

In the quiet room.

Qin Sang and Shuang Luo sat facing each other.

Shuang Luo was dressed in plain white, her head bowed, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Senior Sister Shuang," Qin Sang called.

"Hmm…"

Shuang Luo's voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

Qin Sang felt helpless. "Master asked me to use the Stone Embryo Fire to help you and Senior Sister Qinghong cultivate the Water-Fire Harmony technique. If Senior Sister has no objections, shall we begin now?"

In fact, Reverend Tongshen's wording was more direct, telling Qin Sang to 'dual cultivate' this method with them, which was why Shuang Luo was so shy, not even daring to look at Qin Sang.

"This 'dual cultivation' is not *that* kind of dual cultivation. Senior Sister, please focus on circulating your cultivation technique and don't overthink it."

It would have been better if Qin Sang hadn't mentioned it; with his words, Shuang Luo lowered her head even further.

After a while, Shuang Luo forced herself to suppress her shyness, began circulating her cultivation technique, and placed her hands flat on her knees.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged opposite Shuang Luo, both able to clearly sense each other's breathing.

A faint, ethereal fragrance lingered at his nose. Qin Sang remained focused. Seeing that Shuang Luo had finally dispelled her distracting thoughts, he also concentrated and entered meditation, gently placing his hands on Shuang Luo's, palm to palm.

With Shuang Luo's permission, Qin Sang slowly channeled a wisp of Stone Embryo Fire into her body, guiding it into her meridians.

This was to guide Shuang Luo's cultivation.

The Stone Embryo Fire was under Qin Sang's control and would not scorch Shuang Luo's meridians. Moreover, as long as Shuang Luo followed Qin Sang's guidance to circulate and harmonize water and fire, her understanding of the Water-Fire Harmony technique would reach a deeper level, yielding twice the results with half the effort.

This alternative form of 'dual cultivation' not only benefited the other party but also Qin Sang, as male and female inherently represent yin and yang, aligning with the Way of Yin and Yang.

In addition, Qin Sang could also use this to analyze the pros and cons of both cultivation methods. If cultivating two techniques simultaneously, like Qinghong and Shuang Luo, proved better than directly absorbing spiritual fire, Qin Sang would then cultivate another fire-attribute technique.

Everything was aimed at rapidly increasing his cultivation.

Currently, the *Heavenly Demon Refinement Scripture* was fraught with hidden dangers, so Qin Sang could only focus his efforts here for now.

The quiet room was silent.

Their palms faced each other, and where their hands met, a fiery aura seemed to circulate back and forth.

Before long, sweat began to seep from Shuang Luo's forehead.

*Plop!*

A drop of sweat fell onto the meditation cushion.

Neither of them was startled by the sound; they remained focused on their cultivation.

Gradually, more and more sweat appeared on Shuang Luo's body. She was drenched, her clothes sticking to her.

"Whew…"

After an unknown period, Qin Sang exhaled deeply, withdrew his hands, and opened his eyes.

Shuang Luo also slowly awoke, immediately feeling a wave of fatigue. To keep up with Qin Sang's guidance, she had almost exhausted all her mental effort.

Suddenly, Shuang Luo felt sticky all over. Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, she looked down and was stunned. Her clothes clung tightly to her body, revealing her slender and graceful figure.

"Ah!"

Shuang Luo let out a small shriek, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson. She covered her upper body and rushed out of the quiet room.

*Bang!*

The door, reinforced with restrictions, almost flew off its hinges from Shuang Luo's impact.

Qin Sang watched her disappear beyond the door, a slight smile on his face. Then, he noticed the light dimming at the doorway. Senior Sister Qinghong leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, scrutinizing Qin Sang. "What did you do to Junior Sister Shuang?"

"Given Senior Sister Shuang's example, if Senior Sister doesn't want to give your Junior Brother a feast for his eyes, it's best to wear an extra layer or two," Qin Sang replied with a chuckle.

"You little pervert!"

Qinghong glared fiercely. "If you usually show more attentiveness to Junior Sister, what beautiful sights wouldn't you see? Do you need to resort to such methods?"

"What kind of person does Senior Sister think I am?"

Qin Sang spread his hands, looking completely innocent. "Senior Sister Shuang was perspiring profusely because the Stone Embryo Fire entered her body, which inevitably caused a surge of internal heat, difficult even for cultivators to bear."

Seeing Qin Sang deliberately feigning ignorance, Qinghong wanted to kick him. She snorted, then actually took out a thick robe, draped it over herself, and sat down in front of Qin Sang with a grand air. "Let's begin."

After their 'dual cultivation', Qinghong was also as sweaty as Shuang Luo. Unfortunately, that long robe covered her entirely, revealing nothing.

After Senior Sister Qinghong left triumphantly, Qin Sang recalled the process and fell into deep thought.

Since subduing the Stone Embryo Fire, Qin Sang had been trying to comprehend its characteristics.

Every spiritual fire possessed unique traits. For example, the Nine Nether Demonic Fire could attack the Nascent Soul, and the Phoenix True Feather attached to the Heavenly Phoenix True Fire could shatter space.

What were the characteristics of the Stone Embryo Fire?

After meditating for so long, Qin Sang was surprised to find that this spiritual fire seemed to have no particularly special qualities; it merely possessed a unique gentle and profound aura compared to other spiritual fires.

"The earth's energy is receptive. A gentleman carries things with broad virtue."

Was it because the Stone Embryo Fire was nurtured within a stone egg that it possessed this characteristic?

Perhaps precisely because of this trait, Qin Sang found cultivating the Water-Fire Harmony technique with the Stone Embryo Fire incredibly smooth, and even when guiding his two Senior Sisters, no mishaps occurred.

However, this characteristic offered no assistance in combat.

"No wonder that senior regarded the Stone Embryo Fire so highly. This spiritual fire might be one of the most suitable for cultivating the Water-Fire Harmony technique…"

This thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind.

Recalling the spiritual fires he had previously subdued, any of them would not have been so smooth.

Thus, Qin Sang didn't need to consider taking another path; he could fully rely on the Stone Embryo Fire for his cultivation. However, it was unknown how far this single Stone Embryo Fire could support him. In the future, being forced to refine other spiritual fires might cause complications.

For now, he didn't need to overthink. Qin Sang finished adjusting his breathing, got up, walked into the fire room, took out the Golden Eagle's corpse, separated a portion of its essence, and prepared to refine the Fiend Demon Pills.

In the days that followed, Qin Sang occasionally refined pills, periodically took turns 'dual cultivating' with his two Senior Sisters, and diligently practiced himself. He enjoyed this greatly, and his cultivation progressed rapidly.

One day, a talisman light flew into the mountain's protective formation.

Qin Sang and his two Senior Sisters were discussing Taoist principles.

Qin Sang reached out and caught it, seeing it was a communication talisman. After reading it, he stood up and said, "Fellow Daoist Deng sent a message. It's our turn to patrol outside again. I'll discuss the next chapter with you two Senior Sisters when I return."

"Be careful during patrol. Demonic beings can easily harm people. Why don't you resign from this position?" Qinghong said with concern.

"Senior Sister, have you forgotten why I begged Master to get me this position in the first place?"

Qin Sang stood up to leave but was called back by Qinghong.

"Wait, Junior Brother, take this magical pendant. This treasure can automatically protect its owner, consider it Senior Sister's goodwill," Qinghong said, taking out a jade pendant. Its surface was smooth and warm, like white mutton-fat jade.

After pressing the jade pendant into Qin Sang's hand, Qinghong looked at Shuang Luo. "Didn't Junior Sister refine a precious armor for Junior Brother? Hurry up and get it out!"

Shuang Luo softly hummed in acknowledgment and took out an inner armor. Its material was unknown, woven from golden threads, yet it was as soft as silk.

She held the inner armor out, her gaze somewhat evasive as she met Qin Sang's eyes.

Qin Sang reached out and took it, smiling. "Thank you both Senior Sisters for your care."

Qinghong expressed her dissatisfaction. "When did you become so distant? You're our Junior Brother. We didn't say anything like that when you helped us cultivate. Anyway, mine was bought, but Junior Sister's was personally refined and took a lot of effort."

"Senior Sister Shuang is actually skilled in artifact refining?"

Qin Sang said in surprise, "Master knows everything, but he doesn't know how to refine artifacts. I wonder what spiritual materials this inner armor requires. I'll buy some back this time, and Senior Sister Shuang can refine one for Senior Sister and Senior Brother too."

Shuang Luo's eyes darkened, and she nodded silently.

"Fool! Junior Sister already bought them; you don't need to bother!"

Qinghong poked Qin Sang sharply. "Now, get lost!"

Qin Sang leaped out of the mountain and sped towards the agreed direction. He picked up the inner armor to examine it, catching a faint, ethereal fragrance. He glanced back at the mountain gate, but a graceful figure appeared in his mind.

He had been in the illusion for so long. Since arriving in Yongtu Immortal City, Qin Sang had tried various methods to find Liuli, but with little success; she remained untraceable.

Those alien race experts had also not appeared, leaving Qin Sang completely clueless. Besides constantly improving his own strength, he truly didn't know where to start.

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng is here."

Qin Sang arrived at the meeting point, and most of the others were already there.

"This time, we are to patrol Hanyang Valley. All fellow Daoists, stay alert and do not slack off," Deng Kui ordered, and the group set off.

He led the team for a while, then deliberately fell back to the rear of the group, approaching Qin Sang.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, I asked someone about the matter you mentioned last time."

Qin Sang's eyes lit up. "What's the result?"

"I heard that the east side is a den of dragons and tigers now. Are you sure you want to go?" Deng Kui asked.

Qin Sang stated resolutely, "Of course."

"Your Master is an Immortal Guard, responsible for escorting various kinsmen to the Immortal City. Why don't you go with your Master? Why bother with this extra step?" Deng Kui wondered.

"Master wouldn't agree," Qin Sang said. "I'm tired of this stable life. I heard that by going out, I can fight against alien races, which is an opportunity to put all my lifelong learning to use and achieve great deeds!"

Deng Kui looked at him as if he were a madman. "It's said that those alien races are stirring up trouble. Usually, only experts like your Master have the ability to escort kinsmen. However, there are exceptions. Some seniors will bring a few juniors to help out, and some missions are close by and not very dangerous. They will also recruit fellow Daoists of similar cultivation levels to ours. I'll send you a message when an opportunity arises."

"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Deng!"

Qin Sang mused to himself. One Golden Eagle corpse wouldn't last long. For the Fiend Demon Pills, he needed to kill more demonic beasts.

"And also the alien race cultivation methods you asked for. You're in luck; there's actually a lineage from the Phoenix race, but no matter the race, they're actually all quite similar," Deng Kui said, handing Qin Sang several jade slips.

He didn't suspect Qin Sang's intentions, only assuming Qin Sang wanted to learn more about the demon race to prepare for the future.

Qin Sang thanked him again, took the jade slips, and in return handed him a pouch. "The rest is for your compensation, Fellow Daoist."

Deng Kui opened the pouch and looked inside, immediately breaking into a wide smile.

The reason he was so attentive and accommodating to Qin Sang was because Qin Sang was generous.

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, your matters are my matters, Deng. In the future, if you have any requests, just say the word!" Deng Kui thumped his chest.

Qin Sang's spiritual sense entered the jade slips, examining the cultivation methods within. Indeed, as Deng Kui had said, whether Phoenix race or other races, they all followed the path of drawing in starlight to temper their physical bodies.

These cultivation methods were not highly valued by humans because someone had already tried them, and forcibly cultivating them would only lead to hidden dangers.

So, what was the difference between them and the *Heavenly Demon Refinement Scripture*?

This week I only wrote two chapters, but the outline is basically complete, and I've finally found the biggest plot bottleneck.

Now, only this last problem remains. I'll try to resolve it tomorrow, and then I can resume normal updates ahead of schedule.