Chapter 224: Task

Qin Sang knew this was just a polite remark from Yun Youzi.

Even without Yun Youzi, he could have escaped the cloud beast encirclement, though it would have cost him more than just a black shield artifact. He believed the same was true for Yun Youzi.

"Senior, you've been traveling west for half a year. You must have returned with a full harvest, right? Has the hidden trouble you carried been resolved?" Qin Sang asked casually while reinforcing the shelter's protective barrier.

In truth, Qin Sang had a suspicion. Compared to six months ago, Yun Youzi's aura didn't seem to have changed significantly, suggesting the outcome wasn't ideal.

Yun Youzi also stood up to help and gave a wry smile upon hearing the question. "I've wasted half a year, but fortunately, I didn't have high hopes to begin with... Still, I've gained something, some ambiguous information, so it wasn't a wasted trip..."

As he spoke, Yun Youzi glanced at Qin Sang, hesitated, then, after a moment of thought, changed his tone and asked, "Brother Qin, are you here for training, or are you just passing through? Do you happen to know the exact location of a nearby Celestial Crystal Secret Realm?"

"Celestial Crystal Secret Realm?" Qin Sang asked in surprise. "Senior, are you going to the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm? What a coincidence, my cave dwelling is inside it."

Yun Youzi's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "What a coincidence!" Then, remembering Qin Sang's background, he suddenly realized, "No wonder I met you there, Brother Qin. Are you a guardian of the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm?"

Qin Sang shook his head. "I am a member of the Shadow Guard. My cave dwelling is in the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm simply to have a place to stay while I train in the vicinity; I am not a guardian of the realm. However, since I cultivate within the realm, I won't stand idly by if it comes under attack. The true guardian of the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm is someone else: Senior Brother Teng Nan of the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace. I was just about to return to my cave dwelling. After the celestial phenomenon ends, you can come with me. However, for you to enter the realm, Senior Brother Teng Nan's approval is required. Of course, since you are from the Taiyi Pill Sect, Senior Brother Teng Nan will certainly not make things difficult for you if you have a legitimate reason."

Within the three major sects, the existence of the Shadow Guard was not a secret; only the details of specific missions required strict confidentiality. There was no need for Qin Sang to conceal his identity as a Shadow Guard from Yun Youzi.

"To be honest, I'm also a member of the Shadow Guard. This time, I received a message from my sect with a mission assignment, instructing me to meet others in the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm. Unexpectedly, I was suddenly caught in a celestial phenomenon mid-journey. Since I wasn't familiar with the terrain, I blundered right into a pocket of cloud beasts. By the time I realized what was happening, I was already surrounded by them. That's when I met you, Brother Qin." Yun Youzi's tone was somewhat dejected, feeling quite helpless about this sudden, unprovoked disaster.

Qin Sang understood. The mountain where the cloud beasts resided had a very peculiar topography. Several peaks clustered together in the center formed the cloud beast nest, where most of them lived. Two mountain ranges branched off from this central cluster, extending far outwards and forming an angle, where a large number of cloud beasts also lay in wait. Anyone unfamiliar with the terrain, if rushing and not observing carefully, would, like Yun Youzi, accidentally trespass deep into the cloud beast territory. Once the beasts were alarmed, they would immediately be heavily besieged, making escape very difficult.

As for Yun Youzi's mission, Qin Sang didn't press for details; inquiring about Shadow Guard missions was a major taboo and wouldn't benefit him.

The two decided to return to the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm together after the celestial phenomenon ended, so they continued to chat. They found common ground the more they spoke, and the topics they discussed most were surprisingly the Great Sui and Daoist Jixin.

Yun Youzi had grown up in the Great Sui, not leaving until he was over seventy years old. After Qin Sang arrived in this world, his first few years were also spent in the Great Sui, leaving a deep impression on him. However, the Great Sui in Yun Youzi's memory was a thing of the past, and his impression of Daoist Jixin also remained years ago. Mostly listening to Qin Sang speak, a look of reminiscence appeared on his face.

Later in their conversation, Qin Sang and Yun Youzi exchanged insights on cultivation. Yun Youzi had many unique perspectives that greatly benefited Qin Sang.

"There's a disciple of the Taiyi Pill Sect in the Celestial Crystal Secret Realm named Jiang Ying. Do you know her, Senior?"

Yun Youzi thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know her. I left the sect after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage and have been wandering ever since, with no fixed abode, more like a rogue cultivator. I rarely keep in touch with fellow disciples."

Qin Sang secretly thought that he was quite similar to Yun Youzi. With mediocre talent and no backing within the sect, he had to rely on himself for cultivation. Aside from the public resources available from the sect, he was no different from a rogue cultivator. Of course, such resources were beyond the reach of rogue cultivators, and Qin Sang wouldn't take them for granted.

Qin Sang put away his reflections and said with a smile, "Jiang Ying is an admirer of yours, Senior. She says that not only did you successfully establish your foundation at over a hundred years old, something unprecedented, but your achievements in the path of alchemy also consistently surpass your peers. She deeply respects you and has always regretted not having the chance to meet you. This time, her wish can finally come true..."

Yun Youzi burst into laughter. "I'd like to see which little girl is flattering me so much! In the path of alchemy, I do have some confidence, but the Taiyi Pill Sect has countless alchemy geniuses; I would never dare to claim I consistently surpass my peers. Brother Qin, don't take such jesting words too seriously."

Although Yun Youzi appeared humble, Qin Sang detected a hint of pride in his tone, indicating that Yun Youzi's attainments in alchemy were indeed extraordinary to possess such confidence, and not just Jiang Ying's exaggeration.

Qin Sang's eyes flickered. His flawed foundation currently had little impact, but as his cultivation improved, he would inevitably suffer for it sooner or later. Regardless of timing, repairing his foundation was a must.

He had already tried common elixirs, but they were ineffective. He estimated that he would need spirit pills of a certain caliber, such as the Harmony Pill, Five-Mushroom Divine Paste, and Snow Ginseng Jade-Birth Pill, at the very least. Even more precious elixirs might be required to be effective for him.

Even these three spirit pills were not easy to acquire. Their high price was one thing; he could earn spirit stones. What worried him most was their extreme rarity; the Taiyi Pill Pavilion released only one every decade or even several decades, attracting countless contenders. As for spirit pills more precious than these three, it went without saying they couldn't be bought even with spirit stones.

Compared to acquiring refined spirit pills, gathering the necessary spirit herbs might be easier. In the cultivation world, pill formulas weren't hard to find; the challenge lay in collecting all the required spirit herbs and finding a reliable alchemy master.

After learning from Jiang Ying that Yun Youzi possessed exceptional talent in alchemy, Qin Sang had an idea. If Yun Youzi truly was an alchemy master, he might be able to foster a good relationship and potentially enlist his help in the future. Of course, Qin Sang wouldn't shortchange him on the due compensation.

However, Qin Sang did not hastily reveal his intentions.

Between him and Yun Youzi, in addition to their connection through Daoist Jixin, they now shared an experience of facing adversity together. Yet, he still didn't know Yun Youzi well enough. Although Yun Youzi could cultivate someone as virtuous as Daoist Jixin, suggesting his character should be good, times change, and who could guarantee that people's hearts wouldn't? In any case, Qin Sang was in no hurry; he would have ample opportunities to get to know him better later.