Chapter 2293: The Original Place

Please, come in, fellow Daoists!

Qin Sang, smiling, invited Yu Zhen through the mountain gate. Accompanying Yu Zhen was Patriarch Yuanxiang, who had just emerged from seclusion. At that moment, the wispy clouds dispersed, and Jiannu arrived, flying on his sword. "Allow me to introduce Jiannu to you all..." Qin Sang then introduced Jiannu to Yu Zhen and Patriarch Yuanxiang.

With Jiannu's breakthrough, combined with Su Nu and the Black Gold Ship, even if Qin Sang took Vermilion Bird with him, Qingyang Governance would still be guarded by three Void Refinement realm experts. Many minor clans among the non-human races couldn't match Qingyang Governance's strength. This level of power, coupled with the support of his allies, was sufficient to safeguard the foundation he had built for Qingyang Governance. And in times of dire crisis, the Thunder Altar still offered protection!

"Your Daoist name is Jiannu. You must be the legendary human sword cultivator. No wonder your sword intent is so sharp and pure; I am truly impressed!"

The four of them took their seats, host and guests. Yu Zhen spoke respectfully to Jiannu, despite Jiannu's cultivation being far inferior to his own. Qin Sang and Patriarch Yuanxiang exchanged a knowing smile. Qin Sang fully understood Yu Zhen's purpose in visiting and had no intention of making things difficult for him. With mutual willingness on both sides, and Patriarch Yuanxiang acting as a mediator, their discussion was naturally very pleasant.

Qin Sang said, "My apologies, I had no intention of causing trouble for you, but our positions in the Sacred Land were different. Today, it's fitting for this item to return to its rightful owner." He then took out the Extinguishing Smoke Gourd and handed it to Yu Zhen.

Yu Zhen clutched the Extinguishing Smoke Gourd tightly, his eyes gleaming with fervor, as if a great weight had been lifted from his chest. He exhaled slowly, then hastily declared, "Please rest assured, True Monarch Qin, I will dedicate myself fully and and not disappoint you!" This transaction proceeded far more smoothly than Yu Zhen had anticipated. Qin Sang not only didn't demand an exorbitant price but offered surprisingly lenient terms. Having visited Qingyang Governance multiple times, Yu Zhen understood Qin Sang's plans and arrangements for the territory. Knowing what Qin Sang truly desired, he immediately gave his assurance.

"Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist Yu!" Qin Sang replied. "You won't have wasted your efforts. Patriarch Yuanxiang can attest to this: since the trade routes to Kanyi and other states were opened, they have brought substantial returns to Qingyang Governance and its allies!" Qin Sang looked towards Patriarch Yuanxiang. Patriarch Yuanxiang nodded with a smile and said, "True Monarch Qin speaks the truth! Didn't Fellow Daoist Yu once mention being stuck in the Sacred Land for too long and wishing to travel? In the future, should you venture into human territory, the Qingyang Alliance can help you avoid many troubles."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhen repeatedly assented. With his objective achieved, his expression and tone relaxed. However, he maintained his humble demeanor towards Qin Sang, as he always had. Two hundred years prior, Qin Sang, merely at the Mid-stage Void Refinement realm, had been able to even challenge immortals and wreak havoc in the dream realm. Now, Yu Zhen certainly had no right to act arrogantly in front of Qin Sang.

"After the Sacred Land trial concluded, I left first," Qin Sang asked curiously. "I wonder what became of the other fellow Daoists on the divine mountain, and whether Fellow Daoist Yirui broke through to the Saint realm?"

Yu Zhen shook his head. "When I awoke, most fellow Daoists were still entangled by demon shadows, and a few had no aura at all, which suggests an unfavorable outcome. As for Fellow Daoist Yirui, I heard his ancestor took him back to their cave dwelling. It seems breaking through to the Saint realm isn't so easy..."

Patriarch Yuanxiang sighed, "Hongtian and the others truly possess profound karmic fortune! Those were great opportunities left by the ancestors when the Sacred Land first opened. Due to the Sacred Land's anomalies, they manifested one after another and were acquired by them. Such opportunities are truly rare and highly sought after. In that situation, whoever encountered them truly had the chance to ascend to greatness in a single step." Patriarch Yuanxiang believed his talent was no less than Hongtian's, only lacking a bit of luck, which he sighed about helplessly.

Yu Zhen comfortingly said, "Each person has their own destiny! Legend has it that the Sacred Land's transformation is a sign of our race's great prosperity. If that legend is true, there will surely be more opportunities for us in the future."

"One of you is an ancestor's successor, and the other is a clan patriarch," Qin Sang said. "When good things happen, you'll certainly be the first to be considered by the higher-ups. We, as outsiders, can only look on with envy." Qin Sang's remark immediately drew a disapproving look from Patriarch Yuanxiang. Patriarch Yuanxiang had personally witnessed True Monarch Ning and the elderly Daoist appear in the Sacred Land. Hongtian and the others had trembled before them, and when a veteran non-human powerful figure eventually appeared, they respectfully invited them deep into the Sacred Land. True Monarch Ning's status and cultivation were clearly evident.

After further conversation, Yu Zhen took his leave. Qin Sang and Patriarch Yuanxiang, rarely together, discussed the future plans for the Qingyang Alliance in detail. After Qin Sang's departure, the Alliance in the Misty Sea region would still rely on Patriarch Yuanxiang. Finally, after seeing Patriarch Yuanxiang off, only Qin Sang and Jiannu remained in the hall.

"What are your plans for the future, fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang asked.

Jiannu, having entered the Void Refinement realm, showed no hint of complacency. His reply was the same as years ago: "I follow True Monarch's command."

Qin Sang smiled. "If you desire a peaceful place to quietly refine your sword, staying at Qingyang Temple is perfectly fine. If you wish to travel and hone your swordsmanship, you may freely utilize anyone or anything within the Qingyang Alliance." Over the years, Jiannu's tutelage had led to rapid progress for Huan Hen; his swordsmanship had undergone a transformative change, and the entire sword cultivation lineage of Qingyang Temple had benefited. Qingyang Temple was already a diverse mix, and Qin Sang naturally wished to keep Jiannu. It would be even better if Jiannu could form a master-disciple relationship with Huan Hen.

"Thank you, True Monarch Qin," Jiannu said. "This old servant has just broken through, and my realm is not yet stable, so I wish to remain at Qingyang Temple!"

An incense stick's time later, Qin Sang rode a cloud out of the mountain gate. Vermilion Bird, perched on his shoulder, was drowsy, while the little Qilin cub clung to his feet, poking its small head out of the cloud to observe the new world with eyes full of curiosity.

Flying above Qingyang Governance's administrative altar, Qin Sang descended from the sky, landing directly in the Shanyu Courtyard within the altar. The immortal officials at the administrative altar were diligently attending to various matters, completely unaware of Qin Sang's arrival. Only the two chief officials of Shanyu Courtyard sensed his presence. They dismissed their attendants and flew towards the Danhua tree grove. Seeing Qin Sang, who stood with his back to them, examining the Danhua trees, the two chief officials felt a jolt. They hurried forward to pay their respects, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Lord Governor!"

Qin Sang looked at one of them. "Oh? You, as the Great Shaman Priest of the Witch Tribe, personally taking office in the administrative altar – aren't you concerned about affecting your tribe's affairs?" This person was Mo Qiu, Old Demon Fang's adopted son, who had succeeded Old Demon Fang as the Great Shaman Priest of the Ping Tribe. Qin Sang had established a rule that the Chief Recorder of Shanyu Courtyard must be a human cultivator, so Mo Qiu held a deputy position.

Mo Qiu solemnly stated, "Lord Governor, I have resigned from my position as Great Shaman Priest. Everything is now for the sake of Qingyang Governance!" Currently, the human cultivators in Qingyang Governance were caught between the non-human races, and their Witch Tribe was caught between the human cultivators. Mo Qiu worried that other tribe members might not understand the gravity of the situation and jeopardize the relationship between humans and the Witch Tribe, so he ultimately decided to come in person.

"Such courage!" Qin Sang nodded. "It's no wonder Fellow Daoist Fang spared no effort in cultivating you!" He dismissed the Shanyu Courtyard recorder and asked Mo Qiu, "How have you progressed with cultivating those sacrificial insects?"

Years ago, Qin Sang had entrusted both the sacrificial insects and the secret techniques for cultivating them from the Ying Bo Clan to Mo Qiu. Now, the Danhua trees were thriving, and the insects also benefited from them. Qin Sang surveyed the Danhua tree grove. It was less a grove of trees and more a forest of flowers. Individual flowering trees formed a dense growth, precisely the kind Qin Sang had encountered when he first met the sacrificial insects. These trees were only half the height of the original one he saw back then, their flowers still somewhat sparse, and their peculiar, round-necked pitcher-like blooms hung from every branch. However, it hadn't been easy to get the Danhua trees to grow so vigorously. Firstly, great efforts had been made, and secondly, Qingyang Governance's opened trade routes finally provided a means to acquire the spiritual materials needed to cultivate the trees.

Mo Qiu conjured a hand seal towards his waist. Immediately, a buzzing sound emanated, and a cloud of yellow insects flew out. The yellow cloud hovered above Mo Qiu's head, and through it, the shadows of individual insects could be seen. At the center of the swarm, one insect was noticeably larger than its companions – it was one of the insect kings Qin Sang had given to Mo Qiu.

Mo Qiu meticulously reported to Qin Sang: "Senior Ji Rui cultivated the Danhua trees into a forest, which has greatly aided my efforts in raising the sacrificial insects. Of the insect kings you entrusted to me, Lord Governor, I kept one, and distributed the rest to the clan elders. Each of them is stationed at a Shanyu Courtyard in a different administrative altar, and each has cultivated a swarm using the Danhua trees and an insect king. We have also thoroughly investigated the abilities of these sacrificial insects; they primarily affect the soul, and both the insect king's strength and the swarm's size are equally important..."

Qin Sang had long ago investigated the abilities of these sacrificial insects, but now, knowing the origins of the Witch Tribe, he gained a new perspective. In ancient times, shamans were individuals capable of communicating with deities, acting as their earthly agents. One reason the shamans chose these spiritual insects as sacrificial insects was to make the hearts of the people purer and more devout during divine sacrifices. And divine sacrifices were often accompanied by blood rituals. Seeing the sacrificial insects, Qin Sang felt as though he was witnessing that mysterious, blood-soaked and wild ancient era!

"After the insect swarms reached a certain scale, they produced some 'thin crystals'. However, despite my entire clan's efforts in cultivating these insects, the yield is not abundant, and the quality does not meet your requirements, Lord Governor," Mo Qiu said, presenting a jade slip with both hands, then hesitantly added, "I have an idea..."

Qin Sang opened the jade slip and glanced at it. These thin crystals weren't even enough to satisfy the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's appetite. Hopes of using the sacrificial insects and thin crystals to help the Heavenly Eye Butterfly advance its cultivation currently seemed distant. Sensing the aura of the thin crystals, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly flew out on its own, landing on the jade slip to feast. However, it quickly conveyed a feeling of disappointment; the quality was far inferior to the thin crystals from back then.

Mo Qiu explained, "According to the records of the Ying Bo Clan, the fastest growth period for sacrificial insects is during tribal sacrifices. During these ceremonies, not only various rare materials and spirit medicines are consumed, but blood sacrifice is also required. At that time, the offerings were mainly demon and human races, quite similar to the blood-feeding methods of later generations!" He carefully glanced at Qin Sang, then boldly said, "I believe that if we conduct ancestral sacrifices in Qingyang Governance and ask the cultivators there to contribute their vital blood, we could significantly accelerate the cultivation of the sacrificial insects." He quickly added, explaining, "Lord Governor, please rest assured, as long as the person presiding over the ritual controls it properly, it will only consume a portion of their vital blood and will not harm anyone!"

This would be equivalent to conducting blood sacrifices in Qingyang Governance. Although it wouldn't take lives, it was undoubtedly an act of the demonic path. Qin Sang had established Qingyang Governance, proclaiming it to be a righteous Daoist sect. Mo Qiu worried that proposing such a thing might result in him being struck dead by a bolt of heavenly lightning. However, Mo Qiu had been tasked with cultivating the sacrificial insects and dared not conceal anything, so he had to brave it and report.

Gazing at the cloud of insects above Mo Qiu's head, Qin Sang fell into contemplation. Mo Qiu only knew part of the truth. In ancient times, deities existed in the heavens, so sacrificial rites could receive responses. Deities would manifest various wonders during these rituals, responding to their people's prayers and accepting their worship. However, in the era that unfolded within the dream realm, all deities had vanished. Without deities, subsequent sacrifices would likely become mere formalities. It remained to be seen whether the Ying Bo Clan's era existed before or after the deities disappeared. If the so-called rituals primarily relied on the power of blood sacrifice, then whether a grand ceremony was held or not would be irrelevant.

With this thought, Qin Sang ordered, "There's no need to deliberately hold grand ceremonies! I will have Yu Nu assist you in gathering the spiritual herbs required for ancestral sacrifices and experimenting with the blood sacrifice method." Li Yu was in seclusion, so Yu Nu and Shen Chen managed Qingyang Governance on his behalf. "If this method proves feasible, we can then disguise it and issue a task on the Merit Board for contributing vital blood. This will surely attract many cultivators, and Qingyang Governance as a whole can provide a continuous supply of vital blood for the sacrificial insects."

"I obey your command!" Mo Qiu replied. Mo Qiu put away the insect cloud and was about to withdraw when Qin Sang called out to him. "In a while, I will be making a trip to the Witch Tribe. Select two of the infants Fellow Daoist Fang chose back then, and they will accompany me."

"At last, we're going to the Witch Tribe!" Mo Qiu's mind was greatly shaken. The Witch Tribe in the Storm Realm were like wanderers adrift, knowing their true home was elsewhere but trapped here, unable to return. Although Qin Sang showed no discrimination towards them, who truly wished to live under someone else's wing? Finally, a glimmer of hope appeared!

Mo Qiu suppressed his excitement and said repeatedly, "Before my foster father ascended, he ordered me to diligently teach them. I dared not slack off in the slightest, and we pooled the entire clan's resources to support their cultivation. Conveniently, two individuals have distinguished themselves—one male and one female—both having reached the late Nascent Soul stage and are soon ready to attempt breakthroughs to the Soul Transformation stage. Since they could remember, they have been confined to a secret realm, personally taught by my foster father and myself, and they know nothing of Qingyang Governance!"

"Late Nascent Soul stage, that's just enough..." Qin Sang nodded. "Go prepare them. I will take them when I depart." He could instruct them during the journey, helping them reach the Soul Transformation stage, which would make things much more convenient when dealing with the Witch Tribe. Since they knew nothing about Qingyang Governance, there would be no risk of secrets being leaked, even if they were taken away. Mo Qiu bowed and withdrew.

Qin Sang circled the Danhua tree grove, then met with Yu Nu, who was overseeing the administrative altar. Afterward, he left the altar and proceeded to visit the other three regions. His purpose was twofold: first, to visit old friends, and second, to prepare for reactivating the Thunder Altar to seal the Thunder Oath Scrolls for the Thunder Beast Warriors!

This journey would take him countless miles away, and he didn't know when he would return. For someone at his cultivation level, a thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. Among his old acquaintances in the lower realms, those from the demon race might endure longer, but human cultivators were gradually facing the predicament of limited lifespan. Most of them would not be able to break through to the Void Refinement stage, and by the time Qin Sang returned, many would likely have passed away. This might be their last farewell.

Qin Sang first toured the Central State, visiting Lu Zhang and others. He then traveled to Canglang Prefecture, where he shared drinks and laughter with the Bao Zheng Nan siblings and spoke with Yuan Zhu about the dangers he encountered in the Seven Kill Palace, sighing with emotion. Next, he visited Xitu Prefecture, where Master Huaiyin sought his guidance on body cultivation. Following that, he went to Beihai Prefecture, stopping at the Profound Heaven Palace. Finally, he returned to the Xiao Han Domain, the very first place where it all began.