Chapter 2295: 魔劫

Wuxia and Xianxia

"Master, all the treasures submitted by the Qīngyáng Realm cultivators in exchange for merit are stored here..."

Shen Chen led Qin Sang into a treasure vault in the Qīngyáng Realm. All sorts of dazzling treasures were on display there.

After the trade route was established, the Qīngyáng Alliance continuously brought in treasures from the human domain, making them available for exchange on the Merit List.

Currently, most members of the Qīngyáng Alliance are disciples of Qīngyáng Temple, with a few being cultivators from allied sects like Xuántiān Palace and Four Saints Palace.

Other cultivators, even powerful sects like the former Central Plains overlords Gānlù Zen Monastery and Eight Views Temple, lacked the ability to leave the Misty Sea independently and travel to Kǎn and Yí states. The Merit List became their sole channel for acquiring external resources.

Over the years, Qin Sang had neutralized the external threats to the Qīngyáng Realm, finally ushering in a period of precious peace. Cultivators could now wholeheartedly focus on their practice, and all major powers achieved significant development, with new Spirit Transformation cultivators emerging continuously. However, this also brought new problems. The Qīngyáng Realm was simply too small. The higher the cultivation level, the greater the demand for resources. The appetite of various factions grew ever larger, but local resources were, after all, limited.

Seeing the treasures on the Merit List, they couldn't help but covet them. Even forces like Gānlù Zen Monastery and Eight Views Temple were compelled to offer their sect's precious collections in exchange for merit.

Shen Chen and the others followed Qin Sang's instructions: anything originating from Ziwei Palace, or confirmed to be of extraordinary origin, was to be collected into the treasury, regardless of its current utility, even if it was just a powerless fragment. These items would then await Qin Sang's personal inspection.

Qin Sang activated his spiritual sense to scan the entire treasury. Most items were fragments that had completely lost their value, showing no extraordinary signs even when touched by his spiritual sense. Shen Chen and his team had judged them by their material, concluding that it would be extremely difficult for the lower realms to refine such substances, which was how they determined their value.

Among these fragments, there might be hidden gems, but the possibility was small. At least for now, Qin Sang had no way to make use of them.

"How many cultivation techniques and divine abilities were obtained?" Qin Sang asked.

Shen Chen waved his hand, and a large cluster of shimmering lights flew towards them. Each light enveloped a jade slip. "Master," he said, "they are all here."

Qin Sang enveloped the jade slips with his spiritual sense, browsing through them one by one.

As expected, over ninety percent of them were incomplete fragments, and inferior to the collections of the Anomaly Immortal Sect.

Among the Four Great Domains before the Storm Realm's ascension, Central Plains conducted the most extensive exploration of Ziwei Palace. The Anomaly Immortal Sect, which once unified Central Plains, was the foremost leader; even the later three sects of Buddhism, Daoism, and Demonic Cultivation couldn't compare to them. The North Sea, Western Lands, and Canglang were even further behind. Cultivators from the Western Lands couldn't even locate the Ziwei Palace that had landed in their own territory.

The fragments still held some value; some scriptures were incredibly profound, clearly high-level cultivation techniques or secret arts at a glance. Unfortunately, it was almost impossible to deduce the complete versions from these fragments. Qin Sang could only draw inspiration from them.

Qin Sang focused on techniques related to lightning, sword cultivation, artifact refinement, and spiritual cultivation, eventually selecting all the sections concerning spiritual cultivation.

Regarding the jade slips Qin Sang had selected, Shen Chen pointed to one, explaining like he was recounting family treasures: "'This 'True Understanding Scripture' comes from the former Wuzhen Hall, a Demonic Sect in the Northern Wilderness of Central Plains. The founding patriarch of Wuzhen Hall obtained this fragment and created a cultivation technique based on it.

Through generations of development, it became one of Wuzhen Hall's three major inheritances, and its primordial spirit attack secret art was unparalleled in the Northern Wilderness. Regrettably, only the first three volumes of the 'True Understanding Scripture' remain.'"

Qin Sang listened while flipping through the 'True Understanding Scripture.' With his cultivation level, he could instantly grasp its true meaning.

The 'True Understanding Scripture' wasn't a method solely for cultivating the primordial spirit; it cultivated like normal techniques. However, it continuously refined the primordial spirit during the cultivation process, somewhat similar to the Cyclops race. Perhaps in the future, it could fully transform into a spiritual cultivation method.

Wuzhen Hall created demonic cultivation techniques based on this, but in reality, they had gone astray, becoming too radical.

"'And this one...'"

Shen Chen introduced each item to Qin Sang. Many fragments didn't even have their original names, having been newly named by those who acquired them.

Qin Sang lost interest in most of them after just one glance.

"This nameless technique comes from Jǐguān Temple in the Western Lands. It's said that a monk from Jǐguān Temple brought it back from Central Plains. Only the middle section remains, with both the beginning and end missing."

When only three jade slips remained before Qin Sang, Shen Chen pointed to one of them and said, "'This technique is quite interesting...'"

Qin Sang nodded slightly, recognizing it as a Buddhist inheritance. Buddhism naturally included spiritual cultivation, and even with its few scattered words, this technique offered brilliant insights into the path of spiritual cultivation.

"'What a pity!'"

Qin Sang withdrew his spiritual sense and gently shook his head. This technique was incomplete at both ends, lacking both beginning and end, like a castle in the air. It could only serve as a reference, not a primary cultivation method.

At this moment, Qin Sang had an idea. He swept his gaze around the treasury and collected all items with a Buddhist aura into his spatial bag.

His journey to the Demon Race territory required passing through Lízhou, which bordered the Buddhist lands of the Western Regions. It was said that Lízhou was heavily influenced by Buddhism, with countless temples and Buddhist kingdoms everywhere, and many cultivators practiced Buddhist dharma. Perhaps he could stumble upon some serendipitous opportunities there.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang said to Shen Chen, "Call Yu Nu over."

Li Yuling was in seclusion, so Yu Nu and Shen Chen were managing various affairs on his behalf. Shen Chen was about to depart for Kǎn State, leaving Yu Nu as the sole manager later. Of course, Shen Chen could still assist from the Five Elements Alliance in Kǎn State.

After Yu Nu arrived upon hearing the summons, Qin Sang said, "Sort out all the treasures related to Daoism. Instruct the Qīngyáng Alliance to pay close attention while in Kǎn State; perhaps they can find clues. But do not make a grand display of it, to avoid attracting unwanted attention."

Yu Nu and Shen Chen acknowledged the order.

Besides the Buddhist items, Qin Sang also picked out anything possibly related to the Witch Race, and then summoned the Vermilion Bird.

"See which ones are demon race items..."

Before Qin Sang could finish speaking, the Vermilion Bird's eyes suddenly lit up. It pounced forward, snatched an item, and swallowed it whole.

"What was that?"

Qin Sang only managed to see that the item was shaped like a date pit, with a rough, bumpy surface, resembling a seed.

"'It's useless to you anyway, just give it to me!'"

The Vermilion Bird prattled on, clearly having no intention of spitting out what it had swallowed. It then turned to complain to Shen Chen, "Why didn't you tell me you had this earlier!"

Sometimes, when Shen Chen and his team were undecided about an item, they would ask the Vermilion Bird and Su Nu to examine it. Thus, the Vermilion Bird had seen most of the treasures in the vault before.

Shen Chen, feeling wronged, explained, "This item was recently offered by a demon cultivator who claimed his ancestors obtained it from an Immortal Palace. So, I didn't disturb you, Senior."

Qin Sang replied, "I don't even know what it is yet. How can you say it's useless to me? Hand it over, let me see!"

As he spoke, Qin Sang reached out to grab the Vermilion Bird.

"'It's melted in my belly, it's gone!'"

The Vermilion Bird rolled on the ground, acting like a rascal. Finally, seeing that it couldn't get away with it, its eyes darted, and it cried out, "Fine! At worst, I'll pick out all the demon race treasures and carefully help you investigate their secrets. And when I get benefits later, they'll all be yours!"

Shen Chen and Yu Nu, already familiar with the Vermilion Bird's peculiar temperament, couldn't help but stare in dumbfounded silence at this scene.

Qin Sang gave the Vermilion Bird a deep look. "Alright," he said, "don't forget what you said today."

"'This Vermilion Bird's word is as good as gold!'"

The Vermilion Bird became cocky again, flying a few circles around the treasury and collecting all items that might be related to the demon race.

Qīngyáng Temple.

Outside the mountain gate.

Qin Sang stood in the void with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance. A moment later, he turned to those behind him and said, "You all don't need to see me off any further."

Behind him, apart from Shen Chen, who would accompany him, stood Su Nu, Sword Slave, Yu Nu, and others. For this long journey, Qin Sang had not informed too many people, nor had he disturbed Li Yuling, who was still in seclusion.

"Brother Qin, take care. We shall meet again!"

"We shall meet again!"

Qin Sang nodded, and clouds formed beneath his feet. He took Shen Chen with him and soared through the air. As for the two young Witch Race members, they had already been secretly sent to Kǎn State.

Leaving the Qīngyáng Realm, Qin Sang first hurried to the Zhu Yan Tribe. Although Clan Leader Yuanxiang was in seclusion, he had given prior instructions for Qin Sang to be warmly received.

After traversing through the Zhu Yan Tribe's territory, Qin Sang once again arrived in the southern part of the Misty Sea, flying towards the location of Zi Yun Mountain's gate in his memory.

Qin Sang arrived openly to visit. As soon as he approached Zi Yun Mountain, he alerted its cultivators.

On the vast expanse of the sea, ripples suddenly spread, and a cluster of vibrant colors burst forth. The chaotic colors gradually became clear, and the gate of Zi Yun Mountain opened wide, from which a figure flew out.

The one who came to greet Qin Sang was Master Liǎo Shèn.

"True Lord Qin, my regards."

"Master, it's been a while," Qin Sang said, bowing in return.

Master Liǎo Shèn noticed the changes in Qin Sang's cultivation level, and his emotions were inevitably complex. Back then, he and Qin Sang had entered the sacred land together, but encountered an unexpected change that disrupted their original plans, causing them to miss their opportunities.

Later, when an even greater opportunity arose, he had to withdraw due to severe injuries. It could be said he had toiled in vain, only ending up severely injured, and it took him nearly a hundred years to fully recover after returning.

In contrast, Qin Sang and Shuli not only made great strides in their cultivation, but Shuli, moreover, obtained a heaven-defying opportunity.

"True Lord Qin, please come in!"

Master Liǎo Shèn raised his hand and gestured. "True Lord Ning already knew of your visit," he said, "and is waiting in the lake pavilion."

"How dare I make True Lord Ning wait long!"

Qin Sang immediately followed Master Liǎo Shèn into the mountain gate. Shen Chen was taken care of by others.

Having shared hardships in the sacred land, there was no longer any old estrangement between them. They exchanged a few greetings and spoke of matters concerning the Qīngyáng Alliance. Master Liǎo Shèn had personally overseen it, and Zi Yun Mountain had contributed greatly, naturally also benefiting from it.

The two merely exchanged a few simple words, setting the general direction for the future, leaving specific matters for their subordinates to handle.

Qin Sang took the opportunity to take out the Buddhist fragment and consulted Master Liǎo Shèn.

Master Liǎo Shèn took a look and let out a soft "Mm."

"Master, have you recognized the origin of this technique?" Qin Sang asked.

"If I remember correctly, some characteristics of this technique align very well with a high-level Buddhist scripture..." Master Liǎo Shèn recalled, "That scripture is named the 'Ten Directions Pure Land Hidden Spirit Scripture.' It is said to originate from the Pure Land lineage, but this lineage has many branches, and this humble monk does not know which revered temple holds its current inheritance. When True Lord Qin goes to Lízhou, perhaps you can inquire about it."

"'Ten Directions Pure Land Hidden Spirit Scripture...'"

Qin Sang recited the scripture's name aloud, appearing thoughtful, and offered his thanks.

As they spoke, they arrived at the lakeside. Master Liǎo Shèn stopped, indicating Qin Sang should proceed to the lake pavilion by himself.

Qin Sang cast aside his distracting thoughts and walked towards the lake pavilion. As he approached, he heard the clear sound of a zither. When he reached the pavilion, the music suddenly ceased.

Inside the pavilion, True Lord Ning, with her jade-like hands on the zither, looked up and said, "Congratulations, Envoy Qin. To achieve such progress in just a few hundred years is enough to astonish the world. Perhaps it won't be long before Envoy Qin catches up to this humble Daoist."

"Senior, please stop teasing this junior."

Qin Sang gave a wry smile. "Such a heaven-defying opportunity will probably only come once in a lifetime."

True Lord Ning smiled and gestured for Qin Sang to take a seat.

Qin Sang thanked her, sat opposite True Lord Ning, and asked, "How is Shuli doing now?"

"Throughout the entire Supreme Dao Lineage, no one is doing better than her," True Lord Ning said with a smile, then her tone shifted. "However, the true spirit of the Spring Autumn Scroll has not yet recovered, so she cannot come to see you yet."

Qin Sang nodded in understanding. He knew what Shuli bringing back the Spring Autumn Scroll meant for the Supreme Dao Lineage.

True Lord Ning had warned him about it back then.

Although the Spring Autumn Scroll had appeared, its true spirit was damaged. The Supreme Dao Lineage would certainly find a way to help it recover, and Shuli, having been chosen by the Spring Autumn Scroll, was the most crucial figure in this process.

To nurture its true spirit, she had to personally refine the Spring Autumn Scroll and absolutely could not leave. Currently, the entire Supreme Dao Lineage was closely watching over her.

Of course, Shuli would also gain benefits during this process.

"'True Lord Qin, did you never consider seizing it?' True Lord Ning asked, her tone suddenly