Chapter 277: Qingfeng Daoist

Yun Youzi also clearly informed Qin Sang that spiritual medicines emitting this Xuanhuang energy were not limited to Xuanwen Huangjing alone. There was only a fifty percent chance that the source of that particular Xuanhuang energy would be Xuanwen Huangjing.

In addition to the Xuanhuang energy, similar spiritual medicines might also be found beneath auras of other colors. Yun Youzi promised that regardless of the type of spiritual medicine, as long as it could effectively heal Qin Sang's hidden injuries, he would fully assist him in gathering it and refine elixirs for him free of charge.

In return, Qin Sang would also have to offer assistance whenever Yun Youzi required it.

Yun Youzi suspected that these spiritual medicines were likely guarded by spirit beasts. Even if they reached the location successfully, gathering the herbs would probably not be easy; they would need to cooperate fully.

This was a perfectly reasonable request, and Qin Sang naturally did not refuse.

However, before all that, their first priority was figuring out how to locate this suspected medicinal garden.

The discovery of this place, it turned out, had a rather convoluted history.

This location was originally an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, situated between Jiuyong Pass and Xuanlu Pass. As it was also on the border between the inner and middle regions, it was a chaotic territory where the influence of major sects had difficulty reaching.

The emergence of the cave dwelling caused a significant stir, attracting the attention of many, including numerous Core Formation cultivators.

However, after breaking through the outer restrictions, everyone discovered the cave dwelling was empty, containing no valuable treasures. All who entered returned empty-handed.

Fortunately, the remaining restrictions of the cave dwelling were relatively intact. Later, some cultivators repaired these restrictions and established a market town there, named Qiuhong Market.

Due to its isolated location, there were no other market towns or cities nearby. Moreover, the restrictions protecting Qiuhong Market were quite powerful, allowing it to stand firm for decades as an extremely safe refuge. Consequently, the market gradually became more populated, and its reputation grew.

One year, during a celestial phenomenon, a large group of cloud beasts, comparable in strength to Core Formation cultivators, unexpectedly emerged from the depths of the ancient immortal battlefield and wandered into Qiuhong Market. This led to the market's destruction and the market owner's death at the hands of the beasts. It was then that everyone surprisingly discovered a hidden secret within Qiuhong Market!

Deep within Qiuhong Market, an even larger protective grand array was hidden, and within this array lay the true location of the ancient cave dwelling!

That was the ancient cultivator's real hidden treasure ground!

Since the emergence of this cave dwelling had caused a considerable stir, many people knew about its existence. Unable to claim it solely for himself, the market owner devised a plan: he spent a large sum to repair the outer restrictions, then used the market as a facade to secretly work on deciphering the protective grand array within.

Once the protective grand array was exposed, a continuous stream of people entered Qiuhong Market to seek treasures. However, the array was extremely dangerous, and entering it was not easy; many cultivators perished within.

Eventually, the patterns of the protective grand array were understood. Approximately every thirty years, the array would enter a low period, during which Foundation Establishment cultivators could form teams and enter together, with a high probability of success.

Over the years, countless cultivators had entered and exited, yet this particular hidden passage had only recently been discovered for the first time.

The scene depicted on the jade pendant was copied by the very first person to discover the hidden passage. However, this individual mysteriously died after leaving, and the information never leaked out.

It wasn't until two years ago that some vague and dubious rumors about hidden passages and medicinal gardens suddenly began to circulate, subtly gaining momentum. Naturally, most people did not believe them.

This skepticism was due to the fact that, apart from a few crucial areas, every other corner of Qiuhong Market had been searched countless times—it was no exaggeration to say they had dug three feet deep. If any hidden passages or relics existed, they would have been plundered long ago.

Furthermore, these kinds of rumors were not new, nor did they only appear when Qiuhong Market emerged. Almost every time similar situations arose, certain individuals with ulterior motives would widely disseminate various rumors, attempting to profit from the chaos.

Upon receiving the news, Yun Youzi, adhering to the principle that no opportunity should be missed, made a personal trip. By chance, he saw the scene depicted on the jade pendant, only then confirming that the news was very likely true.

Since the person who left the jade pendant scene had died, Yun Youzi did not know the exact location of the hidden passage and had to devise another plan.

After a detailed investigation, Yun Youzi suspected that the person's death was closely related to the companions who entered Qiuhong Market with him thirty years prior. He eventually narrowed his focus to three specific individuals.

These three individuals were also planning to enter during the array's upcoming low period, and were currently gathering people and practicing formations.

Their first task was to infiltrate the teams of these three individuals before the protective grand array reached its low period. They needed to secretly observe their actions and identify the killer.

Therefore, besides Qin Sang and Yun Youzi, there would be one more person accompanying them.

The three of them needed to act separately.

Once the target was identified, they would seek an opportunity to establish contact.

Pondering these matters, Qin Sang put away the jade pendant. In ten days, it would be the appointed time for him and Yun Youzi to depart for Qiuhong Market and seek an opportunity to infiltrate one of the teams.

Qin Sang assessed his own capabilities. The Ebony Sword's power had increased further after it devoured the Blackflame Camphor. The Ten Directions Yama Banner and the Jade Ruyi Talisman-treasure served as his trump cards. Moreover, the Nine Dragon Sky Chariot Talisman had largely recovered. With these treasures at his disposal, Qin Sang wasn't overly concerned about his safety, provided he acted cautiously.

However, some of these items were not meant to be exposed. If he used them, he would need to be prepared to silence any witnesses.

Before that, it would be best to remain anonymous.

After a moment of thought, Qin Sang exited his cave dwelling. After closing the restrictions, he headed straight for Xuanlu Pass, spending some spirit stones to acquire a few more magical artifacts and make thorough preparations.

Ten days later.

Yun Youzi arrived as agreed.

"Brother Qin, there's news from over there..."

Yun Youzi arrived in a hurry. "Brother Qin," he said, "the grand array of Qiuhong Market will enter its low period later this time, possibly delayed by another one to two years. When it does, there might be even more people entering Qiuhong Market. However, having more time will make it easier to gain their trust, which might not be a bad thing for us. But Brother Qin, you must act with extreme caution. Even if you confirm the person's identity, absolutely do not alert them before Daoist Ge Yuan and I arrive."

Yun Youzi was still somewhat uneasy about Qin Sang, giving him countless warnings and instructions.

Ge Yuan, the third person joining forces with them, was someone Qin Sang had not yet met.

This individual was currently lurking in Xihuang Town, the closest settlement to Qiuhong Market, constantly monitoring the evolving situation.

Qin Sang also understood the gravity of the situation. Infiltrating the opposing team alone and acting rashly would be unwise, as it could easily lead to being besieged.

"Senior, please don't worry," Qin Sang replied. "I understand the gravity of the situation and will act with utmost caution."

Yun Youzi grunted in acknowledgment. "It's good that Brother Qin understands," he said. "By the way, have you decided on the identity you'll use for your disguise?"

"Yes, I have," Qin Sang replied.

Qin Sang nodded. "From now on, Senior, you can call me Daoist Qingfeng."