Chapter 28: Crane Transmits the Seal

Human Affairs

After arriving at the Dongyang Prince's Manor, Qin Sang was assigned to a small courtyard. Meals were delivered three times a day, but he was forbidden from leaving or wandering around.

For several days, Qin Sang didn't see Princess Dongyang, nor was he summoned by Prince Dongyang. During this time, only Bai Jianglan visited once.

He had come to seek immortality and was very patiently waiting.

However, this environment was well-suited for cultivation, so Qin Sang patiently focused on practicing the *Nether Scripture*.

With the help of Soul Pills, Qin Sang felt his cultivation speed was even faster than during the first layer. If he had an unlimited supply of Soul Pills, he estimated he could break through to the third layer of the *Nether Scripture* within a year.

Of course, this was an ideal scenario.

Under his intense cultivation, one Soul Pill would be depleted in at most half a month. Qin Sang took two Soul Pills consecutively. When he took the third, Yama's body became extremely thin, dissipating like a flickering candle in the wind.

It seemed that if he took one more, Yama would collapse.

Qin Sang wasn't sure if Yama could recover after being drained, nor would he do anything foolish like draining the pond to catch all the fish. His concern was how to continuously acquire Soul Pills.

What Yin煞 Qi was, Qin Sang couldn't figure out in a short time.

Human souls, on the other hand, were inexhaustible, but he would probably have to slaughter village after village to meet his cultivation needs.

Slaughtering the innocent—not to mention the emotional hurdle for him—would also mean that before his cultivation improved significantly, he would be hunted down as a demonic fiend by other immortal masters. Qin Sang still vividly remembered the tragic sight of the black-clad demon being cut in half.

A slight tingling sensation ran through his meridians. Qin Sang stopped cultivating and opened his eyes to see that the sky outside was already faintly lit. Although he had practiced all night, his spirit remained invigorated. Still, Qin Sang usually took a short nap, sometimes even sleeping for an entire day, believing that was true rest.

Just as he was about to lie down fully clothed, a knock suddenly came from the courtyard gate.

"Brother Bai, you've arrived."

Qin Sang opened the door to see Bai Jianglan standing outside. A light rain was falling, and Bai Jianglan wore a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat, with a treasured sword on his back, looking like a dusty knight-errant traveling the world.

Bai Jianglan entered the room, took off his raincoat, and pulled a few books from his embrace, handing them to Qin Sang. "Brother Qin, these are several advanced martial arts Princess Dongyang instructed me to select from the prince's martial arts library. Over the past month, many significant events have occurred outside, and I've been busy traveling with the princess, only just returning today."

No wonder no one had disturbed him for so long.

He had been cultivating diligently in the small courtyard for over a month, not taking a single step outside. Apart from the maids who delivered food, he hadn't seen a single outsider, practically living in isolation. What major events could have happened outside?

Qin Sang thought to himself as he took the books and flipped through them. There were three secret manuals in total.

One was the *Soul-Snatching Spear*, which was perfect for him. Although the *Tiger-Subduing Long Fist* could also be used with a staff, it was, after all, a superficial skill and not purely a spear technique.

Learning the *Soul-Snatching Spear* would make it easier for Qin Sang to conceal the use of the Yama Banner in the future.

The second was the *Mingwang Technique*, an internal cultivation method. Qin Sang couldn't immediately grasp its essence but planned to study it carefully later to see how it differed from the *Nether Scripture*.

Flipping to the third book, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up. This was a lightness skill, named the *Shadowless Step*.

Light as a swallow, able to scale walls and roofs, leaving no trace in snow, crossing a river on a single reed...

He had long coveted the legendary lightness skills, but unfortunately, none of the martial arts schools or escort agencies in Three Witches City taught them; at most, they had a few practical footwork techniques.

Seeing Qin Sang's joyful expression, Bai Jianglan also smiled. "I saw that Brother Qin is skilled with spears and staffs, so I helped you choose this *Soul-Snatching Spear*. This spear technique was created by a renowned martial artist who wielded a spear; it's exquisite and can seize souls. The *Mingwang Technique* is a top-tier internal cultivation method in the martial arts world, but internal cultivation methods are slow to show results. Brother Qin, don't be impatient; you must calm your mind and cultivate patiently. If you can truly cultivate a trace of true qi in your dantian, your martial arts will certainly reach a new level. And there's this *Shadowless Step*. Because Brother Qin doesn't have internal force, I helped you choose it. It's not only an exquisite movement technique but also has the ability to conceal breath and hide one's shadow, forming its own distinct style. When practiced deeply, it's no weaker than top-tier lightness skills... Is Brother Qin satisfied?"

Qin Sang cupped his hands in gratitude. "Thanks to Princess Dongyang's kindness, and for your trouble, Brother Bai. Qin Sang is immensely grateful."

The two sat opposite each other, drinking fragrant tea and talking. Bai Jianglan pointed out the key aspects of these three martial arts manuals to Qin Sang, who carefully noted them down, though he would only truly understand them after practicing.

Speaking of Shuizi's condition, Bai Jianglan's tone was less sorrowful. "Zhou Ning is a cheerful child by nature and can take things in stride. His injuries are now healing well, and he can already get up to practice his sword, much more diligently than before. After this great tribulation, changing his lax character might even allow his martial arts to advance."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement, though he wouldn't take such comforting words seriously. For martial artists, losing an arm greatly affected their martial arts.

Bai Jianglan took a sip of tea, looked at Qin Sang, and asked, "Brother Qin, do you still hold to your previous idea?"

Qin Sang put down his teacup, sat up straight, and replied solemnly, "Brother Bai, I have admired the path of immortality since I was young, and this aspiration has never changed!"

A month ago, Bai Jianglan had visited Qin Sang in the small courtyard, subtly inquiring about Qin Sang's future plans.

Qin Sang knew that Bai Jianglan was testing him on behalf of Princess Dongyang.

Prince Dongyang's status in the Great Sui Dynasty was second only to the Emperor, making him one of the people most likely to come into contact with immortal masters.

He was grateful for Princess Dongyang's two life-saving acts. When returning to Dongyang Commandery by boat, he could clearly feel that Princess Dongyang held him in high regard. Qin Sang's mind was active, so he straightforwardly expressed his desire to seek an immortal destiny.

Qin Sang was secretly nervous, wondering what answer Bai Jianglan would bring him.

In fact, Bai Jianglan had seen through Qin Sang's intentions last year on the boat, but he hadn't expected him to be so resolute. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "According to the ancestral system of the Great Sui Dynasty, whenever a new emperor ascends the throne and inherits the Great Treasure, an enthronement ceremony must be held on 朝圣山 (Chaoshěng Shān - Pilgrimage Mountain) in the imperial capital, to seal heaven and pacify earth, signifying divine right and a mandate from heaven. At that time, celestial light would fill the sky, divine music would resound, and immortal cranes would bring the imperial seal from heaven, only then would one truly be the rightful ruler."

Qin Sang had learned about these things. This world had many differences from his previous life's ancient times, but also some similarities, such as similar methods for governing the populace.

However, because martial arts and immortals genuinely existed, the methods here were more realistic than those in his past life.

"Little do people know..."

Bai Jianglan paused, then continued, "I only recently learned that the so-called mandate from heaven is merely an illusion, but the imperial seal delivered by immortal cranes is real. However, the imperial seal does not come from heaven, but from immortal masters."

Qin Sang was shaken upon hearing this and asked in surprise, "Brother Bai, does that mean even becoming emperor requires the acknowledgment of immortal masters?"

Bai Jianglan nodded.

Qin Sang frowned. "Then, who becomes emperor is simply determined by the immortal masters. What's the point of fighting for it?"