Chapter 327: Ziwei Palace

Like Qin Sang, everyone else was afraid of being misunderstood by the Core Formation cultivator. They didn't dare to leave their seats, so they strained their upper bodies forward, staring intently at the sheepskin.

However, to the naked eye, the 'sheepskin' showed no peculiar features whatsoever.

With the Core Formation Master presiding, the cultivators in the hall were brimming with curiosity and itching with anticipation, yet they dared not use their spiritual energy or divine sense to probe the object.

"Commander Gao, what exactly is this object?" the red-clad woman asked, unable to contain herself.

Others also began to murmur amongst themselves.

"It seems to be a piece of beast hide…"

"Perhaps it's a spiritual artifact that conceals its divine radiance?"

"Could it be a scripture similar to a jade slip? Is there a powerful cultivation method left by a grand master within?"

"Or perhaps it's a sealed item…"

Qin Sang remained silent, observing carefully, and was now largely certain of something.

This 'sheepskin', along with the one he possessed, shared the exact same material and size. Both were perfectly square, indicating they had been cut from a larger piece of hide.

Qin Sang had acquired his 'sheepskin' along with the Ebony Sword and the Yama Banner when he first arrived in this world, and he had tested it on numerous occasions.

He first attempted to activate it using spiritual energy and divine sense when he just embarked on his cultivation journey.

Later, upon acquiring spells like the Object Manipulation Technique, which allowed him to open a mustard seed bag, he tried each one on the sheepskin, but still received no response.

After joining the Kuiyin Sect and learning that the black-clad demon might be a disciple of that sect, he secretly investigated whether the sheepskin had any connection to the Kuiyin Sect.

At the time, he was confined to the Yinsha Abyss and subsequently sent out as an undercover agent, so naturally, he found nothing.

After pledging allegiance to Mount Shaohua, he learned various secrets of the Kuiyin Sect from Sun De. Qin Sang then speculated that the black-clad demon, like Shi Hong, was a chosen sacrifice of a true disciple or Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Kuiyin Sect.

However, a closer consideration led him to believe that the demon might not have been a Kuiyin Sect disciple after all.

The black-clad demon's cultivation was not high, and he was pursued by Song Hua in a truly miserable state. It was unclear if he lacked a mustard seed bag or had lost it during their confrontation.

Severely wounded, he could only resort to controlling mountain bandits to aid his escape and survive by devouring blood essence using demonic arts.

Perhaps this individual was a rogue cultivator who had somehow obtained the Netherworld Scripture and the Yama Banner. Even if he hadn't perished by the Shenshui River, he would eventually have succumbed to the backlash of the Yama Banner.

Regardless of the black-clad demon's identity, the Kuiyin Sect had been annihilated, making any further investigation impossible. Qin Sang saw no point in delving deeper.

Qin Sang once suspected that the conflict between Song Hua and the black-clad demon might not have been a clash between good and evil, nor a personal vendetta, but rather related to this very piece of sheepskin.

However, initiating an investigation through Song Hua proved equally impossible.

When he met Song Ying, Qin Sang requested to see the letter Song Hua had left before his departure. The letter contained no coded messages, and no relevant clues were found at the Wen Yue market.

Years had passed, and no one knew Song Hua's whereabouts.

Ultimately, the matter remained unresolved.

After achieving Foundation Establishment and organizing his mustard seed bag, Qin Sang recalled the 'sheepskin'. He took it out to examine it once more, confirming that its inertness before wasn't due to his insufficient cultivation.

Aside from its exceptionally durable material, the hide possessed no other special characteristics. It might have been the skin of some demonic beast, and in the cultivation world, such inexplicable items were commonplace.

None of the items found on the black-clad demon, be it the Yama Banner or the Netherworld Scripture, were considered valuable in the cultivation world. Qin Sang thus estimated the sheepskin's value to be equally low. As his cultivation path grew increasingly arduous, leaving no room for distractions, he simply set it aside and paid it no further attention.

Had the 'sheepskin' not reappeared at this auction, he would have almost forgotten about it entirely!

What could this 'sheepskin' possibly be?

Qin Sang's mind buzzed with intense curiosity and burgeoning excitement.

A treasure that a Core Formation Master would treat with such reverence, store in a wooden box, and present for auction, must undoubtedly be extraordinary!

A fragment of a magical treasure?

A damaged cultivation manual?

A treasure map?

Or something else entirely?

However, Qin Sang also harbored a sense of caution, pondering why the Core Formation cultivator concealed in the shadows would put the 'sheepskin' up for auction, especially at this particular event.

Could it be that the 'sheepskin's' value wasn't as high as he imagined, and it held little significance for a Core Formation cultivator?

Or perhaps…

It's a trap!

Assuming these two pieces of 'sheepskin' originated from the same source, would it require collecting two or even more to unlock their true purpose and value?

Is the Core Formation cultivator, hidden in the shadows, perhaps constantly observing the cultivators in the hall, watching to see if anyone recognizes the sheepskin?

Qin Sang was startled, his hair standing on end as a strong sense of alarm welled up within him.

Fortunately, with his deep cunning, he kept his wild speculations confined to his mind, betraying no outward signs.

As Qin Sang's thoughts raced, Gao Yi retrieved the sheepskin from the wooden box. He raised his arm and said solemnly, "Fellow cultivators, please remain calm. I now invite the senior to reveal this treasure's true form."

A single point of golden light shot forth from the darkness, striking the center of the sheepskin.

Strangely, the seemingly sharp golden light, upon touching the sheepskin, vanished instantly as if absorbed, leaving the sheepskin itself entirely unchanged.

Just as everyone was perplexed, a faint white light suddenly blossomed from the center of the sheepskin, slowly expanding outwards.

On the previously blank sheepskin, a pattern resembling a celestial gate gradually materialized. In the very center of this celestial gate, three ancient characters were etched with powerful, striking strokes: Zi Wei Gong!

The three characters "Zi Wei Gong" shone with dazzling light. Their strokes, like dragons and snakes, exuded an astonishing power, and the radiance was as sharp as sword energy, making it impossible to look directly at.

The pattern on the sheepskin appeared almost tangible, with auspicious clouds drifting by.

The celestial gate stood ethereal amidst layers of cloud sea, adorned with carved dragons and painted phoenixes, exuding an ancient and extraordinary aura.

Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the celestial gate was severely damaged. Countless cracks marred its surface, and it appeared incomplete, with damage evident everywhere. Even half of a carved dragon's head had peeled away, significantly diminishing its divine splendor.

It made one wonder if a mere touch would cause the celestial gate to crumble.

The Zi Wei Palace revealed itself!

Most cultivators in the hall, including a few suspected late-stage Foundation Establishment experts, wore bewildered expressions, while the red-clad woman and the Daoist priest looked utterly shocked.

"The Zi Wei Palace!"

The red-clad woman gasped, covering her mouth. "This piece of beast hide… could it be the Zi Wei Palace Secret Talisman?"

Before her words fully faded, a hearty laugh echoed throughout the hall.

"I didn't expect that among you juniors, someone would know of the Zi Wei Palace Secret Talisman's existence.

Indeed, the Zi Wei Palace Secret Talisman is the key to entering the Zi Wei Palace this time.

The spiritual tide is approaching, and the Secret Talisman has now appeared.

Once the spiritual tide arrives, the Zi Wei Palace will open.

Unless one can find protection from a Nascent Soul Grandmaster, only those holding the Secret Talisman will be qualified to enter the Zi Wei Palace.

You juniors may not have sensed it yet, but the Little Han Domain is already rife with hidden currents. The competition for the Secret Talisman will undoubtedly ignite a conflict, and future struggles will only intensify."