Chapter 343: Helpless and at a Loss

Qin Sang had already intended to ask his fellow disciples about Ziwei Palace upon returning to his sect. Yun Youzi's words made him even more resolved to investigate the matter thoroughly.

The two continued discussing Ziwei Palace for a while. Qin Sang then used his spiritual energy to conjure an image of the Ziwei Secret Talisman, showing it to Yun Youzi.

"Senior, where do you plan to go next? Do you have any leads yet?" Qin Sang asked.

Due to a lingering injury to his soul, Yun Youzi was unable to break through beyond the mid-Foundation Establishment stage; arduous cultivation proved ineffective. He first needed to find a way to resolve his current predicament.

Yun Youzi nodded. "I have two options now, but neither is easy, and I haven't decided where specifically to go. I came to Yinshan Pass for two reasons: to examine the Ziwei Secret Talisman, and to gather the materials I need. Brother Qin, you might not be aware, but Yinshan Pass's unique location—neither strictly righteous nor demonic—draws all sorts of cultivators, and rare items often surface here. If you find yourself with free time in the future, you might consider visiting more often."

Yun Youzi had frequented ancient immortal battlefields since his Qi Condensation stage, making him exceptionally knowledgeable.

Qin Sang thought of the Nethercloud and nodded in deep agreement. That flying artifact was incredibly useful, and it would have been impossible to acquire it so easily anywhere else.

"Senior, please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can assist with."

Qin Sang said.

He and Yun Youzi had become companions in adversity. Witnessing Yun Youzi's tireless efforts to heal his injuries, Qin Sang felt a deep sense of empathy. Given the bond they had forged in Qiuhong Market, Qin Sang would certainly not withhold his assistance.

Yun Youzi cupped his hands and chuckled, "Then this old Taoist thanks you in advance, Brother Qin."

Qin Sang waved a hand. "I actually need to ask for your help first. I'm not sure if Manager Pu informed you, but an old friend of mine is severely injured, and his primordial spirit is on the verge of dissipating..."

Qin Sang briefly described Tan Jie's condition.

Unable to assess Tan Jie's condition without seeing him, Yun Youzi and Qin Sang decided to leave the city together.

Tan Hao was anxiously waiting in his cave dwelling. When he saw Yun Youzi arrive, he stepped out a few paces, bowed deeply, and greeted him, "This junior, Tan Hao, extends his greetings to the Daoist. Thank you for your trouble."

For years, Tan Hao had used a pseudonym, only referring to himself by his true name in Qin Sang's presence.

"There's no need for such formality, Fellow Daoist Tan."

Yun Youzi helped Tan Hao steady himself. "Although my medical skills are humble, I accepted Brother Qin's invitation and am deeply moved by Fellow Daoist Tan's unmatched loyalty. I will certainly do everything in my power. Without further delay, let's go see your brother."

"Daoist, Brother Qin, please come in..."

Tan Hao quickly stepped aside, inviting them into the cave dwelling.

Inside the spacious tree hollow, a crystal coffin rested on a wooden bed. Tan Jie lay within the coffin, still showing no signs of waking.

"Oh? This artifact is quite good."

Upon seeing the crystal coffin, Yun Youzi's eyes lit up, and he offered a casual compliment. His gaze then shifted to Tan Jie, carefully observing his complexion.

After observing for a while, Yun Youzi gently opened the crystal coffin. With his eyes slightly closed, he extended his divine sense into Tan Jie's body, examining his physical form and, most crucially, his primordial spirit.

A hush fell over the cave dwelling.

Qin Sang and Tan Hao dared not disturb Yun Youzi, standing quietly to the side.

Tan Hao's hands were tightly clasped together, his eyes fixed on Yun Youzi without blinking. His gaze clearly revealed his intense nervousness.

A moment later, Yun Youzi opened his eyes, closed the crystal coffin, and glanced at Tan Hao with a pained expression. He then subtly shook his head at Qin Sang.

Qin Sang's heart sank.

Tan Hao gritted his teeth and said hoarsely, "Daoist, whatever the outcome, please just tell us directly!"

Qin Sang also nodded to Yun Youzi, signaling him to speak without hesitation.

Tan Hao had remained steadfastly by his brother's side, like a living dead man, for forty years, never abandoning him. If nothing else, his resolve must have been thoroughly tempered by now, enabling him to endure any outcome.

Yun Youzi then spoke frankly.

"My assessment may not be entirely accurate, Fellow Daoist, but you can take it as a reference.

"Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's condition is not good, as you've likely already sensed.

"Currently, Fellow Daoist Tan Jie's primordial spirit is incredibly weak, on the verge of dissipating at any moment. Unless a legendary immortal elixir exists, I cannot conceive of any method to cure him.

"Furthermore, even if you were to gather countless Tranquil Spirit Pills, they would only delay the inevitable for so long—perhaps at most another year or two. Fellow Daoist Tan, you must prepare yourself for this."

Yun Youzi's tone was heavy.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly; his own assessment was much the same as Yun Youzi's.

Tan Jie was already at his last gasp; even if a soul-healing pill could be found now, it would likely be ineffective.

Hearing Yun Youzi's words, Tan Hao's last flicker of hope was extinguished. His sturdy frame trembled violently, and he braced an arm against the crystal coffin, his gaze fixed on Tan Jie within. His eyes were bloodshot, yet no tears fell.

After a long silence, he suppressed the sorrow in his eyes and spoke in as calm a voice as he could manage: "Brother Qin and the Daoist have gone to great trouble for me; Tan Hao is eternally grateful. I... I did have a premonition, but I simply refused to believe it. It's only because my cultivation is too low that I failed him..."

Tan Hao's palms gripped the crystal coffin so tightly that his veins bulged, his voice heavy with self-reproach and regret.

Yun Youzi stood up and exchanged a few words with Qin Sang via spiritual transmission. He left two prescriptions, both for nourishing the soul. Notably, the required spiritual herbs were inexpensive, and while the effect would be minimal, it was better than nothing, likely extending Tan Jie's life by a few months.

But what meaning did a few more months of life truly hold?

Yun Youzi shook his head regretfully. "Brother Qin, I've also rented a cave dwelling nearby while I wait for the auction, so I won't intrude for now. While I was examining him just now, I also used a secret method to regulate Fellow Daoist Tan Jie a bit. If I perform it twice more over the next few days, it might extend his life for a while longer..."

Noticing Yun Youzi's slightly fatigued expression, Qin Sang quickly escorted him back to his cave dwelling to recuperate.

After seeing Yun Youzi off, Qin Sang returned to Tan Hao's cave dwelling. Observing Tan Hao consumed by grief, he hesitated for a moment before carefully presenting an idea he had long pondered.

"Brother Tan," Qin Sang began, "I know of another secret method that might be able to prevent Brother Tan Jie's primordial spirit from dissipating, but it demands a very severe price. This cost might be unbearable for many... I wonder if you would be willing to accept it?"

"What secret method?"

Tan Hao suddenly raised his head, seizing Qin Sang's arm with an incredibly agitated expression, as if grasping at a last straw, without a moment's hesitation.

"Brother Qin, I'll pay any price! As long as it works for Tan Jie, I'd even be willing to die!"

"Brother Tan, please calm down and listen carefully. This price isn't one you'd pay, but rather one Brother Tan Jie would bear.

"Once this secret method is employed, no one can predict what changes Brother Tan Jie will undergo; he might never find release.

"Moreover, this secret method would only seal Brother Tan Jie's primordial spirit, maintaining its current state and preventing further dissipation, but it would not cure him.

"Brother Tan, you must consider this very carefully before making your decision..."

The secret method Qin Sang spoke of was using the Heavenly Corpse Talisman to seal Tan Jie's primordial spirit.

Back then, Senior Sister Qing Ting had likely sought the Heavenly Corpse Talisman for this exact reason, which was why Qin Sang had thought of this method after seeing Tan Jie's condition.

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