Chapter 410: Dan Formation

Yun Youzi left in a hurry.

Qin Sang stayed in Qingyang Market for another half a month. After that, he changed his original plan and, instead of going to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, returned to his sect, Shaohua Mountain.

A few more communication talismans had appeared in Huilong Temple.

Qin Sang retrieved them and checked them one by one. When he saw one of them, his expression shifted slightly, and he immediately activated his flight light, soaring towards his sect.

Shaohua Mountain, Sect Leader's Peak.

Sect Leader Yu was originally in charge of this peak.

After discovering unusual activity from the Tianxing Alliance, Qi Yuanshou was urgently recalled to the mountain and has since resided permanently on the Sect Leader's Peak.

A streak of flight light streaked across the sky and arrived in front of the Sect Leader's Peak.

This time, Qin Sang acted with extreme caution. His flight landed at the foot of the Sect Leader's Peak, and he then took out a jade box, holding it in his palm. He walked up the mountain, his steps hurried, until he arrived in front of the Sect Leader's Hall.

In front of the Sect Leader's Hall stood a slender, handsome young man. Judging by his cultivation, he must have just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

The young man not only looked young, but his actual age also seemed to be low, indicating excellent talent.

Qin Sang had been away from the sect for a long time and did not recognize these rising talents. Since this person was guarding the Sect Leader's Hall, he could not be underestimated. So, Qin Sang cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Greetings, fellow junior brother. I am Qin Sang. I wish to see Martial Uncle Qi. Would you please inform him on my behalf?"

"You are Senior Brother Qin?"

The young man seemed to know Qin Sang. A smile immediately appeared on his face, and he actively walked over, returning the greeting. "Gao Yang greets Senior Brother Qin," he said. "My master often speaks of Senior Brother Qin, Senior Brother Yuyangzi, and Senior Brother Mu, praising you all endlessly. Gao Yang has admired you for a long time, and today I finally get to see Senior Brother Qin in person!"

"I don't deserve such praise! I truly don't!"

Qin Sang asked curiously, "Junior Brother Gao, is your esteemed master Martial Uncle Qi?"

Gao Yang nodded and showed a look of sudden realization, then explained, "Senior Brother Qin has been traveling outside the sect and might not know. When Master achieved Golden Core formation, it just so happened that I also broke through to Foundation Establishment, so Master took me as a disciple. That's how I was able to stay by his side for a long time, listening to his teachings and sharing his burdens."

An envious expression appeared on Qin Sang's face. "Junior Brother Gao," he said, "to be favored by Martial Uncle Qi and taken as a disciple, what truly good fortune! When Martial Uncle Qi was stationed at Xuanlu Pass, Senior Brother Mu and I, among others, received much care from him. Junior Brother Gao, if you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell me. Although my cultivation isn't high, I will definitely do my best to help."

Gao Yang was overjoyed. "Many thanks, Senior Brother Qin!" he exclaimed.

A warm smile appeared on Qin Sang's face, and he began to chat enthusiastically with Gao Yang.

Among the communication talismans from Huilong Temple, one was a message of good news: Qi Yuanshou had successfully formed his Golden Core a month ago, becoming a Golden Core cultivator.

The first time Qin Sang went to Xuanlu Pass was thirty years ago. At that time, Qi Yuanshou was already an expert at the Pseudo-Core stage and had been trapped by a bottleneck for a long time.

It is very common for cultivators to be trapped at the Pseudo-Core stage for their entire lives.

For the past thirty years, Qi Yuanshou had never been able to break through.

Unexpectedly, after being recalled to the sect and dealing with more complex sect affairs, Qi Yuanshou, on the contrary, succeeded in breaking through in one go.

Senior Brother Qi transformed, becoming Martial Uncle Qi.

Before Qin Sang left, he hadn't heard any rumors, and even Senior Brother Wen, who was in charge of Daomen Peak, was completely unaware of this.

Before forming a Golden Core, cultivators usually need to go into seclusion to quiet their minds and sort themselves out, often for more than ten or even several decades. Qi Yuanshou was different; not only did he not go into seclusion, but he had been constantly dealing with trivial matters. Yet, when the opportunity arrived, he immediately broke through.

It truly is something that cannot be easily emulated.

Qin Sang was outside the sect and couldn't make it to Qi Yuanshou's Golden Core celebration. Now that he had coincidentally returned, both emotionally and logically, he had to personally bring a congratulatory gift and offer his felicitations!

"Senior Brother Qin," Gao Yang said, "Master is currently in seclusion, and I don't know when he will emerge. Once he does, I will report and convey your message to him. However, Master does not accept congratulatory gifts, so please, Senior Brother Qin, put it away."

Seeing Qin Sang's slightly displeased expression, Gao Yang feared he might misunderstand and quickly explained, "Senior Brother, please understand, it's not just Senior Brother Qin's gifts. Master consistently does not accept any congratulatory gifts from other senior brothers or martial uncles either."

Qin Sang was a little surprised. "Is that true?" he asked.

Gao Yang's expression was solemn. "Absolutely true," he affirmed, "How would I dare to deceive Senior Brother Qin!"

"Since it is a rule set by Martial Uncle Qi," Qin Sang replied, "it indeed cannot be broken. It was presumptuous of me, your senior brother."

Qin Sang had no choice but to put away the jade box.

Inside the jade box was Cold Gold Ore Mother. Qin Sang hadn't had time to refine it yet, but as a congratulatory gift, it was certainly sufficient.

While putting away the jade box, Qin Sang took out another item from his mustard seed pouch: a bronze ring.

This top-grade magical artifact was a relic left by the person who pursued and killed Tan Hao at Yinshan Pass. Its quality was very good, though its function was somewhat unremarkable. Qin Sang had kept it in his mustard seed pouch as he had no immediate use for it.

"Junior Brother Gao," Qin Sang said, "although you and I are meeting for the first time, we seem to have a strong affinity. This magical artifact of mine is quite compatible with your cultivation method. It would be perfect as a protective item for you..."

It was clear that Gao Yang liked this magical artifact very much, but he dared not accept it and repeatedly declined.

Qin Sang tried hard to persuade him.

Gao Yang was still young and naive, and could barely fend off the offer.

Unexpectedly, just as the two were going back and forth, Qi Yuanshou's laughter came from inside the hall. "Gao Yang," he said, "don't reject your Senior Brother Qin's good intentions. Accept the item and bring your Senior Brother Qin in."

"Your disciple obeys!"

Gao Yang hastily put away the bronze ring and bowed respectfully towards the hall. After hearing the command, he turned to Qin Sang and said, "Many thanks, Senior Brother Qin! Senior Brother Qin, please follow me."

Despite having given away a top-grade magical artifact, Qin Sang was very happy.

Following Gao Yang out of the Sect Leader's Hall, he saw that Qi Yuanshou had just emerged from his cave dwelling.

"This disciple greets Martial Uncle Qi!" Qin Sang said. "Congratulations to Martial Uncle Qi on forming your Golden Core and taking another step closer to the Grand Dao!"

Following the rules of Shaohua Mountain, Qin Sang respectfully saluted Qi Yuanshou.

"A mere Golden Core," Qi Yuanshou replied with a smile, "how dare I speak of the Grand Dao?"

Qi Yuanshou refuted with a smile, then pointed a finger at the table. "Qin Sang," he said, "you and I have many years of friendship; there's no need for formalities. Please sit comfortably."

"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Qi."

Qin Sang bowed slightly and sat on the edge of a chair, then proactively poured tea. He didn't dare to use his spiritual sense to probe Qi Yuanshou, but even sitting in front of him, he could feel the powerful aura emanating from him, like facing a towering mountain.

Before Qin Sang could speak, Qi Yuanshou got straight to the point. "Qin Sang," he said, "I already know a few things about you. Since you chose to cultivate the 'Soul Nurturing Sword Chapter' and have dedicated yourself to the path of slaughter, you will inevitably need to go out and gain experience to temper yourself.

"This time, the sect has selected a group of disciples, preparing to send them to Yun Cang Great Marsh to guard important areas like spirit ore veins and herb gardens, as well as patrol various locations. The rewards are very generous.

"However, although the Tianxing Alliance is restless, it's not yet at the point of extreme tension. Even if you join the patrols, you won't encounter many worthy opponents. And being stuck guarding those places, unable to leave without authorization, might please others, but it would significantly hinder your cultivation.

"Therefore, your name was originally on the list, but I took the liberty to remove it, intending to wait until the true war begins, then recall you to the mountain and send you into the battlefield for tempering.

"It just so happens you've returned, so I wanted to ask for your own opinion."

Qin Sang saw that Qi Yuanshou had no intention of taking him as a disciple, but his words, both overt and subtle, conveyed a sense of protection. He couldn't help but feel deeply moved, realizing that the good karma accumulated in the past had finally borne fruit!