Chapter 422: 合韵丹

The protective barrier of the fire chamber was triggered.

Qin Sang put away his thoughts and looked up, saying, "Come in."

A young man, only at the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage, pushed the door open and entered. He looked respectful and greeted, "Greetings, Daoist Priest."

"It's Zhong Ming," Qin Sang said. He recognized him, scrutinizing him from head to toe. He said warmly, "Very good, very good. In just a few years, you've already broken through to the ninth level of the Qi Refining stage. Your future is boundless."

Zhong Ming quickly demurred. Seeing that Qin Sang was in the mood for conversation, he was happy to chat with him. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, any casual guidance from Qin Sang could greatly benefit him.

"How is the fire seed inside you?" Qin Sang asked, seemingly casually.

Zhong Ming didn't suspect anything. He extended his right hand, and a cluster of Green Yang Demonic Flame lit up at his fingertips. "It's still stable... for now, there's no danger of self-immolation..."

At that moment, Qin Sang released his spiritual sense, quietly sensing the changes in Zhong Ming's cultivation technique. Most of the information about the Green Yang Demonic Sect was gathered this way. It was impossible to openly apprehend Green Yang Demonic Sect disciples in the Green Yang Market. He wasn't in a hurry for quick results, patiently befriending Green Yang Demonic Sect disciples and gradually uncovering the information he sought. With his identity as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and renowned artifact refiner, few could resist his willingness to associate with those of lower standing. Moreover, his questions weren't detrimental to the Green Yang Demonic Sect, so he didn't fear arousing suspicion among these disciples.

By now, Qin Sang understood the Green Yang Demonic Flame very well. After learning the properties of both the Green Yang Demonic Flame and the Green Yang True Essence, he felt that the hope of stealing the Green Yang True Essence was increasingly slim. While Green Yang Demonic Sect disciples, by cultivating the Green Yang Demonic Flame, could indeed come into contact with the Green Yang True Essence, taking it out of the Green Yang Sect was almost impossible.

The Green Yang True Essence was, in essence, the Green Yang Divine Adamantine. This was a rare heavenly qi, the Heavenly Adamantine Qi, even more dangerous than earthly fiendish qi. Cultivators below the Golden Core stage would tremble just approaching it and had no ability to take it away.

Naturally, there were other possibilities. For example, the Lesser Yin Magnetic Vase could contain earthly fiendish qi. After years of investigation, Qin Sang also found two special magic artifacts capable of sealing Heavenly Adamantine Qi. However, they were incredibly difficult to refine, and their spiritual materials were particularly hard to find. The main material was a precious spiritual material capable of refining even spiritual treasures, making its collection unimaginably difficult. Even if such an artifact could be refined, stealing the Green Yang True Essence would still be extremely difficult.

The Green Yang Demonic Sect's management of the Green Yang True Essence was extremely strict. The Green Yang True Essence resided on the Green Yang Demonic Sect's Divine Adamantine Peak, which was a forbidden area of the sect, filled with layers of restrictions and heavily guarded by elders. Disciples were allowed to enter the mountain to use the adamantine qi to strengthen their fire seeds, but no one was permitted to unilaterally collect the Green Yang True Essence, not even Foundation Establishment disciples. The Green Yang Demonic Sect had no Nascent Soul grand ancestors. There were a total of four Golden Core Venerables within the sect, and one of them was assigned to guard the Divine Adamantine Peak.

Qin Sang attempted to do the opposite: extract Green Yang Adamantine Qi from the Green Yang Demonic Flame. Still, it was impossible. Once the Green Yang True Essence was refined by the demonic flame, its Heavenly Adamantine Qi properties would vanish, becoming 'fuel' to strengthen the demonic flame. This process was irreversible.

The Green Yang Demonic Flame was very unique. Each disciple's fire seed was different, tailor-made by the Green Yang Demonic Sect for each individual. From the beginning of cultivation, it merged with the cultivator and could not be taken by outsiders. Even if someone outside the Green Yang Demonic Sect killed a disciple and obtained their fire seed, they wouldn't be able to subdue it. Before long, the fire seed would dissipate on its own. The only loophole was that Green Yang Demonic Sect disciples could, with the help of the demonic flame, temporarily seal a trace of Heavenly Adamantine Qi. The problem was that this trace of Heavenly Adamantine Qi was not only extremely small but also existed for an exceptionally short period, dissipating even before it could leave the Green Yang Demonic Sect.

Zhong Ming took out two items: a mid-grade spiritual sword and a small stone. This stone had speckled patterns on it, like stars in the night sky. Its body was a pure, dazzling silver-white. Its name also perfectly matched its appearance.

"Square Star Stone," Qin Sang recognized immediately. He recognized the stone's origin at a glance and looked at Zhong Ming with surprise. The Square Star Stone was a rare earth-attribute spiritual material. When added to a magic artifact, it not only significantly improved the artifact itself but also, when activated, could release thousands of starry rays, dazzling the opponent and concealing the artifact's true form. It was particularly useful in battles among low-level cultivators. The Square Star Stone was very rare, so its price naturally soared. Unless Zhong Ming was incredibly lucky and obtained it by chance, he would likely have had to spend his entire fortune to buy this small piece.

Zhong Ming looked nervous. "Daoist Priest, please help me see if this spiritual sword is compatible with the Square Star Stone and if it can be used to enhance the sword."

Zhong Ming's spiritual sword was originally purchased from Qin Sang. Qin Sang knew the spiritual swords he refined intimately. Without hesitation, he said, "Of course, it can, but the difficulty is considerable..." As he spoke, Qin Sang noticed Zhong Ming's somewhat nervous and embarrassed expression. A thought flashed through his mind, and he said, "There will be some of this Square Star Stone left after refining your spiritual sword. If you have no other use for it, it can serve as my remuneration."

Zhong Ming was overjoyed and quickly agreed, "Thank you, Daoist Priest."

Qin Sang secluded himself in the Heavenly Halberd Tower's fire chamber for artifact refining. More than half a month later, he was interrupted by a transmission talisman. Upon reading the talisman's content, Qin Sang's face lit up with joy. He quickly left the Heavenly Halberd Tower and returned to the 'Sword Pavilion.' There, in the small shop, he saw Ning Youwei, over fifty years old, personally pouring tea and serving a young Daoist priest. The Daoist priest's face was familiar; it was Li Yufu, Mingyue's disciple!

Seeing Qin Sang enter, Li Yufu hastily stood up and bowed deeply, "Disciple pays respects to Martial Uncle!"

"Rise!"

Qin Sang dismissed Ning Youwei, then helped Li Yufu up with both hands, scrutinizing him. This was their first meeting since parting ways at Mount Cuiming. Li Yufu's appearance hadn't changed much, but he seemed more mature than when Qin Sang first saw him at Mount Cuiming. His cultivation had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage! Qin Sang wasn't surprised by this at all. Li Yufu was naturally gifted, and with the meticulous guidance of Daoist Master Yunyou, it would have been truly bizarre if he hadn't reached Foundation Establishment.

"Why are you still calling me Martial Uncle? Did Senior Yunyou not take you as a disciple?"

Li Yufu scratched the back of his neck. "Grand-Martial Ancestor said that although there's a distinction between immortals and mortals, the mortal world's lineage is ordered and should not be casually discarded. Back then, Grand-Martial Ancestor personally visited Green Ram Temple, erected tablets and recorded biographies for my Martial Grandfather and Master, and lectured for a month to establish Green Ram Temple's Daoist lineage, on which your esteemed name, Martial Uncle, is also inscribed..."

Qin Sang hummed in acknowledgement. "That's fine too. Is your Grand-Martial Ancestor the one who sent you here this time?"

Li Yufu nodded. Remembering something, he quickly took out a jade bottle from his Mustard Seed Pouch. Inside the jade bottle was a moon-white spiritual pill, from which wisps of immortal aura coiled, appearing exceptionally mysterious.

"Martial Uncle, this is a Harmony Pill that Grand-Martial Ancestor sought out for you and asked me to bring. Grand-Martial Ancestor, he..." Li Yufu's voice suddenly dropped. After waving his hand to cast a sound-insulating barrier, he cautiously said, "Grand-Martial Ancestor seems to have found a clue about a rare heavenly treasure and is currently traveling incognito to personally verify it..."