Chapter 423: Training

"Heavenly treasures!"

Qin Sang's expression changed instantly. He knew that Yun Youzi's hidden injuries required spiritual medicine of the heavenly treasure caliber, and that Yun Youzi had once again started striving for his healing. He hastily asked, "What is Senior's current cultivation level?"

Li Yufu replied casually, "Grand-Martial Ancestor's cultivation has reached perfection. He was already at the False Core stage three years ago when he emerged from seclusion. Grand-Martial Ancestor had intended to meet with you personally, but it seems there was an urgent matter, so he left in a hurry and could only send me on his behalf."

Hearing this news, Qin Sang was deeply shocked.

Twenty-eight years ago, Yun Youzi had just broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Now, he had surprisingly surpassed Qin Sang, entering the False Core stage ahead of him! Could Yun Youzi's talent rival that of Senior Qingzhu, who cultivated the "Primordial Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter"?

Of course, the greatest hurdle was forming the Golden Core. Countless brilliant individuals were trapped before this stage, unable to advance an inch in their entire lives! This was the benefit of high talent. Yun Youzi's ability to achieve Foundation Establishment at over a hundred years old spoke volumes about his natural gift. Were it not for his hidden injuries, it would be hard to imagine the astonishing achievements Yun Youzi would have made!

Even Qin Sang, cultivating the "Primordial Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter" diligently and with the aid of his kill talismans, couldn't keep pace. Interrupting his cultivation immediately after breaking through to the False Core stage, and diverting his attention to other matters, strongly suggested that Yun Youzi's premonition was likely true: his hidden injuries would significantly impact his Golden Core formation. Otherwise, based on Qin Sang's understanding of Yun Youzi, he would certainly be able to endure loneliness, remaining in secluded cultivation until he formed the Golden Core before emerging.

"Important matters take precedence!" Qin Sang waved his hand, unafraid of giving offense. "When you return to the sect and see your Grand-Martial Ancestor, tell him that if he needs any help, he should just send a message." He was no longer the inexperienced youth he once was; facing the flying Yaksha again, he would have some power to contend with, unlike his helplessness last time.

Unexpectedly, Li Yufu gently shook his head and said, "Reporting to Martial Uncle, Grand-Martial Ancestor ordered me to go train in the Cloudswirl Great Marsh after delivering the Harmony Elixir to you."

The Cloudswirl Great Marsh? The current Cloudswirl Great Marsh was unlike before; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as a dragon's pool and a tiger's den. Qin Sang frowned upon hearing this and asked, "What arrangements has Senior made for you?"

Li Yufu answered honestly, "Grand-Martial Ancestor wants me to act with a few senior disciples to familiarize myself with the Cloudswirl Great Marsh. Future matters will be left to my own discretion."

Qin Sang nodded slightly. Li Yufu was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator; he needed to forge his own path to achieve something significant. Yun Youzi probably had this goal in mind, which was why he decided to let go. How much fortune he could gain would depend on Li Yufu's own opportunities and abilities.

Having guessed Yun Youzi's intention, Qin Sang naturally wouldn't intervene rashly. After a moment's thought, he took out a pair of twin swords from his mustard seed pouch. Although these twin swords were only high-grade, their blades were infused with cold gold, making them no less effective than top-grade magic artifacts. They were one of Qin Sang's proudest creations and he had kept them, intending to give them as a gift. Putting aside the secular relationship with Mingyue, Yun Youzi treated Li Yufu as a direct disciple, making these spirit swords a worthy gift.

Li Yufu received the twin swords, his excitement clearly visible. "Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

"Go," Qin Sang didn't detain Li Yufu further. "The situation in the Cloudswirl Great Marsh is becoming increasingly chaotic. Remember to act cautiously... It probably won't be long before I'm also conscripted by the sect to enter the battlefield. We'll meet again then..."

What Qin Sang said was not idle talk. The situation in the Cloudswirl Great Marsh was indeed growing more tense. The Minor Cold Domain and the Heavenly Alliance had not yet openly broken ties, but small-scale skirmishes were constant, with mutual casualties, and hatred was deepening. In recent years, Shaohua Mountain's Foundation Establishment disciples were either sent to guard Xuanku Pass or conscripted into the Cloudswirl Great Marsh. Qin Sang had also received messages from the sect several times. Fortunately, with Qi Yuanshou mediating, Qin Sang had used the excuse of being at a critical juncture of breakthrough to delay his departure until now. He estimated he couldn't stall much longer.

After seeing Li Yufu off, Qin Sang eagerly returned to his cave dwelling and took out the Harmony Elixir. Holding the crescent-white spiritual elixir between his fingers, Qin Sang inhaled its rich aroma, feeling his mind intoxicated! The Harmony Elixir's efficacy was also potent, but it lacked one thing compared to the Profound-Patterned Harmony Elixir: if the elixir proved ineffective for Qin Sang, its medicinal power could not be used to enhance his cultivation, and he would simply have to watch it go to waste. As it concerned his own foundation, Qin Sang was willing to risk even the complete waste of the Harmony Elixir!

Taking a deep breath, Qin Sang tilted his head back and swallowed the elixir! As the spiritual elixir entered his abdomen, Qin Sang's mind became like still water, and he slowly refined it. The cave dwelling was unusually quiet, and Qin Sang remained motionless like an ancient pine tree.

After a long while, a prolonged sigh suddenly echoed within the cave dwelling. Qin Sang awoke from his meditation at some unknown point, opening his eyes and staring blankly at the cave walls. The effect of this Harmony Elixir was less than half of the previous Profound-Patterned Harmony Elixir. Most of its medicinal power had gone to waste. Qin Sang had anticipated this, yet he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. However, recalling Yun Youzi's repeated failures and unwavering Dao heart despite constant setbacks, Qin Sang discarded those distracting thoughts, and his expression returned to calm.

Slowly exhaling a turbid breath, Qin Sang re-entered meditation, immersing his consciousness into his primordial spirit space. On the ebony sword, three and a half kill talismans shimmered, continuously absorbing spiritual energy to enhance Qin Sang's cultivation. Currently, Qin Sang's cultivation speed was even slightly superior to that of a cultivator with a three-spirit root! Previously, he had only refined the Dripping Blood Ghost Mushroom, and two bottles of Separation Dragon Elixir remained unused. After his breakthrough, he had also cultivated diligently for seven years. If all went as expected, in another ten years or so, he would catch up to Yun Youzi and begin preparations for Golden Core formation!

Qin Sang's greatest hope was that the Minor Cold Domain and the Heavenly Alliance would maintain restraint, at least until he reached the False Core stage. Unfortunately, things rarely go as one wishes.

Three months after his seclusion, Qin Sang held a message from his sect, his expression helpless. The message was not from anyone else but personally written by Qi Yuanshou and sent by messenger. It commanded Qin Sang to drop everything he was doing, and regardless of whether he had broken through, he must return to the sect soon to receive orders. The message was sternly worded, leaving no room for Qin Sang to object. Qin Sang had been suppressing his true cultivation and not reporting it, all to buy time. Just a few months ago, he had mentioned this to Li Yufu; he never expected his words to become a prophecy, and now he was recalled by Qi Yuanshou.

Qin Sang had no intention of abandoning Shaohua Mountain. Though he felt unloved by his seniors there, he valued the freedom and lack of restrictions. When encountering difficulties, he could also seek help from the sect, so why not stay? Having no intention to betray, he could only obey the command.

Qin Sang reviewed his own cultivation and all his magic artifacts. He wasn't worried about the dangers of the Cloudswirl Great Marsh; as long as he didn't encounter a Golden Core cultivator from the Heavenly Alliance, he could come and go as he pleased. His only concern was that heavy sect duties might hinder his cultivation. He hoped the tasks arranged by Qi Yuanshou would be light.

Qin Sang vacated his cave dwelling, took over the "Sword Pavilion" shop to be managed by Ning Youwei, and left Qingyang Market City alone. Before leaving, Qin Sang turned and gazed deeply in the direction of the Qingyang Demonic Sect and Boundless Valley. He had temporarily left the peak-stage demon spirit flood dragon undisturbed because he wasn't confident enough to extract its essence. Without obtaining the flood dragon's essence, it would be a futile effort. Qin Sang planned to return after reaching the False Core stage.