Chapter 502: Using the meal

The next morning, after watching the sunrise, Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling to retrieve the treasures he had left there. He then sealed the cave's restrictions once more, allowing the Nine Illusory Sky Orchid to grow undisturbed.

When passing by the small island, he didn't see Yun Youzi or Li Yufu. So, he left a sound transmission talisman, agreeing to meet Yun Youzi there in a month.

Yun Youzi's whereabouts were also unpredictable, so the two had agreed to use this small island as a contact point. Qin Sang intended to stay for a longer period.

Afterwards, Qin Sang returned to the Sunken Earth Cave and summoned the Flying Yaksha from the malevolent earth energy.

The malevolent earth energy churned.

A demonic shadow, seemingly born from the netherworld, slowly emerged from it.

Even upon seeing its master, its face remained devoid of any expression.

It had been almost a year since he placed the Flying Yaksha in the Sunken Earth Cave for self-recovery. During this time, Qin Sang had been focused on preparing for his core formation and hadn't checked on it.

Outwardly, the Flying Yaksha's dantian wound had closed, and all its external injuries had healed. Its physical body was no longer as shriveled as it had been right after the injury, suggesting its condition was good.

However, when Qin Sang's spiritual consciousness probed the Flying Yaksha's Qi Sea, he was disappointed to find that its Corpse Core was still riddled with cracks and devoid of luster.

It appeared almost unchanged from a year ago.

Qin Sang frowned inwardly. Upon closer inspection of the Flying Yaksha's Golden Core, he realized that it wasn't that there was no improvement, but rather that the process was extremely slow, making it indiscernible without careful scrutiny.

The signs of improvement indicated that the chosen healing method was correct.

Yet, the recovery speed was far too slow!

"Three years..."

Qin Sang murmured, his brow furrowed with worry.

The Ziwei Palace was set to open in three years.

If he couldn't form his core, the Flying Yaksha would be his greatest reliance in times of danger, and he absolutely had to bring it inside.

"It might not be impossible, after all..."

Qin Sang suddenly realized he had been mistaken in his thinking.

The Flying Yaksha's slow recovery in the first year was due to the severity of its injuries; the initial stage was undoubtedly the most difficult, and the rate of improvement should accelerate subsequently.

Moreover, once the Flying Yaksha's injuries had recovered halfway, he wouldn't fear accidentally destroying its Corpse Core. He could then try to control the Flying Yaksha and make it accelerate its absorption of the malevolent earth energy, which might aid in its recovery.

However, this would mean his plans wouldn't receive assistance from the Flying Yaksha.

After a thorough inspection, Qin Sang returned the Flying Yaksha to the Sunken Earth Cave.

Huilong Temple.

Xianglong Mountain.

The mist array on the mountainside had persisted for a century, preventing mortals from entering and leading them to believe it was a divine sign.

It was widely rumored that this mountain was a dwelling place for immortals, a well-known sacred mountain for hundreds of miles around. In recent centuries, its reputation as an immortal mountain had spread not only throughout the Ancient Abyss Kingdom but also to its neighboring lands.

Seekers of immortality came in an endless stream.

Over the past century, the village at the foot of the mountain had grown into a town. Gradually, even the town could no longer accommodate the influx of seekers. The ruler of the Ancient Abyss Kingdom even decreed the construction of a city at the base of Xianglong Mountain.

Over time, a small city rose from the ground.

The ruler personally named it Xianyuan City – "City of Immortal Fortune" – a name that resonated deeply with the people.

Due to its location, Xianyuan City was very close to the Ancient Abyss Kingdom's capital. As it wasn't a strategically important area, the sudden appearance of a fortified city always piqued the curiosity of new merchants and visitors.

Although no one had ever truly found immortal fortune on this mountain, countless legends circulated from Xianyuan City, with new variations appearing every year.

One year, Zhang San was favored by an immortal master and taken up the mountain; the next, Li Si, due to his handsome appearance, was chosen by a fairy as a Dao companion. There were also tales of Daoist apprentices, herb-gathering boys, elixir-refining boys...

The stories were numerous and varied, each a wonderfully enchanting tale.

They were full of twists and turns, captivating and fascinating.

They made people yearn for such experiences, wishing they could take the place of the protagonists.

In previous years, only common folk and seekers of immortality would kneel and worship at the mountain's base during solar terms, praying for divine protection.

Five years ago, the Ancient Abyss Kingdom suddenly designated Xianglong Mountain as a sacred mountain. An altar was erected there, and every Winter Solstice, the ruler, despite his old age, personally ascended the mountain to offer incense and preside over the Heaven Worship Ceremony.

After the ceremony, the ruler would dismiss his attendants and remain alone at the altar for an hour.

Each time, he descended the mountain with a look of disappointment.

This year, shortly after the Winter Solstice, something unusual occurred: the Crown Prince presided over the Heaven Worship Ceremony instead of the ruler. Moreover, on the night of the Winter Solstice, snowflakes began to fall, and the temperature plummeted overnight.

The land was blanketed in silver.

The next morning.

The residents of Xianyuan City rose early to clear snow from their courtyards, while children played wildly in the snowdrifts. Fewer merchants entered the city that day, and the streets were sparsely populated, with only a charcoal seller calling out.

Xianyuan City was located directly west of Xianglong Mountain. Its main thoroughfare ran east-west, aligning perfectly with the mountain, and connected to the city's west gate, beyond which a straight gravel road led directly to the capital.

At this moment, a young Daoist priest walked along the main street from the east.

He wore a clean, old Daoist robe. The snow had cleared, and some of the street's accumulated snow was beginning to melt, leaving speckles of mud on his gaiters, though this did not detract from his overall appearance.

He appeared very young, only around twenty years old, yet possessed an undeniable aura.

This person was Qin Sang.

Upon returning to Xianglong Mountain, he reviewed all the sound transmission talismans at Huilong Temple. Finding nothing urgent, and recalling Qi Yuanshou's suggestion, he slipped into the city, changed into a common Daoist robe, and disguised himself as a mortal priest.

He refrained from using spiritual energy, walking through the slush without concern for dirt, aimlessly looking left and right, unsure of what he truly sought to observe.

At this point, he realized his timing for descending the mountain was poor.

In the biting winter, few common folk ventured outside, and the streets were sparsely populated. He found it difficult to observe the world and its people, as there weren't many around.

"Little Daoist priest..."

Qin Sang strode along the main street, pondering whether he should head to the capital, where there would likely be more people.

Suddenly, he heard a call.

Qin Sang looked left and right, realizing he was the only Daoist priest on the street. Following the sound, he saw a courtyard gate ajar by the roadside, where an old woman stood waving at him.

The old woman was wrapped in an old cloth jacket, patched in layers, but neat and clean.

Her face was deeply wrinkled, making her appear to be over seventy. However, with Qin Sang's sharp perception, he could tell she wasn't truly that old; her premature aging was due to a life of hardship.

"Little Daoist priest, are you also a seeker of immortality?"

The old woman took a step forward but slipped, quickly steadying herself against the wall. She still greeted Qin Sang warmly, "Coming down the mountain so early, it must be freezing up there! Who would have thought the snow would come so soon this year? You haven't eaten yet, have you? We just finished cooking; come in and have something to eat to warm yourself up."

Qin Sang, unsure of where to go next, had a change of heart. He nodded, walked over, and bowed, saying, "Thank you, benefactress. This humble priest is indeed hungry, so it would be disrespectful not to accept your kind offer."