Chapter 547: Urging

Due to the unique nature of the "Soul-Nourishing Sword Chapter," Qin Sang could, in addition to the ebony sword, use the power of his Golden Core to cultivate another life-bound magic treasure within his Dantian.

As for what kind of life-bound magic treasure to refine, Qin Sang was still unsure.

He currently knew only four refinement methods: the Shadowy Pagoda and Shadowy Thunder Orb from the "Ancient Shadow Arts Scroll," the Heavenly Sound Conch from the "All-Heaven Demonic Sound," and the Primordial Concentric Rings.

The first three required specific cultivation methods and were therefore not options. Similarly, the cultivation methods stored in Baota Peak were also unsuitable.

The Primordial Concentric Rings, having originally belonged to someone else, also couldn't be used as his life-bound magic treasure, unless Qin Sang were to shatter the Yin Ring and re-refine it.

"After forming my Golden Core," Qin Sang mused, "I'll consult the Ancestor and ask him to help me choose one."

Upon forming his Golden Core, he would be granted an audience with Ancestor Dongyang Bo, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

In the nearly one hundred years since his initiation, he had met most of the Golden Core cultivators in Shaohua Mountain, yet he had never once seen Dongyang Bo. In his mind, this Ancestor was an exceedingly mysterious figure.

The thought of being received by Dongyang Bo made Qin Sang feel a touch of anticipation.

Disciples of the sect who formed a Golden Core could become direct disciples of Dongyang Bo, meaning he would soon have a Nascent Soul backer.

"I wonder if the Ancestor still remembers that insignificant junior who sold himself to form his Foundation years ago?" Qin Sang muttered to himself.

And then he remembered Immortal Chenyan.

So many years had passed, yet he had heard no news of Immortal Chenyan. Even True Man Ma Wu seemed to have vanished completely, remaining out of sight.

Had she formed her Nascent Soul?

Logically, after forming a Nascent Soul, a grand ceremony would surely be held, inviting fellow cultivators to witness it.

This thought flashed through Qin Sang's mind, but he immediately shook his head.

After that transaction, they had no further ties. Whether Immortal Chenyan had formed her Nascent Soul or not, it had nothing to do with him.

Being overly sentimental would only invite trouble.

Today was the day to visit the Sunken Earth Cave. Qin Sang put away his jade slip, left his cave dwelling, and flew towards it.

The Flying Yaksha emerged from the abyss.

Qin Sang skillfully checked the state of the Corpse Core.

He had been back for almost two months, and the Flying Yaksha's injuries had significantly improved. The tiny cracks on its Corpse Core had now healed.

Qin Sang nodded inwardly, then ordered the Flying Yaksha to sit cross-legged on the ground as he continued its healing process.

Two hours later, Qin Sang returned to Shaohua Mountain. Just as he was about to retreat to his cave dwelling for quiet cultivation, he noticed someone standing in front of it: Gao Yang, disciple of Qi Yuanshou.

"Oh?"

Qin Sang sped up, landed in front of Gao Yang, and said with a smile, "Gao-shidi, what brings you here? Has Uncle-master Qi finally let you leave the mountain?"

Since Qi Yuanshou had sealed off the mountain for quiet cultivation, Gao Yang rarely left it. They had only met once in the past two months.

No sooner had Qin Sang finished speaking than he noticed something amiss with Gao Yang's expression.

Thanks to those two top-grade magic artifacts, their relationship had always been good.

Gao Yang greatly trusted Qin Sang and always affectionately called him "Senior Brother" whenever they met. But now, his face was serious.

"Gao-shidi, what happened?" Qin Sang asked in a low voice, secretly wondering if something had happened to Qi Yuanshou.

Gao Yang winked at Qin Sang, his expression unchanged. He cleared his throat and loudly announced, "Senior Brother Qin, Master wants me to ask you why, after accepting the duty of the Xuanlu Guard, you have been so slow to report for duty and instead idled within the sect? Do you disregard my master's orders, the sect's rules, and the military decrees of Xuanlu Pass as nothing? You are ordered to proceed to Xuanlu Pass immediately, without delay!"

After reprimanding Qin Sang on behalf of Qi Yuanshou, Gao Yang dropped his serious expression and quietly explained, "Senior Brother, please don't be offended. Just now, Master called me to fetch a spiritual medicine. I remembered you had returned to the mountain, so I casually mentioned it. I don't know why Master became so furious, but he immediately ordered me to come here and urge you to report for duty at Xuanlu Pass."

Qin Sang slapped his forehead, only then remembering that he still held the Xuanlu Guard token given by Qi Yuanshou.

He had accepted the token that day, intending to use his Xuanlu Guard identity to be among the first to leave the pass and seek treasures after the spiritual tide ended, thus seizing the initiative.

Times had changed.

Now, he could form his Golden Core at any time, and Golden Core cultivators didn't need to abide by these rules. So the Xuanlu Guard token was no longer useful. He hadn't expected Qi Yuanshou to reprimand him for it.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang realized that the Xuanlu Guard token was likely hard to obtain. The one in his hand seemed to represent a captain's identity, and there weren't many such tokens among the Xuanlu Guard.

Shaohua Mountain wasn't the sole dominant power at Xuanlu Pass.

The token was crucial for gaining the fastest entry into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, and many must have been vying for it. For Qi Yuanshou to secure one for him, he probably owed someone a favor.

Yet, he had been so ungrateful, delaying for almost two years without showing up. Qi Yuanshou would have had difficulty explaining this to Xuanlu Pass, so no wonder he was furious.

Qin Sang asked repeatedly, "Has Uncle-master Qi left his seclusion?"

"Master left a message and went back into quiet cultivation," Gao Yang replied, shaking his head.

"Alright, Shidi," Qin Sang said. "When you go back, report to Uncle-master Qi and tell him I know I was wrong, and that I'm heading to Xuanlu Pass immediately."

Qin Sang's thoughts turned, and he decided not to wait any longer, setting off immediately.

After forming his Golden Core, he wouldn't need to rely on Qi Yuanshou anymore, but he couldn't burn bridges and needlessly offend someone, especially since Qi Yuanshou had acted for his benefit.

He still needed to make a proper appearance, providing an explanation to both Qi Yuanshou and the sect.

The reason he had stayed here was to wait for the Flying Yaksha to recover.

Now that the Flying Yaksha's injuries were improving, as long as he brought enough Earth Fiend Qi, healing at Xuanlu Pass would be just as effective.

Qin Sang made a decisive decision. Bidding farewell to Gao Yang, he immediately scoured all the markets, buying up every magnetic stone. He then refined a large batch of Lesser Yin Magnetic Bottles, filling them with Earth Fiend Qi, knowing his iron thumb ring could hold them all anyway.

He then recalled the Flying Yaksha and headed directly to the Shangyuan Pure Palace.

***

**Shangyuan Pure Palace**

Arriving at Shangyuan Pure Palace once more, Qin Sang encountered several fellow cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage even before entering the mountain gate. All of them were heading to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

In the southeastern region of the Minor Cold Domain's righteous cultivation territory, Shangyuan Pure Palace was the only place with an ancient teleportation array leading directly to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

Everyone now knew that the spiritual tide in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield was nearing its end, and cultivators hoping to try their luck were rushing there.

Shangyuan Pure Palace had opened its doors, allowing anyone to use the teleportation array to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, regardless of their identity, provided they paid a considerable amount of spirit stones. The array would be activated once enough people gathered.

Rogue cultivators, sect disciples, and clan cultivators from the surrounding area all had to abide by the rules of Shangyuan Pure Palace.

Upon entering the mountain gate, they were immediately led to temporary lodging. They were told that the required number of people hadn't been met yet, but it would be almost ready by tomorrow night.

Qin Sang was somewhat of a well-known figure, and he was recognized shortly after entering the mountain.

They were all fellow cultivators who had once been in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Qin Sang, unable to refuse their warm invitation, sat and discussed cultivation with them until noon the next day.

A message arrived, stating that the teleportation array was about to be activated.

Qin Sang bid farewell to everyone and flew towards the grand hall.

Seeing the ancient teleportation array for the second time, Qin Sang's understanding far surpassed his previous knowledge. He carefully watched how the Uncle-master of Shangyuan Pure Palace activated the array, and combining this with his recent insights, he gradually began to discern some clues.

However, with very few ancient teleportation arrays still existing, Qin Sang had no opportunity for practical application.