Chapter 549: Autumn Dusk White

These were not the most dangerous things. What made Qin Sang most vigilant was the chaotic and violent spiritual energy here, due to the impact of the spiritual tide.

Just then, a sudden 'thump' sounded from behind, followed by gasps of surprise. Qin Sang turned his head to see a Foundation Establishment cultivator inexplicably stumble and fall to the ground, blushing furiously with embarrassment. He wasn't the only one; many others also suddenly stumbled or struggled to maintain their footing. Most of them were rogue cultivators.

It was then that Chen Kuiging, with a mischievous grin, reminded them, "Fellow Daoists, pay attention! Under the influence of the spiritual tide, the spiritual energy here is not as stable as it is inside the pass. You must not absorb too much spiritual energy directly into your body, or you won't be able to refine it quickly enough. This will cause your internal spiritual power to become chaotic, and you'll temporarily lose your combat ability. If you're fighting someone in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, it's best to have enough spirit stones prepared."

"Why didn't this fellow say so earlier!" The uninformed rogue cultivators glared furiously. After enjoying the spectacle, Chen Kuiging instructed a junior disciple to lead the way and then handed Qin Sang a jade slip. "Senior Brother Qin, this is the route map. The Hanging Skull Guard should be arriving soon; you should encounter them on the way."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Chen."

Qin Sang displayed the contents of the jade slip for everyone to see. He then looked around and proposed, "Fellow Daoists, if you have no other destinations, perhaps we could form a battle formation and travel together. This way, if we encounter Cloud Beasts, we can help each other."

The group exchanged glances and readily agreed.

Qin Sang, with the highest cultivation and experience fighting the Heaven's Path Alliance, systematically organized the group and set off towards Hanging Skull Pass. The spiritual tide was directly above them, forcing everyone to fly at a low altitude.

Even in its waning phase, the spiritual tide in the sky still possessed world-sweeping power. Occasionally, a surge of spiritual energy would descend from above, easily carving out a huge pit in the ground. Its immense power was terrifying.

Qin Sang was protected in the center of the group. His duty was to constantly monitor the spiritual tide in the sky and the surrounding movements, adjusting their direction as needed to avoid danger. The journey proceeded smoothly. Most fortunately, they did not encounter any herds of Cloud Beasts.

After an uninterrupted journey directly towards Hanging Skull Pass, it wasn't long before the person at the front suddenly called out, "Fellow Daoist Qin, there's a black cloud flying towards us from ahead." Qin Sang had already seen it. After carefully discerning it, his expression relaxed. "No need to panic, it's the Hanging Skull Guard."

Everyone cheered. The appearance of the Hanging Skull Guard indicated that the Cloud Beasts ahead had been cleared. Although they were in the wilderness, there was no need to worry about the Hanging Skull Guard having any malicious intentions. They had arrived via the teleportation array of the Pure Clarity Palace of the Supreme Yuan, which guaranteed their integrity.

Qin Sang gestured for everyone to continue moving forward. As they drew closer, a voice emanated from within the black cloud: "The Cloud Beasts ahead have been cleared. Fellow Daoists, please proceed." Before the voice finished, someone in the cloud suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Is that Junior Brother Qin?"

The voice was very familiar. Qin Sang immediately recognized it, stepped forward from the crowd, and asked in surprise, "Senior Brother Mu, when did you return from the Chaotic Island Waters?" It was indeed Mu Yifeng.

A gap opened in the black cloud, and two figures flew out: one was Mu Yifeng, and the other was a distinguished young man with an extraordinary demeanor.

"Junior Brother Qin, after you left, I took over your captain's position. Unexpectedly, while entangled with those treacherous rogues from the Heaven's Path Alliance, I was carelessly wounded again and sent back to the sect for healing. After I recovered, seeing that both sides in the Chaotic Island Waters had ceased hostilities and things were quite dull, and knowing the spiritual tide was about to end, I came directly to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield." Mu Yifeng scratched his head, explaining with a hint of shame.

Qin Sang had led the team for many years without major incidents, yet just a few days after it was entrusted to Mu Yifeng, they were ambushed by the Heaven's Path Alliance, nearly costing everyone their lives. If he hadn't risked his life to bring everyone back, he would truly have no face to meet Qin Sang, his benefactor.

After learning the full story, Qin Sang understood that Mu Yifeng was not to blame. It was truly rare and admirable that he risked his own life to bring everyone back alive; it could be considered a profound act of righteousness. What surprised Qin Sang even more was Mu Yifeng's cultivation—he had actually reached the False Core stage!

How many years had it been? Mu Yifeng's previous near-fatal injury had unexpectedly led to a significant increase in his cultivation. This time, a serious injury simply propelled him directly to the False Core stage.

"Senior Brother Mu, I've heard of seeking breakthrough through slaughter, and through combat, but I've never heard of seeking breakthrough through severe injury. Are you following the Path of Injury?" Qin Sang teased.

Mu Yifeng laughed heartily. "I don't know why, but every time I'm laid up in bed, I always have a flash of inspiration. I was just wondering if I should try to achieve Core Formation by putting myself in a death-defying situation. Junior Brother Qin, don't you dare incite me! Oh, by the way…" Mu Yifeng's expression turned serious as he pointed to the young man beside him. "Junior Brother Qin, this is Senior Brother Qiu Mubai. You two probably haven't met."

"Though we haven't met before, I've heard much about Junior Brother Qin," Qiu Mubai clasped his hands and said cordially. "Meeting you today, I see you are indeed as renowned as rumored!"

It was him! A flash of realization struck Qin Sang, and he recalled the person's identity. He was one of those direct disciples who rarely made public appearances and were not widely known outside the sect, yet had countless legends circulating about them within the sect.

Qiu Mubai was not a disciple of a Core Formation cultivator, yet his status was even higher. He had been specially permitted by Nascent Soul Patriarch Dongyang Bo to cultivate on the main peak of Shaohua Mountain! Qiu Mubai had joined the sect over a decade before Qin Sang, having been recognized by Dongyang Bo while still an infant.

It was rumored that Qiu Mubai could have formed his Core long ago, but for some unknown reason, he remained in the False Core stage, honing his cultivation and delaying his breakthrough.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Qiu!" Although Dongyang Bo had not formally taken Qiu Mubai as a disciple, they still addressed each other as peers according to sect rules. Even Core Formation cultivators treated a Nascent Soul Patriarch's disciple with respect, so Qin Sang naturally would not be impolite.

Upon their first meeting, Qiu Mubai's demeanor was like that of a gentle and refined scholar, making others feel at ease. Qin Sang, however, was unsure of his true character and observed him cautiously.

After some conversation, Qin Sang learned that Qiu Mubai had come to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to serve in the Hanging Skull Guard after emerging from his secluded cultivation. This time, he was leading the team to clear out Cloud Beasts.

"We still have duties to attend to and cannot delay too long. Junior Brother Qin, perhaps you should go ahead, and we can catch up once we return to Hanging Skull Pass," said Qiu Mubai.

Qin Sang's thoughts turned, and he took out his Hanging Skull Guard token. "Senior Brother Qiu, I've come here specifically to report for duty with the Hanging Skull Guard. Since I've encountered the Guard clearing Cloud Beasts, it's my undeniable duty. I'd be willing to accompany you two Senior Brothers."

"If Junior Brother Qin is willing to lend a hand, we couldn't ask for more!" Qiu Mubai and Mu Yifeng were delighted and immediately agreed.

Qin Sang also had his own considerations. Qiu Mubai was highly valued by Dongyang Bo and undoubtedly knew the Patriarch very well. After returning from the Ziwei Palace, Qin Sang would have a private audience with Dongyang Bo. Spending more time with Qiu Mubai and learning about Dongyang Bo's temperament would allow him to be more prepared. Not only was Dongyang Bo his future master, but also a Nascent Soul Grandmaster who held the power of life and death. Qin Sang didn't hope to be highly regarded by Dongyang Bo, but he certainly didn't want to be ignorant, commit a taboo, and provoke the wrath of this Patriarch.