Chapter 550: Summons

Qin Sang followed them into the black clouds. He noted that Qiu Mubai's Skull Guards were mostly disciples from Shangyuan Pure Palace and Shaohua Mountain. After greeting each person, Qin Sang voluntarily followed orders and worked alongside them.

These dark clouds were actually special forbidden artifacts capable of stabilizing spiritual energy. Relying on them during combat, everyone was spared from the effects of chaotic spiritual energy.

However, it was said that these artifacts had limited power and were only effective during low tides of spiritual energy.

Skull Pass had its own Core Formation experts who were clearing out large numbers of cloud beasts.

As Skull Guards, their role was merely to fill gaps or relay messages. The danger was not great, but accidents did happen, as evidenced by the tragic death of Yu Yangzi.

It was evident that Qiu Mubai was also very curious about Qin Sang, and the two conversed pleasantly.

Qin Sang was also skilled at slaughtering cloud beasts. With his help, the group quickly completed their mission and returned to Skull Pass.

"Junior Brother Qin, please go to Junpan Mountain to register first," Qiu Mubai said. "We can talk again another day."

Qiu Mubai pondered for a moment, then said gravely, "Junior Brother Qin, with your temperament, you should not be afraid of external rumors. If any fellow disciples say something foolish, tell me, and I will set them straight."

Qin Sang was momentarily startled. He clasped his hands and replied, "Thank you, Senior Brother Qiu."

After bidding farewell to Qiu Mubai, Qin Sang went to Junpan Mountain to report his arrival and accomplishments. While there, he rented a cave dwelling in the city. The price was steep, making Qin Sang feel the pinch.

While there were free cave dwellings in the military camp, he needed to heal the Flying Yaksha, which presented many inconveniences.

He then went to find Yun Youzi.

On the way, Qin Sang recalled his conversation with Qiu Mubai.

When asked about Earl Dongyang, Qiu Mubai spoke very cautiously. Qin Sang gained little from the discussion, and his mental image of Earl Dongyang remained vague.

*Perhaps another day...*

Qin Sang shook his head and activated the restriction on Yun Youzi's cave dwelling.

"Once the Ziwei Palace opens, the three Sect Masters will arrive at Skull Pass," Yun Youzi said. "They will then lead us to the inner layers of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, where we will rendezvous with others. Everyone holding a Ziwei Secret Talisman will receive protection."

"Will we be too conspicuous?" Qin Sang asked.

Those who received the Ziwei Secret Talisman were generally Core Formation experts. For the two of them, who were only in the False Core stage, to mix in with them, being noticed by Earl Dongyang could be good or bad.

Yun Youzi shook his head. "Even if we go to other major passes, we will eventually have to meet up and will still be discovered. It's better to stick with our own Sect Masters, who can genuinely protect us. The Ziwei Palace is in the deepest part of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, and the journey there may not be safe."

Qin Sang nodded. The Ziwei Palace was a must, and other considerations were secondary.

The two discussed for a while, then went to make their respective preparations.

After this, Qin Sang patiently waited at Skull Pass.

Instead of following his original plan to be an idle dependent, whenever he had free time, he joined Qiu Mubai's team and left the pass with them to hunt cloud beasts.

*Thump!*

A jet-black hand appeared out of thin air, leaving a deep claw mark on the cave dwelling's wall. Only then did the Flying Yaksha's figure become visible.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged on a futon, thoughtfully examining the claw mark left by the Flying Yaksha.

Nearly half a year had passed, and the healing process had been remarkably effective.

The Flying Yaksha's strength had recovered to the level of a False Core cultivator. Its recovery speed would only increase from now on, and it would certainly be fully healed before the Ziwei Palace opened.

"Fortunately, I refined more Lesser Yin Magnetic Bottles," Qin Sang murmured. "The consumption is truly immense."

He put the Flying Yaksha back into his Corpse Puppet Bag. He took out a jade pendant, opened the cave dwelling, and calmly headed towards an auction.

Now that countless experts had gathered at Skull Pass, Qin Sang naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. He had attended several auctions, hoping to find Ten-Thousand World Camphor, Heavenly Capital Rock, and Soul Guiding Grass.

Unfortunately, the first two spiritual materials had never appeared, and even if Soul Guiding Grass was available, it was always sent to the demonic cultivators' territory.

During this time, Qin Sang had gained nothing.

This time was no exception. After the auction, Qin Sang emerged from the auction house, looking disappointed. He then noticed his Skull Guard token flashing at his waist and immediately flew towards Junpan Mountain.

"Junior Brother Qin."

Qiu Mubai had already gathered his men. "This might be our last chance to leave the pass before the spiritual tide ends," he said. "I figured Junior Brother Qin wouldn't want to miss it, so I took the liberty of calling you over."

"Are they closing the pass?" Qin Sang asked, surprised.

"More or less," Qiu Mubai nodded. "The spiritual tide is about to reach its peak. I hear this might be the last period of decline; if we go out again after this, it will be a dead end. They'll likely seal the pass and hold fast. Once this period passes, the spiritual tide will be over."

*Good thing I came early!* Qin Sang thought to himself. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "The Ziwei Palace is about to appear, isn't it? If they're closing the pass now, have the Ancestors already arrived here?"

"I don't know either," Qiu Mubai replied.

Qiu Mubai shook his head and gave the order for immediate action.

As the city gates opened and they exited the pass, Qin Sang looked back.

On both sides of Skull Pass and high in the sky, an boundless, seemingly thin barrier firmly blocked the spiritual tide, protecting the countless living beings behind it.

High in the sky, the spiritual tide, which could easily crush them to dust, crashed against the barrier in continuous, surging waves, yet appeared so weak and ineffective.

Compared to the original barrier, the protective spiritual formation on Skull Pass, representing the painstaking efforts of countless Nascent Soul experts over countless years, appeared extremely dim.

*Who left behind this barrier? When was it erected?*

Qiu Mubai noticed Qin Sang's gaze and remarked with emotion, "Recalling the ancient times, a divine immortal grand power could simply wave a hand to lay down this barrier, easily blocking the spiritual tide and protecting all living beings. Such magnificent power is truly enviable... Among us, I wonder who will be fortunate enough to reach such a realm in this lifetime!"

Qin Sang hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.

This spiritual tide's period of decline was exceptionally brief. Soon after Qin Sang and his group went out, they noticed something unusual. They hurried back, finally managing to return to Skull Pass just before the decline period ended.

Unexpectedly, just after entering the pass, they heard someone calling their three names. Following the sound, they saw that it was Zhan Yi, Che Yutao's personal disciple.

"Junior Brother Zhan, what's so urgent that you're calling us?"

Seeing Zhan Yi's anxious expression, they walked over and asked.

Zhan Yi, who was also a False Core cultivator and Che Yutao's personal disciple, showed no arrogance. He bowed to them before speaking, "Senior Brothers, Master just sent a command. He wants all late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the sect who are at Skull Pass to report. I couldn't find you three, so I only just realized you had left the pass."

"Uncle Master Che is calling, what's the important matter?"

The three exchanged glances and asked quickly.

"We're just waiting for a few more Senior Brothers," Zhan Yi said anxiously. "You'll know once you get there."

Qin Sang and the others dared not delay. They immediately designated two fellow late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples from their team and hurried away with Zhan Yi.

The group rushed along. After entering Che Yutao's residence, Qin Sang quickly glanced around.

His gaze immediately fell upon something.

Che Yutao was seated in the main hall, but in a side seat.

In the main seat, a cloaked woman was seated.