Chapter 556: Time Has Come

"This..."

Qin Sang secretly pondered. He hadn't expected the Myriad Ages Camphor to be so rare, making it difficult to acquire through simple trade. The Eight-Sword Elder was right; obtaining the jade slip would offer another avenue. Qin Sang was tempted, but his tone remained reluctant, as he forced a wry smile. "Senior truly has excellent methods; this junior is indeed close to being persuaded. However, you're only offering a piece of Heavenly Capital Rock and a jade slip in exchange. Even if the information in the jade slip is genuine, I would still have to travel extensively to search for it, and there's no guarantee I'd find it... Senior, you'll need to add more."

"How about I add a Soul-Guiding Grass then?"

The Eight-Sword Elder then produced another jade slip and a jade box. Inside the box was indeed a complete Soul-Guiding Grass. Qin Sang was startled and gave another wry smile. "Senior seems to know all of my needs." The Eight-Sword Elder stroked his beard. "Reverend, you may not know this, but I have traveled for a very long time to acquire a Ziwei Secret Talisman. It took a great deal of effort to gather what you need; this is already my limit."

Qin Sang nodded, deep in thought. It was rare for someone to have all the items he needed; such opportunities were hard to come by. From the Eight-Sword Elder's tone, this was likely his bottom line. Haggling further might lead to losing a bigger opportunity. Thinking this, Qin Sang pushed the Ziwei Secret Talisman forward decisively. "Alright! I'll exchange for these three items!"

After the exchange, everyone was pleased. Qin Sang took the items and hurried back to his residence. The Heavenly Capital Rock wasn't large, but it was more than enough to refine the Primordial Concord Ring. Qin Sang carefully put away the Heavenly Capital Rock and the Soul-Guiding Grass, then immersed his spiritual sense into the jade slip, examining it thoroughly.

After a while, Qin Sang withdrew his spiritual sense, thinking to himself that this jade slip was a worthwhile exchange. The Eight-Sword Elder likely gave him the original jade slip, fearing suspicion, as its contents were completely intact. The jade slip contained not only various details about the Myriad Ages Camphor but also information on the breeding environments and characteristics of dozens of other precious spiritual materials. For Qin Sang, who had decided to continue studying artifact refinement, this jade slip was also a treasure.

The jade slip stated that the Myriad Ages Camphor's associated demonic beast was a creature called the Flame-Repelling Sparrow. The Flame-Repelling Sparrow resembled a swallow, with feathers as crystalline as ice. It possessed unique abilities, skilled in controlling frigid ice power. A flap of its wings could generate cold winds capable of eroding souls and bones, and ordinary flames could not approach it, being extinguished upon contact. However, flames exceeding their power would become their bane. The Myriad Ages Camphor's essence was a type of cold jade. Flame-Repelling Sparrows especially loved the cold energy emitted by the camphor and could sense it from great distances. If they consumed it over many years, accumulating its essence, the Myriad Ages Camphor's cold energy could cause the Flame-Repelling Sparrows to undergo a metamorphosis, drastically increasing their strength. Legend says that phoenixes only rest on parasol trees, only eat bamboo seeds, and only drink from sweet springs. The relationship between the Flame-Repelling Sparrow and the Myriad Ages Camphor held a similar significance.

Upon learning that the Myriad Ages Camphor's associated demonic beast was the Flame-Repelling Sparrow, Qin Sang realized he'd been tricked. The Myriad Ages Camphor was rare, but the Flame-Repelling Sparrow was hardly any less so; Qin Sang had never heard of it before. He only relented after the Eight-Sword Elder revealed that Flame-Repelling Sparrows had been sighted in the inner valley of Boundless Valley.

Qin Sang began to worry again. He had once ventured into the inner valley of Boundless Valley with Yun Youzi and knew how dangerous it was. Furthermore, mature Myriad Ages Camphor could easily attract Core-Formation Flame-Repelling Sparrows, and the Nine Nether Demonic Flame from his Ten Directions Yama Banner might not be able to subdue them. Fortunately, he wasn't short on magical artifacts, so he wasn't worried about lacking one after forming his Core. Refining the Primordial Concord Ring wasn't urgent. After this, Qin Sang stopped going out, instead staying at his residence to study the art of artifact refinement, combining the jade slip's information with the Wu family's insights.

"Junior Brother Qin!"*Knock! Knock!*

The room door was knocked. Qin Sang perceived Qiu Mubai standing outside, and a gleam flashed in his eyes. The Ziwei Palace was finally about to open! A month prior, the Flying Yaksha's injuries had fully healed, and its strength was restored. Pushing the door open, Ji Qing and the others had also emerged from seclusion. The few of them nodded to each other and walked together towards the depths of the residence.

Arriving at the cave dwelling, they didn't see Che Yutao. Instead, a gaunt old man in a gray robe emerged from inside. It was Martial Uncle Feng Ming! Qin Sang remembered that the first time he was invited to assist after establishing his foundation, Martial Uncle Feng Ming's disciple, Li Zai, had died in the Heavenly Corpse Cave. As the organizer, Yu Daiyue had incurred Martial Uncle Feng Ming's wrath, almost being expelled from the sect, which led to subsequent tragedies. "Disciples pay respects to Martial Uncle Feng Ming!" Qin Sang didn't want to suffer unnecessary misfortune, so he bowed with the others. Seeing that Martial Uncle Feng Ming ignored him, he felt relieved.

"Follow me," Martial Uncle Feng Ming said indifferently. With clouds forming beneath his feet, he transformed into a streak of light and headed directly for the gates of Hanging Skull Pass. Qin Sang and the others quickly followed.

On the way, Qin Sang approached Ji Qing and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Ji, is Martial Uncle Che not going to Ziwei Palace?" Ji Qing hummed in affirmation. "Master must remain to guard Hanging Skull Pass." Qin Sang nodded. For cultivators like Che Yutao, whose path was clear and promising, there was indeed no need to take risks. He wondered how many other martial uncles, besides Feng Ming, would accompany them, and if Qi Yuanshou had arrived.

Martial Uncle Feng Ming's escape speed was incredibly fast. Qin Sang and the others pursued him at full power, finally arriving at the gates of Hanging Skull Pass. Upon reaching the location, they saw the city gates, which had been closed for over half a year, wide open. The barrier outside the pass bulged outwards in a semicircle, and from a distance, they could see more than a dozen figures standing there. A Core-Formation cultivator from the Taiyi Pill Sect stood before the gate. Just then, a streak of sword light swept in from the East City, reaching the gate before them. It was the Eight-Sword Elder. As the sword light dissipated, it revealed the physical forms of eight small flying swords, neatly circling the Eight-Sword Elder's Dantian. The swords transformed into a lotus shape, swiftly closing, and were absorbed back into his body, a very impressive sight.

"Oh? Eight-Sword Fellow Daoist, what are you doing here?" The Core-Formation cultivator guarding the gate recognized the Eight-Sword Elder. The Eight-Sword Elder took out a Ziwei Secret Talisman, cupped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoist Liu, I came for the Ziwei Secret Talisman. Fortunately, my trip was not in vain." After the cultivator surnamed Liu inspected the Ziwei Secret Talisman, he allowed the Eight-Sword Elder to pass.

Feng Ming also arrived. After Qin Sang and the others caught up, they began to walk towards the outside of the pass, but unexpectedly, the Core-Formation cultivator surnamed Liu extended a hand to stop them. "Hold on." The Core-Formation cultivator surnamed Liu seemed to be at odds with Feng Ming. He sneered, taunting, "Brother Feng Ming, what is the meaning of this? The spiritual tide is at its strongest now. Are you in such a hurry to send your disciples out to their deaths?" Feng Ming snorted. "What nonsense! They are all going to Ziwei Palace."

"So many False Core disciples, all going to Ziwei Palace? Aren't you afraid of suffering a double loss?" The cultivator surnamed Liu was surprised to hear this. He scrutinized Qin Sang and the others, still unwilling to let them pass easily. "Show me your Ziwei Secret Talismans."

Just then, a gentle voice suddenly came from outside the pass. "They don't need Ziwei Secret Talismans. I will protect them when the time comes."