Chapter 569: Bring Out His Body

"You don't need to go." Qin Sang was startled by the words and quickly searched his surroundings.

The Lesser Big Dipper Star Formation was severely damaged and close to its limit. Several cracks had appeared in the star map, and the stars were dim. The cultivators holding the Ziwei Secret Talismans were the most numerous to enter the Ziwei Palace this time. They had hidden inside the Lesser Big Dipper Star Formation, and under its protection, they had fortunately escaped the calamity of the Sinful Abyss. However, with the formation now collapsing, it was inevitable that some less fortunate ones would suffer misfortune. Fortunately, the formation didn't disintegrate instantly. Apart from the corner that collapsed first, everyone else was prepared and managed to escape in time. Qin Sang spotted Yun Youzi's figure successfully avoiding a crack, which put his mind at ease.

The cultivators present were also scattered by the cracks in the formation. After a thorough search, Qin Sang finally saw Old Woman Jing in a corner of the Lesser Big Dipper Star Formation. Old Woman Jing was hunched, leaning on her cane, appearing very inconspicuous. Unless one was intentionally looking, her presence would be almost unnoticed. Leng Yuntian was not far ahead of Old Woman Jing, busy gathering his disciples. He was completely unaware that the old woman behind him, like a venomous snake, had already fixed her gaze on him. Old Woman Jing glanced at Qin Sang and surprisingly told him the location of an ancient palace.

"If you can really get in and find his remains..." Old Woman Jing hesitated, then let out a barely perceptible sigh, and whispered, "Please bring his remains out so he can rest in peace." Qin Sang understood immediately upon seeing this.

The Five-Directional Pagoda, tainted by the Blood-Corrupting Divine Light, was likely the inherited magical treasure of the Yuan Mirage Sect. The Blood Mulberry Spiritual Formation of Unceasing Hell, meticulously arranged by the Sinful Abyss, was far more powerful than Qin Sang's ebony sword. The Five-Directional Pagoda was clearly unusable, and Leng Yuntian couldn't possibly restore it so quickly. During his time in Ziwei Palace without the Five-Directional Pagoda for protection, Leng Yuntian's strength was greatly diminished, which explained why Old Woman Jing no longer needed Qin Sang's help.

Qin Sang was still unsure of Old Woman Jing's true cultivation level. Back when she had led him to infiltrate before Earl Dongyang's cave mansion, Qin Sang had believed she was a Nascent Soul expert, possibly even more powerful than Earl Dongyang. However, during the battle at Zhantian Peak, despite various restrictions, Old Woman Jing didn't seem to have as easy a time dealing with the Star-Controlling Elder as he had imagined. This contradiction in her two displays left Qin Sang confused and unable to fathom her true strength. He estimated that Old Woman Jing's power was certainly greater than Leng Yuntian's; otherwise, she wouldn't be so confident.

Qin Sang glanced at Chen Yan, unsure if she had detected Old Woman Jing's telepathic message. However, Old Woman Jing's words hadn't revealed the full story, so even if detected, there was no cause for concern. Fortunately, Old Woman Jing was true to her word; even though she no longer needed his help, she still paid him. Qin Sang couldn't help but be pleased. Saving the Blood-Corrupting Divine Light was certainly a good thing, as this divine ability required a period of recovery after each use, essentially meaning he only had one chance to use it in Ziwei Palace. If he encountered danger later, he would have an extra trump card.

Hearing Old Woman Jing's last words, Qin Sang secretly thought that her relationship with Senior Qingzhu was indeed profound, though he wondered what kind of love-hate story it was. Qin Sang decided that if he found Senior Qingzhu's remains, he would definitely bring them out. Perhaps this could forge a good connection with Old Woman Jing.

The Sinful Abyss's sneak attack was extremely vicious, causing heavy losses to both realms, especially the Heavenly Alliance. They certainly wouldn't let it go unpunished. After leaving Ziwei Palace, it would likely be a time of great chaos in the cultivation world. What reassured Qin Sang somewhat was that his sect had two Nascent Soul cultivators guarding it; it was much luckier than the rogue cultivators and disciples of smaller sects, like enjoying shade under a big tree. However, no one ever complained about having too many powerful backers.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, Qin Sang, Qiu Muba, and the others were being led by Chen Yan through the air when he suddenly felt his body tighten, followed by a sudden whiteout before his eyes. An boundless sea of clouds appeared before them. They had finally broken out of the immortal formation and entered Ziwei Palace!

Before joy could register on their faces, Chen Yan, instead of flying towards the Heavenly Gate, plunged headfirst with them into the sea of clouds, instantly causing a dizzying sensation. "So Ziwei Palace isn't behind the Heavenly Gate, but within the sea of clouds?" Even amidst his dizziness, Qin Sang still had the presence of mind to ponder these things. A faint, almost imperceptible force continuously guided them, preventing them from scattering, and with Chen Yan protecting them, there was naturally nothing to worry about.

"The Heavenly Gate is above, yet Ziwei Palace is below. Entering Ziwei Palace isn't through the Heavenly Gate. Is what's down here the real Ziwei Palace? Or did Ziwei Palace fall from the sky into the sea of clouds in ancient times?" Qin Sang always felt there was something illogical about this. He had clearly seen that behind the Heavenly Gate was pure void, with only the gate itself standing solitary atop the clouds. The scenery inside and outside the immortal formation was exactly the same.

Qin Sang's suspicions were not unfounded. Early cultivators who first discovered Ziwei Palace had similar doubts. However, no one had ever managed to uncover its mysteries, unsure if the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace was the fallen Ziwei Palace or another structure. Since the words 'Ziwei Palace' were inscribed on the Heavenly Gate, it was named as such. Nevertheless, the identity of the Cloud Sea Immortal Palace made little difference to them, as no one had yet fully explored it.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!* In a desolate ancient courtyard, several figures plummeted from the sky, crashing onto the ground, crushing the yellow grass and kicking up dust. Qin Sang grabbed a tangled branch of an ancient tree in the courtyard, dissipating some of the force, before landing on the ground with the broken branch and managing to stand steadily. Qiu Muba fared similarly to Qin Sang, but the other three were less fortunate, tumbling like gourds, their hair and clothes covered in dry grass and leaves. Only after they struggled to their feet in disarray did Chen Yan gracefully descend. She appeared completely unaffected, not even a crease on her robes.

After tidying themselves, Qin Sang and the others respectfully bowed to Chen Yan, saying, "Thank you, Senior Martial Aunt, for your protection." With Chen Yan displaying her Nascent Soul cultivation, their attitude towards her was now as deferential as it was towards Earl Dongyang, performing a grand bow. Qiu Muba and the others, though shocked, couldn't hide their joy, clearly understanding what it meant for their sect to have another Nascent Soul expert. Unexpectedly, Chen Yan declined their courtesies, stating calmly, "I am not your Senior Martial Aunt. You may continue to address me as 'Senior' as before." Qiu Muba and the others exchanged bewildered glances but obeyed Chen Yan's command, "As you wish, Senior!"

Chen Yan stood silently in the courtyard, her hands clasped behind her back. Qin Sang and the other five waited by her side. Seeing that Chen Yan made no move, they began to observe their surroundings. The courtyard was vast and overgrown with weeds. Along its edges grew many towering ancient trees, each so thick it would take over a dozen people to embrace it, their age unknown. At the other end stood a row of dilapidated palaces, completely collapsed, leaving only circular stumps of walls whose original function was indiscernible. The entire courtyard presented a scene of desolation and decay.