Chapter 603: Tianshan

Qin Sang tried to activate the green copper block, but ultimately failed.

He gripped the green copper block and exited the stone chamber.

Turning back, he saw the small bird spirit puppet still struggling in the Southern Bright Lihuo. Its body was largely melted, extremely weak, and its lifespan was nearing its end.

Gripping the green copper block with one hand, Qin Sang flew on his sword, returning the way he came.

This time, as he passed through the Southern Bright Lihuo, he noticed a subtle difference.

With the green copper block in hand, he no longer felt like he would be incinerated at any moment, as he had just now. A faint warmth emanated from his palm, seemingly helping him bear the pressure of the Southern Bright Lihuo.

Under the green light of the copper block, the Southern Bright Lihuo also seemed to dim slightly.

Whoosh!

Qin Sang successfully passed through the Southern Bright Lihuo and landed on the ground.

The small bird spirit puppet in the demonic flames let out a silent whimper, turning to ash the moment Qin Sang landed.

Yun Youzi was sprawled on the ground, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted. Controlling the spirit formation and the bird spirit puppet had pushed him, who had just barely recovered, to his limits once more.

"This green copper block truly fears not the Southern Bright Lihuo!"

Qin Sang lowered his gaze to the green copper block, silently marveling at his recent experience. However, apart from this single function, it seemed to be nothing more than a piece of junk metal.

No matter how powerful the immortal cauldron once was, it had no bearing on its current state; it was merely a fragment.

"Senior, how are you?"

Qin Sang walked over, handed the green copper block to Yun Youzi, and helped him up, reminding him, "This copper block is extremely heavy, Senior, please be careful."

Yun Youzi's eyes showed excitement. He took the green copper block with both hands, felt his arms sink, and placed it on the ground. Waving away Qin Sang's offer of support, he stood up on his own and said, "Thank you for your help, Brother Qin! How is the mark on your hand? I need to meditate and fully recover before I can begin my task. I'll send you out first."

Qin Sang raised his wrist to check; the cracks on the wooden bracelet had multiplied to seven or eight, and even a dragon scale had shattered.

He estimated the wooden bracelet wouldn't last much longer.

Qin Sang said no more, wished Yun Youzi success, and strode towards the exit of the secret passage.

"Brother Qin, we shall meet again!"

Yun Youzi, in his Daoist robe, stood tall at the entrance of the secret passage. He bowed to Qin Sang with a carefree smile. "If this old Daoist fails, the next time you enter the Ziwei Palace, a stick of incense for me will suffice, Brother!"

"We shall meet again!"

Qin Sang solemnly returned the bow.

If Yun Youzi's rebirth through fire failed, this would be their final farewell.

The secret passage slowly closed. Qin Sang stood rooted, watching Yun Youzi turn resolutely and walk towards the fiery light.

*Crack!*

Another crack appeared on the dragon-shaped wooden bracelet, this time at the dragon's head, where a dragon whisker snapped and fell.

Qin Sang paused for a moment, then quickened his pace, rushing towards the foot of the mountain.

On the way, he mentally reviewed the gains he had acquired since entering the Ziwei Palace.

Despite traversing so many places and experiencing so much, the actual time spent wasn't long, largely due to accurate information and the majority of it being travel time.

Fearing the wooden bracelet might break midway and reveal his location to Dongyang Bo, Qin Sang dared not pause, not even to catch his breath.

His two primary goals for entering the Ziwei Palace – the Crimson Cloud Purple Fruit and the subsequent cultivation method for the 'Spirit Cultivation Sword Chapter' – had been miraculously achieved, with additional unexpected gains.

The Three-Light Jade Liquid, of course, was considered by Qin Sang to be the most precious item, as it was crucial for the Calamity-Transcending Pill.

The Ten Directions Yama Banner had the potential to become a mid-grade magic treasure, and the refined corpse had a high probability of transforming into a true Flying Yaksha, capable of contending with cultivators in the early Core Formation stage without being at a disadvantage.

Combined, these items laid out a clear path for him after forming his core, extending all the way to the Nascent Soul stage.

The only imperfection was the incomplete cultivation method, lacking the final part.

As Qin Sang descended the mountain, he summoned the Flying Yaksha from his corpse puppet bag.

It was currently immobile, its primordial spirit still in disarray. The transformation process was slower than Qin Sang had anticipated and might continue for some time.

By this time, Qin Sang had returned to the shore of the small lake. He put away the Flying Yaksha, took out the compass Yun Youzi had given him, and entered the illusion array.

Since the illusion array was a remnant from ancient times, it had many weak points.

Using the compass, Qin Sang quickly located one such point and approached it.

He put away the compass, checked himself for any discernible flaws, then crushed the wooden bracelet in his hand. With a step, he entered the weak point of the array.

He feigned confusion and panic, crashing around like a headless fly within the illusion array, unable to find an exit.

As Qin Sang stumbled aimlessly, he suddenly felt his body tighten, realizing he was enveloped by a vast shadow.

Alarmed, Qin Sang abruptly looked up, only to see a colossal hand effortlessly tear through the illusion array and grab at him with lightning speed.

Qin Sang was powerless to resist. The hand seized him, picking him up like a small chick.

*Whoosh...*

By the time he recovered his senses, he was high in the air, having been directly snatched from the illusion array.

Qin Sang stumbled, then steadied himself, realizing that Dongyang Bo was staring at him with a dark expression, fury practically erupting from his eyes.

The presence of a Nascent Soul Patriarch, especially his gaze, exerted terrifying pressure.

Qin Sang's back was instantly drenched in cold sweat. He bowed in apology, "Grandmaster, please forgive me! Your disciple got trapped in this illusion array, lost his way, and almost thought he would die there. Fortunately, I was rescued. I have ruined your important matter, and my death would not atone for it..."

He had anticipated Dongyang Bo's anger, having delayed his task for his own affairs.

However, Qin Sang's excuse was reasonably plausible.

Within the illusion array, certain areas could obscure the fluctuations of the mark. While few people landed on the central continent after entering the inner hall from the jade wall, and even fewer were unlucky enough to fall directly into an immortal restriction, it wasn't entirely impossible.

By feigning an accident, and as long as he was still useful, Dongyang Bo, no matter how furious, wouldn't immediately lash out.

Once he left the Ziwei Palace and successfully formed his core, his value would be different. Dongyang Bo likely wouldn't hold a grudge over an unexpected mishap.

Qin Sang believed it was worth incurring Dongyang Bo's displeasure in exchange for his own future.

Qin Sang explained incoherently, his face full of panic.

Dongyang Bo's gaze was dark. He stared at Qin Sang for a moment, then glanced at the illusion array on the mountain, and snorted, "There are countless immortal restrictions here. It's sheer luck you didn't die inside!"

With that, Dongyang Bo flicked his sleeve. A surge of true essence enveloped Qin Sang, and they shot towards Tian Shan like a meteor chasing the moon.

Qin Sang dared not struggle. As Dongyang Bo carried him through the air, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had successfully concealed his actions, fortunate that Dongyang Bo had urgent matters and didn't investigate further.

As long as he meticulously carried out Dongyang Bo's instructions shortly, this matter would be put to rest.

Dongyang Bo's speed was astonishing; the scenery below receded at an incredible rate.

The distant Tian Shan soon appeared close at hand.