Chapter 623: Transaction

"Artifact talismans are also universally usable."

Qin Sang pondered, realizing that although his teleportation location was remote, it was intricately connected to the cultivation world of the Minor Cold Domain, meaning they were still in the same world.

Artifact talismans were rare, but Qin Sang possessed more than one. From the relics of Daoist Jiu Pao alone, he had acquired two complete artifact talismans. He had fought for several years in the Chaotic Island Waters against the Heavenly Alliance, and the cultivators on the battlefield were all elites. Among Qin Sang's spoils of war, there had also been artifact talismans, but they had been used multiple times, with little power remaining, so he usually used them immediately upon acquisition. The one Qin Sang currently held was a flying sword artifact talisman, still retaining about seventy to eighty percent of its power, also part of his spoils. Later, after the treasure hunt at Zhǐtiān Peak and leaving the Chaotic Island Waters, he hadn't used it in battle.

Now that Qin Sang had reached the Core Formation stage and could freely wield magic treasures, he no longer needed artifact talismans. He might as well exchange them for something useful. Qin Sang sensed Cui Xuanzi's lack of confidence and decided to offer this damaged artifact talisman to gauge Cui Xuanzi's attitude.

"I have already reached the Core Formation stage, so I have little interest in your sect's cultivation methods," Qin Sang stated. "I only wish to examine your insect-controlling techniques because I intend to find a suitable Natal Insect Gu."

Noting Cui Xuanzi's fluctuating expression as he stared at the artifact talisman, Qin Sang proactively relaxed his conditions.

Cui Xuanzi was indeed tempted. Although the Five Insects Sect was the dominant force in the Bear Mountain region, without a Core Formation cultivator, its position wasn't secure. Some of the larger fortresses also had Foundation Establishment stage experts. Though few, when united, the strength of these fortresses was not to be underestimated, posing a challenge for the Five Insects Sect.

The Five Insects Sect's foundation was not deep, and Cui Xuanzi's martial uncle had once been their sole trump card. When Cui Xuanzi's martial uncle was still with the sect, the Five Insects Sect had indeed enjoyed a period of prestige. However, being in his prime, that martial uncle would certainly not damage his own magic treasures to leave artifact talismans for the sect. Now, with that martial uncle's continued absence, outsiders had grown suspicious, and some were stirring. If they possessed an artifact talisman to guard the sect, not only would their position in the Bear Mountain region become more secure, but the external forces coveting Bear Mountain would also be deterred.

After hearing Qin Sang's terms, Cui Xuanzi's eyes lit up. "Senior, do you truly mean it? Can our insect-controlling techniques alone be exchanged for this artifact talisman of yours?"

Compared to the shamans of other large fortresses, the Five Insects Sect's insect-controlling techniques indeed possessed unique qualities, which was one of the reasons the sect had maintained its dominant position. If anyone else came to ask for them, Cui Xuanzi would certainly be unwilling to hand them over. However, Qin Sang was not a local cultivator and was a Core Formation stage master who would eventually leave. Handing over only the insect-controlling techniques would have little impact on the forces in the Bear Mountain region.

Qin Sang clasped his hands together. "Of course not enough!"

Under Cui Xuanzi's disappointed gaze, Qin Sang calmly stated, "I also need you to do a few things for me."

Cui Xuanzi secretly frowned but, unable to resist the immense temptation of the artifact talisman, grit his teeth and said, "Please speak, Senior."

"Don't worry," Qin Sang reassured him. "I merely want you to help with some trivial matters and gather information. I've only recently reached the Core Formation stage and need to stabilize my cultivation, so I can't be distracted. If you perform well, I have plenty of other elixirs and magic tools besides this artifact talisman. Once this is done, you will remain the overlords of this area, and I will return to my homeland and no longer impose upon you."

Seeing that Cui Xuanzi was indeed swayed, Qin Sang directly tossed the artifact talisman to him, then turned to gaze into the depths of the Western Frontier. "I'm new here and don't know much about the Western Frontier. Find me a detailed topographical map, including the barbaric regions."

Cui Xuanzi breathed a sigh of relief. "That's not difficult. My sect has an ancestral topographical map that is very detailed. Later, when my martial uncle was with the sect, he explored extensively and added to it, so it will certainly satisfy you, Senior."

Qin Sang glanced at him, pointed forward, and said calmly, "Don't rush to answer me. The topographical map I need isn't just for your Bear Mountain region. I believe you have ways to contact forces in other areas. The map should be as extensive as possible, preferably encompassing the barbaric regions.

"These maps should not only mark the various factions but also indicate the habitats of spiritual insects, no matter how dangerous they are; no omissions are acceptable.

"Additionally, gather as much information as possible on nearby major regions, including the barbaric hinterlands of the Western Frontier, where there are rumored ancient cultivator's abodes or secret realms."

Qin Sang paused, then added, "Even extremely dangerous death zones that cultivators fear, such as demonic domains or fiendish lands, must be marked. During this process, if you need any resources, just come to me."

"Secret realms? Ancient abodes?"

Cui Xuanzi was startled by this. It was normal for Qin Sang to come to the Western Frontier to find a suitable Natal Insect Gu and inquire about spiritual insect habitats, as there were indeed some rare spiritual insects in the Western Frontier. These spiritual insects might possess peculiar talents, appear and disappear mysteriously, be immensely powerful, or reside in perilous locations. Cultivators from outside often entered the Western Frontier to capture insects, including many Core Formation stage masters, but most returned disappointed. Even with Qin Sang's strength, he might not succeed in capturing them.

But why was he looking for secret realms and ancient cultivator's caves? Was he planning to leverage his formidable strength to scour the entire Western Frontier?

Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Are there any secret realms near your Bear Mountain region that are protected by countless restrictions and sealed by immortal formations, making them inaccessible? If you put in your best effort, sharing one or two of the treasures discovered with you would not be out of the question."

Cui Xuanzi shook his head. "To be honest, Senior, I have cultivated in the Five Insects Sect since childhood and have never heard of such places nearby."

Noticing Cui Xuanzi's sincere tone, Qin Sang couldn't help but frown inwardly. For Qin Sang, after reaching the Core Formation stage, the most crucial task was to find an ancient teleportation array and clear the path back home; only then could he safely remain here to cultivate. Now, with the Three Lights Jade Liquid in hand and the alchemist found, the Calamity-Transcending Elixir was within reach, yet the Nine Illusions Heavenly Orchid was in a different realm. Such wondrous items were rare and hard to come by. Recalling the difficulties he faced when forming his core, Qin Sang knew that reaching the Nascent Soul stage would be even harder and felt very uncertain. He had to find every possible way to return to the Minor Cold Domain and refine the Calamity-Transcending Elixir before attempting Nascent Soul formation.

Qin Sang had carefully observed that the Western Frontier had a complex and well-connected network of waterways. The small river he had floated on connected to other rivers; it was merely a part of the vast waterway network, and he couldn't find its source at all. Even more troublesome, Qin Sang didn't know how long he had been unconscious after teleporting, so he couldn't estimate the approximate range. Searching for an ancient teleportation array in such a vast area was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Qin Sang didn't even know if the ancient teleportation array was above ground or underground. He was even more baffled as to why he had woken up floating on the river.

Qin Sang thought that since one end of the teleportation array was in the Ziwei Palace, there was a high probability that the other end was in a secret realm. Rather than aimlessly searching everywhere, exploring various secret realms to find the ancient teleportation array would be more efficient.