Chapter 810: Time Line

The Head of the Wu Sect found his current success thanks to the guidance of the Spirit Turtle Island Master. He felt deeply grateful, viewing the Island Master as his esteemed mentor. Remembering the Island Master's tragic end, he was filled with profound sorrow and indignation.

This outcome was unexpected for Qin Sang. Why would Senior Azure Bamboo, living under an assumed identity, hide in such a remote area? Was it to avoid an enemy?

And yet, someone still managed to track him down, reducing his cave dwelling to rubble.

Qin Sang recalled the message Senior Azure Bamboo left in the Seven Kills Hall.

Three large sighs, filled with endless despair.

Could Senior Azure Bamboo have had a premonition at the time, leaving behind a farewell message?

"When did this happen? Who was the Spirit Turtle Island Master's enemy?" Qin Sang didn't want to have made this trip in vain and pressed for details.

"Just two years ago!"

The Head of the Wu Sect revealed a timeline that greatly surprised Qin Sang. He hadn't expected it to be so recent, shortly after the last opening of the Seven Kills Hall.

This meant Senior Azure Bamboo was still in the Azure Waves Sea right up until the incident!

"No one knows who Senior's enemy was; Senior himself never spoke of it. We were only permitted to listen to Senior's lectures on the island; Senior never truly took on any disciples.

"On the day of the incident, I was cultivating in the mountains. Later, I heard rumors that the battle was terrifying, with power capable of shattering heaven and earth. Spirit Turtle Island was completely destroyed. Some say only a Nascent Soul Grand Ancestor could cause such terrible devastation.

"After Senior's demise, everyone was consumed by deep fear. We were grateful for Senior's kindness but were too weak in cultivation to do anything, not even dare to reveal our thoughts..."

The Head of the Wu Sect seemed to have suppressed these feelings for a long time. Upon encountering Qin Sang, a willing listener, he couldn't hold back, speaking with genuine emotion and a choked voice.

"Did anyone witness the battle and see the outcome with their own eyes?"

Qin Sang didn't believe Senior Azure Bamboo could be killed so easily.

It had been nearly three hundred years since Senior Azure Bamboo was teleported to the Azure Waves Sea. Even then, he was already nearing the peak of the Core Formation stage, and that was after cultivating and developing his own cultivation method simultaneously.

Given Senior Azure Bamboo's talent, it was hard to imagine what achievements he might have made by now.

If someone told him Senior Azure Bamboo had become a late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator, Qin Sang wouldn't be surprised. Even if he couldn't win, wouldn't he have had at least some chance of escape?

The Head of the Wu Sect sighed, "Ba Men Island and Spirit Turtle Island are not far apart. The battle startled the cultivators on Ba Men Island, and many witnessed the fight. Some even got too close and were caught in the crossfire, leaving no trace of their bodies. It is said that towards the end of the battle, a demon cackled wildly, and from start to finish, no one escaped from the island..."

Qin Sang's heart sank upon hearing this.

The Head of the Wu Sect continued, "Senior seemed to have had a premonition about this disaster. Many years ago, after a lecture, Senior once said he would be leaving this place and would no longer preach, sealing off the island. For all these years, Spirit Turtle Island was enclosed by a grand formation. We thought Senior had already left, and some had even forgotten about him. Only two years ago, when the incident occurred, did we learn that Senior had never left but was hiding from his enemy, yet still couldn't escape this calamity."

Qin Sang pressed, "So, even if Senior hadn't met with misfortune, I would have come here for nothing? Do you recall when the island was sealed?"

The Head of the Wu Sect thought for a moment. "It's been over fifty years. Back then, I was only in the Qi Refining stage and knew practically nothing about cultivation. I stumbled through on my own, taking many detours. It was only after listening to Senior's lectures that I successfully established my foundation."

Over fifty years!

The cultivator named Wang was already traveling abroad at that time, which is why he didn't know about the island being sealed.

This information was very important.

Qin Sang was astonished. This was precisely when the Seven Kills Hall had last emerged on its own, and also when the Ziwei Palace had opened.

It definitely wasn't a coincidence!

Qin Sang realized that Senior Azure Bamboo's statement was likely not baseless. He most likely found a teleportation array, intending not only to leave the Rifting Wind Archipelago but also the Azure Waves Sea to return to his homeland.

But for some unknown reason, Senior Azure Bamboo ultimately didn't leave and returned to Spirit Turtle Island, where his enemy tracked him down.

Qin Sang lowered his head, his mind a jumble, trying to sort out the timeline based on the known information.

Roughly three hundred years ago, during the last opening of the Ziwei Palace, Azure Bamboo provoked a formidable enemy in the Ziwei Palace, facing a life-or-death situation, and was forced to flee to the Azure Waves Sea.

Then, over two hundred years ago, Azure Bamboo, under an assumed identity, came to the remote Spirit Turtle Island and remained there to cultivate.

It now seemed this was to avoid his enemy, which explained why Qin Sang hadn't found any trace of Azure Bamboo despite searching for so long.

Throughout these years, Azure Bamboo frequently gave lectures and guided rogue cultivators but never took on disciples. Qin Sang was certain that during this period, Azure Bamboo never missed an opening of the Seven Kills Hall.

Then, fifty years ago, the Seven Kills Hall emerged on its own, the Ziwei Palace opened again, and Azure Bamboo sealed off the island.

Two years ago, Spirit Turtle Island was suddenly attacked, and Azure Bamboo's whereabouts became unknown. What remained unclear was when he left the sword marks, jade slip, and sorrowful message in the Seven Kills Hall.

The timelines matched, largely confirming that the Spirit Turtle Island Master was indeed Senior Azure Bamboo.

His movements were mostly clear, yet many mysteries remained.

Who was Senior Azure Bamboo's enemy that he feared so greatly?

Why didn't he leave? Was there an issue with the teleportation array?

"After Senior sealed the island, countless people tried to visit but were refused entry. Even if Fellow Daoist Qin had come two years earlier, you wouldn't have met Senior... Fellow Daoist Qin... Fellow Daoist Qin..."

Seeing Qin Sang lowering his head in silence, the Head of the Wu Sect asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

"Oh."

Qin Sang shook his head, his voice filled with disappointment. "It's nothing. For rogue cultivators like us, the path of cultivation is difficult. I thought I might finally meet a renowned master, but I'm disappointed again."

The Head of the Wu Sect empathized. "Although Senior is gone, his legacy remains. I have several friends who, like me, listened to Senior's teachings. We follow Senior's example, often gathering to discuss cultivation, and we never keep secrets from each other. Fellow Daoist Qin saved my entire family's lives. If you don't mind, I can introduce you to them."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist. However, I admire Senior's style and wish to first visit Ba Men Island and Spirit Turtle Island to pay my respects. I will choose another time to call upon you."

Qin Sang cupped his hands and continued to ask the Head of the Wu Sect about past events.

The Head of the Wu Sect had no suspicions. Seeing Qin Sang's curiosity about the Spirit Turtle Island Master, he didn't hold back, meticulously recalling all his past experiences.

As they spoke, they felt the boat's rocking diminish.

Just then, a disciple came down, excitedly shouting that the storm had stopped.

The Head of the Wu Sect's injuries had improved somewhat, and the two walked out of the cabin. Outside, the sea was calm, but shrouded in thick fog. The lone boat drifted, surrounded by water, its location unknown after being carried by the storm.

It took the Head of the Wu Sect and his disciples some effort to determine their current position.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you can reach Ba Men Island by heading directly southeast. The sea fog is thick, which is when sea monsters are most active, so please be extremely careful. Fortunately, this area is not like the southern part of the archipelago; the sea fog will dissipate soon."

The Head of the Wu Sect offered to accompany Qin Sang part of the way, but Qin Sang politely declined. The sect leader then pointed him in the right direction.