Chapter 814: Manager

The Human World

The Human World

Quheng Island.

After entering the city, Qin Sang disguised his identity and inquired about secret information. It didn't take long for him to identify a target.

Even on a large island like Quheng Island, experts at the Late Core Formation stage are exceedingly rare. Unless they completely isolate themselves, it’s impossible for there to be no news of them at all.

This individual is named Luo Daotong. He doesn't cultivate on Quheng Island but is the island master of an island called Liangqiu Island, matching the description of "Island Master Luo" given by the Master of the Hanhai Sect.

Strangely, however, Qin Sang couldn't uncover his origins; he seemed to be merely an unaffiliated cultivator.

This person clearly couldn't be an unaffiliated cultivator; he simply hadn't revealed his lineage.

At the same time, Qin Sang also learned that Quheng Island didn't have one island master, but two, each from the Righteous and Demonic paths, both powerful Nascent Soul Patriarchs.

Both the Righteous and Demonic factions recognized Quheng Island as the main island of the Riftwind Archipelago, using it as a base to govern the entire archipelago. This created a dynamic where the two island masters kept each other in check, yet it hadn't led to major instability or disputes.

After all, the Riftwind Archipelago was far from a state of peace and ripe for the division of benefits. Especially in the most chaotic southern region, neither the Righteous nor Demonic factions could extend their influence there.

With such threats present, the two island masters could only maintain their cooperation.

Otherwise, they wouldn't just fail to gain advantages; they might even cause the hard-won pacified areas to descend into chaos again. In that event, all their efforts would be in vain, and the Alliance Leader would not spare them.

Qin Sang put in a great deal of effort but still couldn't discover which island master Luo Daotong was affiliated with.

He was no longer a novice who had just entered the cultivation world. He clearly understood that there was no clear boundary between the righteous and demonic paths; both were equally ambitious, and whoever won would claim to be on the side of justice. It was better to simply view them as two opposing forces and not assume that the ambush and killing of Senior Qingzhu must have been carried out by the Demonic path.

He certainly wouldn't dare to antagonize Quheng Island's island masters.

To uncover the truth, he would still need to start with Luo Daotong.

Luo Daotong’s cultivation dwelling was conspicuously located on Liangqiu Island.

Directly confronting him at his residence was not feasible.

Qin Sang believed that with powerful means like the Star Conch, the Blood-Filth Divine Light, and the Two-Headed Hou, catching Luo Daotong by surprise shouldn't be difficult.

However, acting within the opponent's stronghold involved too many variables.

Moreover, the opponent's origins were mysterious, and he surely possessed a wealth of treasures. If Qin Sang failed, or if they became deadlocked, giving the opponent a chance to call for help, things would become troublesome.

The distance between Liangqiu Island and Quheng Island wasn't far, and Nascent Soul Patriarchs could arrive quickly. At that point, Qin Sang would not only fail to apprehend his target but would also put himself in danger.

He would at least have to choose a time when Luo Daotong was leaving the island.

If his strike failed, he could also quickly retreat.

Such an opportunity would be difficult to wait for. Qin Sang sat in a tavern, pondering for a long time before deciding to first find a cultivation dwelling to settle down in and then proceed cautiously.

Leaving the tavern, Qin Sang activated a movement technique and flew towards the mountain.

The best cultivation dwellings on Quheng Island were located at the summit.

Before long, he arrived at the location for renting cultivation dwellings. Halfway up the mountain, several luxurious pavilions stood, surrounded by shimmering restrictive barriers. Cultivators frequently entered and exited, with escape lights rising and falling.

This area served as a boundary; mortals were not permitted to enter higher elevations, which were exclusively occupied by cultivators' dwellings.

Qin Sang surveyed the area, noted the signs on the pavilions, and finally chose one to enter.

In the spacious hall, over a dozen sand tables were displayed, each containing identical miniature mountain peaks, representing the shape of Quheng Island's main peak.

The peaks were marked with numerous, densely packed light points of various colors. Qin Sang understood immediately that these points represented individual cultivation dwellings.

At this moment, some cultivators were gathered around several of the sand tables.

"Fellow Daoist, are you here to rent a cultivation dwelling?"

A young cultivator approached him. Qin Sang focused his gaze and was surprised to find that this person was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"That's right," Qin Sang replied, his expression unchanged, nodding. "I've just arrived and am looking for a place to settle. Could you explain the meaning of these light points? And how does one go about renting a suitable dwelling?"

The young cultivator glanced at Qin Sang. "Forgive my presumption, but may I ask which island you previously cultivated on, and do you possess a jade token?"

Qin Sang's expression darkened. "What? Is a jade token required to rent a dwelling? I am not a cultivator from near Quheng Island; I've come from the south."

The matter was crucial, and he didn't want to expose his true identity. He had activated the Spirit Concealment Art to hide his cultivation, appearing to outsiders as merely being at the early Foundation Establishment stage. Only cultivators with higher cultivation than his could see through the disguise.

The jade token was a unique identification token specific to Quheng Island.

The young cultivator showed a look of understanding. "Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand; that was not my intention. Since you've come from the south, you must also be drawn to the peace and order here. Given your cultivation, to brave the dangers and travel thousands of miles across the sea to arrive here is truly commendable."

Qin Sang's expression softened slightly, and he sighed, "Indeed. I simply seek a place to reside and cultivate peacefully. It's worth the risk."

"You speak truly, Fellow Daoist," the young cultivator said. "For us lesser individuals, all we seek is stability."

Hearing Qin Sang's words, the young cultivator felt a sense of camaraderie. He suddenly pulled Qin Sang outside the pavilion and whispered, "To be frank, Fellow Daoist, I've had a similar experience to yours. Since you're new here, there are some things you might not know. Renting a cultivation dwelling isn't actually cost-effective. The dwellings on the main island are too expensive, and there's little income. I learned this the hard way, quickly depleting my savings and almost ending up on the streets. If you intend to stay long-term, take my advice: don't just look at the main island. I can show you a clearer path."

At this point, the young cultivator's voice paused slightly.

Qin Sang understood immediately, having already guessed his intentions.

The young cultivator feigned mystery. Seeing that Qin Sang didn't respond, he continued, "With your cultivation, it's more than enough to become a steward on a nearby small island. You'd not only have a cultivation dwelling but also earn spirit stones. Why wouldn't you? The only cost is some time, and you'd have to step in to defend and protect mortals when storms or sea beasts attack. While the spiritual energy on other islands might be thinner, it's still sufficient to support cultivation."

Hearing the young cultivator's words, Qin Sang secretly nodded. His plan concerning Luo Daotong wouldn't be achieved overnight, and finding a legitimate identity to secretly reside near Liangqiu Island was indeed a good approach.

"How does one become a steward? I'd be delighted, so please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist."

"You could apply on those larger islands, but firstly, you'd have to wait until they're recruiting stewards, and secondly, you'd have to compete with others, making it uncertain."

The young cultivator lowered his voice: "I happen to know a senior who has some influence. He can put in a word for you on any island, as long as it's not one of the core major islands. However, that senior won't help for free, so..."

As he spoke, the young cultivator rubbed his fingers together.

Qin Sang secretly chuckled. He naturally didn't care about a few spirit stones, as long as the matter could be resolved.

Nor was he worried about being scammed. He took out a small pouch of spirit stones and handed it to the young cultivator, who immediately beamed with delight.