Chapter 1,198: Divine Rune
st broken through to the middle stage of foundation building, his cultivation was inferior to Qin Sang's, but in many aspects, he saw very clearly and gave Qin Sang guidance that was more than enough,...On the edge of Heaven's Trace.
Qin Sang lowered her head to look into the abyss.
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He slid down the cliff face, slowly descending for the first time into Tianhen.
Unlike the desolate battlefields of ancient immortals, Tianhen's interior is devoid of any signs of ruin and instead boasts breathtaking scenery.
On the slope of the cliff, green trees are lush and verdant, like a carpet spread out.
Here, all sorts of flowers and grasses unseen in the mortal world vie with each other for beauty. Among them, waterfalls like jade ribbons sometimes converge, sometimes disperse, flowing into the abyss.
If it weren't for the occasional appearance of dangerous fragments from ancient prohibitions, it would truly be like a fairyland.
This bit of danger couldn't stop Qin Sang's footsteps.
His speed was increasing, and he found the terrain becoming increasingly steep. The scenery grew increasingly desolate and ruined. After descending for a while longer, there was no sign of green whatsoever.
Bare earth and rock, blocks of pitch-black stones, sinister and eerie, signal that the environment here is unusual.
Qin Sang sensed the familiar cold aura, knowing that beneath him was a place where the sinister energy of the earth had accumulated.
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The moment this thought flashed through his mind, Qin Sang saw wisps of earth-evil energy emanating from the stone cave below.
The sheer cliff face was riddled with countless irregular caves, each filled with a thick, oppressive aura of earth's evil. They were hidden deep within the cliff, surpassing even the chasm in their darkness.
Qin Sang urged his true essence to protect himself, casually chose a cave entrance, and darted inside.
With his formidable cultivation, Qin Sang endured the erosion of the Earth Fiend's aura and entered deep into the cliff. He thoroughly investigated the surroundings but returned empty-handed, confirming that the remains of the Heaven Corpse Sect were not here.
After refining the corpse, Qin Sang returned along the original road.
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After his avatar regained the cultivation base of the Qi Refining Period, Qin Sang brought his avatar to one of the market towns.
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He remained in his true form outside, controlling his avatar as it entered the marketplace.
Under their original identities, they moved freely and effortlessly. After entering the marketplace, they gathered in a courtyard in a corner of the market with old friends.
“Qi Lao'er, last time you said you had a new deal, it was probably a young girl. How come you disappeared for so long after that Didn't you run into some trouble”
Qi Lao Er is Qin Sang's incarnation, and his friends are all those who shared a similar stench with his previous self.
A burly man with a ferocious face and a gleeful expression spoke up.
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"Huan Shen let out a cold snort, "Evil Wu Chang, you'll sooner or later have your eyes opened and fall from grace. I want to see when you're truly bewitched by the Unforeseen and dragged into the eighteen layers of hell."
"Damn it! I've been to hell eighteen times, do you think your crimes are any smaller than mine"
"Alright!"
A beautiful young woman in red, her face full of impatience, interrupted the two men. "Old Madam just caught a little baby, it's time for some sweet nothings, I didn't come here to listen to you two fight. Qi Laoye, what are you gathering us all here for"
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The Incarnation and the Void glared at each other, but didn't continue arguing.
“An old man has a matter, I beg you fellow cultivators to help.”
"The Shapeshifter hesitated for a moment, "Find someone for me. A hundred years ago, there was a Golden Core cultivator named 'Ghost Immortal.' He is said to have been active near Jinshan Mountain. If you find any news related to this person, I will reward you handsomely."
E Wu Chang and the others looked at each other.
"Qi Lao'er, you wouldn't be bored with life and want to provoke the Jindan cultivator, would you" Mo Wu Chang looked at him like he was an idiot.
The alluring young woman looked thoughtfully at the transformed figure, "A hundred years ago's Golden Core cultivator, 'Corpse Ghost Immortal,' such a boastful name, we've never even heard of it. It's estimated that he's no longer alive now. Have you found some clue, related to the Golden Core treasure or inheritance"
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.
The figure stiffened, feeling the pressure under everyone's gaze. He chuckled awkwardly and said: "I knew I couldn't hide it from you all! These past few days, I've been running around for this matter. My cultivation is low, and I don't have the strength to monopolize it. I intended to invite a few helpers, which is why I invited all of you esteemed friends here. But let me make something clear beforehand, we all know each other well, so I hope none of you harbor any ulterior motives..."
“Could it be that there’s truly a golden elixir treasure I didn't expect even Old Qi would have his lucky day.”
Evil Without Constant rubbed his hands together, his face full of excitement.
The others were equally interested. After discussing it, they dispersed one after another. The disguised figure watched them leave, his eyes deep and contemplative. In a short while, he too left the courtyard and began his investigation.
After a thorough investigation, however, we came up empty-handed.
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Qin Sang then sent the avatar to another market, just as before.
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Time is enough to wash away everything. The trace of a Jindan cultivator is just a speck of dust in the long river of time. In just a hundred years, it has already been erased.
Finding no results, Qin Sang initiated the second plan. He had his avatar bring a corpse of comparable strength to a Qi Foundation cultivator back to the market square, and without hesitation, he also summoned those old friends from his past avatars.
Feeling the immense pressure from the powerful Corpse Refiner beside him, E Wu Chang and the others cursed inwardly.
This old boy clearly ate all the food himself!
While pretending to help them investigate the news, he secretly took out the golden elixir treasure. Otherwise, with his abilities, there's no way he could have refined such a powerful corpse refining elixir.
Though I thought about it, on the surface, everyone was respectful and courteous, just like when facing a real Qi-building cultivator.
They had a private conversation all afternoon, and then they left.
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Evil never walks in broad daylight. Turning back to look towards the courtyard, his eyes flickered uncertainly, and he scoffed inwardly, "Cultivation level isn't even as high as mine, getting a foundation-building corpse through sheer luck thinks it can make me take orders, dream on!"
Just now, Elder Qi unexpectedly wanted to gather them all under his command and go together to Tianhen to seek treasure.
There is a foundation-building stage for refining corpses, and afterward one can enter the deeper parts of the Sky Trace.
Damn it, he wouldn't believe Qi Lao'er would be this kind. If they encountered any danger, Qi Lao'er would definitely abandon them without hesitation, even using them as a shield.
Thinking of this, Mo Wu Chang let out a cold snort and quickly walked in another direction.
After a short while, arriving near a rather tranquil courtyard deep in the marketplace, E Wu Chang made sure no one was following him. He lowered his head and walked towards the courtyard, his face plastered with a smile. He informed the doorman of his purpose and was then led inside.
The bright moon, and the stars.
The courtyard, jade desk.
Fine wine and delicacies.
A Daoist-dressed cultivator was drinking, slightly tipsy, with several beautiful female cultivators gracefully dancing before him, their eyes alluring.
E Wu Chang swallowed hard, filled with envy.
These female cultivators' cultivation realms were higher than his. They must be disciples of a large, prestigious sect, so carefree and enjoying themselves!
Although he could imitate such behavior, he only found a few mortal women to dance for him. He didn't dare to act arrogantly in those heavily guarded cities controlled by the likes of Chin'han Shan. He could only go to remote and desolate areas. How could he compare to the man before him
The doorman went forward to report.
The Taoist priest glanced over.
A sudden tremor ran through Wu Chang. He straightened up hastily and saw the Daoist priest motion his followers back. "What is it you wish to report" he said, addressing Wu Chang directly.
“The relic of the golden elixir Is this true”
After Mo Wu Chang finished explaining the whole story, the drunken look on Dao Ren's face vanished instantly.
"E Wu Chang nodded repeatedly, "It's absolutely true. Old Qi learned his foundation-building corpse refinement technique from there."
"Soul-devouring Immortal..."
The Daoist recalled carefully, but couldn't remember anyone like this from a hundred years ago.
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A thought suddenly flashed in his mind, and he shot out a sword light from his sleeve, instantly stopping at the throat of Evil Wu Chang. He sneered coldly: "Qi Laoer got the golden elixir treasure and dared to appear before you all so swaggeringly. You use earth-shaker qi instead of yin energy for refining corpses Do you think I'm a three-year-old child You have guts, daring to use such clumsy tactics to conspire against me!"
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"Senior, a hundred years of courage wouldn't allow me to scheme against you and Jinchenshan!"
Evil無常 trembled, stammering in self-defense, "According to Qi Lao'er, his corpse refinement skill is comparable to that of a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. I reckon he thinks all the other seniors have been dispatched to the front lines. Now that the market is empty and there are no tigers in the mountains, monkeys become kings, so he dares to act so recklessly. Qi Lao'er is still in the market, senior can check if what I say is true..."
The Taoist narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with surprise, "Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Corpse Refinement Path"
He had just recently established his foundation, yet he was no match for this Corpse Refinement practitioner.
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If someone truly wants to harm themselves, there's no need to make it so obvious.
"Humph! I'll spare your life for now!"
The Taoist sheathed his sword and, seeing the eager expression on Evil Chang's face, snorted, "First go and stall Lao Qi. Don't reveal your true intentions. If there truly is a Golden Core relic, you won't be left out of the reward!"
"This junior obeys!"
E Wu Chang, with a face full of joy, bowed deeply before leaving.
The Taoist's face darkened with contemplation. After a moment of thought, he decided to send a message back to his sect, inquiring with a few friendly senior brothers about whether there was indeed someone with the moniker 'corpse ghost immortal'.
The treasure of the Golden Core Immortal is still very tempting.
Please ask your fellow practitioner to come. Even if it's a trap, just break through it directly!
Qin Sang didn't expect that, before his transformation had even taken to the streets with the Corpse Refining Technique, a stroke of luck would inadvertently send the news to a disciple of Qinhen Mountain.
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Soon, the Taoist received a reply. After reading it, he was astonished. "There really is a Golden Core cultivator named Corpse Ghost Immortal who can refine corpses using earthsha energy, and he seems to have a close relationship with Master Wu. However, this person just rose to fame when he died on the battlefield. No wonder I've never heard of him. It seems like he might have sensed something and was sent to the battlefield before leaving behind a lineage of Taoism here, which was obtained by Lao Qi..."
The Daoist immediately replied to invite his senior brother to come and help, so that Master Qi wouldn't react in time and flee with the treasure.
Two days later.
The incarnation, carrying the Corpse Refiner, walked out of the bustling market and into the depths of the mountains. He hadn't gone far when suddenly, a flower bloomed before his eyes. A person materialized out of thin air, blocking his path.
Just as I was about to turn around, someone blocked me from behind.
These two are actually Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage experts!
Following closely, a figure emerged from behind an ancient tree—it was the Taoist priest.
He looked at the Corpse Refiner beside him, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He gently shook his feather fan and said nonchalantly, "I hear that Daoist Qi has boundless fortune, having received the inheritance of a Golden Core cultivator. Could you perhaps let us observe"
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He materialized, fearless and unhurried, saying, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Seeing the incarnation's fearless appearance, the three were immediately suspicious. However, they had just carefully investigated the surroundings and found nothing unusual.
Before they could react, a sudden tightness surged through their bodies, their vision darkened, and then they were immobilized, unable to move an inch. They were filled with indescribable terror.
The opponent's strength is too terrifying, they haven't even seen a shadow of them.
No matter how they struggled, the power binding them remained unmoved.
Just when they were terrified, a strange voice rang out in their ears, "You have guts, daring to follow my disciples."
One of them, trying to remain calm, discovered he could speak and pleaded, "The junior has been blind and ignorant, not knowing that Daoist Qi is a senior disciple. Please, esteemed senior, have mercy and spare our lives, seeing that we haven't caused any major disaster. The junior is willing to return to Jinshen Mountain and bring all the treasures from his cave abode as compensation for Daoist Qi."
They still thought it was because they had provoked Old Qi.
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“Hehehe, don't threaten me with Jinhen Mountain. I'm not easily intimidated. However, considering the face of Jinhen Mountain, I'll answer a few questions from you. Perhaps I might spare your lives.”
The three of them felt a little calmer. It seemed the other party was still wary of their own sect, and quickly agreed.
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In a short while, Qin Sang flew out of the forest with his avatar.
The three of them didn't die, but Qin Sang confined them in the forest with a golden core level restriction. As for when they would be freed, it depends on when the people from Qinxuan Mountain find them.
Qin Sang didn't want to cause too much trouble.
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After killing three true disciples, Jin Henshan definitely won't let this go.
It's a busy time, as long as no one dies, the Jinshan Mountains should not relentlessly pursue it. For a mere golden core inheritance, attracting a mysterious opponent is simply too risky.
If it still can't be found, I can only make a big fuss and break into the small forces near Jinhenshan, one by one.
Qin Sang looked west, thinking to himself, "So the Corpse Ghost Immortal's real surname is Chen and he comes from the Nan Yin Mountains in western Tianhen. It's a pity that the Wu family Golden Core who was close to the Corpse Ghost Immortal is currently fighting on the front lines. It's impossible to bring him here for questioning in the short term. I can only go to the Nan Yin Mountains first. None of these three have ever seen Tan Hao, and it's unknown whether Tan Hao has come or gone directly to the Nan Yin Mountains."
Three disciples of Jìnhén Mountain, one of whom had previously served as a golden elixir disciple named Wu, were present when the Shīguǐ Xiān visited. They heard Wu refer to Shīguǐ Xiān as "Chen Dao-you," indicating that he had once practiced cultivation in the Nán Yǐn mountain range.
Qin Sang suspected that the Corpse Ghost Immortal had obtained the transmission from the Tian Shi Sect and then came to Jin'hen Mountain to absorb the Qi of Earthly Disaster to refine corpses. He decided to go to Nan Yin Mountains to try his luck.
He set off immediately without delay.
Once again crossing the Heavenly Remnant, Qin Sang headed straight for the Nan Yin Mountains.
On the third day at noon, Qin Sang finally arrived. On his way, he had already investigated the forces of Nan Yin Mountain Range.
The Nan'yin Mountains have a rather unique shape.
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On the edge of Tianhen, mountains formed a semicircle, and then extended outward in circles.
This place is dangerous with treacherous mountains and water. There are no top-tier sects nearby, mostly scattered cultivators. However, these forces have more or less intricate connections with the top-tier sects outside.
Qin Sang sent out a clone, repeating the old trick.
Unfortunately, while some unscrupulous individuals were caught, none of them knew anything about the Corpse Demon Fairy.
Qin Sang knew this path wouldn't work, so he simply went directly to the major forces in Nan Yin Mountains.
Among these forces, some are cultivating families, some are scattered cultivator alliances, and some are branch schools of sects.
Qin Sang walked around and found that the protective mountain formations of the cultivating families and the scattered cultivators' alliance were slightly weaker.
There was a huge flaw in the large formation of a cultivating family. While others couldn't detect it, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly saw right through it. This allowed them to sneak in without causing too much commotion, saving a lot of trouble.
The Li family.
If a family produced two cultivators who had attained the Golden Core stage, it would be considered prosperous in normal times.
> When war comes, the prosperity of the family is secondary. All they want is to survive on the battlefield.
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Fortunately, the Li family is better off than those single Golden Core forces. Two of their Golden Cores haven't been fully conscripted, so at least one can survive, and they can even take turns.
Li Yutian had just been replaced by his grandfather and withdrawn from the front lines, preparing to recuperate at home for a while.
Recalling the scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, Li Yutian still felt a lingering fear. Even a Golden Core cultivator, on the chaotic battlefield, was precarious, facing the constant threat of death at any moment.
The only good news is probably being able to see the Yuan Ying duel with your own eyes, experiencing continuous fighting and rapid progress.
He couldn't understand why those Yuan Ying ancestors would abandon their peaceful lives and insist on invading the Tianxing Alliance. The Zuyuan was clearly not yet at a point of resource depletion.
Outside the cave dwelling, two maidservants stood on either side.
Suddenly, a voice from inside rang out, "You pass down the order, this old ancestor has new insights and wants to retreat to break through. No matter what happens, do not disturb."
When the two women heard this, they were overjoyed. The Ancestor was already at the peak of the early stage of Jindan. If he broke through again, the family would have two Jindan mid-stage masters. Moreover, the Ancestor was still young, and it was possible that he could even reach the Yuanying stage.
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The two women bowed and retreated, seeing the barrier light appear on the door without a shred of doubt.
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Meanwhile, inside the cave dwelling, Li Yutian was filled with terror, staring at the hooded figure that had materialized out of thin air.
"Master Yuanying!"
Li Yutian felt a terrible pressure, his face full of despair.
Qin Sang appeared before Li Yu like a ghost, reaching out to touch the top of his head and directly search his soul.
On the battlefield, this man had killed countless cultivators from the Two Realms Alliance. Qin Sang naturally wouldn't show him mercy. After obtaining the desired information, Qin Sang wiped away Li Yutian's body and all traces, quietly departing.
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The Li family, both young and old, were completely unaware of this.
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Not until another ancestor returned and forcefully opened the cave did they discover that Li Yutian was missing. However, there were no signs in the cave, as if Li Yutian had vanished into thin air. Since then, it has become a major unsolved mystery in the Nan Yin Mountains.
Then, Qin Sang and Fat Chicken separated and found opportunities to create several unsolved cases, but they were all cultivators at the foundation-building stage.
Various messages corroborated with each other, and Qin Sang probably had a better understanding of the Shi Gui Xian.
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This person's name is Chen Heng.
He had always been a wandering cultivator, originally unremarkable. Like other low-level cultivators, he spent his years wandering the Tianhen realm, barely scraping by for a living. Suddenly, one day, he obtained some unknown opportunity and his cultivation advanced rapidly.
In this way, he actually broke through the Jindan stage step by step, becoming a Jindan superior.
This person's cultivation of the Wood Path technique was exceptional, their wood-element spiritual energy remarkably pure and powerful. Their supernatural abilities were renowned throughout the Nan Yin mountain range.
In Li Yutian's memory, he was quite wary of Chen Heng because this man kept to himself and held grudges. But it could be confirmed that back then, Chen Heng had nothing to do with corpse cultivators and certainly didn't have the title of 'Corpse Ghost Immortal'.
>Until a century ago, something unknown happened, and Chen Heng suddenly left the Nan Yin Mountains and vanished without a trace. It is speculated that he might have perished outside.
That is also the case.
From then on, Qin Sang could be certain that Chen Heng had obtained the Corpse Refining Technique from the Tian Shi Sect during his time leaving the Nan Yin Mountains to go to Jin Hen Mountain.
But Qin Sang still had no clue about the Tian Shi Sect.
Chen Heng had no relatives or friends in the Nan Yin Mountains. If he had learned the Corpse Refining Art outside, the clues would probably end here. Qin Sang could only return to the Tianxing Plateau to find the Jindan cultivator from Jincheng Mountain.
Since he was already there, Qin Sang decided to continue investigating the Nanyin Mountains. From the memories of Li Yutian and others, he tried to find out what major events had happened in the Nanyin Mountains during the years before Chen Heng left, such as the appearance of ancient ruins, etc.
Ultimately, Qin Sang locked onto four locations, all deep within Tianhen.
Three places are ancient forbidden areas sealed by ancient spells. Ancient treasures once appeared in the ruins, causing a sensation.
The other was at the deepest part of the Tianhen, for an unknown reason, it had once erupted with a violent tremor, gushing out from the depths of the abyss and sweeping across the ancient prohibition. Many cultivators who were searching for treasures in Tianhen were caught off guard, either dying or being severely injured.
Later, masters from the Nan Yin Mountains attempted to investigate further, but the dangers below proved too great, and they were ultimately unable to determine the cause.
Having found this, Qin Sang decided to enter Tianhen personally to investigate.
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As a Jindan cultivator, Qin Sang could naturally enter the secret realm. There was no need to prepare anything at all.
Flew downward along the cliff face, without stopping for a moment.
There are many cultivators within Tianhen, risking their lives to seek treasure here. They don't even realize that someone has just brushed past them.
The deeper one went into the Tianhen, the dimmer the light became, and danger lurked everywhere.
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There are two ancient forbidden places, even Qin Sang has to be cautious and avoid them.
Soon, Qin Sang arrived at the first secret realm.
The entrance to the secret realm was within a mountain fissure, filled with colorful brilliance. After the last great upheaval, the chaotic ancient prohibitions had once again sealed the opening.
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The Sky-Eyed Butterfly stood on Qin Sang's shoulder, its wings aligned with the entrance.
After observing for a while, Qin Sang sensed the telepathy from the Heavenly-Eyed Butterfly. A smile appeared on his face, and then he raised his golden sword and swung it out with a single strike, achieving the pinnacle of skill.
The ancient prohibitions were triggered, converging towards the sword light in a flurry. The mountain wall trembled, and stones flew about chaotically.
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At the same time, cracks appeared in the ancient prohibition. Qin Sang took the opportunity to slip into them.
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The next moment, Qin Sang appeared by a lake. The water had dried up, and the surrounding palaces had become ruins, a sight of broken walls and crumbling remains.
This place has obviously been ransacked.
Qin Sang released his divine sense, not letting go of even an inch, carefully probing. He did not find anything related to the Tian Shi Sect. He was not discouraged, flew out of the secret realm, and swept towards the next place.
The second secret realm seals a mountain range, with ancient halls dotting the mountains. It must have been incredibly prosperous in its heyday.
Qin Sang unexpectedly found a rather rare spiritual herb, but there was still no trace of the Tian Shi Zong.
Please note that "d to have recalled something, a wistful expression on his face. "When I was young," he said, "the old hall master brought me into Liuzhou Hall and took me as his disciple. That's how I am today. I can...