Free Web NovelChapter 1115: Eternal Farewell
Before entering secluded cultivation, Qin Sang left Peach Blossom Valley and visited several of the larger nearby markets. As an elder of the Yuanshen Sect, he no longer needed to sneak around when entering and leaving such places.
He quietly sold off a portion of his demonic cores and bones, purchasing several of the treasures he required.
For the rest, he entrusted the merchants to gather them on his behalf. The price was negotiable.
Afterward, Qin Sang made another trip back to Great Sui and informed Li Yufu of the location of his cave dwelling. He remained there for a time, guiding Li Yufu and the other two in their cultivation and granting them some resources.
Before reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm, Qin Sang would not consider dividing his focus to establish a faction. For now, he allowed them to cultivate on their own.
Once he entered seclusion, he did not know how many years would pass. As their elder, he had to fulfill his responsibility.
Li Yufu was only at the early stage of the Golden Core Realm. Qin Sang’s guidance was more than sufficient. As for Tan Yi'en and Bai Hanqiu, there was even less to worry about.
"If your great grandmaster returns, or if you encounter any trouble, send word to me. The situation remains unclear. Countless undercurrents surge within the immortal cultivation world, especially within Cunyang Sect. All factions covet the legacy left behind by the red-haired grandmaster. For this period, try to avoid venturing out for training, lest you become entangled..." Before departing, Qin Sang gave his final instructions.
"Yes." The three bowed and saw him off.
On his return journey, Qin Sang made a detour into the territory of Shaohua Mountain.
Disguised as an elder of Yuanshen Sect, he moved with greater ease and inquired about news of old acquaintances. For example, Qi Yuanshou. During the war against Sin Abyss, he had died on the battlefield.
Qin Sang’s feelings toward Qi Yuanshou were complicated. Before learning the truth, Qin Sang had received guidance from him many times and had harbored no ill will. He had even relied on him as a pillar of support.
It was true that Qi Yuanshou had aided wrongdoing and had monitored Qin Sang on Dongyang Bo’s behalf, harboring ulterior motives. Yet without Qi Yuanshou’s covert protection, Qin Sang’s path within Shaohua Mountain would not have been so smooth. Neither internal strife nor external turmoil had affected him. He had been able to focus solely on cultivation.
In their few interactions, Qin Sang had sensed a trace of goodwill from Qi Yuanshou, perhaps guilt, perhaps something else. But he had not dared to defy Dongyang Bo’s orders. freewebnovel.cσ๓
Qin Sang understood that powerlessness all too well. Still, that did not mean he could smile and let bygones be bygones.
Debts had their creditors. Qin Sang’s gaze remained fixed on Dongyang Bo. To fade from each other’s lives might have been the best ending between him and Qi Yuanshou.
Unexpectedly, he had received grim news. Qi Yuanshou had not been buried at Shaohua Mountain. His grave lay in his hometown. A hundred years had passed. The solitary grave had nearly fallen into ruin. With death, the Dao vanished, leaving no trace behind. At such a moment, an immortal cultivator was no different from a mortal.
For reasons he himself did not fully understand, Qin Sang went to Qi Yuanshou’s grave. He stood there briefly, left behind a quiet sigh, and then departed on his sword.
Afterward, he traveled to a mortal kingdom within Shaohua Mountain’s territory. There resided a cultivation family, the Wen family.
The Wen Family was not powerful. They governed nearby mortal states on behalf of Shaohua Mountain. Among them was an external elder, Zhuang Yan.
Zhuang Yan had become partners with his betrothed. Together, they had pursued dual cultivation and both advanced to the Foundation Building Realm. Yet their path afterward had been difficult, and they had halted at the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm.
Knowing their immortal path held little hope, their resolve had gradually faded. In the end, they had bid farewell to their sect and returned to the family of Zhuang Yan’s master to build a family
That master had been Senior Brother Wen, the one who had guided Qin Sang into Shaohua Mountain. Senior Brother Wen had long since passed away and was buried behind the Wen Family estate.
A prosperous courtyard stood at the foot of the mountain beside a lake, the scenery exceedingly beautiful.
An elderly man sat in a reclining chair by the lake. Several bamboo fishing rods lay before him. His eyes were half closed as if he were about to drift into sleep. It was Zhuang Yan.
With a splash, a water dragon suddenly leapt from the lake, baring its fangs as it lunged toward the old man. Yet just as it formed, it collapsed into droplets. It did not splash the old man, but it startled the fish away.
"You little rascal! How dare you ambush your grandfather!" Zhuang Yan opened his eyes. Seeing the young girl running toward him, a trace of a smile flickered in his gaze.
"Grandfather, I mastered the Water Condensation Art in just a few days. Isn’t that enough to enter Shaohua Mountain?" The girl pouted and shook his arm.
"You are still far from it! Cultivate diligently for a few more years. Then I will send you to Shaohua Mountain so no one dares look down on our Zhuang Family." Zhuang Yan tapped her nose lightly, though a hint of worry flashed through his eyes.
He was already over two hundred years old. He already had one foot in the afterlife. His lifespan was nearly exhausted, and he could no longer protect the younger generation.
The shadow of Sin Abyss still loomed over Small Cold Domain. No one knew when peace would return to the immortal cultivation world. These juniors had been born into the most chaotic era. Even if they entered Shaohua Mountain, their fate remained uncertain. In recent years, many disciples of Shaohua Mountain had fallen on the battlefield.
Zhuang Yan suddenly thought of an old acquaintance. "Sigh! If only Junior Brother Qin were still alive. With his resolve, he would certainly have formed a Golden Core... Why did he leave before me?"
Each time he thought of it, regret filled him. Suddenly, he seemed to sense something and abruptly lifted his head.
"Grandfather, what is it?" The girl turned toward the lake.
The surface lay empty. Zhuang Yan shook his head. Suddenly dispirited, he put away his fishing gear. Supported by the girl, he walked slowly back toward the courtyard, his steps unsteady.
Qin Sang had passed by the Wen Family's residence, paid respects to Senior Brother Wen, and from afar glanced at Zhuang Yan. This might have been their final meeting, yet Qin Sang could not reveal himself.
Zhuang Yan had never formed a Golden Core. But he had spent his life with the one he loved, raised children and grandchildren. That, too, might have been a form of happiness.
Qin Sang withdrew his thoughts and returned directly to Peach Blossom Valley. Qingjun was not in the valley. Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling and prepared for seclusion. Bai emerged from the Corpse Puppet Pouch, selected a chamber, and prepared to enter seclusion alongside Qin Sang. It vowed not to emerge until it comprehended the Corpse Soul Orb.
"This Peach Blossom Valley is quite remarkable. Its master is formidable as well. Even within the Corpse Puppet Pouch, I sensed a trace of sharpness before, though I was at a critical moment in comprehending the Corpse Soul Orb and could not appear. I felt something similar from Qingzhu back then. Father and daughter indeed, no simple figures." Bai spoke highly of Qingjun. "It feels improper to reside here uninvited. When the opportunity arises, I will personally pay a visit to the rightful master."
"Daoist, be careful when comprehending the Corpse Soul Orb. Do not damage the peach grove." Qin Sang warned. He did not want to incur Qingjun’s wrath.
After a brief discussion, they each returned to their respective cave dwellings. Qin Sang sealed the barriers and summoned the Sky-Eyed Butterfly. Its cultivation could not fall behind. He would need its assistance when forming the Spiritual Infant.
Fortunately, he had purchased several spiritual herbs suitable for nurturing the Sky-Eyed Butterfly. He had nearly completed the formula. Its growth would accelerate compared to before.
After consuming the spiritual herbs, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly settled on Qin Sang’s shoulder, nestled close, and fell into slumber.
What remained was to restore his former cultivation as swiftly as possible. Reforging the killing symbol proved far easier than before.
Qin Sang calmed his mind and entered meditation. His consciousness connected with the ebony sword as he comprehended the true killing symbol. His cultivation rose rapidly.
