Chapter 28

After entering the Dongyang Prince's mansion, Qin Sang was arranged in a small courtyard. Meals were delivered to him three times a day, but he was not allowed to wander outside.

For several consecutive days, Qin Sang did not see the Dongyang Princess, nor did he receive a summons from the Dongyang Prince. Only Bai Jianglan visited once during this period.

He had come to seek immortality and was very patient.

However, this environment was very suitable for cultivation. Qin Sang settled down and devoted himself entirely to cultivating the *Yōumíng Scripture*.

With the help of the Soul Pill, Qin Sang felt his cultivation speed was even faster than when he was at the first level. If he didn't run out of Soul Pills, he estimated he could break through to the third level of the *Yōumíng Scripture* in about a year.

Of course, this was just an ideal state.

Under his intense cultivation, a Soul Pill would be exhausted in at most half a month. Qin Sang took two Soul Pills in succession. When he took the third one, the body of Yama became extremely thin, like a candle flickering in the wind, about to disintegrate.

In this state, if he took another one, Yama would likely collapse.

Qin Sang was unsure if Yama could recover after being drained and did not want to do something as foolish as draining a pond to catch all the fish. What he was worried about was how to obtain a steady supply of Soul Pills.

He didn't understand what Yin Sha Qi was, and it was difficult for Qin Sang to figure it out in a short time.

Human souls were inexhaustible, but he would have to massacre entire villages to meet his cultivation needs.

Massacring innocents, aside from the moral dilemma, would attract the attention of other Immortal Masters, who would likely label him as a demon and eliminate him. The image of the black-robed demon being cut in half was still fresh in Qin Sang's mind.

Feeling a slight pain in his meridians, Qin Sang stopped cultivating and opened his eyes to find that the sky was already slightly bright. Although he had practiced all night, he still felt energetic. However, Qin Sang was in the habit of taking a short rest, and sometimes he would sleep for a whole day, feeling that it was a true rest.

Just as he was about to lie down, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked on.

"Brother Bai, you have come."

Qin Sang opened the door and saw Bai Jianglan standing outside. It was drizzling, and Bai Jianglan was wearing a bamboo hat and a raincoat, carrying a sword, looking like a wandering knight.

Bai Jianglan entered the room, took off his raincoat, and took out several books from his chest, handing them to Qin Sang. "Brother Qin, these are several high-level martial arts techniques that the Princess instructed me to select from the mansion's armory. In the past month, many major events have occurred outside. I have been traveling with the Princess and only returned today."

No wonder no one had disturbed him for so long.

He had been cultivating intensively in the small courtyard for over a month without stepping out. Apart from the maids who delivered his meals, he hadn't seen a single stranger, almost cut off from the world. He didn't know what major events had occurred outside.

Qin Sang thought to himself, took the books, and flipped through them. There were three secret manuals in total.

One was the *Soul-Seizing Spear*, which was perfect for him. The *Tiger-Taming Long Fist* could also be used with a staff, but it was a very basic technique and not a pure spear technique.

Learning this *Soul-Seizing Spear* would make it easier for Qin Sang to use the Yama Banner without drawing attention.

The second was the *Mingwang Technique*, an internal cultivation method. Qin Sang couldn't see its value at a glance and planned to study it carefully later to see how it differed from the *Yōumíng Scripture*.

When he flipped to the third book, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up. It was a lightness technique called the *Shadowless Step*.

Light as a swallow, walking on walls, leaving no trace in the snow, crossing a river on a single reed...

He had long been eager to learn the legendary lightness techniques, but none of the martial arts schools or escort agencies in the Three Witches City taught them, only a few practical footwork techniques.

Seeing Qin Sang's delighted expression, Bai Jianglan also smiled. "I saw that Brother Qin is skilled with spears and staffs, so I chose this *Soul-Seizing Spear* for you. This spear technique was created by a famous martial artist and is very exquisite. The *Mingwang Technique* is a top-notch internal cultivation method in the martial world. However, internal cultivation methods take time to show results. Brother Qin, don't be impatient. Cultivate patiently, and if you can truly cultivate a thread of true qi in your dantian, your martial arts will surely reach a new level. As for the *Shadowless Step*, since Brother Qin doesn't have internal energy, I chose it for you. It not only has excellent footwork but also includes techniques for concealing your presence and hiding your shadow, forming its own school. When cultivated deeply, it is no weaker than top-tier lightness techniques... Is Brother Qin satisfied?"

Qin Sang bowed in gratitude. "Thank you for the Princess's kindness and Brother Bai's efforts. I am deeply grateful."

The two sat down, drinking tea and talking. Bai Jianglan pointed out the key points of the three martial arts manuals, and Qin Sang carefully noted them down, though he would need to practice to truly understand them.

When they talked about the Water Monkey's condition, Bai Jianglan's tone was less sad. "Zhou Ning is a cheerful child who can take things in stride. His injuries are improving, and he can already get up and practice swordsmanship, which is much more diligent than before. After this great calamity, if he changes his lazy habits, his martial arts may improve even more."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement but didn't take such comforting words too seriously. For a martial artist, losing an arm had a significant impact on their martial arts.

Bai Jianglan took a sip of tea and looked at Qin Sang, asking, "Brother Qin, do you still insist on your previous thoughts?"

Qin Sang put down his teacup, sat up straight, and replied solemnly, "Brother Bai, I have admired the path of immortality since childhood, and my heart has never changed!"

A month ago, Bai Jianglan visited the small courtyard and indirectly asked Qin Sang about his future plans.

Qin Sang knew that Bai Jianglan was representing the Dongyang Princess to test him.

The Dongyang Prince's status in the Great Sui was second only to the emperor, making him one of the few people with the opportunity to meet Immortal Masters.

He had saved the Dongyang Princess twice, and during their boat trip back to Dongyang, he could clearly feel that the Princess held him in high regard. Qin Sang, being flexible in his thinking, decided to openly express his desire to seek immortality.

He didn't know what answer Bai Jianglan would bring, and he was secretly nervous.

Actually, last year on the boat, Bai Jianglan had already seen through Qin Sang's thoughts but didn't expect him to be so resolute. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "According to the Great Sui's ancestral system, whenever a new emperor ascends the throne, he must hold a coronation ceremony on the Holy Mountain in the capital, to show that his authority is granted by heaven. At that time, the sky is filled with immortal clouds and divine music, and a celestial crane brings the imperial seal, symbolizing the true ruler."

Qin Sang understood these things. This world was different from the ancient world of his previous life in many ways, but there were also similarities, such as the methods used to control the masses.

However, because martial arts and immortals truly existed, the methods were more realistic.

"However..."

Bai Jianglan paused and said, "I only recently learned that the so-called 'heaven's mandate' is just an illusion, but the celestial crane delivering the seal is real. However, the imperial seal does not come from heaven but from Immortal Masters."

Qin Sang was shocked and asked in surprise, "Brother Bai, does that mean becoming an emperor requires the recognition of Immortal Masters?"

Bai Jianglan nodded.

Qin Sang frowned, "Then, who becomes the emperor is decided by Immortal Masters. Why is there any competition at all?"