Inquiry about immortality

Chapter 2605 Ancestor Gong Ming

Before Qin Sang left Qingyangzhi, the cooperation between Qingyangzhi and the Yu family had been progressing steadily. As expected, the two sides had already opened a trade route between the alien race's Tianbu and Xunzhou.

According to Young Master Yan, the Yu family began to prosper during that period, which matches the timeline.

"Due to its location, the trade routes between eastern Xunzhou and the alien race are well-connected. It is said that the Water Tribes have dealings with those powerful merchant alliances, while the Heaven Tribes are closer to the East Sea Water Tribes. That Fellow Daoist Yu, with his unique ingenuity, managed to establish connections within the Heaven Tribe of the alien races, selling the rare treasures produced by the Heaven Tribes to Xunzhou, and quickly gained great fame..."

Young Master Yan had never directly dealt with Yu Chang'en, but the Burning Crystal Sect was a major sect in weapon refining and had a great need for spiritual materials. They had purchased a lot of spiritual materials from the Yu family, all of which were rare items that could not be found elsewhere. Therefore, he had a deep impression of the Yu family.

The most valuable aspect of business is having what others don't. The Yu family monopolizes this channel, and many treasures are looted before they even reach Xunzhou. This is the source of the Yu family's prosperity.

This also confirms Qin Sang's speculation: the cooperation between Qingyangzhi and the Yu family is going very smoothly, and their interests are intertwined. The prosperity of the Yu family means the prosperity of Qingyangzhi.

Judging from Young Master Yan's tone, the Yu family is in big trouble now. Will this affect Qingyang's treatment?

Merchants are driven by profit. If the Yu family causes trouble that is difficult to resolve, the wisest thing for Qingyang Zhi to do is to sever ties with the Yu family and find other allies in Xunzhou.

As long as Qin Sang releases the news, the Xunzhou forces that want to cooperate with Qingyang Zhi will be able to break down Qingyang Zhi's barriers.

However, Qin Sang was not a businessman, and he intended to establish connections between Qingyang and Gengchu, seeking more than just a business ally.

So Qin Sang inquired about the reason in detail.

Young Master Yan said, "I don't know the details myself, but I heard about it some time ago. The Yu family was able to gain a foothold in the Yunbo Association because they were affiliated with Ancestor Gong Ming. Ancestor Gong Ming has a very high seniority in the Yunbo Association, but he was originally a rogue cultivator and only took in a few disciples in his lifetime. He did not establish a sect. So, a sect like the Yu family can treat him as a revered figure and do as he pleases, while also taking advantage of Ancestor Gong Ming's name..."

When Qin Sang learned the true background of the Yu family, she couldn't help but shake her head inwardly. Yu Chang'en had described the Yu family's status and power in the Yunbo Association in glowing terms back then, but now it seemed that there was a lot of exaggeration involved.

Of course, this is only natural. The Yu family is taking advantage of the situation, and so is Qingyang Zhi.

Back then, he didn't fully trust Yu Chang'en either. Compared to the Yu family, Ziyun Mountain was more trustworthy, and Ziyun Mountain's influence in Kanzhou was unmatched by the Yu family. Therefore, their focus was always on Kanzhou.

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang guessed the crux of the matter: "Has something happened to that Ancestor Gong Ming?"

A cultivator at the Integration Realm wouldn't perish easily; it's likely related to a heavenly tribulation.

Sure enough, Young Master Yan continued, "That's right, a high seniority means a high age. Some people speculate that Ancestor Gong Ming's last tribulation was two hundred years ago. And it is said that Ancestor Gong Ming encountered many setbacks when he survived the tribulation before that, and almost perished."

"Has it been confirmed that Ancestor Gongming perished in this calamity?" Qin Sang pressed.

"There is no conclusion yet," Young Master Yan shook his head slightly, "but ever since Ancestor Gong Ming underwent his last tribulation, the Yinming Water Mansion has been closed to visitors. No matter who goes to see him, they are all turned away. For two hundred years, no disciples of Ancestor Gong Ming have appeared outside, and rumors have gradually spread."

It's easy to imagine that once Patriarch Gong Ming falls, those forces that depend on him will be filled with dread. Not to mention the Yu family, which is so conspicuous, they must have already been the target of many eyes.

Even in Xunzhou, a region known for its thriving trade, strength is paramount; otherwise, it's like a child carrying gold through the market, only to benefit others.

Having lost the support of Patriarch Gong Ming, the Yu family either needs to find a new patron as soon as possible, or they will be divided up.

Qin Sang said, "The fall of a Nascent Soul cultivator must have been preceded by signs."

Putting myself in his shoes, if one day I were to face the threat of a heavenly tribulation, but be trapped by a bottleneck with no hope of breaking through, I would definitely do everything in my power to prepare for the tribulation.

Sect Master Yan nodded and said, "The rumors are indeed true. It is said that the sects and families that previously relied on Ancestor Gong Ming only needed to pay a certain amount of tribute to the Yinming Water Palace every hundred years. In recent centuries, Ancestor Gong Ming has suddenly become more ruthless, and those forces have been extensively plundered by him, including the once-powerful Yu family. Moreover, it is said that Fellow Daoist Yu is far-sighted and has no intention of monopolizing this trade route. He wanted to take advantage of the situation to seek allies abroad, but was stopped by Ancestor Gong Ming. Ancestor Gong Ming is like someone who has caught a hen that lays golden eggs, wanting to monopolize all the benefits, which has also led to the isolation of the Yu family. Therefore, some people speculate that Ancestor Gong Ming has been blinded by the Heavenly Tribulation, otherwise he would not be so short-sighted and make such an unwise move."

According to Young Master Yan, over the past few hundred years, the Yu family was first exploited by Ancestor Gong Ming, and after Ancestor Gong Ming was suspected of dying, they were coveted by other forces. One can imagine how much pressure Yu Chang'en was under.

"As far as I know, there are forces within the Yunbo Guild planning to target the Yu family to test the strength of the Yinming Water Mansion. The reason they chose the Yu family is naturally because they covet that trade route. Regardless of the outcome, I'm afraid the Yu family's situation is precarious..."

Young Master Yan clicked his tongue twice.

Tian Shi Xu and Yun Bo Hui, these merchant alliances are like a vast net, weaving together sects and families, with both a warm and affectionate side and a cruel side.

Of course, the Yu family is a member of the Yunbo Association, and Yunbo Association would not stand idly by and watch the Yu family be wiped out.

"Fortunately, the news of the emergence of the Dao Court has spread, shaking the world and attracting everyone's attention. Fellow Daoist Yu should be able to catch his breath," Young Master Yan said, his tone becoming more wistful as he thought of his own Burning Crystal Sect.

As the young sect leader, he was held in high regard by everyone in the sect.

With his master, Sect Master Li, currently in charge, the Burning Crystal Sect is still thriving. However, if his master were to follow in the footsteps of Ancestor Gong Ming, and none of the second-generation disciples were to amount to anything, the Burning Crystal Sect would become easy prey in the eyes of others.

This is also why Master Li strongly advocated for the Burning Crystal Sect to join the Heavenly Market Ruins back then; even in the worst-case scenario, they could still leave behind their lineage.

The thought flashed through his mind, and Young Master Yan put it aside and said, "Once the news spreads here, the Cloud Ship Society will definitely not be absent. I can inquire for Elder Qin. Perhaps that Fellow Daoist Yu is currently in the Northern Region."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Sect Master!"

Qin Sang didn't stand on ceremony with him and thanked him with a cupped hand.

After saying that, Qin Sang looked out of the mountain and continued, "I was just about to bid farewell to the young sect leader when I saw that heroes had gathered here. I thought I would take this opportunity to see the northern region of Xunzhou and make some more friends."

Young Master Yan wanted to win over Qin Sang. Although he didn't want him to contact other sects, he had no reason to stop him. He could only say, "Elder Qin, please don't forget the Yellow Court Dharma Assembly in a hundred days."

"This humble Taoist also wishes to witness the true brilliance of Huang Ting Daoist; I will not miss it!"

Qin Sang stopped Young Master Yan from leaving the mountain to see her off, and flew out of the mountain alone.

'call! '

As soon as we left the dojo, a fierce wind howled around us.

Qin Sang activated her spiritual eyes and saw that in the night, the mountain shadows were layered, like a sleeping azure dragon, with starlight twinkling among them, like candles swaying in the wind.

These starlight points represent the sacred grounds established by the Xunzhou sect.

Because of Huangtingdao, many forces have gathered in this area, making it unusually crowded.

Qin Sang couldn't just seize someone else's dojo, and besides, there were too many people around, making it unsuitable for establishing a secret abode.

He asked Young Master Yan for a geomantic map, unfolded it and looked at it for a while, and decided to fly eastward along the boundary of the Wind Sea.

They moved at a steady pace, passing over mountain passes, until the sacred sites finally became scarce.

Qin Sang worked tirelessly, traveling around for more than ten days and found several spiritual veins, but he was not very satisfied with any of them.

He had plenty of time and wasn't in a hurry, so he searched slowly.

"Hmm, it seems like something's ahead..."

In mid-air, Qin Sang's expression suddenly shifted, and in a flash, she appeared above a mountain range dozens of miles away.

This mountain runs north to south, with jagged rocks and the topsoil long since blown away by the wind, leaving behind countless knife-like wind marks.

On either side of this mountain are two other mountain ranges, almost parallel to it. The three mountains enclose two valleys, the valleys are so deep that they seem bottomless, like two river channels, but instead of water, they are filled with a tangible wind.

The bluish-gray wind was visible to the naked eye, like accumulated miasma, flowing through here and making a sharp sound.

Qin Sang separated her divine sense and penetrated into the mountain, reaching deep to the foot of the mountain, where she discovered a hidden spiritual vein.

This spiritual vein is very well hidden; he only sensed it just now. What's rare is that this spiritual vein is of excellent quality, although it is somewhat scattered. With the help of an array, it is the perfect choice for building a secret mansion.

This was the place Qin Sang was looking for. He didn't act immediately, but searched the surrounding area again to confirm that the spiritual vein was unclaimed and there were no other forces' dojos nearby before taking out the array flag.

'Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!'

The battle flags disappeared into the ground.

A moment later, the surrounding earth veins began to tremble, and strange phenomena kept appearing, all of which Qin Sang concealed with his great magic power.

Qin Sang was already adept at establishing his own cave abode and training ground. Compared to those Void Refinement cultivators, Qin Sang handled it with ease, completing the task in one go. Before long, a secret abode that would make even Void Refinement cultivators envious was born in his hands.

When Qin Sang dispersed his magic power and activated the great formation, the strange phenomenon completely disappeared, and the surroundings returned to normal without any change. Even the spiritual vein was completely hidden.

He took a step and appeared inside the mountain, where a stone gate stood before him.

Qin Sang took up a brush and wrote the three characters "Purple Lake Cave," leaving a mark at the end. In the future, when Yuan Zhenjun and the others left the Purple Lake Boundary, they could follow the mark to find this place.

Upon entering the secret palace, a sense of openness suddenly appeared. Qin Sang had created various areas with different functions, and the dome was inlaid with gemstones. It could operate day and night just like the outside world, making it perfectly suitable as a base for a small sect.

After the secret residence was first built, Qin Sang carefully refined it.

Calculating the time, there was still more than a month left until the Huangting Gathering. Qin Sang wondered if any rumors about the Huangting Gathering had spread. She thought to herself that she should return to the Burning Crystal Sect Dojo first.

Unexpectedly, just as he stepped out of the secret chamber, he suddenly sensed something, made a hand seal, and a moment later, a beam of azure light broke through the air and landed in Qin Sang's palm, transforming into an azure talisman.

This is the message he left at the Burning Crystal Gate.

Qin Sang initially thought that something unexpected had happened to Huang Tingzhi, but upon unfolding the document, she discovered that it was related to the Yu family.

It turned out that after parting ways that day, Young Master Yan mobilized his men to inquire everywhere and quickly found out about the Cloud Ship Society.

As expected, the Yunbo Association also participated in this grand event, sending many experts to the Northern Region to jointly occupy a large area of ​​training grounds.

At first, no trace of the Yu family was found. Young Master Yan thought that the Yu family had been excluded, or that Yu Chang'en was too busy to deal with it. He tried to inquire with the Yunbo Society and learned that the Yu family had sent a steward.

In the Northern Region, where powerful figures abound, a mere steward is hardly worth a glance. It seems the Yu family has no intention of establishing a training ground. Young Master Yan sent a letter asking Qin Sang if she wanted to meet that Yu family steward, and attached the location of his cave dwelling.

Qin Sang thought about it and decided it wouldn't hurt to go see him. He couldn't wait to know Qing Yangzhi's current situation, so he flew towards the location marked on the talisman.

The Yunbo Association is wealthy and powerful, and its training grounds encompass dozens of mountain ranges.

In the distance, Qin Sang saw that the mist stretched endlessly ahead. Unlike the barrenness and desolation elsewhere, the mountains were already showing signs of life, with greenery representing vitality.

The fact that the Yu family steward could only open up a cave dwelling on a pitiful little hill on the edge of the dojo reveals the Yu family's status in the Yunbo Association.

As Qin Sang approached the mist, the mist parted on its own, perhaps because she had not yet reached the core of the temple, and she did not encounter any checks.

Upon landing in front of the cave, Qin Sang triggered the restrictions.

"May I ask which fellow Daoist this is..."

A slightly tired voice came from inside the cave.

Then the cave opened, and a middle-aged man emerged. He appeared to be around forty years old, wearing a long robe, and had a worried expression on his face.

"Are you, fellow Daoist, from the Yu family, Steward Yu Yin?" Qin Sang asked.

"You are……"

Yu Yin saw that Qin Sang was a stranger and was about to ask her identity when he saw her face clearly and felt inexplicably familiar with her.

Suddenly, he remembered why it felt familiar.

Yu Chang'en was his uncle. He had followed his uncle to Wuhai to visit Qingyangzhi, where he saw the sacred statue that was revered by everyone in Qingyangzhi and paid his respects to it.

The person in front of me looks exactly like that holy statue!

"you!"

Yu Yin found it hard to believe.

He had heard from his uncle that the owner of the icon had been missing for over a thousand years.

Then it suddenly occurred to him that perhaps those who coveted the Yu family's power were impersonating this person for some kind of conspiracy. But he quickly dismissed the idea, since only he and his uncle had ever seen that statue!

“You recognize me? That makes things easier,” Qin Sang smiled, pointing inside. “Why don’t we go in and talk?”

"Senior Qin, please come in quickly!"

Yu Yin suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly invited Qin Sang into the mansion. He activated the grand formation and bowed deeply before Qin Sang, saying, "Yu Yin greets Senior Qin! Yu Chang'en is my uncle."

Noticing Yu Yin's gaze, Qin Sang said, "I happened to be traveling around here and learned of the Yu family's situation, so I came to see an old friend. What, your Yu family only sent you here, and doesn't plan to establish a temple here?"

After confirming Qin Sang's identity, Yu Yin became excited and revealed a secret: Yu Chang'en had secretly come to the Northern Region. (End of Chapter)