Immortal Crane Delivering the Imperial Seal

After entering the King Dongyang's manor, Qin Sang was assigned to a small courtyard. Meals were delivered three times a day, but he was forbidden to leave or wander around.

For several days, Qin Sang didn't see Princess Dongyang or receive a summons from King Dongyang. During this time, only Bai Jianglan visited once.

He had come seeking immortality and was waiting patiently.

However, this environment was quite suitable for cultivation. Qin Sang settled his mind and focused entirely on practicing the Netherworld Scripture.

With the Soul Pill's assistance, Qin Sang felt his cultivation speed was even faster than during the first layer. If the Soul Pills were not lacking, he estimated he could break through the third layer of the Netherworld Scripture within a year.

Of course, this was only an ideal scenario.

Under his intense cultivation, one Soul Pill was depleted in at most half a month. Qin Sang took two Soul Pills consecutively. When he went to take the third, Yanwang's body had become extremely thin, scattering like a candle in the wind.

At this rate, if he took one more, Yanwang would likely collapse.

Qin Sang was unsure if Yanwang could recover after being drained and wouldn't commit the foolish act of exhausting a resource. His worry was how to continuously obtain Soul Pills.

Qin Sang found it difficult to understand what Yin Sha Qi was in a short time.

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

Slaughtering innocents aside, even if he could overcome the moral hurdle, such unbridled actions would likely lead to him being hunted down and killed by other immortal masters as a demon lord before his cultivation could significantly improve. The gruesome sight of the black-clothed demon lord being cut in half was still fresh in Qin Sang's memory.

A slight stinging sensation spread through his meridians. Qin Sang stopped cultivating, opened his eyes, and found that the sky outside had begun to lighten. Despite cultivating all night, his spirit was still vigorous. However, Qin Sang still habitually took short naps, and sometimes slept for an entire day, feeling that was true rest.

Just as he was about to lie down fully clothed, the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked upon.

"Brother Bai, you're here."

Qin Sang opened the door and saw Bai Jianglan standing outside. A light rain was falling, and Bai Jianglan wore a bamboo hat and a straw cloak, with a sword on his back. He looked like a wandering swordsman, dust-covered from his travels.

Bai Jianglan entered the room, took off his straw cloak, and took out several books from his embrace. He handed them to Qin Sang, "Brother Qin, these are some superior martial arts that the Princess instructed me to select from the manor's armory. Many significant events have occurred outside over the past month, and I followed the Princess on her travels. I only returned today."

No wonder no one had bothered him for so long.

He had been cultivating diligently in the small courtyard for over a month, never stepping out. Apart from the maids who delivered meals, he hadn't seen a single stranger and had been almost completely isolated from the world. He wondered what major events had transpired outside.

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

One was the Soul-Snatching Spear, which was perfect for him. Although the Tiger Subduing Long Fist could be used with staffs, it was ultimately a shallow technique and not a pure spear art.

By learning the Soul-Snatching Spear, Qin Sang would find it easier to conceal his use of the Yanluo Banner in the future.

The second book was the Great Ming King Art, an internal force cultivation technique. Qin Sang couldn't discern its intricacies at a glance and planned to study it carefully later to see how it differed from the Netherworld Scripture.

When he turned to the third book, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up. It was a movement technique called the Shadowless Steps.

Light as a swallow, scaling walls, treading on snow without leaving a trace, crossing a river on a single reed...

He had long yearned for legendary movement techniques. Unfortunately, none of the martial arts schools or escort agencies in Three Witches City taught them; at most, they had 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 helped you choose this Soul-Snatching Spear. This spear technique was created by a renowned martial artist who wielded a spear. It is incredibly exquisite, capable of capturing souls. The Great Ming King Art is a top-tier internal force cultivation technique in the martial world. However, internal force techniques take time to show results, so Brother Qin, don't be impatient. You must calm your mind and cultivate patiently. If you can truly nurture a trace of True Qi in your dantian, your martial arts will undoubtedly reach a higher level. As for the Shadowless Steps, since Brother Qin doesn't possess internal force, I chose this for you. Not only is the movement exquisite, but it also incorporates breath concealment and shadow masking abilities, forming its own unique style. When practiced to its depths, it is no weaker than top-tier movement techniques... Brother Qin, are you satisfied?"

Qin Sang cupped his hands in thanks. "I am grateful for the Princess's kindness and for Brother Bai's trouble. Qin Sang is deeply indebted."

The two sat opposite each other, drinking fragrant tea and talking. Bai Jianglan pointed out the key aspects of the three martial arts manuals to Qin Sang, who carefully noted them down. However, he knew he would only truly understand them after practicing.

Speaking of the Water Monkey's condition, Bai Jianglan's tone was no longer as sad. "Young Zhou Ning is naturally cheerful and can take things in stride. His injuries are improving, and he can already get out of bed to practice his sword. He's much more diligent than before. After this great ordeal, he's changed his lazy nature, and his martial arts might not be unable to improve."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement, but he didn't take such comforting words too seriously. For martial artists, 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 stand by your previous decision?"

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

A month ago, Bai Jianglan had visited Qin Sang in the small courtyard and subtly inquired about Qin Sang's future plans.

Qin Sang knew that Bai Jianglan was acting on behalf of Princess Dongyang to probe him.

King Dongyang's status in the Great Sui was second only to the Emperor, making him one of the people with the greatest opportunity to interact with immortal masters.

He owed Princess Dongyang two life-saving favors. When returning to Dongyang Commandery by boat, he could clearly feel that Princess Dongyang greatly valued him. Qin Sang's thoughts became active, and he decided to reveal his intention to seek an immortal destiny.

Qin Sang didn't know what answer Bai Jianglan would bring him and felt a secret tension.

In fact, Bai Jianglan had seen through Qin Sang's thoughts on the boat last year, but he hadn't expected him to be so resolute. After a moment of thought, he said, "According to the Great Sui's ancestral system, whenever a new emperor ascends the throne and inherits the great treasure, the enthronement ceremony must be held at Pilgrimage Mountain in the imperial capital, sealing the heavens and establishing the earth, to demonstrate the divine right of kings and the mandate of heaven. At that time, the sky will be filled with celestial clouds and divine music, and immortal cranes will descend from the heavens carrying the Imperial Seal; only then will they be considered a true ruler."

Qin Sang had learned about this. This world had many differences from his past life's ancient times, but also some similarities, such as the methods of deceiving the populace being largely the same.

However, because martial arts and celestial beings truly existed, the methods were even more convincing than in his past life.

"Little did I know..."

Bai Jianglan paused and then said, "I only recently learned that the so-called mandate of heaven is a facade, but the Immortal Crane Delivering the Imperial Seal is real. However, the Imperial Seal does not come from the heavens but from an immortal master."

Qin Sang was shocked by this, exclaiming, "Brother Bai, does becoming emperor require the acknowledgment of an immortal master?"

Bai Jianglan nodded.

Qin Sang frowned. "Then who becomes emperor is simply designated by an immortal master, so why bother fighting for it?"