Chapter 197: Shangyuan Tranquility Palace

Upon entering the treasure ship, Qin Sang was assigned a small, narrow room, surrounded on all sides by solid wooden walls. It was just spacious enough for one person to sit in meditation. He could hardly imagine how much space the ship had to contain so many people.

Shangyuan Tranquility Palace was located north of Shaohua Mountain, with the two sects not far from each other.

Northeast of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, near the Tianduan Mountains, was the stronghold of the Cunyang Sect. Powerful and formidable, the Cunyang Sect had vanquished the Blood God Sect, a major demonic sect, and blocked off the Tianduan Mountains. This prevented the demonic sect from pushing south, effectively reclaiming the southern area of the Tianduan Mountains from its control.

After Qin Sang obtained the geomantic map of the entire Small Cold Domain, he noticed that the Dazui Kingdom lay northwest of the Cunyang Sect’s mountain gate and within its sphere of influence. It was likely that Immortal Master Han’s family was a cultivation clan affiliated with the Cunyang Sect, tasked with controlling Great Sui and surrounding territories for the sect.

The Cunyang Sect possessed an ancient teleportation array. While it couldn’t transport them directly to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, it could take them close to the Frozen Plains. However, the Cunyang Sect guarded Chungang City, separate from Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, so they would not be joining them.

Additionally, the Taiyi Core Sect, located on the far northwest edge of the righteous sects’ territory, bordered the Heavenly Demon Hill to the west and the extreme northern Frozen Plains. They had direct access to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

The speed of flight for a Golden Core cultivator was unimaginable.

Inside the room, Qin Sang could see nothing outside, and after several hours, the treasure ship shuddered slightly. Suddenly, he felt himself lifted and thrown out of the ship.

Immediately, he heard a chorus of astonished exclamations.

When his vision cleared, Qin Sang looked around and realized he was no longer amidst Shaohua Mountain’s vast lakes and towering peaks, but rather in a heavenly palace floating above the clouds.

They were standing atop a large mountain. Its summit had been artificially leveled into a massive platform, surrounded by an expanse of mountains covered in towering ancient trees. The calls of beasts and birds echoed in waves.

In the distant horizon lay a boundless sea of clouds.

Peaks reached into the sky, sprouting from the cloud sea like isolated islands, each one shrouded in mist. Numerous palaces, adorned with intricate carvings, adorned the mountaintops.

Cultivators soared through the air, gliding among the clouds.

This palace above the clouds felt like an ethereal realm—a true paradise.

This was Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, one of the Eight Major Sects of the righteous path.

Admiring the grandeur before him, Qin Sang felt a stirring in his heart. He lowered his gaze, scanned his surroundings, and walked to the edge of the platform, stepping out onto it.

Looking up, he saw the blue sky and the blazing sun, not a cloud in sight.

He wondered why Senior Uncle Che had left them here. Qin Sang quietly observed his surroundings, but saw no ancient teleportation array, nor any cultivators from Shangyuan Tranquility Palace arriving to greet them.

As Qin Sang grew increasingly puzzled, Che Yutao, standing at the forefront, suddenly looked up, his gaze sharp as lightning.

From deep within the cloud sea, a figure in a green Daoist robe gradually appeared. Though still far away, the sound of hearty laughter reached them first.

"Old Che! I didn’t expect you’d personally escort them. To think I’ll have to share the burden of guarding Xuanlu Stronghold with someone as tedious as you! These coming decades will be insufferable!"

Che Yutao clearly knew this man well and chuckled lightly, retorting, "I’d say, Old Geezer, that you’re running out of time. You probably won’t last another twenty years. After you ascend, rest assured, I’ll personally see that your remains are delivered back intact. Don’t worry, don’t worry..."

The next moment, the old Daoist was already standing on the platform, shaking his head at Che Yutao’s jibes and playfully scolding him.

Che Yutao then turned to the crowd, adopting a more serious tone. "This is Daoist Master Xuanyu of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace. You may address him as 'Senior Uncle'."

His words were primarily directed at Qin Sang and the other Foundation Building cultivators.

Shangyuan Tranquility Palace and Shaohua Mountain shared close ties, and disciples of both sects were on friendly terms, often using common terms of address. Daoist Master Xuanyu was also a Golden Core cultivator, so calling him "Senior Uncle" was appropriate.

Everyone promptly paid their respects.

Daoist Master Xuanyu smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. "Senior Brother Du has gone to prepare the ancient teleportation array. I’ll first bring up the rogue cultivators and family disciples. As for you, my friend, just take them over directly."

"Understood!"

...

Everyone employed their skills, following Che Yutao as they flew toward the sea of clouds. As they neared its edge, Qin Sang sensed an invisible barrier silently open—a protective layer likely part of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace’s sect array.

Che Yutao seemed very familiar with Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, passing smoothly through each area. Along the way, they encountered several disciples of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace who curiously eyed the group.

They traveled through several isolated cloud islands before finally arriving deep within Shangyuan Tranquility Palace at the front of a sizable island.

This entire island was covered by a grand hall. At its entrance stood a Foundation Building cultivator who respectfully stepped forward as they approached and said, "Senior Uncle Che, Senior Uncle Du is preparing to activate the ancient teleportation array. Please, follow me."

Following him into the grand hall, Qin Sang noticed how vast and empty the interior was. At the back of the hall, four teleportation arrays were set up in a row—one large and three small—with considerable space separating them.

Qin Sang finally saw the legendary teleportation array.

He studied it with keen interest.

The largest array was likely the ancient teleportation array that led directly to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, while the other three were smaller arrays built by Shangyuan Tranquility Palace.

The differences between them were significant.

In terms of size alone, the ancient teleportation array was several times larger than the smaller ones. Its octagonal base was impressively simple yet profound, aligned with the eight trigrams. The array was inscribed with dense ancient runes and barriers, creating a dizzying visual effect.

Even a brief glance at one small segment of the barrier made Qin Sang feel slightly disoriented, leaving him in awe.

How were such intricate spiritual arrays ever constructed?

In contrast, the three smaller arrays, both in their structure and the symbols and barriers inscribed upon them, appeared far simpler and cruder than the ancient teleportation array.

These smaller arrays not only had a limited range but could also be rendered useless if the enemy had any means of spatial interference. Shangyuan Tranquility Palace must have constructed the three for specific purposes.

Behind the ancient teleportation array stood a stern-faced middle-aged man, presumably the cultivator surnamed Du. With his palm pressed against the array’s core barrier, he channeled spiritual power to activate it.

The power required to activate the array wasn’t much, so after a brief wait, they watched as the ancient barrier began to whirl wildly atop the teleportation array.

This spiritual array, existing for who knows how many years, emitted a low humming sound as the entire hall seemed to tremble.

Then, the cultivator surnamed Du spread his other hand, revealing eight middle-grade spirit stones in his palm.

With a wave of his hand, he placed each of the spirit stones into the eight corners of the array.

Boom!

Suddenly, a massive, blinding beam of light shot out from the array’s base, only to be instantly confined by the array’s own barrier. The divine light swirled, forming a mystical ancient portal-like glow that radiated an aura of mystery.

The fact that so many middle-grade spirit stones were needed to activate the teleportation left Qin Sang stunned.

Retracting his hand, the cultivator looked toward the group.

"Senior Brother Du!"

Che Yutao, not as casual as with Daoist Master Xuanyu, cupped his hands respectfully.