Chapter 350: Dispersing Cultivation

At Fengcang Market, Tan Hao anxiously waited in a secluded courtyard. However, fearing that he might disrupt Qin Sang's plan, he dared not act rashly.

Suddenly, the main gate was pushed open.

Tan Hao immediately sprang to his feet. When he saw Qin Sang stepping inside, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. He eagerly asked, "Brother Qin, how did it go?"

Qin Sang nodded and replied, "Liang Yan has been executed. Hurry and rescue Senior Sister Shi Hong."

He had already used the

Spirit Seizing Spell

to extract information about the barriers guarding Liang Yan’s cave dwelling.

Without delay, the two of them ascended the mountain. Upon reaching the small courtyard, they quickly dispelled the barrier sealing Shi Hong’s room.

"Who's there?!"

Shi Hong was startled awake. Realizing something was amiss, she hurriedly retrieved her defensive artifacts. However, when she saw Tan Hao standing at the doorway, her expression turned to sheer disbelief.

"Junior Brother Tan, why are you here? What about Liang Yan—"

"Senior Sister Shi Hong, Liang Yan is dead!"

Tan Hao directly delivered the shocking news.

Shi Hong's lips parted slightly, her face filled with utter incredulity.

Just two hours ago, Liang Yan was still alive and well. Now, Tan Hao has suddenly appeared, telling me that the vile man is dead. How is that possible?

"It's all thanks to Brother Qin!"

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Tan Hao stepped aside.

Qin Sang entered and looked at Shi Hong, feeling a surge of emotion.

The once youthful and proud Senior Sister Shi Hong, whom he remembered, had changed drastically. Her brows carried an inescapable sorrow and exhaustion.

Time flowed like a relentless river, wearing away at all that was once beautiful.

"Senior Sister Shi Hong, it has been a long time..."

...

Outside Yinshan Stronghold.

Inside Tan Hao’s cave dwelling.

Seated cross-legged on the stone bed, Shi Hong still felt as if everything was unreal.

The demon who had controlled her was finally slain, and the greatest threat looming over her was now gone.

Her expression showed a trace of relief, but it was far from joy—her emotions were an intricate mess.

Gradually, her eyes reddened, and tears began to stream down her cheeks, falling onto the cold stone bed.

The tears only grew heavier. Shi Hong suddenly covered her mouth, yet no matter how hard she tried to suppress it, the surging emotions could not be held back. She broke into uncontrollable sobs...

Now, Shi Hong’s aura was even weaker than before, her cultivation reduced to the second stage of the Qi Refining Realm!

After leaving Fengcang Market, Qin Sang explained everything to Shi Hong in detail. He also revealed the true nature of the Yan Luo Banner and asked for her decision—would she choose to retain her current cultivation, or would she disperse her cultivation and start anew?

Upon reaching the tenth stage of cultivation, her essence would inevitably be devoured by King Yan. Only by abandoning her cultivation and rebuilding from scratch could she sever all ties with the Yan Luo Banner and have the chance to pursue higher realms.

However, given Shi Hong’s age, no matter how great her talent was, the hope of ever reaching the Foundation Building Realm in this lifetime was almost nonexistent.

Even returning to the eighth stage of the Qi Refining Realm would be incredibly difficult. Along the way, she would endure immense hardships, and even by the time her lifespan neared its end, she might never recover the strength she once had.

Wandering Man was an anomaly—not everyone could be like him.

If she chose to retain her cultivation, she would remain under the Yan Luo Banner’s shadow, unable to progress. She would be stuck at her current level, but at least she could return to her homeland, where she could enjoy a life of wealth, perhaps even settle down and start a family. Compared to ordinary mortals, she would still live far more comfortably.

Shi Hong hardly hesitated before resolutely saying to Qin Sang, "I will disperse my cultivation and start over! What would I do if I returned? Aside from cultivation, I know nothing else. Moreover, my parents and family passed away long ago—I have no one left... I would rather die on the path of cultivation than live with regret!"

Faced with Shi Hong’s unwavering gaze, Qin Sang couldn’t help but sigh.

Among the four of them, Shi Hong had been the most talented. If she had never strayed into the demonic sects and had instead entered the righteous path, she might have already touched the threshold of the Fake Core Realm by now. Yet, due to a twist of fate, she had ended up in such a tragic situation.

At Shi Hong’s insistence, Qin Sang acted as her protector while she dispersed her cultivation, finally severing her ties with the Yan Luo Banner.

The moment the process was completed, Qin Sang immediately intervened with his full strength to stabilize her nearly-collapsing Qihai, yet even with his efforts, he could only restore her to this level—

The second stage of the Qi Refining Realm!

Barely stronger than a novice cultivator just stepping onto the immortal path. Countless years of effort—all destroyed in an instant.

"I was just about to head south... Senior Sister, where do you plan to cultivate?" Qin Sang asked. "If you wish to return to your hometown or somewhere nearby, I can escort you along the way."

Shi Hong snapped back to reality, wiping away her tears, yet hesitation clouded her expression.

Her current cultivation was far too weak. In the perilous Ancient Immortal Battlefield, she could perish at any moment. However, if she stayed within the heart of the Small Cold Domain, she would be much safer.

But only within the Ancient Immortal Battlefield could she find abundant cultivation resources—remaining here was her only hope.

Just then, Tan Hao spoke up. "Without Senior Sister’s help, Tan Jie and I wouldn’t have survived until now, let alone encountered Brother Qin. If you are willing, why not stay? This cave dwelling is well-hidden, and no one will disturb you while you cultivate here. Now that Tan Jie no longer needs to consume medicine, I have some ability to protect myself. As long as I’m here, you don’t need to worry about your cultivation. Please, give me a chance to repay your kindness."

Qin Sang nodded to himself. Out of old ties, he had chosen to intervene and save them, but he couldn’t keep them by his side indefinitely—nor did he have the capacity to do so.

It was for the best that Tan Hao was willing to repay Shi Hong.

With Shi Hong's current low cultivation, the resources she required, even medicinal pills, would not be excessively rare or expensive. Given Tan Hao's current strength, he could fully support both his and Shi Hong's cultivation needs.

Under Tan Hao’s earnest persuasion, Shi Hong hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing.

"In that case, I should be on my way as well..."

Qin Sang chuckled, his tone light. He had done all he could—the future of the Tan Brothers and Shi Hong would now depend on their own fortunes.

He had already stayed at Yinshan Stronghold for over a month. Once he returned to his sect, he would likely remain there for a while, handling sect affairs to ensure nothing interfered with his scheduled meeting with Wandering Man. He needed to depart as soon as possible.

Ignoring Tan Hao and Shi Hong’s expressions of gratitude and reluctance to part, the three of them left the cave dwelling together.

At the entrance, Qin Sang turned and cupped his hands toward them. "Senior Sister, Brother Tan, the mountains remain, and the flowing waters endure, until fate allows us to meet again."

With that, Qin Sang summoned the Nether Cloud, preparing to ride it skyward when Shi Hong suddenly called out.

He turned back to look at her.

"Junior Brother Qin..."

Shi Hong gazed at Qin Sang, her lips quivering slightly before she finally spoke four simple words.

"May you become immortal."

Short, yet powerful.

Qin Sang’s expression flickered slightly, and after a moment of silence, he gave a slight nod. Without another word, he stepped onto the Nether Cloud, soaring into the sky. His figure merged into the boundless clouds, piercing through the heavens and disappearing into the distance.

Tan Hao and Shi Hong stood in place, watching until his evasion light completely vanished from sight.

...

Riding the Nether Cloud through the sky, Qin Sang still seemed lost in thought.

For immortal cultivators, perhaps the greatest blessing one could offer was to wish a fellow Daoist to achieve immortality.

But... was immortality truly so easily attained?

Pushing the Nether Cloud higher into the clouds, Qin Sang looked up at the vast, endless sky, remaining silent for a long time.

The Nether Cloud moved at an incredible speed, swiftly carrying him beyond the sea of clouds. Retracting his gaze, Qin Sang concealed his evasion light to avoid unnecessary trouble, continuing his silent flight.

At that moment, as if suddenly recalling something, he lowered his head and glanced at his Mustard Seed Pouch.