Chapter 801: Four Sacred Mountains

Compared to the Demonic Sea, the Inner Sea imposed far more restrictions for no apparent reason.

Although there were still many factions unwilling to join either the righteous or devilish paths or take part in their disputes, they could not openly contend with either side and thus had to show obedience on the surface.

No wonder those old Spiritual Infant eccentrics were willing to abandon their foundations in the Inner Sea, sail into the Demonic Sea, seize islands, and reign as kings. What they sought was nothing more than a life of freedom and ease.

After flying continuously without pause, Qin Sang finally saw the outline of Tianxing Island.

This island held great significance for the human race and was regarded as the land where their destiny had risen.

Later, the teleportation array to the Demonic Sea was also established on Tianxing Island. Although it was located toward the east rather than at the center of Canglang Sea, it still became a sacred place for the human race.

The righteous and devilish paths had agreed to govern it jointly, and the Tianxing City on the island gradually developed into the largest human city.

Tianxing City stretched vast and boundless, with countless cultivators gathered here. Together with the mortals who lived within its walls, the streets were crowded with people like ants, endlessly flowing. Such a sight could never be found in the Small Cold Domain.

It was his second time arriving at Tianxing Island, yet Qin Sang was still deeply shaken by the magnificence before him.

The last time, he had only taken a cursory glance and already knew where to rent a cave dwelling.

Within Tianxing City were four sacred mountains where the island’s spirit veins converged.

The four sacred mountains were named in honor of the four seniors who, in the time when the human race was weak and on the brink of annihilation, had turned the tide and saved them from disaster. These mountains were places of worship.

One of them housed the teleportation array, the most heavily guarded location on Tianxing Island.

Two others contained cave dwellings for righteous and devilish cultivators of the city to use for cultivation.

Only the last was open for rogue cultivators and visiting cultivators to rent.

Cave dwellings in Tianxing City were expensive but unmatched in quality. Qin Sang, having acquired the relics of two great experts, was well-funded and could afford them, something not every cultivator could claim.

After admiring Tianxing City, Qin Sang’s figure flashed several times until he arrived before one of the city gates.

At the same time, from all directions, streaks of evasion light appeared from time to time, entering and leaving through the various gates. The sheer number of cultivators in the city was evident at a glance.

Mortals were even more numerous. Roads crisscrossed outside the city, and ships docked at the island beyond count, creating a scene of prosperity.

Mortals and immortal cultivators used different gates.

Tianxing City had a protective array, and Qin Sang had no intention of testing the strength of its guards, so he entered honestly through the gate.

Revealing himself, he approached. The guards, though of low cultivation, somehow accurately discerned his cultivation and immediately put on respectful expressions. "Greetings, Senior. Have you been to Tianxing City before? If you have a token, you may enter directly. Since you are a Core Formation expert, there is no need to pay spirit stones."

Qin Sang produced a command token he had prepared beforehand. "Since forming my core, I have always been active in the Demonic Sea. I only have the token from Desolate Island. Will it suffice?"

Such tokens were not difficult to obtain. Using two identities, Qin Sang had collected two from Desolate Island. It seemed the righteous and devilish paths, confident in their own strength, did not fear petty troublemakers. Both Tianxing City and Desolate Island possessed an atmosphere of embracing all comers.

However, the spirit veins of Desolate Island were far inferior to those of Tianxing Island.

Using the teleportation array was costly, and no one would do so without reason.

"So you have been hunting in the Demonic Sea," the guard said with even greater respect, extending a hand in invitation. "Tokens from the two cities are interchangeable. Please enter."

But Qin Sang did not move. "I wish to remain in the city for some time to cultivate and rent a cave dwelling. Is anything else required?"

"Senior, may I ask which sect or faction you belong to?" the guard inquired.

"I am a rogue cultivator," Qin Sang replied with a shake of his head.

The guard nodded in understanding and pointed toward one of the sacred mountains. "If you wish to rent a cave dwelling, take your token to Baogu Mountain. There will certainly be a dwelling suited to you there. From the foot of the mountain to its summit, the quality of the cave dwellings increases, and so do the prices. If you wish, I can call a guide for you..."

Baogu was one of the Four Saints and a female Daoist.

With that, the guard called out, and several people emerged from behind the gate, some low-level cultivators and some mortals.

Unexpectedly, Qin Sang chose a mortal youth.

The youth, in his early twenties, had a sly look like a street rogue, but before Qin Sang he dared not act out of line. Upon learning Qin Sang’s cultivation from the guard, he knew the man could crush him with a single finger.

He was very surprised that such a powerful immortal master would choose him.

"Take me to the broker house where mortals purchase estates. This is your payment." Qin Sang tossed the youth a spirit stone.

Within Tianxing City, aside from the areas around the four sacred mountains, the rest was home to mortals and low-level cultivators, taking up most of the city’s space.

The youth clutched the spirit stone with delight and answered repeatedly, "Immortal Master, please follow me."

Flying at low altitude was allowed within the city, so Qin Sang, unwilling to walk, carried the youth by the back of his neck, letting him give directions aloud.

Before long, they turned several streets, and the youth, trembling, pointed at a small building in the distance. "Immortal Master, that is the most renowned broker house. I guarantee they have properties in the city’s best locations. The prices are higher, of course, but surely nothing for someone like you."

"Understood. You may leave." Qin Sang released him.

He had the youth point out a few broker houses, intending to later disguise himself as a mortal and purchase a small courtyard near Baogu Mountain to use for contacting Madam Liu.

Since this matter involved Xiang Yi and the Dongji Alliance’s leader, it was best to be cautious.

Leaving the youth, Qin Sang flew his sword straight to Baogu Mountain and found the place at the foot where cave dwellings were rented.

Even with his wealth, he winced at the prices. But the four sacred mountains sat atop Tianxing Island’s greatest spirit vein, with spiritual qi of unmatched richness, so the expense was justified.

Cultivating in a mountain cave dwelling here truly allowed for faster progress.

In the end, he chose a spot as close to the summit as possible, renting it for thirty years in one payment. After handing over the spirit stones, he received a jade talisman for the dwelling’s protective array.

The cave dwelling was built into the mountain, not far from the peak. From its entrance, one could see the statue of Baogu atop the summit.

The statue’s grace was peerless, worthy of being the foremost expert of her time.

Activating the jade talisman, Qin Sang opened the array and entered, finding the dwelling spacious enough, with a serene environment where one could spend decades in seclusion without feeling confined.

He was long accustomed to bitter cultivation and cared little for such matters, but still checked every detail and set up an additional isolating array inside before feeling at ease.

"From within, it even looks somewhat like a home."

A strange sense of sentiment welled in his heart.

He sat in the cave dwelling for a while, letting the fatigue of his long journey subside, before carefully planning his future cultivation path.

"These matters cannot be accomplished overnight. There is no need to rush. The sword soul, however, must be refined first. It needs time to gestate before it can transform into a devil seed. Once it is ready, I will go out in search of a corpse. With the many islands near Tianxing Island, I will surely find something suitable..."

With that thought, Qin Sang began studying the

Seeded Devil Embryo.