Chapter 809: An Old Enemy

He glanced around. There were no islands nearby where he could take shelter, so he immediately activated a secret talisman.

The next instant, the storm struck.

Qin Sang drifted like a phantom within the howling wind and pouring rain.

There was no telling when the storm would subside, yet he pressed on against the tempest.

Linggui Island lay close to a medium-sized island called Bamen Island. Dozens of small islets dotted the area, but all were barren and of no value to high-level cultivators.

From the information Qin Sang had gathered along the way, the forces in this sea were weak. The strongest sect was called Hanhai Sect, and even its sect leader was only at the Core Formation Realm.

All the while, Qin Sang was rehearsing in his mind how he would meet Linggui Island Master.

Having come this far, whether or not it was Senior Qingzhu, he would certainly set foot on the island to pay a visit.

He would not act rashly. His plan was to hide his true cultivation, linger in the vicinity of Linggui Island for a time, and inquire about its master to gauge his temperament.

Daoist Wang had only heard of the man through rumors, and the details could only be learned from the nearby islanders.

Now that there was finally news that might lead to Senior Qingzhu, Qin Sang could not help feeling some unease.

Still, expectation outweighed anxiety. Senior Qingzhu was a true sword cultivator, and from his two written legacies and past deeds, Qin Sang had gleaned glimpses of his character.

With these thoughts in mind, Qin Sang fixed his course toward Bamen Island and cut through the wind.

The storm worsened, the world turning pitch-black. As Qin Sang flew on alone, he suddenly slowed, as though he had heard something.

Tilting his head, he listened intently. Amid the chaos, he picked out an unusual sound and abruptly changed direction.

Before long, he saw a wooden ship on the verge of capsizing.

The sea raged with towering waves and relentless rain.

The vessel rocked violently. A shimmering barrier, clearly a protective array, covered it, yet it was cracked and flickering, on the brink of collapse.

Several areas were exposed to the storm, battered and badly damaged.

The hull was already listing and moments away from overturning.

With his keen eyes, Qin Sang spotted survivors aboard. After a brief pause, he flew straight toward the ship.

As he drew closer, the scene became clearer.

Several figures dashed across the deck in panic, like headless flies. They were not mortals, yet their cultivation was low, all of them at the Qi Refining Realm.

They were clearly trying to repair the array, yet had no idea how to proceed. One of them broke down, crying in despair. Without the ship and its protective array, cultivators at their level would stand no chance in this storm.

"Hurry! Put all the spirit stones in! Third Junior Brother, go to the cabin and see if Master has woken!"

A young man in white barked orders, forcing down his panic as he fumbled to repair the array. His cultivation was too low, and despite his best efforts, nothing worked.

Boom!

A massive wave, several zhang high, crashed down with a thunderous roar.

The barrier dimmed further. Though the ship did not break apart, it was close, its timbers groaning in protest.

Just as despair set in, a stranger appeared on the deck.

At first they thought it was an illusion, but when they looked closely, they saw a young man who appeared even younger than themselves. His expression was calm, his aura no weaker than their master’s.

"Who are you people? Is it just you on this ship?"

Qin Sang swept his gaze around, frowning.

He looked slightly bedraggled, but only because he had disguised himself as a Foundation Building cultivator.

The white-clad youth was briefly overjoyed to see him, but the thought of their gravely injured master, coupled with the fear that this man might have ill intent, made his feelings mixed. Still, lying would be pointless.

To die at this man’s hand or to die in the storm made little difference.

Composing himself, the youth called out loudly, "Senior, we are disciples of Three-Mountain Sect. We were travelling at sea with our master when the storm struck. Our ship was suddenly attacked by a sea beast, and the array was damaged. Our master drove off the beast but was badly injured and fell unconscious. We beg you to save us!"

With a sweep of his spiritual consciousness, Qin Sang located a heavily injured Foundation Building cultivator in the cabin, a middle-aged man. His figure blurred as he entered.

Startled, the white-clad youth and the others hurried after him.

They saw Qin Sang grasping their master’s arm, seemingly examining his injuries.

No one dared make a sound.

The man’s wounds were grave, his internal organs damaged. Qin Sang took out a healing pill and placed it in his mouth. The moment the medicinal energy entered, its effects became apparent. The man stirred, opening his eyes, though he remained weak.

The disciples were overjoyed.

"Thank you, Daoist, for saving my life..." Seeing the unfamiliar face, the man was first startled. After hearing his disciples explain the situation, he tried to rise and express his gratitude.

Qin Sang waved him back down. "Your injuries are severe. You must rest for some time before you can recover. The winds and waves outside are fierce, and this ship is close to overturning. I was heading for Bamen Island when I was caught in the storm. I was hoping to find shelter aboard. Please tell me the array's key points so that I can repair it."

Soon after, Qin Sang returned to the deck, produced some materials, and quickly restored the array.

The barrier flared back to life, shielding them from the storm.

The ship was saved from capsizing. Grateful and obedient, the white-clad youth and the others scurried to patch the damaged hull.

Once the vessel was steady, Qin Sang ordered the others to handle the helm and returned to the cabin to speak with their master.

"My surname is Wu. I was once a rogue cultivator and later took in a few useless disciples, calling ourselves the Three-Mountain Gate. We had always lived on a small island near Bamen Island. This trip was for an errand, but disaster struck one after another. We would have perished here if not for Daoist Qin’s timely aid..." said the man

Sect Leader Wu’s complexion had improved somewhat. Curiosity flickered in his eyes. "Daoist, do you cultivate on Bamen Island? I do not believe we have met."

Qin Sang shook his head. "I am not from Bamen Island. I am a rogue cultivator who has been wandering for years. I once sought entry into great sects and noble clans, but my talent was lacking and I was not accepted. By chance, I heard a rumor that a senior nearby had opened a dojo to teach and guide rogue cultivators, so I came to seek him out."

"You came looking for the master of Linggui Island?"

Sect Leader Wu’s eyes widened, and a strange light flashed within them.

Noticing the change, Qin Sang’s heart tightened. "Why? Is the rumor false?"

Master Wu shook his head. "It is true. To be honest, I too came here as a wandering cultivator from afar, drawn by the island master’s teachings. I received great guidance and later, by fortune, reached the Foundation Building Realm. But... you have come too late."

Qin Sang frowned. "That senior has already left?"

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"No, not left." Sect Leader Wu let out a heavy sigh, deep regret in his gaze. "An old enemy came for him. The senior had lived here in seclusion for two hundred years, yet his enemy would not let him go, chasing him all the way here. Linggui Island was razed to the ground, and nobody knows what happened to that senior."