Chapter 810: Timeline

Having once received guidance from Linggui Island Master, Sect Leader Wu felt deep gratitude toward him. Remembering the man’s fate, he could only hate his own lack of strength.

This was not an outcome Qin Sang had expected.

Was Senior Qingzhu hiding away in such a remote place in order to avoid an old enemy?

And yet, even there, someone had found him and razed his cave dwelling to the ground.

Qin Sang recalled the words Senior Qingzhu had left behind in Seven-Kill Hall.

Three large characters of "Alas", heavy with endless sorrow.

Had Senior Qingzhu already sensed what was to come and left behind his final message?

"When did this happen? And what was Linggui Island Master’s enemy like?" Qin Sang pressed, unwilling to have come all this way for nothing.

"Just two years ago!"

Sect Leader Wu gave a date that shocked Qin Sang. It was so recent, occurring not long after this latest opening of the Seven-Kill Hall.

That meant Senior Qingzhu had still been in Canglang Sea right up until the incident.

"No one knows who that old enemy was. The senior himself never spoke of it. We were only permitted to attend his lectures on the island. He never truly accepted any disciples.

"That day, I was cultivating in the mountains. I later heard from rumors that the battle was terrifying, the kind that could destroy heaven and earth. Linggui Island was completely annihilated. Some say only the arrival of a Spiritual Infant grandmaster could have caused such devastation.

"After what happened, everyone was struck with deep fear. We were grateful for his kindness, yet our cultivation was too low to do anything. We did not even dare reveal our thoughts..."

It seemed like Sect Leader Wu had kept this bottled up for a long time. Finding someone to confide in, his tone grew thick with emotion.

"Did anyone witness the battle to the very end?" Qin Sang did not believe that Senior Qingzhu could be killed so easily.

It had been nearly three hundred years since Senior Qingzhu was transported to Canglang Sea. Even then, he had been at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, and that was while creating his own cultivation art.

With his talent, it was hard to imagine what level he might have reached by now.

If someone told Qin Sang that Senior Qingzhu was at the late stage of the Spiritual Infant Realm, he would not be surprised. Even if he could not win, could he really have had no chance to escape?

Sect Leader Wu sighed. "Bamen Island is not far from Linggui Island. When the battle broke out, it alarmed the cultivators on the island. Many went to watch, and some who got too close were caught up in it and left without so much as a corpse. It is said that, toward the end, a devil laughed wildly, and from start to finish, not a single person escaped from Linggui Island."

Hearing this, Qin Sang’s heart sank.

Sect Leader Wu went on. "It seemed the senior had long anticipated this disaster. Many years ago, after one of his lectures, he said he would leave this place, that he would no longer hold public teachings, and that the island would be sealed. Over the years, Linggui Island was closed off by a grand array. We assumed the senior had gone, and some had even forgotten him. Only when the attack happened two years ago did we realize that he had never left, and that he had been hiding from his enemy all along, yet still could not escape this calamity."

"So even if he had not met with misfortune, I would still have come here for nothing? Do you remember when the sealing began?" Qin Sang asked.

Master Wu thought for a moment. "It has been over fifty years. I was still at the Qi Refining Realm back then, knowing nothing of cultivation, fumbling along and taking many wrong turns. It was only after hearing the senior’s lecture that I succeeded in reaching the Foundation Building Realm."

Fifty years!

By then, Daoist Wang had already been traveling abroad, which was why he knew nothing of the sealing.

This was important news.

Qin Sang was startled. That was exactly when Seven-Kill Hall had last emerged on its own, the same time Ziwei Palace had opened.

This can't be a coincidence!

He realized that Senior Qingzhu must have said those words for a reason. It was very likely he had found a teleportation array, intending not only to leave the Windy Archipelago but also to leave Canglang Sea entirely, returning to his homeland.

For some reason, he had not gone. Instead, he returned to Linggui Island and was found by his enemy.

Lowering his head, Qin Sang tried to piece together a timeline from what he knew.

Ziwei Palace had opened around three hundred years ago. It was then that Qingzhu had provoked a powerful enemy, his life hanging by a thread, forcing him to flee far away and arrive in Canglang Sea.

A little over two hundred years ago, Qingzhu had concealed his identity and settled in remote Linggui Island, where he had remained ever since.

Looking back, it was likely to avoid his enemy, which explained why Qin Sang had been unable to find any trace of him despite long searching.

In those years, Qingzhu often held public lectures for rogue cultivators, offering them guidance but never taking apprentices. Qin Sang was certain that every time Seven-Kill Hall opened, Qingzhu was there.

Fifty years ago, when Seven-Kill Hall emerged again and Ziwei Palace reopened, Qingzhu sealed the island.

Two years ago, Linggui Island was attacked, and Qingzhu disappeared. It was still unknown when he had left the sword mark, jade slip, and mournful message in Seven-Kill Hall.

The dates all matched. It was almost certain that Linggui Island Master was indeed Senior Qingzhu.

His movements were now mostly clear, but many questions remained.

Who is his enemy, to inspire such fear in him?

Why had he stayed? Had something gone wrong with the teleportation array?

"After the senior sealed the island, many came to visit, but all were turned away. Even if you had come two years earlier, you would not have met him... Daoist Qin... Daoist Qin..."

Seeing Qin Sang’s silence, Sect Leader Wu asked in surprise, "What is it?"

Qin Sang shook his head, his tone tinged with disappointment. "It’s nothing. For us rogue cultivators, the path is difficult. I thought I had finally found a worthy teacher, but I have been disappointed again."

Sect Leader Wu nodded in sympathy. "The senior may be gone, but his teachings remain. I have a few friends who also learned from him, who still meet to exchange insights and never keep anything to themselves. You saved my entire sect’s lives. If you do not mind, I can introduce you to them."

"Many thanks, but I wish to first visit Bamen Island and Linggui Island to pay my respects. I will come visit another time."

Qin Sang cupped his hands, then continued questioning Sect Leader Wu about past events.

Seeing Qin Sang’s curiosity, Sect Leader Wu did not hold back, carefully recounting what he remembered.

As they talked, the rocking of the ship gradually lessened.

A disciple came down, shouting excitedly that the storm had passed.

Sect Leader Wu’s injuries had eased somewhat, so the two of them left the cabin. The sea was calm, but thick fog surrounded them. The lone vessel drifted aimlessly, with only water in sight. They had no idea where the storm had carried them.

It took effort for Sect Leader Wu and his disciples to determine their position.

"Daoist Qin, head directly southeast and you will reach Bamen Island. The sea is full of fog, and this is the time when sea demonic beasts stir the waters, so you must be cautious. Fortunately, unlike the southern part of the archipelago, the fog here will lift soon."

Sect Leader Wu had intended to escort Qin Sang part of the way, but Qin Sang politely refused. Sect Leader Wu instead gave him precise directions.