After Qin Sang and the others had finished paying their respects to the Ancestor, Uncle Yue continued, "The Grandmaster was a Nascent Soul cultivator. After failing to break through to the Deity Transformation stage, he founded the Kuiyin Sect in this place, passing down our lineage. He passed away at the age of one thousand and eighty-three. Currently, the three Golden Core Masters in our sect are all disciples under the Kuiyin Ancestor. You must understand that, like other cultivation sects, our Kuiyin Sect determines seniority based on cultivation level. If you successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, you may become a disciple under one of the Golden Core Masters, and from then on, you will be my junior brothers..."
Liang Yan interjected with a grin, "Then I'll have to call you Uncle Master."
"On this Yin-Shade Cliff, there are several cave dwellings and nearly a thousand Qi Refinement disciples. You cannot see them now because they are all in seclusion practicing hard. In the future, you will be fellow disciples. The sect does not forbid fighting, but mutual slaughter is strictly prohibited; otherwise, you will face severe punishment! Do you understand?"
Uncle Yue's tone carried a heavy warning, and Qin Sang and the others hurriedly responded in agreement.
Seeing that they were relatively well-behaved, Uncle Yue's expression softened slightly. He tapped his storage bag, and seven streaks of dark light flew out. Within each streak of light were two items: a gray cloth pouch and a dragon-eye-sized yellow-white bead.
"These are Yin-Shade Avoiding Pouches. In the future, when you venture deep into the Yin-Shade Abyss, activating the pouch will prevent the Yin-Shade Qi from invading your body. This bead is a Sun-Warming Bead. When you cultivate in the future, you can carry it on you to warm your physique and automatically isolate the surrounding cold air. If you encounter ghosts within the Yin-Shade Qi, you can activate the Yang energy within the bead to drive them away. However, the Sun-Warming Bead is only effective against weak ghosts; never venture into the depths of the煞 (sha) energy."
The pouches and beads landed in everyone's hands. Qin Sang gripped his, noting that the pouch felt like coarse cloth while the bead emitted a faint warmth. Both were magical tools, but their grade was not high—merely low-grade tools with specialized functions.
As Qin Sang was examining the pouch, he froze at Uncle Yue's words and couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Yue, is the bottom of the cliff filled with Yin-Shade Qi?"
Uncle Yue nodded. "The reason the Yin-Shade Abyss is so chillingly cold is precisely due to the Yin-Shade Qi at the bottom of the cliff."
Seeing the group's expressions change slightly, Uncle Yue said with a smile, "Do not be so easily frightened. Yin-Shade Qi is not entirely detrimental. The reason our sect is able to produce so many magical tools for sale is thanks to the Yin-Shade Qi. Furthermore, in our Kuiyin Sect, there is actually a unique secret method that allows one to cultivate using the Yin-Shade Qi. However, before that, you will need to change your cultivation techniques."
Hearing this, Qin Sang suddenly had a strong premonition.
Uncle Yue pointed his finger at each of them. "Qin Sang, your original technique is the *Netherworld Scripture*, so you don't need to change. Tan Hao, you as well; continue practicing the *Yin-Magnetic Sword Scripture*. Of you five, three are practicing water-element techniques; all of you must switch to the *Netherworld Scripture*. Tan Jie, you practice earth-element techniques; change to the *Earthly Origin Secret Chapter*. Shi Hong, you must also switch to the *Yin-Magnetic Sword Scripture*."
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out among the group.
Changing a cultivation technique was not that simple. Although their cultivation level would not regress, they would have to start practicing the new technique from the beginning, meaning their progress would stall during that period.
Even if the speed of cultivation would be fast, it would still consume time.
Moreover, they had already immersed themselves in their original techniques for many years; familiarizing themselves with new ones would inevitably require time for refinement.
The three practicing water-element techniques were especially worried, as everyone knew that the *Netherworld Scripture* was one of the most difficult water-element foundation techniques to master.
Only Qin Sang kept his head lowered, remaining silent.
As the others discussed the matter with troubled faces, Uncle Yue's gaze suddenly turned cold, and he barked, "What is this chaos? Since the sect has ordered you to change your techniques, there is naturally a reason! Take these!"
Another seven streaks of light flew out from the storage bag, each containing a book and a small banner.
Qin Sang took his, his eyes narrowing slightly. These items were far too familiar; the book was half of the *Netherworld Scripture*, and the banner was the Yama Banner!
However, the Yama pattern on this banner was much lighter in color than his, and the lines were sparse; the Yama figure was not as lifelike and appeared quite stiff.
At this moment, Liang Yan bowed beside him and said with a smile, "Uncle Yue, please do not be angry. After all, changing cultivation techniques is a major matter; it is normal for the junior brothers and sisters to have doubts. I will explain it clearly to them in a moment. I believe they will understand the sect's painstaking intentions."
Only then did Uncle Yue withdraw his piercing gaze. He gave an "hm" and said, "This secret method is a top secret of the sect. No one is permitted to leak it, or you will be punished as a traitor to the sect. This is the reason why you are not allowed to descend the mountain without permission before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. Liang Yan, take them out. Assign each person a cave dwelling so they can cultivate properly. Oh, and... by sect rule, if you can break through to the sixth layer of the Qi Refinement stage within two years, you will be rewarded with a top-grade magical tool. This is a one-time opportunity; see to it yourselves."
Upon hearing the reward of a top-grade magical tool, the group's eyes lit up instantly, their faces filled with excitement.
Most rogue cultivators were impoverished; even possessing a high-grade magical tool was rare, and they could never afford a top-grade one, only watching with envy.
In an instant, the group's resistance to changing their techniques seemed to diminish. They bid farewell to Uncle Yue and headed out enthusiastically to select their cave dwellings.
On the mountain path, Liang Yan began introducing them to the functions and taboos of the Yama Banner.
Qin Sang was already very familiar with the Yama Banner, so he feigned listening to Liang Yan while his mind wandered.
The Yama Banner was a top secret of the Kuiyin Sect; the black-clad demon who died at the hands of Song Hua was very likely a disciple of the Kuiyin Sect.
No wonder when he was leaving the Youshan Market, the methods the three uncles used to kill enemies felt eerily ghostly—it truly was a demonic sect!
Even now, whenever he thought of that dried corpse, Qin Sang felt a lingering fear.
His initial enthusiasm for joining a cultivation sect had been thoroughly doused. Qin Sang looked up at the misty sky with a deep gaze, a sliver of doubt rising in his heart.
Just as they descended two steps of a staircase, a blood-curdling scream suddenly erupted from a nearby cave dwelling, followed immediately by a terrifying roar. The monstrous, ghost-like howling mixed with screams was exceptionally bone-chilling.
Except for Qin Sang, the faces of the others turned pale. Liang Yan's figure flashed as he kicked open the cave dwelling. Inside, a youth of similar age to them was rolling on the ground, clutching his head, his face covered in blood and tears, looking as if he had gone mad.
Seeing Liang Yan, a glimmer of hope flashed in the youth's eyes. He clawed at the ground, veins bulging on his palms, struggling to crawl forward to beg Liang Yan for help.
In the next moment, the expression on the youth's face suddenly froze. His contorted body fell heavily to the ground, and his breath vanished completely.