Chapter 28: The Immortal Crane Transmits the Imperial Seal

After entering the Prince of Dongyang's mansion, Qin Sang was settled into a small courtyard. His three meals a day were delivered to him, but he was strictly forbidden from wandering outside.

For several consecutive days, Qin Sang neither saw the Princess of Dongyang nor received an audience from the Prince. During this time, only Bai Jianglan visited him once.

He had come seeking immortality, so he was willing to wait with great patience.

However, this environment was actually quite suitable for cultivation. Settling his mind, Qin Sang devoted himself entirely to practicing the *Nether Scripture*.

With the help of Soul Pills, Qin Sang felt his cultivation speed was even faster than when he was at the first level. If he did not run low on Soul Pills, he estimated he could break through to the third level of the *Nether Scripture* within a year.

Of course, that was merely an ideal state.

Under his frantic cultivation, a single Soul Pill would be exhausted in half a month at most. Qin Sang had taken two Soul Pills in succession; by the time he went for the third, the Yanluo (King of Hell) entity's body had become extremely thin, dissipating like a flickering candle in the wind.

In this state, he feared that taking one more pill would cause the Yanluo to collapse entirely.

Qin Sang was uncertain whether the Yanluo could recover after being drained dry, and he would not commit the foolishness of "draining a pond to catch the fish." His worry was how to obtain a continuous supply of Soul Pills.

As for what Yin-Sha Qi (Yin-Evil Qi) was, it was something Qin Sang could not figure out in a short amount of time.

Human souls were inexhaustible, but he feared he would have to slaughter village after village to satisfy his cultivation needs.

Setting aside the emotional hurdle of slaughtering the innocent, if he acted so recklessly, his cultivation would not have increased much before he was hunted down as a demon by other immortal masters. The tragic sight of the black-clad demon being sliced in half was still fresh in Qin Sang's memory.

A slight sting pulsed through his meridians. Qin Sang stopped his cultivation and opened his eyes to find the sky beginning to brighten. Although he had practiced all night, his spirit remained vigorous, yet he still preferred to take a short nap—sometimes sleeping for an entire day—as he felt that was true rest.

Just as he was about to lie down without changing his clothes, there was a sudden knock on the courtyard gate.

"Brother Bai, you've come."

Qin Sang opened the door to find Bai Jianglan standing outside. A fine drizzle was falling from the sky; Bai Jianglan wore a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat, with a precious sword strapped to his back, looking like a weary traveler from the martial world.

Bai Jianglan entered the room, took off his raincoat, and pulled several books from his robe, handing them to Qin Sang. "Brother Qin, these are several high-level martial arts techniques the Princess instructed me to select from the Prince's armory. Much has happened in the outside world over the past month; I have been traveling with the Princess and have only just returned today."

No wonder no one had disturbed him for so long.

He had been cultivating bitterly in this small courtyard for over a month without stepping a single foot outside. Aside from the maidservants who delivered his meals, he had not seen a single living soul, living almost in total isolation. He wondered what major events had occurred outside.

Qin Sang thought to himself as he took the books to browse through them. There were three manuals in total.

One was the *Soul-Snatching Spear*, which was perfectly suited to his usage. The *Tiger-Subduing Long Fist* could also be used with staves or poles, but it was merely a shallow technique and not pure spearplay.

By mastering the *Soul-Snatching Spear*, it would be easier for Qin Sang to deceive others when using the Yanluo Banner in the future.

The second was the *Mingwang Art*, an internal cultivation method. Qin Sang could not discern its intricacies at a glance and planned to study it carefully later to see how it differed from the *Nether Scripture*.

When he flipped to the third book, Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up. This was a movement technique called the *Shadowless Steps*.

Light as a swallow, walking on walls, treading on snow without leaving a trace, crossing rivers on a single reed...

He had long coveted legendary movement techniques, but unfortunately, none of the martial arts halls or escort agencies in Three Witch City taught them; at most, they taught a few practical footwork patterns.

Seeing Qin Sang's joyful expression, Bai Jianglan smiled as well. "Seeing that Brother Qin is skilled with spears and staves, I selected this *Soul-Snatching Spear* for you. This spear technique was created by a famous martial arts master; it snatches souls and captures spirits, and is exceedingly exquisite. The *Mingwang Art* is a top-tier internal cultivation method in the martial world, but internal arts take time to show results. Do not be impatient, Brother Qin; you must keep your heart calm and cultivate with patience. If you can truly nurture even a sliver of True Qi in your dantian, your martial arts will surely reach a new level. As for this *Shadowless Steps*, since Brother Qin does not possess internal strength, I chose this for you. Not only is the movement exquisite, but it also incorporates the ability to conceal one's breath and hide one's shadow. It is a unique style; once mastered deeply, it is no weaker than top-tier movement techniques... Are you satisfied, Brother Qin?"

Qin Sang cupped his hands in thanks. "I am deeply honored by the Princess's kindness, and I am grateful to Brother Bai for your trouble. I cannot thank you enough."

The two sat across from each other, sipping fragrant tea and conversing. Bai Jianglan pointed out the key points of the three manuals, which Qin Sang noted carefully, though he would only truly understand them after practicing.

Speaking of the Water Monkey's condition, Bai Jianglan's tone was less sorrowful. "That child, Zhou Ning, is naturally cheerful and able to let things go. His injuries are improving, and he can already get out of bed to practice his sword; he is much more diligent than before. Having survived such a catastrophe, if he can shed his lazy nature, his martial arts might just reach a higher level."

Qin Sang nodded in agreement, though he did not take such comforting words to heart. For a martial artist, losing an arm had a massive impact on one's skills.

Bai Jianglan took a sip of tea and looked at Qin Sang. "Brother Qin, do you still hold to your previous thoughts?"

Qin Sang set down his teacup, sat up straight, and replied solemnly, "Brother Bai, I have admired the Immortal Path since childhood. This heart has never changed!"

A month ago, Bai Jianglan had visited the courtyard to meet Qin Sang and had indirectly probed his plans for the future.

Qin Sang knew that Bai Jianglan was representing the Princess of Dongyang to test him.

The Prince of Dongyang's status in the Great Sui was second only to the Emperor, making him one of the people most likely to come into contact with Immortal Masters.

Regarding the two times the Princess had saved his life, Qin Sang could clearly feel while returning to Dongyang by boat that she held him in high regard. Being a quick-witted man, Qin Sang had simply made his desire to seek immortal fate explicit.

Qin Sang felt a secret tension in his heart, wondering what answer Bai Jianglan would bring him.

In truth, Bai Jianglan had seen through Qin Sang's intentions while on the boat last year, but he had not expected him to be so resolute. After a moment of silence, he said, "According to the ancestral laws of the Great Sui, whenever a new Emperor ascends the throne, the coronation ceremony must be held at Mount Chao-Sheng in the Imperial Capital to consecrate heaven and earth, demonstrating that the sovereign's power is divinely ordained and received from Heaven. At that time, the sky is filled with immortal clouds and the sounds of divine music, and Heaven sends a crane to deliver the Imperial Seal. Only then is one a true monarch."

Qin Sang had studied this. This world was quite different from the ancient world of his previous life, though there were similarities—for instance, the methods of keeping the populace ignorant were much the same.

However, because martial arts and immortals actually existed, the methods were far more convincing than in his previous life.

"Who would have known..."

Bai Jianglan paused and continued, "I only recently learned that the so-called 'mandate from Heaven' is merely an illusion. However, the crane delivering the seal is real. But the Imperial Seal does not come from Heaven; it comes from the Immortal Masters."

Qin Sang's heart jolted. He asked in surprise, "Brother Bai, does one even need the recognition of Immortal Masters to become Emperor?"

Bai Jianglan nodded.

Qin Sang frowned. "Then, if the Immortal Masters decide who becomes Emperor, what is the point of fighting for it?"