"Fellow Daoist Mingyue, this is one of the core formation implements for controlling the Cold Bell Grand Array. Should Sin Abyss attack, you will manipulate this treasure to bring forth the grand array's seventy-two variations depending on how the situation develops, holding Sin Abyss at bay. Only a handful of people know that fellow daoists from the demon clan have arrived as reinforcements; we hope to catch Sin Abyss off guard. Please try to avoid showing yourself in the main encampment, Fellow Daoist, lest spies catch sight of you and leak word."
Jinglin handed Qin Sang a blue bell, offering careful instructions.
When they had brought Qin Sang in earlier, they had also done so in secret.
The bell was only the size of an adult fist. Crafted from an unknown spiritual material, it was entirely ice-blue, covered inside and out with dense runes.
Holding it in his hand imparted a chilling sensation.
Qin Sang channeled the secret art Jinglin had imparted to him, immediately sensing the myriad threads linking the bell to the power of the spiritual array, and he instantly grasped the array's various changes.
The Cold Bell Grand Array was exceptionally well-rounded, possessing capabilities for both offense and defense. Its most formidable aspect was the seventy-two cold bells hidden in the surrounding area; their vibrations unleashed an acoustic onslaught, formless and intangible.
Of course, they could not possibly hand complete control of the entire grand array to Qin Sang. All Qin Sang could do was use the bell to maneuver the array and coordinate with them against the enemy.
Afterward, Qin Sang inquired about the recent developments and gained a general understanding of the situation.
Ahead of Sandie Pass lay another pass, which served as an outpost. As long as the vanguard remained stable, Sandie Pass would remain safe for the time being.
"From now on, you shall oversee the core hub! In ordinary times, it will suffice for you to cultivate in seclusion within this tower, Fellow Daoist."
Jinglin and Si Di brought Qin Sang to the quiet room on the tower's top floor, assigning him no superfluous duties.
This was precisely what had been agreed upon beforehand.
With nothing pressing to attend to, the three conversed for a long time. Their discussion spanned far beyond the war between Sin Abyss and the three domains; they touched upon worldly affairs, cultivation methods, Daoist arts, and even heterodox paths.
Qin Sang had traveled to the Sea of Wandering Clouds, while Jinglin and Si Di had journeyed through the Beichen Great Desert during times of peace. All three were widely experienced and knowledgeable, and the conversation flowed pleasantly.
From their exchange, Qin Sang gleaned a great deal, feeling that the trip had truly been worthwhile.
Having enjoyed themselves to the fullest, the two rose to take their leave.
"Fellow Daoist Si, please stay a moment. I have a favor to ask," Qin Sang called out, stopping Si Di.
Jinglin tactfully departed.
Qin Sang explained his purpose: "You hail from the Taiyi Dan Sect, Fellow Daoist. I wonder if there are any junior sect members in the main encampment who excel in alchemy? I need to refine a certain medicinal pill whose recipe is quite intricate. Only an alchemist from your esteemed sect would give me peace of mind, and I am willing to offer compensation."
Originally, he could have had Li Yufu refine it.
However, Li Yufu was Yunyouzi's sole disciple, whom Qin Sang had left behind in the rear. Having arrived here, he could only turn to an alchemist from the Taiyi Dan Sect.
"Oh? You wish to refine pills, Fellow Daoist? Having a junior do it might not be entirely reliable. Unworthy though I am, I too have studied alchemy. As it happens, not far east of Sandie Pass lies a former large market of the Celestial Alliance, where ready-made flame chambers are available."
Si Di offered to step in personally.
Qin Sang waved his hand. "No need to trouble yourself, Fellow Daoist. Although the refining process for this pill is tedious, its grade is not high, nor is it meant for my own use. A junior at the Core Formation stage should be fully capable of handling it."
"So that is how it is. Junior Sister Weng happens to be in the main camp. She is exceptionally gifted in the alchemical dao and has received personal instruction from Master. I shall summon her here."
A flash of light appeared at Si Di's fingertip, morphing into a small bird that flew out of the tall tower.
A moment later, a Core Formation female cultivator who looked like a young girl hurried over.
"Senior Brother, did you send for me?"
The female cultivator surnamed Weng bowed to each of them. It was her first time meeting a demon king, making her immensely curious, and her attention was especially drawn to the wings behind Qin Sang's back.
This pair of magnificent phoenix wings clearly held great appeal for a female cultivator; her eyes were filled with admiration.
Si Di explained the circumstances, and Qin Sang produced the pill formula. After scrutinizing it, the female cultivator agreed with full confidence, needing only for the spirit herbs to arrive before she could begin refining.
Having seen the two off, Qin Sang sealed the quiet room and set about familiarizing himself with the Cold Bell Grand Array as quickly as possible.
That evening, Tan Yi'en came to report that Tan Hao's old acquaintance was not here, and that he had decided to look elsewhere.
"Go with him."
Qin Sang summoned Fat Chicken and gave the command.
Traveling between the major encampments still carried some danger for Tan Yi'en. Fat Chicken was adept at stealth and disguise, and his strength was sufficient.
The unyielding spine Fat Chicken once possessed—preferring death over acknowledging a master—had vanished without a trace. Ever since Qin Sang advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, Fat Chicken had obeyed his every word, appointing himself Qin Sang's lackey.
Thumping his chest, Fat Chicken guaranteed he would bring the person back safe and sound.
In the blink of an eye, a month passed at Sandie Pass.
A dozen days prior, the spirit herbs had arrived, and the female cultivator surnamed Weng had gone to the market to refine a bottle of Fire Melting Pills.
Every two days, Qin Sang fed one pill to the Fire Jade Centipede.
To his surprise, after ingesting only two Fire Melting Pills, the Fire Jade Centipede grew restless—a clear sign that it was about to undergo a metamorphosis. By the time it consumed the fourth pill, its entire body curled into a ball, spewing a crimson cocoon of light before sinking into slumber.
Qin Sang surmised this was likely due to having consumed Scarlet Fire Flowing Gold previously; otherwise, the Fire Melting Pills would never have yielded such immediate results.
Holding the light cocoon in his hand, Qin Sang chanted under his breath, striking one restriction after another into the cocoon to execute the Spirit Taming Sect's secret art and subdue the Fire Jade Centipede.
After years of being reared, the Fire Jade Centipede had long ceased to reject him, but only by taking this step would it truly acknowledge him as its master.
The secret art neared completion.
A faint resistance issued from within the cocoon—the spirit insect's subconscious pushback, far weaker than when it was awake. It was precisely for this reason that using the secret art at this time yielded the highest chance of success.
Perhaps sensing Qin Sang's aura, the resistance soon faded, and the secret art was successfully completed.
'The Fire Jade Centipede's potential certainly cannot compare to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's, but it is an exotic insect after all. Once it achieves the third metamorphosis, it should prove useful...'
Qin Sang gazed at the cocoon of light. He recalled how the Fire Jade Centipede, back when it had only undergone its first metamorphosis, could already sense the Scarlet Gold Vine. Even if only its treasure-seeking ability improved, it was well worth cultivating.
Nor did he harbor extravagant hopes of obtaining another spirit insect with four metamorphoses; the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's advancement had been entirely a stroke of sheer fortune, impossible to replicate.
Putting away the light cocoon, Qin Sang pondered briefly, then departed Sandie Pass and flew toward the market, intending to forge a flying sword himself.
The market had been built in a canyon. Inside, it was warm as spring, boasting considerable size and former renown.
When the flames of war reached this region, everyone had been forced to evacuate, leaving the market temporarily abandoned.
Qin Sang found a flame chamber and took out the Sinkgold Wood and other spiritual materials.
Over the past month, he had already laid out his plans. The process went smoothly, yielding a medium-grade flying sword less than a foot long, glittering with golden light as if cast from pure gold. He named it the Sinkgold Sword.
With Sinkgold Wood as its primary material, and forged by Qin Sang's own hands, it felt far handier than other spirit swords, serving as a substitute during times when the Ebony Sword could not be used.
'The flying sword is forged. Once all seven sword souls begin merging with the seven po to complete the first step, I will be able to unleash a portion of the Seven Po Killing Array's might, and the sword array's power will reach another level. While Sin Abyss has made no moves yet, focusing on cultivating as quickly as possible is the priority...'
Qin Sang thought to himself as he returned along his original route to Sandie Pass.
Chapter 1178