Terms Settled

Xiang Qing's expression changed drastically. Divine Astral Peak was the very foundation upon which the Qingyang Demonic Sect was built. The arrangements he had made to stabilize morale and keep outsiders from taking advantage had been seen through at a single glance. Bing Han's eyes lit up. "Is the Daoist priest also well-versed in fire-controlling arts?" "Indeed," Qin Sang nodded. "This poor Daoist has attained a fair amount of insight into this path." Xiang Qing's expression shifted erratically. After staring intently at Qin Sang for a long while, he finally gave a cold snort. "Since this is a transaction, what do you want?" "This poor Daoist merely wishes to collect a portion of the Ancestral Holy Fire along the way. Fellow Daoist Xiang should know very well that, as things stand, the Ancestral Holy Fire brings you more harm than good—it is nothing more than a chicken rib." Qin Sang spoke in a sincere tone. Bing Han's gaze flickered. She remained silent, lost in thought. The Ancestral Holy Fire had been left behind by the founding patriarch of the Qingyang Demonic Sect. The decision could only be made by Xiang Qing; she could not overstep her bounds. A cold sneer curved on Xiang Qing's lips. "Merely collect the Ancestral Holy Fire? Since you could see through the grand array, you ought to know how terrifying the power within the Ancestral Holy Fire is, no? Otherwise, the opportunity would never fall to you. Even taking just a portion would allow your strength to leap by several tiers." Qin Sang admitted frankly, "That is precisely why we each take what we need. This poor Daoist must also bear the risk of backlash from the spiritual fire. Without any benefit, could you expect me to labor on your behalf for nothing?" Xiang Qing paced back and forth, but much to Qin Sang's surprise, he actually refused. "Even if the Qingyang Demonic Sect and Divine Astral Peak were to be blown apart together, I, Xiang, will never aid an enemy! If you wish to make a deal, Daoist, you had best be straightforward!" Bing Han was also quite surprised, but she did not believe a Nascent Soul cultivator had just appeared out of nowhere either, and looked curiously at Qin Sang. Qin Sang let out a soft sigh. "I only feared that if I revealed my true form, Fellow Daoist Xiang would be even less inclined to agree." As he spoke, green light shimmered around Qin Sang, and a magnificent pair of phoenix wings suddenly unfurled from his back. A deep look of amazement flashed in Bing Han's eyes. "Demon King Mingyue?" Xiang Qing cried out, his face covered in shock. Bing Han came to a sudden realization. "So that's how it is! I heard you wield twelve fire banners, likely modeled after Patriarch Kuiyin's Ten Directions Yanluo Banners, with two extra to boot. I had assumed that, like Patriarch Kuiyin, you sealed the spiritual fire within magic treasures because you could not directly control it yourself. Now it seems you can command spiritual fire on your own, which is why you can wield so many fire banners with such ease." It seemed she had actually made a special study of Qin Sang's twelve demonic banners. Qin Sang naturally would not divulge the predicament he faced in cultivating the Fire Seed Golden Lotus. He simply nodded in tacit acknowledgement and said to Xiang Qing, "Back then, before I had transformed, my movements were inconvenient. I used a few small tricks to cajole several rogue cultivators into forming the Demon Flame Sect to do my bidding. I never expected them to make a name for themselves. Seeing as there is still some sentiment between us, I wished to take them back under my wing. Fellow Daoist Xiang wouldn't mind, would you?" Xiang Qing gave a wry smile. "Disguised as a human, with not a trace of demonic qi showing on you, I would never have imagined it was you. You have aided our Two Domains Alliance greatly; if you had something to say, you could have just been direct. Why go through so much trouble?" "I wish to use the Ancestral Holy Fire to temper my fire banners so they will be easier to control in the future. But I was concerned that the divide between humans and demons would cause you two to harbor reservations." Qin Sang offered his prepared explanation, thinking to himself: *If you had already resolved the trouble and rejected my proposal after I had exposed my intentions, how could I have made any further plans?* "It is said that your twelve fire banners are already powerful enough to rival top-grade magic treasures. Can their might still be enhanced?" Bing Han covered her mouth in astonishment. Xiang Qing was inwardly shaken as well, growing even more wary of Qin Sang and the Demon Realm. He wondered whether playing along and helping a demon boost his strength was the right choice. However, in terms of overall strength, the demons were far inferior to the human race, barely able to keep to their corner of the world. The greatest conflict in the cultivation world today was not between races, but came from Sin Abyss. Qin Sang was stationed at Sandie Pass; he had first slain a Sin Abyss Nascent Soul cultivator in battle, then ventured into the Abyss Ruins and brought back word of Blood Lake. For now at least, he was still an ally. Furthermore, Qin Sang spoke words that he could not refuse: "The excursion to Blood Lake is imminent, and I am preparing for that entry. In the uncharted depths of Blood Lake, when facing Old Demon Ye, no amount of caution is excessive, and even I cannot guarantee complete safety. Wouldn't Fellow Daoist Xiang like to resolve your lingering worries before departing?" These words struck Xiang Qing's weak spot. He knew well how difficult it was to nurture a Nascent Soul cultivator. If something happened to him before the Ancestral Holy Fire could be suppressed, it would be even more impossible for future generations to suppress it. It was foreseeable that the sect would be forced to relocate its grounds in the future. Losing the inexhaustible Qingyang Divine Astral Qi on Divine Astral Peak meant that unless the Qingyang Demonic Sect could find a replacement, their heritage would be severed right then and there. Xiang Qing was a decisive man. Without making Qin Sang waste any more breath, he agreed that as long as Qin Sang swore not to act recklessly, he could give it a try. Bing Han clapped her hands and smiled. "Fellow Daoist Xiang and I racked our brains and still couldn't suppress the Ancestral Holy Fire. Now it all depends on Fellow Daoist Mingyue's divine abilities." Qin Sang nodded with a smile. Refining the Ancestral Holy Fire to cultivate the Fire Seed Golden Lotus was his only option at present. Reaching an agreement so quickly brought him a sigh of relief. The three acted decisively and without delay. Finishing the fine nectar in their cups, Xiang Qing led Qin Sang as they flew up to Divine Astral Peak. Qin Sang had once refined a piece of astral jade, triggering the grand array and nearly causing the Ancestral Holy Fire to lose control. This time, he was very cautious, observing while listening to Xiang Qing's explanations to deepen his understanding. They flew to the summit. Xiang Qing raised a hand into the empty air. A cluster of Qingyang Demonic Fire coalesced in his palm and formed a fire seal, which he struck toward the grand array. The green mist parted, revealing a narrow passage. Qin Sang watched Xiang Qing control the Qingyang Demonic Fire. It was different from how he manipulated demonic fire through demonic banners. The Qingyang Demonic Fire was like a part of Xiang Qing's own body, fully integrated with him without the slightest barrier. *Once I successfully master the Fire Seed Golden Lotus, I should be able to do this as well,* Qin Sang thought to himself. Venturing deep into the grand array, the scene before Qin Sang took him aback. Green mist blotted out the sky and sun. Within the green mist stood a complex grand array constructed entirely of Qingyang astral jade, shaped like a square jade platform. Above the jade platform, a cluster of flame was dancing—the Ancestral Holy Fire itself. To his astonishment, the true form of the Ancestral Holy Fire was humanoid, like a spiritual fire that had already attained sentience. Limbs and facial features could all be discerned, though it was only half the height of a person. Xiang Qing said, "Fellow Daoist, do not be deceived by appearances. The Ancestral Holy Fire is not a living creature. Because traces of the founding patriarch's aura remained in it, and due to subsequent mutations, it took on human form." "Fellow Daoist Xiang cultivates an art of the same origin, and your sect also possesses secret arts to refine fire seeds. Could you not directly subdue the Ancestral Holy Fire?" Qin Sang voiced the question in his mind. Xiang Qing sighed softly. "Back when the founding patriarch had just fallen, it might have been possible. But it is far too late now. The Ancestral Holy Fire was sealed by the patriarch atop Divine Astral Peak, but who could have foreseen that it would directly absorb the stray Qingyang astral qi and other energies from the outside world? Its nature transformed, becoming increasingly violent. Accumulated over days and months, by the time our forebears realized something was amiss, it was already beyond saving, leaving them no choice but to let the Ancestral Holy Fire develop on its own. The Ancestral Holy Fire today and the one left behind by the patriarch are two completely different spiritual fires. Even with my Nascent Soul cultivation, I dare not act rashly... How confident are you, Fellow Daoist?"