"This poor Daoist is still thoroughly baffled. You all claimed this was a struggle between our two races, yet we ended up in an inexplicable clash with Demon Kings, followed by the baffling appearance of a Xuantian Palace traitor and a supreme Xuantian Palace treasure. Exactly how much do all of you know? Shouldn't someone explain and clear up my confusion?"
Qin Sang raised a hand to cut off Island Master Shen, turned toward Master Feng, and asked in a cold voice.
The others exchanged glances.
Master Feng brought out his prepared rhetoric. "We, too, only recently learned of the demon plot, and had not yet found the time to inform you, Fellow Daoist..."
Qin Sang had obtained the greatest prize and was merely putting on a show to voice his displeasure without any real intention of pressing the matter. Hearing Master Feng's explanation, his expression softened slightly.
"This person was first hunted by Xuantian Palace, fled into demon territory, and then was chased here by the Rainbow Rat... What treasure did he take from Xuantian Palace?"
Island Master Shen shook his head. "I wasn't able to overhear the details. The Rainbow Rat probably wasn't clear on the whole truth at the time either, knowing only that Xuantian Palace valued the item immensely. They sent several elders deep into the heart of demon territory in pursuit, stopping only when they nearly disturbed Great Sage Tianpeng."
Great Sage Tianpeng.
A late Transformation powerhouse who revered the glory of the ancient demon Great Sages and styled himself as one, possessing a fearsome reputation across the North Sea.
Qin Sang had gained no useful information.
He thought to himself that he would only learn what the treasure was once he opened the ice chest.
At that moment, Lady Yue, who had remained silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up. "Since the treasure has fallen into demon hands, why don't we spread word of it...?"
"Borrowing a knife to kill!" Island Master Shen clapped his hands. "I had the very same thought! Let's see if they can hold onto it!"
Master Feng, however, hesitated. "I have heard that Xuantian Palace is notoriously domineering. I fear spreading the news might bring trouble not only to them. A supreme Xuantian Palace treasure appeared nearby, and all of us took part in fighting over it. Even if we claim the demons took it, others may not believe us. If it draws too many people, we won't have peace either, and we might end up shooting ourselves in the foot. At that point, the situation would become far more complicated..."
As the hegemon of this region, he had no wish to give outsiders an excuse to intervene.
Even someone as strong as Master Feng had people and factions he dreaded.
The swordsman in black robes chimed in, "I still plan to travel elsewhere and certainly don't want people constantly watching over my shoulder."
Lady Yue gave a light nod. "I oversimplified things."
Master Feng shook his head. "Lady Yue's suggestion has merit as well. We certainly cannot let Bi Fang have an easy time. The news can be leaked, but we must weigh our approach carefully."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Next, they took out the ice chests they had seized.
Including Qin Sang's Snow-Veined Cold Jade, the human side had seized eight ice chests in total.
They were mostly various spirit materials used for crafting artifacts, ranging in value, with no spirit medicines or the like among them—those had likely been exhausted during the man in white's flight for his life.
Qin Sang's eyes immediately locked onto a piece of red jade inside one of the chests.
*Whoosh!*
Qin Sang beckoned the red jade straight into his hand and inspected it closely.
The interior of the red jade bore grain patterns reminiscent of wood.
Held in his palm, it gave off a gentle warmth.
Seeing Qin Sang's move, Island Master Shen and the others frowned slightly.
Master Feng shook his head slightly, then looked at Qin Sang. "What? Have you taken a liking to this piece of Fallen Phoenix Jade, Fellow Daoist?"
"You recognize this item as well, Fellow Daoist Feng?"
Qin Sang looked away from the jade and nodded. "I have been searching for suitable spirit materials to enhance my magical treasures, and this Fallen Phoenix Jade happens to meet my needs. Would you all be willing to part with it?"
Pausing, Qin Sang produced the Snow-Veined Cold Jade. "The Fallen Phoenix Jade is undoubtedly the most valuable among these spirit materials. I am willing to surrender this Snow-Veined Cold Jade and take only the Fallen Phoenix Jade."
The cultivators exchanged looks.
Master Feng said, "The Snow-Veined Cold Jade was seized by you from Bi Fang's hands; it belonged to you to begin with. Since you have put it that way, I have no objection."
Lady Yue smiled delightedly. "I happen to be preparing to forge an ice-attributed magical treasure, and half a piece of Snow-Veined Cold Jade is plenty. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Qin."
...
Taking the Fallen Phoenix Jade, Qin Sang stepped aside and watched Master Feng and the others divide the remaining spirit materials.
All were pleased.
Master Feng prepared to launch a counteroffensive against the demons.
Speed was paramount in war, so Island Master Shen and the others immediately departed to make arrangements.
Before long, only Qin Sang and Master Feng remained in the grand hall.
With an apologetic look, Master Feng said, "I was meant to take you to Hundred Flowers Valley once the demons retreated, as promised. With the shift in circumstances, I fear I won't be able to pull myself away anytime soon. I could write a letter of introduction for you to take to the Valley Master of Hundred Flowers Valley. Alternatively, you could remain as my guest for a while longer, and once this region stabilizes, I will accompany you there myself."
Hearing this, Qin Sang pondered in silence.
Upon learning that Master Feng and the others intended to spread word of the treasure, he had resolved to leave this den of trouble as quickly as possible.
He stood alone.
If powerhouses from Xuantian Palace or other major factions came knocking, dealing with them would not be easy.
However, his desire to meet the Valley Master was not merely to exchange insights; if Hundred Flowers Valley possessed unique insect-controlling secret techniques, he also wished to ask for guidance. A mere letter of introduction would make it difficult to build rapport.
After some thought, Qin Sang said, "Then I will wait a while longer. With nothing else on my hands, I can continue guarding Shouchen Island for you, Fellow Daoist Feng. Should an opportunity arise to hunt Bi Fang and the other demons, I would welcome the chance to vent my anger as well."
Master Feng was overjoyed.
Taking his leave of Master Feng, Qin Sang flew straight back to Shouchen Island without pausing.
Just as before, he left the Nascent Soul talisman puppet in his immortal cave.
Qin Sang then slipped away to a nearby reef, brought out a set of formation flags, and laid down layers of restrictive barriers before finally retrieving the mysterious ice chest.
"What an intricate seal. I wonder what kind of treasure it holds..."
Qin Sang lifted the chest and scrutinized it.
The ice chest was crystalline yet not transparent, its interior shrouded in pale white.
He could not tell whether the white light came from the sealing power or emanated from the treasure itself; even with the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, he could discern only a cluster of white light, unable to make out the object inside.
*Hiss! The material used to make this chest seems to be ten-thousand-year profound ice!*
Qin Sang was secretly shocked.
Xuantian Palace truly operated on a lavish scale, fashioning rare ten-thousand-year profound ice into a storage container.
This discovery only heightened his anticipation.
Yet to his dismay, after a full two hours, Qin Sang still had no clue where to begin, feeling utterly at a loss.
He turned the ice chest over and over, channeling his divine sense to carefully analyze the seals on it with the aid of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Before he realized it, a full day and night had passed.
Night fell on the second day.
Thoroughly exhausted, Qin Sang meditated for a time to restore his focus before picking up the ice chest once more.
His expression turned exceedingly grave.
"The seal is completely seamless, but that isn't the hardest part. Deep within the chest, there seems to be an extremely violent power—unless my senses deceive me..."
Thoughts flashing through his mind, Qin Sang decided to give it a try. He set the chest on the ground.
Then, a gentle stream of power welled from Qin Sang's palm, slowly drawing toward the chest.
Time seemed to slow.
Qin Sang's movements were incomparably delicate.
At last, a faint light flickered across the surface of the chest. Pale blue threads faintly surfaced within the ten-thousand-year profound ice as the sealing power manifested.
Chapter 1392