The Assembly Begins

After activating the Danding token on Mingzhu Island, Qin Sang soon met with Daoist Yinquan. Daoist Yinquan sized Qin Sang up, feeling that Qin Sang seemed somewhat different from four months ago, though he could not put his finger on why. He could never have guessed that refining a single Hidden Fragrance Pill had allowed Qin Sang to materialize his divine sense. After brief pleasantries, they got down to business. "There are indeed rumors that Old Man Hunmo is seeking to purchase something. Supposedly, it's all related to the demonic path, but we haven't received definite word yet," Daoist Yinquan held nothing back, his tone slightly heavy. The more urgent Old Man Hunmo was, the greater the gains must be upon his success. Perhaps, in the future, Old Man Hunmo would become the number one figure in the North Sea. Hearing this, Qin Sang felt all the more that his considerations regarding the mysterious ice chest were right. Having already offended Old Man Hunmo, making an enemy of Xuantian Palace as well would not be wise. To Old Man Hunmo and the Palace Master of Xuantian Palace, the storm belt was not an insurmountable obstacle. And he was not completely on his own without ties. Thoughts flashed through Qin Sang's mind, and he spoke in a deliberate tone: "I plan to attend the Myriad Demons Assembly, if only to broaden my horizons. I still have three ancient formulas in hand..." Daoist Yinquan's eyes lit up. Delighted to hear that Qin Sang was willing to sell pill formulas, he said, "Fellow Daoist is making the right decision! Only our Danding Mountain has both the interest and the means to pay a price that will satisfy you for such ancient formulas!" Sects skilled in alchemy truly are rolling in wealth! Qin Sang sighed inwardly in admiration, then asked, "You should be attending as well, Daoist? After all, it's a gathering of demonic fiends, and I can't help feeling a bit uneasy. I wonder what backup arrangements Danding Mountain has made for you to guard against unexpected mishaps?" "This..." Daoist Yinquan frowned. Before he could speak, Qin Sang continued, "To tell the truth, I have a few enemies and worry I might run into them at the Myriad Demons Assembly. I'd like to borrow Danding Mountain's strength just in case. After the assembly, even if nothing happens, I will still offer up an ancient formula. Should trouble arise, further compensation can be discussed. I trust Danding Mountain would not collude with those demonic fiends." Qin Sang possessed ample strength and confidence of his own. He would also prepare his own escape routes and backups. Danding Mountain was merely a last resort, a precaution prepared in advance that would most likely never be needed. Daoist Yinquan understood Qin Sang's intentions. After pondering for a long while, he smiled faintly. "Just helping Fellow Daoist escape will suffice? I hardly know whether I should look forward to you running into danger or not." To him, befriending a cultivator at the middle Nascent Soul stage who seemingly possessed many ancient formulas was well worth it, even without compensation. Qin Sang nodded and laughed heartily. "As long as you aren't afraid of provoking those demonic fiends on my account, Daoist." "Do they dare attack Danding Mountain itself?" Daoist Yinquan chuckled, then added thoughtfully, "Fellow Daoist's words have actually given me a good reminder. I will make proper arrangements!" Afterward, Qin Sang exchanged all the items in his Qianjun Ring that he had no use for into spirit stones, intending to hand them over to Tan Hao so Tan Hao could attend the auctions in the first few days. A month later. Qin Sang left Mingzhu Island, a Danding token adorned with far more intricate patterns now resting in his Qianjun Ring. ... Hunmo Island. Thanks to Old Man Hunmo's reputation, Hunmo Island could be considered the most famous island in the present-day Boundless Sea. Hunmo Island covered a vast area. Unlike other Nascent Soul cultivators, who sealed off the islands of their cave abodes with grand formations and forbade outsiders from entering under ordinary circumstances, Old Man Hunmo occupied only a range of immortal peaks in the northern part of Hunmo Island, cloaking it in a sea of clouds to serve as his place of cultivation. The rest of the island was left open for cultivators and mortals to come and go freely, and many bustling cities dotted the land. No one knew the lineage or master of Old Man Hunmo. Nor had Old Man Hunmo founded a sect. He had few disciples, resembling an itinerant cultivator. The Myriad Demons Assembly was held in the largest city on Hunmo Island. This city had been renamed Myriad Demons City back when the very first Myriad Demons Assembly was hosted. Inside Myriad Demons City, the clamor of voices was deafening. Shadowy crowds moved through the streets, bustling shoulder to shoulder. Cultivators were no longer a rare sight here. One could bump into a Core Formation cultivator every now and then, and occasionally even glimpse a Nascent Soul Patriarch. Many low-level cultivators had also flocked here to join in the excitement or to follow their elders and broaden their horizons. Fortunately, the city was vast enough; otherwise, it could never have accommodated so many cultivators. On every street, armored guards radiating baleful aura patrolled back and forth. Their eyes brimmed with thick killing intent, like chilling slaughter machines. No matter how wild and intractable a cultivator might be, none dared make trouble here. If friction arose, they traded a few sharp words at most, and the moment they noticed the guards' gazes turning toward them, they tactfully dispersed. The Myriad Demons Assembly had yet to officially begin, but private trade gatherings were already taking place in corners across the city. At this moment, a burly figure stepped into the city. It was none other than Tan Hao. He did not completely conceal his aura. Sensing the Core Formation aura, those ahead changed color one after another, subconsciously stepping aside to clear a path for him. Sensing the fearful glances around him, Tan Hao remained impassive, feeling not the slightest smugness. Thinking of how the junior brother who had entered the Kuiyin Sect alongside him was now a middle Nascent Soul expert—someone who dared snatch food from the tiger's mouth before a great cultivator—no one in his position could possibly feel proud. Tan Hao patted the mustard seed bag at his waist. It was packed with spirit stones. With the map of Myriad Demons City in his mind, Tan Hao strode forward, turned through several streets, arrived before an imposing wooden building, and walked briskly inside. The Myriad Demons Assembly would begin in three days. The most important auctions would be held here, divided according to the value and type of treasures. Before long, Tan Hao walked out of the wooden building and shuttled through the city once more, drawing on his past experience to contact trade gatherings large and small, seeking to purchase what he and Qin Sang needed. Soon, three days passed. The atmosphere inside Myriad Demons City grew increasingly boisterous. Countless cultivators gathered in the city, and powerful figures rarely seen in ordinary times made frequent appearances. Even the baleful guards felt the pressure, not daring to slacken for an instant. The first auction was about to begin. Wearing a hooded cloak, Tan Hao returned to the wooden building and glanced up. Even before the Myriad Demons Assembly began, he had already bought several of the spirit items Qin Sang had specifically requested. With a bit of luck, gathering them all should not be difficult. Stepping inside, Tan Hao did not conceal his cultivation. A charming young woman immediately came up to greet him. With a respectful expression and a few softly spoken inquiries, she led Tan Hao up the stairs. Curiously, the moment they stepped onto the stairs, the light abruptly dimmed. The stairs seemed endless. Tan Hao followed the maid patiently, walking an unknown distance until the scene before his eyes brightened, opening into a grand hall. At the center of the hall stood a high platform. There were already quite a few people here. Tan Hao found a seat, sat down, and quietly waited for the auction to begin. ... Meanwhile. In an undisclosed room within Myriad Demons City, several figures clad in white sat upright with their auras concealed. At the head sat two individuals. One of them spoke in a hoarse voice, "The Grand Elder still hasn't returned?" The person beside him nodded. "That news was too ambiguous to seem true. However, the Grand Elder insisted on going. By the time he verifies whether it's genuine and rushes back from the demon realm, he probably won't make it in time for the final trade gathering."