After leaving Hunmo Island, Tan Hao flew for a while before encountering Qin Sang, who had come out to meet him. He finally let out a sigh of relief and followed Qin Sang to a submerged reef.
Parting the water as they descended, Tan Hao glanced around, sensing something unusual.
"I have laid an array here, but it is not yet complete. I was missing some spiritual materials to refine the array instruments," Qin Sang explained briefly. He took the mustard seed bag Tan Hao handed him and opened it, finding it packed with spiritual items.
The vast majority were prepared for the Spirit Ascension Rite.
Tan Hao had purchased three sets of each, which had nearly drained Qin Sang's savings.
Qin Sang had not yet decided whether to help the fat silkworm undergo the Spirit Ascension Rite, but making preparations in advance was never a bad idea.
Unfortunately, Tan Hao had been unable to purchase any of the three most crucial spiritual items for the rite, nor had he managed to glean any news of them in Myriad Demons City, which went to show just how rare they were.
Qin Sang would have to wait for tomorrow's trade fair.
If he still failed to buy them, his only option would be to head to Hundred Flowers Valley and trade for them with the Myriad Spirit Fruit.
Stowing the mustard seed bag, Qin Sang said, "I will escort you to Luochao Island first. That place is controlled by the merchant alliance and is very safe. Wait for me there. If I don't return within three days, head back to the cave abode."
Tan Hao's heart skipped a beat. Glancing at the array Qin Sang was setting up, his expression shifted slightly. "Is it very dangerous?"
Qin Sang smiled. "Just taking precautions. Nothing serious will happen."
Tan Hao gave a soft nod and silently followed Qin Sang. Flying an unknown distance across the sea, they arrived at Luochao Island.
After seeing Tan Hao off, Qin Sang returned to the reef and took out the spiritual materials Tan Hao had bought. One by one, array instruments took shape in his palms, completing the grand formation.
The array served a very simple purpose, and its name was equally plain—the Bewildering Array.
Unlike ordinary low-rank Bewildering Arrays, this one had been created by a senior of the Yuanshen Sect who was well versed in array arts after comprehending an ancient broken formation.
This array could trap Nascent Soul cultivators, though it possessed no lethal force. It required considerable time to set up in advance, and its instruments would self-destruct after a single use.
Qin Sang's purpose in setting it up was not to kill. If things went awry, he could use the Bewildering Array to delay his opponents so he could slip away.
This was Old Man Hunmo's lair, not a place suited for prolonged combat.
Of course, if an opportunity to slay an enemy arose, he would not let it pass either.
Ever since he resolved to bring the mysterious ice chest to the Myriad Demons Assembly and probe Xuantian Palace, Qin Sang had made dual preparations with the Bewildering Array and Danding Mountain on top of enhancing his own strength, ensuring nothing would go amiss.
As the final array instrument was refined, he cast it into the formation.
A faint, silent ripple surfaced over the reef. Qin Sang leaped into the air and looked down, watching the reef flicker once before returning to its normal appearance.
Withdrawing his gaze, he glanced toward Hunmo Island, then returned to the reef and sat down, waiting for the trade fair to begin.
***
Early the next morning.
Before the east grew light, Qin Sang snapped his eyes open. He brought out his mask, put it on, added a layer of concealment with his divine sense, and rode his escape light toward Hunmo Island.
Along the way, he encountered several immortal cultivators.
Sensing the aura radiating from Qin Sang, those low-ranking cultivators hurriedly steered clear.
Before long, the outline of an island appeared on the horizon. It was indeed of considerable size, inhabited by a multitude of mortals and cultivators alike.
*Does Old Man Hunmo count as a great hermit hiding in the bustling marketplace?*
Qin Sang glanced at Old Man Hunmo's place of cultivation and reined in his aura. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a premonition struck him. Pausing slightly, he turned to look westward.
Moments later, a black rainbow sped across the horizon.
Only then did the person within the black rainbow spot Qin Sang. The black rainbow halted abruptly, revealing a figure clad in a loose black robe and wearing a white bone mask, possessing early Nascent Soul cultivation.
Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, the newcomer grew secretly vigilant.
Qin Sang gave him a nod, indicating he bore no ill intent, while inwardly marveling at the benefits of having formidable divine sense.
Their eyes met briefly, and both were about to enter Hunmo Island.
Right then, Qin Sang seemed to sense something else. His expression changed drastically. Snapping his head up, he gazed north of Hunmo Island and immediately darted into a patch of forest on the island without a word.
The person in the white bone mask was startled by Qin Sang's sudden reaction. Following his gaze toward the north, the corner of his eye twitched violently.
A dark cloud was drifting in from the north at some point.
The sky was clear and bright, the moon hanging amidst sparse stars, making this dark cloud appear utterly unnatural. It seemed slow but was remarkably fast, clearly heading for Hunmo Island as well.
As the dark cloud approached, the immortal mountains in the northern part of Hunmo Island suddenly erupted with extraordinary light that shot into the sky, illuminating half the heavens. Shortly afterward, a phantom figure slowly materialized in midair.
It was Old Man Hunmo.
The instant this figure appeared, a sharp, prolonged cackle erupted from within the dark cloud. The misty vapor rapidly drew together, outlining the shadowy illusion of a roc whose wings blotted out the sky.
Aboard those cloudy wings stood several imposing figures, looking toward Old Man Hunmo atop the immortal mountain with various expressions—some wary, some guarded.
Demonic qi soared into the heavens!
*Whoosh!*
The laughter stopped abruptly, and the phantom of the roc shattered with it. Before the demon kings emerged a man clad in golden robes, crowned with an imperial diadem.
The man possessed eyes sharp as arrows and a hooked nose. Standing suspended in midair with his hands behind his back, he exuded an imposing authority without showing anger.
His aura was every bit a match for Old Man Hunmo's. He spoke, "Old Demon, what is the meaning of blocking this Great Sage's path? Could it be that you do not welcome me to the Myriad Demons Assembly?"
"Great Sage Tianpeng's personal arrival brings luster to my humble Hunmo Island. How could I not welcome you? I was merely worried my ignorant subordinates might slight you, Great Sage, so I came out to accompany you myself."
Old Man Hunmo's voice was calm, yet his tone was quite grave.
Great Sage Tianpeng chuckled. "You agreed to hold it seven years later, yet suddenly bumped it forward. Fortunately, this king successfully mastered this divine ability and barely managed to make it."
Old Man Hunmo did not ask what divine ability it was, personally escorting them into Myriad Demons City.
Amidst the woods, Qin Sang held his breath and watched the scene from afar. In deep thought, he mused, *So that is Great Sage Tianpeng of the late Transformation stage. Truly a king of the demon race, living up to his reputation. A troublesome figure indeed. Who would have thought the Myriad Demons Assembly would even draw him out? Well, Old Man Hunmo having his attention tied down by Great Sage Tianpeng is a good thing. The messier the situation, the better.*
As he pondered, he saw Old Man Hunmo and Great Sage Tianpeng enter the city. With an unruffled expression, Qin Sang stepped out of the woods and flew leisurely toward Myriad Demons City.
Upon entering the city, he could clearly feel that the atmosphere was off.
A man's name precedes him as a tree casts its shadow.
Great Sage Tianpeng's appearance cast an inexplicable gloom over the cultivators, even though Myriad Demons City housed more human Nascent Soul cultivators and was Old Man Hunmo's very own domain.
At the center of Myriad Demons City lay a lake. The trade fair was situated on an island in the middle of it. At this moment, faint white mist drifted across the lake's surface, obstructing sight.
Numerous guards were posted outside.
Qin Sang blurred forward, heading straight for the lakeshore. At once, several gazes swept toward him. Sensing the Nascent Soul aura radiating from his body, the guards remained silent, stepping aside to clear a path and dropping to their knees in unison.
Then the mist parted, revealing a bridge of light that led straight to the island in the center of the lake, where a beautiful woman stood respectfully at the bridgehead.
Chapter 1440