Someone was here!
As soon as he escaped into the stone hut, the first thing Qin Sang saw was a figure facing the stone door. His heart skipped a beat, and he grew exceedingly vigilant.
*No sign of life...*
Qin Sang's expression eased slightly, realizing he had overthought things.
The guidance of the Witch Clan mark had been very clear. This person was the Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert whom Ghost Mother had been searching for, and how could a Deity Transformation cultivator survive for so long?
Still, once ancient demons were involved, nothing could be judged by common sense.
His true body could sense the situation outside through his avatar. The towering demonic intent emanating from that demonic body made it impossible to be an immortal cultivator; it was most likely an ancient demon sealed within Dishou Mountain by the Wuxiang Immortal Sect, and its strength far surpassed the Jade Bone demon.
He truly was fated to clash with ancient demons!
He still remembered that Senior Qingzhu had fallen at the hands of an ancient demon, a tragedy Qin Sang still held as a deep regret to this day.
One could never be too cautious.
Maintaining his protective astral fire barrier, Qin Sang narrowed his eyes and looked closely.
The corpse was remarkably well-preserved.
The figure sat cross-legged, but it was clear that he was not tall, his back even slightly hunched. His cheeks were gaunt and his eyes were closed, his expression peaceful, resembling an elderly scholar in his fifties.
He wore a vibrant, multicolored robe painted with an array of curious patterns and twisted motifs in striking hues, which an ordinary human cultivator would likely find bizarre.
Qin Sang, however, was accustomed to it.
In the Canglang Ocean, Witch Clan cultivators—both men and women—dressed in similar attire, and some even covered their entire bodies in paint or tattoos.
No formidable aura of a Deity Transformation cultivator could be felt from this person. Had he encountered him in the outside world, Qin Sang might well have mistaken him for a mortal and overlooked him.
Perhaps the man had reached the realm of returning to simplicity and truth.
Or perhaps it was simply because this was an empty husk.
Next, Qin Sang sent out his divine consciousness, sweeping over the figure from head to toe. After confirming there was nothing abnormal, he was certain it was indeed a corpse.
His expression turned solemn. Cupping his hands, he bowed respectfully toward the remains, then shifted his gaze to inspect the surroundings. Beneath the corpse lay a spirit formation, evidently a secret Witch Clan array.
Aside from that, no marks or writings were left behind.
This Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert had silently perished here.
Finally, Qin Sang looked at the corpse's waist. Hanging there was a wooden gourd the size of a fist, carved with exquisite, lifelike craftsmanship.
Qin Sang's eyes flickered with interest. Prompting the Jinchen Sword, he lifted the wooden gourd, brought it before him, and supported it atop the blade while extending a wisp of divine consciousness to examine it.
A look of delight immediately surfaced on his face. As expected, it was not a magical treasure, but a magical artifact that functioned similarly to a mustard seed pouch.
A Deity Transformation relic!
Ghost Mother had originally used this very thing to entice him into taking Yagu away.
He had not expected to truly obtain it.
Regardless of whether his current circumstances were favorable or dire, securing such a harvest was always a cause for joy, bringing Qin Sang a measure of comfort.
However, claiming the Deity Transformation relic would not be easy. Qin Sang detected a restriction left behind by the original master inside the wooden gourd; a single misstep could backfire.
Staring at the gourd, Qin Sang sank into contemplation, then looked upward. Since he could not leave for the moment, he resolved to focus entirely on deciphering the gourd's restriction.
The Heavenly Eye Butterfly flew out from his dantian and landed on Qin Sang's shoulder. Aligning its heavenly eye with the wooden gourd, splendid beams of light flickered.
"It's a divine consciousness restriction..."
Before long, Qin Sang muttered to himself, his expression relaxing somewhat.
A divine consciousness restriction meant the Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert had separated a thread of divine consciousness, refined it, and used it as the foundation for the restriction. Countless years had passed since the expert's demise; the power of divine consciousness within the restriction had dwindled with time, its might vastly degraded. For the current Qin Sang, it was likely the easiest type of restriction to break.
With the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's assistance, Qin Sang quickly traced a path through the restriction's structure. His progress accelerated, and soon, fully confident, he condensed his divine consciousness into a needle and pierced it into the wooden gourd.
*Swish!*
A green light illuminated Qin Sang's face, dyeing both him and the entire cave abode in emerald.
When the green light faded, the wooden gourd's appearance had transformed completely, its material becoming jasper-green jade, translucent and pristine.
Unable to wait, Qin Sang sent his divine consciousness into the gourd's interior, only to reveal a look of surprise immediately after. A beam of green light burst from the gourd's mouth, and guided by his divine consciousness, an object flew out.
A crescent-shaped stone platform!
The surface of the stone platform was rough and battered, covered in a crisscross of chaotic scars, rendering it impossible to discern any pattern.
It looked like an ordinary stone, yet its placement within the wooden gourd's space was peculiar; the Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert had clearly treasured it.
From the stone platform, Qin Sang felt a familiar ripple.
Not only that, its shape was strikingly familiar.
Qin Sang flipped his palm, and another stone platform appeared in his right hand.
Previously, Qin Sang had always called it the Astral Platform, which he had seized from a Witch Clan cultivator in Doumen. Breaking through in the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form* had relied entirely on it channeling astral essence for his body infusion.
The two stone platforms were remarkably similar. Aside from subtle differences in their surface patterns, their shapes were virtually identical!
Qin Sang looked back and forth between them.
The reason it felt familiar was that the new platform emitted almost the exact same fluctuation as the old Astral Platform—it was another Astral Platform!
The old Astral Platform had absorbed an ample amount of astral essence at Pointing Sky Peak and underwent a mutation; though it had returned to an archaic appearance, it possessed an indefinable aura of profundity.
The newly acquired Astral Platform also possessed this aura, meaning the Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert had already replenished it with sufficient astral essence.
Qin Sang brought his hands together.
Evidently, the two stone platforms could be assembled seamlessly into a single circular Astral Platform.
Clearly, they had once been a whole, somehow splitting in two and becoming lost to the world.
Realization dawned upon Qin Sang. No wonder the Astral Platform had shown no reaction all these years after its mutation at Pointing Sky Peak, no matter how hard he tried—it had been incomplete all along!
One half had been brought back to the Beichen Realm by him, while the other had been carried to Zhongzhou by the Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert.
By a stroke of fortune, he had assembled the complete set.
Qin Sang separated his hands, deciding against joining the two stone platforms here. He had not forgotten that the Astral Platform could directly draw astral essence from the starry heavens.
A complete Astral Platform would undoubtedly create an even grander spectacle.
If he failed to suppress it and exposed his location, he would truly suffer a grievance.
Reflecting back, he had snatched the first platform right out of Black Snake Mountain's jaws. The ancestor of Black Snake Mountain had dispatched a direct disciple to infiltrate Doumen and painstakingly steal the treasure.
Now, a Witch Clan Deity Transformation expert had also treasured it deeply, keeping it at his side.
This showed that the Astral Platform was an extraordinary treasure of the Witch Clan.
Qin Sang was not overly excited by having completed the platform.
The more precious a treasure, the more restrictions it bore—such as spirit treasures—not to mention the vast difference between the bloodlines of two different races. It was difficult to say how much benefit a Witch Clan treasure could bring him; as long as it could help him rapidly advance the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form*, Qin Sang would be thoroughly satisfied.
Putting away distracting thoughts, Qin Sang stored both platforms in the Qianjun Ring before reaching back into the wooden gourd to sort through the other items.
As it turned out, his earlier judgment had been correct.
There were many precious treasures among the Witch Clan expert's relics, but any that had been manually refined bore heavy traces of the Witch Clan.
The Witch Clan inheritance in the Canglang Ocean was incomplete, borrowing heavily from the human race, which allowed Qin Sang to barely deduce the functions of these treasures; he was certain most were unusable to him.
However, some treasures were recorded in the *Panhu Sutra*.
Having obtained that scripture from Ghost Mother, Qin Sang had not yet had the time to properly study it. In the future, he would certainly have to transition to that cultivation method to further advance the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.
Whether he recognized them or not, Qin Sang swept everything into his possession.
At last, all that remained were miscellaneous items, a pile of spirit stones, and a jade box.
From the jade box, Qin Sang felt a remarkably soothing ripple.
*Clack!*
The jade box opened gently.
A faint blue glow shone forth, and an intensely rich spiritual qi erupted like a near-solid tidal wave.
Qin Sang instinctively took a deep breath, his breathing growing faint.
Inside the jade box was a water-attribute spirit stone, its spiritual qi purer than any spirit stone he had ever seen. Tiny vortexes formed across its surface, condensing into the purest stream of water-attribute spiritual qi.
"A supreme-grade spirit stone!"
Qin Sang was astonished.
He had long heard of supreme-grade spirit stones, but this was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes.
One had to remember that he was already at the late Nascent Soul stage, had once been the master of a sect, and had traveled extensively, which proved just how rare supreme-grade spirit stones were.
Top-grade spirit stones were already exceedingly scarce in the cultivation world. Nascent Soul cultivators did not rely solely on barter; they often used top-grade spirit stones for transactions.
There were many uses for top-grade spirit stones.
Yet no one ever treated a supreme-grade spirit stone as currency; it was an extraordinarily precious treasure.
Excavating an entire colossal spirit stone vein might not yield a single supreme-grade spirit stone.
Not only were supreme-grade spirit stones essential for certain ancient immortal formations, but they also held immense significance for cultivators themselves. The spiritual qi within was so pure that it could be directly converted into true essence without any need for refinement.
Improving cultivation efficiency and saving years of arduous effort was certainly important.
However, possessing a supreme-grade spirit stone when running on empty could save one's life—and without the severe repercussions of something like a Boiling Snow Pill.
Of course, the two could not be compared so simply: absorbing a supreme-grade spirit stone required some time, whereas a Boiling Snow Pill could instantly convert into a torrential flood of true essence.
Anyone who obtained a supreme-grade spirit stone matching their own attribute would treat it like a treasured jewel, never trading it away lightly.
At this moment, the advantages of Qin Sang's Five Spiritual Roots became evident. Spirit stones of all five elements were usable by him, and the *Essence Cultivation and Sword Nurturing Chapter* imposed no requirements on the five elements.
Looking at the stone in the jade box, he could hardly bear to put it down. He attempted to draw a wisp into his body, and it was indeed entirely different from absorbing ordinary spirit stones, leaving him amazed.
Just then...
The stone hut suddenly shook violently.
Startled, Qin Sang hurriedly put away all the items and extended his divine consciousness outside the hut, discovering that the Five Elements Divine Restriction outside had become extraordinarily chaotic, seemingly originating from the center of the seal.
Immediately after, through his avatar, he saw the demonic body surge out of the mountain, unleashing a terrifying demonic might.
Witnessing this, Qin Sang fell into thought. *I wonder how strong this ancient demon is. If it can pin down both Deity Transformation cultivators so they have no leeway to look elsewhere, I can take the opportunity to slip away...*
On the other hand, Qin Sang worried that the ancient demon might be too powerful.
The current number of Deity Transformation cultivators could not compare to that of the ancient Wuxiang Immortal Sect. If Zhongzhou were engulfed in a demonic catastrophe, even if he fled back to the North Sea, could he truly stay out of the storm?
***
High in the sky.
Whatever the Azure Fox Saint King said, her movements were not slow.
She was well aware that this ancient demon, possibly the only one remaining in this realm, held immense significance.
Her three long tails swayed gently.
The Azure Fox Saint King tilted her head slightly, her enchanting foxlike face unexpectedly revealing an expression of sanctity. Then, the chaotic sky above the ancient cave abode calmed, turning unprecedentedly serene.
The next moment, cold moonlight suddenly poured down.
A bright moon had appeared in the sky without anyone noticing.
Undoubtedly, it was merely an illusion, yet no one could spot a flaw, believing a genuine moon had pierced the grand formation to shine into the cave abode.
The bright moon illuminated only one person.
Bathed in moonlight with fluttering robes, the Azure Fox Saint King carried a cool and aloof aura like a fairy from the lunar palace as she bowed gracefully toward the moon.
The demon fox worships the moon!
In the next instant, a bright moon abruptly manifested above the demonic body, vast as a silver platter. The moonlight, liquid and luminous, merged with the rushing waters below into a seamless whole.
Before everyone's eyes, the moon in the sky and the water beneath connected in a dreamlike spectacle, appearing to form a boundary that trapped both the demonic body and everyone present within.
Situated at the very center, the demonic body felt a terrifying pressure, and its roars grew increasingly frantic.
Seeing the Azure Fox Saint King take action, the doubts harbored by Old Devil Fan and the others dissipated somewhat.
At this moment, Saint Huiguang spoke once more: "Suppressing the ancient demon will allow this poor monk to explore the cave abode together with all of you. Aside from the ancient records, the treasures within shall belong to those destined to claim them. Furthermore..."
Sweeping his gaze over the crowd, Saint Huiguang produced a jade bottle. "To whoever renders great service in this battle, this poor monk shall grant an additional heavy reward."
The jade bottle in Saint Huiguang's hand drew everyone's gaze.
Inside the bottle rested a motley, bizarre medicinal pill that looked like a failed product of alchemy.
As well-traveled and knowledgeable as Old Devil Fan was, he immediately recalled something, his face full of shock mixed with sudden comprehension.
Noticing Old Devil Fan's reaction, everyone grew curious.
With the situation dire, Saint Huiguang did not keep them in suspense. "This is the Five Elements Pill. You all have likely heard the legends surrounding it. After the destruction of Wuwang Hall, this pill was lost to the cultivation world. As the name suggests, taking this pill when assaulting the Deity Transformation bottleneck allows one to harmonize with the Heavenly Dao in an instant, to a certain degree producing an effect akin to possessing Five Elements Spiritual Roots..."
The Azure Fox Saint King glanced at Saint Huiguang, a trace of mockery flashing in the depths of her eyes.
"The Five Elements Pill!"
"Wuwang Hall!"
...
So the Deity Transformation cultivators had truly been trapped in Wuwang Hall before!
Learning of the pill's origin, not a single person present remained unmoved, save for Qin Sang's avatar; even Daoist Hegao's gaze was drawn toward the medicinal pill.
Naturally, they all knew that resonance between Heaven and man was the key to Deity Transformation.
There were secret techniques and supreme treasures in the world capable of remedying spiritual roots, but the vast majority could only compensate for a single element. While the Five Elements Pill might be slightly weaker than those targeting an individual attribute, it could simultaneously complete all five elements, offering far greater assistance than any other treasure!
Everyone stared fixedly at the pill in the jade bottle, no longer finding it the least bit ugly.
Under heavy rewards, brave souls would surely emerge.
Yet these individuals were all veterans of countless battles and did not let the reward cloud their judgment.
For the old bald donkey to be willing to bring out such a precious pill as an incentive only showed how dangerous the demonic body was—this elixir would have to be traded for with one's life!
Still, none could deny that the temptation of the Five Elements Pill was simply too immense.
In legend, the Five Elements Pill was a premier elixir for breaking through to Deity Transformation, its effect potentially even surpassing the Sword Tomb of the Immortal Palace.
Among those present, Qin Sang was perhaps the only one capable of resisting the allure of the Five Elements Pill.
However, the appearance of the Five Elements Pill caused a sudden thought to spring up in Qin Sang's mind.
His avatar drew near to Mo Xingdao. "Fellow Daoist Mo, if I can obtain the Five Elements Pill, would you be willing to trade it for the Spirit Consonance Immortal Fruit?"
Chapter 1680