An Old Enemy

Tianxing Island. Distinguished guests gathered in large numbers, keeping Bao Zhengnan and Zhuo Ming utterly preoccupied. While Qin Sang was discussing cultivation techniques with Chief Yang, a maidservant outside announced that Bao Xi had arrived. Chief Yang tactfully took his leave. Bao Xi bowed and said, "There is word regarding the individuals Fellow Daoist Qin wished to find. However..." Her voice trailed off, and she hesitated to continue. Noticing her expression, Qin Sang already had an inkling. He said in a deep voice, "The Heavenly Dao has its constancy, and each person has their fate. Speak freely, Fellow Daoist." Bao Xi nodded. "Protector Chen went in person to Lingchun Island, but could not find the sect of the two Fellow Daoists Wang. Inquiries in the surrounding area revealed that during the demon turmoil, a demon king broke through the defensive perimeter. Lingchun Island happened to lie directly in the path of the demon race's advance, forcing the cultivators there to flee. The sect of the two Fellow Daoists Wang was not spared either. Fortunately, both managed to escape, though they suffered varying degrees of injury. Neither succeeded in breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage afterward, and both have since passed away." Even before hearing this outcome, Qin Sang had anticipated that the Wang sisters most likely would not overcome that hurdle. Yet confirming their demise still stirred sorrow over the cruelty of time. "Where has their sect settled now?" "After fleeing Lingchun Island, they led the surviving disciples to an island in the West Sea and re-established their sect. But with their foundation utterly ruined and their talent depleted, life was exceptionally difficult. The two Fellow Daoists Wang devoted their heart and soul to the sect. Only after all these years of recuperation has it gradually begun to recover some vitality..." Bao Xi briefly described the current state of the Wang sisters' sect. The demon turmoil had left deep, lingering scars, leaving the cultivators of the Canglang Ocean in far worse straits than before. The casualties caused by the war were only part of the problem. The demon race of the Demon Sea could now threaten the heartland of the Canglang Ocean, overturning the old days when they could only endure passive beatings, and they acted with far fewer scruples. Although the teleportation array to the Demon Sea remained under cultivator control, the Demon Sea was far more dangerous than before. Only a handful of powerful figures dared venture there to hunt demons. Cultivation resources had plummeted. The strong grew stronger, and the weak grew weaker. "The current sect master is Fellow Daoist Wang Xiang's disciple. Protector Chen has invited her to Tianxing Island. Would you like her to pay you a visit?" Bao Xi asked. Qin Sang gave a slight shake of his head. "No need. I must trouble your palace to look after them in the future." Bao Xi did not press further and readily agreed. For the Four Sages Palace, sheltering a minor sect was a trivial matter. She continued, "The palace also dispatched people to the Liefeng Archipelago, but found no female cultivator matching Bai Ying'er's description. Nor has anyone seen the two-headed hou you described on the battlefield. However, during our inquiries, we uncovered a piece of information: a century ago, a fellow daoist slipped into the Demon Sea to hunt demons and encountered a three-headed demon hou that was likely a Transformation-stage demon king. According to him, the three-headed demon hou harbored no killing intent, merely cast a glance at him, and strode away. The man was scared out of his wits on the spot, but from a distance, he seemed to see a woman in white beside it. He could not say for sure whether she was a human cultivator." "A three-headed demon hou?" Qin Sang recalled that when the two-headed hou followed him, it had only two heads, but another bulge had already been very distinct. Upon breaking through to the Transformation stage, it was genuinely possible it had grown another head. *Just what kind of bloodline does that fellow have? Does it sprout an extra head with every realm it breaks through?* Qin Sang mused in amusement. Regrettably, the witness had been terrified into paralysis and could not clearly discern the appearance of the three-headed demon hou or the woman in white. If it truly was the two-headed hou, given its proud and arrogant nature, it would never willingly submit as someone's spiritual beast. With a woman following beside it, could she be a human pet it had taken in? It sounded as though the creature was living quite a carefree and comfortable life. At this thought, Qin Sang said that if it could be found, so be it, but there was no need to force the matter. Knowing news of his old acquaintance was enough; there was no need to disturb it. Bao Xi voiced her understanding before bringing up another great demon. "It is basically confirmed that the Nine Phoenix King you seek is indeed the current Nine Phoenix King of the Phoenix clan in the Demon Sea. She has always been a mortal enemy of our human race. This demon holds high status within the demon army. Although her cultivation is only at the peak of the mid-Transformation stage, her divine abilities and methods are extraordinary. Even Elder Zhuo had no confidence in keeping her from escaping, and more than a few Nascent Soul fellow daoists have fallen by her hands." Listening to Bao Xi recount the extensive slaughter committed by the Nine Phoenix King, Qin Sang was not surprised. The Nine Phoenix King was likely the very first demon king of the Demon Sea to infiltrate the Canglang Ocean. Her courage and methods were truly top-tier. The intelligence she had gathered while lying low in the Canglang Ocean had also proved immensely helpful when the demon race invaded. "Where is she now?" Qin Sang asked. Though Qin Sang's expression and tone remained unchanged, Bao Xi's sharp senses detected a completely different undertone compared to when he spoke of the three-headed demon hou. The Nine Phoenix King had long been a thorn in the side of the Four Sages Palace. Bao Xi felt a surge of secret joy as she replied, "A detachment of the Phoenix clan's army is currently stationed on a demon island two thousand li north of Dahuang Island. A new commander was appointed ten years ago, an individual who lives in seclusion and remains shrouded in mystery. Based on intelligence gathered by our spies, we suspect it may be the Nine Phoenix King." During the previous grand war, the demon race failed to take Dahuang Island, yet they left behind several armies stationed within ten thousand li of it, keeping a vigilant eye on the human race. Since then, the three races had maintained a protracted truce. The Four Sages Palace knew full well that the demon race was conserving its strength and could launch another grand offensive at any moment. Yet they had no effective countermeasures, as both the human and witch races also needed to rest and rebuild. Now, the gathering storm was once again imminent. Bao Zhengnan had been plagued by headaches over this, making Qin Sang's arrival exceptionally well-timed. "Whether it is her or not, one look will tell." Qin Sang spoke indifferently, took the sea chart handed over by Bao Xi, and committed the demon island to memory. *** Three days later. The grand assembly convened as scheduled. The various sects and factions had assumed a major war was about to erupt and were on high alert as if facing a mortal foe, only to be struck with universal astonishment when Qin Sang made his appearance. Learning that Qin Sang intended to mediate the conflict between the two domains, some harbored discontent, feeling that he was human yet refused to secure advantages for the human race. Whispers of complaint circulated in private, but none dared voice them before Qin Sang. Far more felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Through years of ceaseless warfare, they had witnessed countless tragedies and grown utterly exhausted in body and mind. What, after all, was the purpose of cultivation? During those dark, bleak times, many had questioned their own hearts. If one could attain the Immortal Dao without strife, it would surely be the dream of most cultivators. Unfortunately, the human heart was unpredictable, and the grievances among the three races only deepened over time. The root of this hatred stemmed from the relentless hunting of demons by the human and witch races, yet they could cite the pursuit of the Great Dao as a righteous pretext, and abandoning miracle pills like fiend demon pills was out of the question. Cultivation was inseparable from the word 'contention.' In the beginning, the demon race harbored immense resentment, and now they had incurred a mountain of blood debts across the Canglang Ocean. Favors and vendettas had tangled into an unresolvable mess. The emergence of a transcendent figure willing to mediate between them instantly won the support of the majority. In particular, when Qin Sang announced the existence of an Ascension Platform in the world, the hall erupted into a tumultuous roar. These usually composed Nascent Soul cultivators could no longer sit still, urgently pressing him to confirm the truth of his words. Even those who harbored reluctance cast their grudges to the back of their minds. The reason for endless conflict was the absence of a way forward, which forced them to fixate on immediate interests and plan for future legacies, inevitably haggling over every scrap. Those present were all regional hegemons, yet how many dared dream of Deity Transformation? An Ascension Platform accessible to those in the late Nascent Soul stage offered tangible hope—one far more attainable than reaching Deity Transformation. Under the leadership of Qin Sang and the Four Sages Palace, an alliance pact was established among the human factions, making the search for the Ascension Platform the top priority. However, whether a cessation of hostilities could be achieved was not something the human race could decide alone. Qin Sang declared that he would soon travel to the Demon Sea to visit the major tribes of the demon race. After sealing the pact, Qin Sang entered closed-door seclusion. Many sought an audience, but the Four Sages Palace turned them all away. Over the following period, Chief Yang fully cooperated with Qin Sang in studying the Yin-Yang Heavenly Dipper Secret Art to refine the technique. Even for aspects that could not be fundamentally altered, Qin Sang offered recommendations, suggesting other secret arts or medicinal pills to circumvent latent hazards. Deducing and perfecting a cultivation method was profoundly draining on the mind, more exhausting than cultivation itself! In the end, Qin Sang combed through the Yin-Yang Heavenly Dipper Secret Art from beginning to end. Henceforth, disciples of the Yin-Yang lineage would encounter far fewer bottlenecks, and he himself had reaped no small benefit. *** On this day. Qin Sang sat alone in his cave dwelling, turning the white chess piece over and over between his fingertips. Perfecting the cultivation method had also been a gradual attempt to explore the secrets of the white chess piece, yet with his current cultivation, he could not uncover any leads in short order. Considering the tasks he still had to attend to... Body refinement, repairing the Taiyi Astral Carriage, and comprehending the sword array were all far more pressing than this white chess piece. *Right, there is also the spiritual fire!* Qin Sang's gaze focused slightly. With a crook of his fingers, he stowed the white chess piece away. After a moment of contemplation, he rose, left the cave dwelling, and walked straight toward the teleportation array. When he materialized on Dahuang Island, Bao Zhengnan was already waiting with an entourage. "Is True Monarch Qin setting out for the demon race today?" Before others, Bao Zhengnan observed full etiquette. Ascending to the highest point of Dahuang Island, Qin Sang swept his gaze across the surroundings. The island bustled with legions of cultivators standing in orderly ranks. The human race might desire a ceasefire, but the demon race would not necessarily agree. Bao Zhengnan had gathered an army to bolster Qin Sang's departure. Such a massive mobilization could never be concealed, and news of unusual movements among the humans on Dahuang Island swept toward the demon race like the wind. Luoying Island. Located two thousand li north of Dahuang Island, this land had fallen under the rule of the Phoenix clan thousands of years ago. The island was home to a spiritual tree known as the luoying, which bore vermilion fruit relished by the Phoenix clan. After the humans established a teleportation array on Dahuang Island, Luoying Island was swiftly overrun due to its proximity, and the descendants of the Phoenix clan were driven out. Luoying vermilion fruit held no benefit for humans and was actually harmful. However, the luoying tree was a rare spiritual wood, and it was soon logged into extinction by human cultivators. Later, seeing that the island possessed relatively abundant spiritual energy, cultivators carved out cave dwellings there and occupied it entirely. Over thousands of years, the demon race organized countless counteroffensives and briefly recaptured Luoying Island on several occasions. Yet because they could never take Dahuang Island, these efforts always came to naught. Only several centuries ago, after the human race suffered an unforgettable lesson, did they cease their brazen expansions, allowing Luoying Island to return to the Phoenix clan's control. Sadly, not a single luoying tree remained. The Phoenix clan had stationed an army here to monitor the humans, and they caught wind of the abnormal movements on Dahuang Island immediately. The phoenix was the king of spiritual birds. Most of the tribes subservient to the Phoenix clan were demon bird clans. At present, Luoying Island was thick with towering trees. Amid the dense foliage, countless nests and cave dwellings could be seen perched high within the canopies. Demon birds patrolled the skies constantly. The chieftains among them were easy to distinguish. Most boasted brilliant plumage or bore traits of the legendary divine phoenix on their bodies, marking them as direct descendants of the Phoenix clan. Even so, someone like the Nine Phoenix King, a descendant of the Heavenly Phoenix, appeared somewhat neither-here-nor-there due to the dilution of her phoenix bloodline. The unique trait of the demon race, however, was that they could continually purify their bloodlines through cultivation and undergo gradual metamorphosis. At this moment. Flocks of demon birds continually took to the sky above Luoying Island, forming squads led by their chieftains as they flew in various directions. Inside an exquisite treehouse on the island. The Nine Phoenix King assumed human form, possessing a delicate and charming countenance unchanged from years ago, yet her eyes had grown considerably sharper, bearing the unmistakable marks of battle. In her hand rested a short golden horn shaped like that of a flood dragon, crisscrossed with blood-red veins. The horn glowed faintly as the red veins peeled away one by one, sinking into her smooth, unblemished skin. Feeling no pain, the Nine Phoenix King closed her eyes slightly. An instant later, an interrogative voice transmitted through the horn. "Why are the humans gathering an army at this time? Who leaked the secret?" "Does someone need to leak it?" another voice chimed in. "Humans are as timid as mice. At the slightest rustle of grass, any action from them is hardly surprising. The Flood Dragon King never expected to truly hide everything from their eyes and ears anyway. Regardless, we have prepared for so long; this move is inevitable!" "Don't you find it strange? Before our armies have even marched out, why is the human response so drastic?" the first voice questioned. "Does King Wind Tearer believe the humans dare launch a preemptive counterattack?" a third voice interjected. "I suspect the humans have other designs!" "I share that suspicion," the Nine Phoenix King broke in suddenly. "I have already ordered my subordinates to scatter in all directions to monitor human movements. You must also watch your flanks and not be deceived by surface appearances." The Nine Phoenix King held substantial status among these demon kings. Her words immediately drew a chorus of agreement, and one demon king cautioned, "King Nine Phoenix, you must take care as well. If the humans learn you are there, they will certainly dispatch experts for an ambush." *** After a brief exchange with the other demon kings stationed around Dahuang Island, the Nine Phoenix King stowed the short horn and rubbed her temples. She was not worried about her own safety; preparations had long been laid on the island, and with her innate divine ability, she could flee at any time even if the grand cultivators of the human race arrived together. What were the humans scheming by amassing an army now? Lost in thought, the Nine Phoenix King pushed open the wooden door, intending to deploy a few more scout units. Suddenly, the massive tree beneath her shook violently, and a bolt of lightning crashed across the clear sky! Alarmed, the Nine Phoenix King jerked her head upward, only to see a sword light descending like lightning from high above, slashing brutally against the grand formation. The Phoenix clan possessed a different heritage from humans, excelling at drawing upon the blood qi of their kin to form demon formations no weaker than human spirit arrays. Yet beneath this single sword strike, the entirety of Luoying Island trembled. *Thump! Thump! Thump!* Demon birds plummeted from the canopy like rain, feathers flying in disarray. All were knocked unconscious by the ferocious backlash, and those with weaker physical bodies were crushed to death on the spot! Beneath the sword light, a blood-colored barrier materialized in midair, now riddled with fractures. Yet even now, she had not caught sight of the attacker! The Nine Phoenix King spun around to dart back into the treehouse, only for her vision to blur as a figure appeared out of thin air right before her. Forming a blade with her jade-like hand, a seven-colored glow swirled across her palm as she moved to strike instinctively, while her other hand squeezed essence blood from the palm. But before she could unleash her divine ability, an insurmountable pressure descended, freezing her in her tracks as terror flooded her face. Before she could recover her senses, the surrounding scenery shifted drastically. The ancient trees vanished, replaced by an expanse of starry void. The Nine Phoenix King could sense that her connection to the outside world had been severed completely by this starry sky, rendering every arrangement made by her clan on the island utterly useless! "Where are you going, Fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang descended openly and landed squarely before the Nine Phoenix King. At first, the Nine Phoenix King failed to recognize him, finding him merely somewhat familiar. But her journey to the Hall of Seven Kills had left too deep an impression. Finally recognizing Qin Sang, she gasped in disbelief, "It's you?!"