An Unexpected Encounter

The golden light surged like a river bursting its dikes—a colossal tide rolling forth with an overwhelming, unstoppable momentum. Evidently, this golden light was inextricably tied to those demon marquises. Having pursued them closely and swiftly, Qin Sang and his companions were not far from the center where the golden radiance had erupted. By the time they detected the anomaly, the auspicious clouds ahead had already been dyed a pale gold, and the color was spreading toward them rapidly. Bathed in a layer of golden light, Qin Sang felt no discomfort. Within everyone’s spiritual senses, the golden light did not display much destructive power either; it was merely grand and imposing in scale. Yet they soon realized where the true peril lay: the illusory domains struck by the golden light—especially those formed by the divine abilities left behind by ancient almighty figures—showed signs of instability. *Whoosh!* A deep, intense blue light burst forth from the edges of the golden glow. It was precisely the blue sea of light Real Person Youhuang had mentioned. For reasons unknown, it was churning with layers of radiant waves, spouting blue brilliance outward and actually forcing the golden light back. The convergence of blue and gold created another marvelous spectacle. Over countless ages, these illusory domains had restrained and overlapped one another, with the auspicious clouds serving as a buffer and link. Together, they had long settled into a stable balance. Cultivators even as formidable as the Deity Transformation stage could only navigate between the overlapping illusions formed by ancient arts, adapting to whatever arose. Even striking with all their might, it would likely be difficult to shake these illusory realms. Just as in the earlier curtain of rain where beans had turned into soldiers, Qin Sang and the others could only continuously slay the mud figures without ever uncovering the root cause, let alone dispelling the divine ability. Yet at this very moment, the golden light seemed to have shaken the very foundations of this space. *Boom! Boom! Boom!* Ahead, glaring orbs of light continually erupted, resembling the most dazzling fireworks in the world. These spheres of varied colors carried bizarre fluctuations of power—some gentle, some unyielding, some raging like fire, and others balmy as the wind. As they battered their surroundings, they stirred up ever-greater chaos. The turmoil expanded outward at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, it had already reached their very feet. "Not good!" A cry of alarm identical to Real Person Zhang's echoed in everyone's hearts. Real Person Zhang and Real Person Zhijian had mounted the stone platform, while the other four stood on the cloud path. The path was narrow, barely offering enough room for four people to cast talismans. The stone platform lay to their left, while two illusory domains hugged them tightly to their right. One was a skein of crimson-yellow threads, so fine they resembled faint vapor; without careful inspection, one might easily mistake them for auspicious clouds. Beside the threads was a fissure, resembling a ferocious beast concealed within a spatial tear, revealing only its gaping, bloody maw as it endlessly devoured the threads. The devouring never ceased, yet the threads were inexhaustible. Similar illusory domains flanked the front and back of the stone platform as well. Some were clearly the remnants of divine abilities, while the origins of others remained entirely unknown. Once these erupted, being caught in the middle would leave their fates uncertain. "Fall back!" shouted Real Person Guyun. The four on the path were the first to retreat. Upon the stone platform, Real Person Zhang and Real Person Zhijian hurriedly ceased their efforts; it would be impossible to complete the array before the golden light arrived. Now was hardly the time to set up an array anyway. Well-versed in knowing when to yield, both decisively abandoned the array disk and darted toward the edge of the stone platform. Yet just as they moved, the stone platform trembled violently, and an abrupt change occurred. Upon its mirror-smooth surface, dense lines suddenly surfaced, carving deeply across the stone like an immensely intricate talisman diagram. All present were profoundly versed in the Dao of Talismans. Even as they retreated, the diagram on the platform caught their eyes, triggering their innate instincts as talisman cultivators, only to leave them feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. The stone platform gave them no chance to study it further. The moment the talisman diagram appeared, a tyrannical surge of power erupted from it. Real Person Zhang and Real Person Zhijian had not yet managed to withdraw and bore the brunt of the shock. In their haste, they could only summon their protective treasures. A deafening roar sounded as an astounding force slammed up into them from below. In the next instant, Qin Sang and the others watched in horror as the two real persons were swept away by the shockwave bursting from the platform. From their frantic struggle, they could barely protect themselves, powerless against that tremendous force. The distance between the two real persons and the rest of the group widened rapidly. One after the other, they plunged into the golden light before they could even leave a single word of instruction. Meanwhile, the stone platform continued to spout power, instantly throwing the surroundings into utter disarray. The surge slammed into the cloud-like threads, indenting a massive hollow that provoked an immediate counterattack. Beams of thread shot wildly in all directions; anyone standing nearby would have been riddled with holes in an instant. Similar phenomena erupted in rapid succession. The chain reaction sparked by the golden light spread far too fast, and the four retreating cultivators could not escape it either. *Thud!* Qin Sang felt his chest tighten as the aftershock of the stone platform's talisman diagram struck him, sending him tumbling backward. Having already cast the Golden Light Heavenly Cuirass Seal, he was unharmed. Yet as he flew back, Qin Sang caught sight from the corner of his eye of mutations occurring on both flanks, just as a warning arrived from the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. The illusory domains on both sides were expanding. Should they collide, there was no telling what catastrophe might follow. Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. Making a split-second decision, he hurled himself directly into the illusory domain on the right. The moment he breached it, before he could even discern what lay inside, a shrill whistling wind reached his ears. Alarm bells rang in his heart, and he thrust a palm toward his right rear. At the same time, Qin Sang twisted his body around, but neither he nor the Heavenly Eye Butterfly could see anything. There was only a gentle force against his palm, pushing him uncontrollably toward the sky outside. *Whoosh!* Ejected from the illusory domain, Qin Sang found himself somewhere completely different, with no sign of Real Person Youhuang or the others. Right now, Qin Sang could only look after his own safety, having no leeway to worry about anyone else. Besides, they all possessed their own life-saving measures. *Crash!* The sound of water surged from overhead. Without so much as a glance upward, Qin Sang darted straight forward. At this moment, above, below, left, right, in every direction, chaotic spectacles raged everywhere. It was as though he had been cast into a vibrantly chaotic canvas. Finding a safe haven amidst such turmoil was impossible. He could only dodge and weave continuously, a trial that tested a cultivator’s discernment and strength to the utmost. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly helped him seek out a path, leaving Qin Sang free to focus entirely on handling immediate dangers. It was here that the benefits of the butterfly's refined divine sight shone through—even the most fleeting opening could not escape her gaze. With one mind between master and beast, and guided by the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, Qin Sang wove through the myriad phenomena. At times he summoned the Lotus Seal, at times he beat his phoenix wings, and at times he unleashed his Spirit Wood Body to charge ahead. It was like dancing upon the edge of a blade, a sight that would make anyone break into a cold sweat. His predicament appeared perilous. However, as time passed, Qin Sang realized the upheaval triggered by the golden light was not as catastrophic as he had feared. This space remained remarkably stable and was far from collapsing. The ancient divine abilities had not truly been activated; it was merely that the aftershocks stirred by the golden light would continue to run rampant for a while longer. So long as a Deity Transformation cultivator responded properly, their life would not be in danger, and at most they would suffer a few hardships. With that thought, Qin Sang felt somewhat relieved. When he looked around for the others, however, they were nowhere to be seen. The previous chaos had been too severe, and Qin Sang could no longer recall the direction of the stone platform. Remembering the communication talismans they had prepared before entering, he retrieved one and activated it. The talisman dissolved into an imprint in his palm, its radiance flickering before slowly fading away. Qin Sang frowned; the talisman was useless here. The anomaly had occurred so suddenly that they had not even had time to agree upon a rendezvous point. Where should he go next? Should he search blindly for the demon marquises alone, or leave this place first and wait for the others at the golden palace? There was also a lingering worry: he did not know how long this state of affairs would last, or whether an even fiercer burst of golden light might erupt. Just then, Qin Sang noticed a blue glow shimmering ahead. A thought struck him, and he remembered the blue sea of light. On the way here, Real Person Youhuang had recounted her experiences in this area, and Qin Sang had listened attentively, committing them to memory. Along the route Real Person Youhuang had taken, most of the illusory domains had already been explored, so she knew where danger lurked and where was relatively safe. As long as he found that route, he would not be thrown into panic even if further anomalies arose. Judging by the scenery ahead, he had already drawn near the blue sea of light. With that in mind, Qin Sang immediately sent a thought to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to search for a path toward it. Like a seasoned wave-rider carving through the surf, Qin Sang arrived at the edge of the blue sea of light without mishap. A vast expanse of azure met his gaze. According to Real Person Youhuang, the blue sea of light had previously been tranquil, resembling a wall of pure blue radiance. Staring into it, one's mind would unconsciously become intoxicated, bathed in an unprecedented serenity. That would have been a blessing, but Real Person Youhuang had discovered that after watching it for a time, circular ripples would spread across its surface. As they expanded, it felt as though the sea were trying to suck her in. Alerted to the danger, an inexplicable terror had gripped her, and she had not dared to look any longer. At present, the blue sea of light showed slight distortions, but on the whole, it remained relatively stable. Qin Sang averted his gaze from the sea and moved along its shore, searching for an illusory domain matching Real Person Youhuang's description. Along the way, he tried several more times to contact his companions with the talismans, but received no response. As he flew onward... A foul wind suddenly surged from ahead, carrying a sky-blotting phantom tide of black sand. The phantom black sand exuded an aura of decay. Qin Sang frowned slightly, unwilling to let such a bizarre substance touch him, and immediately shifted his trajectory, darting sideways. *Swish!* The black sand swept past, carving out a vacant corridor. Qin Sang flickered back, preparing to seize the opportunity to dash forward, when he suddenly saw a beam of black light shooting from the edge of the corridor ahead. Even before the light arrived, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had already relayed the image within—there was someone inside! The newcomer was a lean young man clad in black armor. The armor plates were fine and dense like fish scales, covering his entire body except for his hands, feet, and head, looking as though they had grown naturally from his flesh. When Qin Sang caught sight of the sharp, scale-covered tail behind the newcomer, his pupils constricted sharply. A demon! Here, no one could conceal their aura. Just as the Heavenly Eye Butterfly spotted the other party, the newcomer detected Qin Sang as well. The streaking light plunged into the corridor and came to an abrupt halt, revealing the black-armored youth. The demon had sharp, gaunt cheeks and narrow, exceptionally piercing eyes. Qin Sang's heart sank. He had already sensed the creature's cultivation—Mid Deity Transformation! On par with Real Person Zhang! If it were an Early Deity Transformation demon marquis, Qin Sang was confident he stood a fair chance of slaying it. That would complete his mission, allowing him to withdraw directly from the Jushan Diocesan Altar. Yet facing a great demon of the Mid Deity Transformation stage, Qin Sang lacked confidence even if he were to consume a Dingzhen Pill. Driving an enemy back was entirely different from killing them. If he could not make the foe stay, there would be no merit earned, and he would have fought a life-and-death battle for nothing. Should both sides end up crippled, it would be even worse for him. The black-armored youth stared at Qin Sang, a cruel smile curling at his lips. "Were you the one pursuing this marquis earlier?" Clearly, these demon marquises possessed their own covert methods, having noticed Qin Sang and the others the moment they gave chase into the Nine-Bends Astral River. Qin Sang's gaze swept across the black armor on the demon's chest, recalling the records he had reviewed earlier. This creature ought to be Marquis Li, one of the demon marquises of Guifang Country. Compared to other demon marquises who had earned illustrious military exploits, Marquis Li was relatively obscure, but that was solely because he rarely appeared on the battlefield. No one dared underestimate a great demon of the Mid Deity Transformation stage. A cold glint flashed in Marquis Li's eyes. Having clearly discerned that Qin Sang's cultivation was inferior to his own, murderous intent surged within him. Qin Sang's thoughts raced. Offering no reply, a pair of wings suddenly unfurled behind his back. With a fierce flap, he transformed into an electric arc and fled to the side. As he fled, Qin Sang silently channeled the Heavenly Demon Transformation, releasing a burst of pure demonic qi, while tossing back a parting remark: "Marquis Li misunderstands!" Sensing that extraordinarily pure demonic qi, Marquis Li was momentarily stunned, but soon let out a cold sneer, his face filled with killing intent. In this realm, the Daoists had developed numerous methods to disguise demonic qi in order to counter Guifang Country. Though none were as pure as what this man displayed, Marquis Li had seen plenty of them and would naturally not be fooled by such a trick. If anything, it only piqued his interest in Qin Sang even more. Moreover, even if this person were truly a demon cultivator, he matched none of the demon marquises Marquis Li knew. Appearing here at such a time meant he was certainly an enemy, not a friend. With a flick of his sharp tail, a plume of black light rose from its tip, wrapping around Marquis Li as he gave chase. One human and one demon, fleeing and pursuing, Marquis Li pressed closely behind. The chaos had yet to subside, and both had to evade surrounding dangers as they gave chase, preventing either from reaching top speed. Marquis Li trailed tightly behind Qin Sang, wearing him down while biding his time for an opening. Qin Sang glanced back, his brow furrowing slightly. By the looks of it, Marquis Li had also been flung out by the golden light. Unfortunately, the demon showed no injuries; there was no telling what they had encountered. Along the way, Qin Sang repeatedly tried to contact his allies with talismans, but still received no reply. Watching this, Marquis Li sneered. He had long confirmed that until the golden light faded, no form of transmission would work. Qin Sang's expression was grim. He did not fear the demon, but neither did he wish to wage a grueling battle for nothing. Unless... A thought struck Qin Sang, and he suddenly recalled the jungle illusory domain Real Person Youhuang had described. Real Person Youhuang had gathered spirit flowers there, and upon consuming them, their medicinal effects had been real. Perhaps the jungle in that realm was real as well. So long as there was abundant Wood Spirit Qi, he could claim the geographic advantage, relying on his Spirit Wood Body to battle Marquis Li before deciding his next move based on how the situation unfolded. With his mind made up, Qin Sang kept his speed steady, continuing to fly along the edge of the blue sea of light. *Bang!* Marquis Li finally found an opportunity to strike. A claw shadow lunged directly for the back of Qin Sang's head. Yet as though prepared, Qin Sang's figure swayed, precisely utilizing the force of an illusory domain to dissolve the blow. Marquis Li frowned. This man's escape arts and spiritual senses were far from weak, and with his heart set entirely on fleeing, a swift resolution would be impossible. Qin Sang continued to maneuver and parry with Marquis Li, feigning distress while secretly searching for the path. Hard work paid off, and he finally located one of the illusory domains Real Person Youhuang had mentioned. Without a change in expression or demeanor, Qin Sang subtly altered the direction of his flight. Gradually, Qin Sang stepped onto the path Real Person Youhuang had once traversed, and before long, he finally caught sight of his objective!