"Head there now?"
Looking toward Huntian Island, Qin Sang showed a hesitant expression.
Seeing this, Han Cuo said, "If Fellow Daoist has no urgent business, there is no need to rush. Once you set foot on Huntian Island, leaving won't be quite so easy, and you'll miss out on a lot of things. Our human fellow daoists have established a place akin to a cultivation market outside Huntian Island, where people can trade goods, exchange news, and find a place to stay. Those who still dare to linger outside the island at a time like this are all quite formidable. Sometimes, a fellow daoist down on their luck runs into unexpected disaster and has no choice but to bring out their most treasured possessions to sell. Because of this, rare and exotic treasures often appear in the market. Why not accompany us to take a look? You might just find something to your liking. Besides, you helped us defeat a powerful enemy, so this gives us a chance to entertain you at the market as a small token of our gratitude..."
"Oh? It seems you've made quite a haul, Fellow Daoist Han."
Qin Sang gave Han Cuo a deep look.
He wouldn't even go to Douyan Island, so he certainly wouldn't step onto Huntian Island. He had also guessed there would be a market-like place outside Huntian Island, but he hadn't expected Han Cuo to bring it up proactively. He decided to go along with it and accept.
Rather than being drawn by the treasures Han Cuo spoke of, Qin Sang planned to find the information he needed at the market before heading straight out in search of the Everlasting Camphor.
"To tell Fellow Daoist Qin the truth, what I've gained during this period actually rivals what I made in the previous ten years."
Han Cuo gave an unabashed chuckle, but then let out a sigh. "I originally thought the mid Core Formation stage would be my limit, but if this keeps up, I might actually glimpse a sliver of hope for reaching the late stage. With an opportunity like this, I have to take a gamble. Otherwise, I wouldn't be risking my life to stay out here..."
Hearing Han Cuo's words, the other Core Formation cultivator looked equally empathetic.
"In that case, I will accompany you fellow daoists on this trip. Hopefully, I'll find something of value," Qin Sang pondered for a moment and agreed.
Han Cuo and the others were overjoyed and immediately decided to set off together.
The direction they flew was directly opposite Huntian Island, heading distinctly deeper into the Demon Sea.
It was obvious that Han Cuo and his group were extremely cautious. They changed direction constantly and maintained strict formations. Qin Sang did not act independently; instead, he followed Han Cuo's directions, advancing and retreating alongside them.
Because of this, Han Cuo and the others held an even better impression of him.
Three days later, when the group arrived at an uninhabited stretch of sea, Qin Sang noticed Han Cuo frequently taking out a compass-like magic tool, which seemed to be used for verifying directions or communication.
Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, Han Cuo explained, "Because we have to guard against both the demons and the Witch Clan, the market has no fixed location. Instead, a spot is chosen in this expanse of sea every so often to hold the market once. It just so happens that the market is about to open soon. We were originally heading there, but we ran into those Witch Clan scoundrels by misfortune, which led to that fierce battle."
"Are there many fellow daoists from the human and Witch clans who voluntarily remain outside Huntian Island?" Qin Sang asked.
Han Cuo shifted direction again. After a moment of silence, he said in a solemn voice, "Compared to the cultivators on Huntian Island, those staying outside are naturally a minority, but the actual number isn't small either. If we cultivate by the book, aside from those prodigies blessed with heavenly spiritual roots or dual spiritual roots, who dares claim they have any real hope of Nascent Soul formation? The chaotic war between the two races is dangerous, but in truth, going out to hunt demons normally is also licking blood from a blade. Many fellow daoists share my mindset, and some are even more radical than I am."
Hearing this, Qin Sang felt a stir in his heart. "Does Fellow Daoist Han mean that cultivators at the late Core Formation stage on both sides have already stepped forward to organize people and pit two armies against each other?"
"It's even more terrifying than you think!"
Han Cuo shook his head, a trace of fear surfacing in his eyes. "Without the Island Lord to restrain them, evil cultivators have become utterly brazen. Many desperate fugitives have joined them, occupying the Thousand Demons Sea. They show no mercy to either humans or the Witch Clan, making it the most chaotic and bloody place outside Huntian Island. In the beginning, fellow daoists who were unaware approached the Thousand Demons Sea, and without exception, not even their bones remained. No one knows which race the killers belong to either. Unless Fellow Daoist has reached a dead end on the immortal path and wants to make a desperate gamble, it's best not to head southeast of Huntian Island."
"The Thousand Demons Sea?" Qin Sang's expression changed slightly.
"Oh," Han Cuo said with sudden realization. "I almost forgot that you just arrived at Huntian Island, Fellow Daoist Qin. The situation outside Huntian Island changes by the day, so you certainly wouldn't know. This is a topographical map I frequently use, marked with all the news I've gathered recently. It should be of some help to you."
With that, Han Cuo tossed a jade slip to Qin Sang and added, "The Thousand Demons Sea was already the most perilous place outside Huntian Island, named for the countless great demons lurking within its waters. Only one charted route exists through the Thousand Demons Sea, yet it remains fraught with danger—only cultivators at the mid to late Core Formation stage dare venture in. And those men happen to be entrenched along that very path."
After hurriedly scanning the topographical map, the last sliver of hope in Qin Sang's heart vanished.
The route through the Thousand Demons Sea that Han Cuo mentioned was the only path leading to the nest of the fire-repelling sparrow!
And now, that road was blocked by evil cultivators!
If he hadn't been cautious enough to contact local cultivators and gather information, and had instead plunged in headfirst while completely ignorant, then even with the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman, he might have been unable to ensure his own survival.
A cold sweat broke out across Qin Sang's back. He felt a lingering dread, coupled with deep anxiety.
With the only path cut off, how could he cross the Thousand Demons Sea to seek out the fire-repelling sparrow? Had he wasted half a year, only to end up on a wild-goose chase?
He wondered if there was a second way to cross the Thousand Demons Sea.
Han Cuo was focusing on searching for the market and did not notice Qin Sang's unusual reaction.
Before long, Han Cuo gave a soft cry. "We're here!"
Ahead, a reef island barely a few zhang across appeared. Just as Qin Sang was feeling puzzled, Han Cuo pointed a finger at the compass. Ripples spread across the water near the reef, and a cultivator surfaced from beneath the sea.
"So it's Fellow Daoist Han."
The man seemed very familiar with Han Cuo and greeted him with a beaming smile.
After a brief conversation, the man handed something to Han Cuo before submerging back beneath the water. Han Cuo then instructed everyone to conceal their tracks and continue flying in another direction.
Similar encounters happened three times in a row.
Qin Sang secretly marveled at how cautious these cultivators were. He also understood that under the dual pressure of both demons and the Witch Clan, they had no choice, so he remained patient.
While fretting over how to cross the Thousand Demons Sea, he silently followed behind Han Cuo. Suddenly, he heard Han Cuo whisper, "The market is just ahead!"
Qin Sang focused his gaze. A long, narrow island appeared in his vision.
The island was blanketed with overgrown weeds, and beyond that were rolling stone hills. It was completely uninhabited and desolate.
From a distance, it seemed entirely ordinary, but there was more than met the eye.
Han Cuo led them down onto the island and walked straight toward a sheer cliff. Qin Sang stared at the cliff for a moment and finally noticed an abnormality: deeply concealed restrictions of considerable power were hidden within.
Chapter 694