The leopard demon, the crane demon, and several other great demons led their subordinates in a siege against the cultivators of the Business Alliance.
The Business Alliance cultivators could not comprehend why so many great demons had singled them out.
They attempted to break out, but the great demons fought desperately to hold them back, displaying a frenzied ferocity that chilled everyone to the bone.
At the same time, they were horrified to discover that even more great demons seemed to be converging on the area.
Just as despair began to grip the Business Alliance cultivators, word finally reached the leopard demon from the fish demon: their target’s trail had been found.
"Lieqi found that man, but wait..."
The crane demon sounded astonished. "Lieqi tried to intercept him, only to be gravely wounded. Forced to detonate his physical body, he barely escaped with his life. The target has already broken through the encirclement, and Lieqi is urging us to send reinforcements immediately. Could the man have had help?"
The leopard demon was initially overjoyed, but its expression soon turned grim and furious. "Useless trash! Why report this only now? Move!"
An unexpected turn of events unfolded before the Business Alliance cultivators.
Just as they believed their doom was sealed and were quietly conferring to make a desperate final stand, the strongest great demons suddenly withdrew without warning, drawn away by some unknown lure, abandoning them entirely.
Though the remaining demon beasts were by no means weak, they were far less terrifying.
The Business Alliance cultivators had no idea what had happened, but they instantly recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Once certain that the great demons had truly departed, they carried out their original plan and fought their way out with all their might.
Before long, the leopard demon led the horde to the spot where Qin Sang had vanished. Exhausting every trick and displaying all their magical powers, they still failed to find any trace of him.
Frustrated, furious roars echoed across the beast tide.
***
Qin Sang had no idea what a massive uproar he had caused.
After escaping the beast tide, he used the stars to orient himself, activated a Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman, set his sights in a single direction, and embarked on his flight alone.
In the blink of an eye, he left the beast tide far behind.
Although he had fought a fierce battle against the fish demon, he had encountered virtually no resistance afterward, and few could match his speed.
Speeding all the way, he did not run into a single soul.
Having manipulated the formation plate for so long earlier, Qin Sang had already been feeling mentally and physically drained, and now he felt even more exhausted.
However, he would never dare rest anywhere nearby. Only after flying an immense distance did he summon the two-headed hou. The man and the beast took turns traveling, continuing without pause for several days.
Only after putting ample distance between himself and that sea region did Qin Sang finally find a small island to meditate and recover.
He built a temporary abode beneath a giant boulder, concealed by a spirit formation.
Qin Sang sat cross-legged inside. Though he had washed away his exhaustion, he did not set off immediately, deciding to stay a while longer.
He would wait until the star conch accumulated enough true essence and restored its power before departing.
The star conch had saved him from danger time and again. He had no wish to repeat the mistake of its previous owner, whose insufficient refinement had left the conch underpowered.
Furthermore, having confirmed the efficacy of the Heavenly Demon Transformation, he felt far more confident and dared to linger in the Demon Sea alone.
*When other cultivators consume Fiend Demon Pills, they carry demon qi too, yet it proves useless. The Heavenly Demon Transformation is truly remarkable...*
Qin Sang channeled the Heavenly Demon Transformation, his spiritual sense sweeping over the phoenix wings again and again.
He stood, condensed water into ice, and conjured a mirror.
Who was this fellow reflected in the ice?
His face was fair as jade, resembling that of a youth, yet his eyes held a steadiness and resolve that belied his youthful appearance.
Behind him, the phoenix wings spread wide, shimmering with radiant light and set against a deep, dark azure glow. He appeared like the scion of a phoenix, possessed of an immortal's grace and an arresting, divine aura.
Qin Sang had never deliberately altered his appearance. Even when his foundation had been damaged and his features aged, he had paid it no mind.
Only later, after consuming the Crimson Cloud Purple Fruit and Three Light Jade Liquid, had his youthful appearance returned.
As the saying went, appearance was born of the mind; he was long past the age of relying on looks. After years of cultivation and weathering countless hardships, his bearing had quietly transformed. Even an ugly man would develop a presence others could not overlook.
*Fortunately, it only adds some demon qi. Otherwise, I would have no idea what I might become once this cultivation technique reaches its final stages. With Heavenly Demon Form Refining, demon beasts can comprehend bloodline divine abilities, trace the footsteps of their ancestors, and transform into heavenly demons. By relying on the power of the jade Buddha, I forced my way through. Even the heavenly demon I visualized was conjured from a puppet. This is likely a divergent path; who knows how far I can go along it?*
Qin Sang murmured to himself, feeling somewhat at a loss.
Presumably, no other cultivator had ever practiced this technique before, meaning there were no ancestral experiences to draw upon; he could only grope his way forward alone.
*I can only take it one step at a time. At least things have gone smoothly so far. As long as I can reach the third layer and tread the Sword Path, that will be enough. Before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, I must still focus primarily on the Origin Soul Sword Nurturing Chapter and not pin too much hope on Heavenly Demon Form Refining...*
Qin Sang sat cross-legged on the ground, continuing to fathom the Heavenly Demon Transformation while waiting for the star conch.
***
Several months later.
The two-headed hou carried Qin Sang as it raced across the surface of the sea.
Qin Sang held a sea chart in hand. "From observing the stars last night, this place shouldn't be far from another large island, Miluo Island. The island master of Miluo Island is also a Nascent Soul cultivator who previously agreed to join forces with the master of Yuheng Island. Yet he never showed up when the beast tide besieged us. I wonder what went wrong..."
Seeing that he was drawing close to Miluo Island, Qin Sang considered for a moment, recalled the two-headed hou, reined in his aura, and edged closer.
When Miluo Island finally came into view, Qin Sang’s expression abruptly changed, and he shot backward along his original path!
*The island is crawling with demon beasts!*
Qin Sang’s expression turned grave. That brief glimpse had revealed soaring demon qi blanketing Miluo Island, turning it into a playground for demon beasts, with not a single human cultivator in sight.
*When was Miluo Island overrun by the beast tide?*
Qin Sang was utterly astonished. No wonder no reinforcements had arrived; Miluo Island had suffered disaster as well.
The island was occupied by demon beasts, yet no battlefield was visible. It was impossible to tell whether the island master had voluntarily abandoned the island or had been driven away after a gruesome battle.
For the domains of two Nascent Soul Patriarchs to fall at the same time was something that had not happened in a very long time.
Qin Sang suddenly had an ominous premonition: it was very likely that more than just these two places had suffered upheavals.
*No! I must return to Dahuang Island as soon as possible. If a cataclysm strikes the Demon Sea and the teleportation formations are shut down, I might never be able to return. With the Heavenly Demon Transformation, I needn't worry about my safety even if trapped in the Demon Sea. But the origin embryo inside my external incarnation will soon take form, and I must nurture it myself. Furthermore, the Maoshan Vine was sent back to Dahuang Island. As long as it hasn't been sent back to the Inner Sea, I still have a chance to obtain it.*
Qin Sang skirted Miluo Island and advanced along the sea route toward Dahuang Island.
This time, he and the two-headed hou took turns resting, barely pausing for a moment, not daring to linger in the Demon Sea for too long.
Before long, he arrived at a third island. From afar, he spotted avian demon beasts wheeling high in the sky, frolicking and crying out in delight.
*A third one, and it's also occupied by demon beasts! This sea route is virtually severed!*
Qin Sang’s heart sank further and further. What made him even more anxious was that, even now, he had no idea what was truly happening.
Along the way, he had encountered other cultivators who had likewise fled Yuheng Island, and they were just as clueless as he was.
From them, he had managed to learn a bit about what had transpired on the night of the breakout.
Qin Sang declined their invitations to travel together, preferring to chart a route of his own that would bring him to Dahuang Island as quickly as possible. In any case, nowhere in the Demon Sea was safe right now.
Chapter 841