The cultivator did not pry into Qin Sang's origins, but instead asked with keen interest about the situation deep within the Demon Sea. Qin Sang was glad to chat with him, putting on no airs despite his superior cultivation and answering every question.
Before long, the two had grown familiar with each other.
As they talked, they flew down to the harbor on the shore of the subsidiary island.
Just as their streaks of light landed, a prickle of vigilance rose in Qin Sang's heart. Immediately afterward, he felt several sweeps of spiritual sense wash over him in succession—all belonging to Core Formation stage cultivators.
He had no idea what these people were on guard against, but none showed themselves as Qin Sang followed the cultivator into the city.
Accustomed to this, the cultivator hurried through the gates and headed straight for a grand hall.
As they drew near the hall, the cultivator hesitated for a moment and lowered his voice. "Fellow Daoist may not know, but Dahuang Island has already barred everyone from returning to the Canglang Sea. Especially someone of your high cultivation—you can be of great use in defending the island, so they are even less likely to let you leave easily. All cultivators must submit to Dahuang Island's arrangements. For now, do not even think about returning to the Canglang Sea; rather, consider carefully how to keep yourself alive in the midst of this chaotic fighting..."
Qin Sang had anticipated this and was not surprised; he could only blame himself for arriving a step too late.
A guard escorted Qin Sang into the grand hall, where he met an imposing, middle-aged man clad in armor.
This man's cultivation was at the astonishing late Core Formation stage. Not daring to show any slight, Qin Sang cupped his hands in greeting and introduced himself. "This poor Daoist goes by the Daoist name Qingfeng, humbly serving as a manager of the Eastern Pole Alliance's Qiongyu Guild. Greetings, General."
With Xiang Yi dead and his traces washed away by the beast tide, Qin Sang had no lingering concerns. He decided to continue operating under the identity of Daoist Qingfeng to reestablish contact with the Qiongyu Guild.
Finding the Maoshan Vine and using the teleportation formation to return to the Canglang Sea were not feats a rogue cultivator could pull off alone. Through the Qiongyu Guild, there might be a way.
Furthermore, in a crisis like this, everyone had to follow orders; without a backer, one was very likely to be assigned the most grueling and perilous tasks.
Hearing Qin Sang state his background, the general nodded slightly.
Having already received word of Qin Sang's purpose, the general mused, "Since Fellow Daoist is an esteemed cultivator of the Eastern Pole Alliance, you will surely understand the urgency of the current situation. Without orders from Dahuang Island, this general dare not let you pass directly. Fellow Daoist might as well remain on this island for a time. As it happens, the patrol guard is short several commanders..."
"I respectfully obey the general's command."
Qin Sang accepted candidly, then added, "However, this poor Daoist has an urgent task at hand and dare not delay. Might the general assist in contacting my guild? Once I report my completion of duties, I will be able to serve with peace of mind."
Seeing that Qin Sang knew how to conduct himself, the general's expression softened slightly, and he readily agreed to the request.
After going over a few guidelines with Qin Sang, the general summoned a guard to see him settled. From then on, Qin Sang remained on this subsidiary island.
Having shouldered the responsibility of defending islands many times before, he was thoroughly familiar with the work and carried out his duties conscientiously.
Over a month slipped by in a flash. To his surprise, the Qiongyu Guild never reached out to him.
*Could something have happened to Elder Zou?*
Qin Sang grew secretly anxious, but he could only try to befriend more people and search for a way on his own.
Finally, two months after his arrival, he saw Elder Zou.
"Daoist, what took you so long to return! This old man thought you had perished in the Hall of Seven Kills! I grieved for so long, full of regret that I didn't stop you from venturing into that perilous place!"
Seeing Qin Sang, Elder Zou appeared overjoyed.
Qin Sang sighed and explained, "Elder Zou may not know, but this poor Daoist truly encountered a great catastrophe in the Hall of Seven Kills and nearly lost his life. Dragging my wounded body out, I dared not implicate the guild and went into seclusion for many years to heal my wounds. Only recently did I recover, but my cultivation has stagnated as a result. After emerging from seclusion, I originally intended to come to the Demon Sea to contact you, Elder Zou, only to run into this upheaval..."
After leaving the Hall of Seven Kills, he had devoted most of his energy to the Heavenly Demon Transformation and Origin-Seeding Demonic Embryo, neglecting his primary cultivation. Furthermore, rushing about for various matters had caused his cultivation to advance slowly.
Seeing that Qin Sang's cultivation had indeed barely progressed, just as he claimed, Elder Zou did not pry.
After all, although Qin Sang had joined the Qiongyu Guild, he was an ascetic cultivator with few friends in the guild; keeping his guard up while injured was only natural.
When Elder Zou asked about his experiences in the Hall of Seven Kills, Qin Sang brought out the explanation he had prepared long ago.
"We followed Fellow Daoist Xiang Yi into a place called the Purple Mist Deathland, which was blanketed in poisonous mist. Fellow Daoist Xiang Yi carried a poison-dispelling treasure, but he unexpectedly startled a vicious beast in that venomous realm, scattering everyone. By sheer luck, this poor Daoist managed to shake off the beast's pursuit and escape the toxic land, but I was severely afflicted by virulent poison. My strength was drastically depleted, which invited further misfortune later on..."
Madam Liu had already investigated the matter thoroughly beforehand.
Xiang Yi would never willingly reveal his own despicable conduct; after leaving the Hall of Seven Kills, that was precisely the account he had given to others, so Qin Sang's words matched it perfectly.
A total of eight people had entered the Hall of Seven Kills, and only Xiang Yi had made it out alive. Yet the Hall of Seven Kills had a terrifying reputation and was known to be that brutal. Even if anyone harbored suspicions, they could not interrogate Xiang Yi on that basis alone.
As Qin Sang recounted his tale, Elder Zou listened with keen interest and showed no intention of stopping him. Qin Sang had no choice but to blend his actual experiences and sightings, weaving truth with falsehood, and brazenly spin his story.
Elder Zou marveled and sighed in turns. Suddenly, he cupped his hands toward Qin Sang and said, "The Purple Mist Deathland, Heaven Tower, Flower Immortal Lake... The Hall of Seven Kills truly lives up to its name! Every place you visited, Worthy Brother, was fraught with danger and dread. That you could escape such dragon lairs and tiger dens fills this elder brother with admiration! I have an impertinent request—would you be willing to do me a favor, Brother?"
Qin Sang happened to need a favor from Elder Zou as well, so he said solemnly, "Elder Zou, please speak freely. As long as it is within my ability, I will surely give my all."
Elder Zou's eyes lit up, and he shouted in approval, stating bluntly, "This brother wishes to ask you to draw a detailed topographical map!"
"Where this poor Daoist ventured was merely a small fraction of the Hall of Seven Kills, but if Elder Zou requires it, I naturally have no objection."
Saying this, Qin Sang looked at Elder Zou with a trace of surprise. "You want a topographical map—could you be preparing to enter the Hall of Seven Kills yourself?"
Elder Zou spread his hands with a bitter smile. "Look at my cultivation, Brother. How many years has it stagnated? Once I realized my immortal path was hopeless, I poured all my energy into the guild, bustling about the Demon Sea for years. Who could have known that this upheaval would destroy my entire foundation, reducing it to fleeting bubbles? I was already disheartened, but upon hearing word of you, my joy was matched by a flame rekindling in my heart. Before my lifespan runs out, I must go to the Hall of Seven Kills and make one final gamble! Word has it that the Witch Clan will reopen the Hall of Seven Kills in forty-odd years, leaving little time for me. You entered the Hall of Seven Kills in person, so your experience is crucial to me. If I gather any information down the road, I will still need to trouble you, Brother, to help me sift through it."
Qin Sang still remembered when he first met Elder Zou on the Witch God Continent; compared to then, the elder's aura had indeed barely changed. He had never expected that Elder Zou, once engrossed in business, would experience a change of heart and return to the path of cultivation.
This upheaval in the Demon Sea had altered the destinies of so many.
Chapter 843