"Did the two Fellow Daoists escape from the demon island? Might I ask what happened there? Why did such an anomaly appear and stir up a demon beast riot?"
The three men hovered over the sea, looking in the direction from which Qin Sang and his companion had come, and at the chaotic demon island behind them, their expressions varying.
All three men were Core Formation stage experts.
The one in the middle appeared to be a fine-bearded man in his fifties. Like Qin Sang, he wore Daoist robes and had an otherworldly demeanor, surprisingly being a late Core Formation stage powerhouse.
The cultivation of the other two was not weak either.
It was hardly surprising; only cultivators of such strength dared to roam the Demon Sea nowadays.
The one who had spoken was precisely that fine-bearded man.
Su Nü's cultivation was only at Foundation Establishment. The fine-bearded man's gaze swept over her without paying her much mind, finally landing on Qin Sang as he covertly evaluated him.
However, the companion to his left, who was draped in jewels and jade like a wealthy squire, had a rather peculiar look in his eyes, staring unblinkingly at Su Nü.
Made uncomfortable by the wealthy squire's stare, Su Nü shrank behind Qin Sang.
Qin Sang's eyes flickered, and he said, "The two of us were originally hiding on a distant islet. Startled by the upheaval on the demon island, we came to investigate, only to be accidentally spotted by a pack of beasts. The situation was perilous, but thankfully we realized things looked grim and immediately withdrew, managing not to disturb the great demons on the island. As for what transpired there, I know nothing about it either."
"Is that so? Our cave dwelling is also nearby, yet we have never seen the two of you."
The fine-bearded man looked toward the demon island, giving some credence to Qin Sang's words.
A mid Core Formation cultivator accompanied by a companion merely at Foundation Establishment could hardly look like someone capable of wreaking havoc on the demon island and leaving unscathed.
The demon island was vast and inhabited by great demons; the overlords among them were formidable beings that even he had to fear.
"May I ask how the two of you are addressed? Since you are hiding here, it must be because of the beast riots outside. My surname is Cang, and I am a member of the Western Nether Alliance. When the beast riot erupted, I was a step too slow and failed to escape in time. Later, our human territories were drenched in blood by the beast tides—not a single corner was spared, and countless cultivators perished. Left with no way out, I, like you, Fellow Daoist, remembered that the most dangerous place is often the safest. So I fled into the demon territory and finally found a deserted island to hide."
Pausing, the fine-bearded man continued, "Although temporarily safe, we tremble with fear all day long, constantly living on edge. Since fate has brought us together, I would like to invite Fellow Daoist to join forces with us. There is strength in numbers, and by supporting one another, we stand a better chance of holding out until the chaos subsides. This Fellow Daoist Liu joined us along the way as we fled..."
The fine-bearded man pointed to the man on his right, introducing himself and his companion.
The Three Great Merchant Alliances held immense prestige and influence in the Demon Sea.
The cultivator surnamed Liu also spoke up to urge them to stay.
"Western Nether Alliance?"
Qin Sang could not help but recall the youth from the Western Nether Alliance who had died by his hand in the Hall of Seven Kills.
He did not know whether these three were connected to that youth.
He still had to rush to meet Immortal Aunt Yue, so naturally he would not accept the fine-bearded man's invitation. Seeing that these people seemed to harbor no ill intent, his mind was somewhat eased. Cupping his hands, he politely declined, and preparing to leave, he spurred his evasion technique.
Right then, the wealthy squire suddenly flew forward and sent a voice transmission to the fine-bearded man.
The fine-bearded man's pupils contracted slightly, and his eyes locked onto Su Nü.
Seeing Qin Sang and Su Nü about to leave, the wealthy squire grew anxious and called out, "Fellow Daoists, do not be in a hurry! I have a question, though I wonder if it is appropriate to ask. Just now, I sensed something peculiar about this young lady's qi—it seems somewhat similar to the legendary true demonic qi of ancient times. Could it be that I was mistaken?"
"What if it is, and what if it isn't?"
Su Nü had long been disgruntled with the wealthy squire's gaze and retorted crossly.
Qin Sang had not expected the usually docile Su Nü to speak up so abruptly. Unable to stop her in time, he glared sharply at her.
Although he did not know how these people had detected the true demonic qi inside Su Nü, this was clearly no time to throw a tantrum. The best course was to brush it off and avoid complicating matters.
"Fellow Daoist is mistaken. True demonic qi is a power that only legendary ancient demons could wield; even Nascent Soul Patriarchs of the demonic path cannot withstand its erosion. She is merely in Foundation Establishment—how could she possibly bear it? This girl is willful by nature and spoke out of turn. I hope Fellow Daoist will not lower yourself to her level."
Qin Sang spoke calmly, his tone unchanged, as he made a move to leave.
"Fellow Daoist, please do not misunderstand."
The fine-bearded man's expression remained as pleasant as ever as he slowly floated forward, persuading patiently, "My junior brother meant no harm. The cultivation method he practices is similar to the young lady's, and he merely wished to exchange pointers with her. It is fate that brought you together. With my junior brother's cultivation, offering the young lady some guidance would be effortless; she certainly will not be at a disadvantage..."
"Go!"
Seeing this, how could Qin Sang fail to realize that ill intentions had taken root? He grabbed Su Nü's wrist and activated his secret talisman.
Su Nü knew she had made a blunder and hung her head, not daring to utter a word.
The two turned into streaks of light, shooting toward the horizon like meteors.
Cold light flickered in the fine-bearded man's eyes, and he asked coldly, "Junior Brother, are you certain there is true demonic qi within that girl?"
The wealthy squire nodded and said with conviction, "Senior Brother, you must have sensed it too—there's no mistake! Even if she doesn't possess the Nine Revolutions Beautiful Yin Body, being able to devour true demonic qi makes her extraordinary. The Alliance Lord ordered people to search for the Nine Revolutions Beautiful Yin Body, but such a constitution is rarer than a heavenly spiritual root. If we capture this girl, whether she possesses a special physique or cultivates some ancient demonic art, if she can be of use to the Alliance Lord and win his favor, would we apprentice-brothers still need to worry about the spirit materials needed for Nascent Soul formation?"
"Good! After them! Fellow Daoist Liu, you heard that as well. If we can capture the two of them, we brothers will certainly put in a good word for you before the Alliance Lord..."
The fine-bearded man and the wealthy squire flashed forward, pursuing in haste.
The cultivator surnamed Liu hesitated for a moment before closely following suit.
On the demon island, the demon beasts were in utter disarray.
Off the island, several streaks of light chased across the sea.
There was still quite a distance to the rendezvous point. Qin Sang had been flying continuously for so long, consuming a vast amount of energy. He had thought he was finally safe, only to find himself hunted down by powerful cultivators.
Although the trouble was brought on by Su Nü, both the Maoshan vine and the teleportation talisman were in Immortal Aunt Yue's hands. For the sake of those treasures, he had to do everything he could to protect Su Nü, and it had to be foolproof—she could not be dragged into the fight.
Qin Sang knew he could no longer hold back and summoned the two-headed hou from the Concentric Ring.
The Demon Sea was fraught with perils, so he could not let Su Nü go alone.
He had no choice but to order the two-headed hou to escort her ahead while he brought up the rear.
Su Nü was tossed onto the two-headed hou's back, her face filled with astonishment. Only now did she realize how deeply this mysterious Daoist had concealed himself—he actually possessed such a formidable spirit beast.
"Protect her and rendezvous with Immortal Aunt Yue..."
Qin Sang commanded the two-headed hou.
The two-headed hou let out a low roar, azure qi swirling about its back to bind Su Nü securely. Beating its wind wings, it darted away.
Su Nü sat steadily upon the two-headed hou's back, but her gaze was blank, completely devoid of luster.
Chapter 851