"Could this person not be an accomplice of Immortal Aunt Yue?"
Su Nü glanced thoughtfully at Qin Sang, unsure whether he truly had failed to notice or was merely feigning ignorance.
Qin Sang's expression remained calm and unaffected.
The group returned to the rendezvous point, and not long after, Kong Yun arrived.
This excursion had gone smoothly enough. They had successfully rescued Su Nü, and none of the four had suffered any harm. Everyone was pleased, and they immediately resolved to begin their journey back.
Now that the two-headed hou's existence was already exposed, Qin Sang no longer kept it concealed. He allowed it to remain outside, carrying the weakest among them, Su Nü, back toward Dahuang Island.
Along the way, Qin Sang took the initiative to draw closer to Old Man Zhushan, asking about the Landou Sect and Qiyunzi. Old Man Zhushan was keen to build a rapport with Qin Sang, so without probing further, he answered everything he knew, disclosing a great deal of useful information.
With five experts equivalent to late-stage Core Formation protecting Su Nü alone, their return to Dahuang Island was entirely without incident.
A dense, dark mass encircled Dahuang Island; the path ahead was blocked by a beast tide.
The number of demon beasts was countless times greater than when they had left, blotting out the sky. Within the swarm, several powerful auras made no attempt to conceal themselves, distinctly belonging to soul-stirring Transformation stage great demons.
At the sight of this, a chill gripped everyone's hearts. Who would dare traverse the beast tide to return to Dahuang Island under such conditions?
Immortal Aunt Yue, however, was full of confidence. She led them in a wide detour, and the demon beasts in the other directions turned out to be far sparser. The formations of both sides had shifted, arrayed against each other like two clashing armies. The sea between them was dyed red with blood, a testament to just how fierce the fighting had been.
"Wait here!"
Immortal Aunt Yue said unhurriedly, "I received word long ago that the various powers of the Inner Sea would dispatch experts here. The cultivators on Dahuang Island are by no means weaker than the demon beasts, and they will not simply sit by and wait for death. Once the grand battle breaks out, we will charge in amidst the chaos and send out a signal. Someone will come to meet us."
They had no choice but to hide far away and wait patiently.
Several days later, the great battle finally erupted on a massive scale. Combining their strength, they charged forward. Immortal Aunt Yue launched a signal, and indeed, reinforcements arrived to receive them, allowing them to enter safely.
"Fellow Daoists, with this token, you may go to the Xiang'an Auction House and collect your rewards."
Immortal Aunt Yue handed each of them a jade plaque.
Taking the plaque, Qin Sang bade everyone farewell.
Su Nü watched Qin Sang leave.
Qin Sang sensed her gaze but made no reaction. On the journey back, he had noticed she was acting somewhat strangely, hesitating several times as if about to speak, though in the end she had said nothing.
He did not rush to claim his treasures or leave the Demon Sea, but went first to pay a visit to Elder Zou.
Having eliminated the hidden danger of Xiang Yi and reconnected with the Qiongyu Guild, he naturally wanted to cultivate good ties. Whatever matters he needed resolved would be far easier with the aid of the guild and the Business Alliance.
Only after visiting Elder Zou did Qin Sang set off toward Dahuang Island. Passing through several rounds of inspection, he entered the city on Dahuang Island and retrieved two items from the Xiang'an Auction House, finally letting the stone in his heart fall to rest.
Right there in the auction house, he requested a quiet room and eagerly brought out the Maoshan vine.
Among the demon race, the Maoshan vine was called Green Weed Root. Its outer bark was rough and bumpy, truly resembling a greenish tree root, and it was only the size of a fist. It was precisely the piece Xiang Yi had delivered.
Qin Sang released the restriction on the spiritual herb. A green glow washed over his face, accompanied by a rich medicinal fragrance.
The three spiritual herbs in the cultivation method each possessed different divine effects. The Green Weed Root could greatly strengthen the sinews and bones and enhance physical might, and its medicinal potency was relatively gentle.
Refining this herb now would surely advance his Heavenly Demon Form Refining by a considerable margin. Yet to secure his breakthrough, Qin Sang had to resist the temptation. He resealed the herb and placed it alongside the Tyrant Blood Fruit.
*Two of the three great spiritual herbs are now gathered, leaving only the Scorpion Poison Grass. But there has been no news of that herb so far, so I must prepare for both possibilities. I wonder if the Landou Sect will bring me a pleasant surprise...*
Pinching the teleportation talisman between his fingers, Qin Sang fell into thought.
Aside from the teleportation talisman, there was also a token.
Stepping out of the auction house, Qin Sang quickened his pace toward the teleportation formation, eager to depart as soon as possible to avoid complications from any delay.
Kong Yun and Old Man Zhushan were nowhere to be seen; there was no telling what their rewards were.
Countless guards stood outside the Teleportation Hall, forming a formidable defense. Not daring to act recklessly here, Qin Sang walked forward and presented the token.
"This poor Daoist is an old acquaintance of General Mo. Might I trouble you to deliver this item to the general?"
Sensing Qin Sang's cultivation, the guard did not dare be negligent. Returning shortly after, he said respectfully to Qin Sang, "General Mo has ordered that Daoist Priest wait briefly in the Anyao Hall..."
At this time, outsiders were barred from entering or leaving the Teleportation Hall. Without orders, no one was permitted to activate the teleportation formation. Anyone wishing to leave Dahuang Island could only comply with the arrangements.
Without a word, Qin Sang followed the guard to the Anyao Hall, finding several people already seated inside.
These people wore varied attire. Some sat in quiet meditation with closed eyes, while others idly practiced Daoist arts. The hall was utterly silent.
From their garments, one could tell where most hailed from: disciples of major sects and great clans from the Inner Sea. Each carried an extraordinary bearing, and naturally, they possessed the right to be arrogant.
Qin Sang swept his gaze across the room. Seeing no familiar faces, he found an empty seat and sat down.
More and more people arrived at the hall. He waited for two full hours until the evening grew dim, when the mysterious General Mo finally appeared and led the group toward the Teleportation Hall.
Upon entering the Teleportation Hall, Qin Sang finally realized just how tight the security was: seated within the hall were two white-haired elders who were, astonishingly, Nascent Soul Patriarchs!
Before Nascent Soul Patriarchs, even the disciples of the great sects could only bow their heads in submission.
"Senior Feng, these are the people sent by the various powers today," General Mo stepped forward, bowed, and reported in a low voice.
One of the old men suddenly slapped the table, glaring angrily as his beard bristled. "The Demon Sea is in a moment of life and death, our very foundation on the verge of ruin! Yet these factions, speaking in such high and mighty terms while holding others down here, scramble over one another to send their own disciples to the rear! Without undergoing trials, I would like to see how many of them can amount to anything..."
"Enough. This is hardly uncommon; why work yourself into such a fury?"
The other elder intervened to placate him, then smiled toward Qin Sang and the rest. "Go stand upon the teleportation formation. Remember to hold your tongues once you return, lest you stir up trouble."
Qin Sang stepped onto the formation. A flash of white light burst before his eyes, and he hastily crushed the teleportation talisman. After a bout of spinning dizziness, he appeared before a familiar Teleportation Hall.
*I am finally back!*
Qin Sang murmured to himself. Then, noticing that this hall was also guarded by a Nascent Soul expert, he felt a jolt of surprise and hastily bowed in greeting.
The figure did not spare them even a glance.
With a self-deprecating chuckle, Qin Sang followed the guards and hurried out of the hall.
The scenery inside Tianxing City was unchanged, yet the atmosphere was noticeably different. Cultivators hurried past, their brows tinged with worry.
Without pausing, Qin Sang headed straight back to his cave dwelling.
He harbored quiet anticipation. Having been away for so long, his external incarnation was likely at the critical juncture, with only the final step remaining until its completion.
The restrictions on his cave dwelling remained intact. Breathing a sigh of relief, Qin Sang pushed open the door and stepped inside, only to find several voice transmission talismans hovering in the courtyard.
Chapter 854