Dark Clouds

Having lost the source of black smoke, the passage could no longer sustain itself and was rapidly contracting. Once it closed completely, those trapped inside would find escape impossible; even if the spirit formation did not kill them, the Landou Sect would certainly capture them. The youth surnamed Fang was confronted with a terrible dilemma. He still knew nothing of what had transpired during this time, completely in the dark as to why that stranger had appeared to destroy the flag formation, or what else he had done. His junior brothers were all trapped inside, and what if the treasure was among them… After all, his second junior brother's strength and wits were evident to everyone. With him personally leading the theft, things shouldn't have gone wrong so easily. With a final furious curse, the youth surnamed Fang flashed toward the passage's entrance. At his side, a blood flood dragon roared and plunged fearlessly into the tunnel, leaving only a short stretch of its tail visible outside. *Thump!* A Witch Clan cultivator was flung out, completely disoriented, only to be hauled up by the collar by the youth surnamed Fang. "Where is the stone platform?" "Eldest Senior Brother!" Having narrowly escaped death, the man was first overjoyed, then terrified. With a weeping grimace, he stammered, "Second Senior Brother was ambushed and killed on the spot! His belongings were… were stolen away…" Before the man could finish speaking, the youth surnamed Fang flew into a rage, delivering a ferocious slap across his face that sent him flying dozens of zhang. "Useless trash!" The youth surnamed Fang shook from head to foot with fury. He had ventured alone into the dragon's den, only to draw water with a wicker basket—a total waste of effort. Second Junior Brother had taken so many men with him, along with the Beast King Banners, yet he had still been struck down right beneath their noses and stripped of the treasure! How could the youth surnamed Fang not be infuriated? Just then, the blood flood dragons joined forces to drag out one more person. As the passage shrank ever narrower, even the beasts lacked the strength to hold it open and were forced to retreat. Three lonely silhouettes drifted over the desolate sea, an utterly miserable sight. Once the passage severed, it was impossible to rescue anyone still trapped inside. Now only the three of them and two blood corpse bugs remained. Worst of all, the stone platform was lost—snatched away right before their eyes. The task entrusted to them by their master had ended in utter failure. The three looked at one another, their expressions desolate to the extreme. "Hunt him down!" "I will not rest until that man is dead!" The youth surnamed Fang's eyes turned bloodshot, teetering on the edge of madness. Regardless of whether he could catch up, he spurred the blood flood dragons and tore off in the direction Qin Sang had disappeared. The two junior brothers exchanged glances, not daring to utter a peep. Seeing First Seat Lu fast approaching, they grabbed the blood flood dragons' tails in absolute panic. Meanwhile, within Dongming Island. Cultivators from the various sects had breached the flag formation. Some had charged into the passage after the fleeing Black Snake Mountain disciples, while others besieged those left behind. The stranded Black Snake Mountain disciples wielded their Beast King Banners in feeble, desperate resistance. However, the various sects intended to take them alive, encircling them without dealing the killing blows. The entire scene was sheer chaos. Just then, a black-and-white streak of escape light shot forward at breakneck speed. It was none other than Old Daoist Huayang. Having been besieged by the blood flood dragon until now, Old Daoist Huayang's Daoist robe was torn to shreds, splattered with patches of blood. His aura was disheveled, and his face was marked with intense anxiety. Arriving at the Dark Thunder Wood Forest, he felt an ominous premonition. The moment he caught sight of the exposed stone steps and sensed the violent energy radiating from within, his face drained of color. He rushed forward and bellowed, "The thunder slurry is about to erupt! Run!" The crowd froze at his words, though seeing Old Daoist Huayang's disheveled state, some were tempted to laugh. "What thunder slurry? Fellow Daoist Huayang, your Landou Sect hid things quite deeply, didn't you? A secret treasure was tucked away on Dongming Island, yet we were kept in the dark. If you hadn't insisted on hoarding everything for yourselves, how could things have come to this…" Having failed to seize the secret treasure, someone voiced their resentment, questioning the old Daoist. Yet Old Daoist Huayang paid him no heed at all. Leaving behind that single warning, he turned on his heel and fled outward, as if something unimaginably horrifying lurked within the woods. His terror was plainly genuine. Alarmed, the crowd released their divine senses, finally discerning the abnormality. "This energy is so violent… Could thunder slurry truly be buried beneath the earth?" "Run!" … Everyone scrambled to flee in frantic haste. Just as they burst out of the area, a blaze of light brilliant as a scorching sun abruptly materialized within the Dark Thunder Wood Forest. Under their horrified gazes, it detonated with a deafening roar. The Dark Thunder Wood Forest was completely obliterated, replaced by a massive crater as terrifying shockwaves swept across everything. The cultivators who managed to escape in time were struck by the aftershocks, leaving them in much the same state as Old Daoist Huayang—clad in beggar-like rags, staring blankly in lingering terror. Dongming Island shuddered violently as colossal waves surged into the sky. Even stationed outside the island, First Seat Lu felt the impact. He let out a muffled grunt, his figure swaying unsteadily, before whipping his head toward Dongming Island, his expression changing drastically. Qin Sang had already fled a great distance, yet he too was startled by the explosion. Glancing back, he saw a dark cloud rising into the sky above Dongming Island, interlaced with arcs of lightning. It stood out conspicuously against the azure sea and clear sky, lingering without dispersing. "What's going on?" Qin Sang paused in midair, staring in bewilderment. While back in the Dark Thunder Wood Forest, he had feared that unknown dangers might lurk down the stone steps and that sending the Heavenly Eye Butterfly inside might expose him, so he had refrained. As long as he confirmed who had taken the treasure, it was enough to execute them by force and seize it; there was no need to take superfluous risks. Consequently, Qin Sang had no idea that a thunder pool existed beneath Dongming Island. "What in the world did those fellows do?" Qin Sang muttered to himself, genuinely startled by the sight. *Not only did they steal the treasure, but they also ruined a sacred site like Dongming Island to this degree. Even though it wasn't my doing, the Landou Sect will definitely pin it on my head, won't they? In one fell swoop, I've offended two great sects of the Witch Clan and the human race, and three Nascent Soul Patriarchs… Fortunately, I was cautious enough not to reveal the two-headed hou or the demonic banner in front of witnesses; only the Star Conch and sword light differentiation were exposed…* Qin Sang's expression turned complicated. He did not yet know that the Landou Sect's other Nascent Soul cultivator had already fallen. Even so, having two Nascent Soul enemies and being placed on wanted lists by both the human race and the Witch Clan was more than enough trouble to stomach. *The people from Black Snake Mountain slaughtered the abandoned disciples of Douniu Peak, so Douniu Peak's true inheritance has likely fallen into their hands. The first man I killed held a high status, second only to the youth surnamed Fang; it should be in his mustard seed bag. I hope this true inheritance is useful. If it can resolve the astral essence infusion, I will find a secluded place to cultivate in bitter seclusion for several decades, not emerging until the Hall of Seven Kills opens. Let us see where you manage to find me then…* Hardening his resolve, Qin Sang spoke coldly to himself. Right now, there was another urgent matter to attend to; he had no time to examine the two men's mustard seed bags. Glancing behind him, he confirmed that he had shaken off any pursuers. Concealing his aura immediately, he took a wide detour to double back and rendezvous with his avatar. Before long, the Qingfu coin in Qin Sang's grasp stirred. Prior to parting ways, Qin Sang had handed another child coin to the avatar, instructing him to crush it once he was clear so they could regroup. Reaching a deserted island and sensing the avatar's location, Qin Sang's expression relaxed. The avatar had escaped successfully; with Dongming Island in complete chaos, no one had paid any heed to the movements of a mere Qi Refining disciple. With a flick of his finger, Qin Sang summoned a black coffin magic tool, ordered the avatar inside, slung the coffin onto his back, and fled this den of trouble. As for the aftermath and tremors this grand upheaval would trigger, that was no longer his concern.