Haichan Island

"So it seems you don't actually dislike immortal cultivators. Why have you been so stubborn about refusing my conditions? Surely I don't rank poorly among cultivators, do I? You know my strength better than anyone. I wouldn't dare claim that forming a Nascent Soul is guaranteed, but my chances are far greater than most. Would following me truly dishonor you?" Speeding through the air, Qin Sang looked down at the two-headed hou. Of course, he understood that the creature hadn't felt genuine affection for the young maiden; leaving behind that azure phantom was merely its repayment for her years of grooming its fur. The two-headed hou rolled its eyes at Qin Sang, then vanished in a flash, retreating into the Primordial Concentric Rings to rest. Qin Sang stroked his chin, summoned his incarnation, and urged his escape light forward, vanishing into the vast, boundless sea. Several months later. Qin Sang made a brief stop at Quheng Island, departing after only a few days to resume his journey. This time, he headed straight for Tianxing Island with scarcely a pause along the way. After an arduous trek, he finally returned to Tianxing Island. A look of quiet nostalgia crossed Qin Sang's face. Exercising caution, he had his incarnation step into the stone coffin, while he kept a low profile and blended into the city. Following some discreet inquiries, Qin Sang learned that the teleportation formation between Tianxing Island and Dahuang Island in the Demon Sea was operating normally, allowing free passage. However, the required spirit stones had increased by nearly half, provoking widespread complaints. Life in the Demon Sea was gradually returning to normal. Naturally, it remained far more perilous than before the demonic upheaval. Assuming the identity of Daoist Qingfeng, Qin Sang contacted members of the Qiongyu Guild and discovered that Elder Zou was currently in the Demon Sea. He decided he would travel there after some time had passed to pay him a visit. Earlier, he had sent Elder Zou a letter explaining that he would be entering secluded cultivation for a period. Both of them intended to enter the Hall of Seven Kills. Although their objectives differed, they might well run into each other inside and offer mutual support. Besides, Qin Sang had previously promised Elder Zou that he would help plan his venture into the hall. Before departing, however, he needed to re-refine the Heavenly Corpse Coffin. Qin Sang made his way to the cultivation market, found the establishment renting out artifact-refining rooms, and paid a hefty sum to secure one. The stone chamber was barely ten feet across. A bronze cauldron sat in the center, and beneath it lay an opening sealed by a restrictive formation. Looking down into the opening revealed only a dark, glowing red. Even with the barrier in place, waves of scorching heat surged up from beneath the earth. At the mouth of the opening rested an exceptionally intricate spirit array. Qin Sang first inspected the room's restrictive formations, reinforced them with several layers of his own, and ordered his incarnation to stand guard. Then, he sat cross-legged before the bronze cauldron and retrieved the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, the black essence metal, and other spirit materials. He had deliberated over the refining plan countless times in his mind. Bringing his condition to its peak, Qin Sang reached out and pressed his hand against the bronze cauldron. The moment he activated the restriction, the cauldron blazed with light and emitted a low, resonant drone. Immediately after, brilliant, fiery crimson light flared from the subterranean opening below, and a blast of heat surged outward as though a flame dragon were roaring straight up from the earth's depths. *Boom!* The restrictions in the stone chamber shuddered violently. Flames illuminated Qin Sang's face, and his eyes narrowed slightly as roaring fire ignited beneath the bronze cauldron. Looking closely, the flames were not physical fire. The spirit array at the opening had also activated, exuding an exceptionally pure aura of fire. This power was extraordinarily stable—ideal for refining artifacts and concocting pills. Qin Sang had heard that among subterranean fire veins, the finest was the mountain within a mountain belonging to the Xuling Sect in the Lesser Cold Domain. It was said that due to the terrain, its subterranean fire was constantly refined until it attained pure perfection. Without requiring such elaborate arrays, its sheer power rivaled spiritual fire. Qin Sang channeled the black essence metal into the bronze cauldron, activated the spirit array, and patiently began refining. Since the Heavenly Corpse Coffin was already a magic treasure, re-refining it posed little difficulty. The process went smoothly, and after just a single night, Qin Sang had completed the refinement. Black veins now ran across the surface of the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, greatly enhancing its defensive power. Afterward, Qin Sang did not linger long in Tianxing City, teleporting directly to the Demon Sea. He remained watchful against any members of the Landou Sect, but fortunately, the journey passed without incident. Two months later, Qin Sang met Elder Zou on an island in the Demon Sea. Reuniting after such a long separation, Elder Zou was overjoyed. "Daoist Qingfeng, you went into secluded cultivation for several decades without a word. I was truly worried about you!" Elder Zou sighed with emotion. He noticed that Qin Sang's cultivation appeared not to have advanced much and found it somewhat odd, but he tactfully refrained from probing. "The Hall of Seven Kills is about to open, and this poor daoist has never forgotten our old agreement. Has Elder Zou uncovered any new information?" Qin Sang returned the courtesy and asked. "Over these years, I have seldom managed guild affairs, spending most of my time gathering intelligence. I found some clues that might be useful to me, but it is truly difficult to separate truth from falsehood..." Elder Zou shook his head and invited Qin Sang to take a seat. The two of them went over the information together, sifting the genuine from the false. Having entered the Hall of Seven Kills only once himself, Qin Sang could offer merely advice for reference; the final decisions still rested with Elder Zou. Upon learning that Elder Zou planned to enter using the Eastern Pole Alliance's quota—just as Qin Sang had done the previous time—Qin Sang could not speak too bluntly, but dropped several cautious hints. With Elder Zou's shrewdness, he undoubtedly caught on to some of them. As for whether Elder Zou would change his mind, that was beyond Qin Sang's control. "I had originally intended to secure a quota for you, Daoist, but I never expected you had already obtained a jade talisman elsewhere. In that case, we won't be traveling together once inside the Hall of Seven Kills." Elder Zou seemed a little surprised. He had hoped to invite Qin Sang along; after all, having known each other for so many years, Qin Sang was far more trustworthy than outsiders. Qin Sang nodded and sighed. "Elder Zou has surely noticed the issue with my cultivation. It has not advanced in the slightest over these years, and there are several places I must visit. The Hall of Seven Kills is my only chance. Before resolving my personal trouble, I'm afraid I can hardly afford to be distracted by other matters." Elder Zou nodded. "Then I can only wish that you achieve what you desire and return safe and sound. Once inside, I will certainly search through those few locations one by one. If you resolve your troubles smoothly, or if you run into difficulties, you are welcome to seek me out. Joining forces will always be easier than facing the perils alone. I still have some savings put aside; if you can help me find those spirit herbs, the reward certainly won't disappoint you." Qin Sang gave a gentle nod. "This poor daoist will keep that in mind." Afterward, Qin Sang stayed with Elder Zou for a few more days, learning about the latest situation in the Demon Sea. Agreeing to meet again on Tianxing Island before the Hall of Seven Kills opened, he departed alone, his whereabouts unknown. With the demon race falling quiet, the human and Witch clans resumed their expansion after a brief lull. The sea routes that had previously been severed were swiftly reopened, and trade between both sides grew increasingly frequent. By all appearances, it would not be long before the region returned to its former prosperity. In this calm, uneventful manner, another three years slipped by. Haichan Island. It had once been renowned throughout the Demon Sea, owing to its island master, Patriarch Haichan—a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator with a fearsome reputation. During the demonic upheaval, Patriarch Haichan had been forced to abandon the island. Once the turmoil subsided, he immediately led his disciples back, and Haichan Island quickly flourished once more. At midday, a merchant vessel docked at Haichan Island, and several cultivators of the Witch Clan disembarked from the ship.