A Deal

Hearing Bai's defense, Qin Sang felt a stir in his heart. It seemed he was not the first cultivator to discover the Nine Nether Demonic Fire. This was only natural. Although the Ghostland was secluded, the Hall of Seven Kills had opened countless times, and innumerable cultivators had entered. Unless a place was truly an absolute death trap, every corner of it would have long since been explored. Among them were no shortage of great cultivators in the late Core Formation stage. Possessing treasures to withstand the poison of the purple mist, it was not surprising that they could penetrate this deep. However, judging by Bai's tone, Qin Sang was likely the first person capable of crossing the Nine Nether Demonic Fire and entering the Ghostland. Thoughts raced through Qin Sang's mind as he pressed his attack into the ghost mist, paving the way with his sword wheel. His incarnation and the two-headed hou flanked him like guardian protectors on his left and right. Flanked by his incarnation and the two-headed hou, Qin Sang laid siege to Bai, speaking to keep him off balance while scouring the area for his true body, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. At last, Bai's position was locked onto by the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Without showing the slightest emotion, Qin Sang did not hesitate in the least and directly activated the Lightning Command Technique. By manipulating the ghost mist, Bai's strength had surged considerably, but the Lightning Command Technique commanded the purest yang and most formidable power of thunder, inherently countering ghostly beings. Not only could the Lightning Command Technique disperse the ghost mist, but Bai, lurking inside, would also find no escape. Unleashing the Lightning Command Technique might heavily damage the Flying Yaksha or even destroy it, but Qin Sang had no hesitation. Compared to the Flying Yaksha, the Ten Directions Yanluo Banners were clearly far more important. Bai had taken the initiative to propose a deal, and Qin Sang had to admit he was somewhat tempted. This person was very likely an old monster who had survived from ancient times until now. Even if he had lost his memories, whatever he inadvertently recalled could involve earth-shattering secrets that would be of immense value to Qin Sang's future path of cultivation. However, making a deal under these circumstances was not what Qin Sang wanted. Bai likely shared a similar mindset; otherwise, he could have stepped out openly from the very beginning to negotiate with him. Bai certainly had not anticipated that Qin Sang's strength would far exceed his expectations. Even after harnessing the ghost mist and the power of the vengeful spirits, he still could not suppress Qin Sang, leaving him no choice but to propose a deal under the guise of mutual benefit. Furthermore, what Qin Sang valued most were the eighteen demonic banners. Between an illusory, uncertain transaction and a supreme-grade magic treasure within easy reach, he would choose the latter. Crack! As the Lightning Command Technique neared completion, arcs of electricity flashed around Qin Sang with crackling snaps. The ghost mist and spirits swirling around him seemed to have met their nemesis, shrieking in terror as they recoiled. "What secret technique are you using?!" Bai sensed something was wrong. Alarmed, he let out a startled cry. Qin Sang sneered without answering. His fingers formed hand seals, rapidly casting the secret technique. The might of the Lightning Command Technique began to show. Lightning flashed all around Qin Sang, bathing him in thunderous brilliance as an endless surge of thunderous power rushed frantically toward his fingertips. And the direction his fingertips pointed was none other than Bai's hiding spot. Qin Sang had forged the Lightning Command Technique by braving heavenly thunder in the midst of a violent storm. However, the thunder he commanded now differed from true heavenly thunder. Not only was its power incomparable to heavenly thunder, but due to the presence of astral fiend, it also bore a dim, eerie quality, lacking heavenly thunder's radiant brilliance. Even so, the Lightning Command Technique cast by Qin Sang was not something a Core Formation stage cultivator could withstand. "Wuuu..." The vengeful spirits within the ghost mist sensed the danger and became restless and agitated. At this moment, not a shred of indifference remained in Bai's eyes. Previously, he had assumed he could at least fight Qin Sang to a standstill, which was why he had remained so fearless. Only now did he realize that Qin Sang possessed the means to defeat or even slay him. Pale with fright, Bai darted frantically back and forth through the ghost mist, attempting to confuse Qin Sang's senses. Yet Qin Sang had already locked onto him. Completely exposed beneath the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's Heavenly Eye divine ability, all his efforts were doomed to futility. "Stop! I yield!" Bai shrieked at the top of his lungs. Qin Sang turned a deaf ear to his pleas, shifting through hand seals in rapid succession. Deep within the Ghostland, rolling thunder rumbled. With phoenix wings unfurled from his back, Qin Sang hovered in midair. His robes billowed, his gaze cold and stern. As he commanded the thunder, he radiated an aura that seemed poised to purge all evil spirits and cleanse the vast heavens. Of course, he did not truly possess such overwhelming might; at most, he could only exterminate Bai and a portion of the vengeful spirits around him. Locked in by the thunder, Bai felt an impending sense of doom and truly panicked. He screamed repeatedly, "If you dare kill me, you won't survive either! A mortal enemy of yours is watching from outside the demonic fire! If you go out there, you're dead!" Qin Sang did not believe his lies for a second. Right now, the only ones capable of killing him were Nascent Soul Patriarchs. He considered himself exceptionally cautious. Though he had offended two Nascent Soul Patriarchs, he had left no traces behind and had been in hiding for decades. How could they possibly track him down here? Thus, he remained unmoved, watching as his secret technique was on the verge of completion. "Don't you have a detection secret technique?! If you don't believe me, go look outside! That person is lurking right outside the demonic fire right now! And it's a Nascent Soul cultivator! Only I can help you escape and survive this calamity!" Bai cursed himself for not having more mouths. Seeing that Qin Sang remained utterly stubborn, he nearly ground the Flying Yaksha's steel fangs to powder, his voice turning shrill. Hearing this, Qin Sang's eyes flickered, and his hand seals paused slightly, feeling a flicker of suspicion and doubt. Bai's tone did not sound feigned. Could there truly be a formidable enemy lurking in wait? The canyon was the sole entrance to the Ghostland. One man could hold the pass against ten thousand. If a Nascent Soul Patriarch were indeed guarding the canyon as Bai claimed, Qin Sang would have no way to escape. He had concealed himself thoroughly and never slipped up. Nor could any outsider have known of his designs on the Nine Nether Demonic Fire. Who on earth could be waiting outside? Seeing Qin Sang's aggressive aura ease, Bai let out a breath of relief. Terrified that Qin Sang might change his mind, he hurriedly swore an oath: "The Ghostland is only so large! Even if I could fool you for a moment, could I fool you forever? Where else could I run? If there is half a word of falsehood, I am willing to offer my neck to your blade!" Qin Sang narrowed his eyes and stared deep into the ghost mist for a long while before saying calmly, "Disperse the ghost mist first. I promise to spare your life for now." Bai fell silent for a brief moment before agreeing to the condition. With a dull boom, the ghost mist scattered. The vengeful spirits regained their freedom, stirring up another commotion. Now, Bai stood all alone before Qin Sang, meeting his gaze openly. Qin Sang stared into Bai's eyes for a good while. Then, with a subtle shake of his arm, the lightning swirling around him slowly dissipated, and the thunderous power retreated into his body. Seeing this, the tension that had gripped Bai's heart finally loosened. "The deal I mentioned before was about this... It seems seeing is believing before you'll trust me. That person is waiting right outside the demonic fire. I'll channel the ghost mist to mask our presence and aura. Go see for yourself..." Bai was tactful enough not to make any suspicious moves, voluntarily flying toward the entrance of the Ghostland. After pondering briefly, Qin Sang followed closely behind. Still, he kept the Lightning Command Technique at the ready, prepared to strike Bai down the instant anything seemed amiss. Before long, the two arrived before the Nine Nether Demonic Fire. After giving a signal, Bai gathered a wisp of ghost mist around Qin Sang, shrouding his figure and aura. Qin Sang stepped forward quietly, pressing close to the stone wall, and instructed the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to peer outside. There was no one there.