Chapter 1011: Three Major Business Alliances

After waiting a while longer, Ning Wuhui finally arrived.

He entered the White Jade Plaza with several disciples from Tiandao Sect. Sensing Qin Sang's gaze, he subtly glanced back before heading towards the orthodox cultivators.

Seeing Ning Wuhui, Qin Sang's expression softened.

He pricked up his ears, listening to the discussions among the surrounding cultivators. The cultivators on the plaza were all top masters, and Qin Sang indeed overheard many secrets.

Qin Sang noticed that not all cultivators wanted to enter the Inner Hall.

Many intended to remain in the Outer Hall to explore its secret realms.

However, staying in the Outer Hall at this time was not a good idea.

Qin Sang had noticed upon arrival that due to the turbulent immortal formation, the entire Outer Hall was in chaos. Ferocious beasts were running wild, and the restrictions and ancient formations were affected, making it far more dangerous than before.

As Qin Sang silently observed the situation, the Corpse Puppet Pouch at his waist suddenly vibrated faintly. Qin Sang's expression subtly changed, and his spiritual consciousness entered the pouch.

“Be careful, Old Demon Mou is here!”

Bai issued the warning.

Qin Sang was secretly startled, “He’s also on the plaza?”

“Yes! I just tried using the Fire Curse Seed to detect him, and Old Demon Mou’s location is very close; he must be among these people,” Bai said in a deep voice.

Qin Sang looked up, his gaze sweeping quickly over all the cultivators on the plaza, focusing particularly on the Nascent Soul Ancestors.

To understand his opponent, he had specifically investigated Old Demon Mou’s background.

Among these people, none resembled Old Demon Mou.

Old Demon Mou was reviled by everyone and would certainly disguise his identity, but for him to brazenly enter the plaza right under the noses of the Demonic Lord and Ling Zhuzi was simply too audacious.

“Can you find his true form?”

Qin Sang narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them.

“It won’t be easy.”

Bai hesitated for a moment before saying, “There are too many Nascent Soul cultivators here, and I dare not act rashly. Moreover, the approximate location of Old Demon Mou I just sensed is quite intriguing…”

Following Bai’s guidance, Qin Sang looked over and found that it was precisely where the demonic cultivators were gathered, near the Demonic Lord.

“Are you saying the Demonic Lord might be harboring Old Demon Mou…?”

Bai hummed in affirmation, then sighed, “During the encirclement of Tianfeng Island, only the Demonic Lord and Ling Zhuzi, two Grand Cultivators, were present. The Demonic Lord only needed to subtly manipulate things to create an opportunity for Old Demon Mou to escape. Given Old Demon Mou’s strength, it would be worth the Demonic Lord’s risk to win him over. I just wonder if Ling Zhuzi noticed anything at the time.”

Qin Sang snorted coldly, not surprised in the slightest.

He had been suspicious ever since there was no news of Old Demon Mou’s death.

Old Demon Mou, having subjugated the Winter Nether Cold Flame, possessed strength far exceeding cultivators of the same rank. If the Demonic Lord could enlist him as a trusted aide, he would certainly agree with delight.

Compared to this, what were the lives of a few mere Core Formation cultivators?

“He may or may not have known!”

Qin Sang said coldly, “Ling Zhuzi’s action was to warn other Nascent Souls not to act recklessly in the Seven Kills Hall. With Tianfeng Island destroyed and Old Demon Mou forced into hiding, his goal has already been achieved. Unless Ling Zhuzi is prepared to directly confront the Demonic Lord, even if he truly noticed something, he would likely turn a blind eye, wouldn’t he? After all, the main contradiction in the current cultivation world is not the conflict between orthodox and demonic paths, but rather a racial struggle.”

With the Sea of Monsters’ demon race and the Witch Race outside, and the orthodox and demonic paths being evenly matched in strength, those powerful figures surely wouldn't want internal strife to erupt within humanity first.

Back in the Minor Cold Domain, Old Ancestor Scarlet Hair and Demon Lord Tongyou also advanced and retreated together.

Bai said with relief, “It’s good that you understand. Using another’s hand to kill seems impossible now, so we must not act rashly. If you want revenge, you can only rely on yourself.”

“Who knows how many years or months that will take? It seems I’ll just have to swallow this resentment.”

Qin Sang shook his head, dismissing his distracting thoughts.

Currently, the most important task should be to find the ancient teleportation array, return to the Minor Cold Domain to ripen the Nine-Illusion Sky Orchid, and attempt to form a Nascent Soul. He couldn't let hatred cloud his judgment.

Just as Qin Sang and Bai were secretly communicating, he suddenly caught a whiff of floral fragrance.

Qin Sang looked up, startled.

At some unknown moment, a woman appeared at the edge of the plaza, as if emerging from a sea of flowers. Her figure was graceful, her beauty exceptional, and every movement exuded astonishing charm.

The moment she appeared, she captivated the gaze of all cultivators, drawing gasps of admiration.

Even Ling Zhuzi and the Demonic Lord were stirred, looking over.

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Qingyun. Fellow Daoist Ji and Fellow Daoist Baili should be arriving soon as well, I presume?”

Ling Zhuzi’s eyes flickered, and he spoke.

As soon as these words were uttered, a commotion erupted on the plaza.

Qin Sang also showed a surprised expression.

The master of the Western Nether Alliance, one of the three great merchant alliances, was indeed named Qingyun. Rumor had it she was a peerlessly elegant female cultivator, and seeing her today proved the rumors true.

The other two individuals mentioned by Ling Zhuzi were the masters of the Northern Star Alliance and the Eastern Pole Alliance, respectively.

More and more human experts were arriving.

The masters of both the orthodox and demonic paths, along with the masters of the three great merchant alliances – figures who practically represented humanity’s largest powers – were now all gathered at Seven Kills Hall.

The Western Nether Alliance Master walked gracefully forward.

Her destination was neither the orthodox nor the demonic side, but rather the neutral faction.

Along the way, Core Formation cultivators respectfully made way, while Nascent Soul Ancestors greeted her with smiles. The three great merchant alliances were loose confederations, not sects, but they maintained intricate connections with various factions.

Qin Sang carefully observed Ling Zhuzi’s and the Demonic Lord’s expressions, but he couldn't discern anything.

“This humble one has come alone. When Fellow Daoist Ji and Fellow Daoist Baili will arrive, this humble one is also unsure.”

Qingyun’s expression remained composed as she walked to the front of the Seven Kills Hall and stopped.

Ling Zhuzi chuckled, clearly disbelieving her.

The Demonic Lord sneered, “Everyone knows the three great merchant alliances are closely linked. You three never easily leave your immortal caves or enter secret realms alone. An uninformed person might even think someone intends to harm you.”

The Demonic Lord’s tone was somewhat hostile.

Qingyun’s expression remained unchanged, and she replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “The three of us have shallow cultivation, and we bear the great responsibility of the alliances, so naturally, we must act with extreme caution. We established the merchant alliances to better aid in cultivation, yet some insist on attributing fabricated intentions to us. This humble one must be wary; if even one's life is lost, what meaning do other matters hold?”

Suddenly, a whooshing sound came from afar. Everyone sensed it and looked intently, seeing two streaks of light arrive in an instant, revealing two figures.

One was a dignified red-faced old man, while the other resembled a refined scholar.

The two landed on the plaza, their gazes sweeping across it.

The red-faced old man laughed heartily, striding forward with a voice like a booming bell.

“All fellow daoists have arrived! Ji and Fellow Daoist Baili are a step late, but we hope we haven’t missed anything important!”

The refined scholar followed, greeting Ling Zhuzi and the Demonic Lord. When he looked at Qingyun, however, he saw her expressionless and unresponsive, causing him to subtly frown and sigh inwardly.

“Fellow Daoist Ji! Fellow Daoist Baili!”

Ling Zhuzi cupped his hands in return, “The Seven Kills Hall’s trial realm has not yet opened, so the two of you have arrived at precisely the right time.”