Chapter 1039: Tiger's Den Seizure (Extra Chapter for the Clan Leader Kiss Without Shooting!)

She had thought Qin Sang was allied with Immortal Yue, which was why she hadn't dared to ask him for help. No wonder he had found Su Nü's relationship with Immortal Yue somewhat strange.

Qin Sang recalled the moment he left Demon Island and encountered cultivators from the Western Nether Alliance. Upon seeing Su Nü's ability to control true demonic energy, the Western Nether Alliance had immediately moved to seize her.

"Fellow Daoist, knowing my origins, you must understand why I am wary of the Eastern Extremity Alliance," Su Nü began. "I am like an item specifically refined for a purpose. Moreover, the cultivation method I practice is not normal; it is slowly changing me, causing me horror and constant unease! Upon entering the Seven Kill Hall, this unease intensified, even making me tremble."

Su Nü had finally met someone she could confide in and revealed her emotions without the slightest hesitation.

Through Su Nü's words, Qin Sang pieced together many fragments.

"The Five Yin Marvelous Physique, true demonic energy, True Demonic Art, ancient demons, Western Nether Alliance, Eastern Extremity Alliance… what secret is hidden within all of this?" Qin Sang had a premonition that he had stumbled upon an astonishing secret.

"If I were in your shoes, I would also be wary of the Eastern Extremity Alliance," Qin Sang remarked, though he didn't fully believe her. The cultivation world was full of old monsters who had lived for decades or centuries, many of whom were excellent actors. However, Qin Sang couldn't yet fathom why Su Nü would concoct such an elaborate story to deceive him.

"Fellow Daoist, do you believe Venerable Ye's covert arrival here is related to you, and that he intends to save himself? What would you have me do for you, even if it means sacrificing the Soul Cleansing Fluid? Facing Venerable Ye, I fear I would be of little help, wouldn't I?" Qin Sang pressed her with a series of questions. For him to rescue someone from a Nascent Soul Grandmaster was simply unthinkable.

"I constantly think of saving myself and escaping the Eastern Extremity Alliance; I will stop at nothing!" Su Nü's tone was resolute, then somewhat deflated, as she said miserably, "They planted a mark on me, precisely because they fear my escape, aren't they? If not for Venerable Ye, I might still have a chance to save myself. Now, I can only hope for external assistance. If you agree, please take this ghost seal. After leaving the Bewitching Cave, do not rush to leave the trial grounds. Use the ghost seal's guidance to follow behind me. If I encounter trouble, simply activate the ghost seal's power from a distance. You need not worry; it won't implicate you. If nothing happens, you may leave on your own. If I survive, I will personally present the Soul Cleansing Fluid to you!"

"That simple?" Qin Sang was surprised, seeing a small ghost-head seal clutched between the earthen puppet's fingers. The ghost seal was tiny; its ghost head resembled a malevolent spirit sealed within. Its function was not discernible from its appearance alone.

"I don't know how much good it will do; I'm just trying anything," Su Nü said with a bitter smile.

Qin Sang frowned in silence. In truth, he already believed seventy to eighty percent of what Su Nü said. With so many people vying for the Soul Cleansing Fluid, Su Nü had no reason to fabricate such an elaborate story just to deceive him. Whether the masked person was Venerable Ye and whether Su Nü was lying could soon be verified.

But he didn't immediately agree to Su Nü's terms. He had other plans in mind. The premise of a deal with Su Nü to obtain the Soul Cleansing Fluid was his ability to rescue her. Taking such a roundabout approach introduced too many variables, and he needed to find the ancient teleportation array immediately after leaving the trial grounds, so he had no time to be entangled with Su Nü. Compared to that, he preferred a foolproof plan!

"I can make a deal with you, but the terms of the transaction can be altered," Qin Sang said, his eyes flickering. "Of course, the premise is that everything you've said is true and you haven't deceived me!"

"Deceiving you, Fellow Daoist, offers me no benefit whatsoever, especially since you are my lifesaver," Su Nü said with urgency, almost swearing an oath. "My divine sense clone is about to dissipate. What terms do you wish for? Please don't keep me in suspense; anything I can do..."

"I want you to help me contend for the Soul Cleansing Fluid right here! Regardless of success or failure, I can still help you," Qin Sang said gravely.

"What? You want to contend with Venerable Ye for the Soul Cleansing Fluid?" Su Nü exclaimed in surprise.

"Indeed. If what you say is true, Venerable Ye can only briefly unseal his cultivation, and he has injuries, so there's no need to be overly fearful. I possess a method that can threaten a Nascent Soul cultivator; success is not entirely impossible." Opportunities are seized, not given. Qin Sang, confident in his abilities such as the Thunder Manipulation Art and his demonic banner, and with excellent escape techniques, believed he could indeed be the 'oriole' watching the mantis and cicada.

"Venerable Ye surely wouldn't expect someone to even abandon the Soul Cleansing Fluid, so his words should be true. However, being able to threaten a Nascent Soul doesn't mean Venerable Ye truly fears you! I know Venerable Ye very well; Nascent Soul cultivators are unfathomable. Who can say for sure if he has other methods?" Su Nü refused without hesitation. "Even with his cultivation sealed, Venerable Ye is still a Nascent Soul Grandmaster, far surpassing us in other aspects. Fellow Daoist, please do not overestimate yourself. I will not risk it with you."

Qin Sang smiled faintly. "Naturally, I will only act when I'm absolutely certain of success. And I won't expose you, Fellow Daoist. Aren't you supposed to control the formation to assist Venerable Ye? You just need to find a way to stall them for a moment."

"In that case..." Su Nü hesitated, then said, "I can try."

Qin Sang nodded, reaching out to grasp the ghost seal and making a vow. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, I value my life even more than you do, so I won't act recklessly. Even if we fail to acquire the Soul Cleansing Fluid, our transaction can still continue."

"I hope Fellow Daoist will keep your promise."

The earthen puppet's eyes stared fixedly at Qin Sang, then quickly lost their luster, and it fell to the ground, beginning to dissolve. While their conversation seemed intricate, it actually took very little time.

Ming Wei hesitated, wanting to speak but unsure. She didn't know who Qin Sang was interacting with or what they were discussing. Now, relying more on Qin Sang, she dared not speak rashly.

Qin Sang held the ghost seal, feeling a chill in his palm. He stared intently at the Soul Cleansing Fluid and the seal, took a deep breath, and his mind raced, piecing together various clues. Whether Su Nü's words were true or false, he had to be on guard.

Sensing Ming Wei's gaze, Qin Sang transmitted a message to her. "I have good news and bad news." Ming Wei froze, then listened.

"The good news is, someone will help us clear out those opponents. The bad news is, the person clearing the obstacles might be a Nascent Soul Grandmaster!" Ming Wei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Fellow Daoist, don't ask who gave me this information, and don't question its veracity," Qin Sang said. "Regardless, we must prepare early and work together if we are to have any chance of obtaining the Soul Cleansing Fluid."

"Contend for treasure with a Nascent Soul cultivator?" Ming Wei looked at him as if he were insane, almost turning to leave.

"I'm not so crazy as to openly oppose a Nascent Soul Grandmaster," Qin Sang paused slightly, then continued, "but Fellow Daoist, don't forget this is the trial grounds, where Nascent Soul Grandmasters face restrictions... If you dare to stay, follow my previous suggestion; you won't be taking too much risk."

It's not a good feeling to be in debt. Coming back by car today, I felt that if this continued, the backlog would only grow. So I hardened my resolve, stayed up all night, and wrote four chapters, finally catching up on my missed updates! I hope I can slack off at work...