Chapter 109: Yanluo Banner's Sacrifice

Sun De paled in shock, hurriedly casting out a streak of radiant light. Within the radiant light was a finely woven spiritual net, which instantly unfurled in the nick of time, blocking the Yin Thunder. But immediately after, Qin Sang casually threw out several spiritual talismans he had prepared beforehand. Ice, fire, and earth spikes flew together in a chaotic mess, battering the spiritual net until it was on the verge of collapse.

The Ebony Sword, which followed closely behind, took advantage of the spiritual net's dimming light and directly cut it into two.

With his magical artifact easily destroyed, the unprepared Sun De only had time to turn sideways to dodge. The Ebony Sword grazed his lower ribs, leaving a long, narrow wound.

Sun De let out another scream of agony, his face filled with panic, as he shouted desperately, "Junior Brother Qin, stop! It's a misunderstanding!"

Qin Sang paid him no mind.

Sun De's words and actions were highly suspicious. Although Qin Sang had countless doubts, he knew he couldn't give Sun De any chance to breathe. If Sun De managed to summon a powerful magical artifact, the situation could easily reverse. He had to incapacitate him in one fell swoop.

The Ebony Sword pressed aggressively, coupled with the talismans and Yin Thunder Qin Sang suddenly unleashed, leaving Sun De no chance to even take out his magical artifact. He shot a furious glare at Qin Sang, muttering something under his breath. A moment later, he suddenly stared at Qin Sang, his face full of astonishment, as if he had seen something incredible.

Qin Sang had no idea what Sun De was up to. He fully activated his sword art, and the Ebony Sword transformed into streaks of sword light, engulfing Sun De and directly severing his sea of qi.

In the end, Sun De was forced into a corner of the cave dwelling, with no escape.

Qin Sang severed Sun De's limbs, flicked away his mustard seed bag, and left him barely alive.

Sun De lay motionless on the ground, seemingly unconscious. Qin Sang carefully swept his divine sense over him to ensure Sun De couldn't cause any more trouble, then retracted the Ebony Sword.

Just then, a blue ball of light suddenly flew out from the top of Sun De's head, swift as a shooting star, rushing straight towards Qin Sang's face.

Qin Sang's face showed no panic. Just as the ball of light was about to touch his glabella, he secretly activated the Heavenly Star Tear. A protective light barrier immediately appeared on his body's surface, deflecting the ball of light away.

The ball of light trembled in mid-air and was about to escape out of the cave dwelling. How could Qin Sang allow it to escape? His figure flickered, blocking the ball of light. Spiritual energy glowed in his palm, and he grabbed it firmly in his hand. As he squeezed tightly, pained screams emanated from within.

"Junior Brother Qin, spare my life! I was just worried because Junior Brother Qin hadn't emerged from seclusion for a long time, so I came in to check. I didn't intentionally break into your cave dwelling! It's all a misunderstanding! For the sake of our fellowship as sect brothers, I beg Junior Brother Qin to let me go!"

Sun De's continuous pleas echoed in Qin Sang's mind, but Qin Sang remained completely unmoved. He stared expressionlessly at Sun De's primordial spirit, then glanced at the utterly destroyed Soul-Deluding Mirror on the ground. He said coldly, "Senior Brother Sun, if it's a misunderstanding, can you tell me how you destroyed the Soul-Deluding Mirror? And why did you think I would surely die?"

He had originally thought Sun De possessed some powerful magical artifact and used it to forcefully break the Soul-Deluding Mirror. But after he appeared, he realized that wasn't the case.

A top-grade magical artifact, and one that had already formed an array—could it be destroyed so easily?

And also, that remark Sun De shouted when they first met. Immortal cultivators breaking through the tenth layer posed no real danger. Why would he think Qin Sang was dead?

Qin Sang suddenly had a strong premonition.

"This..."

Sun De's tone was hesitant. Qin Sang snorted coldly and tightened his grip again.

The ball of light pulsed violently. Sun De screamed in pain, then cried out, "Junior Brother Qin, have mercy! Because those mirrors of yours are made using a special restriction spell. They are sinister artifacts refined with baleful Yin energy. I've seen them before and know how to break such restriction spells, which is why... Junior Brother Qin, don't be angry. These sinister artifacts aren't durable; even if I hadn't broken them, they would have destroyed themselves after a period of use..."

After hearing Sun De's words, Qin Sang still held Sun De's primordial spirit tightly, his face thoughtful.

If, as Sun De said, the Soul-Deluding Mirror was a sinister artifact, then it was likely that the seventeen magical artifacts they received from Sect Master Yi were no exception. They were actually refined with baleful Yin energy. No wonder each artifact carried an undeniable chilling aura.

The Hornless Dragon Sword was like this, and the Soul-Deluding Mirror was like this. The Cloud-Falling Wings were less obvious because their primary function was concealment.

Qin Sang lowered his head, staring at Sun De's primordial spirit. A strange glint appeared in his eyes, and he suddenly asked, "Even the artifact refinement masters in the market couldn't tell. Senior Brother Sun, you truly have discerning insight. It seems Senior Brother Sun has quite a deep connection with the Kuíyīn Sect."

He had never heard of these so-called sinister artifacts. He had asked many artifact refiners in the cultivation market, but not a single one could identify them. Yet Sun De knew so clearly.

The ball of light fell silent for a moment.

Qin Sang was secretly surprised. He had only been bluffing, but Sun De actually had a connection with the Kuíyīn Sect.

After a long silence, Sun De sighed softly. "Junior Brother Qin, I'll tell you whatever you want to know, but you must swear that you will spare my life after I finish speaking."

Qin Sang's eyes flashed, and he said indifferently, "Senior Brother Sun, it seems you're not in a position to negotiate with me. If you don't say anything, I'll make you die right now! Furthermore, you don't actually believe there's no way in the cultivation world to make you speak, do you? I'd like to see how tough you really are!"

Without waiting for Sun De to speak, Qin Sang's expression darkened slightly. Spiritual energy surged in his palm. As he held Sun De's primordial spirit, he began to grind it forcefully. He had long experienced the pain originating from the primordial spirit and didn't believe Sun De could endure it.

Sure enough, Sun De screamed repeatedly. The ball of light grew increasingly dim and finally manifested a face, begging Qin Sang for mercy again and again, appearing utterly pitiful.

"Junior Brother Qin, stop! I'll talk, I'll talk..."

Having taught him enough of a lesson, Qin Sang finally stopped. A cold glint flickered in his eyes as he stared at Sun De.

Sun De cautiously glanced at Qin Sang. "Junior Brother Qin, you're right. My background is indeed connected to the Kuíyīn Sect. Let me ask you a question first: Did you not cultivate using the Yama Banner?"

Qin Sang countered Sun De. "How did you know I have the Yama Banner?"

He had the Yama Banner on him since joining the Kuíyīn Sect in Youshan Market. Not even Yue Wu had noticed.

"Junior Brother Qin, you haven't forgotten the Heart-Devouring Worm in your primordial spirit, have you?"

Sun De let out a dry laugh. Seeing Qin Sang's displeased expression, he dared not keep him in suspense. "The Kuíyīn Ancestor discovered some Heart-Devouring Worm corpses in a piece of thousand-year-old cold ice and then created a venomous Gu technique that could manipulate the worm corpses to control others. This is not a secret within the Kuíyīn Sect.

"To my knowledge, there are very few Heart-Devouring Worm corpses left. They have all been collected by Sect Master Old Devil Yi. Recently, he only grudgingly used them to send disciples to infiltrate the Yuanzhao Gate.

"That day, on Shaohua Mountain, when I sensed the Heart-Devouring Worm inside Junior Brother Qin, I guessed that Junior Brother Qin might have escaped from the Yuanzhao Gate. Old Devil Yi's trusted confidants sent into the Yuanzhao Gate naturally wouldn't be a concern for betrayal. Only those disciples selected from the Baleful Abyss, whom he couldn't trust, were controlled with Heart-Devouring Worms. They would certainly have the Yama Banner on them.

"I conducted a slight test and saw that Junior Brother Qin indeed chose to be a menial laborer at the Earth Sinking Cave. I then thought it was foolproof. But I never expected Junior Brother Qin to resist the allure of the Yama Banner and not cultivate with the help of a Soul Pill. For Junior Brother Qin to possess such willpower, my defeat this time is not unjust."

Hearing this, Qin Sang's doubts deepened. "What happens if one cultivates using the Yama Banner?"

"You would become a sacrifice," Sun De said.