Chapter 1159: Turn Around

Coveting the Nine Illusory Heavenly Orchid, Yitian Nie led the Kuiyin Sect to attack the Yuanzhao Gate. Unexpectedly, the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master was extremely decisive. He self-detonated his Golden Core, the sect's grand array, and the spiritual meridian, instantly dissolving the attack and, in turn, annihilating the Kuiyin Sect.

After the great battle, the Yuanzhao Gate, with the support of the Wuji Gate, occupied the Kuiyin Sect's former territory. Since the Kuiyin Sect had initiated the provocation and the Yuanzhao Gate was merely retaliating, the demonic forces found it difficult to intervene and thus tacitly approved the matter.

Traveling north through Great Sui evoked many memories for Qin Sang. Back then, he was merely a minor figure in the cultivation world; a Foundation Establishment cultivator could easily crush him with a flick of a finger. He escaped the demonic clutches amidst the chaos and lived in constant fear. Now, however, he was an existence capable of being revered as a Saint or Patriarch.

The former site of the Kuiyin Sect was now the mountain gate of the Yuanzhao Gate. After occupying this place, the Yuanzhao Gate set up an array to seal the yin qi of the Yinsha Abyss. Without the erosion of yin qi, the mountain scenery became beautiful and completely revitalized.

The shadow of war enveloped the cultivation world, and third-rate sects like the Yuanzhao Gate were even more precarious, uncertain of their future. Their mountain protection array remained constantly active. They also had to dispatch disciples to the front lines, so very few high-level cultivators remained at the mountain gate; most were new disciples who had recently joined. The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master, being advanced in age, remained within the sect to oversee its affairs.

At the mountain's summit, in front of the sect master's cave dwelling, a streak of light, indicative of an escape technique, sped forth and landed before the entrance. The newcomer was a young man in the Foundation Establishment stage. With a respectful expression, he activated the cave dwelling's restrictions, and after gaining permission, he entered to meet the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master.

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master was a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, showing clear signs of old age, with completely white hair and beard.

"This disciple greets the Sect Master!"

The young man quickly entered to pay his respects, taking out a spiritual talisman. "Sect Master," he said, "this is the news my master sent back. As per your instructions, he has contacted a senior from the Taiyi Dan Sect and received their care. Master and the senior brothers have only been assigned some patrol duties. The front-line situation is still relatively stable, and there's no immediate danger to their lives..."

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master summoned the jade slip into his hand. After reading it, he nodded and said, "Send a message to your master. Tell him to return to the sect after some time; I will personally go to the front lines."

Hearing this, the young man was greatly startled and urgently advised, "Sect Master, the battlefield is so dangerous, how can we let you..."

"Hmph!"

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master interrupted the young man. "Precisely because it's dangerous, I must go myself! I already have one foot in the grave; dying on the battlefield is nothing. Perhaps it's a good thing, gaining opportunities for the Yuanzhao Gate. You are the future hope of the sect! I sent your master out previously so he could gain experience. I feel that after enduring for so long, even if the Sin Abyss is preparing some conspiracy, it's almost time for it to come to fruition. Your master should return now..."

Before his words finished, a thunderous roar suddenly erupted from outside. Immediately, the entire cave dwelling shook violently. A cold light flashed in the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master's eyes. He immediately teleported out of the cave dwelling and hovered in mid-air, gasping in horror at the scene outside.

The entire Yuanzhao Gate descended into a state of panic. At this moment, the Yuanzhao Gate's mountain protection array shone with strange light, having been attacked from outside, manifesting a seven-colored light barrier in defense. Outside the light barrier, a dazzling expanse revealed itself to be countless streaks of sword light. These sword qi were perfectly ordered, forming an incredibly magnificent sword array. The astonishing aura, even through the grand array, made the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master's heart pound with trepidation.

"Sword Intent! A single sword forming an array!"

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master exclaimed in shock, his eyes wide with terror. Those who comprehend Sword Intent and can achieve "a single sword forming an array" are as rare as phoenix feathers or qilin horns among Golden Core cultivators. The opponent created such a grand display, with a single strike causing the mountain protection array to shake continuously. The one who arrived was very likely a Nascent Soul Patriarch!

"Who is it!"

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master's expression changed, unable to fathom which Nascent Soul cultivator had arrived. After the incident with the Wuji Gate, everyone in the Yuanzhao Gate had been very low-key under his strict control, making it impossible for them to have provoked a Nascent Soul Patriarch.

Just then, the sword array again condensed a sword qi and fiercely struck the mountain protection array right before the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master. Amidst the deafening roar, the light barrier suddenly dimmed, and it was unclear how much longer it could hold.

Seeing this, the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master dared not wait any longer. He braced himself and flew to the front of the light barrier, calling out loudly, "May I ask which senior has honored us with their presence? If this junior has shown any disrespect, I beg your forgiveness!"

A moment later, a voice came from outside.

"Are you the Yuanzhao Gate's sect master? Come out and speak."

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master's expression changed dramatically, but on second thought, if this Nascent Soul cultivator insisted on killing him, he would have no escape; hiding behind the array would only implicate his sect. He sighed forlornly, then transmitted an order for all disciples to return to their cave dwellings. He opened the mountain protection array and stepped out.

The sword array flickered and retracted, revealing a cloaked figure. This person was Qin Sang. The Ebony Sword was still fusing with the Soul Nurturing Wood, so Qin Sang used a low-grade spiritual sword he had previously obtained to cast the sword array, which also had considerable power.

"This junior, Gu Zhi, greets senior! If any Yuanzhao Gate disciple has offended you, it is due to this junior's lax discipline. This junior is willing to pay any price; please calm your anger, senior."

The Yuanzhao Gate's sect master made no mention of Qin Sang's attack on the mountain protection array, instead acting with extreme deference.

"Offend? What qualifications do you have to offend this lord?"

Qin Sang snorted disdainfully. Although the Nine Illusory Heavenly Orchid had been stolen from the Yuanzhao Gate, Qin Sang had no good impression of them. Supplying blood sacrifices to a secret realm under the guise of an Ascension Assembly certainly didn't seem like the conduct of a righteous sect. This Yuanzhao Gate's sect master, at a glance, clearly didn't have much lifespan left. Calculating the time, he should be the only remaining Golden Core cultivator of the Yuanzhao Gate after that abnormal event years ago. Back then, Gu Zhi was a high-ranking figure, and Qin Sang didn't even have the qualifications to meet him. Now, however, this person was meek and submissive in front of Qin Sang.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, realizing he had no direct grievances with the Yuanzhao Gate and was too lazy to bully them. He got straight to the point: "This lord remembers that this place was originally the territory of the Kuiyin Sect, but now it's occupied by your Yuanzhao Gate. So, the Kuiyin Sect's treasures should also have fallen into your hands, correct?"

Kuiyin Ancestor had refined ten demonic banners, seven of which were scattered abroad. Even if the demonic banners were destroyed, their poles must still exist. The Black Iron Pillar and the Demon Binding Rope had similar restrictions, suggesting they might also be treasures used against ancient demons. Qin Sang still felt lingering fear from the ancient demon of the Seven Kills Hall, which had caused chaos and massacred Nascent Soul cultivators. When attacked by the Sin Abyss, a demonic shadow with three heads and six arms had appeared. Who knows how many ancient demons still lurked within the cultivation world.

Once Qin Sang refined the demonic fire, the banner poles would become useless. Only by collecting all the banner poles could a way be found to repair the Black Iron Pillar. After Bai advanced to Corpse King, he would have the energy to comprehend spiritual arrays that worked with the Demon Binding Rope. Building on this, it wouldn't be impossible to create spiritual arrays that worked with the Black Iron Pillar. By then, Qin Sang would possess a treasure specifically designed to counter ancient demons. The Black Iron Pillar, even when split into banner poles, could still easily suppress the Nine Nether Demonic Fire. From this, it was clear that the power of this treasure was undoubtedly immense.

(To be continued)