Chapter 1161: Zan Po Dan

Approaching the Demon Flame Sect, one could feel a wave of intense heat.

The location, carefully chosen by Daoist Jiupao, was too rich in geothermal energy for other sects, but it was perfectly suited for Demon Flame Sect disciples to cultivate the "Seven Yang Arts."

Qin Sang appeared at the foot of the mountain, looking up at the Demon Flame Sect's protective formation. The scenery on the geothermal mountain was not much different from when Qin Sang had visited years ago.

Red-leaf spirit trees covered the entire mountain, with dormitories and pavilions built among them. The protective formation gathered red smoke, which slowly flowed through the air. Under the scorching sun, it shimmered with brilliant light.

After observing for a while, Qin Sang confirmed that the grand formation had not been altered. This formation was an inheritance left by Patriarch Kuiyin, meticulously set up by Daoist Jiupao. The geothermal energy amplified the formation, making it more powerful over time. It also had countless, exceptionally complex variations, and the Demon Flame Sect disciples were not capable of improving it.

Qin Sang carried a token and was familiar with all the formation's variations. With his current cultivation, he could easily infiltrate it without alarming anyone. He arrived before a red-leaf spirit tree grove, and his figure flashed, disappearing into the woods. The red smoke drifting above only showed slight ripples before returning to calm.

Several low-level disciples were cultivating in the woods. Soon after, several more disciples patrolled through the area, but none noticed anything unusual. Qin Sang moved silently through the woods, and the disciples' every word and action did not escape his notice.

In a medicine garden, two disciples were activating magical artifacts to create clouds and rain, watering the spirit herbs.

"Senior Brother, I heard that Elder Zhao just returned from the Yinspring Sect, and he doesn't look well. Did you encounter him when you went to the Sect Master's Hall just now? Did you hear anything?" The younger one was a delicate girl, who quietly asked the young man beside her.

The young man glanced at her, "What are you girls huddled together gossiping about now?"

"Is there any need to guess?" The girl pouted, unyielding, "All sects affiliated with the Qingyang Sect must take turns participating in front-line defense. We all know it's our turn next. Among the nearby sects, large and small, the Yinspring Sect is the strongest, conveying the orders of the Qingyang Demonic Sect, so we can only obey. Elder Zhao's trip to the Yinspring Sect this time must be about this. His bad complexion indicates the mission might be very dangerous. Is it wrong for us to care about our sect?"

The young man shook his head, smiling wryly, "You're still so sharp-tongued, girl! With our level of cultivation, what can we do even if we know the reason? It's better to focus on cultivating the spirit herbs well and do our part for the sect." Despite his words, deep worry flickered in the young man's eyes.

Qin Sang strolled casually through the spirit fields. Along the way, he heard similar conversations several times. Most disciples cared deeply for their sect, and their auras were not heavily imbued with malevolence.

He hadn't expected the Qingyang Demonic Sect's influence to reach so far, consolidating the demonic forces near the Demon Flame Sect. The Qingyang Demonic Sect was considered an anomaly among demonic sects. Due to their cultivation methods and location, they were not well-regarded by orthodox sects and were forced to join the demonic path. In reality, their actions were relatively righteous. Of course, this didn't mean the Qingyang Demonic Sect was benevolent. The cultivation world was fundamentally about the strong preying on the weak, and even orthodox sects engaged in infighting, but at least there were some boundaries.

Qin Sang didn't want Qingyang Temple to fall into the demonic path. If the Demon Flame Sect were full of cruel and bloodthirsty individuals, he wouldn't consider merging it with Qingyang Temple, as it would corrupt the foundation. It now seemed that Aunt Mei had managed the sect well. This was also related to the surrounding environment; with the Qingyang Demonic Sect's restrictions, this area hadn't devolved into a purely cannibalistic world like other demonic territories.

From these disciples, Qin Sang learned that Aunt Mei was currently on the mountain, so he quickened his pace, sweeping towards the summit.

Sect Master's Hall.

A woman in palace attire was discussing something with an old man; both showed a hint of anger in their expressions. The woman in palace attire was Aunt Mei. She had already reached the Core Formation stage, and her appearance hadn't changed much since Qin Sang had last seen her, still resembling a delicate woman. Yet, it was these delicate shoulders that bore the heavy burden of the sect, guiding it through the calamity of war and allowing it to survive in the cracks. Not only had the Demon Flame Sect not declined, but its influence had gradually grown. What was even more commendable was that her own cultivation had not fallen behind.

The old man was Zhao Shanran, one of the four Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Demon Flame Sect from back then. His cultivation was one level lower than Aunt Mei's, only at the False Core stage. The spirited young man he once was had now entered his twilight years, becoming frail and old.

"Did Junior Brother Lu truly appear at the Yinspring Sect?" Aunt Mei's brows were tightly furrowed, as if she had encountered a difficult problem.

"Senior Sister, you once helped Elder Qi, so he wouldn't lie to us about something like this. Elder Qi accidentally discovered Lu's tracks. At the time, there were many people in the Yinspring Sect, so it's very likely he colluded with the Yinspring Sect's Sect Master." Zhao Shanran was filled with lingering fear. "If Elder Qi hadn't warned me in time, and I hadn't taken another route, I might have been ambushed and killed by that Lu fellow! Heaven is blind; such a despicable wretch as Lu can actually form a Core!"

Aunt Mei sighed, "Back then, we obtained four Engraved Soul Pills, and each of us happened to receive one. Junior Brother Lu's talent was originally the best among the four of us, so it's not surprising that he could form a Core."

"He didn't have one Engraved Soul Pill, he had two!" Zhao Shanran had the closest relationship with Scholar Hongye. The thought of this made him gnash his teeth, regretting that he couldn't personally kill his enemy.

Aunt Mei shook her head. "Battlefields are inherently unpredictable. There was no conclusive evidence regarding Junior Brother Hongye's death at the time..."

"Junior Brother Hongye was definitely murdered by that Lu fellow! Senior Sister, you are simply too benevolent. You should have listened to me back then and killed him immediately! I suspect that Lu's escape might have been aided by the Yinspring Sect. This time, the Yinspring Sect might be falsely conveying orders, intending to capture us all and then, using Lu's name, swallow the Demon Flame Sect," Zhao Shanran said indignantly.

"Junior Brother, don't be anxious. Junior Brother Lu's fate is secondary. The most important thing now is how to deal with the Yinspring Sect," Aunt Mei remained calm, advising Zhao Shanran. She glanced outside the door. "The Yinspring Sect's request for us to provide one Core Formation cultivator is a normal request; I can go myself. But their additional request for too many people is excessive. A group was already transferred earlier. If so many more disciples are taken, our Demon Flame Sect will be completely empty."

After a pause, Aunt Mei said solemnly, "Their main goal is definitely to draw me away; other conditions can be negotiated. Once I'm on the front lines, I'll have my own arrangements. Don't worry about my safety; the Yinspring Sect can't just do whatever they want. However, Junior Brother, you will remain behind to guard the sect. Be careful in all matters... Do you remember how we used to handle things?"

Aunt Mei's gaze was sharp.

"One word: Endure!"

Zhao Shanran slowly exhaled. "It's only because of my dull aptitude that I failed to form a Core and cannot share Senior Sister's burdens! Senior Sister, rest assured, after you leave, I will immediately seal the mountain. Fortunately, Senior Sister didn't hand over the formation token and diagrams to that Lu fellow back then. I'd like to see how capable he is of breaking through the grand formation personally set up by the Sect Master!"

(To be continued)