Chapter 1177: Three-layered Pass

Elder Ji nodded. "The location of Sandie Pass is extremely important. We currently have two fellow Daoists stationed there, but we're still a bit uneasy. We hope you can go to reinforce them and assist in operating the grand formation. Of course, if Fellow Daoist Mingyue encounters any difficulties, please don't hesitate to mention them; everything is negotiable."

"Do you have a general deployment map of the front line? I'd like to survey the situation first."

Qin Sang neither directly agreed nor refused, instead stating his own request.

"Certainly."

Elder Ji readily agreed, took out a jade slip, and handed it to Qin Sang.

Qin Sang activated his spiritual sense, delved into it, and began to examine it carefully.

The content inside was straightforward, and the so-called deployment map was quite concise, but it contained everything Qin Sang needed.

Currently, the two most crucial strategic locations on the front line are Eastwatch City and Shiqu Mountain, situated in the east and west, respectively.

The top experts of the Two Domains Alliance, including Venerable Zhenyi, Demon Lord Tongyou, and Senior Sister Qingjun, have divided their forces into two routes, establishing large camps and garrisoning these two vital locations.

Senior Sister Qingjun is currently at Shiqu Mountain.

Other critical passes and cities are also defended by Nascent Soul cultivators, with responsibilities divided between these two major camps.

Because the Abyss of Sin has stretched its battle lines too long, creating a mix of real and feigned attacks, the Two Domains Alliance has been forced into this arrangement.

Coincidentally, Sandie Pass falls under the jurisdiction of Shiqu Mountain.

There are several other locations similar to Sandie Pass, second only in importance to the two main camps. The human cultivators invited demon kings to assist precisely to stabilize these vital strongholds.

As long as these few locations remain stable, even if other areas fall, they can still withstand the Abyss of Sin's offensive and even launch counterattacks.

In addition to these, there is Hukou Pass, the westernmost stronghold, situated in the most remote area at the tail end of the plateau. It serves as a gateway to the Heavenly Demon Mound and is currently garrisoned by demon forces.

The Abyss of Sin arrived well-prepared; the desert forces adjacent to the Sky-Stepping Plateau were long ago swept away by them, and Hukou Pass also faces a threat from the Abyss of Sin.

The demon race certainly does not want the Abyss of Sin to invade from this point, and Feather King has been continuously guarding against it.

Having understood the situation, Qin Sang felt that being stationed at Sandie Pass was a good choice and did not request a different location.

Seeing this, Elder Ji was pleased. He immediately took out a mustard seed pouch, saying, "This contains Golden Sunken Wood and a sum of spirit stones. Please count them, fellow Daoist."

Qin Sang took it and inspected its contents.

Surprisingly, the piece of Golden Sunken Wood was as thick as an arm. Golden Sunken Wood is the essence of a spirit tree's heartwood, and even a mature spirit tree wouldn't yield a much thicker piece than this.

The Two Domains Alliance had invested heavily.

"Then I shall accept it without hesitation!"

Qin Sang unceremoniously put everything away.

Previously, in order to exchange for cultivation resources, most of the treasures he brought back from the Canglang Sea, except for the Fiend Demon Cores and the highest-grade demon cores and bones, had already been sold.

Although Nascent Soul Patriarchs typically don't lack spirit stones, it's always good to have more reserves in this kind of situation.

"Fellow Daoists have been fighting the Abyss of Sin for so long, you must know them very well. Do you happen to have detailed records? It would help me be prepared."

Qin Sang's understanding of the Abyss of Sin was limited to what he had heard from Senior Sister Qingjun.

"Of course... Even if you hadn't mentioned it, I was going to give it to you. Also, this is a token to prove your identity."

Elder Ji handed him a jade slip and a token.

Qin Sang then made several other requests, such as transferring Old Ape and other demon beasts from Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to Sandie Pass. Elder Ji agreed to all of them, but noted that the Two Domains Alliance would handle the unified deployment, so it would take a few days.

As for the disciples of the Demonic Flame Sect, they were currently stationed at Shiqu Mountain, where Senior Sister Qingjun was located.

Aunt Mei had likely already made contact with the Azure Sun Demonic Sect.

After discussing a few more matters, both sides had no further objections.

Without further delay, Qin Sang immediately stood up and bid farewell to Elder Ji.

From there, traveling south and continuously descending, the path ahead was unobstructed.

Faintly, one could see the distant peaks gradually growing shorter.

When they arrived before the second tier, Tan Yien couldn't help but let out an exclamation of awe.

A sheer cliff face, ten thousand zhang high, was as smooth as a mirror, with wind and snow howling around it.

Unless attacking through one of the few passes, attempting a feigned attack from such a sheer cliff would be incredibly difficult, even for cultivators, causing them headaches.

There was still some distance from Sandie Pass to Shiqu Mountain, and Elder Ji was pressing for urgency, so Qin Sang decided to go to Sandie Pass first and then contact Senior Sister Qingjun. After flying down the second tier and traveling an unknown distance, they finally arrived at the location he was to guard.

Along the way, whenever they encountered patrols, showing the token allowed them unimpeded passage.

Sandie Pass.

Here, several peaks layered upon each other, forming a perilous terrain that was a strategic point of contention for any military force.

There was no city here; the Two Domains Alliance had deployed a grand formation that enveloped dozens of miles in thick fog, preventing the Abyss of Sin from probing its true strength.

Inside, there was no sign of the thick fog. At its center stood a tall building, surrounded by an orderly array of stone houses, clustered together like fish scales.

With no immediate battles, cultivators were resting in their rooms.

The core of the grand formation was located within this tall building.

Two Nascent Soul Patriarchs were currently conversing leisurely in the tall building.

One of them was from the Heavenly Walk Alliance, with the dharma name Jinglin.

The other was from the Taiyi Pill Sect, a direct disciple of Daoist Chongyi, named Si Di, who had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage a hundred years ago.

Both were at the early Nascent Soul stage of cultivation.

"Elder Ji sent a message earlier that we'd also be getting an assistant. I wonder which demon king it will be?"

Daoist Jinglin was very much looking forward to it.

Their expressions showed no signs of urgency, suggesting the war was not critical, but receiving reinforcements was always a good thing.

"Please, not that black bear!"

Si Di snorted, seemingly having had a conflict with the black bear demon. "Otherwise, my Yuejin Mirror might end up striking in any direction!"

Daoist Jinglin smiled faintly. "How could Elder Ji send an assistant who is at odds with us? Even if it were that black bear, it's only responsible for operating the Cold Bell Grand Formation, so out of sight, out of mind for you..."

Before he finished speaking, a stream of light suddenly flew into the tall building. Daoist Jinglin grabbed it, exclaiming, "They're here!"

The two flew out of the tall building, and then, with a flash of light, they swept to the edge of the grand formation. There, they saw two figures standing outside the formation; one wore a mask and emitted pure demonic energy, clearly a demon king.

"Oh?"

The two exchanged a look.

They had heard of the demon kings from Heavenly Demon Mound, even if they hadn't personally interacted with them. However, the arrival was completely unfamiliar.

"I am Demon King Mingyue from Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. You two must be Fellow Daoist Jinglin and Fellow Daoist Si Di, correct?"

Qin Sang introduced himself, then flicked his sleeve, sending a token into the formation.

After verifying it was correct, they allowed Qin Sang and Tan Yien to enter.

"No wonder neither of us recognized you, Fellow Daoist. So Fellow Daoist Mingyue has just broken through. We heard there's a very mysterious Senior Bamboo in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea; we didn't expect another demon king to emerge."

Jinglin and Si Di appeared outwardly enthusiastic.

Qin Sang keenly noticed the fleeting disappointment in their eyes but paid it no mind.

After some polite exchanges, the two invited Qin Sang into the tall building for a detailed discussion, while Tan Yien was led by a Core Formation cultivator to another location to settle in.

Before Tan Yien left, Qin Sang handed him a token.

If Tan Hao's old acquaintance was not at Sandie Pass, Tan Yien would go to other major camps to search for them. With Qin Sang's token, he would be able to move freely there. (To be continued)