Chapter 1179: Incoming Attack

These days, he had also been following the situation.

Perhaps related to the emergence of Ziwei Palace, the Sin Abyss seemed to be truly settling down. Not only at Sandie Pass, but information gathered from other areas indicated the same, with only minor skirmishes occurring.

However, the more this was the case, the less they could afford to be complacent.

Inside the tall building, Qin Sang was fully focused.

The Killing Talisman reflecting the sword soul—this step had been completed. The next step was the fusion of the sword soul with the seven corporeal souls.

Soul, spirit...

Although often spoken of casually, to contemporary immortal cultivators, it seemed to mean the same thing as the divine soul or Nascent Soul. Some soul-splitting secret arts merely split off a portion from the divine soul.

To truly subdivide it into the three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls remained an extremely abstruse concept for Qin Sang.

Qin Sang had seen various interpretations in esoteric texts. Some Taoist classics recorded that the three ethereal souls were named Taiguang, Shuangling, and Youjing. The seven corporeal souls were respectively Shiger, Fushi, Queyin, Tunzei, Feidu, Chuhui, and Choufei, all described as "turbid spirits" residing within the body.

But these were merely theoretical concepts and mythical legends; he had never encountered any related cultivation methods. Fusing each sword soul with one of the seven corporeal souls was even more unheard of.

Qin Sang himself didn't know where to begin. He could only focus his mind to comprehend, repeatedly circulating his cultivation technique. He subtly sensed a connection and, following the guidance of the technique, gradually fused the sword souls.

This process was very slow and encountered many difficulties. However, Qin Sang had ample patience.

Time passed day by day.

Undisturbed, Qin Sang focused on comprehending the cultivation technique in the tall building. He finally made some progress: a sword soul showed a tendency to merge with his Nascent Soul.

After that, the speed increased, and the second sword soul also showed similar signs.

"It seems they are all merging with my Nascent Soul, but the power generated by the fusion with these two sword souls appears to have subtle differences..." Qin Sang pondered. He vaguely sensed this feeling but found it difficult to articulate.

"Unless this technique is merely using the name, otherwise, the three ethereal souls and seven corporeal souls might truly exist in this world! Then are the Underworld, Yellow Springs, King Yama, and even the Six Paths of Reincarnation and transmigration not just legends...?"

Qin Sang thought for a long time, then slowly shook his head. Even if they existed, it wasn't a level he could reach.

He put aside these distracting thoughts, just about to continue cultivating, when he was suddenly startled by a rapid ringing. His expression subtly changed. The moment the Cold Bell rang, it signified an emergency.

Qin Sang immediately stopped cultivating, pushed open the door, and exited the quiet room. He found that Si Di and Jing Lin had already arrived, both with grave expressions.

"Several watchtowers reported consecutively, discovering signs of large-scale activity from Sin Abyss cultivators," Jing Lin quietly explained, relaying all the intelligence to Qin Sang. "This time, it doesn't seem to be a feint. I've already ordered their full withdrawal..."

Qin Sang glanced outside the tall building. Streaks of light flickered constantly, and the army had already begun to gather.

"Are fellow Daoists planning to hold Sandie Pass?" Qin Sang asked in return.

"Precisely," Si Di nodded. "We still can't discern the Sin Abyss's intentions. Is it, as True One fellow Daoist guessed, a desperate strike before Ziwei Palace emerges, or is it business as usual? The safest option is to hold the pass and wait for news from Shiqu Mountain before deciding on a course of action."

Jing Lin added, "We also worry about launching a rash attack and falling into a trap set by the Sin Abyss. Fellow Daoist Si Di will go organize the troops now. I was supposed to operate the Cold Bell Formation, but now that Fellow Daoist Mingyue is presiding, I can hide behind the scenes for now and deliver a surprise to the enemy when the time is right!"

Hearing this, Qin Sang generally understood their strategy. Sandie Pass's importance was second only to strategic locations like Shiqu Mountain. The Cold Bell Formation was exceptionally complex, requiring a Nascent Soul cultivator to operate it personally to unleash its true power. With two Nascent Soul cultivators—one overseeing the core operations, the other leading the army to engage the enemy—they had now freed up one person. If they could seize the opportunity to ambush and severely injure a Sin Abyss Nascent Soul, it would largely secure victory.

This was indeed part of the agreement made before Qin Sang's arrival.

However, Qin Sang thought for a moment and proposed an idea. "Do you have any way for the Cold Bell Formation to operate without my personal control? I also wish to go out and witness the divine abilities of a Sin Abyss Nascent Soul."

"Fellow Daoist is willing to personally join the battle?" Both were overjoyed to hear this. They understood the terms of the agreement and didn't expect these demon kings to actively offer assistance without personal gain. Qin Sang's declaration was unexpected.

Qin Sang nodded. "If the Sin Abyss succeeds, our demon race would likely find it hard to remain unscathed. I have long wished to contribute my part. I believe I have some mastery in escape techniques, so even if I am outmatched, self-preservation will not be an issue."

The two exchanged glances.

Si Di pondered and said, "I will go out first to draw an opponent. The two fellow Daoists will hide in the dark, strike unexpectedly, and attack simultaneously. Perhaps we can even eliminate the opponent's Nascent Soul!"

Since the Three Regions War began, very few Nascent Souls had perished on the battlefield. Every Nascent Soul cultivator was a shrewd and cunning individual, extremely cautious. More importantly, a Nascent Soul possesses teleportation abilities after leaving the body and extraordinary escape speed, making it extremely difficult to restrain one. The three leaders of the Canglang Sea's major merchant guilds had bad luck, encountering an unfathomable ancient demon; otherwise, even if their physical bodies were lost, their Nascent Souls could have escaped.

"Even if we can't kill the Nascent Soul, destroying the opponent's physical body would still weaken the Sin Abyss's power!" Jing Lin's face was filled with joy. "It won't be easy for him to find a suitable new body, and his strength will inevitably be greatly diminished. If we truly succeed, we will certainly commend Fellow Daoist Mingyue for your meritorious service!"

Si Di's expression remained calm as he thought of a difficulty. "Although the formation artifacts can be handed over to Gold Core descendants for control, the formation is too complex; there will be a significant difference in power whether we operate it or Gold Core cultivators do. Over the years, the Sin Abyss has become very familiar with the Cold Bell Formation. It won't be easy to deceive them. If they detect something unusual about the formation, they will certainly be on guard."

"Fellow Daoist makes a good point; it certainly needs careful consideration." Jing Lin's joy receded. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Initially, the Cold Bell Formation will primarily be defensive, and the Sin Abyss will not have committed all its forces. The formation's performance won't show a significant difference."

Si Di hesitated slightly. "That time frame is too short; it will likely be difficult to find an opportunity."

"Regardless, it's always good to try," Qin Sang said. "Even if I can't kill the opponent's Nascent Soul, without affecting the overall battle, I can first kill a few Gold Core cultivators, then return to control the Cold Bell Formation, which would still help you..."

His primary objective was still to have close contact with a Sin Abyss Nascent Soul. When he was previously ambushed by the Sin Abyss, the three-headed, six-armed ancient demon phantom had always been a lingering shadow in Qin Sang's mind. If the Sin Abyss truly had some connection to ancient demons, he would need to prepare a retreat plan and consider his options carefully in the long term.

The three then discussed many more details and finalized their strategy.

Jing Lin secretly summoned a peak Gold Core cultivator, who was a junior from his sect, entrusting this person with the control of the formation artifacts and meticulously instructing them to maintain a perfect disguise.

Afterwards, Si Di went out to deploy the troops and waited for the Sin Abyss army to advance.