Chapter 1193: Near Trace Mountain

The Human World

Qin Sang was already very familiar with Che Yutao. When Qin Sang was at Shaohua Mountain, Che Yutao was already a Golden Core cultivator. Many years ago, Che Yutao became a peak Golden Core master, rumored to be the most promising cultivator of his generation at Shaohua Mountain to advance to the Nascent Soul stage. Qiu Mubo, Dongyang Bo's most valued disciple, had also broken through to the late Golden Core stage. Mu Yifeng was only at the mid-Golden Core stage. However, everyone else, including Mu Yifeng, was exceptionally gifted. Dongyang Bo was clearly protecting his talented disciples, hoping someone could advance to the Nascent Soul stage and continue the lineage, thus preventing them from perishing on the battlefield. This matched Qingzhu's assessment of him.

Once Qin Sang confirmed Mu Yifeng was safe, he felt relieved and didn't need to rush to meet him. As a disciple of Shaohua Mountain, Mu Yifeng would likely not lack medicinal pill support. At most, Qin Sang would give him a few protective treasures and a copy of his own insights on forming a Nascent Soul, offering him another reference point. As for cultivation techniques and secret arts, most of what Qin Sang practiced were unconventional and relied entirely on the Jade Buddha, making them impossible for others to cultivate.

Inside the tall building.

After many days of quiet cultivation, Qin Sang's seventh sword soul finally showed signs of merging with his primordial spirit! No one disturbed him. Another three days passed. Suddenly, Qin Sang's eyes snapped open, his gaze like lightning, with sword shadows seemingly flickering within his pupils. Then, he pointed a finger into the void before him.

"Whoosh!"

The Golden Sinking Sword shot out, then abruptly halted in the center of the quiet room. Dazzling golden light filled the entire quiet room, then abruptly dimmed as the Seven Souls Slaughter Formation silently materialized. In an instant, the quiet room suddenly became dark and difficult to discern. Previously, when Qin Sang used his sword formations, every sword light was bright and clearly visible. Now, within the Seven Souls Slaughter Formation, all the sword shadows appeared exceptionally illusory and flickering, making even the formation's outline difficult to discern. Yet, the entire sword formation exuded an aura of darkness, profundity, and mystery.

"From now on, when engaging in combat, it won't be so easy for opponents to find weaknesses." Qin Sang nodded inwardly.

However, the surprise wasn't limited to this. Qin Sang changed his sword incantation, and the sword formation underwent infinite variations, appearing even more mysterious. As each sword light struck, a unique, never-before-seen aura emerged. After sensing it briefly, Qin Sang's eyes sparkled. "No wonder it's called the Seven Souls Slaughter Formation! It can actually harm an opponent's primordial spirit. Once I achieve a certain level of mastery with it, I'll have the chance to use its power to capture the opponent's Nascent Soul as well. Although the Nine Nether Demonic Flames can also cause an opponent's consciousness to waver, they are not truly mine; I haven't fully subdued and controlled them. Using them through the Demonic Banner inevitably has limitations; they work well against lower-tier cultivators but are less effective against resolute Nascent Soul cultivators."

Nascent Soul cultivators are very difficult to kill. Even if defeated, they can at least escape by having their Nascent Soul leave their body, unless there's a vast disparity in power, leaving them no chance to escape with their Nascent Soul. Therefore, among Nascent Soul cultivators, if they are not confident in capturing an opponent's Nascent Soul and wish to avoid creating a mortal enemy, they often resolve conflicts through challenges, exchanges, or other similar methods.

"Hmm! Although the Seven Souls Slaughter Formation is impressive, to unleash its full power, I still need to further my progress in the Way of the Sword. It's also related to my cultivation level and the grade of my spirit swords." Qin Sang sensed the Seven Souls Slaughter Formation, comprehending its various changes, hoping to master it as quickly as possible.

After a while, he put away the sword formation and summoned the Ebony Sword. The Ebony Sword had been nurtured by his primordial spirit, consuming Soul Nurturing Wood. The consumption was not yet complete, and the spirit sword was still in its sword embryo state. He was about to examine how much longer it would take when he suddenly felt the quiet room's restrictions being triggered. His divine sense swept out, revealing that Fat Chicken and Tan Yien had returned.

"I thought you two had been captured by the Abyss of Sin!" Qin Sang pushed the door open, looking at the human and the demon, and let out a cold snort. These two had gone out to find someone, but unexpectedly, they had been gone for so long and were only just returning now.

Fat Chicken, with a cheeky grin, ran over to claim credit. "My lord, your discernment is keen. When the Abyss of Sin first began its attack, we were indeed almost caught in it. Fortunately, I was quick-witted; seeing the danger, I immediately took young Tan and hid. Otherwise, I might not have seen you again, my lord! On the way, I heard about your fame, my lord, for slaying Nascent Souls on the battlefield! Your martial prowess is unmatched, and you will surely unify the Lesser Cold Domain! No! Unify the Northern Star Realm! And capture all the demon races in one swoop!"

Qin Sang ignored Fat Chicken's chatter and looked at Tan Yien. Tan Yien, on the other hand, was much more composed. "Reporting, Martial Uncle, your disciple found two of my father's old acquaintances quite quickly. However, the information we gathered from them pointed to another person. After discussing it with Senior Fat Chicken, your disciple decided not to disturb you yet, Martial Uncle, and to wait until we found that person and got definite information before reporting back."

Qin Sang was very satisfied upon hearing this; the junior was both clever and efficient.

"That person is also a Golden Core stage senior, surnamed Tong. Senior Tong is not a cultivator from these two realms but from a desert oasis. After being attacked by the Abyss of Sin, he was forced to lead his relatives and friends to flee to the Heavenly Passage Alliance. After some twists and turns, we finally met Senior Tong in person. From him, we learned some information related to my father. However, we found it difficult to verify its truthfulness, and Senior Tong also wishes to report to you directly, Martial Uncle. He is currently waiting outside the great formation..." Tan Yien said.

Qin Sang nodded, already understanding the person's intentions. "This matter is not confidential. Go and bring him in. Tell him that as long as the information is valuable, I will not be stingy with rewards."

"Yes, sir!"

Tan Yien withdrew, and before long, he returned, leading a middle-aged cultivator adorned in a tall crown and ceremonial robe.

"Junior Tong Jinshan respectfully greets Senior Demon King!" Facing a renowned great demon, Tong Jinshan couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. Fortunately, as a Golden Core cultivator himself, he managed to maintain a composed demeanor.

"What is your relationship with Tan Hao? Do you know his whereabouts?" Qin Sang didn't waste words and went straight to the point.

"Junior's homeland was destroyed by the Abyss of Sin, and I utterly detest them. On the battlefield, I fought alongside Fellow Daoist Tan against the enemy and shared hardships. Fellow Daoist Tan is exceptionally righteous; I once received help from him." Tong Jinshan hesitated, glancing at Tan Yien. "If anyone else were inquiring about Fellow Daoist Tan, I would never easily disclose anything. However, since it is Virtuous Nephew Yien searching for his father, I presume it will not be detrimental to Fellow Daoist Tan. Moreover, Fellow Daoist Tan ventured deep into the Abyss of Sin and never returned, having been missing for a hundred years, which I am also very concerned about..."

"He really went to the Abyss of Sin!" Qin Sang's gaze narrowed slightly.

Tong Jinshan continued, "We once teamed up to kill a Golden Core cultivator from the Abyss of Sin. This person was a corpse-path evil cultivator, and his refined corpses were quite peculiar. The strongest one was comparable to a Flying Yaksha, and instead of Yin energy, it contained Earth Fiend Qi. For some reason, when Fellow Daoist Tan saw this person, he seemed to have encountered a mortal enemy. He didn't hesitate to offer his entire fortune to ask for our help to capture him. Unfortunately, this person's strength was considerable, and he had a Flying Yaksha assisting him. The battlefield was too chaotic, and he almost escaped, so we had no choice but to slay him. Finally, from other captured individuals, we learned that this person was a rogue cultivator who had previously been active near Jinchen Mountain, a major sect in the Abyss of Sin..."