Chapter 1194: Corpse Demon Immortal

Upon hearing "earth fiend energy," Qin Sang knew Tan Hao had found the right person. He had encountered various corpse refinement techniques, but the method of absorbing earth fiend energy to refine corpses, as described in the 'Heavenly Yin Corpse Art', was unique and its most distinctive feature.

"Since he's a rogue cultivator, it seems the Heavenly Corpse Sect's lineage in Sin Abyss is likely broken. That person probably, like me, stumbled upon a Heavenly Corpse Sect ruin somewhere and acquired the secret art..." Qin Sang mused to himself. This didn't come as a surprise. He had used the channels of the Two Domains Alliance to gather information on sects in Sin Abyss but had never found any sect linked to the Heavenly Corpse Sect. Tan Hao was fortunate to have encountered this.

"What else have you found?" Qin Sang pressed.

"The captured individuals knew very little about him. They only knew his alias was 'Corpse Ghost Immortal' and that he was already a Core Formation expert when he frequented the vicinity of Jinhuan Mountain. As for his origins, no one could say," Tong Jinshan recalled the past events. "Daoist Tan took Corpse Ghost Immortal's belongings. He must have continued his investigation afterward, but he never mentioned it to us. I don't know what other information he uncovered."

"Corpse Ghost Immortal. Just a Core Formation cultivator, yet such an arrogant title," Qin Sang scoffed inwardly. "After Tan Hao left, he never sent back any messages?"

"No," Tong Jinshan sighed softly. "When he bid me farewell back then, I suspected he might be going to Sin Abyss. I tried earnestly to dissuade him, but he was determined. Since then, he's been completely out of touch..." Tan Yien's expression grew somber.

He knew his father had only just reached Core Formation, and while considered an expert in the cultivation world, Sin Abyss was the enemy's stronghold. With no news for so long, he feared the worst. After asking a few more questions and realizing Tong Jinshan had little additional information, Qin Sang rewarded him with some items and had Tan Yien escort him out.

"Uncle-master..." Tan Yien said, hesitating, after seeing Tong Jinshan off.

Qin Sang glanced at him. "I will find a way regarding your father. Your most pressing task now is to prepare for Core Formation. Even with the Fiend Demon Core, there's no guarantee of a breakthrough. For now, stay at Sandie Pass; experiencing battle formations will also temper you."

He dismissed Fatty Chicken and Tan Yien. Qin Sang returned to his quiet room to ponder the matter.

"Corpse Ghost Immortal, Jinhuan Mountain—the information is still too scant! A rogue Core Formation cultivator should have had some reputation back then, but he's been gone for so long. Time changes everything; how many people still remember a Core Formation cultivator from a hundred years ago? Trying to ascertain this person's identity or find Tan Hao would be like searching for a needle in a haystack."

Sending the younger generation to Sin Abyss would be sending them to their deaths. Only Qin Sang could investigate personally, but even then, success wasn't guaranteed. All cultivators in Sin Abyss were essentially soldiers, and they possessed strange techniques similar to the Nether Crystal Pagoda. If he encountered a Nascent Soul cultivator from Sin Abyss, his various methods should ensure his safety, but once exposed, infiltrating again would be difficult.

Qin Sang didn't hold much hope of finding Tan Hao. After such a long silence, he could largely surmise what fate had befallen him.

Tan Jie and Tan Hao, brothers. One willingly became a test subject for demonic arts, buying a sliver of hope for his brother. The other, carrying his living-dead brother, searched relentlessly, his life's sole purpose to awaken him. Their deep brotherly bond led them to die for each other, a fitting end in its own way. Even in the cruel world of cultivation, flashes of genuine emotion were never absent.

Qin Sang sighed faintly, then, after a moment's thought, decided to consult with Senior Sister Qingjun.

A few days later, after communicating with Senior Sister Qingjun, Qin Sang received a meticulously drawn topographical map from her. It detailed the routes she had traveled and the sights she had witnessed during her journey through Sin Abyss.

Qingjun reminded him that at the time, Sin Abyss had not yet mobilized its forces, and the situation was vastly different from the present. Most of the information she had gathered was now outdated. Furthermore, Qin Sang lacked Qingjun's unique skill; her disguise technique stemmed from her insights into the Way of Puppetry and could only be applied to herself, leaving her unable to assist Qin Sang in that regard.

"Most of Sin Abyss's experts are concentrated here. If I set out now, the chance of being discovered while infiltrating Sin Abyss would be smaller. However, the Ebony Sword will finish its absorption within a few months, so waiting a bit longer wouldn't hurt. By then, with the Ebony Sword and the Seven Souls Killing Array, I might be able to slay a Nascent Soul cultivator if I encounter one, preventing information leakage..."

Qin Sang had already decided to personally explore Sin Abyss.

The Heavenly Corpse Sect's corpse refinement technique was very unique, a path to rapid advancement. Qin Sang had reaped many benefits from it in the past, and finding the Heavenly Corpse Sect's legacy might allow him to further develop his understanding of the Corpse Dao.

Bai's advancement seemed distant, and even if he could glean insights from the Corpse Soul Orb, whether they could be applied to Dumb Girl remained uncertain. As for Qin Sang's agreement with the Two Domains Alliance, slaying a Nascent Soul cultivator from Sin Abyss would be sufficient to repay the Golden Sinking Wood. If he left now, they would have no grounds for complaint.

In the following period, Qin Sang prepared for his journey by comprehending the Seven Souls Killing Array while also gathering as much information about Sin Abyss as possible. Two months passed without him realizing it.

One day, while Qin Sang was cultivating in his quiet room, a streak of light suddenly flew in. He caught the light and, upon sensing its contents, was somewhat surprised.

"Snake King is visiting?" Qin Sang considered for a moment, then personally went outside the great array to greet him.

"It's been many days, how is my in-law doing?" the Snake King asked with a smile, cupping his hands toward Qin Sang, his tone carrying a hint of playful teasing.

Qin Sang chuckled. A month prior, Bai He and Yue'er had married in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. Although Qin Sang hadn't returned for the ceremony, he had been communicating with the Snake King about it and had sent gifts back with Fatty Chicken. Fatty Chicken had reported that Yue'er was now constantly by Bai He's side, and Bai He was very well-behaved.

"Please, come in!" Qin Sang greeted him warmly.

Back in the quiet room, they sat facing each other. The Snake King surveyed the notably spartan decor of the room and remarked, "It must be this simple, ascetic life that allows Daoist Friend to achieve such feats, isn't it? Back then, Qian Ji refused to admit defeat, but now it's clear that Daoist Friend held back. He used all his divine abilities, yet only nine of Daoist Friend's twelve demonic banners were forced out; your innate divine ability wasn't even deployed..."

Qin Sang knew that the demonic banners and the 'Thunder Command Art' couldn't be kept secret. However, they had clearly misunderstood, taking the 'Thunder Command Art' for his innate divine ability. Qin Sang tacitly accepted this, exchanged a few humble words, and then inquired about the Snake King's purpose.

The Snake King said seriously, "I won't keep Daoist Friend in suspense! Qian Ji and I were so insistent on acquiring your spirit insect because we had guessed it was a Sky-Eyed Butterfly. We wanted to use the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to break ancient prohibitions and explore a suspected ancient demon's cave dwelling. Since Qian Ji lost the wager, there's no need to mention the spirit insect matter again. Does Daoist Friend have the leisure to accompany us personally on a trip a few months from now?"

"An ancient great demon's cave dwelling?" Qin Sang was startled by the news. "Where is this dwelling located?" He suddenly understood. After the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's advancement, its prohibition-breaking ability was even stronger than before, which explained why the Snake King had been so persistent about the spirit insect back then.

"Sin Abyss!"

"The territory of Sin Abyss is not smaller than the Sky-Striding Plateau..."

The Snake King shook his head slightly, his voice deep. "Not just anywhere else, but at the very source of the name 'Sin Abyss' itself—the great chasm that runs through most of Sin Abyss. That cave dwelling is deep within the Abyss!"