Chapter 1222: Visiting

**Mortal Affairs**

“Qing... Qingfeng Daoist Priest...”

Yin Spring Gate.

Patriarch Dong looked at Qin Sang in front of him, feeling completely uneasy.

Back then, he had supported Lu Xing in forming his Core and attacking the Demonic Flame Sect, intending to use the opportunity to annex it. Unexpectedly, Qingfeng Daoist Priest, who had been missing for a century, returned and, right before his eyes, single-handedly killed Lu Xing, purging his sect.

He had stood right beside Lu Xing but had no time to intervene, watching helplessly as Lu Xing turned to ash. Every time he awoke in the dead of night, Patriarch Dong was drenched in cold sweat. If Qingfeng Daoist Priest had come for him, Patriarch Dong estimated his chances of escape were only seventy percent. He could only be thankful that the other party seemed to be wary of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect and dared not go on a killing spree. After all, no matter how powerful Qingfeng Daoist Priest was, he wouldn't dare act recklessly under the rule of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Facts proved his guess correct: Qingfeng Daoist Priest had been exceptionally low-key ever since, and the Demonic Flame Sect had faithfully obeyed the Azure Sun Demonic Sect's orders. They showed no signs of expansionist ambitions. This allowed Patriarch Dong to breathe a sigh of relief; at least he didn't have to worry about the Yin Spring Gate being encroached upon or even replaced. He instructed his disciples to keep a wide berth from the Demonic Flame Sect and preferably maintain strict boundaries.

Three days later, Xiang Qing summoned the vassal sects for a meeting. The Demonic Flame Sect originally only had one patriarch who had barely formed a Core, so it wasn't highly regarded. Whether they attended the meeting or not was optional, as long as they paid their tribute. However, Qingfeng Daoist Priest showed up at this time, requesting to go together.

“What’s wrong, Patriarch Dong? Do you have some difficulty?” Qin Sang casually surveyed the Yin Spring Gate and asked at leisure.

Patriarch Dong gave a dry laugh and quickly said, “No, no... It would be my honor to accompany the Daoist Priest! I plan to depart early tomorrow, going ahead of time, lest the Azure Sun Demonic Sect thinks we’re disrespectful.”

“This humble Daoist has the same intention. I will trouble Patriarch Dong for the night.”

The next morning.

Qin Sang and Patriarch Dong set off with the other accompanying disciples. During his interactions with Qin Sang, Patriarch Dong found him to be rather genial. He bore no grudge over the past attempt to annex the Demonic Flame Sect, and gradually, Patriarch Dong became less wary of Qin Sang, even developing a desire to win him over. The Azure Sun Demonic Sect was merely a nominal overlord and wouldn't interfere in the overt and covert struggles among the subordinate factions. Perhaps the two sects could even join forces to achieve something great. Unfortunately, Qin Sang had no interest in such minor matters, causing Patriarch Dong to waste his efforts in vain.

He was deliberating over this trip to the Azure Sun Demonic Sect. He needed to directly absorb and refine the Ancestral Sacred Flame, which would inevitably cause a disturbance at Divine Adamantine Peak. Using the stealthy approach from last time would certainly not work. Xiang Qing was also not someone to be trifled with. Combining this with the intelligence he had gathered earlier, Qin Sang decided to pay a formal visit.

In front of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect’s main gate.

Numerous disciples were in high spirits, awaiting guests from all directions. Ever since Grandmaster Xiang broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, the Azure Sun Demonic Sect could finally hold its head high and regain its former glory. Now, Xiang Qing’s reputation rivaled that of the Netherworld Demonic Lord, and his status was immensely significant. Every disciple felt honored, and their joy was evident.

Qin Sang and Patriarch Dong ascended the jade steps on foot. The Yin Spring Gate also held a place in the demonic realm. Seeing that it was the Yin Spring Gate’s arrival, the Azure Sun Demonic Sect disciples quickly ceased their chatter and stepped forward to greet them.

“Welcome, Patriarch Dong, and...” A young man in the Foundation Establishment stage stepped out and spoke respectfully. Upon seeing Qin Sang, he stuttered, unsure of the masked man’s identity.

“This is Qingfeng Daoist Priest, the founding patriarch of the Demonic Flame Sect, who has come with me to meet Senior Xiang.” Patriarch Dong introduced him.

Demonic Flame Sect... The young man racked his brain, not recalling any patriarch of the Demonic Flame Sect. However, since this person was a genuine Golden Core True Lord, he dared not neglect him. He bowed and said, “Greetings, Qingfeng Daoist Priest. Grandmaster has already given instructions. Please, seniors, follow this junior to Guest Welcome Peak for temporary lodging.”

“Thank you, young friend, for leading the way.” Patriarch Dong’s attitude towards the young man was very cordial. The young man knew this was the glory brought by his own Grandmaster, and his heart swelled with even more pride.

They bypassed the colossal stele and entered the Azure Sun Demonic Sect.

Qin Sang revisited his old haunt, looking at the familiar scenery. He suddenly called out to the young man and asked, “I hear that Ice Han, the Sect Master of the Ethereal Spirit Sect, is currently a guest here. Is that true?”

The young man looked bewildered and replied, “Forgive me, Daoist Priest, this junior is not aware.”

Patriarch Dong glanced at Qin Sang in surprise, wondering where this old demon had gotten his information. “Why suddenly ask about Ice Han? Could this old demon be plotting something?” Patriarch Dong mused inwardly. The Azure Sun Demonic Sect had a Nascent Soul Grandmaster presiding; this person must have a death wish.

Guest Welcome Peak was the large mountain closest to the Azure Sun Demonic Sect’s inner sect. Everyone slowly flew, following the young man.

As they neared Guest Welcome Peak, a streak of bright light suddenly flew towards them from ahead. On closer inspection, it was a burly man dressed in armor.

“Oh? Old Demon Dong!” The burly man saw them, laughed heartily, and veered his escape light towards them, shouting, “Old Demon Dong, this Divine Sovereign has long wanted to spar with you! Last time you ran fast, let’s see where you can hide today!”

Seeing the burly man, Patriarch Dong’s expression turned somewhat grim. In the demonic realm, besides the major sects with Nascent Soul Grandmasters, there were many demonic sects stronger than Yin Spring Gate. This burly man’s sect was one of them. Moreover, the burly man’s cultivation also surpassed Patriarch Dong’s, reaching the peak of the late Golden Core stage. The two had always been at odds. Patriarch Dong knew he was no match and that agreeing to a spar would only damage his reputation, so he had always avoided the burly man. He didn't expect this fellow to have returned from the front lines.

“He’s the Sect Master of the Fist Intent Sect I told you about, calling himself the Earth-Shaking Divine Sovereign. He’s incredibly arrogant.” Patriarch Dong transmitted a message to remind Qin Sang.

However, he found Qin Sang ignored him, flying independently towards the Azure Sun Demonic Sect’s inner gate. He stopped at the entrance, gazing intently into the depths of the inner sect, causing the Azure Sun Demonic Sect disciples guarding there to become instantly alert. Qin Sang’s actions were too conspicuous. The Earth-Shaking Divine Sovereign, who was currently entangled with Patriarch Dong, had his gaze drawn over.

Qin Sang had merely used a simple spell to suppress his cultivation, which the Earth-Shaking Divine Sovereign couldn’t see through. The Earth-Shaking Divine Sovereign recognized Qin Sang as a fellow cultivator, but his aura suggested he had only recently formed his Core. He scoffed at Patriarch Dong, “Is that brat a new Core Formation disciple of yours? So arrogant, he doesn’t even know to come forward and greet his seniors! Hiding his face and playing tricks—that’s certainly inherited from you.”

Patriarch Dong’s heart stirred. If this fellow could provoke Qingfeng Daoist Priest, it would be a perfect opportunity to set two formidable opponents against each other. He immediately rebuked, “Old Demon Earth-Shaker, this is the Azure Sun Demonic Sect! Don’t you dare be insolent!”

The Earth-Shaking Divine Sovereign grinned menacingly, about to use this excuse to teach a lesson. But seeing Patriarch Dong’s expression, he keenly sensed something was amiss and froze. Patriarch Dong secretly lamented. The young Azure Sun Demonic Sect disciple opened his mouth, about to say something.

Just then.

A deep, resonant voice suddenly boomed from within the Azure Sun Demonic Sect’s inner gate, rolling outwards.

“I wonder which fellow Daoist is trying to amuse me, almost causing me to neglect my duties as a host?”