Chapter 1229: Rest

**The Human World**

Stone Curved Mountain.

Qin Sang received the message and rushed over without delay.

"I'm not sure what ancient cultivators used to contain spirit arrays. I've refined a few array artifacts and an array diagram, barely managing to restore a part of it..."

Qing Jun walked out, took out a few items, and handed them to Qin Sang.

There was an array diagram made from some unknown fur.

The array diagram, square in shape, was only palm-sized when not activated. Lines engraved with cinnabar covered it, exactly matching the pattern Qin Sang had previously imprinted.

A strange power subtly flowed within the pattern, and its emitted fluctuations resonated with the Demon-Binding Rope in Qing Jun's hand.

The other array artifacts were also designed to be used in conjunction with the array diagram, maximizing the power of the Demon-Binding Rope as much as possible.

"You previously suggested I consult your friend who cultivates the path of corpses. I specifically returned to Yuan Shen Gate to meet him, and he indeed gave me many suggestions, many of which I hadn't thought of... Do you know his origins?" Qing Jun remembered something and asked with a hint of curiosity.

Before handing the Demon-Binding Rope to Qing Jun, Qin Sang had originally planned to ask Bai to restore it after his breakthrough. So, Qin Sang mentioned to Qing Jun that if the two of them worked together to decipher it, the chances of success would be greater.

Qing Jun had returned at some unknown time; Bai hadn't mentioned it to him last time.

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. There was no interaction between Bai and Qing Jun, and even with him in the middle, they couldn't possibly trust each other.

When Bai emerged from Peach Blossom Valley to pay respects to Qing Jun, he used a disguised identity.

Qing Jun was unaware of Bai's true origins.

Bai himself was unwilling to expose his identity, and Qin Sang also found it inappropriate to reveal his secret. He vaguely replied, "Concerning these ancient secrets, Brother Bai wouldn't speak idly."

Qing Jun seemed thoughtful, nodded, and no longer pressed the matter.

Qin Sang took the array diagram, examined it, but couldn't discern its quality. He then walked out of the room, took out a demon banner, and said, "Let's try it..."

A demonic flame flew out from the demon banner.

Qing Jun understood, tossed up the Demon-Binding Rope, and then formed a spell with her delicate hand. The array diagram flew from Qin Sang's palm, instantly expanding to roughly an acre in size, while the array artifacts merged into the diagram.

The array diagram spun rapidly, flying beneath the Demon-Binding Rope. The originally rigid Demon-Binding Rope instantly came alive, twisting and changing, clattering.

Smoke rose within the courtyard.

The array diagram's physical form disappeared, transforming into an area of clouds and mist.

Qing Jun's hand seal changed again.

From within the clouds and mist, dozens of identical illusory Demon-Binding Ropes suddenly emerged, like black pythons, leaping up fiercely and pouncing on the demonic flame without hesitation.

Crack! Crack!

Clatter!

In the blink of an eye, the demonic flame was firmly trapped by the Demon-Binding Rope, shrinking into a ball.

Qing Jun waved her hand, retracting the Demon-Binding Rope and the array diagram. After a moment of thought, she said, "The Demon-Binding Rope indeed has a restraining effect on demonic flames, but this is certainly not its full power; it still needs further improvement. Also, setting up the array diagram and then activating the Demon-Binding Rope takes time. This duration is enough for an enemy to react, escape, or destroy it. Unless it's deployed in advance, it will be difficult to use during combat, so this also needs improvement."

"Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sister."

Seeing Qing Jun clearly articulate each flaw, Qin Sang offered some of his own ideas.

He had considerable experience in artifact refining and had also browsed the Yuan Shen Gate's collection, which should be able to inspire Senior Sister.

The two discussed for a long time, not only about the Demon-Binding Rope but also about the journey to the Blood Lake.

That night, Qin Sang returned to Threefold Pass.

Subsequently, Qin Sang barely left Threefold Pass, cultivating diligently day and night. He temporarily paused his body cultivation, dedicating that time to refining demonic flames and nurturing the fire lotus seeds.

The 'Primal Spirit Sword Nurturing Chapter' was never interrupted.

No matter how strong the aid these secret arts provided to his strength, they were merely superficial; advancement in cultivation realm was the fundamental key.

Thus, a peaceful year passed.

News frequently arrived from Boundless Valley; the Blood Lake's seal continued to fluctuate, but there were no signs of loosening yet.

The war entered a prolonged stalemate. Qin Sang couldn't help but admire the patience of the Sin Abyss cultivators; despite achieving no significant battle results, they stubbornly remained on Heavenly Pass Plateau, refusing to retreat, occasionally launching harassments, treating the battlefield as a training ground.

He wondered if they were doing this to tie down the cultivators from both realms here.

Qin Sang couldn't fathom the Sin Abyss's intentions, so he simply stopped bothering to think about it.

His purpose for entering the Blood Lake this time was, firstly, to search for the Thunder-Swallowing Falcon and look for any fragments of the Infernal Blood Mulberry scattered within the Blood Lake; secondly, it was to thwart Old Demon Ye's conspiracy.

If the situation proved impossible, Qin Sang certainly wouldn't risk himself.

With the eighteen demon banners protecting him, as long as he wished to leave, even Old Demon Ye couldn't stop him. Old Ape and the others had already found a suitable cave dwelling overseas; at worst, they could relocate the younger generation and rule an island.

However, if it came to that, entering the Ziwei Palace again would be very troublesome.

Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, Qin Sang was unwilling to leave the Minor Cold Realm.

Several more months passed, and the cultivators stationed in Boundless Valley finally sent back definite news: the Blood Lake's seal was loosening and would soon be broken.

After deliberation, Devil Lord Tongyou and others decided to act, to prevent Old Demon Ye from using some scheme to deceive others and infiltrate before the seal was even broken.

Upon receiving Senior Sister's message, Qin Sang did not go to Ice Crystal Palace to rendezvous with them. Instead, he called Fat Chicken and went ahead, entering Boundless Valley. For this purpose, Qin Sang used several precious spiritual materials to re-refine the Primordial Concentric Ring, enabling it to carry Fat Chicken.

The blood miasma around Boundless Valley was now of no concern to Qin Sang.

There was plenty of time.

Qin Sang remembered that strange insects, the Ghost Head Bees, were found in the blood miasma, so he searched the area.

A large part of Qin Sang's current achievements was due to the contributions of three spirit insects: the Fat Silkworm, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, and the Fire Jade Centipede. Therefore, he paid particular attention to the spirit insects on the Strange Insect List.

Unfortunately, not even a trace of the Blood-Winged Ghost Head Bees could be found, let alone the original Ghost Head Bees.

Finding nothing, Qin Sang no longer lingered and flew directly towards the inner valley of Boundless Valley.

This time, he took the old path he had traveled with Cloud Wanderer.

As he passed through the inner valley barrier, Qin Sang recalled that it was here he and Cloud Wanderer had discovered traces of the Infinite Gate Master, which led to all the subsequent events.

Various memories surfaced in his mind.

Qin Sang continued his journey, pausing occasionally, and soon found the ice plain.

The ice crevice was still there. Qin Sang submerged into the ice layer below, traveled at extreme speed, and soon an ice palace appeared before his eyes.

No sooner had Qin Sang appeared in the ice palace than a dark shadow lunged at him.

Corporeal qi assailed him.

The assailant had a green face and fangs, a ferocious and malevolent appearance, and was none other than Wu Shang, transformed into a Flying Yaksha.

In his pursuit of the Dao, he had refined himself into a living corpse and came here to search for the Night Orchid Lily, but the corpse poison flared up, causing him to wander here day and night for countless years, in a daze, unable to reincarnate.

Without Qin Sang making any discernible movement, Wu Shang was fixed in place, unable to stir.

"May Senior rest in peace and return to the cycle of reincarnation."

Qin Sang bowed deeply, meticulously performing a grand salute to thank Wu Shang for guiding him on his path.

His expression solemn, he extended a finger and gently touched Wu Shang's brow.

Wu Shang's aura rapidly faded.

At the last moment, a trace of peace seemed to flicker in those deathly still eyes...