Chapter 1250: Deceptive Strategy

Though Qin Sang had no immediate concern about a demonic tribulation, his heart was clouded by lingering issues that external factors struggled to dispel. Qing Jun, who herself had once been burdened by deep-seated blood feuds, fallen into a spiritual snare, and struggled to break free, felt a strong empathy for Qin Sang. However, she also understood that a direct confrontation would be ineffective. The timing was perfect, as Qin Sang had just confronted Earl Dongyang.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

Qin Sang's gaze, initially shifting and uncertain, finally settled into calmness. He felt his mind become transparent, as if a layer of dust had been swept away. To have been a mere plaything, manipulated by others, and to have harbored two centuries of deep-seated resentment was no trivial matter. Today, he finally found release. Were it not for the many onlookers, it would not have been inappropriate for him to bow deeply to his Senior Sister.

Of course, this didn't mean he had forgotten his feud with Earl Dongyang; such a feat was perhaps only possible for a saint. As the saying goes, "The tree desires stillness, but the wind keeps blowing." Earl Dongyang, having returned, would certainly not let the matter rest. Future conflicts were inevitable, and what needed to be done still had to be done. However, Qin Sang could now face it with composure. His gaze no longer dwelled on the past but was now fixed on his next heavenly tribulation and the pursuit of higher realms.

Qing Jun nodded with a smile and then spoke of other matters. "This Nascent Soul Talisman Puppet must originate from the path of Talisman Soldiers. However, all great daos are interconnected. After this is settled, I can try to find a method to control it for you, and perhaps gain some insights myself. Even if this isn't the strongest puppet ever produced in the Northern Star Realm, it's certainly close."

Qin Sang also commented, "With a hundred ghosts residing within the Talisman Puppet, controlling it might not be easy."

"Since Earl Dongyang already knows it's you, there's no longer a need to feign being a demon king. Rather than allowing him to exploit this secret, it would be better to proactively reveal your identity," Qing Jun advised.

Qin Sang had also considered this. He looked around at the assembled group and said, "Explaining it directly would be too abrupt. We need to find a suitable moment. Furthermore, the demon race will require an explanation."

While they exchanged words in private, everyone else had already arrived.

Demon Lord Tongyou spoke, "Daoist Xiang and I just scouted ahead and confirmed that the direction from which the blood souls attacked is precisely the same as where the previous anomaly appeared. These blood souls are very peculiar; they manifested suddenly. Considering the earlier anomaly, it's plausible that Old Demon Ye inadvertently triggered an ancient restriction and released them."

"Does the Holy Monarch intend for us to proceed directly to the site of the anomaly?" someone inquired.

Demon Lord Tongyou shook his head. "We'll split up! Both the basin's center and the anomaly's location are possibilities. Old Demon Ye is cunning; he might have deliberately created the anomaly to mislead our judgment, so we must investigate it. The Abyss of Sin possesses certain capabilities, and sending individuals to scout alone would be akin to lambs walking into a tiger's den. We'll divide into two teams, forming proper battle formations. This way, if we encounter the Abyss of Sin, we can hold them off for a while. Once we locate them, fellow Daoists, remember to be patient. Do not provoke them proactively; instead, send a message to the other team and wait for everyone to converge before making a move. This will cause some delay, but ancient restrictions are abundant in this area, preventing them from achieving their goals easily."

These two locations were the most distinctive and most probable targets for Old Demon Ye. Although they had initially suspected the basin's center, the interference made it difficult to pinpoint the true objective for a time. Given the circumstances, the group did not debate for long and chose to trust Demon Lord Tongyou. Qin Sang and Qing Jun joined Daoist Chongyi and the others, heading towards the anomaly's location, while Demon Lord Tongyou led the remaining group to the basin's center.

Along the way, the blood souls grew more numerous. Now prepared, they wouldn't repeat their earlier mistakes. They launched a fierce assault and accelerated their pace, yet they maintained their vigilance to guard against ambushes from the Abyss of Sin. Qin Sang and Qing Jun walked side by side, occasionally releasing the plump chicken to sense its closest kin. After a long journey, free of incidents, they finally caught sight of their destination.

"It's a mountain of corpses!"

The group looked up at the sight before them, their expressions a mix of shock and apprehension. Before them stood a mountain peak, not particularly tall, certainly incomparable to the majestic ranges surrounding the basin. The entire mountain was enveloped in a shroud of blood mist. This mountain, however, was exceptionally eerie. Ancient restrictions permeated it, and a bloody radiance saturated the entire peak, obscuring visibility. Only the mountaintop remained exposed. On the sheer cliffs surrounding the mountaintop hung colossal black iron cages, each spacious enough to hold three or four individuals. Most of these iron cages were severely damaged, yet a few intact ones contained nothing but skeletons, tightly bound by iron chains! Suspended there, the iron cages were perpetually exposed to erosive yin winds and subjected to various tortures, slowly tormenting their captives to death. The sight sent shivers down everyone's spines. The individuals trapped in those iron cages must have possessed cultivation levels far superior to their own, yet they had been imprisoned to their deaths here, leaving behind only stark white bones.

Upon their arrival, Old Demon Ye and his group were nowhere to be seen. However, they noticed an intensely vibrating blood-red light behind the mountain, clearly indicating an anomaly.

"This was the very spot where the blood-red light soared skyward just moments ago, casting its glow upon the blood mist!" Qing Jun stated grimly.

The group circled around the mountain and discovered a colossal blood-red archway standing at its base, with a stone staircase ascending straight upwards. The archway was in ruins, its inscriptions long since obliterated. The stone steps, their original color unknown, had now been corroded by the blood mist, turning them into blood-red stone.

"There's no one at the mountain's base, nor have we received any news from Daoist Tongyou's side. We'll form a formation and ascend to investigate. Everyone, proceed with caution." Daoist Chongyi led the way, flanked by his two disciples serving as protectors. Qing Jun brought up the rear, while Qin Sang was safeguarded in the middle. Knowing Qin Sang's acute senses, they allowed him to concentrate on activating his profound cultivation method.

Qin Sang was content with his current state of ease, silently activating his Heavenly Eye divine ability to vigilantly survey his surroundings and guard against ambushes. The group formed a formation, passed beneath the archway, and encountered ancient restrictions. They proceeded cautiously, step by step, slowly ascending.

Unbeknownst to even Qin Sang, shortly after they entered the mountain, a figure silently emerged from the distant void: it was Old Demon Ye's Blood Demon Avatar. The avatar sneered coldly. "Old Demon Tongyou is indeed cunning, but drawing half their forces here makes my preparations worthwhile. It's a pity that young Mingyue is also present, making it difficult to approach; otherwise, I would surely let you taste the ancient restrictions of the Corpse Mountain! A mere minor demon, daring to involve itself in the struggles of my human race, truly not knowing its place!" The avatar turned and vanished into the blood mist, leaving behind a cold snort. His arrangements here were far more extensive, but out of concern for Qin Sang, he had to abandon them. Even with Demon Lord Tongyou's heightened vigilance, Old Demon Ye still managed to succeed. This was an overt tactic, designed purely to delay their progress. The Little Cold Domain was forced to divide its forces, making them hesitant, which would grant Old Demon Ye and his group ample time.

"This is bad! We've fallen into a trap!"

Halfway up the path, Daoist Chongyi suddenly exclaimed, his communication sword trembling in his hand, a message from Demon Lord Tongyou. The group exchanged glances, confirming Demon Lord Tongyou's earlier suspicion: Old Demon Ye had indeed set a bait here, using the blood souls to lure them in and conceal his true objective. It was unclear what methods Old Demon Ye had employed, but these blood souls were being manipulated by him to obstruct their path. Fortunately, he couldn't directly command them, otherwise, they would have been forced to flee in disarray.

"Quickly, let's go!"

The group didn't dare to hesitate, rapidly descending the mountain and heading straight for the basin's center. There were no obstructions along the way. When they reached the basin's center, they still found no trace of Old Demon Ye and his group. The two blood-red doors were tightly sealed, and Demon Lord Tongyou's group was vigorously assaulting them.