Chapter 1400: Three Spirits Plate King Formation

After a short while, the cave dwelling was quiet. Qin Sang's expression was solemn as he fell into deep thought.

No wonder Valley Master Mu had initially boasted so much about the Pure Ocean Sect and the Myriad Spirit Fruit, his words full of enticement.

The so-called Three Spirit King Formation is an insect formation created using three spirit insects and an altar. Under the influence of the insect formation and the altar, the power of two spirit insects can be drawn and infused into a third, thereby forcibly enhancing the third insect's divine abilities.

This third spirit insect is also known as the "main insect."

The Three Spirit King Formation has no requirements regarding the species of spirit insects. However, there is one condition: of the two spirit insects whose power is drawn, one must have a cultivation level higher than the main insect, and the other must be at least equal to it.

This condition is easily met. Valley Master Mu not only possessed a fourth-transformation lifebound Gu worm, the Sea Horseshoe Crab, but had also cultivated a late third-transformation Black Demon Ant. Qin Sang wouldn't even need to use his Heavenly Eye Butterfly.

The reason Qin Sang hesitated was that the Three Spirit King Formation would cause severe damage to the main insect. The insects whose power was drawn would only be weakened for a short period. However, the main insect would have to endure power beyond its limits and forcibly activate its divine abilities; a single misstep could lead to it self-destructing on the spot. Furthermore, there was no guarantee of finding the Pure Ocean Sect's entrance.

“You must have tried with the Jade-Carrying Bee, haven't you?” Qin Sang asked after a long period of contemplation.

Valley Master Mu hesitated, knowing it would be difficult to hide it from Qin Sang. He nodded and sighed, “The cultivation gap was too large. Shortly after the insect formation began to operate, the Jade-Carrying Bee exploded and died from the inability to withstand the power. Rest assured, Daoist, I will personally oversee the Three Spirit King Formation to minimize any damage to the Fiery Jade Centipede. As long as we can find the Myriad Spirit Fruit, the Fiery Jade Centipede will recover completely.”

He clearly understood how precious a third-transformation Fiery Jade Centipede was, and spoke to reassure Qin Sang.

Seeing Qin Sang remain silent, Valley Master Mu quickly added, “Daoist Qi and the others do not cultivate the art of insect control. Besides the Spirit Ascension Ritual, which will be given to you, we will split the Myriad Spirit Fruit equally between the two of us. If there are other treasures in the Pure Ocean Sect, we will each rely on our own means, and whoever obtains them first will keep them. We can swear an oath to confirm this. What do you think, Daoist?”

Qin Sang's eyes flickered, and he added two more conditions: “Regardless of success or failure, I require a copy of the Three Spirit King Formation's arrangement method. Additionally, I wish to examine the Hundred Flowers Valley's secret insect control techniques.”

Valley Master Mu looked troubled. The Three Spirit King Formation was acceptable; it wasn't crucial, as there would rarely be an opportunity to use it. However, the secret insect control techniques were fundamental to the Hundred Flowers Valley; how could they be easily divulged?

“Then I will first take the Three Spirit King Formation. Once the Pure Ocean Sect's entrance is found, you can fulfill the second condition. I swear by my Inner Demon that I will never divulge your sect's insect control techniques to anyone,” Qin Sang proactively swore an oath, dispelling Valley Master Mu's doubts.

Valley Master Mu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

“Good! It's a deal!”

“It's a deal!”

With a consensus reached, the two immediately left the cave dwelling and flew towards the Ethereal Sea.

Along the way, Qin Sang thoroughly questioned Valley Master Mu about the Pure Ocean Sect's formations.

To Qin Sang's surprise, the Pure Ocean Sect was actually a Buddhist sect. Having journeyed through the Northern Star Realm and the Azure Waves Sea, and traveled the Northern Sea for so long, Qin Sang knew that in all three regions, Daoism flourished while Buddhism was in decline. Buddhist inheritances were incomplete, and there wasn't even a single respectable sect to be found. This was the first time Qin Sang had encountered such a powerful Buddhist sect.

However, Qin Sang knew very well that what Valley Master Mu had said earlier might not be the full extent of their knowledge; he must have concealed some information and would not reveal everything to him. Perhaps the Pure Ocean Sect had some connection to the Witch Tribe. The Hundred Flowers Valley's patriarch came from the Ethereal Sea and obtained a Witch Tribe inheritance, while the Pure Ocean Sect was a hidden sect in this very place. There must be a hidden secret here.

Qin Sang agreed to use the Fiery Jade Centipede for the Three Spirit King Formation because the centipede was about to encounter a bottleneck, and its importance to him was less than that of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. This was a small risk for a potentially large gain, and the price was acceptable. Besides, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly might even be able to break the formation, making the Fiery Jade Centipede unnecessary.

The Ethereal Sea was indeed as the rumors described. All around them was an endless, monotonous expanse of water. They flew for a long time but saw no sign of an island. The sea surface was windless, with hardly any ripples.

After entering the Ethereal Sea, Qin Sang followed Valley Master Mu for another hour of rapid flight until they reached a vast, open sea area.

Valley Master Mu suddenly descended to the sea surface and flicked his finger, sending a streak of light into the water.

Moments later, Qin Sang sensed two auras rapidly approaching from the seabed.

With a splash, two figures emerged from the water.

A man and a woman.

The man was tall and slender, dressed in a Daoist robe, wearing a tall crown, with prominent cheekbones. He was exactly the Daoist Qi that Valley Master Mu had mentioned. The female cultivator was also dressed as a Daoist nun. She was Daoist Qi's close friend, surnamed Wang.

Both were at the early Nascent Soul stage.

“Daoist Qi! Daoist Wang!”

Having been introduced by Valley Master Mu, Qin Sang proactively stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Daoist Mingyue!”

Both returned the bow, smiling warmly and with enthusiastic attitudes.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the four then submerged themselves beneath the water.

The sea surface once again became calm.

“How deep beneath the water is the Pure Ocean Sect?” Qin Sang asked via spiritual message as they continued to descend without stopping.

“We're almost there,” Daoist Qi turned around. “Has Daoist Mu not told you? The Pure Ocean Sect should be built on an island, but we can't find that island now. Furthermore, the formation is very peculiar. If not for a previous anomalous phenomenon, even I would likely not have realized there was something strange here while passing by.”

Qin Sang nodded lightly and added, “It's difficult to describe clearly with mere words; I need to experience it myself to truly understand the formation's unique characteristics.”

Valley Master Mu slowed his escape technique, matching their speed, and turned to ask Daoist Qi, “Have there been any new changes these past few days?”

Daoist Qi shook his head. “Since that brief phenomenon, nothing else has appeared. This time, we rely on the two Daoists' abilities. If it still doesn't work, we might have to try our luck at the Myriad Devil Convention.”

“The Myriad Devil Convention?”

Qin Sang's eyes showed surprise.

Valley Master Mu uttered an 'oh' and explained, “Daoist, you've just arrived in the Boundless Sea, so you might not be aware. The next Myriad Devil Convention is nine years from now. It's essentially an auction or trade fair for Nascent Soul cultivators of the Boundless Sea. At that time, all the powerful cultivators of the Boundless Sea will travel to Chaos Devil Island, not just demonic cultivators; even demon kings are known to appear. However, the various forces in the Boundless Sea have long had an agreement: even if there's deep-seated enmity between them, they are forbidden from engaging in combat on Chaos Devil Island, or they will face a joint punitive expedition. With the Chaos Devil Elder personally presiding, there has never been a report of anyone daring to break the rules at any past Myriad Devil Convention. If Daoist is interested, you can go and take a look then…”

Daoist Qi nodded. “Indeed, at every Myriad Devil Convention, powerful treasures emerge. Perhaps there will be an item capable of deciphering this formation. As the convention approaches, a preliminary, vague list of treasures will be leaked, so Daoist can check if anything interests you.”

Qin Sang nodded thoughtfully.