Chapter 1418: Zhongzhou

This differed from Qin Sang's previous judgment.

Was Ghost Mother not an ancient monster from ancient times?

A master of her caliber couldn't possibly be unknown. Why were there no legends of her in the Northern Sea?

"That's right!"

Tan Hao nodded, about to speak, when he suddenly remembered something.

In his surprise at reuniting with an old friend, he had almost forgotten the most important matter. He quickly pressed, "Brother Qin, how did you get in?"

Qin Sang looked up, pointing towards the sky, "Naturally, I broke through the formation to enter. Didn't you?"

Tan Hao gave a wry smile and said repeatedly, "This is bad! Brother Qin, you don't know, but the Pure Sea Sect itself is a massive seal. I heard from Senior that the underwater fiery veins within a thousand-mile radius nearby were all moved here by ancient mighty cultivators using immense power, gathering an astonishing amount of crimson flame energy that could erupt at any time. Now the seal is on the verge of collapse, and Senior Ghost Mother hesitated for a long time, devising an alternative method to minimize damage to the seal before daring to enter. With the sect's protective formation broken, I fear..."

Qin Sang was not surprised to hear this.

The various signs he had discovered after entering the Pure Sea Sect had already led him to a similar conjecture.

"I'm not the only one who came in. Old Man Chaos Demon and others are also here; they've probably already started searching for treasures everywhere. How long can the Pure Sea Sect's seal last?"

"Old Man Chaos Demon, he's here too!"

Tan Hao clearly knew of Old Man Chaos Demon's reputation and was greatly alarmed, "The seal is already extremely fragile and on the verge of collapse. The restrictions in places like the Buddhist Pagoda, the Golden Summit, and the medicinal garden are actually all parts of the seal, like frail pillars. Damaging even one spot will harm the seal, making matters worse. That's why Senior only took a portion of the treasures; she intended for me to retrieve the rest myself after forming my Nascent Soul, considering it a form of tempering. Just now, Brother Qin, you must have been collecting spiritual herbs, right? I thought the tremors were caused by the crimson flames impacting the seal, but I didn't expect this place to have already been exposed."

The most valuable treasures within the Pure Sea Sect had already been taken by Ghost Mother.

Even the spiritual herbs like the Spirit Lamp Flower, which didn't catch Ghost Mother's eye and were left for Tan Hao, were enough to tempt Nascent Soul cultivators.

Ghost Mother's power was evident.

Qin Sang pondered.

No wonder Qi and Wang had suddenly found the Pure Sea Sect.

Calculating the time, the unusual phenomena were indeed caused when Tan Hao and Ghost Mother entered. However, the phenomena lasted too briefly, and the situation within the Pure Sea Sect was complex, so they overlooked it.

"Senior Ghost Mother isn't here? I also wanted to ask her to save someone."

Qin Sang looked around, explaining his intention.

He was no longer very concerned about the treasures in the Pure Sea Sect. He urgently wanted to meet Ghost Mother to ask if Dumb Maiden could be saved. From Tan Hao's tone, Ghost Mother not only honored her promises but was also very kind to him, so her disposition was likely not bad.

Dumb Maiden's situation was similar to Tan Jie's.

Both had the Heavenly Corpse Talisman planted on them during their Qi Refining stage, long exceeding their lifespan limits.

Regardless of the outcome, it was time for a conclusion.

"You too..."

Tan Hao paused, looking wistfully at Tan Jie's grave, and regretfully said, "Brother Qin, you're a step too late. Senior has already left the Northern Sea."

"What?"

Qin Sang was startled and quickly asked, "Did she go to the Northern Star Realm?"

"No," Tan Hao shook his head, hesitating before saying, "Senior mentioned going to a place called Central Continent. I don't know where that is. After returning to the Northern Sea, she had been searching for a sea map, even infiltrating the Profound Heaven Sect and causing a great disturbance. Entering the Pure Sea Sect was for the same purpose; once she successfully obtained the sea map, she immediately departed. She left me in the Pure Sea Sect because it's sufficiently hidden, and the Pure Sea Sect is quite extraordinary, with the sounds of morning bells and evening drums echoing daily, which can purify the soul and is beneficial for my breakthroughs..."

Central Continent.

Ghost Mother caused a great disturbance at Profound Heaven Palace.

That single sentence from Tan Hao was packed with information.

Qin Sang had wondered when he first learned the name "Northern Sea" what "Northern" was relative to.

It seemed Central Continent was another cultivation world.

He wondered what kind of world it was—another similar cage, or one with a different landscape?

The Pure Sea Sect actually possessed a sea map leading to Central Continent!

Its origins were clearly not simple.

Qin Sang's thoughts raced. He asked Tan Hao, learning that Tan Hao hadn't seen the sea map.

It was indeed a pity; he was a step too late, not only missing the chance to save Dumb Maiden but also missing the sea map.

However, Ghost Mother's initial target was Profound Heaven Palace. Could it be that Profound Heaven Palace also possessed a sea map leading to Central Continent?

Given that Profound Heaven Palace dominated a realm and had prospered for so long, it was highly possible.

Wait...

Qin Sang suddenly recalled the mysterious ice casket in his Thousand-Jun Ring. Could the white-robed person have stolen it from Profound Heaven Palace during the chaos?

Unexpectedly, all his experiences in the Northern Sea could be linked back to Ghost Mother.

"I'm a bit confused. What exactly is Senior Ghost Mother's background?"

Qin Sang's brows furrowed slightly.

Tan Hao hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell Qin Sang everything. Although their attempt to revive Tan Jie had failed, it didn't negate Qin Sang's kindness to them.

He was never one to forget a favor.

Ghost Mother had not forbidden him from disclosing information.

Knowing that Old Man Chaos Demon had appeared in the Pure Sea Sect, Tan Hao clearly understood that those treasures no longer belonged to him.

"I heard Senior mention that she is not a cultivator of the current era; she used to slumber here."

Tan Hao looked down at his feet.

Qin Sang nodded slightly; it seemed he hadn't guessed wrong.

Tan Hao continued, "Furthermore, a demonic entity is sealed here, and the Pure Sea Sect serves as the guardian of that seal."

Another demonic entity!

Qin Sang's heart tightened. He inwardly thought, "I truly am fated to encounter ancient demons. Others might not see even one in their lifetime, yet I've already encountered three!"

"Back then, an accident occurred with the seal, and the Pure Sea Sect exhausted everything to stabilize it, resulting in the demise of their entire sect. Senior Ghost Mother also awakened due to that upheaval. After awakening, she had been searching for someone. After recovering some of her strength, she went to the Northern Star Realm to search, but unexpectedly encountered Venerable Tianyue, fought a great battle, and was sealed into the Abyss Ruins by Venerable Tianyue."

The events Tan Hao described were Ghost Mother's experiences before she was trapped in the water prison. He then explained, "When we returned to the Northern Sea, Senior first sought out Profound Heaven Palace, unwilling to intrude upon the Pure Sea Sect, also out of concern that the demonic entity was not dead and might cause a grave mistake. Fortunately, the demonic entity didn't appear... hmm! At least, there's no longer any demonic aura within the seal."

Venerable Tianyue.

That fierce individual who had conquered the entire Northern Sea and erected his sword at the corner of the sky!

Even ancient cultivators were no match for him.

Venerable Tianyue probably considered Ghost Mother an intruder who broke the rules.

Qin Sang silently mourned for Ghost Mother for a moment.

"Who is Ghost Mother looking for?"

Qin Sang interrupted Tan Hao, asking aloud.

Could it be that there were other ancient monsters lurking in the cultivation world, usually keeping a low profile?

Thinking of Bai, the Jade Bone Demonic Entity, and Ghost Mother, Qin Sang felt it was highly probable.

This world held too many secrets.

"Senior said she was looking for descendants of the Witch Clan, and both the Northern Sea and Northern Star Realm are territories of the human race."

As Tan Hao spoke, a bewildered and confused expression appeared on his face.

He only knew the facts but not the reasons, having only learned about the Witch Clan from Ghost Mother's words for the first time.