Chapter 146: Hunting Demons

Qin Sang, now invisible, arrived before the great array's protective barrier above the rift valley. Only then did he retract his Cloud-Shedding Wings and reveal himself.

The Shaohua Mountain disciples below the array were startled at first, but upon seeing Qin Sang's identity token, they immediately cheered with relief. They quickly opened the great array, welcomed Qin Sang inside, and respectfully addressed him as Martial Uncle.

Though the white rhinoceros demon beast had stopped attacking the spirit stone mine, it remained a constant threat. Fearing a sneak attack, the disciples dared not lower the great array, keeping their nerves constantly on edge. All mining activities had been forced to halt, causing considerable distress.

"My name is Qin Sang, and I've been sent by the sect master to eliminate the demon. Where is your supervisor?" Qin Sang's gaze swept over the mine, noticing a total of twenty-odd disciples. The two with the highest cultivation were only at the twelfth layer of the Qi Condensation stage: one a middle-aged man, the other appearing older, perhaps in his fifties or sixties.

Originally, Foundation Establishment stage disciples were stationed at the spirit stone mine. However, with the mine nearly depleted and holding little value, Shaohua Mountain no longer wasted resources. None of the disciples currently stationed here had any hope of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

The older-looking man quickly rushed out, bowed before Qin Sang, and respectfully said, "Disciple Shen Youdao greets Martial Uncle Qin. This disciple currently serves as the spirit stone mine supervisor."

Qin Sang nodded and instructed, "The rest of you continue to maintain the great array. Shen Youdao, tell me about the white rhinoceros demon beast."

Shen Youdao didn't know much about the white rhinoceros demon beast. Given his strength, he dared not leave the great array to confront it directly, instead remaining hidden within. When the white rhinoceros demon beast attacked the spirit stone mine, the aura it displayed was that of the early Demonic Spirit phase. Its rhinoceros horn could release water arrows that were not only fast but also incredibly powerful, almost piercing the great array of the spirit stone mine. He didn't know if this was its innate divine ability.

Beyond that, Shen Youdao had only one assessment of the white rhinoceros demon beast: it had incredibly tough hide and flesh. The magic tools used by their group couldn't harm it in the slightest. There was already a significant gap between the Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment stages, and some demon beasts naturally possessed exceptionally strong physiques, which was one of their advantages. It was normal that they couldn't damage it.

"Do you know why it's attacking the spirit stone mine?" Qin Sang asked, seemingly casually.

After demon beasts break through to the Demonic Spirit phase, they slowly gain intelligence, but they are still driven by instinct. However, at this stage, they begin to seek good fortune and avoid ill fate. Especially after encountering danger a few times, their intelligence grows rapidly, and they can instinctively understand the importance of arduous cultivation, pursuing the path to spiritual enlightenment. These demon beasts only leave their lairs if there's a strong temptation or deep hatred. Most demon beasts that truly prey on humans, acting fiercely and cruelly out of greed, are typically lesser demons in the Mortal Demon phase. The Mortal Demon phase is also the most vulnerable period for them; in human cultivators' territory, the situation for demon beasts is quite difficult. Not every demon beast has the luck of a white cat, able to be enlightened by the Emperor's Flowing Sap.

The spirit stone mine was already on the verge of depletion, with only a few difficult-to-mine subsidiary veins remaining. Shaohua Mountain had practically abandoned it. Why would it attract the white rhinoceros demon beast, and why was it so persistent? Could there be some treasure in the spirit stone mine that the white rhinoceros demon beast had detected?

Shen Youdao, catching Qin Sang's glance, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He quickly said, "To report to Martial Uncle Qin, we suspect it's highly likely that the spiritual eye's aura within the spirit stone mine leaked out, attracting it. Some time ago, while excavating a vein below the spirit脉 (spirit vein), we were careless and caused a collapse, nearly destroying the spirit stone mine's companion spirit vein, leading to a leakage of its aura. Although this spirit vein is not large, it contains a spiritual eye. Originally, a Martial Uncle who guarded the mine had even established a cave dwelling here. Martial Uncle Qin, if you come down with me, you'll see."

The two walked to the entrance of the cave dwelling. After Qin Sang swept it with his spiritual sense, he stepped inside. It was indeed a spiritual eye, but he could clearly feel that the spiritual energy within the cave was thinner than in a normal spiritual eye dwelling. The ground was also covered with cracks, and the broken ends were new. Qin Sang then went to inspect the deeper parts of the mine, nodding subtly. What Shen Youdao said should be true; if there was truly any treasure in the spirit stone mine, that Foundation Establishment stage Martial Uncle would have long since plundered it.

The concept of wealth, companions, cultivation methods, and a suitable dwelling place applied equally to demon beasts. A spiritual eye cave dwelling held immense attraction for demon beasts, which explained the white rhinoceros demon beast's persistence.

Qin Sang then clarified the exact location where the disciple had been attacked. As they spoke, dusk began to fall. He instructed Shen Youdao to oversee the great array, awaiting his signal, using it as a retreat should the battle turn unfavorable. Then, he activated his Cloud-Shedding Wings, became invisible, and quietly flew out of the spirit stone mine.

The Yun Cang Great Marsh stretched for miles, its waters unfathomably deep, making it difficult to determine where the white rhinoceros demon beast was hiding. Qin Sang flew invisibly to the spot where the disciple had been attacked. After surveying the area, he quietly left and searched for a long time nearby, finally finding a barren island to the southeast.

The island was small and uninhabited. Qin Sang did not disturb a single blade of grass or tree on the island. First, he set up simple restrictions to block sight and spiritual energy fluctuations on the island. Then, he took out six Ten Directions Yama Banners and secretly arranged the formation on the island.

After making preparations, Qin Sang no longer remained invisible. Instead, he performed the Spirit Concealment Art, hiding his aura to appear only at the Qi Condensation stage. Then, he mounted his Flying Shuttle and brazenly flew towards that area. As he flew overhead, almost reaching the spirit stone mine, the lake below remained perfectly calm.

"Has the white rhinoceros demon beast given up on seizing the cave dwelling?"

Just as Qin Sang was murmuring to himself, he suddenly heard a 'splash'. Water splashed on the lake surface, followed by a fierce gust of wind tearing through the air. Qin Sang's expression tightened. His spiritual sense had been constantly alert, and he detected the enemy's presence the instant the anomaly occurred. On the previously still water surface, a huge rhinoceros shadow appeared without warning. This demon was a full size larger than a common white rhinoceros, lurking underwater like a colossal creature. Moreover, its skin and horn glowed with a white jade-like luster, very peculiar and utterly different from ordinary white rhinoceroses.

*Whoosh!*

A shimmering water arrow shot from the lake surface, as swift as thunder, heading directly for the Flying Shuttle in the sky. Qin Sang was prepared; the Flying Shuttle immediately changed direction, narrowly dodging the sneak attack. Then, a series of whistling sounds filled the air. The white rhinoceros demon beast surfaced, looking up at the escaping light in the sky with fierce eyes. Its single horn flashed continuously, launching a barrage of water arrows like a string of beads, blocking all possible escape routes for the Flying Shuttle, intent on riddling Qin Sang with holes.

Seeing this, Qin Sang pondered briefly, then decisively put away the Flying Shuttle, summoned his Ebony Sword, and dashed out of the blockade, turning his head and speeding towards the barren island, feigning a desperate escape. Before the white rhinoceros demon beast appeared, Qin Sang hadn't sensed anything, not even a trace of demonic aura. This showed that the demon was also skilled in concealment arts. It would not be too late to trap it with the great array and then deal with it at leisure.