Chapter 1484: Sanctuary Opens

Unbeknownst to them, a month had quickly passed. During this time, Qin Sang and Liu Li were inseparable, barely resting as they delved deep into the front lines to engage with the demon race. Xuan Tian Palace clearly intended to leverage Qin Sang's ability to infiltrate the demon race. Qin Sang did not act too conspicuously, diligently focusing on completing his tasks.

He had originally planned to seize the opportunity to capture the Poison Cloud Colt for his chubby silkworm. However, the demon race proved to be as cautious as them, not as reckless as anticipated. Over the month, Qin Sang's encounters with demon kings were few and far between. Each time, they moved in groups, heavily guarded by the beast horde. After a period of confrontation, both sides tacitly withdrew.

Since no one had personally seen the two demon grand saints, it was difficult to draw conclusions from these signs alone, yet it also couldn't be asserted that the Nine-Headed Grand Saint wouldn't make a move. The demon race also seemed to be probing. The Xuan Tian Palace Master, Yin Changsheng, was renowned throughout the North Sea, undoubtedly the foremost figure in terms of both cultivation and influence. This mix of uncertainty and the impending storm was precisely what caused the most unease.

A month later, the demon race began making frequent moves, and the pressure they exerted grew daily. They initiated small probes, which quickly escalated into a large-scale battle. Qin Sang and Liu Li were inevitably drawn into the conflict. Unfortunately, the opposing demon king was exceptionally vigilant. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, he promptly abandoned his subordinates and fled, leaving no opportunity for pursuit. Under the watchful eyes of others, Qin Sang also found it inconvenient to use his Lightning Escape to pursue.

Ultimately, both sides sustained casualties and left behind fallen bodies, settling into a standoff outside Anti-Demon Island. The demon army loomed overhead like a dark cloud. In this tense situation, the day for the Holy Land's opening arrived as scheduled. As it coincided with a lull in the fighting, it was decided after discussion to proceed with the planned schedule.

Qin Sang and his companions quietly departed from Anti-Demon Island. From Listening Snow Tower, only Hall Master Jiang, Qin Sang, Liu Li, and another Nascent Soul cultivator leading some talented juniors entered the Holy Land this time, while Shi Xue remained with the others to guard Anti-Demon Island. The other factions adopted a similar approach, with most of their experts remaining behind to guard against any opportunistic attacks from the demon race. According to Tong Lingyu, this grand event would be the smallest in scale throughout history.

*Splash!*

A massive wave crashed down, sending white spray into the air.

"I never imagined the Xuan Tian Palace Holy Land wouldn't be in the Hidden Sun Realm."

Qin Sang, standing on a small island, recalled his recent experience and uttered a sigh of wonder.

After returning to the Hidden Sun Realm from Anti-Demon Island, Tong Lingyu retrieved the Ice Demon Crystal and led everyone into one of the Seventy-Two Springs. From there, they traveled through an extremely secluded area and stepped onto an ancient teleportation array. The ancient teleportation array transported them to this nameless small island, clearly having traversed countless miles to leave the Hidden Sun Realm and arrive at an unknown location. Qin Sang only knew they were now in the southernmost part of the North Sea, not far from the storm belt, but he was unaware of their precise location. This was a perfectly intact ancient teleportation array; Qin Sang wouldn't have been surprised even if he had been transported to the western Boundless Sea.

The island was heavily fortified, sealed by a grand array that not only kept outsiders away but also prevented anyone on the island from leaving without authorization. The array could only be opened with the express permission of the Palace Master and the Great Elder.

Hall Master Jiang stood beside Qin Sang, chuckling, "The Holy Land holds numerous treasures and is a cornerstone of Xuan Tian Palace. How could it have been created by cultivators of our time? All the restrictions, including the Body Cleansing Pool, originate from ancient times. We must abide by the Holy Land's rules. Qingfeng, do not act rashly once you enter."

"I understand." Qin Sang nodded.

He activated his Sky-Eye Butterfly to observe his surroundings. Three sides were nothing but water, with no distinctive landmarks in sight. Looking south, he saw the storm belt, resembling a shadowy curtain. This familiar sight stirred old memories within Qin Sang.

"Will the Palace Master also make an appearance today?" he asked, glancing back at the teleportation array hall.

Hall Master Jiang nodded. "This array requires the combined tokens of the Palace Master and the Great Elder to open. It is precisely this level of caution that has prevented the Holy Land's location from being leaked."

"How far is the Holy Land from here?"

"It's located within the storm belt," Hall Master Jiang said, raising a hand to point south.

As they spoke, the teleportation array hall suddenly pulsed with energy and began to glow faintly. Qin Sang and Liu Li exchanged glances. They then subtly reined in their auras, followed Hall Master Jiang, and stood alongside the cultivators from other factions, respectfully awaiting the Palace Master.

Just then, a series of crisp bird calls suddenly echoed from within the hall.

*Chirp... Chirp...*

Qin Sang's expression was peculiar. He glanced at the other Nascent Soul cultivators, all of whom appeared unperturbed and showed no surprise. The next moment, a strong gust of wind suddenly erupted from the hall, and the first sight to greet them was an incomparably magnificent spirit bird—a rare Chongming Bird, by its very bloodline!

*Whoosh!*

The Chongming Bird, with its double pupils in a single eye, possessed a fierce gaze that inspired awe. Facing the Nascent Soul cultivators, it displayed no fear. It flapped its wings and soared out of the hall, pulling a magnificent golden carriage that exuded an inexplicable majesty. Seeing the Chongming Bird and the carriage, the cultivators' eyes lit up. This divine bird carriage belonged to the Palace Master! The Palace Master had not broken his promise; he had personally arrived to open the Holy Land, dispelling all previous rumors.

Qin Sang was quite curious about this mysterious Palace Master. He shifted his gaze from the Chongming Bird to the carriage, only to find three sides enclosed and the fourth covered by tassels, completely obscuring any view of the interior.

"Greetings, Palace Master."

Tong Lingyu stepped forward and offered a bow. Everyone else followed suit.

The divine bird carriage hovered in mid-air, and the Chongming Bird gazed down at the group of Nascent Soul cultivators with a triumphant look. A calm voice emanated from within the carriage, "You have waited long enough. Great Elder, please open the grand array quickly."

"Alright!"

Tong Lingyu lightly patted his mustard seed pouch and cast forth half of a jade token. Simultaneously, the carriage's tassels swayed, and a streak of light flew out. The two jade tokens merged into one and shot upward, embedding themselves into the light shield above the small island.

Without a sound.

A circular opening appeared in the light shield. The Chongming Bird flapped its wings, pulling the carriage, and was the first to fly through. Tong Lingyu then flicked his finger to summon a spirit boat large enough to accommodate everyone. He turned to the crowd and said, "Fellow cultivators, please board the vessel."

Once everyone had boarded, Tong Lingyu sealed the spirit boat's protective restrictions. He piloted it away from the island, retrieved the jade token, and followed the carriage southward, directly entering the storm belt. Instantly, the spirit boat was enveloped by hurricanes, plunging them into a world of twilight. The carriage and the spirit boat navigated through the storm, dodging and weaving.

The senses of those aboard the spirit boat were sealed by its protective restrictions, leaving only the omnipresent hurricanes visible to the naked eye. While these restrictions weren't exceedingly powerful, any attempt to transmit messages outward would be immediately detected by the Great Elder and the Palace Master.

Before long, the spirit boat shuddered and abruptly came to a halt. The divine bird carriage had also already stopped. Qin Sang looked outside; there were no obvious anomalies in the surroundings, indicating that the Xuan Tian Palace Holy Land was deeply concealed.

At this point, Tong Lingyu retrieved the ice box that Qin Sang recognized. Her palm gently covered the ice box, and light flickered within her palm, flowing over its surface and activating layers of restrictions.

*Click!*

The ice box opened, revealing a perfectly formed, transparent crystal: the Ice Demon Crystal!