Chapter 1494: Great Elder's Scheme

"Mastering the Ice Soul Divine Light at the early Nascent Soul stage is truly unprecedented. I never thought you could actually do it. Bingyao has presented me with a grand gift."

Yin Changsheng looked at Liu Li with delight and excitement, a sinister smile spreading across his face, as if he were gazing upon a rare and valuable treasure.

He made no attempt to conceal his fluctuating emotions.

Perhaps he believed victory was assured and no longer needed to hide anything, or perhaps, as Tong Lingyu had suggested, he had already succumbed to demonic influence, lost his sanity, and could no longer maintain his composure.

Hearing this, Qin Sang and Liu Li exchanged glances, understanding Yin Changsheng's true intentions.

At the same time, they both instinctively thought of something.

During the wedding, Shang Lu, despite his status as a lineage master, orchestrated a farcical bride snatch.

Everyone, including Qin Sang and Liu Li, had assumed Shang Lu's objective was to test Qin Sang. They never imagined he was merely using the Cleansing Pool as a ruse to force Liu Li to act and gauge her proficiency in this divine ability.

Given Tong Lingyu's extensive preparations and crushing defeat, Yin Changsheng must have had an accomplice.

Shang Lu was one of them!

At the time, they were only focused on having Qin Sang conceal his strength, never realizing Shang Lu's true motives lay elsewhere. Shang Lu's actions were so deceptive that even Tong Lingyu couldn't see through them, let alone Qin Sang and Liu Li.

"And you!"

Yin Changsheng's gaze fell upon Qin Sang. "You've already materialized your divine sense at the mid-Nascent Soul stage! Even better, you two are Dao companions! As a pair of ill-fated lovers, you barely meet the requirements for the Blood Sacrifice Pool. Heaven truly favors me, sending me two geniuses at the last moment, ha ha…"

Yin Changsheng burst into laughter, his mirth echoing through the cavern. With his goal nearly achieved, he felt immensely pleased.

To Qin Sang, however, the laughter sounded increasingly deranged.

The Blood Sacrifice Pool had three ice platforms.

The final ice platform, it turned out, was meant to ensnare both him and Liu Li.

Qin Sang longed to tell Yin Changsheng that he and Liu Li were only fake Dao companions, bound by a nefarious cultivation technique, and might not truly meet the requirements. Unfortunately, Yin Changsheng would surely not listen.

Back then, Qin Sang and Liu Li never imagined that a single transaction would leave a fated curse, binding their destinies together firmly, with repercussions lasting for centuries and still affecting them today.

Yin Changsheng's certainty suggested he had long seen through Qin Sang's identity.

Qin Sang hadn't realized when he had been exposed.

During his fight with Shang Lu, Qin Sang had been careful to conceal his powerful divine sense.

However, the Thousand Fox Mask was not a supreme treasure. Shi Xue had previously warned that it could be seen through if someone with intent used special divine abilities or magic treasures.

Moreover, Qin Sang had once ascended Mount Lingxiao, not far from the Palace Master.

"I have a question, Daoist Priest."

Qin Sang, though on extreme guard internally, maintained a calm tone as he interrupted Yin Changsheng's wild laughter.

"I only met the Grand Elder a little over ten years ago, and before that, I had never set foot in the Hidden Sun Realm, nor had I ever met you, Daoist Friend. My entry into the Holy Land was also a spur-of-the-moment decision. Can you, Daoist Friend, foretell the future?"

This was indeed what puzzled Qin Sang.

From Yin Changsheng's tone, it seemed that although Liu Li had mastered her divine ability, her cultivation was insufficient to meet the Blood Sacrifice Pool's requirements, and his being Dao companions with Liu Li was entirely coincidental.

Yin Changsheng clearly couldn't have begun his scheme just ten years ago.

If he hadn't been there and the three ice platforms couldn't be filled, wouldn't Yin Changsheng's efforts have been in vain?

Could he wait another three hundred years for the next destined individual?

However, Qin Sang's true purpose in asking was to buy time.

He analyzed the situation and felt his chances of counter-killing Yin Changsheng were slim. Escaping the cavern would give him much more leeway.

He and the Heavenly Eye Butterfly had been probing the ancient restrictions within the cavern, gradually discovering a hint of a weakness: it seemed to be at the top of the cavern. However, the restrictions there were also extremely powerful, requiring significant time to breach.

Once outside, he might even be able to draw Old Man Hunmo and Great Sage Tianpeng into the fray.

Additionally, Qin Sang was silently observing the blood pool.

If he couldn't escape, then a fight was the only option.

It would be difficult for the Sun Divine Tree to directly hit the Palace Master, but he could attack points that Yin Changsheng would be forced to defend.

However, Yin Changsheng surely highly valued the blood pool and likely had protective measures in place, so acting rashly was not an option.

Qin Sang's thoughts raced, deducing various possibilities.

"Without you two, I would have had to settle for the next best option and capture Hunmo to be the third Blood Attendant. However, since Hunmo is not a direct disciple of the Black Heaven Palace, the effect would have been greatly diminished."

Yin Changsheng let out a light chuckle, his tone utterly casual when speaking of this demonic giant.

"I didn't expect that brat to cause such a commotion, but it's harmless, just a bunch of rabble. Once I achieve the Soul Transformation stage, I will naturally clean up the Holy Land."

So, it was him!

Old Man Hunmo had actually been lured in by Yin Changsheng!

The Palace Master of Black Heaven Palace was the true spy!

After learning the function of the blood pool and ice platforms, Qin Sang had vaguely suspected this. Hearing Yin Changsheng confirm it himself still left him speechless.

He wanted to curse.

On this trip to the Holy Land, he had already averted disaster for two individuals in succession.

Bingyao was one thing.

He himself had succumbed to the allure of the Cleansing Pool, stepping into the trap for Bingyao. He couldn't blame anyone else for that.

However, he not only had no relationship with Old Man Hunmo but was actually his enemy.

Averting disaster for an enemy was truly unfair.

"Daoist Priest…"

Qin Sang's mind raced. He opened his mouth, wanting to say more.

Yin Changsheng suddenly sneered, "Are you trying to buy time?"

Before he finished speaking, the temperature in the cavern plummeted. A bone-chilling cold permeated everywhere, so terrifying that Qin Sang felt his body and True Essence were about to freeze solid.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The ice spikes embedded in the ground rose swiftly, shattered in mid-air, and transformed into pallid, cold mist, intensifying the chill within the cavern.

A powerful sense of alarm rose in Qin Sang's heart.

At the same time, Qin Sang used the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's divine ability to peer through the cold mist, discovering that thirteen ice mirrors had materialized at the top of the cavern.

Yin Changsheng must have made preparations before luring them in.

He had used some of them earlier to capture Tong Lingyu alive.

The thirteen ice mirrors were part of those preparations.

Click! Click!

The thirteen ice mirrors subtly rotated, all pointing directly at him and Liu Li.

"Be careful! This is one of the Palace Master's strongest divine abilities, the Netherfall Divine Restriction!" Liu Li's warning echoed in his ears.

Qin Sang, unfamiliar with the Netherfall Divine Restriction, reacted instinctively. He activated the Ruyi Pearl, summoning a protective aura, and simultaneously conjured his demonic flame, ready for battle.

Only then did Qin Sang get a clear view of the mirror surfaces.

The insides of the ice mirrors were not crystal clear. Each mirror shimmered with special runes that formed patterns, resembling restriction diagrams. Qin Sang felt a sense of familiarity.

Just then, Tong Lingyu's warning came from within the Blood Sacrifice Pool.

"Daoist Priest, there's no need to fear. His Netherfall Divine Restriction and my Ninefold Nether Frost Restriction originate from the same source. Your spiritual flame can resist this divine ability! This man has hidden himself in the ice coffin and is using dark arts; he's already succumbed to demonic influence. He cannot continuously attack without restraint, or he will invite his own demise. As long as you persevere, Daoist Priest, you can win without a fight!"

After the Myriad Devil Assembly, Tong Lingyu and Qin Sang had sparred.

Confirming that Qin Sang could counteract her Ninefold Nether Frost Restriction, she had become even more determined to win him over.

Yin Changsheng's cultivation far surpassed Tong Lingyu's, so the power of the Netherfall Divine Restriction was naturally incomparable to the Ninefold Nether Frost Restriction.

However, the spiritual flame's counteracting effect on the Netherfall Divine Restriction could significantly weaken its power. Qin Sang would at least have the strength to resist and wouldn't be directly defeated by the divine restriction.

Hearing Tong Lingyu's reminder, Qin Sang's heart stirred.

What he feared most was not understanding his opponent.

If he only needed to hold on for a period until Yin Changsheng lost control, then with the Sun Divine Tree, he might not be without a chance.

But he didn't know how long that period would be!

Clink! Clink!...

The ice mirrors vibrated, emitting crisp, melodious sounds.

Before Tong Lingyu finished speaking, the restriction diagrams within the ice mirrors shot out, materializing in mid-air. The surrounding cold mist was drawn to them, surging madly towards the diagrams.

Instantly, the restriction diagrams manifested into reality, their power astonishing.

Qin Sang felt as if he had fallen into a small world of ice and snow, completely under Yin Changsheng's control.

Though it was an illusion, the terrifying oppressive force was real, even stronger than Tong Lingyu's Ninefold Nether Frost Restriction had been.

Qin Sang's whole body stiffened. He clenched his jaw and fully unleashed his demonic flame.

Whoosh!

The demonic flame split in two, half of it flying towards Liu Li.

Even in such circumstances, Qin Sang still allocated half his demonic flame to protect Liu Li.

If he followed Tong Lingyu's advice, a bitter battle was inevitable. Helping his companion was helping himself.

Liu Li also understood this principle. She allowed the demonic flame to transform into fiery armor that enveloped her, then activated her Ice Soul Divine Light, resisting the Netherfall Divine Restriction alongside Qin Sang.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The restriction diagrams descended like colossal icebergs.

The stone cavern trembled violently.

Blinding cold light instantly enveloped them as the divine restriction erupted!

Qin Sang and Liu Li were at the center of the vortex, their figures almost obscured. Their fiery armor dimmed, making one fear they had already been swallowed by the divine restriction.

However, the actual situation was not dire.

The Nine Nether Demonic Flame indeed countered the Netherfall Divine Restriction. The divine restriction's strongest sealing ability failed to take effect on them.

If the stalemate continued, it would be precisely what Qin Sang desired.

Unfortunately, Yin Changsheng wouldn't let them have their way.

"Oh? Interesting. It seems I underestimated you."

Seeing that the Netherfall Divine Restriction had failed to suppress the two, Yin Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He scrutinized their fiery armor, then beckoned towards the ground.

Whoosh!

The Four-Directional Tengshe Seal flew high into the air.

A Tengshe danced, roaring silently. The potent aura of the spiritual treasure emanated, shaking one's soul!

Qin Sang's expression changed.

Earlier, seeing the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal casually discarded beside the blood pool as if it were trash, Qin Sang had assumed Yin Changsheng couldn't wield this spiritual treasure.

It was said that the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal had always been in the hands of the Black Heaven Palace's Grand Elder.

Spiritual treasures, unlike magic treasures, couldn't be refined by just anyone. Without understanding the Treasure Control Art, it would be useless in one's hands.

Qin Sang finally understood why Tong Lingyu had suffered such a crushing defeat.

If your spiritual treasure was given to you by someone else, how could you possibly win?

Simultaneously, the ice platforms within the blood pool creaked. The two platforms occupied by Tong Lingyu and Luo Yun slowly sank towards the bottom of the blood pool, as blood threads tightly wove into a net around their entire bodies.

Tong Lingyu mustered her remaining strength but was utterly unable to stop it. The blood threads had already crept up to her neck.

It looked as if countless blood-drinking worms were crawling over her snow-white neck.

While Qin Sang had been trying to buy time, Yin Changsheng had deliberately cooperated with him to complete the suppression of Tong Lingyu and Luo Yun.

The physical form of the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal vanished.

Qin Sang witnessed a familiar sight.

Above the cavern, icy flames surged grandly, obscuring the sky. Strange hissing sounds emanated from within the cold flames, surely the Tengshe formed by the treasure seal roaring.

Qin Sang was greatly alarmed.

The hissing sounds were piercing and continuous; there was definitely more than one Tengshe.

The same spiritual treasure felt entirely different in the hands of Tong Lingyu and Yin Changsheng.

Without even needing to fight, Qin Sang was certain that against the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal in Yin Changsheng's hands, even if he went all out, unleashing his demonic banner and sword formation, he would stand no chance whatsoever!

He could only resort to using the Sun Divine Tree!

Qin Sang was secretly anxious. He had to reserve enough True Essence to resist the Netherfall Divine Restriction; one attack was already his limit, and his avatar could only strike twice.

With three chances, he had to blast open an exit or shatter the blood pool!

The figures of the Tengshe flickered in and out of sight within the icy flames.

At this moment, he could no longer remain hidden.

Just as Qin Sang touched his Thousand Pounds Ring, intending to conjure the Sun Divine Tree, the blood in the pool churned. Tong Lingyu, about to be sucked to the bottom, used her last ounce of strength to shout, "Liu Li, quickly use the Treasure Control Art I taught you!"

"Yin Changsheng, you only taught me the first half of the Treasure Control Art. You probably didn't realize how close the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal is to Liu Li, did you? Now that she has mastered the Ice Soul Divine Light, she has the qualification to make the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal willingly recognize her as its master!"

Only when she fought Yin Changsheng did Tong Lingyu realize that the spiritual treasure's Treasure Control Art was actually divided into two parts, upper and lower.

Yin Changsheng held the complete Treasure Control Art but had only taught her the first half.

The Four-Directional Tengshe Seal remained firmly under Yin Changsheng's control.

As soon as the fight began, Tong Lingyu suffered a significant disadvantage.

However, Tong Lingyu was not entirely unaware of this. She had prepared for so long and hesitated to act, partly because she suspected Yin Changsheng might have tampered with the spiritual treasure and counter-controlled it.

She understood better than anyone how terrifyingly powerful a Grand Cultivator wielding a spiritual treasure could be.

Upon realizing the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal's affinity for Liu Li, Tong Lingyu secretly taught her the Treasure Control Art.

At the wedding ceremony, learning that Liu Li had mastered her divine ability brought Tong Lingyu immense joy. If she entrusted the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal to Liu Li for refinement, there was a high chance of it recognizing her.

However, once a spiritual treasure recognized a master, unless that master's imprint was erased, anyone else, even if they had cultivated the Treasure Control Art, would find its power greatly diminished if they tried to wield it forcibly. This meant Tong Lingyu would lose her strongest means.

At that time, Great Sage Tianpeng was leading the demon race in causing trouble, and Tong Lingyu was overwhelmed, needing the ability to counter a Demon Sage.

Liu Li's cultivation was insufficient, so her control over the spiritual treasure would also be limited in power.

Furthermore, gaining a spiritual treasure's recognition was not instantaneous; it required time for refinement.

She had originally intended to wait until she returned from the Holy Land and decided to act against Yin Changsheng before considering whether to entrust the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal to Liu Li.

Now, it was too late for regrets.

The spiritual treasure had not yet recognized a master.

Even the person most suited to a spiritual treasure still needed to refine it to gain its recognition. It was impossible to snatch it directly from someone else during a fight; otherwise, who would dare to use spiritual treasures?

Fortunately, Liu Li had cultivated the first half of the Treasure Control Art and had refined the Four-Directional Tengshe Seal for some time. Coupled with the spiritual treasure's great affinity for her, while she couldn't directly claim it, she could still restrain Yin Changsheng with it.

Counteracting his divine ability and restraining his spiritual treasure.

Hope gleamed in Tong Lingyu's eyes. She had prepared for so long, and while she hadn't managed to counter-kill Yin Changsheng, her efforts weren't in vain. At this critical moment, they were playing a crucial role!

Hope rested on Qin Sang and Liu Li!

Although Liu Li didn't fully understand the intricacies, upon hearing Tong Lingyu's reminder, she unhesitatingly unleashed the Treasure Control Art!