Chapter 1512: Extreme

Xiangzi’s arrangement in the stone tablet space was meticulously planned, ensuring it wasn't a dead end; otherwise, leaving treasures would have been meaningless.

Qin Sang only needed to place the Pagoda in his hand on the jade platform to activate the entire grand formation and seal the stone tablet space. At the final moment, the Pagoda would activate the Exquisite Pagoda, sending everyone inside out of the sacred land. Following the instructions in Xiangzi's jade slip, Qin Sang completely mastered the Pagoda.

Although demons surrounded the Exquisite Pagoda, fortunately, Xiangzi had left them a way out. However, once the spirit formation was activated, the demons outside would likely face a grim fate. Qin Sang urged Palace Master Jiang and the others to leave quickly, fearing they would be implicated.

Upon learning the full story, shock flashed in Glaze's eyes. To annihilate so many demons in one swoop, while the Nine-Headed Great Saint lineage still held sway outside the demon race, meant the Boundless Sea would face an unprecedented reshuffle. If Qin Sang's prediction came true, the demonic path would collapse completely, leaving nothing but a clean slate.

Qin Sang turned back and picked up the jade box. The moment the jade box opened, Qin Sang and Glaze instantly felt their eyes brighten as green phosphorescence illuminated the seventh floor's space. A faint, elegant fragrance wafted to their noses, seemingly containing various scents of herbs and plants, yet remarkably unified. Qin Sang felt as if he were in a vibrant jungle. The clear fragrance permeated their hearts and minds, bringing tranquility. To have such an effect just by smelling it, the Soul-Suppressing Incense truly lived up to its reputation.

Qin Sang nodded subtly, seeing four slender jade sticks, almost jade-like in quality, neatly arranged in the jade box. These were the Soul-Suppressing Incense sticks, each one crystal clear and flawless, like naturally formed precious jade. Soul-Suppressing Incense could calm the mind and suppress inner demons, proving extremely useful during breakthroughs and tribulations. It was truly a rare and invaluable treasure. Unfortunately, Qin Sang possessed the even more powerful Jade Buddha, making the Soul-Suppressing Incense in his hands like a pearl covered in dust; he could only use it for trade with others.

However, for Glaze, the Soul-Suppressing Incense held extraordinary significance. The evil art's imprint was akin to Glaze's inner demon. Even if it couldn't remove the evil art's imprint, it could help Glaze suppress the imprint during future breakthroughs and lessen its influence. During the battle with Yin Changsheng, Glaze voluntarily released her seal and became his Dark Lady. Qin Sang was inevitably moved and seriously considered what he could do to help her.

He didn't possess his Senior Sister's astonishing talent in puppetry and couldn't create a Heart Demon Puppet Seal. The only related art he knew was the 'Lifeless Demonic Seal'. However, cultivating the 'Lifeless Demonic Seal' was extremely dangerous, akin to actively creating an inner demon, nurturing it gradually, and finally breaking the seal to achieve a breakthrough. The imprint in Glaze's body was already powerful enough to affect her cultivation; if she dared to use it to cultivate the 'Lifeless Demonic Seal', she would likely be directly consumed by her inner demon and die. Soul-Suppressing Incense might help her temporarily overcome difficulties. With improvements in cultivation and strength, more possibilities would arise.

Qin Sang opened his mouth, just about to speak. Glaze's gaze was also drawn to the Soul-Suppressing Incense. She stared for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "Is this Soul-Suppressing Incense?"

"You recognize it?" Qin Sang was startled, then immediately recalled that Xiangzi had deep ties with the Xuan Tian Palace, and that the Xuan Tian Palace might have records of Soul-Suppressing Incense.

Glaze nodded gently. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Qin Sang. Her eyes were as clear as glazed glass, showing anticipation, but no greed.

"If you are willing to let the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal recognize me as its master and give me some time, I have a seventy percent chance of comprehending the complete 'Tongbao Art'." Glaze paused and added, "By then, I can sever my connection with the spiritual treasure, without affecting your control over it."

Hearing this, a strange glint flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. He had thought the 'Tongbao Art' would be permanently incomplete with Yin Changsheng's demise, but unexpectedly, there was a turnaround. This contradicted Tong Lingyu's statement. She had said that if the creator of a spiritual treasure didn't engrave the 'Tongbao Art' onto it, then once the 'Tongbao Art' was lost, only someone whom the spiritual treasure voluntarily recognized as its master could wield it. Was this true for all spiritual treasures, or was only the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal special? Qin Sang estimated the former was more likely. Tong Lingyu's understanding of spiritual treasures was merely superficial, and she might have been misled by Yin Changsheng in many ways. There was a world of difference between a partial 'Tongbao Art' and a complete one; the former was merely a dispensable trifle!

Qin Sang, however, was not carried away by this good news. He looked at Glaze with a strange expression.

"I want to exchange for a Soul-Suppressing Incense stick!" Glaze took a deep breath and said.

She could have completely hidden this information and tried to exchange the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal back from Qin Sang. With only a partial 'Tongbao Art', the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal's power in Qin Sang's hands would be greatly reduced, far inferior to the Sun God Tree, and thus not indispensable. As long as the Xuan Tian Palace showed enough sincerity to move Qin Sang, there would be a chance. But Glaze chose the Soul-Suppressing Incense.

She understood the 'Sacrificial Origin Art', and one day, if she became a great cultivator, she could refine her lifebound magic treasure into a pseudo-spiritual treasure, which could barely serve as a substitute. Before that, she possessed the top-tier divine ability 'Ice Soul Divine Light', and did not lack means to challenge higher ranks. Soul-Suppressing Incense was a rare find, offering her the possibility of continuing her pursuit of the Dao. Spiritual treasures were a huge temptation, but they could not sway Glaze's Dao heart.

As for the Xuan Tian Palace's legacy, she had no strong feelings for it, having first followed her master, then cultivated in Shaohua Mountain, and only returned to the North Sea after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. After the battle with Yin Changsheng, and remembering her master being forced to leave her homeland and wander around, she had an even less favorable impression. She only recognized Tingxue Tower. Not just because of her master's connection, both Master Xue and Palace Master Jiang had shown her great care. Glaze had already planned how to strengthen Tingxue Tower, continue her master's legacy, and repay them.

"Actually, your cultivation method doesn't perfectly align with the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal," Glaze continued. "This treasure is quite unique; only those cultivating ice-attribute methods can unleash its full power. Your clone is more suitable than your main body."

Glaze then pointed out another issue. Qin Sang pondered, knowing Glaze had no reason to deceive him. In fact, he had long had a premonition. When Yin Changsheng and Tong Lingyu wielded the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal, their attacks exuded an intense chill that came not only from the spiritual treasure but also from the wielder. Qin Sang could not change his cultivation method. He could only hope his clone would break through to the late Nascent Soul stage to unleash its full might. For the clone to be at the mid-Nascent Soul stage was already the result of several fortuitous encounters; further breakthroughs would be extremely difficult! Glaze pointing this out was clearly undermining her own bargaining chips before the transaction.

"After I refined the 'Ice Soul Divine Light' with the help of Ice Soul Essence," Glaze quickened her pace, throwing out a second bargaining chip, "I found that cultivating this divine ability was not as demanding as imagined. Instead, the ancestors of Tingxue Tower had taken a detour. I already have some ideas to slightly modify the divine ability, giving others a chance to master it. By then, I can transmit this divine ability to you. Your clone used Ice Soul Essence for its foundation, so even though it doesn't meet other requirements, there's still a small chance it could master it..."

Even if Qin Sang didn't have this idea, facing these two conditions, who wouldn't be tempted?

Qin Sang looked deeply at Glaze and sighed softly, "Why bother, Immortal Glaze? We entered the pagoda by cooperating with each other; how can I monopolize the treasures? Besides, I borrowed Ice Soul Essence from you before. To be frank, Immortal Glaze, in my opinion, while the Soul-Suppressing Incense is valuable, it's not as important as the other two fragments. I've been searching for these fragments for many years; they are something I must obtain, and I cannot share them equally with you. However..."

Before Qin Sang could finish, Glaze shook her head in refusal and said earnestly, "I lent you the essence jade for the Eight-Winged Ice Cicada; you've already achieved that, and were implicated because of it. Entering the Exquisite Pagoda was due to your small pagoda. Moreover, you could have broken through the demon siege even without me."

Qin Sang was speechless, unsure how to persuade Glaze. This was the first time he had experienced such a thing: actively wanting to give someone a treasure, only to be vehemently refused. Qin Sang clearly understood that Glaze was trying to sever all ties with him, leaving no room for ambiguity, refusing to benefit from him in the slightest! No matter how far-fetched the reasons, it was enough if she could convince herself. Previously, when Glaze interacted with him, she had indeed adhered to this principle, but not so deliberately. Glaze's release of the imprint likely left behind far more terrifying hidden dangers than imagined! Evil arts truly led to endless trouble!

Qin Sang sighed deeply in his heart, feeling somewhat helpless. Others would wish to seize every advantage, but Glaze was the opposite. One extreme and another extreme. Qin Sang had never experienced this before and didn't know what it felt like to be controlled by an imprint, so he couldn't empathize with Glaze. Judging by Glaze's behavior, she wouldn't share it with him or ask for his help. Intuition told Qin Sang that this extreme approach might not be effective. Glaze overthinking everything and falling deeper and deeper — wouldn't that just become another inner demon? But evil arts were unfathomable, and Glaze had closed herself off. Qin Sang couldn't offer any better advice and could only helplessly remind her, "Immortal Glaze, you're becoming too attached to appearances..."

Glaze was slightly startled, but her gaze remained firm, and she wouldn't change her mind because of it.

"Alright! I agree!" Qin Sang let out a breath, his expression solemn, and nodded heavily, agreeing to the matter. He took out two Soul-Suppressing Incense sticks from the jade box, closed the box, and handed it to Glaze.

Glaze's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"Is one spiritual treasure not worth two Soul-Suppressing Incense sticks?" Qin Sang retorted.

"For you, indeed not," Glaze replied. Tong Lingyu didn't dare to claim it; the spiritual treasure originally belonged to Qin Sang. Treasures had different uses and suited different people. A treasure one person craved might be discarded like trash by another. Its value couldn't be simply measured by its monetary worth. She knew Qin Sang possessed the Sun God Tree, which was no less powerful than the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal. The demonic banner's black spiritual fire was also not as simple as it appeared. Not lacking powerful magic treasures and divine abilities, the Four-Horned Winged Serpent Seal was not something Qin Sang absolutely needed; it was dispensable. Holding four Soul-Suppressing Incense sticks might offer a glimmer of a chance for Nascent Transformation, which no spiritual treasure could compare to.

Qin Sang chuckled, "I had a sufficiently firm Dao heart even during the Foundation Establishment stage. Now that I'm at the Nascent Soul stage, how could I regress instead of progressing and be hindered by inner demons? Furthermore, Immortal Glaze, you can't deny the role you played in dealing with the Old Demon Hun. Are you trying to put me in an unrighteous and ungrateful position?"

Qin Sang could compete with Nascent Soul cultivators in Dao heart even during the Foundation Establishment stage. Glaze had personally experienced this.

Glaze was silent for a moment. Finally, she stopped arguing and reached out for the jade box. As his hand lightened, Qin Sang felt a sense of relief in his heart, as if he had fought a great battle. Glaze carefully put away the two Soul-Suppressing Incense sticks.

"If Immortal Glaze has any further need in the future," Qin Sang said, "you can come to me to exchange for Soul-Suppressing Incense. By then, Immortal Glaze will understand that I truly don't value this item highly." He paused, looked into Glaze's clear eyes, and added, "A fair exchange."

Glaze replied, "Good."

Next, Qin Sang picked up the fragment of the Killing Sword. The moment his finger touched the Killing Sword fragment, Qin Sang felt the fragments inside him tremble slightly. The sword spirit finally reacted again. The Killing Sword fragment silently vanished from his fingertips. Qin Sang received no response from the sword spirit. He delved into his qi sea and found all the fragments had combined with no gaps between them, perfectly merged! The sword body was thin, yet it exuded an inexplicable sense of profound weight. From the blade and tip, he couldn't feel any distinct sharpness. He wondered if this was the inherent quality of the sword itself, or if it hadn't fully recovered. On the sword body, the two ancient characters 'Di' (Earth) and 'Sha' (Kill) possessed a profound charm. They seemed like simple characters, yet also seemed to encompass everything. Qin Sang felt that just by looking at these two characters, he could be immersed for a very long time...

The four Killing Sword fragments formed a complete sword body, but there was no hilt. Precisely because of this, Qin Sang couldn't determine if the Earth-Killing Sword in his hand was complete. There might be a hilt, or another fragment on top. Before the sword spirit awakened, he couldn't give up searching. The serious problem was that the jade slip contained no cultivation method, and Xiangzi hadn't mentioned it at all. According to Xiangzi's records, these two Killing Sword fragments were obtained by him in Central State from ancient immortal mansions, specifically the Heavenly Harmony Palace and the Heavenly Aspect Palace. Xiangzi estimated that the remaining fragments must have fallen into other similar immortal mansions. He instructed future generations, if they made new discoveries, to search carefully. If Qin Sang wanted to investigate the whereabouts of the cultivation method, he could only start by researching Xiangzi's origins, and even personally go to Central State! Unfortunately, the Jinghai Sect no longer existed, and the Xuan Tian Palace's ancient texts were also lost.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Exquisite Pagoda vibrated more and more intensely. Qin Sang put away his thoughts and also put away the jade slip. There was still a lot of content inside, no time to examine it closely. He needed to escape danger first.

"It should be almost time..." Qin Sang murmured. Calculating the time, if Palace Master Jiang and the others had immediately retreated upon receiving the warning, they should be close to leaving the stone tablet space now. He couldn't wait any longer. Otherwise, if the golden light wall was breached, the demons could rush into the pagoda. The reason the golden light wall didn't seem sturdy enough was because its true purpose wasn't defense, but to conceal the commotion caused by activating the Exquisite Pagoda, to prevent the demonic overlords from noticing. Activating the spirit formation wasn't instantaneous; it required time. Now that the demons were outside the Exquisite Pagoda, there was naturally no need for concealment.

Qin Sang nodded to Glaze, picked up the Pagoda, and gently placed it in the center of the jade platform.

"Clack!"

The Pagoda and the jade platform merged into one. With a flash of light, an invisible ripple spread outwards, integrating into the entire Exquisite Pagoda. Their qi mechanisms completely merged. Qin Sang's expression subtly changed. He felt as if the true essence within him had encountered a black hole, being rapidly sucked in. With Xiangzi's warning, Qin Sang did not panic. He remained calm, focusing all his attention on the Pagoda. Through this treasure, Qin Sang felt his consciousness seemingly extending infinitely outwards. First, the Exquisite Pagoda, then it rapidly expanded until it sensed the entire spirit formation. The spirit formation was extremely profound. Qin Sang had seen more sophisticated and grander immortal formations, but this was the first time he had interacted with one in such a way, and he was deeply shaken! He dared not act recklessly. Following Xiangzi's instructions, he systematically activated the grand formation!