Chapter 1594: Retreat

A top-grade spirit stone? It’s rare for even a super ore vein to produce one. How many years has it been since a top-grade spirit stone last appeared? I’ve been cultivating for centuries, and I’ve never seen one.

Some ancient immortal formations absolutely require top-grade spirit stones.

Rumor has it, they possess other wondrous uses…

The old man in the Daoist robe’s last remark sparked a lively discussion. The mention of top-grade spirit stones drew even more attention than the Floating Light Silver.

Qin Sang returned to his seat.

Once Jiang You eased the restrictions, Qin Sang also extended a wisp of his spiritual sense to examine the Floating Light Silver.

These pieces of Floating Light Silver came from the same ore vein. Being intrinsically linked by their energy, they could be refined into Xuanji True Silver, making them quite valuable. Any artifact refiner capable of acquiring them would surely make a substantial profit.

However, both the refining of Floating Light Silver and the subsequent artifact forging process would consume considerable time and effort. Qin Sang found himself uninterested.

He appeared to be examining the Floating Light Silver, but in reality, his mind was subtly tense.

Ever since descending from the pond, Qin Sang had felt faint, almost imperceptible gazes upon him. Someone was secretly observing and monitoring him, which could only mean trouble.

These individuals were very cautious, but Qin Sang’s powerful spiritual sense and keen spiritual perception meant their efforts couldn’t escape his notice.

Of all the treasures presented at the exchange so far, the Spirit-Calming Incense he offered was undoubtedly the most valuable. Although he had traded the Spirit-Calming Incense, Qin Sang had also acquired the Dragon’s Nectar, a treasure condensed from the essence of a Five-Transformation Spirit Insect. As a rare and precious item, it was only natural that it would attract covetous gazes.

The old man in the Daoist robe was the host of this exchange. He was clearly well-prepared, incredibly wealthy, and had a mysterious background; no one would be foolish enough to scheme against him. Qin Sang, being alone, was an easier target.

If it were just one person, Qin Sang wouldn't be afraid. His concern was a tacit understanding forming among several cunning individuals. The Six Continents Hall had already stated that they could only guarantee safety within the exchange venue.

With this thought, Qin Sang stood up once more.

Many people were already discreetly watching Qin Sang, so his movement immediately drew everyone's attention, causing the atmosphere at the exchange to grow slightly tense.

Qin Sang ignored the others, turning to walk out.

Jiang You quickly called out, "Fellow Daoist, where are you off to?"

Qin Sang paused, then turned and calmly replied, "I have already acquired the item I desired, so naturally, I wish to return to my cultivation abode as soon as possible to refine it and resume my cultivation. Does Hall Master Jiang have something to say? Is this place a one-way street, where one can only enter but not leave?"

"This..." Jiang You was momentarily speechless, glancing sideways at the old man in the Daoist robe. He was, after all, the true host.

The old man in the Daoist robe pointed to the characters floating in the air. "My requirements extend beyond these items," he stated. "What comes next will be even more valuable. I will present treasures of comparable worth, some even surpassing the Dragon’s Nectar. I assure you, I am not exaggerating. Perhaps you would consider staying a while longer? We might be destined to conduct further transactions..."

Everyone, including Qin Sang, was greatly astonished. The old man in the Daoist robe evidently possessed an immense fortune! To be willing to exchange so many rare and sought-after treasures, he must surely have a grand scheme in mind. Astute individuals began to review recent significant events in the cultivation world, attempting to deduce the old man's identity and true intentions.

"Your wealth is truly impressive, and I admire it," Qin Sang replied. "It's just a pity that I've already presented even my Spirit-Calming Incense. I have nothing left to offer, and staying here would only add to my troubles."

"Very well," the old man conceded. "The exchange is nearing its conclusion. You may leave if you wish." As Qin Sang departed, the old man in the Daoist robe's eyes flickered, and he signaled Jiang You to allow his exit.

Qin Sang cupped his hands to Jiang You and the old man, then his figure melted into the shadows of the ancient cypresses.

Witnessing this, several more individuals rustled to their feet, departing one after another. Some left in different directions, including the Daoist nun who had acquired the Nine Refinement Reversion Pill and was clearly content with her significant gains from the exchange. However, a noticeable number of others, either deliberately or coincidentally, chose to exit in the same direction as Qin Sang. The majority, however, remained, curious about what other treasures the old man might yet reveal.

As he entered the ancient cypress forest, Qin Sang detected subtle shifts in the surrounding restrictions. Ignoring the changes in the spirit array, he fixed on a direction and pressed straight ahead.

Shortly after, he felt his body lighten as he exited the spirit array's range. Behind him stretched an endless forest. Qin Sang’s feet landed on soft grass in a small, desolate wilderness. Beyond it, rolling mountains faded into the distance. Unbeknownst to him, deep night had already fallen. The sky was moonless, covered in thick clouds, rendering everything pitch black.

Qin Sang pushed off the ground, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing.

Not long after he departed, two armored cultivators emerged from the dense forest. "That person is fast!" exclaimed the gray-armored individual, gazing at the silent mountain silhouettes in the night. "Don't worry, Big Brother. While at the exchange, I already used my bloodline ability to contact Third Brother. He's arrived nearby and has set up an interception in advance. It'll be no problem to keep him occupied for a while. Ugh! It's a shame we got the news so late. If only we'd known about this exchange earlier, we could have called in more allies for a big score and taken care of all these 'naked worms' in one go!"

At the Daoist robe old man's request, the Six Continents Hall had meticulously arranged a spirit formation designed to isolate the exchange, preventing participants from contacting the outside world. Yet, it seemed incapable of blocking the gray-armored man's divine ability! The sheer arrogance in his tone was astonishing.

"Fool!" the green-armored man scoffed. A green light flashed across his face as his armor retracted, revealing a stern countenance. He appeared to be a man in his twenties or thirties, his brow sharp and hinting at a hidden murderous intent.

"There are several powerful auras inside," the green-armored man warned gravely. "Even I felt threatened. Never underestimate humans!" With that, he transformed into a streak of green light and shot through the air.

"With Big Brother here, what is there to fear?" The gray-armored man chuckled, quickly following. "Big Brother," he then asked with some confusion, "since we're making a move, why not pick a fatter target? That guy sounds like a pauper; the Spirit-Calming Incense is no longer with him, and the Dragon’s Nectar comes with considerable risks. Wouldn't it be better to secretly keep an eye on that old man and then contact Black Lion and the others? The old man has so many treasures; sharing them among us wouldn't be a bad deal at all."

"Poor?" the green-armored man scoffed. "Two thousand three hundred years ago, two Spirit-Calming Incense sticks appeared. Do you know into whose hands they ultimately fell?"

"Could it be someone from our clan...?" The gray-armored man was quite sharp, instantly realizing the implication.

The green-armored man nodded. "The Spirit-Calming Incense appeared in the North Sea, coincidentally near the lair of the Six-Legged Old Demon. When the Six-Legged Demon discovered traces of those 'bald donkeys' from the Ganlu Chan Monastery, it assumed humans were attacking its lair and engaged them in several fierce battles. Eventually, neither side could gain an advantage, so they split the two Spirit-Calming Incense sticks equally. The Six-Legged Demon's stick was originally meant to be presented to the Sacred King, but it failed to impress His Majesty, a fact known to several demon generals in the Sacred King's Palace. The other stick was taken by a 'bald donkey' from the Ganlu Chan Monastery. If this individual truly hailed from the Ganlu Chan Monastery, would he need to offer Spirit-Calming Incense in exchange for treasures?"

"This stick of Spirit-Calming Incense isn't one of the two that appeared back then; such rare artifacts can't be found everywhere! Could it be... that this person personally refined it? Humans have strange temperaments; they love taking disciples and value their legacies more than life itself. Big Brother, are you suspecting this person has obtained such a legacy?" The gray-armored man excitedly considered a possibility.

"Capture him, and we'll have our answers," the green-armored man said, his tone a mix of anticipation and admiration. "Back then, the Sacred King himself confirmed that Spirit-Calming Incense could still have some effect even on Soul Transformation cultivators." His admiration was for the individual who had originally created the Spirit-Calming Incense. Legend had it that this person was merely a Nascent Soul cultivator, yet managed to independently devise such a miraculous medicine. Even if its effect on Soul Transformation cultivators was minimal, it was still an astounding achievement, implying it could assist cultivators in overcoming the Soul Transformation tribulation!

"Good! He's our target!" The gray-armored man's eyes lit up, but he remained cautious, not allowing himself to be carried away. "Black Lion isn't on our side, and we don't know the old man's connection to the Six Continents Hall. He would indeed be difficult to handle."

"There's an eighty percent chance this person is a Spirit Cultivator," he added, "and their divine abilities are notoriously strange. I just fear..."

"Have you forgotten my treasure?" the green-armored man scoffed. "It perfectly counters Spirit Cultivators!" He puffed out his cheeks and exhaled a breath of green qi, which transformed into a verdant cloud, enveloping both of them and causing their speed to surge dramatically.

Qin Sang flew into the mountains, summoning his Phoenix Wings and transforming into a streak of lightning. Not long after, he sensed something amiss behind him. Activating his Heavenly Eye divine ability, he saw a mass of green cloud rapidly approaching from the horizon. Internally scoffing, Qin Sang increased his speed instead of slowing down, becoming a bolt of lightning that tore through the night sky.

If his pursuers continued their relentless chase, he wouldn't hesitate to teach them a lesson once they were far from this region!

In the blink of an eye, he had traversed dozens of mountain ranges. Even in the most bustling heartland of the Central Plains, areas of human activity were limited, leaving vast, uninhabited wildernesses. This region was no different.

The mountains rolled and strange peaks towered. In the darkness of night, their silhouettes appeared grotesque, like slumbering beasts about to awaken.

Not far ahead of Qin Sang, two mountains stood so close that their prominent rocks almost touched, their outlines resembling two fierce tigers poised to strike with their forepaws. He mentally dubbed them the Twin Tiger Mountains.

As he approached, just about to pass over the Twin Tiger Mountains, a peculiar glint appeared in his eyes. Suddenly, an abrupt change occurred! A blinding white light erupted from the space between the Twin Tiger Mountains. The luminous orb shone even brighter than the lightning in the sky, radiating intense light that instantly illuminated the peaks within a thousand-zhang radius, making every blade of grass and fragment of stone on the mountainsides distinctly visible. Sleeping creatures were startled awake by the powerful glare, letting out panicked cries.

Within the white light was, astonishingly, a bone. The bone glowed a pristine white, exuding a warm, moist sensation akin to the finest jade in the world. Yet, delicate red veins encircled its surface, adding an unsettling, demonic aura. The instant the white light flared, a thunderous roar erupted from deep within the bone, shaking it violently. The earth-shattering bellow dispersed the dark clouds above, and countless creatures in the mountains instantly disintegrated in terror, frightened to death on the spot.

On the surface of the white bone, light and shadow rippled, and a phantom image burst forth: a terrifying, thousand-zhang-long colossal crocodile! Though its form was ethereal, its ferociously oppressive aura was enough to strike fear into anyone who beheld it – it was an unparalleled beast of pure malice! The colossal crocodile swung its long tail, craned its head towards the sky. Its cold, vertical pupils held no trace of reason, only unadulterated killing intent, fixed intently on the streak of lightning passing overhead, before it suddenly lunged.

*Whoosh!* Though it takes time to describe, everything unfolded in an instant. Almost simultaneously with the white light's flare, a thousand-zhang colossal crocodile materialized in the void, stretching across the sky, its jaws agape as an astonishing suction force erupted.

"Hahahaha..." Wild laughter echoed through the mountains. Shadows rippled, and a figure emerged. It was another armored individual, also clad in gray, but with a short, thick, pointed horn protruding from his forehead. This 'Horned One' flashed forward, rocketing into mid-air to position himself directly behind Qin Sang's fleeing light. He clenched his right fist, aiming at Qin Sang's back, and bellowed, "Get down!" His armor clanked sharply as the muscles beneath visibly coiled. The sheer force of his punch conjured a dark phenomenon: black smoke swirled, coalescing into a black flood dragon that surged forth with thunderous power!

A trap! The colossal crocodile's speed was immense, and the ambush was exceptionally cunning. Any other person would have already been swallowed by the crocodile. Even if they reacted swiftly and narrowly evaded the monster's gaping maw, they would still be helpless against the Horned One's punch, facing the same grim fate. Unfortunately for the Horned One, he had encountered Qin Sang. No matter how ingenious a trap, once discovered by the prey, it only serves to backfire on the hunter!

As he unleashed his heavy punch, the Horned One was brimming with confidence. The black flood dragon and the thousand-zhang colossal crocodile confronted each other in mid-air, like two peerless beasts locked in a standoff. The fleeing light between them appeared utterly frail and vulnerable. Yet, the scene the Horned One envisioned did not materialize. As if anticipating the attack, the streak of light abruptly halted at the very edge of the colossal crocodile's gaping maw, then without hesitation, shot backward. Infinite suction burst from the crocodile's mouth, its fluctuations forming a visible vortex that rapidly expanded through the void, yet it could only pursue the retreating light's afterimages, swallowing them harmlessly.

This, however, was only the first layer of the trap averted. The full force of the punch immediately followed. In this critical moment of being attacked from both front and rear, Qin Sang, sensing the danger behind him, showed no panic. He formed a Buddhist seal in his heart, his steps like blossoming lotuses, and invoked the Lotus Seal from the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal" technique. With an inconceivable twist of his body, he narrowly brushed past the flood dragon's head, evading the most potent wave of impact. The flood dragon of the punch still possessed considerable residual power.

Qin Sang did not draw a magic treasure. Instead, he casually thrust out his right hand and, to the Horned One's astonishment, used only his physical strength to disperse the tail of the punch-formed flood dragon. Having effortlessly neutralized the trap, Qin Sang fixed a cold gaze on the Horned One.

As Qin Sang's chilling gaze met his, the Horned One was suddenly gripped by a dangerous premonition. A wave of icy dread surged from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, leaving his entire body cold.

The Horned One, trusting his intuition implicitly, wasted no time. He spurred the colossal crocodile to continue entangling Qin Sang, while he himself, abandoning any thought of further attack, instantly phased backward.

The moment he moved, the Horned One's vision was plunged into gloom. To his horror, razor-sharp sword threads materialized out of thin air, omnipresent, completely enveloping him.

Long before he flew past the Twin Tiger Mountains, Qin Sang had already detected signs of an ambush. The opponent's disguise was flawless, and the crocodile bone remained concealed and inert, such that even Qin Sang's spiritual sense only reacted when very close. However, it couldn't deceive the eyes of his Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Without betraying any emotion, Qin Sang confirmed that the ambusher was not a Grand Cultivator. As he seemingly blundered into the trap, he covertly activated his Golden Sinking Sword and prepared a sword formation, effectively turning their scheme against them.

The sword formation veiled the sky. The Horned One's figure vanished abruptly, his aura sealed by the formation, his fate uncertain.

From within the green cloud, both the green-armored man and the gray-armored man witnessed the scene from a distance, their expressions instantly changing. "This is bad!" exclaimed the green-armored man. A brilliant green light flared around him, and two streams of green qi snaked across the surface of his armor like swimming fish. His aura then surged dramatically, and with a piercing whoosh, he transformed into a verdant rainbow, tearing through the air. A mere afterimage remained where he had stood.