Chapter 2154: Speculations on the Consolidation Stage

"What have you found?" Qin Sang couldn't help but ask as they sped along.

Su Nü, controlling the Stone Ghost Warrior, shook her head.

"I'm afraid we can't go much further," Qin Sang said with a frown.

Though the time was short, so they didn't have to worry about the flushing currents of the River of Evil, chaotic forces permeated their surroundings. As they delved deeper, these forces grew increasingly powerful, forcing them to expend more energy to resist and protect themselves.

After carefully questioning the Yuanxiang Clan Chief, Qin Sang had a general idea of the location of Yuanjiao Sea Market within the River of Evil. According to his understanding of the River of Evil, this location shouldn't have been so dangerous, yet they found it incredibly difficult to advance.

Qin Sang speculated that this might be related to Yuanjiao Sea Market or the Foreign Races' Sacred Land, triggering unknown anomalies.

Su Nü also realized this problem. The Stone Ghost Warrior was struggling more and more to resist, and her cultivation was inferior to Qin Sang's. Ultimately, she would be the first to give out.

They continued forward for some distance, and just as Qin Sang had said, the Stone Ghost Warrior's speed slowed increasingly. Mists formed from foul energy, capable of easily obliterating mountains, battered it, making it nearly impossible to move.

As it pushed forward, the mists even left knife-like gashes on its hard body.

Qin Sang concentrated, sensing his surroundings. Fortunately, apart from the fierce River of Evil storm, he detected no other immediate dangers. He summoned the Gray Warbler Sword, its light enveloping the Stone Ghost Warrior, and Su Nü instantly felt much more relieved.

Temporarily free from pressure, Su Nü thanked him and let out a sigh of relief.

"Do you still want to continue?" Qin Sang asked.

"My master's kindness remains unrequited, and his whereabouts are unknown; I don't know if he's safe or in danger. If I don't give my all, my heart won't find peace!" Su Nü's tone was filled with worry, and she pleaded, "I beg you, Brother Qin, please help me one more time!"

Qin Sang sighed softly. "I'll use my spirit sword to assist you; just keep going forward. If that still doesn't work, I can eventually unleash the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock to stabilize the misty currents for you. However, by then, even if you discover anything inside, we won't have any strength left and can hardly do anything."

"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Qin!" Su Nü's mind was made up. She immediately commanded the Stone Ghost Warrior to charge ahead.

Qin Sang cast a spell to protect himself, while simultaneously controlling the Gray Warbler Sword. It hovered inverted above the Stone Ghost Warrior's head, its sword light constantly shifting to counter the assault of the River of Evil.

As time passed, the sword light was forced to gradually contract, eventually barely covering the Stone Ghost Warrior, like a thin layer of armor.

Qin Sang changed his incantation, deploying the Four Symbols Sword Array. The situation stabilized once more as they positioned themselves within the sword array, merging with the darkness.

Unfortunately, this respite was short-lived. The River of Evil's assault was ubiquitous and omnipresent, and Qin Sang felt increasingly strained.

'Boom!''Sizzle!'

A bolt of lightning dispelled the darkness, cutting through the misty currents like a sharp sword before vanishing into the depths of the River of Evil.

Qin Sang unleashed his thunder magic; a lightning seal appeared high above, and bolts of lightning struck forward. The thunder illuminated their path, carving out a way forward.

Concurrently, Su Nü also went all out. The Stone Ghost Warrior fought with extreme ferocity, repeatedly delivering heavy blows. Its chilling fist winds, upon leaving the Stone Ghost Warrior's body, transformed into humanoid specters, emitting eerie, sharp roars. These ferocious spirits voraciously devoured the misty currents, ultimately perishing along with them.

With the exquisite cooperation between Qin Sang and Su Nü, their speed increased rather than decreased, but this momentum only lasted for a short time.

Terrifying pressure assailed them from all directions, relentless and unending. Before the River of Evil, both sword light and thunder seemed to dim in comparison.

Qin Sang endured for a little longer, then with a flick of his sleeve, a golden light shot out, transforming into the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock, and its void domain power expanded. Instantly, as the golden light spread, Qin Sang felt the pressure significantly lessen. At the same time, he spared no effort to unleash his thunder magic and swordsmanship, pushing the Stone Ghost Warrior forward a considerable distance again.

Unfortunately, Su Nü continuously employed her secret techniques, attempting to sense something, but remained without any discovery.

At this moment, the pressure was almost entirely on Qin Sang alone, finally approaching the limit he had set for himself.

He made a decisive decision and transmitted his voice gravely, "It's time to go back!"

Su Nü sighed softly, the Stone Ghost Warrior's eyes filled with unwillingness. Fortunately, Su Nü was not reckless; she said dejectedly, "Let's go."

Qin Sang felt a slight relief. He activated the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock to retreat. Retreating was much easier than charging forward, and their speed increased, finally stopping at a place where they could withstand the forces.

The two discussed for a while, then tried once more. With the experience from their first attempt, they reached a deeper point, but still returned empty-handed.

They charged forward three times in a row, almost reaching their limits. In the end, they still couldn't find Su Nü's master, nor did they see a glimmer of hope. Insufficient strength was the biggest factor, something no other method could compensate for.

Even though Su Nü was unwilling, she could only give up.

Outside the Black Tide.

Qin Sang's true body opened his eyes and looked at Su Nü. Seeing her eyebrows tightly furrowed, he spoke, "If your judgment of the traces and fluctuations is correct, then perhaps only a cultivator in the Integration stage could reach that place."

Su Nü was startled, then murmured, "Brother Qin, are you saying that my master…"

Qin Sang nodded. He had used almost all his means—thunder magic, swordsmanship, and the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock—enough to contend with a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator, yet he could barely move.

Su Nü's master must at least possess Integration Stage cultivation to delve that deep.

"These traces certainly weren't left unintentionally. Did your esteemed master say anything to you before he left?" Qin Sang pressed.

Su Nü's expression was downcast as she said, "Master said he was going to do something, that it was his mission, and that no matter the outcome, he would have no regrets. After he left, he told me to live well. The way he said it was as if he were…" Su Nü didn't finish her sentence.

This was clearly a last testament, indicating that what he was going to do might be life-threatening. No wonder Su Nü was so worried.

"Your esteemed master didn't tell you where he was going, nor did he ask you to rescue him. If you hadn't met me, conventionally, it would have been almost impossible for you to come to the Foreign Races' land to participate in the Yuanjiao Sea Market, and you wouldn't have discovered the traces your esteemed master left behind…" Qin Sang paused. "Could it be that these traces weren't actually left for you? Does your esteemed master have a sect or friends?"

"Master never mentioned his sect, and during the time I followed him, he never visited any other fellow Daoists."

Su Nü's face was filled with sorrow.

Knowing that her master might be in trouble but having no one to turn to, Qin Sang understood Su Nü's feelings and calmly analyzed, "Since your esteemed master left traces, it proves he believed that someone who could save him might come to this place. You might as well preserve the traces and leave a mark nearby. Even Void Refinement cultivators possess so many life-preserving methods; with the divine abilities of an Integration Stage cultivator, he certainly wouldn't perish easily. Your esteemed master is likely just trapped somewhere. Once he breaks free, or when the person he's waiting for arrives and discovers the mark, they will seek you out first."

"If that person never appears, would we then only be able to rescue Master once we reach the Integration Stage ourselves? This junior sister knows her own limitations; I can only hope Brother Qin breaks through soon…" Su Nü seemed a bit lost.

Qin Sang gave a self-deprecating smile, not daring to make any promises. After entering the Void Refinement Stage, his cultivation had been relatively smooth, but he wasn't confident that he would definitely break through to the Integration Stage.

Of course, they could also ask other powerful cultivators for help.

Near the Misty Sea, Qin Sang knew True Immortal Ning, but Qin Sang didn't want to get too deeply entangled with True Immortal Ning, and Su Nü also couldn't produce any treasures capable of swaying him. Moreover, Su Nü's master might not want to see a powerful cultivator he didn't know go to rescue him.

As they spoke, Qin Sang's dharma body and the Stone Ghost Warrior returned. Su Nü stood before the Black Tide for a long time, gazing deeply at the River of Evil, then resolutely turned and departed.

Their venture into the River of Evil with Su Nü had caused some delay. Upon returning to Yuanjiao Sea Market, Qin Sang resumed his busy schedule between the trade fair and the Treasure Tree.

One day, Qin Sang went to visit the Yuanxiang Clan Chief, inquiring about any special characteristics of the section of the River of Evil where the Yuanjiao Sea Market was located.

The Yuanxiang Clan Chief said, "In the past, many people were curious and explored deeply when Yuanjiao Sea Market opened, but they found nothing, merely wasting their efforts. Since the Yuanjiao Sea Market has existed, there have never been legends of ancient secret realms or powerful cultivators' abodes nearby. Instead, it's more dangerous and chaotic than other places, so everyone gradually lost interest."

Qin Sang glanced at Su Nü, seeing that her expression remained calm; she had already accepted this fact. Su Nü was originally exceptionally intelligent; though she was anxious to save her master at first, once she calmed down, she would surely understand what could be done and what could not.

"Fellow Daoists from Ziyun Mountain should be arriving soon. True Immortal Qin might as well stay and wait a few days," the Yuanxiang Clan Chief said.

"Very well!" Qin Sang nodded. Before entering the Sacred Land, he would definitely need to meet with Liu Li to discuss their actions within the Sacred Land.

Afterward, the two parties would separate. Liu Li and Liao Chen would be in the open, while he would be hidden in the shadows.

On the evening of the fourth day, Liu Li and Liao Chen finally arrived. There were only the two of them on this trip; True Immortal Ning had not come along.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, this magic talisman is what Master asked me to deliver to you." Upon seeing Qin Sang, before he could even salute, Liu Li spoke first and presented a magic talisman.

Qin Sang observed carefully, noticing a subtle shift in Liu Li's demeanor. Although a smile was still rare on her face, her coldness had diminished considerably, and she no longer gave off such an unapproachable aura; she had previously been like an iceberg.

She used to seem like someone cultivating the Dao of Supreme Indifference, but now she was increasingly like a normal person.

Whether this change was for the better or worse, he couldn't tell.

Qin Sang, without changing his expression, greeted them one by one. He took the magic talisman, sensed a concealing power emanating from it, and understood in his heart that its purpose should be to mask fluctuations when absorbing immortal mountain essence within Mount Daiyu.

"I trouble you, Immortal Maiden, to convey my thanks to True Immortal Ning on my behalf," Qin Sang said, gravely putting away the talisman and cupping his hands.

"I will inform Master," Liu Li said softly.

In the past, she wouldn't have answered at all, and even her nod would have been imperceptible.

"True Immortal Qin," Liao Chen interjected, "The first thing we need to do is decide on a rendezvous point and set a time limit. Even if one cannot reach it before the deadline, they must find a way to send a message to inform the others, otherwise we'll know something has happened to them."

Qin Sang indicated his understanding. This was precisely what he and Si Huang had agreed upon first.

Upon entering the Sacred Land, the trials would begin. Therefore, the Mirrored Mirage Jewel would not transport them to fixed locations; only the Mirrored Mirage Jewel's master and their attendants would remain together, while everyone else would be separated, their landing place entirely dependent on luck.

The competition within the Sacred Land was brutal. What if one landed directly in the nest of an Integration Stage fierce beast, unable to call for help or withdraw? After a certain period, the Sacred Land would open a passage, and only then would it be possible to leave.

Of course, the purpose of the Sacred Land trials was to select the strongest, not to kill indiscriminately. Such 'immediate kill' scenarios were highly unlikely to occur.

The Sacred Land was vast and boundless, but after countless explorations by experts from various races, they had charted the terrain and topography of various regions, compiling them into a geomancy map.

However, the geomancy map could only mark approximate locations, as the Sacred Land was not static. The same mountain might have undergone tremendous internal changes, transforming from being completely safe to fraught with danger.

The simplest point was that fierce beast lairs could shift at any time.

"Where has the Holy Monk chosen?" Qin Sang used his True Essence to conjure a geomancy map. It was evident that the markings on the map were sparse, mostly indicating certain mountains, rivers, or lakes, or well-known secret realms and abandoned abodes where many expert battles had once occurred, but these places had long since been emptied.

"Mount Fenghuo!" Liao Chen already had a plan in mind. He pointed to a certain spot on the map. "On this mountain, wind and fire rage ceaselessly, making it conspicuous enough. This phenomenon has persisted for a long time, so it shouldn't suddenly change."

After confirming the location, they discussed the time limit. Qin Sang, considering his agreement with Si Huang, requested a looser time limit, and both Liao Chen and Liu Li agreed.

Next, they discussed some further details, then Qin Sang rose to take his leave.

On the way back, Qin Sang continuously pondered Liu Li's transformation. The Dao of Supreme Indifference that Liu Li cultivated seemed somewhat different from what he had imagined.

Five months passed in a flash, and the day the Sacred Land would open gradually drew near.

In these days, Qin Sang had reaped considerable rewards, exchanging most of the treasures from the Lu Family's treasury for useful items. Unfortunately, he hadn't acquired any ultimate treasures, nor had he found any opportunities for a lucky find.

On the tenth day before the Sacred Land opened, Qin Sang met with Si Lu.

Si Lu, entrusted by the Young Master, brought a spiritual pill.

Qin Sang swallowed the spiritual pill. The pill's power went straight to his glabella, transforming into a spherical bead identical to those found on the foreheads of the Siyou Clan. Immediately, Qin Sang's aura also changed, and he transformed into a Siyou Clan cultivator.

"What a profound pill!" Qin Sang exclaimed. "With just a bit more disguise from him, no one would suspect his identity."

At the same time, Si Lu brought another piece of news that made the Vermilion Bird bristle on the spot.

"What! You're saying *this* Vermilion Bird cannot enter the Sacred Land?" the Vermilion Bird demanded angrily.

Si Lu explained, "Fellow Daoist Vermilion Bird also knows that the Misty Sea is within the East Sea, and many tribes of the Heavenly Division, in particular, are on good terms with the East Sea aquatic races. To prevent anyone from temporarily forging vows with great demons and disguising them as spirit beasts to exploit this loophole, the ancient alliance blocked it. Void Refinement level spirit beasts and spirit insects are only permitted if they are life-bound companions, or if they belong to a few tribes whose bloodline abilities are solely focused on beast control; even then, the requirements are very strict. The Sacred Land's gate is incredibly profound and possesses monitoring capabilities. If Fellow Daoist Vermilion Bird were to force her way in, I fear it would only complicate matters."

Not being able to bring the Vermilion Bird meant one less helper, which was a great pity. Fortunately, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly could accompany him.

Qin Sang had this thought, then seeing the Vermilion Bird still chattering, he said, "Imagine the consequences if a Vermilion Bird suddenly appeared before the Sacred Land's gate."

The Vermilion Bird immediately fell silent.

Su Nü said gently, "Brother Qin, please rest assured. This junior sister and Fellow Daoist Vermilion Bird will certainly look after Qingyang Manor, relieving you of any worries!"