Chapter 2179: Cooperation

Qin Sang and Liu Li disregarded the dwarf behind them and flashed into the storm. The dwarf gazed deeply at their retreating figures, offered no further resistance, and merged into the ganoderma lucidum, which immediately withered and vanished.

Everywhere they looked, there was chaos: pervasive poisonous mist, shattered ancient restrictions, and impacts caused by the radiant light.

With the help of the Heaven's Eye Butterfly, Qin Sang searched for a path forward. They finally passed through the most dangerous section unharmed. Ahead, clusters of light appeared within the red mist.

These light clusters were scattered everywhere, emitting familiar fluctuations and light. They were fragments of the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace. They would need to jump across these fragments, but it was much safer than before.

Seeing that the surroundings were less dangerous, both of them relaxed a little. Liu Li parted her red lips and asked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, do you believe what that person said?"

"The so-called opportunity from the destruction of the Holy Land?" Qin Sang countered.

Liu Li nodded.

Qin Sang thought for a moment and said, "It's too absurd and lacks proof, making it hard to believe. However, if what that person said turns out to be true, and the ancestors of the Foreign Race left guidance in the Holy Land, then we outsiders would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage."

"Are you concerned that the opportunity is related to the Heart Lake, Fellow Daoist Qin?" Liu Li mused.

Qin Sang affirmed, "Exactly! The Heart Lake is the origin of the anomaly and the source of the radiant light. It's located at the very center of the Holy Land, making it the most unique existence there by any measure. We must enter the Heart Lake to find that secret realm. 'The tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease.' Once the Heart Lake becomes a contested area for powerful experts from all tribes, even if we don't intend to compete for opportunities, we'll be seen as rivals and forced into the chaotic battle."

Hearing Qin Sang's words, Liu Li showed no surprise, indicating she shared the same thoughts. She then said, "It seems Fellow Daoist Qin has been swayed by that person and wants to explore the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace?"

"We'll adapt as circumstances dictate! To go to great lengths for a vague legend is not wise. Even if the legend proves true, with so many tribes of the Foreign Race, we can always find opportunities later..."

Qin Sang looked down into the deep chasm, his vision obscured by the fragments of the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace. Their current goal was to find a path leading to the Abyssal Silence Space and the Thunder Palace.

Sensing that Liu Li seemed to have more to say, Qin Sang continued, "How does the fairy view this matter?"

"We must be wary of that person; his actions are somewhat peculiar!" Liu Li stated gravely. "He knew we were ahead of him and might get there first, yet he didn't expose our presence. Instead, he proactively revealed the 'great opportunity,' clearly trying to entice us to scout the way for him, rather than genuinely suggesting we team up to drive away the Jie Gou clan cultivators. Either there's danger ahead, or the Jie Gou clan cultivators are very strong, and this person is confident he can be the 'fisherman' who profits from the struggle. In any case, this person will surely continue to stir up trouble in the shadows, and a major battle likely awaits us ahead."

Liu Li's words aligned perfectly with Qin Sang's thoughts. However, they were somewhat unwilling to retreat now and avoid trouble. This was the only known place nearby that might lead to the Abyssal Silence Space. Entering the Abyssal Silence Space might allow them to find the Heart Lake, and moving quickly would grant them the initiative. If they were to shrink back from difficulty now, they didn't know how long it would take to find another such place.

"Does the fairy have a good plan?"

Liu Li replied, "In other places, perhaps I could assist Fellow Daoist Qin. But I am not skilled in the way of poison control. The further down we go, the stronger the poisonous mist and restrictions become. If I were to fight there, I would be hampered and would only burden Fellow Daoist Qin."

Surprise flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. "Does the fairy mean..."

"Fellow Daoist Qin should go down alone. Whatever you encounter, you'll have no reservations and can come and go as you please. I believe that with your strength, even without external assistance, you will have the chance to achieve this! I will leave a clone by your side to confuse others' perceptions. When necessary, you can use it as bait," Liu Li said, her plan already formed in her mind.

Qin Sang pondered this. Liu Li's ability to recognize her own limitations and know when to advance or retreat would indeed allow him to have fewer concerns. However, it wouldn't be easy for Liu Li's clone to deceive the eyes of powerful experts. Even though she possessed strength comparable to a Void Refinement cultivator with the aid of the Heavenly Emperor Talisman for Command, her divine abilities and techniques were unrefined, leaving many flaws.

"Although the clone is formed from ice, it can incorporate the power of the Heavenly Emperor Talisman for Command, making it difficult for outsiders to see through. I can also seal a Daoist technique within the clone's body to make it even more real," Liu Li explained.

Qin Sang suddenly understood. The most unique aspect of Liu Li was the aura of the Heavenly Emperor Talisman for Command, which could help her block all prying eyes. As long as this unique aura remained, there was a chance to pull off a grand deception.

Just as Liu Li said, taking her clone with him would attract the attention of those with malicious intent, and in times of danger, it could even be pushed forward to block harm.

Qin Sang exclaimed, "Excellent! We'll follow the fairy's plan. However, since we can't go out now, the fairy will have to stay here alone. You must be careful."

Liu Li looked around and said, "I have a Profound Ice Sealing Art. If Fellow Daoist also leaves a Myriad Source Barrier for me, I'll be able to completely isolate myself from the poisonous mist. After you leave, I will act as circumstances dictate." The drawback of this ice-sealing technique was its immobility, but it was a sophisticated defensive Daoist art, forming ice around the body, creating a Profound Ice Seal. Not only the poisonous mist, but even the vibrations caused by the radiant light could be blocked by the Profound Ice, unless the surroundings were entirely destroyed. If Liu Li concealed herself somewhere, she could also wait at ease for an opportunity. If Qin Sang encountered a difficult opponent, he could lead them to her, and they could join forces to confront the enemy.

"First, let's find a secluded and safe place..." Qin Sang said.

The white-robed youth might arrive soon, so they had to act quickly. Qin Sang changed direction, flying with Liu Li towards the edge of the fragments, eventually finding a large palace fragment. The palace was dilapidated, but its formation restrictions were still active, capable of resisting external impacts. Its treasures had long been plundered, so others wouldn't thoroughly search it, making it an excellent hiding spot.

Liu Li's eyes slightly closed, and a blue light appeared between her brows. Immediately, an ice crystal flew out from her brow, radiating coldness and forming a cluster of frosty mist that gently rotated before her. *Bang!* The ice crystal shattered, and the frosty mist instantly expanded several times, with countless tiny ice shards swirling within it. The next moment, the frosty mist slowly parted to either side, and a figure emerged from within, identical to Liu Li in appearance and aura.

However, upon closer inspection, Qin Sang could still spot flaws. Others might not have his discerning eye, but anyone proficient in investigative techniques wouldn't find it difficult to discern the clone's true nature. Liu Li and her clone stood face to face. Liu Li changed her hand seals, and a spiritual glow appeared behind her head. Within the glow, a celestial palace amidst a sea of clouds and an ethereal imperial figure appeared. Gou Chen Shangdi raised his hand and pointed a finger at the clone. The clone's aura immediately changed drastically, making it difficult to distinguish its authenticity.

It was certain that the Heavenly Emperor Talisman for Command was at least a fourth-tier spirit talisman, if not higher. This made Qin Sang yearn even more for high-tier spirit talismans. Unfortunately, the inheritance within the Five Thunder Emissary Seal was incomplete, and he had only acquired one fourth-tier Lightning Invocation Vow so far.

After forming the clone, Liu Li calmed her aura and nodded to Qin Sang. Then, a cold light flowed over her entire body, quickly enveloping her in a layer of profound ice. The profound ice grew thicker and thicker, as if Liu Li was encased within a block of ice. Then, Qin Sang activated the Myriad Source Barrier, making it cling tightly to the surface of the profound ice.

With all preparations complete, Liu Li's clone walked to Qin Sang's side and left with him, while her true body turned and vanished into the palace.

Taking Liu Li's clone with him, Qin Sang continued to descend, soon encountering another relatively intact palace. This palace had also been visited. Qin Sang found a flaw in its formation restrictions, circled the hall, but found no useful clues. As he emerged from the palace, his expression subtly changed. He looked towards a corner of the hall, let out a cold snort, and commanded, "Come out!"

A figure flashed out from there; it was the white-robed youth.

Qin Sang exclaimed in surprise, "It's you! When did you get in?"

The white-robed youth chuckled, "Shortly after you two entered, Fellow Daoists. Your speed was quite impressive; I had a hard time keeping up."

"Where is that Jie Gou clan member?" Qin Sang looked back along their path, sensing no one flying. The Jie Gou clan cultivator hadn't followed, so had they perished? If so, he would have to re-evaluate the white-robed youth's strength!

"Haha..." The white-robed youth wore a self-satisfied expression. "That person probably thinks I've been chased away and is diligently acting as a watchdog outside!"

"Fellow Daoist has impressive methods; this humble Daoist admires them!" Qin Sang's words were genuinely heartfelt. He wondered how this person had managed to pull off such a clever deception right under the Jie Gou clan cultivator's nose.

The white-robed youth's laughter subsided, and he said seriously, "My name is Xie Tianjiao. May I know your names?"

"This humble Daoist is Qing Feng," Qin Sang replied.

Liu Li remained silent. She had been quietly standing behind Qin Sang earlier, appearing as cold as frost.

Xie Tianjiao glanced at Liu Li, then without pressing, continued to ask Qin Sang, "I've already entered. Regarding my previous proposal, has Daoist Master Qing Feng considered it thoroughly?"

Qin Sang calmly replied, "Fellow Daoist, your words are all speculative. It's too early to discuss cooperation now; we need to witness things firsthand before considering it further. However, since both our goals are to reach the deepest part of this place, we can indeed join forces."

"Very well! After all, it's just talk without proof. Once the time is right, you two will know the truth!" Xie Tianjiao said, being very understanding.

Subsequently, the three continued to descend. Liu Li followed behind Qin Sang, while Xie Tianjiao walked alongside them, maintaining a certain distance. Whenever formation restrictions blocked their way, both Qin Sang and Xie Tianjiao would take action. Liu Li's clone quietly watched from within the Myriad Source Barrier, appearing reluctant to get involved with the poisonous mist. In fact, she didn't need to act; Qin Sang and Xie Tianjiao's combined efforts were sufficient to handle it.

Qin Sang secretly observed Xie Tianjiao and noticed that he repeatedly activated a round cauldron. The cauldron could absorb poisonous mist to gain power, and its attacks were quite formidable. However, it seemed there was a limit to the power gained by absorbing poisonous mist. He wondered if Xie Tianjiao was deliberately concealing his strength. Meanwhile, Xie Tianjiao was also observing them.

When they jointly broke through another layer of formation restrictions, Qin Sang flashed back to Liu Li's clone. From beginning to end, Liu Li's clone had not left the Myriad Source Barrier.

"This fairy doesn't seem skilled in poison-dispelling methods. Does Daoist Master not have any special poison-dispelling treasures either? I happen to have an anti-poison spirit pendant. If the fairy wears it, it might make things easier," Xie Tianjiao said enthusiastically, taking out a delicate jade pendant. He added, "However, you two must first entrust a spirit treasure to me. It's not that I don't trust your character, but since we are strangers, it's better to be cautious."

Liu Li's clone gave him a cold glance.

Qin Sang refused, "Thank you for your kind offer, Fellow Daoist! If the fairy feared the poisonous mist, how would this humble Daoist dare to bring her in? She is currently conserving her energy to cope with the dangers of the deepest regions."

"So that's how it is!" Xie Tianjiao suddenly understood, his eyes flickered, and he put away the jade pendant.

As they spoke, the three broke through layer after layer of formation restrictions, delving deeper, yet they still saw no sign of the Jie Gou clan cultivator.

Qin Sang couldn't help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Xie, do you know how many Jie Gou clan experts have entered this place?"

"I only saw the Jie Gou clan chief and that person outside," Xie Tianjiao replied. "The Jie Gou clan isn't a powerful tribe. Their chief is only at the mid-stage of the Void Realm Second Layer, with cultivation similar to ours. There shouldn't be too many experts in their tribe, and some might even be injured due to the radiant light. Therefore, I suspect the Jie Gou clan chief is likely alone now, and any injured clan members would have already left the Holy Land during the Sky Rift."

"Only the chief?" Qin Sang was surprised.

"Daoist Master Qing Feng, don't let your guard down! All the traces along the way indicate that the Jie Gou clan chief is intimately familiar with this place and can control the power of its formation restrictions. He cannot be underestimated..."

Before Xie Tianjiao finished speaking, a large palace blocked their path ahead. Surprisingly, the main body of the palace was almost intact, its gates closed, and its treasures had not been taken! Clearly, the Jie Gou clan chief found this palace difficult to open, so he bypassed it. The previous palaces had all been damaged, and taking their treasures was merely an incidental act. This indicated that the Jie Gou clan chief wasn't as capable of freely manipulating the formation restrictions here as they had imagined. Qin Sang and Xie Tianjiao both saw an opportunity and immediately decided to bypass this palace, rushing forward at a faster speed.

The three's escape lights transformed into two streaks of flowing light, no longer deliberately concealing themselves. They were now nearing the core palace. If the Jie Gou clan chief was vigilant, he would surely discover the uninvited intruders.

Just then, Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. The golden page imprint in his palm finally emitted fluctuations! Qin Sang was overjoyed; they had found the right place. This area had indeed been breached by the radiant light, leading to the Abyssal Silence Space!

The next step was to find a path leading into the Abyssal Silence Space. Qin Sang exerted his Heaven's Eye divine ability, gazing downwards. Within the dense red mist, shadowy pavilions were stacked upon one another. However, these pavilions were submerged in lake water. There was a vast crimson lake underground, its water as vividly colored as the poisonous mist. If the lake water was toxic, its potency would likely far exceed that of the poisonous mist!

At this moment, Xie Tianjiao also sensed something, and his figure paused slightly. Immediately after, both Qin Sang and Xie Tianjiao sensed an unprecedented fluctuation, one that was completely out of place with the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace and the poisonous mist.

Qin Sang's gaze swept over, looking towards the side of the pavilions, and saw an island protruding from the water. On closer inspection, it looked more like a corner of a mountain, with some buildings on it, but their style was completely different from the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace. That mountain seemed to have originally been submerged at the bottom of the lake. When the Ancient Azure Scorpion Palace crashed down, it collided with this mountain, causing a massive tremor and filling the area with extremely chaotic energy.