Chapter 2234: Come Quickly!

Where did this glimmer of agility come from?Was it merely his imagination?Qin Sang couldn't help but gaze at the starry sky again. The sky was growing brighter, and with the naked eye, only a few stars were visible, like the eyes of the sky. He wondered which one was watching him.Soon after, a sliver of dawn light shone on Qin Sang's face, and the stars faded into the daylight.

The morning breeze rustled the banners.Qin Sang slowly rose, dismantled the formation, and began to fulfill his duty, patrolling Yue State.

During his patrol, he remained distracted, contemplating the events of the previous night. Each time he thought of the Azure Luan's Dharmakaya, the glimmer of vitality in its eyes would reappear before him, causing an inexplicable flutter in his heart.If all went well, at this rate, continuing to cultivate the 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' would soon grant him immense power, restoring or even surpassing his previous strength, and resolving his current predicament.But what was the cost?Despite it being a cultivation method he was extremely familiar with, Qin Sang felt apprehensive, recalling how he first encountered the Azure Luan all those years ago.The stone tablet, and the remnant soul of the Azure Luan that dissipated after crashing into the jade Buddha...Surely, that Azure Luan wouldn't be reborn through this, would it?He was clearly in an illusion!

Thoughts raced through his mind, leaving Qin Sang utterly perplexed. Unwittingly, he had patrolled most of Yue State. Everything seemed normal, with no signs of demonic disturbances.

The sky gradually darkened.Qin Sang had originally planned to use this opportunity to stay outside for a few more days, find a cave dwelling, and focus on cultivating the 'Heavenly Demon Refinement.' Now, however, he hesitated.

An unusual whooshing sound entered his ears. Qin Sang looked in the direction of the sound and saw a shadow appear on the horizon – a falcon was flying towards him.Sensing the aura within the falcon, Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he raised his arm.The falcon landed steadily on his arm, its eyes glowing with a strange blue light. Its pupils reflected a figure as tiny as a mosquito, who was none other than Deng Kui, the captain of their small team."Fellow Daoist Deng, has something happened?" Qin Sang asked.They had agreed before parting ways that team members would contact each other every three days to report their situations. This was only the first day.

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng," the tiny figure in the falcon's pupil spoke, and it was indeed Deng Kui's voice, "Do you remember mentioning a few days ago that you wanted to find a place abundant in fire and lightning energy?""Indeed, Fellow Daoist Deng, do you have any news?" Qin Sang's face showed anticipation.

"The day before yesterday, after Fellow Daoist Qingfeng mentioned it, I sent out talismans to inquire among several acquaintances. It turns out one Daoist friend indeed knows of such a place, which he calls the Abyss of Fire and Thunder. It's said that his master discovered it many years ago and sealed it with a formation, intending to use it for other purposes. However, his sect gradually declined, and he doesn't cultivate this type of method, so he never had the opportunity to utilize it, leaving it idle until now," Deng Kui said.

Qin Sang eagerly pressed on: "So it was passed down by his master? I wonder if that Daoist friend would be willing to part with it? Although my savings are limited, I will certainly do my best to compensate him for any loss. Also, I must thank Fellow Daoist Deng for your trouble; I have a substantial reward for you!"The Abyss of Fire and Thunder was naturally for his Senior Brother Qing Yan. Qin Sang remembered many Daoist thunder techniques, not a few of which involved fire and lightning. He needed to find a suitable reason to present it.This move would not only strengthen the unity of their sect, but Qing Yan and the others were Qin Sang's 'family' in this illusion, reliable allies. If their cultivation was high enough, they might be able to help him in the future.

"Since that Daoist friend proactively revealed this matter, he must be willing to trade. These are his conditions..."Deng Kui lowered his voice and named a few treasures. "As for me, it was merely a small effort, Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, there's no need to be so polite."

Qin Sang feigned contemplation. "This condition isn't harsh; I agree. I can't produce the items immediately, but I have treasures of equivalent value... If that Daoist friend isn't willing, I can gather the items upon my return to the immortal city and then conduct the transaction."As he spoke, Qin Sang took out several spiritual items from his mustard seed artifact.Seeing these spiritual items, the falcon's eyes blinked. Deng Kui said, "Fellow Daoist, please wait..."The figure in the falcon's pupil dissipated. Qin Sang stood still, patiently awaiting a response.

One person and one eagle waited, staring at each other.An hour later, the figure reappeared. "That Daoist friend has agreed. You can give the items to this eagle, and I will tell you the location and the method to activate the spiritual formation."The other party was so quick to agree, seeming somewhat impatient, which suggested his offer might have been too high.However, Qin Sang didn't dwell on such minor gains or losses. He tossed the spiritual items to the falcon and immediately learned the location from Deng Kui.

"This place is still far from Yue State. If you go now, I'll have Brother Hui temporarily look after Yue State. Go quickly and return soon!" Deng Kui, having also received benefits from Qin Sang, grew even more amicable towards him."Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Deng!"Qin Sang bowed in gratitude, then immediately parted ways with the falcon and flew off through the air.

He traveled day and night, not cultivating 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' for the next few days.Every night, Qin Sang would visualize the Azure Luan, observing any changes, but he found no other abnormalities.

"We're here!"Qin Sang descended from the sky, his gaze falling upon a mountain peak ahead.The surroundings were not as desolate as a desert, but they were quite barren. This place was not in the core area near Yongtu Immortal City, but as more mortals and cultivators moved to Yongtu Immortal City, their living areas continuously expanded outwards, and this region had long since been incorporated into the territory of a mortal nation.Along the way, Qin Sang inquired and learned that there was also a cultivation sect in this mortal nation. However, there was nothing unusual about this mountain, so it seemed that the sect had not discovered the grand formation here.

Clouds formed under his feet as he slowly moved forward. As he approached the mountain, he sensed a scorching heat, indicating that the underground magma veins were clearly restless.With a sweep of his gaze, Qin Sang locked onto a cliff near the mountain peak. He flew to the cliff, rapidly cast several hand seals, then suddenly passed through the cliff, vanishing into thin air.

A rumbling and crackling sound of thunder and magma were deafening.Qin Sang found himself in a valley that almost bisected the mountain, as if someone had cut it in half.The valley was filled with dazzling fiery light, constantly erupting with streaks of crimson lightning, radiating a violent aura."Indeed, fire and lightning!"Qin Sang secretly nodded; the other party hadn't lied to him.

Next, Qin Sang investigated the Abyss of Fire and Thunder for a while, meticulously set up some arrangements, left behind a cultivation method, and then quietly departed.

Returning to Yue State the same way he came, Qin Sang completed a round of patrol and then returned to the place where he had last cultivated 'Heavenly Demon Refinement.'After careful consideration, Qin Sang decided to continue cultivating. At least, he would cultivate 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' to the third layer!The third layer was equivalent to the Golden Core stage, a realm he was currently in. Even if something unexpected happened, he would be capable of controlling the situation.

The sun set, and the moon rose above the treetops.The Milky Way was brilliant, and starlight sprinkled down onto the earth, drawn by the light dipper, gathering around Qin Sang.Qin Sang entered meditation, refining star essence. As expected, the almost frantic improvement began once more.Along with this frantic improvement came the unbearable pain during the body tempering process. However, this was nothing to Qin Sang; he remained composed, focusing on experiencing the changes within his body.

Another night passed.Qin Sang awoke to find he had already reached the mid-stage of the second layer."Truly insane," Qin Sang thought to himself, examining the Azure Luan he had visualized. Its eyes seemed a bit more agile, but this could also be a psychological effect, as the change was not as pronounced as it initially was.

The second day, the third day...Qin Sang cultivated assiduously, practicing 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' every night. By the fifth night, he had actually reached the peak of the second layer, nearing a breakthrough to the third layer.

There was rustling in the jungle, and strange noises occasionally emerged.The unusual phenomena during his cultivation were concealed by the spiritual formation, but due to the converging starlight, the surrounding creatures instinctively liked the area. More and more creatures were drawn near, lingering around.

Within the spiritual formation, Qin Sang bathed in starlight, his eyes closed.The power of the star essence coursed through his body, cleansing his meridians and marrow. Qin Sang felt the bottleneck becoming increasingly clear and was preparing to push through in one go, entering the third layer.Just then, the starlight around Qin Sang seemed to fluctuate.Like a calm lake surface, suddenly disturbed by a tossed pebble, ripples spread across the water.Qin Sang, immersed in this 'water,' immediately sensed it. His heart suddenly startled, and he instantly awoke from his meditative state, opening his eyes and gazing at the stars in the sky, filled with doubt and alarm.

Just now, he had heard a faint, almost imperceptible call.The call was too faint, as if from an extremely distant place, almost inaudible, making one wonder if it was an illusion.Qin Sang knew he was awake; this was definitely not an illusion. He had indeed heard a strange voice, and it seemed to be saying—"Come quickly!""...Come quickly... come... quick... come..."The simple two syllables were intermittent and echoed as if from a distance. Even though Qin Sang had already exited his meditative state, they continued to reverberate in his mind, like the murmurs of a demon, making his heart tremble.The other party seemed to be summoning Qin Sang, urging him to go somewhere, to draw closer.Qin Sang inexplicably felt that the place was like a terrifying abyss, cold and desolate, sending shivers down his spine!

The night sky remained, the bright moon like a silver platter, the sea of stars like a long river. To Qin Sang, however, they had transformed into a dragon's lair and a tiger's den, the stars becoming strange eyes, containing unknown terrors.Who was calling him?He was clearly in an illusion, so why was he encountering such a bizarre event?Cold sweat broke out on Qin Sang's body. His heart stirred, and he visualized the Azure Luan, but he couldn't discern any new changes.

"Who exactly is the other party?"Qin Sang stared intently at the night sky, his expression shifting uncertainly.Unsure whether the other party was benevolent or malevolent, he dared not continue cultivating this technique and put away all the spiritual formations that gathered star essence.Qin Sang worried that if he continued cultivating, a beam of starlight might descend from the heavens and replace him.Although he wasn't afraid of possession, this era had 'Demon Stars,' and these Demon Stars were all great demon cultivators above the Integration stage!What exactly was happening? Qin Sang was utterly baffled. But giving up 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' would be equivalent to cutting off his own shortcut.

A powerful being in the illusion...Qin Sang pondered. If the other party was a powerful being, did they understand the truth of this world? And was there any way he could use this to his advantage?He thought this because Qin Sang detected a hint of weakness in the voice, though of course, it could also be a disguise.In any case, Qin Sang dared not continue cultivating now.

"At least, I'll wait until I break through to the Nascent Soul stage and gain a certain level of self-preservation ability before attempting to see if I can communicate with that mysterious entity..."Qin Sang mused to himself, gathering the formation flags from the ground and erasing his tracks.In the following days, he constantly thought about this matter, analyzing 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' dozens of times, but found no clues.Until his assigned duty period ended, Qin Sang reunited with Deng Kui and the others and returned to Yongtu Immortal City.

Coincidentally, his master and senior brother had also returned. Qin Sang feigned a look of delight and reported the good news to his master.

"Oh? You found an Abyss of Fire and Thunder?"Venerable Tong Shen was surprised, and Senior Brother Qing Yan couldn't help but stand up.

Qin Sang nodded. "I only casually mentioned it to Brother Deng and his companions, and I never expected a Daoist friend to actually know of such a place. Your disciple went to see it, but the flames were fierce and crimson lightning raged there, so I didn't dare to go deep. I'm not sure if it will be helpful to Senior Brother.""Many thanks, Junior Brother!"Qing Yan's face lit up with joy. He rubbed Qin Sang's shoulder vigorously and looked at Venerable Tong Shen. "Master?"

Venerable Tong Shen smiled. "Your master hasn't found a suitable cultivation method for you yet, which makes me seem not attentive enough! Well, no matter, since there's nothing else to do, let's go take a look."With that, he summoned Qing Hong and Shuang Luo, and the five of them—master and disciples—set off together.

After leaving the city, the group headed north, and under Qin Sang's guidance, they arrived near the Abyss of Fire and Thunder."It's right there," Qin Sang pointed ahead.

Venerable Tong Shen let out a soft "Oh?" "What a brilliant formation! It utilizes the surrounding terrain to its fullest. If I didn't know the inside story, even I would have overlooked it..."As he spoke, the group arrived before the cliff, opened the spiritual formation, and entered the Abyss of Fire and Thunder.

Seeing the overwhelming crimson lightning, Venerable Tong Shen nodded repeatedly. "Excellent! Excellent! Once I find a cultivation method for you and make some arrangements, Qing Yan, cultivating here will surely greatly advance your cultivation..."They continued descending. Gradually, the disciples began to feel overwhelmed, but Venerable Tong Shen was full of enthusiasm. He told them to stay there while he descended alone.

Qin Sang and the others waited there for a while. Venerable Tong Shen then flew up, a smile on his face, and tossed an item to Qing Yan. "Disciple, look at this."Qing Yan caught it with both hands and saw that it was a jade slip. With a touch of his spiritual sense, he saw the six large characters "Earthfire Heavenly Strike Primordial Scroll." Immediately after, a profound chapter flooded his mind, captivating Qing Yan at first glance.Qing Yan's hands trembled, and his face showed surprise and delight. "This is..."

"Indeed, it is a cultivation method of the Fire and Lightning path! Your master discovered it in a cave below. It should be the ancient dwelling of a senior cultivator. That senior once cultivated here and left for unknown reasons, but left behind this cultivation method, along with several corresponding Daoist techniques. I never expected to acquire it with such ease."Venerable Tong Shen looked at Qin Sang. "Qingfeng, did that young Daoist friend you traded with ever mention this?"Qin Sang shook his head. "No, he didn't! That Daoist friend only said it was passed down by his sect's elders, but his sect has long since declined."