Chapter 2312: Sisters

Here is the rewritten content:

Martial Arts and Immortal Cultivation

Hundreds of stone mountains stood on the vast land, resembling an enormous stone forest.

On one of these stone mountains, the side wall was craggy and uneven, like a grotesque giant face.

As Qin Sang flew over the stone forest in his Dharma boat, the giant face's eye seemed to subtly move, like a real eye, watching the Dharma boat disappear into the distance.

Not until the Dharma boat vanished into the sky did a figure emerge atop the stone mountain. It gazed in the direction the boat had taken for a moment, then disappeared in a flash.

On the Dharma boat,

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly maintained its Heavenly Eye Divine Ability until the figure concealed itself, then slowly retracted its gaze.

Qin Sang remained silent, deep in thought.

Seeing Qin Sang's expression, Sheshuang grew nervous and cautiously asked, "Master, have the enemies caught up?"

"Perhaps I was overthinking," Qin Sang replied, shaking his head.

Earlier, he had a feeling of being spied upon, so he specifically summoned the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to investigate, and indeed, he found a peeping observer.

The Dharma boat was specifically prepared by the Dongyang Clan to escort the shamaness. Qin Sang had personally concealed the boat's aura, so even if detected, it would only be mistaken for an ordinary Dharma boat. However, for someone to detect its passage was not simple; it was at least a Void Refinement cultivator.

"I didn't expect a Void Refinement cultivator to be cultivating in a place like this."

Qin Sang secretly shook his head.

This stone forest appeared unremarkable; perhaps its spiritual essence had been deliberately hidden.

Despite being discovered, Qin Sang had no intention of killing the observer to silence them. They would likely be exposed many more times on this journey. Unless their identities were compromised, he couldn't just kill everyone they encountered.

A few days later,

The Dharma boat stopped before the entrance of a deep abyss.

The scorching sun blazed overhead, but the abyss itself was dark and desolate, filled with an eerie chill. Gusts of cold wind constantly blew out from within, making it feel like a realm of ghosts.

This was their destination: Ghost Child Abyss.

Qin Sang gazed into the abyss, recalling various records about Ghost Child Abyss. It was a renowned treacherous place, said to be second only in danger to the Witch Clan's Ten Forbidden Lands.

The Gate of Abundant Jade was one of the Witch Clan's Ten Forbidden Lands, so even with Qin Sang's cultivation, he dared not underestimate Ghost Child Abyss.

Glancing at Sheshuang beside him, Qin Sang initially intended to have her wait outside, but then he remembered the observer they had encountered on the way. For some reason, he had a subtle feeling of unease.

Yet, they had only been traveling for a little over ten days. If their opponents had found them so quickly, the various disguises Shezhen had arranged would be too laughable, unless the Dongyang Clan had been thoroughly infiltrated.

After a moment of thought, Qin Sang decided to bring Sheshuang inside with him.

Looking at the abyss ahead, which seemed capable of devouring people, Sheshuang felt a surge of fear. However, remembering the enemies who might appear at any moment, she knew it was safer to stay by Elder Qin's side, so she obediently followed behind Qin Sang.

As the 'master and disciple' entered Ghost Child Abyss, a putrid odor, mixed with the stench of decay, assaulted them.

'Croak…'

From time to time, the calls of unknown creatures echoed from ahead, intensifying the eerie atmosphere.

Sheshuang felt a touch of nervousness and couldn't help but look at Qin Sang. When she saw his actions, she showed surprise.

Qin Sang was not only not attempting to conceal himself, but a bright light glowed above his head. From it, specks of light flew out, scattering in all directions.

These specks of light were actually spirit insects. The bright light originated from a rhomboid gem, the size of a human head, which was pale yellow and covered in tiny, dense holes, like a beehive. The spirit insects were flying out from these holes.

The spirit insects left their 'hive' to scout the path ahead.

Soon, Qin Sang sensed through the 'hive' that the auras of several spirit insects had vanished.

This was a secret technique recorded in the 'True Scripture of Panhu.' First, a 'Gouyu Nest' is refined using various precious materials. Then, several types of spirit insects are chosen and refined into 'Gouyu Bees' through secret methods and elixirs. Normally, the Gouyu Bees live in the nest, but when necessary, they can scout the path ahead for their master, indicating good or ill fortune.

Qin Sang's stated purpose was exploration, but his true goal was to find the Ghost Mother.

He had no way to contact the Ghost Mother, so he had to find a way for her to find him. These Gouyu Bees were artificially refined and had a special aura. If the Ghost Mother was nearby, she would surely detect them.

Before long, only a dozen or so of the released Gouyu Bees remained.

However, the Witch Clan never lacked spirit insects. With the resources of the Dongyang Clan, Qin Sang had refined countless Gouyu Bees, allowing him to use them lavishly.

Through the information relayed by the Gouyu Bees, Qin Sang mentally sketched the scene deep within Ghost Child Abyss. He advanced unhurriedly until the current batch of Gouyu Bees perished, then released a new one.

As Qin Sang and Sheshuang gradually delved deeper into Ghost Child Abyss, a light drizzle began to fall at the entrance.

The clear, sunny sky was covered by dark clouds, and the daylight gradually dimmed.

Raindrops fell on the ground, striking leaves and grass stems with a pattering sound. The rain was not heavy, but the clouds in the sky grew thicker and thicker; it was uncertain how long this rain would linger.

The area around Ghost Child Abyss was perennially arid, and rainwater was as precious as oil.

Rustling sounds emerged from the mountains as some birds and beasts ran out of their nests, eagerly opening their mouths to the sky.

No one noticed a person walking in the rain.

The nearby demonic beasts couldn't detect his aura; this person's body seemed to be composed of water, perfectly concealed within the rain curtain.

He reached the entrance of Ghost Child Abyss, gazed into the dark abyss, and felt doubt. He murmured, "What are they doing in Ghost Child Abyss?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes. He knew a little about Ghost Child Abyss, understanding that it was not a benevolent place. Although his concealment divine ability was strong, there was still a risk of exposure.

"Perhaps…"

His eyes flashed, and he opened his right hand, holding a single drop of water in his palm.

'Crack!'

The water drop shattered, and a message was quietly transmitted.

Immediately afterward, his body also shattered like the water drop, transforming into countless raindrops, merging into the downpour.

From beginning to end, he left no aura. The demonic beasts in the mountains remained completely unaware, with one exception.

At the entrance, nestled between the cracks in the stones, a butterfly lay motionless.

Inside Ghost Child Abyss,

Qin Sang abruptly halted.

Sheshuang was caught off guard and quickly summoned a golden bracelet. This was a protective spiritual treasure bestowed upon her by the High Priest.

The golden bracelet floated above her head, spreading layers of light that formed a protective barrier around her. Sheshuang looked around but found no signs of danger. Only then did she notice Qin Sang's actions.

"Could it be an enemy of the Dongyang Clan?"

Qin Sang's brows furrowed.

The lingering sense of unease prompted Qin Sang to keep the Heavenly Eye Butterfly constantly maintaining its Heavenly Eye Divine Ability and positioned at the entrance of Ghost Child Abyss. Unexpectedly, it truly yielded a discovery.

This shouldn't be trouble caused by the exposure from a few days ago, but if it was an assassin, they arrived too quickly!

Qin Sang's gaze shifted to Sheshuang, and he asked in a deep voice, "Before we left, whom did you come into contact with?"

Sheshuang was startled. Being perceptive, she realized danger was approaching and quickly said, "Ever since disciple was chosen, I have been constantly taught by the Third Elder. When I interact with others, the Third Elder is always present. Before leaving, I went to pay respects to the High Priest..."

She recounted her experiences before departure in meticulous detail. The number of people she had seen since being chosen as a potential shamaness was very small; she couldn't even see her parents.

Qin Sang listened and found no anomalies.

Sheshuang nodded in a daze, recalling past scenes, her heart aching.

She and Shexue had grown up together since childhood, both chosen as prospective shamanesses. They supported each other during competitions with other shamanesses and eventually stood out. Though not blood sisters, they were closer than sisters.

She clearly remembered Xue'er's excited expression when she personally refined this magic treasure, eager to share her joy, and then gave the treasure to her.

Even later, when this magic treasure could no longer help her, she never thought of discarding it and always cherished it.

Who could have imagined that the magic treasure secretly harbored a killing intent, and it had been concealed until today to finally erupt!

"Can sisterly affection withstand the temptation of the Great Dao?" Qin Sang shook his head, returning the blood threads to the pendant.

No matter how well nurtured by the clan, they ultimately lacked practical experience.

It seemed Sheshuang hadn't realized that Shexue had become a discarded pawn, but Shexue clearly understood the cruelty of the cultivation path better than her, taking preemptive action. This wasn't just a preemptive strike; when Sheshuang became a prospective shamaness and likely displayed extraordinary talent, Shexue had already considered Sheshuang an enemy and laid this trap.

Becoming a Grand Shaman not only grants authority but also countless benefits. The probability of previous Grand Shamans breaking through to the Void Refinement stage was extremely high.

By eliminating Sheshuang, Shexue could gain the clan's full support in the competition for Grand Shaman. Even if she couldn't become a Grand Shaman, becoming a regional lord could change her fate; otherwise, she would forever be a pawn.

Sheshuang closed her eyes in pain. "Master, what should this disciple do now?"

"If they come, we don't go. That would be impolite. Wait here for me."

Qin Sang grabbed the jade pendant and turned to walk towards the entrance.

At the entrance,

The dark clouds in the sky grew thicker and thicker, with faint rumbles of thunder, yet the rain remained steady and unhurried. Humid water vapor permeated the land, and the distant mountains were hazy.

Through the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, Qin Sang was fully aware of the changes outside and couldn't help but marvel at the methods of the Witch Clan cultivators.

He could easily change the weather too, but performing Daoist magic would inevitably cause fluctuations in the world's elemental energy.

At this moment, the fluctuations in the external elemental energy were remarkably natural, as if everything was logical, truly like the legendary deities who could change the winds and clouds with a word, alter the seasons with a command, appearing as the masters of this world.

The rainwater accumulated, forming a small stream that flowed out from the entrance.

The sound of air breaking emanated from the abyss. Qin Sang's escape light appeared at the entrance, with Sheshuang surprisingly still by his side.

Qin Sang seemed oblivious to the ambush at the entrance. His escape light rushed straight out of the abyss, merged into the rain, and prepared to soar skyward.

Just then, the surroundings suddenly became silent. All sounds vanished; even the sound of falling rain was inaudible. The swaying vegetation, the birds and beasts eagerly drinking the rain—all froze in that moment, as if time had solidified.

Immediately afterward, the rain threads in the void frantically rushed towards Qin Sang. The curtain of rain seemed like a series of cages, enclosing Qin Sang layer by layer. The seemingly thin and transparent rain curtain was incredibly tough, exerting a powerful binding force.

In an instant, the escape light dimmed, and two vague figures appeared in mid-air.

Qin Sang's face showed a mix of surprise and anger, appearing as if he were about to break through the rain curtain, but it was too late.

The rain curtain ignored Sheshuang beside him and was entirely directed at him, with no killing intent whatsoever. It would not harm Qin Sang in the slightest, only exerting pure binding power, intended to impede his actions.

After all, the assassins' primary mission was to eliminate the Witch Clan's shamaness!

Simultaneously, subtle ripples stirred in the space behind Sheshuang.

The ripples spread like water splashes, silent yet incredibly swift, reflecting a flash of light that instantly plunged into the back of Sheshuang's head.

The assassination was flawless. Sheshuang couldn't react at all. Her body suddenly split into pieces, exploding into a cloud of gray dust. However, a shadowy, gray figure flew out from within her body and disappeared into Qin Sang's sleeve.

It turned out this Sheshuang was not the true person, but a spiritual insect called the Human-Faced Moth. This insect, by consuming a cultivator's vital blood, could transform into that cultivator, with flawless appearance and aura, capable of deceiving even Void Refinement cultivators.

"Eh?"

Two surprised exclamations echoed in the rain.

Not good, it's a trap!

The two assassins cried out in their minds, pulling back in a hurry.

Qin Sang turned around and said coldly, "Since you two fellow Daoists have arrived, why the rush to leave?"

In an instant, the clouds dispersed, the rain ceased, and starlight descended from the heavens. Within the sea of stars, two blurred figures appeared.