Chapter 2338: Last Seeing the Firefly

Outside Gonggong's Platform, a figure quietly appeared under a tree.

Qin Sang looked back. On his way out, he had encountered several groups of Witch Tribe experts. Covered by his Heavenly Awareness Thunder Robe, no one had been able to see through him.

"This place will likely become the eye of a storm, and I wonder how much it will affect the situation in the Insect Tomb and the Witch Tribe..." Qin Sang mused to himself. However, none of this concerned him; it was time to rendezvous with She Shuang and head to the Taihao Clan.

He returned to the cave abode the same way he came. She Shuang had been waiting there for him, not daring to leave the abode for a single step while Qin Sang was away. Upon seeing Qin Sang, She Shuang felt a great sense of relief. For days, she had been on edge, fearing something might have happened to him, as her life, wealth, and future were all tied to Qin Sang.

"Let's go," Qin Sang said.

She Shuang hummed in agreement, not daring to ask more questions, and dutifully followed behind Qin Sang.

The two then headed directly towards the Taihao Clan. Qin Sang had no intention of engaging in 'kidnapping' anymore, thus avoiding many potential troubles.

The wind whistled.

A serene lake stretched under an autumn moon. The spiritual boat sped across the lake.

She Shuang piloted the spiritual boat while admiring the beautiful scenery outside, occasionally glancing at Qin Sang.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged, a beautiful phoenix butterfly resting on his lap.

Whenever She Shuang saw this phoenix butterfly, her eyes would gleam with fondness and envy. As a female cultivator, she naturally favored beautiful spiritual insects like the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. However, vying for the position of Divine Witch was her mission, and the Dongyang Clan had long ago chosen a spiritual insect for her, regardless of her personal preference.

As she pondered her thoughts, She Shuang suddenly felt a gaze upon her. Her heart skipped a beat; the Heavenly Eye Butterfly was looking at her.

She knew this butterfly couldn't be treated as an ordinary pet. Not only was its cultivation far beyond her reach, but its intelligence was also exceptionally high. Hastily, she set aside her thoughts and adopted a respectful expression.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly rested on Qin Sang's lap, its broad wings flapping only occasionally, appearing somewhat lazy.

With a languid glance at She Shuang, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly retracted its gaze. Blue flames appeared on the surface of its wings, summoning the Soul-Devouring Ghost Flame.

She Shuang couldn't help but flinch. Whenever the Heavenly Eye Butterfly summoned this blue flame, it would inexplicably become eerie and terrifying, filling her with dread.

Throughout their journey, under Qin Sang's guidance, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly continuously alternated between activating its thunderous power and the Soul-Devouring Ghost Flame.

Qin Sang's purpose in doing this was twofold: first, to help the Heavenly Eye Butterfly fully control the Soul-Devouring Ghost Flame, and second, to try and find common ground between its two divine abilities. If he could find the commonality between its two mutations, he could merge the two paths into one, which would undoubtedly greatly enhance the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's potential.

This was clearly not easy, and there had been no progress. However, Qin Sang had several discussions with Zhuque and made many promises. Zhuque finally reluctantly agreed to guide the Heavenly Eye Butterfly in the path of fire manipulation.

This time, it failed again.

The Soul-Devouring Ghost Flame receded, returning to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's body.

Qin Sang sighed softly, took out a white flower, plucked a petal, fed it to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, and then helped it refine the medicinal properties.

The effect of this white flower was quite peculiar. It didn't rapidly increase the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's cultivation, but each petal consumed made its aura slightly more profound.

Now, they finally understood most of the white flower's medicinal properties. Its greatest use was to help the Heavenly Eye Butterfly solidify its foundation! This type of spiritual medicine was extremely rare. Though it had no immediate effects, it could make the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's future path much smoother.

As he was helping the Heavenly Eye Butterfly refine the medicinal properties, Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He stood up and told She Shuang, "Wait for me here. I'll be back shortly."

The spiritual boat suddenly stopped. Qin Sang flashed out, instantly appearing above a marshy area by the lake. He scanned his surroundings and waved his hand, conjuring several formation flags.

The formation flags sank into the ground, and mist immediately rose, engulfing the area.

Immediately after, the Qianjun Ring shimmered, and Zhuque and the little Qilin leaped out one after another.

Qin Sang's gaze shifted to the little Qilin. It had grown a bit larger, and its eyes were especially spirited, indicating a high level of intelligence far beyond that of ordinary spiritual beasts.

In fact, even if other demonic beasts possessed the little Qilin's cultivation, their intelligence wouldn't be too low. Yet, the little Qilin was already at the peak of the Demonic Core stage!

How long had it been since its birth?

While the Qilin bloodline was noble, most of its progress was attributable to the Qilin eggshell.

However, the eggshell had already been consumed by the little Qilin. It was uncertain if its future cultivation speed would remain this rapid.

The little Qilin leaped and pounced to Qin Sang's feet, pressing close against him. It looked up, meeting Qin Sang's gaze, its eyes full of filial affection, yet its four hooves continuously stamped below, appearing somewhat restless.

Its aura fluctuated violently, a sign that it was about to break through!

"Go ahead! Don't worry, we're all here!"

Qin Sang patted the little Qilin's head. It let out a joyful cry, leaped up, and its entire body erupted in fierce flames, instantly transforming into a ball of fire.

The little Qilin, now a ball of fire, hovered in mid-air, its flames flickering erratically.

"Speaking of which, these little guys all have a connection to fire…" Qin Sang thought to himself.

The Qilin, Zhuque, and the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, which had just comprehended the Soul-Devouring Ghost Flame—even the Fire Jade Centipede he had abandoned—were all fire-attribute spiritual insects. They should have followed a cultivator who practiced fire arts, yet he had already forsaken that path.

However…

A thought stirred in Qin Sang's mind. Once he and Zhuque obtained the Qilin's origin, there might be another turn of events.

In a flash, the flames within the fiery ball suddenly expanded, and the little Qilin's aura inside surged, instantly crossing the difficult barrier that had plagued countless cultivators, stepping into the Transformation stage!

Qin Sang looked up at the sky, but no heavenly might descended.

"Indeed, like Zhuque, the little Qilin is essentially a mighty being undergoing re-cultivation, so there's no heavenly tribulation…" Qin Sang murmured, "Is it also a Qilin of the Mahayana stage?"

"Master!"

A red shadow leaped out of the flames and pounced in front of Qin Sang. Its voice was exceptionally clear, like an eight- or nine-year-old boy, full of joy.

*Smack!*

Zhuque flew over and smacked the little Qilin on the head with a wing. "What did I teach you before? Call him Great Lord!"

The little Qilin quickly hugged its head with its front paws, whimpering, "Great Lord…"

"What do you call *me*?" Zhuque glared at it, as if to say that if the little Qilin dared to make a mistake, it would receive a harsh blow.

"Big Sister."

The little Qilin was very adept at enduring humiliation, and immediately put on a fawning expression.

Zhuque was satisfied. "Good! Follow Big Sister, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury and excitement…"

Qin Sang chuckled. He wondered when these creatures had established their pecking order. Where did Yunyou rank?

"Alright, you two go back. Some blind fools are coming again," Qin Sang said, looking into the distance, his eyes gleaming with cold light.

Returning to the spiritual boat, Qin Sang ordered it to depart but did not enter meditation, instead continuously gazing forward. She Shuang sensed the tense atmosphere, not daring to breathe loudly, and steered the spiritual boat towards the opposite side.

At this moment, several figures were concealed at the bottom of the lake, near the opposite shore.

The auras of these individuals were extremely subtle. Each had a black flag stuck beside them, its surface swaying with the underwater currents, their vital energy completely merged with the lake water.

All of them, along with their spiritual flags, formed a large formation, lying in wait, prepared to trap their prey.

"Why did they stop? Did they discover our ambush?"

Seeing the spiritual boat stop in the middle of the lake, these individuals became suspicious. They secretly communicated through spiritual messages and finally decided to wait and see.

When Qin Sang had left the spiritual boat, he had activated his Heavenly Awareness Thunder Robe, and they had been completely oblivious.

Before long, the spiritual boat vibrated and resumed its journey. It drew closer and closer to the formation, showing no signs of stopping, until it finally plunged right into it.

"Attack!"

*Splash!*

The spiritual flags burst out of the water one after another, their surfaces unleashing black waves. The surrounding sky abruptly turned dark, and ripples spread through the void, as if it had transformed into a vast ocean.

Though these individuals had seemingly succeeded, they all felt a sudden unease. Amidst the rippling water, specks of starlight appeared, and sword-stars seemed to embed themselves seamlessly within their grand formation.

Just as everyone was bewildered and uncertain, an old man suddenly showed a look of alarm: "Retreat!"

The others were astonished. The target had just entered the formation; its power hadn't even been unleashed. Were they giving up just like that?

However, they all had great trust in the old man. Without hesitation, everyone jointly cast a witch's curse, abandoned their spiritual flags, and their bodies transformed into clumps of black mud, melting into the silt at the lake bottom.

Above the lake, sword qi crisscrossed, and the water rippled, shattered into countless fragments by myriad sword lights, causing the spiritual flags to tremble. At the same time, countless bolts of thunder descended from the sky, violently striking the spiritual flags themselves.

In an instant, the spiritual flags were completely destroyed.

Qin Sang appeared in the void, glanced at the lake bottom, and snorted coldly, "They fled quite quickly."

His traveling with She Shuang fit the characteristics of a Witch Maiden's escort perfectly. Any clan that discovered them wouldn't mind testing them out, aiming to eliminate a competitor.

Such ambushes occurred every so often, so Qin Sang didn't know the origin of this group and couldn't be bothered to investigate further.

The lake bottom was empty, leaving no trace. Qin Sang then returned to the spiritual boat and continued his journey.

Even the longest journey eventually comes to an end.

Along the way, they traversed the lands of the Witch Tribe, experiencing the various customs and magnificent scenery of different clans.

She Shuang, who had been nervous at first, was later able to fully appreciate the journey. Few Witch Maidens could be as relaxed as she was, for Qin Sang effortlessly resolved all troubles.

As their destination approached, She Shuang gradually grew nervous again.

"Master, we'll arrive in another quarter of an hour," She Shuang reported softly.

Qin Sang slowly awoke and looked outside. His eyes met an endless expanse of towering mountains, utterly devoid of human presence.

Outside the Taihao Clan lay an uninhabited region, which, it was said, the major clans had voluntarily avoided out of respect for Dengbao Mountain, their sacred ground. Even the Taihao Clan, responsible for guarding Dengbao Mountain, had most of its members living outside this region.

After years of travel and numerous twists and turns, they finally reached the edge of this region.

Once they passed through this region, Qin Sang's mission would be complete. However, they had to go to another place before entering.

A quarter of an hour later, in front of a cave abode, an old man quickly came out to greet them, his face beaming with joy. "Elder Qin, Esteemed Saintess, you've finally arrived! Please, come in quickly!"

This person had been sent by the Dongyang Clan in advance. Within the clan, Witch Maidens were referred to as Saintesses by the clansmen.

"Has Fellow Daoist Jiumie not arrived yet?" Qin Sang asked.

Jiumie and his group were responsible for escorting another Witch Maiden.

"News just came in: it will take at least another half a year. Elder Qin, please wait here for them," the old man said.

"There's plenty of time; waiting is no problem," Qin Sang replied. He had traveled quickly during the latter half of his journey, arriving earlier than expected.

The final stretch of the journey was also the most fiercely contested. Before setting off, he needed to discuss with Jiumie and his group.

This wait lasted a full nine months before the other team finally arrived, looking worn from their journey.

"Greetings, Elder Qin!"

Jiumie's face lit up with joy when he saw She Shuang. With both Witch Maidens safely arrived this time, the Dongyang Clan's hopes were greater.

"She Xue greets Elder Qin! And Big Sister, you're safe and sound, that's wonderful!"

A female cultivator stepped out from behind him, her round, small face appearing dainty and cute. It was the other Witch Maiden, She Xue.

It seemed she wasn't the one who had framed She Shuang. She Xue was as enthusiastic as ever, letting out a cheer and reaching for her hand.

She Shuang, however, looked unnatural and abruptly pulled her hand back. She didn't know how to face this younger sister. The clan valued the position of Divine Witch most highly; everything else was secondary, so there was no way they would let her seek revenge. Perhaps She Xue's ability to devise such a scheme would even make the clan look at her with new eyes.

The smile on She Xue's face faded slightly, and she stood beside She Shuang as if nothing had happened.

Qin Sang and Jiumie naturally paid no mind to the veiled conflicts between the two younger ones. After a discussion, they decided to proceed together.

The final stretch of the journey was a test of strength; splitting up would be meaningless. Jiumie and the others each entered a quiet room to rest for a month, after which the group resumed their journey.

*Whoosh…whoosh…*

A fierce wind swept through the valley, its sound like the wailing of ghosts.

There was no one around. Trees and vines, undisturbed for a long time, had grown wild and rampant.

Hidden within this desolate mountain wilderness were unknown dangers.

The overcast sky and tense atmosphere made everyone's nerves involuntarily tighten.

Qin Sang and Jiumie proceeded side by side, with the two maidens following closely behind them, and Dongyang Clan experts bringing up the rear.

He and Jiumie were already familiar with each other, so he subtly probed for information.

Even though Jiumie was outside, he could still learn about major events in the world through the Dongyang Clan's intelligence network. After their exchange, Qin Sang confirmed that the turmoil at Gonggong's Platform had not yet spread. He didn't know how the Wood Clan and Metal Clan had ultimately negotiated, or if Yu Ling had been rescued.

Qin Sang also noticed something: whenever he steered the conversation towards the Fire Clan or the Zhurong Clan, Jiumie would subtly change the subject. The more he avoided discussing it, the more it indicated an issue; the Zhurong descendants were likely plotting something.

Unconsciously, they flew over mountain after mountain. Perhaps due to their good luck, they hadn't encountered any opponents so far.

Unexpectedly, just as everyone started to relax, Qin Sang sharply waved his hand.

Everyone immediately stopped.

A moment later, Jiumie finally sensed something, secretly praising the Heavenly Eye Butterfly's vast divine power.

The other party had discovered them and also stopped moving. Both sides now faced each other from afar, separated by the mountains.

"It's the Wind-Weasel Clan…"

Jiumie activated his spiritual eyes, recognized the other party's origin, and suddenly his expression changed dramatically. He sharply turned his head to look west. They and the Wind-Weasel Clan were positioned north and south, respectively. Now, unfamiliar auras appeared from the west.

With three groups gathered here, the situation instantly became complicated.

"Elder Qin," Jiumie wanted to ask Qin Sang how to respond, but he saw Qin Sang staring intently at the west, his expression seemingly unusual.

Three streaks of light appeared on the horizon, approaching at a leisurely yet swift pace. They were, surprisingly, three female cultivators.

Two of them, dressed in palace robes, protected a young girl in the middle.

"Liuying?"

Seeing the young girl's familiar face, Qin Sang was greatly surprised, never expecting to encounter her here!