Chapter 234: Picking Up a Bargain

This doesn't mean the firebirds are weak. Their most potent ability lies in their peculiar cries, which emit strange sound waves capable of assaulting the soul. While Qin Sang remained unafraid, other cultivators might not possess his composure.

Moreover, who knew how many firebirds lay hidden within the boundless mist?

The thought of being besieged by tens of thousands of firebirds simultaneously was terrifying.

Just as this thought crossed Qin Sang's mind, he suddenly observed the surrounding mist growing restless, stirring into a swirling frenzy. Then, countless red specks emerged from deep within the mist, swiftly transforming it into a crimson fog!

These specks resembled countless red eyes, omnipresent and swirling. A fierce wind churned the mist, carrying scorching heat that buffeted the stone platform. Whether drawn by the firebirds' calls or alerted by Qin Sang's spiritual energy fluctuations, these eyes were rapidly closing in on him.

Qin Sang's scalp tingled, and cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Just as he had feared, countless fire spiritual beasts were indeed concealed within the mist. If they were all firebirds, that would be one thing, but if they were other types of fire spiritual beasts with different abilities, being besieged by such a multitude would surely lead to a tragic demise!

Witnessing this scene, Qin Sang dared not linger. His only thought was to escape swiftly!

*Buzz!*

The Ebony Array split apart, and sword qi erupted, carving a fiery path through the firebirds' encirclement.

Qin Sang stepped onto the iron chain, his figure shooting forth. The instant he moved, the fire spiritual beasts from the mist's depths arrived, and the birds' cries multiplied by tens of times.

The surging cries impacted the mist, forming visible sound waves. These superimposed waves were like a violent storm of wind and colossal waves, terrifyingly powerful.

The epicenter of their assault was precisely Qin Sang's location.

As he fled, Qin Sang quickly scanned his surroundings amidst the chaos: they were all identical firebirds!

There were no other fire spiritual beasts.

Unexpectedly, the faster Qin Sang moved, the more firebirds he attracted. He was soon completely encircled by countless firebirds, and even the Ebony Sword and Ten Directions Yama Banner couldn't eliminate them all.

The peculiar cries were deafening, like a roaring landslide or a colossal tsunami, making him dizzy and disoriented.

While Qin Sang's soul remained unharmed, he found the incessant noise unbearable. He suddenly realized that these firebirds could sense his spiritual energy fluctuations; even using his divine sense would alert them.

This thought made Qin Sang feel a chill for the others. If besieged by firebirds and their souls attacked by sound waves, they would inevitably have to resist. But once they acted, even more firebirds would be drawn to them.

With too many firebirds, Foundation Establishment cultivators' souls would be severely wounded by the sound waves, resulting in failure of the trial.

This was a vicious cycle. One could only endure the firebirds' attacks, charging relentlessly along the iron chain to its end, passing this trial as quickly as possible without looking back.

At that moment, Qin Sang suddenly put away both the Ebony Sword and the Ten Directions Yama Banner, and with a flicker, he vanished from his spot.

The firebirds' cries began to carry a note of confusion. Even more ferocious sound waves struck the spot where Qin Sang had disappeared, accompanied by waves of fiery hurricanes, yet they failed to pinpoint the intruder.

Ultimately, the firebirds dispersed in confusion, their efforts futile.

At this moment, Qin Sang was quietly standing ahead of the firebird flock; he had found a way to clear this stage.

Thanks to the Jade Buddha, the firebirds in the mist were countless and ceaselessly chirping. Regardless of his position, he would be subjected to the sound waves, but he remained unafraid.

Seeing the firebird flock disperse, Qin Sang calmly walked forward, occasionally witnessing groups of firebirds howling as they flew past.

So, were the opponents for this trial all firebirds?

A thought sparked in Qin Sang's mind, and he paused on the iron chain, stopping in place. He looked down at the river of lava below, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Tracing the history of this ancient immortal's dwelling, it had been occupied by the Demonic Sect for a period ten thousand years ago. Unless a sect guarded it as a forbidden secret, countless demonic cultivators must have surely entered.

Earlier, he had heard Che Yutao mention that the restrictions encountered by Foundation Establishment and Core Formation cultivators differed, suggesting the trials they faced were also likely distinct.

Foundation Establishment cultivators entering this place could only rely on their own strength to pass the trials, making it impossible to receive assistance from their sect elders.

Of course, cooperation with others might be possible.

Twenty-seven individuals had entered the stone monument together, but Qin Sang had not encountered any companions yet. However, this space was immensely vast, suggesting there might be many similar stone platforms, simply too far apart for him to encounter.

It was too soon to tell; verification was needed.

In such a space, forming alliances would likely prove difficult. A single misstep could alert the firebirds, and any action would attract even more. Waiting in place for other companions to make contact would only lead to certain death.

Consequently, some cultivators would undoubtedly fail the trial and perish here.

In the tunnel, Qin Sang had already ascertained that the trials offered no mercy whatsoever. If he made a mistake, he would surely be killed by the Golden-Armored Divine General, and this place would be no exception.

Failure to pass the trial meant death!

Down below, might there be the remains of fallen demonic cultivators, and perhaps... demonic artifacts?

From above, the lava river appeared as a red line, indicating it had boundaries and wasn't merely a vast sea of lava. While cultivators' bodies falling directly into the molten rock would undoubtedly turn to ash, if they landed on the banks, there might still be skeletal remains...

Unless someone like Qin Sang, immune to sound wave attacks, had ventured down to search thoroughly, the area below was very likely a treasure trove.

Qin Sang's heart stirred with excitement.

Coincidentally, the opponents in this stage were firebirds, whose abilities were suppressed by the Jade Buddha, so he had no need to rush his departure.

After exiting the tunnel, Qin Sang noticed no indications of a time limit. As long as he wasn't killed by the firebirds, the challenge shouldn't be deemed a failure.

Even if he were expelled for exceeding a time limit, if he could genuinely find the corpses of demonic cultivators along the banks of the lava river and loot their belongings, this journey would not have been in vain; being kicked out would be entirely worthwhile.

After all, there would be no danger whatsoever; it would be a completely free gain.

Entering the ancient cultivator's dwelling would involve many unknown dangers, and it had already been plundered by demonic cultivators, so there might not be significant gains there.

It had taken him twenty years to cultivate four of the Ten Directions Yama Banners to mastery. With the black market offering fewer and fewer demonic artifacts, elevating the remaining two seemed like a distant prospect.

If he could find sufficient soul-refining demonic artifacts below, how much time and effort could he save?

This was a singular opportunity. Subsequent trials would undoubtedly involve more than just these firebirds.

Che Yutao had mentioned that the ancient immortal's dwelling would undergo changes, making future entry uncertain. If he didn't seize this chance, he might never get another.

After a slight hesitation, Qin Sang immediately made a decision. He lightly tapped the iron chain with his foot, and instead of descending, he slowly began to ascend.

As he ascended, Qin Sang distinctly felt the increasing pressure on his body. Upon reaching a height of over ten zhang, the oppressive weight became terrifying, making it difficult for him to breathe.