Chapter 2357: East Southeast

"Ribbit!"

The frog demon flipped over and sat up, shaking its head, its mind still hazy. It stared at the frozen corpse of the vicious bird in front of it, momentarily stunned, then remembered what had happened before it lost consciousness.

Glancing around, the eerie silence filled the frog demon with instinctive fear. It didn't dare spare another look at the trophy before it, instead hurriedly taking to the demon wind and fleeing. High above, Qin Sang paid no mind to the frog demon. As he gazed at the snow-covered land, the experiences and observations of the past years flashed through his mind.

The snowfield was far more vast than he had imagined. Although he hadn't traveled at full speed, his pace hadn't been slow either, yet he still hadn't managed to leave the snowfield after so long, which was truly unexpected.

Six-Day Old Qi drifted everywhere in the snowfield. However, unlike the Vile River, where Six-Day Old Qi was dense enough to form storms, here it was not concentrated. The void was still permeated with rich spiritual energy; without the Six-Day Old Qi, it would likely be able to give rise to many cultivation sanctuaries. This Six-Day Old Qi seemed to have dispersed from the Vile River, then, over countless ages, integrated into this realm, transforming the snowfield's environment and its inhabitants.

The snowfield also nurtured countless demonic beasts. Due to living in this environment, their sentience and disposition were roughly between those of savage beasts and normal demon cultivators. They weren't as ferocious as savage beasts, but their intelligence was significantly affected, making them prone to rage and madness. Even Divine Transformation stage demonic beasts lacked the intelligence they should possess, often still driven by instinct. With such limited intelligence, it was naturally impossible for a civilization to form, so the snowfield was more like a primeval jungle, where only the law of the jungle prevailed.

After leaving the vortex, Qin Sang intended to find a "sensible person" to ask for directions. Having encountered so many powerful demon cultivators near the vortex, Qin Sang had expected it wouldn't be difficult to find another. However, he hadn't encountered a single one; the highest cultivation demonic beast he had seen on this journey was only at the Divine Transformation stage. He didn't know why this was the case. In the Vile Expanse of the Talisman Realm, there were even savage beasts at the Integration stage, and Void Refinement stage savage beasts had occasionally emerged from the Vile River, causing great trouble for the Changyou clan. Undoubtedly, those who could break through to the Void Refinement stage in such an environment were truly favored by heaven. Perhaps because the Six-Day Old Qi here was thinner than in the Vile River, demonic beasts that broke through to the Void Refinement stage might regain some clarity of mind, realizing that this place was abnormal, and had all already left the snowfield...

Consequently, Qin Sang didn't even know his current location. He had two choices: first, to follow the changes in the Six-Day Old Qi, heading in the direction where it thinned. Once he left the area affected by the Six-Day Old Qi, he would encounter normal sentient beings. Second, to keep heading south or southeast. It was highly probable that he had landed deep within the Wilds, which was located north of Dazhou.

The first method wasn't easy. Qin Sang had traveled such a long distance, but the changes in the Six-Day Old Qi weren't obvious. Even if there were some fluctuations, he couldn't be certain if it was truly thinning or if it was affected by the surrounding terrain and weather. Therefore, Qin Sang's strategy was to combine both methods: consistently heading in a chosen direction while also observing the changes in the Six-Day Old Qi to aid his judgment. As for direction, it was easy to determine, as the celestial phenomena in the sky wouldn't change.

After every segment of travel, Qin Sang would, as before, capture the dominant beast of the area and interrogate it, hoping to discover unusual signs nearby and thus find clues. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. After forty-odd years of intermittent travel, his path ahead remained uncertain. Previously, Qin Sang had primarily operated in civilized territories, relying mostly on teleportation arrays for travel, so he had no real sense of distance. Now, he truly experienced the vastness of the Spirit Realm.

His gaze shifted to a towering mountain silhouette on the horizon. A type of malevolent wind perpetually swept across this mountain, which was considered forbidden territory by the frog demon. However, Qin Sang deduced from some clues in the frog demon's memory that the malevolent wind was an anomaly caused by a special crystal ore vein. This type of crystal could be used for artifact refining, and places with such ore veins were often rich in spiritual energy.

In Qin Sang's view, the snowfield was an undeveloped pristine land, harboring numerous treasures. Although most of them had been contaminated by the Six-Day Old Qi and rendered useless, Qin Sang still had several gains, which offered some solace. It also proved that the snowfield was indeed very far from civilization. He truly wondered where those demon cultivators had come from and how they had discovered the vortex. Unable to find a way out for so long, he even considered going back to take a look.

Qin Sang's figure appeared before the mountain. With a slight thought, the gray malevolent wind automatically parted to reveal a path, exposing the bare mountain body. With a sweep of his divine sense, Qin Sang found the place with the densest spiritual energy on the mountain. Using his divine sense as a blade, he carved out a stone abode.

Inside the stone abode.

"Are you decided?" Zhu Que (Vermilion Bird), released by Qin Sang, dug a hole in the wall and lay in it, tilting its head to ask.

"It's time to return it." Qin Sang nodded, indicating his intention to return the wisp of vital energy obtained from the Qilin's original seed to its rightful owner. Qin Sang had been considering this before leaving Qingyang's domain. Over the years, Zhu Que and the Little Qilin had spent every day together. Zhu Que had observed silently and found nothing unusual about the Little Qilin. He and Zhu Que had possessed it for so long and had been unable to decipher its secrets; sooner or later, they would have to return it to the Little Qilin. Qin Sang believed that the wisp of vital energy surely contained some kind of guidance, and the Qilin's origin might be hidden within the demon territory. Giving it to the Little Qilin now would allow them to use this guidance to leave the snowfield, killing two birds with one stone.

"Then give it to it quickly!" Zhu Que's eyes gleamed. It had long coveted the Qilin's origin, and it had been difficult to hold back until now.

With a flash of spiritual light, the Little Qilin stepped out, happily bouncing to Qin Sang's front, tirelessly rubbing its head against his palm. After a playful moment, the Little Qilin quieted down, lying in front of Qin Sang. Its expression grew serious as it listened to him explain what they were going to do next, and it nodded earnestly. Zhu Que flapped its wings and flew out to stand guard at the entrance.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged before the Little Qilin, giving a few instructions. His expression shifted slightly, a flash of fire light appeared between his brows, and the Lotus Pedestal slowly flew out. The wisp of vital energy had always been sealed within the Lotus Pedestal by him. Now, he summoned the pedestal and released the seal. Qin Sang raised his right hand, and the wisp of vital energy floated out of the Lotus Pedestal, landing in his palm. The Little Qilin sensed it, tilted its head, and stared at Qin Sang's palm with a look of innocence and curiosity.

Qin Sang glanced at the Little Qilin. Sensing Qin Sang's gaze, the Little Qilin immediately straightened its posture and tightly closed its eyes.

At this moment, Qin Sang perceived the wisp of vital energy, and what he saw was still the familiar scene. Within a vast wilderness, a boundless, desolate aura swept forth. The void was crimson, filled with infinite rosy light and scarlet clouds, and a stream of fire descended, igniting world-ending flames... He had seen this scene countless times, yet he had always been unable to comprehend its profound mysteries.

Seeing that the Little Qilin was ready, Qin Sang's palm vibrated, and the wisp of vital energy quietly merged into the Little Qilin's glabella. Qin Sang and Zhu Que, one inside and one outside, were both closely observing the Little Qilin's every move. The Little Qilin's body trembled, and an expression of shock gradually appeared on its face. When Qin Sang first saw this scene, he was as greatly shocked as the Little Qilin. Ultimately, the scene abruptly ended before him, so he wondered if the Little Qilin would see anything different.

Then Qin Sang saw the Little Qilin open its eyes, looking at him with a confused expression, as if asking what he wanted it to do by showing it this. Its reaction was unexpected by both Qin Sang and Zhu Que. Could they have guessed wrong? Was this merely a fragment of memory left by the Qilin in the past, containing no special information? Qin Sang and Zhu Que exchanged a glance, uncertain and surprised.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang said in a deep voice, "Focus your mind!" The Little Qilin obediently closed its eyes again. At this point, Qin Sang also settled into meditation, connecting his mind with the Qilin's. Deep within the Little Qilin's mind was an imprint left by him. Their minds were connected through this imprint, allowing Qin Sang to sense the fluctuations of the Little Qilin's thoughts. He guided the Little Qilin to fully sense the wisp of vital energy. If once wasn't enough, then ten times, a hundred times. The scene of the world-ending heavenly fire reappeared in the Little Qilin's mind.

After the initial shock subsided, it became monotonous. However, cultivation was inherently monotonous; even seeing it thousands upon thousands of times wouldn't shake their resolve. Qin Sang and the Little Qilin were completely absorbed, their minds fully immersed.

Day and night alternated. Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhu Que watched Qin Sang and the Little Qilin, who remained motionless, pacing back and forth on the stone platform, a little restless but not daring to disturb them. The Little Qilin viewed the scene within the vital energy again and again, losing count of how many times. Every image, every minute detail, was deeply imprinted in its mind.

Another three days passed. That evening, the Little Qilin's fur suddenly stirred without wind, and Zhu Que's eyes widened instantly. The next moment, Qin Sang suddenly opened his eyes. Zhu Que was about to ask, but seeing Qin Sang subtly shake his head at it, it quickly closed its mouth. The Little Qilin's fur danced, and faint flames appeared among its hairs. This was the innate elemental fire of a Fire Qilin. Given the Little Qilin's cultivation, it couldn't be called True Qilin Fire, but rather Qilin Demonic Fire. As the Qilin Demonic Fire enveloped its entire body, the Little Qilin bathed in the flames, finally revealing some of the Qilin's heroic aura.

Qin Sang sensed the violent fluctuations in the Little Qilin's emotions, and at the same time, the wisp of vital energy underwent a wondrous change. The Little Qilin's expression shifted continuously. Qin Sang pondered for a moment, then tried to sense the wisp of vital energy again, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the scene within had changed. Originally, thick red clouds permeated the sky above. Now, these red clouds began to disperse, revealing the scene beyond the cloud layer. Under the illumination of the heavenly fire, the sky was as bright as day, yet countless stars hung high. Starlight shone brilliantly even in daytime, and the starlit river seemed to flow.

'Snap!' The wisp of vital energy suddenly dissipated. Before Qin Sang could grasp its profound meaning, his mind jolted, and he withdrew.

Just then, the Little Qilin suddenly leaped up, rushed out of the cave dwelling, and eagerly dashed towards the mountaintop. It broke through the malevolent wind, hovered in the air, and gazed up at the starry sky. It was deep night, and fortunately, the snow had stopped, the dark clouds had dispersed, and the night sky was clear, filled with countless stars. The sea of stars reflected in the Little Qilin's pure eyes. It widened its eyes, eagerly searching for something.

Although the snow had stopped, the cold wind remained biting. Qin Sang gently patted the Little Qilin's head, comforting it slightly, and asked, "What did you just see?"

"My Lord!" The Little Qilin startled awake, realizing its impoliteness. Without hesitation, it replied, "I saw a special celestial phenomenon."

"Celestial phenomenon?" Qin Sang realized something and carefully examined the night sky.

"What else?" Zhu Que pressed, asking repeatedly.

The Little Qilin hesitated, "I don't know why, but I have a feeling that celestial phenomenon seems to... seems to represent something very important to me." Uncertain, it looked at Qin Sang with a questioning expression.

"Your feeling is correct. This was indeed deliberately left for you," Qin Sang revealed part of the truth.

Next, the man and the two demons all stared at the night sky, but they couldn't find the celestial phenomenon the Little Qilin had spoken of. "The demon race once cultivated the Way of the Stars, so it's not unimaginable for the Qilin to leave guidance through celestial phenomena. All beings in the Spirit Realm see the same starry sky; once it is reborn, it can find its objective through the guidance of the constellations..." Qin Sang pondered inwardly, "This method might not be entirely reliable. Over countless years, with the shifting of stars, wouldn't the celestial phenomena have changed long ago?" Changing his mind, Qin Sang felt he was being overly worried. Since the Qilin had left guidance this way, it must have considered this situation.

They waited on the mountaintop all night, but even by dawn, they still hadn't seen that particular celestial phenomenon. However, throughout the year, every month, every day, even every moment, stars move, and celestial phenomena differ from year to year, encompassing cycles of varying scales. Finding that particular celestial phenomenon could take months or even longer. Returning to the cave dwelling, Qin Sang decided to stay here for now. Their sole task from then on would be to observe the night sky.

From that day on, it stopped snowing in the area. Every day, they would come out, the man, the bird, and the beast, all craning their necks, staring intently at the sky, waiting for that celestial phenomenon to appear. Anyone seeing them might have thought they were three fools. Before comprehending the Four Symbols Sword Array, Qin Sang had meticulously observed every star that formed the array. Now that he had achieved some success with the sword array, calmly re-observing the night sky brought him new insights. Qin Sang found another kind of enjoyment. The Little Qilin, full of anticipation, remained tireless. Only Zhu Que lacked such patience and gradually grew restless, wandering off alone. It did manage to find many good things, but the surrounding demonic beasts suffered for it.

This wait lasted for more than ten years.

Deep in the night, at midnight, Zhu Que flew back, holding a string of bright red spirit fruits in its beak. These spirit fruits were exceptionally delicious, their fragrance intoxicating. It was rare for them not to be heavily contaminated by the Six-Day Old Qi. If Qin Sang brewed a jar of wine with them, it would surely be a fine vintage. Zhu Que thought to itself, contentedly, saliva dripping. Inadvertently, it glanced at the sky and suddenly froze, completely unaware that the fruit in its beak had dropped.

A sharp cry. Zhu Que flew back to the cave dwelling at the fastest speed of its life, yelling excitedly, "It's here! It's here..."

Qin Sang also smiled, looking with amusement at the Little Qilin beside him. The Little Qilin was gazing intently at the starry sky, its eyes sparkling, silently deducing. A moment later, Qin Sang sensed the thoughts transmitted from the Little Qilin and happily said, "It truly is in that direction!" He looked southeast. The celestial phenomenon pointed exactly in the direction he had been traveling earlier!

The direction was set, but he didn't know how far the journey ahead still was.

"Let's go, quickly!" Zhu Que urged impatiently.

Qin Sang raised a hand and pointed, "Depart!"

Destination: Southeast!