Chapter 2373: Red Thread

"Haha, what do you think that guy's expression will be when he finds out?"

Qin Sang sped through the forest while Vermilion Bird hopped from branch to branch.

After emptying the spirit mine, Qin Sang didn't return to Stone Dragon Mountain. He fled far away, leaving the commotion there with no further connection to him.

"He'll definitely curse you to hell and back!" Vermilion Bird chuckled.

Qin Sang smiled faintly. These Dragon Gallstone Gold pieces were an unexpected bonus. Since Scarlet Serpent had used him as a reckless brute, she should be prepared for a backlash.

Never mind annoying Scarlet Serpent; even if he offended the Five Immortals' Sanctuary, he could always seek refuge with another power. All he wanted was an identity; he wouldn't be tied to one place.

With this thought, Qin Sang glanced back towards Stone Dragon Mountain, then immediately averted his gaze, completely uninterested in what was about to happen there.

"We're almost at Huansha Islet," Vermilion Bird asked, "Is the trade fair we heard about held there?"

Vermilion Bird stood on Qin Sang's shoulder, shading its forehead with a wing as it gazed into the distance. Vermilion Bird now preferred not to return to the small grotto-heaven, disguising itself as a tiny fire sparrow. Its disguise was so good that even Qin Sang couldn't discern its true origin, so he let it be.

At the edge of the forest ahead, a vast, endless sandbar came into view. Huansha Islet was a demon city located within the sandbar. It wasn't originally on their route, but Qin Sang had heard Vermilion Bird mention a trade fair would be held there, and that Fire Persimmon Wood, a spiritual material he needed, would be available. So, he had deliberately taken a detour.

After his previous experience, Qin Sang had started paying attention to news of various spiritual materials. His diligent efforts paid off, and he finally tracked down another one.

"This is the place," Vermilion Bird chirped, "but rumor has it this trade fair has strict rules. It probably won't be easy to get what we want..."

Qin Sang reined in his aura and descended from the sky, landing in the center of the sandbar. What appeared to be a desolate patch of lush grass was actually pulsing with formation energy, clearly a visual illusion.

After paying the 'city entry fee,' Qin Sang entered the demon city and headed straight for the location he had inquired about earlier.

Before long, Qin Sang arrived in front of a courtyard and activated the restriction within.

The courtyard gate opened, and an old monkey emerged.

This old monkey hadn't taken human form, yet its demeanor and actions were so respectful that one would overlook its appearance.

"May I ask where you hail from, fellow Daoist, and what brings you here?" The old monkey asked, its expression still pleasant and its manners impeccable despite Qin Sang being a stranger.

"You may call me Qingfeng," Qin Sang said, glancing into the courtyard. "I heard there's a trade fair here; I've come to attend it."

"Oh?"

The old monkey scrutinized Qin Sang, then shook its head. "My apologies, fellow Daoist, but this trade fair is hosted by our ancestors to foster goodwill among invited relatives and friends; it is not open to outsiders."

"Not even for me?"

Qin Sang frowned, releasing a wisp of his aura, the Void Refining stage pressure bearing down on the old monkey.

The old monkey's face flushed red, and it spoke with difficulty: "Senior, please calm your anger. Our ancestors have strictly forbidden it. Unless you can present our master's token, this old servant would not dare to reveal anything, even if you were to kill me."

The courtyard wasn't large, and Qin Sang didn't sense any other demon cultivators' auras, indicating the trade fair's location was elsewhere.

What the old monkey said was true. According to Qin Sang's understanding, this trade fair was jointly organized by several demon cultivators. Reportedly, because they belonged to different Demon Sages, they dared not be overt. Each trade fair was very secretive, and only invited guests could participate.

Qin Sang wondered how Vermilion Bird had gathered this information. Lately, the creature seemed even more dedicated than Qin Sang, apparently also searching for a certain treasure.

There was no need to make things difficult for an old monkey. Qin Sang gave a cold huff, flicked his sleeve, and walked away, his mind already calculating.

If he were to let the old monkey report upwards, or if he deliberately sought to befriend local demon cultivators, even if he could get an invitation, he would miss this trade fair and the Fire Persimmon Wood.

It seemed he would still need to leverage the power of the Five Immortals' Sanctuary.

They had traveled far from Stone Dragon Mountain, surely beyond Scarlet Serpent's jurisdiction.

Qin Sang changed direction and headed towards the Five Immortals' Sanctuary branch in the city.

The proprietor of the Five Immortals' Sanctuary here was a wolf demon. Upon seeing Qin Sang's jade token, it respectfully led him to the back courtyard to communicate with the Sanctuary.

The courtyard's decor was largely similar to the Five Immortals' Sanctuary at Stone Dragon Mountain, but the statue inside the hall was not a python, but a white fox.

The white fox statue's eyes blinked softly, coming to life, and its pupils shifted to gaze at the jade token in Qin Sang's hand.

"Are you Scarlet Serpent's subordinate?"

The white fox statue spoke, its voice as tender as a child's, making it impossible to distinguish its gender.

"She was merely my guide," Qin Sang stated definitively.

Hearing this, the white fox statue chuckled lightly, not defending its colleague but rather showing a hint of schadenfreude. "Hmm, Renzi Yin Altar… it seems you truly aren't closely connected to Scarlet Serpent. Still, you're quite clever, running fast enough..."

The white fox statue then remarked, "You've come here this time intending to switch allegiance to me."

"Not so," Qin Sang shook his head. "I'm traveling south, passing through this valuable territory, and I've encountered some trouble. I humbly request your assistance, fellow Daoist."

As he spoke, Qin Sang tossed the jade token towards the white fox statue. "I still haven't received the reward for the mission I completed at Stone Dragon Mountain last time."

"That mission alone isn't enough to promote you to Gengzi Altar... First, tell me what the matter is," the white fox statue said, not outright refusing since he was 'one of their own.'

Qin Sang explained his purpose, and the white fox statue realized. "This matter is not difficult. Our Five Immortals' Sanctuary is also backing this trade fair. However, what will you offer in return?"

"What would you like me to do, fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang asked.

"Help me resolve a small problem. There are some matters we find inconvenient to act on," the white fox statue said, expelling a beam of white light that merged into the jade token.

The jade token flew back into Qin Sang's hand.

The white fox statue's tone deepened. "If you accomplish this, it will be considered a completed mission, and the credit will be yours, enough to promote you to Gengzi Altar. Do it cleanly; do not linger after succeeding, and ideally, never return here."

Qin Sang read it, then cupped his hands and said, "As fellow Daoist wishes!"

The following morning, a token was delivered to the Five Immortals' Sanctuary outpost. Qin Sang took the token, went to find the old monkey again, and successfully learned the location.

Seven days later.

On a hill, Qin Sang silently watched below. Once everything in the valley was consumed by fierce flames, he turned and left.

Everything went smoothly. Not only had he completed the Five Immortals' Sanctuary's mission, but he had also acquired the spiritual material he desired, and even received an unexpected bonus.

Qin Sang flipped his palm, revealing two items.

One was a palm-sized piece of wood, its grain resembling flames, like layers of fiery waves—this was Fire Persimmon Wood. The other was soft and light like cotton, called Kanyu Paste, which Qin Sang had also obtained at the trade fair.

Progress was faster than expected. If he could gather all the spiritual materials needed to re-refine his spirit sword, this journey would not have been in vain.

The fire behind him intensified, but Qin Sang didn't look back, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Not long after he left, a furious demon king began searching everywhere for the culprit, stirring up another storm.

For a long time afterward, Qin Sang's figure continued to appear in various locations, progressively moving further south.

After reaching an agreement with the white fox statue, the previous rift between him and the Five Immortals' Sanctuary dissolved. Along the way, he conveniently completed several more missions, elevating his status within the Sanctuary; he had already risen to Wuzi Yin Altar.

At the same time, he gained many benefits, obtaining much information from the Five Immortals' Sanctuary. Operating under the Sanctuary's name saved him a great deal of trouble.

If Qin Sang wished to continue climbing, reaching Jiazi Altar would be effortless. However, he didn't intend to rise so high; firstly, it would draw too much attention, and secondly, Jiazi Altar likely couldn't be achieved simply by accumulating merit. He merely wanted to use the Five Immortals' Sanctuary's name, not become too deeply involved with them.

Throughout this journey south, Qin Sang's horizons broadened. He witnessed many wondrous sights unknown in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and increasingly realized that as long as a creature possessed intelligence, whether human or demon, there were only differences in customs, but no fundamental distinction.

"Faster! Faster! We're almost at Lotus Crossing Marsh!"

Qin Sang maintained a steady pace, while Vermilion Bird flew ahead, repeatedly looking back and urging him on.

"Why are you so excited?" Qin Sang asked, suspicious, wondering if the creature had some scheme.

Vermilion Bird huffed, "I've been playing timid turtle all this way following you! Lotus Crossing Marsh has no Demon Sage suppressing it. With you and me working together, we're bound to make a name for ourselves here!"

Vermilion Bird's face was filled with grand ambitions; it was practically bursting. Because Qin Sang was worried about causing trouble, he had kept a close watch on Vermilion Bird, forbidding it from doing this and that along the way.

"Although Lotus Crossing Marsh isn't a Demon Sage's domain, it's not a place where you and I can act as we please," Qin Sang said, splashing cold water on its enthusiasm.

Lotus Crossing Marsh — he had long heard of it. It was said to be a boundless, vast marshland.

There, lakes and marshes stretched endlessly, the climate was humid, and water mist lingered year-round. It was home to many magical legends, imbued with an aura of mystery.

Lotus Crossing Marsh separated north and south. If Qin Sang wanted to continue south, he had to cross it.

Strangely, no Demon Sage had occupied Lotus Crossing Marsh; it remained unclaimed territory to this day. However, there were also rumors that the various Demon Sages were all contending for it, unable to determine a victor, which was why no one could claim it exclusively.

What was certain was that those Demon Sages would definitely not leave Lotus Crossing Marsh unchecked. Within the vast marsh, there were likely many factions established by the Demon Sages.

Precisely for this reason, the situation within Lotus Crossing Marsh was extremely complex. Qin Sang was not as optimistic as Vermilion Bird.

"Coward!"

Vermilion Bird instantly deflated, looking dispirited.

After entering the demon realm, perhaps some inheritance in its bloodline was triggered, but Vermilion Bird dreamed of Qin Sang displaying great might, subjugating billions of demon soldiers, commanding them for it, conquering cities and territories, and unifying the world.

With Demon Sages present here, its wishes couldn't possibly come true, but Qin Sang's excessive caution greatly displeased it.

Ignoring Vermilion Bird's complaints, Qin Sang used his spiritual sense to activate his jade token, confirming the nearest Five Immortals' Sanctuary outpost.

Before entering Lotus Crossing Marsh, he needed to understand the situation within.

The Five Immortals' Sanctuary here also housed a snake statue, but this one was very slender and had green scales.

The jade token awakened the green snake statue.

Given Qin Sang's current status, he received courteous treatment at any Five Immortals' Sanctuary outpost. The green snake statue was very polite to Qin Sang. Upon learning his purpose, it expelled a ball of green light, which contained the information Qin Sang desired.

Qin Sang took it and examined it. It did describe some of the forces within Lotus Crossing Marsh, but it wasn't enough to satisfy him.

"You should have more detailed information at hand, fellow Daoist, shouldn't you?"

Qin Sang looked up at the green snake statue. "I plan to stay in Lotus Crossing Marsh for a while and resolve some troublesome matters for you, in exchange for this information."

"If Daoist Qingfeng is willing to assist, this humble one couldn't ask for more!"

The green snake statue was pleased and immediately expelled another ball of green light. "Fellow Daoist, please choose one from these first. After each one is completed, this humble one will give you a portion, and I assure you, you will not be disappointed."

Qin Sang activated his jade token to check and saw various tasks, all offering significant rewards, but with correspondingly high difficulty.

With a quick glance, Qin Sang focused on three tasks, all of which required entering Lotus Crossing Marsh.

Rather than relying on hearsay, it was better to go in and investigate himself.

"I choose this one."

Qin Sang selected one item. It only had a brief description: an employer was seeking escorts to help retrieve a treasure from Lotus Crossing Marsh. The specifics would only be known upon meeting the employer.

"Please, Daoist friend, proceed to Feixianji within ten days..."

Qin Sang received the topographical map, bid farewell to the green snake statue, and headed directly to the location requested by the employer.

Feixianji was a famous scenic spot nearby, located on the bank of Lotus Crossing Marsh.

On the evening of the third day, Qin Sang arrived near Feixianji. From a distance, he saw a white rock standing on the shore, tens of thousands of feet tall. The rock was almost pure white, resembling an immortal in white robes, holding the bright moon in hand, seemingly poised to ascend to the heavens.

"No wonder it's called Feixianji; its reputation is well-deserved," Qin Sang inwardly praised. He flew around Feixianji, then along the shore for a while, until he spotted a bamboo forest.

He crushed the token, and the bamboo leaves rustled. A man flew out from the forest.

The man was dressed in simple white robes, resembling a young scholar. He bowed and said, "Are you the fellow Daoist from the Five Immortals' Sanctuary?"

"Indeed, I am Qingfeng, here by invitation. May I inquire about your Daoist name?" Qin Sang replied.

"Greetings, Daoist Qingfeng. My humble name is Moyan."

Moyan's demeanor and speech were as refined and gentle as a scholar's.

For a moment, Qin Sang almost felt as if he had returned to the Great Zhou Dynasty. In this demon realm, many demon cultivators understood etiquette, but such refined ones were rare.

"Daoist Moyan," Qin Sang nodded. "Since I've accepted this mission, I will do my utmost to protect your safety. May I ask when we depart and what kind of treasure we'll be retrieving?"

"I have full trust in the Five Immortals' Sanctuary's reputation," Moyan smiled.

This was the reputation the Five Immortals' Sanctuary had accumulated over many years. If Qin Sang dared to go back on his word, or even harm his employer, Moyan wouldn't need to act; the Five Immortals' Sanctuary would relentlessly pursue Qin Sang to his death, sparing no expense.

With that, Moyan gestured. "Fellow Daoist, please don't rush. Another fellow Daoist from the Five Immortals' Sanctuary is expected tonight. Why not come to my humble abode first for a cup of simple wine..."

Before he finished speaking, both Qin Sang and Moyan's expressions shifted. They looked towards the lake surface, where clear ripples spread, and a woman flew forth from the water.

The woman wore a silk brocade gown, her figure enchanting. She was a peerless beauty, arriving over the moonlit water, seeming not of the mortal world.

"Daoist Moyan, so it's you," the woman said as she flew before them, nodding in greeting.

"Our meeting a year ago left an indelible impression on me, fellow Daoist. To see you again today, still as graceful as ever... accompanying such a beauty, even if the treasure eludes us, Moyan will have no regrets!"

Moyan was charming in the presence of the beauty, and while complimenting her, he didn't neglect Qin Sang. "You two are both from the Five Immortals' Sanctuary, so I presume introductions aren't necessary?"

"I recognize him, but he might not recognize me," the woman said, looking at Qin Sang with a mysterious smile.

Qin Sang scrutinized the woman's unfamiliar face and suddenly felt a sense of unease.

"Fellow Daoist, do you still remember Scarlet Serpent?"

The woman curtsied slightly, then raised her head, smiling as she looked at Qin Sang.