Chapter 2374: Pearly Oyster

"Fellow Daoist Chiluan?"Qin Sang feigned surprise. "Why are you here, Fellow Daoist?"

"I made a grave mistake by misjudging the situation at Stone Dragon Mountain, was demoted to the Renzi Altar, and finally banished here to assist Qingxiao, to atone for my sins. Furthermore, I am forbidden from promotion for a hundred years..."

Chiluan showed a hint of a dangerous smile. "When you vanished without a trace back then, I thought you were in danger, and I searched for quite a while. Seeing you safe and sound today, I can finally rest easy."

Her beautiful eyes stared at Qin Sang, her tone clearly holding a hint of suppressed fury.

Back then, Chiluan had used Qin Sang as a pawn, but Qin Sang had unexpectedly taken all the Dragon Gallbladder Stone Gold.

It seemed now that Chiluan's scheme had ultimately failed, and she had been punished within the Five Immortals Abode.

This punishment was undoubtedly severe.

As for how much Chiluan's failure was related to him, Qin Sang was naturally not foolish enough to ask.

"I happened to receive an urgent report back then, which was of great importance, so I left in a hurry and didn't have time to inform you, Fellow Daoist. However, I still thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Chiluan," Qin Sang said, giving a formal bow to Chiluan with a solemn expression.

Even though she knew Qin Sang was spouting nonsense, Chiluan could do nothing about him.

After all, she had used Qin Sang first. Qin Sang had merely seen through her scheme and taken the Dragon Gallbladder Stone Gold, without colluding with the enemy. Who could fault him for that?

She could only blame herself for underestimating Qin Sang. One misstep, and the entire game was lost.

Mo Yan looked at Qin Sang, then at Chiluan, sensing the subtle tension between them. He feigned ignorance and smiled, "Since you two already have a history, I hope you can work together to help me. Mo Yan would be most grateful!"

He bowed to them both and gestured to the side. "Simple refreshments have been prepared in the woods. Please, both of you."

"Fellow Daoist Chiluan, please go first."

Qin Sang ignored Chiluan's gaze and elegantly invited her to accompany him.

Chiluan let out an almost imperceptible huff and swept her sleeve as she entered.

They followed Mo Yan deep into the bamboo forest, where a unique fragrance assailed their noses. Indeed, a feast with fine wine had been prepared in front of a bamboo building.

"Esteemed guests, please take the honored seats!"

Mo Yan invited them warmly, and after they sat down, he looked around. "I have two younger brothers who, for some reason, are late today. Allow me to urge them to hurry."

Before he finished speaking, crisp bell sounds rang out from all around.

Qin Sang noticed that bamboo bells hung from the eaves of the bamboo building. They now chimed in unison, spreading their delightful sounds through the night, creating a rather elegant atmosphere.

Just then, Qin Sang felt Chiluan's gaze and looked back.

The anger in Chiluan's eyes had vanished. She gave Qin Sang a slight smile and asked Mo Yan, who was in the main seat, "I've long heard of the famed 'Three Friends of Feixian.' Will your two younger brothers also be joining us, Fellow Daoist Mo Yan?"

Mo Yan nodded. "My third brother will accompany us, but my second brother must remain hidden, so he can provide support if anything unexpected happens. Therefore, we will rely heavily on you two for this journey."

As they spoke, the bamboo leaves rustled, and two figures arrived on the wind.

One of them wore a colorful silk robe, adorned with exquisite jade ornaments, exuding an imposing nobility without appearing vulgar.

His appearance was exceedingly handsome. Though a man, he was dazzlingly captivating, actually competing with Chiluan in beauty, not losing an inch.

He was all smiles, and his voice was heard before he arrived.

"We are late..."

The other person followed behind him, also a handsome young man, with a slender build and a serious demeanor.

Qin Sang paid attention to this person, noticing his restrained sharp edge. This demeanor reminded Qin Sang of human sword cultivators.

"You should be punished! Punished indeed!"

Mo Yan laughed heartily and sent maidservants to pour wine.

The maidservants were all flower spirits, each exquisitely charming. They brought wine pots and filled the cups.

The two of them were very straightforward, apologized, and drained their cups in one go.

Only then did Mo Yan introduce them to each other. "Second Brother Wuxian, Third Brother Duanshao, quickly greet these two Fellow Daoists!"

They greeted each other, exchanged pleasantries, and clinked cups. The atmosphere gradually livened up.

"Mo Yan, Wuxian, Duanshao..."

Qin Sang secretly observed the three demons, thinking, "What strange names."

Just then, Qin Sang heard Chiluan transmit a message. "Among the Three Friends of Feixian, Duanshao's cultivation is slightly weaker, similar to yours, Fellow Daoist. Wuxian's strength should be comparable to mine. Only Mo Yan is the most mysterious. It's said that he possesses a treasure that conceals his aura and cultivation. Furthermore, he's very skilled at maneuvering in society, has extensive connections, and has never made an enemy, so no one knows his true strength..."

Chiluan actually took the initiative to transmit information, telling Qin Sang about the Three Friends of Feixian.

Qin Sang was disguised as an early-stage Void Refinement cultivator, while Chiluan had a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivation. The auras displayed by Duanshao and Wuxian were coincidentally equivalent to theirs.

Only Mo Yan, even Qin Sang couldn't see through him.

This was quite intriguing.

If this demon were a late-stage Void Refinement powerhouse, why would he need to recruit escorts? Most likely, as Chiluan said, he possesses a treasure that conceals his aura and cultivation.

"Fellow Daoist, you seem to have a hidden meaning. Why don't you speak plainly?" Qin Sang said.

Chiluan said, "They are as close as brothers, but we are here as hired help. Surely, Fellow Daoist, you wouldn't sacrifice your life for your employer, would you? We are natural allies; it's best to set aside our differences..."

"I have no differences with you, Fellow Daoist!"

Qin Sang's tone grew serious. "What exactly do you know, Fellow Daoist? If this journey is too dangerous, I will withdraw now and not go!"

"You truly understand the way of self-preservation, Fellow Daoist!"

Chiluan couldn't help but retort sarcastically. "I haven't heard any rumors; I'm merely preparing for the unexpected, worried that you'll suddenly disappear again like last time, leaving me alone and powerless."

Qin Sang let out a dry laugh. "Don't worry, Fellow Daoist, this time I'll definitely inform you beforehand."

"I'll test him first..."

Along with Chiluan's message, waves of string and woodwind music entered their ears.

Qin Sang put down his wine cup and looked at Wuxian across from him. He saw the demon embracing a pipa, with a look of enchantment, as beautiful music flowed from his fingers.

The music was no less than celestial; even the maidservant flower spirits were mesmerized, forgetting to pour wine.

This pipa had no strings at all, fitting its name, 'Wuxian' (which means 'stringless').

All the demons showed looks of intoxication. Chiluan suddenly stood up. "I've long heard of Fellow Daoist Mo Yan's peerless painting skills. Would you be willing to paint a portrait for me?"

As she spoke, Chiluan left her seat, walked to the front of the bamboo building, and began to dance gracefully.

For a moment, the dance and music complemented each other beautifully.

The music was celestial, and the dance was extraordinary. Sometimes like a gentle breeze, sometimes like a surging river. Subtly, Chiluan and Wuxian were engaged in a silent competition.

Mo Yan was greatly surprised and delighted. "I couldn't ask for more!"

He immediately called for the maidservants to set up a table. Unfortunately, those maidservants were all lost in the music and couldn't extricate themselves. After being startled awake, they became flustered.

Qin Sang shook his head repeatedly and said, "Inspired by today's atmosphere, I, too, shall perform a small trick to add to the merriment."

He looked at the moon, then gazed beyond the bamboo forest.

This cave dwelling was exceptionally well-situated, offering a full view of Feixian Peak. At this moment, moonlight shone upon Feixian Peak, truly resembling an immortal facing the wind.

"Though these flower spirits are charming, they hardly match Feixian Peak's grandeur. Allow me to invite a few celestial maidens to descend and grind ink for you, Fellow Daoist."

With that, Qin Sang extended a finger, pointing towards the moonlit sky. Suddenly, the sky became overcast, and faint thunder rumbled.

The thunder did not disrupt the music, nor did the dark clouds obscure the moon.

The stars vanished from sight, leaving a lone moon in the sky, illuminating only this place. The moonlight, instead, seemed even brighter.

Dark clouds gathered, and lightning flashed.

Outside the bamboo forest, countless creatures were startled, thinking a thunderstorm was approaching, and fled into their caves.

Thunder rumbled, and lightning shimmered. Suddenly, a thick bolt of lightning seemed to cleave open the gates of heaven.

'CRACK!'

The creatures in their dens trembled. All living things were struck with terror.

Where lightning and moonlight converged, several figures suddenly appeared in the moon. They were celestial maidens with flowing robes.

They arrived on the lightning, cheerfully setting up a writing table. Some delicately ground ink, while others unrolled painting paper...

These celestial maidens were all conjured by lightning magic. Qin Sang did not want to expose his Azure Luan bloodline, but still needed to use lightning power, so he merged Azure Luan demonic arts with Daoist thunder spells, creating several usable techniques.

This was a form of illusory thunder art within lightning magic. It might not be exceptionally subtle, but the lifelike agility of these celestial maidens proved Qin Sang's powerful control.

"What exquisite celestial maidens! What marvelous divine ability!"

Mo Yan clapped his hands, full of praise.

'CLANG!'

Duanshao stood up, conjured a three-foot green-edged sword, and leaped into the central courtyard, "I too shall perform a sword dance to entertain my elder brother and our two esteemed guests!"

"He really is a sword cultivator..."

Qin Sang found the three brothers increasingly interesting. Even among humans, such refined individuals were rare.

His gaze shifted. Qin Sang looked at Mo Yan with a smile, curious to see what skills this demon possessed.

Wuxian played music, while Chiluan and Duanshao danced together.

Mo Yan stood behind the writing table, holding a painting brush, but he was reluctant to take his eyes off the performance. Only when the piece concluded did he put brush to paper.

Duanshao sheathed his sword and quietly returned to his seat.

Chiluan gracefully walked to the writing table, watching Mo Yan paint, and a look of surprise gradually appeared in her eyes.

'WHOOSH!'

The last stroke was completed.

Mo Yan gazed at his painting, a look of satisfaction on his face. He gently unfolded it outwards. It depicted the two demons dancing together.

A hint of gravity flashed in Qin Sang's eyes.

"This painting is a collective work of ours. With its protection, this journey is sure to be foolproof!" Mo Yan said cheerfully.

Chiluan regained her composure and sighed, "Fellow Daoist's painting skills truly live up to their reputation. For such a superior painting, it's best if we never have to use it."

Wuxian and Duanshao, having long known their elder brother's abilities, couldn't help but show expressions of approval.

Qin Sang also nodded slightly, staring intently at the painting. He wasn't focused on the content of the painting, but rather its brushstrokes and spiritual essence.

He felt as if he were looking at a talisman.

This was a painting, yet it could also be called a talisman or a spiritual artifact. Mo Yan had infused his divine abilities into the painting while creating it. In the future, if they encountered danger, they could summon this painting to ward off enemies, and its power would undoubtedly be considerable.

As for this painting alone, it had already reached the level of 'entering the Dao through painting'. To see such advanced painting skills in a demon cultivator was truly unexpected.

It seemed the Three Friends of Feixian were not just pretending to be refined.

The celestial maidens removed the writing table and returned to the heavens. The clouds dispersed, and the thunder faded. Mo Yan ordered the flower spirits to clear the feast and serve spirit tea.

After the banquet, they turned to serious matters.

"Since everyone is here, we shall depart in three days and enter the Lotus Crossing Great Marsh. What do you say?" Mo Yan proposed.

Wuxian and Duanshao naturally had no objections. Chiluan asked, "Fellow Daoist, can you now reveal what treasure we are going to retrieve?"

"A clam pearl," Mo Yan said.

"A clam pearl?"

Chiluan showed a perplexed expression.

Qin Sang asked curiously, "Are you going to hunt a clam demon, Fellow Daoist?"

Simply retrieving a treasure versus hunting a demon cultivator were vastly different in difficulty. The price for hiring them would certainly be different.

"Not so! Although it is a clam pearl, it is not born from a clam demon. Rather, it is a treasure formed by heaven and earth..."

Mo Yan shook his head, looking somewhat troubled. "It's difficult to explain in words. You two will understand once you see it."

Qin Sang and Chiluan communicated secretly via spiritual transmission, learning that Chiluan had also never heard of such a clam pearl.

"It seems you've already thoroughly investigated, yet you're still so cautious, inviting us here. Will there be competitors when we retrieve the treasure?" Chiluan asked the crucial question.

"Normally, only my brothers and I should know about the clam pearl's impending emergence. But things are unpredictable, and there are divination arts in the world. Inviting you two to protect me is a precaution against unforeseen circumstances," Mo Yan explained.

Chiluan's pretty face fell. "Divination arts? Could it attract a Demon Saint?"

Mo Yan laughed loudly upon hearing this. "You worry too much, Fellow Daoist! We are not desperate individuals; if the clam pearl would attract a Demon Saint, how would we dare to even think of it?"

"So, you mean we'll stay by your side the whole time?" Qin Sang interjected.

"No! You and my third brother will act together. You will first become personal guards for a certain demon king in the great marsh..."

Three days later.

Qin Sang and the four demons quietly left the bamboo forest and entered the Lotus Crossing Great Marsh.

The Lotus Crossing Great Marsh was boundless. Its vast waters resembled an immense ocean.

However, mountains and islands were much more common within the marsh than in the sea. One could frequently encounter jungles and swamps. The one constant was that it was humid and muggy here, and the deeper they went, the denser the mist became.

They hadn't gone far when the view before them was already a vast expanse of white.

As they traveled, Qin Sang paid attention to the casual conversations among the four demons. Their words occasionally revealed legends and secrets of the Lotus Crossing Great Marsh that couldn't be learned from external sources.

Along the way, Qin Sang frequently found traces of demon cultivators. The situation here was indeed intricate and complex.

Mo Yan did not fly in a straight line, sometimes circling around, and occasionally giving instructions, allowing Qin Sang to know where they could pass and where it was best to avoid.

Besides this, the Lotus Crossing Great Marsh was not without dangerous and forbidden lands that struck fear into the hearts of demons. Qin Sang meticulously noted each one.

They flew continuously for over a month.

Mo Yan led them to land on a desolate island.

After performing some calculations, Mo Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This is the place, Second Brother..."

Wuxian nodded, cupped his hands to Qin Sang and the others, and departed alone.

Qin Sang and the others continued flying for a while, arriving above a swamp. Mo Yan turned around and said, "I'll go visit by myself. You all find an opportunity to blend in."

Before leaving, Mo Yan handed them three black jade vials.

After Mo Yan left, Qin Sang and the others flew around the edge of the swamp for a while. Chiluan whispered, "They're coming."

Before long, a troop of demon soldiers flew out from the grey mist deep within the swamp.

Each of them was robustly built, clad in black armor, and had crocodile heads and tails. They were a group of crocodile demons.

This troop of demon soldiers flew past them, completely unaware.

Qin Sang and the others followed behind them, each choosing a target. With a thought, they simultaneously opened their jade vials.

'CRACK!'

A cloud of ink flew out from the jade vial.

The ink resembled a living creature, wriggling in front of Qin Sang, then spreading out to form a layer of black membrane, adhering to Qin Sang's body.

The next moment, Qin Sang's appearance changed drastically, transforming him into a crocodile demon.

This disguise was almost flawless.

Then, the three crocodile demons at the rear of the troop were quietly swapped. Qin Sang and the others blended in, boldly patrolling the swamp with the troop of demon soldiers.