Chapter 244: Public and Private

The Fire Jade Centipede, a creature with a dark red body that appeared small but contained explosive power, trembled in Qin Sang's palm. It clearly sensed the terrifying pressure emanating from the flying monkeys.

The flying monkeys here differed not only in body color but also possessed far greater strength than those encountered in the trial grounds; the two were simply not on the same level. Qin Sang suspected that even Core Formation cultivators would likely fare poorly if they entered the magma lake now.

Fortunately, they seemed to be bound here by an unknown force, always active on the magma lake, with no intention of breaking out.

To Qin Sang, the magma lake before him was like a ticking time bomb. If these fiery flying monkeys were to escape and unleash their slaughter, most of the people who had entered the ancient cultivator's abode would likely perish.

Qin Sang fully concealed his aura, not daring to let slip even a trace, fearing detection by the flying monkeys. He secretly glanced at the vine at the center of the lake.

He had never seen this type of vine before. Among the ancient texts he had read on Pagoda Peak, there were several similar immortal vines born from fire, but none seemed to match perfectly. The main reason was the golden fruit produced by this vine; it was dazzling, like a Bodhi seed.

Its skin was dotted with speckles, resembling stars, and had a translucent quality, allowing a faint glimpse into the golden fruit. It appeared not to be pulp, but rather a flowing, viscous fluid, though it didn't quite resemble that either; it was extremely strange.

It emitted no strong aroma, nor any medicinal efficacy that could clear one's mind. Qin Sang couldn't even determine if it was a spirit fruit.

After much deliberation, Qin Sang couldn't recall anything similar. However, for something to grow in such a location and be meticulously protected by the courtyard's owner, it was certainly not ordinary.

Unfortunately, with so many flying monkeys guarding the vine, Qin Sang currently lacked the strength to retrieve the golden fruit. Perhaps he could try once his cultivation reached the late Foundation Establishment stage. If that still wasn't enough, he would have to wait until he achieved Core Formation.

However, there might be other ways to bypass the flying monkeys' perception and steal the fruit, but such an attempt would require meticulous preparation and was certainly impossible at present.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, knowing he had no choice but to give up for now and leave the area.

He decided against any superfluous actions, such as attempting to conceal the courtyard or anything similar.

The ancient immortal's abode was now controlled by Hanging Skull Pass, and waves of cultivators would soon come to explore and seek treasures. Any additional actions would be unnecessary and would only arouse suspicion, potentially exposing the courtyard's secrets. It was better to let the abandoned courtyard remain openly visible.

As for whether to report it to his sect and ask Martial Uncle Che for help, Qin Sang pondered, then shook his head secretly. He took a deep look at the fruit, engraving its shape in his mind, and decided that after returning, he would consult ancient texts to ascertain the origin and use of the golden fruit before making a final decision.

Since no one had discovered the ancient well for so long, there was likely no immediate concern about someone deciphering the courtyard's secret. The Fire Jade Centipede's ability to directly perceive spirit objects had allowed it to ignore the illusion formation's concealment and, by chance, find the passage to break the formation. Such a rare creature was extremely uncommon in the world; a second one would not easily appear.

Pondering these thoughts, Qin Sang instinctively pulled back his neck and slowly retreated onto the stone steps.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, a strong sense of unease inexplicably arose in his heart. He frowned, looking at the magma lake; the flying monkeys seemed normal, undisturbed...

The next moment, Qin Sang's expression suddenly changed. He whirled around, staring intently at a spot on the stone steps behind him. Someone was there! And their strength was terrifying, completely bypassing his perception!

He had no idea how long the other person had been following him; Qin Sang hadn't detected anything amiss. Now that he had perceived the presence, it was likely intentional on the other party's part.

His palm quickly moved towards his Mustard Seed Bag. Just as he took out the Dark Yin Thunder, he suddenly found himself unable to move. The paralysis spread from his hand, then his arm, upper body, and legs...

Before the other person even appeared, Qin Sang's entire body was immobilized, turning him into a statue, only able to move his head. Though his physical body was bound, his spirit was unharmed, and the Ebony Sword was not restricted, yet Qin Sang chose not to reveal it.

Qin Sang's heart sank. The air was unusually hot, yet he felt chillingly cold!

At that moment, a figure slowly emerged where Qin Sang's gaze was fixed. Upon seeing the person's missing leg, Qin Sang's mouth filled with an immense bitterness. No wonder he could easily evade his perception. No wonder he was completely powerless to resist. It was him!

This person was one of the five Core Formation cultivators who had entered the ancient cultivator's abode: Old Man Dique!

“Qin Sang greets Senior...” Qin Sang's lips moved, and he said hoarsely, “Junior's body is restricted and I cannot bow. Please do not blame me, Senior...”

Qin Sang had never imagined that Old Man Dique wouldn't explore the four Heavenly Peaks but would instead appear here. It was a blessing in disguise, as Old Man Dique was still preferable to an unknown entity within the abode.

What unsettled Qin Sang was that he didn't know why Old Man Dique was following him, or when he had been tailed.

Qin Sang had only seen Old Man Dique for the first time outside the ancient cultivator's abode. For the past twenty years, he had rarely left the Heavenly Crystal Secret Realm, save for a few missions, so it was impossible for him to have offended this person. Nor should he have killed any of his disciples.

Qin Sang racked his brain but found no clue.

Unexpectedly, Old Man Dique paid Qin Sang no mind. His gaze shifted to Qin Sang's other hand, and with a gentle wave, the Fire Jade Centipede broke free from Qin Sang's grasp and flew into Old Man Dique's palm.

In Old Man Dique's hand, there was surprisingly another centipede, also crimson-bodied, but with a thin, dark gold line running down its back. Its body was also a full circle larger than Qin Sang's Fire Jade Centipede, making it appear much more imposing.

The two centipedes, upon meeting, immediately intertwined, and then the gold-backed centipede easily subdued the Fire Jade Centipede.

Qin Sang's eyes widened. He suddenly understood why Old Man Dique had sought him out.

He had previously learned that Fire Jade Centipedes also had male and female distinctions, with significant differences in their forms. The most obvious distinction was on their backs: female Fire Jade Centipedes had a thin, dark gold line, serving as the distinguishing mark.

Qin Sang's was a male centipede, while the one in Old Man Dique's hand was female.

Just as Fire Jade Centipedes could detect spirit objects, males and females could also sense each other upon meeting. However, Qin Sang had not noticed anything unusual with his own Fire Jade Centipede, which likely meant Old Man Dique had severed their connection.

How could it be such a coincidence? Could both centipedes belong to him?

As Qin Sang's thoughts raced, desperately searching for a way to escape, Old Man Dique caressed the two centipedes with an affectionate gaze. He then looked up and, with a smile, said to Qin Sang, “Thank you for your help, young brother. This old man has finally found this little fellow. Before this, I thought the little one had been killed by some ignorant cloud beast. Thinking of it always saddened me deeply.”

“Senior, please forgive me,” Qin Sang's voice was unusually dry. “Junior merely stumbled upon this centipede by chance; I had no idea it was one you had lost in the mine shaft...”