Chapter 247: Illusory Sound

Finally, the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound transformed into a massive hurricane, instantly scattering the flying monkeys around Qin Sang and clearing a path for him.

However, the overwhelming swarm of monkeys quickly engulfed Qin Sang again.

Qin Sang couldn't advance very far and was forced to slow down, dealing with the monkeys' siege.

Although the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound belonged to the Old Man of Earth's Fault, it was now controlled by Qin Sang, and the old man could offer no assistance. Regardless of the danger, Qin Sang had to adapt on his own.

Fortunately, he wasn't an ascetic who stayed cooped up in a cave; he had ample experience fighting for his life and could maintain his composure and act calmly in any desperate situation.

As soon as he engaged, Qin Sang got an intuitive sense of the flying monkeys' strength.

Their power was stronger than expected, and they were only just beginning to merge. The power of the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound was rapidly depleting, and at this rate, it would be impossible to obtain the Scarlet Golden Vine's fruits.

However, judging by the Old Man of Earth's Fault's tone, he didn't seem genuinely to expect Qin Sang to retrieve the fruits. The old ghost had asked him to hold on for a sufficient amount of time, implying another agenda.

The Myriad Illusions Divine Sound was unpredictable. Around Qin Sang, countless weapons resembling blades, spears, swords, and shields appeared and vanished like illusory flowers. As more and more flame-flying monkeys merged, the pressure intensified, and the power of the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound was consumed at an alarming rate.

Bang!

A massive, fire-dragon-like staff suddenly thrust in from the periphery, descending with earth-shattering power.

The Divine Monkey raised its mighty staff!

This strike appeared without any warning. Qin Sang's expression flickered; the strike was terrifying. Its wielder had merged with an unknown number of flying monkeys, and its strength was beyond Qin Sang's imagination.

This was also why Qin Sang was so certain he couldn't obtain the Scarlet Golden Vine's fruits. The further he went, the more disturbed and merged flying monkeys there would be, and their strength would skyrocket. Even if the Old Man of Earth's Fault intervened personally, it would likely be difficult to reach the Scarlet Golden Vine, let alone with just a mere wisp of Myriad Illusions Divine Sound.

"Explode!"

Qin Sang roared.

He dared not hesitate, unleashing all the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound power within him without reservation, while simultaneously retreating rapidly.

Around Qin Sang, vast sound waves rippled outward, clearly visible to the naked eye. The terrifying vibrations stirred up colossal waves, transforming into destructive power. The surrounding flying monkeys, swept up by the sound waves, were annihilated, reverting to their original elemental fire energy.

However, most of the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound, propelled by Qin Sang, surged skyward, hastily confronting the massive staff overhead.

Rumble!

The two collided with earth-shattering force. After a deafening roar, the aftermath raged in all directions. Within this residual energy, an extremely ethereal staff shadow still drifted lightly towards him.

The staff shadow seemed on the verge of collapsing, yet it still possessed a terrifying power that sent shivers down Qin Sang's spine. It slammed heavily into the remaining Myriad Illusions Divine Sound encircling Qin Sang.

The protective barrier formed by the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound immediately cracked, covered in fissures. Fortunately, the staff shadow was also exhausted; with a gentle sway, it dissipated on the spot.

Qin Sang groaned, his face momentarily darkening. Seeing the terrifying figure high in the sky raise its giant staff again, he was inwardly aghast. A sword light suddenly flared between his brows, and the Ebony Sword shot out. Qin Sang's figure flickered, merging with his sword, transforming into a long rainbow, and he fled out of the lava lake without looking back.

The situation was critical; he had no choice but to use the Ebony Sword.

Whoosh!

The sword light narrowly pierced through the flying monkeys' encirclement, allowing him to escape.

Qin Sang stepped onto the black rocks by the shore, his figure swaying as he barely managed to steady himself. His face was exceptionally pale. The Myriad Illusions Divine Sound barrier around him flickered, then completely shattered.

The situation had initially been under Qin Sang's control, but this unexpected turn genuinely surprised him.

He hadn't expected these flying monkeys to know how to hide and merge, then suddenly launch a sneak attack. Fortunately, he had remained vigilant and reacted swiftly, allowing him to avert the danger.

The restrictions by the lava lake were exceptionally sturdy, remaining unmoving even when attacked by the merged flying monkeys. The giant monkey swung its staff furiously, roaring at Qin Sang outside.

Qin Sang glanced at it but paid it no mind, walking back to the stone steps. After calming his breath slightly, he turned to look at the Old Man of Earth's Fault.

The old ghost remained seated cross-legged, eyes closed, completely still, his purpose unknown. Qin Sang looked at the stone steps behind him, hesitated for a moment, then also sat down cross-legged beside him to heal his internal injuries.

After a while, the Old Man of Earth's Fault suddenly opened his eyes and gave Qin Sang a meaningful look. "The strength of these mutated monkeys after merging is something even I find troublesome. Fortunately, Brother Qin is sharp-witted."

Qin Sang knew the Old Man of Earth's Fault had noticed something, but he already had an excuse ready. He said, "These flying monkeys possess far greater intelligence than any I've encountered before. Not only can they merge, but they also ambush. Later on, they might even employ more complex tactics. With just your Myriad Illusions Divine Sound, I fear I won't be able to go very far."

The Old Man of Earth's Fault nodded without further comment, extending his right hand. Another surge of Myriad Illusions Divine Sound power gathered in his palm, which he then tossed to Qin Sang.

"Brother Qin, control this mass of Myriad Illusions Divine Sound and explore the monkey nest again."

Qin Sang took it, sensing it carefully, and was surprised to find that this mass of Myriad Illusions Divine Sound wasn't much stronger than before, yet it emitted a peculiar fluctuation it hadn't possessed earlier.

This fluctuation was remarkably similar to that of the flying monkeys!

This was...

Qin Sang absorbed the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound into his body. With a thought, the divine sound manifested outside him, transforming into a layer of dark red flames, turning him into a man of fire.

No, it was more like a fire monkey, albeit a strange and unconventional one. This fire was not true flames but an imitation generated by the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound.

Qin Sang suddenly understood what the Old Man of Earth's Fault intended.

The old ghost wanted him to go in and provoke the flying monkeys into battle, while he himself would remain outside, fully sensing and analyzing the energy fluctuations of these monkeys, using the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound for disguise. Once the old ghost thoroughly understood the flying monkeys, he could use the Myriad Illusions Divine Sound to disguise himself as a flame-flying monkey, blend into the horde, and stealthily infiltrate the center of the lava lake to retrieve the fruits.

Qin Sang once again stepped towards the lava lake.

The flying monkeys in the lava lake, having not seen Qin Sang for a long time, had calmed down slightly. When Qin Sang reappeared, he distinctly noticed a look of confusion in the eyes of the monkeys at the edge of the lake. They hesitated for a moment before abruptly becoming agitated.

It really worked!

Qin Sang secretly marveled. As expected of a Golden Core True Lord, and truly worthy of the name Myriad Illusions Divine Sound, to possess such an uncanny ability!

He was forced back by the flying monkeys once more.

Qin Sang received a new mass of Myriad Illusions Divine Sound, and the flame fluctuations he conjured became even more similar to those of the flying monkeys.

Thus, he repeated the process of probing and adjusting again and again.

For the final time, Qin Sang fled from the sea of lava in a disheveled state. By then, hundreds of giant flying monkeys were patrolling the lava lake's edge, making it feel like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.

The Old Man of Earth's Fault suddenly rose.