Chapter 377: Jiaolong

Novel:

“Roar! Roar!”

Tiger roars shook the heavens.

The Tiger-Winged Eagles discovered the unusual situation here; dozens of them soared into the sky, crying out incessantly, like a vast black cloud rolling in. Their demonic aura soared, full of menace.

Sensing this, Qin Sang’s expression subtly changed. He waved his hand, retracting the Yellow Sand Banner, and hastily collected the bodies of Kong Xin and the black-robed man.

He had intended to capture Kong Xin alive and refine him into a Fiend Corpse, but with Yun Youzi nearby, it wasn't appropriate to openly refine a corpse. That's why he had deployed the Yellow Sand Banner for concealment, hoping to find an opportunity to deceive everyone.

Unfortunately, the Tiger-Winged Eagles’ senses were too keen, and Kong Xin, using some unknown secret technique, made Qin Sang subtly sense a hint of danger. He had no choice but to directly activate the Ebony Sword to kill him.

Yun Youzi was no slower than Qin Sang in seizing the opportunity. He had already summoned the Spirit Bamboo Flying Boat. The two boarded the boat and fled into the distance, taking turns piloting the boat. They finally shook off the Tiger-Winged Eagles, found a hidden spot, and landed the flying boat.

Qin Sang tossed out the bodies of Kong Xin and the black-robed man. The black-robed man's spine was shattered by the Black Dragon Stone; his upper body was a mangled mess, and the corpse was severely damaged. As for Kong Xin, he had used some unknown secret technique, leaving his entire body a bloody mess. His Qi Sea was severely damaged, and he couldn't withstand the impact of fiendish qi, making him unsuitable for refinement into a Fiend Corpse.

Qin Sang couldn't help but feel disappointed. He rummaged through the bodies, opened the two mustard seed pouches, and emptied their contents.

Yun Youzi took the blue-glowing sword. Qin Sang, meanwhile, pocketed the Crimson Pills and the Cold Gold Ore Mother, among other items. The other items were unremarkable.

However, two jade slips caught Qin Sang's attention.

Both jade slips contained maps. These two maps originated from Kong Xin and the black-robed man, respectively.

The map drawn by the black-robed man was most valuable because it marked many hidden routes and safe locations within the second layer of Boundless Valley. It was much more detailed than the one from the Skywind Tower.

Clearly, the black-robed man must have frequented Boundless Valley for many years to have explored so many places.

This map was extremely valuable, especially useful to them.

Yun Youzi was also delighted upon hearing this. He took it and cross-referenced it with the Skywind Tower map, eventually choosing a safer route, which would also save at least a day's time.

The other map was found in Kong Xin's mustard seed pouch.

Unlike the other map, this one didn't contain detailed routes. Instead, it extensively marked the various demonic beasts inhabiting Boundless Valley. This included troop size, territory, habits, and the strength of the beast groups, all with exceptional detail.

Such detailed information could not have been gathered without patient and meticulous investigation.

Qin Sang wondered why Kong Xin would record so much information about demonic beasts. He rummaged further, and only then, upon finding a demonic art called the "Blood Transformation Art," did he realize.

The "Blood Transformation Art" was a demonic art from an unknown sect. It required the vital essence of cultivators and the blood of demonic beasts for cultivation.

Qin Sang quickly skimmed through the "Blood Transformation Art." He found that because this demonic art plundered the vital essence of others to nourish oneself, its cultivation speed was extremely fast. However, precisely for this reason, cultivators had unstable foundations and chaotic qi. Reaching the late Foundation Establishment stage would be their peak, and the probability of forming a Golden Core was almost zero.

Any demonic art, no matter how good, that hindered Golden Core formation was not something Qin Sang would cultivate. Without cultivating the "Blood Transformation Art," the accompanying divine abilities could not be used either. Qin Sang merely glanced at it before putting it away.

Compared to the "Blood Transformation Art," this map interested Qin Sang more; in fact, he was pleasantly surprised.

On the map, the hidden lair of a flood dragon was marked. Moreover, it was a black flood dragon at the peak of the Demonic Spirit stage!

This black flood dragon was confirmed to possess dragon bloodline!

To upgrade the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman, the essence soul of a flood dragon at the peak of the Demonic Spirit stage was required.

If another flood dragon essence soul were refined, the speed of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Chariot Talisman, even if not equal to a Golden Core expert, would surpass cultivators at the False Core stage.

After obtaining the spiritual talisman, Qin Sang had investigated extensively in many places. However, demonic beasts with flood dragon bloodlines were inherently rare, and those precisely at the peak of the Demonic Spirit stage were even rarer.

Even Shaohua Mountain had no information about demonic beasts that met the requirements.

He never expected that one was hidden in Boundless Valley.

The black flood dragon's lair was in a dark abyss within the second layer of Boundless Valley. The abyss was filled with dense ancient restrictions, making it an utterly perilous place.

The black flood dragon had always stayed in the dark abyss to cultivate, rarely venturing out. It was unknown how Kong Xin had discovered it.

According to Kong Xin's description, the black flood dragon had lived in the dark abyss for many years and was intimately familiar with the ancient restrictions within. Battling the black flood dragon within the dark abyss, even powerful False Core stage cultivators would struggle to gain the upper hand.

Furthermore, the dark abyss was riddled with restrictions and narrow passages. Any summoned helpers would find it difficult to form a pincer attack, and the black flood dragon could easily escape if the situation turned unfavorable.

Qin Sang estimated that with his Ten Directions Yama Needles, he might have a chance to capture this black flood dragon after reaching the False Core stage. Before the False Core stage, unless he found another method, the possibility was almost zero.

Carefully putting away the jade slip, Qin Sang made a mental note of this black flood dragon. When his strength allowed, he would return to slay the dragon and collect its soul.

The matter with Kong Xin was merely a minor interlude.

Yun Youzi couldn't help but mock himself. His original intention was to avoid complications. Healing spiritual medicine was paramount, and reaching their destination smoothly was all that mattered.

Who would have thought that the guide they hired for security would turn out to be a dangerous person with malicious intentions?

Fortunately, they obtained treasures like the Cold Gold Ore Mother, so it wasn't a wasted trip. After burning the bodies of Kong Xin and the black-robed man, Qin Sang and Yun Youzi restored their states to peak condition and then set off on their journey.

From the Tiger-Winged Eagles' nest to the restriction of the second layer, there were still dozens of miles. The two proceeded cautiously and, without major incident, arrived before the restriction.

Blocking their path was an ethereal light filling the space between heaven and earth. The light stretched across their front, boundless in all directions—up, down, left, and right. It was like a wall of light blocking their way.

The color of the ethereal light changed unpredictably, as if a rainbow had descended from the sky, vibrant and colorful.

The scenery was extremely beautiful, captivating onlookers. Unbeknownst to them, this ethereal light was merely the external manifestation of an ancient restriction. Inside, it was exceedingly dangerous, having claimed the lives of countless cultivators.

It had long been established in the cultivation world that such a vast and boundless ethereal light originated from a single ancient restriction. One could imagine how terrifying its power would be if the restriction were ever triggered.

Fortunately, this ancient restriction was very stable. After countless ages, it had changed little. The paths into the valley discovered in earlier years were still safe now.

Deep within the ethereal light, black cracks shimmered indistinctly, interweaving like cracks formed after glass shatters.

The path to the second layer was hidden within these cracks.

The two surveyed their surroundings, confirmed there was no danger, and revealed themselves.

There were only a few paths that safely passed through the ancient restriction. At other times, there might have been fellow travelers, but now, since Boundless Valley had just settled after a major disturbance, few cultivators were capable of reaching this place. Without others around, there was less trouble.

Yun Youzi compared it with the map, pointed to the thickest crack, and said, “This is it!”