Chapter 395: Defeat

Qin Sang, though not yet at the Pseudo-Core stage of cultivation, had a general understanding of it through the sect's cherished ancient texts and exchanges with fellow disciples. This was one of the advantages of being a sect disciple.

Among cultivators at the same level, there could be differences in strength, but apart from external aids, focusing solely on cultivation, there wouldn't be a world of difference.

After learning about the artifact's consumption, Qin Sang could somewhat guess Yu Hua's current state, and a daring plan immediately sparked in his mind.

"Retrieve!"

Qin Sang controlled his artifact, withdrew the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, reeled in the Ten Directions Yama Array, summoned the Five Elements Spell-Breaking Sword, stood up, walked to the edge of the darkness, took a deep breath, stepped into the darkness, and returned to the side chamber!

The Flying Yaksha feared the Nine Nether Demonic Flame and was suppressed by Yu Hua's use of the artifact's power, preventing it from unleashing its full strength. Yu Hua surely wouldn't expect him to dare return now!

Qin Sang mentally calculated the time. After a dizzying sensation, the barrier appeared before him.

At this moment, the scene in the side chamber surprised Qin Sang. Yu Hua, by some unknown means, had used the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to conjure a colossal fiery cage, trapping the Flying Yaksha within. Inside the fire cage, the Flying Yaksha's escape techniques seemed to be ineffective. The Flying Yaksha's fear of the Nine Nether Demonic Flame surpassed Qin Sang's imagination; it roared frantically within the cage, yet dared not cross the boundary!

However, Yu Hua's cost was not light. His right arm was severed at the elbow, and judging by the wound, it wasn't torn off by the Flying Yaksha but cut by a sharp weapon. It could be inferred that Yu Hua was likely injured by the Flying Yaksha, and with cadaveric poison entering his body, he was forced to sever his own arm. Additionally, Yu Hua's breathing was very rapid, indicating significant exertion. He was currently standing before the barrier, racing against time to break the restriction. The restriction was almost open.

Qin Sang appeared!

Separated by the barrier, their eyes met.

"You dare to come back?"

Yu Hua hadn't expected Qin Sang to actually return, and a hint of surprise, along with a trace of wariness, flickered in his eyes.

A crazed, grim smile appeared on Qin Sang's face as he suddenly activated the Five Elements Spell-Breaking Sword. This barrier, like the ice wall opposite, was primarily defensive against outsiders. It seemed the person who left the restriction intended to prevent any beasts that accidentally wandered in from damaging the core teleportation array. Opening it from the inside was never difficult, especially since Yu Hua had already partially broken it. With Yu Hua's efforts, the Five Elements Spirit Sword easily breached the barrier.

Yu Hua was surprised, his first reaction being to retreat. However, Qin Sang decisively abandoned the Five Elements Spell-Breaking Sword, waved his arm, and the Ten Directions Yama Array, hidden behind him, appeared. The main soul let out a long howl, black demonic flames surged, forming a long arrow that shot out.

Yu Hua's pupils suddenly dilated, his face filled with horror. "Nine Nether Demonic Flame! You..."

*Whoosh!*

The swiftly approaching Nine Nether Demonic Flame forced the rest of his words back. Yu Hua was greatly alarmed and retreated rapidly, but Qin Sang's movement was too fast. He was too close to the barrier and had no room to maneuver. Seeing the Nine Nether Demonic Flame rapidly enlarging in his vision, Yu Hua was desperately anxious and only managed to throw out a jade bracelet-shaped artifact he held in his hand. The jade bracelet was an artifact of excellent quality, kept by Yu Hua as a precaution against unforeseen incidents while breaking the restriction—a cautious move. However, against the power of an artifact, this one seemed too weak.

*Crack!*

The jade bracelet was easily shattered by the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, but it fulfilled its mission, buying Yu Hua a moment of respite. Yu Hua retreated awkwardly. At this point, he couldn't think of any other way to escape his predicament except by using his artifact, recalling the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to counter Qin Sang. But if he recalled the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to solve the immediate crisis, what would happen to the Flying Yaksha? Yu Hua didn't know.

Qin Sang knew the principle of finishing what one starts and pressed forward relentlessly, leaving Yu Hua no room to think further. He could only improvise. Yu Hua prayed inwardly that the Flying Yaksha had no consciousness, wasn't Qin Sang's Corpse Refinement, and wouldn't distinguish between friend and foe...

*Boom!*

Two masses of demonic fire collided. Qin Sang's whole body shook violently, but he gritted his teeth and held on. The scene Yu Hua most anticipated didn't occur; the Flying Yaksha seemed to have no one in its eyes but him, staring fixedly. It was as if he was the only living person in the side chamber!

"Why!"

Yu Hua roared unwillingly, frantically urging his artifact to force Qin Sang back, while precariously manipulating his demonic flame to block the Flying Yaksha's sneak attack, attempting to escape. Unexpectedly, a figure flashed before him, and Qin Sang had already blocked the path out of the side chamber before him. Yu Hua coveted the Nine Illusory Heavenly Orchid and wouldn't let Qin Sang go. Qin Sang, too, thought of nothing but killing Yu Hua! If there was no opportunity, then escaping was paramount. But if there was a possibility, he had to seize it firmly. Letting Yu Hua go and allowing him to cause trouble would not only expose his identity but also negate decades of his efforts in the Little Cold Domain and at Shaohua Mountain. He might even be forced to flee the Little Cold Domain. Qin Sang didn't want to experience the feeling of constantly being targeted by a devil much stronger than himself. Therefore, when Qin Sang saw that he couldn't ambush and kill Yu Hua, he immediately changed his strategy, choosing to block the entrance to the side chamber, trapping him like a turtle in a jar!

The Flying Yaksha was the most reliable ally. Except for the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, it feared nothing. Qin Sang had no worries about it betraying him. One person, one corpse—or rather, two "living corpses"—cooperated seamlessly. With Qin Sang pinning down the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, the Flying Yaksha could finally unleash the power of a Golden Core-level Corpse Refinement, attacking like thunder, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. Without his artifact, even a full-strength Yu Hua would not be a match for the Flying Yaksha, let alone Yu Hua, who was already greatly exhausted. Within a few breaths, the signs of defeat became apparent. Yu Hua tried to escape but was forced back by Qin Sang and the Flying Yaksha.

"You deserve to die!"

Yu Hua's eyes were bloodshot, and he harbored deep hatred for Qin Sang. With death beckoning, Yu Hua no longer had any thoughts of acquiring the Nine Illusory Heavenly Orchid; saving his life was the top priority. Yu Hua no longer hesitated and decided to awaken the Heart-Eating Worm Gu. But then, an expression of horror appeared on Yu Hua's face. "You..."

"Before, I was just pretending."

Qin Sang stood safely in place, revealing his pale teeth, and smiled at Yu Hua. In Yu Hua's eyes, it was like a demon's smile. Startled by Qin Sang's smile, Yu Hua inadvertently exposed a weakness and was struck in the chest by the Flying Yaksha's punch, screaming as he flew backward. Yu Hua struggled in his death throes, urgently recalling the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to force back the pursuing Flying Yaksha.

This opportunity could not be missed!

Qin Sang was decisive, immediately overdrawing all the spiritual power in his body, leaving not a single drop in his Qi Sea, and doing his utmost to urge the Nine Nether Demonic Flame towards Yu Hua. Yu Hua wanted to recall the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to block Qin Sang's sneak attack, but for a moment, he couldn't form an effective offense. Qin Sang seized the opportunity and broke through in one go!

"Ah!"

This demonic flame primarily burned the soul. Yu Hua had not yet sustained physical injuries, but he had already let out an earth-shattering scream, and the aura of his nascent spirit rapidly decayed. Qin Sang's eyes lit up, and he suddenly redirected the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to block the Flying Yaksha.