Chapter 432: Each Flee for Their Lives

Forming a Golden Core wasn't as easy as Cang Ling had described. However, given Patriarch Han's talent and the favor of Golden Core cultivators, his chances of forming a Golden Core were significantly higher than others. Such an opportunity was beyond envy.

As they spoke, they finally flew out of the Scattered Islands waters. Everyone concealed their auras and continued to fly swiftly, skimming the water's surface. Not long after they flew out, everyone suddenly stopped, simultaneously raising their heads to gaze at the distant sky, their expressions varied.

It was noon. The sun shone brightly, and the sky was cloudless. The vast blue sky was spotlessly clear.

Directly to the south, where the water met the sky, an exceptionally conspicuous crimson cloud mass obscured a large part of the heavens. The crimson clouds roiled, as if hiding countless man-eating specters within. Even from such a distance, Qin Sang could faintly feel the terrifying aura emanating from them, and his heart involuntarily trembled. This type of crimson cloud was definitely not naturally formed by the Yun Cang Great Swamp; the battlefield was right there!

"Everyone, be careful," Cang Ling warned. A brilliant glow flashed on Cang Ling's magical robe, then quickly faded, and his aura also retracted to its utmost, perfectly concealed.

Qin Sang secretly formed the hand seals for the Spirit Concealment Art. After a moment's thought, he took out a three-foot long green-edged sword and gripped it in his hand. This spirit sword was the finest he had personally crafted over years of studying sword refinement. It was a top-grade spirit sword infused with Cold Gold, and its quality ranked among the best of high-grade magical artifacts. Despite refining swords countless times, Qin Sang had only ever successfully forged one spirit sword of similar caliber. After years of use, the Cold Gold had been depleted, so Qin Sang named the sword 'Cold Gold' in remembrance.

However, 'Cold Gold' was far inferior to the Ebony Sword, and not merely because the Ebony Sword was a Dharma Treasure. The disparity between them went beyond mere quality. The Ebony Sword was Qin Sang's Natal Spirit Sword! His cultivation technique, the divine abilities it granted, and his Natal Spirit Sword were all one entity, inseparable. The Sword Qi Thunder Sound divine ability, in particular, could only be activated through the Ebony Sword. No matter how high the quality of other spirit swords, when used by Qin Sang, they couldn't unleash the Sword Qi Thunder Sound divine ability and were less powerful than the Ebony Sword. Should he lose the Ebony Sword, Qin Sang's strength would undoubtedly plummet.

Although the Ebony Sword was powerful, it wasn't advisable to use it openly in this situation. The Ebony Sword was Qin Sang's Natal Spirit Sword, cultivated through his mind and spirit. Although he could try to conceal its Dharma Treasure aura for a short time, such a disguise wouldn't last. Especially in battle, if he were to fall into a critical situation and couldn't divide his attention, it would be easy to expose its true nature. Dharma Treasures were precious even to Golden Core cultivators. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator to wield a Dharma Treasure was, in the eyes of Golden Core cultivators, no different from a child parading through the market with gold; who could guarantee they wouldn't be tempted by greed? There were many Golden Core cultivators on the battlefield, and if Qin Sang revealed its presence, it would be impossible to escape their perception. What followed would very likely be an irreversible doom. Therefore, Qin Sang had made up his mind to avoid using the Ebony Sword as much as possible. Even if truly forced to, he would do so only by distancing himself from the battlefield and finding a hidden spot. Alternatively, he would save it as a surprise tactic.

Qin Sang held the Cold Gold Sword in one hand and the Yin-Yang Compass in the other. In chaotic battles, the Yin-Yang Compass could prove remarkably effective. Everyone else also prepared themselves.

Qin Sang leaped forward to catch up with Cang Ling. The three of them, all late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, moved at the forefront, with the others following behind. As they continued flying for some distance, the crimson cloud mass in their view became increasingly distinct. This cloud mass was exceptionally vast, staining almost half the sky. Even the Yun Cang Great Swamp was not spared; its waters were dyed crimson, with monstrous waves surging and an astonishing display of power. The clouds surged, resembling the crimson clouds dyed red by the setting sun as dusk approached. Their view was obstructed by the crimson cloud mass, making it impossible to see who was fighting within, how many people were on the battlefield, or which side held the upper hand. Unaware of the battle's progress, they couldn't make a decision. Everyone felt unsettled and anxious, having already cursed Pei Qin's ancestors a hundred and eighty times in their minds.

Just then, a clear dragon roar suddenly echoed from afar. They saw the crimson cloud mass suddenly split open in the middle, as if cleaved by a sword from within. Immediately, a spectral blue sword light pierced through the crimson cloud mass, darting in and out like a swimming dragon. The sword light was incredibly sharp, carrying the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which transformed into a terrifying hurricane bearing thousands of sharp blades. The crimson cloud mass was heavily damaged by the sword light's cutting, but it was far from dispersing. Judging by its immense power, the source of the sword light was undoubtedly a Dharma Treasure!

Everyone was aghast at the sudden appearance of this sword light. If the crimson cloud mass could contend with a Dharma Treasure, could it also be one? With two Dharma Treasures clashing, they couldn't discern which side had the upper hand, nor did they know which side to root for, as they had no idea who owned these Dharma Treasures. Immediately after, they realized that the true form within the spectral blue sword light didn't seem to be a spirit sword, but rather a needle-shaped Dharma Treasure!

"It's Senior Martial Uncle Fang's Dharma Treasure, the Sky-Evasion Needle!" Qiao Jiang pointed at the sword light, his expression suddenly becoming incredibly excited. "The Sky-Evasion Needle is Senior Martial Uncle Fang's Natal Dharma Treasure; everyone in our Void Spirit Sect knows it! Senior Martial Uncle Fang is fine, everyone, no need to worry!"

Hearing this, everyone's anxious hearts finally calmed down somewhat. It was this Senior Martial Uncle Fang who had sent the cultivator surnamed Liu to the trade fair for help. Everyone had been alarmed by the tragic state of the cultivator surnamed Liu, fearing that Senior Martial Uncle Fang was also severely injured and in critical condition like him. Given the terrifying power displayed by the Sky-Evasion Needle, Senior Martial Uncle Fang's situation appeared to be manageable, unlike their prior assumptions of him being gravely wounded and desperately fleeing for his life. Now, with Pei Qin's aid, the Lesser Cold Domain faction could at least stabilize their position and wouldn't collapse at the first touch.

"Let's go! Get closer and see!" Cang Ling gritted his teeth, quickening his pace. They were still very far from the battlefield, and with the cloud mass still intact, they couldn't see anything clearly, unable to discern what the true battlefield had become.

Qin Sang's brows furrowed slightly. He glanced at Cang Ling's back, hesitated for a moment, then leaped to follow. His vigilance had already risen to its peak. Their speed gradually slowed as they cautiously approached the cloud mass. Unfortunately, they still couldn't see anything, only hearing bursts of whistling spiritual energy from ahead.

Not long after advancing, Qin Sang's expression subtly changed. He suddenly stopped and sharply waved his hand backward. Cang Ling and Fan Zhen, only slightly slower than Qin Sang, also suppressed their escape lights almost simultaneously. All three of their gazes turned to a patch of water before them. They exchanged a look, then moved in unison! To prepare for the imminent battle, they had already practiced their formation with great synergy. Qin Sang and Fan Zhen took positions to the left and right, while Cang Ling swept directly forward, hovering above a section of the water, completely encircling the area.

The others exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what was happening, and remained rooted to the spot, not daring to move. Before the three could fully stabilize their positions, with a 'whoosh,' waves splashed. A dark shadow, like a sharp arrow, darted out of the water with incredible speed, about to break through their encirclement in an instant.