Chapter 439: Light Band

Deputy Island Master Xiao flickered away.

At that moment, streaks of escape light flew over their heads, following Deputy Island Master Xiao southward.

Qin Sang keenly sensed that some people's gazes held a sense of shared predicament, indicating that quite a few had been forcibly conscripted by Deputy Island Master Xiao.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Mu!"

Someone flew out of the group on their sword and landed before them.

"Junior Brother Zhan!"

Mu Yifeng recognized the person and introduced them to each other.

It turned out to be a fellow disciple.

"Junior Brother Qin, this is Junior Brother Zhan Yi. He is Uncle-Master Che's personal disciple and is highly valued by him, working with him on Stargazing Island. These are Junior Brother Qin Sang, Junior Brother Xie, and Junior Brother Mao... Junior Brother Zhan, is Uncle-Master Che not here?"

Zhan Yi shook his head, saying, "My master is in the east, also gathering people, just like Senior Xiao. The incident happened so suddenly that there aren't enough hands on the island, so we can only conscript itinerant disciples from various sects on the spot."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang sighed inwardly. It seemed there was truly no escape; no matter which direction he went, he couldn't get away.

Mu Yifeng hesitated, saying, "Junior Brother Qin was ordered by Uncle-Master Qi Yuanshou to guard the sect's medicinal garden here. He has a mission and urgently needs to return to the sect to report. I wonder if any accommodation can be made?"

With an apologetic look, Zhan Yi glanced at Qin Sang and sighed softly, "I'm afraid not. The Island Master personally issued the conscription order, and no one is allowed to defy it. Even if Uncle-Master Qi came himself, he probably wouldn't be able to get away once intercepted. Senior Brother Mu, however, just returned from the battlefield and hasn't fully recovered from his severe injuries, so an exception can be made for you to return to Stargazing Island to recuperate. Senior Brother Qin and the others, however, must go..."

"This..."

"Never mind!"

Qin Sang shook his head, stopping Mu Yifeng from continuing his plea. "Don't make things difficult for Junior Brother Zhan. We'll go this once. The other junior brothers I'll entrust to Senior Brother Mu."

Mu Yifeng, having exhausted all his options, could only say, "The battlefield is chaotic, not like ordinary duels. Junior Brother Qin, you must not be careless. Communicate more with Junior Brother Zhan when anything happens."

Zhan Yi cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brothers, rest assured. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not hesitate to help. Moreover, the main purpose of this trip is to rescue Senior Fang and others; a major battle might not actually occur. The Island Master has already rushed there personally, and my master and the others are just taking precautions. There's no need to worry too much."

Mu Yifeng returned to Stargazing Island with the Qi Condensation stage disciples, while Qin Sang and the other two had no choice but to obey the order and follow Deputy Island Master Xiao southward.

On the way, Qin Sang inquired with Zhan Yi to clarify Deputy Island Master Xiao's identity.

This person was not from any of the major sects but was a disciple of the Yinshan Pass City Lord. His cultivation level was astonishing, at the late Core Formation stage, and his status on Stargazing Island was very high, second only to the Island Master!

Qin Sang secretly thought, "No wonder." Facing Deputy Island Master Xiao, he couldn't even conjure a thought of resistance. The pressure emanating from this person was more terrifying than any Core Formation stage cultivator he had ever encountered.

Just now, Deputy Island Master Xiao had casually conjured a water dragon, easily breaking through the Nether Mist Cloud and confining everyone.

They were utterly defenseless!

If every Core Formation stage cultivator was this terrifying, Qin Sang would never again dare to have any designs on that Kuiyin Sect Core Formation cultivator.

So he was a late Core Formation stage master.

Thankfully! Thankfully!

Qin Sang felt immensely relieved. He then turned to Zhan Yi to inquire about the changes in the situation.

Unfortunately, Zhan Yi knew very little as well.

They sped along, and more and more people were conscripted; no Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was spared.

The group gradually grew, and they encountered two more fellow disciples from Shaohua Mountain.

Under these circumstances, the bond among fellow disciples came into play. The few of them gathered together and also allied with fellow cultivators from the Taiyi Pill Sect and the Shangyuan Pure Palace.

The others were similar to Qin Sang and his companions, seeking assistance and helping each other.

After a long detour, they returned to the Chaotic Islands Water Domain.

Qin Sang smiled bitterly to himself.

By this time, the Chaotic Islands Water Domain was no longer desolate. Over a hundred Foundation Establishment stage cultivators had gathered there, grouping together in twos and threes, each occupying a small island, none able to calm down and cultivate in peace.

As they arrived, dozens of escape lights also flew in from the east.

When the two groups met, Qin Sang saw that the leader had a Gourd of Mortal Dust hanging from his waist; it was none other than the long-unseen Uncle-Master Che Yutao.

After many years, Che Yutao still gave Qin Sang the same profound feeling.

With a difference of one cultivation stage, such a significant gap meant that unless Che Yutao actively revealed it, Qin Sang couldn't possibly discern his true cultivation level.

"You are to await orders here!"

Deputy Island Master Cai's voice echoed in his ears. Qin Sang realized that Deputy Island Master Cai was already gone. When he turned to look at Che Yutao again, he too had vanished at some point.

Knowing that they had already rushed to the front lines, Qin Sang prayed inwardly, hoping that the Heaven-Treading Alliance would be sensible enough to stop short of full-scale conflict.

Gathering with his fellow disciples, he landed on a small island.

Qin Sang rarely stayed within the sect and barely knew anyone. After being introduced by Zhan Yi and getting acquainted, they began to discuss how to form a formation to eliminate enemies once the situation escalated.

Nine fellow disciples from Shaohua Mountain were affected this time, including a pseudo-Core Formation stage master named Teng Zhaogang.

With Teng Zhaogang present, Xie Ying and the others, who had been restless with anxiety, finally found their pillar of support.

Qin Sang was also glad that someone was taking the lead. He immediately decided to follow Teng Zhaogang's command in everything.

However, he was secretly pondering a strategy for survival.

Once the battle began, if the Heaven-Treading Alliance seemed weak, he could rely on his elusive Ebony Sword to ambush enemies, which should earn him considerable merit.

He only needed to seize the right moment, land a successful strike, and then retract the Ebony Sword.

If his side was overwhelmed, he would act discreetly and seek an opportunity to escape.

He had always been training outside, possessed rich combat experience, and was quite confident in his ability to assess situations. As long as he remembered not to be greedy for glory or overly eager to fight, he likely wouldn't face a life-threatening danger.

What he feared most was an all-out melee, being caught in the crossfire of Core Formation stage cultivators.

Should that indeed happen, there would be no need to overthink it; he would simply flee for his life.

Being in the Chaotic Islands Water Domain, they couldn't see the battlefield, nor did they know when the battles between Core Formation stage masters would conclude or what the final outcome would be. Everyone could only wait with burning anxiety.

Under these circumstances, Qin Sang surprisingly sat cross-legged on the ground, entering a meditative state to cultivate, adjusting his condition to its peak to prepare for any changes.

Time passed slowly, and before they knew it, night had fallen.

A crescent moon hung high, and the stellar river sparkled.

The surroundings remained peaceful, with only the undulating waves beneath the starry sky, shimmering with specks of starlight, reflecting the unease in everyone's hearts.

Suddenly, a sharp ripping sound tore through the long night, echoing from far ahead.

Instantly, the Chaotic Islands Water Domain erupted in an uproar.

"They're here!"

"Form the formation!"

Someone shouted.

On island after island, streaks of escape light eagerly flared up. Qin Sang abruptly opened his eyes, clutching the Cold Gold Sword and the Yin-Yang Compass tightly in his hands.

Following the agreed-upon formation, he swiftly moved to Teng Zhaogang's side, joining Zhan Yi to serve as Teng Zhaogang's left and right flanks.

At the same time, fellow cultivators from the Taiyi Pill Sect and the Shangyuan Pure Palace also converged towards their position.

Everyone's nerves instantly tensed.

Above this expanse of desolate islands, a band of light as brilliant as the stellar river illuminated the sky.