Chapter 507: 除根

Qin Sang and Yun Youzi continued their discussions on the island until nightfall, at which point they each departed to make their preparations.

After agreeing on a meeting time with Yun Youzi, Qin Sang returned to the Sunken Cavern. He saw that the Flying Yaksha's condition still hadn't improved, confirming that he couldn't rely on it for this operation. He refined several more Lesser Yin Magnetic Bottles, almost filling his mustard seed pouch. With a sufficient supply of Earth Fiend Qi, he then set out alone, heading east.

Di Huo Shan. This was the location of the Demonic Flame Sect's mountain gate. Di Huo Shan itself was a low-lying, inconspicuous volcano, hidden deep within a range of towering mountains and ridges. Daoist Jiupao had chosen this location for the mountain gate because Di Huo Shan was rarely visited, minimizing contact with external cultivators and thereby reducing the risk of the Kuiyin Sect's remnants being exposed. Since its establishment, the Demonic Flame Sect had maintained a very low profile, secretly gathering the remaining members of the Kuiyin Sect.

After eliminating Daoist Jiupao, Qin Sang had originally planned to eradicate the entire Demonic Flame Sect. However, the Flying Yaksha was almost destroyed, so after weighing his priorities, he had to bring it back for healing. Subsequently, he focused on preparing for Core Formation, leaving the Demonic Flame Sect unattended until now.

"The Demonic Flame Sect Master and all four Demonic Flame Envoys died by my hand," Qin Sang murmured as he quietly flew through the mountains and forests, sweeping towards the Demonic Flame Sect's mountain gate, "It's been over a year since any high-ranking members appeared. I wonder what the situation is with the Demonic Flame Sect now, and if any disciples are still left." He was unsure if this trip would yield the desired results. With five high-ranking members missing for such a long time, it wouldn't be surprising if the Demonic Flame Sect had fallen into disarray and its members had scattered.

After continuously crossing several mountain ridges, Qin Sang finally saw the Demonic Flame Sect's mountain gate. To the east, north, and west of Di Huo Shan, towering peaks pierced the clouds, standing like solid barriers that protected the volcano. Compared to these three tall peaks, Di Huo Shan appeared very short and sturdy. Faint flashes of firelight emanated from the summit of Di Huo Shan, indicating it was an active volcano, though an eruption wasn't likely in the near future.

Within the Demonic Flame Sect, there were two types of disciples. One type consisted of the former remnants of the Kuiyin Sect; those with higher cultivation would venture out to assist Daoist Jiupao in collecting treasures, while those with lower cultivation lived reclusively, hiding their identities and not daring to leave this sanctuary. The other type were new disciples who joined after the Demonic Flame Sect was established. These newly inducted disciples did not cultivate the inherited demonic arts of the Kuiyin Sect, but rather a different cultivation method found by Daoist Jiupao that harnessed the power of terrestrial fire. They were fortunate, as Daoist Jiupao no longer dared to brazenly refine the Ten Directions Yama Banner, meaning they at least didn't have to worry about becoming sacrifices for a demonic artifact.

Daoist Jiupao's plan was perfect. Once their cultivation reached fruition, they would be able to openly move about outside. By then, Daoist Jiupao would have also seized Ji Wu's body and completely changed his appearance, allowing the Demonic Flame Sect to escape the shadow of the Kuiyin Sect. Unfortunately, all his schemes were thwarted by Qin Sang.

These new disciples, unaware of the sect's true nature and kept in the dark, also possessed low cultivation. Qin Sang wasn't ruthless enough to wipe them all out; he would allow anyone who hadn't committed evil deeds to leave. But the remnants of the Kuiyin Sect had to die! These individuals had stood by and observed the atrocities committed in the Yin Sha Abyss; not one of them was innocent. Only by eradicating them completely, ensuring no possibility of the Kuiyin Sect rising from its ashes, could Qin Sang finally vent his anger and bring solace to those friends harmed by the sect.

Standing on a distant mountaintop, he gazed at Di Huo Shan. With a single glance, he observed that Di Huo Shan was covered in a unique type of spiritual tree. Resembling maples, these trees bore red leaves that stretched in continuous patches, their vibrant color complementing the magma within the volcano. These spiritual trees were an integral part of the Demonic Flame Sect's mountain-protecting formation. This array drew upon the principle of "wood generating fire" from the Five Elements, and with the abundant fire essence from the volcano, its power was formidable.

Among the spiritual trees, wooden huts and dormitories had been built, and faint figures could be seen moving beneath the trees. On the back side of Di Huo Shan, there were several significantly more luxurious great halls. In its early days, Daoist Jiupao had not yet begun significant expansion, so the Demonic Flame Sect did not have many disciples. The Kuiyin Sect remnants were already scarce, and after Qin Sang's hunt, it was estimated that perhaps only a dozen or so remained, though all were Foundation Establishment cultivators of considerable strength. The newly inducted disciples numbered just over two hundred, with very few at the Foundation Establishment stage—a mere fraction compared to Shao Hua Shan.

At this time, Di Huo Shan presented a peaceful scene. The Demonic Flame Sect disciples seemed unaware that their Sect Master and Demonic Flame Envoys were no more; some young disciples were even frolicking in the forest.

"Could Daoist Jiupao have given instructions beforehand?" Qin Sang mused. The more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed. Daoist Jiupao must have made arrangements before his attempt at body possession, otherwise, the disciples wouldn't be so unconcerned. This would simplify matters.

Qin Sang's gaze swept across Di Huo Shan before he quietly circled around it, arriving at a secluded valley behind the three towering peaks. This valley was incredibly cold and gloomy, a stark contrast to the volcano. Deep within the secluded valley, beside a muddy pond, lay a pitch-black cavern from which wisps of Yin Fiend Qi emanated, sealed by a restriction. Unlike Earth Fiend Qi, Yin Fiend Qi was not hard to find; it typically originated in places where living beings were devoured, or in mountains of corpses, seas of bones, and other cold, gloomy, dark locales. The cultivation techniques of the Kuiyin Sect required the aid of Yin Fiend Qi. Although this cavern was not large, and the Yin Fiend Qi within was far less abundant than in the Yin Sha Abyss, it was sufficient to support the cultivation of the Kuiyin Sect remnants.

Qin Sang had a clear grasp of the Kuiyin Sect remnants' strength. Activating the Ten Directions Yama Banner and the Ebony Sword, and already knowing the method to bypass the restrictions from a captured Demonic Flame Envoy, he effortlessly entered the cavern. Upon entering the cavern, Qin Sang discovered three individuals cultivating: one at the late Foundation Establishment stage and two at the middle Foundation Establishment stage, each occupying a distinct area. Qin Sang headed straight for the one at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

The cavern was pitch black. Qin Sang concealed himself within the Yin Fiend Qi and approached silently, quickly locating the man. He was cultivating on a black stone, surrounded by warning restrictions and a protective spiritual array formed by several small flags. Qin Sang's figure halted. He opened his palm, and the Ten Directions Yama Formation silently drifted out, immediately followed by a surging wave of ghostly flames.

*Whoosh!* With a tearing sound, the protective spiritual array around the man was instantly breached by the ghostly flames, sending the formation flags scattering, broken and splintered. The man awoke with a start, aghast. A dazzling sword light, accompanied by faint thunder, flashed before his eyes like an illusion or lightning. Before he could react, he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen as the Ebony Sword pierced through his body, critically damaging his Dantian. Terrifying sword qi rampaged through his Qi Sea, and his spiritual energy rapidly drained away.

"Ah..." A dark figure suddenly materialized behind him, grabbing his neck and stifling his scream. Qin Sang held him by the neck, effortlessly capturing him alive. Without pausing, he dropped his concealment and lunged directly towards the other two.

"Who's there?"

"Senior Brother Luo, what happened...?"

Although these two had been alerted, their strength was vastly inferior. Qin Sang didn't even need to use the Ebony Sword to easily subdue them. He captured all three alive with minimal effort. As expected, they were all remnants of the Kuiyin Sect.