Chapter 531: Sealing the Mountain

Gangyu is exceptionally peculiar. When undisturbed, its texture is exceptionally hard. The piece of Gangyu Qin Sang had chosen at the time was originally the size of a baby. It only shattered after Qin Sang had absorbed nearly all of its Gang Qi. However, once removed from Shengang Peak, it cannot exist and immediately disintegrates. Nonetheless, bringing those pieces of Gangyu down from Shengang Peak while ensuring his own safety would likely be difficult.

The stability of the Ancestor Sacred Flame is linked to the Gangyu. And the Ancestor Sacred Flame itself is also a protector of the Gangyu.

Qin Sang secretly activated his True Essence. His figure flickered and vanished. He found that his speed had also drastically increased, now comparable to that of a true Core Formation cultivator. With a thought, the Ebony Sword flew out from between his eyebrows, quietly appearing before him. Since True Essence was now his own power, it had no adverse effect on using the Ebony Sword. As Qin Sang willed it, the Ebony Sword flashed with sword light, appearing and disappearing, circling his body in an instant, and then swiftly returning to its original position, as if it hadn't moved at all.

Next, Qin Sang extended his right hand. The Ebony Sword flickered and flew into Qin Sang's palm, then transformed into a streak of sword light. Like a swimming fish, it danced nimbly around Qin Sang's fingertips. A slight smile tugged at the corners of Qin Sang's mouth, revealing a satisfied expression.

The Ebony Sword was his Natal Magic Weapon. In the Nascent Core stage, although he could use it, it would still place a significant burden on him, and he couldn't unleash its true power. Now, it was different. He could effortlessly wield the Ebony Sword to perform various sword arts, without the slightest difficulty!

Unfortunately, he couldn't use the Sword Qi Thunder Sound divine ability. Otherwise, what would he have to fear from mere early-stage Core Formation opponents? They wouldn't be able to catch him at all!

Oh, right. There was also the Ten Directions Yama Banner. Qin Sang pondered to himself. The Ebony Sword's greatest value now was the Blood-Filth Divine Light ability inherent to the spirit sword, which could unexpectedly cause great trouble for his opponents. But to engage in a head-on battle with that Golden Core cultivator, he would still need the Ten Directions Yama Banner.

The Azure Sun Demonic Sect's Azure Sun Demonic Flame was quite potent. It would likely be difficult for the Ebony Sword to make headway against a Golden Core-level demonic flame. However, the Ten Directions Yama Banner contained the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, which was also an exotic flame, perfectly suited to counter it. In any case, with his current green face and tusks, he reckoned that no matter how sharp the Golden Core cultivator's eyes were, he wouldn't be able to discern his true identity. Furthermore, he now possessed Golden Core-level strength. He was not the same as before. He could openly use the Ten Directions Yama Banner without fear of inviting future troubles.

However, the Ten Directions Yama Banner was buried outside the Azure Sun Demonic Sect. First, he needed to be able to get out. Qin Sang flicked his finger, retrieving the Ebony Sword. He took out a Void Sky Thunder from his embrace. Just as he was about to activate his movement technique and return to the inner sect of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect, he wondered what the situation was like in the inner sect of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect now.

He had not flown far when Qin Sang suddenly felt something. He sharply turned his head and saw that at the gate of the Azure Sun Demonic Sect, white clouds suddenly billowed, then parted to either side. Soon, the stone tablet was exposed to Qin Sang's view. Seeing the six Foundation Establishment cultivators sitting cross-legged around the stone tablet, Qin Sang realized the formation's eye was located there. At the same time, he cursed inwardly, "These six people are remarkably composed! Something was amiss with Shengang Peak, yet they still sat there, undisturbed. If they had been drawn away by Shengang Peak, he would have escaped long ago!"

Qin Sang didn't know that there were originally eight people here. They actually knew about the anomaly at Shengang Peak. After two fellow disciples entered the mountain and went missing, two people rushed back to rescue them and soon sent back a message. Now, the Azure Sun Demonic Sect was in utter chaos. Those two remained on Shengang Peak, comforting the other disciples. The others knew they lacked the ability to resolve the issue or rescue their fellow disciples. The Shengang Peak anomaly had not yet reached an uncontrollable stage. They deeply understood that the more critical the situation, the more they needed to remain calm. After deliberation, they decided to obey Martial Uncle Wu's orders before his departure: to steadily guard the sect gate and relay the message to Martial Uncle Wu as quickly as possible, asking him to return and take charge of the situation.

The sect gate swung open. Qin Sang saw the six Foundation Establishment cultivators stand up in unison, forming a line, and bowing towards the outside of the gate. Immediately after, a rainbow light shot from the distant horizon, radiant as a shooting star! It was that Golden Core cultivator! Qin Sang's eyes narrowed sharply. He hadn't expected the person to return so quickly. His expression shifted. Suddenly, his figure flickered, and he vanished into the forest. Then, he fully suppressed his aura and slowly approached the sect gate.

"Disciples greet Martial Uncle Wu!"

The Golden Core cultivator did not use the stone steps. The rainbow light flew directly to the sect gate. The others dared not comment; instead, they respectfully bowed.

"What happened?"

Before the rainbow light even arrived, an angry, questioning voice boomed out, deafening, and echoing through the mountains. The next moment, the rainbow light landed in front of the six individuals and swiftly dissipated, revealing a cultivator surnamed Wu, his face flushed with anger.

As the saying goes, "environment shapes temperament, and cultivation alters the physique." For Core Formation cultivators, even if their physical appearance was not appealing, or they didn't care about their looks and didn't seek secret methods to improve their appearance, their inherent aura was enough to make people overlook everything else. Of course, there were exceptions, such as changes caused by cultivation techniques that affected one's temperament. This was most common among demonic and evil cultivators.

This person was named Wu Youdao. He was introduced to the Azure Sun Demonic Sect by his master in his youth. His talent was not considered top-tier among his peers, yet he was the only one who successfully reached Core Formation, becoming the Azure Sun Demonic Sect's fourth Core Formation expert. Others with even greater talent than him were either struggling in the Nascent Core stage or had gone out for trials to seek opportunities, but gradually vanished without a trace.

Given Wu Youdao's composure, he wouldn't normally display his anger openly. However, he currently felt an urge to curse aloud. This was the first time since reaching Core Formation that he had been left to guard the sect gate alone. He had been cultivating peacefully in his cave abode. First, an unexpected beast tide erupted in Boundless Valley, affecting several promising disciples, forcing him to leave the sect to rescue them. The Azure Sun Demonic Sect was not like those large, well-established sects with vast resources; every disciple with potential for Core Formation had to be cherished. Unexpectedly, soon after he arrived at Boundless Valley, he received news of the Ancestor Sacred Flame's anomaly!

Wu Youdao was constantly rushing about, feeling overwhelmed. He felt as if fate was conspiring against him, and now he was displeased with everyone.

The six individuals also saw Wu Youdao's towering rage, fearing they might become targets for his frustration. They nervously reported, "Reporting to Martial Uncle Wu, we eight disciples obeyed your orders to seal the sect gate. The Ancestor Sacred Flame suddenly displayed an anomaly. Junior Martial Brothers Dong and Zhu went up the mountain to investigate, but for some unknown reason, they became trapped by the Ancestor Sacred Flame. Fortunately, the Ancestor Sacred Flame's core remains stable. Two other junior martial brothers are currently calming the other disciples. The exact cause of the anomaly is still unknown..."

"When I left, everything on Shengang Peak was clearly normal," Wu Youdao snorted coldly. "I'll go see what's going on..." He flicked his long sleeve and was about to fly back to the inner sect when he suddenly remembered something. He said coldly, "Once Li Qing returns, do not spare spirit stones, and immediately seal the mountain until the Sect Master returns! This is a turbulent time. I don't have the energy to keep going out to rescue people repeatedly, do you understand?"

The six exchanged glances and chorused, "As you command, Martial Uncle!"