Chapter 611: Forever Unyielding!

Rain hitting bluestone:

"If you are constrained by so-called chastity and morality, there's no need to be. Those are merely mortal ethics, designed to maintain earthly order. For Nascent Soul cultivators like us, anyone below the Nascent Soul stage is no different from an ant. If we don't casually slaughter cities or destroy nations, we're considered good people. If you can't see through even this, then your cultivation has been for naught."

Dongyang Bo, adept at both threats and enticement, was confident that Chen Yan's unwavering resolve to save her master would ultimately force her to compromise.

At that moment, Chen Yan suddenly met Qin Sang's gaze. It struck her like a bolt of lightning, piercing her heart, and she froze.

What kind of gaze was it?

It seemed to be questioning her.

When you are threatened and plunged into despair, do you accept your fate and compromise, or do you seize every last sliver of opportunity to fight relentlessly and never yield?

The next moment, a blood-red sword light suddenly erupted from the bronze hall. It was brighter than the blood bead in Chen Yan's hand, dazzlingly crimson, yet imbued with a poignant, sorrowful beauty.

Qin Sang, who should have had his entire cultivation sealed and been rendered powerless by a forbidden talisman, was anything but.

A small flying sword actually emerged from his Baihui acupoint, striking directly at the Vajra Bracelet.

The Vajra Bracelet was Dongyang Bo's life-bound magic treasure, constantly by his side and refined day and night. Among high-grade magic treasures, it was a standout.

Compared to the Vajra Bracelet, this sword was so frail, so insignificant.

Yet, the blood light emanating from the flying sword caused even Dongyang Bo's expression to falter!

"Blood-Stain Divine Light!"

To prevent Chen Yan from seizing Qin Sang, Dongyang Bo had used the Vajra Bracelet to seal him off, leaving virtually no space between them. Qin Sang's sudden assault was so swift that even the formidable Dongyang Bo had no time to recall his magic treasure!

The Blood-Stain Divine Light ability could only be used once within the Ziwei Palace.

During the surprise attack on Sin Abyss, Leng Yuntian's magic treasure was severely damaged, which allowed Qin Sang to conserve this Blood-Stain Divine Light. In subsequent battles, he faced either powerful demons or lone wandering spirits.

The Blood-Stain Divine Light had never found its moment, but here, it became Qin Sang's last resort.

Dongyang Bo's forbidden talisman was incredibly potent; Qin Sang's physical body was completely restrained. He had secretly attempted countless times to shake off the talisman's power within him, but to no avail.

However, his primordial spirit was protected by the Jade Buddha, rendering the forbidden talisman ineffective against him. He could still wield the Ebony Sword!

Although his meridians and Qi Sea were sealed, and his spiritual energy restrained, he couldn't even sense his pseudo-core. Yet, the killing talisman on the Ebony Sword was inherently a unique form of dantian, capable of autonomously absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to fuel Qin Sang's sword movements.

Furthermore, his divine sense remained unrestricted.

Qin Sang had, in fact, been patiently waiting for the opportune moment.

According to his original plan, Qin Sang had intended to escape amidst the chaos once Dongyang Bo and Chen Yan began to fight.

However, the moment Dongyang Bo produced the "Stone Bridge Zen," Qin Sang knew he could no longer wait.

Dongyang Bo regarded him as an insignificant ant, and Chen Yan was his sole hope. If she truly accepted the "Stone Bridge Zen" and reached an agreement, he would have no chance of escaping.

He absolutely could not give Chen Yan time to consider; he had to take a gamble.

Qin Sang's final glance at Chen Yan was a silent question: What choice would she make?

*Whoosh!*

The Vajra Bracelet was engulfed in blood-red light.

The Ebony Sword's Blood-Stain Divine Light ability wasn't powerful enough to destroy the Vajra Bracelet, but it still possessed a degree of corrupting power, momentarily impeding Dongyang Bo's control over it.

As it was touched by the Blood-Stain Divine Light, the radiance of the Vajra Bracelet indeed dimmed.

Qin Sang felt the power binding him finally dissipate. His eyes quickly met Chen Yan's for a fleeting moment before he ascended on his sword, rushing out of the bronze hall without a backward glance.

Stunned by Qin Sang's gaze, Chen Yan finally came to her senses.

She hadn't anticipated that Qin Sang would have a way to escape Dongyang Bo's control on his own. However, this didn't guarantee his complete escape; his fate would now be inextricably linked to her decision.

What choice should she make?

Chen Yan had very little time to deliberate, but she didn't hesitate. She raised her phoenix-shaped treasured sword without a second thought and thrust it fiercely toward Dongyang Bo.

In the ancient bronze hall, battle suddenly erupted!

Meanwhile, as Qin Sang rushed out of the hall, he sensed the shift in the situation behind him and felt a wave of relief. Chen Yan had not disappointed him.

Simultaneously, a map suddenly materialized in Qin Sang's mind. It was Chen Yan's guidance, showing him how to escape through the secret passage and retrace his steps.

Qin Sang clenched his fist. His greatest worry had been how to escape from here, and Chen Yan had resolved it for him.

Although he knew Chen Yan's action also served to free herself from the risk of Dongyang Bo's blackmail, Qin Sang still offered her a silent thank you in his heart.

*Whoosh!*

Qin Sang unleashed his Sword Qi Thunder Sound ability, sparing no effort as he flew towards the exit of this level.

He moved with incredible speed, endless black energy streaming rapidly behind him. Just as he was about to reach the exit, Dongyang Bo's exasperated roar suddenly echoed from within the bronze hall: "Kill him! Tear him to shreds!"

Simultaneously, Qin Sang vaguely discerned the figures of Mu Yifeng and the others.

Mu Yifeng, Ji Qing, and Yu Wansen stood there, their faces filled with shock as they watched. Only Qiu Muba was an exception; his vitality was too overdrawn, making recovery difficult, and his aura was feeble.

His heart tightened. Even in the midst of battle, Dongyang Bo hadn't forgotten to kill him, ordering Mu Yifeng and the others to attack!

He was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Qin Sang secretly gritted his teeth and pressed forward relentlessly.

The four exchanged glances. Upon hearing Dongyang Bo's command, they looked at each other, bewildered.

Surprisingly, the first person to attack Qin Sang was Mu Yifeng!

At Dongyang Bo's command, Mu Yifeng's gaze hardened. Without the slightest hesitation, he summoned the Nine Flames Divine Blade, pointing it directly at Qin Sang and taking the lead.

Qin Sang's heart turned cold.

At Shaohua Mountain, Mu Yifeng was one of his closest fellow disciples; he had even saved Mu Yifeng's life.

Yet, Mu Yifeng attacked him without hesitation.

In that instant, the gazes of the two former friends met. Seeing the look in Mu Yifeng's eyes, Qin Sang was suddenly taken aback.

The next moment, the Ebony Sword and the Nine Flames Divine Blade clashed, and to Qin Sang's shock, the Nine Flames Divine Blade shattered inch by inch!

"My magic treasure!"

Mu Yifeng cried out in terror. His divine blade shattered, leaving him completely exposed.

Qin Sang understood.

Mu Yifeng's Nine Flames Divine Blade, which he had kept by his side and refined for a century, was far superior to any other magic artifact. Even the formidable Ebony Sword couldn't have shattered it in a single blow.

Mu Yifeng must have secretly destroyed his most trusted magic artifact, making it appear as though Qin Sang had utterly defeated him.

This artifact, which Mu Yifeng considered more important than his own life and intended to make his life-bound magic treasure after forming his core, was now self-destructed.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Qin Sang and Mu Yifeng could only communicate through their eyes. Mu Yifeng's gaze seemed to be urging him on, bidding farewell, and offering a silent wish.

The Ebony Sword was about to pierce Mu Yifeng's chest. Qin Sang gritted his teeth but didn't hold back, knowing that the more ruthless his strike, the greater Mu Yifeng's chance of survival!

He could not let Mu Yifeng's sacrifice be in vain!

*Thud!*

The Ebony Sword pierced Mu Yifeng's left chest, wounding his heart. However, at the very last moment, Qin Sang imperceptibly shifted his sword qi, preventing it from being immediately fatal.

Mu Yifeng was flung away like a rag doll, coincidentally colliding with Ji Qing.

Ji Qing and Yu Wansen were both startled. Mu Yifeng, surprisingly, hadn't been able to withstand even a single blow from Qin Sang, leaving them shaken and bewildered. Ji Qing fumbled to catch Mu Yifeng, found he was still breathing, and quickly shoved a spiritual pill into his mouth.

Yu Wansen hesitated for a moment. By the time he moved to attack Qin Sang, it was already too late.

The Ebony Sword easily sent Yu Wansen's magic artifact flying. Qin Sang, like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, shot into the exit and vanished from their sight. By the time Yu Wansen and Ji Qing went out to pursue him, they couldn't even see his sword light anymore.

The space within the black tower was vast.

Qin Sang dared not stop for a moment, traversing layer after layer until he finally burst out of the black tower.

He could only trust Chen Yan. After confirming his bearings, he fled without pause.

He navigated through ancient halls and along walls, unsealing them according to Chen Yan's guidance, entering the secret passage. He then traversed the Evil Ghost Path, eventually arriving beneath the small lake.

Here, as expected, one could exit but not enter. Qin Sang leaped upward, breaking through the barrier, and emerged into the small lake.

He swam to the surface, flew out of the small lake, and then raced down towards Tian Mountain.

There were no pursuers along the way; Dongyang Bo was indeed held up by Chen Yan.

When he finally escaped Tian Mountain, Qin Sang's figure briefly paused. He looked back, then suddenly found himself adrift in confusion.

The world was vast, yet he had no idea where to go!

After nearly a century at Shaohua Mountain, he had developed some attachment, but he knew he could never return.

In fact, even the Little Cold Domain was now beyond his reach.

Chen Yan might be able to hold Dongyang Bo back, but Qin Sang didn't believe she could kill him. After all, Chen Yan had only recently broken through to the Nascent Soul stage; if one of them were to perish, it would more likely be her.

The most probable outcome was a mutual compromise and a truce.

Soon, both Chen Yan and Dongyang Bo would exert all their efforts to find him. It would be even more terrifying if Chen Yan decided to cultivate the "Stone Bridge Zen."

Until then, he had no means of concealment. The only person who might be able to help, Old Lady Jing, was nowhere to be found.

With these thoughts racing through his mind, Qin Sang still dared not stop, continuing his frantic flight on his sword.

Arriving before Sword Mark Mountain, Qin Sang cast a glance upwards.

If Yun Youzi had emerged from seclusion, it would have been perfect; he could have sought his advice. But the mountain was calm, and Yun Youzi was nowhere to be seen, likely still recovering from his injuries.

He couldn't afford to wait there.

Qin Sang flew past Sword Mark Mountain, not even daring to leave a mark for Yun Youzi, fearing that it might implicate him.

Finally, Qin Sang landed before a stone cliff, opened a door on the stone wall, and entered the Ancient Sword Path Hall. The ancient teleportation array inside was the only escape method Qin Sang could conceive of.

Back then, Green Bamboo had been hunted by Nascent Soul cultivators and forced to flee far away.

He never thought he would be repeating Green Bamboo's story today.

Qin Sang stood before the ancient teleportation array, his expression changing erratically.

Staying meant certain death.

The other side might be even more perilous, but perhaps there was a path to survival.

He knew what choice to make without needing to think.

Qin Sang took out eight mid-grade spirit stones, employing his old method, and inserted them into the eight corners of the teleportation array. As the ancient array began to glow brilliantly, Qin Sang turned to look out of the Ziwei Palace, towards the direction of the Little Cold Domain.

His expression was complex, his gaze deep.

More than a century of his life had passed, all of it spent in the Little Cold Domain.

Now he suddenly realized he was merely a transient guest, and looking back, a century had already passed!

*Crack!*

A crisp cracking sound interrupted Qin Sang's thoughts. He looked back and saw that one of the spirit stones on the ancient teleportation array was covered in cracks, its spiritual energy nearly depleted. The array glowed brilliantly but remained inactive, as if something was missing.

Qin Sang's expression changed dramatically, and despair welled up in his heart. Had Senior Green Bamboo destroyed the ancient teleportation array on the other side?

Then, Qin Sang suddenly remembered something and hastily retrieved a high-grade spirit stone from his Thousand Jins Ring.

Unsealing it, Qin Sang didn't have time to savor the exceptionally pure spiritual energy of the high-grade stone. He used it to replace the broken one, and the ancient teleportation array indeed underwent a change.

At that moment, yet another mid-grade spirit stone shattered, and the ancient teleportation array ceased functioning once more.

Qin Sang's mouth twitched, a pang of acute distress hitting him. He took out another high-grade spirit stone and placed it, silently praying that this would be the last, as he only had four high-grade spirit stones remaining.

At the same time, Qin Sang was inwardly appalled. The ancient teleportation array in the Shangyuan Qingjing Palace could transport a multitude of people at once and only required eight mid-grade spirit stones.

This ancient teleportation array, however, could only transport one or two people, yet it required high-grade spirit stones, and even one was insufficient.

Where would it lead?

*Buzzing...*

The altar vibrated, and the light from the ancient teleportation array illuminated the hall as brightly as day. An unprecedentedly immense spiritual wave erupted from the array's center.

The teleportation array was activated!

Qin Sang resolutely stepped onto the array. His vision instantly darkened, followed by a terrifying pressure from all directions.

Qin Sang was greatly alarmed. He could only muster the divine sense he had left to resist, but it quickly depleted. Intense pain surged through him, and then he lost consciousness, falling into a deep stupor.

(Volume One: The Mortal Realm — End)

(Volume Two: The Ends of the Earth — To be continued)

(I haven't rested since I decided to write this book. I'll be taking a day off tomorrow [which is now today], pausing updates for one day. I will resume updating on the 25th, and I expect to post a summary of Volume One during the day.)