Chapter 682: Hunting the Dragon

According to the old couple, danger was ubiquitous after leaving Duyang Island.

Deep within the Demon Sea, besides the ever-present danger of demon beasts, they also had to be wary of unfamiliar cultivators. In such a chaotic place, it would be no surprise for anyone to transform into a murderous fiend intent on plundering treasures.

The old couple had spent decades in the Demon Sea, encountering similar dangers more than once, always managing to evade them with their sharp vigilance.

They had recruited the other three, forming this demon-hunting team, and it was only after many shared trials that they had built mutual trust.

The old couple also spoke frankly with Qin Sang, admitting that under normal circumstances, they wouldn't accept employment from an unfamiliar Core Formation cultivator. However, with the guarantee from Qiongyu Merchant Association and Ran Luo, coupled with the extremely generous compensation offered by Qin Sang and the association, they decided to take the job.

After several days of continuous travel, they moved further and further away from Duyang Island.

Qin Sang clearly felt that once they left the range of Duyang Island's patrolling cultivators, all immortal cultivators became increasingly cautious.

Later on, when cultivators unexpectedly encountered each other, they would spot one another from a great distance. Without knowing the other party's strength, they would immediately and tacitly give a wide berth, avoiding any conflict and never approaching rashly.

This seemed to be an unwritten rule in the Demon Sea.

As expected, the old couple was very familiar with the area. They encountered no powerful demon beasts on their chosen route, and after more than ten days of uneventful travel, they finally reached their designated location.

"The sea trench is just ahead."

They landed on a deserted island, carefully concealing themselves. The old couple pointed ahead and spoke to Qin Sang.

Whether it was psychological or not, Qin Sang felt that the color of the sea ahead was deeper than elsewhere, and countless dangers lurked beneath the seabed.

"Daoist priest, the lair of the peak-level demon spirit Azure Flood Dragon we previously discovered is a three-day journey east from here. Barring any surprises, it should still be there. Should we head over now?"

The old woman softly sought Qin Sang's opinion.

Qin Sang stood with his hands behind his back, glancing sideways at the old woman. He asked, "Since you knew the location of the Azure Flood Dragon's lair so long ago, why haven't you hunted it down? With the strength of you five, hunting a peak-level demon spirit Azure Flood Dragon shouldn't be difficult, should it?"

The old woman replied, "Under normal circumstances, hunting this flood dragon wouldn't be difficult. However, firstly, there's more than one Azure Flood Dragon in the lair; while the others aren't as highly cultivated, their strength is still not to be underestimated. Secondly, there are countless demon beasts in the Demon Sea, especially in the depths of the sea trench. If we can't quickly kill the Azure Flood Dragon and withdraw, we could easily attract other demon beasts. If we were surrounded by demon beasts, our chances of survival would be slim. Among the five of us, we haven't truly hunted many peak-level demon spirit great demons. We only dare to act after making thorough preparations each time."

Qin Sang acknowledged, "Since you say it's so dangerous, it seems I cannot be overconfident. When hunting the flood dragons, it would be best to have someone on outer perimeter watch, monitoring the movements in the surrounding sea. Among you, who is skilled in investigative techniques?"

The old couple exchanged glances.

The old man spoke up, "Reporting, Daoist priest, my wife and Sister Wang both possess several methods to detect the movements of demon beasts in advance."

"Very well," Qin Sang nodded. "Once we encounter the flood dragon group, have the two of them keep watch outside, and the three of you will follow me to hunt the dragons. I will handle the peak-level demon spirit Azure Flood Dragon, and you three will deal with the smaller ones. After hunting the flood dragons, the spoils of war will be distributed as agreed: all the smaller flood dragons will be yours, except for the Azure Flood Dragon leader."

The old couple and the other three showed expressions of delight and immediately assented.

With Qin Sang handling the Azure Flood Dragon leader, the smaller flood dragons would be much easier to deal with. The value of a flood dragon's body was extremely high, meaning they would make a significant fortune.

After the discussion concluded, they immediately set off.

Upon entering the sea trench, Qin Sang also abandoned his relaxed demeanor, actively releasing his divine sense to investigate movements in the surrounding sea.

On the evening of the third day, six figures appeared in a desolate expanse of sea. The water here was unusually calm, showing no signs of flood dragon activity.

"This is the place. These flood dragons leave the sea trench every full moon night, coming out in groups to stir up trouble. That's the perfect time to hunt them."

The old man whispered, then arced around, leading everyone to a small reef island where they concealed themselves.

Qin Sang calculated with his fingers; the full moon night was two days away, so he had no choice but to wait patiently.

Unbeknownst to them, two days swiftly passed.

As night fell, a brilliant full moon hung diagonally in the sky, shining like a silver disc, its cool moonlight resembling water. A moon also appeared in the seawater, swaying with the waves.

With the full moon appearing, the sea surface remained exceptionally calm.

All six individuals on the reef island held their breath, their eyes wide open, not missing the slightest change on the sea surface.

As time passed, night deepened quickly, and the bright moon ascended to its zenith, yet still no sign of the flood dragons.

Just then, the old man suddenly let out a low cry.

"They're here!"

Qin Sang followed the old man's gaze. On the sea surface at the edge, a faint mist had risen at some point. At first glance, it appeared to be just condensed sea spray.

In the vast sea, similar scenes were common, but this time was clearly out of the ordinary.

"Every time these Azure Flood Dragons appear, they generate clouds and spew mist, concealing their true forms within the watery vapor..."

As he listened to the old man's telepathic message, Qin Sang observed the mist slowly moving across the vast expanse of water. It grew larger and larger, enveloping a significant area of the sea within dozens of breaths.

Simultaneously, slender figures began to appear faintly within the mist.

The flood dragons had appeared!

Qin Sang quietly left the reef island and moved towards the mist. After reaching a certain distance from it, he stopped. The group of Azure Flood Dragons seemed completely unaware of the approaching danger, frolicking merrily within the mist.

After observing for a moment, Qin Sang confirmed that the intelligence was accurate: the most cultivated among this group of Azure Flood Dragons was merely at the peak of the demon spirit stage. He immediately decided to act!

*Swish!*

The ebony sword flew out from between Qin Sang's eyebrows, and its sword qi instantly surged.

Without a moment's pause, the ebony sword unleashed an exceedingly brilliant sword light, slashing fiercely down towards the center of the mist.

The five people on the reef island saw the sword light and immediately flew out.

"You two split up and guard the flanks, the rest of you follow me in to hunt the dragons!"

The old man quickly assigned roles. Before his words had even faded, Qin Sang was seen charging boldly into the mist with his sword, and roars of flood dragons rose and fell within the mist.

"Quickly!"

The old man, in great urgency, used all his abilities and rushed towards the mist.

The three of them, each employing their own methods, successively charged into the mist. They found the Azure Flood Dragons in disarray within the mist and hastily formed a battle array to begin hunting. They then saw a figure standing mid-air at the center of the mist, with a large hand formed from true essence, tightly gripping an Azure Flood Dragon before him.

The Azure Flood Dragon was covered in blood, already on its last breath, held firmly by the large hand, completely powerless to resist!