Chapter 689: Seal of Summoned Thunder

The spiritual insect clamped onto the ebony sword with its fangs, gnawing fiercely. Strange, swirling masses of spiritual energy surged from its mouth. With a crunching sound, the sword's light shattered, and the fragments seemed to be absorbed by the insect's fangs.

The ebony sword struggled to break free from the insect's maw. Fortunately, its true form remained unharmed.

"A third-transformation Gu worm?"

Qin Sang was filled with doubt and surprise; this young man was actually from the Witch Tribe. While there were Witch Tribe cultivators on Duyan Island, their numbers were far fewer than human cultivators, especially since the island's master was a human Nascent Soul cultivator. These Witch Tribe cultivators were generally low-key and actively sought good relations with human cultivators. When did they become so openly arrogant? This spiritual insect was called the Soul Devourer, ranking among the top hundred on the Witch Insect List. This person not only possessed inner armor but also a life-bound Gu worm of such high rank! The ebony sword would find it difficult to suppress a third-transformation life-bound Gu worm.

Qin Sang decisively recalled his spiritual sword. He took out the Black Water Mirror from his Qianjun Ring, raised his palm, and the mirror spun out, its surface facing the black-robed youth.

Within the dark mirror's surface, an unfathomably deep space seemed to exist. Amidst deafening waves, the spiritual water sealed within the magic treasure surged forth, condensing into a ferocious black dragon that lunged at the black-robed youth.

At that moment, Qin Sang suddenly noticed a strange expression on the black-robed youth's face. His gaze sharpened, fixating on the youth's right hand, where a silver light flickered in his palm—it appeared to be a spiritual talisman!

The instant he saw the silver light, a sudden and intense premonition of danger gripped Qin Sang.

Seeing that Qin Sang had discovered his actions, the black-robed youth made no further attempt to conceal them. He swung his palm violently towards Qin Sang, letting out a sinister laugh. "Die!"

*Crack!*

A shimmering silver talisman shattered before Qin Sang.

At that moment, a chill ran down Qin Sang's spine, and he felt an overwhelming sense of impending doom.

Above him, where the sky had been clear moments ago, a dark cloud had appeared at some unknown time. It was this cloud that brought Qin Sang an extremely terrifying sensation.

In his horror, Qin Sang didn't even dare to look up. His movements were faster than his thoughts: he flung the Black Water Mirror, which had been aimed at the black-robed youth, upwards. Then, he focused his mind on his dantian and unhesitatingly activated the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman.

*Roar!*

A small dragon-like silhouette suddenly appeared above Qin Sang's head, then swooped down and merged into his body.

The next moment, a crimson barrier appeared around Qin Sang, with a dragon's soul swimming within, displaying extraordinary power. He then transformed into a combined silver and red streak of light, instantly shifting several meters.

The instant Qin Sang vanished, an incredibly thin bolt of lightning descended from the sky. It struck the Black Water Mirror, destroying the magic treasure and piercing through it, then hitting Qin Sang's afterimage, narrowly missing him.

The lightning missed Qin Sang and struck the sea surface.

With an earth-shattering *boom*, the terrifying power within the lightning exploded. The sea surface was blasted into a deep crater nearly thirty meters in diameter, with streaks of silver light scattering like swimming fish.

Only after this force dissipated did the seawater slowly close in.

Witnessing this scene, Qin Sang broke into a cold sweat.

If it hadn't been for the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman and Sword Qi Thunder Sound, and if the Black Water Mirror hadn't bought him that crucial instant... Even a moment's delay in his movements would have meant certain death from that lightning bolt! Qin Sang estimated that even a late-stage Core Formation cultivator struck by it would at least be severely injured.

Qin Sang's face was grim as he stared intently at the black-robed youth, his eyes filled with intense killing intent.

The power of this lightning talisman was terrifying; it could effectively decide the outcome of a battle between Core Formation cultivators. If not for his abundant escape methods, his vigilance, his complete lack of underestimation of the black-robed youth, and his immediate, appropriate reaction to discovering something amiss, he truly would have been defeated by this person.

"The Lightning Edict Talisman couldn't kill you?"

The black-robed youth was utterly astonished, clearly very surprised that Qin Sang possessed such incredible evasion speed, allowing him to dodge even a sure-kill strike.

Then, the black-robed youth saw Qin Sang summon three demonic banners, whose power was clearly extraordinary, and finally, a look of panic appeared on his face.

While Qin Sang was still shaken, the black-robed youth was even more frustrated. This type of Lightning Edict Talisman was a life-saving spiritual talisman given to him by his master. Unexpectedly used, it could even slay late-stage Core Formation masters, yet it had been narrowly dodged. Moreover, the magic treasures Qin Sang had brought out made his heart pound. This person, despite his relatively low cultivation, possessed an astonishing number of treasures. The black-robed youth began to regret provoking such a formidable opponent.

He urgently activated his life-bound Gu worm to charge at Qin Sang, then reached for his mustard seed pouch, seemingly intending to retrieve something else. Unexpectedly, at that moment, he suddenly felt a strong gust of wind assault him from behind.

*Whoosh!*

The Flying Nightshade, which had submerged into the deep sea, finally seized the opportunity to approach stealthily while the black-robed youth was distracted by the Lightning Edict Talisman and Qin Sang. The black-robed youth only caught a glimpse of a black shadow in his peripheral vision. In his shock, he had no time to react before the Flying Nightshade's claw struck his back.

Although protected by inner armor, the terrifying force still penetrated the black-robed youth's body, instantly gravely injuring him. The black-robed youth cried out in agony and was sent flying.

His life-bound Gu worm sensed its master's danger, let out a mournful cry, and turned to fly back for rescue. Unfortunately, Qin Sang was faster, and with the Flying Nightshade, they launched a pincer attack, charging directly at the black-robed youth.

But just then, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly came from afar, indicating someone was rushing over at high speed.

Qin Sang's gaze slightly narrowed. The newcomer was likely the black-robed youth's accomplice. Although there was only one person, judging by the powerful aura of their escape light, their cultivation was at least at the mid-stage Core Formation realm. With his Blood Fiend Divine Light already depleted, Qin Sang could not contend with them. Furthermore, the black-robed youth carried several valuable treasures, indicating he held a high status within the Witch Tribe, so he might not have only one accomplice.

Qin Sang, who had originally intended to use soul-searching torture, immediately ordered the Flying Nightshade to deliver a killing blow.

The gravely injured black-robed youth had almost no power to retaliate. He had just dodged one sword strike when a ghostly claw pierced through the back of his head, killing him instantly. His life-bound Gu worm, whose life was intrinsically linked to his, also perished the moment its master died.

Qin Sang's expression was stern. He put away the Flying Nightshade, then smoothly retrieved the mustard seed pouch from the black-robed youth's waist, as well as the inner armor, which had nearly been destroyed. He then activated a secret talisman and the Sword Qi Thunder Sound, making his swift escape.

Before leaving, he even had enough residual energy to cast a flame, incinerating the black-robed youth's body to destroy all traces.

The direction he chose was not towards Duyan Island, but back the way he came. Something unknown had happened on Duyan Island, and he didn't want to get involved before understanding the situation. Other directions might have accomplices of the black-robed youth, so the safest option was to return to Fuhu Sea Region by the original route.

By the time Qin Sang had killed the black-robed youth, his accomplice was late in arriving.

Witnessing his accomplice's body being incinerated, the person's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He furiously chased Qin Sang, but his escape technique was far inferior to Qin Sang's, and the distance between them grew wider and wider.

Before long, the person completely lost sight of his target.

On the vast ocean, Qin Sang had vanished without a trace.