Chapter 693: Second Transformation

Ahead is Siming Island. If all goes well, after bypassing Siming Island, we should reach Huntian Island in just over two months!

Originally, the boat trip wouldn't take this long, but Qin Sang took many detours. Along the way, he indeed witnessed several skirmishes on the route, which he avoided each time, prioritizing his journey.

Of course, he also encountered attacks from powerful demons. He killed them when possible, and if not, he activated the Nine Dragon Sky Chariot Talisman to escape.

The reason he stopped here was twofold: first, Qin Sang was physically and mentally exhausted and planned to rest for a few days; second, after consuming countless spirit medicines, the Celestial Eye Butterfly had finally reached the peak of its first transformation and was ready to undergo metamorphosis!

A flash of light appeared in his dantian, and the Celestial Eye Butterfly flew out, flapping its wings. It circled Qin Sang before landing on his shoulder, conveying a sense of intimacy.

The blue light on the Celestial Eye Butterfly's wings shone even brighter, and its patterns became more beautiful.

Qin Sang smiled slightly, turned his palm, and took out the Blazing Fire Gold.

Catching a whiff of the Blazing Fire Gold, the Celestial Eye Butterfly suddenly flew up, darting to Qin Sang's hand and hovering back and forth above the jade bottle, eager to consume it.

Since it could aid the Celestial Eye Butterfly's metamorphosis, Qin Sang naturally wasn't stingy. He opened the jade bottle and poured a drop of Blazing Fire Gold into his palm.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly immediately fluttered down joyfully and began to consume it bit by bit.

The Blazing Fire Gold visibly diminished as the Celestial Eye Butterfly swallowed it. Still reluctant to leave, the butterfly prompted Qin Sang to pour out another drop.

He recalled that the Old Man Dique had fed a single drop of Blazing Fire Gold to two Fire Jade Centipedes, and both spirit insects began their metamorphosis. It seemed the Celestial Eye Butterfly was far more gluttonous than they were.

Perhaps it also had something to do with their inherent nature.

Before acquiring the Blazing Fire Gold, the Fire Jade Centipedes had reached the peak of their first transformation much earlier, being stuck at that bottleneck for many years, which made their metamorphosis easier than the Celestial Eye Butterfly's.

After finishing the second drop of Blazing Fire Gold, the Celestial Eye Butterfly grew lethargic. It slowly flapped its wings, landed in Qin Sang's palm, and nestled against his finger, falling asleep.

Qin Sang held the Celestial Eye Butterfly for a while but found no signs of metamorphosis. However, he wasn't anxious. Taking advantage of the butterfly's slumber, he also entered meditation to regulate his breath.

For several consecutive days, whenever the Celestial Eye Butterfly awoke, Qin Sang fed it Blazing Fire Gold, supplementing it with several other spirit medicines he had prepared beforehand to aid its metamorphosis.

On the evening of the third day, the eyes on the Celestial Eye Butterfly's wings suddenly 'opened,' emitting sky-blue radiance. A hazy blue light enveloped the Celestial Eye Butterfly.

In the dead of night, the starlit sea shimmered, and the Celestial Eye Butterfly seemed like a blue star itself.

The Celestial Eye Butterfly slept within a sky-blue cocoon of light, its wings folded together, forming a cocoon-like shape.

Qin Sang grinned, a silent smile, marveling that the Blazing Fire Gold was indeed a divine medicine; the Celestial Eye Butterfly had begun its metamorphosis! He shook the jade bottle, noticing there was still plenty of Blazing Fire Gold left, enough for the Celestial Eye Butterfly's third transformation.

He himself was well-rested. He brought the Celestial Eye Butterfly back into his dantian, allowing it to undergo its metamorphosis peacefully, and then set off to continue his journey.

Two months later.

In a desolate sea area, despite the clear weather and absence of hurricanes, massive waves periodically surged, accompanied by the clang of metal and sharp shouts emanating from within.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that at the center of the surging waves, over a dozen figures were locked in battle. Various magical artifacts clashed back and forth, interspersed with several oddly shaped insect-like shadows.

It was clearly an encounter between Human cultivators and Witch cultivators, who immediately engaged in combat without a word.

The battle was in full swing.

Suddenly, a streak of light flew across the distant sky. Shortly after, its owner seemed to spot the battle, abruptly stopping and observing from afar.

The cultivators on the battlefield also noticed the streak of light, and both sides grew somewhat hesitant.

They had originally been evenly matched, each with their own ulterior motives. Although the human cultivators were at a disadvantage, they still had trump cards. This newcomer, if powerful, could instantly turn the tide of the battle.

Considering this, both sides simultaneously gathered their cultivators, wary of the mysterious figure in the distance.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, the streak of light flared up again, heading aggressively straight for the battlefield. The speed of this person's escape technique made both sides' cultivators change color.

“A Core Formation cultivator... No, human reinforcements have arrived!”

Among the Witch cultivators, the elder who was clearly the leader's face changed dramatically. “Retreat!”

In contrast, the human cultivators were greatly invigorated, attacking with full force and chasing closely, firmly entangling the Witch cultivators to prevent their easy escape.

The mysterious figure quickly arrived. The Witch cultivators had completely lost their will to fight, and after a chaotic battle, they abandoned several corpses and fled in disarray.

The group chased for a while, and seeing that they couldn't capture any more, they finally gave up.

“Many thanks for your righteous assistance, fellow Daoist. I am Han Cuo. May I ask your esteemed surname?”

The leader of the human cultivators was a square-faced middle-aged man with an imposing presence, commanding respect without anger. At this moment, he spoke amiably, cupping his hands towards the young man opposite him, saying, “Fellow Daoist, to possess such high cultivation at such a young age, I am truly impressed!”

This young man was Qin Sang.

After a long journey, he finally arrived near Huntian Island. Discovering that Huntian Island also had its share of chaos, he decided, after some thought, to first make contact with the island's cultivators to inquire about the situation there.

Earlier, he had seen that the cultivators on the battlefield were not very powerful, with only a few early Core Formation experts and the rest being Foundation Establishment cultivators. Thus, he revealed himself and startled the Witch cultivators away.

“My surname is Qin. Fellow Daoist Han, you flatter me. My cultivation technique is special and has the effect of preserving youth, which is why I appear young,” Qin Sang said calmly.

He wore no cloak or mask, instead revealing his true appearance.

In such a situation, concealing one's identity could easily arouse suspicion. Qin Sang had previously hidden his face to guard against the Liwu Palace, but there was no need to fear that in the Demonic Sea.

Han Cuo was momentarily startled but did not press further, proceeding to introduce the others to Qin Sang.

The others also thanked Qin Sang one after another and proactively shared a portion of their spoils with him, which Qin Sang accepted without ceremony.

After they became acquainted, Han Cuo glanced at Qin Sang. “Fellow Daoist, you seem unfamiliar. You must have only recently arrived at Huntian Island, correct?”

“That’s right,” Qin Sang replied with a wry smile, looking around. “I was originally hunting demons on another island, but chaos suddenly erupted there, so I decided to venture to Huntian Island. I didn’t expect... it wouldn’t be peaceful here either.”

Han Cuo chuckled, “With the war between the two races, where else would you find peace? It’s not difficult for you to find a stable place, Fellow Daoist; just go to Huntian Island itself. The Island Lord has strictly forbidden fighting, so inside and outside the island are two different worlds.”

“Oh?”

Qin Sang's gaze swept over the group. “If that’s the case, why don't you all go ashore, fellow Daoists?”

Han Cuo said meaningfully, “With risk comes opportunity. While others fear it like a tiger, I embrace it gladly. As for them... it’s actually more dangerous outside Huntian Island. Their cultivation is too low, and because they were a step too slow, they now don’t dare to go ashore, forced to remain outside. With your strength, fellow Daoist, reaching Huntian Island safely won’t be difficult.”