Chapter 701: Intention

Qin Sang said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Fan, you sent a message in the market saying you know a sea route through the Thousand Monster Sea. I trust this isn't merely a trick to lure me here with false promises?"

The cultivators present had all witnessed Qin Sang inquiring about this information in the market, so they weren't surprised by his question.

The short, stout cultivator smiled, "Fellow Daoist Qin, there's no need to worry. Your request is actually the simplest condition, so simple it barely qualifies as one. I, Fan, unexpectedly discovered this cave dwelling along that very route. Before we enter the Thousand Monster Sea, I will provide you with the survey map..."

"The Thousand Monster Sea!"

"The cave dwelling is in the Thousand Monster Sea?"

"Do you realize how dangerous the Thousand Monster Sea is right now?"

Everyone was alarmed and began to clamor.

The short, stout cultivator raised a hand and motioned downward, "Please calm yourselves, everyone. Although the cave dwelling is within the Thousand Monster Sea, it is quite far from where the evil cultivators congregate. As you all know, the established shipping route approaches the southernmost tip of the Thousand Monster Sea, which is where these evil cultivators are most rampant. This cave dwelling, however, is located in the northern part of the Thousand Monster Sea. Given such a significant distance, those notorious evil cultivators won't be able to consolidate their power quickly, and they certainly wouldn't risk provoking both races by extending their influence that far."

Only after repeated assurances did the cultivators accept the short, stout cultivator's explanation.

For a moment, silence fell upon the island.

The short, stout cultivator didn't press them, his expression clearly radiating confidence.

Qin Sang was weighing his options. He was already inclined to agree; both the Nascent Soul treasure and the sea route made the journey worthwhile.

Without exception, the cultivators chosen by the short, stout cultivator were all in the early Core Formation stage. While they were all exceptional, Qin Sang was confident in his own abilities; even if he couldn't defeat them, he was certain no one could catch him.

Just then, Qin Sang received a telepathic message from the blue-robed scholar, "Fellow Daoist Qin, what are your thoughts?"

Qin Sang calmly retorted, "Has Fellow Daoist Lan decided to accept Fellow Daoist Fan's proposal?"

"Indeed!"

Unexpectedly, the blue-robed scholar readily agreed. "The treasures Fellow Daoist Fan presented are genuine. It would be utterly nonsensical to destroy three supreme treasures simply to harm someone. My primary concern, Lan, is whether Fellow Daoist Fan is concealing anything about the cold mist. Furthermore, after the restrictions are broken, if the treasures prove too valuable and human nature turns corrupt, I fear that regrettable incidents might occur. I, Lan, wish to form an offensive and defensive alliance with you, Fellow Daoist Qin. What are your thoughts?"

Qin Sang's brows subtly furrowed as he lowered his head in contemplation.

The blue-robed scholar continued, "Fellow Daoist, observe the others; they likely share similar concerns. I, Lan, am acquainted with no one else here, but having just met you, Fellow Daoist Qin, I was impressed by your exceptional demeanor, which prompted me to make this offer..."

Qin Sang looked up and noticed the two female cultivators had naturally gravitated towards each other.

The other three, including the short, stout cultivator, were murmuring, clearly communicating something among themselves.

At this moment, other cultivators also sent telepathic messages. Qin Sang gave them perfunctory replies one by one, before finally transmitting a message to the blue-robed scholar: "Very well. Should danger arise, we can offer each other mutual support..."

After a short while.

After the two female cultivators concluded their discussion, the one who had spoken previously addressed the short, stout cultivator, "Fellow Daoist Fan, when do you intend to depart? Could you grant us a few days to deliberate and make preparations?"

The short, stout cultivator chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, please don't fault me for being overly cautious. The treasures are truly valuable, necessitating vigilance. If you wish to join us, please give me your answer now, and we shall depart immediately. If you cannot decide at this moment, I, Fan, cannot wait for you. We will simply part ways, as if we had never met."

The female cultivator's brows furrowed. She nodded, then whispered something to the other female cultivator, and the two seemed to fall into a quiet disagreement.

Perhaps it was a case of high skill leading to greater daring.

Of the six individuals invited by the short, stout cultivator, five, including Qin Sang, agreed promptly. The last person, a dark-faced man, was visibly hesitant, sending a telepathic message and conversing with the short, stout cultivator for a prolonged period before finally, reluctantly, agreeing.

The short, stout cultivator was delighted by this. He clapped his hands, stood up, and declared, "There's no time to lose. We shall travel through the night, ideally without stopping. Everyone, please bear with the arduous journey."

As all were Core Formation experts, traveling for several consecutive days posed no difficulty.

Seven streaks of escape light illuminated the island in quick succession. Qin Sang and the others followed the short, stout cultivator, soaring into the air and swiftly departing.

Unwilling to expose his Sword Qi Thunder Sound or his Nine Dragon Heavenly Carriage Talisman, and lacking a flying magic treasure, Qin Sang had to activate a common flying magic tool to travel.

Fortunately, the other cultivators were in a similar situation to Qin Sang.

The journey proceeded without any hitches.

After several consecutive days of uneventful flying, the group gradually grew more acquainted. Out of sheer boredom, they began to exchange insights on their cultivation, a discussion from which Qin Sang greatly benefited.

In kind, Qin Sang also shared some of his cultivation insights.

His most notable skill was sword manipulation.

Although he had acquired the Sword Qi Thunder Sound and Sword Light Division divine abilities from his cultivation technique, Qin Sang himself never grew complacent. Especially in the years immediately following his Core Formation, when he found it difficult to cultivate peacefully, he consistently devoted himself to comprehending the Way of the Sword.

While his innate talent wasn't on par with true sword dao prodigies, with the aid of his cultivation technique and prolonged study and comprehension of the Way of the Sword, he had already gained significant insights. His swordsmanship now far exceeded that of ordinary cultivators.

The accumulation of these past years, combined with his cultivation advancements, also proved beneficial. Qin Sang felt it wouldn't be long before he could independently comprehend the Sword Qi Thunder Sound.

At that point, by entering this sword dao realm through his own abilities, he would no longer need to rely solely on the Ebony Sword. Even if the Ebony Sword were temporarily unusable, he would still be able to manifest the technique.

However, comprehending Sword Light Division was still a distant goal.

Nevertheless, Qin Sang was not disheartened. With his cultivation technique providing clear guidance, he considered himself far more fortunate than others.

The atmosphere among the seven remained harmonious. After over ten consecutive days of flight, they were nearing the Thousand Monster Sea. At this point, everyone became exceptionally vigilant, no longer flying openly but cautiously approaching their destination.

"Fellow Daoist Fan, can you produce the survey map now?"

Upon finally reaching the northern end of the Thousand Monster Sea, Qin Sang eagerly inquired.

The short, stout cultivator produced a piece of animal hide. "It seems Fellow Daoist Qin is quite eager. The survey map is right here. Fellow Daoists, please feel free to examine it."

Qin Sang took it and saw that it was a sea map hand-drawn on a piece of animal hide. At both the northern and southern extremities of the Thousand Monster Sea, two distinct, winding routes were prominently displayed, clearly traversing the entire sea region.

The Thousand Monster Sea was surrounded by an even more perilous, vast demonic sea, teeming with monstrous beasts and rarely explored by cultivators. Fortunately, the location frequented by the Fire Sparrows was close to the Thousand Monster Sea; it wouldn't be far to reach it after crossing the sea.

Qin Sang quickly memorized the sea map before passing it to the others.

"Why isn't the cave dwelling marked?"

The gaunt old man frowned and questioned.

The short, stout cultivator chuckled softly, "The route doesn't guarantee absolute safety. My escape technique isn't particularly strong, and I also worry that you might abandon me if we encounter danger, so please allow me to keep a slight secret for now. Furthermore, I, Fan, was fortunate enough to obtain this sea map from a friend, and very few people are aware of its existence. It would be best if none of you carelessly divulge this information in the future, as it would be disadvantageous if it became widely known."