Chapter 743: Storm and Shelter

The Mortal Realm

Qin Sang sat cross-legged in the center of the Ten Directions Yama Formation. He took out the Winter Netherfrost Flame and channeled the Nine Nether Demonic Flame to envelop it, then carefully removed the restrictions on the surface of the frost flame.

The frost flame remained unruly but submitted to the Nine Nether Demonic Flame.

When these two spiritual flames met head-on, their difference in power was clear. It seemed Old Ancestor Kuiyin's past reputation for dominating the Minor Cold Domain with the Ten Directions Yama Formation was no exaggeration.

Dealing with the Winter Netherfrost Flame gave him a feeling of being at a loss.

Fortunately, Qin Sang already had a plan, having simulated it countless times. After a brief moment of contemplation, he gently clenched his hand. The Nine Nether Demonic Flame vibrated, slowly compressing inward.

The Winter Netherfrost Flame offered no significant resistance and began to retreat, the orb of fire visibly shrinking.

But halfway through the process, Qin Sang suddenly stopped. He sensed that the Winter Netherfrost Flame showed signs of instability, and forcing it further might lead to trouble.

"Indeed! Brute force won't work; I can only use other methods."

Qin Sang whispered, allowing the Winter Netherfrost Flame to return to its original state. He then drew out a wisp of Nine Nether Demonic Flame, his fingers dancing as he successively cast several restrictions, wrapping the wisp before slowly drifting it towards the Winter Netherfrost Flame.

The next morning.

Qin Sang, who had been busy all night, let out a long breath. The fatigue on his face vanished completely as he looked excitedly at the blue orb before him.

This was the fire orb formed by the condensation of the Winter Netherfrost Flame, which Qin Sang had finally succeeded in refining after trying several types of restrictions.

The fire orb appeared to be the size of a dragon's eye, but its true core was only the size of a mung bean; the surface was merely the light emitted by the frost flame.

After being refined into a fire orb, the frost flame's aura seemed even more violent than before.

Caution was required when using it, as the fire orb didn't distinguish between friend and foe.

Qin Sang was very cautious, carefully putting away the fire orb. His confidence in entering the Seven Kills Palace had increased by a few points.

A feeling of weakness then came over him; refining the fire orb had consumed too much of his energy. Qin Sang quickly put away the Ten Directions Yama Banner, activated his cultivation technique, and entered meditation to recover.

Unexpectedly, he had to wait a full month.

On this day, Qin Sang was meditating quietly when he was suddenly awakened by an extremely powerful aura. He flashed out of his room, just in time to see Cui Ji also rushing out of his.

The two regarded each other with mutual dislike.

Qin Sang bothered not to heed Cui Ji's provocation and looked up into the sky. He saw a figure flying swiftly from the east, unabashedly soaring over East Gate Island, where it hovered motionless under everyone's gaze.

What was surprising was that this person was actually a Witch Clan cultivator!

"The Grand Witch Priest has ordered: the grand formation is complete! The Seven Kills Palace will open tonight at midnight!"

Before the words finished, the person's escape light changed direction, and they flew towards another direction. It was said there were two other islands similar to East Gate Island, all not far from each other.

All cultivators intending to enter the Seven Kills Palace were waiting on these three islands.

The announcement caused an uproar.

After waiting here for so long, the Seven Kills Palace was finally about to open.

Within East Gate Island, several streaks of escape light immediately shot up into the sky; those Nascent Soul Grandmasters could no longer hold back.

Qin Sang withdrew his gaze and scanned his surroundings, seeing Xiang Yi striding towards him. As he walked, Xiang Yi said, "The Seven Kills Palace is about to open; we should set off now. If any fellow daoists are not yet prepared, please hurry and do so."

The sword-wielding youth's face revealed an excited smile. "I've long since prepared everything and have been waiting for this day!" he exclaimed.

The others also nodded repeatedly and voiced their agreement.

"Let's go!"

Xiang Yi took the lead, and the others followed.

At this moment, people were bustling in the city, and streaks of escape light flew out of East Gate Island.

After leaving the island, they chose to avoid most of the crowd, taking a detour for a certain distance before flying towards the storm.

"Some people harbor ill intentions," Xiang Yi cautioned them via telepathy. "They use the cover of the storm to seize this opportunity to plunder and kill. While we don't need to worry too much given our strength, it's still better to be cautious."

Xiang Yi cautioned them via telepathy, and everyone successively summoned their cherished magic treasures.

Qin Sang wore the Golden Radiance Armor, which could handle most situations, so he only summoned his Ebony Sword and rode it swiftly.

Cui Ji glanced sideways at Qin Sang, seeing that he hadn't summoned the Ten Directions Yama Banner, and secretly curled his lips. He still thought it was the Nine Nether Demonic Flame that had defiled the Violet Gloom Pearl, unaware that it was actually the Ebony Sword.

The storm was getting closer.

As everyone approached the storm belt, Qin Sang's expression revealed a hint of peculiarity.

The Liu couple, though one of them was a late-stage Core Formation expert, had no airs and were the easiest to approach. Qin Sang was most familiar with them compared to the others.

The man surnamed Liu noticed Qin Sang's unusual expression and curiously asked, "What have you discovered, Daoist?"

"Nothing," Qin Sang replied.

Qin Sang shook his head, then added, "I've long heard that the storms here are comparable to the might of heaven and earth. Seeing them today, they are indeed extraordinary. This humble Daoist is just worried that if we get lost in the storm, we don't know what our fate will be."

Xiang Yi heard Qin Sang's words and turned his head, saying, "Fellow daoists, there's no need to worry. The jade pendants we received can sense the Seven Kills Palace's grand formation and can guide us within a certain range. Once you obtain treasures and leave the Seven Kills Palace, simply follow the jade pendant's guidance, and you can exit smoothly. Of course, there is indeed a risk of getting lost in the storm; even its periphery is extremely dangerous. If you truly get lost here and mistakenly venture into its depths, even Nascent Soul Grandmasters will be left without a trace. So, absolutely do not lose your jade pendant…"

Qin Sang nodded absentmindedly.

He was currently stunned.

Having arrived here and seeing the barrier resisting the storm, Qin Sang's long-held suspicions were confirmed.

These barriers were composed of ancient restrictions, with mysterious runes flickering within, firmly blocking the storm. They bore a striking resemblance to the barriers at the edge of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield in the Minor Cold Domain.

But they were also somewhat different. There were no gaps similar to the Seven Heroes Pass, but this didn't prevent cultivators from passing through.

Additionally, the storm behind the barrier also bore some resemblance to the celestial phenomena that occurred when the spiritual tide arrived at the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

However, the Ancient Immortal Battlefield was land, whereas here was a vast ocean.

Moreover, the storms here swept through with raging waves, never ceasing year after year, whereas the spiritual tide in the Minor Cold Domain only appeared periodically.

"Could it be that the edge of the Azure Waves Sea is also surrounded by the Ancient Immortal Battlefield?"

Qin Sang was filled with curiosity about this world.

He didn't know what other places were like, but he felt that the two places he had visited, the Minor Cold Domain and the Azure Waves Sea, were like two sanctuaries in a post-apocalyptic world.

Those barriers were the legacy of ancient sages, blocking dangers outside and creating a pure land for future generations to recuperate and thrive.

It was said that the edge of the Demonic Sea was also similar to the Azure Waves Sea.

"What kind of world is this!"

Qin Sang sighed inwardly, urgently wanting to become stronger and explore the world's mysteries.

"Everyone take out your jade pendants and summon your magic treasures to resist the storm."

Xiang Yi let out a low cry. He didn't seem to summon any magic treasure, but a green protective divine light emerged from his body, presumably from a protective treasure garment similar to the Golden Radiance Armor.

Xiang Yi held the jade pendant with both hands and infused true essence into it. The jade pendant glowed with a white light. Xiang Yi then flashed through the barrier and entered the storm.

The others followed suit.

Qin Sang set aside his emotions and astonishment and quickly followed.