Chapter 827: Choice

The Human Realm

"It seems a long time has passed..."

Qin Sang entered the small courtyard and beckoned the voice transmission talisman into his palm. It was indeed the one left two years ago. The talisman didn't specify the exact matter, only instructing Qin Sang to notify the informant upon his return, and that they would meet again at a later date.

He probably missed a good opportunity because he was away. However, in Qin Sang's eyes, Senior Qingzhu was far more important than Xiang Yi, and he had no regrets.

After returning, he had also been keeping an eye on news from the Rifting Wind Archipelago.

By then, Qin Sang had put on his cloak. He crushed the talisman, left the courtyard, and walked towards the agreed-upon shop.

The shop owner was still the white-haired old man. Upon seeing Qin Sang, the man's face lit up with joy. "Senior, you're finally back. My master returned once two years ago but left the very next day."

"I had important matters to attend to, and I didn't expect such a long delay," Qin Sang asked in a low voice, "Did Madam Liu leave any instructions before she departed?"

The shop owner whispered, "Before leaving, my master said that once Senior returned, I should notify her, and she would personally come to visit you. Since Senior is back, I will send a message to my master now."

Qin Sang nodded. "In the next few years, I likely won't be leaving Tianxing Island. Madam Liu can come directly to the small courtyard to see me when she returns."

After handling all the miscellaneous affairs, by the time Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling, it was already night. The starlight was brilliant.

He immediately resumed cultivating the *Heavenly Demon Body Forging Technique*. Just after midnight, Qin Sang let out a soft whistle, his body crackled, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on his skin.

"I've broken through to the middle stage of the second layer!" Qin Sang's face showed delight. He swung his fist to test his strength, and indeed, his physical body had greatly improved.

During his time heading to the Rifting Wind Archipelago, he was either traveling or gathering various information, cultivating intermittently. Finally, he broke through to the middle stage of the second layer.

"I just bought some elixirs beneficial for the physical body. Barring any surprises, I should be able to advance to the late stage of the second transformation in just over ten years, then I can prepare for the breakthrough."

Qin Sang calculated the time, making plans.

"When breaking through to the third layer, the requirements for Star Essence Infusion are extremely high. Even with a magic treasure like the Star Spirit Net, it won't be enough. I must find a suitable location. Alternatively, I need to find two more spiritual herbs to force a breakthrough with their medicinal power. Both aspects must be prepared simultaneously..."

Thinking of spiritual herbs, Qin Sang's heart stirred. He took out the Overlord Blood Fruit and summoned the Twin-Headed Hou.

"This fruit is called the Overlord Blood Fruit. It's especially effective for your demon race. Take it. The Overlord Blood Fruit's medicinal effect is potent, and the pain will be bone-piercing. Remember to activate your bloodline power to refine its properties. Your cultivation is good, so you shouldn't have any major issues..."

Qin Sang kept his promise, handing the promised spiritual fruit to the Twin-Headed Hou and explaining its effects.

The Twin-Headed Hou's eyes were exceptionally bright. It eagerly snatched the spiritual fruit and swallowed it whole.

After consuming the spiritual fruit, the Twin-Headed Hou lay still on the ground. Qin Sang stood guard nearby, adding several layers of restrictions, observing the Twin-Headed Hou's changes.

The Twin-Heheaded Hou was among the best in the middle stage of the Demonic Core realm. After swallowing the Overlord Blood Fruit, it was estimated to advance straight to the peak of the middle stage of the Demonic Core, but the possibility of breaking through to the next realm was low.

Before transformation, it was even harder for demons to break through than for cultivators.

The Overlord Blood Fruit was not a spiritual herb for refining bloodlines or aiding breakthroughs.

The period of calm was brief.

Soon after the Twin-Headed Hou consumed the Overlord Blood Fruit, it suddenly let out a roar, its body arching violently before it slammed back onto the ground. A faint bloody glow appeared on its surface.

Enveloped by the bloody glow, countless insects seemed to writhe within the Twin-Headed Hou's body, rising and falling. Its bones also seemed to be shifting, making cracking sounds, and the accompanying pain intensified.

The Twin-Headed Hou's cries became fragmented.

Its four claws gripped the ground tightly, its two heads thrashed wildly, unsure where to turn, its vertical pupils were tightly closed, and its face was contorted in pain. Then, its body curled up tightly, trembling violently.

"What potent medicinal effects! And this is still an immature one. Truly a powerful medicine."

Qin Sang felt a chill seeing the Twin-Headed Hou's state. He estimated that if he took the medicine himself, he would fare even worse than the Twin-Headed Hou.

As the medicinal effects continued to assault it, the Twin-Headed Hou's cries grew hoarse, and its body curled into a ball, resisting the Overlord Blood Fruit's power with all its might. From the outside, no change in its cultivation level was visible.

Qin Sang wasn't worried; the Twin-Headed Hou couldn't possibly be defeated by a mere spiritual fruit.

After waiting for a while and seeing that the Twin-Headed Hou's condition remained stable without worsening, Qin Sang left it alone. Just as he was about to resume his cultivation, his peripheral vision suddenly caught a sight that made his expression change instantly.

A small bump had clearly risen between the Twin-Headed Hou's two heads!

Twin-Headed Hous in the late stage of the Demonic Core realm would have a large bump between their two heads. When this large bump transformed into a third head, it signified the Twin-Headed Hou entering the Transformation stage!

The appearance of the small bump meant the Twin-Headed Hou was breaking through to the late stage of the Demonic Core.

Qin Sang stood up, his gaze flickering. He faced a choice.

If the Twin-Headed Hou broke through to the late stage, it would exceed the control limit of the Primordial Concentric Ring, breaking free and escaping his control. He hadn't expected the Twin-Headed Hou to break through to the late stage in one go after consuming the Overlord Blood Fruit.

If he stopped its breakthrough, he could still control the Twin-Headed Hou.

Finding another great demon at the peak of the middle stage was not easy, especially since the Twin-Headed Hou had excellent talent. Otherwise, he would have considered replacing it long ago.

Qin Sang's expression shifted, but ultimately, he did nothing, quietly watching it.

Recalling their experiences over the years, the Twin-Headed Hou had contributed significantly, even if not with grand merits. If it could truly break through, it was a destined opportunity, and he would grant it freedom. His own combat strength was also considerable now, and his reliance on the Twin-Headed Hou wasn't as great as before.

Time passed slowly.

By dawn, the bump on the Twin-Headed Hou's neck alternately grew larger and smaller, yet it was unable to break through. Its aura had also noticeably weakened.

Another attempt to break through had failed.

The Twin-Headed Hou opened its eyes, letting out a whimper. It looked at Qin Sang, its gaze weak, seemingly pleading.

Qin Sang understood; it wanted him to help.

He sighed lightly and said, "You know well that once you break through, you'll be free from all restrictions. Don't blame me for taking advantage of your predicament. If you can break through on your own, I will let you go. Otherwise..."

As he spoke, Qin Sang took out another Overlord Blood Fruit and placed it in front of the Twin-Headed Hou.

"This fruit can be yours, but you must acknowledge me as your master. For decades, you've followed me into various dangerous places, and you've seen my performance. It's not me boasting, but I believe I'm no worse than any Core Formation cultivator, and I am determined to reach Nascent Soul. Becoming my spirit beast won't dishonor you, and I can even help you find demon cultivation techniques. Besides, human lifespans are far shorter than demon beasts'. A Nascent Soul cultivator only lives for about a thousand years. I can promise to lift your restrictions before my demise."

Qin Sang stepped back. "Consider it yourself."

Once it became his familiar, he could transmit the *Heavenly Demon Body Forging Technique* to it. However, Qin Sang didn't state this explicitly, suspecting that the technique held many secrets. If it were to be leaked to a transforming great demon, it could attract disaster.

The Twin-Headed Hou's eyes were bloodshot. It stared intently at the Overlord Blood Fruit, struggling internally.