Chapter 831: Externalized Avatar

Rain on Bluestone

Once back in his cave dwelling, Qin Sang's thoughts stirred.

His external avatar walked out from within.

“Fellow Daoist, you’re back.”

The external avatar bowed to him with cupped hands, appearing indistinguishable from a real person, almost without flaw.

Whenever Qin Sang observed the avatar’s actions, he instinctively felt a sense of vigilance.

According to the secret technique described in 'Seed of the Fiend Embryo,' once the external avatar also breaks through to the Nascent Soul stage, the cultivator gains a second Nascent Soul, effectively acquiring a second life.

If something were to happen to the main body, one could resurrect through the external avatar.

However, this transformation process requires an enormous and often unacceptable price.

When taking over the external avatar and transforming into a second Nascent Soul, one would remain severely weakened for a very long time, at least a hundred years. Should a heavenly tribulation arrive during this period, there would be no power to resist it.

Furthermore, the cultivation path ahead would also be affected, making every step difficult.

Still, it's better than losing one's life.

Qin Sang was currently unsure if the secret technique, after being modified by Senior Qingzhu, still retained this effect.

This kind of main body and clone conversion gave Qin Sang a sense of absurdity. Which one was truly him? If the clone were to rebel, wouldn't that be tantamount to him killing himself?

'Seed of the Fiend Embryo' clearly stated that the higher the external avatar's cultivation, the greater the risk of backlash. It was not impossible for the avatar to usurp control, so cultivators had to exercise extreme caution.

Therefore, while crafting the external avatar, one could integrate its emotions, but Qin Sang refused to do so. He severed the memories of the split soul, trying to prevent the avatar from forming too deep a connection with himself.

In any case, reaching the Nascent Soul stage was still a long way off.

For the external avatar to reach the Nascent Soul stage was even harder, with negligible chances. A second Nascent Soul was a distant prospect, and Qin Sang wouldn't place himself in such a perilous situation for a remote and uncertain hope.

Qin Sang sent the external avatar back.

The primordial embryo had not yet successfully formed and would require more time. Qin Sang ordered the external avatar to cultivate alone in the cave dwelling, forbidding it from stepping even a single pace outside, and also set up isolating restrictions.

That night, Qin Sang prepared for his departure and helped the external avatar sort things out; by then, it was morning.

He sealed off his cave dwelling and went to see Madam Liu.

The shopkeeper led Qin Sang into the back room. Madam Liu visibly sighed in relief upon seeing him.

She had clearly been worried that Qin Sang might change his mind.

“Daoist priest, you’re finally here!”

Madam Liu stood up and quickly said, “Does Daoist priest intend to purchase anything else? If not, let’s depart from here.”

Qin Sang nodded, then suddenly frowned and asked, “Madam Liu, have you been moving about openly with your true appearance?”

“Of course not!”

Madam Liu smiled faintly, took out a mask as thin as a cicada’s wing, and upon putting it on, instantly transformed into another face, with even her demeanor subtly altered.

“This mask was lent to me by an old friend of my husband’s. Fortunately, with this treasure, I’ve been able to track Xiang Yi without being discovered.”

Qin Sang was surprised. This mask was actually a magic treasure. After Madam Liu put it on, he couldn't detect any flaws, but apart from that, it seemed to have no other function.

Crafting a magic treasure solely for changing one’s appearance seemed quite extravagant.

However, when Qin Sang secretly activated his Sky Eye Butterfly to observe, he noticed slight imperfections; the face appeared somewhat unnatural, indicating that the treasure's capabilities were limited.

Of course, he wouldn't voluntarily expose this.

The Sky Eye Butterfly’s ability was unique, and this mask was sufficient to deceive Xiang Yi’s eyes.

The two, with their changed appearances, journeyed together towards the holy mountain with the teleportation array. Upon reaching the teleportation hall, they found very few people entering or exiting.

This sight made Qin Sang realize that the turmoil in the Demon Sea was escalating, and he even began to doubt his own decision.

Upon learning they intended to go to the Demon Sea, the cultivator in charge of the teleportation array said, “Currently, few cultivators are heading to the Demon Sea. You two fellow Daoists will need to wait a bit until enough people gather before we can activate the teleportation array.”

The two bought a teleportation talisman and waited patiently to the side. It was a long time before enough people gathered.

Salty, briny sea wind filled their nostrils, seemingly carrying faint traces of demonic qi and blood.

Returning to Great Barren Island, Qin Sang distinctly felt that the atmosphere had become much heavier.

Next to them, a long queue had formed at the teleportation hall for those returning to Canglang Sea. These were cultivators who could afford the teleportation fees. Many other cultivators and mortals could only wait here for an unknown fate.

The harbor was filled with large ships, coming and going frequently, and it was necessary to travel in groups.

The advantage was that after Qin Sang and his companion found a ship, they not only didn’t have to pay for passage, but the ship’s owner would even give them spirit stones, requesting their assistance in times of danger.

Qin Sang felt that the entire Demon Sea was filled with unease. Even Madam Liu and her husband, who had always traveled frequently in the Demon Sea, were encountering such a scene for the first time.

Madam Liu had prepared two identities in advance. Qin Sang and Madam Liu, properly disguised, boarded the ship discreetly.

The ship sailed on the sea.

Qin Sang conversed with other cultivators to understand the situation in the Demon Sea. He learned that the Nascent Soul ancestors who ruled various islands were forming alliances, agreeing to jointly resist the beast tide, and simultaneously recruiting experts.

Many powerful figures who had been living in seclusion could no longer continue their quiet cultivation. They emerged, one after another, to collectively confront the demon race.

The two island masters who had previously abandoned their islands were not, in fact, entirely powerless; their retreat was strategic. With reinforcements and aid from major forces, they would gather experts and, relying on certain large islands, would not fear the demon race.

“This is no longer the barbaric era,” the cultivator said confidently, “so many powerful figures have entered the Demon Sea, and all major forces have interests here, having invested significant effort. How could they allow the demon race to easily destroy it?”

This cultivator was very confident, ready to seek wealth amidst danger.

Qin Sang found some truth in these words. The prominent forces — the righteous and demonic sects, the Three Great Merchant Alliances, and the Witch Clan — all highly valued the resources of the Demon Sea. Especially for the Three Great Merchant Alliances and the Witch Clan, the Demon Sea represented their future hope.

If their foundations in the Demon Sea were destroyed, the losses would be unbearable for them. They would undoubtedly exert full effort to protect critical locations.

The demon race was powerful, but not strong enough to completely annihilate both the human and witch races.

Of course, the abnormal movements of the demon race had indeed appeared, and no one dared to underestimate them. Everyone was preparing diligently.

Along the way, the fleet was frequently harassed by demon beasts. While slaying these beasts, Qin Sang unexpectedly met a female cultivator from another ship, who was from Huntian Island.

“I also stayed on Huntian Island for a period back then,” Qin Sang hastily inquired, “I remember it wasn’t long after the Witch Calamity ended. There were rumors of heavenly fire appearing outside the island, indicating the emergence of a supreme Nascent Soul treasure. Is this true or false? And who obtained the treasure?”

He wasn’t sure how much commotion the Winter Nether Cold Flame had caused, so he spoke vaguely.

The female cultivator looked at Qin Sang in surprise. “Fellow Daoist, your information is quite well-informed. I only heard bits and pieces of the rumors afterwards. It’s said that the former dwelling of Senior Winter Nether was discovered, and his divine ability, the Winter Nether Cold Flame, emerged. His cave dwelling supposedly contained the Senior Winter Nether’s legacy treasures. Ultimately, the island master invited Old Demon Mou Lue to subdue the Cold Flame, and the treasures must have fallen into their hands.”