Chapter 833: Lost Hand

The Human World

There was only one person.

Qin Sang's heart stirred. He sent out a signal and held his breath, concealing his presence.

The Heavenly Eye Butterfly possessed excellent eyesight, allowing Qin Sang to confirm from a distance that this person was indeed Xiang Yi!

Lady Liu, hidden deep in the sea, immediately activated a spirit talisman upon receiving the signal.

The fish was hooked; now it was time to hunt!

Xiang Yi was a renowned Core Formation late-stage expert, deeply trusted by the Merchant Alliance leader. Qin Sang believed his strength might not be inferior to cultivators at the peak of the late stage and should not be underestimated.

Qin Sang's expression was solemn. He loosely gripped his hand, and the Ten Directions Yama Banner silently appeared in his palm.

He had rehearsed the assassination process countless times in his mind.

One hand held the Black Demon Banner, while the other gripped the Primordial Concentric Ring.

He wouldn't rigidly wait for Lady Liu to activate the talisman. At the moment of the ambush, if a single strike could be fatal, there would be no need for the subsequent complications.

A streak of light darted across the sea surface, pausing occasionally.

Xiang Yi was very cautious, but he didn't realize the Turtle-Patterned Wood was a trap; he was guarding against demonic beasts. Most cultivators active outside these days were like this, fearing an encounter with a beast tide.

"Soon..."

Qin Sang murmured to himself, his hand clenched tightly.

*Swoosh...*

A piercing sound cut through the air. Just as Xiang Yi was about to fly overhead, he suddenly paused again, observing his surroundings.

"Can't wait any longer!"

Qin Sang exclaimed inwardly. Even with his breath-concealing art, it would be difficult to hide from Xiang Yi's spiritual sense at such a close distance.

The moment Qin Sang made his move, Xiang Yi immediately sensed the anomaly. His eyes sharpened, and he bellowed, "Who's there!"

*Splash!*

Water splashed everywhere.

An agile figure leaped from beneath the water – it was the Twin-Headed Hou.

Upon seeing the Twin-Headed Hou, Xiang Yi's expression changed. He clearly hadn't expected such a powerful demonic beast to be lurking. He instantly became alert, fearing he had stumbled into a beast tide, and prepared to retreat while remaining cautious.

But then, Qin Sang appeared alongside the Twin-Headed Hou.

"An ambush! The Turtle-Patterned Wood was a trap!"

Xiang Yi was startled. Being experienced, he immediately realized what was happening.

Qin Sang launched a sudden sneak attack, collaborating with the Twin-Headed Hou in a pincer movement to cut off Xiang Yi's retreat.

*Boom!*

The Nine Nether Demonic Flames surged skyward. The Twin-Headed Hou roared, its vertical pupils unleashing divine light, and countless wind blades shot forth, more solid and sharper than before.

At the same time, the Twin-Headed Hou extended its sharp claws and charged ferociously at Xiang Yi.

After consuming the Hegemon Blood Fruit, it had nearly broken through, significantly enhancing its innate abilities and physical body. Now, with its powerful physique, it dared to engage in close combat with cultivators.

As Qin Sang unleashed the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, a sword gleam flickered between his brows. The Ebony Sword flashed past, accompanied by a deafening thunder, appearing before Xiang Yi in the blink of an eye.

With a sweep of the Ebony Sword, several sword shadows locked down the space around Xiang Yi, threatening to pierce multiple bloody holes in his body.

The ambush was well-prepared, and Qin Sang's initial strike was overwhelmingly powerful.

The surprise had not yet faded from Xiang Yi's face when he saw the Ebony Sword and instantly found it very familiar. He immediately recalled Qin Sang's identity and gasped in surprise, "Daoist Master Qingfeng, it's you!"

"That good-for-nothing Cui Ji!"

Xiang Yi was furious and cursed loudly. He understood the reason and wished he could tear Cui Ji apart.

Cui Ji had sworn to him that Daoist Master Qingfeng was dead and had no chance of survival.

Yet, he was now alive and well, appearing before him, and ambushing him.

Although he had once considered helping Cui Ji, Cui Ji had acted on his own before he could intervene. Now, being implicated, he felt wronged.

Xiang Yi suppressed his anger. He sensed danger; his opponent's demonstrated strength was too great, no wonder Cui Ji had failed.

He realized that after the Seven Kills Hall closed, Cui Ji had disappeared. It was highly likely that he hadn't perished under the ancient restrictions of the Seven Kills Hall, but rather died at the hands of Daoist Master Qingfeng!

"Retreat!"

Xiang Yi was no ordinary person. He assessed the situation clearly and realized that since this was an ambush, there might be more than just one opponent. He absolutely could not get entangled.

He swept his gaze, clearly seeing the encircling attacks.

Although the techniques Qin Sang employed were powerful, they inevitably had flaws. For an experienced cultivator like Xiang Yi, even the smallest flaw could not be hidden.

Xiang Yi remained extremely calm and made a swift decision.

He was already on guard against sneak attacks from demonic beasts, so he wasn't flustered. A brilliant green light flared around him as he activated his defensive treasure cloak. Simultaneously, he pressed his palm to his dantian, causing a red light to erupt.

His natal magic treasure appeared!

The Twin-Headed Hou was the first to attack. Its sharp claws and wind blades arrived simultaneously, fiercely striking the green light emanating from the treasure cloak.

*Boom!*

The green light trembled, then suddenly dimmed.

But it did not extinguish. Firstly, Xiang Yi's protective treasure cloak was of excellent quality. Secondly, Xiang Yi reacted quickly, swiftly shifting his position and only enduring the initial blow.

Although uninjured, Xiang Yi was struck by immense force, causing his body to lurch and forcing him towards the demonic flames and the Ebony Sword.

The demonic flames surged.

Qin Sang displayed astonishing swordsmanship; the Ebony Sword was like a shocking rainbow, making Xiang Yi's scalp tingle.

Xiang Yi didn't hesitate. With force, he flung his natal magic treasure forward, attempting to clear a path. His natal magic treasure was a small red pagoda, spinning rapidly and pouring forth red light.

The small pagoda's power was top-tier among mid-grade magic treasures. Coupled with Xiang Yi's profound true essence, it surprisingly did not collapse under the suppression of the Nine Nether Demonic Flames and the Ebony Sword.

Qin Sang's gaze slightly narrowed. Without hesitation, he activated the Blood Filth Divine Light.

*Whoosh!*

A bloody light surged out from a sword shadow, about to engulf the small pagoda.

An astonishing scene unfolded.

A white light suddenly glowed at the bottom of the small pagoda, then a transparent bead shot out from it. In the nick of time, it blocked the small pagoda, rapidly expanding and taking on the corrosion of the Blood Filth Divine Light instead of the pagoda.

The white bead lost all its luster, and cracks appeared in its center.

This was also a magic treasure, though only a low-grade one. Xiang Yi had kept it hidden inside the small pagoda, undetected even by Qin Sang.

"Haha..."

Xiang Yi laughed wildly. "Do you think I don't know you have a way to corrupt people's magic treasures? That idiot Cui Ji deserved to die; he actually told me the bloody light came from those black banners! This sword is just a low-grade magic treasure; such a technique can only be used once, right? Dreaming of destroying my natal magic treasure!"

Qin Sang's expression darkened. Xiang Yi, instead of panicking when ambushed, had secretly set a trap, ambushing him in turn and forcing him to expend the Blood Filth Divine Light.

However, Qin Sang was not discouraged.

He had considered this possibility during his previous rehearsals.

Since Cui Ji had asked Xiang Yi to deal with him, it was impossible for him not to mention the Blood Filth Divine Light.

The Blood Filth Divine Light could only be effective as a surprise tactic. If an opponent was prepared, it was almost impossible for it to work; being countered was to be expected.

The strike missed.

Qin Sang's movements showed no delay or hesitation. He immediately controlled his magic treasures for a swift attack.

Xiang Yi was very cunning and completely avoided prolonged combat with Qin Sang.

Even if he were to counter-kill, it couldn't be here, regardless of whether the opponent had allies.

The small pagoda spun wildly, shooting out red light, colliding with the Ebony Sword, and scattering the Nine Nether Demonic Flames as Xiang Yi desperately tried to open a path for retreat.