Chapter 842: Returned

After flying for several days, Qin Sang finally encountered other cultivators. From them, he learned some astonishing news that left him deeply shocked.

A drastic and unforeseen change had occurred in the Demon Sea recently. Heavenly Witch Island, the Witch Clan's main base in the Demon Sea, had been suddenly attacked by the demon race and nearly overrun. An unknown number of transformed great demons had hidden within the beast tide, suddenly appearing as if from thin air when they neared Heavenly Witch Island. By the time the Witch Clan cultivators noticed anything amiss, it was already too late. The demon race, having planned this for a long time, launched a massive assault on Heavenly Witch Island, breaching its defensive formation in a single strike.

Heavenly Witch Island suffered countless casualties among its cultivators, and the Witch Clan incurred heavy losses. Even more terrifying was the clear objective of those transformed great demons: after breaking through the formation, they immediately headed for the teleportation array.

It was common knowledge that the environments of the Canglang Sea and the Demon Sea were similar, both like tranquil harbors amidst endless storms, and completely isolated from each other by these storms, with no direct passage. Only the teleportation arrays controlled by cultivators allowed travel between them. To this day, cultivators couldn't even confirm if the Canglang Sea and the Demon Sea existed in the same body of water, how far apart they were, or if they were merely separated by a storm belt. Alternatively, they could be worlds apart, with their connection only established through the accidental discovery of the teleportation arrays.

However, cultivators in the Canglang Sea, whether righteous, demonic, human, or witch, shared a consensus: the teleportation arrays must be destroyed rather than fall into the hands of the demon race. Otherwise, it wouldn't be cultivators expanding into the Demon Sea, but rather the demon race invading the Canglang Sea. If Heavenly Witch Island fell and the demon race seized the teleportation array to invade the Canglang Sea, the Witch Clan would bear the brunt, and the human race would not be spared.

At this moment, Qin Sang and the other cultivators had landed on a deserted island, listening to them recount the rumors. These individuals didn't know the full details of what happened on Heavenly Witch Island that day; much of what they knew was hearsay. It had been a battle of life and death between Nascent Soul grandmasters and transformed great demons, and from the scattered accounts, one could sense the brutality and terror of the conflict.

Qin Sang recalled that during his first visit to the Demon Sea, passing through Heavenly Witch Island, he had heard Old Zou mention that a considerable number of human Nascent Soul cultivators were stationed there. When the great battle erupted, they couldn't remain aloof and were inevitably drawn into it. Many Nascent Soul grandmasters had their physical bodies shattered, with only their Nascent Souls managing to escape. The Witch Clan's losses must have been even more devastating.

It was said that the demon race had at one point stormed the teleportation hall. Fortunately, the outcome wasn't the worst-case scenario; the demon race ultimately failed, and the teleportation array remained under the cultivators' control. The transformed great demons lingered outside Heavenly Witch Island for a long time, only dispersing when they saw no further opportunity.

However, the news of Heavenly Witch Island's near-fall caused a huge uproar among cultivators. Everyone suddenly felt insecure, including even the Nascent Soul grandmasters who had claimed islands as their own. In the Demon Sea, apart from the human race's Great Barren Island, no other place had defensive capabilities comparable to Heavenly Witch Island. With Heavenly Witch Island almost falling, there was no safer place left apart from Great Barren Island. If another large-scale war between cultivators and demons were to erupt, they would be the first to be wiped out.

Furthermore, they had been plagued by beast tides for some time, living in constant fear. Upon hearing the news, they abandoned their foundations and led their forces back to the Canglang Sea. The cultivators Qin Sang encountered had accidentally fallen behind during this exodus. They dared not stay in the Demon Sea and were risking their lives to head towards Great Barren Island, hoping for the best. Everyone was filled with worry.

Hearing these fragmented reports, Qin Sang finally understood why Yuheng Island had been unable to get help when it was besieged by beast tides. At that time, other major islands also had beast tides looming around them, blockaded by demon beasts and unable to fend for themselves. Later, upon learning of Heavenly Witch Island's crisis, they were too horrified to care about others. After breaking through the encirclement, Qin Sang had delayed too long recuperating and accumulating Star Shells, missing the mass exodus. The large islands he saw along the way hadn't been breached by beast tides; rather, they had been voluntarily abandoned by cultivators.

"The demon race chose Heavenly Witch Island as their target, even though it's the relatively weaker Witch Clan. Do they really intend to fight their way back to the Canglang Sea?" Qin Sang was shocked and very surprised.

The teleportation arrays between the two regions involved great secrets. From Qin Sang's perspective, they didn't seem exactly like the ancient teleportation array he had used, but it was also impossible for cultivators in the current cultivation world to create such vast and complex arrays. Such teleportation arrays clearly couldn't be built just anywhere; otherwise, like a cunning rabbit with three burrows, there wouldn't have been only Great Barren Island and Heavenly Witch Island for so many years. To preserve Heavenly Witch Island, the Witch Clan must have sacrificed countless experts.

"The demon race's surprise attack on Heavenly Witch Island failed, and the human race is now on high alert. Will they still target Great Barren Island? Regardless of whether they attempt a comeback, cultivators dare not relax. It will be difficult for the Demon Sea to regain its peace anytime soon." Qin Sang silently pondered the situation, subtly glancing at the others. They looked towards Great Barren Island, knowing their path was uncertain, and their eyes showed deep worry.

"Under the cover of the Heavenly Demon Transformation, I don't fear the beast tides as much, so being trapped in the Demon Sea isn't a safety concern for me. However, for the sake of my external incarnation, I must return to the Canglang Sea as soon as possible; I can't stay in the Demon Sea indefinitely..." Qin Sang thought to himself, "I wonder what the situation is like on Great Barren Island. It would be troublesome if they prohibited return to the Canglang Sea to ensure people stay to defend the island!"

Upon learning the full extent of the situation, Qin Sang dared not delay for a moment. He immediately bid farewell to the others and set off alone, rushing towards Great Barren Island.

As he neared Great Barren Island, he encountered more cultivators, gathering more detailed information and hearing many tragic stories. Finally, Qin Sang successfully arrived in the waters near Great Barren Island. Surrounding Great Barren Island were numerous smaller islands. Those with spiritual veins had been developed into auxiliary islands, serving as a defensive perimeter and forming Great Barren Island's first outer line of defense.

In the past, when Qin Sang visited, these auxiliary islands appeared normal, with only patrol guards circling them. Today, upon his return, he spotted one of these auxiliary islands from afar and immediately sensed an unusual atmosphere. The island's defensive formation was activated, and teams of guards patrolled the sea surface in shifts, leaving no blind spots, creating an air of solemn vigilance.

Qin Sang, cloaked, was spotted by a patrol team as soon as he appeared. They flew towards him. Recognizing Qin Sang as a cultivator, their wariness lessened somewhat. The leader, a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, addressed Qin Sang respectfully but firmly: "Senior, where have you come from? Are you planning to land on the island?"

Qin Sang glanced around and replied, "I need to go to Great Barren Island to take the teleportation array back to the Canglang Sea. I hope you can accommodate me, fellow Daoist."

The cultivator shook his head. "Senior, if you wish to go to Great Barren Island, I cannot authorize your passage. Please follow me to the island first; someone will make arrangements for you there."

Qin Sang frowned slightly. Seeing no unusual expressions on the others' faces, he pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and followed them to the auxiliary island.