Chapter 909: Corrupted Winged Eagle

Qin Sang flew past Quheng Island without stopping, heading straight for the more chaotic southern reaches of the Riftwind Archipelago.

The fallout from Elder Demon Yin's Nascent Soul being captured a few years prior seemed to have subsided, as Qin Sang arrived near Linggui Island, Senior Qingzhu's former cultivation ground, with surprising ease. Qin Sang suspected that Elder Demon Yin's predicament might be connected to Senior Qingzhu. He knew that if the Demon Lord chose to investigate, agents would undoubtedly be sent to monitor cultivators on nearby islands. As a precaution, Qin Sang bypassed Bamen Island and continued his journey southward.

Along the way, he frequently adopted aliases to inquire about the state of the Riftwind Archipelago. He discovered that despite its chaotic appearance, the archipelago operated under its own unique rules and was home to various powers, including several Nascent Soul stage cultivators. He had no desire to be drawn into further conflicts. However, unless he pledged allegiance to one of these factions, finding a secure cave dwelling where he could cultivate in peace would prove challenging.

Several months passed.

In a desolate part of the Riftwind Archipelago, a lone figure streaked past several deserted islands. After hours of flight, he finally paused before a small island. The island, no more than ten miles in circumference, featured a few modest hills. Multicolored mists permeated the island, rising from its center and swirling persistently among the hills' vegetation. Any cultivator arriving there would instantly recognize the mist as a poisonous miasma. However, the greatest danger wasn't the miasma itself, but what lurked within the nests dotting the hills.

"Is this the 'Poison Island' they spoke of?"

The person who had come to this place was Qin Sang. He had arrived at the edge of the Riftwind Archipelago's chaotic zone, assuming a false identity to gather information and search for a suitable cave dwelling. Several locations he'd found previously had proven unsatisfactory. A few days prior, while in the nearby waters, he'd overheard other cultivators mention a "Poison Island" that served as a demon nest for a flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles. His interest immediately piqued, and he promptly set off to investigate.

Corrupt-wing Eagles were infamous poisonous beasts. They could not only spray venomous clouds but also carried potent toxins on their feathers and talons. A single injury from one would allow the poison to swiftly penetrate the victim's vital organs within moments. Perhaps due to their constant exposure to potent toxins, the Corrupt-wing Eagles themselves appeared corroded, their forms truly grotesque. Their bodies were pitch-black, their feathers looked scorched and emitted a foul stench. Their flesh and plumage were tattered, in some areas even exposing bone, resembling decaying corpses. Their wings were particularly gruesome, giving them their name. Mortals greatly feared these creatures, believing them to be the embodiment of Yama, the King of Hell.

Even cultivators found Corrupt-wing Eagles troublesome, as they typically appeared in large flocks, deterring anyone from easily provoking them. Consequently, this Poison Island was devoid of cultivators, its sole inhabitants being the flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles. As the Corrupt-wing Eagles multiplied and their numbers grew, even fewer cultivators dared to approach.

Qin Sang remained hidden, observing the Poison Island from a discreet distance. Poisonous miasma filled the mountains, occasionally disturbed by strange fluctuations accompanied by eerie eagle cries. From the peaks of several hills, dark figures frequently emerged, diving into the miasma to breathe in and out the toxic fumes. From his vantage point, he could sense the island's surprisingly rich spiritual energy, confirming the presence of a spiritual vein. The poisonous miasma wasn't a significant problem; with the right restrictions and spiritual formations, it could be completely isolated, allowing for the creation of a cave dwelling. Furthermore, the pervasive miasma could serve as both camouflage and a barrier, deterring opportunistic intruders.

Qin Sang sought stability, and the more he observed the island, the more satisfied he felt. "As long as the island's spiritual vein can support my cultivation, I'll settle here," Qin Sang thought. The surrounding environment was also favorable; due to scarce resources, high-level cultivators rarely ventured there, which suited him perfectly. The only issue was the island's current occupants: this flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles had resided here for years, likely having produced a Demon Core stage Eagle King.

As Qin Sang pondered, a rustling sound emanated from the insect pouch at his waist. The Fat Silkworm was demanding food again. Two days prior, the Fat Silkworm had awakened and demanded purple crystals, which Qin Sang had refused. He still needed its assistance to apply the Poison-Repelling Armor on himself before confronting the Corrupt-wing Eagles. Otherwise, Qin Sang would be hesitant to face the potent venom of a Demon Core stage Corrupt-wing Eagle. Once the creature fell asleep, it was impossible to rouse. Qin Sang had withheld its rations for two days, and the Fat Silkworm, greatly displeased, periodically caused a commotion inside the pouch, scratching at the sides and rolling about. Qin Sang suspected the creature was cursing him, and if its abilities weren't so pathetic, it would surely have tried to seize the crystals by force.

"Help me deal with this flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles, and you'll get your purple crystals."

Qin Sang picked up the Fat Silkworm and lifted it out of the pouch. The Fat Silkworm wagged its head and tail, hissed twice to express its displeasure, then opened its mouth and spewed a rainbow halo onto Qin Sang and the Two-headed Hou. Afterwards, it joined the Sky-eye Butterfly, perching on Qin Sang's shoulders, one on each side, ready to observe the ensuing battle.

Qin Sang nodded to the Two-headed Hou and vanished into the island. As a precaution, Qin Sang first retrieved the Ten Directions Yama Banner, then conjured his Ebony Sword.

The island indeed harbored a substantial number of Corrupt-wing Eagles. The moment Qin Sang set foot on the island, he encountered a flock. Upon noticing the intruder, they emitted sharp screeches and furiously spewed venomous clouds. Though this flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles was merely at the Mortal Demon stage, the combined venomous clouds they spewed possessed a power far exceeding their individual cultivation levels. However, protected by the Fat Silkworm's Poison-Repelling Armor, these venomous clouds couldn't harm Qin Sang in the slightest. All the other Corrupt-wing Eagles were alerted.

The Poison Island plunged into chaos, filled with an incessant chorus of ear-piercing screeches that grated on the nerves. In moments, the poisonous miasma around Qin Sang was dispersed by countless Corrupt-wing Eagles, leaving a dense, black mass before him and a pungent stench. Ignoring the venomous clouds completely, Qin Sang activated his Ebony Sword and began his massacre.

The Sky-eye Butterfly also seemed eager, occasionally flapping its wings to unleash bolts of lightning, clearing swaths of eagles at once. It would then proudly flit about before the Fat Silkworm. The Fat Silkworm watched the Sky-eye Butterfly display its might, its small eyes darting about. It then disdainfully turned its head, though a clear envy flickered in its gaze. It wanted to remove the Poison-Repelling Armor from the Sky-eye Butterfly to see how long its pride would last, but fearing Qin Sang's wrath, it felt deeply wronged. Of course, the Sky-eye Butterfly's primary role was still to help Qin Sang scout for enemy movements.

As flocks of Corrupt-wing Eagles were slaughtered, they finally began to show fear. Just then, an enraged cry erupted from the island's center, accompanied by a powerful surge of energy.

"The Eagle King has emerged… and there are two of them!"

The Sky-eye Butterfly detected the Eagle Kings' movements, and Qin Sang's expression hardened. With a sudden sweep of his arm, a stream of Nine Nether Demonic Flame shot forth, effortlessly cleaving a wide gap through the flock of Corrupt-wing Eagles before slamming into a colossal black shadow.

A wail of agony erupted. With a miserable shriek, half of the Eagle King's wing was pierced. It stumbled backward and, before it could regain its balance, Qin Sang and the Two-headed Hou closed in from either side. The Two-headed Hou's eyes shot forth wind blades, now more powerful than before, which, combined with the Nine Nether Demonic Flame, began to tear the Eagle King apart. The Eagle King furiously spewed multicolored venomous clouds, only to discover with horror that its opponent was utterly unaffected by its ultimate weapon. It was swiftly slain without even putting up a proper resistance.