Chapter 910: Two Years

Soon, the other Eagle King was also slain. With their leaders gone, all the Corrupted-wing Eagles fell into a panic, fleeing Poison Island in disarray.

Qin Sang only eliminated the Great Demons above the Demonic Spirit stage. Instead of pursuing the smaller demons, he trapped them, intending to corral them onto a few mountaintops to maintain the illusion that everything on Poison Island remained unchanged.

Afterwards, he located the island's spirit vein and nodded to himself.

"Good! These two Eagle Kings' nests are in the best location for the spirit vein, suitable for a dwelling. But it's too smelly in here..."

Qin Sang subtly frowned, cast a spell to dispel the odor, and after some thought, he walked around the entire Poison Island. He released the Corrupted-wing Eagles and set up an illusion array and a storm-warding spirit array he had previously purchased.

The illusion array, combined with the poisonous miasma, formed the first barrier.

He then returned to his cave dwelling and laid down several layers of restrictions and spirit arrays.

After all, if nothing unexpected happened, he would be cultivating here for several decades, and one could not be too cautious.

"Mission accomplished!"

Qin Sang took out his meditation mat, sat down cross-legged, and a look of satisfaction spread across his face.

After resting for a moment and washing away his fatigue, Qin Sang could finally carefully consider his next steps.

"First, I need to advance my outer avatar to the Core Formation stage, and only then can it assist me with the Star Essence Infusion.

"My outer avatar has cultivated to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, so I can now begin preparing to refine the Corpse Core using the 'Primordial Seed Demonic Embryo' art. I've been studying these two cultivation methods for so long that I have a sixty percent certainty of successfully refining the Corpse Core. Once the avatar reaches the pseudo-core stage, I'll gain new insights, further refining the process, making success almost certain.

"By then, the 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' technique will likely have also reached the peak of its second layer. Once everything is in order, it will be a period of rigorous cultivation, with time spent studying artifact refining during leisure — nothing particularly noteworthy to mention."

Qin Sang's gaze shifted to the two spirit insects on his shoulder.

The Fat Silkworm was staring at him eagerly, waiting to be fed.

After feeding the Fat Silkworm purple crystals, Qin Sang also released the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, allowing it to move freely within the cave dwelling, thinking to himself.

"I wonder if they can break through to the middle stage of their third transformation before the Seven Kills Hall opens. After advancing, their divine abilities will greatly increase in power, and they'll be able to help me much more.

"Then there's the Two-headed Hou. Given its temperament, it seems unlikely to ever submit. If that's the case, I won't force it. As long as it can break through to the late stage on its own, or if I find a more suitable spirit beast, I'll set it free.

"With the Star Altar, there's no need to use spirit medicine to break through to the third layer of body refinement. I'll leave that Tyrant Blood Fruit for it; it's helped me a lot for so long, so consider it payment..."

Qin Sang's thoughts raced. He released his outer avatar, and after completing the blood sacrifice, he let it cultivate on its own. He then took out the jade slip recording the 'Thunder Command Art.'

During this time, he had already pondered the 'Thunder Command Art' countless times. He had only delayed its practice until now because he hadn't found a stable location.

"Refining Star Demonic Energy, commanding heavenly lightning, evolving into the ultimate lightning art... what a boastful claim..."

Qin Sang murmured.

The 'Thunder Command Art' was indeed powerful, but as his cultivation improved, whether it truly was the ultimate lightning art as described in the jade slip remained debatable.

"To cultivate this Dao art, one must first refine the Star Demonic Energy, then draw in heavenly lightning until the art is mastered. Storms frequently occurred in the Rifting Wind Archipelago, so there would be no shortage of thunderstorms. However, drawing heavenly lightning into one's body was extremely dangerous. Disciples of the Luan Dou Sect certainly had Nascent Soul cultivators as protectors during their practice; I can only rely on myself..."

Qin Sang's scalp tingled as he finished reading the cultivation process for this Dao art.

The Dao art's power was truly formidable, and taking such a great risk was worth it.

When cultivators used the 'Thunder Command Art,' its power was related to their own cultivation; the higher the cultivation, the greater the power.

However, it was important to note that because both of these powers were extremely violent, instantly activating the 'Thunder Command Art' would not only cause damage to the user but also drain seventy to eighty percent of their true essence, which is why it could unleash such terrifying power.

"No wonder the disciples of Dou Niu Peak suffered such a crushing defeat, with some even captured alive in the end. This Dao art can only be used when one can instantly kill an opponent, otherwise, it's a desperate, last-ditch effort when there's no other recourse..."

Qin Sang's expression grew solemn as he thought to himself that he must be cautious in the future.

However, since he also cultivated body refinement, after breaking through to the third layer of 'Heavenly Demon Refinement,' his physical body was far superior to other cultivators', and he should be able to withstand the backlash from the 'Thunder Command Art.'

That night, Qin Sang cultivated the 'Heavenly Demon Refinement' technique, accumulating enough Star Demonic Energy within his body, and then immediately began practicing the 'Thunder Command Art' to refine the Star Demonic Energy.

Unconsciously, a month swiftly passed.

None of the surrounding cultivators noticed that Poison Island, which they dreaded, had already changed hands. Qin Sang cultivated systematically, enjoying the rare tranquility.

Finally, the first storm since he occupied Poison Island arrived.

The fierce midday sun was suddenly obscured by dark clouds.

In an instant, darkness descended, wild winds howled, and colossal waves surged.

The spirit arrays steadily protected Poison Island.

Qin Sang stood on the mountaintop, observing the apocalyptic scenery around him. Finally, he looked up at the sky, where dark clouds gathered and electric serpents coiled, knowing that he would soon rush up to draw down heavenly lightning.

Even with Qin Sang's cultivation, he felt a slight shiver of apprehension. He composed himself and waited until the storm was nearing its end, when the thunder was less terrifying, before forming a hand seal and leaping upwards.

A thunderous crack!

Lightning pierced through the darkness, striking fiercely onto a human figure.

Qin Sang let out a muffled grunt, plunged headfirst into the sea, and was fished out by the Two-headed Hou, which had been waiting below. The creature then carried him back to Poison Island.

The Two-headed Hou sniffed the scorched odor with a look of distaste.

Qin Sang's body trembled slightly. He forced himself to sit up and immediately began cultivating without pause.

With his cultivation, resisting that bolt of lightning wouldn't have been difficult. However, to practice this Dao art, he had to drop most of his defenses and fully concentrate on completing the incantation, drawing the heavenly lightning into his body.

Pain was a minor concern.

Qin Sang's expression remained unchanged. Sitting on the mountaintop, he focused his mind inward, activated the Star Demonic Energy, and began to subdue the circulating lightning power.

The Two-headed Hou stayed by Qin Sang's side, guarding him.

It tilted its head, observing Qin Sang's focused expression, seemingly realizing something. Finally, it looked away and lay down on the ground.

Subsequently, Qin Sang repeatedly ascended into the sky, proactively drawing down heavenly lightning until the storm ceased.

In the end, his Daoist robe was torn to shreds, and his skin bore lightning-shaped scars.

Ignoring his disheveled appearance, Qin Sang formed a hand seal, assessing his gains for the day. "Good, my understanding of the 'Thunder Command Art' was correct! With just a few more storms, this Dao art can achieve minor completion..."

A look of satisfaction appeared on his face as he returned to his cave dwelling.

Unconsciously, two more years passed.

Poison Island remained peaceful, undisturbed by anyone.

That night, Qin Sang was cultivating when he seemed to sense something. He suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing within them, and murmured, "It's finally done!"

Before his words fully faded, Qin Sang vanished in a flash, reappearing deep within the cave dwelling. He looked at his outer avatar, which had now reached the pseudo-core stage, his eyes gleaming with delight.