Chapter 922: Sea Toad Island

Mortal Realm

"It seems you don't reject cultivators. Why have you consistently refused my terms? Among cultivators, I'm certainly not considered weak, am I? You know better than anyone how strong I am now. While I wouldn't dare say that forming a Nascent Soul is guaranteed, my chances are much greater than others. Following me wouldn't bring you shame, would it?"

As Qin Sang flew swiftly, he looked down at the Two-Headed Hou.

He naturally understood that the Two-Headed Hou wasn't particularly close to the young girl; leaving behind that green shadow was merely its way of repaying her for all the years she had 'groomed' it.

The Two-Headed Hou gave Qin Sang a sidelong glance, then, with a flash of its figure, it darted into the Primordial Concentric Ring to rest.

Qin Sang stroked his chin, beckoned his avatar, and, riding a streak of light, vanished into the vast ocean.

Several months later.

Qin Sang visited Quheng Island, and after a few days, he left the island again. He resumed his journey, this time heading directly towards Tianxing Island, with almost no stops along the way.

After a long journey, he returned to Tianxing Island.

A hint of emotion flickered across Qin Sang's face. Out of caution, he had his avatar enter the stone coffin, while he himself tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible, blending into the city.

After some inquiries, Qin Sang learned that the teleportation arrays between Tianxing Island and Yaohai Great Barren Island were normally open, allowing free travel. However, the spiritual stones required were nearly half more expensive than before, which caused widespread complaints.

The Demon Sea was gradually returning to normal.

Of course, it was definitely more dangerous than before the demon unrest.

Qin Sang assumed the identity of Daoist Qingfeng and contacted members of the Qiongyu Chamber of Commerce. He learned that Elder Zou was currently still in the Demon Sea and decided to visit him there after some time.

Previously, he had sent a letter to Elder Zou, explaining that he would be in seclusion for a period.

Both of them were planning to go to the Seven Kills Hall. Although his objective differed from Elder Zou's, they might encounter each other inside and could look out for one another. He had also previously promised Elder Zou to help him plan his trip to the Seven Kills Hall.

However, before leaving, he needed to re-refine the Heavenly Corpse Coffin.

Qin Sang entered the market and went to a place that rented out artifact refining rooms. He rented one at a high price.

The stone chamber measured little more than a few meters across. In the center sat a bronze cauldron, and beneath it was a cave entrance sealed by a restrictive formation. Looking down into it, one could only see a patch of dark red.

Despite the isolating formation, waves of heat could still be felt surging up from underground.

At the cave entrance, there was an exceptionally complex spiritual array.

Qin Sang first inspected the artifact refining room's formations and then added several more layers himself. He instructed his avatar to guard nearby, then sat cross-legged before the bronze cauldron, and took out the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, Black Essence Gold, and other spiritual materials.

The refining plan had been pondered countless times in his mind.

Qin Sang adjusted his state to its peak, then reached out and pressed his hand onto the bronze cauldron.

As he activated the formation, the bronze cauldron glowed brilliantly, emitting a dull humming sound.

Immediately after, a dazzling crimson fire suddenly flared up from the cave below, and a wave of heat surged forward, as if a fiery dragon was rushing straight up from the ground.

"Boom!"

The formations within the stone chamber trembled violently. Qin Sang's face was illuminated by the flames, and he squinted slightly, seeing fierce flames already burning beneath the bronze cauldron.

Upon closer inspection, the flames were not corporeal.

The spiritual array at the cave entrance was also activated, emitting an extremely pure flame aura.

This kind of power was exceptionally stable, most suitable for artifact refining and pill concocting.

Qin Sang had heard that among these underground fire veins, the best was found in the 'Mountain of Mountains' of the Void Spirit Sect in the Lesser Cold Domain. It was said that due to the terrain, the earth fire there was continuously refined and extremely pure; its power could rival spiritual flames without requiring such complex processes.

Qin Sang put the Black Essence Gold into the bronze cauldron, activated the spiritual array, and began refining it patiently.

Since the Heavenly Corpse Coffin was originally a magic treasure, re-refining it was not difficult. The refining process proceeded very smoothly, and in just one night, Qin Sang completed its re-refinement.

On the surface of the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, numerous black patterns appeared, greatly increasing its defensive power.

Afterward, Qin Sang did not stay in Tianxing City for too long and directly teleported to the Demon Sea. He was very cautious, guarding against people from the Landou Sect, but fortunately, the journey was uneventful.

Two months later, Qin Sang met Elder Zou on an island in the Demon Sea.

Reuniting after a long separation, Elder Zou was also exceptionally pleased.

"Daoist Priest, you secluded yourself for decades without any news; I've been worried about you," Elder Zou exclaimed with emotion. He noticed that Qin Sang's cultivation seemed to have made little progress, which puzzled him, but he was tactful enough not to ask further.

"The Seven Kills Hall is about to open, and this humble Daoist has never forgotten our agreement from back then. Elder Zou, have you found any news?"

Qin Sang returned the greeting and asked.

"Over the years, this old man has rarely concerned himself with the Chamber of Commerce's affairs and has been continuously gathering information. I have found some things that might be useful to me, but discerning the truth from falsehood among them is indeed difficult..."

Elder Zou shook his head and invited Qin Sang to sit.

The two of them sifted through the information, distinguishing between truth and falsehood.

Qin Sang had only entered the Seven Kills Hall once himself, so he could only offer advice for reference, and Elder Zou would have to make his own decisions.

Learning that Elder Zou, just like last time, intended to use the East Pole Alliance's qualifications to enter the Seven Kills Hall, Qin Sang found it difficult to say anything outright, but merely hinted a few words.

Given Elder Zou's shrewdness, he would surely pick up on the implications.

As for whether Elder Zou would change his mind, that was beyond Qin Sang's control.

"I originally intended to help the Daoist Priest secure a qualification, but I didn't expect you to have already obtained a jade token elsewhere. This means that after entering the Seven Kills Hall, we won't be able to travel together."

Elder Zou was somewhat surprised.

He had intended to invite Qin Sang to join him, as they had known each other for many years, and Qin Sang was more trustworthy than others.

Qin Sang nodded and sighed, "Elder Zou must have noticed this humble Daoist's cultivation issue. I haven't made any progress in these past years, and there are a few places I must visit. The Seven Kills Hall is my only opportunity. Before resolving my own troubles, it will be difficult for me to focus on anything else."

Elder Zou nodded. "Then I, Zou, can only wish that the Daoist Priest achieves his desires and returns safely. After entering the Seven Kills Hall, I will certainly explore those few places one by one. If the Daoist Priest successfully resolves his troubles, or encounters any difficulties, you can come find me. For the two of us to cooperate is always easier than facing challenges alone. I, Zou, still have some savings, and if the Daoist Priest can help me find those spiritual herbs, the reward will certainly not disappoint you."

Qin Sang nodded lightly, "This humble Daoist has noted it."

Afterward, Qin Sang stayed with Elder Zou for a few more days, learning about the latest situation in the Demon Sea from him. He then agreed with Elder Zou to meet again on Tianxing Island before the Seven Kills Hall opened, and then left alone, disappearing without a trace.

The demon race had quieted down, and after a brief period of silence, the Human and Witch races resumed their expansion.

The disrupted shipping routes were quickly reopened, and interactions between the two sides became increasingly frequent. It seemed it wouldn't be long before the former prosperity was restored.

Thus, without further incident, another three years passed.

Sea Toad Island.

Once renowned in the Demon Sea, its fame stemmed from its island master, Old Ancestor Sea Toad, a mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator, who was notorious.

During the demon unrest, Old Ancestor Sea Toad was forced to abandon the island.

When the demon unrest ended, he immediately returned with his disciples, and Sea Toad Island quickly flourished once more.

At noon, a merchant ship docked at Sea Toad Island, and several Witch cultivators disembarked.