Chapter 935: Transaction

Hearing Bai's explanation, Qin Sang realized he wasn't the first cultivator to discover the Nine Nether Demonic Flame. This was normal. Although the ghost land's location was hidden, the Seven Kills Hall had opened countless times, and numerous cultivators had entered. Unless it was a truly forbidden zone, every corner would have been explored long ago. Many late Core Formation cultivators possessed treasures that resisted the poisonous purple mist, making their deep exploration of the area unsurprising. However, judging by Bai's tone, Qin Sang appeared to be the first person to pass through the Nine Nether Demonic Flame and enter the ghost land.

Qin Sang's mind raced. He attacked the ghost mist, clearing a path with his sword wheel. His avatar and the two-headed Qiongqi flanked him like guardians. Qin Sang, accompanied by his avatar and the two-headed Qiongqi, besieged Bai. While verbally trying to stabilize him, Qin Sang searched for Bai's true form, waiting for the right moment to strike. Finally, the Celestial Eye Butterfly pinpointed Bai's location.

Without a change in expression, Qin Sang immediately activated the Thunder Control Art. While Bai's control over the ghost mist significantly boosted his power, the Thunder Control Art harnessed the ultimate Yang and most potent lightning, which had a considerable suppressive effect on spectral beings. The Thunder Control Art would not only shatter the ghost mist, but Bai within it would also be unable to escape. While casting the Thunder Control Art might severely injure or even destroy the Flying Yaksha, Qin Sang wouldn't hesitate. The Ten Directions Yama Banner was clearly far more important than the Flying Yaksha.

Bai's proactive offer for a trade undeniably tempted Qin Sang. This individual was likely an ancient monster who had survived from antiquity. Even with lost memories, any accidental recollection could reveal astounding secrets, proving immensely valuable for Qin Sang's future cultivation. However, this kind of transaction was not what Qin Sang truly wanted. Bai likely had similar reservations; otherwise, he would have openly appeared and negotiated with Qin Sang from the beginning. Bai surely didn't anticipate that Qin Sang's strength would far exceed his expectations, rendering his control over the ghost mist and resentful spirits insufficient to suppress him. Consequently, he had no choice but to propose a trade under the guise of mutual benefit. Moreover, what Qin Sang valued most were the Eighteen Demon Banners. Between an elusive trade and a readily available top-tier magic treasure, he would undoubtedly choose the latter.

A crackle!

As the Thunder Control Art neared completion, electric arcs crackled and flashed around Qin Sang's body. The surrounding ghost mist and spirits recoiled with terrified shrieks, as if encountering their natural nemesis.

"What secret art are you casting?" Bai sensed something amiss, became alarmed, and cried out.

Qin Sang merely sneered, silently forming hand seals to rapidly cast his secret art. The power of the Thunder Control Art began to manifest. Qin Sang was enveloped in shimmering electric light, bathed in lightning, as an endless torrent of thunder force surged towards his fingertips. His fingertips pointed directly at Bai's hiding place.

Qin Sang had challenged heavenly thunder during a storm to refine and master the Thunder Control Art. However, the lightning he commanded now differed from true heavenly thunder. Not only was its power incomparable, but due to the presence of star malevolent energy, it had a faint, eerie dimness, lacking the brilliance of heavenly thunder. Even so, the Thunder Control Art, when unleashed by Qin Sang, was beyond the resistance of a Core Formation cultivator.

Wails rose from the ghost mist. The resentful spirits within the ghost mist sensed danger and became agitated. At this moment, all composure vanished from Bai's eyes. He had previously believed he could at least fight Qin Sang to a standstill, which was why he had remained so audacious. Only now did he realize that Qin Sang possessed the means to defeat, or even slay, him.

Bai, greatly alarmed, frantically darted back and forth within the ghost mist, attempting to confuse Qin Sang's judgment. But he was already locked onto by Qin Sang, completely exposed to the Celestial Eye Butterfly's divine vision, and his efforts were destined to be futile.

"Stop! I surrender!" Bai shrieked.

Qin Sang ignored him, continuously altering his hand seals. Deep within the ghost land, thunder rumbled. With phoenix wings extending from his back, Qin Sang hovered in the air, his robes fluttering, his gaze stern. Commanding the lightning, he exuded an aura that seemed capable of purging all evil and clarifying the heavens. Of course, he wasn't that powerful yet; at most, he could eliminate Bai and the few resentful spirits immediately surrounding him.

With the lightning locked on him, Bai felt an impending catastrophe and truly panicked, repeatedly shouting, "Dare to kill me, and you won't survive either! Your powerful enemy is lurking outside the demonic flame; going out is a death trap!"

Qin Sang didn't believe his nonsense for a second. At present, only a Nascent Soul grandmaster could kill him. He prided himself on his caution. Although he had offended two Nascent Soul grandmasters, he had left no incriminating evidence and had remained hidden for decades. How could they possibly have found him here? Thus, he remained unfazed, watching as his secret art neared completion.

"Don't you have a probing secret art? If you don't believe me, go outside and see! This person is currently lurking just beyond the demonic flame, and they're a Nascent Soul cultivator! Only I can help you escape this calamity!" Bai shrieked, his voice growing sharp with desperation. He regretted not having more mouths; seeing Qin Sang's stubbornness, he nearly ground the Flying Yaksha's steel teeth.

Hearing this, Qin Sang's gaze flickered, and his hand seals paused for a moment, a hint of uncertainty appearing in his expression. Bai's tone didn't sound feigned. Could a formidable enemy truly be lurking? The canyon was the sole entrance to the ghost land. It was a choke point, where one defender could hold off a thousand attackers. If, as Bai claimed, a Nascent Soul grandmaster was indeed guarding the canyon, Qin Sang would be utterly trapped. He had hidden himself perfectly, never leaving any clues, and outsiders couldn't possibly know his interest in the Nine Nether Demonic Flame. Who, then, could be blocking the exit?

Seeing Qin Sang's aggressive aura soften, Bai breathed a sigh of relief. Fearing Qin Sang might go back on his word, he hastily swore, "The ghost land is only so big. Even if I deceive you for a moment, can I deceive you forever? Where would I even escape to? If I've uttered a single false word, I'll willingly accept my demise!"

Qin Sang squinted, staring into the depths of the ghost mist for a long moment. Then he said faintly, "First, disperse the ghost mist. I agree to spare your life for now."

Bai was silent for a moment before agreeing to the request. With a resounding "boom," the ghost mist dispersed in all directions. The resentful spirits, now free, caused another commotion. At this moment, Bai stood alone before Qin Sang, meeting his gaze calmly.

Qin Sang stared into Bai's eyes for a while. Then, with a slight tremor of his arm, the electric light surrounding him slowly dissipated, and the lightning energy retracted back into his body. Seeing this, Bai's constantly tense heart finally relaxed. "This is the deal I was trying to make with you earlier," he said. "It seems I'll have to let you see it for yourself to believe me. That person is blocking the exit beyond the demonic flame. I'll use the ghost mist to conceal our auras. Go and see for yourself…"

Bai, being sensible, made no misleading moves. He proactively swept towards the ghost land's entrance. Qin Sang pondered for a moment before following closely. However, he kept the Thunder Control Art ready at all times, prepared to instantly kill Bai if he made any suspicious move.

Soon, the two arrived before the Nine Nether Demonic Flame. After gesturing, Bai activated a wisp of ghost mist, drawing it around Qin Sang to conceal his figure and aura. Qin Sang quietly stepped forward, pressing against the stone wall, and commanded the Celestial Eye Butterfly to scan the outside.

There was no one there.