Chapter 937: Oath

If his opponent were an early Nascent Soul cultivator, Qin Sang might have a slim chance of survival in this unique place, the Purple Mist Dead Zone, relying on his Thunder Summoning Art and other various methods.

But now, with a top expert—second only to the Demon Lord and the Heavenly Dao Sect Master—guarding the demonic flames, Qin Sang couldn't imagine how he could escape right under his nose.

"He arrived shortly after I left last time, which means he likely discovered my tracks then. This person has incredible patience; he waited decades to play the waiting game!"

Qin Sang's expression was grim. He looked up and said, "He's probably after the treasures in the Ghost Realm, isn't he?"

Bai scoffed, "What other purpose could there be? Didn't you also believe there were ancient treasures hidden within the Demonic Seal? Over the years, countless cultivators have tried to break through it, but all have failed. Otherwise, I would have escaped this prison long ago. Who would have thought this was merely a dead zone sealed by the Demonic Seal, filled only with lost souls and bones?"

"You want to make a deal with me. Do you have a way to deceive everyone and get me out?" Qin Sang asked.

"Exactly!"

Seeing that Qin Sang was finally willing to discuss serious matters, Bai eagerly said, "Not only will I help you get out, but I also intend to leave this place with you. So, you can completely trust me."

Qin Sang was slightly startled and asked in surprise, "You can leave the Ghost Realm? Although my cultivation is low, I can discern some basic things. This Demonic Seal is incredibly strange. If I'm not mistaken, whoever set up this seal around the Ghost Realm intended to trap you here forever, preventing reincarnation. Are you no longer afraid of the Demonic Seal after occupying the Flying Yaksha's body? I could try to help you escape, but if you accidentally provoke the seal's power, wouldn't we both turn to ash under the demonic flames?"

Bai was silent for a moment, then calmly said, "It seems you have quite some expertise in seals and restrictions! However, it's not surprising you noticed, as the Demonic Seal's power has greatly diminished over the centuries. You are right; I haven't fully merged with this body yet, and even with your protection, I cannot break free from these shackles. That's why I need to see the magical artifact you use to control the demonic flames first..."

Bai paused.

Qin Sang frowned slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he flicked his sleeve, and three small demonic banners flew out, circling. Since he hadn't activated his true essence, the Nine Nether Demonic Flames weren't visible.

"That's it!"

Upon seeing the demonic banners, Bai's eyes gleamed with delight and surprise. "The demonic flames are sealed within this artifact, aren't they? The three banners are connected by their aura, capable of forming a great array! The black pole you just took out looks very similar to these banner poles. Are you planning to collect demonic flames to refine more demonic banners?"

Qin Sang was silent for a moment before saying, "You have a keen eye. Yes, I returned to the Ghost Realm precisely to refine this artifact..."

At this moment, there was no need to conceal anything.

Qin Sang briefly explained his plan to refine the Soul Essence Threads, collect the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, and re-forge the demonic banners. Finally, a half-smile appeared on his face as he added, "It seems the resentful souls in the Ghost Realm might have been your acquaintances in life. You wouldn't stop me from refining Soul Essence Threads, would you?"

Hearing this, Bai did not reply. His gaze was profound, as if peering through eons and traversing the long river of time.

"Just now, I mentioned that it was a persistent obsession that made me hold on in this dark, sunless Ghost Realm until today. Do you know what that obsession is?"

Without waiting for Qin Sang's answer, Bai said faintly, "It's an obsession, and also a vow. All my memories have decayed; I've forgotten who I am. Only this vow remains etched in my mind, never forgotten—it's my sole surviving memory."

As he spoke, Bai looked back towards the depths of the Ghost Realm.

There, ghostly mist was like a sea, and white bones formed mountains.

The resentful souls had lost their sentience, forgotten themselves, existing in a daze, trapped by the Demonic Seal, unable to reincarnate forever.

"I want to break the Demonic Seal, set them free, and send them into reincarnation, to be reborn!"

Bai looked at Qin Sang, his gaze bright and his voice firm.

Qin Sang stared intently at this person. The familiar fiend corpse body seemed to radiate an unparalleled brilliance.

A vow made countless ages ago had sustained him until today, enduring loneliness and despair, waiting for an opportunity that might never arrive.

"Is there truly reincarnation in this world?"

Qin Sang subconsciously asked a question that had long puzzled him, glancing at the surrounding bone mountains. "Even if reincarnation truly exists, these souls have long lost their sentience. How could they be reborn? If the Demonic Seal is broken, wouldn't they most likely become wandering lost souls in the world?"

A look of confusion appeared on Bai's face, and he shook his head with a bitter smile. "I don't know! Perhaps I made this vow in my lifetime just to find peace of mind. All I know is that there's a great array in the Ghost Realm for guiding departed souls, which might have been left by me in my past life. Whether it can guide them depends on fate. This vow is the reason I've persevered until now; only by fulfilling it can I begin to seek my true self!"

"So, you intend to stop me from refining the Soul Essence Threads?"

Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly, gleaming with a dangerous light.

Bai shook his head. "Don't misunderstand! I won't stop you, because only by letting you refine the demonic banners can you help me fulfill my vow. However, the secret method for refining Soul Essence Threads can be slightly modified; it'll just be a bit more complicated than before. There are countless departed souls here; you don't need to eliminate them all. Just extracting a wisp of soul qi from each will be more than enough for refining your artifact."

Hearing Bai's words, Qin Sang's expression softened slightly after a brief consideration. He nodded subtly and said, "Your suggestion seems feasible, though it adds a lot of trouble. However, if you can help me control the departed souls and command them to peacefully allow me to extract their soul qi, the speed shouldn't be much slower."

Bai was overjoyed to hear this. "I will certainly assist you with all my might!"

Qin Sang glanced at him and chuckled, "Don't celebrate too soon, fellow cultivator. We've talked for a while, but we haven't gotten to the main point yet. What exactly do you want me to do? And what are the terms of this deal?"

"What I need you to do is simple. As time has passed, several flaws have appeared in the Demonic Seal. I hope that when you collect the demonic flames, you'll start from specific locations to weaken the seal's power."

Bai explained rapidly, "Then, I will activate a great array to forcefully impact the Demonic Seal and guide the departed souls. Once the Demonic Seal breaks, the accumulated ghostly mist in this place will erupt. With these combined effects, the commotion will undoubtedly be immense, and the person outside will be hit by powerful repercussions. Caught off guard, they will be flustered and distracted, giving us the perfect opportunity to escape..."

Following this, Bai thoroughly explained his plan to Qin Sang.

"So, the demonic flames don't just seal the valley entrance; they spread throughout the entire Demonic Seal. This way, I could quietly refine all eighteen demonic banners."

After listening, a thoughtful expression appeared on Qin Sang's face.

He had originally been worried that the commotion from collecting the Nine Nether Demonic Flames would be impossible to conceal and would alert the enemy outside.