Chapter 939: Memory

"You want the Soul Nurturing Wood?" A smile appeared on the white face, and he appraised Qin Sang from head to toe. "It seems the Soul Nurturing Wood is your true objective. Do you know its value? This is the only treasure I kept from my life, and it's immensely helpful for us ghost cultivators. Do you really think I'd give up the Soul Nurturing Wood just to survive?"

Qin Sang was silent for a moment, then said, "It seems you're trapped within the demonic restriction and aren't aware of the situation outside. This place has become a secret realm, opening only once every few decades, which is when entry is possible. However, the realm is extraordinarily dangerous. For some unknown reason, the fierce beasts within have lost their minds, and none of those trapped in the Seven Kills Hall, including many renowned grand cultivators, have ever reappeared. There are also various other strange omens, which is why no one dares to remain here after the realm closes. Yet, you've been able to stay safely in this ghost land – you're the only exception I've seen. Can this demonic restriction circumvent the Seven Kills Hall's influence? Perhaps I don't need to rush to leave. I could stay within the demonic restriction for decades, waiting until the Seven Kills Hall opens again. Would that person really dare to block the entrance for that long?"

The smile on the white face froze. The threat in Qin Sang's words was very clear: at worst, it would be a lose-lose situation, betting that the demonic restriction would protect him, allowing him to safely wait for the next opening of the Seven Kills Hall.

"You're gambling with your future!" the white face said, staring intensely at Qin Sang, trying to dissuade him. "Your physical body is very strong; your body cultivation is no less impressive than your cultivation level. The techniques you practice must be extraordinary, perhaps even leading to the immortal path. This place is nothing but boundless ghostly mist. If you dare to stay here for decades, even if your nascent soul remains unharmed, your physical body will most likely not endure. It will be corroded by the ghostly mist, forcing you to switch to the path of corpse-ghost cultivation. Is it worth it for an external object?" However, his intuition told him that this person was capable of anything once he became ruthless.

Qin Sang suddenly smiled playfully. "Did you know?" he asked. "To form my core, I once risked everything and willingly entered the path of corpses? It was only later, by fortunate coincidence, that I returned to the righteous path, and unexpectedly, it led directly to my core formation."

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise appeared in the white face's eyes, and his understanding of Qin Sang deepened.

"Besides," Qin Sang continued, "the Soul Nurturing Wood is not an external object to me." With a flash between his eyebrows, the Ebony Sword appeared and floated between them. "This sword, the Ebony Sword, is my natal magic treasure, intrinsically linked to my cultivation. It's special; it needs to absorb spiritual wood to grow. However, now only spiritual woods of the Ten Divine Woods caliber can further enhance it, and my cultivation has been stagnant for years because of this. With the Soul Nurturing Wood right in front of me, if you were in my place, would you give up such an opportunity?"

Qin Sang knew the significant risks of staying in the ghost land and didn't want a full-blown conflict unless absolutely necessary. He cultivated both magic and physical arts, possessing top-tier techniques from both lineages. If he were to be corroded by the ghostly mist and forced to switch to corpse-ghost cultivation, the loss would be immense, and he didn't even possess such top-tier techniques in that regard. Therefore, he simply revealed the Ebony Sword, signaling to the white face that the Soul Nurturing Wood was something he absolutely had to obtain.

"The Soul Nurturing Wood is a supreme treasure for ghost cultivators," Qin Sang said gently, trying to persuade him. "But you don't need to rely on this treasure now, do you? After regaining your freedom, with your abilities, perhaps you could find a way to restore your human body..." As he spoke, he noticed the white face staring intently at the Ebony Sword, its expression somewhat peculiar.

Seeing this, Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he quickly asked, "Have you remembered something?" The white face was a remnant soul of an ancient cultivator; could seeing the Ebony Sword have reminded it of some secret? Qin Sang deliberately activated the 'Nascent Soul Sword Nurturing Scripture,' stimulating the Ebony Sword, causing circles of faint green sword light to flicker around its body, displaying it to the white face.

"Ah!" The white face suddenly cried out, clutching its head in agony. It took a while to recover, then, under Qin Sang's anxious gaze, it said, "Nirvana Blood Mulberry! I can see it now, is your magic treasure refined from Nirvana Blood Mulberry?"

"Indeed, it is Nirvana Blood Mulberry!" Qin Sang, who had expected the white face to recognize the origin of his cultivation method, felt a touch of disappointment. He cautiously asked, "Have your memories returned?"

The white face shook its head, its voice tinged with surprise. "No, not entirely. Perhaps because I have the Soul Nurturing Wood, my subconscious mind connected to related things, and when I saw this sword, the words 'Nirvana Blood Mulberry' suddenly sprang into my spiritual consciousness. It seems my memories might be recoverable after all! I understand now why your natal magic treasure couldn't advance. Nirvana Blood Mulberry is the most defiling wood in the world, on par with the Soul Nurturing Wood. Unless it's a top-tier spiritual item that can resist the corrosive power of defiling wood, it cannot be refined together with Nirvana Blood Mulberry; it would be polluted and lose all its spirituality. You truly have profound good fortune to even acquire Nirvana Blood Mulberry."

"I wouldn't claim that," Qin Sang replied. "I only obtained a thin piece of the spiritual wood. At the time, I was ecstatic, thinking it a great opportunity, little knowing that misfortune often lurks within good fortune..." He explained, then couldn't help but press further, "So, you mean if you see something you were familiar with in your lifetime, you might recall those specific memories?"

"Not necessarily!" The white face's tone changed, its expression not optimistic. "I'm only a wisp of a remnant soul. Even if I recover, it will at most be a very small portion of my memories, and most of them will be insignificant. How incredibly difficult it is to reclaim my true self! It's the same with the Nirvana Blood Mulberry; my knowledge of it in my lifetime was certainly far more detailed. Now, I've only recalled these superficial bits..."

As it spoke, the white face rubbed its forehead, then after a moment of silence, looked up and said, "You're right. When it comes to one's own Great Dao, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't miss such an opportunity either."

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. "Are you implying...?"

"It seems I have no choice but to offer the Soul Nurturing Wood as ransom for my life, then?" The white face gave a bitter smile. To Qin Sang's surprise, it had agreed to his terms so readily.

Hearing this, Qin Sang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. This was undoubtedly a satisfactory outcome for everyone.

The white face cautioned Qin Sang not to rejoice too soon. "I cannot hand the Soul Nurturing Wood directly to you. You and I must agree on three conditions and swear a Heart Demon Oath. Only after you help me break through the demonic restriction and liberate the deceased souls will I give you this treasure. Furthermore, you must then fully assist me in refining this physical body and never attack me..."

It seemed to have a plan already formed, speaking rapidly as it laid out a Heart Demon Oath with no discernible loopholes.

Qin Sang pondered for a long time, then softened his tone. "Unless absolutely necessary, I don't wish to be your enemy. I can indeed swear a Heart Demon Oath according to these terms. Furthermore, if you encounter difficulties in the future while seeking your true self, I might even be able to offer some assistance. However, shouldn't you first let me see the Soul Nurturing Wood for confirmation?"

He wasn't afraid of the Heart Demon Oath, but he also wouldn't go back on his own word.

"No problem," the white face readily nodded, a cunning smile on its lips. "I'll remember what you've just said..." It opened its mouth wide, and a burst of corpse qi spewed forth, seemingly encasing something. As it landed in the white face's palm, it transformed into a piece of black decayed wood, almost half a chi long and as thick as a forearm. It was indeed the Soul Nurturing Wood! And hidden within the white face's body was another piece of Soul Nurturing Wood of similar size. It seemed to have anticipated this move and had already divided the Soul Nurturing Wood into two sections.