Chapter 958: 异兽

The Mortal Realm

“Fellow Daoist, do you wish to explore other places?” Qin Sang turned his head and asked.

Bai nodded. “I haven’t fully recovered yet, and my body exudes too much corpse qi, making me too conspicuous to move around freely. You excel at escape techniques, and as long as we avoid provoking Nascent Soul cultivators, our safety is assured. If you have no other pressing matters, perhaps we can spend this time traveling around with me. I might recall something that could help us resolve our current predicament.”

After pondering for a moment, Qin Sang nodded in agreement. “That works. As long as we keep an eye on the Heavenly Pagoda’s movements, we should be able to arrive in time. I also have something I need to do.”

“Oh?” Bai seemed surprised. “What else do you need to do? We’ll prioritize your agenda then.”

“It’s nothing major,” Qin Sang patted the spirit beast pouch at his waist. “I promised this little fellow I’d help it find spiritual medicine. Originally, there was a purple crystal in the Purple Mist Despair that could aid its growth, but unexpected incidents kept occurring. I only just learned that top-tier fierce beasts guard the purple crystal, making it too dangerous to collect. So, I have to try my luck at another poisonous land, Flower Immortal Lake.”

Fatty Silkworm, while lacking other abilities, has an exceptionally keen sense for delicacies. Once we enter Flower Immortal Lake, we just need to circle it roughly and let Fatty Silkworm search on its own. It won’t take much time, so it won’t delay any important matters. However, searching for treasure with Elder Zou is different; it’s difficult to break through ancient secret realm restrictions in a short period.

“Oh? Is that the spirit silkworm that helped us resist the potent poison in the mist before?”

Bai glanced at the spirit beast pouch. Movement came from the spirit beast pouch; Fatty Silkworm was wriggling excitedly, having clearly overheard Qin Sang’s words.

“I didn’t get a good look then, but isn’t that spirit silkworm also a Three-Transformation spirit insect? Fellow Daoist, to raise two spirit insects simultaneously and cultivate them both to the Third Transformation, you must be incredibly wealthy. If you had any reason to deceive me, I wouldn’t believe that you’re actually a rogue cultivator,” Bai remarked, shaking his head.

“It was pure serendipity,” Qin Sang smiled faintly. “I obtained a rare medicinal herb that allowed me to cultivate them. This Fatty Silkworm didn’t actually require much effort from me; it found that purple crystal on its own. In fact, its abilities have helped me immensely. Without its poison-repelling armor, I wouldn’t have dared to venture deep into the Purple Mist Despair, and thus wouldn’t have met you… The Seven Kill Temple is vast, filled with countless ancient ruins. Some areas are hardly inferior to the Heavenly Pagoda. Perhaps they might trigger your memories. Without further ado, let’s depart quickly.”

“Alright!”

Bai re-entered the Corpse Puppet Pouch. Qin Sang quietly left the forest, took out a map, studied it for a moment, and then planned a route, swiftly moving towards a nearby ruin known as Mount Xiantaishan.

Mid-journey, Qin Sang summoned the Twin-headed Hou, mounted its back, instructed Bai to remain vigilant and observe the Heavenly Pagoda’s direction, then took out his demonic banners to attempt refining them. He was already very familiar with the demonic banners, capable of effortlessly controlling three at once. However, controlling more felt somewhat beyond his current capability. Another source of pressure came from the Nine Nether Demonic Flames. He needed time to gradually familiarize himself with them before he could truly master them. With danger looming, he had limited time. Every increase in strength meant a greater chance of success.

Qin Sang simultaneously took out six demonic banners and attempted to manipulate them, feeling a distinct awkwardness. When six demonic banners formed a formation, their power could rival a top-grade magic treasure. His true cultivation was only at the mid-stage Core Formation. Though he had cultivated a few minor secret arts, his spiritual sense was only slightly superior to other cultivators at the same stage. Manipulating a top-grade magic treasure alone placed a heavy burden on him, let alone a formation composed of several such treasures, which undoubtedly demanded even greater spiritual sense.

It took considerable effort for Qin Sang to stabilize the demonic banners and prevent the grand formation from collapsing. The demonic banners vibrated. Streaks of Nine Nether Demonic Flames flew out from the banners, converging into a sphere at the center of the formation, only to abruptly disperse with a rumble just as they were about to fully form. Qin Sang’s expression shifted slightly. He quickly performed a hand seal, and the vibrating demonic banners absorbed the scattered flames.

“It’s indeed not easy,” Qin Sang murmured to himself. “Not only must I stabilize the banners, but also control the demonic flames. My spiritual sense is still too weak! However, once I’m sufficiently familiar with the formation, I should be able to manipulate these six banners in combat. After breaking through to late-stage Core Formation, I can try controlling nine. Even if I can only unleash a few strikes, their power will be extraordinary…” Not disheartened, he calmly focused on refining the magic treasures.

The Twin-headed Hou galloped through the mountains. Whenever there were signs of danger, Bai would promptly warn them. Before long, they arrived at the foot of Mount Xiantaishan.

“Mount Xiantaishan and the Heavenly Pagoda are the two most prominent locations in the outer hall, and this is a renowned secret realm!” Qin Sang said softly, gazing up at Mount Xiantaishan. “It’s said that top-tier treasures once appeared here, triggering a Nascent Soul battle that even affected the Canglang Sea.”

Mount Xiantaishan, as its name suggests, features a Celestial Platform at its summit. The Celestial Platform itself was empty, with no other ancient halls or structures flanking it. However, the summit of Mount Xiantaishan was densely covered with celestial restrictions, emanating a mist and haze similar to the inner hall, making it extremely dangerous. Some suspected the Celestial Platform was once an ancient cultivator’s arena.

Qin Sang surveyed the surroundings but found no other figures. It was said that after that great battle, no further treasures emerged from Mount Xiantaishan, suggesting it might have been thoroughly plundered, which is why few people visited. Qin Sang found a hidden path and soared to the summit. From outside the celestial restrictions, he could clearly see the Celestial Platform. Bai personally appeared, observed for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t remember this mountain,” he said.

“Hm,” Qin Sang hummed in acknowledgment. “No rush,” he added. Qin Sang turned and descended the mountain.

After a while, they arrived at a second secret realm of considerable renown. Bai still had no recollection.

“This place isn’t far from Flower Immortal Lake; let’s go there first,” Qin Sang said, his tone hopeful, not disheartened. “Purple Mist Despair and Flower Immortal Lake are both poisonous lands; perhaps there’s something familiar to you inside.”

“I hope so…”

The Twin-headed Hou changed direction and galloped towards Flower Immortal Lake, while Qin Sang continued to try and familiarize himself with the demonic banner formation.

Halfway through their journey, just as they were about to cross a mountain range, Bai suddenly cried out, “Stop! Something’s happening ahead!”

The Twin-headed Hou also sensed something; its body trembled abruptly, then it immediately halted, lightly settling onto the ground without a sound. Startled awake, Qin Sang quickly put away the demonic banners, jumped off the Twin-headed Hou’s back, and quietly darted towards the mountain summit.

He hid behind a large boulder, gazing forward. Before him lay an endless expanse of shadowed mountains, and in his peripheral vision, he could glimpse the towering Heavenly Pagoda reaching into the clouds. Ahead of them, a piercing whooshing sound echoed. Before long, Qin Sang saw a streak of light shoot out from the distant mountain forest. Its momentum was immense, making it easy to spot even from such a distance.

Within the Seven Kill Temple, unless under special circumstances, no cultivator dared to use escape techniques so brazenly. If they disturbed a top-tier fierce beast or attracted other cultivators, their situation would become perilous. The owner of that streak of light seemed to be in great panic, evidently trying to evade something.

Sure enough, the next moment, a thunderous beast roar erupted from behind the streak of light.

“Roar!”

The sound shook the heavens.