Chapter 966: Falling

Mortal Realm

He swept out a hundred yards, landing in a patch of poisonous algae, and stared at a plant of poisonous algae not far ahead.

This particular poisonous algae plant was unlike the others; its roots were red, and the seed pod at its top was a full circle larger than ordinary poisonous algae, resembling a fruit more than a bud.

Qin Sang hadn't expected that what had excited the fat silkworm was actually poisonous algae.

But when Qin Sang attempted to approach the red poisonous algae, the fat silkworm suddenly issued a warning, continuously spewing iridescent light threads.

Only then did Qin Sang realize the terrifying nature of the red poisonous algae; its toxicity was far beyond that of any other poisonous algae.

With his palm enveloped in iridescent light threads, he dared to reach out towards the red poisonous algae and gently grasp the fruit growing on it.

He heard a distinct hissing sound as the iridescent light threads were being corroded by the poisonous mist. The fat silkworm quickly spewed out several more strands, and only then was the fruit finally picked.

The fruit appeared quite ordinary, showing no signs of toxicity.

Fortunately, the fat silkworm's cultivation level was one tier higher than before, making the task less strenuous.

After putting away the fruit, Qin Sang looked around.

"Even the fat silkworm almost couldn't withstand the potent poison of the red poisonous algae," he thought. "If I lure those demonic beasts over and seize the opportunity..."

Qin Sang subtly glanced at the demonic beasts, but then dismissed the idea.

In this space, the red poisonous algae plants were few and sparsely distributed, making it difficult to lure them. Besides, King Nine-Phoenix was also present.

At this moment, King Nine-Phoenix had already delved deep into the space.

King Nine-Phoenix seemed to have opened another layer of restriction, and inside, a continuous chorus of wolf howls suddenly erupted. Then, from the depths of the space, shadowy figures of ferocious wolves rushed out, pouncing towards King Nine-Phoenix.

The demonic beasts all showed signs of tension, but they soon realized that King Nine-Phoenix was virtually carrying out a one-sided slaughter. The space was instantly filled with a thick scent of blood.

While observing the battle, Qin Sang swept towards another red poisonous algae plant.

After Fairy Caiyi and the other demonic beasts had entered the space for a certain distance, they felt the toxicity intensifying and moved with extreme caution. Qin Sang's movements, however, were very noticeable.

He harvested another fruit, pushed aside the poisonous algae, and took a few quick steps to the third red poisonous algae plant. His figure suddenly froze.

A corpse was lying on the ground.

The back of the corpse gave Qin Sang a very familiar feeling.

Qin Sang's expression changed, and he suddenly had an ominous premonition.

"Elder Zou!"

Turning the corpse over, he saw the old yet familiar face. Qin Sang fell silent.

He hadn't expected this space to be the very place Elder Zou had agreed to enter with him.

He wondered how Elder Zou had discovered this place.

He had successfully entered, but had perished here.

It was obvious that Elder Zou was unaware of the red poisonous algae's potency.

His prepared detoxification methods were not strong, and he was already struggling in this space. Upon suddenly encountering the red poisonous algae, he almost instantly lost his life.

Elder Zou's face still bore an expression of surprise at discovering a treasure, and his unclosing eyes spoke of his deep unwillingness.

"It seems the person who died by King Nine-Phoenix's hand was the helper Elder Zou invited..." Qin Sang mused.

Qin Sang thought to himself, sighing quietly and feeling a little forlorn.

His relationship with Elder Zou was one of mutual respect, not a life-and-death bond like the one he shared with Cloud Wanderer, with whom he had repeatedly faced danger. Nonetheless, both parties had benefited mutually.

After joining the merchant association, Elder Zou had never forced him to do anything, instead offering help multiple times. On the contrary, Qin Sang was often either missing or in secluded cultivation, and during his time on Five Elements Island, it was the Wang sisters who handled affairs.

He didn't know much about Elder Zou's life.

It was said that Elder Zou was originally a genius but had been stuck at a bottleneck for years, unable to see any hope of breaking through. In despair, he had abandoned his path of immortal cultivation, entered the Demonic Sea, and focused his energy on the merchant association.

However, fate had other plans. Just as the merchant association began to gain momentum in the Demonic Sea, the Demonic Sea unrest occurred, and its previously established foundation was destroyed overnight.

Elder Zou was thus awakened, realizing that all other things were mere fleeting illusions; only self-cultivation was fundamental.

But it was already too late; his lifespan was limited. He could only stake everything and enter the Seven Kills Palace for one last gamble.

In the end... he failed.

As hope emerged, deadly danger lurked.

Dawn was about to break, yet Elder Zou perished at this moment. What a tragic unwillingness!

Reflecting on Elder Zou's final years, Qin Sang felt a tinge of sadness. But undeniably, this was a true portrayal of countless cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Mingyue truly lives up to his lineage as a descendant of the Azure Dove, moving freely even in a place like this," Yuan Zhu's voice came from behind. "What are you looking for, Fellow Daoist? Do these poisonous algae have any unique qualities compared to those outside?"

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, come and see for yourself," Qin Sang replied calmly.

He reached out and brushed over Elder Zou's eyes, helping him close them.

Qin Sang wanted Elder Zou to rest in peace, and it wouldn't have been impossible to send his body home.

But such an action would inevitably arouse suspicion, so he had no choice but to take Elder Zou's mustard seed pouch and a jade pendant from his chest, intending to return them to the merchant association if the opportunity arose.

The mustard seed pouch was almost empty, clearly indicating that Elder Zou had embraced the certainty of death, leaving all his possessions to his descendants before setting off and entering the Seven Kills Palace alone.

The jade pendant was an ordinary mortal jade stone; for Elder Zou, it must have held extraordinary significance.

Yuan Zhu walked over and let out a soft exclamation, "Another one died here?"

Qin Sang nodded, and flames surged from his palm, instantly incinerating the corpse into ash to prevent Elder Zou's body from being desecrated.

"Huh? How is this poisonous algae..." Yuan Zhu began.

Yuan Zhu noticed the anomaly of the red poisonous algae, his expression changing in surprise, and he quickly retreated to the side, not daring to approach.

Qin Sang concealed the fat silkworm's aura as iridescent light threads surged from his sleeve, collecting the fruit.

Yuan Zhu clicked his tongue in admiration. "Fellow Daoist, what remarkable methods! What is the use of this fruit, I wonder? Do you know the origin of these red poisonous algae, Fellow Daoist?"

"I'm not sure," Qin Sang replied indifferently, shaking his head. "This is also my first time seeing this type of poisonous algae. I'm collecting some; perhaps they'll prove useful."

Yuan Zhu followed Qin Sang everywhere, watching him collect the fruits and chattering incessantly, which greatly annoyed Qin Sang. Worried about being exposed, he could only give vague answers.

"I wonder what treasures His Excellency King Nine-Phoenix will find inside?"

Yuan Zhu secretly glanced into the depths of the space, then mysteriously leaned closer and whispered, "Fellow Daoist, what are your thoughts on His Excellency King Nine-Phoenix's sudden appearance in the Seven Kills Palace this time?"

Qin Sang's eyes flashed, and he gave Yuan Zhu a deep look. "I'm not sure what Fellow Daoist Yuan means by that," he said. "Our cultivation is low; how dare we have any thoughts? We simply follow orders."

"Is that so?"

Yuan Zhu chuckled and did not press further.

In the end, Qin Sang successively collected over a dozen fruits, and Yuan Zhu shamelessly pestered him for one.

The rest were collected by Fairy Caiyi and Gu Heng.

The red poisonous algae in the outer area had all been harvested. Qin Sang looked into the depths of the space, his face showing hesitation, but he ultimately gave up. He didn't want to be too conspicuous and attract King Nine-Phoenix's attention.

He was now very apprehensive, unsure how much longer he could remain hidden.

The reason he hadn't been exposed yet was because King Nine-Phoenix hadn't expected a human to have infiltrated and thus hadn't noticed him. With just a slight probing, Qin Sang would certainly be exposed.

Just then, the restrictions in the depths of the space shifted, and King Nine-Phoenix returned, covered in blood.