Chapter 979: Zou Lao is Alive

The Mortal World

The Mortal World

Qiongyu Chamber of Commerce.

Quiet Room.

The manager surnamed Liu looked gloomy and restless. He paced back and forth in the room, occasionally glancing outside, as if waiting for someone.

The sky was fully bright.

Manager Liu saw a figure approaching in the distance. His expression subtly changed, and he quickly replaced it with a smile, hurrying downstairs to greet the person warmly.

“Reverend Daoist, please come in quickly!”

Manager Liu's attitude was cordial as he led Qin Sang into the quiet room. He was about to pour tea when Qin Sang stopped him with a wave of his hand.

“Fellow Daoist Liu, how are the spirit herbs coming along?”

Qin Sang got straight to the point, ready to purchase the spirit herbs and leave. He could now skillfully control the six Demon Banners, so there was no need to waste time outside.

“Well…”

Manager Liu's movements stiffened. Holding the teacup high, he showed a hint of difficulty on his face, hesitating to speak.

Seeing this, Qin Sang frowned and said in a deep voice, “Fellow Daoist Liu, are you facing some difficulties?”

Manager Liu sighed softly, set down the tea set, and said, “To be frank with you, Reverend Daoist, I initially thought I could gather most of the spirit herbs for you by purchasing some from other chambers of commerce and adding our existing stock. However, unexpectedly, the spirit herbs you requested are quite rare, and the few chambers of commerce on this island have very limited inventory. To avoid delaying your important matters, I immediately sent a message to Yinghuan Island, asking them to dispatch the spirit herbs urgently. It will likely take a few more days for them to arrive…”

“Yinghuan Island?”

Qin Sang recalled that Yinghuan Island was an island to the southwest of Dayu Island, not too far, just a few days' journey away.

“Indeed,” Manager Liu nodded, “You might not know, Reverend Daoist, but after the demon disturbances, the Chamber of Commerce underwent several changes in succession and only recently stabilized. I am merely a minor manager stationed on Dayu Island. The true person in charge of the East Sea Branch’s affairs is Deputy Emissary Zuo. Yinghuan Island is highly valued by Deputy Emissary Zuo, who has dispatched trusted subordinates to manage it. They will certainly be able to gather all the spirit herbs you need, Fellow Daoist…”

After joining the Qiongyu Chamber of Commerce, Qin Sang had always followed Elder Zou in the Demon Sea and knew little about the members in the Inner Sea. He thought back but couldn't recall who Deputy Emissary Zuo was. However, anyone who could hold the position of Deputy Emissary in the Qiongyu Chamber of Commerce was no ordinary individual. There were only a few such positions in the entire Chamber, and Elder Zou had been a Deputy Emissary before heading to the Demon Sea.

“How many spirit herbs have you gathered, Fellow Daoist Liu?” Qin Sang pondered for a moment before asking.

“Less than 30%.” Manager Liu replied, looking ashamed.

“30%… that’s indeed a bit low…”

Lightly tapping the table, Qin Sang pondered for a moment before saying, “I have an urgent matter to attend to and cannot wait for too long. How about this: please send another message to Yinghuan Island, instructing them to travel directly north and deliver the spirit herbs to Dongjia Island. I will be traveling west, passing through Dongjia Island, and we can meet there. We should arrive at roughly the same time.”

Dongjia Island is located northwest of Dayu Island, directly north of Yinghuan Island. The Heavenly Dao Sect was to his northwest, and passing through Dongjia Island was a direct route there, saving significant time.

Manager Liu was startled, not expecting Qin Sang to say that. His brow furrowed, and a look of hesitation appeared on his face.

Qin Sang glanced at him, understanding perfectly. He said calmly, “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Liu, no matter where the transaction takes place, this business deal is with you, not Yinghuan Island.”

Manager Liu offered a forced smile, his mind racing. Just then, a plan suddenly sparked in his mind, and his eyes lit up as he said, “Reverend Daoist, your plan is excellent, but…”

Manager Liu paused, then continued with a hint of delight in his voice, “I almost forgot! You previously asked me to inquire about Elder Zou. I mentioned this when I communicated with Yinghuan Island. Coincidentally, they just received news that Elder Zou is safe, and he’s not far from here. It’s said he made significant gains at the Seven Killings Hall and has been in secluded cultivation, only recently emerging. Elder Zou originally intended to return to Tianxing Island, but upon learning you were on Dayu Island, he immediately changed his mind and decided to visit you. This shows how highly Elder Zou regards you, Reverend Daoist. If you leave early, you might miss him…”

Manager Liu spoke confidently and convincingly. However, he failed to notice the change in the aura of the person across from him.

The moment Manager Liu mentioned Elder Zou, Qin Sang’s eyes suddenly narrowed. His entire body tensed as he stared intently at Manager Liu, a dangerous glint in his eyes. An intense sense of alarm flared in his heart.

Elder Zou had already perished; his body had been incinerated by Qin Sang himself. Beyond a doubt! Yet, the man before him swore that Elder Zou was alive and coming to see him personally.

Could Elder Zou have truly returned from the dead? Was his experience at Flower Immortal Lake merely an illusion, a dream? Qin Sang’s mind raced. Manager Liu was clearly up to no good, but Qin Sang couldn't pinpoint the exact problem. They had no prior grievances, and it was merely a transaction for spirit herbs. If Qiongyu Chamber of Commerce members were the type to betray colleagues for profit, the organization would have long since fallen apart.

“Heh heh…” Qin Sang sneered, “I wonder where Elder Zou is now? Since he’s coming, it’s no trouble for me to wait a few days…”

Outwardly calm, he secretly gripped a Demon Banner in his palm, awakened the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, and activated the Heavenly Eye divine ability to quickly scan the quiet room's surroundings, but detected no hidden personnel.

Hearing this, Manager Liu was overjoyed and quickly said, “Elder Zou has probably already left Yinghuan Island and is on his way, Reverend Daoist…”

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Sang suddenly attacked.

‘Whoosh!’

Sword light tore through his cloak, instantly illuminating the entire quiet room. The two were seated opposite each other, extremely close.

Manager Liu was greatly alarmed. He had not expected Qin Sang to suddenly make a move without any warning. His reaction was also swift. He pressed his palm downward, activating the quiet room's restrictions. A curtain of countless runes descended from above, rapidly pressing towards the Ebony Sword. At the same time, thick vines suddenly emerged around Qin Sang, coiling like pythons, instantly forming a vine cage around him. The vines curled and pressed inward.

“Reverend Daoist Qingfeng, this old man has no grievances with you, why would you…”

Manager Liu was furious, yet he maintained his pretense, his expression a seamless blend of shock, bewilderment, and anger, as he loudly questioned Qin Sang.

Qin Sang sneered but said nothing. With a thought, he pointed at the Ebony Sword. Manager Liu hastily activated the quiet room’s restrictions, but their flaws were utterly exposed by the Heavenly Eye divine ability. The Ebony Sword shimmered, its light surging, instantly splitting into countless sword qi and sword lights, forming a dazzling sword wheel.

“Boom!”

The sword wheel crashed violently into the rune curtain. With a harsh tearing sound, an astonishing scene unfolded: the Ebony Sword actually pierced through the curtain and slashed down, to Manager Liu's horror.

Manager Liu let out a shriek and retreated swiftly towards the door, quickly summoning his natal magical treasure — a square mirror — and powerfully sending it forth, attempting to block the sword wheel.

Just then, a sound of tearing silk emanated from within the vine cage. A wave of black demonic flames burst through the cage, surging out with a terrifying aura. With a 'whoosh,' it shot towards the quiet room's entrance, cutting off Manager Liu's escape route.