Chapter 1222: The Initial Structure
Chapter 1222: The Initial Structure
"Your reasoning is sound. Now that Sin Abyss’s plan has been exposed, they must also guard against a counterattack from us. Old Devil Ye would not dare bring all his forces inside. We can split into two groups. Half will enter Blood Lake, enough to contend with them, while the other half remains to defend Tianxing Highland." Daoist Master Zhenyi paused slightly, flicked his fly-whisk, and smiled.
"I am far less familiar with Blood Lake than all of you. It is my responsibility to remain here, guard against the Sin Abyss army, and look for opportunities to probe and counterattack. As for the matter of Blood Lake, I will entrust it to you all."
Sin Abyss had schemed for so long. There must be tremendous benefits within Blood Lake. But that also meant immense danger.
With Sin Abyss pressing at the gates, Tianxing Alliance bore the brunt of the threat. Unlike Small Cold Domain, they had no room for retreat.
Daoist Master Zhenyi only wished to preserve Tianxing Alliance within his lifetime and did not care much for the treasures of Blood Lake. Thus, he readily agreed without further comment.
Though the two armored generals felt somewhat unwilling to miss such an opportunity, they followed Daoist Master Zhenyi’s lead without question and would not oppose his decision in front of outsiders.
Devil Lord Tongyou had not expected Daoist Master Zhenyi to show no interest at all. He cupped his hands and said, "Rest assured, Daoist Master. We will not disappoint and will do everything in our power to thwart Old Devil Ye’s scheme."
However, there were still two demon kings in the crystal palace who did not belong to Small Cold Domain.
Qingjun spoke at the right moment. "It was thanks to the two of you that we uncovered Old Devil Ye’s plot. I wonder if you two, or the other demon kings, would be willing to assist us and enter Sin Abyss together, to avenge Old Devil Ye’s pursuit?"
Devil Lord Tongyou and the others had no objections. The more people involved, the greater the chance of success. In truth, they did not mind other factions sharing the spoils.
Whether they could even drive back Old Devil Ye and seize anything from him remained uncertain. To start disputes over treasures that were not yet in hand would have been foolish.
The Snake King shook his head and refused immediately. "My injuries have yet to heal. I must return to the mountain to recuperate. Before I recover, I dare not venture into dangerous places again, lest I go and never return. However, I can go back and ask for the Feathered King’s opinion."
Qin Sang did not state his position directly. "I nearly lost my life at Old Devil Ye’s hands. If there is a chance for revenge, I would naturally welcome it. However, as Daoist Tongyou said, Blood Lake will not open for some time. It is not too late to decide then."
Qin Sang kept completely silent about the Lightning-Devouring Falcon demon king being trapped in Blood Lake, not revealing a single word.
Even if she was still alive, her condition would not be good.
If others learned that a demon king had been trapped there for two hundred years and was on the verge of death, anyone would be tempted. At that point, it would no longer be about saving her, but using another’s hand to kill.
***
The meeting of the two domains’ leaders was not for this matter alone. Qin Sang and the Snake King tactfully took their leave in advance.
"I asked the Feathered King. He has little interest in Blood Lake. Let the human race test Old Devil Ye’s strength instead. Humans are cunning. Those not of our kind must have different hearts. If you go to Blood Lake yourself, be extremely careful, or you may be plotted against." The Snake King spoke out of goodwill, warning Qin Sang.
Having shared hardship together, he now regarded Qin Sang as a close friend.
Qin Sang felt somewhat embarrassed, wondering whether the Snake King would turn hostile on the spot if he ever learned about Qin Sang's true identity.
***
Not long after returning to Sandi’e Stronghold, Qin Sang received a message from his senior sister informing him of the matters discussed in the crystal palace. He skimmed through it and, seeing that it had little to do with him, set it aside.
From then on, he remained at Sandi’e Stronghold. Sin Abyss continued its steady deployment, and the battles between both sides went back and forth.
It was said that other battlefields were extremely intense, but at Sandi’e Stronghold, both sides seemed to have reached an unspoken understanding. They would send out their disciples to fight fiercely for a time, then sound the retreat.
Si Di and Jinglin joked that they had benefited from Demon King Ming Yue’s presence. They even had the spare capacity to reinforce other locations.
This situation was perfect for training the younger generation.
The demons from Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea took turns coming to Sandi’e Stronghold for training. With their master watching over them, as long as they were not too reckless, their lives were generally safe. They eagerly signed up, full of enthusiasm.
Even the Snake King sent some of the lesser demons from Dragon Transformation Mountain over, asking Qin Sang to look after them.
The ones who improved the fastest were undoubtedly the fat chicken and Li Yufu.
The fat chicken had completely stabilized his realm. Born with a lightning-controlling supernatural ability, and with the treasures left behind by his mother, he was rarely matched among those of the same level. He mainly took responsibility for watching over the lesser demons.
Li Yufu, having experienced the great upheaval of his grandmaster’s death and receiving Qin Sang’s personal guidance, had gained deep insights through battle. He finally found an opportunity and returned to his cave dwelling to enter seclusion for a breakthrough.
Tan Yi’en, upon learning that his father might still be alive, felt greatly reassured and was now fully preparing to advance to the Golden Core Realm.
After stabilizing her realm, Bai Hanqiu also took the initiative to come to the battlefield for training.
Disciples from Devilish Flame Sect such as Mei Gu, under Qingjun’s protection, all made their own progress.
The white crane and his beloved wife were inseparable, completely absorbed in each other, no longer showing any of the anxiety and misery from before their marriage. Even the fat chicken felt a tinge of envy watching them.
The old willow tree and the old macaque alternated between journeys overseas in search of a suitable cave dwelling. They had found several locations, but none were satisfactory.
Qin Sang had also been observing these demonic beasts, considering to whom he should pass on the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement.
The one he appreciated most was the white cat.
Her aptitude was solid, otherwise she would not have been enlightened and personally guided by Wandering Man. Moreover, the white cat was extremely diligent and wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao. Qin Sang saw a reflection of himself in her.
Passing down the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement would establish his Dao lineage among the demon race, and also allow Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea to grow stronger through this cultivation art. In doing so, he would not have failed Wandering Man’s trust.
As for the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment, after much deliberation, Qin Sang decided not to pass it on. Nor would he leave it behind for Qingyang Temple in the future.
The Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment was different from the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement, as it involved the Killing Sword, a unique treasure.
He did not know how common treasures with artifact spirits had been in ancient times, but their value was undoubtedly immense.
If someone with ill intent discovered it, and both cultivation arts were placed in Qingyang Temple, it would be as good as openly declaring that the two fragments of the Killing Sword were in his possession.
This was entirely possible.
Bai, the mysterious figure who had escaped Abyssal Ruin, and the residual consciousness of the Azure Luan within the stone slab all proved that ancient cultivators surviving to this day were not isolated cases. They were simply deeply hidden.
Among them, there were surely those who could recognize such things. Qin Sang did not wish to invite disaster upon himself because of this.
These formed the initial structure of the forces under Qin Sang, steadily growing stronger.
Qin Sang remained stationed within the Cold Bell Array, staying inside his room. On one hand, he cultivated, as cultivation was the foundation. On the other hand, he continued to study the Seven-Yin-Soul Killing Array.
Within Abyssal Ruin, the Seven-Yin-Soul Killing Array had revealed its initial power, helping him seize treasure from the malicious spirit’s body.
However, when using the sword array against enemies, Qin Sang had discovered flaws and gaps he had not previously noticed. That had not been the true power of the Seven-Yin-Soul Killing Array!
It was a pity he had not been able to engage in a full and unrestrained battle with Old Devil Ye. That would surely have given him deeper insight.
Qin Sang knew such mastery could not be achieved overnight, so he was not in a hurry.
Before he knew it, more than a year had passed.
On that day, Qin Sang quietly left Sandi’e Stronghold and went to Devilish Flame Sect.
Three days later, Xiang Qing returned to the mountain. On that day, the forces sheltered under Devilish Qingyang Sect would come to the sect to present their offerings.