Chapter 676: Redleaf Island and Huntian Island

"You should know that when a demonic beast forms its core, it undergoes tremendous metamorphosis, gaining benefits far beyond what cultivators like us receive. For beasts with powerful bloodline abilities, such as descendants of Jiao, Luan or phoenixes, fighting across realms after forming a core is quite common. They’re extremely difficult to handle. There was even a report once of a late-stage Demonic Core Realm tortoise with Xuanwu[1] bloodline battling a human Spiritual Infant cultivator and escaping with minimal injuries. That likely had to do with its innate defensive strength, but it also shows how terrifying powerful beasts can be. Every year, there are reports of Core Formation cultivators falling at the hands of demonic beasts of equal level."

The burly man did not immediately give Qin Sang the information he wanted. Instead, he began a long-winded explanation about demonic beasts.

Qin Sang frowned. "Why are you rambling about things everyone already knows? What does this have to do with the island where the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy grows?"

Unlike cultivators, demonic beasts did not refine external objects. Their cultivation relied entirely on their bodies. The formation of a core was accompanied by the transformation of their flesh and bloodline power, allowing their strength to soar.

Once a beast formed its core, it became a formidable opponent. Facing one alone without powerful techniques was a risky gamble.

This was especially true in a place like the Demonic Sea.

Before entering the sea, Ran Luo had warned them repeatedly that hunting same-level beasts should always be done in teams, to avoid accidents.

Of course, Qin Sang was not to be underestimated. He had the flying yaksha as backup, along with his fake core, which gave him a far superior endurance in battle.

The burly man chuckled. "It’s good you understand. I was just worried you’d underestimate the danger, get yourself killed, and come back to ruin my reputation. The island where the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy grows is deep within the Demonic Sea. I call it Redleaf Island. Several beast clans occupy the area around it. I saw with my own eyes multiple Demonic Core Realm beasts nearby. I was lucky to escape alive. No amount of spiritual herbs would convince me to go back."

As he described the conditions on Redleaf Island, Qin Sang’s expression gradually turned serious.

The man’s aura was no weaker than Du Han’s. As a witch race cultivator, he likely had a third-metamorphosis spiritual insect.

No wonder he kept talking about barely escaping alive. The area around Redleaf Island was indeed perilous.

"How long until the remaining Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies on the island mature?" Qin Sang asked.

The man scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. "I’m not very familiar with medicinal herbs. I only learned their name after getting back and asking around. But the ones still on the island were all about to bloom, so it shouldn’t take more than a few years."

Qin Sang asked a few more questions about the details and began estimating the timing.

"Flowers growing in a place like that... no way you picked them alone. But if you openly gather a group and clear the beasts just for a few flowers, the cost far outweighs the benefit."

He lowered his voice with a sigh. "So, Daoist Wu, what price are you asking?"

The man gave a sly grin. "That depends on how you want to buy. The flowers grow in an extremely well-hidden location. If they hadn’t been, the beasts would have devoured them already. Without my guidance, even if you make it to Redleaf Island, you won’t find them."

Even if the information was somewhat minor, he wasn’t about to give it away for free.

Qin Sang paused, then said, "You’re collecting talisman astras for your juniors, aren’t you? They’re powerful, yes, but they come with a major flaw. They have limited use, and are only good in emergencies. A fine artifact, however, can grow alongside a cultivator."

As he spoke, Qin Sang took out a spiritual sword.

It was the last of a batch he had forged, one that contained Cold Gold. The others had long been sold.

The Cold Gold Sword had already been given to Mute Girl, and Qin Sang was essentially safeguarding it for her now.

Cold Gold was rare in Canglang Sea, just like any other high-grade material. This sword could serve as a foundation for crafting an astra in the future, especially if combined with top-grade beast bones.

"Cold Gold?"

Sensing the presence of Cold Gold in the sword, the burly man was clearly tempted. He didn’t hesitate long before agreeing to the trade.

After securing the location of Redleaf Island and the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansies, Qin Sang took his leave and returned to the same building he had first entered. The geomantic map and auction catalog were already prepared.

Qin Sang first glanced at the grand auction list but found nothing urgently needed. He then unrolled the geomantic map.

From Tianwu Island to Desolate Island was a long and winding route. Each island along the way had a unique geography and environment.

The situation on every island was highly complex.

The manager sensibly withdrew. Qin Sang began scanning the islands one by one. Before long, he found Duyan Island. While the information here wasn’t as detailed as the jade slip Elder Zhou had given him, it still served as confirmation.

After a quick overview, Qin Sang finally spotted an area with a high concentration of Fire-Repelling Finches.

But his initial excitement slowly faded from his face.

The strongest of the discovered Fire-Repelling Finches were only at the Demonic Spirit Realm. Not a single Demonic Core Realm Fire-Repelling Finch had ever been found.

This was good news. According to the species’ habits, each flock could only have one king. In other words, at most, there would only be a single Demonic Core Realm Fire-Repelling Finch in the area.

The problem was, this region was far too remote.

The geomantic map showed that the Fire-Repelling Finches had been spotted deep within the Demonic Sea. The nearest island was called Huntian Island, but traveling there from Huntian Island was extremely dangerous.

Not only was the route long and arduous, but one would also have to pass through multiple territories dominated by powerful demonic beasts.

What made it worse was that some of those beasts were highly skilled in evasion techniques.

The notes warned that anyone without late-stage Core Formation strength was advised not to hunt in that region. If a beast horde was disturbed, there would be no chance of escape.

Qin Sang, despite having the Sword Qi Thunderclap supernatural ability, had a movement speed only comparable to a middle-stage Core Formation cultivator. In that region, it simply wouldn’t be enough.

"Unless I can gather all the Jiao spirits needed for the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman and fully unleash its power..." Qin Sang muttered to himself.

To activate the talisman’s true might, ten peak Demonic Spirit Realm Jiao were required. In the Small Cold Domain, collecting all of them was nearly impossible. But in the Demonic Sea, the task was not out of reach.

With all the Jiao spirits assembled, the true power of the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman could be unleashed.

If the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace hadn’t exaggerated, then with the secret talisman paired with Sword Qi Thunderclap, Qin Sang’s evasion techniques would rival, if not fully match, those of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

"It seems I’ll have to wait a while longer. I’ll first follow Elder Zhou to Duyan Island and establish a foothold there. The distance between Duyan Island and Huntian Island isn’t too great. Once I’ve gathered all the Jiao spirits, I can make plans for the Perpetual Camphor. As for the Six-Petaled Butterfly Pansy, that can wait for now. The Primordial Unity Ring, a secret astra of Yuling Sect, is particularly effective against demonic beasts. It will be a great help in the Demonic Sea. The sooner I can refine it, the better."

Having made up his mind, Qin Sang stored away all his items and, after being courteously escorted out by the manager, began strolling through Tianwu Island.

1. Xuanwu or the Black Tortoise is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. It is usually depicted as a tortoise intertwined with a snake. ☜