Chapter 808: Quheng Island

When Qin Sang tried to press for more details, Daoist Wang shook his head.

"I have been travelling abroad for several decades and never returned once. Decades have passed and the world has changed beyond recognition. Back then, I only heard from rumours that such an eccentric person existed, but later, I knew nothing more. If you are interested, I can give you Linggui Island’s location. However, if that island master’s temperament has not changed, I'm afraid that meeting him will not be easy."

"Thank you very much, Daoist Wang."

Qin Sang committed the address to memory.

Daoist Wang, intending to hunt beasts in the Demonic Sea, sought Qin Sang’s advice.

Having lived in the Demonic Sea for decades, Qin Sang had considerable experience. He unreservedly shared every precaution and detail he knew, much to the delight of both.

After chatting for a while longer, Qin Sang rose, bade farewell, and returned to his cave dwelling.

He took out the nautical chart of the southwestern waters, located the Windy Archipelago, and confirmed Linggui Island’s position.

It was indeed as Daoist Wang had said. Linggui Island was remote and isolated. Without guidance, he would never have guessed that Senior Qingzhu had chosen such a place to establish his dojo[1].

The image of peach blossoms had always been subtly linked to Senior Qingzhu in his mind. His instincts told him it was best to see it for himself.

However, Tianxing Island and the Windy Archipelago lay far apart. A round trip would take years, not counting the many hidden dangers along the way.

Qin Sang sat in thought in his cave dwelling for a long while before finally deciding to make the journey in person. Acting with his usual decisiveness, he began his preparations at once, purchasing necessary supplies. A few days later, he set out.

Before leaving, Qin Sang sent a message to Madam Liu’s informant.

There had been no word from Madam Liu for over a year.

To ambush a confidant of the alliance leader, especially a late-stage Core Formation expert, one had to wait patiently for the right opportunity. But compared to killing Xiang Yi, searching for Senior Qingzhu was clearly more important.

Once preparations were complete, Qin Sang left Tianxing Island alone. After putting some distance behind him, he summoned the Two-Headed Hou and rode the spirit beast across the water.

Since he still had not discovered the effects of the spiritual fruit, Qin Sang dared not feed it to the Two-Headed Hou. The beast was very displeased, but under his firm hand, it could only obey.

Man and beast thus began their long journey in search of a man.

Riding the Two-Headed Hou did not greatly hinder Qin Sang’s own cultivation. Holding a spirit stone in hand, he studied the killing symbol by day and drew star essence into his body to temper it by night.

Though he avoided the busiest routes, they still occasionally encountered other cultivators. Qin Sang ordered the Two-Headed Hou to avoid them whenever possible.

Most cultivators, upon seeing someone riding a demonic beast of such a high realm, wisely steered clear. Even those confident in their own strength refrained from approaching when they saw his aloof, unapproachable bearing.

In truth, the only ones Qin Sang now feared were Spiritual Infant grandmasters.

Out on the vast sea, the chances of running into one were slim.

Following his planned route, he travelled while cultivating.

When they came to large islands along the way, Qin Sang would quietly go ashore to resupply and observe local customs, keeping his contact with major powers or sects to a minimum to avoid unnecessary trouble.

The journey went smoothly, and Qin Sang gained much knowledge along the way.

After constant travel, the Windy Archipelago drew ever nearer, and he entered the waters of the southwestern seas.

This region was the most chaotic in Canglang Sea. Neither righteous nor devilish factions held full control, and the witch race’s forces also meddled here, stirring up storms.

Once inside the southwestern seas, Qin Sang no longer travelled so boldly, preferring to slow his pace.

"After nearly a year of tempering, the power in the wings has doubled, and my flying speed has increased considerably. Seems like I have chosen the right path..."

Reaching an uninhabited sea, Qin Sang unleashed his supernatural ability, spreading his wings to soar up and down over the waters.

Controlling his body entirely on his own felt freer and more exhilarating than relying on any artifact.

The Two-Headed Hou followed behind, its large eyes full of puzzlement. It could not fathom how this man could sprout wings out of nowhere.

Does he also possess a demonic beast bloodline?

After flying to his heart’s content, Qin Sang folded his wings and landed on the Two-Headed Hou’s back, taking out the nautical chart.

"Up ahead lies a place called Golden Ring Island, occupied by the Golden Ring Sect. It is the largest sect in the area, its reputation not exactly good, half-righteous and half-evil. The sect leader is a Spiritual Infant expert. Best to steer clear..."

He traced an arc with his finger toward the Windy Archipelago and ordered the Two-Headed Hou to change course.

After many twists and turns, they finally neared the waters around the Windy Archipelago.

One morning, Qin Sang and the Two-Headed Hou appeared upon the sea, bathed in the light of the rising sun. Seeing a long, dark shadow ahead, they came to a stop.

"At last!" The words were spoken from the heart.

After drifting at sea for so long, even with his cultivation, he could not help but feel some weariness.

"This should be Long Snake Island, the northernmost point of the Windy Archipelago. Its long, narrow shape is like a high wall, hard to mistake. Once past it, I will be within the archipelago. Quheng Island, where the largest city of the archipelago is located, lies just over three hundred li to the south of Long Snake Island. The island master is appointed jointly by both righteous and devilish factions, and this area is the most stable in the archipelago. We can stop there to gather news."

Qin Sang recalled the Two-Headed Hou, altered his appearance, concealed his aura, and set out quietly.

Beyond Long Snake Island, a towering black shape soon appeared in his vision.

Quheng Island was a high mountain rising from the sea, its slopes gentle enough that houses had been built in rings around it. The summit reached into the clouds, and faint outlines of palaces could be seen.

Cultivators flew in and out of the island from time to time.

With several flashes of movement, Qin Sang landed on Quheng Island. He was not questioned; a few spirit stones were enough to gain entry, though there was a time limit for staying unless more was paid.

Unlike the rest of the archipelago, Quheng Island was not much different from Tianxing Island, orderly and with far less strife.

Disguised as a low-level cultivator, Qin Sang wandered about, gathering more detailed knowledge of the Windy Archipelago.

Its territory was vast. If the islands had been joined together, they would have exceeded even the Witch God Continent in size. Unfortunately, the environment was far harsher.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

In the southern archipelago, storms raged year-round, bringing boundless sea fog that never dispersed, and powerful sea beasts roamed. Such places were natural havens for evil cultivators, and the situation could only be described as a tangled mess. Only the waters around Quheng Island could be considered a tenuous refuge.

Even so, the righteous and devilish factions could control no more than this small region.

Cultivators wanted by both sides could easily vanish deep into the Windy Archipelago, beyond the reach of pursuit.

Once he had learned enough about the archipelago, Qin Sang left Quheng Island that very night, continuing south. But just as he neared Linggui Island, he was suddenly caught in a storm.

Suppressing his evasion light, he stood on the water’s surface, gazing up at the sky.

To the southwest, the sky had turned dark. Thick clouds rolled in like a savage beast, devouring all before them with astonishing speed.

In the stillness before the storm, the air was thick with a murderous calm, stifling to the breath.

1. Dojo is a hall or place for immersive learning, experiential learning, or meditation. ☜