Chapter 843: The Last Gamble

The cultivator did not pry too deeply into Qin Sang’s origins. Instead, he asked with great interest about the situation deep within the Demonic Sea. Qin Sang welcomed the conversation, answering each question without putting on airs despite his superior cultivation.

Before long, the two had become familiar. As they spoke, they landed at the harbor on the shore of the subsidiary island.

The moment Qin Sang’s evasion light faded, he felt a jolt of vigilance. Immediately afterward, several waves of spiritual consciousness swept across him, every one of them belonging to Core Formation cultivators.

He did not know what they were on guard against, but even as he followed the cultivator into the city, no one revealed themselves.

The man was already accustomed to such things. He led Qin Sang quickly through the city, heading straight for a grand hall.

Near the hall, the man hesitated slightly and whispered, "Daoist, you may not know. At present, Desolate Island forbids anyone from returning to Canglang Sea. Especially for someone of your cultivation, who could be of great use in defending the island, it is impossible for them to let you go easily. All cultivators must obey Desolate Island’s orders. For now, you should abandon thoughts of returning and focus on how to survive in the chaos..."

Qin Sang had long anticipated this, so he was not surprised. He could only blame himself for being a step too late.

The guard guided Qin Sang into the grand hall, where a middle-aged man in armor awaited, his expression stern.

This man’s cultivation was at the late stage of the Core Formation Realm, an astonishing level. Qin Sang dared not show disrespect. He cupped his hands, reported his name, and bowed. "My Dharma name is Qingfeng, humble manager of the Qiongyu Merchant Guild under the Dongji Alliance. I greet the general."

With Xiang Yi dead and his traces erased by the beast tide, Qin Sang no longer had scruples. He decided to continue acting as Daoist Master Qingfeng in order to maintain ties with the Qiongyu Merchant Guild.

Obtaining the Maoshan Vine and using the teleportation array to return to Canglang Sea were things a rogue cultivator could never accomplish. Through the guild, he might find a way.

Moreover, in such times, all were subject to forced assignments. Without backing, he would likely be sent to the hardest and most thankless tasks.

The general gave a slight nod upon hearing Qin Sang’s self-introduction.

He had already received reports and knew Qin Sang’s intentions. After some thought, he said, "Daoist, since you are a high-level cultivator of the Dongji Alliance, you must understand how urgent the current situation is. Without an order from Desolate Island, I cannot allow you to depart. You should remain here for now. It happens our patrols lack several commanders..."

"I shall obey the general’s command," Qin Sang answered calmly. He then added, "However, I have my own duties and dare not delay them. May I know if you can help me in contacting the guild? Once I have fulfilled my duty, I will serve with peace of mind."

Seeing Qin Sang’s sensible words, the general’s expression softened. He readily agreed to pass along the request.

He then gave Qin Sang some instructions and called a soldier to arrange his lodging. Thus Qin Sang remained on that subsidiary island.

He carried out his responsibilities with practiced ease, often assigned to guard duty.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month had passed. To his surprise, the Qiongyu Merchant Guild had yet to contact him.

"Did something happen to Elder Zhou?" Qin Sang secretly worried, and tried to make connections with more people, searching for a way.

At last, two months later, he met Elder Zhou.

"Daoist Master, why did you take so long to return! I thought you had perished in Seven-Kill Hall. I mourned you greatly and regretted not stopping you from going to that accursed place!" Elder Zhou was overjoyed to see him.

Qin Sang sighed and explained, "Elder Zhou, you do not know. I indeed encountered great peril in Seven-Kill Hall and nearly lost my life. Dragging my injured body, I barely escaped. Fearing to burden the guild, I went into seclusion to heal for years. Only recently have I recovered, though my cultivation has stagnated. After leaving seclusion, I planned to enter the Demonic Sea to find you, but then this upheaval struck..."

After leaving Seven-Kill Hall, he had focused mainly on the

Heavenly Demon Body Refinement

and the

Seeded Devil Embryo

, neglecting other cultivation. Running about with various matters also slowed his progress.

Elder Zhou saw that Qin Sang’s cultivation had indeed advanced little and did not press further.

After all, Qin Sang, though a member of the Qiongyu Merchant Guild, had always been more of a recluse and had few friends within the guild. Him hiding away to heal was natural.

When Elder Zhou asked about his experience in Seven-Kill Hall, Qin Sang recited the explanation he had long prepared.

"We followed Daoist Xiang Yi into a place called Purple Mist End, filled with poisonous mists. Daoist Xiang Yi wielded a treasure that warded off toxins, but he provoked the ferocious beasts within the poisonous land. We were scattered. I barely escaped the pursuit of those beasts, but the poison clung to me, gravely damaging my strength and leading to later calamities..."

Previously, Madam Liu had already learned that Xiang Yi had concealed his treachery. After leaving Seven-Kill Hall, Xiang Yi had given the same account to others. Qin Sang’s words fit perfectly.

Eight people had entered Seven-Kill Hall, yet only Xiang Yi had emerged alive. But with the hall’s infamous dangers, such an outcome was entirely believable. Even if anyone doubted, they could not confront Xiang Yi about it.

As Qin Sang recounted his tale, Elder Zhou listened with rapt attention, showing no sign of interrupting. Qin Sang had no choice but to weave truth and falsehood together, speaking with a stiff heart.

Elder Zhou sometimes exclaimed in shock, sometimes sighed in awe. Then, suddenly, he clasped his hands and said, "The Purple Mist End, Sky Tower, Celestial Blossom Lake... Seven-Kill Hall’s reputation is well deserved. Every place you set foot was perilous beyond belief. That you escaped such a dangerous place is truly admirable! I have a request, though it may be presumptuous. Would you assist me with one matter?"

Since Qin Sang had favors to ask of Elder Zhou, he said solemnly, "Elder Zhou, speak freely. If it is within my power, I will spare no effort."

Elder Zhou’s eyes brightened and he clapped in delight. "I would ask you to draw a detailed geomantic map!"

"What I saw was only a small part of Seven-Kill Hall. If Elder Zhou requires it, I can certainly comply," Qin Sang replied, then looked at him in surprise. "Do you plan to enter Seven-Kill Hall?"

Elder Zhou spread his hands with a bitter smile. "Look at my cultivation. How many years has it been since I advanced? When I realized the immortal path was beyond my reach, I poured all my energy into the guild. For many years I toiled in the Demonic Sea, only to see all my work destroyed overnight, reduced to dust. I had lost all heart. But upon hearing news of you, joy rekindled the fire in me. Before my lifespan ends, I will make one last gamble and venture into Seven-Kill Hall! I hear the witch race will reopen it in forty years’ time. I do not have long. You have entered it yourself, and your experience is vital to me. In the future, should I hear anything of it, I will need your help to discern the truth."

Qin Sang recalled when he had first met Elder Zhou on the Witch God Continent. Comparing then and now, his aura truly had not changed much. Who would have thought that Elder Zhou, once consumed by commerce, would suddenly repent and return to the Dao?

This upheaval in the Demonic Sea had truly changed the fate of many.