Chapter 845: Leaving the Island

With his mastery of the Sword Dao, although Qin Sang’s cultivation was slightly weaker, he was already qualified to stand on equal footing with the others.

Sword Light Division was the realm every sword cultivator pursued for life. Among late-stage Core Formation cultivators, those who could comprehend Sword Light Division were extremely rare, each of them famed as formidable sword cultivators.

No one dared to underestimate such a person. The two men seated nearby both inclined their bodies slightly and cupped their fists in salute to Qin Sang.

Granny Yue sat upright and spoke earnestly. "Daoist Master Qingfeng is well versed in the Sword Dao, I am truly impressed. Daoist Zhou spoke no falsehood. Daoist Master indeed has the strength to fight a late-stage Core Formation expert. However..."

She paused briefly before continuing. "Forgive me for being blunt. My purpose is to rescue someone and bring them alive back to Desolate Island. Daoist Master, relying on swordsmanship alone may not be enough."

Qin Sang frowned faintly and looked toward Elder Zhou. Elder Zhou’s expression was somewhat helpless.

Sword cultivators indeed possessed fearsome battle power, inspiring awe. But the gap created by insufficient cultivation was all-encompassing. If they were merely looking for a combatant, Qin Sang would undoubtedly be the best choice. Yet Granny Yue’s goal was to rescue someone, so she was not being unreasonable.

Elder Zhou spread his hands toward Qin Sang, showing he had no solution either.

This was a rare chance, not only to obtain the Maoshan Vine but also to return to Canglang Sea. Qin Sang did not wish to let it slip away. He lowered his head slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I have some insights into evasion techniques as well. I believe that in a moment of crisis, I will not be a burden to my fellow Daoists..."

As he spoke, crimson radiance surged from his body. A faint shadow of a Jiao appeared, competing with a sharp sword. In the next instant, Qin Sang turned into a rainbow streak accompanied by a clap of thunder, shooting out of the great hall. He circled once outside before returning.

The crimson glow faded, the Jiao shadow sank into hiding, and the thunder vanished. Qin Sang reappeared in his original spot. That brief display of his evasion technique caused the four people in the hall to grow solemn and secretly startled.

Qin Sang had thought it over carefully and decided to reveal his evasion technique to sway Granny Yue.

During a rescue, a top-tier evasion technique could prove invaluable. He did not believe Granny Yue would still refuse him.

The treasures on his body, if he revealed even one, would surely gain their approval. But those were his decisive assets, liable to provoke greed.

The Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman was hidden in his Qihai, cloaked by the Sword Qi Thunderclap. So long as he did not expose it for too long, they would not discern the true nature of his talisman.

If they could not fathom his background, they naturally would not dare harbor evil thoughts.

As expected, once Qin Sang displayed his evasion technique, Granny Yue’s face lit up with joy. Without hesitation, she agreed to let him join and entrusted him with an important task. "Daoist Master’s evasion technique is far superior to mine! With you joining, I can finally rest easy. When we find that person, I hope Daoist Master will protect her closely. Should we be surrounded by demonic beasts, you must, if necessary, take her and retreat first!"

Hearing this, Qin Sang was inwardly surprised.

Who is the one we're going to save, that Granny Yue values this person's life above her own, even willing to act as the rear guard?

Curiosity arose in Qin Sang’s heart, yet he did not pry further. He agreed to Granny Yue’s request, then shifted the subject. "Daoist Yue, for the sake of the Maoshan Vine and teleportation talisman, I am willing to take the risk and follow you deep into the Demonic Sea. But if that person has already met with misfortune, and the target cannot be found..."

"The reward will still be paid!"

Granny Yue’s voice was firm. "I will deposit the treasures with Xiangan Auction House and swear an oath with all of you. Even if we cannot find the target, the promised reward will be paid in full."

Elder Zhou stroked his beard with a smile. "All my efforts were not wasted after all. Since you still have much to discuss, I shall not intrude. I will take my leave."

After Elder Zhou departed, Qin Sang remained in Granny Yue’s cave dwelling.

Granny Yue had intended to find three late-stage Core Formation helpers. With Qin Sang joining, the number was complete. After they familiarized themselves with each other, they set an oath and discussed the time of departure.

At present, Desolate Island was surrounded by demonic beasts. Traces of Transformation Realm great demons appeared everywhere. Their first trial would be breaking out of the island.

"The demon race has grown arrogant, stirring up trouble. I had only just rushed here from the Inner Sea when I heard that certain seniors had been enraged and decided to strike first, to teach them a lesson. The attack will be three days from now. We can take advantage of the chaos to slip away. All of you return and await my message. Once the time comes, we set out immediately!"

Granny Yue had already obtained secret intelligence and made her plan.

Departing in just three days... For the higher ranks of the immortal cultivators to attack the demons proactively, yet without the slightest leak of information. Leaving during the chaos and avoiding this great battle may not be a bad thing...

With such thoughts, Qin Sang returned to his cave dwelling and continued patrolling.

Three days later, the four gathered on a small northern island off Desolate Island, opening a cave dwelling underground to await the signal.

The human experts would attack at midnight, their main force striking the south. Most of the demonic beasts would be drawn there. Qin Sang’s group would seize the chance to slip out from the north.

The cave dwelling was dim. The four remained silent. Apart from Qin Sang and Granny Yue, the other two were both men: one middle-aged, the other an old man whose appearance was scarcely younger than Granny Yue herself.

The middle-aged man was named Kong Yun, also a member of the Dongji Alliance merchant guild.

The old man called himself Elder Zhushan, but in truth he was an elder of a sect in the Inner Sea. During his travels in the Demonic Sea, he had been recruited as a guest cultivator by a merchant guild.

Like Qin Sang, both had been drawn by Granny Yue’s treasures.

Their true essence was rich and formidable, not to be underestimated. Yet Qin Sang’s own abilities ensured they treated him with equal respect. The atmosphere between them was harmonious.

"It's midnight!" Granny Yue spoke in a low voice. The four moved swiftly to the cave entrance and peered southward. Suddenly, the southern sky was illuminated by several dazzling auroras, bright as day.

The stars vanished beneath the auroras, and even the bright moon seemed dimmed. The distance was too great for them to see clearly, yet the sight still left them stunned.

When the auroras rose, they immediately sensed several terrifying auras racing southward, while the outer beast hordes stirred restlessly and converged in that direction.

The auroras endured for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, then lights began colliding and chasing across the skies in every direction, chaos spreading wide.

With Granny Yue’s command, the four departed at once, gliding silently northward.

At the perimeter they heard the clash of battle, demonic beasts storming the minor islands and immortal cultivators engaging them in fierce combat. Exchanging glances, the four suppressed their auras and blended into the fray.

All four were formidable in strength. To avoid drawing the attention of great demons, they fought with restraint. Even so, working together they faced little danger and broke through successfully.

Once safe, they turned to Granny Yue. But Granny Yue did not stop. She led them flying straight toward the north.

Among the four directions, even before the upheaval, the north of Desolate Island was sparsely explored by cultivators. Their strength there was weak, for it was said a vast demon force occupied the region. Cultivators dared not provoke them. Unexpectedly, it was there that Granny Yue’s target lay. No wonder she had gathered so many experts to mount a rescue.