Chapter 853: Vague Words

The mustached man’s guess had been correct. Qin Sang’s true essence was nearly depleted. If the battle dragged on, it would not be long before he would be forced to activate his corpse core.

Yet since its refinement, the corpse core had never advanced. It was sufficient for fueling talismans to flee, but to stand and fight against formidable foes, especially one late-stage expert, it was powerless.

The corpse core had already become a food that was tasteless to eat, but a pity to discard.

Still, Qin Sang harbored an idea. He had pondered it in his mind for quite some time. Perhaps the corpse core could still be of use.

The

Seeded Devil Embryo

, which refined an external incarnation, contained a secret method to conceive a devil core, providing the incarnation with a core of its own.

Otherwise, for an incarnation to form its own core, the chances were almost nonexistent.

To Qin Sang’s eyes, this secret art aligned closely with the method of the External Core, though it could not be separated from the

Seeded Devil Embryo

, and thus could not be adapted by ordinary cultivators.

Yet that did not mean no adjustments could be made.

His corpse core was an External Core already connected to his qi. Seeded Devil Embryo refined his external incarnation. Since the two were inherently linked, Qin Sang thought of using the secret art to reshape the corpse core, turning it into the incarnation’s core.

In that way, with the corpse core already a fully formed External Core, not only would the chance of success be far greater, he would also save the trouble of preparing countless spiritual materials. He would merely have to wait until his external incarnation advanced to the Fake Core Realm.

Of course, the incarnation had yet to reach that stage, and Qin Sang’s idea remained a mere fantasy, with less than a thirty percent chance of success. He could not be sure whether

Seeded Devil Embryo

would truly be able to reshape the corpse core and break the shackles of the

Heavenly Yin Corpse Art

. Only by testing it would he know.

If successful, it might also deepen his comprehension of the

Heavenly Yin Corpse Art

, perhaps even leading to a way to rescue the Mute Girl.

The Jade Liquid of Three Radiances nourished her body, while warm jade and the silkworm stabilized her soul. Under such conditions, she had been able to sleep for decades without dying.

Yet despite all of Qin Sang’s efforts, he had found no method of waking her. She could only remain in slumber. Whether she would ever awaken remained uncertain, her fate hanging between fortune and misfortune.

Using the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman, Qin Sang headed in the same direction as the Two-Headed Hou, straight toward the rendezvous point.

Granny Yue and her companions were all late-stage experts. Having completed the task of covering their retreat, they should have escaped smoothly. Perhaps they were already waiting at the meeting spot.

If these pursuers continued to hound him, he would not hesitate to strike ruthlessly.

A fierce gleam lit Qin Sang’s eyes as he sped on without looking back.

Before long, his true essence indeed reached the brink of exhaustion. He deliberately slowed his pace, then activated the corpse core to sustain the talisman’s flight.

Seeing this, the mustached man’s eyes lit up. He became all the more certain that Qin Sang was on the verge of collapse.

The chase stretched far across the seas.

As they neared the rendezvous point, Qin Sang sensed something and let his expression shift subtly. He intentionally slowed, the Jiao spirit swirling around his body flickering erratically, as though about to vanish.

The mustached man suspected nothing. Overjoyed, he quickened his pursuit.

When he drew close, Qin Sang suddenly turned and unleashed his sword.

The mustached man had been wary. He countered with his seal, while at the same time scanning the surroundings vigilantly, convinced that Qin Sang would recall his spirit beast.

That woman must surely be hidden nearby.

Kill Qin Sang, and no obstacle would remain.

Sword qi clashed with silver rune, unleashing a storm that sent waves rolling across the sea.

Splash!

A water pillar suddenly burst upward from the depths.

The mustached man snorted coldly, utterly unafraid. Prepared long in advance, he shook his sleeve, and a jade ruyi shot forth to meet the water pillar.

But in the next instant, his face changed drastically.

It was not the spirit beast concealed beneath the waves, but an old man. It was Elder Zhushan.

The Two-Headed Hou had secretly sent word earlier. Qin Sang had learned that not only was Elder Zhushan present, but Granny Yue as well. Only Kong Yun had yet to arrive. Together, they had laid a trap, awaiting the enemy’s approach.

As Elder Zhushan appeared, Granny Yue surged from the waters too. Alongside Qin Sang, the three encircled the mustached man.

"You..." The mustached man’s face paled with shock. Who would have thought that in this desolate part of the Demonic Sea, so many experts would gather?

His cave dwelling had been nearby, yet he had detected nothing.

Granny Yue’s cultivation alone was enough to suppress him. With Qin Sang and Elder Zhushan joining the fight, no matter his strength, he could not escape his fate.

After a bitter struggle, the mustached man fought desperately but still could not escape. He fell beneath Elder Zhushan’s sword.

With him slain, the Two-Headed Hou came charging in with Su Nu on its back. Qin Sang, his true essence nearly exhausted, rejoined it and ordered the beast to guard him while he recovered with spirit stones.

"Daoist Master, you have hidden yourself deeply! When your spirit beast first sent word, I thought Su Nu had been seized by demonic beasts. I nearly struck it myself. Thankfully Elder Zhushan reminded me. Asking you to protect her was indeed the wisest choice..."

Granny Yue lavished praise on the Two-Headed Hou.

Elder Zhushan also voiced his agreement.

Their attitudes toward Qin Sang had clearly shifted. Before, they had merely been impressed by his evasion techniques and swordsmanship. Now, seeing he commanded such a powerful spirit beast, they realized he was already their equal, perhaps even superior.

Qin Sang took a moment to compose himself, then said, "This man still had two companions. We must not let them escape."

Earlier, Liu had lagged behind. Realizing the situation was dire, he had turned and fled. The squire was still in the rear, struggling to refine the sword qi within him.

The three immediately split up to pursue. Hunter and prey switched places in an instant.

𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Soon, the two were slain as well. The three divided the spoils, gaining a hefty profit.

Though none of the items were those Qin Sang urgently needed, he unexpectedly found several spirit flowers beloved by the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, a fitting reward for its contributions.

"Who would have thought scheming cultivators would lurk here, dragging Daoist Master into danger. Thankfully, with your strength, Su Nu remained safe..." Granny Yue expressed her gratitude.

"I carried Su Nu out of the demon-filled island and happened to encounter them. The anomaly caused by true devilish qi was visible for hundreds of li, no doubt drawing them here. If not for your timely aid, I would not have held out."

Qin Sang’s words were deliberately vague. He faintly sensed something unusual in the relationship between Su Nu and Granny Yue, but he wanted only to secure his treasures, not stir fresh trouble. Since Granny Yue did not ask, he would not volunteer the true cause of the clash, much less mention Su Nu’s strange behavior.

Su Nu kept her head lowered, her eyes filled with despair. Hearing this, she was struck with disbelief.

She had actually recalled fragments of the truth. But Granny Yue’s cultivation was far beyond what she could oppose. She had no choice but to suppress her fear and hatred, treating Granny Yue as family.

The assassination attempt had shown her a glimmer of hope. Though the chance of escaping in the chaos was slim, a gamble of one in ten thousand was still worth it.

Yet she had not foreseen Qin Sang’s spirit beast being so formidable, leaving her no opportunity at all.

She did not believe her actions could fool these cunning old foxes. What surprised her was that Qin Sang had chosen not to say a word.