Chapter 859: The Rain Desert

Daoist Fang had invited five people in total. When it came time to hunt the demonic beast, Qin Sang and the others were to control the Heavenly Cold Wind Array.

"The last Cold Tablet met with some mishap. It will only be finished tomorrow. Daoist Qin, observe how Daoist Qiu and the others rehearse the array. Once I finish refining the Cold Tablet, we shall depart at once."

After giving these instructions, Daoist Fang soared above the cold pool, took out a damaged crystal tablet, and began refining it by drawing in cold qi.

Qin Sang greeted the others one by one, then found a spot beside the pool to sit in meditation.

The burly man surnamed Qiu was Qiu Ji. He led the others in practicing the array, deliberately slowing the sequence so Qin Sang could clearly follow each variation.

Another rogue cultivator Qin Sang had seen before was named Chu Heng.

The other two were Luo Kun and Ma Debao.

They had once been rogue cultivators as well, but had since been recruited as retainers by sects near Tianxing Island. To avoid heavy barriers, neither had joined a major power.

Chu Heng specialized in arrays and barriers. He was the one who controlled the Array Eye of the Heavenly Cold Wind Array, and was now guiding the others through its changes.

Luo Kun was quiet, offering Qin Sang only a light nod as greeting.

Ma Debao, however, had an unappealing look. His wide pancake face was set with two tiny, shifty eyes that rolled incessantly. When he looked at Qin Sang, it felt like he was blatantly prying into his secrets.

Including Qin Sang, all five were at the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm.

As Qin Sang studied the array’s changes, his gaze drifted unintentionally to Daoist Fang.

When he had first followed Daoist Fang into the cave, Qin Sang had discreetly awakened the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, wary of hidden traps or barriers.

Yet instead of discovering ambushes, he had noticed something strange about Daoist Fang.

Normally, Qin Sang would never let the Sky-Eyed Butterfly use its divine sight to pry into others. Core Formation cultivators were highly sensitive, and being caught could easily create enmity.

The butterfly had not probed into Daoist Fang’s true secrets, so it went undetected. But Daoist Fang seemed to be shrouded in a veil that even the butterfly could not penetrate. This surprised Qin Sang.

The Sky-Eyed Butterfly’s ability had been tested many times. It could pierce illusions and expose disguises with ease.

During the breakout on Yuheng Island, the late-stage Demonic Core Realm fish demon that had consumed Imperial Elixir attempted an ambush, only to be seen through by the butterfly.

Even the cultivators of the Xiyou Alliance had fallen to Qin Sang because of its vision.

Therefore, Daoist Fang must have possessed some secret treasure or supernatural ability that could obscure himself and block probing, rendering the butterfly ineffective.

Meanwhile, Qiu Ji and the others rehearsed faster and faster.

After one full round of observation, Qin Sang’s expression grew solemn. He had no mind to think of anything else. The Heavenly Cold Wind Array was even more complex than he had expected, and with the Cold Tablet still incomplete, only partial variations could be performed.

For the five of them to truly master the array well enough to confront a late-stage Demonic Core Realm great demon, they would have to practice without pause even while traveling to the beast’s lair.

Qin Sang dared not slacken, carefully memorizing each change. Unknowingly, a full day passed.

By noon the next day, Daoist Fang finally finished refining the Cold Tablet. After a brief discussion, the group decided to depart immediately.

To save time, they did not take a ship. Daoist Fang produced a flying astra, and the group took turns controlling it while the others rehearsed the array.

After leaving the island, Daoist Fang steered the astra directly north. Its light streaked across the sea like a meteor.

"Daoist Fang, you’ve been keeping this matter so tightly hidden. Even now you refuse to reveal anything. Could it be the beast’s lair lies in the Rain Desert of the North Sea?" Ma Debao stroked his mustache and asked in a sharp voice.

Daoist Fang lifted his eyelids slightly and smiled. "Daoist Ma, you're overthinking. From Tianxing Island to the Rain Desert of the North Sea is not a journey of one or two years. Before we even reached halfway, you would all grow impatient. Our destination lies at the North Sea’s edge, only a little over two months from here. Once we arrive at its lair, you will see for yourselves what kind of beast it is."

Qin Sang secretly nodded. If the journey had been too long, he would have reconsidered.

The so-called Rain Desert lay deep in the North Sea, close to the storm belt.

Some had tried to divide the Inner Sea into four regions, but in truth its shape was irregular, stretched long from south to north.

Previously, while searching for Senior Qingzhu, Qin Sang had traveled to Windy Archipelago in the southwest. Had he continued westward instead of returning, he would have soon reached the storm belt at the western edge of the Inner Sea.

But heading north took much longer, and the first region encountered was a sea of endless downpours, called the Rain Desert.

It was said that the North Sea was the most heavily influenced by the storm belt. In the Rain Desert, the rains never ceased, the sun was never seen, and mortals could not survive.

Thus, apart from the occasional island with a spirit vein that allowed cultivators to dwell, the rest were barren. The place lacked the chaos of Windy Archipelago, but it was certainly the most desolate and lonely part of the Inner Sea.

Qiu Ji muttered in surprise, "Within the Inner Sea, and not in the Rain Desert itself, yet such a great demon has survived without being slain by experts?"

Daoist Fang confirmed with a nod. "The creature lives well and is exceedingly rampant. I learned of it because a friend of mine led a caravan that was attacked. Not only were all his goods destroyed, but he nearly lost his life. Though he barely escaped, his injuries ruined his foundation. His cultivation was lost forever, leaving him a cripple. I hunt this beast to avenge him."

"Daoist Fang, such righteousness..."

The astra sped forward in a streak of light, then fell into silence as the others focused on rehearsing the array. Daoist Fang controlled the astra, his eyes flashing as he looked over the monotonous sea.

***

Not long after they departed, several blurry figures appeared at the island’s edge.

Their attire was strange. All were clad in black robes, hiding themselves as though unwilling to be seen, except for one man, the shopkeeper from Tianxing City.

Before these people, the shopkeeper’s expression was cautious, almost ingratiating.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Eldest Senior Brother has already left with his men. It’s time for us to depart as well. Junior Brother, after we go, those late-stage old fellows must be contacted by you. Keep them steady, so that when we need them, they will be ready. These people may not be used yet, but Eldest Senior Brother said his information might not be accurate. There could still be twists ahead."

One of the black-robed men turned to glare at the shopkeeper. Judging by his voice, he was the same man who had once traded with Qin Sang in Tianxing City.

The shopkeeper quickly nodded. "Rest assured, Senior Brother. I will give my utmost."