Chapter 909: Corrupted-Winged Eagle

Passing by Quheng Island, Qin Sang did not stop and instead flew straight toward the southern region of the Windy Archipelago, where chaos was even greater.

The influence of Old Devil Yin’s capture a few years ago seemed to have faded. Qin Sang encountered no obstacles and smoothly arrived near Linggui Island, the place where Senior Qingzhu had once established his dojo.

Qin Sang suspected that Old Devil Yin’s downfall might have been related to Senior Qingzhu. If the Devil Lord investigated, he would certainly have stationed people to watch the nearby islands.

To be safe, Qin Sang avoided Bamen Island and continued southward.

Along the way, he often used fake names to gather news. He discovered that although the Windy Archipelago was chaotic, it had its own order, with various factions large and small, and even Spiritual Infant cultivators among them.

He did not wish to be dragged into more disputes. Yet unless he joined a faction, finding a safe cave dwelling for secluded cultivation was no easy matter.

Months later...

In a desolate region of the Windy Archipelago, a lone figure crossed several barren islands. After flying for hours, he finally stopped before a small island.

The island was only a dozen li across, with several low hills.

From its center, multicolored mists rose and lingered among the vegetation. Any immortal cultivator who saw it would recognize it as poisonous miasma.

But the true danger was not the miasma. The true danger came from the nests on the hills.

"So this is the Poison Island those people mentioned?"

The newcomer was Qin Sang. At the edge of the chaotic region, he had kept his identity hidden while searching for news and a cave dwelling. He had examined several sites before, but none were satisfactory.

A few days ago, he had heard from nearby cultivators that this island had been taken over by a flock of Corrupted-Winged Eagles. At once, his interest was piqued, and he came to investigate.

The Corrupted-Winged Eagle was a notorious poisonous beast. Not only could it breathe poisonous clouds, but its feathers and talons were steeped in venom. A single strike would send poison coursing through the victim’s body, invading the organs within breaths.

Perhaps from living with poison for so long, the eagles themselves had become corroded, their appearance hideous beyond words.

Their bodies were pitch-black, feathers charred as if burnt, giving off a stench. Their skin and plumage were torn, with bones exposed in places, like rotting corpses. Their wings were especially grotesque, earning them the name "Corrupted-Winged Eagles."

Mortals feared them greatly, calling them incarnations of King Yan, the god of death.

Even immortal cultivators found them troublesome. They always appeared in large flocks, and few dared provoke them. Thus, Poison Island had no cultivators; its masters were the eagles.

With the flock multiplying, no one dared approach any longer.

Qin Sang concealed his presence and studied the island from a distance.

The poisonous miasma drifted through the mountains, sometimes rippling with strange fluctuations and eerie eagle cries.

Shadows often burst out from the peaks, circling in the miasma, swallowing and spitting out the toxic gas. Even from here, he could sense that the island held dense spiritual qi, a sure sign of a spirit vein.

The miasma was not a true obstacle. With the right barriers and arrays, it could be completely sealed, and a cave dwelling opened. In fact, the poisonous cover could serve as camouflage and protection, warding off intruders.

Qin Sang had come seeking stability. The more he observed, the more satisfied he felt.

As long as the spirit vein is strong enough for my cultivation, I’ll stay here.

The surroundings also suited him. Because resources were scarce, high-level cultivators rarely came. The only problem was the island’s current masters. After many years, the Corrupted-Winged Eagles likely had a Demonic Core Realm king among them.

As Qin Sang pondered, rustling came from the insect basket at his waist. The fat silkworm was hungry again.

Two days earlier, it had awakened and demanded Purple Crystals, which Qin Sang refused. He still needed it to grant him Poison-Warding Armor against the eagles’ toxins.

Without that protection, even he would hesitate before the venom of a Demonic Core Realm eagle.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Once the silkworm fell asleep, nothing could wake it. After being denied food for two days, it now protested constantly, thrashing about in the basket.

Qin Sang suspected it was cursing him. If it had any real strength, it would have tried to rob him already.

"Help me deal with these eagles, and I’ll give you Purple Crystals." He plucked the fat silkworm out.

It flicked its tail, hissed twice to vent its displeasure, then spat a seven-colored halo that settled over Qin Sang and the Two-Headed Hou. With that done, it climbed onto Qin Sang’s shoulder beside the Sky-Eyed Butterfly to watch.

Qin Sang nodded at the Two-Headed Hou, then flashed onto the island. For safety, he first brought out the Yan Luo Banner of Ten Directions, followed by the ebony sword.

The Corrupted-Winged Eagles were indeed numerous. No sooner had Qin Sang entered than a flock discovered him. With sharp screeches, they spewed poisonous clouds.

Though they were only of the Ordinary Demon Realm, their combined venom far exceeded their level.

Yet with the silkworm’s Poison-Warding Armor, Qin Sang was untouched. The rest of the flock soon stirred.

The island erupted with shrieks, harsh and grating to the ears. Poisonous miasma billowed as countless eagles rushed out, darkening the skies with stench and shadow.

Ignoring the toxic clouds, Qin Sang unleashed the ebony sword and slaughtered freely.

The Sky-Eyed Butterfly, in high spirits, occasionally fanned its wings to release lightning, clearing wide swaths of the flock, then flitted about proudly in front of the fat silkworm.

The silkworm’s beady eyes turned, filled with jealousy. It nearly canceled the Poison-Warding Armor on the butterfly just to humble it, but feared Qin Sang’s wrath and sulked instead.

Still, the butterfly’s greatest contribution was scouting the enemies.

As flocks of eagles fell, fear spread among them. Furious cries came from the island’s heart. A powerful aura surged forth.

"The eagle kings have come out... two of them."

The Sky-Eyed Butterfly spotted their movements. Qin Sang’s face darkened. With a sweep of his arm, a stream of Devilish Flames of Nine Hells pierced through the flock, blasting into a massive black shadow.

Screech!

A terrible scream rang out. One eagle king had its wing torn through and staggered back. Before it could steady itself, Qin Sang and the Two-Headed Hou closed in from both sides.

The Two-Headed Hou fired blades of wind from its eyes, stronger than ever before, joining with the Devilish Flames to tear into the eagle king.

Spewing a rainbow cloud of poison, the eagle king realized with horror that its deadliest attack had no effect. It had no chance to mount a defense before being slain.