Chapter 922: Sea Toad Island

"It seems like you don’t reject immortal cultivators, so why do you refuse to accept my conditions? Among immortal cultivators, I am not considered weak, am I? You know better than anyone how strong I am now. I won’t dare claim that I am certain to form a Spiritual Infant, but compared to others, my chances are much higher. By following me, how could you possibly feel wronged?" As he sped through the air, Qin Sang looked down at the Two-Headed Hou.

He certainly understood that the beast was not especially close to the young girl. Leaving behind that Azure Shadow had been its way of repaying her for the years she had spent grooming its fur.

The Two-Headed Hou rolled its eyes at Qin Sang, then with a flash of its figure darted into the Primordial Unity Ring to rest.

Qin Sang stroked his chin, summoned his incarnation, and together they rode a streak of evasion light that vanished into the boundless sea.

Months later...

Qin Sang made a trip to Quheng Island, but only stayed a few days before leaving again. This time, he headed straight for Tianxing Island with almost no stops along the way.

After a long journey, he returned once more to Tianxing Island. A trace of emotion crossed his face. Out of caution, he let his incarnation hide inside the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, while he himself stayed low-profile and slipped into the city.

After making inquiries, Qin Sang learned that the teleportation arrays between Tianxing Island and Desolate Island were now open again for free travel. However, the cost in spirit stones was nearly half higher than before, and the complaints were endless.

The Demonic Sea was gradually returning to order. Naturally, it was still more dangerous than it had been before the demon chaos.

Assuming the identity of Daoist Master Qingfeng, Qin Sang contacted members of the Qiongyu Merchant Guild. From them he learned that Elder Zhou was still in the Demonic Sea, and he decided to visit him after some time.

Earlier, Qin Sang had sent Elder Zhou a letter, explaining he would be in seclusion for a period. Since both of them would be heading to Seven-Kill Hall, though with different goals, there was a chance they might encounter each other inside and lend mutual support. He had also promised before to help Elder Zhou plan for his journey to Seven-Kill Hall.

But before leaving, he had to re-refine the Heavenly Corpse Coffin. Qin Sang entered the marketplace and rented an artifact refinement chamber at great expense.

The stone chamber measured just over one zhang across. In the center stood a copper cauldron, and beneath it was a sealed opening blocked by a barrier. From above, one could only see a dim crimson glow.

Even with the barrier in place, waves of heat still surged upward from below. At the opening, a complex and intricate spiritual array was inscribed.

Qin Sang first inspected the chamber’s barriers, then added several more layers himself. He placed his incarnation nearby to guard him. Sitting cross-legged before the cauldron, he took out the Heavenly Corpse Coffin, Black Origin Gold, and other materials.

He had already rehearsed the refinement plan countless times in his heart. After adjusting his state to its peak, Qin Sang pressed his hand against the cauldron. At the moment he activated the barrier, the cauldron lit up, humming with a low rumble.

Suddenly, a bright crimson fire burst upward from the cave below, waves of heat rushing forth as though a fire dragon had shot straight from the depths of the earth.

Boom!

The chamber’s barriers quaked violently. Qin Sang’s face glowed under the firelight, his eyes narrowing slightly as he saw raging flames burning beneath the cauldron.

Looking closely, the flames were not tangible fire. The array at the cave's opening had also activated, releasing the purest of fiery auras. This power was steady and stable, perfectly suited for refining artifacts and pills.

Qin Sang had heard that the finest of such underground fire veins lay in the mountain of mountains belonging to Xuling Sect of the Small Cold Domain. Because of the terrain, that mountain had been tempered for countless years, producing flames so pure they rivaled spiritual fires without any elaborate preparation.

He cast the Black Origin Gold into the cauldron, activated the array, and patiently began the refinement.

Since the Heavenly Corpse Coffin was already an astra, re-refining it was not overly difficult. The process went smoothly, and in just one night, Qin Sang completed the task.

Dark patterns spread across the coffin’s surface, greatly enhancing its defensive power.

Afterwards, Qin Sang did not linger long in Tianxing City. He immediately used the teleportation array to travel to the Demonic Sea, staying vigilant against Landou Sect. Fortunately, his journey passed without incident.

Two months later, he met Elder Zhou on an island in the Demonic Sea. Their reunion after many years brought Elder Zhou great joy.

"Daoist Master, you secluded yourself for decades without any news. I’ve been worried about you all this time." Elder Zhou sighed. He noticed that Qin Sang’s cultivation seemed to have shown little progress, and although puzzled, tactfully refrained from asking.

Qin Sang returned his bow and said, "Elder Zhou, Seven-Kill Hall is about to open. I have never forgotten our agreement back then. Have you uncovered any news?"

"These years I have hardly bothered with guild matters, and have focused on gathering information," Elder Zhou replied with a shake of his head, "I’ve found some pieces that may be useful to me, but it is hard to tell the truth from falsehood..."

He invited Qin Sang to sit, and the two of them sifted through the information, debating what was reliable.

Qin Sang had only entered Seven-Kill Hall once before, so he could provide only limited advice. The final decision would have to rest with Elder Zhou himself.

Learning that Elder Zhou planned, as before, to borrow the Dongji Alliance’s qualification to enter Seven-Kill Hall, Qin Sang did not openly object, but subtly offered a few hints.

With Elder Zhou’s sharp mind, he would surely catch the meaning. Whether he changed his plans was not something Qin Sang could control.

"Daoist Master, I originally intended to help you secure a slot, but it seems you’ve already acquired a jade token elsewhere. Then it appears we won’t be able to enter together." Elder Zhou sounded surprised.

He had hoped Qin Sang would join him, for of all the people he knew, Qin Sang was the one he trusted most.

Qin Sang nodded and sighed. "Elder Zhou, you must have noticed my problem. All these years I haven’t made any progress. There are some places I must go. Seven-Kill Hall is my only chance. Until I resolve my troubles, I won’t be able to spare any thought for other matters."

Elder Zhou nodded. "Then I can only wish Daoist Master success and a safe return. Once inside Seven-Kill Hall, I will be exploring several places. If you manage to resolve your issue, or if you encounter difficulties, come find me. The two of us working together is better than facing the dangers alone. I also have some savings; if you help me find those few spiritual herbs, I promise you won’t be disappointed with the reward."

Qin Sang nodded his head slightly. "I’ll remember that."

He stayed with Elder Zhou for a few more days, learning the latest news of the Demonic Sea, and agreed to meet again at Tianxing Island before the opening of Seven-Kill Hall. Then he departed alone, leaving no trace.

The demon race kept a low profile. After a short lull, both the human and witch races resumed their expansion.

The previously broken routes were quickly restored, and the two sides grew more and more connected. It seemed only a matter of time before prosperity returned to its former level.

Thus, three more years passed in relative calm.

Sea Toad Island. Once infamous in the Demonic Sea, its master, the Sea Toad Grandmaster, was a middle-stage Spiritual Infant cultivator with a notorious reputation.

During the demon chaos, the grandmaster had been forced to abandon the island. Once the chaos ended, he immediately returned with his followers, and Sea Toad Island quickly flourished again.

At noon, a merchant ship docked at Sea Toad Island, and several witch cultivators disembarked.