Chapter 1224: The Demand

Qin Sang stood with his hands behind his back before the inner sect of Devilish Qingyang Sect.

The gaze of the Sky-Eyed Butterfly pierced through the barriers and looked toward the tallest peak, Divine Gale Peak. Though still far away, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly’s vision was exceptional.

The last time he had come, winds and clouds had churned atop Divine Gale Peak, and lightning had raged endlessly.

An azure shadow had danced wildly at the summit, while the Ancestral Sacred Flame had surged with violent unrest. Even from afar, one could feel that terrifying power, as if it could erupt at any moment, stirring deep unease.

Now, Divine Gale Peak was shrouded in jade-like mist. The winds had stilled, lightning had vanished, and even the azure shadow of the Ancestral Sacred Flame had been suppressed by a great array, appearing far calmer than before.

However, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly’s supernatural ability penetrated the array and revealed subtle ripples surfacing again and again.

Devilish Qingyang Sect had only temporarily suppressed the Ancestral Sacred Flame!

The scene before him confirmed his suspicions. Qin Sang nodded inwardly, withdrew his gaze, and remained outwardly calm as he looked at Xiang Qing, who was rushing over.

He had only made slight concealments, not enough to evade the perception of a Spiritual Infant cultivator. The moment he moved, Xiang Qing had already noticed him.

This, however, had been intentional. Qin Sang withdrew his spell and stopped concealing himself. The aura of a Spiritual Infant grandmaster was fully revealed.

Sect Leader Dong felt his mind buzz violently, his face turning blank. Only two words remained in his head: Spiritual Infant. They echoed endlessly like a curse.

He stood frozen, his body stiff, a chill running down his spine. Daoist Master Qingfeng is actually a Spiritual Infant cultivator!

I actually dared to scheme against a sect founded by a Spiritual Infant cultivator and even led people to attack it. The fact that I had not been struck dead on the spot and sent to the underworld alongside Lu Xing meant I must have accumulated blessings across eight lifetimes and exhausted all my luck.

Forget myself alone, even if Daoist Master Qingfeng slaughtered the entire Yinquan Sect, would Devilish Qingyang Sect truly make him pay with his life?

Xiang Qing appeared in a flash. Seeing Qin Sang, a completely unfamiliar Spiritual Infant cultivator, a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes before he gave a fist-and-palm salute. "I am Xiang Qing. May I ask for your Dharma name, Daoist?"

"I am Qingfeng." Qin Sang returned the greeting calmly.

Sect Leader Dong had yet to recover his senses.

The young disciple, though shocked upon first seeing Qin Sang, had not been as shaken. He reacted quickly and knelt before Xiang Qing. "Reporting to Grandmaster, Senior Qingfeng is the founding grandmaster of Devilish Flame Sect."

"Devilish Flame Sect?" Xiang Qing paused, thinking carefully before recalling the sect. He could not help but size Qin Sang up.

He remembered that Devilish Flame Sect had only possessed a sect leader who had barely formed a Golden Core, and its so-called founding grandmaster had never appeared. Yet now, he had quietly reached the Spiritual Infant Realm.

Why has this man come unannounced? Xiang Qing thought.

Xiang Qing recalled that Devilish Flame Sect had long been subordinate to Devilish Qingyang Sect.

Could it be that after reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm, he has developed new ambitions and come to establish ties?

Regardless, the other party is a Spiritual Infant cultivator from Small Cold Domain. There is no reason to drive him away. If he behaved sensibly, everything could be discussed. If he acted erratically, I would not mind teaching him a lesson first. Xiang Qing thought.

Suppressing his doubts, Xiang Qing extended his hand in invitation. "This is not a place for chatter. Daoist Master, why not come to my cave dwelling for a cup of fine wine? As it happens, I have another honored guest."

"Very well." Qin Sang nodded and followed Xiang Qing, drifting away with ease.

A voice transmission sounded in the youth’s ear, instructing him to take Sect Leader Dong to rest.

"Sect Leader Dong..." Hearing the call, Sect Leader Dong snapped out of his daze.

His thoughts churned chaotically. Will Senior Qingfeng hold a grudge? Should I go and apologize and ask to be punished? Have I committed any discourtesy these past few days?

Only after regaining his senses did he realize Qin Sang had already departed, leaving him with a sense of loss.

When he turned to look for Divine Mountain-Shaking Lord, he found that the man had already vanished without a trace.

***

Before Xiang Qing’s cave dwelling, ancient pines and cypresses stood tall. A stone platform jutted outward, forming a terrace directly facing Divine Gale Peak.

On the stone table sat fine wine, and seated beside it was Sect Leader Bing Han of Xuling Sect.

She wore a white palace dress with a light pink shawl draped over her shoulders. Though not as stunning as Qin Sang’s senior sister or Chenyan, she was still a rare beauty, her eyebrows and eyes carrying a sharp, spirited air.

Standing beside the table was another person. Seeing him, Qin Sang inwardly chuckled. It was an old acquaintance, Wu Youdao.

Back then, when Qin Sang had infiltrated the Devilish Qingyang Sect to forcibly refine the Divine Qingyang Gale, he had been discovered upon leaving and fought a fierce battle with Wu Youdao.

Times had changed.

At that time, Qin Sang had only just formed his corpse core and had been slightly inferior to Wu Youdao. He had used every method at his disposal just to force Wu Youdao to give up pursuit. Now, Qin Sang had reached the Spiritual Infant Realm, while Wu Youdao remained only at the middle stage of the Golden Core Realm, able only to stand respectfully to the side in the presence of Spiritual Infant cultivators.

However, judging from the fluctuations of his aura, he was not far from a breakthrough.

Xiang Qing himself was still in the dark, so he only briefly introduced Qin Sang’s identity to Bing Han.

After exchanging greetings, the three of them sat down. Xiang Qing dismissed Wu Youdao, took out a golden goblet, personally poured wine, and then looked at Qin Sang.

"I came uninvited. I hope I have not disturbed your gathering," Qin Sang said with a calm expression as he raised his cup in thanks.

Bing Han was equally curious about Qin Sang and said in surprise, "I did not expect such a hidden gem to exist in Small Cold Domain. Judging from your aura, you should not have broken through recently, correct?"

In the cultivation world, there were indeed ascetics who ignored worldly affairs and focused solely on cultivation.

However, the Two-Domain Alliance and Sin Abyss had been at war for years. No one wished to see their homeland fall into enemy hands and be forced to live under others. Most would contribute in some way.

Even those who lived in seclusion could not remain entirely unknown. Yet she and Xiang Qing, one righteous and one devilish, had never heard of this person. With nothing but his word, how credible was his claim of founding Devilish Flame Sect?

With an unclear background and appearing so suddenly, he might even be a spy from Sin Abyss.

The two exchanged a glance, remaining outwardly calm as they waited to see how Qin Sang would explain himself.

"I indeed broke through to the Spiritual Infant Realm not long ago. I came this time to personally thank Daoist Xiang for looking after my unworthy disciples." Qin Sang raised his golden goblet and toasted Xiang Qing.

Xiang Qing frowned slightly and drank with him. "You are too polite. I have always treated the sects under my jurisdiction equally! Daoist Master, one does not visit without reason. If you have something to say, speak directly."

He had grown somewhat impatient and did not wish to continue beating around the bush. In truth, Qin Sang had been observing Divine Gale Peak the entire time. From this closer distance, he was even more certain.

The reason he had assumed the identity of Devilish Flame Sect’s founding grandmaster was precisely for this. If reality differed from his expectations, he could simply withdraw and consider other options.

His expression turned serious, no longer concealing his intent. "I came this time to discuss a deal with you, Daoist Xiang. I have a way to help you resolve your greatest hidden danger!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed toward the summit of Divine Gale Peak.

Xiang Qing and Bing Han’s expressions changed slightly. Seeing this, Qin Sang knew he had confirmed his judgment.

Xiang Qing’s face darkened. "I wonder what you mean by this. What hidden danger?"

Qin Sang looked deeply at Xiang Qing and spoke directly to the core issue. "You have sealed the Ancestral Sacred Flame with a great array, thinking it concealed. Perhaps you can deceive others, but not me. The Ancestral Sacred Flame can only be suppressed temporarily. The danger has always remained, and the longer you delay, the harder it will be to resolve. When the day comes that it can no longer be contained, and it erupts completely, what will be destroyed will not be limited to Divine Gale Peak..."

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