Chapter 638: Chapter 638

The crowd clearly wavered.

The seductive woman withdrew her charming demeanor and said solemnly, "From today onward, Five-Insect Sect must relinquish Black Wind Valley, and for the next two hundred years, you are forbidden to set foot in it. If you agree, we will withdraw immediately."

Cui Xuanzi had not expected them to put forward such an outrageous demand. His fury surged, and he slammed his wooden staff against the ground. "Two hundred years barred from Black Wind Valley? What will be left of Five-Insect Sect by then? You’re trying to sever our sect’s lifeline!"

The seductive woman did not back down and responded sharply, "Your sect has been hoarding the spirit stone mine and Poison Spring of Black Wind Valley. Have you ever considered what the cultivators of our two regions have had to endure? If you want to place blame, then blame your own disciples for being so useless. Despite occupying such rich resources, they’ve made no progress at all. We’re giving you two choices. Either stay out of Black Wind Valley for two hundred years, or hand over all the spirit stones and Poison Spring yields harvested over the past hundred years."

Old Thunder Ghost said, "Old man Cui Xuan, I’ll give you the time of one incense stick to decide. Once that time is up, I’ll see just how tough your sect-protecting array really is."

Cui Xuanzi’s face was ashen.

Although Qin Sang had given him a talisman astra, he was no match for so many experts.

Even the strongest array could only hold for so long without outside help.

He turned and returned to the sect leader’s hall. Clenching his teeth, he pushed open the doors, entered, and immediately knelt before Qin Sang, calling out loudly, "Senior, I beg you to save us!"

Qin Sang had listened to every word of the dispute outside the mountain gate. He too felt that Five-Insect Sect’s Golden Core cultivator was most likely dead.

In a place like Xijiang, the emergence of a single Golden Core was enough to shelter a sect for three to five centuries.

That person had once rallied surrounding forces and secured what sounded like a resource-rich Black Wind Valley for the sect, proving he was not a cold-hearted man.

Even if he had been a reclusive cultivator, it shouldn’t have been so difficult to return at least once after all these years.

Qin Sang sipped from his teacup, his gaze sharp as a blade as he stared silently at Cui Xuanzi.

A tense silence fell over the hall. Cui Xuanzi felt a terrifying pressure descend upon him, and his face twisted in horror. Cold sweat rolled freely down his forehead.

"You invited me into your sect just to wait for this moment?"

Qin Sang’s voice was icy, tinged with killing intent.

Cui Xuanzi’s expression changed dramatically. He hastily defended himself, "Senior, I knew they had long harbored treacherous intentions. I did hope your presence might deter them, but even if you gave me a hundred lives, I would never dare scheme against you. I truly didn’t know they would strike today!"

"I’ve done my utmost to serve you without the slightest neglect. Your insight is keen, so you must have noticed that. In truth, I originally had no intention of asking for a reward. I only wanted to request your protection for Five-Insect Sect. But before I could speak, they arrived. Please, Senior, see the truth of this matter!"

Cui Xuanzi lay prostrate on the floor, not even daring to wipe his sweat, looking utterly pitiful.

He did not seem to be pretending.

Qin Sang, however, did not release his pressure. He snorted coldly, "You claim you’ve done your best for me? When I asked you about hidden realms around Bear Mountain, why did you deliberately hide Black Wind Valley and the Poison Spring?"

Cui Xuanzi froze, then cried out in grievance, "Senior, you misunderstand! Black Wind Valley is not some hidden realm. It just happens to contain a spirit stone vein and sits at the intersection of our three factions, which is why it’s fought over. As for the Poison Spring, it has no unique properties other than producing water that can feed poisonous spiritual insects. It helps strengthen an insect’s toxins during its first metamorphosis and slightly speeds up cultivation. But for any other type of insect, it’s completely useless. Even for poisonous insects, its effects fade after the second metamorphosis."

Qin Sang was well aware of what the Poison Spring was.

Yuling Sect had recorded such places. This type of Poison Spring was a naturally toxic environment. Its spring water carried poison and was helpful for raising poisonous insects, but it did not aid in metamorphosis.

Poison Springs varied in quality. The kind that only benefited first-metamorphosis poison insects was considered the lowest grade.

The insect-rearing techniques Qin Sang knew could easily surpass the effectiveness of a Poison Spring.

However, whether it was Five-Insect Sect or the other two factions, Foundation Building cultivators were a minority. Their main strength lay in Qi Refining disciples. For those at the Qi Refining Realm, a Poison Spring that enhanced their life-bound insect gu would indeed be highly valuable.

"If you don’t believe me, Senior, you can inspect Black Wind Valley yourself once this matter is resolved."

Cui Xuanzi kowtowed again. "Please, Senior, consider the effort I’ve shown. Help me just this once. I am willing to lead the entire Five-Insect Sect to submit to you. We will serve you faithfully."

Qin Sang sneered inwardly. He was a Core Formation cultivator. How could he lower himself to become a patron of a declining sect in such a barren place as Xijiang?

But then again, perhaps it wasn’t entirely useless.

Over the past month, he had searched most of Bear Mountain, even exploring underground rivers, yet he had still not found the ancient teleportation array.

If the array remained elusive, gathering some local forces to continue searching after he left might not be a bad option.

Cui Xuanzi was a smart man. If he submitted wholeheartedly, he could be of some use. Besides, Mute Girl was still cultivating in Five-Insect Sect.

Seeing that Qin Sang had not outright refused and appeared to be considering it, Cui Xuanzi was overjoyed. He immediately began swearing oaths and promising to offer spirit stones and treasures in tribute.

Qin Sang was already moved by the offer, but he knew well that he could not remain here to oversee everything himself. It would be best not to let Cui Xuanzi gain absolute control. Only by subduing the others as well and allowing them to balance each other with Five-Insect Sect could he maintain stability and ensure they focused on serving his interests.

In any case, Qin Sang had no intention of fighting them for resources. He had no interest in the spirit stone mine or the Poison Spring of Black Wind Valley.

And if these factions ever became a nuisance, he could leave at any time without hesitation.

With that thought, Qin Sang began inquiring in detail about Thunderclap Village and Hundred Flower Palace.

Cui Xuanzi was well-acquainted with both and despised them so much that he wished Qin Sang would wipe them out. As a result, he gave an extremely thorough account, urging Qin Sang to act boldly without concern.

Due to the remoteness of the region, outside powers could not be bothered to pay attention to this place. Neither Thunderclap Village nor Hundred Flower Palace had any powerful backing. Thɪs chapter is updated by novelꜰire.net

After learning all he needed, Qin Sang gave a slight nod. "Open the sect-protecting array. Let them in."

"Yes, I will allow them in at once!"

Cui Xuanzi was overjoyed and acted with such deference that he even referred to himself as a disciple, prompting a sharp rebuke from Qin Sang.

"Old man, have you made up your mind?"

Old Thunder Ghost bellowed as he saw Cui Xuanzi return.

He was full of confidence, certain that Cui Xuanzi would cave.

Cui Xuanzi had left looking downcast, but now he returned in high spirits. Standing at the edge of the array, he dismissed it with a sneer. "If you’ve got the guts, come in and talk!"

Old Thunder Ghost and the seductive woman exchanged glances, both convinced that Cui Xuanzi was merely bluffing.

Old Thunder Ghost spat. "Still acting at a time ?"

With that, he took the lead. One by one, the rest followed him in, striding boldly into the Five-Insect Sect and heading straight for the sect leader’s hall.