Chapter 694: Chapter 694

Qin Sang turned toward Huntian Island, a hint of hesitation surfacing on his face.

Noticing this, Han Cuo said, "If Daoist has no pressing matters, there's no need to be in a rush. Once you step onto Huntian Island, it won’t be easy to come back out, and you might miss out on a lot. Outside the island, we humans have set up a place similar to a trading market, where we exchange goods and share information. It's also a temporary base. Those who dare remain outside at a time are all fairly powerful. Sometimes, a cultivator has a streak of bad luck and suffers a mishap, leaving them with no choice but to sell their most prized treasures. That's why rare and wondrous items often appear in the market. Why not come along and take a look? You might just find something of interest. You helped us defeat a powerful foe. It would be our pleasure to host you at the market, as a small token of gratitude." Chapters fırst released on novel-fire.ɴet

"Oh? It seems Daoist Han has gained quite a lot then."

Qin Sang gave Han Cuo a long, thoughtful look.

He had no intention of going to Duyan Island, let alone setting foot on Huntian Island. He had already guessed there might be a market outside the island, but had not expected Han Cuo to bring it up so directly. It made things easier for him to accept the invitation.

He was not drawn in by the treasures Han Cuo spoke of. His real goal was to gather the information he needed in the market before continuing on to search for the Perpetual Camphor.

"To be honest, Daoist Qin, what I’ve gained in this short period is worth nearly a decade of effort."

Han Cuo smiled without the slightest modesty, then sighed. "I once thought the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm was my limit, but now, I see a glimmer of hope for reaching the late stage. With such a chance, I may as well go all in. Otherwise, I wouldn’t still be risking my life out here."

Another Core Formation cultivator standing nearby also wore an expression of quiet agreement.

"In that case, I’ll go with you all. Hopefully, I’ll gain something from the trip."

Qin Sang thought for a moment before agreeing.

Han Cuo and the others were delighted and immediately decided to set off together.

Their flight path led directly away from Huntian Island, heading into the deeper parts of the Stormy Demonic Sea.

It was clear that Han Cuo and his companions were extremely cautious. They changed direction frequently, and their formation had clearly been arranged with care. Qin Sang did not act independently but instead followed Han Cuo’s instructions, advancing and retreating in unison with the group.

As a result, Han Cuo and the others held him in even higher regard.

Three days later, when they reached a stretch of uninhabited sea, Qin Sang noticed that Han Cuo would occasionally take out a luopan-shaped artifact. It seemed to be used for navigation or communication.

Sensing Qin Sang’s gaze, Han Cuo explained, "Since we need to guard against both the demon race and the witch race, the market doesn’t have a fixed location. It relocates periodically within this sea region, and a new session is held each time. As it happens, a new session is about to begin. We were headed there when we encountered those witch race rogues and got caught in that battle."

"There are still many cultivators from both races choosing to remain outside Huntian Island?" Qin Sang asked.

Han Cuo shifted direction again and fell silent for a moment before replying in a low voice, "Compared to those on Huntian Island, the number is naturally smaller. But in truth, it's still not a small crowd. Other than those blessed with heavenly or dual spiritual roots, who can honestly claim they have a real chance of reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm? The chaotic conflict between our two races is dangerous, but so is hunting demonic beasts. It’s all a gamble with your life. Many cultivators think the same way I do, and some are even more extreme."

Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly. "So you're saying that late-stage Core Formation cultivators have already stepped forward to form factions and assemble their forces?"

"It’s even worse than you imagine."

Han Cuo shook his head, a trace of fear in his eyes. "Without the island master to maintain order, the evil cultivators act without restraint. Many desperate outlaws have joined them and entrenched themselves within the Thousand-Demon Sea. They show no mercy, whether the target is from the human race or the witch race. It has become the most chaotic and blood-soaked region outside Huntian Island. At first, some unsuspecting cultivators wandered near the Thousand-Demon Sea. None of them returned alive. No one even knows which race the culprits belonged to. Unless your path to immortality has been cut off and you are truly desperate, it is best to stay away from the southeastern side of Huntian Island."

"The Thousand-Demon Sea?" Qin Sang’s expression changed slightly.

"Oh," Han Cuo suddenly recalled, "I almost forgot that you’ve just arrived at Huntian Island. The situation outside the island has been changing every day. You probably haven’t had the chance to catch up. This is my usual geomantic map, and I’ve marked the latest information on it. It should be useful to you."

As he spoke, Han Cuo tossed a jade slip to Qin Sang and added, "The Thousand-Demon Sea has always been the most dangerous place outside Huntian Island. It got its name because of the many great demons lurking beneath its waters. Inside that sea, only one route has ever been mapped out, and even that is full of hidden dangers. Only middle to late-stage Core Formation cultivators dare to venture in. Those very people have now taken control of that route."

After reading through the geomantic map, the last trace of hope in Qin Sang's heart disappeared.

The route Han Cuo mentioned was the only path leading to the Fire-Repelling Finch’s nest.

Now, that road had already been cut off by the evil cultivators.

If he hadn’t taken the precaution of speaking with local cultivators to gather information first, and instead charged forward blindly, not even the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman might have saved his life.

Cold sweat broke out on Qin Sang’s back. He felt a lingering dread and a growing unease.

Now that the only route had been blocked, how could he possibly cross the Thousand-Demon Sea and locate the Fire-Repelling Finch? Had the past six months of preparation all been for nothing?

Was there truly no second route through the Thousand-Demon Sea?

Han Cuo remained focused on locating the market and did not notice anything strange about Qin Sang’s expression.

A short while later, Han Cuo let out a quiet exclamation. "We’re here."

Then, a small reef island only a few zhang across appeared ahead. Just as Qin Sang was feeling puzzled, Han Cuo reached out and tapped the luopan. The waters near the reef rippled, and a cultivator emerged from beneath the surface.

"So it’s Daoist Han."

The man seemed very familiar with Han Cuo and greeted him with a beaming smile.

After a brief conversation, the man handed something over to Han Cuo and then dove back underwater. Han Cuo then instructed the group to conceal their presence and continued flying in another direction.

This scene repeated itself three times.

Qin Sang silently marveled at the caution displayed by these cultivators. He also understood that, under the dual pressure of the demon race and the witch race, they had no choice but to act this way. So he remained patient and did not rush.

While quietly worrying about how to cross the Thousand-Demon Sea, he followed Han Cuo in silence. Suddenly, he heard Han Cuo let out a soft cry. "There's the market!"

Qin Sang focused his gaze and saw a long, narrow island come into view.

The island was covered in wild grass, with nothing else but clusters of rocky hills. There were no signs of habitation, and it looked utterly desolate.

At first glance, it seemed unremarkable, but it was hiding more than met the eye.

Han Cuo led the group down onto the island and headed straight for a cliff face. Qin Sang stared at the cliff for a while before finally detecting something unusual. A concealed barrier was hidden within. It was subtle but packed with power.