Chapter 720: Chapter 720

"The war between the two races ended five years ago? That fast?"

Back then, the conflict between the Small Cold Domain and the Tianxing Alliance had lasted for decades, from the first signs of dispute to the eventual ceasefire forced by the opening of Ziwei Palace.

Neither of those regions, whether in land area or in the number and strength of their immortal cultivators, could compare to the vastness of Canglang Sea.

Qin Sang had originally estimated that the war between the two races would last at least a hundred years before any outcome became clear. He had always worried that if the war became too intense, the human cultivators would have no time or energy to open Seven-Kill Hall, disrupting his plans.

The human race was strong, but the witch race also had no shortage of top Spiritual Infant Realm experts. Not to mention, it was the witch race who initiated the conflict.

Unexpectedly, after rallying the strength of their entire race and launching a massive war, the witch race withdrew after just over ten years. The war ended abruptly, like a farce, with no conclusion. This kind of outcome had never happened before.

"In the end, who won between the human race and the witch race?" Qin Sang asked, puzzled.

The black-armored man shook his head. "There was no winner. The two sides have reconciled. There are many rumors, but they are all hearsay and nonsense, not worth believing."

For the witch race to risk extinction by starting a war, there had to be some deeper reason.

Unfortunately, they were not strong enough to qualify for access to those higher levels of knowledge.

Qin Sang thought to himself that whatever the witch race’s true intentions were, it had nothing to do with him. Now that both sides had ceased fighting and peace had returned, it was a good thing. He no longer had to worry about being caught up in the chaos and forced to flee constantly.

Afterward, Qin Sang continued asking the black-armored man questions to understand the state of the world.

Without revealing anything, he carefully asked about key timelines. After some calculations, he managed to piece together a general picture of what had happened on Cold Flame Island.

After the war broke out, the island masters across the Thousand-Demon Sea chose not to participate, instead sealing off their islands to avoid trouble. Before the war ended, the island master of Huntian Island had not discovered that a Transformation Realm demonic beast had already infiltrated the Thousand-Demon Sea, plotting to seize the Dongming Cold Flame.

Five years ago, after the conflict subsided and Huntian Island lifted its lockdown, its island master began to sense abnormalities in the Thousand-Demon Sea. He went personally to investigate and encountered the Transformation Realm great demon, recognizing the Dongming Cold Flame at first glance.

The Dongming Cold Flame was a supreme supernatural ability left behind by Saint Dongming and absolutely could not fall into the hands of the demon race.

After devouring the Dongming Cold Flame, the great demon’s strength would surely skyrocket. At that point, Huntian Island would be in grave danger.

A fierce battle broke out between the two Spiritual Infant powerhouses. The region was thrown into chaos. The aftermath of the battle alone was enough to destroy Cold Flame Island.

The master of Huntian Island was slightly stronger than the Transformation Realm great demon and drove it back into the depths of the Demonic Sea. This battle had taken place two years ago and lined up exactly with the period of unrest in the Demonic Sea.

Driven by curiosity about the cold flame, Qin Sang approached a wisp of it. The black-armored man did not stop him. On the contrary, he watched with amusement, as if waiting to see Qin Sang embarrass himself.

This was Qin Sang’s second encounter with the cold flame, and the sensation was completely different from before.

Last time, the Dongming Cold Flame had not yet fragmented. It had burned like a raging torch, and its terrifying coldness made it impossible to approach.

But this small flame felt gentler. It looked like a tiny blue flower blooming quietly on the sea surface, appearing completely harmless.

Qin Sang observed for a moment, then cautiously guided a strand of true essence to gently touch it.

That seemingly insignificant wisp of Dongming Cold Flame suddenly bared its fangs the moment the true essence approached.

Like a flower bud ready to burst open, a blue ring of light suddenly shot out and rapidly expanded outward with the flame at its center.

Wherever the ring passed, there came a series of sharp cracking sounds. In the blink of an eye, a thick layer of frost had formed.

More alarmingly, Qin Sang noticed that his strand of true essence had also been frozen. The terrifying chill was spreading along it, creeping back toward him.

Startled, Qin Sang reacted instantly and severed the connection with his true essence, retreating rapidly.

Only after some time did the Dongming Cold Flame return to its original calm.

Seeing Qin Sang's disheveled appearance, the black-armored man burst into laughter. "Don’t let its size fool you. If we underestimate even this tiny wisp, it could freeze us to death. That Transformation Realm great demon stayed here for who knows how many years but still failed to devour the flame. After driving the demonic beast away, the island master remained here for months, tried everything, yet could not shake the residual aura of Saint Dongming from the cold flame or take it away. The flame is so fierce that even setting up concealment barriers is nearly impossible. Fortunately, Saint Dongming left behind some arrangements during his lifetime. A portion of them still remain and are able to temporarily restrain the flame. The island master left me here to guard it, to prevent the demonic beast from returning with ill intent."

After experiencing the cold flame’s power up close, Qin Sang knew the black-armored man was not exaggerating.

A flicker passed through his eyes. He seemed deep in thought.

"If even the island master cannot take the flame, is there really a need to worry about the demon race getting their hands on it? If the flame is left here, will you have to stay on guard forever?"

"I heard from the island master that the great demon possesses the bloodline of an ancient Fire Toad. The Dongming Cold Flame should not have been so fragmented. This was all thanks to that demonic beast. Given more time, it might really succeed in devouring the flame. We cannot let our guard down."

The black-armored man spoke casually, "But I will not be stuck here for too long. The island master has already contacted an old acquaintance, a great figure from the demonic path in the Inner Sea—the island master of Tianfeng Island, Old Devil Mou. He is said to be interested in the Dongming Cold Flame. If he can take it away, this storm will naturally come to an end."

Qin Sang thought for a moment. His understanding of the Inner Sea’s forces was very superficial. He had never heard of this person.

"Since that's the case, I’m relieved. Many thanks for clearing up my doubts, Daoist Lu. I've been trapped in the Thousand-Demon Sea for far too long. I'm completely drained and eager to return. If fate allows, we shall meet again."

Qin Sang cupped his hands and was just about to leave when the black-armored man unexpectedly called out to him.

"Please wait, Daoist. Since you’ve been hunting demonic beasts in the sea for many years, with your strength, you must have gained quite a few spoils, no? Do you happen to carry any materials or demonic cores from demonic beasts that bear the bloodline of ancient divine beasts? I’m especially interested in descendants of the divine beast Xuanwu. I’d be willing to buy them all."

Qin Sang nodded and said, "I do have a few. I happened to kill a Black Tortoise once, but it was only an early-stage Demonic Core beast. I’m afraid it may not meet your standards."

These demonic beasts, known as descendants of divine beasts, inherited part of their ancestors’ supernatural abilities. Their demonic cores and materials were far more valuable than those of the more primitive sea beasts.

The black-armored man waved his hand and brightened with delight. "Such beasts are powerful, and high-level ones are not only rare but extremely hard to kill. Could you take out that tortoise shell for me to examine?"

And just like that, the two began conducting a trade in the middle of this boundless sea, floating between heaven and earth.

Qin Sang sold him several demonic cores and materials, and what he received in return left him quite satisfied. Their conversation was warm and easygoing, and as they parted ways, they even agreed to meet again someday.

After bidding farewell to the black-armored man, Qin Sang summoned his evasion light and departed alone.