Chapter 725: Chapter 725

"I’m well aware of what kind of place Seven-Kill Hall is, but I have no choice. There’s a reason I must go." Qin Sang let out a long sigh.

Seeing this, Ran Luo no longer tried to persuade him. Instead, she shared a piece of news that caught him off guard.

"The rumors about Seven-Kill Hall did start spreading around the Inner Sea a year or two ago, but only a few people know about it. I overheard bits and pieces while Elder Zhou was chatting with some friends. Supposedly, this time will be different. The next opening of Seven-Kill Hall may take place just over twenty years from now."

Qin Sang was shocked. "In just over twenty years? That soon? Wouldn’t that mean the gap between openings is only a little over fifty years this time? That’s twenty years shorter than usual. If they’re not waiting for the celestial array to reach its weakest period and intend to forcibly break it open, the price would be far more than double. No faction could bear such a cost. Did Elder Zhou mention the reason?"

Qin Sang felt a surge of urgency. He had originally thought there was plenty of time left, more than enough to reach the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm, and even to raise both of his spiritual insects to their third metamorphosis to maximize their utility.

But now that twenty years had suddenly been shaved off, his own cultivation progress had become much more pressing. It would be nearly impossible for both spiritual insects to complete their third metamorphosis before Seven-Kill Hall opened.

"No, Elder Zhou wasn’t sure either."

Ran Luo shook her head. "Perhaps something happened to the celestial array within Seven-Kill Hall, but I suspect it’s not that simple. There’s another variable. Elder Zhou mentioned that this time, obtaining entry qualifications seems more difficult than before. Only factions with prominent names may be allowed. In the past, rogue cultivators could obtain slots through other channels like auctions. As long as they searched diligently, it wasn’t too hard. But now, it may be nearly impossible."

The timeline was moved up, and the quotas had tightened.

The sudden change caught Qin Sang completely off guard.

He had intentionally avoided becoming too entangled with the factions of Canglang Sea, even keeping his distance from the Qiongyu Merchant Guild. Unexpectedly, that choice now seemed like a mistake.

After thinking quietly for a moment, Qin Sang asked in a low voice, "Daoist Ran, does our guild have the capability to obtain a qualification?"

"I’m not sure either. I’ve never considered exploring such a perilous place. I only ever treated it as a tale to pass the time."

Ran Luo shook her head again. Seeing Qin Sang fall into silence, she thought for a moment and said, "Even if our guild cannot secure one, the Dongji Alliance surely can. The strength of our merchant alliance is not inferior to the top righteous or devilish sects. Since you’re considered one of us now, we may be able to secure you a spot through the Dongji Alliance. If you’re interested, I can ask Elder Zhou on your behalf. He has countless old connections and will surely find a way."

"Then I must trouble you, Daoist Ran." Qin Sang thanked her sincerely.

With only twenty-some years left, he had to focus on bitter cultivation and ensure he reached the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm before Seven-Kill Hall opened.

If he returned to the Inner Sea and wandered aimlessly in search of a slot, not only might he fail to get one, he would also waste an unknown amount of time.

Leveraging the Qiongyu Merchant Guild and the Dongji Alliance was undoubtedly the best option. He estimated that securing a qualification would not be easy, and the alliance or the guild might use the opportunity to request some conditions in return. As long as they were not excessive, Qin Sang decided he would agree to them all.

"Why be so polite, Daoist Master? I still have to rely on you. The newly hired artifact refiners can’t even compare to your skills," Ran Luo said with a soft laugh.

"It’s my duty." Qin Sang cupped his hands in response.

After exchanging a few more words, Qin Sang urged Ran Luo to send the spiritual materials to the fire room so he could begin refining. Ran Luo, in turn, did her part and immediately sent someone to contact Elder Zhou, who was on another island.

After refining the Primordial Unity Rings, Qin Sang had made considerable progress in the path of artifact refinement. He now felt confident that his success rate in refining astras was no lower than that of most other refiners.

That confidence, however, relied on the Devilish Flames of Nine Hells.

Not only did it consume immense resources and time, but it also left behind residual devilish flame power. That was why Qin Sang never mentioned this detail to Ran Luo.

When refining ordinary artifacts, the lingering devilish flame could still be masked using special techniques.

But if every astra he refined turned out like the Primordial Unity Rings, it would be impossible to explain away. A seasoned artifact refinement master would see it instantly. They would realize that the refiner must be in possession of an unusual spiritual fire.

That would only invite disaster.

Until he resolved this issue, Qin Sang believed it was best to remain low-key.

One batch of spiritual materials after another was delivered. Qin Sang stayed in the fire room and did not emerge for more than a month.

One day, just as he finished refining the last artifact and was regulating his breathing, he heard a knock from the guards. They reported that Ran Luo had come to visit. Qin Sang’s heart stirred. He quickly opened the door.

"Daoist Ran, is there news?"

"You’ve worked hard, Daoist Master."

Ran Luo nodded, glanced around, then said, "Elder Zhou has received word and sent a letter. Please come with me."

The two returned to the quiet chamber at the residence, where Ran Luo handed Qin Sang a letter.

The contents of the letter were simple. Qin Sang skimmed through it at a glance, and as he held the letter in his hand, his expression began to shift subtly. He fell silent.

After a while, Ran Luo spoke in a low voice, "The news Elder Zhou uncovered should be genuine. He said he hadn’t expected the merchant alliance to impose such harsh demands. Not only do they require every single spirit stone in full, but all participants must act together."

Qin Sang nodded unconsciously.

The spirit stones were within expectation. Although the amount was enormous, he could almost gather the total just by selling off the demonic cores he had collected.

It was the second condition that gave him pause.

The Dongji Alliance actually required that all merchant alliance members must follow unified orders once inside Seven-Kill Hall. No one was allowed to act on their own. Only after completing the assigned task would they be free to pursue their personal goals.

As for what the task entailed, the alliance gave no explanation. They only stated vaguely that it would not take up too much time and shamelessly labeled it as "confidential."

The Dongji Alliance dared to make such demands so boldly. It was clear that entry qualifications for Seven-Kill Hall were exceedingly rare and valuable.

By comparison, the conditions offered by the Qiongyu Merchant Guild, or rather, Elder Zhou, were far simpler. Elder Zhou merely hoped Qin Sang would formally join the Qiongyu Merchant Guild and, like Ran Luo, take responsibility for overseeing affairs on one of the larger islands.

"I’ve only just reached the Core Formation Realm. I may not be capable enough for such a post." Qin Sang tested cautiously. Follow current novels on N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

Ran Luo smiled faintly. "Why be so modest, Daoist Master? Even the true disciple of Black Snake Mountain was slain with ease by you. Your strength is unfathomable. I wouldn’t dare compare myself."

"Black Snake Mountain...?"

Qin Sang had never heard of this name, but a flash of realization suddenly crossed his mind.

Ran Luo nodded, her expression turning solemn. "The one who tried to intercept you back then was likely the true disciple of the Black Snake Mountain's grandmaster of the witch race. That person was slain by you, and when Black Snake Mountain lost track of you, they refused to let the matter rest. After the chaos between the two races ended, they secretly sent people to Duyan Island to investigate your identity.

"Fortunately, I discovered them in time. Elder Zhou acted under the island master's name to quietly expel them and also arranged a few hidden countermeasures to mislead their search. Rest assured, Daoist Master. Only Elder Zhou and I are aware of this matter. They will never be able to trace it back to you."