Chapter 729: Chapter 729

After sensing it for a moment, Qin Sang discovered that the lightning cocoon was exceptionally stable. Even if he stored it within his Qihai, he had no reason to worry about it exploding.

However, the outcome of this mutation remained unknown. It could be either good or bad. Perhaps it would grant a new supernatural ability, or perhaps it might disrupt its inherent bloodline ability and turn it into a useless husk.

Fortunately, such mutations rarely affected the final metamorphosis.

Since the Sky-Eyed Butterfly had taken the initiative to devour it, and it involved the rare power of lightning, the final result shouldn’t turn out too poorly.

"Will it gain a lightning-based ability and evolve into a lightning butterfly?"

Qin Sang found himself filled with anticipation.

Above the cave, thunderclouds still loomed heavily in the sky, but the most refined white mist had already been consumed by the butterfly. After scanning the area to ensure nothing was overlooked, Qin Sang recalled the flying yaksha and retraced his path back.

Once he left Redleaf Island, the journey became significantly easier.

Qin Sang returned to Green Hylia Island and waited for a merchant ship to arrive. Once it docked, he boarded and set sail for his chosen destination: Five-Elemental Islands.

Five-Elemental Islands weren't a single landmass but five smaller islands located near one another. Cultivators had simply named them after the five elements, such as metal and wood, and collectively referred to them as Five-Elemental Islands.

The cultivators stationed on each of the five islands supported and watched over one another. In that stretch of ocean, they had managed to secure a fragile foothold.

The reason for the separation was due to frequent beast tides. Following the principle of having multiple places to retreat to, if one island was attacked, cultivators from the others could rush to help. Once the tide receded, they would seize the opportunity to reclaim the lost ground.

It all sounded rather dangerous, but according to the merchant guild’s information, the cultivators on Five-Elemental Islands had become highly experienced in handling beast tides. Each wave brought fewer casualties than one might expect, and there were still quite a number of cultivators willing to remain stationed there.

Thus began a long voyage across the sea.

While sailing, Qin Sang continued his cultivation and observed the butterfly’s condition daily. Though the lightning cocoon obscured his senses, he could still vaguely feel its state, since it was his life-bound insect gu.

The lightning power on its wings became denser each day. At this rate, it might truly transform into a lightning butterfly.

However, the butterfly showed no signs of waking.

It seemed like the mutation process would take a long time.

Metal-Elemental Island

When Qin Sang disembarked, he noticed the strange scenery and his expression shifted slightly.

Although the island was fairly large, it consisted mostly of desolate hills and untamed wilderness. Near the shore, a section had been walled off with stones. Calling it a city would be generous; it was more like a village.

The town itself was made up of rough stone and wooden buildings. Two wide intersecting roads gave the place a rugged feel.

What stood out most were the dozen or so stone pillars just outside the settlement. Each stood over six or seven zhang tall and was as thick as two people embracing. The surfaces were densely inscribed with runes.

"Are those the pillars of the island's protective array?"

Qin Sang was speechless. The so-called protective array looked incredibly crude and was left exposed in plain sight.

The stone pillars weren’t made from any rare materials. They were simply harder than the average stone. Once the array was activated, it probably wouldn’t hold up for long.

The demonic beasts might not even need to attack it directly; the pillars would likely collapse under their own strain. Clearly, the cultivators here had long prepared for a swift escape.

Even so, there were cultivators walking along the streets, suggesting the recent chaos between the two races hadn’t affected this place too severely.

Qin Sang pulled his cloak tighter and made his way swiftly into the town. Before long, he found the merchant guild’s storefront. He took out his token and stepped inside.

Inside was an elderly man at the Foundation Building Realm, who greeted him warmly. "Senior, are you here to sell beast pelts? Our humble shop guarantees the best price for all materials."

Qin Sang frowned and silently held up the token.

The old man paused, then broke into a wide smile and quickly bowed. "So it is Senior Qingfeng. Forgive me for not recognizing you earlier. Greetings, Senior!"

Qin Sang casually raised a hand and glanced around the shop. On every shelf, there were nothing but beast pelts. There were no artifacts, no pills, nothing else.

Just as he was about to ask about it, he heard angry voices coming from outside.

They belonged to the Wang Sisters. The elder was Wang Shi, the younger, Wang Xiang.

The higher-pitched voice was Wang Xiang’s.

"Sister, that scoundrel was so rude. He humiliated you in public. When the Daoist Master returns, we’ll make sure he pays for it."

Wang Xiang stomped heavily as she spoke.

Wang Shi sternly scolded her, "Watch your mouth. That man is a middle-stage Core Formation cultivator. Don’t speak so carelessly. If the wrong person hears you, it could bring trouble to the Daoist Master."

Wang Xiang looked aggrieved. "He humiliated us in front of everyone and was touchy. Are we really just going to let it go?"

"Anyone with cultivation that high wouldn’t be driven by base desires. He humiliated us for the sake of Five-Elemental Islands' interests. We’ll endure it for now. Once the Daoist Master returns, we’ll discuss it again. Don’t let a moment of anger ruin something important."

Wang Shi did her best to calm her sister with gentle persuasion.

As they spoke, the two women entered the shop. Upon seeing Qin Sang, their faces lit up with delight.

They were just about to bow when Qin Sang raised a hand to stop them and said calmly, "Daoist Wang, who was the one that insulted you just now?"

Wang Shi glanced at her younger sister, silently urging her to keep quiet. "Please don’t listen to Wang Xiang’s nonsense, Daoist Master. I had only gone to discuss business with several merchant guilds from the Dongji Alliance. A minor dispute broke out between me and Daoist Cui Ji."

"It wasn’t that simple, was it? Since this matter concerns business with our merchant guild, there’s no need for you to endure it in silence."

Qin Sang turned to the younger sister, Wang Xiang. "You tell me. Who is this Cui Ji, and what exactly happened?"

Wang Shi looked helpless.

Finally being called upon, Wang Xiang, who had been holding back her frustration, began venting freely. She chattered non-stop, and from her account, Qin Sang quickly grasped the situation.

Cui Ji was a manager sent by the Nine-Star Guild to oversee affairs on Five-Elemental Islands. Latest content publıshed on noⅴelfire.net

Qin Sang was no stranger to the Nine-Star Guild. He had traveled on one of their tower ships when he first arrived at the Thousand-Demon Sea. The guild was a powerful force and held significant influence within the Dongji Alliance.

Since arriving on Five-Elemental Island, Cui Ji had not behaved himself. He had gathered all the Dongji Alliance's merchant guilds on the island and imposed his own rules on what goods could be traded and by whom.

Guilds like the Qiongyu Merchant Guild, which only had a few Foundation Building cultivators stationed here, lacked the strength to resist and had suffered heavy suppression.

That explained why the shop Qin Sang had entered was filled with nothing but beast pelts.

Qin Sang chuckled rather than grew angry. "Just a mere middle-stage Core Formation cultivator, and he dares to throw his weight around ?"

The elderly man sighed and replied, "Senior, you may not be aware. There are indeed a few seniors on Five-Elemental Islands whose cultivation is higher than Cui Ji’s. But he relies on the prestige of others and uses that as leverage. They are wary of offending the Dongji Alliance and would rather avoid conflict. Cui Ji flatters the strong and bullies the weak, never daring to provoke those who could retaliate. That’s how he’s kept things peaceful.

"The Xiyou Alliance has no real interest here. The Beichen Alliance is on par with us, and the two have divided up the island without interfering in each other’s business. Five-Elemental Islands' position is far weaker than that of the major islands. Most of the managers our various merchant guilds have sent here are not as powerful as Cui Ji, so they can only suffer in silence."

"So he’s trying to intimidate us because he’s caught wind of something. I knew Elder Zhou and Manager Ran wouldn’t be so generous as to let me focus on cultivation in peace. Good thing they didn’t send me against a late-stage expert..."

Qin Sang shook his head, sat down, and said, "Tell me everything you know about Cui Ji."