For Qin Sang, acquiring two additional demonic artifacts was merely the icing on the cake. The most crucial matter was enhancing the Yan Luo Banner of Ten Directions, as the perfected Yan Luo Array of Ten Directions was a treasure capable of allowing him to challenge opponents of higher levels.
Having made his decision, Qin Sang immediately set up the Yan Luo Array on the stone platform. Despite the interference of the Firebirds, he commanded the ghost banners to devour the refined souls. It didn’t take long for the two demonic artifacts’ refined souls to be completely consumed, but the Yan Luo Banners were still lacking in power.
Flipping his palm, Qin Sang retrieved the soul-refining demonic artifact he had purchased from the Black Market and threw it into the array as well.
At last, the six Yan Luo Banners were now at the advanced stage!
As the banners activated, spectral threads intertwined to form a web, and the wails of thousands of spirits filled the air.
The stone platform was instantly enveloped in a sinister aura, resembling the depths of hell.
Qin Sang himself seemed like a mortal judge of the underworld, shepherding ghosts as he walked.
With a wave of his hand, he activated the Yan Luo Array, capturing a group of Firebirds. After a brief test, he nodded in satisfaction, then withdrew the Yan Luo Banners. In a flash, his figure vanished, leaving behind the bewildered Firebirds, which searched aimlessly for their lost target. He darted toward the end of the iron chain.
The journey was smooth and uninterrupted.
As he neared the end of the chain, Qin Sang noticed that many chains converged at a single point. At that moment, he suddenly heard a series of urgent and thunderous bird cries ahead. The mist churned, and chaos erupted. Amidst the commotion, he glimpsed a red cloud obstructing the path.
This sight was all too familiar to Qin Sang.
Someone is trapped by the Firebirds?
Qin Sang’s eyes flickered with curiosity. Suppressing his aura, he quietly approached the red cloud.
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Drawing closer, he saw a shower of multicolored rain cascading from within the red cloud, creating an oddly poignant scene amidst the chaos.
The rain, seemingly harmless, was in fact deadly. Any Firebird pierced by the rain instantly extinguished, its body vanishing completely as though it had never existed.
However, the Firebirds seemed endless. The more that were slain, the more that swarmed in.
No matter how dense the rain, it couldn’t kill all the Firebirds. Instead, the flock grew larger. By the time Qin Sang approached, the red cloud was visibly thickening and expanding. The rain could no longer penetrate its mass and was being extinguished upon contact.
These rain threads look remarkably familiar…
"Five-Colored Glass? Is it her?"
Qin Sang was quietly astonished. The person trapped by the Firebirds was none other than Ascetic Yunqiong.
The rain within the red cloud was thinning, and the spiritual energy sustaining it was dissipating. Judging by the situation, Ascetic Yunqiong appeared to be in dire straits.
After a moment of thought, Qin Sang retreated to a safe distance, summoned his ebony sword, and decided to intervene.
There were two reasons for his decision. First, it was a strategic preparation for future trials.
Qin Sang had been navigating easily so far because the Jade Buddha was the bane of the Firebirds. However, the difficulty of the trials was undeniable. Ascetic Yunqiong was considered above average in strength among those who had entered the ancient ruins, yet she was also facing a perilous situation.
For the upcoming trials, Qin Sang couldn’t rely on the Jade Buddha as a shortcut. If he could collaborate with Ascetic Yunqiong, his chances of success would increase. Even in dangerous moments, having an ally could allow for mutual aid, ensuring a safer retreat. It would prevent him from ending up like Ascetic Yunqiong, stuck in a desperate fight with no way out.
Second, they had previously worked together in the mine. Ascetic Yunqiong had left Qin Sang with a decent impression. Her relationship with Yin Xingge wasn’t particularly close, but she had insisted on not abandoning him at the time, showing a commendable character.
Qin Sang retreated out of Ascetic Yunqiong’s line of sight, released his aura, and attracted a swarm of Firebirds. Then, with these burdens in tow, he charged forward at full speed.
When Qin Sang saw the "ed cloud, his figure paused, and he deliberately called out in apparent surprise, "Is that Ascetic Yunqiong inside?"
"Daoist Qin?"
From within the red cloud came an exceptionally weak yet elated voice, tinged with urgency. "Daoist Qin, it’s me, Yunqiong! Please save me…"
"Ascetic Yunqiong, prepare yourself!"
Qin Sang had come to rescue her. Hearing her plea, he didn’t hesitate. Activating his sword array, he issued a loud warning. The ebony sword unleashed a powerful surge of sword qi, piercing straight into the red cloud. The sword array erupted with immense power, its sword qi extending dozens of zhang, carving a fiery path through the red cloud and creating an escape route.
Moments later, as the opening in the red cloud began to close, a slender figure darted out. It was none other than Ascetic Yunqiong.
She looked utterly disheveled. Her protective robe was riddled with holes, barely providing any defense. Her aura was extremely feeble, and the spiritual energy within her was nearly depleted.
The Five-Colored Glass, hovering above her head, flickered dimly, as though it might collapse at any moment.
Her face was as pale as paper—a sign that her primordial spirit had suffered severe damage.
However, it wasn’t just the primordial spirit injury that left her in this state. A shocking knife wound ran across her abdomen, nearly cutting her in half. The wound still glimmered faintly with golden light, preventing it from healing. Fresh blood continued to seep from it.
One glance at Ascetic Yunqiong's condition, and Qin Sang deduced her ordeal. The Firebirds couldn’t wield knives—this injury must have been inflicted in the corridor earlier.
She had likely encountered a life-threatening situation there. After barely escaping, she hadn’t had time to heal before drawing the attention of the Firebirds. Injured and exhausted, she could only flee.
For a cultivator, such wounds weren’t fatal as long as the lingering golden light in the wound could be expelled. A few healing pills would suffice to stabilize her condition.
However, Ascetic Yunqiong probably hadn’t anticipated the peculiar powers of the Firebirds. With her injuries untreated and her primordial spirit also damaged, her predicament worsened. It was a testament to her cultivation that she had managed to hold on until now.
"Thank you, Daoist Qin—"
Before she could finish her sentence, she noticed the red cloud behind her rapidly closing in. Countless Firebirds surged forward aggressively, and fear flashed in her eyes.
"Ascetic Yunqiong, follow me!"
Not wanting to reveal the capabilities of the Jade Buddha in her presence, Qin Sang immediately used his spiritual power to form a protective shield around her. Then, wielding the ebony sword, he carved a path ahead. Ascetic Yunqiong, summoning the remnants of her spiritual energy, struggled to keep up with him.
Finally, a stone platform appeared at the end of the iron chain.
The two quickened their pace, stepping onto the platform just as the relentless Firebirds were blocked by an invisible barrier. The barrier also disrupted their senses. After circling the platform for a while without finding their target, the Firebirds dispersed.
Cough… cough…
Ascetic Yunqiong clutched her knife wound, her body swaying as she struggled to stay upright. Nevertheless, she insisted on bowing to Qin Sang. "Thank you, Daoist Qin, for saving my life. I am forever in your debt!"
"No need for formalities. Focus on healing yourself first, Ascetic Yunqiong."
Qin Sang noticed her embarrassed expression and guessed that she had likely exhausted her supply of healing pills. He handed her a jade bottle from his storage.
Once Ascetic Yunqiong sat cross-legged and began meditating to treat her injuries, Qin Sang turned his attention to their surroundings.
At the same time, deep within the ancient ruins…
A towering black stone stele rose into the clouds. From within its shadow, a figure emerged.
Joash's Thoughts
Hello everyone! Hope you guys are enjoying the read. Just a small change that I would like to let you guys know. Previously, I've used a description for the supernatural ability of the ebony sword after Qin Sang has cultivated the Primordial Sword Nourishment. I've now given it a name to improve the flow in English. The new term is Formless Sword Merger.