Chapter 2403: Ambush

The Mortal Realm

“Stop!”

The female cultivator in the phoenix crown shrieked delicately. With a wave of her jade hand, she flung out a spirit net, woven from countless beast tendons.

The spirit net flew towards Qin Sang, aiming to envelop him, and instantly, a thunderous beast roar erupted.

From each tendon, grey mist billowed forth. This ominous mist, filled with malevolence, materialized into eerie beast shadows, resembling vengeful beast souls with frenzied and ferocious expressions.

The roars were like demonic sounds piercing the ears, directly assaulting the mind.

“A crashing sound!”

Suddenly, the sound of surging waves grew mighty, rivalling the beast roars.

The sea of clouds had unexpectedly transformed into a vast, boundless lake, with surging waves in every direction and emerald ripples stretching for miles.

The White Dragon King stood atop a wave. Though he was still trying to persuade Qin Sang verbally, his attack was utterly merciless.

“Splash!”

From the water, a white shadow leaped out—it was a white flood dragon. Around it, flood dragon shadows continuously flickered into existence. A rough count revealed nine in total.

Nine Dragons Playing with Water!

Qin Sang’s expression showed a hint of daze. It seemed he was about to be trapped here by the nine flood dragons and the spirit net working in concert.

Excitement flickered in the effeminate youth's eyes.

Suddenly, Qin Sang’s eyes blazed with sharp light, showing no sign of being affected by the roars. Simultaneously, a pair of phoenix wings erupted like lightning, emitting dazzling azure lightning. His escape speed instantly soared!

Qin Sang’s gaze swept across, locking onto two of the flood dragons. His eyes pinpointed the weakest point between the spirit net and the nine flood dragons—this was thanks to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.

“Crackle!”

As the three demons first heard the sound of thunder, they saw a bolt of azure lightning pass between the two flood dragons, stirring up monstrous waves.

The White Dragon King and the female cultivator in the phoenix crown both changed color, realizing they had underestimated Qin Sang. Such an escape technique was beyond their reach. Furthermore, the female cultivator's Myriad Demon Net would have shaken the mind of any cultivator of the same rank caught off guard by its impact, yet this fellow remained completely unaffected.

In their haste, the two demons quickly unleashed their divine abilities. The nine flood dragons surfaced, connecting head to tail, and the surrounding winds and waves intensified. Mountain-like colossal waves crashed towards Qin Sang.

The female cultivator in the phoenix crown roared in anger. The beast souls on the spirit net suddenly merged into one, and a colossal shadow appeared above the battlefield.

“Rumble!”

From the shadow emerged a gigantic leg, as massive and heavy as a mountain, somewhat resembling an ox hoof, which stomped down towards the azure lightning!

“Boom!”

The ox hoof stomped heavily into the water, but it was a step behind Qin Sang, narrowly missing the azure lightning. A white flood dragon was unfortunately caught in its place, taking the blow for Qin Sang; half its body was instantly crushed into the water, with only its head struggling above the surface, letting out cries of sorrow.

The ox hoof’s first stomp missed. Immediately afterwards, a second gigantic leg appeared, also striking nothing but air.

“Boom!”“Boom!”“Boom!”

Four gigantic legs stomped down consecutively. Had it been any other cultivator, they would likely have been stomped into pulp by now, yet not even a corner of Qin Sang's clothes was touched.

“Splash!”

The azure lightning burst through the waves, leaving a spray of water as it sped away. Moments later, the spray coalesced, forming a figure: it was the White Dragon King.

The White Dragon King watched the distant azure lightning and gave up the pursuit. The female cultivator in the phoenix crown and the effeminate youth quickly caught up.

“Why aren’t you pursuing him further, fellow daoist?” the effeminate youth asked anxiously.

“Can’t you see, fellow daoist?” the White Dragon King countered. “Even if the Plague Lord himself were caught off guard by our combined efforts, he would still be entangled by the Myriad Demon Net for a while. While this person’s cultivation is a notch lower, the divine abilities he uses are all top-tier.”

“Husband, could this person also be…” The female cultivator in the phoenix crown trailed off.

“Perhaps he’s a subordinate of some Demon Saint, but definitely not a direct disciple!” the White Dragon King asserted.

A direct disciple of a Demon Saint would certainly not take this desperate path.

The White Dragon King advised the effeminate youth, “Don’t rush, fellow daoist. There might still be opportunities ahead, as long as we can restrict his escape technique…”

The effeminate youth felt unwilling, but could only endure.

Having shaken off the three demons, Qin Sang had already surged deep into the sea of clouds. Not far ahead, a patch of golden light flickered in and out of sight.

Seeing that the three demons had not pursued him, Qin Sang retracted his escape light and approached the golden radiance.

At that moment, the golden light had just vanished, leaving the cloud qi here vast and indistinct, no different from anywhere else. He waited for a moment, and then golden light began to emerge from the clouds, as if a lantern had been lit. The golden light grew brighter and brighter, and the cloud qi became thinner.

Through the golden light, Qin Sang saw a golden pagoda.

The golden pagoda had only three levels. What was peculiar was that it was a pagoda of light, like a phantom of light projected from somewhere else, completely transparent both inside and out.

“What is this?”

Qin Sang surveyed the light pagoda from top to bottom. It was empty inside, with nothing at all. He tried to sense it with his fate star, but there was no reaction. However, when Qin Sang conceived the idea of entering the light pagoda, he inexplicably felt a premonition of danger.

Qin Sang mused thoughtfully. It seemed the White Dragon King and his companions had also sensed it, daring not to trespass, which was why they had been lingering here.

He did not act rashly. He flew towards another golden light, discovering it was also a light pagoda, differing only slightly in form.

A third, a fourth…

Qin Sang scanned his surroundings. As far as his eyes could see, light pagodas stood scattered across the boundless sea of clouds.

The secret of this place must be connected to these light pagodas, but where should one begin?

Qin Sang’s gaze shifted to the right, and from a distance, he saw the White Dragon King. Having experienced the power of his Thunder Escape technique, the three demons no longer sought trouble with him. Now, both sides were fully engaged in comprehending the secrets of the light pagodas.

But one thing was certain: it was inextricably linked to the path of the stars!

Qin Sang ordered the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to fully activate its Heavenly Eye divine ability, bringing the sea of clouds into view. Within his sight, the positions of the light pagodas and their flickering patterns quickly became clear, but he did not discover any patterns as he had hoped.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang flew to another position, and more and more light pagodas entered his mind's eye.

These light pagodas were like specks of starlight in the night sky, forming a star map.

“A star map?”

Qin Sang's heart stirred. He tried to connect with his fate star, imagining it as part of this star map, but he felt at a loss as to how to begin, because this was not a true star map of constellations.

“No! It should be like this…”

Qin Sang suddenly thought of something. He activated his cultivation technique, attempting to connect his fate star with the light pagodas in various directions—if one pagoda showed no reaction, then he tried two, three, or even more.

If these combinations of light pagodas were viewed as various celestial phenomena, then finding the phenomena connected to his fate star, and thereby positioning his fate star within the star map, might be the key to unlocking the secret.

The light pagodas in the sea of clouds were countless; this was an extremely laborious process of continuous trial and error!

Qin Sang was very patient, but he soon discovered he had underestimated the difficulty of the task. The deduction process was extremely taxing on his mind.

When the first 'celestial phenomenon' capable of resonating with his fate star appeared, Qin Sang was secretly pleased. Unexpectedly, he then discovered a second, a third…

It turned out this was only the first step; he needed to discern the single correct one from all the celestial phenomena.

This not only consumed mental energy but also demanded a high level of cultivation from the cultivator, as well as a deep connection with their fate star. Qin Sang, however, was confident that he would definitely be faster than the effeminate youth!

“So that’s how it is!”

Here, there was no distinction between day and night, and after an unknown number of days, Qin Sang’s expression stirred as he made a new discovery.

It turned out that the star map formed by these light pagodas actually corresponded to a true star map. However, the builders of the light pagodas had used various methods to obscure the view. Qin Sang had now finally seen through the mist and discovered a pattern!

He pressed on diligently, and everything became increasingly clear. But when he reached the final step, Qin Sang suddenly stopped, having considered a problem: if he deciphered the secret of the light pagodas and opened the 'star map,' even if he gained the initiative, the White Dragon King and his companions would also be enlightened and would pursue him relentlessly.

The White Dragon King, being a hegemon of Lotus Lake, was not to be underestimated!

However, if he only eliminated the effeminate youth…

Qin Sang’s eyes flashed with fierce light. After a moment of contemplation, his figure quietly vanished into the cloud qi.

On the other side of the sea of clouds, while Qin Sang was comprehending the 'star map,' the effeminate youth was doing the same. The White Dragon King and his wife protected him on his left and right, and did not go to harass Qin Sang.

“Where is he going?”

The female cultivator in the phoenix crown noticed Qin Sang's movements.

“It seems he has already comprehended something,” the White Dragon King said, looking at the effeminate youth and sighing inwardly.

The effeminate youth was drenched in sweat at this moment, clearly not progressing smoothly; in the end, he was still a notch inferior to his opponent.

The White Dragon King did not harass Qin Sang for two reasons: firstly, he had no way to counter Qin Sang’s escape technique; secondly, he felt they had already wasted too much time here and intended for Qin Sang to lead the way for them.

“Wake up, fellow daoist!”

The White Dragon King called out to the effeminate youth.

The effeminate youth shoved a handful of pills into his mouth and slightly calmed his breathing. Feeling that he had lost face, he silently followed the White Dragon King and his wife, flying towards the place where Qin Sang had vanished.

“Be careful, fellow daoist, and recover your breath as quickly as possible!”

As they sped along, the effeminate youth suddenly heard the female cultivator in the phoenix crown transmit a warning telepathically, startling him. “Why do you say that, fellow daoist? Does he dare…”

“Better safe than sorry!”

Before the female cultivator in the phoenix crown could finish speaking, the effeminate youth inexplicably felt his mind tighten, and at the same time, he heard the White Dragon King let out a fierce shout.

“How audacious!”

Both the White Dragon King and the female cultivator in the phoenix crown showed surprise in their eyes. They hadn't expected Qin Sang to be so daring, actually making a move against the effeminate youth. This was unlike last time, where Qin Sang had only fled, relying solely on his escape technique.

“Since fellow daoist has delivered himself to our doorstep, you won't be leaving!”

The female cultivator in the phoenix crown had already secretly prepared the Myriad Demon Net and immediately activated the spirit net. However, having learned from their previous lesson, she simultaneously immersed her mind into her phoenix crown as she attacked. A red gem was embedded directly at the front of the phoenix crown.

The gem flashed, suddenly emitting a red light that shot like an arrow towards the effeminate youth’s back.

The White Dragon King, who had first discerned Qin Sang's trace, reacted even faster. A rainbow light flew from his chest, transforming into a fist-sized round shield. The shield's surface was inlaid with various colorful agate gems, making it dazzlingly vibrant.

The treasured shield spun at extreme speed, flying towards the effeminate youth. Before the shield even arrived, a phantom image of a colossal shield had already appeared behind the effeminate youth.

Where the red light reached, a shadowy figure subtly emerged.

But appearing even earlier than the figure were two streams of light. With a crisp 'clink-clank,' the Heaven-Trapping Golden Lock and Earth-Imprisoning Divine Ring clashed, and the power of the Void Domain erupted in consequence.

“A Void Domain!”

The White Dragon King and his wife exclaimed in unison.

At this moment, Qin Sang was forced to reveal himself. Facing the red light, he neither dodged nor evaded. Suddenly, a mountain shadow appeared before him, firmly shielding him behind it.

“Hum!”

The red light struck Mount Daiyu, causing the mountain body to tremble violently. The female cultivator in the phoenix crown seemed to suffer immense backlash, her face turning slightly pale.

The power of the red light was entirely blocked by the divine mountain. Qin Sang raised Mount Daiyu and swung it fiercely.

“Bang!”

The treasured shield collided with Mount Daiyu, becoming instantly dulled in comparison!

Just then, a dragon's roar suddenly resounded, like the call of a true dragon, shaking heaven and earth. Dark clouds gathered above the White Dragon King’s head, and within them, a white dragon appeared faintly, its scales, claws, and horns indistinguishable from a real dragon.

The white dragon emitted an astonishing dragon's might, merging with the White Dragon King's aura. The White Dragon King's eyes gleamed with an eerie light, and his right arm actually transformed into a colossal dragon claw, grabbing fiercely.

At the same time, the female cultivator in the phoenix crown’s ritual robes transformed into a divine bird, its wings fanning out divine winds.

Qin Sang’s heart tensed. He fully activated the power of his Dharma Idol and the Great Vajra Wheel Seal. Mount Daiyu surged in size once more, transforming into a majestic divine mountain, simultaneously receiving the attacks from the dragon claw and the female cultivator in the phoenix crown.

Only a thunderous roar was heard, and Mount Daiyu itself trembled. Yet, it managed to block the combined strike of two top-tier powerhouses.

“Save me!”

The effeminate youth cried for help.

The White Dragon King and the female cultivator in the phoenix crown looked closely and saw that the effeminate youth was already trapped within the Void Domain, unable to free himself.

Even cultivators at the late Void Refinement stage held great apprehension towards Void Domains, let alone the effeminate youth. At this moment, he felt as if he had fallen into quicksand, sinking deeper and deeper.

“Husband, you hold him back!”

Only at this moment did the White Dragon King and his wife realize how severe their misjudgment of Qin Sang had been. However, the effeminate youth had to be saved. The female cultivator in the phoenix crown quickly formed a divine spell hand seal, transforming into a spiritual bird, her figure instantly becoming ethereal.

“Crack… crack…”

With a burst of cracking bones, the White Dragon King’s left arm also transformed into a dragon claw. With both hands, he firmly gripped Mount Daiyu.

Just at this critical juncture, another scene unfolded that the White Dragon King and his wife had never anticipated.

A figure inexplicably appeared behind the effeminate youth.

This figure was wreathed in lightning. It was not a living being, yet its aura was extremely terrifying.

“Be careful, fellow daoist!”

The female cultivator in the phoenix crown urgently warned him, knowing full well in her heart that it was already too late. The effeminate youth was trapped in the Void Domain and faced such a terrifying enemy; his chances of survival were slim!

“No!”

The effeminate youth felt the danger of death. In his desperation, he exerted all his strength to unleash a divine ability: his hands began to transform into wood from the fingertips, and his skin turned into rough bark.

“Whoosh!”

Before the transformation could be completed, a lightning spear thrust forth. The one who attacked was none other than the Thunder Beast Battle Guard.

Qin Sang's Dharma Body had only brought the Grey Oriole Sword; all other treasured items remained with his main body.

“Come down, fellow daoist!”

Qin Sang laughed heartily. With a shake of his arms, Mount Daiyu pressed forward fiercely. The White Dragon King let out a muffled grunt, his dragon claws trembling.

At the same time, a stream of light flew from Qin Sang’s sleeve, merging into the void and forcing the invisible spiritual bird out.

Even if the female cultivator in the phoenix crown’s divine ability was profound, how could it escape the eyes of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly!

“Boom!”

The immortal mountain trembled again, and a visible ripple simultaneously enveloped the White Dragon King and his wife.

Wielding the immortal mountain, Qin Sang fought grandly and fiercely, engaging both the White Dragon King and his wife simultaneously. Since arriving in this realm, he had felt out of place and had to hide his identity, rarely experiencing such satisfaction.

“Having revealed so much, I hope it doesn’t disappoint me…”

Qin Sang glanced towards the depths of the sea of clouds, thinking to himself.

Wielding Mount Daiyu as a weapon, Qin Sang simultaneously battled two top-tier experts, fully preventing them from going to rescue the effeminate youth. For a time, the two demons were unable to push Qin Sang away.

Before long, a scream echoed across the battlefield. Following the sound, they saw the lightning spear pierce through a Dharma Idol, and with a thunderous explosion of lightning, the Dharma Idol was instantly torn to shreds.

“Consider yourselves offended!”

Qin Sang laughed heartily, retracted his mountain, and retreated.