Chapter 1225: Reaching an Agreement

Xiang Qing’s expression had drastically changed.

Divine Gale Peak was the very foundation upon which Devilish Qingyang Sect stood. The arrangements he had made to stabilize morale and prevent outsiders from exploiting the situation had been seen through at a glance.

Bing Han’s eyes lit up. "Daoist Master, are you also proficient in fire-controlling techniques?"

"Indeed." Qin Sang nodded. "I have gained some insight into this Dao."

Xiang Qing’s expression shifted repeatedly. He stared at Qin Sang for a long time before finally letting out a cold snort. "Since this is a transaction, what do you want?"

"I only wish to take a portion of the Ancestral Sacred Flame," Qin Sang said sincerely. "Daoist Xiang, you should understand that, as things stand, the Ancestral Sacred Flame brings your sect more harm than benefit. It is little more than a burden."

Bing Han’s gaze flickered, but she remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

The Ancestral Sacred Flame had been left behind by the founding grandmaster of Devilish Qingyang Sect. Only Xiang Qing could decide its fate, and she could not overstep her bounds.

A cold smile appeared on Xiang Qing’s lips. "Only to take part of the Ancestral Sacred Flame? Since you can see through the grand array, you must know how terrifying the power within it is. Even taking a portion would allow your strength to leap several stages."

Qin Sang admitted it frankly. "It is simply a matter of mutual benefit. I must also risk backlash from the spiritual fire. Without reward, would I really work for you in vain?"

Xiang Qing paced back and forth. To Qin Sang’s surprise, he refused.

"Even if Devilish Qingyang Sect and Divine Gale Peak were to be destroyed together, I would not aid the enemy! Daoist Master, if you wish to make a deal, you better be honest!"

Bing Han was also surprised. She did not believe that a Spiritual Infant cultivator would appear out of nowhere without reason, and she looked at Qin Sang with curiosity.

Qin Sang let out a soft sigh. "I'm afraid that if I reveal my true form, you will be even less willing to agree."

As he spoke, azure light shimmered around him. A pair of magnificent phoenix wings suddenly unfurled from his back. A look of deep astonishment appeared in Bing Han’s eyes.

"Demon King Ming Yue?" Xiang Qing exclaimed, his face full of shock.

Bing Han suddenly understood. "So that is the case. I heard that you wield twelve fire banners, possibly modeled after Founder Kuiyin's Yan Luo Banner of Ten Directions, but with two additional ones. I had assumed, like Founder Kuiyin, that you sealed the spiritual fire within your astra and could not control it directly. Now it seems like you can control the spiritual fire yourself, which is why you can wield so many fire banners with ease."

It seemed like she had specifically studied Qin Sang’s twelve devilish banners.

Naturally, Qin Sang would not reveal the difficulties of cultivating the Fire Seed Golden Lotus. He simply nodded in acknowledgment and said to Xiang Qing, "In the past, before I took human form, it was inconvenient for me to act. I used a few tricks to deceive several rogue cultivators into forming Devilish Flame Sect to serve me. I did not expect them to grow into something significant. Since there is still some lingering connection, I wish to take them back under my command. Daoist Xiang, you would not object, I assume?"

Xiang Qing gave a wry smile. "You disguised yourself as a human so perfectly that not a trace of demonic qi was revealed. I never imagined it was you. You have helped the Two-Domain Alliance greatly. You could have spoken plainly. Why go through all this trouble?"

"I wish to use the Ancestral Sacred Flame to temper my fire banners so that I can control them more easily in the future. But I was concerned that the divide between human and demon might cause hesitation between us."

Qin Sang stated his prepared explanation, thinking to himself that if they had already resolved their problem and rejected his proposal after learning his intentions, it would ruin any future plans.

"I have heard that the power of your twelve fire banners already rivals a top-grade astra. Can they still be improved?" Bing Han covered her mouth in surprise.

Xiang Qing was inwardly shaken. He became even more wary of Qin Sang and the demonic domain, wondering whether helping the demon race grow stronger had really been the right choice.

However, in terms of overall strength, the demon race was still inferior to the human race and could only occupy a corner.

At present, the greatest conflict in the cultivation world was not between races, but with Sin Abyss. Qin Sang had guarded Sandi’e Stronghold, slain a Spiritual Infant cultivator of Sin Abyss, and entered Abyssal Ruin to bring back news of Blood Lake. At least for now, he was still an ally.

Moreover, Qin Sang spoke again, leaving Xiang Qing unable to refuse. "The journey to Blood Lake is imminent. I am also preparing for it. In such an unknown place, facing Old Devil Ye, one cannot be too cautious. I cannot guarantee absolute safety. Daoist Xiang, do you not wish to eliminate hidden dangers before departure?"

These words struck Xiang Qing’s weakness.

He knew how difficult it was to nurture a Spiritual Infant cultivator. If something were to happen to him before the Ancestral Sacred Flame was subdued, it would be even more impossible for future generations to handle it.

It was foreseeable that they would be forced to relocate their sect.

Without the inexhaustible Divine Qingyang Gale atop Divine Gale Peak, unless Devilish Qingyang Sect could find a replacement, their lineage would eventually be severed.

Xiang Qing was decisive. He did not let Qin Sang waste any more words and agreed that as long as Qin Sang swore not to act recklessly, he could attempt it.

Bing Han clasped her hands and smiled. "Daoist Xiang and I have exhausted every method, yet we failed to subdue the Ancestral Sacred Flame. Now we will rely on Daoist Ming Yue’s divine abilities."

Qin Sang smiled and nodded.

Refining the Ancestral Sacred Flame to cultivate the Fire Seed Golden Lotus was his only option at present. To reach an agreement so quickly, he could not help but feel relieved.

The three acted swiftly. After finishing the fine wine in their cups, Xiang Qing led Qin Sang up Divine Gale Peak.

Qin Sang had once refined a piece of Gale Jade, triggering the grand array and nearly causing the Ancestral Sacred Flame to lose control.

This time, he was extremely cautious. As he listened to Xiang Qing’s explanations, he observed closely, deepening his understanding.

They flew to the summit.

Xiang Qing raised his palm slightly. A cluster of Devilish Qingyang Fire gathered in his palm, forming a fire seal that he struck into the grand array. The azure mist parted, revealing a narrow passage.

Qin Sang observed how Xiang Qing controlled the Devilish Qingyang Fire. It was completely different from his own method of using the banners.

The Devilish Qingyang Fire was like a part of Xiang Qing’s own body, fully fused with him without the slightest separation.

Once I mastered the Fire Seed Golden Lotus, I should be able to achieve the same. Qin Sang thought.

As they went deeper into the grand array, the scene before him startled him. Azure mist covered the sky and blotted out the sun.

Within the mist stood a complex grand array entirely formed from Divine Qingyang Gale Jade, shaped like a square jade platform. Above the platform, a flame danced. It was the Ancestral Sacred Flame.

What was astonishing was that its true form was humanoid, like a spiritual fire that had gained sentience. Its limbs and facial features were all visible, though it stood only half the height of a person.

Xiang Qing said, "Do not be deceived by appearances. The Ancestral Sacred Flame is not a living being. It only took on this form due to the lingering aura of our grandmaster and subsequent changes."

"You cultivate a technique of the same origin, and your sect also has secret techniques for refining fire seeds. Could you not directly subdue the Ancestral Sacred Flame?" Qin Sang asked the question that had been on his mind.

Xiang Qing sighed. "Perhaps it was possible when our grandmaster had just fallen. But now, it is too late. The Ancestral Sacred Flame was sealed at the peak of Divine Gale Peak by our grandmaster, yet it unexpectedly began absorbing the ambient Divine Qingyang Gale and other energies from the outside world. Its nature changed and became increasingly violent. Over time, by the time our predecessors realized something was wrong, it was already beyond remedy. They could only let it continue developing. The Ancestral Sacred Flame of today is completely different from what our grandmaster originally left behind. Even with my cultivation, I do not dare to act rashly... How confident are you, Daoist?"

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