Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 1208: Awakening

He moved through the gloomy clouds.

He discovered that every mass of cloud was formed by dangerous ancient barriers, and within them there were likely sealed regions similar to the one he had seen before.

However, those seals and barriers were all intact. Even if Qin Sang forced his way in, it would consume an enormous amount of time and effort, and he still might not succeed. Worse, it would trigger a backlash from the seals and risk exposing himself.

Unless the Killing Sword’s sword spirit sensed a fragment, Qin Sang would not act rashly.

Even so, navigating through the boundless gloomy clouds and finding a path was no easy task. He did not know how many detours he took, going back and forth in circles.

A full day passed, and Qin Sang had only managed to explore a nearby region.

The area was not large, but it had taken an immense amount of time. If it had been Qin Sang alone, he would have long since been exhausted.

The Killing Sword’s sword spirit gave no response. Qin Sang adjusted his breathing briefly and continued onward. Gradually, he began to grasp certain patterns.

The route he had chosen formed something like an arc, with Sin God Palace as the center. He avoided approaching it, exploring as much as possible of the surrounding regions instead. If he found nothing on the outskirts, he would consider probing closer to Sin God Palace later.

Several days passed. As time went on, Qin Sang and the Sky-Eyed Butterfly became more and more adept, and their exploration speed increased.

Qin Sang stopped and looked ahead at a terrifying sight resembling a chaotic sea. Ancient barriers churned together with the clouds, leaving no gaps at all. There was more than one of this chaotic cloud sea within Sin Abyss.

It was certain that even cultivators of Sin Abyss would have difficulty entering such places. Standing here, Qin Sang felt an extreme sense of danger. He only dared approach slightly and allowed the sword spirit to sense on its own.

Reason told him it would be best not to enter. Otherwise, he might not even be able to protect himself, let alone seize any treasure. Fortunately, the Killing Sword’s sword spirit gave no response.

Over these past days, Qin Sang had already explored most of the accessible areas and had not discovered any traces of others. After the tremors began in Sin God Palace, only Spiritual Infant grandmasters would dare remain in Abyssal Ruin, and with Sin Abyss engaged in wars everywhere, it was no wonder this place was so empty.

Several more days passed with no results.

Qin Sang decided to persist and search the remaining areas, though he already had a premonition. The chance that Abyssal Ruin contains a Killing Sword fragment is probably low. Later, I will have to find a way to enter Sin God Palace...

As this thought passed through his mind, his expression shifted slightly. He suddenly lowered his head and looked at his waist, sensing an anomaly within the Spirit Beast Pouch.

"The Fire Jade Centipede has awakened..." Qin Sang muttered.

Whoosh! A streak of crimson firelight flew out of the Spirit Beast Pouch. Within the glow was a centipede that looked as though it had been carved from red jade. It was the Fire Jade Centipede that had just broken out of its cocoon.

Each of its legs stepped upon a cluster of crimson flames, as if it were flying by riding fire. The surrounding fiery glow was formed by the radiating power of those flames.

After its metamorphosis, the Fire Jade Centipede had grown to the length of Qin Sang’s arm. With its fangs and claws bared, it had become a ferocious beast.

After slumbering for so long, it had finally awakened and metamorphosized. Qin Sang could feel that the Fire Jade Centipede was extremely excited.

The Fire Jade Centipede circled around Qin Sang, as if showing off its achievements. After having a soul imprint planted within it, it had fully acknowledged Qin Sang, and there was no longer any barrier between them.

Hiss! Before Qin Sang could react, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly perched on his shoulder became displeased. Its wings flashed, and it directly struck out a bolt of lightning, easily breaking through the fiery glow around the Fire Jade Centipede and giving it a sharp lesson.

It was making it clear who was the number one spiritual insect under its master!

With an entire major stage of difference between them, the Fire Jade Centipede was no match for the Sky-Eyed Butterfly.

Fortunately, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly showed restraint. Under the pain, the Fire Jade Centipede was instantly beaten back to its original size. It hurriedly retreated to Qin Sang’s other side, curling into a ball and trembling, all its previous arrogance gone.

Sensing the Sky-Eyed Butterfly’s smug emotions, Qin Sang did not know whether to laugh or cry. His butterfly had not even fully developed its intelligence, yet it had already learned jealousy and how to compete for favor.

He could not bear to discipline the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, so the Fire Jade Centipede could only endure it.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly and looked at the Fire Jade Centipede with a hint of pity.

Suddenly, he noticed something else. The Fire Jade Centipede’s excitement was somewhat abnormal. "Hmm? Could it have sensed something and been awakened by an attraction? Though it had already been close to waking after such a long slumber. Since the metamorphosis succeeded, waking early should not have too great an impact..."

Qin Sang extended his hand. The Fire Jade Centipede landed on his palm, only then daring to cautiously stretch out its body. The emotions it conveyed were first grievance, then urgent insistence, urging its master forward.

Qin Sang’s gaze shifted in the direction it indicated.

He still remembered how the Fire Jade Centipede had helped him find Crimson Fire Gilded Gold in the past, which had later proven extremely useful. Now, it seemed even more excited than back then. It seemed like there was an extraordinary treasure ahead.

Qin Sang trusted the Fire Jade Centipede’s ability to find treasures. However, the direction it pointed to made him hesitate. It was pointing toward Sin God Palace!

After a brief pause, Qin Sang decided to take a look.

Waves of tremors continued to surge toward him. Qin Sang could only suppress his sword light as much as possible, advancing against the impacts as he approached Sin God Palace.

The further he went, the more impatient the Fire Jade Centipede became. Suddenly, Qin Sang’s expression changed, and his figure abruptly halted. The Fire Jade Centipede raised its upper body, confused as to why its master was not rushing to claim the treasure.

Qin Sang’s gaze turned solemn as he stared ahead.

Even the Sky-Eyed Butterfly could only see the chaotic storm caused by the tremors of Sin God Palace. Everything within sight was in turmoil. Yet Qin Sang keenly sensed that there were unusual fluctuations mixed within.

"Someone is fighting ahead?" He spread out his spiritual consciousness and carefully perceived, confirming his suspicion.

He glanced at the Fire Jade Centipede coiled in his hand. This treasure was not hidden within some hidden realm. It had already been discovered. The conflict ahead might very well have been caused by it.

This was deep within Abyssal Ruin. It had to be an internal struggle between Spiritual Infant cultivators of Sin Abyss.

Qin Sang frowned slightly, weighing whether it was worth the risk.

If he revealed himself to seize the treasure, he would undoubtedly become the target of everyone and be attacked from all sides. However, as long as none of them were middle-stage Spiritual Infant experts, Qin Sang was confident he could shake them off and then pass through Heavenly Corpse Sect's headquarters, leaving Abyssal Ruin without anyone noticing.

Even if Sin Abyss stationed people at the entrance, it would be useless.

He had already found the bone curse and explored most of Abyssal Ruin. He could basically confirm that the spiritual sword fragment was not here. His purpose for coming to Sin Abyss had nearly been achieved. It was time to leave.

Before leaving, since he had the chance to stir up trouble in Abyssal Ruin and snatch a treasure, Qin Sang decided to go for it.

They were enemies to begin with. He had already killed one Spiritual Infant cultivator from Sin Abyss. He did not mind offending a few more.

Of course, that was only if their strength remained within the limits he could handle.

Qin Sang became even more cautious. He summoned the twelve devilish banners, concealing them within his sleeve, and slowly approached the source of the fluctuations.

After flying some distance, the Sky-Eyed Butterfly finally saw the distant battlefield clearly.

But the scene before him left Qin Sang extremely surprised. He saw a familiar figure, half man, half snake. It was the Snake King!

He had known that the Snake King and the others would also come to Sin Abyss in search of treasures, which was why he had set out early. Yet he had not expected to encounter the Snake King within Abyssal Ruin. The ancient demon’s cave dwelling was actually inside Abyssal Ruin. He had no idea how they had managed to slip in.