Chapter 1179: The Enemy Arrives
Chapter 1179: The Enemy Arrives
In recent days, Qin Sang had also been paying close attention to the situation.
Perhaps it was related to the emergence of Ziwei Palace, but Sin Abyss truly seemed to be ceasing their movements. Not only at Sandi'e Stronghold, but reports gathered from other locations showed the same pattern. There had only been a few minor skirmishes. However, the more it appeared this way, the less they could afford to lower their guard.
***
Inside the tall tower, Qin Sang remained fully focused.
The killing symbol had already been imprinted onto the sword souls. That step had been completed. The next step was to fuse the sword souls with the seven yin souls.
Yang soul and yin soul... Although these terms were often spoken of, in the eyes of modern immortal cultivators they were essentially the same as the soul or the primordial spirit. Even certain split-soul secret techniques merely divided a strand from one's soul.
Truly dividing them into three yang souls and seven yin souls remained an extremely mysterious concept to Qin Sang. He had seen many explanations in Daoist scriptures.
Some Daoist texts recorded that the three yang souls were named Embryonic Radiance, Clear Divinity, and Serene Essence. The seven yin souls were Corpse Canine, Concealed Arrow, Sparrow Yin, Swallowing Thieves, Non-Poison, Eliminating Filth, and Rotting Lungs, each considered a turbid ghost residing within the body.[1]">https://purplecloudinstitute.com/the-three-ethereal-souls-the-seven-corporeal-souls-part-1/[/ref]
But these ideas existed only in scriptures and myths. No cultivation method related to them had ever been seen. Fusing each sword soul with the seven yin souls was even more unheard of.
Qin Sang himself did not know where to begin. He could only concentrate his mind, repeatedly circulating the cultivation art. In the vague depths of his awareness, he gradually sensed guidance from the technique and slowly began merging the sword souls.
The process was extremely slow and filled with setbacks. Fortunately, Qin Sang possessed ample patience.
Time passed day by day. With no one disturbing him, Qin Sang remained in the tower, fully focused on comprehending the cultivation art. At last, he began to see results. One sword soul showed signs of merging with his primordial spirit.
After that, the process accelerated. The second sword soul soon showed the same signs.
It appears that both are merging with my primordial spirit, but the power fusing with these two sword souls seems slightly different... Qin Sang fell into thought.
He could sense this faint distinction, but he found it impossible to describe.
Unless this cultivation art merely borrowed the name, perhaps the three yang souls and seven yin souls truly exist in this world! In that case, are the afterlife, the Yanluo King, and even the six paths of reincarnation and rebirth more than legends? Qin Sang pondered for a long time before slowly shaking his head. Even if such things truly existed, they were far beyond the level he could ever reach.
He cast aside these distracting thoughts and was about to resume cultivation when a rapid ringing of bells suddenly jolted him awake. His expression changed slightly.
Once the cold bells rang, it meant something had happened.
Qin Sang immediately stopped cultivating and pushed open the door of the quiet chamber. He discovered that Si Di and Jinglin had already arrived, both wearing grave expressions.
"Several watchtowers have sent urgent reports in succession. They have discovered signs of large-scale movements by Sin Abyss cultivators. This time it does not appear to be a feint. I have already ordered all the scouts to withdraw..." Jinglin quietly explained and relayed all the intelligence to Qin Sang.
Qin Sang glanced outside the tower. Evasion lights flashed constantly as the army began gathering.
"You two plan to defend Sandi'e Stronghold?" Qin Sang asked.
"Correct," Si Di nodded. "We still cannot determine Sin Abyss’s intentions. They may be preparing for a desperate strike before Ziwei Palace emerges, as Daoist Zhenyi speculated, or this may simply be another routine maneuver. The safest choice is to defend within the stronghold and wait for news from Shiqu Mountain before deciding our next move."
Jinglin added, "We are also worried that launching an attack rashly might lead us straight into a trap. Daoist Si Di will organize the troops. Normally I would control the Cold Bell Array, but now that Daoist Ming Yue is stationed here, I can hide behind the scenes and wait for the right moment to give the enemy a surprise!"
Hearing this, Qin Sang roughly understood their strategy.
The importance of Sandi'e Stronghold was second only to places like Shiqu Mountain. The Cold Bell Array was extraordinarily complex, and only a Spiritual Infant cultivator operating it personally could unleash its true power.
Of the two Spiritual Infant cultivators, one would remain at the central hub while the other led the army into battle. This arrangement freed one person. If they seized the opportunity to ambush and severely injure a Sin Abyss Spiritual Infant cultivator, victory would essentially be secured.
This had already been part of the agreement before Qin Sang arrived.
However, after thinking for a moment, Qin Sang proposed an idea. "Do you have any way to keep the Cold Bell Array operating without my direct control? I would also like to go out and witness the supernatural abilities of Sin Abyss's Spiritual Infant cultivators."
"You are willing to personally enter battle?" The two were overjoyed upon hearing this.
They understood the terms of the agreement and had never expected these demon kings to voluntarily offer assistance without additional benefits. Qin Sang’s willingness surprised them.
Qin Sang nodded. "If Sin Abyss succeeds, the demon race will likely find it difficult to remain uninvolved. I have long wanted to contribute. I also believe I have some skill in evasion techniques. Even if I cannot defeat them, escaping should not be difficult."
The two exchanged a glance.
Si Di pondered briefly. "I will go out first and draw out an opponent. The two of you can hide nearby and strike unexpectedly at the same time. There may even be a chance to kill a Spiritual Infant cultivator!"
Since the war among the three domains had begun, very few Spiritual Infant cultivators had fallen on the battlefield.
Each Spiritual Infant cultivator was extremely cunning and cautious. More importantly, once their Spiritual Infant left the body, it possessed teleportation abilities and astonishing evasion speed. Restricting one was extremely difficult.
The alliance leaders of the three great merchant alliances in Canglang Sea had simply been unlucky. They had encountered the unpredictable ancient devil. Otherwise, even if their bodies had been destroyed, their Spiritual Infants could still have escaped.
"Even if we cannot kill the Spiritual Infant, destroying the body would still weaken Sin Abyss significantly! Finding a suitable new body is no easy matter. Their strength would inevitably drop. If we succeed, we will certainly request merit for Daoist Ming Yue!" Jinglin was visibly delighted.
Si Di, however, remained calm as he raised a concern. "The array artifact could be handed to a Golden Core junior, but the array is far too complex. The difference in power between our control and that of a Golden Core cultivator would be obvious. After so many years, Sin Abyss is already extremely familiar with the Cold Bell Array. It will not be easy to deceive them. If they notice anything unusual, they will certainly become wary."
"You are right. This must be considered carefully." Jinglin’s smile faded as he pondered for a moment before saying, "At the beginning, the Cold Bell Array will focus primarily on defense. Since Sin Abyss will not commit all their forces immediately, the array’s performance should not show obvious differences."
Si Di still hesitated. "That window of time would be very short. It may be difficult to find an opportunity."
"No matter what, it is worth trying. Even if we cannot kill their Spiritual Infant cultivator, I can first kill a few Golden Core cultivators without affecting the overall battle, then return to control the Cold Bell Array. That would still help you," Qin Sang said calmly.
His primary goal was to come into close contact with a Sin Abyss Spiritual Infant cultivator.
The shadow of that ancient devil phantom with three heads and six arms, which had appeared during Sin Abyss’s ambush in the past, had lingered in Qin Sang’s mind ever since.
If Sin Abyss really had some connection with ancient devils, he would need to prepare a retreat and plan carefully for the long term.
The three of them continued discussing many details and finalized their strategy.
Jinglin secretly summoned a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core Realm, a junior from his sect. He handed the array artifact to the man and gave detailed instructions, emphasizing that he must disguise everything carefully.
Afterward, Si Di went out to deploy the troops and prepare for the massive army of the Sin Abyss.
1. TL note: I know these names do not make sense at all. These are just what the names are known as and have nothing to do with the story. Translated it instead of transliterating because I didn't want the readers to read just a bunch of pinyin's without any understanding. I will provide a link for those who are interested in this. ☜