Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 832: Ambush

"Old Devil Mou..." Qin Sang remembered this person.

Back when the black-armored man sent by Huntian Island’s master was guarding the Dongming Cold Flame, he had mentioned that Old Devil Mou was interested in it, and that the island master had invited him to subdue the flame. Old Devil Mou was a long-established giant of the devilish path.

"I did not expect the Dongming Cold Flame to have already been taken. This person must be extremely well-versed in controlling fire..." Qin Sang felt a pang of regret.

He knew well that all of Saint Dongming’s relics had been destroyed under the corrosion of the Dongming Cold Flame. The flame itself was the only remaining treasure, an opportunity one could only encounter by chance.

***

The journey proceeded smoothly without encountering a beast tide. They eventually arrived at a place called Yuheng Island.

Qin Sang and Madam Liu assumed false identities to go ashore. Under the cover of one of Madam Liu’s friends, they entered the city.

This friend was also a female cultivator named Jin Ying, a charming-looking woman who had been monitoring Xiang Yi’s activities on the island.

When she saw Qin Sang, there was a hint of hostility in her eyes. She studied him closely, as though she did not trust his abilities. Though she concealed it well, Qin Sang still noticed.

A moment’s thought was enough for him to understand the reason. They had missed an earlier opportunity because they had been unable to reach him, so it was no wonder she harbored dissatisfaction.

"This is Daoist Master Qingfeng, the one I have often spoken to you about." Madam Liu began.

The three of them quickly returned to Jin Ying’s cave dwelling. Madam Liu made the introductions. "Daoist Master, this is my junior sister, Jin Ying. I once joined a sect for a time, where I became acquainted with her, and we have been as close as sisters ever since. She now works as a manager for the Nine-Star Guild. Over the years, I have been able to hide my true identity from Xiang Yi only thanks to her help. This time, we will also need Jin Ying to lure Xiang Yi off the island so we can act."

So, it's the Nine-Star Guild.

Qin Sang nodded inwardly. The Nine-Star Guild was one of the top merchant guilds within the alliance, and Jin Ying certainly had the means. The fact that she would risk breaking ties with the alliance and the guild to help Madam Liu take revenge spoke volumes about their bond.

"Senior Sister, you do not need to say that. Without you and Big Brother Liu’s care back then, I could not have achieved what I have today."

Jin Ying glanced at Qin Sang, then turned to Madam Liu and said in a low voice, "Xiang Yi is currently on the island. The rulers of several nearby large islands are already gathering here to defend this place. The alliance is also hastily mobilizing. Xiang Yi will not be leaving for now. But before you act, you must think carefully. If we fail and alert him, not only will Brother Liu’s death go unavenged, Xiang Yi will never spare us. Under the current situation, once wanted by the alliance, there will be no return to Canglang Sea. You will be left to drift in the Demonic Sea, living with demonic beasts. This might be the only chance."

Qin Sang understood well that her words were directed at him. She still did not trust his abilities. He merely smiled faintly and said nothing.

Madam Liu spoke to smooth things over. "Junior Sister, rest assured. Daoist Master here came and went freely within Seven-Kill Hall and once slew a late-stage Core Formation expert in an instant. His strength is beyond doubt. As long as we can unleash that Essence-Sealing Talisman, I am confident Xiang Yi can be defeated. Still, Daoist Master must not be careless. I must see Xiang Yi’s body and soul annihilated to comfort my husband’s spirit in the heavens." Her tone was firm and brimming with hatred.

"As long as your arrangements are without flaw, I am confident Xiang Yi will have no chance to escape." Qin Sang no longer spoke lightly. He gave his word, then began to inquire about their plan. "How do you intend to lure Xiang Yi off the island? What if he does not travel alone? What if he brings other experts? From what you said earlier, it seems the alliance has assigned several powerful cultivators to accompany him."

The two women exchanged a glance, and Madam Liu nodded to Jin Ying.

Cautious as ever, Jin Ying waved her hand to set up a sound-proofing barrier before explaining in detail. "According to our information, Xiang Yi has been seeking a spiritual wood called Tortoise-Patterned Wood, a rare spiritual material known to few. This wood is peculiar, as if it can inhale and exhale mist like a demonic beast. Once every century, it undergoes an eruption, shrouding an area of several li in mist with a distinct scent. We will fabricate a similar phenomenon in the Demonic Sea and, through the Nine-Star Guild’s and the alliance’s channels, make it seem as though this news has been leaked to Xiang Yi. As for his companions..."

Madam Liu took over. "While my husband lived, he made a few friends. The news of Xiang Yi’s desire for Tortoise-Patterned Wood came from one of them. They fear the alliance leader and dare not oppose Xiang Yi directly, but they are willing to help in whatever way they can. Otherwise, I could not have proceeded so smoothly. One of them works for the alliance and happens to be on the island. Before we act, he will do his best to occupy the alliance’s experts. The killing, however, must be done by us. Moreover, Xiang Yi is greedy and cunning. Once convinced that the treasure is real, he will not bring anyone else for fear of having to share the spoils."

"Do your best... Though it is still possible Xiang Yi may have help. That cannot be ignored—" Qin Sang frowned. He disliked placing his hopes in others.

Frustrated, Madam Liu said, "It is true, but there will be no better opportunity. This is a risk we must take. If Xiang Yi returns to seclude himself for a breakthrough, we will have no chance at all."

Qin Sang understood. With his own ability, he was certain that even if the ambush failed, he could still escape with ease. So, he voiced no further objection.

The three spent the day finalizing their plan.

Qin Sang and Madam Liu left Yuheng Island and spent several days searching before they found a suitable small island on which to set up an illusion array to mimic the Tortoise-Patterned Wood.

Then began the long wait. Two months passed before their opportunity finally came!

***

Outside Yuheng Island, Qin Sang and Madam Liu waited anxiously.

Suddenly, the water rippled, and a carp-shaped sea beast leapt from the waves. It was Jin Ying’s tamed spirit beast. Opening its mouth, it spat out a Sound Transmission Talisman.

"The fish has taken the bait," Madam Liu murmured. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The two exchanged a glance and immediately concealed themselves.

They lay in wait along the route, with Jin Ying acting as their informant. She lacked the strength to join the fight and was instead arranging their escape route. If the ambush failed, they could withdraw at once.

However, Jin Ying’s spirit beast was certainly slower than Xiang Yi’s evasion speed, so the message had been sent in advance. They only knew that the bait had been taken. When Xiang Yi would leave the island, or whether he would have help, they could not be sure and would have to adapt as events unfolded.

Qin Sang and Madam Liu separated slightly.

He held the Primordial Unity Ring in his hand and had the Sky-Eyed Butterfly open its Sky Eyes to scan the sea so that he could spot Xiang Yi at the earliest possible moment.

Time trickled by, feeling endlessly long. There was still no sign of Xiang Yi.

Yet there was also no new message from Jin Ying, which meant nothing unexpected had happened.

The sea breeze brushed against his face as the sound of waves reached his ears. Suddenly, Qin Sang’s gaze sharpened. Far off on the sea’s surface, a meteor-like evasion light appeared, speeding toward them.