Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 851: Xiyou Alliance

"Fellow Daoists, did you escape from the demon-filled island? What happened there? Why has such a phenomenon arisen, stirring the demonic beasts into chaos?"

The three men hovered above the sea, gazing in the direction Qin Sang and Su Nu had come from, their eyes also falling on the island behind them, now in utter turmoil. Each wore a different expression.

All three were experts of the Core Formation Realm.

The man in the middle, with a fine mustache and the bearing of someone in his fifties, wore a Daoist robe much like Qin Sang’s. His refined temperament and aura revealed him to be a formidable late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

The other two were also far from weak.

It was no surprise. Only cultivators of such strength dared to wander the Demonic Sea at this time.

It was the mustached man who had spoken.

Su Nu’s cultivation was only at the Foundation Building Realm. The bearded man’s gaze swept over her without lingering, finally settling on Qin Sang with a quiet, probing look.

Yet the companion to his left, dressed in resplendent jewels like a wealthy squire, stared fixedly at Su Nu with a strange gleam in his eyes.

Su Nu felt uncomfortable under his stare and moved behind Qin Sang.

Qin Sang shifted his gaze and said, "The two of us had been hiding on a small island in the distance. When the demon-filled island changed so suddenly, we came to investigate, but were struck by a beast tide. The situation was perilous, but we sensed the danger early and retreated at once. Fortunately, we did not alert the great demons on the island. As for what happened there, I truly do not know."

"Is that so? Our cave dwelling is also nearby, yet we have not seen you before." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

The mustached man glanced toward the demon-filled island. He seemed partly convinced.

A middle-stage Core Formation cultivator with only a Foundation Building companion could hardly have caused chaos on the island and still escaped unharmed.

The island was vast, inhabited by great demons. Among them were overlords even he dared not provoke.

"May I ask how you are addressed? Since you two are hiding here, it must also be because of the demonic beast chaos outside. I am surnamed Cang, a member of the Xiyou Alliance. When the chaos broke out, we were a step too slow and failed to escape. Later, the beast tide swept across our human territories, leaving no corner untouched, countless cultivators slaughtered. With nowhere else to go, I, like you, thought of the old saying, 'The most dangerous place is the safest.' So we fled into demon race's territory and found a deserted island to hide."

Here, Cang’s voice paused, then he continued. "Though safe for the moment, we live in constant fear. Now that fate has brought us together, I wish to invite you to join us. With more people, we can support each other and increase our chances of surviving until this chaos ends. Daoist Liu here joined us during our escape..."

He gestured toward the man on his right.

The three great merchant alliances held high prestige within the Demonic Sea and commanded influence.

The cultivator surnamed Liu also spoke, urging them to stay.

"Xiyou Alliance?"

Qin Sang could not help recalling the young man of Xiyou Alliance who had died in his hands in Seven-Kill Hall.

He wondered if these three were connected to that youth.

But he still needed to rendezvous with Granny Yue. He naturally could not accept Cang’s invitation. Seeing that these men harbored no ill intent, he felt at ease, clasped his hands in courtesy, declined politely, and prepared to leave with his evasion technique.

At that moment, the squire suddenly flew forward and whispered something to Cang.

Cang’s pupils narrowed slightly as he fixed his gaze on Su Nu.

Seeing Qin Sang and Su Nu about to leave, the squire grew anxious and raised his voice. "Fellow Daoists, wait. I have a doubt, though I am unsure if I should speak. Just now, I sensed something unusual in this young lady’s aura. It seemed faintly similar to the true devilish qi of the ancient era. Could it be that my senses were mistaken?"

Su Nu, long displeased with his staring, snapped back coldly, "So what if it is? And what if it isn’t?"

Qin Sang had not expected the usually obedient Su Nu to suddenly speak. He had no time to stop her and glared at her fiercely.

Though he did not know how these men had noticed the true devilish qi within Su Nu, now was certainly not the time for a temper. The matter had to be muddled through. No more trouble could be stirred.

"You are mistaken, Daoist. True devilish qi is a force only ancient devils could command. Even grandmasters of the devilish path at the Spiritual Infant Realm cannot withstand its corrosion. She is merely at Foundation Building Realm, how could she possibly endure it? This girl is simply willful and speaks out of turn. I ask that you not take offense," Qin Sang spoke evenly, about to leave.

"Please do not misunderstand."

Cang’s expression remained calm as he drifted closer, his tone patient. "My junior brother means no harm. His cultivation art is similar to the young lady’s. He only wishes to exchange insights with her. Since you have met, it is fate. With his cultivation, guiding the young lady would be effortless, and she would certainly benefit..."

"Let's go!" Qin Sang now clearly saw their intent. He seized Su Nu by the wrist and activated a secret talisman.

Su Nu, realizing her mistake, lowered her head in silence. The two streaked away as rays of light, shooting across the sky like meteors.

A cold gleam flickered in Cang’s eyes. "Junior Brother, are you certain the girl harbors true devilish qi?"

The jeweled merchant nodded firmly. "Senior Brother, you must have sensed it too. There’s no mistake. Even if she isn’t a Nine-Turn Beauty Yin Body, anyone capable of devouring true devilish qi is extraordinary. The alliance leader commanded us to search for such a body, but it is rarer even than the Heavenly Spiritual Root. If we capture her, whether she has a special constitution or has cultivated some ancient devilish art, as long as she is of use to the alliance leader, we will surely earn his favor. Then we need not worry about gathering the spiritual materials needed for our Spiritual Infant breakthroughs."

"Good! Chase them! Daoist Liu, you heard as well. If we seize those two, we will surely speak well of you before the alliance leader."

Cang and the squire vanished in pursuit. Liu hesitated, then followed.

On the demon-filled island, demonic beasts rampaged in chaos.

Outside the island, streaks of light chased one another across the sea.

Though there was still some distance to the rendezvous point, Qin Sang had already expended much of his strength after flying for so long. He had thought himself safe, only to be pursued again by powerful cultivators.

Though Su Nu had caused this trouble, both the Maoshan Vine and the teleportation talisman were in Granny Yue’s hands. For the sake of those treasures, he had to protect Su Nu at all costs. She could not be dragged into battle.

Knowing he could no longer conceal his strength, Qin Sang summoned the Two-Headed Hou from his Primordial Unity Ring.

The Demonic Sea was fraught with danger, and he could not allow Su Nu to travel alone.

He ordered the beast to carry her away while he stayed behind to block the pursuers.

Su Nu was set upon the Two-Headed Hou’s back, her face stunned. Only now did she realize how deeply this mysterious Daoist had hidden his strength. He even possessed such a formidable spirit beast.

"You take her to meet Granny Yue," Qin Sang commanded.

The Two-Headed Hou growled lowly, azure qi swirling around its back and wrapping tightly around Su Nu. With wings spread wide, it sped away.

Su Nu sat securely upon its back, her eyes vacant, her expression utterly lost.