Chapter 1320: Fire-Devouring Beast

"I am Yun Lan, steward of Xuling Sect. May I ask if you are Senior Qin?" Three men and one woman, four disciples of Xuling Sect in total, flew before Qin Sang in the blink of an eye. The moment they saw his face clearly, shock flashed across their features, and they immediately bowed with utmost respect.

What was surprising was that the female disciple was actually at the Golden Core Realm.

Qin Sang recalled how Qingjun had once remarked that Xuling Sect had quietly amassed enormous wealth during the war. Seeing it now, her words were clearly true. The foundation of Qingyang Temple still could not compare with these prestigious great sects.

The woman appeared to be in her twenties, graceful in figure and beautiful in appearance, dressed in a crimson palace robe. She was the one who had spoken just now.

Qin Sang had not concealed his true appearance. By now, he had gained quite some fame throughout Beichen Realm. Among the cultivators of the two domains, very few did not recognize him, so the female cultivator had identified him at a glance.

"It is me!" Calm and composed, Qin Sang nodded. "Previously, I made an appointment with Daoist Bing Han. Today, having some free time, I specially came to pay a visit. I would have to trouble you to announce my arrival."

Joy appeared on Yun Lan’s face. "There is no need for prior notice. Senior Qin, please follow me into the sect first. I was specifically ordered by our sect leader to wait here for you."

"Oh? Daoist Bing Han is thoughtful indeed. Then I will respectfully comply." Qin Sang gave a slight nod.

Yun Lan signaled for the other three disciples to withdraw and personally led the way ahead. Qin Sang deliberately slowed his pace, leisurely admiring the surrounding scenery.

As they flew over those extinct volcanoes, Qin Sang noticed strange spirit beasts below. They resembled leopards, yet not quite. They ran wildly through the mountains, small in size, no bigger than cats, but each possessed a fluffy tail twice the length of its body.

Their fur was entirely crimson, without the slightest trace of another color. A bright sheen flowed through their coats, as though molten lava coursed beneath their skin. Only their eyes were black.

The spirit beasts kept their heads lowered, searching the ground for something.

When Qin Sang and the others passed overhead, they lifted their heads and glanced up. Their eyes were gentle, carrying a touch of innocence and curiosity. Tilting their heads, they looked briefly at him, then withdrew their gaze and returned to their business.

Behind them, several disciples of Xuling Sect were panting heavily, dragged into a wild chase by the spirit beasts. Upon seeing Yun Lan, they hurriedly bowed in greeting.

"These are your sect’s famous Fire-Devouring Beasts, right?" Qin Sang asked.

Though other sects did not specialize in beast taming like the Yuling Sect, they were not lacking in similar secret techniques. Any spirit beast chosen by a sect and raised over generations would surely possess some unique ability.

What surprised him was that there was not the slightest killing intent in the Fire-Devouring Beasts’ eyes. They were like innocent children, seemingly untouched by battle.

"That’s right, they are Fire-Devouring Beasts. However, many rumors outside are mistaken. Their reputation is exaggerated and certainly unworthy of your notice." Yun Lan let out a delicate laugh.

Seeing Qin Sang’s curiosity, she explained, "People say the Fire-Devouring Beast possesses formidable supernatural abilities, but what they are actually referring to is another spirit beast, the Crimson-Tailed Leopard, which resembles the Fire-Devouring Beast in appearance. Of course, those rumors were deliberately spread by our Xuling Sect to protect the Fire-Devouring Beasts. The Fire-Devouring Beast’s life-bound divine ability is fire control. It helps us stabilize spiritual fire during artifact refinement, greatly increasing the chance of success. In truth, it has very little combat power of its own."

As she spoke, Yun Lan pointed downward. "The Fire-Devouring Beasts are feeding now, though their food is rather special. They consume fiery qi that has yet to transform into fire spirits within the underground fire veins. Recently, the fire veins have been in constant upheaval, shaking loose fiery qi buried deep below."

Qin Sang followed her gesture and looked.

He saw one Fire-Devouring Beast suddenly sense something. It let out a sharp cry, then plunged headfirst into the ground, digging out a large pit.

A strand of red smoke rose from underground, writhing like a living thing as it fled into the distance.

The surrounding Fire-Devouring Beasts immediately swarmed forward and devoured the smoke cleanly, leaving nothing behind.

Right after that, fiery essence began emerging from cracks in the earth all around. The Fire-Devouring Beasts were overjoyed, their cries full of delight as they pounced everywhere in eager feeding.

But Qin Sang’s attention was focused beneath the earth.

Within his perception, a wave of fluctuation had suddenly surged from the underground fire veins without warning. The disturbance was not particularly strong, otherwise it would not have released only this little fiery qi.

Yet the source of the fluctuation was unmistakably clear. It came from deep within Xuling Sect. Even after being weakened by an array, it still carried such force. That was rather thought-provoking.

Without revealing anything on his face, Qin Sang withdrew his gaze.

Naturally, Yun Lan could not guess what Qin Sang was thinking and simply continued leading the way.

Not long after, the two passed through an invisible barrier. The scorching heat around them vanished instantly, replaced by springlike warmth. The barren wasteland ahead also disappeared, giving way to lush greenery overflowing with vitality.

This place lay near Xuling Sect's headquarters, where underground fire veins converged, yet it displayed such flourishing life.

Deep within the forest stood a mountain. It was not especially tall, but exceptionally broad, a truly rare sight.

Qin Sang gazed toward the mountain, recalling what he knew of Xuling Sect.

This mountain should be the sect’s most important forbidden ground. Its summit was not flat land, but a massive volcanic crater. The legendary mountain within the mountain was located inside it.

Along the way, they encountered many Xuling Sect disciples. The moment they saw Yun Lan, they respectfully bowed, though they could not help stealing curious glances at Qin Sang. Some recognized him, and their faces filled with astonishment.

Qin Sang observed carefully. Regardless of cultivation level, every disciple of the Xuling Sect was spirited, full of vigor, and clearly gifted. It was enough to reveal both the sect’s deep foundation and Bing Han’s skill in training disciples.

Once this matter was settled, perhaps he should seek some guidance from her.

As he idly considered such trivial matters, Qin Sang was surprised to discover that Yun Lan was leading him straight toward the forbidden ground, showing no sign of stopping.

Whoosh, whoosh! A short while later, the two entered the forbidden grounds and landed before an exquisite palace halfway up the mountain. Its name was Fire-Hating Pavilion.

Qin Sang noticed there was no barrier around the palace. Sweeping it with his spiritual consciousness, he found it completely empty inside, and could not help slightly furrowing his brow.

Suddenly, a streak of light descended from the sky and landed in Yun Lan’s palm.

A trace of surprise flashed through her eyes. After hesitating briefly, she said apologetically, "Senior Qin, I have just received word that our sect leader is in secluded cultivation within the mountain inside the mountain. She's at the critical moment and cannot emerge and receive you personally. Please rest in Fire-Hating Pavilion for a few days and I hope you will not take offense."

"It is on me for coming at an unfortunate time. Since Daoist Bing Han has important matters to attend to, waiting a few days is no trouble." Naturally, Qin Sang would not make things difficult for a junior. He waved his hand indifferently and walked into the hall.

Yun Lan let out a quiet sigh of relief and personally arranged spiritual fruits and wine, but Qin Sang politely declined them all.

He told Yun Lan there was no need for such courtesy and instructed her to call him once Bing Han emerged from seclusion. Then he sealed Fire-Hating Pavilion with barriers, isolating it from the outside world. Even so, Yun Lan did not dare relax her vigilance. She personally stood guard nearby, awaiting orders.

After inspecting Fire-Hating Pavilion and confirming there were no strange barriers within, Qin Sang opened his Spirit Beast Pouch. A streak of red light shot into his hand. It was the Fire Jade Centipede.

The Fire Jade Centipede could not fly beyond Qin Sang’s palm. It circled frantically atop his hand, restless and unusually agitated.

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