Chapter 2420: Bluffing

The two halves of the clam shell were tightly sealed. However, a blood-red shadow now stood between them, vigorously raising its hands to pry them open!

This seemed like an illusion, as the shell halves were hermetically sealed with no discernible gap; otherwise, Grand Sage Guizang could have simply slipped through. Yet, the blood-red shadow was undeniably real. No one knew what divine ability Grand Sage Guizang had used to create such a bizarre sight.

The shadow's feet were planted on the lower shell, its hands pushing against the upper one. It appeared to be exerting immense effort, trying with all its might to force the two halves apart.

Of course, the clam shell wouldn't open so easily. Countless blood-red tendrils now wriggled from the shadow, like crimson mountain leeches sensing food, eagerly burrowing into the minuscule gaps.

Grand Sage Guizang narrowed his eyes; everything perceived by the blood-red shadow and tendrils was transmitted directly to him.

"What kind of clam shell is this?"

A strange glint appeared in Grand Sage Guizang's eyes. An unfamiliar power permeated the shell; whether it was a restriction left by someone or the shell's inherent strength, it held the two halves firmly together.

Several renowned ancient clam-type demon clans flashed through his mind, but none matched the shell before him. Could it be the remains of a mythical beast from the ancient past?

Legend had it that in the primordial era, even before the establishment of the Demon Court and the concept of demon clans, the Spirit Realm birthed countless powerful beings with terrifying divine abilities. These were later known as ancient mythical beasts, primeval fierce beasts, and so on. These mighty creatures waged great wars, overturning mountains and seas, causing cataclysms, and resulting in countless casualties. Some were utterly annihilated, while others left behind their bloodlines, giving rise to various demon clans.

These mythical and fierce beasts now existed only in legends. Grand Sage Guizang suspected the clam shell was the remains of such an ancient mythical beast. Perhaps this ancient beast was born within the Guixu itself, as countless mythical beasts existed in the ancient era, and it wasn't necessarily only the Black Tortoise that could enter the Guixu.

If this were true, it merited serious thought.

Who placed the clam shell here? Was it to protect something?

Although the clam shell consisted of two halves, it was seemingly seamless. If Grand Sage Guizang had to open it himself, he would likely be blocked. However, he had now discovered what appeared to be a flaw left by Grand Sage Chanxin!

Grand Sage Guizang fixated on one of the blood-red tendrils, which wriggled nimbly through the tiny gaps.

Gradually, Grand Sage Guizang frowned. Grand Sage Chanxin had entered before, and by following Chanxin's traces, he could also force his way in. However, it was easier said than done. The preparations Chanxin had left behind could not only fail to assist him but might even become an obstacle, requiring him to expend considerable effort.

Nevertheless, this was much easier than forcing his way in blindly.

A myriad of thoughts flashed through his mind. Grand Sage Guizang's gaze suddenly fell upon the blood-red shadow, which immediately swelled into a crimson orb.

*Bang!*

The blood-red shadow exploded, sending crimson water and tendrils splattering.

*Whoosh!*

The transparent tortoise shell was flung away by the blast, and Grand Sage Guizang distinctly saw the clam shell subtly vibrate.

"Good!"

A hint of exhilaration appeared on Grand Sage Guizang's face, and he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. The blood-red shadow's self-detonation was a test, a probe of the preparations Grand Sage Chanxin had left behind.

From this test, it was clear that these preparations wouldn't assist him, but they also wouldn't hinder an intruder. This was undoubtedly good news; otherwise, he would have to face two "enemies" simultaneously.

*Swish!*

Grand Sage Guizang tucked the transparent tortoise shell into his sleeve, knowing it wouldn't be needed further. Then, with a gentle flick of his sleeve, a brilliant crimson light erupted around him.

The crimson light enveloped Grand Sage Guizang, and around him, crisscrossing blood-red lines emerged. These tendrils ignored all physical existence, even passing through Grand Sage Guizang and the bodies of the demons behind him.

The blood-red lines penetrated their bodies, partitioning the space into numerous square compartments, each of equal size and filled with the crimson light.

*Zheng!*

The blood-red lines vibrated like lute strings, emitting musical notes. Zhànglì Wēnjūn and the other demons, still deep in slumber, could not hear them.

Immediately after, the crimson light began to flow towards the clam shell, the blood-red lines moving with it. The small compartments distorted accordingly, and the flesh of the demons within these compartments twisted along with them.

This scene was exceedingly strange. The demons' bodies appeared to be sliced into countless pieces, yet they were not actually killed or dismembered. Their bodies became a part of the crimson light, flowing with it into the crack.

At this moment, the clam shell's vibrations had not yet subsided, and the "door" Grand Sage Chanxin had opened was also in flux. Just as the crimson light approached the clam shell, it abruptly ceased flowing.

Grand Sage Guizang seemed to sense something, and his pupils abruptly constricted.

Who is inside?!

Grand Sage Guizang was startled to realize that someone had entered before him!

Could it be those two juniors who disappeared earlier?

Impossible!

Those two juniors had cultivation levels similar to, or even weaker than, Zhànglì Wēnjūn and the others. The blood-red shackles on the demons' bodies were actually a form of protection, yet they still couldn't resist the Guixu's assimilation and had all fallen asleep.

One of those juniors might have been the thief who stole the tomb's treasures, but neither of them was a descendant of the Black Tortoise. Without the treasure's protection, they absolutely couldn't have endured this far!

Unless...

Grand Sage Guizang recalled a past event.

When the Crying God Guard had pursued the thief, they ultimately returned empty-handed. Their leader reported finding traces of a Demon Saint's intervention along the way. Grand Sage Guizang suspected the treasure had fallen into the hands of a Demon Saint and, fearing trouble if they continued the investigation, ordered the Crying God Guard to abandon the chase.

Just now, he had learned from Zhànglì Wēnjūn that their attackers were descendants of the Azure Luan, and their cultivation levels were similar to theirs. Grand Sage Guizang had been momentarily puzzled, wondering if he had been too cautious back then and misjudged the situation.

Could it be that his judgment was correct after all, that the treasure had indeed fallen into the hands of a Demon Saint, and that very Demon Saint was now here? The opponent had arrived earlier, focused on seeking their own fortune, and bothered little with those juniors, thus not revealing their true power...

Grand Sage Guizang's expression flickered uncertainly as he stared at the clam shell. Silently activating a divine ability, he spoke in a deep voice, "Guizang is here. May I ask which fellow Daoist is within?"

At the same time, Grand Sage Guizang's actions caused a tremor inside the clam shell. Vermilion Bird was still somewhat bewildered, but Qin Sang abruptly turned around, his face filled with astonishment.

Having arrived here, Qin Sang no longer worried about Zhànglì Wēnjūn and the others. They lacked the protection of the Jade Buddha and would fare no better than the Heaven-Eyed Butterfly, thus daring not descend this far.

Who is outside?!

What had the other party done to make the entire clam shell space vibrate? Qin Sang inwardly admitted he couldn't achieve such a feat.

*Whoosh!*

The clam pearl in Qin Sang's hand trembled violently.

This tremor triggered an unusual reaction from the clam pearl, and Qin Sang immediately noticed things he hadn't perceived before. The clam pearl and the shell were one entity. Holding the pearl was more than just gaining free entry and exit; he had previously failed in his attempts because he knew too little about the pearl and the shell.

Unfortunately, though he had now discovered some underlying connections, he likely wouldn't have time to delve into them thoroughly.

"Guizang is here. May I ask which fellow Daoist is within?"

A faint, indistinct voice vaguely drifted from outside the clam shell.

Instantly, Qin Sang's face was etched with shock, and Vermilion Bird's eyes widened into perfect circles, seemingly petrified.

"Gui..."

Qin Sang quickly covered Vermilion Bird's mouth.

Grand Sage Guizang—how could he not know that name? Qin Sang had always considered his previous escape from Grand Sage Guizang's clutches a stroke of pure luck.

Later, he hadn't encountered further pursuit from the Crying God Guard, but as long as the black mole remained on him, Qin Sang found it hard to be at peace. Who would have thought that just when he could finally get rid of the black mole, Grand Sage Guizang would suddenly appear, separated from him by only a single layer of clam shell!

Qin Sang and Vermilion Bird exchanged a glance, holding their breath as they stared at the entrance and quietly retreated.

Grand Sage Guizang waited for a moment. Seeing no response, he snorted, and said coldly, "Since Fellow Daoist remains silent, then do not blame this old man for being rude!"

Discovering that another Demon Saint had gotten there first, Grand Sage Guizang found the situation extremely tricky.

He didn't know how much the other party knew. If they were simply here for treasure, Grand Sage Guizang would even be willing to surrender all the treasures here to them; he only needed one item himself.

There was only this one entrance. If the other party was intent on blocking him, it wouldn't be easy for him to enter. Moreover, he had pledged allegiance to a devil, and if his identity were exposed, he would face enemies everywhere, so he had to be cautious.

Grand Sage Guizang had originally intended to try diplomacy before resorting to force, but unexpectedly, the other party remained silent. It seemed there was no room for negotiation. Before his words had fully faded, the stagnant crimson light resumed flowing, and the crest of the blood tide slammed fiercely against the clam shell.

"He's mistaken us for a Demon Saint..."

Qin Sang and Vermilion Bird exchanged telepathic messages, both recalling the little Qilin's heavenly tribulation. It appeared that the Lightning Sacrifice Oath Scripture had indeed deterred the pursuers.

But there was only one Lightning Sacrifice Oath Scripture!

This was a genuine Demon Saint, possessing a true Dharma Domain. Even if Qin Sang used the Cloud-Traveling Sword and Sword Domain, he would be no match.

"How much has Ziwei Child recovered?" Qin Sang's thoughts raced. The only one beside him capable of dealing with a Demon Saint was the slumbering Ziwei Child.

After being in the Guixu for so long, Ziwei Child had not awakened, and Qin Sang wasn't sure if he could rouse him.

*Boom!*

Another tremor interrupted Qin Sang's thoughts.

Grand Sage Guizang had started again!

Qin Sang's heart tightened. He wondered how long the clam shell could hold out. The transparent tortoise shell must have fallen into Grand Sage Guizang's hands, and the clam shell wouldn't be able to stop him.

"Ugh..."

At that moment, Vermilion Bird came to its senses and glared fiercely at Qin Sang.

"You jinx! This Vermilion Bird must have been out of its mind to come looking for you!"

Vermilion Bird was on the verge of tears. It had clearly escaped before, but this time it had practically walked right into danger. No matter how strong it had been previously, it was no match for a Demon Saint now.

Vermilion Bird turned its head, glaring menacingly at the entrance.

Qin Sang was surprised to find that the creature, contrary to its usual demeanor, exuded a newfound aura of power.

The next moment, Vermilion Bird spread its wings like a fighting cock, all its tail feathers rising, and the Southern Bright Flame ignited on them, transforming into clusters of fire.

Against the backdrop of the Southern Bright Flame, the pattern of the Heaven-Climbing Vine appeared even more vibrant and verdant, radiating vigorous life.

The roots of the Heaven-Climbing Vine gradually protruded, transforming from a mere pattern into actual rootlets. The few previously sparse root hairs gently swayed, rapidly growing outwards. Though there was no soil here, Qin Sang felt these rootlets anchoring themselves in the void.

The main body of the Heaven-Climbing Vine remained coiled around Vermilion Bird. The scene was as if a bird and a green vine had grown together, sharing a common root system.

Qin Sang's mouth fell open, the astonishment in his eyes intensifying.

At that moment, Vermilion Bird's aura underwent an earth-shattering transformation. The Southern Bright Flame erupted with a roar, its dazzling light dispelling the darkness.

In the void, a blazing inferno remained. It was still the Southern Bright Flame, but many times deeper and purer than before.

At the center of the flames, there was an aura both familiar and alien—Vermilion Bird's own aura, yet so immensely powerful that it sent a shiver down Qin Sang's spine.

It was a terrifying aura, comparable to that of a Demon Saint!

Dominating the world, looking down upon all!

Vermilion Bird had instantly ascended to the realm of a Demon Saint!

"How is this possible?"

Qin Sang found it unbelievable.

Even if Vermilion Bird had a profound background and mysterious origins, it had only been at the Mid-Void Refining stage just moments ago. Even if it had possessed Late-Void Refining cultivation, Qin Sang could have grudgingly accepted it.

At this point, the silhouette of a divine bird emerged within the flames, opening its beak to let out a stern cry.

"Hmph! Guizang, this venerable one couldn't be bothered with you. You refuse to retreat despite the difficulty and dare to force your way in!"

The crimson water outside the clam shell solidified once more.

After a moment of silence, Grand Sage Guizang said, "Fellow Daoist's aura is somewhat unfamiliar. May I ask for your Dharma name?"

"You do not need to know this venerable one's identity!"

Vermilion Bird declared emphatically, its tone of disdain perfectly conveyed. "First come, first served. Does this venerable one need to teach you such a basic principle?"

As it spoke, the divine bird in the flames turned its head and winked at Qin Sang. This gesture was much more like Vermilion Bird's true nature, instantly dismantling any semblance of majesty.

Qin Sang immediately understood: this fellow had not actually broken through to the Integration Stage; it was merely bluffing.

"Is this the divine ability it mentioned several times before, the one that could scare me to death?"

Qin Sang clearly saw the Heaven-Climbing Vine within the flames. Vermilion Bird was likely still relying on the vine's power, which must be yet another of its wondrous uses.

Vermilion Bird seemed to have intimidated Grand Sage Guizang, but this trick couldn't last long. How could they escape?

Qin Sang's grip tightened. The clam pearl offered hope, but he had no time to decipher its secrets.

Aside from waking Ziwei Child, there seemed to be only one other option: hiding in the small grotto-heaven. However, the small grotto-heaven was not infallible.

Thinking of this, Qin Sang raised his right hand, and the tortoise shell appeared in his palm. Then, green lightning flickered at his fingertips, transforming the Azure Luan True Thunder into a tiny Azure Luan that swallowed the tortoise shell and shot into the deep darkness like an arrow released from a bowstring.

The transparent tortoise shell might behave entirely differently in Grand Sage Guizang's hands compared to Zhànglì Wēnjūn's. He hoped Grand Sage Guizang would sense this particular shell, thus buying them some time.

Next, he would need to find a place to hide in the small grotto-heaven before Grand Sage Guizang entered.

At this moment, Grand Sage Guizang's voice echoed from outside once more.

"Fellow Daoist speaks too gravely. We may not necessarily be adversaries! What Fellow Daoist seeks may not be what this old man seeks. Perhaps we could..."

Grand Sage Guizang was still attempting to persuade.

Firstly, he was unsure of the other party's background. Secondly, due to the surrounding environment, the Guixu also affected Demon Saints, though their higher cultivation granted them stronger resistance to assimilation.

Over time, they would still be assimilated by the Guixu. The legend that only the Black Tortoise clan could freely traverse the Guixu was not baseless.

Just as Grand Sage Guizang continued his persuasive words, he noticed the aura inside the clam shell slowly receding. He mistook this for the other party relenting, unaware that Vermilion Bird was actually losing its ability to maintain the facade.

The Southern Bright Flame retracted, returning into Vermilion Bird's body. Vermilion Bird's face was already etched with exhaustion. On the Heaven-Climbing Vine, the leaves' luster had also significantly dimmed. This was another immense drain on its power, making the hope of escaping via the Heaven-Climbing Vine even more remote.