Gateway of Immortality

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

Qin Sang cupped his hands as he stood up, thinking about the matter with the Sound Transmission Talisman.

Yu Dayue approached with a smile and said, "Junior Brother Qin, you’re really elusive, like a dragon seen in glimpses. Over the past two years, I’ve left several Sound Transmission Talismans for you, and even visited Huilong Temple once, but I still couldn’t meet you. If I hadn’t happened to hear from a disciple at Sword Pass that you had just returned to the mountain, I would have missed you again."

Hearing this, Qin Sang’s expression was one of surprise as he asked in confusion, "Those Sound Transmission Talismans were left by you, Senior Brother?"

Yu Dayue furrowed his brow slightly, realizing something was amiss. "Junior Brother Qin, you don’t recognize me?"

Qin Sang’s face showed some awkwardness, and he glanced over at Senior Brother Wen.

Senior Brother Wen had already understood the situation and, seeing Qin Sang’s embarrassment, shook his head with a laugh. He then pointed at Yu Dayue and said, "Junior Brother Yu, I’ve told you to come to Dao Peak and give more lectures, but you complain about not earning enough spirit stones to bother. Junior Brother Qin might really not recognize you. He entered the sect close to the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, after receiving a sword will decree. After joining, he has been cultivating arduously in the Sunken Cave, only returning to the mountain briefly when a few of our junior brothers came to Dao Peak to give lectures. If I weren’t the steward of Dao Peak, I probably wouldn’t see him even once a year. And after he broke through to the Foundation Building Realm five years ago, it’s been even worse. He’s spent all five years cultivating in seclusion in his cave dwelling without returning to the sect once. The cloud mist tea I left for him is almost moldy."

"So that’s how it is. It’s because he can endure such solitude and focus solely on cultivation that Junior Brother Qin was able to pass the trials of the Red Dust Gourd while still in the Qi Refining Realm. With such determination, Junior Brother Qin’s future is boundless!"

Yu Dayue said with admiration, cupping his hands toward Qin Sang. Thinking about the Sound Transmission Talismans where he had deliberately mentioned his name, Yu Dayue couldn’t help but laugh. "It doesn’t matter that we didn’t know each other before, knowing each other now is just as good. You already know my name, Junior Brother Qin, and the reason I sought you out today is regarding the matter mentioned in the Sound Transmission Talismans. I wonder if you have some time to visit my cave dwelling for a cup of tea, so I can properly play the host."

Since he had come directly to see him, and they were fellow disciples, it wouldn’t be appropriate to refuse outright.

Qin Sang didn’t directly reject the invitation. After saying his goodbyes to Senior Brother Wen, he followed Yu Dayue as they flew toward Yu’s cave dwelling.

Along the way, Qin Sang thought back to the few Sound Transmission Talismans left by Yu Dayue. The content was mostly the same, all inviting him to explore an ancient cultivator’s relic site in the Yuncang Marshlands. It has been two years now, has he not set out?

Why has Senior Brother Yu specifically chosen me, and why was he so persistent?

Although Yu Dayue was also in the early stage of the Foundation Building Realm, the fact that he had passed through the Gourd Illusion Realm and seemed to have wide connections suggested he wasn’t lacking in strength.

If even someone like him needed help and had prepared for so long without making a move, the ancient relic must not be simple.

Qin Sang was confident in his life-saving abilities, but his cultivation was far inferior to those established Foundation Building Realm cultivators. In the event of a crisis at the ancient relic, he would likely be in the most danger.

And even if they did find treasures at the site, it wasn’t guaranteed that he’d get a share.

His priorities were clear. Five years was long enough—he needed to quickly engrave his first killing symbol and begin cultivating it. Everything else could take a back seat.

With his decision to decline Yu Dayue’s offer settled, Qin Sang relaxed as they approached Yu’s cave dwelling.

Yu Dayue’s cave dwelling was situated on an unremarkable peak within the sect, but it was close to Shaohua Mountain, and from its front, the archway of Shaohua Mountain could be faintly seen.

Although there was no spiritual eye within the cave dwelling, it wasn’t inferior to other spiritual eye cave dwellings outside the sect, which was a testament to the strength of the spirit veins beneath Shaohua Mountain.

"My cave dwelling is rather crude, please don’t laugh, Junior Brother Qin."

Yu Dayue opened the barrier and invited Qin Sang inside.

Qin Sang’s cave dwelling was as simple as a mountain cave, while Yu Dayue’s was much more refined. The furnishings were elegant, including tables, chairs, an incense altar, screens, and calligraphy paintings, all exuding a sophisticated air.

Yu Dayue brewed some fragrant tea, and after the two exchanged a few pleasantries, he got to the point.

"Regarding the matter mentioned in the Sound Transmission Talisman, I wonder what thoughts you have, Junior Brother Qin?"

Qin Sang set down his teacup and asked in confusion, "Senior Brother Yu, I don’t mean to belittle myself. You were present that day after the Red Dust Gourd illusion, so you must know my foundation was damaged, and my strength is far inferior to yours and the others'. There are many Foundation Building Realm cultivators in Shaohua Mountain, all of whom surpass me in cultivation. Why did you choose me?"

"Junior Brother Qin, you are naturally invited because you have exceptional qualities."

Yu Dayue pointed to his own sea of consciousness. "The fact that you passed the trial of the Red Dust Gourd is what I admire most about your temperament. You may not know, but the outer area of that ancient cultivator’s relic site is surrounded by a barrier of wind. Inside, there’s a constant demonic sound that assaults the mind. This sound is peculiar, as if it directly echoes within the sea of consciousness, affecting the primordial spirit. Ordinary artifacts are completely ineffective against it. Because of this, only those with unwavering resolve can pass through the barrier."

Such a strange barrier exists?

Qin Sang thought to himself that it made sense why Yu Dayue would seek him out. "I remember there were also Senior Brothers Gong and Zhao on that day. Why didn’t you approach them? There are many others within our sect who didn’t participate in the Red Dust Gourd trial."

"I’ve already approached them."

Yu Dayue smiled bitterly. "Beyond that demonic sound barrier, there’s also an array barrier that is extremely formidable. It can’t be broken by just one person. Not only you, Junior Brother Qin, but I’ve also reached out to others, including Senior Sister Qingting. Junior Brother Zhang was summoned by the sect and has gone to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Senior Brother Gong, claiming he’s too old and has given up on the path of immortality, decisively refused my invitation. Senior Brother Zhao has retired to his homeland to live as a wealthy landowner, and I’ve lost contact with him. While there are plenty of Foundation Building Realm cultivators within the sect, most are as elusive as you, and I don’t know their temperaments well. At the moment, I’ve managed to invite Junior Brother Wu Yuesheng, but we’re still short on people."

"Senior Sister Qingting is going as well?"

Hearing this name, Qin Sang’s expression changed slightly. He knew her.

Back when he was still in the Qi Refining Realm, he often listened to lectures at Dao Peak. Senior Sister Qingting was one of the lecturers he enjoyed most. Back then, he had to address her as Senior Aunt Qingting.

Although Senior Sister Qingting’s appearance was plain, her personality was kind and approachable, which earned her much respect.

It was said that Senior Sister Qingting had a tragic past—a dual-cultivation partner of hers had died suddenly in an accident.

But then again, which Foundation Building Realm cultivator didn’t have a story?

Yu Dayue nodded and said, "To be honest, the lead on that ancient relic site is something I purchased at an auction at Tianhen House in Wenyue Market. Senior Sister Qingting was also there at the time, and we both saw that there was something special about the lead. So, we each contributed half the spirit stones and worked together to investigate the Yuncang Marshlands for over a year before finally confirming the location. However, we didn’t expect the outer barrier to be so troublesome, so we had to return to figure out a solution. Right now, Senior Sister Qingting is preparing the items needed to break the array, while I’m tasked with gathering the team."