Gateway of Immortality

When Qin Sang posed his question, Yu Dayue hesitated briefly before responding, "To be honest, Junior Brother Qin, this will also be my first time entering the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, so I can’t make any solid plans. But I came here seeking opportunities and won’t stay holed up in the city indefinitely; being a guard just isn’t an option. If you’re considering something similar, Junior Brother, why not join forces with me?"

Receiving Yu Dayue's invitation, Qin Sang didn’t respond immediately, instead contemplating it quietly.

Their venture into the cave had indeed built a level of trust between him and Yu Dayue, making him a decent companion to travel with.

However, Yu Dayue was desperately seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough; his age was nearing the limit, and unless he advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Building soon, he would have no hope of reaching the Core Formation Realm. This journey was one of sheer determination, his final gamble.

The outer reaches of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield might not offer what he sought, so he would undoubtedly venture into dangerous, hidden realms in search of medicinal pills and treasures.

If Qin Sang accompanied him, he too would be swept into these dangers.

Qin Sang, on the other hand, had only recently broken through to the Foundation Building realm. He was still young. He had nearly 160 years left out of the 200-year life span for Foundation Establishment cultivators, meaning that he had at least thirty or forty years to focus on early-stage Foundation Building without feeling pressed by time.

Of course, this didn’t mean he would slack off.

The faster one advanced, the better; the sooner he reached the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm, the more time he’d have to attempt Core Formation, increasing his odds of success.

Qin Sang had come to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to cultivate the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment.

All he needed was a secure cave dwelling where he could regularly hunt Cloud Beasts and train step by step, without needing to throw caution to the wind.

As for finding a remedy to restore his foundation, searching for traces of Senior Qingzhu, and collecting spirit wood to enhance his ebony sword—these matters were important, yet not urgent.

The damage to his foundation seemed, for now, to impact only his combat abilities, and after advancing to the Foundation Building Realm, he hadn’t noticed any hindrance in his cultivation. He could confirm if any issues existed when he reached the middle stage.

Similarly, tracking Senior Qingzhu’s whereabouts wasn’t an immediate concern; Core Formation Realm remained a distant goal for him.

As for the ebony sword, being crafted from astra-grade material, it wouldn’t be greatly weakened even if it couldn’t handle a second killing symbol.

Qin Sang could take his time acclimating to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, investigating and gathering materials as he trained.

If opportunities arose safely, he’d seize them; if not, he’d focus on cultivation, waiting until he grew stronger before taking any risks.

With this in mind, Qin Sang decided against traveling with Yu Dayue and said tactfully, "Senior Brother Yu, the Ancient Immortal Battlefield holds countless dangers, and I fear my limited strength would only weigh you down…"

His words were sincere—Yu Dayue knew him well enough to understand.

Hearing Qin Sang’s response, Yu Dayue didn’t press further. The two continued conversing idly for a while before each sat cross-legged in silence, waiting quietly.

Qin Sang withdrew his gaze discreetly, noting that Yu Dayue’s brow held a faint but lingering sorrow.

A moment earlier, Qin Sang had subtly guided the conversation toward the aftermath of the cave incident, but Yu Dayue had deliberately avoided the topic. Nonetheless, Qin Sang keenly sensed a trace of resentment in Yu Dayue’s tone.

Was Yu Dayue penalized due to Li Zai’s death?

This thought seemed plausible; perhaps Qin Sang had been spared because, like Li Zai, he had been brought in by the organizers to lend support.

If Senior Uncle Fengming, Li Zai’s master, demanded accountability, the organizers would certainly face consequences. With Senior Sister Qingting dead, the burden likely fell entirely on Yu Dayue.

Without his master’s favor and with no one to intercede for him, who could say what price Yu Dayue had paid to avoid repercussions? It was likely that his current circumstances were exceptionally difficult.

Casting all caution aside to enter the Ancient Immortal Battlefield seemed like a last resort.

Qin Sang sighed inwardly; in the world of immortal cultivation, strength was the ultimate currency!

Yet, with an uncertain path ahead of him, there was little he could do to help Yu Dayue. And so, he pushed these thoughts aside, feigning ignorance as he closed his eyes and resumed his meditative stance.

…

"Greetings, Senior Uncle Che..."

"Greetings, Grandmaster..."

The loud voices jolted Qin Sang awake. He opened his eyes after coming out of meditation to find the small square in front of the Sect Leader’s hall already filled with people.

Earlier, Sect Leader Yu had arrived to perform a headcount and announce some important matters regarding their entry into Xuanlu Stronghold.

Now, however, an unfamiliar cultivator had appeared at some point and was standing before the Sect Leader’s hall, hands clasped behind his back. Sect Leader Yu stood respectfully at his side.

The man looked young, around thirty years old, with distinct, almost foreign features—a high nose and deep-set eyes. Dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, he wore a palm-sized red gourd at his waist.

Standing there, he radiated an ethereal, otherworldly aura, yet there was also a faint, compelling pressure about him, stirring a reverence in all who beheld him.

Qin Sang sensed not the slightest hint of spiritual energy from this man. To the naked eye, he seemed like a mere mortal. However, the people in front of Qin Sang had already fallen to their knees in a wave, including the Foundation Building cultivators.

Senior Uncle Che!

Qin Sang’s heart skipped a beat as his gaze fell upon the red gourd. No wonder it looked familiar—isn't that the Red Dust Gourd? I have once ventured inside it himself.

This person was Che Yutao, the esteemed Golden Core cultivator of Shaohua Mountain.

He's even hanging his astra openly on his waist…

Qin Sang muttered silently to himself but quickly paid his respects to Che Yutao, addressing him as Senior Uncle.

To guard Xuanlu Stronghold, the presence of only Foundation Building cultivators wasn’t sufficient. It was said that Golden Core cultivators from Shaohua Mountain would take turns stationed there, and it seemed Che Yutao was now among them. With a Golden Core cultivator leading the way, this journey would certainly be secure.

Without any visible change in his expression, Che Yutao regarded the crowd with a calm, sweeping glance and said indifferently, "The time has come. Those of you heading to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, board the treasure ship now; I will escort you to Shangyuan Tranquility Palace."

Before his words even settled, a vast shadow enveloped the crowd, and they looked up in astonishment. Overhead, a massive treasure ship had appeared, floating silently in mid-air.

The ship resembled a grand mortal vessel, with both ends curving upward, a dragon head carved at the prow. It exuded an imposing grandeur, with intricate hanging tassels swaying and a thousand resplendent hues emanating from it. It was an astra!

Even their standard transport vessel is an astra. Is this the power of a Golden Core master?

Qin Sang looked up with envy, his yearning to pursue a higher realm growing even stronger.

When Che Yutao finished speaking, several cloud-like steps extended down from the ship. A buzz of excitement swept through the crowd as they each took to the steps and entered the treasure ship, with Qin Sang following closely behind.

Once everyone was aboard, Che Yutao’s figure suddenly faded and vanished without a trace.

The treasure ship trembled slightly, then shrank rapidly, transforming to the size of a flying shuttle before it silently streaked away, leaving only a gentle breeze to stir the treetops.

Sect Leader Yu remained standing in respectful silence for a long moment before he finally straightened up.