Gateway of Immortality

Qin Sang followed them into the black cloud and greeted the Xuanlu Guards under Qiu Mubai's command, most of whom were disciples of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace and Shaohua Mountain. Once formalities were exchanged, Qin Sang naturally took orders and joined the operation.

This black cloud was, in fact, a special forbidden artifact capable of stabilizing spiritual qi. With it, they could engage in combat without being disturbed by the chaotic spiritual qi in the environment.

However, it was said that this type of artifact had limited power and could only function during the low tide of the Spirit Tide.

Xuanlu Stronghold had its own Core Formation experts to clear out large swaths of Cloud Beasts. The role of the Xuanlu Guards was simply to fill in gaps or relay information. The danger was minimal, though accidents could happen, as in the case of Yu Yangzi's unfortunate death.

Qiu Mubai was clearly curious about Qin Sang, and the two conversed pleasantly.

Qin Sang was a skilled Cloud Beast slayer. With his help, the team quickly completed their mission and returned to Xuanlu Stronghold.

"Junior Brother Qin, you should first head to Junpan Mountain to register yourself. We'll talk more another day," said Qiu Mubai.

Then, after a moment of thought, his expression turned serious. "Junior Brother Qin, with your temperament, you shouldn't be afraid of rumors from the outside. If any of our fellow disciples speak nonsense, just let me know. I'll deal with them for you."

Qin Sang was taken aback, then cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Senior Brother Qiu."

After parting ways with Qiu Mubai, Qin Sang proceeded to Junpan Mountain to report and register his service record. While there, he also rented a cave dwelling in the city. The price was steep, and even Qin Sang felt a pang of pain at the cost.

Though the military compound offered free dwellings, Qin Sang needed to heal the flying yaksha. This was something far too inconvenient to manage in a shared space.

He then went to find Wandering Man.

On the way, Qin Sang mentally reviewed his earlier conversation with Qiu Mubai.

When he asked about Dongyang Bo, Qiu Mubai spoke with great caution. Qin Sang gained little useful information; his mental portrait of Dongyang Bo remained as vague as ever.

"All in good time..."

Qin Sang shook his head and activated the barrier outside Wandering Man's cave dwelling.

...

"Once the Ziwei Palace opens, the three sect leaders will arrive at Xuanlu Stronghold. They'll personally escort us into the inner region of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to meet up with the others. Everyone holding a Ziwei Secret Talisman will be under their protection."

Wandering Man had already gathered the relevant information and made all necessary preparations.

"Won't we stand out too much?"

Most holders of the Ziwei Secret Talisman were Core Formation cultivators. The two of them, still in the Fake Core Realm, would surely stand out. If they caught Dongyang Bo's attention, it was hard to say whether that would be a blessing or a curse.

Wandering Man shook his head. "Even if we went to another stronghold, we'd end up regrouping in the end and still be noticed. Better to stay with our own sect leaders, someone who can genuinely protect us. Ziwei Palace lies at the deepest part of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. The road ahead is unlikely to be peaceful."

Qin Sang nodded. Ziwei Palace was their inevitable destination, and everything else had to be set aside.

After further discussion, the two of them parted ways to make their final preparations.

From then on, Qin Sang patiently waited at Xuanlu Stronghold.

He didn't loaf around as a mere hanger-on. Whenever he had free time, he would join Qiu Mubai's team to venture out of the stronghold and hunt Cloud Beasts.

...

Puff!

A pitch-black hand suddenly emerged from thin air, leaving deep claw marks on the wall of the cave dwelling before the flying yaksha's figure finally appeared.

Qin Sang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, studying the claw marks in thoughtful silence.

Nearly half a year had passed, and the healing had gone remarkably well.

The flying yaksha's strength had already recovered to the level of a Fake Core Realm cultivator. From here on, the pace of recovery would only quicken. It was almost certain to be fully healed before the opening of Ziwei Palace.

"Good thing I refined extra Lesser Yin Magnetic Bottles. The consumption really is outrageous."

Qin Sang muttered to himself, then retrieved the flying yaksha and stored it inside the Corpse Puppet Pouch. He pulled out a jade pendant, opened the cave dwelling, and strolled leisurely toward an upcoming auction.

With countless experts now gathered at Xuanlu Stronghold, Qin Sang naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity. He had already attended several auctions, hoping to come across Perpetual Camphor, Heavenrock, or Soul-Guiding Grass.

Unfortunately, the first two spiritual materials had never appeared, and as for Soul-Guiding Grass, whenever it did surface, it was always sent to demonic cultivator territories.

So far, Qin Sang had gained absolutely nothing.

This time was no different. When the auction ended, he left the venue visibly disappointed, only to see his Xuanlu Guard command token flashing at his waist. Without hesitation, he flew directly toward Junpan Mountain.

"Junior Brother Qin."

Qiu Mubai had already gathered his team. "This might be our final chance to leave the stronghold before the Spirit Tide ends. I figured you wouldn't want to miss it, so I took the liberty of calling you here."

Qin Sang was surprised. "They're sealing the stronghold?"

Qiu Mubai nodded. "More or less. The Spirit Tide is about to reach its peak. It's said this could be the final ebb. After this, if we step outside again, it'll be a road to death. Most likely, we'll be sealing the stronghold and holding out until it passes."

Good thing I came early!

Qin Sang silently rejoiced, then asked, "Ziwei Palace is about to emerge, right? If we're sealing off the stronghold now, have the grandmasters already arrived?"

"I don't know either." Qiu Mubai shook his head, then gave the order to move out immediately.

As the city gates opened and they exited the stronghold, Qin Sang glanced back.

On both sides of Xuanlu Stronghold and high in the sky, a vast, seemingly thin barrier stood. It was barely perceptible, yet resolutely keeping the Spirit Tide at bay, sheltering countless lives behind it.

In the sky above, the Spirit Tide, which was powerful enough to crush them to dust in an instant, surged wave after wave, hammering endlessly against the barrier. Yet its might seemed pale and powerless in the face of that invisible shield.

Compared to the original barrier, even the protective spiritual arrays painstakingly built over countless years by numerous Spiritual Infant experts at Xuanlu Stronghold appeared dim and insignificant.

Who has created this barrier?

When has it been set up?

Noticing Qin Sang's gaze, Qiu Mubai sighed emotionally. "One can only imagine that in the ancient era, a mighty immortal once raised this barrier with a wave of their hand—strong enough to effortlessly block the Spirit Tide and shield all living beings. That kind of grandeur... it truly stirs the heart. I wonder if any among us in this lifetime will ever reach such a realm."

Qin Sang hesitated slightly, then slowly nodded.

This time, the ebb of the Spirit Tide was particularly short. Shortly after they ventured out, Qin Sang and the others sensed something was off and quickly turned back. Thankfully, they managed to return to Xuanlu Stronghold just before the ebb ended.

But no sooner had they re-entered than someone called their names. Following the voice, they saw it was Zhan Yi, Che Yutao's direct disciple.

"Junior Brother Zhan, what's the matter? Why call for us so urgently?"

Seeing Zhan Yi looking anxious, they quickly approached and asked.

Zhan Yi, now a Fake Core Realm cultivator and Che Yutao's direct disciple, showed no arrogance. After giving a respectful salute, he said, "Senior Brothers, Master has just sent a command to gather all late-stage Foundation Building cultivators from our sect currently in Xuanlu Stronghold. I couldn't find you earlier and only just learned you had gone out."

"Senior Uncle Che summoned us? What's the matter?"

The three exchanged glances and asked in unison.

Zhan Yi urged, "You're the last ones. Just come and see."

Qin Sang and the others dared not delay. They immediately selected two other late-stage Foundation Building disciples from the team and followed Zhan Yi in haste.

They hurried along and entered Che Yutao's residence. As they stepped into the hall, Qin Sang swept his gaze swiftly across the room.

He spotted her instantly.

Che Yutao was seated at the side, not the main seat.

Occupying the main seat was a woman wearing a cloak.