Gateway of Immortality

Once everyone had brought out the artifacts they relied on most...

In an instant, the small courtyard was filled with brilliant colors, a dazzling display to behold.

Beyond common artifacts such as swords, sabers, mirrors, towers, banners, and flags, there were also many implements Qin Sang couldn't even identify. It was no doubt unique in function. Anyone qualified to be here was anything but ordinary.

Mu Yifeng still used the Nine-Fire Divine Blade. He had spent years refining it with painstaking care. Who knew how much effort he had poured into it? Now, the flames on the nine fire dragons shimmered with a faint violet hue. This artifact could no longer be measured by the standard of even top-grade artifacts.

Qin Sang surmised that Mu Yifeng's devotion to this weapon was likely because he intended to continue refining it after Core Formation, turning it into his life-bound astra.

Zhan Yi, on the other hand, had taken out a brass bell the size of a fist, something Qin Sang had never seen him use before.

Soon, everyone had completed their preparations.

Whoosh!

With a gentle wave of her hand, spiritual power gathered at Chenyan's fingertips, forming a paper crane. The crane let out a crisp chirp, unfurled its wings, and flew into the courtyard.

It circled above everyone's heads, then abruptly flapped its wings with blinding speed. A wave of light, ethereal wind descended from above.

Whoosh!

The courtyard was instantly engulfed by violent winds yet perfectly confined, swirling only around the participants. The sheer precision of her control was beyond comparison.

Qin Sang silently watched the unfolding scene, trying to gauge Chenyan's cultivation level from the paper crane and the spiritual wind but found nothing.

The wind grew thicker, becoming tangible.

Like a dark cloud overhead, it descended slowly.

Around each person formed a curtain of dense wind—a barrier-like shroud that exerted enormous pressure on those within.

Mu Yifeng and the others immediately activated their artifacts, resisting the weight of the wind with all their might.

As the wind curtains thickened, the people inside were nearly obscured from view.

Boom!

At last, someone buckled and collapsed. Yet, the instant they began to fall, the pressure on them abruptly vanished, allowing them to exit with dignity.

The person gave a sheepish bow and silently withdrew to the side.

Meanwhile, the pressure on the others continued to mount.

Seeing that there was no way to discern Chenyan's cultivation through the crane, Qin Sang ceased his attempts and instead focused on observing the two people he was most familiar with—Mu Yifeng and Zhan Yi.

Where Mu Yifeng stood, only flickers of the nine fire dragons could be seen. They had formed a ring, straining to hold up the wind curtain.

Above Zhan Yi's head floated the brass bell, glowing with a deep yellow light like a guiding lantern. Judging by the sound, the bell's trembling was becoming increasingly frantic.

Thud, thud, thud...

One by one, participants were forced out, including several at the Fake Core Realm.

Qin Sang fell into thought. It seemed this trial wasn't purely testing cultivation level. The exact nature of what lay within the wind curtain remained unclear.

As time wore on, fewer and fewer remained.

Suddenly, Zhan Yi let out a furious roar. The bell above him trembled violently, flaring with brilliant yellow light but it was all in vain. His body swayed uncontrollably.

The curtain around him dissolved, and Zhan Yi barely managed to steady himself.

Qin Sang caught the flicker of unconcealed disappointment on Zhan Yi's face and quietly observed Che Yutao, who lightly shook his head, his eyes flashing with a trace of regret. Qin Sang silently took note.

In the end, only three people remained, including Mu Yifeng.

But all three were clearly at their limit. The nine fire dragons around Mu Yifeng had grown thin and faint, like candles flickering in the wind, ready to snuff out at any moment.

From beneath the cowl came a barely audible sigh.

Che Yutao looked a little embarrassed and spoke up.

"The disciples of our sect are truly lacking! How laughable this must seem to Ms. Chenyan."

"Master's and Ms. Chenyan's summons came too suddenly. Most of the other disciples are either out undergoing trials or in seclusion attempting Core Formation. Even if they rush back now, there won't be enough time to refine their artifacts. They wouldn't be able to suppress the fierce spirits sealed within the beast seals."

"As for disciples from other sects, we wouldn't dare place our trust in them so easily."

"That said, once the five-elemental beast seals are activated, the five wielders will function as one. With Mubai and the other two involved, even if the remaining two are slightly weaker, it shouldn't impact the overall plan too greatly."

Chenyan responded quietly, "So be it."

But just as the words left her lips, a sudden dragon's roar rang out from the courtyard! Mu Yifeng's fire dragons abruptly disintegrated, all at once. Then, beneath the wind curtain, a crimson glow flashed, like the tip of a spear piercing through the barrier!

With a deafening roar, Mu Yifeng burst forth, clutching the Nine-Fire Divine Blade, cutting through the storm as he emerged!

He staggered, but ultimately steadied himself.

A sudden plot twist.

Che Yutao's eyes lit up as he praised, "Not bad! You too—step forward."

"Many thanks, Senior Uncle Che!"

Mu Yifeng clasped his hands respectfully, then retracted the Nine-Fire Divine Blade into his body for nurturing. With large strides, he walked over to Qin Sang's side and raised an eyebrow at him, looking rather pleased with himself.

The remaining two participants weren't so lucky. They tried repeatedly to break through the wind curtain but failed. Eventually, one of them collapsed, unable to endure any longer. The pressure on both disappeared at the same time.

"You may all return," Che Yutao said.

He summoned the last one still standing to step forward, then waved the others away. Turning to Chenyan, he added, "Ms. Chenyan, the candidates have been chosen. I will now report to the master."

Chenyan nodded. Then, without warning, she stood and vanished in a flicker of movement, disappearing into thin air.

From start to finish, it seemed she hadn't spared even a single glance at Qin Sang.

The five of them now stood in a row, curiosity blazing in their hearts.

Only through Che Yutao's explanation did they learn that their grandmaster had already arrived at Xuanlu Stronghold, and that this entire selection had been initiated at his command.

For some reason, an ominous feeling began to stir faintly within Qin Sang.

Che Yutao raised a hand and released a streak of azure light. Moments later, everyone suddenly felt a subtle tightness in their chests, as a gentle voice echoed in their ears, "These are the ones?"

It's Dongyang Bo!

In a flash of realization, Qin Sang's mind lit up like lightning.

Che Yutao bowed respectfully toward the empty air and replied, "Reporting to Master, these are the five most powerful disciples currently stationed within the stronghold."

With a soft hum of "Good", a five-colored light flew into the main hall. On closer look, it was formed from the light radiating from five square seals.

The seals were all similar in size—square and compact—but distinguished by the beasts carved on their tops.

Each bore the image of a sacred beast: the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, Xuanwu, and White Tiger, as well as a fifth beast resembling a Qilin, though its name was Gouchen—a mythical creature from ancient legends.

"Guide them to comprehend the mysteries of the beast seals thoroughly and aid me in this endeavor!"

"Yes, Master!"

Che Yutao reached out and received the five seals, then turned to Qin Sang and the others. With a flick of his wrist, each seal flew to its designated bearer.

The one that hovered in front of Qin Sang was the seal with the Xuanwu engraved upon it.

The beast on the seal was vivid and lifelike—its limbs thick and powerful, its head raised toward the heavens in a silent roar. A fierce, defiant aura radiated from it, wild and unyielding.

Che Yutao said calmly, "From this moment onward, each of you will take charge of one beast seal and devote yourselves fully to refining them. You must subdue the fierce soul sealed within your imprint within half a year. After that, you will accompany the grandmaster and Ms. Chenyan into Ziwei Palace."

What!

Qin Sang's heart trembled violently, and his expression shifted ever so slightly.