Gateway of Immortality

By the time Sect Leader Yu arrived, the cave dwelling had already been opened wide. Qin Sang stood at the entrance, gazing into the distance, and for the first time, he was in the mood to carefully observe the vast Yuncang Marshlands.

The boundless marshlands stretched endlessly, with water and sky blending into one.

Wherever the eye reached, there were no boundaries.

Noticing a flash of sword light breaking through the sky, Qin Sang respectfully greeted from afar, "I pay my respects to Sect Leader."

"Congratulations, J-Junior Brother Qin!"

Sect Leader Yu descended from his flying light, giving Qin Sang a once-over. He seemed even more delighted than Qin Sang himself as he said, "Junior Brother Qin, there's no need for excessive courtesy. According to the customs of the cultivation world, now that we are both Foundation Building cultivators, we should treat each other as equals. I’m only a few years older, so if you don’t mind, you can just call me Senior Brother."

"Greetings, Senior Brother."

Qin Sang smoothly switched to the new title without hesitation, but his manner remained respectful. "I owe my achievements today entirely to Senior Brother's guidance."

Sect Leader Yu stroked his beard with a smile, thinking that this young man was well-mannered and composed. All his efforts had not been in vain.

"And that Sutra of Profound Jade Cauldron...?"

Qin Sang nodded and said, "I have successfully completed Foundation Building for a while now but didn’t dare disturb you. I have also cultivated the third stage of the Sutra of Profound Jade Cauldron. Now, the Jade Cauldron is formed, and Jade Liquid is brimming. I await your instructions, and I will follow them to the letter."

Sect Leader Yu nodded approvingly. "It's good that you have such intentions, Junior Brother Qin. Please wait a moment; I will report this to Senior Aunt Mawu."

With that, Sect Leader Yu released a sword talisman. The two of them stood quietly outside the cave dwelling, watching as the talisman flew away into the distance. Qin Sang suddenly felt a bit anxious. Though he had mentally prepared himself, now that the moment was upon him, worry still gripped his heart.

The sword talisman flew far.

Before long, a brilliant silver light suddenly flared up deep within the Yuncang Marshlands. It traveled at incredible speed, arriving in the blink of an eye. A small, white flying boat hovered in front of them.

Sect Leader Yu understood and turned to Qin Sang. "Junior Brother Qin, Sage Mawu has sent a flying artifact to guide you. Follow it, and I shall not escort you any further."

Qin Sang took a deep breath and was about to step forward when Sect Leader Yu called out to him again, handing him a jade bottle.

"This is a Nine-Yang Pill. If you have the chance to use it, make sure not to delay. Find a secluded spot to take the pill and refine its medicinal energy, reshaping your foundation. The pill's effects are at their best in this way. Otherwise, if your Qihai shatters, all will be lost. After this matter is settled, don’t forget to come to Sect Leader Peak. I'll amend your jade records, and there are many benefits reserved for high-level disciples. Be sure to claim them."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

Qin Sang took the jade bottle and saw a fiery red pill inside. Even without opening the bottle, he could already feel the pill exuding a pure yang qi—it was an exceptional nourishing pill.

After bidding Sect Leader Yu farewell, Qin Sang stepped onto the flying boat. He felt a slight tremor beneath his feet, and in the blink of an eye, they had flown hundreds of zhang away.

The flying boat moved at lightning speed. In no time, they had already left the bounds of Shaohua Mountain's sect gate. Still, the boat did not stop, but instead ventured deeper into the marshlands. Below him, islands of various sizes and graceful mountain peaks passed by in a blur. Gradually, there were fewer and fewer stretches of land, and only scattered small islands remained.

The fastest artifact Qin Sang had ever ridden before was the flying shuttle controlled by his three senior uncles when he first joined the Kuiyin Sect. Compared to this flying boat, that shuttle seemed as slow as a snail.

They flew a little further before the flying boat abruptly slowed and finally hovered above an island.

Qin Sang leaned forward to take a closer look. The island beneath him wasn’t large, just slightly bigger than the deserted island where his cave dwelling was located. What was peculiar about it was its perfectly circular shape, and there was a thin layer of mist floating above it. Through the mist, he could vaguely make out two mountain ranges on either side of the island, with a valley in between where a stream flowed gently. The greenery was lush, with exotic flowers and rare herbs adding to the idyllic scenery.

As the flying boat descended slowly, the mist on the island parted on its own. Qin Sang sensed a subtle shift and realized that this mist was an illusion generated by an array.

Even the faint trace of energy that had leaked out when the array was activated was enough to make Qin Sang uneasy, not daring to be reckless.

Upon entering the island, Qin Sang immediately felt the overwhelming concentration of spiritual qi. He understood that this small island was far more than just a location with a spiritual eye—his own cave dwelling couldn’t compare to this place at all.

After all, it was the cave dwelling of a Golden Core master, something to envy but not replicate.

Swoosh!

The flying boat carried Qin Sang to a small thatched hut in the valley and gently set him down before swiftly flying away, catching him by surprise.

Qin Sang glanced around. The hut was small, its doors and windows tightly shut, with no signs of life inside.

He didn’t dare use his spiritual consciousness to check, fearing it might be an offense. So, he stood respectfully in front of the door. After waiting for a long time with no response from within, he grew increasingly puzzled. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he bowed and softly said, "Qin Sang pays respects to Senior Aunt Mawu."

Still, there was no reply.

Is there really no one inside?

Qin Sang was filled with confusion, not knowing what was going on. Left standing outside, he didn’t dare leave without permission, waiting through the entire night and another full day.

Late at night, under the pale moonlight—

Suddenly, with a creak, the wooden door opened on its own, and a cold, clear voice came from within, "Come in."

What a beautiful voice.

A shiver ran down Qin Sang's spine. He hastily brushed off the imaginary dust on his clothes, composed himself, and walked inside. Under the candlelight, he saw a young woman seated calmly, as if she had been sitting there all night as well.

"I pay my respects to..."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Qin Sang was just about to bow when a glimpse of the woman's appearance made him freeze in place.

He had heard the name of Fairy Chenyan countless times at Shaohua Mountain. Whenever someone mentioned her, they spoke with admiration, almost as if enchanted. Even the senior sisters, who were also women, were mesmerized whenever they saw her true appearance.

Out of curiosity, Qin Sang had once asked Zhuang Yan for a privately circulated portrait of Fairy Chenyan, supposedly drawn by a senior brother renowned for his painting skills in the mortal world.

In the painting, the woman was accompanied by clouds and celestial cranes, her robes billowing, exuding an air of ethereal beauty and elegance. Truly a peerless beauty, unmatched in the world.

But now, seeing her in person, Qin Sang realized the painting didn’t even capture a fraction of her charm.

It wasn’t her beauty that stunned him, though. What shocked him was that the person before him was Fairy Chenyan, not Sage Mawu as he had been told.

"Chenyan..."

Qin Sang opened his mouth, but the words seemed stuck. He suddenly realized he didn’t know how to address her. Her background was shrouded in mystery, and within the sect, disciples only referred to her as "Fairy," not following the usual convention of calling her a senior.

"Qin Sang pays respects to Senior Aunt Chenyan."

Qin Sang steadied himself, bowed deeply, his eyes fixed on the flickering shadows cast by the lamp on the floor. Inside, however, his thoughts were in turmoil, unsure of what to make of the situation.

At that moment, it hit him: Fairy Chenyan had gone into seclusion for twenty years to attempt reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm. When Qin Sang first entered Shaohua Mountain, she had been in seclusion on Jingyue Peak, only coming out recently after reportedly failing to break through to the Spiritual Infant Realm.

Can it be that it wasn’t Sage Mawu but...

…

The sky brightened..

Qin Sang emerged, supporting himself against the wall.

His eyes were hollow, his face a sickly yellow, and his hair had turned white.