Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 1118: Three Years

The two sat together and discussed the Dao, each gaining new insights into cultivation.To avoid interfering with Wandering Man’s tribulation, Qin Sang gave him a wooden token. After staying a few days, he took his leave and returned to Peach Blossom Valley.

Thus, three years passed. During those three years, Wandering Man focused primarily on secluded cultivation, and Qin Sang rarely disturbed him.

Qin Sang asked him about the demonic domain. As expected, Wandering Man knew it quite well.

He even had some knowledge of the demon king who had taken the mysterious stone tablet and told Qin Sang several rumors.

However, Qin Sang had no intention of seeking trouble with that demon king for now. Stealing a treasure from such a being was sheer fantasy. Unless he was left with no other choice, he would never entertain that thought, especially now, when Wandering Man had reached the critical moment before his tribulation.

On this day, Qin Sang was seated in meditation.

After continuously absorbing stellar power through the cosmic orbit, he had finally cultivated the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement to the peak of the third stage not long ago and once again encountered a bottleneck.

This bottleneck was even more difficult than the ones before. He tried using the Star Platform to perform Star Essence Infusion, but the power of star essence had become too thin. It was no longer enough to help him break through.

In the current immortal cultivation world, the most suitable place for Star Essence Infusion was Zhitian Peak. To go there, he would need Qingjun's assistance. Yet Qingjun had not returned for many years, and since Qin Sang could not find her, he could only wait patiently.

From then on, he devoted himself fully to cultivating the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment, and his progress advanced rapidly.

A streak of light shot into Peach Blossom Valley. Qin Sang was startled awake from meditation. He caught the streak of light, and his expression froze.

"The tribulation will be held in the coming days?" Qin Sang muttered.

The streak of light was a message from Wandering Man. He had completed all his preparations and would undergo the tribulation in one month. He had asked Qin Sang to stand guard for him!

The timing was even earlier than he had previously mentioned. Qin Sang had not expected it to come so soon. He rose to his feet and hurried out of the cave dwelling. He paused as he looked toward Bai’s cave dwelling.

He had long intended to introduce Wandering Man to Bai. But ever since Bai entered seclusion last time, he had not emerged once. He had not left his cave dwelling for even a single step, focusing entirely on comprehending the Corpse Soul Orb. Qin Sang did not know how far his understanding had progressed and did not dare disturb him rashly.

After a moment of hesitation, Qin Sang activated the cave barrier and sent a message inside.

Although he believed Wandering Man had prepared thoroughly and that nothing would likely go wrong with him standing guard, it was better to be safe than sorry. With Bai present, they would have one more layer of support.

A short while later, Bai's voice came from within the cave dwelling, carrying a trace of fatigue. "Someone is undergoing the Spiritual Infant Tribulation? Observing it would not be a bad idea."

Bai stepped out. After so many years in seclusion, his aura seemed little different from twenty years ago.

"Congratulations, Daoist. Your cultivation has advanced greatly!" Bai's gaze was sharp, and he immediately saw that Qin Sang was no longer the same as before. He sighed with emotion. "Back then, we were evenly matched. Now, even without using that lightning art, you could beat me."

Qin Sang did not grow arrogant from the praise. He shook his head. "Without reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm, we are all ants."

So what if he became the strongest Golden Core cultivator? From beginning to end, his goal had always been to become a Spiritual Infant grandmaster.

Bai nodded and said nothing further. After asking about Wandering Man’s background, he transformed into a streak of light and entered the Corpse Puppet Pouch.

Half an hour later, Qin Sang arrived at the place he had agreed upon with Wandering Man. It was a desolate island at the edge of Yuncang Marshlands.

From afar, Qin Sang saw Wandering Man and Li Yufu standing atop a mountain peak. He quickened his speed, and his evasion light flashed repeatedly before he landed in front of them.

"Senior Uncle!" Li Yufu bowed.

Qin Sang noticed that Li Yufu's expression was unusually grave, and worry filled his eyes. He was clearly concerned for his great-grandmaster.

The Spiritual Infant Tribulation was the first great tribulation encountered on the path of immortal cultivation. Its success was built on countless risks and hardships.

As for Wandering Man himself, his robes fluttered in the wind. He appeared relaxed and unrestrained, without the slightest sign of tension.

"Brother, these are pills I recently refined to assist with the tribulation," Wandering Man said, tossing over three jade bottles. "I gathered extra spiritual herbs and happened to refine two sets. One set is for you."

Qin Sang raised his hand and caught them. Inside were spirit pills of various colors. Some restored true essence, while others healed injuries to the soul or body. All of them had been prepared specifically for heavenly tribulations.

Though these pills were not divine medicines like the Soul-Cleansing Liquid, which could increase the chances of forming a Spiritual Infant, they would still provide considerable assistance during the tribulation.

Qin Sang had intended to purchase such pills from a merchant guild, but Wandering Man had prepared them in advance.

Since Wandering Man had refined them himself, every pill was of top-grade quality.

"Thank you, Senior!" Qin Sang accepted them without hesitation.

Given Qin Sang's understanding of Wandering Man, he knew that he was not as relaxed as he appeared. After all, who would dare underestimate a heavenly tribulation?

Wandering Man's bearing had changed slightly. During his three years of secluded cultivation, he had not only refined pills, but also looked back on his life from beginning to end, savoring every experience. His Dao Heart had become clearer and more transparent.

In Qin Sang’s eyes, he now carried a faint trace of detachment.

"The place I selected for the tribulation lies in the western region of Yuncang Marshlands. It is quite remote..." Wandering Man led the two of them deeper into the marshlands as he explained. "After Sin Abyss occupied most of Tianxing Alliance's territory, some of its sects were forced to migrate north. Small Cold Domain ceded Yuncang Marshlands to give them a foothold, so the marshlands are far livelier now than they were in the past. Otherwise, there would have been no need to choose such a remote place."

Forming a Spiritual Infant also required an infusion of spiritual qi. Although it did not demand a top-tier spirit vein, an ordinary location would not suffice either.

After careful selection, Wandering Man found an island within Yuncang Marshlands. It did not possess a top-grade spirit vein, but several hidden spirit veins converged there.

He had long ago set up an array on the island in preparation.

Staying within Taiyi Core Sect would have been the safest choice. With the sect's grand array protecting him and the sect leader personally standing guard, the risks would have been much lower. Yet Wandering Man had still chosen to undergo the tribulation outside.

"I have investigated thoroughly. The surrounding waters are barren. There are no Spiritual Infant cultivators or Transformation Realm great demons nearby. When the heavenly tribulation descends, if any demonic beasts hiding in the lake depths are alarmed by the upheaval, they may emerge. I will rely on you then..." Wandering Man said.

The three traveled without pause, penetrating deeper into Yuncang Marshlands.

The marshlands were vast, though much of it was barren water, especially in the west, which held little value.

Along the way, they encountered quite a few immortal cultivators, most of them from Tianxing Alliance.

The farther west they went, the fewer cultivators they saw. During the final stretch of their journey, they did not encounter a single soul.

"We have arrived!" Wandering Man halted over an empty expanse of water. With a sweep of his sleeve, the water parted to either side, revealing the outline of a spiritual array.

Within the array lay a small island, barely ten li in radius. A lone peak rose from the island, steep and towering, pointing toward the heavens. This was the place Wandering Man had chosen for his tribulation!

His expression was calm, and he said nothing. He merely nodded to Qin Sang and Li Yufu before flashing into the array.

A cultivator had to endure the Spiritual Infant Tribulation alone. Outsiders could neither assist nor approach too closely. Otherwise, they might disturb the heavenly tribulation and be destroyed along with the person undergoing it.

Li Yufu's face was filled with worry. Qin Sang watched as Wandering Man sat cross-legged atop the peak and the spiritual array gradually closed around him. Then he let out a slow breath and said, "Let's go as well."

They flew to a nearby desolate island and waited for the heavenly tribulation to arrive!