Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 131: Emerging with Support

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.

Although Qin Sang had initially been sent to become a furnace cauldron, there was always the chance that Sage Mawu might take a fancy to him. If that happened, Qin Sang could turn his fate around and become a dual cultivation partner to a Golden Core master.

"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."

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..."

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.