Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 202: The Tianjing Hidden Realm

"Only for a cave dwelling?"

Yu Yangzi asked with a puzzled expression. "Is Junior Brother Qin planning to stay in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield long-term for cultivation?"

Qin Sang nodded.

"Think it over carefully, Junior Brother. The snow-capped mountains south of Xuanlu Stronghold contain several spirit veins secured by our sect for disciples to use in cultivation. Although the Ancient Immortal Battlefield holds countless opportunities, it’s not a place to linger. Those hidden realm ruins are remote, far from towns and markets, making it difficult and costly to acquire urgent resources for cultivation. If anything happens, no one will be there to help. Without the benefits, why choose such a place for cultivation?"

Yu Yangzi was concerned for Qin Sang as a fellow disciple of the same sect, fearing he might make a mistake, so he gave this earnest advice.

Qin Sang was well aware of these drawbacks, which was why he had been frugal with his spirit stones, planning to stock up on essential items like healing pills and Cloud Artifacts before venturing out.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for your frank advice. I understand what you’re saying," Qin Sang replied with a bitter smile, "but the requirements of my cultivation leave me no choice."

"Ah, I see," Yu Yangzi said with a nod, though he wasn't surprised by Qin Sang’s determination.@@@@

Shaohua Mountain housed nearly a hundred arts of diverse types. Many of these arts were incomplete, excavated from relics within the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, and even the Golden Core masters in the sect couldn’t fully comprehend them.

The choice of an art determined one’s potential for forming a Golden Core and how far one could ultimately progress on the path of immortal cultivation. Choosing the wrong art could lead to lifelong regret—a sentiment far from an exaggeration.

Many of the arts in Shaohua Mountain’s collection directly led to the path of divine transformation, and since they had been proven feasible, most cultivators chose these well-trodden routes for safety. Only a rare few dared to venture into uncharted territory with incomplete arts.

As a result, over half of the arts in Shaohua Mountain’s collection had never been cultivated.

Yu Yangzi furrowed his brow in thought. Since Senior Uncle Che had entrusted him with handling the matter, and Qin Sang was a fellow junior disciple, he couldn’t simply dismiss him. However, arranging such a request was difficult.

The sect held the hidden realms in high regard; some of these realms were as critical as the Shaohua Mountain itself, containing resources vital to the sect’s survival. Even as the guarding general of Xuanlu Stronghold for decades, Yu Yangzi knew the location of only one hidden realm.

After inquiring further with Yu Yangzi about the specifics of the Tianjing Hidden Realm, Qin Sang immediately made up his mind and cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance. I am willing to join the Shadow Guards."

Yu Yangzi clapped his hands in delight and said, "It’s good that Junior Brother Qin has made his decision. Follow me, and let’s go see Senior Brother Qi."

Following Yu Yangzi, Qin Sang walked down the long corridor leading behind the main hall. Along the way, Yu Yangzi provided some background on Senior Brother Qi.

Senior Brother Qi’s real name was Qi Yuanshou. His master was a deceased Golden Core cultivator of Shaohua Mountain, and like Qin Sang, he arrived at Xuanlu Stronghold shortly after reaching the Foundation Building Realm and made a formidable reputation for himself in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

To Qin Sang’s surprise, Qi Yuanshou was a Fake Core Realm expert!

A Fake Core cultivator was someone who, having reached the late stage and peak of Foundation Building, had advanced as far as possible without breaking into Core Formation Realm. One foot was already in Core Formation, yet due to various reasons, he could not yet form a Golden Core.

A Fake Core expert was stronger than most other late-stage Foundation Building cultivators. With one more step, he would reach Core Formation Realm as a true Golden Core expert.

Yu Yangzi explained that Qi Yuanshou was currently the most promising among all Foundation Building disciples of Shaohua Mountain to achieve Core Formation. He held an elder position at Xuanlu Stronghold, overseeing Shadow Guard affairs.

Although Xuanlu Stronghold had Golden Core cultivators, they rarely involved themselves in mundane affairs. Responsibilities were managed by the council of elders, comprised mainly of late-stage Foundation Building experts from various prominent sects.

These included not only Shaohua Mountain, Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, and Taiyi Core Sect but also many other sects with long lineages. While they were not among the Eight Major Sects of the righteous path due to the absence of a Spiritual Realm grandmaster, they collectively held considerable influence and a voice in decision-making.

The Shadow Guards were one of the two guard units of Xuanlu Stronghold. Qi Yuanshou couldn’t hold absolute authority, as there were several elders on equal standing with him.

As Qi Yuanshou was Qin Sang’s senior brother, joining the Shadow Guards left Qin Sang with no choice but to place himself under Qi Yuanshou’s command.

This wasn’t a disadvantage for Qin Sang. With Qi Yuanshou above him, he wouldn’t have to worry about being schemed against or assigned to particularly dangerous missions without cause.