Gateway of Immortality

Qin Sang learned that the territory under Yuanzhao Sect’s control was actually vast. Once a disciple earned the qualification to establish a cave dwelling, they could freely choose any spot within this immense mountain range with concentrated spiritual power to build it.

Yuanzhao Peak was the foundation of Yuanzhao Sect’s protective array. The supreme sect leader cultivated on the main peak, and important places like the sect leader’s hall were also built around the main peak, thus it was referred to as the inner sect.

Following behind Senior Brother Zhu, after flying for a while, they reached the edge of the sect’s protective array. Senior Brother Zhu landed and pointed to the entrance of a valley shrouded in mist. He said to Qin Sang, "Junior Brother Qin, ahead is Cloud Valley. The valley is protected by an array, and only those with a Cloud Valley waist token can enter. I won’t go further. That cloud-like artifact you have is for managing clouds and rain, nourishing spiritual plants. Inside your Mustard Seed Pouch are things like Nine-Spirit Sand, which are used for cultivating spiritual plants... This is a month’s supply, and new supplies will be delivered later."

As he spoke, Senior Brother Zhu raised his hand and sent a streak of spiritual power into the valley. A moment later, the mist parted, and an old man, even older than Senior Uncle Du, but only at the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, flew out of the valley.

The old man descended in front of them, eyeing Qin Sang with a strange, sarcastic tone. "Senior Brother Zhu, you rarely come here without reason. Truly a rare guest... This junior brother seems unfamiliar. What’s his name?"

Qin Sang quickly bowed. "I am Junior Brother Qin Sang, greetings to Senior Brother."

Senior Brother Zhu gave a wry smile but did not get angry, responding in a slightly bitter tone, "Senior Brother Meng, this is Junior Brother Qin Sang, who just joined and has been assigned to help in Cloud Valley. I personally brought him over, only to receive such a welcome from you."

Senior Brother Meng’s eyes lit up. "Has Old Du finally let someone go? Oh, I nearly forgot today is the ascension conference."

Senior Brother Zhu seemed to tease him deliberately, shaking his head. "I heard Senior Uncle Du had other matters today and entrusted Senior Uncle Yu to assign the servant disciples. Otherwise, with so many senior uncles waiting for extra hands, it wouldn’t have been your turn."

Senior Brother Meng snorted but suddenly froze. "Senior Uncle Yu? Which Senior Uncle Yu?"

Senior Brother Zhu replied calmly, "It’s Junior Brother Yu Hua, who recently entered seclusion to break through to Foundation Building and succeeded. From now on, you’ll need to address him as Senior Uncle Yu."

The two fell silent, both looking dejected and disheartened.

…

After Senior Brother Zhu left, Qin Sang followed Senior Brother Meng into Cloud Valley.

After a few exchanges, Qin Sang learned that this Senior Brother Meng's full name was Meng Ruhui. He was now eighty-eight years old and had long accepted that breaking through to Foundation Building was hopeless. Thirty years ago, he completely gave up on the idea of cultivating immortality, left the sect, and returned home.

However, his parents had long passed, and his hometown was filled with unfamiliar faces. Disheartened, Meng Ruhui returned to the sect to take up mundane duties, planning to spend the rest of his life in the sect.

Over the past thirty years, his cultivation had gradually reached the peak of the thirteenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm, but it was impossible for him to reach the Foundation Building Realm. Out of recognition for his diligence, the sect assigned him to manage Cloud Valley.

Cloud Valley consisted of several interconnected valleys, each of which had been cultivated into numerous spirit fields. These fields grew countless spiritual trees, bamboo, and grains, along with spiritual herbs.

Meng Ruhui led Qin Sang further into the valley, and along the way, they encountered several senior brothers and sisters, all in a rush. They greeted each other briefly before continuing with their tasks.

Seeing how busy everyone was, Qin Sang couldn't help but feel a heavy weight in his heart.

Finally, they arrived at a small valley. Compared to other areas, this valley wasn’t large. Both sides of the slopes were planted with purple bamboo, and at the center was a large herb garden.

"Junior Brother Qin, from now on, you’ll be responsible for taking care of this herb garden. Every so often, a portion of the spiritual herbs must be handed over, and the sect will send someone to collect them. The characteristics of each herb and the methods of care are all recorded in this jade slip. Some of the herbs are very delicate, so be extra careful. If you fail to meet the required quota, not only will your monthly stipend be deducted, but you could also be expelled from the sect. As for this valley, you can pick any spot you like to establish your cave dwelling."

After giving Qin Sang a lengthy explanation, Meng Ruhui hurriedly left. Qin Sang rode the wind to the herb garden and looked at the various spiritual herbs inside. They were vibrant and lush, with colors he had never seen before.

Qin Sang’s face darkened completely after carefully reading the jade slip with his spiritual consciousness.

The cloud-like artifact he had was actually called the Five-Elemental Cloud. When activated, it could blend the five-elemental spiritual qi from the world into the rain, nourishing the spiritual plants.

Since each spiritual herb had different characteristics, the frequency and timing of the rain, as well as the types and amounts of five-elemental spiritual power infused in the water, had to be carefully controlled.

Missteps could not only hinder the growth but could also damage the herbs or, in severe cases, cause them to wither and die.

The Nine-Spirit Sand was made from the feces of nine different demon bats. For ordinary spiritual plants, it needed to be applied every ten days, with no further maintenance required. But for spiritual herbs, the requirements were far more complex, and Qin Sang found himself increasingly overwhelmed.

If he followed the jade slip’s instructions strictly, he would have to spend more than half his time tending to the herb garden, leaving him precious little time for cultivation.

No wonder Meng Ruhui left so quickly, not giving him a chance to protest.

Qin Sang flew to a higher vantage point and spotted a bamboo building deep within the bamboo forest. He flew over and found that the building had fallen into disrepair. With the wind blowing, the whole structure swayed. He decided to find a cliff behind the bamboo forest, where he used the Emerald Wave Sword to carve out a simple cave dwelling and sat down to reflect.

Senior Uncle Yu had assigned him to Cloud Valley but hadn’t clearly stated his duties. It was possible that Du Siyu’s sudden appearance had disrupted the plan.

This left Qin Sang feeling unsettled.

Qin Sang had considered reporting this, but in Yuanzhao Sect, besides Yu Hua, how many spies from Kuiyin Sect were there? Could Meng Ruhui be one of them?n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Aside from the two Golden Core Realm masters and the sect leader of Yuanzhao Sect, Qin Sang really didn’t trust anyone else.

Moreover, seeing how Yuanzhao Sect used the ascension conference to lure and kill rogue cultivators, would reporting them truly absolve him of guilt?

It was a gamble with his life!

If he reported them, to prove the truth, the secret of the Jade Buddha would inevitably be exposed.

Qin Sang’s understanding of the Jade Buddha had deepened.

The primordial spirit was fundamental to an immortal cultivator. The Jade Buddha not only protected his primordial spirit from external malevolent influences but also helped resist the Bewitching Mirror’s mind-confusing effects.

Qin Sang analyzed that this ability likely only affected the primordial spirit, ensuring it remained untainted and steadfast no matter where he was. However, for things like the misty array around Cloud Valley or Youshan Market, he couldn’t see through them with his naked eye.

Although he couldn’t yet determine the limits of the Jade Buddha’s protection, he could imagine that, under its safeguard, he would be able to resist any threats to his primordial spirit, mind-confusing artifacts, spells, evil influences, or even arrays.

The Jade Buddha was definitely a priceless treasure, and its secret absolutely must not be leaked.