Gateway of Immortality

After Qin Sang sat down, Yu Lian leaned forward slightly and said, "I heard from Youniang earlier that Daoist Qin has something to ask. If there's anything I can help with, please feel free to speak."

"This matter isn’t urgent." Qin Sang smiled. "I just heard Senior Yu mention some major events in the world of immortal cultivation, and I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. I wouldn’t dare interrupt everyone's gathering, so I’ll listen to Senior Yu finish these secrets first."

Hearing this, the others nodded repeatedly, with a few offering Qin Sang friendly smiles.

Li Youniang personally served several cups of wine, handing one to Qin Sang before sitting down beside him.

Yu Lian took a sip of wine and praised, "Youniang’s skills have improved once again! Since Daoist Qin is also interested, I’ll tell you all the details... The biggest event recently in the world of immortal cultivation happened just a few months ago, when the demonic Kuiyin Sect suddenly launched an invasion on the renowned righteous Yuanzhao Sect. During that time, several Golden Core masters fought in succession. The battle was so fierce that the sun and moon seemed to lose their light, and the very landscape changed. In the end, the Kuiyin Sect was completely wiped out."

Qin Sang had been staring at the amber wine in his cup when he heard this and raised his head in shock.

The others also erupted into chatter. "Old man, you’re not pulling our leg, are you? How did the Kuiyin Sect invade the Yuanzhao Sect only to wipe themselves out? What happened to the Yuanzhao Sect? And what’s the origin of this Kuiyin Sect?"

Yu Lian chuckled. "Patience, patience. Let me explain. To understand the reason behind this battle, we must first talk about the origins of both the Kuiyin Sect and the Yuanzhao Sect. I’m sure some of you have heard of them but might not know the full story. Let’s take the Yuanzhao Sect for instance. Although it’s now in decline, several hundred years ago, its reputation was no less impressive than the current eight major sects of the Small Cold Domain! The Kuiyin Sect, too, was once a rival capable of matching the Yuanzhao Sect in strength."

"The founder of the Yuanzhao Sect was none other than Grandmaster Yuanzhao, a Spiritual Infant Realm. As for the Kuiyin Sect, it was established by Grandmaster Kuiyin, a Spiritual Infant Realm demon. Both of these figures were powerhouses of their time, and their sects were founded around the same time. Even their names were passed down from their founding grandmasters. Isn't that quite the coincidence? What’s more, the two sects were located near each other, resulting in a long-standing rivalry and animosity."

"Back in the day, Grandmaster Yuanzhao and several of his top disciples died unexpectedly on the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. If it weren’t for the intervention of the Wuji Sect, Grandmaster Kuiyin would’ve crushed Yuanzhao Peak by using his superior strength. It wasn’t until the Kuiyin Grandmaster passed away that both sides finally ceased hostilities. Yet, it seems the Kuiyin Sect never forgot the old grudge. They used the entire strength of their sect to launch a surprise attack on the Yuanzhao Sect, only to end up destroying themselves."

Yu Lian took another sip of wine, closed his eyes, and leisurely savored it.

The crowd, who had been listening intently, immediately burst into outrage, cursing Yu Lian.

"You old rascal! Always leaving us hanging!"

"That’s right, it’s too frustrating!"

…

Qin Sang also grew anxious as he listened, wishing he could pry open Yu Lian’s head and see for himself. If the Kuiyin Sect had truly been wiped out by the Yuanzhao Sect, wouldn’t he have nothing left to worry about? That mysterious orchid would be his!

Yu Lian, however, looked rather smug and burst into hearty laughter. "Wouldn’t it be far too boring if I didn’t tease you all a little?"

His words prompted another wave of complaints from the group, and only then did Yu Lian, still grinning, continue, "When word of this spread, even my family was discussing it. What’s puzzling is why the Kuiyin Sect dared to invade the Yuanzhao Sect in the first place. Everyone knows the Yuanzhao Sect’s protective array isn’t simple. It was arranged by Grandmaster Yuanzhao himself, with the help of two other Spiritual Infant Realm friends—one of them even from the Yuanshen Sect. A mere few Golden Core cultivators wouldn’t be able to break it. But strangely enough, it seems the array really was breached!"

"Breached?"

The crowd was astonished. "If the protective array was broken, how did the Kuiyin Sect end up being wiped out?"

Yu Lian shook his head. "There are so many rumors now, and since I wasn’t there myself, I can’t say what’s true and what’s not. But there’s one piece of news that’s likely credible, as it came from within the Wuji Sect. It’s said that on that night, demonic flames engulfed the sky, and the Kuiyin Sect attacked with overwhelming force, forcing the Yuanzhao Sect’s supreme sect leader to self-destruct his Golden Core. Along with the protective array and the sect’s spiritual veins, the resulting explosion was so terrifying that one of the Kuiyin Sect’s Golden Core cultivators died on the spot, while the other two were gravely injured. As for the Foundation Building cultivators, their casualties were countless. If the situation hadn’t been dire and irreversible, would that supreme sect leader have chosen to self-destruct his Golden Core?" Ř

The crowd gasped. "Self-destructed his Golden Core!"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Golden Core cultivators were far beyond their reach, and they couldn’t even imagine the horror of such a powerful figure detonating his own core.

Qin Sang, too, was momentarily lost in thought. He had already suspected something like this when he witnessed the terrifying sight of that blazing sun on that night. Now that it was confirmed, the shock was even greater. He muttered to himself, "What ruthlessness..."

The simultaneous destruction of the Golden Core, the protective array, and the spiritual veins of Yuanzhao Peak—that supreme sect leader was so decisive.

"Truly a ruthless person!"

Yu Lian remarked, his tone filled with admiration, "That self-destruction seemed like mutual destruction, but in reality, it preserved the legacy of his sect and cut off his enemy’s foundation. No wonder he was able to reach the Golden Core Realm and become the supreme sect leader."

A young man nearby snorted coldly. "That’s only because he had a Spiritual Infant Realm master. If I had the same cultivation resources, I’d be no worse than him!"

Yu Lian chuckled and nodded, steering the conversation back. "The three Golden Core cultivators of the Kuiyin Sect clearly never expected the supreme sect leader of the Yuanzhao Sect to be so resolute. One of them died instantly, and the other two, gravely injured, fled in terror. They were pursued by another Golden Core master of the Yuanzhao Sect, who killed one more. The last survivor hid within the Kuiyin Sect and dared not show his face again. When the Wuji Sect reinforcements arrived, they found the Kuiyin Sect in shambles, with its members scattered to the winds. It’s said that the surviving Golden Core demon escaped into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. The Yuanzhao Sect has since taken control of the Kuiyin Sect’s territory, and the latter lost everything."

Qin Sang suddenly asked, "Which Golden Core demon of the Kuiyin Sect survived?"

Yu Lian furrowed his brows. "I’m not sure. The Wuji Sect only reported that the leader of the Kuiyin Sect brought about his own destruction by committing too many evil deeds. It’s likely that demon is already dead. The other two were not well-known, so it’s unclear which one survived by hiding. To think the old Kuiyin demon was such a fearsome figure in his lifetime, and yet, in just a few short years, his sect has been utterly wiped out. It’s hard to imagine what the Kuiyin Sect's leader was thinking. At over five hundred years old and on the verge of dying, he suddenly stirred up all this chaos. Not only did he lose his own life, but he also destroyed his ancestor’s legacy."

Qin Sang lowered his head in deep thought. As long as one Golden Core master from the Kuiyin Sect remained alive, he might not be safe.

With that in mind, Qin Sang decided to flatter Yu Lian. "The secrets you’ve shared, Senior Uncle Yu, have been truly eye-opening. Earlier, when you mentioned the eight major sects of the righteous path, I realized how ignorant I am. I’m unfamiliar with many of these sects. Could you briefly introduce them to me so I can broaden my knowledge?"