Gateway of Immortality

"Talisman astras are also accepted."

Qin Sang mused silently. Though the place he had been teleported to was remote, it seemed to be intricately connected to the immortal cultivation world of the Small Cold Domain, as they were still within the same world.

While talisman astras were rare, Qin Sang had more than one on him.

Just from the relics of Daoist Jiupao, he had obtained two intact talisman astras. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

During the prolonged war between the Chaotic Island Waters and the Tianxing Alliance, most cultivators on the battlefield were elite.

Among the spoils Qin Sang had seized were several talisman astras. Most had been used multiple times and were nearly depleted. He would often use them immediately upon acquisition.

The one he now held was a flying sword talisman astra, still retaining around fifty to sixty percent of its original power. It, too, had been a battle trophy.

After participating in the treasure hunt at Zhitian Peak and leaving the Chaotic Island Waters, he never had the opportunity to use it in battle.

Now that he had formed his core and could wield proper astras with ease, he no longer needed talisman astras. He might as well exchange them for something useful.

Sensing Cui Xuanzi’s uncertainty, Qin Sang decided to test his stance by offering this damaged talisman astra.

"I’ve already formed my core, so I’m not particularly interested in your sect’s cultivation methods. It’s because I intend to find a life-bound insect gu that I want to study your sect’s insect-taming techniques."

Seeing Cui Xuanzi’s shifting expression as he stared at the talisman astra, Qin Sang took the initiative to soften the terms.

Cui Xuanzi was indeed tempted.

Although the Five-Insect Sect was the dominant power in the Bear Mountain region, without a Golden Core cultivator, their position wasn’t truly secure. Some of the larger tribal villages also had Foundation Building experts. Though few in number, if united, they posed a considerable threat.

The sect lacked deep foundations, and Cui Xuanzi’s senior uncle had once been their only trump card.

While that senior uncle was still around, the Five-Insect Sect had enjoyed a period of glory. But he had left in his prime and had never left behind any astras, certainly not a talisman astra.

Now, with that senior uncle long absent, suspicions had begun to spread. There were already signs of unrest.

Having a talisman astra to anchor the sect would significantly solidify their standing in Bear Mountain. It would also make external powers think twice before making a move.

After listening to Qin Sang’s terms, Cui Xuanzi’s eyes lit up. "Senior, are you serious? You're willing to trade this talisman astra for only our insect-taming technqiues?"

The Five-Insect Sect’s insect-taming techniques were indeed unique. They were superior even to those of the priests, and were one of the main reasons they had remained dominant.

If someone else had come asking, Cui Xuanzi would never have agreed.

But Qin Sang was not a local cultivator. He was a Core Formation expert and would eventually leave. Allowing him to study their techniques posed little threat to Bear Mountain’s regional balance.

Qin Sang closed his palm and said calmly, "Of course that’s not enough."

As disappointment appeared on Cui Xuanzi’s face, Qin Sang continued in a neutral tone, "I also need you to handle a few matters for me."

Cui Xuanzi frowned inwardly, but the lure of the talisman astra was too great. He gritted his teeth. "Please, speak."

"No need to worry. I just need help with some errands and intelligence gathering. I’ve only recently formed my core and need to consolidate my cultivation. I have no time to be distracted. If you do well, not only will you receive this talisman astra, but I also have no shortage of pills or artifacts. Once this matter is resolved, you will remain the local overlords, and I shall return to my homeland without further interference."

Seeing that Cui Xuanzi was indeed moved, Qin Sang tossed the talisman astra directly to him and turned to face the depths of Xijiang. "I’ve only just arrived in Xijiang and know little of the region. I want you to find me a detailed geomantic map, one that includes even the wild and uncharted regions."

Cui Xuanzi let out a breath of relief. "That won’t be difficult. Our sect has a detailed geomantic map passed down from our ancestors. When my senior uncle was still here, he expanded and refined it after much exploration. I’m sure it will satisfy you."

Qin Sang glanced at him and pointed forward.

"You don’t have to reply right away. What I want isn’t just a map of Bear Mountain. I’m sure you have means to contact powers from other regions. The broader the map, the better, ideally covering the entire wilderness."

"On this map, I want not just the territories of various factions marked, but also the habitats of spiritual insects. No matter how dangerous, none are to be omitted."

"In addition, collect information on rumored ancient cultivator ruins, hidden realms, and such locations across nearby regions and the heartlands of Xijiang."

Qin Sang paused for a moment, then added, "Even domains feared by cultivators—devilish regions, cursed lands, deadly zones—should be marked. If you need any resources to support this task, feel free to come to me."

"Hidden realms? Ruins?"

Cui Xuanzi was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.

Qin Sang had come to Xijiang to search for a suitable life-bound insect gu, so it was only natural for him to inquire about the habitats of spiritual insects. There were indeed some rare spiritual insects that appeared in Xijiang.

These insects were either uniquely gifted and elusive, exceptionally powerful, or dwelled in perilous locations.

It was not uncommon for cultivators from outside the region, including Core Formation experts, to venture into Xijiang to hunt insects. However, most returned disappointed. Even with Qin Sang’s strength, success was far from guaranteed.

But what was his purpose in searching for hidden realms or ancient cultivators’ cave dwellings?

Could it be that, relying on his superior strength, he intended to sweep through Xijiang and seize every opportunity he could find?

Qin Sang nodded and asked, "Are there any hidden realms near your Bear Mountain region that are sealed off by countless barriers or locked down with celestial arrays, making them inaccessible? If you devote yourselves to the task and manage to locate such a place, I wouldn’t mind letting you share in one or two of the treasures found."

Cui Xuanzi shook his head. "To be honest with Senior, I’ve cultivated in the Five-Insect Sect since childhood, and I’ve never heard of such places nearby."

Qin Sang noticed that Cui Xuanzi didn’t seem to be lying and couldn’t help frowning inwardly.

To Qin Sang, the most pressing matter after forming his core was to find an ancient teleportation array, and find a way to return to where he came from. Only then could he cultivate here with peace of mind.

Now that he had the Jade Liquid of Three Radiances and had also found someone capable of refining pills, the Du’e Pill was practically within reach. Yet the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid remained far out of grasp.

Rare treasures like that could only be encountered by chance.

Thinking back on the many hardships he had endured to form his core, Qin Sang knew that reaching the Spiritual Infant Realm would be even more difficult. He had no confidence in succeeding. He had to find a way to return to the Small Cold Domain before attempting to form his Spiritual Infant and refine the Du’e Pill.

Qin Sang had studied the terrain closely. The Xijiang region was laced with an intricate network of waterways that extended in every direction.

The small river he had drifted down was only one branch among many. It connected with other rivers and was merely part of the vast system, with no way to trace it back to its source.

Worse yet, Qin Sang had no idea how long he had been unconscious after teleporting here. He couldn’t even estimate a general area to search.

Trying to locate an ancient teleportation array in a place this vast was like searching for a needle in the ocean. He didn’t even know whether the array was above ground or buried deep below.

As for why he had awoken floating on the river’s surface, he was completely clueless.

Qin Sang reasoned that since the other end of the array had been located within Ziwei Palace, then this side likely lay hidden within some hidden realm.

Rather than blindly searching without direction, it would be more efficient to explore various hidden realms in the hope of discovering an ancient teleportation array.