Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 1016: Soul-Cleansing Liquid

Lingzhuzi paused for a moment, then his tone shifted, carrying a solemn warning. "Those who can pass the final trial will receive a reward. The rewards are generous. They consist of not only middle-grade or higher astras, but also rare, damaged ancient treasures with unique effects.

"However, the trial realm is far from a safe place. It has devoured countless lives. Every time the inner hall manifests, there are always prodigious juniors who perish here, leaving deep regret behind..." As Lingzhuzi spoke of the trial realm, murmurs rippled through the crowd gathered on the jade square.

The damaged ancient treasures he mentioned were likely similar to the Red Origin Gauze. Such treasures had lost much of their original power and could no longer be classified by grade. Without the proper materials or refining techniques, they were nearly impossible to repair.

Yet despite their damage, these treasures still possessed extraordinary effects, sometimes even miraculous ones.

Listening carefully, Qin Sang gradually formed a clearer understanding of the trial realm. The trial realm was not a single continuous path. Instead, it was divided into several separate trials. At the end of each trial stood a teleportation array. Participants could choose to withdraw after any trial or continue onward.

Those who failed to pass at least three trials would be sent back to the entrance of the inner hall. Only after successfully completing three trials would one be permitted entry into the inner hall itself.

As Lingzhuzi had said, the trial realm was left behind by ancient human seniors out of care for their descendants, so that future generations would not rush blindly to their deaths.

This, in turn, revealed just how perilous the inner hall truly was. Furthermore, a cultivator could only find the teleportation array by completing each trial. There was no option to abandon the trial midway. This was the true danger Lingzhuzi spoke of.

The structure of the trial realm was never fixed. Despite the countless years that had passed, no one had fully deciphered all its contents, making it nearly impossible to prepare for. Even if one survived, being gravely injured or trapped inside meant near-certain doom.

Qin Sang fell into deep thought. He believed that if even he could not complete the trials with his strength, then likely none among the Core Formation cultivators present could succeed either.

He was tempted by the mention of the damaged ancient treasures. Yet he quickly reconsidered. Setting aside the risk, completing the entire trial could take considerable time. If it delayed more important matters, the cost would outweigh any gain.

Besides, he was hardly lacking in astras. He already possessed two top-grade ones. No matter how impressive the rewards were, they surely could not surpass that level.

Qin Sang frowned slightly, already leaning toward giving up the idea. He glanced ahead at Ning Wuhui, intending to find a chance to discuss it with him and hear his thoughts. At the same time, he continued to secretly search for Qingzhu.

By now, fewer new cultivators were arriving. Yet to his surprise, he had not seen Qingzhu at all.

Is Senior Qingzhu hiding his identity? Qin Sang wondered inwardly.

Up ahead, Lingzhuzi finished explaining the rules of the trial realm. Saying no more, he stepped aside to open the entrance.

A wave of motion swept through the crowd. The Core Formation cultivators surged forward, rushing up the steps toward the right gate.

Qin Sang noticed Ning Wuhui deliberately slowing his pace. His heart stirred, and he flickered forward to catch up.

Just as he reached the doorway, a whisper echoed beside his ear. His eyes flickered briefly before returning to calm as he stepped into the light screen. At that instant, he made a firm decision that he would complete the entire trial and fight for the reward. The voice belonged to Ning Wuhui.

Among the rewards of the trial realm, there existed one of supreme importance: the Soul-Cleansing Liquid.

This was not an astra, but a rare spiritual liquid. Consuming it greatly nourished one’s spiritual consciousness and could even aid in breaking through to the Spiritual Infant Realm.

Because of its immense value and the tiny quantity that appeared each time, competition for it was extremely fierce. However, the struggle for the Soul-Cleansing Liquid was usually limited to disciples of great sects and powers.

The few Spiritual Infant cultivators and powers who knew of its existence maintained a silent pact to keep it secret. Very few in the outside world had even heard of it.

He had spent so long inquiring on Tianshing Island, yet had never caught the slightest rumor of such a treasure. That was the weakness of rogue cultivators. Without the backing of a strong sect or seniors, they had little access to the true secrets of the cultivation world.

Had Ning Wuhui not warned me, I might have missed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Qin Sang sighed inwardly.

Even Ning Wuhui himself had only learned of the Soul-Cleansing Liquid shortly before entering Seven-Kill Hall, when his seniors informed him of its existence and its astonishing properties.

"Daoist Qin, if you’re interested, you might as well compete for the Soul-Cleansing Liquid. Time is tight, but we should still manage the trials. Be careful, though, the final trial is dangerous. Don’t take unnecessary risks," reminded Ning Wuhui.

Qin Sang had not hesitated in the slightest. He gave a firm reply. Ning Wuhui’s warning filled him with gratitude.

The Soul-Cleansing Liquid might not be an ancient treasure but any chance to aid in forming a Spiritual Infant was priceless. If he could one day return to the Small Cold Domain, combining the Soul-Cleansing Liquid with the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid would surely yield even greater results.

After their brief exchange, the two stepped into the barrier one after the other. Once all the Core Formation cultivators had entered, Lingzhuzi chuckled. "Now that the juniors have gone ahead, it’s our turn. Fellow Daoists, please."

With that, he strode through the great gate to the left. The Spiritual Infant grandmasters followed in his wake.

***

In an unknown space inside the inner hall...

Auspicious clouds drifted in layers, ribbons of rainbow light shimmered between them. It was an ethereal paradise of celestial beauty. Yet the space was utterly silent.

All at once, four figures appeared out of thin air. Two men and two women. The two elders were accompanied by a young boy and girl. They passed through the clouds, flying toward the deepest part of the space.

There, a massive white cloud floated motionless in mid-air. Deep within the cloud, faint traces of a barrier seemed to be sealing something inside. The old woman took a step forward, lifting the cane in her hand as she began to chant softly.

Suddenly, a dragon’s roar echoed. Her cane came alive, transforming into a lifelike golden dragon. It circled in the air a few times before plunging headfirst into the depths of the white cloud.

Whoosh! The golden dragon vanished from sight.

The boy and girl stared on with wide, curious eyes. The two elders remained calm, silently watching the white cloud.

The cloud burst forth with dazzling golden light, forming a radiant passage that stretched before them, leading straight into the heart of the cloud.

The old woman extended her hand, and the golden dragon flew back out, rapidly shrinking as the runes on its body faded away. In the blink of an eye, it reverted to an ordinary-looking cane and fell neatly into her grasp.

"Let’s go." Tapping her cane lightly, the old woman walked side by side with the elder into the golden passage.

Inside, their surroundings gleamed with golden brilliance. The boy and girl squinted against the light, following closely behind, gazing around in wonder.

"Did you both memorize the incantation I just performed?" The old woman’s hoarse voice broke the silence.

The two youths flinched, quickly bowing. "Grandmaster, we have committed it to heart."