Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 274: Leaving Without a Trace

A quarter of an hour later, they once again fled from the stone stele, disheveled and battered.

Even the three Core Formation Realm cultivators couldn’t conceal their state of embarrassment.

The entire estate had become a playground for the Fire Spirit Beasts. As soon as they entered, they were surrounded by swarms of these creatures. The more they killed, the more Fire Spirit Beasts appeared, overwhelming them to the point where even their battle formations proved insufficient. Forced to retreat, they barely managed to escape.

"These Fire Spirit Beasts were born of the totems. Now that most of the totems are destroyed, the rate at which new Fire Spirit Beasts are born has significantly slowed. The three of us will just need to spend some time clearing them out bit by bit. However, the space around the peaks has completely collapsed. Spatial rifts are everywhere, and only the sect leaders themselves might be able to approach that area."

Sikong Muyue remarked, her robes glowing briefly as they restored themselves.

A single Fire Spirit Beast wasn’t particularly strong; a Core Formation Realm cultivator could easily handle one. The real danger was the overwhelming numbers, such as those seen in the caves or volcanic craters, where thousands of them gathered in clusters.

Now, with the Fire Spirit Beasts scattered across the vast estate, their density was much lower. As long as the three Core Formation cultivators acted discreetly and avoided alarming a large group at once, they could manage the situation.

Che Yutao shook his head slowly. "Spiritual Realm cultivators are all preoccupied with their tribulations and won’t easily divert their attention. Besides, this estate holds nothing that would interest them. And, Daoist Sikong, you weren’t at the peaks back then, so you don’t understand the dangers there. The spatial instability near the peaks is extreme, with rifts forming at any moment. Some rifts are so subtle and imperceptible that I nearly got swallowed by one myself. It cost me an astra to escape by sheer luck. Although the estate hasn’t been entirely destroyed, the deeper areas are still undergoing rapid spatial changes. The dangers there rival the core zones of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield."

Sikong Muyue and Du Yi exchanged a glance and remained silent, realizing the implication behind Che Yutao’s words. Di Que and Daoist Master Xuanyu were likely beyond saving.

Du Yi’s face was filled with worry. "Daoist Di Que might still be fine, but if Daoist Master Xuanyu has truly perished here, I fear the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace will hold us accountable..."

Deep down, Du Yi knew that Sikong Muyue and Che Yutao had the backing of their sects and wouldn’t be troubled by the wrath of Shangyuan Tranquility Palace. He, on the other hand, lacked such powerful support and might have to bear their anger alone.

"Exploration always comes with risks. Shangyuan Tranquility Palace should be reasonable enough to understand that," Sikong Muyue said after a brief pause, "Besides, there’s a chance Daoist Master Xuanyu has found a place to hide and hasn’t perished. We can’t simply abandon the matter—we should at least check the base of the peaks."

After some thought, she added, "Furthermore, while the peaks were destroyed by lava, those on the outskirts of the spatial rift zones are relatively intact. The items hidden within the barriers there may not be exceptionally rare, but they are treasures worth risking for Foundation Building disciples. Once the Fire Spirit Beasts are cleared out, this place could serve as a training ground for sect disciples."

Che Yutao nodded in agreement. "Daoist Sikong, your reasoning is sound. In that case, we three will stay a bit longer. However, to venture deeper into the estate, we’ll need additional help..."

...

Xuanlu Stronghold.

Qin Sang stood outside the stronghold, gazing at its imposing walls with a mixture of emotions. It had been over ten years since he last set foot here.

At that moment, Mu Yifeng’s voice came from behind.

"Junior Brother Qin, I must report to Senior Brother Qi. I’ll go ahead; we’ll meet again another day."

Qin Sang cupped his hands in farewell. "Safe travels, Senior Brother Mu."

Watching Mu Yifeng leave, Qin Sang’s face turned contemplative.

After leaving the ancient estate, Che Yutao had issued an order for everyone to disperse.

For now, the Fire Spirit Beasts occupied the estate, making it impossible for Foundation Building cultivators like them to enter. They could only wait for the Core Formation Realm cultivators to clear out most of the beasts before attempting to return for treasure hunting.

With the estate’s collapse, the barriers and arrays on the mountain peaks had likely been weakened, making them easier to breach than before.

However, the risks had also increased. The Fire Spirit Beasts wouldn’t be entirely eradicated, and the proximity to the spatial rift zones made the situation unpredictable.

Qin Sang wasn’t particularly interested in the treasures hidden within the barriers. What captivated his attention was the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman, which he suspected Daoist Master Xuanyu might have hidden, as well as the mysterious stone hall deep within the volcano.

The peaks had already collapsed, and it was uncertain whether anything within had survived. Even if it had, Qin Sang dared not venture there.

As Che Yutao had pointed out, the dangers in the depths of the ancient estate were no less than those at the center of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Even Core Formation Realm cultivators dared not venture recklessly, and only Spritual Realm cultivators could navigate it freely.

If he had already reached the Spiritual Realm Realm, what use would the Inner Vision Primordial Talisman have been?

This presented a glaring paradox. Of course, Qin Sang was far from needing to contemplate such matters; his immediate concern was how to reach the Core Formation Realm.

At this thought, Qin Sang flipped his palm over, revealing the token left to him by Wandering Man.

Wandering Man, busy with personal affairs, had entrusted the token to Qin Sang, instructing him to leave it and an address at the Taiyi Core Pavilion once he had settled down. Wandering Man promised to discuss the herb garden expedition in detail upon his return.

Having fully comprehended the second killing symbol, Qin Sang had no further need for combat experience before advancing to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm. He decided to retreat to a cave dwelling in the southern mountains near Xuanlu Stronghold for focused cultivation, bypassing the Tianjing Hidden Realm entirely and heading straight back to the stronghold.

Nightfall was approaching.

Upon entering the city, Qin Sang sought out Yu Yangzi and rented a cave dwelling established by the sect.

Spiritual stones were required, of course. Since Qin Sang insisted on the best available dwelling, the price was steep. However, with the inheritance he had obtained from Di Que, he could afford it.

Next, he made a trip to the Taiyi Core Pavilion.

After inquiring with the steward of the pavilion, Qin Sang sighed inwardly.

Wandering Man had been correct.

Since his last visit nearly twenty years ago, the Taiyi Core Pavilion had not auctioned any Heyun Pills, Five-Herb Divine Ointments, or Snow Ginseng Jade Pills. The most recent auction had been for a bottle of Five-Herb Divine Ointment nearly fifty years ago.

Leaving Wandering Man’s token and the address of his cave dwelling at the pavilion, Qin Sang departed the city under the cover of night.

The bright moon hung high, its light reflected by the snow, illuminating the night as if it were daytime.

South of Xuanlu Stronghold lay an endless stretch of snow-capped mountains, resembling a slumbering dragon. The area was desolate and uninhabited.

Despite its harsh cold, the region contained numerous hidden spirit veins of considerable quality. The Shaohua Mountain sect had claimed several of these veins, developing cave dwellings for its disciples. Xuanlu Guards typically patrolled the area, ensuring no intrusions.

The cave dwelling Qin Sang had rented was located atop one of these snow-covered peaks, offering an expansive view.

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He pushed open the stone door, letting in a gust of cold wind that cleared the stale air within. Qin Sang assessed the spiritual qi within the cave and nodded in satisfaction. After sealing the entrance and setting up some barriers, he sat cross-legged on the ice bed.

After some deliberation, Qin Sang retrieved the bone fragment and the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman.

Though he had yet to discuss the matter in depth with Wandering Man, Qin Sang was already inclined to accept the invitation and embark on the journey.