Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 724: Guilt

"Back then, when Daoist Master risked his life to draw away the enemy, we parted ways and rushed to the island to seek help. Senior Ran Luo led a rescue party out, but returned empty-handed..."

In the quiet chamber, Qin Sang sat across from the Wang Sisters, listening to their account of what had happened all those years ago.

He was slightly taken aback. It was no wonder the sisters had reacted with such emotion upon seeing him.

They had witnessed Qin Sang face the enemy alone, buying them time to escape. Rather than using them as bait, he had chosen to protect them. To them, he had become a lifesaving benefactor, a memory they had carried with them to this day.

But truthfully, Qin Sang had not given it much thought at the time. He had simply urged them to flee because their cultivation was too low. If they had stayed, they would only have been a burden.

Yet a casual decision on his part had carried extraordinary meaning for others.

That said, one thing they mentioned wasn’t entirely wrong.

He had indeed never considered using them as bait to distract the enemy while he made his own escape.

"Congratulations, Daoist, on reaching the Great Dao of Golden Core. I assume your younger sister is also close to her breakthrough? How are the other three Daoists faring these days?"

Qin Sang smiled as he looked at the two.

The elder sister blushed slightly and replied,

"I owe my breakthrough to Daoist Master. During the years we followed you, witnessing your profound cultivation and tireless diligence served as immense inspiration to us.

"The precious spiritual materials you gifted us allowed my sister and me to accumulate enough resources to cultivate and purchase a superior Malevolent Demonic Pill. She even gave up her pill to me so I could break through first. I am currently helping her gather another one. With her talent, she should have no trouble forming her core soon.

"As for the other three Daoists, they have returned to the Inner Sea.

"The two seniors attempted to break through again after returning, but both failed. They have since given up on forming a core and returned home to raise their only sons with the savings they had amassed.

"Daoist Peng has sensed the opportunity for a breakthrough as well, but his cultivation art requires a senior's guidance during the process. He had to return to his sect not long ago, and we do not yet know whether he succeeded.

"Before they left, all three repeatedly urged me to find Daoist Master at any cost."

Just then, Ran Luo entered from outside. The moment she saw Qin Sang, joy lit up her face.

When asked about his experiences over the years, Qin Sang recited the story he had long prepared. He claimed that his opponent had been overwhelmingly strong, forcing him deep into the Demonic Sea. There, he had lost his way. Fearing his enemies still lurked near Duyan Island, he had not dared return. Only recently, upon hearing that the war had ended, had he finally come back.

The three women accepted this explanation without question and sighed at his hardships.

"Hard cultivation is the same wherever one is. It is nothing worth mentioning. But I had just become the guild's guest cultivator and hadn't yet performed a single duty. Then I vanished for twenty years. I have let you down, Daoist Ran."

Qin Sang spoke with an apologetic smile.

Ran Luo waved it off. "It is already a great relief that Daoist Master returned safely. Compared to your safety, Guild matters are trivial. If blame must be assigned, then let it fall on those who caused the chaos, those witch race traitors. For now, Daoist Master should take a few days to rest. I will send word to Elder Zhou right away and arrange a proper reception for your return."

Qin Sang wanted no such fuss and quickly tried to dissuade her. "Daoist Ran may not know, but when I first entered the Demonic Sea, I heard rumors of a spiritual herb growing on Tianwu Island. It happens to be just what I need. I had planned to collect it fifteen years ago, but was trapped in the sea until now. The herb must already be fully matured. If I delay any longer, it might be taken by a demonic beast. Time is tight, so there is no need for any welcome. Please prepare the materials. Once I fulfill my duties as guest cultivator by refining the artifact, I will depart immediately."

Ran Luo asked with concern, "Does that herb grow near a demonic beast's nest? If it is dangerous, why not take a few helpers from the guild?"

"It is fine. If this were fifteen years ago, I would not be sure. But as the saying goes, blessings hide within misfortune. Though I was trapped in the Demonic Sea, I have gained much. My strength now is worlds apart from before."

Qin Sang spoke with confidence, then added, "There is one more small matter I would like to trouble you with."

Ran Luo straightened her expression. "Please speak, Daoist Master."

The Wang Sisters tactfully took their leave.

As they stepped out of the quiet chamber and gently closed the door, the elder sister noticed that Qin Sang had merely nodded slightly without any intention of asking them to stay. A trace of melancholy flickered across her face.

"Sister..."

Her younger sister took her arm and looked into her eyes, hesitating.

The elder sister shook her head, as though talking to herself, or perhaps admonishing her own thoughts. "Daoist Master is an ascetic."

The younger sister let out a soft sigh and hugged her tightly.

Side by side, the two sisters gradually walked away.

Inside the chamber, Ran Luo watched them leave, then suddenly chuckled. "Daoist Master may not know, but the Wang Sisters have long been moved by your character. Ever since Duyan Island was unsealed, they have never stopped searching for you. They even investigated those responsible for your attempted murder. Truly, they are rare examples of loyalty and affection in this world."

"Such deep regard... I am ashamed."

Qin Sang fell silent and did not continue the topic. His tone shifted. "Daoist Ran, I plan to venture into Seven-Kill Hall and would like the guild's help in finding out which faction will lead its next opening. The guild mainly operates in the Inner Sea. It should not be too difficult to look into, right?"

By now, it had been nearly twenty-five years since he first arrived at Canglang Sea.

According to past custom, if any faction intended to explore Seven-Kill Hall, they would soon begin spreading the word in advance.

After all, preparing the spiritual array required to dismantle the celestial array demanded an astronomical amount of resources. Even the wealthiest of factions would struggle to bear the burden. They needed decades of advance preparation and often relied on selling entry slots to recoup costs quickly.

Qin Sang had initially thought that the chaos between the two races might affect Seven-Kill Hall. But now that the turmoil had subsided, everything was returning to its proper course.

He was determined to enter Seven-Kill Hall and needed to secure his qualification before he could feel at ease.

In truth, he understood the situation all too clearly. Even if he managed to locate the ancient teleportation array this time, chances were he still would not be able to return.

Seven-Kill Hall could be forcibly opened by people. Ziwei Palace on the other side, however, could not. Once teleported across, he would be trapped inside and forced to face unknown dangers lurking within.

He would have to wait until Seven-Kill Hall manifested on its own again in order to return to the Small Cold Domain.

But ancient teleportation arrays were never easy to find. If he waited until Seven-Kill Hall’s next emergence and failed to locate it then, he would have to wait another two hundred years. By then, even dried vegetables would have gone cold.

That was why this attempt was absolutely imperative.

Ran Luo was visibly startled by his words. She lowered her voice and said solemnly, "Daoist Master, when did you set your sights on Seven-Kill Hall? How much do you actually know about it? Please do not follow the crowd blindly. The easier treasures to obtain inside the hall were plundered long ago. What remains are deadly zones of extreme danger, most of which even Spiritual Infant grandmasters cannot handle.

"Those entering the hall nowadays are either overly confident in their strength or have no other path forward and are forced to gamble everything on one last shot. You have only recently formed your core. Your lifespan is abundant, and your future holds boundless promise. Why take such a risk?"