Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 779: Sword Will

Inside the Sky Tower, each level had its own teleportation hall.

Within these teleportation halls lay teleportation arrays, allowing one to leave the current level. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The landscape varied from one level to another.

"Apart from the teleportation halls, puppets may also emerge from these ruined buildings at any time. Fellow Daoists, perhaps we should each share our strongest abilities to better deal with any surprise attacks," suggested the man surnamed Di, looking around at everyone.

The five of them were all in the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm, but their strengths varied. Among them, the man surnamed Di and the elderly woman were the strongest, just a step away from reaching the late stage.

Since the elderly woman rarely spoke up first, the others naturally regarded the man surnamed Di as their leader.

"I possess the Eight Trigrams Mirror. Its defensive power is passable; with careful handling, it can barely withstand the attack of a late-stage expert," the elderly woman revealed candidly.

Everyone glanced at her with surprise. When she took out the copper Eight Trigrams Mirror, they were quick to praise, "Daoist Su, you're too modest. If your mirror can block attacks from a late-stage expert, how can you merely describe it as passable?"

Qin Sang spoke up, "With Daoist Su’s Eight Trigrams Mirror, it seems our safety is assured. Although my cultivation is humble, I've attained some proficiency in the Sword Dao, comprehending Sword Qi Thunderclap and Sword Light Division. Unfortunately, I can only separate out a single sword light."

The man surnamed Di clapped his hands joyfully, "Who knew that Daoist Qin was an expert in the Sword Dao! Since you've comprehended Sword Qi Thunderclap, your sword art must be extraordinary and perfect for seizing crucial opportunities in battle. You can be responsible for delivering the decisive blow to the puppets! These puppets are notoriously tough, capable of self-recovery, and have well-hidden weaknesses. Opportunities are fleeting, but I trust this shouldn't trouble Daoist Qin."

Qin Sang nodded. "Since Daoist Di has put it this way, I shall accept the responsibility. However, my knowledge of puppets is limited, and I've had few encounters with them in the past. I'm concerned about missing my chance when faced with an unfamiliar puppet—"

At this moment, the female cultivator surnamed Yin suddenly interrupted, "Don't worry, Daoist Qin. After learning about the conditions within the Sky Tower, I studied puppet secret techniques for several years. When the time comes, I can advise you. Additionally, I possess a secret technique that allows me to sense the fluctuations emitted by puppets. Even the most stealthy puppet can’t evade my detection at close range. But I’ll need all of you to protect me so I can fully concentrate on maintaining this technique."

Her words filled everyone with delight.

Within the lower levels of the Sky Tower, apart from ancient barriers, the greatest threats were the countless mechanical puppet beasts.

No one knew how these puppets were created; for years, cultivators had entered the Sky Tower repeatedly, yet their numbers never seemed to diminish.

The female cultivator's ability perfectly countered these puppet beasts, bringing enormous convenience to their group.

Afterwards, the other two cultivators also explained their own specialties.

The five swiftly rearranged their formation, positioning themselves around the female cultivator surnamed Yin in the center.

Puppets on the first three levels were relatively weak, equivalent only to Foundation Building cultivators. The team took this opportunity to rehearse their tactics in preparation for the higher levels.

Just as their formation was completed, an unaware puppet charged at them.

Passing by a ruined wall, they saw the azure glow on the surface ripple slightly. Three dark shadows immediately leaped out towards them.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

With a casual palm strike from the man surnamed Di, the three puppets were instantly thrown back, their chests deeply caved in.

The puppets were shaped like fierce tigers but had no fur; instead, their bodies were assembled from bluestone blocks.

After being struck by the man surnamed Di, two of the puppets rattled ominously before abruptly shattering.

Their fragments flew in all directions, astonishingly turning to sand right before their eyes and vanishing completely into the darkness, leaving no trace behind—an eerie sight.

Yet one puppet retained its combat capability. Swinging its long tail, it transformed into a black streak aimed directly at the face of Daoist Di.

Sharp claws flashed out from the darkness, just inches from his forehead.

The others showed no intention of interfering.

Calm and composed, Daoist Di rotated his palm slightly, easily deflecting the tiger claw. A thoughtful expression crossed his face as his other hand again struck the puppet, shattering it completely.

"I’d say they're roughly at the early stage of the Foundation Building Realm," Daoist Di said, turning to the others before continuing, "According to legend, each level's puppets become progressively stronger, closely matching the cultivation levels of immortal cultivators. Doesn't it seem like a trial set up by ancient cultivators for their descendants?"

The elderly woman shook her head. "Not necessarily. Aren’t there supposed to be special levels in the Sky Tower, with scenery completely unlike the others? Those areas reportedly contain numerous strange artifacts. The Sky Tower holds far too many secrets; only the ancient cultivators who once lived here could truly know its purpose."

They continued their conversation as they flew deeper into the darkness.

Along the way, they encountered numerous puppet beasts ambushing them, though their strengths remained similar to the earlier puppets, and thus were easily handled.

After traveling for an unknown distance, they eventually stopped, gazing into the wide space ahead.

"Fellow Daoists, you are all familiar with what the teleportation hall looks like, right? The teleportation hall is roaming somewhere around here. Let's split up to find it."

After uttering these words, Daoist Di chose a direction and flew off.

The others scattered in all directions, searching through the darkness.

Qin Sang flew alone toward the right.

Upon spotting a ruined grand hall ahead, he proactively approached it.

In truth, he held a deep interest in the path of puppetry.

From the Foundation Building Realm to the Core Formation Realm, his consistent ability to overpower cultivators of the same realm had been inseparable from his use of external forces such as refined corpses and spirit beasts. These aids had allowed him to overcome formidable enemies time and again, narrowly escaping numerous crises.

The puppets within the Sky Tower appeared capable of returning from death. If he could unravel the secrets behind this, and refine his own powerful puppet beasts, it would greatly enhance his combat strength.

Just as Qin Sang neared the ruined grand hall, a group of tiger-shaped puppets lunged toward him. Some spewed mysterious light from their mouths, while others slashed with their claws.

The ebony sword swept in a gentle arc, effortlessly slicing through most of the puppet beasts.

Qin Sang spared two of them, seizing them for further study while continuing his search for the teleportation hall.

Eventually, to his disappointment, he discovered that the existence of these puppet beasts was likely tied to the ancient barriers of the Sky Tower. Their resurrection-like abilities could not be replicated. Even the materials they were composed of would inexplicably vanish after death, becoming impossible to preserve. Even when stored inside a Thousand-Jin Ring, they would mysteriously disappear.

With all five working together, their search for the teleportation hall became much more efficient.

Though Qin Sang found nothing himself, he soon received a signal and immediately turned back.

Before long, the five of them gathered before a grand hall.

The hall hovered in the darkness, not anchored to any location but instead drifting slowly.

It was the most intact structure within the first stage. Even the roof tiles showed no signs of damage, and within it lay the ancient teleportation array.

The hall exuded an air of age and grandeur, its design strikingly unique. The towering rooftop rose like a sharp sword, emanating a powerful sword will.

The moment he saw the hall, Qin Sang’s mind tensed sharply.

It was a sensation that others could never truly describe. Only those who had cultivated the Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment would understand just how extraordinary this sword will truly was!