Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 781: Teleportation

Fifth level...

Sixth level...

They advanced with unstoppable momentum, ascending all the way to the sixth level in one breath.

Upon stepping out of the teleportation array, everyone’s expression grew solemn.

If the Sky Tower truly served as a trial ground, then this level was clearly intended for late-stage Core Formation cultivators. Although they no longer needed to face a puppet siege within the teleportation hall, puppets could still launch ambushes at any moment while they searched for the next teleportation array.

Having grown used to one another’s rhythms, they now moved with seamless coordination.

The size of the ancient halls increased with each level. As they flew through the darkness, they defended against puppet attacks while continuing their aimless search.

"Watch below!"

Daoist Yin suddenly sensed something and shouted a warning.

The others reacted instantly.

The elderly woman clasped her hands together, and the copper mirror emitted a trembling hum. A yellow light flashed and formed a massive illusionary shadow, enveloping the entire group within a protective yellow light barrier.

At the same time, the small shield circling around them split into five pieces.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh...

Each shield shot down beneath a different person, forming a second layer of protection.

In an instant, a dual-layered defense was established.

Qin Sang tracked the movement of the two astras, only withdrawing his gaze once he was certain there were no vulnerabilities in their defense. He never placed his life in another’s hands. Should anything go awry, he could summon the Two-Headed Hou at a moment’s notice.

Meanwhile, Daoist Di suddenly flicked his sleeve, and a streak of crimson light shot out from it, blasting toward the darkness below with astonishing speed.

Boom!

A series of muffled explosions followed as several shadowy figures emerged simultaneously from the gloom.

These puppets all had the same form, resembling panthers. Their bodies were lean and streamlined, clearly built for agility. From their limbs to the tops of their heads, they were covered in overlapping black scales that formed dense armor, including over their eyes. With their eyes closed, they displayed no weakness at all.

Qin Sang had seen similar scale armor on puppets in the fifth level. It was incredibly tough. But the armor on these panther puppets was visibly thicker and more durable.

Each panther puppet had razor-sharp claws embedded in its paws. Most unusual of all was the single horn atop its head, crafted from some kind of black crystal. It was extremely sharp and deadly.

Completely black in color, these puppets blended seamlessly into the shadows.

Moreover, they moved without making a sound. If not for the female cultivator’s timely warning, they might only have noticed the puppets when they were already upon them.

The crimson light forced the panther puppets out of hiding, but only managed to slightly hinder their charge.

These puppets felt no pain. With a jerk of their heads, they shattered the crimson light and lunged forward wordlessly.

There were six puppets in total.

The copper mirror shot a yellow beam and sent one puppet flying.

Daoist Wu controlled his shield to lock one down.

Daoist Di and Qin Sang each engaged two.

In an instant, astral lights flared, and streams of true essence flew in all directions.

Daoist Yin kept a close eye on the puppets. Her eyes emitted a strange light as she activated a secret art to locate their weak points.

"Something's wrong!"

Daoist Di seemed to notice something. His expression tightened slightly.

The panther puppets suddenly gave up on their assault and retreated of their own accord.

It was the first time the group had encountered such behavior. Perplexed, they looked on as the puppets regrouped, their pitch-black eyes locking onto them, emotionless and unnervingly calm.

Then, as one, the puppets aimed their horns at them.

Szzz...

The tips of the horns began to glow. Lightning surged, gradually condensing into spheres of lightning.

What was even more alarming was that the six lightning spheres began to show signs of merging.

Even before the fusion completed, the pressure emanating from the spheres made it clear they were dangerously powerful. Getting hit by one would not end well.

"We absolutely cannot let those lightning spheres merge!"

Qin Sang’s expression shifted. He shouted a warning, then immediately activated his ebony sword, unleashing Sword Qi Thunderclap toward one of the panther puppets. The others, realizing the urgency of the situation, also launched their attacks with full force.

Just then, the eyes of Daoist Yin lit up. She had finally discovered something and called out, "The eyes. Their weakness is the eyes. You must strike both at the same time!" 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"No wonder attacking the eyes earlier had no effect. So that’s the reason."

Qin Sang's mind stirred. At the final moment, he redirected his attack.

The sword light flashed like lightning, bending mid-air before shooting straight toward the panther puppet’s head. At the last moment, the sword light flickered and split into two, targeting both of its eyes.

The Sword Qi Thunderclap moved with astonishing speed. The panther puppet had no time to close the scales over its face. Both eyes were pierced by the ebony sword.

In the next instant, the puppet froze. The lightning sphere on its horn silently dissipated, and its body began to crumble as if weathered by wind. With a twist from the ebony sword, it dissolved into azure sand and scattered.

Having finally found the weak point, the group’s spirits were lifted. They rallied to assist Qin Sang, clearing the way and providing him opportunities to strike.

Before long, all six panther puppets had been cut down by Qin Sang’s sword.

The elderly woman sighed. “Every puppet on the sixth level possesses a unique ability, and their lethality far surpasses those from the lower levels. They’re getting harder and harder to deal with. If the teleportation hall and passageway hadn’t been destroyed, even working together, I doubt we’d have made it far enough to find the teleportation array.”

Daoist Di said with ease, “We were fortunate to have Daoist Yin’s mastery in puppet technique and Daoist Qin’s superb swordsmanship. The two of you are the perfect counter to these puppets. It seems I truly chose my teammates well. Judging by our speed, we’ve likely overtaken many of the cultivators who entered ahead of us.”

“Daoist Di, don’t forget those Spiritual Infant grandmasters and your witch race seniors. By now they’ve probably turned the Sky Tower upside down. I only hope they don’t lay eyes on the treasure I’m after,” the elderly woman remarked with a cold splash of realism.

Her tone dampened the mood. Her expression was grim.

The others quickly put away their smiles, though none could refute her words.

Only Qin Sang remained at ease. He wasn’t after treasures. The more relics those Spiritual Infant cultivators unearthed, the better. He could follow the clues they left behind to find what he truly sought.

Still, the thought of those grandmasters loomed like storm clouds in his mind.

The group fell silent and pressed on.

They continued to encounter puppet ambushes, but each time managed to escape danger.

After making a wide sweep through the sixth level, they finally located the teleportation array.

In a barren open area, a three-layered platform floated slowly in place. It was unremarkable in appearance, with the surrounding hall completely shattered and nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, the teleportation array on top of the platform remained fully intact.

"Finally found it!"

Everyone let out a long breath, their faces bright with relief and excitement as they eagerly flew toward the array.

“Once we reach the next level, are any of you planning to continue working together?” Daoist Yin suddenly asked.

But when she looked around, disappointment flickered in her eyes. The elderly woman shook her head. “I’d love to keep allies by my side, but the place I’m heading to is rather special. Entry requires a specific token, and I only have one. I’m afraid we’ll have to part ways here. Perhaps we’ll have the chance to work together again in the future.”

Qin Sang and the others voiced their agreement.

Whoosh! Whoosh...

They all flew toward the stone platform.

Unexpectedly...

Just as they reached the platform’s edge, the teleportation array lit up without warning. A figure slowly emerged and materialized atop the platform.