Gateway of Immortality

On an endless plain, several mountain ranges rose abruptly, crisscrossing like giant dragons sprawled across the earth.

These mountains were peculiar, gleaming with a scattering of dazzling light under the sunlight, as if covered in a reflective layer of scales. Upon closer inspection, one would find they were dotted with transparent "flowers."

Strangely enough, these "flowers" were crystal blossoms made of amethyst. Yet they bloomed as vividly as real flowers, each petal crafted with lifelike precision.

No one knew why such unusual crystal flowers had appeared here.

Countless blossoms vied for attention as Qin Sang’s figure emerged at the foot of a mountain. Mesmerized by the breathtaking scene, he couldn't help but silently marvel at it.

After orienting himself, he rode his sword to the mountainside of one of the peaks. Taking out a token belonging to the Shadow Guards, he attuned to it briefly before stepping forward to one of the crystal flowers.

The purple crystal sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, appearing no different from the other crystal flowers around it.

Who would have guessed that a hidden realm lay concealed within this inconspicuous flower? To be precise, this crystal flower served as the entrance to the Tianjing Hidden Realm, embodying the idea of a world within a single bloom.

Qin Sang had just come to a stop in front of the crystal flower when, in an instant, a peculiar wave surged from its core. Then, he felt a sharp pain in his brow, as though a keen sword had locked onto him. It was clear that the person within the hidden realm had recognized Qin Sang’s intention to enter and was issuing a warning.

"Qin Sang, Shadow Guard of Xuanlu Stronghold and disciple of Shaohua Mountain, greets Senior Brother Teng Nan! I am here at the request of Senior Brother Yu Yangzi, bearing a letter for Senior Brother Teng Nan’s attention," Qin Sang announced his purpose loudly, holding up a jade slip containing the letter from Yu Yangzi.

In an instant, the flower’s core opened, and the rippling wave transformed into a dark vortex. A force drew the jade slip into the hidden realm, and faint voices could be heard from within.

"Please wait a moment…"

Qin Sang stood with his hands at his sides, waiting patiently.

After a brief interval, the light before him dimmed as a brawny man clad in golden armor appeared.

"Junior Brother Qin," the armored man greeted him warmly, clasping his hands in courtesy. "I am Teng Nan, entrusted with the duty of guarding this hidden realm. If I have been overly cautious, I ask for Junior Brother Qin’s understanding."

Qin Sang discreetly assessed Senior Brother Teng Nan. Since they would likely be sharing the hidden realm for several decades, having a difficult companion would be a significant nuisance.

Teng Nan, with his golden armor and imposing presence, looked quite formidable. However, his friendly face suggested he might not be difficult to get along with.

Qin Sang returned the greeting respectfully. "Senior Brother Teng, you are simply fulfilling your duty, and it is only right to exercise caution. I apologize for my unexpected visit and hope I did not disturb you."

At this, Teng Nan smiled, giving Qin Sang a once-over. "I have already read Junior Brother Yu Yangzi’s letter. Junior Brother Qin, please follow me… The Tianjing Hidden Realm may not be as bountiful as other realms, but we can still provide a cave dwelling."

With that, Qin Sang followed Teng Nan into the vortex. His vision blurred, and when it cleared, the scenery had transformed completely.

Beneath blue skies and white clouds, the air was fresh, and the spiritual qi was exceptionally dense. From the desolate Ancient Immortal Battlefield, Qin Sang felt as if he had suddenly entered a paradise.

A few green peaks stood nearby, covered in spirit trees known as Yellow Qiao.

The grassy plain was fragrant, and a large river meandered across the landscape, its source and destination unknown. Along the riverbanks, numerous herb gardens had been cultivated, each filled with various spiritual herbs.

The familiar sight stirred a sense of nostalgia in Qin Sang, bringing back memories of his time in the Yuanzhao Sect.

In the depths of the hidden realm, there lay a space shrouded in thick mist, sealing off a mysterious area. Qin Sang understood that this place contained the greatest secrets of the hidden realm—perhaps the remnants of an ancient cultivator’s estate, or possibly an ancient herb garden. Whatever it was, he knew better than to pry.

Upon entering the hidden realm, Qin Sang encountered two guards in golden armor, both at the Qi Refining Realm. Teng Nan introduced them, and Qin Sang learned that one was a disciple of the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace and the other a disciple of the Taiyi Core Sect—these were the individuals he had heard earlier.

All guards within the hidden realm were under Teng Nan's command, taking turns standing watch.

"Some others have gone out for training, while others are in seclusion cultivating," Teng Nan explained, introducing Qin Sang to each area within the hidden realm. Finally, he pointed to the barrier in the sky above and added, "The hidden realm isn’t completely secure, especially when celestial phenomena occur. If Junior Brother Qin could lend a hand when needed, it would be a great help."

Qin Sang replied earnestly, "Please rest assured, Senior Brother Teng. Whenever assistance is needed, I will do my part and not stand idly by."

Teng Nan nodded in approval and led Qin Sang to a mountain within the depths of the hidden realm. There, on the cliffside, several dozen cave dwellings had been carved, each one secured by a barrier.

Pointing to one of the cave dwellings, Teng Nan said, "This is the area with the densest spiritual qi in the hidden realm—more than sufficient for cultivators at the Foundation Building Realm. That one over there is my own cave dwelling; the others are currently unoccupied. Feel free to choose one, Junior Brother Qin. With your Shadow Guard token, you can open and close the barriers as you please. Also, here is a map of the Tianjing Hidden Realm. It marks the locations where Cloud Beasts gather; you should take care to avoid these areas when training outside."

Taking the jade slip that Teng Nan handed him, Qin Sang focused his spiritual consciousness within it, noting that the map was far more detailed than the one Yu Yangzi had provided him. It must have been compiled over many years by the guards of the Tianjing Hidden Realm, making it exceedingly valuable.

After storing away the jade slip, Qin Sang immediately took out his Shadow Guard token, intending to transfer half of his merit points to Teng Nan as payment for renting a cave dwelling. Teng Nan initially declined, but after some insistence, he accepted the merit.

The so-called cave dwelling was essentially a rough-hewn cave, its walls bearing the marks of sword and blade strikes, with only a stone bed and nothing else inside.

It looked rather primitive, like the dwelling of a hermit, yet within the desolate Ancient Immortal Battlefield, such a refuge was hard to come by.

Qin Sang paid no mind to the sparse furnishings. After a brief glance, he dismissed it, closing his eyes and activating his cultivation art. After completing a cosmic orbit[1], he nodded in satisfaction.

It was far inferior to his spiritual spring cave dwelling, but it would suffice for his cultivation needs.

"Finally, I can cultivate in peace!"

Qin Sang sat down on the stone bed, letting out a long breath. After some thought, he retrieved the Spirit Beast Pouch that had once belonged to Yin Xingge.

The malevolent corpse had discovered the Spirit Beast Pouch and a few scattered artifacts in the mine, though the most valuable Mustard Seed Pouch had not been found, likely lost in the crevice.

Inside the Spirit Beast Pouch were several jars and containers, holding over a dozen types of demonic bugs.

Among the items was also a jade slip containing the Medicine King Sect’s notes on rearing demonic insects. After a careful examination, Qin Sang discovered that most of the bugs served little purpose; they were mainly used to aid in the cultivation of spiritual herbs.

Given Yin Xingge's background as a disciple of the Medicine King Sect, Qin Sang was not surprised.

However, there was one fiery red centipede for which the jade slip held no description. Qin Sang sensed that this insect was unique. Later, in Changyang Market, he visited a store affiliated with the Yuling Sect and, after a hefty payment, obtained a compendium of demonic bugs. Only then did he learn that this rare creature was called the Fire Jade Centipede!

1. Reminder that cosmic orbit is a Daoist qigong energy cultivation technique. ☜