Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 1114: The Mysterious Stone Tablet

"The recent lull in activity from Sin Abyss had something to do with Ziwei Palace. The celestial arrays of Sin God Palace and Ziwei Palace originated from the same source. Cultivators from Sin Abyss could pass through the devilish hole at the inner hall’s entrance and enter Ziwei Palace directly..." Qingjun said.From Qingjun, Qin Sang learned even more hidden secrets. Only then did he understand why spiritual arrays had once confronted each other at the edge of the devilish hole.

Cultivators of Sin Abyss had actually been able to pass through the devilish hole and enter Ziwei Palace. During this treasure hunt, both sides had guarded against each other, scheming in secret within, and had even fought several major battles atop the heavenly mountain.

Qin Sang felt fortunate that he had remained vigilant. Otherwise, he might have plunged straight into Sin Abyss’s trap.

Qingjun’s tone shifted, and she sneered. "Some people foolishly believed Sin Abyss had lost its momentum and that they were safe, so they began stirring up trouble in secret. The internal strife within Cunyang Sect bore their shadow. Seeing that the new sect leader's foundation was unstable, they tried to split the sect apart. What they did not realize was that I had long sensed something strange about Sin Abyss. Though it had seemed like an even back-and-forth before, they might not have been attacking with full force. As for when they would make a comeback, no one could say. For now, you don't need to worry. You may cultivate peacefully in Peach Blossom Valley. Of course, once war erupts again, you cannot hide in the shadows forever. You cultivate the sword scripture of the Dao of Slaughter and excel at killing. On the battlefield, you would fit right in..."

"I am also a cultivator of Small Cold Domain. If there is a need, I will certainly do my part!" Qin Sang’s voice was low and steady. He did not shirk responsibility.

He calculated inwardly that when Sin Abyss consolidated its forces and launched a full assault, at the very least he would have recovered to the late stage of the Core Formation Realm. With his arsenal of supernatural abilities, as long as he did not face a Spiritual Infant cultivator of Sin Abyss alone, he would rarely meet an equal.

Disguised as an elder of the Yuanshen Sect, with my senior sister helping to conceal me, I'm not afraid of being exposed by Dongyang Bo. Such rare peace in the immortal cultivation world has to be seized for cultivation. Qin Sang reminded himself inwardly.

If Sin Abyss delayed a little longer, he might even advance to the Spiritual Infant Realm first.

At that thought, Qin Sang suddenly recalled a matter that had lingered in his mind and asked, "Senior Sister, is the Azure Luan puppet still with you? May I take a look?"

He cultivated both qi and body. His Heavenly Demon Body Refinement had already reached the late third stage, and reaching its peak was only a matter of time.

From Senior Qingzhu, he had learned that strengthening the physical body and spiritual consciousness might aid in forming the Spiritual Infant. Thus, he had conceived the idea of breaking through to the fourth stage of Heavenly Demon Body Refinement before attempting the Spiritual Infant Realm. Yet one concern had always lingered.

The cultivation art he practiced relied on visualizing the Azure Luan puppet refined by Qingjun. Its bearing could not compare to that of a true Azure Luan. Though he had managed to cultivate with it, his foundation felt unstable, and he did not know how far he could go.

According to the art’s description, the Heavenly Demon Dharma Lakshana was crucial for breaking through to the fourth stage.

Merely visualizing the Azure Luan puppet left him uncertain whether he could truly comprehend the Azure Luan’s Dharma Lakshana.

Qingjun had once said she had seen a true Azure Luan and felt its aura. That was why the Azure Luan puppet appeared so lifelike and carried a trace of its genuine spirit.

The moment Qin Sang finished speaking, the vapor of tea before Qingjun rippled. Where the vapor condensed, an Azure Luan spread its wings and flew out. Its cry rang clear and melodious.

The wooden hut offered little space, so the Azure Luan puppet did not reveal its true size. Even so, its form was incomparably beautiful. Divine light scattered from its phoenix wings as it circled above their heads, its voice carrying a hint of joy, almost like a living creature.

"It should still remember you..." Qingjun’s gaze softened as she looked at the Azure Luan.

Qin Sang suddenly felt weight settle on his shoulder. The Azure Luan landed there comfortably, preening its feathers as though greeting an old acquaintance, without the slightest sense of estrangement.

From the Azure Luan, Qin Sang actually sensed a faint trace of danger. Clearly, the Azure Luan puppet possessed far more than mere beauty. As its master’s cultivation had risen, its strength had increased as well.

Qin Sang examined the Azure Luan carefully. To his disappointment, after its metamorphosis, the Azure Luan puppet’s bearing had changed little from before.

"I was fortunate to glimpse the true form of an Azure Luan. But it was not the divine beast’s real body, only a projection, and I saw it only for an instant. Though it left a deep impression on me, in that hurried moment I could not grasp the true bearing of the divine beast. When I carved the Azure Luan puppet, I added much of my own imagination..." She recalled the puppet, indicating there was little more she could do.

"Senior Sister, where did you see that projection? Does it still exist?" Qin Sang’s voice turned urgent as he sought guidance.

Qingjun reflected for a moment. "The Azure Luan’s phantom originated from a mysterious stone tablet discovered in a hidden realm. When the tablet appeared, I was not the only one present. At the time, my cultivation was low. I was unqualified to compete for it and did not dare reveal myself. In the end, the tablet was likely taken by a demon king."

"A demon king?" Qin Sang had not expected the matter to involve a demon king. "From the demonic domain?"

"Indeed. The demon king valued the tablet that sealed the Azure Luan’s phantom highly. As for what truly lies within the tablet, only that demon king knows." Qingjun nodded.

They spoke a while longer. Qingjun soon showed signs of seeing him off, mentioning that she would be traveling soon and was uncertain when she would return. She instructed Qin Sang to manage the peach grove properly.

Qin Sang did not press further. He left the wooden hut and returned to his cave dwelling.

"The mysterious stone tablet ended up in the hands of a demon king of the demonic domain. That is troublesome..." Seated cross-legged on a cushion, Qin Sang felt helpless.

Though the demon race had sworn an alliance with the human race and had contributed in the battle against Sin Abyss, they still harbored vigilance and even hostility toward humans.

During meetings of the Two-Domain Alliance, the demon kings rarely appeared in person. Most communication passed through Yuling Sect.

With such a precious treasure, how could the demon king lend it to humans for examination so easily?

"In the current situation, Senior Sister would not provoke the demon king. Senior Wandering Man frequently traveled through the demonic domain and must have befriended some among the demon race. Perhaps he understood that demon king’s temperament..." Qin Sang considered the possibilities one by one.

"There is no need to rush. Zhitian Peak is an excellent place for Star Essence Infusion. Breaking through to the fourth stage may not require viewing the tablet. For now, I should first cultivate Heavenly Demon Body Refinement to the peak of the third stage." With that, Qin Sang made up his mind.

Now that he had become an elder of the Yuanshen Sect, he did not need to hurry to subdue the Devilish Flame Sect. He could devote himself entirely to secluded cultivation. Before entering retreat, he would commission the major merchant guilds and factions to acquire what he needed. As for pills that could raise cultivation, he would take as many as he could obtain.

Then there were demon fruits useful for Heavenly Demon Body Refinement, such as Tyrant Blood Fruit, Azure Reed Root, and Scorpion Venom Grass.

He had learned of their medicinal properties from ancient texts of the demon race in the Demonic Sea.

The demon race of Small Cold Domain had long remained isolated in one corner. Their inheritance was certainly less complete than that of the Demonic Sea. They might not even understand the effects of some of those demon fruits. Perhaps some rare specimens had slipped through unnoticed.

In addition, he needed spiritual herbs to feed the Sky-Eyed Butterfly and the Fire Jade Centipede. Those should not be difficult to obtain within Small Cold Domain.

When he calculated everything, he realized he required quite a great deal, and none of it was cheap.

Fortunately, he had brought back many demonic cores and bones from Canglang Sea. After selling them, the proceeds would be more than enough to cover the expense.