Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 1105: An Unexpected Encounter

The world of immortal cultivation was ever-changing and unpredictable.Before leaving, Qin Sang had not left many resources for Mei Gu. To a sect, what he had given was no more than a drop in the ocean. Yet, that frail and seemingly powerless sect, situated in the heart of devilish territory, had managed to survive until now without being destroyed.

For over a century, the great war had swept through the cultivation world. Many of the top sects and mighty factions of that era had since fallen into decline, and countless sects had been wiped from existence.

Among them, the greatest sect of the Small Cold Domain back then, Cunyang Sect, had withered away following the death of its red-haired grandmaster.

In contrast, the status of Shaohua Mountain and Dongyang Bo had only continued to rise.

Such was the natural cycle of prosperity and decay. He could not help but wonder how Devilish Flame Sect had survived in the cracks between the great powers.

"So, you are a disciple of Devilish Flame Sect," Qin Sang remarked, nodding slightly with a gentle tone. "Many years ago, I met a Daoist named Mei Gu. She, too, came from Devilish Flame Sect and claimed to be its sect leader."

"You know our sect leader?" the young man exclaimed in astonishment. "I was blind and failed to recognize you, Senior. Please forgive my rudeness!"

Qin Sang waved his hand dismissively. "Is Daoist Mei still the sect leader? When we met, she was only at the Foundation Building Realm. After all these years, she must have formed her core by now?"

The young man nodded repeatedly. "The sect leader formed her core many years ago. My current cultivation is all thanks to her guidance."

"I remember she once spoke of Devilish Flame Sect with deep worry. For her to lead the sect to this day and even form her core... How remarkable," Qin Sang said sincerely.

Those words came from the heart. He thought back to how difficult it had been for him to form his own core back then; he had dared not be distracted by anything else.

He had long forgotten about Devilish Flame Sect and Mei Gu, yet they had survived like tenacious wild grass, living on in the ruthless, predatory world of cultivation.

The young man’s eyes flickered. "The sect leader said the sect’s survival was not her doing alone. It was thanks to the protection of our founder."

"The founder of Devilish Flame Sect? I recall Daoist Mei mentioning such a person. But if I remember correctly, that senior has not shown himself for a long time, has he?" Qin Sang asked calmly, eyes narrowing slightly.

Seeing that Qin Sang knew so much about the sect, the young man’s doubts began to fade. He hesitated before saying, "I have never seen the founder personally, but Sect Leader often speaks of him. For special reasons, the grandmaster cannot reveal himself, yet he has always protected the sect from the shadows."

Qin Sang could tell even the youth himself did not believe that. After disappearing for so many years, that so-called grandmaster was most likely nothing but a pile of bones.

Still, whether Mei Gu had used his name as a banner to protect her sect or for some other reason, at least she had not forgotten about him.

Qin Sang nodded and asked a few more questions. By this point, anyone could tell there was something unusual about him.

Outside, the celestial phenomena raged on. Within the vast shelter, all cultivators remained silent as mice, secretly observing Qin Sang and the youth’s exchange.

Less than an hour later, the celestial phenomena began to subside. Qin Sang glanced outside, rose to his feet, and walked toward the exit.

"Senior!" The young man hurried after him and bowed deeply. "May I know your Dharma name, Senior? I will report this to the sect leader. Hearing news of an old friend will surely bring her great joy."

Qin Sang paused briefly. "My name is Qingfeng. If fate allows, I will personally pay her a visit one day."

With that, he flickered a few times and vanished into the storm. The youth stood where he was, frowning as he murmured the name "Qingfeng," then turned as his three companions came rushing out.

Qin Sang was nowhere to be seen.

The alluring woman among them asked suspiciously, "Fire Devil, was that really a Core Formation senior? No wonder my seduction technique had no effect on him..."

The youth shot her a warning glare. "You’d better restrain yourself. We are playing strong among weaklings, but one day we’ll meet someone we can’t provoke. Fortunately, that senior was magnanimous."

The woman nodded quickly, still shaken.

Another cultivator asked, "Why did that senior seek you out? Do you two share some connection?"

The youth shook his head. "From his tone, it seems he once knew Sect Leader and recognized the Seven Yang Art I cultivated. Daoists, I must return to report this to Sect Leader. I can’t accompany you this time..."

***

After leaving the shelter, Qin Sang flew straight toward the Yinshan Stronghold, his thoughts deep and heavy.

Learning about Devilish Flame Sect by chance had stirred new ideas within him.

Shaohua Mountain was flourishing, and until he had the strength to confront Dongyang Bo, he could not reveal his true origins. But his cultivation would be difficult to conceal.

Now that the alliance and the Sin Abyss stood in stalemate, the situation was tense. If war broke out again, no power or individual would be able to remain untouched, not even rogue cultivators.

Unless he stayed hidden in a cave dwelling and managed to form his Spiritual Infant safely.

Soon, he would return to the late stage of the Core Formation Realm. Once he revealed himself, the alliance would surely take notice.

No egg can remain unbroken beneath a toppled nest. If they invoked righteous duty to pressure him and he refused, he would instantly become the enemy of both regions.

Before that happened, he needed to prepare and establish a proper identity. The grandmaster of Devilish Flame Sect seemed like a fitting choice.

However, that sect had been singlehandedly built up by Mei Gu. Taking advantage of it now would be akin to stealing her achievements.

Qin Sang did not believe that Devilish Flame Sect truly felt any gratitude toward their so-called grandmaster.

Even so, if possible, the sect could serve as a solid foundation upon which he could build his own influence, giving him the leverage to stand equal with Dongyang Bo once he reached the Spiritual Infant Realm.

Ruling by force alone would only breed resentment and division. Both the sect and Mei Gu deserved a proper explanation. He could plan this matter slowly.

At dusk, Qin Sang arrived at a sizable market outside the Yinshan Stronghold and located the Black Market.

There truly were ways to disguise one’s identity and slip through inspections.

Disguised as a rogue cultivator, he blended into the city without a hitch. He did not hurry to leave. Instead, he contacted the major merchant guilds, purchased the spiritual items he needed, and made inquiries everywhere. In time, he gained a decent grasp of the overall situation in the immortal cultivation world.

One discovery genuinely surprised him. Ever since he had left the Ziwei Palace back then, Shaohua Mountain had never issued a wanted poster for him.

Whether the Sin Abyss invasion had consumed all their attention, or Dongyang Bo had simply forgotten, or there was some other reason, he could not tell.

In contrast to Canglang Sea, the demonic cores and bones he had amassed by hunting in the Demonic Sea were among the scarcest treasures in Small Cold Domain and fetched high prices.

To avoid drawing suspicion, Qin Sang brought out only a small portion. After exchanging them for the materials he needed, he stopped. As for the Malevolent Demonic Pills, he did not touch a single one.

Now that he had conceived the idea of subduing Devilish Flame Sect and building his own power, he needed to weigh carefully how those Malevolent Demonic Pills should be used.

Having made up his mind, he left the city, found a secluded place, inscribed a new killing symbol, and restored his cultivation to the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm.

Then he set out again, flying straight past the edge of the marsh toward the Shiwan Mountains.

After a swift flight, Qin Sang reached a desolate snow peak. Tan Hao’s former cave dwelling lay here.