Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 360: Six Hundred Years Old

Li Yufu took Qin Sang's words to heart, vowing to uphold and propagate the Daoist traditions of Qingyang Temple with dedication.

Qin Sang retrieved the complete version of the Netherworld Scripture that he had purchased at Youshan Market and handed it to Li Yufu. The fundamental incantations included in this cultivation art were carefully selected, sufficient for Li Yufu to study and refine for a considerable period.

Additionally, Qin Sang rummaged through his Mustard Seed Pouch and picked out a few unused artifacts for Li Yufu’s self-defense.

The most valuable among them was the Sky Shuttle, which had been replaced by the Nether Cloud. In times of danger, it could be used as a life-saving tool and would remain useful until the Foundation Building Realm.

"Since you call me Senior Uncle, consider these my gifts to you upon our first meeting," Qin Sang said with a surge of emotions, "Your circumstances are already much better than mine when I first embarked on the immortal path. Make sure to cultivate diligently and never grow complacent. Senior Wandering Man despises laziness."

Li Yufu nodded hastily. "I will cultivate with unwavering dedication!"

Afterward, Qin Sang patiently explained the Netherworld Scripture and various foundational aspects of the immortal cultivation world to Li Yufu.

"When you sense spiritual power, you can use Marrow-Nourishing Decoction to assist your cultivation..."

"You are no longer a child. The world is treacherous, but I don't need to teach you that. The immortal cultivation world is no different from the mundane world—only the strong survive, and deception is everywhere. You have just begun your journey and are still weak. Remember to stay low-key and never show off in public, lest you invite calamity. If you encounter trouble beyond your ability, take my token and seek aid at Han Residence. That will ensure your safety."

"The next time we meet, I will inform Senior Wandering Man about you. For now, remain patient and wait at Qingyang Temple."

After paying respects once more to Daoist Master Jixin and Ming Yue, Qin Sang declined their invitation to stay. That very night, under their reluctant and longing gazes, he ascended the clouds and set off toward Shaohua Mountain.

Throughout his journey, Qin Sang remained deep in thought, unable to enter meditation.

Returning to the Great Sui stirred a mix of emotions—regret, nostalgia, and relief.

Feelings surfaced in his heart, like a gentle breeze rippling across a still pond.

At last, Qin Sang slowly closed his eyes, and his mind grew calm once more.

The world had changed.

The past was severed.

...

Shaohua Mountain.

His sect was within sight, yet Qin Sang did not stop. Instead, he flew past Shaohua Mountain, heading straight for Yuncang Marshlands.

Upon reaching a desolate expanse of water, Qin Sang scanned his surroundings vigilantly before quietly revealing his form. With a flicker of his hand, he employed Water Evasion and submerged himself into the depths.

He dove deep beneath the water.

The spiritual qi in this area was thin, and the underwater landscape was barren.

The thick silt at the bottom was covered in clusters of aquatic plants. Qin Sang swam through them like a fish, swiftly navigating toward a location etched in his memory.

Finally, he halted slightly, his eyes flickering with light as he surveyed his surroundings.

Compared to other areas, this place appeared unremarkable. Even when Qin Sang meticulously probed every cun with his spiritual consciousness, he found nothing unusual.

Yet, it was here that he had hidden the spiritual spring and the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid!

The spirit vein still lay buried a thousand zhang beneath the silt. Qin Sang had spent an extensive amount of time carefully selecting this inconspicuous spirit vein.

Due to its small size and isolation, combined with the Xuanming Tortoise Shell Array sealing its spiritual qi completely, it was now more concealed than ever. Even a Golden Core cultivator would remain oblivious to its presence unless they overturned the entire area.

Though confident in the spirit vein’s secrecy, Qin Sang had never stopped worrying about the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid—it was simply too rare and precious. Even back in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, he couldn’t help but keep it in the back of his mind.

Thus, his very first act upon returning was to check on the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid.

"Still, I should come here as little as possible in the future—only when necessary, just in case..." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Qin Sang muttered to himself.

Upon returning to Yuncang Marshlands, he refrained from interacting with other cultivators. Yet, from the various signs, he could tell that tension in the marshlands was indeed high. The immortal cultivators he saw were all in a hurry, their expressions clouded with worry over the uncertain future.

Yuncang Marshlands was vast and boundless. If war were to break out between the Tianxing Alliance and Small Cold Domain, the battles would be concentrated in the central region of the marshes. Unless the Small Cold Domain completely collapsed and suffered a full retreat, the conflict wouldn't reach this area anytime soon. There was no need to rush the relocation of the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid, and for now, Qin Sang couldn't find a more suitable hiding place than this.

However, Yuncang Marshlands had become a chaotic mix of individuals, with various sects sending their disciples to investigate the situation. If someone tracked his movements with ill intent, the existence of the spiritual spring could be exposed.

With these concerns in mind, Qin Sang silently submerged into the silt, diving straight down.

Upon reaching the location of the spirit vein, he paused briefly, sensing resistance. He activated the Xuanming Tortoise Shell Array and slipped inside.

A surge of dense spiritual qi rushed toward him, and a look of satisfaction appeared on Qin Sang’s face. He immediately widened his eyes, gazing at the spiritual spring.

The cave dwelling was simple and small. At its center, where a large rock had once stood, Qin Sang had hollowed out the space to cultivate spiritual spring objects. Now, a clear spring had formed, and in its center, the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid swayed gracefully.

At the sight of the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid, Qin Sang let out a soft exclamation, his expression lighting up with joy.

The orchid, which previously had seven distinct petals and was entirely deep purple, resembling a Snowy Ink Orchid, now had all its petals tightly closed together, and its rich purple hue had faded slightly.

"This is... the final stage of its seventh metamorphosis! It's beginning to prepare for its eighth!" Qin Sang was overjoyed.

The alchemy master’s notes had provided detailed descriptions of the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid's transformation process.

During the eighth metamorphosis, all color would completely fade, turning the petals a pristine white. By the ninth metamorphosis, the orchid would reach full maturity, its form transforming into the most common shape of an orchid.

This process was, in essence, a return to its original nature.

Once all traces of purple vanished and the petals bloomed once more, the eighth metamorphosis would be complete. As long as the surrounding spiritual qi remained abundant and did not hinder the growth of the spiritual herb, only the final transformation would be left before its full maturity—a process that would take another five hundred years.

Judging from the current state, the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid had only recently begun forming its bud. Qin Sang estimated that in another twenty to thirty years, it would enter its eighth metamorphosis.

By then, he would be exactly one hundred years old.

In other words, even if everything proceeded without any mishaps, he would have to wait until he was six hundred years old for the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid to fully mature.

Yet, a Golden Core cultivator’s lifespan was only five hundred years.

"Six hundred years old... Do I need to find a longevity-extending pill?"

Qin Sang felt a headache coming on. In the immortal cultivation world, even pills that extended one's life by just twenty to thirty years were fought over relentlessly, not to mention a hundred years of lifespan.

Moreover, it was said that such pills could not be taken repeatedly, as their medicinal potency would diminish with each use.

"I can only take things one step at a time. There's no point worrying about this now when I haven't even formed my Golden Core yet."

"No matter what, I cannot miss out on the Du’e Pill! A twenty percent chance to reach the Spiritual Infant Realm is far too tempting and crucial for me. Whether it’s extending my lifespan or accelerating the growth of the orchid, I must find a way!"

Qin Sang clenched his fists tightly.

After squatting by the spring and gazing at the Nine-Illusion Heavenly Orchid for a while, he once again sealed the cave dwelling. Then, after quietly retreating some distance, he activated his evasion light and departed.