Gateway of Immortality
Chapter 422: Heyun Pill

Chapter 422: Heyun Pill

The barrier of the fire room was triggered.

Qin Sang withdrew from his thoughts and looked up. "Come in."

A young man at the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm pushed open the door, his expression respectful. "Greetings, Daoist Master."

"Zhong Ming, it's you."

Qin Sang recognized him and gave him a once-over before speaking warmly, "Not bad, not bad. In just a few years, you've broken through to the ninth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. Your future prospects are limitless."

Zhong Ming repeatedly expressed his humility, but seeing that Qin Sang was in the mood for conversation, he was more than happy to chat. Qin Sang was a Foundation Building cultivator—any casual guidance from him would be immensely beneficial.

"How is the fire seed in your body?" Qin Sang asked casually, as if in passing.

Zhong Ming had no suspicion. He extended his right hand, and a wisp of Demonic Qingyang Fire ignited at his fingertip. "It’s stable for now... No immediate risk of self-immolation..."

Qin Sang released his spiritual consciousness, silently probing the changes in Zhong Ming's internal cultivation arts.

Most of what he had learned about the Demonic Qingyang Sect had come through such means.

In Qingyang Market, it was impossible to openly capture disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect.

He was in no hurry and had enough patience to build relationships with them, extracting the information he sought little by little.

With the reputation of a Foundation Building cultivator and a renowned artifact refinement master, he lowered himself to associate with these disciples—few could resist such an opportunity. Moreover, the questions he asked were harmless to the Demonic Qingyang Sect, giving them no reason for suspicion.

By now, Qin Sang had gained a deep understanding of Demonic Qingyang Fire. After learning the properties of the Demonic Qingyang Fire and Qingyang Gale Essence, he grew increasingly doubtful that stealing the Qingyang Gale Essence was even possible.

Disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect did have access to Qingyang Gale Essence through their cultivation, but taking it out of the sect was nearly impossible.

The essence itself was, in truth, Divine Qingyang Gale—a rare item. It was a variant of Celestial Gale Qi, an extraordinary force of the world, far more dangerous than Earth Malevolent Qi. Cultivators below the Golden Core Realm had to tread carefully near it, let alone attempt to take it away.

Of course, there were alternative methods.

For instance, Lesser Yin Magnetic Bottles could contain Earth Malevolent Qi.

Over years of investigation, Qin Sang had discovered two special artifacts capable of sealing Celestial Gale Qi. However, refining them was exceedingly difficult—especially given the scarcity of materials. Their main components were precious spiritual materials normally used to refine astras, making them incredibly difficult to acquire.

Even if he successfully crafted such an artifact, stealing Qingyang Gale Essence would still be an uphill battle.

The Demonic Qingyang Sect imposed strict control over the Qingyang Gale Essence.

It resided atop Divine Gale Peak, the sect’s restricted area, where countless barriers had been laid and an elder personally stood guard.

Disciples were permitted to enter the mountain to absorb Celestial Gale Qi and nourish their fire seeds, but they were strictly forbidden from extracting the Qingyang Gale Essence. Even Foundation Building disciples had no such privilege.

The Demonic Qingyang Sect lacked a Spiritual Infant grandmaster, and the sect was governed by four Golden Core elders. The one guarding Divine Gale Peak was among them.

Qin Sang had considered an alternative approach—attempting to extract Celestial Gale Qi from the Demonic Qingyang Fire.

It was futile.

Once refined by the fire, the Qingyang Gale Essence lost its original properties and became mere fuel for strengthening the fire. The process was irreversible.

The Demonic Qingyang Fire was unique.

Each disciple's fire seed was tailored specifically for them by the sect. From the very beginning, it fused with their cultivation, making it impossible for outsiders to seize.

Even if someone killed a disciple and obtained their fire seed, they would be unable to control it. Within a short time, the fire seed would collapse on its own.

The only loophole was that disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect could use Demonic Qingyang Fire to momentarily store a trace of Celestial Gale Qi.

The problem was that this trace was minuscule, and its existence was fleeting—so brief that it would dissipate before even leaving the sect.

...

Zhong Ming took out two items—a middle-grade spiritual sword and a small stone.

The stone was speckled with tiny patterns, resembling a starry night sky, while its body was a pure silver-white, exceptionally striking in appearance.

Its name suited its appearance perfectly.

"Starry Stone."

Qin Sang recognized it at a glance and cast a surprised look at Zhong Ming.

Starry Stone was a rare earth-based spiritual material. When incorporated into artifacts, it not only enhanced their overall quality but also, when activated, released countless streaks of starlight to dazzle opponents and obscure the artifact’s true form.

This effect was particularly practical in battles among low-level immortal cultivators.

Starry Stone was exceedingly rare, and its price had naturally skyrocketed. Unless Zhong Ming had obtained it through sheer luck and coincidence, he would have had to drain his entire fortune just to acquire such a small piece.

Zhong Ming looked somewhat anxious. "Daoist Master, please take a look. Does this spiritual sword suit the Starry Stone? Can it be used to enhance the sword?"

The spiritual sword in Zhong Ming’s hands was one he had purchased from Qin Sang himself.

Qin Sang was intimately familiar with his own refined swords and answered without hesitation, "Of course it can but it won’t be easy..."

As he spoke, he noticed Zhong Ming’s nervous and somewhat embarrassed expression. A thought crossed his mind, and he said, "There will be some leftover Starry Stone after refining the sword. If you have no other use for it, I can take it as compensation."

Zhong Ming was overjoyed and readily agreed. "Many thanks, Daoist Master!"

......

Qin Sang secluded himself in the fire room of Tiange Tower, refining artifacts. More than half a month later, he was interrupted by a Sound Transmission Talisman.

Upon reading its contents, his face lit up with joy. Without delay, he left Tiange Tower and hurried back to Sword Pavilion. Upon arrival, he saw that inside the small shop, Ning Youwei, now in his fifties, was personally serving tea to a young Daoist.

The Daoist’s face was familiar—it was Li Yufu, the disciple of Ming Yue!

The moment Qin Sang entered, Li Yufu hastily stood up and bowed deeply. "Greetings, Senior Uncle!"

"Rise."

Qin Sang motioned for Ning Youwei to withdraw before extending his hands to help Li Yufu up, scrutinizing him carefully.

Since parting at Cuiming Mountain, this was their first meeting. Li Yufu’s appearance had not changed much, though he now carried himself with greater maturity than when they had first met.

His cultivation had already reached the Foundation Building Realm!

Qin Sang was not surprised in the least. Li Yufu had always been exceptionally talented, and with Wandering Man’s careful guidance, failing to reach the Foundation Building Realm would have been the real anomaly.

"Why do you still call me Senior Uncle? Has Wandering Man not accepted you as his direct disciple?"

Li Yufu scratched the back of his neck. "Great Grandmaster said that while the immortal and mortal worlds are separate, mortal traditions must still be upheld. Years ago, Great Grandmaster personally visited Qingyang Temple, erected memorial tablets for my grandmaster and master, and expounded the Dao for a full month, establishing the temple’s lineage. Your name, Senior Uncle, is recorded in that legacy as well..."

Qin Sang nodded. "That works as well. So, did your great grandmaster send you here?"

Li Yufu nodded, then suddenly recalled something and hurriedly took out a jade bottle from his Mustard Seed Pouch.

Inside the bottle was a moon-white pill, exuding an ethereal aura that seemed profoundly mystical.

"Senior Uncle, this is the Heyun Pill, which Great Grandmaster specially obtained for you. He instructed me to deliver it."

As he spoke, his voice suddenly lowered. He quickly cast a soundproofing barrier before cautiously adding, "Great Grandmaster seems to have discovered the whereabouts of a rare natural treasure. He is currently hiding his identity and personally investigating..."