Gateway of Immortality
Chapter 424: Matchmaking

Chapter 424: Matchmaking

Shaohua Mountain.

Qin Sang rode a cloud down to the mountain gate and noticed that part of the grand array was activated. Several patrol teams of Shaohua Mountain disciples were on high alert, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Among the renowned sects of the Small Cold Domain, Shaohua Mountain was the closest to the Yuncang Marshlands, making it the most conspicuous target.

Should any unforeseen event arise, Shaohua Mountain would bear the brunt of the impact, leaving them no choice but to remain cautious.

It was said that many major markets near the Yuncang Marshlands, including Wenyue Market, had already shut down. The few that remained open were heavily guarded, meticulously screening anyone attempting to enter or leave.

The urgency of the situation was evident.

"Senior Uncle Qin, please enter!"

Qin Sang took out his waist token. Once the patrolling disciples confirmed his identity, they respectfully saluted without any undue flattery and allowed him through the gate.

Before entering the mountain, Qin Sang ascended to a higher vantage point and gazed into the distance.

The Yuncang Marshlands stretched endlessly, its shimmering waters reflecting the light, presenting a breathtakingly serene view. Yet beneath the calm surface, undercurrents surged. At any moment, the landscape could transform into a blood-soaked battlefield, swallowing countless immortal cultivators whole.

Pushing aside the mist, Qin Sang flew toward his sect and landed on Dao Peak, where he met Zhuang Yan.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhuang, on your joyful union! My blessings come belatedly, I hope Senior Brother Zhuang will forgive me!"

Qin Sang grinned and cupped his hands in salute.

It had been years since they last met. Zhuang Yan had already advanced to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm. Given his age, his cultivation progress was slow.

If he could not break through the late stage's bottleneck soon, by the time he reached the threshold of the Fake Core Realm, his remaining lifespan would be limited, leaving him with little time to prepare for forming a Golden Core.

This meant his chances of ever reaching the Core Formation Realm were slim.

Now, with Senior Uncle Wen having retired to his homeland to enjoy his last years, Zhuang Yan had taken over Dao Peak in his stead.

Ten years ago, Zhuang Yan had formed a Daoist partnership with a senior sister named Xiao Qiuyue from Shaohua Mountain. When Qin Sang learned of the news, he was unable to return to the sect and instead sent a pair of spiritual swords as a wedding gift. He had not personally attended the marriage ceremony.

Zhuang Yan pulled Qin Sang to sit down, letting out a long sigh. "Junior Brother Qin, it’s been decades since we last met, and the moment you return, you tease me with words? Be careful, or I'll throw you out of my door!"

Seeing Zhuang Yan's demeanor, Qin Sang sat across from him, puzzled. "What do you mean, Senior Brother Zhuang? I sincerely came to offer my congratulations—how did that turn into teasing? Where is Senior Sister Xiao? I have yet to meet her. Does she like the pair of Joyful Matching Swords I sent?"

"The swords you gifted are of such high quality that she surely likes them."

Zhuang Yan sighed softly. "Unfortunately, the two of us are hardly worthy of the words ‘joyful match'—accepting your gift feels undeserved."

Qin Sang noted Zhuang Yan’s expression and saw no trace of deception. His smile faded as he asked seriously, "I heard Senior Sister Xiao is a renowned beauty in our sect, a figure of great talent. What more could you be dissatisfied with?"

"Have you ever lived among mortals?"

Zhuang Yan looked troubled. "When mortals marry, they go through a process called matchmaking. By the will of their parents and the words of a matchmaker, two complete strangers are forced together. How much genuine affection can there be? At best, they simply make do with each other and get through life."

Qin Sang thought to himself. Senior Brother, do you know how many people in some places, nearing thirty with no prospects, long for arranged marriages yet never get the chance?

"Was Senior Uncle Wen the one who pressured you into this?"

Zhuang Yan mumbled under his breath, "Not exactly..."

Qin Sang chuckled. He could already tell something was amiss. In the world of immortal cultivation, forming Daoist partnerships was unlike mortal marriages. There were no worldly customs forcing such unions, nor was there pressure to continue a family lineage.

If Zhuang Yan had truly been unwilling, Senior Uncle Wen could not have coerced him into it.

"Senior Brother, you’re already over a hundred years old, do you still not see through matters of romance? Are you truly expecting love to simply fall into your lap? Have you forgotten what Senior Aunt Mawu once told me when she tried looking for a partner? Could it be that because this fate has fallen upon you, you suddenly can’t see it clearly anymore?"

"Even if there’s no love, it shouldn’t be like this... it just shouldn’t..."

Zhuang Yan scratched his head, struggling to put his feelings into words. Finally, he glanced around cautiously before leaning in close to Qin Sang and whispering resentfully, "Junior Brother, do you know the real reason she chose to form a Daoist partnership with me? It’s because my physique is the most compatible with her cultivation of the Yin-Yang Kinship!"

The name Yin-Yang Kinship was well known to him.

This art was one of the most treasured dual cultivation arts of Shaohua Mountain. Unlike the Sutra of Profound Jade Cauldron, which leaned toward unconventional methods, the Yin-Yang Kinship was a legitimate art. It allowed both partners to cultivate the Great Dao of Yin and Yang together without harming either party.

It was said that this art required specific physique compatibility, but once successfully cultivated, both male and female cultivators would reap substantial benefits from their dual cultivation.

Senior Sister Qingting and Senior Brother Jiang also practiced The Yin-Yang Kinship.

Zhuang Yan’s words did not come as a surprise to Qin Sang.

He countered, "Senior Brother Zhuang, didn’t you agree to dual cultivation for the very same reason?"

"Yes! That’s right!"

Zhuang Yan did not deny it.

"But Junior Brother Qin, there’s something you might not know. To cultivate the Yin-Yang Kinship effectively, both partners need to have a similar level of cultivation."

"If one of us advances to the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm ahead of the other, the remaining person will still benefit from the art's enhancements. However, for the one who has already broken through, this art will become practically useless, unless they wait for their partner to catch up.

"Some time ago, she and I had a long conversation."

"She told me that if I manage to break through to the late stage of the Foundation Building Realm before she does, she will withdraw on her own and find another partner—she absolutely won’t hold me back. But if she advances first, she hopes that I will also..."

"W-What kind of situation is this?"

Zhuang Yan clutched his head in frustration, his tone heavy with emotion. Qin Sang shook his head slightly.

Deep down, he actually agreed with Senior Sister Xiao’s reasoning. However, seeing Zhuang Yan’s state, he refrained from voicing his thoughts too bluntly.

"After spending so much time together, Senior Brother Zhuang... have you fallen in love with Senior Sister Xiao?"

His words landed like a thunderclap.

Zhuang Yan’s entire body froze. He remained utterly motionless.

Qin Sang could already tell the answer. In a softer tone, he continued, "Senior Brother Zhuang, we cultivators pursue immortality and seek the Dao to live freely, unrestricted. You should ask yourself—what is it that you truly want? If it’s longevity, then you must make the necessary choices. There’s no need to be so troubled."

Just then, a Sound Transmission Talisman flew into the hall.

Zhuang Yan caught it, glanced at the sky to check the time, then hurriedly stood up. "It’s time for my practice again. Junior Brother Qin, you’ve just returned to the sect, and you must have many things to handle. Tomorrow, I’ll invite you for a drink."

"Please go ahead, Senior Brother Zhuang."

Qin Sang watched as Zhuang Yan left.

Unexpectedly, just after Zhuang Yan had flown a short distance, he turned back in a hurry. Tossing an object to Qin Sang, he said, "Junior Brother Qin, the cave dwellings outside the sect aren’t safe, and you don’t have a place to stay here yet. I won’t be using this cave dwelling for now, so you should take it for the time being."

Qin Sang caught the token and watched as Zhuang Yan’s evasion light disappeared into the depths of the sect. Lowering his head, he seemed lost in thought.

After a long while, he let out a faint chuckle, summoned his Nether Cloud, and flew toward Sect Leader Peak.