Gateway of Immortality
Chapter 459: The Peachwood Carving

Chapter 459: The Peachwood Carving

"After returning from the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, I saw the Sound Transmission Talisman you left behind. I went to Wenyue Market to seek your pardon, only to find that you had long since departed. Later, I met Daoist Le Xing, but she, too, had no news of you. I participated in nearly every major battle yet never once caught sight of you. Had I known you were in the Chaotic Island Waters, I would have visited you first..."

Qin Sang maintained a composed expression, speaking in a slightly regretful tone as he recounted the past.

Granny Jing gazed deeply at Qin Sang, her hoarse voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Daoist Qin, you remain so calm—your temperament is indeed remarkable... No wonder you've made it this far, cultivating to your current realm and even earning the name 'Shadowless Sword'."

What does she mean by that?

Qin Sang felt there was something hidden in her words, leaving him slightly puzzled.

Before he could ask, Granny Jing continued, her tone shifting. "For the past three years, I have indeed been in the Chaotic Island Waters. However, I chose to remain hidden in the shadows, so naturally, you wouldn’t have seen me."

Qin Sang was momentarily stunned.

Her response was unexpected.

To have concealed herself in the Chaotic Island Waters for three years without anyone noticing...

The area was guarded by the formidable Thousand-Illusion Array of True Waters. Without a command token bound by blood and essence, even Core Formation cultivators couldn’t enter or exit freely.

Inside, Stargazing Island was occupied by numerous Core Formation experts from various sects, including top-tier masters like Snake Granny and Vice Island Master Xiao.

Yet, even they had failed to detect Granny Jing.

Does this mean her strength surpassed even the two island masters?

Is she...

A chill ran down Qin Sang's spine as the implications sank in. Steadying himself, he cupped his hands and asked, "Senior, you suddenly appeared and sought me out, you must have a reason. I am unworthy of such attention, but what can I do for you?"

"Hehe..."

Granny Jing let out an eerie chuckle. "Since you've asked, I’ll speak plainly. I have been lurking here for three years, waiting for Zhitian Peak to emerge."

"Zhitian Peak?"

Qin Sang's expression changed slightly. He suddenly realized Granny Jing’s intent and couldn’t help but draw in a sharp breath. "You mean to say..."

Granny Jing nodded. "That’s right. I have an important matter that requires me to enter Zhitian Peak. However, the Tianxing Alliance and Small Cold Domain are watching it closely. I cannot enter on my own and need someone else’s help. Daoist Qin, you’ve just returned from Stargazing Island—I assume you’ve already obtained the qualification to enter Zhitian Peak, correct?"

Qin Sang made a small sound, neither confirming nor denying it.

"Good," Granny Jing said, "I originally thought I would have to go through some trouble, but it turns out you’ve performed exceptionally well. That makes things much easier. I will transform into a wooden carving. You only need to carry it on your person, and I will be able to enter Zhitian Peak with you."

As she spoke, Granny Jing opened her palm, revealing a small, exquisitely carved peachwood figurine.

The carving depicted a woman whose gaze was vivid and full of spirit, so lifelike that she seemed as if she might come to life at any moment.

If the carving had been life-sized, it could have easily been mistaken for a real person.

Strangely, however, the woman it depicted was not Granny Jing, but an extraordinarily beautiful young lady, untouched by mortal dust. Her unparalleled beauty was unlike anything Qin Sang had ever seen.

Even though it was merely a carving, the figure exuded an undeniable elegance. If the real person was anything like this, she would undoubtedly rival Fairy Chenyan.

Had Qin Sang not seen Fairy Chenyan's true appearance before, he might have been utterly captivated by the carving.

He glanced at the wooden figurine but did not immediately refuse. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "Senior may not be aware, but I just learned from Vice Island Master Xiao that the barriers within Zhitian Peak are highly peculiar. The space inside is extremely fragile; anyone above the Foundation Building Realm cannot enter. Otherwise—"

Before he could finish, Granny Jing interrupted him.

"I wouldn’t be attempting to enter Zhitian Peak if I hadn’t done my research. Rest assured, I will suppress my cultivation to the level of a Foundation Building cultivator. I will not exceed the peak’s threshold."

So she really is at least a Core Formation Realm expert!

Qin Sang's heart tensed. He opened his mouth as if to say something more, but Granny Jing merely smiled faintly.

Her cloudy eyes flickered as they scrutinized Qin Sang, and she spoke again. "Daoist Qin, you are on the verge of forming your Golden Core. Surely, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the Snow Spirit Lotus and Iris Flower that Stargazing Island is offering?"

"You even know about that?"

Qin Sang was taken aback. His expression shifted, his gaze flickering as he stared at Granny Jing. "What exactly are you suggesting, Senior?"

Granny Jing gave a slight nod, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"I don’t just know what rewards Stargazing Island is offering—I also know that each of you has been given a Spirit-Sealing Bangle."

"But you may not realize that using the Spirit-Sealing Bangle to collect Elemental Star Stones is incredibly inefficient—it can only seal one at a time, and the process is painstakingly slow."

"I, however, possess an artifact, the Star Spirit Net, which has a remarkable effect on rare treasures like Elemental Star Stones, far surpassing that of the Spirit-Sealing Bangle."

"I can promise to help you collect as many Elemental Star Stones as you need, ensuring that you will gain far more than anyone else. However, I have one condition—once you have acquired enough Elemental Star Stones, you must accompany me to a particular location within Zhitian Peak."

"As you rightly suspected, I must fully suppress my cultivation in order to enter, which means I cannot move freely within Zhitian Peak. I will have to rely on you to get me there. Once we arrive, you are free to leave."

"So..."

"What do you say, Daoist Qin?"

Granny Jing’s voice carried an unmistakable note of persuasion. As she spoke, she produced a bundle of silken threads.

The threads were tangled and chaotic, their material unknown, yet they shimmered like starlight.

With a gentle shake, the threads unfurled, spreading out into a vast net that hovered in the air.

Even without Granny Jing’s explanation, Qin Sang could tell at a glance—the Star Spirit Net was far superior to the Spirit-Sealing Bangle. The two artifacts seemed to share a common origin, but it was clear that the Star Spirit Net was far more sophisticated.

Granny Jing might actually be telling the truth!

Snow Spirit Lotus!

Iris Flower!

Qin Sang took a deep breath, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from the Star Spirit Net.

It was clear. If he agreed to Granny Jing’s request, these two precious spirit herbs would be within his grasp.

To say he wasn’t tempted would be a lie. Qin Sang nearly agreed on the spot, but reason held him back.

Seeing his silence, Granny Jing remained unhurried, her expression calm. "Why? Are you still hesitating, Daoist Qin? Or do you think the Snow Spirit Lotus and Iris Flower are not worth your time?"

"Of course not!"

Qin Sang shook his head with a bitter smile. "What Foundation Building cultivator could resist such temptation? I almost gave in myself. But I still have one concern... Senior, do you truly believe that hiding within a wooden carving will fool everyone?"

Before Granny Jing could respond, Qin Sang continued.

"Were you present during the battle last night, Senior?

"In the end, several Spiritual Infant experts arrived and brought the battle to a close."

"I spoke with some fellow cultivators afterward and learned that among them was a red-haired elder—the sect leader of the Cunyang Sect, the most powerful cultivator in the entire immortal cultivation world today!"

"In three years, I had never once seen a Spiritual Infant cultivator make an appearance until the very moment Zhitian Peak emerged."

"Do you truly believe that’s just a coincidence?"

"I don't know whether the Spiritual Infant experts will personally oversee Zhitian Peak’s opening..."

"But I won’t take that gamble!"

"If I must refuse your kindness, then I am willing to die to atone for it."

"But if your concealment is exposed before those Spiritual Infant experts, you might be able to escape... but I will undoubtedly be branded a traitor and suffer a fate worse than death!"