Gateway of Immortality
Chapter 511: The Trade

Chapter 511: The Trade

A few days ago, Qin Sang had changed his appearance and taken on the identity of an artifact refiner. Under this guise, he became a guest elder of a local shop and openly made his presence known in Qingyang Market.

He frequently interacted with disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect, treating them with kindness and generosity. He offered to repair or refine artifacts for them at low prices. In his spare time, he would chat casually, subtly prying for news about the sect without raising suspicion.

Occasionally, he would offer a word or two of guidance, appearing every bit the benevolent senior who cared for his juniors.

Among the disciples were several familiar faces from Tiange Tower. Though they couldn’t recognize the man before them as the very Daoist Master Qingfeng they had long remembered, they couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of familiarity.

Thanks to this, Qin Sang became quite popular.

In truth, Qin Sang had already begun operating in secret as a corpse-refining demonic cultivator, privately reaching out to those interested in buying refined corpses. Most of them were cultivators at the Qi Refining Realm.

Foundation Building cultivators were still observing the situation. A few zombies alone weren’t enough to make them act openly.

Qin Sang didn’t mind. He was conducting legitimate business. He had contacted many in secret and successfully sold four zombies—three of them to disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect.

That was to be expected. Compared to rogue cultivators, disciples of the Demonic Qingyang Sect were wealthier and more generous with their offers. Zombies refined by Qin Sang were well worth the price.

So far, he had sold eight refined corpses in total. He now had one zombie and five malevolent corpses left.

Among these five malevolent corpses was one middle-stage Foundation Building corpse—the sole survivor from the battle with Daoist Jiupao.

Of the fourteen survivors of the Kuiyin Sect, four had been refined into malevolent corpses, nine into zombies, and one was kept for another purpose.

A few days later, refined corpses once again appeared in Qingyang Market. But this time, alongside a zombie, there was also a malevolent corpse. Though it wasn’t especially strong—its strength still inferior to that of an ordinary early-stage Foundation Building cultivator—the reaction it provoked was noticeably different.

After the auction, more Foundation Building cultivators began contacting Qin Sang through the Treasure Tower.

Qin Sang remained as cautious as ever. Although his true target was the Demonic Qingyang Sect, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to expose his intentions and invite suspicion. He simply sold it to the highest bidder.

He quietly sold another malevolent corpse but unfortunately, the buyer wasn’t from the Demonic Qingyang Sect.

Now, Qin Sang had three malevolent corpses left. Two of them were late-stage Foundation Building corpses he had originally intended to keep for himself. But for the sake of his Core Formation, he was willing to sell them if necessary.

That said, malevolent corpses at the late Foundation Building stage drew far too much attention. Qin Sang didn’t dare put them on the market lightly.

That said, malevolent corpses at the late Foundation Building stage drew far too much attention. Qin Sang didn’t dare put them on the market lightly.

Less than a month remained before the auction would begin. Then, Treasure Tower suddenly relayed a message. A renowned expert from the Demonic Qingyang Sect wanted to meet with Qin Sang.

Upon hearing the news, Qin Sang’s heart stirred. At last, the person he had been waiting for had come!

Suppressing his excitement, Qin Sang arranged to meet with the person two days later.

...

Evening of the third day.

A quiet chamber inside Treasure Tower.

Dressed in a black robe, Qin Sang entered the Treasure Tower and was promptly led into the chamber by the manager. Inside, a refined-looking middle-aged man sat calmly, sipping tea with his face completely uncovered.

After twenty-eight years in Qingyang Market, Qin Sang had gained some understanding of the prominent figures within the Demonic Qingyang Sect.

This man’s name was Wen Yanjie, a late-stage Foundation Building expert. He was said to be generous and righteous, known for his care toward junior disciples. His reputation was quite respectable, and he had perfected the art of the Demonic Qingyang Fire.

"So it’s Daoist Wen in person!"

Once the manager had left, Qin Sang took a seat across from him, speaking in a deliberately hoarse and weathered voice.

Wen Yanjie narrowed his eyes slightly, setting down his teacup and studying Qin Sang. "You recognize me?"

"How could I not?" Qin Sang gave a strange laugh. "Daoist Wen’s reputation is so widespread in Qingyang Market that my ears are about to sprout calluses from hearing your name. I didn’t expect you to take an interest in corpse refinement. Looks like my malevolent corpse might fetch a fine price after all."

Wen Yanjie said leisurely, "Corpse refinement is merely a tool, no different from artifacts. If it can increase strength, I’ll always be interested. As for the price... that depends on the quality of your refined corpse. If it’s like the one from the recent auction, you needn’t even bring it out."

Qin Sang knew well that with Wen Yanjie’s level of strength, he would never be interested in an ordinary malevolent corpse. Without hesitation, he opened his Corpse Puppet Pouch and summoned the middle-stage Foundation Building malevolent corpse.

"How does this one suit you, Daoist?"

Wen Yanjie extended his spiritual consciousness and swept it over the malevolent corpse. His gaze shifted toward Qin Sang, a glint in his eyes. "You truly aren’t an ordinary cultivator. No wonder I couldn’t see through your cultivation. I imagine you must have even stronger malevolent corpses in your possession, no?"

Qin Sang countered calmly, "Even this malevolent corpse fails to meet your standards?"

"Still too weak." Wen Yanjie shook his head and leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with Qin Sang. His tone grew heavy. "You must have late-stage Foundation Building malevolent corpses. There’s no need to hide it anymore, bring them all out. I’ll take every last one."

Qin Sang was certainly willing to sell, but the posture and tone Wen Yanjie had taken on carried an undercurrent of coercion, making Qin Sang frown inwardly.

He couldn’t tell if the man was simply probing or being deliberately aggressive.

Wen Yanjie’s true nature likely didn’t match his public reputation.

Qin Sang, of course, wasn’t afraid of him. His understanding of Qingyang Market was no less thorough than that of anyone from the Demonic Qingyang Sect. The power dynamics in the market were deeply entangled, and ever since the sect had declined, it no longer held complete sway over the place.

Even if he did intend to sell, he couldn’t show weakness. Otherwise, Wen Yanjie might grow increasingly presumptuous and cause further complications.

With that thought, Qin Sang suddenly rose and shouted, "What’s the meaning of this, Daoist Wen? Are you trying to force a sale?"

Wen Yanjie’s eyes lit up when he saw Qin Sang’s stance. "As expected, I wasn’t wrong. What are you hesitating for? I’ve no shortage of top-grade artifacts. Just name your price."

Qin Sang snorted coldly. "That malevolent corpse is my trump card—I plan to rely on it to venture into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. What kind of top-grade artifact could possibly compare to a corpse of that strength? Spare me the nonsense, Daoist. Today I’ll pretend this meeting never happened!"

With that, he retrieved the malevolent corpse and turned to leave, only to have Wen Yanjie block his path in a flash.

"What’s the meaning of this, Daoist Wen?!"

Qin Sang feigned indignation and alarm.

"Don’t misunderstand," Wen Yanjie said coolly, "I am here to trade sincerely. Look, take a look at this."

As he spoke, he took out a jade box from his Mustard Seed Pouch. Opening it revealed a small crimson grass. The moment the box was opened, waves of heat poured out, causing the temperature in the quiet room to rise sharply.

"Firethorn Grass?"

Qin Sang was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t expected such a prize.

Firethorn Grass was precisely one of the specific spiritual herbs used to treat corpse transformation.

"That’s right. Firethorn Grass."

Wen Yanjie nodded. "You’ve been asking for herbs like this in every deal. I figured you must’ve made a mistake during corpse refinement, letting corpse qi and corpse poison enter your body... You must be in quite a dire state to be this desperate. Since you recognize Firethorn Grass, I don’t need to explain its effects. This stalk of Firethorn Grass—how about trading it for your malevolent corpse?"