Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 251: Black Flame Camphor

The notable disciples of the Kuiyin Sect were mostly slain by the Yuanzhao Sect, leaving only a handful of survivors.

The sole surviving Core Formation Realm cultivator had lost their physical body and suffered severe damage to their Golden Core, drastically weakening their strength. It was unlikely they would recover in the short term and dared not show themselves.

This was good news for Qin Sang, as the looming threat of the Kuiyin Sect was finally lifted from his mind.

However, while the Kuiyin Sect was merely a potential future threat, the immediate danger came from Di Que.

"Would you like to remove the Heart-Devouring Insect curse and regain your freedom?"

Di Que’s tone was laden with an enticing allure.

Qin Sang countered, "Senior, are you saying you can lift the curse? Would you even be willing to help me remove it?"

His tone grew heavier when he uttered the word "willing."

Di Que chuckled. "Although I cannot undo the curse personally crafted by the Kuiyin Sect’s founder, I do have methods to conceal it, shielding it from others’ perception. This way, even the Kuiyin Sect would be unable to manipulate the cursed insect within your primordial spirit. Furthermore, I have no ties to the Kuiyin Sect. While you may have schemed against me, you also helped me recover the Fire Jade Centipede and acquire the Scarlet Gold Vine's fruit. I should be thanking you—consider us even. More than that, I admire your cunning. With someone as shrewd as you, I might actually accomplish my goals. As long as you work diligently, why wouldn’t I be willing to help you?"

Qin Sang’s gaze flickered as he sneered. "Didn’t you just mention that the Kuiyin Sect has been wiped out? In that case, merely concealing the curse isn’t of much use to me. Senior, why not speak plainly? Tell me what you want from me instead of dressing it up as a fair trade."

"You wouldn’t want me to reveal your identity to Che Yutao, would you? Even if the Kuiyin Sect is no more, Shaohua Mountain would never tolerate a demonic sect infiltrator sullying their reputation. The simplest solution would be to kill you on the spot and erase all traces. And Che Yutao is not one to show mercy..."

Di Que’s smiling expression sent a chill down Qin Sang’s spine.

"But I’m not an elder of Shaohua Mountain, so why should I bother rooting out infiltrators for them? That’s a thankless task."

Di Que’s tone shifted. "Threats aren’t my preferred method. True cooperation is built on mutual benefit—that’s the only way to ensure loyalty. Let’s strike a deal instead. I noticed that your life-bound spiritual sword is rather unique—it’s a pure wood-elemental sword, isn’t it? Do you need spiritual wood to enhance its power?"

"Senior, you have sharp eyes."

The ebony sword’s uniqueness made it unsurprising that Di Que could discern its nature.

However, Qin Sang sneered internally, placing no trust in Di Que’s words. Any promises of great rewards were likely empty. He needed to find a way out of this predicament.

The best option would be to kill Di Que.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

But the chasm between Foundation Building Realm and Core Formation Realm cultivators was like heaven and earth. Qin Sang wouldn’t dare entertain such thoughts.

His second option was to escape Di Que’s control and flee to another place before the old man could expose his identity to Shaohua Mountain. He could also find a hidden refuge.

The chaotic depths of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, with its lawlessness, could be an ideal hiding place—though incredibly dangerous. Alternatively, with the Kuiyin Sect’s decline, he could retreat into demonic sect territories and live as a rogue cultivator.

He hadn’t committed any acts against Shaohua Mountain, so it was unlikely they would conduct a large-scale search in demonic sect territories. Hiding there should be feasible.

The only regret would be losing the resources of Shaohua Mountain, which had provided great convenience.

Still, compared to Qi Refining Realm cultivators, those at the Foundation Building Realm were considered skilled experts in the world of immortal cultivation. He would be capable of forging his own path, accumulating cultivation resources through his own efforts.

It wouldn’t be impossible to accept.

However, such plans couldn’t be realized within the confines of the sealed ancient ruins. He would need to leave the ruins first to find an opportunity to act.

...

Di Que nodded, carefully using a jade bottle to store the remaining Crimson Fire Gilded Gold. He then meticulously packed it away as though it were a priceless treasure.

Next, he took out a piece of black spiritual wood and presented it to Qin Sang.

The spiritual wood was as black as charcoal, with intricate wood grain patterns forming flame-like shapes. It was a strikingly unique material.

"This is Black Flame Camphor, which I just acquired from a barrier."

Black Flame Camphor was even more valuable than Golden Thread Cedar Wood. If the ebony sword were to absorb this piece of Black Flame Camphor, it would undoubtedly withstand the power of a second killing symbol.

In life-and-death struggles, the comprehension of killing symbols accelerates dramatically.

Qin Sang had already been on the verge of mastering the second killing symbol. After experiencing the trials, entering the lava lake several times, and clashing with the Fire Monkeys, he had now fully understood it.

From this point, Qin Sang only needed to retreat to his cave dwelling for secluded cultivation. With his talent and no unforeseen interruptions, he would likely break through to the middle stage of the Foundation Building Realm within twenty years.

If the ebony sword’s quality proved insufficient, he might have to venture out in search of more spiritual wood. But with Black Flame Camphor in hand, that concern would be alleviated.

"Come with me to accomplish a task. Complete even half of it, and the Black Flame Camphor is yours. Once it’s done, there’ll be even greater rewards," Di Que said, tossing the Black Flame Camphor in his hand, his tone dripping with temptation.

"Do I even have another choice?"

Qin Sang muttered after a long silence, forcing a bitter smile. "What do you need me to do?"

"Follow me, and you’ll see soon enough."

Di Que cast a glance at the lava sea, then began striding toward the surface.

The theft of the spiritual fruit had enraged the monkeys in the lava lake. In a furious frenzy, they attacked the barrier, seemingly intent on tearing Qin Sang and Di Que apart. Under their relentless assault, the barrier even began to tremble.

Not daring to delay, Qin Sang quickly followed, flying out of the ancient well and through the water.

Just as Di Que, ahead of him, was about to step out of the illusion array, he suddenly let out a surprised grunt, as though something unexpected had occurred.

"That woman? What is she doing out there?"

Di Que halted abruptly, his expression dark and uncertain, then suddenly burst into a tirade of curses. His clear hatred for the person he spoke of left Qin Sang deeply curious.

Moments later, Di Que waved his hand, releasing several strands of spiritual power to conceal both their auras and their figures before stepping out of the illusion array.

Far in the distance, amidst the peaks, a massive Eight Trigrams diagram was visible.

Above the Eight Trigrams stood more than a dozen figures, all disciples from various sects who had entered the ancient ruins. At their center was a woman in a palace robe.

She stood at the heart of the Eight Trigrams, her aura equally as imposing as Di Que’s. She was none other than Sikong Muyue, one of the five Core Formation Realm cultivators!

The others had positioned themselves in a specific arrangement around Sikong Muyue, occupying various points on the Eight Trigrams.

Streams of spiritual power surged from everyone present, flowing into the Eight Trigrams and intensifying the black and white qi within. The diagram trembled, and the black and white qi coalesced into two enormous Jiao, which descended with overwhelming force.

In an instant, the black and white qi collided with the barrier at the mountain’s summit below.

Boom!

The barrier erupted with a dazzling display of seven-colored divine light, struggling to resist the assault of the black and white qi. Ultimately, it began to dim and was eventually shattered under the onslaught.