Gateway of Immortality

Qin Sang stepped off the boat, feeling as if the ground beneath him was swaying.

For nearly a year, he had spent almost every day aboard the vessel.

During this time, there were many treacherous mountains and dangerous waters that required him to disembark and travel on foot. He had encountered numerous unforeseen events, including wars, pirates, floods, and had to switch to countless different boats, making his journey a stop-and-go ordeal. By the time he finally reached the Biyun Kingdom, a full year had passed.

Based on his own understanding, Qin Sang believed that he was currently at the middle of the fifth stage of the Netherworld Scripture. However, he was still far from breaking through to the sixth stage. His stock of Soul Pills was nearly depleted, making it imperative for him to find malevolent yin qi or to collect souls anew.

Without Soul Pills, Qin Sang couldn’t fathom when he might finally break through to the sixth stage.

"Sir, from here, just head east, and in less than a month, you'll reach Youshan. You can hire a carriage at the dock, but you seem like you're from out of town, so be careful..."

The boatman reluctantly saw Qin Sang off the boat.

This passenger had left a deep impression on him. After boarding, Qin Sang had holed up in the cabin and never came out. He only required three meals a day delivered by the boat crew, and despite his generous spending, he caused little trouble.

As they neared the Biyun Kingdom, Qin Sang had already gathered information. The location marked on the geographic maps of various nations indicated that Youshan Market was situated near the largest mountain range, You Mountain, in the Biyun Kingdom, aligning perfectly with the name "Youshan Market."[1]

Upon reaching the shore, Qin Sang immediately spent silver to buy a horse. Traveling day and night and changing horses along the way, he reached the vicinity of You Mountain in just five days.

The You Mountain Range was an enormous chain, countless times larger than the Guling Mountain. Only a small section of it lay within the borders of the Biyun Kingdom. From the local populace, Qin Sang heard many legends about You Mountain.

At the edge of You Mountain, the jade disk in his possession reacted, automatically emitting a halo of light that guided his direction.

Following the jade disk's guidance, Qin Sang delved deep into the mountains, crossing peaks and forests, until he arrived at a desolate mountain valley.

The peaks on either side of the valley pierced the clouds, and the entire valley was shrouded in thick fog, its depth unknown. The jade disk pointed toward the interior of the valley.

Qin Sang stood before the valley for quite some time, his expression hesitant. The dense fog within the valley seemed particularly eerie, yet he couldn’t see through it.

Just then, the thick fog within the valley began to churn.

Qin Sang became quietly vigilant. Moments later, the fog parted to reveal a narrow path, and the sound of footsteps echoed from within. Soon after, a man dressed in a long robe appeared.

The robed man walked briskly out of the fog. His gaze swept around, and upon seeing Qin Sang, he quickly trotted over, a smile on his face. Bowing respectfully, he greeted warmly, "Greetings, Immortal! Welcome to Youshan Market. I have had an excellent memory since childhood and do not recall seeing you before, so this must be your first visit to Youshan Market, correct?"

Seeing Qin Sang nod, the robed man began to boast, "Then you've come to the right place! Youshan Market is the largest market in the entire You Mountain Range. We have everything from artifacts, talismans, to elixirs and spells. Many immortal cultivation families have also established their businesses here, ensuring that you will leave satisfied..."

Qin Sang’s expression remained mostly unchanged as he listened, but he couldn’t help but curiously study the robed man before him. Finally, he asked, "Are you a mortal?"

The robed man complimented, "You have a keen eye, Immortal. Indeed, I am a mortal."

Qin Sang asked in confusion, "Then how did you recognize that I am an immortal cultivator?"

The robed man let out an "Oh," and then spread open his palm, revealing a small blue disk that glowed faintly. "Please take a look, Immortal. This is a special magic disk crafted by my master. It doesn't require spiritual power to activate. When it comes near an immortal like yourself, it lights up, allowing us to identify you as an immortal cultivator."

"So, it’s a magic disk."

Qin Sang murmured, suddenly understanding, though inwardly he was deep in thought.

He had never heard of such a magic disk before. To think that a mere mortal would have something like this while he remained ignorant—it made him feel like a country bumpkin. Today, he resolved to broaden his knowledge.

The robed man smiled apologetically and gestured. "Please, Immortal, this way."

Qin Sang nodded and took a few steps forward before suddenly remembering something. "Does Youshan Market not require tokens for entry?"

The robed man shook his head and replied, "My master is generous in welcoming guests from all corners of the world, so there's no need for entry tokens. In the future, when you arrive, you can simply walk in. The market’s barrier will detect your identity as an immortal cultivator, and the fog will automatically disperse, allowing you to come and go freely."

Qin Sang let out an "Oh" in response and continued walking, though he couldn’t help but find it odd. If the jade disk wasn’t the entry token for Youshan Market, then what was its purpose?

The direction indicated by the jade disk pointed to somewhere within the market.

Qin Sang intended to pry more information from the robed man, but unfortunately, the path was short. After only a few steps, they reached the end.

"Immortal, we have arrived at the market. Immortal cultivators can trade freely within the market. However, my master has established a rule that I need to explain to you first."

The robed man spoke to Qin Sang with great respect, though his tone carried an underlying warning. "Whether you are a rogue cultivator or a disciple of a renowned sect, no weapons are to be drawn within the market. If you have disputes with others that cannot be resolved, please handle them outside the market... I will not trouble you further."

Before he could finish his words, the robed man stepped aside and vanished into the dense fog.

Having guarded the market for many years, the robed man was well aware that most immortal cultivators had eccentric temperaments and disliked being disturbed. He knew better than to be overly chatty, whereas Qin Sang had hoped he would elaborate a bit more.

With the robed man gone, calling him back was no longer an option.

Qin Sang sighed, looked at the thin layer of fog ahead, composed himself, and assumed an expression of a supreme expert as he stepped forward, only to be greeted by a whirlwind of noise.

One would not expect that an immortal cultivation market could be as bustling and noisy as a mundane market unless seen firsthand.

The valley was vast, and the entire area had been developed into a market, resembling a mortal city with its intricate streets, numerous shops, shaded willows, and a constant flow of people on the main street.

From what he learned from the robed man, the market was not exclusively inhabited by immortal cultivators; a significant portion of its population were ordinary people. Immortal cultivators generally were not permitted to act against mortals.

After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang chose his direction and walked into the market.

Entering a street paved with cyan stones, he noticed the number of people around him had noticeably decreased. Most shops owned by immortal cultivators were situated here, while those that preferred more traffic were located outside.

Ordinary people dared not venture here, as offending an immortal cultivator could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Qin Sang, aware that he had no leverage to act arrogantly, walked quietly down the street. He made way for others and discreetly observed the shops around him.

Like mundane stores, the shops had signs hanging in front of them.

Treasured Pill Pavilion, House of Jade, House of Sword, Joyful Lane...

Some names provided hints about their business, while others left Qin Sang completely puzzled.

1. Youshan translates to You Mountain in Chinese. ☜