Chapter 195: The Decision

Shaohua Mountain, Dao Peak.

Qin Sang didn’t have many acquaintances. After bidding farewell to Shopkeeper Wu at Wenyue Market, he headed to Dao Peak to say goodbye to Senior Brother Wen.

To Qin Sang, Senior Brother Wen was both a mentor and a friend. Without a master and often lacking basic knowledge, Qin Sang had sought advice from Senior Brother Wen numerous times, always receiving helpful answers.

It was amusing to think that their friendship had started over two middle-grade spirit stones.

"I never expected Junior Brother Qin, having just reached the Foundation Building Realm, to voluntarily enter the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. Such courage is something I cannot compare to," Senior Brother Wen remarked, raising his tea cup, "I toast you with tea, Junior Brother Qin, in honor of your bravery."

Qin Sang smiled wryly. If his cultivation art didn’t require it, if he could just increase his cultivation level by training quietly in his cave dwelling to reach Core Formation Realm, he certainly wouldn’t be venturing into such a dangerous place.

After finishing the tea, Qin Sang cupped his hands in farewell to Senior Brother Wen and flew toward Sect Leader Peak.

Several dozen cultivators had already gathered at Sect Leader Peak—some were disciples of Shaohua Mountain, while others were members of immortal cultivation families affiliated with the mountain. The crowd was expected to grow, as it was still early and not everyone had arrived yet.

Most of those present were at the Qi Refining Realm, with a few at the Foundation Building Realm, all preparing for the journey to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

The Qi Refining cultivators were mostly at the tenth stage, and many looked somewhat aged, at least in their forties or fifties.

These were people who hadn’t reached the Foundation Building Realm before fifty or who, realizing they couldn’t reach the Foundation Building Realm by then, still refused to give up and sought an opportunity at the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, making one last attempt.

There were also those who had already abandoned their path to immortality, now risking everything to secure cultivation resources for the next generation, hoping their descendants wouldn’t follow in their footsteps.

After all, while the Ancient Immortal Battlefield was dangerous, it was also rich with opportunities—a place of countless tales of defying fate that circulated in the cultivation world.

In comparison, Yuncang Marshlands fell far short of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

Qin Sang descended, extinguished his sword light.

Everyone turned to look.

After scanning the crowd and not seeing anyone he recognized, Qin Sang walked over to a tree and sat down cross-legged, quietly entering meditation as he waited.

His aloof demeanor discouraged several people who had intended to approach him from doing so.

It was evident that as the moment approached, most people were struggling to maintain their composure. Small groups had formed here and there, murmuring to each other as they tried to alleviate their unease.

Although Qin Sang appeared to be meditating, he was actually spreading out his spiritual consciousness to eavesdrop. Despite gathering as much information as possible about the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, he knew there were likely gaps in his knowledge. Since the road ahead was uncertain, the more he could learn, the better.

After listening for a while, Qin Sang shook his head. The discussions were mostly the same as the information he’d already gathered. That was to be expected; these people were either disciples of Shaohua Mountain or from families affiliated with it, all sourcing their information through the mountain, so the overlap wasn’t surprising.

Deciding not to waste any more energy, Qin Sang had just withdrawn his spiritual consciousness when he suddenly heard the sound of something cutting through the air. Looking up, he saw an evasion light swiftly approaching. Judging by its force, it was likely a Foundation Building cultivator, and the light seemed vaguely familiar.

Whoosh!

The light stopped abruptly before Sect Leader Peak, landing on the stone path, revealing a middle-aged cultivator. Qin Sang was surprised—it was Yu Dayue!

After three fellow Foundation Building disciples unexpectedly died, they had both returned from the Heavenly Corpse Sect branch and were then separated for questioning by the Hall of Discipline. Since then, Qin Sang hadn’t seen Yu Dayue.

Seeing him again, Qin Sang noticed that Yu Dayue’s face looked considerably older than when they’d last parted—though it had only been a little over a year. For a Foundation Building cultivator, such a drastic change in appearance was unusual.

Yu Dayue’s brows knitted unconsciously, a trace of worry flickering across his face as if something was weighing heavily on him. He walked over with heavy steps, giving only brief nods and half-hearted words of greeting to the few familiar people who acknowledged him.

So, Yu Dayue came to Sect Leader Peak too—is he also planning to head to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield?

Qin Sang hadn’t heard him mention it before.

Since they had crossed paths, Qin Sang rose and greeted him. "Senior Brother Yu."

"Junior Brother Qin?"

Yu Dayue spotted Qin Sang, his surprise evident. "Are you... heading to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield too?"

Qin Sang nodded, then asked in return, "Senior Brother Yu, you’re also heading to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield? It looks like we’ll be traveling together again."

Yu Dayue looked slightly puzzled. "If I recall, Junior Brother Qin, you’re still quite young?"

"Yes, I just turned forty."

"Then why would you..."

Yu Dayue caught himself, remembering Qin Sang’s talent and understanding that everyone had their own path. He changed his tone, saying, "I’ve been stuck in the early stages of the Foundation Building Realm for too long. With no opportunity for advancement found in the caverns, if I don’t make an effort in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, my path to cultivation might come to an end. It is a pleasant surprise that I can travel with you. Have you made any plans?"

Qin Sang answered uncertainly, "I’m still undecided. What about you, Senior Brother?"

Xuanlu Stronghold was jointly controlled by Shaohua Mountain, the Taiyi Core Sect, and the Shangyuan Tranquility Palace, with Shaohua Mountain holding a third of the influence. It was said that after entering Xuanlu Stronghold, disciples had two prime options.

One option was to join the Xuanlu Stronghold guard, protecting the stronghold. With Qin Sang’s cultivation level, he would at least hold a minor leadership position.

Joining the guard came with many benefits. Although members often ventured into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield to hunt Cloud Beasts or undertake similar tasks, each mission was done with a team, reducing the danger of facing threats alone. The sect also provided a free cave dwelling in the city and offered substantial compensation.

The other option offered more freedom.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Xuanlu Stronghold occasionally required certain covert tasks or deep exploration missions into the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. These dangerous missions were reserved for a trusted group of disciples known as the Shadow Guards.

Shadow Guards received no more than one assignment every five years. If there were no tasks within that time, they were completely free. However, once assigned, they could only refuse for a legitimate reason; otherwise, it would be considered a betrayal of the sect.

The sect took each Shadow Guard’s abilities into account when assigning tasks, though ensuring absolute safety, especially in a perilous place like the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, was impossible.

The sect supported the Shadow Guards generously, but the rewards depended on the success and accomplishments of each mission.

Of course, there was also the option of doing nothing, even avoiding any association with the sect, venturing into the battlefield alone like a rogue cultivator.

However, without the sect’s support, one could only rely on their own strength, which could make survival in the battlefield exceedingly difficult.

Seeing is believing,

Qin Sang thought, deciding to wait until he reached Xuanlu Stronghold to personally assess the situation before making his final decision.