Gateway of Immortality

After the dazzling golden light destroyed the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman, the bronze bell shattered with a crisp crack, scattering the golden glow into a cascade of broken fragments. The remnants turned into a piece of talisman paper, covered with cracks, falling apart as it drifted downward.

It turned out to be a talisman astra.

The bronze bell's power far surpassed that of the jade ruyi talisman astra Qin Sang held, enabling it to effortlessly destroy the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman. This suggested that the original astra from which the talisman was derived must have been extraordinary.

The talisman astra's power was spent, shattering upon a single use. However, using it to destroy the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman and completely severing Daoist Master Xuanyu's retreat was undoubtedly a well-spent effort.

Qin Sang nodded in approval. He had heard before that for cultivators in the Core Formation Realm, possessing even a single astra was already considered fortunate. Many Core Formation Realm cultivators, especially those without strong backing, spent years gathering spiritual materials for their life-bound astra, leaving them with no resources or energy to refine other astra.

Unless fortune smiled upon them—perhaps discovering one during treasure hunts or seizing it by defeating other Core Formation Realm cultivators—it was nearly impossible to possess multiple.

Di Que's background was far inferior to Daoist Master Xuanyu's.

Daoist Master Xuanyu carried a life-bound astra, a verdant green disc, a Heavenly Blade Talisman with power rivaling that of an astra, and likely even an unseen Inner Vision Primordial Talisman.

Although the full might of the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman had not been displayed before being destroyed by the bronze bell, judging from Daoist Master Xuanyu's fleeing speed earlier, this talisman was likely on par with an astra.

In contrast, Di Que was merely a rogue cultivator. At Xuanlu Stronghold, he held the nominal title of guest elder, with little evidence of real authority.

Qin Sang had initially been surprised by the wealth Di Que displayed, possessing not only the Heavenly Sound Conch but also summoning a powerful bronze bell. He now realized it was merely a talisman astra, revealing the truth of his limited resources.

It became clear that, both in cultivation and foundation, Di Que was significantly weaker than Daoist Master Xuanyu. He had relied on a sneak attack and careful scheming to destroy three of Daoist Master Xuanyu’s prized treasures in succession, forcing him into a desperate situation.

Although the bronze bell was now shattered, before Daoist Master Xuanyu could react, Di Que had already seized the opportunity to close the gap, blocking his escape route.

The Heavenly Sound Conch trembled lightly, unleashing a rainstorm of sound blades. The countless blades enveloped Daoist Master Xuanyu, leaving no gaps for evasion, as they rained down like a torrential downpour, cutting off every avenue of escape.

Surprisingly, Daoist Master Xuanyu made no effort to struggle. His body was swallowed by the storm of sound blades, leaving his fate uncertain. By all appearances, he seemed to have lost the ability to fight back, likely reduced to a mutilated state by now.

Di Que was initially taken aback but quickly became elated.

As he infused more spiritual power into the Heavenly Sound Conch, amplifying its strength, a sudden blade light silently tore through the storm, streaking forth with alarming speed.

Its target was Di Que!

The blade light's velocity was astonishing, instantly closing the distance between them and leaving a long, sharp trail in the void.

A celestial blade descended upon the world, dazzling and awe-inspiring.

The blade light had appeared without warning, more radiant than even the previous burst from the Heavenly Blade Talisman, so much so that the naked eye could not discern its true form.

While the blade’s fluctuations were similar to those of the Heavenly Blade Talisman, hidden within them was an even more ferocious and volatile force!

Although this strike wasn’t aimed at Qin Sang, its residual power alone filled him with shock and a chilling sense of dread.

Narrowing his eyes against the blinding light, Qin Sang’s thoughts turned to the night he left the Yuanzhao Sect.

"Burning the Golden Core?"

The blade light streaked toward Di Que, whose expression turned solemn. Yet, in his eyes, there flickered a faint trace of excitement, barely perceptible to others.

Qin Sang quickly realized what was happening—Daoist Master Xuanyu, fully aware of his impending death, had chosen to ignite the power of his Golden Core, overloading the Heavenly Blade Talisman in a desperate bid to take down his foe. No wonder it unleashed such terrifying power in an instant.

This was a last-ditch counterattack, possibly Daoist Master Xuanyu's only chance at survival.

However, even if Daoist Master Xuanyu succeeded in killing Di Que, the cost would be devastating.

The Heavenly Blade Talisman would be completely destroyed, but worse still, the toll on his own body would be unimaginable. By burning the power of his Golden Core, not only would advancing to the Spiritual Infant Realm become an unattainable dream, but even recovering to his former state would prove extraordinarily difficult.

"Good timing!"

Di Que roared. He had clearly been prepared for this possibility. The moment the Heavenly Blade Talisman appeared, he swiftly recalled the Heavenly Sound Conch with a flick of his wrist.

"Go!"

With a grim expression, Di Que showed no hesitation in hurling the Heavenly Sound Conch forward. The conch spun violently under his control, hurtling toward the Heavenly Blade Talisman to intercept it.

Rumble!

After the deafening impact, the Heavenly Sound Conch was flung backward, now marked by additional cracks, while the light of the Heavenly Blade Talisman dimmed briefly. But after a momentary pause, its radiance intensified again, and it shot forth with even greater speed than before.

By now, this was no mere act of burning the Golden Core; it was complete overexertion, leaving no path for retreat.

When the Golden Core’s power was fully drained, Daoist Master Xuanyu would perish regardless.

It seemed that Daoist Master Xuanyu had lost all reason, merging himself with the Heavenly Blade Talisman and locking his sights firmly on Di Que. Qin Sang could sense the unyielding resolve emanating from him—he no longer sought survival, only to drag his enemy to the grave alongside him.

At this moment, the Heavenly Sound Conch was too slow to return for support. Di Que’s figure darted like lightning, repeatedly evading the talisman, but he couldn’t shake it off. The Heavenly Blade Talisman closed in relentlessly, forcing Di Que against the totem barrier.

And yet, he showed no trace of panic. His gaze remained coldly fixed on the talisman, a mocking smirk tugging at his lips as he suddenly erupted with overwhelming spiritual power.

A cascade of spiritual power surged like a torrent, engulfing both combatants.

"Puppet Transformation!"

Within the maelstrom of spiritual power, a fierce glint flashed in Di Que’s eyes as he made a shocking move.

With a swift strike, he severed his left arm.

The detached limb writhed grotesquely in mid-air, distorting and expanding until it transformed into a perfect replica of Di Que. This clone threw itself in the path of the Heavenly Blade Talisman, only to be immediately pierced through by its devastating power.

As for Di Que himself, his aura vanished completely. In the blink of an eye, his body morphed into a Firebird and silently merged into the swarm of countless identical Firebirds hovering nearby.

Whoosh!

The Heavenly Blade Talisman tore through the spiritual power and emerged, accompanied by two severed fragments of an arm that were instantly reduced to ash by the blade qi.

Di Que had disappeared.

Everything had happened in an instant, the situation shifting dramatically in the blink of an eye.

Shrouded by the spiritual power, Qin Sang hadn’t witnessed Di Que’s arm severing or the act of deceiving the talisman. However, upon seeing the Firebird escape while the Heavenly Blade Talisman annihilated nothing more than a severed arm, he quickly pieced together the truth.

Di Que must have used some kind of secret art, transferring the talisman’s locked trajectory onto his severed arm, allowing it to die in his place. Meanwhile, he had transformed into a Firebird to conceal himself among the flock.

Once Daoist Master Xuanyu’s Golden Core burned out, Di Que could effortlessly claim victory.

The Heavenly Blade Talisman trembled violently, emitting a mournful wail.

Daoist Master Xuanyu’s unwillingness was palpable, yet he was helpless.

The Firebirds were countless and indistinguishable, leaving him unable to identify which one was Di Que.

Not far away, Qin Sang’s sharp gaze locked onto a single Firebird. Having remained a spectator until now, he suddenly made his move!