Gateway of Immortality

"This is the Soul-Devouring Array of Three Calamities. It's said to have been created by a powerful cultivator, modeled after the heavenly tribulations. Not only does it recreate the three calamities[1], but it also confuses the mind and induces the evil within. Even a Golden Core cultivator would struggle to escape if trapped by the array."

Zhao Yan warned them, "You must fully activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal and call upon the power the sect leader left in the Cloud Flag for protection. Only then will we be safe. If we fall into the array, there’s no chance of escape. Even if we don’t die from the three calamities, we’ll be trapped until our vital energy is exhausted and we perish. Once inside, we all share in success or failure—no one can afford to be careless."

Upon hearing about the effects of the Soul-Devouring Array, Qin Sang was alarmed. He wondered if his Jade Buddha could help him resist the evils within.

Keeping a calm expression, he followed Zhao Yan's instructions, fully activating the Cloud Flag. The five of them took their positions, and the four-colored clouds around them grew denser.

Then, Qin Sang saw the sect leader's phantom rise from the Cloud Flag. With a single gesture, four streams of spiritual power shot from the Cloud Flag and struck the transparent jade in Zhao Yan's hand.

The transparent jade radiated brilliantly, and as its light touched the surrounding shifting clouds, it immediately transformed into a solid protective barrier, enveloping the five of them.

Once they entered the Soul-Devouring Array, the scenery around them changed dramatically. Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning everywhere—they had entered a vast lightning swamp. Endless bolts of lightning raced above them, painting a doomsday-like scene that turned their faces pale. The terrifying thunderbolts were far beyond what ordinary cultivators could endure.

Even Zhao Yan was somewhat shaken as he observed the dense lightning in the swamp, hesitating for a moment before shouting, "Let’s go!"

As soon as they stepped into the lightning swamp, dozens of lightning serpents lunged at them. Startled, everyone panicked. Zhao Yan hurriedly raised the transparent jade, and the jade’s light surged, revealing the phantom of Sect Leader Yi. The terrifying lightning dissolved as soon as it reached the sect leader's phantom.

Overjoyed, Zhao Yan shouted as they advanced rapidly under the sect leader's protection. After passing through the lightning swamp, they were met with a sea of flames. Beyond the fire lay endless hurricanes, making it seem like there was no end to their journey.

Qin Sang was inwardly alarmed. Even if the Jade Buddha could protect him from the evil within, it couldn’t shield him from the terrifying three calamities. This might be his only chance to escape—was he really resigned to his fate?

Their progress was slow and treacherous, but after much effort, Zhao Yan finally revealed a look of joy. They had safely passed through the three calamities.

The array returned to calm, and they found themselves surrounded by endless gray-white mist. Knowing that this mist could confuse their minds and trap them until death, a fate worse than dying under the three calamities, no one dared relax. They continued walking cautiously until the scenery ahead suddenly opened up.

At last, they had emerged from the array.

Immediately, gasps of amazement escaped from everyone's lips, including Qin Sang. They stared straight ahead, their eyes filled with astonishment.

In the center of the vast underground cavern was a square pool of water. The water was perfectly still, with a light mist rising from its surface. Floating in the middle of the pool was a strange orchid.

The orchid floated quietly on the water, its roots forming a tight bundle. Its petals were pristine white, while some of its leaves lay submerged and others floated on the surface, verdant and full of life.

There were seven petals in total, all a deep purple. They shimmered like amethyst, translucent and radiant. The orchid’s form closely resembled a type of spiritual herb called Snowy Ink Orchid that Qin Sang had once seen in Huiyang Valley, though the color was different. ŘἈ

What was even more extraordinary was the orchid’s stamen, where a wisp of smoke floated above it. The smoke transformed into scenes of suns, moons, stars, mountains, rivers, mythical beasts, celestial herbs, carriages, and people...

Within just a few breaths, countless vivid and lifelike images flashed across the orchid, as if a mysterious small world was hidden within it, revealing only a glimpse of its wonders to those outside.

"What kind of spiritual herb is this?"

Ruan Nanfeng asked in awe, mesmerized by the orchid. Qin Sang was also incredibly curious. Compared to this orchid, all the spiritual herbs in the Huiyang Valley herb garden paled in comparison—they seemed like mere weeds.

Zhao Yan stared at the orchid with intense fervor, his breathing heavy and labored. He ignored Ruan Nanfeng's inquiry and made no attempt to explain anything to the others. Instead, he shouted urgently, "Form the array! Channel the thunderbolt art!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

A trace of displeasure flashed across Ruan Nanfeng's face, but he dared not defy Zhao Yan's orders. The four of them quickly shifted positions, activating the clouds.

The sound of thunder roared as lightning flickered within the swirling clouds released from the Cloud Flag, exuding a powerful aura of pure yang energy.

Zhao Yan raised the transparent jade high into the air. The lightning immediately became restless, madly surging into the jade. In moments, the transparent jade was filled with thunderous energy, transforming it into a glowing lightning sphere, radiating a blinding light that was hard to look at directly.

One couldn't help but worry that the jade might be torn apart by the violent lightning.

Sensing the terrifying energy accumulating within the jade, Qin Sang and the others grew increasingly anxious. If the transparent jade were to explode here, none of them would survive.

Zhao Yan suddenly rushed to the side of the pool, aimed the jade at it, and shouted, "Open!"

Blinding arcs of lightning shot from the transparent jade as the sect leader's phantom pointed a finger, unleashing a massive bolt of electricity.

Boom!

Blinding silver light erupted. Qin Sang squinted, unable to see what was happening at the pool’s edge. When the light finally dimmed, he noticed that a previously unseen barrier had appeared above the pool.

The barrier was now being attacked by the Four-Clouded Divine Seal, yet remained intact.

Zhao Yan roared, "Activate the Four-Clouded Divine Seal with all your might!"

The four dared not disobey and poured all their strength into the effort. Lightning bolts struck the barrier until it finally cracked open, revealing a faint fissure.

Zhao Yan was ecstatic. In a flash, he appeared before the crack, staring intently at the mysterious orchid within the pool, laughing maniacally.

However, the barrier began to slowly close. Zhao Yan's expression changed as he urgently commanded Qin Sang and the others to keep the Four-Clouded Divine Seal fully activated and continue using the jade to unleash divine lightning to prevent the fissure from closing.

Then, Zhao Yan retrieved a jade box from his Mustard Seed Pouch and sat cross-legged at the pool's edge. His hands radiated spiritual power, which transformed into a large hand that reached through the barrier and into the water, carefully grasping the orchid's roots.

To everyone's surprise, the mysterious orchid seemed to possess a will of its own. As soon as Zhao Yan grabbed it, the orchid began to struggle violently, nearly slipping from his grasp.

Zhao Yan's face flushed with anger as he glared at the orchid. He poured more spiritual power into his hand, barely managing to maintain his hold as he forcefully yanked the plant upward.

The four behind him could only watch with envious eyes as Zhao Yan collected the spiritual herb. But they also understood that such a miraculous herb wouldn’t remain in Zhao Yan's possession for long—it would inevitably end up in the hands of the Kuiyin Sect's leader or some other Golden Core master.

The attack on Yuanzhao Sect was likely just a cover; the real objective had always been this spiritual herb.

For a Golden Core cultivator to plot for years to steal it, the value of this mysterious orchid was beyond imagination. Who knew which legendary immortal herb it might be?

1. These catastrophes are described in various Buddhist sutras. There are three greater calamities of fire, water and wind, which are said to destroy the world. ☜