Chapter 126: Treasure Gourd Illusion Realm

Having no attachments, dual cultivation was not out of the question.

Just as Zhuang Yan said, cultivators strive for the slim chance of achieving immortality. He had originally planned to offer the mysterious orchid simply to gain an opportunity to break through the Foundation Establishment stage. Now that he had this chance, he naturally couldn't miss it.

After asking Zhuang Yan, Qin Sang learned that the Treasured Gourd was passed down by an ancestor of Shaohua Mountain. It was a magic treasure called the Mortal World Gourd, now controlled by a Golden Core stage master named Che Yutao.

This magic treasure has an ability called the Treasured Gourd Illusion, which can affect the Nascent Soul and induce inner demons from the depths of one's heart.

Since the magic treasure is controllable, if someone who enters it finds it difficult to extricate themselves and is about to suffer qi deviation, they can simply be ejected from the Mortal World Gourd and will quickly awaken. The danger is not great; it can even be used to temper the disciples' state of mind.

Being able to enter the Treasured Gourd and experience a trial of the heart is greatly beneficial for one's mental state. Therefore, even without the pretext of dual cultivation, everyone would not miss the opportunity to enter the Treasured Gourd this time.

The Treasured Gourd Illusion only tests one's mental fortitude. Below the Golden Core stage, the influence of cultivation level can be ignored. However, the requirement for this trial is to stay inside the Mortal World Gourd for three full days, showing how difficult it is. Only those with excellent mental fortitude and strong willpower can pass.

Qin Sang was confident that with the help of the Jade Buddha, he had been unharmed even in the Three Calamities Soul-Devouring Array, so staying inside the Mortal World Gourd for three days should not be difficult. However, the Treasured Gourd Illusion was only the first layer of the trial, and the Jade Buddha could only protect his Nascent Soul; it might not help him pass other trials.

There was no harm in trying.

After asking more detailed questions, Qin Sang, under Zhuang Yan's envious gaze, left Daomen Peak, mounted his Flying Shuttle, and sped towards Shaohua Mountain, deep within the sect.

The peak of Shaohua Mountain was the cultivation retreat of Nascent Soul Patriarch Dongyang Bo, a forbidden area of the sect. Qin Sang had only ever seen it from afar, but now that he was closer, he was instantly awestruck by its majesty.

Majestic mountains stood tall, reaching into the clouds. They rose from the earth to pierce the heavens, like a hand holding up the sun!

Qin Sang dared not act presumptuously here. Before reaching the mountain, he lowered his Flying Shuttle to its minimum height, flying almost skimming the water. After admiring the sacred site for a while, he saw an endless celestial staircase at the foot of the mountain ahead, and halfway up the mountain, a white jade archway over ten zhang tall.

The words 'Shaohua Mountain' were carved prominently above the archway. The strokes were strong and forceful, like iron drawings and silver hooks, imbued with profound sword intent. This place was the true entrance to Shaohua Mountain.

Qin Sang put away his Flying Shuttle, stepped onto the stone steps, patted off non-existent dust from his body, and began to ascend. After only a few steps, a robust interrogative voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Who goes there?"

Qin Sang looked left and right but found no one. A chill ran down his spine, and he bowed towards the empty space, saying, "Disciple Qin Sang, I have received the sect leader's decree. My age and cultivation both meet the requirements, and I am still a virgin. I have come specifically to experience the Treasured Gourd Illusion. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me, senior."

After a moment of silence.

"Enter."

Qin Sang felt his vision blur, and then the scenery before him drastically changed. He found himself in a completely unfamiliar grand hall.

Facing him was a high platform, on which rested a red gourd. Its tip was pointed directly at the hall's main entrance. The red gourd was only about the size of two fists. Its opening was wide, and streams of multicolored light gushed forth from it, flickering in and out at its mouth.

Just as Qin Sang appeared, the red gourd suddenly flared with light, the multicolored radiance swelled, and then it spat out a person. The person stumbled awkwardly to the ground, his face covered in sweat. His green Daoist robe was soaked and clung tightly to his body. He wore a bewildered expression, his eyes glazed over, filled with deep anxiety. He seemed to still be unclear about his situation, cutting a very comical figure.

After discerning the person's cultivation level, Qin Sang dared not show the slightest hint of amusement on his face. He quickly moved aside and stood respectfully. This person was, surprisingly, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Junior Brother Feng, awaken!"

Someone in the hall shouted loudly.

The person on the ground suddenly jolted, awakening as if from a dream. His eyes quickly regained clarity, and he stood up. A faint light swept over his body, wiping away all sweat and dust, restoring his otherworldly, immortal bearing.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Senior Brother, for that timely jolt," the person said, cupping his hands towards the three people standing nearby. "May I ask, Sect Leader Senior Brother, how long was I inside the Mortal World Gourd?"

Among the three, there was an old Daoist with a goatee, a thin face, and particularly bright eyes. He held a whisk in the crook of his arm, possessing an extraordinary aura. This was none other than Yu Xin, the current Sect Leader of Shaohua Mountain.

Upon hearing the cultivator surnamed Feng's question, Sect Leader Yu said, "Junior Brother Feng, you persevered for a full day inside, which is truly rare. Judging by your expression, you must have gained quite a bit, haven't you?"

The cultivator surnamed Feng gave a bitter smile and said somewhat sadly, "Old dreams are hard to awaken from! Please, Sect Leader Senior Brother, escort me down the mountain."

After the cultivator surnamed Feng disappeared, Qin Sang quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Disciple Qin Sang pays his respects to the Sect Leader and to the two Martial Uncles."

Sect Leader Yu waved his whisk, and specks of stardust-like spiritual energy landed on Qin Sang.

"Hm, your primal yang has not been leaked; you meet the requirements. Go now, walk to the front of the Mortal World Gourd, and it will draw you into its multicolored light."

Qin Sang walked to the platform as instructed. Suddenly, a beam of multicolored light flashed before his eyes, and he found himself in a vibrant, multicolored space. Qin Sang glanced around and saw streams of dazzling multicolored light pervading the space above.

Around him, dozens of figures sat cross-legged: there were Foundation Establishment stage Martial Uncles and Qi Refining stage Senior Brothers. Each person was enveloped in a stream of multicolored light, sitting motionless in complete silence. Not a single sound could be heard.

Just then, Qin Sang felt his body suddenly sink, pressed firmly to the ground by an inexplicable immense force. Then, a stream of multicolored light above him suddenly shifted, darting down onto Qin Sang like a spiritual snake.

Qin Sang knew that the trial of the heart was likely about to begin. Fearing he might reveal a flaw, he quickly sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state.

Enveloped by the multicolored light, Qin Sang felt nothing. He inwardly examined himself and found that the multicolored light had invaded his body, creating a strange fluctuation in his Nascent Soul space. This fluctuation was firmly blocked by the layer of faint yellow light formed by the Jade Buddha.

Seeing this, a thought suddenly popped into Qin Sang's mind. Whether it was the Three Calamities Soul-Devouring Array or the Mortal World Gourd, both used external forces to induce his inner demons. But if he was fortunate enough to break through the Golden Core stage and face the true heavenly tribulation when forming his Nascent Soul, would the inner demons also be induced by external forces?

If he let them in, and he was already affected and entangled by inner demons, could the Jade Buddha still help him overcome them?

Unexpectedly, just as this thought arose, the light on the Jade Buddha suddenly flickered. This was a sight Qin Sang had never witnessed before, and he was greatly alarmed.

Immediately after, those fluctuations were unexpectedly allowed in by the Jade Buddha, invading Qin Sang's Nascent Soul.

The scene before Qin Sang's eyes suddenly changed.

Tall buildings, bustling traffic, and a continuous stream of people.

His previous life's world!

He saw the house he had bought for his parents in his previous life. He couldn't help but take a deep breath and began walking in that direction. His heart was filled with anticipation, yet his mind was incredibly clear. It was like being a spectator, watching a movie, able to withdraw at any moment.