Chapter 196: Invitation

Upon hearing Qin Sang's question, Yu Daiyue hesitated for a moment before saying, "To be frank, Junior Brother Qin, this is also my first time visiting the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, so it's hard for me to make a decision. However, I'm here to seek opportunities, so I definitely can't remain in the city forever. Being a city guard won't work out. If you're also planning the same, perhaps we could travel together?"

Yu Daiyue's invitation prompted Qin Sang to ponder silently, rather than immediately expressing his stance.

After their venture into the underground cave, Yu Daiyue and Qin Sang did share a certain level of trust, making him a good potential companion. However, Yu Daiyue was seeking an opportunity for a breakthrough. His age limit was approaching, and if he couldn't break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage soon, he was destined to have no hope of forming a Core. Therefore, he had come with a desperate resolve.

The outer regions of the Ancient Immortal Battlefield would likely not satisfy him; he would inevitably need to enter dangerous secret realms to collect elixirs and treasures. If Qin Sang were to travel with Yu Daiyue, he would also be forced into these dangers. Qin Sang, on the other hand, had only recently broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage and was still young. With a Foundation Establishment cultivator's lifespan limited by the decline of vital energy at two hundred years, he still had at least one hundred and sixty years to attempt Core Formation. The time remaining for the early Foundation Establishment stage was at least thirty or forty years, so there was no need for such urgency.

Of course, this didn't mean Qin Sang would be complacent. Naturally, the faster one cultivated, the better. The earlier one broke through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, the more ample time one would have for Core Formation, and the higher the chances of success. Qin Sang was going to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield specifically to cultivate the 'Soul Nourishing Sword Chapter'. He only needed to find a stable cave dwelling in the Ancient Immortal Battlefield and an environment where he could hunt cloud beasts at any time. Then, he could cultivate methodically, without the need to face life-or-death situations.

As for finding spirit herbs to restore his foundation, seeking information about Senior Qingzhu, and collecting spirit wood to enhance the Ebony Sword, these three matters were indeed important, but none were urgent. The damage to his foundation seemed, for now, to only affect combat. After breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, Qin Sang hadn't felt any significant hindrance to his cultivation. He didn't know if there would be obstacles when breaking through thresholds; he would verify that when he reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Similarly, there was no urgency in finding Senior Qingzhu's whereabouts; Core Formation was too distant for Qin Sang. The Ebony Sword itself was made of magic treasure material; even if it couldn't withstand a second killing talisman, the difference wouldn't be significant.

Qin Sang could entirely cultivate while familiarizing himself with the Ancient Immortal Battlefield's environment, then slowly investigate and search. If opportunities were easy to obtain, he naturally wouldn't miss them. But if they involved danger, he would simply cultivate diligently and wait until his strength improved before seeking them out; it wouldn't be too late.

With this in mind, Qin Sang secretly decided not to travel with Yu Daiyue and tactfully said, "Senior Brother Yu, the Ancient Immortal Battlefield holds countless dangers. My cultivation is low; I'm afraid I might hold you back..."

Qin Sang's words were also true; others didn't know him well, but Yu Daiyue knew him clearly. Yu Daiyue understood Qin Sang's implication and didn't press further. The two chatted for a while longer, then each sat cross-legged in silence, waiting quietly.

Qin Sang subtly withdrew his gaze. He noticed a lingering sorrow on Yu Daiyue's brow that wouldn't dissipate. Earlier, Qin Sang had intentionally steered the conversation towards the aftermath of the underground cave incident, but Yu Daiyue had deliberately avoided the topic. However, Qin Sang keenly sensed the resentment in Yu Daiyue's tone. Could it be that Yu Daiyue had suffered repercussions because of Li Zai's death? Thinking this, Qin Sang felt the possibility was high. He himself had been let off so easily because, like Li Zai, he had merely been invited by the organizers to assist. If Li Zai's master, Martial Uncle Fengming, insisted on pursuing the matter, the organizers would certainly face severe consequences. With Senior Sister Qingting already dead, all the pressure would fall upon Yu Daiyue alone. Furthermore, Yu Daiyue wasn't highly regarded by his master, and he had no one to help mediate. Qin Sang wondered what price he had paid to get through this; his situation must have been exceptionally difficult recently. Entering the Ancient Immortal Battlefield in a desperate gamble was probably an act of desperation.

Qin Sang secretly sighed with emotion: in the cultivation world, strength was the absolute truth! His own path was uncertain, and he couldn't help Yu Daiyue much. He could only cast these thoughts aside, pretending to have noticed nothing, and sit with his eyes closed.

"Disciples greet Martial Uncle Che...""Greetings, Grandmaster..."

A chorus of shouts roused Qin Sang. He emerged from meditation, opened his eyes, and saw that the small plaza in front of the sect master's hall was already teeming with people. Earlier, Sect Master Yu had come to count the numbers and announce some important matters concerning entry into Skull Pass. Now, however, an unfamiliar cultivator had appeared at the sect master's hall. He stood with his hands behind his back, while Sect Master Yu respectfully stood by his side.

This person looked very young, around thirty years old. He had an ancient, distinctive appearance with a high nose and deep-set eyes, wearing a moon-white Daoist robe. A palm-sized red gourd hung from his waist. Standing there, he exuded an ethereal and otherworldly aura, accompanied by a faint, awe-inspiring pressure that compelled people to feel reverence and worship. From him, Qin Sang couldn't sense the slightest fluctuation of power; to the naked eye, he appeared like a mortal. However, the crowd in front of Qin Sang had already prostrated themselves en masse, including Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Martial Uncle Che!

Qin Sang's heart skipped a beat. His gaze swept over and fixed on the red gourd. No wonder it looked so familiar—wasn't it the Red Dust Gourd? He himself had been inside it once. This person was Che Yutao, the Golden Core Perfected Being of Shaohua Mountain. To think he hung a magic treasure from his waist... Qin Sang grumbled a few words to himself, then immediately and without hesitation saluted Che Yutao, addressing him as Martial Uncle. Guarding Skull Pass wouldn't be enough with just these Foundation Establishment cultivators. It was said that the Golden Core Perfected Beings of Shaohua Mountain also took turns overseeing it. It seemed it was Che Yutao's turn this time. With a Golden Core Perfected Being leading the way, this journey would surely be safe.

Facing the crowd's obeisance, Che Yutao's expression remained unperturbed. He casually glanced around and said blandly, "The time has come. Those among you who wish to go to the Ancient Immortal Battlefield, enter the treasure ship now. This old man will take you to the Shangyuan Pure Palace."

Before his words had even faded, without Che Yutao making any discernible movement, everyone was suddenly enveloped by a colossal shadow. They looked up in astonishment to see a massive treasure ship, which had appeared above them at some unknown point, floating in mid-air. The treasure ship resembled an ordinary pleasure boat, with both ends curving upwards and a dragon's head carved at the prow, exuding magnificent grandeur. Tassels swayed on board, adorned with countless streaks of auspicious light, exquisitely crafted—it was, in fact, a magic treasure! Even their everyday travel tools were magic treasures. Was this the power of a Golden Core Perfected Being?

Qin Sang looked up, filled with immense admiration and envy. His desire and resolve to pursue higher realms became even stronger. After Che Yutao finished speaking, the pleasure boat lowered several cloud stairs. The crowd stirred, then one after another, flew up the cloud stairs into the treasure ship. Qin Sang dared not delay and followed them inside. After everyone had entered, Che Yutao's figure suddenly faded, then vanished without a trace. The treasure ship trembled slightly, then abruptly shrunk to the size of a flying shuttle, disappearing silently, leaving only a gentle breeze disturbing the treetops.

Sect Master Yu stood respectfully for a long time before finally straightening up.