Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 245: Lending a Hand

Di Que chuckled softly. "How could I bear to part with them? Years ago, that old geezer Tianyi borrowed them. I owed him a favor and couldn’t refuse. Later, he passed them to his disciple to seek treasure. However, not only did that disciple lose his life, but he also lost my precious creatures. I personally visited the mine afterward, but the barriers had been destroyed. The place had become a lair for Cloud Beasts. I thought the little creatures were doomed, yet who knew they'd end up in your hands, Young Man?"

Hearing this, Qin Sang sighed deeply in his heart.

Before entering the ancient cultivator's estate, he had specifically asked Mu Yifeng about the names of several Core Formation Realm cultivators. Only after confirming that Tianyi wasn’t among them did he dare to freely unleash the Fire Jade Centipede to search for treasures.

Who could have guessed that Tianyi wasn't the original owner of the Fire Jade Centipede? It turned out he had borrowed it from Di Que.

To find such a rare insect was a stroke of immense luck for most people, but Di Que had owned a pair of them.

Tianyi, who had tasked Yin Xingge with mining the Qianyang Crystal, was the vice sect leader of the Medicine King Sect. Although Yin Xingge wasn’t his direct disciple, he was held in high regard.

Qin Sang had deliberately investigated this matter after leaving the mine.

His plan was simple: wait for the storm to pass, then find an opportunity to revisit the mine and use the Fire Jade Centipede to locate the Qianyang Crystal, making a handsome fortune.

Yin Xingge's luck, however, had been dreadful. Just as he found the Qianyang Crystal, he was attacked by a humanoid Cloud Beast—an uncommon event.

Before Qin Sang could make his move, news broke that experts entering the mine had retrieved the Qianyang Crystal. However, during the retrieval, they encountered a humanoid Cloud Beast with Golden Core Realm strength.

In the ensuing battle, the beast was slain, but the barriers outside the mine were accidentally destroyed. This exposed the mine, allowing the Cloud Beasts in the ravine to swarm in and turn the area into their nesting ground.

Anyone attempting to enter now would face a single outcome—being torn apart by Cloud Beasts.

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And so, the matter was left unresolved.

"The place where the Tianyi's disciple perished isn’t somewhere just anyone can access. Since you found the little creature, how could you not know who dropped it? That disciple wouldn’t have dared to discard my treasure recklessly. Did it somehow end up in your hands?"

Di Que squinted slightly, his gaze flashing with a sharp glint.

Qin Sang's face stiffened. He quickly defended himself. "Senior, please judge fairly. You must be referring to Senior Brother Yin Xingge. I was merely one of the Shadow Guards who entered the mine back then. Later, Senior Brother Yin left the group without permission and awakened the humanoid Cloud Beast, causing the calamity. We nearly lost our lives searching for him. I only stumbled upon the centipede by chance and later learned it was the Fire Jade Centipede. It wasn’t—"

"Enough, enough!"

Before Qin Sang could finish, Di Que waved his hand impatiently. "I’m not his master. Whether he died to a Cloud Beast or someone else has nothing to do with me! You don’t need to be so nervous. I recall you're from Shaohua Mountain, and with Old Geezer Che nearby, I wouldn’t dare harm you. Besides, thanks to you, the little creature was recovered. Even if you have no merit, you’ve done me a service. I owe you my thanks."

Though Di Que's words were comforting, Qin Sang felt no relief. Up to this point, the old man hadn’t removed the barriers restraining him.

With a forced smile, Qin Sang said, "Since the Fire Jade Centipede belongs to you, Senior, returning it to its rightful owner is only proper. I dare not claim any credit. I humbly request that you release me so I can leave without disturbing you further."

As he spoke, Qin Sang glanced down at his rigid body.

"No rush!"

Ignoring Qin Sang's subtle plea, Di Que walked past him, descending the stone steps. While walking, he remarked, "The illusion array outside is quite intriguing. If not for these two little creatures, even I wouldn’t have noticed anything amiss. Whatever’s hidden here must be extraordinary. Let’s see what surprises these little ones can bring me—Oh?"

Unable to move, Qin Sang couldn’t see Di Que’s expression, but the old man's tone suggested he recognized the vines in the lake.

Upon spotting the strange vines and golden fruit, Di Que’s eyes lit up with delight. After a brief moment of contemplation, he shifted his gaze to the flaming monkey, studying it intently. Then, he turned back to glance at Qin Sang and burst into laughter.

"You truly are a lucky charm, young man! I’ve racked my brains and broken through several tricky barriers, only to find a few worthless trinkets. Yet, after meeting you, not only did I recover the Fire Jade Centipede, but I also discovered the Scarlet Gold Vine. It seems fortune has effortlessly come my way!"

Scarlet Gold Vine?

Qin Sang quickly searched his memory but couldn’t recall ever hearing of the Scarlet Gold Vine.

However, judging from the unrestrained excitement in Di Que’s tone, it was undoubtedly something of immense value.

What a pity!

Qin Sang sighed inwardly. Just then, he realized the barrier restraining him had been lifted. Turning around, he saw Di Que staring at him intently, his eyes gleaming. "Young Man, what is your name?"

Qin Sang's heart sank. "Senior, my surname is Qin."

"Brother Qin..."

Di Que nodded thoughtfully before his expression suddenly softened into a genial smile. "Brother Qin, you’ve been a great help to me. I’m truly grateful! But I’m at a loss for how to properly thank you."

Under Di Que’s piercing gaze, Qin Sang felt his nerves tighten. Unease swept over him as he quickly bowed and replied, "Senior, you overpraise me. It was merely a chance occurrence and a trivial effort on my part. I dare not accept your reward."

"Brother Qin, you're too modest. I am not one to forget favors. I owe you for this, and I must repay the debt. That said, this isn’t the place for such discussions. Coincidentally, I have a small matter that requires attention. Why not lend your assistance to the very end? Once we leave this place, I’ll properly reward you. What do you say?"

Di Que’s tone sounded amicable, but his narrowed eyes carried a sense of veiled intent.

Qin Sang’s pupils contracted, and his fists clenched tightly.

The very thing he feared had come to pass—this old man was far from benevolent. A wolf in sheep’s clothing! Then again, it made sense. How could someone like Di Que—a rogue cultivator who not only succeeded in forming a core but also held a prominent position at Xuanlu Stronghold, skillfully navigating between major sects—be an ordinary figure?

Suppressing the storm of emotions within, Qin Sang carefully responded, "Senior, my cultivation is weak. I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you and may even jeopardize your plans."

Di Que was unfazed. "My judgment isn’t wrong. With your abilities, you’ll surely accomplish this task with ease."

Faced with overwhelming strength, resistance was futile.

Qin Sang chuckled bitterly to himself. After taking a deep breath, he said, "Please, Senior, give your instructions. As long as it’s within my capabilities, I’ll do my utmost."

"Brother Qin, you truly have a noble spirit!"

Di Que beamed with satisfaction. Turning away, he clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the Scarlet Gold Vine. In a casual tone, he said, "Then I’ll trouble you to help me pluck the fruits of the Scarlet Gold Vine."