Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 438: Summoning

The Nether Cloud sped silently over the water’s surface.

The herb garden was now in sight.

Qin Sang and Mu Yifeng concealed their presence and carefully opened the herb garden’s barrier.

Upon entering, they discovered that Xie Ying and the others were not in secluded cultivation. Instead, they were gathered outside, anxiously watching the barrier. When they saw Qin Sang appear, they let out a collective sigh of relief.

"This is our fellow sect senior, Senior Brother Mu," Qin Sang introduced Mu Yifeng.

Xie Ying cupped his hands in greeting before urgently turning back to Qin Sang, asking in quick succession, "Senior Brother Qin, did you sense anything unusual outside?"

Qin Sang nodded and asked in return, "What did you notice?"

Xie Ying’s face was filled with worry. "Just a short while ago, several cultivators suddenly passed overhead in a rush, heading north. This has never happened so frequently before. Then, two squads of patrol guards traveled south together. Their evasion light was urgent, which means something must have happened in that direction! Is the great war about to begin?"

"Two patrol squads heading south? It seems someone has already returned and Stargazing Island has received the news."

Qin Sang glanced at Mu Yifeng.

On their way back, they had also seen many cultivators fleeing north, but they had not encountered any patrol squads.

Mu Yifeng gave a bitter smile. "I am registered under Stargazing Island—I have no choice. Even if the island has already been informed of the situation, I must still report my findings and await orders. However, given the severity of my injuries and the heavy damage to my artifacts, my combat strength has been greatly reduced. I likely won’t be deployed anytime soon. Junior Brother Qin, you need not get involved in this mess. Let’s stick to our plan—just drop me off near Stargazing Island, and then you should leave at once."

Qin Sang responded with a simple "Mhmm."

The Primordial Spirit Sword Nourishment required him to gain combat experience and comprehend the killing symbol, but only when he could ensure his own safety.

Now, as the war was just beginning and the situation remained uncertain, it was the most chaotic time. The best course of action was to leave and wait for things to settle before making any further decisions.

"Junior Brother Xie, start harvesting all the mature spiritual herbs at once. Seal the barrier, and follow me out of here."

Hearing this, Xie Ying and the others were overjoyed. Without hesitation, they each took their assigned tasks. Before long, all the mature spiritual herbs had been harvested and stored in Mustard Seed Pouches, which they handed over to Qin Sang.

"Let’s go!"

Qin Sang sealed the herb garden’s barrier, then summoned the Nether Cloud, enveloping everyone within its mist.

Including Mu Yifeng, there were now fourteen people aboard.

Since the Qi Refining disciples were too weak, Qin Sang had to take them along, which considerably slowed down the Nether Cloud.

Along the way, they spotted two other cultivators also fleeing north, but they did not recognize them, and no unnecessary conflicts arose.

The journey remained uneventful, and they were nearing their designated destination.

Just then, a thunderous roar shattered the silence, jolting everyone awake.

It was... the sound of cultivators flying!

Qin Sang and Mu Yifeng exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting slightly. Without hesitation, they leaped off the Nether Cloud, concealed their presence, and ascended into the sky. What they saw in the north made them involuntarily gasped.

Over twenty evasion lights streaked across the sky at high speed.

Flying swords, ships, spiritual boats, flying shuttles, evasion needles...

A dazzling array of flying artifacts filled the air, as if putting on a grand exhibition.

They moved boldly, streaking through the sky in different colors of evasion light, forming a massive spectacle as they rushed southward—directly in their direction.

At the sight of this, Qin Sang did not hesitate. He immediately turned back, diving straight down with the Nether Cloud, plunging towards the water.

Xie Ying and the others had no idea what was happening. But seeing Qin Sang’s grave expression, unease filled their hearts, and they huddled silently within the cloud, not daring to move.

However, they had barely submerged a few zhang beneath the surface when a cold snort suddenly echoed in their ears.

"Get out!"

A deafening hum exploded in Qin Sang’s mind. His body trembled violently, his spiritual power nearly collapsing. The Nether Cloud slipped from his control and instantly dispersed.

The next moment, an enormous suction force pulled them upward.

A water dragon coiled around them, yanking them out of the water.

Boom!

The water dragon burst apart. Qin Sang and the others tumbled from mid-air like scattered dumplings, crashing into the lake in a disheveled mess. Looking up, they saw a figure materializing above them, emerging as if stepping out of thin air.

This person appeared to be in their early twenties, with an ordinary appearance—nothing remarkable at first glance. Yet, simply standing there, he became the focal point of the entire space, an existence impossible to ignore.

His aura was deep and oppressive, far beyond the norm. But what stood out the most were his eyes—razor-sharp, as if they could pierce straight into one's soul.

Qin Sang's heart tightened. Ignoring the water still clinging to his body, he quickly stood up and prepared to formally introduce himself. However, Mu Yifeng was even faster—he suddenly dropped to one knee and saluted the man before them. "Mu Yifeng, disciple of Shaohua Mountain and member of the patrol guard, greets Vice Island Master Xiao!"

Vice Island Master Xiao!

Is this man the vice master of Stargazing Island?

Qin Sang remained alert and quickly followed Mu Yifeng’s lead. "Qin Sang, disciple of Shaohua Mountain, greets Vice Island Master Xiao!"

"All of you are from Shaohua Mountain?"

Vice Island Master Xiao swept his gaze over them.

Qin Sang felt as though two sharp swords were piercing through him, making his entire body tense. He dared not make a single move.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the evasion lights in the north all heading toward their location. Among them, two figures looked extremely familiar. Suddenly, it struck him—they were the very two cultivators he had encountered earlier! His heart sank. A bad feeling crept over him.

Vice Island Master Xiao’s gaze finally settled on Mu Yifeng. His expression darkened, and his tone turned icy. "Where were you planning to go?"

Mu Yifeng hastily explained, "Vice Island Master Xiao, I was following Senior Fang and Senior Shentu when we were ambushed by the Tianxing Alliance. On Senior Fang’s orders, I broke through the encirclement to seek reinforcements from Stargazing Island. I was nearly killed in pursuit and was fortunate enough to be rescued by Junior Brother Qin. We were on our way back to Stargazing Island to report the enemy's movements. Just now, when we saw you and your men approaching, we did not know whether you were friend or foe, so we took this desperate measure. I beg your forgiveness, Senior!"

Hearing Mu Yifeng’s explanation, Vice Island Master Xiao let out a low "Mhmm", his expression easing slightly. He then spoke in a calm but commanding tone, "No need to return to Stargazing Island. All Foundation Building cultivators, heed my command—you will follow me south."

Qin Sang had anticipated this outcome.

Xie Ying and Mao Ji’s faces turned pale with fear. They looked toward Qin Sang with pleading eyes, silently begging for help.

Qin Sang pretended not to notice.

He could hardly protect himself—-why would he take risks for them?

The title of "vice island master of Stargazing Island" carried immense weight. It meant that the Small Cold Domain’s major sects had entrusted him with terrifying authority.

The power of life and death lay in his hands—this was no exaggeration!

Defying his orders was as good as seeking death.

Seeing those two familiar figures among the group confirmed Qin Sang’s worst suspicions.

He had rushed as fast as he could, barely delaying along the way, yet he was still one step too late. He had failed to escape this maelstrom of bloodshed.

Before Qin Sang or the others could even protest, Vice Island Master Xiao shifted his tone and began questioning Mu Yifeng about everything he had witnessed.

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