With no attachments holding him back, dual cultivation was by no means out of the question.
Just as Zhuang Yan had said, immortal cultivators fought for a sliver of hope to attain immortality and achieve the Dao. He had originally planned to offer up the mysterious orchid merely in exchange for an opportunity to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. Now that such a chance presented itself, he naturally could not let it pass by.
Only after asking Zhuang Yan did Qin Sang learn that the treasure gourd was a magic treasure handed down by a founding patriarch of Shaohua Mountain, known as the Red Dust Gourd. It was currently controlled by a Golden Core Master named Che Yutao.
This magic treasure possessed an ability called the Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm, which could affect the origin soul and draw out the inner demons lurking deep within a person's heart.
Because the magic treasure was under control, whenever someone inside became unable to extricate themselves and was on the verge of falling into demonic deviation, all that was needed was to cast them out of the Red Dust Gourd, and they would quickly regain consciousness.
There was little danger, and it could even be used to temper the disciples' state of mind.
Entering the treasure gourd to undergo a heart-tempering tribulation was of immense benefit to one's mental state.
Therefore, even without the pretext of dual cultivation, no one would pass up an opportunity to enter the treasure gourd.
The Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm tested only one's character and temperament; below the Core Formation stage, differences in cultivation level could be ignored.
Yet the requirement for this trial was to remain inside the Red Dust Gourd for three full days. This showed just how difficult it was—only those of exceptional character and resolute will could pass.
Relying on the jade Buddha's protection, which had kept him unharmed even in the Three Calamities Heart-Devouring Formation, Qin Sang believed staying in the Red Dust Gourd for three days should not be difficult. However, the Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm was only the first trial. The jade Buddha could only safeguard his origin soul and might not be able to help him pass the other tests.
Even so, there was no harm in giving it a try.
After asking for further details, Qin Sang departed Daomen Peak under Zhuang Yan's envious gaze, mounting his Sky-Soaring Shuttle and speeding toward the depths of Shaohua Mountain.
The summit of Shaohua Mountain was the seclusion ground of the Nascent Soul patriarch, Dongyang Bo, and a forbidden area of the sect. Qin Sang had only viewed it from afar before; now that he was close, he was immediately struck by the mountain's grandeur.
A towering, magnificent mountain rose into the clouds, bearing the momentum of surging from the earth to pierce the heavens, the posture of raising a hand to cup the sun!
Not daring to act presumptuously here, Qin Sang brought the Sky-Soaring Shuttle down to its lowest altitude before even reaching the mountain, skimming almost flush with the water. After gazing in veneration at the sacred ground, he saw an endless flight of heavenly stone steps at the mountain's base ahead, and halfway up the slope stood a white jade memorial archway dozens of feet high.
Carved atop the archway were three large characters: "Shaohua Mountain."
Written with vigorous, iron-hard strokes, the sword intent within them verged on the profound.
This was the true mountain gate of Shaohua Mountain.
Qin Sang stowed the Sky-Soaring Shuttle, landed upon the stone steps, brushed off nonexistent dust from his robes, and began ascending. He had taken only a few paces when a vigorous, resonant inquiry rang in his ears.
"Who comes?"
Qin Sang glanced left and right without spotting a soul. A chill of awe ran through him, and he bowed toward the empty air. "Disciple Qin Sang has answered the Sect Master's decree. My age and cultivation both meet the requirements, and my virginity remains intact. I have come specifically to undergo the Treasure Gourd Illusory Realm. If I have caused any offense, I beg Senior's forgiveness."
After a brief silence, the voice replied, "Enter."
Qin Sang's vision blurred, and the scenery before him shifted drastically. He found himself standing inside a completely unfamiliar hall.
Before him stood a raised platform on which rested a red gourd, its front facing the hall's main entrance.
The red gourd was only about the size of two fists. Its mouth was unstoppered, and seven-colored multi-hued light surged out from within, billowing and ebbing at the rim.
Just as Qin Sang appeared, the red gourd suddenly flared with brilliant light, its multicolored glow swelling before spitting out a figure.
The man tumbled clumsily to the floor, drenched in sweat, his blue Daoist robe soaked through and clinging to his body. His face was blank with confusion, his eyes vacant yet filled with deep anxiety, as if he still could not grasp what was happening, appearing thoroughly comical.
Yet once he discerned the man's cultivation, Qin Sang dared not let the slightest hint of mockery show. He quickly stepped aside, keeping his hands clasped respectfully and standing in silence.
This person was actually a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
"Junior Brother Feng, awake!" a voice thundered through the cave dwelling.
The man on the ground shuddered violently, as if awakening from a dream. Clarity swiftly returned to his eyes. He rose to his feet, a shimmer of faint light gliding over him to wipe away the sweat and dust, restoring his otherworldly, transcendent demeanor.
"My thanks to Senior Brother Sect Master for the warning shout," the man said, cupping his hands toward three figures standing to the side. "Dare I ask Senior Brother Sect Master, how long did I last inside the Red Dust Gourd?"
In the middle of the three stood an elderly Daoist with a goatee, lean-faced and possessing extraordinarily bright eyes. A horsetail whisk rested in the crook of his arm, and an aura of transcendence surrounded him. This was none other than the current Sect Master of Shaohua Mountain, Yu Xin.
Hearing the inquiry from Cultivator Feng, Sect Master Yu replied, "Junior Brother Feng held out inside for a full day, which is truly remarkable. Judging by your expression, your gains must be considerable?"
Cultivator Feng gave a bitter smile and said somewhat mournfully, "An old dream is hard to wake from! I must trouble Senior Brother Sect Master to send me down the mountain."
Once Cultivator Feng vanished, Qin Sang stepped forward with brisk steps and bowed. "Disciple Qin Sang pays respects to Sect Master and the two Martial Uncles."
Sect Master Yu waved his whisk, and starlike specks of spiritual power drifted down onto Qin Sang.
"Mm, primal yang intact, meeting the requirements. Go on. Walk up to the Red Dust Gourd, and its light will naturally draw you in."
Qin Sang followed the instructions and approached the platform. Suddenly, a multi-hued light flashed before his eyes, and he plunged into a seven-colored space. Qin Sang stole a glance and saw streaks of brilliant, dazzling seven-colored light swirling across the space above.
Seated cross-legged around him were dozens of figures—Foundation Establishment martial uncles as well as Qi Refinement senior brothers. Each was entwined with a strand of multicolored light, sitting quietly and motionlessly. Absolute silence enveloped the surroundings; not a sound could be heard.
Right at that moment, Qin Sang felt a sudden heaviness fall upon him, an inexplicable, immense force pinning him firmly to the floor in a seated posture. Then, a streak of multicolored light above stirred abruptly, darting down like a spirit serpent with a whoosh to drape itself over Qin Sang.
Qin Sang knew that the heart-tempering tribulation was likely about to begin. Not daring to reveal any flaw, he hurriedly crossed his legs and entered meditation.
Entwined in the seven-colored light, Qin Sang felt nothing at all. Turning his inner vision inward, he discovered that the multicolored light had penetrated his body, and a strange ripple had emerged within his origin soul space, held firmly at bay by the faint yellow glow cast by the jade Buddha.
Seeing this, a sudden thought crossed Qin Sang's mind.
Whether it was the Three Calamities Heart-Devouring Formation or the Red Dust Gourd, both relied on external forces to induce one's inner demons. But if he were fortunate enough to break through to the Core Formation stage and face the true heavenly tribulation when forming a Nascent Soul, would those inner demons also be brought about by external forces?
If he let them in and became affected, trapped in the midst of inner demons, could the jade Buddha still help him overcome them?
To his surprise, no sooner had the thought arisen than the light upon the jade Buddha suddenly wavered. This was a sight Qin Sang had never witnessed before, and he could not help but be thoroughly shocked.
Immediately after, the jade Buddha actually let those ripples pass through, invading Qin Sang's origin soul.
The scene before Qin Sang's eyes suddenly transformed.
Towering skyscrapers, heavy traffic flowing like water, dense crowds moving like woven fabric.
The world of his past life!
He saw the apartment he had bought for his parents in his past life. Unable to resist taking a deep breath, he set off on foot in that direction.
His heart was filled with anticipation, yet his mind remained crystal clear.
Like a spectator watching a movie, he could withdraw at any time.
Chapter 125