Gateway of Immortality

Chapter 269: The Ten Divine Woods

"Brother Qin, take the time to regulate your breath. I can still hold on for a while longer."

Wandering Man urged, steering the Spiritual Bamboo Flying Boat while glancing back at Qin Sang, signaling him to recover quickly.

Qin Sang retrieved two bottles of Azure Spirit Pills and handed them to Wandering Man as a precaution against unforeseen circumstances. At the same time, he discreetly concealed the Yan Luo Banner of Ten Directions in his palm, sat cross-legged on the flying boat, and began to regulate his breathing.

The Fire Spirit Beasts relentlessly pursued them, but the flying boat’s speed had noticeably increased compared to when Qin Sang last saw it. For now, they barely managed to stabilize the situation.

Qin Sang silently calculated. Once the Jiao spirit in the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman recovered, he estimated that controlling the talisman himself would only bring his speed close to that of the Spiritual Bamboo Flying Boat.

However, the bamboo boat consumed far less spiritual power, while the talisman’s consumption was alarmingly high. With only a single Jiao spirit left, the talisman seemed inferior to the flying boat in practical use.

It became evident just how extraordinary the Spiritual Bamboo Flying Boat was. With such a treasure, even if Wandering Man couldn’t win against a Foundation Building cultivator, escaping would hardly be an issue.

As he recovered, Qin Sang engaged in conversation with Wandering Man.

"My experience wasn’t too different from yours, Senior. I can’t fathom what happened inside the ancient estate. The underground cave suddenly collapsed, and those Fire Spirit Beasts seemed to appear out of nowhere..."

Qin Sang deliberately echoed Wandering Man’s account.

Wandering Man sighed. "Before we entered the ancient cultivator’s estate, several seniors warned us. Judging by the situation now, it seems some unexpected change occurred above. If we can’t find a way out, we’re at the mercy of the current, and no one knows where this magma river ultimately leads. My greatest fear is being stranded in some unknown and perilous place, unable to escape. Thankfully, I encountered you, Brother Qin. Facing danger together is far better than being alone."

Qin Sang nodded slightly in agreement. Wandering Man was right—two people were indeed better than one, especially with the added advantage of the Spiritual Bamboo Flying Boat.

"Senior, have you come across any areas where the circular barriers seem weakened? Perhaps they’ve been damaged by the shockwaves, leaving cracks behind?"

Wandering Man shook his head. "No, I’ve only explored the underground twice. Once, I found an underground palace filled with Firebirds far stronger than those in the trial space. I didn’t dare venture further. The second time is now. Have you encountered anything similar, Brother Qin?"

After a brief hesitation, Qin Sang nodded. "To be honest, Senior, during the trial, I happened to be assigned to the lowest row of chains. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the rules and decided to take a closer look. I noticed that the barriers within the trial space appeared dim and even had cracks. Back then, they remained intact, but after enduring shockwaves, they might very well have broken. However... I can’t determine the trial space’s exact location."

For now, escaping was the priority. Using this as a reason, Qin Sang shared his discovery with Wandering Man, seeking his input.

Hearing this, Wandering Man’s eyes lit up, and he mused aloud, "The trial space and the ancient cultivator’s estate seem like separate dimensions, yet they’re fundamentally connected, separated only by barriers and linked through the stone stele. The trial space might just be near the stele."

Qin Sang hummed in agreement. "That was my thought as well."

"Then it’s worth investigating!"

With a flash of spiritual power, Wandering Man changed the flying boat’s direction, steering it into a side stream of the lava river.

Qin Sang glanced at the four spiritual bamboos forming the boat and casually inquired, "Senior, this bamboo boat’s speed is truly remarkable. May I ask what kind of bamboo was used to refine it? It’s quite extraordinary."

It was a casual question, and Qin Sang didn’t expect Wandering Man to divulge much.

Unexpectedly, without hesitation, Wandering Man replied with a hint of pride, "This bamboo boat is one of my proudest creations. It’s made from four pieces of Flying Spiritual Bamboo, which I stumbled upon by chance. While it’s not on par with the Ten Divine Woods, it’s still an exceptionally rare spiritual bamboo. It’s incredibly light, and that unique property accounts for its extraordinary speed. Over the years, this boat has saved my life on multiple occasions during dangerous adventures. Hmm... Brother Qin, I recall your life-bound spiritual sword is made from pure wood essence. Do you need spiritual wood to enhance it?"

Seeing Qin Sang nod, Wandering Man hesitated briefly before saying, "If you require it, Brother Qin, I wouldn’t mind giving you a section of Flying Spiritual Bamboo once we’re out of danger."

Qin Sang was stunned and immediately waved his hands in refusal. "How could I accept that? This bamboo boat holds great significance for you, Senior. How could I bear to let it be damaged? I couldn’t possibly take on such a burden!"

He hadn’t anticipated Wandering Man’s generosity. What began as casual conversation had turned into an offer of the precious bamboo.

Receiving such a substantial gift without any effort made Qin Sang wary. Deep down, his vigilance grew.

Wandering Man smiled as he explained, "Brother Qin, you don’t need to worry. This bamboo has already been refined into an artifact. As long as its essence isn’t damaged, I only need to nurture it for a few days to restore any lost portions. The artifact’s power won’t be affected. Of course, the section of Flying Spiritual Bamboo I’d give you wouldn’t match the quality of the main body—it would be akin to ordinary spiritual wood. Still, it would retain some of the bamboo’s unique traits, making it quite a rare find."

Only then did Qin Sang feel relieved, but he still shook his head and declined. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior. Unfortunately, my life-bound spiritual sword is rather special. It requires the most pristine and unrefined spiritual wood. Refined wood that has been turned into an artifact loses its original spiritual essence and would not only fail to enhance the sword but might even harm it."

"I see..."

Wandering Man nodded thoughtfully and offered some reassurance. "Don’t lose hope, Brother Qin. Flying Spiritual Bamboo is not the only remarkable material in this world. In time, you’re bound to find a comparable spiritual wood. Who knows? You might even come across one of the Ten Divine Woods and elevate your life-bound spiritual sword to the rank of an astra in one leap."

"Senior, please don’t tease me. The Ten Divine Woods exist only in legend. Even Spiritual Infant Realm grandmasters covet such treasures. I’ve only ever read about them in ancient texts. In the entire Small Cold Domain, I doubt there’s even a trace of the Ten Divine Woods," Qin Sang replied with a bitter smile.

Of course, Qin Sang longed for one of the Ten Divine Woods. Even a single sliver of it would resolve any concerns about the quality of his ebony sword until he reached the Core Formation Realm.

However, such divine materials were beyond rare. In the declining world of immortal cultivation, the very existence of the Ten Divine Woods was a matter of doubt.

To his surprise, Wandering Man smiled mysteriously and said, "Brother Qin, you underestimate the Small Cold Domain and the Ancient Immortal Battlefield. According to my knowledge, not to mention elsewhere, the Ten Divine Woods have emerged at least three times in the past ten thousand years!"

"Oh?"

Qin Sang straightened in surprise and asked, "Are you saying the Ancient Immortal Battlefield truly contains such treasures? How did you come by this information, Senior?"

"I heard it from my master, Sage Piaoya..."

Wandering Man explained and then began to elaborate for Qin Sang. "The Ancient Immortal Battlefield was formed during the great battles of ancient supreme cultivators. Deep within the battlefield, spatial rifts are scattered everywhere, fraught with countless dangers. Even Spiritual Infant Realm cultivators dare not venture there recklessly. Some immortal residences within the battlefield have remained untouched to this day. Whenever one is discovered, it is often accompanied by a trove of rare treasures. My master once mentioned that the Small Cold Domain has indeed seen the emergence of the Ten Divine Woods three times. However, very few have had the qualifications to compete for them, so such news is rarely spread and little known."