Is continued viewing of pornography, despite seeking forgiveness and resolving to repent, considered a means to avoid greater sins, and can this persistent sin be a cause for salvation?

Looking at pornography is forbidden, and it contradicts Allah's command to lower the gaze. Persisting in looking at it leads to falling into zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), liwāt (sodomy), and unlawful masturbation, and this is an embellishment from Satan.

One should avoid these practices and sincerely repent from them, for death can come at any moment, and persistence in sin may lead to the non-acceptance of repentance.

As for the hadith attributed to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, concerning a sin that cannot be gotten rid of and becomes a reason for salvation, it has not been found with this meaning. However, there is a hadith qudsi narrated by Abu Hurairah in which Allah the Almighty says: "My servant committed a sin and knew that he has a Lord who forgives sins and holds accountable for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you."