Immortal Refiner

Qian Hong was slightly stunned by Li Qing’s words before her gaze shifted to the three weapons he carried.

As a Martial Artist herself, she immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of these weapons. The dense Martial Dao Will radiating from them sent a slight tremor through her.

”These... are Peerless Divine Weapons you forged? Why bring out three at once? What kind of trade are you proposing?” Qian Hong asked curiously.

Li Qing then explained his request: he hoped Maple Guard would secretly help him collect rare minerals, similar to Ink Gold. In exchange, he was willing to offer the Divine Weapons he had personally forged!

”I can offer two of these Divine Weapons as an advance payment. I’ll return periodically, perhaps in a few years, perhaps even longer.”

Li Qing knew that families and factions with significant influence in the mortal dynasties, through years of accumulation, would inevitably gather some materials needed by Immortal Cultivators.

The Twin Blades of Lingering Embers he had forged at the Wei Family, and the Ink Gold and Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron Qian Hong had collected over many years to forge her own Divine Weapon, were concrete examples of this.

Qian Hong’s gaze suddenly became complex. ”Are you leaving? Planning a long journey?”

Li Qing remained silent, his head slightly bowed, avoiding her gaze.

”Wouldn’t it be better to stay? The Maple Kingdom is on the verge of restoration, and a long period of peace and prosperity lies ahead.” Qian Hong asked, her voice tinged with confusion.

”I must pursue the traces of those Immortal Cultivators,” Li Qing sighed softly.

The existence of powerful Immortal Cultivators was no longer a secret to them, as evidenced by the miraculous talismans Tuwa Ha’er had frequently used.

During the battle at the Imperial Palace, Li Qing had disappeared for a time, and Qian Hong suspected he might have obtained something significant.

After a long silence, Qian Hong finally spoke. ”I can agree to this. I’ll have the Qian Family and the Maple Guard conduct their search in secret, but it can’t be done openly. You should understand why.”

From the emperor to the common people, it was best if they remained unaware of the Immortal Cultivators’ existence.

Li Qing understood perfectly. He nodded and handed her the Divine Weapons: Fine Snow Dance and the Shadowless Staff.

”What’s this sword called?” Qian Hong’s attention was immediately captivated by the slender, elegant blade.

”The sword is called Fine Snow Dance, the staff is the Shadowless Staff, and this is the Calamity-Severing Spear. I plan to hide them somewhere, hoping a destined person will find them someday.”

”Each of these three weapons bears a fragment of my Martial Arts legacy. Each fragment can be practiced independently, but when combined, they form the complete Limitless Art!”

Qian Hong murmured ”Limitless Art” to herself, then sighed, ”This is a Grandmaster-level Martial Arts legacy! Why are you giving it away so freely?”

Li Qing chuckled at this. ”Since I’m leaving the Jianghu, I should leave behind a legend, don’t you think?”

Qian Hong shook her head, as if she could already foresee the bloody storm that would erupt in the Martial World over these three Peerless Divine Weapons, each engraved with a fragment of a Grandmaster’s legacy.

Whether it was the weapons themselves, the Martial Dao Will condensed within them, or the fragments of Grandmaster-level Martial Arts they contained, all were objects that would make anyone envious.

”I really don’t know what to say to you.”

With this, the deal was tentatively sealed. In the future, Li Qing would only need to return every so often.

The two fell silent for a long moment before Qian Hong spoke again. ”Before you leave, haven’t you forgotten something?”

As she spoke, Qian Hong’s rosy lips curled into a subtle smile. Her usually brisk demeanor softened, and a faint blush tinged her cheeks.

Feeling the sudden shift in atmosphere, Li Qing’s heart skipped two beats.

He pulled out a thin, crimson veil from his chest, still faintly scented with lingering fragrance.

”When will you take this veil back?” Li Qing asked, his voice teasing.

Watching the always-heroic Qian Hong display such a feminine side stirred ripples in his otherwise tranquil heart.

He admired this woman deeply, not just for her breathtaking beauty but also for her unwavering commitment to the common good. She had fearlessly led Jianghu Practitioners in a charge against the Marauder court, even risking her life to assassinate Holy Monarch Tuwa Ha’er when cornered.

That courage was her most radiant quality.

In the next moment, Qian Hong wrapped her slender, snake-like arms around Li Qing’s neck.

They embraced tightly, feeling each other’s heartbeats and body heat.

”I’m giving you the veil,” Qian Hong whispered in his ear, tilting her head back. ”You must take good care of it for me from now on.”

If Li Qing could remain unmoved at this moment, it would be utterly unnatural.

As a woman of the Jianghu, Qian Hong was far more forward and passionate than most women of her time.

Li Qing didn’t hesitate. With one arm, he embraced the woman’s firm yet supple waist, inhaling her intoxicating fragrance.

The soft whispers in his ear just now still sent shivers down his spine. If it weren’t for his Grandmaster-level control, his Vital Energy would have erupted long ago.

Li Qing gently lifted the female warrior’s delicate, snow-white chin with one hand, tilting her cherry-red lips toward his.

Their lips met, and their clothes began to fall away, one by one.

They seemed completely oblivious to the biting cold or the fact that they were in Maple Guard territory.

Soon, strange sounds echoed from the room Qian Hong used to handle Maple Guard affairs.

It sounded as if Martial Artists were locked in combat within. Anyone passing by would surely have stopped to stare.

After a long while, perhaps half an hour, the commotion gradually subsided, leaving only soft, panting breaths.

”A Transformed Strength Grandmaster... truly amazing,” Qian Hong murmured, leaning against Li Qing’s shoulder. Her slender, jade-white fingers traced circles on his chest.

On the elegant, classical mahogany table, her silk red dress and his green robe lay intertwined, along with several reports on the Yun Province battlefield, scattered across the floor.

Gazing into the depths of Qian Hong’s eyes, brimming with tender affection, Li Qing couldn’t resist stealing another light kiss at the corner of her eye. Then, he reached for a simple, ancient-looking book from the pile of clothes on the table.

”This Earth Origin Manual is a cultivation manual,” Li Qing said. ”When you return, you can try practicing it yourself, but never show it to anyone lightly.”

”This is the legendary cultivation method? Such a precious thing!” Qian Hong exclaimed in surprise.

”It’s not quite that precious,” Li Qing sighed. ”In truth, this is just an incomplete manual, and not everyone can cultivate it. Legend has it that one must possess a Spiritual Root—a rare and elusive trait, found in only one in ten thousand.”

Qian Hong blinked, but even with Li Qing’s words, she knew how invaluable this manual truly was.

This was the very thing emperors throughout history, who yearned for immortality, had dreamed of possessing.

”Will we meet again?” Qian Hong asked instinctively, knowing Li Qing was about to leave. She couldn’t bear to part with the only man who had ever truly touched her heart.

”Of course,” Li Qing replied with a smile. ”I’m just going to find the Immortal Cultivation World. I’ll return later to collect the ore.”

”Hmph, you heartless man! Hurry up and help me dress,” Qian Hong said, tapping Li Qing’s forehead with her jade-like finger.

Li Qing immediately complied, redressing Qian Hong in the crimson gown that once again concealed her proud, upright figure. He also smoothed the strands of hair that had fallen loose across her forehead.

”Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t try to stop you. May your path to Immortal Cultivation be smooth and prosperous,” Qian Hong said, her fingers lingering on Li Qing’s face with lingering reluctance.

”Yes, in the future, if I achieve something in the Dao...”

Before he could finish his promise, Qian Hong pressed her jade-like finger, as white as a scallion, against his lips, silencing him.

”Enough. I understand your feelings. There’s no need to say more.”

Li Qing nodded, no longer uttering farewells. He picked up the Calamity-Severing Spear and left.

”What? You’re going to Small Jade Ridge in search of that elusive Immortal Cultivation World? Are you mad?”

”Why abandon the carefree life of a Grandmaster to go suffer in such a place?!”

Ning Yuan, carrying a jar of fine wine, stared at Li Qing in astonishment. A man who usually indulged in pleasure, he found Li Qing’s decision incomprehensible.

”Sigh, forget it. Let’s have one last drink together. It’s rare to meet a drinking companion who suits my taste so well.”

Seeing Li Qing’s resolute expression, Ning Yuan knew there was no point in trying to dissuade him.

And so, the two men drank freely in the snowy night, neither using their Inner Strength to dispel the alcohol from their blood. They let the intoxication spread through their minds.

They remained utterly drunk until dawn. When Li Qing sobered up, he found that Star-Stealing Divine Thief Ning Yuan had already left.

Li Qing then packed his few belongings, bought a swift horse, and rode east, whipping the reins with abandon.

Many days later, at the border of Maple Country, outside the ruined Wangyuan City.

The place that had once been a whirlwind of yellow sand was now a world of white. Snow piled high on all sides, and the temperature was bone-chillingly cold.

Yet even in this biting cold, a tall, upright young man in a thin green robe stood before a grave mound, carrying a straight, long spear.

The tombstone was covered in a layer of snow. The young man brushed it away, revealing the words carved into the stone:

Tomb of Gu Tianxing

”Master, what do you think of this Calamity-Severing Spear? Does it meet your standards?”

Li Qing gestured with his hand, then planted the peerless divine spear straight in front of the tombstone. The spear tip trembled slightly, emitting a low hum—truly a peerless weapon!

”Today, I leave this place, bidding farewell to the Jianghu. This Calamity-Severing Spear shall remain here, awaiting the fated one to claim it.”

With his words spoken, Li Qing brushed away the snow from the ground and used his fingertip to carve characters beside the spear:

”This Calamity-Severing Spear is left for the fated one to claim. Whoever takes this spear must remember to sweep my master’s tomb once.”

Each character was imbued with Li Qing’s powerful Martial Dao Will, deeply etched into the earth.

Having finished, Li Qing turned and walked away.

After a long while, the snowstorm returned, but it failed to conceal the inscription Li Qing had just carved. The potent Martial Dao aura had driven away all dust and ice.

He had left as a naive youth, but returned as a Grandmaster of the mortal realm!

The path of Martial Dao began here and ended here.

End of Volume 1: Grandmasters.

(End of the Chapter)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 141(a): Volume 1 Summary

Let’s briefly summarize the end of this volume and chat a bit. Feel free to share any thoughts or opinions, fellow readers—I’ll read them all.

First, let’s talk about the word count for the first volume, which covers the Grandmasters arc.

Originally, I planned for this volume to be around 250,000 characters long. However, I got a bit carried away and ended up writing nearly 330,000 characters.

Ultimately, this was due to my own shortcomings. I still need to improve my pacing and storytelling skills—I’m nowhere near the level of those veteran authors. I apologize for this and will be more mindful in the future.

This volume primarily focuses on the mortal realm of martial arts, ultimately leading to the protagonist’s path of Immortal Cultivation.

But rest assured, the Martial Art the protagonist cultivates won’t become completely useless later on. As some of you may have guessed, the World of Eternal Night is currently in the End of Dao Era. Strengthening the physical body is definitely the right approach, and developing the resources of an entire world will serve as a significant advantage on the Immortal Path.

Now, let’s give the first volume an overall rating. If I were to score it out of ten, I’d give it a seven.

It definitely has the flavor of chivalry, and the Jianghu atmosphere is sufficiently present.

However, the climax at the end lacks the fiery intensity, the blood-pumping excitement, and the soul-stirring resonance it should have had.

When I was writing this volume, I considered two potential bosses for the protagonist: Tuwa Ha’er, the Marauders’ leader who appeared first, and the Nine Lotus Sect.

In the end, I chose Tuwa Ha’er because I had already spent some time at the beginning describing him as an arrogant tyrant.

Later, I invested considerable effort in trying to make the Nine Lotus Sect feel more oppressive and imposing, but ultimately, they didn’t get to serve as the final boss.

I’ve often wondered since then if choosing the Nine Lotus Sect as the final boss would have been a better decision.

I can’t give a definitive answer to that question here.

Some might ask why I didn’t write both bosses together. I did consider it, but I firmly rejected the idea.

Because of the limited word count—this is the Immortal Fantasy Channel, not the Martial Arts Channel!

Sigh, in the end, I still feel regret. Due to my own limitations, I couldn’t give the Martial Arts arc a satisfying conclusion. I apologize again! I’m truly sorry!

Whenever I think about this, I grow even more in awe of Jin Yong. To write such outstanding martial arts novels, so sweeping and passionate, so thrilling and inspiring...

Indeed, like the protagonist Li Qing, I still have so much to learn. This feeling of having grand ambitions but lacking the ability to realize them is truly agonizing.

Regardless, we’re about to enter the Immortal Cultivation arc. I hope you’ll continue to support me.

The next volume is titled ”First Steps on the Immortal Path.” I’ve put a lot of thought into this arc and planted many foreshadowing clues. Soon, I’ll start filling in all those plot holes—I’m quite excited! There’s one clue that’s been lingering for so long, I feel like you’ve all probably forgotten about it. But don’t worry, I remember every hole I’ve dug!

Mm, that’s all for now. Let’s work hard together!

(End of the Chapter)

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