Immortal Refiner

In the Azure Ridge Domain, above an otherwise unremarkable mountain forest, two figures descended through the night sky like Immortals returning to the mortal realm.

The full moon hung high, its luminous surface resembling a flawless porcelain plate.

”Every time I come here, I’m amazed,” Ye Feng remarked, standing atop his Flying sword with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the moonlit mountain ridge ahead. ”It looks so ordinary. Who would ever imagine that the entrance to a Hidden Realm lies hidden here?”

Beside him stood Gu Ming, the cultivator who had discovered this location during a secret trade fair.

”You’re right,” Gu Ming replied, clutching the Ancient Jade in his arms. ”If not for a stroke of sheer luck, I would never have uncovered the mountain’s hidden secrets.”

As they landed before the ridge, Gu Ming produced the Ancient Jade. Instantly, the Moonlight surged forth like flowing water, rippling and shimmering across the night sky in concentric waves.

To enter this Hidden Realm, two conditions had to be met. First, it had to be a night with a bright full moon; otherwise, the entrance would remain concealed. Second, one had to possess this specially crafted Ancient Jade.

As the Moonlight converged upon the ridge, the small mountain radiated an ethereal glow, as if someone were on the verge of ascending to immortality—a dreamlike spectacle shrouded in mystery.

Guided by the Ancient Jade, moonlight rapidly coalesced in the void, forming a gate of pure, moon-white light. The gate resembled a masterpiece carved from flawless jade, meticulously crafted to perfection.

Without hesitation, the two stepped through the gate, their figures vanishing completely from their original location, leaving no trace behind.

Once they had passed through the Moonlight Gate, the surrounding area swiftly returned to tranquility. The dense, pristine moonlight dissipated as if nothing had occurred.

In an instant, the pair found themselves transported to another spatial realm.

Gu Ming surveyed the secret realm, which was riddled with intricate Restrictions, his expression turning grave.

”Ever since discovering this place, I’ve scoured ancient texts, tracing its origins back tens of thousands of years. Only then did I uncover the truth about this secret realm.”

Ye Feng’s heart skipped a beat. ”What is its history?” he blurted out.

Tens of thousands of years ago, even the Heavenly River Sect had yet to be founded, and the geopolitical landscape of the Azure Ridge Domain was vastly different from what it is now. Gu Ming’s ability to delve so far into history demonstrated his remarkable capabilities.

”The Soul Nurturing Temple! This was once a hidden Daoist temple from the ancient era.”

Ye Feng had never heard of such a place before, his face blank with confusion.

Gu Ming explained, ”It’s not surprising you’ve never heard of it. Even in ancient times, the Soul Nurturing Temple was exceptionally secluded, hidden deep within this secret realm.”

”Cut off from the world, the temple primarily focused on cultivating spiritual consciousness. These vast fields of Heavenly Star Grass were likely planted by the temple’s former inhabitants.”

As he spoke, Gu Ming gestured towards the mountain peaks in the secret realm that resembled medicinal fields.

Remarkably, while there was no moonlight within the secret realm, the sky was filled with brilliant starlight drawn in from the outside world.

Perpetually bathed in the light of a starry night, this environment proved ideal for the growth of Heavenly Star Grass.

The mountain peaks where the Heavenly Star Grass grew were protected by mysterious Restrictions. These barriers harnessed the starlight’s energy to maintain their function, remaining intact even after tens of thousands of years and preventing outsiders from detecting them.

Heavenly Star Grass isn’t a Spirit Herb that can survive for tens of thousands of years. Its maximum lifespan is only around five thousand years. Beyond that, it withdraws all its vitality and transforms into a radiant Spirit Seed, returning to the soil to begin anew.

Over the millennia, the Heavenly Star Grass on these medicinal field peaks had undergone countless cycles of growth and renewal. Many Spirit Seeds had scattered down the slopes, drifting beyond the protective influence of the Restrictions.

The low-grade Heavenly Star Grass that Gu Ming usually harvested grew at the foot of these peaks.

Ye Feng stared intently at the medicinal field peaks, their slopes covered entirely in millennia-old Heavenly Star Grass.

Millennial Heavenly Star Grass possessed medicinal power beyond imagination, rivaling—or even surpassing—Void Spirit Flowers, another spirit herb known for enhancing a cultivator’s divine sense.

”What a pity,” Ye Feng lamented. ”These peaks are protected by impenetrable Restrictions. Only a Foundation Establishment Realm expert could hope to breach them.”

As Qi Refining Realm cultivators, they could only gaze longingly at the treasure-laden peaks, their hearts itching with frustration.

Suddenly, a smile crept onto Gu Ming’s face. ”Besides these ancient Heavenly Star Grass,” he said, ”I also discovered another treasure of the Soul Nurturing Temple while researching ancient texts.”

Before Ye Feng could ask, Gu Ming continued, ”It’s a mysterious artifact of unknown grade called the Soul Nurturing Bell. When worn, it gently nourishes one’s divine soul, steadily increasing one’s spiritual sense far beyond that of other cultivators at the same cultivation stage.”

Ye Feng feigned astonishment. ”Such a miraculous treasure exists!” he exclaimed. ”Where is this Soul Nurturing Bell hidden, and how can we find it?”

”There’s no rush,” Gu Ming said. ”Fellow Daoist Ye Feng, were you able to borrow a defensive Magic Artifact from Fellow Daoist Er Niu?”

”I did,” Ye Feng replied reluctantly, pulling out an iron umbrella adorned with swirling patterns resembling fiery clouds. ”Just renting this Crimson Shadow Umbrella cost me fifty spirit stones!”

”Excellent. Give it to me.” A strange glint appeared in Gu Ming’s eyes as he reached for the artifact.

---

Heavenly River Market, Cave Abode District, the westernmost cave abode on Little West Mountain.

Li Qing, who had been diligently cultivating the Vital Essence Enhancement Secret Art in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes, interrupting his arduous practice.

Before him, a luminous soul lamp flickered erratically, its radiance wavering with alarming intensity. This was astonishing, considering there was no wind circulating within the cave abode!

”Hiss! Something’s really happened,” Li Qing muttered, his brow furrowing deeply as his gaze locked onto the soul lamp.

This lamp represented Ye Feng’s life force. If its flame were to extinguish completely, it would signify the end of Ye Feng’s life.

As he watched the flickering flame, words Ye Feng had spoken earlier echoed in Li Qing’s mind:

”Brother Li, if my soul lamp goes out, it must be Fellow Daoist Gu Ming’s doing.”

”I don’t ask you to avenge me immediately. I only ask that when your cultivation reaches a certain level, you seek justice for me.”

”Of course, if you believe you’ll never have the strength for revenge, then reveal the location of this secret realm. It only appears on moonlit nights...”

Ye Feng’s words, spoken slowly and deliberately, sounded like a final testament.

Li Qing’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression grim.

”Damn it! This guy knew it might be dangerous, yet he still dared to venture in. What was he thinking?”

”I hope Ye Feng was well-prepared and can turn the tables. Otherwise, I fear Gu Ming might silence me too, to cover his tracks.”

The thought tightened Li Qing’s frown further, as if he were wrestling with a crucial decision.

Finally, after a long moment of internal struggle, a glint of resolve hardened his gaze.

”Damn it! Always dragging me into trouble!”

With a sharp whistle, Li Qing roused Fan Tong from his deep slumber.

”You lazy oaf! All you do is sleep. Get up and help me with something important!”

With that, Li Qing immediately stored Fan Tong in his spirit beast pouch, then casually grabbed a soul lamp and charged out of his cave abode.

He had initially thought Ye Feng was being overly cautious, but now Li Qing realized he had underestimated the treacherous depths of human malice.

Every time this thought crossed his mind, a chill ran through him.

”Alas, even in this bustling immortal cultivation world, everything still boils down to profit,” he sighed.

With the agility of a leaping ape, Li Qing sprinted through the Heavenly River Market, his vital energy surging as he weaved between the towering structures.

Upon exiting the market, he raced without hesitation toward the location Ye Feng had previously mentioned.

Meanwhile, a cold, ruthless glint flickered in his eyes.

”I hope Ye Feng can turn the tables. Otherwise, I’ll have to use the Water Entangling Net on a Late Qi Refining Realm cultivator.”

”I really don’t want to face someone stronger than me...”

Despite his apprehension, Li Qing’s resolve remained unshaken.

First, if Ye Feng died, Gu Ming’s next target would most likely be Li Qing himself.

After all, Gu Ming had orchestrated Ye Feng’s request for the mid-grade defensive Magic Artifact.

It’s not the theft you fear, but the thief’s attention.

Li Qing had no desire to be targeted by such a treacherous, viper-like individual. He needed to eliminate this threat as soon as possible.

That’s why he rushed to the small hill at top speed, hoping to catch Gu Ming completely off guard.

”I’ll lie in wait until he emerges from the secret realm, then strike without warning!”

”With the Water Entangling Net’s unique properties, my chances of victory are quite high.”

Moreover, Li Qing was confident in his own abilities. Judging by Gu Ming’s past actions, his combat prowess within the Late Qi Refining Realm likely wasn’t top-tier.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have targeted a weakling like Ye Feng; he would have accepted offers from others at the trade fair to explore the secret realm together.

With his diverse arsenal of techniques, Li Qing believed his odds of defeating a weakened Late Qi Refining Realm cultivator—especially one fresh from battle—were decidedly in his favor.

(End of the Chapter)

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