Immortal Refiner

The Black Sand River, named for the vast deposits of black sand along its banks, once teemed with spiritual energy and was a fertile ground for cultivating water-attribute Magic Artifacts.

Naturally, such a prosperous land fell under the control of the Heavenly River Sect.

Consequently, the Black Sand River, with its constant supply of spiritual materials, became a strategic target for the Shangqing Sect.

Four years ago, Exquisite True Lord, still in the Core Formation Realm, cornered a Core Formation Ancestor of the Heavenly River Sect here, forcing the ancestor to self-detonate.

A tall figure, standing atop a giant hammer, flew in from the west.

”The power of a Core Formation True Lord’s self-detonation is truly terrifying,” Li Qing mused, landing at the edge of the Black Sand River Basin and gazing at the river’s relentless flow. ”Even after four years, it still subtly affects the heaven and earth spiritual energy here.”

The surrounding spiritual energy was chaotic, likely due to the Great War between Core Formation Realm cultivators four years ago.

After the battle, the area became a wasteland, attracting numerous rogue cultivators seeking hidden treasures and relics.

It was a pity that the explosion of the Golden Core had utterly annihilated everything else, including the storage pouches and Magic Artifacts, reducing them all to dust.

Perhaps a few stray treasures remained hidden, but they were likely unearthed by rogue cultivators searching for loot over the past four years.

”Time to send the signal,” Li Qing muttered, ”I wonder what kind of Pill Refiner that Ye Feng fellow found for me.” He then lit a wisp of green smoke on the ground.

Having emerged from the secret realm, Li Qing wasn’t there to search for treasures. He had come to find Ye Feng.

Some time ago, he had borrowed a Spirit Bird to send a letter to Ye Feng. He soon received a reply.

Just like six years ago, Ye Feng had readily agreed to Li Qing’s request and found a suitable Pill Refiner for him as quickly as possible.

Clearly, after body seizing, Ye Feng had spent over six years cultivating in the immortal world. Coupled with his identity as a disciple of the Heavenly River Sect, he had cultivated his own powerful network of connections.

Soon, a unique wisp of green smoke rose into the air, and a figure standing proudly on a Flying sword swooped down from the sky.

Whoosh!

”Hahaha! Brother Li, six years apart, and you’re even more dashing than before!”

Upon seeing Li Qing, Ye Feng leaped from his Flying Sword with unrestrained excitement, his voice brimming with joy.

After years of separation, such a reunion was only natural.

”Brother Ye, that Heavenly River Sect robe suits you perfectly,” Li Qing said with a hint of envy, admiring the attire unique to the sect’s disciples.

”It was just luck,” Ye Feng replied. ”If you hadn’t helped me back then, I’d probably be a lonely spirit wandering the world by now.”

”Follow me. Let’s go to my base. This isn’t the place to talk!”

With that, Ye Feng led the way, guiding Li Qing deep into the Black Sand River Basin to a Heavenly River Sect outpost.

The most intense phase of the Great War between the two sects had ended, giving way to small-scale skirmishes.

As expected, after a period of these minor clashes, the high-ranking members of both sects would likely enter negotiations to cease hostilities.

With the intensity of the war diminishing, the Heavenly River Sect wasted no time in redeploying disciples to their former territories, reestablishing control over resource points to resume extraction as soon as possible.

After years of devastating war, the sect was eager to replenish its depleted Vital Energy and recover its strength.

Following Ye Feng, Li Qing arrived at the Heavenly River Sect’s base. He glanced around and noticed disciples of the sect, dressed like Ye Feng, constantly flying over the rapid sections of the river, as if surveying something.

”With the fighting having calmed down considerably and the sect’s manpower now more abundant, these disciples are searching for relics left behind by the Core Formation Ancestor from back then,” Ye Feng explained. ”They’re also scouting locations for setting up formations, as we’ll need to redeploy troops here once the Great War officially ends.”

As he spoke, Ye Feng led Li Qing into a few crudely constructed tents.

”Ah, so that’s it. It seems this Great War that has swept across the entire immortal cultivation world is truly nearing its end,” Li Qing replied with a smile.

Ye Feng shook his head. ”Not necessarily. The Shangqing Sect currently occupies our most crucial spirit stone mine. If we truly want to end hostilities, they’ll likely demand an exorbitant price.”

Li Qing wasn’t surprised by this. The Shangqing Sect, holding the advantage, would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to squeeze more resources from the Heavenly River Sect.

”By the way, how is the Heavenly River Market these days?” Li Qing asked with concern.

Ye Feng sighed. ”It’s been abandoned for six years now. It won’t be rebuilt until the Great War officially ends.”

This is why the Shangqing Sect holds the initiative. The Heavenly River Market and the spirit stone mine are the lifeblood of the Heavenly River Sect. Just five or six years of abandonment has already crippled them.

Of course, the Shangqing Sect wouldn’t dare push things too far. If they truly cornered the Heavenly River Sect, driving them to a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble, it wouldn’t be impossible.

Ultimately, the future of these two great Immortal Path sects hinges on the will of their high-ranking members.

”Alright, let’s not dwell on this anymore. I haven’t congratulated you on successfully entering the Late Qi Refining Realm yet!”

With that, Ye Feng produced a jar of Spirit Wine—the Hundred Flowers Spirit Brew, Li Qing’s favorite.

Having abstained from Spirit Wine for six years during his cultivation retreat, Li Qing’s inner ”wine worm” was immediately roused.

”How can I compare to you? In six years, not only have you fully recovered your cultivation, but you’ve also joined the Heavenly River Sect. You’re truly thriving like a fish in water these days!”

It was no lie that Li Qing felt envious. Once, wearing the robes of a Heavenly River Sect disciple was his greatest aspiration.

As they drank Spirit Wine and reminisced, the two friends chatted about the major and minor events of the past few years.

As the Spirit Wine took effect, Ye Feng sighed and recounted his experiences over the past few years to Li Qing.

It was truly a life-or-death struggle, each step fraught with peril.

To be sitting here now, wearing this uniform, Ye Feng had truly risked his life.

Finally, amidst their lively conversation, the topic turned to the matter Li Qing had come to discuss.

”Hehe, the Pill Refiner I want to introduce you to isn’t just anyone—you actually know him!” Ye Feng said with a mysterious smile, finishing his cup of Spirit Wine.

This revelation surprised Li Qing, who couldn’t recall knowing any Pill Refiners.

”Oh? Who is this person?”

Without further ado, Ye Feng replied, ”Daoist Qingyang!”

Li Qing searched his memory for a moment, then frowned, realizing he didn’t seem to know such a daoist.

”Hahaha, Daoist Qingyang was the one who hosted that secret trade fair back then. He’s actually a Pill Refiner!”

Hearing this, Li Qing finally understood. This was likely the only Foundation Establishment cultivator he’d ever had any real interaction with.

”So it’s this Senior! Did he escape when the Heavenly River Market was attacked?”

”I wonder if that trade fair still exists?”

Ye Feng shook his head repeatedly. ”No, they’re gone. Many members of the trade fair lost contact that day. Some died, others scattered. Only Nine Heavens, Ling Ying, Senior Qingyang, and I still have connections.”

Li Qing was very familiar with the codenames Nine Heavens and Ling Ying. He had repaired a spirit boat for the former, and the latter had purchased a large quantity of Heavenly Star Grass at the trade fair, leaving a deep impression on him.

”Where is Senior Qingyang now? I’d like to pay him a visit,” Li Qing asked eagerly.

Finding a Pill Refiner capable of crafting Foundation Establishment Pills meant he was one step closer to his own Foundation Establishment.

At any rate, he should first cultivate a closer relationship. With time, an opportunity would surely arise.

Li Qing wasn’t in a rush. He had only recently advanced to the Late Qi Refining Realm and could afford to wait.

Moreover, his lifespan was exceptionally long. While others might strive for Foundation Establishment as early as possible, Li Qing had no such worries.

Even if he had to wait another twenty years or more, it wouldn’t matter. His life would still be on an upward trajectory, and he wouldn’t have to worry about declining health reducing his chances of success.

In short, once the path was open, the length of the journey was irrelevant.

This was the advantage of being a long-lived species!

(End of the Chapter)

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