Immortal Refiner

Screech!

A piercing cry echoed from the frigid heights above!

The cultivators who had just emerged from the ice lake, including Li Qing and Shen Ningbing, instinctively looked up at the majestic azure eagle soaring in the sky.

Solemn expressions settled on their faces. Some weaker qi refining realm cultivators felt an overwhelming pressure, their anxiety palpable.

The azure eagle exuded an oppressive aura that shook the heavens—a Second-Tier Demonic Beast!

”It’s a Sky-Rending Eagle! A Second-Tier Demonic Beast!”

The question arose: how could an unclaimed Second-Tier Demonic Beast appear near this bustling cultivator market?

Anyone with a shred of sense knew the answer: it was impossible.

A Second-Tier Demonic Beast was far too valuable. Not only was its demon beast crystal core priceless, but its body yielded rare and precious materials.

The moment such a creature appeared, it would be immediately swarmed and hunted by countless cultivators.

”How could a Second-Tier Demonic Beast appear here? Its aura is terrifyingly powerful.”

”Why are the Sky-Rending Eagle’s eyes crimson? Has it undergone some kind of mutation?!”

”Should we hunt it down? A Second-Tier Demonic Beast’s crystal core is a key ingredient for refining foundation establishment pills!”

”...”

The disciples who had just participated in the ascension conference buzzed with excitement, their gazes fixed on the Sky-Rending Eagle—some burning with desire, others trembling with fear, and still others lost in contemplation.

”Everyone, return to the market town immediately and await orders!” Li Qing’s expression darkened slightly. From the moment he first saw the Sky-Rending Eagle, it had seemed strangely familiar.

But when he clearly saw the crimson glint in the eagle’s eyes, that sense of familiarity intensified!

A long-forgotten name resurfaced in his mind:

Flying Eagle Bandits!

”Fall Back!”

The disciples were momentarily puzzled, but they obeyed Li Qing’s command without hesitation, immediately charging back toward the market town. Their figures swiftly vanished into the icy mist.

Beside him, Shen Ningbing’s expression turned grave. Her voice, cold as ice, rang out: ”Playing tricks? Show yourselves now, or I’ll slaughter this demon bird right here.”

As her chilling words echoed through the mist, two figures slowly emerged from the other side: a gaunt young man and a hunched old man.

”Fellow Daoists from the Lingyun Sect, please don’t be alarmed. We are from the Shangqing Sect and mean no harm,” the gloomy-faced youth said.

It’s the Flying Eagle Bandits!

Li Qing recognized the familiar face instantly. A scar ran beneath the triangular eyes—it was none other than the Demon Eagle Wanderer himself!

Beside the Demon Eagle Wanderer stood Liu Hongyuan, the Clan Elder who had defected from the Liu Clan years ago.

”Heh, what business does the Shangqing Sect have on Lingyun Sect territory?” Li Qing asked, showing no outward surprise despite recognizing the pair. He maintained a calm demeanor, but his inner vigilance heightened. He telepathically warned Shen Ningbing beside him:

”Junior Sister Shen, these two are not to be trusted. Remain vigilant.”

Shen Ningbing, receiving the telepathic message, maintained her composure outwardly, but inwardly her guard rose sharply.

After years of absence, the Demon Eagle Wanderer had reached the mid-foundation establishment stage. The Sky-Rending Eagle he had raised had also successfully advanced to a Second-Tier Demonic Beast, likely thanks to the two Crimson Crystals they had acquired long ago.

Li Qing was most surprised by Liu Hongyuan. This former traitor of the Liu Clan had actually succeeded in foundation establishment. It seemed joining the Shangqing Sect after following the Flying Eagle Bandits had brought him considerable benefits.

”I am Ling Ying, here on a mission from my sect to pay respects to yours. Coincidentally, we arrived during Lingyun Sect’s ascension conference and, intrigued by the spectacle, decided to observe the ceremony.”

Ling Ying was the Demon Eagle Wanderer’s true name. Now that he was no longer accompanied by his bandit gang, perhaps calling him Demon Eagle Daoist would be more appropriate.

Li Qing pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands in a respectful bow. ”I am Li Qing. May I ask the purpose of your visit to Lingyun Sect?”

While their demeanor didn’t suggest hostile intentions, Li Qing remained vigilant. After all, their reputation was notoriously foul, and Old Zhou had died by their hand.

Of course, Li Qing wouldn’t reveal any of these thoughts.

Ling Ying smiled. ”It’s nothing urgent. We simply wish to speak with your sect leader. We hope you can facilitate an introduction.”

”If you wish to speak with Senior Brother Sect Leader, you need only visit the mountain gate and request an audience. Why go to the trouble of seeking us out?” Li Qing’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Heh heh heh,” the man chuckled. ”I’ve heard that the immortal beside Fellow Daoist Li possesses an ice spirit root and is a personal disciple of a core formation true lord from the Lingyun Sect. It’s been many years since I last crossed blades with anyone, and I’m itching for a spar. I’d like to request a friendly exchange.”

True to his bandit cultivator origins, the man’s temperament was as fickle as the wind. Just moments ago, he had been seeking their assistance, yet now he was already itching for a fight.

Hearing this, Li Qing immediately transmitted the information he knew to Shen Ningbing:

”Junior Sister Shen, this man also possesses a variant spirit root—wind attribute. Moreover, his Sky-Rending Eagle is exceptionally well-coordinated with him. Given his past as a bandit cultivator, his methods are undoubtedly ruthless. If you engage him, exercise extreme caution!”

”If things get too dangerous, we should retreat to the market town and use the Grand Formation for defense.”

Shen Ningbing was somewhat surprised by Li Qing’s extensive knowledge, but also felt a pang of helplessness. This wasn’t a life-or-death situation, and they hadn’t even exchanged blows yet, yet her senior brother was already suggesting a retreat.

How...

For a moment, she didn’t know what to think.

Shen Ningbing exhaled softly, her voice cold and clear. ”It’s fine, Senior Brother Li. Keep an eye on the other one. I’ll handle this one.”

Hearing this, Li Qing shook his head inwardly, thinking it was too reckless. Returning to the market town and relying on the protective array would have been the wisest choice.

But there was no helping it. Since Shen Ningbing insisted on fighting, he couldn’t abandon her alone.

If Ling Ying saw an opportunity, his old Bandit Cultivator instincts might resurface, and who knew if he’d team up with Liu Hongyuan to strike a fatal blow against Junior Sister Shen?

Li Qing would then bear a heavy responsibility, branded as a coward who abandoned his fellow sect member to save his own skin. His reputation at Lingyun Sect would be ruined.

Most importantly, Shen Ningbing’s master was the sect’s supreme elder. He couldn’t possibly leave her alone.

However, keeping an eye on Liu Hongyuan? He was confident he could manage that.

While Li Qing sighed inwardly, Shen Ningbing had already engaged the Flying Eagle Bandit in combat.

Boom!

One wielded an ice spirit root, the other a wind spirit root. Their clash unleashed a cataclysmic force far surpassing that of ordinary foundation establishment cultivators.

Gale-force winds swept in from all directions, unleashing a barrage of razor-sharp wind blades.

Frost blanketed the heavens, instantly covering the entire battlefield as countless ice spikes materialized from thin air.

A battle between two foundation establishment cultivators with variant spirit roots was a rare sight in the cultivation world.

Li Qing and Liu Hongyuan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but cast sidelong glances at the spectacle.

Of course, neither of them was truly focused solely on the clash between ice and wind. They remained secretly vigilant, wary of the other suddenly launching an attack.

”Hmm, your physical body carries a faint azure aura. Have you cultivated the Precious Wood Body Refinement Manual?” Liu Hongyuan’s murky eyes suddenly fixed on Li Qing.

As a traitor to the Liu Clan, he would undoubtedly be familiar with some of their secret techniques and cultivation manuals.

”I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Li Qing replied, his expression unchanged, though inwardly he was surprised that the other man could sense this.

Liu Hongyuan shook his head and chuckled. ”Ha, no need to deny it so hastily. This old man once practiced that body refinement secret technique myself. I trust my senses are still sharp.”

”Don’t worry, I’d sooner see the Liu Clan wiped out than hold you accountable for such matters.”

What a two-faced bastard!

”Since Fellow Daoist has no intention of attacking, why not continue watching the show?” Li Qing suggested.

Liu Hongyuan nodded in immediate agreement. ”Exactly what I had in mind! In truth, our purpose here isn’t to cause trouble. We merely came to pay our respects to the Lingyun Sect. Perhaps we can even discuss some potential collaborations.”

Discuss cooperation.

Li Qing repeated these words in his mind, his thoughts immediately stirring.

The visitor represented the Shangqing Sect, currently at the height of its power. Why would they suddenly seek cooperation with the reclusive Lingyun Sect?

There could only be one explanation: the Shangqing Sect intended to escalate their conflict with the Heavenly River Sect!

The immortal realm was likely about to plunge into turmoil once more. Li Qing hoped the Lingyun Sect wouldn’t get involved.

As he pondered this, Shen Ningbing and Ling Ying’s exchange was nearing its end.

Their duel hadn’t been a life-or-death struggle, merely a probing exchange of techniques, neither side fully committing.

”As expected of an ice spirit root—truly extraordinary!” Ling Ying said darkly. ”Fellow Daoist, prepare to face one final combined strike from me and the Sky-Rending Eagle!”

”Caw!” The Sky-Rending Eagle let out a piercing cry, its circling flight immediately shifting toward Ling Ying’s side.

Shen Ningbing remained unfazed. With calm precision, she patted an ice-blue brocade pouch at her waist.

”You think you’re the only one with backup?”

As her words fell, a radiant butterfly emerged, its body a deep azure blue, resembling a creature sculpted from pure ice crystals.

”A Frost Jade Ice Butterfly?!”

Liu Hongyuan below couldn’t help but gasp aloud, stunned by the ice butterfly Shen Ningbing had summoned.

(End of the Chapter)

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