Immortal Refiner

The Heavenly River Sect’s encirclement had become a fixed situation. The once-unstoppable Shangqing Sect suddenly lost its urgency, instead mobilizing its entire sect to completely surround the Heavenly River Sect’s territory.

The two sides remained locked in a stalemate—one defending, the other besieging—neither daring to make a rash move.

Protected by their guardian grand formation, even if the Shangqing Sect attempted a direct assault, they would pay a heavy price.

Naturally, the Shangqing Sect had no intention of incurring such losses. They weren’t aiming for a pyrrhic victory, but a complete and decisive triumph!

Only by swallowing the Heavenly River Sect with minimal casualties could they truly achieve their war’s objectives.

”No need to rush,” one elder said. ”We’ve already seized the Spirit Stone Mine. With the Heavenly River Sect cut off from external resources, their only fate is to wither and die.”

”Let’s wait. As long as their core formation ancestor remains holed up behind the formation, we’ll maintain the siege.”

”Furthermore, what’s the progress of the formation hall elders’ terrain survey? Can we harness the Earth Vein’s power to establish our own defensive formation here?”

The sect leader of the Shangqing Sect sat cross-legged atop a desolate mountain, looking more like an old farmer resting after a hard day’s work than the commander of a sect waging war.

”Sect Leader, the elders of the Formation Hall have been scouting the terrain day and night, but unfortunately, they haven’t found a suitable area to deploy a formation.”

Upon hearing this, the Shangqing Sect leader showed no disappointment.

This was entirely expected. Deploying formations, especially high-level ones, required harnessing the natural forces of the terrain and Earth Veins. It wasn’t as simple as setting up a formation anywhere.

The Heavenly River Sect had stood strong for centuries, naturally having meticulously chosen the location for their mountain gate.

Within hundreds of miles, the most ideal place for deploying a formation was the Heavenly River Sect’s mountain gate itself. Attempting to establish an equally powerful formation elsewhere to counter it would be nothing short of delusional.

As a major sect of the immortal dao, how could they possibly overlook such a critical flaw in their territory?

”As expected,” the Shangqing Sect leader said. ”The Heavenly River Sect’s Formation Masters aren’t just for show. True Lord Wanshan has reached the pinnacle of this art.”

”Across the entire Azure Ridge Domain, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Formation Master with greater skill than him.”

Despite being enemies, the Shangqing Sect’s leader had never been stingy with his praise for the Heavenly River Sect’s Ancestors. This indirectly demonstrated how highly he regarded his opponents, never underestimating them.

”Continue having the formation elders survey the terrain,” he instructed. ”If possible, even the terrain within the Heavenly River Sect’s mountain gate should be considered.”

As he spoke, the Shangqing Sect leader wore a self-satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, within the Heavenly River Sect’s mountain gate, the atmosphere was oppressively tense. Even the sect elders and higher-ups held a pessimistic outlook on the situation.

”They’re treating us like trapped beasts,” Sect Leader Qing Xuan muttered, his face grim. ”Damn them.”

The Shangqing Sect’s determination to annex them had exceeded all expectations. They had established a permanent encampment outside the mountain gate, ensuring that even a fly couldn’t escape unnoticed.

”What’s the status of the spirit letter we sent to the Lingyun Sect requesting aid?” Sect Leader Qing Xuan asked. ”Have we received a reply?”

The foundation establishment realm elders remained silent, no one answering.

They were now completely cut off from the outside world. Not only had their messages gone unanswered, but even birds attempting to fly through the area were shot down by the Shangqing Sect.

The Shangqing Sect’s brazen attack, completely disregarding the Lingyun Sect’s presence, suggested something suspicious was afoot.

”Senior brother, we haven’t received any news from the outside world for some time now. All we see are Shangqing Sect formation elders occasionally appearing outside the mountain gate.”

”...”

Hearing this, Sect Leader Qing Xuan’s expression darkened slightly. He rose to his feet and strode toward the rear mountain behind the main hall.

”Wait here. I’ll consult with the Ancestors again.”

”And keep a close eye on Junior Sister Su Xin. We must prevent her from acting rashly!”

”...”

With these words, Sect Leader Qing Xuan strode out of the Sect Leader’s Council Hall.

Meanwhile, the Lingyun Sect, whom the Heavenly River Sect had hoped would be their savior, was now fully engaged in war preparations, leaving them no time for other concerns.

”Senior Brother Wu, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven previously mentioned using a magic treasure to refine a Talisman Treasure. Can this matter...”

The rotund Wu Chong waved his hand impatiently, cutting him off. ”Sigh, I’ve already said that the Talisman Treasure’s ownership will be decided by my master. I have no authority over that!”

”Besides, the ’magic treasure’ used to imprint the Talisman Treasure was actually a flawed artifact—not a true magic treasure. The resulting Talisman Treasure can only unleash less than ten percent of a true magic treasure’s power!”

As Fatty Wu spoke, he chewed on a mouthful of food, his words muffled and indistinct.

In recent days, elders from multiple sects had come to him seeking information about this matter.

His master, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven, had specially retrieved a flawed magic treasure to enhance the survival rate of the elders entering the sealing formation. He planned to create several Talisman Treasures by imprinting the treasure’s power onto talismans, which would then be distributed to the elders.

This news had naturally caused a great stir. Many elders of the Lingyun Sect became eager to obtain a Talisman Treasure, hoping to enhance their life-saving capabilities.

A Talisman Treasure was a magic treasure’s power imprinted onto a specially crafted talisman. This allowed the talisman to be used repeatedly, unleashing one to two percent of the original treasure’s power!

Don’t underestimate that one to two percent! Remember, this was a magic treasure—something a foundation establishment cultivator could never hope to wield.

To activate a magic treasure, only solidified spiritual power would suffice.

Obtaining a Talisman Treasure meant invincibility. It would allow one to easily sweep aside most cultivators of the same rank.

”Ugh, this is so annoying! Master, why did you suddenly make such a big deal out of this? Now everyone keeps coming to bother me!”

After dismissing another fellow sect elder, Wu Chong impatiently grabbed a handful of fried rice and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing noisily.

But he quickly stopped chewing.

”Wait, wasn’t Li Qing supposed to enter the sealing formation this time to investigate? Damn it!”

Wu Chong jolted awake, abandoned his food, and shot toward Wild Cloud Peak like a bolt of lightning.

Meanwhile, in Li Qing’s cave abode on Wild Cloud Peak:

”Hiss... cough cough!”

”Ha ha...”

Painful gasps echoed through the cave. Anyone witnessing Li Qing’s current state would be terrified.

His entire body was flushed crimson, like a boiled shrimp, his skin brimming with Vital Energy.

But that was the least of it. Multiple bloody gashes crisscrossed his back, and his bones twisted and contorted intermittently.

The usually resolute Li Qing’s face was contorted in agony, the word ”pain” etched clearly across his features.

Indeed, he had already begun cultivating the Brahma King True Body. The excruciating pain coursing through his body felt as if he had been thrown into a boiling oil cauldron.

This was nothing compared to the burning sensation within his body, where vast amounts of Vital Energy were rapidly evaporating.

The cultivation method of the Brahma King True Body was excessively brutal, treating a human body like that of a Demon beast with a powerful bloodline.

If Li Qing hadn’t achieved the ninth transformation of his Vital Energy, his physical body would likely have collapsed by now.

Cough, cough...

Li Qing coughed up another trace of crimson blood. Without hesitation, he retrieved a blood jade orchid from his storage pouch and immediately shoved it into his mouth.

Crunch!

As soon as the orchid was chewed, a crystalline medicinal liquid flowed down his throat into his abdomen.

This liquid, rich in vital life essence, rapidly repaired his physical injuries and replenished Li Qing’s Vital Energy.

However, while the healing progressed, the excruciating pain remained undiminished. In fact, the restoration of each tiny wound brought a fresh wave of agony.

Just then, an urgent voice called out from outside the cave abode:

”Li Qing! Li Qing, are you in the cave abode?”

Hearing the call, Li Qing slowly raised his head and glanced toward the entrance.

”Fatty Wu, I thought you went down the mountain to train and vanquish demons. Why are you back here looking for me?” Li Qing’s voice was weak. He added, ”Come in, the restriction is lifted.”

Moments later, Fatty Wu hurried into Li Qing’s cave abode.

But almost immediately, a pungent, bloody stench assaulted his nostrils, nearly causing him to vomit the food he had just eaten.

Then, the sight of Li Qing’s utterly wretched condition struck him like a thunderbolt, leaving Fatty Wu aghast.

”Y-you... Li Qing, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?!”

Indeed, anyone who saw Li Qing’s current state would be shocked.

The process of cultivating the Brahma King True Body was inherently violent; after all, this cultivation manual was never intended for the human race.

Li Qing forced a wan smile, shaking his head dismissively. ”It’s nothing. Just practicing a body refinement technique. If my physical strength improves, it will greatly benefit me when I enter the sealing formation to investigate. It might even increase my chances of survival.”

A faint weariness tinged his voice. After all, some people had to fight with all their might just to stay alive.

(End of the Chapter)

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