Immortal Refiner

News of the royal marquis’s grand tomb’s discovery spread with astonishing speed, transforming the Giant Deer Prefecture, which had been peaceful for many years, into a vortex of activity.

In Nanyang Market, at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion:

Despite the income from the black market, Li Qing still needed to maintain his public identity as an artifact refiner. Closing the Hundred Refinements Pavilion was not an option.

That day, business at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion was unusually brisk, with several times the usual number of customers flooding in.

”Master Li, I’ve gathered all the materials for the magic artifact we discussed last time. When can you refine it for me?”

”I also want to commission a protective magic artifact. Can you rush it within three days?”

”Do you have any top-grade magical artifacts for sale? A shop this large must have some kind of signature treasure, right?”

”...”

Faced with the surging crowd, Li Qing felt his scalp tingle, wondering if the sun had risen in the west!

While cultivators often visited the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, most merely browsed casually, without necessarily commissioning any artifact refinement.

Never before had such a crowd of people squeezed around the shopkeeper’s counter, clamoring for him to begin refining artifacts immediately.

”Ahem, everyone, please remain calm and avoid getting too excited!” Li Qing cleared his throat.

”Currently, we do have some refined magic artifacts in stock, but they are mostly low-grade and mid-grade. Only a few high-grade magical artifacts are available for sale.”

”As for top-grade magical artifacts, I regret to say that my limited resources prevent me from refining them in advance for sale.”

”If you need a suitable magic artifact, feel free to browse our selection in the back!”

”Additionally, for rush artifact refinement requests, if you provide all the necessary spiritual materials, we can refine a high-grade magical artifact in as little as five days. With an artifact refinement diagram, the process can be even faster!”

Li Qing quickly stood up to attend to the incoming customers.

”Five days? That’s too slow! By then, the opportunity will have passed!”

Soon, a portion of the crowd left the pavilion, but some cultivators lingered, browsing the limited number of magic artifacts currently available at Hundred Refinements Pavilion.

Still puzzled by the situation, Li Qing extended his powerful divine sense to observe the situation and understand what was happening.

Nanyang Market was indeed teeming with cultivators today. Not only was his Hundred Refinements Pavilion packed, but the other artifact refinement shops were also overflowing with customers—the business was almost unnaturally booming!

Something was off.

Something must have happened to cause this sudden surge.

Since the black market had opened, his spirit stone income had stabilized, allowing him to focus more on his cultivation. As a result, he had become less aware of external events.

Deciding to get to the bottom of it, Li Qing directly asked aloud within the Hundred Refinements Pavilion:

”Fellow cultivators, could someone tell me what’s happening outside? Why are so many people buying magic artifacts today?”

A cultivator quickly responded:

”Master Li, haven’t you heard? Giant Deer Prefecture is about to be turned upside down! A royal marquis’s grand tomb has been discovered in the central mountain range—it’s suspected to be the tomb of King Jing, who lived a thousand years ago!”

”Heh heh, Master Li, your information network is too limited. King Jing was a powerful royal marquis of the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty, his cultivation nearly reaching the nascent soul realm. Now that his tomb has been unearthed, countless people are coveting its treasures.”

”...”

Through these explanations, Li Qing finally understood the current situation.

It turned out that a royal marquis’s grand tomb had emerged, no wonder there was such a commotion.

”No wonder King Jing was so powerful,” Li Qing murmured to himself, stroking his chin. ”His burial goods must be extraordinary.”

”Indeed! What do you say, Master Li? Shall we venture there together? I have some knowledge of the Dragon Vein Seeking and Acupoint Locating Technique. With our combined skills, we’re sure to reap great rewards!”

Someone tried to recruit Li Qing. After all, he was a mid-foundation establishment stage cultivator and an artifact refiner, so his combat prowess couldn’t be lacking.

Hearing this, Li Qing naturally shook his head and politely declined the invitation.

”Thank you for your kind offer, Daoist friend, but my skills are meager. I’d rather not risk myself in such a dangerous tomb.”

In the end, most of the Hundred Refinements Pavilion’s customers left, with only a few selecting pre-refined magic artifacts from the shop.

The suddenness of the event meant few were prepared, and Li Qing was stretched thin. Even if he accepted artifact refinement commissions, he likely wouldn’t be able to refine the needed artifacts in time.

Thanks to the emergence of King Jing’s Tomb Mansion, Li Qing had earned over eight hundred spirit stones in less than half a day—a substantial windfall.

”How intriguing,” he mused. ”To unearth such a tomb at this critical juncture.”

”Still, I shouldn’t get involved. Who knows what dangers lurk within?”

Though the tomb piqued his curiosity, Li Qing’s cautious nature prevented him from risking his life to enter it.

With the aid of the Netherworld Cold Fire, his cultivation progressed rapidly, if not by leaps and bounds. Given enough time, he was confident he could reach the threshold of the late foundation establishment realm without resorting to reckless ventures.

The crowds dispersed quickly, leaving not only Nanyang Market but also Sunward City and other cultivator markets eerily deserted.

A royal marquis’s grand tomb meant immortal treasures and abundant opportunities. Before major powers like the Ghost Sword Sect could mobilize, many rogue cultivators planned to rush there and try their luck.

Giant Deer Prefecture, northern region.

Several foundation establishment cultivators in white Daoist robes emerged from an immortal city, their faces alight with curiosity as they gazed around with keen interest.

”Truly, the Great Wilderness Domain lives up to its name! I never imagined domain-spanning teleportation arrays would be so commonplace here!”

”Indeed. The cultivation world here far surpasses our Azure Ridge Domain. Many sects are even led by nascent soul realm ancestors.”

”I’ve already gathered intelligence. This territory belongs to the Ghost Sword Sect of the Great Wilderness Domain. Their sect leader recently advanced to the nascent soul realm. We should pay our respects as soon as possible.”

If Li Qing were present, he would immediately recognize these individuals.

The Daoist robes they wore were the distinctive attire of the Shangqing Sect.

”No need to rush,” one of the Shangqing Sect elders said with a chuckle, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ”I heard a royal marquis’s grand tomb recently appeared in this province—the burial site of a cultivator who nearly reached the nascent soul realm. Since we’re already here, why not explore it first and see if we can find some opportunities?”

Now that the Azure Ridge Domain had been pacified, the Shangqing Sect reigned supreme, its influence stagnant like a stagnant pond.

Having witnessed the vibrant splendor of the Great Wilderness Domain, their hearts naturally fluttered with excitement.

”Isn’t this inappropriate?” one elder protested. ”Our ancestors went to great lengths to send us here to establish ties with the cultivation sects of the Great Wilderness Domain.”

”Exactly,” another elder agreed. ”We have a mission to fulfill. Besides forging alliances with these sects, we must also dedicate time to hunting down the remnants of the Lingyun Sect. Acting independently would be unwise!”

These two Shangqing Sect elders opposed the plan, wary of stirring up trouble.

However, the others’ eyes lit up with interest, clearly intrigued by the royal marquis’s tomb.

”That’s a flawed argument,” one elder countered. ”We have ample time. With the domain’s teleportation arrays, we can easily visit all the major cultivation sects in this domain!”

”That’s the tomb of a cultivator nearing the nascent soul realm!” another elder exclaimed. ”It must be filled with countless immortal treasures. Who knows? We might even find our own opportunities for core formation!”

After the impassioned persuasion, even the two Shangqing Sect elders who had initially opposed the idea began to waver.

Seeing this, the others seized the opportunity to press their advantage:

”Don’t worry, it won’t delay our mission at all.”

”Let’s decide on this then. The royal marquis’s grand tomb has caused such a stir that the Ghost Sword Sect will undoubtedly send people to investigate. We can use this opportunity to make connections and save ourselves the trouble of seeking out contacts elsewhere.”

”Exactly! We might even uncover information about the Lingyun Sect’s remnants!”

”...”

With a few more words, the Shangqing Sect elders, who had only recently arrived in Giant Deer Prefecture, set off toward the region’s most tumultuous gathering point.

A day had passed since news of King Jing’s Tomb leaked, and Qiu Zhen, who had first discovered the tomb mansion, was regretting his actions to the core.

”Damn that ox-nosed daoist! His big mouth has spread the news to the entire world!” Qiu Zhen nearly ground his teeth to dust.

As he watched cultivators from all directions converge on the mountain ranges ahead, Qiu Zhen’s face turned green with resentment. He cursed the fleet-footed, goatee-bearded old daoist with every fiber of his being.

”We’ve already lost the advantage. We’ll have to wait for the first group of cultivators to emerge before making a move. Rushing in now would make us easy targets.”

Qiu Zhen frowned deeply, calculating his next move.

Just then, black-robed figures riding magic artifacts arrived, swiftly sealing off the entire grand tomb area.

”Damn it! The Ghost Sword Sect is here!” Qiu Zhen’s heart sank. He knew his chances of claiming the royal marquis’s grand tomb had likely vanished.

Sure enough, a Ghost Sword Sect Elder with formidable cultivation roared in a deep voice:

”This area is now under the jurisdiction of the Ghost Sword Sect! All irrelevant parties are ordered to withdraw immediately!”

The elder’s voice reverberated across the area, and many rogue cultivators showed their resentment.

”They’re fast! No way, I spent a fortune on a talisman treasure for this trip. Leaving without even entering the tomb would be a complete waste!”

”I was going to wait for the first group to come out, but screw it! I’m going all in!”

”...”

As the Ghost Sword Sect cultivators approached, many rogue cultivators gritted their teeth and recklessly plunged into the widening fissure in the ground.

They were taking a desperate gamble, hoping to seize their own immortal destiny in this lifetime!

Seeing this, the Ghost Sword Sect Elder coldly ordered:

”Seeking death! Deploy the formation and seal this area completely!”

At his command, formation flags shot out from all directions, landing in strategic positions.

Their plan was foolproof: first, establish the formation. Once the area was sealed, those who had already entered the tomb would be trapped like turtles in a jar!

No matter what treasures they might find within, their efforts would be futile, merely paving the way for the Ghost Sword Sect to reap the rewards.

Secure on their own territory, the Ghost Sword Sect cultivators exuded unwavering confidence.

But in the next moment, the earth trembled violently. The fissure widened again, spreading rapidly across the ground.

Waves of yin energy erupted from the fissure, instantly chilling the surroundings with an eerie, bone-chilling cold.

Boom!

The formation flags that had just been planted were violently uprooted and flung aside!

”What is this...”

(End of the Chapter)

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