Immortal Refiner

Treating hidden injuries to the divine soul requires more than just rest.

You need spirit herbs that nourish the divine soul, such as the Soul Return Grass Li Qing sold to True Lord Wood Dragon, or Heavenly Star Grass.

The Soul Return Grass was long gone, and Li Qing had already used up all the Heavenly Star Grass he had. The only good news was that he had returned to the Azure Ridge Domain.

”Looks like I’ll have to leave the sect temporarily,” Li Qing murmured to himself as he slowly stood up. ”I wonder what’s become of the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.”

He vividly remembered leaving a substantial quantity of high-grade Heavenly Star Grass in the secret realm when he last departed.

He hadn’t taken it all back then because he couldn’t use that much Heavenly Star Grass in the short term, and he lacked the means to preserve the spirit herb’s potency for long periods.

To prevent the medicinal properties from deteriorating, Li Qing had chosen to leave it in the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.

Now was the perfect time to revisit the realm and harvest some of the aged Heavenly Star Grass to heal the hidden injuries to his divine soul.

”Ancestor, are you alright?”

A foundation establishment elder guarding the Hall of Technique Transmission couldn’t help but ask, seeing Li Qing’s pale, bloodless complexion.

Li Qing waved his hand. ”Don’t worry about me. It’s just a minor internal injury from the recent great war that hasn’t fully healed yet.”

”Tell the other elders I’ll be leaving the sect for a while. If any urgent matters arise, you may make decisions on your own.”

”If you’re unsure, consult with the other ancestors.”

With that, Li Qing vanished in a blur, flying swiftly toward the mountain gate.

The founding ceremony was still a month away, and most preparations were already complete. There were unlikely to be any major issues requiring his attention.

Thus, his departure required no special instructions.

The journey was considerable, as the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm lay in the western reaches of the Azure Ridge Domain, once territory of the Heavenly River Sect.

It was there that Li Qing had first embarked on the immortal dao. Now, having achieved core formation, he was returning home in glory, a triumphant homecoming.

”What a transformation! This area around Azure Radiance Pool used to be a barren desert. Now it’s lush and verdant!”

Indeed, Li Qing had arrived at Azure Radiance Pool.

He had once cultivated here for a time, and it was here that he obtained his first foundation establishment pill, though it was only a low-grade one.

Concealing his aura completely, Li Qing extended his divine sense, sweeping across the surroundings.

Returning to this familiar place, he decided to linger a while, since there was no urgent matter pressing him.

His vast divine sense meticulously scanned every inch of Azure Radiance Pool. To his regret, none of the old acquaintances he remembered were still here.

The cave abode where Daoist Qingyang had once resided was now occupied by a younger cultivator.

Xu Sanniang, who had once made her child kneel before his courtyard, begging for discipleship, was also gone.

”Heh, it’s been so many years. I wonder how that little Cao Xiu is doing now. Did he succeed in achieving foundation establishment?”

As soon as the words left his lips, Li Qing prepared to depart, continuing his journey toward the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.

As Li Qing was withdrawing his divine sense, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

In the courtyard surrounding Azure Radiance Pool, a middle-aged man, his face etched with weariness, emerged from one of the buildings.

At first, Li Qing paid little attention, merely noting the man’s vaguely familiar features, though he couldn’t quite place them.

Soon, a childish voice rang out from within the courtyard:

”Father, will Brother ever come back?”

A young girl stepped out of the house, her clothes worn and ill-fitting.

The middle-aged man forced a smile. ”Don’t worry, Zheng’er will return soon.”

The girl lowered her head, muttering softly:

”Father, are we going to be kicked out? Young Master Feng from the Feng Clan said we can’t stay here anymore because this isn’t the Shangqing Sect’s Spirit Vein Land anymore. It belongs to the Lingyun Sect now, and our lease needs to be renegotiated.”

Though young, the girl had already embarked on the immortal dao, making her precocious and knowledgeable beyond her years.

The middle-aged man’s face darkened slightly, and he found himself at a loss for words.

He knew all too well that this was just a petty trick by the Feng Clan.

With the spiritual vein changing hands, any previous lease agreements would be nullified, requiring a new contract to be signed.

He had repeatedly tried to negotiate with the Feng Clan, hoping to recover at least some of his spirit stones.

But these cultivation clans, entrenched in the surrounding lands, were like devils who devoured men without spitting out their bones. Once they had their hands on spirit stones, they would never relinquish them.

Later, his eldest son, Liu Zheng, refused to accept this injustice. When his father wasn’t watching, he tried to cause trouble for the Feng Clan, with disastrous consequences.

Facing a powerful cultivation clan, his eldest son, who didn’t even possess a Spiritual Root, was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. The outcome was utterly tragic: Liu Zheng was crippled and then captured to serve as a slave in the Feng Clan.

Not long after, a young man in brocade robes and jade ornaments arrived at the courtyard gate, fanning himself with a feathered fan.

”Liu Sheng, are you going to renew the lease on this courtyard or not? The deadline is fast approaching. If you don’t produce the spirit stones to renew the contract soon, you’ll have to pack up and leave!”

The young man’s features were handsome enough, but his words were aggressive and his expression harsh as he kicked open the courtyard gate.

Bang!

The sudden noise startled the little girl, who immediately hid behind her father, timidly clutching the hem of the middle-aged man’s robe.

Liu Sheng’s expression shifted slightly as he recognized the intruder. He gritted his teeth and said, ”Young Master Fengming, the agreed-upon deadline hasn’t arrived yet. If I haven’t gathered the spirit stones by then, I’ll leave this place voluntarily.”

The young man named Feng Ming waved his feather fan and sneered coldly. ”Hmm, it’s good you understand your place. But I didn’t come here to pressure you about the lease renewal. Rent if you want, or don’t. I’m here to inform you of a minor matter.”

Liu Sheng paused, then asked, ”May I ask what that matter is, Young Master Feng?”

”Oh, your son. A few days ago, while feeding my Crimson Blood Horse, he startled the spirit steed. The horse kicked him to death. We couldn’t save him.”

Feng Ming delivered this news with casual indifference, as if a human life were no more significant than a wisp of straw.

Yet this flippant remark struck Liu Sheng like a thunderbolt, leaving him speechless.

Soon, Liu Sheng’s eyes turned bloodshot. He clenched his fists, and a faint aura began to rise from his body.

”Young Master Feng, you knew my son was just a mortal! Sending him to care for that wild Crimson Blood Horse was practically sentencing him to death!”

Young Master Feng of the Feng Clan raised an eyebrow, suddenly intrigued. ”Oho, such fiery resentment.”

”My Crimson Blood Horse hasn’t been startled since it was tamed. Who knows what your son did to provoke it? He deserved to be kicked to death.”

”Judging by your expression, you’re not satisfied. Heh, no matter. I always settle scores fairly. If you want revenge, feel free to try.”

As he spoke, Feng Ming’s gaze swept past Liu Sheng and landed on the young girl behind him.

As if sensing this, Liu Sheng instantly regained his composure. The redness in his eyes gradually faded, and his heavy breathing slowly calmed.

”I wouldn’t dare. It was Zheng’er’s fate.”

In that moment, Liu Sheng seemed to age a decade, his figure hunching over even more.

Feng Ming, however, was displeased. Seeing Liu Sheng refuse to take the bait, he frowned deeply.

A moment later, he sneered coldly, ”I heard you were once a member of a powerful cultivation clan. Heh, too bad the Liu Clan was destroyed.”

”That figures. If your clan was full of spineless cowards like you, it’s no wonder they were wiped out.”

”Enough. Seeing as you’re nearing the end of your days, the Feng Clan naturally can’t bear to see you driven out of Azure Radiance Pool like this.”

”Here’s what we’ll do: send your daughter to the Feng Clan for cultivation, and you can stay here to retire and live out your remaining years in peace.”

The Feng Clan was the only cultivation clan in the region, established on a Spirit Vein Land blessed with abundant spiritual energy.

Combined with the substantial spiritual stones they harvested annually from Azure Radiance Pool, they had become remarkably prosperous.

Over the years, their wealth had allowed them to cultivate a third foundation establishment realm expert, reaching the pinnacle of their power.

For rogue cultivators, being recruited by such a clan was a dream come true.

Yet Liu Sheng’s eldest son had just died at the hands of the Feng Clan. How could he possibly send his seven-year-old daughter into such a viper’s nest?

”I appreciate Young Master Feng’s kindness, but my daughter lacks the fortune to aspire to the Feng Clan’s heights. Let’s drop this matter.”

”This old man will leave Azure Radiance Pool with my daughter within days. We won’t linger any longer!”

”Young Master Feng, please take your leave as well.”

With that, Liu Sheng took his daughter’s small hand.

Liu Sheng’s daughter, Xiaoxue, burst into tears, her voice choked with sobs. ”You’re a bad man! I don’t want to go with you! Give me back my big brother!”

”Xiaoxue,” Liu Sheng said sorrowfully, gently patting his daughter’s head.

Behind him, Feng Ming’s gaze turned utterly cold.

If neither persuasion nor threats will work, then force is the only option.

”You refuse the toast, you’ll drink the penalty cup.”

Before the words had even left his lips, a blinding spiritual light erupted from Feng Ming’s palm, poised to strike Liu Sheng, who stood with his back turned.

Thwack!

In the next instant, Feng Ming’s descending palm was abruptly halted by a far more powerful hand.

”Young man, didn’t you hear what he said? You can go home now.”

A tall, imposing figure had materialized silently outside the courtyard gate. He gripped Feng Ming’s wrist, causing the spiritual light in his palm to gradually dissipate.

Feng Ming whirled around, his face dark with fury. ”Who are you? How dare you interfere in the Feng Clan’s affairs?”

Liu Sheng finally turned around, belatedly realizing what had just transpired. He glanced at Feng Ming’s raised hand, then at the figure behind him, and quickly understood everything. Feng Ming had been about to attack him.

Yet he couldn’t recognize the man who had restrained the Feng Clan’s young master.

The face seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place it.

The man stood tall and upright, a warm, sunny smile playing on his lips. His demeanor was utterly relaxed, as if he didn’t even register the presence of the Feng Clan’s pampered young master.

The newcomer was none other than Li Qing. He didn’t spare Feng Ming a second glance, instead turning his friendly gaze toward Liu Sheng and saying, ”Brother Liu Sheng, it’s been ages! You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”

Li Qing continued to smile lightly, completely unconcerned by Feng Ming’s futile struggles.

The face grew increasingly familiar, but the passage of time had buried these memories deep within Liu Sheng’s mind, making them difficult to retrieve.

It was understandable. The Azure Ridge Domain had undergone tremendous upheaval in recent years, including the destruction of his own clan. Only he had managed to escape the calamity.

Li Qing showed no surprise at Liu Sheng’s confusion. He offered a reminder: ”Remember, outside Longevity Valley? If you hadn’t taken me into the Liu Clan back then, I might still be wandering, desperately searching for this legendary world of immortal cultivation!”

Longevity Valley... taken into the Liu Clan!

These key phrases instantly flooded Liu Sheng’s mind with vivid memories.

”It’s you! Li Qing!”

Finally, Liu Sheng recognized the familiar face. His eyes widened with shock as he realized he had encountered this old acquaintance in such an unexpected place.

Seeing that Liu Sheng had finally recognized him, Li Qing’s smile grew even warmer.

However, Feng Ming, still restrained by Li Qing, had no interest in listening to the two old friends reminisce.

”Heh, old Liu, looks like you’ve got a bold acquaintance here!” Feng Ming sneered.

With his free hand, Feng Ming swiftly tapped his storage pouch, immediately withdrawing a mid-grade magic artifact—a short sword—and thrusting it at Li Qing behind him.

But how could such an attack possibly harm Li Qing?

Clad in the Golden Jade Garment, Li Qing didn’t even bother activating a defensive magic artifact with spiritual energy. He didn’t even flinch, letting the blade strike him.

The short sword gleamed with a chilling spiritual light, its edge honed to razor sharpness.

Liu Sheng and his daughter cried out in alarm:

”Li Qing, watch out!”

”Big brother, be careful!”

But the moment the blade touched Li Qing’s skin, it halted as if striking solid rock.

”You—!” Feng Ming froze, realizing that no matter how he channeled spiritual energy into his usually infallible mid-grade magic artifact, he couldn’t harm the unfamiliar cultivator behind him.

There was only one explanation for how he could achieve this!

”You’re a foundation establishment realm cultivator?” Feng Ming exclaimed in shock.

Li Qing merely smiled, but a chilling murderous intent flickered in his eyes.

Just now, he had used his divine sense to overhear the commotion in the courtyard, quickly piecing together the entire situation from a few fragments of information.

Feng Ming panicked and shouted, ”Do you know who I am? If anything happens to me, you’ll never leave the Azure Radiance Pool alive!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly interjected, ”Li Qing, release him immediately! This is Young Master Feng of the Feng Clan—you can’t afford to offend him!”

Liu Sheng’s words seemed to embolden Feng Ming. Seeing Liu Sheng’s own anxiety, Feng Ming felt a surge of confidence, concluding that Li Qing’s background was likely insignificant.

He was probably just a wandering foundation establishment rogue cultivator, without any backing or support. How could he possibly dare to offend the Feng Clan’s Young Master?

If this man truly had such audacity, he would have been decapitated long ago. After all, the Feng Clan had foundation establishment realm cultivators of their own.

Feng Ming sneered, ”Did you hear that? Release me now! I’m warning you, offending the Feng Clan at the Azure Radiance Pool means even a Great Luo Golden Immortal wouldn’t escape unscathed today!”

At these words, Li Qing finally sighed softly and released his grip.

Thud!

The sudden loss of support caused Feng Ming to stumble and fall heavily to the ground.

Enraged and humiliated, he roared, ”Very well! How dare you humiliate me like this!”

Li Qing’s gaze turned icy. ”It’s clear you’re eager to die,” he said coldly. ”But now isn’t your time. Let’s just administer a small punishment to collect some interest.”

As his words faded, a sharp burst of true essence erupted from Li Qing, aimed directly at Young Master Feng’s dantian.

Whoosh!

A piercing sound tore through the air. In an instant, Feng Ming’s dantian deflated like a punctured balloon, his Qi Sea’s mana rapidly draining away.

Within moments, the once-promising Young Master Feng had been reduced to a cripple, his cultivation utterly destroyed.

Clutching his abdomen in agony, Feng Ming glared venomously at Li Qing, his teeth clenched. ”You... you dared to destroy my cultivation! How dare you!”

Li Qing merely glanced at him indifferently before replying,

”While I’m still in a good mood after reuniting with an old friend, get out of here now. Otherwise, I’ll kill you right here and now.”

Hearing this, Feng Ming clamped his mouth shut, suppressing the threats that were about to spill from his lips. He fled the courtyard in a disheveled state.

Yet the venomous hatred in his eyes had reached its peak intensity!

Liu Sheng, standing nearby, was completely dumbfounded.

He never imagined Li Qing would be so audacious, crippling the Feng Clan’s most favored young master without a second thought.

”This is bad... this is really bad!”

(End of the Chapter)

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