Immortal Refiner

Jin Lie is dead!

Killed by a human!

When any demon race member in the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm heard this news, their first reaction was disbelief, dismissing it as a colossal joke.

A joke? Who is Jin Lie?

The Golden Bear King’s most favored sixth son, a late third-tier demon beast who had awakened the Ancient Dragon-Bear bloodline. His strength rivaled that of the strongest demon in the entire Myriad Beasts Secret Realm.

How could such a renowned figure be killed by some unknown human who suddenly appeared out of nowhere?

No one believed the rumor.

However, as the news spread and Jin Lie failed to appear in the ancestral land, the demon races began to waver.

Finally, when other demons of Jin Lie’s caliber maintained a conspicuous silence on the matter, the rumor’s truth was confirmed:

The Golden Bear King’s sixth son had indeed fallen!

Whoosh!

The news swept through the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm like a storm, reaching every active demon race member.

”A human? Did I hear right? Jin Lie was killed by a human?”

”Impossible! I heard humans have incredibly weak fleshly bodies. How could Jin Lie, with his formidable physique, lose to a human in physical combat?”

”This is a major incident! The Golden Bear King had such high hopes for his son, always expecting Jin Lie to become another king of the Bear Clan. And now...”

”Is it really a human? Could it be a demon king in human form who infiltrated using some unknown method?”

”Exactly! Even if Jin Lie wasn’t invincible among third-tier demonic beasts, few could defeat him, let alone kill him. Only a demon king in transformation stage could accomplish such a feat!”

”How could a human infiltrate the ancestral land? Isn’t this secret realm supposed to be accessible only to us demons?!”

Intense confusion and bewilderment surged through the minds of all the demons.

In the current demon realm, there was no trace of human existence left—only various demon races thrived.

No one could fathom how the human who killed Jin Lie had managed to infiltrate!

At the center of the unfolding events, Li Qing and Fan Tong stood before a massive burial mound.

The mound was enormous yet remarkably crude, devoid of any signs of ritual or sacrifice, not even a tombstone. It resembled little more than a massive earthen mound.

However, the crimson restriction encircling the mound’s perimeter made it clear that this was no ordinary pile of earth.

”This must be another burial site of a fourth-tier transformation demon clan, identical to the two we found earlier,” Li Qing remarked, sitting atop Fan Tong’s back as he gazed at the mound.

They had previously encountered two similar mounds, each concealing the inheritance of a fourth-tier demon race.

”Brother, should we use the beast ancestor token to unlock this tomb’s inheritance?” Fan Tong asked in his deep, rumbling voice.

Li Qing frowned slightly, pondering for a moment.

”We currently possess seven beast ancestor tokens. We only need three more to send you and Ninth Insect to Beast King Mountain to receive the inheritance of a great demon in the divine transformation stage.”

”Opening this tomb requires two beast ancestor tokens. If we can obtain at least two more tokens after accepting the inheritance, it would be a worthwhile investment, granting us both the inheritance and additional tokens.”

”The risk lies in failing to acquire more tokens inside. Wasting two tokens for nothing would be a significant loss.”

Beast ancestor tokens are essential for ascending Beast King Mountain. Only by collecting five tokens can one receive the inheritance of a fifth-tier transformation god great demon within the mountain.

Historically, only the strongest demon races have achieved this feat. Others, like the Terrorclaw Lizard, can only access peripheral inheritances, settling for scraps.

However, even these peripheral inheritances occasionally yield additional beast ancestor tokens.

Some exceptionally fortunate demons have used a single token to unlock hidden demon race tombs, ultimately obtaining both the inheritance and multiple extra tokens!

Such occurrences aren’t common, but they aren’t rare either.

Li Qing had personally witnessed such an event before!

Within the tomb mansion, one could not only obtain the inheritance of the demon race but also have a chance to acquire a beast ancestor token!

Of course, many demons returned empty-handed. After using a beast ancestor token to open the tomb mansion, they found neither additional tokens nor any useful inheritance—only mediocre, worthless legacies.

”Let’s pass,” Li Qing finally said, shaking his head. ”If it’s just the inheritance of a fourth-tier great demon, it might not be useful to us. There’s no need to risk wasting two beast ancestor tokens.”

In the outside world, the inheritance of a fourth-tier transformation demon clan would be highly coveted.

However, within the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, where far greater inheritances awaited, Li Qing naturally had to set his sights higher.

”So, are we leaving this place now?” Fan Tong asked.

Li Qing chuckled and shook his head. ”No, we’ll play the waiting game. Let’s hide and see if any other demons plan to open this inheritance. If they do, we’ll let them take the inheritance, then ambush them for their beast ancestor tokens.”

”Since the Myriad Beasts Spirit Tree won’t appear for a while yet, waiting a bit longer won’t hurt.”

With that, Li Qing stowed Fan Tong back into his spirit beast pouch. He then retrieved his aura-concealing magic artifact and talismans, finally activating an aura concealment technique to completely mask his presence.

Li Qing transformed into a patient old hunter, his patience unwavering.

He wasn’t worried about missing the opportunity to claim the Myriad Beasts Spirit Tree. Before coming here, he had learned that the entire Myriad Beasts Secret Realm would undergo noticeable changes when the tree was about to emerge, making it easy to detect its imminent appearance.

Time continued to pass slowly.

After an unknown duration, heavy, muffled footsteps finally echoed from the distance.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The footsteps were slow but immensely heavy. Each step shook the earth slightly.

As the footsteps drew closer, the ground trembled more violently.

Soon, at the edge of the great earth, a mountain began to slowly approach!

No, it wasn’t a mountain, but a colossal elephant as massive as a mountain range!

The elephant clan!

This was an ancient demon race from the demon realm, once enjoying a glorious era when they ruled over all demon races.

However, after the ancient demonic realm launched a massive invasion of the lower realm, the elephant clan suffered a devastating blow, nearly losing their entire inheritance.

Since then, the elephant clan had fallen into complete decline. Not only were their numbers dwindling to near extinction, but few giant elephants with exceptional strength were ever born.

”This is a Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant,” Li Qing observed, immediately recognizing the colossal creature. ”But its strength seems lacking—only early third-tier.”

The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant possessed a formidable bloodline. While it couldn’t compare to the ancient demon beast bloodlines, if allowed to mature, it had a chance to break through to the fourth-tier transformation stage!

The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant held a position similar to the golden horned wild bull within the Wild Bull Tribe—a pinnacle of their kind!

”However, the elephant clan naturally struggles to reproduce. Reviving their race with just one giant elephant of exceptional bloodline might not be enough!”

Hidden in the shadows, Li Qing quietly observed the scene.

Soon, the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant began approaching the area, its target seemingly the massive burial mound.

Seeing this, Li Qing narrowed his eyes, stroked his chin, and speculated inwardly:

”No wonder this burial mound is so colossal, far surpassing any other tomb mansion. It seems a fourth-tier demon elephant was buried here long ago!”

True to his suspicions, the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant’s destination was indeed the burial mound.

Li Qing patiently waited for the elephant to use its beast ancestor token to unlock the inheritance. He would allow the elephant to claim the inheritance, but if more beast ancestor tokens appeared within, Li Qing would seize them.

Confident in his concealment skills, Li Qing believed he could follow the giant elephant into the tomb mansion without being detected.

To be fair, the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant’s pace was painfully slow. Li Qing waited for what felt like an eternity before the colossal beast finally approached the tomb mansion.

Hurry up and use the beast ancestor token to open this place, Li Qing urged silently, his patience wearing thin. I won’t try to steal it from you. You can take the inheritance here with the token.

But the next moment, the giant elephant did something that utterly astonished Li Qing.

Boom!

The elephant suddenly charged headfirst into the tomb mound, its massive body crashing forward with unstoppable force.

Its tusks pierced the air, aiming to pierce the mound, but a crimson restriction shimmered into existence before the tomb. A layer of spiritual light erupted from the barrier, halting the giant elephant’s charge in its tracks.

Li Qing stared in disbelief, scratching his head in the shadows.

What’s wrong with this Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant? he wondered. Does it not have the beast ancestor token? Is it trying to brute-force its way through the tomb mansion’s restriction with its fleshly body alone?

Li Qing could only say that this was absolutely impossible!

Within the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, even the restrictions guarding the outer tomb mansion’s inheritance were incredibly formidable.

Unless a transformed demon king or a nascent soul realm cultivator personally intervened, it would be impossible to breach them through brute force alone.

Even though the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant possessed terrifying strength, against the tomb mansion’s powerful restrictions, its efforts were akin to an ant trying to shake a tree.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Yet the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant refused to give up. Though its massive charges were repeatedly blocked, it persisted relentlessly.

Deafening roars echoed across the sky, and the earth trembled violently with each impact.

Woong!

After a long while, the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant let out a mournful cry. Hideous wounds now marred its body, and scalding blood gushed forth like a spring, staining the ground crimson.

The elephant’s tusks were visibly cracked, and its head had been reduced to a bloody pulp from the relentless battering.

Li Qing watched this scene in silence.

Li Qing couldn’t understand why the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant was so stubbornly persistent, even to the point of battering itself into a bloody mess.

Ah, it seems the elephant clan in the demon realm has truly fallen into decline, driving this creature to such desperate lengths for the tomb mansion’s inheritance.

It makes sense. While the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant possesses unparalleled strength among its peers, its speed and agility are woefully lacking—worse even than some second-tier or first-tier demon races.

No wonder it couldn’t even seize a beast ancestor token. It’s forced to rely on this foolish, Sisyphean method to unlock the inheritance.

Having pieced together the truth, Li Qing couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

His fleshly body had grown immensely stronger, surpassing even many late third-tier demon races.

Yet, in terms of raw physical power alone, Li Qing might still be no match for this early third-tier Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant.

Its mountain-like bulk contained terrifying strength, allowing it to dominate most third-tier demon races.

Of course, this didn’t mean Li Qing was helpless against the elephant. The creature’s crippling weakness in speed and agility would prove fatal in a life-or-death battle.

After all, even the greatest strength is useless if you can’t land a blow.

”Moo-mah!” The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant continued its mournful cries, relentlessly battering the restriction with its massive head.

Finally, Li Qing couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

”Ah, fellow Daoist of the elephant clan,” he sighed, stepping forward. ”I’ll help you unlock this inheritance.”

”But I have one condition: if a beast ancestor token is found within the tomb mansion, it belongs to me. You can take the inheritance.”

Li Qing deactivated his aura concealment technique and communicated with the elephant through divine sense transmission.

As he revealed himself, the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant, its head bloodied and battered, slowly raised its head and glanced at Li Qing approaching from the side.

”Moo-mah~”

Being only a third-tier early-stage demon beast, it lacked the capacity for normal communication. Its spiritual intelligence could only comprehend Li Qing’s divine sense transmission.

”If you agree, raise your trunk. If you disagree, lower it,” Li Qing transmitted.

The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant had no reason to refuse. A hint of human-like gratitude flickered in its dark eyes.

”Moo-moo-mah!”

It trumpeted its thanks, raising its trunk high into the air.

Seeing this, Li Qing retrieved two jade-like bone tokens from his storage pouch—the beast ancestor tokens!

”Ah, the elephant clan was utterly devastated by the demon realm’s invasion. They must have paid a tremendous price to ensure peace in the lower realm.”

”A race with such great merit deserves better treatment. They should have had a more fitting fate.”

Li Qing sighed, his thoughts drifting to many things, including the heroic sacrifice of Ancestor Devourer of Heaven for their sect.

With that, Li Qing flicked the two white jade beast ancestor tokens from his hand without hesitation.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The moment the tokens touched the blood-red restriction surrounding the tomb mansion, they were instantly devoured by an invisible force.

Soon, the crimson barrier rapidly dissolved and crumbled.

Hum!

The massive tomb mansion finally opened!

”Let’s hope there are at least two more beast ancestor tokens inside. Otherwise, who’d want to be the good guy anymore?”

As he spoke, Li Qing leaped into the air.

”Moo-mah~” The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant, deeply grateful, extended its trunk toward Li Qing, as if inviting him to climb aboard.

Li Qing didn’t hesitate. He chuckled softly and hopped onto the elephant’s trunk.

The Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant gently placed Li Qing on its head with its trunk, then strode into the massive tomb mansion.

As Li Qing eagerly anticipated the rewards for his beast ancestor tokens, a gentle voice suddenly echoed from within the tomb mansion:

”Young human friend, on behalf of the entire elephant clan, I thank you for your assistance.”

Li Qing froze in place, stunned.

A living being still exists within the tomb mansion?!

The thought sent a chill down his spine, his entire body stiffening.

Logically, the masters of all tomb mansion inheritances in the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm should have long since passed away. After so many millennia, even cultivators at the divine transformation stage would have faded into mist.

”Heh, no need for such surprise. I am merely a wisp of lingering will from the ancient era.”

”Since the end of the ancient war against the demonic race, I have been buried here. Yet, since then, not a single elephant demon capable of opening even this outer tomb has appeared. Thus, my will has persisted until this day.”

Hearing this, Li Qing finally understood the nature of the entity’s existence.

”I see. Senior, your sacrifice in the ancient war against the demonic race fills me with profound admiration!”

”If not for beings like you, the lower realm would likely have long since been reduced to demonic soil.”

”I merely offered two beast ancestor tokens. It was nothing of consequence.”

Li Qing clasped his hands respectfully, his voice filled with reverence.

”Heh, I saw everything that happened outside just now. If it weren’t for you, my clan’s descendants might never have been able to activate the tomb’s inheritance.”

”However, the tomb’s inheritance isn’t suitable for your cultivation. I do have three beast ancestor tokens left. Take them as a reward for your efforts.”

In the next moment, three white jade tokens shot out from within the tomb mansion.

Li Qing’s face lit up with surprise.

He swiftly caught the tokens, composed himself, and bowed respectfully toward the tomb’s interior.

”Thank you for your generosity, Senior! These beast ancestor tokens are exactly what I need! This junior will humbly accept your gift!”

Li Qing didn’t feign modesty by refusing; he accepted the tokens openly and gratefully.

”There’s no need for such gratitude. With my clan’s descendants’ current strength, ascending Beast King Mountain would still be a stretch. Giving them to you is the best outcome.”

”Speaking of which, your fleshly body is quite impressive. Have the humans of the demon realm grown this strong?”

At these words, Li Qing froze in place once more.

(End of the Chapter)