Immortal Refiner

The Demon Realm Saint Ancestor had stormed through two forbidden lands in the Great Wilderness Domain, nearly overturning even Moonlit Ridge in the process.

This rumor spread like wildfire, sweeping across the entire cultivation world of the Great Wilderness Domain.

Countless cultivators were shocked, and some grew increasingly anxious, fearing they might one day cross paths with this Demon Realm Saint Ancestor, whose power was said to be boundless.

”I happened to be within a thousand miles of Moonlit Ridge at the time. The battle’s intensity was as if the entire earth were about to be torn apart!”

”The sun and moon dimmed, the stars shifted—it was undoubtedly a battle at the Divine Transformation stage!”

”Actually, I was searching for an opportunity in the Far North Ice Plains that day and witnessed the Palace Master of the Ice Extremity Palace clashing with the Demon Realm Saint Ancestor!”

”Hiss... This Demon Realm Saint Ancestor’s dao body is growing increasingly brazen! He used to conceal his movements, but now he openly storms through two forbidden lands!”

”...”

Information about the Formless Saint Ancestor’s dao body spread like wildfire across the Great Wilderness Domain.

Li Qing, already far from the mainland, was leisurely flying across the sea territory, completely unaware of these developments.

Of course, if he had known, he would have felt even more relieved, grateful to have left the Azure Ridge Domain and avoided the Formless Saint Ancestor’s attention.

The sea breeze rustled as the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings behind Li Qing gently vibrated. With each subtle flutter, his figure shot forward an immense distance.

He made no effort to conceal his aura, allowing it to flow naturally as he flew.

Sensing this overwhelming presence, every sea beast in the territory trembled and fled, not daring to even glance in his direction.

During Li Qing’s leisurely flight, his keen spiritual perception suddenly detected a fleeting pulse of exceptionally pure metal-attribute spiritual energy.

”Hmm?”

Li Qing halted, narrowed his eyes, and murmured in surprise.

”Such a refined spiritual energy pulse, gone in an instant... Could it be a powerful cultivator specializing in the Metal dao?”

After careful consideration, confirming that his perception hadn’t been mistaken, Li Qing decided to investigate.

”I don’t sense any particularly strong spiritual pressure. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look.”

The date of his agreement with Wan Shengtian was still far off. With the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, Li Qing could easily traverse this vast sea territory and arrive at his destination on time.

As he flew, Li Qing extended his divine sense, revealing a solitary island ahead.

The island appeared desolate, devoid of any vegetation, its surface completely barren.

As he surveyed the scene, the entire island was covered in jagged, bizarre rocks. These angular, metallic-sheened formations not only made the terrain treacherous but also radiated a faint metallic luster.

From a distance, Li Qing extended his divine sense—comparable to that of a Divine Transformation stage cultivator—to investigate the unique island and uncover any hidden peculiarities.

In that instant, a pained, furious roar erupted from the island’s depths.

”ROAR!”

Immediately afterward, a violent surge of metal-attribute spiritual energy erupted, far more intense than the earlier disturbance.

Before this energy could persist, the island’s great earth suddenly trembled. Several figures emerged, each employing their own methods to suppress a figure bound by spirit gold chains on the island’s surface.

”Damn it! Even this Golden Vessel won’t work? It’s a late-stage core formation realm container!”

”We haven’t failed yet! Suppress the Golden Vessel here and prevent its escape!”

”Cultivators specializing in the Metal dao are hard to find, especially those at or above the core formation realm!”

”This is terrifying! It hasn’t even fully absorbed the Golden Spirit Pearl, yet it’s already straining the combined efforts of four of us!”

”...”

From afar, Li Qing observed everything through his divine sense, naturally overhearing their conversation. His sharp senses immediately picked up the words ”Golden Spirit Pearl.”

What?! There’s a Five Elements Spirit Pearl here?!

He was no stranger to these treasures. In fact, he possessed a complete Fire Spirit Pearl himself. However, this pearl had been tainted by the Formless Saint Ancestor’s dao body, its spirituality severely diminished, rendering it almost useless.

This Fire Spirit Pearl, its primordial origin heavily damaged, remained hidden at the bottom of his storage bag.

If not for this scene unfolding before him, Li Qing might have forgotten he even owned a Fire Spirit Pearl.

What shocked Li Qing even more was realizing that the Golden Vessel being suppressed by the four cultivators was someone he knew!

”It’s him,” Li Qing murmured to himself, repeatedly using his divine sense to confirm his identification. ”After all these years, I never expected to encounter him here.”

Though the man’s physique and demeanor had changed drastically, Li Qing recognized him through his distinctive eyebrows, eyes, and facial features—the same person he had met long ago!

At that moment, at the heart of the isolated island, the Golden Vessel—pierced through by numerous spirit gold chains—suddenly went berserk. His eyes blazed crimson, as if enduring unbearable agony.

”Roar! Roar! Roar!”

Successive roars reverberated outward, and the spirit gold chains binding him snapped one after another!

Clang! Clang!

”Damn it! He’s broken free!”

”How is this possible? The Golden Vessel clearly failed to fully integrate the Golden Spirit Pearl. How can he still wield even a fraction of its power?”

”I told you this man had a natural affinity for the Golden Spirit Pearl. He may not match that female cultivator who was born fused with the Water Spirit Pearl, but his compatibility far surpasses that of ordinary cultivators who specialize in the Metal dao.”

The group showed no fear or panic at the Golden Vessel’s escape from the spirit gold chains. Instead, they wore expressions of surprise and delight.

The crimson-eyed Golden Vessel shot skyward, charging toward one of the figures in the air as if completely devoid of reason.

But the cultivator calmly produced a golden bell. He refined it with mana, then gently shook it.

A series of strangely melodic chimes rang out:

Ding-ding-ding~!

As the chimes echoed, the Golden Vessel, which had just soared into the sky, suddenly plummeted back to earth.

Thud!

Its massive body crashed onto the hard ground, shaking the entire area and sending up a thick cloud of dust.

”Roar!”

The Golden Vessel clutched its head, howling in agony as it writhed and rolled on the ground, as if enduring unimaginable torment.

Just then, a calm voice drifted from beyond the island:

”Fellow daoists, this Golden Vessel you speak of seems to be an old friend of mine. He appears to be in great pain. Would you consider showing him mercy?”

At these words, the four cultivators on the island turned sharply toward the source of the voice.

A tall, imposing figure descended from the sky, his movements effortless and graceful, as if he didn’t even acknowledge the four cultivators below.

What truly shocked them was that among their group were two late-stage core formation cultivators and two early Nascent Soul Realm cultivators—powerhouses rarely seen in this realm—yet they couldn’t discern the newcomer’s cultivation level.

The leader, a middle-aged Daoist Nun with a stern demeanor, held a golden bell. She immediately spoke up:

”Fellow Daoist, the Spirit Pearl Divine Sect is conducting business here. Please refrain from interfering,” she warned.

Though she couldn’t gauge Li Qing’s cultivation, she hesitated to attack rashly, sensing a formidable presence.

Li Qing, however, had no such reservations. Two early Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and two late-stage core formation cultivators might intimidate many cultivation sects, but he was clearly not among them.

His expression turned frosty, his voice tinged with hostility: ”I’ve already said, the Golden Vessel you speak of is an old friend of mine. As for this Spirit Pearl Divine Sect you mentioned, This Li has never heard of it.”

The middle-aged Daoist Nun’s eyebrows shot up, her eyes flashing with murderous intent. ”Careless words can easily invite fatal consequences. Though the Spirit Pearl Divine Sect has long remained hidden from the world, acting with restraint, we are not to be underestimated by anyone.”

”Heh, you misunderstand,” Li Qing said, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness. ”I merely wish to take this person with me. I have no intention of belittling your Spirit Pearl Divine Sect. If you insist on interpreting it that way, I can’t stop you.”

The Daoist Nun’s expression darkened instantly. She knew that a peaceful resolution was no longer possible.

The Golden Vessel had just demonstrated a remarkable affinity with the Golden Spirit Pearl, making it impossible to simply let him go.

”Very well! Since you insist on taking the Golden Vessel, then let him go with you!”

With that, the Daoist Nun violently shook the golden bell in her hand, unleashing a series of crisp, urgent chimes.

Cling! Cling! Cling!

Below, the Golden Vessel, who had been writhing on the ground with his hands clasped over his head, abruptly lifted his head, his eyes burning with savage ferocity as he glared at Li Qing.

In the next instant, the Golden Vessel surged skyward, charging toward Li Qing with overwhelming momentum.

Seeing this, Li Qing sighed softly and murmured,

”Brother Nine Heavens, what’s wrong? Don’t you recognize this Li?”

Indeed, the Golden Vessel below was none other than Nine Heavens, a fellow daoist Li Qing had befriended at the Heavenly River Market.

Later, Nine Heavens joined the Heavenly River Sect through the ascension conference, achieved foundation establishment, and became a foundation establishment elder.

Though their paths had diverged since then, Li Qing still felt compelled to help him, given their past acquaintance.

Boom!

The Golden Vessel paid no heed to Li Qing’s words. He had completely lost consciousness, not a shred of reason remaining in his mind.

Watching Nine Heavens’ frenzied state, Li Qing realized he had been utterly controlled by the golden bell, reduced to a mindless puppet obeying another’s commands.

Faced with this, Li Qing could no longer hold back.

Boom!

With a single push of his hand, Li Qing unleashed a torrent of mana, followed by a massive surge of Netherworld Cold Fire erupting from his palm.

The cold fire coalesced into a colossal white hand that seized the deranged Nine Heavens, immobilizing him completely.

With Li Qing’s move, the two early Nascent Soul Realm cultivators present felt an immense pressure.

They sensed a formidable spiritual pressure emanating from Li Qing—a pressure far exceeding their own!

”Late-stage Nascent Soul Realm!”

The middle-aged Daoist Nun spat out the words, her face ashen. Watching Li Qing subdue the Golden Vessel with a single, effortless strike, she felt a wave of despair wash over her.

The Golden Vessel required the combined efforts of all four of them to suppress. Li Qing’s casual subjugation of it revealed the terrifying extent of his power.

Li Qing temporarily ignored Nine Heavens’ condition and turned his gaze toward the four cultivators from the so-called Spirit Pearl Divine Sect. His voice was cold as he demanded:

”I want to know how to restore my old friend’s sanity. His mind must be under your control, isn’t it?”

The middle-aged Daoist Nun’s eyes flickered. ”We can release him to you,” she said. ”I can even help you break the mental control. But you must return him to us for a while afterward.”

Hearing this, Li Qing grinned. ”For the Golden Spirit Pearl within him?”

”I’m terribly sorry, but I’m also quite interested in that Golden Spirit Pearl. Fellow Daoists, would you consider parting with it?”

Hearing Li Qing’s words, the middle-aged Daoist Nun realized he had overheard their entire conversation. The secret of the Golden Spirit Pearl had been exposed to him.

Her expression darkened, and she threatened, ”Dream on! The Golden Spirit Pearl is a Holy Artifact of our Spirit Pearl Divine Sect. If you take it, you’ll face a catastrophic disaster!”

Li Qing had no intention of continuing polite negotiations after this threat.

He was generally mild-tempered, treating both people and matters with gentleness. Yet even he had his limits. Faced with repeated threats from cultivators weaker than himself, a nameless anger flared within him.

”Fine then. I’ll just slaughter you all and examine your Seas of Consciousness to learn everything. Why waste time with words?”

As he spoke, Li Qing’s gaze suddenly turned icy.

Boom!

A three-colored fire dragon erupted from Li Qing’s body, charging straight toward the four Spirit Pearl Divine Sect cultivators.

”Heavenly spirit fire?! Run!”

The middle-aged Daoist Nun immediately recognized the technique Li Qing was using and sensed a profound threat emanating from it.

But it was too late. The two core formation realm cultivators had no chance to resist; they were instantly incinerated into ashes by the three streams of heavenly spirit fire.

As for the remaining two nascent soul realm cultivators, they were quickly ensnared by the tri-colored fire dragon, unable to break free.

”Die!”

Li Qing casually hurled the West Mausoleum Tower. This ordinary magic treasure, now wielded by Li Qing, seemed to possess terrifying power, instantly crushing the other early Nascent Soul Realm cultivator to death.

The final opponent, the middle-aged Daoist Nun, was pale as paper, her eyes wide with fear.

”Don’t kill me! I’m the Vice Envoy of the Spirit Pearl Divine Sect. If you kill me, the Holy Envoy will never forgive you!”

Her plea for mercy grated on Li Qing’s ears.

”Very well,” Li Qing replied coldly. ”Let your so-called Holy Envoy of the Spirit Pearl Divine Sect come seeking revenge. I’ll be waiting!”

With a flick of his finger, the Daoist Nun’s head exploded like a watermelon.

Bang!

(End of the Chapter)

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