Immortal Refiner

What kind of power is this? he wondered. It completely surpasses the limits of vital energy martial dao. I’ve never seen such an absurd existence in all my years.

Even Saint Chen might not be his match. Where did this person come from?!

Despite his thoughts, he charged at Li Qing. As a vital energy martial artist who knew only relentless advance, the idea of cowardice or retreat never crossed his mind.

Unfortunately, the result was the same as before.

Li Qing merely stirred his internal qi and blood, casually unleashing a palm strike that sent the man flying.

”Not bad,” Li Qing remarked approvingly. ”Even ordinary mid nascent soul realm cultivators might struggle against them. They truly deserve the title ’Martial Dao Sage.’”

Though he had defeated each opponent with a single strike, each blow carried the full force of a peak-stage transformation realm demon beast.

It was with this level of body refinement cultivation that Li Qing had once single-handedly carried the Heavenly Wonder Immortal Mansion from the Great Wilderness Domain to the Azure Ridge Domain.

It was only natural that these three were no match for him.

In an instant, the entire royal city fell into a deathly silence. The three Martial Dao Sages, who had reached the pinnacle of vital energy martial dao, had been defeated so swiftly and effortlessly.

Finally, Li Qing turned his gaze toward the Imperial Palace. He was most eager to confront the hidden qi mechanism within—a presence whose qi and blood rivaled even those of divine transformation realm demon beasts.

With the three Martial Dao Sages defeated outside, it was now this person’s turn to act.

Having guarded the Imperial Palace for centuries, this figure was considered the patriarch of vital energy martial dao. Over the years, their strength had reached its peak, shattering every shackle illuminated by the divine fire and breaking free from every limitation of the physical body.

From the depths of the Imperial Palace, a hunched figure slowly emerged.

It was an elderly man, thin and frail, with snow-white hair. His qi and blood remained concealed within his body, making him appear nothing like a Martial Dao Sage at the pinnacle of his art.

The old man walked toward Li Qing, his eyes deep and unfathomable, like twin abysses.

When he finally saw Li Qing’s face clearly, he froze. The face felt strangely familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.

A portrait flashed through his mind—a portrait every vital energy martial artist joining the Martial Alliance was required to study.

”This old man is Chen Chaosheng. I greet you, Great Protector!”

Yes, this elder was none other than Chen Chaosheng, the pioneer of the vital energy martial dao.

The Divine Fire Realm and sage realm, achieved after Qi-Blood Embracing the Core, were new paths he had forged. Naturally, he himself had walked this road to its end.

Hearing this respectful greeting, Li Qing paused slightly, then asked with a half-smile, ”You recognize me?”

Chen Chaosheng nodded. ”I served as the Martial Alliance Leader for over two hundred years. Naturally, I’ve seen the Great Protector’s portrait.”

”I never imagined... after all these years, that the legendary Dao Guardian, who only existed in legends, would actually appear before my very eyes.”

In truth, the founder of the vital energy martial dao felt far more turmoil in his heart than his calm demeanor suggested.

After so many years, the legendary Dao Guardian was still alive, and his face remained exactly as it appeared in the portrait—unchanged.

At that moment, Chen Chaosheng recalled countless legends about the dao guardian: tales of immortality, heaven-reaching power—none of them could fully capture the reality he now witnessed.

”No need for surprise,” Li Qing said with a light laugh. ”I simply enjoy revisiting old haunts from time to time.”

Chen Chaosheng took a deep breath. His gaunt frame gradually filled with qi and blood, regaining its vibrant luster.

A burning battle intent surged in his aged eyes, and the long-dormant fire in his heart rekindled.

”Great Protector, please grant me your guidance!” Chen Chaosheng clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

Li Qing nodded in agreement. ”Let’s take this battle to the heavens. I’d rather not level half the royal city.”

With those words, Li Qing ascended skyward, his towering figure swiftly vanishing into the horizon.

Chen Chaosheng followed closely behind, each step carrying him higher into the heavens, determined to keep pace with Li Qing.

Rumble!

Before long, earth-shattering tremors reverberated through the night sky. The unleashed martial energy seemed capable of tearing space itself asunder.

The cataclysmic clash raged for a full two hours. The two pure martial artists fought with such ferocity that it seemed they would shatter the very heavens.

Finally, the sky calmed. A trickle of blood escaped the corner of Chen Chaosheng’s mouth as he slowly descended from the heavens.

Behind him, Li Qing stood with a smile, showing no signs of injury.

The outcome of the battle was self-evident.

”Impressive, Great Protector. You truly live up to your legendary reputation—your depths are unfathomable.”

”The divine fire ignited within my body has illuminated my entire being. Every shackle and restraint illuminated by its flames has been shattered, unlocking all the fleshly body divine abilities hidden within this vessel.”

”This road has reached its end. Now I feel lost, unsure where to go next.”

”Great Protector, please guide me through this maze!”

Like many pioneers of the vital energy martial dao, Chen Chaosheng sought guidance from Li Qing.

But Li Qing himself didn’t know where their path led. He sighed, ”This road you must walk yourselves. I have no idea where the future of the vital energy martial dao lies. How can I guide you through this maze?”

”To be honest, the reason I returned this time was to understand what it means to ignite the divine fire and what a Martial Dao Sage truly is.”

Chen Chaosheng wasn’t surprised by this answer. He sighed inwardly before saying, ”I see. The martial alliance has collected several martial dao techniques, all capable of igniting divine fire, illuminating oneself, and shattering one’s shackles.”

”Some were created by me, while others were crafted by other exceptionally talented saints. Great Protector, you are welcome to review them at your leisure.”

Li Qing nodded. This was precisely his purpose in coming here.

”I also wish to know if any of my contemporaries from my era are still alive.”

As he spoke, Chen Chaosheng seemed to remember something. He clapped his hands and said, ”The alliance has a letter that has been sealed for centuries.”

”This letter was left by Supreme Ancestor Lin Jing. After I became a Martial Dao Sage, she departed on a long journey.”

Hearing this, Li Qing’s eyes showed emotion. ”Where is the letter? Take me to see it!”

”Great Protector, please follow me!”

Chen Chaosheng took the lead, guiding Li Qing swiftly into the royal city. The martial alliance’s main headquarters here was magnificent and imposing, rivaling even the Imperial Palace in grandeur.

(End of the Chapter)

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