Immortal Refiner

Raging flames surged forth, wave after wave of scorching heat slamming into the assembled experts and forcing them to halt their advance at the desert’s edge.

The cataclysmic upheaval in the Fire Domain had already drawn numerous powerful figures from various races, all eager to uncover the cause of this unprecedented disturbance in the mythic realm.

”Could a rare treasure be emerging?”

”The Fire Domain has existed since ancient times, its origins shrouded in mystery. Yet now, such a dramatic transformation is occurring.”

”When I was young, I vaguely recall a similar anomaly in the Fire Domain, but it was so long ago that the memory has nearly faded.”

The speaker was Old Gu Dong, an ancient elder of the Giant Spirit Race in the body integration realm. As he gazed at the fiery spectacle ahead, distant memories stirred within him.

The Giant Spirit Race wasn’t the only faction present. The Flying Spirit Clan and Tree Demon Clan had also dispatched their own experts.

However, the Fire Domain’s environment was inherently unfavorable for the Tree Demon Clan’s combat style, so the Flying Spirit Clan’s forces dominated the gathering.

The two factions staked out opposing territories, their postures hinting at a premature clash of their long-standing rivalry.

Regardless of their allegiances, all present were undeniably eager to investigate the strange phenomena now unfolding within the Fire Domain.

Unfortunately, the entire desert surrounding the Fire Domain had transformed into a sea of fire, deterring anyone from approaching. The flames burned with extraordinary intensity, capable of igniting even their mana and divine souls.

Such terrifying flames had previously been confined to the deepest reaches of the Fire Domain, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.

Boom!

The sea of fire in the desert showed no signs of weakening with time; instead, it grew more ferocious, its flames subtly expanding outward.

The assembled powerhouses from various races retreated hastily, unwilling to risk being engulfed. Yet they remained on the periphery, their eyes fixed on the Fire Domain, eager to discover if a rare treasure had truly appeared within.

While the outside world buzzed with speculation, Li Qing, the catalyst for this chaos, remained calmly seated at the center of the magical formation formed by Lihuo Profound Jade.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Li Qing gradually emerged from his state of sudden enlightenment.

He opened his eyes, a crimson glint flashing deep within their depths.

”The Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch’s mastery of fire daoist arts has reached a transcendent realm, truly awe-inspiring.”

Li Qing’s sudden enlightenment had yielded immense gains. By studying the dao patterns radiating from the Lihuo Profound Jade, he had grasped the subsequent stages of the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch’s daoist arts.

This involved the profound mysteries of the flame law, a realm where anything could be ignited and utterly consumed by fire.

”I used to pride myself on being an ancestor of fire manipulation, but compared to the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch, I’m still far behind.”

”Still, this harvest has been substantial. The subsequent chapters of the Crimson Blaze Heaven-Burning Art have been completed, so I no longer need to worry about my future path.”

”The only concern is that the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch’s influence on my cultivation path has been too great. I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse.”

Li Qing sighed softly. For now, there was no alternative but to continue down the path the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch had forged.

Beyond completing the cultivation technique, Li Qing had also gained insights into the subtle applications of fire. While these didn’t yet reach the level of a law, they significantly refined his divine abilities and cultivation techniques.

Standing up once more, Li Qing could now directly gaze into the depths of the Fire Domain at the incomplete flame rune that continuously rose and fell.

Through his sudden enlightenment, he had also grasped much about the dao patterns within the Lihuo Profound Jade, allowing him to manipulate them to form a rudimentary protective barrier around his body.

”A fragment of the flame law... This item’s true value is truly earth-shattering.”

”It’s a pity this object is far beyond my current level. I simply can’t take it with me.”

For a cultivator specializing in the dao of fire, comprehending this fragment would be invaluable, deepening their understanding of the flame law beyond measure. It would truly be worth more than a thousand pieces of gold.

However, such considerations were only relevant for peak-stage Great Ascension Realm experts. Li Qing was still quite a distance from even reaching the Void Refinement Realm. Contemplating such matters at this stage was truly reaching for the stars.

”I can’t utilize this flame law fragment for now. Weapon refinement in this layer is too dangerous. I’ll have to save it for the future.”

With that thought, Li Qing activated the dao patterns etched into the Lihuo Profound Jade, preparing to use them to escape the deepest reaches of the Fire Domain.

He never felt safe here. If the dao patterns were to fail, it would spell utter disaster. The flame law fragment could obliterate him in an instant.

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the air.

”Hold there, little friend. Would you be willing to make a trade with me?”

The voice froze Li Qing in his tracks. He turned his head in disbelief, searching for the source of the voice.

Just beside him, outside the magical formation constructed from Lihuo Profound Jade, stood a majestic middle-aged man with his hands clasped behind his back.

His face was stern and square-jawed, framed by thick, angular eyebrows. His entire presence radiated an aura of dignified authority, even the wrinkles on his face seemed carved with resolute determination.

When Li Qing realized this man was standing right behind him, his heart began to race.

How is this possible? The man was right before his eyes, yet Li Qing couldn’t sense his presence at all. When his divine sense swept over him, it was as if he were passing through empty air!

Li Qing’s divine soul had already reached the void refinement realm. Even old monsters in the body integration realm couldn’t completely evade his perception.

No, this couldn’t be an old monster from the body integration realm. Such beings couldn’t possibly venture this deep into the Fire Domain.

The burning rune here could incinerate anything. A cultivator at the body integration realm would likely be consumed by the flame law in an instant.

There was only one explanation: this dignified middle-aged man was a supreme existence at the peak of the great ascension realm!

Gulp!

Li Qing swallowed hard, his mind completely blank.

Faced with such an unimaginably terrifying being, Li Qing didn’t know what to say.

With a single thought, this entity could obliterate him a thousand times over, leaving him no room for resistance or retaliation.

”Heh, little friend of the human race, no need to be nervous. I am Gu Tongtian, clan leader of the Giant Spirit Race. What stands before you now is merely a divine sense projection of myself.”