Immortal Refiner

The Liu Clan’s Scripture Repository housed their most treasured secret classic, the Emeraldwood Divine Art. This wood attribute cultivation manual, capable of reaching the late Foundation Establishment stage, served as the very foundation of the Liu Clan’s power.

In addition to the Emeraldwood Divine Art, the repository also contained several complementary divine abilities of immense power. Naturally, such a high-level secret classic would never be made accessible to outsiders like Li Qing.

As Li Qing approached the towering pagoda-like structure, he noticed the exceptionally tight security. Liu Clan cultivators stood guard throughout the area. The moment he drew near, a stern voice challenged him:

”Who goes there?”

A figure clad in spirit gold armor strode forward, his powerful aura clearly marking him as a key member of the Liu Clan’s core strength.

Seeing this, Li Qing quickly presented his token. After verifying its authenticity, the guard granted him entry.

”Alright, this token grants you one day in the Scripture Repository. You can’t access the third floor, but you may copy a single cultivation manual or inheritance.”

Hearing this, Li Qing clasped his hands in gratitude. ”Thank you, Senior Brother!”

With that, he strode toward the imposing and mysterious Scripture Repository.

The surrounding formations and Restrictions posed no obstacle to his progress. As he approached, his token emitted a faint protective spiritual light, allowing him to navigate the enchanted barriers unhindered.

The Liu Clan was a powerful cultivation clan, naturally possessing a rich heritage of cultivation techniques. Their mastery of formations was particularly renowned, and their territory was dotted with intricate arrays and defensive enchantments.

Upon entering the first floor of the Scripture Repository, Li Qing was surprised. Contrary to his expectations, the vast hall contained only three or four bookshelves stocked with ancient tomes.

”So they don’t use jade slips after all,” he muttered. ”That was predictable, but the number of scrolls is smaller than I’d imagined.”

Li Qing casually began flipping through the ancient volumes on the sturdy wooden shelves.

[ Secrets of the Cultivation World ], [ Manual of Demonic Beasts ], [ Tales of the Azure Ridge Cultivation World ], [

Compendium of Spirit Medicines ], [ Record of Spirit Materials ].Most of these were introductory texts covering basic knowledge. Li Qing immediately grabbed the [ Record of Spirit Materials ] and began devouring it with desperate eagerness.

Before coming here, Li Qing had already gathered some information about the Scripture Repository.

The Liu Clan’s Scripture Repository was divided into three levels. The first level housed these foundational texts.

The second level contained basic cultivation manuals, secret techniques suitable for the Qi Refining Realm, and superficial inheritances of cultivation techniques.

The third level held the Liu Clan’s most treasured inheritance, including their Clan Secret Classics. This level was generally off-limits to outsiders like Li Qing.

Of course, aside from the trivial books on the first level, most of the cultivation manuals and inheritances on the second and third levels only provided introductory snippets. The Liu Clan wouldn’t be foolish enough to expose the core secrets of their family’s legacy so openly.

Thus, despite having a full day and night to spend in the repository, Li Qing realized he could only realistically divide his time into two parts.

Li Qing faced a choice: either select the cultivation manuals he wanted to copy or stay on the first floor and browse the popular books.

He immediately grabbed the [ Record of Spirit Materials ], a compilation detailing the spiritual materials used in artifact refinement throughout the cultivation world.

He devoured the text, ravenously filling the gaps in his knowledge. As an artifact refiner, he knew far too few types of spiritual materials. Without this knowledge, he risked failing to recognize valuable resources even when they were right in front of him. After all, the Artifact Refining Inheritance Jade Slip he had acquired contained no descriptions of these materials.

”Azure-Patterned Steel—a basic artifact refinement material with high compatibility, capable of accommodating various spirit patterns.”

”Huh?!” Li Qing exclaimed, spotting a material he already possessed.

”So, my Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron is called Snow Silver Iron in the cultivation world. No wonder it feels so cold and has such incredible rigidity!”

”And Fire Cloud Stone! I used this when refining the Twin Blades of Lingering Embers. This ore is commonly found in regions with Earthfire Veins.”

”Great Luo Silver Essence, a material so rare it’s only found once every thousand years, is an unparalleled spiritual material for refining magical artifacts.”

”Azurite Malachite...”

”...”

Li Qing’s memory had always been exceptional, and since becoming a cultivator, it had improved dramatically, allowing him to effortlessly remember everything he read.

He swiftly flipped through the pages of the Record of Spirit Materials, deeply imprinting the illustrations and descriptions of each artifact refinement material into his mind.

In less than half an hour, Li Qing slowly closed the book, the final annotation he had read surfacing in his thoughts:

”The cultivation world is vast and boundless. Even cultivators in the Nascent Soul Realm dare not claim to have traversed its entirety or recognized every spiritual material within. This old one considers himself well-traveled and learned, yet the more I discover, the more insignificant I feel, and the deeper my reverence for this world grows.”

After a long silence, Li Qing let out a deep breath and gently returned the Record of Spirit Materials to its place.

”It’s time to explore the second floor. I’ll first select the inheritances I want to transcribe and then come back to continue reading.”

With that, Li Qing strode toward the second floor of the Scripture Repository.

Here, books had been replaced by rows of exquisitely crafted jade slips, each radiating a soft glow from the shelves.

Li Qing casually picked up a jade slip and channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into it. The contents swiftly materialized in his mind.

”Wood Shadow Escape: A technique that utilizes trees for evasion. Upon mastering this art, one can teleport to any tree within a five-mile radius.”

”To cultivate Wood Shadow Escape, one must practice a wood attribute cultivation manual.”

A useful escape technique, but unfortunately, it requires a wood attribute cultivation manual. Otherwise, it would have been a viable option.

With a hint of regret, Li Qing returned the jade slip containing Wood Shadow Escape to its place and continued browsing the other secret technique inheritances.

”Fire Dragon Art: A spell that channels fire attribute spiritual energy...”

This was a combat-oriented spell that also required a fire attribute cultivation manual. After careful consideration, Li Qing temporarily set it aside as a potential candidate for transcription.

He continued channeling mana into each jade slip on the shelf, meticulously scrutinizing their contents.

It became clear that all the jade slips on this shelf contained spells designed to supplement combat. By the time he reached the end, Li Qing’s initial enthusiasm had waned.

The second shelf, holding significantly fewer jade slips, immediately caught his eye. The contents within, however, instantly rekindled his interest.

The jade slips contained inheritances of cultivation techniques!

However, after a thorough examination, Li Qing felt a twinge of disappointment. The inheritances were superficial, mostly introductory material on various cultivation techniques.

Only the inheritance on formations was relatively complete, reaching the mid-grade of the first rank.

Unfortunately, Li Qing had little interest in the Dao of Formations. This path required exceptional innate talent and consumed vast resources. He already felt that mastering the Artifact Refinement Technique through sheer determination was enough for now, and he had no intention of supplementing his studies with other disciplines.

After a cursory glance at the sections on artifact refinement, Li Qing quickly shook his head and returned the jade slip to its place.

”All beginner-level stuff. No wonder the Liu Clan left it here. The more advanced inheritances are likely stored on the third floor.”

With that, Li Qing moved on to the next shelf of jade slips.

This shelf contained basic cultivation manuals, suitable only for the Qi Refining Realm, making them of little use to him.

Only one shelf remained. If he didn’t find anything of interest, Li Qing planned to exchange for a fire attribute offensive spell and leave.

”Hmm?”

The first jade slip immediately piqued his interest.

”Vital Essence Enhancement Secret Art (Incomplete): When cultivated with the aid of spirit herbs, this secret technique can significantly enhance the density and purity of a Qi Refining Realm cultivator’s mana!”

”A secret technique!” Li Qing exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

This secret technique would allow him to significantly enhance the density and purity of his mana during the Qi Refining Realm, far beyond its natural potential.

This is a treasure! Li Qing swallowed hard, already tempted.

Mana was the very foundation of a cultivator’s power. Denser, purer mana meant the ability to cast more spells and activate Magic Artifacts more frequently.

Forcing himself to suppress his excitement, Li Qing continued examining the jade slips.

The other jade slips also contained secret techniques, but compared to the Vital Essence Enhancement Secret Art, they seemed rather underwhelming.

However, when Li Qing reached the final jade slip, he was immediately paralyzed by indecision!

”Precious Wood Body Refinement Manual: A body refinement secret technique that draws upon the vital essence of spirit wood from heaven and earth to temper one’s physical form!”

”So, a path to body refinement!”

Damn it! I want both, but I have to choose!

Li Qing’s heart pounded in his chest.

(End of the Chapter)

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