Immortal Refiner

Wild Cloud Peak, inside Li Qing’s cave abode.

Thump... thump!

The drum-like rhythm wasn’t the sound of an actual drum, but the thunderous beating of Li Qing’s heart!

After obtaining the Brahma King True Body, Li Qing immediately returned to his cave abode to meditate and attempt to cultivate this body refinement secret technique.

As his heartbeat grew increasingly heavy, Li Qing felt his entire body flush crimson.

His heart was like a massive pump, each contraction forcing torrents of blood through his veins with terrifying force.

Thanks to his Vital Energy, as vast and deep as an ocean, he could barely adapt to this initial cultivation attempt, even without the aid of life-force-rich spiritual objects.

To be honest, at this stage of body refinement, Li Qing’s blood itself had become incredibly valuable. A single bowl of it would be far more potent than any worldly tonic for a mortal.

It was precisely this fact that emboldened Li Qing to cultivate this body refinement secret technique without relying on life-force-rich spiritual objects.

Thump... thump!

With each reverberating heartbeat, Li Qing’s face gradually paled, the crimson flush fading away.

A massive amount of Vital Energy began to drain, his physical body growing stronger with each passing moment.

”Hiss!”

Unable to sustain the practice for long, Li Qing immediately ceased his cultivation, fearing excessive Vital Energy depletion that could damage his foundation.

”This body refinement technique is far too terrifying. It’s clearly not meant for humans.”

”To consume so much Vital Energy in such a short time... it’s truly terrifying.”

As he spoke, Li Qing even doubted whether ordinary Demon beasts would qualify to cultivate such a manual, believing it reserved for ancient variants alone.

”My theory seems correct. The Brahma King True Body is likely an inheritance technique passed down by certain demon beasts with extraordinary bloodlines.”

”Only such demon races would be qualified to cultivate this secret technique!”

He dared not continue practicing and resolved to gather spirit herbs rich in essence and vitality before resuming his cultivation.

”Still, though the consumption is staggering, the effects are remarkably significant.”

With that, Li Qing, still seated cross-legged, clenched his fist and casually threw two punches.

He felt his strength had increased significantly, and his physical body had also become noticeably more robust.

Considering his current physique was already comparable to a Second-Tier Demonic Beast, such rapid improvement in such a short time clearly demonstrated the power of this cultivation manual.

”I really wonder how that Lu Fan kid cultivated. As a rogue cultivator, he’s managed to reach a near Second-Tier physical level. His luck must be extraordinary.”

Li Qing shook his head, temporarily setting aside the Brahma King True Body.

His body refinement plan now had two main components. First, he would complete the Qi Blood Nine Revolutions. Currently at the sixth revolution, he still had considerable room for improvement.

Vital Energy was the foundation of human existence, flowing through the body’s organs, meridians, and nourishing the brain.

Once his Vital Energy became sufficiently abundant, body refinement would become far more efficient, yielding greater results with less effort and offering numerous benefits.

Beyond Vital Energy, there was the Brahma King True Body.

Originally not a secret technique designed for human cultivators, if he could truly master it, his physical body would undoubtedly reach an unprecedented level of power.

Even against some ancient variant demon beasts of comparable strength, he was confident he could prevail using only his physical prowess.

”My qi refining progress is slow. Until I find a heavenly spirit fire, focusing on body refinement to maximize my combat strength is an excellent strategy.”

Having temporarily concluded his cultivation session, Li Qing slowly rose to his feet, preparing to stroll over to the refining hall.

”It’s been quite some time. I wonder how the sect’s negotiations with the Shangqing Sect are progressing. I’ll subtly inquire with the other elders along the way.”

In truth, he wouldn’t need to be particularly subtle. As the external affairs elder of the refining hall, he could discern the situation simply by reviewing the artifact refinement missions issued by the sect.

If the sect intended to form an alliance with the Shangqing Sect and jointly wage war against the Heavenly River Sect, the demand for magic artifacts would undoubtedly surge.

After all, with so many low-level disciples to arm, the required numbers would be staggering.

As he leisurely made his way to the refining hall, he basked in the respectful gazes and greetings from the numerous disciples.

Before Li Qing could even begin asking around, a voice boomed from within the hall:

”Hahaha, Junior Brother Li, you’ve arrived at just the right time! The sect’s artifact refinement mission for this year has been issued, and a new batch of spiritual materials will be delivered to our hall in a few days!”

Elder Wen emerged, his face beaming like a blooming chrysanthemum.

Li Qing’s own smile widened. The arrival of new spiritual materials meant the resources he needed might finally be here!

”Really?! At last, I can contribute to the sect!”

”I wonder what kind of spiritual materials will be delivered this time?”

Elder Wen’s laughter grew even louder.

”Hahahaha, Junior Brother Li, Junior Brother Li! The refining hall hasn’t forgotten your request from last time.”

”Rest assured, the batch of materials arriving in a few days will definitely include the spinal bones of Second-Tier Demonic Beasts!”

Indeed, shortly after joining the refining hall, Li Qing had legitimately exercised his authority as an elder.

He proposed to the hall that the next batch of spiritual materials include the spinal column bone of a Second-Tier Demonic Beast, preferably one from the mid-Second-Tier or higher!

Now that he had the spider silk from a six-legged shadow spider, the main material for his Heavenly Net Banner, all he needed was the spinal column bone of a Second-Tier Demonic Beast and some auxiliary spiritual materials to attempt refining this top-grade magical artifact!

A top-grade magical artifact!

In some cultivation clans, such an artifact would be a clan-protecting treasure, something to be passed down through generations.

”By the way, Senior Brother,” Li Qing asked, feigning concern, ”will the sect’s artifact refinement mission be larger than usual this time? Should I take on a couple extra assignments?”

Elder Wen waved his hand dismissively. ”No need. The quota remains the same as always. You’ve only recently joined the refining hall, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just refine two high-grade magical artifacts for now.”

Li Qing wasn’t particularly bothered by this.

The number of artifact refinement assignments was directly tied to the sect’s contribution points.

Having just joined, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to claim too large a share of the other elders’ refinement quotas.

Li Qing had asked the question earlier to inquire about matters related to the Shangqing Sect.

Hearing the usual response, it seemed the sect had no major plans and likely wouldn’t intervene in the conflict between the Shangqing Sect and the Heavenly River Sect.

Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Peace was always the best outcome. War meant death, and chaos could unleash unforeseen calamities. Moreover, Su Xin was at the Heavenly River Sect. If they were to become enemies, he wouldn’t know how to face her.

Lingyun Sect, Cloudsoar Island, Sect Leader’s Hall.

”Senior Xu Yun, after many days as your guest, it’s time for us to depart!”

A sinister-looking youth emerged from the Sect Leader’s Hall with a gloomy smile.

Behind him, a kind-faced, white-bearded elder slowly escorted them out, speaking in a gentle tone: ”Fellow Daoists from the Shangqing Sect, I apologize for my inadequate hospitality. Please travel safely and take care on the road. The southern region is cold; don’t catch a chill.”

”We are grateful for Senior Xu Yun’s kindness and will heed your advice,” Ling Ying said, clasping his hands in a respectful bow before flying toward the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate with Liu Hongyuan.

Sect Leader Xu Yun didn’t escort them to the gate. Instead, he stood on Cloudsoar Island, watching the two Shangqing Sect foundation establishment cultivators depart, and finally sighed deeply.

”The cultivation world is about to descend into chaos again.”

”I wonder how many lives will be lost this time!”

”The Lingyun Sect must uphold its ancestral teachings: remain aloof from worldly affairs and guard the snow-capped mountains of the southern region. We must not meddle in the conflicts between cultivation sects.”

Indeed, Sect Leader Xu Yun had rejected the Shangqing Sect’s request for an alliance.

No matter how enticing Ling Ying’s promises were, Sect Leader Xu Yun remained unmoved, shaking his head in firm refusal.

During their prolonged discussions, Sect Leader Xu Yun had consulted with the sect’s supreme elders, ultimately reaching this decision.

Though the Southern Domain of Azure Ridge was a harsh and frigid land, the Lingyun Sect’s seclusion here, detached from worldly affairs, served a purpose.

Today, Ling Ying and Liu Hongyuan’s patience finally wore thin, and they left the sect.

In truth, the Shangqing Sect’s demands were simple: they only wanted the Lingyun Sect to stay out of their affairs. That would be their ideal outcome.

But the human heart is separated by ten thousand mountains, forever bound by chains of suspicion. Who could ever truly know another’s true intentions?

After leaving the Lingyun Sect, Ling Ying’s demeanor grew even more sinister.

”That old fool is utterly stubborn. After all these days, he still refuses to join forces with our sect.”

”What a pity. If we could have secured the Lingyun Sect’s support, the Heavenly River Sect would truly be no match for us, and I would have earned a great merit.”

Hearing Ling Ying’s words, Liu Hongyuan offered little comment. He asked, ”What’s next? Are we returning to the sect?”

Ling Ying shook his head with a cruel grin. ”Return to the sect? How could we? Unless we give the Lingyun Sect something to worry about, how can our sect possibly feel secure enough to devour the Heavenly River Sect?”

”Follow me deeper into the snowfields!”

(End of the Chapter)

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