Immortal Refiner

”Could fusing two Dao Fires together produce a miraculous effect?”

”Impossible! This is utter madness!”

Li Qing, who had been poring over a vast collection of ancient texts, couldn’t help but exclaim aloud when he stumbled upon a historical precedent.

It turned out that in a distant era, there had been a powerful cultivator who had mastered multiple heavenly spirit fires. This cultivator had actually fused several of these fires together, creating an extraordinarily potent technique.

Heavenly spirit fires were inherently the most violent forces in the world. When two such fires came into contact, it was like pouring cold water into a pot of hot oil—an instant and explosive reaction.

”This person must have been either a peerless genius or possessed some extraordinary secret. Otherwise, no ordinary cultivator could possibly control a technique created by fusing multiple heavenly spirit fires.”

Li Qing shook his head, immediately dismissing the idea.

While such a technique might indeed possess earth-shattering power, he dared not risk destroying his dantian by attempting such a thing.

Moreover, Li Qing’s most pressing concern right now was how to awaken the Spirit Devouring Demon Flame, not contemplating how to fuse two heavenly spirit fires to create a powerful divine ability.

”Sigh, none of these ancient texts are reliable!”

Li Qing sighed deeply after finishing the last of the texts sent by the Zhao Family.

It was understandable that there were no records or experiences left by predecessors on how to awaken the source fire seed of a heavenly spirit fire. Such occurrences were exceedingly rare.

He had been back in his cave abode for over ten days, during which he had completely shut himself off from the outside world, focusing solely on finding a way to revive the Spirit Devouring Demon Flame.

The primary reason for his seclusion was the chaos engulfing the cultivation world. The full-scale war between the righteous and demonic paths had finally erupted, with casualties mounting daily.

In such a tense environment, Li Qing naturally chose to remain a quiet ascetic in his cave abode, unwilling to risk venturing out.

Even the texts he was studying had been obtained through Zhang Da of the black market and his own searches in Nanyang Market.

Most of these texts originated from long-established cultivation clans like the Zhao Family. Having existed for centuries, these clans naturally possessed extensive collections of ancient records.

”Fortunately, the situation between the righteous and demonic paths remains in a stalemate. Neither side can gain the upper hand. Let’s hope this balance lasts a while longer.”

Li Qing’s eyes flickered slightly, but he understood that this stalemate couldn’t last forever.

Inevitably, someone would break the deadlock. After all, every day the immortal dao war dragged on, both the righteous and demonic paths would deplete their resources further.

And Li Qing, situated within the Ghost Sword Sect’s territory, wasn’t entirely safe either.

If the stalemate were broken, Giant Deer Prefecture would be immediately plunged into the chaos of war.

”Let me think... what can I do in this chaotic situation?” Li Qing frowned slightly, pondering earnestly.

First, getting involved in the immortal dao war was out of the question. Although he had reached core formation and his self-preservation capabilities had improved significantly, the war involved cultivators in the nascent soul realm.

Rushing in recklessly would likely result in him dying without even knowing how.

”Giant Deer Prefecture is still relatively safe for now, with the demonic path holding a slight advantage. Perhaps I should consider taking on some artifact refinement commissions to build up my resources,” Li Qing mused, stroking his chin.

There was no other choice. His current financial situation was indeed rather meager, placing him firmly at the bottom among cultivators in the core formation realm.

Although the black market provided a steady stream of income, it wasn’t his alone.

Thus, Li Qing resolved to open his doors for business, hoping to earn some spirit stones and extend his lifespan in the process.

”But before that, there are a few other matters to attend to,” he muttered.

With that, Li Qing retrieved two fist-sized crimson crystals from his storage pouch.

These dark, crimson crystals were his primary objective in venturing into the World of Eternal Night—to fulfill the great heart demon oath he had sworn.

The three-year deadline was fast approaching. If he failed to deliver the third-tier crimson crystals to Wang Chan by then, he risked incurring the unseen consequences of his oath, a burden he couldn’t afford to bear.

With this in mind, Li Qing waved his hand, summoning a sheet of spirit credit paper from his storage pouch. Using his finger as a brush, he began writing and sketching on the paper.

This spirit letter was addressed to Zhang Da, containing two main instructions.

First, he instructed Zhang Da to contact Wang Chan and her servant, informing them that news of the third-tier crimson crystals had surfaced and instructing them to come to Nanyang Spirit Peak to retrieve them.

The second matter was to ask Zhang Da to spread the word throughout the Great Wilderness Domain that Li Qing was taking artifact refinement commissions.

Additionally, Li Qing would refine Zhang Da’s remaining prosthetic limbs as quickly as possible during this time, considering it payment for Zhang Da’s services.

After finishing the letter, Li Qing sealed it, summoned a spirit bird from Nanyang Market, and sent it to the black market.

With these tasks completed, Li Qing left his cave abode and climbed to the summit of his spirit peak, gazing at the picturesque scenery of the Nanyang Spirit Peak region.

After a long while, he gradually withdrew his gaze.

”Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well cultivate.”

With those words, Li Qing retrieved a jade slip from his storage pouch.

Origin Forging Cultivation Manual!

This immortal dao heritage, which he had found in the Blood Lotus Sect’s book pavilion, promised to make his mana far more profound and abundant than that of cultivators at the same level.

The secret technique was divided into three stages. Mastering each stage would significantly increase his mana reserves.

If he reached the late-stage core formation realm and fully mastered this technique, he could even possess mana comparable to that of a nascent soul realm old monster.

Of course, this only applied to quantity; the quality was incomparable.

Li Qing pressed the jade slip against his forehead, his divine sense probing within. He meticulously memorized every word of the secret technique.

”Accumulate yang to form origin, within origin lies spirit, spirit and origin resonate, thus forging origin.”

Li Qing silently recited the immortal dao scripture of the Origin Forging Cultivation Manual before settling into a meditative posture atop the mountain peak to begin his practice.

This secret technique wouldn’t elevate his cultivation realm, but it would significantly amplify his mana within his current realm.

For an immortal cultivator, this was the greatest advantage imaginable!

That’s why Li Qing was ecstatic upon obtaining this secret technique, treating it as a supreme treasure.

Time flowed ceaselessly, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.

By now, Li Qing had grasped the essence of the Origin Forging Cultivation Manual, ready to attempt cultivation at any moment.

Just as he was putting away the jade slip to begin practicing the secret technique, a spirit bird carrying a spirit letter gracefully descended.

”Hmm, Zhang Da’s efficiency is impressive. He’s already handled both matters so quickly.”

After reading Zhang Da’s reply, Li Qing felt a profound sense of relief.

Having such a capable subordinate to handle matters was truly effortless.

Zhang Da mentioned in his letter that Wang Chan and his servant should arrive at Nanyang Spirit Peak within a month to meet Li Qing.

The news of Li Qing opening his workshop for artifact refinement and business would also be subtly spread.

Of course, Li Qing’s primary target audience remained the cultivation clans and rogue cultivators. He had no intention of refining artifacts for the major factions embroiled in the immortal dao war; getting involved in their conflicts would only invite trouble.

After burning the spirit letter, Li Qing resumed his cross-legged meditation atop the mountain peak, practicing the Origin Forging Cultivation Manual.

Gradually, his mana grew denser and more refined. Although his cultivation realm remained unchanged, this unexpected progress greatly surprised him.

Before he knew it, a month had passed.

Outside Nanyang Spirit Peak, two figures wearing conical hats slowly approached.

”Senior Li, I have come to pay my respects!”

Wang Chan’s magnetic voice carried an undisguised tremor of excitement.

The third-tier crimson crystal—it was actually within reach!

(End of the Chapter)

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