Immortal Refiner

Time slipped away swiftly. A month had already passed since the reconstruction of the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate was completed.

The eyes of the entire Azure Ridge Domain’s cultivation world were now focused on this place. Whether rogue cultivators or cultivators from other cultivation clans, all arrived in Liang Country with utmost sincerity and reverence.

This colossal immortal sect, established along the vast and boundless Boundless Sea, filled the hearts of all cultivators with longing and aspiration.

The reason was simple: joining this immortal sect would pave an incomparably smooth path for their future dao, granting them more opportunities to witness the magnificent vistas along their cultivation journey.

”Did you hear? The Lingyun Sect’s ascension conference this time is expected to recruit several hundred disciples!”

”Tsk tsk tsk, several hundred disciples? Can they even handle that many?”

”What a grand scale! Even when the Shangqing Sect first dominated the Azure Ridge Domain, their largest disciple recruitment only reached around a hundred, right?”

”Heh, it’s inevitable, I suppose. The Lingyun Sect is newly established and desperately needs manpower in all areas. With everything being rebuilt from scratch, recruiting so many disciples for their first ascension conference is only natural.”

”I heard that if you successfully ascend to immortality, the Lingyun Sect will reward you with a foundation establishment pill based on your overall performance.”

”Foundation establishment pill...”

Rogue cultivators across the land revered foundation establishment pills as the ultimate elixir, the sacred medicine they sought throughout their lives!

For qi refining realm rogue cultivators, the allure of these pills was no less than that of the legendary Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill.

The reason was simple: these pills significantly increased the success rate of achieving foundation establishment.

Each pill was exceedingly rare, and its appearance would inevitably cause a major sensation.

By successfully advancing beyond the qi refining realm and achieving foundation establishment, one could extend their lifespan and greatly enhance their mastery of daoist arts.

However, the refining conditions for foundation establishment pills were notoriously stringent. Ingredients like Essence Fusion Fruits and Crystal Cores from Second-Tier Demonic Beasts were beyond the reach of ordinary qi refining realm rogue cultivators.

Driven by the pursuit of this single foundation establishment pill, countless rogue cultivators flocked to the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate.

The mighty immortal sect was preparing to host not only its founding ceremony but also a grand ascension conference!

”Why hasn’t Ancestor Limitless returned yet? Who will preside over the founding ceremony?”

”Why don’t you ask the other ancestors? See if any of them would be willing to preside over the ascension conference!”

At that moment, within the mountain gate of the Lingyun Sect, the elders responsible for external affairs were working themselves to the bone.

Far from the relaxed demeanor they projected to outsiders, they were actually incredibly tense and anxious.

The upcoming ascension conference was fast approaching, yet Ancestor Limitless remained absent, causing them immense anxiety.

”Do you think I haven’t already asked? Ancestor Fu Xuan won’t even step out of his cave abode, and Ancestors Ice Soul and Gluttony flatly refused, saying if the founding ceremony can’t be held, then just cancel it!”

Such a flippant remark!

If it can’t be held, just cancel it?!

The Lingyun Sect had been promoting this event for an entire month, drawing the attention of the entire cultivation world in the Azure Ridge Domain.

To simply cancel it now? What kind of nonsense was that?!

At best, it would be a disgrace to the sect; at worst, it would severely damage the sect’s reputation.

”Sigh, Ancestor Limitless still hasn’t returned. Could something have gone wrong?”

”Enough, enough! Stop talking nonsense. Didn’t Su Yue return on his own and willingly enter the water prison to accept punishment? He just happened to run into Martial Uncle Li outside!”

Within the sect, some foundation establishment realm cultivators referred to Li Qing as Ancestor Limitless, while those closer to him called him Martial Uncle Li, maintaining proper seniority.

Just as the elders were at their wits’ end, a powerful aura suddenly descended upon the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate!

A tall, imposing figure materialized in mid-air, his presence radiating condensed and overwhelming power. In an instant, he drew the attention of countless elders.

”Look! It’s Ancestor Limitless!”

”The ancestor has returned!”

Indeed, the figure soaring through the sky was Li Qing. He had originally intended to return directly to the sect.

However, upon noticing a gathering of anxious-looking elders outside the Sect Leader’s Hall, he decided to descend and investigate.

”Why is everyone gathered here?” Li Qing asked, his brow furrowing slightly. ”Has something gone wrong?”

The elders immediately swarmed around him, each clamoring to explain the situation:

”Ancestor Limitless, we’ve secured the spirit gold veins in the southern region. However, some of the veins have been over-mined in recent years, causing a significant drop in production. The Tang Clan, who manage these veins, are requesting reduced quotas.”

”Martial Uncle Li, disciples discovered a spirit lake near the northwest. It seems a low-grade spiritual vein has emerged there, making it a suitable place for cultivation. However, several rogue cultivators were also present at the time of discovery, leading to disputes over ownership of the lake.”

”Ancestor...”

As the elders bombarded him with reports, Li Qing’s head began to throb. Even the lingering pain from his recently healed divine soul injury threatened to resurface.

”Wait, wait, wait! Why are you only reporting these matters now?” Li Qing demanded, his face tightening. ”Didn’t I tell you to consult the other patriarchs if you couldn’t resolve issues yourselves?”

Li Qing’s expression remained stern as he questioned them, inwardly fuming. I was only away for a month to heal my divine soul injury, and now I’m drowning in sect affairs!

The situation made it seem as though the entire Lingyun Sect couldn’t function without him.

”We tried asking, but Ancestor Gluttony has already entered secluded cultivation and refuses to be disturbed by external affairs.”

”I visited Ancestor Ice Soul as well, but her murderous aura is too intense. She keeps threatening to subdue people with her sword and even plans to personally emerge from seclusion to cause trouble for the cultivation clans!”

”Ancestor Fu Xuan hasn’t even shown his face! No one has seen him except the elders of the Talisman Hall.”

As these words were spoken, black lines of frustration appeared on Li Qing’s face.

These three are utterly irresponsible!

He could understand True Lord Fu Xuan, who had promised not to interfere with sect affairs. But why had the other two simply washed their hands of their duties and become absentee shopkeepers?

Forcibly suppressing his anger, Li Qing immediately began reviewing the matters one by one, issuing his resolutions.

”Since the spirit gold veins have been over-mined, the Tang Clan’s request to reduce their tribute quota isn’t unreasonable.”

”However, I want you to send disciples to personally verify the condition of the spirit gold veins. If their claims are true, we can agree to reduce the tribute quota. But if they’re lying, they will be severely punished!”

”Now that the Lingyun Sect controls the entire Azure Ridge Domain, a mere newly formed low-grade spiritual vein is hardly worth our attention. Since it was discovered jointly, let’s leave it to the rogue cultivators.”

”...”

With that, Li Qing methodically finished delegating all his tasks.

After a long while, the Sect Leader’s Hall finally fell silent.

Seeing the hall finally empty, Li Qing let out a long sigh of relief.

”This can’t go on! We really need to choose a sect leader soon. At this rate, how am I ever going to find the peace to cultivate in seclusion?”

Li Qing muttered through gritted teeth, feeling that rebuilding the Lingyun Sect had somehow made his cultivation journey even more arduous.

This wasn’t the kind of great dao he had sought!

He recalled how the ancestors and supreme elders of other cultivation sects he had encountered lived lives of unparalleled freedom and ease.

Yet here he was, overwhelmed by trivial matters, so burdened by sect affairs that he felt on the verge of collapse.

”Ah, it’s all because we lack a sect leader!”

If there were a trustworthy sect leader, he wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Unfortunately, within the sect, he truly didn’t know who to choose for the position.

First and foremost, the candidate needed a calm and steady temperament. He didn’t require exceptional wisdom or intelligence, but rather someone with impeccable composure and flawless conduct.

Originally, he had planned to appoint Senior Brother Wen as sect leader. However, after Wen volunteered to become the Grand Elder of the refining hall, he completely withdrew from all other sect affairs.

Now, Senior Brother Wen had achieved his ambition of becoming the head of the refining hall, and he was thoroughly engrossed in his daily duties.

As for the other trustworthy foundation establishment elders, few were truly reliable.

Lu Fan’s impulsive and reckless nature made him unsuitable for the role. As for Junior Sister Chu Lingyi... let’s not even mention her.

At this thought, Li Qing sighed deeply, feeling the immense pressure weighing down on him.

But this wasn’t the end of his troubles. Soon, another sect elder arrived at the Sect Leader’s Hall:

”Reporting to Ancestor Limitless, the founding ceremony is in two days. The ascension conference will be held immediately after the ceremony. At that time...”

Hearing this, Li Qing waved his hand impatiently. ”Alright, I understand. I’ll be there in two days to preside over the founding ceremony and the ascension conference!”

Before he could finish complaining, the burden on his shoulders grew even heavier.

After dismissing the elder, Li Qing sighed, ”Ah, such a heavy responsibility!”

Two days later, the atmosphere outside the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate reached a fever pitch!

Boom!

Countless cultivators swarmed in, transforming the once ethereal, immortal-like mountain gate into a scene of bustling chaos.

Fortunately, the Lingyun Sect had made thorough preparations, ensuring proper seating arrangements for everyone.

Foundation establishment realm cultivators, including the Clan Heads of numerous cultivation clans, were assigned to a separate viewing area.

As for the qi refining realm cultivators—whether rogue cultivators participating in the ascension conference or others who had come to observe—they were directed to the outer perimeter.

The crowd was overwhelming, a dense sea of faces stretching as far as the eye could see, numbering nearly ten thousand.

While not every cultivator from the Azure Ridge Domain had arrived, it was estimated that forty to fifty percent of the entire cultivation world was present.

This was especially true for the cultivation clans. Every clan with an established inheritance in the Azure Ridge Domain had sent their Clan Head to the mountain gate.

This demonstrated the immense power and prestige the Lingyun Sect now commanded!

All the Lingyun Sect’s elders and disciples had emerged from seclusion to maintain order. With such a massive gathering of cultivators, chaos would erupt without proper management.

Under the intense scrutiny of the assembled masses, as the sun reached its zenith at noon, a figure riding a massive black tiger slowly descended from the void.

It was Li Qing!

Accompanied by an overwhelming aura of power, nearly every cultivator present fell silent, gazing with awe at the imposing figure riding the black tiger across the sky.

This was the Limitless True Lord!

Even the tiger beneath him sent a primal tremor through the hearts of many cultivators.

The black tiger was ferocious, undoubtedly a third-tier demonic beast, its malevolent aura practically overflowing.

When Li Qing appeared, the once-boisterous atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Under Li Qing’s oppressive presence, no one dared to speak out of turn, maintaining absolute silence.

Immediately afterward, the hundreds of Lingyun Sect disciples and elders bowed deeply, cupping their hands in unison as they respectfully proclaimed:

”Greetings, Ancestor Limitless!”

The visiting cultivators echoed in unison:

”Greetings, Limitless True Lord!”

The resounding voices shook the entire Lingyun Sect mountain gate, reverberating across the surrounding wilderness.

Li Qing nodded with satisfaction. Seated atop Fan Tong’s back, he clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to all the cultivators present:

”I am deeply grateful to you all for gracing the Lingyun Sect’s founding ceremony with your presence!”

With these words, Li Qing clasped his hands in a respectful bow to the assembled crowd.

”Hahaha, this founding ceremony isn’t burdened with too many formal or critical matters. It’s mainly about outlining the regulations and laws the Lingyun Sect will establish moving forward.”

”After all, order is essential for stability. Since the Lingyun Sect has established itself in the Azure Ridge Domain, we naturally hope for peace and harmony within the region’s cultivation world, preventing it from descending into chaos.”

”These regulations and laws won’t be overly strict. Everything will be based on the principle of ’harmony above all else.’”

Harmony above all else.

Hearing these words, many faces revealed complex, unspoken emotions, though none dared to express them too openly.

Everyone knew perfectly well that the Lingyun Sect had risen from the ashes of the Shangqing Sect. This emphasis on harmony felt somewhat ironic.

Of course, no one dared voice such thoughts.

After all, the Lingyun Sect was at least willing to say it, and everyone believed they would strive to uphold this principle. Everyone would welcome a peaceful and harmonious Azure Ridge Domain.

Truth be told, no one truly desired to live in a chaotic cultivation world. Peace and harmony would benefit everyone.

And so, Li Qing began by denouncing the Shangqing Sect’s myriad misdeeds, particularly their alliance with the ancient demonic race to annihilate the Lingyun Sect. As he spoke, he infused his words with a trace of divine sense, making them profoundly resonant and persuasive.

Through this revelation, he also exposed why the Forbidden Speech Snowfield had been designated a forbidden land, explicitly informing the world that it was a weak spatial node connecting the demon realm to the Human Realm.

Li Qing held nothing back, openly declaring the truth.

He believed everyone had the right to know. Arbitrarily sealing off such a high-grade spiritual vein as a forbidden land without explanation would be difficult to justify.

Rather than conceal the truth, he chose to reveal it openly to the world.

As expected, his words sparked immediate uproar.

Many exclaimed in shock, ”So the rumors we heard back then were true after all!”

”The Shangqing Sect allied with the ancient demonic race? That’s unbelievable!”

”No wonder the Forbidden Speech Snowfield was declared a forbidden land! This explains everything.”

”What about the future? Is there a chance the demonic race might return?”

(End of the Chapter)

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