Immortal Refiner

Along the rim of the Great Rift Valley, the terrifying silhouettes of demon beasts began to materialize.

These colossal creatures, some so vast they blotted out the sun, cast long shadows that obscured the light streaming from above.

”It’s truly the Tempering Life Spirit Pool! It appeared during the last opening of the ancestral land as well!”

”This is a rare opportunity we can’t afford to miss. We must secure a spot, no matter the cost!”

”Who could have imagined the Tempering Life Spirit Pool would appear during this opening of the ancestral land? If I’d known, I would have come straight here!”

The immensely powerful demon beasts stirred, their primal instincts surging.

The Tempering Life Spirit Pool held immense significance for them.

In the demon realm, every demon race member, even the offspring of demon beast kings, was forged through relentless combat from birth.

Countless life-and-death battles had forged their formidable demon bodies.

Yet every advantage came with a price. The constant slaughter had left them riddled with countless injuries, both large and small. Even after healing, these wounds left lingering wear and tear on their fleshly bodies.

Even the most formidable physical body couldn’t escape this fate.

This was the cumulative wear and tear from countless microscopic injuries. While these minor injuries might not immediately impact combat prowess, their accumulation would inevitably lead to major problems in the future. At best, they would shorten one’s lifespan; at worst, they would damage one’s fundamental vital energy.

The Tempering Life Spirit Pool, however, contained an overwhelmingly abundant concentration of life energy.

Securing a spot within this pool would allow one to refine their body with this potent life energy, repairing all accumulated injuries and restoring their body to its pristine, newborn state.

For every demon race entering the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, there was an undeniable reason to immerse themselves in the Tempering Life Spirit Pool and heal their bodies.

”ROAR!”

A thunderous roar echoed from above the Great Rift Valley. A magnificent, jade-white male lion stood majestically on one side of the chasm, its regal presence radiating power.

The lion’s roar possessed extraordinary penetrating force, shattering the solid rock beneath its paws into a web of cracks.

This was Bai Xing, the white-eyed lion!

Cultivating at the Late Third-Tier, Bai Xing possessed terrifying power, making him a dominant force even in the demon realm teeming with demon beasts.

This time, the white-eyed lion entered the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm seeking a fortuitous opportunity for transformation, aiming to break through to a higher realm.

Success would add another formidable demon beast king to the demon realm’s ranks.

Though Bai Xing lacked a clan, successful transformation would make him a royal clan in his own right.

However, the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm had gathered the demon realm’s most powerful third-tier demon races. Even the mighty white-eyed lion was not invincible here.

He had rivals.

”Bai Xing, you’re quick to arrive.”

A colossal bear emerged slowly from above the rift valley opposite Bai Xing. Its golden fur shimmered brilliantly, as if plated in radiant gold.

Most striking were the long whiskers on its face, which swayed in the wind like the whiskers of a true dragon.

Jin Lie, the sixth son of the Golden Bear King, had awakened the bloodline of the Ancient Dragon Bear, making him another of the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm’s most formidable demon races.

Upon seeing the golden dragon bear, Bai Xing showed no fear, proudly raising his head as the gale whipped his snow-white mane into a frenzy.

”Jin Lie,” Bai Xing said, his voice ringing across the plains, ”I heard you’ve collected three beast ancestor tokens in such a short time. Not bad for efficiency.”

As he spoke, Bai Xing fixed his gaze on the golden dragon bear, his body coiled with barely suppressed anticipation.

If he could defeat Jin Lie and seize the beast ancestor tokens, he would meet the requirements to enter Beast King Mountain and attempt to claim the inheritance of the nine-headed lion.

Success in this endeavor would significantly increase his chances of achieving transformation.

”Intriguing,” Jin Lie rumbled, rising to his full height. ”So you’ve set your sights on me?”

”But I’m equally curious about this so-called White Lion King of the Grasslands. Daring to claim kingship before even transforming—I wonder how much power lies behind that title.”

A terrifying aura erupted from Jin Lie’s massive bear form, shaking the very air around him.

Boom!

Bai Xing refused to be intimidated. He took a step forward, unleashing his own formidable pressure to meet Jin Lie’s challenge head-on.

A rift valley nearly a hundred zhang wide separated the lion and the bear. While this chasm might have been impassable for mortals, it posed no obstacle to these two terrifying third-tier demonic beasts, who could completely ignore it.

The clash of their immense auras bent the towering ancient trees and colossal timber surrounding them.

The demon race below watched with awe-struck eyes.

So powerful! Though they were all third-tier demon races in the core transformation stage, even their mere auras made it clear they were no match for these two.

The atmosphere tensed instantly, but soon, commotion erupted from the Tempering Life Spirit Pool below.

”Roar! Someone beat us to it! Seats are already being taken!”

”Damn it! I was already moving so fast! How could anyone be faster than me?!”

”They must have been nearby. Otherwise, how could they have gotten in so quickly?”

”Hey, isn’t that Wolf Owl from the Bone Demon Giant Wolf Clan? What luck!”

”Only seven seats left!”

At that moment, outside the Tempering Life Spirit Pool, demon beasts were closing in, finally able to discern the situation within.

Inside the hazy, emerald-green light, five profound wood platforms floated in the air, each occupied by a vaguely discernible figure.

This indicated that these platforms were already claimed. Any other demon race members wishing to enter the Tempering Life Spirit Pool to refine their bodies with life energy would have to compete for the remaining unoccupied platforms.

Once seated on a platform, one would become connected to the Tempering Life Spirit Pool.

Any external interference would be blocked, then absorbed into the spirit pool and refined into life energy.

This spirit pool, crafted by an ancient fifth-tier great demon, was a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, nearly rivaling the good fortune of heaven and earth itself.

To breach it with brute force would require at least a late-transformation-stage demon beast king, and even then, the chances of success would be slim.

For the third-tier demon races present, no matter how resentful or unwilling they were, they could only focus their remaining energy on the seven unclaimed platforms.

The group that had secured the five platforms in advance was naturally Li Qing’s party.

Being the closest to the pool, they had seized this momentous opportunity without hesitation, rushing in the moment the spirit pool activated.

”Awooo!”

The battle had already erupted, and with only seven spirit pool seats remaining, no one would relinquish their claim easily.

This competition was destined to be brutal. Victory meant seizing a profound wood platform, and even the most grievous injuries would be healed. As long as a single breath remained, the overwhelmingly dense life energy within the spirit pool could restore them completely.

Bai Xing and Jin Lie, still locked in their standoff, both heard the commotion and sensed the situation unfolding in the Tempering Life Spirit Pool below the Great Rift Valley.

Only seven seats left!

This was unwelcome news. Both aspired to claim a seat, and prolonging their conflict would only benefit other demon races. By the time the profound wood platforms sealed and merged with the spirit pool, they would be powerless to intervene.

Faced with this ancient masterpiece crafted by a great demon lord, even summoning multiple demon kings from the demon realm to join forces would be futile.

”Hmph, I’ll remember this for now. We’ll settle this another time,” Jin Lie snorted before leaping directly into the Great Rift Valley. His four paws pounded the void as he plunged downward.

”Roar!”

Bai Xing roared furiously, lunging toward the Tempering Life Spirit Pool with lightning speed.

It had to be said, these two demons truly possessed an aura of invincibility. Their descent was domineering and unstoppable, with no demon beast daring to block their path.

”Get out of my way!”

Despite its massive size, Jin Lie moved with surprising speed. A giant horned deer that dared to block its path was sent flying with a single swipe of its bear paw.

Boom!

The massive deer crashed heavily into a solid rock, shattering it into fragments.

Witnessing Jin Lie’s overwhelming power, the demon beasts ahead trembled in fear and hastily cleared the path, unwilling to obstruct its advance. They allowed it to seize a platform without resistance.

Bai Xing was equally formidable. With another thunderous lion’s roar, it stunned a slender white ape into unconsciousness.

Its lion’s might was unparalleled, already hinting at the majesty of a future demon beast king.

No wonder it had already earned the title ”King Bai Xing” on the demon realm’s vast Grasslands. To be crowned a king before even undergoing transformation was a testament to its true kingly potential.

Thus, the white lion and golden bear charged unimpeded into the spirit pool, each claiming a profound wood platform floating on the water’s surface.

Hum! Hum!

Two platforms rose in succession, enveloped in a hazy spiritual light that shielded the white lion and golden bear from external interference.

Now, only five platforms remained within the spirit pool.

With more wolves than meat, the competition intensified. The already brutal struggle grew even more savage.

”Moo!”

A golden horned wild bull, its eyes bloodshot with rage, charged through the ranks of demon beasts, tossing them aside like rag dolls as it barreled toward the Tempering Life Spirit Pool. Its sturdy bovine frame was riddled with gruesome wounds, yet no injury could deter its relentless advance.

Just as it was about to plunge into the spirit pool, a green serpent suddenly darted out from behind.

Both creatures had their sights set on the same target: the profound wood platform closest to the pool’s edge.

The raging bull’s vision was now fixed solely on the profound wood platform. The dense life energy surrounding it had already begun to nourish and repair its wounds, leaving it no attention to spare for anything else.

”Hiss!”

The green serpent flicked its forked tongue, then transformed into a streak of emerald lightning as it lunged at the golden horned wild bull.

In the next instant, the serpent’s jaws opened, and its venomous fangs sank deep into the bull’s wounds.

Within the blink of an eye, the raging bull’s body stiffened, its four legs locking in place, unable to take another step.

”Heh, this profound wood platform is mine now,” the green serpent hissed, its voice melodious yet chilling. With lightning speed, it burrowed into the platform.

As the serpent vanished, the profound wood platform rose into the air, its hazy green light casting an elegant serpentine silhouette.

”Hiss! That was a jade azure serpent! Its venom is terrifyingly potent!”

”Even the golden horned wild bull of the Wild Bull Tribe couldn’t withstand its venom. Truly terrifying.”

The demons watching from outside felt a chill run down their spines. If that ghostly green serpent were to ensnare them, their chances of survival would be slim.

Splash!

The golden horned wild bull, poisoned to death, plunged into the spirit pool. The life energy-rich liquid instantly refined its corpse into pure energy, leaving behind not even bones or its golden horn.

The battle raged on, with only four spots remaining!

Amidst the chaos, a Wind Ape soared through the air. Demons tried to intercept it, but its movements were too elusive to track.

Wind Ape!

Another renowned demon race in the demon realm, the Wind Apes had once been a royal clan, ruled by an ape king. Though they no longer dominated the demon realm, their ancient lineage and formidable strength remained undeniable.

The lightning-fast Wind Ape claimed a profound wood platform without even engaging in a proper fight.

As the platform’s hazy green light enveloped it, the silhouette of an ape was imprinted within.

Only three profound wood platforms remained!

Finally, a pitch-black shadow leopard emerged from the fray, its body scarred and battered. It landed on a profound wood platform.

”Roar!” The shadow leopard let out a triumphant roar.

Another profound wood platform had found its owner, leaving only two spots remaining.

The competition for these final two spots was particularly brutal. A cloud eagle spread its wings, attempting to fly directly to a platform, but a crimson demon weasel below unleashed a torrent of fiery breath, blocking its path.

The obstructed cloud eagle was immediately swarmed by other airborne demon beasts, and a fierce battle erupted.

Amidst the chaos, no one noticed a small, blue bat-winged rat emerge from the ground and dart toward one of the last two platforms.

”Phew! Just made it! Almost missed the Tempering Life Spirit Pool!” the rat exclaimed, settling comfortably on the platform and beginning to absorb the abundant life energy within the spirit pool.

Azure Wing Rat!

Another royal clan from the demon realm had arrived!

With this stealthy theft of a spot, only one profound wood platform remained unclaimed.

Every surviving demon beast in the area surged toward the final platform, joined by new demon races pouring in from outside the Great Rift Valley.

In an instant, the area transformed into the most brutal battlefield yet.

Of course, some wiser demon races, recognizing their inferior strength, chose to observe from a distance, not daring to approach the fray.

Every moment, demon beast blood splattered the edges of the spirit pool, the competition was truly ferocious.

Amidst the pungent, thick stench of blood, a blazing demon weasel finally fought its way through.

It was on the verge of death, its body riddled with wounds, the flame atop its head flickering faintly.

Having charged through countless severe injuries, even half its fiery tail had been bitten off.

At last, it achieved its goal, securing the final spot on the profound wood platform.

”Squeak!” The blazing demon weasel collapsed onto the platform, letting the hazy green light envelop it completely before finally exhaling in relief.

With this, all the spots in the Tempering Life Spirit Pool had been claimed.

The remaining, battered demon beasts had no choice but to cease fighting, unwilling to continue the brutal struggle.

Buzz!

A thick layer of green light sealed the entire spirit pool, completely locking in the life energy that had been overflowing just moments before, preventing any further leakage.

Some surviving demon races attempted to scavenge, noting the numerous dead demon beasts around the perimeter, their inner cores priceless treasures.

However, they were too late. Almost simultaneously with the sealing of the Tempering Life Spirit Pool, the demon beasts’ corpses began to wither, their flesh and blood seemingly devoured by some invisible entity.

Immediately afterward, the unclaimed demon beast inner cores transformed into pure energy, flowing into the spirit pool and becoming life energy.

It was over. All the fortuitous opportunities here had come to an end!

Just as the demon races were preparing to depart, a blood-red three-headed profound crocodile emerged at the edge of the Great Rift Valley.

Witnessing the scene, it roared in frustrated fury: ”ROAR!”

”Just one step too late! Damn it!”

”How could the Tempering Life Spirit Pool open twice in a row?! I missed out on a major opportunity!”

This was the three-headed profound crocodile, a Heavenly Prodigy of the profound crocodile clan, ranked alongside Jin Lie, Bai Xing, and other elite demon races.

Yet, due to receiving the news too late, it had failed to secure a spot in the Tempering Life Spirit Pool.

The three-headed profound crocodile glared at the green light-imprinted figures on the twelve profound wood platforms, so enraged it nearly shattered its own crocodile teeth.

Within the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, there were three greatest opportunities: the late-stage Beast King Mountain, the mid-stage Myriad Beasts Fruit, and the early-stage Tempering Life Spirit Pool.

Normally, the Tempering Life Spirit Pool rarely opened. Having activated once in the previous Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, it was almost impossible for it to open again in the current cycle.

Therefore, the three-headed profound crocodile had set out early for the Myriad Beasts Spirit Tree region, intending to prepare in advance to seize a Myriad Beasts Fruit.

Ironically, it was this very mindset that caused it to miss out on such a monumental opportunity.

Confident that it could secure a spot upon arriving, the three-headed profound crocodile was devastated to learn of the spirit pool’s activation too late. How could it possibly accept this?

With the Myriad Beasts Spirit Tree’s activation still some time away, it could only gaze longingly at the spirit pool.

Undoubtedly, Jin Lie and Bai Xing would emerge from the spirit pool even stronger, potentially relegating the crocodile to the second tier.

If that happened, when the Myriad Beasts Spirit Tree’s restriction finally lifted, it would be at a significant disadvantage in the ensuing competition.

”No! I must use this time to search other areas for spirit herbs.”

”Even scraps are better than letting the gap widen further!”

The three-headed profound crocodile made its decision instantly, swiftly departing from the Great Rift Valley where the Tempering Life Spirit Pool lay.

The Myriad Beasts Secret Realm harbored unique spirit herbs with remarkable efficacy.

Harvesting a few ancient herbs would provide some compensation, though they were mere scraps compared to the Tempering Life Spirit Pool.

Meanwhile, above the spirit pool, the victors sat cross-legged on twelve profound wood platforms, diligently absorbing the life energy rising from below, completely oblivious to the outside world.

(End of the Chapter)

Translator’s Corner

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