Immortal Refiner

On Beast King Mountain, Li Qing endured immense spiritual pressure as he finally reached the mountainside.

By now, he had grown somewhat accustomed to the constant spiritual pressure, no longer finding each step as arduous as before.

Fan Tong, however, lagged far behind, still struggling to maintain his footing.

For demon beasts, bloodline was paramount.

Since the opening of the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, nearly all demon beasts capable of scaling this colossal mountain possessed exceptional bloodlines.

But what about Fan Tong?

His bloodline was half ordinary tiger, half Black Fiend Tiger!

The latter’s potential peaked at second-tier demonic beast status, equivalent to a human cultivator in the foundation establishment realm.

As for the former, it barely qualified as a demon beast at all!

Fan Tong’s current growth was almost entirely due to the crimson crystals Li Qing had provided.

While these crystals accelerated his development, triggering rapid metamorphosis and surging power, they couldn’t alter the fundamental inferiority of his bloodline. The crystals made him stronger, but his bloodline remained unchanged, no different from when he started.

Among third-tier demonic beasts, Fan Tong’s bloodline was by no means exceptional.

”Aow!”

As they approached the halfway point of Beast King Mountain, Fan Tong, unwilling to concede, let out a furious roar that shook the entire mountain, reverberating for thousands of miles and echoing endlessly.

As the tiger’s roar gradually faded, a dark purple aura suddenly materialized at the mountain’s peak.

The dense, dark purple aura slowly coalesced, revealing the massive silhouette of a tiger.

This luminous tiger projection was remarkably lifelike and solid, its colossal form seeming to tower between heaven and earth, radiating an aura of immense power and eerie mystique.

Li Qing, halfway up the mountain, abruptly looked up, his gaze locking onto the dark purple tiger phantom.

”Is that... a heavenly demon tiger?”

Li Qing recognized the creature instantly. Its overwhelming aura and oppressive presence could only belong to a once-supreme royal clan of the demon realm.

”I never imagined Fan Tong would actually trigger this clan’s inheritance. Unbelievable...”

Indeed, it was astonishing. On the outskirts of Beast King Mountain, Bai Xing, the jade azure serpent, and other powerful demons had finally gathered all the beast ancestor tokens.

After their arduous journey, they were now approaching the foot of the desolate, ancient mountain.

The moment they arrived, they saw the dark purple phantom of a heavenly demon tiger looming arrogantly over the mountain peak, its gaze sweeping disdainfully across the entire colossal mountain.

”Hmm? Is that the Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan’s inheritance?”

”Could it be the Demon Tiger accompanying that human? How did it manage to trigger the Heavenly Demon Tiger’s presence?!”

”Hiss... I’ve heard that obtaining the Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan’s inheritance is extremely difficult. Even some of the clan’s own powerhouses struggle to achieve it!”

None of them could fathom how Fan Tong had accomplished this. The Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan was notoriously solitary, preferring to roam alone across the demon realm.

Their sense of clan loyalty was weak; once they reached a certain level of maturity, they would typically leave their clan’s territory to forge their own paths in the demon realm.

Without the Heavenly Demon Tiger bloodline, triggering the inheritance was already an immense challenge, let alone obtaining it.

As the phantom of the heavenly demon tiger materialized, the oppressive pressure on Fan Tong vanished.

But it was quickly replaced by an even more terrifying pressure!

Boom!

The dark purple heavenly demon tiger on the mountain peak fixed its gaze on Fan Tong, who was near the mountain’s waist.

This new pressure was overwhelming, far exceeding the previous burden he had endured.

Li Qing quickly grasped the critical situation. His brow furrowed slightly as he voiced his concern:

”Is the heavenly demon tiger personally testing Fan Tong? I wonder if he can withstand it.”

In truth, Li Qing had previously considered having Fan Tong seek the Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan’s inheritance. If successful, it would greatly benefit Fan Tong’s future dao path.

However, the current situation revealed that a powerful ancestor of the Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan had manifested to personally test Fan Tong.

Li Qing couldn’t be certain if Fan Tong could withstand such immense pressure.

Unable to offer much assistance, he could only hope Fan Tong would endure.

”If this had happened earlier, I might have been able to recall him to my spirit beast pouch and carry him to the summit.”

”But now that the ancestral phantom of the Heavenly Demon Tiger Clan has appeared, recalling Fan Tong to the pouch would undoubtedly lead to immediate failure, completely forfeiting his chance to obtain the clan’s inheritance.”

With a sigh, Li Qing resumed his solitary ascent.

In the next moment, Beast King Mountain began to tremble violently.

”After all these years... has a human finally come to Beast King Mountain again?”

A low whisper echoed from the summit, reverberating throughout the entire mountain!

Li Qing’s expression shifted dramatically as he abruptly looked up toward the source of the voice.

Atop the mountain peak, a humanoid figure of light had materialized seemingly out of nowhere.

The figure appeared slightly ethereal, clad in white robes, with a gentle and refined demeanor like that of a well-read scholar.

The scholar gazed calmly at Li Qing, his gaze piercing through millennia with a hint of wistfulness.

With a slight wave of his hand, Beast King Mountain began to tremble violently.

Rumble!

The mountain shook, and dozens of multicolored spiritual lights erupted from its depths. These lights converged in the scholar’s hand, forming a radiant path that stretched directly to Li Qing’s feet.

In an instant, the oppressive pressure bearing down on Li Qing intensified tenfold!

He felt as if countless powerful demons were exerting their might upon him, including ancient dragon bears, heavenly demon tigers, nine-headed lions, and more!

Waves of overwhelming demonic pressure crashed over him, shaking his very soul.

”This is...” Li Qing frowned deeply, finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.

”Heh, young one,” the scholar chuckled. ”Having come here with the Moonfall Star Chart, these trials are inevitable.”

”My clan has faced countless powerful demons in the demon realm. What are these mere tests of pressure compared to that?”

”I know you must have many questions. I’ll be waiting for you at the summit. I’ll answer them all then.”

The man in white chuckled softly, then waved his hand.

From Li Qing’s embrace, a crescent-shaped jade pendant suddenly flew out, shimmering with azure starlight as it soared toward the man in white.

Li Qing’s pupils dilated in shock.

This is the jade pendant I obtained from the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm! he realized. I never expected it to fly toward that man here.

He quickly recalled the starlight map imprinted on the pendant back in the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.

So that’s it... My arrival at the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm might have been guided by this pendant.

It seems there truly is a great secret hidden at the summit!

Gritting his teeth, Li Qing endured the overwhelming pressure from the great demons and continued his ascent.

Near the summit of Beast King Mountain, a tall, slender figure climbed along a path bathed in vibrant, multicolored light.

Li Qing’s divine soul was nearing its limit, waves of excruciating pain surging through his mind.

Fortunately, the hidden injuries to his divine soul had already healed. Otherwise, he would have faced dire consequences, possibly even the tearing of his soul.

If I hadn’t consumed enough Heavenly Star Grass to strengthen my divine soul far beyond that of cultivators at my level, I wouldn’t have been able to withstand this!

Li Qing muttered to himself, sweat beading on his forehead and exhaustion clouding his eyes.

Ahead of him, an elegant figure in white robes stood calmly observing the scene.

”This level of divine soul strength is decent enough. Barely qualified to cultivate the Soul Refinement Scripture.”

Under the figure’s gaze, Li Qing strode forward with unwavering steps until he stood before the white-robed figure.

Boom!

The oppressive pressure that had weighed him down vanished instantly.

”Senior, has this junior passed the trial?” Li Qing asked, clasping his hands in a respectful bow, relief washing over him.

The elegant figure in white robes smiled and nodded. ”Yes, you’ve passed. Now, feel free to ask any questions you have.”

”May I ask for Senior’s esteemed name?” Li Qing inquired respectfully.

”Heh, I’ve long forgotten my name. I vaguely recall them calling me Dao Lord Bai Ling back then.”

As he spoke, Daoist Bai Ling’s face revealed a hint of pride.

Dao Lord Bai Ling?

Li Qing carefully searched his memories, but he had never heard of this daoist name.

Seeing Li Qing’s expression, Dao Lord Bai Ling likely realized that his name had faded with time.

He said nonchalantly, ”Originally, you could only inherit my legacy as Dao Lord Bai Ling. But since you brought the Moonfall Star Chart, you now have another option.”

Li Qing was slightly taken aback by this revelation, recalling Dao Lord Bai Ling’s earlier words:

Only those with exceptionally strong spiritual senses barely qualify to cultivate the Soul Refinement Scripture.

”Senior, are you referring to the Soul Refinement Scripture you mentioned earlier?” Li Qing pressed.

Dao Lord Bai Ling nodded. ”Precisely, the Soul Refinement Scripture!”

”This is a secret scripture for refining the soul, its origins shrouded in mystery. Even in the upper realm, it would cause a tremendous sensation!”

As he spoke, Dao Lord Bai Ling’s voice suddenly turned solemn.

Li Qing was momentarily stunned, a surge of fervent emotion rising within him.

A scripture capable of causing a sensation even in the upper realm?

Li Qing didn’t rush to make a decision. Suppressing his inner excitement, he asked, ”How does it compare to Senior Bai Ling’s inheritance?”

Dao Lord Bai Ling’s smile deepened. ”Do you know why my daoist name is Bai Ling?”

”I’ve mastered the Hundred Arts of Cultivation—artifact refinement, Pill Refinement, formation deployment, talisman crafting, puppet crafting, beast taming, and more. There’s nothing I can’t do!”

”My knowledge isn’t just broad; it’s also profound. Even my weakest skill, puppet crafting, allows me to easily refine late-stage fourth-tier puppets!”

As he spoke, Dao Lord Bai Ling’s expression darkened slightly.

”Yet compared to the Soul Refinement Scripture, it falls short.”

”I obtained this scripture near the end of my life. Entranced by its profound mysteries, I neglected my cultivation and failed to reach the late-stage Transformation God realm, ultimately dissolving into the Dao within this mountain.”

”Perhaps due to lingering regret, a wisp of my obsession remains.”

Li Qing was deeply shaken by these words.

The Senior Bai Ling before him was an all-around genius, proficient in every field.

He knew firsthand how difficult it was to achieve such mastery. As an artifact refiner, he had only managed to balance cultivation and refinement through his long lifespan and numerous fortuitous encounters.

Yet Senior Bai Ling had mastered them all!

Li Qing’s eyes flickered for a moment before he spoke. ”This junior is of limited talent and fears he cannot emulate Senior’s mastery of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation.”

”I choose the Soul Refinement Scripture!”

Li Qing possessed a clear understanding of his own limitations. He knew he could never reach the same level of proficiency in Pill Refinement, Array Formation, or other cultivation arts as he had in artifact refinement.

Therefore, he opted for the precious Soul Refinement Scripture.

He wasn’t worried about neglecting his cultivation due to his immersion in the scripture. With his long lifespan, he could always find time for cultivation.

”Very well! I shall bestow the Soul Refinement Scripture upon you!”

As he spoke, Dao Lord Bai Ling pointed his finger.

Atop the mountain peak, an unmarked tombstone trembled faintly, and a wisp of blue spiritual light drifted forth.

”Sit upon it. The Soul Refinement Scripture is inscribed within this monument.”

”However, I must warn you beforehand: the conditions for cultivating this scripture are exceedingly stringent. You barely meet the minimum requirements as it is!”

”Of course, possessing the qualifications to cultivate it doesn’t guarantee success. Since you’ve made your choice, there’s no turning back!”

Dao Lord Bai Ling’s words carried grave weight.

Li Qing’s resolve remained unwavering.

”Thank you for the warning, Senior. This junior, Li Qing, is willing to try!”

With that, Li Qing approached the unmarked tombstone and sat cross-legged before it.

Boom!

The spiritual light surging from the tombstone surged directly into Li Qing’s Sea of Consciousness.

Instantly, rows upon rows of profoundly intricate characters appeared within his Sea of Consciousness, searing themselves deep into his mind.

(End of the Chapter)

💸 Read More FREE ChapterS on the SITE!