Immortal Refiner

Beneath the heavy, frigid mist that blanketed the sky, a towering figure with silver wings soared swiftly toward them.

His boundless aura swept away the surrounding cold mist as if it were a mere wisp of smoke.

Boom!

As his presence drew closer, everyone felt an overwhelming spiritual pressure bearing down on them, until their chests tightened and their breath came in ragged gasps. Only then did they finally discern the imposing figure in the sky.

Ancestor Limitless of the Lingyun Sect!

The entire territory of the Free and Unfettered Sect fell into complete silence.

There was no mistaking that aura—it was identical to Patriarch Xiaoyao’s moments ago. This was the overwhelming spiritual pressure unique to Nascent Soul cultivators, the only explanation for the heart-pounding fear that gripped them.

The moment Li Qing revealed himself, the core formation true lords of the Free and Unfettered Sect paled, their faces contorted with disbelief and panic.

”Nascent Soul Realm...”

True Lord Chang Jue froze completely, his body rigid and unmoving.

He could never have imagined that Limitless True Lord, the man who had seized his natal magic treasure, could have ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm in just a few years.

Not long ago, he had mocked Limitless True Lord, claiming his title of ”Ancestor Limitless” was undeserved—how could a mere core formation cultivator dare to call himself the ancestor of an entire sect?

But now, as Li Qing truly revealed his nascent soul realm cultivation, the man found himself utterly speechless.

He could only stiffly turn his neck to look at his own Patriarch Xiaoyao.

The Carefree Old Lord’s expression immediately darkened. He had never imagined things would escalate to this point—the very outcome he had dreaded most.

Li Qing had broken through from Core Formation to Nascent Soul, now possessing the power to truly contend with him.

As a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator, he understood all too well how difficult it was to kill someone at this level.

This has truly become a great calamity!

The Clan Heads of the other cultivation clans dared not utter a word. They silently retreated from the area, not even daring to remain as observers.

It was clear that this place would be far from peaceful today.

If two Nascent Soul cultivators were to clash, even the residual shockwaves could crush them into dust a thousand times over.

Before long, all those who had come to celebrate Patriarch Xiaoyao’s birthday had retreated to a considerable distance.

Only then did a heated discussion erupt among them.

”Hiss... That man just now was Ancestor Limitless of the Lingyun Sect! In recent years, he’s quietly condensed his nascent soul!”

”That’s right! I saw him from afar at the Lingyun Sect’s founding ceremony—it’s definitely Ancestor Limitless!”

”Truly a prodigy! Ancestor Limitless is a native cultivator of the Azure Ridge Domain, unlike Patriarch Xiaoyao who came from beyond our borders. To achieve nascent soul formation under these circumstances is nothing short of miraculous!”

”Something major is about to happen today. I just can’t predict how it will all unfold.”

”...”

Meanwhile, within the Free and Unfettered Sect’s territory:

As Li Qing charged onto the battlefield, the Carefree Old Lord fixed him with an intensely solemn gaze and declared in a deep voice:

”You’ve only just achieved nascent soul formation, yet you dare to boast so brazenly!”

”Let this old one test the true depth of your Nascent Soul Realm cultivation!”

Despite Li Qing’s attainment of the Nascent Soul Realm, the Carefree Old Lord showed little fear. In his eyes, Li Qing was merely a recent initiate, his skills likely untested and potentially lacking. He saw this as an opportunity to cripple or even eliminate his opponent.

The Carefree Old Lord had cultivated within the Nascent Soul Realm for many years. Though his cultivation remained at the early Nascent Soul Realm, his techniques far surpassed those of a newly ascended cultivator.

Beyond divine abilities and cultivation techniques, his natal magic treasure alone held a significant advantage, having been nourished for countless years.

Carefree Old Lord was supremely confident, believing this was his only chance.

He intended to strike while Li Qing was still fresh from his nascent soul formation, his guard down and unaware of the vast gulf between Nascent Soul True Monarchs—a chasm as deep as the heavens.

Thus, Carefree Old Lord immediately unleashed his most formidable technique:

”Carefree Mountains and Rivers Scroll!”

Instantly, a colossal scroll depicting mountains and rivers unfurled, eclipsing the entire sky.

Boom!

The terrifying scroll descended upon Li Qing and the other Core Formation True Lords of Lingyun Sect, the painted landscapes within seeming to surge forth with life.

Sensing the overwhelming power radiating from the scroll, Li Qing felt no fear.

He was no mere novice who had just formed his nascent soul.

Having cultivated for two and a half years since his breakthrough, he had mastered several Nascent Soul-level divine abilities and cultivation techniques. He had also obtained his third heavenly spirit fire, the Profound Yellow True Flame, from the Crimson Radiance Hall, and even created his own unique daoist arts.

Instead of retreating before the colossal scroll, Li Qing stepped forward.

His hands formed profound hand seals as the three heavenly spirit fires within him erupted forth, enveloping his body in flames.

Nascent Soul Dao Technique, Fire Extreme Dharma Body!

In the blink of an eye, a colossal flame giant materialized between heaven and earth. Three distinct colors of fire swirled around its massive form, radiating an extraordinary aura.

The moment the flame giant appeared, the surrounding air temperature skyrocketed. Within seconds, the perpetual snow covering thousands of zhang of the great earth melted into water, which then evaporated completely.

Li Qing’s Fire Extreme Dharma Body clenched its fist, and a tri-colored flame—fused from three heavenly spirit fires—erupted from between its fingers.

Boom!

This earth-shattering punch landed squarely on the Carefree Mountains and Rivers Scroll before it.

The mountain-river landscapes on the scroll trembled like ripples, yet they remained intact. As a spiritual light surged forth, the landscapes swiftly stabilized.

As an artifact refiner, Li Qing immediately recognized the scroll’s extraordinary nature.

”These mountain-river landscapes are actually formed from dao patterns—a rare natal magic treasure indeed.”

”But this alone won’t be enough to suppress This Li!”

Speaking from within the flame giant, Li Qing channeled his energy once more, further empowering his Fire Extreme Dharma Body.

In the next instant, the flame giant formed a hand seal with its left arm, conjuring a shattered origin great fire seal that fused three types of heavenly spirit fire.

But that wasn’t all. The flame giant’s right hand wasn’t idle either. It lifted an ancient, weathered crimson hall with a single hand.

The shattered origin great fire seal needs no further explanation—it was a technique Li Qing frequently employed.

However, the crimson hall was truly extraordinary. This ancient hall had been personally refined by the Crimson Radiance Heavenly Monarch long ago. Its purpose extended beyond simply housing his inheritance; it served as the crucial nexus for suppressing a Demonic Ancestor’s Dao Body!

After eliminating the Formless Demon Ancestor’s Dao Body, Li Qing had claimed the Crimson Radiance Hall without hesitation.

As an artifact refiner, he immediately recognized the hall’s exceptional nature.

This was a magic treasure crafted by a late-stage Divine Transformation cultivator—its power far surpassed anything a Nascent Soul cultivator’s artifact could match!

In the next moment, Li Qing activated the shattered origin great fire seal in his left hand while simultaneously slamming the Crimson Radiance Hall, clutched in his right hand, forward.

Yes, he simply slammed it—a straightforward, unadorned action devoid of any flashy techniques.

Boom!

Bang!

Two earth-shattering roars erupted across heaven and earth. As the shattered origin great fire seal exploded, a torrent of intense tri-colored spirit fire surged forth, engulfing the Carefree Mountains and Rivers Scroll in flames!

Yet the most devastating blow came from Li Qing’s simple, unadorned strike.

The Crimson Radiance Hall, a massive, ancient temple, smashed a gaping hole through the Carefree Mountains and Rivers Scroll, a painting that seemed to embody the very essence of heaven and earth.

The Mountain-River Dao Patterns etched onto the scroll shattered instantly.

Mountains crumbled, and the heavens and earth trembled.

Puh!

Patriarch Xiaoyao, who was channeling his natal magic treasure, suddenly coughed up a mouthful of dark red blood.

This was his natal magic treasure—a true nascent soul realm artifact!

He couldn’t believe what he was witnessing. His Carefree Mountains and Rivers Scroll, a treasure he had cultivated for centuries, had been so easily shattered.

”Impossible! This can’t be happening!”

Wah!

Blood continued to gush from Carefree Old Lord’s mouth. His turbid eyes widened in shock. The damage to his natal magic treasure had directly wounded his own spirit.

Li Qing had no intention of explaining himself. He raised the Crimson Radiance Hall once more.

The thick, icy mist that had blanketed the sky dispersed, revealing the sun. But the ancient, crimson-streaked temple once again blocked its light.

The sky darkened abruptly as Li Qing brought the Crimson Radiance Hall crashing down again.

Carefree Old Lord, still wiping blood from his lips, dared not face this attack head-on. With a desperate dodge, he narrowly avoided the strike.

Li Qing’s strike missed, and the Crimson Radiance Hall slammed into the earth.

The entire ground seemed to flip over, instantly shattering the Free and Unfettered Sect’s buildings as if struck by an unprecedented earth dragon’s upheaval.

During this chaos, streams of spiritual flame scattered from the flame giant’s arm, raining down around it.

A keen observer would notice these flames burning persistently on the ground, never fading, as if they would burn forever.

Li Qing paid no mind to his missed strike, continuing to wield the Crimson Radiance Hall as a weapon, relentlessly hammering at the Carefree Old Lord.

Unfortunately, a Nascent Soul cultivator’s escape speed was naturally nimble and swift. How could he be so easily struck?

Amidst this relentless assault, no one noticed the spiritual flames accumulating on the ground, gradually spreading across the terrain in rows and patches, burning steadily.

”Primordial Gang Fiend!”

Finally, the Carefree Old Lord could endure no more. Even a clay figure has its breaking point. How could he possibly accept being relentlessly suppressed like this?

From the somewhat disheveled old man, a three-zhang-long shaft of gray malevolent energy condensed, straight and sharp as a spear.

”Carefree Celestial Gang Break!”

This was the Free and Unfettered Sect’s supreme divine ability, an inheritance left by the sect’s founding master!

In the next instant, the wisp of Primordial Gang Demonic Qi shot skyward with blinding speed, invisible to the naked eye.

Then, the Carefree Old Lord clasped his hands together, extending two fingers toward the flame giant before him.

Whoosh!

A faint sound, like air being pierced, echoed from the heavens.

Deep within the Fire Extreme Dharma Body, Li Qing felt a sudden inspiration. He immediately relinquished control of the flame giant and, without hesitation, channeled the Kunpeng Divine Power within him to activate the Kunpeng Treasure Technique.

Unleashing Kunpeng Extreme Speed, Li Qing’s figure swiftly detached from the fiery dharma body and merged into the void—the fastest speed in the world!

In the next instant, the massive flame dharma body, forged from three spiritual flames, crumbled and dissipated.

Boom!

A straight, gray trail appeared in the sky directly above the shattered dharma body—the lingering mark of the Carefree Old Lord’s divine ability.

”Where did he go? Where’s he hiding?” The Carefree Old Lord refused to believe he had killed Li Qing so easily.

From the very beginning of their clash, he had sensed that this newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator had come prepared, far from being a Nascent Soul True Monarch lacking in resources.

Even if that divine ability had truly worked, Li Qing should have at least managed to escape with his nascent soul. There was no way he could have died so silently and without a trace.

”Old Ghost Xiaoyao, let’s test out this newly forged body of mine!”

Before the words had even finished echoing, a thunderous punch exploded behind Carefree Old Lord!

The fist moved faster than sound. By the time the sound reached Carefree Old Lord’s mind, the punch had already landed squarely on his back.

He had no time to react before a colossal force slammed into him, utterly unstoppable!

Bang!

A muffled crash reverberated through the air as Carefree Old Lord’s body was sent hurtling across the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.

Only then did Li Qing slowly materialize, his expression one of astonishment as he stared at Carefree Old Lord’s figure. The man’s body hadn’t instantly shattered—an utterly unbelievable feat.

After all, Li Qing’s current fleshly body was so formidable that it could rival even early-stage transformation-realm demon beasts.

”Ugh! Cough, cough! Ugh!”

The Carefree Old Lord spat out a mouthful of blood, even more shocked than Li Qing.

Could there truly be someone in this world who had tempered their fleshly body to such a terrifying degree, comparable to a fourth-tier demon king?

”My Ironwood Inner Armor... forged from ten thousand years of ironwood... shattered!”

”Who are you? What kind of monster are you?!”

Fear flashed in the Carefree Old Lord’s eyes. He knew something was terribly wrong today; he might die at the hands of this Limitless True Monarch.

This person moved with impossible speed, his fleshly body rivaling that of a demon king, and his divine abilities and cultivation techniques were terrifyingly sharp. He seemed nothing like a cultivator who had just achieved nascent soul formation.

This was clearly a true Nascent Soul old monster, a genuine ancient being who had steeped in this realm for centuries.

As he spoke, fragments of what appeared to be refined iron continued to fall from his body.

”So it was ten thousand-year ironwood. No wonder it withstood my fist,” Li Qing said with a dawning realization. He then channeled the Kunpeng Divine Power within him once more.

Feeling the divine power surging through his body, Li Qing’s figure gradually faded into the void.

The Carefree Old Lord’s pupils constricted sharply as he roared hoarsely, ”Do you truly intend to fight me to the death? Why not call a truce and share dominion over the Azure Ridge Domain?”

His answer came in the form of a thunderous whip kick. Li Qing’s single leg lashed out, striking the old lord’s shoulder with devastating force, slamming half his body into the ground.

Clearly, Li Qing was using him as a whetstone.

Having tested his divine abilities and cultivation techniques just now, he now sought to gauge the true strength of his fleshly body.

Watching the Carefree Old Lord utterly suppressed beneath him, Li Qing felt a surge of satisfaction. The loss of four hundred years of lifespan now seemed a worthwhile price.

After all, he was currently overwhelming a cultivator in the nascent soul realm using nothing but the Kunpeng Extreme Speed and the raw power of his fleshly body. What more could he ask for?

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Li Qing’s figure vanished and reappeared repeatedly, each appearance shattering more of the Carefree Old Lord’s ten-thousand-year Ironwood Inner Armor.

”Old fool,” Li Qing sneered, ”did you ever imagine this day would come when you launched your grand assault on Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate?”

”Respect the Azure Ridge Domain together? I only know that one mountain cannot harbor two tigers, and the heavens cannot have two suns. Today, either you die or I perish.”

”But judging by your current state, you won’t be able to handle the grand gift I’m about to bestow upon you.”

As Li Qing spoke, his voice turned icy cold.

He was determined to eliminate this man today, unwilling to leave such a grave threat to his sect.

The Carefree Old Lord, his heart as cold as ashes, finally understood that words would never sway Li Qing. Their conflict was irreconcilable, and he abandoned any naive hopes.

”This is going too far! Do you truly believe I’ll fall so easily?”

”Carefree Thought!”

As the words echoed, time and space seemed to freeze. Everything in heaven and earth slowed to a crawl.

Within the Carefree Old Lord’s aged body, a nascent soul, seemingly unaffected by the temporal distortion, nimbly crawled out.

During this brief moment, the infant-like nascent soul glared venomously at Li Qing before fleeing without looking back, soaring toward the horizon.

At that very moment, the Kunpeng Divine Power within Li Qing surged through his body, breaking free from the binding force.

The gray nascent soul sensed this and revealed a look of terror. The Carefree Old Lord had never imagined that his escape method would be thwarted.

Yet he dared not look back. The nascent soul’s escape speed was astonishingly swift, and he remained confident that he could still escape if he focused on fleeing.

But Li Qing, now free from the restraints, didn’t pursue with the Kunpeng Extreme Speed. Instead, a cold smile spread across his face.

”I knew you old ghost would try to escape with your nascent soul. This frozen space spell is indeed mysterious, but ultimately, it’s nothing more than a parlor trick.”

With that thought, Li Qing clenched his hand in the void.

Just now, when Li Qing had transformed into a flame giant during the battle, the vibrant spiritual flames that had scattered across the earth now erupted into towering pillars of fire!

Yellow pillars of fire, black pillars of fire, white pillars of fire!

The three-colored pillars of fire formed an arcane formation across the ground:

The Myriad Flames Heaven-Burning Formation!

Indeed, Li Qing had long prepared this contingency. He intended to use this overwhelmingly powerful Fire Dao Divine Power to refine the Carefree Old Lord’s nascent soul right here!

”Myriad Flames Heaven-Burning Formation, refine!”

(End of the Chapter)

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