Immortal Refiner

In the abyssal depths, a pitch-black flood dragon swam desperately, but it couldn’t shake the human figure trailing behind.

The man was clearly of the human race, yet he moved through the water with a speed that rivaled the dragon’s own, leaving the Black Flood Dragon King utterly bewildered.

But the ancient demon of the Divine Transformation stage behind them was closing in. If caught, both the dragon and Li Qing would likely meet their end buried in the seabed.

With this thought, the Black Flood Dragon King put forth a burst of speed, abruptly changing course and heading straight for a deep-sea region to the east.

Rumble!

Water surged outward in all directions, even altering the deep-sea currents.

Seeing this, Li Qing knew the Black Flood Dragon King had made up his mind and was preparing to seek refuge with his elder brother.

The East Sea Azure Flood Dragon King was a great demon cultivator of the Divine Transformation stage, revered as the supreme ruler of the entire Flood Dragon Clan across the Human Realm.

Yet this Azure Flood Dragon King rarely showed himself, seemingly having remained in a deep slumber for ages.

Thus, one man and one dragon raced toward the deepest reaches of the East Sea, fleeing the pursuit of the Divine Transformation stage ancient demon.

The abyssal depths were pitch-black, not a glimmer of light visible. As they descended, the water pressure grew increasingly intense, and Li Qing felt as though every inch of his flesh and blood were burdened by a mountain.

Yet with a divine transformation stage ancient demon relentlessly pursuing them, he dared not slow his escape to conserve mana.

Fortunately, his fleshly body proved sufficiently resilient to withstand the crushing pressure.

The Black Flood Dragon King, however, moved with effortless grace. Having spent his life in such environments, his dragon form had clearly adapted perfectly to the extreme pressure.

Witnessing this, Li Qing couldn’t help but marvel. No wonder the Flood Dragon Clan’s physiques reigned supreme among demon races of their stage. Constant survival in such conditions would naturally forge such formidable bodies.

Of course, this was also due to the Flood Dragon Clan’s innate gifts. The combination of these factors had created their unique, heaven-blessed physiques.

Finally, as they reached the seabed of the deep sea, a dragon head statue emerged from the darkness!

”Big Brother, an ancient demon of the Divine Transformation Stage is hunting me! Hurry and save me!” the Black Flood Dragon King roared through his mental transmission.

Before the transmission had even finished, a terrifying aura surged from the depths of the sea.

In the next instant, two massive, golden, vertical pupils snapped open in the pitch-black abyss!

A colossal wave of water erupted, shaking the entire seabed as countless reefs shattered.

A colossal azure flood dragon slowly emerged from the depths. With each sweep of its body, tens of thousands of square miles of water were violently displaced!

This was the Azure Flood Dragon King, one of the most powerful demon cultivators in the entire Human Realm, a being of the Divine Transformation Stage. In these depths, he was an invincible force.

Without needing the Black Flood Dragon King to explain, he immediately sensed the aura that the heaven and earth of the Human Realm rejected.

”ROAR!”

The thunderous roar sent shockwaves through the dense water for hundreds of miles. Even Li Qing, who was nearby, nearly lost his hearing!

Li Qing’s eyes remained fixed on the deep azure Old Flood Dragon as it swam past. A sudden sense of relief washed over him.

We’re saved!

The Azure Flood Dragon King’s immense power was evident in the Flood Dragon Clan’s revered status in the Human Realm, and this was even in the depths of the ocean!

Dealing with that already heavily wounded Divine Transformation ancient demon should be child’s play for him.

Meanwhile, the Doma Clan Leader, who had been pursuing him at breakneck speed, halted in the deep sea. As he watched the Azure Flood Dragon King approach, a sinister expression flickered in his eyes.

”An azure flood dragon of the Divine Transformation stage from the Flood Dragon Clan,” the leader muttered to himself, then did something utterly unexpected.

He turned and fled without a second glance, not even considering a fight!

Li Qing’s lips twitched slightly at this sight. This ancient demon is too rational, he thought. Turning heel and running without a care for dignity.

Yet it was precisely this pragmatism that made Li Qing see the Doma Clan Leader as truly extraordinary.

He values his own life above all else and would never take a reckless risk.

However, in the depths of the sea, the Azure Flood Dragon King reigned supreme. Here, he could wield the power of heaven and earth with unparalleled ease, unleashing devastating techniques with a casual flick of his wrist.

Escape? As if it were that simple!

The Azure Flood Dragon King’s majestic form suddenly accelerated, the surrounding seawater offering no resistance to his flood dragon body.

Water streamed across each of his deep azure scales, even propelling him forward.

Boom!

In an instant, several water tornadoes erupted in the sky above the East Sea, their destructive aura carrying the weight of world-ending power.

The two Divine Transformation stage experts had finally clashed!

As he felt the violent aftershocks, Li Qing couldn’t help but gasp in cold air.

He was tempted to approach and observe the battle, but the residual energy was too chaotic. The surrounding power of heaven and earth overflowed wildly, and he could easily be caught in the crossfire.

In the end, Li Qing restrained himself.

Beside him, the Black Flood Dragon King had also materialized his human form, leaving only a pair of obsidian Flood Dragon Horns crowning his head.

He glared at Li Qing with a displeased expression before speaking, ”Fellow Daoist Li, it seems your jest today has gone a bit too far.”

”If my big brother hadn’t awakened, I might have been buried with you today.”

Hearing this, Li Qing smiled warmly. Underwater, he solemnly clasped his hands in a respectful bow to the Black Flood Dragon King:

”Brother Black Dragon, I was desperate and had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. I hope you can forgive me.”

”This Li will never forget your life-saving grace. Great deeds require no thanks, and I will find every way to repay this debt in the future!”

There was no denying it—he truly owed the Black Flood Dragon King a great debt. Without the king’s guidance to find the Azure Flood Dragon King, he would likely have perished.

Only then did the Black Flood Dragon King’s expression soften slightly, though he still snorted coldly:

”Hmph, no need for thanks. I only hope you will refrain from such underhanded acts against the Flood Dragon Clan in the future.”

Li Qing forced a dry laugh and clasped his hands again, saying nothing more.

Yet he truly kept this life-saving favor in his heart.

”By the way, how are things in the sea? With ancient demons invading every domain of the Human Realm, the situation is dire.”

The Black Flood Dragon King shook his head, his face tense. ”It’s not much better than the land. Void rifts have opened in the sea as well, and some of the weaker sea clans are even on the brink of extinction.”

”If my big brother hadn’t possessed such profound good fortune and single-handedly suppressed a void rift, our Flood Dragon Clan might have been in grave danger as well.”

Hearing this, Li Qing nodded in sudden understanding.

It seemed the demonic race was utterly determined. If they said they would capture all beings above the nascent soul realm, they would see it through to the end.

Even the vast sea clans had suffered. It was important to remember that the Flood Dragon Clan was far from the only demon race in the ocean.

The boundless sea was home to countless demon beasts, many of which had undergone transformation to become royal clans. The number of royal clans in the sea even surpassed that in the demon realm.

Seizing the opportunity, the Black Flood Dragon King asked, ”What secret technique did you just use? You moved so swiftly through the water that even I couldn’t escape you.”

Li Qing, of course, wasn’t foolish enough to reveal the Kunpeng Treasure Technique here. He shook his head and waved his hands dismissively. ”Just some trivial tricks, nothing worth mentioning. Only useful for escaping and running away.”

”I’ve always been interested in studying divine abilities for survival and escape. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to escape that Divine Transformation ancient demon.”

The Black Flood Dragon King naturally didn’t quite believe this, but since Li Qing was unwilling to elaborate, he didn’t press the matter.

Seeing this, Li Qing quickly changed the subject. ”By the way, has the Flood Dragon Clan received an invitation from the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild?”

The Black Flood Dragon King nodded. ”You mean the one for Heaven’s End Island in a month?”

”Closing all the void rifts in the Human Realm is such a monumental task. Of course, the Flood Dragon Clan received an invitation.”

Li Qing asked curiously, ”What conditions did the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild offer the Flood Dragon Clan?” He was particularly interested, wanting to know what the guild was really after.

The Black Flood Dragon King shook his head. ”They didn’t specify the details, only that everything would become clear in a month.”

”However, I suspect it’s related to ascension. Although Wan Shengtian has a self-sealing method to extend his lifespan, he’s still human, and his lifespan is finite.”

”With the demon realm’s invasion, the spatial barrier of the Human Realm has weakened to its absolute limit. This is the perfect opportunity for ascension.”

”Wan Shengtian’s lifespan is nearing its end. It’s only natural he wouldn’t let this opportunity slip through his fingers.”

Hearing this, Li Qing fell silent for a moment, thinking that if that were the case, it would indeed make sense.

Just as they were chatting casually, the violent combat sounds from the deep sea abruptly ceased.

It’s over?! Who won?

Sensing the fading battle ripples, Li Qing’s heart stirred with curiosity.

Though he had great confidence in the Azure Flood Dragon King, that was still a mid-Divine Transformation stage ancient demon. Even wounded and suppressed by the laws of heaven and earth, such a creature was not to be underestimated.

In contrast, the Black Flood Dragon King remained calm and composed, utterly confident in his big brother.

As expected, a deep azure Old Flood Dragon broke through the waves.

The Azure Flood Dragon King suppressed his aura and shrank his form considerably, yet his imposing presence remained undiminished.

Many of his formerly dense, deep azure scales had fallen off, and several cracks marred his body. It was clear the battle had been anything but easy for him.

Seeing this, Li Qing immediately cupped his hands in a respectful bow. ”Li Qing of the Lingyun Sect pays his respects to Senior Azure Flood Dragon King!”

The Azure Flood Dragon King did not reveal his transformed human form, maintaining his true dragon shape. He scrutinized Li Qing with his golden vertical pupils for a long moment before speaking:

”You are the human who refined that yellow-grade spirit treasure some time ago?”

”I was slumbering then, but was suddenly awakened by a powerful wind thunder tribulation. I initially thought a cultivator specializing in Wind-Thunder had advanced to the Divine Transformation stage.”

”Curiosity led me to investigate the nearshore waters, where I witnessed you using a pair of Wind-Thunder Bone Wings to slay two Transformed Demon Kings.”

At these words, Li Qing’s heart skipped a beat, and his skin prickled with goosebumps.

He hadn’t expected that on the day he forged the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, after killing the Golden Bear King and the Black Crocodile King, such a powerful being had been watching him.

Given how accurately the Azure Flood Dragon King had described the events, Li Qing knew that denying it now would be foolish.

Facing such a formidable entity, he dared not conceal anything and immediately confessed.

”Senior Azure Dragon’s insight is truly remarkable,” Li Qing said. ”I do indeed have a deep understanding of artifact refinement. I never expected such a minor matter would be noticed by you, Senior. It is truly my honor.”

The Azure Flood Dragon King’s cold, golden vertical pupils revealed a human-like expression of satisfaction.

”Excellent!”

”Skilled artifact refiners capable of refining spirit treasures are indeed rare in the Human Realm. I never imagined a mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator like you could achieve this. Your artifact refinement skills are truly exceptional.”

”I intend to refine an Azure Dragon Mace. The spirit materials have all been gathered, and I even have a promising lead on the corresponding dao patterns. Would you be willing to assist me with this task, young friend?”

So he wanted to refine an artifact!

Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the Azure Flood Dragon King likely wasn’t very interested in his Wind-Thunder Silver Wings.

If the Azure Flood Dragon King had truly coveted the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, he would have acted when Li Qing slew the Golden Bear King and Black Crocodile King that day.

”Senior Azure Dragon saved my life when you slew the demons. I would never refuse such a request,” Li Qing replied.

”However, I am acutely aware of my own capabilities. While I have considerable confidence in refining spirit treasures, I cannot guarantee success.”

The meaning was clear: he would help with the artifact refinement, but without any guarantee of success. If the attempt failed, the Azure Flood Dragon King would have to bear the risks and consequences himself.

Refining a spirit treasure required spirit materials of extraordinary rarity—truly rare in the entire world.

If the refining process failed, the spirit materials would be wasted, resulting in a devastating loss.

”Haha, I understand that perfectly, young friend. Just do your best to refine it for me.”

”If it fails, I won’t blame you.”

Beside them, the Black Flood Dragon King’s eyes widened in astonishment. He had never imagined Li Qing possessed the ability to refine spirit treasures!

He was no ignorant member of the demon race!

While it was true that human cultivators often relied on external aids like magic treasures, there was undeniable merit to this approach.

And these so-called spirit treasures... their value was truly unparalleled!

In that moment, the Black Flood Dragon King quickly forgot his earlier displeasure at being tricked by Li Qing. His gaze toward the young man turned fervent.

If he could obtain a spirit treasure, his power would surge dramatically!

With such a treasure, only those in the Divine Transformation Stage would be able to threaten him, and perhaps only Li Qing would remain as a rival!

Li Qing paid little attention to the Black Flood Dragon King’s fervent gaze. Instead, he turned to the Azure Flood Dragon King and asked, ”Senior, when do you plan to refine the treasure?”

The Azure Flood Dragon King replied decisively, ”Now!”

(End of the Chapter)

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