Immortal Refiner

Li Qing could tell at a glance who the scarlet flood dragon glaring at him was.

This was none other than the Scarlet Flood Dragon King, fourth in rank among the Flood Dragon Clan, and the younger brother of the Azure Flood Dragon King and Black Flood Dragon King.

Having taken the Source Dragon Fruit that originally belonged to the Scarlet Flood Dragon King, it was only natural that he would harbor some animosity.

Seeing this, Li Qing smiled slightly, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and asked, ”Brother Black Dragon, may I ask who this is beside you?”

The Black Flood Dragon King chuckled. ”This is my good-for-nothing fourth brother. Speaking of which, you two have some history. Remember when you threatened to skin and flay my nephew alive? He’s the Scarlet Flood Dragon King’s own son.”

Li Qing’s expression immediately turned awkward. He hadn’t realized the depth of the animosity between them.

”Hmph!” The Scarlet Flood Dragon King snorted coldly, but remained silent.

Beside him, the Black Flood Dragon King rebuked, ”Fourth Brother, what’s this behavior? Fellow Daoist Li Qing is a valued guest of our Flood Dragon Clan. Are you still upset about him taking the Source Dragon Fruit?”

”This matter was decided by our big brother. If you have any complaints, take them up with him directly.”

Hearing this, the Scarlet Flood Dragon King finally turned his massive head away, no longer glaring intently at Li Qing.

Li Qing could only offer a wry smile, but he didn’t take the matter too seriously. After all, the Scarlet Flood Dragon King’s strength was merely at the early transformation stage.

Now that Li Qing’s cultivation had advanced significantly, having glimpsed the threshold of the late-stage nascent soul realm, his current power was incomparable to what it had been before.

Subduing a fourth-tier early-stage flood dragon would pose little difficulty for him.

Seeing this, the Black Flood Dragon King said no more. He spoke calmly, ”My fourth brother will accompany us on this journey. I hope Fellow Daoist Li doesn’t mind. This is just his nature.”

Whether he minded or not, Li Qing naturally wouldn’t reveal his true feelings. Instead, he replied with a cheerful smile, ”Not at all, not at all. I believe it’s about time we set off, don’t you think?”

Indeed, the invitation from the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild was imminent. Although Li Qing had a location beacon for Heaven’s End Island, traveling with the group would undoubtedly be more convenient.

Seeing Li Qing’s nonchalant attitude, the Black Flood Dragon King burst into laughter. ”Hahaha, you’re right! Let’s set off immediately.”

And so, Li Qing and the two powerful flood dragons from the Undersea Dragon Palace surged out of the sea territory, soaring into the sky at breakneck speed.

All three were formidable beings, and they made no attempt to conceal their auras. As they traveled together, the sea clans and demon birds along their path scattered in terror, not daring to approach.

The journey to Heaven’s End Island was long, and they inevitably encountered trouble along the way.

With the demon realm’s invasion underway, void rifts connecting to the demon realm had opened in the sea territory, unleashing hordes of ancient demons upon the world.

During their journey, Li Qing and the two transformation stage flood dragons repeatedly intervened, slaying numerous ancient demons at the nascent soul realm.

They also rescued many sea clans on the verge of annihilation, earning themselves considerable merit.

The ancient demon threat remained severe, but fortunately, they encountered no divine transformation stage demons during their journey—a stroke of luck amidst the chaos.

Otherwise, Li Qing and his group would have to slink back to the East Sea Region and beg the Azure Flood Dragon King to slay the demon.

As they approached the sea territory near Heaven’s End Island, the ancient demons seemed to have been cleared out by the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild, making the area much calmer.

Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and casually asked, ”By the way, Brother Black Dragon, I’ve met three of your four flood dragon brothers. Where is the last one?”

At this seemingly innocuous question, the Black Flood Dragon King’s vertical pupils visibly froze, his expression stiffening.

The Scarlet Flood Dragon King, standing beside him, blurted out angrily, ”You’ve already refined him into a spirit treasure!”

Li Qing was startled by this accusation. When did I ever do such a thing? he thought. I’m not taking the blame for this!

”Silence! Fourth Brother, what nonsense are you spouting?!” the Black Flood Dragon King roared, cutting off his younger brother’s outburst.

Only then did Li Qing recall his earlier curiosity during the artifact refinement for the Azure Flood Dragon King. He had wondered where those Flood Dragon Horns had come from.

He hadn’t heard of any other flood dragons in the Flood Dragon Clan reaching the Divine Transformation Stage besides the Azure Flood Dragon King.

Li Qing had initially assumed the Azure Dragon Mace was a treasure passed down through generations of the Flood Dragon Clan, its Flood Dragon Horns originating from some ancient clan elder.

However, judging by the artifact refinement process, the Flood Dragon Horns retained a remarkable degree of spirituality, showing little sign of degradation from age. They didn’t appear to be ancient at all.

Li Qing hesitated to press further, mindful that this was the clan’s private matter. He knew better than to pry too deeply into affairs that were none of his business.

Seeing his hesitation, the Black Flood Dragon King offered an explanation: ”The remaining clan brother perished during his Divine Transformation Stage ascension, struck down by the heavenly tribulation. The Flood Dragon Horns you used to refine the Azure Dragon Mace, Fellow Daoist Li, came from him.”

Clan brother? The spirit material for the Azure Dragon Mace had actually belonged to one of the Azure Flood Dragon King’s own kin?

Perished during his Divine Transformation Stage ascension, struck down by the heavenly tribulation?!

Li Qing felt a chill run down his spine. This was far more complicated than he’d imagined. Yet, clinging to the belief that the less he knew, the better, he refrained from asking further questions.

He merely said with a hint of regret, ”So that’s how it is. What a pity. Reaching the Divine Transformation Stage is indeed more difficult than ascending to heaven. Without thorough preparation, the risk of failure is considerable.”

Despite his words, Li Qing’s inner alarm bells began to ring.

This matter was clearly more complex than it appeared on the surface. But what truly sent a chill down Li Qing’s spine was the realization that the seemingly amiable Azure Flood Dragon King had actually used the horn of his own flesh-and-blood brother as material for artifact refinement!

Even tigers don’t devour their own cubs. If the Azure Flood Dragon King could steel himself to commit such an act, his benevolent facade must be a sham. Li Qing resolved to exercise extreme caution when dealing with him in the future.

The Scarlet Flood Dragon King, realizing he had spoken out of turn, fell into a tense silence.

Amidst this awkward and peculiar atmosphere, the two flood dragons and the human finally arrived at Heaven’s End Island!

To their surprise, the island wasn’t a landmass resting on the sea’s surface, but rather a floating island suspended in the sky, shrouded in swirling clouds.

Over the years, Li Qing had seen many floating islands. For example, the Heavenly River Market in the Azure Ridge Domain was built upon a cluster of islands suspended in mid-air.

Those islands were suspended in the air by the power of formation arts.

But Heaven’s End Island showed no trace of any formation art, not even a hint of spiritual energy patterns.

This was utterly astonishing! Could the island be floating on its own?!

Li Qing’s eyes widened slightly, unable to conceal his surprise.

”Incredible! This island floats in the air without relying on any formation art!” Li Qing exclaimed.

The Black Flood Dragon King replied, ”Indeed, it’s truly miraculous. I’ve heard this island fell from the upper realm, and its environment differs greatly from the lower realm.”

Still marveling, Li Qing followed the two flood dragons as they ascended into the sky and descended upon the floating island.

From above, Heaven’s End Island was covered in vibrant, multicolored flora, all remarkably rare and peculiar.

The island was vast, stretching beyond the horizon. Only a towering pagoda piercing the clouds stood out prominently.

Almost as soon as Li Qing landed, a figure soared through the air toward them.

True Monarch Wan He!

To his surprise, another high-ranking member of the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild had come to greet them. Yet, considering the circumstances, this was both expected and reasonable.

”Hahahaha! Fellow Daoist Limitless, I never imagined you’d arrive in the company of two fellow Daoists from the Flood Dragon Clan!”

”Last time we met, I remember you two fellow daoists were at each other’s throats, nearly tearing down my Heavenly Treasure Immortal City! Who would have thought you’d be such amicable companions now?” True Monarch Wan He’s face beamed with a warm smile, his words radiating friendliness.

”Hahaha, Brother Black Dragon and I became friends through fighting—we truly forged a bond through battle!” Li Qing laughed heartily, clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

The Scarlet Flood Dragon King and Black Flood Dragon King offered only curt acknowledgments, their haughty demeanor and regal bearing fully on display.

Such was the nature of the Flood Dragon Clan. They rarely showed courtesy to humans unless the latter’s strength and cultivation far surpassed their own. Otherwise, one could hardly expect respect from this domineering race.

It was only after Li Qing demonstrated his mastery of the fifth-tier artifact refinement technique that he earned the Flood Dragon Clan’s friendship.

”As it should be! Harmony is paramount in all things!”

”Having cultivated to our level, what grudges could we possibly hold? How much better to peacefully study the Great Dao together!”

With these words, True Monarch Wan He led Li Qing and the two Flood Dragon Kings toward the central tower of Heaven’s End Island.

The island truly lived up to its name. Climbing to the tower’s summit, one felt as if the sky were within reach, almost close enough to touch the Great Void Gang Wind.

Upon arriving, Li Qing immediately sensed multiple extraordinary auras, all emanating from Nascent Soul cultivators.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild’s influence this time surpassed even their previous grand auction. Nearly every Nascent Soul cultivator in the Human Realm who could attend had gathered here.

Li Qing was once again stunned by the merchant guild’s immense power!

If the powerful cultivators gathered on this island were to unite, they would form an overwhelmingly terrifying force capable of overthrowing any power or race in the world.

Of course, the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild had managed to gather so many Nascent Soul cultivators here primarily through the allure of the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation.

This formation could seal void rifts, the very thing these cultivators most desired.

As long as the Demonic Realm Rift remained open, the cultivation environment here would continue to deteriorate, and these Nascent Soul cultivators, who had once reigned as ancestors in their respective domains, would never find peace.

After all, the demons’ purpose in descending to this realm was to capture all beings with Nascent Soul cultivation or higher, leaving neither demon nor human safe.

True Monarch Wan He chuckled softly. ”The appointed time has not yet arrived. Fellow daoists, why not choose a spot to rest for a while?”

”This island fell from the upper realm. Cultivating here might grant you some insights.”

Only then did Li Qing notice that while the spiritual energy on the island wasn’t particularly dense—not even comparable to the Undersea Dragon Palace—being here felt strangely comfortable and invigorating, as if his inner spiritual energy was subtly stirring with excitement.

”This island truly fell from the upper realm? That’s incredible! Could this be a glimpse of the upper realm’s splendor?” Li Qing remarked, his gaze sweeping across the rare and wondrous scenery.

True Monarch Wan He shook his head. ”The upper realm is vast and boundless. Even a corner of it surpasses the Human Realm in scale and variety. Naturally, it boasts countless landscapes.”

”While Heaven’s End Island may seem extraordinary, in the spirit realm, it would likely be just another ordinary Floating Island.”

Li Qing’s eyebrows rose at this. True Monarch Wan He’s words suggested he possessed considerable knowledge of the spirit realm.

”Fellow Daoist Wan He, how do you know so much about the upper realm? Is there some record of it on this island?”

At this, True Monarch Wan He smiled enigmatically, clearly unwilling to delve further into the topic. He swiftly changed the subject. ”Heh, these are merely baseless speculations. But one can imagine the spirit realm must be like this.”

”Ah, I have urgent matters to attend to. Please make yourselves at home. If you wish to explore the Heavenly Zenith Tower, feel free to do so. All levels except the very top are open to visitors.”

”More fellow daoists will be arriving shortly, and I must personally greet them. Forgive me for not being able to stay longer.”

With a cupped-fist salute to Li Qing, True Monarch Wan He departed.

The arrival of Li Qing, the Black Flood Dragon King, and the Scarlet Flood Dragon King naturally drew the attention of many fellow cultivators on the island.

Most were elites from various domains of the Human Realm, while others were rogue cultivators who had retreated to secluded immortal mountains overseas to cultivate in seclusion.

Before Li Qing even touched down, someone had already recognized him.

”It’s you!”

A young man radiating a righteous aura soared from the branches of a crimson-orange tree, his entire being like a blazing sun, emitting waves of pure yang qi.

Li Qing glanced up at the sound and narrowed his eyes.

”Ah, Fellow Daoist Zhi Yang,” Li Qing said with a friendly tone. ”It’s been many years since we last met. Your presence is even more radiant than before.”

This was none other than the Pure Yang Physique who had caused such a stir in the Great Wilderness Domain years ago.

Li Qing hadn’t expected to encounter him here. He vaguely recalled that this person had been taken away by True Monarch Taixuan and had vanished without a trace in the years since.

The Pure Yang Physique’s cultivation speed was truly astonishing. He had already reached the Pseudo-Nascent Soul Stage, just half a step away from true nascent soul formation. Given his innate talent, achieving this milestone shouldn’t have been too difficult.

It was only then that True Yang Daoist sensed the faint aura emanating from Li Qing, which was even more formidable than that of his master, True Monarch Taixuan. He involuntarily gasped, his expression shifting dramatically. ”Your cultivation... mid-Nascent Soul stage!”

The shock was overwhelming. True Yang Daoist felt his head buzzing, as if this reality were utterly surreal.

When they had first met, Li Qing’s cultivation had been at the core formation realm, the same as his own. Yet in the blink of an eye, after these years had passed, Li Qing had already ascended to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Such a cultivation speed was nothing short of earth-shattering.

Li Qing chuckled, his eyes crinkling in a smile. ”Heh heh heh, I’ve had a few fortuitous encounters over the years. These minor achievements are hardly worth mentioning.”

”By the way, where is your master, True Monarch Taixuan? I’ve long admired the Leader of the Righteous Path since our time in the Great Wilderness Domain. I’d very much like to pay him a visit now.”

Now that his cultivation had advanced, Li Qing no longer felt the same awe toward those he had once looked up to. He naturally wished to pay his respects.

However, True Yang Daoist’s expression darkened considerably. He sighed, ”Master... he was captured by the demonic race.”

(End of the Chapter)

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