Immortal Refiner

”Hahahaha! Fellow Daoist Wan’s methods are truly extraordinary! To withstand four ancient demons at the divine transformation stage for so long, all alone!”

A hearty laugh echoed through the air as a middle-aged man emerged, clad in a straw cloak and a conical hat.

The moment he appeared, a Nascent Soul cultivator from Bright King Valley on Heaven’s End Island exclaimed in shock, ”Founding Ancestor!”

The Founding Ancestor of Bright King Valley!

The crowd’s hearts jolted. This confirmed that the mysterious immortal dao faction in the Flame Domain indeed had a Divine Transformation stage ancestor presiding over them.

No wonder they stood above all other immortal dao factions in the Flame Domain. With such profound foundations, no ordinary cultivation sect could ever compare.

As the crowd speculated, the azure sea below Heaven’s End Island suddenly erupted in a violent splash.

Boom!

A deafening dragon’s roar shook the heavens!

ROAR!

A ten-thousand-zhang-long dark azure flood dragon soared from the depths, its deep-colored scales shedding cascades of seawater in a magnificent display.

The Old Flood Dragon’s whiskers stretched hundreds of zhang, whipping wildly in the wind.

The Old Flood Dragon’s body was colossal and majestic, dwarfing even the most powerful ancient demons who had revealed their demonic bodies. It was undoubtedly an old flood dragon with unfathomable cultivation.

The Azure Flood Dragon King of the Flood Dragon Clan had arrived from the East Sea Region. His strength was beyond question; his existence was the primary reason the Flood Dragon Clan dominated the world.

The Winged Demon Clan’s leader’s expression darkened slightly, realizing today’s conflict wouldn’t end so easily.

The sudden arrival of two Divine Transformation stage reinforcements had introduced too many variables into their encirclement.

”Just two more hard-earned battle merits,” the ancient demon wielding a massive scythe said calmly, his appetite insatiable. He immediately regarded the newly arrived Divine Transformation stage demons as mere trophies. ”This formation will soon fall. Fellow Daoists of the Flame Demon Clan, continue the assault with me.”

”Bloodwing, you and Old Crystal Demon, block the azure flood dragon and that human cultivator. Once I break this formation and capture the human inside, I’ll come to assist you.”

The ancient demon with the scythe remained composed, his ambition boundless. He spoke as if the two Divine Transformation stage reinforcements were merely gifts delivered to his doorstep.

The Winged Demon Chieftain nodded in agreement. At this point, they had no other choice.

”That azure flood dragon and the human race don’t seem ordinary,” the Winged Demon Chieftain said in a deep voice. ”Finish this battle quickly!” He spread his wings and charged toward the Azure Flood Dragon King.

The Crystal Clan’s Divine Transformation stage old demon snorted coldly, displeased, but accepted the Master of the Bright King Valley as his opponent.

The reason was simple: the Master of the Bright King Valley’s cultivation was at the mid-Divine Transformation stage, and his aura faintly threatened to break through the limitations of this world.

To have cultivated to this level in a Minor World with such meager spiritual energy, this human was no ordinary being—he was undoubtedly a prime candidate for ascension to the spirit realm.

The ascended ones from the spirit realm were renowned throughout the realms, and the demonic races, who had been at war with the spirit realm for centuries, were well aware of their legends.

Old Crystal Demon dared not underestimate his opponent. He immediately manifested his true demon body, its crystallized form appearing indestructible and reflecting a chilling light, as if it were the hardest substance in existence.

The demonic body suddenly erupted with boundless demonic qi, crystallizing the surrounding air. The Master of the Bright King Valley, who had been charging forward, abruptly halted. With a swift backhand, he swung his black-gold Bright King Staff.

Crack! Crack!

The crystallized air shattered with a resounding crack, sending a shower of crystalline shards raining down.

”Impressive tactics,” the Master of the Bright King Valley said, his expression turning grave. ”You demons from the demon realm truly grow more eerie with each passing day.” He immediately channeled power into the black-gold staff in his hand, unleashing a thunderous strike against the massive crystallized demonic body before him.

”Taste the might of the Bright King Staff!”

Boom!

A deafening, earth-shattering roar erupted as the black-gold staff slammed into the Old Crystal Demon’s body. Yet the demon remained utterly still, seemingly unharmed by the blow.

In the next instant, the Old Crystal Demon retaliated with overwhelming force. Its colossal form surged upward, and it unleashed a sky-darkening demonic hand.

Beneath this gargantuan hand, the Master of the Bright King Valley appeared utterly insignificant.

Yet the Master of the Bright King Valley didn’t evade. He retracted the black-gold staff, formed a hand seal, and chanted silently.

”Immeasurable Bright King Art!”

The sky-darkening crystallized demonic hand seized the Master of the Bright King Valley in its palm. But in that instant, boundless spiritual light erupted from between its fingers.

Astonishingly, vast quantities of demonic qi within the massive crystallized hand were being purified into nothingness.

The Old Crystal Demon was horrified. He instantly released his grip, sensing a significant loss of primordial demonic qi from his body.

As the colossal hand released its grip, the Master of the Bright King Valley stood bathed in spiritual light, radiating an otherworldly aura. His simple straw cloak had transformed into magnificent battle armor.

This was the Bright King Valley’s most powerful inheritance. The Master had shed his usual carefree demeanor, his expression now utterly serene.

He raised his obsidian staff and advanced step by step toward the Old Crystal Demon, clearly intending to crush him with overwhelming force.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Winged Demon Chieftain and the Azure Flood Dragon King was equally intense.

Both combatants were at the early Divine Transformation stage, but the Winged Demon Chieftain was growing increasingly bitter.

The Azure Flood Dragon King had suddenly produced a cyan Treasure Mace, its power unmatched. The chieftain dared not meet its edge head-on, forced to flee repeatedly under its relentless assault.

He had no choice—it was a yellow-grade spirit treasure!

He never imagined such a rare artifact, seldom seen even in the spirit realm, would be wielded by this azure flood dragon.

The combined might of a Divine Transformation stage cultivator and a spirit treasure made this opponent as formidable as the mid-Divine Transformation stage human.

Having chosen this opponent himself, the Azure Flood Dragon King could only hope that the battle on the other side would be resolved quickly, allowing reinforcements to arrive.

The Azure Flood Dragon King knew exactly what his opponent was planning. He, too, wanted to end the battle swiftly and support Wan Shengtian.

Immediately, he channeled the Primordial Energy of Heaven and Earth, fully empowering the Azure Dragon Mace.

Boom!

A brilliant azure light erupted as the Azure Dragon Mace pierced through layers of demonic qi, aiming straight for the Winged Demon Chieftain’s head.

”Damn it! If my demonic treasure hadn’t been damaged during the descent, I wouldn’t be forced to retreat!” The Winged Demon Chieftain dared not face the terrifying strike head-on, dodging repeatedly.

The strike nearly shattered the void, causing space itself to tremble—a testament to its terrifying power.

Seeing this, the Azure Flood Dragon King pressed his attack relentlessly, channeling all his strength into the Azure Dragon Mace to secure a swift victory.

He found the newly acquired Azure Dragon Mace remarkably easy to wield, growing more satisfied with each strike.

A single blow forced even opponents of the same cultivation level to retreat, its power truly astonishing.

On Heaven’s End Island, the situation, which had been on the verge of collapse, stabilized in an instant.

Wan Shengtian, stationed at the spire of the central tower, felt the pressure ease considerably. Though two Divine Transformation stage ancient demons continued their relentless assault, their attacks now seemed almost negligible compared to the earlier onslaught.

Thanks to the Heavenly Evolution Spirit Formation, all attacks were completely blocked, and the cracks that had appeared in the protective barriers swiftly repaired themselves.

The Nascent Soul cultivators sheltered within the formation art breathed a collective sigh of relief.

They had witnessed the overwhelming power of the Azure Flood Dragon King and the Master of Bright King Valley, who were even pressing the Divine Transformation stage ancient demons into retreat. Victory seemed only a matter of time.

All they needed to do now was hold out until the battle outside concluded, and their rescue would be assured!

Li Qing also felt a surge of relief, confident that they could weather this calamity.

”The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild’s influence is truly extraordinary,” he murmured. ”They even managed to mobilize the Azure Flood Dragon King and the Founding Ancestor of Bright King Valley.”

As he spoke, the mana he channeled into the Heavenly Evolution Spirit Formation remained unchanged, even decreasing slightly.

Until the dust settled, he remained vigilant, unwilling to expend too much of his own mana.

Li Qing’s cautiousness proved to be justified.

”Bai Cang, if you continue to hold back, we might all perish in this realm today!” The Flame Demon Clan leader roared, exhaling a massive torrent of intense demonic fire before turning to the demon beside him wielding a giant scythe.

Bai Cang retracted his scythe, his senses keenly aware of the battle raging behind him against the Azure Flood Dragon King.

The Winged Demon Clan and Old Crystal Demon were already being overwhelmed; their defeat seemed inevitable. If he didn’t secure a swift victory here, the consequences would be dire.

”As agreed beforehand,” Bai Cang stated calmly, ”if I must use this demonic treasure, I claim half the battle merits for myself.”

”Half it is,” the Flame Demon Clan leader conceded, his eyes flickering with apprehension. ”Better that than losing our lives.”

With confirmation secured, Bai Cang flipped his wrist, revealing five pitch-black rings in his palm. With a gentle flick, the rings soared into the air, rapidly expanding as they flew.

”Five Elements Spirit-Sealing Rings! Spirit Lock!”

Clang!

The five rings expanded to an immense size, gradually constricting the entirety of Heaven’s End Island.

Bai Cang, who was activating the demonic treasure, seemed to be under immense pressure, as if expending a tremendous amount of energy.

”Spirit Break!”

As Bai Cang chanted a complex syllable in ancient demonic language, Heaven’s End Island shuddered violently.

Rumble!

Li Qing, protected within the Heavenly Evolution Spirit Formation, felt a sudden surge of alarm, every hair on his body standing on end.

Danger!

Without hesitation, he immediately withdrew his hand, interrupting the flow of mana into the Heavenly Evolution Spirit Formation. In the same instant, he retrieved a pitch-black, ancient-looking forge from his storage bag.

He flipped the forge upside down and immediately took shelter inside.

Almost immediately, Heaven’s End Island trembled again!

Rumble!

The massive, floating island shattered into countless fragments. The Heavenly Evolution Spirit Formation, which had been meticulously arranged across its surface, collapsed and crumbled.

Heaven’s End Island transformed into massive chunks of rock that plummeted into the sea below. The Nascent Soul cultivators trapped within the collapsing island felt their scalps tingle with terror as they desperately scrambled toward the outer edges.

(End of the Chapter)

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