Immortal Refiner

Li Qing waved his hand dismissively. ”Alright, this matter is settled. I should be going now. I still need to visit some old friends.”

”Farewell, Senior Li!”

After leaving the underground palace, Li Qing relaxed as he flew through the Great Wilderness Domain.

By eliminating the Rakshasa Demon Lord, he had eradicated the last major threat to the human realm for the Lingyun Sect. With the protection of Wang Chan, the East Sea Dragon Palace, and the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild, the sect’s future development was secure.

Before he knew it, Li Qing had arrived at the Ghost Sword Sect’s mountain gate.

He had once shared a brief acquaintance with the sect’s young master—nothing profound, but they had assisted each other on several occasions.

”Since I’m here, I might as well pay them a visit,” Li Qing mused.

With that, his figure flickered downward, effortlessly bypassing the mountain gate’s formation and restrictions, and flew straight inside.

The Ghost Gate Hall was no longer presided over by Gui Li. The current ruler of the Ghost Sword Sect was Gui Fan, who had succeeded to the sect’s affairs.

”Hahahaha! Brother Gui Fan, it’s been years! I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you on advancing to the nascent soul stage!” Li Qing boomed with laughter as he strode boldly into the gloomy hall.

Gui Fan, seated at the deepest part of the grand hall, suddenly tensed, rising to his feet as if facing a formidable enemy. But upon recognizing Li Qing’s face, he visibly relaxed.

”It’s you. Gui Fan of the Ghost Sword Sect greets Senior Limitless!” Gui Fan had shed his usual flippant and cynical demeanor, bowing with utmost respect.

Li Qing chuckled, ”Brother Gui Fan, must we still be so formal between us?”

Hearing this, Gui Fan’s tense expression softened. ”Brother Li, what brings you to the Ghost Sword Sect today? You should have given me some notice—your sudden arrival nearly gave me a heart attack!”

”Hahahaha, I happened to be passing by and thought I’d pay you a visit.”

He didn’t reveal his impending ascension to Gui Fan, instead carrying a jar of wine to the hall’s entrance and sharing a drink with him.

”Ah, how time flies,” Li Qing remarked, sipping his wine. ”It feels like just yesterday we were both in the foundation establishment realm, even exchanging blows in the imperial city.”

Gui Fan nodded. ”Indeed. Back then, you stunned me and that Taiyi Sect fellow with your Heavenly Thunder Pearl, completely humiliating us.”

”Looking back now, being subdued by a future great power destined for divine transformation isn’t so humiliating after all! Hahaha!”

The two men drained several jars of potent spirit wine. It wasn’t top-tier vintage, but their refined tastes made even this ordinary brew taste exquisite.

Afterward, Li Qing and Gui Fan chatted casually. Li Qing learned that Gui Li was currently in life-or-death seclusion, having entrusted all sect affairs to Gui Fan’s care.

Gui Fan had now reached the early nascent soul realm, making him a prominent figure throughout the Great Wilderness Domain.

After several rounds of toasts, Li Qing departed from the Ghost Sword Sect, leaving Gui Fan alone in the hall to lament the passage of time.

”Supreme Sovereign of the Mortal Realm... truly a free spirit! Hahahaha!”

Wandering east and west, Li Qing eventually arrived at the westernmost reaches of the Great Wilderness Domain, where the Moonchase Palace stood.

The mountain gate’s restrictions and formations proved no obstacle to him; he slipped in silently and unnoticed.

In the Moon Palace’s main hall, dense moonlight cascaded down the empty stone steps like a layer of frost.

Inside, Liu Hanyue sat in solitary meditation, illuminated only by a flickering green lamp. Her ethereal presence, detached from the world, resembled that of a banished fairy maiden.

Li Qing watched for a long time, reluctant to break the spell of this scene, as beautiful as a painting.

He wasn’t made of wood. How could he have remained oblivious to Liu Hanyue’s affection for him all this time?

With his imminent ascension, Li Qing was reluctant to leave behind any lingering attachments. He gazed at Liu Hanyue, his quasi-confidante from the past, for a long while outside the hall before letting out a silent sigh and preparing to depart.

But in the next moment, Liu Hanyue, who had been sitting in meditation, suddenly opened her eyes, a hint of confusion crossing her delicate features.

As if realizing something, she spoke into the empty, silent hall: ”Brother Li, since you’re here, why not show yourself? Has this little sister become so repulsive to you now?”

Her words hung in the air, unanswered. A faint mist gathered in Liu Hanyue’s beautiful eyes.

The silent standoff stretched on for a long time. In the end, Li Qing couldn’t bear to leave without a word.

A tall, upright figure slowly materialized before the hall. Li Qing forced a calm smile and said, ”Long time no see.”

Seeing Li Qing’s form, Liu Hanyue finally realized she wasn’t hallucinating. A refined, captivating smile bloomed on her face.

”Indeed, it’s been a long time, Brother Li. What brings you to this little sister’s humble abode today?”

Liu Hanyue’s bright eyes and pearly teeth shone. Having advanced to the nascent soul realm, her aura had become even more ethereal, yet she only revealed her approachable side when facing Li Qing.

”Heh, after prolonged stillness, I felt the urge to move and decided to take a stroll.”

Liu Hanyue gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, biting her lower lip as she said, ”Speaking of which, I haven’t yet congratulated you on your wedding. Such an important event, yet it was held so hastily.”

This news was no secret; the entire Lingyun Sect knew of it, so Li Qing wasn’t surprised it had reached her ears.

Li Qing found himself at a loss for words.

Liu Hanyue didn’t dwell on the matter. She asked softly, ”Brother Li, did you come here today for something important? Someone as devoted to cultivation as you wouldn’t leave your seclusion lightly, would you?”

”Yes, I’ve encountered some troublesome matters.”

”Because of these issues, I can’t remain in the human realm much longer. Otherwise, my life would be in danger.”

”I’ve been searching for a suitable spatial node for days, and I’ve finally found one. I should...”

”I should ascend soon. I came to bid you farewell.”

At these words, Liu Hanyue’s delicate frame trembled slightly, her composure momentarily faltering. Since assuming leadership of Moonchase Palace, this was only the second time she had lost her composure—the first being when she learned of Li Qing’s impending marriage.

”How could this be? You are the Supreme of the Mortal Realm, an invincible existence. What could possibly threaten your life?”

”Could it be a problem with your cultivation, Brother Li? Moonchase Palace possesses some secret techniques; perhaps we could try a few?”

Li Qing walked silently closer to her, then revealed the pitch-black curse mark on his wrist.

”It’s not a cultivation issue. A saint ancestor from the demon realm has targeted me and branded me with this mark. If I remain in the human realm, not only will my life be in danger, but it could also endanger all of you.”

Seeing the glaring curse mark on Li Qing’s wrist, Liu Hanyue’s expression shifted. Unable to suppress her reluctance any longer, she leaned into Li Qing’s embrace.

”Brother Li, I can’t bear to lose you.”

(End of the Chapter)

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