Immortal Refiner

Several days later, both clans withdrew their forces, seemingly having reached some kind of agreement, miraculously ceasing hostilities.

Yet the outcome of the battle remained shrouded in mystery, with neither side claiming victory.

Soon, a treaty began circulating:

”In the future, a passage between the two realms may appear on the Tonggu Continent. To ensure sufficient reserves for the Two Realms Battlefield, cultivators at the body integration realm and above are prohibited from engaging in casual combat.”

”Any body integration realm cultivator who violates this treaty will be jointly hunted down and executed by all races.”

The conflict had not ceased entirely, but the high-end combat power of each race could no longer be deployed casually. Only cultivators at the void refinement realm and below were permitted to continue fighting and killing.

After reading the agreement, Li Qing fell silent for a moment before muttering to himself, ”It seems the all-out war has evolved into a conflict between the younger generation.”

”This is for the best. At least it will preserve sufficient combat power and fresh troops for the future Two Realms Battlefield.”

”If the war had continued, we might not even have enough body integration realm cannon fodder when the inter-realm passage opens.”

For Li Qing personally, this was undoubtedly a stroke of good fortune. He no longer had to worry about the flames of war engulfing Profound Ancient City directly.

If the conflict remained confined to the void refinement realm, he was confident in his ability to handle it.

With this, the scale and intensity of the war diminished significantly, almost to the point of a ceasefire.

However, news and secret rumors soon began to circulate among the races.

”The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son of the Flying Spirit Clan has successfully advanced to the void refinement realm! It’s said that a phantom shadow of a Crimson Phoenix Bird appeared in the sky on the day of his breakthrough!”

Almost simultaneously, reports arrived from the Tree Demon Clan of several young heavenly prodigies achieving breakthroughs into the void refinement realm.

”The Heavenly Sword Grass has successfully advanced to the void refinement realm! After enduring its heavenly tribulation, an extraordinary phenomenon occurred: six swords materialized in mid-air, their blades gleaming with unparalleled sharpness!”

”Hiss... A Six-Leaf Swordgrass? It might truly reign supreme among the younger generation now.”

”Not so fast. Rumor has it that after his breakthrough, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son’s true blood underwent further ancestral reversion. He might actually transform into a true spirit Crimson Phoenix Bird in the future!”

The Flying Spirit Clan and Tree Demon Clan each had heavenly prodigies advance to the void refinement realm in quick succession, seemingly gaining a significant advantage under the agreement prohibiting body integration realm experts from intervening.

Many speculated that the Ancient Ancestral Tree of the Tree Demon Clan had gained the upper hand in the recent extraterrestrial battle, using its influence to establish this agreement and secure crucial breathing room for its clan.

Li Qing, however, disagreed. While no news had emerged of a Giant Spirit Race prodigy reaching the void refinement realm, that was because the unfathomable White-Eyed Giant had already attained this level during the Heavenlight Secret Realm event.

In truth, the Giant Spirit Race held a considerable advantage under this agreement.

As the world awaited further developments, a vast tribulation cloud suddenly materialized above Profound Ancient City, the human race’s capital.

Rumble!

The terrifying pressure of the heavenly thunder sent the entire city into shock. People craned their necks to gaze at the yin-dark, cloud-choked sky, their mouths agape.

”Is this... a great heavenly tribulation?!”

”Yes, it’s definitely a great heavenly tribulation. Is someone about to enter the void refinement realm?”

”Could City Lord Lingxu’s great heavenly tribulation have arrived early?”

Speculation ran rampant throughout Profound Ancient City as everyone scrambled to understand the situation.

The sheer density of the thunderclouds left no doubt: this was a great heavenly tribulation, far surpassing any minor heavenly tribulation!

This sudden upheaval startled Li Qing as well. He extended his divine sense, probing the sky outside.

”It’s truly a great heavenly tribulation. Is someone about to advance to the void refinement realm?”

”I never imagined our human race had hidden such a heavenly prodigy. This is quite unexpected.”

Li Qing chuckled softly, already guessing the identity of the tribulation crosser.

It couldn’t be Old Lord Hei You. After leaving the Heavenlight Secret Realm, the old lord hadn’t returned to Profound Ancient City.

”Hu Sheng? He shouldn’t have reached this stage yet. Without some extraordinary opportunity, he’d still need at least a century to perfect his divine transformation cultivation.”

”In that case, it must be Patriarch Si Kong of the Golden Abundance Trading Company.”

Sure enough, a gaunt middle-aged man ascended skyward, his demeanor relaxed and carefree, his two-pronged mustache adding to his air of ease.

Patriarch Si Kong had announced his life-or-death seclusion immediately after the Giant Spirit Royal City auction.

Now, after so much time had passed, many had forgotten about it. Yet, at this critical juncture, Patriarch Si Kong had finally taken this momentous step.

”Heaven be merciful! Is the human race about to gain another Void Refinement realm expert?!”

”So it’s Patriarch Si Kong! He actually achieved the breakthrough!”

”I heard he obtained a Void-Breaking Pill. It seems he finally advanced to the Void Refinement realm with its aid.”

”Can he survive the heavenly tribulation? This is a genuine great heavenly tribulation, the kind even City Lord Lingxu fears.”

The city’s formation restrictions immediately dissolved, allowing Patriarch Si Kong to soar unhindered into the sky, ready to face the first great heavenly tribulation of his life.

If anything went wrong, this tribulation could also become the last of his life.

Rumble!

Heavenly thunder roared, as if threatening to shatter the very firmament.

A tiny figure began to face the tribulation. In that vast sea of lightning, Patriarch Si Kong seemed utterly insignificant, yet he was the sole protagonist of this heavenly tribulation, drawing the attention of the entire city.

The thunder tribulation lasted a full seven days and seven nights, unleashing countless terrifying heavenly thunderbolts. However, Patriarch Si Kong’s profound foundation allowed him to neutralize each one.

As the thunderclouds dispersed, the heavenly tribulation concluded!

Boom!

A powerful aura surged from Patriarch Si Kong’s body. Having perfected himself through the tribulation, he had finally officially entered the void refinement realm!

From this day forward, the human race in Profound Ancient City had a second void refinement realm expert to protect them.

Upon hearing this news, many mortals in the city wept tears of joy, as if they themselves had achieved a breakthrough.

With an additional void refinement realm expert, Profound Ancient City would have greater security in the future, no longer relying solely on City Lord Lingxu’s solitary support.

After all, a single tree cannot support the entire forest.

Soon after, a hearty voice rang out from the city lord’s manor:

”Hahahaha! Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Si Kong, on successfully crossing the tribulation and entering the void refinement realm!”

City Lord Lingxu personally came to offer his congratulations, his face beaming with genuine joy.

”Thank you, City Lord Lingxu!”

Soon, figures began soaring into the sky, offering their congratulations to Patriarch Si Kong on his advancement to the void refinement realm.

Li Qing naturally mingled among them. The addition of another void refinement realm cultivator to the human race was undoubtedly a momentous occasion, deserving sincere celebration.