Immortal Refiner

With these words, the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son struck immediately. A torrent of crimson flames erupted, his aura surging violently as he unleashed a terrifyingly powerful attack.

He struck with a killing move right from the start!

Patriarch Si Kong’s expression turned grave. He dared not underestimate his opponent and immediately refined his Lifebound Spiritual Treasure.

It was an emerald green Profound Light Shield, which he activated to its full potential, enveloping himself in protective spiritual light.

Yet the terrifying demon flame lingered, relentlessly accumulating around Patriarch Si Kong.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son formed a hand seal, and a piercing bird cry erupted from his body.

”Caw!”

A phantom shadow of a Crimson Phoenix Bird, wreathed in flames, materialized and lunged directly at Patriarch Si Kong, who was desperately defending himself.

Boom!

The devastating strike shattered Patriarch Si Kong’s defenses, leaving him stunned.

Though he knew there was a gap in their strength, he never imagined it would be so vast.

Defeated in just two moves—it defied all reason.

”Die!”

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son pressed his advantage. A pair of fiery wings unfurled behind him, transforming him into a streak of fire as he charged toward Patriarch Si Kong, aiming for a fatal blow.

In that critical moment, City Lord Lingxu activated the city’s grand formation, guiding the wounded Patriarch Si Kong back within the city walls.

Bang!

The strike missed, but the city wall trembled violently three times. A deep claw mark appeared on its surface, with lingering flames still burning within the gash.

”Hmph, without this formation, I could have easily slaughtered the entire city,” the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son scoffed. He retreated and resumed his silent vigil in the void, clearly determined to maintain his siege.

Cutting off contact between Profound Ancient City and the Giant Spirit Race was crucial, effectively weakening the latter’s forces. He intended to remain here until his mission was complete.

Patriarch Si Kong’s defeat in just two exchanges cast a dark shadow over the city.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son was even more terrifying than the rumors suggested. Ordinary cultivators of his rank stood no chance against him.

City Lord Lingxu, still maintaining the formation, wore a grim expression, his usual composure shattered.

The wounded Patriarch Si Kong, his face etched with shame, admitted, ”I am no match for him. The Red Phoenix Bloodline is truly unmatched in its terror.”

City Lord Lingxu murmured, ”This is not your fault. Even if we had joined forces, the outcome would likely have been the same.”

”Alas, we can only stall for time,” Patriarch Si Kong sighed heavily. ”When he grows impatient, he should withdraw. This delay will force us to postpone many matters. I must inform the others immediately.”

With that, he departed.

Li Qing, deep in secluded cultivation, remained largely unaware of the events unfolding outside the city walls. He had only sensed the city’s defensive formation activating autonomously. After confirming there was no immediate threat, he had resumed his cultivation.

Several days after Patriarch Si Kong’s defeat, the patriarch personally visited Li Qing’s cave abode.

”Fellow Daoist Li,” he said, ”I’m afraid the snake demon essence blood I promised to inquire about will have to be delayed for some time.”

A voice soon echoed from within the cave abode:

”Oh? Has something happened?”

Patriarch Si Kong was momentarily taken aback. This man truly is a cultivation fanatic, he thought. How could he be unaware of such a major incident in the city?

He shook his head with a wry smile and briefly recounted the current situation in Profound Ancient City, including his own defeat in just two moves.

After explaining the situation, he bid farewell and departed, citing urgent matters that required his attention.

Inside the cave abode, Li Qing completed the final circulation of the Nine Serpent Heart Sutra and slowly opened his eyes.

For a fleeting moment, his pupils transformed into golden vertical slits, radiating a chilling, emotionless aura.

”Hah! This Nine Serpent Heart Sutra is truly extraordinary. I’m still a bit short of perfecting the first layer, yet the improvement it has brought is already immense.”

”Before, I thought this heart method was inferior to the True Spirit Inheritance, but now I realize my perspective was too narrow.”

He had gained tremendous benefits from it, now only a hair’s breadth away from fully mastering the first layer.

Without hesitation, Li Qing seized the momentum and deepened his cultivation.

As the Nine Serpent Heart Sutra resonated within him, his aura grew noticeably colder, and a phantom shadow of a nine-headed serpent materialized behind him.

In that moment, Li Qing grasped the true essence of the technique, his practice flowing more smoothly than ever.

His hands mimicked the true form of the nine-headed serpent, his entire being transforming into a supreme serpent capable of gazing down upon all living beings.

After several days of continuous cultivation, he slowly withdrew from his meditative posture.

When he opened his eyes again, Li Qing had finally perfected the first layer of the Nine Serpent Heart Sutra.

His overall strength had undergone a massive, comprehensive enhancement.

From his fleshly body to his divine soul and mana, everything had been thoroughly elevated. His entire aura now radiated with far greater potency.

Moreover, he had mastered several divine abilities from the Nine Serpent Heart Sutra!

Although his cultivation remained at the late divine transformation realm, Li Qing’s current power was a world apart from what it had been before—a complete transformation.

After a long while, once Li Qing had thoroughly assessed the precise changes within himself, he slowly rose to his feet.

”While I don’t have high hopes for the Golden Abundance Trading Company’s ability to procure superior snake demon essence blood, I can’t simply ignore that red-feathered bird.”

”The Flying Spirit Clan’s holy son should make for a decent whetstone.”

With these words, Li Qing’s figure soared out of his cave abode.

He didn’t rush his journey, instead strolling leisurely through the void with his hands clasped behind his back.

It was the dead of night. Li Qing glanced up at the crescent moon, half-obscured by dark clouds, and chuckled softly, ”A dark and windy night—perfect for murder and arson.”

As his words faded, Li Qing’s divine sense surged outward, reaching City Lord Lingxu, who was overseeing the formation high above the city. He transmitted a message:

”City Lord, open the city gate. I’ll go meet the Crimson Phoenix Holy Son.”

City Lord Lingxu, who had been meditating at the formation core, opened his eyes in astonishment upon receiving the divine sense transmission. He had initially intended to stop Li Qing’s reckless move, but he quickly realized that the divine sense he had just sensed was incredibly refined—even surpassing his own!

How could a divine transformation cultivator possess such a powerful divine soul? The city lord’s expression shifted rapidly. Finally, he gritted his teeth and, instead of trying to dissuade Li Qing, followed his instructions and opened a gap in the formation.

Boom!

The city gate swung open with a thunderous roar, sending dust and smoke billowing into the night sky.

The Crimson Phoenix Holy Son, who had been sitting cross-legged in the void, snapped his eyes open and stared intently at the city gate.

A tall, imposing figure slowly emerged from within the city.

”Come down and face your death.”