Translator: AnubisTL
While the entire sect celebrated, Li Qing remained secluded in his cave abode.
He had just achieved a breakthrough, a significant leap forward that required him to carefully consolidate his cultivation and stabilize his somewhat unstable aura.
After seven consecutive days of meditation and breath regulation, Li Qing's aura gradually stabilized, losing its previous volatility.
"There are still some ancient demon corpses left. They're useless as they are, so I might as well refine them all."
With that, Li Qing returned to the secret chamber, extracted the remaining dozen ancient demon corpses from his storage bag, and refined them into essence blood. He then poured the entire batch into the blood pool.
He once again sat cross-legged at the center of the blood lotus, its petals enveloping him as he absorbed the nourishing energy.
His life essence gradually replenished to full capacity, and his mana cultivation slowly increased by a small amount.
By the time the essence blood in the blood pool was depleted again, his cultivation had only advanced by a barely perceptible degree.
Compared to his progress during the mid-Nascent Soul stage, this rate of advancement was disappointingly slow.
"Cultivating in the late-stage nascent soul realm is proving incredibly difficult. Even after refining the essence blood from so many ancient demon corpses, my cultivation has only increased by such a tiny amount!"
"If I were to cultivate through conventional meditation and qi refining, it would likely take thousands of years to reach the perfected nascent soul realm."
"No wonder cultivators at the divine transformation stage are so rare in the Human Realm. Each great domain has only a handful of them."
Li Qing sighed, the lingering joy from his recent breakthrough to the late-stage nascent soul realm fading considerably.
Cultivation at this stage was exceedingly difficult, making it nearly impossible to advance through normal meditation and qi refining.
Reaching the perfected nascent soul realm, let alone breaking through to the divine transformation stage, was an immensely arduous task.
"I truly wonder how those great powers at the divine transformation stage cultivated. Were their innate talents truly so extraordinary that they could achieve Divine Transformation even in this Primordial Energy-depleted environment? It's astonishing."
Li Qing mused briefly, finally understanding why the goatee-bearded old daoist had sought opportunities to break through to the divine transformation stage at the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild's grand auction.
Next, Li Qing began strategizing how to further advance his cultivation.
"First, I must continue collecting ancient demon corpses, especially those of divine transformation stage ancient demons. If the opportunity arises, I must obtain them at all costs."
"Although nourishing myself with the blood lotus yields only marginal improvements in cultivation, it's still faster than arduous meditation. I can't abandon it just yet."
"Secondly, I need to find ways to refine more magic treasures that extend Lifespan. With enough time, I might glimpse the Great Dao."
After enduring the recent trials, Li Qing's remaining Lifespan was indeed dwindling, barely exceeding a thousand years.
Of course, a thousand years of life would be an extravagant figure for most Nascent Soul cultivators. But to Li Qing himself, it still felt insufficient.
His cultivation methods were excessively violent. Each time he tempered himself to break through a realm, he drained vast amounts of vital essence, severely depleting his Lifespan.
Moreover, he possessed the Transformation Demon Art. If faced with future crises, he would inevitably resort to this demonic art to condense seven-colored life essence and amplify his abilities.
Therefore, Li Qing believed he needed at least three thousand years, or even more, of Lifespan to feel truly secure.
After all, no one ever complains about having too much time!
After formulating his plans, Li Qing leaped down from the blood lotus throne and strode out of the secret chamber, step by step.
Although Li Qing now possessed the ability to refine spirit treasures, this didn't mean he would only refine such items.
In truth, successfully refining ordinary magic treasures could also extend his lifespan.
Even though he no longer had much need for common magic treasures himself, the sect still had other core formation realm supreme elders, especially those who had recently achieved core formation, like Chu Lingyi and Jiang Han. They likely possessed few defensive magic treasures.
With this in mind, Li Qing made a trip to the sect's treasure vault.
The Lingyun Sect's treasure vault naturally paled in comparison to the Flood Dragon Clan's Dragon Palace Treasury, both in terms of value and quantity.
Li Qing's standards had risen far beyond what they once were.
Many spirit materials and treasures no longer caught his eye, while the truly rare ones were absent from the sect's collection.
Thus, he casually selected a few spirit materials and brought them back to his cave abode.
"Millennial Blood Pear Wood, Mystic Shadowstone, Purple Essence Profound Iron, Stellar Aspect Cinnabar..."
"These aren't particularly precious materials, but they'll suffice for refining a few magic treasures."
After speaking, Li Qing's figure vanished from the sect's treasure vault, instantly returning to his cave abode.
Within Li Qing's cave abode on Azure Cloud Peak,
Over the past few days, intermittent bursts of spiritual energy had emanated from his dwelling.
Each surge of spiritual energy heralded the birth of a new magic treasure!
With Li Qing's now transcendent artifact refinement skills, crafting magic treasures had become a relatively simple task. Given sufficient materials, he could even mass-produce them!
Boom!
As a wave of spiritual energy erupted, a razor-sharp sword shimmering with azure light materialized before him.
Magic treasure successfully refined: Noon Azure Nether Sword. Reward: 300 years of lifespan!
This flying sword-type magic treasure, designed for core formation realm cultivators, possessed remarkable power. Its meticulously inscribed dao patterns, the culmination of Li Qing's years of profound accumulation, were exceptionally refined.
"Phew, let's call it a day for now," Li Qing exhaled, his gaze settling on his remaining lifespan: 2,632 years. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.
Around him, in addition to the newly refined Noon Azure Nether Sword, several other magic treasures of exceptional quality floated in the air.
Several magic treasures radiated spiritual light in various colors. A single glance revealed that these artifacts were undoubtedly crafted by a Master Artifact Refiner.
The dao patterns were subtle yet profound, and the craftsmanship was exquisite—each piece a rare and invaluable treasure.
Li Qing was quite pleased with these masterpieces.
Just as he prepared to store the treasures in his treasure vault, Xu Xia's figure suddenly appeared outside his cave abode.
"Ancestor Limitless, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion has sent a spirit letter. They're ready to execute the plan against the ancient demons!"
Hearing this, Li Qing's mind jolted slightly. He hadn't expected the moment to arrive so soon.
He was, of course, familiar with the plan: to deploy the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation across all domains of the Human Realm, including the Four Seas Region, to repair the void rift connecting to the demon realm.
If successful, the ancient demons stranded in the Human Realm would lose their reinforcements, and their annihilation would become merely a matter of time.
"What does the spirit letter say? Show it to me," Li Qing asked.
Xu Xia promptly delivered the unopened spirit letter into Li Qing's cave abode.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild was indeed preparing to act, with the appointed day set for seven days hence.
At that time, all major domains, including the Azure Ridge Domain, would simultaneously deploy the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation to mend the void rift.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild remained unaware of Li Qing's whereabouts, assuming he had fallen into the hands of the demonic race. Consequently, they only requested limited assistance from the Lingyun Sect, not expecting them to lead the charge.
The requested aid was straightforward, divided into two parts:
First, the sect was to dispatch its elite forces to eliminate demonic humans around Lingyun Sect, thereby drawing the attention of ancient demons.
Second, at least three core formation realm cultivators were to travel to the void rift in the Azure Ridge Domain and assist the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild in guarding the area for a period. Any ancient demons approaching the rift were to be eliminated.
The spirit letter made no mention of the merchant guild's specific plans. The closure of the void rift was a top-secret operation, naturally not to be disclosed in correspondence.
Outside the cave abode, Xu Xia's voice drifted in, "Ancestor, should our Lingyun Sect accept this request?"
Li Qing pondered for a moment before replying, "Of course we must accept. Eradicating demonic threats is the duty of every cultivator. How could we possibly retreat?"
"However, I will secretly accompany the mission, so there's no need to worry about any unforeseen dangers."
"Immediately draft a letter informing the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion that our Lingyun Sect will spare no effort in assisting this operation!"
Xu Xia nodded in understanding. "Understood!"
The counterattack came sooner than anyone at Lingyun Sect had anticipated.
Under Xu Xia's coordination, the sect's foundation establishment elders and elite disciples formed small teams, each led by a foundation establishment elder and comprising five inner sect disciples.
The primary objective of this operation was to divert the demonic race's attention, providing cover for the actions near the Demonic Realm Rift.
Lingyun Sect would not commit its full force; instead, they would launch limited harassment against the steadily encroaching demonic humans.
"Elders, remember above all else: your safety is paramount. Do not allow yourselves to be drawn into unnecessary danger!" Xu Xia emphasized, stressing the importance of self-preservation.
As he gazed at the solemn elders and the eager disciples, Xu Xia sighed inwardly.
Though the operation was merely a feigned attack, sacrifices were inevitable. Facing the formidable and ruthless demonic human cultivators, he knew many fellow sect members would perish.
The thought always brought a pang of anguish to his heart.
These were only the overt actions. For the covert operations in coordination with the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Lingyun Sect had already selected its personnel.
The supreme elders chosen for this expedition were Chu Lingyi, Jiang Han, and Wu Chong.
To ensure their safety, Li Qing bestowed upon them several magic treasures he had personally refined.
Jiang Han, clad in snow-white robes, selected the Noon Azure Nether Sword. As a pill refiner with only a rudimentary understanding of artifact refinement, his eyes shone with genuine satisfaction upon receiving the treasured blade.
"A fine sword! Many thanks, Ancestor, for this precious gift!" Jiang Han said gratefully.
Chu Lingyi chose a blue-violet mirror known as the Star Reflection Mirror, a magic treasure forged from Purple Essence Profound Iron and Stellar Aspect Cinnabar.
"Thank you so much, Senior Brother Li!" Chu Lingyi exclaimed joyfully, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Wu Chong received a wooden seal crafted from Millennial Blood Pear Wood. This seal possessed immense suppressive power; once activated, it would reverse the flow of blood within a cultivator's body, causing it to surge against their heart meridian and internal organs. When combined with Wu Chong's Gluttonous Divine Art, the seal's effects would be amplified, creating a synergistic and devastating combination.
Watching the three elders receive their magic treasures, Li Qing spoke solemnly: "Remember this: this mission is of utmost importance. While the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion only requests your assistance, there's no guarantee you won't attract the attention of powerful ancient demons."
"I'll be following you covertly throughout this operation, but the ancient demons' methods are unpredictable. Even I can't guarantee your safety."
"So, you must stay alert. If things turn dangerous, flee immediately. Don't get caught up in fighting!"
Hearing Li Qing's warning, the trio finally understood the true extent of the potential danger lurking in this mission.
"Senior Brother Li, what if a Divine Transformation stage ancient demon appears?" Chu Lingyi asked, blinking her eyes.
Li Qing chuckled. "Divine Transformation stage ancient demons aren't like cabbages growing by the roadside—they don't just pop up out of nowhere."
"But if one does appear, don't hesitate—flee immediately. I'll try to hold it off."
Chu Lingyi swallowed hard, her eyes shining with admiration.
Wu Chong and Jiang Han also showed deep shock in their eyes.
He can even hold off a Divine Transformation stage ancient demon? They couldn't even imagine how powerful Li Qing had become.
Li Qing waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, time is short. You three should set off immediately to avoid missing the opportunity."
"Never forget what I've told you before: prioritize your lives above all else!"
With Li Qing's repeated warnings, the trio finally departed through the Lingyun Sect's mountain gate.
Although this was their first confrontation with the ancient demons descending from the lower realm, a mission fraught with peril, they felt surprisingly calm.
This was because they knew Li Qing would be secretly protecting them, ensuring their safety was largely guaranteed.
As the three figures disappeared beyond the mountain gate, Li Qing vanished in a flash, completely concealing his aura. He transformed into a streak of escape light and soared into the heavens.
Meanwhile, across the Human Realm's great domains, top-tier cultivators were mobilizing.
Organized by the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild, they carried formation plates inscribed with the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation and deployment materials, converging on the void rifts within their respective domains.
The significance of this operation rivaled that of mending the heavens themselves.
If the void rifts to the Demon Realm were successfully sealed, the pressure from the demonic threat would immediately ease.
Conversely, failure would likely trigger an even more ferocious counterattack from the Demon Realm!
(End of the Chapter)
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