Translator: AnubisTL

After finalizing the artifact refinement requests from the two great powers of the divine transformation stage, Wan Shengtian and his companions bid farewell to Li Qing and departed from Lingyun Sect territory.

Before leaving, Wan Shengtian provided Li Qing with an address, instructing him to come there for the refinement once he was prepared.

After seeing the trio off, Li Qing stood on the mountain peak, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the distant scenery.

After a long silence, he slowly sighed.

"It seems even great powers of the divine transformation stage can’t maintain their composure under the threat of the Formless Saint Ancestor’s dao body."

"Their urgency to refine spirit treasures and enhance their strength suggests the Formless Saint Ancestor’s dao body is far more terrifying than I imagined."

If even divine transformation stage cultivators were so wary, Li Qing, with his mere late-stage nascent soul cultivation, naturally dared not underestimate the threat.

"I must quickly refine some powerful Thunderfire Cores using the Violet Void Divine Lightning to protect myself. Otherwise, if we truly encounter it in the future, I might not even have a chance to retaliate."

With that, Li Qing turned and returned to his cave abode, resuming the refinement of Thunderfire Cores.

In the following days, violent tremors and thunderous roars, akin to Heavenly Thunder exploding, frequently reverberated across the skies above Lingyun Sect.

As time passed, the disciples inside the sect gradually grew accustomed to the commotion.

During those ten-odd days of seclusion, Li Qing repeatedly attempted to refine thunderfire using the Violet Void Divine Lightning, conducting over thirty trials. This process consumed nearly thirty percent of the Violet Void Divine Lightning stored within his Wind-Thunder Silver Wings.

Finally, after such extravagant expenditure, he successfully refined a single Thunderfire Core!

The newly refined core was dark purple overall, yet its interior pulsed with earth-yellow luminous patterns. Though only the size of an adult’s fist, the destructive energy contained within was enough to make even cultivators in the Divine Transformation stage tremble with fear.

"Finally, the first one is complete. This was truly no easy feat," Li Qing said, a rare smile spreading across his face.

Re-establishing the delicate balance between the Violet Void Divine Lightning and the Profound Yellow True Flame had proven exceedingly difficult. Even his prior experience offered little advantage in this endeavor.

As with all beginnings, the first step was the hardest. Now that the initial core had been refined, subsequent attempts would undoubtedly prove less challenging.

With renewed determination, Li Qing plunged back into refining Thunderfire Cores, this time dedicating several months to the task.

All the Violet Void Divine Lightning stored within the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings had been completely exhausted.

Subsequent refining attempts weren’t always successful; on average, three attempts yielded one Thunderfire Core. This success rate was already remarkably high.

By the time the refining process concluded, Li Qing’s storage bag contained twenty-six Thunderfire Cores, each radiating immense power.

Once detonated, these cores could undoubtedly injure even a great power at the divine transformation stage, Li Qing was certain!

He had previously battled a fifth-tier demonic insect under the starlight enhancement of the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation, giving him a clear understanding of the sheer power possessed by beings at that level.

"Judging by the time, I still have some leeway. There’s no need to rush."

With these twenty-odd Thunderfire Cores as his trump card, Li Qing felt a newfound confidence. He believed he could now hold his own against even a divine transformation stage cultivator, no longer needing to flee at first sight.

However, before leaving the sect, he still had some preparations to make.

With this in mind, Li Qing retrieved the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings.

During True Monarch Chen Yuan’s heavenly tribulation, this spirit treasure had absorbed a massive amount of Violet Void Divine Lightning, which had slightly damaged its spirituality.

Of course, given Li Qing’s current mastery of artifact refinement, repairing it posed no real challenge.

The most surprising aspect was that the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings seemed to have improved in quality after this ordeal.

"It seems my initial idea of refining this spirit treasure with Thunder Sound Bamboo was correct. The primordial origin of Thunder Sound Bamboo is closely aligned with Heavenly Thunder, allowing spirit treasures refined from it to enhance their quality by harnessing the power of potent Heavenly Thunder."

After repairing the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, both the spirit treasure’s quality and power had significantly increased.

Although the exact gap between its current state and the legendary Profound-Grade Spirit Treasures remained unknown, it had undoubtedly surpassed its condition immediately after refinement.

Hum!

Li Qing channeled pure true essence into the silver-purple bone wings, meticulously nourishing them.

The spirituality gradually replenished, causing the dao patterns to faintly glow with intricate detail, radiating an aura of profound mystery.

This nourishing process was repeated over thirty days, fully restoring the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings’ spirituality and drastically improving its quality.

The purple patterns deepened in hue, and the main body—forged from fifth-tier demonic bird true bone—appeared slightly more streamlined.

In the next moment, Li Qing willed it, and the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings materialized behind him.

"The speed enhancement isn’t particularly noticeable, but the killing power of the wingtips has increased significantly. They could even threaten the bodies of fifth-tier demon beasts now."

After carefully sensing the enhanced power of the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, Li Qing couldn’t have been more satisfied.

During his remaining time, Li Qing meticulously recuperated within his cave abode, replenishing his depleted mana to its peak. Without hesitation, he left the cave and headed straight for the grotto-heaven located in the southern part of the Azure Ridge Domain.

With Qian Gu’s death, this special pocket realm within the grotto-heaven had become True Monarch Chen Yuan’s cultivation sanctuary.

Although the spiritual energy here wasn’t particularly dense, the environment closely resembled that of the ancient era, making it ideal for Divine Transformation stage cultivators to reside and cultivate for extended periods.

As Li Qing approached the realm again, a unique feeling stirred within him.

Indeed, the Heaven and Earth Power here is significantly denser than in the outside world. Prolonged residence here could stabilize one’s vital essence, and when combined with the Self-Sealing Method, it could drastically slow the depletion of one’s Lifespan.

Li Qing nodded inwardly, musing that the ancient era truly was a golden age for the Great Dao, far surpassing the present era.

Just as he approached the stone gate at the entrance to the pocket realm, True Monarch Chen Yuan’s distinctive laughter echoed through the air. "Hahahaha! You’ve kept me waiting, kid! I was starting to think you’d gone to help that Old Ghost Wan refine his treasures first!"

As his words faded, the stone gate swung open with a thunderous rumble, revealing a small world within.

True Monarch Chen Yuan sat cross-legged on a cushion, his posture utterly undignified, yet his fingers toyed with a jade tablet.

"Senior, you jest," Li Qing said with a smile, clasping his hands in a respectful bow. "After all, I promised you first. How could I abandon you to attend to someone else’s affairs?"

Chen Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "Good, good!"

"I’ve been racking my brains over this Spirit Realm Beacon these past few days, desperately seeking a method for ascension to no avail. Hearing your words has finally eased my mind."

"Rest assured, you’ll receive your due share of the benefits from this refining process. Since you’re here now, I’ll bestow upon you this secret technique!"

With that, Chen Yuan flicked two withered, root-like fingers. A wisp of spiritual light drifted forth and sank into Li Qing’s brow.

Immediately, a torrent of information flooded Li Qing’s Sea of Consciousness. He paused briefly, then committed the vast knowledge to memory.

Profound Calamity Dual Polarity Method!

This secret technique allows one to harness two mutually repelling forces to create a powerful impact, shattering bottlenecks in cultivation realms.

It proves remarkably effective for realms up to and including the divine transformation stage. However, its efficacy against bottlenecks beyond that stage remains unknown, likely yielding only marginal results.

Li Qing’s powerful divine soul quickly digested the secret technique’s contents and effects. His expression gradually recovered, and he clasped his hands in a grateful bow, saying:

"Thank you, Senior Chen Yuan, for bestowing this technique. I will spare no effort in refining a spirit treasure to your satisfaction!"

True Monarch Chen Yuan had spent most of his time after reaching the peak of the nascent soul stage searching for a method to break through to the Divine Transformation stage.

It was clear that the Profound Calamity Dual Polarity Method had been obtained through painstaking effort.

To acquire it in exchange for a single favor—refining a spirit treasure—was an extraordinary bargain.

Now that True Monarch Chen Yuan had broken through to the Divine Transformation stage, the secret technique held little value for him. Using it to enlist Li Qing’s help in refining a spirit treasure was a shrewd transaction.

After all, no matter how valuable a secret technique might be, hoarding it away in secrecy would render it utterly useless.

"No need for formalities," Chen Yuan said. "My wealth can’t compare to the Old Flood Dragon or Old Ghost Wan. They’ve been operating in the Human Realm for centuries and have amassed vast fortunes."

"The spirit materials I’ve brought aren’t particularly rare or extraordinary. I merely acquired them through some... cough... some fortunate encounters in my younger years."

As he spoke, True Monarch Chen Yuan patted his storage bag, and a lustrous, jet-black stone about half a person’s height materialized before Li Qing.

The stone resembled ordinary spirit material like Ink Gold, but Li Qing immediately recognized it as something far more extraordinary.

With a solemn expression, he stepped forward and began tapping the stone, occasionally channeling a wisp of spiritual energy to probe its composition. He racked his brain, trying to recall the name of a spirit material that matched these unique characteristics.

True Monarch Chen Yuan watched with a smile, deliberately testing Li Qing’s knowledge without offering any clues.

Li Qing didn’t disappoint him. After a period of tapping and probing, he finally identified the material based on its distinctive properties.

He took a deep breath and declared, "Could this be Innate Gang Iron? Such a massive piece must be worth a fortune!"

"Hahahaha! You have a keen eye, young man!" True Monarch Chen Yuan chuckled heartily.

"Indeed, this is a spirit material I acquired long ago. By then, I already possessed my natal magic treasure and had no intention of replacing it, so I simply stored this Innate Gang Iron away."

"Though I’m no artifact refiner, I know that Innate Gang Iron is best melted using heavenly spirit fire. Using Nascent Fire would fail to unlock its full potential."

"Alas, I have scoured the world in search of heavenly spirit fire, but to no avail. Moreover, my skills in artifact refinement are lacking, leaving this precious pearl to gather dust."

As he spoke, True Monarch Chen Yuan’s aged eyes brightened slightly. He turned to Li Qing, eager to hear his thoughts.

"Indeed," Li Qing nodded, "Innate Gang Iron is a unique spirit material. Ordinary flames cannot truly purify and refine it."

"Only spirit fire born from the essence of heaven and earth can refine it into Innate Gang Iron Essence!"

"While the former might be barely sufficient as the primary material for refining a spirit treasure, the latter would be more than ample!"

Li Qing shared his insights on the spirit material.

His words struck a chord with True Monarch Chen Yuan. He knew that with this confirmation, his spirit treasure finally had a chance.

"Then I shall entrust this task to you, young friend!" True Monarch Chen Yuan’s tone grew warmer. He rubbed his hands together on the cushion, his demeanor far removed from that of a dignified Divine Transformation stage expert.

Li Qing chuckled wryly. Having received such a great benefit today, he naturally felt obligated to do his utmost.

"By the way, Senior, what type of spirit treasure do you desire? Please tell me!"

True Monarch Chen Yuan hadn’t truly considered this question, and Li Qing’s sudden inquiry caught him off guard.

"This old man is quite accustomed to using the Heaven-Cleaving Axe. After all these years, I have no intention of replacing it."

"Young friend, what do you think would be most suitable for refining an artifact from this Innate Gang Iron?"

Li Qing had already formed an idea the moment he laid eyes on the Innate Gang Iron.

"Innate Gang Iron is heavy and capable of bearing the power of heaven and earth. If refined into Innate Gang Iron Essence, this property would be amplified even further."

"My suggestion is to refine it into an Innate Gang Iron Shield, perfectly leveraging the spirit material’s inherent characteristics."

Innate Gang Iron Shield—Li Qing lacked any particular talent for naming things, so he simply called it by the spirit material’s name.

However, this proposal earned True Monarch Chen Yuan’s immediate approval. He nodded repeatedly, exclaiming:

"Excellent, excellent! A shield it shall be!"

"All of this old man’s life-saving defensive magic treasures were destroyed in the heavenly tribulation. I currently possess no protective treasures. A defensive spirit treasure like this is precisely what I need!"

With the decision made and both parties agreeing to refine the Innate Gang Iron into a shield, Li Qing saw no reason to delay.

He simply found a secluded mountainous area within this small world and immediately began refining.

Before starting, he worried that the spirit treasure’s completion might attract a massive tribulation, potentially drawing the Formless Saint Ancestor’s attention again.

However, True Monarch Chen Yuan thumped his chest confidently and declared:

"Hahahaha, rest assured on that front!"

"Once you reach the Divine Transformation stage, you can manipulate the power of heaven and earth. I can suppress the fluctuations caused by the spirit treasure tribulation."

"While I can’t completely eliminate the disturbances, I can confine them within the Azure Ridge Domain. No one outside this region will sense the tribulation’s energy."

With this assurance, Li Qing felt relieved.

He spread his hands wide, and clusters of earthy-yellow spiritual flames erupted forth!

And so, the hasty artifact refinement for True Monarch Chen Yuan began.

(End of the Chapter)

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