Translator: AnubisTL
Li Qing was somewhat impressed by Tuwa Ha'er's swift agreement. Truly worthy of being the Grasslands' unparalleled tyrant, he thought.
"Did you trade these talismans from an Immortal Cultivator? Where did the Immortal Cultivator who gave them to you go?"
As Li Qing spoke, he retrieved the remaining two unused talismans from Tuwa Ha'er's person.
They were a Windwalk Talisman and a Golden Shield Talisman, which he unceremoniously claimed for himself.
"Many years ago, I saved a strange man in a yellow robe on the Grasslands..."
Not everyone in the Grassland tribes could become Marauders and plunder grain and supplies. Only the strongest and most skilled horsemen were chosen!
That year, Tuwa Ha'er had unfortunately failed to become a tribal warrior and was left to tend livestock.
While herding cattle and sheep, he stumbled upon a strange man in a yellow robe. And so, the story began.
With the Yellow-Robed Old Monster's help, Tuwa Ha'er not only became a Marauder but rose to become the leader of his tribe's Marauders in just two years.
He plundered grain and supplies on a massive scale, leading his men on eastward and westward campaigns, leaving barren wastelands in their wake.
It wasn't until the day he collected a piece of Ink Gold that the Yellow-Robed Immortal Cultivator he had saved asked him to gather more of the ore.
This led to the Marauders' night raid on the Wu Li Army camp near Wangyuan City. It was from that moment on that the Yellow-Robed Immortal Cultivator set his sights on the entire Maple Country.
"Later, the Yellow-Robed Immortal Master left," Tuwa Ha'er said with a wistful tone. "He said the spiritual energy here was too thin for cultivation."
In that brief moment, he had reviewed his entire life. It truly felt like a dream. His life had been so tumultuous and grand, yet to the Immortal Cultivator, it was merely a fleeting scene along his path.
A casual act of assistance from an Immortal Cultivator had transformed a Grasslands warrior who couldn't even become a tribal Marauder into the ruler seated on the Dragon Throne, establishing an unparalleled dynasty.
While Tuwa Ha'er's own ambition and strategic brilliance played a role, the Immortal Cultivator's presence was the decisive factor.
This is why Tuwa Ha'er was so obsessed with ensuring his descendants also became Immortal Cultivators, even to the point of sacrificing his own legacy to obtain a Cultivation Method!
In Li Qing's eyes, while the succession to the throne was important, becoming an Immortal Cultivator was far more crucial.
After listening to the Grassland Tyrant's account, Li Qing's expression remained unchanged. He calmly asked, "Are these the pseudo-magical artifacts you mentioned earlier?"
"Yes. The Yellow-Robed Immortal Master instructed me to gather Peerless Divine Weapons from the Jianghu and Martial World. I traded these weapons for talismans, Qi Blood Pills, and a cultivation manual for Immortal Cultivation!"
The first part of the story didn't faze Li Qing, but when he heard the words "cultivation manual for Immortal Cultivation," even he couldn't help but shudder. His breathing grew increasingly rapid.
"Where is this manual now?" Li Qing immediately pressed.
Though he had achieved the rank of Grandmaster, he was still just a mortal Martial Artist.
If he hadn't known about Immortal Cultivators before, it wouldn't have mattered. But now that he did, Li Qing was determined to investigate them.
Life was still long. Wouldn't it be a waste to not experience more of the world's wonders?
Moreover, the term "pseudo-magical artifacts" had deeply piqued Li Qing's interest.
The Immortal Cultivator had actually referred to the Peerless Divine Weapons he had forged as pseudo-magical artifacts!
Li Qing then recalled how no matter how hard he tried, his weapon forging skills could only produce mortal weapons.
So there are even more powerful Magic Artifacts beyond that!
As a blacksmith, Li Qing couldn't possibly remain indifferent to such a revelation.
"In a secret chamber within my palace," Tuwa Ha'er replied truthfully.
Hearing this, Li Qing was on the verge of killing Tuwa Ha'er with a single strike and rushing to his palace to search for the Cultivation Manual.
But he ultimately restrained himself and continued, "What was your true purpose in sending over ten thousand cavalry into Small Jade Ridge?"
Tuwa Ha'er was surprised that this young Grandmaster had guessed his hidden motive for deploying troops to Small Jade Ridge.
"Hehe, back when the Yellow-Robed Immortal Master was still around, he repeatedly forbade me from sending troops into Small Jade Ridge."
"At the time, I suspected that there must be other Immortal Cultivators in Small Jade Ridge, even more powerful than the Yellow-Robed Immortal Master himself!"
"Now that I know of an existence even stronger than him, of course I had to seek them out! Perhaps these more powerful Immortal Cultivators could even guide me onto the Immortal Path!"
"This talk about Spiritual Roots being essential for Immortal Cultivation might just be a fabrication by that Yellow-Robed Old Monster because he's a useless piece of trash who couldn't guide me onto the Immortal Path."
At this moment, a venomous glint flashed in Tuwa Ha'er's eyes as he even began referring to the Immortal Cultivator as the Yellow-Robed Old Monster.
In his view, if the Yellow-Robed Old Monster hadn't left the Imperial Palace, he wouldn't be in this dire situation today.
The current siege by so many Martial Artists was all because the old man had tasked him with collecting those so-called pseudo-magical artifacts and strange minerals.
As the saying goes, "Give a grain of rice, and they'll ask for a bushel." That's exactly how he felt about the situation.
"Spiritual Root talk? What's this about Spiritual Roots?!" Li Qing pressed for another crucial piece of information.
Tuwa Ha'er readily explained that Immortal Cultivation required a Spiritual Root. Without one, one was destined to remain forever outside the Immortal Path, even with a Cultivation Manual!
"Hahaha, this so-called Spiritual Root is a phantom, a one-in-ten-thousand chance! Even if you obtain my Cultivation Manual, you'll likely end up like me—staring at the towering Immortal Path, unable to take a single step!"
"Hahaha! Hahaha... cough, cough..."
As he spoke, Tuwa Ha'er seemed to envision the young Grandmaster before him, just like himself, tormented by the frustration of being unable to tread the Immortal Path that lay so tantalizingly close.
Immortal Cultivation isn't just about mastering mystical divine abilities and Daoist techniques; it's about achieving immortality!
Who wouldn't want to live longer?
Li Qing paid no attention to Tuwa Ha'er's mocking tone. Having learned so much crucial information, this trip to the Imperial Palace had already been worthwhile.
He confirmed he had no further questions and then swiftly slit Tuwa Ha'er's throat with the Wandering Dragon Dagger.
The silver blade sliced through Tuwa Ha'er's neck without resistance. As a torrent of blood gushed forth, the Tyrant who had left an indelible mark on an entire era—the Grassland Tyrant—finally met his end on his fiftieth birthday, slain in the Imperial Palace's lakeside garden.
After completing the deed, Li Qing slowly rose to his feet.
"Hmph!"
"I never expected to uncover so many secrets. This world is far vaster and more wondrous than I could have imagined."
Li Qing exhaled deeply. He was determined to explore the so-called Immortal Cultivation World.
Of course, if he truly lacked a Spiritual Root and was destined to be denied the Immortal Path, he would accept it.
After all, he could still extend his lifespan through Artifact Refinement and live a long life. In that case, he would simply live freely and joyfully in the mortal realm.
Having thus comforted himself in advance, Li Qing picked up the Qing Hong Sword and the Demon Blade Red Lotus and began walking toward the Imperial Palace's main hall.
As he walked, he silently repeated the word secret chamber.
(End of the Chapter)
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