Translator: AnubisTL
Inside Li Qing's cave abode, the rogue cultivators who had attended the Core Formation Celebration had long since fled, showing no intention of returning even after the battle concluded.
"Brother Gui Fan, now that we've settled things, perhaps you could explain this 'cooperation' you mentioned earlier?"
The two who had just been locked in a fierce battle were now seated across from each other, drinking spirit wine as if their relationship had suddenly become cordial.
Yet both knew this was merely a facade.
Gui Fan poured himself another cup of wine, acting completely at ease. After taking a slow sip, he finally spoke:
"To be honest, I possess a piece of Demonic Essence Gold sealed by pure yang power. I obtained it with great difficulty from the tomb of a royal marquis, and I intend to use it to refine my natal magic treasure."
"Unfortunately, the Pure Yang Seal is incredibly strong. Forcibly breaking it would likely damage the Demonic Essence Gold itself!"
"Damn whoever from the righteous path did this! If not for this Pure Yang Seal, I would have refined my natal magic treasure long ago."
As he spoke, Gui Fan wore a distinctly troubled expression.
Li Qing's eyebrows twitched involuntarily at these words.
As an artifact refiner, he naturally knew what Demonic Essence Gold was.
It was a peerless spirit material for refining demonic path magic treasures, highly prized by demonic cultivators—even more valuable than other artifact refining spirit materials.
Legend had it that this material didn't originally exist in this realm. However, during an ancient invasion when the demon realm breached a spatial node and invaded the Human Realm, considerable quantities of this demon realm-exclusive spirit material were left behind.
Clearly, the Demonic Essence Gold Gui Fan had obtained was likely a relic from that ancient era. After the Great War, these demonic artifacts were probably sealed away by ancient powerhouses.
"Brother Gui Fan, your Fortuitous Destiny truly runs deep," Li Qing remarked, clicking his tongue. "To find such a rare and precious demonic path spirit material..."
"Enough with the pleasantries," Gui Fan snapped, his tone blunt and direct, embodying the pure demeanor of a demonic cultivator. "I plan to use your Netherworld Cold Fire to break the Pure Yang Seal on the Demonic Essence Gold. Do you agree or not?"
Li Qing didn't rush to agree. He said, "Could I examine the Demonic Essence Gold first? After all, I've never broken a Pure Yang Seal before."
He couldn't just agree so easily. The man before him was the young sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, and he needed to negotiate terms first.
It was rare to encounter such a fat sheep—he couldn't let the opportunity to shear it twice slip by!
At these words, Gui Fan acted decisively. He slapped his storage pouch.
Thump!
A dark purple, pitted and uneven chunk of exotic metal, roughly the size of a human head, appeared on the table.
However, the surface of the Demonic Essence Gold was covered in faint golden markings, radiating an intensely concentrated pure yang power—balanced, serene, and exuding an aura of invulnerability against all evil.
Clearly, whoever had sealed this Demonic Essence Gold was no ordinary individual.
Upon seeing the rare and precious spirit material, Li Qing's eyes lit up with interest. He scrutinized the Demonic Essence Gold on the table with meticulous care.
Gui Fan had no objection to this. After a brief glance at Li Qing, he continued speaking as if to himself:
"I heard the righteous path has produced a cultivator with a Pure Yang Physique. I was even planning to kidnap this so-called Pure Yang Physique cultivator and see if he could absorb this pure yang power."
"Unfortunately, the righteous path's sects are as watertight as a drum. They've kept this Pure Yang Physique cultivator hidden away so well that only vague rumors have surfaced, none of which can be trusted."
Li Qing's heart pounded as he listened, thinking, This man is truly a madman.
To casually plan the kidnapping of a cultivator with a Pure Yang Physique was beyond arrogant.
Of course, Gui Fan had every reason to be arrogant. As the young sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, he exuded confidence.
But even a fool would know that once a righteous path sect took in a disciple with a Pure Yang Physique, they wouldn't dare expose him until he reached at least the core formation realm.
Even then, witnessing the so-called Pure Yang Physique cultivator might be impossible. For maximum security, they might keep him hidden until he reached the nascent soul realm.
This physique was simply too powerful. Calling it a once-in-a-millennium occurrence wouldn't be an exaggeration!
Especially since this physique naturally carried pure yang power, making its blood the bane of the entire demonic path.
Once someone cultivates to the nascent soul realm, they would likely become unmatched in the Great Wilderness Domain.
The pressure on the demonic path sects would then become immense, rivaling that of facing the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty directly.
Li Qing sighed, "After all, it's the Pure Yang Physique, one of the most formidable constitutions known in the world. Apart from a handful of other rare physiques, nothing can truly compare."
Even cultivators with heavenly spirit roots would pale in comparison to such a powerful constitution.
Gui Fan, however, drained his strong liquor in one gulp and scoffed, "Physique doesn't determine everything. It's the person who matters. If that Pure Yang Physique dares show his face before me, I'll capture him alive and make him my blood slave!"
"I've heard the essence blood of the Pure Yang Physique is priceless. We'll bleed the Blood Spirit Sect dry for it."
As he spoke, Li Qing abruptly steered the conversation off course.
Gui Fan quickly realized this and cleared his throat. "Enough rambling. Why am I even telling you all this? You've examined the Demonic Essence Gold. Give me a straight answer already."
Across the table, Li Qing remained utterly focused, his fingers tracing the Demonic Essence Gold, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
This was Li Qing's first time seeing artifact refinement materials from the demon realm, and they were indeed vastly different from ordinary artifact refining spirit materials.
Unfortunately, the Demonic Essence Gold was tightly sealed by pure yang power. After examining it for a long time, Li Qing could only get a rough idea of its nature.
Hearing Gui Fan's urging, Li Qing slowly withdrew his hand from the Demonic Essence Gold.
He said, "Brother Gui Fan, let me be frank: I'm not skilled at breaking seals on Demonic Essence Gold. I can only assist you by channeling the Netherworld Cold Fire. How you break the seal is up to you."
Li Qing wasn't confident. The pure yang power had deeply embedded itself within the Demonic Essence Gold. Recklessly breaking the seal could damage the precious metal itself.
Therefore, he refused to take full responsibility for the task, agreeing only to provide Gui Fan with the Netherworld Cold Fire's assistance, leaving the rest to him.
After a moment of silence, Gui Fan nodded. "No problem. Just follow my commands to channel the Netherworld Cold Fire when the time comes."
"Alright, let's get started as soon as possible!"
Li Qing feigned a pained expression, his voice strained as he spoke:
"Ah, Brother Gui Fan, I only recently achieved core formation and already fought you. My true essence is running low; I need to cultivate and recover properly before I can act!"
"I'm afraid I can't use the Netherworld Cold Fire extensively in the short term. If my mana runs out midway, it could ruin everything."
Gui Fan paused, then quickly understood Li Qing's meaning: he was clearly asking for compensation.
Cooperation should benefit both parties. It wouldn't be fair for Li Qing to do all the work without receiving any reward.
Gui Fan nodded. "After we succeed, I'll give you a drop of dragon marrow. How does that sound?"
Obtaining a drop of dragon marrow simply by activating the Netherworld Cold Fire was already a remarkably profitable deal.
Li Qing's eyes lit up. "Three drops! Your Ghost Sword Sect annihilated the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty—you must have plenty of dragon marrow. Three drops and I'm in!"
The corner of Gui Fan's mouth twitched slightly, his handsome face suddenly hardening into an unfriendly expression.
"This is millennium-old dragon marrow," he said. "Two drops is the absolute limit."
"There are six sects across the righteous and demonic paths. Even my Ghost Sword Sect doesn't get a large share, and even less reaches my hands."
Liar!
As the young sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, Gui Fan probably drinks dragon marrow like water. Offering only two drops to dismiss Li Qing was an insult he refused to accept.
"Brother Gui Fan, I've only just achieved core formation. You know my situation."
After much haggling, Gui Fan finally relented, agreeing to give Li Qing three drops of dragon marrow after the task was completed.
With the deal struck, Li Qing's expression immediately brightened.
Who would have thought? he mused. Just after achieving core formation, I'll get to taste dragon marrow! His heart swelled with delight.
"Hahaha, Brother Gui Fan, you're truly generous! Give me two days to replenish my spiritual energy, and I'll definitely help you dispel the Pure Yang Seal!"
"Very well. I'll return in two days!"
With that, Gui Fan retrieved the Demonic Essence Gold and strode out of the cave abode.
After watching Gui Fan's figure disappear, Li Qing let out a soft sigh of relief.
He genuinely needed two days to replenish his spiritual energy, not as an excuse, but to properly adjust his condition.
Although he had successfully achieved core formation, that didn't mean his mana was inexhaustible.
The battle with Gui Fan had drained him considerably, and he hadn't had a chance to consolidate his cultivation after his breakthrough. Immediately after emerging from seclusion, he had lectured rogue cultivators, and then clashed with Gui Fan.
"Finally, I can have some peace and quiet for a while," Li Qing murmured, a smile spreading across his face as he noticed his lifespan had increased by over two hundred years—a direct benefit of core formation!
The lifespan he had lost in the yin-yang cave due to the forced Yin-Yang Harmonization, which had elevated his dao foundation, had now been fully restored.
Li Qing's lifespan had returned to its original thousand-year level.
"No matter how you slice it, nothing beats the solid feeling of having a long lifespan," Li Qing nodded in deep satisfaction.
Having reached the core formation realm, Li Qing now possessed a lifespan of over a thousand years, with the potential for further extension. The days ahead promised to be filled with freedom and ease.
"Hmm, besides the extended lifespan and deepened mana, my innate true fire has also undergone another refinement."
As he spoke, Li Qing parted his lips slightly and exhaled a crimson flame.
This was the unique pill fire of core formation realm cultivators, its power far surpassing that of innate true fire.
Of course, it still fell short compared to heavenly spirit fire!
The primary function of pill fire was to nourish one's natal magic treasure. When combined with the cultivator's true essence over time, the treasure's power would steadily increase.
"The matter of my natal magic treasure will have to wait. I need to resolve the Gui Fan situation first."
Li Qing shook his head and continued to examine his current state and recent changes.
His divine soul had grown even stronger!
Previously, Li Qing's divine soul had already reached the level of a nascent core formation cultivator. Now, with this further enhancement, it far surpassed that of any cultivator in the same realm.
"Not bad. My divine sense remains a significant advantage, but the Soul Nurturing Bell has become largely useless."
Li Qing sighed and retrieved the ancient bronze bell.
Jingle, jingle, jingle...
No matter how he refined it, the melodious chimes produced no effect.
In the past, while the bell's effects had always been subtle, they had at least provided some benefit. Now, even if he shook the bell until it shattered, his divine soul wouldn't strengthen even by a fraction.
There was no help for it; the Soul Nurturing Bell had reached its limit.
"What a pity for such a rare treasure inherited from the ancient era. Its spirit patterns and Innate dao Resonance are utterly unfathomable. The bell's material is also peculiar—even I can't identify the spirit materials used in its refinement."
"Perhaps I can find a way to replicate it in the future. I'll need to delve deeper into ancient artifact refinement inheritances."
Shaking his head, Li Qing put the bell away, his lingering regret fading slightly.
He had never expected a treasure obtained during the qi refining realm to remain useful in the core formation realm. Truthfully, the Soul Nurturing Bell had already served him remarkably well for so long, and he was content with that.
"Hmm, my fleshly body hasn't changed much. It's still equivalent to a late second-tier Demon beast!"
"To continue growing stronger in the future, I either need to find a new Third-Tier body refinement secret technique or attempt to continue cultivating the incomplete Brahma King True Body!"
Li Qing remained wary of the Brahma King True Body, a domineering body refinement technique. Reaching the Third-Tier required defying the natural order, demanding the use of Heavenly Thunder and Earthfire to temper one's fleshly body.
Such harsh and tyrannical cultivation conditions would even diminish one's Lifespan. Without the physique of a Demon beast, it would be nearly impossible to endure.
From his fleshly body to his mana and divine soul, Li Qing conducted a thorough internal and external examination, finally gaining a clear understanding of his current condition.
Overall, he was quite satisfied.
For the next two days, he quietly focused on replenishing the mana he had depleted during the battle.
As the days passed, the promised date to meet Gui Fan arrived.
With the aid of the Netherworld Cold Fire enhancing his Crimson Blaze Heaven-Burning Art, Li Qing's mana recovery progressed swiftly. By the end of the two days, he had nearly fully restored his reserves.
However, this rapid recovery placed a considerable strain on the spirit peak. The heaven and earth spiritual energy, which had only recently begun to replenish, was once again drained to near depletion.
Before Gui Fan arrived, Li Qing casually condensed another shattered origin great fire seal within his dantian and began nourishing it.
Having used one during his spar with Gui Fan, he naturally replenished it immediately.
To his surprise, the shattered origin grand seal, which had been incredibly difficult to condense before, now formed with remarkable ease.
Even after such a long hiatus, the process felt entirely familiar.
He had initially expected to expend considerable effort.
"It seems that after advancing to the core formation realm, my divine soul has strengthened. Divine abilities that were once impossibly difficult to cultivate in the foundation establishment realm now feel much simpler."
Li Qing shook his head and chuckled, gazing at the two mysterious great fire seals floating within his body. A bold idea then struck him.
"Hiss!"
"If I condensed these grand seals using heavenly spirit fire, would their power increase even further?"
The more he considered it, the more promising the idea seemed. At the very least, attempting it wouldn't be a loss.
With this thought, Li Qing prepared to experiment.
But before he could begin, Gui Fan's urgent voice echoed from outside the cave abode:
"Brother Limitless, two days have passed! You should be fully recovered by now, right?"
(End of the Chapter)
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