Translator: AnubisTL
The foundation establishment cultivators sharing a spirit peak with Li Qing had been enduring unspeakable hardship these past few days.
The spiritual vein beneath Nanyang Spirit Peak was already of low grade, and this vein was divided among several peaks, each hosting numerous cave abodes for foundation establishment cultivators.
In the past, the heaven and earth spiritual energy had been sufficient, at least enough to sustain their daily cultivation needs.
But now that Li Qing had successfully achieved core formation, his demand for heaven and earth spiritual energy had skyrocketed to an absurd degree.
Especially after helping Gui Fan break the Demonic Essence Gold Seal, Li Qing's mana reserves were severely depleted. When he began replenishing them, it was as if he were devouring the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy like a whale.
As a result, the spirit peak Li Qing occupied was frequently left in a state of spiritual energy scarcity, far inferior to the other peaks.
"What exactly is Senior Limitless doing these days? He's absorbing such vast quantities of heaven and earth spiritual energy!"
"Sigh, let's just endure a bit longer. Once the Ghost Sword Sect's edict arrives, we can relocate to another peak."
"The Ghost Sword Sect's efficiency is truly abysmal. They've needlessly delayed my cultivation by several days."
"It should be any day now. Just bear with it."
"..."
As the foundation establishment realm rogue cultivators grumbled quietly, the long-awaited Ghost Sword Sect edict finally arrived.
A Ghost Sword Sect Elder, clad in black robes, descended on his sword, radiating an imposing aura that seemed to brush against the threshold of the late foundation establishment realm.
Holding a secret scroll, he summoned the Ghost Sword Sect disciples stationed at the site.
"Relocate the foundation establishment realm rogue cultivators from the two peaks of Nanyang Spirit Peak to vacant cave abodes on other peaks. If there are no available spaces, the Ghost Sword Sect will fully refund their spirit stones."
Upon hearing this, the Ghost Sword Sect disciples guarding the area immediately sprang into action.
"As you command, Elder!"
In demonic path sects, hierarchy was absolute, with clear distinctions between superiors and inferiors. Elders held life-and-death power over outer sect disciples, able to take their lives without even needing a reason!
Thus, the disciples moved with remarkable efficiency. No matter how lazy they might be on ordinary days, they now displayed exceptional diligence, swiftly visiting each cave abode to execute the Elder's orders with ruthless precision.
Witnessing this scene, the elder's gaze immediately shifted toward Li Qing's cave abode. His expression transformed from haughty command to humble deference in an instant.
"Senior Limitless! This humble one, Elder Kong Yun of the Ghost Sword Sect's External Affairs Division, has come to pay his respects!"
His tone dripped with utmost reverence, as if a junior was greeting a senior family member. Not a trace of the Ghost Sword Sect Elder's usual demeanor remained.
It had to be said, demonic path cultivators were masters of the quick change!
Soon, a calm voice echoed from within the cave abode:
"Enter."
Hearing this, Elder Kong Yun flew toward Li Qing's cave abode with trepidation, his posture lowered to an extreme.
"Senior Limitless, the rogue cultivators in the foundation establishment realm occupying the two peaks of Nanyang Spirit Peak will relocate today. From now on, no one will disturb your secluded cultivation!"
Inside the cave abode, Li Qing casually replied, "Mm, thoughtful of you."
"I dare not claim such merit. It is merely my duty," Elder Kong Yun responded respectfully from outside the cave abode. But as if suddenly remembering something, he quickly added, "Ah, yes! The young sect master asked me to convey a message to you. He said he will remember this debt of gratitude he owes you."
After a long moment, Li Qing's voice drifted out:
"This was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. There's no need for sentimentality. When you return, please tell Gui Fan not to dwell on this matter."
"I will certainly convey Senior's words. If there's nothing further, I'll take my leave now."
Inside the cave abode, Li Qing calmly uttered a single word:
"Very well."
Elder Kong Yun, standing before the cave abode, clasped his hands in a final salute before flying off to personally oversee the affairs of his disciples.
Only after leaving Li Qing's cave abode did he finally exhale in relief.
This meeting hadn't even afforded him a glimpse of Senior Limitless himself, yet the overwhelming pressure of the core formation realm within had been palpable, leaving him deeply uneasy.
In the cultivation world, the difference between realms was as vast as the heavens and the earth.
Under Elder Kong Yun's supervision, the foundation establishment cultivators residing on the mountain peak shared by Li Qing and Shen Ningbing were swiftly relocated to the three remaining peaks.
The entire process went remarkably smoothly, without any stubborn holdouts or desperate pleas. Every rogue cultivator evicted from their cave abodes scurried away, eager to leave as quickly as possible.
Sharing a mountain's spiritual energy with a core formation realm true lord proved far too overwhelming.
News of this development spread rapidly throughout the Great Wilderness Domain.
Another core formation realm cultivator had emerged in the Great Wilderness Domain, calling himself the Limitless True Lord!
As the Ghost Sword Sect willingly ceded Nanyang Spirit Peak, rumors about the Limitless True Lord grew ever more widespread.
"Another core formation true lord has appeared in Giant Deer Prefecture, the Ghost Sword Sect's territory! And he's said to be a rogue cultivator!"
"Heh, I heard about this long ago. Not only is the Limitless True Lord a rogue cultivator, but his spirit root aptitude is utterly ordinary—just a four spirit root cultivation aptitude!"
"What?! How is that possible? Can someone with a four spirit root aptitude actually achieve core formation?"
"That can't be true. I also have a four spirit root aptitude, and I can't even break through the foundation establishment barrier!"
"It's absolutely true! The Limitless True Lord's cultivation aptitude is indeed a Pseudo Spiritual Root!"
The news spread like wildfire, racing through every tavern, teahouse, and even brothel across the Great Wilderness Domain's immortal cultivation world.
Li Qing, now known as the Limitless True Lord, had become a household name throughout the entire Great Wilderness Domain.
Under normal circumstances, the emergence of a rogue cultivator reaching the core formation realm wouldn't have caused such a stir.
But the Limitless True Lord's spirit root aptitude was utterly ordinary. Achieving core formation with a mere four spirit root aptitude seemed like a fantastical tale to anyone who heard it.
Yet as the rumors spread, more and more people came forward to verify the truth. Rogue cultivators across the domain began to see this newly risen Limitless True Lord as a paragon of their own dao.
As time passed, another explosive revelation surfaced:
The recently formed core formation realm Limitless True Lord had actually clashed with the Young Master of the Ghost Sword Sect, who was currently riding a wave of momentum.
The outcome of their battle sent shockwaves through countless hearts—the two had fought to a draw, their power evenly matched!
To achieve a stalemate against the Young Master of the Ghost Sword Sect immediately after reaching core formation was nothing short of miraculous.
It was clear that Limitless True Lord was no mere reclusive ascetic. His combat prowess and methods were likely exceptionally formidable.
"Hiss! As expected, none who achieve core formation are ordinary."
"Senior Limitless' success in core formation with a four spirit root aptitude clearly wasn't due to luck."
"I wonder how he cultivated? To achieve core formation with a four spirit root aptitude and possess such overwhelming combat power..."
"I've never even heard of him before. Such humility! The cultivation world truly harbors hidden dragons and crouching tigers."
"..."
The gazes shifted back to Nanyang Spirit Peak. With the departure of the other foundation establishment cultivators, Li Qing's mountain peak finally regained its tranquility.
After all, foundation establishment cultivators were still human, and their daily cultivation practices inevitably consumed a significant portion of the heaven and earth spiritual energy.
Now that they had dispersed, the spiritual energy on Li Qing's peak had noticeably replenished.
Seizing this rare moment of peace, Li Qing spent the next few days restoring his mana.
"Hmm, Zhang Da sent another spirit letter? Could he have news from the Shangqing Sect so soon?"
Li Qing's thoughts stirred, and a cyan spirit spear shot out from his cave abode, retrieving a spirit letter left outside.
The letter wasn't about the Shangqing Sect, but rather news of his growing reputation across the Great Wilderness Domain.
"Something's off. How did news of my core formation spread so widely? Even my clash with Gui Fan has become common knowledge!"
Indeed, the spirit letter contained recent discussions about Li Qing, now known as the Limitless True Lord, across the Great Wilderness Domain.
It was natural for rogue cultivators to marvel at his spirit root aptitude; he had never tried to conceal it and had even openly discussed it himself.
But the news of his battle with Gui Fan was more intriguing.
"I vaguely recall that by the time I reached the final clash with Gui Fan, all the onlookers had already scattered far away. How did this information leak?"
Li Qing frowned slightly, deeply concerned by this development.
"A draw? I clearly had the upper hand!"
Li Qing cared little for such superficial fame, but it was clear someone was deliberately fueling these rumors.
"Could the Ghost Sword Sect have bought me a trending topic?"
Li Qing's eyes narrowed instantly. He found this theory highly plausible, even likely that Gui Fan himself had spread the news.
He recalled the upcoming battle between Gui Fan and Zhang Xiao. Perhaps Gui Fan intended to use this information to lull Zhang Xiao into complacency!
"I underestimated these demonic path cultivators. They're more cunning than I thought."
"If Zhang Xiao underestimates Gui Fan because of this, he's in for a rude awakening."
Li Qing clicked his tongue, already envisioning the scene.
Gui Fan, having reached the core formation realm, had fought to a draw against a newly formed core formation cultivator. If Zhang Xiao, his formidable rival, dared to underestimate him based on this, he would undoubtedly suffer a crushing defeat!
The only reason Gui Fan had been caught off guard was by Li Qing's Netherworld Cold Fire. Otherwise, the outcome of their battle would have remained uncertain.
More crucially, Gui Fan had since obtained Demonic Essence Gold, a material for refining natal magic treasures. Once his natal magic treasure was forged, his combat prowess would skyrocket!
"Hah! I should start considering refining my own natal magic treasure too!" Li Qing sighed heavily.
(End of the Chapter)
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