Translator: AnubisTL
In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed since Li Qing entered seclusion.
During this time, the immortal dao landscape of the Great Wilderness Domain had undergone significant upheaval, with numerous major events unfolding.
Among these events, the sect leader of the Ghost Sword Sect, Gui Li, had risen to prominence. Nearly every major incident during this period was connected to him!
Immediately after obtaining the forbidden artifact, a replica of the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron, Gui Li took action.
Several months ago, Gui Li, wielding the forbidden artifact, descended directly upon Jade Bamboo Valley, a mountain gate of an immortal sect within the Righteous Alliance.
The suddenness of this attack caught everyone off guard, exceeding even the expectations of the Demonic Alliance's Blood Spirit Sect and Yin Puppet Sect, who were completely unaware of his plans.
On that day, Jade Bamboo Valley's mountain gate was utterly shattered. Even the powerful fourth-tier defensive formation guarding the gate proved no match for Gui Li's relentless assault with the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron, which he forcibly breached.
The sect's leadership, from Ancestor Old Monarch Withered Bamboo down to the qi refining realm disciples, were nearly all slaughtered by the Ghost Sword Sect.
Old Monarch Withered Bamboo met a truly tragic end. Even his nascent soul failed to escape, crushed to death by the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron.
Only a handful of insignificant disciples managed to survive by sheer luck, but they posed no further threat.
Legend has it that on the day of Jade Bamboo Valley's destruction, the roars of dragons and the howls of tigers echoed through the valley, as if powerful True Spirits had descended upon the world to utterly annihilate this righteous path sect!
The news of Jade Bamboo Valley's destruction didn't spread until several days later.
By the time others arrived to confirm the reports, the entire Spirit Grain Valley lay in ruins. The Ghost Sword Sect's disciples had scoured the land, leaving no stone unturned.
Not only were Jade Bamboo Valley's famed spiritual bamboo gone, but not a single spiritual herb remained in the entire valley!
"This is beyond belief! Jade Bamboo Valley has been reduced to ashes, and even the spiritual vein has suffered catastrophic damage."
"The few surviving Jade Bamboo Valley disciples have gone completely mad, babbling incoherently!"
"I heard the same thing. Those who survived by sheer luck claim to have witnessed the descent of powerful True Spirits—not just the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, but also the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise!"
"Impossible! A True Spirit would never appear in the lower realm. It must have been a hallucination."
"Could it be that the Ghost Sword Sect contacted the upper realm and summoned a projection?"
In the days following the destruction of Jade Bamboo Valley, the entire cultivation world buzzed with speculation, with countless theories emerging.
But in a tavern frequented by cultivators, a Goatee-Bearded Old Daoist offered a unique perspective:
"The descent of a True Spirit is too mystical. In my humble opinion, I believe these phenomena were caused by a powerful artifact!"
Many cultivators, enjoying their wine and entertainment, turned curious or amused glances toward the Goatee-Bearded Old Daoist, who struck a rather theatrical, charlatan-like pose.
"An artifact? Daoist Priest, what profound insights do you possess? Enlighten us!"
"Exactly! What artifact in this world could possess such immense power, capable of breaching even Jade Bamboo Valley's mountain-guarding Grand Formation?"
"Heh heh heh, bring this old daoist a pot of spirit wine. I want to hear his explanation!"
"..."
Once the spirit wine was served, the Goatee-Bearded Old Daoist finally abandoned his air of mystery.
"Don't forget, in the Ancient Era of our Great Wilderness Domain, there once lived a great sage known as the Four Symbols Immortal Monarch!"
His words stunned many, with only a few well-informed cultivators recognizing the name.
"Hiss! The Four Symbols Immortal Monarch? Could it be the same one who slaughtered countless ancient demons during the extraterrestrial demon invasion of our Great Wilderness Domain in the Ancient Era?!"
News and information about the Four Symbols Immortal Monarch spread like wildfire.
The legendary natal magic treasure of this great sage of the past—the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron—became increasingly renowned.
"So, Sect Leader Gui Li of the Ghost Sword Sect refined this powerful magic treasure?"
"Most likely. Even if it's not the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron itself, it's probably a similar, equally formidable artifact!"
"Or perhaps this supreme treasure from the Ancient Era, the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron, has fallen into the hands of the Ghost Sword Sect?!"
"Four Symbols... Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise... Truly the Four Symbols True Spirits!"
"..."
Thus, the cultivation world of the Great Wilderness Domain was abuzz with rumors that Gui Li possessed a powerful Four Symbols magic treasure.
The Ghost Sword Sect remained silent on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the claims.
It was precisely this rumor that silenced the Taiyi Sect, which had been eager to avenge Jade Bamboo Valley.
The Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron—the name of this magical artifact carried immense weight, forcing even the Taiyi Sect to proceed with extreme caution.
However, the Ghost Sword Sect showed no signs of slowing down. During this period, the demonic path sect remained remarkably active, continuously expanding its territory.
Originally controlling only two provinces, the Ghost Sword Sect, after annihilating Jade Bamboo Valley, naturally seized all the spiritual veins and resources within the valley's former domain.
To the surprise of many, the other two demonic path sects—the Yin Puppet Sect and the Blood Spirit Sect—remained silent in the face of the Ghost Sword Sect's aggressive expansion, making no claims to a share of the spoils.
Clearly, the Ghost Sword Sect had already instilled deep fear in its rivals.
Three months after the fall of Jade Bamboo Valley, another earth-shattering revelation emerged!
The Pure Yang Physique, long hidden away by the righteous path sects, had finally resurfaced!
In the northern reaches of the Great Wilderness Domain lay a peculiar feng shui terrain known as the Yang Gathering Cave.
The Yang Gathering Cave was named for its abundant pure yang power.
But just three months after the destruction of Jade Bamboo Valley, someone discovered that all the pure yang qi in the cave had vanished!
This news instantly sparked widespread attention. Some speculated:
"I heard that when a Pure Yang Physique breaks through to a new realm, they can form a unique resonance with the pure yang qi of heaven and earth."
"Some suspect that the Pure Yang Physique underwent core formation in the Yang Gathering Cave. During the breakthrough, they resonated with the pure yang qi and simultaneously refined their natal magic treasure."
"Hiss... If that's true, the demonic path sects are in serious trouble!"
Even without further prompting, the Ghost Sword Sect and the other two demonic path sects jointly issued a bounty!
Anyone who could provide information about the Pure Yang Physique would receive a substantial reward!
If someone could pinpoint the Pure Yang Physique's exact location for the three demonic sects, they might even receive multiple portions of Millennial Dragon Marrow as compensation.
This announcement sent waves of excitement through the cultivator community.
The prospect of claiming a reward simply for providing information was simply too enticing!
The three demonic sects offered an exceptionally generous reward, including not only Millennial Dragon Marrow but also various precious spiritual objects such as Purple Mansion Spirit Liquid, demon beast inner cores, rare spiritual herbs, and more.
In an instant, the Great Wilderness Domain was swept by turbulent winds.
It was clear to everyone that the demonic path was growing increasingly anxious, desperate to find the Pure Yang Physique and crush it in its infancy.
They couldn't allow this Pure Yang Physique to continue growing!
Amidst this rapidly changing situation, on Hundred Refinements Peak in Giant Deer Prefecture, Li Qing finally finished absorbing an entire portion of dragon marrow and emerged from seclusion.
Boom!
The sky subtly darkened, and the spiritual energy throughout the Spirit Vein Land began to surge with an unnatural restlessness.
A hidden aura surged forth from the Nanyang Spirit Peak region, spreading across a vast distance.
Roar!
A clear, resonant roar echoed from within the cave abode, reverberating far and wide.
Seated cross-legged on the Clear Heart Meditation Cushion, Li Qing suddenly opened his eyes. A fleeting, dark golden glint flashed through his pupils.
He had broken through!
After consuming the entire portion of Millennial Dragon Marrow, he had advanced from the early Core Formation Realm to the mid Core Formation Realm.
The aura now radiating from him was far more powerful than it had been six months prior!
(End of the Chapter)
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