Translator: AnubisTL
After receiving a portion of yin-yang spirit liquid, Zhang Da was overwhelmed with gratitude.
Though he knew that such a superior core formation spiritual material meant little to Li Qing now, tears still welled in his eyes.
How many foundation establishment cultivators in the world could ever obtain such a precious core formation spiritual material?
In that moment, he felt that his years of dedication to the black market had been worth it beyond measure.
"You've done well over the years; this is your rightful reward."
"Unfortunately, I have no leads on the Purple Mansion Spirit Liquid, so I could only secure this portion of yin-yang spirit liquid for you."
"But after so many years in the black market, you must have collected some slightly inferior core formation materials like Azure Jade Spirit Water yourself, right?"
Li Qing said with a light smile. The black market in the Great Wilderness Domain had grown far more prosperous than when he had managed it.
Especially its intelligence-gathering capabilities, which had multiplied severalfold. While its reach wasn't quite omnipotent, it had established eyes and ears in many places.
"That's more than enough. Zhang Da thanks Ancestor Limitless!" As he spoke, the tearful Zhang Da moved to kneel again.
Li Qing steadied Zhang Da and said, "The Great Wilderness Domain is about to be thrown into chaos. The void rifts to the demon realm have already opened. You should return to the Lingyun Sect with me and temporarily set aside everything here."
Zhang Da's face showed shock. He hadn't expected Li Qing to drop such earth-shattering news right away.
For a moment, he felt a pang of reluctance to abandon the vast empire he had built over decades.
"Ancestor Limitless, I..."
Li Qing waved his hand, interrupting him. "I know what you want to say. But remember, 'Where there's life, there's hope!' Survival is the most important thing. Return to the Azure Ridge Domain with me—they need your talents there too. When the demonic cataclysm subsides, you can decide for yourself whether to return to the Great Wilderness Domain."
Zhang Da was an irreplaceable talent. The fact that he had single-handedly developed the black market in the Great Wilderness Domain to its current level demonstrated his unique genius in management and operations.
The Great Wilderness Domain was destined to be swept by the demonic race, and might even fall in a short time.
Leaving Zhang Da here would clearly be unwise.
Though the Azure Ridge Domain would also face the demonic cataclysm, being closer would at least offer some advantage.
In the end, Zhang Da agreed with Li Qing's words and decided to return to the Lingyun Sect together.
"However, the black market has grown quite substantial now. Ancestor, you may proceed first. Once I've settled everything, I'll head north to the Azure Ridge Domain!" Zhang Da said, cupping his fist respectfully.
Li Qing didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, he gravely warned, "The sooner the better. You should depart within two days at the latest. Don't delay any longer!"
After these instructions, Li Qing patted Zhang Da's shoulder and left the black market.
His next stop was the Zhao Family's Clan Territory.
The Zhao clansmen had now returned to their ancestral lands. After the recent events, the entire family had pledged their loyalty to Zhao Nan.
True to his principle of seeing things through, Li Qing had resolved the Blood Spirit Sect's troubles. However, a stable void rift connecting to the demon realm had emerged in the Great Wilderness Domain.
Li Qing decided to inform the Zhao Family of the situation. As for how they would choose to respond afterward, that was no longer his concern; he believed he had done everything he could, acting with utmost benevolence.
Ignoring the Zhao Family's ancestral Grand Formation, Li Qing easily breached their mountain gate and met with Zhao Nan.
The latter was quite surprised to see Li Qing return so quickly.
"Senior Limitless, has the Blood Spirit Sect been dealt with?" Zhao Nan asked with concern.
Li Qing sighed. "A void rift opened above the Blood Spirit Sect, and the demonic race's invasion began there. I doubt the Blood Spirit Sect will exist as a demonic path sect much longer."
"The Rakshasa Demon Lord might not have died so easily, but he likely won't have the energy to trouble your Zhao Family anymore."
"I came to warn you that the demonic race's advance is relentless. You should take precautions and keep yourselves hidden."
Hearing this, Zhao Nan opened his mouth, hesitating as if about to speak.
In the end, he swallowed the words he had intended to offer his allegiance to Li Qing.
He had already repaid his debt of gratitude, and Li Qing no longer owed the Zhao Family anything. While they might not refuse now, it would still feel like overstepping bounds.
"Thank you, Senior Limitless, for informing me of this. I will be prepared!" Zhao Nan cupped his fists in a respectful bow.
Li Qing nodded gently, then transformed into an escape light. With a flash of wind and thunder, he departed the Zhao Family's territory.
Having arrived in Giant Deer Prefecture, it was inevitable that he would encounter members of the Ghost Sword Sect.
Just as Li Qing was preparing to return to the Azure Ridge Domain, he happened upon a Ghost Sword Sect team. The team was consolidating scattered sect forces across the prefecture, seemingly preparing to defend their mountain gate.
And the person in charge of this operation turned out to be someone Li Qing knew!
The young sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, Gui Fan!
Li Qing held a more favorable impression of this young master from the demonic path sect. At least Gui Fan wasn't as deranged as the young master of the Blood Spirit Sect.
The two shared a history, not deeply profound, but far beyond mere acquaintances.
"Brother Gui Fan, it's been many years! Your elegance has only grown with time!" Li Qing called out with a light chuckle from above a bustling market.
Gui Fan, who was stationed below, looked up at the sound. His slightly effeminate face showed a flicker of surprise.
Gui Fan had now reached the late-stage of the core formation realm, not far from perfected.
Li Qing's cultivation progressed rapidly. As the young sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, he had access to resources far beyond those of ordinary cultivators.
"Li Qing... what are you doing here?" Gui Fan's eyes narrowed as he spoke. He realized that he could no longer see through Li Qing at all—the man was utterly unfathomable!
"So the Limitless True Monarch from the Azure Ridge Domain in the north really is you. I had my doubts before, wondering if it was just a coincidence that you shared the same daoist name."
"I never expected you to achieve nascent soul formation in such a short time. What kind of miracle drug did you consume?"
Gui Fan felt a pang of inferiority. His innate aptitude for cultivation was far superior to Li Qing's, and with the sect's full support, he remained stuck in the core formation realm.
Yet Li Qing had transformed in the blink of an eye into someone who could now be compared to the top ancestors of the major immortal dao factions.
"Just a stroke of luck," Li Qing replied calmly. "I can see that Fellow Daoist Gui Fan's aura is solidifying. Breakthrough to the nascent soul realm shouldn't be too far off."
Gui Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes at this modest remark.
"Your personality hasn't changed at all. Even as a Nascent Soul cultivator, you still love to downplay your achievements."
"If merely being lucky could make one a Nascent Soul cultivator, there wouldn't be so few Nascent Soul Ancestors in the world," Gui Fan said, his attitude unchanged despite Li Qing's recent breakthrough. He didn't address Li Qing as "senior" or anything of the sort.
Gui Fan was a man of unwavering confidence, convinced he would inevitably reach the Nascent Soul realm himself. It was simply a matter of time.
Li Qing didn't mind this at all; in fact, he welcomed Gui Fan's self-assurance.
"I'm here to tell you that a void rift to the demon realm has opened above the Blood Spirit Sect. The demonic race's invasion has officially begun."
Seeing the genuine solemnity on Li Qing's face, even the usually flippant Gui Fan's expression turned grave.
This news came at a crucial time. The Ghost Sword Sect hadn't yet learned of it. Knowing in advance and preparing early would be vital.
"Thank you!"
"Haha, no need for formalities! I hope to see you again after this demonic cataclysm is over." Li Qing laughed heartily, then turned and left Giant Deer Prefecture without looking back. His speed was so great that he was barely visible to the naked eye, leaving only a streak of escape light in his wake.
Having a relatively good relationship with the Ghost Sword Sect and no lingering grievances, Li Qing was naturally willing to inform them of the demon realm's invasion.
Then there was Moonchase Palace.
Li Qing specifically traveled to the northwestern region of the Great Wilderness Domain and arrived at the gates of Moonchase Palace.
However, he did not enter. Instead, he personally penned a Spirit Sealing Letter, detailing the opening of the void rift to the demon realm. With his supreme mana, he sent the spirit letter into the Moon Palace.
He chose not to meet with Liu Hanyue or True Monarch Yue Xuan. After personally delivering the message, he departed.
He knew Moonchase Palace was a place of hidden depths. This immortal dao faction, which maintained absolute neutrality in the Great Wilderness Domain, actually had deep ties to Moonlit Ridge.
Based on what the Divine Transformation stage palace master of the Ice Extremity Palace had said when it appeared, it was likely that Moonlit Ridge also housed a Divine Transformation stage old monster.
"I wonder if Moonchase Palace can maintain such an aloof stance after the demonic invasion," Li Qing mused to himself.
With that, he left the area and headed straight north, without any further stops, returning directly to the Azure Ridge Domain.
At Moonchase Palace, True Monarch Yue Xuan had naturally sensed Li Qing's earlier arrival.
Deep within the palace gates, True Monarch Yue Xuan, clad in a moon-colored robe, lightly clasped her fingers together, and the Spirit Sealing Letter flew into her hand.
She read the letter's contents with an unchanged expression, her demeanor calm, as if the demonic race's invasion barely registered.
After a long moment, True Monarch Yue Xuan let out a soft sigh.
From the hall behind her, a clear and cold voice rang out, "Why do you sigh, Master?"
True Monarch Yue Xuan chuckled lightly, flicked her fingers, and sent the spirit letter soaring into the grand hall.
"Your old flame sent a letter."
Within the cold and majestic hall, a graceful figure sat cross-legged atop a jade stone.
Who else could this figure be but Liu Hanyue?
At the words "old flame," Liu Hanyue paused slightly before unfolding the spirit letter.
From the handwriting and the lingering aura, she immediately recognized it as Li Qing's.
As she read the contents, her almond lips parted slightly, and she drew a sharp breath.
The demonic race had descended into the lower realm and arrived in the great wilderness.
Though she had long resided in Moonchase Palace, she remained well-informed about the outside world.
After calming her emotions, a hint of admiration flickered in Liu Hanyue's beautiful eyes. She had long known of Li Qing's successful formation of his nascent soul and had heard of his remarkable deeds in the Wind Origin Domain.
He had battled the mid-transformation Black Flood Dragon King to a standstill and effortlessly suppressed a Golden Bear King from the demon realm in Heavenly Treasure Immortal City.
These were feats beyond the capabilities of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators; even her master might struggle to achieve them with such ease.
Ultimately, Liu Hanyue felt deep respect for Li Qing, knowing how humbly he had originated—a mere spirit mine worker in his youth.
Who could have imagined that a rogue cultivator at the qi refining realm would now achieve such heights on the immortal dao?
"Given the current turmoil, perhaps we should bend the palace's rules slightly and allow our holy maiden to form a dao companion with him? This would bring a powerful ally to Moonchase Palace."
True Monarch Yue Xuan remained the palace master of Moonchase Palace, having not yet abdicated to Liu Hanyue. The identity of the holy maiden was thus self-evident.
However, Liu Hanyue's elegant face showed little emotion as she calmly replied:
"Brother Li's heart is unwavering in his pursuit of the dao. His sole focus is on cultivation, and I doubt he would be drawn into worldly affairs of the heart."
True Monarch Yue Xuan teased, "Oh? Is Li Qing's taste really so high that he wouldn't even look at our Moonchase Palace's holy maiden?"
"You must remember that even the emperor of the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty once harbored feelings for our holy maiden."
Liu Hanyue replied helplessly, "Master, please stop teasing Hanyue."
Hearing this, True Monarch Yue Xuan slowly shook her head and said no more.
She recalled the Ancestor Devourer of Heaven, and a hint of wistfulness flickered in her deep eyes.
Having personally experienced such matters, she didn't want her disciple to suffer the same fate.
Fortunately, Li Qing's accomplishments far surpassed those of the Ancestor Devourer of Heaven back then.
But with the world on the brink of collapse and the demon realm poised to invade, who could truly predict the future?
"Ah, my foolish disciple..."
After returning to the Azure Ridge Domain, Li Qing didn't linger. He rushed straight to the Lingyun Sect.
The Great Wilderness Domain had already undergone drastic changes, and the Azure Ridge Domain was so close to it. He worried that void rifts might also open there.
With the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings granting him extreme speed, Li Qing moved at lightning pace, becoming nothing more than a blur of light across the heavens and earth.
Upon returning to the mountain gate and confirming that no void rifts had opened, Li Qing let out a long sigh of relief.
"The spatial node in the southern region remains stable for now, but it's only a matter of time before it opens."
"The Azure Ridge Domain will inevitably face invasion from the demon realm. We must prepare a comprehensive countermeasure."
At that moment, Li Qing suddenly sensed a disturbance in the primordial energy of heaven and earth—a sensation emanating from the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings behind him.
Boom!
In the central Azure Ridge Domain, within the grotto-heaven Li Qing had personally explored before, a formidable aura surged forth!
Li Qing gasped in shock, then a gleam of excitement lit up his eyes.
"Just as I suspected! There are cultivators at the Divine Transformation stage in the Azure Ridge Domain! They've been hiding so well that no one has discovered them!"
Indeed, that aura was unmistakably that of a Divine Transformation stage cultivator!
(End of the Chapter)
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