Translator: AnubisTL
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Li Qing sank back into deep thought, racking his brain for any remaining methods to boost his immediate combat strength.
Meanwhile, in the sea territory beyond the Azure Ridge Domain, several figures were tearing through the sky, rapidly approaching the great domain.
"Sect Leader, the spirit pearl's resonance indicates that we've reached the Azure Ridge Domain."
"Azure Ridge Domain? I don't recall any particularly powerful cultivators ever emerging from this place."
"Not exactly. In recent years, a Nascent Soul cultivator with the daoist name Limitless True Monarch has gained considerable renown. Rumor has it that he personally slew a fifth-tier demonic insect during the demonic cataclysm!"
"Speaking of which, I vaguely recall that Golden Vessel originated from this great domain."
This group consisted of four Nascent Soul cultivators. What was most astonishing was that these four Nascent Soul cultivators were all gathered around a corpulent cultivator with a bulging belly and a greasy, bald head.
The bald cultivator, with his protruding belly and fleshy face, wore an arrogant expression, completely disregarding the words of the surrounding Nascent Soul cultivators.
"That fifth-tier demonic insect descended from the demon realm, likely severely wounded and significantly weakened."
"For that so-called Limitless True Monarch to slay it with the aid of the Starlight Mending Heaven Formation is hardly remarkable."
"Now that we've confirmed the Golden Spirit Pearl ended up in the Azure Ridge Domain, quickly use the Spirit-Seeking Compass to track its current location. If that Limitless True Monarch truly stole it, this saint will make him pay dearly!"
Slap!
As he spoke, the corpulent cultivator slapped his belly, creating a comically absurd scene.
The surrounding Nascent Soul cultivators dared not smile, for this man was the sect leader of the Spirit Pearl Divine Sect, known as the Five Elements Spirit Saint—a genuine Divine Transformation stage cultivator!
Since the sect's founding, he had directed its relentless search for the five elements spirit pearls scattered across heaven and earth.
Now, this mysterious sect, hidden in the shadows, had grown remarkably powerful.
To reclaim the Golden Spirit Pearl, they had even summoned their Divine Transformation stage sect leader from seclusion, while the sect's spirit pearl envoys mobilized en masse.
"Hmm, the Spirit-Seeking Compass is reacting—it's in that direction!"
One of the Nascent Soul cultivators produced a peculiar compass. Its needle spun wildly before settling on a bearing pointing directly toward the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.
"Then let's move out. With the Five Elements Spirit Saint here, even if the Golden Spirit Pearl falls into the hands of the Limitless True Monarch, he won't be able to cause much trouble."
Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement, showering the Five Elements Spirit Saint with flattery.
The Five Elements Spirit Saint, with his fleshy face and large ears, beamed with satisfaction, thoroughly enjoying the sycophantic praise.
"Then let's go!"
The Five Elements Spirit Saint stepped onto a five-colored divine rainbow, leading four Nascent Soul cultivators beside him as they sped toward the Azure Ridge Domain.
Meanwhile, outside the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm, the Formless Saint Ancestor, clad in a gray robe, was scrutinizing the void at the realm's entrance with intense focus.
He was divining heaven's will, seeking a flaw in the realm's structure to slip through undetected.
However, this divination was no simple task, demanding immense mental exertion.
"This secret realm's construction is ingeniously anchored to moonlight," he mused.
"With the cyclical dance of sun and moon, and the ever-shifting tapestry of heaven and earth, finding a loophole for clandestine entry will indeed be a formidable challenge."
The Formless Saint Ancestor stood with his hands clasped behind his back. After a long silence, a knowing smile finally dawned on his contemplative face.
"Heh, heaven's will has revealed itself. Midnight tomorrow will be the optimal moment for infiltration."
With that, he exhaled in relief.
Clearly, this divination had drained his mental reserves, yet it had successfully revealed a critical flaw—a convergence of celestial timing and terrestrial alignment—that would allow him to slip into the secret realm undetected.
While the Formless Saint Ancestor undoubtedly possessed the power to forcibly breach the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm, he found a peculiar satisfaction in this method.
As time gradually passed, the eastern horizon blazed with the crimson hues of dawn as the sun ascended into the sky.
The Formless Saint Ancestor patiently awaited the arrival of midnight, his patience unwavering.
In his eyes, Li Qing was already a trapped beast, awaiting only his personal capture.
Li Qing's fate was a chaotic void, an irresistible allure to the Formless Saint Ancestor.
His Formless Demonic Art required the acquisition of extraordinary and peculiar fates, and a chaotic void fate like this was exceedingly rare.
Those who possessed such a fate defied divination; their past and future remained shrouded in an ethereal mist.
Having finally discovered such a cultivator, and one who had yet to reach his full potential, the Formless Saint Ancestor's interest burned intensely.
In truth, when he attempted to glimpse the future of his battle with Li Qing, he saw only a void, unable to discern victory or defeat.
Yet, judging by the current circumstances, it seemed victory would soon be his.
As the Formless Saint Ancestor's anticipation grew, the sun once again rose and set in the sky.
The moon rose again, gradually ascending into the night sky.
As midnight approached, the Formless Saint Ancestor slowly stood up, a faint smile playing on his lips. He was about to slip into the Soul Nurturing Secret Realm.
He couldn't wait to see Li Qing's expression when he appeared, his anticipation almost unbearable.
Finally, as the bright moon shifted another inch across the night sky, the Formless Saint Ancestor extended a hand toward the void, preparing to exploit a flaw in the secret realm's construction to infiltrate it.
But at that critical moment, a five-colored divine light suddenly descended.
Boom!
This was a powerful divine ability combining the forces of the Five Elements, its destructive power terrifying.
The Formless Saint Ancestor's expression flickered slightly. He immediately withdrew his hand and flickered aside to evade the attack.
"You vile fiend! Hand over the Golden Spirit Pearl at once! Kneel and beg for forgiveness, and this venerable one might spare your life!"
A corpulent figure with large ears and a round face swept in on a five-colored divine rainbow.
It was none other than the Five Elements Spirit Saint, flanked by four Nascent Soul cultivators. His face wore an expression of compassionate benevolence.
One of the Nascent Soul cultivators, holding a peculiar compass, immediately shouted:
"That's right! The Spirit-Seeking Compass points directly to him! The Golden Spirit Pearl must be on his person!"
Boom!
As these words were spoken, a dense, five-colored divine light enveloped the Five Elements Spirit Saint, making him appear like an immortal descending from the heavens, utterly transcendent.
The other Nascent Soul cultivators echoed, "Kneel down at once! Stealing our sect's spirit pearl is a capital offense. The sect leader's willingness to spare your life is already an act of immense mercy."
"Hmph, has he been scared witless?"
A faint smile slowly spread across the Five Elements Spirit Saint's face as he murmured, "This venerable one offers you a path to survival: pledge allegiance to our sect."
Hearing this, the gray-robed Formless Saint Ancestor stroked his chin, his tone tinged with surprise. "This venerable one? Pledge allegiance?"
A cold smile then crept across his face, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "You've certainly amused me. I must say, this Minor World is brimming with extraordinary individuals."
The Five Elements Spirit Saint felt an unsettling emotion stir within him as he listened to the man's calm response.
He confirmed that the man's cultivation was indeed at the Nascent Soul realm, incapable of reaching any higher.
Suppressing his lingering unease, he declared in a deep voice, "You stubborn, misguided wretch! I shall awaken you from your delusion!"
(End of the Chapter)
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