Chapter 113: The Transformation of the Primordial Realm

After returning to the Li family residence, Wang Changsheng went straight to the cave dwelling where he had first begun his cultivation. He shut the door, sat cross-legged, and began to assess his condition.

Ever since Li Ziqi had pulled him from the heart-of-the-earth fire, Wang Changsheng had neither the time nor the opportunity to check on himself. However, he was certain of one thing: he had successfully broken through to the Huayuan Realm.

"It really is true essence..."

Seeing the faint strands of true essence contained within the true energy in his dantian, he almost broke into tears. After cultivating for so many years and remaining stuck at the peak of the Meridian Opening Realm for so long, Wang Changsheng had finally witnessed the birth of true essence within his body. For him, this was absolutely a cause for celebration.

"The Longevity Art... oh, the Longevity Art..." A look of nostalgic emotion crossed his eyes.

After some contemplation and analysis, Wang Changsheng finally understood what had happened.

"So that's how it is... so that's it..." he sighed inwardly.

Now that he had broken through, looking back at the barrier that had once held him back, Wang Changsheng instantly realized it was not a lack of accumulation or a flaw in his cultivation method. Rather, the Longevity Art was an incredibly complete technique that inherently contained methods for body tempering!

It was simply that Wang Changsheng had never obtained the body-tempering portion of the Longevity Art, which was why he had been unable to break through.

Now, having cultivated the Fire Phoenix Technique to the second level, his physical body was strong enough to withstand the impact of a breakthrough in the Longevity Art—a physique capable of going head-to-head with practitioners of the Huayuan Realm.

Having found the root cause, Wang Changsheng couldn't help but exclaim, "It was so simple!"

According to his reasoning, for the Longevity Art to breakthrough to the Huayuan Realm, the body needed to undergo a transformation to endure the limits imposed by the breakthrough. Perhaps it didn't even require the Fire Phoenix Technique; any body-tempering method might have achieved the same result.

"Hahaha... finally, I can continue my cultivation!" Wang Changsheng laughed happily.

As he circulated the Longevity Art and absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy, he still felt a sense of scorching heat. However, this heat posed no problem at all for his current physique and meridians. If he could cultivate within the heart-of-the-earth fire, why would he fear this?

Spiritual energy rushed toward him like a tidal wave, surging through his meridians, yet they remained completely intact. As the energy entered his dantian, part of it converted into true energy, and the remainder transformed into true essence.

"Now, it is time to temper the true energy, refine it all into true essence, and then I can strike at the Gold Core Realm!" Wang Changsheng said in a low voice.

The Huayuan Realm was the process of transforming all the true energy within the body into true essence. Once all true energy was converted, one would reach the peak of the Huayuan Realm and could then attempt the breakthrough to the Gold Core Realm.

As he continued his practice, he found that while the true essence in his body was increasing, the amount of true energy remained undiminished. It seemed this would be another long and arduous process.

"No matter, as long as I can cultivate, that's what matters!" Wang Changsheng felt a surge of excitement. Even if his progress was slow, it was infinitely better than the stagnation he had faced before.

He remained with the Li family for another half a month until his cultivation base was completely stabilized. Then, he stood up, exhaled a long breath of stale air, opened the door, and headed toward the residence of Li Yunqing.

"It is time to leave the Li family," he murmured to himself.

He had already obtained what he came for. As for the relationship between his second uncle and the Li family, Wang Changsheng no longer cared. After the incident with Li Ziqi, he understood a profound truth: when one’s strength is insufficient, knowing too much is of no use. His priority now was to cultivate diligently and increase his power.

Of course, before leaving, there was one other extremely important matter to address: the mission regarding the alliance between the Corpse Refining Sect and the Li family.

***

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Wang Changsheng knocked on the door of Li Yunqing’s cave dwelling.

"Is that you, Nephew Wang? Come on in!"

Li Yunqing’s voice drifted from within. The heavy stone door swung open without Wang Changsheng having to push it.

"So, Nephew Wang, are you preparing to leave?" Li Yunqing asked with a smile.

Wang Changsheng nodded gently. "I have troubled you for too long, and it is time to depart. Besides, I have some sect brothers at the Outer Court who were injured; I am worried about their condition."

"You can rest assured, Nephew Wang," Li Yunqing replied. "The Outer Court was built by the Li family, and we are well aware of everything that happens there. Your sect brothers are perfectly safe."

"Furthermore," Li Yunqing added with a smile, "for the past two years, a Gold Core aura has flickered near our family lands and the outskirts of the Outer Court from time to time. Based on the aura, it should be one of your Corpse Refining Sect members. You should know who that is, right?"

Wang Changsheng nodded. If his guess was correct, that aura belonged to the Sect Master’s Daoist manifestation.

"Very well. Since you wish to leave, I will not hold you," Li Yunqing said. "The Li family will always be your friend. If you pass by the Outer Court, you are welcome to visit my Fire Phoenix Pool anytime."

"Thank you, Uncle Li," Wang Changsheng said, then hesitated. "Uncle Li, there is one more important matter I wish to discuss with you."

Seeing Wang Changsheng’s hesitant expression, Li Yunqing immediately understood. "You are talking about the Corpse Refining Sect, aren't you?"

Wang Changsheng nodded.

"You can rest easy, Nephew Wang. You may tell the Corpse Refining Sect that the Li family is dedicated only to cultivation and will not participate in any disputes," Li Yunqing said, pausing before adding, "The Shangyang Li family has no intention of re-entering the world."

Li Yunqing stated his position clearly—this was the stance of the entire Li family. Just like the last time the Corpse Refining Sect was forced into seclusion, the Li family had remained uninvolved.

"It is not just that," Wang Changsheng said after a moment of thought. "The Corpse Refining Sect is not seeking a mere statement... they are seeking an alliance."

"The Corpse Refining Sect wishes to form an alliance with the Li family to defend against common enemies and provide mutual support," he said solemnly.

"Defend against common enemies? Mutual support?" Li Yunqing was stunned for a moment before he burst into laughter.

"Nephew Wang, it seems you do not understand the Li family well enough," Li Yunqing said. "Since our founding, the Li family has lived in seclusion. Few of our disciples walk the paths of the Shentian Realm, and we have no enemies. Even if we did, we are more than capable of handling them ourselves. Therefore, there is no need for such an alliance."

"On the contrary, your Corpse Refining Sect has made quite a few enemies in the Shentian Realm," Li Yunqing continued. "If we were to form an alliance with you, it would likely be disadvantageous for the Li family."

Wang Changsheng was rendered speechless. This was exactly why he had felt the task was near-impossible after hearing Elder Yun’s instructions. As Li Yunqing said, the Li family had no major enemies; allying with the Corpse Refining Sect would only drag them into the massive quagmire of the Shentian Realm.

Entering the world is easy, but returning to seclusion is not. It would be a loss for the Li family. Moreover, the Corpse Refining Sect’s reputation was poor; such an alliance might even tarnish the Li family’s honor.

"Nephew Wang, I advise you to leave the Corpse Refining Sect as soon as possible," Li Yunqing’s expression turned grave. "This re-emergence of the Corpse Refining Sect is no simple matter. I fear the entire sect will find itself at the center of a vortex in the Shentian Realm. Should something happen, the Corpse Refining Sect will be the first to suffer."

Wang Changsheng could only offer a bitter smile. He had come to represent his sect in forming an alliance, only to be advised by Li Yunqing to abandon it.

"I will take that into consideration," Wang Changsheng said helplessly. "So, Uncle Li, there is truly no room for negotiation regarding the alliance?"

Li Yunqing nodded gently. "It is essentially impossible. The Li family has no plans to join the world. However, I can promise that as long as we are not provoked, the Li family will remain strictly neutral."

Wang Changsheng could do nothing but sigh. He had never expected his first mission to fail so completely. He had thought that because Li Yunqing had passed on the Fire Phoenix Technique and his essence blood, this relationship would make the alliance easy to secure. It seemed, however, that Li Yunqing’s resolve was immovable.

"Uncle Li..." Wang Changsheng was about to try one last time when—

BOOM!

A tremendous explosion echoed in his ears. The cave dwelling shook violently, and had it not been for the protective formations, dust and debris would have come crashing down.

"What is happening?" Wang Changsheng was stunned. If the roar hadn’t come from a distance, he would have thought Li Yunqing had lost his temper. Seeing Li Yunqing’s dark expression, he realized something major must be afoot.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Li Yunqing vanished, shooting out of the cave dwelling.

"Is someone making trouble at the Li family estate?" Wang Changsheng muttered, immediately following him to investigate.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw a fiery-red figure standing in the air not far away. A majestic, overwhelming aura emanated from the figure, sweeping across the surroundings. The Li family disciples, seeing someone acting so brazenly in their home territory, did not attack but instead kept their distance.

"Hahaha..."

The person in the air laughed loudly. Wang Changsheng felt the voice was familiar, and as he drew closer, he saw exactly who it was.

"What the hell? Why is it this guy?" Wang Changsheng exclaimed in surprise, staring at the figure laughing in the sky.