"Congratulations, Host. You have successfully constructed the secret realm 'Immortal Palace of Wolong Ridge' and completed the guidance for worldly exploration. You are hereby awarded 10 allocatable attribute points and the Manual of Qi-Gathering Pill Alchemy."
"Congratulations, Host. You have completed the construction of your first secret realm, marking a bold stroke in the transformation of the world. You are awarded 20 allocatable attribute points and a special transformation reward..."
A breeze rippled across the lake's surface, gently brushing against Lu Fan's temple locks. Sitting motionless in his wheelchair, Lu Fan quietly examined the reward panel that had appeared before him.
The construction and guidance of his first secret realm was no small feat. At the very least, it heralded monumental significance for the entire Wu Huang Continent — a signal flare igniting the era of spiritual resurgence.The Immortal guides the way; mortals ascend the path of cultivation. Thus began a grand deception — a majestic tale of "Immortality" in the mortal realm.
Lu Fan rested his chin on one hand, his fingers lightly tapping his cheek. With a flicker of thought, the system panel appeared before his eyes.
Host: Lu FanTitle: Qi Refiner (Permanent)Refinement Level: 2 (Progress to Level 3: 120/1000 wisps)Soul Strength: 11 (Convertible: 2)Physique Strength: 1 (Convertible: 1)Spiritual Qi: 20 wispsTransformation Rewards:Foundational Qi Refinement Scripture, Art of Spiritual AwakeningWorld Rating: Wu Huang Continent [Low Martial]System Access:Missions, Doctrine Platform, Qi Infusion ControlSub-System:Furnace of Myriad Arts (LV1)Spiritual Tools: Spiritual Suppression Chessboard (Profound Tier, Lower Grade)Cultivation Technique:Heaven's Gambit (Profound Tier, Lower Grade)Allocatable Attribute Points: 35
There was no denying it — this round of rewards was truly generous. A total of 30 attribute points, a veritable fortune in Lu Fan's eyes.
Ten points came from constructing and guiding the secret realm, while the remaining twenty were bestowed due to its transformative influence on the world.
In addition to these points, two unexpected rewards had also been granted: the Manual of Qi-Gathering Pill Alchemy and the Art of Spiritual Awakening.
The former's purpose was self-evident — a detailed guide to refining Qi-Gathering Pills. The latter, however, remained shrouded in mystery. Lu Fan did not dare assume its exact nature.
A single thought summoned forth the details of the newly acquired Art of Spiritual Awakening.
Art of Spiritual Awakening: Grants the ability to awaken sentience in all beings apart from humans, enabling them to tread the path of cultivation.Note: Each use permanently consumes a portion of Soul Strength. Use with caution — shed no tears of regret.
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow after reviewing the technique.To awaken all things?
After a moment's contemplation, understanding dawned — in a world of cultivators, it is not only humans who should tread this path. Beasts, spirits, and monsters alike had potential. Yet in a low martial world, such species lacked the foundation to evolve.
To create a more wondrous world and encourage the proliferation of diverse cultivators, this Art of Spiritual Awakening was not only significant — it was essential.
Still, the cost of permanently consuming soul strength made Lu Fan extremely cautious.
Closing the technique's panel, he shifted his focus to the Manual of Qi-Gathering Pill Alchemy.This manual did not appear in the system panel.Instead, at Lu Fan's will, an ancient bamboo scroll materialized in his hands.
Dark brown and aged, the bamboo slips gently unfurled, revealing alchemical formulas and pill refinement methods.
Lu Fan's eyes shone brightly as he read.
"One Qi-Gathering Pill can, without any side effects, assist the user in refining one wisp of Qi, and boost the efficiency of Qi refinement by 40%."
The effects of the pill were astonishing — perhaps even heaven-defying at this stage.Lu Fan could hardly wait to refine a full cauldron's worth.
Even if he had no need for the pills himself, they could greatly enhance the strength of disciples within Baiyu Capital.
Still, he restrained the excitement stirring within him.His mind returned to the system panel. With 5 points previously earned from a side mission and 30 from the secret realm, he now had a total of 35 attribute points.
How to allocate such a fortune was not an easy question.
After a long silence, Lu Fan's gaze grew resolute.He assigned 30 points to Soul Strength, raising it dramatically.
The remaining 5 points were allocated to Physique — a stat he hadn't enhanced in quite some time.
His Soul Strength reached 53, enabling him to convert 32 points into spiritual energy.At a rate of 10 wisps per point, Lu Fan received 320 wisps of Qi.
Refinement Progress: Level 3 – 440/1000 wisps.Only 560 wisps remained before he would reach the next level of Qi refinement.
And with the newly opened Immortal Palace of Wolong Ridge, more and more cultivators would enter the secret realm. As they gathered spiritual sense and stepped into the Qi Core stage, Lu Fan would gain Qi dividends from their progress.
Reaching the third level of Qi refinement — it was merely a matter of time.
What intrigued him next was his Physique Strength, now raised to 6 points.As the value increased, he felt a furnace roaring within his body, blood and Qi surging like a torrent.
Wolong Ridge Immortal Palace
The previously turbulent spiritual aura gradually settled.
Several cultivators, seated in meditation, slowly opened their eyes.
Brilliant light burst from Ning Zhao's gaze.Already at the seventh segment of the Qi Core stage, she had used the explosive spiritual storm from the ancient Qi Refiner's self-destruction to break through to the ninth segment — reaching the peak of the Qi Core stage.
Her dantian could now contain nine wisps of Qi — perfection in this realm.
Nie Changqing, too, had advanced considerably, attaining the eighth segment and absorbing three wisps of Qi.
The two rose to their feet. They hadn't forgotten Lu Fan's instructions — to retrieve the ancient Qi Refiner's condensed core.
Looking up, they saw a pitch-black orb hovering above the coffin, entwined in ethereal Qi — otherworldly and strange.
"So this is... the Qi Refiner's Core!"Ning Zhao's eyes gleamed.After reaching the pinnacle of the Qi Core stage, the next step was to solidify Qi into a true core within the dantian. She had just begun to sense this convergence, though forming the core would require further effort.
The pair — clad in snow-white robes — swiftly approached the dark orb.
At that moment, Xiang Shaoyun opened his eyes, his aura surging.
He had broken through as well, reaching the fifth segment of the Qi Core stage. Without a cultivation method, each advancement was grueling.
As he stood, he saw Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing rushing toward the floating core.Temptation stirred within him.
But in the end, he remained still.
"Xiang Shaoyun! Stop them! That core holds the entirety of an ancient Qi Refiner's power. It might let us ascend in a single bound!"
In the distance, Mo Shougui stood with his sword, shouting in desperation.
Li Sansi frowned; Kong Nanfeng remained indifferent.
Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing exchanged glances.Ning Zhao pressed on toward the coffin.Nie Changqing, however, stood with his blade drawn, invisible currents of power swirling around him.
"If our lord were here, for that remark alone..."
"Your only fate would be death," Nie Changqing said coldly, eyes sharp as blades, staring down Mo Shougui.
Li Sansi's expression shifted subtly — how could he not recognize Nie Changqing? The discarded disciple of Dao Sect — the one they had forsaken.
"Old Ten," Li Sansi said gently, leaning on his wooden sword.
Nie Changqing's expression softened slightly, though he remained distant.
Li Sansi sighed. He knew all too well the story behind Nie Changqing's fall — a tale born of karmic entanglements and tragic fate.
"Xiang Shaoyun! Will you really let this immortal opportunity fall into their hands?!" Mo Shougui roared, eyes wide.
Xiang Shaoyun calmly replied, "I, Xiang Shaoyun, walk an upright path. Were it not for them, we'd be long dead. What right have we to covet their fortune?"
He ignored Mo Shougui, retrieved his fallen shield and axe, and slung the twin weapons over his back.
Ning Zhao had already secured the core, wrapping it in white silk.
"Damn it..." Mo Shougui narrowed his eyes at Xiang Shaoyun. His plan to seize the fortune with help from others had failed.
Survival now took precedence.
With that thought, he turned and fled the central chamber in a desperate bid to escape.
Boom!A cleaver flew through the air, slashing a deep gash where he had stood.
Nie Changqing's fingers curled — the cleaver spun and howled after its fleeing prey.
Ning Zhao and Nie Changqing exited together.
Only Xiang Shaoyun, Li Sansi, and Kong Nanfeng remained in the chamber.
"You're not taking the cultivation scriptures from the back chamber?" Xiang Shaoyun called out after them.
"Our lord said to retrieve only the core. As for cultivation techniques... Baiyu Capital has no shortage," Ning Zhao's cold voice drifted back.
"A new power emerges, no weaker than the sons of the Hundred Schools... Baiyu Capital," Kong Nanfeng murmured, watching the snow-white silhouettes disappear into the distance.
Xiang Shaoyun's eyes deepened.
He turned abruptly and made for the rear chamber.Li Sansi and Kong Nanfeng followed with contemplative gazes.
As for Mo Shougui...Whether he lived or died, only fate would decide.