In the battle of the Non-Immortal Realm, Lu Qingyang employed his secret refining method to confront three fully cultivated sixth-tier powers head-on.
Ultimately, he couldn't defy fate, ending in bitter defeat.
Yet this battle did not test his utmost limits; they were within grasp.
Because his refined body was not an ordinary clone, but a manifestation condensed from spiritual power and incense flame by Lu Qingyang.
Though lacking the majestic aura of the Heavenly Root Bone carried by the true self.
Yet in terms of cultivation and strength, the difference compared to his true self was minimal.
At this moment, the power of his refined body could suppress Gu Tian Gang, but struggled against the combined might of the three great cave lords.
His combat strength hovered roughly between the peak of the sixth tier and the initial glimpses of the seventh.
"If my refined body reaches the peak of the sixth tier, then when my true self arrives, I will surely be able to battle against a lower-tier seventh-tier!"
Lu Qingyang's thoughts turned subtly as he pondered.
With such cultivation, even without the protection of the Heavenly Domain.
Lu Qingyang also had full confidence in defeating the three great cave lords.
And with the assistance of the Heavenly Domain, his chances of victory would undoubtedly double.
...
In the land of the Ancient Wilderness, once the symbol of the Qingyang Realm, the bronze gates have now fallen into a mound of bones, stained with crimson blood that seeped into the soil and stones, turning them into a patchy black over the years.
The surrounding earth has lost all vitality, permeated with a chilling aura that sends shivers down one's spine.
Anyone who steps into it feels a sense of eerie dread, as if malevolent entities lurk within.
At the summit of certain peaks, someone gazes ahead over the vast dark soil, with the bronze gates towering majestically, their expression grave to the extreme.
"In this battle, countless souls perished, among them not lacking in powerful immortals. With so many cultivators buried here, I fear this will evolve into a forbidden land of ten thousand spirits!"
With these words, the crowd of cultivators changed in complexion.
The phrase "forbidden land of ten thousand spirits" is, in the context of the Ancient Wilderness, a calamity that makes people's hearts shudder.
Since ancient times, there have been ancient forbidden lands within the Ancient Wilderness.
Few cultivators who enter them by mistake ever escape, and even those who do rarely evade the curse, ultimately meeting their demise.
Centuries ago, there was a true immortal of great power who sought a way to transcend while the shackles of longevity remained unbroken.
He resolutely entered the forbidden land.
However, when he returned, he was already insane, and soon he perished.
Since then, the name "forbidden land of ten thousand spirits" has made people talk in fear.
Suddenly, a true immortal speaks in a deep voice.
"There are indeed signs of the formation of a derivative forbidden land here, but although many cultivators fell in this battle, none can be considered top-tier experts."
"Under these conditions, the power of such a forbidden land is not to be feared. Any one of our three great cave lords could easily quell it."
Hearing this statement, the crowd's complexion eased slightly.
Indeed, the forbidden land of ten thousand spirits is extremely terrifying, but what people fear most are those ancient forbidden lands that have endured the vicissitudes of time and devoured countless powerful beings.
Whenever a top-tier expert nears their end, they often choose to enter the forbidden land alone, either suppressing its growth with their own strength or intending to destroy it completely.
However, while the strong can severely damage a forbidden land, they eventually perish within it, inadvertently strengthening the forbidden land's power over time.
Therefore, the older the forbidden land, the harder it is to quell.
Yet, while a newly-formed and weak forbidden land is hard to pacify, it is not entirely impossible.
Nevertheless, regardless of circumstances, the forbidden land of ten thousand spirits is by no means something ordinary people can touch.
Now that news of its impending appearance has spread, the Ancient Wilderness has once again fallen into turmoil.
...
In the cave heavens of the Ancient Wilderness, at this moment shrouded in gloom, disciples under the sect look somber.
In the battle against the Qingyang Realm, the cave heavens suffered heavy losses.
Several true immortals and elders perished, and countless disciples were lost, making it a calamity not seen in a thousand years.
The golden age has ended, with the true immortal alone at the top, but fortunately, the cave heavens' disciples bear the ancient wilderness holy body, achieving the status of invincible true immortals.
Though they have not fully restored their former glory, they have rejuvenated the sacred ground and sent waves of intimidation throughout the land.
At this point, there are few who dare to provoke the cave heavens.
Inside the main hall of the cave heavens, Gu Tian Gang's complexion is as pale as paper, his eyes as cold as ice.
The hall is filled with an atmosphere of extreme oppression.
The elders also wear worried expressions, none daring to speak.
After this battle, the cave heavens suffered heavy losses, with the deaths of many true immortals and elders, as well as the serious injury and imminent death of Gu Tian Gang himself.
His lifelong effort to refine the primordial treasure, the Wilderness Cauldron, was shattered during the fierce battle.
Years of hard work have been lost.
The Wilderness Cauldron was meticulously crafted by Gu Tian Gang over the years, using various top-grade spiritual materials, reaching the realm of a superior true immortal treasure.
If he were to aspire to longevity in the future, the Wilderness Cauldron was expected to accompany his ascension as a tool for enlightenment.
Now that the Wilderness Cauldron is broken, Gu Tian Gang's cultivation has been greatly damaged, almost falling from the realm of the superior true immortal.
Restoring it to its former state is far from easy.
"Concluding this battle, I must retreat to heal. Until I reach the pinnacle of a true immortal, I swear not to leave my seclusion."
"All affairs of the cave heavens shall be temporarily managed by you, elders. Unless the cave heavens are destroyed, do not disturb my secluded cultivation."
Gu Tian Gang's tone is harsh, sending chills down everyone's spine.
After a pause, he adds.
"Qingyang Realm cultivators infiltrating the Ancient Wilderness must be fully pursued."
"Their realm's language differs greatly from ours, and if they wish to study or imitate, they are bound to reveal flaws."
"Our cave heavens must root out each and every one. If we can force them to reveal their cultivation techniques, it would be the best outcome. If not, they must be executed immediately to prevent future trouble."
The speed of Qingyang Realm cultivators has made Gu Tian Gang extremely vigilant.
In the past attacks on Qingyang, apart from Lu Qingyang, there was not a single true immortal from that realm.
Even those who had reached the pinnacle of true immortals had not appeared.
In just a short time, the number of true immortals and experts has grown, and the speed of their cultivation is truly astounding.
In a realm with such scarce spiritual power, Qingyang cultivators can still advance rapidly.
Now that they have entered the Ancient Wilderness, it's like a hidden dragon entering the sea, unstoppable.
The two realms have become irreconcilable enemies, and Gu Tian Gang will not allow Qingyang Realm cultivators to hide in the Ancient Wilderness.
Otherwise, they will surely become a great threat to the cave heavens in the future.
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