Celestial Refining Divine Scripture

Though Elder Shui and Mr. Huo were gravely injured, once recovered they were still two bona fide Peak Celestial Immortals.

United, water and fire in harmony, they were the cream of the crop.

To subdue such figures and have them serve, even for Xu Yang, would be a tremendous boon.

However, useful as they were, to him their value was limited.

His own strength rivaled the Peak of Celestial Immortal—what need did he have for more manpower?

Besides, he had no need to stoop to assassinations or lowly sneak attacks.

"Too late."

Xu Yang smiled coolly, summoning the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire with a single thought.

At the same time, ancient Evil Qi erupted from within the Immortal Realm.

Boom!

From the darkness surged a vast, endless mass of ink-black flames, pouring down like molten lava.

Behind him, the ancient Evil Qi howled, shrill and ceaseless like a tidal surge.

"You little bastard, you won’t die a good death!"

"Even if this old man dies, I won’t let you have it easy!"

Mr. Huo roared in rage and sorrow, defying the flames and Evil Qi, unwilling to submit.

His body bloated, his Primordial Spirit twisted, his immortal foundation ruptured—

Aiming to self-destruct!

"Too bad you chose the wrong place."

Xu Yang sat cross-legged in the corner, face serene.

If this happened outside, even as strong as he was, he would have retreated from a Peak Celestial Immortal’s self-detonation.

But here, he was the sovereign.

"Lock!"

The erupting Heaven Locking will, added to the ancient might of the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod’s bindings.

The Immortal Realm quaked; on its surface, chains sprang up, flashing from the darkness to enshroud Mr. Huo.

Thud!

Inside Mr. Huo, there was a muffled boom—his swelling body forcibly shackled, shriveling instantly.

His self-destruction ruthlessly suppressed mid-act.

He convulsed all over, blood gushed forth, and with a wail he toppled straight down, his vital force battered to extinction by his own chaotic power.

"Old man!"

Elder Shui lunged forward, staring dumbly at the shattered corpse of Mr. Huo, crimson rising in her eyes.

In the next moment—

She too sprang into action.

But the outcome was no surprise.

The two bodies lay side-by-side, instantly swallowed up by the ferocious Heaven-Burning Divine Fire.

Spurt!

"Cough... cough!"

Xu Yang spat a mouthful of blood and murmured, "Refining the bodies of two Peak Celestial Immortals brings purer Essence Qi than even the twelve-leaf Jade Lotus I gained previously."

"Worth it!"

Compared to the wounds, he’d made a killing.

The resources on Elder Shui and Mr. Huo would be plentiful.

Add their bodies—it’s worth months of arduous cultivation.

With a thought, Xu Yang withdrew the Celestial Refining Divine Tripod, revealing the valley.

Riddled with cracks, marked everywhere by devastation.

In the dead silence, Xu Yang slowly closed his eyes to meditate and recover.

That one slash had drained his immortal yuan; even with his robust physique and elixirs, it’d take roughly half a day to fully restore himself.

Time trickled by. Treasure-light flickered uncertainly between heaven and earth, turmoil everywhere as the slaughter continued without pause.

The gloomy night descended, faintly stained a bloody crimson.

The Ancient Shadow Gold Mine valley was peaceful; if someone passed by and caught sight of those three banners, they’d quickly flee.

The next day—

Xu Yang was finally fully recovered. Upon tallying his gains, he was impressed.

Quickly, he descended to the mine’s depths.

Three treasure-pellets greedily absorbed all available energy.

Xu Yang sensed briefly, nodding contentedly.

The elevation and awakening continued; after seven days of splitting the pellets evenly, one would be perfected, the other two brimming to seventy or eighty percent.

"I’ll stay here for now."

"Unless some astonishing treasure emerges nearby."

"Ideally, an ancient star."

Xu Yang muttered, turning to exit the mine.

The third day—

On the northern side of the Ancient Shadow Gold Mine, several figures arrived at speed.

The lead was a young man, but his ornate clothes were stained with blood, his face deathly pale—clearly wounded.

A maiden supported him by his side.

Trailing behind were two Celestial Immortal Realm guards: one at the Early Stage, one at the Middle Stage.

All of them, more or less, carried injuries.

"These lunatics—everyone’s gone mad."

"Even the prestige of our Yang Family is ignored."

The youth gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath.

"Young master, the Starry Extreme Night is such a rare event, once in a hundred years—those who participate can change their fate. Even the three great sects of Northern State won’t care about reputation right now." The Middle Stage Celestial Immortal guard sighed, "Once we’ve recovered, it’s best to return to Black Fire Immortal Mountain."

"There are good opportunities there, too."

The youth was none other than Yang Xiao.

Hearing this, his expression shifted, finally nodding silently.

Originally, he had been high-spirited, assuming with two Celestial Immortal guards and the influence of Black Fire Immortal Mountain and the Yang Family, if not invincible, at least few would dare provoke him.

Yet after venturing out, anyone of near-equal strength wasted no words—utterly unbothered by his status as a disciple of Black Fire Immortal Mountain or a member of the Yang Family.

They attacked on sight.

He was left utterly at a loss.

"We’re here. The Ancient Shadow Gold Mine is ahead."

"Lord Yang Tong is present—let’s rest up first."

At the sight of the wild hills ahead, the Celestial Immortal guard’s face lit up.

With Yang Tong and Yang Zhenyuan here—one Late Stage Celestial Immortal, one Peak—there was ample security.

The group hurried their pace.

Upon arrival, they were all stunned.

"Ye Family, Ming Family... Don’t tell me Lord Yang Tong hasn’t handled the Ye and Ming clans? Who did they send?"

Facing the three banners, confusion gripped the group.

If Yang Tong and Yang Zhenyuan were unharmed, they’d have assumed the Yang Family had seized the place completely.

But the three flags before them spoke volumes.

The three great families share control!

There could be only one explanation.

The Ye and Ming Family cultivators here must be formidable, too.

Otherwise, no side among the three clans would easily co-occupy this place.

"What now?"

Yang Xiao frowned.

"No matter. Let’s go."

"Even if all three families hold it, we’re of the Yang Family."

The Celestial Immortal guard spoke heavily.

The group hesitated no longer, swiftly darting onward.

Meanwhile, Xu Yang, seated in the valley, suddenly opened his eyes, suspicion flickering across his face. "They’re coming straight here—not very strong. Must be from one of the three great clans?"

Heading directly this way; outside the three families, he could think of no one else.

From his perception, the strongest among them was only at the Middle Stage Celestial Immortal.

With such cultivation, seeing the three banners, there was no way they’d wish to seize this place.

But as they sped into the valley, Xu Yang paused, then smirked coldly.

"So the road truly narrows for enemies."

"Yang Xiao."

"We meet again."

Xu Yang rose slowly, his gaze playful as he stared at the now stiff-faced Yang Xiao.

"Xu Yang—why is it you?"

"Where’s Yang Tong and Yang Zhenyuan?"

"And the Ye and Ming clan cultivators?"

Yang Xiao glared at Xu Yang, eyes full of hatred and disbelief.

"Young master, go!"

The Celestial Immortal guard’s face shifted, reacting instantly. In a flash he hurled Yang Xiao and the maiden back, eyes fixed warily on Xu Yang, heart wrenching, yet resolved to die if need be.

With the power Xu Yang displayed in Four Spirits Town, he knew he stood no chance.

Against Xu Yang, certain death.

"Go?"

Xu Yang grinned, his form vanishing like a ghost.

Thud!

Boom!

Both guards let out a miserable howl as they fell.

Facing Xu Yang and his overwhelming Evil Qi, Yang Xiao and the maiden went soft all over, collapsing limply to the ground.