Chapter 354: Immortal Dao Techniques (Monthly Ticket Bonus, Combined Two Chapters)

Among the mountains and forests, two figures sped through the air, heading toward the Purple Gold Palace.

Li Rui and He Qianian walked side by side.

Their rapid movement did not hinder their conversation.

"Senior He, you mean the Exiled Immortal of the Purple Gold Palace is not inside the palace?"

Li Rui asked.

He Qianian nodded: "Yes. I've been hiding outside the Purple Gold Palace these past few days, using covert surveillance methods to confirm—the Exiled Immortal is not within."

Upon hearing this,

Li Rui felt a weight lift from his heart.

'I knew it—Yuan Marquis isn't an ordinary man; he wouldn't rashly send troops into battle.'

He must have acted only because the Exiled Immortal was gone.

Without the Exiled Immortal as a wild card, matters became far simpler.

He Qianian: "Let's go scout the situation first."

Though the Exiled Immortal had left, it was certain he had dwelled in the Purple Gold Palace for a considerable time and must have left traces—enough to judge his strength.

Soon,

He Qianian and Li Rui arrived beneath the walls of the Purple Gold Palace.

This was the palace's rear side.

Due to Liu Qing and others, most of the Purple Gold Palace's forces were concentrated at the front—now was the perfect moment to strike while the defenses were weak.

With no sentries to interfere,

the dozens-of-zhang-high wall posed no real challenge to Li Rui and He Qianian.

The two leapt forward.

In mere breaths, they reached the top of the wall.

As soon as they stood upon it,

the ramparts were empty; their speed was so swift that no one noticed them—they slipped into the Purple Gold Palace like ghosts.

He Qianian had already mapped the palace's layout.

Soon, he led Li Rui to the grandest hall at the palace's center.

This hall was more majestic and imposing than any other structure in the Purple Gold Palace.

Even in the most tense moments, elite guards still stood at its entrance.

"Who's there?!"

A burly man, likely the commander, bellowed.

But he never got to finish speaking.

He Qianian quickly told Li Rui: "Strike."

Then he surged forward himself, his left palm sweeping out to shatter the giant's defense, followed by a downward punch with his right fist—*puff*—the man's head exploded like a ruptured melon.

Smooth, seamless, flawless.

A primordial-level warrior was slain by He Qianian in one motion.

Meanwhile,

Li Rui had reached He Qianian's side and smashed the Jade Serpent Blade, scabbard and all, into a guard's shoulder.

Instantly, more than half the man's body was torn apart.

Painful screams echoed from the hall's entrance—the man was clearly beyond saving.

In a flash,

Li Rui and He Qianian eliminated the guards before the hall—swift and efficient.

"From my observations, the Purple Gold Palace's strongest aura of immortality emanates from this place—it must be the Exiled Immortal's residence."

He Qianian said.

Then he strode into the hall.

The hall was vast and deep, pitch-black at night, utterly obscured—as if a monstrous beast had opened its jaws, waiting to swallow its prey.

He Qianian told Li Rui: "Time is short—search quickly."

Saying this,

he darted toward the hall's depths.

He Qianian, skilled and fearless, had no fear—but Li Rui, comparatively, was far more cautious, staying close behind He Qianian, daring not to take a single misstep.

Those who had once been immortals knew: when crafting a dwelling, they always left protective measures within.

One must be exceedingly careful.

He Qianian and Li Rui soon reached a lavish chamber at the rear of the hall.

This must be the Exiled Immortal's sleeping quarters.

Generally,

the front hall served as an office and held nothing of great importance; true secrets were always hidden in resting places.

Humans were like this—the Exiled Immortal likely was too.

The bedroom was not large.

He Qianian and Li Rui split up to search, leaving no detail unexamined.

As Li Rui approached a wall,

he furrowed his brow.

Seeing his expression, He Qianian walked over.

"What is it? Is there something behind this wall?"

Li Rui nodded.

Just as he passed this wall, he suddenly felt a strange resonance in his heart.

He Qianian fell silent, then barked: "Step back."

Li Rui obeyed and retreated.

Then he saw He Qianian raise his right arm—no flourish, no technique—simply punch straight through the wall.

With a thunderous *boom*,

dust and shattered bricks flew everywhere.

Indeed,

a hidden passage appeared before He Qianian.

Li Rui blinked.

The wall clearly concealed a mechanism—but He Qianian had used the most direct method to open it.

Brutal, yes—but effective.

As He Qianian broke open the secret passage, a flash of golden light erupted, striking straight for his vital points.

The golden light appeared too suddenly.

Even He Qianian was caught off guard.

But he reacted instantly—his muscles swelled violently, nearly bursting his loose robes.

He endured it!

His formidable body clashed with the golden light.

A black vortex, like a swirling void, appeared before He Qianian—the golden light shot into it and vanished without a trace.

Li Rui was startled.

Great Iron Body!

He hadn't expected He Qianian had refined Great Iron Body to such an extent.

He Qianian grunted, staggered back several steps, his complexion paling visibly.

Clearly,

withstanding that golden light had been far from easy.

Li Rui hurried forward two steps and steadied He Qianian.

"Senior."

He Qianian: "Powerful technique—no wonder he's an Exiled Immortal."

Had he not specialized in external cultivation, with his defensive prowess among the top in the third rank, and had he not possessed Great Iron Body, he might already be gravely wounded—or dead.

He grimaced, then carefully sensed again:

"Be careful."

"There shouldn't be any more traps."

He Qianian took a deep breath, suppressing his injury, and pressed deeper with Li Rui.

Soon,

they reached a small secret chamber, no more than five zhang across, filled with various objects—seemingly a storage room.

Li Rui glanced once,

then his gaze locked onto one spot.

A section of the wall had been carved into a raised earthen platform, large enough for one to sit cross-legged; delicate threads of purple-gold energy circulated within the small space, marvelously intricate.

He Qianian also turned to look.

He was instantly startled.

"The Qi of withered wood meeting spring?!"

Li Rui was also startled.

He finally understood why he had sensed that unusual energy.

It was precisely drawn by the Qi of withered wood meeting spring.

His energy was linked to the little dragon, so over time he had absorbed the dragon's ability to sense treasures; though far weaker than Little White Dragon's, he could still sense them when close enough.

He Qianian: "This exiled immortal certainly knows how to enjoy himself—he's hoarded so much Qi of withered wood meeting spring."

A single strand of Qi of withered wood meeting spring is a supreme treasure.

With so much of it before him, even his experience left him stunned.

A flash of sharp light passed through He Qianian's eyes:

"Quick, sit down—this is a stroke of fate."

He urgently urged Li Rui.

The Qi of withered wood meeting spring is something every internal martial artist dreams of; it's nearly impossible to carry away unless you have a specially crafted Qi-stabilizing jade bowl. He naturally had no idea such a treasure existed inside the Purple Gold Palace, so he hadn't prepared one.

Since he couldn't take it, he might as well consume it all.

Seeing Li Rui standing still, He Qianian rolled his eyes: "This stuff is of little use to me—hurry up and claim it, don't waste time."

Hearing this, Li Rui no longer hesitated.

He sat directly upon the earthen platform.

Instantly—

He felt as if the Milky Way had fallen from the heavens, crushing his head with ten thousand juns of force.

Li Rui's Immortal Xuan Qi immediately began to circulate.

Frantically drawing the Qi of withered wood meeting spring into his body to refine his flesh and soul.

The Qi of withered wood meeting spring is one of the nine treasures required for the Ascension Method; it's normally nearly impossible to find, for such a vast quantity is unheard of—yet here it was, inside the Purple Gold Palace.

Truly, it was like searching a thousand miles and finding it right under your feet.

Drink it in deeply!

At the other end.

At the gate of the Purple Gold Palace.

Blood Shadow Ancestor and Liu Qing faced each other from afar, staring coldly at the middle-aged man: "Liu Qing."

Liu Qing smiled: "Qi Ying, I regret not killing you back in the northwest—perfect timing to settle our old debts today."

The world only knew him as Blood Shadow Ancestor; only seasoned veterans like him knew his true name.

Blood Shadow Ancestor's eyelids twitched.

Both were renowned masters—he had fought Liu Qing decades ago.

Back then, Liu Qing was Second Rank, while he was Third Rank.

He was chased a thousand li and nearly died.

Blood Shadow Ancestor snorted coldly.

Now he too was Second Rank—they were equal in realm, and he wouldn't necessarily lose.

He wasted no more words.

With a flick of his sleeve, vast clouds of blood surged toward Liu Qing.

Yet just as the two were about to clash—

Blood Shadow Ancestor's expression changed.

He sharply turned his head toward the central hall of the Purple Gold Palace.

Someone has breached the Immortal Lord's residence!

So refreshing!

Inside the chamber.

Li Rui's flesh was washed again and again by the Qi of withered wood meeting spring.

After reaching the Primordial state, true qi and flesh merged; nourished by the Qi of withered wood meeting spring, his body grew fuller, faintly glowing.

Beside him, He Qianian squinted.

"Good lad!"

If he still didn't realize Li Rui had already broken through to the Primordial state, he'd be blind.

He'd intended for Li Rui to use this Qi to break through—but Li Rui had already become Primordial.

"You kept quiet—hid it well from old me."

Yet He Qianian's face showed mostly satisfaction.

To deceive a Third Rank Earth Immortal—that was skill.

He had high hopes for Li Rui.

Now it seemed this unofficial disciple would live long. To live wasn't just about longevity—it meant fearlessness in the face of danger.

A dead genius is no longer a genius.

The Qi of withered wood meeting spring was useful to him too, but time was limited—he decisively yielded this blessing to Li Rui.

All to help Li Rui grow faster.

Truly thoughtful.

Only a single incense stick's time passed.

Li Rui slowly opened his eyes.

His spiritual root improved!

His strength surged!

The potent vitality of the Qi of withered wood meeting spring healed nearly all his latent injuries from years of cultivation, making his Primordial Pure Body even purer.

!

In just one incense stick, he'd saved at least ten years of hard cultivation!

He gazed wistfully at the Qi of withered wood meeting spring, now clearly halved.

"Truly a marvelous treasure."

Too bad.

The Qi-stabilizing jade bowl was a rare item; no craftsman in Yunzhou could make one, so even if he wanted to search for one, he had no way.

Fortunately, he was always content with what he had.

To encounter even a single strand of this Qi was a great fortune.

To have consumed so much today was a heavenly blessing.

He shouldn't greedily demand more.

Excess overflows—leaving room is best.

He Qianian chuckled at Li Rui: "You little rascal—you sneaked into the Primordial state without telling old me."

Li Rui opened his mouth to speak.

But He Qianian cut him off: "No need to explain—let's leave this place of trouble first."

Li Rui nodded.

While Li Rui absorbed the Qi of withered wood meeting spring, He Qianian hadn't been idle.

He'd been fiddling around nearby.

Clearly, he'd obtained what he wanted.

He was about to agree.

But his gaze was caught by a small booklet beside him.

"Came in, now you won't leave, Qi Ying—it seems you still haven't learned."

Seeing Blood Shadow Ancestor's expression, Liu Qing's smile widened.

Did he really think Liu Qing came to the Purple Gold Palace to crush and suppress?

Wrong.

Utterly wrong.

He long knew the Purple Gold Palace's true significance; bluntly put, Blood Shadow Ancestor was just a gatekeeper—the real threat was the hidden exiled immortal.

"It seems He Qianian has succeeded."

All of today's events

Were a scheme orchestrated by him and He Qianian.

He Qianian confirmed the exiled immortal was absent from the Purple Gold Palace—that was the perfect moment to strike.

This battle—

Their real goal was to uncover the Purple Gold Palace's secrets.

Only then could they act with precision.

Blood Shadow Ancestor's expression turned grim.

Liu Qing's appearance didn't surprise him much.

After all, he'd deliberately let Song Shi spread the news—he'd prepared thoroughly. Tonight, the Purple Gold Palace would not fall.

But anyone who dares spy on the Immortal Lord? That is unforgivable.

But as soon as he turned, Liu Qing had already stepped forward to block his path.

"Die!"

The Blood Shadow Ancestor instantly flew into a rage.

He slammed his massive palm toward Liu Qing, summoning wails of ghosts.

Liu Qing remained utterly calm.

He did not draw his longsword from its scabbard; he met the assault with bare fists and palms, and no matter how fiercely the Blood Shadow Ancestor attacked, he stood like a reef in a raging sea, his feet unmoved.

The Blood Shadow Ancestor's face darkened further.

Though both were Second Rank, the gap between them was vast.

Liu Qing's Second Rank foundation was profound—he was no match.

Just as the battle reached a stalemate—

Liu Qing, who had been purely defensive, gently pushed forward with one palm. The palm seemed soft and weak, yet it sent the Blood Shadow Ancestor reeling backward.

The superiority was instantly clear!

Liu Qing narrowed his eyes, staring at the old man who had suddenly appeared.

"That immortal from the Qi family?"

Only see.

At some point, an old, hunched man with snow-white hair had appeared behind the Blood Shadow Ancestor, his aura as deep as an abyss, impossible to fathom.

He was the pillar of the Qi clan of the Southern Frontier.

Liu Qing tapped his foot lightly and floated backward.

"Withdraw!"

At his quiet call—

The forty-odd fighters in the midst of battle retreated in perfect unison, orderly and disciplined, exiting the Purple Gold Palace and vanishing into the Ten Thousand Mountains.

"Master He."

Liu Qing and his group, now withdrawn to the outer perimeter of the Purple Gold Palace, arrived at their previous position.

Li Rui and the others were already waiting.

But compared to when they had left, there were now six instead of five.

The new addition was He Qianian.

Liu Qing bowed to He Qianian.

He Qianian returned the bow: "I have fulfilled your request—I've obtained the lead."

Liu Qing smiled and nodded:

"If Master He acts, I have no worries."

As he spoke, he casually glanced toward the nearby Purple Gold Palace.

The Purple Gold Palace did not pursue.

"This Purple Gold Palace isn't simple—it has experts from the Ghost Ming Sect, and now even that immortal from the Qi clan has shown his face. Could it be the founding emperor of the Xuan Kingdom has returned from the dead?"

Liu Qing said with a grin.

He Qianian was startled: "You mean that old immortal, Qi Tiannian?"

"He's inside the Purple Gold Palace?"

He couldn't help but be shocked.

Qi Tiannian was one of the top fifteen warriors on the Martial Rankings, one of the chief architects behind the chaos in Wu Kingdom—his strength was unquestionable.

Liu Qing nodded casually, utterly unconcerned:

"As long as that old immortal doesn't want to die, he won't dare strike at us."

"The Marquis has been watching him all along."

He Qianian was surprised: "The Marquis came too?"

Liu Qing shook his head: "He didn't come. With the Marquis's methods, he doesn't need to."

He Qianian deeply agreed.

The story of the Yu Kingdom's Military Saint slaying a dragon from ten thousand li away had happened only recently—he remembered it vividly.

For someone like Yuan Dingting, distance meant nothing.

To kill someone, he never cared where they were—only that he knew, and then they were dead.

With Yuan Dingting's intimidation, the Qi clan's ancient ancestor would likely not strike again.

He Qianian: "Let's leave this place first, and discuss it back home."

Liu Qing nodded.

The two immediately led their group away from the Ten Thousand Mountains.

When the sky just began to lighten, they returned to Qinghe.

After last night's battle—

Though no one died, many were seriously wounded.

Li Rui and Cao Wei handled the aftermath.

Meanwhile, Liu Qing, He Qianian, Nie Siming, and Yuan Xiong went to the General's Mansion to discuss their next move.

If the Purple Gold Palace had merely been allied with the Ghost Ming Sect, it might still be fully eradicated.

But now the Qi clan is involved—it's become far more complicated.

The Qi clan of the Southern Frontier no longer represents merely a family—it represents half of Wu Kingdom. The difference is immense.

Even Qi Tiannian, the Qi clan's old ancestor, has intervened.

This matter is no longer one Qinghe can resolve—nor even one Yunzhou alone.

Only the Holy Emperor and several top figures can decide.

Of course—

None of this is Li Rui's concern.

"Master Li, do you think we won't lose our posts this time?"

Cao Wei was in high spirits.

Since returning from the Purple Gold Palace, his smile had not faded.

Though they didn't completely annihilate the Purple Gold Palace, they gained a wealth of valuable intelligence—without this surprise raid, the Yu Kingdom court would still be in the dark.

A major achievement.

As a key participant, he didn't expect promotion, but he certainly wouldn't be punished—

The court has always valued personal ties.

"Probably… yes."

Li Rui smiled.

He wouldn't tell Cao Wei that even if he hadn't come, he still wouldn't have lost his post.

This time—

He'd simply risked his life for nothing.

After tending to all the injured, Li Rui had been busy all day; by the time he returned home, it was deep into the night.

"Master, you're back."

Liu Tiezhu was yawning.

Seeing Li Rui enter, he snapped awake.

"Tiezhu, you don't need to wait for me—just go to sleep."

Li Rui looked at Liu Tiezhu, idly squatting in the courtyard, and knew his disciple had waited up specifically for him.

Liu Tiezhu grinned: "I've got nothing else to do. Master, want a late-night noodle bowl? I'll make it."

Before, Wang Zhao handled this; now that the junior brother had gone to Wu Kingdom, he'd taken over the task himself.

Li Rui shook his head: "No, leave it for tomorrow morning. Go to sleep."

He wasn't not hungry.

But his disciple always undercooked the noodles—truly inedible.

Better not to eat at all.

Liu Tiezhu murmured "Oh," then obediently returned to his room.

Li Rui smiled faintly, then pushed open the door to the main chamber.

Back in his room—

He still savored the sensation of being nourished by the Qi of Withered Wood Renewed.

So comfortable.

Even now, it left him yearning for more.

The Qi of Withered Wood Renewed, born of heaven and nurtured by earth, was a divine substance. Not only had his spiritual root improved, but his strength had increased by at least twenty percent.

Twenty percent for a Primordial Martial Artist.

That was no small thing.

Li Rui gathered his thoughts, then pulled a brand-new small booklet from his chest.

He had grabbed it at random just before leaving, driven by a sudden intuition.

For some reason—

Li Rui suddenly felt something strange about the small booklet before him.

He slowly opened it, and under the moonlight, clearly saw a line of small characters—The Five Spirits Body Refining Scripture.

At that moment—

Lines of small characters appeared before him.

【Congratulations, host, you have completed the initial plot achievement of becoming an immortal ancestor—Immortal Dao Technique.】

(End of chapter)