Chapter 422: Danger Lurks on All Sides

"Heart like still water, spirit naturally clear; sitting in oblivion observing oneself, dimly seeing the primordial."

At this moment.

Li Rui seemed to merge with his surroundings, wisps of spiritual energy wrapping around him, entering a mysterious and profound realm.

This is called—Heaven and Man as One.

Changqing Qi spread outward like tentacles, constantly plucking the strings of heaven and earth.

The distance was exactly ten zhang.

Thoughts arise.

The ground in the ten-zhang area around Li Rui collapsed in an instant, sinking several zhang deep.

Such terrifying power, yet it was merely a single thought.

Li Rui floated cross-legged above the large pit.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Done!

After several years of hard cultivation, he finally took the first step.

Connecting ten zhang of the power of heaven and earth is the Tongxuan Initial Realm.

The Heavenly Ox Zhu Ha once said that ten zhang is the initial realm, one li is the middle realm, and ten li is the upper realm.

Distance actually represents the amount of the power of heaven and earth that can be used; the longer the distance, the more can naturally be drawn.

Now.

With just a single thought, Li Rui had a massive force of more than tens of thousands of jun.

This is something martial artists below Tongxuan wouldn't even dare to imagine.

Even the Primordial Realm cannot do it.

Whether or not one has the power of heaven and earth is a qualitative difference.

Why the upper three ranks are called the Earth Immortal Three Ranks is because entering the three ranks is the difference between immortal and mortal.

Li Rui revealed a satisfied smile.

Breaking through the initial realm in four years, although this speed is not earth-shattering, it is already quite fast among the Tongxuan.

One must know that among those who can step into Tongxuan, there is not a single mediocre person.

So the gold content is even higher.

Not to mention, the Wan Gu Chang Qing Art he cultivates is steady and solid.

Being able to be so fast is thanks to spirit stones.

And what he used were not ordinary low-grade spirit stones, but medium-grade and even high-grade spirit stones.

'Money can make ghosts grind flour; it is not a lie.'

If you have no money, what immortality are you cultivating?

Wealth, companion, method, land; the importance of wealth, which ranks first, goes without saying.

Of course, Li Rui being able to obtain so many spirit stones is also because he is leaning against a big tree to enjoy the shade.

As an official of the imperial court and holding the important position of spirit mine guardian, he could obtain so many spirit stones; it would be very difficult for an Elder of a large sect to have this treatment.

"Lifespan has increased again."

He sensed it in the dark.

His lifespan of six sixty-year cycles had increased by another ten years.

This is the benefit of cultivating the Wan Gu Chang Qing Art.

Li Rui felt satisfied.

He had long had enough of the life of counting days waiting to die; the increase in lifespan made him feel very safe.

Just about to get up.

Suddenly.

He sensed a powerful aura sweeping toward him.

Li Rui's heart moved.

A Transformation Talisman was thrown out, and his entire appearance changed instantly.

Almost the next instant after Li Rui transformed.

A man in black robes appeared in the valley.

When he saw Li Rui, his pupils shrank slightly, as if he had seen a ghost, and his face instantly became ugly.

"Heaven..."

The four words "Heavenly Tian Nan Lao Mo" almost slipped out.

He forcibly held back and changed it to: "Senior."

If he hadn't already been discovered, he would have really wanted to turn around and leave immediately.

Li Rui's withered skin lifted slightly, revealing a smile even more terrifying than a ghost's cry, and he said in a hoarse, sharp voice: "Little doll, we meet again."

Not bad.

This black-robed demonic cultivator is one of the two who chased Pure Void in the South Sea before.

The black-robed demonic cultivator secretly complained in his heart.

Since that day.

He and his Li Laoge had planned to find a place to hide and cultivate well.

Who would have thought.

The two separated to hide and cultivate.

As a result, his Li Laoge was sought out by Daoist Daoist Xuan Yu and swept away by a fishing rod into ashes.

After he heard about it.

He thought about avenging his Li Laoge.

He certainly couldn't beat Daoist Daoist Xuan Yu, but killing a few Qingwei Sect disciples would be good.

So he went ashore.

And then he heard the news of the spirit mine.

Who would have thought that just after arriving at the Ten Thousand Mountains where the spirit mine is located, he sensed someone breaking through, so he thought about robbing them while they were down.

As a result, he ran into this evil star, the Heavenly Tian Nan Lao Mo.

Li Rui stared fixedly at the demonic cultivator before him.

The demonic cultivator felt his scalp go numb and hurriedly accompanied him with a smile: "Senior, why did you come too? Could it be that you also heard the news of the top-grade spirit stone appearing?"

Li Rui narrowed his eyes slightly.

Top-grade spirit stone?

As a guardian of the spirit mine, he had never heard of a top-grade spirit stone appearing.

But since this demonic cultivator said so, it was clear he had received some wind.

He snorted coldly:

"Speak!"

The demonic cultivator hurriedly accompanied him with a smile: "I also heard it from other cultivators; a top-grade spirit stone appeared in the spirit mine of the Ten Thousand Mountains, and many fellow Daoists have rushed over upon hearing the news."

A sinister, ghostly laugh rang out from Li Rui's mouth.

"Good!"

"Very good!"

He revealed a gratified smile to the demonic cultivator.

But this smile looked terrifying in the demonic cultivator's eyes.

The demonic cultivator gave two dry laughs: "Senior..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Li Rui: "My soul banner was still missing a main soul, and I was thinking you were suitable, but since I'm happy today, get lost."

Upon hearing this.

The demonic cultivator was instantly covered in cold sweat.

'These demonic cultivators really don't talk about reason, completely inhumane.'

He didn't expect that he had almost met his end just now.

'Demonic cultivators are truly terrifying, avoid them if you can!'

He immediately said: "Senior, then the junior will not bother you anymore."

After saying that.

He hurriedly turned and fled to the side.

He had thought about robbing them while they were down, but didn't want to be robbed by a black-hearted person.

Watching the demonic cultivator leave.

The smile on Li Rui's face gradually disappeared; he pondered for a moment and used the Earth-Escaping Technique to disappear.

Reappearing.

He had already returned to the outside of the Qingwei Sect.

His appearance had already returned to his original self.

He was lost in thought.

The demonic cultivator's words were very likely groundless.

Unless the spirit mine was hiding a secret even he didn't know.

But regardless of which situation it was, someone must be targeting the spirit mine in secret.

Its purpose is not hard to guess.

It is to share a piece of the pie while it's chaotic, the more chaotic the better.

These demonic cultivators are already lacking resources, just like wolves smelling meat, they will definitely come to see the truth.

Of course.

Among them, there is no lack of people disguised by various forces.

'The wind and rain are coming.'

Li Rui sighed lightly.

Wanting to guard the treasure mountain is not an easy task; it's like this for the Yu Kingdom, and even more so for the officials who handle the specific matters below.

Troubles will never stop.

Fortunately, there is the Fifth Prince on top, although the Fifth Prince himself is only in the Primordial Realm, the resources he can mobilize are extremely terrifying.

Li Rui had just returned to Changqing Peak.

And saw Sang Kong already sitting in his small courtyard, with Liu Tiezhu pouring tea.

"Brother Sang, why do you have time to come?"

Seeing Li Rui return.

Sang Kong couldn't help but look distressed: "Brother Li, those damn demonic bastards actually used the Divine Concealment Method to sneak into the spirit mine, injuring and killing quite a few people, and snatching away a large number of spirit stones."

Guarding against everything.

But in the end, there was still a slip-up.

Such a large spirit mine, sneaking in is very easy, but wanting to guard against it completely, the difficulty is a world of difference.

Although it doesn't affect the overall situation.

But Sang Kong and these guardians will be punished for this.

How can he not be depressed?

"Brother Sang, look at it more openly."

Regarding this, Li Rui has a lot of experience.

Last time the Yu Kingdom's spirit mine was attacked, although the loss was not large, even though most of the invading demonic cultivators were killed, the officials guarding the spirit mine, one by one, all had their salaries stopped for a year.

A year's salary is of course nothing.

But the key is that this matter will be recorded in the assessment file of the Ministry of Personnel, and there will be no chance for promotion for at least three years.

This made many soldiers depressed.

But there is no way, the imperial court only looks at the results.

If you mess it up, you mess it up.

An unprovoked disaster.

Li Rui said while taking out two talismans from his sleeve: "Brother Sang, these are Tracking Talismans, perhaps they will be useful to you."

Seeing the Tracking Talisman.

Sang Kong's eyes lit up instantly.

He had heard before that Li Rui chased criminals for a thousand miles and had great military achievements; now it seems that eight out of ten times it was the credit of this talisman.

"Brother Li, from now on you are my own brother!"

The knot in Sang Kong's heart instantly dissipated by more than half.

With Li Rui's special Tracking Talisman, at least he can make up for his mistakes.

Li Rui: "Brother Sang, with this Tracking Talisman, you should be able to catch some back."

Sang Kong originally just wanted to ask Li Rui for some news.

Didn't expect.

Li Rui directly placed the credit before him.

How could he not be surprised.

'Old people really know how to be people.'

Watching Sang Kong leave happily, Li Rui shook his head with a smile.

Two Tracking Talismans were just a matter of hand for him.

But for Sang Kong, they could be of great help.

This favor is not earned for nothing.

At his level, favors are very important things.

Seven days later.

Sang Kong happily went up to Changqing Peak again.

He came specifically to thank him.

Relying on Li Rui's Tracking Talisman, plus some good luck, he actually captured seven or eight demonic cultivators in one go, performing the best among the Wu Kingdom's people.

The punishment was also the lightest.

How could he not thank Li Rui well.

"As long as it helps, it's good."

Li Rui said with a smile.

Sang Kong: "Brother Li, there was some gain this time; I captured a spy alive, and I asked a great Gu master to cast the Truth-Telling Gu on him."

"Guess what?"

Li Rui cooperated and asked: "What happened?"

"Sure enough, it was those immortal sects making trouble!"

"Even the Northern Polar Demon Sect and the Western Desert Buddha Kingdom sent spies."

Sang Kong became more angry as he spoke.

Counting them, there were already seven or eight immortal sects coveting the spirit mine.

No wonder they couldn't guard against it.

Li Rui pondered: "It's indeed troublesome."

The Northern Polar Demon Sect and the Western Desert Buddha Kingdom that Sang Kong spoke of were super immortal sects almost on par with the Qingwei Sect, and their strength was something even the Yu Kingdom feared.

Now that the war in the north has started again, the shadows of those two sects are behind it.

But immediately, Sang Kong chuckled again: "I just came back from the spirit mine today, Brother Li, guess what, the Qingwei Sect also had an incident."

"Hahaha."

His own failure was painful, but the failure of his peers would turn pain into happiness.

Li Rui was dumbfounded.

No wonder Sang Kong was so excited today.

Sang Kong laughed a lot, and finally stopped with difficulty: "Brother Li, take this high-grade spirit stone first, don't be polite, you helped me a big favor."

Li Rui was not polite either.

He decisively accepted the high-grade spirit stone.

Two Tracking Talismans earned a high-grade spirit stone plus a Tongxuan favor; it couldn't be more cost-effective.

Sang Kong chatted on Changqing Peak for a long time.

Only then did he leave satisfied.

Li Rui was lost in thought.

'It seems the one who set up the formation might be from those immortal sects.'

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 430 =====