Refining the Bronze Immortal Hall

Li Ming instantly realized that he had fallen into that old ghost's trap again. He had actually walked into the Bronze Immortal Hall of his own accord.

The Great Dao Cocoon vanished in an instant, replaced by a hazy mass of divine light. A blurred figure flickered within it—the very image of that old ghost.

He had now become the Bronze Immortal Hall's weapon deity. With control over some of the Immortal Dao Runes within the hall, he had grown even stronger.

Immortal Dao laws spread everywhere. Their supreme aura instantly reduced many of Li Ming's preparations to ash.

Li Ming reacted immediately. He knew that all he had to do was kill this old ghost.

Pushing off with his Carefree Boots, he charged at the old ghost.

But the Bronze Immortal Hall had already become one with the old ghost. Li Ming was still a step too slow.

The old ghost instantly dissolved into streams of Immortal Dao Runes that shot in every direction and merged into the walls of the Bronze Immortal Hall.

The entire Bronze Immortal Hall came alive. Countless killing formations appeared in an instant, unleashing peerless killing power.

One mysterious palace after another vanished, replaced by enormous, astonishing worlds.

Like three thousand worlds descending together, they bore down on Li Ming, seeking to suppress and obliterate him completely.

Or devour him.

Or extract his origin after his death.

The Bronze Immortal Hall thundered. A mysterious Grand Dao heavenly sound rang out, stirring even the surrounding Chaos Sea into surging waves.

The terrifying three thousand worlds descended with irresistible power.

Li Ming met them calmly, punching through world after world and reducing them to ash.

But the worlds here seemed endless. As one perished, another arose, an unbroken succession that seemed to trap Li Ming in infinite space and time, preventing him from reaching the other shore.

The Heavenly Demonic Saber shone with mysterious Immortal Ascension Light, destroying countless worlds. Yet it still could not cut through the Bronze Immortal Hall itself or break open its walls.

The power of an Immortal Weapon was truly unfathomable.

As a weapon of attack, it might have its flaws. But used differently, as a prison, it could unleash the might of the Immortal Dao. It was truly awe-inspiring.

With the old ghost personally controlling it, ordinary Extreme Dao Weapons could not possibly compare to this Immortal Weapon.

Rumble!

Li Ming's formidable strength and resistance seemed to provoke the old ghost's fury.

The Bronze Immortal Hall radiated dazzling Immortal Dao light. Raging Immortal Dao flames blazed within it, seeking to refine Li Ming completely.

As an Immortal Weapon, the Bronze Immortal Hall was indeed somewhat lacking in offensive power.

But within its internal worlds, it displayed the true might of an Immortal Weapon.

Li Ming transformed into chaos and swept through the worlds, resisting the terrifying flames and killing power. For the moment, his life was not in danger.

He did not use his trump cards. Instead, he observed quietly.

He wanted to see just how many trump cards this old ghost still had.

The surroundings became strange and surreal, even gradually beginning to strip Li Ming of his five senses.

This place seemed to have become a real world. Endless killing intent seethed, forcibly shattering the chaos.

Heaven and earth turned blood-red, as though mountains of corpses and seas of blood had descended.

It was as if a dormant True Immortal had awakened.

Killing intent surged into the heavens, its blood-red presence blotting out the sky and sun.

Countless Immortal Dao Runes condensed into Killing Swords that hovered within the Bronze Immortal Hall. They were dark red as blood, covered in countless mysterious Immortal Dao imprints.

The entire Bronze Immortal Hall became profoundly mysterious. An undying Immortal Dao aura flowed through its rotating walls.

Even Li Ming felt his heart race when he sensed that terrifying Immortal Dao aura.

Indeed, Li Ming had not yet reached the level of the Immortal Dao. He could certainly feel the terrible killing intent and threat.

He had never imagined that, once activated, the Bronze Immortal Hall would become such a supreme instrument of slaughter.

Every Immortal Weapon that had survived through the ages and earned great renown truly deserved its reputation.

No wonder, in Ye Fan's era, Empress Numinous Treasure had made those restless Dark Supremes hesitate to attack him simply by wielding the Bronze Immortal Hall.

Fortunately, this old ghost was not the Bronze Immortal Hall's true weapon deity. He could not fully control its slaughter runes or bring out the Bronze Immortal Sword's strongest, peak state.

Even so, it was powerful enough.

Li Ming solemnly watched the blood-red Killing Swords taking shape, then looked at the old ghost's figure looming over the walls of the Bronze Immortal Hall.

The old ghost's figure was now as vast as the boundless river of stars within this world.

He radiated earth-shaking power. Though he had not reached the level of a True Immortal, he was undoubtedly far beyond an ordinary Supreme.

"Heh heh heh, Demon Venerable, you killed my original body. You never imagined I was still alive, did you?"

"And now you've walked right into my trap. How laughable! How laughable!"

"Your time to die has come!"

"Once I devour you, I'll become a true weapon deity of an Immortal Weapon!"

"Then, after countless ages, I'll emerge through nirvana and become a genuine True Immortal!"

That cold, hoarse voice came from the walls of the Bronze Immortal Hall, dripping with mockery and disdain.

Wreathed in chaos qi and flying immortal power, Li Ming looked calmly at the old monster. "Old dog, how many tens of thousands of years have you lived? And you haven't improved at all!"

"All that barking is nothing but a fool's dream!"

"You're the real stray dog!"

"And soon, this kennel won't belong to you either!"

The old ghost flew into a rage at Li Ming's words.

Endless blood-red Killing Swords shot forth like crimson rivers of stars, hurtling toward Li Ming.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The answer to the old ghost was a Great Dao Flower shining with flying immortal power. Their collision nearly overturned the Bronze Immortal Hall.

Li Ming lowered his gaze to his fist. Several small bloody cuts had actually appeared on it.

His vigorous blood qi blazed like fire, instantly erasing those small cuts and restoring his fist.

"Immortal Dao Runes are nothing special!" Li Ming shook his head. "I thought the runes in this Bronze Immortal Hall would be impressive. Turns out, under the control of a useless fool like you, even Immortal Dao Runes become useless!"

"Arrogant fool!"

"Ignorant brat!"

The old ghost roared and manifested his true form, actually intending to face Li Ming head-on.

Endless Immortal Dao Runes swirled around his body. His sinister aura instantly vanished, and with the runes woven into him, he appeared sacred and powerful.

He resembled a white river of stars, and even his body began to emit chaos.

A sharp gleam flashed through Li Ming's eyes as he watched the old ghost pounce.

Unfortunately, the old ghost did not charge all the way over as Li Ming had hoped.

As if sensing danger, the old ghost forcibly halted. With a flicker, he merged back into the walls of the Bronze Immortal Hall, his face full of bitter reluctance.

"Coward!" Though Li Ming said it aloud, he still felt a little disappointed.

He had intended to kill this bastard, only for him to lose his nerve at the last moment.

"You want to provoke me, make me lose my temper and my reason, and throw myself into disarray?"

"You think those petty tricks are worth showing off in front of me?"

The old ghost seemed to regain his reason in an instant. Drawing on the endless Great Dao power within the Bronze Immortal Hall, he bore down on Li Ming again.

Terrifying killing formations manifested within the Bronze Immortal Hall, trapping Li Ming firmly inside.

Li Ming's expression did not change. Whatever came at him, he met it with the appropriate counter.

No matter what methods the old ghost used, he could do nothing to him.

"You're certainly strong, you little thief. Let's see how much longer you can hold out!"

"Do you know why I'm so determined to kill you?"

"I need your origin essence blood! I need your Celestial Venerable mark!"

"If you're willing to hand them over, I can consider sparing you."

Unable to prevail after so long, the old ghost grew irritable.

He began trying to reach a compromise with Li Ming.

Watching the old ghost turn cowardly, Li Ming could not help feeling contempt.

This old ghost was truly useless. After tens of thousands of years, he still had not become an Immortal Weapon's True Immortal-level weapon deity.

Since he had already merged with the Bronze Immortal Hall, he should be able to endure through countless ages, just like a weapon deity.

He could have found plenty of other ways to become a True Immortal.

Yet this useless old ghost thought of nothing but seizing Li Ming's origin.

"A useless fool like you thinks he can seize my origin essence blood?"

Li Ming's face was full of disdain.

"Brat, all you can do is run your mouth."

"You're trapped in the Bronze Immortal Hall. Don't even think about escaping."

"Time is on my side!"

"As long as I keep this up, I'll capture you sooner or later. Then I'll make sure you can neither live nor die."

A deafening boom rang out.

A gigantic dragon appeared within the Bronze Immortal Hall, stretching across it like a river of stars.

Then more gigantic dragons appeared, one after another.

Over ten thousand enormous dragons formed entirely from Immortal Dao Runes emerged.

Over ten thousand dragons represented over ten thousand Immortal Dao laws. They soared into the sky and charged at Li Ming.

Like lifelike Immortal Spirits, they unleashed surging killing intent that flooded the entire Bronze Immortal Hall.

"Heh, let's see how much longer you can last, you little thief!"

"Everyone who looks down on me must die!"

The old ghost had an exceptionally strong sense of pride. Faced with Li Ming, who refused to yield to anything, he was truly furious.

With a deafening boom, Li Ming finally reached the Bronze Immortal Hall's wall and unleashed his strongest strike.

It was as if heaven and earth were collapsing. Savage chaos erupted with a thunderous roar, scattering countless dragons.

The Bronze Immortal Hall itself remained undamaged, but a faint handprint was left upon it.

It truly lived up to its status as an Immortal Weapon.

After all, Li Ming's body had evolved to an inconceivable level. It was harder than even the nine immortal metals.

Moreover, his body contained flying immortal power. After holding back for so long, he had combined the enhancements of various secret arts and, in the divine forbidden state, unleashed a Forbidden Secret Art uniquely his own.

Yet even that had failed to break through the Bronze Immortal Hall's wall.

Endless killing power cascaded down like a waterfall.

The handprint on the Bronze Immortal Hall vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving it as good as new.

Li Ming considered it. With his current abilities, he truly could not break through the Bronze Immortal Hall.

Without a sound, the old ghost appeared behind Li Ming. Wrapped in endless Immortal Dao Runes, he smashed a brutally powerful fist toward Li Ming's head.

A strange domain appeared, like a mire, leaving Li Ming seemingly trapped in a swamp and unable to move freely.

Li Ming appeared to have fallen into a hopeless situation.

Yet, before the old ghost's stunned eyes, Li Ming moved with incredible speed and broke free of those restraints with ease.

He turned around and looked at the old ghost, calm and composed.

Then he punched, striking the oncoming fist.

A deafening boom erupted, followed by a burst of bloody mist.

Under the old ghost's shocked gaze, he shattered the Immortal Dao Runes and sent the old ghost flying.

"You..." Terror filled the old ghost's heart.

He had clearly trapped Li Ming, yet Li Ming was now so calm and composed that it was frightening.

Light from the Bronze Mirror flowed out of Li Ming's body and enveloped the Bronze Immortal Hall, sealing every Dao and law within it.

The old ghost was firmly restrained.

A thunderous boom rang out.

As the old ghost's face turned pale with despair, Li Ming extended a hand. With a dull burst, he reduced the old ghost to ash.

The endless killing power and extraordinary manifestations within the Bronze Immortal Hall instantly collapsed and vanished.

The battle had ended so suddenly, so unbelievably.

Indeed, Li Ming had turned the tables and killed the old ghost in the blink of an eye.

A roar seemed to echo through the void, filled with bitter unwillingness.

It was the old ghost's final lingering obsession.

But that was all it was.

With a casual motion, Li Ming obliterated that lingering obsession, utterly overpowering it.

The entire battle had taken place within the Bronze Immortal Hall. No one knew what had happened here.

Just like that, the Bronze Immortal Hall became ownerless—and then became Li Ming's.

Li Ming continuously traced patterns with both hands, placing countless imprints of his own upon it.

He branded Emperor Runes deep into the Bronze Immortal Hall, attempting to refine it.

He did not leave the Bronze Immortal Hall immediately. Instead, he remained inside to comprehend its endless Immortal Dao Runes.

He also intended to imprint the Immortal Dao Runes onto his body and the Heavenly Demonic Saber.

Time flew, and the years slipped by.

In the blink of an eye, many years had passed.

Li Ming's wheel sea secret realm underwent an astonishing transformation.

One mysterious gate after another opened once more.

More gates seemed to have opened within his body.

Mysterious scripture chanting came from within him, thunderous and deafening.

Every inch of his flesh glowed, and so did his Primordial Spirit.

He had forged a path of his own.

The scripture he had created had grown more perfect as well.

If he had not been inside the Bronze Immortal Hall, his powerful aura would likely have startled someone awake long ago.

Li Ming had not expected the countless Immortal Dao Runes on the Bronze Immortal Hall to have such a mysterious effect once they were imprinted on his body.

His Five Great Secret Realms were flawless. Countless Immortal Dao Runes were imprinted upon them, radiating undying immortal light.

Chaotic energy filled his body. He was drawing ever closer to a flawless Chaotic Body.

This was both the process of creating his own method and the process of his transformation.

After cultivating and contemplating the Dao inside the Bronze Immortal Hall, the foundation of his Dao had grown deeper than ever.

Over the years, he had cultivated with care, contemplating the Dao and refining his techniques and secret arts.

The scriptures of those Great Emperors and Ancient Emperors had all been built upon the Five Secret Realms Cultivation Method of the Shrouding the Heavens World. None had transcended it.

Every Great Emperor or Ancient Emperor scripture had one strongest secret realm, where nine Emperor Runes were nurtured.

In the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art Li Ming had created, the Emperor Runes resided in the Wheel Sea Secret Realm.

The Wheel Sea Secret Realm was the first of the great secret realms. It was the foundation of cultivation, the first step onto that path.

The Bitter Sea, Life Spring, Divine Bridge, and Other Shore were all minor realms that could not be skipped.

Everyone had to cultivate the Wheel Sea Secret Realm to its peak, bringing it to completion before moving on.

Li Ming's Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art allowed ordinary people with Mortal Bodies to lay a supreme foundation for their Dao from the very beginning.

They could cultivate it themselves and forge that supreme foundation.

Or they could seize the origins of others to forge the strongest foundation for their Dao.

They could choose the righteous path or the wicked one. Either could lead to success.

It was like a kitchen knife: it could be used to cook or to kill. Everything depended on the person wielding it.

In that respect, Li Ming's Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art differed from the Ruthless Empress's demonic art.

So far, Li Ming had taught the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art to no one else. He alone cultivated it.

Because the Bronze Mirror concealed it, few knew that he had cultivated his Chaotic Body by refining countless origins.

When he attained Enlightenment as Supreme and the figures of so many powerful experts appeared, many assumed he had taken a path of refining others' Daos—refining the Myriad Dao of Heaven and Earth to walk his own Dao of Chaos.

They were all wrong.

Li Ming would not correct them, nor would he reveal his secret to anyone.

He intended to achieve Mortal-World Ascension in this world. It was an immensely difficult choice.

But he knew that, since such a path existed, he would follow it without wavering.

In the Shrouding the Heavens World, each of the few Red Dust Immortals had a Red Dust Immortal Path uniquely their own.

They all had one thing in common: they had to live nine lifetimes before their Primordial Spirits and bodies could become everlasting, producing an endless supply of Longevity Substance and leaving them untouched by the passage of time.

If he could, Li Ming would have liked to take a shortcut.

Perhaps he did not necessarily have to live nine lifetimes.

Perhaps, with sufficient insight, he could become a Red Dust Immortal in less time.

But when Li Ming thought it through, the Desolate Heavenly Emperor, Heavenly Emperor Ye, and Heavenly Emperor Chu had all undergone the Nine-Life Transformation. Heavenly Emperor Chu had even undergone ten transformations.

In other words, the Nine-Life Transformation was probably unavoidable for anyone seeking to become a Red Dust Immortal.

Even on other cultivation paths, reaching a higher realm would likely require something similar to the Red Dust Immortal Path of nine lifetimes.

Li Ming was only in his First Lifetime. He had no need to worry about his lifespan yet.

He still had several Flat Peaches. Those Immortal Medicines were enough to let him live a Second Lifetime with ample years to spare.

Li Ming also had a rough plan for the transformations after that.

He imagined himself truly becoming a Red Dust Immortal one day.

For now, though, he could not get ahead of himself. What he needed to do was stay alive.

By now, he had nearly finished refining the Bronze Immortal Hall.

With a single thought, he could make the Bronze Immortal Hall burst forth with boundless immortal light.

Countless Immortal Dao Runes had been imprinted on the Heavenly Demonic Saber, making it even more mysterious and powerful.

He continued to nourish the Heavenly Demonic Saber with Immortal Dao Runes, filling it with unprecedented vitality.

The countless All-Heaven Myriad-Spirit Runes upon it looked lifelike as they roamed across the Heavenly Demonic Saber, as though they lived in a world within the blade.

Mountains and rivers appeared on it too, forming what looked like a divine land brimming with life.

The Heavenly Demonic Saber had not become an Immortal Weapon, but it was steadily evolving toward one.

Li Ming was deeply satisfied.