Lingyuan Star was a Mercury planet 100,000 years ago, with 99% of its surface covered by oceans. As the climate changed and time passed, the oceans gradually disappeared, and the environment became increasingly arid, eventually forming the desert climate we see today.
Deserts and Gobi cover 80 percent of the planet's surface, and the remaining 10 percent consists of mountains or canyons, making it difficult for ordinary mortals to survive there.
The most distinctive feature of the Lingyuan Star Desert is its self-flowing springs. Each spring forms a small oasis, and the indigenous people here are called Sand People, who generally live by relying on these oases.
There are also mortals who migrated from other planets to the oases. Due to the harsh environment, the number of people who were able to survive and reproduce is not large, only a few hundred thousand, distributed across the various oases.
Lingyuan Star is also within the Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet, but it is located at the very edge of the Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet.
Ba Kalang's cultivation sect is the only one on Sealed Fate Planet Lingyuan Star. It is a branch sect of the seventh-ranked sect among the seven major sects on Fengyuan Star— the Quicksand Fort Vast Desert Golden Fir Fort. Ba Kalang is an elder-level expert. In the Vast Desert Golden Fir Fort Sealed Fate Planet, he is also an elder-level expert, but he likes to travel around, so he rarely returns to Sealed Fate Planet and Lingyuan Star.
Ba Kalang brought Li Qiang, Tianhong, Geng Feng, and Mei'er to Lingyuan Star.
As soon as he emerged from the teleportation array, Ba Kalang sent out a signal. He held immense prestige in Quicksand Fort, and soon five cultivators arrived, including Qi Hongya, the sect leader of Quicksand Fort. Upon seeing Li Qiang, Qi Hongya exclaimed in surprise, startling Ba Kalang.
Qi Hongya was a master in the Late Soul Formation Stage. He had met Li Qiang before, but Li Qiang did not remember him.
After exclaiming in surprise, Qi Hongya hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Senior, are you Li Qiang from the Chongxuan Sect?"
Ba Kalang laughed, "I know all the experts of the Chongxuan Sect... uh..." He suddenly remembered Li Qiang's superb weapon-refining skills, and now he was no longer sure.
Ba Kalang went on a journey during his Spirit Severing Realm and hasn't returned to Lingyuan Star and Sealed Fate Planet for a long time, so he's unaware of many things.
Li Qiang smiled and said, "I am Li Qiang of the Chongxuan Sect."
Qi Hongya shouted, "Oh no! The World-Wreaking Demon King is back..."
Enraged, Ba Kalang shouted, " Qi Hongya! You're the leader of Quicksand Fort, why are you making such a fuss? What kind of behavior is this!"
Li Qiang couldn't help but laugh, " World-Wreaking Demon King? Heh, am I that famous?"
Li Qiang was unaware that in the Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet, his current fame was no less than that of Fu Shan. His return after being missing for a hundred years was undoubtedly a major event in the Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet.
Almost all sects received a joint notice from the Chongxuan Sect and the Ancient Sword Academy: "Please inform our two sects immediately if there is any news about Li Qiang."
What surprised all the sects the most at the time was that the Sacred City also issued the same notice: "If you see Li Qiang, immediately notify the Sacred City." It wasn't until two years ago that the Sacred City canceled this notice, which was like a wanted poster. As for the reason, these sects dared not ask any further questions.
Sacred City is the leader of the Cultivation Realm around Sealed Fate Planet. Not only are there many experts, but it is also mysterious and unpredictable. No sect dares to underestimate it. Therefore, people from all sects are very clear about Li Qiang's appearance in the past.
When the Wrath of the Heavenly God was born, Qi Hongya went to the Heavenly Court Star with his master and witnessed the breathtaking battle. At that time, he was still a master in the Nascent Soul Late Stage stage, so he recognized Li Qiang as soon as he saw him.
Li Qiang's reputation World-Wreaking Demon King was spread throughout the entire Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet by the words of Old Man Baihuang.
Qi Hongya stepped forward respectfully and bowed, saying, " Qi Hongya, a disciple of the Vast Desert Golden Fir Fort, greets Senior."
Li Qiang sighed, his heart filled with emotion. He was finally back in the cultivation Cultivation Realm of Sealed Fate Planet. He smiled and said, "Sect Leader, there's no need to be so polite. Please call me Senior Brother; calling me 'Senior' sounds awkward."
Li Qiang introduced Tianhong and the others again before following Qi Hongya to the garrison at Quicksand Fort.
Quicksand Fort is located on Lin Lake Oasis, the largest oasis on Lingyuan Star. Lin Lake is the largest lake on the entire Lingyuan Star, and its water source is entirely provided by underground springs. The spring water here is a spiritual spring, making it a feng shui treasure land for cultivators. Quicksand Fort is built on the Lin Lake.
The Quicksand Fort has more than 300 disciples, 90% of whom are below the Nascent Soul Realm. There are only about 20 experts above the Nascent Soul Realm stage. Therefore, in the Cultivation Realm Sealed Fate Planet, the Quicksand Fort is just an unknown sect. Usually, only when the junior disciples of the major sects come to Lingyuan Star for training will they ask the Quicksand Fort for assistance. Otherwise, there are few cultivators who come to visit.
The arrival of Li Qiang and his group caused a sensation throughout the sect. In particular, the return of Ba Kalang excited the disciples greatly. He was extremely famous in the Vast Desert Golden Fir Fort and was a legendary figure in the sect.
The Quicksand Fort is a huge circular building, entirely constructed of massive stones. All the rooms are built within the inner circle of the circular building, with a huge courtyard in the center, as large as a football field. This is where all the disciples live.
The entire Lin Lake Oasis was protected by Law Technique, not only to prevent attacks from the native sand people, but more importantly to protect it from sandstorms and gales. The Law Technique protection consisted of two layers: the outer layer covered the entire oasis, while the inner layer only protected the water source and the outpost of the Quicksand Fort. Many mortals also lived on the oasis.
Qi Hongya's residence was not in the giant circular fortress of Quicksand Fort. He had an elegant little courtyard by Lin Lake. There were no rooms in the courtyard, only a blue stone platform, polished to a smooth finish. Several large trees grew beside the platform, their shade completely covering it, so that not a single ray of sunlight could penetrate.
Because this place is rainless all year round and has a hot and dry climate, the roof is basically only used for sunshade. With these big trees, we don't even need a roof anymore.
Li Qiang sat cross-legged on the platform and said, "Brother Qi, don't inform the Chongxuan Sect and the Ancient Sword Academy of my return for now. Hehe, I want to go back quietly; I don't like making a big fuss."
Apart from Mei'er taking the Heavenly Lion Divine Beast to play in the water, everyone else sat on the platform. In front of the platform, the lake water rippled gently, and a light breeze caressed their faces, making them feel relaxed and happy. Qi Hongya nodded and said, "Yes, Hongya obeys."
Geng Feng, being impatient, shook his messy hair and laughed, "Brother Kalang, this... that..." He stretched out his hand, then pulled it back, making everyone laugh.
Ba Kalang instructed a disciple to fetch the Cold Jade Ice Star Grain, and Geng Feng thanked him repeatedly with Geng Feng. Qi Hongya then learned that Li Qiang was going to forge a weapon, and he was also overjoyed. It was not something that just anyone could witness a master from the Chongxuan Sect forging a weapon.
It took Li Qiang three whole days to complete this weapon forging. He used Condensation Refining Method that he wasn't very familiar with. Although there were still many things he wasn't satisfied with, Li Qiang had already mastered this method of weapon forging.
Using Divine Yi Power to refine artifacts can encompass almost any refining method in the Cultivation Realm. Divine Yi Power is the best kind of "fire," and neither Samadhi True Fire, Heavenly Fire, nor Immortal Spirit Divine Yi Power can compare with it. Thus, Li Qiang truly stepped into the ranks of Grandmasters of Artifact Refining.
Geng Feng's flying sword has a very strange shape. It is made up of countless layers of crystalline material, and its color is almost transparent, like an Ice Crystal flower frozen on glass.
Geng Feng was very satisfied, and he specially asked Tianhong to name the flying sword.
Holding the strange flying sword, Tianhong finally couldn't hold back any longer. He stammered, his face contorted, "Uh, brother, this... my constitution is the same as Geng Feng's... hehe, this..."
Li Qiang suddenly realized and said, "Brother, you don't want me to forge a sword too, do you?"
Tianhong's face turned red.
Li Qiang knew he was a proud man, so he quickly said, "Brother, if you want me to forge a sword, you just need to give the order. Hehe, it was my carelessness."
Tianhong breathed a sigh of relief and said with an embarrassed smile, "Who told you to have such superb weapon-forging skills, brother? By the way, Fengzi, let's call this sword the Frost Crystal Sword. Ah, the flying sword you forged is truly amazing. This is the first time I've ever seen a flying sword of this shape."
In the end, not only did Tianhong get a new flying sword, but Ba Kalang and Qi Hongya also got a flying sword made by Li Qiang, and everyone was overjoyed.
The flying sword that Tianhong obtained resembled an enlarged hexagonal snowflake. He tried to control it, and a sky full of snow shadows appeared. He was so frightened that he quickly sheathed the sword, but he was so happy that he didn't know what to do.
This kind of form, which is a representation of the flying sword itself, is extremely rare. Tianhong knew that with this flying sword, he could easily unleash his full strength.
A disciple brought over a red edict, Ba Kalang asked, "Is this a notification from the main fortress?"
Qi Hongya briefly and chuckled, " The Dao Technique and Law Technique Grand Competition, held once every forty years by the Cloud Heaven Sacred City, is about to begin. This time, the main fortress has given Quicksand Fort a spot. Hehe, Heavenly Fate City is going to be lively again."
Li Qiang had heard about this Dao Technique and Law Technique Grand Competition competition before, and he asked curiously, "When does it start?"
Mei'er couldn't help but tug at Li Qiang's hand, saying sweetly, "Brother, Mei'er wants to go see!"
Li Qiang joked, "Come on, let's go play together. If Mei'er thinks it's fun, you can go up and have a match, hehe."
To everyone's surprise, Mei'er was truly moved. She had once been a cultivator on Sealed Fate Planet and was very familiar with the situation Sealed Fate Planet.
The Dao Technique and Law Technique Grand Competition is the biggest event on Sealed Fate Planet. Every sect will participate with all their might, and family-based cultivators also attach great importance to it, because once they win, they will not only receive generous prizes, but also have the opportunity to go to Cloud Heaven Sacred City for secluded cultivation and obtain higher-level cultivation treasures.
She immediately replied, "Okay, Mei'er will go!"
Li Qiang wouldn't care if the sky fell down as long as Mei'er was happy, especially since she was just participating in a competition.
He laughed and said, "Alright, Mei'er wants to participate. We must get first place no matter what. I'll help you prepare."
Mei'er clapped her hands and laughed, "Great! I like it, brother. How do I sign up?"
Qi Hongya said, "Just participate under the name of a family cultivator. I can help." He had obtained a top-grade flying sword from Li Qiang and felt he had no way to repay him, so he immediately volunteered to help.
Mei'er smiled and thanked him, "Thank you, Brother Qi."
Even in her transformed form as a young cultivator, her alluring demeanor still overwhelmed Qi Hongya. He quickly bowed his head and said, " Mei'er, you're too kind. It's nothing at all."
Ba Kalang asked, "When will it begin?"
Qi Hongya smiled and said, "It will begin soon. This competition seems to be a bit different from previous ones. Important news has come from Cloud Heaven Sacred City that important figures will be participating in the competition. Moreover, the rewards this time are also different from before. I heard they might be immortal artifacts, so every sect is actively preparing."
Li Qiang was slightly taken aback, wondering to himself, "What exactly is Qian Shanyong trying to do?"
Tianhong asked Geng Feng, "Did our Heavenly Melody City participate in this competition?"
Geng Feng said, "Uh, Grandmaster Uncle, you know very well that very few cultivators from our Heavenly Melody City come out to train. If it weren't for that Little Madman accidentally coming to our place, we'd probably still be stuck in the Sea of Wronged Souls."
Li Qiang smiled and said, "Participating in these kinds of activities can't hurt. It's very beneficial for disciples to broaden their horizons. Rankings and prizes don't matter; what's important is gaining some insights."
Tianhong understood this as well. He hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll go back to Tanbang Star right away. Brother Qi, could you please register the cultivators from Heavenly Melody City as well? We want to participate too."
Qi Hongya said, "No problem, sect registration is given priority. Our Vast Desert Golden Fir Fort has accommodations in Heavenly Fate City, Senior Tianhong can come..."
Li Qiang laughed, "Don't fight, don't fight! Brother Tianhong brought people here, no matter what, they have to come to the Chongxuan Sect or Ancient Sword Academy. Hehe, it's been a long time since I've seen Sister City Lord."
Tianhong stroked his neatly trimmed beard and said, "Alright, I'll head back first. Brother, see you in Heavenly Fate City." He left without a word, disappearing in a flash of white light.
Geng Feng immediately jumped up from the platform like a monkey released from its bonds. As soon as Tianhong left, he felt completely relaxed. With the old man around, he had been quite restrained.
"I want to participate in the competition too, hahaha!" He jumped into the air and spun around excitedly.
Qi Hongya stared in disbelief and said, "This competition is only open to cultivators below the Spirit Severing Realm. He... uh, it seems he's not qualified."
Geng Feng seemed frozen in mid-air. He heard everything clearly, and after a long while, he shouted, "What kind of bullshit rules are these! Am I only allowed to watch? This is infuriating!"
He fell to the ground dejectedly. Sealed Fate Planet had held a grand competition before, but Geng Feng was always away on business and never participated, so he was not very clear about the rules of the competition.
Qi Hongya explained, "There are many rules for the competition. People of different cultivation levels cannot compete together. For example, Nascent Soul Realm cultivator cannot compete with the Leaving the Body Realm cultivator, as those are two different levels of cultivation... Hmm, there is one competition you can participate in..."
Ba Kalang interjected, "Yes, that's right. It's for cultivators at the Nascent Soul Spirit Severing Realm and above, a competition specifically for testing and exchanging Law Technique... but it seems there are no rankings; it's just for other lower-level cultivators to observe."
Geng Feng became excited again. "That's fine, I'll participate in this." He didn't care about anything else as long as there was a fight to be had.
Mei'er leaned against Li Qiang and said with a grin, "Brother, I'm going to participate in the competition... is that alright?"
Li Qiang said, "No problem. Even if there is a problem, your brother will make sure it's not a problem."
His words were quite domineering. In any case, as long as Mei'er liked something, Li Qiang would do everything he could to get it. Fortunately, Mei'er wasn't the kind of unreasonable little girl. Otherwise, with Li Qiang's doting affection, she could really do whatever she wanted in the Cultivation Realm.
Mei'er said, "Brother, you have to come with me when I go home, okay? Mei'er is still a little scared."
Li Qiang gently patted her shoulder and said, "Don't be afraid, your brother's here."
Mei'er rested her head on Li Qiang's shoulder, as if that would make her feel at ease.
Li Qiang asked, "Is there a place on Lingyuan Star called the Vast Desert Plain?"
Ba Kalang asked in surprise, "Brother Li, how do you know this place? It's a very old name, it should be called now... um, what's it called? Do you know Qi Hongya? It's the place near Gathering Willow Oasis." He couldn't remember the name of the place for a moment.
Qi Hongya said, " The Vast Desert Plain is now called the Ancient Dao Plain. That place is rarely visited by people and is very desolate. Why are you asking about this place, Senior Brother?"
Li Qiang said, "I'm here on someone's behalf. It seems a powerful cultivator from the Cultivation Realm is imprisoned there, but I don't know if he's still there. I plan to go and break the seal."
Ba Kalang asked curiously, "When did this happen? We don't think we've heard of it before." He turned to look at Qi Hongya, his eyes filled with inquiry.
Qi Hongya said, "I've never heard of it either, and there's no record of it in any ancient texts. Strange, Senior Brother Li, who is that expert who was imprisoned? Which sect does he belong to?"
Li Qiang shrugged and said, "I don't know who he is either. I only know that he has been imprisoned by a Buddha Sect master for a long time. Maybe he has already ascended to immortality, or maybe he is already dead. I just want to break the seal and see. As for the rest, I can only leave it to fate."
In fact, Li Qiang's mindset is different now than before. He is much more indifferent to life and death. Having experienced and witnessed countless life and death situations, he no longer has the passion he had when he first started cultivating immortality, which was to pursue infinite life.
Qi Hongya said, "I know that place. Hehe, I'll be your guide this time. Elder Ba, are you going too?"
Ba Kalang nodded and said, "I'm the landlord, of course I'll go."
Li Qiang nodded his thanks, then stood up and said with a smile, "We'll fly over there. It's a rare treat to be on Lingyuan Star; we should at least see the scenery."
Geng Feng said, "Scenery? What's so interesting about it? Besides sand and rocks, there's probably nothing good here." He didn't care about any scenery; the Old Madman was only interested in fighting and cultivation.
Li Qiang already knew this guy's temper, so he said, "Let's go!" He took the lead and flew into the air, with Mei'er following closely behind, holding Little White.
Qi Hongya gave a few instructions to his disciples before taking off with Ba Kalang. The five of them flew out of Lin Lake Oasis and headed south towards the ancient Ancient Dao Plain.
The Ancient Dao Plain a place ravaged by wind and sand. For more than half the year, it was a time of flying sand and stones, with only certain periods of calm.
The Ancient Dao Plain plain has very few oases and only a few water sources. Few plants can grow here, and the environment is extremely harsh. Only a few indigenous sand people are able to survive here thanks to their special skills.
When Li Qiang and his group arrived above the Ancient Dao Plain, it was a calm time. The boundless sand dunes shimmered with golden light under the sun, and the world was serene. The rising heat distorted the distant scenery.
Qi Hongya said, "This is the Ancient Dao Plain. Apart from the local Sand People, only cultivators can possibly come here. Mortals simply cannot reach this place; it's too hot."
Mei'er cheered and swooped down with Little White, the little girl actually went to play in the sand.
Li Qiang said, "Wait for me." He flew to a sand dune, sat down cross-legged, and his Divine Sense immediately extended in all directions along the dune.
Qi Hongya, whose cultivation was the weakest among the five, asked, "Senior Brother Li, what are you doing?"
Geng Feng curled his lip. "Him? That Little Madman is definitely using his Divine Sense to probe a wide area. Sigh, what exactly is this guy cultivating? That Old Madman can't figure out his cultivation level at all. Sigh, unbelievable."
Ba Kalang had personally witnessed Li Qiang's power on the Lake of Fire, so he was well aware of Li Qiang's strength; it was indeed an unfathomable level of cultivation.
He laughed and said, "Brother, stop guessing. I know Brother Li's level of strength; we cultivators can't compare. He seems to have already departed from the path of cultivation, but I don't know exactly what."
Li Qiang's cultivation level is now extremely high, and he doesn't feel any strain in searching a wide area with his Divine Sense. He quickly found a suspicious place, which was under a sand dune in the northwest. There was a familiar fluctuation, which was generated by a unique Law Treasure of the Buddha Sect.
He jumped up and laughed, "Found it! Let's go. Mei'er, stop playing around, take Little White with you."
Li Qiang flew northwest and soon hovered above a large sand dune.
Geng Feng asked curiously, "Is this the place?"
Li Qiang nodded and said, "Everyone, make way, I'll part the sand dune." Everyone immediately flew to the side, watching to see how Li Qiang would part the large sand dune.
The sand dune was enormous, shaped into a huge crescent by the wind. Li Qiang didn't use any Law Treasure or magic weapons; he simply made a few hand gestures. He used Immortal Method that could move mountains and overturn seas. Instantly, the entire sandy area trembled, and the huge sand dune collapsed rapidly, like a snowdrift being baked by fire. The speed was astonishing.
As the sand dunes disappeared, the terrain beneath was revealed: a massive, mountain-like rock, its dark surface gleaming with a dark bluish-green light.
Mei'er exclaimed first, "Heavens, brother! This stone was formed using the Buddha Sect Stone Condensation Technique! Brother, the person imprisoned inside must be incredibly powerful. Such a large piece of stone must have been formed by many people working together!"
The little girl knows a lot, especially about the Buddha Sect. She has a deep understanding of Buddhism and has read the Buddha Sect scriptures that Li Qiang obtained, so she recognized at a glance how this huge rock was formed.
Even Geng Feng Qi Ingestion. He shook his head and said, "Even Little Madman's sister is so amazing. Sigh, I've lived in vain."
Li Qiang laughed and said, "That's right, it is indeed a restriction formed by the Stone Condensation Technique. Good heavens, the Buddha Sect has at least six elder-level experts attacking at the same time, and one of them must be distracting him. Hmm, it looks like a well-laid trap."
Mei'er asked, "Brother, do you know how to solve this?"
Li Qiang came prepared; he had the dispelling technique Elder Zhi had given him. He said, "Everyone, step back. I'm about to release the seal. This thing will explode, so don't get hurt."
He continuously performed hand seals, a secret Buddha Sect technique. The massive stone mountain trembled violently, and a series of cracking sounds clearly rang out.
More and more cracks appeared on the entire boulder, and slowly, streaks of blue light shone through the cracks.
As Li Qiang completed his final incantation, he pushed the object out, then swung his hands downwards and shouted, "Open!"
In an instant, the blue light in the crack suddenly intensified, emitting a dazzling white light, and the rumbling vibrations grew louder and louder, as if a fighter jet was rapidly flying in from a distance, about to approach.
Two loud explosions rang out, and black stone fragments shot out in all directions, sending a huge plume of dust into the air.
Li Qiang smelled an extremely foul odor. He waved his hand, and a gust of wind suddenly swept across the land, clearing away the rising smoke.
Everyone could see that two large holes were exposed on the huge black rock, which looked like two black eyes, silently staring at the sky.
Ba Kalang, Qi Hongya, and Geng Feng all came closer.
Mei'er threw herself into Li Qiang's arms and whispered, "Brother, it's strange. Breaking the spirit technique should shatter the entire stone, so why did it only open two holes?"
The little girl was a bit scared. Although she was extremely skilled, she was still quite timid.
Li Qiang chuckled, "The expert trapped inside was probably trying to refine this boulder, which caused some kind of change in the entire restriction."
Geng Feng rubbed his hands together and said, " Little Madman, shall I go down and take a look? Hehe, I wonder who's inside. With such a commotion, they don't even come out to check. Sigh, could they already be finished?" He was extremely curious.