Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Chapter 461

Chapter 461A – Rumors and the Equipment Sect’s Treasure

Unsurprisingly, when Qin Yu returned to the Dao Arena he didn’t see Solitary Westgate . This unsurpassed existence that soared above the highest heavens seemed to be abiding by the words he said before and not troubling himself with him . But, for some reason Qin Yu always felt that Solitary Westgate was paying him extra attention . Luckily he didn’t sense any ill intent from this attention . Thus, after thinking about the situation for a long time and not coming up with anything, he pressed this matter into the depths of his heart .

In his training room he looked at the 21 soul treasures in front of him . A look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes . This time, he had really crossed through many twists and turns and the series of dangers he encountered were far beyond his expectation . Fortunately he had already collected over half of the treasures needed for the Soul Summoning Bell to recognize a master . There was still over two months left, so perhaps he really would have enough time to smoothly gather everything he needed .

Before that was completed, he wouldn’t go anywhere . Without accident, this would be the last period of time before his identity as ‘Qin Yu’ would disappear from this world . In the future, he would be like a little beast skulking in the shadows, constantly and diligently growing . Only on the day when he became the king of beasts would he be able to leap onto the mountain summit and roar at the heavens .

…

The Immortal Sect existed in the world but it also wasn’t located in the world . Only cultivators who were admitted were allowed to freely cross the entrance that linked it with the outside . Otherwise, no matter how much one tried, even if they passed a thousand rivers and mountains, they would not be able to take even half a step inside .

It was a land wrapped in obscurity and mystery . In the hearts of countless people, it was considered the highest and most supreme holy land between the heavens and earth . To those people, this was a land where there were rivers of sweet honey, where mountains were full of fresh and fragrant flowers, where countless immortal techniques and supernatural arts existed, where the transcendent Great Dao to reach immortality existed .

Every cultivator that lived here was a chosen pride of heaven . Each one was blessed by the heavens and earth and they all possessed natural luck and good fortune . Only with all of this could one enter the Immortal Sect to cultivate .

Unfortunately, these were only presumptuous and self-indulgent thoughts, thus they were doomed to be nothing but illusions . For instance, at this time within the great hall, there were Buddhist Nation disciples that were lying on the ground, blood flowing out from every orifice of their heads . They all seemed as innocent as sheep, but not a single person here felt any sympathy or pity towards them .

All around them were Buddhist Nation cultivators wearing plain and simple robes . They all had handsome, kind, and benign expressions and a light smile hung on their faces . Their movements were gentle as they picked up the cultivators splayed across the ground and lifted them away . From beginning to end, there was only a faint indifference in their eyes, eyes that had no emotion at all .

It was like all the peace and serenity they displayed on their faces was nothing but a mask . It made one curious just what was hidden behind those beautiful masks .

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign sat cross-legged on a grand and majestic throne . His figure was enlarged infinitely, making him seem like a Buddha that held up the heavens . The tranquility and dignity exuding from him made one wish to crawl to their knees, kissing the soil beneath his feet in the most pious and reverent manner .

The Nation Sovereign was the sun that illuminated the entire Buddhist Nation . Standing by his side, one could enjoy endless light and warmth .

But at the same time, being burnt by the roaring flames of the sun was also a common matter .

The Nether Domain Master appeared outside this dignified hall of the Buddhist Nation . Numerous Buddhist Nation cultivators fell to their knees and bowed . As he stepped in, he lightly said, “Nation Sovereign, you must maintain your calm . The trembling of your Buddhist heart is a disaster to your Buddhist Nation . ”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had a faint expression . “I waited 100,000 years and the Soul Summoning Bell has finally appeared . I must obtain it no matter what . No one can stop me . ”

Hum –

Space trembled . The two people were originally in the great hall, but in the blink of an eye there was darkness all around them . Countless stars sparkled around them as if they had entered the endless starry sky .

“Solitary Westgate’s will has descended upon Four Seasons City . Unless you are prepared to fight him, it will be impossible to kill Qin Yu . ” The Nether Domain Master gloomily said .

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign was silent for a long time . He finally said, “If I have no other choice, that is what I will do . There is no need to try and change my mind . You do not fully understand just how vital the Soul Summoning Bell is to me . ”

The Nether Domain Master’s eyes turned even colder . “You are formidable, but I also know that Solitary Westgate has always been the most formidable existence amongst apex powerhouses . ” His pupils shrank as if he were recalling some horrifying past event . “During that year when Solitary Westgate fought the heavens, it was more than you and I who took action . But what was the result? And in these past years, I can feel that he has been slowly growing stronger . ”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had a calm expression . “And what does it matter? In the end, Solitary Westgate is but a single person . ”

The Nether Domain Master shook his head . “I won’t help you . This will only cause the Immortal Sect to fall into a massive, inescapable whirlpool . Do not forget that our true enemy is the Demonic Path . Those demons of the Demon Region and Yellow Springs will be overjoyed to find out that a great rift has appeared between the Immortal Sect and the Dao Arena . ”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign smiled, revealing a happy expression . When he had no expression, he seemed dignified and honorable . And now that he smiled, he was like the sun that warmed the land in the winter, allowing all things to grow and recover in the spring . “You will help me . If Solitary Westgate finds out about what happened in the past, what do you think will happen?”

Bang –

In the pall of night, countless stars burst out with a luminescent light and starlight scattered into the void . The Nether Domain Master’s cold eyes pierced to the bone . “Nation Sovereign, have you gone insane?”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign laughed out loud . His billowing voice caused the surrounding stars to shake as if they would crash down from the skies . “To seize your life from the heavens, becoming an apex powerhouse of this world, living an undying immortal life and coexisting with the stars until they are extinguished, what a wonderfully farcical made-up story that is!” He viciously looked up, red blood vessels appeared on the surface of his eyes, “That’s right, I have already gone insane! I have long since become a madman! The Soul Summoning Bell can help me maintain my sanity, and whoever tries to stop me will become my greatest enemy!”

The shaking of the starry skies became increasingly fierce as a destructive aura blotted out the heavens . Just as a horrifying collision was about to occur, the Nether Domain Master lightly sighed and said, “The Soul Summoning Bell has a heaven-defying strength, thus it is loathed and repelled by the world . The dark and unforeseeable workings of the Great Dao will ensure that it will not be easy for anyone to have it recognize a master . Even if Qin Yu obtains it, he won’t have the qualifications to enjoy it . Why must the Buddhist Nation Sovereign be so worried?”

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign had already composed himself, becoming calm and serene once more, as if he were a completely different person from just a moment ago . “I can feel a trace of that dark pull of fate . Qin Yu indeed doesn’t yet have the qualifications to make the Soul Summoning Bell recognize him as master . But once an accident occurs, I will directly take action, even if the heavens will collapse and the earth will be sundered . ”

With a sigh, the conversation ended . The starry skies all around vanished from sight and the two reappeared within the great hall . The Buddhist Nation cultivators that had walked outside were still gently smiling . They had no idea that they just took a round trip to death’s door .

The Nether Domain Master turned and left, vanishing in the blink of an eye .

The Buddhist Nation Sovereign kept stroking a string of Buddhist beads on his neck . It was unknown what sort of material these Buddhist beads were made from, but each one had a lifelike Buddha contained within . Some were smiling, some were angry, some were sobbing, and some had gone crazy .

His fingers continued to rub across their surface . Layers of Buddhist light shined on their surface, making one feel the endless majesty and power coming from them . However, no one discovered that beneath the layers of that Buddhist light, countless tiny cracks had appeared on the beads .

“Qin Yu, why won’t you die? Bring all of your pain to an end and enter samsara . That will be the best way for you to return home .

“You should die .

“You must die . ”

The Nation Sovereign began to chant, a smile appearing on the corners of his lips once more . Then, light erupted from the Buddhist beads and millions of rays of light burst out from the grand hall, illuminating the entire Buddhist Nation .

At this moment, the trillions of lives living within the Buddhist Nation all fell to their knees . They bathed in the warm Buddhist light and turned towards the mountain that pierced into the highest heavens, reverently praying .

…

Chapter 461B – Rumors and the Equipment Sect’s Treasure

Qin Yu had obtained victory in the end and sent Chu Taidou to hell . This was beyond Ning Rufeng’s expectations, but it left him even more overjoyed . This was because he could see all the hopes of the Ning Family’s rise in Qin Yu .

“You little girl, make sure you grab tightly onto Qin Yu . You must grab onto him no matter the cost! As long as he becomes our Ning Family’s son-in-law, our family will finally be able to stand tall again and become a true noble family of the Demonic Path!”

Ning Liang endured her shyness and asked herself if she really wanted to grab onto Qin Yu . After replying to herself that she did, she half-yielded and half-refused with her grandfather’s arrangements .

It was unknown what Ning Rufeng said to Kang Mingqiao, but amongst the cultivators who helped serve Qin Yu as he refined pills, a young and spirited girl appeared . Her beauty was so soul-stirring and thrilling that several Dao Arena cultivators who normally worked steadily and carefully suddenly made several mistakes one after another .

However, after the steward gathered them together and gave them a few instructions, their eyes no longer lingered on Ning Liang’s body . Even if they felt bitterness in their hearts they could only hide it .

Qin Yu was busy refining pills . When he discovered Ning Liang, over half a month had passed . He was surprised by her presence at first, but after a moment of hesitation he didn’t say anything .

Had already expressed his stance previously . No matter what reason Ning Liang came here for, he wouldn’t repeat himself again, otherwise he really would harm her heart .

He felt a bit helpless inside, but his smile was still warm and gentle . However, he didn’t have much time . After saying some words to her, he turned around and hurried away .

It wasn’t because he was avoiding Ning Liang, but because all of his focus was placed on refining pills . Someone was willing to exchange three soul materials for an eighth-grade saint rank pill . Although he had succeeded in refining the saint rank Dao Inquiring Pill before, this still wasn’t an easy task for Qin Yu . He couldn’t underestimate it at all .

Ning Liang didn’t feel lost . This was because her grandfather had said that if Qin Yu was urgently seeking out soul treasures, he had to have his own reasons . Men needed to prioritize business first; she could understand this, but she still felt regretful that she didn’t have the ability to help him .

As for the space in the jade box, Qin Yu didn’t tell the Ning Family . This was because he didn’t want their hearts to bleed with regret and cause unneeded troubles, creating enmity between the two sides . Another reason was naturally because he wanted to separate himself from Ning Liang as much as possible and make sure that they didn’t mingle anymore . Of course, this was also because he wanted to protect the Ning Family and didn’t want them to be drawn into his battle with the Immortal Sect .

Time passed a day at a time . Although Ning Liang only saw Qin Yu occasionally, she could still feel his mood become increasingly worse . Though he smiled at her every time they crossed paths, his smile left a pain in her heart .

Finally, sometime late at night, he walked out from the alchemy room . Qin Yu didn’t bustle around anymore but ordered people to prepare wine and food . After washing himself, he took a pot of wine and drank it as he looked up at the full moon above .

Ning Liang hesitated for a long time before she came out from the shadows . She respectfully asked, “Grand Authority Qin, what worries you?”

Qin Yu had long since sensed her presence . He originally didn’t want to say anything, but when he saw that face which resembled Ning Ling so much, he said, “You know that I am searching for some treasures right now . But unfortunately, even though I busied myself for almost four months and provoked so many disasters, I will still fall short in the end . That’s the reason why my mood isn’t too good right now . ”

Ning Liang bit her lips . “May I ask why Grand Authority Qin is collecting them?”

Qin Yu took a sip of wine and smiled . “I can’t tell you the exact reasons, but the approximate situation is that I have some spirit insects that need to use these treasures . Otherwise, a certain strength in their bodies will awaken soon and kill them . To tell you the truth, I am constantly telling myself that the reason I am in such a rush to gather these treasures is because I have spent too much time and energy on these spirit insects . But in reality, I just don’t want to give up on them .

“These spirit insects started following me a long time ago . While they don’t have much spiritual wisdom, they have saved my life in the past . Moreover, when I see them I also remember some friends that I haven’t seen for a long time and might never see again . ”

He took another sip of wine . He shook his wine and said, “Well, I don’t have much time left . I only have four days, but I’m still missing one . Just one more soul treasure . ”

Ning Liang quickly asked, “What are you missing?” Seeing Qin Yu look at her, her face turned red . “The Ning Family has their own treasure storage and Grandfather also knows many people . Perhaps he can find it . ”

Qin Yu’s heart warmed at her good intentions . “Precelestial wood . ” He continued to say, “According to the records, it’s an extremely dazzling type of wood that possesses the brightest colors and most beautiful textures . It can shine in the darkness and bathe in this light beneath the dark . ”

Ning Liang tried her best to recall anything about it but finally revealed a lost expression . “I will ask Grandfather to help you find it . ”

“There isn’t enough time . I can sense that the strength in the spirit insects will regain consciousness soon . ” Qin Yu lay down the pot of wine . “Perhaps they are destined to die . ”

Ning Liang’s eyes shined . “Maybe there is another solution to suppress the strength within the spirit insects in order to allow you more time to search . ”

Qin Yu shook his head, “I have already tried . ”

He had tried . The result was that he failed .

Ning Liang knew Qin Yu was an incredibly fierce person, most likely even stronger than what she already knew . However, she hesitated for a long time and finally said, “Does Grand Authority Qin know of the Equipment Sect? I heard Grandfather say that the Equipment Sect has a top treasure they inherited from ancient times and it can suppress all things in the world . Perhaps it can help you . ”

Qin Yu’s eyes brightened . “Equipment Sect?” He muttered beneath his breath . He thought back to the Infinite Realm where he had met two cultivators who stated they came from that sect . They hadn’t spoken much, and in fact they didn’t even exchange names .

“Central Mountain Nation’s Equipment Sect?”

Ning Liang nodded repeatedly . “That’s right . ”

Qin Yu forced a smile . “The Central Mountain Nation is too far away . And right now, I don’t have any methods to leave . ”

Ning Liang waved her hand . “There is no need for you to leave . In the Qin and Zhao Empires, the Equipment Sect is the most famous refining sect . They have a shop in Four Seasons City . I heard Grandfather say that the Equipment Sect’s precious treasure has an inestimable strength . It can be projected from a trillion miles away and still have the power to suppress all things . ”

Qin Yu’s heart skipped a beat . If even a projection could earn such a high appraisal from Ning Rufeng, then perhaps the Equipment Sect’s most precious treasure really might be able to suppress the Ancestral Monster’s undying will .

As soon as this thought appeared, urgency came to his mind . “Miss Ning, may I bother you to quietly inform the old master that I hope I can obtain his help and borrow the Equipment Sect’s most precious treasure . ” Even if it was only the slimmest of chances, Qin Yu still wanted to give it a try . Even if he were to fail, he would rather have given it his greatest effort than regret not having done so in the future .

Ning Liang nodded . “I will go look for Grandfather right now!” Seeing her leave with a look of joy, Qin Yu’s eyes flashed with warmth . Then, an apologetic look appeared . But soon all of these fluctuations of emotions calmed down .

“Equipment Sect? Before, I met with some of their disciples . This can also be considered as a connection . I hope they really can help me strive for some more time . ”

36 soul treasures . Now all he was missing was the precelestial wood . Even if Qin Yu was broad-minded, how could he be willing to fail here?

Ning Rufeng was ecstatic once he heard all of this from Ning Liang . But at the same time, it also gave him a tremendous headache . He indeed knew that the Equipment Sect had a most precious treasure, but this was told to him by a drunken Elder of the Equipment Sect . And once that Elder sobered up, he nearly flipped the table in anger . Ning Rufeng had been forced to swear a vow that he wouldn’t reveal anything at all . It was only because of their many years of friendship together that this Elder just barely believed him .

It was just that many years ago when Ning Liang had an outbreak of her cold poison, he had thoughtlessly told her this story in hopes of relaxing her mind and easing her pain . Who knew that this little girl would remember everything he said so clearly? And even tell Qin Yu about it?

Ning Rufeng knew that Qin Yu was growing increasingly dazzling . Although his granddaughter was beautiful, the Ning Family indeed didn’t have any heavyweight advantages on their side . As for them being a noble family of the Demonic Path? Hum, if Qin Yu wanted, a powerful Demonic Path noble family, or even a Demonic Path Elder would be willing to give their most beautiful and beloved daughter to him .

From Ning Liang’s words, it wasn’t hard to see just how much Qin Yu valued his spirit insects . If the Ning Family could help him avoid losing them, this would be a considerable favor . It might help that little brat Ning Liang move Qin Yu’s heart .

Clenching his teeth, Ning Rufeng resolved his heart . “Fine! You bratty little girl, since you already told Qin Yu about this, then I will go to the Equipment Sect’s shop in Four Seasons City with him tomorrow . Even if I must be shameless, I will still ask to borrow this treasure for him!”