Chapter 213: Li Yulong’s Identity

Ling Zhifeng was very excited. Suddenly, he thought of a method to separate and purify liquid spiritual energy. It was very simple—using the Spirit Gathering Formation! The Spirit Gathering Formation naturally attracted spiritual energy, but by itself, it was not enough to separate liquid spiritual energy.

By combining the Spirit Gathering Formation with a centrifuge and incorporating other distillation and cooling technologies, after more than a dozen rounds of purification, the purity of the liquid spiritual energy finally reached a perfect state!

On average, crude oil still contained 3% to 5% liquid spiritual energy, which was quite significant.

However, liquid spiritual energy contained around 5% impurities, such as demonic energy and monstrous energy. Do not underestimate this mere 5%—these impurities rendered the liquid spiritual energy unusable, turning it into a toxic sludge.

By integrating the Spirit Gathering Formation with multiple technologies under extremely rigorous conditions, the separation rate of spiritual energy reached approximately 90%. The remaining 10% consisted of a mixture of liquid spiritual energy and impurities, which was entirely waste liquid. For now, this waste liquid had to be sealed and stored until there was a way to utilize it in the future.

As for storage, Li Xian did not choose to keep it in Anyang. Instead, he planned to transport it via railway to the mountains south of Anyang, near Nanyang County.

When Li Yulong arrived, Li Xian was still reveling in his joy. However, he had not expected such a “floral” welcome—he was doused head-to-toe in liquid spiritual energy as soon as he stepped in.

Li Yulong was stunned. Li Xian was stunned.

The exhilarated Ling Zhifeng did not seem to notice them at all. He continued to scoop half a bucket of liquid spiritual energy, preparing to go all out in his excitement.

Finally, Li Xian snapped out of it. “Ling Zhifeng, come here!”

Ling Zhifeng finally looked up, and the next moment, his face changed dramatically. “Ah! Master, you’re here! I offer you a toast!”

A toast?

Ling Zhifeng grabbed a large iron bucket, rushed over to Li Yulong in a few strides, and presented it with a foolish grin.

At first, Li Yulong was furious, but he quickly figured out the situation—these people were obviously celebrating. Remembering what Li Xian had said earlier, his anger faded. He took the iron bucket and examined it carefully, noticing that not only was the liquid spiritual energy extremely pure, but it was also exceptionally stable, without the usual chaotic fluctuations of a Spirit Gathering Formation.

Li Yulong even dipped his finger into the liquid and tasted it. “Not bad. Smooth and rich, like a century-old wine, with no trace of restlessness. This liquid spiritual energy can completely rival spirit stones. How was this produced?”

Li Xian gave Ling Zhifeng a meaningful glance. Ling Zhifeng immediately apologized. After his apology, Li Xian finally spoke, “Ling Zhifeng, your punishment is to explain everything clearly.”

Ling Zhifeng breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was off the hook this time. He quickly explained the origins of the liquid spiritual energy, detailing all the challenges they had faced along the way. He also incidentally mentioned fuel, internal combustion engines, and other innovations.

After hearing the explanation, Li Yulong was astonished. “I never expected the underground miasma to be such a treasure! For so many years, countless people have tried to make use of it. Haha…”

Li Yulong laughed, his laughter growing louder and louder. His voice was so overwhelming that even Li Xian, a Golden Core stage cultivator, felt dizzy.

“Father is also a Nascent Soul stage expert?!” Li Xian was shocked.

After a long while, Li Yulong finally stopped laughing. “Good, very good. Xiao Xian, come with me.”

Li Xian followed Li Yulong out of the hall filled with swirling spiritual energy and onto the rooftop. Li Yulong gazed toward the west, his expression thoughtful. The wind lifted the edges of his robe, revealing a hint of deep-seated sorrow.

Li Xian felt uneasy. Something was wrong.

After a long silence, Li Yulong finally let out a deep breath. “Xiao Xian, do you know how many continents exist in the Immortal Domain?”

Li Xian answered without hesitation, “It’s said there are eighty-one continents.”

Li Yulong shook his head and spoke in a slow, deliberate tone. “Eighty-one continents is just a saying. In reality, as far as I know, there are nine major continents, called the Divine Continents. There are also hundreds of smaller continents like Yingzhou, and many more minor ones that have never been officially counted.

Among the nine Divine Continents, the Chixian Divine Continent alone is ten times the size of Yingzhou. At its center lies a great nation known as ‘Taihao.’ Unlike the countries in Yingzhou, the nations on the Divine Continent are called ‘Divine Courts.’

The Taihao Divine Court spans 108,000 miles and commands an army of a million Nascent Soul cultivators. Transformation Stage experts emerge endlessly.

Beyond the Transformation Stage, there are three further realms—Void Refinement, True Return, and Tribulation Ascension.

In the Taihao Divine Court, even cultivators at the Tribulation Ascension stage are not rare.

Those at the Tribulation Ascension stage have the power to overturn the heavens and the seas. To them, your machines—locomotives, airplanes—are no different from mosquitoes.

I know you must feel proud right now. In just two years, you’ve made incredible advancements and even achieved many miracles.

But I must tell you—everything you have now is too fragile! If just two Nascent Soul stage experts were to come here, Qingyun Valley would be reduced to ruins.”

Li Xian listened quietly. Li Yulong had said a lot, and his words were somewhat scattered. He seemed emotionally agitated, which made his statements somewhat disorganized.

However, Li Xian picked up on many things. It seemed that Li Yulong was not from the Great Xia Kingdom, nor even from Yingzhou! Instead, he came from the Taihao Divine Court in a place called Chixian Shenzhou! So, why did he come here?

Moreover, technology is indeed fragile at present. Any newly emerging thing is fragile in its early stages. As for facing those so-called “tribulation-transcending” individuals in the future, that is a matter for later. By then, technology will certainly produce miracles of science.

It was clear that Li Yulong noticed Li Xian’s indifference. He sighed and suddenly spoke to the front, “Come out.”

Li Xian was still puzzled when the space ahead twisted and distorted. A very ordinary-looking person, almost entirely unremarkable, appeared out of thin air, floating in midair without any detectable presence.

Li Yulong glanced at Li Xian and said, “This is Shadow. Since the first day you arrived in Anyang, I have had Shadow protect you. During this time, he has killed more than thirty Golden Core-stage experts, slain one early Nascent Soul-stage expert, and driven away three other Nascent Soul-stage experts.

If not for Shadow’s protection, your Qingyun Valley would now be nothing but ruins!”

Li Xian was completely stunned, like a goose struck on the head! Someone had been by his side all along? He had faced countless dangers?

Li Xian was, of course, grateful that his father had assigned someone to protect him. But the thought of someone secretly watching over him all the time made him feel uneasy.

Li Yulong naturally understood Li Xian’s thoughts and smiled slightly. “Shadow, from now on, stay by Li Xian’s side.”

After saying this, Li Yulong’s expression became serious once more. “Xian’er, my true identity is the Crown Prince of the Taihao Divine Court. But that was in the past. It was a rebellion—a betrayal from within. I barely survived, and only a few people managed to escape from that nation.

I will never forget how tens of thousands of warriors fell, just to carve a path for me to escape.”

Li Yulong’s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists. Suddenly, he turned westward and declared, “One day, I will return! I will lead an army of a million Nascent Soul-stage warriors and reclaim the Taihao Divine Court!”

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