Chapter 281 It doesn’t matter, I will protect him!

Compared to the improvement of his Domain, his Realm advancement seemed much slower.

Of course, the 'slow' was relative to himself; his Realm advancement speed would be astonishingly fast to any other Cultivator.

For Li Xuanfeng, the fastest way to improve his Realm was to Dual Cultivate with his bound Fated Daughters.

Dual Cultivation itself didn't provide much improvement, but with the System's hundredfold return, it was quite effective.

Previously, whether it was Luo Li, Xu Miaozhen, Ming Yueqing, or Ming Yuexue, their strength was quite far from his. Although the returns still provided significant improvement, Li Xuanfeng knew that for optimal results, it was best if both parties had similar cultivation levels.

His current strength was at the Peak of the Emperor Realm. Among his bound Fated Daughters, if he were to say who would yield the best Dual Cultivation effect at this stage, it would only be the Spirit Emperor, aside from Master Lian Yuezhou's sub-body.

The Spirit Emperor was powerful, with a celestial Face and graceful figure. Beneath her blue dress, one could only imagine how perfect and delicate her… *Tsk*…

“Here we go again!”

Li Xuanfeng shook off some of the thoughts in his mind.

After experiencing the Yin and Yang Profound Refinement Art many times, whenever he wanted to quickly improve his Realm, he would subconsciously think of such things.

However, to break through to the Emperor Realm in a short time, this was indeed the fastest method.

From the King Realm to the Emperor Realm, the physical body, spiritual Qi, and Soul would all undergo a transformation and sublimation. Without sufficient accumulation and foundation, it was extremely difficult to achieve a Breakthrough.

Wei Qingyan, Xu Miaozhen, Ming Yuexue, and Ming Yueqing would all occasionally bring him some returns on his Realm.

Unfortunately, this level of return was not enough for Li Xuanfeng to cross a Realm.

“It’s time to go to the next place!”

Li Xuanfeng stepped out of the palace.

In the Ancient Yao Palace, the larger the palace, the greater the probability of finding an Opportunity.

Small palaces were explored by Cultivators of the King Realm or below.

Most King Realm Cultivators and a few Emperor Realm Cultivators gathered in medium-sized palaces.

Emperor Realm Cultivators were basically all in large palaces, such as the palace where Li Xuanfeng obtained the Azure Sky Sword.

Of course, large and medium-sized palaces also had quite a few Cultivators below the King Realm who dared to explore them. Whether they were of the Yao Race or Human Race, many believed in the saying, “the greater the risk, the greater the reward.”

“To the Heaven Refining Hall!”

Li Xuanfeng's Divine Sense swept out, revealing a super-large palace beyond the horizon.

From the information King Golden Lion had previously revealed to him, Li Xuanfeng learned that the most vast and enormous place in the Ancient Yao Palace was the Central Palace.

That was the core of the Ancient Yao Palace, where the most colossal palace stood, and Innate Spiritual Fire and High Grade spiritual medicine were very likely hidden there.

However, even if the Ancient Yao Palace appeared, the gates of the Central Palace would not open automatically.

Currently, the Venerables from various forces might be gathered there, struggling with how to open the gates.

Besides the Central Palace, the most enormous structures were the main halls of each region.

The vast region where Li Xuanfeng was located was governed by a powerful Venerable-level Artifact Refiner of the Ancient Yao Palace.

Its main hall was named the Heaven Refining Hall.

Aside from the main hall, all others were subordinate halls, including the palace where Li Xuanfeng obtained the Azure Sky Sword.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Spirit Emperor will most likely appear in the Heaven Refining Hall.”

Although Innate Spiritual Fire and High Grade spiritual medicine were precious, in the eyes of most Cultivators, even if these two treasures existed, they would most likely end up in the hands of Venerable-level powerhouses. As the foremost Artifact Refiner in the Eastern Wasteland, apart from these two treasures, the greatest attraction for the Spirit Emperor should be Opportunities related to Artifact Refining.

With a flicker of his figure, Li Xuanfeng vanished into the distance.

Just as he left, his communication stone suddenly fluctuated.

His Divine Sense sank into it, revealing a message from the Blood Demon Emperor.

“The Golden Eagle Race, Demon Bear Race, and Divine Power Ape Race are suspected of having temporarily allied with the Xu Family, Fan Family, Heavenly Puppet Sect, and Black Fire Cult to collectively deal with you!”

“The Heaven Refining Hall has gathered many Emperor Realm powerhouses. All seven of these forces have strong individuals present. You had best not venture in lightly!”

The message contained only two points.

Seven super forces joining forces, and a cooperation between the Yao Race and Human Race—although it was just the Blood Demon Emperor's guess, Li Xuanfeng felt he might be right.

The number of King Realm and Emperor Realm powerhouses these forces had lost over thousands of years combined was not as many as those lost to Li Xuanfeng in this short period!

Facing such a monster, no single force was confident enough to deal with him alone.

Killing Li Xuanfeng was not difficult for any super force; the challenge was catching him.

Even to deduce his location, it would probably require multiple powerhouses skilled in the Dao of divination to act together, and they would also have to find a way to resist the backlash.

Therefore, it was not difficult to understand why the Yao Race and Human Race had temporarily allied to deal with him.

Li Xuanfeng withdrew his Divine Sense from the communication stone, but did not reply to the Blood Demon Emperor.

The Blood Demon Emperor only needed to focus on gathering intelligence from various places and act as a tool, reporting to him promptly.

What he thought or did, there was no need to reveal to the Blood Demon Emperor.

Given the Blood Demon Emperor's status, unless he had gone mad or possessed a cheat-like trump card for seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster like Li Xuanfeng, generally no one would kill him. Many powerhouses would even give him Face due to his identity.

Gathering and inquiring about intelligence was perfectly suited for him.

No one would have thought that such an unparalleled Prodigy would willingly give up resistance, allowing Li Xuanfeng to brand his Soul, and be enslaved by him for the next thousand years.

Li Xuanfeng's fate color had not changed, so heading to the Heaven Refining Hall posed no danger to him… Amidst a sprawling expanse of palaces, a majestic and spectacular palace stood.

The plaque above bore three massive Yao Race characters—Heaven Refining Hall!

It was grand, magnificent, and imposing. Humans seemed like grains of sand before it, facing the Heaven Refining Hall as if standing in a lonely starry sky before a colossal planet, inspiring involuntary awe and a profound sense of one's own insignificance.

Such a massive palace did not resemble a dwelling for humans, nor for the Yao Race; it was more like the temporary residence of a deity.

This Aura was indeed worthy of the three grand characters of Heaven Refining Hall.

The gates were wide open, and Human Race and Yao Race members continuously flew from the distance, entering it.

Inside the palace, it was as vast as the starry sky.

Even with powerful five senses and Divine Sense, Cultivators found it difficult to grasp the full extent of this grand hall.

“There is a Heaven Refining Great Formation here, divided into nine spatial layers!”

“Each layer can simulate Artifact Refining. Only by successfully refining a weapon according to the requirements in the simulation can one have the chance to enter the next layer!”

“If one can enter the ninth layer and successfully complete the simulation, they can obtain the Legacy of a Venerable-level Artifact Refiner!”

“This is a blessed land exclusive to Artifact Refiners!”

“Unfortunately, the minimum requirement for the first layer is a King-level Low Grade Artifact Refiner; the threshold is too high!”

Some Yao Race and Human Race members who had just entered the Heaven Refining Hall saw rows of Yao Race characters floating in the air.

These characters detailed the rules.

The Heaven Refining Hall was a Legacy ground set up by a Venerable-level Artifact Refiner of the Yao Race, containing a giant Formation. Within the Formation, nine layers of space were self-contained.

Each layer could simulate Artifact Refining. If one could successfully refine an artifact according to the requirements, they could enter the next layer and also obtain corresponding Artifact Refiner's notes and insights.

The first layer required simulating the refining of a Low Grade King Dao weapon. Successful refining allowed viewing the notes and lifelong insights of a King-level Low Grade Artifact Refiner.

The second layer required simulating the refining of a Medium Grade King Dao weapon. Successful refining allowed viewing the notes and lifelong insights of a King-level Medium Grade Artifact Refiner.

And so on.

If the simulated Artifact Refining could continue to be successful, upon reaching the ninth layer, one could obtain the lifelong Legacy of a Venerable-level Artifact Refiner!

This Opportunity was indeed generous, but it was not an easy task to claim it.

The threshold alone blocked countless Human Race and Yao Race members.

Those below the King Realm could only stare blankly. Even if they entered the first layer of the Formation to attempt simulated Artifact Refining, they would fail at the very first step of melting the Materials.

Due to insufficient strength, Cultivators below the King Realm found it almost impossible to melt the Materials needed to refine a King Dao weapon, let alone successfully refine one.

“Those below the King Realm shouldn't even think about this Legacy. It's better to take this Opportunity to observe a true Artifact Refining Great Master at work; that can yield considerable gains!”

“This is a Legacy left by our Yao Race Artifact Refiner; it should rightfully be inherited by our Yao Race!”

“Hehe, I’m afraid you won’t have that Opportunity. The foremost Artifact Refining Genius in the Eastern Wasteland has already arrived here!”

“Hahaha, exactly! With the Spirit Emperor making a move, you Yao Race should just step aside!”

“Forget the Spirit Emperor, even with Ice Feather Emperor’s Artifact Refining talent, none of you Yao Race can compare at this stage!”

“Hehe, we don’t deny the Spirit Emperor, but Ice Feather Emperor doesn’t seem to have that qualification yet!”

“The Spirit Emperor’s radiance is too dazzling, overshadowing Ice Feather Emperor’s Artifact Refining talent. In truth, none of you Yao Race can compare to her. Accept this fact!”

“Hehe, the Human Race is always arrogant and conceited in this regard. Who told you that we don’t have Artifact Refining experts?”

“Both the Fire Crow Race and the Crimson Flame Tiger Race have Artifact Refining Geniuses. It’s just that the Human Race always limits its gaze to its own small corner and doesn’t know. Soon, you will see if our Yao Race has Artifact Refiners who can compare to Ice Feather Emperor!”

Human Race and Yao Race members below the King Realm couldn't even pass the first layer, so they could only watch other Yao Race and Human Race Artifact Refining Great Masters simulate Artifact Refining.

Regarding the Spirit Emperor possessing the strongest Artifact Refining talent in the Eastern Wasteland, neither side refuted it. However, beneath the Spirit Emperor, which side had stronger Artifact Refining talent undoubtedly sparked a debate.

The Formation projected scenes from each spatial layer, allowing all Human Race and Yao Race members in the Heaven Refining Hall to witness various Artifact Refining Great Masters demonstrating the Dao of Artifact Refining.

Among them, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly a Human Race female figure in a blue dress.

The woman's hair was styled in a flowing cloud Immortal Fairy bun, with a celestial Face and graceful figure. Every movement she made carried an aesthetically pleasing beauty, as if she truly was a Fairy from the Nine Heavens Immortal Palace.

Countless Human Race and Yao Race members were deeply captivated by her, some even showing a look of infatuation, as if with just a word from the woman, they would gladly climb mountains of blades and descend into seas of fire, sacrificing everything for her!

The woman was none other than the Eastern Wasteland's foremost Artifact Refining Genius and the top powerhouse of the Emperor Realm—the Spirit Emperor.

At this moment, the Spirit Emperor was still on the first layer, not because this layer could stop her, but because she had only recently arrived.

Beside her was another woman in white, whose appearance and temperament were not as outstanding as the Spirit Emperor's, but she was still a rare beauty.

This person was the Ice Feather Emperor.

Although the Ice Feather Emperor was inferior to the Spirit Emperor in all aspects, she was also at the Peak of the Emperor Realm, and a powerful figure on the Imperial Ranking. Her attainments in the Dao of Artifact Refining were quite profound.

On the Human Race side, she and the Spirit Emperor attracted the most attention.

On the Yao Race side, two figures also attracted considerable attention.

One was a colossal Fire Crow, its entire body wreathed in flames.

The other was a giant tiger with black and red striped fur, its body faintly shimmering with crimson flames.

These two Yao Emperors were also renowned within the Yao Race, being the Nine Flame Crow Emperor of the Fire Crow Race and the Crimson Flame Tiger Emperor of the Crimson Flame Tiger Race, respectively.

They had arrived before the Spirit Emperor and had already completed the simulated Artifact Refining of the first and second layers, now located on the third layer.

“The Spirit Emperor has indeed arrived!”

“Fortunately, this Emperor arrived a step before her. This Legacy may not necessarily fall into this Emperor’s hands!”

After seeing the scene of the first layer, a sense of urgency involuntarily arose in the Nine Flame Crow Emperor's heart.

It greatly desired to obtain the Innate Spiritual Fire and High Grade spiritual medicine, but it understood that such treasures would ultimately fall into the hands of Venerables.

So, it had long given up on those two treasures and instead set its sights on the Artifact Refiner's Legacy in the Heaven Refining Hall.

The Yao Race had more information about the Ancient Yao Palace than the Human Race. It entered the Ancient Yao Palace without delay and headed directly to the Heaven Refining Hall.

Although the Spirit Emperor had high Artifact Refining talent, the information she possessed was not as extensive as that of the high-level Yao Race, so she was a step slow, only now arriving.

The Nine Flame Crow Emperor felt it still had a chance.

The Crimson Flame Tiger Emperor had a similar idea.

“Those two guys seem quite nervous!”

In the first spatial layer, Ice Feather Emperor was refining artifacts based on the Materials simulated by the Formation, while also casually observing her surroundings.

Within this Formation, although one could not forcibly move from one spatial layer to another, sight and Divine Sense perception were unhindered.

If the Nine Flame Crow Emperor and Crimson Flame Tiger Emperor could see them, they naturally could also see those two Yao Emperors.

The Spirit Emperor's gaze swept across the layers of space, but she remained silent.

It wasn't just those two Yao Emperors who were nervous; all Artifact Refiners with designs on this Legacy were very nervous.

After all, facing her, the Eastern Wasteland's foremost Artifact Refining Genius and the top powerhouse of the Emperor Realm, it would be strange not to be nervous.

The Golden Eagle Race, Demon Bear Race, Divine Power Ape Race, Xu Family, Fan Family, Heavenly Puppet Sect, Black Fire Cult… all major super forces of the Eastern Wasteland had King-level or Emperor-level Artifact Refiners here.

Not much time had passed since everyone entered here, so the third layer, where the Nine Flame Crow Emperor and Crimson Flame Tiger Emperor were located, was currently the highest.

“There are so many enemies of the Peerless King here. Do you think he will appear here?”

With Ice Feather Emperor's strength, refining King Dao weapons allowed her to multitask. While waiting for the Materials to Fuse, she seemed to be bored for a moment and couldn't help but transmit a message to the Spirit Emperor.

“You don’t even stand on his side, so why do you care about his affairs?”

The Spirit Emperor's Artifact Refining movements did not stop, and she glanced at the Ice Feather Emperor.

“It’s not that I want to care about his affairs; it’s mainly that wherever he is, astonishing news always spreads. I can’t possibly automatically block my perception and not listen, can I?”

“You guessed so accurately. I didn’t expect him to actually dare to appear in such a Dragon’s Den, and he even audaciously killed King Golden Eagle and King Black Bear. Now he has offended two more super forces. I really don’t know why he acts so recklessly!”

“If he dares to come to a place like this, it feels like it would be quite dangerous!”

Ice Feather Emperor couldn't help but say.

“It doesn’t matter. This Emperor will protect him!”

The Spirit Emperor said indifferently.