Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Strong cultivators were like rain in the Desolate Area. Numerous cultivators were born but the number that perished was also astounding.

Some were buried in the wilderness and their Great Dao returned to heaven and earth. Some were gathered and collected in the same place.

Although the number that perished outside were the majority, the number that were collected was quite large as well.

The place where they were gathered was called Boiling Mountain Fantasy. It was one of the best places for cultivation in the West Desolate.

Boiling Mountain Fantasy contained numerous Great Dao fragments that formed after many cultivators perished. After special treatment, they represented endless opportunities for cultivation.

These opportunities were called - epiphanies!

As if in a misty drizzle or an early winter morning…the initial journey would be foggy. Then all of a sudden, everything would look clear.

To cultivators, especially those who managed to reach the shore and form their own Great Dao, if they were able to see their route, they would know which way to work in.

With every step and footprint, they would strengthen their cultivation, increase their power, and reach the door of the next level.

The importance could be imagined!

So Boiling Mountain Fantasy was also known as the 'Leaping Dragon Gate' to the Ruler realm. Just stepping into it meant getting the chance to try for the Ruler realm.

And now, there was a rumor going around in the small circle of high ranking people in the imperial capital - the Boiling Mountain Fantasy was about to open!

Anyone who was qualified would have a chance to get a place and try. If they succeeded, it meant that their side may give rise to a Ruler.

Even if there was a slim chance, it was worth fighting!

The Desolate Area gave rise to numerous strong cultivators. Saints were considered strong, but Rulers were able to rule over a large territory.

For example, City Governor Chen Yuanshen from Seascape City. Even if he was able to hide his abilities, he would at most be a Ruler.

This was enough to show that a Ruler in the Desolate Area was able to dominate a region and become the controller.

Everyone would try to get cultivators of the Ruler realm. Li Zhouyi and even that princess would have to pay respects.

In the high end places in the imperial capital, businesses boomed. At night, outside some high level mansions, the traffic was lively. Qin Yu got a token from the Imperial Palace. This token meant that when Boiling Mountain Fantasy was open, he would be able to enter.

Li Zhouyi personally came over and after a moment of silence, "What is going to happen soon involves some secrets, and for the time being, I cannot tell you. The opening of Boiling Mountain Fantasy is advance payment. Darkness Ruler, you must make use of this opportunity."

He lifted his head and his eyes were sharp, "So we will hold off on the thing regarding Ning Xiao. Boiling Mountain Fantasy takes priority."

Under the black robe, Qin Yu frowned. This must be how it felt like when a plan is unable to keep up with changes.

He had prepared to continue with the rest of the plan. He was just waiting for Ning Xiao to die and then he would be able to obtain the Ice Flame.

Who would have expected that the Imperial Palace would announce the opening of Boiling Mountain Fantasy. He knew what this place was about and could understand why Li Zhouyi was acting this way.

In his opinion, Qin Yu entering Boiling Mountain Fantasy would definitely bring gains. Comparatively, this was a lot safer and surer than killing Ning Xiao and obtaining the Ice Flame.

Moreover, Boiling Mountain Fantasy was not something Li Zhouyi expected either. Otherwise he would have mentioned it before and wouldn't have had to personally come down right at the last moment.

Hearing the silence under the black robe, Li Zhouyi said softy, "Darkness Ruler, I know that you are indignant but we still have a chance to kill him in the future. Promise me that you will enter Boiling Mountain Fantasy and not do anything else!"

Qin Yu put his hands together, "Yes Your Highness."

Li Zhouyi walked away satisfied. After getting Qin Yu's reassurance, he did not think that Qin Yu would lie to him. After all, the 'Darkness Ruler' came from the fragmented area and everyone wanted to kill him. If he did not want to die, he had to work together with him!

As for whether Qin Yu would try to gain from both in and out…Li Zhouyi was scared but he believed that Darkness Ruler was not stupid. If he was really beyond redemption, there would always be a way to drag him down as well!

The room fell silent and Qin Yu sighed lightly. Was he going to let go just like this?

Buzz -

As if sensing Qin Yu's thoughts, Furnace shook and sent out a strong dissatisfaction.

Qin Yu lifted his hand to rub his forehead, "I know that you are not willing. Neither am I…although I promised not to do anything, if Ning Xiao comes up to me, there may still be a chance."

Qin Yu narrowed his eyes as he thought for a while. Now, he could only see if Yun Qing was attractive to him.

Seemingly because he was unhappy, the Darkness Ruler sent all his servants away and entered Yun Qing's yard in a solemn mood.

The next day, Yun Die carried a pile of ruined clothes and walked out of the place blushing.

Very soon, the news of the Darkness Ruler staying the night with both master and servant spread through the palace.

Two hours later, a maid who was responsible for transporting miscellaneous items in and out of the palace hurriedly threw a pile of torn clothes beneath some rubble.

After a moment, someone dug through the rubble and took the ruined clothes away.

……

Ning Xiao looked at the ruined clothes in front of him. He reached out and brought them to his nose, taking a deep breath.

He closed his eyes and his body trembled. His face seemed to redden as he was suppressing his anger.

After a few moments, Ning Xiao opened his eyes and a flash of violence shone in them, "I found you."

He pondered for a while before getting up and walking out. Soon, he came to a large hall. He bowed, "Please announce that I am here to meet Eldest Princess."

The guards outside the hall threw him a cold and severe glance before one of them left to pass on the message.

Very soon, he returned, "Please!"

Ning Xiao straightened his clothes before quickly entering. He did not dare to look around but quickly kneeled on the floor, "Greetings Eldest Princess!"

"You may rise." An emotionless voice could be heard. The Eldest Princess was a beauty but her aura was very cold, like an ice statue. Her eyes were like the deep sea, calm with no waves.

Ning Xiao stood up but continued to look down, showing sufficient respect. This was not just because of her high status but also out of fear of her.

"What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, Ning Xiao replied, "Eldest Princess, I found a girl a few days back. Her body contains a power that will help my cultivation. However, the Darkness Ruler, who is with the Sixth Prince, got her first…" As he said this, he paused as his vision was obscure, "Boiling Mountain Fantasy is about to open. I hope that you will be able to help me kill the Darkness Ruler in it."

He did not dare to hide this. The truth was that only if the Eldest Princess was willing would he then be able to find out everything.

The palace was silent and Ning Xiao remained emotionless. However, his emotions were fluctuating.

Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead before gathering together and rolling down the side of his face. With a soft 'piak', they landed on the ground.

"It seems like you found the target to satisfy the conditions to swallow…the Art of Taotie is indeed a very intricate cultivation method."

The princess' calm voice was like thunder and Ning Xiao paled as he heard her. He fell to the ground with a 'plop'.

"El…Eldest Princess…"

He never thought that the secret he had struggled to guard was already known by her.

The Eldest Princess looked at him. Within the depths of her indifferent eyes, there was a flash of coldness, "All these years, you have always been looking at me with greed…if it were someone else, they might have already killed you. But I will not."

"You are very smart and know what I want to do. So I will help you and give you a chance to kill the Darkness Ruler. But remember, you only have one chance. If you can't kill him, don't return."

……

Without doubt, Boiling Mountain Fantasy was in the imperial capital. But its exact location was still unknown.

Every time Boiling Mountain Fantasy opened, it would pull its targets in. The entire process was silent and there would not be any unusual movement.

The way it pulled people in was through the tokens.

Buzz -

The token in Qin Yu's hand suddenly buzzed and there was movement in the air. It was like a huge mouth swallowing him.

He completely disappeared.

Soon, Border Cliff Saint rushed over. His face could not help but light up in admiration when he rushed over and discovered that the room was empty.

Boiling Mountain Fantasy…it was a pity that he was not qualified to enter.

He was suddenly thrown into darkness and after a few moments, there was light once again. Qin Yu found himself in a foreign world.

He activated his divine sense. But very soon, he realized that it was as if he had fallen into mud.

The air around him was shifting violently like an invisible giant net getting pushed by the catch within it.

Today, Qin Yu was this 'catch' and his divine sense was the one pushing against this giant net.

Qin Yu frowned slightly but remained calm. He found out more about Boiling Mountain Fantasy.

'Fantasy'…

This meant a lot. This place really existed, but at the same time, it seemed to be nothing.

Or more accurately, it was both virtual and real. But more importantly…this was a cultivation holy land!

When Qin Yu had activated his divine sense and caused the surrounding air to shift, he could sense numerous movements. They could not be seen by the naked eye but could be sensed. They were like stars shining in the deep dark sky.

Without a doubt, every star represented the death of a strong cultivator. They were made up of their Great Daos.

Qin Yu finally understood why Boiling Mountain Fantasy was known as the peak cultivation holy land and could help cultivators gain epiphanies.

The reason was simple. Just by infusing divine sense into these stars, one would be able to resonate with the Great Dao fragments…Boiling Mountain Fantasy was created to gather all the broken Great Daos of numerous strong cultivators…the word 'numerous' was not an exaggeration - there really were a lot.

To use more of a cliche, there was always one that suits you.

Once you found the star that contained the Great Dao that suited you. It would 'burn' and help you light the path.

This was the root of the epiphany!

Qin Yu was full of admiration for the person who built Boiling Mountain Fantasy. As long as Boiling Mountain Fantasy remained, the West Desolate would always have plenty of resources and could help numerous people become Rulers.

After all, even though only ten percent of people may benefit from the opening of Boiling Mountain Fantasy on each occasion, over time, the number of people would still be astounding!