Lu Qing gazed at Qiao Rong’s lifeless body, his expression unchanged.

He had never held much hatred toward Qiao Rong, but since the man bore him such deep enmity and had even placed a bounty on him through the Netherworld Palace, Lu Qing saw no reason to spare him.

With a mere thought, a wisp of transparent Nanming Bright Fire sprang forth, reducing Qiao Rong’s corpse to nothingness. Thus, this grudge was finally settled.

As for Qiao Rong’s head, had Lu Qing not plundered the Gongshu Clan’s second branch treasury, he might have risked taking it to the Netherworld Palace to claim the reward. But now that he held hundreds of thousands of mid-grade Spirit Stones, there was no need to invite such danger.

After settling this trivial matter, Lu Qing turned his thoughts to what truly mattered next.

Without question, the most important thing for him now was to break past his limits and step into the Tenth Transformation of the Golden Core Realm.

This recent haul of wealth was enough not only to support him through the Tenth Transformation, but even to cultivate all the way to the Twelfth Transformation Great Perfection—and perhaps even to advance into the Nascent Soul Realm.

But this coming seclusion would be crucial, and it was certain to consume a great deal of time.

Therefore, preparations had to be made in advance. At the very least, this current cave was unsuitable for such long-term seclusion.

He needed to find a better place.

“Wait… just which continent have I ended up in?”

Lu Qing frowned.

Earlier, pressed by urgency, he had pushed the Void Flying Boat without controlling its precise direction, escaping the pursuit of that old ghost of the Gongshu Clan. As a result, he only knew he remained within the Tianyuan Great World, but not which exact region he had landed in.

Putting away his formation, he stepped outside and sensed the surrounding environment.

“The spiritual energy here is abundant and pure. This can’t be the Demon Domain.”

It was said that though the Demon Domain was rich in energy, it was also saturated with demonic qi—hardly fit for humans to dwell in.

Sensing no trace of demonic qi, Lu Qing ruled it out.

But was he still within human territory? That remained to be confirmed.

Over the next two days of flying and exploration, he finally pinpointed his location.

“So, I’ve come to the outskirts of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.”

He looked toward the endless, towering mountains stretching far beyond sight, and realization dawned.

The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range marked the border between human lands and the Monster Domain, spanning millions of miles and separating the two races. It was among the grandest ranges in all of the Tianyuan Great World.

“To think that one push of the Void Flying Boat carried me all the way here.”

The Zhou Tian City he had departed from lay deep within human lands. Which meant this single leap had spanned half a continent, sending him to this border region.

“But this works out well. The Myriad Beasts Mountain Range is rich in spiritual veins—perfect for seclusion.”

Far from being troubled, Lu Qing felt a surge of joy.

In such vast mountains, countless natural formations had been born. If he could claim one, it would make an ideal cultivation site.

Moreover, despite its name, the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range belonged neither to humans nor to demons. It was a no-man’s-land, free of entrenched powers.

That made it perfect.

This time, Lu Qing intended to enter a death seclusion—at the very least, not emerging until he had reached the Twelfth Transformation Great Perfection. If fortune favored him, he might even directly break into the Nascent Soul Realm.

Yet he sensed that the attempt at Nascent Soul would shake heaven and earth. Were he in a populated region, he would draw too much attention.

Here in this lawless expanse, however, it was ideal.

Even so, precautions were necessary.

After a moment of thought, he flew into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.

Two days later, he discovered a natural formation.

“This formation gathers spiritual veins from a thousand miles around. Perfect for seclusion.”

Hovering above, his eyes glowed as he traced the flows of mountains and rivers, quickly discerning the formation’s heart.

He descended into a hidden valley, where the air pulsed with dense energy. At its center lay a deep pool, filled not with water but spiritual liquid fit for pill refinement.

Drawing a sword, he carved a cave into the cliffside for his cultivation chamber.

Approaching the pool, he prepared to test the waters when a soul-shaking roar erupted. The pool exploded, and a massive figure lunged forth, maw wide enough to swallow a house, striking at him.

Lu Qing remained unflinching, as if expecting this.

His palm stretched out, and a five-colored giant hand of spiritual power manifested, slamming into the beast.

The mountains quaked with the impact, hurling the monster into a cliff where it writhed in pain.

“Freeze.”

With a single word, Lu Qing immobilized the beast. A yellow radiance bound its body, locking it in place.

“So it’s a White Flood Dragon.”

He studied it with some surprise.

He had sensed a faint presence earlier and expected a beast to occupy this treasure land. But he had not expected it to be a Flood Dragon.

Even more astonishing, this one bore crystalline scales, four claws beneath its belly, and jade-like horns upon its head—a noble bloodline.

Using his innate ability, he examined it further.

“Ice Jade Flood Dragon… with true dragon blood?”

The beast’s eyes showed fear, pleading for mercy.

Lu Qing considered. After all, he was the intruder here. Perhaps slaughter was unnecessary.

With a flick of his finger, a thread of soul power sank into its brow.

“I will be cultivating here for some time. You will guard the valley. Do this well, and you’ll be rewarded. Betray me or flee, and you know the consequences.”

The Flood Dragon trembled as the overwhelming Soul Imprint sank into its core. Terrified, it nodded repeatedly.

“Good. Go and heal.”

Lu Qing released it from suppression.

That earlier strike had shattered its skull and nearly destroyed half its head. Blood trickled from its jaws, each drop freezing into frost upon the ground.

The Flood Dragon felt relief at its freedom, but Lu Qing’s warning made it shiver. Bowing its head in submission, it slid back into the pool.

Its injuries were grave—it would take years to heal. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Lu Qing smiled faintly. He had gained not only the valley but also a guardian beast.

Without delay, he began laying down formations.

The valley, though rich with energy, lacked defenses. For seclusion, security was vital.

After several days of work, he drove a jade talisman into the earth, linking it to the ley lines.

At once, the hidden talismans resonated. Spiritual currents surged in order, forming a grand protective array.

Feeling the shift, Lu Qing smiled. “Perfect.”

Even a Nascent Soul cultivator below the Third Tribulation would struggle to breach this.

Satisfied, he returned to the cave, sealing the entrance with formations.

Meanwhile, the White Flood Dragon surfaced, staring curiously at the cave.

Its father had once warned it: never reveal its bloodline before humans, lest they skin it, devour its flesh, refine its core, and forge weapons from its bones.

Yet this human had spared it. Why?

Perplexed, it sank back into the depths.

To its surprise, the valley’s energy had grown even denser—tenfold what it once was. With this, it could heal in mere months instead of years. Perhaps even break through its long-stagnant bottleneck.

Was this the benefit the human had promised?

Pondering, it returned to seclusion.

Within his chamber, Lu Qing sensed its movements but paid them no mind.

So long as the beast caused no trouble, it would live.

He released Xiaoli and Wuxing.

“I’ll be cultivating for a long time. Use this chance to train as well. These Spirit Stones are for you. If you grow restless, you may walk the valley, but do not leave its bounds. The formation will harm intruders without mercy.”

He tossed them two storage pouches.

“Ah Qing, when you come out… will we go home then?” Xiaoli asked softly.

Lu Qing smiled. “If all goes well, yes. When I emerge, it will be time to go home.”

Her eyes lit with hope.

Wuxing remained confused, not yet understanding. It resolved to ask Xiaoli later about what had transpired while it had been sealed away.

And so, in this nameless valley, Lu Qing sat down to begin his seclusion—to strike at the profound Tenth Transformation of the Golden Core Realm.