Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Zheng Lingfeng’s Confusion

In the underground space.

Li Chang’an temporarily paused his interrogation.

’Zheng Lingfeng actually tried to use me against Zheng Qingqing.’

His eyes lowered as he pondered for a long time.

This matter was more complex than he had imagined.

It actually involved the internal strife of a Foundation Establishment Family like the Zheng Family.

Li Chang’an was just a Loose Cultivator.

If he got dragged into it and attracted the attention of the Zheng Family’s Patriarch, or even a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, the situation would become dire.

’His attempt to poison me failed this time, but he’ll most likely try other methods in the future.’

Li Chang’an mused for a long while, the killing intent in his heart growing stronger.

If he could just get rid of Zheng Lingfeng, everything would be simple.

’Zheng Lingfeng is one of the Zheng Family’s Foundation Establishment Seeds. He most likely has some life-saving techniques bestowed by a Foundation Establishment Ancestor. Killing him won’t be easy.’

Li Chang’an’s brows furrowed as various methods flashed through his mind.

As he was now, dealing with anyone below Foundation Establishment was basically no problem.

But when faced with Foundation Establishment techniques, he was still too weak.

Nearby, Chu Mu saw Li Chang’an’s expression constantly shifting and sensed his killing intent.

His face turned pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

“Daoist Li, spare my life! Zheng Lingfeng forced me to do this. He’s the one who wants to harm you. If you want to kill someone, kill him! I can help you lure him out of the Marketplace!”

“Lure him out of the Marketplace? A pointless effort!”

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly.

Even if he lured Zheng Lingfeng out of the Marketplace, it would be very difficult to kill him.

If he couldn’t kill him in a very short amount of time, a Foundation Establishment Ancestor would most likely notice.

’Foundation Establishment…’

Li Chang’an let out a deep sigh.

’If I had a Foundation Establishment cultivation, why would I need to think so much? What would stop me from just striking him down?’

Ultimately, it all came down to a matter of strength.

’Forget it. This matter can’t be rushed. I’ll have to plan it out slowly.’

Li Chang’an put aside his other thoughts.

With a wave of his hand, he took the Storage Pouch and other treasures from Chu Mu’s body.

After removing the restriction on the Storage Pouch,

he looked through it carefully.

’As expected of a Spirit Plant Master. The variety of Spirit Plants he has stored is truly impressive. The Hundred Bitter Grass and Thunder Heart Wood I need are both here, and even a few of the other ones I was looking for.’

Li Chang’an nodded slightly.

He was very satisfied with both the quantity and variety of Spirit Medicines in the pouch.

Having these would save him a lot of trouble.

“Huh? There’s actually a stalk of Tranquil Heart Bamboo!”

A surprised look on his face, Li Chang’an took out a long, emerald-green stalk of bamboo.

Although the Tranquil Heart Bamboo was only a Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Plant, its value far exceeded many Tier One Top Grade ones.

This was simply because of its special properties and extreme rarity.

’Slivers of Tranquil Heart Bamboo can be used as Talisman Paper to create the precious Peaceful Spirit Talisman. This talisman is considered a high-quality item among Middle Grade Talismans. It can be used to calm the mind and spirit, and is rumored to have some effect on realm breakthroughs.’

When a Cultivator was breaking through, agitation and impatience were the greatest taboos.

According to rumor, the Peaceful Spirit Talisman was even somewhat helpful for breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

’A pleasant surprise, indeed.’

Li Chang’an put it away.

Then, with a thought, he retrieved a Jade Scroll from the pouch.

’A Tier One Middle Grade Spirit Plant legacy.’

Li Chang’an gave the contents of the Jade Scroll a cursory glance.

The legacy of a Spirit Plant Master was much simpler than those for Talismans or Puppets, and didn’t require much talent.

One just had to grind it out over time.

’I can learn the basics.’

Li Chang’an made his decision. In any case, it wouldn’t take too much of his energy.

He would just look at it when he had free time.

He put away the Jade Scroll.

Afterward, he took out a semi-transparent Small Jade Bottle from the Storage Pouch.

On the body of the bottle, three words were carved: “Burning Scripture Grass.”

“Daoist Chu, is this the poison you used on me, this Burning Scripture Grass?”

“Y-yes…”

Chu Mu replied nervously and cautiously.

The toxicity of Burning Scripture Grass was extremely potent.

After being poisoned, it was completely undetectable at first.

Only after a few days would one feel a warmth in the meridians throughout their body.

But by then, it was already too late.

The poison would have already seeped into the meridians, causing damage and obstructing the flow of Qi.

“Besides the Burning Scripture Grass, there were several other poisons mixed with it. Zheng Lingfeng accidentally found the recipe for this mixed poison in a Tribulation Cultivator’s cave-dwelling. Only he knows the formula for the antidote.”

Not daring to hide anything, Chu Mu told him everything in detail.

Soon, Li Chang’an found the other poisons.

There was also a small bottle of the antidote.

Zheng Lingfeng had given it to Chu Mu.

After all, in the process of administering the poison, Chu Mu himself had also been contaminated.

“Daoist Chu, what else do you know about Zheng Lingfeng?”

Li Chang’an’s tone was indifferent as he looked at Chu Mu.

He was trying to get more information.

But Chu Mu was purely a tool for Zheng Lingfeng; he knew nothing else.

He was no longer of any value.

Finally, Li Chang’an casually sent a strand of Sword Qi from his finger, piercing through Chu Mu’s forehead.

“You…”

Chu Mu’s whole body trembled, and he slowly collapsed.

A moment later, a raging fire flared up, consuming his corpse.

…

「Noon.」

Li Chang’an returned to his room.

He took out the many Spirit Medicines he had obtained from Chu Mu’s Storage Pouch and began to concoct the medicinal liquid for the next stage of his Body Refinement.

As for Zheng Lingfeng, he had instructed Dahuang to keep a constant watch on him.

「Three days passed quickly.」

During this time, everything in the Marketplace was as usual.

No one even noticed that Chu Mu had disappeared.

After all, very few Cultivators were like Li Chang’an, who stayed behind closed doors all day. Most went out frequently, either to hunt Demon Beasts or to explore for treasure.

It was normal for them to be gone for months at a time.

…

「That evening.」

Zheng Lingfeng left the Hundred Affairs Hall and arrived outside Chu Mu’s residence.

’Three days have passed. Li Chang’an should have realized he’s been poisoned by now, right?’

He was a little puzzled.

’Why hasn’t Chu Mu reported back with any new information?’

“Daoist Chu, are you home?”

Zheng Lingfeng knocked on the door.

But even after a long while, there was no response.

Finding it strange, he had no choice but to turn and leave.

「The next few days.」

Zheng Lingfeng came by almost every day, but there was never any sign of Chu Mu.

’Could Chu Mu be dead? Why didn’t he even leave a message?’

Zheng Lingfeng’s brows furrowed tightly.

He glanced in the direction of Li Chang’an’s residence, feeling increasingly bewildered.

…

「Before he knew it, a month had passed.」

Li Chang’an had completed this stage of his Body Refinement, and his physique had grown much stronger.

The period was relatively peaceful, and no one disturbed him.

He released a Puppet and controlled it to attack himself.

This Puppet was stronger than the previous Spider Puppet, roughly equivalent to a Qi Refining Second Layer Cultivator, but it still couldn’t break through the defense of Li Chang’an’s body.

’My current physique can withstand the attacks of a Qi Refining Second Layer cultivator.’

A smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips, and he was thoroughly satisfied.

The goal for the next stage was to withstand the attacks of a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator.

’The medicinal liquid for the next stage requires even more Spirit Medicines and Demon Beast Essence Blood. I still haven’t gathered a few key treasures, so I’ll have to find someone to trade with.’

Li Chang’an immediately went to consult with Luo Kun.

Soon, Luo Kun informed him about a source for the key treasures.

“Daoist Li, the treasures you need can be traded for with Daoist Chen.”

“Which Daoist Chen?”

“Chen Qianya, Senior Chen Yuanshan’s daughter.”

At this point, Luo Kun let out a sly chuckle, a peculiar expression once again appearing on his old face.