Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Before long, the cave residence was filled with the foul stench of blood and bitterness.

Li Chang’an stepped into the medicinal bath.

Almost instantly, he felt a pain akin to being sliced by a thousand knives.

He frowned slightly, but he quickly adapted to the pain.

’At my current pace, my Body Refinement will break through to Tier Three in about two more years.’

At that time, Li Chang’an could officially attempt his breakthrough to Core Formation.

He wouldn’t need to spare any energy for the Physical Body Barrier or the Divine Sense Barrier. He would only need to focus wholeheartedly on the step of condensing his Magical Power, using all his strength to form an Immortal Golden Core.

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

During this year, Li Chang’an spent most of his energy on breaking through to Tier Three Body Refinement.

He would often spare some focus to control a few Golden Core Puppets on the Two Realms Battlefield, dealing with the Golden Core Cultivators from the Western Domain.

No matter what, before he reached Core Formation, he had to keep the Western Cultivators out of the Southern Domain’s heartland.

Otherwise, he feared he wouldn’t be able to achieve Core Formation in peace.

Additionally, he frequently monitored the movements of the various Cultivators from the Purple Mist Sect.

News of Liu Xuanfeng’s Spirit Beast being killed had long since spread throughout the Southern Domain.

Everyone wanted to know just who was bold enough to dare attack a Spirit Beast from the Purple Mist Sect.

However, the matter remained unresolved.

「Late one night.」

Li Chang’an lay in the medicinal bath, reading through ancient texts to distract himself from the pain.

Just after Midnight.

A golden light appeared as usual.

[The Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination · Peaceful Trigram]

[Liu Xuanfeng suspects you killed the Ink-Scaled Earth Dragon and has asked several Golden Core Masters from the Purple Mist Sect to besiege Changqing Mountain, but they will soon be stopped by the Zi Xi Saintess, who will learn of the plot.]

’A Peaceful Trigram.’

Li Chang’an read the contents of the Divination, his expression remaining calm.

’Since the Zi Xi Saintess will intervene, there’s nothing to worry about. After all, she has a Nascent Soul True Monarch backing her.’

...

「The next day, around noon.」

Just as the Divination had predicted.

Liu Xuanfeng appeared with five Golden Core Masters in tow. They didn’t waste any words and attacked directly.

Five streams of Golden Core Magical Power descended from the sky, heavily bombarding Changqing Mountain. They were attempting to shatter the Changqing Mountain Grand Array with brute force.

However, this mighty attack landed on Changqing Mountain without causing the slightest ripple.

”The Tier of this Array is higher than we thought.”

”However, Changqing Mountain’s Spirit Vein is only Tier Two. Maintaining a Tier Three Array long-term requires a massive amount of Spirit Stones. That Li Chang’an is merely at Foundation Establishment; he can’t possibly last long,” a Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator from the Purple Mist Sect suggested. ”We should attack continuously to deplete his supply of Spirit Stones. If the five of us take turns, we’ll eventually exhaust his supply and the Array will collapse.”

But just as they were preparing to act,

a cold, clear voice rang out from the distant horizon.

”Several Core Formation Masters, ganging up on a Foundation Establishment junior. Are you all trying to bring shame upon our Purple Mist Sect?”

Hearing this, the expressions of Liu Xuanfeng and the five Golden Core Masters changed in unison.

The speaker was none other than the Zi Xi Saintess.

They could tell from her tone that Zi Xi was extremely displeased with their actions.

”Saintess, please calm your anger.”

With no other choice, they could only retreat.

「After they were far from Changqing Mountain.」

Liu Xuanfeng’s expression was grim. ”The Saintess wants to protect that Li Chang’an,” he asked. ”Do any of you have a good solution?”

The Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator shook his head. ”This matter cannot be rushed. We need a long-term plan.”

”But I don’t have much time.”

Liu Xuanfeng was resentful. He could no longer stay in the Southern Domain and had to return to the Purple Mist Sect for his Core Formation.

His rivals within the Sect were also achieving Core Formation one after another, and they would likely cause him trouble.

Once he went back, there was no telling when he could return to the Southern Domain.

”Uncle Wang, after I leave, I must ask you to find an opportunity to take down this Li Chang’an!”

Liu Xuanfeng looked at the Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivator.

This man’s name was Wang Xiao. His strength was considerable; though only at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, he had the means to barely hold his own against a Late Stage Golden Core Cultivator.

He nodded. ”Alright. Xuanfeng, you go back and focus on your Core Formation. Don’t worry about matters in the Southern Domain. I will deliver that Li Chang’an to you as soon as possible!”

Hearing this, Liu Xuanfeng felt somewhat relieved.

He glanced back at Changqing Mountain, his eyes filled with killing intent.

...

「Meanwhile.」

On Changqing Mountain Peak, inside the courtyard.

Li Chang’an took out his best Tier Three Spirit Tea to serve the Saintess, Zi Xi.

Zi Xi’s eyes were clear. She glanced at the Spirit Tea but did not pick up the cup, as she wore a veil and did not wish for Li Chang’an to see her true face.

”Li Chang’an, that Earth Dragon of Liu Xuanfeng’s... was it you who killed it?”

Hearing this, Li Chang’an forced a wry smile.

He shook his head. ”Saintess, I am merely at Foundation Establishment. How could I possibly have the ability to kill a Tier Three Demon King? You truly overestimate me.”

”It doesn’t matter. If you really did kill it, that is a testament to your ability. I will not pursue the matter.”

Zi Xi’s words made her attitude clear.

For a mere Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an to contend with a Celestial Pride from the Purple Mist Sect like Liu Xuanfeng for so long was indeed a mark of his skill.

Having said her piece, she did not linger. She transformed into a streak of light and departed, leaving only a faint fragrance to slowly dissipate in her wake.

Li Chang’an returned to his cave residence and continued to temper his physical body.

Before long, he received a piece of news.

Liu Xuanfeng had left the Southern Domain and returned to the Purple Mist Sect to prepare for his Core Formation.

Li Chang’an mused, ’I might gain a Saint Child as an enemy. However, that’s a problem for the future. For now, I just need to focus on planning for my Core Formation.’

「A few more days passed.」

A new piece of information was delivered to Changqing Mountain.

Li Chang’an’s spirits lifted when he saw the news.

”Wang Xiao, a Golden Core Cultivator from the Purple Mist Sect, has discovered a Thousand-Year-old White Jade Ganoderma within an Ancient Sect Secret Realm!”

This Thousand-Year-old White Jade Ganoderma was the exact top-tier Treasure needed for refining the Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill.

Its effects were far superior to those of a Tier Three Demon Pill!