Eternal Life by Daily Divination

He couldn’t gauge Li Chang’an’s exact level of Cultivation.

But he was certain of one thing.

For Li Chang’an to have so easily slain a Celestial Pride like Fan Yunfei, he was most likely not far from Core Formation.

Xiao Haoran reminded him, "If you’re going to attempt Core Formation, you should find a way to kill Xiahou Hong first. I’m worried he has become your Heart Demon, even if you haven’t realized it yourself."

"Him? A Heart Demon?"

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but laugh.

Xiao Haoran’s concern did have some merit.

After all, back at his Foundation Establishment Ceremony, at the height of his glory, he had been suddenly and forcefully humiliated by Xiahou Hong.

Anyone else in his shoes might truly have developed a Heart Demon from the experience.

But Li Chang’an’s mindset was remarkably stable.

"Don’t worry, Daoist Xiao. That man is not enough to become my Heart Demon. After I reach Core Formation, I will slay him openly and honorably!"

"Daoist Li, your stable mindset is truly admirable. I am impressed!"

Hearing Li Chang’an’s confident words, Xiao Haoran dropped the subject of the Heart Demon and turned the conversation to Fan Yunfei.

Countless Cultivators near Changqing Mountain had witnessed Li Chang’an publicly slay Fan Yunfei.

The news was bound to get out.

Xiao Haoran was worried.

He feared that Fan Yunfei’s father, the Golden Core Cultivator from Mandarin Duck Valley, would come to his door seeking revenge against Li Chang’an.

As for this,

Li Chang’an was equally unconcerned.

Fan Yunfei’s father, Fan Wei, was only an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator. If he dared to show up, he would simply be cut down as well!

Before long, Xiao Haoran left Changqing Mountain and returned to the Xiao Family of Dan Valley.

「In the days that followed.」

Just as the two had predicted,

News of Li Chang’an slaying the Celestial Pride gradually spread throughout the Southern and Western Domains.

Upon hearing the news, most people’s first reaction was disbelief.

"Li Chang’an?"

"That old turtle? He actually has that kind of power?"

"Even if he really is that capable, given his personality, why would he take the initiative to kill Fan Yunfei?"

"With how much he clings to life and fears death, it’s a wonder he hasn’t already defected to the Western Domain..."

"..."

Voices of astonishment echoed among the major powers of the Southern Domain and within Black Markets everywhere.

The people of the Western Domain, however, were furious.

「One day.」

Many Western Cultivators saw it.

An imposing figure shot out of Mandarin Duck Valley, transforming into a long streak of light. Brimming with killing intent, it headed straight for Changqing Mountain.

"That’s Fan Yunfei’s father, Fan Wei!"

"He’s definitely going to take that Li Chang’an’s head!"

Just as everyone had predicted.

At dawn the next day,

A terrifying Golden Core aura suddenly descended from the heavens, instantly weighing down upon all of Changqing Mountain.

Immediately after,

A streak of light carrying intense killing intent flew into the array protecting Changqing Mountain.

"A Golden Core is attacking!"

Near Changqing Mountain, countless Cultivators were filled with terror and unease.

Most of them had fled from the west, coming to this region only to escape the war.

But now, someone from the Western Domain had brought the fight here.

"That Changqing Mountain Lord is such a fool. Why did he have to provoke the Western Cultivators?"

"If he had just sided with the Western Domain, we could have settled down in peace under his protection."

"So what if he’s strong? Can he really be a match for a Golden Core Master?"

"..."

Some panicked, while others grumbled in resentment.

They all worried that the fury of that Western Domain Golden Core Master would spread from Li Chang’an to every Cultivator in the region.

However,

A long time passed.

And there was still no further commotion from Changqing Mountain.

"What’s going on? Did they come to an agreement?"

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, completely baffled.

「At that moment.」

「Changqing Mountain Peak.」

Li Chang’an was sitting leisurely in his courtyard.

He held a Storage Pouch in his hands and was taking stock of the Treasures within.

This Storage Pouch, of course, belonged to Fan Wei, the Golden Core Cultivator from the Western Domain who had just attacked.

Li Chang’an had already killed him and scattered his ashes to the wind.

’The Treasures in Fan Wei’s Storage Pouch aren’t that impressive. Most of it is mediocre, nothing surprising.’

He shook his head slightly, a little disappointed.

Just then,

A steady voice suddenly spoke beside his ear.

"You have quite the discerning eye, Li. To think that even the Treasures of a Golden Core Master fail to impress you."

Hearing this voice, Li Chang’an’s heart leaped in shock.

With his current level of power, here in his own stronghold of Changqing Mountain, he had failed to notice someone’s approach.

’The newcomer’s strength must far surpass that of a Golden Core Cultivator!’

At this thought,

He immediately activated the power of his Illusion Array. His true body retreated into the array’s depths while leaving an Illusion behind to maintain his form. Simultaneously, he frantically executed an Escape Technique, burrowing deep into the earth.

At the same time, a dozen or so drops of blood he had left hidden around Changqing Mountain transformed into his likeness, each one releasing his aura to confuse the visitor.

"Oh? Now this is an interesting bit of Magic."

The visitor let out a soft sound of surprise, clearly intrigued by the Blood-Dripping Incarnation technique.

"There is no need to be alarmed, Li. I have no ill intent. I am Muyu’s father. I came here today to thank you for taking care of her all these years."

’Muyu?’

Hearing this, Li Chang’an did not relax his guard.

But he quickly calmed down.

’My earlier Divination didn’t show an Evil Trigram, which means this person truly doesn’t have any malicious intent.’

He sent one of his Blood-Dripping Incarnations into the courtyard to meet the visitor.

The man had a gentle expression and a warm smile. With a full head of gray hair and a simple gray-white robe, he looked like an old scholar from the Mortal Realm.

"Li, my name is Jiang Xuanyuan. I am Muyu’s father."

"Greetings, Elder Jiang."

Li Chang’an clasped his hands in a formal salute.

He noticed the man bore a slight resemblance to Jiang Muyu, which made him trust the stranger a little more.

"Elder Jiang, Muyu is cultivating in another cave dwelling not far from here."

"Li, I’d like to speak with you first. After all, you’re an old friend of mine."

Jiang Xuanyuan said with a smile.

Hearing this, Li Chang’an froze for a moment.

He suddenly recalled that whenever he introduced Jiang Muyu, he would always say she was the child of an old acquaintance.

He never imagined that this "old acquaintance" would actually show up at his door!

"Please, sit, Elder Jiang."

Li Chang’an took out his finest Tier Three Spirit Tea and boiled water from a Spiritual Spring to brew it.