Eternal Life by Daily Divination

’The divination from all those years ago indicated he was most likely a Nascent Soul True Monarch. I can’t afford to be disrespectful!’

Jiang Xuanyuan picked up the Spirit Tea and smiled. "Li, your skills are quite impressive. Though you’re only at Foundation Establishment, you’ve killed who knows how many Golden Core Cultivators, and you can casually bring out such fine tea."

"I’ve just had a few fortunate encounters, nothing that would impress an elder such as yourself."

Li Chang’an was being very modest. He certainly didn’t want this Nascent Soul expert to take an interest in his opportunities.

Even though the man was Jiang Muyu’s father, he was ultimately still a stranger.

He immediately changed the subject.

"Elder, you are a venerable Nascent Soul True Monarch. Why did you not appear for so many years, leaving Muyu to fend for herself?"

"This matter... sigh, it’s a long story."

Jiang Xuanyuan sighed softly, set down his teacup, and began to explain slowly.

He was not from the Southern Domain, but a Cultivator from the Eastern Domain.

The entire Eastern Domain was under the jurisdiction of a single Nascent Soul Influence.

The Great Qi Immortal Dynasty!

He had been a War General for the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty. After accumulating numerous military merits, he was ennobled as a Marquis by the Immortal Dynasty, a station above ten thousand men.

At the time, he already had a Golden Core Peak Cultivation and was not far from the Nascent Soul realm.

With such cultivation and status, his children should never have ended up wandering the mortal world.

However, Jiang Muyu’s mother had an unusual identity.

"Her mother was a Great Qi Princess. She was supposed to be wed to the Northern Plains Royal Family, but she became my Daoist partner instead, and we secretly had her and her brother."

"I see."

Li Chang’an instantly understood.

The Northern Plains Royal Family was also a Nascent Soul Influence.

The marriage alliance between two great Nascent Soul Influences should have been a joyous occasion, but it was ruined by Jiang Xuanyuan, who was only a Golden Core Cultivator at the time.

After the affair was exposed, Jiang Xuanyuan was stripped of his title as Marquis and hunted by the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty.

Left with no choice, he fled into the depths of a Secret Realm, using its perilous terrain to evade his pursuers.

In the years since, Jiang Xuanyuan had faced countless near-death experiences within the Secret Realm. He unexpectedly obtained an opportunity for Nascent Soul Formation and, against all odds, successfully formed his Nascent Soul.

Now, as a Nascent Soul True Monarch, he had earned the recognition of the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty.

The Great Qi Immortal Dynasty had publicly apologized for the events of the past and restored the status of Jiang Muyu’s mother.

In other words, Jiang Muyu was now a member of the Great Qi Royal Family.

The reason she had ended up wandering the mortal world was also because of the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty’s pursuit.

The Cultivators tasked with protecting her and her brother had almost all perished during the escape. In the end, they had no choice but to send the siblings to the Mortal Realm, using its worldly qi to conceal their auras.

’Muyu’s background is so complicated.’

Li Chang’an felt a surge of relief. Thankfully, he had never revealed Jiang Muyu’s true origins to anyone.

If a behemoth like the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty had set its sights on him, his humble self wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Jiang Xuanyuan spoke gently, "Li, thank you for taking care of Muyu all these years. I would like to know what her life has been like."

"Of course, Elder. Please, listen to my tale..."

Li Chang’an recounted the story in detail.

His telling lasted for several days.

「Meanwhile.」

The news of the Western Domain’s Golden Core Cultivators attacking Changqing Mountain had already spread throughout the Two Domains.

At first, seeing no activity from Changqing Mountain, outsiders assumed that Li Chang’an had saved his own life by offering up some kind of Treasure.

But soon, a shocking piece of news came from Mandarin Duck Valley.

The Soul Lamp of Golden Core Master Fan Wei.

Had been extinguished!

When the news spread, it sent shockwaves through all parties.

"That Li the Turtle is actually that powerful? Killing a Golden Core Cultivator as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?"

"I heard the Array on Changqing Mountain is a Tier Three Grand Array. He most likely used the power of the Array."

"Regardless, the matter is true..."

「Over the next few days.」

A constant stream of visitors came to Changqing Mountain.

But Li Chang’an turned them all away, claiming to be in seclusion.

Because of this, outsiders speculated that although he had killed a Golden Core Cultivator, he had likely suffered severe injuries himself.

...

「At the same time.」

In the Western Domain, within Mandarin Duck Valley, a furious roar echoed.

"Outrageous! How can we let some brat from the Southern Domain make a name for himself by stepping on the reputation of our Mandarin Duck Valley?"

"Everyone, who will go and kill him?"

"Don’t be rash. This kid is strange. That Array of his is likely formidable..."

After some discussion, the remaining Golden Core Masters of Mandarin Duck Valley felt they didn’t have much confidence.

They were afraid that Li Chang’an had more tricks up his sleeve.

In the end, the Valley Lord of Mandarin Duck Valley sighed.

"This boy is an anomaly. We should ask Huang Sha True Monarch to act."

"Good, that’s the safest plan! The kid is only at Foundation Establishment. To die at the hands of a Nascent Soul True Monarch can be considered his honor."

Mandarin Duck Valley immediately contacted the Upper Sect of the entire Western Domain, the Yellow Sand Sect!

This sect, like the Purple Mist Sect, was a Nascent Soul Great Sect with two Nascent Soul True Monarchs presiding over it.

...

「At this moment.」

Inside the courtyard on Changqing Mountain, Li Chang’an was still recounting Jiang Muyu’s experiences over the years to Jiang Xuanyuan.

When he spoke of how Jiang Muyu had nearly failed her Core Formation, Jiang Xuanyuan’s expression clearly changed.

"That child, Muyu... after following you for so many years, she still hasn’t learned any of your caution."

"Elder, Muyu is usually quite cautious, but with the Golden Core Dao right in front of her, few could have resisted..."

Li Chang’an’s voice was steady as he continued his story.

Before he knew it, night had fallen.

He finally finished recounting all of Jiang Muyu’s experiences.

「A while later.」

He and Jiang Xuanyuan went to the mountainside, to the place where Jiang Muyu’s brother had been buried.

Jiang Muyu had tended to the grave well. After so many years, it was not overgrown with weeds.

Jiang Xuanyuan stood before the grave, silent.

After a long time, he spoke.

"Li, are you in any trouble right now?"

"Yes!"

Li Chang’an could tell that Jiang Xuanyuan intended to repay him for taking care of Jiang Muyu all these years.

"Elder, I am preparing for Core Formation, but the Southern Domain is in turmoil. I lack a stable environment."

"That is a simple matter."

Jiang Xuanyuan immediately stated that he would act as a guardian for his Core Formation.

With a Nascent Soul True Monarch as his guardian, the turmoil in the Southern Domain would not affect him. He could undergo Core Formation anywhere.

Just as they were speaking, Jiang Xuanyuan looked up at the night sky. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he vanished in an instant.

When he reappeared, he was already in mid-air, facing a cultivator in yellow robes from a distance.

Jiang Xuanyuan’s expression was cold as he looked at the man.

"Are you Huang Sha True Monarch of the Yellow Sand Sect?"

"I am!"

Huang Sha True Monarch frowned, a trace of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

"And who might you be? Among the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of Zhao Country, there seems to be no one of your description."

"I am Jiang Xuanyuan."

"So it is Daoist Jiang!"

Huang Sha True Monarch understood, recalling the recent events in Qi Country.

He cupped his hands in a salute and asked, "Daoist Jiang, what is your relationship with this Li Chang’an?"

Jiang Xuanyuan said coldly, "He is the descendant of an old friend."

"The descendant of an old friend?"

Huang Sha True Monarch glanced down at Li Chang’an.

The glance was filled with intense killing intent, sending a chill down Li Chang’an’s spine and making him feel as if he were being watched by a venomous snake.

He struggled to remain calm and cupped his hands in a salute toward Huang Sha True Monarch.

"Junior Li Chang’an greets Elder Huang Sha."

"Li Chang’an, someone has hired me to kill you. But since you are the descendant of Daoist Jiang’s old friend, I will spare your life!"

With that, Huang Sha True Monarch transformed into a streak of light and departed.

Although he was powerful, he was unwilling to make an enemy of a cultivator of the same realm over a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Li Chang’an.

And just like that, a deadly tribulation from a Nascent Soul expert was neutralized by Jiang Xuanyuan’s arrival.

However, the parting glance from Huang Sha True Monarch was profound. An ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator would probably never forget that look, brimming with killing intent, for the rest of their life.

He did this, of course, to make Li Chang’an live in constant fear, hoping the pressure of a Nascent Soul’s murderous intent would give rise to a Heart Demon.

However, Li Chang’an’s mentality was remarkably stable.

To him, something like a Heart Demon was simply an impossibility.

Jiang Xuanyuan swept the area with his Nascent Soul Divine Sense, confirmed that Huang Sha True Monarch had left, and slowly descended to Li Chang’an’s side.

He returned to their previous topic.

"Li, when do you plan to undergo Core Formation?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Where do you plan to do it?"

"Right here on Changqing Mountain."

A brilliant light flashed in Li Chang’an’s hand, and the Spiritual Essence Pearl appeared.

He disappeared into the depths of Changqing Mountain and activated the treasure.

In an instant, a dense wave of Spiritual Power spread out from within Changqing Mountain.

The concentration of Spiritual Power on the entire mountain began to climb. After just a few breaths, the Spirit Vein’s grade was temporarily elevated to Tier Three Low Grade.

A Spirit Vein of this caliber was sufficient for Li Chang’an’s Core Formation.

He returned to the surface and saluted Jiang Xuanyuan. "For the next few days, I must trouble you, Elder."

"It’s no trouble. Focus on your Core Formation."

"Yes."

Li Chang’an’s true body was already seated cross-legged deep within his cave residence, slowly regulating his qi.

His eyes were slightly closed. He swallowed a Calm Heart and Peaceful Mind Elixir Pill, cast aside all worldly thoughts, and focused solely on the idea of Core Formation.

About a quarter of an hour later.

He swallowed all the Core Formation Treasures he had prepared in one gulp and officially began his attempt to break through to Core Formation!

As expected, he passed the Body Refinement stage with great ease.

A few hours later, the night receded, and the first light of dawn appeared.

At that moment, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power within a ten-li radius suddenly vanished, forming a massive vortex of Spiritual Power.

"A ten-li Celestial Phenomenon! Someone is undergoing Core Formation!"

Below Changqing Mountain, a wave of astonished gasps and clamor broke out.

News that a Core Formation Celestial Phenomenon had appeared here spread rapidly throughout the entire Southern Domain.