Eternal Life by Daily Divination

However, this was a gift from the Zi Xi Saintess to Li Chang’an, and no one had the audacity to seize it.

Li Chang’an accepted the Purple Spirit Pill at once, cupping his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Saintess!"

He could tell that Zi Xi believed his potential was spent and that the Early Stage of Golden Core was his limit.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gifted him this Purple Spirit Pill to give him a chance to break through to the Middle Stage of Golden Core.

"Train well. Do not slack."

Leaving him with only those words, Zi Xi said no more and piloted her Flying Ship into the distance.

Everyone present cupped their hands in farewell.

Once Zi Xi was a good distance away, many of the Golden Core Cultivators hurriedly sent Sound Transmissions to Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, are you willing to sell this Purple Spirit Pill?"

"Daoist Li, I am willing to offer 150,000 Middle Grade Spirit Stones for that Purple Spirit Pill."

"Daoist Li..."

Faced with the opportunity for a Tier Breakthrough, no one could restrain themselves. They all feared Li Chang’an would sell the Spirit Pill to an outsider.

In response to their inquiries, Li Chang’an gave a uniform reply: "Fellow Daoists, my innate talent is poor. I may yet need this Purple Spirit Pill in the future, so I have no intention of selling it for now. My sincerest apologies."

Hearing this, the others were not disappointed.

As long as the pill remained in Li Chang’an’s possession and hadn’t been sold, they still had a chance.

Next, the topic of discussion shifted from the Purple Spirit Pill to Li Chang’an himself.

Gu Qinghong spoke up. "Daoist Li, while Changqing Mountain’s Spirit Vein has become a Tier Three Spirit Vein, it is ultimately temporary. Cultivating here long-term will be detrimental to your future path."

He didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the heart of Li Chang’an’s current predicament.

He lacked a true Tier Three Spirit Vein!

Without a Tier Three Spirit Vein to cultivate on, his progress would inevitably be hindered.

Gu Qinghong smiled. "As it happens, my Cyan Cloud Sect has quite a few available Tier Three Cave Mansions. Several of them even have Spiritual Power reaching Tier Three Top Grade. Daoist Li, you and my Cyan Cloud Sect share a fated connection..."

"Gu the Ghost, what fated connection could Daoist Li possibly have with your Cyan Cloud Sect?"

Xiong Yan of the Red Flame Sect abruptly cut in, interrupting Gu Qinghong.

He said bluntly, "Back then, after countless hardships, Daoist Li finally made it to your Cyan Cloud Sect’s Mountain Gate, only to be turned away by those blind fools in your sect. We all know what happened!"

"Well said!"

He Xiangfeng of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect also chimed in at this moment.

"Gu the Ghost, your fated connection was severed the moment your Cyan Cloud Sect rejected Daoist Li!"

Hearing their words, Gu Qinghong’s expression instantly soured.

Looking back, that Immortal Sect entrance test was now an absolute joke.

From now on, whenever outsiders mentioned the Cyan Cloud Sect, they would bring up Li Chang’an’s rejection and mock the sect for being blind to talent.

If this continued, it would likely affect the Cyan Cloud Sect’s ability to recruit new disciples.

"Sigh..."

Gu Qinghong let out a sigh.

He knew this was an unavoidable topic.

Under the watchful eyes of all present, he suddenly gave Li Chang’an a deep bow to express his apology.

"Daoist Li, regarding what happened back then, the Cyan Cloud Sect was in the wrong."

Gu Qinghong’s gesture truly stunned everyone present.

He was a cultivator at the Late Stage of Golden Core, renowned for several hundred years. Very few in the entire Southern Domain were stronger than him.

Yet now, he was apologizing to Li Chang’an, who was only at the Early Stage of Golden Core.

Li Chang’an immediately stepped aside to avoid the bow.

"Daoist Gu, you honor me too much."

He rushed to help Gu Qinghong up. In his mind, the Cyan Cloud Sect had not been at fault back then.

According to the sect’s rules, Li Chang’an’s talent had indeed been insufficient to enter an Immortal Sect.

Had it been the Red Flame Sect or the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, the result would have been no different; they would have rejected him all the same.

Only some minor Foundation Establishment or Qi Refining sects would have been able to accept him.

Gu Qinghong sighed and said, "Perhaps you are unaware, Daoist Li, but the Cyan Cloud Sect’s old rules were indeed too rigid. They have long since been changed."

Li Chang’an had already heard about this.

Now, even those who were older or had poorer Spiritual Roots had a chance of entering the Cyan Cloud Sect.

The Cyan Cloud Sect had made this change, of course, out of fear of missing another Li Chang’an or Ye Hao.

He Xiangfeng chuckled. "So what if you’ve changed the rules? Daoist Li is still not a member of your Cyan Cloud Sect! Daoist Li, I hear you’re also skilled in the Sword Dao, which makes you a perfect fit for my Ten Thousand Swords Sect!"

"That’s preposterous! Daoist Li is clearly skilled in Alchemy. My Red Flame Sect possesses a vein of Tier Three Earth Fire, which would be perfect for your Alchemy."

Xiong Yan spoke up, refuting He Xiangfeng’s claim.

At the same time, he secretly sent a Sound Transmission, promising numerous treasures if Li Chang’an would join the Red Flame Sect.

The Red Flame Sect was simply too weak at the moment.

The past war between the three sects had left them with only four Golden Core Cultivators.

They desperately needed more Golden Core Cultivators to uphold the sect’s reputation.

Just then, a soft chuckle was heard.

"Speaking of Alchemy, Daoist Li is naturally a better fit for my Xiao Family."

Xiao Yiyue stepped forward. She wore a green gown, her figure slender and graceful, and she carried the faint, clean scent of Elixir Pills.

Her eyes were bright and captivating as she said gently, "Daoist Li, you have truly surprised me. I had assumed you would never reach Core Formation in this lifetime. I never thought you were hiding so much ability."

"I had no choice but to hide my abilities."

Li Chang’an replied with a simple smile.

He neither accepted nor rejected the invitations from the Three Great Sects and the Xiao Family.

They were in no hurry, simply asking Li Chang’an to consider their offers carefully.

After that, the Jin, Zhang, and Mu Families, among others, also extended their invitations one after another.

The offer from the Mu Family Ancestor, Mu Song, was especially astonishing.

"Daoist Li, if you agree to become the Mu Family’s Honored Guest Elder, all of our family’s cultivation resources will be at your disposal. After I die, you will be the next Mu Family Ancestor."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an fell silent for a moment.

He looked at the increasingly gaunt Mu Song, and a vague suspicion about the truth of the past few years formed in his mind.

"Daoist Mu, please allow me to consider this matter."

"Very well."

Mu Song said no more, turning to leave. His departing figure was somewhat stooped.

All the Golden Core Cultivators present could sense the aura of decay around him growing stronger. His lifespan was nearly gone; soon, he would walk the Reincarnation Path.

After he left, Mo Qingxue sent a Sound Transmission to Li Chang’an. "Li Chang’an, why didn’t you undergo your Core Formation with the Mo Family? Don’t tell me Changqing Mountain is safer than our home?"

Li Chang’an replied, "Daoist Mo, there are complicated circumstances that I am not at liberty to discuss."

"You’ve already reached Core Formation. Can we still not be honest with each other?"

Mo Qingxue’s eyes were clear and bright as she gave him a deep look.

Before Li Chang’an could respond, she spoke again. "If you’re willing to become the Mo Family’s Honored Guest Elder, you will be half a master of the Mo Family from now on."

Her words were incredibly direct, and their implication was obvious.

But Li Chang’an merely stated that he needed to consider it.

After dealing with the invitations from all sides, Li Chang’an announced that he would hold a Core Formation Ceremony in three months.

The various Golden Core Influences all promised to arrive on time, and then they departed one after another.

As for the many Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment Influences, Li Chang’an only granted them a brief audience.

Many wished to pledge allegiance to Changqing Mountain and become one of his subordinate powers, but he refused them all and sent them away.

After everyone had departed, peace gradually returned to Changqing Mountain.

’Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Li Chang’an rubbed his temples, enjoying the brief moment of calm.

「That night.」

He transformed into a streak of light and departed from Changqing Mountain.

Before long, he arrived in a small Mortal Country and landed upon a hill.

On the hill stood two low grave mounds.

The name "Chen Huilan" was carved on one of the headstones.

She was the master who had guided Su Yuyan onto the path of cultivation, and she had helped Li Chang’an on numerous occasions.

Li Chang’an’s talent was so poor that, throughout his journey, he had almost never been valued by anyone.

But Chen Huilan was an exception.

She had once told Li Chang’an that if he ever succeeded in forming his core, he had to come to her grave and let her know.

The night was dark, and a gentle breeze swept across the hill.

Li Chang’an stood before her grave and let out a wistful sigh.

"Elder Chen, I’ve reached Core Formation."