Eternal Life by Daily Divination

He summoned all the Golden Core Masters he trusted for a meeting.

Including Cyan Snake Master, there were thirteen Golden Core Cultivators in total. Most of them came from other Golden Core powers in the Western Domain, but they had all been cultivating in Shi Hu Immortal City for many years.

However, Xue Lin was not among them.

The man seemed to have integrated into the Western Cultivation Realm, but people were still wary of him.

After all, someone who has betrayed once could easily do so a second time.

Who was to say he wouldn’t betray the Western Domain and return to the Southern Domain?

"Gentlemen, this matter is of the utmost importance. Under no circumstances are you to tell any outsiders, especially not Xue Lin. I know you’ve all been in close contact with him over the years."

"Rest assured, Daoist Shi Hu. We only deal with him for his Tier Three Spirit Plants."

"Indeed. Xue Lin is just an outsider. We’ve never trusted him..."

Everyone spoke up, assuring him they would not leak the information.

Shi Hu Master was somewhat reassured by this.

They had fought side-by-side for many years, and leaks were rare.

Little did he know.

All thirteen of these Golden Core Cultivators were already Li Chang’an’s Puppets.

Li Chang’an divided his focus, controlling the thirteen Golden Core Masters as they discussed the details of the attack on Changqing Mountain with Shi Hu.

"Changqing Mountain is deep in the heart of the Southern Domain. We have to move fast. Kill Li Chang’an and get out immediately. We won’t have time to kill the other cultivators on Changqing Mountain."

"If we’re too slow, we risk getting bogged down by other Golden Core Masters from the Southern Domain arriving as reinforcements."

After some discussion, it was late into the night.

Before they knew it, it was Midnight.

As usual, a golden light appeared before Li Chang’an.

[Divination Refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[By controlling thirteen Golden Core Puppets, you will ambush an unsuspecting Shi Hu Master, killing him instantly. You will find the key to the Ancient Wood Sect’s estate in his Storage Pouch.]

’An Auspicious Trigram. Not bad.’

Li Chang’an relaxed.

’An auspicious divination meant there shouldn’t be too many complications.’

...

Not long after, Shi Hu Master and the group of Golden Core Cultivators left Shi Hu Immortal City under the cover of night.

Using a Quasi-Tier Four Treasure that concealed their auras, they slipped into the contested region between the Two Domains without being detected.

The ordinary Cultivators in Shi Hu Immortal City all believed the Golden Core Masters were still within the city walls.

The various Golden Core powers of the Southern Domain also noticed nothing amiss.

’This trip is going smoothly so far.’

Shi Hu Master’s gaze turned icy as he stared deep into the Southern Domain.

’Li Chang’an, after today, your head and all your fortunes will be mine!’

He piloted the Concealing Treasure deeper, about to leave the contested region between the Two Domains and enter the heart of the Southern Domain.

But just then, disaster struck!

With a steady expression, Li Chang’an fully activated his Wood Seed Technique, controlling Cyan Snake Master and the other twelve Golden Core Puppets to strike at Shi Hu Master in unison.

In an instant, a cold gleam illuminated the night sky.

Li Chang’an had made thorough preparations to ensure his success.

Long before, he had spared no expense to collect vast quantities of Artifact Refining Materials, forging thirteen Tier Three Top Grade Assassination Treasures of the highest quality.

Waves of astonishing killing intent surged through the darkness, and the attacks struck Shi Hu Master in an instant.

Shi Hu Master’s guard was down against these thirteen Golden Core Masters, men with whom he had fought side-by-side for years.

At that moment, his mind was still on the plan to attack Changqing Mountain.

’This is bad!’

By the time he reacted, it was already too late.

BOOM!

Shi Hu Master’s head instantly exploded, reduced to a spray of gore and shattered bone.

In the same instant, his body blew apart, the pieces scattering to the winds.

At the same time, the Tier Three Late Stage Shi Hu Demon King he had nurtured let out a mournful wail and perished along with its master.

’It worked!’

Overjoyed, Li Chang’an immediately employed a Soul Summoning technique.

The next instant, Shi Hu Master’s Soul appeared beside his shattered remains.

His face was contorted with rage and disbelief as he pointed at the group and demanded to know.

"You... Why did you attack me?"

He couldn’t bring himself to believe that these comrades, men he had known for so many years, would conspire to attack him in unison.

Li Chang’an didn’t answer, simply absorbing the soul into the Venerable Soul Banner.

He knew that Huang Sha True Monarch would soon sense Shi Hu Master’s death.

’I have to grab the objective of this mission and get far away from here before he arrives.’

"Come!"

Using Cyan Snake Master’s body, Li Chang’an raised a hand, and with a beckoning motion, pulled Shi Hu Master’s Storage Pouch into his grasp.

He wiped away the restriction on the Storage Pouch and opened it, intending to find the key.

However, in that very instant, a piercing beam of sword light shot out from the Storage Pouch. Carrying an unimaginable, terrifying power, it instantly shredded Cyan Snake Master into a mist of blood.

Li Chang’an didn’t even have time to react before the beam of sword light flew back into the Storage Pouch.

THUD.

The Storage Pouch fell to the ground.

This sudden turn of events caught Li Chang’an completely by surprise.

He had never imagined that Shi Hu Master’s Storage Pouch would contain a Treasure that could attack on its own.

The beam of sword light had been terrifying. The mere memory of it made his heart pound in his chest. It was definitely not Golden Core Power.

’Nascent Soul Power!’

Li Chang’an’s expression grew grave as he stared at the Storage Pouch on the ground.

He was almost certain that the beam of sword light from the Storage Pouch was comparable to a full-power strike from a Nascent Soul.

Presumably, if anyone other than Shi Hu Master themselves were to force the Storage Pouch open, they would be met with that same attack.

Anyone else, even if they had managed to kill Shi Hu Master, would have likely fallen to that attack, ending up in a mutual demise.

’As expected of a Nascent Soul Disciple, to possess such a Treasure.’