Chapter 873 - 388: Mutual Pretense, Spirit Vein Upgrade

Li Chang’an had once traded with the Vermilion Bird Sect, exchanging a massive Fire Cloud Crystal for three Life-Extending Treasures.

Among them was a Thousand-Year Fruit.

Ordinary Cultivators and Demon Beasts could only consume one; a second would have no effect.

But Li Chang’an was different.

Due to the unique properties of the Ancient Wood Evergreen Technique, even if he ate a second Thousand-Year Fruit, he could still reap its life-extending benefits, albeit with diminished effects.

"Ye Qiuling most likely has a complete Thousand-Year Fruit in her possession," Li Chang’an thought to himself as he handed the jade bottle back.

He explained with a smile, "I am a Honored Guest Elder of the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty, and I once saw a Thousand-Year Fruit in their Treasure Vault. However, the exchange requirements were too steep; only a Nascent Soul True Monarch could meet them."

"I see."

Ye Qiuling immediately understood.

She had investigated Li Chang’an and knew of his status as a Honored Guest Elder of the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty.

"Does Daoist Li know where I obtained this aura of the Thousand-Year Fruit?"

"Please enlighten me, Daoist Liang."

Li Chang’an brought out premium Spirit Tea and pastries, hosting her with a smile.

Ye Qiuling recounted, "A few days ago, in my search for Life-Extending Treasures, I ventured into an Ancient Ruins Secret Realm. There, I unexpectedly stumbled upon a Spirit Medicine Garden belonging to an Ancient Sect. It was protected by a Quasi-Tier Four Array. Although the array was damaged, I couldn’t break through it."

Saying this, she held up the Small Jade Bottle.

"The aura inside this jade bottle is exactly what leaked from the cracks in that array."

"If that’s the case, why did Daoist Liang come to me instead of seeking out an Array Master from the Cyan Cloud Sect?"

"The Array Masters of the Cyan Cloud Sect have all gone to the Northern Domain."

Ye Qiuling provided a very reasonable explanation.

She explained that she invited Li Chang’an because he had once controlled the Tier Three Top Grade Array of Yellow Crane Immortal City.

At the time, Li Chang’an had claimed he received help from a friend.

Many years had passed since then. Everyone now knew that this supposed "friend" was none other than himself.

"Daoist Li, back then you were already a Tier Three Top Grade Array Master. Your talent in the Dao of Arrays is truly exceptional. I wager you’re not far from becoming a Tier Four Array Master now, right?"

"Haha, Daoist Liang overestimates me. How could a Tier Four Skill be so easily achieved?"

Li Chang’an chuckled, stating that he was only a Quasi-Tier Four Array Master and still far from crossing the threshold of Tier Four.

This exact tier, however, was perfectly suited to break the array of the Spirit Medicine Garden Ye Qiuling had mentioned. Therefore, she issued a direct invitation.

"Daoist Li, that medicine garden is filled with numerous Spirit Medicines; there should be more than one Thousand-Year Fruit. Would you be willing to come take a look with me?"

"Naturally, I want to go, but my body won’t allow it."

"Why is that?" Ye Qiuling was somewhat surprised and immediately asked.

Li Chang’an explained, "Daoist Liang, a few days ago, I was too hasty while practicing Alchemy, which caused my Pill Furnace to explode. I suffered a severe backlash, causing my Spiritual Power to flow in reverse. My Meridians and Dantian sustained significant damage, and I have yet to recover."

"This..."

Ye Qiuling genuinely hadn’t expected to encounter such a situation. Feigning concern, she asked, "Daoist Li, when will you be able to recover?"

"In about a month." Li Chang’an gave a rough estimate.

"A month?"

Ye Qiuling exchanged a glance with Teng Ying.

To them, a month wasn’t too long. They could afford to wait!

As long as they could subdue a Tier Four Array Master to serve as a slave, even waiting several more months would be worth it.

Ye Qiuling immediately said, "Daoist Li, then I shall come find you in a month’s time. I will go on ahead to the Spirit Medicine Garden to make some arrangements, just in case it gets discovered by outsiders."

"Alright, take care, Daoist Liang."

Li Chang’an cupped his hands, escorting her out of Changqing Mountain and watching as she departed into the distance.

During today’s conversation, he hadn’t exposed any flaws; his facade was impeccable. Ye Qiuling also believed she hadn’t exposed any flaws of her own.

With a grand wave of his hand, Li Chang’an sealed the array around Changqing Mountain. Leaving a clone outside, his true body entered the Fire Cloud Secret Realm.

He arrived at the secluded cultivation chamber deep within the Changqing Divine Mountain and recounted to the Ten Thousand Poison Gu the experiences of breaking through and Crossing the Tribulation that he had read about in Ancient Texts.

Of course, no matter how much experience one read about, it could never compare to actual practice.

Although Li Chang’an possessed the strength of a Nascent Soul, it was built upon faith; he had never personally taken the step of Crossing the Tribulation. Whether it would succeed or fail ultimately depended on the Ten Thousand Poison Gu itself.

As the master of the Ten Thousand Poison Gu, he had already done everything he could.

"Alright, maintain your state of mind. If you find your mind constantly turbulent, take the Elixir Pills I refined for you."

"Rest assured, Master, I will definitely succeed!" The Ten Thousand Poison Gu’s tone was resolute, brimming with absolute confidence.

Seeing this, Li Chang’an said no more. He slowly backed away and left the cultivation chamber.

In the past, he could stand guard beside the Ten Thousand Poison Gu while it broke through, but this time was different. When Crossing the Tribulation, if he stood too close, he himself would very likely be dragged into the Celestial Tribulation and Heart Demon Tribulation.

A brief moment later.

With a mere thought, Li Chang’an willed the Original Spirit Flower to bloom.

Rich Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power immediately surged from the depths of the Changqing Divine Mountain, causing the concentration of Spiritual Power on the mountain to climb steadily. In the blink of an eye, it shattered the shackles of Tier Three, reaching an entirely new level.

A Tier Four Spirit Vein!

At this exact moment, all the Cultivators within the Fire Cloud Secret Realm sensed the change and unanimously turned to look toward the Changqing Divine Mountain.

"The concentration of Spiritual Power in this world seems to have increased."

"The Changqing Divine Mountain has become a Tier Four Spirit Vein!"

"The methods of the Divine Lord are truly miraculous. Even if we exhausted our entire lives, we could never compare to him..."

Numerous Divine Emperors hurried to the Changqing Divine Mountain.

Feeling the dense Spiritual Power brought about by the Tier Four Spirit Vein, almost everyone’s face was filled with joy and exhilaration.

Ever since the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty had extracted the Tier Four Spirit Vein, a new Tier Four Spirit Vein had never appeared in the Fire Cloud Secret Realm again. Even those with the highest Cultivation had no choice but to cultivate on Tier Three Spirit Veins.

This was the first time in their lives they had ever experienced a Tier Four Spirit Vein.

With a sweep of his hand, Li Chang’an tossed out over a hundred meditation cushions.

"Since you’re all here, take a seat.

"Over the next month, comprehend this carefully. Perhaps it will assist you in breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm."