Chapter 880 - 390: Full of Weaknesses, Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower

"The Central Region? Where exactly?"

"That, I don’t know."

The poisonous insect truthfully recounted everything he knew. The Five Poisons Valley had bred more than ten Tier Four poisonous insects like him, all reserved for the final battle. The other sects had made similar preparations. He had a vague feeling that the Demonic faction’s ultimate trump card was the Jile Celestial Sect, the most mysterious of the Five Great Sects.

"The Jile Celestial Sect?" Li Chang’an fell into thought. Since the war began, the other Four Great Demonic Sects had all made their moves, leaving only the Jile Celestial Sect unusually quiet. Let alone a Nascent Soul Old Demon, scarcely even any ordinary disciples had shown themselves.

However, this sect was not to be underestimated. Years ago, Wang Songde had inexplicably fallen by their hands. Before he died, he had warned Li Chang’an to be extremely careful of the cultivators from the Jile Celestial Sect.

Li Chang’an asked the poisonous insect, "Do you know what methods the Jile Celestial Sect employs?"

"I don’t. I haven’t even been to their sect, nor have I ever seen their Nascent Soul Old Demons," the insect replied.

After some questioning, Li Chang’an didn’t gain much valuable information. In the end, he asked about Qian Shi True Monarch as usual.

"Does Qian Shi True Monarch of the Nether Soul Sect have any weaknesses?"

"Weaknesses?" The poisonous insect thought for a moment. "That old fart Qian Shi is almost the weakest Fake Soul in the entire Demonic faction. He’s full of weaknesses from head to toe. If you fight him, defeating him won’t be difficult."

He had an extremely low opinion of Qian Shi True Monarch. The man was simply too weak; there was no need to deliberately search for his weaknesses. As for Qian Shi’s special needs or preferences, the poisonous insect only knew of one.

"He likes a Tier Four Spirit Flower called the ’Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower.’ He once spent a fortune buying it, even going so far as to conflict with a Middle Stage of Nascent Soul Old Demon."

"Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower?" Li Chang’an pondered for a moment and quickly found the description of this spirit flower in his memory. It was especially precious, only growing in extremely cold and yin-rich environments, and emitted a peculiar odor when it bloomed.

According to ancient texts, some cultivators found the smell akin to the stench of rotting corpses, while others considered it the ultimate, rare fragrance of the mortal realm. Because of this, the flower was named "Corpse Fragrance." It could be used for alchemy, as well as for cultivating certain special demon techniques.

After the interrogation ended.

Li Chang’an made a trip to the Black Market and asked Luo Qiantong to help him gather information about this flower.

"This Corpse Fragrance Demon Flower isn’t too rare. It’s appeared several times over the past decade or so, which means it should be easier to find than the Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade. Keep a close eye on the Demonic faction’s side."

He gave a few simple instructions.

Afterward, Li Chang’an did not return to Changqing Mountain but instead went to a mortal realm.

Qianshui Country.

It was already New Year’s Day in the mortal world. In this mortal realm, it was a custom to hang decorative lanterns for the New Year. As far as the eye could see, millions of lights painted a vibrant and dazzling scene.

Li Chang’an entered the Capital City of Qianshui Country, passing through the bustling streets crowded with people. He bought a lantern from a street vendor and stopped before a tall lantern tree. Taking a brush, he wrote the character for "Wang" on the lantern. Then, with a light leap, he reached the very top of the lantern tree and hung it on a branch.

Seeing this, the surrounding crowd burst into cheers.

"Whoa, great martial arts, young hero!"

"With such inner strength, I’m afraid he’s already on par with first-rate masters!"

"Young hero, are you married? I have a daughter at home, just sixteen and yet to be wed..."

"..."

Li Chang’an landed gracefully, smiling as he cupped his hands to the people around him. He had come here today to fulfill Wang Songde’s dying wish.

However, over twenty years had passed. The female knight from back then had likely given up on their agreement after waiting for someone who never came.

As he was thinking, streams of fire suddenly shot into the sky, exploding against the night backdrop and turning into countless brilliant sparks.

BOOM... BOOM...

The dazzling display of fireworks lit up the night sky. The crowd beamed with joy, looking up to admire the rare and beautiful sight. Li Chang’an stood quietly with his hands behind his back amid the bustling crowd, watching until the fireworks faded away.

He was just about to leave when he suddenly noticed a woman making her way through the crowded throng to stand beneath the lantern tree.

Her face was weathered by the years, her skin slightly sallow, and she appeared to be around forty years old. In her arms, she cradled a longsword. As she gazed up at the lantern bearing the character "Wang," a look of pleasant surprise filled her eyes.

She hastily turned her head, scanning the surroundings as if searching for something. But in the end, she found nothing. The joy in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a touch of melancholy.

Li Chang’an neither revealed himself nor said anything; he simply turned and left.

From then on, he would return every year to hang a lantern here.

After leaving Qianshui Country.

Li Chang’an arrived at the Cyan Cloud Region.

Not far from the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Mountain Gate resided the Liang clan, whose ancestor was Liang Chang. At this moment, the Liang family’s estate was awash in white mourning garments, as Liang Chang had mysteriously disappeared, and his soul lamp had extinguished. The Liang family did not have a second Golden Core cultivator; their strongest member was only at the Foundation Establishment Peak. A heavy gloom now loomed over the entire clan’s future.

"Ancestor, have a safe journey," the current Patriarch, Liang Wen’an, said with a somber expression as he gently placed Liang Chang’s memorial tablet deep within the mourning hall.

Just then, he noticed that a figure had silently appeared in the hall. He hurriedly turned around and bowed respectfully.

"This junior, Liang Wen’an, greets Elder Li!"

"Mm." Li Chang’an gave a slight nod and sized him up. This Liang Wen’an had a decent foundation—barely passing as solid—without any hidden injuries or lingering illnesses in his body. Moreover, his reputation in the area was reasonably good.

"Liang Wen’an, do you wish to reach Core Formation?"

Hearing this, Liang Wen’an was overjoyed. He was no fool—otherwise, he could not have taken the position of Patriarch—and immediately understood Li Chang’an’s intent.

"This junior lacks Core Formation treasures. I beg you, Elder, to bestow upon me an opportunity for Core Formation. If I succeed, I will surely repay you doubly."

As soon as he finished speaking, over ten types of Core Formation treasures landed before him.

A few days later.

Liang Wen’an successfully achieved Core Formation, taking over Liang Chang’s position to become a new Elder of the Cyan Cloud Sect.