Chapter 914 Skills Improvement, Cui Baiying’s Choice

Since then, the two had barely interacted, let alone seen each other.

Li Chang’an truly couldn’t fathom why Cui Baiying would seek him out.

He opened the Array, allowing her to enter Changqing Mountain, and brought out a pot of ordinary Spirit Tea to entertain her.

Then, he got straight to the point. "Daoist Cui, what brings you here today?"

"Daoist Li, I have been in secluded cultivation for the past few years. I only recently learned about what happened at your birthday banquet." Cui Baiying’s voice was gentle, her face apologetic. She had come here today to apologize on behalf of her master, the White Tiger True Monarch.

As a disciple of the White Tiger True Monarch, she understood his character better than anyone.

Despite being a Nascent Soul True Monarch, the White Tiger True Monarch possessed none of the magnanimity expected of an expert. He frequently plundered the opportunities of Golden Core Cultivators from the shadows; his entire path of cultivation was defined by the word "shameless."

Hearing her out, Li Chang’an waved his hand dismissively. "That matter is in the past. I suffered no losses. There was no need for you, Daoist Cui, to make a special trip just for this."

The White Tiger True Monarch was already on his hit list. No matter who came to apologize on his behalf, Li Chang’an’s killing intent would not wane.

Cui Baiying seemed aware of this and did not bring up the White Tiger True Monarch again, simply letting out a soft sigh. Then, she revealed her second reason for visiting.

"Daoist Li, I discovered a grand tomb in the Central Domain, not far from the Thousand Treasures Valley. It is highly likely to be the tomb of a Nascent Soul True Monarch. I wonder if you would be willing to explore it with me and excavate the legacy left by our predecessors?"

"Excavate the legacy left by our predecessors?" Hearing this, Li Chang’an was rendered speechless. Wasn’t that just grave robbing?

The current Cultivation Immortality Realm was too impoverished, leading many to eagerly excavate the tombs of their predecessors. Quite a few people unearthed great treasures, but many more died to the traps within the tombs.

"A Nascent Soul tomb is fraught with Mechanisms. Given our meager strength as Golden Core Cultivators, rashly entering would likely mean near-certain death," Li Chang’an voiced his concerns, not intending to go.

This wasn’t solely because of the dangers within a Nascent Soul tomb, but also because he didn’t trust Cui Baiying.

After all, she was a disciple of the White Tiger True Monarch and shared the same lineage as Cui Baihong.

Li Chang’an had a deep-seated grudge against the White Tiger Lineage. They were already enemies, not friends. Even if he truly needed a companion to rob a tomb, he would never choose Cui Baiying.

However, Cui Baiying’s next words slightly changed his mind.

"Daoist Li, according to the epitaph, the master of that tomb should be a Cultivator of the Ancient Beast Taming Sect." Saying this, she took out a Memory Stone.

The image projected by the Memory Stone displayed that very tomb. The entrance was located beneath a low mountain and looked exceedingly simple. On the tombstone at the entrance, an epitaph detailing his life’s deeds was carved.

Li Chang’an took a brief look. Based on his life’s deeds, the tomb master was indeed a Cultivator of the Ancient Beast Taming Sect.

Both of his parents had been members of the Beast Taming Sect. He had grown up within the sect and harbored deep affection for it, yet he eventually defected. This was solely because his cultivation philosophy conflicted with that of the entire sect.

In the eyes of many within the Beast Taming Sect, the mortals of the world were nothing but beasts to be slaughtered at will. However, he believed this philosophy defied the Righteous Dao. Thus, he betrayed the sect, successfully evaded the pursuit of numerous Nascent Soul experts, and ultimately lived out his life incognito.

"To be able to shake off the pursuit of Nascent Soul Cultivators... no wonder Cui Baiying deduced that the tomb master was also a Nascent Soul expert when he was alive. If this epitaph is true, there might be a complete Tier Four Beast Taming Wheel buried within this Nascent Soul tomb," Li Chang’an pondered inwardly. If he could obtain a complete Tier Four Beast Taming Wheel, he wouldn’t have to painstakingly gather materials to refine one, saving him a tremendous amount of trouble.

"However, there should be quite a few traps inside the tomb. Although I possess Nascent Soul strength, I can’t let my guard down. I should check the Divination first." Li Chang’an quickly made his decision. If the Divination showed no issues, he would go alone.

As he was thinking, Cui Baiying suddenly spoke up. "Daoist Li, I wasn’t the only one who discovered that tomb. A few others found it with me, and they are all seeking helpers."

"In that case, Daoist Cui, why don’t you explore the tomb with them?"

"Their strength is mediocre, and their Treasure Hunting Skills are average. They pale in comparison to you, Daoist Li," Cui Baiying said candidly. She always felt that Li Chang’an concealed his depths incredibly well. Back in the Thousand Treasures Valley, she likely hadn’t lost to Wang Qianling, but rather to Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, if you are willing to accompany me to explore the tomb, I can gift this to you as remuneration for the trip." Saying so, she retrieved a Crystal Bottle from her Storage Pouch. Inside the bottle was a clump of fiery-red Essence Blood.

"This is Tier Four Flame Profound Eagle Essence Blood. Might Daoist Li have a use for it?"

"Tier Four Essence Blood?" Li Chang’an pondered. If he wanted to break through to Tier Four Body Refinement, he not only needed Tier Four Dragon Beast Essence Blood but also other Tier Four Demon Beast Essence Blood for assistance. This item was indeed useful to him.

"Daoist Cui, allow me a moment to consider." Li Chang’an feigned deep thought, but he was actually waiting for his Divination to refresh.

At Midnight that night, a beam of golden light surfaced before his eyes.

[Divination Refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[You enter the tomb of a Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Ancient Beast Taming Sect. Aided by your Tier Four Beast Taming Skills, you encounter no dangers within the tomb and obtain numerous Treasures, including "Beast Blood Gold".]

"Beast Blood Gold?" Li Chang’an’s heart stirred. This item was also a Treasure required for refining the Beast Taming Wheel.

He had initially planned to use a substitute, but since it was in the Nascent Soul tomb, it perfectly saved him the hassle. He just needed to go to the tomb and take it. After all, the Divination indicated he wouldn’t face any danger.

He immediately agreed to Cui Baiying’s proposal. "Daoist Cui, I’ll go with you."

"Excellent. Daoist Li, follow me." Cui Baiying smiled, her tone gentle as she led the way for Li Chang’an.

A few days later, the two arrived at the Central Domain and stopped before the grand tomb.

Over a dozen Cultivators were already gathered there. All of them were Holy Sons and Saintesses from major Nascent Soul Influences, and several were acquaintances of Li Chang’an.

"Liu Xuanfeng, Cui Yan, Lin Baizhi, and the disciple of the Holy Fire True Monarch..." Li Chang’an’s gaze swept over the crowd, pausing on one person in particular.

This person was Lin Zhuoran, the disciple of the Holy Fire True Monarch. Following the commotion at Li Chang’an’s birthday banquet, Lin Zhuoran had publicly declared that Li Chang’an was a Demonic spy.

"This Lin Zhuoran probably doesn’t know that his master is the real Demonic spy," Li Chang’an thought to himself. Of course, it was also possible that he did know and had already defected to the Demon Sect.

Lin Zhuoran and the others were highly surprised by Li Chang’an’s arrival. They knew Cui Baiying had gone to fetch someone, but they hadn’t expected her to invite Li Chang’an.

"Senior Sister, why did you invite this Li Chang’an?" Cui Yan frowned. He, too, was a disciple of the White Tiger Lineage. Unlike Cui Baiying, he always stood firmly on the White Tiger True Monarch’s side and didn’t believe their master had done anything wrong. In his eyes, Li Chang’an was an enemy, not a friend.

Lin Zhuoran and Liu Xuanfeng also glared at Li Chang’an with undisguised hostility; none of them looked pleased.

"Daoist Cui, are you aware that this Li Chang’an is suspected of colluding with the Demonic path?"

"The tomb is fraught with peril. How can we explore it alongside this person?"

"..."

The group made no attempt to conceal their animosity toward Li Chang’an.

They explicitly stated right then and there that if Cui Baiying insisted on bringing Li Chang’an along, they would have to exclude her as well. In other words, Cui Baiying had to choose. She could either go with them or go with Li Chang’an.

All of them possessed considerable strength and unique methods; teaming up would make it much easier to obtain Treasures. However, to their utter astonishment, Cui Baiying still chose Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, let’s head straight in. There’s no need to pay these people any mind."