Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Saying this publicly would have been offensive, so he used Sound Transmission.

Upon hearing this, Zi Xi gave him a cool glance.

Admittedly,

Wu Shuo had a point.

For someone with Li Chang’an’s Low Grade Spirit Root to have cultivated to the Golden Core realm was already quite a feat; every step forward from here would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

That was precisely why she had bestowed that Purple Spirit Pill upon him.

However,

even with the Purple Spirit Pill to aid his Tier Breakthrough,

she still wasn’t optimistic about Li Chang’an’s chances of breaking through to the Middle Stage of Golden Core.

Giving him a Tier Three Low Grade Spirit Vein was indeed a perfect fit; the vein’s tier wouldn’t be wasted on him.

But Zi Xi’s mind was made up. The Spirit Contract was already drafted, and she was unwilling to go back on her word now.

Just then,

Li Chang’an spoke up. "Saintess, I am also an Artifact Refiner. The Earth Fire of this Spirit Vein would be useful to me."

"You’re an Artifact Refiner, too?"

The gazes of Zi Xi, Wu Shuo, and the other Honored Guest Elders focused on him once more.

Wu Shuo asked, "Daoist Li, may I ask what tier you have reached in the art of Artifact Refining?"

He himself was a Tier Three Low Grade Refiner. He had tempered his skills in Artifact Refining for many years and believed that in a few more decades, he had a chance of becoming a Tier Three Middle Grade Artifact Refiner.

If he could get the help of the Earth Fire, he could speed up this process.

In his opinion,

since Li Chang’an had just advanced to Golden Core, his Artifact Refining Techniques were most likely still at Tier Two.

But Li Chang’an’s answer far exceeded his expectations.

"I’m ashamed. I’ve toiled away at Artifact Refining for many years, and my skill has only reached Tier Three Middle Grade, still a long way from Tier Three Top Grade."

"Tier Three Middle Grade?"

Wu Shuo was dumbfounded.

He knew Li Chang’an wouldn’t lie on an occasion like this.

Yet Li Chang’an, who was much younger than him, already possessed Tier Three Middle Grade Artifact Refining Skill.

This meant that Li Chang’an’s talent for Artifact Refining far surpassed his own!

In comparison,

giving the Earth Fire to him would be the real waste.

A Treasure like this should go to an Artifact Refining genius like Li Chang’an!

"D-Daoist Li... could you let me witness it for myself?"

Wu Shuo asked, clinging to a final shred of hope.

Li Chang’an smiled and nodded. "Of course. Daoist Wu, you are my senior and have more experience in Artifact Refining. I was just hoping to ask for your guidance."

Hearing this, Wu Shuo felt a pang of shame, realizing his own character was also far inferior to Li Chang’an’s.

Li Chang’an didn’t seem to give it much thought.

He took out a Forging Furnace and various materials needed for Artifact Refining, and right there in front of everyone, he began to refine a Tier Three Treasure.

In the roaring flames, the materials were smelted one by one into incandescent molten slag.

Li Chang’an focused his full attention, employing his Artifact Refining Techniques and forging with his Magical Power, slowly giving shape to the Magical Treasure he had conceived.

During this time,

no one on the Flying Ship spoke; a tranquil silence fell.

Everyone watched him forge, their expressions varied.

A peculiar light flashed in Zi Xi’s beautiful eyes. She was somewhat surprised by Li Chang’an’s Artifact Refining Techniques.

She had originally thought Li Chang’an was merely a Quasi-Tier Three Array Master. She never imagined he possessed another Tier Three Skill.

A Tier Three Middle Grade Artifact Refiner.

Even within the Purple Mist Sect, such a person would receive excellent treatment.

After all, there were only two Nascent Soul True Monarchs, while the numerous Golden Core Masters formed the upper echelon of the Purple Mist Sect.

Every Golden Core Master needed a suitable Tier Three Treasure.

Before long,

a deep purple hue appeared within the Forging Furnace.

"It’s done!"

The corners of Li Chang’an’s mouth lifted slightly. With a beckoning gesture, a streak of purple light flew out of the Forging Furnace and landed in his hand.

It was a Purple Hairpin, small and exquisite. Its body was covered in flowing cloud patterns, as if formed from the purple mists of the horizon, and it exuded a unique, understated elegance.

He smiled and presented it to Zi Xi.

"On the day I advanced to Golden Core, the Saintess gifted me a precious Purple Spirit Pill. I have no way to repay such kindness, so I can only ask that the Saintess accept this Purple Hairpin."

Zi Xi’s eyes flickered, her gaze falling upon the Purple Hairpin.

A moment later,

she raised a delicate hand, took the Purple Hairpin, and inspected it carefully with her senses.

"Not bad. It is indeed a Tier Three Middle Grade Treasure."

At these words, the way the other Honored Guest Elders looked at Li Chang’an changed subtly.

In the Cultivation Immortality Realm, the stronger one’s abilities, the more respect one deserved.

Wu Shuo cupped his fists in a sincere salute. "Daoist Li, your skills are profound. I am thoroughly impressed. My previous attempt to compete for the Earth Fire was presumptuous of me. I hope Daoist Li will not take offense."

After witnessing Li Chang’an’s refining process with his own eyes, he was completely convinced.

Li Chang’an laughed. "The desire for Treasures is universal. How could I blame Daoist Wu?"

"Daoist Li is magnanimous. I am ashamed of my own small-mindedness."

Wu Shuo felt even more ashamed and apologized profusely.

He retreated back among the Honored Guest Elders and never mentioned the matter of the Earth Fire again.

Naturally, none of the others would obstruct the deal now.

Soon,

Li Chang’an signed his name on the Spirit Contract.

With that, the deal was done.

The ten-thousand-zhang-tall Tier Three Spirit Vein behind them officially became his new sanctum!

’I finally have my own Tier Three Spirit Vein.’

Li Chang’an wore a broad smile, his mood excellent.

This Spirit Vein, after all the twists and turns, had finally fallen into his hands.

Next,

with a wave of Zi Xi’s hand,

the Array that had enveloped the Tier Three Spirit Vein completely dissipated. Countless Array Treasures emerged, transforming into streaks of Spiritual Light and flying into her Storage Pouch.

The others also began retrieving the items they had left behind on the Spirit Vein.

About a quarter of an hour later,

the Spirit Vein had returned to its original state.

"Alright, Daoist Li. From now on, this Spirit Vein belongs to you."

"Thank you, Saintess."

Li Chang’an was overjoyed and wanted to go inspect the Spirit Vein immediately.

But he suppressed his eagerness, deciding to see Zi Xi and her entourage off first.

"Saintess, where do you and your group plan to go to cultivate now?"

"We’ll head to the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm. That Secret Realm was discovered not long ago, and there are still vast areas worth exploring."

Zi Xi’s beautiful eyes grew profound as she gazed into the distance, as if she could see the faraway Thousand Lakes Secret Realm.

After a moment, she retracted her gaze and looked at Li Chang’an again.

"Daoist Li, I don’t make a habit of extending an invitation to an outsider twice. However, I can make an exception for you."

"Are you willing to become a Guest Elder of the Sect under my patronage?"