Eternal Life by Daily Divination

But Gu Qinghong and the others were too rational and were not swayed by him.

Furthermore, Li Chang’an had easily defused the slanderous accusations.

But Xue Lin refused to let the opportunity go and immediately asked Wu Chengfeng to strike.

Wu Chengfeng was born with a Wind Spirit Root. He was skilled in concealment and Escape Techniques, specialized in sneak attacks, and possessed a Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivation.

Ambushing an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator should have been a surefire success, as long as nothing unexpected happened.

But the unexpected did happen.

"Daoist Li, you truly live up to your reputation as a Loose Cultivator who achieved Core Formation. Your skills are extraordinary. I admit defeat today. I only ask that you spare my life, Daoist Li. I’m willing to lure out Xue Lin for you."

Wu Chengfeng begged with his head lowered, his attitude utterly subservient.

Li Chang’an said calmly, "There’s no rush. I’d also like to know what Xue Lin’s purpose is for staying in the Cyan Cloud Sect. Is it to coordinate an attack from the inside?"

"Correct. I’ve heard he plans to gradually consume the entire Cyan Cloud Sect."

Wu Chengfeng then shared what he knew.

The Cyan Cloud Sect was the foremost Golden Core Influence in the Southern Domain, and also the toughest nut to crack in the entire region.

If the Western Domain wished to conquer the Southern Domain, they couldn’t get around the Cyan Cloud Sect.

For this very reason, the people of the Western Domain wanted to dismantle the Cyan Cloud Sect from the inside.

Throughout the history of the Cultivation Immortality Realm, many once-powerful Sects and Noble Families had fallen into decline due to internal strife.

Li Chang’an proceeded to ask several more questions.

Desperate to save his life, Wu Chengfeng answered every question without reservation.

Once the questioning was over, Li Chang’an flicked his finger, shooting out a green light condensed from the Wood Seed Technique.

Soon, Wu Chengfeng became his Puppet.

’This man still has his uses. I should see what the Gale Sect’s Treasure Vault is like.’

With a mere thought, Li Chang’an directed the puppet Wu Chengfeng to leave Changqing Mountain.

「That evening.」

He returned to the Cyan Cloud Sect and, under the guise of Wu Chengfeng, paid a secret visit to Xue Lin.

"Daoist Xue, the matter was a failure. Here’s the payment you gave me before."

A Spiritual Light flashed in his hand, revealing a Storage Pouch filled with Spirit Stones, which he then tossed to Xue Lin.

Xue Lin caught the Storage Pouch and asked dismissively, "Daoist Wu, with your abilities, you actually couldn’t take down that Li Chang’an?"

Li Chang’an nodded. "After all, that Li Chang’an is a Loose Cultivator who achieved Core Formation on his own. He must have had some great opportunity. The moment I drew near, he sensed me... I didn’t dare engage him in direct Magical Combat, fearing he’d bog me down. This is the Southern Domain, after all."

"I understand." Xue Lin could appreciate the reasoning.

Wu Chengfeng was a Western Cultivator. If his identity were exposed and he got tied down in the Southern Domain, his fate would be grim.

’No wonder Shi Hu Master hasn’t moved against Li Chang’an. He must be wary of something too. I wonder what kind of opportunity Li Chang’an came across. Could it be that, like that cultivator a thousand years ago who reached Core Formation with a Low Grade Spirit Root, he obtained a Nascent Soul inheritance?’

As he thought of the word ’opportunity,’ a sharp glint flashed in Xue Lin’s eyes.

’If I could obtain Li Chang’an’s opportunity,’ he thought, ’I might have a chance to glimpse the Nascent Soul Realm.’

At this thought, he produced another pouch of Spirit Stones.

"Daoist Wu, I must ask you to keep an eye on Changqing Mountain from a distance. Watch Li Chang’an’s every move and find the right moment for me!"

"Very well, that shouldn’t be difficult." Li Chang’an agreed readily and took the Spirit Stones from him.

After a brief conversation, Li Chang’an departed quietly, not alerting any of the other Golden Core Cultivators in the Cyan Cloud Sect.

He executed the Wind Escape Technique and hurried to the Gale Sect in the Western Domain.

Upon arriving at the Gale Sect, he went straight to the Treasure Vault to inspect its contents.

’It’s more or less as Wu Chengfeng described. Although there’s no Dragon Beast Essence Blood, there are plenty of Treasures I can use.’

’Taking everything at once would be too conspicuous. I’ll have to exchange for them slowly, in batches.’

Li Chang’an casually exchanged for a few Treasures before leaving the Treasure Vault.

He went to the Library to look over the collection the Gale Sect had accumulated over the past millennium.

In the deepest part of the Library, he found three Celestial Grade Magic techniques. However, they were all Slaughter Techniques; none were the Escape Technique Li Chang’an was looking for.

Li Chang’an copied all of them to add to his collection.

He already possessed a fair number of Celestial Grade Magic techniques.

He had used his Puppets to copy the magic of Sects and Noble Families like the Cyan Cloud Sect, the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and the Hundred Beasts Sect.

However, to this day, only the Mu Family’s Cyan Yuan Profound Vine was a match for his Wood Spirit Root.

To cast the other techniques, he had to use the Five Elements Mutual Production Method. While their power surpassed that of ordinary Earth Grade Magic, he was not satisfied with the results.

After perusing the important texts in the Library, Li Chang’an had the puppet Wu Chengfeng leave the Gale Sect and return to the Southern Domain.

...

For some time after that, he stayed in regular contact with Xue Lin, lulling him into a false sense of security.

When the time was right, he would use the Wu Chengfeng puppet to lure Xue Lin out of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

’After all, Xue Lin has already pledged allegiance to Shi Hu Immortal City. Perhaps I can use him to get close to Shi Hu Master.’

「One day.」

Two streaks of light suddenly tore across the sky and descended upon Changqing Mountain, materializing into Gu Qinghong and his descendant, Gu Lingyu.

They had come today to apologize for the previous incident.

Gu Qinghong took out a Storage Pouch filled with Treasures and said apologetically, "Daoist Li, regarding the previous incident, Daoist Xue was in the wrong. But he’s too stubborn and refuses to come to Changqing Mountain to apologize. I am here today to apologize on his behalf. Please don’t take it to heart."

"It was a small matter. I’m not one to hold a grudge." Li Chang’an smiled and reached out to take the Storage Pouch.

’He certainly wouldn’t refuse Treasures delivered right to his doorstep.’

He then brought out a pot of Spirit Tea and chatted with the two of them.

Gu Qinghong inquired, "Daoist Li, is there some other conflict between you and Daoist Xue? He’s never acted like this before. His behavior this time was quite strange."

"No, I’ve had very little contact with Daoist Xue." Li Chang’an shook his head slightly and set down his teacup.

"The only ones I’ve had any conflict with recently are the powers from the Western Domain, like Mandarin Duck Valley and Shi Hu Immortal City. Daoist Gu should be aware of this."

"I’m aware of that, of course, but Daoist Xue is not from the Western Domain." Gu Qinghong didn’t consider that possibility. After all, Xue Lin was practically an old-timer of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

From the moment he entered the Mountain Gate to his advancement to the Golden Core realm, he had spent most of his life within the Cyan Cloud Sect. His disciples and descendants all lived there as well; he was, for all intents and purposes, completely tied to the Sect.

’How could a man like that possibly betray the Sect?’