Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Deep within the Cyan Cloud Sect, inside a secret chamber.

Over ten Soul Lamps burned brightly, flickering gently in the secret chamber.

"Lingyun’s and Daoist Xue’s Soul Lamps are still lit. They should be fine."

Gu Qinghong entered the secret chamber and gazed at the Soul Lamps, his expression grave.

Both of them were Golden Core Masters, and they had only been gone for a few days. Logically, there was no need to worry.

But a persistent sense of unease plagued him.

Just then, two familiar auras suddenly appeared in his perception, rapidly approaching the Cyan Cloud Sect.

’It’s Lingyun’s aura, and Daoist Li’s.’

Gu Qinghong instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was just a little confused. Why were Li Chang’an and Gu Lingyun returning, and where had Xue Lin gone?

He transformed into a brilliant streak of light and, in an instant, appeared above the Cyan Cloud Sect to welcome the two.

"Lingyun. Daoist Li."

"Daoist Gu."

Li Chang’an cupped his hands in greeting and entered the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Array with Gu Lingyun.

The three of them landed outside the main hall of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Afterward, Gu Lingyun recounted the events of the past few days.

Upon hearing the story, even with Gu Qinghong’s composure, he found it difficult to remain calm.

His most valued descendant had nearly fallen into the hands of the Western Domain, all because of that traitor, Xue Lin!

"Xue Lin really did defect to the Western Domain!"

Gu Qinghong took a deep breath and looked at Li Chang’an.

He recalled their conversation on Changqing Mountain and a sense of understanding dawned on him.

Back then, Li Chang’an had clearly sensed something was wrong and had been subtly trying to warn him.

But he had been too trusting of his centuries-long friendship with Xue Lin, convinced that he understood the man better than a Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an. It was a misjudgment that had nearly led to disaster.

If Li Chang’an hadn’t intervened, Xue Lin would have likely succeeded.

If Gu Lingyun had truly been captured by the forces of the Western Domain and used to threaten him...

’What would I have done?’

Gu Qinghong truly didn’t dare to imagine it.

"Daoist Li, I owe you a great debt for this."

"It was nothing. If you truly wish to thank me, Daoist Gu, then allow me to select a few extra Treasures from the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Treasure Vault."

"But of course!"

Gu Qinghong immediately invited Li Chang’an to the Treasure Vault, located deep within the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Li Chang’an had already entered this Treasure Vault countless times using his Puppet, Wan Xing.

But this was the first time he had entered with his true body.

Li Chang’an didn’t stand on ceremony and directly took several sets of Auxiliary Medicines required for refining the Nascent Soul Pill.

Watching from the side, Gu Qinghong’s eyelids twitched.

Though his heart was bleeding, he didn’t stop him. After all, this was the reward Li Chang’an deserved.

After some time, Li Chang’an finally left the Treasure Vault.

He didn’t linger in the Cyan Cloud Sect for long, soon transforming into a streak of light and departing.

After he left, the Cyan Cloud Sect immediately sealed its Mountain Gate and began to purge all the disciples from Xue Lin’s faction.

In less than half a day, Xue Lin’s entire bloodline was slaughtered to the last person.

The entire Cyan Cloud Sect was shrouded in the thick stench of blood.

Following this, Gu Qinghong summoned the Masters from the various Golden Core Sects and Noble Families to discuss the matter, explaining the situation to them.

Upon hearing his account, everyone’s expression grew grave.

"Xue Lin secretly defected to the Western Domain?"

"I’ve known him for several hundred years. I never thought he was that kind of person."

"Could there be others among us who have also defected to the Western Domain?"

"..."

The crowd exchanged glances, a newfound suspicion in their eyes.

If there was one, there could be more.

Perhaps, among those present, there were others who had also sided with the Western Domain.

"It’s a pity Xue Lin wasn’t captured."

"In the end, Li Chang’an’s strength was just a bit lacking."

"If I had been the one to act, I definitely would have captured Xue Lin and interrogated him thoroughly!"

Everyone present knew that Xue Lin’s Magical Combat abilities were average at best.

Li Chang’an had the element of surprise, yet he still failed to capture him. This suggested that Li Chang’an’s own Magical Combat skills weren’t anything special either.

Without his Arrays, he was probably just at the level of an ordinary Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator.

...

While the many Golden Core Masters of the Southern Domain were meeting, Li Chang’an had already returned to the depths of his Changqing Mountain Cave Mansion. He tossed Xue Lin out of his Spirit Beast Bag and began the interrogation.

The moment he saw him, a chill ran down Xue Lin’s spine, as if he had plunged into an abyss.

"Li... Li Chang’an, how can it be you?"

"And why not me?"

Li Chang’an sat on a raised platform, his expression indifferent as he looked down on Xue Lin.

"Daoist Xue, there are some things I want to know. If you don’t cooperate, then..."

"I’ll cooperate! I’ll cooperate completely! Just ask! As long as I know it, I’ll tell you!"

Before Li Chang’an could even finish, Xue Lin was already nodding vigorously, without a hint of resistance.

This reaction was just what Li Chang’an had expected.

For someone like Xue Lin, as long as his life was on the line, there was nothing he wouldn’t say.

Li Chang’an asked him, "Daoist Xue, besides yourself, are there any other Cultivators in the Cyan Cloud Sect who have sided with the Western Domain?"

Xue Lin shook his head. "I have no knowledge of that. I’ve always been in direct contact with Shi Hu Master."

"Within the other Golden Core Influences in the Southern Domain, has anyone else defected to the Western Domain?"

"I don’t know that either."

"Then do you know what trump cards Shi Hu Master has?"

"I don’t know about that either..."

Xue Lin saw Li Chang’an’s expression gradually darken, and his heart skipped a beat.

’Someone who answers every question with "I don’t know" is of little value.’

"Daoist Li, I only know that Shi Hu Master possesses a Killing Artifact, a gift from Huang Sha True Monarch! Once used, it can threaten even a Nascent Soul True Monarch!"

"Oh? And how many times can that Killing Artifact be used?"

"Three times."

Xue Lin replied promptly.

’A Treasure capable of threatening a Nascent Soul True Monarch would certainly be fatal to an ordinary Golden Core Master.’

’Once used, a normal Golden Core Cultivator couldn’t possibly block it.’

’Fortunately, I have my Puppet and my Blood-Dripping Incarnation.’

’I never planned to use my true body to deal with Shi Hu Master anyway.’

’My offensive abilities are formidable, but my defenses are ultimately a bit weak. I need to advance my Path of Body Refining to Tier Three Peak as soon as possible.’