Chapter 791 - 361: Yunshu’s Core Formation, Intercepting Faith

’Demonic methods are truly uncanny.’

Li Chang’an mused.

Besides the Netherworld Blood Corpse, the Demonic Sects had plenty of other ways to create Tier Four power.

For instance, Tier Four Poisonous Insects, Tier Four Main Souls, and the like.

The Righteous Dao, on the other hand...

...was far inferior in this regard.

The methods of the various Righteous Nascent Soul influences were far too one-dimensional.

Zi Xi said calmly, "Why worry, Daoist Li? I’m sure you’ve already figured out a contingency plan."

As she spoke, she handed the Gold-Transforming Marrow to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an accepted the Gold-Transforming Marrow and replied, "That may be so, but I still hope I won’t have to use those contingency plans."

The two of them stood on the Flying Ship, conversing for a short while.

Li Chang’an learned that the Purple Mist Sect also had aces up its sleeve, not just the two Nascent Soul True Monarchs they showed publicly.

As for what these aces were, Zi Xi didn’t elaborate.

She only indicated that while the current situation was grim, the scales of power between the Righteous and Demonic factions had not yet completely tipped.

Upon hearing this, Li Chang’an felt slightly more at ease.

It seemed he could continue to cultivate peacefully on Changqing Mountain for a while longer.

He put away the Gold-Transforming Marrow and bid farewell to Zi Xi and the others.

Before he left, Zi Xi said she would do her best to acquire a piece of Purple Heart Stone for him.

"Thank you, Saintess!"

Li Chang’an thanked her sincerely before transforming into a streak of light and departing.

He didn’t return directly to Changqing Mountain, instead heading to various marketplaces and black markets to hunt for treasures.

After the Battle of Righteous and Evil began, a massive number of cultivators had fallen, and countless treasures had flooded the markets.

Li Chang’an managed to snag quite a few bargains.

More than a month later, he returned to Changqing Mountain, his bags full of his haul.

He had only been back for a few days when he received an invitation.

’An invitation from the Zhou Family.’

Li Chang’an opened the invitation and read it carefully.

The contents of the invitation were brief.

The Zhou Family’s Earth Grade bloodline Wind Thunder Bird was about to have a tier breakthrough, and they were inviting Li Chang’an to observe.

’The Zhou Family has had it rough. They’re finally about to nurture a new Tier Three Demon King.’

After their two Demon Kings turned traitor, the Zhou Family lost its Tier Three power and could only rely on the Profound Water Turtle to keep up appearances.

Fortunately, Zhou Sheng’s descendant, Zhou Yunqiao, had been lucky enough to obtain an Earth Grade bloodline Wind Thunder Bird.

「Over the years.」

The entire Zhou Family had spared no expense to raise the Wind Thunder Bird to the Tier Two peak and had prepared sufficient resources for its advancement.

’I’ll go take a look. It’s unlikely to fail.’

...

「The next day.」

Li Chang’an brought Luo Yunshu, Xu Changqing, and the others into the Zhou Clan Territory.

The current Patriarch of the Zhou Family was still Zhou Sheng.

"Elder Li, please, have a seat."

Zhou Sheng’s expression was deferential as he led Li Chang’an to the best viewing position he had prepared.

After not seeing him for many years, Li Chang’an noted he now had a full head of white hair and carried the weary air of old age.

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion.

「When they had first met.」

He had been just a Qi Refining Cultivator, while Zhou Sheng was a spirited and imposing Foundation Establishment elder.

Now, he was the elder, while Zhou Sheng remained at Foundation Establishment, already walking the final stretch of his life’s path.

’Time spares no one.’

Li Chang’an sighed to himself.

Then, he refocused his thoughts and instructed Luo Yunshu and the others to observe carefully.

The celestial phenomenon of a Demon Beast ascending to Tier Three, while not as grand as a Human Race Cultivator’s ascension to Golden Core, was still a worthwhile sight.

「Not long after.」

The celestial phenomenon for the Demon King’s ascension appeared.

Just as Li Chang’an had predicted, the ascension went very smoothly.

A few days later, the Wind Thunder Bird emerged from its seclusion, its body suffused with the aura of a Tier Three Demon King as it rushed excitedly toward Zhou Yunqiao.

"Master, I broke through!"

"Good."

A smile graced Zhou Yunqiao’s face as she gently stroked his head.

Her talent was decent, but not top-tier. Weighed down by the family’s endless trivial affairs, she had only reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment and had no hope of achieving Core Formation in this lifetime.

She no longer possessed the girlish liveliness of her youth, having gained a more reserved and steady demeanor.

Cradling the Wind Thunder Bird, she came to stand before Li Chang’an.

"Thank you, Elder Li, for your years of patronage to the Zhou Family."

"It was a mutually beneficial arrangement. There’s no need for thanks."

Li Chang’an waved his hand dismissively.

With a flick of his will, he retrieved a Tier Three treasure with wind and thunder attributes from his Storage Pouch. It was a congratulatory gift for the Wind Thunder Bird’s ascension to Demon King.

「From now on.」

The Profound Water Turtle would no longer be needed to keep up appearances for the Zhou Family.

Soon after, Li Chang’an departed with his companions.

Zhou Yunqiao watched him depart, a hint of sorrow clouding her features.

"Sigh..."

Zhou Sheng let out a deep sigh.

He knew his descendant had feelings for Li Chang’an, but the chasm in their statuses was simply too vast. It was an impossibility in this life; she could only hope for the next.

...

「That evening.」

Li Chang’an returned to Changqing Mountain and was about to enter his cave abode to cultivate.

Luo Yunshu suddenly spoke up. "Ancestor, I feel my foundation is sufficient. I can attempt Core Formation."

"Hmm? Let me see."

Li Chang’an sent out a stream of Magical Power, inspecting Luo Yunshu from top to bottom.

Her body was hale, with no hidden injuries or old ailments.

Her Divine Sense had reached the Tier Two peak.

Her reserves of Magical Power were exceptionally deep, exceeding three hundred and fifty drops.

"You are ready. Begin your Core Formation."

With a casual wave of his hand, Li Chang’an tossed out a high-quality Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill and a pile of Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

He also provided several treasures for calming the heart and steadying the mind, along with various others to temporarily enhance her Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

These treasures were more than enough to guarantee Luo Yunshu’s success in Core Formation.

’She should be able to form a Half-step Immortal Golden Core,’ Li Chang’an estimated.

Luo Yunshu had cultivated on Changqing Mountain for years and had received numerous treasures from Li Chang’an. Her foundation far surpassed that of the Golden Core Seeds from the various Golden Core influences in the Southern Domain, and she was even on par with the Celestial Prides of the Nascent Soul Major Sects.

For her, forming a Half-step Immortal Golden Core would not be too difficult.

"After you achieve Core Formation, remember to return these treasures to me."

"Yes!"

Luo Yunshu replied with solemn conviction.

「Seven days later.」

She sat cross-legged in the depths of her cave abode, officially beginning her attempt to break through to Core Formation.

Li Chang’an stood in the courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back, carefully sensing her condition.