Chapter 903 - 397: An Old Enemy Strikes, Nothing Like the Old Days

Changqing Mountain.

The longevity banquet had officially begun. The crowd congratulated Li Chang’an in unison before mingling and conversing with one another.

Time flew by, and dusk soon arrived. The banquet was set to last for an entire month, and none of the guests had any intention of leaving.

Suddenly, a formidable Nascent Soul aura appeared on the distant horizon.

"A Nascent Soul True Monarch?"

Sensing this aura, the entirety of Changqing Mountain fell silent. The crowd turned to look, their eyes largely filled with disbelief. Li Chang’an was but a mere Loose Cultivator; what right did he have to warrant a Nascent Soul True Monarch personally attending to celebrate his birthday?

Only Li Chang’an knew the truth. This True Monarch wasn’t here to celebrate his birthday; he was here to look for trouble.

"Holy Fire True Monarch!" Li Chang’an had already identified the arrival based on the aura.

Before today, he had never crossed paths with Holy Fire True Monarch. Naturally, the True Monarch couldn’t be here for his birthday; he could only be here for the Old Turtle. However, the Old Turtle had said that he had never exposed his Sub-Soul talent before, meaning it was impossible for Holy Fire True Monarch to discover his escape.

"No, perhaps it’s not because of the Old Turtle, but because of Lin Xuanyan," Li Chang’an pondered inwardly, quickly guessing the general situation.

He secretly utilized Array Power to maintain an illusory figure, while his true body quietly slipped away.

A moment later.

Holy Fire True Monarch descended upon Changqing Mountain.

The crowd spoke in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized, "Greetings, True Monarch!"

"Mhm." Holy Fire True Monarch gave a slight nod. His eyes were indifferent as he looked directly at Li Chang’an, who was seated in the position of honor. "Li Chang’an, you have colluded with the Demonic faction. Even death cannot expiate your crimes. Come with me to the Black Tortoise Sect to face interrogation."

"What?" Hearing this, the crowd was utterly astounded.

They had assumed Holy Fire was here to celebrate Li Chang’an’s birthday. However, Holy Fire True Monarch’s cold words completely subverted their expectations.

"Senior Holy Fire, why do you say Daoist Li has colluded with the Demonic faction?" Zi Xi stepped out from the crowd, her expression unchanging as she faced Holy Fire True Monarch directly.

Qi Yunjin, Mu Hongyu, and the others exchanged glances before stepping forward as well, shielding Li Chang’an behind them.

Chi Qingwu declared loudly, "Senior Holy Fire, Daoist Li is a junior acknowledged by my master, Cyan Dragon True Monarch. It is impossible for him to collude with the Demonic faction."

Qi Yunjin also spoke up, "Senior, Daoist Li is a Golden Order Guest Elder of my Great Qi Immortal Dynasty. My father once said that if Daoist Li ever encountered trouble, he could seek refuge in our Great Qi."

"Senior, my master, Vermilion Bird True Monarch, has also praised Daoist Li..." Mu Hongyu’s voice followed closely behind the others.

They showed no fear. Standing together against Holy Fire True Monarch, they formed a high wall between him and Li Chang’an.

"You wish to stop me?" Holy Fire True Monarch’s face instantly darkened.

He truly hadn’t expected that capturing a common Loose Cultivator would simultaneously provoke the geniuses of Four Nascent Soul Powers. The matter was far more troublesome than he had anticipated.

However, how could a dignified Nascent Soul True Monarch be stopped by a group of Golden Core juniors? His eyes turned blood-red, and his robes fluttered without wind. Surging flames erupted around him, instantly scorching half the sky red.

The wrath of a Nascent Soul was simply unbearable for ordinary Golden Core Cultivators. Yet, Zi Xi and the others still did not retreat. While blocking Holy Fire True Monarch, they had already sent Sound Transmissions to the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of their respective factions.

At the same time, they secretly questioned Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, we know you couldn’t possibly collude with the Demonic faction, but have you ever traded with Demonic Cultivators? If it was merely a transaction, this matter won’t be difficult to resolve. Within the Righteous Dao, there are plenty of Cultivators who have traded with the Demonic faction..."

Faced with their inquiries, Li Chang’an denied everything. He did indeed frequently trade with Demonic Cultivators, but he had always kept his hands clean, using his business Clones every single time. Moreover, he knew Holy Fire wasn’t here for that.

Li Chang’an’s expression remained composed as he looked straight at Holy Fire True Monarch. "Senior, you claim I colluded with the Demonic faction. Do you have proof?"

"I have always acted with justice. If I had no proof, how could I arbitrarily oppress a Golden Core junior like yourself?" Holy Fire True Monarch waved his large hand.

A Spiritual Light flew out from his Storage Pouch, transforming into a list in front of everyone.

On this list were dozens of names. Sitting right at the very top was none other than Lin Xuanyan! Below his name was his sister, Lin Xuanpei. And further down was Li Chang’an’s name.

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but laugh. "Could it be that Senior wishes to say this list is the evidence?"

"Exactly!" Holy Fire True Monarch publicly declared that there were Disciples within the Black Tortoise Sect who had colluded with the Demonic faction. He had already apprehended that disciple, and this list was precisely what he obtained through interrogation.

Li Chang’an smiled. "If I were to casually fabricate a list of those colluding with the Demonic faction and write Senior’s name on it, could I then ask Senior to commit suicide?"

"What audacity!" Holy Fire True Monarch shouted coldly.

He truly hadn’t expected that a Golden Core Cultivator like Li Chang’an would show absolutely no fear when facing a Nascent Soul True Monarch like himself.

The others were also somewhat surprised. Facing an aggressive Nascent Soul, Li Chang’an was far too calm. Even if Zi Xi and the others all possessed Tier Four Cards that could temporarily protect him, those cards would eventually run out.

Furthermore, the presence of Lin Xuanyan and his sister on the list was equally unexpected to them.

"How could Daoist Lin collude with the Demonic faction?"

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Lin Xuanyan was highly likely to become the next generation’s Black Tortoise True Monarch, taking control of the entire Black Tortoise Sect and enjoying supreme honor and status. Why would a person like that defect to the Demonic path?

Because of this, Zi Xi and the others suspected that today’s incident was a personal vendetta.

"Daoist Li, have you and Daoist Lin’s sister ever offended Holy Fire True Monarch?"

"Everyone is overthinking this. Offending a Nascent Soul brings absolutely no benefit to us," Li Chang’an replied with a composed smile.

As he spoke, he had already quietly pushed the Tier Four Array to operate at its absolute limit.