Chapter 513 - 271: Spiritual Object in Hand, Facing the Saintess

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly and said, "Daoist Zhang, you are already a Golden Core Master. Why go to such lengths to curry favor with a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator? Do you think he can give you a chance at reaching the Nascent Soul realm just for that?"

Hearing this, Zhang Qingrong was filled with even more regret.

Although he had been lucky enough to seize an opportunity and become a Golden Core Master, his perspective seemed to have remained at the Foundation Establishment level.

But what was done was done. Nothing he said could change anything now.

In just a few moments, he became a Puppet. Although his mind remained clear, he no longer had any control over his own body.

"Come!"

With a beckoning gesture, Li Chang’an took his Storage Pouch.

He casually wiped away the restriction on the Storage Pouch, opened it, and began to search through it carefully.

A moment later, his eyes lit up as he pulled out a transparent Crystal Treasure Bottle.

Inside the Treasure Bottle, a hazy, golden Qi floated and sank. It was a top-tier Core Formation Spiritual Object.

Golden Cloud Qi!

’This Treasure can increase the success rate of Core Formation by twenty percent. Adding my own fifty percent chance, that brings the total to seventy percent.’

A satisfied look appeared on Li Chang’an’s face.

His preparations were already quite substantial. Even if he were to attempt Core Formation right now, his chances of success would be quite high.

However, he wanted to minimize the possibility of failure as much as possible.

’The Liquid Magical Power in my Dantian has already exceeded three hundred and fifty drops, so I’m not far from Foundation Establishment Peak. If I can’t find a more suitable Treasure in the next few years, I’ll just use the Tier Three Wood Demon Pill from the Mu Family Treasure Vault to refine a Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill.’

Li Chang’an mused.

The day he would undergo Core Formation was not far off.

For now, he could only hope the Southern Domain Cultivation Realm would hold out a bit longer—at least until he succeeded in his Core Formation.

He had no desire to attempt Core Formation in the midst of war.

Afterward, he looked at the other Treasures in the Storage Pouch.

Most of the remaining items were quite ordinary. Only a few had reached Tier Three.

’Zhang Qingrong is a True Pill Cultivator, after all, but his wealth doesn’t even compare to those Fake Pill Cultivators from the Western Domain that I killed. I suppose he just hasn’t had enough time since his Core Formation to accumulate many Treasures.’

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly and tossed the Storage Pouch back to him.

His figure flickered, turning into a series of afterimages as he collected the surrounding Array Treasures and erased all traces of the battle, along with his own aura.

After that, he had Zhang Qingrong and Wan Xing gather the others.

Seeing Zhang Qingrong’s miserable state, everyone was inevitably a little shocked.

"Daoist Zhang, what happened to you? Did you fall into a trap?"

"Yes. Thankfully, Daoist Wan came to my rescue. Otherwise, I most likely wouldn’t be here to see you all alive..."

Li Chang’an had already fabricated a perfect story.

Soon after, using the excuse that he needed to recuperate, he took his leave of the group and returned to the Talisman Zhang Family alone.

The reason for this, naturally, was that Li Chang’an wanted to see the Zhang Family’s Treasure Vault.

Zhang Qingrong was one of the three Golden Core Ancestors of the Zhang Family. He held a high status and was qualified to see all the Treasures in the vault.

’The Zhang Family has a thousand years of history, and they’ve been relatively stable during that time, always having a Golden Core Master in charge. Unlike the Zhou and Mo Families, their Treasure Vault should have quite a few items.’

Sure enough, as soon as Li Chang’an entered the Treasure Vault, he saw a Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill!

Unfortunately, this Golden Condensation Pill bore the marks of the other two Zhang Family Ancestors.

’This Elixir Pill must be meant for Zhang Qingfeng. If I want to use it, I’ll need a good excuse.’

He shook his head slightly, moving past the Elixir Pill to inspect the other Treasures.

Besides this ordinary-quality Golden Condensation Pill, there were also two Inferior Grade Golden Condensation Pills in the Treasure Vault.

In addition, there were many primary and Auxiliary Medicines for refining Golden Condensation Pills.

There were even two Demon Pills from Tier Three Demon Kings!

One of them, a Water Element Demon Pill, was relatively gentle and could be used for refining the Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill.

’As expected of a Golden Core Family that hasn’t fallen into decline. Their Treasure Vault has far more Treasures than families like the Mo and the Zhou.’

However, the Tier Three Dragon Beast Essence Blood that Li Chang’an wanted was still nowhere to be found.

He had anticipated this, so he wasn’t disappointed.

He would have to get the Essence Blood from that Ink-Scaled Earth Dragon.

Li Chang’an took some Treasures used for refining Tier Three Elixirs.

As a Golden Core Ancestor, he didn’t need to explain his reasons and could exchange for them directly.

’Next, I’ll stay in the Zhang Family and "recuperate." This Puppet is still young and has good potential. I can cultivate it slowly over time. It should be able to outlive the other two old Golden Core Cultivators and become the most senior Ancestor in the Zhang Family.’

If all went according to plan, many years from now, the Zhang Qingrong controlled by Li Chang’an would become the most influential Golden Core Master in the Zhang Family.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Li Chang’an’s true body was still within the Ancient Sect Ruins.

He had originally planned to leave, but he stumbled upon several good opportunities one after another, unexpectedly obtaining a Core Formation Spiritual Object that could increase his success rate by ten percent.

"My luck’s not bad!"

Smiling, Li Chang’an began his journey back.

Before he had even left the area of the Sect ruins, he sensed another fluctuation of Spiritual Power.

’Another opportunity?’

His heart stirred. His luck today was simply too good.

A moment later, Li Chang’an landed on a patch of ruins.

Soon, he discovered the remnants of an Array beneath the rubble.

’A Quasi-Tier Three array.’

His eyes flickered as he made his judgment.

There ought to be a Tier Three Treasure inside this Array.

With this in mind, he acted immediately, breaking open the Quasi-Tier Three array in the blink of an eye.

What appeared before him was an ordinary-looking secret chamber.

Inside the chamber was a stone table.

On the table rested a strangely shaped gemstone.

’This thing...’

Li Chang’an used a Puppet to retrieve the gemstone and examine it closely.

The gemstone was completely transparent, shaped like a crystal, and within it, a wisp of light purple mist periodically gathered and dispersed.

Even with his current knowledge, he was unable to identify it.