Chapter 484 - 263: Soaring Soul, Skill Breakthrough

Staying too long would inevitably arouse suspicion.

After killing that Fake Pill cultivator from the Western Domain, he could use being injured as an excuse to recuperate within the Ten Thousand Swords Sect for a while.

’Based on this guy’s original strength, the chances of him killing a Fake Pill cultivator were slim. I’ve basically made him famous. He should be thanking me.’

Whether in the Western or Southern Domain, the fall of a Golden Core Cultivator was enough to cause a major stir.

Nie Ting had indeed become famous.

He’d landed on the Western Cultivators’ kill-on-sight list, and quite high up, at that.

On that day, the many Golden Core Cultivators of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect were meeting in a secret chamber. They all praised Nie Ting for his accomplishment and then urged him to be extra cautious.

"Daoist Nie, the man you killed was the son of the Gale Sect Leader from the Western Domain."

"We’ve heard that old man has practically gone mad, swearing to tear you limb from limb."

"For now, just stay in the Sect and focus on your recovery. You absolutely must not go back to the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm..."

Li Chang’an, of course, would not refuse.

This puppet of his could continue to lie low within the Sect.

「A few days later.」

Li Chang’an had a faint feeling that his Skin Painting Technique had broken through to Tier Three Top Grade.

But he lacked the materials to create a Tier Three Top Grade fake skin, so he couldn’t be certain if he had truly broken through.

’For the materials to make a Top Grade fake skin, I’m still missing one Tier Three Top Grade Treasure Material called Red Blood Bamboo. Neither the Yellow Crane Immortal City’s nor the Ten Thousand Swords Sect’s Treasure Vault has it.’

’The Cyan Cloud Sect’s Treasure Vault actually has a few stalks, but the puppets I control don’t have high enough status to be eligible to trade for it.’

The first people Li Chang’an controlled in the Cyan Cloud Sect were Xie Jiang and a few Foundation Establishment Elders.

Later, he also took control of Yuan Shan.

Over the years, these few people all reached the end of their lifespans.

Li Chang’an had no choice but to find new targets, controlling a few Cyan Cloud Sect Foundation Establishment cultivators of poor character.

’To trade for the Red Blood Bamboo, one must have Golden Core Cultivation.’

He didn’t have a Cyan Cloud Sect Golden Core Puppet under his control, so for now, he could only give up on the idea.

Afterward, he dispatched his He Qianshan puppet to the border between the Two Domains, frequenting some of the underground Black Markets.

The Western and Southern Domains had been at war for years, and a blood feud had formed between the major Sects and Noble Families on both sides. Yet, in secret, there were many places where cultivators from both sides could trade, such as these underground Black Markets.

Using He Qianshan’s identity, Li Chang’an made some inquiries and soon found news about the Red Blood Bamboo.

The Sect Leader of the Western Domain’s Gale Sect had a few stalks of Red Blood Bamboo.

He secretly conveyed his desire to purchase it.

Before long, he received a reply from the Gale Sect’s Sect Leader.

The price the other party quoted took Li Chang’an by surprise.

’Nie Ting’s head?’

"That’s right!"

The Gale Sect disciple who had come to deliver the reply nodded.

"Elder, our Sect Leader said that as long as you can bring him Nie Ting’s head, he is willing to give you those stalks of Red Blood Bamboo! You and Nie Ting are both Southern Domain Cultivators. As long as you catch him off guard, killing him shouldn’t be difficult."

"This matter... never mind..."

Li Chang’an was exasperated and abandoned the trade.

He couldn’t just give up the Nie Ting Fake Pill Puppet for a few stalks of Red Blood Bamboo.

Nie Ting still had a use in his future plans.

For the next month, Li Chang’an kept asking around the border of the Two Domains but never heard any other news of Red Blood Bamboo.

’This bamboo is surprisingly rare. It seems I’ll have to target the Cyan Cloud Sect Treasure Vault after all.’

He had He Qianshan return to Yellow Crane Immortal City and began to ponder how to get into the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Treasure Vault.

Before he knew it, it was Midnight again.

A golden light materialized before his eyes.

[Divination Refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[Su Yuyan will visit and request that you take her disciple, Su Qingxue, to the Ancient Wood Secret Realm to gain experience and help her complete a Sect mission.]

[You will readily agree and travel with Su Qingxue to the Secret Realm, helping her acquire her mission objective. Near her objective, you will unexpectedly discover several stalks of Red Blood Bamboo.]

’Red Blood Bamboo!’

Li Chang’an was overjoyed. This Treasure had come at just the right time. There was no longer any need to trouble himself with plotting against the Cyan Cloud Sect Treasure Vault.

...

「The next day, at the crack of dawn.」

Two streaks of Spiritual Light, one after the other, tore across the sky and arrived at Changqing Mountain.

It was none other than Su Yuyan and her disciple, Su Qingxue.

Both had the appearance of young women, with lively eyes, skin as smooth as jade, and slender, graceful figures. They looked just like a pair of sisters.

Su Yuyan smiled warmly. "Brother Li, I hope I’m not disturbing you?"

"Of course not."

Li Chang’an smiled as well.

’These two are bringing me a Treasure. How could this possibly be a disturbance?’

Su Qingxue stepped forward gracefully and bowed. "This junior pays her respects to Elder Li."

"Oh? You’ve already reached Foundation Establishment?"

Li Chang’an sized her up, sensing the Qi of Foundation Establishment.

Su Qingxue replied, "This junior was fortunate enough to reach Foundation Establishment not long ago."

"Since you’ve reached Foundation Establishment, we can address each other as peers. There’s no need to call me Elder anymore."

"But..."

Su Qingxue froze for a moment.

"That wouldn’t be right. This junior can’t disregard the proper seniority."

"Alright, then. Suit yourself."

Li Chang’an chuckled, motioned for them to sit, and brought out a pot of Spirit Tea and several plates of pastries.

The three of them drank their tea and chatted, talking about matters in the Southern Domain Cultivation Realm.

After a while, Su Yuyan explained the purpose of her visit.

"Brother Li, Qingxue just reached Foundation Establishment and accepted her first Foundation Establishment mission. The objective is located inside the Ancient Wood Secret Realm, and I’m really not comfortable with her going alone."

Su Yuyan’s voice was gentle, her face filled with worry.

She told Li Chang’an that Su Qingxue had spent most of her time cultivating at the Cyan Cloud Sect’s dojo, rarely venturing down the mountain to gain experience, and thus had no idea how treacherous the outside world could be.

For this very reason, she hoped Li Chang’an could accompany Su Qingxue to the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

After all, Li Chang’an was, on the surface, a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who was well-versed in the art of self-preservation, and he had a bit of a reputation throughout the Southern Domain.

"Yuyan, as her master, why don’t you accompany her yourself?"

"Brother Li, I’m currently tracking a demonic fiend and really can’t get away. Please, will you help me?"

"Alright, no problem!"

For the sake of the Red Blood Bamboo, Li Chang’an agreed on the spot.