Chapter 41: Another Storm Brews

That night, just after Midnight.

A golden light appeared.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[You will travel to Bright Moon Lake. Using the advantage of your Escape Technique, you will successfully pick the precious Tier One Top Grade spiritual medicine, the "Turtle Spirit Fruit." No mishaps will occur during this time.]

The Divination was auspicious!

Li Chang’an instantly felt relieved.

After all, Bright Moon Lake was outside the Marketplace, so he had to be cautious.

’I’ve heard that the Turtle Spirit Fruit not only speeds up the growth of Turtle Species Spirit Beasts but also strengthens their foundation, which is helpful for their future advancement.’

Li Chang’an mused to himself, filled with anticipation for the Turtle Spirit Fruit.

Not long after, Dahuang returned from outside with news about Zheng Jinbao.

’Zheng Jinbao is still waiting?’

Li Chang’an was lost in thought.

Of course, he knew what Zheng Jinbao was waiting for.

However, that guy would be waiting forever.

...

「Late at night.」

Zheng Jinbao was anxious and not the least bit sleepy.

His brow was furrowed as he paced back and forth in his courtyard, occasionally glancing in the direction of Li Chang’an’s residence.

’It’s been two whole days. Why isn’t there any news yet?’

These past two days had been agonizing for Zheng Jinbao.

He had spent a fortune but still hadn’t heard anything back.

To prevent Wei Sen from taking the money and not doing the job, he had signed the strictest Spirit Contract with him.

If Wei Sen were to break the contract, he would suffer a severe backlash!

’He wouldn’t break the contract... could he have failed?’

The thought suddenly flashed through Zheng Jinbao’s mind.

But he quickly shook his head.

The idea just seemed too absurd.

’Impossible. He specializes in this line of work and has even killed many experts at the Late Stage of Qi Refining. How could he possibly fail to kill Li Chang’an?’

Zheng Jinbao thought to himself.

He didn’t believe for a second that Li Chang’an had the ability to turn the tables and kill Wei Sen.

The difference in their strength was simply too great.

On the surface, one was at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, while the other was merely at the Qi Refining Third Layer—a world of difference!

’Perhaps he’s just worried about being detected by the Ancestor and is waiting for the right opportunity.’

Out of his trust in Wei Sen, Zheng Jinbao decided to wait a few more days.

...

「The next day.」

Li Chang’an hurried out the door.

He altered his aura and disguised his appearance, then left the Marketplace and headed straight for Bright Moon Lake.

’This Bright Moon Lake is quite a treasure trove. The last time I came here, I obtained a Tier One Middle Grade Talismanic Inheritance.’

Li Chang’an arrived at the lake’s shore, gazing at the sparkling surface of the water.

Then, he activated the Little Five Elements Escape Technique.

He silently entered the lake, searching for the Turtle Spirit Fruit.

About half an hour later.

Li Chang’an froze, his eyes fixed on a certain direction.

’Huh? An unexpected find.’

In his line of sight was a stone that was deep blue all over.

It lay quietly amidst a messy pile of aquatic plants, its aura completely unremarkable, with nothing special about it.

If one wasn’t paying attention, it would be very easy to overlook.

’Celestial Blue Stone, a Tier One Middle Grade Water Element Treasure. Suitable for refining Water Element Magical Artifacts, and can also be absorbed by Water Element Spirit Beasts for its Spiritual Power.’

This type of gem could be used to aid the growth of a Water Element Spirit Beast.

Perfect for the Profound Water Turtle!

Li Chang’an’s eyes lit up with joy. He snatched the gem and stored it in his Storage Pouch.

’Bright Moon Lake really is a treasure trove!’

He confirmed this thought once again.

Although Bright Moon Lake wasn’t located on the Marketplace’s Spirit Vein, it was very close to it. The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power in this area was much denser than in ordinary regions.

This made it easier for various Treasures and Demon Beasts to appear.

He had once heard that a Cultivator had caught an incredibly valuable Spirit Fish here.

’There must be many more undiscovered Water Element Treasures and Water Element Spirit Beasts in this lake.’

Li Chang’an mused.

In years past, quite a few Cultivators had come to the lake to hunt for Treasure.

But most of them could only explore the outermost perimeter.

The farther in one went, the deeper the lake became.

The centermost region was a pitch-black abyss, and the mere sight of it would strike fear into the hearts of many.

Who knew what kind of monsters lurked within?

’I can’t risk it.’

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly, dismissing the idea of exploring the lake’s depths.

Treasures were nice, but one had to be alive to take them.

He had no desire to run into an overly powerful Water Demon.

Afterward, Li Chang’an continued his search for the Turtle Spirit Fruit.

Another half an hour passed.

He found two more types of Water Element Treasures, but still hadn’t found the Turtle Spirit Fruit.

’The Divination can’t be wrong. I’ll keep looking!’

Li Chang’an didn’t get discouraged and continued his search.

Time flew by.

A quarter of an hour later.

Finally, his eyes lit up as he looked in a certain direction.

’Found it!’

In that direction, an entirely cyan Spirit Fish, about five and a half feet long, was resting amongst the aquatic plants on the lakebed, its scales shimmering.

Beside it was a faintly glowing bubble of Spiritual Power.

Inside the bubble was the Turtle Spirit Fruit.

’As expected, it’s ripe.’

Li Chang’an didn’t act immediately. Instead, he slowly adjusted his aura.

He swallowed a few Elixir Pills to recover the Magical Power he had consumed using his Escape Technique, bringing his condition to its Peak to ensure no accidents would occur.

’This Cyan Scale Fish must be waiting for the right opportunity to consume the Turtle Spirit Fruit to help it break through its bottleneck, advancing from Tier One Early Stage to Tier One Middle Stage.’

Li Chang’an could tell that this fish was on the verge of advancing.

Although the Turtle Spirit Fruit was most effective for Turtle Species Spirit Beasts, it was, after all, a Water Element Spirit Medicine and was effective for most Water Element Spirit Beasts.

’However, this prize is not destined for it.’

Li Chang’an’s figure flickered, moving as fast as lightning.

He shot straight toward the Turtle Spirit Fruit!

SWOOSH!

He pushed his Escape Technique to its limit, arriving in front of the Spiritual Power bubble in the blink of an eye.

BOOM!

Li Chang’an shattered the bubble.

He snatched the Turtle Spirit Fruit and put it into his Storage Pouch.

...

「At that moment, inside the Marketplace.」

Chu Daniu walked with hurried steps, a trace of anxiety on his face, as he rushed toward Li Chang’an’s residence.

Early this morning, a rumor had started spreading from some unknown source.

The rumor claimed that the only reason the Zheng Family’s Ancestor, a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment expert, had managed to escape the Secret Realm was because he had used a Forbidden Technique that drained his lifespan.

He didn’t have much time left.

’I don’t know if this news is true or false, but I have to let Brother Li know as soon as possible!’

Now, the entire Marketplace was in a state of panic.

There were even rumors that the Foundation Establishment Ancestors of the Cao and Wu Families were about to invade the Marketplace!

「A moment later.」

Chu Daniu arrived outside Li Chang’an’s courtyard.

"Brother Li, are you home?"

He shouted anxiously.

But after waiting for a good while, still no one came to open the gate.

Chu Daniu grew even more anxious and was just about to pound on the gate.

Just then, a surprised voice called out.

"Daoist Chu, what are you doing here?"

Hearing this, Chu Daniu turned around and saw Liu Yue and the others.

"Daoist Liu, Daoist Wang, Daoist He..."

He cupped his hands in greeting to the Low Grade Talisman Masters.

With a look of confusion on her pretty face, Liu Yue asked him,

"Daoist Chu, are you here to see Elder Luo? Don’t tell me you’re still trying to get Elder Luo to take your brother as a disciple?"

She knew very well that Chu Daniu had gone to great lengths to get Li Chang’an accepted as a disciple.

"Daoist Chu, your brother’s personality is a bit dull. Elder Luo isn’t fond of his type."

As she spoke, a trace of resignation flashed across her face.

Last time, she had discovered that Li Chang’an could create High-quality Talismans, and his Talisman Drawing Skill far surpassed that of the other Low Grade Talisman Masters.

She had originally wanted to get closer to Li Chang’an.

But Li Chang’an was completely unromantic and as stiff as a Puppet.

Now, she had long since stopped thinking about Li Chang’an, focusing all her attention on Luo Kun instead.

"You’ve misunderstood, Daoist Liu."

Chu Daniu shook his head and pointed to the spacious residence behind him.

"I’m here to see my big brother."

Hearing this, they were all stunned.

A flicker of disbelief crossed Liu Yue’s bright eyes.

"Daoist Chu, are you saying that your big brother, Li Chang’an, lives here?"