Chapter 60: Sudden Evil Trigram

The night was deep, and a bright moon hung high in the sky.

Li Chang’an temporarily stopped his Body Refinement and went out into the courtyard.

Just after the Divination appeared, he had sensed a fluctuation in the array.

’Someone broke in, but they left alive.’

Li Chang’an frowned, puzzled.

Even an expert like Wei Sen, who had achieved Great Success in his Escape Technique, couldn’t escape the Cloud Mist Hidden Killing Array.

’Could it be...’

’...that the Tribulation Cultivator from Black Wind Mountain who came this time was even stronger than Wei Sen?’

’Huh? What’s this...’

Li Chang’an’s eyes narrowed as he looked at a corner of the courtyard wall.

’Could this be the legendary Death Substitution Puppet?’

He walked over and picked up a palm-sized, tattered cloth doll.

The cloth doll looked very ordinary on the outside.

There wasn’t the slightest fluctuation of Spiritual Power.

But its interior was inscribed with extremely complex patterns, and there was a clump of dried flesh and blood where the heart should be.

’It’s rumored that this kind of Treasure is incredibly precious, and its creation method was lost long ago. One occasionally appears in a Secret Realm.’

Li Chang’an was secretly astonished.

He had once heard.

That even Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators desperately desired this kind of Treasure.

’What strange patterns. I only glanced at them for a moment, but I’m already feeling dizzy.’

Li Chang’an closed his eyes slightly and rubbed the spot between his eyebrows.

He was already a Tier One Top Grade talisman master and a Puppet Master, and his research into various Spiritual Power patterns was quite profound.

Even so, the patterns inside this tattered cloth doll still struck him as complex and profound.

’With my current Skills, it’s impossible for me to replicate them.’

After a moment of thought, Li Chang’an put the tattered cloth doll into a separate Storage Pouch.

He planned to study it slowly in the future.

It would be best if he could reverse-engineer it, but if not, then so be it.

Afterward, Li Chang’an instructed Dahuang to watch the surroundings and investigate any suspicious individuals.

He returned to his house and continued his Body Refinement.

Time flew by, and before he knew it, an entire night had passed.

At dawn, his first Body Refinement session was over.

’It’s definitely effective.’

Li Chang’an slowly clenched his fist, feeling his Qi and blood were much more abundant than before.

Even his strength had increased considerably.

’It consumes a lot of resources, but it’s worth it.’

Li Chang’an nodded to himself.

’If this continues...’

’...I’ll be able to reach the Tier One Early Stage before long.’

...

「That evening.」

Xu Fugui suddenly paid a visit.

His face was full of joy, and he was here to share some good news.

"Brother Li, an elder has taken a liking to me and wants to take me as his disciple."

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an was surprised.

’With Xu Fugui’s aptitude, someone actually took a liking to him?’

’Could it be that person has ulterior motives?’

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

"Fugui, what is that elder’s name, and what is his status?"

"The elder said his name is Wang Fu’an, and he’s the Shopkeeper of the Yuelai Restaurant in Yellow Crane Immortal City. He has Tier Two Spirit Chef Skills."

Xu Fugui’s tone was excited.

Upon hearing this, Li Chang’an was even more surprised.

’A Tier Two Skill?’

’A Cultivator who can master a Tier Two Skill has most likely already reached Foundation Establishment!’

"Fugui, are you sure that person isn’t deceiving you?"

"No way!"

Xu Fugui shook his head repeatedly.

He explained excitedly, "Elder Wang came to Qinghe Marketplace to prepare a life-extending Spiritual Cuisine for the Zheng Family’s old ancestor. He even took me with him to see the Zheng Family’s old ancestor this morning!"

Hearing this, Li Chang’an was no longer suspicious.

He looked at Xu Fugui, a sense of gratification in his eyes.

"Fugui, you’ve finally encountered your own great opportunity."

’If I’m not mistaken, that Elder Wang is very likely also a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse.’

’If Xu Fugui can become the disciple of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his future path of Cultivation Immortality will be much easier.’

"Fugui, you must seize this opportunity!"

"Don’t worry, Brother Li, I know."

Xu Fugui also understood what kind of opportunity he had stumbled upon.

At this point, he suddenly became a bit melancholy.

"Brother Li, I might have to leave Qinghe Marketplace with Elder Wang and go to Yellow Crane Immortal City."

"That’s a good thing!"

Li Chang’an said with a smile.

’After all, Yellow Crane Immortal City is presided over by a Golden Core Master, making it far safer than Qinghe Marketplace.’

’The variety of resources and opportunities is also much greater.’

"In a few more years, I’ll probably go to Yellow Crane Immortal City as well."

"Really?"

Xu Fugui’s face lit up with surprise.

Li Chang’an nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Fugui, maybe I’ll have to rely on you for help in the future."

"When the time comes, Brother Li, just say the word if you need anything. As long as I can help, I definitely will!"

Xu Fugui promised, patting his chest.

He made up his mind.

’I have to establish a firm foothold in Yellow Crane Immortal City as soon as possible.’

’That way, when Brother Li arrives at the Immortal City in the future, he won’t be without a place to stay.’

"Fugui, Yellow Crane Immortal City is far more complex than Qinghe Marketplace. Your foundation is too weak right now, so it will be easy for you to be taken advantage of when you go there."

As he spoke, Li Chang’an took out a Storage Pouch.

He handed the Storage Pouch over and said, "Consider these Spirit Stones a loan from me. They’ll help with your initial development in Yellow Crane Immortal City."

"This..."

Xu Fugui hesitated.

When he saw the number of Spirit Stones inside the Storage Pouch, his eyes widened instantly.

’A full eight hundred Spirit Stones!’

’When have I ever seen so many Spirit Stones in my life?’

"Brother Li, I..."

He wanted to refuse.

But Li Chang’an’s expression was serious as he said solemnly:

"I’m just lending them to you. Just pay me back later when you’ve made some money!"

Not taking no for an answer, he directly stuffed the Storage Pouch into Xu Fugui’s hands.

Xu Fugui hesitated for a moment.

In the end, he accepted the Spirit Stones.

’He also knew that in a place like Yellow Crane Immortal City, it was impossible to get by without Spirit Stones.’

About an hour later, Xu Fugui reluctantly said his farewells.

...

「A few days later.」

Xu Fugui followed his master and left Qinghe Marketplace.

Not long after, Li Chang’an received a letter from him, sent from Yellow Crane Immortal City.

The letter described the various things he had seen and heard in Yellow Crane Immortal City.

Yellow Crane Immortal City was indeed a good place; even Top Grade Talismanic Inheritances were sold openly, and the various Auxiliary Medicines needed for the Foundation Establishment Pill were also for sale.

After reading it, Li Chang’an wrote a letter in reply.

"Fugui, I don’t need a Top Grade Talismanic Inheritance. Help me keep an eye out for various Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects, as well as the three main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill..."

In the days that followed, the two of them exchanged many letters.

...

「On this day.」

A look of joy appeared on Li Chang’an’s face as he felt his physique.

’I’ve finally entered the Early Stage of Body Refining.’

With a thought, he controlled the first Tier One Early Stage Spider Puppet he had ever made and had it attack him.

The Spider Puppet’s attacks struck his body, but were completely unable to break through his defense.

They only left a few faint white marks.

’Not bad.’

Li Chang’an was very satisfied.

’With the initial success of my Body Refinement, I’m one step closer to my goal of Foundation Establishment.’

’The materials needed for the next stage haven’t been gathered yet. I’ll have to put some more thought into it.’

「That night.」

Li Chang’an found Luo Kun.

From Luo Kun, he learned news about the several materials he needed.

"Daoist Li, I’ve made some inquiries for you. Daoist Chu Mu has the ’Hundred Bitter Grass’ and ’Thunder Heart Wood’ that you need."

"The Spirit Plant Master, Chu Mu?"

"Yes, that’s him. You’ve met him before."

Luo Kun nodded and said that he had already asked Chu Mu.

Chu Mu was also willing to trade.

As long as Li Chang’an could offer enough Spirit Stones.

"I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Elder Luo."

Li Chang’an expressed his thanks and planned to visit Chu Mu the next day.

...

「That night, just after Midnight.」

As Li Chang’an was cultivating, the contents of the Divination appeared before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Ominous]