Chapter 109: Heading to the Immortal City, a Foundation Establishment Ambush

Both of them planned to go to Yellow Crane Immortal City.

And surprisingly, they had set the exact same departure time: three days from now.

Zheng Qingqing couldn’t help but smile. "Daoist Li, it seems we’re of one mind. We even set the same date."

"Young Miss, do you plan to attempt your Foundation Establishment immediately after arriving at the Immortal City?"

"No."

Zheng Qingqing shook her head slightly.

She also needed to attend that auction to purchase a Treasure that could assist with Foundation Establishment.

"Daoist Li, since our timing is the same, why don’t we travel together? We can look out for each other. What do you think?"

"I couldn’t ask for more!"

Li Chang’an did not refuse.

Zheng Qingqing’s combat prowess was quite high. There was no harm in traveling with her.

After all,

the journey from Qinghe Marketplace to Yellow Crane Immortal City would take several days at least.

During that time, if one’s luck was bad, an encounter with Tribulation Cultivators was almost inevitable.

Having a powerful companion was always better than traveling alone.

’Besides, traveling together for a few days will be a good chance to get closer. If she really succeeds in her Foundation Establishment, I’ll have a friend at the Foundation Establishment level.’

Li Chang’an thought to himself.

A friend at the Foundation Establishment level was much better than a Foundation Establishment Favor.

A moment later,

the two of them conducted their trade.

Li Chang’an acquired several Treasures he needed for the Ninth Stage of Body Refining.

’The further one progresses in Body Refinement, the rarer the required Treasures become. Luckily, I’ve almost gathered everything I need.’

He had already begun the eighth stage of Body Refinement.

As for the Treasures for the ninth stage, there were only three last items he had yet to find.

He should be able to gather the rest in Yellow Crane Immortal City.

...

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

Tomorrow was the day of their departure for Yellow Crane Immortal City.

That night,

Just after Midnight,

Li Chang’an was in his medicinal bath when a golden light suddenly flashed before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Great Peril]

[You travel with Zheng Qingqing to Yellow Crane Immortal City. Along the way, you are ambushed by two Foundation Establishment powerhouses, the Cao Family Ancestor and the Five Poison Wanderer. You fight back desperately, but ultimately escape with heavy injuries.]

"Great Peril!"

Li Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat.

The last time a Divination like this appeared was when the Marketplace’s Array was broken, and the Cao Family Ancestor and Wu Family Ancestor stormed the Marketplace.

He had been caught in the battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators and was severely injured.

But this time was even more dangerous.

He would have to face Foundation Establishment powerhouses directly!

’The Cao Family Ancestor must be after Zheng Qingqing, but what about the Five Poison Wanderer? Could he be an accomplice hired by the Cao Family Ancestor?’

Li Chang’an’s brow furrowed as he pondered for a moment.

He had known for a long time that the Cao Family had ties to Tribulation Cultivator organizations.

After all, the Cao Family had hired Black Wind Mountain before.

As long as Cao Zhengxiong was willing to pay a high enough price, it wasn’t surprising that he could hire the Five Poison Wanderer.

’Two Foundation Establishment powerhouses attacking at the same time means they believe Zheng Qingqing also has a Foundation Establishment expert protecting her. In that case, I’m just caught in the crossfire.’

Li Chang’an had a rough idea of the reason behind this.

What he couldn’t figure out was this:

Zheng Qingqing’s trip to the Immortal City for her Foundation Establishment was critical information. Few people within the Zheng Family should have known about it.

How did the Cao Family Ancestor find out?

’The Zheng Family is as leaky as a sieve. They can’t keep any secrets!’

Li Chang’an was truly speechless.

Fortunately, he had his Divination.

Otherwise, he would have likely faced a life-or-death situation this time.

’But I can actually escape from the hands of a Foundation Establishment Ancestor?’

Li Chang’an read the Divination’s text again, secretly astonished.

Could it be because his Escape Technique was too powerful?

He couldn’t help but recall something.

It was once rumored that the Third Chief of Black Wind Mountain had escaped from the grasp of a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse.

Back then,

he had thought those rumors were just boasts from the Tribulation Cultivators.

Thinking about it now, perhaps there was some truth to them.

Of course, it was also possible that the two Foundation Establishment powerhouses were focused on killing Zheng Qingqing and didn’t care whether a small fry like him lived or died, which was why he was able to get away.

’Regardless, I absolutely cannot leave tomorrow.’

Li Chang’an immediately ended his medicinal bath and hurried out the door.

He soon arrived at Zheng Qingqing’s residence.

"Young Miss, I don’t know why, but I’ve felt uneasy for the past two days. I’m worried something unexpected might happen on our journey."

"Oh? Daoist Li feels it too?"

Zheng Qingqing’s elegant brows knitted together. She had the same feeling.

It was as if some disaster was about to befall them.

Li Chang’an didn’t waste words and asked her directly, "Young Miss, how many people within the Zheng Family know about your trip to the Immortal City for Foundation Establishment?"

"Only myself, the two Ancestors, and the current Patriarch Zheng know."

Zheng Qingqing was very smart and understood the implication of his words.

"Daoist Li, are you suspecting that someone within the Zheng Family sold my information to the Cao Family, leading to us being ambushed by them on the road?"

"Correct!"

Hearing Zheng Qingqing’s words, Li Chang’an became even more confused.

The two Foundation Establishment Ancestors and the current Patriarch Zheng, logically speaking, should have no reason to betray Zheng Qingqing.

The Zheng Family gaining another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

There was no downside for them in that!

"This matter is strange."

Li Chang’an pondered for a moment.

"Young Miss, regardless, we must not leave tomorrow. Let’s wait a few more days."

"Alright!"

Zheng Qingqing did not hesitate and immediately agreed.

The auction was still nearly a month away. There was no need to rush.

...

Over the next few days,

Li Chang’an and Zheng Qingqing discussed the matter several times.

「Seven days later.」

They decided to set out once again.

However, this time, Zheng Qingqing gave false information to those within the Zheng Family.

She told them she had to wait another three days.

She even said the same to Zheng Yuandao, the Ancestor of her own branch of the family.

That night,

Just after Midnight, a new Divination appeared.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Neutral]

[You travel with Zheng Qingqing and encounter no danger along the way, successfully arriving at Yellow Crane Immortal City in three days.]

Seeing the content of this Divination, Li Chang’an breathed a sigh of relief.

There would be no problem this time!

’It seems the problem really does lie within the Zheng Family!’

Li Chang’an suddenly had a thought.

Perhaps the previous Foundation Establishment Failures in the Zheng Family were not just due to bad luck.

However,

it was an internal matter of the Zheng Family. As long as it didn’t affect him, it was fine.

...

「The next day.」

Before the sky had brightened,

two figures quietly slipped out of Qinghe Marketplace.

"Young Miss, did you leave a Puppet Body behind?"

"I did. There’s no need to worry, Daoist Li."

Both of their Escape Techniques were quite impressive. They moved quickly and soon left Qinghe Marketplace far behind.

The journey was just as the Divination had predicted.

It went very smoothly.

They did not encounter any ambushing Cultivators.

They only ran into two Demon Beast attacks along the way, both of which were taken care of by Zheng Qingqing with a single crack of her whip.

The two of them talked a lot on their journey.

Li Chang’an spoke of his experiences seeking Immortals in the mortal world.

The stories of the martial world, court politics, heroes, and chivalry were all things Zheng Qingqing had never experienced.

When she heard that Li Chang’an had single-handedly fought his way into the Imperial City to save a friend, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

"Daoist Li, I never would have imagined your personality back then was so different from how you are now."

"I was young then."

Li Chang’an smiled.

The reason he had caused such a stir in the mortal world back then was actually to attract the attention of an Immortal.

He had only done so because he heard that some Immortals liked to amuse themselves in the mortal realm.

If he could catch their eye, he might be able to obtain a fateful encounter with immortality.