Chapter 132: Bizarre Realm

After hearing what Pei Yingyao said, Li Chang’an maintained his respectful expression and spoke sincerely.

"Easing your burdens is no waste of time, Elder Pei."

"You have a similar temperament to that silly apprentice of mine."

As she spoke, Pei Yingyao seemed to recall something.

A rare smile unexpectedly graced her ice-cold face.

"Fine. Since you’re so intent, I can’t let you go to all this trouble for nothing. Take this Jade Token."

As she spoke, she took out a Jade Token.

This Jade Token had the character "Pei" carved on the front, identical to the one she had given Li Chang’an last time.

In other words,

this was another favor!

Li Chang’an was delighted; this was exactly what he had come for. He hurriedly accepted the Jade Token.

"Thank you, Elder Pei!"

"No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you for avenging my disciple."

Pei Yingyao shook her head slightly, then took out a small booklet from within her robes.

These were her Cultivation Insights, which she also gave to Li Chang’an as a sort of bonus gift.

"I’m a Sword Cultivator, so these Cultivation Insights probably won’t be of use to you. Just take a casual look."

"Yes!"

Li Chang’an respectfully reached out and took the booklet.

Most Sword Cultivators had a Gold Spirit Root.

But Li Chang’an was merely a Wood Spirit Root Cultivator, whose path was more focused on gentle cultivation.

Although he also used a sword, his Sword Intent was unremarkable, lacking the sharpness of a true Sword Cultivator.

Therefore, these insights were indeed not of much use to him.

But they were the Cultivation Insights of a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator, after all. There was no harm in looking them over.

’Perhaps these insights will be useful for Su Yuyan,’ Li Chang’an thought to himself.

Su Yuyan was also a Golden Spirit Root Sword Cultivator, and her Sword Intent was similarly sharp and domineering.

After putting away the booklet, Li Chang’an didn’t disturb Pei Yingyao any further and took his leave.

...

「That afternoon.」

Li Chang’an arrived at Zhou Xuan’s residence.

"Daoist Li, what good news do you bring this time?"

Zhou Xuan was all smiles as he poured Li Chang’an some Spirit Tea, his attitude exceptionally welcoming.

This was because every time he completed a task for Li Chang’an, he would receive a handsome reward.

Li Chang’an cupped his hands and said, "Daoist Zhou, I need more Treasures that can help a Demon Beast advance. Earth Element Treasures would be best."

"Earth Element?"

Zhou Xuan was taken aback. He had assumed Li Chang’an would continue collecting Water Attribute Treasures.

He was curious but didn’t ask any further questions. Perhaps this was all at the direction of the Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator backing Li Chang’an.

Asking too many questions

wouldn’t do him any good.

He just needed to do his job honestly and collect his payment.

"Daoist Li, I will do my best to help you."

"Good. I’ll be counting on you, Daoist Zhou."

To put him at ease, Li Chang’an paid a portion of the reward in advance.

After receiving the payment, the smile on Zhou Xuan’s face grew even wider.

...

「That evening.」

He shared a piece of news about an Earth Element Treasure.

"Daoist Li, my cousin Zhou Yu has a portion of ’Heavy Spiritual Earth.’ It can increase the success rate of an Earth Element Spirit Beast’s advancement by five percent, and its effects can be stacked with other Treasures."

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an’s interest was piqued.

He immediately asked, "Daoist Zhou, is your cousin willing to sell it?"

"Not at the moment, but don’t worry, Daoist Li. I will definitely convince her!"

Zhou Xuan patted his chest, his tone filled with confidence.

Li Chang’an didn’t press him.

He simply said he would wait for good news.

...

「For some time after that.」

No new word came from Zhou Xuan.

Evidently, the matter was not as simple as he had made it sound.

Li Chang’an wasn’t in a hurry, though. After all, the Profound Water Turtle had already advanced, making his situation much safer than before.

「On this day.」

Inside his room, he sat cross-legged, adjusting his condition to its Peak.

Beside him, the Profound Water Turtle was also adjusting its state.

After a moment, Li Chang’an said in a low voice, "Xiaohai, let’s begin. Let’s test your Borrowing Technique Talent!"

At his words, the Profound Water Turtle immediately cast its Magic.

Countless streams of gentle Water Element Spiritual Power drifted from its body, slowly merging into Li Chang’an’s Meridians.

’The Magical Power of a Tier Two Spirit Beast is truly extraordinary. It’s countless times stronger than before.’

Li Chang’an could personally feel this change. After all, he had frequently used the Borrowing Technique before the Profound Water Turtle’s breakthrough.

At this moment, his aura surged, instantly breaking through to the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

A few breaths later, his aura skyrocketed again, reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

Before the Profound Water Turtle’s breakthrough, the Qi Refining Ninth Layer had been the limit of their Human-Turtle Unity.

But now, Li Chang’an’s aura was still rising, showing no signs of stopping!

It rose from the initial stage of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer all the way to its Peak.

A moment later, his entire body shuddered. An even more tyrannical aura erupted from him as he seemingly broke through into another realm!

It was weaker than Foundation Establishment, yet far stronger than the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

’What realm is this?’ Li Chang’an was astonished.

By now, the Profound Water Turtle’s Borrowing Technique had reached its limit.

Feeling his own strength, Li Chang’an grew even more puzzled.

’What a strange realm. Could it be called Pseudo-Foundation Establishment? Or maybe Quasi-Foundation Establishment?’

He had encountered several Foundation Establishment Cultivators, like Zhou Sheng and Zheng Qingqing, and had personally felt the intensity of their auras.

Therefore, he knew very well that his current strength still couldn’t compare to a true Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

’I’ve never heard of such a realm before.’

Li Chang’an went out into the courtyard and casually cast a few spells.

The power of these spells was astonishing. Any one of them could easily kill a Qi Refining Ninth Layer expert. They already possessed a hint of the might of Foundation Establishment.

At this moment, Li Chang’an suddenly had a thought.

Between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core, there existed the realm of the Fake Pill.

The Magical Power of this realm was slightly weaker than Golden Core, but much stronger than Foundation Establishment.

’My current situation is probably similar to the Fake Pill. Could I call it Fake Foundation Establishment?’ Li Chang’an mused to himself.

Regardless, he was quite satisfied with his current strength.

After all, the Profound Water Turtle’s Borrowing Technique Talent had its limits; it couldn’t possibly lend all of its Magical Power to Li Chang’an.

’Time to test its effect on Talisman Painting.’

Li Chang’an returned to his room and took out the Talisman Paper, Spiritual Ink, and other necessary items for Talisman Painting.

Then, he sat cross-legged, holding the Tier Two Clear Heart Talisman Brush, and began to draw a Blood Sword Talisman.

In this state of Fake Foundation Establishment, drawing the talisman was effortless. He finished the entire Blood Sword Talisman in a single, fluid motion, taking no time at all!

"Excellent!"

A smile appeared on Li Chang’an’s face.

This Talisman Painting session was far easier than before, with no pressure on his Magical Power whatsoever.

’I can try for a High-quality Talisman now.’

...

「In the months that followed.」

Li Chang’an continuously tried to draw a High-quality Talisman of the Tier Two Low Grade.

Although he failed repeatedly, he made significant progress.

He was confident that it wouldn’t be long before he could successfully draw a High-quality Talisman.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Huang Feng could no longer sit still.

"It’s been so long, and there’s still no word. Senior Brother, are you sure there’s no problem?"

"Lu Yuanji must have failed."

Huang Liang’s expression was rather grim.

This was because he had repeatedly guaranteed that Lu Yuanji would not fail.

But... over this period, he had tried to contact Lu Yuanji multiple times, but never received a response.

Furthermore, the residence Lu Yuanji had rented while disguised as Qiaoshan had expired, and he hadn’t renewed the lease.

All of this indicated that he had most likely fallen at Li Chang’an’s hands!