Chapter 195 - 171: Parted for Many Years, Strangers on Different Paths

Traceless Powder was a special kind of Spirit Medicine.

Once it touched someone, their body would emit a unique aura.

This Spirit Medicine was often used for hunting Demon Beasts.

However, in the eyes of Tribulation Cultivators, the Cultivators they targeted were no different from Demon Beasts.

They were all prey!

’I still have to save her.’

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly, cast the Little Five Elements Escape Technique, and gave chase.

If Jiang Yuerong died here, there would be no one to deliver that little booklet to Su Yuyan for him.

「A moment later.」

Li Chang’an arrived at the shore of a lake and came to a halt.

He said in a low voice, "Daoist Jiang, come out. You’ve hidden yourself well, but the Traceless Powder on you has already given away your position."

"What?"

Jiang Yuerong, who was hiding, was taken aback.

She immediately emerged from the lake, staring warily at Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, why are you here? Are you in league with those Tribulation Cultivators?"

"Daoist Jiang, if I were a Tribulation Cultivator, I would have just attacked you. Why waste my breath? You’re no match for me."

With that, Li Chang’an tossed out an Elixir Pill.

Jiang Yuerong was skeptical.

She didn’t catch the Elixir Pill. Instead, she shot out a stream of Spiritual Power, causing the pill to hover in mid-air.

"What kind of pill is this?"

"The antidote for Traceless Powder."

Li Chang’an explained calmly, his expression serene.

"Crush it and sprinkle the powder on yourself. The Traceless Powder will be neutralized."

"That’s not necessary. I have an antidote for Traceless Powder!"

Jiang Yuerong was still wary, her heart filled with suspicion.

After surviving that deadly ambush, she didn’t dare to trust anyone.

She took out an Elixir Pill from her Storage Pouch.

After crushing it, Jiang Yuerong let out a slow sigh of relief.

’No wonder I kept feeling like something was off. So it was the Traceless Powder my master mentioned.’

she thought to herself, glancing at Li Chang’an again.

She was beginning to believe some of what Li Chang’an had said.

However, she found his claim, "You’re no match for me," to be absurd.

After all, she was a Sect Disciple at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, while Li Chang’an was merely a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

It was common knowledge that at the same level of cultivation, Sect Disciples were typically stronger than Loose Cultivators.

And Li Chang’an’s cultivation was even lower than hers.

These thoughts flashed through Jiang Yuerong’s mind.

But she didn’t voice them. Instead, she cupped her hands and said, "Daoist Li, thank you for your help."

"It’s nothing."

Li Chang’an waved his hand dismissively.

"Daoist Jiang, even though you’ve dealt with the Traceless Powder, this location has likely been compromised. You should leave as soon as possible."

"You’re right, Daoist Li."

Jiang Yuerong knew she shouldn’t linger and prepared to depart immediately.

However, at that very moment, a streak of blood-red light tore across the sky, appearing before them in the blink of an eye.

"Blood Beast Valley!"

Jiang Yuerong’s expression darkened as she stared intently at the newcomer.

The person’s aura was immensely powerful, having already reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t fear a Tribulation Cultivator with this level of cultivation.

But now, the other cultivators from Blood Beast Valley were likely closing in on their location.

If this person tied her down, she might not be able to escape at all!

"Daoist Li, let’s team up and kill him quickly!"

"Alright!"

Li Chang’an didn’t hesitate and prepared to strike.

But suddenly, a surprised voice came from the Tribulation Cultivator.

"Brother Li?"

"Hm?"

Li Chang’an froze, frowning at the Tribulation Cultivator.

The voice sounded familiar, as if it belonged to an old acquaintance.

Then, the Tribulation Cultivator removed her mask and all other concealments, revealing the slender face of a woman.

Li Chang’an was stunned.

The woman’s name was Mu Qiuyan. She had once joined him on his quest to find an Immortal Sect.

"Qiuyan?"

"It’s me."

Mu Qiuyan’s expression was complex.

Her eyes were slightly red as she looked at Li Chang’an.

"Brother Li, it’s been so many years. I never thought... we’d meet again like this."

"Qiuyan, why did you become a Tribulation Cultivator?"

Li Chang’an asked, confused.

In his memory, Mu Qiuyan had been the kindest person in their group of immortal-seekers, someone who would feel sad for a long time just for stepping on an ant.

Later, before the Immortal Sect, she too had been tested and found to have a Low Grade Spiritual Root.

But she hadn’t chosen to become a low-level Loose Cultivator in the Marketplace. Instead, she had returned to the mortal world, planning to live out an ordinary, mundane life.

"Qiuyan, didn’t you return to the mortal world?"

Li Chang’an asked again.

"Brother Li, I..."

Mu Qiuyan’s lips parted slightly, but she trailed off. An imperceptible trace of sorrow flashed in her reddened eyes.

It seemed she was hiding some painful secret.

In the end, she didn’t say anything more, only letting out a soft sigh.

"Brother Li, you and this Daoist from the Cyan Cloud Sect should go. I won’t kill you."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuerong felt a wave of relief.

It was best to avoid a fight to the death, of course!

However, at that very moment, several sinister laughs suddenly echoed from the surrounding forest.

"HEH HEH HEH, Mu Qiuyan, you may not have the heart to kill your dear Brother Li, but we do!"

"Good thing I got here in time, otherwise you would’ve let this fat sheep go!"

The words had barely faded when a dozen blood-red figures appeared. None of them had a weak aura; they were the very same Blood Beast Valley Tribulation Cultivators who had surrounded Jiang Yuerong earlier!

Like a pack of hungry wolves, their eyes filled with greed, they surrounded Li Chang’an and Jiang Yuerong.

Their leader’s cultivation had already reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer!

His expression was grim as he shot a vicious glare at Mu Qiuyan.

"You backstabbing traitor!"

"I..."

A panicked look crossed Mu Qiuyan’s face, her heart seething with anxiety. ’Unless a miracle happens, Li Chang’an is going to die,’ she thought, filled with regret. ’I shouldn’t have wasted time talking; I should’ve just told them to leave immediately. But now it’s too late.’

By the lake, Jiang Yuerong’s expression grew solemn as she tightened her grip on her Longsword.