Chapter 198 - 172: Yuyan Returns, Top-grade Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object

Today, the only surviving remnants of Ancient Times can be found in the various Secret Realms.

Therefore, within the Cyan Cloud Sect, many Sect missions were related to excavating Secret Realms.

It wasn’t just the Cyan Cloud Sect.

The Three Great Sects and the Seven Great Noble Families all did the same, encouraging their disciples to explore Secret Realms.

Li Chang’an fell into thought after listening.

After a moment, he asked again, "Yuyan, have you ever heard of anything described as ’Ancient Wood Evergreen’?"

"Ancient Wood Evergreen?"

Su Yuyan thought hard for a long while.

There were many records about "ancient wood" and "evergreen," but very few where the two words were linked. Those that existed were all irrelevant.

She relayed them to Li Chang’an one by one.

Li Chang’an listened attentively but gleaned no valuable information.

He sighed inwardly. ’It seems the Cyan Cloud Sect doesn’t have many records on improving one’s Spiritual Root. Or perhaps Yuyan’s status isn’t high enough for her to access its most critical secrets.’

In a Major Sect like the Cyan Cloud Sect, some secrets could only be known to the Golden Core Ancestors.

It was still difficult for someone of Su Yuyan’s current status to learn of them.

After they finished discussing the matter, Su Yuyan brought up Mu Qiuyan.

"Brother Li, Junior Sister Jiang already told me about the incident with the Tribulation Cultivator. I never would have thought you were hiding such strength."

"It was just a matter of relying on external aids."

Li Chang’an smiled and shook his head, offering no further explanation.

After all, his displayed Cultivation was only the Qi Refining Seventh Layer. Without relying on external aids, there was a limit to how strong he could be.

"Right, what’s the real story behind the conflict between Mu Qiuyan and the Cyan Cloud Sect?"

"Even now, I don’t know."

A confused expression surfaced on Su Yuyan’s lovely face.

In her memories, Mu Qiuyan had always treated her very well.

Had she not heard it with her own ears, she would have refused to believe that the ruthless Tribulation Cultivator on the Sect’s wanted list was the same kind-hearted "big sister" from all those years ago.

Years had passed since they’d last seen each other.

So many people and things had changed.

"Brother Li, it’s a good thing we haven’t changed."

Su Yuyan looked at Li Chang’an, her deep eyes seeming to hold a wealth of complex emotions.

The two of them talked for a long time, speaking of everything from the past to their plans for the future.

At some point, Su Yuyan brought up Cao Shaolong.

The only reason Cao Shaolong hadn’t come looking for trouble with Li Chang’an recently was that he had run into trouble of his own.

And that trouble was Su Yuyan’s master!

Her master was a Late Stage of Foundation Establishment powerhouse of formidable strength. When she heard that Cao Shaolong had bullied Su Yuyan during her experiential training away from the Sect, she immediately flew into a rage, captured Cao Shaolong, and gave him a sound thrashing!

Cao Shaolong was beaten to within an inch of his life and was bedridden for several months.

After that, he tried to leave the Sect several times, but Su Yuyan’s master blocked him each time.

"So that’s what happened."

Understanding dawned on Li Chang’an.

He recalled how his Divination had warned him that Cao Zhengxiong and the Wu Family Ancestor would join forces to kill him.

He had been puzzled at the time as to why Cao Shaolong hadn’t appeared.

Later, when Zheng Qingqing annihilated the Wu Family, Cao Shaolong was likewise a no-show.

Now he finally understood why!

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but reflect on how different things were when you had a good master. If you were bullied out in the world, at least you had someone to back you up when you returned.

From the looks of it, he shouldn’t have to worry about Cao Shaolong anymore.

However, Su Yuyan said, "Brother Li, the appearance of the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm has given Cao Shaolong his chance. He has already left the Sect and will probably come looking for you soon."

"The Secret Realm? What does that have to do with him?" Li Chang’an asked in surprise.

Su Yuyan patiently explained.

The Cyan Cloud Sect always encouraged its disciples to explore Secret Realms, especially newly discovered ones.

Not long ago, Cao Shaolong volunteered to lead a team, stating that he would guide a group of Sect Disciples into the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm to explore.

The Cyan Cloud Sect’s Sect Leader approved his request.

"Cao Shaolong received the Sect Leader’s approval, so he’s considered to be on official Sect business. My master can’t very well stop him now, or it would be difficult for her to answer to the Sect Leader."

"I see."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an wasn’t particularly worried.

With his current strength, he had no fear of facing Cao Shaolong alone.

Xiaohai and Dahuang had both advanced to Tier Two, the Ten Thousand Poison Gu was also Tier Two, and the Venerable Soul Banner contained two Tier Two Main Souls.

’If we really fight, it’ll be five against one. No matter how you look at it, the advantage is mine!’ Li Chang’an calculated silently.

Of course, it would be best not to fight at all.

Behind Cao Shaolong stood the massive Cyan Cloud Sect!

A Foundation Establishment powerhouse like him was already a pillar of the Sect. If something were to happen to him out in the world, it might even draw out one of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Golden Core Ancestors!

Li Chang’an grew quiet, lost in thought.

Thinking he was worried, Su Yuyan immediately tried to reassure him.

"Brother Li, don’t you worry. I also applied to the Sect to explore the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm. I’ll be staying in Yellow Crane Immortal City for the foreseeable future. If Cao Shaolong really comes looking for trouble, I’ll stop him for you."

Just as she finished speaking, another Foundation Establishment aura suddenly flared up outside the door.

Sensing this aura, Su Yuyan’s lovely face instantly turned to ice.

BOOM!

The courtyard gate was suddenly blasted open, and the entire courtyard shuddered.

Standing in the doorway was none other than Cao Shaolong!

Behind him were more than ten disciples from the Cyan Cloud Sect, every one of them with a hostile expression, radiating aggression.

Su Yuyan snapped coldly, "Cao Shaolong, if you don’t want to fight me, then get the hell out of here!"

"Su Yuyan, you..."

Cao Shaolong’s face turned livid as he glared daggers at Li Chang’an, who stood behind Su Yuyan.

He felt utterly aggrieved.

He had come for Li Chang’an twice now, and both times he had run into Su Yuyan.

The last time, Su Yuyan was just a Qi Refining Cultivator.

But now, she had reached Foundation Establishment. Her strength was on par with his—more than enough to protect Li Chang’an.