Chapter 216 - 178: Great Opportunity, Ancient Wood Evergreen

Zheng Qingqing’s answer surprised Li Chang’an.

He did a quick mental calculation and understood immediately.

Sixteen years had passed since Zheng Qingqing reached Foundation Establishment.

Although Ancestor Zheng Yuandao’s life had been extended by twenty years, his time was running out. He only had a few years left.

If Zheng Qingqing still couldn’t help the family produce a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator,

she would have no choice but to return to Qinghe Marketplace and watch over the family’s interests there.

"Time really flies."

Li Chang’an sighed.

The day Zheng Qingqing reached Foundation Establishment felt like only yesterday.

But in cultivation, the years slipped by unnoticed. Decades could pass in the blink of an eye.

Zheng Qingqing’s voice once again came from the Jade Pendant.

"I’m sure Daoist Li has already guessed my intention. I plan to hunt a Tier Two Demon Beast in the Black Dragon Mountain Range to obtain its Demon Core."

"Lady Zheng, I happen to have a Tier Two Demon Core right here."

Li Chang’an said, holding the Jade Pendant and sending his voice through it.

Zheng Qingqing’s surprised voice quickly came back.

"Daoist Li, where did you get a Tier Two Demon Core?"

"I found it on the side of the road."

"..."

Zheng Qingqing was silent for a moment.

The reply was so dismissive that she didn’t even know how to respond.

"Daoist Li, as long as the Demon Core was obtained legitimately, it’s fine. What kind of Demon Beast did it come from?"

"It’s from a Blood Roar Beast. The Demon Core is heavy with blood Qi and hostile energy. Can it be used for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill?"

"Let me think..."

Zheng Qingqing fell into deep thought.

Li Chang’an didn’t rush her, waiting patiently instead.

After about a dozen breaths, Zheng Qingqing’s pleasant voice sounded again.

"It can be refined, but it would be difficult to produce a High-quality pill. We might not even get a normal one. The final product would most likely be an Inferior Grade pill."

"Inferior Grade?"

That answer was more or less what Li Chang’an had concluded himself.

But he already had an Inferior Grade Elixir Pill; he wanted something of better quality.

Zheng Qingqing added, "Daoist Li, if you trust me, hold on to that Demon Core. When I get back, I’ll do my absolute best to refine it for you."

"Alright. Thank you, Lady Zheng!"

Li Chang’an thanked her sincerely.

Then, he asked about Zheng Qingqing’s situation over on her end.

Zheng Qingqing explained that while the Black Dragon Mountain Range teemed with Demon Beasts, finding a suitable Tier Two Demon Beast was proving difficult.

Not long ago, she had discovered an Attributeless Demon Beast, but its strength was at the Tier Two Middle Stage, making it incredibly powerful.

With her level of power, she stood no chance of killing it and had to look for other targets.

During their conversation, she told Li Chang’an the creature’s exact location.

"Daoist Li, if you could persuade Pei Yingyao to help, you might just be able to slay that Demon Beast."

"I understand. Thank you for the information, Lady Zheng!"

Li Chang’an mentally noted the location.

He knew he couldn’t get Pei Yingyao’s help, but he could try to take it on himself.

’Tier Two Middle Stage...’

Li Chang’an mused.

A Demon Beast of that level was equivalent to a human Cultivator at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

The Evil Soul in his Venerable Soul Banner could handle it.

Furthermore, his Sword Array, formed from the Nine Jade Sword Talismans, also possessed power equivalent to the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

’Whether I can kill it or not, there’s no harm in trying.’

’With my current strength, coupled with the insights from my Divination, I should be fine as long as I’m careful and don’t venture too deep into the Black Dragon Mountain Range.’

Over the years, Li Chang’an had been in and out of the Black Dragon Mountain Range many times.

He was no longer as fearful of the Demon Qi-filled mountain range as he had been at first.

The conversation ended about a quarter of an hour later.

...

「Half a month passed.」

On this day, his residence was piled high with broken Puppet Materials and components.

Before Li Chang’an stood a brand-new Puppet.

"My Tier Two Puppet... It’s finally complete!"

He smiled, looking at his masterpiece with immense satisfaction.

With this, he had another Tier Two trump card up his sleeve!

’My Magical Power is more than sufficient. As soon as I get a high-quality Foundation Establishment Pill, I can immediately enter seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment!’

Li Chang’an silently assessed his own condition.

He had already made up his mind.

He would head into the mountains to hunt a Demon Beast.

He would obtain a Tier Two Demon Core of sufficient quality.

’This will be my last battle before Foundation Establishment. The more trump cards I have, the better!’

...

「A few days later.」

Li Chang’an went to the Black Market again.

He sold all the Treasures he had no use for and bought a large quantity of restorative and Healing Spirit Medicine.

He also bought several Treasures suitable for Xiaohai and Dahuang.

In his plan, Xiaohai and Dahuang would be his main forces for this trip into the mountains.

After completing his purchases, Li Chang’an left the Black Market, intending to return to Yellow Crane Immortal City for his final preparations.

However, halfway back, he suddenly spotted a familiar face.

’Mu Qiuyan.’

Li Chang’an’s gaze focused on a tall mountain in the distance.

A great battle had apparently just taken place there. The mountainside was fractured, and its peak had been sheared clean off.

Mu Qiuyan stood silently on the summit, covered in blood.

At her feet lay a mangled corpse.

The corpse was headless, but its robes indicated that the person had been a disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

With a flicker of movement, Li Chang’an appeared on the summit in an instant.

"Qiuyan."

"Brother Li."

Mu Qiuyan started.

A flash of panic crossed her eyes. She quickly wiped the blood from her face, as if trying to make herself look less frightening.

Li Chang’an didn’t mind.

With a simple thought, he retrieved the Spirit Contract from his Storage Pouch.

"This is your Spirit Contract. You no longer have to risk your life for Blood Beast Valley."

"This..."

Mu Qiuyan froze, staring at the Spirit Contract in disbelief.

This should have been in the hands of the Blood Beast Valley’s Valley Lord.

’How did Li Chang’an get it?’

"Brother Li, did you make a deal with the Valley Lord?"

"Don’t overthink it. Just take it."

Li Chang’an casually tossed it to her.

Mu Qiuyan quickly caught it.

She put the Spirit Contract away and looked at Li Chang’an, her expression a mixture of complex emotions.