Chapter 332 - 213: New Sword Array, Continuous Harvests

This news was quite a shock to Li Chang’an.

It had genuinely taken him by surprise.

"Is this true?"

"It’s true, Elder Li! I would never lie to you about this!"

The one bringing Li Chang’an the news was Hong Chiyuan, the Sect Leader of the Red Refining Sect.

He had led numerous Sect Disciples to the ruins in search of opportunities, only to be sent scrambling back by the battle raging there.

"Elder Li, the Core Formation Masters of the Three Great Sects have already taken action!"

"Before we left, a Fake Pill Supreme Elder from the Cyan Cloud Sect had already been severely wounded..."

Hong Chiyuan was still shaken as he recounted the situation.

The numerous Red Refining Sect Disciples also looked terrified, the fear still etched on their faces.

As mere Qi Refining Cultivators, they didn’t dare get involved in the conflicts of the Three Great Sects.

After they finished speaking, Li Chang’an was lost in thought.

’The Three Great Sects are all part of the Human Race,’ he mused. ’Though they’ve had their conflicts in the past, things have always remained under control. Declaring all-out war now seems irrational.’

Then again, perhaps countless minor conflicts had been simmering for too long, finally boiling over in those Ancient Sect Ruins.

Hong Chiyuan pleaded, "Elder Li, whatever you do, don’t go to those ruins! It’s pure chaos. Even quite a few Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators have died there."

"Don’t worry. I’m not that easy to kill."

Li Chang’an casually rewarded him with a few bottles of Elixir Pills.

Then, with Dahuang in tow, he continued his pursuit.

According to Dahuang, Sima Rui was somewhere within those Sect Ruins.

’Hong Chiyuan is only a Qi Refining Cultivator, after all. He might have misjudged the situation,’ Li Chang’an considered.

He doubted the Three Great Sects would truly go to war. The path of Cultivation Immortality was a quest for longevity. Aside from a few innately vicious Tribulation Cultivators, very few people enjoyed pointless bloodshed.

「About half a day later.」

Li Chang’an finally approached the Ancient Sect Ruins.

The closer they drew, the stronger the stench of blood became to Dahuang, and it was almost entirely from Human Race Cultivators.

Though they hadn’t arrived at the ruins proper, Li Chang’an could already see widespread evidence of Magical Combat.

As far as the eye could see, the ground was littered with mutilated corpses, many mangled beyond recognition.

Suddenly, a streak of fiery light tore across the sky.

The figure within the light was, surprisingly, an acquaintance of Li Chang’an.

Daoist Fire Cloud!

His face was pale, his Magic Robe was shredded, and he looked to be in a wretched state—clearly fleeing for his life.

Three streaks of Spiritual Light were in hot pursuit behind him, their auras formidable—all had reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Fire Cloud, hand over that Burning Fire Gold Stone!"

One of them barked.

Daoist Fire Cloud didn’t slow down, his voice tinged with anger.

"The three of you, I already gave you the Burning Fire Gold Stone! Why are you still pursuing me so relentlessly?"

"Nonsense!"

Killing intent radiated from the trio, and a hint of greed lurked in their eyes.

Clearly, the so-called Burning Fire Gold Stone was merely an excuse.

Their true target was Daoist Fire Cloud’s Storage Pouch!

Daoist Fire Cloud had already realized this and was filled with regret. He knew these Sect Ruins were chaotic, but he had come anyway, clinging to a sliver of wishful thinking.

’If he’d known it would be like this, he would have stayed far away.’

’But now, not only had he failed to find any Treasure, he was about to lose his life.’

Just then, a familiar figure suddenly appeared before him.

"Daoist Li!"

Daoist Fire Cloud was overjoyed and hurriedly called for help.

"Daoist Li, please, help me!"

"Daoist Fire Cloud, why so disheveled? Did you perhaps snatch someone else’s Treasure?"

Li Chang’an asked with a relaxed smile.

Daoist Fire Cloud’s face was a mask of bitterness.

"Daoist Li, those three are all Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Cyan Cloud Sect, and none of them are weaker than I am. How could I possibly snatch a Treasure from them? It’s obvious they’re the ones after my belongings."

"From the Cyan Cloud Sect?"

Li Chang’an’s expression shifted slightly as he glanced at the trio.

Meanwhile, the three pursuers also came to a halt, their gazes sweeping over Li Chang’an.

The one in the lead asked with a grim expression, "You’re Li Chang’an?"

"I am. And who might you three be?"

"A dead man doesn’t need to know my name!"

The man stared daggers at Li Chang’an.

The killing intent he directed at Li Chang’an was somehow even more intense than what he’d shown toward Daoist Fire Cloud.

Li Chang’an was surprised. ’Could this man be a friend of Cao Shaolong?’

’Otherwise, why would he harbor such intense killing intent for me?’

But the man’s next words took him by surprise.

"Junior Sister Su can’t seem to get you out of her head. I’d like to see what’s so special about you!"

’So, it’s because of Yuyan...’

Li Chang’an understood completely.

Su Yuyan had once invited him to join the Cyan Cloud Sect as an Honored Guest Elder.

However, he had considered that Su Yuyan had many admirers within the Sect. Getting too close to her would have easily made him a target for them all.

So, he had declined the offer.

’To think that even outside the Cyan Cloud Sect, he would still run into trouble because of Su Yuyan.’

Nearby, Daoist Fire Cloud overheard their conversation and was secretly pleased.

’These three have now set their sights on Li Chang’an.’

Daoist Fire Cloud had been worried that Li Chang’an wouldn’t help him, since his opponents were three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Cyan Cloud Sect.

But now, they shared a common enemy.

"Daoist Li, what do you say we join forces?"

Daoist Fire Cloud proposed.

’Even if their combined strength couldn’t match the three from the Cyan Cloud Sect,’ he thought, ’it was better than being picked off one by one. At least they would have a chance to defend themselves.’

Li Chang’an didn’t answer him. Instead, he raised a hand and flung out three streaks of Cyan Wood Divine Light.

RUMBLE!

Caught completely off guard, the three cultivators exploded on the spot, disintegrating into a shower of blood.

"Come!"

With a beckoning gesture, Li Chang’an collected the three Storage Pouches.

On the ground below, Dahuang shook the Venerable Soul Banner and collected their souls.

Only then did the three souls seem to realize what had happened.

’What happened?’

’Why am I dead?’

Their ethereal forms were filled with horror; they couldn’t believe they had been killed in an instant.