Chapter 399 - 235: Time is Ruthless, Besieged by Demon Cultivators

"The difference in their Spirit Charm wasn’t large to begin with. One has forty-two wisps, the other thirty-seven."

Li Chang’an’s gaze was calm as it swept over the two of them.

With a flick of his finger, he sent out two streams of Evergreen Magical Power to dispel their fatigue and heal their minor injuries.

Wang Lingjing said with a beaming smile, "Thank you, Ancestor. I wish I were as powerful as you."

Wang Lingya’s heart was a tangle of emotions as she cupped her hands and bowed.

"Thank you, Elder Changqing."

Today’s battle made her wonder.

’Was my choice back then wrong?’

’If I had stayed on Changqing Mountain, would I be stronger now than I am today?’

But alas, there are no ’what ifs’ in life.

「In the days that followed.」

Wang Lingya stayed on Changqing Mountain, cultivating alongside Wang Lingjing.

During this time, her doubts gradually deepened, even turning to regret, simply because the cultivation conditions on Changqing Mountain were far better than she had imagined.

The entirety of Changqing Mountain was like her sister’s private training ground; she could go wherever she pleased, unrestrained and completely free.

In the Cyan Cloud Sect, however, she received no such treatment.

The Sect had endless rules and regulations.

The slightest misstep could result in breaking a rule and being punished.

Wang Lingjing said with a smile, "Sister, why don’t you stay here with me?"

"I..."

Wang Lingya’s heart was a mix of emotions, and she sighed helplessly.

She couldn’t stay.

No matter what, the Cyan Cloud Sect ultimately offered a better future.

With a Top Grade Spirit Root, her ambition wasn’t merely Foundation Establishment, but the higher realm of Golden Core.

Changqing Mountain simply couldn’t provide her with the help needed for Core Formation.

...

「One month later.」

Sorrow hung over the Wang Family at the foot of the mountain.

Wang Hu, the Patriarch, had reached the end of his life.

He had long surpassed the limit of one hundred and twenty years; the only reason he had lived to this day was purely due to the effects of a Lifespan Extension Pill.

"There’s no need for sorrow, everyone. We all must go one day."

Facing the many descendants and friends who had come to see him off, Wang Hu was at peace.

Of course, he had one regret.

He wouldn’t get to see the two sisters reach Foundation Establishment.

Before his death, Luo Kun had seen his descendant Luo Yunshu reach Foundation Establishment.

But Wang Hu, with his lifespan depleted, was destined never to see that day.

In the days that followed, his frame grew ever more gaunt, his pupils clouded over, and his life force dwindled.

Just before he died, he recalled his days back in Qinghe Marketplace.

"Chang’an, back when we were in Qinghe Marketplace, I never imagined you would come this far..."

Wang Hu’s voice faded as he slowly closed his eyes.

...

「Three days later.」

His funeral was held at the Wang Family estate.

Li Chang’an stood before the grave, silently wishing his old friend a safe journey on the Reincarnation Path.

Dahuang crouched in the shadows, its eyes full of sorrow, wiping away a few teardrops with its paw.

Chen Yuanshan stood to one side and sighed. "Ah, Old Wang, may your journey be peaceful!"

He didn’t have much time left either.

He only had a few years left to live.

Even his daughter, Chen Qianya, was approaching one hundred years of age. Although she had taken a Youthful Appearance Pill, she still had the appearance of a middle-aged woman, no longer the fair-faced young girl she once was.

She looked at Li Chang’an, her expression complex, and said softly, "Elder Li, you’re so young..."

"Young?"

Li Chang’an was struck by the thought.

The Cultivators of his generation who hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment were all on the final stretch of their life’s journey.

Time is ruthless.

As time went on, he would see off many more people.

’No wonder the ancient texts say that many Cultivators eventually become numb and heartless.’

Li Chang’an sighed softly, returned to Changqing Mountain, and continued his cultivation.

A few days later, Wang Lingya said her goodbyes and returned to the Cyan Cloud Sect to continue her cultivation.

Changqing Mountain returned to its usual tranquility.

...

「Three months later.」

Li Chang’an left Changqing Mountain and went to the Black Market to find Luo Baitong and purchase souls.

A dozen or so more Demon Cultivators traded with him.

In total, they sold him over three thousand souls.

Luo Baitong, acting as the middleman, received a very generous commission.

"Daoist Li, there’s a Demon Cultivator named Hu Feng who claims to have a large number of souls. He isn’t in the Black Market today, though. He’s at the Blood Lake Marketplace preparing to attend an auction. He asked me to tell you that if you want to buy souls, you should go find him at the Blood Lake Marketplace."

"Blood Lake Marketplace?"

Hearing this, a map of the entire Southern Domain Cultivation Realm appeared in Li Chang’an’s mind.

Blood Lake Marketplace was a newly established marketplace.

It was located outside Yellow Crane Immortal City, not far from the Black Dragon Mountain Range.

The place where the marketplace stood was originally a tranquil lake.

Later, Beast Tides erupted. Years of these tides caused the deaths of countless Demon Beasts and Human Race Cultivators. Their blood flowed into the lake, turning the water blood-red, and it has not returned to its original state to this day.

Li Chang’an left the Black Market and headed straight for Blood Lake Marketplace.

Before long, a blood-red lake appeared before his eyes.

Blood Lake Marketplace was much smaller than Qinghe Marketplace, but due to its proximity to the Black Dragon Mountain Range, the Cultivators within it were all quite formidable.

Li Chang’an quickly sensed the auras of many Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

’According to Luo Baitong, that Hu Feng fellow should be waiting for me in the auction house’s main hall.’

His expression calm, Li Chang’an entered the auction house’s main hall.

Inside the main hall, he saw many familiar faces.

For example, Wu Ming, the Withered Wood Cliff Master; Luo Qiantong, the son of Luo Baitong; and the Demon Cultivator Zhao Ming, among others.

A large number of Righteous Cultivators, Tribulation Cultivators, and Demon Cultivators were mixed together, and the atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Li Chang’an was currently using another disguise, so no one recognized him.

His gaze was profound as he swept it across the entire hall.

He soon spotted Hu Feng.

A middle-aged Demon Cultivator with a scarred face and a vicious expression.

"Daoist Hu, I hear you have a good number of souls on hand?"

Li Chang’an walked up and spoke to Hu Feng.

Hu Feng turned his head, his expression cold, and sized him up for a moment.