Chapter 419 - 242: Spiritual Object Acquired, the Demon King Attacks

Voices wishing him a long life echoed endlessly across Changqing Mountain.

A broad smile on his face, Li Chang’an accepted everyone’s congratulations.

The scene reminded many of those present of his Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

Back then, many had thought the Foundation Establishment Ceremony would be the most glorious moment of Li Chang’an’s life.

It was a true shame that Xiahou Hong had ultimately ruined the ceremony.

But now, the scale of this birthday banquet far surpassed that of his Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

If that Xiahou Hong dared to show up again, he would no doubt be beaten back by the two Golden Core Cultivators.

’Times have changed,’ many thought to themselves.

Next, Li Chang’an began to speak with his guests in turn.

The first person he approached was, naturally, Mo Qingxue.

"Elder Mo, I was wondering, are there any Core Formation Spiritual Objects in the Mo Family Treasure Vault?"

"Li, you’re certainly ambitious. You’ve only just reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment and you’re already thinking about Core Formation?"

Mo Qingxue sized him up.

She had to admit, Li Chang’an’s breakthrough had indeed surprised her.

But she didn’t believe Li Chang’an could advance any further.

The potential of a Low Grade Spirit Root was simply too poor; reaching the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment was already approaching its limit.

Every step forward from here would be incredibly difficult.

Li Chang’an’s expression was grave as he asked, "Elder Mo, you once promised that the favor I’m owed could be exchanged for a Core Formation Treasure. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?"

"Of course not."

Mo Qingxue extended a slender, jade-like finger and gently tapped the spot between Li Chang’an’s eyebrows, transmitting a stream of information directly to him.

The information contained a list of all the Core Formation Treasures the Mo Family currently possessed.

Among them were a full six types of Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

However, their effects couldn’t be stacked—only one could be used.

Five of them only increased the chance of success in Core Formation by five percent, while only one could provide a ten-percent boost.

Mo Qingxue said calmly, "The Mo Family Treasure Vault originally had a Core Formation Spiritual Object that could provide a twenty-percent boost, but I’ve already used it. These are what’s left. Your favor is good for one of them. Choose for yourself."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Li Chang’an chose the treasure that provided a ten-percent boost.

"Elder Mo, I want this Profound Jade Marrow!"

"Fine."

With a flash of Spiritual Light from her hand, a fist-sized, translucent Jade Stone appeared.

The stone was hollow, containing a glob of pale green liquid.

It was the Profound Jade Marrow!

Overjoyed, Li Chang’an accepted the Treasure.

"Thank you, Elder Mo!"

"There’s no need to thank me. I’m simply repaying the favor I owe you."

Mo Qingxue shook her head slightly, unconcerned.

With this, Li Chang’an’s baseline success rate for Core Formation was now sixty percent!

He continued to look through the list for other Core Formation Treasures.

The list Mo Qingxue had given him didn’t include the Five Elements Golden Condensation Pill, and it didn’t even have all the materials needed for refining one.

Of the primary ingredients, it only listed Qinghua Wood, Celestial Pure Water, and Dragon Pattern Gold.

Li Chang’an already had all three of them.

The Profound Yellow Earth, Thousand-Year-old White Jade Ganoderma, and Thousand-Year Glazed Stone Core he was looking for were not on the list.

"Elder Mo, are these really all the Core Formation Treasures in the Mo Family Treasure Vault?"

"Yes, that’s all."

Mo Qingxue explained that she had used up most of their Core Formation Treasures during her own breakthrough to the Core Formation realm.

The Mo Family was already at the bottom of the Seven Great Noble Families. Having gone for years without a Core Formation Cultivator, they had to rely on a Tier Three Puppet just to save face.

As a result, their Treasure Vault was not well-stocked with Core Formation Treasures.

"I see."

Li Chang’an wasn’t disappointed. Obtaining one Core Formation Spiritual Object was enough to satisfy him.

Mo Qingxue, however, was rather taken aback.

Judging by his tone, he didn’t seem to intend to trade for any other treasures.

"Li Chang’an, you don’t want the Qinghua Wood, Celestial Pure Water, or Dragon Pattern Gold?"

"Elder Mo, those three primary ingredients should be easier to find. I’d rather not waste my favor on them."

"Is it because you already have them?"

"You’re as perceptive as ever, Elder Mo!"

"..."

Mo Qingxue’s eyes narrowed. She scanned Li Chang’an up and down several times, trying to see what else he was hiding.

Each of those three primary ingredients was incomparably precious.

It was nearly impossible for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to obtain any of them.

And yet, Li Chang’an had them all!

"It seems I’ve underestimated you."

For the first time, a ripple disturbed the icy calm of Mo Qingxue’s heart.

She couldn’t help but wonder. ’Is it possible? Could Li Chang’an actually succeed in Core Formation?’

But a cultivator with a Low Grade Spirit Root reaching Core Formation... such a thing hadn’t been seen in the Southern Domain Cultivation Realm for a thousand years.

Afterward, Li Chang’an spoke privately with Pei Yingyao.

Pei Yingyao was also slightly surprised by his breakthrough, mainly because she hadn’t believed it was possible for him to reach the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment with an Ancient Technique.

"Li Chang’an, are you truly cultivating an Ancient Technique?"

"Elder Pei, why would I lie to you?"

Li Chang’an’s expression was open and his tone was sincere.

’It is an Ancient Technique,’ he thought, ’just not the Earth Grade one I claimed it was.’

"In that case, perhaps Ancient Techniques are simply better suited for you."

Pei Yingyao didn’t press the matter of his Cultivation Technique, instead sharing some of her own Cultivation Insights.

After a while, Li Chang’an went to mingle with the crowd of Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Everyone noticed that not a single person from the Zhou Family had come to the banquet.

Not even Zhou Sheng was there!

After all, Li Chang’an and Zhou Sheng had known each other since their Qi Refining days.

But since Li Chang’an didn’t bring it up, no one else asked, and they could only bury their questions deep down.

「A month passed in the blink of an eye.」

The lively birthday banquet finally came to an end.

Li Chang’an saw his guests off and began to take stock of the many gifts he had received.

’I wonder if there will be any pleasant surprises?’

He patiently took inventory, scanning each gift one by one with his Divine Sense and Magical Power.

Before long, his eyes lit up as he picked a wooden box out from the pile of gifts.

"There really is a pleasant surprise!"

A smile spread across his face as he opened the wooden box.

Inside was an ordinary Tier One Top Grade Wood Treasure.