Chapter 443 - 250: Entering the Formation Alone, the Might of the Magical Treasure

The call of "Daoist Zhou" silenced the entire cave abode for an instant.

Over a thousand gazes fixed on Li Chang’an.

"So it’s Daoist Li."

"Elder Li!"

"..."

A clamor of voices rose from the crowd.

The vast majority of them had been brought to Changqing Mountain by Zhou Sheng to have Li Chang’an inspect them for Demon Qi, so he was no stranger to them.

Li Chang’an smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Daoist Zhou Yi’an."

"You’re Li Chang’an?"

Zhou Yi’an’s brow furrowed as he sized him up.

"Li Chang’an, are you the one who declared that our Zhou Family’s Old Beast King has turned traitor?"

"Daoist Zhou, I merely pointed out something amiss."

"Amiss?"

Zhou Yi’an snorted coldly.

His attitude toward Li Chang’an was openly hostile. He seemed to view Li Chang’an as the main culprit behind the Zhou Family’s schism.

"Do you have any idea of the Old Beast King’s long and meritorious service? He has guarded my Zhou Family for nearly a thousand years, watching our descendants grow, generation after generation. He has long been one of us. How could he possibly turn on the Zhou Family?"

At these words,

The surrounding Zhou Clan Members wore mixed expressions.

It seemed many of them agreed with him.

Li Chang’an retorted with a simple phrase.

"If they are not our kin, their hearts are bound to be different!"

"Absurd!"

Zhou Yi’an snapped.

He remained unconvinced and was still determined to return to the Zhou Clan Territory.

"Li Chang’an, this supposed betrayal by the Beast King is nothing more than your own speculation. I refuse to..."

Before he could finish,

his vision suddenly went black, and he collapsed.

At the sight of this,

The surrounding Zhou Clan Members’ expressions changed drastically.

"Patriarch!"

"Great-Grandfather!"

"What happened? Why did he suddenly collapse? He was perfectly fine!"

"..."

They rushed forward, helped Zhou Yi’an up, and checked his Qi.

When they found his Qi was stable, they all breathed a small sigh of relief.

Li Chang’an stepped forward and said calmly, "There’s no need to worry. I just used a little trick. Daoist Zhou will wake up shortly."

He couldn’t be bothered to waste words on this old man.

So, he had the Ten Thousand Poison Gu secretly poison him, sending him into a deep slumber.

"Come!"

With a beckoning gesture, Li Chang’an took Zhou Yi’an’s Storage Pouch.

He effortlessly wiped away the restriction on the Storage Pouch, opened it, and rummaged through its contents. Finally, in a corner, he found what he was looking for.

Half a Spirit Contract!

With this half of the Spirit Contract, he could suppress the Old Beast King.

Combined with the Beast Taming Wheel, it might be possible to completely subdue it!

"Alright, Daoist Zhou, you can wake up now."

Li Chang’an casually tossed his Storage Pouch back.

Zhou Yi’an’s eyelids twitched. He slowly opened his eyes, a trace of confusion flashing within them.

He quickly came to his senses, and that confusion turned to fury.

"Li Chang’an, you dare to lay a hand on me?"

"And why wouldn’t I dare?"

"You..."

Zhou Yi’an was at a loss for words.

’After all, he had already made his move. More words were useless.’

He quickly noticed the Spirit Contract in Li Chang’an’s hand. His anger flared anew, and his eyes seemed to spew fire.

"Li Chang’an, that belongs to my Zhou Family! What right do you have to take it?"

Li Chang’an couldn’t be bothered to answer.

He simply walked to one side and carefully examined the half-Spirit Contract.

The Spirit Contract was covered in all sorts of restrictions and bindings.

Once used,

that Old Demon King wouldn’t be completely suppressed, but its life would become a living hell, and its combat strength would be drastically reduced.

Seeing that Li Chang’an was still ignoring him, Zhou Yi’an grew even more furious and turned to the surrounding Zhou Clan Members.

"Not a single one of you believes me? You believe this outsider, Li Chang’an, instead?"

None of the Zhou Clan Members answered, all remaining silent.

Zhou Yi’an was incandescent with rage.

"Fine! Fine! Fine! Since it’s come to this, I will go back myself and show you who is right and who is wrong!"

With that, the old man ignored the others’ attempts to stop him, turned into a streak of Spiritual Light, and shot straight out of the cave abode.

He refused to believe the Old Beast King would turn traitor, convinced the problem lay with the current Zhou Family Patriarch.

"Sigh, what should we do?"

Zhou Sheng was a little anxious.

Although the Spirit Contract was in hand, he was unwilling to watch Zhou Yi’an walk right into a trap.

Li Chang’an said calmly, "Daoist Zhou, you are the Patriarch now. You must act decisively, not hesitantly."

"I..."

Zhou Sheng froze, realizing his own failing.

’Too hesitant, always looking over my shoulder, lacking the decisiveness a true Patriarch ought to have.’

’Li Chang’an shouldn’t have been needed for today’s affair.’

’I could have made the decision myself, restrained the old Patriarch, and forcibly taken the Spirit Contract from his hands.’

’But I couldn’t make up my mind, which is why Li Chang’an had to step in.’

Zhou Sheng took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Li Chang’an.

"Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Li. I must ask you to help me with one more thing."

"What is it?"

"The old Patriarch’s Escape Technique is impressive. None of us can catch him. Please, Daoist Li, knock him unconscious and bring him back."

"Alright!"

Li Chang’an nodded slightly and put away the half Spirit Contract.

The next moment,

he turned into a streak of Spiritual Light and vanished from everyone’s sight.

Zhou Sheng looked outside the cave abode and sighed to himself.

’I hope Daoist Li can catch up.’

...

Zhou Yi’an’s Escape Technique was indeed impressive.

His cultivation had long ago reached Foundation Establishment Peak. When he unleashed his Escape Technique with full force, an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator stood no chance of catching him.

Even Li Chang’an had to chase for quite a while.

He pursued him all the way to the entrance of the Ancient Wood Secret Realm before he finally saw Zhou Yi’an’s figure.

At this moment, Zhou Yi’an had already stopped.

He wasn’t resting, however. He was in a standoff with a dozen or so Zhou Clan Members.

Li Chang’an used his Stone Eye and looked carefully.

’All of these Zhou Clan Members have Demon Qi inside them. I’m afraid Zhou Yi’an is in trouble.’

As expected, one of them, his expression cold, bellowed.

"Old fool, give me that half of the Spirit Contract!"

"Xiao Kai, how can you call me that?"

Hearing those two words—"Old fool"—Zhou Yi’an’s aged face filled with disbelief.