Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 30: Chapter 30: A Flickering Flame

The health of the Zheng Family’s old ancestor, a cultivator at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, was a mystery.

At this moment, the leader of these masked cultivators was brazenly declaring that he didn’t have long to live.

Zheng Yunting’s eyes were bloodshot as he roared hoarsely:

“Our ancestor is in his prime! If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go test him yourselves?”

“Is that so?”

The masked cultivator sneered.

“If he’s perfectly fine, why would the Zheng Family send people to Yellow Crane Immortal City to secretly purchase a Tier Two Lifespan Extension Pill? Yellow Crane Immortal City is a crowded place with prying eyes. Did you really think you could keep this a secret?”

“You…”

Zheng Yunting’s expression changed.

Beneath his furious expression, a hint of worry emerged.

The masked cultivator’s eyes were mocking. He continued, “Speaking of which, doesn’t the Zheng Family have a Tier Two Alchemist? Why not have them refine the Tier Two Lifespan Extension Pill themselves? Could it be that your Tier Two Alchemist has run into problems as well?”

This time, Zheng Yunting didn’t answer.

His gaze was as cold as a blade as he stared daggers at them, the veins on the arm gripping his sword bulging.

In the next instant, his aura suddenly surged.

BOOM!

A terrifying flame erupted from his chest, transforming into a writhing, ferocious dragon that roared at the heavens before lunging toward the masked cultivators.

Daoist Skill, Fire Dragon Roar!

“Explode!”

Zheng Yunting’s eyes widened in fury as Magical Power surged around him.

The Fire Dragon exploded with a deafening roar, turning into a sky full of deadly flames that swept in all directions.

At the same time, he swung his arm with all his might, throwing his longsword.

The sword blazed with light and hummed sharply, then exploded a moment later.

Countless fragments turned into cold glints of light, raining down on the surroundings.

“AHH—”

A few of the masked cultivators failed to dodge in time, and bursts of blood erupted from their bodies as they screamed miserably.

Seizing the opportunity, Zheng Yunting’s figure flickered and became an afterimage, speeding straight for the Marketplace.

“After him, don’t let him escape!”

“Why did his aura suddenly surge so much? He’s almost at the Late Stage of Qi Refining!”

“It’s the Zheng Family’s Explosive Spirit Pill. You can only take that pill once in your entire life…”

The masked cultivator in the lead had ice-cold eyes. He too became an afterimage, giving chase relentlessly.

The other masked men also rushed after him.

No one noticed that after they left, a figure flashed by, taking the Storage Pouch from each corpse.

…

Not far away, Li Chang’an looked at the dozen or so Storage Pouches in his hands and couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

’Staying home might be safe, but you have to go out to run into unexpected windfalls like this.’

However, he remained firm in his conviction to go out as little as possible.

Otherwise, he might have a bout of bad luck one day, run into major trouble, and his own Storage Pouch would become someone else’s pleasant surprise.

“Dahuang, we’re not going to the Black Market today. Let’s head back to the Marketplace first.”

Li Chang’an gave the order.

The man and his dog immediately turned back.

On the way, Li Chang’an opened the pouches of the masked men and inspected them one by one.

’Why are they all so poor?’

He couldn’t help but frown.

The contents of each Storage Pouch weren’t very valuable.

Perhaps because they had just been through a major battle, there were very few Elixir Pills, Talismans, and other items left in the pouches.

’Oh well, the Storage Pouches themselves are worth a decent amount. I shouldn’t be greedy.’

Li Chang’an calmed his mind and continued to rummage through them.

Soon, he discovered a token.

On the front of the token were carved two words: “Hei Feng.”

’It’s people from Black Wind Mountain!’

Li Chang’an’s gaze sharpened, and his expression grew solemn.

Black Wind Mountain.

The most powerful group of Tribulation Cultivators in this region!

According to rumors, the Big Master of Black Wind Mountain had been stuck at the Qi Refining Peak for many years and could break through to Foundation Establishment at any moment.

Moreover, this band of Tribulation Cultivators had no fixed base.

Like a gust of wind, they came and went without a trace.

Many Righteous Cultivators had tried to eliminate them, but they could never even find a trail.

’The ones who attacked the Zheng Family today must have only been a small part of Black Wind Mountain’s forces.’

Li Chang’an mused.

If the legendary Big Master had taken action, the battle would have been over long ago.

Zheng Yunting would have had no chance of escaping alive.

’The Zheng Family has killed quite a few Tribulation Cultivators lately. They must have angered Black Wind Mountain.’

Based on the recent situation, Li Chang’an made an educated guess.

Before he knew it, the Marketplace was in sight, and he could hear the various clamorous sounds from within.

He could also see patrolling Zheng Family cultivators in the vicinity.

Li Chang’an breathed a sigh of relief.

’It’s too dangerous outside. The Marketplace is where I feel safe.’

He picked up his pace, ready to return to the Marketplace.

Just then, Dahuang suddenly pawed at Li Chang’an’s pant leg.

Then, he gestured toward a nearby bush.

“What is it?”

Li Chang’an paused, looking in the direction Dahuang had indicated.

The patch of bushes looked perfectly ordinary.

But Dahuang’s sense of smell was far more sensitive than Li Chang’an’s, so he had clearly discovered something.

SWISH!

With an agile movement, Dahuang leaped into the bushes.

Not long after, he leaped back out of the bushes, dragging a person covered in blood by his mouth.

’Elder Zheng?’

Li Chang’an narrowed his eyes, examining him closely.

It was none other than Zheng Yunting!

He was already unconscious, his aura faint. If he didn’t receive medical treatment, he most likely wouldn’t live for long.

’He collapsed just a stone’s throw from the Marketplace.’

Li Chang’an lamented. The elder had likely run on fumes until he’d finally given out.

’Since I’ve found him, I might as well save him.’

He grabbed him and tossed him into his Spirit Beast Bag.

…

After returning to the Marketplace, Li Chang’an reverted to his original aura.

He headed to the central area of the Marketplace and knocked on the courtyard gate of Zheng Qingqing’s residence.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK…

Soon, the courtyard gate opened.

It was Zheng Ling’Er who opened it.

She was dressed in a white skirt, a hint of surprise on her pretty face.

“Young Master Li, what brings you here?”

“I have urgent business to discuss with the Young Mistress. Would you please inform her, Miss Zheng.”

Li Chang’an said in a low, serious voice.

“Young Master Li, please come in.”

Zheng Ling’Er sensed the matter was serious and hurried into the depths of the courtyard.

Not long after, Zheng Qingqing appeared, dressed in a long, bluish-green skirt.

She looked puzzled and asked, “Daoist Li, what happened?”

“Young Mistress, just outside the Marketplace, I discovered the heavily injured and unconscious Elder Zheng Yunting.”

Li Chang’an was concise.

After speaking, with a mere thought, he moved the unconscious Zheng Yunting out of his Spirit Beast Bag.

Beside them, Zheng Ling’Er cried out in alarm.

“Uncle Yunting, how did he get so injured?”

“I don’t know.”

Li Chang’an shook his head.

He explained that Zheng Yunting was already in this state when he found him.

“Could it have been the cultivators from the Cao and Wu Families?”

Zheng Qingqing’s elegant brows furrowed, and a solemn look appeared on her fair cheeks.

She took out a few Elixir Pills, dissolved them with Spiritual Power, and guided the medicinal energy into Zheng Yunting’s wounds.

Zheng Ling’Er’s face turned pale as she asked worriedly, “Sister Qingqing, can Uncle Yunting be saved?”

“He can be saved, but he took an Explosive Spirit Pill. His future path of cultivation will inevitably be affected.”

Zheng Qingqing sighed softly.

The Explosive Spirit Pill was a type of pill that squeezed out one’s potential, causing irreversible damage to the body after consumption.

It was not to be taken unless it was a matter of life and death.

Then, Zheng Qingqing’s eyes shifted to Li Chang’an.

“Thank you, Daoist Li, for saving a member of my Zheng Clan. The Zheng Family will be sure to reward you generously!”

’A generous reward?’

’How generous?’

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation, but his expression remained unchanged.

“There’s no need. It was merely a small effort.”