Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Tribulation Cultivator’s Confidence

’Crafting a Peaceful Spirit Talisman requires the skill to make high-quality Middle Grade Talismans. How could Li Chang’an possibly draw one? Did he get it by some stroke of luck?’

Chen Qianya’s delicate brows furrowed, this being her unconscious assumption.

After all, her own talent for talismans was quite outstanding. She didn’t lack materials for practice, had no need to worry about her talismanic inheritance, and even had a Top Grade Talisman Master for a father to guide her.

She had top-tier conditions in every respect.

Even so, she still couldn’t draw a high-quality Middle Grade Talisman.

’But Li Chang’an is just a Loose Cultivator. His circumstances for learning the Talisman Art are completely incomparable to mine, so how could his skills possibly surpass my own?’

All sorts of thoughts flashed through Chen Qianya’s mind.

Her red lips parted, and she couldn’t resist asking.

“Daoist Li, where did you get this Peaceful Spirit Talisman?”

“I stumbled upon it in a predecessor’s cavern dwelling. I suppose you could call it luck,” Li Chang’an said with a smile, not revealing the truth.

’I only revealed my ability to make Middle Grade Talismans a little over a year ago. If I could already draw high-quality Middle Grade Talismans now, my talent would seem a bit too incredible.’

’It would be better to reveal my skill with high-quality talismans after some more time has passed.’

’Just as I thought.’

Having confirmed her suspicions, Chen Qianya secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She had almost believed that Li Chang’an was a Talisman Dao genius even greater than herself.

“Daoist Li, this Jade Water Stone is much more useful for cultivators with a Water Spirit Root. Since you don’t have one, would you be willing to trade it with me?”

Chen Qianya asked.

Her eyes, deep as water, fixed on Li Chang’an as she quietly awaited his answer.

’In my eyes, Li Chang’an is no different from any other Talisman Master. The two previous times he deliberately approached me must have been with the intention of currying favor and winning my affection.’

’By getting close to me, he hopes to gain my father’s approval and, in turn, the Top Grade Talismanic Inheritance.’

’If that’s the case, I don’t mind taking advantage of his deliberate attempts to please me. After all, both parties are acting in their own self-interest.’

But…

What she hadn’t expected was that Li Chang’an would actually shake his head and refuse.

“I’m truly sorry, Daoist Chen, but this Jade Water Stone is of great use to me.”

Hearing this, Chen Qianya froze, a momentary look of astonishment on her pretty face.

Before she could even react, Li Chang’an cupped his hands in farewell, turned, and left.

’He actually won’t trade?’

Chen Qianya stood there, stunned and unable to comprehend.

’Does Li Chang’an not want to curry favor with me?’

Seeing Li Chang’an already walking away, she hurriedly chased after him.

“Wait, Daoist Li! I’m willing to trade a Boiling Blood Crystal for it.”

Li Chang’an paused.

He turned around and said sincerely, “Daoist Chen, while a Boiling Blood Crystal is good, the Jade Water Stone is more valuable to me.”

The Boiling Blood Crystal was a Treasure required for the Sixth Stage of Body Refinement.

Li Chang’an had no use for it at the moment.

Furthermore, the rarity and value of the Boiling Blood Crystal couldn’t compare to the Jade Water Stone.

If they were to trade, Li Chang’an would definitely be getting the short end of the stick.

“Daoist Li, I can add something to make up for the difference in value.”

Chen Qianya was willing to take a step back and offer more benefits.

She truly needed this Jade Water Stone.

But Li Chang’an still shook his head, his attitude unchanging.

“Daoist Chen, there’s no need to say more.”

In the end, the trade fell through.

Watching his departing figure, Chen Qianya bit her lip, an inexplicable sense of frustration welling up inside her.

Nearly every other Middle Grade Talisman Master in the Marketplace was trying to find ways to please her. No one had ever refused her repeatedly like Li Chang’an.

…

Li Chang’an paid no mind to Chen Qianya’s thoughts.

He continued to wander around the trade meet.

He would occasionally trade for a Treasure or chat with artisans he knew.

Before he knew it, dusk had fallen.

The small trade meet came to an end, and nearly everyone had made some gains.

’Time to head back.’

Li Chang’an bid farewell to Wang Hu and the others, then returned to his residence.

「That night.」

He fed the Jade Water Stone to the Profound Water Turtle.

“Absorb it well. Once you’ve accumulated enough, break through to the Tier One Late Stage.”

After swallowing the Jade Water Stone, the Profound Water Turtle’s aura surged, but it didn’t break through immediately.

It seemed it would need some time to digest it.

「A few days later.」

The third stage of his Body Refinement officially came to an end.

After testing it with a Puppet, Li Chang’an confirmed that his physique could now withstand the attacks of a Third Layer Qi Refining Cultivator.

’That went pretty smoothly.’

He nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the result.

With this, his Body Refinement for the Tier One Early Stage could be considered at the Perfection level.

The Fourth Stage of Body Refinement corresponded to the Tier One Middle Stage.

’I’ve gathered most of the Spirit Medicines and Demon Beast Essence Blood I need.’

Li Chang’an mused.

Just then, a profound ripple of Water Element Magical Power suddenly spread out.

The Profound Water Turtle’s aura began to climb steadily, and a hazy, indigo halo appeared on its shell.

“Huh? It’s breaking through already?”

Li Chang’an was surprised and immediately went forward to investigate.

He was worried that breaking through too quickly would lead to an unstable foundation.

As it turned out, he was overthinking things.

The Profound Water Turtle’s foundation was extremely solid. It had already built up a deep reserve of power in the Tier One Middle Stage, and with the help of the Jade Water Stone, this breakthrough was simply something it could no longer suppress.

’The mutated Earth Grade Bloodline of this Profound Water Turtle seems stronger than a normal one, doesn’t it?’

Li Chang’an pondered.

He had spoken with many Beast Masters recently.

Although those Beast Masters didn’t possess Spirit Beasts with Earth Grade Bloodlines, most of them were knowledgeable about the subject.

Logically speaking, a normal Earth Grade Bloodline shouldn’t allow for such a rapid breakthrough.

’What exactly caused its bloodline to mutate?’

Li Chang’an thought for a long time, and his mind drifted to his own Spiritual Root.

He had been paying close attention to Secret Realms recently.

But he hadn’t heard any news about improving one’s Spiritual Root.

’Forget it. For now, I’ll focus on Foundation Establishment. Only after I achieve Foundation Establishment will I be qualified to get involved in many things, and my access to information will broaden as well.’

Li Chang’an sighed softly.

Then, he summoned Dahuang.

The man and his dog stood guard, allowing the Profound Water Turtle to break through in peace.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Profound Water Turtle successfully broke through, becoming a Tier One Late Stage Spirit Beast.

’Another fighter at the Late Stage of Qi Refining.’

Li Chang’an placed his hand on the Profound Water Turtle’s back and sent out a wisp of Spiritual Power to examine it carefully, confirming that the breakthrough had left no hidden issues.

He relaxed, just about to have the Profound Water Turtle use its Borrowing Technique Talent.

At that moment, Midnight arrived.

A new Divination appeared before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[A Tribulation Cultivator from Black Wind Mountain will attack again. He will use a Small Forbidden Array to interfere with your Array, but he is no match for you. He will die at your hands, and all his Treasures will become yours.]

“They’re finally here!”

Li Chang’an was not at all surprised by the Divination’s contents.

He knew the Tribulation Cultivators from Black Wind Mountain wouldn’t give up and would attack again sooner or later.

’A Small Forbidden Array? It seems neither the Marketplace nor the Black Market sells this type of Array. Could that Tribulation Cultivator have bought it in Yellow Crane Immortal City?’

Li Chang’an had heard of this type of Array.

According to rumor, the Small Forbidden Array could break any Array below Tier Two.

However, the Divination had used the word “interfere,” not “break.”

’My Cloud Mist Hidden Killing Array truly is exceptional. So many Breaking Charms couldn’t get through it before, and now it seems the Small Forbidden Array can’t either. It really lives up to its name as an Ancient Array from a Secret Realm.’

…

At this moment, outside the residence, Liang Ying, the fifth leader of Black Wind Mountain, was brimming with confidence.

“The moment the Array breaks, we capture Li Chang’an!”