Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: A Hypocritical Invitation

’The Immortal Dao is doomed to perish?’

Li Chang’an was secretly shocked, his thoughts turning to the Stone Stele from the previous trading session.

’Is there a connection?’

’Or is it just a coincidence?’

The other three couldn’t understand either.

Had this senior suffered some kind of trauma before his death that drove him mad?

Yuan Ying pondered for a moment before saying, “Things like this have happened before. In the Sect, some seniors have had drastic personality changes right before their deaths, becoming completely different people.”

Surprised, Su Yuyan glanced at her.

“Senior Sister, how come I’ve never heard of this?”

“Junior Sister, these matters are considered Sect secrets. I only found out because I happened to overhear Master discussing it with a few of the martial uncles.”

According to Yuan Ying…

Something truly terrifying had once occurred within the Cyan Cloud Sect.

「Over twenty years ago.」

There was a Foundation Establishment Elder who was normally kind and friendly. But right before he died, he suddenly went berserk and slaughtered all of his descendants and disciples.

Several decades before that, something similar had happened as well.

“Master suspects this happens because their fear of their lifespans ending gives rise to a Heart Demon. Once their minds are controlled by the Heart Demon, they act like a completely different person.”

After hearing this, Li Chang’an was lost in thought.

’That theory isn’t without merit.’

A Heart Demon is a major obstacle on the Immortal Path, often born from fear or obsession. Once it takes root, it’s incredibly difficult to escape.

A Cultivator invaded by a Heart Demon would indeed undergo a drastic change in personality.

Most of them become crazed and deranged.

“Forget it. There’s no point discussing this now. We should see what Treasure the senior left behind.”

Yuan Ying suggested.

Everyone agreed.

After all, they had braved the dangers to come here precisely for Treasure.

Beside the senior’s skeleton lay a Storage Pouch.

Since the Sect had assigned this mission to Su Yuyan, she was the one to operate the Puppet to retrieve the Storage Pouch.

“Junior Sister, be careful.”

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister.”

Before the Puppet touched the Storage Pouch…

All four of them retreated in unison, backing out beyond the main entrance.

After all, the senior had gone mad. Who knew what hidden dangers might be lurking in his Storage Pouch?

Fortunately, nothing dangerous happened.

After some effort, Su Yuyan managed to wear down the restriction on the Storage Pouch. She nervously opened it and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“There’s nothing dangerous.”

“That’s good.”

Yuan Ying and Huang Feng both relaxed.

Li Chang’an, on the other hand, had expected as much; after all, his Divination had indicated there would be no great danger.

Neither the mechanical passage from before nor the poisonous fog behind the door had been a real danger to him. In fact, the poisonous fog was even beneficial for his Ten Thousand Poison Gu.

Next, it was time to divide the Treasure.

“According to the rules, the senior’s Cultivation Technique and Magic go to our Junior Sister, for her to take back and complete the mission.”

“As for the other Treasure, we can each choose what we need, and then we’ll split the remainder evenly. How about it?”

As the one with the highest Cultivation present, Yuan Ying made her proposal.

Neither Li Chang’an nor Huang Feng had any objections.

Previously…

Yuan Ying and Huang Feng would have most likely tried to exclude Li Chang’an.

But Li Chang’an’s Escape Technique, along with the large number of Puppets he had used, had already proven his value.

“But this senior didn’t leave much Treasure behind. He probably traded most of it for the resources to build the mechanisms in this cave residence.”

Su Yuyan opened the Storage Pouch, letting the others see inside.

There really was very little Treasure.

Judging by quantity alone, the haul seemed rather pathetic.

“This Treasure Sword was used by the senior during his life. It’s a Tier Two Low Grade weapon. Senior Sister, do you need it?”

Su Yuyan took out a golden Longsword.

This Treasure Sword was far from ordinary.

The moment it appeared, a sharp Sword Intent filled the cave, and one could faintly hear a piercing, sword-like hum.

Yuan Ying’s face lit up with joy. She was on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment and was in desperate need of a Tier Two Treasure Sword.

“In that case, I won’t be polite.”

She reached out and took the Treasure Sword.

Then, it was Li Chang’an’s turn to choose.

He chose a Jade Scroll from inside the Storage Pouch.

’A Tier Two Low Grade Talismanic Inheritance!’

He gave the contents of the Jade Scroll a quick scan, and joy bloomed in his heart.

’The Path of Talismans and Seals…’

’I can finally continue down it again!’

Yuan Ying spoke up, “Daoist Li, that Jade Scroll doesn’t contain a Cultivation Technique or Magic, does it?”

“Rest assured, Daoist Yuan. I swear on my Dao Heart that the contents of this Jade Scroll are neither a Cultivation Technique nor Magic.”

Li Chang’an had expected she would ask this, so he made the oath on the spot.

Yuan Ying breathed a small sigh of relief.

Some Cultivation Techniques and Magic were unique to the Cyan Cloud Sect and absolutely must not be leaked.

She had asked this for Li Chang’an’s own good as well.

If a Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an were discovered using the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Magic, his end would surely not be pleasant.

The Cyan Cloud Sect might even assume he had stolen their techniques and issue a mission for his capture.

Next, Huang Feng chose a Treasure.

He chose an Exotic Stone that had reached Tier Two in quality.

The four of them took turns choosing. Since there wasn’t much Treasure in the Storage Pouch to begin with, the selection was quickly finished.

After that,

Yuan Ying found an ordinary stone, shaped it into a Stone Stele, carved a warning text on it, and set it up at the cave’s entrance to prevent other Cultivators from wandering in by mistake.

Once they reported this to the Sect, the Sect would probably issue a new mission for disciples skilled in the Mechanical Technique to come and dismantle the place for materials, but that would have nothing to do with them.

「That evening.」

The group of four returned to Qinghe Marketplace.

“Brother Li, thank you for everything on this trip.”

Su Yuyan looked gently at Li Chang’an, her beautiful eyes like tranquil pools of water.

With this matter concluded, it was time for her to return.

“Yuyan, after you go back, cultivate diligently and reach Foundation Establishment soon.”

Li Chang’an said with a smile, offering some words of encouragement.

Hearing the words “Foundation Establishment”…

Su Yuyan’s expression dimmed as her thoughts turned again to Li Chang’an’s Spiritual Root and Cultivation.

’Although Brother Li’s Escape Technique is impressive, his cultivation talent is just too poor. Forget Foundation Establishment; even the bottleneck between the Middle Stage and Late Stage of Qi Refining might trap him for a very long time in this life.’

Seeing that Su Yuyan’s mood had soured, Yuan Ying stepped in with a smile. “Daoist Li, if you have the time, you must come visit the Cyan Cloud Sect.”

“I will!”

Li Chang’an nodded with a smile.

At his words, Su Yuyan’s mood brightened considerably, and a smile returned to her face.

“Brother Li, you absolutely have to come! I want to show you the place where I’ve grown up.”

“Alright.”

Li Chang’an agreed readily enough.

But inwardly, he was refusing.

’A place like the Cyan Cloud Sect is crawling with powerful experts and countless geniuses. I have no desire to go there.’

’If I accidentally offend someone, I could lose my life over it.’

The sun sank in the west, like a sphere of molten gold.

And with that, the two parties bid each other farewell.

Before they left,

Huang Feng also extended an invitation to Li Chang’an.

“Daoist Li, Qinghe Marketplace is just a small place, after all. Resources are scarce, and it’s no good for one’s Cultivation. If you have the time, you must come to Yellow Crane Immortal City. Who knows, you might find some great opportunity in the Immortal City.”

“Alright, thank you, Daoist Huang.”

Li Chang’an nodded in agreement. He was already planning to go to Yellow Crane Immortal City anyway.

“If you do come, Daoist Li, be sure to let me know.”

Huang Feng’s face was all smiles, but inwardly, his heart was ice-cold.

’Yellow Crane Immortal City is my turf.’

’There…’

’…I can decide Li Chang’an’s life or death with a single thought.’