Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 176: Chapter 165: A Dire Omen, The Death of Li Chang’an

It exuded such a menacing aura even while sheathed.

It was truly unnerving.

’Could this sword have been dug up from some Ancient Battlefield?’

At that moment, Ji Mengyun took out a Crystal Stone and placed it on the stone table in front of Li Chang’an.

“Daoist Li, this is the Nether Soul Crystal you needed. Take a look.”

Her personality was much like Pei Yingyao’s, and she didn’t bother with idle chatter.

Li Chang’an shifted his gaze to the Crystal Stone.

The Crystal Stone was pitch-black and faintly emanated a cold, sinister Qi. Inside, a cluster of black mist swirled erratically, resembling an imprisoned Soul. This was the exact Nether Soul Crystal he needed!

He immediately proposed the trade.

“Daoist Ji, how much are you asking for this Nether Soul Crystal?”

“Three thousand Spirit Stones! If you can produce them, Daoist Li, this Nether Soul Crystal is yours!”

Ji Mengyun was very straightforward, asking for Spirit Stones directly instead of bartering, which saved a lot of trouble.

Li Chang’an was more than happy with this arrangement.

The two quickly signed a trading Spirit Contract.

The deal was done!

After completing the transaction, Li Chang’an asked a question.

“Daoist Ji, these Nether Soul Crystals are extremely rare. Where did you manage to find this one?”

“The Blood Stone Secret Realm.”

Ji Mengyun’s voice was clear as she replied crisply.

There were several Secret Realms near Yellow Crane Immortal City, such as the Ancient Wood Secret Realm that Li Chang’an had previously visited.

The Blood Stone Secret Realm was another one, its entrance also located within the Black Dragon Mountain Range.

The difference was that the Blood Stone Secret Realm had no towering ancient trees, only an endless expanse of blood-red earth.

The land was covered in traces of brutal battles, with bones and shattered Magical Artifacts, corroded by time, scattered everywhere.

Many Cultivators speculated that it was an Ancient Battlefield.

It was far more dangerous than the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

All sorts of strange monsters frequently appeared there.

As a Sword Cultivator, Ji Mengyun often entered it to slay monsters and hone her Killing Sword Intent.

“We Sword Cultivators should walk the ultimate path of slaughter. Some, however, try to balance offense and defense, which is truly a lesser path. What do you think, Daoist Li?”

She stared intently at Li Chang’an as she asked.

Li Chang’an smiled but didn’t argue.

“Daoist Ji has a point.”

“I knew you would understand, Daoist Li! You’re truly worthy of Master’s praise!”

After receiving his affirmation, a faint smile finally appeared on Ji Mengyun’s perpetually indifferent, pretty face.

“Daoist Li, I found this Nether Soul Crystal while training in the Blood Stone Secret Realm. I also found my sword there at the same time.”

As she spoke, Ji Mengyun unfastened her sword and placed it on the stone table.

With a thought.

SHING!

The Longsword slid from its sheath.

The blade wasn’t sharp. Instead, it was covered in mottled marks, as if it had been corroded by time into a useless piece of scrap.

But the dense, menacing aura it contained was not something to be taken lightly.

Li Chang’an was inwardly shocked.

This was the first time he had ever seen a Treasure with such a potent menacing aura.

Ji Mengyun explained, “Daoist Li, when I saw this sword, it was thrust into the skull of an Ancient Cultivator’s corpse. The moment I laid eyes on it, I felt a connection to it.”

“A connection?”

Li Chang’an thought, ’This probably isn’t a good kind of connection.’

Just as he was thinking this, a wave of sinister coldness suddenly washed over him.

It felt as if a snarling, malevolent spirit was trying to invade his body.

’It’s here!’

Li Chang’an’s expression grew solemn. This was the possession attempt the Divination had foretold.

In the next instant, he faintly heard a shrill scream.

“AHH—”

The sinister, cold Qi rapidly retreated, as if it had touched something lethal, and withdrew back into the rust-stained Longsword.

Just as the Divination had indicated, the Evil Soul’s possession attempt had failed.

The Evil Soul hadn’t even managed to enter Li Chang’an’s body.

Just then, Ji Mengyun noticed something was amiss and asked, “Daoist Li, are you feeling unwell?”

“Indeed, I am.”

Li Chang’an rubbed the spot between his eyebrows, a puzzled look on his face.

“Daoist Ji, your sword makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. I suspect it might be tainted with something strange from the Secret Realm.”

“You’re overthinking it, Daoist Li.”

Ji Mengyun was unconcerned.

She explained that the menacing aura on the sword was so dense that it was normal for ordinary Cultivators to be unable to withstand it.

“Daoist Li, your Cultivation is insufficient, so you’re affected by the menacing aura. But I’m different!”

Ji Mengyun was very confident.

She was completely unafraid of the menacing aura’s influence and could even use it to hone her own Killing Sword Intent.

Furthermore, this Treasure Sword was of too high a Tier for her to Refine at the moment.

However, she had discovered that the longer she tempered herself in the menacing aura, the greater her control over the Treasure Sword became.

Perhaps the moment she fully adapted to the menacing aura would be the moment she could completely Refine the Treasure Sword.

After she finished speaking, Li Chang’an secretly scoffed.

’The moment she fully adapts to the menacing aura will most likely be the moment she’s completely possessed.’

But he didn’t say this out loud, only offering another reminder.

“Daoist Ji, it’s best not to be overconfident when dealing with Treasures from Ancient Secret Realms. Do you remember the monster that wreaked havoc on Yellow Crane Mountain?”

“Of course I remember!”

Ji Mengyun understood what Li Chang’an was implying.

But her personality was like her Sword Dao: once she set her mind on something, she would never change it.

Besides, she was full of confidence, certain she could master this sword.

“There’s no need to worry, Daoist Li. My master has also seen this sword and agrees with my approach. This is a matter for us Sword Cultivators; you wouldn’t understand!”

“Very well, then.”

Li Chang’an sighed softly. He had said all he could.

Since even Pei Yingyao saw no problem with it, there was no point in him saying anything more.

A moment later, Li Chang’an took his leave and returned to his residence.

…

「That evening.」