Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Li Chang’an tested it out and was quite satisfied.

From then on, he had another source of Tier Three Power.

Furthermore, he still had plenty of Puppet Materials on hand, enough to craft several more Tier Three Puppets.

’That Spirit Rock Rat King was right. While my offensive capabilities are strong, my defense is a major weakness. The next Puppet must be focused on protection.’

Li Chang’an sat cross-legged in his cave residence, pondering for a long time until a rough design gradually formed in his mind.

Just as he was about to start crafting, a visitor suddenly arrived.

This was no unwelcome guest.

The visitor was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Mu Family named Mu Yuanchen.

In exchange for two drops of Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid, he asked Li Chang’an to enter an extremely dangerous region within the Ancient Wood Secret Realm and retrieve a Treasure for him.

The task was not difficult.

“Daoist Mu, wait for me on Changqing Mountain.”

Li Chang’an transformed into a streak of light and headed for the Ancient Wood Secret Realm.

He didn’t risk going in himself. Instead, he deployed the Tier Three Puppet, using its absolute power to force a path through the region and retrieve the Treasure.

That evening, he returned to Changqing Mountain and handed the Treasure to Mu Yuanchen.

“Daoist Li, your strength is truly extraordinary. I am impressed!”

Mu Yuanchen immediately handed over the two drops of Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid.

Once the transaction was complete, he transformed into a streak of Spiritual Light and departed.

Before leaving, he promised Li Chang’an he would spread the word about him within the Mu Family.

’Another person to spread the word.’

Li Chang’an casually tossed the two drops of Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid to the Evergreen Vine.

After absorbing the two drops of Spirit Liquid, the Evergreen Vine grew only a tiny bit. The effect seemed minimal.

This wasn’t because the nurturing essence within the Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid had diminished, but because the resources the Evergreen Vine required for growth now far exceeded what was needed before.

’The Cyan Profound Spirit Liquid is becoming less and less effective, and my current rate of acquiring it is far too slow. It’s a shame I still haven’t found the method for refining it.’

Li Chang’an’s gaze deepened as he glanced in the direction of the Red Leaf Valley Mu Family.

He was still waiting for the Mu Family Ancestor to reach the end of his lifespan.

Although the Mu Family was now in decline, they had once been incredibly powerful, boasting four Golden Core members at their peak. As a result, the Arrays protecting the Mu Clan Territory were formidable; they even possessed a number of Tier Three Top Grade Arrays.

As long as the Mu Family Ancestor was still breathing, he could command the Arrays.

Until the ancestor’s life came to an end, Li Chang’an had no intention of going to the Mu Family.

…

「One month later.」

Li Chang’an finished crafting his second Tier Three Puppet.

This Puppet was not humanoid, but a sphere.

“Transform!”

With a single thought from Li Chang’an, the sphere whirled and broke apart into individual puppet components, shielding the vital points of his body.

As his intentions shifted, the Puppet continuously transformed. Its components constantly moved to keep his vital areas securely protected, and each piece was durable enough to individually withstand an attack from an Early Stage of Golden Core cultivator.

This creation couldn’t be considered purely a Puppet.

It was a Tier Three Treasure that Li Chang’an had designed by combining Puppetry Technique and Mechanical Technique.

’Not bad. If I have to fight a Golden Core expert, this gives me more confidence in my ability to survive.’

He summoned the Evil Soul to test the spherical Puppet’s effectiveness and was quite satisfied with the results.

Just then, Jiang Muyu suddenly came looking for him.

“Sir, something major has happened.”

“What’s so major? Did some old ancestor die?”

“No…”

Jiang Muyu handed him a Jade Scroll containing the latest intelligence she had gathered.

The reports indicated that Cultivators from the Western and Southern Domains were fighting fiercely inside the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm, vying for its Treasures.

The conflict was escalating, gradually drawing in the various Major Sects and Noble Families.

Just this morning, the Cyan Cloud Sect had formally declared war on the forces of the Western Domain.

Before long, the other two Sects also declared war.

’War again? No wonder the divinations were still a sea of blood.’

Li Chang’an wasn’t surprised; he had known for a while that a new war was on the horizon.

He carefully read through the information on the Jade Scroll and immediately understood why the Major Sects had declared war.

A Nascent Soul opportunity!

More than one Nascent Soul opportunity had appeared within the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm!

Furthermore, there were likely even more Nascent Soul opportunities hidden deep within the Secret Realm, still undiscovered.

For this very reason, all the various powers were dead set on taking control of the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm and seizing the Nascent Soul opportunities for themselves.

’Strange. The Purple Mist Sect hasn’t taken a side, and neither has the Yellow Sand Sect, which backs the powers of the Western Domain.’

’Why are both Nascent Soul Sects being so quiet?’

Even a Nascent Soul Sect couldn’t possibly ignore a Nascent Soul opportunity.

Perhaps the two great Sects felt the time wasn’t right to make a move, intending to let these Golden Core Influences scout out the dangers for them first.

Jiang Muyu asked, “Sir, should we do something?”

“No. We’ll do nothing. It’s best to just wait and see how things develop.”

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly and set down the Jade Scroll.

“A war between the Two Domains on the border won’t affect my Changqing Mountain. As for the Nascent Soul opportunity… we’re too weak right now. There’s no need to fight for it!”

Li Chang’an was very level-headed about it.

’They hadn’t even reached the Golden Core realm, so what business did they have fighting for a Nascent Soul opportunity?’

’Even if they managed to get one, they wouldn’t be able to hold onto it. Both of the Nascent Soul Immortal Sects are watching, after all.’

“Muyu, there are plenty of opportunities in this world. If we miss this one, there will be another. But we only have one life.”

Li Chang’an could see that Jiang Muyu was tempted, so he offered a few words of counsel.

「For more than a year after that.」

The war between the Two Domains grew increasingly fierce.

The Southern Domain’s Three Great Sects and Seven Great Noble Families had all been drawn into this immortal war.

With them taking the lead, countless Foundation Establishment Influences also joined the fray.

Since this wasn’t an internal conflict, and there were frequent opportunities to be found while fighting over the ruins, the various powers were all quite eager, constantly sending people to compete.

“A Golden Core Seed from the Red Flame Sect seized an opportunity within the Secret Realm and successfully reached Core Formation after returning to the Sect.”

“The Golden Core Seed of the Artifact Refining Ou Family has fallen…”

“…”

Every day, Li Chang’an would receive the latest reports and analyze the shifting situation.

One day, as he was reviewing the latest reports, a dim streak of Spiritual Light suddenly tore across the sky. It landed on Changqing Mountain and transformed into the Mu Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Mu Yuanchen.

“Daoist Mu, what happened to you?”

Li Chang’an’s gaze sharpened; he could tell at a glance that something was wrong with Mu Yuanchen’s condition.

His Soul was dissipating!