Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Zhang Qingrong and the others had no idea that Wan Xing, who was exploring the ruins with them, had long been Li Chang’an’s puppet.

Li Chang’an watched their every word and action.

「A few days later.」

Li Chang’an arrived deep within the ruins.

He didn’t make a move immediately. Instead, he laid out a Tier Three Grand Array in advance, quietly biding his time.

Before long, Zhang Qingrong and the others also arrived in the area.

”No one has explored this area yet.”

”Let’s search carefully. We might find clues related to the Nascent Soul opportunity.”

Their group of over ten people consisted of either Golden Core Cultivators or Foundation Establishment Celestial Prides with a high chance of reaching Core Formation.

As such, they were all incredibly eager for the Nascent Soul opportunity.

Li Chang’an had Wan Xing suggest, ”This place is vast. Why don’t we split up to explore? If any of us run into trouble, we can regroup to handle it.”

”Good idea, but no one should go off on their own.”

The others also wanted to split up, but exploring alone was especially dangerous. They quickly began pairing off with those they were on good terms with.

Li Chang’an sent a voice transmission to Zhang Qingrong, ”Daoist Zhang, how about you and I explore the area to the left together?”

”That’s exactly what I was thinking!”

Zhang Qingrong readily agreed. He had been planning to partner with Wan Xing anyway.

As a Tier Three Body Refinement expert, Wan Xing had a formidable physique and a strong ability to survive dangerous encounters.

Furthermore, the Cyan Cloud Sect held high hopes for him, so he carried an innumerable amount of life-saving treasures.

’There’s no downside to traveling with him.’

Soon, the two of them transformed into streaks of Spiritual Light and flew toward the left side of the vast ruins.

The others also broke off into their own pairs and scattered, heading to different areas in search of their own opportunities.

Before long, Li Chang’an landed within the array he had prepared.

Zhang Qingrong landed beside him.

He began to offer a reminder, ”Daoist Wan, this place is fraught with danger. We should...”

Before he could finish his sentence, Wan Xing suddenly threw a punch.

BOOM! The sound was like a clap of thunder.

Zhang Qingrong couldn’t react in time. The several protective artifacts around him shattered instantly, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into a pile of crumbling ruins.

”Wan Xing, have you gone mad?”

His face contorted with rage, he flew out of the rubble in an instant and bellowed furiously.

A terrifying fist-shaped indentation was clearly visible on his Tier Three Treasure Armor.

Without the protection of his Treasure Armor, that punch would have taken half his life!

Wan Xing remained silent and surged forward. His muscles bulged, his Qi and blood raged like a dragon, and looking like a humanoid demon, he threw another punch.

Zhang Qingrong’s expression changed drastically. His body flickered, and he instantly became an afterimage.

The next instant, the punch shattered his afterimage.

Before Zhang Qingrong could even catch his breath, a beam of Cyan Wood Divine Light appeared behind him, striking him squarely in the back.

”BOOM!”

Zhang Qingrong’s entire body convulsed. His Treasure Armor cracked as he was once again slammed into a pile of ruins.

This time, before he could fly out, a second beam of Cyan Wood Divine Light shot toward his body, completely shattering the already cracked Treasure Armor.

”Stop!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood, roaring hoarsely.

”Which Daoist from the Cyan Cloud Sect is this? The war between the three sects ended long ago! We are allies, not enemies! Why would you and Wan Xing ambush me?”

Zhang Qingrong still assumed his hidden assailant was a Golden Core Master from the Cyan Cloud Sect.

After all, Wan Xing was also from the Cyan Cloud Sect.

During the war between the three sects, the Talisman Zhang Family had helped the Red Flame Sect fight the Cyan Cloud Sect, which had caused some friction between them.

But they had long since set aside their past grievances to join forces against the Western Cultivators.

”We already signed a Spirit Contract in the main hall of the Cyan Cloud Sect! Is your Cyan Cloud Sect going to go back on its word?”

The words had barely left his mouth when another beam of Cyan Wood Divine Light slammed into him.

The few treasures Zhang Qingrong had just deployed shattered once more.

His face was pale as he struggled to his feet, about to fly out of the ruins.

But suddenly, the power of the Tier Three Grand Array descended from above.

”RUMBLE!”

Zhang Qingrong was forced to his knees on the spot, his legs smashing heavily into the rubble.

Immediately after, strands of Cyan Yuan Profound Vine appeared all around him. Like countless cyan chains, they bound his limbs and torso tightly.

He struggled desperately, but could not break free no matter how hard he tried.

”Just who is this Daoist?”

’A faint unease crept into his heart.’

’My opponent is so strong. They must be a Middle Stage, or maybe even Late Stage, Golden Core expert.’

’Could it be... the Cyan Cloud Sect’s old ancestor, Gu Qinghong, taking action against me personally?’

However, in the very next moment, he saw an incredibly familiar figure.

”Li Chang’an?!”

Zhang Qingrong was shaken to his core. He had never imagined he would see Li Chang’an here.

’Logically speaking, Li Chang’an should still be holed up on Changqing Mountain right now!’

”How can it be you? When did you reach Core Formation? And how did you convince Wan Xing to turn on me? Don’t tell me you’re a sleeper agent for the Cyan Cloud Sect? That they never actually turned you away all those years ago?”

Zhang Qingrong found it impossible to accept. Countless questions flooded his mind.

But Li Chang’an couldn’t be bothered to respond.

He flicked his finger, sending out a streak of green light.

In an instant, the green light flew into Zhang Qingrong’s body, transforming into a Wood Seed just below his heart.

Immediately after, Zhang Qingrong felt with horror as a strange power began to frantically corrode his body.

”No! Li Chang’an, spare my life!”

Terrified, he hastily begged for mercy.

But no matter what he said, the power continued its steady and rapid corrosion of his flesh and meridians.

At this moment, Zhang Qingrong’s mind suddenly flashed back to the words his younger brother, Zhang Qingfeng, had used to try and dissuade him all those years ago.

”’Qingfeng was right. I shouldn’t have disregarded my dignity as a Golden Core Master just to curry favor with Liu Xuanfeng. I never should have come to Changqing Mountain to attack you.’”

”’Li Chang’an, I was wrong! I was truly wrong...’”

Filled with regret, Zhang Qingrong begged for mercy repeatedly, hoping that Li Chang’an might spare him for Zhang Qingfeng’s sake.