Eternal Life by Daily Divination

”You achieved Core Formation with a Low Grade Spirit Root and even prompted my master to personally issue a Decree. You’re obviously no ordinary person.”

Shi Hu Master admitted that he was wary.

Furthermore, he had his suspicions.

He suspected that the Li Chang’an on Changqing Mountain was just an Illusion Body created with Array Power.

The real Li Chang’an, he thought, might not be on Changqing Mountain at all, but in a Tier Three Spiritual Land belonging to some Golden Core Influence.

Not only that, he also suspected Li Chang’an had joined forces with the other Golden Core Influences in the Southern Domain, turning Changqing Mountain into a trap specifically aimed at him.

Therefore, he had been constantly probing over the years while also gathering all sorts of information about Li Chang’an.

He had been remarkably thorough.

Alas, Li Chang’an had Divination.

”Daoist Li, after I die, that old woman Liu Feiyan most likely won’t let you off. She will find others to deal with you.”

Shi Hu Master explained that the reason he had targeted Li Chang’an was because of Mandarin Duck Valley.

Li Chang’an already knew this.

Li Chang’an took out the key and asked, ”Daoist Shi Hu, do you know what this key is for?”

”I do not.”

Shi Hu Master explained that he had stumbled upon the key in a Secret Realm.

That Secret Realm was filled with a large number of Ancient Sect Ruins.

He suspected the key was related to the Ancient Wood Sect, one of the Nine Ancient Major Sects, but he never figured out how to use it, so he could only toss it into a corner of his Storage Pouch.

Li Chang’an wasn’t surprised by this.

Shi Hu Master was not a cultivator of the Evergreen Technique, so the key was completely useless to him.

Li Chang’an put the key away and asked about Liu Feiyan.

”How strong is Liu Feiyan?”

”Her Cultivation is similar to mine, but her actual combat strength is likely a bit higher.”

Shi Hu Master answered truthfully.

Both he and Liu Feiyan possessed Late Stage Golden Core Cultivation.

But Liu Feiyan was his master’s Dao-companion, after all. She could obtain better Cultivation Techniques, Magic, and Magical Treasures from his master.

”Daoist Li, if you want to deal with Liu Feiyan, you can’t go after her directly. It’s best to target the entire Mandarin Duck Valley sect.”

”Why is that?”

”Unlike me, Liu Feiyan almost never leaves Mandarin Duck Valley.”

Shi Hu Master explained the reason. He had lost to Li Chang’an because he enjoyed conquest, often took the initiative to attack, and surrounded himself with a group of allies, which was what gave Li Chang’an his opening.

But Liu Feiyan had no descendants or disciples and rarely strayed far from the Sect.

There was almost no opportunity to make a move against her.

Furthermore, Mandarin Duck Valley’s Sect Protection Array was originally only Tier Three Top Grade.

But after Liu Feiyan became Huang Sha True Monarch’s Dao-companion, several Quasi-Tier Four Ring Arrays had appeared within Mandarin Duck Valley.

”I suspect that for her safety, Master might have hired someone to custom-build a true Tier Four Array just for her!”

If this speculation were true, then even a Nascent Soul True Monarch would have to put in some effort to kill her inside Mandarin Duck Valley.

She stayed inside the Array all year round, with a personality just like Li Chang’an’s—she didn’t get involved in the war between the Two Domains at all.

”Daoist Li, Liu Feiyan often urged me to kill you, which shows how much she hates you. But even so, she still hasn’t left Mandarin Duck Valley to attack you herself.”

”I see.”

’Dealing with an old turtle who stays holed up in her Array year-round would be a headache even for me.’

Even if he controlled all the Golden Core Masters of Mandarin Duck Valley, he might not necessarily be able to kill Liu Feiyan within the Array.

He had to find a way to lure her out of Mandarin Duck Valley.

But that wouldn’t be easy either.

Shi Hu Master said, ”Liu Feiyan isn’t without her weaknesses. Her sect is very important to her, so I suggest you go after the entire Mandarin Duck Valley sect.”

”The last time she left Mandarin Duck Valley was because the valley was facing a crisis.”

”At that time, the war between the Two Domains hadn’t begun yet, and the Western Domain was plagued by internal conflict. The two major sects, Mandarin Duck Valley and the Hundred Beasts Sect, had been at war for years, suffering innumerable casualties. The Hundred Beasts Sect was planning to rally the other Golden Core Influences and annihilate Mandarin Duck Valley in one fell swoop...”

Shi Hu Master recounted the events of that time.

When Mandarin Duck Valley faced the crisis of annihilation, Liu Feiyan finally took action.

She personally came forward, traveling to the territory between the two powers—Mandarin Duck Valley and the Hundred Beasts Sect—to negotiate peace with the Hundred Beasts Sect’s numerous Golden Core Masters.

Those negotiations brought a long period of peace to the two powers.

Since then, Liu Feiyan had never again left Mandarin Duck Valley.

”Daoist Li, as long as you can create a new crisis of annihilation for Mandarin Duck Valley, Liu Feiyan will be forced to show herself.”

”Hmm, that’s not a bad idea.”

Li Chang’an nodded slightly.

Dealing with the Mandarin Duck Valley sect was indeed simpler than dealing with Liu Feiyan.

”Daoist Shi Hu, are there any conflicts between Mandarin Duck Valley and the Hundred Beasts Sect that can be exploited?”

”Of course there are!”

Shi Hu Master immediately shared what he knew.

Although the two major sects had negotiated peace, both sides had slaughtered countless disciples of the other. The hatred ran deep; how could it be let go of so easily?

Within the two major sects were many people Li Chang’an could use.

If he exploited them properly, he could incite a new war between the two sects!

Shi Hu Master, who detested Liu Feiyan, actively helped Li Chang’an strategize.

After hearing all this, Li Chang’an was lost in thought for a long while.

’In the days to come, I’ll have to slowly infiltrate the two major sects and then find the right moment to ignite all their conflicts.’

Either way, this couldn’t be rushed. It had to be planned out slowly.

After all, his opponent was the Dao-companion of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

If he was too hasty, he would only bring great trouble upon himself.

’First, I’ll repair the Red Scale Armor. I have this Treasure Armor to thank for my success this time.’

With a wave of his hand, Li Chang’an collected Shi Hu Master’s Soul into the Venerable Soul Banner.

Afterward, he went to the Artifact Refining Room and, using Earth Fire and Artifact Refining Techniques, slowly repaired the damage to the Red Scale Armor.

About an hour later, the Red Scale Armor was as good as new.

Li Chang’an put it on, felt a bit more secure, and returned to his Changqing Mountain Cave Mansion.

Just then, he suddenly sensed something.

A familiar aura was rapidly approaching Changqing Mountain.

「A moment later.」

Jiang Muyu’s joyous voice rang out from the distance.

”Master, I’m back!”