Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Even if he had the guts, he didn’t have the strength.

Based on the strength he’d shown back then, if he had left the Array, he most likely couldn’t have even taken a single hit from Nie Wushuang.

But now, everyone understood.

He must have hidden his Cultivation back then; otherwise, it would have been impossible for him to reach Core Formation so quickly.

”If it really was him, then everything makes sense.”

”I never would have thought... he could be so patient. To endure all this time... I am truly in awe...”

When it came to sheer forbearance, they all knew they couldn’t compare.

If they had to endure for so long, they would have likely driven themselves mad.

At this moment, Nie Yu was on the verge of madness.

His eyes bloodshot, he unleashed all his Treasures. They formed a long, rainbow-like streak of light as he charged toward Li Chang’an.

”Li Chang’an, I will kill you today and avenge Wushuang!”

His aged face was twisted in a grimace.

Years of pent-up rage and killing intent, compounded by the desperation of his current hopeless situation, had nearly driven him insane.

Only by killing Li Chang’an could he find a moment of peace.

However, before he could even get close to Li Chang’an, he was pinned in place by a surge of Array Power.

The terrifying force crushed his bones and tore at his flesh, forcing him to the ground like a stray dog groveling by the roadside.

”Perfect. I’ll send you to be reunited with your grandson.”

With an icy expression, Li Chang’an slowly crushed the man’s head underfoot.

And just like that, this renowned Golden Core Master, who had held sway over the Southern Domain for centuries, was reduced to a heap of mangled flesh.

As for his Soul, it was, of course, absorbed by the Venerable Soul Banner.

...

Within the Soul Banner, millions of Souls drifted aimlessly.

”Tsk tsk, a new one has arrived.”

The Evil Soul stood with his hands on his hips, a wide grin splitting his face as he stared at Nie Yu’s Soul.

”Well, well, look what we have here. An old acquaintance!”

”Who are you? What is this place? Could this be the Underworld?”

Nie Yu demanded of the Evil Soul, his face contorted in anger.

The Evil Soul let out a sinister cackle. ”Hehehe, you old geezer. First time in the Venerable Soul Banner, is it? It’s normal to be a little lost. You’re not the only one who’s mistaken this place for the Underworld. You’ll get used to it.”

”What? The Venerable Soul Banner?”

Nie Yu’s heart sank as he surveyed his surroundings.

”That’s right. This is the Venerable Soul Banner, and I am the Main Soul here. And it was I who personally slaughtered your grandson!”

The smile on the Evil Soul’s face slowly twisted into a savage sneer.

He waved a hand, and a single Soul was plucked from the countless masses.

It was Nie Wushuang’s Soul!

”Hehehe... A perfect day for a family reunion!”

The Evil Soul’s eyes glowed crimson, his claws like sharp talons. He seized Nie Yu’s Soul as well, staring intently at him.

”You old bastard, back when you were threatening Changqing Mountain, the Master may not have felt slighted, but I was furious! I’ve been itching to put you in your place ever since!”

With that, he dragged both Souls into a special area he had designated for torture.

Li Chang’an paid him no mind, simply letting him do as he wished.

The Evil Soul had indeed been holding a grudge.

Over the years, he had suggested on more than one occasion that Li Chang’an go on the offensive, but Li Chang’an had always ignored him.

Before, the time wasn’t right. But things were different now.

Li Chang’an stepped over Nie Yu’s remains and walked slowly toward Du Han.

”D-Daoist Li...”

Du Han’s face was pale, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, and his voice trembled.

Nie Yu had died a gruesome death right before his eyes.

He had no desire to become a pile of mangled flesh himself.

”Daoist Li, I was indeed wrong about what happened all those years ago, but I never intended to kill you.”

Du Han’s attitude was utterly subservient, for he knew that resistance was futile.

Even He Xiangfeng had been defeated. What could he possibly do?

All he could do was beg for mercy.

Perhaps, in doing so, he could secure a sliver of a chance to survive.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he took out his Storage Pouch and offered it all to Li Chang’an.

”Daoist Li, there isn’t any deep-seated hatred between us. If you spare me, I am willing to gift you every Treasure I have accumulated in my entire life and become a Mountain Guardian Slave for your Changqing Mountain.”

As he said this, he produced a Spirit Contract.

It was a Servant Spirit Contract, and one of the most restrictive kind.

Once signed, Li Chang’an could determine his life or death with a single thought.

In other words, by signing this Spirit Contract, he would be no different from a Spirit Beast—a slave, no better than livestock.

”Daoist Li... w-what do you say?”

Du Han was fraught with anxiety. His entire body was tense, and his back was already soaked through with cold sweat.

Under his nervous gaze, Li Chang’an slowly took the Spirit Contract and gave it an indifferent glance.

Seeing this, Du Han was ecstatic. He thought Li Chang’an was going to accept the Spirit Contract.

The others present had the same thought.

’Is Li Chang’an actually going to spare Daoist Du?’

But in the next instant, that thought was shattered, right along with the Spirit Contract.

With a casual flick from Li Chang’an, the entire Spirit Contract shattered into pieces before dissolving into dust that scattered on the wind.

At this moment, Du Han’s face turned ashen as despair flooded his heart.

He could feel it: Li Chang’an’s killing intent hadn’t lessened in the slightest.

”Daoist Li, I’ve already humbled myself this much. Why are you so insistent on killing me?”

Du Han’s voice was hoarse, unable to comprehend.

He was willing to become a slave, to surrender everything, to place his very life in Li Chang’an’s hands.

Surely, he was more valuable alive than dead. Why wouldn’t Li Chang’an spare him?

Li Chang’an replied coldly.

”Daoist Du, the Cultivation Immortality Realm has always been a place where the strong devour the weak. Your strength is lacking, so it is only right that you face this calamity.”

Hearing this, Du Han shuddered. His mind went blank for a moment, the words echoing endlessly within it.

The same words.

He had once said them to Li Chang’an.

Except back then, he had been the high-and-mighty Golden Core Master, while Li Chang’an was merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator hiding inside an Array.

Now, their roles were reversed.

Du Han’s face was a mask of despair. He stumbled backward a few steps and collapsed to the ground, finally understanding Li Chang’an’s intent.

In Li Chang’an’s eyes, he had no value whatsoever. He was just an ant that could be crushed at a whim.

”That’s right... I... my strength is too weak. It is only right that I face this calamity...”

The moment the words left his lips, his body abruptly exploded, leaving behind nothing but a pile of mangled flesh and shattered bone.