Daily Divination From Market Rogue Cultivator To Immortal Venerable - Chapter 428

Chapter 428 The Mystery of Disappearance, Ancient Cultivation Sect (Seeking Subscriptions)

Deep within the cave of Changqing Mountain.

Li Chang’an sat cross-legged, swallowing three longevity treasures in succession, his body emanating a mysterious aura of time.

A moment later.

He opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“My lifespan has exceeded two thousand four hundred years, getting closer and closer to becoming half an old tortoise!”

This trip to the Vermilion Bird Sect had allowed him to take another small step forward on the path to immortality.

He took out the broken Heavenly Thunder Umbrella and its refining method, studying them carefully for a long time, wanting to try to repair it with his own skills, but ultimately gave up.

Even an incomplete Heavenly Thunder Umbrella, its grade was still at the mid-fourth rank.

“I still need to ask for help.”

Li Chang’an put away the Heavenly Thunder Umbrella, intending to first investigate the information of various mid-fourth rank weapon refiners.

If there were no suitable ones, he would visit Liang Xuan at the Purple Cloud Sect in a few days.

At this moment, midnight arrived.

A golden light appeared before his eyes.

[The divination has been updated]

[Today’s divination: Neutral]

[True Lord Canghong attacked you, but you blocked him using your identity as Lin Fan. He is now beginning to suspect the relationship between Lin Fan and you.]

“Canghong?”

Li Chang’an frowned slightly. Why did this person attack him?

His identity had no conflict with Canghong, and he had almost no interaction with any of the disciples of the Canghong lineage.

“Could it be for the Flying Goose Pearl?”

Li Chang’an pondered briefly and quickly guessed the reason.

For many years,

he was the only outsider to enter the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm.

Back then, when he left the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, Canghong repeatedly asked him what treasures he had obtained.

If True Lord Vermilion Bird hadn’t taken him away in time, Canghong would probably have interrogated him separately.

At that time, he felt something was wrong.

Now, thinking back,

Canghong was probably worried that an outsider would take the Flying Goose Pearl.

Li Chang’an only had the Golden Core cultivation level; theoretically, he couldn’t reach the depths of the Vermilion Bird’s Nest where the old Vermilion Bird perished.

Even if he did reach that area and successfully obtained the storage bag, he shouldn’t have only taken the Flying Goose Pearl.

At that time, most of the treasures in that storage bag were considered priceless.

However,

nothing is absolute.

Cang Hong clearly desperately wanted the Flying Goose Pearl, and would attack Li Chang’an even if there was only a sliver of a chance.

“This old man’s idea was wrong, but the result was right; the treasure is indeed on me,”

Li Chang’an pondered.

With his current strength, stopping Cang Hong wouldn’t be difficult.

Cang Hong had just advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and his foundation and strength were no match for veteran mid-Nascent Soul cultivators like Yu Hu and Hei Sha.

Li Chang’an, with his sword formation and talisman formation, could easily fight him.

But, as the divination indicated,

if he blocked Cang Hong under the identity of Lin Fan, he would inevitably be suspected.

Lin Fan had already made a move once before regarding the Sacred Flame.

If he made another move,

even a fool could see something was amiss.

“Fine, let’s go straight to the Zixia Sect. Anyway, I’m an elder of the Zixia Sect, so cultivating there for a few days won’t hurt. If that old bastard comes after me, I’ll ask True Monarch Mingxia to deal with him.”

Li Chang’an left behind a puppet and headed to the Zixia Sect.

Several hours later, he entered the Daoist temple he had established in the Zixia Sect and waited for Cang Hong to appear.

Not long after,

Cang Hong’s figure appeared outside the Changqing Mountain formation.

“Li Chang’an, come out!”

His tone was cold, and his Nascent Soul aura suddenly pressed down on the entire Changqing Mountain.

Li Chang’an manipulated the puppet to stand up, went to the courtyard, and cupped his hands to Cang Hong.

“Greetings, Senior Cang Hong. May I ask what brings you here?”

Cang Hong did not respond, his sharp gaze sweeping over Li Chang’an’s body, and a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.

“How dare you! A mere Golden Core cultivator dares to appear before me in the form of a puppet? Where is your true form?”

“Reporting to Senior, I am an elder of the Purple Cloud Sect, and naturally cultivate there. This Evergreen Mountain is merely a place I manage the Evergreen Immortal City.”

“An elder of the Purple Cloud Sect?”

Cang Hong frowned, clearly not expecting Li Chang’an to have this identity.

If Li Chang’an were just a rogue cultivator, he could easily manipulate him.

But involving the Purple Cloud Sect, another major Nascent Soul sect, this matter was more complicated.

He needed a legitimate reason!

At this moment,

Li Chang’an asked again, “Senior, may I ask what brings you here today? If it’s a small matter, my puppet body is no different from my true body; I can handle it for you.”

Hearing this, Cang Hong said nothing and turned to leave Evergreen Mountain.

Li Chang’an’s eyes were deep as he watched the direction he disappeared, lost in thought.

“He should go to the Purple Cloud Sect; I wonder what reason he will use.”

Sure enough.

Several hours later,

Cang Hong arrived at the Purple Cloud Sect, releasing his aura without reservation.

Sensing this aura, Mingxia, Zixia, and Zixi appeared together, activating the Zixia Sect’s protective array to welcome him.

They all took this newly promoted mid-Nascent Soul stage expert very seriously.

True Monarch Mingxia gently invited, “Fellow Daoist Canghong, please come into the sect’s main hall for a chat.”

“No, fellow Daoists, I’ve come here today to ask you for someone.”

“Ask for someone?”

The three exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.

True Monarch Mingxia inquired, “Fellow Daoist Canghong, who do you want?” Canghong replied,

“Li Chang’an.”

Hearing this name, the three were even more surprised.

“Fellow Daoist Canghong, has young friend Li offended you?”

Zixi immediately spoke up, sensing the hidden killing intent within Canghong, and naturally wouldn’t let him take Li Chang’an away.

True Monarch Mingxia also said, “Fellow Daoist Canghong, if young friend Li has any old grudges with you, I’m willing to resolve them for you.”

Beside her, True Monarch Zixia remained silent, but his aura subtly connected with the two, signifying his stance.

Li Chang’an had rid the Zixia Sect of the scourge of the Li family, making a tremendous contribution to the sect.

Even if he were just an ordinary disciple, the Zixia Sect would protect him.

Besides, he had a close relationship with Zixi!

The three’s attitude greatly surprised Cang Hong.

He immediately realized that this matter was more troublesome than he had anticipated, and he feared he would not be able to achieve his goal today.

“Three fellow Daoists, that Li Chang’an stole the treasures of my Vermilion Bird Sect, do you really intend to protect him?”

“There must be a misunderstanding!”

Zixi said without hesitation.

“I know young friend Li’s character; he wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“Fellow Daoist Zixi, that Li Chang’an was once a rogue cultivator. Rogue cultivators always do things by any means necessary. Are you truly aware of his character?”

“Of course I am.”

“If that’s the case, why did the treasures that my Vermilion Bird Sect’s predecessors placed in the secret realm disappear without a trace, and why is Li Chang’an’s aura nearby?”

Cang Hong snorted coldly, stating the reason he had already prepared.

He told the three that

within the Vermilion Bird Nest, there were many trial grounds for Nascent Soul cultivators.

Years ago, a senior member of the Vermilion Bird Sect, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, placed a “Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng” deep within one of these trial grounds to inspire future generations.

Cang Hong explained that after breaking through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, he rushed to that trial ground, enduring hardships to reach its depths, but instead of finding the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng, he sensed a wisp of Li Chang’an’s aura.

“Back then, Li Chang’an entered my Vermilion Bird Sect’s secret realm. I repeatedly asked him what he took from it, but he refused to tell the truth. Now I realize it was that Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng!”

After he finished speaking ,

the three looked grave.

The Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng was a rare life-extending treasure, capable of extending lifespan by at least a hundred years.

Moreover, the hundred years of lifespan it extended was a hundred years at peak condition!

Any cultivator, even if they were already very old, or even on their last breath, could instantly return to their prime by consuming a Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng.

That’s why.

The value of the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng far exceeds that of the Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng that the old tortoise bought.

If this ginseng were to appear in the outside world, it would be enough to make a Nascent Soul True Monarch fight over it.

If Li Chang’an really stole that Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng, this matter would be quite troublesome.

However, all three of them realized that there was a problem with Cang Hong’s words.

Zi Xi asked him, “Fellow Daoist Cang Hong, young friend Li is only a Golden Core cultivator, how could he enter the depths of the Nascent Soul Trial Grounds?”

“Nothing is absolute in this world. Li Chang’an was able to form a Core with the talent of a lower-grade spiritual root, which means he has had a great opportunity. Who knows what methods he has? I came here today hoping that the three of you would hand him over to me so that I can interrogate him.”

Cang Hong faced the three of them directly and explained his purpose again.

True Monarch Mingxia said, “This matter is still undecided. Why don’t we interrogate him first?”

“Alright, then I will trouble the three of you!”

True Monarch Cang Hong said no more and turned to leave.

He could see that no matter how much he said today, Mingxia and the other two would not hand Li Chang’an over to him.

They had to find another way.

…

A moment later,

the three of them arrived at Li Chang’an’s Daoist temple.

They found Li Chang’an and asked about the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng.

Li Chang’an looked helpless and said to the three of them, “With my limited abilities, how could I possibly enter the depths of the Nascent Soul Trial Grounds? The reason Cang Hong has my aura is because he just went to Changqing Mountain. My aura is everywhere in Changqing Mountain; I can easily extract a wisp.”

Zi Xi quietly transmitted her voice, “Fellow Daoist Li, you really didn’t steal that Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng?”

If it were any other treasure, she wouldn’t believe it at all.

However, the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng is a longevity treasure, and an extremely rare one at that. If Li Chang’an were to see it, he would surely be tempted.

Li Chang’an sighed, “Holy Maiden, you can rest assured. If it really was me, Cang Hong would have no way of obtaining any trace of it.”

“That’s true.”

Zi Xi knew Li Chang’an’s style well.

If it really was him, he would definitely erase all traces before leaving!

In other words,

Cang Hong was looking for Li Chang’an for something else.

But Li Chang’an didn’t say so, so she didn’t ask. She

simply said, “Fellow Daoist Li, as long as you are still in the Zixia Sect, Cang Hong can’t take you away. Just focus on your cultivation.”

Mingxia and Zixia also told Li Chang’an to focus on his cultivation and not to think too much.

In the days that followed,

Cang Hong came to the Zixia Sect many times to demand Li Chang’an, but he never succeeded.

Mingxia and the others always managed to come up with excuses, causing him to return empty-handed time and time again.

Finally,

after yet another failure,

Cang Hong had no choice but to send a message to the entire Zixia Sect.

“I am Cang Hong of the Vermilion Bird Sect! Elder Li Chang’an of the Purple Cloud Sect has stolen our Vermilion Bird Sect’s treasure, the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng! I urge the Purple Cloud Sect not to show favoritism and to hand this man over to our Vermilion Bird Sect!”

His voice boomed like a bell, using his magical power to make his voice resound throughout the entire Purple Cloud Sect.

Upon hearing this

, countless disciples inside and outside the Purple Cloud Sect were astonished.

“What happened?”

“Our Purple Cloud Sect elder actually stole a treasure from the Vermilion Bird Sect?”

“We have always been on good terms with the Vermilion Bird Sect. We fought side by side during the civil war of the righteous path. How can we tolerate such a thing?”

“…”

Many people did not know what the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng was.

But the fact that even the Supreme Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sect had come personally to demand its return indicated that the item was extremely precious.

Soon, many Golden Core cultivators gathered in the main hall to discuss the matter.

The current sect leader, Xiao Minghe, looked serious and said in a deep voice, “The three Supreme Elders have not yet responded to me. Do you all think this matter is true or false?”

Liu Haichao immediately said, “Of course it’s true! That Li Chang’an has always been a despicable villain who will stop at nothing. We shouldn’t have let him join our Zixia Sect back then. Now, because of him alone, the reputation of the entire Zixia Sect has been ruined!”

He had a long-standing grudge against Li Chang’an, but he hadn’t found an opportunity to deal with him before.

Now that an opportunity had come knocking, he naturally wouldn’t let it go. As

soon as he finished speaking, many people echoed him.

As a senior Holy Son, and having even killed Wei Xu, the Holy Son of the White Tiger Sect, Liu Haichao had extremely high prestige within the sect.

A series of voices criticizing Li Chang’an immediately rang out in the hall.

“Shut up!”

Zi Yun frowned slightly and rebuked everyone.

“This matter is still undecided. Even the three Supreme Elders haven’t made a decision. What are you all doing here?”

She was now also a Holy Maiden, with considerable strength, and also had the identity of Zi Xi’s younger sister.

Most of the cultivators present were afraid of her and had to keep quiet for the time being.

At this moment,

outside the sect’s great formation,

Zi Xi and the other two were somewhat surprised by Cang Hong’s sudden actions.

They could see that Cang Hong wanted to use the pressure of countless disciples’ words to force them to hand over Li Chang’an.

However, as Nascent Soul cultivators, they didn’t need to care too much about public opinion.

Strength could suppress everything!

True Monarch Mingxia’s expression was cold, no longer as gentle as before, and she asked indifferently, “Fellow Daoist Cang Hong, do you really want to make this a big deal out of this?”

“Since the three of you refuse to hand over Li Chang’an, I have no choice but to resort to this tactic. Please forgive me.”

True Monarch Cang Hong’s tone was also icy, and he turned and left after speaking.

In the following days,

news of Li Chang’an stealing the Vermilion Bird Sect’s treasures gradually spread throughout the land.

The communication treasures in his storage bag became hot, and friends from all sides sent messages inquiring about the matter.

To his surprise, not only Golden Core friends, but even Wang Yannian and Jiang Xuanyuan asked him about it.

However…

These two weren’t asking for details.

They simply wanted to know if Li Chang’an actually possessed the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng.

Wang Yannian stated, “Young friend Li, I possess more Nascent Soul stage treasures and am willing to exchange them for the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng.”

Jiang Xuanyuan’s intention was similar.

They didn’t care whether Li Chang’an had stolen it or not.

Stealing it would be best!

The Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng would be extremely useful to them.

Not long after,

even the old tortoise sent him a message.

“Young friend Li, if you truly possess the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng, you must not sell it to anyone else. I have the tribulation-crossing treasures you desire, both lightning tribulation and heart demon tribulation treasures!”

Upon hearing this, Li Chang’an was speechless.

He helplessly replied, “Senior Tortoise, do you truly believe I’m the kind of person who steals?”

The old tortoise righteously declared, “How can that be called stealing? That’s called using special means to seek profit!”

“…”

Li Chang’an was utterly speechless.

These individuals all hoped he had indeed stolen the Hundred-Bearded Bright-Year Ginseng, but he hadn’t.

After dealing with everyone,

Li Chang’an dispersed his divine sense to examine the situation at the Purple Cloud Sect.

During this period, the entire Zixia Sect was discussing whether he had stolen anything.

It wasn’t just the Zixia Sect;

the Zhuque Sect was in the same boat.

In the Zhuque Sect’s main hall, Mu Hongyu and Ning Mengwei insisted that Li Chang’an hadn’t stolen anything, simply because they had been with him that day.

“Hongyu, Mengwei, was Li Chang’an truly with you every moment?”

Canghong Zhenjun’s expression was cold as he used several lie-detecting artifacts.

Faced with these artifacts

, the two had no choice but to confess that Li Chang’an had indeed disappeared for a moment that day.

“Disappeared?”

Upon hearing this, Canghong Zhenjun’s eyes turned icy as he looked in the direction of the Zixia Sect.

He had initially suspected Lin Fan more, believing that dealing with Li Chang’an was merely a side effect. However, after this interrogation, the suspicions surrounding Li Chang’an greatly increased.

No one knew where he had gone after disappearing that day

…

The outside world was in turmoil.

Li Chang’an, however, continued his quiet cultivation.

He posted a sign announcing his seclusion, refusing all visits and ignoring the questions raised by numerous disciples of the Zixia Sect.

A few days later,

he changed his identity to Lin Fan, quietly left the Zixia Sect, and released his aura outside the sect.

Soon, Zi Xi and the other two came out to greet him.

Li Chang’an explained his purpose: “Fellow Daoists, I have come here today to visit Fellow Daoist Liang Xuan.”

“Fellow Daoist Liang has just emerged from seclusion; please, Fellow Daoist Lin, come in for a chat.”

The three were very polite, leading him to Liang Xuan’s Daoist abode.

A short while later,

Liang Xuan emerged from his cave and met Li Chang’an.

He smiled: “Fellow Daoist Lin, it has been many years!”

“Indeed, it has been nearly twenty years since our last parting.”

Li Chang’an also smiled broadly as he spoke with Liang Xuan.

Seeing this, Zi Xi and the other two left without lingering.

Inside the dojo,

only Li Chang’an and Liang Xuan remained.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Chang’an explained his true purpose.

“Fellow Daoist Liang, I wish to ask you to repair a tribulation-crossing treasure for me.”

“A tribulation-crossing treasure? What grade is it?”

“Mid-grade fourth rank.”

“This…”

Liang Xuan paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

He shook his head and said, “Fellow Daoist Lin, you overestimate my abilities. I only possess a low-grade fourth-rank skill, and my inheritance is also limited to low-grade fourth-rank.”

Li Chang’an was somewhat puzzled: “Fellow Daoist Liang, as the chosen one of the Hundred Weapons Sect to avoid the tribulation, bearing the hope of the sect’s revival in future generations, why do you only have a low-grade fourth-rank inheritance? Is this the best inheritance of the Hundred Weapons Sect?”

“Fellow Daoist Lin indeed saw through my identity.”

Since the matter had been explained, Liang Xuan no longer concealed it.

He told the truth.

He wasn’t the only one chosen to avoid the tribulation back then; there were several others.

Those others had better talent than him and bore heavier responsibilities.

He wasn’t actually chosen; the reason he received the Hidden World Coffin was because his senior brother gave up his chance to avoid the calamity.

“The others must have better inheritances, but I haven’t found them yet.”

“Fellow Daoist Liang, you also search for the Hidden World Coffin year-round?”

“Yes, not just me…”

Liang Xuan told Li Chang’an that he had joined a sect founded by resurrected ancient cultivators.

The sect’s cultivators constantly searched for Hidden World Coffins in various places, hoping to unearth more ancient cultivators.

Almost all of these cultivators possessed exceptional skills, including many mid-grade fourth-tier weapon-refining masters, but they only refined weapons for ancient cultivators and did not accept commissions from contemporary cultivators.

Liang Xuan sighed, “Fellow Daoist Lin, it’s a pity you are a contemporary cultivator, different from us.”

Hearing this, Li Chang’an’s smile deepened.

“Fellow Daoist Liang, you’re wrong, we’re not different.”

(End of Chapter)