Eternal Life by Daily Divination

It was incredibly far from his current location.

So far, in fact, that he wondered if it was even in this world.

’Forget it. These three scrolls are enough. According to legend, the peak of Cultivation in this world is Divinity Transformation. I not only have a technique for that, but also a Refining Void Technique. I’ll focus on cultivating to that stage first before worrying about any subsequent techniques.’

Li Chang’an wasn’t greedy. He was quite satisfied with the three scrolls of the Cultivation Technique he now possessed.

He continued reading.

As expected, the scrolls also detailed the two Magic spells: Cyan Wood Divine Light and Ancient Wood Divine Armor.

The information within was far more detailed and complete than what he had known before.

After reading through everything, Li Chang’an let out a slow breath.

’The matter of the Cultivation Technique is settled. Next, I’ll focus all my efforts on preparing for Nascent Soul Formation.’

He put away the Jade Scroll, stood up, and carefully searched every corner of the cave residence.

After confirming there were no other Treasures, Li Chang’an also placed the wooden table into his Storage Pouch before walking out of the cave residence.

Outside the cave residence, there was a special Array.

When he had first been sent here, he had been standing right on top of it.

’This must be the legendary Teleportation Array.’

Li Chang’an’s eyes were deep as he observed it carefully.

With his current attainment in the Array Dao, he could only understand a small part of it.

He used a Memory Stone to record all the visible Array Patterns, making it easier to study them repeatedly in the future.

Then, he stepped back onto the Array.

Soon, the Spirit Patterns around the Array lit up one by one.

Li Chang’an saw a flash of white light, and in the blink of an eye, he had left the small space and returned to the passage in the Vermilion Bird’s Nest where he had previously vanished.

He hadn’t been gone for long.

At this moment, Mu Hongyu and Ning Mengwei were still waiting for him.

Seeing him reappear, both women breathed a sigh of relief.

"Daoist Li, it’s good that you’re alright."

"I’ve made you both worry."

Li Chang’an smiled and gave them a simple explanation.

"I’ve accomplished my goal for this trip. You don’t need to worry about me from now on. Just focus on Daoist Ning’s trial."

"Alright then, Daoist Li. Please follow us."

Neither Mu Hongyu nor Ning Mengwei asked any further questions.

Every Cultivator had their secrets, and they were no different.

The three of them continued deeper.

About half an hour later, they arrived at the Land of Trial.

Before Li Chang’an’s eyes was a wide staircase that stretched endlessly upward. It had nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, each one a dark crimson color.

Just as Mu Hongyu had said before, the Vermilion Bird Sect’s trial was quite simple: climb these long stairs.

These stairs tested one’s Divine Sense. The stronger one’s Divine Sense, the higher and farther they could climb.

After the trial, a reward would fly out from the highest point of the stairs.

The better the performance, the higher the Tier of the Treasure received as a reward.

Mu Hongyu explained, "Back when I became the Saintess, I climbed two hundred and ninety-one steps and was awarded a Tier Four Treasure by these Trial Long Stairs."

Li Chang’an asked, "How many steps did Mu Chen climb?"

"He did a little worse than me, only reaching the two hundred and eighty-third step, but he also received a Tier Four Treasure."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an’s heart stirred.

’If both Mu Hongyu and Mu Chen could obtain a Tier Four Treasure, then so could I.’

Of course, he wasn’t a disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect, so he feared he wouldn’t receive a reward no matter how well he performed.

Seeing that he seemed tempted, Mu Hongyu asked with a smile, "Daoist Li, would you like to give it a try?"

"I would, of course, but I am not a disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect. If I were to climb the stairs, would I be breaking any rules?"

"Of course not!"

Mu Hongyu immediately provided a more detailed explanation.

These long stairs were not set up by the Vermilion Bird Sect; they were discovered by them.

It had most likely existed for countless ages, long before the Vermilion Bird Sect was even founded.

The ancestors of the Vermilion Bird Sect had tested it many times and determined that the stairs posed no danger. They only tested one’s Divine Sense and would grant Treasures based on performance.

Therefore, they designated this place as one of the Vermilion Bird Sect’s Lands of Trial.

Even someone who wasn’t a disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect could take the test and receive a Treasure.

However, since the Vermilion Bird Sect had laid claim to this Secret Realm, only its disciples were able to take the test.

Li Chang’an was the first outsider to be here in many years.

"So you’re saying I can try it, too."

His eyes brightened as he stared at the long stairs before him.

’I certainly wouldn’t mind having another Tier Four Treasure.’

"Daoist Mu, can you get a reward every time you take the trial?"

"No, this place has a special rule."

Mu Hongyu explained.

After the first trial, the long stairs will grant a reward.

In any subsequent trial, if one does not achieve a significant breakthrough, the stairs will not give any Treasure.

In other words, only a major breakthrough would earn a second reward.

For this very reason, she didn’t plan to climb the stairs today.

"When I climbed the stairs back then, my Divine Sense was already at the Tier Three Late Stage. Now, it’s only at the Tier Three Peak. That isn’t much of a breakthrough, so even if my performance were better than before, I wouldn’t get anything."

"I see."

After some discussion, Li Chang’an fully understood the rules of this place.

Beside them, Ning Mengwei asked with a smile, "Daoist Li, would you like to climb the stairs with me?"

"I was just thinking that!"

Li Chang’an replied with a smile.

A moment later, both of them adjusted their Essence, Qi, and Spirit to their Peak state and slowly stepped onto the first stair.

In that instant, Li Chang’an’s Divine Sense felt a slight sense of pressure.

This bit of pressure was nothing to him.

Ning Mengwei asked him, "Daoist Li, can you handle it?"

"I can."

"Then let’s continue up. If you start to feel any discomfort, stop immediately. Don’t push yourself."

With that, the two of them continued step by step toward the top.

They quickly passed the fiftieth step.

Mu Hongyu stood below, her eyes calm as she watched their backs.

’Junior Sister Ning’s Divine Sense is strong, not much different from mine when I took the test. She should be able to climb past the two hundred and seventieth step and get a Tier Four Treasure.’

She silently assessed them in her mind.

As for Li Chang’an, she wasn’t very optimistic.

’Divine Sense and Cultivation are usually on the same Tier. Daoist Li’s Cultivation is simply too low. If he came here after reaching the Late Stage of Golden Core, he’d probably have a decent showing.’

Unfortunately, Li Chang’an wasn’t a disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect, and this was his only chance—a chance he had earned with great difficulty by painstakingly collecting all those Treasures.

The Vermilion Bird Sect would never agree to let him enter a second time.

Not unless he reached the Nascent Soul realm in the future and could negotiate with the Vermilion Bird Sect as an equal, but the likelihood of that was far too low.

’Daoist Li will probably stop at the one hundredth step and receive a Tier Three Treasure.’