Eternal Life by Daily Divination

...

「The next day.」

Just as Li Chang’an had predicted.

A battle between Nascent Soul True Monarchs erupted in the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm.

White Tiger True Monarch attacked, seeking to kill Mu Chen and avenge Cui Baihong.

Vermilion Bird True Monarch appeared and blocked him.

Their battle was earth-shattering, causing the entire Secret Realm to tremble.

In the aftermath, countless Ancient Ruins were completely obliterated, turning into clouds of flying dust.

In the end, White Tiger True Monarch departed.

Vermilion Bird True Monarch, however, publicly praised Mu Chen and gave him many precious Treasures.

At that moment, Mu Chen was radiant, the center of attention, and full of high spirits.

But his good mood only lasted for a few days.

「One evening.」

White Tiger True Monarch, casting aside all face, actually attacked him—a Golden Core junior—once again.

"White Tiger True Monarch, have you no shame?"

Shocked and enraged, Mu Chen had no choice but to use the life-saving item Vermilion Bird True Monarch had given him, just barely managing to block the attack.

Before his Treasures were depleted, Vermilion Bird True Monarch arrived just in time, and another great battle broke out with White Tiger True Monarch.

This battle also ended in a draw.

White Tiger True Monarch departed.

’That old bastard is finally gone.’ Mu Chen secretly sighed in relief.

’He’s a Nascent Soul True Monarch, after all. Having failed twice in a row, he surely won’t be shameless enough to try a third time.’

However, it turned out he had underestimated Cui Baihong’s importance to White Tiger True Monarch.

「Just a few days later.」

White Tiger True Monarch attacked for a third time!

This time, Mu Chen exhausted all his Treasures. His life hanging by a thread, he fled for his life, nearly having his soul scattered by the attack.

Fortunately, Vermilion Bird True Monarch intervened in time, saving his mangled body and preserving the last flicker of his life.

「That night.」

Vermilion Bird True Monarch expended a vast amount of Treasures to pull Mu Chen back from the gates of Yama Hall.

"Focus on your recovery. From now on, stay within the Sect. Don’t go out for the time being."

"Yes."

Although Mu Chen was unwilling, there was nothing he could do.

After these three attacks, he realized that White Tiger True Monarch would never stop until he was dead.

After learning of his plight, the other four Saint Children of the Vermilion Bird Sect couldn’t help but feel relieved.

"Thank goodness I was a step too slow that day and didn’t get to kill that Cui Baihong."

"Yeah, I’m glad it wasn’t me."

They all felt a lingering fear. Had it been any of them, they would likely already be dead at White Tiger True Monarch’s hands.

Who could have imagined that White Tiger True Monarch, a Nascent Soul Powerhouse, would be so shameless as to repeatedly attack a mere Golden Core junior?

...

Regarding this, Li Chang’an had long expected it.

’Back then, White Tiger True Monarch disregarded his status to come to Changqing Mountain and try to steal a fortuitous opportunity from me, a mere Golden Core Loose Cultivator.’

Even back then, Li Chang’an had realized it.

To White Tiger True Monarch, reputation meant nothing at all.

’That True Monarch’s skin is probably even thicker than most people imagine.’

A slight smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips. His decision to let Mu Chen take the fall for him had been the right one.

If Cui Baihong’s death had been a mystery, White Tiger True Monarch would most likely have investigated at all costs, killing everyone who was an enemy of Cui Baihong, which would have included Li Chang’an.

Now, he sat securely on Changqing Mountain, letting the storms of the outside world rage on without him.

Time flew by, and soon a month had passed.

The storm surrounding Cui Baihong’s death gradually subsided.

Li Chang’an quietly left Changqing Mountain and found Mu Hongyu deep within the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm.

He took out three Treasures and said to her, "Daoist Mu, I have gathered the items. When can I enter the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm?"

"What?"

A look of astonishment crossed Mu Hongyu’s face.

Every single Treasure on the list was rare and hard to find.

She never would have thought Li Chang’an could gather all three so quickly.

"Phoenix Blood Grass, Fire Cloud Crystal, and Tier Four Red Fire Sparrow Essence Blood... These are indeed the Treasures from the list."

Gazing at the three Treasures, the astonishment in Mu Hongyu’s heart grew even stronger.

She took a deep breath and said to Li Chang’an, "Daoist Li, I will take these three items back to the Sect. I will give you an answer very soon."

"I’ll be counting on you, Daoist Mu."

Li Chang’an cupped his hands in thanks.

Afterward, he returned to Changqing Mountain to await Mu Hongyu’s reply.

「Half a month later.」

Mu Hongyu contacted him through her Communication Jade Pendant.

"Daoist Li, the two True Monarchs and many of the Elders have agreed. You may enter the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm, but there is a one-month time limit."

"There’s a time limit?"

Li Chang’an’s brows furrowed.

’Those old geezers from the Vermilion Bird Sect are taking things too far.’

’They never mentioned a time limit when they asked me to collect the Treasures.’

’Now that I’ve finally managed to gather the three items, they add another restriction. They’re clearly trying to make things difficult for me.’

’If the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm is too vast, or if there are too many mechanisms, traps, and blocking Arrays outside the Ancient Wood Cave Mansion, a month probably won’t be enough.’

Li Chang’an asked, "Daoist Mu, there was no mention of a time limit before. To bring it up now is clearly going back on your word. Who was the first to propose this restriction?"

"It was another True Monarch from my Vermilion Bird Sect, Canghong True Monarch. He was always against letting an outsider into the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm. Fortunately, Master managed to persuade him."

"Canghong True Monarch? Alright, I understand."

Li Chang’an committed the name to memory.

Right now, he had no other choice but to agree.

He had to bow to circumstances.

After all, he was the one asking the Vermilion Bird Sect for a favor.

"Daoist Mu, one month is too short. I’m worried it won’t be enough. Could you please tell me in detail about the situation inside the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm?"

"Daoist Li, come to the Vermilion Bird Sect first. I will be entering the Secret Realm as well."

"Alright!"

Li Chang’an immediately packed his things and set off for the Vermilion Bird Sect.

Along the way, Mu Hongyu explained that she was also entering the Secret Realm to help a junior sister with her trial.

That junior sister was the newly appointed Saintess of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

The Vermilion Bird Sect’s trial was simple, far less complex than the one in the Great Qi Immortal Dynasty’s Cyan Wood Divine Pagoda, but she was still worried and planned to accompany her personally.