Eternal Life by Daily Divination

"Let’s just say it was hungry."

Li Chang’an smiled, took down the Concealing Array, and returned to the depths of his immortal cave.

He asked the Evil Soul, "Have you found any trace of that Mountain-Drilling Beast?"

"No. I even sent out numerous souls to help me search, but I still couldn’t find it. That Mountain-Drilling Beast is just too good at hiding. It’s almost like..."

The Evil Soul’s voice cut off abruptly, its heart filled with lingering fear.

It had almost said, ’almost like Li Chang’an.’

Li Chang’an understood its meaning but paid it no mind. He simply ordered it to continue helping Dahuang search for the Mountain-Drilling Beast.

...

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, it was once again time to deliver treasures to Zi Xi.

That evening, Li Chang’an prepared the Elixir Pills and Magical Treasures required for the trade.

’The conflict over those Ancient Ruins is getting more and more intense. I should check the divination before I go.’

He didn’t set out immediately, waiting instead for the divination to appear.

Soon, Midnight arrived.

A golden light materialized before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Auspicious]

[You travel to the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm to trade with the Zi Xi Saintess. You happen to arrive just as a fortuitous opportunity appears in the depths of the ruins, and you obtain an Earth Element Blood Stone of Ten Thousand Demons.]

"An Earth Element Blood Stone of Ten Thousand Demons!"

Li Chang’an’s heart leaped with joy. This item could enhance the bloodline of an Earth Element Demon Beast.

Years ago, he had obtained one from Zhou Shangshan, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Zhou Family, which had elevated Dahuang’s bloodline from Middle Grade to Top Grade.

If he could get another one, it might elevate its bloodline to Earth Grade.

By then,

Dahuang’s innate talent would improve, and perhaps it would finally be able to find that Mountain-Drilling Beast.

’My luck really is something else. I’m just going to make a trade, and I happen to stumble upon a fortuitous opportunity.’

A smile touched Li Chang’an’s lips, his mood soaring.

The Celestial Prides and prodigies from the Major Sects had fought to the death over those ruins for years, yet most had gained nothing. Many had even lost their lives.

And yet, all he did was cultivate peacefully, and such an opportunity fell right into his lap.

He immediately recalled Dahuang and the Evil Soul, then headed for the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm.

...

The moment he entered the Secret Realm, the thick stench of blood assaulted his senses.

Li Chang’an activated his Shadow Transformation Illusion Body, concealing his form and aura as he stealthily made his way toward the depths of the Secret Realm.

Soon, he spotted the familiar Purple Flying Ship.

A moment later,

he landed on the Flying Ship.

Zi Xi was already accustomed to his sudden appearances.

"Daoist Li, have you prepared the Elixir Pills and Magical Treasures for this trade?"

"I have. Please inspect them, Saintess."

Li Chang’an handed over a Storage Pouch.

Zi Xi didn’t inspect it and put it away directly.

Having traded for so many years, the two had long since developed a mutual understanding.

Li Chang’an asked, "Saintess, has there been any recent progress in these ruins?"

"There has."

Zi Xi raised a delicate hand, and a broken plaque appeared in her palm.

On the plaque

were two fragmented characters: "Great Jin."

Recently, they had finally confirmed that these ruins also belonged to the Immortal Dynasty that had once unified the entire Cultivation Immortality Realm.

"We’ve cleared the Arrays outside the ruins. I intend to explore deeper. Would you care to join me, Daoist Li?"

Zi Xi asked casually, not actually expecting Li Chang’an to go in with her.

But to her surprise,

Li Chang’an actually nodded. "That’s exactly my intention!"

Hearing this, Zi Xi gave him a surprised look.

It was strange for someone with Li Chang’an’s personality to willingly venture into danger with her.

She discreetly used an Illusion-Breaking Treasure to scan Li Chang’an, confirming that the man before her was indeed him and not an imposter.

"In that case, you may come with me, Daoist Li."

With that, Zi Xi steered the Flying Ship into the depths of the ruins.

Along the way,

she introduced Li Chang’an to the other Cultivators on the Flying Ship.

After years of conflict, several of the Honored Guest Elders who followed her had fallen, and there were a few new faces.

In addition, Mu Hongyu and another Saint Child from the Vermilion Bird Sect were also on board.

"This is Daoist Mu Chen, from the Vermilion Bird Sect."

Zi Xi briefly introduced the Saint Child to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an cupped his fist. "Greetings, Daoist Mu."

Mu Chen sized him up and asked with a frown, "Daoist Li, I’ve heard that your Changqing Mountain lineage took in that demoness, Xue Qiansi. Is this true?"

"Daoist Xue left long ago."

Li Chang’an replied truthfully.

Mu Chen added, "Daoist Li, you’d best not be hiding that demoness. If the Major Sects of my Yuan Country find out, I’m afraid your Changqing Mountain will..."

Before he could finish his sentence,

BOOM! The entire Flying Ship suddenly shuddered.

Everyone on the Flying Ship paled. An alarming crack had appeared on the vessel, a Quasi-Tier Four Magical Treasure.

"What’s happening? Could it be a sneak attack from the Yellow Sand Sect and the White Tiger Sect?"

"No, their Flying Ships are in trouble too."

The crowd looked toward the other Flying Ships that were also heading deeper into the ruins.

Those ships, just like theirs, had been swept by a strange power, and terrifying cracks had appeared all over their hulls.

Before they could figure out what was happening, the entire Flying Ship shuddered once more.

CRACK-BOOM!

Parts of the Flying Ship exploded on the spot, and its Arrays could no longer be maintained.

Once the Arrays dissipated, everyone’s vision went black, and they lost all perception of their surroundings.

Even Li Chang’an was no exception, feeling as if he had plunged into an endless abyss.

When he regained his senses, he was all alone. The Flying Ship beneath his feet was gone.

He now stood in an unfamiliar area, far from where he had been before.

’This seems to be the depths of the ruins.’

Li Chang’an remained vigilant, spreading his Divine Sense to observe his surroundings.

Although the divination was auspicious, he didn’t let his guard down.

In that instant, it seemed a strange power had scattered all of them throughout the ruins.