Chapter 146: A Bizarre Matter, Resigned to Bad Luck

After Cao Shaolin’s death, the conflict between the Cao and Zheng Families grew increasingly fierce.

The Cao Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor, Cao Zhengxiong, had attacked Qinghe Marketplace several times, each assault causing a tremendous uproar.

Although things had been much quieter recently, the same question lingered in everyone’s mind: who exactly killed Cao Shaolin?

It was a question that the disciples of both the Zheng and Cao Families, as well as the countless Loose Cultivators in and around Qinghe Marketplace, all wanted an answer to.

The Cao Family believed the Zheng Family was responsible.

The Zheng Family, on the other hand, thought it was more likely that Cao Shaolin’s brazen behavior had provoked some powerful expert who was just passing by.

Even Zheng Qingqing had once thought so.

Until today, when she heard a piece of news from Li Chang’an that she found utterly unbelievable.

"It was you!"

Zheng Qingqing had known for a long time that Li Chang’an liked to hide a portion of his true strength.

She had also guessed that Zheng Jinbao’s death was likely connected to him.

However, no matter how deeply Li Chang’an concealed his abilities, it was highly unlikely he could have been a match for Cao Shaolin!

In Zheng Qingqing’s eyes, Li Chang’an’s Cultivation was still only at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

Originally, the Thousand Faces Divine Skill that Li Chang’an used to alter his aura couldn’t deceive a Cultivator who was a full Major Realm above him.

But he had since made many gains, acquiring various types of Magic and Treasures that could change his aura. Now, not even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator could see through to his true Cultivation.

"Daoist Li, did you really kill him?"

Zheng Qingqing asked in a very serious tone, her eyes fixed on Li Chang’an’s face.

Li Chang’an’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded.

"Young Miss, why would I lie to you? Cao Shaolin did indeed die by my hand."

"Could it be that you’ve already reached the Qi Refining Ninth Layer?"

As she spoke, Zheng Qingqing carefully sized up Li Chang’an, as if trying to discern his true Cultivation.

’Without a Cultivation at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, how could Li Chang’an possibly have killed Cao Shaolin?’

’Based on his apparent strength, he would have trouble even protecting himself against Cao Shaolin.’

"Young Miss, with my talent from a Low Grade Spiritual Root, how could I possibly have cultivated to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer by now?"

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly, feigning a wry smile.

"I just happened to acquire a Treasure at an auction. It came from a Secret Realm and could only be used once, but it could unleash power approaching the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Oh? Daoist Li, you had such a fortunate encounter?"

"Yes."

’Li Chang’an had already prepared several different stories for this in his mind.’

’Any one of them would be enough to fool her.’

’After all, his own strength was genuinely too weak. It seemed impossible that he could have defeated Cao Shaolin in a direct confrontation.’

"That day, I went out to hunt a Demon Beast to obtain a certain type of Demon Beast Essence Blood. Unfortunately, my luck was terrible, and I ran into Cao Shaolin, who was cultivating in the mountain forest..."

Li Chang’an recounted the story slowly, his voice steady, betraying no hint of falsehood.

In his telling, he had not intentionally set out to kill Cao Shaolin.

However, Cao Shaolin pursued him relentlessly and went too far, insistent on taking his life.

Left with no choice, he had to use that Secret Treasure.

Cao Shaolin’s defensive Treasures were simply no match for power approaching the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Cao Shaolin was overconfident and thought he could take me down easily, so he wasn’t well-defended, allowing me to succeed in a single strike."

Li Chang’an’s account was very matter-of-fact.

But to Su Yuyan and the others, it sounded fraught with peril.

’A low-level Loose Cultivator facing off against a Foundation Establishment Seed from a Foundation Establishment Family... how dangerous was that?’

’If Li Chang’an hadn’t obtained that Secret Treasure, he would most likely be dead in some unknown mountain forest by now.’

"Brother Li, your journey has been so incredibly difficult."

Su Yuyan’s heart ached for him, and she sighed softly.

She had long ago heard her master say that the path of a Loose Cultivator was far more arduous than that of a Sect Disciple.

In the Cultivation Immortality Realm, the vast majority of Loose Cultivators didn’t live to die of old age; nearly all of them perished in constant conflict.

They might throw away their lives for the most pitifully small opportunity.

"No matter what, as long as I’m alive, that’s all that matters."

Li Chang’an smiled, his mindset positive.

"After killing Cao Shaolin, I worried about retaliation from the Cao Family’s Foundation Establishment Ancestor, so I never dared to speak of it. I’ve let the Zheng Family bear a great deal on my behalf. Please forgive me, Young Miss."

"It’s nothing."

Zheng Qingqing didn’t seem to mind.

’The Cao Family has always been eyeing the Zheng Family like a tiger stalking its prey.’

’Even if Cao Shaolin hadn’t died, the Cao Family would have found another excuse to move against the Zheng Family.’

’Cao Shaolin was arrogant, but he had the right to be. If he hadn’t died, he most likely would have already reached Foundation Establishment by now.’

’Li Chang’an’s action was equivalent to eliminating a future Foundation Establishment-level enemy for the Zheng Family!’

’The Zheng Family should be thanking him.’

’Besides, if it weren’t for the Zheng Family, Li Chang’an wouldn’t have been targeted by Cao Shaolin in the first place.’

’In the end, the Zheng Family was obligated to help him bear the consequences of this matter!’

"Daoist Li, you risked your life to eliminate a great enemy for my Zheng Family. For this, my family is in your debt."

As she spoke, Zheng Qingqing offered him a Jade Pendant.

It was a type of Communication Treasure she had obtained in a Secret Realm.

There were two of these Jade Pendants in total.

She held one, and with Li Chang’an holding the other, the two of them could contact each other at any time.

"Daoist Li, refine this Jade Pendant and carry it with you from now on. If Cao Shaolong or Cao Zhengxiong makes a move against you, inform me immediately."

"Understood. Thank you, Young Miss!"

Li Chang’an expressed his thanks, took the Jade Pendant, and refined it.

’This is much better than the Jade Token that Pei Yingyao gave me,’ he thought. ’This one can be used indefinitely.’

Nearby, Su Yuyan’s brow furrowed slightly as she took a stack of life-saving Tier Two Talismans from her Storage Pouch.

"Brother Li, take these Talismans!"

"Yuyan, you haven’t reached Foundation Establishment yet. These Talismans are useful for you."

Li Chang’an shook his head, refusing to accept them.

’He himself was a Tier Two Talisman Master; he had more Tier Two Talismans in his Storage Pouch than he could ever use.’

But Su Yuyan was insistent, determined to make him take them.

Her eyes reddened as she said softly, "Brother Li, what if that Cao Shaolong attacks you suddenly and Elder Zheng can’t get there in time? These Talismans can at least buy you some time."

"Alright."

Seeing how persistent she was, Li Chang’an found it hard to refuse any longer and accepted some of the Talismans.

After that, he voiced a doubt that was on his mind.

"When I killed Cao Shaolin, there was no third person present. How did Cao Shaolong know it was me? Could it be that there’s some kind of special connection between the brothers?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yuyan and the others all showed thoughtful expressions.

After a moment, Jiang Yuerong hesitated before speaking softly.

"Daoist Li, I once read about a similar case in an ancient book in the Library. There was a pair of blood brothers, and after the younger brother was killed, the older brother dreamed of the scene of his murder."

"Such a bizarre thing can happen?"

Li Chang’an was surprised.

’Such things are extremely rare. If it happened to him, he could only count it as bad luck.’

Afterward, the group discussed it and felt that this must be the case.

After all, Cao Shaolin himself had said before he died that he and his brother were of one heart.

...

「That evening.」

Su Yuyan left with Jiang Yuerong.

She secretly made up her mind: she had to reach Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, and then find a chance to eliminate Cao Shaolong!