Originally, there was nothing unusual about the item.
But today.
Bai Hao had planned to help his Earth Element Spirit Beast advance in tier, so he took out a large number of Earth Element Treasures, including the Withered Earth Root.
But the Withered Earth Root suddenly erupted, devouring his Spirit Beast before barging into his courtyard and frantically consuming the Low Tier Cultivators and Spirit Beasts on Yellow Crane Mountain.
As for what happened next...
It was just as Li Changâan had seen in the Treasure Mirror.
As the one who sold the Withered Earth Root, Zhou Chuan had been suffering for the past few days.
First, Huang He Master came to his door, and he was questioned while trembling with fear.
Then, the Zhou Family Ancestor summoned him and gave him a harsh scolding.
After that, he was reprimanded in succession by the Zhou Family Patriarch, the Foundation Establishment elders, and even his own father and brothers. The constant verbal abuse left him completely dazed.
"The Patriarch even suspended my disciple stipend, saying it was to compensate Yellow Crane Mountain."
At this, Zhou Chuan looked like he wanted to cry but couldnât shed a tear.
If only he had listened to Li Changâanâs advice and disposed of the Withered Earth Root, he wouldnât be in this situation today.
But now...
It was all too late.
"Sigh, Daoist Li, I didnât believe you back then and even spoke ill of you. Looking back now, I was so incredibly foolish!"
Zhou Chuan said regretfully.
Li Changâan maintained a smile the entire time, patiently listening to him finish.
He knew perfectly well that this guy didnât regret ignoring his advice; he regretted having his stipend suspended.
In the conversation that followed, Zhou Chuan apologized several more times.
Eventually.
He left, dejected, his Essence, Qi, and Spirit completely drained.
Li Changâan felt no sympathy for him, only using this incident as a secret warning to himself.
âThe Cultivation Immortality Realm is full of dangers. Some seemingly harmless little trinket could end up costing me my life.â
On his future path of cultivation, he absolutely could not let his guard down.
...
ăAt dusk.ă
Li Changâan was in the middle of a medicinal bath, the final stage of his Body Refinement.
Suddenly, the Jade Pendant hanging from his neck grew slightly warm.
âYoung Mistress?â
Li Changâan grasped the Jade Pendant.
He immediately heard Zheng Qingqingâs voice.
"Daoist Li, Iâve received word that both the Cao Family Ancestor and the Wu Family Ancestor have left their clan lands. Their current whereabouts are unknown, but itâs highly likely they are targeting my Zheng Family, or perhaps you."
âTwo great ancestors moving at the same time?â
Li Changâan pondered.
Last time, Cao Shaolong had tried to kill him but was stopped by Zheng Qingqing.
He surely wouldnât give up and would resort to other means, such as asking the Cao and Wu Family Ancestors to act together.
Of course, it was also possible they were targeting the Zheng Family.
After all, Li Changâan was ultimately just a minor figure.
"Donât worry, Young Mistress. I will be careful."
He held the Jade Pendant and sent his Sound Transmission.
A moment later, only a single word, "Okay," came back from her end before the connection cut.
Li Changâan, for his part, waited quietly.
He waited all the way until Midnight, when a new Divination appeared.
[Divination Has Been Refreshed]
[Todayâs Divination: Ominous]
[The Cao Family Ancestor, Cao Zhengxiong, suddenly attacks your home but is blocked by your Array. You use the Jade Pendant to contact Zheng Qingqing, only to learn she is being held up by the Wu Family Ancestor. In the end, you are forced to use your Sword Array to repel Cao Zhengxiong, thus exposing your trump card.]
Seeing the contents of the Divination, Li Changâan was a little surprised.
âThe two ancestors mysteriously disappeared, and it was really to deal with me?â
This development was somewhat unexpected.
Li Changâan read the Divination again, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.
âWhy isnât Cao Shaolong mentioned in the Divination? Could it be that someone else is holding him back?â
Logically, Cao Shaolong should be the one who wanted to kill him most, yet he wasnât coming.
After a moment of thought, Li Changâan threw on some clothes, left his home, and went to visit Zheng Qingqing.
ăIn Zheng Qingqingâs courtyard.ă
He took out a Token engraved with the character for "Wu."
"Young Mistress, I have a friend in the Wu Family. He told me that the Wu Family Ancestor did indeed leave to target me."
"So itâs true!"
Zheng Qingqing glanced at the Token but didnât ask any further questions.
She clearly accepted his claim about having a "friend."
"Daoist Li, you donât have to worry. I will immediately send a message to our ancestors and have them attack the Wu and Cao family lands!"
The matter was resolved smoothly.
When Cao Zhengxiong and the Wu Family Ancestor learned their own clan lands were under attack, they had no choice but to rush back.
Compared to killing Li Changâan, their clan lands were obviously more important!
...
ăIn the days that followed.ă
Li Changâanâs Divinations were consistently "Neutral," and things remained calm and uneventful, with no new incidents.
Until one day.
ăAt dusk.ă
Zheng Qingqing suddenly appeared at his door.
"Daoist Li, youâve had quite a few fortuitous encounters. Have you ever obtained an Array-Breaking Treasure?"
Hearing this, Li Changâan was a little surprised.
He sensed the killing intent in Zheng Qingqingâs words and immediately asked,
"Young Mistress, what are you planning to do?"
"I intend to annihilate the Wu Family!"