Chapter 179 - 166: Dream-Slaying Huang Liang

After listening to them, Pei Yingyao suddenly spoke up. "Li Chang’an, what are you worried about?"

Li Chang’an replied, "Elder Pei, the baleful aura of this sword is far too dense. It’s not normal. After all, it’s from a Secret Realm, so we should treat it with caution."

"There’s no need to worry. I’ve already inspected the sword. The only reason its baleful aura is so dense is that it has killed too many Cultivators. An aura like this will not harm Mengyun."

What Pei Yingyao said was similar to what Ji Mengyun had said before.

A baleful aura could be used to hone one’s killing intent.

Upon hearing this, Li Chang’an said no more. He cupped his hands and took his leave.

On the way back, he thought to himself in silence.

’The divination revealed an Evil Soul that not even a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator could detect... Just how powerful must it have been when it was alive?’

’If I could capture it in my Venerable Soul Banner, I would have another trump card.’

But for now, it was just a thought for Li Chang’an.

He had no way of dealing with something so bizarre at the moment.

...

「The next day.」

Li Chang’an began preparing for Dahuang’s advancement.

He rented a Tier Two Cave Mansion and set up a Grand Array to ensure he would not be disturbed.

"Dahuang, I’ve done everything I can. Whether or not you succeed is up to you now!"

He took out all the Treasures and placed them before Dahuang in one go.

The total value of these Treasures was far greater than those used for the Profound Water Turtle’s advancement.

"BARK! BARK!"

Dahuang’s eyes filled with gratitude, its tail wagging so fast it became a blur.

Meeting a master like Li Chang’an was the greatest fortune of his life.

"Don’t get too excited. Calm yourself. You can’t have any major emotional fluctuations during your advancement."

Li Chang’an smiled, advising him with care.

He was willing to help his two Spirit Beasts advance partly to increase his own power and partly because they were both extremely loyal.

If not for the warnings from his divinations, they both would have died long ago fighting to protect him.

A moment later, Li Chang’an slowly backed away to the cave mansion’s entrance, sat down cross-legged, and began to stand guard as Dahuang advanced.

Dahuang began to regulate his Qi and calm his emotions.

Before long, he swallowed the Demon Heart Fruit, temporarily raising his bloodline to Top Grade.

About a quarter of an hour later, he opened his great maw again and, with a sharp inhale, swallowed all the remaining Treasures.

RUMBLE!

In that instant, an immense power erupted from his body, causing the entire cave mansion to shudder.

Immediately following that, his aura began to surge, instantly breaking past the limits of Tier One.

The advancement had officially begun!

’He has to succeed.’

Li Chang’an watched in silence.

Time ticked by, and before he knew it, several hours had passed.

Fortunately, perhaps because his foundation and the Treasures were sufficient, the advancement process went very smoothly.

About eight minutes later, Dahuang roared at the heavens. His aura skyrocketed as he finally broke through his shackles and entered a new realm.

A Tier Two Great Demon!

Seeing this, Li Chang’an finally relaxed, a smile spreading across his face.

"He did it!"

And with that, both of his Spirit Beasts were now Tier Two Great Demons.

With the two of them to protect him, his future cultivation path would be much more secure.

...

「A few days later.」

Li Chang’an went to the Black Market again and received some good news.

Luo Baitong found him and said, "Daoist Li, a friend of mine obtained a Blood Poison Lotus while exploring the Ancient Wood Secret Realm. It’s an exceptionally rare Tier Two Poison Dao Treasure!"

"Oh? Daoist Luo, where is this friend of yours?"

Li Chang’an’s interest was piqued, and he asked eagerly.

His Ten Thousand Poison Gu was on the verge of advancing.

The little worm had consumed far too many Poison Dao Treasures.

The Treasures from Song Xiao, the Five Poison Wanderer’s disciple, and those from the Poison Cultivators in the Secret Realm had all been fed to it.

Perhaps with just one or two more high-quality Treasures, it would be able to advance.

Luo Baitong answered, "Daoist Li, my friend is still inside the Secret Realm. He used a Flying Bird Spirit Beast to send me a Sound Transmission. He’ll be out in three days. Rest assured, I’ve already reserved the Blood Poison Lotus for you."

"Excellent!"

Three days was not a long time, but it wasn’t short, either.

Li Chang’an could only hope that Luo Baitong’s friend wouldn’t meet with any mishap in the Secret Realm.

...

「Three days later.」

Li Chang’an, using his identity as Li Fan, headed to the Black Market once again.

He hadn’t yet entered the Black Market when he suddenly stopped.

’Huh? Who is Luo Baitong in a standoff with?’

Li Chang’an narrowed his eyes.

Outside the Black Market, two groups of Tribulation Cultivators were in a standoff. The leader of one group was none other than Luo Baitong.

The leader of the other group was a woman wearing a black veil.

The two sides were at daggers drawn, and the atmosphere was tense.

"Daoist Luo, what’s going on here?"

Li Chang’an approached and called out.

The moment he saw him, Luo Baitong breathed a sigh of relief and said hurriedly, "Daoist Li, quick, over here! These people are trying to snatch your Blood Poison Lotus!"

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an was surprised to find the matter was related to him.

He immediately moved to Luo Baitong’s side and looked at the group opposite them.

Just then, the black-veiled woman across from them spoke, her voice clear and cold.

"Daoist Luo, I simply wish to purchase the Blood Poison Lotus. When did I ever try to snatch it?"

"Daoist Mo, I’ve already told you that this Blood Poison Lotus has been reserved by Daoist Li. If I were to sell it to you, wouldn’t that make me a man who goes back on his word?"

Luo Baitong’s attitude was firm as he replied coldly.

As he spoke, a faint glow flashed in his hand, revealing a lotus that was dark red all over.

It was the Blood Poison Lotus!

The moment this Treasure appeared, the Ten Thousand Poison Gu in Li Chang’an’s sleeve began to convey a sense of intense longing.

’It seems this Treasure will be of great benefit to the Ten Thousand Poison Gu.’

Li Chang’an thought to himself.

Luo Baitong said to him, "Daoist Li, this is the Blood Poison Lotus. As we agreed, you owe me three thousand two hundred Spirit Stones."