Chapter 189 - 169: Path to Longevity, Remnant Soul, and Ring

She couldn’t help but sigh.

Li Chang’an smiled and replied, "I wasn’t sure at the time. I just felt a little uneasy. Anyone else wouldn’t have thrown away a Treasure Sword over a mere feeling of discomfort."

"But I should have been more cautious."

Saying this, Ji Mengyun gave a deep bow.

She solemnly expressed her thanks.

Li Chang’an didn’t move aside. He deserved this expression of gratitude.

Afterward.

Ji Mengyun recounted her experience of nearly being possessed.

Originally, after growing accustomed to the Treasure Sword’s malevolent Qi, her control over it had deepened. She was on the verge of completely refining it.

But later, she gradually began to feel unwell.

During her cultivation, she would often fall into a daze.

Bloody scenes of battle and slaughter would appear before her eyes.

Then, later on.

Inexplicable memories began to surface in her mind.

In these memories, she might be a Loose Cultivator struggling to achieve immortality, or a supremely talented Celestial Pride from a Sect.

Sometimes male, sometimes female, sometimes old, sometimes young. The memories grew more numerous and chaotic.

It reached the point where she could barely tell who she was anymore.

It was then that she finally realized something was wrong.

She asked her master, Pei Yingyao, for help.

And that led to the situation Li Chang’an had witnessed today.

"That was terrifyingly close. If Daoist Li hadn’t brought the Soul-Attracting Incense in time, I might have truly been possessed!"

As she spoke of it, a look of lingering fear appeared on Ji Mengyun’s pretty face.

Li Chang’an listened very attentively.

After all, it was an experience of being possessed, something not everyone goes through.

After listening.

He asked with a puzzled expression, "Elder Pei, Daoist Ji, what is the origin of this possessing Soul?"

Ji Mengyun shook her head slightly; she didn’t know either.

Pei Yingyao, however, knew a little.

She pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"It’s an Evil Soul, formed from the amalgamation of countless remnant souls, lingering attachments, and resentments. It is not a single Soul."

In other words, that blood-red Evil Soul was composed of innumerable Souls.

In life, they were all Cultivators who later died on the same bloody battlefield. Due to their unwillingness to accept their fate, or perhaps because of lingering attachments, their Souls did not disperse. They eventually entangled with one another, becoming this bizarre monster.

This monster might have been very powerful initially.

But eroded by endless time, it was left with only the strength of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been suppressed by Pei Yingyao.

"Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment?"

Li Chang’an’s heart stirred, and an idea began to take shape.

His Venerable Soul Banner had currently recovered to Tier Two Low Grade. If it recovered further, it could reach Tier Two Middle Grade.

At that point, it would be able to suppress and control a Soul at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, an Evil Soul was different from an ordinary Soul, after all. Whether the Venerable Soul Banner would be effective was another question.

Besides, that Evil Soul was now in Pei Yingyao’s possession.

Just as he was thinking about this...

Pei Yingyao suddenly said to him, "Li Chang’an, today I made a public promise that whoever brought the Soul-Attracting Incense would earn a favor from me. Do you intend to exchange it for a Treasure, or would you have me take action on your behalf once?"

"I’ll exchange it for a Treasure!"

Li Chang’an answered directly without a second thought.

His Nine Swords Array already possessed the power of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, comparable to Pei Yingyao acting herself.

Therefore, exchanging the favor for a treasure was the best choice.

’If I could get a Foundation Establishment Pill, that would be even better!’

But...

Pei Yingyao seemed to have read his mind and spoke first.

"I do not have a Foundation Establishment Pill."

Li Chang’an was stunned for a moment and had to abandon the idea.

He thought for a moment and was about to speak.

Pei Yingyao added, "Nor do I have a Tier Two Demon Core."

"This..."

Li Chang’an silently closed his mouth.

’It’s like this Pei Yingyao has a Mind Reading Technique; she anticipated my thoughts twice.’

It was just that he didn’t quite understand.

’Pei Yingyao seems to value Ji Mengyun highly. Doesn’t she plan to prepare a Foundation Establishment Pill for her disciple?’

Just then, Pei Yingyao spoke again, "Although I don’t have a Foundation Establishment Pill, I can use my accumulated contribution points to exchange for one in the Treasure Vault of Yellow Crane Immortal City. However, a Foundation Establishment Pill obtained this way can only be used by disciples of the Yellow Crane Lineage. That is the rule, and I cannot break it."

"I understand."

Li Chang’an didn’t expect Pei Yingyao to break the rules for him.

Their relationship wasn’t as close as his was with Su Yuyan.

Besides, even Su Yuyan wouldn’t dare to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill on his behalf.

Li Chang’an thought for a moment.

"Elder Pei, I would like that portion of Tier Two Earth Dragon Essence Blood you have."

"Alright!"

Pei Yingyao was already prepared.

With a wave of her fair hand, a sealed mass of Essence Blood flew out from her Storage Pouch.

This mass of Essence Blood, roughly the size of a human head, flew before Li Chang’an.

"Is this enough?"

"It is!"

Li Chang’an replied solemnly and put the mass of Essence Blood away.

With this, all the Treasures needed to break through to Tier Two Body Refinement were gathered.

Pei Yingyao looked at him and asked again, "Do you need anything else? I have all three of the main ingredients required for a Foundation Establishment Pill. If you take a set, you’ll have what you need to collaborate with someone on Alchemy."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an was taken aback.

He asked, "Elder Pei, I thought I could only exchange the favor for one Treasure?"

"You’re not an outsider, after all. It’s no trouble to give you an extra one."

Hearing these words, Li Chang’an was secretly surprised.

’After this incident, Pei Yingyao already considers me one of her own.’

Unfortunately, Pei Yingyao was a Cultivator of the Yellow Crane Mountain Lineage.

And Li Chang’an had no goodwill whatsoever toward Yellow Crane Mountain.

After a moment of thought, he asked tentatively, "Elder Pei, could you give me that Evil Soul?"

"Hmm?"

Pei Yingyao was slightly surprised and gave him a deep look.

"Li Chang’an, are you sure?"

"I am sure!"

"Very well, take it!"

Pei Yingyao was very decisive. She immediately tossed the Nether Soul Crystal that sealed the Evil Soul to Li Chang’an.

She didn’t ask what Li Chang’an wanted the Evil Soul for.