Chapter 209 - 176: Fake Pill Great Power

Cultivators are human, too.

Naturally, they can’t be completely impartial.

The whole affair started because of Li Chang’an, yet Cao Shaolong was the one who ended up suffering all the consequences.

"Brother Li, be careful. After suffering such a huge loss, Cao Shaolong definitely won’t let this go."

"I know."

Li Chang’an nodded.

Just now, when Cao Shaolong left, the killing intent and rage radiating from him were so intense they were almost tangible.

If Pei Yingyao hadn’t been there to keep him in check, Cao Shaolong likely would have erupted on the spot.

They both guessed.

Cao Shaolong’s retaliation would come soon.

However.

To their surprise.

For over a year, Cao Shaolong unexpectedly kept a low profile. He began to fulfill his duties as an Elder, leading Cyan Cloud Sect disciples on multiple excursions into the Thousand Lakes Secret Realm and reaping considerable rewards.

It was as if he had given up.

But Li Chang’an never let his guard down.

’This guy must be plotting something.’

Li Chang’an frowned in thought.

As long as Cao Shaolong couldn’t get a Core Formation expert to help him, there was nothing to fear.

Even if a Core Formation expert did make a move, the Divination would give him a warning, allowing him to escape ahead of time.

’No need to worry too much for now.’

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly.

In the days that followed, he continued his cultivation as usual.

...

「A few months later.」

Inside his residence, various Puppet Materials were piled high in front of Li Chang’an.

Before him stood a brand-new, humanoid Puppet.

The Puppet’s power had already surpassed the limits of Tier One, but due to material constraints, it couldn’t quite reach Tier Two. It could only be considered Quasi-Tier Two.

’I suppose my puppet-crafting skill has had a breakthrough.’

Li Chang’an slowly exhaled.

He was confident that with enough materials, he could create a true Tier Two Puppet.

At this point.

In addition to Talisman Painting, he now possessed another Tier Two Skill.

Li Chang’an had already gathered most of the key materials for creating the core of a Tier Two Puppet. He was only missing one final, precious Treasure Material: Celestial Dried Wood.

He had already commissioned Manager Jin of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and Luo Baitong of the Black Market to make inquiries for him.

With their capabilities, he should have some news soon.

’Can my current physique withstand an attack from the Quasi-Tier Two Puppet?’

Li Chang’an suddenly grew curious.

He put away all the materials, stood before the Quasi-Tier Two Puppet, and commanded it to attack.

The next instant, a ferocious, storm-like barrage of attacks descended upon Li Chang’an.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The continuous impacts sounded like thunder.

Li Chang’an was knocked back several steps by the bombardment, his Qi and blood roiling within him, but he was largely unharmed.

Not only were there no broken bones, but there wasn’t even a single scratch on his skin.

’It seems my physique isn’t far from a breakthrough.’

He smiled and put on a new set of clothes.

Only after breaking through to Tier Two Body Refinement would he have the full confidence to attempt Foundation Establishment.

Now.

He was not far from that step.

’Only by reaching Foundation Establishment will I have the confidence to face my various enemies.’

Li Chang’an’s thoughts turned to Cao Shaolong again.

Recently, Cao Shaolong had been injured in a Secret Realm while fighting for a Treasure. He had temporarily stopped his explorations and was recuperating in Yellow Crane Immortal City.

’Is that guy really injured?’

Li Chang’an was skeptical.

He had already sent Dahuang to watch Cao Shaolong’s residence.

But Cao Shaolong never left, making it seem like he truly was injured.

A few more days passed.

Dahuang returned to the residence, bringing Li Chang’an a new piece of information.

’Cao Shaolong went to Yellow Crane Mountain?’

Li Chang’an’s brow furrowed, and he looked toward Yellow Crane Mountain.

With numerous Arrays set up on Yellow Crane Mountain and disciples patrolling everywhere, Dahuang hadn’t dared to follow. Thus, there was no way of knowing Cao Shaolong’s objective.

Li Chang’an felt a sense of foreboding.

「That night.」

The Divination appeared as usual.

[Divination Refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Neutral]

[Cao Shaolong has offered a Treasure from a Secret Realm as payment to persuade Sima Rui, the sixth disciple of Huang He Master, to intercept Pei Yingyao. He has also enlisted Murong Kang, the thirteenth disciple of Huang He Master, to intercept Su Yuyan.]

[He will move against you again, but will be blocked by your Array.]

’Cao Shaolong and Murong Kang? So those two have teamed up!’

Li Chang’an raised an eyebrow. It was quite the coincidence.

Of course, it probably wasn’t a coincidence. Cao Shaolong must have investigated carefully and learned that Murong Kang had a previous conflict with him.

What surprised Li Chang’an was Sima Rui’s appearance in the Divination.

Among all of Huang He Master’s disciples, he was the one who made the most public appearances.

He was responsible for handling all manner of affairs in the Immortal City, and he also presided over the annual auction.

’Rumor has it that he’s extremely impartial and never shows favoritism when handling his duties. I can’t believe Cao Shaolong managed to enlist him.’

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but wonder.

What kind of Treasure from the Secret Realm did Cao Shaolong obtain?

Sima Rui was a Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment expert. To sway him would require a precious Treasure of at least Tier Two Middle Grade or higher.

’Men die for wealth... That Treasure must be something extraordinary.’

Li Chang’an glanced at the Divination’s text again and added Sima Rui’s name to his mental list.

In the future, he would settle his accounts with them, one by one.

...

「The following evening.」

At Pei Yingyao’s cave residence on the slopes of Yellow Crane Mountain.

Sima Rui paid a sudden visit.

Smiling broadly, he took out a game board.

"Junior Sister, it has been a long time since we last played. I wonder, have your skills improved?"

"Senior Brother, if you have something to say, then say it. Don’t delay my cultivation!"

Pei Yingyao’s expression was cold, her tone flat and indifferent.

Sima Rui chuckled. "I’m just here for a game, nothing else."

"Is that so?"

Pei Yingyao remained cold, intending to send him away.

Suddenly.

Her expression flickered. She sensed that the Jade Token she had given Li Chang’an had just shattered.

She was intelligent enough to immediately guess what was happening.