Chapter 264 - 192: Death of a Genius, Demon Beasts Routed

He sighed inwardly. His only option was to head back for now, taking the little girl with him.

Before he left, he told the cook, "If I have time in the future, I’ll help you look again."

"Okay, thank you... Thank you, Immortal..."

The cook’s expression was humble, and she barely dared to look up as she thanked him repeatedly.

...

「That night.」

Li Chang’an returned to Changqing Mountain.

Along the way, he learned the little girl’s name was Jiang Muyu.

She didn’t know her family background; she had been wandering for as long as she could remember.

Li Chang’an buried her brother on the mountainside of Changqing Mountain.

Afterward,

He brought Jiang Muyu to the mountaintop and carved out a separate cave residence for her.

"Xiaohai, you’ll be in charge of her from now on!"

Li Chang’an summoned the Profound Water Turtle and gave it a few instructions.

Jiang Muyu had an Earth Grade Water Spirit Root, while the Profound Water Turtle possessed an Earth Grade Water Element Bloodline. Their innate talents were very similar.

Having the Profound Water Turtle teach her was the perfect arrangement.

As for her cultivation technique,

Li Chang’an happened to have a Top Grade Water Element Cultivation Method in his Storage Pouch, which he had found in Miao Qianshui’s.

He had later asked Su Yuyan, who confirmed the technique didn’t belong to the Cyan Cloud Sect and was safe to practice.

"Muyu, your talent is not weak. Cultivate well, and you may one day reach the Golden Core stage."

"Cultivation, Golden Core..."

Jiang Muyu felt a little lost.

She didn’t understand what Cultivation Immortality was, only that Immortals were very powerful.

"Sir, if I reach Golden Core, can I beat that restaurant’s shopkeeper?"

"Of course."

Li Chang’an smiled, not explaining any further.

Having the motivation for revenge was a good thing.

In the days that followed,

Jiang Muyu stayed on Changqing Mountain to cultivate.

Since Li Chang’an was in long-term seclusion, she rarely saw anyone else. She could only play with the two Spirit Beasts, and her personality gradually changed, becoming much more cheerful than before.

The advantages of her Earth Spirit Root quickly became apparent.

In just over a year,

she broke through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, becoming a Middle Stage Qi Refining Cultivator.

With that level of Cultivation, she would already be considered a minor expert in the Marketplace below the mountain.

...

「On this day.」

Li Chang’an emerged from his seclusion.

He had officially completed the Tier Two Second Layer of Body Refinement and could now begin the Third Layer.

However, he was still missing the Essence Blood of three types of Dragon-type Demon Beasts.

Li Chang’an planned to make a trip to Yellow Crane Immortal City.

’This Demon Dragon Body Refining Technique requires more and more Dragon-type Demon Beast Essence Blood the further I progress. By the Ninth Layer, I’ll need nine different kinds of Essence Blood to gather the Power of Nine Dragons...’

The thought of needing so much Dragon-type Demon Beast Essence Blood gave Li Chang’an a headache.

’I can only take it slow.’

He instructed the Profound Water Turtle to watch over their home, then left with Dahuang for Yellow Crane Immortal City.

On the way, he passed through the Black Market.

Li Chang’an stopped to ask about the Withered Wood Cliff Master as usual, but still came up empty.

’Could that guy really be dead?’

Slightly disappointed, he left the Black Market.

Before long,

Li Chang’an arrived at Yellow Crane Immortal City and went to the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower to purchase Tier Two Dragon-type Demon Beast Essence Blood.

This type of Essence Blood was extremely rare. The Ten Thousand Treasures Tower only had two types in stock, and ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators might not even qualify to buy it.

Fortunately, Li Chang’an’s status was high enough that he was able to purchase both.

"Manager Jin, please do me the favor of keeping an eye out. I need more Essence Blood from Tier Two Dragon-type Demon Beasts."

"Elder Li, rest assured. As soon as we get more of this Essence Blood, I will notify you immediately!"

Jin Yue replied with a smile.

They were in the middle of a Beast Tide, so they should be able to acquire new Dragon-type Demon Beast Essence Blood soon.

As they were talking,

Jin Yue’s expression suddenly changed. He picked up a jade stone, seemingly receiving a message.

A moment later, he said gravely, "Elder Li, this is bad. The Demon Beasts have begun a full-scale assault!"

"Oh? It’s finally starting?"

Li Chang’an had expected this, so he wasn’t too surprised.

A moment later,

he walked out of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower, transformed into a streak of light, and shot to a high point above Yellow Crane Immortal City.

Looking out into the distance, he saw tens of thousands of Demon Beasts covering the land like a black tide, each one roaring as they charged ferociously toward Yellow Crane Immortal City.

The scene was utterly stunning.

It was the first time Li Chang’an had gotten a direct look at a "Beast Tide." It was truly like an ocean tide, surging forward wave after relentless wave.

The Demon Beasts seemed to have gone mad, showing no fear of death. They trampled over pools of blood and the corpses of other beasts, their assault unending.

CLANG!

An earth-shattering wave of Sword Qi suddenly erupted from the mountainside of Yellow Crane Mountain.

Pei Yingyao had made her move!

She transformed into a streak of sword light, her battle intent soaring, and shot directly out of the Immortal City’s protective Array. In an instant, she had slain several hundred Demon Beasts, her sword light taking on a bloody hue.

A weaker Foundation Establishment aura followed closely behind her.

It was her disciple, Ji Mengyun.

Several years ago,

Ji Mengyun had also achieved Foundation Establishment. Her combat prowess was formidable, earning her the title of "the second Pei Yingyao."

Then,

the Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Yellow Crane Mountain and the various major Sects and Noble Families all joined the fray.

The numerous Foundation Establishment Cultivators transformed into streaks of light that tore across the sky like a brilliant meteor shower, plunging into the midst of the tens of thousands of Demon Beasts.

With them taking action, the countless Qi Refining Cultivators on the front lines were able to catch their breath.

However,

there were many Tier Two Great Demons among the Demon Beasts.

In less than a quarter of an hour, a number of Foundation Establishment Powerhouses were injured and had to retreat back into Yellow Crane Immortal City.

At the same time, more Foundation Establishment Powerhouses arrived from other places.

Li Chang’an soon spotted a familiar face.

’Cao Shaolong.’

’Li Chang’an!’

Cao Shaolong’s expression turned cold as he noticed him as well.

Killing intent surged in his chest, but now was not the right time to strike.

Li Chang’an didn’t make a move either.

This was because several other Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Cyan Cloud Sect were by Cao Shaolong’s side.

For a brief moment, their eyes met, both filled with unconcealed killing intent.

"Hmph!"

Cao Shaolong snorted coldly and headed toward the Cyan Cloud Sect’s station in Yellow Crane Immortal City with the others.