Chapter 517: Chapter 272: An Immortal Manifests, Foundation Establishment Peak

However, Li Chang’an was a step too late.

He saw from afar a Quasi-Tier Four Purple Flying Ship resting atop a high mountain, blocking the many Cultivators who wanted to enter.

"This mountain is now the property of my Purple Mist Sect. All of you, please leave."

The voice of Zi Xi, the Zi Xia Saintess, rang out, carrying a tone that permitted no refusal.

Hearing this, the crowd that had rushed over was unwilling to accept it.

But there was nothing they could do.

Faced with a behemoth like the Purple Mist Sect, the entire Southern Domain had no means to resist.

’So be it. Some things can’t be forced.’

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly and sighed softly.

He had been very pleased with this new Spirit Vein and had planned to use his Tier Three Puppet and Tier Three Array to occupy it, but now, that was all it could be—a thought.

...

「Several hours later.」

Li Chang’an returned to Changqing Mountain.

He entered his cave residence and continued to cultivate, accumulating Magical Power.

「Before long.」

More news arrived concerning the new Tier Three Spirit Vein.

The members of the Purple Mist Sect had originally been cultivating at the Cyan Cloud Sect, but now they had all left and moved to the new Spirit Vein.

This move completely extinguished any hopes the various factions of the Southern Domain might have had.

Evidently, the Purple Mist Sect was preparing to use that Spirit Vein as a base, similar to a Sub-Sect.

In the days that followed, the various factions began a frantic search for new Spirit Veins, attempting to find another Tier Three Spirit Vein.

But soon, a shift in the war on the border forced everyone to turn their attention back to the battle between the Two Domains.

Time flew by, and in a flash, three years had passed.

「On this day.」

Li Chang’an sat cross-legged in the depths of his cave residence.

He operated his Cultivation Technique at full power, absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power.

Within his Dantian, there were already three hundred and sixty-four drops of Liquid Magical Power.

At this moment, the final drop was slowly forming.

Before long, with a soft DRIP, a drop of Liquid Magical Power fell to the bottom of his Dantian.

Li Chang’an’s whole body trembled, and a profound aura emanated from him.

"Foundation Establishment Peak!"

He opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing within them.

Today, he had officially reached the end of the Foundation Establishment path!

Within his Dantian, three hundred and sixty-five drops of Liquid Magical Power shone brilliantly, like a sky full of stars, faintly exuding a sense of Perfection.

If Li Chang’an wished, he could attempt to break through to the Core Formation realm right now.

With his current preparations, he had a high chance of achieving Core Formation even without being on a Tier Three Spirit Vein.

But he immediately suppressed the thought.

’I can’t be hasty. I have a lifespan of over five hundred years, and I’m only just over one hundred and twenty now. Rushing things will only be counterproductive. First, I’ll see how the war between the Two Domains is going.’

Li Chang’an ended his seclusion, rose slowly, and transformed into a streak of Spiritual Light, leaving Changqing Mountain to gather news from various places.

Soon, he learned some rather bad news.

During the time he was in seclusion breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Peak, the defensive lines of the Southern Domain’s major factions had collapsed, and the Western Domain’s grand army had invaded.

The many Southern Domain factions near the Western Domain’s border, whether they were Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment factions, had no choice but to abandon their Spiritual Lands and flee to the heart of the Southern Domain.

Quite a few Cultivators had already fled to the Cui Ping Mountain region.

"Ancestor, you’re finally out of seclusion!"

Luo Yunshu and Wang Lingjing hurried over, their young faces filled with unconcealable worry.

「Before long.」

Chen Da’an also rushed from the Chen Clan Territory to Changqing Mountain.

"Ancestor, given the current situation, the Western Domain’s army will be here soon. What should we do? Should we abandon Changqing Mountain?"

The three great families were loath to abandon the enterprises they had built over many years and were unwilling to just pack up and leave.

But if they didn’t leave, when the Western Domain’s army arrived, forget their enterprises; they likely wouldn’t even be able to save their own lives.

"Don’t panic."

Li Chang’an shook his head slightly, still very calm.

"The major Golden Core Influences are currently in discussion. They will soon block the Western Cultivators who have invaded the Southern Domain. We haven’t reached the most critical moment yet."

"Ancestor, how do you know?"

"I have my own sources."

The reason Li Chang’an knew was because the few Golden Core Puppets he controlled were currently gathered with numerous Golden Core Masters, discussing the matter.

「In the days that followed.」

The various factions of the Southern Domain worked together and, after a bloody battle, barely managed to hold back the Western Cultivators, temporarily halting their advance.

In this great battle, Li Chang’an controlled Ye Mengxian and slew four of the Western Domain’s Golden Core Masters in a row.

She became famous in a single battle, her might shaking all directions!

Ye Mengxian, in her flowing white dress, had an otherworldly temperament and celestial beauty. She seemed like a true Female Sword Immortal who had descended to the mortal realm, earning the admiration of countless male cultivators.

Even a few Golden Core Masters from the Purple Mist Sect began to visit frequently after this battle.

But Li Chang’an, using the urgency of the war as an excuse, paid little attention to these Purple Mist Sect Cultivators.

Although the people of the Western Domain were stopped from penetrating into the heartland of the Southern Domain, the battlefront had undeniably advanced a great deal.

Now, the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm was completely under the Western Domain’s control.

The factions of the Southern Domain all wanted to reclaim it but lacked the power, only able to barely prevent the Western Domain from advancing further.

As for the families and Sect Cultivators who had lost their Spiritual Lands, they all had to find a way to seek out new ones.

For a time, many "wandering" Cultivators appeared all across the Southern Domain.

A large number of unfamiliar faces also appeared near Changqing Mountain, nearly all of whom had fled from the west.

To ensure Changqing Mountain’s stability, Li Chang’an used his Fake Pill Divine Sense and the Stone Eye to scan all the nearby Cultivators.

Soon, he discovered something amiss.

A few Cultivators who had been planted with a Bloodline were mixed among the many unfamiliar Cultivators, attempting to enter the three great families as Honored Guest Elders.

Li Chang’an guessed that these few were likely Murong Kang’s handiwork.

Because he had delayed practicing the problematic "Demon Planting Technique," Murong Kang must be getting anxious.

’That guy finally couldn’t sit still any longer. I’ll just wait and see what he plans to do next.’

Li Chang’an was very patient.

In this kind of long-distance confrontation, the more anxious one became, the more likely they were to reveal a flaw.

Besides these few with the Bloodline,

Li Chang’an had made another discovery.

The unfamiliar aura of a Tier Three Demon Beast had flashed past outside Changqing Mountain before vanishing.

’An Earth Element Demon Beast, with the aura of a Dragon Species... Could it be Liu Xuanfeng’s Ink-Scaled Earth Dragon?’

Li Chang’an’s eyes were deep as he gazed into the distance.

「Meanwhile.」 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

In a place far from Changqing Mountain,

the Ink-Scaled Earth Dragon emerged from the ground, staring at Changqing Mountain, a trace of greed flashing in its demonic eyes.

"The Ten Thousand Demon Blood Stone, I must have it... The Southern Domain is getting more and more chaotic. I refuse to believe Li Chang’an can stay on Changqing Mountain for the rest of his life!"

It retracted its gaze, turned, and hurried toward the Black Dragon Mountain Range to hunt.

...

「Before long.」

Li Chang’an entered the Black Market.

He found Luo Qiantong and instructed him, "Qiantong, for the next few days, keep an eye out for news of a Tier Three Earth Dragon!"

"Yes."

Luo Qiantong’s expression was solemn as he immediately mobilized the entire organization’s power to gather information for Li Chang’an.

Just half a day later, a piece of news arrived from the Black Dragon Mountain Range.

"Uncle Li, one hour ago, a few Foundation Establishment Cultivators planned to hunt a Tier Two Great Demon. When they arrived, they found the Tier Two Great Demon had already been killed. The essence of the Demon Corpse had been completely devoured, and the aura of a Dragon-type Demon Beast was at the scene..."

Luo Qiantong handed the Jade Scroll in his hand to Li Chang’an.

It contained a detailed record of the location and specific circumstances of the Tier Two Great Demon’s death.

According to the record, the lingering aura of the Dragon-type Demon Beast had left the few Foundation Establishment Cultivators terrified. It was most likely not a Tier Two Great Demon, but a Tier Three Demon King!

"I understand."

Li Chang’an nodded slightly and gave him a large sum of Spirit Stones as payment.

Afterward, he took the Profound Water Turtle and Dahuang with him, transformed into a streak of Spiritual Light, and shot straight toward the Black Dragon Mountain Range.

"Xiaohai, Dahuang, we’re going dragon hunting!"