’As expected of the Purple Mist Sect. So generous.’

Li Chang’an marveled to himself.

’If it were him, he couldn’t bear to part with such a precious Treasure.’

In terms of value...

This Treasure was in no way inferior to the Treasure Armor he had once given Zi Yun. In fact, it might even be more valuable.

He put it away carefully and thanked her solemnly, "Many thanks, Daoist Zi."

"It’s nothing. I’m just glad you like it!"

Zi Yun’s smile was lovely and her eyes were bright. Her purple dress fluttered gently, and she carried a faint, sweet fragrance.

Behind her, the Flying Ship came to a steady halt.

Zi Xi and the other Purple Mist Sect Cultivators landed one by one on Changqing Mountain, each presenting a congratulatory gift.

After their previous encounters, Li Chang’an was already quite familiar with them.

Just as he was about to invite everyone to take their seats, he suddenly sensed something and looked toward the distant horizon.

At almost the same time...

Zi Xi’s eyes shifted, and she also gazed into the distance.

"What is it?"

Zi Yun asked, a little curious.

Her voice had barely faded...

...when she, Wu Shuo, and the others also detected two familiar auras.

A moment later, two streaks of light tore across the sky, arriving at Changqing Mountain in an instant and transforming into two figures.

It was the father and son pair, Liu Xuanfeng and Liu Haichao!

The two had intended to attack Li Chang’an and capture him directly, but the presence of Zi Xi and her group on Changqing Mountain forced them to change their plans.

Their gazes fell upon Li Chang’an, full of scrutiny, as if trying to see through his true strength.

Meanwhile...

Li Chang’an was also sizing up the father and son.

’Liu Xuanfeng’s Cultivation progress isn’t slow. He’s already reached the Middle Stage of Golden Core. It seems he’s had some significant opportunities.’

’As for his father, Liu Haichao, his aura is similar to Wei Xu of the Yellow Sand Sect. Their strength should be about the same.’

Li Chang’an judged silently.

Like Wei Xu, Liu Haichao was an ordinary Saint Child.

Although he had a chance at Nascent Soul Formation, it was far from that of Zi Xi or Gu Yunqi.

Li Chang’an knew these two were unwelcome guests, but he still stepped forward and cupped his hands in a fist.

"What brings you two here?"

"Nothing in particular."

Liu Haichao’s tone was indifferent as he gave a cursory reply.

At the same time...

...he secretly sent a Sound Transmission to Zi Xi.

"Daoist Zi, this Li Chang’an killed a member of my Purple Mist Sect. I intend to apprehend him for questioning. I ask that you do not stand in my way."

"Who did he kill?"

Zi Xi had long known about the conflict between Li Chang’an and Liu Xuanfeng, so she didn’t take Liu Haichao’s one-sided story at face value.

Liu Haichao replied, "Wang Xiao, Pu Jie, and the others. The cause of their deaths is suspicious, and they had a conflict with Li Chang’an before they died."

"All five of them were Golden Core Cultivators. Wang Xiao was a genius at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, capable of fighting a Late Stage opponent. How could Li Chang’an have killed him?"

"With a supreme Treasure in hand, it’s possible!"

Liu Haichao immediately listed various possibilities.

But Zi Xi paid him no mind, saying coolly, "There is no evidence for this matter. Leave."

Her stance was clear.

Faced with this, Liu Haichao was helpless.

If it came to blows, he was no match for Zi Xi at all, let alone trying to take Li Chang’an away right under her nose.

Having no other choice...

...the father and son could only retreat for now.

They transformed into two streaks of light, flying far from Changqing Mountain and heading straight for the Ancient Ruins Secret Realm at the border of the Two Domains.

Li Chang’an cupped his hands and said, "Many thanks, Saintess."

"It was a small matter. Those two are resentful and will likely return to deal with you. You should be careful."

"Yes."

Li Chang’an appeared solemn, but in reality, he wasn’t too concerned.

’If those two dare to force their way onto Changqing Mountain, I’ll just make sure they never leave.’

He smiled and invited Zi Xi and the others to take their seats.

The atmosphere of the banquet...

...was not disrupted by this small interruption.

The mood on Changqing Mountain remained harmonious and celebratory.

During the banquet...

...Gu Qinghong and others arrived one after another.

They reported that the war between the Two Domains had temporarily halted.

The Yellow Sand Sect’s Saint Child, Gu Yunqi, had gathered many Golden Core Masters from the Western Domain and seemed to be discussing something.

They had not taken the opportunity to continue their attack and were planning to rest and reorganize for a few days.

"I wonder what the Western Domain is plotting."

"I have a bad feeling about this. I’m afraid it’s nothing good."

Around the tables, everyone conversed with one another, a hint of worry in their voices.

Li Chang’an, however, knew the truth.

The many Hundred Beasts Sect Golden Core Masters and Tier Three Beast Kings under his control had all participated in the Western Domain’s council.

In a secret chamber, Wei Xu had announced in front of everyone that the Yellow Sand Sect would formally intervene in the war between the Two Domains, providing aid to the Western Domain.

’The Yellow Sand Sect is planning to enter the fray.’

Li Chang’an mused silently, glancing at Zi Xi.

’It seems the day the Purple Mist Sect makes its move isn’t far off either.’

Sure enough.

After the banquet ended...

Zi Xi gathered everyone to accompany her to the Cyan Cloud Sect for a council.

"Everyone, come with me."

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, vaguely guessing the truth.

Soon...

...all the Golden Core Masters had landed on the Flying Ship.

They each used their Communication Treasures to inform the other Southern Domain Golden Core Cultivators who had not yet arrived to head to the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Before long...

...the Flying Ship approached the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Outside the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Mountain Gate, several thousand mortals were undergoing Spiritual Root testing.

Seeing this scene, Xiong Yan laughed. "Back then, this was the very place where Daoist Li was rejected by the people of the Cyan Cloud Sect."

At these words, Gu Qinghong couldn’t help but grow angry.

"Xiong the Ghost, that was so many years ago! Why bring it up now?"

"Because I feel like it!"

Xiong Yan, grinning from ear to ear, recounted the story of Li Chang’an’s rejection with great animation.

He hadn’t been there at the time, but he spoke as if he had witnessed it firsthand, telling a fabricated version of the events for all to hear.

Most of the others present wore smiles on their faces.

Although the incident was long in the past, everyone was reminded of it whenever they came to the Cyan Cloud Sect, and bringing it up had become something of a tradition.

Just then...

...a blinding, multicolored light suddenly erupted from the Spirit Testing Stone below.

Immediately after, gasps of astonishment rang out from the crowd.