Longevity: Starting as a Sect Servant-Chapter 272 - 203: Immortal Talent Hall

Xiling Origin Continent, Taiyi Mountain.

The Taiyi Mountain Range stretches endlessly, located in the western part of Xiling Origin Continent, where the Taiyi Sect has reigned for thousands of years, flourishing in its Daoist tradition.

Today.

"The Celestial Killer Mountain has such audacity, daring to harm our sect’s people!"

In the great hall, a True Core expert shouted angrily as he looked at the severed hand before him.

Lihua and several disciples stood before him, not daring to speak.

"In my opinion, we should directly attack the Celestial Killer Mountain!"

"Right, since the Celestial Killer Mountain now only has one Nascent Soul Level General..."

Many other True Core Cultivators chimed in.

"Elder Chu is here—"

A loud call came from outside.

Everyone in the hall greeted respectfully.

An elderly man with graying hair walked in with a cold expression. The leading True Core Cultivator swiftly reported: "Reporting to Master, the people we sent to contact Zhao Changkong from the Celestial Killer Mountain were ambushed, but someone has sent us a message, wanting to do business with us."

"We can’t decide on this matter, so we request your judgment, Master..."

After narrating the situation, the True Core Cultivator respectfully presented a Jade Talisman.

Elder Chu gently caressed the Jade Talisman, reading the message left by Li An - Zhao Changkong does not have what Taiyi Sect wants, but he does.

If you want to do business, find Li An!

"This Jade Talisman contains an exceedingly pure Evil Qi... it must be a high-level Corpse indeed."

Elder Chu squinted his eyes slightly, "This person has sought us out voluntarily; it seems he truly has something."

A True Core Cultivator asked, "Master, could it be a trap, deliberately luring us over?"

Elder Chu shook his head, "No, if it were a trap, the other party would use every means to make us lower our guard. Now that the Celestial Killer Mountain is on high alert, would we still go?"

"Then what does Master suggest?"

"Business is business, no matter who it’s with. He wants Rank Four Creation Jade, Rank Four Talisman Paper, and the main ingredient for a Nascent Soul Pill... give him the Talisman Paper first, and exchange for a part."

Elder Chu smiled slightly, as if he already had a plan.

"In the Jade Talisman, he also says that the Celestial Killer Mountain is now heavily guarded, and cultivators above True Core Level are not allowed; only someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage can go, for concealment... But if only someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage goes, they would be defenseless if he intends to kill and seize their treasures."

The True Core Cultivator said.

"Even if he intends to ambush us, a True Core Cultivator going over would also be defenseless,"

Elder Chu said calmly, his gaze suddenly falling on Lihua.

"Lihua, you will go once more."

Lihua’s cultivation is at the peak of Foundation Establishment, making her the strongest among them at that stage. Additionally, she has been to the Celestial Killer Mountain before, is familiar with the situation, and is proficient in Beast Taming Skills. She is the most suitable person to send.

"After you go, observe him. If he indeed completes the transaction with you, then have him prepare a map of the Celestial Killer Mountain for us next time... hehe, daring to do business with us at such a time, he shows potential to be an internal spy!"

The reason he agrees to the deal has ulterior motives!

Not only does he want to do business with Li An, but he also plans to develop Li An into an undercover agent.

"If this matter succeeds, you’ll receive a share in the next batch of Primordial Spirit Pills—"

He promised.

Lihua, upon hearing this, was worried but, thinking of the Primordial Spirit Pill, gritted her teeth, "Lihua will do her best—"

...

Shayue Valley.

Zhao Changkong and the Taiyi Sect had just met here and were exterminated by Li An, so at this moment, this place ironically became the safest place, as no one would expect others to come here.

Besides, Li An now holds General Jia Man’s trust, so this place is also under his control.

Just as he entered Shayue Valley, he heard Xiang Yuntian’s familiar voice:

"Four Seasons Sword, the cycle of seasons, you’ve gone straight from the Sword of Spring to the Sword of Winter? Damn it, start over, yes, faster..."

Then followed the sound of sword-wielding.

"You’re practicing swordplay here as if you’re sightseeing?"

Li An walked over, coldly watching the scene ahead.

Xiang Yuntian was the same as always. Decades had passed, but he seemed unchanged, unruly and unrestrained as before. Wearing his old, casual clothes, a wine jug hung from his waist, he took a hearty swig while instructing a young man practicing sword in front of him.

The young man looked about seventeen or eighteen, handsome and focused, diligently swinging his sword again and again.

"That’s enough, stop—"

Seeing Li An approach, Xiang Yuntian jumped off a large rock and laughed, "I heard the Celestial Killer Mountain is searching for spies lately. I thought you wouldn’t dare to come."

"An Li, come over here. This is the old... old friend Lin An I told you about, whom I knew from Spirit Charm Mountain."

The handsome young man saluted Li An, "Greetings, Senior Lin."

Li An frowned slightly, "If you have something to say, say it."

Xiang Yuntian said, "Come with me."

"Where to?"

"Leave the Celestial Killer Mountain and return to Human Race territory, whatever works."

Xiang Yuntian said, "The Great Li Empire has emerged, and the Human Race Daoist tradition will enter a golden era. By then, exterminating the Demon Race will be inevitable. I don’t want to have to kill you on the battlefield."

Li An pondered for a moment, "So, you believe the Great Li Empire will usher the Emperor Origin Realm into a golden era?"

"It’s not just me, everyone thinks so."

Xiang Yuntian took a sip of his wine, "The Great Li Empire not only unified Xiling Origin Continent, but it also propagated its teachings to the world; even sharing many Earth Tier and Celestial Tier cultivation techniques for fellow Daoists to study. Major powers from Central Celestial Continent, East Tribulation Continent, and others have actively come to court the Li Dynasty... heh, I came to court it too."

Hearing this, Li An deeply felt the terrifying nature of Shangguan Shengxian.

Clearly, she is not a brute who conquers everything by force; she’s highly adept at gaining people’s hearts with her strategy and decisiveness.

Thus, the Great Li Empire is no longer just a regional empire of the Xiling Origin Continent; it is soon to become the Holy Land in the minds of cultivators across the world.

Despite this, no one knows that this Holy Land is actually a den of demons!

It’s chilling!

Truly chilling.

Where can Li An go after this? Unless he can escape the Emperor Origin Realm.

But, crossing realms is an immense challenge, and even those at the Divinity Transformation Stage might not succeed. Li An is currently only at the Late-Stage Golden Core, and the slightest fluctuation or trace of energy when crossing realms could turn him to dust.

"Did you just come to tell me this?" Li An asked.

"Of course, there’s one more thing,"

Xiang Yuntian laughed, "The ancestral burial site of our sect’s founder has been found. He was slain by the Demon Emperor all those years ago, falling at the Ten Thousand Miles Abyss in Great Li. I’m planning to explore it, but that place is extremely dangerous. You and I should go together."

"I’m outside, with no one I can trust."

Li An sneered, "What’s it to me?"

"You can leave now."

Showing him the door.

Xiang Yuntian angrily said, "Lin, think it over. I’m here to save you. You’re mingling with the Demon Race, playing as a servant, bowing and scraping. Once war breaks out, you’ll be nothing but cannon fodder!"

"Come with me. I’ll ensure you get into the Celestial Sword Sect. You’ll live a life of luxury without any hardship!"

Li An said, "Thank you."

After speaking, he turned to leave, stating, "Once I return, I’ll immediately inform the other mountain lords about an infiltrator in Shayue Valley. You still have time to leave now."

But before he could take a step, Xiang Yuntian suddenly drew his sword, placing it in front of him, staring at Li An, "I ask you, are you coming or not?"

Li An replied coldly, "Is this how you ask for help?"

Xiang Yuntian stared at Li An; suddenly, he sighed in relief, "Alright, brother, I’m begging you, come with me."

"Not going."

"You damn..."

Xiang Yuntian prepared to strike, but with a thought, Li An summoned three terrifying Rank Three spirit birds from his sleeve, which immediately encircled the sky, surrounding Xiang Yuntian.

Seeing this, Xiang Yuntian’s face turned ashen.

When did Lin An become a Beast Tamer?

"Master, Senior Lin, stop arguing... Master, calm down, please!"

An Li rushed over to mediate.

"If it really comes to a fight, I can take down these birds with a single strike, but since I don’t eat bird meat, killing them would be pointless, otherwise I’d show you."

Xiang Yuntian resentfully sheathed his sword.

Li An gestured, and the three Rank Three spirit birds flew back to him, transforming into hummingbird-size before slipping back into his sleeve, as he turned to leave.

"Lin An, people from the Immortal Talent Hall will arrive soon. Those vultures are very interested in places heavy with Evil Qi; they’re set on claiming this area. If you don’t leave now, I really won’t be able to save you!"

Xiang Yuntian shouted.

But Li An didn’t look back. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Master, what do we do? Senior Lin seems quite unwilling... We better leave, or we’ll be mistaken as spies when they come!"

An Li was worried.

"Relax, though he’s crafty, he has a conscience. He won’t let them really come to kill me... Besides, if they do come, I’ll fight my way out of the Celestial Killer Mountain Range."

Xiang Yuntian spoke, gritting his teeth, "Let’s wait a while longer. Damn those bastards from the Immortal Talent Hall coming over. The Celestial Killer Mountain Range will surely fall; I must save Lin An!"

An Li looked at Xiang Yuntian, feeling complex, hesitant to speak.

"If you have something to say, just say it, don’t hold it in," Xiang Yuntian said.

"Master, according to what you’ve said, you don’t seem to be that close with Senior Lin. Why are you bent on saving him?"

Xiang Yuntian had mentioned knowing Li An from Spirit Charm Mountain but had never revealed that Li An saved his life, respecting the promise made back then by never speaking of it, not even to his own disciple.

Xiang Yuntian opened a wine flask, took a sip, and finally said, "I like the guy."

"Oh."

An Li nodded earnestly, trying to look as if he believed it.

...

Immortal Talent Hall!

According to the current information, Li An deduced that this organization is likely a group of demon cultivators nurtured by Shangguan Shengxian.

"It seems your sister is planning to take root in the Emperor Origin Realm..."

Li An remarked.

"Maybe not."

Shangguan Xiaoxiao seemed deep in thought, "There’s also another possibility. She’s training these people, not so they can live and become her entourage."

Li An asked, "What do you mean?"

"We’ll see when the people from the Immortal Talent Hall arrive. Then we’ll know,"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao spoke calmly, but Li An felt increasingly on guard.

Worried.

The Celestial Killer Mountain Range is certainly tempting for demon cultivators.

If the people from the Immortal Talent Hall really decide to attack this place, will Shangguan Shengxian also appear?

Li An thought it unlikely. The war between the Demon Race and Great Li has yet to officially start, and the Celestial Killer Mountain Range doesn’t yet warrant Shangguan Shengxian’s presence.

But currently, the defenses at the Celestial Killer Mountain Range are sparse, with only General Jia Man at Nascent Soul level guarding it... it’s risky enough.

Must think of a plan. If the Celestial Killer Mountain Range can be preserved, that would be ideal. If not... I need to ensure a timely retreat to the Demon Realm!

Moreover, that’s just the current situation... what about later? The war between the Demon Race and Great Li can’t erupt; to Li An, Tan Qingxue surely can’t compete against Shangguan Shengxian. Even if he shelters under the Demon Race, how long can he last?

"What’s your sister’s cultivation level now?"

Li An couldn’t help but ask.

"No need to ask, she’s invincible in the Emperor Origin Realm."

Shangguan Xiaoxiao spoke calmly, "She has occupied my body for all these years, surely they’ve fused. Even if all your Emperor Origin Realm cultivators attack, it would be futile."

Li An was filled with despair, "Do you have any strategy against her?"

Shangguan Xiaoxiao was silent for a long time, finally saying, "Let’s wait and see if her Immortal Talent Hall is what I think it is..."

"Also, you should prepare more Spirit Medicine related to the soul; I need to enhance my Soul Power."

Clearly, the situation is dire, and Shangguan Xiaoxiao also feels threatened.

Enhancing her Soul Power would pose some threat to Li An too, but with the looming enemy, Li An pondered for a while and then said, "Alright."

At this moment, there was a knock on the hall door, seven times—

Li An’s puppet had returned!

This meant that from the Taiyi Sect... finally, someone had arrived.

...