Chapter 549: Chapter 283: Core Formation Ceremony, Pressure from the Western Domain
Gu Qinghong came to his side, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "Daoist Jin, calm down."
He Xiangfeng and Xiong Yan also came over.
Only by joining forces could the three sect ancestors deal with Shi Hu Master and his Tiger Demon.
Xiong Yan shouted, "Shi Hu, as Golden Core Masters, don’t you feel ashamed for bullying the weak and attacking a junior?"
"Daoist Xiong, our sides are enemies. We’ve fought to this point; it’s long been a battle to the death. We should naturally annihilate each other. What’s there to be ashamed of?"
Shi Hu Master laughed heartily, and the stone tiger beneath him also revealed a mocking smile.
Gu Qinghong’s expression was calm as he asked, "Shi Hu, don’t tell me you intend to start the final war between the Two Domains right now?"
"Daoist Gu, you misunderstand. I only came today to congratulate Daoist Li."
Shi Hu Master’s gaze fell upon Li Chang’an.
Immediately after, a Sound Transmission from him echoed in Li Chang’an’s ear.
"Li Chang’an, I have received a Decree from my master. I will definitely take your head within five years."
"Five years? You seem quite confident, Daoist Shi Hu."
Li Chang’an replied nonchalantly, his expression unruffled.
He wasn’t surprised by Shi Hu Master’s hostility.
Huang Sha True Monarch himself was bound by the Spirit Contract, making it inconvenient for him to act again personally.
Li Chang’an had long suspected that Huang Sha True Monarch would dispatch one of his disciples to act in his stead.
Shi Hu Master wasn’t the strongest among the disciples, ranking only fifth. However, based on superficial strength alone, he was more than enough to deal with an Early Stage Golden Core Cultivator like Li Chang’an.
He sent another Sound Transmission: "Li Chang’an, I think five years is too long. Perhaps I can take your head within three."
Li Chang’an replied, "Then I will await your attempt, Daoist Shi Hu."
"Good!"
Shi Hu Master knew further words were useless and stopped sending transmissions.
He laughed loudly and said, "I’ve heard that Daoist Li has earned the nickname ’Turtle.’ I’m quite eager to see just how tough this turtle shell of yours really is!"
The moment his voice fell, a Golden Core Female Cultivator beside him made her move.
This woman had jade-green pupils and an exotic, demonic appearance. A single snake scale was embedded between her brows, and she was draped in dark green gossamer. Her aura was that of the Middle Stage of Golden Core.
Her hands formed a seal, and a thousand-zhang-long serpent’s shadow instantly materialized behind her.
The serpent’s shadow suddenly spat out a dark green venomous fang, which tore through the sky as it flew toward Changqing Mountain.
The fang’s momentum was terrifying, seeming to possess the power to crush all in its path. Even a Middle Stage of Golden Core Cultivator would have to face it with caution, to say nothing of Li Chang’an, who had only just advanced to the Early Stage of Golden Core.
Gu Qinghong and the others were about to intervene and intercept the venomous fang.
But at that moment, Li Chang’an’s voice sounded in all their ears.
"Everyone, there is no need to worry. Since this is aimed at my Changqing Mountain, then Changqing Mountain shall receive it."
With a single thought from Li Chang’an, the Changqing Mountain Array activated, transforming into a great, water-like net that silently devoured the venomous fang.
Seeing this, Gu Qinghong and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Changqing Mountain, this "turtle shell," was worthy of its reputation.
On the distant horizon, Shi Hu Master roared with laughter. "Hahaha, it really is a turtle shell! Daoist Li, your Changqing Mountain Array is impressive, but without it, how much skill do you really have?"
Li Chang’an replied calmly, "If you wish to know, Daoist Shi Hu, why not first have someone break my Array?"
"Good, what Daoist Li says makes sense!"
With that, Shi Hu and his group no longer lingered.
They had clearly come today to test Li Chang’an, the newly advanced Golden Core, and to simultaneously suppress the confidence of the Southern Domain Cultivators.
It had to be said, they had almost completely achieved their objectives.
At this moment, all across Changqing Mountain, many Cultivators wore worried expressions.
The previous celebratory atmosphere had vanished, replaced by a sense of unease.
As for Li Chang’an’s strength, although he hadn’t personally attacked, the Golden Core Masters on both sides had their own speculations.
’This Li Chang’an’s strength should be considered impressive for the Early Stage of Golden Core. Though he just advanced, he’s comparable to a Cultivator who has accumulated power in the Early Stage for many years.’ Such was the analysis of the Western Domain’s many Golden Core Cultivators on their journey back.
On Changqing Mountain, Gu Qinghong and the others exchanged Sound Transmissions, reaching a similar conclusion.
Although Li Chang’an had once slain a Golden Core while at the Foundation Establishment Stage, he had relied on an Array to do so.
Furthermore, while he had the achievement of killing a Celestial Pride like Fan Yunfei to his name, nearly all the Golden Core Masters present had defeated numerous Celestial Prides when they were at the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Anyone who could reach Golden Core was a prodigious Celestial Pride capable of fighting above their level during the Foundation Establishment Stage.
However, once they reached the Golden Core Stage, fighting above one’s level was not so easy.
Even among the Golden Core Masters from a Nascent Soul Major Sect like the Purple Mist Sect, very few could fight above their level.
Gu Qinghong and the others descended one by one, returning to their respective seats.
"Daoist Li, the one who just attacked you was ’Cyan Snake Master’ from the Western Domain’s Hundred Beasts Sect. She has a Middle Stage of Golden Core Cultivation and is deeply trusted by Shi Hu Master—his right-hand woman," Gu Qinghong explained to Li Chang’an.
The other Golden Core Masters also began to speak, mentioning the types of Magic, Magical Treasures, and so on that Cyan Snake Master specialized in.
They all assumed that since Li Chang’an had just advanced to Golden Core, he knew little about this level, so their explanations were very detailed.
Little did they know, Li Chang’an had already learned everything about this Cyan Snake Master in great detail from Luo Qiantong.
’This woman can get close to Shi Hu Master. I have to find a chance to refine her into a Puppet,’ he mused to himself.
Besides Cyan Snake Master, the dozen or so Golden Core Masters who had just appeared were all relatively trusted by Shi Hu Master.
Li Chang’an planned to refine as many of them into Puppets as possible, then wait for an opportunity for them to all strike at once, aiming to kill or severely injure Shi Hu Master in a single instant.
’This plan should be feasible,’ he thought to himself, his expression unchanging.
「In the following days.」
The celebratory atmosphere gradually returned to Changqing Mountain.
However, this celebration did not last long before it was interrupted once again.
On this day, an urgent message was delivered to Changqing Mountain.
[The Western Domain is launching a full-scale invasion.]
In an instant, a feeling that the storm was about to break enveloped all of Changqing Mountain.
With grave expressions, Gu Qinghong and the others all hurried back.
