Chapter Twelve: Li Turtle

"Fellow cultivator Li, every word I say is true. There isn't a single lie in it!"

Wu Yun wore a solemn expression, his words earnest and sincere.

However.

The Hexagram Image had already given its warning.

Li Chang'an would not believe a single word he said!

The Hexagram Image had just warned him that a Rogue Cultivator was going to trick him into leaving the Marketplace, and Wu Yun had shown up right afterward.

How could there be such a coincidence?

Moreover.

Even without the Hexagram Image, Li Chang'an would never have agreed to go.

"A Great Tomb supposedly belonging to a Foundation Establishment cultivator—so what if it's real? Who knows whether what's inside is an opportunity or a trap?"

Li Chang'an pondered inwardly.

Previously, Xu Fugui and the others had encountered danger while exploring a Predecessor's Cave Mansion, suffering heavy casualties.

He had kept that incident firmly in mind and constantly warned himself because of it.

He put on a thoughtful expression.

A moment later, he tactfully refused.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, I seek stability above all else. I don't want to risk venturing into the tomb. You should ask someone else."

Upon hearing this, the Wu brothers, Wu Yun and Wu Feng, were both stunned.

A Foundation Establishment-level opportunity.

How many people couldn't ask for more?

Now that they had delivered it right to Li Chang'an's door, he had actually refused!

"Fellow cultivator Li, with our aptitudes, if we aren't willing to take risks, we'll have no hope of Foundation Establishment in this lifetime!"

Wu Yun spoke with utmost sincerity, every word deliberate.

"The skills of a Low-grade Talisman Master can only satisfy the needs of daily cultivation. There's simply no way to advance any further."

His Elder Brother Wu Feng also spoke up.

Apparently afraid that Li Chang'an would not believe him, he began describing what he had seen and heard in the tomb.

"Fellow cultivator Li, think about it carefully. If it really is the Great Tomb of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, there will very likely be treasures needed for Foundation Establishment inside. It might even contain... a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

As he spoke, Wu Feng's voice grew more agitated.

A Foundation Establishment Pill!

The pill coveted by countless Qi Refining Rogue Cultivators.

Why was the Zheng Family so powerful?

Wasn't it because they were a Pill Refining Family?

They possessed a Tier 2 Alchemy Inheritance within the clan, and in nearly every generation, there was a Second-tier Alchemist capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills, ensuring that the family's Foundation Establishment cultivators never ceased!

"Fellow cultivator Li, we Rogue Cultivators have neither the support of our predecessors nor any background to rely on. We have to carve out a bright and boundless path for ourselves. How can we focus only on stability?"

Yet no matter what they said.

Li Chang'an remained unmoved.

In the end.

Wu Yun could only let out a sigh, disappointment showing on his face.

"Forget it. We were the ones disturbing you today. Please don't take offense, Fellow cultivator Li."

The two cupped their hands and said their farewells.

"Take care, Fellow Daoists."

Li Chang'an watched them leave.

Afterward.

He shut the door and made up his mind.

For the days ahead, he would absolutely refuse every invitation!

He would not leave even if a heaven-shaking opportunity appeared.

No matter how good an opportunity was, could it surpass the Hexagram Image that refreshed every day?

As for whether the Wu brothers were actually Rogue Cultivators, Li Chang'an was too lazy to think about it.

He would simply assume they were!

"Continue drawing talismans!"

Li Chang'an steadied his emotions.

Studying Talisman Skill was what he most needed to do at present.

For the next half a month, no one came calling again.

The Hexagram Image was equally calm and uneventful.

Until this day.

The Wu brothers appeared once more.

Wu Yun wore a broad smile and looked radiant, a brand-new Magic Robe draped over him.

"Fellow cultivator Li, my Elder Brother's earlier deduction was mistaken. The Great Tomb doesn't belong to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but to a late Qi Refining stage cultivator. Even so, there are still quite a few treasures inside!"

He said with a smile that they had reaped a rich harvest this time.

Since Li Chang'an had not gone.

They had only been able to invite another Talisman Master surnamed Wang.

Talisman Master Wang had received thirty percent of the treasures from them, and his wealth had soared.

"If Fellow cultivator Li doesn't believe me, you can ask Fellow Daoist Wang yourself. Every word I've said is true."

"No need. I believe you, Fellow Daoist Wu."

Li Chang'an replied with a smile.

"Ah, Fellow cultivator Li, those treasures should have been yours."

Wu Yun sighed with emotion.

But Li Chang'an remained calm, not the slightest ripple stirring in his heart.

After chatting for a while.

The Wu brothers left.

For the next two months, they frequently interacted with Li Chang'an.

Sometimes they exchanged views with him on Talisman Skill; other times, they told him about what they had seen and heard while practicing feng shui and searching for tombs.

Little by little.

The relationship between the two sides seemed to grow closer and closer.

This day.

Wu Yun came calling again, excitement written across his face.

"Fellow cultivator Li, my Elder Brother has made another discovery!"

"Oh?"

Li Chang'an showed a hint of interest.

"Another Great Tomb?"

"No, no, no. It's a new earth vein!"

Wu Yun was brimming with excitement, so agitated that his words trembled.

"The source of an earth vein produces a treasure called Earth Dragon Saliva. This is a Foundation Establishment spiritual item! Its effects are comparable to more than half a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Earth Dragon Saliva?"

Li Chang'an was slightly taken aback.

He had naturally heard of this treasure.

It could assist with Foundation Establishment, and its effects could stack with those of a Foundation Establishment Pill, making it extraordinarily precious.

Clear River Market had once auctioned a portion of Earth Dragon Saliva. At the time, it had fetched the sky-high price of seven thousand Spirit Stones!

A treasure like that.

Li Chang'an currently only dared to think about it.

He immediately offered Wu Yun his congratulations.

"Then congratulations, Fellow Daoist Wu. You have hope of achieving Foundation Establishment in the future!"

"This... Fellow cultivator Li, you've misunderstood..."

Wu Yun's voice faltered, and a trace of awkwardness appeared on his face.

He explained.

They had not obtained the Earth Dragon Saliva yet.

It was only because the rock and soil at the source of that earth vein were hard and heavy, making it extremely difficult to break through.

They urgently needed more manpower.

They were just afraid that if they delayed too long, someone else would discover the earth vein.

"Fellow cultivator Li, what do you think?"

Wu Yun asked expectantly.

He had come to ask Li Chang'an for help.

"As long as we obtain the Earth Dragon Saliva, the three of us can split it evenly!"

He offered an enormous benefit.

One-third of the Earth Dragon Saliva.

And there would be no danger at all. They only needed to dig a tunnel!

However.

Li Chang'an shook his head slightly.

"I appreciate your kind intentions, Fellow Daoist Wu, but something went wrong with my cultivation recently. I'm unwell and don't want to leave."

"Unwell?"

The expression on Wu Yun's face stiffened.

This was Earth Dragon Saliva!

If other cultivators heard this news.

Forget being unwell—even if they were already gravely wounded and crippled, they would still have to crawl over!

A Foundation Establishment spiritual item was enough to drive countless Rogue Cultivators mad!

Yet Li Chang'an only wanted to stay curled up in the Marketplace, refusing to leave no matter what.

Was he a turtle or something?

"Ah, forget it. If you change your mind, Fellow cultivator Li, you can tell me at any time."

He cupped his hands, bade farewell, and turned to leave.

Li Chang'an watched his back, his eyes flickering as he fell into thought.

For the following month.

Wu Yun did not come again.

Chu Daniu, however, came once.

The gathering of craftsmen like them was about to begin again.

"Big Brother, Senior Luo has already agreed. At this gathering, he will personally give you guidance!"

Chu Daniu's face was full of delight.

Li Chang'an, however, calmly said, "Da Niu, I won't be going this time."

"Ah?"

Chu Daniu froze.

"Big Brother, this is a rare opportunity! Senior Luo's Talisman Skill is already about to break through to Mid-grade First Tier!"

Li Chang'an did not think much of it.

He was already a Mid-grade Talisman Master himself. Why would he need guidance from a Low-grade Talisman Master?

"Da Niu, I've had another insight recently. I need some peace and quiet."

"An insight?"

Chu Daniu found it difficult to understand.

No matter how good an insight was, could it compare with guidance from a senior?

Many times, just a few words from a senior could save a junior several years of wandering down the wrong path!

Chu Daniu grew anxious, yet there was nothing he could do.

Because he knew that once Li Chang'an made up his mind, he would not change it easily.