The Demon Core is Secured

Inside the Thunder Array.

The White Jade Python's body convulsed, hissing in pain; its body, recently frostbitten, showed large scorch marks.

Chains of electricity coiled around the enormous python's body.

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Siyao launched a counterattack, transforming her Iron Net Umbrella into a spear and piercing a bloody hole in the python's head.

Pfft!

The Earth Rock Rat unleashed its innate Law Technique, sending out Earth Spike, each two zhang high, piercing the White Jade Python's abdomen.

Inside the Thunder Array.

The White Jade Python struggled for a long time, its body charred black, covered in wounds, and its breath grew weaker and weaker.

Lan Chang'an stood behind the Heavy Armor Puppet.

The White Bone Bow was aimed at the White Jade Python, but fearing that the poison from the White Bone Arrow would affect the quality of the demon core, only a few Tier 1 Fine Talisman were added.

After a short while, the power of the rune array dissipated.

The White Jade Python finally fell silent, its charred corpse curled up on the spot.

"Congratulations, Daoist Lu, on slaying this python. You have achieved your goal."

Zhao Siyao smiled faintly, looked at the charred corpse of the White Jade Python, and prepared to put away the Iron Net Umbrella.

Lan Chang'an raised his hand, signaling her to remain still.

The moment he killed the White Jade Python, his heart pounded, and a chill ran down his spine, as if he were being watched by something.

That feeling was fleeting.

It seems to be just an overly cautious and suspicious misconception.

Fortunately, Lan Chang'an and his companion were unharmed and in good condition after killing the White Jade Python and the Earth Rock Rat.

Lan Chang'an looked at the White Jade Python's corpse and cast spells, unleashing several Wind Blade and Fireball.

Several Law Technique landed on the wounds of the python corpse.

Hiss! Whoosh!

The coiled-up giant python's corpse suddenly straightened, reaching the height of a three-story building, as a chilling wind and sand howled.

Its cold eyes stared intently at Lan Chang'an, its blood-red maw gaping wide open.

A twisted arrow of blood shot towards Lan Chang'an.

"Watch out!" Zhao Siyao shouted, but it was too late to help.

The speed of that blood arrow was so great that ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm would find it difficult to dodge, and its destructive power was almost comparable to that of Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Thud! Bang!

The Heavy Armor Puppet in front of Lan Chang'an was pierced by a twisted blood arrow.

The tall, heavy Puppet instantly corroded and rotted in large patches. It's hard to imagine what would happen if it struck flesh and blood.

After destroying the Heavy Armor Puppet, the twisted blood arrows lost much of their power and splashed in all directions.

Lan Chang'an retreated swiftly, holding a White Pearl in his hand, a layer of rosy light protecting his body.

A few remaining streaks of bloody light landed on the surface of the protective glow, producing a hissing sound and billowing thick smoke.

Lan Chang'an was still holding several Second-Order Defensive Talisman.

Um?

The protective glow of the Strange Treasure White Pearl was more powerful than Lan Chang'an had imagined, completely blocking the remaining bloody light.

It should be noted that the remaining blood-red light still possesses lethality at the Foundation Establishment Realm threshold.

The Strange Treasure White Pearl offers only average defense against heavy Law Artifact, sharp Law Artifact, and physical attacks.

However, it has a stronger resistance to attacks such as Law Technique and poisons.

After spitting out that jet of blood, the White Jade Python closed its eyes unwillingly, and its body crashed to the ground, creating a shallow crater.

This time, Lan Chang'an confirmed that the White Jade Python was truly dead.

He sent the Earth Rock Rat to scout ahead, break open the White Jade Python's corpse, and find the demon core inside.

"Wait!"

A whooshing sound came from outside the canyon, and a man and a woman rushed over.

The visitors were a well-off middle-aged man and a woman in a flowing dress.

It was Chen Fuhai and Xiao Yingxue, Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Green Bamboo Sect whom they had met two months prior.

"Daoist Zhao, we've been searching for the hiding place of this White Jade Python for months. Could you sell us its carcass?"

Chen Fuhai said urgently.

Before the two could get close, Lan Chang'an took a translucent white demon core.

Never mind the consequences, let's just pocket the money first.

Chen Fuhai and Xiao Yingxue's expressions darkened, their eyes fixed on Lan Chang'an.

"The White Jade Python's corpse belongs to Daoist Lu; you two have arrived too late."

Zhao Siyao's gaze was clear and sharp, her white dress fluttering in the wind as she held up Iron Net Umbrella, protecting Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an's view was blocked by the graceful figure in the flowing fairy dress and the Iron Net Umbrella.

A delicate and elegant fragrance wafts on the breeze, almost within reach.

The atmosphere on the field was tense.

Lan Chang'an patted Fairy Zhao's shoulder and walked out.

The two stood side by side, facing the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Green Bamboo Sect.

Squeak!

With its master's permission, the Earth Rock Rat bristled, its eyes turning a deep crimson, and it emitted a powerful surge of Demon Power.

Chen Fuhai and Xiao Yingxue looked at each other, their expressions solemn.

Judging from the Demon Power fluctuations emanating from the Earth Rock Rat, its strength may be slightly superior to that of an ordinary second-tier low-level Demon Beast.

This makes it a two-on-two situation.

When it comes to people, this "two" does not include Lan Chang'an.

"If you two want to buy the White Jade Python's carcass, you can take it at the market price."

Lan Chang'an said generously.

"Daoist Lu, let's not beat around the bush. We want to buy the White Jade Python demon core you possess."

Xiao Yingxue smiled, her demeanor serene and her voice soft and gentle.

"My son urgently needs Foundation Establishment, and I hope you will grant him this wish. We are willing to pay 50% more than the market price."

May I ask how old your son is this year?

Lan Chang'an looked at the elegant and beautiful female cultivator and said without any expression.

Xiao Yingxue said, "She's forty-eight; we can't wait any longer."

Lan Chang'an said, "I am sixty-seven years old. Could I wait a few more years?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yingxue looked surprised and turned to Chen Fuhai. The two exchanged bewildered glances.

Theoretically, the younger one is when attempting to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, the better.

According to High Antiquity records, the oldest cultivator to advance to the Foundation Establishment was eighty-two years old.

However, in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, there have been no examples of people over seventy years old successfully advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm in the past few thousand years.

Once you're over fifty, you've missed your peak, and your success rate gradually declines.

Looking at the elderly man with a youthful appearance, Xiao Yingxue hesitated to speak.

"If you two are only after a Foundation Establishment, then we might be able to cooperate."

Lan Chang'an spoke.

"You mean, collaborating on alchemy?"

Chen Fuhai's eyes lit up.

Lan Chang'an nodded. "Find a reliable second-tier Alchemist to help. We can gather the raw materials once and make two to three pills. However, I have the key ingredient, so I will prioritize Foundation Establishment."

Now, Lan Chang'an has gathered all the materials needed for the Foundation Establishment.

But for a Rogue Cultivator to produce all the materials would be far too extravagant.

Even without Chen Fuhai and his companion, Lan Chang'an planned to find someone to collaborate with on alchemy.

Mastering the key ingredients, like Young Master Zhou back then, makes obtaining a genuine Foundation Establishment quite achievable.

"Daoist Lu is truly righteous!"

Chen Fuhai and Xiao Yingxue exchanged a brief conversation, with Chen Fuhai revealing a friendly smile.

If this succeeds, my husband and I will owe you a favor!

Chen Fuhai cupped his hands in greeting.

Xiao Yingxue gave an elegant bow.

The tense atmosphere on the field immediately dissipated.

Zhao Siyao and Lan Chang'an exchanged a smile.

A life-or-death battle nearly erupted.

After negotiations and discussions, the two sides resolved their differences and made peace.

In the Cultivation World, handling interpersonal relationships well can avoid many disputes.

In the Cultivation World, there are no permanent stances; enemies can become friends.

If one truly harbors the idea of "God of Slaughter gods and defying the heavens," it won't be long before the Cultivation World is filled with enemies, making it impossible to continue the path to immortality.

In his Previous Life, Lan Chang'an had read about a mythical battle in High Antiquity books, in which "true immortals descended."

A true immortal descended to earth, boasting of his invincibility, wantonly slaughtering all living beings and plundering the resources of the world.

As a result, he attracted the siege of top-tier Mahayana, Tribulation-Transcending Earth Immortals, and High Antiquity True Spirit, and ultimately perished with resentment.

Of course, Lan Chang'an's ability to turn enemies into friends and make the two Foundation Establishment owe him a favor also required strength and strategic maneuvering.

The Earth Rock Rat demonstrating its strength is one example.

That's not enough!

A cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage is much stronger than one in the early stage.

Theoretically speaking, Chen Fuhai could fight two Foundation Establishment Early Stage and still have a certain chance of winning.

Chen Fuhai and his wife were unaware that Lan Chang'an himself possessed Foundation Establishment strength, and even held a trump card that threatened those in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.

Lan Chang'an reported his age as 67, which is the second point.

At such an advanced age, this is the last chance for an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator.

This means that we must fight to the death.

Although Chen Fuhai and his wife believed they had a chance of winning, they did not want to take the risks in the Black Mist Mountain Range.

"Which Alchemist are you looking for, Daoist Lu? I have a good friend at the ' Green Bamboo Sect ' who is a Second-Order High-Grade Alchemist. He can often refine three genuine Foundation Establishment Pills in one go."

Chen Fuhai, with a friendly expression, made the suggestion.

"Lu intends to seek out Alchemist Hua of Yellow Dragon Immortal City. His alchemy skills have already reached the Second-Order High-Grade."

Lan Chang'an refused to go to the Green Bamboo Sect to refine pills.

He had observed Alchemist Hua of Yellow Dragon Immortal City for at least several years, and his skills and character were acceptable.

There's no need to go to great lengths for what's nearby.

Even if the Alchemist from the Green Bamboo Sect is more skilled than Alchemist Hua.

"Alchemist Hua is quite good as well," Xiao Yingxue said with a smile. "I wonder what other materials Daoist Lu has collected?"

The two sides had a detailed discussion about their collaboration in alchemy, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Lan Chang'an only provided a sufficient amount of material, especially the repetitive material.

As a result, Chen Fuhai and his wife were able to produce the half of the materials that he deliberately omitted.

Lan Chang'an speculated that these two Foundation Establishment Realm from various sects had also gathered all the other materials, only lacking Mystic Spirit Fruit or a special demon core.

After the agreement was reached.

Both sides enjoyed their journey together and embarked on their return trip to Yellow Dragon Immortal City.

Deep within the Black Mist Mountain Range, the group dared not fly ostentatiously.

They could only suppress their Law Power and fly slowly at low altitude.