Additionally, as cultivation becomes increasingly difficult after reaching the Core Formation Stage, the Dual Cultivation Technique, which was previously disregarded before Core Formation, has instead become an important method for many Core Formation True Men to enhance their cultivation.

In Dual Cultivation Techniques, the higher the realm of one’s partner, the greater the benefit to oneself.

Therefore, Core Formation Stage female cultivators desperately wish to find a True Monarch as a Dao Companion, or at least a male cultivator a small realm higher than themselves.

Xiao Changfeng reached Core Formation later than Fairy Yunyao, and it is said that Fairy Yunyao is also at the middle-level True Pill.

The most critical point is that the various sects forbid interconnections for their own interests.

"Hmph, since he’s hiding and won’t come out, you’ll have to accept some injustice. Blame that bastard!" After calming her anger, Fairy Yunyao suddenly looked at Li Ji’an.

"..." Seeing that Fairy Yunyao had locked onto him with her energy, Li Ji’an was stunned on the spot.

This unexpected disaster is really hard to bear!

"Immediately message that bastard and tell him that Fairy Yunyao of the Qingmen Sect intends to kill you! Let’s see if he cares about your life or death?" Yunyao’s eyes were piercing, and she had already summoned a Nine-Layered Exquisite Tower seemingly made of tourmaline before her.

Ever since she parted ways with Xiao Changfeng in the Black Pool Cave two years ago, she had been searching bitterly for him, even ambushing for more than half a year in the Biyun Sect, finally learning that Li Ji’an was most close to him.

Later, some days ago, she learned by chance that Li Ji’an had appeared in Han River Immortal City, under her sect’s jurisdiction, so she hurriedly came to find him.

"Isn’t the fairy being a bit forceful?" Li Ji’an slowly exhaled a breath of pent-up air, immediately summoning the God-Binding Rope.

This was the only magical artifact prototype he could currently use openly.

"You still wish to fight with me?" Yunyao’s eyes chilled, somewhat surprised.

"I, Li, a mere Pill Master, never intended to fight with anyone. However, I am not a soft persimmon either." Knowing that she only wants to force Xiao Changfeng to show up and doesn’t really want to harm him, and considering that in this public place, she wouldn’t dare truly harm him, otherwise it would cause a conflict between the two sects, so Li Ji’an did not show weakness.

"Hmph! It seems you’ve been too well protected in your sect, to truly think a mere Fake Pill compares to a True Pill? Today, I’ll show you the difference between a True Pill and a Fake Pill, akin to a chasm!" With that said, the magical power around Yunyao surged, and a water screen erupted instantaneously.

Li Ji’an secretly lamented, as such a magical power aura was almost indistinguishable from veteran true core cultivators like Fu Xiaochen.

Fu Xiaochen and most True Core cultivators in the domain were merely lower-level True Pills, but this woman’s middle-level True Pill and Magic Pill quality were much stronger than the likes of Fu Xiaochen.

"Boom~" The water screen descended; Li Ji’an had nowhere to hide. He could only concentrate his magical powers in front of him, using all his might to resist, while being shielded by three top-grade shields.

"Bang!" The water screen was extremely yin and soft, but the bronze shield at the forefront shattered upon contact.

Instantly, a thousand or more spirit stones were wasted, and Li Ji’an ceased passive defense, instead using this as a trial for his own magical power.

He condensed his magical power into a sharp cone and took initiative to attack...

-----------

At the same time, more and more cultivators were attracted by the commotion, rapidly approaching, watching the spectacle from afar, and some with extraordinary comprehension had even begun observing to gain insights from the True Man’s magical combat.

"Fairy Yunyao!" The resident cultivators of Han River Immortal City were no strangers to Yunyao from the Qingmen Sect, many even admired her, for she was the number one prodigy of Qingmen Sect.

"Is that True Man Li? Why is True Man Li from Biyun Sect in conflict with Fairy Yunyao?" Some cultivators from Cangyun State recognized Li Ji’an.

"This Fake Pill True Man from Biyun Sect is truly extraordinary, daring to challenge the majesty of a True Pill, and that too on the turf of the Qingmen Sect, a role model for us all." Among them, some spies from Fiery Sun Sect watched with notable delight.

...

"Wait, Fairy, I concede!" After just ten breaths, as the water screen receded, thousands of water swords suddenly formed in front of Yunyao, and feeling the staggering menace, Li Ji’an decisively conceded.

Only because this magic technique was evidently leagues beyond ordinary magic techniques, its overpowering presence exceeded that of Fu Xiaochen.

Li Ji’an judged that it was likely her innate divine ability!

Even if he fought on with his Fake Pill cultivation, along with his other hidden cards, it was impossible to be her match.

"Hmph! Message that bastard right away!" Yunyao snorted coldly, scolding.

Better a dead Dao friend than a dead self. Moreover, perhaps this could lead to a great match.

Of course, the most critical point was that he truly couldn’t do anything against her.

"Alright!" Li Ji’an immediately took out a communication talisman.

Boom~

However, just as he was messaging Xiao Changfeng, a sudden earthquake hit.

Simultaneously, a sandstorm swept in, quickly enshrouding the gates of Han River Immortal City in yellow sand.

"Whoosh~" Li Ji’an’s sea of consciousness trembled sharply, feeling an unprecedented life-and-death crisis.

"How bold!" Yunyao’s cold snort rang out afterward.

"Boom!" Li Ji’an only felt countless water swords brush past him, colliding with a capturing might from behind.

Before Li Ji’an could take out a tier three spirit talisman, the surrounding storm suddenly dissipated, and the threat of death vanished instantly.

Fairy Yunyao’s figure had already appeared behind Li Ji’an, her eyes glancing around with surprise and doubt.

"A faceless foe..."

When the yellow sand completely dissipated, everyone was bewildered, with no one having seen the person who had just made a move.

Li Ji’an’s heart pounded like a drum, his expression extremely grave, with the lifebound spirit talisman in his Dantian ready to strike.

"Is someone trying to kill you? And such a powerful enemy!" Unable to find anything with her Divine Sense search, Fairy Yunyao turned to look at Li Ji’an, somewhat surprised.

The attack just now was clearly not weaker than her; indeed, as the attacker concealed themselves, their true strength might even surpass hers. She hadn’t expected Li Ji’an, this mere Fake Pill Pill Master, to provoke such an existence.

"Hmph, birds of a feather flock together, are you of the same ilk as that bastard?"

Once confirming the crisis was momentarily lifted, Li Ji’an calmed down, ignoring Yunyao’s sarcasm, quickly analyzing the recent crisis.

"It was clearly meant to kill me!"

"No, that’s not right!"

"Given their prowess, there’s no need to conceal themselves like this!"

Li Ji’an considered that among those he had grievances with in this life, the strongest was no more than Zhao Qi, whom Xiao Changfeng robbed of the Core Formation opportunity.

Yet, Zhao Qi’s strength was insufficient to pose a mortal threat to him.

Moreover, if Zhao Qi genuinely wished to assassinate him, there was no need to act here.

"It wasn’t to kill me... it was to... stir conflict between the Qingmen Sect and Biyun Sect... the aim being to tie up both sects... Fiery Sun Sect!"

In an instant, Li Ji’an had completed his deduction.

With so many eyes watching, especially considering Yunyao acted first, if Li Ji’an were struck down now, Yunyao would find it hard to justify herself.

Even if the Biyun Sect didn’t wish to avenge him, they would certainly demand an explanation from Qingmen Sect, at least requiring compensation equivalent to himself, a tier three Pill Master, before letting it go.

In this scenario, the hope for the Fiery Sun Sect to monopolize the tomb greatly increased.

"Whew~" Li Ji’an vigilantly scanned his surroundings, feeling an increasing need to leave this place of trouble as soon as possible.

"There is a misunderstanding, Fairy. I, Li, am devoted to alchemy, never having held grudges with others. This was clearly an attempt to frame the fairy..." Without further delay, Li Ji’an shared his assured deduction one point at a time.

"Hmm?" Fairy Yunyao’s eyebrows raised sharply after listening.

However, being used to adulation and high status, she was not one to easily believe the words of others.

"Regardless of whether the fairy believes it or not, I will message Changfeng now. Your affairs are unrelated to me!" Li Ji’an didn’t delay further, directly messaging Xiao Changfeng in her presence.

Aside from relaying what Yunyao had instructed, he also informed about the recent life-threatening situation and deduction. Otherwise, f not revealing Fiery Sun Sect’s conspiracy, in case of one in a million, leading to a melodramatic love-hate drama between Xiao Changfeng and Yunyao, he’d become one of those nameless cannon-fodder supporting characters.

"Farewell!" After finishing the message, Li Ji’an promptly flew off.

The other party dared to make a move in broad daylight, which showed they had confidence. Every second he lingered here only added to the danger.

As long as he and Fairy Yunyao went separate ways, rendering himself unusable as a pawn by others, he’d only then be truly safe.

As Yunyao watched Li Ji’an’s figure quickly retreat, her gaze shifted. Finally, thinking of something, her face changed, and she quietly followed behind.

She wasn’t worried about others misunderstanding, only afraid that even if by some chance Li Ji’an really met with misfortune, that bastard would misunderstand!