’I absolutely cannot let anyone know about my Spiritual Root’s enhancement, not even the people closest to me. Otherwise, it could get me killed.’

’Fortunately, at the end of this Spirit Testing Technique, there is also an incantation for a Spirit Concealment Technique.’

The creator of these techniques was quite thorough.

It included methods for Spirit Ascension, Spirit Testing, and Spirit Concealment.

Li Chang’an immediately used the Spirit Concealment Technique to hide the increase in his Spirit Charm.

This way, if anyone used magic or a treasure to inspect his Spiritual Root, they would find it was the same as before—still at the very bottom of the Low Grade category.

At that moment, the Evergreen Vine suddenly sent a wisp of thought to communicate with Li Chang’an.

Because of their Symbiotic Spirit Contract, their communication was very smooth.

From this communication, Li Chang’an learned that the Evergreen Vine required a large amount of treasures to grow. If there weren’t enough, it could use other things as substitutes.

Such as Demon Beasts or other Spirit Plants.

Demon Beasts and Spirit Plants naturally contained large amounts of Spiritual Power, making them equivalent to living treasures that could all be devoured.

Li Chang’an was a little worried.

’If it devours too much Demon Beast Flesh and Blood, will it turn into that strange, demonic form again?’

The Evergreen Vine reassured him.

It had taken on that appearance before because it had started down the wrong path.

But now, it was on the right path and wouldn’t undergo any strange transformations.

’That’s good.’

Li Chang’an felt a little relieved.

It was currently the Beast Tide. A casual trip outside Yellow Crane Immortal City would be enough to fill a Storage Pouch with Demon Beast corpses.

He didn’t hesitate and took action immediately.

...

「Two days later, at dusk.」

Li Chang’an returned with the corpses of dozens of Demon Beasts, including three Tier Two Demon Beasts! 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

He took out all the Demon Beast corpses and piled them up next to the Spirit Field.

Instantly, the thick stench of blood filled the air.

Xiaohai and Dahuang immediately rushed over, and after getting Li Chang’an’s permission, they began to feast heartily.

The Evergreen Vine also waved its vines, coiling around one corpse after another and dragging them beneath the Spirit Field.

"Go on, eat your fill!"

A smile appeared on Li Chang’an’s face, but it was tinged with exhaustion.

The slaughter of the past two days had been quite perilous.

Those Demon Beasts were not stupid.

When they realized he was too strong, they all avoided him, letting the Tier Two Demon Beasts engage him instead.

After he killed one Tier Two Demon Beast, a dozen more immediately swarmed to attack him, including several at the Tier Two Late Stage!

He fought as he retreated, managing to withstand the assault with his Tier Two Body Refinement, and even managed to slay two more Tier Two Demon Beasts!

The Demon Beasts he killed were all carefully chosen.

Their Beast Cores were very suitable for Alchemy.

Including the Cyan Wood Wolf he hunted before his Foundation Establishment, he now had four Demon Cores suitable for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

With a thought from Li Chang’an, four Demon Cores with gentle auras appeared before him.

’If I want to make money, it has to be through Elixir Pills!’

’Selling pills is more profitable than killing!’

He planned to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

Foundation Establishment Pills were incredibly valuable, and each one could be sold for a sky-high price.

His Alchemy Skill had now reached Tier Two Middle Grade and was faintly touching the threshold of Tier Two Top Grade. Refining Foundation Establishment Pills shouldn’t be a problem.

However, Li Chang’an didn’t start refining Foundation Establishment Pills right away.

He first refined some ordinary Tier Two Middle Grade Elixir Pills to practice, then he refined a few Lifespan Extension Pills for himself.

He had already taken two Tier Two Lifespan Extension Pills before.

Due to the unique nature of his Ancient Wood Evergreen Technique, he could continue to take more.

After regulating his breath for a moment, Li Chang’an swallowed the third pill.

The medicinal power dissolved, and a profound Power of Time emanated from his body.

After a moment, he opened his eyes and silently assessed the change in his lifespan.

’Nine more years of life. Not bad!’

He smiled and swallowed the fourth pill.

The effect of this Lifespan Extension Pill was weaker, extending his life by four years.

The fifth pill was even weaker, only adding one year.

The sixth only added a month or two...

After that, there was almost no effect.

’My lifespan is now over five hundred and seventy-two years!’

Li Chang’an made a brief assessment and was very satisfied with his current lifespan.

’A long life is a huge advantage.’

’I’ll rest for a few days, then refine the Foundation Establishment Pills.’

Li Chang’an left the Alchemy Room.

Refining pills in succession had placed a considerable strain on his Divine Sense, making him feel a bit tired.

He went to the Spirit Field and checked on the state of the Eternal Green Vine.

Its growth rate from devouring Demon Beast corpses was naturally slower than directly consuming expensive treasures, but it was much better than slowly absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power.

The seventh Cyan Rattan had already grown by a small section.

At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before it grew to a size of ten zhang.

Reassured, Li Chang’an returned to his cave residence to rest.

...

「The next day.」

His energy restored, Li Chang’an began to dismantle the Tier Two Arrays on Changqing Mountain.

’Having too many arrays isn’t a good thing. There’s too much redundancy and multiple flaws. They need a proper overhaul.’

After all, Changqing Mountain was his domain; its defenses couldn’t be too weak.

Li Chang’an used the many treasures he salvaged from dismantling the old arrays to upgrade the original Tier Two Top Grade Mirror Flower Water Moon Formation into a Quasi-Tier Three array.

Just like that, only two arrays remained on Changqing Mountain.

One was Tier Three, and the other was Quasi-Tier Three. Working in concert, they were enough to fend off a Core Formation Master.

As for any enemies below the Core Formation realm, however many came, that many would die. Not even those at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment could withstand it!

’I still have some Array Materials left over. I’m attending Wu Ming’s Foundation Establishment Ceremony tomorrow, so I can sell these materials for some Spirit Stones while I’m at it.’

Li Chang’an mused.

He returned to his cave residence and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

「That night at Midnight.」

The Divination appeared as usual, showing a "Peaceful Trigram," indicating no unexpected events would occur.

...

「The next day.」

The sun rose in the east.

Li Chang’an switched to his identity as Li Fan, applied a light disguise, and entered the Black Market to attend Wu Ming’s Foundation Establishment Ceremony.

"Daoist Wu, here are some Elixir Pills for recuperation."

He offered the congratulatory gift with a smile.

Wu Ming hurriedly refused. "Daoist Li, you have shown me immense kindness. How could I possibly accept another gift from you?"

In fact, he had never expected Li Chang’an to come at all.