Chapter 290: Chapter 201: The Defense Line Collapses, the Demon Beasts Attack

The Black Talisman Old Demon was a powerful cultivator at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, and he had been stuck at that realm for many years.

But Li Chang’an was merely in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Furthermore, the Black Talisman Old Demon himself cultivated an Earth Grade Technique.

He had carefully investigated and learned that Li Chang’an only practiced a Top Grade Technique.

Whether in terms of realm or Cultivation Technique, he could utterly crush Li Chang’an.

He truly couldn’t imagine how he could possibly lose.

’This battle is a guaranteed victory!’

Greed filled the Black Talisman Old Demon’s heart. ’This Li Chang’an is a Pill and Talisman Cultivator and has reached Tier Two proficiency in both. Who knows how many Treasures he’s accumulated.’

His disguise was perfect. With a respectful and slightly nervous expression, he flawlessly portrayed the demeanor of a Qi Refining Cultivator.

He had even concocted the perfect excuse for his visit.

He held up a wooden box, his voice sincere.

"Elder Li, my Wang Family was originally a vassal of the Foundation Establishment Wu Family. But later, the Wu Family was destroyed by the Zheng Family, so we had no choice but to pledge allegiance to them. However, the Zheng Family treats my Wang Family far too harshly, so I wish to seek refuge with you."

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an pretended not to notice anything amiss and gestured for him to come forward.

"What Treasure is in this box? Open it and let me see."

"Please, have a look, Elder Li..."

The Black Talisman Old Demon took a few steps forward, his expression still humble, and lifted the lid of the wooden box.

In that instant,

a terrifying beam of sword light shot out with unimaginable power, instantly piercing through Li Chang’an’s body.

The Black Talisman Old Demon’s heart leaped with joy. ’Success!’

The wooden box didn’t contain a Treasure, but a Tier Two Top Grade Talisman he had prepared.

Before opening the box, he had secretly channeled his Spiritual Power to activate the Talisman, timing it perfectly to ensure it would erupt the very instant the box was opened.

Everything had gone exactly as he had planned.

He wouldn’t even have to expend much effort; a single Talisman would be enough to kill Li Chang’an.

However,

he suddenly noticed something.

The Li Chang’an before him was slowly dissipating.

"An Illusion Body?"

The Black Talisman Old Demon’s expression changed. ’This is bad!’ He immediately transformed into a streak of light, attempting to flee from Changqing Mountain Peak.

But then came a thunderous BOOM.

He felt as if he had crashed into a tall, invisible wall.

"An Array?"

The Black Talisman Old Demon didn’t dare hesitate, immediately deploying several Tier Two Top Grade Talismans.

Array Prohibition Talismans!

This type of Talisman was an advanced version of the Tier One "Breaking Charm." It was far more powerful and exceptionally effective against Arrays.

The numerous Array Prohibition Talismans ignited in unison. Dazzling golden patterns linked together, forming a great, shimmering golden blade of astonishing power that chopped down heavily on a corner of the Array!

’I have to break through!’

The Black Talisman Old Demon stared intently at that corner.

Although his earlier assassination attempt had failed, he was still confident in his Talismans.

’Li Chang’an is only in the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if he’s wealthy, the most he could afford is a Tier Two Top Grade Array. It can’t possibly block my Array Prohibition Talismans!’

RUMBLE!

The great blade fell, its sound shaking the heavens and the earth!

To the Black Talisman Old Demon’s shock, the Array didn’t budge in the slightest. It was completely unaffected.

"How is that possible?"

He couldn’t believe it, almost suspecting that his eyes were deceiving him.

Even a high-quality Tier Two Top Grade Array couldn’t have remained completely unaffected.

Unless... the Tier of this Array was even higher.

"A Tier Three Array?!"

The Black Talisman Old Demon’s face instantly turned ashen.

He had killed countless Righteous Cultivators in his life, many of whom were stronger than Li Chang’an, yet he had always managed to escape unscathed every single time.

But this time,

facing a seemingly ordinary Li Chang’an, he found himself unable to escape!

"How can a mere Early Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator possibly possess a Tier Three Array?"

The Black Talisman Old Demon couldn’t wrap his head around it.

He tried various other methods again, but the Grand Array remained completely immobile.

"Daoist Black Talisman, since you’re already here, what’s the rush to leave?"

Li Chang’an suddenly materialized in the courtyard, watching him calmly.

The Black Talisman Old Demon’s heart lurched in shock again.

"Li Chang’an, you know who I am?"

"I do more than just know. I’ve been waiting for you."

"You..."

The Black Talisman Old Demon instantly understood. Among that group of Tribulation Cultivators, there must have been a friend of Li Chang’an!

He feared that the words he had spoken that day had long since reached Li Chang’an’s ears.

This Changqing Mountain had been a death trap prepared just for him from the very beginning.

At this moment,

the Black Talisman Old Demon suddenly recalled something an elder had once said.

As a Tribulation Cultivator, you can succeed countless times, but a single failure is all it takes to lose everything—including your own life!

"Daoist Li, I was in the wrong. Is there any room for discussion?"

The Black Talisman Old Demon took a deep breath, clinging to his last sliver of hope.

Li Chang’an gave a faint smile.

"Daoist Black Talisman, I’d like to ask a few questions. If your answers satisfy me, I will naturally let you leave."

"Do you speak true?"

"Of course."

Li Chang’an clasped his hands behind his back and nodded slightly.

"Everyone in this region knows that I, Li Chang’an, detest fighting and killing."

"That is true."

The Black Talisman Old Demon had investigated Li Chang’an in great detail and knew he rarely fought with others.

Even when provoked right at his doorstep, he would first say that peace should be valued.

If not for this,

he wouldn’t have ended up with the nickname "Turtle."

"Go ahead and ask, Daoist Li."

"Alright."

Li Chang’an, his expression composed, began his questions.

"Daoist Black Talisman, your nickname is ’Old Demon.’ Do you have any connection to Demonic Cultivators?"

"The Demonic path?"

The Black Talisman Old Demon shook his head.

The only reason he was called Old Demon was because he had killed a great many people; he didn’t actually know any Demonic Cultivators.

Li Chang’an asked again, "Then do you know of any channels for purchasing Souls?"

"I do not."

Both Souls and Corpse Refinement were Demonic methods; one could only acquire them from Demonic Cultivators.

But since he didn’t know any Demonic Cultivators, he naturally had no such channels.