Chapter 289: Chapter 174: Quack’s Return (Part 2)

Li Jizhou was quite curious about how Fei Chongzi managed to get Guagua agitated?

Otherwise, given Guagua’s nature, it wouldn’t be so relentless, pursuing it at all costs.

Suppressing the curiosity in his heart, Li Jizhou waited calmly.

After two years of leisurely cultivation, he had completely stabilized at the Middle Stage of Golden Core; whether in the reserves of magical power or in the momentum, it was incomparable to the past.

This time, he encountered no bottlenecks at the Middle Stage of Golden Core, leaving Li Jizhou with some anticipation for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

However, as he looked at the Golden Core firmly enveloped by the Celestial Dao Golden Net in his Dantian, it was like being doused with a bucket of cold water.

Now that he advanced to the Middle Stage of Golden Core, the Golden Core contained infinite power, appearing even more condensed, with the essence of the entire core beginning to gather towards its center.

Under normal circumstances, at the Late Stage of Core Formation, all the essence would gather in the core of the dan, then undergo a small Celestial Tribulation of four-nine phases, get validated by heaven and earth, transform in the dan core, and achieve the status of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

But the anomaly in Li Jizhou’s Golden Core left one almost despairing.

“Sigh~ No need to worry prematurely; do what can be done first!” Li Jizhou took a deep breath and suppressed the slight dismay.

Just at that moment, a familiar aura arrived outside the courtyard.

Li Jizhou opened the array.

“Ji Zhou.” An Liuli, as always, was graceful and noble, and her voice was gentle and amiable like that of an understanding elder sister.

“Fairy Liuli.” Li Jizhou smiled slightly, nodded naturally, and then took out the futon where An Liuli usually sat during discussions.

“Ji Zhou, today is not for discussion; there is something urgent.

You know I came from the Central State Dynasty, but you might not know I’ve always been avoiding an adversary from the dynasty.

I just received news that my enemy couldn’t hold back any longer and might come to kill me soon.

The great favor and virtue you’ve shown me I have yet to repay, and naturally, I can’t let you get caught in danger again. I’ve already negotiated with the Cyan Ape City Lord, and he bought a house in the inner courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion for you, which you can move into today.” Although An Liuli spoke with urgency, her tone remained as gentle and relaxed as always.

Li Jizhou raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at An Liuli with a hint of a smile.

Was he being favored by a wealthy lady?

What a generous move,

The inner courtyard houses in Guzhu City are hard to come by and not cheap.

Li Jizhou had already known that due to An Liuli’s identity, Guzhu True Monarch was wary of the Central State Dynasty, so it was previously stated that she could stay in Guzhu City long-term, but not in the inner city.

This time, An Liuli directly bought Li Jizhou a house in the inner city.

Purchased it!

As far as Li Jizhou knew, renting a house in the inner city for ten years required quasi-fourth tier materials, or tier-three advanced products.

As for purchasing, the price would be more than ten times higher.

However, Li Jizhou was not very willing to live in the inner city.

Though Guzhu True Monarch was elusive and rarely seen, living under their nose long-term would feel somewhat unsettling.

Especially now, with so many secrets.

Each could make anyone above Nascent Soul crazy.

A quasi-immortal artifact, potion of immortality…

An Liuli’s house, not only was it far from the inner city, but due to her identity, the City Lord of Guzhu specifically allowed her to discreetly arrange a Spirit Gathering Array below tier four.

An Liuli hadn’t set one up three years ago, but after removing the blood poison, she arranged a tier-three advanced Spirit Gathering Array.

For the past three years, the spiritual qi here was comparable to tier-three upper-grade Spirit Vein Land, most suitable for Li Jizhou’s cultivation now at the Middle Stage of Golden Core.

He didn’t want to give it up easily.

“May I ask, who will be coming?” Li Jizhou pondered for a moment, then asked.

An Liuli seemed a bit surprised.

Her beautiful eyes flickered as she replied, “Ji Zhou, to be honest, I am of the royal bloodline of the Moon Worship Dynasty from ten thousand years ago. My ancestors were imprisoned for several generations by the rebellious Cangming Dynasty. But it was only during my parents’ generation that we managed to establish ties with some key figures of the dynasty and regain our freedom.

We then went into seclusion at the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp.

However, within the Cangming Dynasty, various opinions remained, and recently, some factions eager to eliminate us raised old grievances again,

though these were not supported by the Cangming Saint Emperor, they might act on their own.”

“People from the Cangming Dynasty are coming?” Upon hearing this, Li Jizhou’s expression grew serious.

From years of interaction with An Liuli, he had a general idea of the situation in Central State.

If the Sacred Lands of the Eastern Desolation are deep-rooted, the nine dynasties of Central State can each rival the entire heritage of the Eastern Desolation’s Central Domain.

For the dynasty’s people to come, Li Jizhou couldn’t imagine what realm they might be.

An Liuli seemed to read his thoughts, smiling warmly and saying, “The Ten Thousand Poison Swamp has always been at odds with the dynasties of Central State. Especially since the Ten Thousand Poison Sect once had a significant conflict with a dynasty there, causing them great trouble with the power of one sect.

Since then, the dynasties of Central State are wary of the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp and typically do not provoke it lightly.

The Ten Thousand Poison Sect has declared that any dynasty cultivator of Nascent Soul or above daring to enter the swamp is provoking them.

This time, those sent will not include a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

At most, they’ll be at the Peak of Core Formation!”

“I see!” Li Jizhou nodded slightly, feeling much relieved.

Once he had a clear understanding, Li Jizhou temporarily declined An Liuli’s offer, as it was still uncertain whether they would come,

and even if they did, he wasn’t afraid if they were just at the Peak of Core Formation.

After all, An Liuli had mentioned she would seek allies if necessary.

Furthermore, after three years ago, when An Liuli’s blood poison was completely eradicated, she naturally progressed to the Late Stage of Core Formation, and in the past two years, she directly broke through to the Late Stage of Core Formation.

She herself was a significant force to reckon with.

Seeing that Li Jizhou chose to stay, An Liuli’s beautiful eyes once again glimmered with a unique light, and ultimately she didn’t insist.

After all, there was some assurance on her part!

Half a year later, Li Jizhou finally established a Divine Soul connection with Guagua, allowing telepathic communication.

The moment Guagua’s Divine Sense received Li Jizhou’s transmission, Li Jizhou, who had shared vision with Guagua, saw it halt instantly.

Even when the returning Fei Chongzi tried to lure it once more, it remained unmoved, just staying still.

Only after a long while did Guagua’s emotionally charged message finally reach Li Jizhou.

Its genuine emotions brought a slight smile to Li Jizhou’s lips; it wasn’t in vain that he occasionally worried.

Guagua expressed its longing for Li Jizhou, stating that it had been searching for him all these years and had gathered many good things for him…

Through their Divine Soul communication, Li Jizhou finally understood why Guagua was so relentless in pursuing Fei Chongzi.

It turned out Fei Chongzi couldn’t communicate with Guagua and kept luring it by snatching precious medicinal herbs found by Guagua.

This went on for half a month, with no end in sight.

Eventually, Guagua had enough!

Upon learning the truth, Li Jizhou immediately mediated between the two and expressed his longing for Guagua.

Especially the emotions displayed by Bai Yi whenever he inquired about Li Jizhou over the years, which Li Jizhou conveyed.

Guagua immediately became excited, speeding up to the limit with the guidance given by Li Jizhou…

“I wonder if the Fierce Puppet is still around?” After five years with the Divine Soul connection severed and in a place like Celestial Secret City, where Puppet Masters abounded, Li Jizhou didn’t hold out much hope.

In the days that followed, apart from normal cultivation and studying Gu Skills, his greatest joy was the Divine Soul connection with Guagua, allowing it to scout for treasures along its way back.

If he could gather some quasi-fourth tier puppet materials, he wouldn’t have to keep longing for that Fierce Puppet.

However, such opportunities weren’t easy to come by. After half a month with no results, delaying Guagua’s return, Li Jizhou eventually abandoned this plan.

Two months later, Li Jizhou received unexpected news.

A tier-three Earth Spirit Master emerged in Guzhu City!

The entire city erupted almost instantly.

Countless people brought lavish gifts to the dilapidated Liu family.

To congratulate Liu Hongling on successfully advancing to a tier-three Earth Spirit Master.

Numerous Immortal Seeking Teams offered generous recruitment terms.

Even the Cyan Ape City Lord of Guzhu City personally paid a visit.

However, the tier-three Earth Spirit Master Liu Hongling immediately took the Liu family members to Master Huangshi’s cottage.

But after calling for a long time, they received no response.

The previous incidents of An Ruoxi’s team and Hongtian’s team being wiped out were known to everyone, but few knew about Master Huangshi, who joined later, so no one knew his situation now.

Using his Divine Sense, Li Jizhou observed the Liu family’s grand gesture from the residence opposite, noticing Liu Hongling’s face of joy and gratitude, and nodded in satisfaction.

A tier-three Earth Spirit Master is definitely the most sought-after individual in the swamp—without comparison!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep