Chapter 380: Chapter 229: Marvelous Use of the Wood Seed, Arrival of the Demon Sect

"Good news?"

Li Chang’an wore a smile, looking completely unguarded.

He waved his hand grandly.

Several glints of Spiritual Light flew out from his Storage Pouch, transforming into a Jade Table, pastries, and Spirit Tea.

"Daoist Xie, and you three Daoists from the Cyan Cloud Sect, if it’s good news, please come down and tell me the details."

"Very well!"

Xie Jiang nodded and landed in the courtyard with the other three.

His expression was impassive as his eyes swept over the surroundings, taking in the layout of Changqing Mountain.

Then, the five of them sat around the Jade Table.

Xie Jiang, looking amicable, was the first to speak.

"Daoist Li, you’ve lived on the Cui Ping Mountain Spirit Vein for so many years, you could be considered one of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s own."

Hearing this, Li Chang’an took a sip of his Spirit Tea and said nothing.

Xie Jiang continued, "Though we’ve had our disagreements, that’s all in the past. I’ve come today to formally invite you to join the Cyan Cloud Sect."

He began to list the various benefits and perks of joining the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Not only would he receive a large number of Spirit Stones and other Cultivation Immortality resources every month, but he could also listen to Golden Core seniors explain their Cultivation Insights.

Li Chang’an still refused.

He stated that he only wanted to conduct trade and had no desire to be bound by a Sect’s rules.

"Daoist Li, are you certain you don’t wish to join our Cyan Cloud Sect?"

Xie Jiang was still smiling, but his tone had gained a hint of coldness.

Li Chang’an shook his head. "The Sect is fine, but I prefer being an idle wanderer of the mountains."

"In that case, you’ll have to forgive us!"

The words had barely left his mouth when an aura of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment erupted from Xie Jiang.

"Li Chang’an, back then you ignored my warnings and killed Cao Zhengxiong, an Honored Guest Elder of my Cyan Cloud Sect. Did you really think we would just let it go? Today is the day of reckoning!"

The other three Cyan Cloud Sect Elders exchanged a look, and the auras of the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment surged from their bodies.

They were just about to make their move and capture Li Chang’an.

But suddenly, everyone’s expression changed.

An immense pressure suddenly descended from the sky, pinning them in place and rendering them immobile!

Li Chang’an said nonchalantly, "You gentlemen certainly are confident, daring to step into a Tier Three Grand Array."

"A Tier Three Grand Array?!"

Xie Jiang’s heart trembled, and his face turned deathly pale.

The other three also showed looks of horror, staring at their surroundings in disbelief.

When they arrived, they hadn’t detected the presence of any Array at all.

They had guessed there would be an Array, but they assumed it would be a Tier Two Top Grade at most. Using their Array-Breaking Treasures, they could have shattered it by working together!

But the Array’s Tier far exceeded their expectations.

"Li Chang’an, how do you have a Tier Three Grand Array?"

Xie Jiang couldn’t believe it, his voice tinged with a tremor.

"Could it be... you’ve sided with the Ten Thousand Swords Sect and the Red Flame Sect?"

Li Chang’an couldn’t be bothered to answer, instead directly pulling the four of them into his cave residence.

The next instant.

The entrance to the cave residence sealed shut, cutting it off from the outside world.

Li Chang’an sat deep within the cave, circulating the Wood Seed Technique. A verdant green Wood Seed immediately appeared in his hand.

"Go!"

With a single thought, the Wood Seed shot forward.

Their gazes fixed on the Wood Seed.

A sense of foreboding rose in the hearts of Xie Jiang and the other three.

As they watched, the Wood Seed flew straight toward Xie Jiang, transformed into a streak of green light, and merged into his body.

"Li Chang’an, what is this?"

Xie Jiang’s heart was filled with terror, and he grew increasingly frantic.

The instant after he finished asking, the Wood Seed took root and sprouted just beneath his heart.

Countless tender green tendrils emerged from the Wood Seed, like tiny worms burrowing into his flesh, organs, bones, and Meridians.

Throughout this process, Xie Jiang felt no discomfort.

But he grew ever more terrified, feeling as though a monster was growing wildly inside him, plundering his life force.

After just a few moments, the dense network of fine tendrils had occupied every part of his body, almost becoming one with him, completely inseparable.

Just then.

Xie Jiang suddenly felt the terrifying pressure that had been holding him immobile vanish.

His body relaxed, and he regained his freedom of movement.

’Escape!’

Without the slightest hesitation, Xie Jiang immediately activated a Magic that burned his lifespan, rushing toward the cave entrance.

In his eyes, the Li Chang’an of this moment was nothing but a bizarre and monstrous creature.

He had no courage to fight whatsoever.

He only wanted to get as far away as possible!

However, before his lifespan could even begin to burn, the process was inexplicably interrupted!

Furthermore, he once again lost control of his body. He turned around unnaturally, walked slowly to Li Chang’an, and bowed.

"I, Xie Jiang, pay my respects to Daoist Li."

He wore a smile, looking exactly as he had when he first arrived.

But inside, Xie Jiang was filled with terror.

’I never even thought of saying that, yet the words came out of my mouth uncontrollably!’

Right now, his every action and word had fallen under Li Chang’an’s control.

He couldn’t even send out a sliver of his Divine Sense, as his Sea of Consciousness was also overgrown with the dense, fine tendrils.

Although he still had his self-awareness, he had become a Puppet dancing on someone else’s strings!

’What kind of Magic is this?’

Xie Jiang was utterly horrified, on the verge of despair.

’Am I doomed to spend the rest of my life in this conscious yet agonizing state as a Puppet?’

At this thought, Xie Jiang’s heart filled with regret.

’If I had known Li Chang’an possessed such terrifying Magic, I never would have come to provoke him.’

At that moment, Xie Jiang suddenly felt his entire body relax once more.

He had regained control over his own body.

"Li Chang’an, let me go! I’m willing to pay any price!"

Xie Jiang, his face a mask of terror, spoke hastily, terrified of becoming a Puppet again.

Li Chang’an said calmly, "Daoist Xie, I have a few questions for you. If you answer them well, I will naturally let you go."

"Yes, yes! Ask away! I’ll answer anything I know!"