"Who gave this to you?"
"Who told you to wait for me here?" Chen Chang'an frowned as he asked.
"Senior!"
"I beg you..."
"Answer my question!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
"About a million years ago, a young man came to our Li Family and left behind this painting."
"He told us that after a million years, the Li Family would face an apocalyptic disaster."
"When that time came, if we brought this painting to Fengxian Mountain, we would meet the person who could save our family."
"Senior, you must save our Li Family, please!"
Hearing this, Chen Chang'an took a deep breath. Unsurprisingly, the young man who visited the Li Family was likely Chen Tian.
But why would Chen Tian want him to help this family? What benefit would he gain from it?
"Get up first."
"Senior, if you don’t agree, then I—"
"I hate being threatened."
"Understood, Senior!"
The moment these words were spoken, Li Yuntian immediately stood up without hesitation. Even a moment’s delay would have felt disrespectful to this life-saving benefactor.
"Tell the others to stand up too."
"Of course."
"All of you, rise."
Chen Chang'an walked to the side and sat cross-legged on the ground. Glancing at Li Yuntian, he asked curiously, "Why did he tell you to seek me out?"
"You can see for yourself—my cultivation is only at the Quasi-Immortal Realm, First Layer."
Chen Chang'an’s cultivation level had not escaped Li Yuntian’s notice. A mere Quasi-Immortal Realm, First Layer. In fact, the Li Family hadn’t taken the young man’s words seriously back then.
After all, it was a million years ago. Who could predict what would happen after so long?
Still, the Li Family had kept the portrait just in case. Unexpectedly, the young man’s prediction had come true.
"Yes, precisely Quasi-Immortal Realm, First Layer. That’s what the young man said back then."
"Despite your low cultivation level, your strength is extraordinary. You can help our Li Family."
"He also mentioned that if you aid us, you’ll receive something that will interest you," Li Yuntian said respectfully.
Something that interests him?
What exactly did he find interesting?
Chen Chang'an himself didn’t know the answer. He lived freely, without strong preferences or aversions.
His philosophy was to go with the flow.
Back in the Tai Xuan Realm, what he had sought were the Embryonic Pearls. But now that he had collected them all, what else could possibly pique his interest?
"What is this thing?" Chen Chang'an asked curiously.
"I don’t know."
Hmm?
He didn’t know?
"Senior, the young man said back then that this item is closely connected to you."
"But it isn’t in the possession of our Li Family."
If it wasn’t with the Li Family, then why should he help them? Was this just busywork assigned to him for no reason?
"If the thing isn’t with your family, why should I help you?"
"Do I strike you as someone who goes around doing charity work?" Chen Chang'an said impatiently.
"Brat, our ancestor begging you is already giving you face."
"Don’t push your luck!"
"Silence!"
"Return to the Li Family and meditate in seclusion for a hundred years."
"Ancestor, I—"
"Make it two hundred!"
Li Yuntian’s words instantly silenced the outspoken disciple. If he kept talking, who knew how many more years would be added?
"Senior, my apologies. It’s my fault for failing to discipline them properly," Li Yuntian said remorsefully.
Li Yuntian’s attitude was indeed respectful, but that wasn’t enough reason for Chen Chang'an to help. Moreover, he despised being manipulated by Chen Tian’s schemes.
"Senior, to be honest, I don’t know what I can offer to persuade you to help our Li Family."
"I don’t even know what would tempt you."
"But our family truly needs your assistance."
"Name your terms—if it’s within our power, we’ll agree to anything," Li Yuntian pleaded, his gaze fixed on Chen Chang'an.
"First, tell me what kind of trouble your family is in."
"Very well."
Through Li Yuntian’s explanation, Chen Chang'an learned the full story.
The Li Family wasn’t particularly weak, but as the family’s ancestor, Li Yuntian’s strength only reached the Golden Immortal Realm’s peak.
The family had offended one of the Five Great Immortal Sects—the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect. There was no deep-seated grudge; the sect simply wanted to annex the Li Family.
Initially, the Li Family had been considering the offer. But they later discovered that the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect’s ancestor had a peculiar cultivation habit—using women as cauldrons.
The reason they wanted to absorb the Li Family was because the family had many female members, all with decent talent.
This would be the destruction of their lineage. No matter what, the Li Family could never agree.
The Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect had issued an ultimatum: if the Li Family didn’t submit within three months, they would be exterminated.
Left with no other choice, the Li Family recalled the prophecy from a million years ago and brought the portrait to Fengxian Mountain.
"Even the conflicts you’re involved in—he knew about those too?"
"That guy is way too creepy," Da Huang muttered, glancing at Chen Chang'an.
During the Scarlet Moon Secret Realm expedition, though Chen Chang'an had represented the Huan Hua Immortal Sect, many events had unfolded under his direction.
There was indeed hostility between him and the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect.
The enemy of his enemy could be considered a friend. But what Chen Chang'an cared about more was—what was Chen Tian’s intention behind this arrangement?
Would destroying the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect grant him what he desired?
"Senior… can you save our Li Family?" Li Yuntian asked nervously.
At this point, it wasn’t a question of capability—it was whether Chen Chang'an was willing.
"Are you absolutely certain you don’t know what that item is?" Chen Chang'an pressed.
"I truly don’t."
"Back then, he only left behind those words and this portrait."
"Our family does have some treasures, but nothing particularly extraordinary."
Chen Chang'an’s brow furrowed. He then turned his gaze to the portrait. Li Yuntian, perceptive as ever, quickly handed it over.
"The craftsmanship is impressive."
"But there’s no hidden secret here."
After inspecting it, Chen Chang'an confirmed that aside from the lifelike depiction, the painting held no special properties.
"Take me to the Li Family. I need to see what your family possesses."
"Of course, Senior! Please follow me."
Chen Tian wouldn’t have sought out the Li Family without reason. Chen Chang'an suspected that what he needed was within the family’s holdings—not the Blazing Heaven Immortal Sect’s.
"So, what’s your plan?"
"Are you going to help or not?" Da Huang asked curiously.
"I’m not sure yet. I haven’t made up my mind."
"What I’m more curious about is—what exactly is this ‘thing’ Chen Tian claims will interest me?"