Proving Immortality Starting with Hextech Runes

Chen Xu was puzzled when he heard the voice, and his divine sense instantly swept across the outside of the cave.

"Li Yuan? How did he find his way here?" Chen Xu frowned slightly.

I've dealt with this person a few times before, but his identity remains a mystery. His sudden appearance today is of no concern to me...

He then got up, put Little Gold back into his Beast Taming Ring, checked the cave for anything that shouldn't be there, and then waved to remove part of the formation before leaving.

Outside the cave, a middle-aged cultivator stood with his hands behind his back, wearing his usual polite smile; it was Li Yuan.

His aura was restrained, and his cultivation seemed to be even more profound than when they last met.

Chen Xu spoke calmly, cupping his hands in greeting, "Fellow Daoist Li? May I ask what brings you here?"

When Li Yuan saw Chen Xu come out, his smile widened even more, and he returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Fellow Daoist Chen, I apologize for disturbing you."

"I have come here because I wish to discuss something with Fellow Daoist Chen. It is not convenient to speak here..."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Would it be convenient to go inside and discuss this in detail?"

"It's inconvenient," Chen Xu replied without hesitation.

"Uh..." Li Yuan's smile froze instantly, clearly not expecting Chen Xu to refuse so decisively.

Li Yuanqian then coughed and put on a smile again: "Hehe, Fellow Daoist Chen is truly... straightforward. I was being presumptuous."

"In that case... how about we go to Zuixianlou for a meal? It's on me, as an apology for my rudeness earlier."

"Alright." Chen Xu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

……

In the private room of Zuixianlou, Li Yuan had clearly spared no expense, as the table was laden with delicacies.

For an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator, this table would be considered a luxury.

However, Chen Xu simply picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, his face showing little emotion.

At this moment, Li Yuan's smile faded slightly, and he became serious.

He took out four array flags from his storage bag and set up a small array in the private room.

After setting up the formation, Li Yuan lowered his voice and said:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, to be honest, my unauthorized visit today is due to an extraordinary opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu laughed, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Fellow Daoist Li, do you even believe what you're saying?"

"The two 'opportunities' you mentioned before cost countless lives. Don't tell me such things."

Li Yuan seemed to have anticipated Chen Xu's reaction, and immediately stood up, making a vow against his inner demons:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you are wise! I am well aware that past events have caused you to have doubts."

"But this opportunity is incomparable to the previous two."

"Li swears on his inner demons that if he has uttered even the slightest falsehood..."

"If this journey intends to harm Fellow Daoist Chen in any way, may my inner demons immediately retaliate, condemning me to eternal damnation and an inability to be reborn!"

When Chen Xu saw Li Yuan make such a solemn oath, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

After a brief silence, Chen Xu spoke slowly, his voice still somewhat wary: "The Cold Pine Sect has many inner disciples, and quite a few of them are quite strong. Why did they specifically target me?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan lowered his voice and said:

"Fellow Daoist Chen is too modest. To be honest, I only did some investigation after seeing that you won first place in the previous Inner Sect Trial..."

"Only now do I realize that Fellow Daoist Chen is truly a man of hidden talent. During the trial, talismans rained down, and with each stroke, he defeated his enemies with astonishing power."

"What's even more remarkable is your composure and meticulousness. It is this character and strength that is why I have come to you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu calmly retorted, "Fellow Daoist Li, you flatter me. This trial is merely a friendly exchange between fellow disciples; it shouldn't be taken too seriously."

"But what kind of fortuitous opportunity could make you, fellow Daoist, go to such lengths as to swear a solemn oath to bring me along?"

Li Yuan leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice even further: "Deep in the Qishan Mountains, there lies the ruins of an ancient sect."

"Ancient sect ruins!?" Chen Xu was also extremely surprised upon hearing this.

However, unaware of the dangers involved, and knowing that he had other ways to obtain the treasure, he was unwilling to take the risk.

At this point, Li Yuan continued, "We'll split the treasures we obtain fifty-fifty. What do you think, my friend?"

"Oh?" Chen Xu's voice remained calm.

"The depths of Qishan are now the heart of Moyun Valley. How can you possibly venture there, fellow Daoist?"

"Moreover... such an extraordinary opportunity, you're actually willing to share it equally with me?"

"I am truly terrified. I do not know what price I must pay to be worthy of such generosity from you, fellow Daoist?"

Seeing that Chen Xu showed no sign of being moved, Li Yuan thought to himself, "Seriously... he can't even win you over..."

He then explained, "Although there are some traps and restrictions, the two of us working together are enough to handle them."

"As for Moyun Valley, there's even less to worry about."

As he spoke, he took out two black tokens: "These are the identity tokens of inner disciples of Moyun Valley. With these, we will have no trouble passing through Qishan."

"This Li Yuan, does he have such great influence? He even managed to get an inner sect identity token from Moyun Valley?" Chen Xu thought to himself as he looked at the two black tokens.

Then he couldn't help but speak up:

"If I am unwilling to go with you to that ancient sect's ruins, is there any other way to obtain this Ink Cloud Valley identity token?"

Li Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then put away the two tokens, his voice becoming somewhat heavy:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, this identity token is of great importance. If it weren't for the ancient sect's ruins, would I have so easily taken it out?"

"Since you have no intention of joining forces to exchange for an identity token on your own... I'm afraid you can't afford the price."

If Li Yuan didn't directly refuse, then there's hope.

Chen Xu's eyes lit up, and he asked, "What price do you need? Brother Li, please tell me."

Li Yuan gave Chen Xu a deep look:

"Since Fellow Daoist Chen insists on this, then offer something in exchange."

"What is it?" Chen Xu's gaze narrowed slightly.

Li Yuan paused for a moment, then slowly uttered three words:

"Five Thunder Talisman..."

Upon hearing this request, Chen Xu thought, "That's it?"

He thought it would be some kind of demanding requirement, but it turned out to be just a second-tier talisman.

Seeing that Chen Xu's expression remained normal, Li Yuan added, "Is it the specially made Five Thunder Talisman that you mentioned before?"

"I can't even activate a regular Five Thunder Talisman, so this won't work."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu felt somewhat relieved and immediately took out a Five Thunder Talisman:

"If Fellow Daoist Li verifies that there is nothing wrong with it, then the token is mine."

Li Yuan took the Five Thunder Talisman, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

After confirming that everything was correct, a smile finally reappeared on his face, and he pushed over a black token engraved with the logo of Moyun Valley.

"Fellow Daoist Chen is very generous! Keep the token safe. With this, you are guaranteed unimpeded passage through Qishan."

"However, if you wish to travel to Yunzhou via Qishan, that will not work."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu's mind stirred slightly, and he asked in confusion, "What makes you say that, Fellow Daoist Li?"

Li Yuan put the Five Thunder Talisman back into his storage bag and explained, "Naturally, it's because there are several late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding the pass. There's absolutely no possibility for anyone other than a Core Formation cultivator to force their way through."

He then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, saying, "Since fellow Daoist's interests lie elsewhere, I will not insist. I will take my leave now. Until we meet again!"

Having said that, he decisively dispelled the minor array and turned to leave the private room.