I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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"One hundred and fifty-five years old, eighth level of Foundation Establishment."

Lan Chang'an felt the powerful lake of mana within him, having expanded by about thirty percent.

Since this wasn't a breakthrough to a new minor realm, the "quality" of his magical power hadn’t changed, so his strength hadn't improved significantly. He had simply progressed further within the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"At this rate, I should reach the ninth level of Foundation Establishment by around age one hundred and seventy," Lan Chang'an speculated.

In theory, Foundation Establishment cultivators could attempt Core Formation once they reached the ninth level. However, most cultivators would strive to stabilize their Foundation at the peak of the ninth level, spending at least two to three years to maximize their chances of success.

Back then, Fu Xuemei had rushed into Core Formation shortly after reaching the ninth level without taking the time to consolidate her foundation. This lack of preparation affected the quality of her final Core. Even so, due to her earth spiritual root, she managed to form a True Dan after some mental fortitude and adjustments.

But Lan Chang'an's situation was different.

He planned to take a unique path of "Core Melting and Reformation," aiming to shatter and reform his Core—a process that required extreme care and wasn’t to be undertaken lightly.

For his first attempt at Core Formation, he didn’t need to push for a perfected Foundation Establishment. If his Core was too high in quality, it would only increase the difficulty and risk of shattering it later on. To play it safe, it would be best to follow Zhang Tieshan's example and form a Fake Dan initially.

...

A few days later, Lan Chang'an emerged from seclusion and made his way through an underground tunnel to the bottom of the deep pool behind his residence.

He first checked on the growth of the Xuanmu Vine.

The vine showed almost no signs of growth, and the small fruit on it was withered, turning yellowish-black and lifeless.

"It seems that the 'Xuantian Gourd' mentioned in the records of Tinghai Pavilion has failed to fully form..."

Even Lan Chang'an's Evergreen Technique was powerless to save it. He had tried expending some of his lifespan to nourish the withered fruit, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response at all.

Fortunately, the life force of the vine itself had stabilized, and a small segment of green on the vine was even more vibrant than before.

Compared to the almost completely withered state it was in when he first found it in the ancient ruins, its current condition was a considerable improvement.

Lan Chang'an then turned to the Profound Water Turtle nearby, feeding it his Evergreen mana to promote its growth.

Over the years, the Profound Water Turtle had diligently guarded the gourd vine, watering it regularly, and thus rarely came to absorb Lan Chang'an’s excess spiritual energy during his cultivation sessions. Lan Chang'an suspected that the Xuanmu Vine provided some sort of benefit that the Profound Water Turtle found more desirable than his Evergreen Technique.

Under the combined effects of the Evergreen spiritual power and the gourd vine, the Profound Water Turtle’s growth had far outpaced that of its peers.

Normally, a Profound Water Turtle would require four to five hundred years to reach the True Dan stage. Lan Chang'an estimated that his turtle would likely reach that stage in half the time.

"As a creature with earth-grade bloodline, this turtle’s potential far surpasses that of the Earth Burrowing Rat. Plus, with the unknown benefits from the gourd vine, who knows what quality of Core it might eventually form?" Lan Chang'an mused with anticipation.

He returned to his estate.

Xia Wenyue was waiting outside the door, seeking an audience.

"Come in," Lan Chang'an waved, opening the door.

Xia Wenyue entered with a respectful bow, saying, "Master Lan, a clan member has just sent word that a Foundation Establishment cultivator is here to visit you outside Qingsha Bay."

"Did they give their name?"

"No, they’ve concealed their appearance," Xia Wenyue replied.

Lan Chang'an was about to refuse.

"The visitor claims to be an old friend from the Liang Kingdom," Xia Wenyue quickly added.

"An old friend from the Liang Kingdom?"

Lan Chang'an pondered for a moment before nodding and instructing Xia Wenyue to bring the visitor in.

In that brief pause, he had sent the Earth Burrowing Rat to investigate and had detected a familiar aura.

The visitor was indeed an old acquaintance with whom he shared a certain level of friendship.

...

A quarter of an hour later.

Xia Wenyue returned, accompanied by a wide-robed cultivator wearing a conical hat and a veil of green gauze.

The figure’s entire body was wrapped in their robe, making it difficult to discern their gender.

Xia Wenyue tactfully withdrew, closing the side hall door behind her.

Through the faint green gauze of the hat, Lan Chang'an caught a glimpse of a pair of dark eyes and smiled faintly. "Miss Shen, it’s been twenty years. How have you been?" ℟

At his words, the figure in the wide robe froze briefly, then removed the conical hat and veil.

Beneath the hat was the face of a woman, looking around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old.

Her features were still pleasant, but crow’s feet had begun to appear around her eyes, and her once-fair skin was now marred with dark spots, her once-bright eyes now carrying a deep and quiet look that only comes from years of experience.

Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a moment of surprise. It was difficult to reconcile the image of the gentle and beautiful woman he remembered with the "mature lady" standing before him now.

"Talisman Master Lan, you must find this laughable. I am old and worn, married with children, hardly deserving of the title 'Miss' anymore."

Shen Bixin’s voice was calm, though it carried a trace of bitterness and melancholy.

"There’s no need to dwell on appearances, Miss Shen. For us cultivators, external beauty is just a facade, nothing more," Lan Chang'an replied warmly, raising a hand to invite Shen Bixin to sit.

Shen Bixin was the eldest daughter of the Tengxing Merchant Association from the Liang Kingdom and had once collaborated with Lan Chang'an in business dealings.

They first met when Jiang Yechen brought an unconscious Shen Bixin to Wuqi Mountain seeking treatment.

Shen Bixin had once been in love with Jiang Yechen, but her elders at the merchant guild opposed their relationship.

In the end, she married Song Wenshu, a man with an impressive background tied to the Flame Departing Palace and a promising future.

As Shen Bixin sat down, Lan Chang'an subtly observed her, noticing that her cultivation had stagnated at the peak of late Foundation Establishment.

"Her vitality is diminished, and her spiritual energy is stagnant."

Lan Chang'an deduced that she had likely failed in her Core Formation attempt, suffering a backlash that had severely injured her, weakening her foundation.

Otherwise, with Shen Bixin’s wealth, she would have been able to use Youth Retaining Pills to slow down her aging.

This was actually a relatively fortunate outcome.

Some cultivators who fail at Core Formation die on the spot, while others experience a drastic drop in their cultivation level. Both outcomes are not uncommon.

In truth, Shen Bixin had decent talent and a more advantageous background than the average cultivator.

By rights, forming a Fake Dan should not have been too difficult for her.

At least from Lan Chang'an's perspective, she seemed to have a better chance than Fairy Shi when she hadn't yet become a third-rank formation master.

But the cultivation world is unpredictable, and success is never guaranteed. Failure is simply part of the risk.

"How has Fellow Daoist Song been?" Lan Chang'an changed the topic to avoid poking at Shen Bixin’s past failure.

Song Wenshu, as an elite of Flame Departing Palace, was well-connected, and Lan Chang'an had some acquaintance with him.

"Wenshu… he died in the cultivation war a few years ago."

Shen Bixin’s gaze dimmed, her face filled with sorrow.

"Song Wenshu... died in battle?"

Lan Chang'an’s expression faltered. He hadn’t intended to bring up such a painful topic.

The war in the Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world had claimed many lives.

Numerous True Dan and Fake Dan cultivators had perished.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were hardly noteworthy among the casualties unless they were personally known.

As a result, Lan Chang'an was only now learning of Song Wenshu’s death.

"When did you come to Jing Kingdom, Fellow Daoist Shen?"

"My merchant guild, the Tengxing Merchant Association, had already started relocating some of its direct lineage and assets to Jing Kingdom before the war in the Liang Kingdom broke out… Three years ago, I brought my husband’s remains and our children with the guild’s core members to establish ourselves here."

Shen Bixin recounted her story from recent years.

Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly. The Tengxing Merchant Association had made preparations in advance, setting up contacts and businesses in Jing Kingdom.

With that, it was easier for them to facilitate the relocation of cultivators from the Liang Kingdom.

...

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you concealed your identity to visit me today. Surely, it isn’t just to catch up, is it?"

Half an hour later, after learning about Shen Bixin’s turbulent life over the past twenty years, Lan Chang'an finally got to the main point.

"Talisman Master Lan, do you still remember the favor you owe me from back then?"

Shen Bixin looked him in the eye.

"Of course."

Lan Chang'an nodded without hesitation.

He did indeed owe Shen Bixin a favor.

Back in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he needed a batch of materials, including rare third-rank items, to speed up his body refinement. Shen Bixin’s guild had helped him gather the resources.

At the time, Shen Bixin hadn’t requested any payment from Lan Chang'an, asking only for a promise in return.

"Talisman Master Lan, I knew you were a man of integrity," Shen Bixin said, showing a rare smile.

"So, are you here to redeem that favor today, Fellow Daoist Shen?"

"No, I’m not at a dead end yet. I only mentioned it to verify Talisman Master Lan’s character," Shen Bixin replied, her tone serious. "This time, I’m here on behalf of someone else. What I’m about to discuss must remain confidential, whether or not anything comes of it."

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Lan Chang'an activated an isolation barrier around them.

They exchanged a long conversation through sound transmission, their lips constantly moving.

"The grandson of Elder Wang from Flame Departing Palace, Wang Feng?"

Lan Chang'an was surprised but kept a straight face.

It turned out that the "Young Master Wang" who had snuck across the border years ago was actually named Wang Feng, a prized talent with an earth spiritual root nurtured by Flame Departing Palace.

Wang Feng's grandfather, Elder Wang, was one of the top three powerholders in Flame Departing Palace, with a cultivation at the peak of late Core Formation Realm.

Elder Wang's strength was certainly beyond what Lan Chang'an had achieved in his previous life. Wang Feng had once been acquainted with Song Wenshu, who had eagerly sought his friendship.

Having married into the Flame Departing Palace, Shen Bixin had also met Wang Feng once or twice.

A few months ago, the now Foundation Establishment-level "Young Master Wang" sought her out for assistance.

He had two requests:

First, to use the connections of a local merchant guild in the Jing Kingdom to return to Flame Departing Palace in the Liang Kingdom.

Second, to find a skilled healer to help him recover from the hidden injuries he’d suffered during his cultivation decline.

If she could help him, Wang Feng promised generous rewards and even the possibility of a favor from a late-stage Core Formation Immortal in Flame Departing Palace.

"My guild is not well-established in Jing Kingdom; we’re barely getting by and face pressure from hostile forces. I simply cannot fulfill either of Young Master Wang’s requests," Shen Bixin explained.

Lan Chang'an’s gaze flickered. He sensed Shen Bixin’s ulterior motive.

With her husband, Song Wenshu, having ties to Flame Departing Palace, Shen Bixin no doubt wanted to use her connections with Wang Feng and Elder Wang for the benefit of her descendants.

Certainly, the current war was not going in favor of Flame Departing Palace.

But even if they lost and withdrew from Liang Kingdom, a Nascent Soul-level sect like Flame Departing Palace still had a foundation far exceeding that of smaller sects like Jin Yun Valley.

"Important figures like Elder Wang and Young Master Wang... I’m afraid they’re a bit out of my reach," Lan Chang'an replied, declining politely.

Shen Bixin was merely a mediator in this matter, so he wasn’t bound to repay his favor just yet.

He didn’t lack spirit stones or techniques, and he already had everything he needed for Core Formation. He had no interest in currying favor with Elder Wang or Young Master Wang.

Moreover, given that Wang Feng had been hunted by the demonic sect in the past, there were risks involved.

"Young Master Wang mentioned that if Talisman Master Lan agrees to help, part of his reward will include a piece of third-rank superior-grade spiritual bamboo," Shen Bixin added.

Hearing this, Lan Chang'an’s interest was piqued.

Even in his past life as a Core Formation cultivator, obtaining third-rank superior-grade spiritual bamboo was no easy feat.

At the largest auction in the Liang Kingdom, he had once managed to acquire some third-rank mid-grade spiritual wood, but he wasn't sure about crafting third-rank treasure talismans at that time. He still had that wood stored away.

A treasure talisman that started from third-rank, if properly nurtured, would have immeasurable power.

Moreover, Lan Chang'an’s cultivation technique was wood-based, and superior-grade spiritual bamboo would be an excellent material for crafting a powerful wood-element magical treasure.

"If Talisman Master Lan is interested, please go to the Xunxian Residence in Cloudsmoke Immortal City within the next half month… Young Master Wang will meet you in person."

"Alright, I’ll consider it."

Lan Chang'an gave no direct promise.

He was curious about how Wang Feng, whom he had last seen in such a sorry state, could now offer such a generous reward.

...

After discussing the serious matters, the atmosphere relaxed, and the two chatted about old times.

Years ago, the three peak masters of Wuqi Mountain—Lan Chang'an, Fairy Shi, and Ye Fei—all had a good rapport with Shen Bixin and shared business dealings.

Back then, Shen Bixin was gentle and elegant, even catching the eye of Little Pill Peak’s Ye Fei.

"By the way, how is Fellow Daoist Jiang?" Lan Chang'an suddenly thought of Jiang Yechen, the man Shen Bixin had truly loved.

Jiang Yechen possessed a rare soul-path treasure. If not for his help, Fairy Shi wouldn’t have regained her memories, and Lan Chang'an and her might have missed out on a significant opportunity in the ancient ruins.

At the very least, Fairy Shi wouldn’t have become a third-rank formation master as smoothly.

"Jiang Yechen… I no longer have the right to see him," Shen Bixin said, her face downcast, the once-delicate skin now marked with lines of worry.

Lan Chang'an detected a hint of something off.

Shen Bixin hadn’t said "I don’t have the face to see him," but rather, there was a trace of lingering regret and sorrow in her tone.

"A few years ago, he achieved True Dan and turned down invitations from the various major sects of the Liang Kingdom. He has since gone on a journey to other countries…"

"Jiang Yechen reached True Dan?"

Lan Chang'an was visibly moved and looked at Shen Bixin.

He quickly pieced it together.

Years ago, Shen Bixin had given up on her true love, Jiang Yechen, to marry Song Wenshu, who had a promising background.

In the end, Song Wenshu died in battle, leaving Shen Bixin a widow.

Meanwhile, the once-rebellious and dismissed Jiang Yechen had actually achieved True Dan!

And interestingly...

Jiang Yechen’s breakthrough to True Dan and Song Wenshu’s death both seemed to have occurred around the same time.

Jiang Yechen was the first of Lan Chang'an’s old acquaintances in this life to successfully reach True Dan.

Although their friendship wasn’t deep.

There was also Zhang Tieshan, but there had been no news of him for years.

The difficulty of forming a True Dan was far higher than that of a Fake Dan.

In many immortal cities, Fake Dan cultivators were common, but True Dan cultivators were rare.

...

Soon, Shen Bixin, visibly downcast, took her leave.

Lan Chang'an understood; he had inadvertently reopened an old wound for her.

He hadn’t done it on purpose, though.

How could he have known that Shen Bixin’s life over the past twenty years had been so tumultuous?

"Take care, Fellow Daoist Shen."

Lan Chang'an watched as Shen Bixin’s thin figure, concealed by her loose robes and green gauze veil, flew away from Autumnwind Isle.

She had concealed her identity for this visit, likely out of concern that matters involving Wang Feng might implicate Lan Chang'an.

According to her, Wang Feng had been heavily pursued in the past. Although the merchant guilds hadn't issued an official bounty, some factions secretly cooperated with the demonic sect's actions.

In recent years, however, the pursuit had subsided, giving him room to breathe as he restored much of his cultivation.

Seven days later.

Lan Chang'an publicly announced that he would be going into seclusion, leaving an "Illusory Truth Talisman" projection in his secluded chamber to simulate his aura.

Using the Earth Burrowing Rat’s earth-burrowing ability, he discreetly left the Xia Family’s territory in Qingsha Bay without anyone noticing.

If it had been before the Earth Burrowing Rat reached the third-rank, Lan Chang'an would have avoided meeting with Wang Feng under his real identity.

After all, this involved high-ranking figures from the Liang Kingdom.

But now he felt fewer qualms.

With the allure of third-rank superior-grade spiritual bamboo, he didn't mind meeting with Wang Feng.

...

In Cloudsmoke Immortal City, at the Xunxian Residence.

This was the place where Lan Chang'an had first encountered the fallen "Young Master Wang" in Jing Kingdom.

At the time, Wang Feng hadn’t known Lan Chang'an's real identity.

The inn's formation barrier could at most obstruct the spiritual sense of a Fake Dan cultivator.

But with his Nine Seal Stele and the aid of his soul imprint from his past life, Lan Chang'an's True Dan-level spiritual sense quickly saw through the setup.

"It seems this Wang Feng has learned caution after being hunted for so long."

Lan Chang'an noticed that in the room they had arranged for the meeting, Wang Feng had left a false projection talisman.

The real Wang Feng was disguised as a servant, discreetly watching the room from a distance.

Lan Chang'an confirmed that there were no ambushes near the inn.

The highest-ranked cultivator in the inn was a Fake Dan, currently "entertaining" a pair of twin female cultivators.

Lan Chang'an didn’t follow Wang Feng’s cautious steps.

Instead, he rented an upper-level private room in the inn and then approached Wang Feng directly, summoning him to his own room.

"Boy, come to this grandpa’s room and give me a massage! Do a good job, and I’ll reward you with spirit stones."

Disguised as a burly, bearded man, Lan Chang'an tugged at the bemused Wang Feng, who was playing the role of a servant.

Nearby servants and maids looked on in horror as the bearded man dragged the thin-armed, slim Wang Feng into his private suite.

The upper-level rooms in the Xunxian Residence were private, standalone buildings with their own courtyards.

Inside the main room, Lan Chang'an and Wang Feng faced each other.

"Sir, you are…?"

"Yes, I’m the one you’re looking for."

Lan Chang'an’s aura shifted, revealing his true appearance.

"I am Wang Feng, honored to meet Talisman Master Lan," Wang Feng said, removing his headscarf and bowing. His face blurred momentarily, revealing the features of a handsome, sharp-faced young man.

It was a stark contrast from the arrogant, slick-haired youth on the spirit ship of Jiuchen Merchant Association all those years ago.

Back then, he had concealed his true appearance, even using a fake surname.

Lan Chang'an didn’t know what Wang Feng’s original appearance was, but after years of hardship, his personality had likely changed.

"Young Master Wang, there’s one thing I’m curious about," Lan Chang'an said, maintaining his calm and observing Wang Feng’s condition.

"Please, Talisman Master Lan, ask away."

Wang Feng’s attitude was respectful, devoid of any arrogance befitting the grandson of a Flame Departing Palace elder.

"I heard from Fellow Daoist Shen that you intend to return to Flame Departing Palace in Liang Kingdom. But given the chaos and danger in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world, this doesn’t seem like a wise choice."

From Lan Chang'an’s perspective, he would certainly avoid returning to Liang Kingdom unless absolutely necessary.

Wang Feng laughed heartily, "Talisman Master Lan speaks wisely! In fact, just recently, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided not to return to Liang Kingdom!"