I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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In the past, Lan Chang'an would have ignored news about Chen Sheng. This time, however, hearing that the man had been beaten and had his leg broken, Lan Chang'an felt quite pleased and decided to go outside his cave dwelling for a stroll.

Between Little Turtle Peak and Xiao Pan Peak, Chen Sheng was in a sorry state: disheveled hair, dark circles under his eyes, nose caved, and blood dried at the corners of his mouth. His lower body had become a single "plank bridge," a severe injury that would significantly affect his strength in the Foundation Establishment Realm, making future advancement even more difficult.

"Manrong…"

"Even if you can't seek justice for me, can you at least lend me some spirit stones to heal my leg?"

Chen Sheng pleaded in vain outside Xiao Pan Peak for quite some time. Unfortunately, Shi Manrong has not returned to Wuqi Mountain recently.

"Fellow Daoist Lan! You're finally out! You must seek justice for me," Chen Sheng wailed, shifting his pleas toward Little Turtle Peak.

"That bastard Zheng Wu not only took over my family's remaining assets but also ambushed me and crippled this poor Chen."

Zheng Wu was the original name of Zheng Centipede.

"Are you sure it was Zheng Wu?" Lan Chang'an asked only after Chen Sheng's wailing had weakened.

"That bastard disguised himself, hiding his identity, but his aura can't fool this Chen," Chen Sheng shouted angrily.

"Oh, so you have no evidence?" Lan Chang'an lightly nodded and returned to his cave mansion, ignoring Chen Sheng, who was spitting and shouting outside the peak.

"This doesn't need evidence! Except for him, no other Foundation Establishment cultivators have any interest in harming me…"

Chen Sheng spent half a day seeking justice at Wuqi Mountain, eventually leaving in dejection.

Lan Chang'an pondered, "Zheng Centipede had a notorious reputation in his early years. Not killing Chen Sheng might be because he’s new here and doesn't want to be too ruthless, fearing leaving a bad impression. Also, he might worry about someone with lingering connections protecting Chen Sheng."

"Chen Sheng's leg was broken this time, if no one comes out and speaks up, it will be dangerous down the road."

...

A few days later.

Zheng Centipede visited with gifts.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I heard Chen Sheng had his leg crippled. You must not believe his side of the story…" Zheng Centipede feigned grievances, though his scarred and fierce face made it unconvincing.

"Well played," Lan Chang'an replied.

"Haha! If it weren't for Fairy Shi and Fellow Daoist Lan, I would have done more than just break one of his legs, I would've broken the third one too," Zheng Centipede sneered, dropping his pretense.

Fairy Shi just returned from her travels these past few days, so Zheng Wugong promptly visited Xiao Pan Peak next.

Fifteen minutes later, he came out, sighing. Fairy Shi didn't blame him for striking out to teach him a lesson but subtly suggested he leave Chen Sheng alive.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, although Chen Sheng had been a scoundrel, he hadn't engaged in conflicts of interest, and other Foundation Establishment cultivators had tolerated him out of respect for Fairy Shi.

During their conversation, Zheng Centipede learned that Fairy Shi had recently been cooperating with Huanglong Mountain, hired as an esteemed guest by Huanglong Immortal City. Such a background was beyond the reach of Zheng Centipede, who had just established himself, he dared not offend her.

...

Half a month later.

Lan Chang'an went to Huanglong Immortal City for a large auction, also planning to buy mid-grade second-rank puppet materials.

This time in Huanglong Immortal City, Lan Chang'an noticed a different atmosphere.

All areas of the city were reinforced with formations. The commercial streets were less bustling, and the prices of residential properties and cave dwellings had dropped collectively. Even so, many cultivators were leaving Huanglong Immortal City.

"There are signs of a beast tide. Unusually large groups of demon beasts are gathering on the outskirts of the Black Fog Mountain Range."

"Two months ago, the aura of a third-rank great demon was detected in the direction of the Black Fog Mountain Range…"

Lan Chang'an sat in a teahouse for a while and heard the related news. To be exact, the beast tide was only brewing and it was far from erupting.

There were also more foreign cultivators with a fierce aura in the city. While many cultivators avoided the beast tide, for some ambitious ones, it was a rare opportunity.

To deal with the beast tide, Huanglong Immortal City offered substantial rewards, inviting cultivators to defend the city and hunt demons. Formation masters, talisman makers, and artifact refiners were offered generous terms.

Huanglong Mountain, usually aloof, lowered its stance, becoming approachable. If one had mid to high-grade second-rank skills, they could even form connections with Huanglong Mountain’s inner circle.

...

Lan Chang'an, disguised, purchased some supplies in the city, including materials for puppets, talismans, and formations. He noticed that the prices of magical weapons had risen significantly, and those of talismans and pills had slightly increased. In contrast, the prices of low-grade beast materials had slipped somewhat.

It just so happened that Lan Chang'an had some stocks of magic weapons below the top superior-grade on hand, which were basically all stolen goods.

As for talisman materials, Lan Chang'an was in no hurry. Prices would likely drop further when the beast tide arrived.

Six days later.

Lan Chang'an, still disguised, attended the large auction in Huanglong.

"Fellow Daoist, your cultivation is quite advanced. May I know your name?"

"Would you be interested in joining our Huanglong Mountain demon-hunting team? The treatment and reward will definitely satisfy Your Excellency…"

To his amusement, upon entering the auction venue, his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation attracted Huanglong Mountain’s inner circle’s recruitment.

Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators were rare and considered high-end combat power outside of sects.

"I’m just here for the auction and have no interest in that," Lan Chang'an straightforwardly refused.

This auction wasn't as lively as previous ones, but some of the top superior-grade and supreme-grade magical weapons fetched higher prices than usual.

Lan Chang'an obtained two items he needed: a second-rank Life Extension Pill and an ample amount of second-rank superior-grade metal ore, sufficient for either crafting puppets or enhancing their strength.

...

After the auction, Lan Chang'an wasted no time leaving Huanglong Immortal City.

On his way out, he sensed rough cultivators lurking in the shadows, including evil cultivators concealing their aura.

Lan Chang'an had disguised his identity but didn’t hide his mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and the ordinary rouge cultivators didn't dare to strike him.

"Ah! Help…"

Along the way, he faintly heard sounds of fighting and cries for help.

"The beast tide is brewing, and Huanglong Mountain’s attention is diverted. All sorts of miscreants are coming out."

Lan Chang'an sensed the worsening security around Huanglong Immortal City, reflecting Huanglong Mountain’s declining control.

...

Back at Wuqi Mountain, Little Turtle Peak.

In the secret room, Lan Chang'an consumed his third second-rank Life Extension Pill.

Previously, the first and second pills had extended his life by twenty-three and eighteen years, respectively.

After taking the third pill, Lan Chang'an felt as if awakening from a cycle of years, clearly sensing an increase in his lifespan limit.

"Fourteen and a half years."

"The total lifespan at the Foundation Establishment Realm now reaches 450 years."

Lan Chang'an once again sensed a slight enhancement to the Evergreen mana within his body.

...

A year later.

Lan Chang'an circulated his Evergreen mana, nourishing twenty-four treasure talismans on a spirit wood table.

Three of the treasure talismans, which were made from quasi-third-rank talisman embryos, had been nurtured for more than seven years, and their power exceeded that of ordinary talismanic treasures, posing a threat to even False-Dan cultivators.

The other twenty-one were made from second-rank superior-grade talisman embryos, nurtured for over thirty years, with the weakest starting at the power of entry-level talismanic treasures. Of course, these treasure talismans were single-use. Regular talismanic treasures could be used several times.

After nurturing the talismans, Lan Chang'an and his Profound Water Turtle left the cave mansion.

Since Lan Chang'an reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment, the Profound Water Turtle’s cultivation speed has significantly increased, nearly twice as fast as its peers.

Lan Chang'an sensed that the turtle was approaching the limit of late first-rank.

The Profound Water Turtle was now nearly half a zhang wide, making it suitable as a spirit pet mount. However, a late first-rank Profound Water Turtle could only hover briefly. It needed to reach second rank to comfortably fly and travel carrying a rider.

Squeak!

The Earth Burrowing Rat brought over a letter.

Lan Chang'an read it. It was another letter from Mu Bingyun.

Over the past two years, Mu Bingyun had sent a letter every six months, reminiscing about the past, discussing the present, or seeking advice.

Lan Chang'an sometimes didn’t reply, and when in a good mood, he answered a question or two.

"Feiyue Lake’s Mu Family has stabilized."

Lan Chang'an sat on the Profound Water Turtle as the latter swam smoothly into the lotus pond with a slight sense of undulation.

After establishing Foundation, Mu Bingyun and Li Erqing maintained a respectful relationship. The Mu Family’s old faction, having a backbone, now had the confidence to contend with the Li faction for power and resources.

Both factions had Foundation Establishment cultivators, making the competition relatively fair.

Of course, the old grievances and conflicts between the new and old factions hadn’t fundamentally resolved, only achieving a relative balance.

Li Erqing’s descendants were reluctant to relinquish the vested interests within the Mu Family. But with reduced internal strife and two Foundation Establishment leaders, the Mu Family overall progressed.

...

Two days later.

Lan Chang'an received a sound transmission talisman from Little Pill Peak.

Alchemist Lin Ye invited Lan Chang'an for a visit.

Among Wuqi Mountain’s three main peaks, Little Pill Peak’s master had always had the highest status and seniority. He could even be called the Mountain Lord.

Arriving at Little Pill Peak, Lan Chang'an found Shi Manrong already there.

The three peak masters sat in the cave dwelling.

Given their individual busy schedules, such gatherings were rare.

Lin Ye, compared to thirty years ago, had aged significantly, now with a head full of white hair. Shi Manrong, however, looked the same: her black hair elegantly styled, her figure graceful, and her demeanor calm and serene. Lin Ye’s age was considerably greater, and it was rumored Shi Manrong had taken a Youth Retaining Pill years ago.

Their conversation was pleasant until Lin Ye announced a surprising news.

"Fellow Daoists, from now on, I’ll leave Wuqi Mountain to you. I’m planning to return to my homeland for retirement."

"Alchemist Lin, done joke, you confirm that you want to withdraw your lease and leave Wuqi Mountain?" Lan Chang'an froze for a moment and asked.

From his perception, Lin Ye had about sixty more years to live, possibly extended with Life Extension Pills. At such an age, some chose to fight for advancement, while others preferred a peaceful leave.

"I’ve already applied to the Jin Yun Valley’s steward. In the coming year, during the transition period, you two can discuss and choose a co-tenant."

Lin Ye’s decision to leave Wuqi Mountain was clearly well-considered. Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong did not attempt to dissuade him, only accepting this fact.

Shi Manrong remained unperturbed, "I’ll be spending more time at Huanglong Immortal City in the coming years, assisting Huanglong Mountain with formations, so I’ll rarely return to Wuqi Mountain."

"Fellow Daoist Lan, you can decide the co-tenant for the vacant main peak," she added.

Hearing their words, Lan Chang'an was caught off guard and somewhat speechless.

One senior alchemist decided to retire and leave Wuqi Mountain. Another formation genius was employed by Huanglong Immortal City, essentially on a long-term assignment, she relinquished her say and potentially leaving in the future. In this way, the decision-making power for the vacant peak’s new tenant fell to Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an hadn’t anticipated this turn of events.

After barely thirty years, he might become the most senior peak master on Wuqi Mountain.

(End of chapter)