I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Two months later, Yun Ling successfully advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.

After consolidating her cultivation, Yun Ling promptly made her way to the Mountain-Water Manor to express her gratitude. Accompanying her was her elder brother, Yun Hao.

"Mister Xu, this is Ling'er’s token of appreciation, along with a gift for the Water Jet Turtle."

Yun Ling wore a flowing pink-and-white gown, her delicate features adorned with a soft smile. Her lips were crimson and vibrant, exuding youthful charm.

She presented two items.

The first was an exquisitely carved jade sculpture of a man in green robes, whose demeanor and appearance were so lifelike that it seemed to capture his very essence.

Lan Chang'an glanced at it briefly and noted that the sculpture's image exuded an air of elegance and handsomeness surpassing his own self-image from his past life. It was as though the sculptor had added an extra layer of "beautification" to the work.

The jade used was high-quality second-rank spirit jade.

The second item was a large gift box containing refined spiritual beast food tailored to the tastes of turtles. In the desolate lands, such delicacies were exceedingly rare and valuable.

The Profound Water Turtle, upon receiving the beast food, stretched out its head to nuzzle Yun Ling's embroidered shoes and calves before happily devouring the treat with a big appetite.

In over a hundred years, Lan Chang'an had rarely seen the Profound Water Turtle with such a good appetite and mood.

"You went to such trouble."

Lan Chang'an smiled faintly and invited the Yun siblings to take a seat.

Fifteen years ago, when he first arrived at the River Source Oasis, the Yun siblings were only at the ninth and eighth layers of Qi-Refining, respectively.

Now, both had reached the Foundation Establishment stage—a level that, in smaller clans, would qualify them as revered ancestors.

Yun Hao, possessing high grade spiritual roots, was a favored descendent that Master Lihuo put attention to in this side of the Fengyuan Kingdom. He had a promising future, with the potential to reach the Core Formation stage.

Yun Ling's aptitude was decent, and her sharp mind and gentle demeanor allowed her to make significant progress under Lan Chang'an’s guidance, making her cultivation in the earlier stages much smoother.

Coupled with Granny Yun's special care, Yun Ling's cultivation advancement was not much slower than that of someone with high-grade spiritual roots.

Granny Yun emphasized tempering through trials and tribulations. From a young age, she exposed the siblings to the harsh realities of the lower ranks of cultivation, fostering their independence.

"After entering Foundation Establishment, Granny had us train around the oasis, hunting desert beasts and procuring supplies from smaller oases. My brother even encountered desert bandits recently and was injured in a fight. Fortunately, he had a life-saving escape talisman from Granny..."

Yun Ling's eyes sparkled as she recounted these experiences. Though her voice carried anticipation for future challenges, it also held a trace of apprehension.

Yun Hao, glancing at his radiant younger sister, secretly thought to himself:

"At home, you never talk this much or look so lively."

Lan Chang'an, speaking with a warm and calm tone, shared insights and experiences about navigating the cultivation world with the siblings.

The Yun siblings listened attentively, their respect for Lan Chang'an evident.

First, Lan Chang'an had gradually revealed his expertise as a third-rank alchemist over the years—a highly prestigious status in the barren and impoverished Fengyuan Kingdom.

Second, Granny Yun had hinted to them that Mister Xu might be a low-profile, reclusive Core Formation expert.

Under Lan Chang'an’s guidance, Yun Ling had achieved notable success in her cultivation.

Her elder brother, Yun Hao couldn't help but feel tempted to seek advice as well. However, his reserved nature made him feel awkward in the presence of such an esteemed expert.

Moreover, Yun Hao could tell that Mister Xu seemed to share a stronger affinity with his younger sister, offering her extra care and attention.

Initially, both Yun Hao and Granny Yun had suspected that Mister Xu might have taken a liking to the pretty little girl. However, over the years, Mister Xu’s actions proved otherwise. His conduct remained respectful and virtuous, never crossing any boundaries.

On the other hand, Yun Ling appeared to harbor a budding affection for him.

In his leisure moments, Lan Chang'an didn’t mind guiding the Yun siblings. After all, the two shared some connection with him.

If, in the future, both siblings reached the Core Formation stage, looking back on these days would undoubtedly be a memorable story.

...

Half a year later, Lan Chang'an turned 229 years old.

After so many years of cultivation, he estimated that it would take another seven to eight years to reach the peak of the early Core Formation stage.

Reaching the early Core Formation peak within a single sixty-year cycle was considered average among True Dan cultivators.

However, this pace was faster than his progress during the Qi-Refining and Foundation Establishment stages.

Lan Chang'an speculated that this should be the effect of his Immortal Golden Dan.

After all, his wood spiritual root was of low grade, and his cultivation method, the Evergreen Technique, absorbed the essence of time’s cyclical flow, which imposed limitations on his daily cultivation.

Under normal circumstances, his progress should have been below average.

The Immortal Golden Dan, however, enhanced the quality of his magical power and deepened his potential, thereby improving the effectiveness of his daily cultivation.

One day, the Mountain-Water Manor welcomed a rare visitor from afar.

While playing with the Profound Water Turtle, Yun Ling stepped out of the manor and suddenly heard the sound of something piercing through the air.

A dazzling streak of light, carrying the aura of a Core Formation cultivator, descended from the sky and landed outside the manor.

Yun Ling looked up, her bright eyes widening slightly in surprise.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The visitor was a female cultivator in white robes, her delicate features as beautiful as a painting. Her refined elegance was like that of a lotus untouched by mud. Her cloud-like hair and ethereal presence radiated immortal grace.

The beauty and bearing of the Core Formation female cultivator made Yun Ling feel both awed and inferior—like a village flower encountering a more glamorous city beauty.

"Little girl, is this the Mountain-Water Manor, the residence of Mister Xu?"

The woman’s voice was clear and melodious, like the tinkling of jade.

Yun Ling quickly bowed in respect, her tone both polite and surprised.

"Senior, are you here to see Mister Xu? This is indeed his cultivation manor."

The female cultivator, Jiang Ruotong, carried herself with poise, her gaze briefly sweeping over the youthful and innocent Yun Ling. Even amidst the stunning beauties of the Xuan Yin Pavilion, such a girl could be considered a rare and unpolished gem.

"Good, I’m in the right place," Jiang Ruotong replied with a faint smile. With a light flick of her slender fingers, an ethereal melody rippled through the air, its sound pure and tranquil, reaching into the manor.

The beautiful melody made Yun Ling freeze in her tracks, and a flash of realization struck her. She blurted out:

"Senior, could you be a Core Formation expert from the Xuan Yin Pavilion?"

"Indeed," Jiang Ruotong nodded, then asked curiously, "Young lady, what is your relationship with Mister Xu?"

"Junior Yun Ling… is a maid in Mister Xu’s cultivation manor," Yun Ling hesitated before replying, unsure how to define her connection with him.

After all, there was no familial bond, and their age difference spanned over a century. Though Mister Xu had guided her before, he had never accepted her as a disciple. Yun Ling often helped with chores and errands, and the words "maid" slipped out almost unconsciously.

"Immortal Jiang, your esteemed visit brings great honor to this humble estate," a warm voice rang out as Lan Chang'an emerged from the manor, having heard the melody.

After so many years, the two met again and exchanged polite greetings.

Jiang Ruotong smiled gracefully. "Mister Xu, you’re too modest. As a third-rank alchemist, your reputation precedes you. My pavilion master, upon hearing of your past guidance, feels indebted to you and wishes to express her gratitude."

"Had she not been preoccupied recently, she intended to pay you a visit in person here at the River Source Oasis."

The current leader of the Xuan Yin Pavilion was none other than Ni Yue Immortal, once the number one beauty in the cultivation world of Liang Kingdom.

Years ago, when Lan Chang'an was in the early Foundation Establishment stage, he had only dared to steal a fleeting glance at her in the Green Underworld Mysterious Realm, unable to meet her gaze directly.

At that time, Lan Chang'an lacked even the qualifications to converse with Ni Yue.

Now, however, Ni Yue had become the leader of the declining Xuan Yin Pavilion, holding an even higher status.

Jiang Ruotong’s mention of Ni Yue’s desire to visit was likely just a polite gesture. However, it indicated that Lan Chang'an’s reputation as a third-rank alchemist had reached even Ni Yue’s ears, earning her attention and a desire to recruit him.

Meanwhile, Yun Ling watched as Mister Xu and Immortal Jiang entered the manor, chatting and laughing. For some inexplicable reason, she felt a pang of discomfort and melancholy.

Perhaps only someone like Immortal Jiang—a graceful and ethereal Core Formation cultivator—could truly be a fitting match for the cultured and refined Mister Xu.

…

Yun Ling bit her lip and followed them into the manor, taking on the role of a "temporary maid," serving tea and water.

Lan Chang'an glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips, but he chose not to expose her charade.

With Jiang Ruotong's experience and sharp perception, she quickly saw through Yun Ling’s clumsy attempts at playing a maid. Clearly, there was more to her relationship with Lan Chang'an than met the eye.

"Mister Xu, it has been over ten years since we parted ways, and I received no news from you. It wasn’t easy for us to track you down."

At this point, Jiang Ruotong’s tone carried a hint of reproach, tinged with subtle melancholy.

Years ago, in the Scorpion Desolate City, Lan Chang'an had stayed to cultivate for two years, while Jiang Ruotong and her companions had not lingered.

Before departing, Jiang Ruotong had left her contact information with him, yet he had never taken the initiative to reach out.

The Xuan Yin Pavilion was stationed in another immortal city under the "Outer Sect Alliance," far away from the oasis.

Fortunately, the River Source Oasis, where Lan Chang'an now resided, was a relatively large oasis in the desert, and the Xuan Yin Pavilion had recently received news of this "Mister Xu’s" whereabouts.

After confirming his identity, Jiang Ruotong, as a Core Formation elder, personally made the trip to visit.

"My apologies for troubling you, Immortal Jiang. I am but a down-and-out Fake Dan cultivator and would not dare presume to associate with a prestigious sect like Xuan Yin Pavilion. I simply sought a quiet oasis to settle in."

Lan Chang'an offered a polite apology.

Jiang Ruotong caught the implication behind his words.

This mysterious Mister Xu clearly valued a quiet life, uninterested in the entanglements of the outside world.

The Xuan Yin Pavilion, known for its many beautiful female cultivators skilled in music, inevitably attracted trouble wherever they went.

If Lan Chang'an were to actively associate with them, it might bring unnecessary hassles to his life.

"This time, I am here on behalf of the Pavilion Master to request your assistance in refining two precious pills. Surely, Mister Xu will not refuse?"

Jiang Ruotong’s smile was charming and confident as she revealed the purpose of her visit.

"No problem. What pills does Immortal Jiang wish to refine?"

Lan Chang'an agreed without hesitation.

Jiang Ruotong glanced at Yun Ling and then started transmitting her voice to Lan Chang'an.

Yun Ling, understanding the subtle cue, sensibly excused herself.

"Moonlight Pill? Crystal Condensation Pill?"

"Such important pills—Immortal Jiang feels assured entrusting them to me?"

Lan Chang'an’s expression showed a trace of surprise as he asked.

The Crystal Condensation Pill was self-explanatory—a critical resource for advancing to the Core Formation stage. Even Nascent Soul-level forces valued it greatly and sought to stockpile as much as possible.

The Moonlight Pill, on the other hand, was a rare and esoteric second-rank superior-grade pill that enhanced one’s bone structure and appearance. It was especially effective for female cultivators, as it could significantly increase their beauty.

Due to its niche nature and the high difficulty of refining it, even the second-rank had low success rates.

"I have trust in Mister Xu's character."

Jiang Ruotong smiled brightly, her confidence evident in her tone.

Her judgment was based on multiple factors. For one, despite leaving her contact information all those years ago, Lan Chang'an had never attempted to contact her or the Xuan Yin Pavilion. This indicated he harbored no ulterior motives or hostility toward them.

Additionally, Lan Chang'an had maintained a low profile in the River Source Oasis, earning a reputation for being discreet and trustworthy.

"The requirements for refining these pills are not low, but I will do my best," Lan Chang'an replied, agreeing to her request and discussing the compensation for his efforts.

Coincidentally, Lan Chang'an had nearly gathered all the materials for his own batch of Crystal Condensation Pills. Refining these pills for Jiang Ruotong would provide a good opportunity to warm up his skills.

"While the pills are being refined, may I stay at the Mountain-Water Manor?"

Jiang Ruotong proposed with a slight smile.

"As it should be," Lan Chang'an replied after a moment of thought.

Refining such valuable pills required the presence of the client, the client would supervise and had the right to know.

Even if it was the Alchemist Hua with poor character who had once refined Foundation Establishment Pills for him, Lan Chang'an had personally observed the process.

If Jiang Ruotong were to stay at a market inn and commute to the manor, it would only draw unnecessary attention.

...

As the evening fell, Yun Ling left the Mountain-Water Manor, her mood heavy with dejection.

"Immortal Jiang is so close with Mister Xu, and now she’s even staying overnight at the manor..."

She bit her cherry lips, recalling the scene of the two conversing as a pair, their appearances complementing each other so perfectly. It left a sour feeling in her heart.

In all the years she had known Mister Xu, he had never invited her to stay the night.

Of course, she lived nearby in the oasis, and there had never been a need for such an arrangement.

As a Foundation Establishment female cultivator, Yun Ling wasn’t particularly young anymore, but her lack of experience with romantic relationships left her prone to emotional overthinking.

That night, Lan Chang'an arranged a guest room for Jiang Ruotong.

The night passed uneventfully.

Jiang Ruotong, as the youngest Core Formation elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion, was a traditional and refined woman. She was cultured, gentle, and well-mannered, the type who would never stir up trouble.

In certain aspects, her demeanor reminded Lan Chang'an of the young miss of the Mu Family from years past.

The next morning, Lan Chang'an opened the furnace for alchemy.

In the alchemy room, Jiang Ruotong maintained a respectable distance, sitting elegantly to observe the refining process.

Lan Chang'an set up a layer of misty restrictions around his hands, obscuring his alchemy techniques like a mosaic.

The overall process of refining, as well as the final quantity of pills, was still visible to Jiang Ruotong.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period of refining, Lan Chang'an and Jiang Ruotong spent much time in close proximity. However, to avoid distractions, Jiang Ruotong remained quiet, and they exchanged almost no words. At most, their gazes occasionally met.

In the end, Lan Chang'an successfully refined both types of precious pills, achieving the standard quality expected of a third-rank low-grade alchemist.

In the cultivation world, alchemists who accepted commissions were not paid if they failed, unless other terms had been negotiated.

When successful, the payment was typically 10-20% of the pill’s total value, depending on the difficulty of the refinement and the reputation of the alchemist.

"Mister Xu, this is your payment."

Jiang Ruotong, her spirits high, handed a heavy brocade pouch filled with spirit stones to Lan Chang'an.

As they stepped out of the alchemy room, Jiang Ruotong prepared to take her leave and report back to her sect.

Before departing, Jiang Ruotong’s clear, bright eyes lingered on the refined and scholarly middle-aged man in green robes standing close to her.

"The Pavilion Master has asked me to sincerely invite Mister Xu to join the Xuan Yin Pavilion. Should you agree, the Pavilion Master herself will personally come to the oasis to welcome you with the highest respect," Jiang Ruotong said earnestly.

"At the moment, I have no plans to join any sect. If I ever do consider it, the Xuan Yin Pavilion will certainly be my first choice," Lan Chang'an replied, politely declining but leaving the possibility open.

He understood that if he reached the mid-Core Formation stage in the future, the small spirit vein of the Mountain-Water Manor would no longer be sufficient to sustain both his and the Profound Water Turtle’s cultivation.

At that point, he would either have to join a cultivation sect or find a way to enhance the quality of the spirit vein at his manor.

The Xuan Yin Pavilion could be a future option—at least they had interacted and developed a mutual understanding.

Once Lan Chang'an advanced to the mid-Core Formation stage, he would be unmatched by anyone below the Nascent Soul realm in the Fengyuan Kingdom.

Aside from the reclusive Heavenly Master in the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain, no one else would pose a threat to his life.

At that time, Lan Chang'an would have no need to worry about potential minor troubles arising from joining the Xuan Yin Pavilion.

"The Pavilion Master has also promised that, if Mister Xu wishes, she will grant the hand of one of our Pavilion’s female Core Formation cultivators to be your Dao companion."

Jiang Ruotong’s red lips trembled slightly as she spoke, her clear eyes momentarily flickering with hesitation.

Her fair and delicate face grew slightly flushed, a natural blush spreading across her cheeks.

Lan Chang'an, hearing her subtle implication, couldn’t help but feel surprised. A thoughtful expression crossed his face.

To recruit him, the Xuan Yin Pavilion was clearly pulling out all the stops.

For most Fake Dan male cultivators, marrying a Core Formation female cultivator skilled in music, which helped with dual cultivation and mental clarity was a dream come true.

Seeing Lan Chang'an remain silent, Jiang Ruotong seemed slightly embarrassed. She bowed politely, then gracefully departed.

She had made this proposal purely for the sake of Xuan Yin Pavilion’s revival.

Facing a man who had once shown her kindness and whom she admired, Jiang Ruotong didn’t mind sacrificing herself.

However, if her feelings were unreciprocated, she would not force the matter. She had her own pride and dignity to uphold.

...

A year later.

With Lan Chang'an’s covert support, the Star Moon Merchant Association flourished. Their trade routes prospered, and wealth flowed in abundantly. As long as they could nurture a True Dan cultivator, they had the potential to become a major power in the oasis.

Through the Star Moon Merchant Association, Lan Chang'an managed to gather all the necessary materials for refining the Crystal Condensation Pill and Life Extension Pill.

The Crystal Condensation Pill was ready to be refined at any time.

As for the Life Extension Pill, the third-rank Longevity Fruit he obtained still needed another 10-20 years to mature before it would be suitable for refinement.

Lan Chang'an was in a state of preparation, waiting for the right moment to fuse with his second life and refine the Crystal Condensation Pill, hoping to maximize the number of pills produced.

Late at night, Elder Duan quietly returned to the Mountain-Water Manor.

Elder Duan, who controlled the manor’s outer array formations, could enter at any time to check on the estate.

This time, however, he wasn’t alone. With him was a black-clad young man at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Mister Xu, for the next month or two, the spiritual vein of the manor will be rented to someone for their Core Formation breakthrough."

Elder Duan communicated this to Lan Chang'an via voice transmission, without introducing the young man.

This arrangement had been agreed upon when they originally signed the spiritual contract.

"Very well. During this period, I’ll stay at the market inn," Lan Chang'an replied without complaint. The spiritual energy at the market was subpar, but with spirit stones and pills, the short-term impact would be negligible.

"No need. Mister Xu may remain in the manor. As long as you refrain from competing for spiritual energy during the breakthrough, it will not be an issue," Elder Duan assured him.

Elder Duan, now somewhat rotund and dressed in loose robes, had a shrewd glint in his eyes.

Lan Chang'an had no objections and chose to stay at the manor. He had no particular interest in the black-clad young man’s Core Formation attempt, guessing he was likely a descendant of one of Master Lihuo’s branches.

For someone with the vision of a Nascent Soul cultivator, a Core Formation breakthrough was a routine matter, unworthy of special attention—unless the breakthrough resulted in a Golden Dan, which might warrant notice from a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Half a month later.

The skies above the Mountain-Water Manor displayed the telltale signs of a Core Formation phenomenon.

Lan Chang'an, well-versed in divination, observed the spirit energy and shook his head slightly.

Just as the phenomenon reached its peak, Lan Chang'an suddenly sensed a powerful and concealed spiritual sense infiltrating the array formations, surveying the manor.

"So, this is where he is."

From the desolate desert outside the River Source Oasis, a middle-aged man in iron armor flew toward the oasis. His thick brows and square face radiated a murderous and oppressive aura.

Underground, Earth Burrowing Rat froze in terror, not daring to move, fearful of being detected by the iron-armored man.

As he neared the oasis, the man soared into the skies, hovering above the land and cautiously extending his spiritual sense to inspect the Mountain-Water Manor.

"It’s him? Fang Zhen! As a Flame Departing Palace elder, you’ve tracked him all the way here. What are you plotting?"

Lan Chang'an’s spirit fused with the spiritual sense of his fourth life, and probed the intruder.

The fusion state of the Nine Seal Stele allowed for passive spiritual sense detection, though it could not be used in combat unless one fully activated a certain life, which would then slowly deplete the illumination state of that life’s soul.

"Flame Departing Palace has been in decline for years, yet this man has achieved the great cultivation state of late Core Formation stage, far surpassing my previous life. In this oasis region, he can act with impunity."

Lan Chang'an frowned slightly. If this man harbored malicious intent, the oasis would know no peace, and he himself would be unable to cultivate safely in the Mountain-Water Manor until the mid-Core Formation stage.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he made a firm decision:

"This River Source Oasis will not allow the existence of such a powerful cultivator to disrupt this Immortal's seclusion."