I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Lan Chang\'an accepted the mid-grade spirit stones with a respectful expression, though inwardly, he found the situation a bit amusing.

A single mid-grade spirit stone was worth over a hundred low-grade spirit stones. This casual gift was equivalent to a few hundred low-grade spirit stones, which was quite a windfall for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Hmm."

Xiang Jinglong glanced at him indifferently, maintaining the dignity of a Fake-Dan Immortal.

He did not linger, nor did he ask for Lan Chang\'an’s name, as he flew off towards a certain direction in the city.

"He didn’t recognize me."

Lan Chang\'an could tell that Xiang Jinglong had just been happy about his breakthrough into a Fake-Dan Immortal and had casually rewarded the first junior who congratulated him.

"The effect of the Hundred Illusions Mask is quite impressive. Even when facing a Fake-Dan, it didn’t reveal any flaws."

Watching Xiang Jinglong’s figure disappear into the distance, Lan Chang\'an felt satisfied.

Although Xiang Jinglong had a poor reputation, Lan Chang\'an had no personal grudges against him.

Back then, Xiang Jinglong had robbed Alchemist Hua, inadvertently taking the blame for Lan Chang\'an and diverting attention away from him.

Now, he had received a small favor in the form of a few hundred spirit stones.

In a way, Xiang Jinglong could be considered a half-ally or, at the very least, a useful pawn.

Even more intriguingly, the information he had obtained indicated that Xiang Jinglong harbored animosity towards Huanglong Mountain for reasons unknown.

Tian Zhi Pavilion, the intelligence agency from which he had purchased the information, was no ordinary organization. Its mysterious background and extensive network spread across the surrounding cultivation nations. Even the powerful Flame Departing Palace had to tread carefully around it.

Since the information mentioned Xiang Jinglong, it meant that he must have at some point engaged in hostile or detrimental actions against Huanglong Mountain, though perhaps covertly.

A quarter of an hour later, Lan Chang\'an found a teahouse and took a seat.

To be cautious, he carefully inspected the spirit stones given by Xiang Jinglong with his spiritual sense, ensuring that they held no hidden tricks.

Afterward, he reviewed his gains from his first time in Liaoyuan Immortal City.

"At the auction, I successfully bid on a third-rank spirit bamboo and acquired the Core Formation auxiliary herb \'Wuqi Grass.\'"

"In the first three months of procurement, I obtained a second-rank Life Extension Pill and two pieces of superior-grade spirit wood."

"I also purchased a large amount of second-rank superior-grade puppet materials, which I’ll use to push for the breakthrough to a second-rank superior-grade puppet master once I return."

"In addition, I’ve gathered about thirty percent of the materials needed for the Youth Retaining Pill."

The Youth Retaining Pill was something Lan Chang\'an had taken an interest in because he possessed the key ingredient, so he had been casually gathering materials for it whenever possible.

All in all, this trip was full of rewards, though it had also been quite costly.

Adding everything up, Lan Chang\'an had spent nearly twenty thousand spirit stones in total.

Ninety-five percent of Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t muster such financial resources.

But thanks to the fortune he had amassed during the beast tide, the sale of Foundation Establishment Pills, and the substantial spoils from slaying Alchemist Hua and the rogue cultivator group, he had been able to afford it.

After this expenditure, Lan Chang\'an had depleted more than half of his accumulated spirit stones. However, he still had materials and second-rank talismans that he had stockpiled during the beast tide, which had now returned to normal market prices, with half of them yet to be sold.

He also had an extra Foundation Establishment Pill.

Such strategic resources were not something he was in a hurry to sell, given his current wealth.

...

More than half a month later.

Lan Chang\'an returned to Wuqi Mountain.

The first thing he did upon his return was to modify the Spirit Gathering Array on Little Turtle Peak.

Wuqi Mountain’s three main peaks each had a Foundation Establishment cultivator residing and cultivating there, in principle allowing only one Foundation Establishment cultivator to reside on each peak.

Previously, besides Lan Chang\'an, the only other occupant of Little Turtle Peak was the second-rank Earth Burrowing Rat, a demonic beast.

Demonic beasts required much less spiritual energy for cultivation, and with Little Turtle Peak’s sparse population, the burden on the second-rank spiritual vein was less than that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Thus, the other two peaks had no objections.

Now, however, the Profound Water Turtle had also advanced to the second rank, which increased the burden on the spiritual vein of Little Turtle Peak and could start to seem abnormal.

With the assistance of the Earth Burrowing Rat, Lan Chang\'an modified the small Spirit Gathering Array beneath his cave dwelling.

By regularly adding small amounts of spirit stones to it, the spiritual energy demands of Little Turtle Peak could be kept at normal levels on the surface.

Once the array was completed, the Profound Water Turtle could continue to cultivate quietly, hiding its true cultivation base.

In the cave dwelling’s secret room, Lan Chang\'an, now 116 years old, consumed the second-rank Life Extension Pill he had recently purchased.

This was the fourth second-rank Life Extension Pill he had taken.

"An extension of eleven years."

Lan Chang\'an slowly opened his eyes.

With this, his maximum lifespan at the Foundation Establishment Realm reached 461 years.

Perhaps because of the higher rank of the second-rank Life Extension Pill, the diminishing returns from repeated use were slightly less severe compared to first-rank pills.

Up to this point, Lan Chang\'an had never taken a top-grade Life Extension Pill.

Since the effects of Life Extension Pills of the same rank could not be stacked, top-grade pills were extremely precious and almost never circulated in the market.

...

Over the following period, Lan Chang\'an transformed the third-rank spirit bamboo "Bitter Clear Bamboo" and the two superior-grade second-rank spirit bamboos into treasure talismans.

After reaching the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang\'an was able to activate the first soul of the Nine Seal Stele even more quickly.

Due to his spiritual sense surpassing that of an ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, he no longer needed the descent of his first soul to draw superior-grade second-rank treasure talismans.

The presence of the first soul’s descent on him offered less and less assistance.

The second soul took longer to light up and was immensely powerful and unpredictable, so he refrained from using it lightly.

Half a year later.

Lan Chang\'an had completed four quasi-third-rank treasure talismans and ten superior-grade second-rank treasure talismans.

Including his previous reserves, he now possessed thirty-eight treasure talismans.

Among them, seven were drawn using third-rank spirit wood bark as the base material, offering greater power and potential for nurturing.

The previous three quasi-third-rank talismans, having been nurtured for more than ten years, now had power surpassing ordinary talismans and posed a significant threat to Fake-Dan cultivators.

Given the quality of the materials, they had room for considerable improvement if nurtured for several more decades.

In the secret room, Lan Chang\'an was simultaneously nurturing all thirty-eight treasure talismans and still had some energy to spare.

At the early stage of Foundation Establishment, Lan Chang\'an could nurture up to thirty treasure talismans at once.

After reaching the mid-stage, he could nurture at least fifty at the same time.

This was the advantage of increased mana.

...

With the treasure talismans completed, Lan Chang\'an then focused on advancing to a superior-grade second-rank puppet master.

In previous years, he hadn’t pushed for this breakthrough primarily because he lacked sufficient materials for practice.

He faced no barriers in terms of talent or spiritual sense.

After returning from Liaoyuan Immortal City, he had acquired a large batch of superior-grade second-rank puppet materials, allowing him to delve into the craft with peace of mind.

Three months later.

Lan Chang\'an expended a set of materials to refine a superior-grade second-rank puppet, which ended in failure.

The puppet went berserk after activation, its limbs exploding uncontrollably.

If not for Lan Chang\'an’s body refinement manual, which had reached the sixth layer, making his body comparable to that of a late-stage second-rank demonic beast, and his timely intervention, this experiment might have resulted in an accident.

Two months later.

Lan Chang\'an managed to salvage some parts and, using half a set of materials, made another attempt.

This time, he successfully created a turtle puppet that was stable and controllable.

However, while the puppet’s defense reached the level of a superior-grade second-rank puppet, its attack power was merely at the elite level of a mid-grade second-rank puppet.

It was considered an inferior quality superior-grade second-rank puppet.

Even so, this level of progress met Lan Chang\'an’s expectations.

Achieving the level of a late-stage second-rank puppet master would enhance his protective means, but this was only a phase in his journey.

If he could conquer superior-grade second-rank puppet crafting and accumulate experience for a number of years, he could one day attempt to create a quasi-third-rank puppet, and if successful his strength would become comparable to a Fake-Dan Immortal.

...

A few days later, Lan Chang\'an stepped out of his cave dwelling, deciding not to continue stubbornly pursuing the superior-grade second-rank puppet master breakthrough.

It was essential to take breaks and balance work with rest.

The hundred immortal arts, much like the breakthrough to the late stage of cultivation, required significant effort at each stage.

Achieving superior-grade mastery in any field was akin to becoming a grandmaster in that discipline.

Had Lan Chang\'an not been exceptionally talented, with plenty of free time at his disposal, it would have been impossible for him to achieve superior-grade second-rank mastery within the typical lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Squeak! Swoosh!

The agile form of the Earth Burrowing Rat darted out from a nearby cave, its eyes gleaming with intelligence as it looked around eagerly, its claws twitching in anticipation.

“Oh? You want to attempt a breakthrough to the late stage of the second rank?”

Lan Chang\'an, having signed a spiritual pet contract with the Earth Burrowing Rat, easily understood its intentions.

“Your energy and spirit are in good condition.”

Lan Chang\'an gave his approval.

The Earth Burrowing Rat temporarily set aside its tasks on the mountain and focused entirely on its secluded cultivation to attempt the breakthrough.

Lan Chang\'an specifically allocated a secret room for it, reinforcing the protective formations.

He even allowed the Earth Burrowing Rat to select a few well-aged herbs from the mountain as supplementary aids.

Breaking through a small realm posed minimal disturbance and risk, so Lan Chang\'an didn’t need to personally oversee the process.

...

Half a month later.

Just as Lan Chang\'an was in the process of refining another superior-grade second-rank puppet, he suddenly sensed a surge of powerful demonic energy rapidly intensifying.

In the neighboring secret room, a storm of demonic winds and fiendish energy swirled, exuding an oppressive force comparable to that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“This step has finally been taken successfully.”

A smile played at the corner of Lan Chang\'an’s lips.

The Earth Burrowing Rat’s aptitude was equivalent to a human cultivator with a high-grade spiritual root. Over the years, Lan Chang\'an has provided a steady supply of spiritual pet resources, albeit at a moderate level.

The Earth Burrowing Rat was not a long-lived species; its lifespan was similar to that of a human.

At over 110 years old, its breakthrough to the late stage of the second rank wasn\'t considered quick, but its foundation was solid.

The fact that it had made this breakthrough without relying on any breakthrough pills gave Lan Chang\'an a sense of comfort.

This way, there was a chance that the Earth Burrowing Rat could one day condense an inferior-quality core, albeit with some hope.

In comparison, Lan Chang\'an’s journey hadn’t been as smooth.

Two months later.

For the third time since returning, he attempted to refine a superior-grade second-rank puppet, and once again, he failed.

Even with talent, such setbacks were to be expected.

In the cultivation of the hundred immortal arts, to attain the highest grade in any rank, you had to burn money.

Talent, money, and time—one needed all three.

Some cultivators were born into wealth and lacked nothing in terms of resources, but they were often limited by either their talent or the time they could dedicate to their craft.

In contrast, those with backgrounds powerful enough to rival the heavens had no need to delve into the hundred immortal arts. They could focus solely on the pursuit of immortality, knowing that whatever they needed would be made for them by others.

...

More than half a year later.

Inside the secret room on Little Turtle Peak.

Lan Chang\'an finally pieced together a robust puppet, its body covered in scales and shaped like a leopard’s head.

The leopard-headed puppet’s eyes glowed a dark red, and each hand wielded a large, heavy battle-axe, exuding a bloodthirsty and imposing presence.

“After learning from the experience of my previous failures and refining every detail multiple times, there shouldn’t be any major issues with this attempt.”

Lan Chang\'an exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

He opened the protective scales on the puppet’s back and embedded several mid-grade spirit stones into the slots.

Then, he activated the puppet using the puppet control technique.

The leopard-headed puppet’s eyes lit up, and it raised one of the heavy battle axes. A wave of oppressive energy surged forth.

Whoosh!

With a flick of the puppet’s arm, the battle-axe spun through the air, enveloped in a dark, swirling wind. It slashed through the reinforced barriers of the secret room before boomeranging back into the puppet’s grasp without damaging the walls.

“I’ve finally become a superior-grade second-rank puppet master.”

Lan Chang\'an’s face lit up with joy.

This leopard-headed puppet excelled in frontal assaults. The heavy battle axes it wielded could be used in close combat or thrown for mid-range attacks.

Previously, the mid-grade second-rank spear-wielding puppet would likely lose even in a two-on-one battle against this new creation.

After all, this puppet was designed to contend with late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, representing the pinnacle of power at this Realm.

Certain late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators with deep foundations and powerful inheritances could even take on two or three mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators at once.

However, superior-grade second-rank puppets consumed spirit stones rapidly.

Lan Chang\'an conducted a brief test, confirmed that everything met his standards, and then stored the puppet in his storage pouch.

Walking out of the cave, a sudden sensation swept over him. The Evergreen mana within him crossed another cycle of years, subtly advancing ever so slightly.

The power of the Evergreen mana now became comparable to the technique of an inner disciple from Jin Yun Valley.

At that moment, Lan Chang\'an realized he was now 118 years old.

“One hundred years of cultivation…”

Lan Chang\'an\'s mind drifted, and his tranquil, unfathomable eyes rippled faintly.

The aura he usually kept hidden began to leak out slightly.

Nearby, the maidservant Lan Rou rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

For a brief moment, the white-robed man in her vision seemed like an ancient tree that had stood for a hundred years—tall, majestic, and imbued with the wear and tear of the passing years.

...

“My first life didn’t last this long. I died several decades earlier, fighting for the chance to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.”

“In my second life, I had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment at this age, and I was exhaustively planning and scheming for the chance to form a core.”

“In this life, my cultivation may not be as advanced as in my previous life, but my foundation is much deeper, my mind is calm and unhurried, and my overall strength far surpasses what it was before.”

Thinking this, Lan Chang\'an smiled faintly.

In his previous life, only his cultivation was superior at this age. His foundation, background, and strength couldn’t compare to what he had now.

“A century of accumulation has made me almost unmatched within the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even against a Fake-Dan Immortal, I can hold my own.”

Lan Chang\'an was confident in the results of his century-long cultivation.

Although he hadn’t reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment yet, his body refinement manual had reached a level comparable to that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, which compensated for this.

He also had a late-stage second-rank demonic beast companion.

Additionally, he possessed a superior-grade second-rank puppet and, as a puppet master, could fully unleash the puppet’s power.

He owned a prototype magic treasure in the process of nurturing.

And he had thirty-eight powerful treasure talismans, the weakest of which was on par with an ordinary talismanic treasure, while the strongest approached a strike from an early-stage Core Formation cultivator.

“The only regret is that I’ve made no progress with the Nine Seal Stele in this life.” Lan Chang\'an sighed inwardly.

His consciousness entered the Nine Seal Stele.

The image of the handsome young man from his first life and the white-bearded old man from his second life were both illuminated. In the third frame, a serene white-robed man’s figure was faintly visible, yet not fully formed.

The remaining six frames below were completely blank.

“With my current foundation and strength, my focus in the coming decades will be on securing the opportunity to form a Core.”

Having crossed the hundred-year mark in his cultivation, Lan Chang\'an began contemplating his next steps.

For most cultivators, reaching the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment and aiming for Core Formation was still a distant goal, as they struggled to even guarantee a breakthrough to the late stage.

Lan Chang\'an didn’t have such concerns.

He had a long lifespan but modest talent, he needed to plan much earlier.

...

Squeak!

The Earth Burrowing Rat’s nimble form darted out of a nearby cave, interrupting Lan Chang\'an’s thoughts.

Lan Chang\'an smiled and took two letters from the rat, gently stroking its head.

One letter was from Guan Qiaozhi.

It had been a long time since he had received a letter from her, and the frequency of her correspondence had been steadily decreasing.

The content of the letter was the same as before, describing her experiences in the mortal world and her deeds of accumulating virtue and doing good.

The other letter was from Zhao Siyao.

In her letter, she detailed the latest developments in the war of the neighboring country’s cultivation world.

Having lived through several lifetimes, Lan Chang\'an paid close attention to the broader dynamics of the cultivation world.

Feng Kingdom, a neighboring nation with strength far surpassing that of Liang Kingdom, had been embroiled in a cultivation war, which naturally drew Lan Chang\'an’s attention.

In previous correspondence, he had expressed to Zhao Siyao his desire to be informed of any significant changes in the neighboring nation’s cultivation war:

“If there’s any major shift in the cultivation war of the neighboring countries, please notify me as soon as possible.”

“The leading cultivation sect in Feng Kingdom, the \'Golden Sun Sect\', saw its new and old Nascent Soul True Monarchs challenge the mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator born from the \'Endless Sect\' of Yan Kingdom, Chu Tianfeng.”

Upon reading the key details in the letter, Lan Chang\'an’s expression grew solemn.

“Despite the Golden Sun Sect’s two Nascent Soul True Monarchs attacking together, they were still defeated by Chu Tianfeng and forced to retreat.”

(End of chapter)