I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 142: Staying Out of It

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At one hundred and ten years old, for those long-lived people, itʼs merely a journey neither too short nor too long. However, most Qi-Refining stage cultivators donʼt live to see that age.

To surpass a hundred years is to die a natural death.

In fact, in Li Erqingʼs letter, he described Mu Xiuyunʼs passing as a ”joyful funeral,” a celebration of life at one hundred and ten years old.

It wasnʼt treated as a calamity or bad news.

Lan Changʼan understood that, under normal circumstances, Mu Xiuyun would not have lived to be one hundred and ten. It must have been the Life Extension Pill Mu Bingyun brought back a few years ago that prolonged her life for a few more years.

Lan Changʼan then opened Mu Bingyunʼs letter, which was tinged with faint sorrow and reluctance.

Mu Bingyun, having lost her parents in battle when she was young, was adopted by Mu Xiuyun as the successor to her mantle. To her, Mu Xiuyun was akin to her closest kin.

”Uncle Lan, if Master had left the family to follow you back then, would the outcome have been different?”

Mu Bingyun asked this in her letter.
Lan Changʼan silently put the letter away, choosing not to reveal the harsh truth to her.

Firstly, he had a tacit understanding with Mu Xiuyun, agreeing to part on good terms; otherwise, they wouldnʼt have shared that time together. At the Qi-Refining stage, his ability to protect others was limited, especially while striving for Foundation Establishment, where he could barely look out for himself.

Secondly, when Mu Xiuyun was at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining and aiming for Foundation Establishment, Lan Changʼan was only at the seventh layer, lagging behind by more than twenty years in cultivation progress.

In the cultivation world, it has always been the case that higher-level cultivators would guide those below them, not the other way around.

After achieving Foundation Establishment, out of old affection, Lan Changʼan supported Mu Bingyun, helping her smoothly establish her foundation. This natural progression did not impede his own cultivation.

...

When Lan Changʼan arrived at Feiyue Lake, Mu Xiuyunʼs funeral had already concluded. As per her wishes, the funeral was kept simple.

Apart from the Mu Family, some surrounding forces either did not know about it or did not pay much attention to the event. Her funeral was overshadowed by the news of Mu Congrenʼs Foundation Establishment, garnering little attention.

”Big brother.”

”Grandfather Lan.”

Li Erqing and Mu Congren came forward to greet him first.

At his centennial birthday, Li Erqingʼs appearance had changed little, no longer showing the fatigue of ten years ago, looking more relaxed and enjoying life.

Mu Congren, with an above-average appearance and the demeanor of a young man, seemed more composed and reserved compared to when they first met.

He smiled modestly, neither arrogant nor humble, and greeted him alongside his father.

”Congren, achieving Foundation Establishment at your age, your achievements will surely surpass your grandfather,” praised Lan Changʼan.

Lan Changʼan hadnʼt seen much of Mu Congren, but Li Erqing often mentioned his grandson in letters, praising him highly. In his youth, Mu Congren had been somewhat rebellious and carefree, but after reaching adulthood, he became more stable, helping his grandfather manage the familyʼs people and businesses. After reaching the seventh layer of Qi-Refining, he ventured out to gain experience. His capabilities undoubtedly surpassed Li Erqing.

”Grandfather Lan, your praise is too generous. My Foundation Establishment is thanks to the blessings of my father. It is not as good as when you had no one to rely on and went out alone to build your foundation.” Mu Congren humbly replied.

On the way to Moonheart Island, Li Erqing narrated the details of Mu Congrenʼs Foundation Establishment. After reaching the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, Mu Congren stayed in Liaoyuan Immortal City for nearly ten years, building connections and amassing a modest fortune.

His own effort in plotting for the Foundation Establishment wasnʼt insignificant, showing his competence. In the end, with his fatherʼs support, he eventually purchased an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill through a black market channel he tapped into.

...

Moonheart Island, in the cemetery area.

In front of the tombstone, Mu Bingyun, dressed in mourning attire, looked slightly haggard, with a touch more solitude than usual. Her simple white mourning clothes could not hide her elegant appearance and slender figure. Apart from a colder demeanor, she seemed like the gentle young lady of the past.

”Uncle Lan,” Mu Bingyun greeted, her voice low and her eyes slightly red.

Lan Changʼan nodded but did not speak any words of comfort, such as ”my condolences. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, with a lifespan of over two hundred years, seeing the passing of friends and family one by one would be the norm.

Lan Changʼan paid his respects at Mu Xiuyunʼs grave and stayed for a while.

The first woman with whom he had a bond in this life had reached the end of her journey. He had never seen Mu Xiuyunʼs aged appearance; in his memory, she was always the gentle and elegant young lady.

His impression of her remained as beautiful as their first meeting.

Mu Bingyun who was kneeling nearby and burning yellow paper, watched Lan Changʼanʼs expression. He seemed only slightly downcast, showing no signs of sorrow, regret, or reluctance. More than anything, he displayed a calmness and acceptance born of experience.

At that moment, Mu Bingyun felt a slight discomfort. In this eternally youthful manʼs heart, perhaps her master did not hold as much weight as she had imagined.

Rationally, she was not surprised. Uncle Lan, now one hundred and ten years old, had only shared a few years of private affection with the young lady of the past.

A few years of love seemed insignificant compared to one hundred and ten years of experience. Many couples who have loved each other for over a decade may find a new love within a couple of years, replacing and quickly diminishing the old feelings.

Little did Mu Bingyun know, Lan Changʼan had experienced two lifetimes. Especially in his second life, where he had many wives and concubines. Not just wives and concubines, even as a white-haired man burying his own black-haired children, he had sent off batch after batch of his own offspring.

Fortunately, the reincarnation memories from the Nine Seal Stele felt more like an immersive life movie. Once detached, they left only experiences and insights, without changing his original essence.

...

”Aunt Xiuyun dedicated her life to the family. Her accomplishments in talismans reached the second rank. Before her death, she left a comprehensive inheritance for the familyʼs talisman masters,” Mu Congren praised while paying respects.

Currently, the Mu Family at Feiyue Lake occasionally produced talented talisman masters and the talisman-related industries became one of the familyʼs major income sources.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, Mu Bingyun successfully advanced to a second-rank talisman master, becoming the pinnacle of the familyʼs talisman achievements.

With the enhancement from her talisman skills, her potential and talent were even greater. In the family, her status subtly surpassed that of Li Erqing, an outsider who had achieved Foundation Establishment.

After paying respects at Mu Xiuyunʼs grave, Lan Changʼan also visited Mu Yunfeiʼs grave. Mu Yunfei had passed a few years earlier during the beast tide. Due to the fact that he was only a Qi-Refining cultivator, and given the circumstances of the beast tide, the Mu Family did not alert Lan Changʼan, who was in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

”Mu Maode... Mu Renlong... Mu Xiuyun... Mu Yunfei...” Names of past members of the Mu Family flashed through Lan Changʼanʼs mind. Ninety years ago, when he first arrived at Feiyue Lake, the two generations of Mu Family elders he knew had all passed away.

...

That evening, the Mu Family elders held a banquet to welcome Lan Changʼan. Li Erqing, Mu Congren, and a few senior members of the Mu Family at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining accompanied him.

The previous family head, Mu Chengji, who was nearly a century old, had resigned before the beast tide. The new head, ”Mu Jing,” was Mu Xiuyunʼs grandnephew, under forty years old, and was appointed by the elder lineage to manage the family.

”Big brother, why not stay on Moonheart Island for a few days? In a few days, it will be Congrenʼs Foundation Establishment ceremony,” Li Erqing warmly invited.

Lan Changʼan did not refuse. Since he had come, staying a few more days wouldnʼt matter.

That night, Lan Changʼan stayed in a guest courtyard on Moonheart Island. Li Erqing came to chat, and they talked late into the night.

During their conversation, Lan Changʼan intentionally mentioned ”Mu Jiuan,” Li Erqingʼs most talented ninth son.

Because of the war in the neighboring cultivation world, Lan Changʼan recalled Mu Jiuan. Mu Jiuan had become an apprentice to a Core Formation master in the Feng Kingdom and joined a Nascent Soul-level force there, and this kingdom was facing a joint invasion from the Yan and Chen Kingdoms.

Talking about Mu Jiuan, Li Erqing seemed slightly conflicted and showed little interest in his son who had moved to another country.

Due to the long distance, father and son had had little contact for decades. When Mu Jiuan was young, Li Erqing did not particularly like him. Mu Jiuan had later secured a Foundation Establishment Pill for his father and visited with many resources, repaying for his upbringing. After that, Mu Jiuan almost cut off all contact and settled down in the sect of Feng Kingdom.

”The ʼGolden Sun Sectʼ where Jiuan resides has a nearly ten-thousand-year history and is the strongest Nascent Soul force in Feng Kingdom, with two Nascent Soul True Monarchs. With their precautions, he should be safe,” Li Erqing was optimistic, not too worried about Mu Jiuan in Feng Kingdom.

Previously, the Nascent Soul sect that was destroyed in Feng Kingdom was ”Blood Sword Valley,” which was closer to Yan Kingdom and was caught off guard. The Nascent Soul True Monarch of Blood Sword Valley, heavily injured, escaped with his nascent soul.

...

The next morning, after his routine cultivation, the spirit stones in front of Lan Changʼan turned to powder. Moonheart Island was a second-rank spiritual vein site, theoretically sufficient for his daily cultivation without additional spirit stones or pills.

”The spiritual vein of Moonheart Island, supplying the cultivation of several Foundation Establishment cultivators along with some late-stage Qi-Refining cultivators, has already reached its limit,” sighed Lan Changʼan, collecting the spirit stone powder.

To be exact, the Mu Family had three Foundation Establishment cultivators simultaneously cultivating on Moonheart Island, which was somewhat straining.

Unlike Wuqi Mountain, where the population was sparse, the Mu Family had numerous Qi-Refining clansmen, some of whom were on Moonheart Island, while others cultivated at branch locations of the second-rank spiritual vein or the first-rank spiritual vein of Feiyue Manor.

Lan Changʼan realized that this issue might become a hidden threat to Feiyue Lakeʼs future. As the cultivation of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators progressed, this situation would become increasingly apparent unless they could expand outward or acquire new spiritual vein sites.

...

Seven days later, two sect Foundation Establishment cultivators flew to Moonheart Island to attend Mu Congrenʼs Foundation Establishment ceremony.

The esteemed guests were Lin Lu and Zhao Tanʼer. Zhao Tanʼer came on behalf of her master, Zhao Siyao. She still looked like a young girl, with eyebrows like green feathers and skin like white snow, exuding a lively and charming aura. Zhao Tanʼer was vivacious and enjoyed lively company.

Mu Congren personally welcomed them and arranged for them to stay in a private room with Lan Changʼan.

”Uncle Lan, you are here too,” Zhao Tanʼer greeted, her bright eyes sparkling, her voice sweet, and respectfully performed a courtesy. Though Lan Changʼan found her actions slightly exaggerated, she displayed proper etiquette.

”Tanʼer, Little Lu, feel free to sit down, no need to be too formal,” Lan Changʼan said, treating them as peers rather than juniors. Zhao Tanʼerʼs talent was comparable to his previous lifeʼs, and her starting point was even higher being a sect cultivator.

The three conversed freely, finding few barriers between them. Lan Changʼan may have been older, but his mind remained youthful.

During the conversation, Lin Luʼs gaze occasionally lingered upon Zhao Tanʼerʼs charming smile or expressive frown, captivated by her vivacity. Compared to many female cultivators who were dignified, gentle, or charming, Zhao Tanʼerʼs lively and candid nature had its unique charm.

It looked like Zhao Tanʼer was only treating Lin Lu as a big brother. Both parties were very familiar with each other, and Zhao Tanʼer occasionally teased and flirted with Lin Lu.

Lin Lu was as tolerant as he could be, not getting annoyed or angry, occasionally smiling bitterly and showing helplessness, making Zhao Tanʼer feel bored.

Lan Changʼan thought to himself, another case of unrequited love—like falling petals caught by flowing water.

Lin Lu was much older than Zhao Tanʼer, and their starting points, not to mention their innate talents, differed greatly. Under these circumstances, it seemed unlikely that Lin Lu possessed the courage to confess to his feelings, let alone pursue Zhao Tanʼer romantically.

”Uncle Lan, you must seize the opportunity,” Zhao Tanʼer playfully teased, her clear eyes twinkling as she spoke: ”In recent years, my master has begun laying the groundwork for Core Formation opportunities. If you can win her hand now, perhaps in ten or twenty years, youʼll have secured yourself an Immortal dao partner.” She giggled softly, her face flushed and radiant.

”Tanʼer, donʼt be rude,” Lin Lu scolded with a smile.

Lan Changʼan was dumbfounded and laughed helplessly. He simply did not respond to avoid giving Zhao Tanʼer more reason to tease.

Zhao Siyao had reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment several years ago, so it was normal to plan ahead for Core Formation. Achieving Core Formation usually took decades, if not a hundred years, but those who succeeded were few and far between.

Anyway, Lan Changʼan didnʼt believe Zhao Siyao could succeed in forming a core in one or two decades, even if it was an Inferior-Dan.

If it was an earth spirit root genius with a deep background and excellent opportunities, only then would it be possible.

...

Mu Congrenʼs Foundation Establishment ceremony lasted several days, with guests coming and going.

The night before Lan Changʼanʼs departure, Mu Bingyun, dressed in mourning clothes, visited his courtyard privately to seek advice. Facing this former Little Turtle Peak maid, a lone man and woman sharing a room, Lan Changʼan maintained an appropriate distance.

After achieving Foundation Establishment, Mu Bingyun dared to look him in the eye. Her gaze contained respect, trust, and some hidden emotions.

Mu Bingyunʼs questions, if related to family strategy or Li Erqing, received no personal opinion from Lan Changʼan. On matters of personal cultivation or talisman skills, he offered some guidance.

”Uncle Lan, a few years after returning to the family for Foundation Establishment, I suddenly started missing the peaceful days back at Little Turtle Peak,” Mu Bingyun said with a slight smile, reminiscing about the past.

”I wonder how Sister Qiaozhi is now; how much the Profound Water Turtle has grown; whether the diligent Earth Burrowing Rat is feeling tired...”

They talked for half an hour, occasionally exchanging glances without avoiding or overstepping boundaries.

Finally, Mu Bingyun bowed gracefully and took her leave. Watching her familiar silhouette depart, Lan Changʼan recalled Mu Bingyunʼs earlier expression regarding the issues of her family.

With three Foundation Establishment cultivators and numerous Qi-Refining clansmen, their first and second-rank spiritual veins were strained, leading to excessive resource competition.

Mu Bingyun hoped that Li Erqingʼs lineage could expand outward for the familyʼs long-term development. This was difficult to directly state, as Li Erqing, an outsider who had achieved Foundation Establishment, had protected Feiyue Lake for a time. So Mu Bingyun wanted Lan Changʼan as a mediator to facilitate a fair and acceptable plan for both parties.

This kind of family matters, how could Lan Changʼan, an outsider who had left the family for decades, meddle in them?

The next day, he bid farewell to Li Erqing and his grandson and left swiftly. He had no desire to be caught in the potential split within the Mu Family.