I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 266: An Old Friend, A Fair Lady

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Lan Changʼan pondered for a moment, and he more or less understood the thoughts of his old friend from days past.

He and Zhao Siyao had met during their youth when they first embarked on the path of immortality—a friendship that spanned over a hundred years.

The two had once faced life and death together in the Black Fog Mountain Range, aiding each other through their Foundation Establishment stage.

For a considerable time, their relationship was primarily based on the bond of ”companionship” as fellow cultivators.

But this ”companionship” wasn’t the kind between Daoist partners.

Over the long years, it was inevitable that a trace of admiration and affection emerged between them.

However, both were committed to the pursuit of the Great Dao, prioritizing cultivation above all else.

Under an unspoken mutual understanding, that faint trace of romantic sentiment remained nothing more than a silent, secondary emotion.

Neither of them wanted to disturb the balance of their century-long friendship.
Until one day, Zhao Siyao narrowly escaped death on the frontlines of the battlefield, surviving only thanks to borrowing a treasure talisman from Lan Changʼan.

Having experienced life and death, Zhao Siyaoʼs state of mind subtly changed when she met Lan Changʼan again.

During that meeting, their conversation almost pierced through the metaphorical ”paper window” that separated them.

Zhao Siyao sighed at the time and said, ”Such a great favor, how do you expect me to repay you?”

She also asked Lan Changʼan when he intends to tie the knot and marry Fairy Shi.

Lan Changʼan had replied, ”The cultivation world is ever-changing. The Foundation Establishment Realm only gives one a foothold, but it doesn’t compare to the magical powers and magical treasures of Core Formation Immortals. How could I dare to take a wife and have children at this stage?”

Zhao Siyao had pressed further, ”And what if you were to achieve a Fake Dan one day?”

At the time, such a question was seen as a lofty compliment, given Lan Changʼan’s age and talent.

Lan Changʼan, however, responded calmly, ”If I achieve a Fake Dan, then I, Lan, would find a female cultivator with whom I have mutual affection, marry, have children, and establish a cultivation family to properly nurture my descendants.”

But now, Lan Changʼan had returned to Jin Yun Valley as a True Dan cultivator.

Zhao Siyao’s old hypothetical seemed almost like a ”curse” now, one that underestimated him entirely.

The unspoken agreement of the past had now turned into a shattered hope.

Perhaps out of self-reproach, or to avoid the awkwardness, Zhao Siyao didn’t wish to face Lan Changʼan directly after his success.

...

Due to time constraints, Lan Changʼan exchanged only a few polite words with Zhao Tanʼer.

”Immortal Lan, the Grand Elder is waiting for you at the back of the mountain,” the Jin Yun Valley sect master, dressed in resplendent golden robes, said with a smile.

”Uncle Lan, we’ll talk later,” Zhao Tan’er chimed in. Her expression clearly held something she wanted to say to him but kept unspoken.

In the past, as a junior disciple, she had often fretted on behalf of her master and Lan Changʼan, frustrated that neither of them took the initiative.

”Alright,” Lan Changʼan nodded and followed Immortal Tianfeng and the sect master, Immortal Xuanxiao, toward the back mountain of Jin Yun Valley.

The Grand Elder of Jin Yun Valley, a cultivator in the late stage of Core Formation, was someone at least on par with Lan Changʼanʼs achievements in his previous life.

For someone of such stature, far surpassing ordinary Core Formation cultivators, not personally coming out to greet Lan Changʼan was not considered disrespectful.

By a stream in the back mountain...

The Grand Elder, with his crane-like hair and youthful face, stood only five feet tall. He wore simple robes and sat by a campfire.

Lan Changʼan caught a whiff of a meaty aroma that instantly whetted his appetite.

Beggar’s Chicken?

He sharply noticed that beneath the fire pit’s soil lay an ordinary-sized poultry bird.

The savory aroma of meat mixed with the fragrance of green onions, carrying a faint trace of pure spiritual energy. This unique quality suggested that even for Foundation Establishment cultivators, it would be a rare tonic.

”Lan Changʼan, who recently advanced to Core Formation, greets the Great Elder,” Lan Changʼan said humbly, bowing deeply.

He knew well that, while he might be able to fight or even win with individuals like Zhang Tieshan or even the sect master if he unleashed all his trump cards, the Grand Elder before him was an entirely different story.

Even if Lan Changʼan had an Immortal Golden Dan, at his current early-stage Core Formation cultivation, defeating someone at the Grand Elderʼs level was utterly impossible.

The quality of one’s Core might grant purer spiritual energy, but in combat, the cultivation stage and magical treasures often played a far more decisive role.

”Evergreen Immortal, I heard of your exploits back when you were in the Foundation Establishment stage at Huanglong Immortal City. Now, having advanced to become a true Core Formation cultivator, you’re a model of perseverance in the Liang Kingdomʼs cultivation world,” the Grand Elder said warmly, gesturing with his hand.

”Come! No need to be formal. Sit down and have a taste of this Beggar’s Chicken I’ve raised myself!”

The rich aroma of spiritual meat filled the air as the sect master and Zhang Tieshan, unable to hide their hunger, eagerly took their seats.

The Grand Elder pulled out the roasted, golden-skinned Cloud Crane Chicken and divided it among the four of them.

Taking his first bite, Lan Changʼan felt his appetite surge. The flavor was extraordinary, an explosion of satisfaction that relaxed both his body and spiritual energy. His whole being felt refreshed, his mind clear and serene.

Only then did Lan Changʼan realize that the Grand Elder was quite accomplished in the spiritual culinary arts, one of the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation.

Eating a dish prepared by the Grand Elder not only adjusted one’s physical state but also offered a rare form of mental clarity.

That delightful sensation surpassed even the joy of discussing Dao with Fairy Hanyu.

As the group chatted casually, Lan Changʼan learned that the Grand Elder could be considered a semi-practitioner of a ”life-nurturing” cultivation school.

The Great Elderʼs life-nurturing was not a cultivation technique, but was instead embodied in the culinary path. Through food therapy, using rare and precious ingredients to nourish and maintain the body, ensuring a state of balance, vitality, and longevity.

Partway through, the sect master and Zhang Tieshan excused themselves.

The Grand Elder then began to express his desire to recruit Lan Changʼan, offering quite favorable terms.

”If Fellow Daoist Lan were to become an honorary elder of our sect, you wouldn’t be required to handle any sect affairs, nor would you need to fight on the frontlines. Other than not gaining access to our sect’s core inheritances or certain confidential privileges, the cultivation environment, resources, and stipends would be nearly identical to those of inner sect elders.”

”Of course, I won’t insist. Fellow Daoist Lan has only recently returned to the Liang Kingdom, so you may need time to consider. Even if you don’t join our sect, Jin Yun Valley would still be happy to collaborate with you in the future, particularly in terms of third-rank talismans.”

Lan Changʼan responded earnestly, ”I will consider this carefully. If I were to join a sect within the Liang Kingdom, Jin Yun Valley would undoubtedly be my first choice.”

The Grand Elder nodded with a smile, seemingly satisfied with this response.

Over the past century, Lan Changʼan had maintained close ties with Jin Yun Valley and built strong relationships with many of its inner cultivators.

As a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator, a third-rank spiritual vein was essential for cultivation.

Only a sect like Jin Yun Valley could offer Lan Changʼan a stable and comfortable environment for cultivation without imposing excessive obligations.

Joining a group like the Wufu Merchant Association might grant him access to a third-rank spiritual vein, but as their strongest cultivator, he would be responsible for shielding the entire group from external threats, a heavy burden to bear.

Jin Yun Valley, on the other hand, was different—standing under the shade of a great tree meant enjoying its protection.

When calamities struck, the strongest cultivators and core members bore the brunt of the enemyʼs focus.

...

After Leaving the back of the mountain.

Lan Chang’an noticed Zhang Tieshan waiting for him.

Zhao Tan’er, however, was nowhere to be seen. She had likely gone to inform her master about the latest developments.

”Did Fellow Daoist Zhao form her Fake Dan in the year I left?” Lan Chang’an asked Zhang Tieshan, seeking more details about Zhao Siyao, who had avoided meeting him.

”It was indeed the same year. A few months after our trade and your departure,” Zhang Tieshan replied after some thought.

Lan Chang’an calculated the timeline. He had left the Liang Kingdom thirty years ago.

Zhao Siyao, being two years younger than him, should have been around 140 years old when she formed her Fake Dan.

Given her background and talent, this was an above-average achievement.

Zhao Siyao wasn’t a second-generation immortal cultivator. She came from a mundane scholarly family and had decent spiritual roots, bordering on high-grade quality.

Many with high-grade spiritual roots failed to even form a Fake Dan, some with disastrous results.

Thus, when Zhao Siyao succeeded in forming her Fake Dan, the surrounding cultivators were neither overly surprised nor unimpressed—they simply offered polite congratulations.

To be fair, Zhao Siyao had put in considerable effort over the past century, facing numerous dangers to reach this stage.

But then again, which cultivator at this level hadn’t fought tooth and nail for their progress?

...

After briefly discussing the refining of the magic treasures, Lan Chang’an noticed that Zhao Tan’er had not yet returned, so he accompanied Zhang Tieshan to the latter’s cave abode.

Lan Chang’an vaguely sensed that Zhang Tieshan’s attitude toward him had shifted since he stayed overnight at Snow Plum Mountain. There was now a touch of deeper respect in Zhang Tieshan’s gaze, occasionally mixed with a trace of unspoken meaning.

”If you feel regret on Fellow Daoist Zhao’s behalf, the Core Dissolution Technique from our past trade—I’ll allow you to teach it to her, without being bound by the heart demon oath,” Zhang Tieshan said generously, showing an uncommon magnanimity.

”That said, I don’t recommend doing so. The risks of Core shattering aside, even if its successfully shattered, there’s no guarantee she’ll succeed in forming her Core again.”

Without the protection of a Nascent Soul True Monarch, the success rate of Core shattering was low, the risks high, and the mortality rate even higher.

The backlash from failure—crippled vitality, permanent foundational damage—was a challenge that few could overcome.

In fact, Jin Yun Valley possessed a relatively common Core Dissolution Technique. But even so, how many cultivators dared to attempt it?

In the past thousand years, there was only one instance of a cultivator in Jin Yun Valley successfully shattering their Core.

Yet, when that cultivator attempted to form their Core again, it was still a Fake Dan—a fatal blow to their efforts. They had essentially risked life and death for nothing.

The reason? By the time they attempted Core Formation again, their age had advanced significantly, their damaged foundation lowered their potential, and their odds of success were reduced even further.

With slightly worse luck, their next attempt at Core Formation might have killed them outright.

”On behalf of Fellow Daoist Zhao, I thank you for your generosity, Fellow Daoist Zhang,” Lan Chang’an said with a cupped fist, expressing his gratitude.

In truth, he didn’t support Zhao Siyao taking the Core Reformation route. He didn’t even want to tell her about the technique.

The main reason was her age.

A Fake Dan cultivator had a lifespan of about three hundred years. At 170 years old, Zhao Siyao still had time.

However, after shattering her dan, her cultivation would drop back to the Foundation Establishment stage. She would no longer enjoy the lifespan of a Fake Dan cultivator at their peak.

This process was akin to scattering one’s cultivation.

It was fundamentally different from the Nascent Soul stage’s out-of-body experiences.

In the Nascent Soul stage, the cultivator’s essence, including their divine soul, condensed into the Nascent Soul.

Even if their physical body was destroyed, as long as the Nascent Soul survived, their cultivation realm wouldn’t regress.

With a new physical body, they could recover their strength in as little as a few years or as much as a decade, bypassing the need to re-cultivate through the Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul Realms.

With the age factor in play, even if Zhao Siyao successfully shattered her Core, when she tried forming another Core, even the chances of returning to her Fake Dan stage would be slim.

She had failed to form a True Dan thirty years ago. Thirty years later, her chances would only be worse. The risks this time would far exceed those of her first attempt.

When Lan Chang’an formed his Core at the age of 171, even Xia Hongyu had been concerned that his age might lead to death from backlash.

...

”This jade slip contains my insights from my successful Core Reformation,” Zhang Tieshan said, fulfilling his prior promise.

Lan Chang’an accepted the jade slip, and a quick sweep of his spiritual sense brought a faint smile to his lips.

While he had already fully grasped the Returning Dust Core Transformation Method, he lacked practical experience.

This jade slip would help fill those gaps.

”Unfortunately, since Lan’s first attempt at Core Formation was a True Dan, this knowledge will likely remain unused. Perhaps it might be of some help to Fellow Daoist Zhao,” Lan Chang’an remarked, keeping his expression neutral.

Core Reformation was generally for transforming Fake Dans.

Attempting to shatter a True Dan was exponentially riskier, to the point where virtually no one dared to try.

Zhang Tieshan offered no comment, though a faint smile flickered across his lips.

Not dwelling further on the matter of Core Reformation, Lan Chang’an shifted the conversation toward the details of crafting magical treasures.

”Fellow Daoist Lan intends to forge a wood-element magical treasure. What material are you considering as the magical treasure’s core?” Zhang Tieshan asked with evident curiosity.

Lan Chang’an set up several layers of restrictions to block prying senses before responding via voice transmission.

”Millennial Soul-Nurturing Wood?”

Zhang Tieshan couldn’t help but react. Still, given his past dealings with Lan Chang’an—such as the Five Elements Earth—he quickly recovered from his surprise.

”Millennium Soul-Nurturing Wood is an exceptional material for crafting wood-element magical treasures, particularly those with soul-related attributes. It’s highly effective against ghost cultivators, demonic entities, and illusion-based techniques.

”However, in terms of destructive power, it’s relatively average.”

”This wood is more commonly used to forge protective treasures or accessories. When worn, it nourishes the soul and shields against external evils. Rarely is it used for offensive treasures,” Zhang Tieshan explained.

After a moment of contemplation, he admitted he lacked the expertise to suggest the optimal refinement plan immediately.

He had primarily forged magical treasures using metallic ores, leveraging fragments of spiritual treasures to enhance their quality and success rates.

But when it came to high-grade materials like fourth-rank Soul-Nurturing Wood, his experience was lacking.

After some discussion, they tentatively settled on three potential approaches:

The first was an offensive type, for example, a peachwood sword that could slay spirits and restrain demonic entities.

The second was a functional accessory, these would conserve materials, allowing multiple items to be crafted and reducing the risks of failure.

The third was a specialized magical treasure, designed to create illusions or charm the mind.

Of the three, Zhang Tieshan had the highest confidence in crafting functional accessories.

Offensive treasures came second, while specialized treasures involving illusions were the least reliable.

Lan Chang’an, however, was somewhat ambitious. He hoped to combine elements of the first and second approaches to maximize the potential of the fourth-rank Millennium Soul-Nurturing Wood.

After all, the wood had additional enhancements—it could aid him in illuminating his past lives faster.

”Given my current skill level, I’ll need two to three years to thoroughly study the material,” Zhang Tieshan said after careful consideration. ”When the time comes, send over the Soul-Nurturing Wood for refinement. The success rate will be much higher. Additionally, we’ll need to gather some auxiliary materials for the process.”

”Very well. I’ll leave it in your capable hands, Fellow Daoist Zhang,” Lan Chang’an replied.

As payment, Lan Chang’an promised several third-rank talismans, including two mid-grade ones, as compensation.

The content of the transaction, the two swore an oath of secrecy not to disclose to outsiders.

With their previous trades involving the Five Elements Earth and Core Dissolution Technique, a foundation of trust had already been established between them.

...

That nigh at Jin Yun Valley, Lan Chang’an stayed overnight at a luxurious cave abode on a mountain peak nourished by a third-rank spiritual vein, courtesy of Jin Yun Valley.

As evening approached, Zhao Tan’er finally arrived, showing up late to visit him at his temporary residence.

”Sigh, my master refuses to listen to reason and insists on staying in seclusion, unwilling to meet guests,” Zhao Tan’er said with a pout. She adjusted her colorful long dress as she casually sat cross-legged, leaning slightly against the table, looking visibly upset.

”She simply doesn’t want to see me,” Lan Chang’an said with a faint smile as he made light conversation with Zhao Tan’er, who didn’t hold back in venting her frustrations.

Though decades had passed, Zhao Tan’er was still the same candid and straightforward girl he remembered—bright, honest, and refreshingly direct. She had no patience for pretense or unnecessary formalities.

Zhao Tan’er was a disciple Zhao Siyao had taken in before she had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.

The two were from the same family line, and Zhao Siyao treated Zhao Tan’er almost like a daughter.

When Lan Chang’an first met Zhao Tan’er, he had already noticed her talent. Her breakthroughs and progress in the Foundation Establishment stage were faster than those of most cultivators with high-grade spiritual roots.

At the time, he had already foreseen that Zhao Tan’er’s cultivation achievements might one day surpass his own.

After all, his own cultivation progress had always been painfully slow, so being overtaken by others was nothing new to him.

Back in his Qi-Refining stage, Li Ergou had also been ahead of him for a time.

Zhao Tan’er not only had better innate talent than Zhao Siyao but also benefited from superior resources and nurturing in Jin Yun Valley.

Moreover, her straightforward temperament seemed to grant her a unique childlike heart, allowing her to maintain a state of mental clarity and simplicity. This quality made it easier for her to break through bottlenecks.

Coupled with a fortuitous opportunity in the Green Underworld Mysterious Realm, she had even advanced to Core Formation slightly earlier than Lan Chang’an.

...

”Uncle Lan, let me toast you again!”

Zhao Tan’er’s fair face flushed a rosy red, her bright eyes becoming misty and glistening, as she repeatedly raised her glass and clinked it with Lan Chang’an’s.

In the past hour alone, they had emptied several jars of third-rank spirit wine.

Even with the fortified physiques of Core Formation cultivators, it was becoming difficult to endure.

Third-rank spirit wine was potent, its intoxicating effect going straight to the soul. For ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, just a few sips would be enough to make them dizzy.

”Drink less,” Lan Chang’an said, trying unsuccessfully to stop her. Zhao Tan’er, being a Core Formation cultivator herself, wasn’t so easily deterred.

He could sense her intent to get him drunk, but she had clearly underestimated him.

At this point, Zhao Tan’er was nearly leaning against him. Her long dress and silky black hair, faintly fragrant, brushed against him, filling the air with a delicate, pleasant scent.

”How improper. A grown woman like you, yet you don’t show respect to your elders. Sitting without proper posture—what kind of behavior is this?”

Lan Chang’an lifted his arm slightly, helping the tipsy Zhao Tan’er sit up straight.

”Hmph! Itʼs not like youʼre my master’s Daoist partner…”

”And now that you and I are both in the early Core Formation Realm, what makes you my elder? Exactly where are you older than me?” Zhao Tan’er retorted with a soft hum, her face flushed red as the rosy glow of dawn. She didn’t seem inclined to concede.

”I’m older than you in age!” Lan Chang’an said, his face stern.

In truth, setting aside his relationship with Zhao Siyao, the tradition of the cultivation world was to determine seniority based on one’s cultivation realm. By that standard, Zhao Tan’er could indeed be considered his equal.

”You’re just using your age as an excuse to act superior,” Zhao Tan’er said with a giggle. Her misty eyes sparkled with amusement, though it was hard to tell if she was mocking him or simply teasing.

”With your pitiful tolerance for alcohol, you actually thought you could get me drunk? If you have something to ask, just say it,” Lan Chang’an said, exasperated.

”Fine,” Zhao Tan’er said. She circulated her Core Formation power, instantly sobering up. Her bright eyes became clear, fixing on the white-robed man before her, who seemed ageless in her memory despite the passage of time.

”Uncle Lan, after advancing to Core Formation, have you grown to disdain my master? Do you think she’s no longer worthy of you?”

True to her straightforward nature, Zhao Tan’er’s question was sharp and direct, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

”No,” Lan Chang’an denied immediately. He offered an example: ”Take your Uncle Ergou, for instance. He was born a farmer and is still stuck in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Over the past hundred years, have you ever heard of me treating him lightly?”

”Hmm, that’s true,” Zhao Tan’er murmured, wrinkling her delicate nose as she considered this.

Indeed, when it came to old friendships, Lan Chang’an was beyond reproach.

He had always looked out for the descendants of his old friends, such as Lin Lu from back in the day and more recently Li Congren.

Even Zhao Tan’er’s Foundation Establishment Pill had been partly funded by Lan Chang’an’s efforts.

”If you don’t disdain her, then why don’t you take master as your wife? If you feel absolutely no affection for her, then just pretend I didn’t ask,” Zhao Tan’er said, pressing on.

This wasn’t the first time Lan Chang’an had faced this question, and he was well-prepared for it.

”The cultivation world is ever-changing. A Core Formation cultivator is only at the threshold of the high ranks. While we may seem impressive, in the grand schemes of the cultivation world, we’re little more than pawns. One misstep, and we face utter ruin.”

”Only a Nascent Soul True Monarch can transcend the chessboard and take control of their own fate. Otherwise, our lives are not our own, and danger is ever-present. When oneʼs fate is at stake, how would one dare to take a wife and have children?”

Zhao Tan’er stared at him, her round, bright eyes wide with shock. She opened her mouth as if to argue but found herself at a loss for words.

After all, the recent wars in the cultivation world had claimed the lives of more than a few Core Formation cultivators.

The impending invasion of the Six Demonic Sects would undoubtedly be even more devastating and terrifying.

And Lan Chang’an’s reputation as the ”Talisman Master Turtle” wasn’t baseless—his caution and tendency to avoid risks were well-known.

...

Lan Chang’an stayed in Jin Yun Valley for a few days, and Zhao Siyao still hadnʼt come out.

He sighed softly, choosing not to press the matter further, and bid farewell to Zhang Tieshan, Zhao Tan’er, and others.

”Uncle Lan, are you truly unwilling to see my master one last time?” Zhao Tan’er asked, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction.

For many years, she had been exasperated by the lack of initiative between her master and Lan Chang’an—two people who both stubbornly refused to take the first step when it came to feelings.

”It’s not that I don’t want to…” Lan Chang’an began but suddenly paused, a flicker of inspiration flashing through his mind.

”Tan’er, ask your master to meet me just outside Jin Yun Valley.”

Hearing this, Zhao Tan’er’s face lit up with a sweet smile. ”Got it!” she replied cheerfully before vanishing like a wisp of smoke, heading straight for Zhao Siyao’s cave abode.

Lan Chang’an said no more. He turned and flew out of Jin Yun Valley.

...

In the mountains several dozen li away from the valley…

A cool mountain breeze stirred Lan Chang’an’s white robes as he stood, waiting amidst the rugged terrain.

It wasn’t long—no more than a quarter of an hour—before a streak of light, radiating the aura of a Fake Dan cultivator, broke through the sky from the direction of Jin Yun Valley.

In his field of vision appeared a tall, graceful female cultivator clad in flowing white robes. Her immortal-like dress billowed gently in the breeze, accentuating her ethereal beauty.

Decades had passed since their last meeting, and Zhao Siyao had subtly changed.

She appeared to be in her early thirties, her hair swept into an elegant updo secured with a phoenix hairpin. Her demeanor was calm and poised, her features refined and mature, with an air of quiet sophistication.

”Fellow Daoist Zhao, it has been a long time. My visit to Jin Yun Valley must have disrupted your seclusion,” Lan Chang’an said with a polite smile, clasping his hands in greeting.

He had guessed correctly. Zhao Siyao’s refusal to come out of seclusion wasn’t because she didn’t want to see him, but rather because she felt uneasy about it.

If Lan Chang’an had insisted on meeting her, Zhao Siyao wouldn’t have refused.

Her nature was straightforward and generous, not one to hold petty grudges.

Besides, the two of them had always been friends—deeply bonded through years of camaraderie. Their relationship wasn’t one of those situations where a romantic entanglement, once exposed, would lead to an irreversible estrangement.

”Fellow Daoist Lan, you’ve advanced to the True Dan stage, and yet I didn’t greet you to offer my congratulations. That was thoughtless of me,” Zhao Siyao said with a light, self-deprecating smile. Seeing her familiar old friend, she inexplicably felt a sense of relief, her clear eyes softening with warmth.

She carried herself with grace as she returned his greeting, her white robes fluttering gently in the cool mountain wind, outlining a figure both elegant and captivating.

”It was just a lighthearted joke. There’s no need for you to dwell on it,” Lan Chang’an said calmly as he flew closer to Zhao Siyao.

”I was simply lucky to stumble upon a fortuitous opportunity that allowed me to barely achieve True Dan. Fellow Daoist Zhao, on the other hand, has done an extraordinary job training a disciple who has also attained a True Dan,” he added.

”There’s no need to console me,” Zhao Siyao said, shaking her head slightly. ”Forming a Fake Dan was well within my expectations. It’s simply my fate that I lack the ability to break through my own shackles.”

Zhao Siyao was well aware of the difference between a Fake Dan and a True Dan.

One marked the end of the road, while the other still held hope for reaching even greater heights.

After all these years, she had come to terms with her reality.

Fortunately, her disciple, Zhao Tan’er, had excelled beyond expectations, becoming a True Dan cultivator under her guidance. It was a small source of comfort and pride.

”A Fake Dan cultivator with a lifespan of more than three hundred years, the rest of your life is still long. If Fellow Daoist Zhao is content with her current circumstances, living a peaceful life or perhaps establishing a family of immortal cultivators wouldn’t be a bad path,” Lan Chang’an said.

He understood that Zhao Siyao’s achievements were already within the expectations of those around her.

The sense of regret only arose when compared to others—an old friend with lesser talent who had achieved True Dan, and a personal disciple who had surpassed her.

For most lower-tier cultivators in the cultivation world, forming a Fake Dan was already an unattainable pinnacle.

”Establishing a family… I have no interest in such things,” Zhao Siyao said, shaking her head slightly. ”Tan’er is enough—she’s like a daughter to me.”

If she didn’t truly like someone, or if they didn’t share the same aspirations, she’d rather remain alone. Having Zhao Tan’er by her side was more than sufficient.

”If Fellow Daoist Zhao is unwilling to accept this fate and still holds a shred of hope for the Dao, willing to risk everything, I could offer a potential path…”

”The path of Core Reformation?”

”Yes. Fellow Daoist Zhang is willing to provide the Core Dissolution Technique and his personal insights from his success,” Lan Chang’an said.

”Forget it. I appreciate both of your kindness,” Zhao Siyao said after a moment of contemplation. Her bright eyes briefly lit up with hope before dimming once more, settling into a calm serenity.

”I failed thirty years ago, and now, at this age, my potential has diminished. There’s no need to trouble anyone or cause Tan’er unnecessary worry…”

The truth was, even if she were given another chance, and even with a genuine Crystal Condensation Pill, she wasn’t confident she’d succeed in forming a True Dan.

...

The two of them continued their conversation for a long time, eventually settling down on a large rock to sit side by side.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, their shadows stretched out behind them, the distance between them growing so small it was as though they were a pair of Daoist partners leaning on one another.

Lan Chang’an broke the silence. ”Of the immortal seedlings who left Hengshui Prefecture back then, only you, I, and Li Erqing remain.”

”Li Erqing… He has no more than twenty years of lifespan left. I plan to visit him,” Lan Chang’an said, recalling the letter Li Erqing’s grandson had sent him in Jing Kingdom years ago.

Li Erqing had expressed a heartfelt wish: to see his old friend, Lan Chang’an, one last time in this lifetime.

Back then, the cultivation wars were raging, and Li Erqing had feared he would never get the chance to meet Lan Chang’an again.

”I’ll go with you,” Zhao Siyao said softly, her face filled with a distant nostalgia.

”Alright, let’s head out now,” Lan Chang’an said as he took her hand.

They rose into the air together, carried by the wind.

A streak of azure light enveloped the pair, his white robes and her white dress blending as they ascended into the skies above.

”This is my first time in the Nine Fiery Heavens,” Zhao Siyao said, her bright eyes sparkling with joy as she took in the breathtaking view of the uncharted winds above the clouds.

”Oh, I nearly forgot to tell you something,” Zhao Siyao suddenly said, turning to look at Lan Chang’an. ”Fairy Shi once came to see me and left a message for you.”

”Oh? What did she say?”

”She said there’s something very important she must tell you. Once you return to the Liang Kingdom, you must seek her out.”

”When was this?”

”Over twenty years ago.”