I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 272: The Xuantian Relic

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After leaving the Jin Yun Valley, Lan Changʼan truly set out to visit friends.

Riding on a massive dark-green turtle, he left his tracks across Feiyue Lake, the former Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market Town, and Wuqi Mountain.

However, he did not linger long at any of these places.

One this day, Lan Changʼan arrived at Huanglong Immortal City on a dark-green giant turtle, which was three zhang wide.

”Evergreen Immortal!”

”A late-stage second-rank Profound Water Turtle mount!”

The sight of a majestic Profound Water Turtle breaking through waves and carrying the refined and ethereal Lan Changʼan caused a stir among the many loose cultivators outside Huanglong Immortal City.

The scene filled the crowd with longing, awe, and admiration.

”Lan Immortal was also a loose cultivator from Huanglong Immortal City in his early days, once laying his Foundation Establishment within these city walls...”
Some of the more senior cultivators in Huanglong Immortal City spoke proudly of Lan Changʼanʼs past exploits to the newcomers, about the deeds of the Turtle Talisman Master back then.

Upon entering Huanglong Immortal City, Lan Changʼan briefly exchanged greetings with the cityʼs ruler and several Immortals at the True Dan stage.

Now a guest elder of Jin Yun Valley, Lan Changʼan no longer had to endure recruitment attempts from various factions whenever he traveled.

Among his peers, he was addressed as ”Lan Immortal” or ”Elder Lan.”

During the two years he spent in Jin Yun Valley, Lan Changʼan often fed the Profound Water Turtle with Evergreen mana to nourish it, allowing it to grow rapidly to the late stage of the second rank.

This unusual growth naturally attracted the attention of some observant cultivators.

However, given Lan Changʼanʼs elevated status as a third-rank Grand Talisman Master, a True Dan cultivator, and an elder of a prestigious sect, those curious cultivators dared not harbor any inappropriate intentions.

Lan Changʼan rented a third-rank cave dwelling on Huanglong Mountain.

That night, a man in a gray-and-white hooded robe appeared in the shadows of the cave dwelling.

”Master Lan Changʼan, here is the intelligence you requested,” said Xing Peng as he handed over a jade slip.

Lan Changʼan scanned it with his spiritual sense.

The intelligence contained information about the war with the demonic sects.

Although it did not disclose classified details about the higher-ups of the demonic factions, it allowed Lan Changʼan to grasp the true state of the war.

To maintain morale, the Righteous Dao Alliance had concealed some details about the war.

Over the past two years, one of the Six Demonic Sects, the Beast King Valley, had continued gathering cultivators.

For now, both sides were primarily engaged in small-scale skirmishes, with scouts and reconnaissance cultivators clashing frequently.

”Has the Unseen Gate initiated assassination plans against key cultivators of the Righteous Dao Allianceʼs nations?”

Recalling a reminder from the Jin Yun Valleyʼs sect master, Lan Changʼan couldnʼt help but ask.

”They have indeed! For certain critical figures, the branch divisions of the Unseen Gate have initiated assassination plans,” Xing Peng replied.

”However, not all deaths of cultivators are the work of the Unseen Gate. Our methods mainly involve infiltration and subversion. Without at least a 90% certainty of success, we wonʼt act rashly.”

The Unseen Gateʼs assassinations of key figures either aimed to weaken the Allianceʼs strength or to escalate tensions and provoke conflicts among various factions of cultivators, ultimately leading to internal strife.

Their true objective was to create chaos and dismantle the united front of the nations under the Righteous Dao Alliance.

”Am I on their assassination list?” Lan Changʼan asked curiously.

”Such information involves the branchʼs secrets, so I wouldnʼt know. However, based on my experience, Lan Immortal, as a guest elder of a sect, is unlikely to be considered a key target for assassination,” Xing Peng answered.

”Moreover, Master Lan Changʼan, according to the intelligence, your survival tactics are formidable, and you are cautious and prudent. The Unseen Gate wouldnʼt take the risk of exposing themselves just to assassinate you.”

”Hmm, thatʼs reassuring,” Lan Changʼan nodded.

However, a thought emerged in his mind.

Should he hedge his bets with both sides?

If the Righteous Dao Alliance suffered a crushing defeat in the future, could he infiltrate the Unseen Gate and become a member of one of the Six Demonic Sects?

Yet, without offering a token of allegiance—betraying his fellow cultivators—he would find it difficult to earn the trust of the Six Demonic Sects.

Doing such a thing would also go against Lan Changʼanʼs principles.

Besides, compared to the more neutral and orderly approach of the Righteous Dao Alliance, the Six Demonic Sects were far more domineering, insidious, and treacherous, with little regard for trust or integrity.

...

Three days later, Lan Changʼan began gathering a rare type of demonic beast hide in Huanglong Immortal City for refining a special type of talisman.

When he couldnʼt find the materials he needed in the city, he suppressed his cultivation aura and flew to the northern Black Fog Mountain Range, disappearing from view not long after.

Half a month later.

A young man in blue robes, riding a flying boat, appeared on the southern border of the Liang Kingdom.

The waves of spiritual power emanating from his body indicated that he had reached the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage.

This blue-robed youth was none other than Nie Yuan, a former inner disciple of the Flame Departing Palace who had fled years ago.

Nie Yuan possessed high-grade spiritual roots and a strong ambition. Due to his ordinary background, he had missed the chance to become a true disciple of the Flame Departing Palace by a narrow margin.

Among the alternate identities Lan Changʼan had collected, this one had the highest potential and talent.

”Wangyue Immortal City lies on the border between the Liang Kingdom and the Feng Kingdom, situated in the southern part of the Liang Kingdom, slightly to the east...”

As he flew, Lan Changʼan occasionally consulted a map, reviewing information about Wangyue Immortal City.

Wangyue Immortal City was regarded as a sanctuary amidst chaotic times. Regardless of oneʼs identity or origins, as long as one had spirit stones, the city would accept them.

Even fugitives from neighboring regions could find protection within Wangyue Immortal City.

It was said that the cityʼs backing came from the Central Region of Great Qing, and its existence had spanned over ten thousand years.

”Wangyue Immortal City is indeed safe and has an excellent reputation. Over the past few centuries, many cultivators from various nations have reached the Core Formation stage here. Some have even formed upper-tier True Dans, with one or two cases of forming Golden Dan.”

”However, the city’s high status attracts powerful bandits in the surrounding areas, whose strength far surpasses that of other border regions between cultivation nations.”

Lan Changʼan knew well that the world inside Wangyue Immortal City and the world outside were two completely different realities.

Because of the inherent risks, although he had heard of Wangyue Immortal City in his earlier years, he had never considered coming here.

...

A few days later.

The blue-robed youth piloted his flying boat into the thousand-li range of Wangyue Immortal City.

Along the way, he encountered very few cultivators.

However, those he did meet were no ordinary individuals. Either they were True Dan cultivators, or they were late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators traveling in groups.

The blue-robed youth looked around vigilantly, scanning his surroundings as if sensing something amiss.

Suddenly, a chilling, sinister laugh echoed from a nearby mountain cave.

”Hehehe… Finally, we’ve found a lone Foundation Establishment cultivator!”

From within the cave burst three malevolent cultivators radiating killing intent.

The leader, clad in iron armor, was a Fake Dan cultivator, while his two subordinates were both late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Before the words fully left his mouth, the three unfurled formation flags, distorting the surrounding space and activated a temporary illusionary formation.

In an instant, Lan Changʼan and the three assailants were enveloped in a snowy, icy wasteland.

This illusionary formation masked all fluctuations of spiritual power and sounds of battle, ensuring they would not draw outside attention and risk someone else swooping in to claim the spoils.

...

“You’re not the first to try this approach,” Lan Changʼan said coldly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge as he folded his arms behind his back.

”Somethingʼs wrong! This guy’s no ordinary cultivator!”

The iron-armored leader’s expression shifted drastically as unease crept into his heart, but it was too late.

A sharp, piercing whistle erupted, resembling the grinding of blades, and reverberated through the space.

Screech!

A searing pain stabbed through the iron-armored cultivator’s sea of consciousness, as though a knife had been thrust into his mind. His senses blurred, teetering on the verge of collapse.

Instinctively, he activated a protective spiritual barrier around himself. His pupils reflected the faint shadow of a dark, hazy arrow, its tip glinting with a cold silver-blue light.

“Boss!”

The two late-stage Foundation Establishment subordinates cried out in alarm.

Before their voices could fully register, the shadowy arrow pierced through the iron-armored man’s head, trailing a streak of blood-red light.

”Heʼs a True Dan cultivator! Run!”

The two subordinates froze momentarily, their thoughts interrupted by a sharp, deafening buzz in their minds. Moments later, their consciousness plunged into darkness.

”A treasure with both spiritual attacks and concealment properties—perfect for dealing with small fry,” Lan Changʼan said with a faint smile as he gestured, recalling the arrow back into his sleeve.

Fake Dan cultivators could wield low-grade magical treasures, and with two or three working together, they could hold their own against an early-stage True Dan cultivator.

However, for Lan Changʼan, a True Dan cultivator wielding the Barbed Arrows, even Fake Dan opponents were no more than minor obstacles.

The Barbed Arrow was at least a superior item among mid-grade magical treasures. Its power, especially when enhanced with spiritual attacks, was significant, though it consumed an enormous amount of spiritual sense to use.

Even when he advanced to the mid-stage True Dan cultivation, Lan Changʼan might not be able to unleash the magical treasure’s full potential.

Squeak, squeak!

In a matter of breaths, the Earth Burrowing Rat scurried out, diligently scavenging the loot and erasing all traces of the battle.

Lan Changʼan dismantled the quasi-third-rank illusionary formation left behind by the assailants and continued toward Wangyue Immortal City, maintaining his disguise as Nie Yuan.

This wasn’t merely a case of “playing a pig to eat the tiger.”

Lan Changʼan had considered flying directly into the city as a True Dan cultivator.

However, that approach posed risks.

If he entered the city with his True Dan cultivation, it would leave a record. Later, when he switched to his Nie Yuan persona, the discrepancy would draw attention.

If Nie Yuan behaved inconspicuously after entering the city, it might not have mattered. But in the future, Nie Yuan’s identity was destined to break into the Core Formation Realm, likely achieving at least a Half-Step Golden Dan.

At that time, the breakthrough would cause a significant phenomenon, inevitably attracting attention.

A simple investigation would reveal that Nie Yuan had no recorded entry into Wangyue Immortal City.

Simultaneously, a True Dan cultivator would have mysteriously disappeared within the city.

Such inconsistencies would raise far too many suspicions.

...

“While Wangyue Immortal City is a sanctuary, its surrounding regions are certainly chaotic. I’ve even heard rumors of True Dan rogue cultivators operating in the area,” Lan Changʼan mused as he flew forward.

After traveling several hundred more li, he detected the fluctuations of an ongoing battle.

“Hand over the Core Formation item, and we’ll spare your lives!”

“Ting’er, go! Your granny will hold these two thieves off! Fly toward Wangyue Immortal City—once you’re within a hundred li, the city’s enforcers will appear!”

A few li away, an elderly woman and a young female cultivator were being pursued by two Fake Dan bandits.

The older woman, a white-haired granny with Fake Dan cultivation, looked pale as she spat out a mouthful of essence blood onto her black silk ribbon magical treasure.

Whoosh!

The ten-zhang-long black ribbon unleashed a black wind imbued with fiery red energy, coiling like a dragon to block the two Fake Dan cultivators.

The attack, fueled by the granny’s essence blood, temporarily elevated the power of her magical treasure to that of an early-stage True Dan cultivator.

“Granny!”

Behind the elderly woman, the young female cultivator—a stunning figure in a flowing gauze dress—bit her lip in anguish. With determination in her eyes, she resolutely flew toward Wangyue Immortal City.

As the young woman approached, Lan Changʼan instinctively summoned a prototype magical treasure, staying vigilant.

In some sects, peak Foundation Establishment cultivators with exceptional spiritual power and spiritual sense could manipulate magical treasures and even challenge Fake Dan opponents.

“This fellow Daoist, may I ask for your assistance?”

The gauze-clad young woman’s bright eyes lit up as she spotted the dignified blue-robed youth wielding a magical treasure prototype.

“I am Zhu Yuting, a cultivator from Qinglong City in the Heng Kingdom. If you can save my granny, I will repay your kindness generously in the future!” she pleaded earnestly.

Lan Changʼan cautiously kept his distance, observing the situation.

On the other side, the elderly Fake Dan cultivator was clearly injured and fighting desperately, showing no signs of a trap.

“Hmph!”

A cold snort echoed from above the battlefield from the Nine Fiery Heavens accompanied by the oppressive spiritual pressure of a True Dan cultivator.

”Retreat!”

The two Fake Dan bandits’ expressions shifted drastically as they fled in their escape light.

“Thank you, senior, for your assistance,” Zhu Yuting said respectfully, bowing toward the sky.

In the Nine Fiery Heavens, the True Dan cultivator’s presence didn’t linger; the individual merely passed by, heading toward Wangyue Immortal City.

“It seems there are still good people in the cultivation world,” Lan Changʼan remarked, retracting his magical treasure prototype.

“Granny, are you alright?”

Zhu Yuting flew over to support the injured white-haired granny.

“I’m fine,” the elderly woman replied, swallowing several pills before calling out to Lan Changʼan.

“Young friend, would you care to accompany us? There are still two or three hundred li to Wangyue Immortal City, and together we can deter common bandits.”

The white-haired granny gave Lan Changʼan a kind smile.

“Alright.”

After confirming that the two were not bandits themselves, Lan Changʼan nodded in agreement.

Traveling with a Fake Dan cultivator would indeed make the journey safer and less troublesome.

The injured granny, having expended much of her vitality, sought to recruit a strong companion to strengthen their group.

Thus, the three joined forces and continued toward Wangyue Immortal City.

...

The trio, each with their own needs, traveled together toward Wangyue Immortal City.

During their conversations, Lan Changʼan learned more about his temporary companions.

The Fake Dan elderly woman’s surname was Yan. She was warm and kind in her demeanor, engaging Lan Changʼan in friendly dialogue without any of the arrogance typical of an Immortal.

In contrast, her granddaughter, Zhu Yuting, was nonchalant toward him.

Perhaps it was because Lan Changʼan had hesitated earlier to help them during the ambush. Zhu Yuting harbored a poor impression of him as a result.

Zhu Yuting, however, was stunningly beautiful, with a celestial elegance and an air of reserved aloofness that only grew more apparent after the danger had passed.

Lan Changʼan sensed that this young woman had already reached the peak of the ninth level of Foundation Establishment and was relatively young.

He surmised that she was likely a favored genius nurtured by a medium-sized cultivation faction, someone admired as a dreamlike figure by her peers.

“Young Friend Nie, so you’re a distinguished disciple of the Flame Departing Palace. I must apologize for not recognizing you earlier,” Granny Yan said with newfound enthusiasm upon learning of Lan Changʼan’s assumed identity.

She even sent a voice transmission to Zhu Yuting, encouraging her to befriend Lan Changʼan. In her eyes, anyone capable of traveling alone to Wangyue Immortal City as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was likely a hidden dragon among men, perhaps even capable of challenging Fake Dan cultivators.

“Flame Departing Palace? Why bother associating with a fallen disciple from a destroyed Nascent Soul sect?” Zhu Yuting scoffed inwardly, her face showing no interest.

Though she recognized “Nie Yuan” as being far from ordinary, her pride prevented her from humbling herself to cultivate a relationship with someone from a declining background.

Moreover, with her talent and chances of forming a True Dan, there was little need to curry favor with a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a dead sect.

The remainder of their journey went smoothly, perhaps due to the strength of their group.

Eventually, a pale-blue crystalline city appeared on the horizon, shining like a pearl embedded in a desolate wasteland.

As they drew closer, they could see patrols of enforcement cultivators flying around the perimeter of the city, signaling their arrival in a secure zone.

The three heaved a sigh of relief.

Entering the 100-li safety radius of Wangyue Immortal City meant they were effectively out of danger.

Lan Changʼan considered himself fortunate. Encountering only two Fake Dan ambushes on the journey wasn’t too bad, considering the chaos of the surrounding region.

From a distance, the scale of Wangyue Immortal City was comparable to that of Huanglong Immortal City, spanning several hundred li in size.

Before even getting close, Lan Changʼan could feel the powerful spiritual pressure emanating from the city’s fourth-rank spirit veins.

Wangyue Immortal City was protected by a mid-grade fourth-rank defensive formation. Even if two Nascent Soul sects joined forces, it would be almost impossible to breach the city.

Entering the city was easier than Lan Changʼan had anticipated.

Each person simply paid a thousand spirit stones to receive an entry token. The city officials only recorded a name, asking no further questions about one’s background or origins.

The steep entry fee served as a means of crowd control, limiting the number of low-level cultivators entering the city.

Within the city, lodging at an inn costs anywhere from ten to fifty spirit stones per day, depending on the quality. For most cultivators, the thousand spirit stones only afforded them a stay of a few dozen days.

Lan Changʼan understood the reasoning behind this approach. Without such restrictions, Wangyue Immortal City would become a haven for low-level loose cultivators and fugitives from all over the region.

The city catered primarily to mid- to high-level cultivators. If too many low-level cultivators were allowed in, even the city’s powerful fourth-rank spirit veins would struggle to sustain them.

...

“Wangyue Immortal City primarily serves mid- and high-level cultivators,” Granny Yan explained as she introduced Lan Changʼan and Zhu Yuting to the city’s basic layout.

“Whether you’re here to purchase materials or participate in auctions, as long as you abide by the city’s rules, no one will question your identity.”

“Even if you’re here to attempt Core Formation, you only need to pay the spirit stone fee—there’s no need for an identity review.”

Granny Yan had visited Wangyue Immortal City before and was familiar with its policies.

As they explored the city, Lan Changʼan noted that even the most inconspicuous shops here would be considered high-end establishments in Liang Kingdom’s immortal cities.

The goods they sold were also pricier. Some rare resources couldn’t even be purchased with spirit stones and required bartering with items of equivalent rank.

It was rumored that Wangyue Immortal City even traded in certain Nascent Soul-level resources, though that was a circle far beyond the reach of cultivators like them.

That evening, the trio checked into an inn within the city.

The cultivation environment offered by inns in Wangyue Immortal City peaked at quasi-third-rank spirit veins.

If one wanted access to a third-rank spirit vein environment, they would have to rent a cave dwelling, which was significantly more expensive.

“Someone is attempting Core Formation…”

That night, Lan Changʼan and his companions felt the fluctuation in spiritual energy.

Under the moonlight, the crystalline city walls shimmered faintly, casting a dreamy, ethereal glow across the city.

In the city’s central district, the flow of spiritual energy surged violently, converging on a third-rank cave dwelling.

The local cultivators were unfazed by the phenomenon, as it was a common occurrence.

Wangyue Immortal City catered to cultivators from various nations and regions. Almost every year, there were those who came here to attempt Core Formation.

In theory, it was possible to form a Core without a Crystal Condensation Pill or Core Formation items.

However, while many tried to form their Core here, only a small fraction succeeded. Of those who succeeded, the majority formed Fake Dans, while only a rare few managed to form true upper-tier cores.

From a distance, Lan Changʼan observed the phenomenon and shook his head slightly.

...

The next day.

With Granny Yan leading the way, Lan Changʼan and Zhu Yuting made their way to the grand hall at the center of Wangyue Immortal City.

After paying a significant sum of spirit stones, they received tokens permitting them to attempt Core Formation.

The cost was about 30% higher than what one might pay in Liang Kingdom’s immortal cities.

“They really don’t ask about your identity,” Lan Changʼan remarked in surprise as he held the token.

The entire process was startlingly simple. No inquiries, no background checks—just a straightforward exchange of spirit stones for the permit.

Even having someone else collect the token on your behalf would have been allowed.

“Young Friend Nie, we’ll be taking our leave now. I’ll accompany Yuting to a third-rank cave dwelling to prepare for her Core Formation.”

After obtaining their tokens, Granny Yan bid farewell to Lan Changʼan with a kind smile and flew toward the city’s central district with Zhu Yuting.

Lan Changʼan, however, wasn’t in a rush to move into a third-rank cave dwelling.

Instead, he familiarized himself with the inner workings of Wangyue Immortal City, the distribution of its factions, and the surrounding environment.

While Core Formation was undoubtedly important, ensuring his safety and securing an escape route were equally critical.

A few days later.

In the skies above the city, the phenomenon of Core Formation continued.

However, the gathering spiritual energy clouds were small and unstable, barely spanning half a li, as if they could collapse at any moment.

By now, Lan Changʼan had gained a clear understanding of Wangyue Immortal City’s structure.

All industries within the city—including every shop, large and small—were owned and operated by the city’s official administration.

Outsiders were strictly prohibited from conducting business in the city.

The city’s administration was shrouded in mystery, its backing apparently unrelated to the Great Qing’s Eastern Region.

Wangyue Immortal City had built its reputation on reliability, with a policy of not asking questions about its visitors’ identities. It allowed cultivators to build their Foundation, form their Core, and even transcend to the Nascent Soul Realm or face tribulations within its bounds.

Despite the high costs, this reputation drew countless cultivators from the surrounding nations, particularly those from factions without Nascent Soul backing.

The city was divided into zones based on its spirit veins:

Fourth-rank Spirit Vein Zone reserved for Nascent Soul cultivators, who came here to cultivate or trade with the city’s local Nascent Soul cultivators.

Third-rank Spirit Vein Zone was the primary area open to outside cultivators for activities such as Core Formation or trade.

Second-rank Spirit Vein Zone, located on the city’s periphery, this area housed inns and lodgings for most visitors.

Lan Changʼan glanced toward the third-rank spirit vein district, another Core Formation phenomenon had appeared in the skies.

He didn’t need to guess—this was likely Zhu Yuting attempting to form her Core.

When they parted ways, Lan Changʼan had already sensed that Granny Yan and Zhu Yuting were eager to complete their Core Formation as soon as possible.

“Two people forming their cores simultaneously…”

This was the first time Lan Changʼan had seen such a scene in this life.

For an advanced immortal city with a fourth-rank spirit vein at its core, such occurrences were hardly noteworthy.

The city’s third-rank spirit veins were merely branches of the main fourth-rank spirit vein, and the two concurrent Core Formations—occurring ten li apart—did not interfere with one another.

...

Instead of heading straight into seclusion for his own Core Formation, Lan Changʼan chose to visit the city’s Profound Secrets Pavilion.

This establishment not only sold common cultivation manuals but also housed ancient texts, many of which contained rare and obscure records of secrets and myths from the cultivation world.

The upper three floors of the pavilion were dedicated to such texts. They didn’t offer high-grade techniques or secret arts but rather chronicled ancient legends passed down through the ages.

Some of these accounts were verified and based on facts, while others were purely speculative or anecdotal.

Accessing these ancient texts required paying a fee per volume.

“Xuantian Mysteries?”

After browsing through a dozen ancient texts, Lan Changʼan finally found a record related to the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

“Xuantian Supreme Treasures are primordial items that accompany the birth of worlds. They contain traces of a world’s origin and are imbued with corresponding laws, capable of stabilizing and enhancing the world’s destiny…”

“Different worlds produce different Xuantian items. Those born of higher-tier worlds are called Great Xuantian Treasures, while those of ordinary worlds are known as Lesser Xuantian Treasures…”

Lan Changʼan suppressed the tremor in his heart and carefully noted the information.

He casually returned the book to its shelf and picked up another text, this one detailing legendary true spirit beasts.

Based on the information he had gleaned, the vine fragment he had obtained in the past had once nurtured a “Xuantian Gourd,” which should have been a Xuantian Supreme Treasure.

It was more likely a Lesser Xuantian Treasure, as the text described:

“Great Xuantian Treasures are irresistibly tempting even to peak cultivators at the Integration Realm, Mahayana Realm, and, according to legend, even True Spirits themselves…”

Lan Changʼan, having lived several lifetimes, had never even encountered a Deity Transformation cultivator, let alone someone in the Integration or Mahayana stages. The Heaven Honoured Continent, since ancient times, had shown no traces of any existence beyond the Void Refinement Realm.

From this, it can be inferred that the Human Realm where the Heaven Honoured Continent is located is not a high-tier world.

However, even a Lesser Xuantian Treasure was an existence far beyond ordinary spiritual treasures. The text suggested that it theoretically had the potential to grow into a Great Xuantian Treasure.

Additionally, there was an intriguing speculation within the text:

“Possessing a Xuantian Supreme Treasure in the mortal realm is equivalent to holding the key to ascending to a higher-tier world.”

“So that withered little gourd on the vine was an unformed Xuantian relic…”

Lan Changʼan sighed inwardly, feeling a mix of regret and loss.

A Xuantian item was intrinsically tied to the laws of its world. Even a remnant of a Lesser Xuantian Treasure was an existence that defied common logic.

It was no wonder that his Earth Burrowing Rat companion, during its Core Formation, had exceeded expectations and formed a Golden Dan imbued with profound Dao Rhyme.

“Ah well. I’m lucky to have realized this much. What I’ve lost was never truly mine. After completing my Third Turn Golden Dan, I’ll have no fear of lifespan and can try again in the future.”

With that, Lan Changʼan’s emotions settled, and his heart regained its calm.

...

As Lan Changʼan exited the Profound Secrets Pavilion, he suddenly sensed a disturbance coming from the third-rank spirit vein district.

One of the Core Formation phenomena abruptly collapsed, and the surrounding spiritual energy became chaotic.

Someone had failed their Core Formation attempt!

Based on the intensity of the collapse, the backlash seemed severe, and the cultivator was likely dead.

Without any further hesitation, Lan Changʼan boarded his flying boat and headed for the third-rank spirit vein district.

Holding his Core Formation token, he selected a relatively remote third-rank cave dwelling for his upcoming seclusion.