I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 290: The Scorpion Desolate City

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Lan Changʼan indeed didn’t make a move but merely sent a voice transmission to remind them.

”Ah... Did I use the wrong antidote?”

Miao Jing, the robust and sturdy woman, flushed red with embarrassment upon realizing she had made a mistake.

Earlier, Jiang Ruotong had been struck by a potent poison, leaving her body weak and her consciousness unclear. Miao Jing had been the one to handle the antidote.

In the desert, most toxins are highly lethal. The Scarlet Wind Antidote Pill was a general-purpose antidote, so she instinctively used it.

”Senior, what medicine should I use now?”

Miao Jing opened her storage pouch and asked through voice transmission.

”Hmm, let some of her blood out first. Then have her take the Lotus Cleansing Pill and the Vital Energy and Blood Pill from your storage pouch,” Lan Changʼan advised after a brief moment of thought.

With the experience and insight of a Nascent Soul cultivator, coupled with his own studies in medicine, an ordinary third-rank famous physician couldnʼt compare to him.
”Understood. Many thanks, Senior...”

Miao Jing quickly expressed her gratitude and followed Lan Changʼanʼs instructions.

After relaying his guidance, Lan Changʼan’s small sand beast cart left the troubled area.

Moments later.

From the desert behind, a wave of True Dan-level magical power surged forth, accompanied by the sound of a zither that rang like the clashing of metal and the neighing of warhorses.

”Lan has always kept his word. If I say I wonʼt make a move, I wonʼt make a move...”

Inside the sand beast cart, Lan Changʼan was lounging comfortably, sipping on iced fruit wine.

From his spirit pet pouch, his Profound Water Turtle used ice and water-based magic to maintain a cool and pleasant temperature inside the cart.

Meanwhile, his Earth Burrowing Rat continued scouting ahead through the sand layers.

After traveling several dozen li.

The medium-sized sand beast cart from the Xuan Yin Pavilion swiftly caught up from behind.

A soft and elegant voice called out, ”Jiang Ruotong of Xuan Yin Pavilion extends her gratitude to this Fellow Daoist for your assistance earlier.”

From the medium-sized sand beast cart, a graceful and delicate female cultivator in a white dress flew out. She looked to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years old.

Jiang Ruotong’s fair face was pale as snow, her complexion still poor due to lingering poison injuries. Nevertheless, she came to express her gratitude at the first opportunity.

Not long ago, after recovering part of her True Dan power, she summoned her magical treasure and successfully scared off the group of sand bandits.

”Fairy Jiang, you misunderstand. I, Xu, didn’t make a move,” Lan Changʼan replied indifferently.

What he had done earlier was merely a gesture of reciprocity.

He had no intention of cultivating ties with Xuan Yin Pavilion under the identity of “Liu Qingyan.”

For one, he hadn’t studied musical cultivation techniques and was unfamiliar with the network of connections in Xuan Yin Pavilion, making it difficult to impersonate anyone effectively.

Secondly, Xuan Yin Pavilion wasn’t an ideal faction to align with in Fengyuan Kingdom.

It wasn’t about their strength.

Xuan Yin Pavilion was composed entirely of female cultivators. Their beauty, combined with the power of their music cultivation techniques, inevitably attracted envy, covetous intentions, and constant trouble.

”Even if Fellow Daoist didn’t make a move, your golden words saved our lives. At the very least, this young lady would like to know your name, so I may repay your kindness in the future,” Jiang Ruotong said gracefully as she approached the small sand beast cart, bowing politely.

”In this humble one’s case, I am but a nameless figure. Xu Xuan,” Lan Changʼan said after a brief pause, reporting the name he had used in his previous life.

In the unfamiliar Fengyuan Kingdom, having the goodwill of a True Dan elder from Xuan Yin Pavilion might prove useful in the future.

”So it is Mister Xu. Would you be willing to visit our Xuan Yin Pavilion’s sand beast cart? Several sisters would like to offer their modest musical skills for your enjoyment,” Jiang Ruotong invited gently.

”There’s no need! Fairy Jiang should focus on eradicating the remnants of the poison and restoring your full power,” Lan Changʼan replied.

”Mister Xu’s noble and untainted demeanor is truly admirable,” Jiang Ruotong said, her gaze flickering as surprise filled her heart.

Outside, many male cultivators admired and pursued Xuan Yin Pavilion’s female disciples. Even if they couldn’t obtain anything romantic, they would still leap at the chance to hear their ethereal music, which could help them overcome inner heart demons.

As the youngest elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion, Jiang Ruotong had personally extended an invitation. Yet, this Mister Xu had resisted both beauty and benefits without hesitation.

For most male cultivators, not taking advantage of the situation would already be considered rare.

This mysterious and virtuous cultivator inevitably sparked Jiang Ruotong’s curiosity.

...

A few days later.

Lan Changʼan noticed that Xuan Yin Pavilion’s medium-sized sand beast cart had been traveling alongside his own for some time.

At first, Lan Changʼan thought they were doing it deliberately, perhaps with some hidden agenda against him. After all, with his appearance, physique, and wealth, he was impeccable in all aspects. While traveling in the outside world, one had to remain vigilant, even toward female cultivators.

However, after some discussion, Lan Changʼan learned that Xuan Yin Pavilion just happened to share the same route as him.

Both parties were heading to the nearest “Scorpion Desolate City” to restock supplies before continuing on to their final destinations.

Once Jiang Ruotong had completely purged the remnants of her poisoning, she extended another invitation.

This time, Lan Changʼan accepted.

Considering that the female cultivators of Xuan Yin Pavilion were not particularly adept at combat—none of them combined could even rival his Earth Burrowing Rat—Lan Changʼan saw no harm in joining them. Moreover, this was an opportunity to learn about Fengyuan Kingdom’s current state of affairs, helping him prepare for establishing a foothold here.

Two hundred years ago, the fourth life Master Lihuo had traveled through Fengyuan Kingdom. However, detailed and up-to-date information about the region was still something Lan Changʼan needed to gather personally.

Xuan Yin Pavilion’s medium-sized sand beast cart was far more spacious than Lan Changʼan’s. With simple decorations and soft carpeting, it offered a comfortable interior.

The space was about fifteen square meters, which allowed Lan Changʼan to sit with the five female cultivators without feeling cramped. Still, the closeness left only a one- or two-foot gap between them, which felt slightly intimate.

The subtle fragrances of the women surrounded Lan Changʼan, each with its unique charm. Even though most of it was perfume, the scents were derived from rare and high-grade natural materials, making them refreshingly pleasant.

Aside from the Fake Dan Miao Jing the other four women, including Jiang Ruotong, were classic beauties with fair skin, flowing long hair, and elegant celestial robes.

Jiang Ruotong took the lead in conversing with Lan Changʼan, answering his questions and resolving his doubts.

Meanwhile, the other four women played their zithers and other instruments. The ethereal and refined music filled the cart, creating an illusion of being amidst mountains and flowing streams, surrounded by birdsong and fragrant blooms.

Amidst the scorching desert, accompanied by such grace and elegance, Lan Changʼan found himself in a serene and enjoyable atmosphere, appreciating the fleeting moments of beauty.

The path he pursued was nothing but eternal life and true freedom.

“Several days ago, with just a few words, Mister Xu guided me in suppressing the deadly poison quickly. May I ask, Mister Xu, are you an alchemist or apothecary?”

Jiang Ruotong asked as she sliced fruits and served Lan Changʼan a cup of iced tea.

The “Mister Xu” in front of her appeared to be in his thirties or forties, dressed in simple green robes. Handsome and refined, his bearing was elegant, and his words carried a sense of extraordinary wisdom.

On the surface, his cultivation appeared to be in the Fake Dan stage, but Jiang Ruotong firmly believed that he was concealing his true strength.

To cross the treacherous Flying Sand Desert alone with such ease and composure was something no ordinary Fake Dan cultivator could achieve. He was most certainly a reclusive master.

“Indeed, Xu is an alchemist,” Lan Changʼan replied with his usual scholarly and amiable demeanor, taking a light sip of the third-rank spirit tea personally brewed by Jiang Ruotong.

When it came to the identity of “Xu Xuan,” Lan Changʼan claimed to hail from the vast and resource-rich Feng Kingdom. He explained that he had previously been a reclusive wandering cultivator.

Fearing conscription to the frontlines due to demonic invasion, he had chosen to flee to Fengyuan Kingdom for safety.

In recent years, many cultivators had sought refuge in Fengyuan Kingdom after escaping the Righteous Dao Alliance. Thus, Jiang Ruotong wasn’t surprised by his story.

When she brought up topics related to Feng Kingdom to test him, she found that this refined Mister Xu was remarkably knowledgeable, quoting history and culture with ease. His familiarity with Feng Kingdom was so thorough that it couldn’t possibly be faked.

The fourth life Master Lihuo, who had launched an invasion on the Feng Kingdom, naturally knew the country well enough.

“Mister Xu, are you perhaps a third-rank alchemist?”

Miao Jing, sitting nearby, couldn’t hold back her curiosity. Her tone carried a sense of hopeful anticipation.

Since Lan Changʼan had entered the cart, she had swapped her sleeveless outfit for a long dress. However, her robust physique now felt constrained and uncomfortable in the more formal attire.

“More or less,” Lan Changʼan nodded lightly, neither confirming nor denying it.

Currently, he was indeed a genuine third-rank alchemist, though he had never showcased such skills in the Liang Kingdom before.

Hearing his acknowledgment, Jiang Ruotong and the others lit up with excitement, their gazes toward Lan Changʼan taking on a new level of respect and admiration.

In the Fengyuan Kingdom, resources were scarce, and herbs for alchemy were even rarer. This had led to a severe shortage of high-tier alchemists, elevating their status far above even those in the Righteous Dao Alliance.

While the Fengyuan Kingdom was rich in mineral resources and had an abundance of artifact refiners and even some puppet masters, it severely lacked high-tier alchemists. Without them, the cultivation path of the nation’s sects faced significant limitations.

“May I be so bold as to invite Mister Xu to become a Guest Elder of Xuan Yin Pavilion?”

Despite knowing the chances were slim, Jiang Ruotong made her proposal sincerely.

Years ago, Xuan Yin Pavilion had suffered a devastating attack on their mountain gate. Only a portion of their elite cultivators had managed to relocate to Fengyuan Kingdom, it could be said that their talents were withering away.

Their previous third-rank alchemist was completely lost, and given Fengyuan Kingdom’s harsh environment, cultivating someone of that level again was an incredibly daunting task.

Without a third-rank alchemist, Xuan Yin Pavilion couldn’t sustain itself, nor could it produce more Core Formation cultivators.

Jiang Ruotong herself, as the only True Dan cultivator born after Xuan Yin Pavilion’s migration, was a product of their dwindling reserves.

“I’ve heard that Xuan Yin Pavilion has a rule of not admitting male cultivators?”

Lan Changʼan’s expression turned curious.

For a sect of female cultivators to extend an offer of a Guest Elder position to a man—it was the stuff of dreams for countless male cultivators.

“That was a rule in the cultivation world of Liang Kingdom…”

Jiang Ruotong smiled bitterly and explained the circumstances.

Years ago, in order to establish a foothold in the Fengyuan Kingdom and avoid the covetousness of various factions, Xuan Yin Pavilion had no choice but to break its old rules.

For exceptionally skilled individuals, or those who could help the sect thrive, they began granting Guest Elder positions to male cultivators.

To further bind such high-level talents to the sect, Xuan Yin Pavilion even went as far as arranging marriages between these men and their most beautiful and capable female disciples.

Of course, these were rare exceptions. Ordinary male cultivators, no matter how talented, were still not admitted.

“If Mister Xu agrees, I can personally guarantee that among the hundreds of female cultivators in Xuan Yin Pavilion—excluding the Pavilion Master—any woman you choose can become your Dao companion or concubine,” Jiang Ruotong said solemnly, her tone sincere without the slightest hint of jest.

Lan Changʼan was inwardly shocked.

The once-pristine Xuan Yin Pavilion, whose female disciples were aloof and celebrated in Liang Kingdom, now had to lower their pride so drastically to recruit him, even throwing open their doors in such an extravagant manner.

It was like a beauty pageant where he could select anyone at will.

Indeed, a fallen phoenix was no better than a chicken.

Hearing Jiang Ruotong’s offer, the four other female cultivators blushed deeply.

They lowered their heads in embarrassment, but their gazes occasionally flickered toward the refined and dignified Mister Xu, their eyes sparkling with admiration and other emotions.

Even the sturdy Miao Jing appeared somewhat shy, sneaking glances at Lan Changʼan with a hint of newfound interest.

“Xu has only recently arrived in the Fengyuan Kingdom and cannot make such a decision lightly,” Lan Changʼan replied tactfully, politely declining the offer.

Jiang Ruotong sighed softly, making no further attempts to persuade him but asking that he consider the matter in the future.

The four other women looked visibly disappointed.

“By the way, who is Xuan Yin Pavilion’s current Pavilion Master?”

Lan Changʼan asked, recalling certain intelligence.

“The Pavilion Master is my martial aunt, Fairy Ni Yue. Mister Xu may have heard of her name,” Jiang Ruotong replied.

“So, it’s Fairy Ni Yue. I once heard of her great reputation while in Feng Kingdom,” Lan Changʼan said with a respectful tone.

Over a hundred years ago, during the opening of the Green Underworld Mysterious Realm, Lan Changʼan had caught a fleeting glimpse of the leading “Fairy Ni Yue.”

At that time, she was recognized as the number one beauty in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

Now, this Fairy Ni Yue had become the leader of Xuan Yin Pavilion’s new generation.

...

Six days later.

The harsh sandstorms along the route gradually began to subside.

Lan Changʼan’s small sand beast cart occasionally passed through desolate oases, hills, and water reservoirs where spiritual energy was scarce.

Occasionally, Fengyuan Kingdom cultivators would appear on the road.

Most Fengyuan Kingdom cultivators were robust and muscular, with bronze or yellowish-brown skin. Among them, the proportion of body-refining cultivators was significantly higher than in the nations of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

Lan Changʼan observed that at least 40% of the cultivators either practiced body refining on the side or were pure body-refining cultivators.

This trend was closely related to the harsh environment of the Fengyuan Kingdom. The region offered relatively abundant resources for body refinement, making such cultivation methods more suitable.

By this point, Lan Changʼan had reached the vicinity of Fengyuan Kingdom’s borders.

The closer he got to the nation, the more stable the desert climate became, even making it suitable for mortal habitation.

Since ancient times, the central region of the Flying Sand Desert, where Fengyuan Kingdom was located, had always been more stable and livable compared to its surrounding regions.

The Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain and numerous oasis cities, and spiritual grounds established by indigenous tribes over tens of thousands of years had gradually improved the desert environment.

Inside the sand beast cart, Lan Changʼan was processing the useful information he had gathered from Jiang Ruotong.

In Fengyuan Kingdom, aside from the eight large oasis cities—known as the Eight Great Desolate Cities—there were also numerous scattered spiritual lands and oases.

The Eight Great Desolate Cities were controlled by indigenous tribes and served as their strongholds. These cities offered tributes to the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain.

Occupying medium-to-large spiritual veins and fertile lands, these cities were extremely hostile to cultivators from outside their region, whom they referred to as foreign cultivators or outsiders.

Foreign cultivators were often treated unfairly in the Eight Great Desolate Cities. Oppression was common, and being robbed or killed by indigenous cultivators wasn’t unusual.

Foreign merchants and cultivators entering the cities were required to pay spirit stones to apply for a temporary Residence Permit.

This permit was valid for a maximum of one year and required renewal and re-approval upon expiration.

While the cities’ rules nominally protected foreign cultivators with permits, this protection only extended to the surface. As long as it wasn’t blatant or public, deaths of outsiders within or near the cities were typically ignored.

Fortunately, the Eight Great Desolate Cities were not the only powers in the Fengyuan Kingdom.

Over the past ten thousand years, the southeastern region of the nation had become home to a large number of outsider factions, collectively known as the Outer Sect Alliance.

This alliance initially consisted of several sects but later grew to include numerous cultivation clans and merchant organizations. They had established various oases, spiritual veins, and even immortal cities.

Only a portion of the cultivators in the Outer Sect Alliance came from the Righteous Dao Alliance.

Many others hailed from east of Liang Kingdom, beyond the toxic marshlands, in cultivation world ruled by factions such as the Five Poisons Sect and the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, that region was rife with conflict and instability.

Among the forces of the Outer Sect Alliance, there were even clans established by deserters and traitors from the Five Poisons Sect and the Thousand Mechanisms Sect.

There, one could easily purchase puppets and poisonous artifacts.

Naturally, the indigenous tribes controlling the Eight Great Desolate Cities viewed the Outer Sect Alliance as a thorn in their side. Clashes and skirmishes were common, and even small-scale cultivation wars had erupted in the past.

Eventually, the two sides reached a truce, agreeing to coexist and conduct trade.

This outcome was driven by two main reasons:

One, the indigenous tribes of the Eight Great Desolate Cities were plagued by internal conflicts and blood feuds, preventing them from uniting against a common enemy.

Secondly, the Heavenly Master of the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain rarely involved themselves in matters beyond the Eight Great Desolate Cities, maintaining an aloof and transcendent stance.

Additionally, the Outer Sect Alliance had its own Nascent Soul-level backing. However, due to the lack of fourth-rank spiritual veins, there were no permanently stationed Nascent Soul True Monarch.

“First, I’ll settle in the Scorpion Desolate City for two years, familiarize myself with the local environment, and exchange resources…”

“Afterward, I’ll head to the Outer Sect Alliance’s territory. The trade in cultivation materials there is more prosperous, which will be beneficial for acquiring Life Extension Pills and advancing my puppet refinement techniques…”

Lan Changʼan began formulating a rough plan.

The fourth life Master Lihuo had left behind descendants and offspring in some of the medium-to-large oases of the Outer Sect Alliance.

That region was relatively livable, with abundant vegetation and spiritual energy. It was also less conspicuous, making it an ideal place for low-profile development.

Of course, this was just one of the options Lan Changʼan was considering.

...

Half a day later.

Lan Changʼan stepped out of the cramped sand beast cart and took to the sky with his flying light.

Meanwhile, the Xuan Yin Pavilion female cultivators were traveling aboard a pavilion-shaped magical treasure that flew through the air.

Since they were all heading to Scorpion Desolate City, Lan Changʼan accepted their invitation to board their pavilion magical treasure.

“Mister Xu, applying for a Residence Permit as a foreign cultivator in the Desolate Cities is not an easy task. You may encounter difficulties or even deliberate obstruction. With Xuan Yin Pavilion’s recommendation, we can help save you some trouble,” Jiang Ruotong said with a smile.

Without a Residence Permit, foreign cultivators were essentially undocumented in the Desolate Cities, making it nearly impossible to move about freely.

The appearance, skin tone, and spiritual aura of foreign cultivators differed significantly from those of the indigenous tribes, making them easily identifiable.

“In that case, I’ll trouble Fairy Jiang,” Lan Changʼan said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

“No need to be so formal, Mister Xu,” Jiang Ruotong replied with a graceful smile.

Even if Lan Changʼan didn’t join Xuan Yin Pavilion, maintaining a good relationship with him would be beneficial. In the future, they could seek his help with alchemy.

Before sunset, the pavilion magical treasure arrived at a lush oasis surrounded by hills, lakes, and marshes.

In the center of this verdant highland stood a massive ancient city with black-brown walls.

The scale of the city surpassed that of Huanglong Immortal City. Its walls and towers were adorned with sharp, menacing spikes, giving it an aggressive appearance.

From a distance, the city resembled a colossal ancient black scorpion coiled in the yellow sands of the desert.

Xuan Yin Pavilion’s pavilion magical treasure hovered outside Scorpion Desolate City.

After a moment, a muscular, bronze-skinned man clad in black armor approached Jiang Ruotong. He stood atop a black carapace artifact the size of a small boat, his expression warm and enthusiastic.

“Fairy Jiang, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your return. Futah has greatly missed your heavenly voice…”

The armored man spoke the universal language of the cultivation world, though his pronunciation was awkward and carried a local accent.

With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Lan Changʼan determined that this man’s cultivation was only at the ninth level of Qi-Refining. However, his body refinement had reached the quasi-third rank.

Such cases were exceedingly rare in the nations of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

“Mr. Xu, this is Futah, the deputy city patrol general of Scorpion Desolate City,” Jiang Ruotong introduced.

As Futah’s gaze fell upon the scholarly, fair-skinned, and refined-looking Lan Changʼan, a flicker of disdain appeared in his eyes.

In the tribes of the Desolate Cities, fair-skinned, refined men were often seen as weak and lacking in bloodlust.