I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 293: Waiting for the Right Price

”Little girl, what is your surname?”

Lan Changʼan paused at a small stall, picking up a talisman to examine it as he casually asked the question.

The girl in the blue dress had a graceful charm about her, evoking a sense of familiarity in him.

Somewhere, in a past life, he had met her. Their relationship had been close.

Her elder brother, standing nearby, looked at Lan Changʼan with a hint of vigilance upon hearing his question.

This wasn’t the first time such a situation had occurred.

His sister’s pure and delicate beauty, along with her sharp intellect, often attracted male cultivators. Many believed they were lowering themselves by approaching her, confident that they could offer her a better life.

When these suitors learned that the siblings owned a shop in the busiest marketplace at the heart of the oasis, they often retreated in shame, becoming the butt of jokes.

“Responding to senior, this humble girl’s surname is Yun.”
The girl in the blue dress, her eyes sparkling, responded crisply, her voice as clear as a bell.

The middle-aged man in green robes standing before her had fair skin and a scholarly elegance, his extraordinary aura making it difficult to discern his cultivation level.

Her instincts told her this person was different from the presumptuous suitors who had approached her before.

Yun?

Lan Changʼan remained composed, his expression unchanged as he examined the first-rank superior-grade talisman in his hand. The intricate craftsmanship of the talisman’s inscriptions far surpassed that of most loose talisman masters.

“Miss Yun, how much for this jade carving?”

He then picked up a miniature green jade carving of a turtle. Its round, chubby form looked innocent and adorable, reminding him of the young Profound Water Turtle from its juvenile years.

“This is a handmade craft of mine, a mascot for the stall. If senior likes it, you can pay whatever you feel is fair.”

Yun Ling’s dimples appeared as she smiled sweetly, her voice like silver bells swaying in the wind.

“I am an alchemist,” Lan Changʼan said with a faint smile, spreading his palm to reveal a small bottle of pills. “While traveling, I was attacked by bandits and am now penniless. Would you accept a trade with pills instead?”

“Second-rank Beauty Nourishment Pills!”

Yun Ling’s eyes brightened. After opening the bottle to inspect the pills, she happily agreed to the exchange.

The materials for the green jade turtle hadn’t cost more than half a spirit stone.

However, the intricate craftsmanship infused with her spirit made it priceless in her heart. She convinced herself with this reasoning.

“Senior, why don’t you take a few more talismans while you’re at it?”

Yun Ling, feeling a bit guilty, suggested.

“There’s no need. Some things are priceless to the heart.”

The Profound Water Turtle inside Lan Changʼan’s spirit beast pouch seemed to have taken a liking to the little jade turtle.

Lan Changʼan cast a glance at the bell bracelet on Yun Ling’s wrist, leaving behind a meaningful sentence before standing up and departing.

“Ling’er, wasn’t that jade turtle supposed to be a non-sellable item…?”

Yun Hao, her elder brother, muttered under his breath.

“Ling’er saw that senior truly liked it! Besides, this was a profitable trade…”

Yun Ling’s delicate face flushed a rosy pink as she explained, her expression radiant and lively.

“Is that so?”

Yun Hao, staring at his sister’s face, judged with his lifelong understanding of her expressions that she was most likely lying.

Yun Ling snorted softly and ignored her brother’s suspicious gaze.

The man who had introduced himself as ”Xu” had given her an inexplicable sense of familiarity and warmth. Without thinking too much, she had agreed to sell the beloved jade mascot to him.

As she watched the figure of the middle-aged man in the green robe disappear into the distance, Yun Ling’s eyes sparkled with confusion.

...

“A bond of reincarnation? Could there really be such coincidences in the world?”

Walking away from the stall area, Lan Changʼan’s eyes flickered with a strange light as he murmured to himself.

It wasn’t surprising to encounter the bloodline descendants of the fourth life Master Lihuo here in this vast oasis.

After all, it was based on his memories of that past life that Lan Changʼan had come to this oasis—a place with an abundance of wood-attributed spiritual energy—seeking a suitable spot for secluded cultivation.

Yun Ling’s appearance bore a striking resemblance to the most cherished Dao companion of the fourth life.

This was what gave Lan Changʼan the sense of familiarity.

However, despite facing the bloodline descendant of his fourth life, he didn’t feel any strong familial affection. At least, nothing obvious.

Lan Changʼan speculated that the fourth life might differ in nature from the first two lives.

It seemed more like an experience—a simulation of a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s lifetime.

The rules of the Nine Seal Stele had forcibly condensed that life into one of his nine reincarnations.

What made this encounter particularly coincidental was the fact that Yun Ling was not only a descendant of the fourth life’s bloodline.

In her previous life, she had shared an intimate bond with this lifetime’s Lan Changʼan.

Inside the spirit beast pouch, the Profound Water Turtle fiddled with the handmade miniature turtle, its gaze filled with nostalgia as if recalling a familiar figure from the past.

If even the turtle bonded to him in spirit could sense such ties, how could Lan Changʼan, who possessed the Nine Seal Stele, remain unaffected?

When meeting significant individuals from his past lives, should their souls reincarnate and their paths cross again, he would be able to recognize their former identities.

That bell bracelet Yun Ling wore was an artifact related to divination and fortune-telling.

However, its grade was low, and it required proximity to detect good fortune or auspicious signs, making its practical use minimal.

It was like foretelling an impending calamity only when it was right upon you—far too late to be useful.

When Master Lihuo was young, he had used this item to explore the art of divination, eventually passing it down to a female Dao companion.

“Qiaozhi, your circumstances in this life aren’t bad. Your appearance and talent are both superior to your previous life…”

Lan Changʼan felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Yet, he had no intention of revealing Guan Qiaozhi’s past life identity to her. Doing so required a purer form of reincarnation energy, something that was currently beyond his reach.

...

Before evening fell, Lan Changʼan had already purchased a substantial amount of supplies in the market, all paid for with pills.

He even managed to exchange some of his pills for spirit stones.

The highest-grade pill he sold reached the quasi-third rank.

That night, rumors about a ”destitute alchemist” selling pills at He Yuan Market began spreading across the oasis.

This was all part of Lan Changʼan’s deliberate plan.

Trading a second-rank pill for Yun Ling’s jade mascot had been the first step.

Second-rank and higher alchemists were extremely rare in desert oases and enjoyed an exalted status.

Instead of actively seeking a faction to align himself with, Lan Changʼan opted to ”wait for the right price” and let others come to him with offers.

The next morning.

The forces in the oasis moved faster than Lan Changʼan had expected.

By the next morning, the owner of the Pill Pavilion in He Yuan Market—a white-haired, middle-stage Foundation Establishment elder—personally came to visit him.

After some polite exchanges, Lan Changʼan got straight to the point, exuding a faint, nearly imperceptible aura of Core power.

“Does the Three Flavors Pill Pavilion have a third-rank spirit vein supporting it?”

Upon hearing this, the elder’s expression changed. Bowing respectfully, he replied, “The Three Flavors Pill Pavilion is far too insignificant. I ask Xu Immortal to forgive us for overstepping.”

With that, he left behind a gift box and excused himself, retreating in reverence.

A third-rank spirit vein’s cultivation site in River Source Oasis was either controlled by a major power or occupied by powerful loose cultivators.

For a Fake Dan alchemist, demanding a third-rank spirit vein was no small matter.

Over the next two days details about ”Mister Xu” spread rapidly across the oasis.

Weak factions steered clear, knowing they couldn’t meet his requirements.

Finally, three days later, the first major faction in the oasis possessing a third-rank spirit vein extended an olive branch to Lan Changʼan.

This was the Wan Hua Merchant Association—the largest commercial organization in the oasis.

The Wan Hua Merchant Association’s business revolved around spiritual wood and herbs. Nearly half of the oasis’s spiritual bamboo, wood, and medicinal herbs were supplied by them.

It could be said that the association controlled the lifeline of most ordinary alchemists and medicinal shops in the oasis.

Inside the guest room.

The vice president of Wan Hua Merchant Association—a goat-bearded elder with white hair and a youthful complexion—sat across from Lan Changʼan, wearing a confident smile. His demeanor was calm, as if he already had the upper hand.

”Our merchant guild doesn’t offer too much freedom to alchemists. At the very least, we require a fifty-year spiritual contract,” the elder explained.

“You’d need to provide an annual quota of second- and third-rank pills, train three apprentices within ten years, and in exchange, you’d gain access to a third-rank spirit vein, third-rank Earth Vein Spirit Fire, and countless lost pill recipes and exclusive alchemy techniques…”

“We’d also supply an abundance of medicinal herbs for practice, aiding the alchemist’s skill improvement and rank promotion. Naturally, our association isn’t running a charity, and we wouldn’t make an investment without returns. I’m sure Xu Immortal understands this principle.”

Lan Changʼan shook his head and proposed, “President Lu, your association’s restrictions are rather excessive. How about a more flexible cooperation model instead? I do not need your association’s resources for training. Would you consider renting me access to a third-rank spirit vein in exchange for an annual quota of pills?”

“Impossible!”

The goat-bearded elder, President Lu, squinted his eyes and directly refused.

Wan Hua Merchant Association already had a third-rank grand alchemist on staff and abundant alchemy resources and techniques, which gave them a strong appeal to external alchemists.

Every high-ranking alchemist’s growth required an immense amount of alchemical materials, not to mention that good alchemical inheritance was also an important factor.

In this regard, the Wan Hua Merchant Association had an unparalleled advantage within the oasis—even major factions from Immortal Cities couldn’t compare.

“Xu Immortal, why don’t you compare the offers from different parties before making a final decision?”

President Lu stood up with a confident smile before leaving.

For any alchemist seeking to pursue higher ranks in their craft, the Wan Hua Merchant Association was undoubtedly the best choice in the oasis.

Lan Changʼan had to admit this.

However, he was also the first to eliminate the Wan Hua Merchant Association from consideration.

President Lu had no way of knowing that Lan Changʼan’s pursuit of alchemy ranked low on his list of priorities.

Every cultivator’s time and energy were finite.

Even though Lan Changʼan had a long lifespan and plenty of leisure time, his current cultivation of multiple arts meant he had to make trade-offs.

His talent in alchemy was mediocre. Even with a century of effort, he might struggle to reach mid-third rank.

Rather than waste time on alchemy, it was better to focus on puppet refining, divination, or body cultivation—fields where his talents truly shone.

...

Two weeks later.

Lan Changʼan engaged with representatives from several factions across the oasis.

As expected, the allure of a high-ranking alchemist was immense. Representatives from all the prominent factions in the oasis came forward to negotiate with him.

Lan Changʼan portrayed his alchemical skills as being at the quasi-third rank level—capable of barely refining a small number of third-rank pills, albeit with a low success rate.

After careful screening, Lan Changʼan identified two relatively suitable options:

One, the Long Family, a Fake Dan cultivation family, is barely capable of nurturing a third-rank spirit vein.

The clan had no True Dan cultivators, and their spirit vein was small, only capable of supporting a single Core Formation-level cultivator.

Secondly, the Star Moon Merchant Association, on the verge of bankruptcy. This association had lost all their Core Formation cultivators and were willing to hire Lan Changʼan as a revered guest elder.

However, the Star Moon Merchant Association was seen as a juicy target by many factions in the oasis. They offered the most generous and flexible terms, but joining them might come with significant risks, including the possibility of bankruptcy.

Both options had their limitations.

For the Long Family, the third-rank spirit vein was relatively weak and unsuitable for long-term cultivation. If Lan Changʼan advanced to the mid-Core Formation stage, the spirit vein might no longer meet his needs. Worse yet, if the Long Family produced a Core Formation cultivator of their own, the resources would become even more strained.

For the Star Moon Merchant Association, Lan Changʼan would have to share in their risks, including the crisis of potential bankruptcy.

As of now, Lan Changʼan hadn’t made a final decision and needed to investigate further.

...

“Could you make an exception and report to Immortal Xu? This humble girl knows Immortal Xu and has made a trade with him before.”

On this day, the Yun siblings, whom Lan Changʼan had met earlier at the market, came to the inn to visit him.

“What could these two want from me?”

Lan Changʼan pondered as he sensed their presence outside.

At that moment, the Yun siblings were being blocked by the inn’s hired guards—Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Lan Changʼan had explicitly instructed that only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage or above were permitted to have their visits reported.

The Yun siblings, with Yun Hao at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining stage and Yun Ling at the eighth, didn’t even qualify to have their presence announced.

“Let them in.”

Lan Changʼan sent a message via voice transmission.

Moments later, the Yun siblings entered his guest room, appearing slightly nervous as they bowed respectfully.

“Junior Yun Hao greets Immortal Xu.” “Junior Yun Ling greets Immortal Xu.”

“You two have gone beyond your status to request this meeting. What is your purpose?”

Lan Changʼan’s tone was calm and indifferent, neither warm nor cold.

In the world of cultivation, it was unheard of for Qi-Refining cultivators with no close ties to request an audience with an Immortal.

However, out of consideration for their bond through reincarnation, Lan Changʼan gave the siblings this rare opportunity.

Even though Yun Ling’s previous life had been Guan Qiaozhi, he didn’t intend to go out of his way to care for her. At most, he might lend a helping hand in passing.

The concept of past and present lives was one of severing prior karmic ties. Most of the entanglements of karma were dissolved upon reincarnation.

Only when karmic bonds were exceptionally strong, or there was a significant debt of gratitude or guilt, would they persist into the next life.

In her previous life, Lan Changʼan had taken good care of Guan Qiaozhi, who had been one of his concubines. He had nurtured her to the ninth layer of Qi-Refining and even given her the opportunity to attempt Foundation Establishment. He owed her nothing.

“Immortal Xu, our grandmother sent us to pay you a visit and ask for your assistance in refining Foundation Establishment Pills,” Yun Hao replied steadily, trying to maintain composure as he spoke with humility and respect.

Lan Changʼan scrutinized the siblings, impressed by their composure despite facing a Core Formation master.

Their appearances were refined, their temperaments above average, and they showed no signs of panic.

Even their innate talents were decent.

Yun Hao possessed high-grade spiritual roots, his spiritual energy pure and robust. He had cultivated to the peak of the ninth layer of Qi-Refining.

Yun Ling, on the other hand, had mid-grade spiritual roots. According to rumors in the market, she had a natural aptitude for talisman-making and was particularly skilled at it.

The siblings had lived in the marketplace since they were young, making them native to this oasis.

“Why didn’t your grandmother come in person?”

Lan Changʼan’s eyes flickered with curiosity as he probed further.

The grandmother behind the Yun siblings might have a deeper connection to the fourth life.

“Our grandmother is in poor health and very frail. She said she didn’t want to disturb or offend Immortal Xu,” Yun Ling replied softly.

Lan Changʼan chose not to press further, as it might come off as abrupt or suspicious.

“Have you prepared all the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills?”

“We’ve prepared everything!” Yun Hao said firmly. “All that’s missing is a skilled alchemist to ensure we each get genuine Foundation Establishment Pills.”

Most of the materials had been gathered through the siblings’ hard work in earning spirit stones over the years.

Their grandmother had once said that flowers grown in a greenhouse would never amount to much, and thus, she insisted that the siblings experience the trials and tribulations of the cultivation world firsthand.

“The payment for refining the Foundation Establishment Pills will be thirty percent higher than the standard rate offered to second-rank alchemists in the marketplace. Upon completion, our grandmother also promises to recommend a peaceful and independent third-rank spirit vein cultivation site to Immortal Xu,” Yun Ling added in her gentle and melodious voice.

“Well then, what choice do I have? Who told this Xu to be poor,” Lan Changʼan replied with a faint smile, agreeing to their request.

He proceeded to finalize the terms and details of the transaction with the siblings.

If three Foundation Establishment Pills were successfully refined, one of them would belong to Lan Changʼan as part of his payment.

...

That evening.

After wrapping up their stall, the Yun siblings returned to their three-story shop located in the heart of the market district.

On the top floor of the shop lived an elderly silver-haired woman, leaning on a cane, her expression kind and benevolent.

“Grandmother, Immortal Xu has agreed to take on our alchemy commission,” the Yun siblings reported as soon as they reached the third floor.

“Hm, managing to invite a quasi-third rank alchemist to help is truly a stroke of fortune for you two,” the old woman said with a warm smile.

Her face was etched with deep wrinkles, and dark age spots dotted her skin, making her advanced age apparent.

She had originally intended for the siblings to endure more trials before attempting Foundation Establishment.

However, the unexpected encounter with a down-and-out high-grade alchemist like Xu Immortal gave her reason to allow them to try their luck.

Negotiating with a Fake Dan cultivator and conducting such a transaction would also help broaden the siblings’ horizons.

Moreover, the results of this alchemy commission would serve to assess Immortal Xu’s character and alchemical skills.

“Ling’er, tell me more details about this Immortal Xu…”

The old woman gestured for Yun Ling to stay behind and began asking her questions.

The earlier transaction Yun Ling had with Immortal Xu was somewhat unusual.

At the time, Yun Ling had described the situation as ”inexplicable,” concealing the fact that she felt a strange sense of familiarity and warmth toward him.

This time, as she recounted the meeting, her cheeks turned slightly red. The same feeling had surfaced again when she saw Immortal Xu. Her heart felt unsettled, and she was filled with confusion.

“The world of cultivation is full of strange and wondrous encounters. It’s not unusual to meet someone you feel a natural affinity for. The silver bell you wear has given you a sign of good fortune, which means that person bears you no malice,” the old woman explained with a kind smile.

Though Yun Ling still felt perplexed, she nodded slightly and left the room, her thoughts unresolved.

Now alone on the third floor, the old woman’s expression turned contemplative.

Invisible ripples spread across the third floor, revealing the presence of a hidden third rank restriction array that isolated the space from the outside world.

“Strange… Ling’er’s bloodline, when traced upward, shows no connection to any Core Formation cultivator,” the old woman muttered to herself, puzzling over the situation.

She began calculating, her fingers moving in a series of subtle gestures.

Her divination skills had only recently reached the second rank after years of practice, having been learned from her late husband.

In the world of cultivation, when individuals with closely related bloodlines encountered each other, it was not uncommon for them to feel a sense of familiarity or affinity.

However, this varied greatly from person to person—some could sense it clearly, while others remained oblivious.

“It seems I’ll have to wait until I meet this Immortal Xu in person to make further determinations.”

The old woman sighed softly, unable to deduce any concrete answers.

Then, with a wave of her hand, the lights on the third floor went out.

Under the cover of darkness, she reached up and wiped her face.

In an instant, the wrinkled, withered visage disappeared like smudges erased from a mirror.

What remained was a face of breathtaking beauty—elegant and flawless, with skin as smooth as jade. Her features were regal and dignified, and her deep, star-like eyes seemed to conceal endless mysteries, capable of drawing one’s soul into their depths.

She now appeared to be a mature woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, exuding an aura of refinement and nobility with every gesture.

...

Three days later.

Lan Changʼan arrived at the Yun siblings’ shop, ”Treasure Pavilion,” as per their agreement.

This shop specialized in selling high-grade goods, starting at the second rank, including pills, talismans, magic weapons, antiques, and rare items.

Each item’s quality was superior to those of the same rank, but the prices were significantly higher, resulting in very few customers.

The shopkeeper of Treasure Pavilion was none other than the silver-haired old woman, whom the locals respectfully referred to as “Granny Yun.”

“Many thanks to Immortal Xu for taking on this task.”

Accompanied by the Yun siblings, Granny Yun walked slowly out of the shop to greet Lan Changʼan, bowing deeply as she spoke.

Her cloudy eyes observed the refined, scholarly middle-aged man in a green robe, and a faint feeling of warmth and trust arose within her heart.

For some reason, she found Immortal Xu inexplicably pleasing to the eye and felt instinctive trust toward him, despite being certain that this was the first time she had ever met him.

“Shopkeeper Yun is too polite,” Lan Changʼan replied with a smile, returning the greeting.

As he approached Granny Yun, he felt a faint sense of connection—a bond far weaker than the one he had felt with Yun Ling.

Still, the contours of her face and the depth in her eyes confirmed her identity to him.

“Yun Yan, the only surviving legitimate wife and Dao companion of the fourth life Master Lihuo.”

Lan Changʼan, with the memories of the fourth life, immediately recognized Granny Yun’s origin.

Before the fall of the Flame Departing Palace, Master Lihuo had arranged a false-death scheme for Yun Yan to ensure her survival.

Though Yun Yan likely had access to Youth Retaining Pills and excelled at self-care, she had clearly used some secret technique to artificially age her appearance. As a True Dan cultivator, she still had at least two hundred years of lifespan remaining.

Lan Changʼan sighed inwardly, reflecting on how the Master Lihuo’s untimely and sudden death had left his wife and descendants to fend for themselves.

The Yun siblings, as descendants of the Master Lihuo, should have borne the surname ”Duan,” yet it had been changed to ”Yun.”

“Immortal Xu, please follow me,” Granny Yun said hoarsely, leading Lan Changʼan to the shop’s backyard, where a private alchemy room awaited.

“These are the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pills. Please examine them, Immortal Xu,” she said, opening a storage pouch and laying its contents before him.

Lan Changʼan carefully inspected the materials and found that the main ingredient for the pills was a pure and exceptional demon core from a beast with earth-grade bloodline.

“Everything is in order,” Lan Changʼan confirmed, storing the materials as he approached the pill furnace. He then sat cross-legged, activating the array and igniting the spirit fire.

“Immortal Xu, may we observe from a distance? We promise not to disturb your process,” Granny Yun suggested.

“That won’t be possible. My unique alchemy techniques do not allow for outsiders to watch,” Lan Changʼan replied apologetically.

Much of his third rank alchemy skill came from the fourth-life Master Lihuo’s legacy. He didn’t want Yun Yan to notice anything unusual.

“Then we’ll leave you to your work,” Granny Yun said, not pressing the issue. She ushered the Yun siblings out of the alchemy room and closed the door.

Standing outside the sealed room, Granny Yun’s expression turned contemplative.

“Could it be that Immortal Xu practices some strange technique, one that makes all female cultivators feel naturally drawn to him?”

A few days later.

The alchemy room’s door opened, releasing a surge of heat.

“How did the pills turn out?”

The Yun siblings, who had been waiting anxiously outside the entire time, quickly stepped forward. They hadn’t opened their stall for days.

Amid the warm mist, Lan Changʼan extended his hand, revealing three Foundation Establishment Pills.

The pills shimmered with a soft glow, their surfaces smooth and lustrous, each engraved with four dao marks.

“Three pills, all standard genuine quality,” Lan Changʼan said calmly, considering this a standard performance.

For ordinary alchemists, the lack of practice materials often hindered their success with Foundation Establishment Pills. However, the fourth life Master Lihuo had no shortage of resources, granting Lan Changʼan a wealth of experience in refining such pills.

The payment for the pills themselves wasn’t what interested Lan Changʼan.

What piqued his curiosity was the promise made by the Yun family—to recommend him to a peaceful and independent third rank spirit vein cultivation site.