I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 307: Future Patterns

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It felt as if an endless night had passed.

Lan Changʼan awoke from the divine dream.

His pitch-black pupils locked eyes with a pair of serene, moonlit eyes. Their spiritual senses intertwined, silently communicating for an indeterminate amount of time.

In reality, the middle-aged scholar was holding the delicate hand of Fairy Ni Yue. The two maintained a posture as if they had just kissed.

“Mister Xu…”

Fairy Ni Yueʼs palace attire was pristine, but her cheeks were tinged with a rosy blush. Her limpid eyes rippled with shyness as she lowered her head in delicate modesty.

Hoo!

As though she had been submerged in water, Ni Yue separated her lips from Lan Changʼan’s.

Immediately after, the divine radiance in her eyes dimmed, and her body went limp, collapsing into Lan Changʼan’s embrace.
Her chest heaved as she caught her breath, the faint fragrance in her exhalations—a blend of osmanthus and orchid—intoxicated, pulling one into an irresistible world of tenderness.

“A spiritual dream connection?”

Lan Changʼan also felt mentally drained. A glimmer of enlightenment rose in his eyes, leaving him with a sense of pleasant reminiscence.

So that was it.

Earlier, when Lan Changʼan and Fairy Ni Yue clasped hands and locked gazes, as the profound melody began to play, they had entered a mysterious dream realm of spiritual connection.

The subsequent singing, dancing, drinking, the bridal chamber candlelight, and the fleeting night of spring—these were all emotional ties experienced within the divine dream.

This level of spiritual connection transcended the material plane, ascending into a realm far more sublime than mere physical intimacy.

In this state, the experience of dual cultivation was no different from reality.

Since it was a connection of consciousness, the bond formed between them was deeper. On a higher dimensional level, the experience was even more perfect.

“Ni Yue was gravely injured and unable to repay Mister Xu with her physical self. Thus, she activated our sectʼs supreme musical divine art, ‘Thousand Years Divine Dream.’”

Regaining her breath, Fairy Ni Yue’s blushing face was still tinged with lingering softness, radiating an indescribable allure.

“‘Thousand Years Divine Dream’? Intriguing.”

Lan Changʼan silently mused. The spiritual kiss in the dream realm had subtly enhanced both his state of mind and his comprehension of the Dao.

The ‘Thousand Years Divine Dream’ music-based divine technique was related to the soul and dream realms. It even faintly touched upon a trace of reincarnation’s essence.

“Without Mister Xu’s consent, Ni Yue initiated the divine dream. I hope you will forgive me.”

Fairy Ni Yue lowered her head slightly, her expression tender and apologetic as she adjusted her robes and curtsied gracefully.

The scenes in the dream realm had been so vivid, like a brief reincarnation, allowing the two of them to experience an ephemeral but profound emotional bond.

Lan Changʼan pressed his lips together, savoring the lingering fragrance—a blend of elegance and profundity—leaving a lasting impression.

“My first-ever spiritual connection in this world… and the partner is none other than the once-famous number-one beauty of Liang Kingdom. It’s certainly a memorable occasion.”

With his Nascent Soul-level perception, Lan Changʼan discerned Fairy Ni Yue’s intentions:

Firstly, this kind of sincere and profound spiritual interaction, where hearts and minds were truly connected, allowed them to perceive each other’s nature on a deeper level.

Secondly, the emotional bond formed in the dream realm would carry over to reality, subtly advancing their relationship and fostering mutual goodwill.

Returning to reality, the shy tenderness in Ni Yue’s gaze was not entirely an act; it was a blend of both genuine emotion and calculated performance.

Unfortunately for her, to someone like Lan Changʼan, who had experienced several lifetimes and reincarnations, such influences were negligible.

It was Ni Yue herself who had been genuinely affected to some extent.

“Ni Yue, how often can you use this musical divine art, ‘Thousand Years Divine Dream’?”

Lan Changʼan pretended to be emotionally moved, as if he had developed feelings for her.

His gaze was gentle as he looked at her exquisite, moonlit face. Reaching out, he lightly caressed her flawless, snow-white cheek.

Fairy Ni Yue’s heart trembled with joy as she softly replied, “‘Thousand Years Divine Dream’ depletes the essence of one’s soul. In my current Core Formation stage, I can only perform it once. Otherwise, it would harm my soul’s origin, affecting my future advancement.”

The spiritual connection of the divine dream indeed made it easier for the participants to develop goodwill toward one another.

Even Ni Yue herself had been subtly affected, believing that Mister Xu, despite his higher cultivation level, could not have been completely immune.

In the dream, their minds had been intertwined, allowing them to understand each other’s general disposition.

There was one thing that reassured Ni Yue:

Compared to most male cultivators she had encountered, Mister Xu could be considered a man of high moral character. Toward the Xuan Yin Pavilion and herself, he bore no ill intentions.

This was not because Mister Xu was particularly noble.

He was no saint; he had his own selfish motives, and his interest in romantic entanglements was lukewarm at best.

But other male cultivators had far darker thoughts—some were so sinister it sent chills down the spine.

“What a pity, it only happens once in a hundred years.”

Lan Changʼan feigned regret.

The wondrous experience just now far surpassed the pleasures of the flesh.

The key was that it had subtly enhanced his state of mind and comprehension of the Dao.

...

Inside the guest room, following their experience of a spiritual dream dual cultivation, Lan Changʼan and Fairy Ni Yue felt a newfound understanding of each other, and their relationship grew closer.

During their conversation, Lan Changʼan noticed an unfamiliar yet long-lost sense of harmony between their souls.

This sense of tacit understanding was something he hadn’t experienced in the past two centuries—except with Zhao Siyao.

“If Mister Xu likes it, once I recover from my injuries, we can engage in a more ordinary form of spiritual connection. Though it won’t be as beneficial as this one,” Fairy Ni Yue said with a soft smile, her tone brimming with warmth.

The divine art ‘Thousand Years Divine Dream’ provided benefits to both participants in their spiritual connection.

The one with the lower cultivation realm would benefit more, as it helped to overcome inner demons and bottlenecks.

For cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage, such an opportunity might only come once in a lifetime.

Originally, Fairy Ni Yue had lofty aspirations. Confident in her extraordinary talents, she had planned to save this one-time opportunity for when she reached the late stage of Core Formation.

However, reality had proven harsh. After years of effort, she had been unable to break through to the late stage due to various circumstances.

To repay and win over Mister Xu, and to allow him to “taste the sweetness,” Fairy Ni Yue used up what might have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The unparalleled beauty and intimacy of the spiritual dream, far beyond physical experience, would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on Mister Xu.

“This recent battle caused significant damage to the Fragrant Grass Oasis Sect,” Fairy Ni Yue said with a sorrowful expression, her tone soft and mournful.

“While the destruction of material things is regrettable, the deaths of people like Junior Sister Bai are permanent losses that can never be recovered…”

At the mention of her sect’s losses, Fairy Ni Yue’s expression grew heavy, and her voice quivered with grief.

“And there’s Ruotong—she’s been gravely injured and has been in a coma for days. Even if she awakens, she might not retain her full cultivation strength. This injury may damage her foundation and potential.”

“Fairy Jiang was injured so badly?” Lan Changʼan asked in surprise.

When he had returned to the Fragrant Grass Oasis, he had checked and confirmed that Jiang Ruotong was alive, with breathing, and a heartbeat. Seeing no immediate threat to her life, he hadn’t paid further attention.

In that battle, to resist Fang Zhen, a Great Cultivator at the late Core Formation stage, both Ni Yue and Jiang Ruotong had overdrawn their life potential, increasing their strength by 40-50%.

In her desperation, Jiang Ruotong had pushed herself even further, disregarding her own survival.

This had naturally led to severe backlash, with significant consequences.

If it had been only this overexertion, it might have been manageable with two years of recovery.

However, her injuries during the battle had been far too severe. The combination of these two factors only made things worse.

“Fortunately, Mister Xu arrived in time. We only had to contend with that Great Cultivator briefly. Otherwise, both Ruotong and I would not have survived,” Fairy Ni Yue said, her voice tender and filled with gratitude.

Hearing her words, Lan Changʼan felt a moment of embarrassment.

Had he revealed his strength as a Great Cultivator earlier and intervened in the main battlefield, Ni Yue and Jiang Ruotong would not have suffered such grave injuries.

But to lure the enemy deeper and capture them all in one sweep, Lan Changʼan had chosen not to expose his strength prematurely.

While the death of Fairy Bai was partially related to this decision, it wasn’t entirely his fault.

After all, at that time, Lan Changʼan hadn’t known that Dongfang Xi was a mole.

“In two days, once I’ve fully recovered my strength, I’ll assist Ruotong in her recovery,” Lan Changʼan said.

He released his spiritual sense, which swept over the injured Jiang Ruotong, who was recuperating in a cave-dwelling nearby.

Her injuries were severe but within the range of what a third-rank healer could handle.

Unfortunately, now that Dongfang Xi was dead, there was no one in the Xuan Yin Pavilion with such expertise.

“Ni Yue thanks Mister Xu on Ruotong’s behalf,” Fairy Ni Yue said softly. She gently adjusted her palace robe, maintaining a graceful and composed demeanor as she curtsied deeply.

She was well aware of the circumstances.

But to hold Mister Xu accountable for this would be foolish and pointless.

Currently, in the Fragrant Grass Oasis, only a third-rank alchemist and late Core Formation cultivator like Mister Xu had the capability to fully heal Fairy Jiang.

“By the way, Mister Xu, were you injured during your battle with Fang Zhen?”

Fairy Ni Yue’s delicate hands reached out to lightly stroke Lan Changʼan’s palm. Her clear eyes studied him closely, and her soft voice carried a faint, soothing fragrance.

Lan Changʼan couldn’t help but silently grumble to himself: If you’re concerned about Fang Zhen’s fate, just ask directly. Why the roundabout, flowery tone?

Still, he had to admit, there was a certain charm to such subtle elegance. A bit of “tea energy” in a stunning beauty, especially one as celestial as her, made her even more captivating.

“No major issues, just a loss of vitality,” Lan Changʼan replied after a moment’s pause, deliberately omitting Fang Zhen’s fate.

Fairy Ni Yue felt a pang of disappointment and couldn’t help but worry: It seems Fang Zhen only managed to escape with injuries. He’ll be a major hidden danger in the future.

Fang Zhen might not be able to defeat Mister Xu, but his familiarity with the Xuan Yin Pavilion made him a great threat. He was especially skilled at exploiting his knowledge to strike where it hurt the most.

“Rest assured, Fang Zhen has already bit the dust. My wait was not in vain,” Lan Changʼan finally added after a brief silence.

“Fang Zhen has been slain by Mister Xu?”

Fairy Ni Yue’s clear eyes brightened, and her radiant face lit up with joy. She wrapped her arms around Lan Changʼan’s arm, her voice full of delight.

To Lan Changʼan, her reaction was like hearing the sound of a beautiful and joyous melody.

Clearly, Fang Zhen’s death had brought great relief to her heart.

“Mister Xu, able to kill a Great Cultivator of the same rank, truly deserves the title of a peerless figure and the number one human cultivator in the Outer Sect Alliance,” Fairy Ni Yue praised, her tone filled with awe. Her inadvertent shift in how she addressed him revealed a girlish admiration.

“I am unworthy of such a title,” Lan Changʼan replied humbly, though he couldn’t deny that her flattery pleased him.

To have the former number-one beauty of the Liang Kingdom immortal cultivation world compliment him—even butter him up—was amusing and oddly satisfying.

“Fang Zhen was merely a newly advanced late Core Formation cultivator. Killing him was no extraordinary feat,” Lan Changʼan said dismissively.

“His so-called flaming mountain magical treasure was an amalgamation of several similar magical treasures. Its crafting was crude, barely reaching the threshold of a superior-grade magical treasure.”

When Lan Changʼan reviewed the spoils of battle, he had found the flaming mountain treasure to be a bit of a disappointment. It was essentially brute-force craftsmanship, wasting high-quality materials in the process.

Fang Zhen’s mediocre spiritual sense and inadequate control over such a heavy magical treasure had made it powerful but unwieldy. This had allowed Lan Changʼan to suppress it with the two mid-grade magical treasures.

...

After Fairy Ni Yue left, Lan Changʼan couldn’t help but reflect on his current standing in Fengyuan Kingdom.

As for the title of the number-one cultivator below the Nascent Soul stage, he wasn’t bold enough to claim it just yet.

The cultivation world was vast, with endless wonders and hidden talents.

This was especially true considering the local branches of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect and the Five Poisons Sect, both of which held considerable influence in the region.

The Five Poisons Sect was less of a concern for Lan Changʼan. As a body cultivator, his Evergreen Technique gave him strong resistance against poisons.

But according to some unreliable rumors, the branch of Thousand Mechanisms Sect in this area had allegedly created a quasi-fourth-rank puppet, whether this was true or not remained uncertain.

However, one thing was clear: in the Outer Sect Allianceʼs territory, Lan Changʼan’s strength was undoubtedly at the pinnacle level.

“In the Outer Sect Allianceʼs territory, as long as a Core Formation Great Cultivator doesn’t act recklessly and incite widespread outrage, their life generally isn’t at risk,” Lan Changʼan thought to himself.

He was well aware of how difficult it was to kill a Core Formation Great Cultivator.

And if one failed in such an attempt, the backlash could be disastrous.

Unless absolutely necessary, no major cultivation faction would dare to push a Core Formation Great Cultivator into a corner where they had nothing to lose.

Under normal circumstances, to kill a Core Formation Great Cultivator, it required a group assault.

But Lan Changʼan was an anomaly—he didn’t particularly fear being ganged up on.

In terms of self-preservation, he was undoubtedly among the top in this region of the Outer Sect Alliance.

Half an hour later, Lan Changʼan began to analyze the gaps in his previous battle, looking for areas to improve.

The divinations showed that killing Fang Zhen and the others carried no karmic repercussions. On the contrary, it had removed potential hidden dangers.

There was simply no one who would seek vengeance for Fang Zhen or uphold justice for him—not in Liang Kingdom, nor in Fengyuan Kingdom.

This was one of the reasons why Lan Changʼan had dared to kill these people openly.

In essence, Lan Changʼan himself was also guilty of “killing those he knew.”

By turning Master Lihuo into his fourth reincarnation, he had gained comprehensive knowledge of the Flame Departing Palace’s cultivation techniques, divine abilities, and magical treasures.

When dealing with Fang Zhen, it was purely a matter of bloodline suppression.

As for the ten cultivators he had killed, the only potential threat among them was Eshalu from the Heavenly Wind Tribe.

Based on his divinations, this grudge would most likely be directed toward Xuan Yin Pavilion or Fairy Ni Yue in the future, and had nothing to do with him, Old Lan.

Furthermore, Eshalu had been a failure in his tribe’s competition for the position of heir to the throne. Bitter and disgraced, he had left his tribe. It was unlikely the Heavenly Wind Tribe would go to great lengths to avenge him.

Overall, Lan Changʼan’s recent actions had not brought him any significant risks—at least not in the short term.

This was because he had avoided offending any major local powers in the surrounding regions.

Even if news of Mister Xu’s true strength as a Great Cultivator were to leak, it would only inspire respect and attempts at alliance, rather than provocation.

The real threats Lan Changʼan faced were never in the Fengyuan Kingdom to begin with.

...

Two days later.

Lan Changʼan arrived at the cave residence of Fairy Ni Yue, the Pavilion Master.

Over the past few days, the comatose and gravely injured Jiang Ruotong had been personally cared for by Fairy Ni Yue herself.

Standing beside the bed, Lan Changʼan gazed at Fairy Jiang’s face, pale as snow and devoid of color. Her breathing was weak, and her heartbeat faint, but at least it remained steady.

Her life was no longer in danger. The key now was ensuring a full recovery, preventing any significant loss of cultivation strength that could affect her potential for future advancement.

“Fairy Jiang was first poisoned by Dongfang Xi’s tranquilizing powder. Although she took an antidote pill, it failed to fully cleanse her system. Afterward, she overexerted herself in combat and sustained severe injuries…”

After taking her pulse, Lan Changʼan quickly identified the cause of her condition.

As a third-rank alchemist and a nominal Core Formation Great Cultivator, treating such an ailment was well within his capabilities.

He instructed Fairy Ni Yue to gather some specific ingredients to brew a medicinal decoction.

After feeding the concoction to Fairy Jiang, Lan Changʼan channeled his Evergreen mana to heal her injuries and repair both major and minor internal and hidden wounds.

The true healing power lay in the miraculous effects of the Evergreen Technique, the soup was only a diversion.

Remarkably, in less than an hour, Fairy Jiang’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

“Mister Xu, your medical skills are unparalleled,” Fairy Ni Yue said with delight in her eyes, her voice filled with admiration.

“Xu is merely fortunate to have arrived at the right time. Fairy Jiang was already close to waking up,” Lan Changʼan replied humbly.

In truth, he had deliberately chosen this moment to intervene.

By all normal estimations, Fairy Jiang was expected to regain consciousness today—a fact that Fairy Ni Yue, with her own knowledge, could likely discern.

If he had interfered earlier and forced her to wake prematurely, it would have showcased his extraordinary healing abilities that would not align with what was expected of a “proper alchemist.”

Thus, Lan Changʼan had simply allowed her to sleep a few extra days before stepping in.

“Mister Xu… you saved me…”

Fairy Jiang instinctively grasped the warm hand near her.

Her pale complexion gained a faint touch of rosy warmth, making her appear delicate and serene.

As her vision cleared, the image of the middle-aged man in elegant green robes became more distinct—a mysterious and majestic figure.

Her delicate brows arched with joy, and her eyes sparkled with soft emotion.

Watching this scene, Fairy Ni Yue sighed inwardly. After the life-and-death battle days ago, Ruotong had clearly developed genuine feelings for this man.

But after the heart-to-heart connection in the divine dream, Fairy Ni Yue understood that Mister Xu’s view of romance was lukewarm at best.

Even if he felt goodwill, at most, it would be a fleeting, short-lived affair. He wouldn’t invest deeply in feelings, let alone consider marriage or starting a family.

Fortunately, Mister Xu was not the type to deceive others emotionally. He valued mutual consent and openness, which set him apart from many unscrupulous men.

“Ruotong must not fall too deeply into this. If sacrifices must be made, let Ni Yue bear it alone,” Fairy Ni Yue resolved in her heart.

With her Zither Heart Illumination, she had long seen through the true nature of many men. This insight left her with little attachment to the idea of romance.

Having experienced intimate connections with Lan Changʼan in the divine dream, she harbored some affection for him. If it meant protecting her sect and Ruotong, such a sacrifice wasn’t something she would resist.

“Ruotong, your injuries are far from healed. Don’t push yourself too hard and risk damaging your foundation,” Fairy Ni Yue said gently as she approached, preventing Lan Changʼan and Jiang Ruotong from conversing further.

“Fairy Jiang, focus on your recovery,” Lan Changʼan said casually as he walked out of the room with Fairy Ni Yue.

...

In the tea room of the cave, Fairy Ni Yue dismissed the maidservants and personally served Lan Changʼan.

As Lan Changʼan savored the fragrant tea, he also appreciated Fairy Ni Yue’s celestial beauty and her melodious voice, which carried an otherworldly charm.

“Ni Yue has investigated the matter. The formation master who helped set up the sect’s defensive formation was likely bribed. We tried contacting him recently, but he’s gone missing,” Fairy Ni Yue reported gracefully, her every movement elegant as she brewed and poured tea.

“That formation master wasn’t present in the Fragrant Grass Oasis during the battle and didn’t witness my actions. It shouldn’t affect the bigger picture,” Lan Changʼan replied with a nod, taking a small sip of the spiritual tea.

In that battle, the only Xuan Yin Pavilion cultivators who had directly witnessed Lan Changʼan’s true strength were Fairy Ni Yue and Fairy Jiang.

For the others who woke up later, Fairy Ni Yue had prepared a plausible explanation:

Mister Xu, as a Core Formation cultivator, had replaced Fairy Bai in forming the sect-protecting three talents formation, re-enabling it to unleash its full power and hold off the enemies.

Additionally, it was claimed that the hidden elders of the Xuan Yin Pavilion had provided covert assistance. As a result, Fang Zhen and his group had been unable to breach the defenses and eventually retreated.

This explanation was enough to satisfy most.

After all, Fang Zhen’s group only included three Core Formation cultivators who had truly breached the Fragrant Grass Oasis.

With three or four Core Formation cultivators defending the formation—centered around Fairy Ni Yue, who was at the peak of the mid-stage Core Formation—it was plausible that the sect could have repelled the attack.

Moreover, Fang Zhen was not a local cultivator. No one cared about his life or death.

Lan Changʼan didn’t expect his identity as a Core Formation Great Cultivator to remain hidden for long. He simply didn’t see the need to reveal it prematurely.

“Mister Xu, now that the great enemy has been eliminated, and you’ve already come to understand my heart in the divine dream, would you be willing to remain in the Fragrant Grass Oasis and allow both the Xuan Yin Pavilion and myself to repay your kindness?”

Fairy Ni Yue’s clear eyes shone with a gentle smile, her demeanor brimming with grace and charm as she made her request.

Lan Changʼan’s character was reliable, and he harbored no ambitions of establishing his own faction.

With a Great Cultivator like him providing shelter, the Xuan Yin Pavilion would undoubtedly rise to prominence.

“For now, Xu will cultivate in the Fragrant Grass Oasis for some years. As for the future, that will depend on the greater trends of the cultivation world,” Lan Changʼan replied calmly.

This time, he didn’t reject the offer outright.

A mid-grade third-rank spiritual vein was invaluable to a mid stage Core Formation cultivator.

For now, the Xuan Yin Pavilion could serve as a temporary base.

Before making this decision, Lan Changʼan had already divined the situation:

After surviving this great calamity, the Xuan Yin Pavilion would turn misfortune into fortune and experience smooth development for many years to come—provided Lan Changʼan didn’t interfere excessively or bring his own karmic entanglements into the mix.

Having been away from Liang Kingdom for many years, he knew the demonic invasion had lasted for decades.

Lan Changʼan deduced that the war on the other side of the Endless Desert must have seen significant developments by now.

Great Cultivator = Late-stage cultivator of Foundation Establishment and above realms.