I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 345: Transformation Planning

More than half a year had passed.

Lan Changʼan noticed that True Monarch Yunlan had quietly left Yunxia Sect.

Ordinary cultivators wouldn’t have detected his absence, but to those skilled in divination and fortune observation, it was as clear as day.

With Yunlan gone, Purple Mist True Monarch was the only Nascent Soul cultivator left guarding the sect.

Lan Changʼan had no intention of getting close to her. The relationship between these two Nascent Soul True Monarchs was complicated—the kind of matter outsiders should wisely keep their distance from.

Several more months passed.

Lan Changʼan turned 326 years old, having lived in Great Yuan for nearly seven years.

On this particular day, he summoned the servants and stewards of Qingluan Peak to the main hall and made an announcement:

“From this day forward, Xiao Qingshan will serve as the Chief Steward of Qingluan Peak.”

Xiao Qingshan dropped to his knees, bowing deeply, his heart surging with emotion.

“I am honored by Elder Xiang’s trust. I shall serve with unwavering loyalty and dedication.”

The other servants exchanged envious glances, offering congratulatory words, though they couldn’t completely hide their jealousy.

Being the Chief Steward of a main peak—especially one of the few peaks nourished by a superior-grade third-rank spiritual vein and belonging to a Core Formation Great Cultivator—was no ordinary position.

Such roles were often reserved for the most trusted confidants of Core Formation elders, serving as their right-hand men and even representatives in certain affairs.

Even regular Core Formation cultivators would treat a chief steward with courtesy, careful not to offend.

Moreover, this position was officially recognized by the sect, complete with substantial compensation and benefits.

Xiao Qingshan’s life changed overnight.

From an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, he had been catapulted into the upper echelons of Yunxia Sect’s hierarchy. His status and privileges doubled instantly.

Beyond power and prestige, Qingluan Peak itself was a treasure trove of resources: spiritual fields, medicinal gardens, rare herbs… even minor privileges within this ecosystem could generate immense wealth for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Naturally, this sudden promotion became the talk of the sect in the Foundation Establishment circles.

Below the top echelons of Yunxia Sect, there was quite a buzz about this, and most thought that Xiao Qingshan had gotten lucky.

Almost no one suspected that there might be any deeper connection between him and Elder Xiang.

After all, their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different.

Xiao Qingshan was a marginalized illegitimate son from one of the Great Yu Kingdom’s prestigious clans, even having suffered the humiliation of a broken engagement.

Elder Xiang wasn’t even a native of Great Yu Kingdom. Rumor had it he trusted no one within Yunxia Sect, which explained his seemingly random selections when appointing servants and stewards.

...

Following his promotion, Xiao Qingshan naturally had more opportunities to interact with Lan Changʼan without the need for formalities or pretense.

Lan Changʼan observed him carefully over time.

To his quiet satisfaction, Xiao Qingshan remained humble despite his newfound status. He performed his duties with diligence, showing neither arrogance nor complacency.

Perhaps his life’s hardships had shaped a resilient character.

However, beyond this commendable work ethic, Xiao Qingshan was… unremarkable.

Mediocre spiritual roots, average talent in cultivation arts, No particular brilliance in social skills or combat techniques.

Lan Changʼan had piles of unused second- and third-rank resources gathering dust, yet none seemed particularly suited to Xiao Qingshan.

His talents were spread thin across the board—the very definition of mediocrity.

This kind of bucket of mediocrity, no wonder his clan had neglected him. Were it not for his lineage and the lingering prestige of his late mother, he might not have even reached Foundation Establishment.

Over the next year or two, Lan Changʼan gradually entrusted Xiao Qingshan with greater responsibilities, grooming him as a close confidant and occasionally offering cultivation guidance.

Xiao Qingshan managed all mundane affairs on Qingluan Peak. He even represented Lan Changʼan in dealings with other Core Formation cultivators.

Through these frequent interactions, Xiao Qingshan began to feel an inexplicable sense of comfort and familiarity around Elder Xiang—as if reconnecting with an old friend from a distant past. His respect and loyalty grew genuinely heartfelt.

In quieter moments, he even summoned the courage to ask for advice on cultivation when Elder Xiang was free.

Yet, success often brings new complications.

Romantic entanglements soon followed.

Xiao Qingshan’s social standing skyrocketed. Female cultivators who once wouldn’t have spared him a glance now flocked to his side, some offering subtle hints, others boldly expressing interest.

Among them, he grew particularly fond of a newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator named Si Lu.

She was young, beautiful, and gentle-hearted, with a charm that made Xiao Qingshan feel genuinely at ease. Their relationship blossomed quickly, edging toward something deeper.

But fate had one more twist in store.

Just as Xiao Qingshan was preparing to take the next step with Si Lu, a figure from his past reappeared—Yi Shuzhen, his long-lost childhood sweetheart.

They had been inseparable in their youth, until fate had driven them apart. She’d broken off their engagement when his family fell from grace.

Now, years later, she sought him out again.

Their private meeting was heavy with emotion.

Yi Shuzhen’s eyes were red from crying. She threw herself into his arms, sobbing as if to wash away the years of regret.

Through her tears, she confessed that she had never stopped loving him. Their breakup had been forced—her mother had threatened her life if she refused. She had only pretended to move on to survive within the rigid expectations of her clan.

“But now, things are different, Qingshan.”

With Xiao Qingshan’s newfound power as the chief steward of Qingluan Peak, the Yi family no longer opposed their union.

Despite his achievements, Xiao Qingshan’s heart was torn.

After all, she was a woman he had once deeply loved. With her tear-streaked face and mournful, pleading gaze, it was impossible for Xiao Qingshanʼs heart to remain unmoved

…

A few days later, outside Qingluan Peak.

A Foundation Establishment female cultivator in a flowing white dress stood quietly, her features radiant, her figure graceful and alluring. Her gaze was filled with tender affection as she waited for Xiao Qingshan.

As the chief steward of Qingluan Peak, Xiao Qingshan spent most of his time on the mountain, handling affairs and cultivating. Lan Changʼan granted him a few days off each month for personal matters.

Whispers spread among the servants:

“Isn’t that Yi Shuzhen? When did she and Steward Xiao reconcile?”

Hidden behind respectful glances, many servants indulged in gossip, their curiosity piqued.

Soon, Xiao Qingshan emerged from Qingluan Peak, his expression dark and troubled.

He hadn’t agreed to reconcile with Yi Shuzhen, but he also couldn’t bring himself to sever ties completely.

Wanting to avoid unnecessary attention, he grabbed her hand without a word and swiftly left the peak.

By dusk, Xiao Qingshan returned to Qingluan Peak, looking solemn as he approached Lan Changʼan to offer his apologies.

“This is your private matter. This Immortal wonʼt not interfere.”

Lan Changʼan’s tone was calm, but in reality, if Xiao Qingshan did not return tonight and fell into Yi Shuzhenʼs tenderness, he would inevitably be disappointed.

Xiao Qingshan lowered his head, his face filled with guilt.

“I know I’ve been indecisive and weak. I’ve let you down, Elder Xiang.”

Lan Changʼan’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“Good that you’re aware. You’ll forfeit a year’s worth of your spirit stone stipend.”

Xiao Qingshan winced inwardly—a hefty penalty.

But he didn’t argue.

“I accept my punishment.”

Though the spirit stones were provided by the sect, his respect for Lan Changʼan was genuine. He didnʼt see the penalty as mere petty deduction but as a necessary lesson.

After a brief pause, Lan Changʼan spoke again, his tone carrying a rare note of sincerity:

“You’re not young anymore. It’s time you found a Dao companion within the sect.”

Lan Changʼan had no illusions about Xiao Qingshan’s potential. Despite his support, Xiao Qingshan’s achievements in this life would be limited.

Rather than chasing unattainable heights, it was better for him to settle down and enjoy the comforts of life while he could.

“Yes, Elder Xiang.”

Xiao Qingshan took the words to heart, not daring to disobey.

...

Half a month passed.

Surprisingly, Xiao Qingshan moved swiftly.

He formed a Dao companion bond not with Yi Shuzhen but with Si Lu, the young Foundation Establishment cultivator he had been recently courting.

Lan Changʼan was satisfied with this outcome and granted Xiao Qingshan a few days off to celebrate.

At their Dao Companion ceremony, many cultivators from Yunxia Sect’s middle and lower ranks attended, offering their congratulations.

Lan Changʼan’s gift was a third-rank spirit shell, capable of subtly improving one’s bone structure and providing minor cultivation benefits for those below the Core Formation stage.

One month after tying the knot, Xiao Qingshan, who had been stuck at the early Foundation Establishment stage for years, suddenly broke through to the mid-Foundation stage.

This development surprised Lan Changʼan.

Even with his occasional guidance and abundant resources, Xiao Qingshan’s breakthrough seemed unusually smooth—too smooth, in fact.

“Could it be… the Xuanmu Vine Gourd’s fortune-enhancing influence?”

Lan Changʼan pondered this possibility.

Theoretically, such an effect was plausible. The Gourd Vine’s subtle luck amplification could benefit not just the sect collectively but individuals tied to its roots.

Further observation led Lan Changʼan to an unexpected realization:

Xiao Qingshan’s smooth breakthrough was partly due to his first experience with dual cultivation.

While Xiao Qingshan wasn’t inexperienced—being from a prestigious family—his years in Yunxia Sect had been lonely, partly due to his high standards.

Now, with Si Lu, he’d finally experienced a genuine, balanced Yin-Yang dual cultivation, which seemed to unlock latent potential within him.

Lan Changʼan found himself genuinely intrigued.

“I didnʼt expect that Li Erqing, who was mediocre in all aspects in this life, to possess innate talent in the path of dual cultivation.”

Lan Changʼan finally found a bright spot in Xiao Qingshan that would be helpful in cultivation.

Talent in Yin-Yang dual cultivation wasn’t tied to one’s spiritual roots. It was more akin to an esoteric aptitude, like a natural gift for crafting, alchemy, or formations.

Some individuals simply had an innate resonance with dual cultivation, allowing them to achieve remarkable progress through such practices.

For example, Ancestor Heavenly Net—though neither a Dao Physique holder nor a genius with earth spiritual roots—had managed to form a Nascent Soul largely thanks to his talent in dual cultivation.

In the ancient history of the cultivation world, there were even more astonishing records—one such tale spoke of a Heaven’s Chosen with inferior spiritual roots who defied fate itself. Through dual cultivation methods alone, he ascended to the pinnacle of the human realm and became known as ”Lord Longyang.”

His name and deeds were even recorded in the Heaven Honoured Continentʼs Worldly Wonders Series.

However, that era was too long ago, and its authenticity was open to question.

A sudden thought struck Lan Changʼan.

In his previous life, Li Erqing had been known for his many marriages, fathering numerous children, and establishing a sprawling lineage. This had brought him considerable fortune and prosperity in mundane life.

Could it be that his latent talent in dual cultivation was somehow tied to the experiences he had before his reincarnation?

It wasn’t an impossible theory.

He recalled how Guan Qiaozhi’s reincarnation, Yun Ling, had shown remarkable talent in talisman crafting, a skill deeply ingrained in Guan Qiaozhi’s previous life.

Similarly, Li Erqing’s past life had revolved around marriage, family, and reproduction—forming connections, both literal and spiritual.

Perhaps, in this life, that same inclination had manifested as talent in dual cultivation.

...

Time flew by and eight years passed.

Lan Changʼan had now been cultivating quietly in Yunxia Sect for eleven years, bringing his age to 336.

More than ten years could solidify a lot of things.

By now, several labels had become firmly attached to Lan Changʼan’s name within Yunxia Sect:

“Elder Xiang, the ascetic monk”

“Elder Xiang, who doesnʼt get close to women”

In a sect known for its open and indulgent atmosphere, Lan Changʼan was like a breath of cold mountain air—untouched by the warmth of worldly desires.

To this day, Immortal Xiangʼs cave has not recruited a single female servant.

Even True Monarch Yunlan, once suspicious of Lan Changʼan’s intentions, had gradually come to believe he was an honest and upright cultivator.

For years, True Monarch Yunlan had secretly ordered his trusted aides to monitor Lan Changʼan.

Yet, regardless of whether Lan Changʼan was within the sect or out traveling, he remained disciplined and focused, always diligently cultivating, fulfilling his puppet crafting assignments on time, and even taking on a few apprentices to pass on his skills.

His rare trips beyond the sect were strictly for acquiring cultivation resources from the Great Yu Kingdom’s major immortal cities.

Lan Changʼan did his own thing and never probed into the sect’s secrets nor would he deliberately curry favour with either True Monarch Yunlan or Purple Mist True Monarch.

While True Monarch Purple Mist occasionally summoned him for brief conversations, he had never taken the initiative to visit her.

It seemed as if to Lan Changʼan, there was only cultivation and puppetry—women held no place in his heart.

True Monarch Yunlan eventually sighed to himself:

“Ziyan was right. I was overthinking things…”

With his suspicions eased, Yunlan shifted his focus entirely toward securing Nascent Soul resources for his personal disciple, Immortal Yunqing.

Over the past eight years, Lan Changʼan had fully confirmed Xiao Qingshan’s remarkable talent for dual cultivation.

Despite possessing only mid-grade spiritual roots, Xiao Qingshan’s cultivation speed rivaled that of high-grade talents.

Of course, Lan Changʼan’s occasional guidance, coupled with ample resources, elixirs, and spiritual grains, played a significant role.

Two years ago, he passed down the first six layers of the ancient dual cultivation technique—“Dragon Phoenix Dual Cauldron Technique”—to Xiao Qingshan.

This technique had been obtained by Ancestor Heavenly Net from an ancient ruin. Even after a lifetime of research, he had yet to fully comprehend its depths.

The technique was divided into two roles: the main cauldron and the secondary cauldron.

The primary cultivator, known as the main cauldron, would reap the greatest benefits, while the secondary cauldrons—of which there could be multiple—would still gain the standard advantages of dual cultivation.

For Lan Changʼan, whose cultivation was limited by the Evergreen Technique, this technique held little personal value.

However, with Xiao Qingshan’s natural affinity for dual cultivation, it became an opportunity to gather insights.

This ancient technique carried certain flaws and shortcomings for future generations, and needed to be further perfected.

...

Early this morning, Lan Changʼan carefully stored away a piece of spiritual wood—the Azure Profound Wood—into his spatial ring.

This precious material, inherited from Ancestor Heavenly Net’s lineage, was already on the verge of reaching the fourth rank after years of nurturing with Lan Changʼan’s late-stage Immortal Golden Dan cultivation.

Though he had never sacrificed his lifespan for its growth, the combination of spiritual elixirs and steady nurturing had brought it close to perfection.

With a faint ripple of earthy light, the Earth Burrowing Rat appeared beside Lan Changʼan, its aura deep and steady, exuding the presence of a peak third-rank beast.

Lan Changʼan sighed softly, his hand resting on the creature’s head, gently stroking the tuft of violet fur.

“Sigh! You’ve already reached the peak of the third rank. But where can I find the key opportunity for your transformation?”

The Earth Burrowing Rat had been stuck at its current bottleneck for the past two years.

While Lan Changʼan’s collection of battle spoils contained some helpful items, they weren’t enough for the rat to achieve the critical leap to becoming a fourth-rank, transformation demon king.

And since Lan Changʼan’s own preparations for his Nascent Soul breakthrough were far from complete, he couldn’t afford to divert precious resources.

Squeak!

The Earth Burrowing Rat squeaked determinedly, its small eyes filled with resolve—it wanted to venture out, hoping to find its own opportunity.

Lan Changʼan shook his head slightly.

“There’s no need to rush. You still have plenty of lifespan. The Great Yu Kingdom itself holds many opportunities for beasts seeking transformation. You don’t need to travel far.”

Lan Changʼan had identified two potential paths for the Earth Burrowing Rat’s transformation.

First, the Demonized Stoneheart Dragon in the Cenral Region Forbidden Zone possesses a true dragon bloodline. Its stone dragon heart and essence spirit core would be highly beneficial for the Earth Burrowing Rat.

To accomplish this, collaboration with the mysterious foreign cultivator, Jing Wufeng, would be necessary.

Second, the Great Yu Kingdom itself had the crucial opportunities and resources.

Within its borders, Great Snake Mountain and the Great Yu Imperial Clan are known to possess key materials that aid in the transformation of demon beasts.

Great Snake Mountain itself was a Nascent Soul-level beast-taming sect.

As for the Great Yu Imperial Clan, its ancestors hailed from the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty of Fenghua Continent, and it is rumored that they possess a guardian sacred beast whose strength rivals that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

As the ruling power of the Great Yu Kingdom, the imperial clan has gathered countless rare resources from across the world. It is highly likely that they possess more than one Tianying Fruits.

Moreover, the Great Yu Imperial Clan has its own fourth-rank alchemists and formation masters under its command.

...

Just as Lan Changʼan was strategizing for the Earth Burrowing Rat’s future, a sudden disturbance erupted hundreds of li away.

A brilliant streak of white light shot across the sky, tearing through the Nine Fiery Heavens with the force of a crashing tidal wave—headed straight for Yunxia Sect’s mountain gate.

“Senior Brother Lan!”

Purple Mist True Monarch sensed the incoming presence and flew out from the sect’s fourth-rank spiritual peak, her face filled with surprise and concern.

But as she approached, her expression shifted from shock to horror.

The figure hurtling toward Yunxia Sect was none other than True Monarch Yunlan—but he was barely recognizable.

His lofty crown knocked askew, hair in disarray, and face deathly pale. His immense Nascent Soul power surged chaotically, like an erupting volcano spiraling out of control.

Most shocking of all, his shoulder was a bloody, mangled mess—one of his arms had completely vanished without a trace.

...