I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 352: No Right or Wrong

After Netherwater True Monarch left, the two inside the illusion formation let out a slight sigh of relief.

In the previous battle, Lan Changʼan had used a secret medicine to amplify his strength; both the Earth Burrowing Rat and Jing Wufeng were injured, and they had exhausted their vitality by using secret techniques to erupt with power.

Under such circumstances, they naturally did not wish to create more trouble by engaging in a bitter fight with a peak-condition Nascent Soul cultivator from the demonic path.

A moment later, the spoils of battle were divided.

Lan Changʼan carefully sealed the Essence Spirit Core and the stone dragon heart.

Additionally, he received one-third of the dragon scales, bones, dragon blood, dragon tendons, and flesh.

Jing Wufeng obtained the dragon eyes, dragon claws, and some refined blood, which were valuable materials but overall far inferior to what Lan Changʼan had gained.

Of course, despite the Stoneheart Dragon possessing a heaven-grade bloodline, it was not a true dragon—merely on par with a relatively pure-blooded jiao dragon.

Above the Heaven-grade bloodline, there existed the legendary True Spirit bloodline, which carried the potential to evolve into a True Spirit.

Half an hour later.

Jing Wufeng’s complexion had improved significantly, and he suggested,

”Now that the Corrupted Stoneheart Dragon has been slain, there might still be some rare treasures left behind in its lair.”

Lan Changʼan nodded. After all, many dragons had a habit of hoarding valuable items.

After retracting the formation, the two swiftly flew toward the Stoneheart Dragon’s lair.

But they were too late.

The lair was in complete disarray, as if it had been thoroughly excavated. Traces of lingering moisture remained.

”That woman got the leftovers.”

Lan Changʼan and Jing Wufeng exchanged glances, feeling somewhat displeased.

They had fought desperately against the Stoneheart Dragon, taking on significant risks, yet in the end, they had let that Nascent Soul demonic woman take advantage of the situation.

However, neither of them had reached the Nascent Soul stage, so they were in no position to question or cause trouble for Netherwater True Monarch.

Netherwater True Monarch was no mere loose cultivator—she was backed by the Black Sea Sect, one of the Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects, a power on par with Beast King Valley of Great Qing.

...

At the same time, deep within the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, inside a secluded cave—

A woman wearing a black veil, with long hair cascading down her waist, held an antique oil lamp in her hand.

The lamp base was crafted from Soul-Nurturing Wood, and within its dim glow, a faintly blue, tattered ghostly soul was enveloped.

”Fellow Daoist Netherwater, fortunately, I have fallen into your hands. Over the years, I have been sealed by the Stone Dragonʼs restriction, and I feared that this Corrupted Stoneheart Dragon would one day lose complete control and devour its master...”

The shattered ghostly soul, now reduced to Foundation Establishment level, communicated with sound transmission.

”My main body is trapped within the forbidden zone deep in the ancient battlefield. That forbidden zone holds the opportunity to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage. If Fellow Daoist Netherwater is willing to lend a hand, once my main body is freed, you shall be handsomely rewarded.”

Hearing the tempting words of Shura Ghost Lord’s split soul, Netherwater True Monarch remained expressionless and replied indifferently:

”I came to the Central Region’s forbidden zone for my own matters. As for Fellow Daoist Shura’s predicament, I am afraid I am powerless.”

With that, she prepared to close the oil lamp.

Shura Ghost Lord was an elite among mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, yet even he had fallen deep into the forbidden zone, his current situation unknown and unable to escape.

That kind of deadly forbidden zone—Netherwater True Monarch would not risk her own life to enter.

Moreover, she did indeed have important matters in the Central Regionʼs ancient forbidden land.

”Wait! What brings Fellow Daoist Netherwater to the ancient battlefield? I am quite familiar with the surroundings of the Ten Thousand Demons Valley.”

The faintly blue ghostly soul atop the lamp quickly spoke, revealing its worth.

Hearing this, Netherwater True Monarch’s deep, black pearl-like eyes flickered with contemplation.

For the past few years, she had come to the Central Region’s forbidden zone seeking clues about Tinghai Pavilion.

After many years of investigation, she had finally made progress regarding the whereabouts of Shazhai True Monarch.

It was suspected that Tinghai Pavilion had a hidden spatial node within the Central Region Forbidden Zone, which could lead to an outer province.

Tinghai Pavilion was once the overlord of the coastal region, having produced a Deity Transformation Heavenly Lord. If the spatial node led to another domain, could there be an inheritance or treasure trove on the other side?

However, the Central Region Forbidden Zone was vast and filled with unknown dangers—not just demonic creatures.

Even if she had confirmed this information, finding the spatial node would be incredibly difficult.

At best, Netherwater True Monarch could narrow it down to the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, the last known location of Shazhai True Monarch decades ago.

”As for the spatial node or teleportation array that Fellow Daoist Netherwater mentioned, I am not sure. However, twenty years ago, a ʼforeign cultivatorʼ passed through this area and was pursued by the Corrupted Stoneheart Dragon.”

”A foreign cultivator? Tell me about this person.”

Netherwater True Monarch’s heart stirred with excitement—her instincts told her that this was an important lead.

The Heaven Honoured Continent had different worldly environments in each region. If someone had arrived from another domain through a spatial rift or teleportation array, they would still carry traces of a foreign aura before fully adapting to the local world.

After listening to the ghostly soul’s description, Netherwater True Monarch’s delicate brows furrowed in deep thought.

She had a nagging feeling that the person the split soul of Ghost Monarch described seemed somewhat familiar.

”That illusion formation used to hunt the demonic dragon!”

In a flash of realization, Netherwater True Monarch recalled the source of this familiarity.

Previously, due to the illusion formationʼs spatial interference, her spiritual sense could not probe clearly. However, among the cultivators inside, there was one human cultivator whose techniques and magic treasures exhibited spatial attributes, something exceedingly rare within the Great Yuan.

...

Half a month later.

Lan Changʼan and Jing Wufeng parted ways outside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

From beginning to end, Lan Changʼan had maintained the disguise of an elderly man wearing a bamboo hat. Meanwhile, Jing Wufeng had been petrified during the battle, which had exposed his true identity.

Before leaving, the two made an agreement.

Since Lan Changʼan had gained significant benefits from this venture, he promised that within one full cycle (sixty years), he would assist Jing Wufeng in sealing off that demonic energy-leaking place within the Central Region’s Forbidden Zone.

The prerequisite was that either he or the Earth Burrowing Rat had successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage or achieved full transformation.

Lan Changʼan was currently 341 years old, at the peak of the Core Formation stage. He estimated that it would take him a few more decades—around 380 years old—which was well within the sixty-year limit.

Thus, if he were to advance to the Nascent Soul stage in the future, he would still have ample time to prepare.

Flying tens of thousands of miles away.

Suddenly, Lan Changʼan seemed to recall something and turned back to look in the direction of the Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

The appearance of Netherwater True Monarch had put him on guard.

Back then, this woman had been among the most aggressive pursuers of Shazhai True Monarch, relentlessly hunting down the remnants of the Tinghai Pavilion.

It was said that Netherwater True Monarch’s natural aptitude was not originally exceptional.

At least half of her cultivation and divine abilities were gained through excavating opportunities related to the Tinghai Pavilion’s remnants.

To call her ”half an inheritor” of the Tinghai Pavilion would not be an exaggeration.

Her magical treasures, expertise in water-attribute movement techniques, and her secret arts and divine abilities—many of them originated from the Tinghai Pavilion and had been merged with her own sect’s techniques.

Lan Changʼan worried that if she continued digging deeper, she might uncover clues related to the Tinghai Pavilion’s spatial node.

With this thought in mind, he performed a brief divination. The results were unclear, but it indicated a certain probability.

The signs suggested that this was not an unlikely possibility.

”This hidden threat is not something I need to concern myself with for now. As long as the Earth Burrowing Rat achieves transformation or I form my Nascent Soul, even in the flourishing Great Yuan, we will stand at the pinnacle, commanding respect and fear.”

Lan Changʼan understood that in the pursuit of opportunities and continuous advancement, it was impossible not to accumulate karmic entanglements or hidden dangers.

As long as he reached a new level of power, all past threats would dissipate like smoke in the wind.

...

A few days later.

Lan Changʼan entered the territory of the Wanfeng Sect in the Central Region.

The Wanfeng Sect was situated near the Central Region’s Forbidden Zone and was presided over by a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. It ruled over multiple cultivation nations, two Nascent Soul-level sects, numerous affiliated Core Formation sects, and an uncountable number of cultivation families.

In the past, the Wanfeng Sect had clashed with the Great Yu Kingdom, though things had settled in the last century.

Overall, Great Yu Kingdom was stronger than the Wanfeng Sect, but unlike the latter, Great Yu was not geographically secluded, meaning it faced greater external threats.

There were other formidable factions surrounding Great Yu’s borders.

Lan Changʼan did not immediately return to Great Yu Kingdom. Instead, he took residence in Wuyou City, which was under the Wanfeng Sectʼs jurisdiction.

When he had first arrived in the Great Yuan, he had stayed in Wuyou City for over three years.

It was also here that his green-armored puppet had been upgraded to fourth rank.

Familiar with the place, Lan Changʼan rented a third-rank cave residence in Wuyou City.

In the following months.

Lan Changʼan began purifying the materials he had obtained from the Stoneheart Dragon.

Due to demonic corruption, everything except for the stone dragon heart—including the Essence Spirit Core, dragon blood, bones, and scales—needed thorough purification and refinement.

Lan Changʼanʼs Evergreen Technique, his artifact-refining skills, and the innate water-attribute abilities of his Profound Water Turtle were a three-pronged approach to ensure the best purification results.

Additionally, Shazhai True Monarch’s memories contained high-level purification secret arts of this nature.

While demonic energy could be expelled, the deeper layers of earthly fiend turbid qi could not be entirely removed.

Fortunately, the Earth Burrowing Rat was well-suited for this.

It had previously absorbed Innate Turbid Qi, causing its earth-elemental demonic power to mutate, now naturally containing Earthly Fiend Qi.

After purging the demonic taint and further refining and tempering the materials, Lan Changʼan ensured that his harvested materials no longer bore any demonic characteristics.

This meant that no one would suspect that they originated from the Stoneheart Dragon of the Central Region Forbidden Zone.

Pseudo-dragon beasts were not uncommon in the Great Yuan.

Even in the seas, there were plenty of Jiao dragons, including fourth-rank Jiao Dragon Kings, which were sought after by high-level cultivators as crafting materials.

Having completed the purification and refinement, Lan Changʼan seriously considered the Earth Burrowing Rat’s transformation.

He even calculated and analyzed its chances of success.

”The Earth Burrowing Rat has attained the Half-Step Golden Dan, after absorbing Innate Turbid Qi, its bloodline had mutated to earth-grade, akin to an earth spirit root human genius.

”The Stoneheart Dragon was a heaven-grade bloodline demon king, and its Essence Spirit Core and stone dragon heart are a perfect fit for the Earth Burrowing Rat’s advancement and transformation.

”The”Thunder-Dissolving Pearl” obtained from Yu Yuanjin is perfect for physically strong creatures to resist heavenly thunder.

”Additionally, after the Xuanmu Vine sprouted, the Five Elements Earth in the central area had absorbed remnants of the Xuantian Relic. Unlike before, this altered soil might serve as a valuable auxiliary spirit item, though its exact effects remain unknown.

After organizing his thoughts, Lan Changʼan realized that the Earth Burrowing Rat’s transformation conditions were already excellent.

Even spirit beasts raised in Beast King Valley or other such beast taming sects rarely enjoyed such ideal conditions for their transformations.

Putting aside the influence of the special Five Element Earth, Lan Changʼan estimated the Earth Burrowing Rat had a 50% chance of successful transformation.

For Lan Changʼan, this probability was not high enough.

But for any spirit beast attempting transformation or cultivator attempting the Nascent Soul breakthrough, a 50% success rate was already incredibly rare.

After careful deliberation, Lan Changʼan identified two ways to further improve the Earth Burrowing Rat’s odds:

One, using the Essence Spirit Core as the main ingredient, he could commission a fourth-rank alchemy master to refine a specialized advancement pill tailored to the Earth Burrowing Rat’s attributes.

However, since the Essence Spirit Core was already high-quality and perfectly suited, pill refinement would merely be a bonus rather than a necessity.

And secondly, a heart tribulation-type spirit item.

Heart Tribulation was unpredictable. It tested willpower, mental state, fate, and luck.

If one’s luck was too poor, they could encounter an abnormally powerful inner demon, leading to failure even with a strong will.

Lan Changʼan noted that the Earth Burrowing Rat, having been born ordinary and rising through struggle, had a stronger will than many higher-bloodline spirit beasts, so it should have an advantage in this aspect.

Still, Heart Tribulation was mysterious and unpredictable—there was no way to be certain.

Half a month later.

At times, those with strong willpower may also possess even stronger obsessions.

Having a heart tribulation-type spirit item was undeniably better than having none—it would provide an extra margin of error.

After careful deliberation, Lan Changʼan decided to abandon the first option and prioritize the second.

Refining an Earthly Fiend-type advancement pill required the assistance of a fourth-rank alchemy master, gathering additional ingredients, and introducing more uncertainties.

If something went wrong and the refinement failed, it would turn joy into sorrow.

However, for the second option, Lan Changʼan had a clear lead.

Great Snake Mountainʼs True Monarch Red Serpent had once displayed a fourth-rank pill called the Profound Heart Beast Pill at the Nascent Soul Exchange Gathering in Cloudsky City.

This pill was highly compatible for spirit beasts undergoing transformation, making it an ideal heart tribulation-type spiritual medicine.

”If I can obtain the Profound Heart Beast Pill, everything will be in place—there will be no gaps in preparation.”

Lan Changʼan had no intention of forcefully taking the pill.

In the cultivation world, most problems were not solved through bloodshed.

He planned to negotiate peacefully with True Monarch Red Serpent.

Back at the Nascent Soul Exchange Gathering, Lan Changʼan had noted the demands of the True Monarch Red Serpent.

Among Lan Changʼan’s own resources, he had items that could potentially tempt the monarch into a trade.

Moreover, since Great Snake Mountain and Yunxia Sect were both located in the Great Yu Kingdom, their backgrounds were known, making it easier for Lan Changʼan to maneuver.

If the trade failed, he wouldnʼt force it.

At worst, he could settle for the second best.

With Yunxia Sect’s connections, it wouldn’t be difficult to obtain a mid-to-low-grade heart tribulation spirit item or a superior-grade third-rank heart-protecting elixir.

...

One month later.

Lan Changʼan returned to the Great Yu Kingdom, nearing Yunxia Sect’s territory.

At that moment, he noticed a massive gathering of spiritual energy within a thousand-li radius of the sectʼs mountain gate.

“Nascent Soul Tribulation? Could it be Immortal Yunqing…?”

A thought flashed through Lan Changʼan’s mind. He slowed his pace and observed from a distance.

Boom!

Above the fourth-rank spirit vein of Yunxia Sect, dark clouds churned, forming a tribulation cloud, and azure lightning streaked across the sky.

The overwhelming might of the tribulation sent waves of oppression through the surroundings, causing countless cultivators and living beings to tremble in fear.

”The Heavenly Thunder Trial… Yunqing Immortal has successfully shattered his core and begun forming the Nascent Soul!”

As Lan Changʼan approached the sect’s entrance, he found the entire Yunxia Sect enveloped by colorful clouds of spiritual energy.

The fourth-rank sect-protecting grand formation had been fully activated, isolating the sect from the outside world.

Such precautions were standard when a sect member was undergoing a Nascent Soul breakthrough.

The gatekeeping disciples, upon noticing Lan Changʼan’s return, immediately reported his arrival to the higher-ups.

Before long, a figure emerged.

With white hair, a gaunt face, and an aged demeanor, Sect Master Hu flew to the mountain gate. He stopped just outside the fourth-rank formation, addressing Lan Changʼan through the barrier.

”Elder Xiang, your timing is rather unfortunate—Immortal Yunqing is currently at the most critical stage of his Nascent Soul formation.”

Sect Master Hu sighed apologetically, smiling bitterly.

”The Supreme Elder has issued a decree: until the Nascent Soul Tribulation is completely over, to prevent interference from enemy sects, entry and exit are strictly forbidden.”

”No problem. I’ll enter the sect after the tribulation is completed.”

Lan Changʼan smiled and nodded, showing no resistance to the rule.

The Supreme Elder who gave the order was not mentioned by name, but it was most likely True Monarch Yunlan.

This decision clearly showed a lack of trust toward Lan Changʼan as an outsider Guest Elder and lacked due respect.

Of course, Nascent Soul Tribulations were of utmost importance.

Sealing the sect to eliminate any unforeseen variables was a cautious decision that was beyond reproach.

Lan Changʼan found a large boulder outside the mountain gate and sat cross-legged, waiting patiently.

Internally, however, he couldnʼt help but find the situation ironic.

He considered himself a “lucky star” for the sect—yet here he was, barred from entry during a sect member’s Nascent Soul Tribulation.

Originally, he had planned to return the favor by planting the Xuanmu Vine Gourd at his main peak cave residence as soon as he returned.

Half an hour later.

The Threefold Heavenly Thunder Tribulation struck down, each wave stronger than the last, descending over Yunxia Sect’s Yunlan Peak.

After the final heavenly thunder dissipated, the sky began to clear.

Due to the formation’s barrier, Lan Changʼan couldn’t directly see what was happening, but he could vaguely sense a newly formed Nascent Soul aura.

After being baptized by wind and lightning, its energy had weakened, but it had survived the ordeal.

”As expected of a major sect’s Immortal Golden Dan— with abundant resources and rare spirit items, he smoothly shattered the dan and formed his nascent soul after surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.”

Lan Changʼan sighed inwardly, acknowledging the advantage of a strong background.

If he had the chance to choose his reincarnation in the next life, his birth circumstances would have to be carefully considered.

However, just as the heavenly thunder faded, the tribulation clouds did not fully disperse.

Whoosh!

A grayish-black tribulation cloud loomed ominously, swirling into a distorted vortex at its center—like a pitch-black demonic eye, exuding an aura of calamity and unease.

”The third trial—Heart Demon Tribulation.”

Lan Changʼan’s expression turned serious. This was the most unpredictable and deadly phase of a Nascent Soul Tribulation.

For Immortal Golden Dan cultivators, the Heart Demon Tribulation had the greatest percentage of failure.

The third trial lasted an entire day and night.

”The longer the Heart Demon Tribulation drags on, the slimmer the chances of survival.”

From his vantage point outside the sect, Lan Changʼan observed the cloud-covered sect, noting the growing atmosphere of tension.

Then, at a certain moment—

With a thunderous roar, the dense, oppressive tribulation clouds suddenly scattered, revealing a clear and radiant blue sky.

He waited another half an hour.

There were no celebrations, no triumphant cheers from within the sect.

The sect-protecting formation was finally deactivated.

Without a word, Lan Changʼan stepped through the reopened gates, returning to his Qingluan Peak cave residence after one year away.