I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 359: Rumors of Spiritual Treasure

Half a month after True Monarch Yunlan left, Lan Changʼan received a report from Xiao Qingshan. A Foundation Establishment cultivator had left a message at the sect’s entrance, requesting the refinement of a puppet.

Such requests were not uncommon, so Lan Changʼan did not take it to heart.

However, when he saw the transmission talisman presented by Xiao Qingshan, his heart stirred. The talisman bore a unique inscription of the character Heaven.

Once Xiao Qingshan withdrew, Lan Changʼan broke the restriction on the transmission talisman. As expected, Jing Wufeng’s voice emerged from within.

The message detailed a formal request for puppet refinement, following all standard procedures, without any apparent flaws.

Lan Changʼan knew this matter was not so simple. Considering that the time for the opening of the Ancient Nether Hall was drawing near, he fell into deep thought.

However, he did not go to the location Jing Wufeng had specified in person.

A thousand li outside Yunxia Sect, at a fishing platform on a low-grade spirit lake.

Two figures appeared in succession.

The first was a young cultivator in a green silk robe, with a calm and relaxed expression—Jing Wufeng.

The second was a middle-aged man in green armor, dressed like a mortal military general, exuding a fierce and menacing aura.

”Why has Immortal Jing invited me here?”

The green-armored middle-aged manʼs tone and manner of speech were identical to those of Immortal Xiang from Yunxia Sect.

As it turned out, Lan Changʼan had discreetly dispatched the fourth-rank puppet to meet with Jing Wufeng in private.

At this meeting, Lan Changʼan noticed that Jing Wufengʼs cultivation had reached the peak of the Core Formation stage, the absolute limit with no further progress possible.

In fact, ten years ago, when they met in Cloudsky City, Jing Wufeng had already reached the peak of Core Formation.

”I believe that Fellow Daoist Xiang has heard of the Ancient Nether Hall that is about to emerge in the Forbidden Zone of the Central Region.”

Jing Wufeng quickly got to the point.

”Oh, Could it be that Fellow Daoist Jing also intends to enter the Ancient Nether Hall?”

”Thatʼs right! I have already made an agreement with a Nascent Soul cultivator from Yuntian Immortal City. Soon, I will enter the Ancient Nether Hall with them. If Fellow Daoist Xiang is also interested, we could look out for each other in secret while inside…”

Jing Wufeng did not hide his intentions and openly revealed his plan.

Lan Changʼan was not surprised but still had doubts.

Jing Wufeng was an Immortal Golden Dan, an extraordinarily talented cultivator with a mysterious background. If he were merely seeking opportunities and resources for advancing to the Nascent Soul stage, there was no need for him to enter a high-level and enigmatic place like the Ancient Nether Hall.

Unless… Jing Wufeng had even greater ambitions.

To be honest, I declined an invitation from my sect’s Supreme Elder not too long ago…

Lan Changʼan likewise rejected Jing Wufeng’s offer.

He had collaborated with Jing Wufeng before and shared a certain level of mutual trust, surpassing even his relationship with True Monarch Yunlan.

However, Lan Changʼan was not lacking in lifespan. As long as he followed a steady path, he could plan his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage without the need to risk entering the Ancient Nether Hall.

Jing Wufeng was not surprised by Lan Changʼan’s refusal either, as he understood his cautious nature.

”I heard that Fellow Daoist Xiang’s spirit beast has recently ascended to a Transformation Demon King. I must offer my congratulations!”

Jing Wufeng smiled and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

He then studied the fourth-rank puppet before him, showing a hint of admiration, and finally revealed his true intention.

”Now that Daoist Xiang has a fourth-rank demon king, your protective means are more than sufficient. Would you be willing to lend me a fourth-rank puppet to aid in my plans within the Ancient Nether Hall?”

”I can swear an oath that I will share at least thirty percent of my gains from the Ancient Nether Hall. Additionally, I will sell any rare materials or spirit treasures you need at a discounted price. If the puppet is damaged, I will compensate you fully to ensure you suffer no losses.”

Jing Wufeng’s offer was much more sincere than that of True Monarch Yunlan.

Just the assurance of compensation alone was something Yunlan could not provide, not to mention the potential for significant gains.

From their previous collaboration in hunting the demonic dragon, Lan Changʼan was well aware of Jing Wufeng’s strength. He could be considered at Nascent Soul-level combat power and possessed unfathomable techniques, making his self-preservation abilities exceptionally strong.

Lan Changʼan deliberated for a moment. This type of cooperation posed no risk to his life while also allowing him to share in the profits from the Ancient Nether Hall.

In the end, Lan Changʼan refused to lend out his fourth-rank puppet.

Firstly, the spirit within this fourth-rank puppet only needed another decade or two of nurturing to reach the Nascent Soul level.

By then, it would become a true fourth-rank puppet, capable of completely matching a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

If it were destroyed in the Ancient Nether Hall, it would be a tremendous loss.

Secondly, a Puppet Master Wei resided within this fourth-rank puppet. If it fell into the hands of other Nascent Soul cultivators in the Ancient Nether Hall, there was a risk of betrayal, potentially exposing some of Lan Changʼan’s secrets.

Just as Jing Wufeng was feeling disappointed, Lan Changʼan mused aloud

”However, I have an assassin puppet that has been strengthened to peak third-rank. If Fellow Daoist Jing is interested, you may borrow it for the Ancient Nether Hall.”

”That will do. I appreciate it.”

Jing Wufeng’s lips curled slightly. Though he had not secured the fourth-rank puppet, this outcome was within his expectations.

A fourth-rank puppet was an extremely powerful asset. It was understandable that Xiang Dalong would be reluctant to lend it out.

Half an hour later.

A mysterious figure wearing a bamboo hat appeared before the two, his spiritual aura carefully concealed but clearly at the peak of the Core Formation stage.

The bamboo-hatted man handed a control token to Jing Wufeng.

Jing Wufeng took the token and, after examining the assassin puppet’s abilities, nodded in satisfaction.

Lan Changʼan now had the Transformation stage Lord Earthrock, who was also skilled in stealth and assassination. The assassin puppet, even at peak third-rank, was no longer essential for him.

However, in Jing Wufeng’s hands, it could be of greater use—especially when combined with his mysterious spatial abilities, posing a significant threat even to Nascent Soul cultivators.

If paired with certain Nascent Soul-level methods, such as fourth-rank talismans, fourth-rank poisons, or space blades, an unexpected strike could pose a substantial threat to a Nascent Soul cultivator.

After all, Nascent Soul cultivators could not maintain full protection at all times. In the perilous environment of the Ancient Nether Hall, where they had to contend with cultivators of their own level, their focus and mana would inevitably be divided.

Before long, Lan Changʼan and Jing Wufeng finalized their agreement and made a solemn oath.

Jing Wufeng rented the peak third-rank assassin puppet, taking full responsibility for any damage or loss. In return, he would give Lan Changʼan ten percent of his gains from the Ancient Nether Hall, including at least one set of superior-grade third-rank puppet crafting materials.

If the spoils were insufficient, Jing Wufeng would make up the difference out of his own pocket.

Additionally, valuable materials such as puppet components and talisman ingredients would be offered to Lan Changʼan first, at prices no higher than the market rate.

Ten percent might seem low.

But Lan Changʼan did not have to risk his life in the Ancient Nether Hall. He could simply wait and enjoy the profits while securing priority access to rare materials.

Overall, this was a solid deal.

The only risk was losing a peak third-rank assassin puppet—but that was hardly a crippling loss.

Moreover, he was confident in Jing Wufeng’s abilities. His means of survival far exceeded those of an ordinary early Nascent Soul cultivator.

As a Core Formation cultivator navigating the Ancient Nether Hall, being underestimated by Nascent Soul elders could actually work to his advantage.

...

After the transaction was made, Lan Changʼan used the green-armored puppet to gather the latest news about the Ancient Nether Hall from Jing Wufeng.

It was said that the Ancient Nether Hall would open within a year, and entry would require high-level magic crystals.

Before parting, Lan Changʼan curiously asked, ”I see that Brother Jing is still young, with top-tier abilities and potential. Advancing to the Nascent Soul realm shouldnʼt be difficult. Why rush to take the risk of going to the Ancient Nether Hall?”

Jing Wufeng seemed to have an extraordinary background, and under normal circumstances, he shouldnʼt be taking such risks.

For example, Immortal Yuqing, whose overall abilities were inferior to Jing Wufengʼs, never had to worry about resources for promotion, even in a large Nascent Soul sect.

Jing Wufeng replied, ”My purpose in going to the Ancient Nether Hall isnʼt primarily for the Nascent Soul opportunity. Rather, it is to pave the way for the future after reaching Nascent Soul.”

Jing Wufeng sighed lightly, looking at the green-armored middle-aged man before him. At times, he even envied the cautious and prudent Elder Xiang. If one didn’t dare to take risks for the opportunities in the Ancient Nether Hall, they would have no chance of standing out in the sect trials.

After answering Lan Changʼanʼs last question, Jing Wufeng took the assassin puppet and disappeared into the night.

Yunxia Sect, the underground palace of the fourth-rank spirit vein.

Recently, Lan Changʼan moved to the cultivation site of the Lord Earthrock to cultivate, absorbing the spiritual energy of the fourth-rank Spirit Vein.

Although this didn’t speed up his overall cultivation progress, it greatly improved his daily efficiency, allowing more time to study divination, talismans, puppetry, and the other arts of cultivation.

This wasn’t entirely in line with the rules.

However, True Monarch Yunlan was away, and another close ally, Purple Mist True Monarch, had no objections.

Paving the way for the future after Nascent Soul Lan Changʼan murmured, his eyes flashing as he considered this.

For the first time in over 300 years of cultivation, he felt somewhat inferior when comparing his plans for higher realms with those of another fellow cultivator.

In the mid to late stages of his Core Formation, he was planning for the Nascent Soul level. Yet Jing Wufeng, not yet in the Nascent Soul realm, was already thinking ahead for life beyond that.

Thus, Lan Changʼan could assess more thoroughly the possible background and connections of Jing Wufeng.

...

Six months later, Lan Changʼan turned 350. His spiritual power was even more refined at the late stage of Core Formation.

One day, news came from the Central Regionʼs Forbidden Zone of the Ancient Nether Hallʼs emergence.

”Although I didnʼt personally participate in the Ancient Nether Hall, I did take part in a certain way.”

Lan Changʼan gazed toward the direction of the Central Regionʼs Forbidden Zone, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart.

Since he could receive a share of the proceeds from the Ancient Nether Hall, he had been paying attention to the developments.

Such a mysterious place, at the Nascent Soul level, had a high potential for rewards. If Jing Wufeng was fortunate, even just one-tenth of the proceeds could be worth more than an Infant Transformation Pill.

”The Ancient Nether Hall will likely be open for no more than a month. I believe there will be results soon.”

Lan Changʼan waited patiently within the mountain.

There was no need for him to leave Yunxia Sect. He sent the green-armored puppet outside to gather the relevant information.

During the wait, Purple Mist True Monarch came to the underground palace twice to visit Lord Earthrock and drink tea with Lan Changʼan.

Although they didnʼt dive deeply into discussing the Ancient Nether Hall, Lan Changʼan could sense a subtle worry and unease from Purple Mist True Monarch.

Her visits and casual chats seemed to be a way of relieving her inner anxiety.

The relationship between the two True Monarchs had deteriorated over time, but their shared goal of strengthening the Yunxia Sect kept them united.

In the present-day Yunxia Sect, only Lan Changʼan and Lord Earthrock were at a level where they could converse on equal terms with Fairy Purple Mist and share the pressure.

Lan Changʼan understood this, so he discussed lighter topics, subtly easing Purple Mist True Monarch’s psychological pressure.

Purple Mist True Monarch noticed this and began to feel a slight fondness for Elder Xiangʼs good understanding.

Most importantly, Elder Xiang’s conversation style made her feel naturally at ease. As a True Monarch in the Nascent Soul stage, she didnʼt feel the discomfort or forced flattery that came from the other sect members.

...

The wait was less than two months.

Not long after, news of the Ancient Nether Hall finally arrived in the Great Yu Kingdom.

This time, the news surrounding the Ancient Nether Hall was explosive, attracting attention from all the major powers.

Inside the hall, treasures were said to have appeared far surpassing anything in the last several millennia.

In the Ancient Nether Hall, a pseudo-spiritual treasure has appeared!

Lan Changʼan put down the jade slip containing the news and was taken aback.

A pseudo-spiritual treasure has two forms.

One is a counterfeit spiritual treasure, a replica created by cultivators of later generations based on ancient treasures. Its power is greatly diminished.

The other is a damaged true spiritual treasure that has lost its spirituality and descended in grade, or one that has been repaired from a broken spiritual treasure.

A pseudo-spiritual treasure is an artifact at least at the level of Nascent Soul Great Cultivators.

Since true spiritual treasures have disappeared, even some of the main artifacts wielded by legendary Deity Transformation Heavenly Lords may just be pseudo-spiritual treasures of superior quality.

Lan Changʼanʼs surprise wasnʼt just that a pseudo-spiritual treasure had appeared in the Ancient Nether Hall.

According to rumors gathered by the green-armored puppet, that pseudo-spiritual treasure had once been won by True Monarch Yunlan.

The specifics were still unclear.

Lan Changʼan suspected that the pseudo-spiritual treasure had indeed passed through True Monarch Yunlanʼs hands; otherwise, such rumors wouldn’t have spread.

Learning of the rumors of the pseudo-spirit treasure, Lan Changʼan felt fortunate for not entering the Ancient Nether Hall.

The emergence of a pseudo-spirit treasure would inevitably provoke fierce battles among Nascent Soul True Monarchs, potentially triggering a bloodbath and drastically increasing the Ancient Nether Hall’s mortality rate.

”What a pity. If True Monarch Yunlan had secretly brought back this treasure, with the support of the pseudo-spiritual treasure, the three True Monarchs of Yunxia Sect would be unmatched, and even a mid-stage Nascent Soul wouldnʼt dare to confront them directly.”

Lan Changʼan sighed with slight regret.

A single early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator could not safeguard a pseudo-spirit treasure, but if three Nascent Souls, backed by the sect’s foundation, turned it into a sect-protecting treasure, the situation would have been entirely different.

Several days later, the high-ranking cultivators from the Great Yu Kingdom who entered the Ancient Nether Hall began returning one after another.

The Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the Great Yu Imperial Family, Great Snake Mountain, and other factions all returned to their respective forces.

Among them, one of the Great Yu Imperial Family’s elder Nascent Soul True Monarchs had perished.

However, Lan Changʼan was not concerned about Jing Wufeng.

The assassin puppet he had lent Jing Wufeng was rather special—it had been used as a clone for a long time, and a distinct imprint had been melted into it over time.

If that puppet were destroyed, Lan Changʼan, as its master, would have sensed a faint disturbance.

To this day, no such sensation has occurred.

Instead, the one to worry about was True Monarch Yunlan.

Most of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs from Great Yu who participated in the Ancient Nether Hall expedition had either returned immediately or had confirmed deaths.

Yet, True Monarch Yunlan neither returned to the sect nor had his fate confirmed.

Not long after, rumors spread through the Great Yu cultivation world—

True Monarch Yunlan had perished in the Ancient Nether Hall while fighting over the pseudo-spirit treasure!

Fortunately, True Monarch Purple Mist swiftly refuted these claims, publicly stating that her Dao companion’s soul lamp had not gone out.

She even presented the sect’s ancestral shrine, proving that Yunlan’s soul lamp still burned steadily.

A lit soul lamp meant that True Monarch Yunlan’s Nascent Soul remained intact.

At the Nascent Soul stage, one’s survivability and margin for error were significantly higher. Even if the physical body was destroyed, as long as the Nascent Soul escaped, it could rebuild a body and recover its cultivation.

”Could it be that True Monarch Yunlan suffered severe injuries in battle and was forced to abandon his body, escaping with only his Nascent Soul?”

Lan Changʼan speculated.

After all, since Yunlan was connected to the pseudo-spirit treasure, he had been at the heart of the whirlpool.

Lan Changʼan couldn’t help but feel concerned about the current circumstances.

Although his relationship with True Monarch Yunlan was not particularly close, he didn’t wish for Yunlan to perish.

Yunxia Sect’s foundation relied on its two Nascent Soul True Monarchs. If one of them fell, it would undermine the sect’s stability.

At least until he himself reached the Nascent Soul stage, Lan Changʼan preferred for Yunlan to survive, ensuring a stable and peaceful cultivation environment for the time being.

...

The day after True Monarch Purple Mist refuted the rumors, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Great Yu Imperial Family arrived—Yu Yuanjin.

To maintain discretion, Purple Mist True Monarch received Yu Yuanjin in the sect’s grand hall, and the two engaged in a lengthy private conversation.

Yu Yuanjin, one of the cultivators who had entered the Ancient Nether Hall, had yet to fully recover from his injuries.

It was evident that through Yu Yuanjin, Purple Mist True Monarch learned about Yunlan’s situation and determined his general whereabouts.

However, Yu Yuanjin did not linger in Yunxia Sect for long, nor did he attempt to recruit Lan Changʼan. Doing so would have made the Great Yu Imperial Family appear too aggressive.

Over the next half month, several Core Formation cultivators from Yunxia Sect were sent on missions, including Purple Mist True Monarch’s most trusted subordinates.

Even Xuefeng Immortal, a strong and capable cultivator stationed in the sect’s immortal city, left quietly on a secret mission.

Lan Changʼan remained calm and did not inquire about the details from Purple Mist True Monarch.

Instead, he used his divination techniques to infer a rough picture of events. However, due to the involvement of multiple Nascent Soul cultivators, the results were not precise.

During this time, Lan Changʼan continuously gathered intelligence on the Ancient Nether Hall through his fourth-rank puppet operating outside.

It was mainly news about Jing Wufeng and True Monarch Yunlan.

True Monarch Yunlan’s fate remained uncertain, but it was confirmed that his physical body had been destroyed, and his Nascent Soul had escaped.

Jing Wufeng, however, had become famous across the Central Region after the battle in the Ancient Nether Hall.

According to reports, Jing Wufeng was one of the few remaining Core Formation cultivators to survive the ordeal.

His acquired treasures and fortuitous encounters were so astonishing that even Nascent Soul True Monarchs felt envious.

Not only that, but Jing Wufeng had joined forces with Nascent Soul True monarchs within the Ancient Nether Hall and through direct or indirect means contributed to the deaths of two Nascent Soul cultivators.

After the hall collapsed and forcibly expelled the surviving cultivators, they were scattered randomly across a radius of tens of thousands of li.

Since then, Jing Wufeng had vanished within the Central Region’s vast lands.

Several Nascent Soul True Monarchs who had grievances with him, along with powerful factions targeting his treasures, were now hunting for his whereabouts.

”As expected of Immortal Jing Tian! He made a name for himself in one battle in the Ancient Nether Hall, but also stirred up trouble…”

Lan Changʼan felt amused yet schadenfreude at the situation.

The reason for his happiness was that the greater Jing Wufeng’s haul, the larger Lan Changʼan’s dividends would be.

Moreover, the precious materials Jing Wufeng obtained from the Ancient Nether Hall were available for Lan Changʼan to purchase first.

For a moment, Lan Changʼan almost regretted not lending out his fourth-rank puppet. If he had, he could have received 30% of the earnings—a much more substantial gain.

However, he quickly reassured himself. At least he didn’t take any risks, and even a 10% share was satisfactory.

Among the intelligence gathered, there was also news about True Monarch Red Serpent.

He had suffered serious injuries and was now secluded in Great Snake Mountain, recovering in isolation.

...

Three nights later, at midnight.

In the underground palace of the fourth-rank spirit vein, Lan Changʼan was busy perfecting the creation of the exotic spirit peacock, expecting Jing Wufeng to bring back suitable treasure materials.

Suddenly, Purple Mist True Monarch arrived in secret, sending a voice transmission instructing Lan Changʼan to remain silent.

In a secret hall of the underground palace, Lan Changʼan respectfully welcomed the graceful yet visibly fatigued Purple Mist True Monarch to the seat of honor.

He and Lord Earthrock sat below her, looking at her with concern.

Seeing the two figures who still respected and trusted her, Purple Mist True Monarch felt a rare sense of comfort, as though she had found a reliable anchor amidst a turbulent storm.

”Senior Purple Mist, what brings you here so late at night? What do you require of me?”

Lan Changʼan remained polite and humble.

Seated with an elegant posture, her purple palace robe flowing gracefully around her, Purple Mist True Monarch exuded her usual noble demeanor. However, her beautiful face was still clouded with worry.

Her starlit purple eyes gazed at the man and the spirit beast before her, her emotions complicated, as she carefully chose her words.

Then, in a voice as ethereal as a dream, she softly said:

”Dalong, you need not be so formal. Call me ‘Senior Sister.’”

”If my senior brother does not return, then in the days to come, Yunxia Sect will need you and Lord Earthrock to help withstand the storms ahead.”

These words sent a tremor through Lan Changʼan’s heart. He looked at the renowned Purple Mist True Monarch in shock.

The change in address was a clear gesture of closeness—an unusual act from her, and already surprising enough.

But even more shocking was her tone, which suggested that True Monarch Yunlan’s situation was dire—he might never return to the sect to rebuild his cultivation.

”Senior Sister Purple Mist, why do you say that? What exactly happened?”

Lan Changʼan did not resist the shift in formality, adopting the new address obediently. His voice, however, was tinged with uncertainty and apprehension.

”In the entire sect, only you are qualified to discuss such confidential matters with me…”

Purple Mist True Monarch let out a soft sigh and withdrew a portrait from her storage ring.

The painting depicted someone almost identical to True Monarch Yunlan.

Then, she began to recount the true events behind Yunlan’s disappearance…