I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 360: Steady Progress

Lan Changʼan carefully examined the portrait in Purple Mist True Monarch’s hands.

The painting depicted a handsome man, vividly drawn, wearing a high crown and a wide-sleeved feathered robe with a flowing cloak. He stood with hands behind his back, exuding an expansive and boundless aura.

However, the spiritual radiance flowing through the portrait had already dimmed by more than half.

Lan Changʼan fell into deep thought—no wonder Purple Mist True Monarch’s words had been so pessimistic earlier.

This portrait was no ordinary painting, but a Soul-Imprint Portrait—a technique far more advanced than a sect’s soul lamp.

A refined fragment of the person’s soul had been embedded within the portrait, allowing it to not only detect their life or death but also reveal the state of their soul.

At this moment, the Soul-Imprint Portrait was heavily dimmed, indicating that True Monarch Yunlan’s soul was in a dire state.

”Even if Senior Brother safely returns to the sect, his cultivation and strength may never recover to their peak.”

”Furthermore, he is now a key suspect regarding the pseudo-spiritual treasure’s whereabouts. The Great Yu Imperial Family, Great Snake Mountain, and other factions do not wish to see Yunxia Sect grow too powerful. I fear they will not allow him to return so easily.”

Purple Mist True Monarch spoke calmly but heavily, laying out the harsh reality.

”Senior Brother Yunlan has great fortune on his side. I believe he will one day return to the sect.”

Lan Changʼan could only offer words of comfort, saying something auspicious.

In any case, he had no intention of volunteering to search for Yunlan’s whereabouts.

It wasn’t because of any personal grievance against Yunlan—it was simply too dangerous.

Not only was the pseudo-spiritual treasure a major factor, but Yunxia Sect’s rival factions could have set traps, lying in wait for key members of Yunxia Sect to walk into them.

At the very least, Purple Mist True Monarch had remained rational. She hadn’t panicked and rushed out to search for her Dao companion.

If she also fell into an ambush, Yunxia Sect’s very foundation would be in jeopardy.

A few days ago, Purple Mist True Monarch had sent elite members of the sect to search for Yunlan True Monarch, hoping to locate and assist his escaping Nascent Soul in finding a new host body.

Having done all she could on that front, her first priority became ensuring the sect’s stability.

Securing the loyalty and support of Elder Xiang and Lord Earthrock was paramount.

As long as these two pillars remained firm, Yunxia Sect’s core strength would not waver significantly.

That was the true reason behind Purple Mist True Monarch’s change in address, shifting from a formal tone to one of closer association.

As for any personal admiration for Lan Changʼan—that was merely secondary.

After all, Purple Mist True Monarch was a heaven-spirit-root genius and an exceptionally accomplished Nascent Soul cultivator. She had always been reserved and composed, never displaying overt warmth toward any man.

Let alone toward Lan Changʼan—a subordinate of lower cultivation.

Lan Changʼan’s thoughts raced as he realized that the peerless Fairy Purple Mist was no pushover; previously, she had merely been suppressed by her senior brother and had little say.

In the past, she had been overshadowed by her senior brother, leaving her with little influence.

But if she truly seized control of Yunxia Sect, she might well reshape its destiny.

”I appreciate your kind words. My senior brother once said that our sectʼs fortune is steadily improving. His luck should not be so poor.”

Purple Mist True Monarch’s expression softened as she gazed out at the picturesque sect grounds from the peak’s grand hall.

”Steadily improving fortune?”

Lan Changʼan glanced at Purple Mist True Monarch’s elegant silhouette, an odd look in his eyes.

The concept of sect-wide fortune was vague and unpredictable.

This type of collective fate belonged to the sect as a whole, not to any single individual, making it difficult to manipulate.

Even the Xuanmu Vine Gourd, which enhanced sect-wide destiny, only provided a gradual, minuscule boost.

At best, it improved a sect’s overall prospects by a fraction of a percent, but for an individual cultivator, its effects were practically negligible.

For most cultivators, birth, aging, sickness, death, calamities, and misfortunes followed the natural order.

They were not some fated protagonist who could plunge into danger, turn crises into opportunities, and receive divine fortunes at every turn.

”Did Senior Yu mention what exactly happened to Senior Brother Yunlan in the Ancient Nether Hall?”

Lan Changʼan finally voiced his curiosity.

Yunlan had handled the pseudo-spiritual treasure, then lost his physical body and barely escaped with his nascent soul.

Such a dramatic series of events naturally intrigued him.

Upon hearing this, Purple Mist True Monarch’s expression subtly darkened, a faint chill flashing across her eyes.

She bit her lip slightly, then said in a cold voice:

”Senior Brother’s misfortune was not because of the pseudo-spiritual treasure. At the time, several mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses, along with many other Nascent Soul cultivators, forced him to surrender the treasure. He wisely handed it over, shifting the battlefield elsewhere.

But the real reason for his downfall—he was ambushed!”

”Ambushed?”

Lan Changʼan’s expression shifted as he feigned surprise.

In truth, his earlier divinations had already hinted at this possibility, but the details had been too vague.

Previously, the Yunxia Sect boasted three Nascent Soul-level combatants. If True Monarch Yunlan were to advance further, neither rival factions nor neutral forces in the surrounding region would likely welcome such a development.

”Are you certain? Did Senior Yu provide this information? How reliable is it?”

Lan Changʼan’s eyes flickered with a calculating light.

Purple Mist True Monarch understood his deeper meaning—the Great Yu Imperial Family had no interest in seeing Yunxia Sect grow stronger.

Their position in this matter could not be fully trusted.

She nodded slightly. ”I have confirmed this through other sources. The secret intelligence I gathered from the Ancient Nether Hall aligns with Yu Yuanjin’s account.

Furthermore, Yu Yuanjin has always looked down upon deception. He swore an oath to me that no Nascent Soul cultivators from the imperial clan acted against my senior brother in the Ancient Nether Hall.”

Lan Changʼan nodded faintly—he also believed Yu Yuanjin was not lying.

However, in this world, one did not need to act personally to orchestrate someoneʼs downfall.

There were many ways to destroy someone without lifting a finger—and divination was one such method.

”Moreover,” Purple Mist True Monarch continued, her gaze sharpening, ”Yu Yuanjin provided evidence.”

True Monarch Purple Mist unfolded a silk handkerchief, revealing a broken, needle-shaped magical treasure fragment, still tainted with remnants of poisonous blood.

”This is what remains from when my senior brother’s physical body was destroyed. When the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Great Yu imperial family arrived to handle the aftermath, they found this lethal weapon at the scene, and the blood traces matched.”

True Monarch Purple Mist spoke with a sorrowful expression.

Lan Changʼan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the broken needle magical treasure. The scorpion-shaped engravings on its surface looked somewhat familiar.

His eyelid twitched slightly, he thought of something as his heart rippled with shock.

Years ago, when he had dealings with True Monarch Red Serpent of Great Snake Mountain regarding the trade of the Profound Heart Beast Pill, aside from refined dragon blood, another key item in the exchange had been a sinister and insidious scorpion-tail needle-shaped magical treasure—an exceptional superior-grade magical treasure.

This very needle had originally belonged to Heavenly Net Ancestor. However, as Lan Changʼan possessed the more formidable Barbed Arrows, he had chosen to sell this item instead.

”This malicious backstabbing magical treasure, paired with an insidiously potent fourth-rank venom, was a major factor in my senior brother’s grievous injuries during the battle, forcing him to abandon his physical body.”

”If I ever find the true culprit behind this weapon, I will ensure they meet a fate worse than death!”

A chilling light flashed in True Monarch Purple Mist’s eyes, her cool voice carrying a murderous edge.

”Indeed, the perpetrator must not be forgiven!”

Lan Changʼan echoed her sentiment, though inwardly, he felt a trace of unease.

If one were to trace the cause and effect, then True Monarch Yunlan’s misfortune was indirectly linked to him.

Firstly, the sinister weapon had once passed through his hands.

Secondly, the Xuanmu Vine Gourd had brought him an influx of fortune, which in turn may have led to True Monarch Yunlan misjudging the situation.

Thirdly, Earth Burrowing Rat’s ascension to a Transformation Demon King had made the surrounding factions wary of Yunxia Sect, unwilling to see True Monarch Yunlan advance further.

”A fourth-rank venom? Could it be related to Great Snake Mountain?” Lan Changʼan probed.

Among Yunxia Sect’s adversaries, Great Snake Mountain was known for its ability to concoct fourth-rank venoms capable of endangering a Nascent Soul’s spirit body.

”I have suspected Great Snake Mountain as well, but there is no concrete evidence. The venom residue on the weapon is too faint to provide a definitive answer.”

”Moreover, True Monarch Red Serpent was also severely injured in the Ancient Nether Hall. There are multiple witnesses proving he wasn’t present.”

True Monarch Purple Mist sighed lightly. Given that the incident involved a spiritual treasure, several Nascent Soul cultivators were entangled in the matter, making it unwise to draw conclusions too hastily.

Lan Changʼan pondered. Encouraging Yunxia Sect to suspect Great Snake Mountain as the true culprit was likely an outcome that the Great Yu imperial family would be pleased to see.

Even in mortal dynasties, emperors never desired complete unity among their subordinates—it was always best to maintain a delicate balance of opposition.

...

In the underground palace’s secret hall, Lan Changʼan and True Monarch Purple Mist discussed the situation for a long time, significantly deepening their rapport.

Earth Burrowing Rat remained largely silent throughout, deferring entirely to Lan Changʼan’s judgment.

”Senior Sister Purple Mist, rest assured. Lord Earthrock and I will do our utmost to guard the sect and stabilize the situation.”

Before departing, Lan Changʼan and Earth Burrowing Rat stood and cupped their hands, expressing their loyalty.

”Dalong, Lord Earthrock, it is truly fortunate to have you both here to share my burden.”

True Monarch Purple Mist’s ethereal beauty was momentarily graced with a rare smile.

With the unwavering support of Elder Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock, she no longer had to worry about the sect’s stability.

Even if her senior brother never returned, Yunxia Sect’s position in Great Yu’s cultivation world would not suffer a significant decline.

After the private discussion, True Monarch Purple Mist quietly returned to her cave abode atop Zixia Peak.

Inside the secluded chamber

The fleeting smile on True Monarch Purple Mist’s face faded as she let out a quiet sigh, feeling a hint of disappointment.

Her late-night visit had successfully strengthened their alliance, but the outcome was not as ideal as she had hoped.

During their conversation, she had subtly hinted at the lack of capable personnel to search for her senior brother.

Yet Elder Xiang did not seize the opportunity to volunteer for the mission. Instead, he had merely pledged his support in fortifying the sect’s defenses.

”After all, he is only a guest elder, not someone groomed by the sect’s direct lineage. It’s not unreasonable.”

True Monarch Purple Mist calmed her thoughts, realizing she had expected too much.

Perhaps... her own charm was not as great as she had imagined.

As a rare female Nascent Soul cultivator, still young and unparalleled in beauty, she had long been accustomed to special treatment. Even among fellow Nascent Soul cultivators, some had shown her preferential regard, and others had secretly harbored admiration.

She had also shown Elder Xiang Dalong favor in the past, supporting him on multiple occasions.

Lord Earthrock’s access to the fourth-rank spiritual vein, the Superior Purity Pill, and the acquisition of the Thunder-Dissolving Pearl—all had been aided by her.

Precisely because she had invested so much, her expectations had been high.

To say that Elder Xiang was completely indifferent to her charm would be untrue. True Monarch Purple Mist had occasionally caught glimpses of appreciation in his gaze.

Yet, it was nothing more than the natural admiration for something beautiful—untainted by any trace of desire.

”This man has remarkable self-control, unaffected by allure. His character is indeed rare. But in the end... he is not one of our own.”

Though she did not achieve her ideal outcome, True Monarch Purple Mist found herself admiring Elder Xiang Dalong’s unwavering discipline even more.

...

A year later.

Despite Yunxia Sect sending out multiple search teams, True Monarch Yunlan remained missing.

With various rumors spreading, the surrounding forces as well as the Yunxia Sect cultivators were not optimistic about True Monarch Yun Lanʼs situation.

Lan Changʼan speculated that True Monarch Yunlan would not be returning anytime soon.

A weakened Nascent Soul or a fragmented soul—if seeking to possess a new body, would require years, if not decades, of recuperation.

Fortunately, with True Monarch Purple Mist and a fourth-rank sacred beast still in the sect, Yunxia Sect remained stable.

Several months ago, Lord Earthrock had eliminated a few lurking enemy cultivators within the sect’s territory—including a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator.

The intervention of a fourth-rank sacred beast served as a powerful deterrent, further solidifying the sect’s stability.

As for the Ancient Nether Hall’s aftermath, True Monarch Yunlan was not even among the top five most talked-about figures.

Instead, the whereabouts of the pseudo-spiritual treasure were of utmost concern to the major factions of the Central Region.

A single pseudo-spiritual treasure, if it fell into the hands of a hegemonic power like the Great Yu Imperial Family, could reshape the balance of power across the entire Central Region.

Strangely enough, no consistent account existed regarding who ultimately claimed the treasure.

Among the Nascent Soul cultivators who had emerged from the Ancient Nether Hall, their testimonies were inconsistent, leaving no clear answer.

The leading Nascent Soul forces, including Cloudsky City, the Great Yu Kingdom, Yaqi Mountain, and the Great Luo Kingdom, all harbored mutual suspicions. Some even deliberately spread misinformation to redirect suspicion elsewhere.

If any major force had obtained the pseudo-spiritual treasure, their rival factions would surely prevent them from refining and fully controlling it.

Thus, whoever had the treasure was either lying low or attempting to divert attention elsewhere.

Among individual cultivators, the most suspected figures were the mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses who had participated in the battle, and the missing cultivators, including True Monarch Yunlan, Nangong Xiu, and Jing Wufeng.

Lan Changʼan himself was curious about who had claimed the pseudo-spiritual treasure.

He even attempted divination as practice, only to find an entangled mess of chaotic fates—utterly indecipherable.

Clearly, many factions were also trying to divine the answer, overwhelming the heavenly chances with conflicting predictions.

However, because it included the Ancient Nether Hall, the pseudo-spiritual treasure, and the many Nascent Soul True Monarchs, the resistance encountered in divination was unprecedentedly high.

Moreover, the pseudo-spiritual treasure itself possessed some resistance against divination, though not as strong as Xuantian Relics.

”That Immortal Jing Tian… I wonder when he’ll come to deliver my share of the profits.”

Lan Changʼan had been waiting silently for Jing Wufeng to contact him.

Yet, in the past year, Jing Wufeng had not appeared at all, as if he had evaporated from the mortal world.

Lan Changʼan understood.

Jing Wufeng had made a name for himself in the Ancient Nether Hall, earning fortunes that rivaled many Nascent Soul elders.

Additionally, he had offended enemies and attracted the attention of major factions—hiding was the only rational choice.

If Lan Changʼan were in his place, he would stay hidden for at least a decade, waiting for the situation to shift.

...

The wait seemed very long.

Two more years passed.

Lan Changʼan turned 353 years old, yet there was still no word from Jing Wufeng.

He was not particularly anxious, continuing to cultivate, refine his skills, and expand his puppet army formation.

During this time, he attended various high-profile auctions across the Great Yu Kingdom, using a concealed identity to successfully bid on a third-rank Life Extension Pill.

Since this was his sixth such pill, its effectiveness had diminished, extending his lifespan by only 20 years.

However, even after factoring in the lifespan lost from frequent divination, his total life expectancy still increased, reaching 1,124 years.

That same year, Yunxia Sect received great news—

A new Immortal Golden Dan cultivator was born: Jiang Haoyuan.

Lan Changʼan had interacted with Jiang Haoyuan before.

He was Purple Mist True Monarch’s last direct disciple, for whom Lan Changʼan had once crafted a custom puppet.

Jiang Haoyuan possessed earth-spirit root talent and was the descendant of Purple Mist True Monarch’s late elder brother.

Because his aptitude was exceptional and he closely resembled Purple Mist True Monarch’s late brother, she had adopted him as her foster son and last disciple.

Since True Monarch Yunlan’s disappearance, this had been the best news Yunxia Sect had received.

Purple Mist True Monarch was overjoyed, holding a grand Core Formation Ceremony for Jiang Haoyuan, dispelling much of the sect’s lingering sorrow.

For the first time in years, Lan Changʼan saw a genuine smile on Purple Mist True Monarch’s face, and it was beautiful beyond compare.

Since Yunlan True Monarch had not returned, Zixia True Monarch took full control of the sect, exuding an aura of authority befitting a superior. To the disciples within the sect, she appeared as if a lofty Empress of the Nine Heavens, untouchable and beyond reproach.

However, in the presence of Lan Changʼan and Lord Earthrock, she remained the gentle and refined Purple Mist Fairy, as ethereal as a dream.

As their relationship deepened, Lan Changʼan learned that Purple Mist True Monarch’s real name was Jiang Ziyan.

Having lived for centuries as a high-ranking cultivator, most only knew her as Purple Mist Fairy, forgetting her true lineage.

...

The following year, Yunxia Sect’s fortunes seemed to fully reverse, welcoming yet another success.

Before the current Sect Master retired, a Core Formation Great Cultivator was born.

His name was Immortal Huadu, a direct descendant of True Monarch Yunxia, Yunlan True Monarch’s master.

Though his aptitude wasn’t top-tier, after Purple Mist True Monarch came to power, she gifted him a Breakthrough Pill while not expecting a smooth promotion.

Ultimately, Huadu Immortal was another ”relationship-based” success story, he had grasped his fortune well.

The sect welcomed one good news after another, the prosperity continued to stabilize.

Purple Mist True Monarch, now in high spirits, invited Lan Changʼan and Lord Earthrock to join her for a moon viewing.

At Zixia Peak, in a tranquil courtyard—

Purple Mist True Monarch lounged in the host’s seat, her robes slightly disheveled, having just finished a jar of fourth-rank spirit wine.

Her flawless face carried a faint, rosy flush.

Lan Changʼan and Lord Earthrock sat below her, drinking under the moonlight, keeping her company in dispelling loneliness and sorrow.

Lord Earthrock, in its half-demon humanoid form, wore a purple-red Daoist robe, drinking jar after jar of fine wine, barely speaking.

Though rarely speaking, Purple Mist True Monarch always insisted on its presence, avoiding being alone with Lan Changʼan.

Lan Changʼan understood—she was deliberately maintaining propriety.

This Purple Mist Fairy valued her reputation and had always been dignified.

Ever since her fallout with True Monarch Yunlan, she had lived separately for years, and no rumors of scandalous romance had ever surfaced.

Ironically, it was Yunlan who had earned a few scandalous rumors over time.

”Our sect’s fortune is steadily improving. If only my senior brother had been more cautious, he wouldn’t have ended up like this…”

Purple Mist True Monarch murmured, her eyes misty with intoxication, still unwilling to give up hope of finding Yunlan.

Lan Changʼan silently agreed.

If Yunlan had been more patient, Yunxia Sect’s three-Nascent-Soul strength could have been an unstoppable force.

Even in fortune-blessed sects, reckless individuals could still bring calamity upon themselves.

In history, even the peak coastal hegemony, Tinghai Pavilion, suffered inevitable losses, despite their golden era.

...

As Yunxia Sect thrived, good fortune finally reached Lan Changʼan himself.

Five years after the Ancient Nether Hall incident, he finally received word from Jing Wufeng.

He had resurfaced in the Alchemy Dao Alliance’s territory.

And, he had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

The news had just reached the Great Yu Kingdom.