I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 375: Path to Nascent Soul (Part 2)

”Elder Xiang.”

As Lan Changʼan flew towards Zixia Peak, he encountered numerous sect cultivators along the way, all of whom greeted him with respect.

Among them, some held subtle, knowing gazes, though they were deeply concealed.

For nearly three years, Lan Changʼan had visited the Supreme Elder’s cave abode every seven days.

During her recovery, Purple Mist True Monarch had shown him unconditional trust.

Such frequent visits and unusual interactions had inevitably given rise to rumors within Yunxia Sect’s internal factions and even the broader Great Yu cultivation world.

Countless versions of the story speculated about an intimate relationship between Xiang Dalong and Purple Mist Fairy.

In the eyes of the higher powers of Great Yu, their relationship was viewed as a formidable alliance, further stabilizing the Yunxia Sect’s position and eliminating a potential weakness.

”Elder Xiang, please enter.”

Hu Ang bowed deeply, his expression calm—by now, he had long grown numb to Xiang Dalong’s frequent visits, or rather… his private meetings.

”Mm.”

Lan Changʼan didn’t say much. Every time he came, Hu Ang was always stationed at the entrance, faithfully standing guard.

Purple Mist Fairy trusted her personal disciple and had tasked him with keeping watch to block unwanted visitors and ensure they were not disturbed.

As night fell, Elder Xiang entered and did not return.

Hu Ang, waiting outside, felt a subtle unease—something about tonight’s visit felt different.

One day passed.

Then two.

Then three…

Anxiety gnawed at Hu Ang’s deadened heart. He felt an ominous foreboding, a dread he could not shake.

His expression darkened and brightened in turns, his fists clenched, his body instinctively preparing to activate a secret explosive technique.

But in the end…

He merely sighed in silent resignation.

Having only recently reached Core Formation, and not even at the mid-stage, he held no leverage against absolute power.

Three years of torment and realization had already left Hu Ang disillusioned.

He was certain now—his former Dao companion’s devotion had been shattered.

Both her body and her heart had betrayed.

If his identity was exposed, Jiang Ziyan would likely be even more ruthless than Xiang Dalong in silencing him.

...

Three days and night.

Within the Supreme Elder’s bedchamber, signs of chaos and destruction were everywhere.

A collapsed bed, torn silk drapes, cracked walls, and shattered exquisite furniture.

Scattered across the floor were elegant purple palace robes, delicate scented hairpins, and crumpled embroidered silk stockings.

Splash!

In an adjacent hot spring pool, mist curled into the air, carrying the lingering fragrance of incense.

A moment later, a tall, well-built man emerged from the steaming water, his bare feet stepping onto the smooth stone tiles.

With a flicker of his Core energy, he instantly evaporated the water from his skin, before donning a fresh blue robe.

”Ziyan, while I’m away on my travels, you should remain in the sect and focus on cultivation.”

Lan Changʼan’s voice was calm, composed, and completely refreshed.

”Mm…”

A weak, breathless sigh responded from within the mist.

Splash!

A delicate, snow-white arm rested on the edge of the pool—its shape smooth and flawless, as if carved from the purest jade.

Beneath the water’s surface, Purple Mist Fairy’s ethereal body lay motionless, her form barely visible through the rippling steam.

She remained slumped in the warm pool, too exhausted to even lift herself.

Lan Changʼan turned back to look at her, his serene heart stirred by a faint sense of guilt.

Ever since the great success of his body refinement, he had never indulged so recklessly—without restraint, without holding back.

The last time he had been with a woman was decades ago, before he came to this foreign land.

Back then, with Xia Wen Yue, he had been considerate, knowing that she was inexperienced and that his physique was too powerful.

But this time, it was different.

This was the first time in three lifetimes that he had achivement of ”bathing with a Nascent Soul fairy”.

This was a brand new experience that none of the three nascent soul memories had.

With a Nascent Soul Fairy who possessed a formidable and resilient Dao body, he indulged himself without restraint for the first time in a hundred years, experiencing true, unbridled ecstasy that reached deep into his very marrow and soul.

”Dalong, do not break your promise. This concubine… will wait for your return…”

After a long while, Jiang Ziyan finally caught her breath, her snowy, porcelain-like face emerging from the water, flushed with a delicate rosy hue.

Lan Changʼan detected the subtle grievance in her tone.

Three days ago, he had informed Purple Mist True Monarch of his upcoming departure.

In response, this Nascent Soul Immortal who was in charge of a sect had refused to let him leave so easily.

The reason was that she was worried that once Lan Changʼan left, he would never return.

To reassure her, Lan Changʼan had promised—that after completing his training and refining his Infant Transformation Pill, he would return to Yunxia Sect to attempt his breakthrough.

Furthermore, he vowed to remain in the Great Yuan for a few more years.

As if sealed by an unspoken vow, they had once again entangled themselves, shattering the final barrier between them.

Initially, Lan Changʼan had held some reservations.

Yet Purple Mist Fairy had scoffed at his hesitations, stating outright that this heavenly spiritual root physique was saved by him, so she considered it a repayment of gratitude.

As for their relationship, neither of them needed to carry any emotional burden, nor did Lan Chang’an need to promise any formal status or be permanently bound to Yunxia Sect.

And so, Lan Changʼan cast aside his remaining doubts.

For the first time in his life, he had truly fallen into a romance with a Nascent Soul Fairy—an unforgettable chapter in his long-lived existence as a longevity cultivator.

”Ziyan, regarding the top-grade magic treasure you need,”

Lan Changʼan suddenly spoke as he prepared to leave.

”I recall that after True Monarch Jing Tian left the Ancient Nether Hall, he possessed a magical treasure well-suited for wind and cloud attributes. If an opportunity arises in the future, I will help facilitate a transaction.”

His words instantly brightened Purple Mist True Monarch’s gaze.

A top-grade wind and cloud attribute magical treasure!

With such an artifact as her sect-guarding magical treasure, combined with reaching the peak of early-stage Nascent Soul, her combat prowess would soar.

She would officially stand among the veteran Nascent Soul cultivators, and would no longer fear Red Serpent True Monarch in single combat.

Having known Xiang Dalong’s temperament for years, she was certain that since he had made such a statement, his confidence was not unfounded.

A subtle smile graced her lips as she thought to herself:

”Not a wasted effort. My devotion and efforts in keeping him here have not been in vain. Given Xiang Dalong’s sense of responsibility, I will earn his true heart in time. With my unparalleled charm, persuading him to remain in Yunxia Sect for the long haul may not be impossible after all…”

What she didn’t realize was even without their recent intimacy, Lan Changʼan had long planned to arrange the transaction for the Wind Cloud Fan on her behalf.

…

Having indulged in a night of passion, Lan Changʼan left Zixia Peak’s cave abode, paying no heed to the lifeless, forced-smile expression of Hu Ang.

Feigning a return to his main peak cave, Lan Changʼan silently slipped out of Yunxia Sect under the cover of night.

Only Purple Mist Fairy’s Nascent Soul spiritual sense barely managed to detect the traces of his departure.

Whenever Lan Changʼan traveled in secret, he ensured that no one could track his movements or discern his route.

With divination arts aiding his concealment, he was not overly concerned about ambushes.

Three years ago, the Great Snake Mountain ambush had occurred because he and Jiang Ziyan had openly appeared in Cloudsky City, and their return route to the sect within Great Yu’s borders had been predictable.

The Nascent Soul-level enemies had likely known their approximate path and timeframe, allowing the beast taming sect’s forces to lay in wait.

Moreover, Lan Changʼan suspected that the Great Snake Mountain’s forces had used a high-grade artifact to obscure fate and divination.

When he had attempted to divine their journeyʼs fate before leaving Cloudsky City, no premonitions of danger had surfaced.

If their adversaries had possessed a powerful fourth-rank divination artifact, even if the Fengyuan Kingdom’s Heavenly Master personally intervened, he would still have been greatly hindered.

This time, Lan Changʼan’s journey was not solely to the Alchemy Dao Alliance to refine the Infant Transformation Pill—he would also wander and explore for several years.

Traveling served multiple purposes, such as tempering his mind and spirit, refining his Dao heart, and he could seek additional opportunities for Nascent Soul formation, should fortune favor him.

Since it was a wandering journey, he did not rush.

He planned to ”tour” most of the Central Region, concealing his identity while passing through various strategically significant immortal cities, with his final destination being the Alchemy Dao Alliance.

However, he avoided regions plagued by rampant demonic sects or war-torn chaos, preferring to steer clear of unnecessary danger.

Two months later.

It took two months for Lan Changʼan to slowly leave Great Yu.

During this time, he caught wind of some interesting rumors about himself.

At one point, Lan Changʼan discreetly approached Yunxia Sect from a distance, observing the sect’s fate and fortune after removing the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

After two months, Yunxia Sect’s fortune remained unchanged.

This was within his expectations.

The Xuanmu Vine Gourd’s benefit was a gradual accumulation of fortune, rather than a fixed, one-time enhancement.

Even if its removal eventually led to a decline, the process would be slow.

Moreover, a sect’s fortunes were not solely determined by an artifact—if Yunxia Sect continued to grow and prosper, its fortune might still increase despite the vine’s absence.

This outcome made Lan Changʼan even more certain of his role as his sectʼs lucky star.

”I wonder how Jin Yun Valley is faring now under Old Zhang’s leadership?”

Lan Changʼan recalled that when the Xuanmu Vine Gourd first sprouted, he had once planted it in Jin Yun Valley for some time.

...

On this day, at the edge of Great Yu’s borders—

A weathered, dust-covered middle-aged merchant landed on a desolate hilltop.

”Fellow Daoist Lan.”

A green-armored man, who had been waiting for some time, greeted him. He wore a wide-brimmed hat, obscuring his feral, toothy face, and communicated directly via spiritual sense.

It was the disguised fourth-rank puppet, controlled by Puppet Master Wei.

For over a decade, this puppet had been wandering the lands, gathering experience and insight.

”Puppet Master Wei, has your journey borne fruit?”

Lan Changʼan, still in the guise of a shrewd middle-aged merchant, smiled as he examined the long-absent fourth-rank puppet.

Over a decade ago, Puppet Master Wei had embarked on a journey to advance his puppet to fourth-rank, hoping to attain enlightenment that would elevate his puppet spirit to true fourth-rank Nascent Soul level.

”Alas, my puppet spirit has reached its limit. Despite the occasional insights and inspirations gained from my past travels, I have yet to find a way to trigger its transformation and advancement.”

Puppet Master Wei’s voice was steady, devoid of his past arrogance and temper. He had not become disheartened by his failure to ascend.

Even within the ancient puppet refining sect, Thousand Mechanisms Sect, most fourth-rank puppets were similar to his. Though they could rival Nascent Soul cultivators in terms of mana, they still fell short on the soul level.

True fourth-rank puppets were exceedingly rare, even within the Thousand Mechanisms Sect—a level that Puppet Master Wei had never reached in his lifetime.

Lan Changʼan nodded thoughtfully.

”Your past travels were limited to Yunxia Sect’s surroundings, and you never fully immersed yourself in a particular lifestyle or profession. That may have been a limiting factor.”

Puppet Master Wei’s previous journey had been too cautious—he had merely observed and contemplated but never fully integrated into a mortal experience.

”Fellow Daoist Lan speaks wisely. This time, I shall accompany you across the Central Region to witness the wonders of the Great Yuan’s cultivation civilization.”

Puppet Master Wei accepted the advice humbly.

His years spent with Lan Changʼan had tempered his arrogance, leaving him far more receptive to wisdom.

He also knew—without breaking through to a true fourth rank, he wasnʼt indispensable under Lan Changʼan’s command.

”For the coming years, address me as ‘Master.’”

Lan Changʼan instructed.

Puppet Master Wei nodded, then glanced at Lan Changʼan’s merchant disguise, understanding his role in this journey—

From now on, he would be Lan Changʼan’s personal bodyguard.

”Woof!”

A yellow-furred mutt appeared at Lan Changʼan’s side, rubbing affectionately against his leg.

”Master, I have successfully cultivated the canine transformation of the Illusory Form Technique to its great completion!”

The Earth Burrowing Rat, now appearing as an ordinary dog, wagged its tail while speaking in human tongue.

”Not bad.”

Lan Changʼan nodded approvingly.

Outside of Yunxia Sect, the Earth Burrowing Rat had rekindled its old diligence and determination.

From now on, it would need to forage for its own food, occasionally hunt for its master’s meals, and handle tasks such as scouting, keeping watch, and maintaining security.

In a barren land of sparse spiritual energy—

A man, a puppet, and a spirit beast strode forward.

As the sun set, their elongated shadows stretched across the earth, gradually fading into the dusty twilight.

…

Two years later.

For two years, Lan Changʼan traversed the Central Region, passing through numerous cultivation sect territories, encountering various factions both great and small.

Disguised as a wandering merchant, he engaged in countless transactions with cultivators of all kinds—including non-human races.

With his vast knowledge and a variety of immortal cultivation skills, every trade he made yielded considerable profit.

Occasionally, his keen eye allowed him to ”pick up hidden treasures”, acquiring rare spiritual objects and treasures that even high-level cultivators would covet to a certain extent.

Of course, as an outsider merchant, it was inevitable that some unscrupulous individuals—be they rogue cultivators, demonic practitioners, or local factions—would see him as a fat sheep to slaughter.

However, without exception, every single one of them vanished without a trace.

Whenever such incidents occurred, Earth Burrowing Rat would become particularly excited, enjoying the opportunity to feast on a fresh variety of meals.

The traveling merchant duo, as they became known, adapted fluidly to their environment—appearing weak among the weak, and strong among the strong.

They traded with all types of cultivators, never revealing their true cultivation or background.

Even Nascent Soul True Monarchs would need to carefully probe up close to detect anything unusual about them.

However, Lan Changʼan never sought trouble—only retaliating when forced into self-defense.

Moreover, as they only stayed in each region for brief periods and traveled unpredictable routes, they never attracted the attention of local forces.

...

One evening, Lan Changʼan departed from a small cultivation town, run by a Foundation Establishment family.

Originally, he hadn’t planned to stop here, as the town was barely more than a trading outpost and lacked a formal marketplace.

”Master, that boy from yesterday hasn’t shown up yet. Do you think he broke his promise?”

The yellow-furred dog, none other than Earth Burrowing Rat in disguise, wagged its tail lazily.

”It doesn’t matter. It was merely a simple tracking request—no real loss to us.”

Lan Changʼan adjusted his pack, preparing to leave with his bodyguard puppet and spirit beast.

”Senior!”

Just as he reached the town’s outskirts, a panting, sweat-drenched youth in yellow robes came running toward him.

”Senior Lan! Following your guidance, I found Xiao Hong!”

The youth’s voice trembled with gratitude, and he bowed deeply.

For this journey, Lan Changʼan had used his real surname—after all, in the Great Yuan, no one knew Lan Changʼan, and he had long since altered his appearance.

The young man, Huang Fan, was a third-layer Qi-Refining loose cultivator.

The ”Xiao Hong” he referred to was Huan Hongniang, a fellow low-level cultivator and his sworn life companion.

They had endured hardships together, vowing to never abandon one another.

However, seven days ago, Huan Hongniang had vanished without a word, leaving no trace.

Huang Fan, driven by panic and desperation, had pleaded with Lan Changʼan for help, hoping for a miracle.

As a traveling merchant, Lan Changʼan never refused minor transactions or commissions, no matter the cultivation level of the requester.

Thus, using divination techniques, he had traced Xiao Hong’s whereabouts based on the personal items she had left behind and pointed Huang Fan in the right direction.

”Xiao Hong.”

Huang Fan turned and softly called out.

Under the moonlight, about ten paces away, a red-clad young woman stood partially hidden behind a tree.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, her slender figure trembling, and her expression both shy and anxious, like a startled deer afraid to step forward.

”Maiden Hong is a bit shy, Senior. I hope you don’t take offense.”

Huang Fan scratched his head awkwardly and apologized.

”Mm.”

Lan Changʼan cast a brief glance at the red-clad girl, then nodded slightly, saying nothing.

At his feet, the yellow-furred dog stiffened, its eyes darkening as it studied the girl intently.

Moments later, it relaxed again, feigning disinterest as it lay down lazily.

”As promised, since I found Xiao Hong, I am willing to offer my most treasured possession as payment.”

Huang Fan retrieved a tooth-shaped pendant, holding it with utmost reverence as he presented it to Lan Changʼan.

”Young Huang, our deal is settled.”

Lan Changʼan smiled, pinching the pendant between his fingers and inspecting it briefly before stowing it away.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lan Changʼan patted Huang Fan on the shoulder before turning to leave.

Huang Fan stood frozen.

At the exact spot where Lan Changʼan had touched him, he suddenly felt an unusual sensation—his Qi and blood circulation had become unobstructed, and his long-stagnant Qi-Refining bottleneck showed signs of loosening.

His eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

”Ah Huang…”

As the traveling merchant team disappeared down the road, Huan Hongniang finally exhaled in relief, stepping forward with a soft smile.

Her gaze followed the departing figures, but a flicker of hesitation remained in her eyes.

…

”Itʼs a bit interesting.”

After traveling dozens of li, Lan Changʼan paused, performing a brief calculation before a thoughtful smile appeared on his face.

The tooth-shaped pendant inherited by Huang Fan seemed to originate from an ancient, primordial beast.

It was so old that its spiritual energy had nearly dissipated, yet even with Lan Changʼan’s physical strength, he could not crush it.

As for Huan Hongniang, her origins were elusive—even with divination, he could not trace her true background.

”Master, why didn’t you eliminate that demon just now?”

The Earth Burrowing Rat, in its yellow dog form, tilted its head in confusion.

It recalled how Lan Changʼan had previously accepted demon-hunting commissions, occasionally slaying man-eating fiends for profit.

”This was a tracking request, not an extermination mission.”

Lan Changʼan said unhurriedly, a knowing smirk on his lips.

Then, glancing at the Earth Burrowing Rat, he added playfully:

”Besides, aren’t you a demon too? Haven’t you eaten…”

Before he could finish, the Earth Burrowing Rat’s fur stood on end.

With a guilty expression, it instinctively shrank away, burrowing into the ground without another word.

...

One year later.

Lan Changʼan entered Sang Kingdom, a modest cultivation nation located in the southeastern corner of the Central Region—a land on the fringes of the Great Yuan.

With his green-armored bodyguard and yellow-furred dog accompanying him, he traveled with the wind, moving at a leisurely pace.

That day, as per habit, he made a divination.

Throughout his travels, Lan Changʼan frequently practiced his divination arts to refine his skills.

The benefits were twofold:

One was to predict the general fortune and misfortune, the other was to assist in various transactions—such as tracking people, locating objects, and performing fortune-telling for others.

”Oh?”

After completing his calculation, Lan Changʼan’s eyes lit up in surprise.

”Finally! After all these years in the Great Yuan, I’ve encountered an excellent fortune—an omen of great luck!”

Previously, his divinations had only occasionally foretold minor fortunes—such as his recent encounter with Huang Fan and Huan Hongniang.

For over a hundred years, his overall fate had been mediocre, with constant obstacles and even a predestined calamity—which had ultimately led to his arrival in the Great Yuan.

But fate was cyclical.

One could not suffer misfortune endlessly—sooner or later, the tides had to turn.

”Indeed, had I remained secluded in the sect, opportunities would have been scarce.”

Lan Changʼan mused to himself.

This journey, guided by fate and intuition, had allowed him to cultivate merit, vanquish evil, and now, at last—his fortunes had begun to shift.

”Since my luck is strong in Sang Kingdom, I should linger here a while longer.”