I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 403: Return to Great Qing, Shifting Tides in the Eastern Region

Half a month later, news spread throughout Yunxia Sect.

One of the Twin Dragons of the Central Region, True Monarch Evergreen, had left on a journey.

At first, the cultivators around the Great Yu Kingdom paid little attention to this development.

After all, it was common for Nascent Soul cultivators to leave on long journeys in search of opportunities, sometimes disappearing for decades at a time.

However, as the years passed, True Monarch Evergreen remained absent, vanishing from Great Yuan as if he had never existed.

His last known public appearance had been at the Alchemy Dao Alliance, where he had visited Alchemist Le, staying for a few months to have some spiritual pills refined.

Then, he simply never returned.

And he wasn’t the only one.

A few years later, the other Twin Dragon, True Monarch Jing Tian, also vanished from Great Yuan without a trace.

As time passed, their once-renowned names gradually faded from the cultivation world of the Great Yuan, replaced by a new generation of rising figures.

Only a few select forces and cultivators continued to search for the whereabouts of the Twin Dragons of the Central Region.

...

Central Region Forbidden Zone, Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

Deep within a lightless hidden cave.

Lan Changʼan stood before the formation altar, embedding the final spatial treasure into the formation array.

Taking a deep breath, he embedded high-grade spirit stones into the formation pillars, forming a hand seal to activate Tinghai Pavilion’s spatial formation.

Buzz!

At the center of the formation altar, a twisting deep blue light gate flickered into existence, radiating spatial fluctuations infused with flowing water-element inscriptions.

This repair process was merely a reinforcement of the outer materials, stabilizing the existing structure.

”The spatial fluctuations of the formation… show slight improvements in stability.”

Lan Changʼan conducted a thorough assessment, using his divination abilities to double-check for potential flaws.

As a final test, he sent a third-rank puppet clone fused with the shadow of his second life to scout the passage.

”Old Wei.”

Before Lan Changʼan even finished speaking, the green-armored puppet had already flashed into the deep blue portal.

Inside his spiritual pet pouch, Lord Earthrock and Profound Water Turtle didnʼt come out, but their auras were still connected to the outside world.

The Exotic Spirit Peacock, stored within a spatial artifact, was inactive, reducing energy interference and burden on the formation.

”More than ninety years…”

Before stepping into the formation, Lan Changʼan took one last look at the cultivation world of Great Yuan.

Though his time here was shorter than in the Great Qing, and he did not have the same emotional attachment, it had nonetheless been a crucial turning point in completing his goal of three lives.

Before he left Yunxia Sect, Xiao Qingshan, now aware of his past life, had expressed his desire to accompany him to Great Qing.

However, Lan Changʼan did not agree, simply telling him that the time was not yet right.

Just because the Great Qing lacked Nascent Soul cultivators didn’t mean Lan Changʼan was invincible there.

As a Nascent Soul True Monarch, a fourth-rank puppet master, and a divination grandmaster, he could fight evenly against mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and had no trouble ensuring his own survival.

However, the Great Qing still held formidable opponents and unresolved dangers.

For instance, True Monarch Cyanwood, another practitioner of Evergreen Technique, had already possessed the power to slay experienced Nascent Soul cultivators nearly a century ago.

Thus, bringing Xiao Qingshan along would only create unnecessary complications.

At their farewell, Lan Changʼan left several protective puppets, talismans, and treasures for Xiao Qingshan.

With Lan Changʼan’s lingering prestige, True Monarch Purple Mist’s protection, and the backing of the Xiao Clan, even if Xiao Qingshan never reached the Nascent Soul stage, he would still become a major figure in the Great Yu Kingdom.

...

Moments passed.

A faint mental transmission from Puppet Master Wei confirmed that he had successfully crossed the spatial passage and arrived in Great Qing’s territory.

Lan Changʼan donned his Black Wind Cloak and activated the Evergreen Technique, enveloping himself in a layer of vibrant, life-filled energy.

At this moment, his cultivation was even stronger than when he had left Yunxia Sect.

Before embarking on his journey, he had visited Alchemist Le at the Alchemy Dao Alliance, not just as a courtesy but to have some valuable pills refined.

Fourth-rank alchemy grandmasters were far rarer in the Great Qing.

Over the decades in Great Yuan, Lan Changʼan had amassed a large stockpile of materials, including valuable spoils from his battle against the Seven True Monarchs.

Among these, he had prepared two sets of third-rank Life Extension Pill ingredients, hoping Alchemist Le could refine a superior batch, even if it meant reducing the total number of pills.

Refining superior-quality Life Extension Pills was not solely dependent on skill but also on luck.

In the end, Master Le successfully produced one third-rank superior pill, three genuine-quality pills, and one slightly flawed third-rank pill.

For ordinary third-rank Life Extension Pills, Lan Changʼan’s body had nearly reached its absorption limit.

After consuming two of them, he only extended his lifespan by a few years.

He set aside one standard pill and the flawed pill as spares.

As for the third-rank superior Life Extension Pill, while it did partially refresh his medicinal resistance, it only extended his life by thirty to forty years, far less than the expected double effect.

Lan Changʼan speculated that this was because he had taken fourth-rank Life Extension Pills, which had already maxed out his resistance to lower-rank ones. The superior third-rank pill was between the standard third-rank and fourth-rank in quality, explaining its diminished effect.

”Even without relying on puppets, spirit beasts, or the Nine Seal Stele, I am already one of the strongest in the early Nascent Soul stage.”

With calm confidence, Lan Changʼan stepped into the deep blue portal.

Inside the spatial tunnel, an invisible pressure pressed against him.

This time, however, with Evergreen Technique protecting him and his quasi-fourth-rank body refinement, the journey was far smoother than before.

Moments later, the formation altar’s glow faded, and the spatial fluctuations vanished.

Lan Changʼan’s presence in Great Yuan disappeared.

Shortly after Lan Changʼan left, three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Eastern Region’s coastal forces arrived at the Forbidden Zone of the Central Region, riding water-element flight lights.

Among them, the female cultivator on the right, draped in a black veil and flowing dark robes was True Monarch Netherwater who had suffered a crippling defeat over a decade ago.

Compared to her former strength, her current aura was noticeably weaker, likely due to severe injuries to her Dao body.

”Junior Sister, you speculated that Tinghai Pavilion might have left behind a spatial formation in the Forbidden Zone, possibly linked to Jing Tian True Monarch. You should not have acted recklessly last time.”

A cold, emotionless voice—one of the male cultivators admonished her with a hint of disapproval.

”It was only a conjecture, not a certainty. How could I dare disturb our senior brother’s secluded cultivation?”

Netherwater’s tone was restrained, her veiled face shrouded in darkness.

”Besides, back then, no one in Great Yuan had even heard of the ‘Twin Dragons of the Central Region.’ How was I to know that those two bastards were so powerful?”

Her hatred flared when she spoke of Xiang Dalong.

”Especially Xiang Dalong, his disguise was exceptionally deep. He seemed to have a thorough understanding of our sect’s cultivation techniques. Based on extensive intelligence analysis, I am certain he is not native to Great Yuan. His background is very suspicious.”

Her voice trembled with lingering resentment.

In that battle years ago, Xiang Dalong’s soul-piercing arrow had wounded her very essence, rendering many of her techniques ineffective.

Had she been at full strength, a single strike from the pseudo-spiritual treasure should not have been enough to bring her to the brink of defeat.

After recuperating, Netherwater realized that she was no match for the Twin Dragons, so she reported everything to her sect’s Grand Elder and took a more cautious approach.

This time, she had brought a specialist in tracking and spatial detection, hoping to confirm the existence of the spatial formation.

If they could locate it, they would gain a strategic advantage, controlling the lifeline of the Twin Dragons and subsequently, they would be able to bring in strong reinforcements from the Sixteen Sea Suppressing Sects.

...

Great Qing Eastern Region, Qi Kingdom of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Deep within the Forbidden Abyss, hidden within a vast stalactite cavern—

Buzz!

A swirling deep blue vortex emerged, surrounded by four condensed orbs of pure water essence, absorbing moisture from underground rivers and earth-bound miasma.

The sudden disturbance in space left behind smooth, polished scars on the stalactites.

Two figures stepped out from the vortex, their aura foreign to this realm.

One was a green-armored puppet, the other a white-robed man.

Lan Changʼan took a deep breath, relieved.

”Good. No major accidents, no spatial rifts or collapses.”

He subconsciously ran a hand through his hair, pleased to find it still intact.

”Old Wei, no rush. Let’s first cleanse ourselves of the foreign aura before returning to civilization.”

Lan Changʼan carefully examined the surroundings before retrieving the formation flag obtained from True Monarch Shazhai.

With it, he sealed the spatial node, using Tinghai Pavilion’s water-elemental grand formation to conceal its existence.

At the same time.

Lan Changʼan’s Evergreen Technique Nascent Soul Dao Fruit resonated with a faint, imperceptible connection.

Though weak, it pointed toward a general direction.

”The Central Region of Great Qing? True Monarch Cyanwood… has already returned to the Central Region?”

Lan Changʼan pondered this but was not surprised.

Before returning to Great Qing, he had used divination techniques to make a rough projection.

After nearly a hundred years, it was unlikely that True Monarch Cyanwood had remained hidden in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance all this time.

Between Lan Changʼan and True Monarch Cyanwood, there existed a significant mutual karmic attraction.

However, the cultivation world was vast, and opportunities were not bound to a single fated opportunity. It was impossible for either of them to waste a lifetime solely chasing the other.

Lan Changʼan suppressed his aura, causing the karmic resonance to fade to an almost imperceptible whisper.

Now that he had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage and become a fourth-rank divination grandmaster, he no longer feared True Monarch Cyanwood the way he once had.

Cultivators of the Evergreen Technique simply lived longer, they were not true immortals.

He had reincarnated multiple times and had acquired the insights of several Nascent Soul cultivators, so he definitely had an advantage when cultivating the hundred immortal arts.

For the next half a month, Lan Changʼan used a special technique to completely cleanse his aura of any foreign aura.

Though the Great Qing was his homeland, his long stay in the Great Yuan had left him steeped in its unique spiritual imprint. Returning now, he felt like an outsider in his own land.

...

Several days later.

Lan Changʼan soared out of the Forbidden Abyss, breaking free from the eerie fog that perpetually enshrouded it.

The Forbidden Abyss was infamous throughout the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, a perilous abyss of unknown depths, teeming with evil spirits and deadly creatures.

Any cultivator who ventured in would find their spiritual sense and spiritual power continuously suppressed.

Due to spatial distortions and unnatural phenomena, it was easy to lose one’s way and become forever trapped.

After experiencing the demon-sealing battle in Great Yuan, Lan Changʼan speculated that the Forbidden Abyss might have been an entry point for the invasion of the ”Demonic Peak Realm” and might have once served as an outpost for demonic forces in the human realm.

Flying thousands of li from the abyss, Lan Changʼan finally encountered cultivators from Great Qing.

However, the passing cultivators moved with hurried steps, their expressions tinged with vigilance and unease.

”It seems the shadow of the demonic war has yet to truly fade.”

Lan Changʼan was currently in Qi Kingdom, part of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

He did not reveal his Nascent Soul aura nor use high-tier movement techniques, as doing so would trigger the nation’s detection formations, drawing unnecessary attention.

His first priority upon returning to Great Qing was to gather intelligence and assess the current situation.

Rather than recklessly exposing his identity and cultivation, which would attract both the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and the Six Demonic Sectsʼs attention, he needed to proceed cautiously.

Donning his Hundred Illusions Mask, Lan Changʼan disguised himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and blended into the nearest market city.

It was just an ordinary market town, even though the security measures were strict, aimed at identifying demonic spies, such precautions were useless against Nascent Soul cultivators.

By the afternoon, Lan Changʼan had already gathered preliminary information on the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and the state of the Demonic War.

To avoid suspicion, he used the Heavenly Demon Secret Technique to infiltrate the minds of a few high-ranking Foundation Establishment cultivators, extracting useful intelligence from their spiritual consciousness memories.

...

”It turns out that during the Seven Kingdoms Allianceʼs Demonic War, there was a ceasefire that lasted several decades midway through.”

Back at a market city inn, Lan Changʼan opened his eyes, momentarily lost in thought, before revealing an amused yet perplexed expression.

”What a surprise! Nearly a hundred years ago, True Monarch Cyanwoodʼs arrival actually influenced the Seven Kingdoms Alliance… even affecting the demonic war in the Eastern Region of Great Qing.”

Despite not having contact with the top echelons of the cultivation world, Lan Changʼan had gained a rough understanding of the situation, including key intelligence on True Monarch Cyanwood.

It turned out that True Monarch Cyanwood’s arrival was a critical turning point in the Demonic War.

This once unremarkable Nascent Soul cultivator, who had maintained a low profile in the Central Region, had arrived in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and shattered the existing balance of power.

At first, he had slain True Monarch Fulong, a powerful figure from Illusion Demon Palace, immediately making an enemy of the Six Demonic Sects.

Recognizing his strength, the Seven Kingdoms Allianceʼs upper echelon had desperately attempted to recruit him, offering him generous benefits to stay.

Lan Changʼan could easily deduce Cyanwood’s true motives. He had accepted their support to leverage the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s resources in his search for the missing cultivator Evergreen Technique practitioner.

The first time Lan Changʼan felt a strong connection to Cyanwood, it had been in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, not in Righteous Dao Alliance.

This had led to a severe miscalculation.

For over a decade, Cyanwood remained in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, investigating.

During this time, he killed another Nascent Soul expert, a True Monarch from the Blood Spirit Sect.

Later, while fighting alongside other Nascent Soul cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, he managed to force a mid-stage Nascent Soul demonic cultivator into retreat, causing the enemy’s strength and lifespan to be severely diminished.

True Monarch Cyanwood’s presence disrupted the balance of the war, shifting the momentum in favor of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

However, he did not remain here indefinitely.

Afterward, he moved on to the Righteous Dao Alliance, and what happened next was not clear to the middle and lower-level cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

”Could Cyanwood have cultivated something akin to Withering Extinction Divine Light, a forbidden wood-element technique? Even if he didn’t fight one-on-one, he was able to threaten mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in battle.”

”It is said that Cyanwood’s deadliest technique is a powerful Wood Element Sword Formation. Once a Nascent Soul cultivator is trapped within it, they cannot escape, even their Nascent Soul itself cannot flee.”

Lan Changʼanʼs expression darkened.

Even with only fragmented rumors, it was clear that True Monarch Cyanwood was a terrifyingly strong opponent.

To gather more intelligence and provide a medium for fourth-rank divination, Lan Changʼan infiltrated a bustling immortal city in the Qi Kingdom the next day, purchasing additional relevant information from an intelligence organization.

”Cyanwood’s Wood Element Sword Formation was composed of twelve fourth-rank mid-grade wooden swords made from precious Azure Profound Wood. This formation was exceptionally powerful, capable of cutting through almost anything!”

”Moreover, this was the situation nearly a hundred years ago. After leaving the Eastern Region, his sword formation has likely been further enhanced.”

Upon learning the specific details of the wood-element sword formation, Lan Changʼan couldnʼt help but feel a mix of apprehension, admiration, and envy.

Excluding the ʼBarbed Arrows,ʼ Lan Changʼanʼs offensive capabilities were not remarkable, making it difficult to pose a threat to mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

In contrast, True Monarch Cyanwood commanded a formidable wood-element sword formation, and possessed immensely powerful offensive means.

”Additionally, True Monarch Cyanwood is rumored to own a mystical treasure of the Xuan Sect that was capable of trapping and restraining Nascent Soul spiritual entities...”

Based on the information and with his knowledge as a fourth-rank divination master, Lan Changʼan pieced together a rough picture of Cyanwood’s cultivation approach.

Unlike others, Cyanwood likely sacrificed portions of his lifespan to forcefully accelerate the growth of rare spiritual wood, using it to advance his cultivation and refine powerful treasures.

This allowed him to possess Nascent Soul-dominating strength, far surpassing his peers.

Azure Profound Wood was one of the rarest materials for forging sword-based magical treasures.

Years ago, even Yu Yuanjin had been willing to trade his prized Thunder-Dissolving Pearl for a single piece of Azure Profound Wood.

For Cyanwood to possess an entire formation of twelve mid-grade fourth-rank Azure Profound Wooden Swords was nothing short of extravagant, even the most powerful Nascent Soul sects would struggle to amass such wealth.

...

The intelligence networks in the immortal cities also contained reports regarding the Righteous Dao Alliance.

After staying in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance for over a decade, True Monarch Cyanwood moved on to the Righteous Dao Alliance.

At the time, the Righteous Dao Alliance had been on the brink of collapse, reduced to just three remaining nations—Feng Kingdom, Jing Kingdom, and Liang Kingdom.

Their situation had been even more dire than that of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Upon hearing of Cyanwood’s arrival, Beast King Valley immediately attempted to ambush him, only to fail.

Recognizing his immense power, the Leader of Righteous Dao Alliance Chu Tianfeng had personally invited Cyanwood, offering tempting resources to persuade him to stay in Feng Kingdom for over a decade.

During this time, Cyanwood had killed a Nascent Soul cultivator from Beast King Valley and had even captured a fourth-rank spirit bird alive.

Lan Changʼan chuckled.

”So, in his search for me, Cyanwood ended up influencing the entire Eastern Region’s political landscape. Killing enemies, seizing treasures, gaining prestige, he’s making a fortune out of this.”

Interestingly, True Monarch Cyanwood’s reputation among the Eastern Region’s native forces was quite good.

Both the Righteous Dao Alliance and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance were grateful for his efforts.

This monarch had a calm and gentle temperament, treated others without arrogance, and refrained from indiscriminately killing the innocent.

If it wasnʼt for True Monarch Cyanwoodʼs influence on the situation, the three remaining nations of Righteous Dao Alliance might have already fallen to the demonic forces.

After True Monarch Cyanwood killed so many demonic cultivators, the Six Demonic Sects naturally would not let the matter rest easily.

As Cyanwood made his way to Fengyuan Kingdom, the Beast King Valley and Unseen Gate joined forces to lay a deadly ambush with two mid-stage and several early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

In this battle, True Monarch Cyanwood was severely injured and forced to flee, his vitality greatly damaged, retreating back to the Great Qing Central Region.

Upon learning this outcome, Lam Changʼan couldnʼt help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Behind Cyanwoodʼs defeat, he vaguely discerned the involvement of Fengyuan Nationʼs Heavenly Master, as well as the scheming of the divination masters from the Six Demonic Sects.

This indicated that True Monarch Cyanwood was not particularly skilled in the art of divination, a piece of good news.

The art of divination was not something one could master simply by burning lifespan, it required innate talent and relentless study.

Cyanwood’s lifespan sacrifices had been used to forcefully accelerate the growth of rare spiritual materials, enhancing his cultivation and combat power. He likely specialized in other branches of immortal culitvation arts, but not in divination.

”The Heavenly Master truly keeps his word.”

Lan Changʼan recalled the agreement he had made before leaving Fengyuan Kingdom.

Back then, he had owed the Heavenly Master a favor, and in return, the Heavenly Master had hidden Lan Changʼan’s presence from divination, while also protecting Xuan Yin Pavilion and other allied factions.

Amid the Righteous Dao Alliance’s struggles, there was one particularly good piece of news.

A new Nascent Soul force had risen in the former homeland Liang Kingdom:

Jin Yun Valley!

Zhang Tieshan had successfully broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, achieving his breakthrough several years before Lan Changʼan.

With his ascension, Jin Yun Valley’s spiritual veins had also advanced to fourth rank, solidifying its status as a Nascent Soul-level sect.

Lan Changʼan smiled.

”Not bad! Jin Yun Valley’s rise from a mere Core Formation sect to a Nascent Soul sect was not only due to Old Zhangʼs management efforts but also partially thanks to me.”

Lan Changʼan considered himself a lucky star for this sect. Back in the day, by planting the Xuanmu Vine Gourd in Jin Yun Valley, he had brought about more or less a gain in fortune and prosperity.

Jin Yun Valley had become a Nascent Soul-level power, and Lan Changʼanʼs fourth-rank divination had once foreseen this possibility.

As such, Lan Changʼanʼs plans to return to Great Qing for his cultivation felt much more comfortable.

Thatʼs right!

Lan Changʼan planned to ʼreturnʼ to Jin Yun Valley once again.

Although he had been gone for nearly a century, he was confident that Old Zhang hadnʼt removed him from the records.

Lan Changʼan intended to cultivate at the Nascent Soul sect in his homeland of Liang Kingdom, aiming to reach the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage in one go.

With Zhang Tianfeng, a loyal friend and Nascent Soul cultivator by his side and the protection of a Nascent Soul sect’s grand formation, even if Cyanwood advanced to mid-stage Nascent Soul, Lan Changʼan would have nothing to fear.

However, there was one issue that irritated him.

Among Zhang Tieshan’s intelligence reports, it was noted that Zhang Tieshan and True Monarch Cyanwood had crossed paths during the demonic war… and seemed to have a bit of a friendly relationship.

Lan Changʼan’s eyes darkened.

”Old Zhang, you need to be more careful about who you associate with.”

He could easily guess that Cyanwood had approached Zhang Tieshan with ulterior motives.

When he returned to the Liang Kingdom, Lan Changʼan would have to have a good talk with Old Zhang, so that he would understand the sinister intentions of the True Monarch Cyanwood and draw a clear line with him.

...

Before heading back to the Liang Kingdom, there was still one final matter Lan Changʼan had to settle.

That was to collect a debt!

Over ninety years ago, when he had sensed Cyanwood’s presence approaching, he had lacked the time to claim the Tianying Fruit in the memories of the Heavenly Net Ancestor, as well as the the hidden treasure vault of the Xie Clan.

At the time, under the identity of Nie Yuan, he had handed over this intelligence and a tracking bloodline pearl to the then-Grand Elder of Flame Departing Palace, Wang Feng, an Immortal Golden Dan cultivator.

Given Flame Departing Palace’s strength at the time, seizing the remnants of the Xie Clan was nothing more than taking advantage of a weakened foe, hardly a difficult task.

In his letter, Lan Changʼan stated that he would let the Flame Departing Palace keep all the other treasures, but he wanted only the Tianying Fruit, asking the Flame Departing Palace to ”safeguard” it for him.

At that time, Lan Changʼan had just reached the late Core Formation stage and was desperately eager to obtain the key ingredient for the Infant Transformation Pill.

If the Flame Departing Palace used that Tianying Fruit, they would owe Nie Yuan a favor, and he would come to collect the debt in the future!

Lan Changʼan, currently in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, was quite familiar with the current situation of the Flame Departing Palace.

Wang Feng, as an Immortal Golden Dan cultivator, had inherited the core legacy of the Flame Departing Palace after its withdrawal from the Liang Kingdom. Years ago, he successfully formed his Nascent Soul and became one of the new generation of Nascent Soul True Monarchs in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects