I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 407: Obtaining the Wings, An Old Acquaintance in Jing Kingdom

At the source of the Nascent Soulʼs piercing scream...

Boom!

A violent explosion of wind and sand erupted, accompanied by shattered ice and fragments of flesh and bone.

Even from a distance of one to two hundred li, the terrifying spiritual pressure and fluctuations of spiritual power could be felt, far exceeding that of an ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarch.

In a desperate life-or-death situation, True Monarch Black Feather recklessly activated a secret technique, unleashing a destructive storm of demonic flames from within his body.

The brief burst of power was comparable to that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul, shattering the frost that had encased him and dispelling Lord Earthrockʼs yellow sandstorm, allowing him to break free from the earth-binding force.

”Fellow Daoist, you underestimated the effects of the fourth-rank poison and the frostʼs invasion.”

Lan Changʼan watched as True Monarch Black Featherʼs physical body crumbled, his face filled with resentment and unwillingness. With no other choice, True Monarch Black Featherʼs Nascent Soul fled his body, teleporting several hundred zhang away.

If True Monarch Black Feather had been in a normal state, such a secret technique would have only left his body damaged and his vitality severely depleted, requiring years of recovery.

However, the fourth-rank poison and the frost from the Cold Ice Divine Chain had already weakened his body, leaving it in a terrible state.

Forcing the secret technique in such a condition caused his physical body to collapse.

Crack!

Lan Changʼan formed a hand seal, focusing his spiritual sense to control the Cold Ice Divine Chain, which had been shaken loose. The chain wrapped around the black-winged treasure on True Monarch Black Featherʼs back, tearing it off along with chunks of flesh and bone.

Earlier, to prevent True Monarch Black Feather from escaping, Lan Changʼan had deliberately wrapped the Cold Ice Divine Chain an extra loop around the black wings.

The black-winged treasure was True Monarch Black Featherʼs life-bound magical treasure, and he had intended to take it along with him when his Nascent Soul fled.

However, Lan Changʼan had forcibly ripped it away, preventing him from doing so.

This was why True Monarch Black Featherʼs Nascent Soul had accused Lan Changʼan of destroying his physical body and stealing his treasures.

...

”Where do you think youʼre going?”

Lan Changʼan shouted, raising his hand to unleash a Withered Vine Hand, attempting to capture True Monarch Black Featherʼs fleeing Nascent Soul.

However, the Nascent Soul was too fast, flashing several times and quickly moving out of range.

”This True Monarch is fast, but his defenses are mediocre. If I hadnʼt hidden my strength and lured him into close combat, it wouldnʼt have been so easy to defeat him.”

Lan Changʼan was merely putting on a show, not actually intending to capture True Monarch Black Featherʼs Nascent Soul.

The battle had taken place near the border of Jing Kingdom, with many from both the righteous and demonic factions watching, including hidden spirit beasts and insects.

Therefore, Lan Changʼan had only used conventional methods, supplemented by strategy.

If he had used the Nine Seal Stele, Barbed Arrow, or even had the Exotic Spirit Peacock attempt to intercept the Nascent Soul, his true capabilities would have been exposed.

At that point, even a fool would realize that Lan Changʼanʼs combat power was comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul, making him a second Cyanwood True Monarch and a major power in the eastern region of the Great Qing.

Both the demonic factions and Cyanwood True Monarch would become wary of him, making future battles more difficult.

”A single Nascent Soul spirit body is far from enough to satisfy the Nine Seal Steleʼs appetite.”

Lan Changʼan decided to be content with what he had gained and play the long game.

Back in the day, after Cyanwood True Monarch had made a name for himself, the demonic factions had become extremely cautious of him, making it difficult for him to kill any more demonic Nascent Souls.

Cyanwood True Monarch had also paid a heavy price, being ambushed and nearly killed by two mid-stage Nascent Souls from the Beast King Valley and the Unseen Gate, along with several early-stage Nascent Souls. He had narrowly escaped with severe injuries and fled back to the central region.

Having just arrived in the Great Qing, Lan Changʼan didnʼt want to draw too much attention so quickly and become a primary target for the demonic factions.

He planned to continue developing his strength, as there was still room for improvement in his spiritual power, techniques, and treasures.

It was worth noting that the strongest of the demonic factions, the Nether Spring Sect, had not yet intervened in this region, instead focusing on conquering more prosperous areas in the eastern region.

It was said that the leader of the Nether Spring Sect, once known as the ”Number One Cultivator of the Great Qing,” had once overpowered the orthodox Xuan factions. His strength was unfathomable, and even when facing the Nascent Soul Great Cultivators of the Ten Xuan Sects who had left the Great Qing, he could hold his own.

...

Lan Changʼan returned to the Profound Water Turtle and retrieved the small puppet formation of four puppets.

Before returning to the Great Qing, he had restored his puppet formation to ten puppets, with combat power reaching the Nascent Soul level.

However, to avoid alarming True Monarch Black Feather and making him overly cautious, he had only used four in this battle.

If True Monarch Black Feather had maintained his distance and used his ancient bow for long-range attacks, Lan Changʼan would have had a much harder time dealing with him without resorting to the Exotic Spirit Peacock or the Barbed Arrow.

Squeak!

Lord Earthrock burrowed over, carrying the bronze halberd that True Monarch Black Feather had left behind.

This treasure had impressive penetrating power and was an offensive-type magical treasure.

Lan Changʼan took stock of the spoils: the black-winged magical treasure, the halberd, and the severely injured quasi-fourth-rank giant bird.

True Monarch Black Feather had taken his storage ring with him when his Nascent Soul fled at the cost of his physical bodyʼs destruction.

Lan Changʼan was satisfied nonetheless. The most valuable item was undoubtedly the black-winged treasure, which surpassed everything else.

After a preliminary examination, Lan Changʼan was delighted.

The materials for the black-winged treasure had come from at least a fourth-rank late-stage avian king, and it was of ancient origin. True Monarch Black Feather had obtained it during his Core Formation stage.

The wings had lost much of their spiritual essence, but True Monarch Black Feather, with his unique bloodline and physique, had managed to activate them using beast-taming techniques.

Over the years, he had spent countless precious materials and nourished them with his own blood, eventually turning them into a flying magical treasure.

To fully utilize the wings, True Monarch Black Feather used beast-taming techniques to fuse them with his ribs, flesh, and bones.

With this flesh-bound flying treasure, True Monarch Black Feather, despite being an early-stage Nascent Soul, possessed speed comparable to a mid-stage Nascent Soul.

Most importantly, it didnʼt require burning his blood or lifespan.

”If I can make use of this flying treasure, my mobility will greatly improve. Whether for self-defense or hunting down Nascent Souls, it will be invaluable.”

Lan Changʼanʼs heart raced with anticipation.

As for using it to enhance the Exotic Spirit Peacock, that would be more complicated. The wings had been refined with many materials and were already a fully formed magical treasure.

Lan Changʼan cleaned off the remaining flesh and bone from the black-winged treasure and sealed it in a spirit wood box.

His gaze then turned to the Black Owl, which lay on the ground, barely alive after being struck by the Dragonwood Staff.

A quasi-fourth-rank spirit beast wasnʼt particularly appealing to Lan Changʼan, but it could fetch a good price.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the Black Owl let out a mournful cry and died on the spot.

”How ruthless!”

Lan Changʼanʼs expression darkened as he looked in the direction where the Nascent Soul had fled.

To prevent Lan Changʼan from obtaining the bird, True Monarch Black Feather had triggered a restriction in the master-servant contract, causing his spirit beast to die instantly.

Lan Changʼan wasnʼt too disappointed. Spirit beasts tamed by the Beast King Valley, even if their contracts were broken, would rarely be truly loyal to a new master.

Spirit beasts were best raised from a young age; those acquired later were prone to disloyalty.

...

”Hmm? That direction... seems to have a familiar thread of fate...”

Lan Changʼan stared in the direction where the Nascent Soul had fled, sensing a deep karmic connection that had once entangled with him. He couldnʼt help but calculate a bit.

At the same time, two hundred li away.

”Run!”

Pei Shuyuanʼs face turned pale, her heart pounding as she saw True Monarch Black Featherʼs Nascent Soul fleeing.

Without hesitation, she turned the white crane spirit beast, a gift from her grandfather, and fled.

Fortunately, her observation point was outside the spiritual sense range of an early-stage Nascent Soul.

”Immortal Pei...”

Nearby Beast King Valley cultivators followed her, scattering in panic like birds and beasts.

Thankfully, there was a Beast King Valley formation stronghold a few hundred li away. After sending an emergency message, other Nascent Soul cultivators would arrive soon.

In just a moment, the spatial fluctuations of a Nascent Soul traversing the void came from the sky behind them.

”Fairy Pei!”

True Monarch Black Featherʼs Nascent Soul, which had fled its body, easily caught up to the Peacock Saintess and sent a spiritual sense message.

”True Monarch Black Feather, is that Turtle Lan chasing us?”

Pei Shuyuan, who had been overtaken, couldnʼt help but panic.

She activated a beast-taming secret technique, pushing her white crane to its limits to increase its speed.

”Fairy Pei, thereʼs no need to panic. That Turtle Lan isnʼt chasing us. Given his reputation as the ʼTurtle Immortalʼ in his early years, itʼs likely he isnʼt skilled in speed.”

The black Nascent Soul slowed down, sensing the direction behind them and confirming that Lan Changʼan wasnʼt pursuing.

”Thatʼs a relief.”

Pei Shuyuan secretly sighed in relief and returned to the Beast King Valley camp with the black Nascent Soul.

She wasnʼt worried about being possessed.

Not only was her Dao foundation damaged, making Nascent Soul breakthrough impossible, but male Nascent Souls possessing female bodies also had poor compatibility.

On the way back, they inevitably discussed the battle, and Pei Shuyuan took the opportunity to inquire about Lan Changʼanʼs situation.

”That Turtle Lanʼs divine abilities and spiritual power are, at best, mid-to-upper tier among Nascent Soul peers.”

”If it were just him, I wouldnʼt take him seriously. But he has a fourth-rank demon king, and judging by its powerful demonic aura, itʼs been at that level for many years. That Profound Water Turtleʼs bloodline has also reached the Heavenly grade. Even a quasi-fourth-rank Black Owl couldnʼt break its defense...”

”Most despicably, that Turtle Lan is deeply hidden, cunning, and secretly used fourth-rank poison. I underestimated him and fell into his trap which forced my Nascent Soul to flee...”

The black Nascent Soulʼs face showed anger, regret, and resentment.

”After all these years, that Turtle Lan is still so patient and cunning.”

Pei Shuyuan recalled her two encounters with Lan Changʼan. Both times, she had the advantage in strength but ended up suffering greatly.

The second time, Lan Changʼan had borrowed the power of the Heavenly Master, using her own strength against her, and she had fallen into an ambush by the Righteous Dao Allianceʼs Nascent Souls and was reduced to a prisoner.

Before fleeing, Lan Changʼan had even possessed a Golden Sun Sect disciple, using disrespectful behavior to test her cultivation foundation.

Later, during the demonic war, the Beast King Valley had achieved great victories.

Under pressure, the Golden Sun Sect had allowed True Monarch Ten Thousand Crane to ransom the Peacock Saintess, who had been imprisoned for many years.

Fearing retribution if the Beast King Valley conquered the Liang Kingdom, the Golden Sun Sect had not dared to mistreat the Peacock Saintess during her imprisonment.

By the time she was ransomed back to the sect, she was still untouched.

This was one reason True Monarch Black Feather was willing to marry her as his primary Dao companion without disdain.

”True Monarch Black Feather, are you sure that rat king is an Earth Burrowing Rat? And that Profound Water Turtleʼs bloodline has mutated to the Heavenly grade?”

After some thought, Pei Shuyuanʼs eyes lit up, keenly catching something.

”Thatʼs right!”

True Monarch Black Feather as a master of beast taming trusted his judgment.

Hearing Pei Shuyuanʼs question, he immediately understood her thoughts.

Back then, the Peacock Saintess had clashed with the Evergreen Immortal because she had noticed the Profound Water Turtleʼs rapid growth and wanted to obtain the secret beast-taming technique or rare treasure.

”That Lan Changʼanʼs two spirit beasts have both mutated, their bloodlines elevated. That ordinary Earth Burrowing Rat even became a demon king. There must be a significant secret or opportunity related to beast taming.”

Pei Shuyuan smiled, her lips curving beautifully.

”When we return to the Beast King Valley, True Monarch Black Feather, you should report these details to the sect. It will surely pique the interest of the sect master and the grand elder.”

”Excellent! This plan is brilliant!”

True Monarch Black Feather praised, ”Although I suffered a crushing defeat, I forced that Turtle Lan to reveal his hidden strength.”

The opportunity related to beast-taming secrets would be highly attractive to the Beast King Valleyʼs upper echelons.

Once the Beast King Valley took Lan Changʼan seriously and targeted him, True Monarch Black Feather would have a chance to reclaim his honor and retrieve his life-bound treasure, the Black Heaven Wings.

...

The Profound Water Turtle, riding on water ripples, carried Lan Changʼan into Jing Kingdom.

”Welcome, True Monarch Lan!”

”Greetings, Evergreen True Monarch.”

The battle had caused quite a stir, and more law enforcement cultivators from the Righteous Dao Alliance recognized Lan Changʼan.

The border cultivators didnʼt dare to stop him and instead welcomed him, quickly sending messages to their superiors.

On the turtleʼs back, Zhu Yutingʼs heart was filled with despair. Any hope of being rescued was completely shattered.

The master she had once revered had been defeated by Lan Changʼan, his physical body destroyed, nearly leading to his death.

Zhu Yutingʼs heart was bitter, filled with mixed emotions as she looked at the white-robed man on the turtleʼs back.

Back then, she and Lan Changʼan had both been guest elders of the Jin Yun Valley, chatting over tea. The gap between them hadnʼt been so vast.

Who could have imagined that the ”Turtle Immortal,” who had been both praised and criticized in the Jin Yun Valley, would now become an unreachable Nascent Soul True Monarch, possessing the power to defeat a demonic Nascent Soul?

Over the next half-hour.

Several Core Formation cultivators from the Jing Kingdom came to pay their respects to Lan Changʼan and confirm his identity.

When a Nascent Soul cultivator entered a countryʼs territory, unless they deliberately concealed their spiritual power, it would trigger the formationʼs detection.

Lan Changʼanʼs appearance hadnʼt changed, and the Profound Water Turtle was a clear identifier. Moreover, his recent victory over a demonic Nascent Soul cultivator left no doubt about his identity.

...

”Junior Ling Changfeng, President of the Taifeng Merchant Association, welcomes True Monarch Lan on his glorious return to his homeland.”

”This humble one, Yan Yunying, President of the Feiyan Merchant Association, pays her respects and thanks True Monarch Lan for his earlier rescue.”

The arrival of a man and a woman, both at the mid-Core Formation stage, caught Lan Changʼanʼs attention.

The Taifeng Merchant Association and the Feiyan Merchant Association were two of the three major merchant guilds in the Jing Kingdom, and their strength was comparable to the old Jin Yun Valley.

The female president of the Feiyan Merchant Association wore a green battle robe, her hair cut short, exuding a spirited and capable demeanor that overshadowed her natural beauty.

Lan Changʼan had no recollection of this woman. During his time of seclusion in Jing Kingdom, they likely had no interactions.

The middle-aged man from the Taifeng Merchant Association appeared to be in his forties or fifties. His features hinted at the handsomeness of his youth, but his skin was somewhat dry and wrinkled, with streaks of gray in his hair, giving him a weathered appearance.

Ling Changfeng, the president of the Taifeng Merchant Association, bowed in greeting. When he saw the white-robed man who hadnʼt aged a day in a hundred years, a complex mix of emotions flickered in his eyes.

”President Ling? Have we met before?”

Lan Changʼan noticed that the man looked familiar and caught the subtle change in his expression.

”Reporting to True Monarch Lan, this junior was once known as Ling Feng. Back then, as the young master of the Taifeng Merchant Association, I had the honor of attending True Monarch Lanʼs Core Formation celebration at the Xia Clan in Qingsha Bay.”

Ling Changfeng lowered his gaze and replied respectfully.

”Ah, so itʼs that Young Master Ling. I remember now.”

Lan Changʼan nodded in realization.

His first Core Formation breakthrough was in Jing Kingdom, and during the celebration, two unexpected but distinguished guests had arrived.

The first was Li Hai, the eldest disciple of Liang Shaotian.

The second was Ling Feng, the young master of the Taifeng Merchant Association.

Young Master Ling had come uninvited because Lan Changʼanʼs age at the time of his Core Formation breakthrough was quite advanced, making him the oldest cultivator in Jing Kingdom and its surrounding regions to achieve this feat in several hundred years.

On the other hand, Young Master Ling, born into wealth and never lacking in spiritual resources, had formed his True Dan at the age of eighty or so, making him the youngest in Jing Kingdom to reach the Core Formation stage in centuries.

At the celebration that day, the oldest and youngest Core Formation cultivators in Jing Kingdomʼs recent history had crossed paths.

Young Master Ling had even posed a pointed question: Had his rapid cultivation caused insufficient foundation, and was Lan Changʼan destined for greatness later in life?

”I am unworthy of the title ʼYoung Master,ʼ I fear True Monarch Lan finds it amusing. As True Monarch Lan once said, anything is possible in the cultivation world. True Monarch Lanʼs legendary life serves as a model for late bloomers in the Great Qing cultivation world.”

Ling Changfeng flushed with embarrassment, his aged face reddening as he nervously flattered Lan Changʼan.

Upon hearing that a newly ascended Nascent Soul had returned to Jing Kingdom, he had rushed over, only to find that it was a Core Formation cultivator he had once known.

”The past is like smoke and clouds, you and I have no grudge.”

Lan Changʼan waved his hand, showing no intention of holding a grudge.

Ling Changfeng felt as if he had been granted a pardon. Though he had obtained forgiveness, an indescribable sense of loss and defeat welled up inside him.

Two hundred years ago, the two of them had been on the same level, with Ling Changfeng even leading by several decades in cultivation.

But now...

Ling Changfengʼs cultivation had stagnated at the mid-Core Formation stage.

Meanwhile, the once slow-moving ”Turtle Immortal” had taken one steady step after another, solidly cultivating his way to the Nascent Soul stage.

The minor grievances of the past, which had caused no real harm or loss, were now beneath the notice of this True Monarch Lan.

...

Lan Changʼan declined the enthusiastic invitations from the two merchant guild presidents but, in their company, inquired about the current state of Jing Kingdom.

Although Jing Kingdom was the smallest and weakest of the three nations, it might also be the safest.

This was largely due to the fact that this once-neutral cultivation nation had given birth to a child of fortune, True Monarch Lingyu, who had now become a leading figure among the Ten Xuan Sects of the Central Region.

The Jing Kingdom was True Monarch Lingyuʼs early homeland, though he had spent most of his later years cultivating in the Central Regionʼs Xuan Sects.

During their casual conversation, Lan Changʼan asked about the Xia Clan of Qingsha Bay and the Snow Fox Merchant Association.

The Xia Clan of Qingsha Bay, thanks to Xia Wenyueʼs Innate Dao Physique and her status as a direct disciple of the Proud Moon Palace Master, had since flourished under their patronage.

Decades ago, the Xia Clan had produced a True Dan cultivator, who now completely dominated the Wufu Merchant Association.

However, among the current Xia Clan members, the acquaintances Lan Changʼan had once known—such as Xia Hongyu, Xia Mingqu, and Xia Shenglan—had all passed away.

Thus, he had no interest in revisiting the Xia Clanʼs ancestral lands.

The last time Lan Changʼan had passed through the Xia Clan, he had secretly left behind a legacy. As far as this lineage was concerned, there was no longer any debt between them.

”The two presidents, during my early years of seclusion in Jing Kingdom, I heard that both of your merchant guilds claimed to have close ties with True Monarch Lingyu. Which of these claims is true?”

Lan Changʼan asked with a faint smile.

This had been a passing curiosity of his back then, but at that time, he hadnʼt dared to directly question the leaders of the two merchant guilds.

”True Monarch Lingyu bears the surname Ling, so naturally, he is a blood relative of our Ling family. During the demonic war, when the demonic forces once invaded Jing Kingdom, they dared not slaughter our Ling family cultivators. This speaks volumes,” Ling Changfeng declared matter-of-factly.

Yan Yunying sneered disdainfully, ”Itʼs true that True Monarch Lingyu bears the surname Ling, but in his youth, he was merely an unwelcome illegitimate child of your Ling family. Later, he married into our Yan family. It was under the guidance of our Yan familyʼs young mistress at the time that True Monarch Ling began his rise. Little do you know, the last time True Monarch Ling visited Jing Kingdom, he only paid respects to our Yan familyʼs ancestral graves...”

Listening to their argument, Lan Changʼan smiled without comment.

He mused to himself that since he had never married, had no children, and no disciples, he wouldnʼt have to deal with such disputes over belonging.

...

As they entered the heart of Jing Kingdom, Lan Changʼan suddenly sensed two Nascent Soul auras rapidly approaching his location.

The Jing Kingdom now had a Nascent Soul-level force, the Xuan Yin Sect, founded by Liang Shaotian.

Over a hundred years ago, Liang Shaotian had been the top Core Formation cultivator of the Righteous Dao Alliance, earning the appreciation of Alliance Leader Chu. The Xuan Yin Sect had grown steadily, achieving great merits in the fight against the demonic faction.

According to intelligence, Liang Shaotian had amassed numerous military achievements and exchanged them for some Nascent Soul resources from the Righteous Dao Alliance. With Alliance Leader Chuʼs support, he ascended to the Nascent Soul stage shortly after Lan Changʼan left the Great Qing.

Due to the external pressure of the demonic faction war, both the Righteous Dao Alliance and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance had pooled strategic resources to incentivize mid- and lower-level cultivators to fight. Otherwise, who would be willing to risk their lives?

Though the demonic faction war was perilous, it had overturned the old order of the peaceful era.

Ordinary forces and cultivators without strong backgrounds had encountered rare opportunities.

Because of the urgent need for high-level combat power, advancing to the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage not only went unoppressed but, under the leadership of open-minded figures, might even receive support.

In Lan Changʼanʼs current perception, one of the two approaching Nascent Soul auras carried a demonic factionʼs aura, likely belonging to Sect Master Liang.

The other Nascent Soul aura was domineering and blazing, like a golden sun, and felt more intensely familiar to Lan Changʼan.

To be precise, it was more familiar to the fourth life of the Nine Seal Stele, the Lihuo Master.

”Is True Monarch Six Sun also in Jing Kingdom?”

Lan Changʼan instinctively asked.

True Monarch Six Sun hailed from the Golden Sun Sect, which had once relocated to the Liang Kingdom.

The outcome of the battle during the Golden Sun Sectʼs northern relocation was the defeat of fourth life Master Lihuo in the hands of True Monarch Six Sun, leading to the destruction of the Flame Departing Palaceʼs original mountain gate in the Liang Kingdom.

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects