I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 412: Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing, Journey to Feng Kingdom

Evergreen Peak, by the ringed water lake.

Li Huizhu stood nervously before the vast Profound Water Turtle, their small eyes locked in an awkward stare as she waited.

Having followed the Lord Earthrock and the Treasure-Seeking Rat here, she had encountered no obstacles along the way, yet she dared not trespass into the True Monarch’s abode without permission.

By dusk, Lan Changʼan returned and spotted the violet-robed Core Formation beauty. She looked faintly familiar.

Back when Mu Bingyun was on her deathbed, this woman, then a young girl, had visited Feiyue Lake’s Mu Family alongside Li Congren. At the time, Lan Changʼan had not made a public appearance, only meeting Mu Bingyun privately in her final moments and speaking briefly with Li Congren.

”This concubine pays respects to True Monarch Lan. I am Li Huizhu, current matriarch of the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain...”

As the tall, ethereal figure in white robes entered her vision, Li Huizhu’s heart swelled with emotion, and she immediately bowed deeply.

As one of the compilers of The Legend of Changqing and The Journeys of the Profound Turtle, she had long been spiritually connected to the most legendary True Monarch in Liang Kingdom’s history.

In her mind, no modern cultivator understood the Evergreen True Monarch better than she did.

Now, face-to-face with the legend himself, she couldn’t contain her excitement.

”Come in.”

Lan Changʼan waved his hand, opening the formation barriers to allow Li Huizhu into Evergreen Peak’s abode.

Inside the cave manor, their conversation lasted less than half an hour.

Through Li Huizhu’s account, Lan Changʼan learned about the current state of the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain.

In the ancestral hall, Li Erqing’s spirit tablet occupied the foremost position as the progenitor of the Li Clan’s cultivation lineage, while Li Congren, the clan’s founding ancestor, was placed beside it.

Lan Changʼan mused silently: If Xiao Qingshan ever returns to Great Qing’s Liang Kingdom and sees his bloodline flourishing, he’d surely feel gratified.

Li Congren, as Li Erqing’s most accomplished grandson, had indeed lived up to expectations.

The conversation was too brief for Li Huizhu’s liking.

True Monarch Lan mostly listened, only briefly mentioning the Qi Family rooted in Wuqi Mountain, perhaps hinting at something deeper.

The Qi Family were descendants of Lan Changʼan’s adoptive father’s lineage, now firmly established in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world, honoring Guan Qiaozhi as their matriarch.

Leaving Evergreen Peak, Li Huizhu felt a pang of disappointment. This meeting had yielded no direct guidance or opportunities, unlike the privileges her grandfather once enjoyed.

With the Treasure-Seeking Rat still inside the abode, she was temporarily housed in Jin Yun Valley’s guest quarters.

On her way back, she noticed a subtle shift in the sect disciples’ attitudes, now treating her with far more warmth and respect.

Li Huizhu came to the realization that she was the one who was greedy.

Of all the descendants who had come to pay respects, she alone had been granted an audience with True Monarch Lan. That alone carried immense unspoken weight.

Even without explicit favors, the mere fact of this meeting would bring intangible benefits to the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain.

At True Monarch Lan’s level, every word and action rippled through the cultivation world, capable of influencing Liang Kingdom’s entire landscape.

Three days later.

Li Huizhu finally reunited with her noticeably plumper Treasure-Seeking Rat, her worries melting away.

”Thank goodness...”

Upon inspection, the rat showed no signs of harm. If anything, it seemed to have gorged on something extraordinary, its demonic energy now richer and purer.

For a peak second-rank spirit beast, even the crumbs from a fourth-rank Rat King’s table counted as significant fortune.

Unable to bid farewell to True Monarch Lan in person, Li Huizhu bowed deeply toward Evergreen Peak before departing contentedly for her clan.

...

Deep within the underground palace of Evergreen Peak.

”Who knew a rat demon would still value old ties and lend a hand to support the younger generation?”

Lan Changʼan said with an amused smirk.

”One takes on the color of one’s company, red near cinnabar, black near ink. This humble rat has simply been influenced by its master’s righteousness and thus learned the ways of human sentiment.”

The Lord Earthrock ducked its head sheepishly, a flicker of guilt crossing its features.

It secretely wondered, had master discovered its secret stash?

During its tenure as Yunxia Sect’s sacred beast, supplemented by occasional ”windfall harvesting” during the demonic calamity, it had quietly amassed a private treasury.

Lan Changʼan did not dwell on the matter.

Though ancestral ties had faded and no debts remained, his and the Earthfiend Rat’s bond with the Snow Plum Mountain lineage ran deep.

The Li Clan had proven capable and filial, a little assistance was only natural.

What truly disappointed Lan Changʼan was Shi Xiaochuan’s absence.

Back when he had Jiang Yechen take the blame, causing him severe injuries and losses, Lan Changʼan had owed a debt of gratitude. Before leaving, he had voluntarily promised a favor.

But Jiang Yechen, ever proud, refused to accept it.

He had said, ”If you truly mean it, give this promise to Fairy Shi’s adopted son, Shi Xiaochuan.”

Thus, Lan Changʼan’s only promise in the Liang Kingdom fell to Shi Xiaochuan.

Blessed with high-grade spiritual roots and formidable formation talent, Shi Xiaochuan had been meticulously groomed by Jiang Yechen and Shi Manrong.

Now a renowned Core Formation cultivator and third-rank formation master, neither he nor Jiang Yechen had come to pay respects despite Lan Changʼan’s Nascent Soul return.

The adoptive father-son pair clearly disdained flattering others.

Even Yu Yufu, wife of the late Mu Jiuan and a Golden Sun Sect disciple, had left a congratulatory missive despite their factional differences.

”The cultivation world would be far more interesting with more strong-willed individuals like them.”

Lan Changʼan chuckled, holding no grudge.

He proceeded to the deepest chamber of the underground palace, a heavily warded garden where the Xuanmu Vine Gourd had been replanted, its roots once more drinking the earth qi.

A hidden passage connected this chamber to the lake encircling Evergreen Peak, allowing the Profound Water Turtle to move around freely, cultivating while guarding the vine.

Over a century had passed since the vine first sprouted, yet its growth remained sluggish.

Still, the initial bud had matured slightly beyond infancy.

Based on Lan Changʼan’s understanding of gourd-type spiritual plants, their lifecycle had four stages:

Sprouting Stage, Sapling Stage, Budding Stage, and Fruiting Stage.

The sprouting phase is its current form.

Once it reaches the sapling stage, multiple true leaves will emerge, making it sturdier.

During the early budding stage, buds will form, and as it enters full bloom, it will begin nurturing its fruit.

Finally, in the fruiting stage, the gourd will fully develop.

”Without a large amount of longevity to catalyze the growth, it might take a millennium to reach the fruiting stage.”

He frowned.

Though his lifespan reserves were ample, recklessly investing them was unwise, and the risk/reward ratio here remained uncertain.

Should the Lesser Xuantian manifest and some heaven and earth phenomena appear, it would draw catastrophic attention.

Moreover, loss of lifespan would weaken his Evergreen Technique’s mana.

”If only there were a source of ‘free’ lifespan to experiment with...”

Having survived the Heart Demon Tribulation, Lan Changʼan sensed that conventional cultivation alone might not suffice for Deity Transformation in this lifetime.

A heaven-defying opportunity was needed, and the Xuanmu Vine Gourd represented his greatest potential catalyst.

As for Cyanwood True Monarch, Lan Changʼan’s original plan stood firm:

If no confrontation occurred within sixty years, he would take the initiative.

Delayed action would only confirm the man’s weakness and lack of confidence.

After all, given Lan Changʼan’s current displayed strength, especially alongside the Lord Earthrock, even an average mid-stage Nascent Soul would struggle to kill him.

A cycle of sixty years offered ample room for growth.

As for the Evergreen Technique’s resonance issue, Lan Changʼan could seal his mana, use the Black Wind Cloak to mask his presence, and travel to the central region on a spirit beast or puppet.

...

One month later.

Zhang Tieshan began the modification process for the Black Heaven Wings.

Since this was a custom-tailored plan, Lan Changʼan needed to collaborate closely with him, refining and adjusting along the way.

The main materials of the wings were already sufficient, requiring little additional input. Thus, this project took priority over upgrading the Barbed Arrow.

Lan Changʼan obtained the Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing Technique. Fortunately, it wasn’t a full cultivation technique but a supplementary secret art, making it easier to grasp.

This type of spiritual nurturing method that had requirements for spiritual sense aligned well with him. When channeling his fourth life’s power, his spiritual sense rivaled peak mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, accelerating his mastery of the technique.

After learning the basics, Lan Changʼan began burning lifespan to nurture the spiritual essence within the Black Heaven Wings.

The synergy between his Evergreen Technique’s secret spell and the Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing Technique left Zhang Tieshan envious.

Despite having practiced this ancient forging secret art for years, he hadn’t even reached minor mastery.

Whether in talent or practical results, Zhang Tieshan simply couldn’t compare to Lan Changʼan.

Even the spiritual treasure’s artifact spirit grew intrigued, hoping Lan Changʼan would reach great mastery one day and help restore its own spiritual essence.

Zhang Tieshan secretly grew wary, he couldn’t let Lan Changʼan snatch away his spiritual treasure’s loyalty.

Half a year later.

The Black Heaven Wings were finally successfully modified, though not without technical challenges.

This type of flight magical treasure modification required coordination with Lan Changʼan’s Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing Technique, something Zhang Tieshan had little experience with. Progress relied heavily on the artifact spirit’s guidance.

When Lan Changʼan received the finished wings, he noticed they were smaller in their default state.

The surface of the Black Wings had gained several newly added refinement restrictions.

The key modification lay at the connection point between the wings and the back.

The original flesh-bonding mechanism, which relied on bloodline and beast-taming arts to amplify spiritual resonance, wasn’t entirely removed. Instead, it was enhanced to prioritize mana output and spiritual sense synchronization, allowing for more flexible and efficient control.

Zhang Tieshan’s modifications alone wouldn’t have sufficed.

Lan Changʼan had invested over a decade of lifespan into nurturing the wings’ spiritual essence via the Heaven-Mending Spirit Nurturing Technique, strengthening their responsiveness to his will.

In terms of the raw quality of the magical treasure, the Black Heaven Wings had improved from before.

Lan Changʼan soared into the Nine Fiery Heavens to test the wings’ performance.

Whoosh!

As mana flooded into the wings, he felt an invisible wind surge around him, propelling him forward with exhilarating force.

The wings, now attached to his back, glowed with refinement restrictions while their feather patterns pulsed with natural Dao rhythms.

”My speed has truly reached mid-stage Nascent Soul!”

Lan Changʼan laughed in delight.

The wings weren’t just for flight, they could also unleash black gale winds in combat, capable of repelling or restraining opponents of the same level.

Of course, against physically stronger demon kings, the effect would be much worse.

The new Black Heaven Wings functioned more like a universal flight treasure, no longer requiring direct back attachment.

Lan Changʼan tested standing on them like a flying sword, there was no loss in their speed.

By consuming extra mana, the wings could expand to carry additional passengers.

Of course, there were trade-offs.

Black Feather True Monarch’s bloodline-enhanced beast-taming arts had granted unparalleled aerial agility, something Lan Changʼan couldn’t fully replicate.

But he wasn’t complaining. He had no desire to literally become a bird-man.

His Illusory Wood Doppelgänger could compensate for maneuverability gaps.

With long-term nurturing by the Evergreen Technique and more lifespan put into it, the wings still had room to grow and would remain useful even at the late Nascent Soul stage.

...

Two months later.

On his 413th birthday, Lan Changʼan marked his first full year back in Great Qing.

That day, he visited Qunying Mountain in Jin Yun Valley.

This mountain served as the resting place for sect members who had contributed significantly or fallen in battle.

Shortly after his return, Lan Changʼan had paid respects at Zhao Siyao’s grave.

Today, he returned for Zhao Tanʼer.

After coming back to the sect, her first act hadn’t been to visit him, but to kneel before her master’s tombstone.

Before the grave stood a graceful figure in a green dress, her features delicate as jade, skin like snow.

”Uncle Lan… you came.”

Zhao Tanʼer turned, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her eyes were clear yet faintly reddened.

Nearly a century apart, the man in white remained ageless—though a few silver strands now peppered his hair, bearing witness to time’s passage.

Her master had passed nearly two centuries ago. The grief had long faded.

In the first few decades, she’d visited often, crying until no tears remained.

Time blunted all things.

Yet now, with Lan Changʼan’s return, those buried emotions resurfaced, guilt and sorrow.

She’d never blamed him for her master’s death. The fault lay with herself.

But one question lingered:

Had Uncle Lan ever truly loved her master?

During their final years at Jin Yun Valley, the three of them had shared warmth and laughter. Aside from leaving, was there really no other choice?

It was said that Uncle Lan once suggested taking Master with him and fleeing together, but she refused.

Now, after all these years, Uncle Lan had ascended to the rank of Nascent Soul True Monarch and returned home in triumph. These thoughts weighed heavily on Zhao Tanʼer’s heart, yet she couldnʼt bring herself to voice them.

Because time had proven Uncle Lan’s choice to be the right one.

If master’s spirit were watching from the heavens, she would likely feel at peace with this outcome.

Back then, her decision to stay wasn’t necessarily wrong either.

Without status or a proper title, to abandon a sect that had nurtured her for two centuries and elope with Lan Chang’an, Zhao Siyao simply couldn’t do it.

...

Lan Changʼan and Zhao Tanʼer sat before the tombstone, unbound by cultivation ranks or seniority, conversing like an ordinary uncle and niece for a long time.

Zhao Tanʼer had already reached the late Core Formation stage, a remarkable achievement given her qualifications. Before leaving, Lan Changʼan had left her a breakthrough pill for late Core Formation and asked Zhang Tieshan to look after her.

The pill had come from Shazhai True Monarchʼs spoils, which was originally intended to be a reward for his subordinates.

At first, Zhao Tanʼer hadnʼt wanted to rely on the pill, but after one failed attempt and with the demonic war intensifying, she eventually used it. With Zhang Tianfengʼs guidance and support, she finally broke through.

During their reminiscing, Zhao Tanʼer mentioned Lin Lu, a close friend from her youth, who had joined the demonic faction, advanced to Fake Dan, and later died in battle, leaving behind descendants over there.

”Back then, your master died at the hands of ʼBlack Crow Immortal.ʼ I already took care of that direct enemy when I was in Fengyuan Kingdom.”

”But your masterʼs vengeance isnʼt fully settled yet.”

Lan Changʼan spoke calmly.

Black Crow Immortal had targeted Zhao Siyao in the demonic war to curry favor with the Peacock Saintess, perhaps even under her implicit orders.

Later, Lan Changʼan had orchestrated the Peacock Saintessʼs capture, leaving her imprisoned and with a damaged foundation, forever barred from Nascent Soul.

That retaliation was more or less sufficient.

But his personal grudge was far from resolved!

The Peacock Saintess had once hunted him, arrogantly demanding he submit as her slave.

Then there was Ten Thousand Crane True Monarchʼs ambush, though Lan Changʼan had seen through it and escaped unharmed.

If the opportunity arose, or if the demonic war reignited, Lan Changʼan would settle these scores.

”Uncle Lan, you’ve already done enough for Master. Don’t take unnecessary risks or disrupt the peace between the two factions.”

Zhao Tanʼer urged.

Lan Changʼan nodded, assuring her he wouldn’t act recklessly.

”Uncle Lan, you once said cultivators have reincarnation and afterlife, that you had even seen it yourself. But later, when I looked through the ancient texts, I found that such things usually only happen with supreme experts.”

Zhao Tan’er pursed her lips, as if slightly annoyed, suspecting that Lan Chang’an had merely been coaxing her at the time.

She didn’t know, of course, that Lan Changʼan hadn’t been lying. The Nine Seal Stele was entwined with the laws of reincarnation, allowing him to witness past lives and even awaken one soul to its former self.

”Nascent Soul cultivators can barely be called ʼsupreme expertsʼ in todayʼs cultivation world. Perhaps when my cultivation advances further, I’ll have a chance to find your master’s next life.” Lan Changʼan spoke half-truthfully.

Through the fourth life’s power of the Nine Seal Stele, he had left reincarnation marks on both Li Erqing and Zhao Siyao.

He had confirmed that the stele made it easier to reunite with those tied to him by karma in their next lives.

That he hadn’t encountered Zhao Siyao’s reincarnation or sensed her mark yet might simply mean he hadn’t traveled widely enough.

...

Half a Month Later

Lan Changʼan spent time guiding Zhao Tanʼer in cultivation and combat techniques, even sparring with her. Among all the descendants of his old acquaintances, she alone received such treatment.

Now settled at Jin Yun Valley, Lan Changʼan prepared to visit the Righteous Dao Alliance’s headquarters in Feng Kingdom.

The upgrade for his Barbed Arrow still required a few materials, mainly for the arrowhead, which needed high-quality attack-enhancing components to support stronger magical treasure refinement restrictions.

Fortunately, the main material’s growth potential was high. As long as Lan Changʼan was willing to burn lifespan, he could continuously elevate the Soul-Nurturing Wood’s grade and spiritual essence.

Soul-Nurturing Wood wasn’t just for ”nourishing”—that was its basic function below the third rank. As a top soul-attributed spiritual wood, it excelled in condensing, amplifying, and conducting soul power. At fourth rank and above, it could withstand even more advanced soul-based refinement restrictions.

Having received merit rewards from the alliance, Lan Changʼan hoped to find the remaining materials he needed for weapon refining and puppetry.

Naturally, he wouldn’t reveal his whereabouts when traveling.

With fourth-rank divination arts, he would calculate auspicious dates in advance, ensuring his journey aligned with favorable omens.

Ten days later.

By the time factions outside Jin Yun Valley learned of the Evergreen True Monarch’s movements, he had already arrived in Feng Kingdom’s cultivation world.

...

The Feng Kingdom was located in the southern region of the Liang Kingdom, its vast territory stretching across an immense expanse. In its heyday, it bordered multiple neighboring cultivation nations, including the Chen, Yan, and Heng Kingdoms.

Crossing the border, Lan Changʼan flew openly with his Nascent Soul aura. Patrol cultivators quickly confirmed his identity—though none dared inspect him personally—and relayed the news upward.

Feng Kingdom’s detection arrays locked onto his Nascent Soul-level flight trajectory.

Before long, another Nascent Soul aura approached.

”Could you be the Evergreen True Monarch?”

A red-faced, burly man in python robes stood atop a ten-zhang-long windmill-like contraption, its design archaic with a front-mounted rotor cabin for passengers and cargo, and an open deck above.

”Indeed. And you are…?”

”Yin Yuanhai, Palace Master of the Endless Palace, by the order of my master Chu Tianfeng, I have come to receive True Lord Lan.”

The man grinned broadly, cupping his hands in salute before opening the windmill vehicle’s suspended gate.

”So it’s True Monarch Yin.”

Lan Changʼan sensed the man’s aura, he’d likely advanced to Nascent Soul within the last sixty years, not too far behind himself.

With a mid-stage Nascent Soul overseeing it, the Endless Palace could easily sustain three Nascent Souls in peacetime.

But the demonic war had claimed one early-stage Nascent Soul.

Against Great Qing’s top demonic sects, even Nascent Soul escape couldnʼt guarantee survival.

Yin Yuanhai, after his breakthrough, had taken charge of the Endless Palace, while Chu Tianfeng managed the alliance’s broader affairs.

After some small talk, Lan Changʼan boarded the windmill vehicle.

Inside, a Core Formation cultivator and several Fake Dan elders powered the formation, propelling the vehicle at speeds rivaling a late Core Formation’s flight.

”By the way, I heard Alliance Leader Chu had a talented disciple named Situ Lan. Why hasn’t there been news of his attempt at Nascent Soul?”

Lan Changʼan probed casually.

In his memory, Situ Lan had been Chu Tianfeng’s most gifted disciple.

”Brother Situ and I were as close as siblings. Back then, he was the primary seed for Nascent Soul advancement, but… he carried unresolved knots in his heart, too hesitant to attempt the breakthrough. Thus, the opportunity fell to me.”

Yin Yuanhai sighed, his tone heavy with nostalgia.

He was older than Situ Lan, and his dan quality had been slightly inferior.

Had he missed that chance, Nascent Soul might have remained forever out of reach.

Lan Changʼan understood now why Yin Yuanhai had greeted him so warmly, almost like an old friend.

Still, this twist of fate didn’t mean Yin Yuanhai owed him any gratitude, at most, he viewed Lan Changʼan slightly more favorably.

Changing the subject, Yin Yuanhai’s eyes gleamed with interest.

”I heard True Monarch Lan, alongside his fourth-rank spirit beast, defeated Black Feather True Monarch. Such news is truly invigorating. Given our similar breakthrough times, might I request a one-on-one sparring session some time?”

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects