I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 413: Spirit Beast is Sufficient, Please Maintain Propriety

”A sparring match? I, Lan, am not skilled in combat and lack practical experience. I fear I may disappoint True Monarch Yin.”

Lan Changʼan chuckled lightly, though inwardly surprised. Yin Yuanhaiʼs proposal for a spar—whether out of personal interest or hidden motives—was somewhat abrupt for a first meeting.

In the cultivation world, friendly sparring among allies wasnʼt uncommon. But suggesting it upon first acquaintance carried hints of impropriety.

”Haha! Fellow Daoist Lan is too modest!” Yin Yuanhai didnʼt believe a word of it. Destroying a demonic path Nascent Soul physical body, even with spirit beast assistance and the enemyʼs underestimation, was no simple feat.

He continued earnestly: ”Both you and I have only been Nascent Souls for decades, lacking the combat experience of veterans. With the demonic warʼs resurgence unpredictable, regular sparring hones our techniques, better than sharpening spears at the battleʼs onset.”

”Fellow Daoist Yin speaks wisely.”

Lan Changʼan offered perfunctory agreement before changing the subject. From Yin Yuanhai, he sensed eager battle intent but no hostility.

This wasnʼt mere warmongering, Yin sought to gauge the Evergreen True Monarchʼs personal combat prowess.

At the last meeting, Alliance Leader Chu had proposed adding a Vice Alliance Leader position to the Righteous Dao Alliance. Lan Changʼan was a prime candidate.

Several Nascent Souls, including Yin Yuanhai, opposed this.

While recruiting Lan Changʼan meant gaining two Nascent Soul-level combatants, the Vice Alliance Leader role required seniority, prestige, achievements, and personal strength to command respect.

The current Vice Alliance Leader, Golden Sun Sectʼs Six Sun True Monarch, was a veteran Nascent Soul whose strength and the sectʼs long history made him widely accepted.

As a new Nascent Soul with only one notable battle record, Lan Changʼanʼs qualifications seemed insufficient. Moreover, his past reputation as the ”Turtle Immortal” who fled any conflict was ultimately dishonorable and drew skepticism about his character from the main war faction.

Yin Yuanhaiʼs sparring proposal served as a test, if Lan Changʼan couldnʼt defeat him or only achieved a draw, it would prove his inadequacy for the position.

...

In the latter half of their trip, Yin Yuanhai channeled Nascent Soul mana into their windmill vehicle, its speed surpassing ordinary early-stage Nascent Souls when aided by strong winds.

This windmill vehicle wasnʼt of this eraʼs make. While exceptionally fast, its flight depended entirely on natural winds—the stronger the gusts, the greater its velocity. In calm conditions, it offered no advantage.

Within half a day, they arrived at the alliance headquarters, a massive mountain city built around a relocated fourth-rank spiritual vein at Feng Kingdomʼs heart, protected by a fourth-rank grand formation.

The headquarters neighbored the Endless Palace, which occupied the former site of Golden Sun Sectʼs mid-grade fourth-rank spiritual vein.

Currently, over half of Feng Kingdom belongs to the Beast King Valley. Only two Nascent Soul sects retained territory, Endless Palace and Proud Moon Palace.

The Blood Sword Valley, another former Nascent Soul power, had lost its domain entirely. Several defeated factions had relocated spiritual veins to the alliance headquarters, including remnants of Blood Sword Valley.

The alliance currently hosted two or three defeated Nascent Souls from these fallen factions—some recruited, others defectors—though not without casualties. While helpful, their strength paled against the Beast King Valleyʼs subordinate forces.

As ripples spread across the mountain cityʼs defensive formation, three Nascent Soul True Monarchs awaited their arrival.

At the center stood an imposing silver-robed man—his sharp features and profound gaze radiating supreme authority. Yin Yuanhai was shocked—Alliance Leader Chu Tianfeng rarely greeted guests personally.

Lan Changʼan immediately focused on him. The allianceʼs leader—a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse—stood out unmistakably. His mana felt boundless as a starry sea, surpassing any Nascent Soul Lan Changʼan had encountered in Great Qing.

The pressure he emitted exceeded even the Netherwater True Monarchʼs, rivaling Golden Kun Old Monsterʼs.

Chu Tianfeng had reached mid-stage Nascent Soul two to three centuries prior, having once suppressed two Golden Sun Sect Nascent Souls simultaneously. During the demonic war, he repeatedly countered the Beast King Valley sect master.

”Truly worthy of being the supreme cultivator who dominates all the nations.”

Lan Changʼan bowed respectfully under Yin Yuanhaiʼs introduction: ”Junior Lan Changqing (Evergreen) pays respects to Alliance Leader Chu. Your reputation precedes you.”

High-level cultivators often addressed each other by surname and Dao title formally—like ”Zhang Tianfeng,” whose real name few newly advanced cultivators remembered centuries later.

”True Monarch Lan, as fellow Nascent Souls, such formality is unnecessary.”

Chu Tianfengʼs resonant voice carried steady power. His first appraisal of the Evergreen True Monarch revealed something unexpected—this didnʼt feel like a new Nascent Soul, but rather an elder who seemed to have lived longer than himself.

As anticipated, achieving Nascent Soul as a loose cultivator in Great Qingʼs Eastern Region, while also taming a fourth-rank demon king, marked Lan Changʼan as extraordinary.

”For our alliance to gain a talent like True Monarch Lan is truly fortunate.”

”Alliance Leader Chu flatters me. I dare not accept such praise.”

Lan Changʼanʼs humility was appropriate, any Nascent Soul could rightly be called a peerless talent.

”These are True Monarch Wei and True Monarch Luo.”

Yin Yuanhai introduced two elderly Nascent Souls, both of whom were aged, homeless, and downtrodden True Monarchs, with a look of fatigue deep in their demeanor.

True Monarch Wei of Blood Sword Valley was a silver-haired man with wrinkled skin, carrying a blood-patterned longsword. True Monarch Luo from another defeated faction appeared even more haggard, missing an arm.

Lan Changʼanʼs Evergreen Technique sensed both were past their prime, their vitality waning.

...

After a moment, the several True Monarchs took their seats in the main hall of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

Seated in the grand hall with Chu Tianfeng at the head and Lan Changʼan politely taking the secondary position.

The other three True Monarchs had no objections.

In the cultivation world, strength is paramount. Although Lan Changʼan was a relatively new True Monarch, with his fourth-rank demon king spiritual pet, his power and status surpassed those of ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

”Itʼs said you obtained the Black Feather True Monarchʼs life-bound treasure after defeating him, the Black Heaven Wings?”

Chu Tianfengʼs tone was light.

”Indeed.”

Lan Changʼan confirmed what wasnʼt secret.

”A few months ago, messengers from Beast King Valley pressured the Righteous Dao Alliance, claiming that Fellow Daoist Lan had killed a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Demonic Path during the truce, unilaterally violating the trade peace agreement and breaching the treaty between the two factions.”

Yin Yuanhai took over and explained the situation:

”Beast King Valley condemned this action harshly, threatening that if the Righteous Dao Alliance did not hand over the Black Heaven Wings and compensate for the losses, they might take retaliatory actions and even consider tearing up the peace trade agreement.”

Lan Changʼan had heard of this situation while at Jin Yun Valley but had not paid it much attention., victors claiming spoils was standard, and divinations suggested no imminent war resurgence until the Black Feather True Monarch recovered.

”What does Alliance Leader Chu think of this matter?”

Lan Changʼan did not immediately refute the Demon Path but instead looked to Chu Tianfeng for his stance.

”From the result, it seems like our side might be in the wrong. But as far as I know, near the border of the Righteous Dao Alliance, Black Feather True Monarch actively provoked and attacked, and True Monarch Lan simply retaliated without fault,” Chu Tianfeng said calmly.

Hearing this, Lan Changʼan silently nodded.

Chu Tianfeng presided over the Righteous Dao Alliance with fairness and strictness, possessing a broad mind. Sect Leader Liang and Zhang Tianfeng both highly respected him.

”However, this matter might become a pretext for Beast King Valley to restart the war and pressure the Righteous Dao Alliance to make concessions,” Chu Tianfeng paused and then changed his tone.

Lan Changʼan understood this to be true.

While the two factions were currently in a state of peaceful trade, the Righteous Dao Alliance was the weaker side. This incident did give Beast King Valley an excuse to retaliate.

”True Monarch Lan, what are your thoughts on the situation with the Demonic Pathʼs invasion?”

Chu Tianfeng asked, probing to see which faction Lan Changʼan aligned with.

Currently, the high-ranking members of the Righteous Dao Alliance were divided into the war faction and the peace faction.

Lan Changʼan thought for a moment and said, ”Currently, the two factions are at peace with trade, but the Righteous Dao Alliance is restricted and exploited by Beast King Valley, with profits being squeezed. Over time, the Righteous Dao Alliance’s cultivation resources will become more dependent on Beast King Valley, and its pace of recovery and development will be slower than the Demonic Pathʼs.”

”Eventually, after several decades or even centuries, when the war reignites, the Righteous Dao Alliance will have no chance of winning. It’s possible that even without war, Beast King Valley could conquer the three kingdoms without bloodshed.”

Lan Changʼan spoke honestly, but there was some personal motivation behind his words.

He had no choice but to side with the war faction.

Lan Changʼan had deep enmity with the high-ranking members of Beast King Valley and needed to find an opportunity to settle accounts. If the Righteous Dao Alliance became a vassal of Beast King Valley, he would not only have no opportunity for revenge but might even be punished.

Unless, of course, Lan Changʼan was willing to hand over the Black Heaven Wings and share the so-called beast-taming inheritance or treasures with Beast King Valley to be accepted.

On the other hand, the chaotic state of the demonic war would disrupt the normal order, which would benefit the Nine Seal Stele in absorbing Nascent Soul nourishment.

In peaceful times, with a stable order, if he did such a thing, it would certainly make him a target for the surrounding forces, who would unite to eradicate him.

”Haha! True Monarch Lanʼs views are exactly in line with mine,” Chu Tianfeng laughed heartily, as if he had found a like-minded ally.

Chu Tianfeng was the number one figure in the war faction.

Otherwise, decades ago, they wouldnʼt have signed a trade agreement, and the three kingdoms of the Righteous Dao Alliance would have directly become vassals.

The Righteous Dao Allianceʼs internal opinions were not unified. Those in the Core Formation and below tended to prefer peaceful solutions. Even among the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, some were in favor of peace.

For example, True Monarch Six Sun of Golden Sun Sect and True Monarch Golden Moon of Proud Moon Palace both leaned toward peace and were unwilling to engage in a protracted battle.

As for Beast King Valleyʼs policy of softening and assimilating, the high-ranking cultivators of the Righteous Dao Alliance could clearly see the underlying intentions.

But even if they went to war now, the Righteous Dao Alliance would not be able to defeat Beast King Valley.

Beast King Valley simply did not want to pay too high a cost and preferred to conquer the three kingdoms with minimal loss, possibly without bloodshed.

The peace faction did not necessarily want to ally with the demonic faction. Some cultivators hoped for a shift in the situation, such as the intervention of the Ten Xuan Sects of the Central Region, which could bring a turning point.

”The Eastern Region of Great Qing is rich in talent, but due to the environment and the lack of cultivation resources compared to the Central Region, I believe that one day, local cultivators from the Eastern Region will be able to resist the Six Demonic Sects,” Chu Tianfeng said with strong conviction, his gaze filled with confidence and determination.

Lan Changʼan quietly observed. This man was indeed the first genius in the Eastern Region for hundreds of years. With such talent and confidence, it was no wonder that he had broken through his shackles and become the strongest person across the nations.

...

In the afternoon, Chu Tianfeng accompanied Lan Changʼan on a brief tour of the Righteous Dao Allianceʼs headquarters layout. The fourth-rank spiritual vein here was relatively large in scale, capable of accommodating multiple Nascent Soul cultivators practicing simultaneously.

During the tour, Yin Yuanhai once again proposed a friendly sparring match.

Chu Tianfeng, somewhat curious about Lan Changʼanʼs personal combat abilities which would be useful for future war arrangements, said: ”A simple spar might not interest Fellow Daoist Lan. Iʼll offer some incentives - the winner may select one item from these.”

He raised his hand, causing several items to float in mid-air: fourth-rank cultivation pills, mid-grade fourth-rank spirit wood, rare ores and minerals, medicinal herbs, and beast eggs.

Yin Yuanhaiʼs eyes gleamed with desire, clearly tempted. These items held great appeal for newly advanced Nascent Souls and were substantial enough as prizes.

”I must admit Iʼm truly unskilled in combat, my cultivation level is even inferior to my spirit beastʼs. For this spar, might I have my spirit beast participate in my stead?” Lan Changʼan offered an apologetic smile.

He didnʼt want to reveal his true capabilities before a mid-stage Nascent Soul, but the offered prizes were tempting, and refusing outright would be impolite.

”A spirit beast? Is True Monarch Lan serious?” Yin Yuanhaiʼs eyebrows shot up, his expression turning displeased, his gaze sharpening. Having a spirit beast substitute for the spar felt somewhat insulting.

Chuckling lightly, Chu Tianfeng mediated: ”True Monarch Lanʼs spirit beast does indeed have profound demonic power, having advanced to the fourth rank earlier. It wouldnʼt be presumptuous.” His words helped preserve his discipleʼs dignity, if the Lord Earthrockʼs cultivation was higher, having it fight wasnʼt unreasonable.

”Very well! This True Monarch will test the fourth-rank Rat Kingʼs strength. When I claim the prize, donʼt say I won through unfair advantage.” Yin Yuanhai accepted the challenge.

The alliance had a sealed fourth-rank combat arena specifically for Nascent Soul practitioners to spar and test their techniques, a mountainous wasteland spanning dozens of li.

Lan Changʼan patted his spirit beast pouch, releasing a dark yellow beam of light into the arena. With a whoosh, the Lord Earthrock transformed into its gigantic demon king form, immediately stirring up a sandstorm so fierce it darkened the skies within the arena.

The observing True Monarch Wei and Luo couldnʼt help but show astonishment. Even Yin Yuanhaiʼs expression changed slightly as he felt the invisible pressure from the fourth-rank demon king, its demonic power exceeded his expectations.

”This beast only surpasses me slightly in cultivation level,” Yin Yuanhai analyzed calmly, steadying himself. ”Not being from a beast-taming sect, it likely lacks systematic techniques. A Nascent Soul cultivatorʼs combat wisdom and magical treasures should give me the advantage.”

Seizing the initiative, Yin Yuanhai first summoned a pair of flying hammer magical treasures, each as massive as millstones, which shot through the air like meteors, smashing mountain peaks and leaving enormous gullies in their wake. Simultaneously, he mounted his windmill vehicle to increase mobility, while conjuring razor-sharp wind blades to intensify his assault.

The Thousand Blade Wind Chariot was actually alliance property, currently lent to Yin Yuanhai, a fact True Monarch Wei and Luo silently acknowledged without comment.

The spar took an unexpected turn. The fourth-rank Rat King demonstrated remarkably proficient combat skills, it restricted Yin Yuanhaiʼs mobility with sandstorms, avoided major attacks using the earth evasion technique, and from time to time, it would erupt from the ground for a sudden close-range assault.

Yin Yuanhaiʼs magical treasure attacks either missed entirely or were blocked by the beastʼs stone-scaled hide and hardened claws - natural weapons rivaling magical treasures of the same rank. Even in direct clashes, the Lord Earthrock showed no fear.

”This spirit beastʼs comprehensive abilities are no less than the Beast King Valleyʼs fourth-rank demon kings,” Chu Tianfeng remarked with surprise in his eyes.

After two hours of intense combat, the match remained deadlocked. Despite his magical treasure advantage, Yin Yuanhai gained no real upper hand. Worse, his mana depletion far exceeded the demon beastʼs.

Unbeknownst to all, Lan Changʼan had actually equipped the Lord Earthrock with a set of magical treasures, including the Spirit Devouring Black Threads, along with offensive and defensive superior-grade magical treasures.

While ordinary magical treasures provided limited enhancement to fourth-rank demon kings compared to their natural weapons, they offered more combat options. Keeping them hidden prevented others from speculating about Lan Changʼanʼs unusually wealthy background.

”Letʼs call this match a draw,” Chu Tianfeng declared, stopping Yin Yuanhai before he could resort to desperate secret techniques. Friendly spars were meant to test skills, not reveal trump cards.

”A masterʼs disciple reflects his excellence. Had I participated myself, being weaker than my spirit beast, I likely wouldnʼt have fared as well,” Lan Changʼan said diplomatically.

Yin Yuanhaiʼs face burned with humiliation. Barely tying with a spirit beast left him sweating and embarrassed. At least it was a draw, an outright loss would have made him the laughingstock among the allianceʼs Nascent Souls.

...

Despite the draw, Chu Tianfeng generously allowed both to select a prize. After consideration, Lan Changʼan chose a section of mid-grade fourth-rank spirit wood that complemented his cultivation technique. Combined with the two sections of mid-grade fourth-rank Heavenly Fir Wood obtained from the Flaming Palace debt collection, his fourth-rank wood reserves now appeared plentiful to outsiders.

This created the illusion he was preparing wood-element magical treasures. In reality, unless further nurtured with lifespan infusion, these materials were insufficient for his actual needs. Upon returning to Great Qing, he planned to attempt advancing to fourth-rank talisman mastery, hoping to eventually nurture mid-grade fourth-rank treasure talismans.

Lan Changʼan didnʼt linger at the alliance headquarters. After the spar, he used his tens of thousands of rewarded merit points to exchange for several precious materials from the treasury, most notably some heavenly meteoric metal that could enhance a magical treasureʼs sharpness and withstand powerful refinement restrictions. Fortunately, the Barbed Arrow required only a small amount. He supplemented his points with materials the alliance lacked to complete the exchange.

The other materials could be used for both magical treasure refinement and puppet crafting, keeping his true intentions ambiguous. That very night, Lan Changʼan departed.

Yin Yuanhai saw him off before reporting to Chu Tianfeng, who scolded in private: ”Disgraceful! The Evergreen True Monarchʼs mere spirit pet suppressed you completely. Return and cultivate properly!”

Yin Yuanhai stood speechless. This test had been his own idea, meant to probe Lan Changʼanʼs strength while currying favor with his master. Having heard of Lan Changʼan cheating off the Taiyin Jade Essence and swiftly departing, his opinion had been poor. Regarding Lan Changʼanʼs defeat of the Black Feather True Monarch, heʼd assumed it relied on luck, the spirit beastʼs surprise factor, and the enemy underestimated him.

...

The following day, Lan Changʼan rode his Profound Water Turtle to visit the Proud Moon Palace. With his current status, he could visit openly without arranging private meetings.

A streak of golden light shot from the palace as they sensed a Nascent Soul visitor. The light faded to reveal a regal woman in phoenix crown and golden cultivation robes.

”So the Evergreen True Monarch visits. What brings you here?” Her tone was neither warm nor cold.

True Monarch Golden Moon appeared under thirty, with a vermilion mark between her brows and piercing phoenix eyes. Her imposing aura overshadowed her beauty, giving her the presence of a ruling empress. Compared to Chu Tianfengʼs welcome, her demeanor showed clear wariness - understandable since Lan Changʼan had taken the Taiyin Jade Essence of her disciple Xia Wenyue, in whom the palace had invested heavily to nurture her Innate Dao Physique to Core Formation.

”Now that I, Lan, am also an elder of the Righteous Dao Alliance—though I declined Alliance Leader Chu’s generous offer of the Vice Alliance Leader position—I have come to visit Proud Moon Palace today to see an old acquaintance. I trust that Palace Master will not turn me away?”

”With your rising prominence in the Righteous Dao Alliance nowadays, how could this Palace Master stop you?” After a tense pause, she granted entry.

A year earlier, news of Lan Changʼanʼs Nascent Soul breakthrough had caused her to shatter several precious jade artifacts in rage. To her, the ”Turtle Immortal” had stolen her sectʼs destined opportunity, worse than watching a prized cabbage get devoured by a pig.

In the reception hall, their stilted conversation proved tedious. The lingering resentment and clashing personalities made genuine connection impossible. Lan Changʼan kept his distance from such a domineering female True Monarch.

...

A long-unseen icy beauty entered the reception hall, her black hair cascading down as frost-lotus cold energy swirled around her. Dressed in moon-white palace robes with delicate features and a slender waist, her snow-clear temperament remained unchanged from a century ago. Only the loneliness between her brows had deepened, her autumn-water eyes now so cold they could freeze oneʼs soul, keeping others at bay.

”Wenyue pays respects to Palace Master and True Monarch Lan.”

”Wenyue, since True Monarch Lan was once your teacher, you shall accompany him,” the Proud Moon Palace Master said with a dismissive glance at her disciple before leaving, clearly preferring to avoid the unpleasant scene.

Xia Wenyue, who possessed the Taiyin Jade Essence, had once held immense strategic value for the Proud Moon Palace. But after defying her masterʼs orders to protect an outsider against True Monarch Golden Moon, she had ”fallen from favor” and been coldly neglected within the palace.

”Wenyue, youʼve suffered these years,” Lan Changʼan said as he approached, noticing how much thinner she had become. This was the woman who had once adored him sincerely, given him her maidenhood and risked her life to protect him against her masterʼs wrath.

Moved by pity, he reached out to gently touch her shoulder in comfort.

”True Monarch Lan, please maintain propriety!” Her icy rebuke echoed sharply through the hall.

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects