I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 416: Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain, the Twin Talents of the Yun Family

Accompanied by a voice filled with disbelief, cracks began to appear on the surface of the Heavenly Masterʼs stone sculpture.

”Heavenly Master, whatʼs with that tone? Is Xu not welcomed here?”

The scholarly figure in blue robes stood with hands clasped behind his back, smiling faintly.

”Fellow Daoist Xu, after a hundred years, your advancement to the Nascent Soul stage is one thing, but your divination skills reaching the fourth rank as well, itʼs really a bit too much.”

After a moment of silence, the imposing statue amidst the wind and sand responded with clear dissatisfaction.

He had anticipated Lan Changʼanʼs ascension to Nascent Soul, but the man achieving fourth-rank divination and standing on equal footing with him was entirely unexpected.

Fourth-rank divination grandmasters were exceedingly rare, not just in the Eastern Region but even in the prosperous Central Qing Region.

Those reaching mid-fourth rank in divination appeared only occasionally throughout eras, typically near the end of their lifespans with little time left.

”A single fourth-rank skill is hardly worth mentioning. The Heavenly Master neednʼt feign surprise to flatter me.”

Lan Changʼan seemed rather unimpressed by such achievements.

Though he possessed fourth-rank treasure talismans and had crafted fourth-rank puppets, his skills in puppetry and talismans hadnʼt fully entered the fourth rank.

Only when he mastered three fourth-rank skills would he consider it worthy of showing off, making this lifetimeʼs journey worthwhile.

”Heh, Fellow Daoist Xu is truly humble.”

The cracks on the Heavenly Masterʼs sculpture widened further.

”Ah, with your current abilities, I can neither see through you nor afford to provoke you. Thereʼs really some uneasiness in letting you in the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain.”

The voice carried helpless resignation.

”Heavenly Master worries too much. Stationed at the Sacred Land, even ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators canʼt do anything to you. If you donʼt feel at ease, we can meet outside.”

Lan Changʼan responded indifferently.

The Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain involved core secrets of the Fengyuan Kingdom and the Heavenly Master himself.

From Lan Changʼanʼs understanding, the Sacred Land could manipulate Fengyuanʼs weather patterns to some degree, primarily influencing the eight desolate city tribes.

Thus, despite the distance, the Fengyuan Kingdom Master could project his voice through this stone sculpture.

Crack!

The sculpture crumbled into dust, falling silent.

Assuming his Xu Xuan identity, Lan Changʼan flew toward Fengyuanʼs central heartland.

This was his appearance from his previous life, his initial identity in Fengyuan.

Under this guise, heʼd interacted with female cultivators from the Xuan Yin Pavilion and had crossed paths with Guan Qiaozhiʼs reincarnation, a descendant of the Master Lihuoʼs dao companion.

...

En route, Lan Changʼan felt his fourth-rank divination powers noticeably suppressed.

The Heavenly Masterʼs centuries-spanning web of fate and destiny, augmented by the Sacred Land, had transformed Fengyuan into his personal heaven and earth chessboard.

External Nascent Soul True Monarchs or fourth-rank diviners entering this domain would immediately alert him like massive sharks breaching calm waters.

Lan Changʼan wondered whether his Black Wind Cloak could evade this detection net.

Passing through two desolate city tribes, he entered Fengyuanʼs core region.

Here, a Core Formation light approached through the clouds, carrying a young Daoist with fair features, red lips, and white teeth. Dressed in azure robes, his refined handsomeness carried an air of elegance.

”Could this be Mister Xu? This junior Zhong Liangqi has been sent to escort the senior to Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain.”

The young Daoist bowed respectfully.

Zhong Liangqi was the Heavenly Masterʼs youngest disciple and blood descendant, having cultivated barely a century.

”A great master produces outstanding students, what fine uncarved jade.”

Lan Changʼan offered polite praise, mere courteous small talk.

At the Nascent Soul level, having witnessed countless geniuses over centuries, such talents no longer impressed.

Few top talents ultimately reached Nascent Soul, hardly worth special attention or deliberate befriending.

By afternoon, Lan Changʼan reached Fengyuanʼs geographical center.

A towering snow-capped mountain pierced the clouds, icy winds greeting them.

In the scorching, arid desert, this frost-covered sacred peak presented a uniquely magnificent spectacle.

Unlike typical Nascent Soul factions, the mountain housed few—barely several hundred—but all elites, nearly all above Foundation Establishment.

Its Core Formation cultivators outnumbered even Jin Yun Valleyʼs.

Around the mountainʼs base, local devotees from the eight desolate city tribes came to worship.

These pilgrims could ascend no further than mid-slope.

Under Zhong Liangqiʼs guidance, Lan Changʼan descended from the Nine Fiery Heavens directly into the mist-shrouded summit.

The snowy peak, though blanketed, emitted moderate chill rather than bone-piercing cold.

Lan Changʼanʼs heightened senses perceived a natural formation emanating from the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain. Centered around a mysterious nexus, it harnessed the very force of heaven and earth to construct a profound and intricate array.

His spiritual perception met resistance, unable to penetrate the mountainʼs secrets.

Atop the snowy mountain, there were no towering palaces or grand halls, only a serene and tranquil stillness.

Zhong Liangqi led him to a bamboo forest hut.

”Mister Xu, though weʼve long known each other in spirit, today we finally meet.”

A gaunt Daoist in snow-white Heavenly Master robes stood waiting, smiling.

At first glance, his complexion suggested a thirty-year-old youth, yet his hair and eyebrows were silver-white, exuding ancient weariness.

The Heavenly Masterʼs unusually large black pupils resembled concentrated ink drops, slowly rotating like the dark points in a yin-yang symbol.

Had this meeting occurred before Lan Changʼanʼs breakthroughs, this mysterious Heavenly Master who was skilled in calculating fate might have discerned some truths.

Now, clad in blue robes, Lan Changʼan stood composed and unruffled in the otherʼs domain.

”Back in the days of secluded cultivation in Fengyuan Kingdom, I was fortunate to be taken care of by the Heavenly Master. Today, I have come to pay my respects and fulfill our agreement.”

Lan Changʼan clasped hands sincerely as they exchanged greetings.

Without the Heavenly Master orchestrating favorable circumstances back then, Lan Changʼan couldnʼt have outmaneuvered the Peacock Saintess and her fourth-rank demon king with just his ability and divination skills.

Though the Heavenly Master acted from self-interest, wary of the Beast King Valley and displeased with the Peacock Saintess.

A century ago before departing from Fengyuan, the Heavenly Master foresaw Lan Changʼanʼs future calamity, leading to their private agreement.

The Heavenly Master promised to obscure Lan Changʼanʼs heavenly secrets in Fengyuan and the people involved.

Cyanwood True Monarchʼs slow pursuit resulted partly from the demonic war disruptions but primarily from the Heavenly Masterʼs interference.

Ultimately, en route to Fengyuan, Cyanwood was ambushed by Beast King Valley and Unseen Gateʼs mid-stage Nascent Soul experts, escaping severely wounded.

Cyanwoodʼs strength was comparable to mid-stage Nascent Soul, the Heavenly Master naturally feared letting this killer enter Fengyuan unchecked.

True Monarch Cyanwoodʼs fate may well have been the result of a silent accord between the fourth-rank divination masters of both the Fengyuan Kingdom and Beast King Valley.

...

”Mister Xu, please join me inside.”

The Heavenly Masterʼs mysterious eyes appraised Lan Changʼan before inviting him to the hut behind him.

Even on home ground, the Heavenly Master felt uneasy—whether from failing to see through his guest or sensing potential threats.

Though modest outside, the hutʼs interior matched a Nascent Soul cave abode, complete with halls, pavilions, gardens, and water features.

”This hut is actually an ancient cave dwelling, the interior has been remodeled...”

With sharp eyes, Lan Changʼan saw past surface decorations to the structureʼs original layout and materials.

”Where has Mister Xu been all these years? Why has your fate left no trace across the Eastern Qing Region?”

Dismissing attendants, the Heavenly Master began their private discussion.

He knew Lan Changʼanʼs true identity but had only interacted with ”Mister Xu” before.

Lan Changʼanʼs current visit clearly aimed to avoid alerting the demonic faction.

”I cultivated in an isolated secret realm beyond the Eastern Region, itʼs normal that the Heavenly Master canʼt detect it.”

As a fellow fourth-rank diviner, Lan Changʼan had prepared responses.

Knowing some truths remained hidden, the Heavenly Master pressed no further.

”Youʼve come at an opportune time. The Outer Sect Alliance has cultivated a miniature fourth-rank spiritual vein at Poison Dragon Pool, capable of sustaining one Nascent Soul cultivator. Despite my divination efforts delaying this for years, I couldnʼt prevent those foreign two sectsʼ Nascent Souls from establishing roots beyond the eight tribes.”

The Heavenly Masterʼs expression darkened as he reached the main topic.

He had foreseen this matter a century ago, which was why he chose to befriend Lan Chang’an, someone with the potential to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage and an extraordinary background.

”Fengyuan lies in the endless desert. Outsiders cultivating in the wasteland could advance this regionʼs cultivation civilization. Thatʼs not entirely a bad thing, is it?”

Lan Changʼan seemed to smile as he spoke in a sarcastic manner.

How could one sleep soundly with others snoring beside?

The Ice and Snow Sacred Mountainʼs absolute authority over this desert oasis would inevitably face challenges from external forces.

”If matters were so simple, I wouldnʼt be so concerned, Iʼm not intolerantly narrow-minded.”

The Heavenly Master smiled bitterly and sighed.

”Some foreign Nascent Souls from the two sectsʼ know this Sacred Landʼs secrets. Their goal isnʼt simply reclamation, but coveting this very mountain. The Alliance is merely their beachhead.”

”I see.”

Lan Changʼan nodded, having deduced parts of this.

Some displaced Nascent Souls from the Two Sects Territory had previously eyed this mountain.

The Outer Sect Alliance, located southeast of the eight tribes, gathered numerous external cultivators and factions.

Initially, few came from Righteous Dao Alliance nations, but demonic war swelled their numbers in the last one or two hundred years.

Most Alliance members originated from Two Sects Territory, including renegade branches from the Five Poison and Thousand Mechanisms Sects.

Puppet Master Wei was one such figure, a Thousand Mechanisms Sect defector who co-founded the ”Mysterious Mechanism Tower” specializing in puppetry.

Previously lacking fourth-rank spiritual veins, the Outer Sect Alliance couldnʼt host Nascent Souls permanently, merely serving as proxies.

Now, the two sectsʼ Nascent Soulsʼ plans progressed.

As for why the Heavenly Master didnʼt suppress the Alliance, past conflicts between the eight tribes and the Outer Sect Alliance had occurred.

But facing multiple Nascent Soul backers, the Heavenly Master could only compromise.

At the Sacred Land, he could resist mid-stage Nascent Souls, his power surpassing early-stage across the eight desolate cities.

But beyond Fengyuan, without his divination advantage, he could only contend with one Nascent Soul opponent.

Thus, the Heavenly Master remained perpetually sequestered at the Sacred Land, never venturing out.

Here, he was secure. Leaving Fengyuan, especially initiating conflicts, invited risk.

...

”What exactly about the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain attracts those Nascent Soul old monsters?” Lan Changʼan asked curiously.

”Thereʼs no harm in telling you, this matter is not considered top secret.” After slight hesitation, the Heavenly Master revealed the general reason:

”This ancient snow mountain naturally nurtures a unique treasure that has become one with the entire mountain, inseparable. Before the Middle Antiquity era, this heaven-earth wonder was refined by ancient sages into a secret treasure, integrated with natural formations to become the core of an ancient grand array capable of controlling weather patterns and improving Fengyuanʼs desert environment.”

”Successive generations of Heavenly Masters have refined this treasure, mastering both the natural formations and remnants of the ancient array to harness heaven-earthʼs power. This makes them invincible against external Nascent Soul invaders. However, this blessed land also shackles each generationʼs leading cultivator. The mountainʼs treasure cannot be divided or removed, limiting outward expansion.”

After hearing this, Lan Changʼan fell into thought.

He suspected the Heavenly Master withheld some truths about the snow mountain secret treasure.

With such enduring heritage, the Sacred Land maintained transcendent status in this oasis, unaffected by external conflicts, surpassing even major Nascent Soul sects.

Notably, the Sacred Landʼs leaders for nearly ten millennia all bore the Zhong surname.

Could other Nascent Soul factions achieve this?

Lan Changʼan speculated that refining the snow mountain treasure granted assistance from Fengyuanʼs cultivation civilization fortune, making Nascent Soul ascension easier.

However, this endless desert located in the Great Qingʼs most remote, barren region had worse natural conditions than even the Righteous Dao Alliance territories.

Thus, in nearly ten millennia, Fengyuan had never produced a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

...

”That promise from back then, how does Heavenly Master Zhong intend for me to fulfill it?”

Lan Changʼan’s expression remained unreadable.

”At present, there are mainly two Nascent Soul old monsters who still covet my Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain treasure. The rest are, at most, temporary hired help—there to bolster their forces but lacking the will for a deathmatch. They’re no cause for concern.”

The Heavenly Master’s voice was deep, his gaze distant as it swept toward the territory of the Two Sects.

”One is called ‘Old Monster Wan,’ a Nascent Soul cultivator from a destroyed sect in the Two Sects region. He is proficient in divination, his skill reaching the superior third rank. He is also a master puppeteer, possessing a quasi-fourth-rank puppet passed down from a degraded legacy.”

Hearing ”Old Monster Wan,” Lan Changʼan recalled the intelligence relayed by Puppet Master Wei.

So, the Nascent Soul old monster backing the puppet faction Mysterious Mechanism Tower in Gutian Immortal City had been Old Monster Wan all along.

”The other is ‘Pharmacist Shen,’ a highly skilled physician who is, in truth, a fourth-rank poison master. In the Two Sects region, he is also known as ‘Old Evil Shen.’ He commands a poison dragon artificially bred through secret arts, its strength roughly equivalent to the Beast King Valley’s fourth-rank demon kings. This Old Evil Shen is even more dangerous than Old Monster Wan, he possesses a fourth-rank exotic poison.”

Now aware of his enemies, Lan Changʼan had a clearer picture.

Old Monster Wan and Pharmacist Shen were stronger than the average early-stage Nascent Soul, no wonder the Heavenly Master was troubled.

”Does Heavenly Master Zhong intend for us to join forces and deal with these two?”

Lan Changʼan’s expression relaxed slightly as he smiled.

Two against two, there was no pressure.

”No! This old Daoist must remain stationed in the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain, performing divinations and praying for True Monarch Xuʼs fortune, while providing certain resources as compensation.”

The Heavenly Master made it clear he would not be venturing out.

Lan Changʼan’s smile froze, his lips twitching.

”Is Heavenly Master Zhong joking? A single promise from back then, and you expect me to face two True Monarchs alone? I’ve only just advanced to Nascent Soul, my spiritual power is still shallow.”

Yet the Heavenly Master remained unruffled, chuckling lightly.

”Fellow Daoist Xu, you dared to come alone to the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain. Surely you have the means to protect yourself even against a mid-stage Nascent Soul.”

”Besides, this old Daoist isn’t asking you to kill those two old monsters. All you need to do is destroy or severely injure the physical body of one, then dismantle the newly cultivated miniature fourth-rank spiritual vein at ‘Poison Dragon Pool.’ Without a fourth-rank spiritual vein, their Outer Sect Alliance will lack the foundation to become a true threat to the Fengyuan Kingdom. Stall for another century or two, and those two old men with their lifespans dwindling and their ambitions fading will naturally give up.”

Hearing the specifics of the task, Lan Changʼan’s expression eased slightly.

The Heavenly Master wasn’t asking him to risk his life in a desperate battle, nor was he demanding the death of a Nascent Soul.

The fact that the Heavenly Master refused to participate himself was likely due to fears of leaving the Fengyuan Kingdom vulnerable.

If he were delayed outside for too long, another Nascent Soul old monster might seize the opportunity to invade the Sacred Land. Given enough time, they could refine the snow mountain secret treasure, seize control of the Fengyuan Kingdom’s heavenly phenomena, and turn the tables.

No matter how small the risk, the Heavenly Master had no reason to take it.

”Injuring one of them shouldn’t be too difficult—but ensuring one is isolated is another matter.”

Lan Changʼan pondered, then raised another issue:

”Fourth-rank spiritual veins are nigh indestructible. Without great divine abilities, they cannot be swiftly dismantled. Moreover, maliciously destroying a spiritual vein harms the perpetrator’s own fortune qi.”

Spiritual veins were manifestations of the world’s natural power, intertwined with the fate of the realm.

The higher the grade of the spiritual vein, the harder it was to destroy—and the greater the backlash against the one who damaged it.

For example, a Core Formation cultivator attempting to destroy a fourth-rank spiritual vein’s main vein would be like scratching an itch, utterly was ineffective.

If spiritual veins were so easily ruined without consequence, the cultivation legacies of the Heaven Honoured Continent would have long since collapsed.

Perhaps even the legendary Heaven and Earth Ancestral Vein would have been blown apart by now.

In ancient times, a mighty expert once conceived a plan to destroy the world. Yet during the attempt—before even locating the Heaven and Earth Ancestral Vein—he had only managed to ruin a few fourth- and fifth-rank spiritual veins before the backlash of destiny struck. Misfortune clung to him like a shadow. He could trip over nothing, be struck by falling meteors, and inexplicably make enemies everywhere—until finally, he was mobbed to death.

”There’s no need for true destruction, merely splitting and downgrading the spiritual vein will suffice. If you can severely injure or kill one of the Nascent Soul old monsters, you’ll have ample time to complete the task. The Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain can also provide formation masters to assist.”

”Those two old monsters aren’t always stationed at the Outer Sect Alliance. At times, only one remains. Through joint divination, we can determine the best moment to strike.”

With that, the Heavenly Master flipped his hand, producing two fourth-rank talismans and two vials of fourth-rank spirit pills as material support.

”Upon success, Fellow Daoist Lan may select items of equivalent value from the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain’s treasury as additional reward. The better the results, the greater the compensation. For instance, if you completely eliminate one Nascent Soul old monster, the agreed reward will be doubled.”

”Very well. It seems I have no choice but to act alone.”

After some bargaining, Lan Changʼan settled on a satisfactory range of compensation.

Secretly, he mused that it was just as well the old dog Heavenly Master wasn’t coming—his presence might hinder Lan Changʼan’s full strength.

Acting alone also meant keeping all the spoils of war for himself.

…

Half a day later.

After detailed discussions and intelligence-sharing with the Heavenly Master, the two performed preliminary divinations together.

”Our luck isn’t great. ‘Old Evil Shen’ has been stationed at Poison Dragon Pool for the past few years, he’s the more troublesome one. Old Monster Wan’s movements are erratic, frequently traveling between Gutian Immortal City and the Two Sects region.”

”Should we manipulate fate? Within three to five years, this old Daoist is confident we can create a better opportunity for you.”

The Heavenly Master frowned, stroking his white beard as he made the suggestion.

”Thereʼs no need for that! At most, it’s two early-stage Nascent Souls and they don’t even live together.”

Lan Changʼan shook his head.

He had no desire to linger in the Fengyuan Kingdom for too long, lest he draw the attention of the Six Demonic Sects.

That night, Lan Changʼan quietly departed the Ice and Snow Sacred Mountain.

Along the way, he assumed yet another identity, sheltered by the Heavenly Master’s heavenly fortune, allowing him to travel smoothly without anyone detecting his whereabouts.

…

Several days later.

Lan Changʼan flew beyond the Eight Desolate Cities of the Fengyuan Kingdom, entering the territory of the Outer Sect Alliance.

During his previous seclusion in the Fengyuan Kingdom, he had spent most of his time in this region.

The River Source Oasis where he once stayed—and even the Fragrant Grass Oasis where the Xuan Yin Pavilion was located—all belonged to the Outer Sect Alliance.

River Source Oasis was closer, so Lan Changʼan deliberately passed through it.

The fourth life Master Lihuo had arranged for some of his descendants, including his Dao companion, to settle in the River Source Oasis.

Long ago, Lan Changʼan had encountered Granny Yun and the Yun siblings here, securing a cultivation site through Master Lihuo’s lineage.

”The Yun Siblings? The legendary Core Formation pair…”

Lan Changʼan’s spiritual sense slowly swept across the River Source Oasis, taking in the current state of affairs.

The Master Lihuo’s descendants had taken root here, developing into the Yun Clan—a dominant force among the oasis’s cultivation families, controlling a major merchant association.

Yun Hao and Yun Ling, the brother-sister duo, had both attained True Dans, becoming renowned as the legendary Core Formation siblings.

Yun Ling’s breakthrough to Core Formation had been within Lan Changʼan’s expectations.

Before leaving, he had left her a superior Core Formation spirit item. As the reincarnation of Guan Qiaozhi, she also received the favor and guidance of Yun Yan, Master Lihuo’s Dao companion.

It was said that the Yun siblings had mastered a joint combat art, making them formidable in battle.

Over the decades, the pair had slain neighboring high-grade desert beasts and eradicated several notorious sand bandit forces, leaving behind a legacy of tales.

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects