I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 424: Wenyue Forms Her Nascent Soul, Reunion with Jue Ying

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Lan Changʼan publicly announced his intention to take a concubine, but it was not to show off or draw attention.

The true purpose was to grant Xia Wenyue a formal status and sense of belonging, allowing her to feel secure and at peace, which would help her face the Heart Demon Tribulation.

Xia Wenyue had been stuck at the peak of the late Core Formation stage for many years, with no further breakthroughs in the level of mana.

As an Innate Dao Physique with a Half-Step Golden Dan, Xia Wenyue’s foundation was solid and her background deep. She was once the Nascent Soul seed of the Proud Moon Palace.

The resources Lan Changʼan prepared for her to form her Nascent Soul were comprehensive, and the spirit items were of high quality.

Theoretically, Xia Wenyue could attempt to form her Nascent Soul at any time, and her success rate wasn’t low.

The greatest variable was the Heart Demon Tribulation.

In the simulations of the Heart Demon illusion, Lan Changʼan spared no effort. He even descended the fourth life to further strengthen the power.

Taking a concubine was not the same as establishing a formal Dao companion.
Lan Changʼan claimed publicly that it was just a formality and didn’t invite many people.

Even so, many high-level cultivators from the main headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance showed up uninvited to deliver congratulatory gifts.

Chu Tianfeng did not appear personally. Instead, he had his disciple, Yin Yuanhai, send a gift in private.

Yin Yuanhai only showed his face briefly before hastily leaving, his expression unpleasant.

After all, his junior brother, Situ Lan, had passed away not long ago and in life had fervently pursued Fairy Xia.

If Lan Changʼan had not returned back then to take the Taiyin Jade Essence, the two might have formed a Dao couple.

...

Several days later.

After finishing a round of elimination, Lord Earthrock returned to the main headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

In the past two months, Lord Earthrock had made the undercover agents from Unseen Sect who had infiltrated the Alliance tremble in fear and left them with psychological trauma.

Dozens of strongholds had been destroyed, and nearly a hundred elite spies perished, including several True Dan executives.

Lord Earthrock excelled in stealth and struck with swift and ruthless efficiency, rarely missing a target.

This was a powerful retaliation for the death of Situ Lan.

The entire Righteous Dao Alliance was greatly pleased, and Alliance Master Chu received Lord Earthrock in person to award it for its merits.

“Master, here are the results of the campaign to eliminate the Unseen Sect strongholds.”

Lord Earthrock reported the detailed results to Lan Changʼan.

Since Lord Earthrock had participated personally, the spoils of war were handed over directly to Lan Changʼan, leaving 30% for itself.

In reality, Lan Changʼan’s fourth-rank divination and behind-the-scenes command were even more critical.

“Hmm, not bad at all.”

Lan Changʼan looked over the spoils. Although it didn’t compare to what killing a Nascent Soul old monster could earn, it was enough to make an ordinary Core Formation cultivator rich overnight.

Lord Earthrock had naturally helped itself to some of the loot during the extermination, but Lan Changʼan turned a blind eye to it.

“Oh right, this little one also has a water-attribute spirit item. It provides some assistance to those forming their Nascent Soul with matching cultivation techniques. Let it be my congratulatory gift for Master’s concubine-taking ceremony.”

As Lord Earthrock spoke, it opened its mouth and spat out a bluish, misty natural water-type spiritual pearl.

“Very thoughtful. Later, you can personally give it to Fairy Xia.”

Lan Changʼan took a glance. The water-type spirit item was clearly a product of the coastal region of the Great Yuan.

While not a top-tier item for Nascent Soul formation, it was indeed beneficial for those with the suitable technique.

Upon receiving the water-attribute spirit item from Lord Earthrock, Fairy Xia could not hide her joy and even felt a sense of warmth.

The affectionate gesture from True Monarch Lan was a form of recognition and acceptance, a gesture that made her feel like part of a family.

This eased some of her inner worries and her concerns regarding her master, True Monarch Golden Moon.

“No need to worry. Lord Earthrock is enough to hold off your master.”

Lan Changʼan saw through her thoughts and reassured her in a calming tone, giving off a sense of security.

“Your only goal now is to prepare for forming your Nascent Soul. Once you reach the Nascent Soul stage, no one in the cultivation world will be able to control your destiny or freedom.”

Lan Changʼan had always carried himself openly and honestly. When providing the resources for her Nascent Soul, he had made an agreement with Fairy Xia:

If Xia Wenyue were to regret it after forming her Nascent Soul, she could end the relationship after one hundred years, but would need to repay a set of Nascent Soul resources or items of equal value.

...

At the frontline, True Monarch Golden Moon received the news that Lan Changʼan had taken a concubine, and that it was none other than her direct disciple, Xia Wenyue.

“Outrageous!”

True Monarch Golden Moon was furious and felt deeply humiliated.

Once again, Xia Wenyue had touched her reverse scale.

A hundred years ago, she had given the Taiyin Jade Essence to that Turtle Lan without permission. Now she had dared to commit herself without her masterʼs consent?

The former was a loss of tangible benefit, but the latter was a slap in the face, a disgrace to her as both palace master and a True Monarch teacher.

True Monarch Golden Moon immediately dispatched a disciple to the main headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance to summon Xia Wenyue back for reprimand.

The disciple sent was Senior Sister Nalan, someone in the palace who had a fairly good relationship with Xia Wenyue.

When Senior Sister Nalan arrived at the headquarters, she learned that Junior Sister Xia was in closed-door cultivation and didn’t even get to see her face.

Reportedly, Elder Evergreen of the Alliance had ordered that no one disturb Xia Wenyue’s cultivation without his permission.

Senior Sister Nalan returned to the frontline and reported back to her master.

“Closed-door cultivation?”

True Monarch Golden Moon sneered, her face turning frosty:

“Very well! Think you’ve grown wings just because you latched onto True Monarch Evergreen?”

In her eyes, Xia Wenyue’s so-called closed-door cultivation was just an excuse.

This woman had been stuck at the peak of Core Formation for so long, without any opportunity to form her Nascent Soul, what was the point of closed-door cultivation?

“A hundred years ago, she was tricked and suffered a loss, yet she still hasn’t learned her lesson! Don’t tell me that stingy Turtle Lan can actually give her a complete Nascent Soul opportunity?”

True Monarch Golden Moon was stationed at the frontline and had duties to attend to, so returning immediately wasn’t appropriate.

Xia Wenyue’s private arrangement was a personal matter after all, a scandal within their own sect.

If she acted on personal feelings and charged to the Righteous Dao Alliance headquarters to demand justice, she would just become a laughingstock to outsiders.

At that point, the pro-war faction might even blame her for acting rashly and ignoring the bigger picture.

More importantly, she knew that she wasn’t a match for Lan Changʼan’s main spirit beast and couldn’t force him through threats.

A few years ago, Lan Changʼan had fought Yin Yuanhai, disciple of Alliance Master Chu, to a draw using only his spirit beast.

Although True Monarch Golden Moon had reached Nascent Soul earlier and had deeper cultivation, she was only slightly stronger than Yin Yuanhai, not enough to make a decisive difference.

True Monarch Golden Moon carefully considered her approach and decided to attack from the angle of their teacher-student relationship, giving herself the moral high ground.

No matter what, Xia Wenyue was a disciple nurtured by Proud Moon Palace.

Lan Changʼan bypassing the master to take her as a concubine was improper behavior that went against the mainstream rules of the cultivation world, thus putting him on the wrong side of reason.

“Keep an eye on the Righteous Dao Alliance headquarters. Once I rotate out from the frontlines, I’ll head over to question them myself.”

True Monarch Golden Moon’s eyes gleamed sharply as she instructed Senior Sister Nalan.

...

Half a Year Later

True Monarch Golden Moon finally completed her rotation and returned to Proud Moon Palace.

When she was guarding the front lines, Lan Changʼan had taken a concubine, precisely during that time. True Monarch Golden Moon couldn’t help but suspect that this was Alliance Master Chu deliberately covering for Lan Changʼan.

“Master, something’s not right!”

“For the past six months, Junior Sister Xia seems to have remained in closed-door cultivation and hasn’t appeared in public. And just recently, there was a Nascent Soul phenomenon from the Righteous Dao Alliance headquarters.”

Senior Sister Nalan immediately reported the news to her master.

“What?! Forming her Nascent Soul? That ungrateful disciple actually intends to attempt the Nascent Soul breakthrough?”

True Monarch Golden Moon’s expression shifted slightly, filled with both shock and doubt.

Lan Changʼan and Yin Yuanhai were both newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivators within the past few decades.

And Lan Changʼan, a loose cultivator without a sect background, how could he so easily obtain a complete Nascent Soul opportunity?

True Monarch Golden Moon and Senior Sister Nalan rushed to the Righteous Dao Alliance headquarters at once.

Several hundred li away, True Monarch Golden Moon stood in place, dazed, staring at the Nascent Soul phenomenon in the sky.

Above the Righteous Dao Alliance’s mountain fortress headquarters, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth roared and surged, forming a massive vortex and tide of spiritual qi.

That manifestation of a Nascent Soul breakthrough was steadily expanding, in an orderly and stable fashion.

An icy and oppressive mana pressure faintly surpassed the limit of the Core Formation Realm, reaching toward the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm.

Clouds above the sky began to show traces of gray tribulation aura.

“From the looks of it, the first step of Nascent Soul formation ‘Shattering the Core and Forming the Infant’ has already been completed. Even faster than expected.”

A high-ranking cultivator of the Righteous Dao Alliance, a seated Nascent Soul True Monarch, observed the phenomenon in the sky with a solemn expression.

“Master… That mana feels just like Junior Sister Xia’s. Could it really be her…”

Senior Sister Nalan, who was older than Xia Wenyue by many years and now appeared as a middle-aged beauty, opened her mouth in disbelief—yet in her heart, she was already certain.

Otherwise, how would Junior Sister Xia dare to anger their master and willingly become Lan Changʼan’s concubine?

Senior Sister Nalan’s emotions were mixed, admiration, longing, and a tinge of bitterness.

Xia Wenyue’s beauty and Innate Dao Physique had once drawn the pursuit of the Alliance’s top young talents. Nalan had once admired her… and buried a trace of jealousy deep inside.

Later, when Xia Wenyue was relegated to obscurity and no longer given special cultivation resources, Nalan felt some sympathy.

Who would have thought that Junior Sister Xia would get a second chance now?

True Monarch Golden Moon, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, could see much more through the phenomenon of Nascent Soul formation.

Xia Wenyue’s process was more stable and forceful than her own breakthrough in the past.

That meant her disciple had obtained a formidable Nascent Soul opportunity and high-grade spirit items.

True Monarch Golden Moon’s face turned unpleasant, her flying light coming to a halt as she stopped far from the Alliance headquarters.

Originally, standing on the moral high ground, she had come to demand an explanation.

But now, seeing the powerful signs of Xia Wenyue’s breakthrough, her aggressive momentum faded, and her confidence faltered.

For over a hundred years, she had neglected Xia Wenyue and withheld resources for her Nascent Soul advancement.

If the elders of the Righteous Dao Alliance were now willing to shift resources to support Xia Wenyue’s breakthrough, could she, as a master, still obstruct it?

If she tried, it would only show her as narrow-minded and envious of talent.

“Xia Wenyue, you may have shattered your core and formed your nascent soul, but can you truly overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation?”

True Monarch Golden Moon’s sharp brows furrowed, her expression fluctuating between dark and light.

At this moment, deep in her heart, a hidden thought emerged, she didn’t want to see her disciple successfully form her Nascent Soul.

Back then, she had poured resources into another nascent soul candidate disciple with an earth spiritual root, only for that attempt to fail.

If Xia Wenyue, under Lan Changʼan’s support, succeeded in breaking through, wouldn’t that be a slap to her face and a massive joke?

...

Boom!

Moments later, the tribulation clouds in the sky brewed thunderous lightning.

The awe-inspiring might of the heavens sent shivers down the spines of distant cultivators watching the scene.

Bolt after bolt of heavenly lightning crashed down, but the newly formed Nascent Soulʼs aura did not fade or collapse.

Within the Elder Hall of the Alliance Headquarters—

Xia Wenyue’s robes were torn, her snow-white skin bearing several light scorch marks from the thunderstrikes.

Around her floated an icy lotus treasure, which had split into several greenish-blue crystalline lotus petals, rotating in mid-air with a beautiful, lifelike glow, autonomously shielding her.

Each strike of heavenly lightning clashed with the ice lotus as though smashing into massive glaciers — shards of ice scattering, radiating a terrifying cold.

This ice lotus treasure was the most powerful magical treasure of True Monarch Soaring Snow, obtained by Lan Changʼan in the battle of the Seven True Monarchs.

At that time, in a one-on-one, Lord Earthrock had been suppressed and bound by True Monarch Soaring Snow and was no match.

To withstand the thunder tribulation and preserve her vitality, Lan Changʼan had allowed Xia Wenyue to refine the magical treasure half a year ago.

With her Innate Dao Physique and cultivation techniques that resonated perfectly with the treasure, her combat strength surpassed others in the same realm.

That advantage was now fully reflected during the tribulation.

In addition, a unique lightning-resisting treasure, a thunderstruck wood treasure hovered above her head, weakening the lightning bolts.

“This tribulation today… it’s just like the scene in the Heart Demon illusion realm.”

Xia Wenyue had withstood the heavenly tribulation. Though she was seriously injured, it was still far lighter than what most cultivators suffered.

She immediately took the sacred healing elixirs prepared by Lan Changʼan.

Before facing the final challenge, the Heart Demon Tribulation, she lit a piece of Heart Tribulation treasure violet sandalwood incense.

...

During Xia Wenyue’s Nascent Soul Tribulation, Lan Changʼan was not at the residence. He had only left Lord Earthrock behind to protect the area.

By this stage, there was little he could do to influence the outcome.

The headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance was the safest place within their faction.

However, Xia Wenyue’s attempt to form her Nascent Soul drew the attention of many factions, including hostile forces from the demonic path.

Three hundred li away from the tribulation site.

Upon a small hill, a crooked-neck tree swayed gently in the wind. The shadow it cast on the ground showed faint signs of abnormal distortion.

A closer look revealed a strange, dark humanoid shadow standing still beneath the shade.

The eerie shadow wore a cloak, its features blurred. Only a pair of eyes glowed dimly like twin black flames, silently watching the Righteous Dao Alliance’s headquarters from afar.

“If the Righteous Dao Alliance produces a new Nascent Soul cultivator right now, the impact of our recent assassination will be completely wiped out, we’ll be on the losing end of this game.”

The eerie cloaked shadow muttered in a low tone.

Yet despite his powerful concealment technique, he dared not approach or infiltrate the Alliance’s headquarters.

All he could do was hope for a failed breakthrough to deal a heavy blow to the Alliance’s morale.

Just then, a faint blue streak of light descended quietly from between the clouds.

The cloaked shadow didn’t pay it much mind. In his hidden state, even most Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn’t notice him unless they were deliberately searching. For those below the Nascent Soul stage, even being within arm’s reach wouldn’t help them sense him.

However, the white-robed man who descended landed right beside the crooked tree and sat down beneath it, as if seeking shade.

He appeared oblivious to the strange shadow behind him, sitting with his back turned.

The Shadow Hall Masterʼs heart skipped a beat!

The one who had arrived was none other than Evergreen True Monarch, the current rising star of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

He just so happened to sit right next to the hidden shadow, and the Shadow Hall Master didn’t believe for a moment that it was mere coincidence.

“True Monarch Lan graces us with his presence. May I ask what guidance you have for me?”

The cloaked figure tensed and sweated profusely as the true controller of the shadow, True Monarch Jue Ying, remotely manipulated his shadow avatar.

The shadow technique he cultivated was exceptional in stealth and unpredictability, and extremely difficult to defend against.

But it had its flaws.

When remotely operating the shadow form, his true body would be locked in place and unable to move freely.

The combat strength of this shadow form was inferior to a fourth-rank demon king, roughly at quasi-fourth-rank level. If it lost its concealment and were locked onto by a Nascent Soul cultivator, it would be easily destroyed.

More critically, the shadow was forged from his own actual shadow. If destroyed, it would cause severe backlash to his true body.

“Fellow Daoist Jue Ying’s technique seems quite similar to the innate abilities of the ‘Shadow Demon clan’ from the Demonic Peak Realm,”

Lan Changʼan said casually as if chatting, his tone calm and measured.

“The Shadow Demon clan?”

True Monarch Jue Ying was internally startled. Some of the ancient legacies of the Six Demonic Sects did, in fact, originate from other realms, possibly even from high-tier worlds connected to true demonic clans.

Judging by Lan Changʼan’s tone, had he encountered real Shadow Demons? Or was he privy to some obscure heritage?

Lan Changʼan didn’t elaborate further. Instead, his tone suddenly chilled.

“Assassinating Situ Lan was one thing. But Xia Wenyue is this True Monarchʼs woman.”

“True Monarch Lan, you’ve misunderstood! Our Unseen Sect has recently withdrawn into seclusion, we donʼt have any new assassination plans!”

The shadow’s voice was hoarse as if echoing from a separate dimension.

True Monarch Jue Ying was telling the truth. Half a year ago, Lord Earthrock’s actions had plunged the Unseen Sect’s spies and bases into chaos and fear.

The spies who were eliminated had been taken down with zero warning in a swift, brutal, and precise manner.

“Then that’s good. For the sake of that mysterious Daoist… I’ll let you off the today.”

Lan Changʼan rose and walked away from the crooked-neck tree.

Mysterious Daoist?

True Monarch Jue Ying’s heart trembled. He instantly recalled over a hundred years ago, when he had been gravely injured by a mysterious powerhouse from beyond the realm. He had barely escaped by burning his essence with a forbidden escape technique.

On the verge of death, he had been rescued by a traveling merchant Daoist.

When he awakened, he had seen the Daoist’s back and asked who he was.

The Daoist had replied:

“This poor Daoist is known as Daoist Tianji. We shall meet again, if fate allows.”

That incident had cost the life of Jue Ying’s cousin, who had failed to be rescued. The Unseen Sect had also lost another branch master and a number of elites.

Later, Jue Ying launched extensive investigations and concluded that the mysterious outsider had been targeting Lan Changʼan.

The Unseen Sect’s intelligence division had been caught in the crossfire, an unfortunate casualty.

He had traced his cousin’s movements for a long time…

Based on faint clues, he suspected his cousin had been under Evergreen True Monarch’s control for years, perhaps even leaking internal information to him.

But some family matters couldn’t be aired publicly.

He himself had responsibility in the matter, so he chose to conceal the truth and didn’t report the full details.

“May I ask… what is the relationship between that Daoist Tianji and True Monarch Lan?”

“That Daoist beheaded the foreign Nascent Soul cultivator and left after obtaining his spoils. Because I provided critical information, I was rewarded and guided by him. That’s how I had the fortune to eventually form my Nascent Soul.”

Lan Changʼan spoke calmly, his hands behind his back, as he recalled the past.

“That senior’s life-saving kindness that day… I’ve never known how to repay…”

True Monarch Jue Ying half-believed the story, but the gratitude in his tone was sincere.

Given Lan Changʼan’s legendary rise and incredible fortune, it wasn’t too strange for him to have received guidance from a hidden expert.

It sounded like Lan Changʼan had only met the mysterious Daoist once or twice. They didn’t seem particularly close.

“The life-saving elixir used to treat you that day was actually provided by me. That Daoist saw that you had an extraordinary fate and not meant to die, and took pity on you.”

“Before leaving, the Daoist said: If Fellow Daoist Jue Ying ever wishes to show his gratitude, let it be toward Lan Changʼan. That’s the only reason I’m sparing you today.”

Having said that, Lan Changʼan rose into the air in a streak of light, leaving without acknowledging Jue Ying’s further inquiries.

The cloaked shadow lingered briefly, thinking silently, then transformed into a ghostly shade, flickering several times before disappearing entirely.

“If most of what Lan Changʼan said is true, then the Daoist’s life-saving grace is now tied to him.”

“But if it was all fabricated… then perhaps Lan Changʼan is the Daoist Tianji and spared me for reasons of his own.”

True Monarch Jue Ying contemplated both possibilities.

If it was the latter, then Lan Changʼan’s divine abilities during the late Core Formation stage must have been terrifying indeed, capable of slaying a weakened Nascent Soul cultivator in reverse.

And this terrifying man had once saved his life. This karmic bond… was heavier than he’d imagined.

...

Lan Changʼan quietly returned to the headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

By now, the phenomenon of Nascent Soul formation had already dissipated.

Under the laws of heaven and earth, the gray-black tribulation clouds in the sky had faded like retreating tides, along with the aura of calamity.

Above the Elder Hall, five-colored auspicious clouds appeared. In the unseen realm, the faint chime of the Great Dao rang out, descending as formless fluctuations of Dao resonance.

The headquarters of the Righteous Dao Alliance was immersed in an air of festivity.

Lan Changʼan couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief, a look of joy surfacing on his face.

Xia Wenyue possessed a deep and solid mana foundation, high-quality resources for Nascent Soul formation, and had used a Heart Tribulation spirit item taken from True Monarch Yunlan’s private vault, even better than what Lan Changʼan had used during his own breakthrough.

The greatest variable, the Heart Demon Tribulation, had been tempered by Lan Changʼan over a long period of mental forging and rigorous discipline, making her will and Dao heart even more resolute.

Under normal circumstances, Xia Wenyue’s chances of success were significantly higher than most who attempted Nascent Soul formation in the cultivation world.

Still, Nascent Soul tribulations offered no absolute guarantees. Lan Changʼan could only improve the odds, but wouldn’t dare promise success.

His earlier departure to “go out for a stroll” had been to avoid witnessing the tragic scene should Xia Wenyue fail and perish in body and soul.

“Congratulations, True Monarch Lan, your companion has ascended to Nascent Soul!”

Upon Lan Changʼan’s return, many high-level cultivators from the headquarters greeted him with congratulations.

Having just succeeded in forming her Nascent Soul, Xia Wenyue needed time to attune herself to the Dao resonance and stabilize her cultivation. She was not to be disturbed.

“Haha! Fairy Xia has achieved her Nascent Soul, True Monarch Lan truly is blessed with great fortune!”

Alliance Master Chu laughed heartily, clearly in good spirits, and came forward to personally offer his congratulations.

Standing beside him, Yin Yuanhai wore a somewhat forced smile. Beneath it, a trace of unease flickered in his eyes.

Lan Changʼan now possessed a fourth-rank demon king, and on top of that, a Nascent Soul partner. His influence within the Righteous Dao Alliance had grown so strong it was beginning to rival that of Alliance Master Chu himself.

Chu Tianfeng, however, was broad-minded and confident in his ability to hold the Alliance together. He had even offered support to Lan Changʼan and Fairy Xia earlier, facilitating their path.

After some polite exchanges, Fairy Xia concluded her communion with the Dao resonance.

Her injuries were not yet fully healed. She removed her scorched, tattered robe and changed into a moon-white palace gown, her presence now even more ethereal, like a celestial maiden from the cold and distant Moon Palace.

“Thanks to my Lord’s support, I narrowly passed the Heart Demon Tribulation. Once I’ve stabilized my realm, I shall repay this debt of gratitude.”

Within a secluded chamber, Xia Wenyue sent a sound transmission to Lan Changʼan and offered him a respectful, solemn bow — her posture graceful and composed, her gratitude heartfelt.

Whatever she had experienced during the Heart Demon Tribulation, her once-cold autumn eyes now held a faint warmth.

“Now that Fairy Xia has reached Nascent Soul, isn’t the title ‘little concubine’ a bit beneath her? Surely True Monarch Lan will make her his official Dao companion someday?”

Some high-level cultivators began gossiping privately.

While the Alliance headquarters bustled with celebration, a golden moon-like streak of light approached from several hundred li away, accompanied by the spiritual pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The two women arriving were True Monarch Golden Moon and Senior Sister Nalan.

True Monarch Golden Moon had calmed herself by now. She nodded slightly and spoke in an approving tone:

“Wenyue truly lives up to being the disciple I once handpicked, she had the potential for Nascent Soul all along.”

New novel thatʼs equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects