I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 459: The Giant Makes a Move, Killing Two Birds with One Stone

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“As long as Fellow Daoist Lan breaks through to mid-Nascent Soul stage, with your extraordinary divine soul talent, reaching the eighth layer of Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art should be a matter of course.”

Puppet Master Wei spoke with hopeful expectation.

In terms of puppet arts, he was exceptionally gifted; but when it came to soul cultivation techniques, he was far inferior to Lan Changʼan.

The eighth layer of Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art corresponded to mid-Nascent Soul stage.

Lan Changʼan had already perfected the seventh layer. His spiritual sense had long since rivaled that of mid-stage Nascent Soul giants.

Thanks to the reincarnated immortal fate brought by the Nine Seal Stele, Lan Changʼan possessed an innately powerful soul, what others called “talent.”

“Mid-Nascent Soul… not an easy step. Many seasoned Nascent Soul cultivators are forever stuck before that threshold,” Lan Changʼan replied humbly, though inwardly he was confident.

His foundation was solid, his reserves vast, and his spiritual sense far exceeded normal standards, all advantageous for advancing to mid-stage.

The main spirit vein of the Yunxia Sect had also been cultivated to mid-fourth grade.
All the conditions were ready, only the east wind was missing.

As long as he could find the continuation of the Evergreen Technique, he could break through at any time.

Of course, Lan Changʼan had ample lifespan to slowly hone his current realm and forcefully reach the eighth layer of the divine soul art.

But cultivation level was the foundation of all, no need to put the cart before the horse.

Especially with the looming threat of Yan Donglai.

Lan Changʼan suspected the “Thousand-Year Tribulation” that Jing Wufeng once spoke of might already be underway.

Even with his extraordinary soul talent, progressing to the eighth layer of the technique within a century wasn’t realistic, due to the limits of his current cultivation.

Since returning from the Great Qing, his spiritual sense had improved, though not dramatically.

If the fourth life descended, perhaps he would no longer merely approach the threshold of a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, but truly step into that realm.

Of course, those honored as “Nascent Soul Great Cultivators” were each legends of their era, blessed with tremendous fortune. They all possessed techniques to amplify their spiritual sense, far exceeding the minimum threshold for late-stage Nascent Soul.

...

The news of Lan Changʼan’s emergence from seclusion quickly reached the imperial family of the Great Yu Kingdom.

Over the years, the imperial court had frequently pressed him to act, hoping that the giant, Xiang Dalong, would take the battlefield and accelerate the conquest.

Lan Changʼan had always declined, saying he’d only consider it after reaching the peak of early Nascent Soul.

In the past decades, Great Yu had conquered a third of the Great Luo Kingdom’s territory, far less than what the imperial family had expected.

Had it been a one-on-one war, Great Yu would’ve reclaimed Great Luo long ago.

But the Central Region was a battlefield of contending powers, with many formidable factions. Such ideal scenarios rarely occurred.

Besides the neighboring enemy Yaqi Mountain, other overlords in the region were reluctant to see Great Yu unite the region and grow in strength.

Though these distant powers didn’t send their cultivators to fight, they covertly supplied Great Luo with resources and intelligence, prolonging its resistance.

After such a prolonged campaign, Great Yu’s casualties and resource drain had become significant.

In this context, Lan Changʼan, who had long been raising his price was once again approached by the imperial family.

...

Inside Yunxia Sect’s Grand Hall.

“True Monarch Xiang’s power has risen to new heights, truly worth celebrating!”

Ahem. “This humble one believes that, with one move, True Monarch Xiang could change the tide of this war.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation, dressed in scholarly green robes and wearing a square cap, spoke with polite coughs between sentences.

“You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Iron Calculation,” Lan Changʼan, seated in the high seat, shook his head and smiled wryly.

“I relied on the minor path of puppetry to barely contend with those mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. As for truly lethal methods, I’m not comparable to the real giants of the Central Region.”

At these words, Iron Calculation’s eyelid twitched, and he coughed again.

Thirty years ago, the imperial court might have believed such modesty as it aligned with conventional logic.

But ever since Xiang Dalong killed Master Gou and forced two Black Sea Sect giants to retreat, the imperial family no longer believed such nonsense.

Especially now that his cultivation had advanced even further.

“True Monarch Xiang, let’s be frank. On behalf of the imperial court, I invite you to step forth. Any conditions may be negotiated.”

Iron Calculation didn’t mince words. The initiative no longer lay with the imperial family, they had to show genuine sincerity.

Lan Changʼan had the qualifications to name his price.

“Then let’s talk.”

Lan Changʼan had long coveted the top-tier resources in the imperial treasury.

Now that his cultivation had reached a temporary ceiling, it was time to stretch his legs.

Remaining neutral and inactive in the rear left the imperial family uneasy, they couldn’t afford to go all in without his stance clarified.

Two hours later.

After extended negotiation, Lan Changʼan and the imperial family struck a deal.

On top of what True Monarch Red Sleeve had once promised, the imperial court added more incentives.

As the discussion ended, True Monarch Iron Calculation let out a silent sigh of relief. His face paled further, exhausted.

Despite being a fourth-rank diviner, he had failed to gain the upper hand this time.

He even suspected that Xiang Dalong either had many fate-defying artifacts or was backed by another diviner or perhaps, even more terrifyingly, was one himself.

“I agree to aid Great Yu by suppressing a mid-Nascent Soul enemy or slaying an early-stage Nascent Soul opponent.”

“But I have one condition: I will act on my own discretion, not at the imperial court’s direct command.”

Lan Changʼan now held the stronger position. As long as his requests weren’t excessive, the court would comply.

Both sides had acted with sincerity.

Lan Changʼan hadn’t made outlandish demands, such as asking for heirloom treasures of the imperial family.

Items like the Azure Dragon Sword or Imperial Dragon Robes drew power from national fate and homeland strength. If removed from Great Yu or during times of decline, their might would drop drastically.

Even in Lan Changʼan’s hands, lacking royal bloodline, they’d be hard to use effectively, less practical than a pseudo-spiritual treasure.

...

Half a month later.

True Monarch Purple Mist returned from the battlefield, passing through the imperial capital to exchange strategic resources, fulfilling the first part of Lan Changʼan’s agreement.

The imperial family was exasperated at how cautious Xiang Dalong was. After so many years cultivating in Great Yu, he hadn’t visited the imperial court even once.

...

At Yunxia Sect’s gate.

Lan Changʼan, Sect Master Xuefeng, and several Core Formation cultivators welcomed the returning True Monarch Purple Mist.

After decades of life-and-death battle with evil cultivators on the frontlines, Purple Mist’s demeanor had changed.

Gone was her serene grace. Clad in a wind-blown purple battle robe, her gaze was sharp and fierce, exuding an aura of blood and war.

She was like a stunning war goddess stepping straight off the battlefield.

“You’ve worked hard, Ziyan! Without your leadership and the disciples’ blood and tears on the frontlines, the sect wouldn’t have enjoyed such peace in the rear.”

Lan Changʼan’s eyes brightened with a strange new feeling. He stepped forward and gently embraced Purple Mist, his tone soft with comfort.

The other Core Formation elders respectfully looked away.

Jiang Ziyan reined in her sharp aura and gazed at the white-robed man who hadn’t changed in a hundred years.

Her soft violet eyes shimmered with light, the rims slightly red, filled with deep longing and affection.

After a long pause, she exhaled deeply and said with a mix of joy and sorrow:

“At last… I can rotate out!”

For a female Nascent Soul cultivator to fight on the frontlines for decades without once returning to the sect, this was nearly unheard of in Great Yu’s history.

“What was that? The wind’s too strong, I didn’t hear you,” Lan Changʼan replied with feigned ignorance.

“Oh… I said, Dalong has emerged from seclusion, his cultivation is complete, and Iʼm overflowing with joy…”

Purple Mist smiled and changed the subject.

After a few words of update, she and Lan Changʼan walked side by side back into the sect.

...

”Fourth-rank Life Extension Pills… These low-priced, mid-to-low-grade fourth-rank puppet-refining materials, I brought them back from the imperial court on your behalf.”

After a moment of tenderness, Jiang Ziyan slipped out of Lan Changʼan’s embrace and took out a storage pouch.

”Not bad.”

Lan Changʼan checked the contents. The first transaction Jiang Ziyan completed on his behalf was also the first good-faith deposit from the imperial family.

According to the agreement, as long as he killed a Nascent Soul cultivator from an enemy nation, he would receive the late-stage fourth-rank Azure Sparrow Plume, though their spirituality had faded, it was free of charge.

Along with the body-refining sacred medicine Golden Scale Blood.

Such rare top-tier resources were out of reach even for most mid-stage Nascent Soul-level giants.

Defending the front lines and repelling, injuring, or killing enemy Nascent Soul cultivators could earn one exchanges or discounted trades for some of these peak resources.

”Before the rotation, I teamed up with Lord Earthrock and slew an evil Nascent Soul cultivator from Yaqi Mountain. Though his Nascent Soul escaped, it was still a major feat. I redeemed it with the imperial court for a mid-stage Nascent Soul breakthrough pill.”

Jiang Ziyan spoke with bright eyes, recounting her recent impressive exploits.

Even with a fourth-rank demon king’s assistance, the fact that the Purple Mist Fairy had slain the physical body of an evil Nascent Soul cultivator significantly boosted her reputation.

As she spoke, a beam of earthy-yellow light flew from the pet pouch at her waist, transforming into the half-demon, half-human Lord Earthrock, dressed in scale armor and a violet robe.

”Master.”

Lord Earthrock’s eyes needleed evasively, looking guilty as it bowed deeply.

It hadn’t sought the master’s permission before acting.

The Purple Mist Fairy had pleaded with it repeatedly, and the spoils were too tempting, it couldn’t resist.

Lan Changʼan glanced at Lord Earthrock indifferently but did not scold him. He smiled and said:

”With both timing and terrain on your side, Ziyan, are you back to attempt a breakthrough to the mid-stage Nascent Soul?”

”Yes. I’ve returned to guard the sect and will soon attempt a breakthrough. In the days ahead… I’ll be troubling you, Dalong.”

Jiang Ziyan returned to her gentle demeanor, gazing at him affectionately.

She turned gracefully and half-leaned onto Lan Changʼan’s lap, her long hair cascading like flowing clouds. Her lips parted slightly, her breath like the chilled scent of plum blossoms.

”Not troublesome at all. The Great Yu war won’t last much longer, it’ll soon be over.”

”But Ziyan, don’t rush your breakthrough. Take your time.”

Lan Changʼan cradled Jiang Ziyan, now clad in a violet battle robe, in his lap. Suddenly, he exclaimed:

”Ziyan, your leg!”

Beneath her robes, Purple Mist Fairy’s snow-pale legs bore two shocking purplish-red scars.

Jiang Ziyan let out a soft gasp and said with a trace of grievance:

”You think the front lines are easy? I was seriously injured fighting that evil Nascent Soul cultivator, my vitality was greatly depleted…”

Lan Changʼan channeled Evergreen spiritual power, gently brushing her wounds, saying with concern:

”Don’t worry, Ziyan! Even if I must work day and night without rest, I’ll heal your wounds.”

”Mm…”

Jiang Ziyan’s brows arched slightly as she slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

...

Three days later.

Lan Changʼan, refreshed in spirit, emerged from the cave residence atop Zixia Peak.

”Master, is Sister Jiang all better now?”

Lord Earthrock emerged from the underground palace, blinking as it asked.

”Sister Jiang? Since when did you get so close that you call her sister in private?”

Lan Changʼan looked at it oddly.

Still, considering they had fought side by side on the battlefield for decades, and that Purple Mist Fairy was very sociable, it wasn’t entirely surprising.

”This is what I gained from the battle, the spoils from killing the evil Nascent Soul cultivator of Yaqi Mountain. Sister Jiang gave me half.”

Lord Earthrock opened its mouth and spat out a bulging storage pouch.

”You’ve earned quite a bit over the years.”

Lan Changʼan chuckled, looking at Lord Earthrock’s glossy, well-fed appearance.

Lord Earthrock had voluntarily given half of the battlefield spoils to the master.

Lan Changʼan silently noted that in the future, he had to do his best to gather heaven and earth treasures and sacred pills to help Lord Earthrock advance to mid-stage transformation.

”Let’s go.”

Lan Changʼan flew up above Yunxia Sect, beckoning as he went.

After three days of cultivation, the Purple Mist Fairyʼs wounds had fully healed.

He didn’t intend to linger, he would head straight for the battlefield.

”Master, aren’t you bringing Profound Water Monarch with you?”

Lord Earthrock turned into a beam of earthy light and entered the pet pouch at Lan Changʼan’s waist.

Profound Water Monarch had advanced to the fourth rank in Great Qing but had yet to undergo any Nascent Soul-level battles.

”This is just a minor operation, not necessary to bring too many.”

Lan Changʼan’s tone was calm.

The Profound Water Monarch had just entered the fourth rank, not particularly strong in offense, and better suited for defense.

Taking to the skies, Lan Changʼan rose into the Nine Fiery Heavens, above the clouds.

Far from Yunxia Sect, he reached out with his mind to the fourth life within the Nine Seal Stele.

The Nascent Soul-level shadow of his fourth past life descended.

In an instant, his soul power surged, and Lan Changʼan’s spiritual sense broke through into a new realm.

The violent gale around him calmed briefly. The wild, raging heavenly flames were pushed aside; heaven and earthʼs spiritual energy gathered naturally around him, as if worshipping an ancient sage.

Inside the pet pouch, Lord Earthrock trembled from the instinctive fear of that terrifying spiritual pressure.

Fortunately, it vanished in a flash, without alarming others.

Lan Changʼan, cloaked in light, headed directly for the western border of the Great Yu Kingdom.

That was where the Purple Mist Fairy had fought for decades, defending against raids from Yaqi Mountain.

Before her rotation ended, she had slain an evil Nascent Soul cultivator, forcing Yaqi Mountain to retreat and contract their lines, ceasing their raids.

Now that Xiang Dalong had emerged from seclusion, Yaqi Mountain’s forces had learned of it.

At this moment, Lan Changʼan flew openly toward the western frontier of Great Yu, clearly intending to take Purple Mist True Monarch’s place.

In the following days, Yaqi Mountain grew tense and guarded, not daring to launch any attacks.

After all, Xiang Dalong had been acknowledged by all major forces as a true central region powerhouse, his presence could tip the scales of war.

And yet, despite the heightened alert on the western front, no thunderous strike from Xiang Dalong came.

Even the imperial court didn’t know exactly where he had gone...

...

Several days later.

Within the Great Luo Kingdomʼs borders, the Water Moon Mountain battlefield.

Water Moon Mountain, nestled between river and peak, boasted a fourth-rank large-scale mountain range. With its interconnected terrain, it was a vital chokepoint near the heartland of the Great Luo Kingdom.

The Great Yu Kingdom’s campaign had rendered this regional battlefield deadlocked for over a decade.

Recently, the Great Yu imperial family dispatched high-ranking cultivators to personally lead tens of thousands of cultivators in an assault on Water Moon Mountain.

Above the clouds, Nascent Soul cultivators from both sides clashed, thunderous booms echoing incessantly.

Battles between True Monarchs were rarely decisive; life-and-death fights were rarer still.

As long as one could keep an enemy Nascent Soul cultivator in check, stalling them even with minimal effort, it still counted as a contribution.

Thus, despite the sky-splitting spectacle of the True Monarchs above, many of them were familiar old performers.

The more overwhelming the display, the less intent there was to kill.

“Old Red Refinement, after all these rounds, youʼre still clinging to your soft and feeble Five-Poison Flame?”

A crisp, icy female voice rang like spring water striking jade. It came from a female True Monarch in violet palace robes, seemingly in her early thirties.

Her beauty was not stunning, but her noble bearing and snow-pale skin gave her a graceful dignity. As her sleeves swept, light shimmered around her.

Hummm!

A violet jade pendant floated midair, radiating a strange vortex of light. It drew in all surrounding poison mist and phosphor flame, whether visible or not, tangible or intangible.

The robed True Monarch pointed with her fair jade finger. The pendant vibrated, continuing to absorb the vast poisonous energies, swelling like a luscious grape, its color deepening into a purplish black.

“Fairy Luo! Let this old man see just how long your anti-toxin treasure can hold out against my hybrid poison flame!”

True Monarch Red Refinement’s face burned red like charcoal, his beard quivering and expression dark.

He spat out a tri-colored poison flame, red, blue, and green, turning the clear sky into a bizarre, painted haze. Where the poison flames landed, each droplet corroded pits dozens of meters wide.

With hand seals, he summoned a red-black cauldron radiating dark light and thick mist. Invisible poisonous forces surged forth, assaulting the female cultivator.

His opponent was no ordinary foe, she was a Nascent Soul cultivator of Great Luoʼs royal line, wielding a secret treasure that countered all toxins under heaven.

In raw cultivation, True Monarch Red Refinement wasn’t exceptional for his rank. But as a fourth-rank poison master, his battlefield lethality far exceeded his peers.

Thus, Great Snake Mountain sent him to the field rather than the more senior True Monarch Red Serpent.

Using her detoxifying treasure, Fairy Luo had long suppressed Red Refinement on the battlefield.

High in the clouds, the two had clashed for over half a day.

Both had only sustained minor injuries, but their powers clashed like water and fire, draining their energy and essence heavily.

At that moment, Great Yu’s assault subsided.

The Nascent Soul cultivators disengaged, covering their forces’ retreat.

Though no victor emerged, Fairy Luo and Red Refinement drew back with tacit understanding.

Wary of the poison master’s tricks, Fairy Luo cautiously retreated, watching for a last-ditch poison attack.

Luckily, Red Refinement seemed too depleted for further action.

Exhaustion showed on Fairy Luo’s face. Beads of fragrant sweat glistened on her brow as she drew out a fourth-rank recovery pill.

Though her treasure held the upper hand, facing a poison master demanded unrelenting vigilance, draining her focus and spirit.

...

Just as Fairy Luo thought herself safe with distance finally secured—

Boom!

A deep rumble erupted from a nearby hill.

Crash!

Flying dust and rubble burst skyward as foul earth-aura surged. From the heart of the explosion rose a massive, earth-yellow crystalline pillar, coiled like a dragon.

Fresh from a grueling fight, Fairy Luoʼs heart sank. A sharp blast echoed in her ears, and she instantly realized:

”An ambush! An earth-element demon king—”

The enormous crystalline pillar pierced the sky like a meteor spear, aimed straight at her feet.

In a flash, Fairy Luo’s figure blurred, dodging with lightning-quick steps.

Yet the pillarʼs strike was too sudden, its range too wide, hundreds of zhang enveloped in its path.

Bang!

It scraped her side. Her elegant form was flung dozens of zhang, her face pale as her robe tore and blood seeped from her waist.

The impact blew apart her cloud-walking shoe. From ankle to jade-white foot, her left leg dissolved into a mist of blood.

And worse—

As the pillar shattered, sand and gravel engulfed her. Her protective light shield crackled and dimmed, flickering under the onslaught of earthen winds.

In this moment of peril, a phoenix’s cry rang out.

Buzz!

Twin azure rings spun to life around Fairy Luo, forming a colorful barrier marked with phoenix sigils.

The storming sandstorm parted, forming a vacuum several dozen zhang wide, her life-saving natal treasure, the Fengyi Rings.

But this was only the beginning.

From deep within the sandstorm surged a massive rat king, cloaked in sinister earth-aura. A whirlwind of yellow clouds followed as it pounced with gnarled claws dripping bloodlust.

“Lord Earthrock of Yunxia Sect!”

Blood trailing from her lips, Fairy Luo instantly recognized the beast.

Her first injury was manageable, but now the fourth-rank demon king had closed in, and the tide had turned fatally.

According to intelligence, Lord Earthrock had never attacked a Nascent Soul cultivator alone.

The true threat... was the Nascent Soul behind it. Hopefully not the one rumored...

That thought barely formed when a cold wind clawed down her spine. Bone-chilling gale pierced her from behind.

Under the roar of the sandstorm—

Whoosh!

A pair of dark, dominant wings, each several zhang wide, emerged behind her, they were like the wings of a demon from heaven.

“For a pillar of the Central Region to resort to this disgrace, ganging up on me and lying in ambush...”

As she turned to the white-robed man behind the black wings, Fairy Luo clenched her teeth. Her heart dropped into an abyss. An instinctive dread seized her.

Lan Changʼan, flapping his Black Heaven Wings, summoned frigid black gales that sealed her retreat.

Dragged by the wind, her movement was severely hindered.

The sandstorm and black gale now merged, compressing the light barrier from her Fengyi Rings.

Crack!

Lord Earthrock’s claws struck her directly, tearing a gash in the barrier.

Fairy Luo staggered, face deathly pale, her shoulder gashed to the bone.

“Help me—!”

Her desperate cry pierced the gale and sand. The proud Nascent Soul princess of Great Luo was swallowed by darkness.

Screeeee!

Lord Earthrock screeched in glee. The Devouring Black Silk on its neck lashed out like spectral hair, black filaments that wrapped around her waist and legs.

Her body froze. Spiritual power and blood flow faltered. The black threads began to drain her life force.

“True Monarch Xiang, spare me!”

“I’ll pay double whatever the Great Yu imperial family offered—!”

Fairy Luo sobbed and pleaded, her tear-filled eyes reflecting an ancient feathered fan, her vision filled with a twisted bloom of five-colored poison flame.

...

”Xiang Dalong has made his move!”

The nearest Nascent Soul cultivator was True Monarch Red Refinement, located two hundred li away.

He had not received any prior notice from the imperial family and had no idea that Xiang Dalong was lying in ambush nearby.

As a result, True Monarch Red Refinement was completely unprepared to cooperate in the assassination.

Everything happened too fast!

This formidable and troublesome opponent, Fairy Luo, was struck down by Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock in a thunderclap assault, so swift she had no chance to resist.

Lord Earthrock alone possessed a powerful set of magical treasures and battle techniques comparable to veteran Nascent Soul cultivators. Once it could close the range, it became an even deadlier threat.

Having failed to break through mid-stage fourth rank for many years, Lord Earthrock had instead focused its efforts on training spells and honing real combat skills.

Seeing Xiang Dalong make his move, True Monarch Red Refinement hesitated.

Should he assist Xiang Dalong in killing Fairy Luo?

On a cultivation battlefield, slaying a Nascent Soul cultivator was incredibly difficult. Even providing support in such an endeavor would earn great merit.

But True Monarch Red Refinement’s hesitation stemmed from his longstanding enmity with the Yunxia Sect and Xiang Dalong himself, he couldn’t afford to ”aid the enemy.”

Yet even such a brief moment of hesitation sealed the outcome.

“Save Fairy Luo!”

“It’s Xiang Dalong! Stop him—!”

Several of Great Luo’s Nascent Soul cultivators were entangled with their own opponents during the retreat and farther away, so their reaction lagged.

Boom!

In the sandstorm and black gale, a collapsing wave of spiritual power exploded. Tens of thousands of blazing beams pierced the gloom, shredding hundreds of li of cloud cover, creating a cataclysmic shockwave.

On both sides, True Monarchs felt a jolt in their hearts as they gazed toward the radiant, mushroom-shaped flare tearing through the darkness, judging that Fairy Luo had self-destructed her physical body in a desperate move.

Self-destruction of the flesh and spiritual force created a brief moment of power surpassing one’s rank, often allowing the Nascent Soul to escape.

“Hopefully her Nascent Soul made it out alive...”

A few high-ranking Great Luo cultivators sighed.

After all, Fairy Luo had just fought a major battle and was already in poor condition, caught in a sinister ambush by a central region powerhouse she had no chance to defend herself.

“Fairy Luo of the Great Luo Kingdom has been executed.”

A cold male voice echoed from the dissipating yellow sand and black wind.

The cultivators of Great Luo shuddered.

Their expressions darkened as they turned.

A black-winged streak of light soared through the sky, its speed matching that of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, vanishing beyond the clouds, making it impossible for the crowd of cultivators to see.

…

The dust and sand eventually cleared.

There was no sign of Fairy Luo’s body in the blast zone.

Only a broken phoenix hairpin remained, along with a few charred scraps of her palace robes, burned beyond recognition.

No trace of her Nascent Soul remained nearby; it was likely she had perished completely.

The Nascent Soul cultivators of Great Luo were all silent, frozen with dread. They hadn’t made it in time to assist, and now it was too late to pursue.

Even if they had the chance to intercept him, who among them dared to face off against a central region giant who had just claimed such a decisive victory?

…

“Congratulations to True Monarch Xiang on slaying a Great Luo Nascent Soul cultivator.”

True Monarch Red Refinement, the closest at hand, cupped his hands in salute with a stiff smile. Inwardly, he felt a twinge of regret.

Had he not hesitated when Xiang Dalong launched his ambush, had he even made a token effort, he could have shared in the glory.

Fairy Luo was a direct-bloodline Nascent Soul of the Great Luo imperial family, noble in status. Killing her brought far greater merit than defeating an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul.

“Mm.”

Lan Changʼan nodded slightly, exchanging simple greetings with the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Great Yu side.

Among their ranks, some looked on with envy, others with wariness, all with different thoughts.

But none expressed pity for Fairy Luo’s death.

On the battlefield, right and wrong held no sway, life and death knew no sentimentality. To show mercy would be to gamble with one’s own life and future.

Even when facing a noblewoman in palace robes, Lan Changʼan showed no mercy.

“True Monarch Xiang, with morale high after the slaying of Fairy Luo, should we press the advantage?”

A Nascent Soul elder of the imperial family stepped forward to ask.

“Do as you please.”

“That last fight, when Fairy Luo self-detonated, it left me with some internal injuries. I’ll be retreating to the rear to recover and won’t be joining the follow-up actions.”

Lan Changʼan’s tone was casual, almost indifferent.

The imperial family’s Nascent Soul cultivator looked displeased but ultimately chose to let the matter drop, focusing instead on cleaning up the battlefield.

They could already foresee that Fairy Luo’s death would shake the Great Luo Kingdom. The enemy would likely send a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator to counterbalance Xiang Dalong.

…

Accompanied by several Nascent Soul cultivators, Lan Changʼan returned to a floating war fortress a thousand li to the rear.

As the offensive side, the Great Yu Kingdom used floating war fortresses as temporary strongholds, easier to maneuver in battle.

The downside was that such fortresses lacked spiritual veins and had to burn large quantities of spirit stones to sustain their formations. Even Nascent Soul cultivators needed pills to aid in recovery.

Several thousand li farther back lay the major cities and immortal strongholds Great Yu had taken from Great Luo.

Though the floating fortress was much smaller than those major strongholds, only several li across, it was still sufficient as a base.

The Nascent Soul True Monarchs were treated better than most. Lan Changʼan selected a personal residence within the fortress.

By coincidence or not, True Monarch Red Refinement of Great Snake Mountain had taken the quarters right next door.

While recovering from his injuries, True Monarch Red Refinement began to sense a faint aura of malice, as if someone were secretly watching him. The protective wards of his quarters brought no sense of safety.

“At this distance... if Xiang Dalong or Lord Earthrock suddenly attacked me...”

Living right beside Lan Changʼan, True Monarch Red Refinement grew increasingly restless and paranoid.

The war fortress wasn’t large. The proximity of their residences meant that Lord Earthrock could probably smash through the wall with a single claw.

After a sleepless night, True Monarch Red Refinement, mentally exhausted, decided it was best to keep his distance.

He petitioned the imperial family’s Nascent Soul cultivators inside the fortress for permission to return to a major rear-line city to recuperate.

“With so many True Monarchs now stationed in the fortress, and True Monarch Xiang guarding this front, security is assured. I plan to return to Qingfeng City to recover and gather some fresh alchemy materials.”

His request was reasonable. With no immediate pressure on the front lines, it was approved.

True Monarch Red Refinement and another wounded Nascent Soul cultivator set off together, rotating out for rest and resupply.

...

Qingfeng City, True Monarch’s Cave Residence.

With the aid of a Spirit-Gathering Array, the spiritual energy within the cave had reached the threshold of fourth rank.

This strategic stronghold was equipped with fourth-rank formations, boasted a thriving trade economy, and possessed abundant logistical supplies. The city also had no shortage of pleasure venues, far superior to the spartan conditions of the war fortress.

“Finally free of that plague god.”

True Monarch Red Refinement entered closed-door cultivation to recover, assigning his Foundation Establishment disciples from Great Snake Mountain to gather more poisonous creatures for him.

Meanwhile, he maintained a close watch on developments at the floating war fortress.

A few days later...

The Yaqi Mountain and the Great Luo Kingdom camps dispatched a mid-stage Nascent Soul giant to confront Xiang Dalong.

Xiang Dalong and Lord Earthrock remained stationed at the war fortress, assuming a defensive posture.

Having suffered a major loss and being comparatively weaker, Great Luo dared not make rash moves.

Xiang Dalong was tied down on the front lines, dealing with the opposing Nascent Soul giant.

True Monarch Red Refinement, feeling secure, relaxed in the rear stronghold, nursing his injuries while his disciples continued to collect and deliver toxic materials.

He privately considered: Once my vitality has recovered, I’ll invite a courtesan from Yueʼe Pavilion Pavilion to play some melodies here, time to unwind.

After years on the front lines, even a Nascent Soul cultivator could suffer mental strain and anxiety.

“Martial Granduncle! Urgent encrypted message from the sect’s Supreme Elder!”

Late that night, a dark-skinned Foundation Establishment cultivator from Great Snake Mountain hurried to the True Monarch’s residence, requesting an audience.

“Bring it forth!”

Hearing it was an urgent sect message, True Monarch Red Refinement lightly tapped the black lotus pedestal beneath him, a trace of unease flashing in his eyes.

“Senior Brother is holding the sect’s defenses, no worries there. But it’s said that True Monarch Purple Mist has exchanged for a breakthrough pill and is preparing to advance to mid-stage Nascent Soul…”

This was currently Great Snake Mountain’s greatest concern!

With Xiang Dalong’s return, stronger in both cultivation and divine abilities and the rising power of Yunxia Sect, Great Snake Mountain was forced into retreat.

They wanted to sabotage this, but lacked the means, only hoping Purple Mist would fail her breakthrough.

“Martial Granduncle, the Yunxia Sect… has shown signs of unusual activity lately.”

The dark-skinned cultivator wore a worried expression and hesitated to speak further as he bowed and offered the encrypted message.

As True Monarch Red Refinement pondered, his eyes swept over the young man.

Someone he knew extremely well, his most trusted junior.

Yet something felt subtly… off.

The dark-skinned cultivator, still bowing, suddenly shifted, his hand delivering the message abruptly slapped toward True Monarch Red Refinement’s face!

Shhhkt!

From beneath the encrypted letter flashed a sinister barbed arrow, a shadow of death that reflected in the True Monarch’s terrified pupils. For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.

“You—!”

True Monarch Red Refinement’s Nascent Soul trembled violently, his body seized up, and a bloody hole blossomed between his brows.