I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 478: The Martial Marquis’s Visiting Card, Mid-Stage Transformation

Two months later.

Two visitors from the Jin Immortal Dynasty were traveling throughout the Great Yu Kingdom.

At times, they lingered in scenic mountains and rivers; at times, they paused in small immortal cities, seemingly without any serious business, appearing leisurely and carefree.

Until this day, Qi Xiuyuan and Luo Qianshui arrived at the central capital of the Great Yu Kingdom.

In front of the imperial city.

Passing cultivators curiously observed the two Jin Dynasty cultivators, whose attire and bearing were anything but ordinary.

The middle-aged man in the scholarʼs robe leading the way exuded an antiquated elegance. He wore a raven-blue square kerchief on his head, with two strands of dark silk ribbon hanging from its corners.

The female cultivator beside him wore a dress that flowed like moonlight and a pale blue shark-silk cloud-shoulder cloak over it. Her bearing was graceful and refined. A veil of snowy-white gauze covered her stunningly beautiful features.

Qi Xiuyuan surveyed the grand imperial city before him, stroked his beard, and smiled mockingly:

“It’s said that the Central Region giant, one of the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan, the so-called ‘True Monarch Xiang’ has not set foot in the imperial capital even once in the one to two hundred years since joining the Yunxia Sect.”

“Wouldn’t that be to your liking, sir? Cautious as he may be, that Xiang True Monarch might have collaborated with the Great Yu imperial family before, but the two sides ultimately harbor mutual suspicion, they’re not of the same path.”

Under the snowy-white veil, Luo Qianshui’s pink lips lightly parted, her voice like a clear spring washing over jade.

Qi Xiuyuan chuckled faintly, offering no comment.

The relationship between Xiang Dalong and the imperial family no longer needed too much speculation.

However, he did harbor doubts about Xiang Dalong’s true strength.

If that man truly lived up to the rumors that he could stand toe-to-toe with great cultivators, why would he be so timid and spineless?

To the point that he wouldn’t even dare cross into the Great Yu imperial capital, not once in person.

Perhaps the rumors were exaggerated.

According to verified intelligence, Xiang Dalong had successfully forged a fourth-rank puppet formation, excelling at defensive positional battles, with impressive self-preservation abilities.

Qi Xiuyuan speculated that Xiang Dalong’s offensive threat was likely far inferior to that of a Nascent Soul stage Great Cultivator. This was also the conclusion of several intelligence networks.

He reasoned as long as he avoided positional battles and didn’t engage in a direct frontal clash, as a fellow mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, he should be able to hold his own against Xiang Dalong.

After all, Qi Xiuyuan was a distinguished disciple of a Confucian Saint; and the Jin Immortal Dynasty’s cultivators were generally a cut above those of the same realm in other major provinces.

Thinking this, he suddenly felt far less pressure regarding this mission.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, Xiang Dalong was more likely to remain a bystander and not intervene in the conflict between the Jin Immortal Dynasty and the Great Yu imperial family.

…

The two strolled slowly and smoothly entered the Great Yu imperial city unimpeded.

In truth, ever since they had entered the Great Yu Kingdom two months ago, these two visitors from the Immortal Dynasty had drawn the attention of various powers.

Those observing them were not limited to Great Yu’s local forces.

The intelligence apparatus of the Great Yu imperial family had been keeping a tight watch on every move of these two uninvited guests.

However, since their visit to Yunxia Sect to meet Xiang Dalong that day, the two had made no noteworthy moves in the following two months.

Unhurried and calm, as if truly just sightseeing.

Or perhaps, the two guests from the Immortal Dynasty were waiting for something?

Luo Qianshui walked through the bustling, noisy streets of the capital.

She gazed into the distance toward the imperial palace where the imperial family resided.

Her eyes, calm and serene on the surface, concealed deep within a hatred and killing intent…

In the past, the imperial family of the Great Luo Kingdom had been annihilated, its territory annexed by the Great Yu Kingdom.

If not for that True Monarch Xiang letting her go, she could never have escaped so smoothly back then.

Later, thanks to the Great Yuan intelligence network of the Jin Immortal Dynasty, she was taken to Fenghua Province and joined the dynasty.

The bloodline of the Luo family traced back to noble roots, and due to both ancestry and the Immortal Dynasty’s schemes, she was made the adopted daughter of the Prince Luo’s Residence.

Now, returning to the Central Region Great Yuan and learning that the imperial family’s Grand Elder had died, and that the Great Yu imperial family had been weakened, whether for personal vengeance or the Immortal Dynasty’s strategic plans, this was a rare and golden opportunity.

Luo Qianshui knew clearly that pursuing revenge through personal effort alone was unrealistic.

Ten thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Great Yu imperial family had betrayed and separated from the Immortal Dynasty were placed under a bounty and hunted by False Heavenly Lords.

However, annihilating or capturing the Great Yu imperial family held limited value and did not align with the current best interests of the Jin Immortal Dynasty.

Thus, relying on the dynasty alone for revenge was unlikely.

Therefore, that day she had tried to pull in Lan Changʼan under the pretense of being rescued by him, not hesitating to offer herself in marriage in the hope of binding herself to a powerful external force.

…

Deep within the imperial capital of the Great Yu Kingdom, the two guests from the Immortal Dynasty remained under close watch, with surveillance on them at all times.

Qi Xiuyuan was clearly aware of this, but he didn’t care much.

He had the Jin Immortal Dynasty at his back and was one of the seventy-two disciples of the Confucian Saint.

The Great Yu imperial family feared him but didn’t dare to act rashly, let alone attempt an assassination.

At this moment, the Great Yu imperial family harbored deep concerns, as if facing a great enemy.

Two hours later.

Inside a teahouse at the heart of the imperial city.

Qi Xiuyuan and Luo Qianshui sat in a private room on the second floor, observing the bustling marketplace below, full of carriages and foot traffic.

As the capital of a cultivation nation, this place was heavily populated with low-level cultivators and mortals living in close quarters. The path of cultivation was no secret. The intertwining of cultivation civilization and commerce was highly prosperous, on par with the major prefectures of the Jin Immortal Dynasty.

Unknowingly, the patrons in the teahouse gradually departed.

On the now-empty second floor, only Qi Xiuyuan and Luo Qianshui remained.

Footsteps approached, two figures came upstairs.

Leading them was a man in a green robe, appearing around fifty years old, wearing a square kerchief and wooden clogs, with a slightly pale and sickly complexion.

“Cough cough… You two distinguished guests have traveled far and wide to get here. It was negligence of my clan not to welcome you outside the city.”

The blue-robed cultivator coughed softly, clasped his hands with an apologetic expression, and said:

“I am Iron Calculation. I’ve come on behalf of the imperial family to greet and receive the honored guests.”

“So it’s True Monarch Iron Calculation!”

Qi Xiuyuan stood up respectfully and returned the gesture.

Both sides exchanged greetings warmly, as though they were old friends reuniting.

True Monarch Iron Calculation recognized Luo Qianshui’s identity but didn’t ask further.

“And this is…?”

Qi Xiuyuan’s gaze fell behind Iron Calculation.

There stood a towering old monster with curly golden hair, at mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivation, a level even higher than the green-robed Iron Calculation.

The golden-haired elder resembled an aging lion, with sharp and domineering metal-attribute spiritual power tightly restrained within his body.

Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators would surely feel great pressure in his presence.

“Old man Golden Kun.”

The golden-haired elder spoke in a flat tone, merely standing at the back, showing no intention of sitting down or joining the conversation.

Clearly, this Elder Golden Kun didn’t want to get too entangled with the Jin Immortal Dynasty.

He had been hired by the Great Yu Kingdom with a heavy price to help defend the capital.

“So it’s Fellow Daoist Golden Kun who is famed across the Central Region of Great Yuan.”

Qi Xiuyuan took a closer look at Elder Golden Kun with a glimmer of interest in his eyes.

Over the past two months, Qi Xiuyuan had seemed to be traveling for leisure, but in reality, through Luo Qianshui who was a native of Great Yuan he had thoroughly investigated intelligence about the Central Region.

Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators weren’t worth Qi Xiuyuan’s attention.

But this Golden Kun elder was different. Not only was his cultivation high and his name well-known, he had even had conflict with Xiang Dalong.

Years ago, the “Twin Dragons of the Central Region” became famous after the “Seven True Monarch Battle” in the Central Region forbidden zone.

Among those Seven True Monarchs two had reached mid-Nascent Soul stage, Old Monster Golden Kun was the strongest.

Back then, the Twin Dragons adopted a strategy of defeating them in batches, deliberately avoiding Golden Kun and focusing on the newly advanced mid-Nascent Soul stage cultivator, True Monarch Netherwater.

“I heard that fellow Daoist Golden Kun once fought the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan and came away unharmed. I wonder how you would evaluate those two from back then?”

Qi Xiuyuan proactively engaged, inviting Elder Golden Kun to sit.

“The Twin Dragons back then? Just defeated opponents, nothing more!”

Golden Kun showed no interest in sitting down. Standing in the back with his arms folded, he looked like an emotionless hired thug.

Defeated opponents?

Qi Xiuyuan was taken aback. He exchanged a glance with Luo Qianshui, half-believing, half-doubting.

Over the years, the fame of the Great Yuan Twin Dragons had finally begun to fade.

But in the Central Region, no Nascent Soul True Monarch dared look down on the Twin Dragons.

True Monarch Iron Calculation’s face twitched slightly at these words.

Sigh… Elder Golden Kun had many good qualities, he had strong connections and was well-liked by various powerful figures.

But he had one major flaw, he was obsessed with saving face and loved reminiscing about his past glory and proudest days.

True Monarch Iron Calculation gave a soft cough, smiling as he offered an explanation:

“Fellow Daoist Golden Kun isn’t exaggerating. Back then, the Twin Dragons were only at early Nascent Soul stage, neither of them could match Fellow Daoist Golden Kun in a one-on-one fight.”

Golden Kun’s face remained expressionless, neither confirming nor denying it but he clearly enjoyed the flattery.

Indeed, nowadays he was no match for either of the Twin Dragons.

But back then, they had feared him the moment they caught wind of his presence, theyʼd retreat without confrontation, never daring to fight him head-on.

Especially Lan Changʼan, who cultivated the wood-based Evergreen Technique, which was hard-countered by Golden Kun’s metal-based techniques and magical treasures.

Years later, the Twin Dragons resisted Nascent Soul-stage Great Cultivators, shocking Great Yuan and becoming legends.

Their fame even spread to the near-sea regions, their names reaching neighboring provinces.

By contrast, Elder Golden Kun’s cultivation had stagnated and he was nearing the twilight of his years.

As the legends of the Twin Dragons rose, he could only look up and sigh.

Now, one of the Twin Dragons Jing Wufeng had disappeared from Great Yuan.

The other resided in the Yunxia Sect, cultivating in seclusion, never emerging.

Whenever Elder Golden Kun gathered with old friends, over tea and wine, he would proudly boast of his former glory, proclaiming:

“Back then, even the Twin Dragons were defeated by me!”

Those fellow True Monarchs and regional giants, though they scoffed they couldn’t deny it.

...

Before dusk.

True Monarch Iron Calculation and the Elder Golden Kun left the teahouse.

The former looked solemn, a letter of formal invitation appearing in his hand.

The invitation had been personally delivered by Qi Xiuyuan.

At the bottom was the signature:

Great Jin Immortal Dynasty, Marquis Tianwu.

True Monarch Iron Calculation was both cautious and wary, yet he also let out a slight sigh of relief.

Marquis Tianwu, a famed Nascent Soul cultivator from Fenghua Province.

This noble of the Immortal Dynasty was known for his martial prowess, having waged war across the cultivation world and helping the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty subdue numerous cultivation sects near Fenghua Province.

Even in the coastal regions, many major powers had heard of Marquis Tianwu’s name.

Fortunately, this was not the worst-case scenario that the Yu Imperial Clan had feared.

The Great Jin Immortal Dynasty had not dispatched a False Heavenly Lord.

Of course, a False Heavenly Lord only possessed powers comparable to the Deity Transformation stage while under the protection of national fate within the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.

Once they left its borders, their strength would plummet, barely stronger than a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

At least, there would be no qualitative gap.

Therefore, sending a False Heavenly Lord to the Great Yuan or the coastal regions was not very cost-effective.

Even so, a Marquis-rank Great Cultivator descending from the Immortal Dynasty was enough to give the Imperial Yu Clan sleepless nights.

It meant the Yu Clan had drawn significant attention from the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty!

In the heart of the Heaven Honoured Continent, the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty ruled by the way of kingship. Any who defied them had been ground under the wheels of history.

The anticipated visit of a Great Cultivator made the Dynastyʼs ambitions abundantly clear!

”The invitation doesnʼt mention a specific date. We still have time to prepare.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation took a deep breath and put away the invitation.

”As per our previous agreement, this old man will not engage in combat between great cultivators. At most, I can pin down a mid-stage Nascent Soul during defensive battles.”

Old monster Golden Kun hadnʼt seen the contents of the invitation. His deep voice reaffirmed his stance.

He had agreed to assist in the Yu Kingdom not only because of the reward, but also due to owing the imperial family a small favor.

”Fellow Daoist Golden Kun, rest assured. Our agreement remains unchanged. We won’t make things difficult for you.”

”Within our nationʼs borders, aided by our dragon treasures and the power of national fate, it’s not hard for us to hold off a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation spoke confidently.

Yet, he did not reveal the full truth.

If defending against great cultivators from the Great Yuan or surrounding regions, the Yu Royal Clan could indeed manage using its homeground advantages.

However, a marquis of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty might very well bring treasures specifically designed to counter the Yu Kingdom’s dragon treasures and national fate.

After all, the Yu Kingdomʼs Azure Dragon Sword, Imperial Dragon Robe, and Jade Dragon Seal were all imitations based on the inheritance of the Jin Immortal Dynasty.

Marquis Tianwu specialized in military formations, particularly siege-breaking techniques.

If he arrived with an elite formation unit, along with his lieutenants, he could almost sweep through weaker prefectures and sects.

”By then, will the True Monarch Xiang of your nationʼs Yunxia Sect come to assist?”

Old monster Golden Kun tested the waters.

”I’ve already extended the invitation. True Monarch Xiang is still considering. Later, the imperial clan will appeal to reason and offer generous payment, we hope to persuade him.”

True Monarch Iron Calculation replied, half-truthful.

Previously, Qi Xiuyuan and Luo Qianshui’s visit to Yunxia Sect to meet Lan Changʼan had deeply unsettled the imperial clan.

They feared that this man might be bought over by the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.

Privately, they negotiated with Lan Changʼan, offering a vast amount of spiritual materials and resources. Only then did Xiang Dalong agree to a “neutral” stance.

…

After receiving the invitation from the Jin Immortal Dynasty, the Yu Imperial Clan, amid growing anxiety, began preparing countermeasures.

Each day dragged on like a year.

Nearly two years passed.

Marquis Tianwu, the sender of the letter, had yet to appear.

Just as the Yu Imperial Clan endured this painful wait.

That year, Lan Changʼan was 590. A great disturbance erupted in the Yunxia Sect.

Beneath Yunlan Peak, in the underground palace.

A vast surge of demon king aura burst forth, vaguely exceeding the early fourth-rank demon king limit.

Around Yunlan Peak, demonic winds and malevolent aura suddenly surged, dark clouds shrouding the mountain.

“This aura…”

“Could it be a demon king about to advance?”

All of Yunxia Sect was alarmed. Disciples and cultivators alike were filled with dread, as though their mountain gate had been thrown into a den of beasts.

That oppressive aura of demonic force became increasingly intense, crashing repeatedly against the bottleneck of advancement.

Half an hour later,

The spiritual veins of the Yunxia Sect trembled slightly, like a minor earthquake.

The earth’s malevolent energy erupted as if some terrifying force was emerging from beneath.

That earth-elemental demon king aura finally broke its shackles, reaching a higher realm!

The majestic aura of a demon king as vast as the sea swiftly began to recede and conceal itself.

Most of Yunxia Sect’s cultivators hadn’t even reacted before that bone-chilling, crushing pressure suddenly vanished.

Zixia Peak.

Jiang Ziyan stared blankly in the direction of the underground training hall.

Only when that newly advanced aura had fully withdrawn did she regain her senses.

“Middle stage fourth-rank demon king… Lord Earthrock, a common rat demon in origin, actually succeeded in one go?”

True Monarch Purple Mist muttered softly, deeply unsettled.

At first, she hadn’t paid much attention to Lord Earthrock’s attempt to advance, Lan Changʼan had mentioned it in passing.

In the cultivation world, resources for beasts and demon spirits to advance were even rarer.

Thus, their breakthroughs were far more difficult than those of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Moreover, Lord Earthrock’s origins were nothing special, not of some extraordinary bloodline or innate talent.

By contrast, Jiang Ziyan herself was born with Heavenly Spiritual Roots and was a core disciple of a major Nascent Soul sect.

After so many years of trials and effort…

Only then had she advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, becoming one of the Central Region’s giants.

Yet Lord Earthrock, being just Lan Changʼan’s spiritual beast, had now broken through this bottleneck and stood on equal footing with her.

What Jiang Ziyan didn’t know was back in Great Qing, Lord Earthrock had already attempted a breakthrough to mid-fourth-rank, but failed.

Later, upon returning to the Great Yuan and with Lan Changʼan moving into the Great Kun domain, he had gathered numerous earth-elemental heaven-and-earth treasures to pursue a greater opportunity…

...

Beneath Yunlan Peak.

Lan Changʼan arrived at the underground cultivation arena and looked at the newly advanced Lord Earthrock.

“I have not failed my master’s nurturing.”

The agile half-demon rat-man sat cross-legged on a meditation mat. Its whole body was covered in knotted muscles like dark rock, and its brown fur had retracted, with a streak of purple fur now adorning its head.

After the breakthrough, Lord Earthrock had undergone quite a few changes in detail.

The previously coarse features of its rodent head had developed angular jawlines, making it appear more humanoid, it even bore some distinctly feminine features.

However, they were the features of a muscular, valiant warrior woman.

“Very good! The collecting we did over the past years was not in vain. According to this True Monarch’s previous calculations, you only had a fifty to sixty percent chance of success in this breakthrough.”

Lan Changʼan praised with a smile, in an excellent mood.

For the sake of this advancement, Lord Earthrock had spent many years quietly collecting resources, and had even fought on the battlefield of the Great Yu alongside Jiang Ziyan.

During the Great Kun expedition, Lan Changʼan had won a bid for the earth-attribute spiritual herb Stonecore Ganoderma. He expended some lifespan and many years to cultivate it into a superior-grade fourth-rank herb, which boosted the advancement success rate by at least ten percent.

From his deal with Jing Wufeng before their parting, he obtained three Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus, rare and miraculous treasures of heaven and earth.

Lan Changʼan consumed one lotus seed himself, planted another in the Xuanmu Vine Gourd vat.

The final seed he gave to Lord Earthrock.

During a time when the imperial family made a massive concession, Lan Changʼan also took the opportunity to demand another earth-type spirit item that aided in advancing to mid-fourth rank.

The massive accumulation of past efforts had finally borne fruit and Lan Changʼan was satisfied.

When Lord Earthrock had first reached the fourth rank, Lan Changʼan thought he would stop there and had little hope for his future.

And even now, that remained true.

A mid-fourth-rank demon king spirit pet was already far beyond his initial expectations.

As for advancing even further, Lan Changʼan held no hopes.

“You’ve just broken through. Consolidate your cultivation for a while.”

Lan Changʼan did not linger long in conversation and returned to the surface of Yunlan Peak.

His powerful spiritual sense detected that Purple Mist True Monarch was already on her way here.

...

A drifting cloud of iridescent mist approached, accompanied by a clear, melodious woman’s voice:

“Lord Earthrock, as the sect’s sacred beast, has improved her cultivation. This is indeed a joyous occasion.”

Immortal Purple Mist descended lightly into the cave residence, her white palace gown fluttering gracefully. Elegant and ethereal, with a noble, otherworldly jade-like beauty, she radiated composure and brilliance.

Lan Changʼan activated the cave’s protective restrictions and let her enter freely.

Main Hall of the Cave Residence.

Jiang Ziyan’s gaze shimmered gently, radiating faint surprise and tenderness.

She carried herself with poise and grace, seated herself beside Lan Changʼan, naturally leaning against him. A quiet and elegant fragrance lingered in the air.

“This is my gift, a vial of Millennial Stone Marrow Milk. For a mid-fourth-rank sacred beast, our sect doesn’t really have anything of exceptional value to offer.”

Jiang Ziyan took out a storage pouch and spoke with slight embarrassment.

She hadn’t contributed much to Lord Earthrock’s advancement this time.

“It’s not the weight of the gift, but the sincerity behind it. Lord Earthrock will remember your kindness.”

Lan Changʼan accepted the gift with a smile and gently wrapped an arm around the fairy’s slender waist, offering comfort.

The Jiang Ziyan of today was no longer the distant and reserved figure she had been upon first reaching the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

Especially after Lan Changʼan had sparred with the great cultivator “Overturning Sea True Monarch,” her entire mindset had shifted.

To outsiders, she remained the dreamlike, noble, and unattainable Purple Mist True Monarch.

But in private with Lan Changʼan, she was gentle, thoughtful, elegant, and affectionate, sometimes even revealing a shy, girlish tenderness.

When engaging in Dao discussions, she was completely open, heedless of status or hierarchy.

“Dalong, your fortune is truly enviable, possessing two fourth-rank spirit beasts, and with Lord Earthrock now at mid-fourth rank. This is rarely seen in the world.”

Jiang Ziyan’s expression betrayed her admiration.

The outside world only knew of Lord Earthrock as Lan Changʼan’s fourth-rank spirit beast and had no idea he also possessed a far more gifted Profound Water Turtle.

So long as Lan Changʼan remained, these two fourth-rank demon kings were considered the sacred beasts of the Yunxia Sect.

But if Lan Changʼan left someday, it might all be for naught.

Amid their affectionate conversation, Jiang Ziyan subtly probed whether Lan Changʼan possessed any beast-taming secret arts that could assist spirit pets in breaking through.

“Lord Earthrock once encountered a stroke of fortune and her bloodline mutated to earth-grade. Combined with her hard work and a breakthrough treasure obtained from the imperial family’s trade, I estimated she had a twenty to thirty percent chance and yet she succeeded! Even I was quite surprised.”

Lan Changʼan replied with a smile, not hiding anything.

At his current level, he feared no one coveting any so-called beast-taming secrets.

For example, Overturning Sea True Monarch possessed a mid-fourth-rank colossal sea beast far stronger than Lord Earthrock. Even the Sea-Suppressing Sect had more than one fourth-rank spirit beast.

Lord Earthrock’s current strength was also related to her early ingestion of the innate turbid qi left behind by the dead Xuantian relic.

Jiang Ziyan asked no more questions but sighed inwardly:

“Lord Earthrock and Profound Water Monarch, just one of these two fourth-rank sacred beasts would ensure Yunxia Sect’s future peace and security.”

...

That very day, the core leadership of the Yunxia Sect all came to offer their congratulations.

As Lord Earthrock was still consolidating her cultivation, she did not show herself, and Lan Changʼan played host on her behalf.

Now, the Yunxia Sect was flourishing, with as many as four or five cultivators in the late Core Formation stage.

Unlike the past, Sect Master Xuefeng did not appear.

Two years earlier, as his lifespan dwindled, Sect Master Xuefeng had stepped down from the sect master position and returned to his hometown clan to live out his days.

The new sect master was Jiang Haoyuan.

Disciples and elders now addressed him as Sect Master Jiang.

Jiang Haoyuan had long cut off the path to Nascent Soul. As a descendant of Jiang Ziyan’s lineage, he was well-suited to managing sect affairs.

At the celebration, Jiang Haoyuan forced a smile, but inside he felt unspeakable bitterness.

How cruel the Heavenly Dao is.

He had twice tried to form a Nascent Soul and failed both times.

Once a golden dan genius and Nascent Soul seed, yet now he couldn’t even compare to a lowly-born rat demon?

Lord Earthrock’s promotion to mid-fourth rank came as a shock to all Yunxia Sect cultivators, including Elder Xiao, the most trusted confidant of True Monarch Xiang.

Elder Xiao, Xiao Qingshan, was now the sect’s Transmission Elder.

Regarding the new sect master, Jiang Ziyan had consulted Lan Changʼan and had initially proposed Xiao Qingshan.

But Lan Changʼan had rejected the idea.

Back then, Xiao Qingshan had formed a slightly above-average Core, somewhat stronger than Lan Changʼan’s previous life.

In terms of background, inheritance, and backing, Xiao Qingshan was far superior to Lan Changʼan’s past self.

In this life, Xiao Qingshan still had a shot at reaching Nascent Soul. He should not waste his efforts on mundane sect duties.

As someone who had considered Lan Changʼan sworn elder brother in both lifetimes and a man of upright character, he naturally would offer support and a hand up.

...

A few days later.

News of Lord Earthrock’s advancement to mid-fourth rank reached all the major cultivation forces in the Great Yu Kingdom.

Aside from the imperial family, the emergence of the nationʼs first mid-fourth-rank sacred beast outside the imperial lineage indeed caused a certain degree of shock.

However, compared to the time Lan Changʼan clashed with a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, this news didn’t generate as much uproar.

Of course, the cultivators in the outside world were unaware that Lan Changʼan simultaneously possessed two fourth-rank sacred beasts.

The outside world’s focus was primarily on evaluating the strength of Yunxia Sect.

With Lord Earthrock added to the mix, Yunxia Sect was now equivalent to a faction with three giants!

If they so wished, the ”Cloud Dragon Twin Monarchs” could easily forge a hegemonic power within the Central Region.

In the neighboring Great Snake Mountain, the True Monarch Red Serpent, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted, trembled with fear. Even while hiding within his sect’s great protective formation, he felt no sense of safety.

Other noble families and sects in the Great Yu Kingdom were mostly wary.

Yunxia Sect had already become a colossus, beyond what most forces could even dream of reaching.

Only the Xiao family felt mixed emotions.

Thanks to Xiao Qingshan, their relationship with Yunxia Sect and that True Monarch Xiang had always been quite good, with occasional trade between them.

As for the Great Yu imperial family, they were too preoccupied with the crisis involving the Jin Dynastyʼs immortal court and had no time to spare for other concerns.

...

Great Yuan’s Western Region. The shadowy, boundless ancient forest bordering the Central Region’s forbidden zone.

Fifteen years ago, after the Black Phoenix in the Western Forest advanced to late fourth rank, this place became a forbidden zone within Great Yuan.

Human cultivators who wandered in or trespassed almost never made it out alive.

Powerful demon clans from Great Yuan and the surrounding provinces flocked to pledge allegiance to His Majesty the Black Phoenix of the Western Forest.

Some human cultivators worried that the demon forces within the Western Forest might now exceed any one of the three dominant powers in Great Yuan in terms of territorial strength.

Deep within the forest,

Inside a secluded cave residence formed from ancient trees, bathed in faint dark moonlight.

The twisted shadow-body of Lord Thousand Shadows, suspended between the real and unreal, silently merged into the warding barrier of the tree cave.

“Priestess Piao, this is the latest outside news, it concerns the person you’ve been watching.”

Lord Thousand Shadows’s voice echoed hollowly, devoid of any emotion.

He presented a black crystal jade.

Priestess Piao, wearing a ceremonial priestess’s robe, opened her dark blue eyes. The crescent moon imprint on her brow glowed faintly, resonating with the luminous moon in the night sky.

She extended a moon-blue finger and tapped the black crystal jade, instantly acquiring the latest intelligence.

Upon learning that Lord Earthrock had advanced to mid-fourth rank, her brows slightly furrowed, but she showed little surprise.

She wasn’t concerned about a mere rat demon, even if it had reached mid-fourth rank.

Moments later, Priestess Piao slowly spoke, her words shocking:

“Thousand Shadows, now that you’ve regained your cultivation at the peak of the fourth rank, how confident would you be if tasked with assassinating Xiang Dalong?”

“Priestess Piao, that would be a worst-case scenario, an extremely risky move!”

Lord Thousand Shadows’s expression changed, and he immediately shook his head in firm rejection.

If their identity from the Demonic Peak Realm was exposed, the advantageous position they’d established in the Western Forest of Great Yuan would be completely ruined.

With the Heavenly One Tribulation approaching, all Deity Transformation-stage Heavenly Lords in the Heaven Honoured Continent had gone low-profile and avoided interfering in Great Yuan’s affairs.

The Black Phoenix, with his innate true-spirit bloodline and the fourth-rank powerhouses from the Demonic Peak Realm had quietly lain low here, developing their strength for more than a decade.

Priestess Piao’s gaze flickered as she pondered deeply.

She knew full well that the timing was not right. Making a move against Xiang Dalong now was unwise, the risk was far too high.

Xiang Dalong’s ability to protect himself was on par with a Great Cultivator and he remained secluded within his sect most of the time.

Lord Thousand Shadows might have a chance at assassination, but doing so silently and without revealing his identity would be immensely difficult.

“Holy Maiden, you are a direct bloodline of the Illusory Moon Holy Sovereign, a supreme genius of the Moon Demon Clan. Your future is limitless. Attaining fifth rank Deity Transformation is virtually guaranteed. Once the invasion of the Heaven Honoured Human Realm is complete, even a sixth-rank venerable position is not out of reach.”

“Please do not let momentary hatred cloud your judgment and ruin our sacred clan’s once-in-ten-millennia grand plan.”

Lord Thousand Shadows earnestly advised.

He knew the deep grudge Priestess Piao bore against Lan Changʼan.

During the demon sealing battle, the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan had ruined the Holy Maiden’s plans, that much could be overlooked.

But in Great Kun, due to a certain individual’s report, Priestess Piao’s painstakingly established Demonic Peak Realm outpost was wiped out by the avatar of a Deity Transformation cultivator.

“Thousand Shadows, you make excellent points. It’s just that-”

Priestess Piao’s icy, murderous gaze turned toward the direction of the Great Yu Kingdom, toward Yunxia Sect.

“This Holy Maiden has a strong feeling… this one will become a tremendous threat in the future!”

These words came from her innate ability, the foresight of the Moon Demon Clan.

It was this very sense that had allowed her to flee quickly back in Kun Province.

Lord Thousand Shadows was contemplative, then said calmly:

“If the Holy Maiden must act, it should wait until Fellow Daoist Black Phoenix has fully mastered his innate true-spirit divine ability, no longer fearing the avatars of Heavenly Lords. At that time, when Your Holiness reaches late fourth rank and our strength is further consolidated, we can consider this at length.”

Hearing this, Priestess Piao’s expression eased.

In the Demonic Peak Realm, she had been a mid-fourth-rank cultivator.

The stronger one’s individual power, the harder it was to cross between realms. Even so, when she broke the seal and arrived in the Heaven Honoured Realm, she was severely injured and her cultivation fell to early fourth rank.

A hundred years ago, she had already recovered her cultivation.

With outstanding talent and sacred artifacts in hand, even in the incompatible environment of the Heaven Honoured Human Realm, her path to late fourth rank wouldn’t be too slow.

As for Lan Changʼan, with his focus on wood-type longevity arts, his cultivation would rise steadily but slowly. Even if he reached late Nascent Soul, he’d fall far behind her.

Once she reached late fourth rank, the Moon Demon Clan’s innate divine abilities would undergo a qualitative leap, far surpassing anything a late Nascent Soul cultivator from the human world could handle.

At that point, with the support of the Black Phoenix who had mastered his true-spirit divine abilities, even if a Heavenly Lord came, the few top fourth-rank powerhouses on their side might still stand a fighting chance.

“Roughly one sixty-year cycle.”

Priestess Piao did a quick estimate and revealed a strange, sinister smile, as if she had already sentenced Lan Changʼan to death in advance.

(End of chappy)