I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 484 ·Giant Warship of the Deep Sea, Eccentric Tianshu

Lan Changʼan had properly taken care of all matters in Great Yuan., everything that needed to be accounted for was accounted for.

In recent years, his fourth-rank divination art had sensed signs of impending chaos, Great Yuan might soon plunge into an era of unrest, its situation unstable.

This cultivation region was no longer suitable for his steady growth into the late Nascent Soul stage.

Thus, he sold off puppets and talismans of the third and fourth ranks at reasonable prices, most of which were taken in by the Yunxia Sect.

Once the era of chaos began, these strategic supplies would soar in value.

Late at night, Lan Changʼan cast a divination for an auspicious relocation.

He no longer hesitated and headed to the underground cultivation area beneath Yunlan Peak.

“Master.”

Lord Earthrock and Profound Water Monarch greeted him obediently, guarding the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

Upon seeing Lan Changʼan approach, the two spirit beasts made space for him.

Lan Changʼan gave the Xuanmu Vine Gourd a brief inspection.

Over the past few decades, thanks to the luck and fortune from that Heavenly Calamity, the vine had grown rapidly, becoming more robust and mature.

Now, some leaves had sprouted on the gourd vine, with natural Dao patterns faintly appearing on their surfaces.

The two spirit beasts stared longingly at those leaves, their eyes full of desire and greed.

Even without Lan Changʼan’s instruction, their instincts prevented them from eating the leaves.

Lan Changʼan speculated that the leaves served primarily to assist the gourd vineʼs growth.

Once they fell off, they would likely wither quickly, just like the lifeless Xuantian Relic of the past.

Only when fruit was borne would true fortune be at hand.

“With the leaves sprouting, the initial flowering phase shouldnʼt be far off.”

A smile appeared on Lan Changʼan’s face as he carefully harvested the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

The large vat housing the gourd vine now contained Five Element soil of greatly enhanced quality which reached the peak of fourth rank.

This was thanks to three key factors:

First, years of irrigating with carefully mixed five elements spiritual liquid.

Second, a wisp of Earth Motherʼs Essence he had obtained in Great Kun, which he blended into the soil. Though that wisp had been thin and scarce, once combined with the Five Elemental Earth, it complemented it perfectly.

This Earth Motherʼs Essence had continued to nurture and even multiply within the soil; it also helped accelerate the growth of the Lesser Xuantian treasure and the Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus.

Third, through testing, he discovered that the blood of a demon king also promoted the cultivation of Five Elements soil and growth of the vine.

In particular, Lord Earthrock’s demon king blood produced the best effect.

“Time to depart.”

Lan Changʼan cast his gaze around this underground cultivation chamber where he had trained for many years.

Lord Earthrock was experienced and skillful, and didn’t need instructions, he cast earth-elemental spells to plow through the entire underground arena, erasing all traces, including those of the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

Profound Water Monarch assisted by releasing a wave of frigid, dark water to cleanse the entire chamber.

As for the cave dwelling above on Yunlan Peak, there was nothing secret within, just a simple wash to erase residual traces and auras.

Once everything was complete, the two spirit beasts transformed into rays of light, one earthen, one watery, and entered their spirit pet pouch.

Lan Changʼan donned the Black Wind Cloak, using the aura-concealing power of this fifth-rank treasure to silently slip out of the Yunxia Sect.

Earlier, he had already informed Xiao Qingshan of his impending departure and subtly hinted the same to True Monarch Purple Mist.

However, the exact timing and destination of his departure were known to no one.

...

Three months later.

Lan Changʼan successfully arrived at the eastern coastal region of Great Yuan. The salty, fishy scent of the sea filled the air.

Along the way through Central and Eastern regions, he had stopped at several large immortal cities to purchase supplies, causing some delay.

Thanks to years of travel experience, Lan Changʼan had mastered the art of buying low and selling high.

Materials across the cultivation world were unevenly distributed, each region had its own specialties.

For example, seafood products were far cheaper overseas than in inland regions of the cultivation world.

Conversely, some land-based resources were scarce overseas, with price differences reaching severalfold.

A single trading trip could make Lan Changʼan a fortune.

There was no need to risk life and limb for mere spirit stones.

Of course, traveling from land to the human cultivator civilizations overseas was a long and perilous journey, fraught with natural disasters and man-made calamities.

Without significant strength or a bit of luck, crossing the seas to reach those distant cultivation lands would be nothing but a fool’s dream.

Lan Changʼan had long planned to flee overseas. Naturally, he had done his homework and gathered extensive intelligence.

He wasn’t some reckless novice who would blindly rush into distant, unfamiliar waters without a clue.

Facing the boundless sea, Lan Changʼan retrieved a nautical chart.

This sea map had been compiled from multiple versions, quite valuable.

It began at the coastal lands and included markings for powers like the Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Alliance.

Lan Changʼan’s finger slowly traced across the chart,

From west to east, the regions were:

Great Yuan Mainland – Near Sea Archipelago – Eastern Coastal Sea – Tianxing Sea – Deep Sea

The Near Sea Archipelago, under the influence of the Heaven Honoured Continent, was not considered overseas.

The Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects had some influence over the Near Sea Archipelago, but they weren’t rulers, nor considered true sea powers.

Beyond the Near Sea Archipelago, across tens of millions of li of the desolate sea, lay the nearest ocean region to Great Yuan, Eastern Coastal Sea.

Eastern Coastal Sea was only one of the many overseas seas and was of medium-small scale.

Even so, the largest provinces of the Heaven Honoured Continent couldn’t compare in size to Eastern Coastal Sea.

Despite the seaʼs vast area, the density of spiritual veins and cultivators on islands was extremely low, not even one percent that of land.

Arriving in the Eastern Coastal Sea meant truly entering the overseas domain.

The powers of the mainland had minimal influence there; messages traveled slowly, and trade was difficult.

Naturally, Lan Changʼan’s destination was not Eastern Coastal Sea.

First, it was relatively barren, with an environment much like Great Qing or Great Kun.

The difference was that the Eastern Coastal Sea was vastly larger than Great Qing and had Nascent Soul great cultivators in every era.

Second, Lan Changʼan considered it not far enough.

The legend of the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan had likely spread to Eastern Coastal Sea.

Perhaps the intelligence was unclear, faded by time, and forgotten by most cultivators.

Still, Lan Changʼan’s true destination was the more remote Tianxing Sea.

Among the many seas of the overseas human cultivation world, the Tianxing Sea was the brightest jewel.

It was the most prosperous sea of the human race.

Tianxing Sea was far enough from the mainland, rich in high-grade spiritual veins, and had a greater chance of cultivating to the late Nascent Soul stage than Great Yuan.

...

In addition to the relatively accurate sea chart, Lan Changʼan had also gathered some intelligence on the power dynamics of the Tianxing Sea, as well as information about the so-called ”Evergreen Immortal Healer.”

However, the Tianxing Sea was simply too far, and the information he could gather was vague and generalized at best.

“One Palace, Two Cities, Three Islands, Four Alliances, Seven Sea Sects!”

“Outer Heaven Island, Evergreen Immortal Healer!”

Back when Lan Changʼan had advanced to mid-stage Nascent Soul, his Evergreen Dao Fruit had briefly resonated toward the overseas direction.

Only later did he learn of the name Evergreen Immortal Healer.

Her reputation as a healer was renowned far and wide.

Titles like “Divine Doctor” and “Immortal Healer” had even faintly spread to coastal mainland regions such as Great Yuan, which was no small matter.

The Evergreen Immortal Healer resided on Outer Heaven Island, a haven for loose cultivators in the Tianxing Sea, with Nascent Soul great cultivators presiding over it.

It was one of the three major islands, a top-tier power in the Tianxing Sea.

Being both at mid-stage Nascent Soul, Lan Changʼan did not fear her.

Especially now, having acquired the Sky-Cleaving Axe and three trump cards at the Deity Transformation level.

Even so, the Evergreen Immortal Healer possessed unfathomable depth.

She had endured the thousand-year tribulation of the Evergreen Technique and had lived for at least two millennia.

Her strength was by no means to be underestimated. At the very least, he had to treat her as a formidable foe on the level of a great cultivator.

What’s more, the Evergreen Immortal Healer had long since established herself overseas, with wide networks and an entrenched foundation.

Compared to her, Lan Changʼan as an outsider was far behind.

“If I could cooperate with her, exchange cultivation insights, and jointly confront the threat of Yan Donglai, that would be the ideal outcome.”

“However…”

Lan Changʼan shook his head and sighed, knowing it was not realistic.

He speculated that the Evergreen Immortal Healer was likely a practitioner of the Demonic Evergreen Technique.

This woman had remained at the peak of mid-stage Nascent Soul for many years.

If she were to devour Lan Changʼan’s Evergreen Dao Fruit, she could potentially make a breakthrough to late-stage Nascent Soul in one leap, greatly increasing her chances against Yan Donglai.

Such an act which placed her destiny entirely in her own hands, would be more in line with a practitioner of the demonic Evergreen path.

...

Several months ago.

In the western region of Great Yuan, deep within a forested sea.

Inside a quiet ancient tree cave dwelling under the dim glow of the dark moon,

“Reporting to the Holy Maiden, that mysterious young woman has a powerful spiritual sense and unfathomable strength. She may be related to ‘Heavenly One Sect.’ This subordinate dared not act rashly and returned to report.”

Lord Thousand Shadows replied with a bitter smile.

He had only just gone to surveil the area near Yunxia Sect, and yet returned in such a sorry state. Naturally, the Holy Maiden was displeased.

“Sect members of Heavenly One show up neither early nor late, yet just now they make contact with that Xiang Dalong!”

Priestess Piao, clad in a pale moon-white ceremonial robe, furrowed her delicate brows, her face still bearing lingering anger.

Her plans had been disrupted twice by Lan Changʼan, she held a grudge.

The innate foresight of the Moon Demon Clan told her that Xiang Dalong posed an enormous future threat.

Better to bear some risk now and kill him early.

The original plan was to act after about one sixty-year cycle, once she had reached the late fourth rank.

Now, she was about to break through to the peak of mid-fourth rank, just ten years away from her goal, sooner than expected.

Yet at this critical moment, a Heavenly One Sect cultivator appeared.

The Heavenly One Great Tribulation had only ended a few decades ago, and its aftermath still lingered, Priestess Piao held deep fear toward them.

Neither the True Spirit descendant nor Lord Thousand Shadows dared to act rashly in the face of the Heavenly One Sect.

“Wait a few more years until the storm dies down. If that mysterious girl of Heavenly One does not appear again, we’ll reconsider.”

Priestess Piao took a deep breath, her full chest rising slightly, she could only endure for now.

“Yes, Holy Maiden.”

Lord Thousand Shadows bowed and secretly sighed in relief.

However, only a few days later, this Demonic Peak duo once again received news of the Sacred Lotus Maiden’s whereabouts.

“What! She went to the Central Region’s forbidden zone to investigate the demon sealing formation and the Heaven-Connecting spiritual treasure, the Eight Dragon Lock?!”

For a moment, Priestess Piao was deeply shaken.

The information had come from demonic beast spies in the western region’s forest, who had spotted the Sacred Lotus Maiden within the central forbidden zone.

“She likely has a Heavenly One Sect mission. Holy Maiden, you absolutely must not act rashly.”

Lord Thousand Shadows advised calmly.

Priestess Piao fell silent for a long time.

Even if she were ten times bolder, she would still not dare make a move against the Sacred Lotus Maiden.

Fortunately, their plans had not yet been activated, and their presence had been concealed by the True Spirit descendant black phoenix.

For the time being, the Sacred Lotus Maiden likely had no reason to suspect anything.

...

Some time later.

The Sacred Lotus Maiden vanished within the Central Region’s forbidden zone, her traces completely gone.

It was suspected that she had passed through a spatial rift in the ancient battlefield, traveling to the far end of the Heaven Honoured Continent.

“This girl likely won’t return to Great Yuan anytime soon. To be safe, we shall proceed with the Ancient Nether Hall Plan.”

Priestess Piao, after much thought, issued her command.

The Ancient Nether Hall was originally an outer secret realm within Great Yuan. During the last Demonic Peak Realm invasion, they had modified it and left behind certain mechanisms.

Central region cultivators could enter the Ancient Nether Hall by exchanging demon crystals, this would exacerbate the demonic tide and place pressure on the Demon Sealing Formation.

As a direct descendant of a Demonic Peak Realm Holy Sovereign, Priestess Piao held some authority over the Ancient Nether Hall.

By standard estimates, with Xiang Dalong’s strength and abilities, entering the Ancient Nether Hall posed little risk and he might even obtain rare materials for puppet refinement.

As long as he entered, Priestess Piao could use her permissions to create a temporary isolated space ideal for an ambush.

Should Xiang Dalong step into the Ancient Nether Hall, death would be certain.

If he chose not to participate,

Rumors would spread that the Ancient Nether Hall held superior-grade fourth-rank or even fifth-rank spirit ores, suitable for artifact forging and puppet crafting.

As a grandmaster of puppet arts, Xiang Dalong would be tempted by such treasures and likely venture out to acquire or trade for them.

Once he left the safety of his sect, three powerhouses from the Demonic Peak Realm could join forces and ambush him. With planning and surprise on their side, the odds of success would be high.

The only downside was that the Ancient Nether Hall would not open for several more decades.

They would have to wait quite a while longer.

...

The Holy Maiden of the Demonic Peak Realm quietly lay dormant, cultivating in silence as she awaited the implementation of the Ancient Nether Hall plan.

She hadn’t expected that after only two years,

“Reporting to the Holy Maiden, that brat has fled!”

News came that Xiang Dalong had once again disappeared from Great Yuan.

Crack!

Priestess Piao’s face flushed with fury, and the jade table in front of her shattered with a resounding snap.

After all the painstaking efforts to set up the hunt, the prey had simply and openly run off?

In this realm, it was the first time Priestess Piao had suffered such a major setback at the hands of a single cultivator.

Could it be…

That Xiang Dalong, like her, also possessed some innate sense for impending danger?

Priestess Piao simply couldn’t figure it out.

Was her luck just too poor? Or did Lan Changʼan possess some unknown, mysterious ability?

What she didn’t know was, that Lan Changʼan had originally intended to cultivate in Yunxia Sect for at least a full sixty-year cycle.

It was only due to the severance of his karmic ties with the Heavenly One Sect that he altered his plans and fled overseas ahead of schedule.

Moreover, Lan Changʼan held three Deity Transformation-level trump cards. Even if he were ambushed by multiple peak powers below the fifth rank, he was confident in escaping unscathed.

Priestess Piao had a foreboding feeling, Xiang Dalong’s unexpected escape had allowed a great calamity to slip away!

Even so, she did not vent her anger on Yunxia Sect or target True Monarchs Purple Mist and Yang Cauldron.

It’s been several decades since the end of the Heavenly One Great Tribulation, and there was a chance that the current Heavenly One Divine Sovereign might already be watching the movements in the western forest of Great Yuan. She must not reveal the slightest trace.

In dealing with a hidden danger like Lan Changʼan, she was willing to take some risks.

But for an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, there was no point in risking exposure, it simply wasn’t worth it.

If she took action against Yunxia Sect and alerted Xiang Dalong, their chances of killing him in the future would be even slimmer.

...

In the time that followed, information about Xiang Dalong’s departure from Great Yuan was confirmed by various intelligence networks.

The two Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the Yunxia Sect remained silent and did not deny it.

Following the disappearance of Jing Wufeng,

Xiang Dalong, the other of the “Twin Dragons of Great Yuan,” also vanished from Yuan Province and hadn’t been seen in a long time.

The name “Twin Dragons of Great Yuan” gradually faded from the region.

And in the centuries to come, this pair would never again appear together in the cultivation world.

Yet, the legend of the Twin Dragons left an indelible mark in the hearts of some cultivators in Great Yuan.

Among them, only a very few would have the fortune, many years later, to once again glimpse the elegance and legend of one of the Twin Dragons.

...

Tens of millions of li away, high above the open sea,

A massive, dark-cyan deep-sea warship, stretching hundreds of zhang in length, resembled a legendary giant kun, cutting through storms and lightning.

The sea’s storms, gigantic waves, and swirling whirlpools were enough to shred Foundation Establishment cultivators, and ordinary Core Formation cultivators couldn’t withstand such conditions for long.

On the upper deck of the deep-sea warship, inside a spacious and well-lit premium cabin,

“Over two years now. This fourth-rank deep-sea warship of the Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance has only just left the ‘Near Sea Archipelago,’ and it’s still crossing this desolate sea, yet to even reach the ‘Eastern Coastal Sea.”

A middle-aged scholar in the late stage of Core Formation stood with hands clasped behind his back before the cabin’s porthole, gazing at the treacherous sea outside.

To reach the truly overseas Eastern Coastal Sea from the Near Sea, one must traverse a vast, barren stretch of ocean.

This Desolate Sea had scattered islands, sparse spiritual veins, and extremely thin spiritual qi, entirely unsuitable for the spread of human cultivation civilization.

Traveling through this region, plagued constantly by natural disasters like storms, and with replenishing spiritual power so difficult, even Nascent Soul cultivators had to expend tremendous time and effort to make the crossing.

“Fortunately, the fourth-rank deep-sea warship provides a spiritual energy supply. The premium cabins offer an environment no less than a fourth-rank spiritual vein, it doesn’t affect cultivation at all.”

“Still, the fare is outrageous.”

The middle-aged scholar withdrew his gaze from the ‘sea view’ outside and stretched lazily, very content.

He then reached up and touched the nearly transparent Hundred Illusions Mask on his face.

That middle-aged scholar was none other than Lan Changʼan, now exactly 637 years old.

Two years ago, through the Sea-Suppressing Alliance’s channels, he learned that the Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance had a fourth-rank warship lingering near the Near Sea for half a year, soon to begin its return voyage.

The Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance was one of the four great merchant alliances of the Tianxing Sea, renowned across more than a dozen surrounding seas.

Their fourth-rank warships traveled between the Near Sea and Tianxing Sea, docking only at a few key central islands along the way.

These massive vessels, built at enormous cost, were beyond the capacity of ordinary Nascent Soul powers to construct. Even across the vast Tianxing Sea, such deep-sea warships remained extremely rare.

To offset the immense spiritual stone costs of running these ships, the Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance sold a limited number of tickets to ferry cultivators between the two regions.

Even the cheapest ticket cost 100,000 spirit stones.

Lan Changʼan’s premium cabin had cost several hundred thousand.

Most of the cultivators on board were merchant cultivators at the Core Formation level, primarily mid-to-late Core stage.

Nascent Soul experts were few and among them, some had concealed their cultivation and identity.

...

Crossing the vast ocean to reach the overseas cultivation civilizations, traveling aboard a “deep-sea warship” was not the only method.

However, it was relatively the safest and most comfortable way.

Nascent Soul cultivators could indeed traverse the seas on their own, but their recovery of spiritual power in the barren sea was extremely slow.

A fourth-rank warship moved at speeds comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator and could withstand maritime disasters without needing rest or spiritual replenishment.

In terms of actual long-distance travel efficiency, deep-sea warships far outpaced ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators.

As for those beneath the Nascent Soul realm, traversing the barren sea could take who knew how many decades or centuries.

And along the oceanic path came countless “tribulations” of both natural and human origin.

Natural disasters at sea werenʼt limited to ordinary storms, they included corrosive black rain, bizarre mirage fogs, annihilation lightning storms, and more.

Not to mention the countless powerful sea beasts and aquatic monsters.

Human threats were even worse.

With massive commercial profits to be gained on the sea routes, pirate cultivators were inevitably present.

These powerful pirates possessed highly mobile “raid ships”, capable of diving through the heavens and sea alike, coming and going without a trace and ambushing merchant ships and caravans to kill and steal.

Fortunately, the Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance’s deep-sea warship was a behemoth of the seas, with formidable defenses. Even raid ships would rarely dare to target it.

Among the famed “Ten Kings of Sea Bandits”, none would easily provoke the merchant fleets of the Four Great Merchant Alliances.

Aside from these two travel methods, there was a third, cross-sea teleportation arrays.

Such formations were more common in the Tianxing Sea, suited for vast maritime regions with sparse island populations.

In the past, Tinghai Pavilion had operated such teleportation arrays, capable of directly linking to major overseas islands.

But after Tinghai Pavilion’s fall, their array was destroyed.

Following the founding of the Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects, they once paid a great price to rebuild a cross-sea teleportation array.

However, powerful overseas cultivators and transformation demonic beasts infiltrated through the teleportation array, inflicting massive disasters upon the alliance.

The array was subsequently destroyed and never rebuilt.

The Sea-Suppressing Alliance lacked the authority and influence that Tinghai Pavilion once wielded, and had no sway over the outer sea powers.

Therefore, in this era, Lan Changʼanʼs decision to spend lavishly to board the Blue Ocean Merchant Alliance’s deep-sea warship was, without doubt, the most reliable way to cross the ocean.

...

A few days later.

While in seclusion cultivating, Lan Changʼan suddenly felt a stirring.

His consciousness entered the Nine Seal Stele, where the shadow of the fourth life was once again illuminated.

“It’s done.”

Lan Changʼan smiled faintly and retrieved the quasi-spiritual treasure, Sky-Cleaving Axe.

He formed a series of hand seals, activating the “Heaven-Mending Spirit-Nurturing Technique” he had obtained from Zhang Tieshan’s artifact spirit.

Through this secret art, he could nurture the spiritual essence of the Sky-Cleaving Axe and cultivate an artifact spirit.

Lan Changʼan’s own Evergreen Technique was highly compatible with spirit nurturing, making the effects of the technique extraordinary.

But that wasn’t all.

Lan Changʼan could use the fourth life as nourishment to accelerate the growth of the artifact spirit.

“Go.”

With a thought, the shadow of his fourth life nascent soul Master Lihuo merged into the Sky-Cleaving Axe.

Back then, he had used a similar method to merge the soul into the green-armored puppet, helping Puppet Master Wei achieve a breakthrough in insight, ultimately giving birth to a true fourth-rank puppet spirit.

Now, he applied the same method again, repeatedly sacrificing his fourth life to nurture the spirit of the Sky-Cleaving Axe and the results were remarkably effective.

With the strength of Lan Changʼan’s current divine soul, nurturing this past life took only half a month.

That meant he could “activate an acceleration” every half-month.

In just a year or two, the spirituality of the Sky-Cleaving Axe had become increasingly evident.

At the same time, the bond between the spiritual treasure and Lan Changʼan himself continued to deepen.

Since the fourth life was essentially his former self, sacrificing it to nourish the artifact spirit strengthened their connection.

“The Evergreen Technique’s nurturing capabilities, paired with the Heaven-Mending Spirit-Nurturing Technique, and the Nine Seal Stele’s reincarnation sacrifice acceleration... With this method, few in the cultivation world could rival my ability to cultivate an artifact spirit…”

Lan Changʼan was in excellent spirits.

The true spiritual treasures of legend in the cultivation world were no longer so far beyond his reach.

And when he had obtained the Sky-Cleaving Axe, it already possessed a certain degree of spiritual foundation.

The Heavenly One Sect likely had similar techniques for nurturing artifact spirits.

Lan Changʼan now realized, the Heaven-Mending Spirit-Nurturing Technique he had traded for back then was immensely valuable, likely a secret legacy of a fifth-rank artificer.

When used on a quasi-spiritual treasure of this quality which had refining seals rivaling that of true spiritual treasures, the nurturing effect is at its peak.

Even without such a technique, a quasi-spiritual treasure of this caliber, after long-term refinement by its owner, might eventually awaken an artifact spirit naturally over time.

At that moment, Lan Changʼan couldn’t help but think of Zhang Tieshan.

That True Monarch Tianfeng had seemingly possessed a damaged spiritual treasure, one that already housed an artifact spirit.

Lan Changʼan mused to himself, though Zhang Tieshan had an artifact spirit, collecting the materials to repair that broken spiritual treasure could take countless years.

In contrast, he had invested early, allied with a disciple of the Heavenly One Sect, and obtained a fully intact spiritual treasure with high-quality refining seals.

How fortunate was that?

If Zhang Tieshan learned that Lan Changʼan had so effortlessly acquired a fully intact, powerful spiritual treasure, one could only imagine how he might feel.

Of course, Lan Changʼan didn’t know that after he fled from Great Qing, Zhang Tieshan had met with Yan Donglai.

Out of regard for his old friend “Ouyang Tie,” Yan Donglai had helped Zhang Tieshan reforge that broken spiritual treasure using a fifth-rank artifact refining technique.

...

A few days later, the sacrificial nourishment of the fourth life was complete.

Lan Changʼan put away the Sky-Cleaving Axe.

On normal days, he wouldn’t spend too much time nurturing the spiritual treasure.

“Master, there’s a small gathering tonight aboard the ship.”

Draped in battle armor, Puppet Master Wei appeared beside Lan Changʼan like a ghost, accompanied by faint spatial ripples.

Wei was covered head to toe in heavy armor, wearing a metallic mask. As Lan Changʼan’s bodyguard, he was accompanying him across the sea.

On the warship, he addressed Lan Changʼan with the respectful title of “Master.”

“Alright.”

Lan Changʼan made some preparations and headed to attend the onboard gathering.

Not for making friends or trading resources.

Rather, some cultivators on the deep-sea warship hailed from the Eastern Sea or Tianxing Sea.

Since he was unfamiliar with the overseas world, Lan Changʼan made sure not to miss these gatherings, they were excellent chances to learn about the local power dynamics.

Any additional information might help him deduce the karmic ties and current whereabouts of Zhao Siyao.

...

One year later.

The deep-sea warship, having crossed the vast barren ocean, finally neared the overseas region known as Eastern Coastal Sea.

The atmosphere on the warship had grown more relaxed, merchants and passengers were chatting and laughing.

Even those cultivators who had been pessimistic earlier breathed a sigh of relief.

Over the past three years, although filled with tension, the journey had been smooth and without incident. The ship was finally entering Eastern Coastal Sea waters.

Many cultivators were preparing to disembark safely in this region.

“We’re almost at the Eastern Coastal Sea.”

Lan Changʼan stepped onto the deck for some fresh air.

The sun was shining brightly, sea and sky merging at the horizon, a rare spell of good weather.

At this point in the voyage, scattered spiritual island chains began appearing below.

He caught occasional glimpses of cultivators’ flying lights, and the traces of sea beasts or spirit creatures hunting.

The ambient spiritual energy was gradually rising, giving the impression of a world recovering its vitality.

Then, in a distant moment,

Far off, several hundred li away, a volcano on a sea island erupted. The rumbling sound faintly reached them.

Neither Lan Changʼan nor the other cultivators on deck paid it any mind.

After all, on this long and arduous ocean voyage, natural disasters were so frequent as to be mundane.

Soon, that island vanished as a black dot on the horizon.

...

Unnamed sea island.

Volcanic lava surged, and the ground trembled violently.

“Hahaha! You didn’t expect it to be this immortal, did you? In the end, I’m the winner!”

A dark-skinned, seemingly honest-looking young cultivator staggered near the mouth of the volcano, spiritual light on his body flickering faintly.

Despite his severe injuries, the young man wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed with unrestrained arrogance, like a victor.

Near the crater, a few charred male and female corpses lay still.

In this treasure-hunting team, he was the only survivor and the one who seized the great opportunity.

Hmm?

Just as he staggered down the volcano, he noticed a traveling daoist merchant sitting calmly at the mountainʼs base, watching him with a smiling gaze.

The man wore yellow robes and looked to be in his forties or fifties.

Ordinary features, square-faced, bearded chin, and eyes that gleamed with intelligence.

He carried a large pack on his back, looking worn and dusty from travel.

At first glance, he gave the distinct impression of a wandering merchant.

“Who are you, senior...?”

The dark-skinned youth, having narrowly escaped death and still seriously wounded, immediately became wary.

And suddenly, he noticed that the daoist in front of him matched the descriptions from ancient records of a legendary figure.

His heart jolted, and then filled with joy.

Could this truly be the blessing that followed his near-death experience?

The youth bowed deeply and instantly changed his tone,

“Senior... could you be the Daoist Tianshu recorded in the Worldly Wonders series of the Heaven Honoured Continent?”

(Chapter End)