I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Black Fog Mountain Range, on a hill ten li away.

Lan Chang'an gazed at the dissipating Core Formation phenomenon in the distance, his face showing no signs of emotion, though his eyes were deep in thought.

For an ordinary early-stage Core Formation cultivator, the range of their spiritual sense was about five li, with some newly advanced cultivators having slightly less.

At this distance, there was no need to worry about being detected.

"She barely managed to form a True Dan, but the quality of the core is far worse than mine in my previous life," Lan Chang'an concluded, comparing it to his own Core Formation experience from his past life.

In his previous life, the True Dan that Lan Chang'an had formed was of decent quality, ranking in the middle range.

Based on his observations, Fu Xuemei's True Dan was likely of the low tier, ranking at the bottom.

This outcome was slightly better than he had expected.

He had originally estimated that there was a high probability she would end up with a Fake Dan. This was mainly because too many unfavorable factors had stacked against Fu Xuemei.

She was only at the early stage of the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, her cultivation was slightly lacking.

The inferior Crystal Condensation Pill she took contained many impurities, which negatively impacted the quality of her core.

The external threats from the Fake Dan Immortals forced her to hasten the latter half of the core formation process, further compromising the core's quality.

The entire Core Formation process took just over half a month.

"This woman likely had an additional ordinary Core Formation spiritual item that slightly improved the quality of her core."

"Moreover, after completing the transaction, her state of mind seemed to improve, making the latter half of the core formation process smoother."

From this, Lan Chang'an deduced that Fu Xuemei probably didn’t harbor any resentment or develop a knot in her heart over the transaction.

But a wise man avoids standing under a crumbling wall. Before Fu Xuemei could complete her core formation, he had found an excuse to leave.

The injured and weakened Bai Ling Immortal might have noticed something amiss, but she chose not to expose or confront it.

"Even with an earth spiritual root, her chances of reaching Nascent Soul in the future are slim," Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly, retracting his gaze.

At the Core Formation Realm, the influence of spiritual root aptitude on cultivation diminishes, while foundation and opportunity become increasingly important.

The quality of the core is a crucial reflection of one's foundation; it significantly impacts cultivation speed and potential.

Normally, those with earth spiritual roots and heaven spiritual roots have a stronger foundation before Core Formation, often outpacing those with ordinary spiritual roots.

They usually advance decades faster.

During cultivation, they are less reliant on pills compared to those with ordinary spiritual roots, and their bodies have greater potential.

Of course, even the worst True Dan was worlds apart from a Fake Dan.

A True Dan allows one to continue progressing on the path of cultivation, with a slim chance of reaching the Dao.

However, those who form a Fake Dan are likely to remain stuck at the early stage of Core Formation for life, with no potential for advancement unless they encounter a great opportunity.

Fake Dans are not recognized by many True Dan cultivators.

In ancient times, when the world's environment was much more favorable and great cultivators were numerous, this stage was only considered half a step towards Core Formation, unworthy of the title of Immortal.

In this life, Lan Chang'an's goal was to form a high-tier True Dan.

The reason he doesn’t insist on forming an "Immortal Golden Dan" is that the process of core formation still falls within the Foundation Establishment Realm, where the influence of the spiritual root was significant.

Heaven spiritual roots may ensure a smooth formation of a True Dan, but even they had no guarantee of achieving a Golden Dan.

For those with spiritual roots below heaven grade, forming a Golden Dan requires at least a superior quality Crystal Condensation Pill and various Core Formation spiritual items.

...

Lan Chang'an distanced himself from the direction of Fu Xuemei’s core formation, simultaneously staying alert to avoid encounters with the injured He Yuanwu and Xiang Jinglong, especially the latter.

Due to Lan Chang'an's deliberate targeting earlier, Xiang Jinglong harbored a great deal of resentment and murderous intent.

Fortunately, Xiang Jinglong's enmity was directed at Junior Brother Cheng, not Lan Chang'an himself.

"Hmm, this area seems to be directly north of 'Wuqi Mountain,' but at some distance," Lan Chang'an judged his geographical location based on information provided by the Earth Burrowing Rat.

Fu Xuemei's Core Formation took within the Black Fog Mountain Range, northwest of Huanglong Immortal City.

A few days later.

Lan Chang'an took a slightly circuitous route to leave the Black Fog Mountain Range.

On his way back to Wuqi Mountain, he adjusted the "Hundred Illusions Mask," shedding the identity of Junior Brother Cheng, changed his clothing, and assumed the appearance of an ordinary Foundation Establishment youth.

The elderly identity he had used in Huanglong Immortal City to sell the quasi-third-rank Forbidden Breaking Talisman was erased and replaced.

The identity of Junior Brother Cheng would be temporarily retained.

As for Junior Brother Cheng's corpse, naturally, Lan Chang'an wouldn’t carry it around while dealing with Fu Xuemei and the others.

Before encountering Fu Dong, Lan Chang'an had already cremated and buried it, erecting an unmarked tombstone.

This prevented the body from being left to rot in the wilderness and torn apart by demonic beasts.

As a "scavenger" passing by, he had done more than enough.

"This trip to Huanglong Immortal City settled old grudges, earned a standard Crystal Condensation Pill, and the needle-shaped talismanic treasure," Lan Chang'an reflected on his gains as he made his way back, feeling quite content.

Junior Brother Cheng had been expelled from the mountain for years, and his relationships were distant. Lan Chang'an had been cautious and spoke little, so neither Bai Ling Immortal nor Fu Xuemei seemed to have noticed anything amiss at the time.

Even if they realized something was off later, a person's appearance and aura couldn’t fool anyone, and there were no major flaws in the general direction.

"Junior Brother Cheng, after obtaining the 'Crystal Condensation Pill,' would likely fear trouble from Fu Xuemei or Huanglong Mountain and choose to hide his identity and flee to a distant place. Even if he managed to form a Fake Dan, he wouldn't be much of a threat..."

Therefore, Junior Brother Cheng's disappearance after the fact wouldn’t seem abrupt.

If he were unlucky, Junior Brother Cheng could have been killed and robbed on the way by He Yuanwu or Xiang Jinglong. Such things weren’t unheard of.

...

After flying for four or five days, with a few hundred li left to Wuqi Mountain.

Lan Chang'an slowed his speed, intending to wait until midnight to quietly re-enter Little Turtle Peak, and sync with his simulated aura and appearance of the Illusory Truth Talisman.

At that moment...

He sensed the aura of a Fake Dan Immortal flying in from the north.

That Fake Dan aura felt somewhat weak and familiar to Lan Chang'an.

Soon, a sturdy middle-aged Fake Dan cultivator in loose robes flew over from several li away.

"Xiang Jinglong?" Lan Chang'an quickly hid in a corner, activating the Evergreen Technique to conceal his aura.

Xiang Jinglong didn’t bother concealing his Immortal-level aura as he flew straight towards Wuqi Mountain.

"What's he doing at Wuqi Mountain?" Lan Chang'an furrowed his brows in confusion.

It didn’t seem like a sneak attack or robbery, otherwise, he wouldn’t be acting so openly.

Lan Chang'an maintained a distance of over ten li, discreetly following.

Xiang Jinglong flew for several hundred li, swaggering his way into Wuqi Mountain.

Lan Chang'an waited outside for a moment but didn’t hear any sounds of battle.

He moved closer and merged his consciousness with the second life of the Nine Seal Stele, enhancing his spiritual sense for a quick scan.

"Cut the crap! Bring out your best healing medicine, and I won’t shortchange you," Xiang Jinglong said impatiently in the cave-dwelling on Little Pill Peak.

Ye Fei smiled cautiously, carefully attending to him, and took out his prized healing medicine to help Xiang Jinglong recover.

"Make me a lavish feast. Call in your beautiful concubines and dancing girls to keep me entertained and relieve some stress," Xiang Jinglong ordered, sitting arrogantly in the main hall.

"Immortal Xiang, it’s not advisable to drink and indulge in pleasures while you're healing..." Ye Fei kindly advised.

His mansion did indeed have some servant girls and beautiful concubines for entertainment, which Xiang Jinglong had detected with his spiritual sense.

"Noisy!" Xiang Jinglong’s eyes glared, his gaze intimidating.

The spiritual pressure from a Fake Dan cultivator made Ye Fei's face flush, and he quickly apologized, bowing and giving orders.

An unwelcome guest arrived, and with the situation stronger than the man, he could only swallow his pride and endure in silence.

Xiang Jinglong was indeed in a foul mood.

During the battle at Huanglong Mountain, he had joined the opposing side, hoping to fish in troubled waters, gain some benefits, and perhaps even settle an old grudge from when he was framed and schemed against years ago.

In the end, aside from a meager reward, he didn’t gain anything substantial.

Not only did he fail to bring down Huanglong Mountain, but he also ended up severely injured.

To guard against He Yuanwu possibly turning against him, Xiang Jinglong remained vigilant and parted ways.

After leaving the Black Fog Mountain Range.

He discovered that Wuqi Mountain wasn’t too far away, and he knew there was a decent pharmacist on the mountain. So he decided to come here to heal and indulge in some pleasures along the way.

...

Seeing the situation on Little Pill Peak and confirming that Ye Fei wasn’t in any immediate danger, Lan Chang'an calmly circled back to Little Turtle Peak under the cover of night.

He pretended to continue his seclusion and didn’t come out.

Before long, two transmission talismans flew out from Little Pill Peak, heading towards Little Turtle Peak and Xiao Pan Peak.

The maidservant, Lan Rou, placed the transmission talisman on the door of the secret room.

Lan Chang'an cast a spell, controlling the restrictions, he retrieved the transmission talisman.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, Immortal Xiang, who is a guest at little brother's residence, invites you and Fairy Shi to come over for a drink and to discuss some matters," came Ye Fei's slightly helpless voice from the transmission talisman.

Lan Chang'an put down the transmission talisman, deep in thought.

"Xiang Jinglong has a poor reputation. Although he’s still heavily injured, he’s come to Wuqi Mountain to recuperate. He might not have murderous intent, but he surely doesn’t have good intentions either..."

Considering the setbacks Xiang Jinglong faced in the Huanglong Mountain incident, Lan Chang'an could roughly guess his intentions.

Lan Chang'an sat quietly in his mansion for a moment.

Not long after, Fairy Shi Manrong from Xiao Pan Peak flew over to discuss the situation with Lan Chang'an.

At this point, Lan Chang'an had been in seclusion for some time, but without a breakthrough in cultivation, it wouldn’t be wise to continue pretending.

Moreover, the three peak masters of Wuqi Mountain had always worked closely together for mutual benefit.

If a Fake Dan Immortal insisted on inviting, it would be difficult for a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator like him to refuse outright or escape.

If he allowed the other party to perceive disrespect or arrogance, it could give them an excuse to cause trouble, which would be problematic.

Until he reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, Lan Chang'an wouldn’t easily give up the quiet and suitable spiritual vein site on Little Turtle Peak.

"Fairy Shi," Lan Chang'an greeted as he stepped out of his mansion and discussed the situation with Shi Manrong.

Xiang Jinglong was indeed severely injured. His visit to Wuqi Mountain, though technically as a guest, was a form of coercion, given his status as a Fake Dan Immortal.

Shi Manrong remained relatively calm, likely confident in her position on Wuqi Mountain, her considerable network, and her life-saving methods.

Lan Chang'an, feigning a slight nervousness, followed Shi Manrong to the cave mansion on Little Pill Peak.

...

In the main hall of the cave mansion.

Xiang Jinglong sat with a petite female cultivator in the Qi-Refining stage in his right arm, and a coquettish woman in a gauzy dress nestled by his left, serving him wine and food.

"Junior Lan Chang'an greets Immortal Xiang," Lan Chang'an cupped his hands and said.

Shi Manrong also bowed slightly in greeting.

Xiang Jinglong's eyes brightened as he looked at the elegant and graceful Fairy Shi.

"Haha! It's been many years, Fairy Shi and your charm has only grown," he said, gently pushing aside the two women who paled in comparison to the one in front of him.

The petite female cultivator he was holding was caught off guard and nearly tumbled as she scrambled to get up.

"Fairy Shi, come, sit by me, let's catch up," Xiang Jinglong laughed heartily, enthusiastically waving her over.

"Immortal Xiang, you’ve become a Fake Dan Immortal, while I’m just a withered flower, unworthy of such honor," Shi Manrong smiled lightly, maintaining her distance and sitting on the far end.

Xiang Jinglong looked a bit disappointed but didn’t press the matter.

His gaze then shifted to Lan Chang'an, a smile curling on his lips.

"Little friend Lan, we haven't seen each other since we parted in that secret realm years ago."

"After so many years, I’m surprised Immortal Xiang still recognizes me," Lan Chang'an responded, feigning surprise.

"Come, sit by me. I’ve been wanting to catch up with you. Someone of your age and determination to reach Foundation Establishment certainly deserves this honor," Xiang Jinglong said, motioning him over.

(End of chapter)