I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

After briefly locking eyes with the straw-cloaked elder, True Monarch Lingyu quickly regained his usual composure.

At this moment, Dragon Subduing True Monarch and the others approached, so he couldn't afford to be negligent and didn't delve deeper.

Dragon Subduing True Monarch was also a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse, possessing a fourth-rank flood dragon, and hailed from Dragon-Tiger Mountain, one of the Ten Great Xuan Sects.

Lan Chang'an trailed behind, watching as True Monarch Lingyu was surrounded and admired by a crowd of Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Such flourishing fortune," he murmured, narrowing his eyes slightly as his fourth-rank divination art and fortune-seeing technique swept over True Monarch Lingyu's head.

True Monarch Lingyu's personal fortune surpassed that of any cultivator Lan Chang'an had seen in Great Qing.

While fortune couldn't directly enhance one's combat prowess, it could make all endeavors proceed smoothly, bringing continuous opportunities as if blessed by heaven.

"This is True Monarch Jing from the Southern Region."

One of the exchange's organizers, True Monarch Ai, noticed Lan Chang'an being left out and took the initiative to introduce him to the gathered True Monarchs.

True Monarch Ai was refined and amiable, engaging in cheerful conversation and able to chat with every Nascent Soul old monster present.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Jing. A pleasure to meet you."

Some of the Nascent Soul cultivators who had witnessed Lan Chang'an's extravagance at the auction showed interest and didn't mind making his acquaintance.

True Monarch Lingyu, Dragon Subduing True Monarch, and a few other mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators merely nodded in acknowledgment.

True Monarch Lingyu secretly observed him. While he could detect the straw-cloaked elder was in disguise, he couldn't discern his true origins.

He had suspected the leader of the Unseen Gate.

But the current individual's soul and mana aura carried a pure flame energy, completely different in style.

If the Unseen Gate master's demonic cultivation techniques were disguised as a fire-attribute Nascent Soul cultivator, the dissonance would have been easily detected by True Monarch Lingyu.

Moreover, the Unseen Gate master wouldn't dare to move around under the noses of so many righteous Nascent Souls in the Central Region, including himself.

The world of cultivation had no shortage of treasures or secret techniques to conceal one's appearance. In past exchanges, there had been those who hid their identities, so True Monarch Lingyu didn't forcibly probe further.

His intuition told him this person was no ordinary figure, so he remained watchful.

Lan Chang'an had no interest in interacting with True Monarch Lingyu and avoided him whenever possible.

Among the many Nascent Soul cultivators present, there were several mid-stage Nascent Souls, but the only one who posed a significant threat to him was True Monarch Lingyu.

Fortunately, True Monarch Lingyu was aloof and showed no intention of initiating conversation.

The reason Lan Chang'an appeared so late was to confirm that Jade Water True Monarch had indeed come to participate in the Central Region Nascent Soul exchange.

At the same time, he couldn't arrive right before or after Jade Water True Monarch.

If a fourth-rank divination master from the Seven Stars Temple had appeared, he would have avoided this exchange altogether to avoid exposing any flaws.

…

On the lake's central island, Lan Chang'an found an empty cushion to sit on, maintaining a neither too close nor too far distance from Jade Water True Monarch.

"It is an honor to invite Nascent Soul Fellow Daoists from all over Great Qing… The procedures and trading rules of this exchange will follow past conventions…"

True Monarch Ai was responsible for setting the tone and hosting the Nascent Soul exchange.

The seated Nascent Soul cultivators, including those from the Ten Great Xuan Sects, treated True Monarch Ai with respect.

The Tianhe Merchant Association, where he belonged, was the top commerce guild in the Central Region and even all of Great Qing, and its background was anything but simple.

Many descendants of high-ranking members from the top three factions among the Ten Great Xuan Sects, Taiyue Sect, Profound Clarity Gate, and Star Pavilion, held important positions in the Tianhe Merchant Association.

"Pharmacist Gongyang, why don't you start this trading showcase?"

True Monarch Ai clasped his hands respectfully and smiled at an elderly man with a white beard and a goatee sitting among the crowd.

"Haha! Since the Medicine King has taken the trouble to attend the Central Region exchange, he must have brought many spirit pills and divine medicines."

Dragon Subduing True Monarch, True Monarch Leiming, and others smiled, expressing reverence and deference to Pharmacist Gongyang.

"In that case, this old man won't decline. To be frank, my purpose in attending this Nascent Soul exchange is to seek a few rare medicinal ingredients. Those who meet the conditions may trade for spirit pills with priority or request this old man's services in pill refining or healing…"

Pharmacist Gongyang took out a scroll listing his requirements, along with over a dozen bottles and jars containing pills, which floated in front of a long table.

The scroll listed the materials he needed, while the jars were labeled with the names of the pills.

"Purple Clarity Pill… Heavenly Enlightenment Water… Life-Death Creation Pill…"

The seated Nascent Soul old monsters gazed at the jars containing the spirit pills and medicinal liquids, their eyes burning with desire and admiration.

"Pharmacist Gongyang, how do you wish to trade for this Heavenly Enlightenment Water?"

True Monarch Lingyu stared at one of the jars of spiritual liquid, visibly tempted.

The Heavenly Enlightenment Water could slightly enhance a cultivator's comprehension, a secret formula unique to the Medicine King, said to be concocted only once every two hundred years.

"At least two of the rare medicinal ingredients listed are required for the trade."

Pharmacist Gongyang remained composed, stroking his white beard.

True Monarch Lingyu frowned. The materials listed were not only exceptionally precious but also extremely rare in Great Qing.

He could only produce one of them.

"As expected of a fourth-rank mid-grade alchemist…"

Lan Chang'an scanned the divine pills and medicines displayed by the Medicine King and couldn't help but marvel, feeling tempted as well.

Among them was even a fourth-rank Life Extension Pill he needed.

Pharmacist Gongyang, revered as the Medicine King, not only had great alchemy attainments but was also a peerless physician who had saved countless lives.

During the great righteous-demonic war centuries ago, many high-ranking members of the Ten Great Xuan Sects had been treated by him.

At the same time, the Medicine King had also resolved many rare poisons and incurable diseases in the cultivation world.

Lan Chang'an didn't step forward immediately. The medicinal ingredients listed by the Medicine King were rare in the world, and he could only produce two or three of them.

Of the divine pills and medicines displayed by the Medicine King, only one cultivator succeeded in trading for a lower-value item in the short term, one that required only a single rare material.

The other tempted Nascent Soul old monsters either sighed in resignation or tried to gather the necessary items.

After the Medicine King, the other Nascent Soul old monsters took turns displaying their items and stating their requirements.

Lan Chang'an took out a rare treasure, a segment of fourth-rank spirit wood, a main ingredient for the Infant Transformation Pill, and several fourth-rank spirit herbs.

To avoid exposing his identity, he didn't display any puppets or talismans.

As for what he sought, fourth-rank Life Extension Pills or similar longevity-enhancing spiritual fruits took priority, followed by high-quality forging materials.

The resources Lan Chang'an displayed were highly valuable and in great demand in the cultivation world, so quite a few Nascent Soul old monsters inquired.

He noticed Jade Water True Monarch's gaze lingering briefly on the fourth-rank spirit wood.

...

"Would Fellow Daoist be willing to trade this Miluo Grass?"

A deep, resonant voice sounded as a burly man in golden-patterned python robes appeared behind Lan Chang'an without warning.

"Ah, it's Dragon Subduing True Monarch! What an honor!"

Lan Chang'an lowered his posture, rising enthusiastically to greet him.

"Miluo Grass is one of the three main ingredients for the Infant Transformation Pill. Several Fellow Daoists have inquired earlier, but the materials they offered didn't satisfy me."

Recalling that this Dragon Subduing True Monarch was a beast tamer, Lan Chang'an's heart stirred.

He probed, "As the Supreme Elder of Dragon-Tiger Mountain, surely Your Excellency must possess fourth-rank pills for the beast transformation stage?"

"This seat does indeed have a 'Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill' that aids demonic beasts in breaking through to the transformation stage. However, a single Miluo Grass from you is far from enough to trade for it. As for your other offerings, this seat has no interest."

Dragon Subduing True Monarch scoffed, not bothering to hide his faint disdain.

As a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse, his standards were high. His inquiry about the Infant Transformation Pill's main ingredient was merely to stockpile more strategic resources for his sect.

The resources Lan Chang'an displayed might tempt early-stage Nascent Souls, but they were beneath his notice.

"Heh! This old man happens to possess one of the rare materials the Medicine King requires. Would Your Excellency be interested?"

Unfazed, Lan Chang'an lowered his voice with a dry chuckle.

Dragon Subduing True Monarch narrowed his eyes. He had indeed shown interest in the Medicine King's spirit pills earlier.

He scrutinized the straw-cloaked elder:

"The Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill is a secret formula of our sect, not to be traded lightly with outsiders. Moreover, Fellow Daoist is a foreign cultivator with unclear origins."

Like True Monarch Lingyu, Xianglong could tell that Lan Chang'an's appearance was disguised.

"Jing resides in the Southern Region and is no demonic cultivator. There's no conflict of interest with Dragon-Tiger Mountain, nor do I pose any threat. If Your Excellency has no intention to trade, then so be it!"

Lan Chang'an spread his hands, offering no further bargaining chips.

Dragon Subduing True Monarch left without another word, his face unreadable.

Lan Chang'an collected his displayed items and approached Pharmacist Gongyang.

By now, the crowd around the Medicine King had thinned as Nascent Souls engaged in private negotiations.

"Fellow Daoist Gongyang, this old man has one of the rare materials on your list. Could it be traded for a fourth-rank Life Extension Pill?"

Lan Chang'an cut straight to the point.

"The fourth-rank Life Extension Pill requires two rare materials from the list. Unless the herb you provide is one of the two highest-value items."

The Medicine King smiled faintly, having noted this wealthy "Jing" elder earlier.

Lan Chang'an produced a crystalline blue-patterned exotic fruit.

The Medicine King's eyes brightened momentarily before he shook his head slightly. "Still not enough."

"As a fourth-rank alchemist, might Fellow Daoist Gongyang be interested in lost ancient pill formulas from Great Qing?"

Lan Chang'an retrieved a prepared jade slip and handed it over.

"Pill formulas?"

The Medicine King's interest was lukewarm as he accepted it.

As Great Qing's foremost alchemist, he had collected countless pill formulas circulating in the cultivation world, even improving and creating some unique ones.

Even if some obscure formulas were new to him, they held little value at his level.

"Hmm? Divine Lament Pill... Ocean Heaven Sacred Pill..."

Scanning the summarized formulas, the Medicine King showed rare surprise and studied Lan Chang'an more closely.

"What does Fellow Daoist Gongyang think?"

"Deal."

Without hesitation, the Medicine King agreed readily.

Lan Chang'an inwardly rejoiced and produced the complete formula jade slip.

Their smooth transaction drew envious glances from nearby Nascent Souls.

The Medicine King cared little about parting with a Life Extension Pill, already absorbed in studying the new formulas with evident satisfaction.

Not wishing to disturb him further, Lan Chang'an turned to leave when a mid-stage Nascent Soul's spiritual sense brushed past him.

An aged voice sounded in his ear:

"Fellow Daoist Jing, have you been overseas?"

Lan Chang'an paused almost imperceptibly, catching the Medicine King's distracted gaze, the man seemed capable of dividing his attention.

"This old man, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul, has naturally never ventured to the distant overseas. However, my ancestors were said to be overseas cultivators who inexplicably arrived inland after encountering a strange oceanic phenomenon."

Lan Chang'an responded via spiritual transmission.

He mused that the Medicine King's deduction was frighteningly accurate based solely on traded items.

"I see."

Pharmacist Gongyang sighed without questioning the claim's veracity.

The annals of cultivation history recorded far stranger tales.

...

Obtaining a fourth-rank Life Extension Pill was an unexpected windfall for Lan Chang'an.

If he could also secure the "Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill" from Dragon Subduing True Monarch, it would be perfect.

Just as he was inwardly gloating, a hostile gaze prickled his senses.

"Fellow Daoist Jing lacks integrity! That rare material you mentioned trading with this seat was instead given to the Medicine King without notice."

Dragon Subduing True Monarch's displeased voice carried a mid-stage Nascent Soul's spiritual pressure.

Lan Chang'an nearly rolled his eyes and refused to indulge him:

"Since Fellow Daoist Xianglong(Dragon Subduing) refused to trade the 'Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill,' this old man naturally sought alternatives."

"This seat never refused, only said he needed time to consider!"

Dragon Subduing True Monarch's stern face darkened further.

Recalling their earlier exchange, Lan Chang'an realized Xianglong hadn't outright rejected him.

The claims about "sect secrets" and "unverified identity" were just negotiating tactics to squeeze more concessions.

Amused, Lan Chang'an recognized that his image as a free-spending outsider had misled the other party.

"If Fellow Daoist Xianglong is still interested, this old man happens to have another of the Medicine King's listed..."

He drawled deliberately.

It dawned on him that Xianglong must highly value one of the Medicine King's pills or perhaps Dragon-Tiger Mountain needed the fourth-rank mid-grade alchemist's services for some important matter.

"You have more?"

Dragon Subduing True Monarch's bushy eyebrows shot up, his piercing eyes widening slightly.

"Indeed. The remaining rare herb was reserved for private trade with True Monarch Lingyu to foster goodwill."

"Enough! Lingyu can't possibly offer a Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill!"

Dragon Subduing True Monarch's expression soured, his tone turning irritable.

As fellow mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouses, he was barely inferior to Lingyu. Yet this old man sought Lingyu's favor while treating him dismissively.

The two retreated to a secluded corner of the lake island to complete their transaction privately.

Using the Medicine King's listed rare herb and the Infant Transformation Pill's Miluo Grass as primary bargaining chips, supplemented by two fourth-rank thousand-year-old spirit herbs, Lan Chang'an secured the "Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill."

"Fellow Daoist Jing, consider yourself fortunate this time. The 'Heavenly Fiend Beast Soul Pill' significantly aids demonic beasts in condensing their essence core while slightly tempering spiritual sense and bolstering resistance to inner demons."

Dragon Subduing True Monarch departed with the air of one who'd suffered a loss, his face stormy.

Lan Chang'an shook his head inwardly. For all his status as a mid-stage Nascent Soul, the man was simply upset at failing to fleece this wealthy outsider as thoroughly as he'd hoped.

In the cultivation world, low-to-mid-level cultivators revered Nascent Soul True Monarchs as deities.

Yet upon reaching this stage, one discovered these grand figures had wildly varying temperaments, not all were paragons of wisdom or bottomless schemers. Squabbling over marginal gains was perfectly commonplace.

...

Having successfully traded with two Nascent Soul powerhouses in succession, Lan Chang'an earned considerable respect from many of the elder Nascent Souls present.

In truth, Lan Chang'an still possessed another rare material from the Medicine King's list, a precious body-refining treasure that might prove useful in the future.

Unwilling to part with it, he had instead used several pill formulas to offset the cost.

Now, only a handful of items remained in Lan Chang'an's tradable inventory, including a segment of fourth-rank spirit wood.

"Fellow Daoist Jing, might this humble one examine your fourth-rank Ironheart Wood?"

A voice as clear and soothing as a mountain spring sounded, instantly lifting the spirits of those who heard it.

"Ah, it's Fairy Jade Water! Please, be my guest!"

The straw-cloaked elder made no attempt to hide his admiration, his gaze lingering on Jade Water Fairy as he handed over the Ironheart Wood.

Jade Water Fairy's delicate brows furrowed slightly, though she was accustomed to such reactions.

Given her striking beauty, refined temperament, and the rarity of female True Monarchs, it was no surprise she attracted attention from fellow Nascent Souls.

"This fourth-rank Ironheart Wood can serve as the core material for wood-attribute magical treasures, boasting exceptional hardness. Does it meet the Fairy's requirements?"

Lan Chang'an smiled, already aware of her purpose.

Jade Water Fairy didn't cultivate wood-attribute techniques, her interest in such materials was undoubtedly on behalf of True Monarch Cyanwood.

"This humble one also lacks high-quality forging materials. Might Fellow Daoist Jing consider other terms, such as spirit stones or pills?"

Jade Water Fairy adopted a troubled expression, her eyes shimmering like dewdrops as she exuded an air of delicate vulnerability.

For this trading expedition, True Monarch Cyanwood had provided her with ample spirit stones and medicinal herbs but nothing exceptionally valuable.

"That could be arranged. However, before we proceed, this old man has a question for the Fairy."

The straw-cloaked elder's lips curled into a meaningful grin as he studied her.

"What question?"

Jade Water Fairy felt as though she were being scrutinized by a thousand-year-old monster, an instinctive flicker of disgust rising within her.

"This old man wishes to know, does Jade Water Fairy currently have a Dao Companion?"

Lan Chang'an posed the question boldly, without pretense.

Several nearby Nascent Soul cultivators blinked in surprise, though none reacted with outright shock.

While the straw-cloaked elder's weathered appearance, dry skin and somewhat unappealing features might have been off-putting, both parties were Nascent Soul cultivators. Age and looks were trivial at their level.

Moreover, given the elder's evident wealth, he certainly had the standing to entertain such notions.

"What if I do? What if I don't?"

Jade Water Fairy's expression frosted over, her piercing gaze like icy needles as she stared down the straw-cloaked elder.

Her earlier fragile demeanor vanished in an instant.

"Tsk tsk. If not, this old man would gladly gift this segment of fourth-rank spirit wood to the Fairy as a token of goodwill."

The elder chuckled oddly.

"True Monarch Jing is most generous!"

"True Monarch Jing needn't hesitate, Jade Water Fairy has always been unattached, without a Dao Companion!"

His brazen offer immediately drew amused responses from nearby Nascent Souls.

Having lived for centuries, many of these elders delighted in such spectacles, some even egging him on with playful encouragement.

"You—!"

Jade Water Fairy's delicate features tightened with fury.

Under normal circumstances, she would have flung the Ironheart Wood directly into the elder's face.

Yet as her hand twitched, a moment of hesitation stayed her.

With True Monarch Cyanwood in secluded recovery and Bishan Sect's current precarious state, provoking powerful enemies was unwise.

A thought flickered through her mind, if this repulsive elder was willing to "gift" the spirit wood, perhaps she could feign interest, take it back for Cyanwood's use, and be done with it.

Yet her innate pride and integrity made such underhanded tactics nearly impossible to stomach.

As she wavered-

"Please accept this humble offering, Fairy."

The straw-cloaked elder pressed forward eagerly, his gnarled fingers brushing against her jade-cool hand as he pushed the Ironheart Wood toward her.

"Scram!"

Snapping back to her senses, Jade Water Fairy recoiled, shoving both the spirit wood and the elder away.

Her eyes blazed with disgust as she immediately cleansed the sullied spot on her hand with water-attribute spells.

"If the Fairy has no Dao Companion, why such an intense reaction?"

The straw-cloaked elder protested innocently.

Some nearby Nascent Souls burst into laughter, while others remained silent.

True Monarch Lingyu and other righteous cultivators frowned at the scene.

Though many disapproved of the elder's behavior, his actions amounted to little more than flirtatious teasing, crude perhaps, but hardly scandalous.

As organizers, True Monarch Ai and others had no desire to escalate minor disruptions.

Given the straw-cloaked elder's unfathomable strength, having traded with two mid-stage Nascent Souls, even those sympathetic to Jade Water Fairy had to weigh the risks of intervening.

Unless they were someone closely connected to Fairy Jade Water, such as True Monarch Cyanwood, they had no reason to pursue and take disciplinary action.

...

"Ah, how dull."

Having already achieved his goal, Lan Chang'an bid farewell with an air of "disappointment."

Before leaving, he only exchanged nods with the Medicine King and True Monarch Ai.

Just as he flew away from the lake island, a sinister voice transmission from a Nascent Soul old monster echoed in his ear:

"Old friend Jing, that Bishui woman doesn't know what's good for her. How about this old man lends you a hand? Rumor has it that True Monarch Cyanwood of Bishan Sect is severely injured, his Nascent Soul in recovery, now's the perfect time to strike."

"Hehehe... If we join forces and recruit a couple of rogue cultivators from outside the region, we could pull off a big score with decent odds. Afterward, we'll split the spoils, treasure and beauty alike..."

Clearly, this was from one of the Nascent Souls at the gathering. The voice had been deliberately distorted, filled with static, making it impossible to identify the speaker.

Lan Chang'an's face twitched slightly. Apparently, his current appearance had been mistaken for that of a rogue cultivator, inviting "like-minded" collaborators.

Even in the Central Region, where orthodox sects reigned supreme, evil rogue cultivators lurked everywhere, they just wore the guise of righteousness in public.

"Deal! Seven days from now, meet me in the grove outside Five Spirits City!"

Lan Chang'an agreed cheerfully, flying off without a backward glance.

In the past, he might have considered turning the tables on these villains. But now, with more pressing matters at hand, he had no time for such side ventures.

Back on the lake island, Dragon Subduing True Monarch and True Monarch Lingyu stood side by side, watching the straw-cloaked elder's departing figure.

"Fellow Daoist Lingyu, any interest in making a move? That person's loaded, doesn't seem like one of the righteous bunch," Xianglong transmitted silently.

Lingyu's thin lips curled slightly. "Why don't you test the waters first, Fellow Daoist Xianglong?"

...

Half an hour later, in an inn at Five Spirits City...

A black-robed, hooded man sat cross-legged, palm upturned.

A wisp of faint aura hovered above it.

As he channeled his body-refining energy, an almost imperceptible aqua-blue strand materialized in the air, carrying a subtle feminine fragrance.

"Combined with the residual mana traces I collected earlier, this should suffice!"

The hooded man produced a near-transparent, ultrathin mask and guided the aqua-blue strand into it.

The mask's surface rippled, morphing into an eerily lifelike likeness of Jade Water Fairy's delicate features.

"Jade Water Fairy will linger in Five Spirits City for a few more days to finalize some trades. If I assume her identity and return to Bishan Sect ahead of schedule..."

"True Monarch Cyanwood, how guarded would you be against your closest junior sister?"

Lan Chang'an ran mental calculations but soon spotted flaws in the plan.

First, he lacked Jade Water Fairy's personal token.

Second, returning alone might arouse suspicion from the Bishan Sect's two Nascent Souls.

...

Several days later...

Jade Water Fairy led three Core Formation disciples, who were done with their procurement, out of Five Spirits City and began their return journey.

Throughout the trip, she remained silent, her guard unwavering.

With life-saving treasures gifted by her senior brothers and her heightened vigilance, even a mid-stage Nascent Soul ambush would give her a solid chance to escape, or at least hold out long enough for her disciples to scatter and summon reinforcements from the Ten Great Xuan Sects.

The journey proved uneventful. Soon, Bishan Sect's mountain gates came into view.

"Senior Brother Cyanwood's paranoia seems unwarranted."

"The Central Region is orthodox territory. That scoundrel is known as a cowardly turtle, and even if he possesses abilities comparable to a Demon Sect's leader, would he dare to risk himself?"

Jade Water Fairy produced a token and, under the gatekeepers' bows, soared through the sect's protective formation.

Recently, the Bishan Sect had tightened security, even senior members had to present identification upon entry.

The three Core Formation disciples behind her carried their own tokens; otherwise, the grand formation would detect intruders.

Among them was a tall, purple-robed youth named Su Can, one of Bishan Sect's Nascent Soul seeds.

"Can'er, this 'Ethereal Sandalwood' is a top-tier mind-defense treasure. Your master entrusted me to acquire it in Five Spirits City. For the next decade, focus solely on your Nascent Soul preparation, no more training outside."

Jade Water Fairy handed him a sandalwood box.

Su Can was her eldest senior brother's disciple, blessed with exceptional talent and resolve, he was a key investment for the sect's future.

"This disciple is unworthy of such generosity. My gains in Five Spirits City were meager at best this time."

Accepting the long-coveted heart tribulation treasure, Su Can kowtowed deeply in gratitude.

"Save your thanks for your master."

With a dismissive wave, Jade Water Fairy floated away.

After exchanging pleasantries with the other two Core Formation elders, Su Can returned leisurely to his residence.

Inside his third-rank spirit peak's meditation chamber...

Su Can dismissed his attendants and sat in solitude.

"Truly a superior heart-protection treasure!"

He opened the sandalwood box, his lips quirking oddly at the "Ethereal Sandalwood" within:

"What fortune you have... Far better conditions than what we endured during our tribulations..."