I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Roar!

Outside the valley, the bear demon sat down and called out toward the cultivation hall where the Earth Burrowing Rat was.

Two waves of True Dan-level spiritual sense met in the air, exchanging thoughts.

Through their spirit pet contract, the Earth Burrowing Rat relayed a message to Lan Chang'an.

It turned out that the bear demon had been drawn to the Earth Burrowing Rat’s core formation phenomenon and wanted to befriend it.

Third-rank Great Demons possessed extraordinary intelligence and heightened senses.

As a fellow demon, the mid-stage third-rank bear demon had a clearer sense of the quality of the Earth Burrowing Rat’s core formation.

"Haha, a third-rank bear demon. Seems it's much smarter and more sensible than that Huxiao Immortal," Lan Chang'an chuckled.

The bear demon, initially drawn here, might not have had good intentions.

Lan Chang'an had heard that the survival rules in the demon world were far more brutal, and when demons broke through to higher realms, they often attracted the attention of their peers.

That bear demon hadn’t made a move, probably after some careful consideration.

After all, the Earth Burrowing Rat wasn’t undergoing core formation alone. There was the protection of a third-rank grand formation and the presence of three Fake Dan human cultivators.

Instead of risking a confrontation, it was wiser to befriend a promising third-rank Great Demon.

With the bear demon’s intentions clarified, Hanyu Immortal let out a long sigh of relief.

"Congratulations, Xiang Immortal! Your spiritual pet has formed an upper-tier True Dan and entered the ranks of Great Demons," she said with a bright smile, a hint of envy in her tone.

By now, the Earth Burrowing Rat had successfully advanced to the third rank and would no longer be affected by external interference. All that was left was to stabilize its cultivation base.

"Fellow Daoist Hanyu is the first cultivator to congratulate me! Let me show my appreciation!" Lan Chang'an grinned, retrieving six mid-grade spirit stones from Huxiao Immortal's storage pouch.

Hanyu Immortal blinked in surprise before smiling and accepting the stones. "Then I’ll gladly share in the joy of a new third-rank Great Demon."

She received the six mid-grade spirit stones, which were equivalent to 600 low-grade spirit stones, with grace.

Lan Chang'an’s background was clearly significant. With a third-rank Great Demon under his command, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with True Dan cultivators, far surpassing her own status.

There was also another reason behind Lan Chang'an's gesture.

By accepting his gift, Hanyu Immortal understood that the responsibility for Huxiao Immortal’s death would now be shared by the Snow Fox Merchant Association.

She knew this well. To win over a powerful Fake Dan cultivator with a third-rank Great Demon, the Snow Fox Merchant Association was more than willing to bear the burden.

"Xiang Immortal, you should be prepared. Before his death, Huxiao Immortal sent a message to the Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association. Their True Dan ancestor will be arriving shortly. Of course, I’ve also informed my guild’s True Dan ancestor," Hanyu Immortal warned.

"What’s the cultivation level of the Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association’s ancestor?"

"True Dan early stage."

Upon hearing this, Lan Chang'an relaxed.

At this point, he had two options:

First, allow the Earth Burrowing Rat to stabilize its realm.

Second, abandon the stabilization process and flee immediately.

If they fled, it would hinder the Earth Burrowing Rat's ability to consolidate its breakthrough, and the consequences of killing Huxiao Immortal would have to be borne solely by the Snow Fox Merchant Association.

Although it had been a transaction, Lan Chang'an felt some indebtedness to the Snow Fox Merchant Association for providing the Sha Yuan Pill and the training ground.

More importantly, after the Earth Burrowing Rat’s breakthrough to the third rank, Lan Chang'an had no fear of an early-stage True Dan cultivator.

The bear demon outside the valley was also a potential temporary ally.

...

While waiting for the arrival of the two merchant associations' ancestors, Lan Chang'an sorted through Huxiao Immortal’s storage pouch, eliminating any suspicious items.

Although killing Huxiao Immortal had seemed straightforward, it had required careful planning.

Lan Chang'an had used a treasure talisman with power equivalent to a low-grade third-rank talisman.

Even with a third-rank talisman, killing a Fake Dan cultivator head-on wasn’t easy.

At the critical moment, Lan Chang'an had communicated with Hanyu Immortal through spiritual sense, instructing her to distract Huxiao Immortal.

Using the Evergreen Technique to suppress his presence, Lan Chang'an quietly approached the side hall’s entrance.

His body refinement technique had reached the Fake Dan stage, allowing him to approach without using magical power, and combined with the Evergreen Technique’s concealment ability, Huxiao Immortal hadn’t noticed him in time.

In the end, he had struck with his treasure talisman, and using his physical strength, managed to close the distance and ultimately achieve the effect of killing a person with one blow.

If he were to strike head-on to kill a full-fledged Fake Dan, Lan Chang'an would have to go through some trouble even if he utilized one or two treasure talismans.

Back in the ancient ruins, the two Fake Dan cultivators who had died by Lan Chang'an’s hand had both been taken by surprise: one was already wounded when Lan Chang'an attacked from behind, and the other had been poisoned with a third-rank toxin, requiring considerable time to be killed.

When it came to combatants of the same level, Lan Chang'an preferred to avoid direct confrontations. Who knew what hidden trump cards his opponents might have?

As a long-lived cultivator, Lan Chang'an would rather be the crafty, seasoned Old Lan than the hot-blooded, reckless Young Lan.

"Magical treasure... talismanic treasures... third-rank talismans..."

In Huxiao Immortal’s storage pouch, Lan Chang'an found several high-value items.

As a core member of a large Merchant Association, it wasn’t surprising that Huxiao Immortal had two third-rank talismans for protection.

The spirit stones in his storage pouch were also substantial, bringing Lan Chang'an’s liquid assets back to over 100,000 spirit stones.

This meant that all the expenses he had incurred for the Earth Burrowing Rat’s core formation had been recouped, with a small profit on top.

This was the allure of killing and looting in the cultivation world.

...

After wrapping up his work, Lan Chang'an returned to the cultivation hall.

On the stone bed at the center of the hall sat the now transformed Earth Burrowing Rat, its muscular form radiating power, its breath stirring the air into violent, metallic winds.

"You’ve changed quite a bit," Lan Chang'an chuckled.

After advancing to the third rank, the Earth Burrowing Rat had grown to nearly two zhang in length, with long, powerful limbs and bright orange-yellow fur. A tuft of purple fur now stood proudly atop its head.

At first glance, it looked more like a sleek, muscular giant leopard than a rat.

Squeak!

The Earth Burrowing Rat opened its brown-red eyes, nodding toward Lan Chang'an, its gaze filled with gratitude.

Despite being a third-rank Great Demon now, Lan Chang'an could still sense a faint pressure under its gaze.

"This rat, after stabilizing its cultivation, will be stronger than I was at the early True Dan stage in my previous life."

Lan Chang'an thought to himself.

Fortunately, the pet contract between him and the Earth Burrowing Rat remained intact.

Even when the bear demon attempted to recruit it, the Earth Burrowing Rat hadn’t shown any inclination to defect, proving its loyalty to Lan Chang'an.

Closing his eyes, Lan Chang'an merged his consciousness with the second imprint of the Nine Seal Stele. The enhanced power of his spiritual sense allowed him to examine the Earth Burrowing Rat’s internal demon core.

Sensing a spiritual sense far stronger than its own, the Earth Burrowing Rat stiffened but relaxed its defenses, allowing Lan Chang'an to probe freely.

Having spent over a hundred years together, it was well aware of its master’s extraordinary abilities.

Without Lan Chang'an, it would have burned into flames long ago when it tried to break through the second rank by taking the unusual Earth Spirit Pill.

And without his meticulous planning for core formation, it would never have achieved its current glory as a third-rank Great Demon.

"Hmm? This demon core..."

A glistening, translucent yellow core, radiating a brilliant, glass-like light, appeared in Lan Chang'an's spiritual perception.

From its quality, it was undoubtedly an upper-tier True Dan.

What surprised Lan Chang'an, however, were the faint gold patterns etched on the surface of the core.

When his spiritual sense touched these golden patterns, he sensed a Dao charm that resonated with the laws of heaven and earth.

"Golden Dan Dao Charm!"

Lan Chang'an’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Not only had the Earth Burrowing Rat formed an upper-tier True Dan, but it had also brushed the threshold of a Golden Dan.

"What a pity! If it had an earth-grade bloodline, it could have achieved Immortal Golden Dan."

Lan Chang'an marveled in astonishment.

An Immortal Golden Dan was the seed of a Nascent Soul!

If it had attained an Immortal Golden Dan, even with just inferior spiritual roots, it would have had a significant chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm.

In the cultivation world, as one progressed to higher realms, the influence of spiritual roots gradually diminished.

The quality of one’s core was a reflection of their foundation and future potential.

"Strange... Although the Earth Burrowing Rat's roots are solid, it clearly doesn't have that deep of a foundation. Even with two superior core-forming spiritual objects, upper-tier True Dan should’ve been its limit..."

Lan Chang'an pondered deeply.

"Could it be due to the Five Elements Earth, there is a special enhancement for earth-element beasts?"

He couldn’t be certain of the exact reason.

The Five Elements Earth he had given the Earth Burrowing Rat had been dug from near the Xuanmu Vine. Perhaps that had something to do with it.

Lan Chang'an made a decision: when it came time for his own core formation, he would also dig up some Five Elements Earth from around the Xuanmu Vine to use as his core-forming spiritual object.

After all, the Earth Burrowing Rat had already paved the way, testing the waters for him.

"The little lab rat from back then has actually become a half-step Golden Dan."

Lan Chang'an withdrew his spiritual sense, feeling an odd mix of emotions—perhaps even a hint of jealousy.

It was worth noting that, in this life, his initial plan was only to form an upper-tier True Dan, ensuring a potential path to the Nascent Soul Realm.

Years ago, the Earth Burrowing Rat had agreed to take a risky pill, gambling with its life as a test subject.

Thankfully, with the support of the Evergreen Technique, the little lab rat had not only survived but had its bloodline mutated, bringing about its current success.

...

Not wanting to disturb the Earth Burrowing Rat’s cultivation, Lan Chang'an left the hall.

While he was thrilled with the Earth Burrowing Rat's half-step Golden Dan, he also had some concerns.

An upper-tier True Dan, while impressive, was not uncommon in the surrounding cultivation countries.

As long as a late Foundation Establishment cultivator had decent aptitude and a good opportunity, there was always a chance to form an upper-tier True Dan.

A half-step Golden Dan, however, would attract attention.

If exposed, it could draw the interest of late-stage Core Formation experts or even Nascent Soul cultivators.

"As long as the Earth Burrowing Rat doesn’t go all out in battle, ordinary True Dan cultivators won’t notice. After all, much of a demonic beast’s strength comes from its bloodline."

Lan Chang'an mused.

He had been able to discern the Earth Burrowing Rat's core quality only because it had fully opened itself to him.

Normally, the Earth Burrowing Rat’s body would be shielded by its demonic energy and spiritual sense, making it difficult for anyone, unless they were vastly more powerful, to probe its true condition.

To be safe, the Earth Burrowing Rat should avoid direct confrontations with other True Dan cultivators.

Half an hour later...

Two waves of True Dan-level auras arrived one after the other at the steel fortress in the Black Fog Mountain Range.

The two True Dan cultivators sensed the mid-stage third-rank bear demon lurking outside the valley and exchanged wary glances.

"Grandfather Guangjun."

Hanyu Immortal waved her formation flag and stepped forward to greet them.

The True Dan ancestor of the Snow Fox Merchant Association, known as Guangjun Immortal, was an ancient man with white hair, wrinkled skin, and a cane.

"Guangjun Immortal, I’ve long heard of your great name."

Lan Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting.

"Congratulations, Xiang Immortal! What a great achievement!"

Guangjun Immortal’s wrinkled face broke into a kind smile, treating Lan Chang'an as an equal.

There was a half-realm gap between Fake Dan cultivators and True Dan cultivators.

In some cases, they would treat each other as peers; in others, the Fake Dan cultivators would show deference and respect.

This depended largely on the power and attitude of the True Dan cultivator.

With a third-rank Great Demon under his command, Lan Chang'an, though pretending to be a Fake Dan cultivator, was entitled to stand on equal footing with True Dan cultivators.

...

"Guangjun, your Snow Fox Merchant Association has conspired with outsiders to murder one of our members, Huxiao Immortal. Don’t you think an explanation is in order?"

A hostile voice came from the other True Dan cultivator who had arrived—a yellow-skinned middle-aged man dressed in a leather cloak, riding atop a giant wolf.

The man’s skin was yellow as a grapefruit, and his deep-set eyes gleamed coldly.

The giant wolf beneath him, a quasi-third-rank beast, shivered with fear in the presence of two third-rank Great Demons nearby.

"Old Huang, your guild member, Huxiao Immortal, tried to sabotage the core formation of our guild’s friend’s spirit pet. He was killed in the process. Don’t you think that’s his own fault?"

Guangjun Immortal chuckled as he glanced at his old rival.

Lan Chang'an exchanged a glance with Hanyu Immortal, who confirmed the man’s identity.

This yellow-skinned man was the True Dan ancestor of the Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association, known as Huang Lang Immortal—a notorious merchant within the Merchant Alliance.

He was known for prioritizing business over the Dao and never took a Daoist title.

The outside world gave him the name "Huang Lang Immortal" due to his surname "Huang," and among his peers, he was often called "Old Huang."

While his cultivation level was not outstanding, he was exceptionally skilled in business, with a reputation that was both admired and criticized.

Even after advancing to the True Dan stage, he still personally managed much of the guild's business, never fully delegating authority.

"Killed in the process?"

Huang Lang Immortal sneered, his gaze locking onto Lan Chang'an.

"And what is this Fellow Daoist’s name?"

"Call me Xiang!"

Lan Chang'an met his gaze without flinching, his tone full of pride.

"I will petition the higher-ups of the Merchant Alliance to investigate the death of Huxiao Immortal. As the prime suspect, you are not permitted to leave until the investigation is complete."

Huang Lang Immortal’s eyes sharpened, releasing the pressure of an early-stage True Dan cultivator, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"A mere Merchant Alliance cannot restrain this Xiang! What qualifications do you have to demand an investigation of me?"

Lan Chang'an’s voice was domineering, his words dripping with disdain.

The moment he spoke, the surrounding cultivators turned pale in shock.

In the cultivation world of Jing Kingdom, the Merchant Alliance controlled half of the realm. Few dared to speak with such arrogance, not even most True Dan cultivators.

As soon as Lan Chang'an’s words fell...

Roar!

The overwhelming pressure of two third-rank Great Demons locked onto Huang Lang Immortal.

From outside the valley, the bear demon growled in displeasure, its deep roar echoing across the mountains.

Huang Lang Immortal’s eyelid twitched, and the winged wolf beneath him was so terrified it directly pissed itself in fear.

Especially the bear demon, as a mid-stage third-rank Great Demon, its aura was terrifying.

Even if the two True Dan cultivators present joined forces, they would have no guarantee of victory.

"This communication jade is one of Huxiao Immortal’s belongings. If we hand it over to a third-rank formation master, they might be able to extract the messages he sent," Lan Chang'an said casually, flipping a jade slip in his hand.

Huang Lang Immortal’s face was unsightly as he stared at Lan Chang'an without turning his eyes away.

He had indeed sent Huxiao Immortal a message instructing him to act, so he knew the truth all too well.

For a brief moment, Lan Chang'an felt a strange sensation, as if his innermost thoughts were being probed.

"Old Huang, harmony breeds wealth. Let’s all sit down and discuss this calmly,"

Guangjun Immortal interjected, trying to ease the tension.

If possible, he didn’t want to completely sever ties with the more powerful Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association.

Guangjun Immortal was old, with only twenty or thirty years left to live.

Huang Lang Immortal, on the other hand, was in his prime, with ample lifespan remaining, and his guild had several other Core Formation cultivators as well.

...

Huang Lang Immortal, a shrewd merchant, quickly assessed the situation and decided to back down.

The True Dan cultivators sat down in a side hall to discuss the matter.

"Xiang Immortal, have you ever met the Demonic Sect’s leader, Liang Shaotian? Back in the day, I shared a drink with him and discussed a business deal,"

Huang Lang Immortal said casually.

"I am not familiar with Liang Shaotian. However, I did cross paths with him during my time in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world."

Lan Chang'an’s response was deliberately ambiguous, carefully navigating the situation.

The three immortals present each wore different expressions, lost in thought.

Lan Chang'an had denied any close relationship with Liang Shaotian but admitted to having interacted with him in the Liang Kingdom.

Everyone knew that both Liang Shaotian and Xiang Jinglong hailed from the Liang Kingdom cultivation world.

"Xiang Immortal, it’s better to resolve enmity than to prolong it. Perhaps we could speak in private?"

Huang Lang Immortal sent a secret message to Lan Chang'an.

"There’s no need! I have no intention of becoming your guild’s enemy, and Your Excellency should not use Sect Leader Liang's name to pressure me."

Lan Chang'an coldly rebuffed him, refusing the private meeting.

He believed that Huang Lang Immortal had indeed dealt with Liang Shaotian in the past.

But given Liang Shaotian’s current status, if one was not at the level of a late True Dan Great Cultivator, they would not be qualified to have an equal conversation with him.

"Xiang Immortal, would you be willing to hand over Huxiao Immortal’s belongings to me?"

Huang Lang Immortal asked, lowering his demands.

"Fine."

Lan Chang'an returned Huxiao Immortal’s storage pouch and spiritual pet pouch to Huang Lang Immortal.

Of course, all the valuable items had already been taken, leaving only personal belongings of little worth.

"Thank you for your understanding, Xiang Immortal."

Huang Lang Immortal accepted the items, breathing a sigh of relief. He didn’t pursue the missing valuables.

With Huxiao Immortal’s belongings in hand, he could provide some sort of explanation to the guild upon his return.

Circumstances were beyond his control.

Lan Chang'an now had the backing of two third-rank Great Demons and the protection of Guangjun Immortal.

"Xiang Immortal’s" background was also formidable, leaving Huang Lang Immortal with no choice but to temporarily swallow his pride.

The next day...

After completing his “investigation,” Huang Lang Immortal left the valley with two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the steel fortress, departing from this troublesome place.

"Ancestor, it’s not good for our Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association if the Snow Fox Merchant Association gains the support of a True Dan Great Demon. What should we do next?"

One of the Foundation Establishment elders from the guild asked for guidance.

Huang Lang Immortal’s eyes gleamed with shrewdness. Stroking his beard, he smiled confidently.

"Don’t worry. That Xiang Immortal isn’t loyal to the Snow Fox Merchant Association. At most, he owes them a favor."

"That’s good to hear." The Foundation Establishment elder breathed a sigh of relief.

Their ancestor had a remarkable talent for reading people, a gift that had served him well throughout his life.

"The True Dan cultivator from the Liang Kingdom needs more time to prove himself. But if we can recruit him as an enforcer, our Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association’s strength will reach new heights!"