I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Within Qingsha Bay, inside the Xia Family's young master's abode.

"Alchemist Wu, may I ask the reason for your trip this time?"

Xia Mingqu, dressed in a dark brocade robe, his face as flawless as jade and posture elegant, showed a hint of surprise upon hearing Lan Chang'an's request. Still, it wasn't completely unexpected.

After all, Lan Chang'an had stayed at Autumnwind Isle for nearly three years, rarely leaving, and had never gone on a long trip.

The spirit contract Lan Chang'an signed with the Wufu Merchant Association mainly required him to perform alchemical duties for a period of twenty years. Beyond that, there were no restrictions on his personal freedom.

Of course, the second-rank spirit contract had strong binding effects on Foundation Establishment cultivators. Breaking it would incur severe backlash, and the contract, protected by the Merchant Alliance, carried a mark of his spiritual power, enabling tracking within a certain range.

"Wu has already lived for over a century and has been stuck in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage for many years. I can't afford to delay any longer. This trip is to seek out either the Xuanwu Pill to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage or the key ingredients for refining it."

Lan Chang'an spoke solemnly, clearly explaining his purpose.

Xia Mingqu was silent for a moment, contemplating Lan Chang'an's request. He didn’t have a valid reason to refuse. If it had been a more common resource, Xia Mingqu could have arranged it using the guild's vast channels. However, a breakthrough pill for the late Foundation Establishment stage was a strategic resource.

Even if the Wufu Merchant Association had some, it would first prioritize its own family members or use it to secure favors and benefits. It would not be made available to an outsider like Lan Chang'an.

"Half a month from now, there will be an auction at Cloudsmoke Immortal City. Rarely seen superior second-rank Life Extension Pills will be for sale, and the Xuanwu Pill should also be available," Xia Mingqu suggested after some thought. "If you're not in a rush, why not join my father and me for the trip? That way, it’ll be safer."

"I already have other plans, but I appreciate the offer," Lan Chang'an politely declined.

"Then be careful on the road, Fellow Daoist Wu," Xia Mingqu said, handing over a jade slip. "This contains a complete map of the Jing Kingdom cultivation world."

"Many thanks, young master," Lan Chang'an replied, recognizing the subtle meaning in Xia Mingqu’s tone.

Although Jing Kingdom was at peace and Foundation Establishment cultivators traveling alone wouldn’t typically encounter danger, there were always exceptions. Lan Chang'an recalled the current state of the Wufu Merchant Association, which was rumored to be suppressed by the Xinyue Merchant Association.

Just months ago, a Wufu elder had been ambushed and gravely injured while traveling alone. The merchant guild suspected the Xinyue Merchant Association was behind this but lacked solid evidence.

Xia Mingqu's offer wasn't solely out of concern for Lan Chang'an fleeing; there was also genuine goodwill behind it. The young master personally escorted Lan Chang'an out of the estate, watching him leave.

“Wu Fan is still relatively unknown within the Wufu Merchant Association and isn’t a key figure, so he shouldn’t be targeted by enemy forces,” Xia Mingqu thought.

…

"Superior Life Extension Pills?"

After leaving the Xia Family’s Qingsha Bay, Lan Chang'an's eyes lit up.

In all the years he had spent in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world, he had never encountered superior Life Extension Pills. Yet, after only three years in Jing Kingdom, he had already come across an opportunity to obtain one.

This wasn’t to say that such pills didn’t exist in Liang Kingdom; they did. However, the sects monopolized most rare resources, keeping them for internal use or as offerings to upper-level figures. As a result, they rarely appeared in the open market, and opportunities to obtain them were fleeting.

Jing Kingdom, however, was different.

Here, the merchant guilds held considerable power, and the trade networks were well-developed. Resources flowed more freely, and skilled artisans were abundant. While certain resources were still controlled, it wasn't as restrictive as in the Liang Kingdom.

"Aside from the lack of Nascent Soul-level powers, the mid-tier cultivators and factions in Jing Kingdom are not weaker than those in Liang Kingdom," Lan Chang'an mused.

Even though he hadn’t traveled much, he had learned plenty about the state of affairs in Jing Kingdom from conversations with the Xia Family’s cultivators.

Without the absolute rule of a Nascent Soul-level power, there was a more balanced distribution of power, and resources weren’t overly concentrated in the hands of a few.

“Without a Nascent Soul power it’s surprising that Jing Kingdom has maintained its prosperity and neutrality for so many years without being dragged into any major wars,” Lan Chang'an had initially been puzzled by this before arriving.

However, it came down to three main factors.

First, Jing Kingdom lacked fourth-rank spiritual veins, making it less attractive to Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

Second, the country's geography played a role. Jing Kingdom was nestled between Chen Kingdom and Liang Kingdom, two countries with roughly equal cultivation strength. The balance between these neighboring nations ensured that neither would easily risk a conflict, allowing the Jing Kingdom to maintain neutrality.

Third, there was a rumor.

It was said that the Jing Kingdom had once given birth to a "child of fortune" who traveled to the very center of the Great Qing cultivation world and ascended to Nascent Soul True Monarch. This individual was so powerful that he was able to join an ancient Nascent Soul sect, and the neighboring countries, wary of this powerful figure, were reluctant to touch Jing Kingdom.

Lan Chang'an remained skeptical of the rumor.

It might have been true, or it could simply be a fabrication spread by the Jing Kingdom Merchant Alliance to bolster its reputation.

…

Half a day later, Lan Chang'an had already left the Xia Family’s territory.

Along the way, he discreetly checked to see if he was being followed but found no signs of surveillance.

His impression of the Xia Family improved slightly.

Aside from the spirit contract’s constraints, Lan Chang'an’s three years of low-key behavior had earned him the family's trust.

As for the potential threat from rival merchant guilds, Lan Chang'an was unconcerned. Wufu and Xinyue were not top-tier merchant guilds within the Merchant Alliance. Neither guild had any Core Formation cultivators, and their strongest members were Fake Dan cultivators.

Fake Dan cultivators posed no real threat to Lan Chang'an, whose body cultivation had reached the quasi-third-rank level.

Moreover, Fake Dan cultivators were typically the highest-ranking members of these guilds and wouldn’t easily make a move.

"Superior Life Extension Pills… Cloudsmoke Immortal City, the closest immortal city to the Xia Family."

Lan Chang'an whispered to himself as he descended into a small forest along his route.

A short while later, an old man in a rain cloak, now Lan Chang'an’s disguised form, emerged from the forest, flying on a small boat toward Cloudsmoke Immortal City.

In truth, Cloudsmoke Immortal City hadn't been his original destination. He had initially planned to visit the Merchant Alliance headquarters in the largest city of Jing Kingdom, seeking resources to help the Earth Burrowing Rat with its Core Formation breakthrough.

However, after learning about the superior Life Extension Pills, Lan Chang'an decided to adjust his plan and stop by Cloudsmoke Immortal City first.

Cloudsmoke Immortal City was still a sizable city.

The availability of superior Life Extension Pills would undoubtedly attract powerful Foundation Establishment cultivators and possibly even some Fake Dan cultivators.

For a short while, the city would become a hotspot, and the major merchant guilds would likely bring out more high-tier resources to make a name for themselves.

"Regular Life Extension Pills can only be used once per rank, and their effects don’t stack."

"But superior Life Extension Pills are different. Even if you've taken a regular pill of the same rank, you can still gain two to three-tenths of the benefits from a superior version. Although it’s not cost-effective to take them repeatedly, it’s still useful…"

Due to his unique cultivation method, Lan Chang'an could stack the effects of regular Life Extension Pills, though the effects would diminish with each use.

He was curious to see what kind of effect a superior Life Extension Pill might have on him.

Life Extension Pills could not only boost his Evergreen power but also aid in nurturing the mysterious Xuanmu Vine, which required life essence to grow.

…

Three days later.

A mist-shrouded city built atop a vast lake came into view.

The entire city was constructed from a grayish-white stone with cloud-like patterns, and from a distance, it looked like a pure white gem floating in the middle of a boundless lake.

This was Cloudsmoke Immortal City, a city governed by several merchant guilds within the Merchant Alliance.

With the Jing Kingdom at peace and trade flourishing, the city wasn’t under strict control.

Lan Chang'an, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, was not even questioned upon entering the city, nor was he charged any entry fee.

The loose regulations applied mainly to non-commercial cultivators. Merchants, on the other hand, had to comply with various taxes, identity checks, and other rules.

With more than ten days until the auction, the number of visitors to Cloudsmoke Immortal City was steadily increasing.

Being unfamiliar with the city, Lan Chang'an didn’t act hastily. That same day, he checked into a luxurious inn called Xunxian Residence, located in the heart of the city.

Although labeled an inn, Xunxian Residence was more akin to a lavish estate. The upper-class rooms were individual courtyards, each with its own private quarters.

With plenty of wealth and a preference for privacy, Lan Chang'an opted for one of the exclusive courtyard suites, paying a steep sixty spirit stones per day.

In his room, alongside the usual amenities like cleansing talismans and personal items, he found a jade slip on the table.

"Cloudsmoke Immortal City Guide?"

The jade slip contained a comprehensive guide to the city, offering details on the city's major powers, shops, stall areas, and the upcoming auction.

Even the more hedonistic venues, like the city's various "Immortal Lounges," were listed.

Xunxian Residence, as a high-end establishment, also partnered with these lounges to provide "delivery services" right to your doorstep.

There was even a booklet on the table, showcasing portraits of beautiful female cultivators, each with a unique charm.

"The service here is quite... thorough," Lan Chang'an muttered, impressed by the open-minded and business-savvy atmosphere of Jing Kingdom's cultivation world.

However, the services provided by Xunxian Residence didn't stop there.

Guests staying in the upper-class rooms also enjoyed a few perks, including a complimentary local guide.

Later that evening, Lan Chang'an contacted the inn’s attendant and scheduled a guide for the following day.

The Cloudsmoke Immortal City Guide provided only a basic overview of the city. To understand the finer details, one needed to interact with the local cultivators.

Lan Chang'an wasn't in a rush to acquire resources for the Earth Burrowing Rat's Core Formation and was willing to take his time.

"Over the last three years, my puppet-crafting skills have reached quasi-third-rank level in theory. However, I’ve nearly exhausted my stock of materials."

Lan Chang'an was confident that with another round of material purchases, he would soon become a true quasi-third-rank puppet master.

A quasi-third-rank puppet would be comparable to a Fake Dan cultivator.

Once he successfully crafted two or more of them, Lan Chang'an would even have a chance of contending with a True Dan cultivator.

Compared to gathering resources for Core Formation, acquiring quasi-third-rank puppet materials was a less daunting task.

...

The next morning.

Outside Lan Chang'an’s courtyard suite, a pair of young cultivators, one male and one female, waited patiently.

"Ah Feng, remember not to pry into our guests’ personal affairs. If the innkeeper finds out, the consequences won’t be pretty..." the woman in a white dress, her makeup carefully applied, whispered in warning.

"Sister Ting, I know. Last time, I was just curious. I’d never met a guest from a Liang Kingdom merchant guild before, so I asked a few too many questions," the young man replied with a wry smile, subconsciously touching his cheek, which still ached faintly.

He had been fortunate that the last guest had only slapped him and didn’t lodge a formal complaint with the inn.

"The elder is ready to see you," a maid from the inn said, leading the pair into the courtyard.

"Greetings, senior," the two of them said in unison.

Sitting at a stone table in the courtyard was an elderly man with a frail figure and cloudy eyes.

The old man glanced over the young man and woman who had been assigned as his guides.

The inn provided one complimentary guide per upper-class suite.

If they performed well, they might be rewarded with a tip, which could easily amount to half a year’s earnings for them.

The woman in white was poised and elegant, her demeanor mature and refined.

The young man, on the other hand, seemed a bit more inexperienced and kept his head lowered.

Lan Chang'an’s gaze lingered on the woman for a moment before shifting to the young man.

"Hmm?"

A strange sense of familiarity struck Lan Chang'an.

He was sure he hadn’t seen this young man before—not his appearance, at least.

The familiarity seemed to stem from the young man’s aura.

"What are your names?" Lan Chang'an asked casually, while secretly probing the young man's condition with his spiritual sense.

To his surprise, he discovered that the young man had suffered severe internal injuries, leaving lasting damage to his dantian and meridians. These injuries had caused his cultivation to regress to the Qi-Refining stage.

Not only that, but the young man had an earth spiritual root!

Lan Chang'an’s mind lit up, suddenly recalling the young man’s identity.

"My name is Lu Shuting," the woman introduced herself.

"Junior Wang Feng," the young man said.

The two of them glanced nervously at Lan Chang'an, hope glimmering in their eyes.

After a brief pause, Lan Chang'an nodded and said, "Little Wang, you will accompany me around the city."