I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 171

## Chapter 171: Nighttime Bait

The tracking mark on Mu Bingyun’s body was hard to detect for ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Lu Changan estimated that the person who cast the mark had a divine sense stronger than most late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, but clearly weaker than a False Core Realist.

If a False Core Realist had cast it, Lu Changan would not have been able to easily detect it without using the Jiu Yin Bei and deliberately searching.

Lu Changan’s mind raced, deciding to temporarily withhold the truth from Mu Bingyun, avoiding alerting the snake.

“Uncle Lu, are there any difficult bandit cultivators near Wu Qi Shan?” Mu Bingyun asked thoughtfully.

Uncle Lu asked this way, it must be because he was worried about her being targeted by a powerful bandit cultivator.

“Yes, half a year ago, there was one. Even though he didn’t show up later, I suspect he hasn’t left the surrounding area…” Lu Changan mentioned the “Night Fisherman” situation.

“Night Fisherman? Bingyun has heard his name. He specializes in tracking, wears a straw hat, robs people of money and treasures, and prefers to operate at night.” Mu Bingyun’s heart sank.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment bandit cultivators wouldn’t pose much of a threat to her.

But the Night Fisherman, a mysterious bandit cultivator with a well-established reputation, was an exception.

She arrived at Wu Qi Shan at noon.

Lu Changan changed the subject, discussing Mu family matters and Mu Bingyun’s personal cultivation.

It took Mu Bingyun twenty-five years to advance from early-stage Foundation Establishment to mid-stage.

This progress was faster than most average-grade spirit root cultivators.

These years, Mu Bingyun didn’t encounter any significant opportunities, she simply cultivated smoothly, without being stuck in the mid-stage Foundation Establishment bottleneck for too long.

Lu Changan had some guesses about this situation.

Back then, Mu Bingyun’s foundation was damaged, and Lu Changan spent decades nurturing and treating her. This undoubtedly affected her cultivation speed at the time.

But Mu Bingyun also benefited from the long-term nourishment of the Evergreen Dharma power and had more time to polish and solidify her foundation.

Therefore, Mu Bingyun’s Foundation Establishment base was more robust than ordinary cultivators.

Although her talent remained the same, her cultivation potential and stamina surpassed those of average-grade spirit roots.

This benefit led to smoother cultivation in the early-stage Foundation Establishment.

In the future, these advantages would gradually diminish and become insignificant.

Mu Bingyun faintly perceived her own cultivation situation, becoming more grateful and respectful towards Uncle Lu, and harboring an indescribable curiosity and longing.

…

They chatted for a couple of hours.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I need to take you to visit Master Shi.” Lu Changan seemed slightly regretful, as if only now remembering Mu Bingyun’s business.

“It’s alright. Since leaving Xiao Gui Feng, I have fewer opportunities to receive guidance from Uncle Lu.” Mu Bingyun’s eyes shone brightly, and she smiled softly.

Instead, she felt time passing too quickly and had a feeling of unfinished business.

Then, Lu Changan took Mu Bingyun to Xiao Pan Feng to discuss the arrangements for setting up the formation.

Mu Bingyun had lived in Xiao Gui Feng for twenty years, so Master Shi naturally knew her.

The two women discussed the matter smoothly.

Mu Bingyun wanted to strengthen the protective clan formation around Fei Yue Lake. Although its rank was lower than Lu Changan’s near-third-rank formation, its range was much larger.

The cost was quite high, far exceeding a Foundation Establishment Pill.

For many well-functioning Foundation Establishment families, it wasn’t about whether they could afford a Foundation Establishment Pill.

It was about whether they could obtain one, and whether they could avoid risks and conflicts.

Ultimately, they successfully achieved Foundation Establishment after overcoming the opponent’s obstruction.

If they had forcefully competed for the Foundation Establishment Pill at the auction, they would have offended late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators or False Core Realists and revealed their wealth, resulting in unimaginable consequences.

In the cultivation world, there were no truly safe places, not even the great immortal cities.

For example, a False Core Realist could easily erase an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator without leaving any evidence if they planned it carefully.

Even Lu Changan could achieve this.

…

“Miss Bingyun, I will accept this deposit first. Once the materials for the formation are ready, I will go to Fei Yue Lake.”

After Mu Bingyun and Master Shi finished discussing the purchase of the formation, it was already evening.

During this time, Lu Changan communicated with Master Shi through voice transmission.

Lu Changan brought Mu Bingyun back to Xiao Gui Feng.

They held a simple banquet for her.

After dinner, night fell.

Mu Bingyun looked at the night outside, thinking about staying overnight.

First, she instinctively wanted to stay at Xiao Gui Feng for a while and spend more time with Uncle Lu.

Second, there might be powerful bandit cultivators near Wu Qi Shan, such as the Night Fisherman.

Traveling during the day would be safer.

The room she used to have in the cave was still there.

However, as a beautiful and outstanding female cultivator and a junior, it wasn’t appropriate for her to actively suggest staying overnight.

She believed that Uncle Lu would arrange it in the evening.

“Bingyun, it’s not early. You should return now, be careful on the road.” Lu Changan smiled gently.

Return now?

Mu Bingyun was slightly stunned, her lips slightly parted, feeling quite surprised.

“You are now the Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Mu family, a prestigious position. To avoid suspicion, Uncle Lu won’t let you stay overnight.” Lu Changan said frankly.

Mu Bingyun hesitated, unable to refute.

Lu Changan’s explanation was perfectly reasonable.

After all, she was a single Foundation Establishment female cultivator with beautiful looks and an outstanding temperament. Lu Changan, as a Foundation Establishment male cultivator, was also a loner, at least on the surface.

Moreover, there was a generation gap between them.

Lu Changan refusing to let her stay overnight to avoid suspicion was actually a sign of his noble character.

“Uncle Lu is right.” Mu Bingyun smiled superficially, but felt a tinge of disappointment inside.

This feeling of disappointment overshadowed her observation of certain details earlier that day.

In the past, she had been a servant and spent every day with Uncle Lu, sleeping in the cave. Now, she couldn’t do that anymore.

Lu Changan’s behavior seemed to be treating her as an outsider.

Before leaving.

Mu Bingyun interacted with the Earth Rock Rat and Xuan Shui Gui to say goodbye.

After many years, the two spirit pets didn’t forget her and were still quite close to her.

Squeek!

The Earth Rock Rat came to Mu Bingyun’s feet and gently rubbed against her long skirt.

Mu Bingyun smiled sweetly and touched the Earth Rock Rat’s paw.

She remembered that when she first arrived at Xiao Gui Feng, she was solitary and quiet, disliked by Guan Qiaozhi. Back then, the Earth Rock Rat would often entertain her.

“Bingyun, these two talismans are a token of Uncle Lu’s affection.” Lu Changan took out two high-grade talismans and handed them to Mu Bingyun.

“Uncle Lu, these are too precious.” Mu Bingyun took the talismans, her delicate face moving slightly, realizing they were two second-rank superior talismans, one of which was even a top-grade talisman.

“The area around Wu Qi Shan is unstable, keep these for self-defense, don’t be careless.” Lu Changan’s expression turned serious, his tone more emphatic.

“Thank you, Uncle Lu.”

Seeing Uncle Lu’s sincere words, Mu Bingyun’s heart warmed, dispelling her previous disappointment.

She was also a second-rank talisman master and understood the rarity of second-rank top-grade talismans.

If Uncle Lu didn’t care about her, why would he give her such a precious gift?

“Uncle Lu, I’m leaving.”

Mu Bingyun, in a good mood, with slightly raised eyebrows and snow-white skin like blooming lotus, gracefully departed, carried by the wind in the night.

…

Shortly after Mu Bingyun left.

Master Shi, with her elegant and full figure, appeared on Xiao Gui Feng.

“Daoist Lu, can you really be so ruthless and use such a beautiful little lover as bait?” Master Shi said with a teasing smile.

“Haha, I’ll have to be more careful in the future, or I might be sold by you and count the money for you without knowing it.”

“Little lover? Manrong is thinking too much. She’s my junior, a very pure relationship.” Lu Changan sighed, denying it.

“She looks at you differently. Mu Bingyun is more beautiful and younger than me. How can Lu Lang not be tempted at all?” Master Shi’s tone was slightly resentful, with a hint of jealousy.

“Okay, let’s talk about business.” Lu Changan didn’t want to discuss this topic any further.

Master Shi, as an experienced person, had a relationship with Lu Changan as lovers, but wouldn’t really dwell on this matter.

“I have carefully observed that Mu Bingyun has a tracking mark on her. The person who cast it has a divine sense slightly stronger than ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. It’s likely the ‘Night Fisherman’.”

Regarding the tracking mark, Lu Changan hadn’t mentioned this when he transmitted his voice earlier. He had only told Master Shi that Mu Bingyun might be targeted by bandit cultivators and that she had felt a sense of being watched.

Lu Changan’s plan was for the three peak masters to secretly follow Mu Bingyun at night, eliminate the bandit group.

Although this would involve using Mu Bingyun as bait, it was essentially to protect her, eliminate the problem thoroughly, and improve the security of Wu Qi Shan.

If Lu Changan ignored it and did nothing.

Since Mu Bingyun was marked, it meant she had been targeted. Even if she left during the day, it would take several days to return to Fei Yue Lake. The enemy could still find an opportunity to attack her at night along the way.

“I have no objections to your plan, Lu Lang. But this must be done secretly, with limited personnel. Also, we cannot be sure if there are any spies among the scattered cultivators who rely on Wu Qi Shan.”

“You mean?”

“We two can handle it. Let Ye Fei stay at Wu Qi Shan.” Master Shi said.

“That’s fine.” Lu Changan looked at Master Shi.

This woman should have confidence in her own strength, considering herself superior to ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Back then, facing the seriously injured False Core Realist “Xiang Jinglong,” Master Shi had remained calm.

Lu Changan had a record of repelling an injured late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, possessing a second-rank puppet and a second-rank late-stage spirit pet.

Master Shi also had a high evaluation of his strength.

The two walked side by side, entering the cave of Xiao Gui Feng, appearing like lovers on a date in the eyes of outsiders.

…

Fifteen minutes later.

Lu Changan and Master Shi, both wearing black clothes, were flying at low altitude hundreds of miles south of Wu Qi Shan.

“Daoist Lu, Mu Bingyun has already left for a while, how did you determine her location?”

“The Earth Rock Rat remembered her scent earlier, and went ahead to track and secretly protect her.” Lu Changan explained truthfully.

Before leaving, the Earth Rock Rat had rubbed against Mu Bingyun’s skirt, it wasn’t just a simple act of affection.

“Remember her scent? You really care for and are attentive to this female junior, Daoist Lu.” Master Shi teased with a smirk.

Just then.

Several streams of Foundation Establishment-level Dharma power fluctuations suddenly appeared in the night sky ahead, and a clear reprimanding voice could be faintly heard.

(End of chapter)

**Glossary:**

* **玄木葫藤 (Xue Mu Hu Luo):** Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine (a type of spiritual plant)

* **幽影石 (You Ying Shi):** Shadow Stone (a type of spiritual stone)

* **玄水龟 (Xuan Shui Gui):** Xuan Water Turtle (a type of spirit pet)

* **巫祁山 (Wu Qi Shan):** Wu Qi Mountain (a mountain range in the novel’s world)

* **九印碑 (Jiu Yin Bei):** Nine Seal Stele (a powerful magical artifact)

* **离火宫 (Li Huo Gong):** Li Huo Palace (a major sect)

* **元婴真君 (Nascent Soul Zhen Jun):** Nascent Soul Realist (a powerful cultivator)

* **蛇打七寸 (She Da Qi Cun):** Strike the snake at its seven inches (a Chinese idiom meaning to target the weak point)

* **夏鸿羽 (Xia Hong Yu):** Xia Hongyu (a character in the novel)

* **符宝 (Fu Bao):** Talisman Treasure (a type of magical item)

* **筑基 (Zhu Ji):** Foundation Establishment (a stage of cultivation)

* **遁符 (Dun Fu):** Escape Talisman (a type of talisman)

* **准三阶 (Zhun San Jie):** Near-Third Rank (a classification of magical items)

* **炼体功法 (Lian Ti Gong Fa):** Body Refinement Technique (a type of cultivation method)

* **燕东来 (Yan Donglai):** Yan Donglai (a character in the novel)

* **玄阴魔教 (Xuan Yin Mo Jiao):** Xuan Yin Devil Sect (a powerful evil sect)

* **凝晶丹 (Ning Jing Dan):** Condensation Crystal Pill (a type of medicinal pill)

* **百锻金刚 (Bai Duan Jin Gang):** Hundred Forged Steel (a type of material)

* **清沙湾 (Qing Sha Wan):** Qing Sha Bay (a location in the novel’s world)

* **结丹 (Jie Dan):** Golden Core Formation (a stage of cultivation)

* **玄阴掌教 (Xuan Yin Zhang Jiao):** Leader of the Xuan Yin Devil Sect

* **泰丰商会 (Tai Feng Shang Hui):** Tai Feng Trading Company (a large trading company)

* **梁少天 (Liang Shao Tian):** Liang Shao Tian (a character in the novel)

* **无间门 (Wu Jian Men):** Wu Jian Gate (a major sect)

* **灵魂之影 (Ling Hun Zhi Ying):** Shadow of the Soul (a magical ability)

* **第二世 (Di Er Shi):** Second Life (a concept in the novel)

* **灵宠结丹 (Ling Chong Jie Dan):** Spirit Pet Golden Core Formation (a spirit pet’s cultivation stage)

* **梁国 (Liang Guo):** Liang Kingdom (a country in the novel’s world)

* **五行土 (Wu Xing Tu):** Five Elements Earth (a type of element)

* **地岩鼠 (Di Yan Shu):** Earth Rock Rat (a type of spirit pet)

* **魂蛊 (Hun Gu):** Soul Gu (a type of parasitic creature)

* **黄龙真人 (Huang Long Zhen Ren):** Huang Long Realist (a powerful cultivator)

* **陆长安 (Lu Chang An):** Lu Changan (the protagonist of the novel)

* **沈碧心 (Shen Bi Xin):** Shen Bixing (a character in the novel)

* **黄龙山 (Huang Long Shan):** Huang Long Mountain (a mountain range in the novel’s world)

* **乌龟符师 (Wu Gui Fu Shi):** Turtle Talisman Master (a type of cultivator)

* **乾坤九印碑 (Qian Kun Jiu Yin Bei):** Qian Kun Nine Seal Stele (a powerful magical artifact)

* **小龟峰 (Xiao Gui Feng):** Xiao Gui Peak (a mountain peak in the novel’s world)

* **贺元武 (He Yuan Wu):** He Yuanwu (a character in the novel)

* **傅雪梅 (Fu Xuemei):** Fu Xuemei (a character in the novel)

* **真丹 (Zhen Dan):** True Core (a type of pill)

* **休息 (Xiu Xi):** Rest (a common action)

* **剧情 (Ju QIng):** Plot (a common term)

* **卡 (Ka):** Card (a common term)

* **请假 (Qing Jia):** Ask for Leave (a common action)

* **更 (Geng):** To Change (a common action)

* **黄龙真人 (Huang Long Zhen Ren):** Huang Long Realist (a powerful cultivator)

* **元婴期 (Nascent Soul Qi):** Nascent Soul Stage (a stage of cultivation)

* **修仙界 (Xiu Xian Jie):** Cultivation World (a world of cultivators)

* **结丹 (Jie Dan):** Golden Core Formation (a stage of cultivation)

* **石化 (Shi Hua):** Petrification (a magical ability)

* **凝晶丹 (Ning Jing Dan):** Condensation Crystal Pill (a type of medicinal pill)

* **元婴 (Nascent Soul):** Nascent Soul (a spiritual manifestation)

* **结丹机缘 (Jie Dan Ji Yuan):** Golden Core Formation Opportunity (a chance to reach the Golden Core Formation stage)

* **六大圣门 (Liu Da Sheng Men):** Six Great Sacred Gates (powerful sects)

* **烽国 (Feng Guo):** Feng Kingdom (a country in the novel’s world)

* **金阳宗 (Jin Yang Zong):** Jin Yang Sect (a major sect)

* **修仙战争 (Xiu Xian Zhan Zheng):** Cultivation War (a war between cultivators)

* **紫枫真人 (Zi Feng Zhen Ren):** Zi Feng Realist (a powerful cultivator)

* **三阶灵符 (San Jie Ling Fu):** Third Rank Spiritual Talisman (a type of talisman)

* **河洛坊市 (He Luo Fang Shi):** He Luo Market (a market for cultivators)

* **新月商会 (Xin Yue Shang Hui):** New Moon Trading Company (a large trading company)

* **假丹真人 (Jia Dan Zhen Ren):** False Core Realist (a powerful cultivator)

* **赤水坊市 (Chi Shui Fang Shi):** Chi Shui Market (a market for cultivators)

* **莱国 (Liang Guo):** Liang Kingdom (a country in the novel’s world)

* **梁国宗门 (Liang Guo Zong Men):** Sects of Liang Kingdom (sects located in Liang Kingdom)

* **离火宫 (Li Huo Gong):** Li Huo Palace (a major sect)

**Please note:** This glossary provides translations and brief explanations for terms that appear in the Chinese text. It does not cover every word or phrase, and the translations are based on the context of the novel. The glossary is meant to assist in understanding the Chinese text, not to provide a complete dictionary of terms.

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