I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 189

## Chapter 189: Transaction Outlook

Seeing the woman’s satisfied expression, Lu Chang’an asked in surprise, “Oh? Does Miss Shen have any requests at the moment?”

“Not yet.” Shen Bi Xin smiled with a hint of amusement, praising, “Brother Lu has strong character and unwavering determination, making you a friend worthy of my trust in my eyes.”

“For you to owe Brother Lu a favor, I am naturally pleased.”

Looking at the smiling Shen Bi Xin, Lu Chang’an felt a strange sensation in his heart.

He pondered: Our relationship isn’t deep, how do you know I have strong character? You can’t just rely on hearsay.

Shen Bi Xin’s explanation shouldn’t be the main reason, there must be other considerations.

But to be fair, Lu Chang’an rarely involved himself in external affairs, always maintaining a low profile and diligently cultivating. Coupled with his inspirational reputation for late bloomer, his public image was indeed good.

Even the nickname “Turtle Talisman Master,” was mostly used for teasing and didn’t carry much malice.

Shen Bi Xin was a married woman.

To avoid suspicion, Lu Chang’an didn’t linger too long and bid farewell.

Shen Bi Xin rose to see him off, and suddenly asked, “Brother Lu seems to have a good relationship with Huang Long Mountain?”

“Huang Long Mountain? We have some interactions, but we aren’t particularly close.” Lu Chang’an replied.

The Huang Long Mountain’s Ji Zhenren and Fu Dong had both visited Xiao Gui Feng in the past. Huang Long Mountain had also helped Lu Chang’an gather materials, which couldn’t be concealed from those with keen eyes.

“Recently, there have been rumors that Huang Long Zhenren is critically ill, and might not live for another two years.” Shen Bi Xin shared a piece of intelligence.

“Huang Long Zhenren is critically ill?” Lu Chang’an was moved, and calculated silently.

Fourteen or fifteen years had passed since Fu Xuemei achieved Jie Dan.

The former top independent cultivator in Liang Guo’s cultivation world was indeed approaching the end of his lifespan.

Due to various factors, Huang Long Zhenren lived over a hundred years less than the theoretical lifespan of a Zhen Dan cultivator.

“Senior Huang Long has graced Liang Guo’s cultivation world for hundreds of years, famed far and wide, and commanded respect from all major sects and families, a truly glorious life.” Lu Chang’an spoke with reverence.

During Huang Long Zhenren’s peak period, Lu Chang’an had not yet stepped onto the path of cultivation in this life.

They were not from the same era.

Therefore, Lu Chang’an only knew of his name and had never interacted directly with Huang Long Zhenren.

“If Huang Long Zhenren passes away, certain forces might seize the opportunity to attack the Huang Long Mountain lineage. Be careful, Brother Lu.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Miss Shen.”

Lu Chang’an understood the implication of Shen Bi Xin’s words and bid farewell, flying away from the Teng Xing Trading House’s residence.

Shen Bi Xin watched his departing figure, lost in thought, remembering the moment she was saved and saw hope in despair.

She had a hunch that this low-key and unfazed Turtle Talisman Master was no ordinary figure.

The gamble she took today might need to be tested in the future.

…

Three months later.

News from the Feng Guo battlefield reached various parts of Liang Guo, causing a stir.

At this time, the lower-level cultivators generally became aware of the defeat suffered by Liang Guo’s sects.

Those in the middle and upper tiers had received the news earlier.

“The Nascent Soul Zhen Jun from Li Huo Gong fought against two enemy nation Nascent Soul, unfortunately losing and getting injured?”

The mainstream information Lu Chang’an received from the outside world described the truth in a very understated manner.

It was clearly a disastrous defeat and near death, yet it was described as a “惜败” (xi bai, literally “losing out,” but implying a close and honorable defeat).

Unsophisticated cultivators might be misled and think that Li Huo Gong’s Supreme Elder was incredibly powerful, having only narrowly lost to two Nascent Soul.

“Li Huo Gong is not strong in external battles, but they are good at controlling public opinion within Liang Guo’s cultivation world.”

Lu Chang’an could understand this.

In a cultivation war, both countries would spread various false information to confuse and create panic.

It was necessary to control domestic public opinion and eliminate rumor-mongers who were detrimental to unity.

Aside from the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun’s situation.

The number of deceased Jie Dan Zhenren and Zhu Ji cultivators was also somewhat concealed.

These things certainly couldn’t be hidden from the keen eyes of the major forces.

But as long as the majority of the middle and lower level cultivators were kept in the dark, Liang Guo’s sect leaders would have achieved their goal.

Regarding the news of the war.

The three peak masters of Wu Qi Shan gathered privately.

Shi Xianzi had her own sources of information and mentioned that Liang Guo’s sects had suffered a disastrous defeat, with greater losses than reported.

She speculated that Liang Guo’s sects would likely cease fighting, retreat to their territory, and recuperate.

“Hopefully, the war will end soon, and Liang Guo’s cultivation world will return to stability.” Ye Fei expressed his wish.

Due to the external battle, sect cultivators were dispatched elsewhere, causing a noticeable decline in security throughout Liang Guo’s cultivation world.

In the past few years, Wu Qi Shan’s business had plummeted.

“Let’s hope so.”

Only Lu Chang’an knew that in the near future, the war was likely to spread to Liang Guo.

…

As news of the war spread.

Jin Yun Gu’s correspondence with the outside world returned to normal.

Over the next two months.

Lu Chang’an received two letters sent by Zhao Tan’er.

One was a message from Zhao Tan’er herself.

The other was a letter from Zhao Si Yao, who had been on the front lines.

In her letter, Zhao Si Yao said that she had withdrawn from the battlefield and was on her way back to Jin Yun Gu in Liang Guo.

The letter only mentioned the war briefly, but it gave Lu Chang’an a sense of its brutality.

“Thanks to Brother Lu’s blessing, Si Yao escaped death. Because we fought side by side with Brother Zhang Tie Shan, we managed to kill an enemy nation’s Jia Dan Zhenren. That battle earned us significant merit. Both Brother Zhang and I were seriously injured, but we were among the first to be evacuated back…”

“Killed a Jia Dan Zhenren?”

Lu Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhao Si Yao’s description was very subtle. Given their mutual understanding, she obviously didn’t reveal the origin of the talisman.

If that talisman were to be activated, outsiders would only see it as an ordinary third-order talisman.

A late-stage Zhu Ji cultivator obtaining a third-order talisman through chance wasn’t considered particularly extraordinary.

A third-order talisman wouldn’t be very tempting for a Zhen Dan cultivator.

“Under normal circumstances, Zhao Si Yao would have difficulty killing a Jia Dan Zhenren with that talisman. Zhang Tie Shan probably played a significant role and had the means to threaten a Jia Dan Zhenren.” Lu Chang’an pondered.

At the end of the letter, Zhao Si Yao expressed her hope that she and Zhang Tie Shan could meet with Lu Chang’an after returning to the sect.

Once they recovered from their injuries.

Zhao Si Yao and Zhang Tie Shan would focus on cultivation and strive for Jie Dan.

After being tempered by the battlefield, Zhao Si Yao and Zhang Tie Shan had gained a lot and their cultivation progress was smoother.

“In a few years, some of the friends I’ve made in this life may reach the Zhenren level.”

Lu Chang’an smiled and put away the letter.

Zhao Si Yao and Zhang Tie Shan were currently at a similar cultivation level, both at the ninth level of Zhu Ji.

However, they still needed some time to reach the peak of late-stage Zhu Ji.

Besides these two friends.

Lu Chang’an’s lover, Shi Xianzi, and his acquaintances, Song Wen Shu and Zhou Qing Xuan, were all at similar levels.

Those who could reach the late stage of Zhu Ji had already surpassed most of their peers.

Jie Dan was an even harder step.

Many peak late-stage Zhu Ji cultivators struggled for decades to succeed, or could only achieve Jia Dan, only extending their lives by a hundred or so years, ultimately stuck there forever.

Jia Dan, essentially a “half-step Jie Dan,” was not recognized by many Zhen Dan cultivators.

“These acquaintances might have some hope of achieving Jia Dan. But those who can achieve Zhen Dan, I wonder if there will be one or two?”

Lu Chang’an looked to the future, unsure if he would have the chance to witness it firsthand.

Achieving Zhen Dan, even in major forces across the vast Qing cultivation world, would elevate one to the upper echelons.

…

A month later.

Lu Chang’an received a message from Teng Xing Trading House and traveled to Liao Yuan Xian Cheng.

This time, when Lu Chang’an went to the Teng Xing Trading House’s residence, he didn’t see Shen Bi Xin.

He was greeted by a late-stage Zhu Ji peak elder, a direct relative of Shen Bi Xin.

“The materials are finally in hand.”

An hour later, Lu Chang’an had an extra bulging storage bag around his waist and flew away from Liao Yuan Xian Cheng.

The entire transaction process was smooth.

Lu Chang’an purchased the third-order Ling Sha, top-grade puppets, and quasi-third-order puppets at market price.

As they were basic materials, the value wasn’t particularly high, but it still cost him more than ten thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Because he left immediately, Lu Chang’an didn’t hide his identity.

“No one is following, Teng Xing Trading House’s reputation is still reliable.”

Once he was a few hundred miles away from Liao Yuan Xian Cheng, Lu Chang’an nodded inwardly.

During the journey, he repeatedly merged his mind with the second world of the Jiu Yin Bei to check for tails.

The transaction amount was indeed considered a leak for an ordinary mid-stage Zhu Ji cultivator.

It wasn’t that Lu Chang’an was careless, but the times had changed.

Risk and strength were inversely proportional.

The protective measures Lu Chang’an had shown to the outside world were far from those of an ordinary mid-stage Zhu Ji.

The strongest individual at Teng Xing Trading House was only a Jia Dan Zhenren.

This little leak, at most, would attract a Jia Dan Zhenren, or several late-stage Zhu Ji cultivators.

In this special period.

As long as he didn’t expose his own secrets, Lu Chang’an wasn’t averse to taking some controlled risks to accelerate his progress.

…

After returning to Wu Qi Shan.

Lu Chang’an ensured that the quasi-third-order mountain protection formation was operating stably.

From now on, he would allocate part of his focus to enhancing the Yun Sha Lian Ti Jue (Cloud Sand Body Tempering Technique) and practicing with puppets.

“Third-order Ling Sha Stone, its effects are indeed extraordinary…”

In a secluded room on Xiao Gui Feng, Lu Chang’an soaked in a medicinal bath of various mixed colors, his muscles expanding a full circle, with cloud-like crystal patterns appearing on the surface of his skin.

He felt a tingling and burning sensation all over.

This was his first time using third-order Ling Sha Stone for cultivation, and finally, his stagnant Yun Sha Lian Ti Jue showed signs of slow progress.

(End of chapter)

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