I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 195

## Chapter 194: Petrified Earth Dragon

After a fleeting moment of excitement, Lu Chang’an quickly calmed down. He understood Huang Long Zhen Ren’s intentions.

“Fu Xuemei’s injuries are just out of danger, her strength is barely a tenth of what it used to be. It will take at least half a year for her to recover to her peak.”

“During this long period of weakness, I will need to take care of her day and night, using my life-preserving technique to accelerate her recovery. On the way to a neighboring country, we will also have to face the unknown risk of pursuit. This is not a Dao companion, it’s basically a free doctor, bodyguard, and nanny.”

Lu Chang’an had to admire Huang Long Zhen Ren’s well-laid plans.

“Even if we make it through all of this, and reach a neighboring country, once Fu Xuemei recovers to her full strength as a Jie Dan Zhen Jun, what kind of autonomy will a mere Zhu Ji cultivator like me have? My fate will then be entirely at her mercy.”

Thinking about this, Lu Chang’an completely dismissed the idea. After all, where in the world is there such a delicious easy meal?

Of course, while Huang Long Zhen Ren was offering a tempting opportunity, he might genuinely admire Lu Chang’an. Fu Xuemei might not be cruel in the future, and could truly treat him as a Dao companion, sharing Huang Long Shan’s legacy with him.

However, Lu Chang’an didn’t need to gamble.

“Senior’s kindness is appreciated, but I must decline,” Lu Chang’an sighed, unable to be too direct. He used a well-known theory as an excuse: “The world of cultivation is constantly changing. Only after reaching the Zhu Ji stage can one truly stand firm. Without the magical treasures and divine abilities of a Jie Dan Zhen Jun, one cannot withstand the turbulent storms. I’m struggling to maintain my path alone, how can I dare to take a wife and form a Dao partnership?”

Hearing this, Huang Long Zhen Ren’s cloudy eyes gazed at him for a moment, and finally he nodded in admiration:

“For someone with Lu Xiaoyou’s cultivation level and experience to have such a perspective, that’s truly remarkable.”

“Even us Zhen Dan cultivators are often at the mercy of circumstances. In this vast world of cultivation, without reaching Nascent Soul, we’re all pawns on a chessboard.”

Lu Chang’an felt a pang of sadness hearing this. In his previous life, he was a Jie Dan cultivator, and he understood Huang Long Zhen Ren’s heartfelt lament.

In their subsequent conversation, Huang Long Zhen Ren never mentioned forming a Dao partnership again, perhaps realizing that Lu Chang’an had seen through the pros and cons.

To Huang Long Zhen Ren’s surprise, he found the conversation with Lu Chang’an quite enjoyable, without the natural barrier between a Zhu Ji cultivator and a Jie Dan Zhen Jun.

You see, Huang Long Zhen Ren wasn’t an ordinary Zhen Dan cultivator. Even ordinary Jie Dan cultivators in the early and middle stages would show him respect.

“It’s a pity, my time is running out, I can’t have a deeper conversation with you, Lu Xiaoyou,” Huang Long Zhen Ren’s eyes held a deep meaning, as if he sensed that Lu Chang’an had a mysterious background or an unknown secret.

“Being able to share a conversation with a legendary Jie Dan cultivator like Huang Long Senior, this is my first time, and I feel deeply honored,” Lu Chang’an smiled.

In this life, after a hundred or so years, he finally got to have a conversation with a Jie Dan Zhen Jun whose level was comparable to his previous life, which was a kind of psychological comfort for him.

Huang Long Zhen Ren was also a man at the end of his life. Therefore, in his speech and demeanor, Lu Chang’an didn’t deliberately restrain himself.

…

“When I first arrived at your esteemed residence, I noticed that Xuan Shui Gui, your Xuan Shui Gui, has grown exceptionally well in cultivation. I heard that when you obtained the Xuan Shui Gui egg, its vital signs were weak, suggesting that it was likely a sickly creature.”

Huang Long Zhen Ren seemed interested, “This shows that you, Lu Xiaoyou, have unique expertise in cultivating spirit pets.”

“I can only say that I have some experience,” Lu Chang’an had already prepared a reasonable explanation. “My life-preserving technique is particularly good at nourishing. Plus, I obtained a rare heavenly treasure many years ago, and by a stroke of luck, it enabled Xuan Shui Gui’s smooth growth.”

Xuan Shui Gui’s true cultivation was always kept hidden at the late stage of the first rank, so ordinary cultivators couldn’t detect it. But for someone as sharp-eyed as Huang Long Zhen Ren, it was impossible to hide it in close proximity.

“Lu Xiaoyou, if you truly have unique methods, or if you are a hidden expert, please help my old companion,” Huang Long Zhen Ren suddenly stood up, his words sincere, he bowed respectfully. The “old companion” he referred to was the Earth Dragon Beast.

“Senior, please don’t belittle me! I am just a common Zhu Ji cultivator, definitely not a hidden master,” Lu Chang’an laughed helplessly.

Just a bit of eloquence and demeanor, and Huang Long Zhen Ren already had such an impression of him.

But the world of cultivation did have rumors like this. There were mysterious old monsters who hid their identities and played games with mortals because of unknown restrictions or purposes.

The Tian Heng continent’s “The World’s Extraordinary People” series even had relevant records. One of them said that legendary cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, due to special reasons, could not easily intervene, and even unwilling to reveal their identities.

At least, in his three lifetimes, Lu Chang’an hadn’t found any confirmed evidence of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.

“Lu Dao You, whether it’s true or not, please take a look for me,” Huang Long Zhen Ren said, taking out a spirit pet pouch from his waist.

The two of them moved towards the spacious main hall of the subworld. As the restrictions were lifted, a yellowish glow rippled across the surface of the spirit pet pouch. Soon, a creature resembling both a crocodile and a dragon, completely petrified, appeared before Lu Chang’an.

“Petrified Seal?” Lu Chang’an frowned, examining it.

He could sense that this petrified Earth Dragon Beast had no heartbeat, its life energy was nearly extinguished. Placing his palm on its petrified body, he felt a cold marble-like texture.

Focusing his spiritual sense into it, he could only detect a faint, dormant consciousness.

“There’s nothing I can do!” Lu Chang’an sighed and shook his head.

In a way, the Earth Dragon Beast’s physical body had essentially perished. It was only that before death, it used a secret technique to seal its body, keeping its body intact and preserving its residual intelligence and vitality.

With his Chang Qing technique’s healing abilities, he simply couldn’t save it. Even using the Chang Qing secret technique, consuming his lifespan, would come at a great price. After all, the Earth Dragon Beast’s level of existence was far beyond his. This was not on the same level of difficulty as saving Mu Xiu Yun back then.

“Is there truly no way, Lu Xiaoyou?” Huang Long Zhen Ren seemed to be clinging to a sliver of hope, observing the details of Lu Chang’an’s facial expressions.

“If I succeed, my old friend will be greatly rewarded, I’m willing to exchange my life essence treasure and include a main ingredient for the Ning Jing Dan, ‘Seven-Core Moonflower.'”

To further convince Lu Chang’an, Huang Long Zhen Ren presented his famous treasure, the “Huang Long Shan Seal.”

The main ingredient for the Ning Jing Dan was kept in a jade box, it was a rare three-ranked seven-core flower.

Lu Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat. The main ingredients for the Ning Jing Dan were three in total, with the rarest and most important one being the “Seven-Core Moonflower.”

Coincidentally, the materials for the Ning Jing Dan he got from his senior brother had been 70% complete, with the most difficult to obtain being the “Seven-Core Moonflower.”

If he obtained this flower, there would be no real obstacle to refining another Ning Jing Dan in the future.

As for Huang Long Zhen Ren’s life essence treasure, although it was incredibly powerful, Lu Chang’an couldn’t use it with his current cultivation level, and it wasn’t a perfect match with his cultivation techniques.

“This ‘Seven-Core Moonflower’ is about fifty years away from reaching five hundred years of age, which can meet the requirements of the main ingredient for the Ning Jing Dan. If you put it in rare spirit liquid, it will accelerate its growth.”

Noticing Lu Chang’an’s gaze, Huang Long Zhen Ren added.

“Unfortunately, I really can’t do anything,” Lu Chang’an sighed, not hiding his desire for the main ingredient of the Ning Jing Dan.

Even though Huang Long Zhen Ren was at the end of his life, Lu Chang’an didn’t want to reveal the secret of the Chang Qing technique. Unless he didn’t have the Ning Jing Dan, he might take the risk. After the transaction, he would have to escape immediately and stay far away from Liang Guo.

Seeing Lu Chang’an’s reaction, Huang Long Zhen Ren was basically certain that the other party didn’t have the ability to save the Earth Dragon Beast. Otherwise, a Zhu Ji cultivator would be hard to resist the temptation of Jie Dan opportunity.

…

“Sister… you’re awake.”

From the carriage nearby, Fu Dong’s voice of extreme joy and tears could be heard.

Huang Long Zhen Ren put away his treasure and the main ingredient for the Ning Jing Dan, and went to check on Fu Xuemei with Lu Chang’an.

“Master… Master, I’m sorry, I couldn’t protect Huang Long Shan.”

Inside the carriage, Fu Xuemei opened her eyelids, her face still pale, she tried to get up but her body felt weak, a dull ache coming from her abdomen.

“The tide of fate is unstoppable, you’ve done your best, just focus on recovering,” Huang Long Zhen Ren smiled kindly, the wrinkles on his face gave a sense of cracked aging.

Lu Chang’an stayed silent.

Fu Xuemei’s ethereal beautiful eyes looked at him, and she said happily:

“Lu Dao You, the last time we met was a hundred years ago. I’ve wanted to see you again for the past few years, but there wasn’t a suitable opportunity.”

Fifteen years ago, Lu Chang’an, under the identity of Cheng Shi Di, had interacted with Fu Xuemei. At that time, he even “protected” her by chance. In the end, he traded a low-quality Ning Jing Dan for a genuine one, allowing Fu Xuemei to achieve a low-quality Zhen Dan.

“Seeing you today, Lu Dao You, you haven’t aged a day, your demeanor is still the same. Raising turtles and tending plants in Wu Qi Shan, living a leisurely life, you’re truly enviable,”

Looking at the man in white whose appearance hadn’t changed, Fu Xuemei seemed to have returned to the Hua Dan Shi Mansion in Huang Long Xian Cheng sixty years ago, reliving that scene.

What happened back then went against her own heart, even leaving a flaw in her mental state.

“Fu Zhen Ren is too kind! I’ve been stuck in my ways, it’s far from the progress you’ve made. How can I compare to you, Fu Zhen Ren? Not only are you still as beautiful as before, after achieving Zhen Dan, you’ve become even more radiant and stunning.”

While Lu Chang’an’s words contained flattery, they were also the truth. Fu Xuemei was younger than Zhao Si Yao, and she achieved Jie Dan earlier, making her appear like a twenty-year-old young woman. With the enhancement from Jie Dan cultivation, her charm was even greater than before.

“If the impression I leave on Lu Dao You is as good as you say, then this little girl will have no regrets,”

Fu Xuemei’s pale snow-like face had a hint of color, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Lu Chang’an secretly thought, perhaps this woman has a sharp intuition and has suspected him from before.

“Just now, was it Lu Dao You who saved me?” Fu Xuemei changed the subject, guessing.

“Sister, how did you know?” Fu Dong showed a surprised expression.

Fu Xuemei had just woken up and didn’t know where they were going during her coma.

“I was simply guided by my esteemed master, and I helped to stabilize Fu Zhen Ren’s injuries with the secret medicine,” Lu Chang’an said modestly.

“Lu Dao You, your life-saving grace, please forgive Xue Mei for being unable to rise and bow to thank you.” Fu Xuemei’s expression was solemn.

During her coma, she fell into darkness and consciousness, and she sensed a hint of azure warmth, as if it came from an ancient evergreen tree, endlessly vigorous, echoing with her Zhen Dan.

“Fu Zhen Ren is too polite, Huang Long Senior has already paid. Even if I hadn’t intervened, you would have been able to safely overcome this,”

Lu Chang’an understood that Huang Long Zhen Ren still had one opportunity to intervene. This intervention was essentially a transaction, not a life-saving grace. The three-ranked spirit wood and the three-ranked puppet inheritance given by Huang Long Zhen Ren were what he needed.

“Lu Xiaoyou, your age seems to be a bit older than Xuemei’s?” Huang Long Zhen Ren suddenly spoke.

Lu Chang’an nodded, feeling ashamed: “The path to Daoism has different starting points, I’m a few years older and can’t compare to Fu Zhen Ren.”

“Haha! Lu Xiaoyou, don’t be humble, you and Xuemei have known each other since early times, once you owed her, once she was indebted to you, this kind of karmic connection can’t be judged by the difference in cultivation levels.”

“Master is right, Lu Dao You, you don’t have to always address her as ‘Fu Zhen Ren’, you and I should be equals.”

Fu Xuemei quickly understood her master’s intention.

To this, Lu Chang’an didn’t object. Equals were equals, it wasn’t him who was at a disadvantage.

“Xuemei, this karmic connection, to you and your brother, it’s like a rebirth, you should call Lu Dao You ‘Big Brother.'”

Huang Long Zhen Ren’s expression was serious, his tone was heavy.

Fu Xuemei was startled, her ethereal and solitary eyes fell on Lu Chang’an’s face, she softly said:

“I have met Lu Big Brother.”

Although she didn’t know why her master was doing this, Fu Xuemei didn’t object.

To have a Jie Dan female cultivator call him so softly and respectfully, especially Fu Xuemei, a former earth spirit root genius, was quite overwhelming for Lu Chang’an.

“No, no, no,” he panicked, probably guessing Huang Long Zhen Ren’s intention.

He glanced at the delicate and frail Zhen Dan female cultivator.

Secretly thinking: Today, even if she calls me Father, I can’t let her spend the night on this Xiao Gui Feng.

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter