I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 208

## Chapter 206: Seven Days and Seven Nights

Six or seven months later.

The first year of Lu Changan’s late-stage Foundation Establishment passed, bringing him to the age of one hundred and forty-one.

Some newly-promoted Foundation Establishment geniuses in the sect might be a hundred years younger than him.

Simultaneously, the Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟 – Xuan Water Turtle) was turning one hundred this year.

The slow growth of Xuan Shui Gui meant they typically took one or two hundred years to reach the second-tier.

Of course, it was not impossible to encounter some fortuitous circumstance, obtaining a legendary celestial treasure, which could significantly accelerate their cultivation.

Some keen observers, such as the Zhou family, which specialized in beast-taming, suspected that Lu Changan might possess a special secret technique.

However, with Lu Changan’s current strength and connections, it was a piece of cake for him to protect some minor secrets.

The Xuan Shui Gui’s advancement speed was still relatively slow, far inferior to most spirit pets and demonic beasts of the same rank.

The Xuan Shui Gui boasted excellent defense, but its offense was mediocre. For large forces and high-level cultivators, its appeal was limited, making it a low-return investment to raise.

Its greatest advantage was its longevity, far exceeding most living creatures.

Shortly after the Xuan Shui Gui turned one hundred.

Jiang Yechen finally arrived at Wu Qi Shan (巫祁山 – Wu Qi Mountain).

He wasn’t alone, bringing several young Qi Condensation-stage members of the Jiang family.

“Apologies for making Shi Xianzi wait. I spent months recovering from my injuries and settling my clan, which took up a considerable amount of time.”

At Xiao Gui Feng (小龟峰 – Little Turtle Peak), Jiang Yechen cupped his fist, apologetically.

Clad in a purple silk robe, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, Jiang Yechen’s handsome features revealed a touch of weariness, making him look five or six years older than before.

Although his appearance wasn’t as youthful as before, the former effeminate aura was significantly reduced.

“Understandable. I have heard about the Jiang family’s plight.”

Shi Xianzi (师仙子 – Teacher Immortal) smiled gracefully, welcoming Jiang Yechen into her cave abode.

Lu Changan, stationed at Xiao Gui Feng, witnessed this scene, but didn’t immediately approach.

Shi Xianzi recovering her memories was a personal matter. The outside world was unaware of the true reasons.

Inside the cave abode of Xiao Gui Feng.

After a private discussion that lasted nearly an hour, Shi Manrong (师曼容 – Teacher Manrong) escorted Jiang Yechen out.

“Jiang Dao You (道友 – Friend) can stay at Wu Qi Shan for a couple of days, while I consider it.”

That day, Jiang Yechen and his entourage were assigned to the guest rooms of Wu Qi Shan.

At night, Shi Xianzi arrived at Xiao Gui Feng and secretly discussed the matter with Lu Changan.

“This time, Jiang Yechen didn’t make excessive demands like the primary materials for Pill Formation. However, his proposed terms are still not insignificant.”

Shi Manrong stated.

Jiang Yechen had two conditions.

First, to purchase a batch of wartime supplies at a low price, including formations, talismans, and pills, totaling more than twenty thousand spirit stones.

Jiang Yechen’s price was very low, only sixty percent of the market price.

Second, to arrange for several young and promising Qi Condensation-stage members of the Jiang family at Wu Qi Shan.

During the war, Shi Xianzi must diligently ensure their safety, providing them with cultivation spirit veins and training grounds for a maximum of twenty years.

Jiang Yechen’s conditions were in line with the Jiang family’s current situation.

“Jiang Yechen’s judgment is sharp. Wu Qi Shan’s geographical environment is suitable for his junior clan members to seek refuge.”

Lu Changan pondered for a moment, smiling.

Wu Qi Shan was located in the northwest of the Liang Kingdom (梁国 – Liang Kingdom), and further north was the Black Mist Mountain Range.

Currently, the cultivation war was mainly concentrated in the southern border region of Liang, not yet reaching the central area under the influence of the Li Huo Gong (离火宫 – Departing Fire Palace).

Wu Qi Shan wasn’t far from the center of the Liang Kingdom, with retreat routes to the north and west, and the information flow was also smooth.

Moreover, Wu Qi Shan was a stronghold of independent cultivators. Even if the Liang Kingdom were to be defeated one day, it wouldn’t become a primary target for Feng Kingdom’s cultivation world.

After some discussion, Lu Changan and Shi Xianzi agreed to Jiang Yechen’s conditions in principle, but they would need to negotiate the price.

“By the way, Jiang Yechen encountered some trouble on his way to Wu Qi Shan – spies from the Feng Kingdom cultivation world, and was temporarily conscripted by Li Huo Gong cultivators, delaying his journey.”

“Enemy spies?”

Lu Changan realized that the current Liang Kingdom was more chaotic than in previous years, harboring hidden dangers.

Even in the rear area, safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

As the war continued, the Feng Kingdom cultivation world would send more spies and scouts to infiltrate the rear battlefield, stir up trouble, and create chaos.

It was foreseeable that the price of high-level formation artifacts would continue to rise.

…

Two days later.

Shi Xianzi and Jiang Yechen negotiated again, reaching a trade agreement.

Both parties were sincere in their trade, not the kind who would fight over every single coin, so the negotiations didn’t drag on.

Shi Xianzi agreed to take care of the Jiang family’s clan members for fifteen years, as far as she could.

The provided wartime supplies would prioritize formations and talismans, at a thirty percent discount compared to the market price.

This time, Lu Changan was also present and promised some relatively cheaper talismans.

Regarding the restoration of memories, Shi Xianzi put forward a condition, asking Lu Changan to provide protection during the process, just in case.

It was ostensibly for protection but in reality, surveillance.

Jiang Yechen reluctantly agreed, saying: “If it were ordinary times, I wouldn’t reveal this treasure to outsiders, let alone deplete its spiritual essence.”

“I hope that you two will keep this transaction confidential and swear a soul oath.”

Lu Changan and Shi Xianzi agreed and, in turn, requested Jiang Yechen to swear a reciprocal oath to keep the details of this transaction confidential.

After both parties swore.

Shi Xianzi activated a secluded chamber, convenient for Jiang Yechen to act and help her recover her memories.

Inside the chamber.

The three sat cross-legged on individual meditation cushions.

Jiang Yechen and Shi Manrong sat facing each other.

“Activate!”

Jiang Yechen made a hand seal, a wave of divine consciousness fluctuations exceeding that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment emanating from his body.

Hum!

A piece of shimmering, azure jade, like a clear crystal, floated in his palm, surrounded by semi-transparent azure ripples.

Jiang Yechen pointed a finger, and the jade transformed into the size of a palm, adhering to Shi Xianzi’s forehead.

“A Soul Dao treasure? At least a mid-grade third-tier.”

Lu Changan noticed that the surface of this jade had several tiny cracks, its spiritual essence incomplete.

“Such a waste of a treasure.”

Lu Changan thought silently, inferring the approximate abilities of this Soul Dao treasure.

It could nourish and repair the soul, temporarily enhance divine consciousness strength during combat, or resist divine consciousness-based secret technique attacks.

However, due to his own limitations, Jiang Yechen had constantly drawn upon the power of this jade for years, without the ability to nourish it, resulting in the gradual depletion of its spiritual essence.

Perhaps, the treasure had been damaged when Jiang Yechen obtained it.

As Jiang Yechen performed his incantation, the semi-transparent azure ripples flowed like water into Shi Xianzi’s brow, entering her mind.

Shi Xianzi was serene and peaceful, showing no signs of discomfort.

Lu Changan’s divine consciousness was stronger than Jiang Yechen’s. He silently observed, ensuring that Jiang Yechen was not playing any tricks.

Jiang Yechen, possessed of a Soul Dao treasure, was highly perceptive and sensed a divine consciousness that transcended his own.

“I’ve gone too far this time…”

His heart sank, a chill running down his spine, making his actions more cautious, not daring to touch the memories within Shi Xianzi’s mind.

Jiang Yechen dared to venture to Shi Xianzi’s territory alone and share a room with two late-stage Foundation Establishments, confident in his own abilities.

Among them, divine consciousness was one of his major advantages.

Strong divine consciousness could often preempt the enemy, enhance the power of artifacts and magical treasures when combined with them.

Now, sensing a divine consciousness stronger than his own, suspected to be at the level of a False Pill, Jiang Yechen realized that Wu Qi Shan was more powerful than he had anticipated.

This move carried considerable risk.

Lu Changan knew that Jiang Yechen might have sensed him but wasn’t overly concerned.

First, Jiang Yechen wasn’t sure whether the strong divine consciousness belonged to Lu Changan or a False Pill expert hidden in Wu Qi Shan.

Second, he only had two important things left to deal with in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world, both closely related to Pill Formation: the ancient ruins being one of them.

Once he finished dealing with those, Lu Changan would leave for another country. Even if he accidentally exposed some of his strength, it would be inconsequential.

During the memory restoration process, Jiang Yechen’s mental strength was greatly depleted.

Every half-day, he had to meditate and recuperate for a few hours.

…

In a flash, seven days passed.

On the neighboring Xiao Dan Feng (小丹峰 – Little Dan Peak).

“Seven days have passed, where are Shi Xianzi and the three Dao You? They haven’t come out?”

Ye Fei (叶飞 – Ye Fei) was suspicious, looking at the sealed formation at Xiao Gui Feng, finding it odd.

Shi Xianzi’s Xiao Gui Feng cave abode didn’t usually allow male cultivators to stay overnight, except for Lu Changan, her former lover.

Even Lu Changan wouldn’t stay for more than one night.

Seven days and seven nights, two men and one woman locked inside the cave abode, not even leaving the door, was indeed unusual.

As the sun set.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators finally emerged from the cave abode of Xiao Gui Feng.

Lu Changan and Shi Xianzi were both smiling, seeing Jiang Yechen out.

“I hope you two will keep your promises.”

Jiang Yechen looked pale, his feet unsteady, seeming to have lost vital energy. He looked deeply at Lu Changan and the other two before flying out of Xiao Gui Feng.

“Jiang Dao You.”

As he passed by Xiao Dan Feng, Ye Fei took the initiative to greet him, exchanging a few pleasantries.

“Hiss! Jiang Yechen’s face is pale, his feet are shaky, his vital energy seems to be depleted?”

Watching the handsome figure fly away, Ye Fei was taken aback.

Thinking about the three of them locked inside the cave abode for seven days and seven nights, his expression was a sight to behold.

“Shi Dao You, you should rest and review for a few days.”

Lu Changan and Shi Xianzi chatted for a bit, then flew out of Xiao Gui Feng.

Sensing the gaze, he involuntarily turned towards Xiao Dan Feng.

“Lu Dao You.”

Ye Fei smiled sheepishly, exchanging a few greetings from afar.

When Lu Changan returned to Xiao Gui Feng.

Ye Fei felt a sense of admiration: “Lu Dao You’s cultivation of the life-preservation technique is truly extraordinary. After seven days and seven nights, he is unscathed, compared to Jiang Yechen, that weakling, they are worlds apart.”

…

Several days later.

Shi Manrong visited Xiao Gui Feng, holding a private discussion with Lu Changan.

“How is Shi Dao You?”

“Her mind is stable, she has recovered many of her memories, including some details about the inside of the ancient ruins.”

Shi Manrong paused, hesitantly:

“However, I am not sure if all the memories have been restored.”

“The key memories are recovered, that’s what matters.”

Lu Changan reassured her.

“I want to be sure?”

Shi Xianzi’s voice was soft and melodious, revealing a hint of tenderness and allure amidst her dignified elegance.

“How does Shi Xianzi intend to be sure?” Lu Changan remained unfazed.

“Lu Dao You, do I look beautiful?”

Shi Manrong leaned closer, her silver disc-like face flushed with a faint blush.

Clad in a moon-white dress, her figure was plump and graceful. Lifting her skirt, her body swayed gently, revealing her plump and round buttocks, sitting astride Lu Changan’s lap.

Lu Changan felt a sense of déjà vu.

He quickly recalled that this was the first time he had been intimate with Shi Xianzi, many years ago.

Back then, Shi Xianzi had tempted Lu Changan to break the restriction in her mind, using a ploy of capturing him and then letting him go.

“Shi Xianzi, have you thought this through?”

Lu Changan smiled ambiguously, reaching out to wrap his arms around her waist.

This situation mirrored the one from back then.

This time, Shi Xianzi didn’t use a ploy of capturing him and then letting him go.

Her cheeks were as bright as the morning glow, her head leaning against Lu Changan’s, the fragrance of night jasmine wafting towards him.

Outside the cave abode, the moonlight was particularly captivating.

As time passed, Shi Xianzi’s hair became disheveled, her hairpin askew, her breath fragrant, and her face flushed even more intensely.

Finally, she collapsed onto Lu Changan’s lap, her long, slender legs lifting in a graceful curve, her embroidered shoes falling off, revealing jade feet encased in ice silk stockings.

The next morning.

Lu Changan looked at Shi Xianzi, who had tidied up her dress, looking spotless, dignified, and serene, as if she had returned to the chrysanthemum-like female formation master she had met seventy years ago at Wu Qi Shan.

“Lu Dao You, last night was the last time.”

Shi Xianzi’s eyes were clear, her expression unusually peaceful, as if she had returned to the chrysanthemum-like female formation master she had met seventy years ago at Wu Qi Shan.

“I understand. From now on, we shall be pure Dao You.”

Lu Changan had a feeling that this one night of indulgence was the final farewell to his fleeting romance with Shi Xianzi.

Under the immense temptation of the ancient ruins, even true Dao partners of a hundred years could turn on each other, resorting to violence.

To be honest, Lu Changan was relieved that Shi Xianzi hadn’t stabbed him in the back during their intimacy last night.

With memories of his previous two lives, he had seen too much deceit and treachery, and he was even on his guard.

His physical body was tempered like that of a False Pill expert, his Evergreen Technique was resistant to poisons, and with his precautions, he would naturally not fall prey to any tricks.

“Love and trade are separate matters, as you once said.”

Shi Xianzi smiled charmingly.

“That ancient ruin was discovered by me. Without profound mastery of formations, it is impossible to conquer it. The spoils within the ruins will be divided six to four, with Lu Dao You getting four parts. Do you have any objections?”

“I’m only a helper who joined midway, so I’m content with four parts.”

Lu Changan had no objections.

In fact, such a verbal agreement had little meaning unless everything went smoothly without any competition.

Upon entering the ancient ruins, they might encounter various unexpected events, and strength would be king.

“Very well. We’ll prepare for another two months, and then we’ll head to the Black Mist Mountain Range together.”

After speaking, Shi Xianzi gracefully departed.

Lu Changan was thoughtful. Shi Xianzi had recovered her memories, had some knowledge of the ancient ruins, and would make certain preparations in response.

From this perspective, Shi Xianzi had gained more control.

“Back then, that False Pill expert named ‘Qi Zhen Ren’ planted restrictions to force and control Shi Xianzi, ultimately ending up in the ancient ruins, meeting his demise.”

Lu Changan’s eyes flickered, pondering.

Regarding this matter, Shi Xianzi had denied it was her scheme.

The expert had threatened her first, her life and fortune were in his control. Even if it had been Shi Xianzi’s doing, it was understandable.

…

Lu Changan naturally had to make some preparations during these two months.

He took stock of his magical treasures, artifacts, talismans, magical talismans, puppets, pills, and so on.

Currently, he had twenty or so standard third-tier talismans.

He had over forty magical talismans, all of which were more powerful than the standard third-tier. Among them, there were over ten magical talismans with third-tier spirit wood as carriers, the lowest of which were third-tier low-grade in power.

He had several top-tier second-tier puppets.

Lu Changan’s mastery in crafting third-tier puppets was insufficient, and he lacked materials, only managing to create a puppet with the defense of a standard third-tier.

In addition, he had some precious pills that enhanced magical power.

A month later, Lu Changan was fully prepared.

At this time, an urgent letter from Tie Xing Mountain Villa (铁杏山庄 – Iron Apricot Mountain Villa) arrived at Xiao Gui Feng.

“Zheng Wu Gong (郑蜈蚣 – Zheng Centipede) died on the frontline battlefield.”

After reading the letter, Lu Changan murmured.

No. 4 had some social engagements and didn’t update.

(End of chapter)

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