I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 213

## Chapter 211: The True Monarch’s Legacy

The True Monarch Hu, eyes blazing with fury, stared fixedly at the young man standing several feet behind him, his face impassive.

*Whoosh!*

A bloody, shadowless needle zipped through the air, tracing a sharp arc.

It finally transformed into a needle-shaped talisman, returning to Lu Chang’an’s hand hidden within his sleeve.

“You scoundrel… treacherous…”

The True Monarch Hu’s face, now stained with blood spattered from his chest, glared with hatred and resentment at the attacker behind him.

He choked out these words, his heart already bursting, his throat constricted, blood gushing out.

“True Monarch Hu!”

Several cries of alarm followed, as others finally reacted.

*Thump!*

True Monarch Hu fell to the ground, his life force plummeting, instantly dropping to rock bottom, barely clinging to life.

Lu Chang’an, without a change in expression, put away the needle-shaped talisman.

He hadn’t used his truly powerful talisman cards to kill True Monarch Hu.

This needle-shaped talisman was a defensive talisman given to Fu Xuemei by the True Monarch Bai Ling when she achieved the “Jie Dan” (Formation of Golden Core) stage.

This talisman was not much of a threat to a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator when used offensively, but it excelled at hidden attacks, with little noise.

True Monarch Hu had just glimpsed the opportunity of a great treasure, narrowly escaping death, and then losing the crucial token. His mood was fluctuating wildly, his attention completely diverted.

Lu Chang’an launched a surprise attack from behind, dealing a fatal blow.

“Lu Chang’an! You dare assassinate True Monarch Hu?”

The True Monarch Tan, who had reached the hexagonal palace building, turned around in shock, his face turning livid with anger.

He wasn’t as enraged as expected, more surprised and taken aback.

“True Monarch Hu broke his promise, not only refusing to compensate me for the loss of my puppet but also stealing the demon core obtained by my spirit pet.”

Lu Chang’an remained expressionless, stating matter-of-factly,

“So, I killed him!”

Hearing this, all the cultivators present were taken aback, feeling it made sense, yet faintly sensing something amiss.

Lu Chang’an spoke without a hint of anger, seemingly not taking it seriously.

*Pfft!*

The True Monarch Hu on the ground violently coughed up a mouthful of blood, his life extinguished, leaving behind a look of disbelief.

*Squeak!*

The “Di Yan Shu” (Earth Rock Rat) darted over, snatching the True Monarch Hu’s storage pouch and quickly returned.

The True Monarch Tan recovered his senses, his face darkening, his eyes filled with a hidden murderous intent.

Lu Chang’an was closest to the True Monarch Hu, and as the schemer, naturally had the first chance to seize victory.

“Daoist Lu.”

Shi Xianzi gracefully landed beside Lu Chang’an, guarding against the four from the True Monarch Tan’s group.

After a brief shock, Shi Xianzi, gazing at the man standing before her, so familiar yet now so different, felt a profound unease in her heart.

The quiet cultivator who had always shied away from conflicts, cultivating his turtle and tending his plants, had killed a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator in one swift move.

This truly shattered her previous perception of him.

…

Why did Lu Chang’an kill the True Monarch Hu?

Shi Xianzi, as the only remaining array master on the scene, quickly grasped his intentions.

The ancient ruins had been conquered step by step, overcoming various obstacles. True Monarch Hu, as a third-rank array master, had served his purpose.

There might be some minor issues left, including returning to the entrance of the ruins.

However, Shi Xianzi, as a “Zhun San Jie” (Near-Third Rank) array master, possessed almost the same level of array mastery as True Monarch Hu, with the primary difference being their cultivation level.

With True Monarch Hu dead, Shi Manrong’s status rose. Together with Lu Chang’an, they would have more control.

In fact, Lu Chang’an’s decision to kill True Monarch Hu stemmed from his apprehension towards a third-rank array master.

A third-rank array master, utilizing the surrounding environment, could create arrays that posed a greater threat and held more unpredictable factors.

With True Monarch Hu gone, the remaining True Monarch Tan was merely a strong individual with superior strength.

Lu Chang’an was less apprehensive about him.

“Lu Chang’an, the True Monarch Hu was a good friend of mine. Regardless of your reasons for killing him, I, the True Monarch Tan, cannot turn a blind eye.”

The True Monarch Tan, not finding the token for now, turned around and slowly approached Lu Chang’an, his face filled with a chilling aura.

“What do you want, True Monarch Tan?”

Lu Chang’an thought to himself, you weren’t this aggressive before I took the True Monarch Hu’s storage pouch.

“Treacherous brat! I demand you pay with your life!”

The True Monarch Tan spoke with a cold voice, his “Dan Li” (Cultivation Essence) erupted, releasing a formidable spiritual pressure surpassing that of ordinary “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) cultivators.

He spat out a black ruler, its treasure light dazzling.

*Boom!*

The treasure ruler expanded to several dozen feet in the wind, condensing a majestic azure light, smashing towards Lu Chang’an with an earth-shattering force.

All the cultivators present changed their expressions, the True Monarch Tan was serious.

This wasn’t solely for the True Monarch Hu’s storage pouch.

Lu Chang’an had killed a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator in the shadows. How could the True Monarch Tan tolerate such a threat existing near him?

As the True Monarch Tan struck,

Lu Chang’an moved, his “Chang Qing” (Evergreen) cultivation essence surged like a tide, summoning a treasure that radiated a rudimentary aura.

It was a plain, black and gold curved saber, emanating a spiritual fluctuation characteristic of a true treasure.

As “Chang Qing” (Evergreen) cultivation essence poured into it,

The plain curved saber hummed, its sharp energy soaring, transforming into a half-moon-shaped black giant saber plated with gold.

*Clang! Bang!*

The half-moon, gold-plated black saber collided head-on with the treasure ruler, powerful wind gusts and waves impacting the surrounding area for a hundred feet.

Less than a second later, the black saber’s light rapidly dimmed, reverting to its plain curved saber form, falling downward.

The azure spiritual light on the treasure ruler had also dimmed significantly, shrinking in size.

“Such power?”

The True Monarch Tan was secretly startled. He hadn’t expected Lu Chang’an’s rudimentary treasure to possess such formidable power, capable of rivaling a single strike from a true treasure used by a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator.

Lu Chang’an’s usual power when using this rudimentary treasure was not this strong.

However, this curved saber, a rudimentary treasure he had honed and nurtured for too long, possessed a spiritual quality comparable to a real treasure.

This first “sharpening” unleashed a thick accumulation of power, resulting in a stronger burst.

*Bang!*

The treasure ruler, now shrunk by half, was blocked by a ten-foot-tall turtle puppet, neutralizing the remaining force.

The turtle puppet remained unmoved, the patterns on its surface gleaming, showing no damage.

“A ‘Zhun San Jie’ (Near-Third Rank) puppet? No, it’s just its defense that has reached ‘Zhun San Jie’ (Near-Third Rank)…”

The True Monarch Tan frowned, sensing trouble.

Beside Lu Chang’an, Shi Xianzi also summoned a golden ring-shaped rudimentary treasure, initially prepared to defend together against the treasure ruler, but it ended up being unnecessary.

“You lot, what are you standing around for?”

The True Monarch Tan once again activated his treasure ruler, his gaze coldly sweeping over his three “Zhu Ji” (Foundation Establishment) subordinates, who looked startled and confused.

“True Monarch Tan, the restrictions on those two ‘Zhu Ji’ (Foundation Establishment) cultivators seem to have been imposed by True Monarch Hu. Now that he’s gone, they naturally have the right to decide their own fate.”

Lu Chang’an stood behind the turtle puppet, a faint smile on his lips.

Among the three remaining “Zhu Ji” (Foundation Establishment) cultivators, only Wei Gu’nian had not been subjected to any restriction.

The remaining young man with a high nose and the old man of sixty had both been placed under restrictions by True Monarch Hu, as third-rank array masters often excelled at restrictions, making it more secure.

The True Monarch Tan could not directly control their life or death.

As Lu Chang’an and the True Monarch Tan exchanged blows, Wei Gu’nian quietly retreated a distance.

Seeing this, the other two hesitated, but then they saw Lu Chang’an directly blocking a strike from a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator, they were astonished.

It seemed that Lu Chang’an and Shi Xianzi, working together, could hold their own against the True Monarch Tan.

In that case, they had no need to submit to the True Monarch Tan and fight for him.

…

“True Monarch Tan, if you kill Daoist Lu and his companion, do you have any assurance of entering the hidden array portal’s vault space? On the way back, can you guarantee that you will be safe?”

Wei Gu’nian’s voice was as cool as the night, spoken at the right time.

“Wei Gu’nian is right.”

The True Monarch Tan’s face softened, he was more polite towards this Wei Gu’nian, stepping down from his high horse.

Lu Chang’an and Shi Xianzi had displayed enough strength to contend with a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivator, making them difficult to handle.

Shi Xianzi, as the only array master, was irreplaceable.

“Little thief Lu, our grudge will be settled before we leave these ruins!”

The True Monarch Tan put away his treasure ruler, leaving this threat behind.

Lu Chang’an chuckled, putting away his rudimentary treasure and the turtle puppet.

The True Monarch Tan’s face held no dignity, and he went to the hexagonal palace building again, accompanied by Wei Gu’nian, to search for the token that the True Monarch Hu had lost.

Lu Chang’an wasn’t interested in participating.

When True Monarch Hu was breaking the array, Lu Chang’an had merged with the “Jiu Yin Bei” (Nine Seal Stele), his powerful divine consciousness observing the relevant details.

That token had been swept into the independent vault space by the array power.

The True Monarch Tan, intent on saving people back then, his divine consciousness not as sharp as Lu Chang’an’s, who had merged with the “Jiu Yin Bei” (Nine Seal Stele), hadn’t noticed this detail.

“Shi Xianzi, have you seen how to break the seventh hidden array portal?”

Lu Chang’an set up a soundproof barrier and communicated with Shi Manrong through voice transmission.

“Having witnessed it twice, my array mastery is incomparable to what it was before. Breaking the array portal will no longer be a challenge. Moreover, that array portal has just been broken, currently in a weakened state, with more obvious vulnerabilities.”

Shi Manrong smiled softly, exhibiting a hint of confidence.

“How do we deal with the trap array hidden behind the seventh array portal?”

“I have already figured it out. That token is merely a credential to enter the vault. It requires identity verification to enter safely. Having the token alone, without the matching identity, will trigger the trap array’s attacks.”

“Fortunately, that ancient array is incomplete, with many flaws. We just need to destroy the linked array nodes beforehand, severing the trap array’s sensing restrictions.”

“I see.”

Lu Chang’an understood the general principle.

He sighed with regret, “It’s a pity that True Monarch Hu’s “Po Jin Zhu” (Restriction Breaking Bead) was destroyed by the trap array earlier.”

“That “Po Jin Zhu” (Restriction Breaking Bead) was already depleted. Now that the array portal is weakened, with a ‘Zhun San Jie’ (Near-Third Rank) “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman) and a “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) level strike, it will be enough.”

Shi Manrong was calm and composed.

“Breaking the array is not difficult, but where do we find a token credential now?”

Lu Chang’an pondered.

True Monarch Hu had used one token, and the True Monarch Qi, decades ago, had used another.

There were still some unexplored areas within the ancient ruins. As long as they were willing to invest time and take some risks, they might find another one.

Shi Manrong glanced at the True Monarch Tan in the distance.

Her cherry lips slightly parted, releasing a faint fragrance, she leaned close to Lu Chang’an’s ear.

“You… you have one?”

Lu Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat, this woman who was once his bedmate, had also been hiding something.

Shi Manrong had a token, obtained after the True Monarch Qi died, while exploring the outer perimeter of the ruins.

“Daoist Lu, after making the necessary preparations, I will break the array and enter the vault space, you will provide support. If we succeed, we will split the treasures evenly, five-five, is that agreeable?”

“Five-five split? No problem.”

Lu Chang’an nodded without hesitation, a sense of respect rising in his heart.

Breaking the array and entering the vault carried unknown risks.

This opportunity within the ruins was provided by Shi Manrong. She would have to break the array and face the danger to claim the treasures.

A five-five split was granted in recognition of Lu Chang’an’s ability to kill the True Monarch Hu, demonstrating his strength as a deterrent.

“Before breaking the array and claiming the treasures, I would like to go somewhere first.”

Lu Chang’an thought for a moment, looking towards the area they had crossed the bridge earlier.

Currently, within the ruins, no one could restrict their freedom of movement.

…

Moments later.

Inside the ruins, on the top floor of a pavilion.

“The restrictions set up in this room are linked to the ancient residual array. Even after all these years, they still retain powerful strength, even “Zhen Dan” (True Core) cultivators would find them difficult to break and may face backlash.”

Shi Xianzi examined the room before them, discerning a restriction that had merged with the structure.

“Meaning, we can’t break it?”

Earlier, passing through this place, Lu Chang’an had sensed something unusual. He had sent two puppets to investigate, but they were pulverized by the invisible restrictive force.

“No, if we have a third-rank “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman), I am confident I can break it. Time has eroded it, it has loosened considerably, showing obvious weak spots.”

“A third-rank “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman)?”

Lu Chang’an flipped his palm, taking out a “Po Jin” (Restriction Breaking) talisman slightly larger than ordinary talismans.

This “Po Jin” (Restriction Breaking) talisman’s power slightly surpassed that of a third-rank lower grade talisman.

Shi Xianzi took the “third-rank “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman),” feeling the terrifying power within, she glanced at Lu Chang’an, but didn’t ask any questions.

After observing for a long time, Shi Xianzi retreated some distance and cast the “third-rank “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman)”.

*Pshh! *

A twisted beam of black and white light, dragging a destructive electric arc crystal light, struck the surface of the building, triggering a ripple of alternating bright and dark blue and white light.

Lu Chang’an summoned the turtle puppet to block in front of him, while secretly holding a stack of talismans in his sleeve.

“It’s done.”

A large opening was torn through the blue and white light ripple on the building’s surface, temporarily interrupting the ancient residual array’s “Jin Li” (Cultivation Essence) supply.

Shi Xianzi breathed a sigh of relief, urging Lu Chang’an to act quickly.

Lu Chang’an didn’t enter the room himself. He sent the puppets and the “Di Yan Shu” (Earth Rock Rat) in succession to search and bring out whatever they could.

The room had no sign of living beings and few items.

After dozens of breaths, the room’s restrictions began to recover.

The “Di Yan Shu” (Earth Rock Rat) and puppets retreated.

Lu Chang’an sorted through the items in front of him, picking out a jade tube and a dark gold token.

This token was similar to the one True Monarch Hu had used, but its texture was superior.

“Congratulations, Daoist Lu.”

Shi Xianzi expressed her joy.

Lu Chang’an put away the dark gold token and examined the jade tube, a look of surprise crossing his face.

Then, he handed the jade tube to Shi Xianzi.

“Ancient sect ‘Ting Hai Ge’ (Listen to the Sea Pavilion)? This pavilion where this room is located was once the residence of a ‘Nascent Soul Zhen Jun’ (Nascent Soul True Monarch)?”

Shi Manrong exclaimed.

No wonder the restrictions in this room were so strong. When the two “Jia Dan” (Fake Core) stage cultivators had passed by earlier, they had been hesitant to try and had temporarily bypassed it.

That jade tube was like a logbook, recording the basic conditions of this ancient ruins over a certain period.

While it didn’t contain any classified information, from some of the recorded details, the two gained a greater understanding of the ancient ruins, and even the hexagonal palace building.

…

On the way back to the hexagonal palace building.

Lu Chang’an discovered that the True Monarch Tan, along with Wei Gu’nian and the others, were all searching within the nearby ruined structures.

Looking for the token, or perhaps hoping for other opportunities.

“Little friend Lu, it seems you broke the restriction and found a new token?”

The True Monarch Tan flew over, probing.

“I did. I plan to have Shi Xianzi use the token to break the array and claim the treasures.”

Lu Chang’an didn’t hide anything.

“Oh? Congratulations. Would you like the True Monarch Tan to assist you in any way?”

The True Monarch Tan’s eyes flickered, making a suggestion.

“If the True Monarch Tan is willing to help, breaking the array and claiming the treasures would be even safer.”

Lu Chang’an smiled.

The True Monarch Tan was stunned. He hadn’t expected Lu Chang’an to readily accept his offer.

Then, following Shi Xianzi’s instructions, he brought out his treasure ruler, his “Dan Li” (Cultivation Essence) surging, and aimed at a specific spot in the void above the bronze and gold gate, striking it.

*Boom!*

The array lights above the hexagonal palace building trembled, breaking open a hole similar in size to the previous one.

“Daoist Lu, be wary of the True Monarch Tan.”

Shi Xianzi took out an ancient bronze token, transmitting her voice to Lu Chang’an before leaving.

*Whoosh!*

She stepped onto a “Dun Guang” (Evasion Light) and flew towards the broken array hole.

On the other side of the hole, a shimmering vision of an exotic space appeared.

Shi Xianzi held the token tightly, closed her eyes, aimed at the top right side, and cast a “Zhun San Jie” (Near-Third Rank) “Po Jin Fu” (Restriction Breaking Talisman).

*Zzzt! Pfft Boom!*

Blue and white electric arcs collided with the “Po Jin” (Restriction Breaking) light, annihilating each other.

The token in Shi Xianzi’s hand, emitting a red glow, quickly returned to normal.

The trap array’s sensing restriction was successfully severed!

Shi Xianzi safely passed through the array hole, then was enveloped by a white glow, her figure blurred, disappearing from everyone’s sight.

Lu Chang’an sensed that Shi Xianzi had stepped into another space, and he couldn’t help but feel a sigh of relief.

He had been prepared for the True Monarch Tan to intervene, or even try to snatch the token, although the possibility was low.

Shi Xianzi, as a genius array master, had the precedent of True Monarch Hu before her, her success rate in breaking the array and obtaining the treasures was higher than anyone else.

After Shi Xianzi entered, the array hole didn’t immediately restore, the speed at which it healed was slower than the previous time.

The True Monarch Tan and Lu Chang’an stood facing each other.

With Shi Xianzi inside the vault space, if he wanted to kill Lu Chang’an, this was the best opportunity!

The True Monarch Tan’s eyes were sharp, his “Dan Li” (Cultivation Essence) blue light rolled, like a gust of wind, he flew out dozens of feet.

“No… True Monarch, please spare me!”

After ten breaths, the “Zhu Ji” (Foundation Establishment) stage old man of sixty, who had been hiding in a corner of the building, was grabbed by the True Monarch Tan like a chicken.

“This is an opportunity I am bestowing upon you!”

The True Monarch Tan didn’t give him a chance to speak, he directly threw the old man into the array hole.

The old man’s cultivation essence was sealed, his body lost control, his eyes closed, he passively passed through the array hole.

An unexpected scene unfolded.

*Whoosh!*

A white glow enveloped the old man, his figure flashed, he also entered the hidden vault space.

“Haha! The ancient residual array has malfunctioned?”

The True Monarch Tan was startled, then overjoyed, he flew towards the still-unhealed array hole.

He wasn’t the only one with this action. Wei Gu’nian and the young man with a high nose also flew towards the array hole with excitement.

“Hey, True Monarch Tan, don’t get ahead of yourself.”

A heavy, alarming gust of wind, like a wild beast stomping on a mountain, intercepted the True Monarch Tan’s path.

The gust of wind hit him directly, making his protective barrier creak.

(To be continued)

**Glossary:**

* Xue Mu Hu Luo: 玄木葫藤 – Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine

* You Ying Shi: 幽影石 – Ghost Shadow Stone

* Xuan Shui Gui: 玄水龟 – Mysterious Water Turtle

* Wu Qi Shan: 巫祁山 – Wu Qi Mountain

* Jiu Yin Bei: 九印碑 – Nine Seal Stele

* Li Huo Gong: 离火宫 – Li Huo Palace

* Nascent Soul Zhen Jun: 元婴真君 – Nascent Soul True Monarch

* She Da Qi Cun: 蛇打七寸 – Striking the Snake’s Seven Inches (a Chinese idiom meaning to attack someone’s weakness)

* Xia Hong Yu: 夏鸿羽 – Xia Hongyu

* Fu Bao: 符宝 – Talisman Treasure

* Zhu Ji: 筑基 – Foundation Establishment

* Dun Fu: 遁符 – Evasion Talisman

* Zhun San Jie: 准三阶 – Near-Third Rank

* Lian Ti Gong Fa: 炼体功法 – Body Refinement Technique

* Yan Donglai: 燕东来 – Yan Donglai

* Xuan Yin Mo Jiao: 玄阴魔教 – Mysterious Yin Demon Cult

* Ning Jing Dan: 凝晶丹 – Crystal Condensation Pill

* Bai Duan Jin Gang: 百锻金刚 – Hundred Forged Steel (a type of body refinement technique)

* Qing Sha Wan: 清沙湾 – Clear Sand Bay

* Jie Dan: 结丹 – Formation of Golden Core

* Xuan Yin Zhang Jiao: 玄阴掌教 – Mysterious Yin Cult Leader

* Tai Feng Shang Hui: 泰丰商会 – Tai Feng Trading Company

* Liang Shao Tian: 梁少天 – Liang Shaotian

* Wu Jian Men: 无间门 – The Door of No Intercession (a sect known for ruthless tactics)

* Ling Hun Zhi Ying: 灵魂之影 – Soul Shadow

* Di Er Shi: 第二世 – Second Life

* Ling Chong Jie Dan: 灵宠结丹 – Spirit Pet’s Golden Core Formation

* Liang Guo: 梁国 – Liang Kingdom

* Wu Xing Tu: 五行土 – Five Elements Earth

* Di Yan Shu: 地岩鼠 – Earth Rock Rat

* Hun Gu: 魂蛊 – Soul蠱 (a type of parasitic insect that controls minds)

* Huang Long Zhen Ren: 黄龙真人 – Yellow Dragon True Immortal

* Lu Chang An: 陆长安 – Lu Chang’an

* Shen Bi Xin: 沈碧心 – Shen Bi Xin

* Huang Long Shan: 黄龙山 – Yellow Dragon Mountain

* Wu Gui Fu Shi: 乌龟符师 – Turtle Talisman Master

* Qian Kun Jiu Yin Bei: 乾坤九印碑 – Heaven and Earth Nine Seal Stele

* Xiao Gui Feng: 小龟峰 – Little Turtle Peak

* He Yuan Wu: 贺元武 – He Yuanwu

* Fu Xuemei: 傅雪梅 – Fu Xuemei

* Zhen Dan: 真丹 – True Core

* Xiu Xi: 休息 – Rest

* Ju QIng: 剧情 – Plot

* Ka: 卡 – Card

* Qing Jia: 请假 – Ask for Leave

* Geng: 更 – Update

* Nascent Soul Qi: 元婴期 – Nascent Soul Stage

* Xiu Xian Jie: 修仙界 – Cultivation World

* Shi Hua: 石化 – Petrification

* Nascent Soul: 元婴 – Nascent Soul

* Jie Dan Ji Yuan: 结丹机缘 – Opportunity for Golden Core Formation

* Liu Da Sheng Men: 六大圣门 – Six Great Sacred Gates

* Feng Guo: 烽国 – Feng Kingdom

* Jin Yang Zong: 金阳宗 – Golden Sun Sect

* Xiu Xian Zhan Zheng: 修仙战争 – Cultivation War

* Zi Feng Zhen Ren: 紫枫真人 – Purple Maple True Immortal

* San Jie Ling Fu: 三阶灵符 – Third-Rank Spiritual Talisman

* He Luo Fang Shi: 河洛坊市 – He Luo Market Town

* Xin Yue Shang Hui: 新月商会 – New Moon Trading Company

* Jia Dan Zhen Ren: 假丹真人 – Fake Core True Immortal

* Chi Shui Fang Shi: 赤水坊市 – Red Water Market Town

* Lai Guo: 莱国 – Lai Kingdom

* Liang Guo Zong Men: 梁国宗门 – Liang Kingdom Sects

* Li Huo Gong: 离火宫 – Li Huo Palace

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