I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 223

## Chapter 220: A Third-Order Array Master

“Indeed, a formidable figure.”

Lu Chang An naturally wouldn’t mention that Xiang Jing Long’s joining the Demon Cult and being pursued by the Li Huo Palace was all thanks to him.

Now, this person became a significant obstacle to his journey to Jing Country.

Of course, even without Xiang Jing Long, there were still Xiang Da Long and Xiang Shao Long. The Demon Cult would always dispatch a powerful individual to interfere in the chaotic borderlands, gaining control of resources and influence in this region.

“Can individual cultivators bypass the border and reach Jing Country without going through these merchant guilds and escort organizations?” Lu Chang An asked.

“It’s extremely difficult!” Li Cong Ren shook his head. “The distance between the two countries is vast, with extensive areas of impoverished spiritual land, even desolate spiritual land, including treacherous regions. The best method is to take a giant spirit ship, driven by array spirit stones, eliminating the need for personal mana consumption, and providing protection against various risks.”

Lu Chang An nodded, understanding.

Impoverished and desolate spiritual lands meant that during long journeys, cultivators would struggle to replenish their mana. With depleted energy, their ability to withstand external threats would be greatly reduced. Even without suppression from Liang Country’s sects and the Demon Cult’s threats, the lurking bandits along the way would be enough to handle.

The bandits, villains, and fugitives roaming the border between the two countries were far more ruthless than those within Liang Country.

“Previously, during periods of peace, Fake Dan True Masters could easily cross the border, and strong Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators had a chance. However, in these special times, even Fake Dan True Masters face a degree of risk when travelling alone.”

“Six months ago, a Fake Dan True Master crossing the border was ambushed and killed…”

Li Cong Ren strongly discouraged personal travel across the border. According to his knowledge, most Fake Dan True Masters traveling to Liang Country currently opted for giant spirit ships.

Firstly, it offered comfort, eliminating the need for tiring long journeys. Secondly, it ensured greater safety, allowing for collective strength and defense against enemies with the ship’s array.

Lu Chang An thought to himself, “This makes my plan of disguising myself as a Fake Dan True Master to cross the border less feasible.”

Having advanced to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, his divine sense was comparable to a Fake Dan True Master’s. Combined with the ‘Hundred Illusions Mask’, he could disguise himself as a cultivator with a higher cultivation level. He had previously considered using this high-profile method to cross the border undetected.

“The ‘Hundred Illusions Mask’ consumes divine sense gradually when used for disguise. The higher the simulated cultivation level, the greater the divine sense consumption. During long journeys, the combined drain on divine sense and mana would be considerable. If I were to be ambushed…”

Lu Chang An shook his head silently, dismissing this approach for now.

“If Grandfather Lu wants to go to Jing Country, Cong Ren recommends the ‘Nine Stars Merchant Guild’. Among the two major cultivation nations, only this entity can provide relatively reliable transportation to Jing Country.”

“Nine Stars Merchant Guild?” Lu Chang An had heard of them before.

“Nine Stars Merchant Guild is one of the ‘Three Great Merchant Guilds’ within Jing Country’s Merchant Alliance, with a legacy spanning over a thousand years. Their guild master is the Alliance’s Vice-Leader. The Guild has significant business dealings with Liang Country’s sects, generally avoiding strict scrutiny from the sects.”

“Every time they travel back and forth, Nine Stars Merchant Guild spends a fortune hiring powerful escort organizations to protect them. To offset costs and maximize profits, they secretly sell ‘tickets’ to bring some Liang Country cultivators back to Jing Country.”

“Oh? Wouldn’t the Demon Cult obstruct the Nine Stars Merchant Guild’s giant spirit ship?”

“The Demon Cult would also give the Guild some face. Even if they encounter them, they can pay a bribe to avoid total annihilation. It is said that the first two trips returning to Jing Country, Nine Stars Merchant Guild brought back more than half the cultivators alive.”

“What happened to the remaining nearly half?”

“Cong Ren is unsure about the specifics.” Li Cong Ren said uncertainly, “Perhaps they faced risks during the journey, like encountering the Demon Cult and unable to afford the ransom. Anyway, cultivators with connections and sufficient funds usually arrive safely.”

Lu Chang An realized that in this young man’s eyes, he was a cultivator with ample wealth and connections.

“How do I purchase a ticket from the Nine Stars Merchant Guild?”

Lu Chang An possessed substantial wealth, with more than one hundred thousand spirit stones in cash alone.

“Tickets from the Nine Stars Merchant Guild require an introduction from a mid-level or higher cultivator in the Merchant Alliance, plus an intermediary fee, costing at least four to five thousand spirit stones.”

“Four to five thousand spirit stones?” Lu Chang An was startled. Authentic Foundation Establishment pills sold at auctions typically went for six thousand spirit stones.

“Does Cong Ren have any channels to help Grandfather Lu purchase a ticket?”

“I can try, but our Xue Mei Mountain Li Clan holds little weight in the eyes of the major Jing Country merchant guilds. Grandfather Lu has connections with the ‘Beast Taming Zhou Clan’, asking them to intervene would be more reliable.”

Mu Cong Ren suggested.

The Beast Taming Zhou Clan, one of the Seven Great Families of Liang Country, also had ties to the Jing Country Merchant Guilds, holding greater influence. A ticket purchased with their introduction would provide more assurance during the journey.

Lu Chang An considered this for a moment, “I’m not entirely trusting of the Zhou Clan.”

“Just leave this to Cong Ren. I’ll handle the expenses involved.”

“Don’t worry, Grandfather Lu, this matter is entrusted to Cong Ren.” Li Cong Ren agreed without hesitation.

…

Purchasing a ticket, Li Cong Ren estimated it would take at least a month, as there weren’t spots available every month. Meanwhile, Lu Chang An stayed at the Xue Mei Mountain Li Clan. The Li Clan was relatively close to the Beast Taming Zhou Clan.

“Zhou Qing Xuan… a newly ascended Fake Dan True Master from the Beast Taming Zhou Clan, a Grand Elder?”

At the Xue Mei Mountain Li Clan, Lu Chang An received recent intelligence.

Zhou Qing Xuan possessed a Superior Spiritual Root and exceptional beast taming talent, exceeding Zhao Si Yao in both aptitude and opportunities. Originally, she had a good chance of advancing to True Dan. However, the backlash from Huang Long Zhen Ren’s attack back then damaged her foundation. The extraction of the Hundred Night Soul Gu caused injuries to her divine sense, including the residual Gu insect restrictions, which inevitably had some impact.

Achieving Fake Dan was within Lu Chang An’s expectations.

…

After a little over half a month, Li Cong Ren went out and didn’t return. His wife, Wu Yue E, approached Lu Chang An to discuss something.

“Grandfather Lu, these days the Earth Rock Rat and Little Golden Rat have become quite close. If the Earth Rock Rat becomes pregnant, we hope you could leave some of the offspring on Xue Mei Mountain.”

Wu Yue E requested.

Rat-type spirit beasts, once pregnant, usually give birth to a whole litter. This was an advantage for the spirit beast reproduction, although their initial intelligence, cultivation techniques, and other aspects lagged behind humans. Of course, species with high reproduction rates often fail to maintain lineage on par with their parents, with a higher chance of producing lower-grade bloodlines.

“Has Cong Ren’s spirit rat never left behind offspring before?”

Lu Chang An glanced at this ordinary-looking, yet dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“Little Golden Rat is demanding, never getting close to ordinary rat species. Even this time, it was…”

Wu Yue E blushed slightly, swallowing the rest of her sentence.

Lu Chang An chuckled internally.

Actually, Li Cong Ren’s spirit rat was semi-forced…

From the time Li Cong Ren first visited Little Turtle Peak, the Earth Rock Rat had become agitated upon sensing his aura, likely attracted to his spirit rat. At that time, Lu Chang An asked Li Cong Ren if his spirit rat was male or female, to which he replied, “Male” (Chapter 184).

Later, the Earth Rock Rat went to the Beast Taming Zhou Clan for “further studies,” where those rat demons treated him with utmost respect and pampered him, enjoying a comfortable life.

The Zhou Clan, eyeing the Earth Rock Rat’s mutated bloodline, wanted to breed him. However, during that period, the Earth Rock Rat didn’t “get pregnant” with any offspring (Chapter 202). At that time, Zhou Qing Xuan said the Earth Rock Rat’s behavior was very similar to Lu Chang An.

“If the Earth Rock Rat truly becomes pregnant, I’ll give you a share of the offspring. However, the Earth Rock Rat must have the right to choose the offspring first.”

Lu Chang An said.

He wasn’t sure whether the Earth Rock Rat would become pregnant. According to past trends, it shouldn’t. But this spirit rat of Li Cong Ren’s, with its high-grade bloodline and outstanding appearance, was clearly very attractive to the Earth Rock Rat.

…

Days later, Li Cong Ren returned safely and met Lu Chang An in his guest room. After Lu Chang An set up a barrier of isolation, Li Cong Ren handed Lu Chang An a white jade pendant.

“Grandfather Lu, I’ve not failed you.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Lu Chang An examined the white jade pendant, entering his divine sense into it and obtaining the basic information: ‘New Moon Merchant Guild Recommendation.’

New Moon Merchant Guild was likely a Jing Country merchant guild with frequent interactions with Li Cong Ren.

Lu Chang An inquired about the situation and handed Li Cong Ren a bag of spirit stones. Aside from the ticket and expenses for bribes, Lu Chang An gifted Li Cong Ren a second-order superior puppet.

Li Cong Ren was overjoyed, and after some reluctance, accepted the puppet at half price. In the past, when he established his family in the harsh lands, the puppets Lu Chang An sold earlier played a significant role.

“Grandfather Lu, twenty days from now, bring this identity jade pendant and you can board the Nine Stars Merchant Guild’s spirit ship returning to Jing Country.”

Li Cong Ren informed Lu Chang An of the time and place.

…

After obtaining the ticket, Lu Chang An immediately recalled the Earth Rock Rat. These days, the Earth Rock Rat had been out galavanting, nowhere to be seen.

“Not pregnant?”

Soon, Li Cong Ren, Wu Yue E, and a beast tamer arrived, inspecting the Earth Rock Rat’s body.

The result, unfortunately, disappointed Li Cong Ren and his wife. After careful examination, the Earth Rock Rat wasn’t pregnant with Little Golden Rat’s offspring.

Li Cong Ren glanced at the dispirited, significantly thinner Little Golden Rat at his feet.

These days, Little Golden Rat had toiled tirelessly, nearly depleted. Li Cong Ren’s face was pained, yet he managed a forced smile.

The Earth Rock Rat was refreshed and radiant.

吱! It gently bared its teeth, causing Little Golden Rat’s legs to go weak, and it burrowed into its master’s spirit beast pouch.

“Cong Ren, Yue E, since the Earth Rock Rat isn’t pregnant, let’s drop this. Grandfather Lu is departing.”

Lu Chang An didn’t linger, gathered the Earth Rock Rat, and bid farewell.

Wu Yue E hesitated to speak, but Li Cong Ren pulled her hand. Wu Yue E didn’t know where Lu Chang An was going. Little Golden Rat had been exploited for days without any results, leaving her feeling cheated. She wanted Lu Chang An to stay a bit longer.

…

Five days later.

Hundreds of miles from the Beast Taming Zhou Clan.

Lu Chang An sat on the giant turtle, eyes closed, hands forming seals, casting spells from afar.

“This woman’s ascension to Fake Dan has significantly increased her lifespan by a hundred years, and her divine sense has been greatly strengthened. From now on, that Gu insect restriction shouldn’t require annual stabilization.”

“However, this trip will take me several decades to complete.”

Lu Chang An remained in that spot for half a day. At one point, he opened his eyes and retracted the Xuan Shui Gui.

Changing his attire, he flew westwards, following the Black Mist Mountain Range’s branch.

Moments later, a sound of breaking through the air followed by a Fake Dan True Master’s aura came from the distance. A graceful girl with jade-like skin and star-like eyes, riding on a cloud of霞光, landed where Lu Chang An had been seated earlier.

“We agreed to meet here, yet you left beforehand?”

Zhou Qing Xuan’s delicate nose wrinkled slightly, muttering.

Even before reaching Dan Formation, Zhou Qing Xuan possessed a Quasi-Third-Order beast taming ability, capable of competing with ordinary Fake Dan True Masters. Now that she had advanced to Fake Dan, her power had increased significantly.

Suddenly, she noticed a jade tube with her peripheral vision, lying on the ground where his aura lingered.

Picking up the tube, she investigated it with her divine sense. Moments later, Zhou Qing Xuan put away the jade tube, both overjoyed and apprehensive.

Inside that jade tube, there were records of techniques to stabilize the Gu insect restriction, which could be understood by a Fake Dan True Master’s soul.

Furthermore, Lu Chang An left a message in the jade tube, stating that he was going to a remote area to prepare for Dan Formation, telling her to take care of herself and not break her vow.

“The techniques left by Lu Chang An can only stabilize the Gu insect restriction from flaring up, not completely resolve it. The only way to truly eliminate it is to wait for him to reach Dan Formation…”

After much contemplation, Zhou Qing Xuan changed course, heading towards Wu Qi Shan.

Two days later, she arrived at Wu Qi Shan. Her divine sense swept across the area, and she was surprised to find Lu Chang An missing from Little Turtle Peak. The familiar Xuan Shui Gui and Earth Rock Rat were also gone.

Only the mountain guard and a servant remained on the peak.

Zhou Qing Xuan landed on Little Turtle Peak, chatting with the mountain guard for a bit, learning that he had some connection with Lu Chang An.

Zhou Qing Xuan gave the mountain guard, Qi Feng, a parting gift and departed.

“Huh! A Third-Order protective array?”

As she flew away from Little Turtle Peak, her divine sense instinctively swept across the nearby two main peaks. However, the array on Little Plate Peak repelled her, nearly causing a backlash.

Zhou Qing Xuan was greatly shocked. A Third-Order array master had emerged from Wu Qi Shan?

(End of Chapter)

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