I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 231

## Chapter 228: True Immortal Takes the Stage

The Wang Feng before him was the esteemed “Young Master Wang” from the Nine Dawn Merchant Guild’s spirit ship, three years ago.

Back then, Young Master Wang resided in a top-tier guest room, attended by beautiful Foundation Establishment maids and protected by an elder servant with a False Core.

Cultivators from the Jing State Merchant League showed him great enthusiasm, even flattery.

The sect’s patrolling cultivators wouldn’t dare enter Young Master Wang’s room.

But ultimately, Young Master Wang fell into the clutches of the Demon Sect, with the assistance of a female disciple of Liang Shaotian, Wei, who acted as an inside agent and conducted prior investigations.

Based on the Demon Sect’s words at the time, Young Master Wang’s background was suspected to be a powerful elder from Li Huo Palace.

Of course, at that time, Young Master Wang’s appearance and demeanor were completely different from Wang Feng before him.

On the spirit ship, Young Master Wang must have used a powerful method to disguise himself.

Only Lu Chang’an, with his powerful divine sense, caught the similar aura between the two, but he wasn’t sure.

After all, the Young Master Wang on the spirit ship hadn’t used his magical power. His escape method was probably a third-rank Small Teleportation Talisman.

“Senior, I’m very familiar with all the shops and institutions in Yun Yan City. If you need to go anywhere, I can help guide and introduce you.”

Wang Feng had a smile on his face, eagerly leading the way.

Lu Chang’an was staying in a top-tier guest room at the Seeking Immortality Mansion, with free spirit steed carriage service.

He could even enjoy VIP treatment at certain collaborating shops.

“Little Wang, how long have you been in Yun Yan City?”

Inside the spirit steed carriage, Lu Chang’an sat on a thick and soft beast skin armchair, casually asking.

“Reporting to Senior, I’ve been in Yun Yan City for almost two years.”

Wang Feng answered every question, talking about his situation.

During the casual conversation, Lu Chang’an subtly probed, making some guesses about Young Master Wang’s fate.

Wang Feng claimed to be a loose cultivator from a remote place in Jing State, who inadvertently stepped onto the path of cultivation and came to this area two years ago.

This was clearly a lie.

Lu Chang’an had previously probed with his divine sense and found that Wang Feng was a Foundation Establishment cultivator who had fallen to the Qi Refinement stage and suffered severe injuries, leaving hidden ailments in his body.

These concealed injuries could only be discovered by a False Core True Immortal with deliberate investigation.

Lu Chang’an arrived in the Jing State cultivation world three years ago, while Wang Feng came to Yun Yan City two years ago.

During the previous year, Wang Feng must have been recovering from his injuries. After his injuries stabilized, he came to Yun Yan City.

“This guy’s cultivation has fallen, he’s powerless to return to the Liang State cultivation world, and he may be secretly pursued by the forces of the Demon Sect and the Merchant League. He can only rely on befriending high-ranking cultivators from Liang State to get a chance at survival.”

Lu Chang’an had some guesses about Wang Feng’s intention of being a local guide at the Seeking Immortality Mansion.

The Seeking Immortality Mansion, being a top-tier inn in the center of the city, housed wealthy and influential cultivators, making the probability of encountering high-ranking cultivators from Liang State higher than other places.

The job of a local guide was relatively easy, at least better than being a laborer cultivator.

With Wang Feng’s experience and knowledge, he wouldn’t be intimidated when interacting with distinguished guests, giving him an advantage over ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators.

…

On the first day, Lu Chang’an didn’t probe too much and let Wang Feng take him around the city.

He first learned about the situation regarding the local merchant guilds and high-end shops.

The good news was that, within this city, the materials for a quasi-third-rank puppet were easier to purchase than in Liang State.

The major cities of the Jing State Merchant League were developed in terms of trade, and resources flowed quickly.

Resource monopolies were not as serious as in Liang State.

As a guest of the Seeking Immortality Mansion, as long as he had enough spirit stones, he could basically buy any non-strategic resources below the third-rank.

Within the Merchant League’s sphere of influence, money was king.

Lu Chang’an thought to himself, coming to the Jing State cultivation world was indeed the right move.

He had brought a fortune with him to Jing State and felt like a fish in water.

The next day, Lu Chang’an again asked Wang Feng to accompany him to the “Mysterious Instrument Shop” in the city to purchase some quasi-third-rank puppet materials.

The “Mysterious Instrument Shop” was the largest weapon refining institution in the city, also buying and selling various materials.

Lu Chang’an also took the opportunity to dispose of a few top-quality magical weapons, using some of the unused materials to offset the cost of tens of thousands of spirit stones, and he paid an additional few thousand.

Lu Chang’an didn’t let Wang Feng accompany him during the specific transaction.

Due to the large transaction amount, Lu Chang’an deliberately leaked his Foundation Establishment late-stage aura while privately negotiating with the shopkeeper of the Mysterious Instrument Shop, thus reducing potential risks.

This transaction only met less than half of Lu Chang’an’s material needs.

He planned to change his identity later and visit other high-end shops to buy the remaining half.

“Little Wang, go to the Spiritual Insight Pavilion.”

Leaving the Mysterious Instrument Shop, Lu Chang’an was in a good mood. With materials readily available, becoming a quasi-third-rank puppet master was just a matter of time in the next few years.

As for the Earth Rock Rat, its bloodline aptitude was good, even without significant resources for Core Formation, it was guaranteed to reach the False Core stage.

At that time, he would have both a quasi-third-rank puppet and a False Core-level spirit pet, greatly enhancing his protection capabilities.

“Spiritual Insight Pavilion?”

Wang Feng paused slightly before agreeing.

The Spiritual Insight Pavilion was the strongest intelligence organization in native Jing State, and rumors said that its backstage was the upper echelon of the Merchant League.

Actually, there was also a Heavenly Knowledge Pavilion in the Jing State cultivation world.

But the Heavenly Knowledge Pavilion was not a native intelligence organization of Jing State, its intelligence business covered surrounding cultivation countries, and its background was mysterious.

There was no branch of the Heavenly Knowledge Pavilion in Yun Yan City, one would have to go to the top-tier cities in Jing State.

Even if there was one, Lu Chang’an wouldn’t go to the Heavenly Knowledge Pavilion unless absolutely necessary.

The Heavenly Knowledge Pavilion was not only well-informed, but also had masters who excelled in divination and calculation.

…

A moment later, Lu Chang’an arrived at the Spiritual Insight Pavilion.

This time, he didn’t avoid Wang Feng, allowing him to accompany and guide him to buy two pieces of intelligence.

These two pieces of intelligence were related to the cultivation war in Liang State.

The other was about the large auction held in Yun Yan City.

Lu Chang’an wanted to know what precious items were for sale at this auction, and whether the high-quality Longevity Pill actually existed.

These two pieces of intelligence were considered hot information, and the price wasn’t high, so Lu Chang’an didn’t have to worry about exposing himself.

The first piece of intelligence was similar to the one provided by the Five Fortune Merchant Guild.

Lu Chang’an bought one himself, as a way to fill in gaps and also to show it to Wang Feng.

Wang Feng appeared unfazed on the surface, but his heart skipped a beat.

Paying attention to intelligence about the Liang State cultivation world could mean two things:

Firstly, this senior, or the merchant guild behind him, had business dealings with the Liang State cultivation world.

Perhaps the value of goods might be affected by the war situation.

Secondly, this senior had some connection to the Liang State cultivation world.

The former possibility was more likely.

“The forces of the Demon Sect and the Merchant League are secretly pursuing me, they haven’t given up. It’s better to miss an opportunity than to risk my life.”

Wang Feng suppressed himself, not daring to probe further.

He didn’t stay in the border city because the pursuit there was much stronger and incredibly dangerous.

Fortunately, he concealed his true appearance and aura on the ship back then.

In addition, over the past few years, more cultivators from the Liang State cultivation world have migrated to Jing State.

Even if Wang Feng didn’t stay in the border city, as long as he had patience, he would have a chance to connect with cultivators from Liang State.

He was trying to connect with cultivators from Liang State, with strict conditions.

Not only did they have to be of a higher level, but they also had to be trustworthy.

The latter was more difficult, people’s hearts were unpredictable.

It was important to note that most cultivators who migrated to Jing State had no good feelings towards the Liang State sects.

“Oh! This auction actually has a third-rank lower-grade monster core as the final auction item.”

Lu Chang’an was slightly surprised after reading the second piece of intelligence, which contained information about the auction.

Unfortunately, according to the intelligence, this monster core was water-attribute.

If it was earth-attribute, Lu Chang’an would have fought tooth and nail for it.

Lu Chang’an currently had three plans for the Earth Rock Rat’s Core Formation attempt.

First, trade for an earth-attribute monster core.

Monster beasts consuming the same attribute third-rank monster core could increase their chance of Core Formation.

The effect depended on the quality and purity of the monster core.

If they were lucky enough to obtain a third-rank core with Earth Grade bloodline or above, and the attribute matched, the effect could even surpass the Crystallization Pill.

Second, trade for a Crystallization Pill, even a substandard one.

The Crystallization Pill was more suitable for human cultivators, and its efficacy was relatively stable.

This strategic resource was extremely scarce in the human world, and it was rare for spirit pets to have access to it.

Third, a third-rank pill specifically for Core Formation in monster beasts, called the Fierce Yuan Pill.

This pill was relatively rare, its medicinal properties were fierce, containing the essence of demonic煞(煞煞) and unsuitable for human cultivators.

Lu Chang’an had the resources to pursue all three plans.

In the ancient ruins, Lu Chang’an obtained a third-rank late-stage monster core from the medicine vault of the Six-Cornered Palace Tower.

Unfortunately, over the long years, the monster core’s demonic essence had dissipated by half, and it wasn’t earth-attribute.

Despite this, the value of this monster core was slightly higher than an ordinary third-rank lower-grade one.

Apart from this monster core, Lu Chang’an had a set of Crystallization Pill materials with over 80% completion.

Currently, the most scarce main ingredient missing was the “Seven-Core Mysterious Moon Flower.”

Just with this set of materials, Lu Chang’an was eligible to cooperate with others to refine the Crystallization Pill, or even try to trade for one.

If that didn’t work, he could lower his expectations and trade for a substandard Crystallization Pill, that would be more than enough.

…

“Little Wang, which merchant guild in the city has the biggest business in monster beast materials?”

On the way back to the Seeking Immortality Mansion, Lu Chang’an inquired.

He was asking about merchant guilds, not shops.

Third-rank monster cores were not available in the city’s shops.

They rarely appeared at auctions either.

Besides auctions, only those major merchant guilds could possibly hold this type of resource.

The third-rank monster core in Lu Chang’an’s possession was worth more than an ordinary third-rank lower-grade one.

If he encountered a suitable merchant guild, trading for an earth-attribute third-rank lower-grade monster core would be no problem.

“The Snow Fox Merchant Guild meets Senior’s requirements. Their business mainly involves monster beast parts, beast pills, medicinal herbs, and they also have experience in beast taming…”

Wang Feng answered respectfully and in detail.

“The Snow Fox Merchant Guild is one of the joint rulers of Yun Yan City, but their business is not limited to this city, they have a considerable influence within the vast Merchant League.”

“Oh? Does the Snow Fox Merchant Guild have any True Immortal cultivators?”

“There is a True Immortal ancestor.”

Wang Feng gave a definitive answer.

“However, that True Immortal ancestor doesn’t reside in the city’s guild headquarters, he’s always been in the ancestral land. There is a rumor that the True Immortal ancestor only has thirty years of lifespan left and is getting old, not as strong as his peak days.”

Lu Chang’an nodded slightly.

A true Core Formation True Immortal theoretically has five to six hundred years of lifespan.

Having only thirty years of lifespan left was like a mortal living to their nineties, definitely not their prime years.

Even heavenly beings have five declines.

Moreover, cultivators are not immortals, they are still mortals at their core.

As their lifespan approaches the limit, their bodily functions inevitably decline, leading to weakened magical power.

Even if they have powerful magical power and good physical maintenance, their mental state will continue to decline, definitely not comparable to their younger years.

Seeking Immortality Mansion.

Lu Chang’an returned to his top-tier guest room in a private courtyard.

“The Snow Fox Merchant Guild has a history of almost a thousand years, such a large merchant guild, primarily dealing with monster beast materials, has a high probability of storing third-rank monster cores.”

After careful consideration, Lu Chang’an believed that the Snow Fox Merchant Guild was a good trading partner.

The Snow Fox Merchant Guild was indeed powerful, but the True Immortal who resided there was aging, posing little threat to Lu Chang’an.

…

Several days later.

Lu Chang’an had become familiar with the situation in Yun Yan City and no longer needed Wang Feng to accompany him personally.

He acted privately, changed his identity, and bought another batch of quasi-third-rank puppet materials, meeting his expectations.

At this point, there were three days left until the auction.

The flow of people in Yun Yan City reached its peak.

While strolling around the city, Lu Chang’an even encountered cultivators from the Xia Family.

Xia Mingqu and his father, along with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, were staying at another inn not far away.

Lu Chang’an had disguised himself, and Xia Mingqu and the others didn’t recognize him.

Lu Chang’an had no intention of joining them.

That night, he left the Seeking Immortality Mansion as an old man in a straw raincoat and visited the Snow Fox Merchant Guild’s headquarters.

Lu Chang’an didn’t bring Wang Feng along this time.

Wang Feng’s identity was unique.

This person might have opportunities.

But with the situation unclear, Lu Chang’an didn’t want to get involved with him.

He hadn’t forgotten his purpose for coming to Jing State, nothing was more important than planning for Core Formation.

…

The Snow Fox Merchant Guild’s headquarters was located in the center of the city, a luxurious and large mansion.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lu Chang’an wouldn’t be hindered, he would definitely be granted an audience.

“This old man wants to do a big deal with your esteemed guild, please send a high-ranking manager to come for negotiations.”

Lu Chang’an spoke with an old and authoritative tone.

Such a forceful demeanor made the cultivators at the guild’s headquarters dare not look down upon him.

“This daoist is new here, what is your name?”

A corpulent middle-aged man with Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation welcomed Lu Chang’an into the guild’s headquarters.

This person was named Gao Songbai, an elder of the Snow Fox Merchant Guild, responsible for the business around Yun Yan City.

“This old man’s surname is Xiang, the item I want to trade with your guild is not simple. You might not be able to make the decision.”

Lu Chang’an’s voice carried a hint of arrogance.

“Heh, Daoist Xiang has quite the confidence. I wonder what you intend to trade?”

Gao Songbai chuckled softly, not showing any anger.

The two sat down in a side hall, and Gao Songbai dismissed the maids.

Lu Chang’an didn’t waste words and took out an oval-shaped purple monster core.

“Third-rank monster core?”

Gao Songbai’s smile disappeared, his expression turned solemn, losing his relaxed demeanor.

At Lu Chang’an’s suggestion, he carefully took the monster core and identified its quality and attributes.

“Contains lightning attribute essence? The monster core essence is so pure…”

The Snow Fox Merchant Guild was in the monster beast material business, and Gao Songbai was an expert in this field. With a preliminary examination, he had a rough idea of this monster core’s situation.

“Haha! The quality of this monster core is not bad, unfortunately, it has been stored for too long, and its demonic essence has been significantly lost. I wonder where Daoist obtained this monster core?”

Gao Songbai laughed heartily, looking at the Foundation Establishment cultivator in a straw raincoat, concealing a glimmer of greed in his eyes.

“This old man obtained this monster core from an unnamed cave in the Black Mist Mountain Range.”

Lu Chang’an glanced indifferently, releasing subtle magical power fluctuations, his divine sense sweeping over the other party.

“False Core True Immortal!”

Gao Songbai’s heart turned cold, feeling a flash of powerful spiritual pressure.

The few crooked thoughts that had surfaced in his mind instantly vanished, he couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat.

No wonder the other party was so confident and arrogant in seeking a trade.

Although a third-rank lower-grade monster core was rare and precious, a False Core True Immortal was capable of supporting this level of transaction.

“Senior Xiang, please wait, this transaction is beyond my authority.”

Gao Songbai spoke with a respectful tone, hurriedly casting a sound transmission talisman to inform the True Immortal residing in the guild’s headquarters.

“Hmm.”

Lu Chang’an maintained the posture of a True Immortal, responding indifferently.

He had anticipated this situation.

Planning for Core Formation materials, the value was high.

If he played dumb and deliberately kept a low profile, he would be asking for trouble.

He went against the grain and elevated his identity using the Hundred Illusion Mask.

The Hundred Illusion Mask’s cultivation aura disguise was related to the user’s divine sense. Lu Chang’an, with his Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation and a divine sense comparable to a False Core, could therefore disguise himself as a False Core True Immortal.

Theoretically speaking, if his divine sense was stronger, he could even occasionally play the part of a True Immortal.

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