I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 237

## Chapter 234: Golden Core Dao韵

Roar!

The bear demon outside the valley sat down, calling out to the Di Yan Shu (Earth Rock Rat) inside the cultivation hall.

Two strands of True Core-level divine consciousness fluctuated, touching and communicating in the air above the valley.

The Di Yan Shu transmitted the message to Lu Chang An through the spirit pet contract.

Turns out, the bear demon was attracted by the Di Yan Shu’s Core Formation aura and had the idea of becoming friends.

A third-order great demon’s wisdom was extraordinary, and their senses were sharp.

As fellow members of the demon race, the third-order mid-stage bear demon had a more accurate judgment of the Di Yan Shu’s Core Formation quality.

“Heh, a third-order bear demon, more intelligent and discerning than that Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren (Real Person).”

Lu Chang An chuckled.

Of course, Tiger嘯 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s behavior was mainly driven by his position, coupled with jealousy.

The bear demon may not have had good intentions when it was initially attracted.

Lu Chang An had heard that survival in the demon world was even more brutal, with demons often attracting the attention of their peers when breaking through major realms.

The bear demon didn’t attack, perhaps after weighing the situation.

After all, the Di Yan Shu wasn’t forming its core alone. It had a third-order formation for protection and three human Fake Core cultivators guarding it.

Compared to making a forceful move, befriending a potentially powerful third-order demon was a better choice.

After confirming the third-order bear demon wouldn’t attack, Han Yu Zhen Ren let out a sigh of relief.

“I forgot to congratulate Xiang Zhen Ren. Your spirit beast has formed a superior True Core and entered the ranks of the Great Demon.”

She smiled, with a touch of envy in her eyes.

By this time, the Di Yan Shu had already advanced to the third order, unaffected by external interference. It only needed to consolidate its realm.

“Han Yu Dao You are the first cultivator to offer congratulations! Here’s a gift!”

Lu Chang An put on a generous act, taking out six mid-grade spirit stones from Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s storage bag.

Han Yu Zhen Ren was startled for a moment, then pursed her lips, saying, “Then Han Yu will partake in the joy of a third-order great demon.”

She readily accepted the six mid-grade spirit stones, which were equivalent to six hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Lu Chang An’s background was formidable, possessing a third-order great demon, comparable to a True Core cultivator. His status far surpassed her.

Lu Chang An had another purpose in doing this.

Han Yu Zhen Ren accepted the “bribe,” meaning the Snow Fox Trading House would share responsibility for Tiger嘯 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s death.

Han Yu Zhen Ren understood this perfectly.

To win over a powerful Fake Core and a potentially limitless third-order demon, the Snow Fox Trading House could bear this burden.

“Xiang Zhen Ren, be prepared. Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren sent a message to the Ten Thousand Beast Trading House before he died. Their True Core ancestor will be arriving soon. Of course, I’ve also notified my own trading house’s True Core ancestor.”

Han Yu Zhen Ren reminded him.

“What cultivation level is the Ten Thousand Beast Trading House’s ancestor?”

“Early True Core.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chang An relaxed.

Now, he had two options:

First, let the Di Yan Shu consolidate its realm.

Second, give up consolidation and run away.

If he chose to run away, it would be detrimental to the Di Yan Shu’s realm consolidation. Moreover, the consequences of him killing Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren would be solely borne by the Snow Fox Trading House.

The Snow Fox Trading House had provided the煞元 (Sha Yuan) Dan (pill) and the cultivation grounds. Though it was a transaction, Lu Chang An felt indebted to them.

More importantly, after the Di Yan Shu advanced to the third order, Lu Chang An no longer feared early True Core cultivators.

The bear demon outside the valley was also a temporary ally.

…

Before the ancestors of the two trading houses arrived, Lu Chang An checked Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s storage bag, removing any suspicious items.

Killing Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren seemed simple, but it involved careful planning.

Lu Chang An had used a treasure talisman with the power of a low-grade third-order talisman.

A direct attack with a third-order treasure talisman wouldn’t be enough to kill a Fake Core cultivator.

At that time, Lu Chang An transmitted a message through his divine consciousness to Han Yu Zhen Ren, asking her to stall and distract Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren.

He used the敛气 (Lian Qi) ability of the Evergreen Art to lower his presence and quietly approach the side hall’s door.

His炼体诀 (Lian Ti Jue) (Body Refinement Art) had reached the Fake Core level, allowing him to move without using mana. Combined with the敛气 (Lian Qi) of the Evergreen Art, Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren hadn’t noticed him at first.

Ultimately, he achieved a fatal blow by using the treasure talisman for a surprise attack, and his Fake Core-level炼体 (Lian Ti) (Body Refinement) for a close-quarters strike.

If he had attacked head-on, killing a fully-powered Fake Core cultivator would have taken much longer, even if he used one or two treasure talismans.

Back in the Ancient Ruins, the two Fake Core cultivators who had died at Lu Chang An’s hands had been either injured and attacked from behind, or killed after prolonged fights with the help of third-order poison.

Lu Chang An tried to avoid direct confrontations with those of similar power levels. Who knows what hidden trump cards they might possess?

As a long-lived individual, Lu Chang An preferred to be a cunning, experienced老陆 (Lao Lu) (Old Lu), rather than a passionate小陆 (Xiao Lu) (Young Lu).

“Magic Treasures… Treasure Talismans… Third-order talismans…”

Within Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s storage bag, Lu Chang An inventoried the high-value spoils of war.

As a core member of a large trading house, Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren had two third-order talismans for protection, which was not unexpected.

The spirit stones in Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s storage bag were considerable, bringing Lu Chang An’s cash flow back to over ten thousand.

This meant that Lu Chang An’s investment in the Di Yan Shu’s Core Formation was fully recovered, even with a small profit.

This was the allure of killing and looting, a practice that never went out of style in the 修仙界 (Xiu Xian Jie) (Cultivation World).

…

After taking care of everything, Lu Chang An returned to the cultivation hall.

On the stone bed in the center of the hall, a sturdy rat demon was sitting cross-legged, cultivating. Its breaths stirred the violent demon wind made of pulverized gold and iron.

“The change is quite substantial.” Lu Chang An chuckled softly.

After reaching the third order, the Di Yan Shu was nearly two zhang long, with long limbs, orange-yellow fur all over its body, and a tuft of upright purple fur on its head.

At first glance, it resembled a giant panther with well-developed muscles and a streamlined body.

吱!

The Di Yan Shu opened its brown-red eyes and nodded towards Lu Chang An, conveying a look of gratitude.

As a third-order great demon, Lu Chang An felt an imperceptible pressure under its gaze.

“This rat’s strength after consolidating its realm will surpass my previous life’s early True Core stage.”

Lu Chang An thought to himself.

Fortunately, the spirit pet contract between him and the Di Yan Shu remained stable.

Faced with the third-order bear demon’s attempts at befriending and enticing it, the Di Yan Shu showed no interest, indicating its loyalty to Lu Chang An remained.

Lu Chang An closed his eyes and merged his mind with the second life of the 九印碑 (Jiu Yin Bei) (Nine Seal Stele), allowing his amplified divine consciousness to probe the Di Yan Shu’s demon core.

The Di Yan Shu, sensing a divine consciousness far surpassing its own, felt a chill in its heart, letting down its guard and allowing Lu Chang An to examine it.

Through hundreds of years of day and night companionship, it naturally sensed its master’s extraordinary nature.

Without Lu Chang An, it would have exploded during the second-order breakthrough while consuming the pill with the strange土灵 (Tu Ling) (Earth Spirit) power.

Without Lu Chang An’s Core Formation plan, it wouldn’t have achieved its current glory as a great demon.

“Huh! This demon core…”

A crystal-clear, round, earth-yellow inner core, radiating a glazed glow, entered Lu Chang An’s perception.

Based on its quality, it was undoubtedly a superior True Core.

However, the surface of this True Core was dotted with a few golden streaks.

Lu Chang An’s divine consciousness touched the golden streaks, sensing a Dao韵 (Dao Yun) (Dao韵) (Dao Resonance) that resonated with the laws of heaven and earth.

“Golden Core Dao韵 (Dao Yun)!”

Lu Chang An was shocked, unable to believe it.

The Di Yan Shu had not only formed a superior True Core, but it had also touched the threshold of Golden Core.

“Too bad! If it were a地品 (Di Pin) (Earth Grade) bloodline, it might have achieved an Immortal Golden Core.”

Lu Chang An exclaimed in disbelief, filled with awe.

Immortal Golden Core was a Nascent Soul seed!

If one could achieve an Immortal Golden Core, even someone with a low-grade spiritual root would have a significant chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.

The higher the cultivation level, the less impact the spiritual root had on the individual.

The quality of a Core Formation was a reflection of the cultivator’s foundation and potential.

“Strange! Though the Di Yan Shu has a solid foundation, it doesn’t have that deep of a foundation. Even with two superior Core Formation spirit objects, a superior True Core should have been the limit…”

Lu Chang An fell into contemplation.

“Could it be due to the五行土 (Wu Xing Tu) (Five Elements Earth)? Does it provide an extra boost to earth-element demons?”

Lu Chang An couldn’t be certain of the exact reason.

The 五行土 (Wu Xing Tu) (Five Elements Earth) he gave to the Di Yan Shu was dug from near the 玄木葫藤 (Xuan Mu Hu Luo) (Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine), so perhaps it had something to do with that.

Lu Chang An decided that he would also dig some 五行土 (Wu Xing Tu) (Five Elements Earth) from near the 玄木葫藤 (Xuan Mu Hu Luo) (Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine) as a Core Formation spirit object in the future.

After all, the Di Yan Shu had been the pioneer, paving the way for Lu Chang An.

“That little white rat back then has actually achieved a half-step Golden Core.”

Lu Chang An withdrew his divine consciousness, feeling almost jealous.

He had initially set the target for his Core Formation quality in this life as a superior True Core, maintaining the possibility of advancing to Nascent Soul.

Back then, the Di Yan Shu had willingly consumed the problematic pill, taking a gamble and being a little white rat.

Fortunately, the Evergreen Art protected it, allowing the little white rat from that time not only to survive, but also its bloodline to mutate.

…

Lu Chang An didn’t disturb the Di Yan Shu’s cultivation and left the cultivation hall.

He was thrilled that the Di Yan Shu had formed a half-step Golden Core, but it also brought about some concerns.

A superior True Core, though possessing excellent potential, wasn’t rare in the surrounding cultivation nations.

As long as one had decent aptitude and a good Core Formation opportunity, any late-stage筑基 (Zhu Ji) (Foundation Establishment) cultivator had the chance to form a superior True Core.

A half-step Golden Core, however, was eye-catching.

If it was exposed, it might attract the attention of late-stage True Core cultivators, or even Nascent Soul Zhen Jun (True Immortal).

“As long as the Di Yan Shu doesn’t use its full power, ordinary True Core cultivators won’t be able to detect it. After all, a demon’s strength comes primarily from its bloodline.”

Lu Chang An mused.

He could see the specific Core Formation quality because the Di Yan Shu allowed him access to its body.

Normally, the Di Yan Shu’s body had automatic protection by demon power and divine consciousness. Unless one’s cultivation level far surpassed its own, it would be difficult to directly examine it.

For safety’s sake, the Di Yan Shu should avoid confrontation with True Core cultivators at the same level.

After another half an hour,

Two True Core-level auras arrived at the steel fortress in the Black Mist Mountains, one after the other.

The two True Core cultivators sensed the third-order mid-stage bear demon outside the valley and showed apprehension.

“Guang Jun Ye Ye (Grandfather).”

Han Yu Zhen Ren waved her array flag to greet them.

The Snow Fox Trading House’s True Core ancestor, with the Daoist name “Guang Jun,” was a wizened old man with silver hair, wrinkled skin, and a cane in hand.

“Guang Jun Zhen Ren, long admired your name.”

Lu Chang An bowed, greeting him.

“Xiang Zhen Ren! Congratulations.”

Guang Jun Zhen Ren’s face, wrinkled with age, broke into a kind smile, treating him as an equal.

A Fake Core cultivator and a True Core cultivator differed by half a realm.

Sometimes they treated each other as equals; other times, the Fake Core cultivator would show deference and respect to the True Core cultivator.

This depended on the True Core cultivator’s strength and attitude.

Lu Chang An, disguised as a Fake Core, with a spirit pet that had become a third-order great demon, was qualified to be on equal footing with a True Core cultivator.

…

“Old Guang Jun, your Snow Fox Trading House colluded with outsiders to murder our trading house’s Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren. Do you have an explanation?”

An unfriendly voice came from a yellow-skinned middle-aged man riding a giant wolf, wearing a leather cloak.

This True Core cultivator, with skin as yellow as a grapefruit, had round, deep eyes that emitted a cold gleam.

His giant wolf, with wings on its back, was a near-third-order demon beast.

Sensing the two third-order great demons nearby, the giant wolf didn’t dare to breathe loudly.

“Old Huang! Your trading house’s Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren tried to sabotage the Core Formation of a friend of our trading house, and he was accidentally killed. Isn’t this his own fault?”

Guang Jun Zhen Ren looked at his old adversary, smiling wryly.

Lu Chang An and Han Yu Zhen Ren exchanged glances, learning the identity of the man.

The yellow-skinned middle-aged man in the leather cloak was the Ten Thousand Beast Trading House’s True Core ancestor, a notorious businessman from the 商盟 (Shang Meng) (Merchant Alliance).

He valued commerce over principles and didn’t take a Daoist name.

The outside world called him “Huang Lang Zhen Ren” (Yellow Wolf Real Person) because his last name was Huang, and his peers sometimes referred to him as “Old Huang.”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s strength wasn’t outstanding, but he was exceptionally skilled in business, with a reputation that was both positive and negative.

Even after reaching the True Core stage, he still held onto the trading house’s business and didn’t fully delegate to those below him.

“Accidental killing?”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren sneered, focusing his gaze on Lu Chang An:

“What’s your name, Dao You?”

“My surname is Xiang!”

Lu Chang An didn’t avoid his gaze, replying arrogantly.

“Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s death, Huang wants to request a high-level 商盟 (Shang Meng) (Merchant Alliance) investigation. You, as a suspect, are forbidden from leaving this place.”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s eyes were sharp, exuding the aura of a True Core early stage. His words were undeniable.

“This measly 商盟 (Shang Meng) (Merchant Alliance) can’t restrain me! What qualifications do you have to speak of investigating me?”

Lu Chang An spoke with a domineering, disdainful tone.

His words caused the faces of the other True Immortals present to change.

In the Jing Nation Cultivation World, the 商盟 (Shang Meng) (Merchant Alliance) ruled half the sky. Very few cultivators dared to speak with such audacity, not even True Core cultivators.

As soon as Lu Chang An finished speaking,

Roar!

Two powerful auras of third-order great demons simultaneously locked onto Huang Lang Zhen Ren.

The bear demon outside the valley roared at Huang Lang Zhen Ren in dissatisfaction.

Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s eyelids twitched, and the two-winged wolf beneath him actually urinated in fear.

Especially that bear demon, a third-order mid-stage great demon. Its aura was truly terrifying.

Even if the two True Core cultivators present joined forces, they might not have a chance of winning.

“This communication jade pendant is Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s relic. If it’s given to a third-order array master, it might be possible to investigate the messages he transmitted previously.”

Lu Chang An flipped his hand, producing a jade pendant and speaking leisurely.

Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s expression turned grim, staring intently at Lu Chang An.

He had sent a message to Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren, instructing him to act, so he knew what was going on.

A strange feeling arose in Lu Chang An’s heart, as if someone were peering into his thoughts.

“Old Huang, it’s better to be harmonious than to be at odds. Let’s sit down and talk about this properly.”

Guang Jun Zhen Ren played the role of mediator.

If it wasn’t necessary, he didn’t want to make enemies with the more powerful Ten Thousand Beast Trading House.

Guang Jun Zhen Ren was old and weak, with only two or three decades of lifespan left.

Huang Lang Zhen Ren was in the prime of his life, with ample lifespan, and the trading house also had other True Core retainers.

…

Huang Lang Zhen Ren, known as a notorious businessman, understood the situation and took the stairs down.

The few Real Persons present took their seats in the side hall.

“Xiang Zhen Ren, do you know 魔教 (Mo Jiao) (Demonic Cult) leader ‘Liang Shao Tian’? Back in the day, Huang shared drinks with him and discussed a business deal.”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren said in a flat tone.

“Xiang has no personal acquaintance with Liang Shao Tian. However, I did have dealings with him in the Liang Nation Cultivation World back then.”

Lu Chang An detected the man’s probing intent and answered ambiguously.

The expressions of the three True Immortals present varied, each lost in thought.

Lu Chang An denied any relationship with Liang Shao Tian, but they had dealings with each other, and it was in the Liang Nation Cultivation World.

It should be noted that both Liang Shao Tian and Xiang Jing Long were from the Liang Nation Cultivation World.

“Xiang Zhen Ren, it’s better to mend fences than to continue being enemies. Can you have a private talk with Huang?”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren sent a private message.

“There’s no need for that! Xiang has no intention of becoming enemies with your trading house. You shouldn’t use Liang Shao Tian to pressure me.”

Lu Chang An replied coldly, rejecting Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s private meeting request.

He believed Huang Lang Zhen Ren had indeed dealt with Liang Shao Tian in his early years.

But with Liang Shao Tian’s current position, unless one was a late-stage True Core cultivator, there was no qualification for an equal dialogue.

“Can Xiang Zhen Ren hand Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s relic over to Huang?”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren compromised.

“Fine.”

Lu Chang An returned Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s storage bag and spirit pet bag to Huang Lang Zhen Ren.

Of course, he had already taken all the valuable items. The remaining items were either of low value or personal belongings.

“Thank you, Xiang Zhen Ren, for your cooperation.”

Huang Lang Zhen Ren accepted the items, feeling secretly relieved. He didn’t pursue the missing valuables inside.

He had Tiger啸 (Xiao) Zhen Ren’s relics, so he could at least give an explanation to the 商盟 (Shang Meng) (Merchant Alliance) upon his return.

The current situation wasn’t favorable for him.

Lu Chang An had the backing of two third-order great demons, as well as Guang Jun Zhen Ren’s protection.

“Xiang Zhen Ren” also had a powerful background, leaving Huang Lang Zhen Ren with no choice but to swallow his anger for now.

A day later,

Huang Lang Zhen Ren “investigated” and left the place with two筑基 (Zhu Ji) (Foundation Establishment) cultivators from the steel fortress.

“Ancestor, the Snow Fox Trading House has gained the support of a True Core great demon. This isn’t good news for the Ten Thousand Beast Trading House. How should we deal with it?”

A senior筑基 (Zhu Ji) (Foundation Establishment) cultivator from the trading house asked.

Huang Lang Zhen Ren’s eyes shone with intelligence, and he stroked his beard, smiling confidently: “Don’t worry, that Xiang Zhen Ren and the Snow Fox Trading House are not on the same side. He’s just indebted to them.”

“That’s good.” The senior筑基 (Zhu Ji) (Foundation Establishment) cultivator felt relieved.

Their ancestor was exceptionally talented and had a keen insight into human nature.

“That True Core cultivator from the Liang Nation needs to be nurtured. If we can recruit him as a retainer, the Ten Thousand Beast Trading House’s strength will be enhanced even further!”

(End of Chapter)

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