I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 242

## Chapter 239: Er Qing’s Wish

Lu Chang’an wasn’t surprised when the Earth Rock Rat spoke.

Most beast spirits in the world can only truly transform after reaching the fourth stage of cultivation. However, speaking human language is far less difficult. Third-stage great demons, comparable to human Core Formation cultivators, can learn to speak human language by cultivating the bones in their throats and spending time around humans.

Certain rare spirit-awakening pills also possess this effect, enabling beast spirits to speak prematurely. Some unique beast spirits can even speak in the first or second stage.

“The Li Clan of Xue Mei Mountain…”

Lu Chang’an took the letter from the Earth Rock Rat, noticing the plum blossom emblem on it, confirming it was from Liang Guo’s cultivation world. The head of the Li Clan of Xue Mei Mountain, “Li Congren”, was Li Er Qing’s most successful grandson. Their territory was near the border of Liang Guo and had business dealings with the Jing Guo Chamber of Commerce in the past. Ten years ago, Lu Chang’an had crossed into Jing Guo through Li Congren’s connections. This letter was sent by Li Congren through the Chamber of Commerce, with a special formation seal for reinforcement.

“Four years ago, I regained my identity as Lu Chang’an in the Xia Clan. Initially, the New Moon Chamber of Commerce investigated my identity in Liang Guo, which alerted the Li Clan of Xue Mei Mountain…”

After reading the first part of the letter, Lu Chang’an understood the general reason. Currently, the Li Clan of Xue Mei Mountain’s business had expanded, establishing their family Chamber of Commerce and forging closer ties with the Jing Guo Chamber of Commerce. Due to their keen observation, Li Congren discovered Lu Chang’an’s specific whereabouts in Jing Guo two years ago. This letter was not just Li Congren’s personal initiative, but also instructed by Li Er Qing of the Mu Clan in Fei Yue Lake. Li Er Qing was exceptionally excited to learn about Lu Chang’an’s whereabouts and instructed Li Congren to send a letter to contact him.

War materials could be traded between the two countries. As long as one had connections in the Chamber of Commerce and knew the target’s specific location, it was possible to send a letter. However, cross-border letters took a long time to travel and were prone to instability.

“…”

“The year I snuck out of Liang Guo, Zhao Si Yao took a substandard Condensing Crystal Pill and used ordinary Core Formation spirit treasures to achieve the level of a False Core cultivator.”

The letter mentioned many people and events that Lu Chang’an cared about.

“Several years later, the Qing Ming Secret Realm opened. Enemy cultivators from the Foundation Establishment stage opened a temporary passage, taking advantage of the opportunity to slaughter and compete for heavenly materials and treasures.”

“At that time, Zhao Si Yao’s disciple, ‘Zhao Tan’er’, had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage and gained a significant amount in the Qing Ming Secret Realm.”

“The guardian of Xiao Gui Feng, ‘Qi Feng’, was taken care of by the head of the Zhou Clan, the master Shi Xianzi, and others. He achieved the Foundation Establishment stage two years ago. This person, calling himself a ‘guardian’, managed Xiao Gui Feng and established a small escort organization…”

“The Feng Guo Jin Yang Zong forces occupy half of Liang Guo’s spirit vein training grounds and need to consolidate their gains and territory. Their speed of invasion has slowed down. The Liang Guo sect, centered on ‘Li Huo Gong’, is defending the other half of their territory with all their might.”

“Many cultivation forces in Liang Guo have lost their spirit vein training grounds and are forced to reclaim wasteland in the Black Mist Mountain Range. Some scattered cultivators follow the trend and sneak into Jing Guo. A few others flee to the north, crossing the Flying Sand Sky堑, to Feng Yuan Guo.”

“The Mu Clan of Fei Yue Lake is now located in the territory occupied by Feng Guo. Fortunately, with Mu Jiu An’s protection, the Mu Clan offered the face-preserving pill from that year to the wives of the Jin Yang Zong’s high-ranking officials, gaining a safe surrender.”

Reading more than half of this cross-border letter, a stone in Lu Chang’an’s heart finally settled. Zhao Si Yao and Li Er Qing, who were closest to him, were still alive. Even his adoptive father’s descendant, taking the Foundation Establishment pill he left behind on Xiao Gui Feng, successfully formed his Foundation.

At the end of the letter, Li Er Qing’s concern for Lu Chang’an was conveyed. Li Er Qing had a wish: to see Lu Chang’an again in his lifetime.

“Li Er Qing fought against the Feng Guo cultivators a few years ago and sustained severe injuries, limiting his lifespan to two hundred years.”

Thinking of the details mentioned in the letter, Lu Chang’an could understand Li Er Qing’s pessimistic mood. The cultivation war was shrouded in darkness. For ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators in two major cultivation countries, their remaining years were only a few decades, and they might never return.

The Mu Clan and Li Er Qing were currently in the Jin Yang Zong camp. Even with Mu Jiu An’s protection, they might not be spared and still have a chance of participating in the war. Therefore, Lu Chang’an dared not be certain if he could see Li Er Qing again in this lifetime.

However, in his reply, he gave a positive answer:

“My brother is in Jing Guo and doing well. I’m just waiting to break through to Core Formation. Whether I succeed or fail, I will return to my homeland in Liang Guo.”

Lu Chang’an finished writing the reply, set up a formation, and handed it to the Earth Rock Rat to be passed on to Xia Wen Yue. The Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce occupied a place in the Chamber of Commerce, and every year, cultivators would travel to Liang Guo to help deliver letters. He was now a retainer of the Xia Clan, so he didn’t need to personally handle such trivial matters.

“…”

Three months later.

Lu Chang’an was practicing when he suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the heart of Qing Sha Wan. Not long ago, he sensed that the Xia Clan’s head, Xia Hong Yu, had left the clan territory. This situation was extremely rare in the years since he moved to Qiu Feng Island.

Several days later, while chatting with Xia Wen Yue, Lu Chang’an learned that Clan Head Xia Hong Yu had personally gone to the Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters.

“It seems that the Xia Clan lacks control over the Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce. A False Core ancestor of their clan had to leave the territory and go to the Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Xian Cheng.”

The current Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce faced both external and internal threats. The opposing force, “The New Moon Chamber of Commerce,” was suppressing them, attempting to seize their assets. Internally, the Xin Clan, one of the five clans of Wu Fu, had produced a False Core cultivator, who had received support from the New Moon Chamber of Commerce.

Lu Chang’an could roughly guess the purpose of Clan Head Xia Hong Yu’s trip to the Chamber of Commerce headquarters. If they couldn’t subdue the Xin Clan, the Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce would only be split.

“That old man finally left. Now I can safely go absorb spirit energy.”

The Earth Rock Rat was the happiest about Xia Hong Yu’s departure. Xia Hong Yu’s Water Curtain Cave had a spirit energy environment comparable to a quasi-third-stage level. In the past, whenever it went to absorb spirit energy, it had to be cautious hiding underground. Now that Xia Hong Yu was gone, the Earth Rock Rat felt much more comfortable.

Lu Chang’an wasn’t concerned about the internal conflict of the Wu Fu Chamber of Commerce. Even if the worst-case scenario happened, and the Xia Clan failed in the fight, they would only lose a lot of assets. Due to the Chamber of Commerce’s rules, the high-level combat strength of various Chambers of Commerce was relatively restrained in battles. Under normal circumstances, if they were defeated, the Xia Clan would undoubtedly cut their losses and protect their Qing Sha Wan territory. As long as the territory was still there, it wouldn’t affect Lu Chang’an’s cultivation.

After Clan Head Xia Hong Yu left, Qing Sha Wan significantly strengthened the protective formations around their territory, and the number of patrolling cultivators increased compared to before. Besides Lu Chang’an, Qing Sha Wan had three Foundation Establishment elders guarding the territory. One of them was the young master Xia Ming Qu, who he was familiar with, and the other was Xia Sheng Lan, who he had saved.

Together with Lu Chang’an, Qing Sha Wan had four Foundation Establishment cultivators. Utilizing the protective clan formation, even if a False Core cultivator attacked, they would have difficulty breaking through.

“…”

Half a year later.

Lu Chang’an was about to go out on a trip. First, the Earth Rock Rat had run out of the third-stage beast pills required for its cultivation. Second, Xia Wen Yue’s cultivation was becoming smoother, and she had recently reached the eighth level of Qi Refinement. Regarding Xia Wen Yue’s “Cold Spirit Jade Marrow” innate constitution, Lu Chang’an had searched through the Xia Clan’s collection of ancient books, but found no relevant information.

Lu Chang’an planned to purchase third-stage beast pills and look for detailed records of “Cold Spirit Jade Marrow”. In addition, he had refined several Foundation Establishment pills, including three substandard ones, which he could consider selling.

“Mr. Lu, there’s a distinguished guest seeking medicine in the clan.”

Xia Wen Yue, dressed in a plain dress with beautiful features, came in to inform Lu Chang’an. Under Lu Chang’an’s care for the past two years, Xia Wen Yue’s condition stabilized, allowing her to cultivate normally. Her pale complexion had also regained a little color. In present-day Qing Sha Wan, Xia Wen Yue was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman, and there were many matchmakers seeking her hand in marriage.

“Distinguished guest? Is it Xia Young Master’s friend?”

Lu Chang’an used his spiritual sense to scan, discovering a pink-dressed Foundation Establishment female cultivator, standing gracefully outside the residence, waiting to be announced. The woman was beautiful and charming, her pair of shimmering autumn-water eyes seemed to convey affection.

“Yes, this senior is named ‘Yu Qin’, and she was once deeply in love with the Young Master, almost becoming his Dao companion. Later, Senior Yu Qin joined the Jing Guo sect ‘Yun Xia Shan’, and their relationship gradually faded.”

Lu Chang’an had heard of the female guests who had recently arrived at Qing Sha Wan.

“Since they had already broken up, why did this Yu Qin come to find the Young Master?”

“She heard that this Senior Yu had encountered trouble recently and was expelled from her sect, her family was declining, and she sought help from the Young Master. The Young Master might have remembered their past relationship and agreed to let her stay for a while.”

“Alright, let her in.”

Lu Chang’an wasn’t interested in the Young Master’s personal matters and waved his hand, asking Xia Wen Yue to bring her in.

“I am Yu Qin, I have met Mr. Lu.”

Yu Qin bowed gracefully, her eyes were sparkling, giving people a sense of tenderness and charm.

“What medicine does Daoist Yu seek?”

Lu Chang’an chatted for a few words before getting straight to the point.

“My concubine was injured many years ago and suffered a hidden ailment, enduring monthly pain from palace chills. I heard that Mr. Lu is proficient in healing techniques and excels in recuperation. I specially came to seek a remedy.”

“Palace chills? Remedy?”

A sense of alertness arose in Lu Chang’an’s heart. He had just stabilized Xia Wen Yue’s condition in the past two years, and this woman was seeking a remedy for palace chills? Could it be some kind of test?

“Mr. Lu, please feel my pulse?”

Yu Qin took the initiative to step forward, revealing her white and jade-like wrist, her eyes glanced lightly at Xia Wen Yue.

Xia Wen Yue wisely exited the room.

Lu Chang’an extended two fingers and felt Yu Qin’s pulse, his brows slightly furrowed. A faint fragrance emanated from Yu Qin, her eyes were like autumn water, and she looked at him with concern and affection.

“Daoist Yu’s so-called palace chills are something all normal women experience monthly, there’s no need to worry.”

Lu Chang’an remained expressionless and casually prescribed a remedy for Yu Qin without charging a fee.

Yu Qin put away the prescription, saw Lu Chang’an raise his head to drink tea, rolled her eyes at him, and left in disappointment.

Lu Chang’an was surprised. Yu Qin’s palace did have a hidden ailment, but it wasn’t caused by external forces. If not for his sensitive perception, he wouldn’t have noticed. What was this woman’s purpose?

Initially, Lu Chang’an suspected it had something to do with Xia Wen Yue’s innate constitution. But Yu Qin never showed any interest in Xia Wen Yue from beginning to end. She even had a subtle, instinctive aversion to Xia Wen Yue’s beauty and temperament.

Testing? Temptation?

Lu Chang’an couldn’t be sure and was too lazy to think about it. He had checked Yu Qin’s cultivation, and she was just a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator with a relatively pure spiritual power, nothing special.

“Keep an eye on that outsider.”

Out of caution, Lu Chang’an instructed the Earth Rock Rat.

Before setting off, Lu Chang’an was about to say hello to the Young Master and subtly remind him.

“…”

That evening.

In the Young Master’s residence, a faint sound of a woman crying could be heard, sounding soft and helpless.

“You mean Lu Chang’an took advantage of you while feeling your pulse?”

Xia Ming Qu was shocked and incredulous.

“That’s not right, Daoist Lu has a good reputation in Liang Guo and doesn’t get close to women in the clan. He even refused Sheng Lan’s advances…”

“Hmph! Woohoo…How can Sheng Lan’s looks compare to Qin’er? Moreover, Lu Chang’an doesn’t want to marry into the Xia Clan, he’s afraid of taking responsibility, so he rejected Sheng Lan.”

“Qin’er, a weak and vulnerable woman like you, is different. You were wronged and expelled from the sect, your family is declining, and you are helpless. Even if he takes advantage of you, you don’t have to take responsibility.”

The tears on Yu Qin’s face were like broken pearls, and she leaned into Xia Ming Qu’s embrace with a sense of grievance.

Xia Ming Qu looked at the beauty in his arms. This was the woman he had lost. Back then, she was the one who left him. After all these years, their feelings might have faded. But a woman he couldn’t get in the past would still stir up the conquering desires deep within a man’s heart.

“Qin’er, you went to him for treatment, it’s inevitable to have physical contact. Could it be that you’re being sensitive?”

“Woohoo…Don’t you believe me? Or are you really taking him as a true gentleman?”

Yu Qin widened her eyes, looking at him with a bitter and heartbroken expression.

“All men are the same. You were also a true gentleman back then. You still ended up touching and grabbing, falling for her charms…”

“Alright, stop it.” Xia Ming Qu scratched his nose and laughed bitterly.

“…”

The next day, Lu Chang’an paid a visit to the Young Master. Before going out, he planned to subtly remind Xia Ming Qu. He ended up finding Xia Ming Qu and Yu Qin walking side by side, a handsome couple, enjoying themselves.

Lu Chang’an couldn’t say anything, otherwise, he would seem like a petty person. He just felt Yu Qin was a bit strange. She came to the Xia Clan with ill intentions but had no concrete evidence.

“Daoist Lu, you’re now a retainer of the clan, your status is high. You don’t have to personally inform me about trivial matters like going out.”

Xia Ming Qu smiled, but he was a little suspicious. Last night, Yu Qin just complained about Lu Chang’an; today, he was going out, making it seem like he was guilty of something.

Lu Chang’an explained his trip and left.

He spent the next day, the 3rd, resting. He was a little stuck, and writing too late would affect his sleep.

(End of Chapter)

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