I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 244

## Chapter 241: Stirring Up Trouble

“Reporting to Master, the human female cultivator…”

After listening to the Di Yan Shu’s childish narrative, Lu Chang An’s face twisted into a strange expression.

The Di Yan Shu was a True Dan level Great Demon, possessing the Earth-Burrowing talent, a keen sense of smell, and excelling at tracking.

During Lu Chang An’s absence for over half a month, Yu Qin’s every move had been under the Di Yan Shu’s surveillance.

This woman, whether she was negotiating with someone, cultivating, eating, entertaining herself, or even the color of her clothes, everything was meticulously monitored.

Lu Chang An found it amusing. Before leaving, he only instructed the Di Yan Shu to keep an eye on her. He didn’t expect the creature to be so meticulous.

Based on the Di Yan Shu’s report, Lu Chang An discovered two suspicious points.

The first point: Yu Qin had privately prepared several herbs, including powders, potions, and perfumes. However, even with the Di Yan Shu’s keen sense of smell, no poisonous substances were detected.

The second point: Yu Qin had gone out once. The Di Yan Shu didn’t follow her. Because Lu Chang An had ordered it to guard Autumn Wind Island and protect the Xuan Mu Hu Luo (Mystic Wood Gourd Vine) planted deep in the bottom of the deep pool. This matter held the highest importance and priority.

Lu Chang An pondered, “Did this woman deliberately pay attention to or approach Xia Wen Yue?”

Xia Wen Yue’s Innate Celestial Body held the key to breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage (Nascent Soul Stage), but also carried an unknown risk. Lu Chang An felt instinctively wary.

“No,” the Di Yan Shu shook its small head.

“It seems that this woman, Yu Qin, staying and seeking refuge can be ruled out as a threat to the secret of the Innate Celestial Body.”

Lu Chang An breathed a sigh of relief.

“Then, even if this woman’s intentions are not good, at most she comes from a hostile force to the Xia clan.”

Lu Chang An was unaware that Yu Qin had previously slandered him to Xia Shao Zhu (Young Master Xia).

During Lu Chang An’s absence, Yu Qin had stopped speaking ill of him. She acted meek and pitiful in front of Xia Shao Zhu.

Yu Qin understood the lesson of not pushing her luck. Even though they had been lovers, Xia Shao Zhu wouldn’t fully believe her.

Sowing discord couldn’t be done repeatedly, otherwise it would easily expose her.

Whether Xia Shao Zhu believed her or not, as long as a seed of doubt was sown in his heart, it could create a rift between them.

…

Two days later, Autumn Wind Island Mansion.

Lu Chang An sent out a sound transmission talisman, requesting a meeting with Xia Sheng Lan, an elder of the Xia clan.

As the Xia clan’s honored guest, Lu Chang An felt the need to remind Xia Shao Zhu of the problem with Yu Qin. However, despite his high status within the clan, he was, after all, an outsider.

Xia Ming Qu and Yu Qin had been in love in their youth, almost becoming Dao companions. Their relationship and emotions were deep and special.

Lu Chang An’s connection to Xia Shao Zhu couldn’t compare to theirs. Therefore, he decided to start with Xia Sheng Lan, avoiding putting Xia Shao Zhu in a difficult position.

In terms of seniority, Xia Sheng Lan was Xia Ming Qu’s cousin, having been married into the Xin family, the second-ranked family in the Wu Fu Trading Company (Five Blessings Trading Company).

Half an hour later.

A female cultivator in a water-blue dress, beautiful and dignified, flew to Autumn Wind Island.

“For Lu Dao You to personally invite me is a rare occurrence. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude, and wouldn’t dare to delay in the slightest.”

A faint smile appeared on Xia Sheng Lan’s face. Although polite, it lacked the familiarity of the past.

Years ago, when Lu Chang An hadn’t revealed his identity, he had saved Xia Sheng Lan’s life.

After cutting off ties with the Xin family, the Xia clan had attempted to arrange a marriage between her and Lu Chang An, even offering a breakthrough pill for late-stage Zhu Ji (Foundation Establishment).

However, Lu Chang An had refused the arrangement of the Xia clan’s leadership.

Their relationship gradually faded after that, becoming a simple acquaintance between fellow cultivators of the same generation.

“Elder Sheng Lan, you’re exaggerating. I’m just an old Zhu Ji cultivator, not a big shot.”

Lu Chang An heard the self-deprecation in her words but remained unfazed, calmly responding.

In the side hall, the guest and host took their seats.

The maid, Xia Wen Yue, served pastries and spirit fruits, her eyes smiling as she greeted Xia Sheng Lan.

“Cousin Wen Yue, your complexion has improved greatly, and your cultivation has also made progress… Lu Dao You is truly a master cultivator of nurturing and vitality. You have a unique skill in nurturing.”

Xia Wen Yue’s changes were noticed by Xia Sheng Lan, who felt both surprise and joy for the former.

Originally, Xia Wen Yue was already beautiful, but her frail body had obscured her beauty. After her condition stabilized, her beauty was even more radiant, like flawless jade, making Xia Sheng Lan, a fellow female cultivator, feel a sense of wonder.

Xia Sheng Lan glanced again at the gentle and jade-like, handsome and elegant Lu Chang An, and sighed inwardly.

Actually, back when Lu Chang An was hiding his identity, although Xia Sheng Lan was attracted to him, she didn’t truly have romantic feelings for him.

When the family arranged for them to marry, she was happy to see it happen.

However, when Lu Chang An revealed his identity and rode on the turtle, a brief flutter of emotions stirred in Xia Sheng Lan’s heart, which had been dormant for decades.

After that, she had secretly followed the Liang Guo (State of Liang) cultivator, who had been promoted to honored guest, through intelligence reports, learning about his legendary achievements.

With a deeper understanding, Xia Sheng Lan felt admiration for Lu Chang An’s inspirational cultivation journey, and became increasingly curious about him.

Unfortunately, Lu Chang An had rejected the family’s arrangement back then, and Xia Sheng Lan couldn’t bring herself to approach him again.

This time, Lu Chang An took the initiative to invite her, and a glimmer of hopeful anticipation arose within Xia Sheng Lan’s heart.

…

An hour passed, and Xia Sheng Lan’s hopes were dashed.

Lu Chang An showed no signs of reminiscing. Their conversation revolved around the situation of the Wu Fu Trading Company, the development of the Xuan Yin Mo Jiao (Dark Yin Demon Cult), the Liang Guo’s war of cultivation, and so on.

Lu Chang An gestured for Xia Wen Yue to leave, and then got to the point, mentioning the situation with “Yu Qin” to Xia Sheng Lan.

Of course, Lu Chang An expressed himself indirectly, saying that the Wu Fu Trading Company was currently plagued by internal and external problems, and urging the Xia clan to be wary of Yu Qin.

The main reason was the lack of evidence.

It was true that Yu Qin had hinted at seduction during her last visit, but she had not taken action. Words were not proof.

“Dao You Lu thinks Yu Qin has a problem? Do you have any evidence?”

Xia Sheng Lan furrowed her brows slightly, her face in thought.

Lu Chang An smiled, “There’s no evidence, just a gut feeling. Take it as a reference.”

“I’m aware of this, and I’ll remind Ming Qu. However, Ming Qu is preparing to break through to late-stage Zhu Ji in the near future…”

Xia Sheng Lan’s expression became hesitant.

“Breaking through to late-stage Zhu Ji?”

Lu Chang An understood Xia Sheng Lan’s concerns.

Late-stage Zhu Ji was an important hurdle. It was best to avoid interference in terms of emotions and mental state.

…

After leaving Autumn Wind Island, Xia Sheng Lan thought for a moment and decided to go see Xia Ming Qu.

Xia Ming Qu was the next leader being cultivated by the clan. If his mental fortitude was affected by such a trivial matter, then it was pointless to waste the clan’s resources on him.

In Xia Shao Zhu’s mansion.

“Cousin Sheng Lan, I’m planning to close myself off for cultivation in the near future. The Clan Head and my father are both stationed at the trading company’s main headquarters, and I’ll leave the management of clan affairs to your hard work.”

Xia Ming Qu showed due respect and trust to his cousin, who had married into another family.

“It’s not a hardship, it’s all part of my duties.”

Xia Sheng Lan nodded, without any courteous banter. She then mentioned her meeting with Lu Chang An.

“Lu Chang An suspects Qin’er?”

Upon hearing this, Xia Ming Qu couldn’t help but show a wry smile.

More than half a month ago, Yu Qin had come to complain, saying that Lu Chang An had taken liberties during his pulse-taking and taken advantage of her.

For the sake of clan stability and his own face, Xia Ming Qu had suppressed the matter and not told anyone else.

Now, with Xia Sheng Lan’s visit, Xia Ming Qu was unsure what to make of it, and no longer kept it a secret.

“So, you believed Yu Qin’s words?” Xia Sheng Lan’s expression turned slightly cold.

“Not completely. I believe Qin’er’s words at most three-tenths. After all, judging from the information from Liang Guo, Lu Chang An has a good reputation and is a good person.”

Xia Ming Qu shook his head.

His former lover had come to seek refuge. Xia Ming Qu had sent someone to investigate. Yu Qin was indeed expelled from the Yun Xia Shan (Cloud Mist Mountain) sect in Jing Guo (State of Jing) and her family had fallen into decline. The general outline of her past was clear.

“What do you plan to do about this?”

“Although Qin’er and I were once in love, many years have passed. Our feelings have faded, and they can’t compare to those for Lu Fu Shi (Master Lu).”

Xia Ming Qu spoke calmly.

“It’s good that you understand.”

Xia Sheng Lan’s expression softened slightly. Regardless of personal feelings, Xia Ming Qu was at least not being foolish about the big picture.

Lu Chang An was a late-stage Zhu Ji, with a same-level demonic beast and talisman-making skills reaching near-third-stage.

His status and position were no less than a False Dan True Master.

…

As twilight approached.

In his quiet room, Lu Chang An sat cross-legged, comprehending the Dan Transformation secret technique he had acquired from Zhang Tie Shan.

This secret technique was called the “Return to Dust Dan Transformation Technique.” Lu Chang An had already comprehended it in his spare time.

However, due to the lack of a master’s guidance, even after obtaining this Dan Transformation technique for many years, he still couldn’t fully grasp a few details.

This was despite Lu Chang An’s previous life when he had reached the peak of the Jie Dan stage (Core Formation Stage), possessing a higher level of understanding and experience.

This highlighted the importance of having a master.

Even the most treasured techniques of many cultivation sects, even if accidentally leaked, would be difficult for ordinary cultivators to master.

“Zhang Tie Shan doesn’t have a Nascent Soul True Master as his master, yet he dares to pursue the path of Dan Transformation. He’s truly fortunate…”

Lu Chang An thought of the letter he received from Liang Guo a while back. Zhang Tie Shan was being pursued by True Dan cultivators and had disappeared without a trace.

In the eyes of outsiders, Zhang Tie Shan’s chances of survival were slim.

However, Lu Chang An was certain that Zhang Tie Shan had likely taken advantage of the situation, changed his identity, and secretly gone to undergo the Dan Transformation.

“At most, in another two years, I will reach Zhu Ji eighth-stage. Even without a master’s guidance, I should be able to explore and understand this technique before reaching Zhu Ji ninth-stage.”

Lu Chang An thought to himself.

“Even if the Dan Transformation fails and I suffer a backlash, I can use the Longevity Secret Technique to consume lifespan and avoid damaging my foundation…”

He had already tested this by observing Guan Qiao Zhi’s failed Zhu Ji breakthrough.

Chirp!

The Di Yan Shu appeared from beside Lu Chang An without a sound.

“Oh?”

Lu Chang An listened for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face. He sent the Di Yan Shu to cultivate underground.

He muttered, “The leadership of the Xia clan hasn’t disappointed me.”

It turned out that when Xia Sheng Lan went to talk to Xia Ming Qu, she was eavesdropped on by the Di Yan Shu.

Normally, Lu Chang An wouldn’t pry into other people’s privacy, nor was he that interested.

However, Xia Shao Zhu’s attitude and decisions would affect Lu Chang An’s future plans within the Xia clan.

If Xia Shao Zhu were to be misled by Yu Qin, and develop resentment and hostility towards him, then Lu Chang An would not stay any longer.

“This woman, Yu Qin, truly uses the tactic of sowing discord. If I’m forced to leave, then the Xin family’s strength will be no weaker than the Xia clan.”

For families like the Xia and Xin families, who had False Dan True Masters, every late-stage Zhu Ji cultivator was a crucial figure.

Especially for Lu Chang An, who was an exceptional late-stage Zhu Ji cultivator.

As long as he was stationed at Qing Sha Wan (Clear Sand Bay), the Xia clan’s rear would be secure, and he could provide them with high-grade talismans.

Coupled with the two suspicious points he had discovered earlier, Lu Chang An had a good idea of Yu Qin’s next scheme.

…

Days later, Lu Chang An took the initiative to visit Xia Sheng Lan’s cultivation ground.

In the eyes of outsiders, their relationship seemed to be warming up, with a possibility of reconciliation.

In reality, Lu Chang An was simply taking this opportunity to advise Xia Sheng Lan.

Whether Xia Shao Zhu would listen or not was not Lu Chang An’s concern.

As the Xia clan’s honored guest, he couldn’t be considered to have done everything he could, but he had fulfilled his basic obligations.

Three days after Lu Chang An visited Xia Sheng Lan.

Yu Qin came to Autumn Wind Island again, seeking medicine.

Lu Chang An was too lazy to bother with her and simply gave her the cold shoulder.

“The medicine I seek doesn’t need Lu Fu Shi to personally handle it.”

Yu Qin didn’t get angry. Her bright eyes and pearly white teeth shone with charm.

She smiled and approached Xia Wen Yue, asking her to gather some herbs and help prepare the medicines and sachets.

After making the purchases, Yu Qin didn’t forget to chat with Xia Wen Yue.

As a Zhu Ji senior, Xia Wen Yue couldn’t refuse and had to accompany her.

Lu Chang An ignored them and let the Di Yan Shu secretly watch over Xia Wen Yue.

…

Half a month later.

Xia Shao Zhu began to close himself off to cultivate, aiming for a breakthrough to late-stage Zhu Ji.

Lu Chang An could clearly see Xia Ming Qu’s progress.

At this stage, breaking through shouldn’t be a problem.

However, considering Xia Ming Qu’s age, he could have taken another year or two to polish his cultivation.

The reason for the haste in breaking through was likely to add a late-stage Zhu Ji cultivator to the clan’s ranks.

The Xia and Xin families each had a False Dan True Master, keeping each other in check.

False Dan True Masters were unable to improve their cultivation, and their strength was mostly comparable, except for a few special cases.

The ones who truly influenced the situation were the same-level late-stage Zhu Ji cultivators.

While Xia Ming Qu was in seclusion.

Xia Sheng Lan and Yu Qin were waiting outside, guarding his seclusion.

Considering their relationships with Xia Shao Zhu, it was perfectly reasonable.

Several days later.

Inside the sealed room, a surge of rising spiritual energy appeared, seemingly touching the level of late-stage Zhu Ji.

But soon, the rising momentum of the spiritual energy halted abruptly, plummeting back down.

Ugh!

Inside the sealed room, Xia Ming Qu coughed up a mouthful of bluish-purple poisonous blood. The remaining force of the impact crashed into the walls.

“Ming Qu!”

Xia Sheng Lan’s face changed. She opened the sealed room’s door and rushed inside.

“What kind of poison is this? I clearly checked the pills…”

Xia Ming Qu’s handsome and fair face turned a mix of blue and red. His body swayed slightly, his expression shocked, filled with disbelief.

This situation was clearly a failed breakthrough, with poisonous backlash.

…

Yu Qin walked to the door of the sealed room, her footsteps suddenly stopping.

Xia Sheng Lan turned her head, glaring angrily, “Yu Qin! Did you poison him?”

In recent days, besides her, only Yu Qin and Xia Shao Zhu had been in close contact.

As for Lu Chang An, he hadn’t visited Xia Ming Qu’s mansion since returning to the clan.

“Hee hee, that wasn’t a real poison. It was a blend of strange medicines, mixed using the scents of perfume and several powders. It would activate when one attempted to break through a cultivation bottleneck, causing a surge of blood, and inducing heart blockages…”

From outside, Yu Qin’s sweet voice came through, laced with a mocking tone.

Before Xia Sheng Lan and Xia Ming Qu could react.

With her words still echoing,

Her hand, hidden in her pink skirt sleeve, grabbed a black bead and tossed it towards the sealed room.

Boom!

A ball of black flames erupted, engulfing a ten-zhang (33 feet) radius. At the same time, a large amount of black poisonous smoke spread, covering an area of several tens of zhang.

Without waiting to see the outcome,

Yu Qin, dressed in a pink gown, turned into a streak of light and leaped onto the poisonous smoke.

“Hee hee, without the herbs that Lu Fu Shi helped with, I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off so smoothly.”

Yu Qin’s delicate melon-seed face glowed with a bright, rosy hue.

Her pair of alluring, watery eyes playfully glanced at the direction of Autumn Wind Island.

Before escaping, she didn’t forget to throw some dirt.

“Yu Qin! You dare to poison the Young Master!”

A Zhu Ji elder from the mansion at Qing Sha Wan quickly ordered the clan members to chase after Yu Qin.

But Yu Qin was unfazed.

Most of the Xia clan’s leadership was tied up with the Xin clan, stationed at the trading company’s main headquarters and other branches, maintaining their business operations.

Currently, only four Zhu Ji cultivators were stationed at the Qing Sha Wan clan grounds.

This included Lu Chang An, the outsider honored guest.

The Autumn Wind Island where Lu Chang An resided was in a remote location, quite a distance from the core of Qing Sha Wan, and wouldn’t arrive in time.

That is to say, there were only three Zhu Ji cultivators from the Xia clan who could truly chase after her.

However, Xia Ming Qu and Xia Sheng Lan had been ambushed and injured by her, and their strength was limited.

Actually, the biggest variable was Lu Chang An.

Based on current information, Lu Chang An could take her down on his own.

“The strongest, Lu Chang An, won’t be able to arrive in time. And with his title of ‘Turtle Talisman Master’ in Liang Guo, he’ll play it safe and definitely won’t go all out!”

Yu Qin was confident in her victory.

This came from the intelligence gathered by her backing and her own familiarization with the terrain of the Xia clan.

(End of Chapter)

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