I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 248

## Chapter 245: Important Intelligence

Wang Feng’s unexpected response left Lu Chang’an feeling suspicious.

He didn’t believe Wang Feng would change his original plan just because of his casual remark.

Returning to Liang Guo was no easy feat, it carried risks, and Wang Feng must have made up his mind.

Changing his mind at the last minute, wasn’t that just playing games?

“If Master Lu can help this humble one, then after the matter is settled, Wang will give you a piece of crucial intelligence for free.”

Wang Feng’s smile held a mysterious air, sparking curiosity in Lu Chang’an.

Considering Wang Feng’s earlier response, Lu Chang’an couldn’t help but speculate.

Before approaching him, Wang Feng had clearly done his homework, showing an understanding of Lu Chang’an’s abilities and preferences.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have offered a third-order spiritual bamboo as a reward, which had tempted Lu Chang’an.

“Is the matter that Mr. Wang needs help with the hidden ailment that requires healing and recuperation?”

Lu Chang’an asked directly.

沈碧心 had mentioned this before.

However, Lu Chang’an had briefly observed Wang Feng earlier and found him in good spirits and physical condition, showing no signs of abnormalities.

“Ten years ago, Wang was traveling to Jing Guo on a spirit ship when he was ambushed by the demonic cult. My cultivation level plummeted, causing great damage to my body.”

“Later, I consumed several precious spirit pills and elixirs, healing my injuries and recovering to the Foundation Establishment stage. However, the hidden ailment still had a lingering impact on my foundation, and I couldn’t truly restore it to perfection.”

“To this day, my cultivation speed is only equivalent to that of a high-grade spiritual root.”

Wang Feng recounted his past experiences, not concealing his hatred for the demonic cult, and expressing dissatisfaction with his current cultivation speed.

“I’m not a specialized apothecary, nor am I a renowned physician. Why is Mr. Wang specifically seeking me out?”

Lu Chang’an smiled and asked.

“There are two reasons.”

“First, Master Lu is a person of reliable character and has a good reputation.”

In the Jing Guo cultivation world, Wang Feng was still facing danger, and he didn’t trust the local apothecaries and physicians, fearing a leak of his identity.

“Second, as far as I understand, Master Lu is skilled in health preservation and has unique expertise in regulating, nourishing, and repairing hidden ailments. In this field, Master Lu is definitely not inferior to a renowned physician.”

Wang Feng had come to Lu Chang’an out of necessity, and also because of 沈碧心’s recommendation.

“I see,” Lu Chang’an said, not surprised.

Over the years, his medical skills in nourishing and regulating had been discovered by those who were interested.

沈碧心 had been healed by Lu Chang’an, and at that time, she had an intuitive feeling that his medical skills were extraordinary.

Furthermore, Mu Bingyun and Xia Wenyue had both benefited from Lu Chang’an’s long-term nourishment and regulation.

However, this type of nourishment and regulation often took decades, a long time.

Even if it eventually succeeded, the surrounding cultivators wouldn’t be overly surprised.

Certain celestial spiritual materials or third-order apothecaries could also achieve this, and with a faster effect.

This ability was limited and didn’t hold strategic significance. In the eyes of the powerful factions, it wasn’t as attractive as a highly skilled alchemist or formation master.

…

“Mr. Wang, your condition is quite complex. I need to take your pulse and gain a deeper understanding.”

Lu Chang’an quickly assumed the role of a physician.

Wang Feng trusted him and readily allowed him to examine him, answering his questions about his condition without reservation.

“Mr. Wang’s illness seems to have been neglected for several years, and it wasn’t treated promptly?”

Lu Chang’an frowned slightly after taking Wang Feng’s pulse.

“Yes! During those years, I lost my storage bag and was impoverished, without spirit pills or elixirs, so my injuries and illness were delayed for several years.”

Wang Feng couldn’t help but hold Lu Chang’an in higher esteem.

He hadn’t told 沈碧心 about these details, so there was no collusion.

Of course, Wang Feng didn’t know that Lu Chang’an had interacted with him at this inn in another identity.

Lost his storage bag?

Lu Chang’an was moved. His previous question was a test.

As the grandson of an elder at the peak of the Core Formation stage, Wang Feng’s escape to a neighboring country likely involved the transfer of some of Elder Wang’s assets.

Lu Chang’an had been at the peak of the Core Formation stage in his previous life and knew how abundant the wealth of someone at this level was.

A powerful elder in a Nascent Soul stage sect, even if they were of the same cultivation level, would have at least several times the wealth of Lu Chang’an in his previous life.

This was the difference in the platform they were on.

The comprehensive gap in wealth, foundation, and inheritance made Lu Chang’an realize in his previous life that he couldn’t defeat an elder of the same cultivation level from a Nascent Soul stage sect.

“Even if Wang Feng carried only a tenth of Elder Wang’s wealth, it would surpass that of ordinary True Core cultivators. The demonic cult’s pursuit of him back then had a reason…”

In fact, Wang Feng had hidden his storage bag in a secret place when he was on the verge of being hunted down, not wanting to leave it to the demonic cult.

After hiding for several years, the danger subsided, he recovered some cultivation, and retrieved his storage bag.

“Master Lu, is my condition very serious?”

Wang Feng looked at Lu Chang’an’s solemn expression. Even as a direct disciple of Li Huo Gong, he was worried and nervous.

A high-grade spiritual root was considered good for most cultivators.

But Wang Feng, a prodigy, aimed to reach the Golden Core stage and even the Nascent Soul stage as his lifelong goal.

Even if he couldn’t form a complete Golden Core, he needed to at least touch that threshold, striving to condense the Golden Core Dao rhyme during his Core Formation.

“Due to the delay in treatment and the lack of timely cure, it has led to damage to the dantian, leaving behind subtle, destructive injuries…”

Lu Chang’an said solemnly.

He didn’t want to understate the severity of the condition, fearing he wouldn’t be able to justify the value of the third-order high-grade spiritual bamboo.

In reality, Wang Feng’s condition wasn’t that serious, better than Lu Chang’an had anticipated.

He suspected that after retrieving his storage bag, Wang Feng had consumed some valuable celestial spiritual materials.

With a third-order renowned physician, it could be cured within ten years. If combined with suitable third-order spirit medicines, the progress could be accelerated by several tenths.

“Master Lu, as long as you can help me recover, in addition to the reward of the third-order spiritual bamboo and the intelligence. Wang will owe you a favor.”

“A favor?”

Lu Chang’an actually hoped for something more direct.

After all, not everyone was as upright and honorable as him.

“In the future, if I become a high-ranking official in Li Huo Gong, this promise will still be valid.”

Wang Feng said with confidence.

Lu Chang’an thought to himself, this kid knows how to make promises.

If it were normal times, with Wang Feng’s talent and background, becoming a high-ranking elder in Li Huo Gong was almost predictable.

But now, the war in Liang Guo was raging, and Li Huo Gong itself was struggling to survive.

Of course, a Nascent Soul stage sect like Li Huo Gong, even if defeated, couldn’t be completely wiped out.

Lu Chang’an had achieved his goal of getting the third-order high-grade spiritual bamboo, and getting an uncertain favor was also acceptable.

…

Two hours later, Lu Chang’an’s hand withdrew from Wang Feng’s waist.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, his face pale, appearing to be depleted of vital energy.

“Master Lu, you’ve worked hard.”

Wang Feng felt a little bit sorry for Lu Chang’an, and there was respect in his tone.

He had to admit that Lu Chang’an’s nourishment and regulation had an effect.

When he moved his energy and power, the slight blockage he felt in the dantian lake of energy had eased slightly compared to before.

This time, Lu Chang’an didn’t consume lifespan and use the Everlasting Secret Technique.

The Everlasting energy itself was excellent for healing, suitable for nourishing. As his cultivation and lifespan increased, its effectiveness gradually improved.

Lu Chang’an pretended to be using a secret technique, showing a large loss of vital energy.

In reality, the Everlasting energy had a long and durable energy pathway, known for its endurance. Even after two hours of energy manipulation, he felt very relaxed.

“Mr. Wang, I will divide the ‘Transcendent Spiritual Bamboo’ in half, and this is your half in advance.”

Seeing the effect of the treatment, Wang Feng took out a nine-foot long, half-section of indigo-colored spiritual bamboo, about the thickness of a human arm.

Lu Chang’an took the half section of ‘Transcendent Spiritual Bamboo’, identified it briefly, and confirmed that its spiritual nature met the standard. He could cultivate it with the Everlasting energy.

“Master Lu, how long will it take for me to fully recover?”

Wang Feng asked anxiously.

His current cultivation level hadn’t yet recovered to his peak at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

“Normally, it would take ten years. However, using secret techniques will lead to vital energy depletion, and I can only use the technique once a year without affecting my cultivation.”

“If combined with several third-order spirit medicines I mentioned, the progress can be accelerated.”

Lu Chang’an also wanted to cure Wang Feng quickly and get the full reward.

He could simply consume lifespan and use the Everlasting Secret Technique to finish it off in a day.

However, that would be too over-the-top!

Even a third-order renowned apothecary wouldn’t be able to do that.

Moreover, as a direct disciple of Li Huo Gong, Wang Feng was a discerning person.

Rushing to use the Everlasting Secret Technique might make him see something.

Maybe Wang Feng wouldn’t see anything, but behind him was Elder Wang, a peak Core Formation cultivator, with even sharper perception.

Therefore, Lu Chang’an could only be patient and take several years of treatment.

“How about we set the place for our annual appointments at the Seeking Immortals Manor Inn, unless there are any sudden circumstances.”

Mr. Wang suggested.

“Okay.” Lu Chang’an didn’t object.

Seeking Immortals Manor was the most luxurious inn in Yunyan Immortal City, with good security and privacy.

Every year, he would come here to buy resources and occasionally discuss Dao with Han Yu Zhenren from the Snowy Fox Merchant Guild.

…

Before parting ways.

Wang Feng finally revealed the important intelligence:

“At most three years, the war in the Liang Guo cultivation world will definitely end!”

Hearing this, Lu Chang’an couldn’t help but be moved.

In the Liang Guo cultivation battlefield, the Jin Yang Zong faction had a clear advantage, gradually eating away at the spiritual veins and Dao grounds.

However, Li Huo Gong had a deep foundation, and with its geographical advantages and fourth-order grand array, it was difficult to break through directly.

As long as they couldn’t take down Li Huo Gong, the Jin Yang Zong faction wouldn’t be able to truly conquer Liang Guo.

Lu Chang’an had experienced a cultivation war in his previous life.

A certain Nascent Soul sect had been defending its mountain gate for decades with a fourth-order grand array, using up a vast amount of spirit stones, before it was finally broken through.

But now, Wang Feng was telling him that the Liang Guo war would definitely end within three years.

“How will the war in the Liang Guo cultivation world end?”

Lu Chang’an asked curiously.

However, Wang Feng didn’t reveal the truth. Maybe even he wasn’t entirely clear.

He was just certain that the war would end within three years.

Lu Chang’an guessed that the source of the information was Li Huo Gong.

Li Huo Gong must have planted spies in Jing Guo. Wang Feng only needed to uncover a bit of information, which he could use to his advantage in the Jing Guo cultivation world.

Three days later.

Qing Sha Bay, Autumn Wind Island.

Lu Chang’an received the latest intelligence about the war in the Liang Guo cultivation world from the young master of the Summer clan.

“Golden Cloud Valley has surrendered to the Jin Yang Zong faction?”

Apart from this major event, the overall situation hadn’t changed much compared to the previous years.

True, Jin Yang Zong had occupied two-thirds of the spiritual veins and Dao grounds in Liang Guo.

But occupying territory required stabilizing the rear, which took up a lot of manpower.

“From the intelligence, Golden Cloud Valley’s surrender was actually treated favorably. Not only did Jin Yang Zong not slaughter or plunder, not disrupt the existing order, they even didn’t force Golden Cloud Valley to turn against Li Huo Gong.”

Lu Chang’an sighed in relief, secretly feeling anxious for the Zhao Siyao master and disciple in Golden Cloud Valley.

Based on his experience in his previous life, he believed that Golden Cloud Valley had probably remained neutral through negotiations, not siding with either side.

Why was Jin Yang Zong so tolerant and merciful?

Lu Chang’an couldn’t figure it out at this moment. He only learned the truth later.

…

Half a year later.

The Five Happiness Merchant Guild received good news.

Clan Chief Xia Hongyu returned to the Qing Sha Bay clan territory.

This True Core cultivator was like a stabilizing force, calming the hearts of the Xia clan members.

Lu Chang’an soon received news: a few days ago, Xia Hongyu had agreed to a duel with a True Core cultivator from the New Moon Merchant Guild, and he had won without a doubt.

The New Moon Merchant Guild had two True Core cultivators. The one who fought was a young and vigorous cultivator who had reached the stage in the last thirty years, not a weakling.

The reason for the duel was that the two merchant guilds’ businesses and industries had been constantly rubbing against each other due to disputes over interests, resulting in casualties of over ten people.

At this point, the Merchant Alliance intervened to mediate.

It didn’t matter who started it or who was in the right.

Actually, the New Moon Merchant Guild had always been the one to initiate provocations, using many shady means to suppress and seize the Five Happiness Merchant Guild’s assets.

However, within the Merchant Alliance, unless there was irrefutable evidence or a significant impact, the Merchant Alliance Elders would always settle things by compromise.

Both sides would be given a slap on the wrist, and the victim would naturally suffer a disadvantage.

The New Moon Merchant Guild took advantage of this.

The Five Happiness Merchant Guild disagreed with the outcome of the mediation and filed a protest.

Within the Merchant Alliance, many disputed conflicts were difficult to determine.

To reduce casualties, there was a method of martial combat to decide the allocation of benefits. Both sides only needed to send representatives of the same cultivation level.

Normally, the top battle power of both sides wouldn’t participate.

Unexpectedly, the True Core cultivator from the New Moon Merchant Guild was confident and challenged Xia Hongyu.

Xia Hongyu hadn’t had any outstanding battle achievements during his youthful prime. In recent decades, he had been focusing on cultivating and nurturing himself, and the outside world believed that he was old and worn out, a mediocre fighter.

As a result, Xia Hongyu’s strength exceeded external expectations. He easily won, demonstrating his might!

He had salvaged some benefits for the clan.

Afterwards, he took action to rectify the internal affairs of the Five Happiness Merchant Guild, giving up some of the control to the Xin clan, stabilizing the volatile situation.

The Xin clan didn’t actually want to split off.

Their ambiguous attitude was to seek greater benefits from both sides.

Moreover, if there were no new True Core cultivators within the Xia clan, they could slowly wait for Xia Hongyu to die and then control the merchant guild.

“Clan Chief Xia, you have brought honor to our cultivators who practice the Way of Health Preservation.”

Lu Chang’an was quite impressed with Xia Hongyu’s performance.

After Xia Hongyu returned from the battle, he secretly observed him and found that he hadn’t been injured, only a slight loss of vital energy.

Actually, cultivators who practiced the Way of Health Preservation were often not outstanding in battle strength.

But they cultivated and nurtured themselves, lived longer than others, and accumulated reserves, so they would eventually produce some strong individuals.

“The New Moon Merchant Guild’s challenge should have just been a test of the Clan Chief’s true strength. Having suffered a loss this time, the New Moon Merchant Guild won’t give up easily…”

Those who were insightful within the Xia clan saw the purpose of the New Moon Merchant Guild’s challenge.

…

Several months after the Clan Chief’s return.

Qing Sha Bay received another piece of good news.

The young master of the Xia clan had successfully advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage without relying on breakthrough pills.

The Xia clan held a feast to celebrate.

The young master of the Xia clan’s advancement to the late Foundation Establishment stage was before the age of one hundred, even a little earlier than Zhao Siyao at that time.

This meant that he would have the potential to achieve True Core. With the support of the clan, achieving the False Core wouldn’t be too difficult.

Therefore, the Xin clan’s plan to wait for the Clan Chief to die and then control the merchant guild would be difficult to succeed.

The young master’s crucial advancement attracted a lot of attention.

Few clan members paid attention to the fact that Xia Wenyue on Autumn Wind Island had already reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Within three years, Xia Wenyue had advanced from the eighth level of Qi Refinement to the ninth level.

To be precise, it only took two and a half years.

This was still the result of Lu Chang’an asking Xia Wenyue to slow down a bit, so it was announced to the outside world as three years.

Such cultivation speed was normal for an Earth Spiritual Root, so Lu Chang’an wasn’t surprised.

The Spiritual Qi sensitivity of a low-grade spiritual root was between twenty and forty.

The Spiritual Qi sensitivity of an Earth Spiritual Root was over eighty.

In the early stages of cultivation, it was normal for an Earth Spiritual Root to be twice as fast as an ordinary aptitude.

A secret can’t be kept forever.

Xia Wenyue’s stunning beauty and ninth level of Qi Refinement cultivation were like a beautiful jade, gradually attracting the attention of more and more cultivators within the clan.

It’s worth noting that Xia Wenyue was only thirty-five or six years old.

If it hadn’t been for the influence of her weak constitution and strange illness, at this rate, she could have reached the Foundation Establishment stage before the age of forty, comparable to some elites within the sects.

…

“Wenyue, can you please not be so cold? Even when you’re cold, you’re still as beautiful as an ice fairy.”

“As long as you agree to go to the Lantern Festival on the sixth day of the sixth month, I, Xia Yuanjing, won’t bother you again. Among our peers in the clan, we are the ones with the highest seniority. Others can’t compare.”

On the outskirts of Autumn Wind Island, a young man with fair skin and a round face had a smile on his face as he gazed at Xia Wenyue, who was busy in the medicinal garden.

The girl in a plain white dress had a slender waist, a snowy face as tranquil as a painting, and a trace of blue smoke seemed to surround her brows, giving her a poetic and classical beauty.

Gazing at that beautiful figure as graceful as poetry, Xia Yuanjing’s heart was captivated, and his throat moved.

Throughout the Xia clan, and even the entire Five Happiness Merchant Guild, there was no other cultivator whose beauty and temperament could match hers.

More importantly, Xia Wenyue seemed to have stabilized her condition, smoothly advancing to the late Qi Refinement stage in recent years, all the way to the ninth level.

Due to her physical condition, Xia Wenyue might not be able to reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

But a ninth-level Qi Refinement beauty was enough to attract the attention of some Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Xia Yuanjing was also at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, about a decade older than Xia Wenyue, and he was the son of a Foundation Establishment elder.

He thought to himself that marrying a sickly Qi Refinement cultivator was a good deal for her.

In a cultivation clan like the Xia clan, as long as they weren’t siblings, even close cousins, it was normal for clan members of the same surname to marry.

The clan didn’t want its excellent female cultivators to leave.

“Xia Yuanjing, if you don’t leave, I will tell Master Lu.”

Xia Wenyue said coldly.

In recent months, there had been quite a few clan members who had come to Autumn Wind Island under the guise of purchasing supplies, trying to get close to her and pursue her.

“Master Lu is a man of peace and generosity. As long as I don’t intrude on his mansion, he won’t blame me.”

Xia Yuanjing chuckled, not afraid of an old good man.

Outside the mansion, Lu Chang’an came out to enjoy the scenery and happened to see this scene from afar.

“Let him cool down.”

Lu Chang’an said expressionlessly.

At over one hundred and fifty-six years old, he didn’t need to bicker with a young man.

“Wenyue… woo…”

Xia Yuanjing suddenly found that he couldn’t speak, a layer of yellow sand spread from under his feet, instantly covering his entire body.

In an instant, a petrified round-faced man appeared on Autumn Wind Island.

“Master Lu, I’m sorry for troubling you.”

Xia Wenyue blushed as she looked at the white-clothed figure in the distance and said softly.

“When a beautiful jade radiates its extraordinary brilliance, similar situations will become commonplace in the future. Within the clan, you need to learn to adapt and respond beforehand.”

Lu Chang’an had expected this, so he didn’t intend to raise Xia Wenyue as a dependent, keeping her tied to him all the time.

Think about it, for over a hundred and fifty years, carrying around such a hot potato would cause countless troubles?

He didn’t mind if Xia Wenyue entered the field of vision of a powerful cultivation faction in the future.

After all, this wasn’t the best place to nurture her.

Lu Chang’an only needed to plant a seed today and harvest the fruits in the future.

The harvest might be uncertain in the future, but his investment was small.

It was better than nurturing her for a hundred years and ultimately working for someone else.

For long-lived beings like him, uncertain blind boxes were a good way to add some fun to life.

(End of Chapter)

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