I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 249

## Chapter 246: The Fall of Liang Guo

Several days later.

Outside the periphery of Autumn Wind Island, a young man with a round face, petrified into a sculpture, stood silently amidst the desolate northern wind.

“Xia Jing Yuan’s life signs are still present, but his flesh and spiritual energy are bound by earth-elemental spells, rendering him immobile.”

Xia Shenglan and a plump, middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator stood before the petrified Xia Jing Yuan.

“Isn’t Lu Chang An’s punishment a bit excessive? Jing Yuan didn’t offend him personally, he was merely pursuing a servant girl on the island. What wrongdoing did he commit?”

The plump, middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator named Xia Guang was Xia Jing Yuan’s father. He was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

Xia Guang’s face was grim. He endured the anger, suppressing his outburst.

Lu Chang An, a Foundation Establishment late-stage, quasi-third-order talisman master, held a high position within the clan.

Xia Guang had come yesterday but was turned away. Lu Chang An had closed himself off to visitors.

The petrifying spell that confined Xia Jing Yuan was highly sophisticated. He dared not act rashly, fearing harm to his son’s life.

“This petrifying spell was likely executed by Daoist Lu’s spirit pet. The Di Yan Shu (Earth Rock Rat) is responsible for the island’s safety. It is, after all, a beast, and may not be aware of the severity of its actions. It’s understandable.”

Xia Shenglan smiled with a pursed lip.

She had a good relationship with Xia Wen Yue in private and did not sympathize with Xia Jing Yuan.

In fact, Xia Shenglan could comprehend Lu Chang An’s intentions.

This petrified sculpture served as a deterrent, a warning to others.

This would prevent chaos and unrest on Autumn Wind Island, allowing Xia Wen Yue to practice peacefully within the clan.

“Shenglan, you have a good relationship with Daoist Lu. Please intercede on our behalf.”

Xia Guang forced a smile on his face.

“Hmm.”

Xia Shenglan did not refuse. Xia Guang was a senior elder in the clan, considerably older than her and of a higher generation.

As soon as the words left her mouth,

“Crack.”

A fissure appeared on Xia Jing Yuan’s petrified body, spreading like a spiderweb.

Within a few breaths, large chunks of sand fell off.

Thump!

Xia Jing Yuan collapsed to the ground, weak and powerless. He was covered in dust and appeared quite pathetic.

“Father…”

“You’ve brought shame upon the family!”

Xia Guang’s face was dark. He waved his hand, gathering Xia Jing Yuan, then stepped on a遁符 (Dun Fu) and flew away from Autumn Wind Island without looking back.

Xia Shenglan was stunned, then shook her head with a smile.

Lu Chang An, considering her feelings, had lifted the spell on Xia Jing Yuan.

After the matter was resolved, Xia Guang didn’t even offer a polite word.

Perhaps he thought that Xia Shenglan was siding with Lu Chang An, as if they were in cahoots.

On that same day,

Xia Guang took his son Xia Jing Yuan to see the patriarch in the Water Curtain Cave, complaining about Lu Chang An.

…

The next day, Patriarch Xia Hong Yu went to Autumn Wind Island personally.

Some clan members believed that Xia Hong Yu was there to defend Xia Guang and his son, to warn Lu Chang An.

On Autumn Wind Island, within the main hall of the mansion,

Lu Chang An and Xia Hong Yu were engaged in lively conversation.

They merely glossed over the matter of Xia Guang and his son, as it wasn’t the main point.

“Children are immature and may have acted rashly. I apologize if Lu Chang An was offended.”

Xia Hong Yu was nearing two hundred and fifty years old, but he appeared to be under forty, thanks to his adeptness in maintaining his health.

He looked like a jade tree, handsome and elegant.

A few days ago, Xia Hong Yu had defeated the Fake Dan Zhen Ren (Fake Dan Master) from the New Moon Trading Company, boosting his prestige within the clan to its peak.

“Where are you going with that? It was my spirit pet who was foolish, and acted too harshly.”

Lu Chang An expressed slight regret, speaking humbly.

In all fairness, Xia Jing Yuan hadn’t committed a major offense. At least he hadn’t offended the Lord of Autumn Wind Island.

For someone with the status of a Foundation Establishment elder’s son, pursuing a servant girl was at most a case of relentless pursuit, nothing outrageous.

This was also the reason why Xia Guang felt aggrieved and stood up for his son.

“Daoist Lu’s medical skills are superb, your methods of nourishing and regulating are exceptional! Wen Yue’s condition has improved significantly, her cultivation is going smoothly, and I am eternally grateful.”

After a while, Xia Hong Yu shifted the conversation to Xia Wen Yue.

Xia Wen Yue, who happened to be brewing a pot of spirit tea, came in and served them both as a servant.

Xia Hong Yu’s eyes revealed a hint of warmth as he looked at her.

Xia Wen Yue was of a higher generation, his grandniece.

Compared to his numerous offspring, Xia Wen Yue enjoyed a certain level of favor. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to remain on Autumn Wind Island, the second-order spiritual vein training ground, until Lu Chang An arrived.

As the patriarch, Xia Hong Yu was the oldest. Many cultivators within the clan were his descendants.

He had many children, so his attention was limited. He couldn’t bestow his care equally on everyone.

Only the outstanding offspring could win his attention.

“Wen Yue is gentle, quiet, hardworking, and enduring. It is simply fate that I treated her.”

Lu Chang An smiled slightly, knowing the real purpose of Xia Hong Yu’s visit.

“Fate, truly a wondrous thing.”

Xia Hong Yu recalled Lu Chang An’s experience of sneaking into Jing Guo.

If it hadn’t been for the Xian Xian Zhan Zheng (Xian Xian War) and a fortunate coincidence, an exceptional talent like Lu Chang An wouldn’t have been available to the Five Blessings Trading Company.

After Xia Wen Yue left,

Xia Hong Yu’s expression became serious, his aged eyes fixed intently on Lu Chang An:

“Daoist Lu, can you inform me about Wen Yue’s condition? Will she be able to advance to Foundation Establishment?”

“Her condition has stabilized, she can attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment within a few years.” Lu Chang An pondered, “However, it will take some time to fully heal the root of her illness.”

“Does Wen Yue possess a special constitution?”

Anticipation flickered in Xia Hong Yu’s eyes as he pressed further.

“Correct, she possesses a Yin-Cold type先天 道体 (Xian Tian Dao Ti, Innate Constitution), her cultivation speed is comparable to that of an Earth Spirit Root.”

Lu Chang An knew he couldn’t hide it from the patriarch, Xia Hong Yu.

In the Five Blessings Trading Company, apart from Xia Wen Yue’s deceased mother, the patriarch was the only one who knew the specifics of her physical symptoms.

After Xia Wen Yue’s condition stabilized, her abnormal cultivation speed was something Xia Hong Yu naturally suspected.

“Excellent! Daoist Lu is truly a blessing for our Five Blessings Trading Company.”

Upon confirmation, Xia Hong Yu, this aged Fake Dan Zhen Ren (Fake Dan Master), couldn’t conceal his excitement.

Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution), while varying in strength, generally surpassed Earth Spirit Roots.

A cultivation speed comparable to an Earth Spirit Root meant that it was stronger.

This was because Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) was not limited to cultivation speed. It often resulted in bonuses to spells and divine powers, and sometimes even bestowed special innate abilities.

Tuo Ba Jin, back in the day, could challenge Fake Dan Zhen Ren (Fake Dan Master) despite being at a lower level. This was due to his Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution).

The Xian Xian Jie (Xian Xian World) is vast and ancient, Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) types are numerous, Lu Chang An did not disclose the specific type at this moment.

“We’ll do our best to keep Wen Yue’s Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) a secret. We’ll claim that her aptitude is a top-tier, superior Spirit Root.”

Xia Hong Yu and Lu Chang An quickly reached an agreement.

…

Next, they discussed Xia Wen Yue’s future plans.

On this point, Xia Hong Yu and Lu Chang An had a difference of opinion.

Xia Hong Yu wanted to keep Xia Wen Yue in Qing Sha Wan (Clear Sand Bay) to cultivate her.

A Fake Dan-level Xian Xian family, with access to the resources of a trading company, the Xia clan had the ability to cultivate Xia Wen Yue into a Zhen Dan (True Dan) cultivator.

If Xia Wen Yue could form a Zhen Dan (True Dan), the secret of her Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) would pose little risk.

A Zhen Dan (True Dan) level Xia Wen Yue would lead the Five Blessings Trading Company to glory.

However, Lu Chang An believed that keeping Xia Wen Yue within the Xia clan would affect her future ceiling.

However, as a non-clan affiliated retainer, he wouldn’t dare to openly oppose the patriarch.

Xia Hong Yu certainly understood the reasoning.

Xia Wen Yue was only in her thirties. Compared to the long lifespan of a Dan Jie (Dan Formation) and Nascent Soul (Nascent Soul), her life was short.

If she were to go to a larger stage, as a mere woman, her future relationships would inevitably become distant, and ultimately she would no longer belong to the Xia clan.

“Daoist Lu, you have rebuilt Wen Yue. I am willing to make the decision. After Wen Yue reaches Foundation Establishment, I will facilitate a marriage between the two of you!”

Xia Hong Yu’s eyes shone, and he dropped this bombshell.

Lu Chang An was taken aback. After pondering for a moment, he saw through the old geezer’s calculations.

“Thank you for your kindness, Patriarch Xia. I am not worthy of a peerless gem like Wen Yue with her Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution). Moreover, I have my own plans for the future. I won’t be staying in Jing Guo forever.”

To say that Lu Chang An wasn’t tempted would be a lie.

To marry a stunning female cultivator with a Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution), to create a glorious family together, while also benefiting future Nascent Soul (Nascent Soul) advancement… it was tempting.

However, Lu Chang An didn’t want to be a nanny, a doctor for Xia Wen Yue, working tirelessly for the Xia clan, providing protection and support.

If Xia Wen Yue remained with the Xia clan, her growth would inevitably involve risks.

The secret of her Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) would be difficult to hide for long.

Major powers would inevitably put pressure, attempting to marry her into their own families.

By facilitating a marriage between Lu Chang An and Xia Wen Yue, the patriarch would preemptively block the path of arranged marriage, while also retaining a brilliant talent.

Xia Hong Yu had a keen eye. From Lu Chang An’s past experiences, he had picked up on certain clues, recognizing that Lu Chang An was not ordinary.

Keeping him around would be equivalent to gaining another Fake Dan Zhen Ren (Fake Dan Master).

By tying Lu Chang An to the Xia clan, sharing the risks together, they could increase their chances of success.

“Daoist Lu, if you are unwilling to marry Wen Yue, can you take her as your disciple?”

Seeing that Lu Chang An was firm in his decision, Xia Hong Yu conceded, opting for a second-best option.

A disciple?

Lu Chang An hesitated.

After Xia Wen Yue showcased her brilliance, it was inappropriate for her to remain a servant on Autumn Wind Island. It was a demeaning situation for her.

“Taking a Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) as a disciple involves karmic entanglement, it’s a double-edged sword, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks in most cases.”

“However, this girl’s Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution) contains the potential for Nascent Soul (Nascent Soul) level advancement, making her a special case…”

Lu Chang An’s thoughts raced, and he quickly made a decision.

“I am not qualified to teach a Xian Tian Dao Ti (Innate Constitution). I can only take her as a ‘记名弟子 (Ji Ming Di Zi, Registered Disciple), a mere formality.”

“Registered Disciple?”

While not ideal, Xia Hong Yu had to accept this.

Lu Chang An possessed the means to repair Xia Wen Yue’s illness, and his true strength was not simple. The patriarch was doing everything he could to establish a connection between them.

For the sake of this connection, Lu Chang An might eventually provide some protection to the young Xia Wen Yue.

…

In the following month, news of Xia Wen Yue’s exceptional, top-tier Spirit Root aptitude spread throughout the Xia clan in Qing Sha Wan (Clear Sand Bay).

Due to the need for nourishing and regulating, as well as returning the favor, Xia Wen Yue stayed on Autumn Wind Island, becoming Lu Chang An’s registered disciple.

Given Xia Wen Yue’s aptitude and beauty, it was bold of Lu Chang An to take her as a registered disciple.

Such a talent would be sought after as a direct disciple by Zhen Dan (True Dan) cultivators.

Lu Chang An announced to the outside world that Xia Wen Yue was mainly learning medical arts, alchemy, and other skills from him, not a true master-disciple relationship.

Xia Wen Yue had studied pharmacology since childhood, and Lu Chang An had stabilized her condition. This explanation was plausible.

In Xian Xian sects, there were often elite disciples who wanted to learn a Xian Xian hundred arts in addition to their main practice, choosing to be a registered disciple under a certain master.

This form of non-transmission registration did not affect the orthodox master-disciple relationship in Xian Xian cultivation.

Lu Chang An was quite satisfied with this simple registration.

Firstly, it prevented him from becoming too deeply entangled in Xia Wen Yue’s affairs, avoiding future risks.

Secondly, if Xia Wen Yue developed malicious intentions in the future, she wouldn’t dare to betray her master, or face public scorn.

The registration was informal, but it was a title nonetheless.

Furthermore, Lu Chang An had made Xia Wen Yue swear a heart demon oath: the Tai Yin Yu Ye (Great Yin Jade Liquid) could only be given to him, and this agreement could not be disclosed to anyone else.

“Cannot be disclosed to anyone else” was crucial.

In reality, Lu Chang An deeply admired Xia Wen Yue’s character and believed she wouldn’t betray him in the future.

However, the fruits of the future were too tempting, and the time involved was so long.

For the sake of caution, Lu Chang An took precautions: better safe than sorry.

…

Nearly a year flew by.

The birth of a stunning, talented female cultivator in the Qing Sha Wan (Clear Sand Bay) Xia clan was no longer news in the surrounding areas.

After reaching the ninth level of Qi Refinement, Xia Wen Yue’s cultivation continued to progress at an amazing speed.

From the ninth level of Qi Refinement to peak Qi Refinement, it would likely take her only two years.

Even after a year of strengthening her cultivation, Xia Wen Yue had the conditions to attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment.

To avoid being too conspicuous,

Lu Chang An and the patriarch discussed preparing Xia Wen Yue for a further year or two of consolidation, to make her condition as perfect as possible.

After all, Xia Wen Yue was still young, she would definitely reach Foundation Establishment before the age of forty.

Xia Wen Yue had been delayed in her cultivation progress due to her illness during her youth.

If she had been in a major Xian Xian sect, a talented Earth Spirit Root, with focused training, would typically reach Foundation Establishment around the age of thirty.

One day,

Lu Chang An finished his routine practice and started nurturing the talisman treasures.

In the cultivation chamber, sixty-odd talisman treasures, radiating light and powerful spiritual fluctuations, floated before Lu Chang An.

Sixty-odd talisman treasures were close to the limit he could nurture at the same time.

Any more and it would be slightly challenging, or he would have to nurture them in batches, wasting time and energy.

The power of these talisman treasures had essentially reached the level of low-grade third-order, and a few talisman treasures made with third-order materials could be considered mid-grade third-order.

The stronger Lu Chang An’s spiritual energy, the faster he could nurture them.

Once exceeding the material limit, the speed would slow down significantly.

“These talisman treasures, the initial talisman blanks, weren’t even third-order.”

“If I were to directly nurture third-order talisman blanks, the ceiling would be higher. In the future, nurturing third-order, high-grade talisman treasures would be a breeze.”

Lu Chang An turned his hand and took out two pieces of third-order spirit wood.

One section was a third-order, mid-grade spirit wood kept in Liang Guo.

The other half was the reward he received from Young Master Wang, a third-order, high-grade “通幽灵竹 (Tong You Ling Zhu, Spirit Bamboo that Penetrates the Obstacles).”

Theoretically, third-order, high-grade spirit wood could be used to make third-order, high-grade talisman papers.

This corresponded to the level of a late-stage Zhen Dan (True Dan) cultivator.

However, Lu Chang An’s divine consciousness and spiritual energy were far from this level.

Especially his spiritual energy, its quality was insufficient to draw third-order talismans.

Moreover, talisman blanks had even higher requirements for refining.

Talisman masters were not the same as array masters.

Array masters borrowed the power of Heaven and Earth, as long as they had high aptitude, theoretically they could become third-order array masters in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Talisman masters drawing talismans had requirements for both divine consciousness and spiritual energy.

“With the help of spiritual energy-boosting elixirs, my spiritual energy can reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, even touch the threshold of Fake Dan (Fake Dan).”

“Even so, refining talisman treasures using third-order, mid-grade spirit wood would still result in a significant downgrade.”

“Third-order, mid-grade would degrade to third-order, low-grade. Third-order, high-grade would be too much of a gap, and might even degrade to below third-order, mid-grade.”

After much deliberation, Lu Chang An felt it wasn’t cost-effective.

If the Earth Rock Rat hadn’t advanced, he would have considered it.

But now, Lu Chang An’s self-preservation abilities were strong. He had a True Dan (True Dan) level spirit beast guardian and over sixty third-order talisman treasures.

“There’s another method, to have the second life’s soul shadow descend. At that time, my soul and divine consciousness would be comparable to a peak Dan Jie (Dan Formation) cultivator, reaching the peak state of my second life.”

Lu Chang An’s consciousness entered the Jiu Yin Bei (Nine Seal Tablet).

The handsome young man from the first life, still bright, resided in the topmost frame.

The second frame, representing the white-bearded old man from his previous life, glowed brightly, radiating a peak late-stage Dan Jie (Dan Formation) soul aura, exuding a terrifying sense of oppression.

The third frame, representing Lu Chang An, the man in white, was still not complete and flickered with light.

In the corner of the fourth blank frame, a small white area had lit up, appearing extremely out of place.

This was the fragment of the “百宿魂蛊 (Bai Su Hun Gu, Hundred Night Soul Gu)” he had devoured earlier. The small lit-up area was very conspicuous.

Lu Chang An had theorized that if he could fully illuminate the fourth frame, he might be able to unlock new abilities of the Jiu Yin Bei (Nine Seal Tablet).

For example, could he independently control a new life cycle?

Unfortunately, he had never encountered another “Bai Su Hun Gu (Hundred Night Soul Gu)” fragment like that high-quality nutrient. He hadn’t found any other substitutes for now.

“The second life’s soul shadow descends once every ten years. Would it be too wasteful to use it just for drawing talismans?”

Lu Chang An weighed his options.

Over the past hundred years, with his steady management and not too bad luck, he had never used the strongest trump card: the second life’s soul descent.

Now, with the Earth Rock Rat becoming a spirit beast and possessing a large number of third-order talisman treasures, the second life’s descent could only be considered one of his strongest trump cards.

The second life’s descent was mainly a leap in the soul, it wouldn’t truly make him comparable to a late-stage Dan Jie (Dan Formation) cultivator.

Its effect was best against soul-based attacks.

It would also be effective against early and mid-stage Zhen Dan (True Dan) cultivators. Beyond that, it would be quite useless.

…

A year later, Lu Chang An was over one hundred and fifty-eight years old.

Xia Wen Yue’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement, but it wasn’t made public.

The patriarch was secretly preparing Foundation Establishment resources for her.

The substandard Foundation Establishment pill Lu Chang An had prepared probably wouldn’t be needed.

“One hundred and fifty-eight years old… the war will end within three years, as Young Master Wang said. Three years have already passed.”

Lu Chang An stood with his hands behind his back on the rooftop, looking towards the eastern direction of Jing Guo.

Using his previous life’s rudimentary art of “望气 (Wang Qi, Looking at Qi),”

Perhaps due to the long distance, he didn’t gain any results.

“Mister Lu, this is the latest war report from the trading company regarding Liang Guo.”

Xia Wen Yue, calm and serene, as graceful as the wind, landed in front of Lu Chang An, handing him a jade slip.

Nominally, Xia Wen Yue was Lu Chang An’s registered disciple, but she still addressed him as “Mister Lu”, leaning more towards a doctor-patient relationship.

This was Lu Chang An’s request.

He was afraid that if he truly considered Xia Wen Yue as his disciple, he wouldn’t be able to muster the courage to take the Tai Yin Yu Ye (Great Yin Jade Liquid) from her in the future.

“Hopefully the war will end, and peace will be restored in the Xian Xian Jie (Xian Xian World)…”

Lu Chang An held the jade slip between his fingers, his divine consciousness examining the war intelligence.

As it was cross-border intelligence, the information had a delay of a few months.

“What! Li Huo Gong (Li Huo Palace) has been breached?”

Lu Chang An was shocked, his fingers trembled.

“The Supreme Elder of Li Huo Gong (Li Huo Palace), ‘离火上人 (Li Huo Shang Ren, Li Huo Upper One),’ faced off against ‘六阳真君 (Liu Yang Zhen Jun, Six Yang True Master)’ from Jin Yang Zong (Golden Sun Sect), in a thrilling duel. In the end, Li Huo Shang Ren (Li Huo Upper One) was defeated, his life or death unknown!”

“Li Huo Gong (Li Huo Palace) was overrun by Jin Yang Zong (Golden Sun Sect) from Feng Guo (Feng Country), leading to its disintegration. The Nascent Soul (Nascent Soul) level sect that had ruled Liang Guo’s Xian Xian world for ten thousand years may become a relic of the past…”

Lu Chang An couldn’t believe his eyes, he almost thought this was false war intelligence.

There were several points in this information that he didn’t understand.

Young Master Wang had said: the Xian Xian war in Liang Guo would end within three years.

The information was correct, the war did end.

Feng Guo’s (Feng Country) Jin Yang Zong (Golden Sun Sect) had breached Xuan Yin Ge (Mysterious Yin Pavilion), forced Jin Yun Gu (Golden Cloud Valley) to submit, and now had conquered Liang Guo’s highest authority, Li Huo Gong (Li Huo Palace).

This meant that the entire Liang Guo Xian Xian world had essentially been occupied and destroyed by a sect from another country.

(End of Chapter)

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