I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 254

## Chapter 251: Second Life Descends

Half an hour later, Lu Chang’an ended the interrogation using the Soul-Binding technique.

Xing Peng’s memories concerning the Wu Jian Men’s confidential information were locked by a restriction, preventing him from revealing them. Even so, the glimpse Lu Chang’an received was terrifying.

“At most, in ten years, the six major Demon Sects will invade the surrounding cultivation nations.”

This piece of information was Xing Peng’s personal judgment, and the actual situation wouldn’t deviate too much. Because, the Demon Sects’ invasion targets were always infiltrated beforehand by the Wu Jian Men to gather intelligence, instigate defections, and secure inside men.

The surrounding cultivation nations of Feng Guo had been infiltrated by the Wu Jian Men for years.

Xing Peng emerged from the Soul-Binding state, opening his eyes. “I… Mr. Lu! Are you done interrogating?”

“Yes. Lu has learned that you decided on this mission yourself, without reporting to the Shadow Pavilion Master?”

“That’s right! You were only one on a long list of targets. I planned to report my achievements to my cousin after completing the task.”

“However, I had two Foundation Establishment subordinates who helped me gather information about you. They might have suspected something, but they weren’t certain.”

Xing Peng’s two Foundation Establishment subordinates were very busy, they were the ones who actually did things.

Within seven days, as long as Xing Peng didn’t die or send a message for help, the other cultivators in the Shadow Pavilion wouldn’t be alerted.

In light of this, Lu Chang’an changed his mind.

Joining the Wu Jian Men, using Lu Chang’an’s identity was unnecessary.

If it was leaked later, and the local sects knew, he wouldn’t have a foothold in the surrounding cultivation nations.

Therefore, the safest method was to create an alias.

Or, simply control Xing Peng.

At the same time, Lu Chang’an could use his Hundred-Illusion Mask to mimic Xing Peng’s identity and aura. Unless someone was extremely familiar with him, it would be difficult to detect the difference.

Xing Peng was not a high-ranking member of the Wu Jian Men, but his status as a “香主” (Incense Master) made him a mid-level cadre who could acquire a lot of intelligence.

His cousin, the Shadow Pavilion Master, had reached the mid-stage of Core Formation and was a rising star in the Wu Jian Men. He was considered one of the three major figures in Jing Guo.

…

After confirming the plan, only one problem remained.

How to securely control Xing Peng.

Xing Peng was, after all, a False Core Realm cultivator. Though he might be boastful, his ability as a spy was excellent.

Ordinary False Core Realm cultivators were no match for him.

Among the False Core Realm cultivators Lu Chang’an knew, only Xiang Jinglong and Master Tan were comparable in strength.

Lu Chang’an pondered for a long time and felt it was difficult.

Impose a Mind Demon Oath? He was a False Core Realm cultivator. If he wasn’t ambitious, the Mind Demon Oath wouldn’t hold much restraint.

Set a restriction?

Lu Chang’an’s cultivation was at the late-stage of Foundation Establishment. His spiritual sense was comparable to a False Core Realm cultivator. The restrictions he could set would be False Core level, at most, with some clever techniques.

Xing Peng’s cousin would be capable of breaking such restrictions.

Use poison to control him?

Lu Chang’an didn’t have such powerful poisons. The only expired poison he had could barely exert the strength of a third-grade poison.

Moreover, the Wu Jian Men were extremely skilled in using poisons, using them to control death warriors or peripheral members.

Xing Peng was a true member of the Wu Jian Men with strong connections. He naturally wouldn’t receive the treatment of a death warrior.

“It seems like only the Second Life can provide a secure solution.”

Several years ago, Lu Chang’an obtained a third-grade, high-quality “幽灵竹” (Spiritual Bamboo). He had considered allowing his Second Life’s soul shadow to descend and possess it to refine a third-grade treasure talisman.

The Second Life’s descent, which occurred once every ten years, was one of his crucial lifelines, making him hesitate.

“A hundred years ago, my first life’s soul, at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, descended. Its duration was quite short.”

“My second life reached the peak of Core Formation. How many times stronger is it? Its duration will definitely be much longer.”

This meant that Lu Chang’an’s Second Life’s descent would allow him to do many things in a considerable amount of time.

He could not only draw treasure talismans in his peak state but also plant restrictions on Xing Peng.

The soul power of a peak Core Formation cultivator, planted as a restriction in his sea of consciousness, would be difficult to break for anyone below the Nascent Soul Realm.

Only then could Xing Peng truly be subdued.

“Mr. Lu, when will you send me back? I need to report back.”

“If you are not at ease, I am willing to swear an oath, allow you to plant restrictions, use any means you want. Besides, I have some leverage within the Wu Jian Men that I can give you…”

Xing Peng expressed his strong desire to survive, his face beaming with a smile.

This was the most dangerous moment. After Lu Chang’an had extracted the information, he still had the option to kill him.

“No hurry, wait half a day. Lu will invite a Core Formation senior to plant a restriction on you. Then, Lu will feel at ease letting you report back.”

Lu Chang’an smiled mysteriously and waved his hand, absorbing the crimson powder from Xing Peng’s body.

“A Core Formation senior?”

Xing Peng was full of doubts, watching Lu Chang’an’s departing figure.

The information Lu Chang’an possessed didn’t mention any Core Formation connections. The best of his friends were at most at the early stage of True Core.

…

Moments later.

Lu Chang’an arrived at the bottom of the deep pool behind the mansion through an underground tunnel.

He rode a “玄水龟” (Mysterious Water Turtle), navigating a dozen meters through the water, maintaining a distance from the underwater stone house where the “玄木葫藤” (Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine) was located.

Not far away, the “地岩鼠” (Earth Rock Rat) watched curiously.

Earlier, the master had called him over, wondering what was up.

Lu Chang’an closed his eyes and contacted his Second Life through his spiritual sense.

Boom!

The second box-seal on the “九印碑” (Nine-Seal Stele) – the soul shadow of the white-bearded elder suddenly separated and possessed the body of this life.

In an instant, a terrifying spiritual pressure surged from Lu Chang’an.

At the bottom of the deep pool, the waves surged, forming a vortex-shaped vacuum zone around Lu Chang’an.

The Mysterious Water Turtle trembled, not daring to make a sound.

The Earth Rock Rat not far away, its eyes wide, momentarily stunned, showing a look of awe.

At this moment, the spiritual pressure emanating from Lu Chang’an reached the peak of Core Formation, even surpassing those at the same level.

His aura also changed, exuding an air of age, stability, and twilight.

It lasted for a moment, then the terrifying spiritual pressure gradually subsided.

Fortunately, this was a deep pool, with a formation to block it, preventing it from alarming the cultivators in Qing Sha Wan.

“The soul shadow of my past life descended, merging with the body of this life, ‘spiritual and flesh as one.’ There’s no rejection at all.”

Lu Chang’an activated the “长青功” (Evergreen Technique). His aura gradually returned to its original tranquil and serene state, as calm as a still pond.

Even without the strength of a quasi-third-grade body refinement, this life’s body could endure the merging of the soul shadow.

Normally, when higher-level cultivators seize possession of a body, there’s some degree of disharmony with the target’s flesh, not as compatible as the original body.

Of course, Lu Chang’an’s state was not a possession.

His past life’s descent merely provided his peak soul state, without any consciousness. He was completely in control.

“As expected, the Second Life’s descent and possession result in slow soul power dissipation. If I don’t fight, use any techniques, and maintain a semi-dormant state, it should last for at least a year or more.”

Lu Chang’an felt it for half an hour and reached a delightful conclusion.

Mainly, the gap between his first life and second life was too large.

Furthermore, his first life’s descent was used to confront Liang Shaotian, and he even used out-of-level spiritual sense secret techniques. That’s why the duration was short.

Lu Chang’an kept his Second Life in a semi-dormant state. His magical power aura returned to normal.

In this non-combat state, the outside world wouldn’t notice the other powerful soul power hidden within him.

…

Back on the surface in his mansion.

In the talisman room, Lu Chang’an held a talisman brush. With the Second Life’s soul empowering him, he practiced drawing a few second-grade talismans as a warm-up.

As a result, the talismans he drew were all exquisite for their tier, even exceeding the category of “exquisite.”

“The peak state of my past life, it’s so intoxicating…”

A look of reminiscence appeared on Lu Chang’an’s face.

However, just drawing second-grade talismans caused the Second Life’s soul power to dissipate ten times faster!

“I can’t waste it. I need to draw treasure talismans as soon as possible.”

Lu Chang’an gathered his thoughts and took out two sections of third-grade spiritual wood, one long and one short.

One was a third-grade, mid-quality spiritual wood. The other half was a third-grade, high-quality “通幽灵竹” (Spiritual Bamboo).

Lu Chang’an, empowered by his Second Life, with his meticulous magic power and astonishing technique, quickly created the talisman paper and talisman embryo.

Apart from unavoidable losses, there were almost no mistakes.

Two hours later, Lu Chang’an completed the talisman embryos for nine treasure talismans.

In recent years, Lu Chang’an would visit Yan Yun Immortal City every year, purchasing a second-hand third-grade, low-quality talisman brush at a real person’s gathering. Therefore, the consumption was higher.

Normally, when drawing talismans, Lu Chang’an avoided wastage and rarely used a third-grade talisman brush.

As for third-grade spiritual ink, he didn’t have any for now.

However, Lu Chang’an could obtain readily available materials.

Autumn Wind Island had a third-grade great demon, even a half-step Golden Core cultivator.

It was conceivable that the third-grade spiritual ink prepared with its blood would be of excellent quality.

“Master, what are your orders?”

Shortly after, the Earth Rock Rat emerged from the ground, its voice childish and obedient.

“Let some blood.”

Lu Chang’an revealed a warm smile.

“Ah, master, this is the ‘little bit of blood’ you mentioned…”

Moments later, the mentally drained Earth Rock Rat, looking at the basin of great demon blood before him, said weakly.

This basin of blood contained dozens of drops of essence blood, along with heart blood, blood from internal organs, bones, and marrow.

妖兽 (Demon Beast) blood used to prepare spiritual ink should ideally use essence blood or heart blood.

Ordinary blood wasn’t unusable, but the required amount would be huge, requiring concentration, making the ratio absurd.

Otherwise, raising a batch of demon beasts, selling their blood every year to prepare spiritual ink, could bring in massive amounts of spiritual stones with zero effort.

“This “五行土” (Five Elements Earth) is your compensation.”

Lu Chang’an grabbed a handful of Five Elements Earth.

“Thank you, master.”

The Earth Rock Rat’s eyes lit up. It swallowed the Five Elements Earth and quickly disappeared underground.

“Five Elements Earth, as a universal soil source, can cultivate almost any strange flower and herb in the world, and be incorporated into any treasure to enhance its quality. I wonder if it can be added to the spiritual ink?”

Lu Chang’an couldn’t help but have this thought.

Therefore, he took a small portion of the third-grade spiritual ink he was preparing to do an experiment, adding a tiny amount of Five Elements Earth.

The spiritual ink made by concentrating the Earth Rock Rat’s blood, was considered a fine product among third-grade, low-quality inks.

As a result, adding the Five Elements Earth in a ratio of one twentieth, the ink was upgraded to third-grade, mid-quality.

Adding more than this ratio resulted in virtually no improvement.

“A half-tier increase, not bad.”

Lu Chang’an was very satisfied and added the Five Elements Earth to the remaining spiritual ink according to the proportion.

Thus, he stored a jar of third-grade, mid-quality spiritual ink, enough for a long time.

…

Talisman brush, spiritual ink, talisman embryo, everything was ready.

Lu Chang’an was ready to draw third-grade treasure talismans.

To improve his state, he took a “血阳丹” (Blood Sun Pill). His magic power increased significantly, approaching the threshold of the False Core Realm.

At the same time, he set up a spirit gathering array in the talisman room and invested some spiritual stones.

Lu Chang’an also held a mid-quality spiritual stone in his hand.

With all this preparation, Lu Chang’an, empowered by his past life’s soul, controlled and amplified his magic power, reaching the strength of a True Core early-stage cultivator.

His eyes were like lightning, his aura strong, holding the talisman brush, he danced across the special talisman paper for treasure talismans.

His past life’s peak state, using more advanced drawing techniques, would appear chaotic and incomprehensible to ordinary talisman masters, like reading a book from another world.

After a long time, a third-grade treasure talisman, flashing with electric patterns, its powerful spiritual pressure flickering briefly, appeared on the table.

“A third-grade, mid-quality 雷云符” (Thundercloud Talisman).”

Sweat dripped from Lu Chang’an’s forehead. He nodded in satisfaction.

There was no downgrade, meaning it was a success.

After all, his magical power and talisman brush were both lacking.

Holding a mid-quality spiritual stone, combined with the spirit gathering array, Lu Chang’an sat in meditation, rapidly restoring his magic power.

One hour later, Lu Chang’an started drawing the second talisman.

Two days later.

Lu Chang’an had completed nine third-grade treasure talismans.

Seven of them were mid-quality, and two were downgraded to third-grade, low-quality.

Even so, the latter were exquisite for their tier.

Lu Chang’an’s past life was a third-grade, high-quality talisman master. Back then, he couldn’t achieve a 100% success rate when drawing third-grade, mid-quality talismans.

“With the base materials of treasure talismans, nurturing them back to third-grade, mid-quality is easy. Spending a little more time, eventually cultivating them to third-grade, high-quality, shouldn’t be difficult.”

Lu Chang’an was happy with the success rate.

Even if he advanced to the True Core Realm in the future, third-grade, mid-quality or above treasure talismans would still be very useful.

If they were third-grade, high-quality, they could be used as a trump card.

In the Core Formation Realm, the gap between minor realms was even greater.

Especially for those at the late stage of Core Formation, they could easily kill ordinary True Core Realm cultivators. They would be high-ranking and influential core elders in the surrounding Nascent Soul sects.

Lu Chang’an took out the remaining half of the third-grade, high-quality “通幽灵竹” (Spiritual Bamboo). He knew that the success rate for refining a third-grade, high-quality talisman would be very low.

Mainly because his magical power was too weak, and his talisman brush was lacking.

Besides, this “通幽灵竹” (Spiritual Bamboo) could also be used to refine high-quality wood-element treasures.

“No rush, my Second Life can still sustain for a long time.”

Lu Chang’an felt that his Second Life’s soul shadow had only consumed a few percent.

“Right, I forgot about that guy.”

Lu Chang’an remembered something and took out the Hundred-Illusion Mask, putting it on his face.

Combined with the power of his past life’s soul.

In an instant, his appearance, form, and magical power aura transformed into the white-bearded elder of his past life, at the peak of Core Formation.

(End of Chapter)

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