I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 256

## Chapter 253: Illuminating Four Lives

Lu Chang’an’s heart skipped a beat, secretly surprised.

In three lifetimes, this was the second time the Jiu Yin Bei (Nine Seal Monument) had reacted, besides the Hundred Nights Soul Gu (Soul Worm).

The Hundred Nights Soul Gu was the only known substance capable of illuminating the fourth life area of the Jiu Yin Bei.

No other substitute had been found.

Lu Chang’an had speculated that the Hundred Nights Soul Gu was a unique Soul Dao creature that required a physical host and contained mysterious Soul Dao power.

So, could the substance needed to illuminate the Jiu Yin Bei’s fourth life area be related to the Soul Dao, especially souls?

After all, the previous life soul shadows descended by the Jiu Yin Bei were a special form of soul power.

However, in his past life, Lu Chang’an had captured vengeful spirits and interacted with cultivators’ souls, yet the Jiu Yin Bei hadn’t reacted.

As for Soul Dao artifacts, the highest level Lu Chang’an had encountered in his past life was third-grade, and there were no abnormalities.

“What’s wrong, Daoist Lu? Is there something wrong with my body?”

汪枫 (Wang Feng), perceptive as he was, detected the subtle fluctuations in Lu Chang’an’s emotions, which flashed away.

“Nothing, Young Master Wang. The repair of your foundation’s hidden injuries is progressing beyond my expectations. You must have consumed a lot of spirit pills and elixirs.”

Lu Chang’an, becoming wary, said with a chuckle.

He suspected that Young Master Wang might be the host of the Hundred Nights Soul Gu.

Logically, the Hundred Nights Soul Gu, having suffered a loss at his hands and mysteriously perished, should be wary of him.

Furthermore, Young Master Wang was a Jindan (Golden Core) seed of the Li Huo Gong (Blazing Fire Palace), receiving attention from the Palace’s Zhen Dan (True Pill) cultivators, even a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun (Nascent Soul True Lord). It would be extremely risky for the Hundred Nights Soul Gu to possess him.

Lu Chang’an, however, hoped that Young Master Wang was indeed possessed by the soul worm and would attempt to transfer the possession to him.

That way, the Jiu Yin Bei would have its needed sustenance.

“After my group met with the Li Huo Gong’s evacuation forces, I received blessings from my elders, so I naturally have no shortage of spirit pills and elixirs.”

Young Master Wang, turning his back to him, chuckled lightly.

Two hours later.

Lu Chang’an retracted his hand from Young Master Wang’s back, completing the treatment.

During the treatment, a thought arose in Lu Chang’an’s mind: should he make a move from behind, take down Young Master Wang, and search for the Jiu Yin Bei’s sustenance?

Ultimately, Lu Chang’an gave up.

Firstly, Young Master Wang had no grudge against him. Their relationship was purely transactional.

Young Master Wang’s remuneration was quite generous, and he had even promised a favor, fully worth Lu Chang’an’s efforts.

Secondly, Young Master Wang dared to leave the group alone, meaning he must have some backup.

“Daoist Lu’s healing and nourishment methods are no less than a third-grade apothecary. My Li Huo Gong has many wounded. We plan to rest in Jing Guo for a few years. Would you be willing to come and help them recover?”

Young Master Wang turned around and proposed.

Lu Chang’an was about to decline, but Young Master Wang took out a peculiar, pale purple flower with seven petals.

“Seven-Core Xuan Yue Flower!”

Lu Chang’an was slightly moved. This was the rarest primary ingredient for the Ning Jing Dan (Congealing Crystal Pill).

Possessing this flower was equivalent to possessing the Ning Jing Dan.

Lu Chang’an had collected a set of materials for the Ning Jing Dan, and the only ingredient he lacked was the Seven-Core Xuan Yue Flower.

Two years ago, Young Master Wang had requested an expedited recovery, and Lu Chang’an had tested him with the Ning Jing Dan or the Seven-Core Xuan Yue Flower.

Unexpectedly, he offered it as compensation for his services.

“As long as Daoist Lu is willing to come and help for two years, this ‘Seven-Core Xuan Yue Flower’ will be the Li Huo Gong’s compensation.”

Young Master Wang smiled and proposed.

“I’m afraid I’m not worthy of such generosity.”

Lu Chang’an swallowed, seemingly struggling to refuse.

He already possessed a complete Jie Dan (Pill Formation) opportunity and had no need to take risks.

“Daoist Lu doesn’t need to worry about his safety. The Jin Yang Zong (Golden Sun Sect) has ceased its pursuit of the Li Huo Gong, and any other minor threats are nothing to worry about.”

Young Master Wang persuaded.

Lu Chang’an still refused.

Young Master Wang sighed and didn’t push further.

Lu Chang’an stood up and bowed, taking his leave.

“This person’s magical power is somewhat strange. Although his combat prowess is not outstanding, there’s an unfathomable quality about him…”

Young Master Wang sat in place, his eyes flickering as he fell into brief contemplation.

…

Leaving the Xun Xian Fu (Seek Immortals Mansion) Inn.

Lu Chang’an found a regular inn in Yun Yan Xian Cheng (Cloud Smoke Immortal City) and checked in.

As night fell.

In the shadows of the room, a mysterious hooded figure in a gray-white robe appeared.

“How are things going?” Lu Chang’an said without turning around.

“Mr. Lu, after Young Master Wang left the city, our eyes followed him, but we lost track.”

Xing Peng’s expression was grim.

Through Lu Chang’an’s meeting with Wang Feng, Xing Peng, within his jurisdiction, paid close attention to Wang Feng’s movements, gathering intelligence and clues.

“Has this happened before?”

“Twice. We lost track in the middle, but we found him again in the vicinity of Yun Yan Xian Cheng.”

“Why not capture him directly?” Lu Chang’an asked.

“First, before the war, our Wu Jian Men (No Interval Gate) prioritized infiltration, concealment, and gathering information. We rarely took direct action to avoid exposing ourselves.”

“Secondly, our superiors assigned Young Master Wang a high danger rating. He dares to go out alone, so he must have some backup.”

Lu Chang’an agreed with the Wu Jian Men’s intelligence analysis.

He also suspected that Young Master Wang had some backup.

However, during the close treatment, Chang Qing’s magical power had entered the other’s body, and he had found no abnormalities, a more direct probe than divine sense.

Based on this, he speculated that Young Master Wang’s backup might be from an external object.

When leaving the Xun Xian Fu, he felt a faint sense of being watched.

The arrival of his second life, although in a semi-dormant state to reduce soul power loss, enhanced Lu Chang’an’s senses beyond what they had been before.

If that faint sense of being watched was real, it was at least a late-stage Jindan cultivator.

This forced Lu Chang’an to be cautious.

“How many Jindan cultivators from the Li Huo Gong escaped?”

“Besides Elder Wang, two others broke through. One of them is missing. At that time, they didn’t escape towards Jing Guo, but it’s been a year. Nobody can guarantee their whereabouts.”

“By the way, have you found any traces of the Li Huo Gong’s Supreme Elder?”

Lu Chang’an felt a sudden change of heart.

“Information about Nascent Soul True Lords is not a secret I can access.” Xing Peng shook his head. “But I can confirm that the Li Huo Shang Ren (Blazing Fire Elder) was severely injured. He might be hiding in some corner, recuperating secretly.”

Lu Chang’an nodded in agreement.

If he were the Li Huo Shang Ren, he would definitely find a place to hide, seize the opportunity to recover, and get past the most vulnerable stage.

This was the most cautious and safest approach.

Otherwise, a few Jindan cultivators working together could threaten his life.

As long as the Li Huo Shang Ren stayed hidden, no one would dare to attack Elder Wang and his group easily.

…

Late at night, in the guest room.

Lu Chang’an closed his eyes, allowing his second life’s soul shadow to amplify his senses.

In this state, his second life’s soul shadow consumed ten times faster.

Of course, the effect was excellent.

If a late-stage Jindan cultivator were to watch him, they wouldn’t escape his senses.

Even a nascent soul cultivator would be detected if they dared to probe with their divine sense.

Because, this was a state of full alert and heightened perception.

The night passed, and Lu Chang’an didn’t notice any suspicious probing.

“Maybe it was a coincidence. The protector of Young Master Wang, their divine sense might have just scanned me as a matter of routine.”

For safety’s sake, Lu Chang’an continued to be on full alert for the next two days.

As if he was playing a game of wits with the air, he found nothing suspicious.

Lu Chang’an’s doubts lessened.

A few days later, in the evening.

An old man in a straw raincoat entered the Xue Hu Shang Hui (Snow Fox Trading Guild)’s residence and was personally received by Han Yu Zhen Ren (Jade Ice True Immortal).

To avoid suspicion from those with ulterior motives, Lu Chang’an, over the past few years, had agreed to meet with Young Master Wang, but not every time to discuss Dao with Han Yu Zhen Ren.

…

In the elegant, incense-filled bedroom of the guild’s ancestral land.

“Brother Xiang wants to buy a third-grade mid-grade or higher inscription brush? Do you know a senior third-grade inscription master?”

Han Yu Zhen Ren, her flushed face still not faded, turned her back to Lu Chang’an and changed into a set of exquisite white palace attire, covering her smooth jade-like back.

Lu Chang’an nodded. “Brother Xiang indeed knows a third-grade inscription master. I owe him a favor, and this is to repay it.”

He wasn’t worried that Han Yu Zhen Ren would associate the brush with Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’an, with only late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, couldn’t handle a third-grade mid-grade inscription brush.

A third-grade inscription brush was a simplified magic artifact, requiring extremely high levels of magical power and divine sense.

A third-grade mid-grade brush would be difficult for even a third-grade inscription master with False Pill cultivation to use.

“If it’s a third-grade high-grade brush, the Snow Fox Trading Guild is unable to provide it. A normal third-grade mid-grade brush is a matter of luck…”

Han Yu Zhen Ren hesitated, her face filled with difficulty.

Although Jing Guo’s commerce was thriving and artisans were abundant, true third-grade inscription masters were rare.

Some were even third-grade low-grade inscription masters with False Pill cultivation.

High grade, low market demand, naturally made them very rare.

“If Brother Xiang doesn’t mind waiting a few months, the Snow Fox Trading Guild will try its best to help acquire it through its channels and connections.” Han Yu Zhen Ren pondered.

“I don’t mind.”

Lu Chang’an, his doubts about the previous covert probing not fully gone, felt safer staying in the Xue Hu Shang Hui for a while longer.

Even True Pill cultivators wouldn’t dare to act recklessly in the Merchant Alliance City.

Moreover, the Li Huo Gong, as the defeated party, needed to be low-key and lay low.

In a blink of an eye, three months passed.

During this time, Lu Chang’an didn’t indulge in Dao discussions but instead blended in with the lower strata of society using different identities.

One day, Han Yu Zhen Ren left a message at the designated location.

Lu Chang’an returned to the Xue Hu Shang Hui’s residence.

“This third-grade mid-grade inscription brush is severely damaged. It can only draw dozens more third-grade inscription talismans at most.”

Han Yu Zhen Ren opened a talisman box, revealing an old, silver-veined inscription brush.

Inscription brushes would inevitably wear down during use. Repairing it completely would be very expensive, not much cheaper than crafting a new one.

Lu Chang’an currently used a second-hand third-grade low-grade brush, which could barely manage to draw third-grade mid-grade inscriptions. Any higher, and it would fall short.

“That’s fine! I’ll compensate my inscription master friend with some spirit stones later.”

Lu Chang’an’s talisman materials were limited, so dozens of times were enough.

Since it was a near-scrap brush, Lu Chang’an only spent over ten thousand spirit stones to buy it.

…

Two days later.

Lu Chang’an left Yun Yan Xian Cheng. His journey was smooth.

Flying near the Chang Hong Jiang (Long Rainbow River), he was only a hundred miles away from one of its tributaries, the Qing Sha Wan (Clear Sand Bay).

Hmm?

Lu Chang’an looked at the dense forest along the bank, his heart jumping.

This forest was where the Di Yan Shu (Earth Rock Rat) had devoured Yu Qin and the deputy head of the Xin Yue Shang Hui (New Moon Trading Guild).

It wasn’t that he had detected an ambush.

Rather, he had just passed through this forest a few dozen breaths ago.

This experience was similar to a ghost hitting a wall.

“Illusion formation!”

Lu Chang’an’s eyes sharpened, fusing with his second life to amplify his senses.

He vaguely detected a layer of distorted, circular, pale purple light film permeating the void, covering twenty miles around, creating a bizarre space that isolated the area.

It could deceive the senses of Jindan cultivators, meaning it was at least a third-grade high-grade, or even a fourth-grade, illusion formation.

“The Tortoise Inscription Master, indeed he’s not simple, he could detect the formation’s location.”

From the forest, a handsome man in purple robes with sharp features emerged, calmly flying into the air.

“Wang Feng, what is the meaning of this?”

Lu Chang’an’s face changed. He looked around, only to see the man alone.

At this moment, he realized that Wang Feng in front of him was different.

Apart from the difference in temperament, his deep eyes locked onto Lu Chang’an, as if mountains were pressing down on him, his soul inexplicably trembling.

Below the Nascent Soul True Lord, no one could exert such pressure on Lu Chang’an, who was currently in this state.

“Of course, it’s to take you with me! A Foundation Establishment cultivator with a lifespan of five hundred years, this is the first time I’ve seen such a thing.”

Wang Feng’s cold eyes flickered with purple flames.

“Li Huo Shang Ren!”

Lu Chang’an was shocked. How could this Supreme Elder of the Li Huo Gong, instead of recuperating, possess or seize control of Wang Feng?

Could it be that the Li Huo Shang Ren’s injuries were worse than what others had expected, so much so that he had to abandon his physical body and have his Nascent Soul leave it?

He didn’t attack near the city but chose to lie in wait for Lu Chang’an here.

Suddenly.

Wang Feng, not far away, blurred in Lu Chang’an’s vision and disappeared.

Boom!

The next moment, Lu Chang’an felt his sea of consciousness tremble, a burning sensation of danger, and his consciousness went black.

His second life’s white-bearded soul shadow, which had possessed him, suddenly lost a quarter of its light.

Inside the illusion formation, Lu Chang’an let out a groan of pain and fell unconscious, plummeting towards the turbulent river.

Whoosh!

A purple shadow, transforming into the shape of “Wang Feng,” appeared like a illusion, ten feet behind Lu Chang’an.

The purple flames in his eyes subsided.

“Wang Feng” pointed a finger, a thunderous sound coming from his sleeve as a braided magic artifact that sparkled with electric arcs, resembling a lively thunder serpent, whipped towards the unconscious Lu Chang’an who was falling.

At this moment, “Wang Feng’s” magical power had reached the late-stage Foundation Establishment level. Due to magical power restrictions, he relied on the Nascent Soul to control the magic artifact, barely exerting a little of its true power.

Even so, if he were entangled by this whip, even a True Pill early-stage cultivator would be helpless.

Sizzle!

The whip, dragging electrical arcs, smashed through the illusory figure of the man in white.

Lu Chang’an, still unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes. His body expanded and grew taller, releasing powerful blood qi and vital force.

Slash!

His beast-like body tore through the air, turning back and closing in, holding a black-gold scimitar, directly slashing towards Wang Feng’s face.

“False Pill level body cultivation, I had already anticipated it.”

A cold snort echoed in Lu Chang’an’s mind.

“Wang Feng” in Lu Chang’an’s vision, as if shifting positions, moved horizontally to his left.

Lu Chang’an, mobilizing all his magical power, unleashed a full-strength blow from his body-cultivated physique. The strike missed, and his body froze for a moment.

Whoosh!

The nimble thunder serpent whip took the opportunity to entangle Lu Chang’an’s legs, unavoidable.

“Not bad, indeed a Nascent Soul veteran!”

A treasure talisman’s spiritual light illuminated Lu Chang’an’s chest, five rotating, crystal blue light shields protecting his tall figure.

Sizzle! Bang!

The thunder serpent whip was struck by one of the rotating crystal blue shields and flew away. The shield shattered upon impact.

“Third-grade mid-grade inscription talisman?”

“Wang Feng” frowned slightly, surprised.

Such a grade of inscription talisman, to appear on a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator?

After all, none of the surrounding countries had true fourth-grade inscription masters, and third-grade high-grade ones were rare.

The higher the inscription master’s level, the more demanding the practice materials. To hunt third-grade mid-to-late-stage Great Demons, or even transformed demon kings, how difficult it would be?

In this critical moment, Lu Chang’an activated one of his strongest defensive treasure talismans, avoiding capture.

Four crystal blue light shields were still spinning around Lu Chang’an, each capable of withstanding a strike from a True Pill early-stage cultivator.

“Activate!”

Lu Chang’an, with his white robes billowing, slapped out two treasure talismans.

Thunder Cloud Talisman!

A vast thundercloud of electric light roared between Lu Chang’an and “Wang Feng,” engulfing the latter in an instant.

Another third-grade high-grade treasure talisman, crafted by Lu Chang’an through his second life’s possession, a few months ago.

The heart-stopping thunderclap, accompanied by “Wang Feng’s” roar, came from within the thundercloud.

“Good thing it’s just a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a possessed Nascent Soul. The difference in magical power is significant, and he can’t exert the true power of his magic artifacts and magical abilities.”

Lu Chang’an slapped out another flying escape talisman.

Instantly, he was surrounded by swirling wind clusters, dragging a dazzling azure rainbow of escape light towards the boundary of the illusion formation.

“Tortoise Inscription Master! The fourth-grade remnant formation here is not something you can break through.”

A cold, stern voice echoed. “Wang Feng,” his body surrounded by icy clouds, used a third-grade defensive inscription talisman to break free from the raging thundercloud.

He slapped out another third-grade escape talisman, quickly chasing after Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’an flew towards the riverbank forest, approaching the boundary of the illusion formation.

Fortunately, with his second life’s possession, Lu Chang’an’s divine sense was exceptionally powerful. He could find the edges of the illusion formation and even detect its weaker points.

“Break!”

Lu Chang’an took out a stack of inscription talismans, six or seven in total, all third-grade Breaking Restriction treasure talismans.

The first one alone caused the boundary of the illusion formation to tremble, and the illusory scenes distorted.

After all, it was just an unmanned, fourth-grade remnant formation, temporarily set up with spirit stones as its power source, and its defenses were much weaker.

“So many third-grade Breaking Restriction talismans?”

“Wang Feng,” behind him, his pupils contracted, his expression stiff.

Third-grade Breaking Restriction talismans were rare strategic resources even in battlefields.

This Lu Chang’an must have had great fortune.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

Three consecutive Breaking Restriction beams, on the verge of creating small cracks in the boundary of the illusion formation.

“Wang Feng” looked as if his face was frozen in a dark, sullen expression.

A purple, human-shaped Nascent Soul, about a foot long, appeared on the surface of his body, flickering in and out of sight.

Ugh~

The human-shaped Nascent Soul, with its hands sealed in a magical gesture, emitted an eerie wave, and several purple, tadpole-like ancient script flames circled Wang Feng’s body.

The escape light under Wang Feng’s feet suddenly ignited with a dazzling purple flame, his speed doubling!

It seemed that “Wang Feng” was about to approach Lu Chang’an within a few dozen feet.

Bang!

A thick, giant stone wall emerged from beneath the forest floor, rising from the ground.

“Not good—”

“Wang Feng’s” speed was too fast at this moment. His control over his body was insufficient, and he collided head-on with the stone wall spell cast by the True Pill Great Demon.

Boom!

The stone wall exploded, and a pile of rocks engulfed “Wang Feng’s” body, accompanied by faint screams.

“Good job!”

Lu Chang’an’s fifth Breaking Restriction talisman finally tore a foot-wide crack in the boundary of the illusion formation.

A beam of yellowish-brown light, quickly darted into Lu Chang’an’s spirit pet bag.

Passing through the crack in the illusion formation.

The light and shadows twisted, and Lu Chang’an appeared in the fresh air above the water.

“That crash, at such a high speed, even Wang Feng’s body wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”

Lu Chang’an felt a little more at ease.

It was a good thing he had so many stockpiled treasure talismans, nurtured for so many years, all of third-grade quality, over sixty in total.

More backups meant a higher tolerance for error, avoiding such unforeseen accidents.

Lu Chang’an never expected that the Li Huo Shang Ren’s injuries were so severe that he had to abandon his physical body.

In fact, only the Li Huo Shang Ren himself and Chu Tian Feng knew the exact extent of his injuries. No other forces had precise information.

…

“Being able to escape from a Nascent Soul veteran, I can be proud of myself, even if it’s a crippled Nascent Soul.”

Lu Chang’an took a deep breath.

Whoosh!

Stepping on his third-grade escape light, Lu Chang’an flew towards the heartland of Jing Guo, not Qing Sha Wan and the Xia family.

He felt that “Wang Feng” wouldn’t be able to catch up.

In terms of cultivation and physical strength, Wang Feng was inferior to him.

As for the number of escape talismans, Lu Chang’an wasn’t afraid.

Insufficient physical cultivation, high-load escape speed, Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t handle it.

However, Lu Chang’an had only flown for a few dozen miles when a strong, cold voice rang out in his mind:

“Lu Chang’an, I told you, you won’t escape!”

A purple-robed human-shaped Nascent Soul, about a foot long, left a trail of illusion images as if teleporting, entering Lu Chang’an’s field of vision within a few breaths.

“Nascent Soul out of body!”

Lu Chang’an’s escape light stopped, a bitter smile spreading across his face.

Nascent Souls are spiritual entities, with escape speeds several times faster than those of their Nascent Soul True Lord counterparts.

While a single, detached Nascent Soul is relatively fragile, lacking much combat ability, it possesses some soul-based abilities.

“A five hundred year lifespan Foundation Establishment body, I want to see what it’s like.”

With a flash of its illusion image, the purple-robed human-shaped Nascent Soul instantly entered Lu Chang’an’s body.

Lu Chang’an didn’t resist at all.

He secretly sighed. If it weren’t for this situation, he wouldn’t have wanted to gamble on that method.

After learning that Wang Feng was possessed by the Nascent Soul, he had a guess about the Jiu Yin Bei’s previous reaction.

Boom!

The second life’s soul shadow in Lu Chang’an’s mind dimmed significantly, a gap forcefully torn open.

The purple-robed human-shaped Nascent Soul barged into his sea of consciousness, attempting to seize control of his body.

Buzz!

Deep within his sea of consciousness, the mysterious, ancient, black, and simple monument emitted a gray-white light, enveloping the intruding Nascent Soul.

“No—”

The Li Huo Shang Ren’s Nascent Soul, unable to move, was imprisoned by some sort of rule.

A scream of fear came from the soul level, abruptly stopping.

In the fourth frame of the Jiu Yin Bei, the purple-robed human-shaped Nascent Soul was crushed into particles.

Then, a pure and bright, crystal-white light appeared, rapidly illuminating and spreading in the dead, gray area of the stone monument.

Not only that.

A purple human-shaped illusion gradually appeared in the fourth empty frame, flickering faintly.

(End of Chapter)

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