I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 279

## Chapter 276: Easy to Obtain

After a while.

Three-tiered cave abode, within the illusionary formation.

“Golden Core Dao Rhyme, a reward of a hundred years of lifespan? This paltry rain can’t compensate for Lu’s losses, the price paid…”

Lu Chang’an’s expression was complex, a bitter smile on his face, devoid of the joy other cultivators experienced upon achieving Golden Core, a testament to their immortality.

“One wrong step, and I regret forming the Golden Core!”

He couldn’t help but sigh.

If other cultivators heard this statement, they would be shocked.

Achieving the Immortal Golden Core would slightly enhance a certain characteristic of the cultivation technique practiced.

Similar to the additional benefits of a Heavenly Dao Physique.

In fact, Heavenly Dao Physique is related to bloodline inheritance. Their ancestors, from a distant era, gave birth to powerful individuals.

Lu Chang’an’s Everlasting Green Technique, upon achieving the Immortal Golden Core, gained a hundred years of lifespan extension, which aligns with the technique’s characteristics.

However, when his divine sense touched the Dao Golden Markings of the Everlasting Green Golden Core, he received a piece of information from the void.

The Everlasting Green Technique, upon forming the Golden Core, can extend lifespan by consuming the Dao Fruit cultivated through the same technique.

Only those who have achieved Golden Core can gain knowledge of this information from the void.

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like bad news.

However, Lu Chang’an immediately realized that if he could devour the Dao Fruit of others, other cultivators of the Everlasting Green Technique could also devour his Dao Fruit.

It was a double-edged sword.

The Dao Fruit refers to the achievements of the Everlasting Green Technique, such as the Golden Core and the future Nascent Soul stage.

This mutual consumption effect for lifespan extension usually only applies to cultivators of the Everlasting Green Technique.

By consuming the Dao Fruit, one can obtain a certain proportion of the target’s lifespan.

Lower cultivation base consuming higher cultivation base has a better effect.

Higher cultivation base consuming lower cultivation base has a poorer effect.

Different levels of cultivation base result in different levels of life. Therefore, consuming from a higher level to a lower level is better, while the opposite is less effective.

“If I hadn’t formed the Golden Core, the lifespan extension effect of the Everlasting Green Technique consuming Dao Fruit would be at least halved. Moreover, ordinary Golden Core formations wouldn’t receive the Dao Rhyme, so they wouldn’t know about this characteristic…”

While Lu Chang’an had some regrets about forming the Golden Core, if he hadn’t, he might have been tricked and targeted in the future, oblivious to the danger.

It’s conceivable that anyone who cultivates the Everlasting Green Technique to Golden Core would keep this secret, as well as hide their cultivation of the technique.

Fortunately, the Everlasting Green Technique is similar to the mainstream Wood-based techniques, and it is easy to disguise.

…

At this moment, Lu Chang’an observed the Everlasting Green Golden Core he had formed, and it looked more and more like a fruit.

In his previous life, he obtained the “Ancient Wood Everlasting Green Technique” in the ruins of the legendary cultivator, Yan Donglai, which was likely a seed he had planted.

However, Lu Chang’an felt that this set of cultivation techniques, which went beyond common sense, had a deep origin and wasn’t something Nascent Soul or Nascent Soul stage cultivators could leave behind.

Perhaps Yan Donglai was just a big fish in the game of big fish eating small fish, and there were even more terrifying deep-sea whales above him.

In comparison, Lu Chang’an, who had just achieved Golden Core, was just a small fry.

“If I can survive to Nascent Soul, develop the Xuan Tian artifact, and accumulate enough strength as a backup, I will be relatively safe…”

Lu Chang’an didn’t give up on the Everlasting Green Technique.

Just the longevity and the ability to repair damaged foundation were enough to tempt him.

Moreover, he still had his next reincarnation.

Why is Golden Core called the Immortal Golden Core?

Because after death, a Golden Core cultivator, as long as their Golden Core remains intact, their body can remain undying for thousands of years, even tens of thousands of years.

The Golden Core possesses the attribute of immortality.

Theoretically, Lu Chang’an could leave this life’s Everlasting Green Dao Fruit to his next life.

The Lu Chang’an of the next life, if he consumes the Golden Core at a lower level of cultivation, wouldn’t his Everlasting Green Dao Fruit at the Nascent Soul stage make him instantly soar?

From this perspective, the characteristic of the Everlasting Green Technique consuming Dao Fruit was more beneficial than harmful for Lu Chang’an, who possessed the Nine Seal Stele.

However, Lu Chang’an had to truly endure and avoid being discovered by cultivators of the Everlasting Green Technique at higher levels.

On this vast Tian Heng Continent, and even the entire human world, Lu Chang’an couldn’t determine how many cultivators of the Everlasting Green Technique existed.

A question arose in his mind:

The mutual consumption of Dao Fruit among cultivators of the Everlasting Green Technique is a secret, it’s normal for the outside world not to know.

It’s believed that every cultivator who achieves Golden Core would keep this secret.

But the cultivation of the Everlasting Green Technique doesn’t seem to have high requirements for aptitude. Even he, with his inferior Wood Spirit Root, could cultivate it, although it took a lot of time.

If he was the mastermind behind it, he would have spread the Everlasting Green Technique far and wide, even mass-producing cultivators of the technique, and then he could cultivate his own “ginseng fruit” through artificial breeding.

Lu Chang’an didn’t know that the cultivation of the Everlasting Green Technique actually has aptitude or other requirements.

If it were truly widespread,

The secret of consuming Dao Fruit would be exposed. Normal cultivators with good aptitude would be unwilling to cultivate, becoming pawns for others, facing the risk of being consumed.

…

“So what if I become a ginseng fruit, as long as I can live forever, then the Dao is within reach.”

Lu Chang’an circulated his Golden Core true energy, solidifying his cultivation base.

Besides the Nine Seal Stele as a backup, he also had the Xuan Tian artifact.

In the future, if he could unearth the opportunity of the Small Xuan Tian treasure, he would have enough capital to fearlessly face the legendary cultivator, Yan Donglai.

It’s just that he doesn’t have hindsight, there’s no turning back after the bow is drawn.

When he first began cultivating in this life, if he knew about this big pitfall of the Everlasting Green Technique, Lu Chang’an would have definitely considered it carefully.

“As expected of Golden Core true energy, it’s several levels stronger than the true energy of my previous life’s True Core stage.”

While solidifying his cultivation base, Lu Chang’an noticed the difference between his Golden Core and ordinary Golden Cores.

Although it wasn’t as drastic as the difference between False Core and True Core, there wasn’t a difference in cultivation base.

Within the same level, he could confidently suppress other Golden Core cultivators.

This is on the condition that the magic treasures, divine abilities, and other external forces used in the battle are not significantly different.

Relying solely on true energy advantage, it’s unrealistic to try to transcend levels.

From early Golden Core to mid Golden Core, the quality and quantity of true energy doubles, not just a simple increase.

Moreover, there’s also a significant difference in divine sense.

Stronger divine sense true energy allows for the control of stronger magic treasures and the use of more powerful divine abilities and secret techniques.

A normal mid Golden Core can crush an early True Core.

However, a mid Golden Core can’t easily threaten the life of an early Golden Core, and can’t completely crush them.

If a Golden Core cultivator has decent magic treasures and cultivation techniques and divine abilities adept at combat, they have a higher chance of transcending levels.

The biggest advantage of Golden Core lies in its potential and foundation, allowing for easier breakthroughs in bottlenecks and cultivation base.

Second, it offers advantages in combat.

Finally, there’s a slight increase in daily cultivation speed.

The Everlasting Green Technique is limited by time, Lu Chang’an wasn’t sure if his cultivation progress would accelerate after forming the Golden Core.

During the process of solidifying his cultivation base.

Lu Chang’an inspected the quasi-four-tier illusionary formation deployed in the cave abode.

This formation, due to limitations in materials and the array master’s level, couldn’t be fully repaired to four-tier.

Only the divine sense defense was comparable to a four-tier formation.

“The formation is intact.”

During Lu Chang’an’s formation of the Golden Core, there had been more than one Nascent Soul True Jun’s divine sense touching it.

The intact formation meant that no Nascent Soul True Jun had forcibly broken through it.

If they had, it would have triggered the formation, alerting the formation master, which was equivalent to starting a war.

Lu Chang’an wasn’t surprised by the Nascent Soul True Jun’s divine sense sweeping past.

If he were a Nascent Soul True Jun in a four-tier immortal city, he would also casually glance at someone forming the Golden Core, emitting a Golden Core aura.

Many Nascent Soul True Jun are originally from the Golden Core stage.

Golden Core, in their circle, isn’t a big deal. It’s like a veteran watching the rising generation.

As for deploying the formation,

Which cultivator wouldn’t deploy restrictions and formations when they are away from their base?

Moreover,

When trying to break through to Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, one might encounter enemies blocking their path, which is commonplace in the world of cultivation.

【Not setting up a formation for protection, what kind of heart does that person have?】

Those who block one’s path might do anything, disregarding the order of the immortal city to take action.

The stronger the formation deployed, the more hesitant those who try to peek.

Having such a high-level formation signifies that the cultivator forming the Golden Core is powerful and not easy to provoke, and it would easily result in karma.

High-level cultivators are knowledgeable and experienced, they wouldn’t start trouble without a good reason.

Especially when facing something they can’t understand.

Wangyue Immortal City, as a reputable four-tier neutral immortal city with a history of over ten thousand years,

Even Nascent Soul tribulation is allowed.

Lu Chang’an had gathered intelligence beforehand, there had been cultivators forming High-tier True Core and Golden Core here before, and ultimately, they all survived.

At least, there were no exceptions in terms of safety within the city.

If not, Zhang Tieshan wouldn’t have chosen to form the Golden Core in Wangyue Immortal City.

Zhang Tieshan’s goal was to conceal the true quality of his core formation after transforming it.

Zhang Tieshan, with his inferior Spirit Root, even with a transforming core technique, it would be too exaggerated if he were to reveal his core formation quality as High-tier or above.

Lu Chang’an’s goal was also the same, concealing his identity and core formation quality.

When he was trying to break through to the Golden Core stage, the celestial phenomenon couldn’t be concealed, unless it was a massive illusionary formation.

Only in Wangyue Immortal City, no one cares about the identity or origin of those forming the Golden Core.

…

In any three-tier immortal city in Liang Kingdom, the Golden Core aura would inevitably alert the sect forces in the area.

【An unknown individual forming the Golden Core within the territory of a sect. The sect’s Nascent Soul True Jun and True Core stage cultivators would definitely investigate thoroughly.】

Even,

Before Lu Chang’an had even finished forming his Golden Core, the sect’s cultivators, Nascent Soul True Jun, would be waiting at the door of the cave abode.

After all, the Golden Core formation process takes days to complete.

If the identity is unknown, or if they are from an enemy force, they would likely be treated as a demon cult spy and eliminated.

Lu Chang’an has a clean identity, but he can’t expose it, it’s not something that can be seen in the light of day.

Therefore, Wangyue Immortal City is the best solution in the surrounding area.

Forming a High-tier True Core or Golden Core is essentially showing off your wealth.

A three-tier spiritual vein is indispensable, this showing off is unavoidable.

Because three-tier and four-tier spiritual veins are countable in the world of cultivation.

The same goes for Nascent Soul tribulation in the future.

【If you don’t want to accept any risk, you can’t walk the path of Golden Core and Nascent Soul.】

The difference lies in choosing to show off your wealth in a big place or a small place.

In a small place.

For example, the Mu family of Fei Yue Lake back then, even if they were to form the Foundation Establishment stage in their own territory, just for the Foundation Establishment stage, they would face threats from their enemies.

In Wangyue, a high-level four-tier immortal city.

Forget Foundation Establishment, even the ordinary Golden Core aura wouldn’t attract much attention.

However, Wangyue Immortal City is far away and risky, only cultivators above False Core stage have a greater guarantee of safety.

“Nie Yuan”, a lone Foundation Establishment cultivator, is rarely seen in Wangyue Immortal City, making them easy to be targeted, but not afraid of robbing cultivators.

Huang Long Mountain was closely watched by various factions, the core members couldn’t cross Liang Kingdom to the remote Wangyue Immortal City.

The core members of Huang Long Mountain were bribed, how could they allow Fu Xuemei to form the Golden Core outside?

Fu Xuemei, when going out to form the Golden Core, had to find a pretext to create a real Golden Core aura, to deceive the internal spies and sneak out from the underground passage.

The route to Liaoyuan Immortal City was blocked by cultivators at that time.

Fu Xuemei formed the Golden Core in the Black Mist Mountain Range, she was lucky, she didn’t attract the attention of the large demons of the Black Mist Mountain Range.

The Golden Core aura of a Low-tier True Core is far less imposing than that of a Golden Core.

The Earth Rock Rat’s Golden Core formation, a half-step Golden Core aura, attracted a three-tier mid-stage large demon.

Lu Chang’an forming the Golden Core, the aura was even more magnificent!

The spiritual energy aura cloud group had a radius of five li, equivalent to a diameter of ten li, comparable to a city!

If he were to form the Golden Core in the Black Mist Mountain Range, with a little bit of bad luck, he might attract a transformed stage demon beast, and it wouldn’t be unexpected.

…

After half a month.

Lu Chang’an completed the consolidation of his cultivation base.

“Immortal Golden Core, something I didn’t dare to dream of in my previous life…”

Lu Chang’an opened his eyes, still feeling a little excited at this moment.

Even without external opportunities, Golden Core cultivators have a 20-30% chance of advancing to Nascent Soul.

When he was advancing to Nascent Soul in his previous life, his conditions were rather mediocre, at most a 10% chance of success, it would be strange if he managed to succeed.

“The path of cultivation requires constant vigilance. Golden Core cultivators aren’t guaranteed to advance to Nascent Soul.”

“If the chance of advancing to Nascent Soul is less than 90%, what’s the difference between that and suicide?”

Lu Chang’an knew that there was still a long way to go before he reached the Nascent Soul stage.

His current achievements were far from enough, he didn’t even have the qualifications to get married and have children.

He needed to work harder.

He had to safely cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage to truly control his own destiny.

After stabilizing his cultivation base, Lu Chang’an adjusted his true energy aura.

His second life body possession could still last for half a year.

The divine sense of his previous life, combined with the divine sense of his Golden Core cultivation in this life!

Lu Chang’an’s divine sense was beyond the scope of a Golden Core cultivator.

With a strong divine sense, the camouflage ability of the Hundred Illusions Mask had increased significantly.

Based on past experiences:

Lu Chang’an’s current simulated identity using the Hundred Illusions Mask would be difficult for even a Nascent Soul True Jun to see through.

This is also why Lu Chang’an dared to form the Golden Core in Wangyue Immortal City, not just because it is neutral and orderly.

His current soul state has enhanced senses.

If he were to be scanned or targeted by a Nascent Soul True Jun’s divine sense, Lu Chang’an would be able to sense it.

Everything was ready.

Lu Chang’an withdrew the quasi-four-tier illusionary formation and officially left his seclusion.

“Congratulations, Nie Zhenren, on forming the Immortal Golden Core.”

Outside the cave abode, there were quite a few cultivators gathered, all Golden Core cultivators.

The lowest was a False Core cultivator, the highest was a late Golden Core cultivator, there were about twenty people.

It’s not that Golden Core cultivators are no longer valuable, or that they are as common as dogs.

Firstly, this is a high-level immortal city.

Secondly, when you reach a certain high level, you naturally enter the corresponding circle.

At this time, Foundation Establishment stage cultivators wouldn’t dare to approach Lu Chang’an for a chat.

A False Core cultivator would be honored to exchange a few words.

A late Golden Core cultivator wouldn’t dare to act superior, they would be polite and talk on an equal footing.

This is the charm of the Immortal Golden Core, the seed of the Nascent Soul stage.

Who wouldn’t want to get acquainted with a future Nascent Soul True Jun early on?

Lu Chang’an looked at the cultivators gathered in front of the cave abode, at the early Golden Core level, their true energy was all inferior to his.

The Immortal Golden Core stands at the top of the Golden Core cultivator pyramid.

“Nie Zhenren, we experienced hardships together on the road before, and then we parted ways in the city… This old woman never imagined that Nie Zhenren would make such a spectacular breakthrough, an Immortal Golden Core!”

Yan Po Po and Zhu Yu Ting finally got a chance to talk to Lu Chang’an.

Only Zhu Yu Ting, who had formed the True Core, could manage to get a word in.

“Nie Big Brother, this is a congratulatory gift from me and my婆婆 (婆婆 means “grandmother” or “mother-in-law”, here it is used respectfully to refer to the elder lady Yan Po Po, a common courtesy in Chinese culture).”

Zhu Yu Ting, no longer cold and reserved as before, her beautiful face broke into a clear and moving smile.

She held the gift box in both hands and presented it solemnly to Lu Chang’an.

“Ai (an interjection expressing sympathy, often used as a rhetorical device), Zhu Zhenren, you’re being too polite, I didn’t even get to congratulate you on forming the True Core.”

Lu Chang’an accepted the gift box.

The gift was quite valuable, worth tens of thousands of spirit stones.

Lu Chang’an didn’t dwell on her clever change of address to “Nie Big Brother”.

Hearing Zhu Yu Ting’s address, the other cultivators in the vicinity looked at her with changed expressions, their eyes filled with an ambiguous meaning.

That day, Lu Chang’an entertained those True Core cultivators who gave him gifts in his cave abode.

With gifts worth tens of thousands of spirit stones, Lu Chang’an had to show some courtesy.

The cultivators present didn’t know that the socializing and gift-giving of today would be like throwing water in a bamboo basket, a wasted effort.

The alias “Nie Yuan” was one Lu Chang’an would rarely use in the future.

…

Hm?

While entertaining the guests, Lu Chang’an felt a sensation.

A Nascent Soul level divine sense swept past, briefly lingering on him.

For the whole day, this level of divine sense came only three times, none of them exhibiting malice.

There were also late Golden Core cultivators who cautiously probed with their divine sense, but Lu Chang’an sensed it, pretended not to notice, and didn’t mind.

After advancing to Golden Core.

He couldn’t defeat a late Golden Core cultivator, but he felt that he could face threats from that level.

“The lucky little rascal from Li Huo Palace, old man ‘Heng Shan Zhen Jun’, is slightly acquainted with Li Huo Shang Ren. With this old man here, no one around Wangyue Immortal City dares to touch you! Otherwise, who will repay the favor owed to that old geezer?”

One of the Nascent Soul True Jun left a voice transmission.

“Heng Shan Zhen Jun? Is that the rumored old rascal Xu, who is skilled in using heavy magic treasures…”

Lu Chang’an recalled the corresponding information.

In the surrounding cultivation nations, there were only so many Nascent Soul cultivators.

Old rascal Xu is a rather special one, it is said that he received support from “Wangyue Immortal City” and eventually formed the Nascent Soul stage.

He made an agreement with Wangyue Immortal City to help defend the city for many years.

“A favor owed by Li Huo Zhen Ren? Owed… then it’s good! The one who owes money is the boss.”

Lu Chang’an, judging from the content of the voice transmission, realized that this Nascent Soul old geezer was showing him goodwill.

He was forging a connection through the past relationships of their predecessors.

Nascent Soul True Jun can’t guarantee that their descendants will form the Nascent Soul stage.

The Immortal Golden Core is enough to make them take notice, even show goodwill and try to win him over.

After hearing the voice transmission.

Lu Chang’an bowed respectfully towards the center of the immortal city.

Wangyue Immortal City, four-tier spiritual vein area.

One of the celestial cave abodes in the central area.

“Hm, forming the Golden Core, not arrogant or complacent, respectful of elders and wise men, a promising young man.”

Old rascal Xu, with a large nose, red face, and bare feet, was pleased with Lu Chang’an’s manner.

He thought of something and took out a communication spirit jade, leaving a message:

“Judging from the technique aura, it is indeed a successor of Li Huo Palace, perhaps he received a portion of Li Huo Shang Ren’s legacy.”

The communication spirit jade flashed brightly, and the message on it disappeared.

Old rascal Xu, after scanning with his divine sense, confirmed the origin and background of “Nie Yuan”.

Even if this person’s identity was questionable, he wasn’t interested in meddling.

On the one hand, it was due to the rules of Wangyue Immortal City, at least he couldn’t openly attack and ruin his reputation.

On the other hand, there were more than one or two Nascent Soul cultivators in Wangyue Immortal City, he couldn’t cover everything with his own hand, he couldn’t suppress all the negative rumors.

If he were to attack a certain Golden Core, the old geezers who had a bad relationship with him might protect him.

If he fails, he would have made an enemy of a Nascent Soul cultivator in the future.

The Nascent Soul cultivator who protected him would not only have dealt a blow to his opponent but also gained favor.

Therefore, for neutral Golden Core cultivators, unless necessary, Nascent Soul old geezers generally wouldn’t want to offend them, instead, they would try to win them over.

Especially some Nascent Soul old geezers, they only have a few hundred years of lifespan left, they also have to consider their offspring.

Besides, Nie Yuan has a background and a connection.

Li Huo Palace has moved to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, they have Golden Core cultivators, they have Golden Core stage cultivators, even though they’re on the decline, they still have a chance of making a comeback.

…

A few days later.

Lu Chang’an finished his socializing and didn’t hold a Golden Core ceremony.

Zhu Yu Ting and Yan Po Po visited again.

“Nie Zhenren, now that Li Huo Palace doesn’t exist in Liang Kingdom. If you have nothing to do, you can visit Heng Kingdom.”

Yan Po Po spoke kindly, enthusiastically suggesting.

“Once you’re in Heng Kingdom, Yu Ting will take good care of you.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu Ting showed a restrained smile, her bright eyes were sparkling like stars, as if she was looking forward to something.

Lu Chang’an wasn’t stupid, he could see that Yan Po Po wanted to match him up with Zhu Yu Ting.

They were both newly promoted Golden Core cultivators, well-matched in appearance and talent, if they were to become Dao companions, it would be a great story.

In terms of choosing a partner, Golden Core cultivators are at the very top of the food chain of Golden Core cultivators.

If Lu Chang’an agreed, he would effortlessly obtain a True Core female cultivator as his Dao companion.

In his previous life, when he was at the mid-stage of Golden Core, the highest cultivation base of his wives and concubines was only False Core, he couldn’t gain the favor of True Core female cultivators.

The beauty he couldn’t obtain in his previous life, he didn’t want it this time, but it was now easily available.

“Nie has some private matters to attend to after forming the Golden Core. I’ll leave it for another time.”

Lu Chang’an directly rejected the offer.

Zhu Yu Ting was disappointed, but Yan Po Po didn’t press her.

“Nie Zhenren, this is my daughter’s token. If you visit Heng Kingdom in the future, you can contact Yu Ting.”

Zhu Yu Ting pondered for a moment and took out a piece of sheep fat jade that emitted a faint fragrance from her inner garment.

Lu Chang’an was about to refuse, but then he changed his mind and accepted the token.

This piece of sheep fat jade showed signs of an old inheritance. It was only a second-tier spirit treasure, but she was wearing it close to her body, which shows it was a treasured item for Zhu Yu Ting.

Zhu Yu Ting didn’t call him “Nie Big Brother” privately anymore, and Lu Chang’an’s impression of her improved slightly.

“We still have some things to take care of in Heng Kingdom, we won’t bother Nie Zhenren any further.”

Yan Po Po and Zhu Yu Ting quickly took their leave.

“Heng Kingdom…”

Lu Chang’an muttered in the cave abode, keeping the sheep fat jade that was still warm.

Heng Kingdom, a smaller cultivation kingdom under the jurisdiction of the ‘Dao Protection Alliance’, is slightly weaker overall than Jing Kingdom.

Heng Kingdom’s geographical location borders the eastern part of Feng Kingdom and is the easternmost cultivation kingdom of the ‘Dao Protection Alliance’.

Like Liang Kingdom in the far north, Heng Kingdom is also a cultivation kingdom far from the battlefield.

Lu Chang’an left the communication token as a backup for the future.

If the main direction of the demon cult invasion leans towards Liang Kingdom, then Heng Kingdom, in the far east, would be a potential location for him to lie low.

Some people say that the store manager is a civil servant at the starting point. In the past month, he has taken leave an average of one day a week. This is clearly a 996 schedule.

The hardships of 996 are something many readers can understand. 997 puts a lot of mental and physical pressure, which can easily lead to problems, especially for authors who aren’t in good health.

In the industry, in recent years, there have been many authors who have died suddenly, passed away due to illness, or developed depression at the starting point.

(End of chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC |