I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 299

## Chapter 295: Awaiting the Right Price

“Little girl, what’s your surname?”

Lu Changan stopped at the stall, picking up a talisman to examine it, asking casually.

The young woman in blue dress, with her graceful features and demeanor, gave him a feeling of familiarity. He had seen her in a previous life, and they had a close relationship.

Her brother, standing beside her, looked at Lu Changan with a touch of wariness. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. His sister’s innocent beauty and intelligence, combined with her setting up a stall, made many male cultivators think they could offer her a better life.

When these individuals learned that the siblings owned a shop in the bustling heart of the oasis, they would be mortified, making fools of themselves.

“Reverend sir, my family name is Yun,” the blue-dressed girl responded brightly, her eyes sparkling.

The middle-aged man in green robes had fair skin, handsome and elegant features, and an extraordinary aura. His cultivation level was unclear. Her intuition told her that this man was different from the previous rash ones.

Surname Yun?

Lu Changan remained unfazed, observing the first-order superior talisman in his hand. The drawing technique was exquisite, surpassing that of ordinary scattered cultivator talisman masters.

“Miss Yun, how much do you want for this jade carving?”

He picked up a miniature turtle carved from green jade. It looked cute and clumsy, resembling a young Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟, Black Water Turtle).

“This is my handiwork, a lucky charm for my stall. If you’d like it, feel free to offer a price based on your feelings,” Yun Ling said, a dimple appearing on her cheek, her smile innocent, her voice like a silver bell in the wind.

“Xu is a pill master. I was robbed on the road, impoverished and with little remaining spirit stones. Could I use pills as payment?”

Lu Changan smiled slightly, extending his hand, revealing a bottle of pills.

“Second-order Beautifying Pills!”

Yun Ling’s eyes shone brightly. She opened the bottle, identified the pills, and readily agreed to the transaction.

The green jade turtle only cost half a spirit stone for the materials. The craftsmanship that infused it with her soul could not be measured by value. She convinced herself of this.

“Reverend sir, perhaps you’d like a few more talismans?”

Yun Ling felt a pang of sympathy and suggested.

“No need. A thousand spirit stones cannot buy a heartfelt love.”

The Xuan Shui Gui in his spirit beast pouch loved this hand-crafted item.

Lu Changan glanced at the bell bracelet on Yun Ling’s wrist, smiled, and left a sentence before departing.

“Ling’er, you said this turtle jade carving was not for sale…”

Yun Hao grumbled softly.

“Ling’er saw that the reverend sir truly liked it! Besides, this deal was quite profitable…”

Yun Ling’s fair face flushed, a clear and vibrant red, as she explained.

“Is that so?”

Yun Hao, knowing his sister well, judged from her expression that she was likely lying.

Yun Ling snorted, ignoring her brother’s suspicious gaze.

The Xu-surnamed man from earlier had given her a strange sense of connection and familiarity, causing her to impulsively agree to sell the little turtle, a lucky charm she cherished.

Watching the green-robed man’s retreating figure, Yun Ling’s eyes twinkled with confusion.

…

“Reincarnation connection? How coincidental can the world be?”

Leaving the stall area, Lu Changan’s eyes reflected a glimmer of surprise, muttering to himself.

Meeting the bloodline descendant of the Fourth Life’s Li Huo Shang Ren (离火上人, Li Huo Immortal) in this large oasis wasn’t unexpected.

Lu Changan had found this oasis, suitable for cultivation and with relatively active wood aura, based on the memories of his Fourth Life.

Yun Ling’s features bore a resemblance to his most beloved consort in the Fourth Life. This was the reason for Lu Changan’s sense of familiarity.

However, facing the descendant of his Fourth Life, he didn’t feel the bloodline-related affection, at least not overtly.

Lu Changan surmised that his Fourth Life might differ from his first two lives. It was more like a simulation of a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun (元婴真君, Nascent Soul True Monarch) lifetime.

The Jiu Yin Bei (九印碑, Nine Seal Monument) forced him to transform into one of the nine lives.

Why he called it coincidental:

Yun Ling was not only the descendant of his Fourth Life. In her previous life, she had a close relationship with Lu Changan in this life.

Inside his spirit beast pouch, the Xuan Shui Gui played with the hand-crafted miniature turtle, its eyes filled with reminiscence, seemingly recalling a familiar figure.

Even the large turtle had a sense of connection, let alone Lu Changan, who possessed the Jiu Yin Bei.

The reincarnation of someone with a deep bond to him could be recognized as their past selves when they met again in this life.

The bell bracelet was a strange object related to divination and luck. However, it wasn’t of a high grade and could only sense auspicious signs and good fortune at close range. It wasn’t very useful, a bit of a waste.

It was like knowing about imminent danger only after divination, too late.

Li Huo Shang Ren had used this object to understand divination in his youth, later passing it on to his female consort.

“Xiaozhi, your birth in this life is good. Your appearance and talent surpass your previous life…”

Lu Changan felt a sense of comfort in his heart.

He didn’t intend to remind Guan Xiaozhi (关巧芝, Guan Qiaozhi) of her previous life. That would require a purer level of reincarnation energy, something he couldn’t achieve at the moment.

…

Before evening, Lu Changan had purchased many supplies in the market, all paid for with pills. He even exchanged some of his pills for spirit stones. The highest-grade pills he sold were at the “Zhun San Jie (准三阶, Quasi-Third Order)” level.

That night, rumors began to spread throughout the oasis about a “down-and-out pill master” selling pills in the He Yuan market.

This was a deliberate move by Lu Changan.

Trading the second-order pills for Yun Ling’s lucky charm was his first step.

Second-order and above pill masters were rare in the desert oasis, commanding high status.

Instead of searching for a force to rely on, Lu Changan decided to await the right price, letting others come to him.

The forces in the oasis were more proactive than Lu Changan had anticipated.

The next morning.

The owner of the He Yuan market’s Ya Ge (药阁, Medicine Pavilion), a white-bearded elder in the middle stage of the Zhu Ji (筑基, Foundation Establishment) realm, personally came to pay a visit.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lu Changan got straight to the point, emanating a faint aura of pill power.

“Does the San Wei Ya Ge (三味药阁, Three Flavors Medicine Pavilion) have a third-order spirit vein?”

Upon hearing this, the Ya Ge owner’s face changed. He bowed respectfully, “The San Wei Ya Ge doesn’t dare to overestimate itself. Please forgive Xu Zhen Ren (真人, True Immortal).”

He left a gift box and bowed before withdrawing.

In the He Yuan Oasis, a third-order spirit vein was controlled either by major forces or powerful scattered cultivators.

A pill master with the cultivation level of a Jia Dan (假丹, False Core) required a third-order spirit vein.

Over the next two days, Xu’s detailed information spread throughout the oasis. Forces without the strength to offer anything worthwhile simply gave up.

Three days later,

The first major force in the oasis with a third-order spirit vein extended an olive branch to Lu Changan. It was the He Yuan Oasis’ leading trading company, the Wan Hua Shang Hui (万华商会, Ten Thousand Splendor Trading Company).

The Wan Hua Shang Hui’s business was related to spiritual wood and herbs. Nearly half of the oasis’s spiritual bamboo, spiritual wood, and alchemy herbs were provided by the company.

It could be said that the company held the lifeline of ordinary pill masters and apothecary shops.

Inside a guest room.

The vice-president of the Wan Hua Shang Hui, an old man with a goat beard, white hair, and a childlike face, smiled calmly, confident in his victory.

“Our company won’t offer pill masters such relaxed and free conditions. At least a fifty-year spirit contract must be signed.

We provide a sufficient amount of second and third-order pills every year, cultivate three apprentices every decade… thus, you can enjoy a third-order spirit vein, a third-order Earth Vein spiritual fire, along with numerous lost pill formulas and unique alchemy techniques…

The large amount of alchemy herbs we provide can enhance a pill master’s proficiency, even helping them advance in grade. Naturally, we won’t be a sucker, just helping someone else succeed. I believe Xu Zhen Ren understands the logic.”

“Lu Hui Zhang (会长, Guild Master), your company’s restrictions are a bit excessive. Could we adopt a more free cooperation model?”

Lu Changan shook his head, proposing,

“Xu doesn’t need your company’s resources for cultivation. Could I exchange the right to lease a third-order spirit vein with a fixed amount of pills I refine each year?”

“Impossible!”

Lu Hui Zhang, the goat-bearded guild master, narrowed his eyes and directly refused.

The Wan Hua Shang Hui itself had a third-order Great Pill Master, abundant alchemy materials and inheritance, making it very attractive to outside pill masters.

Any high-level pill master was nurtured with a large amount of alchemy materials. A good alchemy inheritance also mattered.

In these aspects, the Wan Hua Shang Hui was unparalleled in the oasis, even surpassing large forces in the Immortal City.

“Xu Zhen Ren, perhaps you should compare the various conditions before making a decision.”

Lu Hui Zhang smiled and left, quite confident.

If one sought to pursue higher-level alchemy, the Wan Hua Shang Hui was the only choice in the oasis!

Lu Changan had to admit this.

However, he was the first to rule out the Wan Hua Shang Hui.

Lu Hui Zhang naturally didn’t know that the pursuit of alchemy skills was a low priority in Lu Changan’s skill development.

Every cultivator has a limited amount of energy in their lifetime.

Even though Lu Changan had a long lifespan and ample free time, he was currently studying too many cultivation techniques. He had to make choices.

His alchemy talent was too mediocre. Even with hundreds of years of practice, he might not reach the third-order medium level.

Instead, he might as well focus his energy on puppetry, divination, and body refinement, where his talent was better.

…

Half a month later,

Lu Changan had made contact with several forces in the oasis.

The appeal of a high-level pill master was indeed great. Prominent forces in the oasis had sent representatives to negotiate with Lu Changan.

Lu Changan described his pill mastery as “Zhun San Jie”, capable of barely refining a few third-order pills with a low success rate.

After careful consideration, Lu Changan had two relatively suitable targets.

One was the dragon family, a False Core-level cultivation family. They could barely cultivate a third-order spirit vein.

This family lacked any True Core cultivators. Their spirit vein field was small, suitable for only one True Core cultivator.

The second option was the Xing Yue Shang Hui (星月商会, Star Moon Trading Company), on the verge of bankruptcy, their True Core cultivators having died out. They were willing to make Lu Changan their patron.

However, this juicy piece of meat was being eyed by many forces on the island.

The Xing Yue Shang Hui offered the best, most relaxed conditions.

If Lu Changan joined this company, he might face some trouble.

Both targets had limitations.

The dragon family’s third-order spirit vein field was weak and unstable for long-term cultivation.

For example, if Lu Changan advanced to the mid-Core Formation stage, it wouldn’t be enough. Or if the dragon family produced a True Core cultivator.

The latter involved sharing the risk with the Xing Yue Shang Hui, including the risk of bankruptcy.

Lu Changan had yet to make a decision. He needed to investigate further.

…

“Could you please let them report to Xu Zhen Ren. The little girl and Xu Zhen Ren know each other and have done business together.”

This day, the Yun siblings, who had encountered Lu Changan at the stall area, came to visit him at the inn.

“What do these two want with me?”

Lu Changan pondered.

At this moment, the Yun siblings were being stopped by the inn’s bodyguard cultivators, unable to approach the upper room.

He had instructed that only those with Foundation Establishment level or higher could be reported.

The Yun siblings, one at the ninth level of Qi Refinement and the other at the eighth level, didn’t even qualify to report.

“Let them in.”

Lu Changan instructed through telepathic communication.

“Junior Yun Hao (云昊, Yun Hao) / Yun Ling (云玲, Yun Ling), pays respects to Xu Zhen Ren.”

The Yun siblings were slightly reserved, entering the guest room and bowing.

“What’s the purpose of your out-of-level visit?”

Lu Changan’s tone was neither cold nor hot, speaking indifferently.

In the cultivation world, it was a pipe dream for a Qi Refinement cultivator to visit a Nascent Soul True Immortal without any relationship.

Lu Changan, mindful of the reincarnation connection, gave the siblings a chance.

Even if Yun Ling’s past life was Guan Xiaozhi, he wouldn’t be overly considerate, at most offering a helping hand.

The so-called previous life and present life meant severing past grievances and dissolving most karma after reincarnation.

Unless the karma from the previous life was strong or there was too much debt, it wouldn’t carry over to the next life.

In his previous life, Lu Changan had cultivated his concubine Guan Xiaozhi to the ninth level of Qi Refinement, even giving her a chance at Foundation Establishment. He hadn’t mistreated her.

“Reverend sir, grandma asked us to visit and ask you to refine Foundation Establishment pills for us.”

Yun Hao’s heart skipped a beat, maintaining his composure, answering respectfully.

Lu Changan observed the two siblings. Their appearance and demeanor were extraordinary. They didn’t panic in the face of a Nascent Soul True Immortal.

Their aptitude and physique were also good.

Yun Hao had a superior spiritual root, his mana was pure and substantial, reaching the peak of the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Yun Ling had a medium spiritual root. According to gossip in the market, she was clever and skilled, with excellent talisman drawing talent.

The siblings had moved to the market when they were young, essentially natives.

“Why didn’t your grandma come herself?”

Lu Changan asked, intrigued.

The Yun siblings’ grandmother might have a deeper connection with his Fourth Life.

“Grandma is frail, old and weak, saying she didn’t want to frighten Xu Zhen Ren.”

Yun Ling said softly.

Lu Changan didn’t press further, it would seem abrupt.

“Have you prepared the materials for Foundation Establishment pills?”

“We have!”

Yun Hao confirmed. “We just lack a skilled pill master to ensure that both of us have genuine Foundation Establishment pills.”

Most of the materials for the Foundation Establishment pills were purchased with the spirit stones they had earned through hard work.

Grandma said, “Flowers raised in a greenhouse can’t become strong. Let the two of you experience the trials of the bottom strata of the cultivation world.”

“The reward for refining Foundation Establishment pills will be 30% higher than that of the second-order pill masters in the market. Upon success, grandma promises to recommend to Xu Zhen Ren a peaceful and free third-order spirit vein field.”

Yun Ling added softly.

“Alright, who told Xu to be impoverished and down-on-his-luck?”

Lu Changan accepted the alchemy commission, finalizing the payment and details with the siblings.

If he refined three Foundation Establishment pills, he would get one.

…

That night.

The Yun siblings returned to their three-story shop in the center of the market after setting up their stall.

On the top floor of the shop lived a silver-haired old woman with a cane, her face kind and benevolent.

“Grandma, that Xu Dan Shi (丹师, pill master) agreed to our request to refine pills.”

The Yun siblings reached the third floor and immediately reported.

“Hmm, being able to ask a quasi-third-order pill master to refine pills for you is your good fortune.”

Yun Po Po (婆婆, Granny) smiled, the wrinkles on her face and black age spots becoming more noticeable.

She had originally planned to let the siblings temper themselves further before they attempted Foundation Establishment.

Unexpectedly, Yun Ling had a chance encounter with a down-and-out high-level pill master, giving the siblings a chance to try.

Negotiating with a False Core True Immortal could help broaden their horizons.

Moreover, this alchemy process could be used to assess Xu Zhen Ren’s character and pill refining skills.

“Ling’er, tell grandma more details about that Xu Dan Shi…”

Yun Po Po kept Yun Ling behind to ask her a few questions.

Earlier, Yun Ling’s transaction with Xu Zhen Ren had been a bit strange.

She had used the phrase “a twist of fate” to describe it, concealing her inexplicable connection and familiarity with Xu Zhen Ren.

During this questioning, Yun Ling’s face flushed slightly, revealing her feelings.

Because, upon seeing Xu Zhen Ren this time, that feeling resurfaced. Her heart was slightly flustered, confused.

“The cultivation world is full of wonders. Meeting someone you feel connected to is normal. Your silver bell, which you always carry, has given you good fortune, proving that the person is not malicious towards you.”

Yun Po Po explained with a smile.

Yun Ling was still confused, she nodded, understanding vaguely, before leaving.

Only Yun Po Po remained on the third floor of the shop.

Invisible ripples separated the three floors of the loft, where a hidden third-order protective formation was in place.

“Strange, tracing Ling’er’s bloodline back, there isn’t a matching Nascent Soul True Immortal.”

Yun Po Po was equally puzzled, using divination to calculate.

Her divination skills had only recently entered the second order, learned from her husband many years ago.

In the cultivation world, cultivators with close bloodlines might experience a sense of familiarity and connection upon meeting.

However, it varied from person to person. Some felt it clearly, while others didn’t.

“It seems I can only analyze things further once I see that Xu Zhen Ren.”

After pondering for a long time, Yun Po Po sighed. She couldn’t reach a conclusion.

Swoosh!

The lights on the third floor of the shop went out. Yun Po Po reached out and wiped her face.

In the darkness, the wrinkled and withered old face suddenly became as clear as a mirror.

It was a stunning, delicate face, smooth as porcelain, with an elegant and noble demeanor. Her deep eyes were like mysterious night stars, captivating one’s soul.

She appeared to be a mature, elegant woman of about twenty-seven or eight, exuding grace and elegance in every movement.

…

Three days later.

Lu Changan arrived at the Yun siblings’ “Qi Zhen Lou (奇珍楼, Extraordinary Treasures Pavilion)” as agreed.

This shop only sold materials, pills, talismans, magic tools, antiques, and strange objects starting from the second order.

The quality of each item was slightly better than the same level, but the price was much higher, few patrons dared to enter.

The shopkeeper of the Qi Zhen Lou was a silver-haired old woman with wrinkled face and a cane. Outsiders called her Yun Po Po.

“Please, Xu Zhen Ren, lend us your hand.”

Accompanied by the Yun siblings, Yun Po Po, with slow steps, greeted Lu Changan at the entrance of the shop, bowing respectfully.

Her cloudy old eyes observed the middle-aged man in green robes, a hint of strangeness emerging in her heart.

This Xu Zhen Ren, she found him inexplicably pleasing to the eye and comfortable, instinctively feeling a sense of trust.

Yun Po Po confirmed that this face was the first she had seen in this life.

“Guild Master Yun is too polite.”

Lu Changan smiled in return.

As he approached Yun Po Po, he felt a faint sense of connection, even weaker than with Yun Ling.

Furthermore, the outline and eyes of this old face confirmed her identity.

“Yun Yan, Li Huo Shang Ren’s only remaining legitimate consort.”

Lu Changan, with his Fourth Life’s memories, immediately recognized Yun Po Po’s origin.

Before the Li Huo Gong (离火宫, Li Huo Palace) was breached, Li Huo Shang Ren had arranged a fake death scheme for her.

Yun Yan wasn’t lacking in Beautifying Pills, she was skilled at maintaining her appearance. As a True Core cultivator, she still had at least two hundred years of lifespan. She must have used some strange technique to age her face.

He sighed in his heart: Li Huo Shang Ren had died too early, too suddenly, leaving behind a lonely wife and children.

The Yun siblings, as Li Huo Shang Ren’s descendants, should have been surnamed Duan (段, Duan), but changed their surname to Yun.

“Please come in, Xu Zhen Ren.”

Yun Po Po’s voice was hoarse as she welcomed Lu Changan to the back of the shop, where a separate alchemy room was located.

“These are the materials for alchemy. Please, Xu Zhen Ren, examine them.”

Entering the alchemy room, Yun Po Po opened a storage pouch, verifying the materials in front of Lu Changan.

Lu Changan discovered that the main ingredient for Foundation Establishment pills was a pure and special妖核 (yao he, demon core), from a demon beast of the Earth-grade bloodline.

“Hmm, no problem.”

Lu Changan collected the materials and sat cross-legged in front of the pill furnace, activating the formation spiritual fire.

“Xu Zhen Ren, could you let us observe from a distance? We won’t disturb your alchemy.”

Yun Po Po suggested.

“No, Xu’s unique alchemy techniques cannot be observed by outsiders.”

Lu Changan apologized.

A significant portion of his third-order alchemy skills came from the Fourth Life’s Li Huo Shang Ren. He didn’t want Yun Yan to see any clues.

“Then we’ll trouble you, Xu Zhen Ren.”

Yun Po Po didn’t press the issue. She took the Yun siblings out of the alchemy room.

Gazing at the closed alchemy room door, Yun Po Po pondered for a long time, confused.

Could it be that this Xu Zhen Ren practiced some kind of strange technique that made any female cultivator who saw him feel connected to him, finding him pleasing to the eye and comfortable?

Several days later.

The alchemy room door opened, a surge of heat rushed out.

“How many pills have been refined?”

The Yun siblings had been guarding the alchemy room, not setting up their stall for these past few days.

Amidst the heat and fog, Lu Changan took three Foundation Establishment pills into his palm.

The three pills’ spiritual light faded, their color crystal clear, the particles full, all four lines.

“Three pills, all genuine.”

Lu Changan’s face was impassive, a normal level of performance.

Ordinary pill masters might lack materials to practice making Foundation Establishment pills. The Fourth Life’s Nascent Soul True Monarch did not lack this, having ample practice experience.

Lu Changan didn’t care about the alchemy reward itself.

The peaceful and free third-order spirit vein field promised by the Yun siblings made him curious.

(End of chapter)

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