I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 307

## Chapter 303: The Fairy of the Azure Moon

The next day, at noon.

The auction held every ten years in Gutian Immortal City was taking place as scheduled. The grand hall in the city center was already open to the public.

Unlike other auctions, the receptionists in front of the venue were lifelike, anthropomorphic puppets.

The female puppet who received Lu Changan and his group was stunningly beautiful, with a voluptuous figure. She wore a cool, short skirt, revealing her long, white legs.

Some low-level cultivators failed to recognize them as puppets, captivated by the female puppet’s seductive beauty.

Lu Changan felt his heart skip a beat. The reception puppets alone showcased impressive techniques in puppet making, worthy of his study.

If he were in the wild, he would have asked Diyan Shu to catch one for him to dissect and study.

The layout of the auction house was similar to the world outside the desert, only more rugged, with plenty of gold mines and mechanical materials added.

Lu Changan and Granny Yun only displayed their False Dan cultivation, having no connections in the city. They were placed in ordinary seats near the front.

They didn’t have the privilege of enjoying the VIP pavilions suspended above.

Lu Changan didn’t mind. He was just here for the show, not to make a splash.

Whoosh!

A travelling merchant, his skin sallow and head covered in a straw hat, ignored the welcoming greetings from the auction host, a Dan Formation expert, and flew towards the VIP pavilion in the central area above.

Granny Yun glanced at the merchant’s back, a chill running down her spine, fueling her apprehension.

The Dan power radiating from him was obscure and strange, making her unable to discern his true strength. She also felt an inexplicable chill.

The auction would start in half an hour, and cultivators from all over were gradually entering, including several Dan Formation experts.

“The Azure Sound Pavilion! The Azure Moon Fairy!”

At one point, the auction hall erupted in brief commotion, attracting countless ardent gazes.

Several graceful female cultivators, dressed in classical long gowns, entered the auction hall in a group, settling in one of the suspended pavilions.

The leading woman, clad in luxurious robes with ribbons twirling around her, had a delicate face and delicate brows. She wore a veil, revealing only a pair of clear eyes like moonbeams.

Beneath the white veil, a beautiful face emerged, obscured by a hazy, ethereal aura, unable to hide her extraordinary charm and otherworldly elegance.

“So beautiful…”

Yun Ling covered her mouth slightly, her eyes wide with admiration, stunned by the sight.

Yun Hao’s eyes shone with admiration, his gaze lingering briefly on the alluring figure.

He only reluctantly retracted his gaze when that flawlessly beautiful figure reached the suspended pavilion and set up a seclusion barrier.

It wasn’t because the Yun siblings lacked composure. Female cultivators from the Azure Sound Pavilion practiced sound-based techniques, enhancing their charisma and attractiveness. Their every smile and gesture held a magnetic pull, easily captivating cultivators at the same level, making them feel a sense of fondness.

Moreover, this was the master of the Azure Sound Pavilion.

Granny Yun’s expression remained stoic, secretly observing Mr. Xu’s reaction.

Lu Changan remained calm and collected, his eyes displaying a faint appreciation, without any lingering fondness.

His composure, his naturalness, not feigned aloofness, earned Granny Yun’s silent approval.

“This Mr. Xu is not swayed by beauty, not even by the allure of Azure Moon. He truly is a noble and elegant scholar with high moral character.”

Granny Yun couldn’t help but compare him to her deceased lover.

Setting aside their cultivation levels, she had a gut feeling that this Mr. Xu possessed a more appealing personality.

Her husband had taken several concubines in his lifetime. Had it not been for reputation’s sake, he might have entertained some thoughts upon meeting the Azure Moon Fairy back then.

Such subtle emotions couldn’t escape the awareness of a person sharing your life.

Yun Ling snapped out of her trance, her first instinct being to observe Lu Changan’s reaction. She couldn’t help but admire him and feel a secret sense of delight.

“Mr. Xu has been in Gutian Immortal City for several days, and there’s been no contact between him and the Azure Sound Pavilion. It seems our previous assumption was wrong. He does indeed have a rather ordinary relationship with the Azure Sound Pavilion female cultivators, just a transaction for alchemy.”

Yun Ling and Granny Yun exchanged glances, confirming their previous misunderstanding.

However, a moment later.

A coarse female voice reached their ears:

“Mr. Xu, our pavilion master invites you to have a chat above.”

A burly female cultivator from the Azure Sound Pavilion, with a bulging chest, stood before Lu Changan, bowing slightly.

“An invitation from the Azure Sound Pavilion master?”

Granny Yun and Yun Ling paused, looking at Lu Changan with doubt and uncertainty.

“Azure Moon Fairy invites Mr. Xu?”

Yun Hao couldn’t believe his ears, widening his eyes. For the first time, he felt a sliver of envy for the revered Mr. Xu.

The Azure Moon Pavilion master, this extraordinarily beautiful female Dan Formation expert, he wouldn’t even dare look her in the eye, feeling ashamed of himself.

…

“It’s you, Miao Xianzi.”

Lu Changan looked at the stout Miao Jing, returning the courtesy to the False Dan cultivator.

He could feel numerous curious and envious gazes converging on him.

He cursed inwardly, thinking how sly the Azure Sound Pavilion’s beautiful female cultivators were.

They could have invited him earlier, or waited until later. Why did they have to invite him in public, during the auction?

Lu Changan had been in the city for ten days. If the Azure Sound Pavilion wanted to invite him, they could have contacted him privately.

“Mr. Xu, you wouldn’t refuse the pavilion master’s kindness, would you?”

Miao Jing smiled sweetly, her face, the size of a washbasin, filled with hopeful expectation.

“To be invited by Azure Moon Zhenren, how could Xu refuse?”

Lu Changan maintained his courteous demeanor.

Now that the situation was like this, he knew whether he went or not, he would be the center of attention.

If he went, people would be jealous.

If he didn’t go, it would seem like he was ungrateful.

Either way, it would make Azure Moon Fairy’s admirers resentful and unhappy.

Lu Changan followed Miao Jing, entering the suspended pavilion where the Azure Sound Pavilion resided.

Coincidentally, his puppet clone was in the neighboring suspended pavilion, both of them with seclusion barriers activated.

Inside the Azure Sound Pavilion’s VIP pavilion, there were four women and one man.

Among them, Lu Changan recognized Jiang Ruotong and Miao Jing.

The Azure Moon Fairy, clad in luxurious robes with ribbons twirling around her, sat in the middle.

In this private space, the Azure Moon Pavilion master wasn’t wearing a veil.

Her beautiful face, as if painted on a scroll, was fully revealed, a dazzling sight.

“Mr. Xu, Azure Moon acted on impulse, inviting you abruptly. I hope you will forgive her boldness.”

The Azure Moon Fairy, graceful and charming, adjusted her robe, standing up and offering a graceful bow.

Her lips parted, each word like pearls dropping on a jade plate, a beautiful melody that filled one with serenity.

Coupled with her breathtaking beauty, her flawless grace, even the most furious anger would dissipate like smoke.

Lu Changan felt as if he were listening to exquisite string music, not only did his initial displeasure vanish, but he also felt a sense of pleasantness, beauty, and excitement.

“As expected of a top-tier sound cultivator!”

Lu Changan steadied his mind, thinking to himself.

He wasn’t captivated by her beauty and charm, but rather by the influence of the sound cultivation path, a shared human yearning for beauty.

His initial dissatisfaction had disappeared.

Lu Changan didn’t need to dwell on it, the fact that her sound cultivation could make him, a Dan Formation cultivator, feel good, was a testament to her skill.

Why did cultivators outside yearn to marry female cultivators from the Azure Sound Pavilion?

The sound cultivation path, if practiced regularly, could bring people peace and a positive mindset, making their cultivation journey smoother and less prone to mental barriers.

“You flatter me, Pavilion Master. I have heard of the Azure Moon Fairy’s fame since I was in Feng Guo.”

Lu Changan spoke with humility, bowing in return.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Azure Moon Zhenren introduced the other individuals.

“Mr. Xu, we meet again.”

Jiang Ruotong’s expression was calm as she bowed slightly.

Besides Jiang Ruotong and Miao Jing, he recognized a False Dan cultivator.

There was also a slender, handsome Dan Formation cultivator, around thirty years old.

“This is Dongfang Xi, a guest elder of the Azure Sound Pavilion, a Third-Order alchemist. He is well-versed in pharmacology and skilled in detoxification.”

The Azure Moon Fairy gestured, introducing their only male member.

“I have heard that Mr. Xu once rescued Elder Jiang. You are skilled in both alchemy and pharmacology. Dongfang admires you greatly.”

Dongfang Xi smiled gently, polite and courteous, exuding the aura of a noble gentleman.

“So it’s Alchemist Dongfang.”

Lu Changan took a brief look, guessing that this Third-Order alchemist specialized more in pharmacology and medicine, not alchemy.

Otherwise, the Azure Sound Pavilion wouldn’t be so eager to recruit him.

After they sat down, Azure Moon Zhenren didn’t directly try to recruit Lu Changan. Instead, she first expressed gratitude for his past rescue of Jiang Ruotong.

“This humble gift is a token of our appreciation from the Azure Sound Pavilion. Please accept it, Mr. Xu.”

She didn’t just offer verbal thanks. Azure Moon Fairy waved her sleeve, producing a pink-gold token and a blue jade book.

“This token is a VIP pass for the ‘Melody Tower’, the highest level, allowing you to summon the courtesans stationed there to play music for you in all the Melody Towers across the various immortal cities. You will also receive a 50% discount on all services.”

“This jade book contains the lost ancient musical score ‘Feathered Garment of the Azure Sky’. If you can decipher it, you will achieve profoundness in sound cultivation and become a sage. It is the Azure Sound Pavilion’s most ancient treasure.”

The Azure Moon Fairy’s every smile and gesture was like a classical beauty from a painting, bringing about a pleasant, heart-fluttering sensation.

“To think that Azure Moon Fairy would go to such lengths.”

Lu Changan didn’t refuse, accepting the gifts.

During their subsequent conversation, Lu Changan looked intently at the Azure Moon Fairy’s beautiful features.

As he observed her closely, he couldn’t help but notice something unusual, prompting him to take a few extra glances.

In the eyes of others, it looked as if Lu Changan was staring intently at Azure Moon Fairy’s face, which was somewhat impolite.

Dongfang Xi’s brows furrowed, showing signs of displeasure.

Seeing that Azure Moon Fairy was laughing and acting carefree, he suppressed his discomfort and said nothing.

After all, Lu Changan just glanced a few more times, at worst it was considered rude, but he didn’t do anything more inappropriate.

Jiang Ruotong felt a tinge of disappointment and loss.

Earlier, Lu Changan had been indifferent to her hints, making her believe that he was an aloof, reclusive expert.

But now, seeing the extraordinary Azure Moon Fairy, he had finally shown his true colors.

“Perhaps Mr. Xu is skilled in divination and is reading my fortune?”

Azure Moon Fairy didn’t get angry, but rather chuckled, graceful and poised, taking the initiative to break the awkward silence.

Since her youth, her radiant brilliance had always attracted attention wherever she went.

Being secretly watched, stared at, was something she was used to.

“You flatter me, Azure Moon Fairy. This is my first time meeting you, and I was simply struck by your beauty, acting impulsively. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Lu Changan chuckled, deflecting the awkwardness with self-deprecation.

The crowd, including Azure Moon Fairy, laughed at Lu Changan’s “honesty”, taking no offense.

“It’s a pity that such a stunning beauty is destined to have a short life.”

Lu Changan felt a pang of regret in his heart.

Just now, while observing Azure Moon Fairy, Lu Changan saw her concealed facial fortune.

She wouldn’t live beyond ten years.

Azure Moon Pavilion master was a peak mid-stage Dan Formation expert. Based on Lu Changan’s judgment, she had failed to break through to the late stage.

This was normal for Dan Formation cultivators. On average, out of ten Dan Formation cultivators, only one would reach the late stage.

Only those with the Immortal Dan could be sure of advancing to the late stage of Dan Formation.

The Azure Moon Fairy had exceptional talent in sound cultivation, but she wasn’t a Spirit Root.

Leading the Azure Sound Pavilion to establish itself and take root in the desert, facing various predators and spies, had drained her of energy and vitality.

…

Half an hour later, the auction hall was packed, and the auction officially commenced.

Due to Azure Moon Fairy’s invitation, Lu Changan remained in the VIP pavilion to participate in the auction.

If he went out, it would draw even more attention. Staying above also allowed him to enjoy better service.

In truth, being recruited by a large force was normal for a Third-Order alchemist, even for the Azure Sound Pavilion.

The early part of the auction primarily focused on rare items for Foundation Establishment cultivators and below.

After all, Foundation Establishment cultivators comprised the majority of the auction attendees.

Lu Changan and the Azure Sound Pavilion female cultivators didn’t bid on much.

In the latter half of the auction, items for Dan Formation experts occasionally appeared.

“A young Golden Feather Hawk, one, starting bid 2,500 spirit stones.”

“The Golden Feather Hawk is a high-quality bloodline spiritual bird, rare in the desert. This hawk excels in flying and scouting, a renowned aerial predator. With enough resources and spiritual items, the Golden Feather Hawk can quickly grow into a valiant and battle-ready flying mount…”

The young bird on the auction stage caused a stir.

“3,000 spirit stones!”

“3,500 spirit stones!”

“3,800 spirit stones!”

Due to the Golden Feather Hawk’s practical value, strong overall qualities, and rapid growth, numerous factions and individual cultivators competed for it.

“4,000 spirit stones!”

Even Miao Jing from the Azure Sound Pavilion participated in the bidding.

Lu Changan looked on curiously, not participating.

This Golden Feather Hawk was the young bird he had entrusted his puppet clone to sell. He had sent it to the auction to gain maximum profit.

Lu Changan had too much material to sell, it wouldn’t be possible to send everything to the auction to maximize profits. Otherwise, he might reveal himself.

“Next up for auction, a mid-grade Third-Order Cloud Peak Stone, suitable as an auxiliary material for magic weapons and crafting high-quality puppets.”

“Two hundred jin of Cloud Peak Stone, a considerable amount. The starting bid is 6,000 spirit stones, each subsequent bid cannot be less than 100 spirit stones.”

While ore materials were relatively abundant in the Endless Desert, high-grade ores were still expensive.

Ordinary low-grade magic weapons cost about 10,000 to 20,000 spirit stones.

“6,300 spirit stones… 6,600 spirit stones…”

“8,000 spirit stones!”

A hoarse and indifferent voice came from the neighboring VIP pavilion, belonging to the straw hat-wearing travelling merchant.

The auction hall went silent for a moment.

“8,000 spirit stones, anyone willing to offer a higher price? The Cloud Peak Stone has many uses, buying it will definitely not be a loss…”

The bronze-skinned middle-aged auctioneer announced loudly.

“Haha, 8,200 spirit stones.”

From a VIP pavilion on the right, a casual voice echoed.

Inside the suspended pavilion sat a silver-robed Dan Formation cultivator, about thirty to forty years old, sporting a two-inch beard.

“8,500 spirit stones.”

The straw hat-wearing travelling merchant furrowed his brows, raising his bid again.

“Haha, 8,600 spirit stones, the Cloud Peak Stone is destined for this Zhenren.”

The casual voice echoed once more, the silver-robed Dan Formation cultivator looking relaxed.

“Yun He Zhenren, the newly appointed Zhenren of the ‘North River Family’ from the Hidden Dragon Water Fortress.”

Some cultivators recognized the silver-robed Zhenren’s identity.

The North River Family, from which he came, held a water-based spiritual land.

“8,800 spirit stones.”

The straw hat-wearing travelling merchant raised his bid once more.

Yun He Zhenren chuckled, preparing to raise the bid by another hundred spirit stones.

Bang!

Suddenly, he felt a jolt in his divine sense, being locked in by a powerful divine sense.

“Young whippersnapper! Are you challenging my Qinglong Association ‘Dao Thief’?”

“Humph, unless you never leave Gutian Immortal City, I will let you have these two hundred jin of Cloud Peak Stone.”

The divine sense pressed down on him, making it hard for him to breathe, threatening him.

“Late-stage Dan Formation expert!”

Yun He Zhenren’s heart pounded, his face turning pale, his voice caught in his throat.

His family didn’t even have a mid-stage Dan Formation expert. To offend a late-stage Dan Formation expert for a piece of Third-Order material meant risking the extinction of their clan.

“8,800 spirit stones, no higher bids? Then it goes to the cultivator in VIP Pavilion number 8.”

The auctioneer, quick to understand, swiftly completed the auction.

A few cultivators in the hall, sensing what had just happened, could guess something from Yun He Zhenren’s expression.

“Unbelievable! To use ‘divine sense intimidation’ during an auction.”

A black-robed Zhenren, stationed at the auction, glared angrily, standing up with sharp eyes.

According to the rules: Using divine sense intimidation would result in expulsion at the very least, and the auction results would be voided.

“Chuan er, that person is a late-stage Dan Formation expert. Are you sure you want to warn him?”

A raspy voice sounded in the black-robed Zhenren’s ear.

“Late-stage Dan Formation expert? How could someone like that be attending this auction?”

The black-robed Zhenren’s face turned pale, his palms sweating profusely.

There was no Fourth-Order spiritual vein or Nascent Soul Zhenjun in the Outer Sect Alliance region.

Late-stage Dan Formation experts were the most powerful individuals in this area, looking down on the surrounding oasis spiritual lands.

“That mysterious person is also the one who consigned the Ning Jing Dan, the final auction item.”

The raspy voice finished and fell silent.

The black-robed Zhenren slumped back, giving up on pursuing the matter.

The strict rules of the auction only applied to ordinary cultivators, not to true powerhouses.

While the Xuanji Pavilion in the city had a late-stage Dan Formation expert as a protector, they were usually reclusive, focused on refining puppet techniques.

As long as the other party didn’t go too far, the Xuanji Pavilion didn’t want to offend the mysterious late-stage Dan Formation expert.

…

In the latter half of the auction, the straw hat-wearing travelling merchant bid on several more items.

These items involved alchemy, puppetry, poisons, etc., demonstrating his extravagant wealth.

After Yun He Zhenren’s experience, the other Dan Formation experts didn’t dare to clash head-on with the straw hat-wearing travelling merchant.

“Enough.”

The Azure Moon Fairy sighed softly, giving up on competing for one of the spiritual items.

“It saves me some trouble.”

Lu Changan nodded silently.

Through this auction, he had basically gathered the materials for his second mid-grade Third-Order puppet, and he had also accumulated more materials.

The last few items of the auction, mid-grade magic weapons and a Third-Order water spirit pearl, were all sold for tens of thousands of spirit stones, but there wasn’t much enthusiasm.

The final item of the auction was the one that had everyone eager and excited.

“The final item of this auction is a genuine Ning Jing Dan, which can increase the probability of forming a Dan. It is an incredibly rare spiritual pill from Feng Yuan Guo.”

The auctioneer’s voice boomed.

“As per the consigner’s request, those who can provide a Third-Order Life Extension Dan, advanced puppetry skills, can prioritize trading or deduct spirit stones.”

“The genuine Ning Jing Dan has a starting bid of 38,000 spirit stones, each subsequent bid cannot be less than 1,000 spirit stones.”

Before he had even finished speaking, bidding started to echo.

“40,000 spirit stones!”

“41,000 spirit stones!”

“45,000 spirit stones!”

The bidding price kept climbing, breaking through the 50,000 mark.

As expected, the Azure Sound Pavilion participated in the bidding, but unfortunately, they didn’t succeed.

Finally, the Ning Jing Dan was bought by an elder from a large trading house.

The trading house had provided the consigner with a puppet inheritance that satisfied their requirements, a fragment from the Thousand Mechanism Teachings, deducting 20,000 spirit stones and securing priority in the bidding.

“It’s him…”

When the straw hat-wearing travelling merchant went to verify the puppet inheritance, the Azure Sound Pavilion’s Dan Formation female cultivators were stunned.

This person, who was suspected to be a late-stage Dan Formation expert, had been generous with his spending at the auction and had even used divine sense intimidation.

To think that the Ning Jing Dan was also from his hands.

Such a mysterious figure commanded the respect, fear, and curiosity of all the factions present.

The Azure Moon Fairy’s clear eyes twirled, her lips pursed, considering whether she should try to get closer to this person.

However, the straw hat-wearing travelling merchant didn’t give her a chance, disappearing from the auction like a ghost, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

…

The auction was declared over.

Lu Changan seemed to have been a mere spectator, with little to show for his efforts.

He stood up, preparing to bid farewell to the Azure Sound Pavilion female cultivators.

“Mr. Xu, wait a moment, Azure Moon has something to discuss with you.”

A heavenly voice, accompanied by a lingering fragrance, Azure Moon Fairy smiled gently, gliding towards Lu Changan.

(End of Chapter)

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