I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 323

## Chapter 319: The First Cultivator

Moments later, Li Congren withdrew his respectful bow. His previous action seemed to pay homage to the departing Mu Clan ancestor.

Mu Changxiu was still shaken, turning around to see: Mu Bingyun was indeed dead, her expression serene in death.

After the initial grief, Mu Changxiu sent a voice transmission, instructing them to start preparations for the joyous mourning ceremony.

“Li Zhenren, did Old Master Lu come here just now?”

Mu Changxiu’s voice was urgent, pressing for confirmation.

For Li Congren, a False Core cultivator, to be so respectful, it was no ordinary matter.

While Mu Bingyun could be considered a half-senior, she wasn’t someone who would warrant such a low posture from Li Congren.

The two young people from Xuemei Mountain’s Li family also curiously looked at their grandfather.

“Perhaps, only Aunt Bing knows.”

Li Congren shook his head, his gaze steady and direct towards Mu Changxiu, making the latter feel an embarrassing sense of having his thoughts seen through.

In the Mu family of Fei Yue Lake, Mu Bingyun was the last cultivator to have a deep connection with Changqing Zhenren.

Mu Changxiu had only met Changqing Zhenren once in his youth, accompanied by his mother, receiving a gift from the latter.

After that, there was no further interaction.

Now, the Mu family was gradually declining, facing hidden dangers.

Mu Changxiu desperately wanted to see the reclusive Zhenren, whose legendary anecdotes remained in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

Li Congren, with a mid-grade spiritual root, had similar资质 (cultivation potential) to him. Why could he form a False Core?

It wasn’t just about financial resources and the early luck brought by the Treasure Rat.

Over a hundred years ago, during the time when Lu Changan, a Core Formation cultivator, sought refuge in Jing Kingdom, he had owed Li Congren a favor.

Years later, Changqing Zhenren, upon returning to Liang Kingdom, deliberately spent a night at Xuemei Mountain, causing the hostile force, “Dongmen Clan”, to be filled with unease and proactively apologize, turning enemies into friends.

That night, besides Lu Changan, those who stayed at Xuemei Mountain included the current leader of Jin Yun Valley, Zhang Tianfeng!

Since then, Xuemei Mountain’s Li family not only resolved their troubles but also gained immense prestige in the surrounding areas. Their commercial enterprises and businesses prospered.

Before Li Congren’s ascension to False Core, Xuemei Mountain’s commercial association, including several dedicated cultivators, had as many as ten Core Formation cultivators.

Due to this protection, coupled with their alliance with the Zhou family, a prominent force in beast taming, Xuemei Mountain itself had a strong foundation. This allowed Li Congren to acquire the Ning Jing Dan (Crystallization Pill) and materials for Core Formation.

It wasn’t just Mu Changxiu’s conjecture. Related accounts of the events were mentioned in biographies like “Changqing’s Legend” and “The Xuan Turtle Travels”.

Especially “Changqing’s Legend”, it highly praised: This biography considered Lu Changan to be a candidate for “Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse”. He later went into hiding in Feng Yuan Kingdom, perhaps for a low-key life or to escape powerful enemies, willingly giving up this reputation.

…

Inside the subworld, Mu Changxiu repeatedly questioned, suspecting Li Congren was concealing something.

“Little brother Changxiu, this matter cannot be forced.”

Li Congren furrowed his brow, his tone heavy, scaring the latter into repeatedly bowing.

Mu Changxiu sighed, also knowing that he couldn’t force it. But he clung to a sliver of hope.

He couldn’t accept it: The connection between Changqing Zhenren and Fei Yue Lake had ended with his generation.

That day, Li Congren, accompanied by his two young descendants, visited the independent courtyard guesthouse on Moon Heart Island.

“Grandfather, without Changqing Zhenren’s permission, you commissioned people to compile his biography. If he knew, wouldn’t he feel displeased?”

One of the young girls in purple robes, Li Congren’s most beloved granddaughter, with bright, twinkling black eyes, expressed her curiosity about the legendary figure.

It turned out that the mainstream versions of “Changqing’s Legend” and “The Xuan Turtle Travels” circulating in the cultivation world were all commissioned by Li Congren.

“Cough! At that time, some biographies circulating in the market were defamatory towards Changqing Zhenren. I was maintaining his image, I believe Old Master Lu won’t blame me.”

Li Congren coughed lightly, explaining.

He wasn’t lying. A few insignificant scholars and writers actually slandered Old Master Lu, portraying him as cowardly and timid, running around.

Or they depicted him as a licentious man, writing him into vulgar harem romances.

The biography he commissioned corrected historical facts!

It portrayed Lu Changan as a contemporary oddity, indifferent to fame and fortune, upright, and not swayed by beauty.

The so-called running away was a prudent move, a far-sighted strategy, ultimately leading to his success.

Even his occasional romantic affairs were the result of various female cultivators being captivated by Changqing Zhenren’s charm, willingly becoming transient figures in his legendary cultivation journey.

“Fifty years…”

Inside the guesthouse, Li Congren looked up at the moon, sighing. Looking back at the last time he saw Old Master Lu, it was more than sixty years ago.

In the eyes of the world, Changqing Zhenren had disappeared from Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world for over fifty years.

There were only vague rumors, some saying he perished in the vast sand sea, others claiming he was seeking refuge in Feng Yuan Kingdom and would return after the war ended.

The demonic war had ended for a couple of decades, yet Changqing Zhenren still hadn’t returned.

Whew!

The lights in the room suddenly went out, a gust of cold wind blowing in.

Li Congren’s heart clenched, his body stiffening.

After the strange wind subsided, a voice transmission talisman appeared in his hand.

Upon hearing the contents of the voice transmission talisman, Li Congren’s face lit up with joy.

Until late at night.

He flew away from Moon Heart Island alone, sneaking into the Jade Mountain Villa by the lake.

Jade Mountain Villa was where the Mu clan’s lower-level members practiced.

Lu Changan and Li Erqing, in their youth, had spent years in seclusion here.

Especially Old Master Erqing, he married into the family here and had many descendants.

By the lake, there was a courtyard belonging to Changqing Zhenren in his youth, which was still well-preserved.

Li Congren took a deep breath and sneaked into Changqing Zhenren’s former residence.

…

From the outside, Changqing Zhenren’s former residence was pitch black, silent.

Entering the courtyard, Li Congren found the lights were on inside.

Creak!

The study door opened automatically, a jade-like man with an elegant demeanor sat at the desk, dressed in white.

He was the familiar figure, unchanged in appearance, from Li Congren’s memory.

“Unfilial junior Li Congren pays his respects to Old Master Lu.”

Li Congren drifted into the study, bowing deeply.

He noticed that behind Old Master Lu, there was a female cultivator in a green robe, her head veiled, serving freshly brewed tea.

The woman in green had an ordinary appearance, elegant bearing, and profound spiritual energy, making Li Congren unable to discern her level, likely a Core Formation cultivator.

Lu Changan raised his hand, motioning for Li Congren to sit, smiling as he observed:

“Not bad, with your cultivation potential, you can reach False Core. You are indeed the grandson Erqing cherished the most.”

Actually, fifteen or sixteen years ago, when Lu Changan tricked the Peacock Saintess and came to Liang Kingdom, he had already discovered Li Congren had formed a False Core.

Looking at the vast number of cultivators in the cultivation world, a mid-grade spiritual root forming a False Core, while not common, wasn’t extraordinary.

In the eyes of Core Formation cultivators and Nascent Soul Zhenjun (Nascent Soul True Masters), it was nothing special.

Unless it was a low-grade spiritual root forming a Nascent Soul, then it could be considered a favored child of destiny.

“Congren is slow-witted, unable to form a True Core, unworthy of Old Master Lu’s guidance and care.”

Li Congren spoke earnestly, his tone tinged with regret.

Back then, witnessing the majesty of a True Core cultivator at Xuemei Mountain, he realized the vast gap in strength and status between False Core and True Core.

At that time, he made a vow that if he had a chance to form a Core, he would strive to form a True Core.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t take that final step.

“Hehe, Congren’s achievements already make him the most outstanding among Li Erqing’s direct descendants. You are skilled at managing the family. If there is no True Core in this generation, there might be one in the generations to come.”

Lu Changan had previously calculated that the Xuemei Mountain Li clan’s luck was far better than Fei Yue Lake’s.

Even if Li Congren only achieved False Core, the family was so prosperous and thriving, the Xuemei Mountain lineage would continue to flourish.

Of course, such cultivation families, once they produce a True Core cultivator, typically hit a ceiling, rarely breaking through further.

After chatting for a while, Lu Changan asked Li Congren about the situation in Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

During the conversation, the woman in green also asked questions, which Li Congren answered in detail, without inquiring about her identity.

Lu Changan didn’t want the Night Moon Fairy to know about the relationship with Xing Peng.

Li Congren, managing his commercial enterprises, including some cross-kingdom business dealings, had better access to information than ordinary cultivators.

Through Li Congren, the Night Moon Fairy learned about the situation regarding Xuan Yin Pavilion’s former mountain gate.

The former mountain gate was occupied by a Core Formation sect from the former Feng Kingdom, now belonging to Jin Yang Zong’s faction.

This sect was powerful, surpassing Jin Yun Valley.

To reclaim the old mountain gate, the Night Moon Fairy, in her lifetime, would almost certainly be unable to achieve it.

Lu Changan casually inquired about the Peacock Saintess’s situation.

Li Congren pondered, “The Peacock Demoness is still detained in Jin Yang Zong. The Beast King Valley doesn’t feel threatened and is unwilling to offer any sincere bargaining chips. And killing her wouldn’t benefit Jin Yang Zong…”

Lu Changan listened and chuckled.

The Peacock Saintess’s current situation was very awkward.

She couldn’t return, and she couldn’t die.

Her spiritual energy was sealed, preventing cultivation, and her cultivation level might even decline gradually.

“However, the ‘Wanhe Zhenjun’ (Ten Thousand Cranes True Master) of the Beast King Valley secretly sent people to plead, perhaps offering benefits to Jin Yang Zong. It seems the Peacock Demoness can move around within a limited area in Jin Yang Zong’s mountain gate, reduced to a servant, doing menial tasks. Her life is slightly better than before…”

“Reduced to a servant?”

Lu Changan initially worried that the Peacock Saintess, with some freedom, might have a chance to escape.

He then learned that not only was the Peacock Saintess’s spiritual energy sealed, but her feet were also shackled with chains, forged by a Nascent Soul True Master.

If she attempted to leave Jin Yang Zong, the restriction would activate, leaving her worse off than death.

Many guests of Jin Yang Zong would even intentionally visit the outer mountain to observe the Peacock Saintess’s degraded state as a servant.

The Peacock Saintess silently endured the humiliation, remaining silent.

If Lu Changan visited Jin Yang Zong, he would be able to see the Peacock Saintess, but he wouldn’t be allowed to approach her.

Lu Changan speculated that Jin Yang Zong was afraid that in the future, the Beast King Valley might truly unify the surrounding kingdoms, so they didn’t dare to truly harm the Peacock Saintess.

This provided room for maneuver in the future, preventing them from being targeted for retribution.

Being defeated and having to relocate their sect, if they were targeted by the Beast King Valley’s higher-ups, the difficulty would be completely different.

…

Half an hour later, Li Congren’s face flushed, he bowed and took his leave.

Before leaving.

Li Congren bought some relatively affordable third-order talismans and a third-order low-grade puppet from Lu Changan.

Lu Changan entrusted him with two tasks.

First, to the best of his ability, Li Congren should try to look after the Mu family.

Lu Changan’s connection with the Mu family gradually faded.

However, Li Erqing’s lineage was closely related to the Mu family of Fei Yue Lake, their bloodlines intertwined.

Without Fei Yue Lake, there would be no Xuemei Mountain today.

Lu Changan had calculated: After Mu Bingyun’s death, the Mu family’s future fortune would be very bad, even facing the possibility of extinction.

Second, during the mourning ceremony, Li Congren would be responsible for presenting a precious pearl as a gift to Qi Feng’s descendants.

It turned out that Lu Changan had discovered a high-grade spiritual root among Qi Feng’s descendants.

His adoptive father’s descendants had managed to establish a family in the cultivation world, which Lu Changan was pleased with.

And that Qi Feng had always watched over Little Turtle Peak, including Guan Qiaozhi’s tomb.

This character and dedication made Lu Changan admire him, so he decided to reward him.

The precious pearl Lu Changan gifted could slightly accelerate cultivation speed before Core Formation, and it also had a slow nourishing effect on the cultivation potential, reducing the chance of damaging the foundation.

“Lu Lang, tonight… are we staying at your youthful residence?”

The Night Moon Fairy approached from behind, graceful and elegant, her voice soft and smooth, like a tinkling stream.

Years ago, when she learned of “Lu the Turtle”‘s identity, the Night Moon Fairy was stunned for a moment.

Later, upon seeing Lu Changan’s true appearance, she readily accepted it, and their relationship became even deeper.

“Tonight, at this Zhenren’s former residence, you will play music for a night as a tribute.”

Lu Changan said with a smile.

Hearing this, the woman in green before him transformed, wearing a cloud-like gown, her veil falling, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face, a celestial figure dancing under the moonlight in the courtyard.

Then, an ancient guqin floated in mid-air, producing ethereal and resonant sounds.

Lu Changan enjoyed the music and dance, his mind in a daze, as if he had returned to the Qi Condensation period over two hundred years ago, living under the eaves of others, cautious and circumspect.

Back then, how could he have imagined that one day, he would return to his old residence, and have Liang Kingdom’s First Fairy dance and play music for him.

The next morning, the courtyard by the lake, the old residence, was silent and undisturbed.

Besides Li Congren, no one else in the entire Fei Yue Lake clan knew that Changqing Zhenren had visited the old residence last night.

…

For the next two days, Lu Changan did not attend Mu Bingyun’s funeral.

He didn’t want the outside world to know the exact news of his return.

A few days later.

The two of them traveled in a chariot-shaped magic treasure, arriving at a gathering place for reclusive cultivators in Liang Kingdom’s southeastern border, Nightless Town.

Nightless Town was a newly established large marketplace, geographically located in the rear of the demonic battlefield, on the border of Liang Kingdom. It was convenient to travel to Feng Kingdom and Moon Watch City.

To the east was the perilous Toxic Gas Swamp, teeming with poisonous creatures and beasts, ten times more dangerous than the Flying Sand Sky Pass leading to Feng Yuan Kingdom, even Core Formation cultivators would find it dangerous to cross.

On the other side of the endless swamp was the Two Sects Boundary, a distant location.

In recent years, with the presence of Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse, “Nightless Zhenren”, and the need to escape the demonic war, Nightless Town rapidly expanded, attracting a large number of reclusive cultivators, its scale comparable to some cities.

However, the spiritual veins were less abundant, unable to accommodate too many Core Formation cultivators.

Nightless Town was built around mountains, with several subworlds on top of the central peak, shrouded in mist, the residences of the town’s upper echelons.

“Shi Xianzi, the sensing array’s central hub had a momentary fluctuation, but quickly returned to normal. I suspect there might be an unknown cultivator, hiding their identity, illegally entering…”

Inside the second subworld on the left, a Core Formation late-stage marketplace elder came in to report.

“The array fluctuation, what colors were the warning lights?”

In the courtyard garden in front of the subworld, a woman nearing forty, dressed in a dark green robe, her body plump and curvaceous, was lazily reclining against the railing.

“It seems to be five colors.”

The marketplace elder wasn’t sure.

“Five colors… just for a moment?”

Shi Xianzi’s clear eyes narrowed, her casual demeanor vanished, her expression becoming serious.

For cultivators who sneak into the city without verification, the city’s formation would react.

The colors indicate different levels.

Qi Condensation is one color, Core Formation is two colors… a False Core cultivator is only three colors.

If five colors appear, it is the highest alert, meaning that there is at least a Core Formation level or higher cultivator present.

However, the reaction only lasted for a moment, the visitor might have left immediately, or they might have evaded the formation’s detection and infiltrated the inner part of Nightless Town.

“You can step back, I will report this matter to Zhenren Jiang.”

Shi Manrong’s tone was calm, dismissing the marketplace elder.

At this moment, she glanced at the rockery not far away, where a rat demon the size of a small dog sat, appearing ordinary.

The marketplace elder who had just reported hadn’t noticed the rat demon a few feet away.

“It’s you…”

Shi Manrong couldn’t help but be taken aback, the rat demon’s sharp eyes closely matched a certain image in her memory.

To be able to enter her subworld unnoticed, it was impossible for an ordinary third-order rat demon to do so.

Shi Manrong’s spiritual sense swept outside the subworld, seeing a man and a woman sitting in the reception pavilion.

“Eh! Mother, where did the rat come from?”

A clean and delicate boy in white robes walked over, curiously looking at the rat demon on the rockery.

“Xiao Chuan, there are guests visiting outside, you go and welcome them, don’t alarm anyone else.”

Shi Manrong instructed.

“Okay.”

The boy in white, in the Qi Condensation mid-stage, took a jade token and went outside the subworld.

The two in the pavilion were a man in white robes and a female cultivator in a green robe.

The woman in green wore a veil covering her face below the bridge of her nose, her facial features ordinary.

The man in white robes, with his gentle and serene demeanor, made the boy pause for a moment.

This man’s appearance and temperament were unparalleled among the male cultivators he knew, and there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

Their spiritual energy was profound and concealed, their levels indistinguishable.

“Junior Shi Xiao Chuan, I am ordered by my mother to welcome you two to the subworld.”

The boy in white bowed.

“Xiao Chuan, is your mother Shi Xianzi? The master of formations in Nightless Town?”

Lu Changan couldn’t help but ask.

“Yep.” The boy in white nodded.

Lu Changan didn’t think much of it. He would prepare a gift for Shi Xianzi’s son later.

Time had changed.

After so many years without contact, even couples’ feelings would fade, let alone a casual, fleeting romance.

Even if Shi Manrong had gotten married and had children, in Lu Changan’s eyes, it was logical.

After all, Shi Manrong had divorced early in her youth. She had a wish back then at Wuqi Mountain, wanting a child to carry on her lineage.

Lu Changan asked the woman in green to stay in the pavilion, and he followed Shi Xiao Chuan alone.

As soon as Lu Changan stepped into the subworld, a powerful Core Formation level spiritual pressure surged from the adjacent subworld, clearly reaching the Core Formation mid-stage.

Swish!

A purple star-like figure flew over, transforming into a purple-robed Zhenren with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, a full forehead, his expression grim, his tone unfriendly:

“Lu, you still have the face to come back and look for Manrong?”

“Daoist Jiang, long time no see!”

Lu Changan immediately recognized the person, it was Jiang Yechen, his former acquaintance, now Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse, “Nightless Zhenren”.

Compared to a hundred years ago, Jiang Yechen only looked a few years older, his temperament had become more composed, lacking the previous feminine traits.

Lu Changan thought, he had heard that Jiang Yechen had a good relationship with Shi Xianzi, could they be a couple now?

Jiang Yechen’s early lover, Shen Bixin, had married and, according to her lifespan, passed away at least sixty years ago.

However, Jiang Yechen and Shi Xianzi lived in separate subworlds, not looking like a Daoist couple.

“Daoist Jiang, guests are precious. My lifespan is running out, and I’m just wanting to catch up with an old friend.”

Shi Xianzi’s soft voice came, sounding like a plea.

Jiang Yechen snorted coldly, following Lu Changan into the subworld with a stern face.

“Master.”

Shi Xiao Chuan barely dared to breathe, whispering a greeting.

Jiang Yechen put his arm around the boy’s shoulder, appearing fatherly, entering the subworld.

In the pavilion, the woman in green, with her ordinary appearance, had a smirk on her face.

She felt that the boy in white’s temperament and appearance were more like Lu Changan’s.

…

In the side chamber, Lu Changan saw Shi Xianzi again after several decades.

Despite her dwindling lifespan, Shi Manrong knew how to preserve her appearance, looking like a mature middle-aged woman.

While her beauty was not as stunning as before, she was even more mature and charming, dignified and elegant, like an unassuming chrysanthemum.

“Lu Daoist, why didn’t you let the female Daoist come in?”

“She is a female cultivator from a tribe in Feng Yuan Kingdom, she is solitary by nature, she doesn’t like to interact with strangers.”

Lu Changan said calmly.

Shi Manrong didn’t think much of it. The woman in green outside was not outstanding in appearance or temperament.

A native tribal female cultivator?

Jiang Yechen thought deeply: It seems Lu Changan’s life wasn’t so good when he sought refuge in Feng Yuan Kingdom, perhaps he formed a relationship with a noble tribal female cultivator, selling his body for a stable environment for cultivation and survival, and thus reaching Core Formation mid-stage.

Otherwise, with Lu Changan’s vision back then, he wouldn’t have settled for an ordinary-looking tribal woman.

He had been separated from Shen Bixin for a hundred years, his life wasted, his experiences enriching. Jiang Yechen’s mindset and aesthetics had changed.

For nearly twenty years, he had reunited and cooperated with Shi Xianzi, gradually developing a fondness for her.

Shi Xianzi, although not as beautiful as many younger cultivators, had a kind of noble and mature temperament, honed by hardships, like the fragrance of plum blossoms, which made him feel a certain fondness and resonance.

Their relationship was good, but they hadn’t crossed that line.

Now that Shi Xianzi’s lifespan was dwindling, Jiang Yechen had worked hard to get her a third-order life-extending elixir, hoping to win her heart, but he hadn’t been successful.

Lu Changan, Shi Xianzi, and Jiang Yechen caught up for a while.

It turned out that Shi Xiao Chuan was Shi Manrong’s adopted son, not only talented in formations but also a high-grade spiritual root.

Jiang Yechen, Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse, took the initiative to accept him as a disciple, Shi Manrong couldn’t refuse.

Due to Jiang Yechen’s presence, the conversation couldn’t delve too deeply.

Lu Changan hinted several times that he wanted to have a private conversation with Shi Xianzi.

Jiang Yechen refused to leave, his face cold, looking like he was supervising a scumbag.

“Jiang has read related descriptions in “Changqing’s Legend”: If he hadn’t gone into hiding in a foreign land, Lu Daoist would be the true Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse.”

Jiang Yechen’s lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes gradually becoming sharp, emanating a chilling spiritual pressure beyond his cultivation level.

“Today, Jiang happens to be itching for a fight. As long as Lu Daoist can fight Jiang for a hundred breaths without defeat, Jiang will not hinder your reunion and private meetings with Manrong.”

In recent years, due to favorable opportunities, Jiang Yechen, with his inherently superior cultivation potential, had become Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse.

Besides the Core Formation cultivators of various sects, he had no opponents among those at his level.

In the circle of reclusive cultivators, he was virtually unbeatable.

One hundred and fifty years ago.

Jiang Yechen competed for the position of peak master in Wuqi Mountain, having the best overall conditions, yet he was eliminated by “blind” Lu the Turtle.

At that time, Jiang Yechen didn’t say anything on the surface, but he felt a bit unhappy inside.

And Shi Xianzi, whom he admired, had been ruthlessly abandoned by the runaway Lu the Turtle decades ago.

Now he had the audacity to show up again?

On his own turf in Nightless Town, Jiang Yechen, out of respect for both feelings and reason, had to give Lu the Turtle a taste of his own medicine.

To let him know that the majesty of Liang Kingdom’s First Recluse was absolutely above ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

(End of Chapter)

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