I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 340

## Chapter 336: Retreating unscathed

“Locked in, there’s no time!”

Lu Changan’s expression changed slightly. He had wasted some time having the Earth-Rock Rat deal with the scene and retrieve the fourth-order illusionary formation.

A radiant golden moon, spanning several miles in radius, descended, forming an inverted bowl-shaped golden barrier, engulfing Lu Changan, Xia Wenyue, and the distant Nalan Qing, isolating them from the outside world.

In the center of the golden moon in the sky, a Nascent Soul female Zhen Jun (Nascent Soul True Lord) appeared, adorned with a phoenix crown and a golden robe, her forehead marked with vermillion, her beauty icy and noble, exuding a domineering aura that seemed to look down upon all living beings.

“Master! Sister Xia!”

Nalan Qing, finally escaping the illusory desert, showed a delighted expression, letting out a sigh of relief.

“You… who are you?”

Nalan Qing’s pretty face tightened, her eyes cold and sharp, as she looked at the man in white robes beside the Fairy Xia. The two stood close, their relationship clearly not simple.

Especially Xia Wenyue, her hair disheveled, her dress disarranged, her arm tightly clasped around the white-robed man’s, her posture slightly stiff.

“Mr. Lu, don’t leave Wenyue for even a step, only then can you be saved.”

Xia Wenyue’s eyes held a plea, her arm clasped around Lu Changan’s, transmitting her voice through spiritual sense.

Lu Changan couldn’t bear to push the Fairy Xia, who had just been deflowered, away.

He chose to trust her.

Besides, it was too late to withdraw at this time.

He had to engage in a fight, break through the barrier, and then activate the Blood Transformation Escape to flee.

If he didn’t have to, Lu Changan didn’t want to reveal his true strength and secrets in the outside world.

“Lu Turtle! As a teacher, you have been dormant for over a hundred years, yet you harbor evil intentions, committing immoral acts, taking advantage of Wenyue.”

In the sky, the figure of the Golden Moon Zhen Jun, as beautiful and flawless as a legendary beauty, merged with the enormous golden moon, her terrifying spiritual pressure like a hundred thousand mountains pressing down on Lu Changan.

Lu Changan’s body sank, his internal Qi and Blood, and his spiritual power almost stagnated. His feet felt like lead, making movement difficult.

Xia Wenyue and Nalan Qing were unaffected, indicating the Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s masterful control of her divine powers.

“Lu is just a solitary cultivator. How could I be worthy of the attention of the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace, to be recognized at a glance?”

Lu Changan used his spiritual power to resist the pressure from above, calm and composed, bowing with a polite gesture.

He didn’t show any remorse or plea.

“Facing death, yet you don’t repent!”

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s face darkened, her golden robe rustling, her voice cold and clear.

Beneath the chilling killing intent, a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes.

Lu Turtle, he has actually reached the late-stage of Jie Dan (Core Formation)? And under her Golden Moon pressure, he remains calm and collected.

This strength and composure exceeded that of ordinary Jie Dan cultivators.

When Xia Wenyue joined the Proud Moon Palace, the Golden Moon Zhen Jun had investigated her social connections.

Among them, Lu Changan was naturally the cultivator who had the most significant influence on Wenyue’s life.

If Lu Changan maintained contact with Xia Wenyue, a good relationship, the Proud Moon Palace would naturally be vigilant.

However, over the past one hundred years, Lu Changan had severed ties with Xia Wenyue and even ran away and disappeared to avoid death, leaving the Daoist Alliance.

Under these circumstances, the Proud Moon Palace and the Golden Moon Zhen Jun hadn’t taken Lu Changan seriously, even thinking he was “wise” in his actions.

Unexpectedly, Lu Turtle was hiding so deeply, planning for a couple of centuries.

When the time was right, he appeared unexpectedly, with a sudden speed, taking the fruit that the Proud Moon Palace had cultivated for years.

As the teacher of Xia Wenyue, the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace, the Golden Moon Zhen Jun felt a rush of anger and was furious, filled with a determination to kill.

…

“Golden Moon Senior, you are exaggerating. Back then, in Qing Sha Bay at the Xia Clan, everyone knew that Lu only took Wenyue as a nominal disciple, there was no real teacher-student relationship.”

Lu Changan responded nonchalantly.

To say the least, true teacher-student love exists everywhere in the world of cultivation.

As long as it is consensual, without coercion, outsiders have no right to interfere.

“Shameless thief, you dare to argue!”

The coldness in the Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s eyes intensified, her jade hand drew a line in the void, and the golden full moon behind her transformed into a golden lotus of light, a hundred feet wide, radiating a dangerous aura.

The furious attack of a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun was about to be unleashed.

Lu Changan sensed a threat that surpassed that of the former Sha Hai Zhen Jun.

“Master! If you want to kill Lu Lang, then first kill your disciple.”

Xia Wenyue let out a clear shout, turning around, her white moon palace dress fluttering, blocking Lu Changan.

“You…”

Lu Changan’s face changed, his arms following Xia Wenyue’s pull, embracing her delicate and icy-soft body.

“Wenyue! For this old fool, you dare to threaten your master with your life, to oppose your master?”

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun was forced to stop her attack, shocked and angry, her face turning blue, her eyes filled with deep disappointment.

Hearing the word “old fool”, Lu Changan’s face twitched slightly.

However, his age was indeed older, a hundred and twenty years older than Xia Wenyue.

As the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace, a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun, she was probably around the same age as Lu Changan, not much different.

“Lu Changan! You dare to use your junior sister as a shield, what kind of man are you?”

The elegantly dressed palace lady not far away, about twenty or thirty years old, the Senior Sister Nalan, glared, scolding.

From her perspective, it seemed like Lu Changan was holding Xia Wenyue as a hostage in front of him, using her to survive, resorting to any means possible.

As an experienced person, she could see that Xia Wenyue, after half an hour, was no longer a virgin.

To take a woman’s chastity and then threaten her for survival, was truly despicable!

“Don’t let go of me.”

Hearing Xia Wenyue’s spiritual sense transmission, Lu Changan looked at the icy-beautiful fairy he held in his arms, sensing her rapid breathing, her hesitant heart.

A complex emotion arose in his heart.

He hadn’t expected that after a hundred years, Xia Wenyue would not only keep her promise but also, to ensure his survival, she would even risk her own life.

Perhaps, in her opinion, Lu Changan being targeted by her master was because of her.

Lu Changan wanted to break free from Xia Wenyue’s hand, but he was afraid that if he used too much force, he would hurt the Fairy Xia who had just experienced her first time.

“Master, can you listen to your disciple’s explanation before making a decision…”

After stopping the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace from taking action, Xia Wenyue calmed her emotions and her face became calm.

“No matter what you say, it can’t appease my anger.”

The Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace was extremely disappointed and suppressed her anger, listening to her disciple’s explanation.

Even without the Jade Essence of the Moon, Xia Wenyue’s innate Dao Body was stronger than ordinary Earth Spirit Roots. The main advantage was the Dao Body’s amplification of ice-based divine powers and spells.

The Golden Moon Barrier shrouded the area, preventing the outside world from observing the situation inside.

Because it involved a scandal in the Proud Moon Palace, the Fairy Golden Moon naturally needed to isolate outside observation.

“Cure the root disease… Cultivate the innate Dao Body… Rejuvenating grace… Oath of the Heart Demon…”

After a brief exchange, the Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s expression fluctuated between cloudy and bright, but her anger did not completely subside.

Based on past experiences, it made sense for Lu Changan to obtain the Jade Essence of the Moon.

Xia Wenyue’s actions today were all in return for his kindness.

Besides, the constraints of the Oath of the Heart Demon, for a talented individual like Xia Wenyue who had the potential to become a Nascent Soul, were difficult to defy.

This was a hurdle that Xia Wenyue was destined to overcome.

“Lu Changan, considering your past contributions and Wenyue’s earnest plea, this Palace is willing to spare your life.”

“But you challenged the authority of the Proud Moon Palace, violating this Palace’s female disciple, an unforgivable crime. This Palace will detain you in the Proud Moon Palace and make you atone for a hundred years!”

The Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace, leaning against the glorious golden moon, spoke in a cold voice, judging him from a position of superiority.

“Hehe, Palace Master, don’t make fun of me. Lu has taken back what is rightfully his. Since I dared to come to the territory of the Proud Moon Palace, I naturally have the means to retreat unscathed.”

Lu Changan chuckled, speaking slowly and leisurely.

His words caused a shock, a look of surprise from the three women present.

The Golden Moon Palace Master had already realized that Lu Changan had been composed and calm throughout, fearless, without the panic of someone facing a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun.

If it was a fake show of composure, after the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun scrutinized him for a long time, it would have been impossible for him to escape detection.

“Wenyue, thank you for your kindness in defending me. But, there’s no need for that!”

Lu Changan’s tone was gentle. Taking advantage of Xia Wenyue’s brief stunned state, he broke free from her hand and also released his arm from around her.

The two stood side by side, white robes and moon-white dress, like a pair of fairy-like lovers.

Seeing this scene, the Golden Moon Palace Master’s bad impression of Lu Changan improved slightly. She did not seize the opportunity to attack.

“Lu Changan, don’t think that because you have the Heavenly Master to back you up, this Palace would be afraid to take your life. You should know that the Heavenly Master, that old fox, is almost impossible to leave Feng Yuan Country.”

The coldness of killing intent reappeared in the Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s phoenix eyes.

Lu Changan had been dormant for a hundred years in Feng Yuan Country, receiving protection from the Heavenly Master, leading to the capture and surrender of the Peacock Holy Maiden. This was a consensus among the high-ranking officials of the Daoist Alliance.

In fact, Lu Changan was indeed on the same side as the Heavenly Master, and they had reached a secret agreement.

“Lu’s relationship with the Heavenly Master of Feng Yuan Country is close and intimate, as if we are brothers, but that is secondary!”

“Lu’s trip here doesn’t require the Heavenly Master’s personal protection, I also have the means to retreat unscathed.”

Lu Changan stood with his hands behind his back, calm and composed.

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s eyes flickered, secretly weighing her options.

The Jade Essence of the Moon had already been obtained by Lu Changan, killing him would not be able to recover the Proud Moon Palace’s losses, and it would also cause a rift in the relationship with Xia Wenyue.

Besides, Lu Changan had the Heavenly Master to back him, an undeniable fact.

The Heavenly Master was unfathomable, a fourth-order master of divination. If she offended him because of this, and he decided to take revenge, even a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun might be caught in his trap and perish.

If there was no need, the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun from the Daoist Alliance would rather not offend the Heavenly Master.

Lu Changan was confident in his escape, he must have a trump card given to him by the Heavenly Master.

…

“Lu Changan, as long as you can break through this barrier within ten breaths. This Palace will believe your words, give the Heavenly Master some face, and not hold you accountable for today’s events.”

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun lightly slapped her palm, and the brilliant Golden Moon behind her shone brightly with cold light.

In an instant, the light barrier enveloping several miles around was plated with a metallic film, becoming even more solid.

“Lu… Lu Lang.”

Xia Wenyue’s lips moved slightly, she looked at Lu Changan with some worry.

In fact, she would rather Lu Changan accept her master’s punishment of a hundred years…

“Hehe, why do I need ten breaths?”

Lu Changan’s figure blurred, his speed like the wind, and he reached the edge of the Golden Moon Light Barrier, cutting down with a palm strike.

Boom!

The Golden Moon Light Barrier violently shook, the earth trembled.

Lu Changan’s expanded palm, covered in golden scales, while a compressed ball of spiritual power fluctuated in his palm.

Crack!

The Nascent Soul level barrier was cleaved open, forming a crack wide enough for a person to pass through. The cool mountain breeze rushed in.

“One breath is enough.”

Before the words finished, Lu Changan did not leave. His illusion flickered, and he instantly returned to Xia Wenyue’s side.

Xia Wenyue and Nalan Qing widened their beautiful eyes, incredibly stunned, staring at the broken crack in the barrier.

A Nascent Soul level barrier, was actually broken with one strike?

“Cultivating both body and spiritual power, a Nascent Soul level secret technique!”

A flicker of astonishment flashed through the Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s eyes. It was beyond her expectations.

The ten breaths to break the barrier she proposed was simply to give him a way down, and also a test.

If Lu Changan could achieve it, it meant that his strength exceeded that of ordinary late-stage Jie Dan cultivators, and he had the support of the Heavenly Master.

If he couldn’t, it would be a bluff, and she would simply capture and detain him.

Unexpectedly, Lu Changan was so strong.

Not only did he cultivate both body and spiritual power, he also used a Nascent Soul level secret technique, using special spiritual power amplification, combined with his powerful physique, to strike at the heart of the barrier, with just one strike, he was able to break through.

Of course, this kind of barrier, although large in scale, its defenses were dispersed, not as strong as a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun’s protective spiritual aura, and even further inferior to a defensive treasure.

Even so, looking at the entire Feng Yuan Country, without using any external objects, one strike to break the barrier, almost no Jie Dan cultivators could achieve it.

Perhaps, only Liang Shaotian, the number one cultivator below Nascent Soul in the Daoist Alliance, could be compared to him.

“Lu Zhenren, are you willing to become a guest elder of this Palace?”

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun’s killing intent subsided, her eyes revealing admiration, as she examined Lu Changan.

No wonder this man was looked upon with favor by the Heavenly Master, who protected him.

If she could poach him, obtain a second Liang Shaotian, and have him work together with Xia Wenyue, it would surely boost the Proud Moon Palace’s strength.

Lu Zhenren?

If Lu Changan remembers correctly, this Palace Master first called him Lu Turtle, old fool.

It seems that the power of the previous palm strike had earned the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun’s respect.

Hearing her master’s recruitment.

Xia Wenyue was overjoyed. In her cold eyes, a subtle hope flickered.

“Thank you for the kind offer, Palace Master, but Lu has a cooperative force and has no other plans.”

Lu Changan bowed in response, politely refusing.

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun did not insist, her expression calm. She glanced at Xia Wenyue, not hiding her disappointment.

Hearing Lu Changan’s refusal, the last glimmer of hope in Xia Wenyue’s eyes faded.

It turned out that even after a hundred years, the kind man in her memory had not completely vanished.

When he was in danger, he instinctively stood up for him.

After all, her youthful heart, her first time, were all given to that man.

“Take this lesson as a warning for yourself!”

The Golden Moon Zhen Jun spoke coldly, her palm grabbed through the air, icy golden light rolled up, taking Nalan Qing away.

Today’s events were not a good look for the Proud Moon Palace. The Golden Moon Zhen Jun needed to tell Nalan Qing to keep it a secret.

…

The golden escape light, broke through the air and flew away.

In the sky, the radiant Golden Moon slowly dissipated, the barrier also quickly dimmed, about to collapse.

Lu Changan looked at Xia Wenyue, who was silent and depressed.

“Fairy Xia, thank you for your understanding today, and for your protection.”

Lu Changan said sincerely.

If it weren’t for Xia Wenyue, if she hadn’t negotiated for a “peaceful settlement”, today he might have had to face the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun head-on, exposing many of his secrets.

“Lu Zhenren, from this day forward, we are no longer indebted to each other!”

Xia Wenyue returned to her icy and cold demeanor, her eyes like the deep waters of autumn, her tone cold and stiff.

Lu Changan sensed an air of absolute coldness, consistent with the title of Xuanbing Zhenren (玄冰真人 – Xuanbing True Lord).

Xia Wenyue did not look back, her blue hair flowing, she stepped onto a lotus platform, breaking through the air and flying away.

However, perhaps due to discomfort, Xia Wenyue’s flight speed was not fast, only slightly faster than a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Lu Changan watched the icy-beautiful figure, suppressing a surge of impulsive thoughts, he did not chase after her.

It must be said that Xia Wenyue’s act of self-sacrifice to protect him after a hundred years, had moved him, aroused his compassion.

In fact, with her talent, becoming his Dao Companion in this life, wasn’t impossible either.

“The path to Nascent Soul, is long and arduous. Mountains are high and waters are distant, the path of immortality is eternal. A hundred years have passed, can we dare to speak of meeting again?”

Lu Changan’s long sleeves fluttered, he sighed softly, and flew away.

Xia Wenyue, who had flown a certain distance, heard the faint whisper behind her.

She didn’t look back, she pondered the latter half of the sentence.

After a while, a bitter smile appeared on her lips, and a sense of relief welled up in her heart.

Having known each other for a couple of hundred years, she finally understood Lu’s ambitions and heard his heart.

Unfortunately, this realization came too late.

Unless both of them reached Nascent Soul, there would be a chance of meeting again, otherwise, everything would be in vain.

…

Lu Changan flew for a while, he couldn’t help but use divination to calculate about Xia Wenyue.

Actually, before he left, he wanted to compensate Xia Wenyue, give her a treasure, a life-saving trump card.

But Xia Wenyue didn’t want to owe him anything, she cut off all ties, and she wouldn’t accept his kindness.

Fortunately, her innate Dao Body was powerful, her protective measures were impressive.

After calculating, Lu Changan’s brows furrowed.

Xia Wenyue’s path to cultivation in the future was not optimistic.

Mainly, today’s incident had caused the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace to become dissatisfied with Xia Wenyue, creating a rift in their master-disciple relationship.

Especially, Xia Wenyue’s use of her life to threaten her master, for the domineering Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace, this was a disrespectful challenge.

Moreover, Xia Wenyue had lost the Jade Essence of the Moon, her value had plummeted.

In the future, the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace’s care and cultivation of her would also be reduced, and she might even be no longer considered as a Nascent Soul seed.

Even knowing this, Lu Changan couldn’t do anything to help.

He had the ability to help others achieve Foundation Establishment and Core Formation.

As for Nascent Soul? He himself needed to work hard and plan for it, he had only made some progress.

Whizz!

A beam of sword light, rapidly traversing through the air, came flying from a certain direction.

Lu Changan took a look.

It was a tall and jade-like, handsome man with sharp eyebrows, about twenty or thirty years old, exuding the spiritual pressure of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

Lu Changan’s heart moved, this person’s image was none other than Si Tu Lan.

Si Tu Lan was in a hurry to get to his destination, he only briefly glanced at Lu Changan, without asking any questions.

The two exchanged glances, then crossed paths.

…

Si Tu Lan endured his injuries and rushed to the Ice Moon Fortress.

However, Fairy Xia, citing discomfort, refused his visit.

He waited for three days, and Si Tu Lan, through his subordinates’ investigation, was quite surprised by the information he obtained about what had happened that day.

Although he didn’t know the specifics.

But two points were certain.

Firstly, the famous Lu Turtle from the neighboring country had appeared, he had met with Fairy Xia.

Secondly, the Palace Master of the Proud Moon Palace had come out in a rage, but the outcome was unknown.

After waiting for three days, Si Tu Lan finally met Xia Wenyue, the woman of his dreams.

“Wenyue, you’re alright!”

Si Tu Lan looked at the familiar figure in the moon-white palace dress, with a cool demeanor, he let out a sigh of relief and went to greet her.

However, this time, when Si Tu Lan observed Xia Wenyue’s physique, it seemed to be different from before.

Having cultivated for two hundred years, he was no longer a naive boy. He couldn’t help but realize something, his face changed.

“Daoist Si Tu, you guessed right. Wenyue has lost the [Jade Essence of the Moon].”

Seeing Si Tu Lan’s expression, Xia Wenyue said coldly.

“You…”

Si Tu Lan’s face turned ugly, he was a little stunned.

He had pursued her for hundreds of years, he had truly loved Xia Wenyue. His sacrifice on the battlefield was not an act.

As for the [Jade Essence of the Moon], if he could get it, that would be even better, no Core Formation cultivator could refuse the chance to reach Nascent Soul.

But… Fairy Xia had inexplicably lost the Jade Essence of the Moon, it meant that she had slept with another man, losing her precious chastity.

This sudden change dealt a heavy blow to him, he couldn’t help but lose his composure.

“Humph! You care? As expected, your pursuit was all false. Everything was for the [Jade Essence of the Moon].”

Xia Wenyue’s face was icy, filled with disappointment, she flicked her sleeve and left.

“No! No… I’m not.”

Si Tu Lan came to his senses. Hundreds of years of efforts, his deep love, made him unwilling to give up.

Even if Fairy Xia had lost the Jade Essence of the Moon, she was still an innate Dao Body, the number one ice fairy of the Proud Moon Palace.

He just needed time to calm down, to ask for the reason, to slowly digest this enormous shock.

Inside the secluded chamber.

Xia Wenyue lowered her head and bit her lip, sighing:

She didn’t know why, even though Si Tu Lan was so attentive and accommodating to her, he was excellent in every way. But, the slight fondness she had developed over a hundred years easily dissipated, not even a tenth of what she felt for that man who had hurt her so deeply.

…

The Ice and Snow Holy Mountain, in the heartland of Feng Yuan Country.

A ball!

A thin and pale-looking Daoist, wearing a snow-white Heavenly Master robe, couldn’t help but sneeze, his thin body shivered, waking up from his deep sleep.

“Who is it, that is affecting this Heavenly Master’s karma?”

The Heavenly Master’s hair and eyebrows were both silver-white, his black eyes were like concentrated ink, the black dots drawn in the Yin Yang diagram slowly rotated.

After calculating for a while, the Heavenly Master’s profound gaze turned towards the direction of the Daoist Alliance, his expression eased.

“The tribulation hasn’t passed, that kid should be leaving the Great Qing Eastern Region soon. I hope that after he ascends to Nascent Soul, he won’t forget his promise to this Heavenly Master.”

The Heavenly Master wouldn’t forget that Lu Changan owed him a favor.

In addition to the divination and farewell back then, he also promised to cover up Lu Changan’s celestial fate in Feng Yuan Country and protect those related to him.

He was so kind because he had discovered that Lu Changan’s background was mysterious and unfathomable, and he had the potential to become a Nascent Soul.

…

The rear of the battlefield in Feng Yuan Country.

Lu Changan had already left the Proud Moon Palace’s sphere of influence and was flying towards the border of Feng Yuan Country.

“Feng Yuan Country is not a place to stay long.”

Lu Changan knew that obtaining the Jade Essence of the Moon had earned him the envy and hatred of many factions and talented individuals.

Besides violating the interests of the Proud Moon Palace, he also offended the Heavenly Luo Sect and the Xie Clan of Chen Country.

Furthermore, Si Tu Lan was the direct disciple of Chu Tianfeng, the master of the Daoist Alliance, not to be underestimated.

While this incident had not yet fermented, it was best to leave quickly.

Two days later.

Lu Changan transformed into an old man in a straw raincoat, leaving the Feng Yuan Country’s cultivation world and flying towards the direction of Jing Country.

(End of Chapter)

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