I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 358

## Chapter 354: Unimpeachable

After the Water Ghost True Monarch departed, the two in the illusionary formation felt a slight relief.

In the previous battle, Lu Chang’an had used secret medicines to boost his strength; Di Yan Shu and Jing Wu Feng had both suffered injuries and expended their vital energy by using secret techniques.

Under these circumstances, they naturally didn’t want to stir up trouble and fight a full-strength Nascent Soul from the evil path.

Moments later, the spoils were distributed.

Lu Chang’an sealed the Essence Great Pill and the Stone Dragon’s Heart.

In addition, he obtained one-third of the dragon scales, bones, dragon blood, dragon muscle, and other materials.

Jing Wu Feng received the dragon eyes, dragon claws, and precious materials like essence blood, but the overall value was far less than Lu Chang’an’s.

Of course, even though the Stone Heart Dragon possessed high-grade Heavenly Bloodline, it wasn’t considered a true dragon, only comparable to a Jiao Dragon with relatively pure blood.

Above Heavenly Bloodline, there are legendary True Spirit Bloodlines that possess the potential to grow into True Spirits.

Half an hour later.

Jing Wu Feng’s complexion had improved significantly, and he suggested, “The demonized Stone Heart Dragon has been killed. There might be some leftover rare treasures in its lair.”

Lu Chang’an nodded. After all, many dragon-like creatures have a fondness for collecting.

After dismantling the formation, the two quickly flew towards the Stone Heart Dragon’s lair.

However, they were too late. The Stone Heart Dragon’s lair was in ruins, dug up three feet deep with traces of water left behind.

“That woman got the loot.”

Lu Chang’an and Jing Wu Feng looked at each other, a little annoyed.

They fought hard against the Stone Heart Dragon, taking on significant risk, only to have that female Nascent Soul of the evil path take advantage of their effort.

However, neither of them had reached the Nascent Soul stage and couldn’t go and question the Water Ghost True Monarch, let alone find trouble with her.

The Water Ghost True Monarch was no mere cultivator; she was backed by the “Black Sea Sect,” one of the sixteen sects of the Sea-镇海十六宗 (Zhen Hai Shi Liu Zong – The Sixteen Sects that Guard the Sea) , her influence was not inferior to Beast King Valley in Great Qing.

…

Meanwhile.

In a deeper cave in the Wan Mo Mountain Valley.

The Water Ghost True Monarch, wearing a black veil and her long hair cascading down her back, held a simple oil lamp.

The lampstand was made of soul-nourishing wood, and within the glow of the lamp, a pale green, fragmented ghost soul was enveloped.

“Water Ghost Daoist, it’s fortunate that you have fallen into your hands. These years, I have been sealed by the Stone Dragon’s restrictions. It’s hard to guarantee that the demonized Stone Heart Dragon won’t completely lose control and eventually retaliate against its master…”

The fragmented ghost soul, its aura weakened to the Foundation Establishment stage, communicated through voice transmission.

“My main body is trapped in the forbidden land of the ancient battlefield deep within. That place contains an opportunity for advancement to the late Nascent Soul stage. As long as Water Ghost Daoist helps, when my main body sees the light of day again, there will be a great reward.”

Hearing the Asura Ghost King’s fragmented soul’s persuasion, the Water Ghost True Monarch remained impassive, her voice calm.

“This concubine has come to the Central Domain Forbidden Land for other matters. I’m afraid this concubine is powerless to help with the Asura Daoist’s predicament.”

Having said that, she was about to close the lamp.

The Asura Ghost King was one of the best among the mid-stage Nascent Souls. Even he was trapped in the forbidden land, his situation unknown, unable to escape.

Such a dangerous place, the Water Ghost True Monarch would naturally not risk her life for it.

Moreover, she had indeed come to the Central Domain Ancient Battlefield for important matters.

“Wait! What is Water Ghost Daoist doing in the ancient battlefield? I’m quite familiar with the surrounding situation in Wan Mo Mountain Valley.”

The pale green ghost soul on the lampstand urgently declared its value.

Upon hearing this, the Water Ghost True Monarch was moved. Her deep, black pearl-like eyes reflected a contemplative expression.

In recent years, the Water Ghost True Monarch had come to the Central Domain Forbidden Land to search for clues to the Listening Sea Pavilion.

Over the past years of investigation, she had made new progress regarding the whereabouts of the Sea Breaker True Monarch.

The Listening Sea Pavilion was suspected to have a hidden spatial node in the Central Domain Forbidden Land that could lead to the outer states.

The Listening Sea Pavilion was once a near-sea hegemon, having produced a Nascent Soul Heavenly Monarch. On the other side of the spatial node, are there any inherited treasures?

However, the Central Domain Forbidden Land is vast, filled with various unknown dangers, not limited to demonic creatures.

Even with this confirmed information, finding that spatial node would be incredibly difficult.

The Water Ghost True Monarch could only roughly pinpoint it in Wan Mo Mountain Valley, the place where the Sea Breaker True Monarch was last seen decades ago.

“The spatial node or teleportation formation that Water Ghost Daoist mentioned, this one doesn’t know. But twenty years ago, a foreign cultivator passed by from nearby and was noticed by the demonized Stone Heart Dragon, who pursued them.”

“Foreign cultivator? Tell me about that person.”

The Water Ghost True Monarch was delighted. Her intuition told her that this was an important lead.

Because the natural environment of each state in the Heavenly Origin Continent (天衍大陆 – Tian Yan Da Lu) is different, if one arrives in another realm through a spatial rift or teleportation formation without fully integrating into the local environment, they will have a foreign aura.

Afterwards, after listening to the pale green ghost soul’s description, the Water Ghost True Monarch’s slender eyebrows furrowed as she fell into brief contemplation.

She felt a sense of familiarity about the person the Ghost King’s fragmented soul described.

“The Illusory Void Formation used to hunt the demon dragon!”

Soon, the Water Ghost True Monarch remembered where the familiarity came from.

Previously, due to the spatial illusionary formation’s barrier, her divine sense exploration was hazy, but one of the human cultivators, who used spatial-based divine powers and a treasure that emitted a rare fluctuation in the Great Abyss, was unusual.

…

Half a month later.

Lu Chang’an and Jing Wu Feng parted ways outside the Wan Mo Mountain Valley.

Lu Chang’an maintained the image of an old man in a straw hat throughout. Jing Wu Feng, however, had been petrified during the battle and lost his disguise.

Before leaving, the two had an agreement.

Lu Chang’an had gained benefits this time and promised to assist Jing Wu Feng in sealing the demonic energy leak in the Central Domain Forbidden Land within a century.

The prerequisite was that either Lu Chang’an or Di Yan Shu would advance to Nascent Soul or transform.

Lu Chang’an was currently 341 years old, having reached the peak of the Golden Core stage. It would take him a few more decades, estimated to be around 380 years old, definitely less than a century.

In this way, he would have ample time to prepare if he were to advance to the Nascent Soul stage in the future.

Flying tens of thousands of miles.

Lu Chang’an suddenly remembered something and looked back towards the Wan Mo Mountain Valley.

The Water Ghost True Monarch’s appearance put him on guard.

Back then, she had pursued the Sea Breaker True Monarch, actively targeting the remnants of the Listening Sea Pavilion.

It was said that the Water Ghost True Monarch’s initial talent wasn’t top-notch.

At least half of her cultivation and divine powers came from digging up related opportunities from the remnants of the Listening Sea Pavilion.

It’s no exaggeration to call her a semi-descendant of the Listening Sea Pavilion.

The treasures she possessed, the water-based escape techniques she excelled at, and the secret techniques and divine powers she mastered were mostly from the Listening Sea Pavilion, blended with her own sect’s techniques.

Lu Chang’an was worried that she might dig deeper and find clues related to the spatial node of the Listening Sea Pavilion.

Upon considering this, Lu Chang’an did some calculations, and while the divination was unclear, it showed a certain tendency.

The divination indicated that this possibility was not low.

“This hidden danger doesn’t need to be dealt with immediately. As long as Di Yan Shu and I can both successfully transform and reach Nascent Soul, even in the prosperous Great Abyss, we’ll be peak-standing cultivators, enough to intimidate a region.”

Lu Chang’an knew that in the pursuit of opportunities and continuous advancement, it’s difficult to remain untouched by any karmic hidden dangers.

Once one reaches a new level of strength, past hidden dangers will dissipate into smoke.

…

Days later.

Lu Chang’an entered the territory of the “Wan Feng Sect” in the Central Domain.

The Wan Feng Sect is adjacent to the Central Domain Forbidden Land. It is guarded by a mid-stage Nascent Soul and governs numerous cultivation states, two Nascent Soul sects, numerous vassal Golden Core sects, and countless cultivation families.

The Wan Feng Sect faction had previously clashed with the Great Yu Kingdom. However, they have been peaceful in recent centuries.

The overall strength of the Great Yu Kingdom is greater than that of the Wan Feng Sect, but the Great Yu Kingdom, unlike the former, is geographically safe and faces fewer threats.

There are also other powerful forces surrounding the Great Yu Kingdom’s borders.

Lu Chang’an didn’t immediately return to the Great Yu Kingdom but stopped at “Wu You City” within the Wan Feng Sect’s territory.

When he first arrived in the Great Abyss, Lu Chang’an spent over three years in Wu You City.

His green-armored puppet was upgraded to fourth-order in Wu You City as well.

Lu Chang’an was familiar with the place and rented a third-order cave abode in Wu You City.

For the next few months.

Lu Chang’an began purifying the Stone Heart Dragon materials he had obtained.

The Stone Heart Dragon was contaminated by demonic energy. Apart from the Stone Dragon Heart, the Essence Great Pill, dragon blood, bones, scales, and other materials needed purification and refining.

Lu Chang’an’s Longevity Technique, his refining skills, and the Xuan Shui Gui’s (玄水龟 – Xuan Shui Gui – Black Water Turtle) water-based talent, all combined, ensured the purification effect.

The memories of the Sea Breaker True Monarch also contained such advanced secret techniques.

Demonic energy can be removed, but the underlying Earth Demon浊气 (Zhuo Qi – turbid air) properties cannot be eradicated.

Fortunately, Di Yan Shu’s attributes are compatible, having absorbed innate turbid air, his earth-based demonic power mutated, containing Earth Demon Qi.

After removing the demonic energy defilement, he further tempered and refined it.

In this way, the materials Lu Chang’an possessed would have no demonic features and wouldn’t easily associate them with the Stone Heart Dragon from the Central Domain Forbidden Land.

Pseudo-dragon beasts are not uncommon in the Great Abyss. There are many Jiao Dragons in the ocean, including fourth-order Jiao Kings, which are sought-after materials for high-level cultivators.

After purifying and refining the materials, Lu Chang’an carefully considered the matter of Di Yan Shu’s transformation.

He even analyzed and calculated the probability of his transformation success.

“Di Yan Shu is at the half-step Golden Core stage. After absorbing the innate turbid air, he is comparable to an Earth-grade Bloodline, akin to a human Earth Spiritual Root genius.”

“The Stone Heart Dragon is a Heavenly Bloodline Demon King. Its Essence Great Pill and Stone Dragon Heart, as advancement treasures and transformation spirit objects, are highly compatible with Di Yan Shu.”

“The ‘Transforming Thunder Bead’ that I traded from Yu Yuan Jin is also suitable for creatures with powerful physiques, resisting heavenly thunder.”

“Furthermore, after the Xuan Mu Hu Luo (玄木葫藤 – Xuan Mu Hu Luo – Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine) sprouted, its central area absorbed the Five Elements Earth from the Xuan Tian relic. It’s different from before and should be beneficial as an auxiliary spirit object. However, its effect is unknown.”

Lu Chang’an reviewed everything and realized that Di Yan Shu’s transformation conditions were quite good.

At least, the spirit pets of Beast King Valley, a type of beast taming sect, wouldn’t enjoy such favorable conditions when striving for transformation.

Putting aside the influence of the special Five Elements Earth, Lu Chang’an estimated that the success rate should be around 50%.

For Lu Chang’an, this probability was indeed not high, but for creatures throughout the world striving for transformation or Nascent Soul, it was already quite significant.

Lu Chang’an pondered for a long time and came up with two ways to strengthen the process.

Firstly, using the Essence Great Pill as the main ingredient, he could ask a fourth-order alchemy master to refine an Earth Demon-type advancement pill. This would be the most perfect solution.

However, the Stone Heart Dragon’s Essence Great Pill is of high quality and perfectly compatible with Di Yan Shu. Even if it was used to refine a pill, there wouldn’t be a significant difference. It would merely be icing on the cake.

Secondly, spirit objects or pills related to heart tribulations.

Heart tribulations are the most unpredictable trials, testing not only one’s will and mental state but also their fortune and luck.

If one’s luck is terrible and they encounter an exceptionally powerful heart demon, even those with strong minds can fall.

Lu Chang’an analyzed that Di Yan Shu came from humble beginnings and was self-reliant and determined. He had faced more hardships than spirit beasts of higher bloodlines, so he should have an advantage in this aspect.

However, heart tribulations are enigmatic and unpredictable.

Those with firm wills can sometimes possess even stronger attachments.

Spirit objects or pills related to heart tribulations are definitely better than nothing, providing a little more room for error.

After much deliberation, Lu Chang’an decided to forgo the first option and choose to strengthen the second.

Refining an Earth Demon-type advancement pill would require a fourth-order alchemist and collecting other materials, leading to more variables.

If there was a mistake and the alchemy failed, it would be a tragedy.

As for the second option, heart tribulation-related spirit objects or pills, Lu Chang’an had a clear clue.

The “Crimson Snake True Monarch” of Great Serpent Mountain had displayed a fourth-order “Mysterious Heart Beast Pill” at the Nascent Soul Trading Conference in Cloud Heaven City.

This pill could be used as a heart tribulation spirit object for demon beasts during transformation, with high compatibility.

“If I can obtain the ‘Mysterious Heart Beast Pill,’ then everything will be in place, and there will be no shortcomings.”

Lu Chang’an didn’t intend to forcefully seize this pill.

In the cultivation world, most problems are not solved through fighting and killing.

He planned to trade peacefully with the Crimson Snake True Monarch.

He had some knowledge of the Crimson Snake True Monarch’s needs from the Nascent Soul Trading Conference.

He had certain resources at his disposal, which might be able to persuade the Crimson Snake True Monarch and complete the trade.

Moreover, the Great Serpent Mountain and the Cloud Mist Sect are both in the Great Yu Kingdom, so they are familiar with each other, making it easier for Lu Chang’an to plan.

If this doesn’t work out, Lu Chang’an wouldn’t force it.

He would simply settle for something less ideal.

Using his relationship with the Cloud Mist Sect, acquiring a mid-to-low-grade heart tribulation spirit object or a third-order top-grade heart-protecting pill wouldn’t be very difficult.

…

A month later.

Lu Chang’an returned to the Great Yu Kingdom and approached the Cloud Mist Sect’s territory.

At this time, he noticed that the surrounding area of the Cloud Mist Sect’s mountain gate, within a thousand miles, was converging with a large amount of spiritual energy.

“Nascent Soul tribulation? Could it be Cloud Clear True Monarch…”

Lu Chang’an’s heart moved as he slowed down, stopping in the distance to watch.

Boom!

Above the Cloud Mist Sect’s fourth-order spirit vein, dark clouds rolled in, tribulation clouds gathered, and azure heavenly thunderbolts tore through the sky.

The imposing heavenly might made countless cultivators and living beings in the surrounding area uneasy, trembling in fear.

“Heavenly Thunder Tribulation? Cloud Clear True Monarch has successfully broken through the Golden Core and reached Nascent Soul.”

As Lu Chang’an approached the mountain gate, he saw that the entire Cloud Mist Sect was surrounded by colorful light clouds, and the fourth-order protective mountain formation was activated, isolating it from the outside world.

It was normal for a sect’s cultivators to take these precautions during their Nascent Soul tribulations.

The Cloud Mist Sect’s mountain-guarding cultivators, upon seeing Lu Chang’an returning, immediately reported it to their superiors.

Not long after.

Hu Zongzhu, with white hair and beard, and a withered face, flew to the front of the mountain gate. Through the fourth-order formation, he communicated with Lu Chang’an.

“Elder Xiang, you’ve returned at an unfortunate time. Cloud Clear True Monarch is at a crucial moment in his Nascent Soul tribulation.”

Hu Zongzhu’s face was filled with shame, and he chuckled bitterly, “The Grand Elder has given the order: before the Nascent Soul tribulation is over, to prevent interference from enemy sects, we will seal all entries and exits.”

“It’s okay. I’ll enter the mountain gate after the tribulation.”

Lu Chang’an smiled and expressed his cooperation.

The Grand Elder who gave the order didn’t specify who it was, but it was probably Cloud Summit True Monarch.

This behavior was a sign of distrust towards Lu Chang’an, an external guest elder, lacking proper respect.

Of course, the Nascent Soul tribulation was extremely important.

Sealing the entire sect, disallowing any unexpected factors, such caution was unimpeachable.

Lu Chang’an sat cross-legged on a large stone outside the mountain gate.

He was speechless. He used to think of himself as a lucky star for sects, but now, when a member of his current sect was undergoing a Nascent Soul tribulation, he was actually barred from entry.

Lu Chang’an had originally planned to reciprocate by planting the sprouted Mysterious Wood Gourd Vine in its original location once he returned to his main peak cave abode.

Half an hour later.

The three rounds of heavenly thunder tribulations, one stronger than the last, successively passed over the sky above Cloud Summit Peak.

The heavenly thunder brewing above the tribulation clouds slowly dissipated.

Because of the formation’s barrier, Lu Chang’an couldn’t see the specific scene.

But he could faintly sense that a newly formed Nascent Soul aura, after being tempered by wind and thunder, had weakened a bit, but it stubbornly resisted.

“It’s indeed worthy of a great sect’s undying Golden Core, with abundant resources and spirit objects. Successfully breaking through the Golden Core and reaching Nascent Soul, surviving the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.”

Lu Chang’an secretly admired this advantage, something he couldn’t envy.

If he could customize a new reincarnation in the future, his origin should not be too bad.

After the heavenly thunder, the vast tribulation clouds in the sky did not dissipate.

Whoosh!

The gray tribulation clouds faintly turned black, and the twisted vortex in its center, like a pitch-black demonic eye, emitted an ominous aura that unsettled one’s mind.

“The third stage, the Heart Demon Tribulation.”

Lu Chang’an’s heart was filled with awe. This was the most unpredictable and dangerous stage of the Nascent Soul tribulation.

For undying Golden Cores, the failure rate of the Heart Demon Tribulation is the highest.

For the third stage, Lu Chang’an waited outside the mountain gate for a day and a night.

“The Heart Demon Tribulation, the longer it drags on, the smaller the hope.”

Lu Chang’an gazed at the celestial phenomena. The vast mountain gate of the Cloud Mist Sect seemed shrouded in sorrow.

Until a certain moment.

The large, dark tribulation clouds in the sky roared, scattering in all directions, restoring a clear blue sky.

He waited another half an hour.

He didn’t hear any celebratory sounds from the sect. The disciples within were quiet.

The protective mountain formation finally opened.

Lu Chang’an remained silent as he stepped into the mountain gate after a year’s absence, returning to his Qingluan Peak cave abode.

(End of Chapter)

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