I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 364

## Chapter 360: Ancient幽幽 Opportunity

After the grand ceremony of the transformation, Qingluan Peak welcomed its first Nascent Soul visitor.

To avoid the suspicion of the Yunxia Twin Immortals, Lu Chang’an kept his conversation with the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun at the ceremony short and shallow, avoiding excessive private communication.

However, this Nascent Soul Zhen Jun was the ancestor of the Xiao family, “Xiao Weifeng”, who was considered Xiao Qing Shan’s great-grandfather by blood.

Through this connection, Lu Chang’an accepted the private visit of the Xiao family ancestor.

Qingluan Peak Main Hall.

Xiao Qing Shan personally hosted his ancestor, serving tea and water, his emotions still unsettled.

In the clan, he was once a marginal figure, with a low sense of presence, and he didn’t even have the opportunity to speak to the Xiao family ancestor.

During this transformation ceremony, the ancestor personally gave him words of encouragement, which were quite inspiring.

Due to the connection of Xiao Qing Shan, Lu Chang’an and the Xiao family ancestor naturally drew closer.

“I heard that Senior Item is a puppet master. My Xiao family happens to have some material business. This small gift is a token of my appreciation.”

Xiao Weifeng wore a dark blue scholar’s silk robe, with an extraordinary appearance, looking only thirty years old. A head of silver hair added a touch of vicissitudes to his appearance.

He smiled and took out a storage brocade box.

Lu Chang’an took the box and felt its weight. The materials inside could be used to create a third-tier top-grade puppet. The most precious one was almost fourth-tier.

During this transformation ceremony, the cultivators who privately gave gifts mainly aimed at the Earth Rock Rat.

Xiao Weifeng, as a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun, instead gifted Lu Chang’an something he personally needed, not focusing on the Earth Rock Rat.

“Senior Xiao, you’re too kind. It’s I, Item, who should visit the Xiao family.”

Lu Chang’an put away the box and made polite remarks.

The Xiao family engages in material business, with the most famous being their spiritual wood resources, possessing ancient trees of three to four tiers passed down for generations.

Other resources, such as ores, beast parts and furs, are also dealt with by the Xiao family, but they are not as impressive as the Hongyue Trading Company.

Xiao Weifeng’s visit was mainly to build a good relationship. At their first meeting, there were no attempts at recruitment or poaching.

As one of the four great families of Dayu, the current Xiao family is in a period of decline, with only Xiao Weifeng as the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun.

A hundred years ago, another Nascent Soul of the Xiao family passed away, and they have not yet cultivated a new generation of Nascent Soul.

The four major cultivating families of Dayu, excluding the leading Imperial Family of Yu, the other three families generally maintain two or so Nascent Soul cultivators.

After sending off the Xiao family ancestor, Lu Chang’an was in a good mood, as this connection would increase his access to higher-tier materials in the future.

“Senior Item, the ancestor came here hoping that Qing Shan would return to the clan to maintain contact…”

Xiao Qing Shan reported with a respectful tone.

He knew in his heart that his current glory, the admiration he received from various cultivators, including the favor of the ancestor, were all bestowed upon him by whom.

“You can visit occasionally.”

Lu Chang’an looked at him approvingly.

Xiao Qing Shan was the type of cultivator who had experienced the ups and downs of life, rising from the depths. He knew how to cherish the current blessings and opportunities.

With Lu Chang’an’s permission, Xiao Qing Shan’s heart felt relieved.

Xiao Qing Shan was from the Xiao family and had been neglected and underutilized. However, his own aptitude was not outstanding, and the Xiao family had not done anything wrong to him.

Having grown up in the Xiao family, Xiao Qing Shan harbored some resentment towards the family, but also some affection.

…

Months later.

Xiao Qing Shan returned to the Xiao family, where he was personally welcomed by the higher-ups. He was truly “returning home with honor,” enjoying great prestige.

His treatment in the clan was vastly different compared to before.

The Xiao family high-ups began to increase their investment in Xiao Qing Shan’s cultivation resources, treating him on par with the direct lineage geniuses of the clan.

Even an ordinary cultivator, given such a life opportunity, would see their destiny rewritten.

Moreover, Xiao Qing Shan had also unlocked outstanding dual cultivation potential.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Xiao Qing Shan’s future achievements would not be low.

After staying in the Xiao family for several days, Xiao Qing Shan swiftly returned to Yunxia Sect and reported back to Lu Chang’an.

Actually, regarding Xiao Qing Shan’s return home with honor, Lu Chang’an had considered whether he should pay a return visit to the Xiao family ancestor.

Ultimately, due to certain concerns, Lu Chang’an did not leave the mountain gate.

The Earth Rock Rat had ascended to the rank of Transformed Demon King and was currently in the spotlight, attracting much attention.

Lu Chang’an had done divination and found that the risk of venturing out in the coming years was higher than the previous two to three decades, with more unpredictable variables in the celestial patterns.

This was something he had anticipated.

The Earth Rock Rat was not a fourth-tier sacred beast cultivated by Yunxia Sect. He was a guest elder who joined midway. There was the possibility of him being recruited or competed over.

One slight misstep, and he and the Earth Rock Rat would be drawn into the whirlpool of the upper echelons’ power struggles in the Dayu cultivation world.

In the half-year following the transformation ceremony.

Lu Chang’an received invitations from several factions to attend neutral gatherings and social events.

Among them was the invitation from the Imperial Family’s Princess Zhiwei to attend a flower appreciation event held by the Imperial Family.

Without hesitation, Lu Chang’an declined these social engagements, citing closed-door cultivation.

…

Three years later.

Lu Chang’an’s age reached 349.

The commotion surrounding the Earth Rock Rat’s ascension to the fourth tier gradually subsided, no longer the focus of major factions.

In the circles of Nascent Soul cultivators in Dayu, the hottest topic was the “Ancient幽幽 Palace.”

After all, the spiritual treasures and materials in the Ancient幽幽 Palace were enough to make Nascent Soul old monsters turn green with envy and fight for them. Some of the opportunities there could greatly enhance the strength of a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun or help them break through minor realms.

Qingluan Peak Cave Dwelling, Talisman Room.

Lu Chang’an’s eyes shone with electric brilliance as he wielded his talisman brush, successfully completing a near-fourth-tier talisman.

At this point, with the fusion of his second life, his spiritual awareness far surpassed that of a late-stage Nascent Soul, making his talisman drawing success rate even higher.

“Three lifetimes of accumulation, now with abundant material supply, my talisman art has finally reached the top tier of the third tier, completely surpassing my past life.”

Lu Chang’an smiled, storing away the near-fourth-tier talisman.

In his second life, he was limited by resources and his talisman art had only reached the top-grade third tier, without further opportunities for expansion or improvement, unable to compare to his peers in the same realm in the Great Abyss.

After the Earth Rock Rat transformed, Lu Chang’an gained access to circles of Nascent Soul Zhen Jun, making it relatively easier to obtain materials starting from near-fourth tier.

Some of the precious materials from the Earth Rock Rat’s shared gifts could also be used to fill the gap in materials for Lu Chang’an’s talisman drawing or puppet crafting.

Besides talismans, Lu Chang’an was also working on refining near-fourth-tier treasure talisman blanks.

Treasure talisman blanks, if starting from near-fourth tier, would greatly reduce the time needed to nurture them into fourth-tier treasure talismans.

At the same time.

In the underground secret chamber of Qingluan Peak, a forbidden space isolated by illusionary formations and restrictions.

A five-colored peacock puppet, several zhang long, with lifelike detail, was suspended in mid-air by silver threads.

Compared to years ago, the framework of the five-colored peacock was more refined, with graceful lines and wings covering it. The details of its facial features and limbs were gradually taking shape.

The fourth-tier puppet controlled by Master Wei, sat below the 異靈孔雀, its eyes glowing with ghostly fire, appearing eerie yet with a hint of wisdom.

“How is it?”

Lu Chang’an appeared beside the Qingjia puppet.

“異靈 puppets are mostly theoretical, with few practical solutions. Several details need to be finalized, which may affect the power of the final product. Moreover, there are several precious core materials. It would be best to use fourth-tier treasure materials, which would be beneficial for future improvement…”

“No rush, slow and steady wins the race.”

Lu Chang’an was not demanding about this. If it really didn’t work out, he would settle for a regular near-fourth-tier puppet.

In fact, if he wanted to create a third-tier top-grade Imitation Spirit·Five-Colored Peacock, it would have been finished by now.

However, Lu Chang’an possessed a fourth-tier puppet and a Transformed Demon King, so even a third-tier top-grade 異靈 puppet, although powerful, wouldn’t be much help.

Therefore, the goal of creating the 異靈 peacock puppet was to start from near-fourth tier.

In the process of researching and discussing 異靈 puppets, Lu Chang’an and Master Wei sparked some inspiration, improving each other’s puppet master skills.

According to the current progress, as long as he gathered the remaining precious materials, it would take about ten years to complete the final creation of the 異靈 peacock.

…

Several days later.

A majestic white cloud遁光 hurried back to the Yunxia Sect mountain gate.

“Zhen Jun Yunlan is back…”

Lu Chang’an looked up, taking note.

In the past two years, Zhen Jun Yunlan had been out for a long time, rumored to be scheming for the upcoming Ancient幽幽 Palace.

If he followed the standard cultivation path, Zhen Jun Yunlan’s chances of advancing to mid-stage Nascent Soul were slim, even less than the younger Zhen Jun Zixia.

However, in the Great Abyss’s Central Domain, the Ancient幽幽 Palace, which appeared once every few hundred years, offered opportunities to break through conventions.

Not long after Zhen Jun Yunlan returned, Lu Chang’an received a summons.

“Elder Item, my master requests your presence.”

A Nascent Soul disciple of Zhen Jun Yunlan personally came to escort him.

Arriving at the fourth-tier main peak hall.

Lu Chang’an noticed that Zhen Jun Zixia was also present, her brow slightly furrowed, discussing something with Zhen Jun Yunlan.

“Elder Item has arrived.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan smiled warmly, unusually approachable, exchanging greetings with Lu Chang’an for a few moments.

Soon after, Zhen Jun Yunlan got to the point.

“Elder Item should know that I have been scheming for the Ancient幽幽 Palace these past years and have made many preparations for it. There are at least several Nascent Soul cultivators in Dayu who plan to team up and enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace, led by the Imperial Family. At that time, we will cooperate with each other and present a unified front.”

“However, I don’t trust the Nascent Soul cultivators from the Imperial Family or the families. Although I have made private connections with other Nascent Soul, I still need to strengthen my team, especially reliable left and right arms.”

Hearing this, Lu Chang’an roughly understood Zhen Jun Yunlan’s intentions.

The Ancient幽幽 Palace, such a mysterious place, was primarily for Nascent Soul cultivators. Occasionally, Nascent Soul cultivators with outstanding strength or special abilities would also enter to assist the Nascent Soul cultivators.

Nascent Soul cultivators with top-tier strength, granted certain advantages by a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun, could also play a role at crucial moments, influencing the balance of power.

Thousands of years ago, there was an interesting event in the Ancient幽幽 Palace: At the time of its opening, various Nascent Soul competed and schemed against each other, but ultimately, a Nascent Soul cultivator picked up a great opportunity by chance.

“Elder Item should know that our Yunxia Sect currently lacks Nascent Soul cultivators, and those we have are all in important positions. They can’t be easily sent into the Ancient幽幽 Palace like the previous generations of True Immortals.”

“But Elder Item, you are formidable in combat and have no sect duties. Would you be interested in accompanying me to the Ancient幽幽 Palace?”

Zhen Jun Yunlan spoke in a negotiating tone.

After all, Lu Chang’an was a guest elder, and the contract he signed when joining was relatively lenient, with no such obligation.

Lu Chang’an looked troubled, about to find an excuse to decline.

“As long as Elder Item agrees to enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace with the Earth Rock Rat to help, regardless of success or failure, Yunxia Sect will help Elder Item in the future to acquire resources for achieving Nascent Soul. At least we will provide the main medicinal ingredient for forming the Core and top-grade spiritual treasures.”

“Moreover, any opportunities or treasures obtained in the Ancient幽幽 Palace, Elder Item and the Earth Rock Rat will have the right to a share based on your contributions.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan made a solemn promise with a serious expression.

Lu Chang’an couldn’t help but feel a twinge of temptation after hearing this.

Facing the promise of forming the Core resources and the opportunities of the Ancient幽幽 Palace, how many Nascent Soul cultivators could resist the allure?

Especially for Nascent Soul cultivators with little hope of forming the Core and an ordinary background, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Item is dedicated to cultivation and not skilled in combat. If I enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace, I’m afraid I will be a hindrance…”

Lu Chang’an sighed, politely declining.

If it were his previous life, he would have definitely taken a gamble on such a great opportunity.

But in this life, with a Transformed Demon King by his side, all he needed was to manage things steadily, and his chances of achieving Nascent Soul were relatively high.

Those Nascent Soul cultivators who risked entering the Ancient幽幽 Palace were either making a last stand or paving the way for future generations, with a death wish in their hearts.

In the Ancient幽幽 Palace, even Nascent Soul Zhen Jun faced the risk of perishing, let alone Nascent Soul cultivators.

“It is indeed quite risky for Nascent Soul cultivators to enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace.”

Zhen Jun Zixia saw Lu Chang’an’s concerns and smiled, suggesting:

“Why not let the Earth Rock Rat accompany you alone? A fourth-tier Demon King has stronger chances of survival. Brother Yunlan can sign a fourth-tier spirit contract and make a vow with his soul to refrain from harming each other within the Ancient幽幽 Palace…”

Zhen Jun Zixia’s suggestion was relatively compromising, avoiding the need for Lu Chang’an to enter the dangerous place.

Zhen Jun Yunlan glanced at his Daoist companion indifferently. He hadn’t agreed to signing a fourth-tier spirit contract and making a vow with his soul beforehand.

“That works too.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan nodded. He mainly valued the powerful strength of the fourth-tier Demon King. Elder Item was just an added bonus.

“Elder Item, I am asking the Earth Rock Rat to join, not for fighting and battling. Rats are highly sensitive to scent and excel at treasure hunting. If you can utilize this well, you might bring back some rare treasures from the Ancient幽幽 Palace, which would benefit both you and the Earth Rock Rat.”

The Yunxia Twin Immortals seemed to have reached an agreement.

Zhen Jun Zixia did not object. She had the sincerity to promote cooperation.

If Zhen Jun Yunlan could have the help of a fourth-tier Demon King, his self-preservation abilities in the Ancient幽幽 Palace would be stronger, making it a strong alliance.

Actually, the ideal situation would be for the Yunxia Twin Immortals to enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace together, their combined strength would be even stronger, and they trusted and understood each other.

But the two Immortals couldn’t leave the sect unattended. If both of them entered the Ancient幽幽 Palace, it would be too much of a gamble.

If something went wrong, the lineage of Yunxia Sect would fall into the hands of others.

Therefore, only one of them could go, and it had to be Zhen Jun Yunlan, the older Nascent Soul with stronger combat prowess.

“I apologize for disappointing the two Immortals. I am inseparable from the Earth Rock Rat, we never part ways. The Earth Rock Rat has only recently transformed for a few years, and some powerful divine arts haven’t been cultivated yet. I am reluctant to let it take the risk in the Ancient幽幽 Palace.”

Lu Chang’an’s expression was firm, as he rejected them again.

Upon hearing this, the two Immortals couldn’t help but look at each other.

They didn’t expect Lu Chang’an to be able to resist the temptation of forming the Core resources.

Logically speaking, Elder Item, as the owner, had done his part for his spiritual pet. The Earth Rock Rat entering the Ancient幽幽 Palace and joining forces with a True Immortal would have relatively controllable risks. It was a fair exchange to help his owner acquire resources for achieving Nascent Soul.

“Well, Elder Item’s devotion to your pet is admirable, no wonder the Earth Rock Rat relies on and trusts you so much.”

Zhen Jun Zixia no longer pressed the matter, a hint of admiration in her starry eyes.

Elder Item’s care for his pet, willing to reject the temptation of forming the Core resources, touched her heart.

Moreover, with the Earth Rock Rat’s assistance, Elder Item would find it easier to acquire resources for achieving Nascent Soul than before, although the ceiling wouldn’t be as high as the Ancient幽幽 Palace.

The two Immortals had no idea that Lu Chang’an was financially well-off. With his martial protection, he didn’t have to worry about acquiring resources for achieving Nascent Soul.

…

“Although I can’t personally assist Senior Yunlan, I can try to craft a third-tier top-grade puppet for you to use as an assistant in the Ancient幽幽 Palace.”

Lu Chang’an decided to help out a little, otherwise, if he disappointed the two Immortals too much, it would lower his personal evaluation.

“A third-tier top-grade puppet? Your puppet master skills are…”

The two Immortals looked over with anticipation upon hearing this.

A third-tier top-grade puppet was equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator in the cultivation world, extremely rare.

Such a high-tier puppet, during exploration of the Ancient幽幽 Palace, even if it couldn’t be a lone warrior, could still increase the margin of error for Nascent Soul cultivators.

A Nascent Soul cultivator’s subordinate might be afraid of death, but a puppet of the same level wouldn’t have that fear.

“After years of failures, my last product was almost finished. I am confident in crafting a third-tier top-grade puppet.”

Lu Chang’an nodded in confirmation.

“Good! I will gather the materials as soon as possible. Elder Item, I will rely on you to craft it. The finished puppet can be exchanged for sect contributions or traded with us for the materials we need.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan’s face lit up with joy as he encouraged him.

A third-tier top-grade puppet master was of strategic value, increasing the sect’s reserves and reducing its mortality rate.

After Lu Chang’an returned to Qingluan Peak, the two Immortals acted quickly.

Gathering the strength of the entire sect, they managed to gather a set of third-tier top-grade puppet materials within a month.

The reason they could do this was because the sect had material reserves, not every month could they gather a set of materials.

Once they depleted those reserves, they wouldn’t be able to casually obtain third-tier top-grade puppets in the future, it would require manpower and financial resources.

Lu Chang’an lived up to their expectations. Three months later, he crafted a third-tier top-grade puppet, receiving praise from Zhen Jun Yunlan.

Zhen Jun Yunlan already had a third-tier late-stage Earth-rank spirit pet, plus a third-tier top-grade puppet, he wouldn’t lack servants in the Ancient幽幽 Palace.

Just in case, Zhen Jun Yunlan bought two more third-tier puppets from Lu Chang’an as backup.

Zhen Jun Yunlan originally planned to wait for the materials for the second third-tier top-grade puppet.

Unfortunately, the time for the opening of the Ancient幽幽 Palace was approaching…

The Nascent Soul cultivators in Dayu formed a team to head to the Central Domain’s forbidden area, locking onto the location of the Ancient幽幽 Palace, providing mutual support.

If Zhen Jun Yunlan were to go alone, he would easily be excluded.

…

Two months later, in the clouds above Yunxia Sect.

Two figures embraced for a moment before parting.

“Ziyan, don’t worry, our sect’s fortune is steadily rising, and not long ago, a fourth-tier sacred beast was born, indicating a prosperous and prosperous future.”

“Brother, I have a feeling that this trip to the Ancient幽幽 Palace is the greatest opportunity in my life to touch upon mid-stage Nascent Soul.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan used the “Gaze Technique” to observe the magnificent aura of his sect’s mountain gate, a feeling of long-lost passion surged in his heart.

He took one last look at his stunningly beautiful Daoist companion.

For a hundred years, due to that incident, their relationship had been fractured. The appearance of the Earth Rock Rat had given Zhen Jun Zixia more power.

But in the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme. Zhen Jun Yunlan believed that as long as he could achieve mid-stage Nascent Soul and lead Yunxia Sect to glory and prosperity, he would naturally make Immortal Zixia submit to him.

At that time, he would also be able to intimidate Elder Item and the Earth Rock Rat, making them loyally serve Yunxia Sect.

“Brother, you can’t force opportunity, put your life first.”

Immortal Zixia bit her lower lip, her voice filled with concern, her starry eyes reflecting a complex expression.

The Ancient幽幽 Palace was a dangerous place of opportunity, connected to the ancient secrets of the Central Domain’s forbidden area, the Demon Abyss.

Every time it opened, the mortality rate of Nascent Soul Zhen Jun was around twenty percent.

A Nascent Soul grand cultivator in the Great Abyss once advised the Central Domain forces: Don’t exchange Demon Crystals to enter the Ancient幽幽 Palace. This will bring uncontrollable unknown risks to the Central Domain’s Demon Abyss.

However, the Central Domain was a land of fierce competition, with countless mid-stage Nascent Soul giants. The influence of top-tier sects from other regions of the Great Abyss on the Central Domain was limited.

Moreover, they needed to rely on the Central Domain as a buffer against the demons that emerged from the forbidden area and the disturbances caused by demons and devils.

“Ziyan, rest assured. Brother knows what he’s doing. This time, I am well-prepared, with self-preservation methods that can even allow me to retreat safely even if I encounter a mid-stage Nascent Soul.”

Zhen Jun Yunlan’s voice was full of confidence, carrying a certain level of assurance. Among the ancestors of Yunxia Sect, there were many who had entered the Ancient幽幽 Palace, leaving behind many records about exploration, providing more protection.

(End of Chapter)

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