I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 380

## Chapter 376: The Path to Nascent Soul (Part One)

2024-04-23

Chapter 376: The Path to Nascent Soul (Part One)

Zi Xia Peak’s cave mansion, the Supreme Elder’s sleeping chamber.

Lu Chang’an gently laid the unconscious Zi Xia Xianzi on the bed, her arms still tightly wrapped around him. He could only sit beside her on the bed as she refused to let go.

Zi Xia Xianzi’s personal maidservant, keeping her eyes downcast, bowed and retreated, seeming to have received some kind of instruction.

Lu Chang’an gazed at Zi Xia Xianzi, who slept soundly, her face flushed with a delicate rosy hue. He had noticed a faint hint of it earlier, and now he had pieced together most of the truth.

Zi Xia Xianzi’s wound and poison weren’t as critical as he initially thought, and she had readily allowed him to handle her situation.

While continuing to nourish her, Lu Chang’an analyzed the situation within Jiang Zi Yan’s body once more.

“Yin-Yang attribute medicinal properties…”

Lu Chang’an speculated that Zi Xia Xianzi must have consumed a rare and powerful elixir, likely the legendary “Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Pill.” This explained why the residual poison in her body was so weak and inactive.

Therefore, it posed no threat to Lu Chang’an, whose Chang Qing Gong had a superior resistance to poisons.

Of course, the “Sky Centipede Infant Poison” primarily targeted the Nascent Soul, and most of the potent poison was concentrated in Zi Xia Xianzi’s Nascent Soul spirit body.

If the poison lingered for too long, it would penetrate deeper, damaging the foundation of her Nascent Soul and hindering her potential, drastically reducing the chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul mid-stage.

This was even more serious than the outcome of directly expelling her Nascent Soul earlier!

If not for Lu Chang’an, the plot of the Great Serpent Mountain might have succeeded.

Lu Chang’an focused on nourishing and healing her body, clearing out the residual toxins, allowing Jiang Zi Yan to concentrate all her energy on fighting the evil poison within her Nascent Soul.

If her physical Qi could recover faster and replenish her Nascent Soul, it would help accelerate the eradication of the poison.

This was also one of the reasons why Jiang Zi Yan kept Lu Chang’an by her side.

Based on her experience, she judged that no one in the sect could match Lu Chang’an in comprehensive treatment and nourishment.

“I wonder how effective the Chang Qing Gong is in healing the soul or Nascent Soul?”

A thought crossed Lu Chang’an’s mind.

If it were just the Chang Qing Qi, it would be no different from powerful wood-attribute cultivation techniques in terms of healing, and probably wouldn’t yield much effect.

As for the lifespan-shortening Chang Qing secret techniques, it was uncertain.

Naturally, Lu Chang’an would not attempt that.

From the beginning, he had refrained from rashly examining Zi Xia Xianzi’s Nascent Soul.

Firstly, the Nascent Soul was a taboo for True Monarchs.

Secondly, Lu Chang’an was afraid of being infected by the original “Sky Centipede Infant Poison.”

…

Three days later.

Zi Xia Xianzi opened her light-purple star-like eyes, her snow-white porcelain face regaining some vitality.

After three days of treatment, Jiang Zi Yan’s bodily wounds and poison had stabilized, and her Qi flowed smoothly.

“Senior Sister Jiang, you’re awake.”

Lu Chang’an, appearing slightly weary, breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, they were no longer in an embrace. Lu Chang’an could finally sit comfortably.

However, their hands were still intertwined, his with her slender, icy-white fingers. The initial feeling of delicate coolness had now become familiar.

During her slumber, Jiang Zi Yan had kept him in her arms, seemingly unable to let go instinctively.

Later, Lu Chang’an took her hand, maintaining the position for nourishment and care. It was only then that Jiang Zi Yan released him and lay flat on the bed.

“Junior Brother, you’ve worked hard. If you hadn’t been here, Senior Sister would have been in grave danger. At the very least, I would have had to abandon my physical body and expel my Nascent Soul.”

Zi Xia Xianzi gazed at the man before her, her former aura of a noble and unapproachable Nascent Soul True Monarch gone. The sparkle in her eyes seemed to hold the tender affection of an ordinary female cultivator.

“Senior Sister, you’re too kind. When I intervened, it was also for my own sake. If your poison had deepened and caused serious consequences, it would have been better to expel your Nascent Soul. I would have been a burden to you.”

Lu Chang’an tried to pull back his hand, but Jiang Zi Yan didn’t let go.

Instead, they held on even tighter, their fingers intertwined, their eyes locked.

At that moment.

One of them lay on the sickbed, smiling faintly; the other sat on the bed, whispering words of comfort. They held hands, their gazes meeting occasionally. It was like a pair of cultivators in their first love.

Lu Chang’an could sense Zi Xia Xianzi’s feelings, and they understood each other without words.

Having gone through life and death together, revealing many of their abilities and secrets, Lu Chang’an could only let things take their natural course and accept the progression of their relationship.

This way, they could both be at ease.

The breakthrough in their relationship gave Zi Xia Xianzi a sense of security.

Lu Chang’an’s individual strength was sufficient to contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator. Add to that the Earth Rock Lord, and they had the power to overturn Yun Xia Sect and swallow her whole.

Even if Lu Chang’an didn’t show any ambition, Zi Xia Xianzi still needed to draw closer to him, ensuring he wouldn’t change his mind and be swayed by outside forces.

Secondly.

Over the course of their time together, Jiang Zi Yan had grown to admire Xiang Da Long’s talent and character, although not in the way of true love.

As for Lu Chang’an, facing this peerlessly beautiful Nascent Soul True Monarch, having spent decades by her side, he too held some admiration for her. Aside from the natural attraction to beauty, there was also respect and admiration for a high-ranking female cultivator.

After all, in his three lifetimes, he hadn’t yet reached the Nascent Soul stage, making him lower in status than Jiang Zi Yan.

Zi Xia Xianzi’s previous subtle attempts to attract him, the secrets revealed during this incident, and the reality of their closeness over the past few days – Lu Chang’an, being a normal male cultivator, couldn’t forcibly resist the warming of their feelings, exceeding the previous boundaries between their superiors and subordinates.

…

“Da Long possesses such divine abilities and has successfully cultivated a fourth-tier spirit pet. In the previous state, you were likely no ordinary cultivator, weren’t you? You’ve kept Zi Yan in the dark for all these years.”

Zi Xia True Monarch smiled, her beauty shattering the mundane world, her tone laced with both playful reproach and a hint of resentment, exposing the facade of an honest, small-town cultivator that Lu Chang’an had crafted when he first joined the sect.

“Forgive Zi Yan’s laughter, Junior Brother. I had my reasons in the past and was forced to conceal certain truths.”

Lu Chang’an “smiled bitterly,” feigning a reason he couldn’t divulge.

He was prepared to expose some of his secrets, confessing parts of the truth to ease her mind.

“If Da Long has reasons he cannot speak of, Zi Yan will not pry.”

Zi Xia Xianzi raised her head, her slender and graceful body leaning against Lu Chang’an’s embrace, displaying a caring and gentle demeanor.

In this position, Lu Chang’an’s gaze fell directly upon Zi Xia Xianzi’s curvaceous and flawlessly beautiful figure.

In fact, they had been physically close over the previous few days.

But at that time, Lu Chang’an had been in the mindset of a healer, and towards a superior Nascent Soul Xianzi, he couldn’t harbor any frivolous or inappropriate thoughts.

Now, Lu Chang’an was openly holding the female True Monarch’s icy-white and noble body, feeling the firm elasticity of her waist and smelling the elegant fragrance lingering around his nose.

“The state Junior Brother originally belonged to was indeed backward compared to the Great Abyss. I, a mere散修 (san xiu – cultivator with no affiliation) by origin, once joined a筑基 (zhu ji – Foundation Establishment) family and a 結丹 (jie dan – Golden Core) sect. During that time, I had some fortunate encounters and received the inheritance of puppetry, so my strength and foundation were far beyond ordinary 結丹 (jie dan) cultivators…”

Zi Xia Xianzi listened quietly, her dignified and beautiful face flushed with a faint rosy blush. A long-dormant sense of restlessness stirred within her body and heart.

Born with a Heaven-grade Spiritual Root, she had achieved the lofty status of a Nascent Soul, with her beauty famed throughout the Middle Domain.

This was the first time she had been so tender with a lower-level male cultivator and tacitly permitted his casual handling of her.

“…Ultimately, I offended a Nascent Soul sect and was pursued by a True Monarch. In a desperate situation, I stumbled upon a forbidden area. Fortunately, I escaped through a spatial rift and crossed into the Great Abyss. Junior Brother can swear that he has no ill intentions towards Yun Xia Sect. He merely seeks a peaceful environment to cultivate and break through to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Lu Chang’an concealed many details, simply giving a general explanation that was in line with reason.

“Da Long’s experiences are truly extraordinary. No wonder you have such a strong will, able to remain calm in the face of danger when confronted by Nascent Soul cultivators.”

Zi Xia Xianzi’s many doubts were answered, easing her worries.

Indeed, the past few decades had shown that Xiang Da Long had devoted himself to cultivation, all for the sake of reaching the Nascent Soul stage, with no interest in other matters.

“Does Zi Yan have any other questions?”

Lu Chang’an had been talking for a while and his mouth felt dry.

He held Zi Xia True Monarch’s waist with one hand and placed the other on her knee, confirming that the wound on her thigh had healed, restored to its smooth and delicate snowy skin under the effects of the Chang Qing Gong and external injury medicines.

“Zi Yan has one final question.”

Zi Xia True Monarch’s star-like eyes shimmered with curiosity as she asked:

“Observing Da Long’s cultivation progress, you must be of considerable age, yet you strive with all your might to achieve Nascent Soul. I dare ask, what are your chances of forming a Nascent Soul?”

Faced with this question, Lu Chang’an pondered for a moment before replying:

“Actually, Junior Brother’s opportunities and foundations are no worse than those of True Monarch’s disciples, and my pill quality is also half-step Golden Core. Coupled with my planning over the years, I should have a three to four out of ten chance of breaking through to Nascent Soul.”

“Three to four out of ten?”

Zi Xia Xianzi thought to herself, this was no small chance, exceeding that of most 結丹 (jie dan) cultivators.

Even for an Immortal Golden Core, with superior cultivation techniques and opportunities, the success rate of forming a Nascent Soul was only around five out of ten.

Moreover, Lu Chang’an was not young. He had already passed the age of three hundred and seventy.

It seemed that, after their relationship progressed, Xiang Da Long had truly opened up to her.

…

After the confession.

The two of them seemed to have opened their hearts to each other, strengthening the newfound bond in their relationship.

Over the next few days, Lu Chang’an took care of Zi Xia Xianzi, his actions becoming even more natural.

Jiang Zi Yan spent half her time in a meditative state, focusing on dissolving the infant poison in her Nascent Soul. In the physical realm, she entrusted her bodily form entirely to Lu Chang’an’s care.

The other half of the time, they spent moments of tenderness, either having open conversations or discussing the Dao.

To Zi Xia Xianzi’s relief, Lu Chang’an’s perspective and understanding were on par with her own as a Nascent Soul.

There was no gap between them when they spent time together, and they could even inspire each other during discussions about the Dao.

As the days and nights passed, Lu Chang’an became increasingly familiar with Zi Xia True Monarch’s physical body, but they hadn’t reached the point of complete openness.

“While Zi Yan has resisted the deeper invasion of the infant poison, it may take three years to completely eradicate it and restore her to her peak state.”

During her care, Zi Xia Xianzi revealed her true condition.

It was better than Lu Chang’an had anticipated.

On the one hand, it was thanks to Zi Xia Xianzi’s preparations, possessing the “Yin-Yang Life-and-Death Pill,” which had protected her Nascent Soul’s core in time. Later, during the detoxification process, she had also used various precious materials and elixirs.

On the other hand, Lu Chang’an’s Chang Qing Gong nourishment and healing had accelerated her recovery, allowing Zi Xia Xianzi to focus all her energy on fighting the infant poison.

“Zi Yan, you’ve already passed the dangerous period. For the next three years, Junior Brother will visit Zi Xia Peak every seven days. It won’t affect my foundation.”

“Since I returned, Junior Brother hasn’t spent time with the Earth Rock Lord.”

Lu Chang’an finally found an excuse to break free from Zi Xia Xianzi’s reliance and retention.

He needed to cultivate and prepare for forming his Nascent Soul.

He couldn’t spend three years day and night taking care of Zi Xia Xianzi, even though many admirers would have been thrilled at such an opportunity.

…

“Elder Xiang, please go slowly.”

The maidservant knelt and bowed, treating him as she had once treated Yun Lan True Monarch, seeing him off.

As he left the cave mansion, Lu Chang’an let out a sigh of relief, unconsciously savoring the lingering sweetness on his lips.

When they “parted,” Zi Xia Xianzi had been clingy and reluctant, seemingly worried that if she let go, her support would disappear.

In the female True Monarch’s bedchamber, they had lingered in a passionate kiss for a long time before Lu Chang’an could leave.

“Elder… Elder Xiang.”

Outside the cave mansion, a voice, hesitant and timid, interrupted Lu Chang’an’s lingering aftertaste.

Hu Ang bowed, his eyes cast down, as if walking on thin ice, not daring to breathe.

“Little Hu, are you still outside?”

Lu Chang’an looked at him with a surprised expression, pondering.

Earlier, Hu Ang had watched as he carried the noble and transcendent Zi Xia Xianzi into the cave mansion, leaving only after seven days.

This kind of matter, involving the Supreme Elder’s privacy, would cause a huge uproar if it got out. He, who had been guarding the entrance to the cave mansion, was naturally in a precarious situation.

“Master instructed the disciple to guard the entrance.”

Hu Ang answered honestly, not daring to harbor any ill will towards the currently triumphant Xiang Da Long.

“Alright, go rest.”

Lu Chang’an knew this young man was intelligent. He waved his hand, and the latter, relieved, left.

Lu Chang’an was too lazy to control gossip.

Earlier, Zi Xia Xianzi had intentionally allowed him to carry her into the cave mansion.

The Supreme Elder was injured, and Lu Chang’an had personally taken care of her for seven days and nights, preventing other cultivators from visiting.

Under these circumstances, it was impossible to suppress speculation and private discussions outside.

Zi Xia True Monarch probably wanted to publicize this matter, hoping to establish their relationship as a couple, tying Lu Chang’an to Yun Xia Sect.

After all, Yun Lan True Monarch had been gone for years, and Zi Xia Xianzi, single, had no moral burden in taking a second husband.

For the benefit of the sect, joining forces with Xiang Da Long, who was at the peak of his powers, was seen as a reasonable development in the eyes of high-level cultivators outside.

…

Leaving Zi Xia Peak, Lu Chang’an arrived at the fourth-tier spirit vein palace where the Earth Rock Lord resided.

Creak!

The Earth Rock Lord, transformed into a dog-sized rat妖 (yao – spirit beast) form, came to Lu Chang’an’s side, rubbing against him, seemingly smelling something, and couldn’t help but drool.

“You little rascal, you have quite the nose.”

Lu Chang’an chuckled and took out the massive corpse of the “Red Flame Great Serpent,” a quasi-fourth-tier妖獸 (yao shou – spirit beast), from his storage bag.

Half an hour later, the Earth Rock Rat assisted Lu Chang’an in processing the Red Flame Great Serpent’s body parts.

The quasi-fourth-tier Red Flame Great Serpent, being of Earth-grade bloodline, had valuable materials, including its serpent skin, poison sacs, gallbladder, and core pill.

There was a lot of serpent meat and blood. Lu Chang’an gave a generous portion to the Earth Rock Lord as snacks and beast feed.

Over the years, the Earth Rock Lord’s sustenance had been provided by Yun Xia Sect. Lu Chang’an, as its master, had rarely had to worry about it.

Of course, the Earth Rock Lord, receiving sustenance as the sect’s holy beast, also had the duty to guard the sect.

The Earth Rock Rat coveted the semi-finished essence core pill of the Red Flame Great Serpent.

This pill, for a fourth-tier early-stage creature like him, was a rare tonic that could promote his cultivation.

Lu Chang’an didn’t agree immediately.

This pill could potentially be used as a trade item in the future or for refining many valuable elixirs.

The Earth Rock Rat had been living comfortably in Yun Xia Sect for years, receiving sustenance and having everything provided for him. He had lost his former wildness and diligence.

This pill couldn’t be easily given to him.

“By the way, send some serpent meat and blood to Da Gui as well.”

Lu Chang’an instructed.

The Earth Rock Lord agreed and took a small portion of the serpent meat and blood, heading towards the deeper part of the palace.

In a heavily restricted secret chamber further down, the Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟 – Dark Water Turtle) stood guard beside the “Xuan Tian Hu Luo (玄天葫藤 – Mysterious Heaven Gourd Vine).”

Compared to before they left Da Qing, the “Xuan Tian Hu Luo (玄天葫藤 – Mysterious Heaven Gourd Vine)” planted in the fourth-tier spirit vein was now slightly more vigorous in its growth, with stronger sprouts than decades ago.

Since consuming a large amount of innate turbid Qi back then, the Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟 – Dark Water Turtle) had undergone a significant bloodline enhancement, and its species had also undergone a qualitative change.

This turtle had ascended to the Heavenly-grade rank, breaking through the limitations of the Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟 – Dark Water Turtle) species, and its cultivation was not far from the third-tier late stage.

Lu Chang’an observed the “Xuan Tian Hu Luo (玄天葫藤 – Mysterious Heaven Gourd Vine),” which was growing steadily and smoothly, just like the progress of his Chang Qing Gong.

…

The next day, Lu Chang’an returned to his Qing Luan Peak cave mansion, taking the opportunity to guide Xiao Qing Shan’s cultivation.

As Lu Chang’an’s only confidante in the sect, and the head steward of the cave mansion, Xiao Qing Shan enjoyed the same treatment and resources as the sect’s true disciples.

With his extraordinary Yin-Yang side-door talent and the “Dragon-Phoenix Twin Cauldrons Technique” bestowed upon him by Lu Chang’an, his cultivation aptitude was comparable to that of a high-grade Spiritual Root. His actual cultivation speed wasn’t lagging behind the true disciples either.

Over the years, Xiao Qing Shan’s relationship with Lu Chang’an had grown increasingly familiar and intimate.

In a dream, a hazy figure of a man in white clothes appeared. He had not yet broken through the mystery of his birth, recalling his past life as “Li Er Qing.”

Lu Chang’an occasionally paid attention to Xiao Qing Shan’s cultivation progress, hoping that one day he would ascend to the 結丹 (jie dan) stage, making new progress in the secrets of reincarnation.

After attending to various social obligations for several days.

Lu Chang’an resumed his intensive cultivation, occasionally using new materials to refine quasi-fourth-tier puppets, enhancing and refining them.

“Currently, I’ve basically gathered all the resources I need for forming my Nascent Soul. At most, there are a few points of reinforcement.”

Lu Chang’an was at peace with himself at the moment.

With a long lifespan and almost all the necessary Nascent Soul resources secured, he had nothing to worry about.

The points of reinforcement for Nascent Soul resources were one or two.

Firstly, the more superior Nascent Soul spirit objects, the better.

Different attributes of Nascent Soul spirit objects, sourced from various celestial wonders, could be stacked for increased benefits.

This was a matter of meticulous perfection, not a decisive factor, so it didn’t need to be pursued forcefully.

Secondly, heart tribulation protective items.

The Shang Qing Pill that Lu Chang’an possessed wasn’t a superior heart tribulation protective spirit object.

However, the “Ancient Wood Chang Qing Gong” had a bonus to mental state.

This was an effect of achieving mental calmness through slow cultivation and the accumulation of spirit over a long period.

This mental state bonus gave Lu Chang’an a greater chance of overcoming heart tribulations compared to cultivators of the same level.

In addition, Lu Chang’an possessed the memories and experiences of the fourth lifetime, “Li Huo Shang Ren,” who had successfully formed a Nascent Soul.

Not to mention the memories and experiences of Heavenly Net Old Ancestor and Sha Hai True Monarch. Although the latter two couldn’t be directly converted into real experiences and insights, they were still valuable for reference.

“Once Jiang Zi Yan’s infant poison is eradicated, I will travel and go to the Pill Dao League to refine the “Transforming Infant Pill.”

Lu Chang’an quickly formulated the final plan for his Nascent Soul journey.

…

Two or three years flew by in the blink of an eye.

Three years ago, the incident of Zi Xia Xianzi being attacked didn’t cause much of a stir in Da Yu Country.

The Great Serpent Mountain’s attack was short-lived, leaving no direct evidence. Moreover, no high-level cultivators witnessed the event. The matter was dropped.

Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t kill each other without cause. That was the overt rule of Da Yu Country.

However, covert tactics, without concrete evidence and no deaths or casualties, wouldn’t be rigorously investigated by Da Yu Country. They would mostly turn a blind eye.

Moreover, Zi Xia Xianzi had rejected the royal marriage proposals and overtures. The Da Yu royal family wouldn’t offer any favors or protection to Yun Xia Sect.

…

Unbeknownst to him, Lu Chang’an’s age had reached 373.

Only seven years remained before he reached the peak of 結丹 (jie dan).

Over the past two or three years, he had visited Zi Xia Cave Mansion every seven days. His relationship with Jiang Zi Yan had grown increasingly harmonious, with moments of tenderness and discussions of the Dao.

Despite the warming relationship, Lu Chang’an didn’t cross that final barrier.

As a Nascent Soul True Monarch, Zi Xia Xianzi had her own noble pride. She wouldn’t take the initiative to demand or rush the crossing of the final threshold. That would be a display of a lowering of her standards.

Lu Chang’an knew that, once he ascended to Nascent Soul, he wouldn’t be able to stay in the Great Abyss or live out his days in Yun Xia Sect for long.

If his relationship with Zi Xia Xianzi reached the level of a Dao Companion… It would be difficult to sever that tie later.

With Jiang Zi Yan’s intelligence, she wouldn’t fail to guess some of Lu Chang’an’s concerns.

Three years ago, Lu Chang’an had revealed his intention to return to his hometown after his journey from Yun Tian City.

As for whether he would return to Yun Xia Sect after returning to his hometown, only time would tell.

…

The main peak cave mansion, the cultivation chamber.

Whew!

Lu Chang’an withdrew the Chang Qing Gong. The aura of time and reincarnation around him, the lush and vibrant green vitality in the air, slowly dissipated.

Before him, floating in the air, was a fourth-tier Longevity Fruit that he had recently cultivated and nurtured.

“With this fourth-tier Longevity Fruit, I can have Master Le refine a fourth-tier Longevity Elixir. Not only can I use it myself, but I can also trade it to reinforce my Nascent Soul resources.”

Lu Chang’an smiled, sealing the fourth-tier Longevity Fruit in a jade box.

Over the past three years, he had consumed several years of his lifespan to cultivate and nurture this third-tier top-grade Longevity Fruit, which had been growing for years, into a fourth-tier fruit.

According to his previous estimates, if he consumed a fourth-tier Longevity Elixir, he could extend his lifespan for over a hundred years.

“Everything is in place.”

Lu Chang’an took a deep breath and left the cave mansion.

The last seven years of his Nascent Soul journey, including traveling and alchemy, would take some time.

Before leaving, he needed to inform Zi Xia Xianzi and let her know.

Since this trip out of the sect would be longer, he would take the Earth Rock Lord with him, along with the Xuan Shui Gui (玄水龟 – Dark Water Turtle) and the “Xuan Tian Hu Luo (玄天葫藤 – Mysterious Heaven Gourd Vine).”

(End of chapter)

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