I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 402

## Chapter 398: Double Dragons of the Central Region

“You were supposed to collect the spoils of war. Why did you end up with a body?”

Lu Chang An muttered.

But thinking about it, it seemed like a complete Nascent Soul body did have a significant value.

Unlike Ming Shui Zhen Jun, who was injured by the “Splitting Sky Axe,” even if it wasn’t a direct hit, her body was on the verge of collapse. Without the protection of her Nascent Soul spiritual body, it would quickly lose its vitality.

After collecting the spoils, Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng used their full escape speed to leave the battle scene.

Just a few breaths after they left.

A giant claw, gleaming with golden scales, swept through the air with a fierce grab. The released spiritual pressure was even stronger than Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s before.

Unfortunately, Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng had already escaped the attack range.

“The power of a pseudo-spiritual treasure!”

“Using a pseudo-spiritual treasure once, at Jing Wu Feng’s early Nascent Soul stage, would deplete his spiritual energy. It’s a pity that Ming Shui Dao You couldn’t have held on a bit longer.”

Jin Kun Lao Gui, who arrived later, sighed in regret.

Even with his mid-Nascent Soul stage spiritual power, facing a blow from a pseudo-spiritual treasure, he wouldn’t have been defeated without any resistance.

There must be some details he wasn’t aware of.

“Where did Nangong Xiu go? The scoundrel is audacious to betray the agreement…”

Jin Kun Lao Gui was furious, his face becoming increasingly grim.

From the wounds on Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s corpse, it was clear that he had been killed by the demonic sword Nangong Xiu.

He took out the spirit contract from his spatial artifact and confirmed the matter.

“Jin Kun Dao You? How could this be…”

The White Bone Guild Leader and his wife, who arrived shortly after, were horrified by the tragic defeat.

Jin Kun Lao Gui regained his composure. Knowing that the encirclement plan had collapsed in a disastrous defeat, he realized their grand scheme was doomed.

Nangong Xiu’s betrayal and the loss of Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s combat power at the mid-Nascent Soul stage meant that it was no longer possible to threaten the two’s combined power.

After a long wait, a pale, black female Nascent Soul returned to the scene of the incident, observing from a distance.

It was Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul spiritual body.

“Ming Shui Dao You.”

The White Bone Guild Leader and his wife, who were dealing with the remains of Ming Shui Zhen Jun and Ba Wu Zhen Jun, stiffened.

Ming Shui Zhen Jun dared to return for a few reasons. First, the several Zhen Jun had signed a spirit contract, prohibiting them from harming each other. Second, she had a powerful alliance behind her.

Third, the escape speed of a mid-Nascent Soul was incredibly fast. As long as she wasn’t blocked, Jin Kun Lao Gui couldn’t catch her.

On the other hand, Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul didn’t dare to return.

Perhaps she lacked Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s confidence, or perhaps the connection between her Nascent Soul and her body made her aware that she had been captured by the enemy.

“Ming Shui Dao You, your body has been repaired by this old woman, and it’s preserved with secret medicine, preventing it from being completely ruined. With the help of a sacred medicine, it might be possible to reactivate it.”

Yu Fu Ren’s smile was stiff and unnatural.

Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul floated in the air, looking at the patched-up body from afar, her heart bleeding.

The female Nascent Soul’s face showed a conflicted expression.

The damage to this body was too severe. The foundation was greatly affected. Even if she returned to her physical form, and they revived her, it would take years for her to recover.

Moreover, her potential and lifespan would be diminished, and it would be almost impossible to make further progress in the future.

If she chose to possess a new body, the compatibility wouldn’t be as good as her original one, and her strength wouldn’t improve much.

“Unless…”

Ming Shui Zhen Jun’s eyes flickered, a thought emerging.

Unless she found a cultivator of the “Ancient Wood Everlasting Technique.”

She had heard that there was a revered medical sage who practiced the Everlasting Technique, a master of healing. He resided overseas and could easily repair foundations.

The Sixteen Sea-Calming Sects suppressed the coastal regions of the Eastern Region, and they also occupied some islands near the sea, but they weren’t an overseas force.

Due to conflicts of interest, the Sixteen Sea-Calming Sects had a bad relationship with overseas forces.

To find that medical sage, she would have to cross a vast expanse of ocean, and it was uncertain how much it would cost.

…

Half a day later.

Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng arrived at a secluded cave in the Valley of Ten Thousand Demons.

“This time, we’re indebted to Xiang Zhen Jun for his help. We’ve finally solved a major problem. At least, during the Demon Sealing event, we won’t have to worry about this.”

Jing Wu Feng bowed and smiled, his tone sincere.

“Jing Zhen Jun, don’t be so polite. By taking action this time, I’ve also resolved some of my own hidden dangers.”

Lu Chang An said with a smile. After this battle, Ming Shui Zhen Jun would be unable to recover for at least two decades.

By then, Lu Chang An would likely have returned to Da Qing.

Even if she regained her full power, without her powerful artifact, she would be much less of a threat.

In this battle, Lu Chang An had concealed some of his strength from the enemy Nascent Soul, such as the true fourth-order puppet and the exotic peacock.

Of course, even with the fourth-order puppet and the exotic peacock, they couldn’t have killed Ming Shui Zhen Jun, who was at the mid-Nascent Soul stage. It would only have made her more cautious or forced her to escape more decisively.

It was extremely rare in the cultivation world for an early Nascent Soul to defeat a mid-Nascent Soul, especially by surpassing their stage.

To completely eliminate a mid-Nascent Soul, one would probably need the supernatural abilities of a great Nascent Soul cultivator.

In Lu Chang An’s divination, if he had actually killed Ming Shui Zhen Jun, it could have triggered unforeseen troubles.

A mid-Nascent Soul was a significant figure even among the Sixteen Sea-Calming Sects.

The two exchanged polite compliments and then entered the delightful stage of dividing the spoils.

“By the way, why wasn’t Nangong Dao You with us?”

Lu Chang An asked.

“Nangong Dao You might not trust us. He’s probably hiding somewhere, recuperating from his injuries.”

“This time, he repaid his debt to me. Afterward, I’ll compensate him separately.”

Jing Wu Feng explained frankly.

It implied that Nangong Xiu wouldn’t participate in the division of spoils, and his contribution belonged to Jing Wu Feng.

Lu Chang An had no objections.

Nangong Xiu’s presence was the crucial reason why he had been willing to risk participating in this plan.

…

“This is Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul. As per our prior agreement, it belongs to Xiang Zhen Jun.”

Jing Wu Feng took out a silver bottle, with a sealing talisman attached to it.

The division of spoils began with Ba Wu Zhen Jun.

Lu Chang An took the sealed bottle and scanned it with his spiritual sense. He nodded slightly.

He was secretly delighted, as the “Nine-Seal Monument” could absorb another Nascent Soul as nourishment. The fifth life’s progress could increase by 10%.

After taking Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul, Lu Chang An didn’t claim any of the precious artifacts and items from him.

He received a few fourth-order precious materials suitable for puppet refinement.

Jing Wu Feng also gave Lu Chang An half of the remaining spirit stones and other regular assets.

Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s resources and wealth were less than those of a Nascent Soul elder.

He was a Nascent Soul elder from one of the eight factions in Baji Mountain, not a loner, so he hadn’t brought all his possessions with him.

Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s most valuable treasure was the heavy ancient armor he wore. It was made of high-quality materials, boasting exceptional defense. If he hadn’t been caught off guard, and the ancient armor hadn’t been fully empowered with spiritual power, Nangong Xiu’s sword might not have killed him.

Next came the artifacts and strange objects Ming Shui Zhen Jun had discarded.

They were the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner, the Profound Nether Heavy Water, and a black thread.

The Sea-Sky Sacred Banner was an ancient, inherited artifact that could create a sea-sky water domain. Its value exceeded most top-grade artifacts.

The Profound Nether Heavy Water wasn’t an artifact but a spiritual object cultivated by a cultivator.

The black thread was a special celestial object, incredibly tough. If successfully refined, it could be used to create functional artifacts.

The most valuable item was undoubtedly the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner. It was worth more than the other two combined.

After weighing his options, Lu Chang An gave the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner to Jing Wu Feng.

He had his reasons.

First, the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner might attract future karma.

Obtaining this artifact might lead to future karma involving Ming Shui Zhen Jun, or even the Black Abyss Sect.

This was a glimpse Lu Chang An had obtained through his fourth-order divination skill.

Second, an early Nascent Soul stage spiritual power was too weak to control the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner. The attribute was also incompatible.

Lu Chang An had a similar Sea-Sky Banner artifact, obtained from Sha Hai Zhen Jun. Its quality was slightly inferior to a top-grade artifact. He had kept it sealed for years after arriving in the Great Abyss, fearing that its secret would be revealed.

On the other hand, the Profound Nether Heavy Water would be useful for the Xuan Shui Turtle.

The mutated Xuan Shui Turtle had also cultivated heavy water abilities. The Profound Nether Heavy Water spiritual object cultivated by a mid-Nascent Soul could help with its cultivation and abilities.

The Black Thread, a functional artifact, had no attribute bias, making it highly versatile. Lu Chang An planned to give it to the Di Yan Jun.

Lu Chang An had identified that the Black Thread, besides being incredibly tough and impervious to water and fire, possessed the ability to transform and camouflage. It could also absorb spiritual energy.

The “spirit-absorbing” trait made it hard to detect that the Black Thread was an artifact when it was disguised and worn daily.

When used to bind enemies, it would absorb their spiritual and demonic energy, making it more difficult for them to resist and struggle.

Lu Chang An even speculated that in the hands of a higher-level cultivator like Ming Shui Zhen Jun, the Black Thread would be even more powerful. Perhaps it could even bind and restrain a Nascent Soul spiritual body.

Of course, the Black Thread’s attack range was limited, so it wasn’t a functional artifact for capturing Nascent Soul.

“Thank you, Xiang Dao You, for your generosity.”

Jing Wu Feng received the Sea-Sky Sacred Banner, showing a slight hint of joy.

The Sea-Sky Sacred Banner could create its own realm. It would complement his spatial abilities, becoming a powerful tool that he could use until the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

The Profound Nether Heavy Water and the Black Thread weren’t compatible with him. He also had similar types of artifacts.

Jing Wu Feng’s “Celestial Silkworm Crystal Thread” could also imprison enemies and was even more compatible with his spatial spiritual abilities.

“Ling Xue Zhen Jun was defeated by Xiang Dao You and Di Yan Jun. Since I didn’t participate, I won’t participate in the distribution of spoils.”

Jing Wu Feng returned the favor, generously giving up a significant share of the benefits.

Di Yan Jun, with the help of the fourth-order potent poison and his stealth tactics, had defeated Ling Xue Zhen Jun. Jing Wu Feng had not been involved throughout.

However, this kind of cooperative killing was considered a group effort, with everyone playing different roles, so it couldn’t be viewed simply as an individual achievement.

Moreover, if Jing Wu Feng hadn’t used the pseudo-spiritual treasure to intimidate her, Ling Xue Zhen Jun wouldn’t have been frightened to the point of releasing her Nascent Soul. Due to being frozen, she hadn’t even had time to retrieve her spatial bracelet and the Ice Lotus artifact.

…

“Jing Dao You is so generous, then I’ll shamelessly accept it.”

After a brief decline, Lu Chang An received all of Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s spoils.

Jing Wu Feng was so magnanimous because the Ice-type artifacts were of limited use to him.

In the corner of the cave.

Di Yan Jun, his injuries severe, vomited out Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s frozen body.

The spatial bracelet, the Cold Ice God Chain, and the Ice Lotus artifact scattered around.

Lu Chang An first checked Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s frozen body, looking for abnormalities.

She was wearing a snowy white palace dress. Her exquisite and delicate face and graceful and beautiful body were covered in a layer of ice crystals. Although her body was cold and her heartbeat had stopped, she still possessed a trace of vitality.

The shocked expression on her face remained vivid and lively despite being frozen.

“Interesting. Even the fourth-order potent poison was frozen. Not only can it maintain her vitality for a long time, but it can also be revived and used in the future.”

Lu Chang An was amazed. Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s cultivation inheritance wasn’t simple.

Without using a pseudo-spiritual treasure, Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng would have had to go through great lengths to break the ice seal earlier.

Now, only a thin layer of ice crystals remained on Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s body, acting as a freezing and preserving agent. The crack on the ice layer above her head had also automatically healed.

Lu Chang An made a brief calculation. This innate body’s Nascent Soul body didn’t pose any hidden threats. It could be sold for a high price to a suitable buyer.

However, within a certain range, Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul could sense a vague connection.

Thinking about this, Lu Chang An cast a wood-type sealing spell. His fingers glowed with spiritual light, sketching in the air.

Moments later, a layer of dark green leaves and veins appeared on the surface of Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s ice layer, adding a touch of verdant vitality and locking her aura inside.

Lu Chang An then added two sealing talismans and performed another divination, confirming there were no flaws.

Unless Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul was right in front of her, she wouldn’t be able to sense it.

However, Lu Chang An could use this body as a medium to use his fourth-order divination skill to sense the location of the Nascent Soul spiritual body.

Once he had finished, Lu Chang An started to inventory Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s spoils of war.

During the battle, Ling Xue Zhen Jun had used the Ice Lotus artifact and the Cold Ice God Chain, both of which had been remarkably effective.

The Ice Lotus artifact was of excellent quality, capable of spinning automatically to protect her and transforming into flying lotuses to attack enemies.

This artifact was close to a top-grade artifact.

The Cold Ice God Chain was a top-grade artifact, though it was among the best of its kind.

Both of these Ice-type artifacts could exert greater power in Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s hands, as they were compatible with her Xuan Bing Dao Ti (Profound Ice Innate Body).

If not for the fourth-order potent poison and the Blue Armor Puppet’s sneak attack, Di Yan Jun wouldn’t have been able to defeat her in a one-on-one fight.

Lu Chang An’s Everlasting Technique wasn’t compatible with these two artifacts.

He could use them, but it wouldn’t maximize their power and would consume more spiritual energy.

“The Xuan Shui Turtle has a certain level of compatibility.”

Lu Chang An contemplated.

Actually, the best compatibility among the cultivators he knew was with Xia Wen Yue.

Breaking the spatial bracelet’s restrictions took some effort.

Lu Chang An inventoried the contents of the spatial bracelet. He burned all the women’s clothing and suspicious items.

Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s wealth was similar to Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s, but it was more extravagant.

Among the spirit pills and celestial materials, many were of significant value, but most had an icy attribute.

Only some of the precious minerals could be used to refine puppets.

“Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, a universal high-level material, can be used for refining artifacts, puppets…”

“Fourth-order Ice Heart Pill, can be used to resist heart demons. It can also be used in various cultivation arts, increasing the success rate of drawing talismans and refining pills.”

“Huh! This feather?”

Lu Chang An discovered a pale blue feather, sealed in an ancient wooden box. It emanated a cold sensation.

“The feather of the True Spirit descendant, ‘Ice-Azure Phoenix.’”

Lu Chang An searched his memories, sifting through the memories of several Nascent Soul Zhen Jun. None had ever seen an Ice-Azure Phoenix, a species that had long disappeared from the mortal world. They had only read about it in ancient texts.

To enhance the exotic peacock’s stage, he would need materials from a fourth-order, or higher, celestial spirit bird.

This Ice-Azure Phoenix feather was perfectly compatible, but it was too small to achieve a qualitative change.

…

After inventorying his spoils of war, Lu Chang An’s wealth had skyrocketed, surpassing most Nascent Soul cultivators.

At this point, he noticed Di Yan Jun, in his rat-man half-demon form, sitting to the side, recovering from his injuries, staring at him expectantly.

“Are you badly injured?”

Lu Chang An came over to check on him with concern. He used his Everlasting Technique to heal Di Yan Jun and gave him a bottle of fourth-order healing pills from the spoils of war.

Di Yan Jun’s injuries were severe, primarily external wounds. He had some bones broken after being hit by the Profound Nether Heavy Water.

As a fourth-order demon king, he had a strong self-healing ability. Combined with Lu Chang An’s Everlasting Technique treatment, he would be fully recovered within half a year. He wouldn’t have any lingering illnesses.

Since his injuries weren’t fatal, Lu Chang An hadn’t paid much attention earlier. There was no need to use the Everlasting Secret Technique.

A few days later, Di Yan Jun’s injuries stabilized.

Lu Chang An chose a few fourth-order restorative spirit herbs from the spoils to help Di Yan Jun recover his spiritual energy as quickly as possible.

“By the way, there’s also this artifact.”

Lu Chang An gave the functional artifact, the “Spirit-Absorbing Black Thread” to Di Yan Jun.

“Thank you for your generosity, Master.”

Di Yan Jun expressed his gratitude, refining the “Spirit-Absorbing Black Thread” with his demonic energy. He slowly erased the lingering spirit power left by Ming Shui Zhen Jun.

A month later.

Di Yan Jun had preliminarily refined the “Spirit-Absorbing Black Thread.” He transformed the artifact into a black cord and wore it around his neck.

During combat, the “Spirit-Absorbing Black Thread” could transform into countless tough black threads, incredibly fast, suitable for binding enemies. It could also be used to pierce and injure cultivators with low defenses.

…

Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng discussed their plans. They decided to take a year-long break after this battle to digest their spoils and enhance their strength.

They agreed on a year because Lu Chang An needed to wait for the fourth life to be rekindled, in preparation for the risky and unpredictable Demon Sealing mission.

Lu Chang An’s excuse was that the secret technique that had doubled his soul’s strength could only be maintained for a short period. Afterward, his Nascent Soul would become depleted and weak. It would take at least a year to restore it with the help of precious treasures and secret medicines.

Jing Wu Feng had no objections. He also needed time to repair the heavy ancient armor.

Ba Wu Zhen Jun had been cut in half, and although the black gold armor had cracked, it was still connected, not completely severed.

Moreover, the ancient treasure had a self-healing effect when infused with spiritual power.

While Jing Wu Feng went out for a while.

Lu Chang An secretly devoured Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul in the cave.

The fifth life of the “Nine-Seal Monument” had been lit up by another 10%.

The cumulative total now reached 65%.

It was a pity that Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul had escaped. Otherwise, he could have gained another 10% progress.

During the break, Lu Chang An slowly organized Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s memories, enriching his own foundation.

Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s cultivation technique belonged to the demonic path, similar to the Six Demonic Sects.

It included a demonic body-refining technique that was slightly more powerful than the “Golden Luo Overpowering Body” Lu Chang An was cultivating.

Lu Chang An didn’t bother changing his body-refining technique, as it would waste a lot of materials and time.

The limiting factor for his fourth-order advancement wasn’t his cultivation technique but the environment and the scarcity of body-refining resources.

More advanced cultivation techniques would lead to greater difficulties in breaking through.

…

After Jing Wu Feng returned from his trip, he didn’t notice anything unusual about Lu Chang An devouring Ba Wu Zhen Jun’s Nascent Soul.

“Jing Dao You, you have a feud with Ling Xue Zhen Jun. Do you know her background?”

Lu Chang An asked about this, mainly because he was concerned about the Ice-Azure Phoenix feather.

“Ling Xue Zhen Jun is a cultivator from a family in the Cloud Heaven Immortal City near the Central Region. She has exceptional talent and possesses an Innate Body. When she was young, she became a Dao Companion with the young master of a major trading guild in Cloud Heaven Immortal City. Later, rumors spread that Ling Xue Immortal obtained a foreign inheritance in a secret realm, cultivated an Immortal Golden Core, and became a Nascent Soul with her Dao Companion. They had a deep bond.”

“I had an initial feud with Ling Xue Immortal’s Dao Companion, “Ink Snow Zhen Jun,” in the Ancient幽殿 (You Dian, literally “幽” means “dim” and “殿” means “hall” or “palace,” so You Dian is roughly translated as “Dark Palace”) that caused him to lose an opportunity. Later, when I manifested my Nascent Soul in the Central Region, both of them, along with other Nascent Soul cultivators, took action against me. I used the opportunity to kill them…”

Jing Wu Feng described the events calmly, with no guilt.

Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s talent suggested that she could reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Her Dao Companion, “Ink Snow Zhen Jun,” had ventured into the Ancient You Dian to obtain resources for her. Later, when they pursued Jing Wu Feng, it was also for Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s further cultivation opportunities.

“Secret realm? Foreign inheritance?”

Lu Chang An wasn’t interested in their grievances. But he noticed something keenly: Ling Xue Zhen Jun’s core inheritance, including the Ice-Azure Phoenix feather, might be related to this secret realm.

The secret realm had been explored by Ling Xue Zhen Jun, and the opportunities and benefits it held were probably exhausted.

“Too bad! Her Nascent Soul ran too far, and it’s impossible to track it down in the short term.”

Lu Chang An spent a long time divining but gave up on causing further trouble during the break.

The Central Region Forbidden Zone was full of dangers.

He had a divination prediction that the longer he stayed here, the more he moved around, the more unpredictable the situation would become.

…

In a blink of an eye.

Lu Chang An and Jing Wu Feng had spent a year hiding and recuperating in the Central Region Forbidden Zone.

Over the past year, news of the defeat of the seven Nascent Soul cultivators working together had spread throughout the Central Region, like a fire that couldn’t be contained.

It was no secret among the major forces of the Central Region that seven Nascent Soul cultivators had joined forces against Jing Wu Feng.

The Central Region Forbidden Zone wasn’t limited to the Nascent Soul cultivators involved in the battle. It also housed spies from various factions, including high-level cultivators who explored and hunted demons.

The pseudo-spiritual treasure battle had made them famous.

A mid-Nascent Soul giant was severely injured.

Two early Nascent Soul cultivators died or went missing.

The intelligence about the battle between the seven Zhen Jun, after analysis and divination, sent shockwaves through the major forces of the Central Region.

Especially the Great Yu Imperial Family, which secretly broke out in a cold sweat.

If they had known that the “Double Dragons of the Central Region” had such terrifying power, the Imperial Family would have directly shown some courtesy and not interfered.

Jing Wu Feng was already a legendary figure in the Central Region, a dragon among men. And Xiang Da Long’s name had a “dragon” character, so some rumor-mongers called them the “Double Dragons of the Central Region.”

This title shook the Central Region, gradually spreading to the various regions of the Great Abyss, even reaching the ears of some cultivators near the sea.

This was because in the eyes of major forces, the “Double Dragons of the Central Region,” working together, were invincible in the Central Region. No one below the great Nascent Soul stage could stand against them.

(End of chapter)

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