I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 143: Double Advancement

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Half a month later.

By the lotus pond on Little Turtle Peak.

A lively girl in a flower-patterned dress sat on the back of the Profound Water Turtle, her delicate hands caressing the ancient patterns on the turtle's shell, reluctant to part.

"Tan'er, if you don't go back now, you'll delay your cultivation, and your master might scold you," Lan Chang'an said with a stern face.

After leaving Feiyue Lake last time, he didn't expect this Foundation Establishment niece to insist on visiting the Profound Water Turtle.

Over a decade ago, when Zhao Tan'er was planning for her Foundation Establishment, she visited with her master, Zhao Siyao, and had fallen in love with the adorable Profound Water Turtle.

"Uncle Lan, my master is going to attend the Lantern Festival in Zijing Immortal City next month. Are you really not planning to go and surprise her?" Zhao Tan'er jumped off the turtle shell, her bright eyes watching Lan Chang'an's expression closely.

"This time, my master was matched by a Core Formation cultivator, who arranged a meeting between him and his junior. If you don't make a move, you might regret it for life."

During her stay at Little Turtle Peak, Zhao Tan'er had repeatedly hinted at pairing Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao.

Lan Chang'an was half-convinced by her words. Zhao Siyao, a high-value single Foundation Establishment cultivator in Jin Yun Valley, had been the subject of many matchmaking attempts by elders.

If Zhao Siyao had been willing to bend to such pressures and accept the implied conditions, she would have done so long ago at the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, not waiting until now.

"There are matters between elders that you don't understand," Lan Chang'an shook his head.

"Uncle Lan, please just go once, won't you?" Zhao Tan'er pouted, her teeth bright against her lips, pleading.

"Your uncle is currently having a burst of inspiration and is tackling a talisman problem, aiming for the superior second rank, so I don't have time. Next time, for sure," Lan Chang'an replied, unwilling to argue further, and retreated into his cave, activating the restrictions to isolate Zhao Tan'er.

"Hmph, as wimpy as a turtle, can't you take the initiative for once?" Zhao Tan'er fumed but was helpless.

"Little green, see you next time," Zhao Tan'er extended a finger to the Profound Water Turtle's head for a pinky promise.

Seeing her approaching finger, the Profound Water Turtle instinctively flinched in pain and immediately retreated into its shell. Zhao Tan'er was not a gentle girl; her way of showing affection was somewhat unique, and she had scared the Profound Water Turtle over the past few days.

"Hmph! You're just like him, a turtle hiding in its shell!" Zhao Tan'er grumbled and flew away from Little Turtle Peak.

Splash! Splash! Confirming her departure, the Profound Water Turtle splashed around joyfully in the lotus pond.

"Finally gone," Lan Chang'an sighed in relief inside his cave.

He didn't come out immediately but went to the alchemy room in the cave, picking up the long-abandoned practice of alchemy.

Years ago, Lan Chang'an had approached the threshold of becoming a second-rank alchemist, but fully stepping into the second rank had been elusive.

He had to pay a steep price to occasionally produce second-rank pills, though never without suffering heavy losses—his success rate and the quality of the finished pills were highly unstable.

Facing this significant bottleneck, Lan Chang'an chose to temporarily set it aside, and then return later to seek a breakthrough.

"Hmm?"

This time, Lan Chang'an felt his technique was smooth, his fire control was precise, and his mindset calm and relaxed.

Several days later, he successfully refined a furnace of second-rank cultivation pills.

Out of six Essence Condensing Pills, two were successful, and their quality was decent without significant flaws. Lan Chang'an was delighted; this success rate met the standard of a second-rank alchemist.

After resting for a few days, he attempted another batch of second-rank pills, only to find that his success rate dropped to twenty percent, and the overall quality noticeably declined.

It seemed the previous success was an exceptional performance.

However, Lan Chang'an was confident that his alchemy skills had improved, and breaking through this barrier was only a matter of time. He decided to slightly increase his focus on alchemy practice in the following years.

...

Three years later.

In the alchemy room on Little Turtle Peak, a strong medicinal fragrance filled the air. The large bronze furnace, about ten feet high, glowed with spiritual light, and its lid trembled gently.

Lan Chang'an, unhurried, skillfully cast the furnace opening technique.

A burst of spiritual light emerged, lifting the furnace lid, and a rush of hot steam swirled.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Six pills flew into Lan Chang'an's hand. Three were as black as charcoal, considered waste pills. One pill had a severely flawed fourth dao pattern, teetering between waste and inferior quality. The remaining two pills had full and crystal clear patterns, resembling green grapes.

The total number of successful pills depended on the amount of material used.

"Not bad. The pill quality and success rate have stabilized. From now on, I won't be at a loss when making familiar second-rank low-grade pills," Lan Chang'an smiled and nodded, storing away the pills and furnace.

About half a year ago, his alchemy skills had stabilized at the second-rank low grade. It had taken him decades, with the support of his cultivation and spiritual sense to achieve this level, proving his alchemy talent was indeed lacking.

In contrast, his puppetry skills, picked up later, were nearly at the second-rank superior grade. If not for the scarcity of second-rank superior-grade puppet materials, limiting practice opportunities, Lan Chang'an might have become a second-rank superior-grade puppet master within these few years.

"In one more year, I'll reach the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Then, I can visit Liaoyuan Immortal City to purchase second-rank superior-grade puppet materials, find third-rank spirit bamboo, second-rank Life Extension Pills, and Core Formation auxiliary pills, among other things" Lan Chang'an pondered.

At one hundred and thirteen years old, he estimated reaching the fifth level of Foundation Establishment by one hundred and fourteen.

One of the reasons why he considered the more distant Liaoyuan Immortal City instead of Huanglong Immortal City was because the latter had noticeably declined in recent years.

Liaoyuan Immortal City was the number one Immortal City in the Liang Kingdom, located on the east side of the Flame Departing Palace. In fact, the actual controller behind this immortal city was the Nascent Soul-level force, Flame Departing Palace.

Back when Lan Chang'an was planning for Foundation Establishment, he chose Huanglong Immortal City because it was a haven for loose cultivators, grounded and affordable, especially for talisman materials, suitable for cultivators without strong backgrounds.

Liaoyuan Immortal City frequently saw Core Formation experts, so it naturally boasted higher standards and scale than Huanglong Immortal City; thus, housing prices, rent, and other expenses within the city naturally increased accordingly.

When his cultivation was weaker, Lan Chang'an avoided encountering Core Formation cultivators, not willing to even enter their sensory range.

Now, at the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, with his Evergreen Technique's concealing abilities greatly enhanced, ordinary Immortals couldn't easily discern his true state, reducing his concerns.

...

Lan Chang'an emerged from his cave and accepted two letters delivered by the Earth Burrowing Rat.

One was from Guan Qiaozhi. Guan Qiaozhi had been away for five or six years. In recent years, she had settled around Hengshui Prefecture, adopting some orphans. Some were abandoned babies without names.

Guan Qiaozhi named the boys Lan and the girls Guan, seemingly trying to help Lan Chang'an extend his lineage in a different way to make up for the lack.

In this letter, Guan Qiaozhi focused on a boy named Qi Feng. Qi Feng was a descendant of Lan Chang'an's adoptive father, Qi Jingyun, several generations removed.

A few years ago, Guan Qiaozhi had discovered magical power fluctuations in Qi Feng and officially introduced him to the path of cultivation.

"From a martial world gang background, experienced and cautious, acting with tact and steadiness, upper low-grade spiritual roots, aspiring to the Great Dao..."

Guan Qiaozhi described Qi Feng as having many similarities to Lan Chang'an. Hence, she provided some guidance but did not give many resources.

Recently, Qi Feng had reached the fourth layer of Qi-Refining and was about to formally enter the cultivation world. When Guan Qiaozhi discovered him, he had been practicing the "Origin-Opening Scripture" for many years and had a solid foundation at the second layer of the Qi-Refining stage.

"Qi Feng? That sounds good."

Guan Qiaozhi's care for the descendant of his adoptive father was actually in line with Lan Chang'an's wishes.

He understood Guan Qiaozhi's desire to show affection toward them, so as long as she didn't turn Little Turtle Peak into an orphanage, he had no objections.

As someone who understood his temperament, Guan Qiaozhi wouldn't do such a thing as dumping burdens on him.

...

The second letter was from Li Erqing. Its contents were entirely within Lan Chang'an's expectations.

The Mu Family's three Foundation Establishment cultivators and the increasing number of Qi-Refining clansmen had strained the spiritual vein at Feiyue Lake and it was no longer enough to sustain them.

In recent years, the Mu Family at Feiyue Lake had considered expanding to nearby areas. However, the plan failed due to the lack of suitable targets and opportunities.

To the north of Feiyue Lake was a Foundation Establishment family, far enough away to avoid conflict. This family had close ties with the Beast Taming Zhou Family, making them nearly a vassal.

To the south was the Maple Leaf Huang Family, and the cultivation site to the east was the Bamboo Leaf Mountain Market Town, both Huang Family territories.

The Huang Family had a late-stage Foundation Establishment protector and had recently produced a young Foundation Establishment cultivator.

To the southwest was a Foundation Establishment family close to Jin Yun Valley, whose ancestor had been a Fake-Dan master decades ago, and they still maintained connections with Jin Yun Valley.

Ultimately, the Mu Family, with its three Foundation Establishment cultivators, only managed to annex one or two small Qi-Refining families, slightly expanding its industry and influence.

However, the fundamental problem remained unsolved. If they couldn't expand outward, internal conflicts would intensify, with new and old factions clashing over limited resources and spiritual veins, further oppressing the lower-ranked family members.

Li Erqing expressed his concerns about the Mu Family's dilemma and hinted at seeking advice.

...

A few days after the letter arrived, Li Erqing personally came to Little Turtle Peak and had a long talk with Lan Chang'an late into the night.

"I suddenly realized the deeper meaning of the third suggestion you made when Uncle Renlong died," Li Erqing said with a complex expression and sighed.

At that time, Huang Tankong had plotted against the Mu Family, leaving Li Erqing as the only outsider Foundation Establishment cultivator. To prevent the Mu Family from splitting, Lan Chang'an made three suggestions. The first two involved resolving internal conflicts, suggesting Li Erqing relinquish power to cultivate a new Foundation Establishment cultivator within the Mu Family's old faction.

The third suggestion involved diverting the conflict externally: "If one day Feiyue Lake's situation stabilizes and cannot meet your faction's cultivation needs, you can take your direct descendants and establish your own family outside."

Recalling Lan Chang'an's words from back then, Li Erqing couldn't help but admire his foresight.

As long as Li Erqing remained, the interests of his numerous descendants would perpetuate the long-standing new versus old conflict.

"Erqing, are you planning to establish your own lineage?" Lan Chang'an asked with a smile.

If Li Erqing took this step, it would be understandable. His life's peak was achieving Foundation Establishment, with no hope for greater heights. Establishing a cultivation family with his surname, with descendants continuing to thrive and pursue the path of cultivation, might someday produce an Immortal. This continuation of bloodline was, in a sense, a pursuit of longevity.

"Haha! How could I let big brother down so easily?" Li Erqing laughed heartily, shaking his head.

"I swear, as a son-in-law of the Mu Family, I will remain a Mu Family member for life, protecting Feiyue Lake until my last breath."

Seeing Lan Chang'an's surprised expression, Li Erqing felt a mix of inexplicable pleasure and pride.

"Oh, then how do you plan to resolve the hidden danger?" Lan Chang'an was indeed a bit surprised.

Li Erqing's decision was a commendable act of gratitude. Without the Mu Family's shelter and cultivation, Li Erqing would never have enjoyed such splendor through his children alone.

"Congren has offered to venture to a remote region, taking most of our direct descendants," Li Erqing explained.

"With this, there will be no internal conflict between the new and old factions within Feiyue Lake."

Lan Chang'an praised, "Congren is truly responsible."

No wonder Li Erqing had been so proud of his grandson in recent years.

Lan Chang'an understood the deeper intent behind this plan. While Li Erqing would protect the Mu Family and not establish his own lineage, his grandson, taking direct descendants to a new place, would eventually have the foundation to establish a new family.

Li Erqing and Lan Chang'an discussed many details about Mu Congren's plan to venture out.

Near the border of the Liang Kingdom, there were affordable second-rank spiritual veins for rent or sale due to the remote location, lack of trade prosperity, and harsh conditions. Additionally, being on the fringe of sect influence, the security was less stable.

"This time, I came to seek some protective means for Congren," Li Erqing said.

Hearing this, Lan Chang'an's interest piqued. He happened to have a reserve of second-rank talismans and puppets. Especially the second-rank mid and low-grade puppets he practiced with, which he couldn't openly sell without revealing his status as a second-rank puppet master.

"This set of talismans is a small token from me. The rest of the protective items will be sold at store prices," Lan Chang'an said, handing over a talisman box with several second-rank low-grade talismans inside.

Then he brought out a box of second-rank talismans, mainly mid and low-grade, with a few superior-grade ones, along with a couple of supreme-grade magic weapons and several second-rank puppets.

"This..."

Li Erqing was stunned, his eyes wide, swallowing hard.

After a long struggle, Li Erqing took a deep breath, reluctantly tearing his gaze away.

He looked at Lan Chang'an with a newfound respect. He had prepared well, gathering many spirit stones, yet it felt like a drop in the bucket.

These war supplies were just Lan Chang'an's routine resources, which he didn't mind showing to trusted individuals.

In the end, Li Erqing exhausted his lifetime savings, including support from the Mu Family's elder faction, and still owed Lan Chang'an two thousand spirit stones.

He bought a supreme-grade magic weapon, two second-rank puppets, and more than a dozen second-rank mid and superior-grade talismans.

The next day, Lan Chang'an saw off a dazed and pained Li Erqing.

Li Erqing had never spent so many spirit stones in his life. The high-quality, reasonably priced war supplies from Lan Chang'an were too tempting.

The two thousand spirit stones Li Erqing owed were not a concern for Lan Chang'an, he had many grandchildren and there was no shortage of people to pay off the debt.

...

A year later.

In the secret room on Little Turtle Peak.

"One hundred and fourteen years old, at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. The mid-Foundation Establishment progress is two-thirds complete," Lan Chang'an slowly finished his cultivation, feeling the expansion of the energy lake in his dantian and the deepening Evergreen power.

This small level advancement didn't significantly change the quality of his power, but the total amount increased by about thirty percent, aiding in talisman crafting and prolonged battles.

Gurgle! Gurgle!

The Profound Water Turtle at Lan Chang'an's side greedily absorbed the lingering aura, making excited and urgent sounds.

"Oh? Already at the peak of the first rank?" Lan Chang'an inspected the Profound Water Turtle, sensing the mana in its body was at its peak, lacking only a qualitative transformation. The Profound Water Turtle eagerly nuzzled his clothes, showing its impatience.

...

(End of Chapter)