I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 259: The Evergreen Immortal

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Forming a low-tier True Dan was within Lan Chang'an’s acceptable range, and it didn’t disrupt his future plans. The higher the quality of the core, the denser and sturdier it would be, which also meant greater risks and difficulties for eventual dissolution.

Destroying a Fake Dan would be relatively easy for Lan Chang'an. Dissolving a low-tier True Dan, however, would require serious preparation.

If it was an upper-tier True Dan? Lan Chang'an wouldn’t have the confidence to handle that and would avoid dissolving it to prevent unnecessary risk.

"The Evergreen Technique grants an additional three hundred years of lifespan at the Core Formation Realm, prolonging lifespan by fifty percent!"

As Lan Chang'an stabilized his realm, he could feel the changes within his body.

Firstly, his lifespan had now surpassed 1,000 years! His total lifespan had reached an astonishing 1,047 years.

For a typical Core Formation cultivator, the theoretical maximum lifespan was 600 years.

Thanks to the Evergreen Technique, Lan Chang'an gained an additional 300 years, bringing his baseline lifespan to 900 years.

The extra 147 years were a result of the various Life Extension Pills he had taken in the past.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Lan Chang'an’s base lifespan had been 360 years. Adding the 147 years from Life Extension Pills brought him to 507 years prior to his Core Formation.

Now that his lifespan exceeded a thousand years, Lan Chang'an felt brimming with vitality, youthfulness and vigor, with a body full of life force.

Theoretically, his physical state was no different from that of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth.

"My spiritual sense rivals that of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator."

"My mana is at the level of an average early-stage True Dan cultivator. After all, the quality of the core directly impacts the strength of mana."

The quality of Lan Chang'an’s True Dan in this life was only slightly better than that of Fu Xuemei from back then.

For any cultivator capable of achieving True Dan, their cultivation technique was often extraordinary and came with significant backing. In major sects, such cultivators were typically direct disciples.

Seven days later.

Lan Chang'an had stabilized his cultivation and immediately stopped cultivating.

The more he cultivated, the more solid and sturdy his True Dan would become, increasing the difficulty of dissolution in the future.

The average rate of advancement for a True Dan cultivator was one minor stage every 60 years, not including bottlenecks and breakthroughs.

A few years of cultivation wouldn’t significantly impact Lan Chang'an’s strength.

With a lifespan exceeding a thousand years, Lan Chang'an remained calm and unhurried, unconcerned about minor delays.

"This Core Formation process was far smoother than in my previous life. No sudden twists and turns, no interruptions from others..."

Lan Chang'an smiled as he ended his seclusion.

Known as a benevolent person with a good reputation, he had few enemies in the cultivation world.

Activating the Evergreen Technique, he restrained the radiant, jade-like aura around him.

He stood up, took out his token, and disabled the restrictions.

Then, he stepped out of the third-rank residence.

…

"Greetings to Immortal Lan!"

"Congratulations to Immortal Lan on achieving a True Dan!"

Outside Lan Chang'an’s closed-door residence, dozens of cultivators had gathered, offering their congratulations.

The weakest among them were at late-stage Foundation Establishment, with over a dozen Fake Dan cultivators and two or three True Dan cultivators present. ?

Ordinary cultivators couldn’t access Fenglin Mountain’s residential area.

Among those present to congratulate him, Lan Chang'an saw many familiar faces.

Huang Lang Immortal, Xiang Jinglong, Hanyu Immortal, Xia Hongyu, and Deputy City Lord Gongyang were all there…

Hearing himself addressed as "Immortal Lan," Lan Chang'an felt a wave of nostalgia.

From this moment on, he was a high-ranking cultivator, stepping into an entirely new level.

"Immortal Lan, at the age of 171, you’ve managed to achieve a True Dan, breaking the record for the oldest Core Formation in Cloudsmoke Immortal City’s history!"

"In fact, within the Jing Kingdom’s cultivation world over the last thousand years, you are only the third person to achieve Core Formation after the age of 170."

Deputy City Lord Gongyang, with his crane-embroidered robe and flowered beard, smiled warmly, his tone filled with admiration, as if he were personally honored by Lan Chang'an’s achievement.

Not only was Lan Chang'an a True Dan cultivator with a noble status, but his success at such an advanced age gave him an inspiring reputation.

"The third in a thousand years?"

Lan Chang'an felt relieved. This time, he hadn’t broken any national cultivation records.

It was a good thing he hadn’t waited until he reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. If he’d delayed for another ten years, he might have broken another record.

The age at which he achieved Core Formation was a little more low-key compared to his Foundation Establishment.

At the high cultivator level, everyone had their own opportunities and secrets.

At this level, he no longer feared the revelation of his fortunes or secrets, nor did he worry much about being spied upon.

"I was fortunate to have the help of Deputy City Lord Gongyang, who specially selected an 'auspicious day' for me," Lan Chang'an said with a slight smile.

Deputy City Lord Gongyang’s smile stiffened, and he quickly forced a laugh, then sent an apologetic message to Lan Chang'an through voice transmission.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort sounded from nearby.

It came from a tall, robust young man who had just formed a Fake Dan—Gao Cheng, the Snow Fox Merchant Association cultivator who had undergone Core Formation before Lan Chang'an.

Originally, this time slot had been allocated to Gao Cheng by the Deputy City Lord.

Although Lan Chang'an’s words were meant as a light-hearted remark, in the cultivation world, luck and timing were often seen as crucial factors. With Gao Cheng’s potential, he’d had a fifty-percent chance of forming a True Dan. Perhaps with different timing, the outcome might have been different.

Hanyu Immortal, standing beside Gao Cheng, also looked displeased, her gaze subtly drifting over Deputy City Lord Gongyang.

For a moment, Deputy City Lord Gongyang found himself caught in an uncomfortable position, his heart filled with regret and bitterness.

"Congratulations, Immortal Lan! I am Huang Lang, the president of the Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association. I’ve long heard of you from Xiang Immortal, who speaks of you with the highest regard. I have long admired you," Huang Lang Immortal said with a bright smile, his tone amiable as he tried to forge a bond with Lan Chang'an.

"Oh? Xiang Immortal has such a high opinion of me?" Lan Chang'an replied with a smile, glancing at Xiang Jinglong, who was standing at the back of the crowd, looking uncomfortable and avoiding his gaze.

Xiang Jinglong wanted to curse: He had no relationship with Lan Chang'an! He’d never praised him, and they’d even had minor conflicts in the past.

Initially, he’d hoped to keep a low profile and avoid Lan Chang'an, deliberately staying at the edge of the crowd.

Years ago, as a Fake Dan cultivator, he had looked down on Lan Chang'an during his visit to Wuqi Mountain, where he’d acted with impunity.

But now, the junior Foundation Establishment cultivator he had once dismissed had achieved True Dan.

Xiang Jinglong felt a pang of jealousy and resentment, unwilling to bow his head before the former Turtle Talisman Master he had once scorned.

"Immortal Lan, we haven’t met since our parting in the Liang Kingdom. It’s been many years," Xiang Jinglong managed a strained smile as he reluctantly clasped his hands in greeting.

Lan Chang'an returned the salute, harboring no ill will toward him.

After all, Xiang Jinglong’s assumed identity had shielded Lan Chang'an from many troubles in the past.

Years ago, without the title of "Xiang Immortal," he wouldn’t have been able to navigate the Snow Fox Merchant Association so smoothly and obtain so many benefits.

After the Earth Burrowing Rat’s Core Formation and the death of Huxiao Immortal, the "Xiang Immortal" identity had kept the Ten Thousand Beasts Merchant Association at bay.

…

Xiang Jinglong’s attention wasn’t really on Lan Chang'an.

His smile faded as he fixed a cold gaze on Hanyu Immortal.

Due to the significant Core Formation phenomenon caused by Lan Chang'an, many cultivators were present, making it difficult for Xiang Jinglong to openly threaten Hanyu Immortal.

Hanyu Immortal, conversing amicably with Xia Hongyu, took the opportunity to strengthen her connections.

Realizing she had missed out on a great opportunity with Lan Chang'an, she now shifted her focus to the Xia Family leader.

Xia Hongyu felt somewhat flattered.

During the few days Lan Chang'an had spent stabilizing his breakthrough, Hanyu Immortal had humbled herself to build a rapport with Xia Hongyu.

She had even promised favorable terms for the Wufu Merchant Association in future partnerships with the Snow Fox Merchant Association.

"Patriarch Xia."

Lan Chang'an didn’t overlook Xia Hongyu, approaching him with a warm greeting.

"Congratulations to Immortal Lan for stepping into the Core Formation Realm. It’s an honor for the Xia Family of Qingsha Bay," Xia Hongyu replied with a respectful salute, his face glowing with genuine joy.

He was one of the few who sincerely celebrated Lan Chang'an’s achievement.

Though Qingsha Bay might not retain Lan Chang'an for long, the relationship they’d built over the past two or three decades remained intact.

"I am Gao Lingyu, president of the Snow Fox Merchant Association, here to congratulate Immortal Lan on achieving True Dan."

Hanyu Immortal, with her silver hair and snowy robes, offered a polite smile, bowing gracefully in greeting.

Lan Chang'an secretly thought that when they’d met while he was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she hadn’t spared him a second glance.

"Hanyu Immortal, there’s no need for such formality! I have long heard of your renowned beauty," Lan Chang'an replied politely, exchanging a few words with Hanyu Immortal.

He noticed Xiang Jinglong’s hostile gaze directed at Hanyu Immortal, standing alongside Huang Lang Immortal, clearly with ill intentions.

Although his past relationship with her had faded, Lan Chang'an still owed the Snow Fox Merchant Association a favor.

Moreover, the current trouble Hanyu Immortal faced wasn’t unrelated to him.

He wasn’t worried about his identity being exposed, as it was Hanyu Immortal who had approached him, making him appear as the passive party.

As a man of goodwill, it would be reasonable for him not to reject a high-status beauty’s kind invitation.

"So, she managed to find her chance…"

Seeing this interaction, Xiang Jinglong’s face darkened, but he was helpless.

Even though his body cultivation had reached quasi-third-rank, making him formidable among Fake Dan cultivators, he was no match for a True Dan Immortal.

Lan Chang'an wasn’t just any True Dan cultivator; he was also a talented talisman master.

Before achieving Core Formation, he was already a quasi-third-rank talisman master, and now he could very likely become a full third-rank talisman master!

Such a person was not someone even the Demonic Sect or the three major sects of Jing Kingdom would want to offend lightly—they would prefer to build a good relationship.

Huang Lang Immortal squinted, observing the friendly interaction between Lan Chang'an and Hanyu Immortal.

Whether intentional or not, Lan Chang'an had effectively shielded Hanyu Immortal today.

"Immortal Lan, Immortal Xia, would you be interested in visiting the Snow Fox Merchant Association for a discussion?"

Hanyu Immortal’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the tall, elegant man in white.

He possessed a refined air, as though he’d been polished by time, leaving a profound impression on her.

After reaching Core Formation, Lan Chang'an exuded a majestic aura that stirred her long-frozen heart.

This was the ideal partner she had dreamed of.

In comparison, her previous "partner," an old man in a straw raincoat with little appeal beyond a third-rank pet and a strong body, now seemed repulsive.

With his wrinkled face, even conversing with him about the Dao was nauseating…

If Lan Chang'an could take the old man’s place, it would be a perfect solution for both her personal desires and the interests of the Snow Fox Merchant Association.

"Thank you for your kind invitation, Fairy, but I have some matters to attend to after just reaching Core Formation. Perhaps another time," Lan Chang'an replied, declining tactfully.

This was his first meeting with Hanyu Immortal in Cloudsmoke Immortal City in his current identity.

If he accepted her invitation too easily, it might raise suspicions and would not be in line with his gentlemanly image.

"Then let’s arrange another time," Hanyu Immortal replied with a warm smile, she was already content to have drawn closer today.

She sensed that Lan Chang'an did not seem averse to her.

Their brief conversation felt natural, as though they were old friends who had known each other for years.

…

"Immortal Lan, have you chosen a Dao title now that you’re a True Dan cultivator?"

Patriarch Xia, Lan Chang'an, and Hanyu Immortal conversed as they flew away from Fenglin Mountain, with Patriarch Xia bringing up the topic of a Dao title.

After forming a core, most cultivators would adopt a Dao title, either to reflect their own style or to embody their aspirations.

For example, after Zhang Tieshan formed his core, he became known as "Immortal Tiangfeng."

Over time, people might forget his original name, but they would remember his Dao title, calling him Zhang Tianfeng instead.

In the cultivation world, a Dao title could even replace one’s original name.

"I aspire for the Dao of longevity and everlasting presence in the cultivation world, so I decided long ago that if I succeeded in forming a core, my title would be 'Evergreen'."

Lan Chang'an didn’t hold back, smiling as he announced his title.

A Dao title was more than a goal; it could potentially influence a cultivator’s fate.

A title that resonated with the cultivator’s identity could strengthen their destiny over time.

Back then, Li Ergou who had chosen the Dao title "Changqing(Evergreen)", had a series of unfortunate events afterward.

In the mortal world, parents would sometimes give their children humble names to toughen their lives.

For an ordinary person, choosing a grandiose name like Long Aotian (Proud Dragon of Heaven) might result in ridicule and skew how others perceived them.

In the cultivation world, where supernatural forces influenced destiny, the impact was even greater.

"Evergreen?"

"Evergreen Immortal!"

Patriarch Xia and Hanyu Immortal repeated it softly, their first impression being that it was a common, even generic Dao title.

The vast cultivation world had many cultivators with this title, as all sought to remain evergreen on the Dao path.

"Evergreen… It’s a good title, but…" Patriarch Xia hesitated.

In recent centuries, both Jing Kingdom and Liang Kingdom had each seen an "Evergreen Immortal." One of them had even achieved True Dan.

But both cultivators had met early deaths, surviving only two hundred years or so.

As a result, in the last two centuries, no cultivator dared use that title, unwilling to invite misfortune.

In truth, Lan Chang'an was aware of this history and had confirmed the title was currently unused before he chose it.

While common, "Evergreen" suited his approach and ideals in this life.

Longevity required steady cultivation and a cautious mindset to become an enduring presence in the cultivation world, the "evergreen tree" among cultivators.

When a cultivator became the longest-living person in a cultivation region, even if not the strongest, they would be regarded as a mysterious, ancient figure, worthy of respect.

As Lan Chang'an was about to speak, he suddenly sensed a powerful True Dan aura entering Cloudsmoke Immortal City.

…

Amidst the clouds.

A massive iron fan magical treasure bore a man in splendid robes, a True Dan cultivator with a sinister, elegant appearance.

Whoosh!

The iron fan magical treasure roared with a fiery wind, rushing directly toward Fenglin Mountain and the third-rank residences.

"Lan Chang'an! You signed a seven-year third-rank spirit contract, and yet you carelessly formed a core here, derailing my plans!"

Xie Wuji was seething with rage, his fury boiling over as he extended his spiritual sense to locate Lan Chang'an.

Six years ago.

He had used both persuasion and intimidation to make Lan Chang'an sign a third-rank spirit contract, promising that within seven years, he would convince Xia Wenyue to reconcile with the Xie Family in Chen Kingdom.

He had even pre-paid a Core Formation item, the "Pure Essence Water," as a show of good faith.

Now, with just one year left in their agreement, he had come personally to check on Lan Chang'an’s progress.

To his dismay, he found that Lan Chang'an had only made a cursory attempt, barely traveling to the Jing Kingdom’s border without taking any actual action at all.

Furious, Xie Wuji had rushed to Qingsha Bay to confront and threaten Lan Chang'an.

With a third-rank spirit contract in hand, the Xia Family’s protection in Qingsha Bay was meaningless—Lan Chang'an wasn’t a member of the Xia Family!

To his shock and fury, he learned that Lan Chang'an had instead gone off to achieve Core Formation.

"Using my Core Formation treasure to form your own core? Your success is minor! If you’d failed and died, it would have ruined the Xie Family’s grand plans!"

Xie Wuji had little faith in Lan Chang'an’s ability to form a core at his advanced age, believing it would likely result in his death.

Core Formation items only enhanced the quality of the core—they did not increase the success rate or reduce the risks of Core Formation.

If Lan Chang'an died, there would be no way to account for the loss to Xia Wenyue.

"Xie Wuji! From the Xie Family of Chen Kingdom?"

"Why has he come here?"

Several cultivators in Cloudsmoke Immortal City recognized Xie Wuji’s identity and retreated, wary and cautious.

The Xie Family of the Chen Kingdom was a formidable, almost omnipotent family, with their ancestor being a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Heavenly Net Sect.

…

"Lan Chang'an, I’ve found you!"

With his True Dan-level spiritual sense, Xie Wuji quickly located the figures of Patriarch Xia and Lan Chang'an, rapidly closing in.

Lan Chang'an also noticed Xie Wuji, and their gazes met.

Hmm?

Xie Wuji, mid-flight, suddenly halted, his expression one of shock.

He could sense the faint aura of True Dan energy surrounding Lan Chang'an, placing him at an equivalent level.

"A True Dan?"

Xie Wuji’s pupils shrank as he looked at the serene, poised man in white floating with his hands behind his back.

"You… you actually formed a True Dan?"

Xie Wuji’s rage was instantly replaced by utter disbelief, his expression one of existential doubt.

Was this a joke?

A Foundation Establishment cultivator nearing 180 years old had actually managed to achieve True Dan?

Seeing Xie Wuji’s stunned and incredulous expression, Lan Chang'an thought, Perfect timing!

With a calm smile, he took a step forward, clasped his hands from afar, and bowed respectfully.

"I must thank Immortal Xie for the Core Formation item."

"Without it, regardless of my firm foundation and strong state of mind, I wouldn’t have achieved True Dan!"

At these words, the cultivators observing from nearby gasped, a wave of understanding sweeping through them.

So that’s why Lan Chang'an succeeded in forming a True Dan!

It turned out he had the support of the powerful Xie Family.

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators watching from afar couldn’t hide their disappointment.

They had admired Lan Chang'an as a grassroots cultivator without a powerful background, a figure of inspiration. But this revelation dampened their enthusiasm, leaving them both disheartened and resigned, though it also somehow felt inevitable.