I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals-Chapter 404: Flame Departing Couple, Return of the Bat King

Read 50 Chapters Ahead On Patreon :D /zilawere

Chapter 404: Flame Departing Couple, Return of the Bat King

Three days later.

Seven Kingdoms Alliance, Flame Departing Palace Mountain Gate.

Purple Sky Peak Cave Dwelling.

Palace Master Chen Ruyan sat at the head position, wearing a pearl crown and a flowing azure palace robe. Her elegant and refined features exuded an aura of noble grace.

“Chen’er, are you sure the visiting cultivator’s surname is Nie? Describe his appearance.”

Hearing the report from the neatly tied-haired disciple below, Chen Ruyan slightly furrowed her delicate brows and confirmed once again.

“That man appears as a young cultivator, dressed in blue, speaking quite boldly. He calls himself Senior Brother Nie of Flame Departing Palace and demands that the Supreme Elder come out to meet him. However, as he is a late Core Formation Great Cultivator, the disciples responsible for reception did not dare neglect him.”

“I understand.”

Chen Ruyan sighed inwardly.

She had thought that the Senior Brother Nie, who had once been a benefactor to Flame Departing Palace, had vanished for so many years and would never reappear.

Yet unexpectedly, today, he had arrived at their doorstep.

Now, the cultivators of Flame Departing Palace had little impression of Senior Brother Nie Yuan, and some did not even know he existed.

Even she and her husband, Wang Feng, had gradually faded memories of this man.

“Tell the elder in charge of reception to be polite and entertain him for now.”

After giving her instructions, Chen Ruyan sent a transmission talisman to her husband who was in seclusion and waited for his response.

At the same time, she swiftly flew out of Purple Sky Peak, heading towards the Outer Peak Grand Hall.

As she passed Medicine Peak, Chen Ruyan descended in a streak of light.

“Greetings, Palace Master.”

The disciples on the Medicine Peak bowed and then withdrew.

Inside a pavilion, Chen Ruyan met an elder dressed in a scarlet-dan robe, his white hair as frosty as snow.

“Elder Dai, Senior Brother Nie from back then has returned…”

“Senior Brother Nie?”

Elder Dai was momentarily stunned and stroked his white beard.

When Chen Ruyan transmitted a message mentioning the words ‘Tianying Fruit’, a sharp glint flashed in Elder Dai’s eyes.

Chen Ruyan and Elder Dai discussed the matter because the elder had deep seniority and was the only surviving Core Formation Elder involved in that past operation, apart from her and her husband.

Ninety years ago, Wang Feng, then at the late Core Formation stage, had received critical intelligence from Senior Brother Nie Yuan.

With the help of a Bloodline Pearl, Wang Feng and his wife led their trusted Core Formation cultivators on a covert mission, tracking and capturing the heavily injured Xie Clan clan leader of Heavenly Net Sect. They then used Heavenly Net Ancestor’s bloodline secret technique to unlock a hidden treasure trove.

That operation yielded more than just an unripe Tianying Fruit, the treasure trove contained numerous strategic reserve resources.

It was a crucial opportunity that helped Flame Departing Palace regain its former glory.

Thanks to this harvest, Wang Feng was able to prepare for his Nascent Soul breakthrough with greater ease. He had already been the only Immortal Golden Dan Core Formation cultivator of Flame Departing Palace after its destruction, the sole Nascent Soul seed, and the recipient of the sect’s greatest inheritance resources.

Decades later, through strategic resource exchanges, Wang Feng successfully reinforced and completed his Nascent Soul formation opportunity.

After Wang Feng successfully advanced to Nascent Soul, Flame Departing Palace finally returned to its former peak, securing its foothold within the Seven Kingdoms Alliance as a Nascent Soul-level major power.

Elder Dai, with a calm expression and an even tone, said:

“There is no denying that Nie Yuan contributed somewhat to Flame Departing Palace’s resurgence. However, according to our speculations, he may have received the inheritance of the previous True Monarch, Master Lihuo. Back then, he only provided intelligence as a token of repayment to the sect.”

He then stroked his beard and chuckled, “If Nie Yuan truly had such abilities back then, he would have acted himself. Why would he need us to do it for him?”

“You mean to say…”

Chen Ruyan’s gaze flickered slightly. She did not entirely agree but found some logic in it.

After all, during that operation, they had also taken a great risk—snatching a treasure from the flames between major forces, even sacrificing a True Dan Elder in the process.

“Nie Yuan’s old letter was merely a one-sided agreement. Flame Departing Palace never formally promised him anything. Repaying him with a Tianying Fruit is impossible, not to mention that we do not even have the means to do so.”

Elder Dai paused briefly and then proposed a compromise:

“For now, let’s negotiate politely and offer Nie Yuan some other form of compensation. Nearly a century has passed, and he has failed to reach the Nascent Soul stage, missing his prime years for advancement. That Tianying Fruit is meaningless to him now, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hmm, we’ll first test his attitude. Elder Dai, come with me.”

Chen Ruyan saw that her husband had yet to reply, but she was in no hurry.

As the Supreme Elder and a Nascent Soul True Monarch, Wang Feng could appear later.

Even if negotiations fell apart, they would still have room to maneuver.

…

Flame Departing Palace, Outer Peak Grand Hall.

A young man in blue robes, with an imposing figure, sword-like brows, and bright starry eyes, sat in silence. His demeanor was cold and aloof, making the accompanying Outer Sect Elder feel rather awkward.

At that moment, two streaks of light belonging to mid-to-late Core Formation cultivators descended upon the Outer Peak Grand Hall.

“Palace Master, Elder Dai.”

The Outer Sect Elder, feeling as if he had been pardoned from a great burden, cupped his hands in salute and quickly exited the hall.

The young man, Lan Chang'an, opened his eyes.

He saw that the first to arrive was a graceful palace-dressed woman, seemingly in her early thirties, with a mature, curvaceous figure, exuding a noble and dignified aura.

“I am Chen Ruyan, the Palace Master of Flame Departing Palace. Greetings, Senior Brother Nie.”

Chen Ruyan offered a faint smile and gave a polite curtsy.

As the leader of a Nascent Soul-level sect, such an act was already quite courteous.

“Mm, Junior Sister Chen, no need to be so formal.”

Lan Chang'an nodded slightly.

He had no impression of Wang Feng’s Dao companion.

When he first formed his Core Formation, and visited the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, Wang Feng had only been at the early Core Formation stage, and this woman had yet to even reach Core Formation.

At that time, to lure Wang Feng out for a meeting, his Earth Burrowing Rat had snatched away his Dao companion’s shoes and socks, it should have been this Chen Ruyan before him.

Now, this couple had completely taken control of Flame Departing Palace, with one as the Supreme Elder and the other as the Palace Master.

“No wonder the Supreme Elder calls you Senior Brother. You certainly have a unique personality.”

Seeing that the blue-robed youth remained seated, only giving a brief nod to the Palace Master, Elder Dai was displeased and mockingly sneered.

No matter what, Chen Ruyan was the Palace Master.

Out of respect for True Monarch Wang, even Nascent Soul cultivators would usually show her some courtesy.

Chen Ruyan also felt that Nie Yuan was being a bit arrogant.

However, thinking about how her husband and Flame Departing Palace truly owed him, she chose not to take offense.

“Why hasn’t Wang Feng come to meet me in person?”

Lan Chang'an’s tone was cold, clearly displeased.

Now that he was playing the role of Nie Yuan, maintaining the arrogant persona from the past, he saw no need for pleasantries.

Moreover, he had done too many favors to both Wang Feng and Flame Departing Palace.

If Wang Feng didn’t come out to greet him personally, then it was Wang Feng who was being arrogant, not him.

Leaving aside the fact that his intelligence had led Flame Departing Palace to the hidden treasury of Heavenly Net Sect,

Long ago, in his efforts to fulfill Master Lihuo’s final wish and transform him into a reincarnation life, Lan Chang'an had personally come to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and provided three key contributions, helping to eliminate Core Formation cultivators from hostile forces.

Even earlier, back when they were still in the Foundation Establishment stage, Lan Chang'an and Wang Feng had traveled on the Jiuchen Merchant Association's cross-border spirit ship in order to escape the immortal cultivation war.

At the time, Wang Feng the grandson of an elder was hunted by the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, gravely injured, and his foundation was damaged, causing his cultivation to decline drastically.

Later, it was Lan Chang'an who helped nurture his foundation back to health.

Although that had been part of a transaction, in exchange for a third-rank spiritual wood to refine a life-saving treasure talisman.

Without Lan Chang'an, would Wang Feng have ever reached the Nascent Soul stage?

Would he and his wife be enjoying such power and prestige today?

…

“Fellow Daoist Nie, the Supreme Elder is currently in seclusion. There is no telling how long it will take before he emerges. If you have any matters to discuss, why not talk with me and the Palace Master first?”

Elder Dai, a cautious and calculating man, spoke slowly and deliberately.

It wasn't like the Flame Departing Palace was the one asking for the debt anyway.

This man was being overly aggressive. Wearing down his sharpness first before negotiating compensation was in the sect’s best interest.

A cold glint flashed in Nie Yuan’s eyes.

Staring directly at the aged Elder Dai, he snapped coldly:

“Even Wang Feng must address me as Senior Brother Nie! Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to speak with me?”

His voice was like a thunderclap, filled with an undeniable authority.

“You...”

Elder Dai’s heart trembled, his face flushing red with humiliation and rage.

The oppressive aura radiating from Nie Yuan far exceeded that of an ordinary late Core Formation cultivator, making it difficult for him to resist on instinct.

Chen Ruyan was also briefly stunned, she hadn’t expected Nie Yuan to be so domineering.

He had come alone, facing multiple Core Formation cultivators and a Nascent Soul True Monarch behind the scenes, yet he still exuded such confidence.

“Senior Brother Nie, I have already sent a transmission to my husband. Since he is in seclusion, he may not be able to check it immediately.”

Chen Ruyan forced a smile.

Even though she was somewhat displeased, she chose not to retaliate.

Before her husband’s Nascent Soul breakthrough, he had greatly respected Senior Brother Nie and remembered his past kindness.

More importantly, she faintly sensed that Nie Yuan’s presence far surpassed that of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator. His calm and unwavering demeanor also suggested he had a hidden trump card.

“Wang Feng’s wife, do you have the authority to hand over the ‘Tianying Fruit’ you obtained back then? If you can, I won’t need to disturb True Monarch Wang.”

Lan Chang'an’s tone was firm and decisive.

The so-called seclusion excuse was a pretense.

As Dao companions, if this were a true life-and-death closed-door cultivation, Chen Ruyan would have an emergency method to summon Wang Feng immediately.

“This… that ‘Tianying Fruit’…”

Chen Ruyan’s beautiful eyes flickered with hesitation.

She was clearly guilty, it was obvious she had no authority to make such a decision.

“My patience is limited. Have Junior Brother Wang come out.”

Lan Chang'an closed his eyes, refusing to argue further with this woman.

He was currently in Seven Kingdoms Alliance territory.

To reach the Righteous Dao Alliance, he would need to traverse vast and desolate lands.

If he exposed his true Nascent Soul-level power, the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s great formation would immediately detect him.

Once the Seven Kingdoms Alliance noticed, the six Demonic Sects would also take notice.

Lan Chang'an did not want to be ambushed on his journey by Nascent Soul monsters from Beast King Valley, Unseen Gate, Blood Spirit Sect, and other demonic forces.

Thus, for now, assuming the identity of Nie Yuan and displaying a late Core Formation-level presence was enough to alarm Flame Departing Palace’s leadership.

If Flame Departing Palace still held gratitude, they should treat him with high honor, even if he had not yet reached Nascent Soul.

…

Just as Chen Ruyan and Elder Dai found themselves in an awkward dilemma, unsure of how to proceed—

A powerful spiritual sense suddenly swept down from above, vast and commanding, carrying the faint but unmistakable pressure of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

“Haha! It’s been so many years, Senior Brother Nie, when did you become so impatient?”

A clear and deep masculine voice echoed from above the grand hall.

“Greetings, Supreme Elder.”

Elder Dai and the cultivators outside the hall immediately cupped their hands and saluted.

“Husband.”

Chen Ruyan’s eyes lit up with joy, and she let out a subtle sigh of relief.

She cast a faint glance at Lan Chang'an, who remained completely unfazed.

The moment the voice fell, a handsome man in a purple-blue Daoist robe, with fair skin and an air of noble elegance, appeared in the grand hall.

He looked to be around thirty-six or thirty-seven years old, with two finely kept strands of facial hair, his demeanor graceful and refined, as he walked leisurely forward with his hands behind his back.

“Junior Brother Wang, now that you've reached the Nascent Soul stage, your presence has certainly changed.”

Lan Chang'an spoke in a calm, indifferent tone.

It was difficult to associate the extraordinary figure before him with the downtrodden shop assistant from Cloudsmoke Immortal City and Xunxian Residence all those years ago.

Noticing Lan Chang'an’s tone, Chen Ruyan and Elder Dai exchanged incredulous glances.

Nie Yuan actually dares to act this haughty?

He was speaking to a Nascent Soul True Monarch, yet not only did he show no respect, he even referred to himself as Senior Brother and spoke in a sarcastic tone!

“Senior Brother Nie, all these years… hm?!”

As Wang Feng stepped forward, he casually swept his spiritual sense over Nie Yuan, only for it to be forcefully rebounded by an even stronger spiritual sense!

“Ugh!”

A muffled groan escaped his lips as his face alternated between flushed red and pale white.

The spiritual sense emanating from Nie Yuan was undoubtedly superior to Wang Feng’s, at least at the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage!

Although their clash of Nascent Soul-level spiritual senses was subtle, both Chen Ruyan and Elder Dai were seasoned Core Formation cultivators with vast experience.

They immediately realized that Wang Feng had lost this exchange and suffered a silent setback.

“Could it be…?”

Both Chen Ruyan and Elder Dai felt their hearts tremble as a shocking realization surfaced in their minds.

Chen Ruyan’s elegant and radiant smile stiffened slightly.

Elder Dai, on the other hand, broke into a cold sweat, his earlier dissatisfaction and calculations instantly vanishing like smoke.

“Senior Brother Nie, whether in divine abilities, combat prowess, or cultivation realm, I, your junior brother, can only look up to you.”

Wang Feng’s expression shifted briefly, but in the end, he let out a bitter chuckle.

He lowered his hands from behind his back, let his robe sleeves fall, and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

“Mm. Junior Brother Wang has successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, so at least my efforts behind the scenes over the years were not in vain.”

Lan Chang'an nodded slightly and rose from his seat, returning a courteous salute.

The two of them exchanged greetings as senior and junior brothers, but Wang Feng’s posture was slightly lower.

“This junior sister greets Senior Brother Nie. I apologize for any lack of hospitality earlier, please forgive us.”

Chen Ruyan adjusted her demeanor and bowed in apology.

“Greetings, True Monarch Nie.”

Elder Dai bowed deeply, not daring to meet the blue-robed youth’s gaze.

He didn't dare linger for long, using the excuse that he had matters to attend to at Medicine Peak, he quickly withdrew from the Outer Peak Grand Hall.

…

Inside the Grand Hall, Lan Chang'an and Wang Feng sat down once again, with Chen Ruyan beside her husband.

Wang Feng carefully studied the Senior Brother Nie who had mysteriously vanished for nearly a hundred years, his appearance had barely changed.

His emotions were complicated, a sense of frustration lingering in his heart.

The two of them had once both been Immortal Golden Dan cultivators.

Back when they met in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, Nie Yuan’s displayed strength had far surpassed his, despite Wang Feng being a second-generation immortal cultivator with a privileged background.

As the sole remaining Nascent Soul seed after Flame Departing Palace’s downfall, Wang Feng had received the full inheritance resources of the sect, cultivated with everything at their disposal, and was pushed towards the Nascent Soul stage.

His trials during the demonic war, along with various fortuitous encounters, had aided him—most notably, the intelligence from Senior Brother Nie.

Wang Feng had once believed that with his fortunate encounters and the sect’s foundational support, he would surpass Nie Yuan.

After all, Nie Yuan had become a wandering cultivator, had missed the opportunity to obtain the Tianying Fruit, and should have fallen behind, it was only natural that a gap would have formed between them.

Thus, upon hearing that Senior Brother Nie Yuan, still only at late Core Formation, had come visiting, Wang Feng had deliberately composed himself, wanting to present himself with the demeanor of a True Monarch, to finally compensate for the humiliation he had once felt under Nie Yuan’s overshadowing presence.

But reality had slapped him in the face once again.

A Senior Brother will always be a Senior Brother.

The spiritual sense alone that Nie Yuan had displayed today made it clear, his cultivation realm had surpassed Wang Feng’s.

What Wang Feng didn’t know was that Lan Chang'an had actually broken through to the Nascent Soul stage later than him.

When Lan Chang'an left Great Qing, Wang Feng had already reached the peak of the Immortal Core stage.

After all, as a genius earth spiritual root cultivator, he had access to a defeated Nascent Soul sect’s resources, and unlike Lan Chang'an, he did not have to deal with the time restrictions of the Evergreen Technique.

“Since Senior Brother Nie has already advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, why have you come to request the Tianying Fruit? To be frank, back then, in order to break through, our entire sect’s foundation was exhausted. With the demonic invasion and the perilous circumstances, this junior brother had no choice but to use that Tianying Fruit and couldn’t preserve it…”

Wang Feng’s expression carried a hint of guilt as he explained his difficulties.

Lan Chang'an sneered inwardly.

Oh? But just a moment ago, when you made such a grand entrance, you didn’t seem the least bit guilty.

At this point, Lan Chang'an was certain, Flame Departing Palace no longer had the Tianying Fruit.

It wasn’t that Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan intended to deny him, but rather that they were looking for another form of compensation.

The value of that compensation, however, would depend on their negotiations—and more importantly, on Lan Chang'an’s strength.

If Nie Yuan had still been in the Core Formation stage, the compensation would have been far lower, and Wang Feng would have maintained a more condescending attitude.

“Who said I have no use for the Tianying Fruit? Over the years, while living in seclusion, I have taken in disciples and successors who also require nurturing.”

Lan Chang'an’s response was blunt, leaving Wang Feng speechless.

Had Lan Chang'an admitted that the Tianying Fruit was useless to him, it would have immediately diminished the value of his demand.

Seeing this, Chen Ruyan smiled gracefully and suggested in a gentle tone:

“How about exchanging the Tianying Fruit for an equivalent spiritual resource?”

“That’s right. I am even willing to offer a small premium, ten or twenty extra percent.”

Wang Feng immediately supported the idea.

Compared to the fortunes they had gained, which had elevated Flame Departing Palace into a Nascent Soul-level power, it was just one of several key ingredients for an Infant Transformation Pill, hardly anything in comparison.

“After nearly a hundred years, do you really think an equivalent-value exchange is enough?”

Lan Chang'an let out a cold chuckle, refusing to accept so easily.

If Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan had greeted him with gratitude from the start, he might have let it go with a reasonable settlement.

But since they had tried to posture and manipulate the situation, how could he let them off so easily?

“Back then, when I was merely a Core Formation cultivator, that Tianying Fruit was one of the most important things in my heart.”

Lan Chang'an’s gaze swept over Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan, his lips curling slightly.

“So tell me, Junior Brother Wang, if you were to compensate for that main ingredient from the past, would you be willing to offer something equally as important to you today?”

“This…”

Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

Chen Ruyan lowered her gaze, saying nothing, but a faint blush spread across her face, a hint of embarrassment visible beneath the strands of hair framing her cheeks.

The husband and wife shared a deep affection for each other, there was no way Wang Feng could refute Lan Chang'an’s words.

“Enough, I won’t make things too difficult for Junior Brother Wang.”

Lan Chang'an’s lips curved into a playful smirk as he stated his terms:

“If Flame Departing Palace can provide me with any of the following: a fourth-rank Life Extension Pill or Longevity Fruit, a mid or higher fourth-rank heavenly bird's wing bones, or a fourth-rank superior-grade spiritual wood or wood-type spiritual artifact—any one of these will suffice as repayment for the Tianying Fruit.”

Upon hearing these conditions, Wang Feng’s expression changed slightly.

These items were far more valuable than a Tianying Fruit and were extremely rare in the cultivation world.

Even with Flame Departing Palace’s current foundation, it would be difficult to produce any of them.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Ruyan spoke:

“In the sect’s treasury, we only have a third-rank mid-grade Longevity Fruit. We had originally intended to exchange it in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance for battle merits to contribute to True Monarch Cyanwood. But later, True Monarch Cyanwood left the Eastern Region…”

Lan Chang'an’s expression darkened.

These two almost ended up contributing rare resources to an enemy faction.

Wang Feng added, “I also have two pieces of Heavenly Fir Wood, but they still need more years before they reach fourth-rank mid-grade.”

“Forget it. This will do.”

Lan Chang'an didn’t want to waste any more time, this debt needed to be settled so he could recover some of his resources.

After accepting the compensation, he warned Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan not to reveal that he had reached the Nascent Soul stage, in order to avoid attracting the attention of both the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and the Demonic Faction.

Wang Feng agreed and also sent a transmission message to instruct Elder Dai who had left earlier.

…

Lan Chang'an conversed with Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan for another half an hour, gaining a deeper understanding of the situation in the Eastern Region of Great Qing from a high-level perspective.

For the past few decades, the Six Demonic Sects had halted their war efforts, and the intervention of True Monarch Cyanwood had only been a minor turning point.

There was also True Monarch Lingyu, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and the child of fortune from Jing Kingdom.

In his early years, Lingyu True Monarch had defeated the Sect Master of Beast King Valley. Later, he had suffered injuries in a battle against the Master of Unseen Gate.

After spending decades recuperating, True Monarch Lingyu’s strength and divine abilities had improved even further, making him one of the leading figures of the Ten Xuan Sects.

His involvement had become a thorn in the side of Beast King Valley, preventing them from launching a full-scale invasion of Jing Kingdom.

Additionally, there was another rumor—The Six Demonic Sects had been occupying territory in the Eastern Region for many years, but due to differences in their contributions to the war effort, their gains had been unevenly distributed, causing internal disputes over territory and resources.

Because of this, the decades-long ceasefire had largely been a period where the Six Demonic Sects were consolidating their control and absorbing their newly acquired territories.

Meanwhile, the three remaining nations of the Righteous Dao Alliance were far weaker than the Seven Kingdoms Alliance and had also entered a temporary truce with Beast King Valley.

This shift in dynamics had led to an unexpectedly delicate and ambiguous relationship between both factions, something even Lan Chang'an had not anticipated.

...

Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan personally escorted Lan Chang'an out of the hall.

“Senior Brother Nie, are you truly unwilling to stay at the sect? If we join forces, we can lead Flame Departing Palace to even greater heights.”

After much hesitation, Wang Feng made one last attempt to persuade him.

With the Six Demonic Sects gathering strength, every Nascent Soul power in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance would soon face major challenges.

Lan Chang'an chuckled and shook his head.

“Haha! If I were to truly return to Flame Departing Palace, wouldn’t that make you uneasy, Junior Brother Wang?”

If Wang Feng even had half an idea of his true strength, he wouldn't dare make such a suggestion.

In fact, before returning to Great Qing, Lan Chang'an had briefly considered Flame Departing Palace as a backup cultivation ground, but it was a lower priority than Jin Yun Valley.

Only if things failed with Zhang Tieshan in Jin Yun Valley would he have even considered Flame Departing Palace.

According to Lan Chang'an’s fourth-rank Divination, Wang Feng’s advancement to the Nascent Soul stage was almost inevitable.

From the very beginning, this ‘second generation immortal’ had experienced the full spectrum of fortune and misfortune—From being a young master of an immortal family to a fallen cultivator fleeing to a foreign land; From enduring the destruction of Flame Departing Palace to rebuilding it into a major power.

With talent, background, opportunities, and years of life-and-death tempering,

His rise to the Nascent Soul stage was only natural.

In truth, during this era of Demonic War, any high-level cultivator who survived had an extraordinary story to tell, each could be the protagonist of their own legendary tale.

...

Flying thousands of li away from Flame Departing Palace, Lan Chang'an found an isolated location, where he used his Hundred Illusions Mask to swiftly change identities.

“Once I reveal myself in the Righteous Dao Alliance with my Nascent Soul cultivation, Wang Feng and Chen Ruyan will likely start questioning the connection between ‘Evergreen True Monarch’ and ‘Nie Yuan.’”

He pondered in silence.

After all, the timing of Nie Yuan’s disappearance and return was far too coincidental, aligning too perfectly with his breakthrough.

However, at the Nascent Soul stage, he was already standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world, especially within the territory of Great Qing, where Nascent Soul cultivators were scarce.

At this level, past secrets, exposed identities, and multiple personas mattered little.

Instead, they would simply become topics of curiosity and amusement.

Several days later, Lan Chang'an, having taken on a new identity, traveled toward the borders of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance at an ordinary cultivator’s pace.

Once he fully exited the territory, he would revert to his true identity, and accelerate his return to the Righteous Dao Alliance’s Liang Kingdom.

Hmm?

While traveling, Lan Chang'an suddenly sensed an unusual fluctuation in the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s detection formation, a warning sign.

This only occurred when a high-level demonic cultivator or even a Nascent Soul True Monarch crossed into the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s borders.

Half a day later.

A familiar Nascent Soul aura streaked across the clouds, rushing toward the Seven Kingdoms Alliance’s borders.

That aura belonged to Wang Feng, known by his Daoist title, True Monarch Purple Fire.

Lan Chang'an furrowed his brows slightly and performed a quick divination but found no imminent signs of danger.

From what he could deduce, it seemed that the Demonic Path and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance were clashing at the border, and the situation had become more tense in recent years.

Since Flame Departing Palace was closer to the Righteous Dao Alliance’s side, it was one of the nearest Nascent Soul forces available to respond to the situation.

It didn't take long.

A dark blood-red aura surged on the border of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

Lan Chang'an’s eyes narrowed.

This was the presence of a Blood Dao Nascent Soul cultivator, and it felt strangely familiar.

Looking into the distant horizon, he saw a rolling blood cloud expanding across the sky, a dense swarm of blood-colored bats swirled within it, exuding a nauseating stench of blood.

Lan Chang'an’s gaze turned sharp as old memories resurfaced.

“So… it’s this old monster from Blood Spirit Sect.”

New novel that's just as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects