I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals-Chapter 425: Great Qing Makes a Plan, Vital Intel

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True Monarch Golden Moon, being both an elder of the Righteous Dao Alliance and Xia Wenyue’s master, had no reason to be denied entry to the headquarters.

“Is Fellow Daoist Golden Moon here to hold me accountable? I admit it was presumptuous of me to take Fairy Xia of your noble palace as a concubine without prior consent.”

Lan Chang'an did not turn her away and greeted her with a half-smile.

“True Monarch Lan, you’ve nurtured Wenyue with great care, why would I fault you? You and I both did it for her own good.”

Contrary to her usual domineering demeanor, True Monarch Golden Moon wore a warm and kind smile, like a gentle and understanding mentor.

Hearing this, the high-level cultivators present, those familiar with True Monarch Golden Moon’s temperament, couldn’t help but be stunned.

Senior Sister Nalan’s face flushed slightly.

She couldn’t help but think: When you first found out Junior Sister Xia had secretly committed herself, that was not your attitude at all…

For the past hundred years, Xia Wenyue had been treated coldly by her master and denied proper cultivation resources, far from being a favored disciple.

Now that she had advanced to the Nascent Soul stage under Lan Chang'an’s support, it could be said to have slapped True Monarch Golden Moon’s face.

And yet, here she was, visiting the headquarters, not bringing up the matter of Lan Chang'an taking a concubine at all, just exchanging pleasantries like they were family.

Alliance Leader Chu, True Monarch Golden Moon, and a few other elders gathered at Lan Chang'an’s residence for a small celebration.

“True Monarch Lan, the fourth-rank spirit vein at Jin Yun Valley can’t support too many Nascent Soul cultivators. If Fairy Xia were to remain at the Alliance headquarters, this Alliance Leader would be sure to treat her well.”

Chu Tianfeng sent a private transmission.

As True Monarch Golden Moon was part of the peace faction, Chu Tianfeng preferred that Xia Wenyue not return to Proud Moon Palace with her.

True Monarch Golden Moon also sent a subtle transmission, negotiating:

“True Monarch Lan, Wenyue owes you a great debt for her Nascent Soul breakthrough. I won’t ask for any betrothal gifts, Proud Moon Palace will owe you a favor. However, Wenyue has cultivated under us for over two centuries. Our sect is still her rightful home.”

“No betrothal gift?”

Lan Chang'an chuckled. If True Monarch Golden Moon were truly this agreeable, he wouldn’t have needed Alliance Leader Chu to cover for him.

He wasn’t inclined to agree to either Chu Tianfeng’s or Golden Moon’s proposals.

“Once Wenyue stabilizes her realm and finishes her secluded cultivation, I’ll ask her for her own opinion.”

Lan Chang'an replied.

“That’s only fair. We must respect Fairy Xia’s personal wishes.”

Chu Tianfeng nodded with a smile.

Though True Monarch Golden Moon was anxious, she understood that the initiative was no longer in her hands.

Xia Wenyue was now Lan Chang'an’s concubine, and it was he who had helped her advance to Nascent Soul. In terms of their bond and the gratitude owed for achieving this cultivation breakthrough, no one compares to Lan Chang'an.

That night, the guests left Lan Chang'an’s Elder Residence one after another.

True Monarch Golden Moon decided to remain at the headquarters and wait patiently.

...

Half a month later.

In the secluded chamber, Lan Chang'an was the first to see Xia Wenyue after her retreat ended.

After forming her Nascent Soul, her appearance remained unchanged, her features delicate as ever, her waist like a flower’s curve, but her aura had subtly transformed, becoming more refined.

Due to her Dao physique and cultivation technique, Xia Wenyue still radiated the same icy grace, but now it had ascended to an even more untouchable, celestial quality as if she were a moon fairy from the Palace of Eternal Cold.

“Husband… I’ve finally formed my Nascent Soul. I didn’t let down your guidance.”

Her cold autumn eyes shimmered faintly with warmth and gratitude.

Knowing that she wasn’t one to take the initiative, Lan Chang'an gently pulled her into his arms.

The way she addressed him as “husband” was a clear sign of her recognition of him, and a change in her heart.

Now that she had entered the Nascent Soul stage herself, she had the confidence to call him that.

The two did not discuss any serious matters, they simply embraced each other tenderly, whispering softly from time to time.

“Husband… at the final stage of the Heart Demon Tribulation, I nearly wavered. But in the end… I chose to believe in you.”

Xia Wenyue still seemed shaken as she recalled it.

Fortunately, much of the darkness and moral breaking points within the Heart Demon realm had already been simulated by Lan Chang'an ahead of time.

And her deepest heart knot had always been Lan Chang'an himself.

Thankfully, Lan had perfectly cooperated, wielding the Heavenly Demon Secret Art, helping her through to completion.

“Trust me, you won’t lose anything.”

Lan Chang'an smiled, and gently pressed the newly-advanced Nascent Soul fairy beneath him, her half-undone gown flowing like snow.

“Even in the tribulation, the Heart Demon whispered that you’d eventually abandon me.”

Xia Wenyue’s snow-pale face flushed lightly, her serene gaze fixed directly on the man before her.

“Only the weak run away.”

Lan Chang'an responded with a faint smile, leaving Fairy Xia with no way to retort.

...

One day and one night later.

In the quiet aftermath, the room still held traces of lingering incense. Robes, shoes, and undergarments were scattered in disarray.

“Husband… why is it that even after becoming Nascent Soul, my body still can’t handle it?”

Xia Wenyue, now dressed in a fresh snow-white robe, winced as she got up, her body soft and weak.

She wrinkled her delicate nose as she looked around at the mess, then cast a spell to cleanse the room, especially to remove the faint scent of seafood that lingered in the incense haze.

Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged, circulating his qi. His face was calm, but inwardly he was thrilled.

The dual cultivation session the night before, centered on the Dragon Phoenix Dual Cauldron Technique, had exceeded his expectations.

Of the two Nascent Soul fairies he had ever dual-cultivated with, Xia Wenyue’s "Cold Soul Jade Marrow" innate Dao physique clearly provided superior compatibility and cultivation synergy, even better than that of Purple Mist Fairy.

This session drastically boosted his cultivation efficiency.

Although time constraints limited how much progress he could make each day, this session alone saved him nearly two hours of effort, and its effects on his bodily essence would last for at least half a month.

“Before, I held back out of affection. But now…”

Lan Chang'an glanced at the slightly germophobic Xia Wenyue and chuckled softly.

In terms of talent and potential, she was more than qualified to be his Dao companion in this life.

Her innate Dao psysique didn’t just amplify her combat potential, it also made her a perfect match for dual cultivation, both in body and spirit.

The only regret was that Xia Wenyue was rather traditional and passive, and… certain postures still couldn’t be unlocked.

...

After his meditation, Lan Chang'an finally brought up serious matters with Xia Wenyue.

Her final affiliation and place of cultivation truly needed to follow her own decision.

“Naturally, I’ll follow my husband,” Fairy Xia replied without hesitation.

In this life, Lan Chang'an had been the one to influence her most profoundly.

In her youth, he had discovered her Innate Dao Physique, cured her frail condition, and led her onto the path of cultivation, a favor akin to rebirth.

Her first time, her most precious Taiyin Jade Essence, and the longing affection of her younger years all belonged to Lan Chang'an.

At Proud Moon Palace, she had been isolated for a hundred years. Life had not been easy.

“If it weren’t for you, husband, I would’ve never had the chance to form my Nascent Soul in this life. I might’ve died during the Heart Demon Tribulation. Such a debt… I’m willing to serve you for life.”

Xia Wenyue leaned into Lan Chang'an with unwavering resolve, her voice like a solemn pledge.

“I remember… for the first hundred or so years after you joined Proud Moon Palace, you were heavily nurtured,” Lan Chang'an said objectively.

“That was your fault!”

Fairy Xia gave him a playful glare, he was the reason she’d suffered a hundred years of neglect.

Fortunately, after that long trial, things had finally turned around.

“When I first joined Proud Moon Palace, my master treated me fairly well. The condition, however, was that Wenyue had to remain obedient, even being used as a bargaining chip for her interests,” Xia Wenyue said truthfully.

She had cultivated at Proud Moon Palace for over two centuries, naturally, she still had feelings toward her sect.

“Jin Yun Valley’s fourth-rank spirit vein is small. It can’t sustain too many Nascent Soul cultivators,” Lan Chang'an pointed out matter-of-factly.

“Don’t tell me, husband… you intend for me to return to Proud Moon Palace for cultivation?”

Xia Wenyue asked in surprise.

She knew Lan Chang'an and her master didn’t get along, which was why she had just declared her intent to follow him.

“That’s right. I suggest you continue cultivating at Proud Moon Palace.”

Lan Chang'an smiled as he offered the suggestion.

Xia Wenyue blinked, confused.

“Shouldn’t I be cultivating by your side, husband? Why such an arrangement?”

Lan Chang'an explained gently:

“First, it’s a matter of moral inheritance. If you left Proud Moon Palace, it would be considered unrighteous.”

Although True Monarch Golden Moon had neglected her, she hadn’t expelled Xia Wenyue from the sect. The grace of cultivation and lineage still stood.

“Second, Proud Moon Palace is wealthy and well-established. Now that you’ve reached Nascent Soul, you have a rightful stake. When your master ages or passes away, you’ll become the palace’s de facto leader!”

At this, Xia Wenyue’s beautiful eyes widened, and she looked at Lan Chang'an with suspicion.

“Husband… did you help me break through just so you could use me to take control of Proud Moon Palace?”

“What nonsense! Do you take your husband for some power-hungry schemer? This is all for your own good,” Lan Chang'an snapped, clapping his hand with a “smack!” for emphasis.

Then he softened his tone and continued coaxing her:

“Wenyue, now that you’re a Nascent Soul cultivator, a female True Monarch who can shape the structure of the cultivation world, you should be independent. You should build your own foundation. You shouldn’t rely on me forever.”

“Besides, after your breakthrough, I no longer have enough resources to keep supporting you.”

Lan Chang'an sighed deeply, his expression showing a trace of lonely detachment.

Xia Wenyue suddenly understood and thought to herself:

“Husband must have exhausted his resources to help me achieve Nascent Soul. He’s still raising a fourth-rank demon king… no wonder he can’t afford more.”

Upon realizing the “truth,” Fairy Xia felt a pang of guilt.

She really should become more independent, she couldn’t keep burdening her husband financially.

“Very well. I’ll continue cultivating at Proud Moon Palace,” she said, finally convinced.

This arrangement was acceptable. It would also protect her from being accused of betrayal or disloyalty.

Originally, after breaking through, she had planned to follow Lan Chang'an and offer compensation to Proud Moon Palace, including favors and promises of repayment.

“Once you return to Proud Moon Palace, you can take in disciples and establish your own following. Also, you’ll need to hold a post within the Righteous Dao Alliance, so you remain on the same front line as me and Alliance Leader Chu.”

Lan Chang'an added.

“I’ll do as you say, husband. But… I have one request. Please promise me.”

“Speak freely, Wenyue.”

Lan Chang'an looked at her, thinking Could she be asking to become my formal wife?

He already had an answer prepared for that.

But Xia Wenyue looked straight into his eyes, her voice soft and wistful:

“Husband, next time you run away… can you take this concubine with you?”

Lan Chang'an: …

...

After Xia Wenyue emerged from secluded cultivation, she officially met with the elders of the Righteous Dao Alliance at her residence.

True Monarch Golden Moon, uncharacteristically warm and attentive, caught up with her disciple and even presented her with a magical treasure she once used, a congratulatory gift for her Nascent Soul breakthrough.

The heartwarming display of harmony between master and disciple left several observing elders feeling awkward.

Xia Wenyue accepted the gift without refusal.

In truth, Lan Chang'an had already given her a superior set of magical treasures, acquired from True Monarch Soaring Snow of the Great Yuan human realm.

Soaring Snow’s inheritance and magical treasures were highly compatible with Xia Wenyue’s Innate Dao Physique.

In a few decades, once her cultivation and technique mastery had fully matured, her combat strength would likely surpass her own master.

Before Alliance Leader Chu and True Monarch Golden Moon, Xia Wenyue formally announced her decision about where she would stay.

“You’ll hold an important position within the Righteous Dao Alliance, while continuing to cultivate under the Proud Moon lineage, traveling freely between the two. That’s an excellent arrangement,” Alliance Leader Chu affirmed, nodding approvingly.

He had already been informed by Lan Chang'an by sound transmission.

Having Proud Moon Palace support Xia Wenyue’s cultivation while allowing her to align with the Alliance’s war faction was a brilliant political maneuver.

True Monarch Golden Moon could only accept this arrangement, even though she clearly saw through the underlying calculations.

Proud Moon Palace could not afford to lose a newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivator.

Otherwise, it would be the ultimate humiliation, a disciple they had neglected for over a century, nurtured to Nascent Soul by someone else, only to be “stolen” right from under them.

More critically, their previous Nascent Soul seed had failed, and the sect had suffered greatly during the demonic war. With their youth ranks depleted, there was no telling when they might produce another Nascent Soul cultivator.

At this rate, Proud Moon Palace faced the very real danger of a Nascent Soul generation gap.

And given their location near the war front, these factors had pushed True Monarch Golden Moon into the peace faction.

Regardless of anything else, Xia Wenyue was still the rightful heir of Proud Moon Palace, having cultivated there for over two hundred years and held deep emotional ties.

...

A few days later.

Xia Wenyue returned to Proud Moon Palace with her master.

Lan Chang'an, as her husband, accompanied her back to her "mother home" and True Monarch Golden Moon had no way to object.

With Lan present, True Monarch Golden Moon ensured that Xia Wenyue received top-tier accommodations, a personal cultivation domain with a fourth-rank spirit vein, and excellent benefits.

She was clearly trying to show sincerity and repair the rift from years past.

Now that Xia Wenyue was also a Nascent Soul cultivator, the old top-down teacher-student dynamic no longer applied.

If she failed to show genuine goodwill, Xia Wenyue might end up getting poached by either the Righteous Dao Alliance or Lan’s own Jin Yun Valley.

As part of Proud Moon Palace’s tradition, Xia Wenyue’s formal Nascent Soul Recognition Ceremony would also be held at the sect.

However, given the current wartime state of the Alliance, the event would be toned down, there would be no grand spectacle.

Another reason was that Xia Wenyue had not formed her Nascent Soul through sect resources, which left True Monarch Golden Moon with little face.

Lan Chang'an remained at Proud Moon Palace for ten days before bidding farewell.

In those ten days, he and Xia Wenyue spent time together in her former cultivation cave and a newly constructed Dao ground, constantly dual-cultivating and sharing their insights.

True Monarch Golden Moon turned a blind eye to it all, what she couldn’t see, she didn’t worry about.

From now on, Lan Chang'an would likely make frequent visits to Proud Moon Palace, and Xia Wenyue would often go to the Alliance headquarters or Jin Yun Valley in return.

Before he left, True Monarch Golden Moon subtly hinted that Xia Wenyue, now a Nascent Soul cultivator, still held the status of a concubine, which felt rather demeaning.

She hoped that before the official Recognition Ceremony, Lan Chang'an would elevate her to a formal Dao companion.

Lan Chang'an’s response was:

“Until the demonic war ends and my own great enemies are dealt with, I can’t risk naming Wenyue as my official Dao companion, it may only bring her unnecessary danger.”

This was mostly the truth.

Now that he had reached Nascent Soul, his base goals were achieved.

Every step forward from here on would be a bonus.

If the Great Qing were in a peaceful era with no demonic wars and no looming threat from True Monarch Cyanwood, then forming a Dao companion bond with Xia Wenyue and pursuing the Great Dao together would’ve been ideal.

True Monarch Cyanwood wasn’t that big of a threat… but there was Yan Donglai, that old monster who could appear at any moment.

...

“After returning to Great Qing, I’ve finally resolved my cultivation efficiency problem. Plus, the Alliance’s war faction just gained another Nascent Soul.”

Lan Chang'an returned to the Righteous Dao Alliance’s headquarters in excellent spirits.

In Great Qing’s eastern region, he now had three main goals:

One, reach the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage. Two, eliminate the hidden threat of True Monarch Cyanwood, and three, exploit the chaos of the demonic war to allow the Nine Seal Stele to devour two or three more Nascent Soul souls to awaken the Fifth Life and gain control over its autonomous reincarnation.

...

Two months later.

Lan Chang'an attended Xia Wenyue’s Nascent Soul Recognition Ceremony.

Due to the Righteous Dao Alliance's various factions remaining in a state of war preparedness, the ceremony was low-key, with relatively few cultivators in attendance.

Even though Proud Moon Palace hosted the event with a degree of discretion and tried to suppress potentially unfavorable rumors, gossip still spread widely in the cultivation world.

One common narrative stood out: “Evergreen True Monarch, in order to repay a debt from the past, helped Proud Moon Palace’s ‘abandoned girl’ successfully form her Nascent Soul.”

This story greatly boosted Lan Chang'an’s reputation, painting him as a cultivator who was true to his word and never forgot to repay kindness.

“Otherwise, why would a newly-advanced Nascent Soul like Evergreen True Monarch go to such lengths, even bankrupting himself to support a discarded female cultivator?”

As a result, books such as 《The Legend of Changqing》 and 《Journeys of the Profound Turtle》 suddenly saw a spike in sales.

...

That day, Lan Chang'an received a notable piece of news from Jin Yun Valley.

“Heh… Finally willing to come meet me, huh?”

Lan Chang'an smiled as he finished reading the encrypted message.

Jiang Yechen, the head of Nightless City, had sent a formal request to meet with Evergreen True Monarch, submitting a visiting letter to Jin Yun Valley.

With no pressing matters left in Feng Kingdom, Lan Chang'an departed the next day, heading back toward Liang Kingdom.

From now on, he planned to split most of his time between the Alliance Headquarters and Jin Yun Valley.

...

Meanwhile, in Yan Kingdom, Beast King Valley.

In the colossal canyon lay an enormous, rugged complex of strange buildings: beast yards, bird nests, spirit-cleansing pools, all arrayed like stars encircling the central Beast King Hall.

In the back garden of the hall, inside an odd white-egg-shaped residence.

A plump, red-faced elder reclined with a content belly like a laughing Buddha, leisurely reading a copy of 《Journeys of the Profound Turtle》.

“Grand Elder seems quite relaxed, to still have the time to read the musings of a mere junior…”

A low, resonant male voice sounded in the room, the air subtly distorting.

A bizarre image formed, a man in an abstract cloak, with an expressionless, featureless face projected into the air, the background a swirling, alien realm.

This faceless figure had no distinguishable features, and his presence exuded a detached, emotionless aura.

“Sigh… If the Righteous Dao Alliance gains another mid-Nascent Soul powerhouse, our plan to devour them from within will be seriously delayed. As an elder of Beast King Valley, how could I not care?”

The Grand Elder of Beast King Valley gave a long sigh.

“Unlike you, Fellow Daoist Faceless, I don’t get to enjoy the luxury of simply managing assassins and intel.”

“Heh…”

The strange faceless man gave a dry chuckle, clearly unconvinced.

As the Unseen Sect master, he had tried to reach the Beast King Valley Grand Elder several times, only to find the man either napping or tending his spirit grass leisurely.

Among the leaders of the Six Holy Sects, this guy was the most laid-back — the textbook definition of “hands-off management.”

“So… the Grand Elder truly believes Lan Chang'an already has mid-Nascent Soul strength?”

The faceless projection flickered, transforming into a white-robed youth with outstanding poise and elegance.

His face, tone, and temperament all were exactly identical to Lan Chang'an.

“Even without counting the newly advanced Fairy Xia, that Turtle Lan likely has the strength to contend with mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. He shouldn’t be underestimated.”

The Beast King Valley elder frowned.

Xia Wenyue’s breakthrough had been bad news for both Beast King Valley and Unseen Sect.

Their original plan in assassinating Situ Lan had been to cripple a rising Nascent Soul seed.

Who could have guessed that under Lan Chang'an’s support, Xia Wenyue would form her Nascent Soul smoothly?

Worse yet, Lan Chang'an seemed to be assisted by fourth-rank divination art, having previously dismantled multiple Unseen Sect bases without warning or trace.

Both demonic sect leaders were now realizing Lan Chang'an was a growing variable, someone like the True Monarch Cyanwood from back then, and must be treated with utmost caution.

“The Elder’s assessment isn’t wrong,” the Faceless Sect Master replied solemnly.

“It’s said that those who cultivate Evergreen Technique must either have earth spiritual roots and above or possess a special, innate Dao physique that is compatible. For those with Earth Roots, their combat strength usually isn’t outstanding. But if one has a suitable innate Dao physique, that’s different. Just like True Monarch Cyanwood. Only when we fought him did we realize he might possess the ‘Yi-Wood Dao Body’.”

“Lan Chang'an’s spiritual roots are known to be average, yet he practices Evergreen Technique… What kind of innate Dao physique does he possess?”

As he spoke, the Faceless Sect Master’s image flickered again, transforming into an older man in blue robes, with a lofty forehead and a deep, weathered gaze.

“Oh, and here’s something important, True Monarch Cyanwood, who had been in secluded cultivation in the Central Region for many years… suddenly disappeared not long ago.”

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