I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals
chapter-129

"Thank you for making the trip, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Lan Chang'an put away the two Foundation Establishment Pills, feeling quite pleased.

In this alchemy collaboration, three pills were successfully refined. Lan Chang'an did not attend the process in person.

If Zhao Siyao had harbored any ulterior motives, she could have easily claimed that the alchemist's performance was average and only two pills were produced, which would have been quite plausible.

The two had known each other since youth, with a friendship spanning eighty years, and the level of trust between them exceeded even familial bonds.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I’ll be heading back now."

After delivering the pills, Zhao Siyao did not linger and left immediately.

Lan Chang'an knew she had to protect Zhao Tan'er during her Foundation Establishment.

Three months later.

Lan Chang'an received a letter from Zhao Siyao, informing him that Zhao Tan'er had successfully reached Foundation Establishment Realm.

In the letter, Zhao Siyao expressed her gratitude on behalf of her disciple.

Lan Chang'an did not tell Mu Bingyun about this news to avoid making her feel any sense of disparity.

Over these months, Mu Bingyun frequently sparred with the two puppets or the Earth Burrowing Rat.

Through repeated failures, her mindset gradually settled down.

...

Time flew by, and nearly two years passed.

The usually verdant Little Turtle Peak was now decorated with some festive elements: red lanterns, flowers, and couplets.

In the secret room of the cave mansion.

"One hundred years old..."

Lan Chang'an slowly finished his cultivation, feeling that the mana within him was approaching the limit of the early Foundation Establishment stage.

He estimated that in another two years, he could reach the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage and attempt to break through to the mid stage.

After nurturing his treasure talismans, Lan Chang'an left the secret room.

"Senior Brother Lan, may your days be prosperous and your longevity as enduring as nature."

"Uncle Lan, I wish you eternal prosperity on your immortal path."

Guan Qiaozhi and Mu Bingyun had been waiting for a long time, holding trays with birthday pastries, longevity peaches, and longevity flowers.

"Thank you for your kind words." Lan Chang'an smiled warmly, taking a few bites as a gesture of politeness.

The cave mansion was adorned with festive elements and was livelier than usual. That day, guests arrived one after another at Little Turtle Peak to celebrate Lan Chang'an’s birthday.

The two other peak masters from Wuqi Mountain, Fairy Shi and Alchemist Lin, along with the steward Lan Lin, were the first to come over to congratulate him.

Each guest brought gifts of varying value.

Guan Qiaozhi made a navy-blue robe for Lan Chang'an and Mu Bingyun presented a natural spirit pearl she had nurtured and polished for years. The duo's gifts were not very expensive, but both of them carried heartfelt sentiments.

"Bingyun, return to Feiyue Lake." Lan Chang'an instructed, having thought of something.

"Yes, Uncle Lan."

Mu Bingyun’s clear eyes were slightly moist as she bowed, gathered some things, and flew away from Little Turtle Peak.

Watching her departing figure, Lan Chang'an knew that he wasn’t the only one who had to celebrate his hundredth birthday.

Two years ago, Mu Bingyun had sought a Life Extension Pill from Alchemist Lin, a fact he was aware of.

By noon, Li Erqing brought his son Mu Ershun and grandson Mu Congren to pay their respects.

Li Erqing, now portly and with a ruddy complexion, sported a balding head with deep-set eyes that shone with a reserved brilliance. Compared to before, he now carried the authoritative air of a family's ancestor.

"Big Brother, I wish you everlasting youth on the immortal path." Li Erqing’s eyes relaxed, and his lips instinctively curled into a somewhat familiar, simple smile.

"Uncle Lan..."

Mu Ershun and Mu Congren bowed in greeting, offering their congratulations.

Mu Ershun's body was slightly stooped, already in the mold of an ancient old man, whose actual age was less than twenty years of Lan Chang'an.

Such an octogenarian bowing to a young-looking man of around twenty was quite a sight.

Mu Ershun had already seen four generations under one roof.

If Li Erqing hadn’t brought him this time, Lan Chang'an would hardly have had a chance to meet him in the future.

Mu Congren looked to be in his twenties, with the appearance of a handsome and poised young man, his eyebrows slightly resembled Li Erqing.

He was Li Erqing’s most talented grandson, younger than Mu Bingyun and nearing the ninth layer of Qi-Refining.

Each of Li Erqing’s three generations brought valuable gifts, demonstrating their sincerity.

...

Half an hour later, four strands of Foundation Establishment auras flew in from outside Wuqi Mountain and landed on Little Turtle Peak.

Two were at the mid stage Foundation Establishment Realm, and two were at the early stage. They were the four Foundation Establishment cultivators from Jin Yun Valley: Zhang Tieshan, Zhao Siyao, Zhao Tan'er, and Lin Lu.

Lan Chang'an came out to greet them, first greeting his two peers, Zhang Tieshan and Zhao Siyao.

At this moment, Lan Chang'an noticed that Zhang Tieshan’s cultivation seemed to be touching the late Foundation Establishment stage, slightly ahead of Zhao Siyao.

"Uncle Lan, wishing you longevity and eternal youth." Zhao Tan'er’s eyes sparkled as she spoke lightly.

"Wishing you a long life and robust health, Uncle Lan." Lin Lu respectfully presented his gift.

"Thank you for your kindness." Lan Chang'an replied simply, without putting on airs.

Though the two were of lower seniority, their cultivation levels were comparable, with no significant difference in status. Especially Zhao Tan'er, whose smooth cultivation journey might one day surpass Lan Chang'an.

In the main hall of the cave mansion, steward Lan Lin assigned two maids to help Guan Qiaozhi entertain the guests.

Lan Chang'an's birthday banquet was a simple family meal, with no formal invitations. All the attendees were friends, juniors, or neighbors who came voluntarily.

Some didn’t stay long, like Zhang Tieshan, who left after half an hour, and by evening, most of the guests had also left.

Li Erqing and his three generations stayed until the end.

In the study of the cave mansion, Lan Chang'an and Li Erqing had a private conversation.

"Big Brother, what do you think of the current situation at Feiyue Lake? If I’ve done anything wrong, you can scold me as much as you want." Li Erqing’s eyes flickered with a hint of uncertainty.

"I have no opinions, you haven’t done anything wrong." Lan Chang'an smiled.

Li Erqing was surprised by the response. After all, as a son-in-law, he now held more sway over the Mu Family than its rightful owners, which could be seen as somewhat unscrupulous from a moral standpoint.

Lan Chang'an had long detached himself from Feiyue Lake with no lingering ties, including personal sentiments. Comparatively, his personal friendship with Li Erqing was stronger.

Even if Li Erqing truly took over the Mu Family, it was no big deal, they all shared the Mu Family’s bloodline anyway.

"By the way, hasn’t the Mu Family produced a new Foundation Establishment cultivator in all these years?" Lan Chang'an asked.

He and Li Ergou had once discussed that the best way to stabilize Feiyue Lake was for the Mu Family’s main lineage to produce a Foundation Establishment cultivator soon.

"It’s this little brother's incompetence." Li Erqing admitted shamefully.

Years ago, he genuinely intended to cultivate a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Mu Family’s main lineage. Unfortunately, given the vast amount of his descendants, it was inevitable that he would have to divide the family's already few resources, making it impossible to focus sufficient effort on the task at hand.

"If the Mu Family’s main lineage produces a new Foundation Establishment cultivator, what will you do?" Lan Chang'an asked nonchalantly.

He had two Foundation Establishment Pills in hand, but auctioning them off wasn't suitable; approaching unknown forces carried too many risks and uncertainties. It was safer to trade with familiar forces or cultivators.

"I am willing to assist." Li Erqing's tone was firm.

Lan Chang'an nodded, trusting his words.

...

At night.

Only Lan Chang'an and Guan Qiaozhi remained in the cave mansion.

After cleaning the cave with spells, Guan Qiaozhi helped Lan Chang'an bathe.

Lan Chang'an glanced at her, noting her scattered mana, thick but unrefined.

"You’ve been lax in your cultivation these past few years."

Normally, after her failed Foundation Establishment attempt nine years ago, if Guan Qiaozhi cultivated diligently, her cultivation would be maintained at the peak of the ninth layer of Qi-Refining.

Guan Qiaozhi’s hand, scrubbing his back, slightly stiffened. She softly said, "Senior Brother Lan, I’m already sixty-eight years old. My aptitude is dull, and further hard training would be futile. It’s better to serve you and the Profound Water Turtle well..."

Lan Chang'an was silent for a moment.

During her last attempt at Foundation Establishment, he had noticed her lack of determination and belief.

If placed in the Illusion Heart Platform in Jin Yun Valley, which examined the determination of a person, her ranking would probably have to be at the bottom of the list. Despite this, he had given her a Foundation Establishment Pill, hoping to increase her chances.

"At sixty-eight, your cultivation is wasted, and you’ve lost your drive..." Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly.

He asked, "Qiaozhi, you’ve served me for decades. What are your wishes in this life?"

Adding, "Except for that request."

Years ago, upon arriving at Little Turtle Peak, Guan Qiaozhi had wished to bear Lan Chang'an's child. After repeated disappointments, she had given up on that idea.

"Hmm, let me think about it..." Guan Qiaozhi rested her cheek on her hand, pondering.

"When some years pass, I want to visit my parents' hometown and my master’s old land to have a look. If there are any orphans, I’d like to help them, as a way of accumulating good deeds."

"Alright." Lan Chang'an nodded without further comment.

Whether Guan Qiaozhi stayed on Little Turtle Peak or went to the world to enjoy glory and wealth, he would respect her freedom.

...

Two months later.

Mu Bingyun returned to Little Turtle Peak and first greeted Lan Chang'an.

"How is your master?"

"She’s doing well and has taken the Life Extension Pill," Mu Bingyun replied.

Lan Chang'an didn’t ask further.

This time, Mu Bingyun seemed more determined, as if something had inspired her.

After completing her tasks, she immediately went to spar with the Earth Burrowing Rat, which suppressed its power to match hers.

She couldn’t challenge the puppets too often since they required spirit stones to operate.

The Earth Burrowing Rat was tireless and diligent, and wouldn’t harm her.

...

Little Turtle Peak, time flew by.

Mu Bingyun's sweat glistened as she controlled her mana and unleashed her spells, her silhouette gradually becoming more fluid, more valiant.

Until a certain day.

Bang! Crack!

Mu Bingyun’s magical weapon, swift as lightning, successively chopping off the necks and abdomens of the two puppets.

"I did it!" Her joyous voice echoed across Little Turtle Peak.

At this moment, her cultivation had reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi-Refining, her essence, energy, and spirit were exuberant.

"Bingyun, congratulations!" Guan Qiaozhi approached with a smile.

Seeing the broken remains of the puppets, her brows furrowed with concern, "Bingyun, you’ve damaged Senior Brother Lan’s puppets. According to the mountain rules, you’ll need to compensate with spirit stones."

Mu Bingyun was stunned and was about to speak when she faintly sensed a powerful surge of mana rising dramatically from within the cave mansion.

...

Inside the cave mansion, in the secret room.

Lan Chang'an, eyes closed, meditating as the verdant mana lake within his body expanded by a large margin.

The mana waves around him exuded vibrant life force, a mystical sense of time, and the fresh scent of plant life.

"At 102 years old, mid stage Foundation Establishment." After a long while, Lan Chang'an opened his pitch-black eyes, feeling elated and laughing lightly.

It had taken him thirty-two years to progress from the early to the mid stage of Foundation Establishment.

Compared to someone with low-grade spiritual roots like Li Erqing, this progress was faster. However, among Foundation Establishment cultivators, this speed was considered to be on the slower side, not taking into account minor realm bottlenecks.

This was because most Foundation Establishment cultivators started with mid-grade spiritual roots, and a significant number had high-grade roots.

Around Lan Chang'an, the Profound Water Turtle greedily sucked in the lingering aura.

It could be anticipated that as the gap between his cultivation and the turtle’s increased, the latter’s growth in cultivation would further accelerate.

Lan Chang'an’s spiritual sense scanned outside the cave mansion, noticing the remains of the two puppets that had been defeated by Mu Bingyun.

He nodded slightly and got to consolidating his cultivation realm first.

During this period, Guan Qiaozhi sent him a voice transmission talisman.

Lan Chang'an grabbed it with a wave of his hands and listened to its contents.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Li Erqing’s hundredth birthday is being celebrated soon."

(End of chapter)