I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals
chapter-178

A month later.

At Wuqi Mountain, on the Little Pill Peak.

Ye Fei invited Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong, the two peak masters, to his cave residence to drink and rejoice.

“Haha, this is truly satisfying! That 'Xiang Immortal' who once came to Wuqi Mountain to play the bully back then is now on Flame Departing Palace’s wanted list,” Ye Fei said cheerfully, raising his cup in celebration.

“You’re talking about Xiang Jinglong?” Lan Chang'an paused, showing genuine surprise—not just acting.

Since returning from Red Water Market over half a month ago, everything has been quiet. There was no unusual reaction from Flame Departing Palace, and no cultivators like Song Wenshu had come to Wuqi Mountain to investigate.

To avoid suspicion, Lan Chang'an hadn’t actively sought out information.

It wasn’t until now that he learned the relevant news.

“Yes! That scoundrel Xiang Jinglong! His name has appeared on the wanted list for sect missions from Flame Departing Palace,” Ye Fei said confidently, his face glowing with satisfaction.

Back then, Xiang Jinglong had come to Little Pill Peak, taking what he wanted without paying, and left Ye Fei feeling aggrieved. It would be a lie to say there was no lingering resentment.

“Xiang Jinglong is a Fake-Dan Immortal. What could he have done to be wanted by Flame Departing Palace?” Shi Manrong asked, surprised.

“It’s said that over the years, he’s secretly been acting as a rogue cultivator, committing numerous crimes of bullying the weak, murdering, and stealing treasures. Among his victims were the relatives and descendants of Flame Departing Palace cultivators. Several such cases accumulated, creating a significant impact and drawing the attention of Flame Departing Palace’s Law Enforcement Hall,” Ye Fei explained.

“Xiang Jinglong is well-known among loose cultivators, but his reputation is terrible. Many cultivators will be pleased to see him become a wanted man,” Fairy Shi smiled softly, clearly in a good mood without delving too deeply into the matter.

Upon learning the reason for Xiang Jinglong’s being wanted, Lan Chang'an’s eyes flickered, and he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

That day, when Xiang Jinglong acted near Red Water Market, he did not reveal his identity, including any distinctive magical treasures or techniques.

He had even referred to himself as “He,” trying to throw off any suspicion.

But in the end, he still couldn't escape blame.

...

As the top sect in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world and a Nascent Soul-level power, Flame Departing Palace’s intelligence network and investigative capabilities were beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.

Even though Xiang Jinglong was cautious and didn’t leave obvious clues, merely staying in the vicinity of Red Water Market for a while and leaving behind some traces might have been enough for Flame Departing Palace to investigate and draw conclusions.

Of course, the official reason for Xiang Jinglong’s being wanted was related to his past crimes.

But only Lan Chang'an knew the real reason—Senior Brother Zhuo’s death had displeased the higher-ups in Flame Departing Palace, leading them to decide to punish Xiang Jinglong.

Having lived through several lifetimes, Lan Chang'an had seen similar situations before.

Sometimes, when powerful forces suddenly decided to punish a “villain,” it might seem like they were ridding the world of evil for the benefit of lower-level cultivators, garnering widespread praise.

But the truth could be that the villain had offended someone important in the higher echelons, or it was the result of power struggles among the upper ranks, with the villain being used as a scapegoat. The authorities would dig through the villain’s past crimes and complaints to find an excuse to convict them, sometimes even dragging in opponents of the higher-ups in the process.

The real motivation often came from the top down, rather than the bottom up, seeking justice for lower-level cultivators.

Otherwise, rogue cultivators like Xiang Jinglong, who operated in the gray areas, wouldn’t have only been targeted now, after so many years.

There was an unspoken rule in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world:

Immortal-level cultivators wouldn’t be easily targeted by their sects unless they committed major crimes or left undeniable evidence.

After all, an Immortal wasn’t easy to apprehend, and attempting to do so might invite backlash.

“This Xiang Immortal, I'm afraid he doesn't even know why he’s really being hunted,” Lan Chang'an mused with a faint smile as he returned to Little Turtle Peak.

It wasn’t that Xiang Jinglong was foolish, he simply didn’t know Senior Brother Zhuo’s identity or the intricacies of the situation.

He likely didn’t even realize whom he had offended.

...

Over the following months.

Lan Chang'an quietly kept tabs on the situation with Xiang Immortal being wanted, though he made sure not to seem too interested.

During this time, various rumors spread.

Some said that Xiang Jinglong had been seriously injured by sect cultivators.

Others claimed that Xiang Immortal had gone into hiding among mortals or even fled to a neighboring country.

Based on the rumors, it seemed Flame Departing Palace was putting considerable effort into hunting down Xiang Jinglong.

Then, a few days after Lan Chang'an turned one hundred twenty-nine years old, Song Wenshu visited Wuqi Mountain, bringing definitive news.

Song Wenshu wasn’t alone.

He was accompanied by an emaciated, hollow-eyed old man in a long robe.

“Fellow Daoist… Lin?”

“Alchemist Lin?”

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong were shocked to see the old man in the robe. From his facial features and the dark red blotches on his skin, they recognized him.

This man was none other than Alchemist Lin Ye, the previous peak master of Little Pill Peak.

After a brief examination, Lan Chang'an noticed that Lin Ye’s cultivation had regressed to the early Foundation Establishment stage. His body was damaged, likely from torture, and his mind seemed hazy.

It had been over twenty years since Alchemist Lin left Wuqi Mountain, and subsequently disappeared without a trace.

At that time, Alchemist Lin had said he was returning to his homeland to enjoy his twilight years.

Given the situation, Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong hadn’t pursued the matter, assuming Alchemist Lin had cut ties with the cultivation world.

The cultivation world was like that—across the long years, countless people would come and go. Even those with long lifespans couldn’t possibly keep track of the fate and final destination of every acquaintance.

“Lan… Daoist… Shi… Fairy Shi.”

Lin Ye managed a forced smile, looking slightly foolish as he stuttered out his words.

“Fellow Daoist Lin was imprisoned by Xiang Jinglong for over twenty years, forced to refine pills day and night while enduring various forms of torture and restrictions. His sea of consciousness was damaged, leaving him with some lasting cognitive impairments,” Song Wenshu explained through a private transmission.

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong looked at each other and sighed in sympathy.

After communicating for a while, Lan Chang'an concluded that Lin Ye now had the mental capacity of a three- or four-year-old child.

His memories were fragmented and chaotic, but he still had a strong attachment to Wuqi Mountain and a deep impression of Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong.

“After being rescued, Lin Ye, though not fully lucid, requested to come to Wuqi Mountain,” Song Wenshu added.

Lan Chang'an nodded and invited Song Wenshu to Little Turtle Peak’s cave mansion.

“Little Pill Peak…”

Lin Ye murmured, his eyes fixed on the tallest peak nearby. He refused to move.

...

Not long after.

The three peak masters, along with Song Wenshu and Alchemist Lin, sat in the cave residence on Little Pill Peak.

Once they arrived at Little Pill Peak, Alchemist Lin’s expression became peaceful as he immersed himself in the surroundings, taking in every brick, tile, plant, and tree.

“Fellow Daoist Song, has your esteemed sect captured Xiang Jinglong?” Lan Chang'an asked seriously.

Given the current situation, it was only natural to inquire about Xiang Jinglong.

“…We set up an inescapable net and severely injured Xiang Jinglong, cornering him. However, at the critical moment, something unexpected happened,” Song Wenshu sighed.

“What sort of unexpected event?” The three peak masters couldn’t help but be curious.

For other sects, apprehending a Fake-Dan Immortal would be no small feat.

But as the dominant force in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world, if Flame Departing Palace was determined to see a Fake-Dan cultivator dead, it was almost impossible for them to escape.

“If it’s classified, Brother Song needn’t divulge it,” Lan Chang'an said with a smile, noticing Song Wenshu’s hesitation.

“This matter is no longer much of a secret within the sect,” Song Wenshu replied after a brief pause.

“Xiang Jinglong, that scoundrel, in order to save his life, actually colluded with remnants of the demonic sect. At the Liang Kingdom border, this person was rescued by ‘Li Hai,’ the great disciple of Liang Shaotian.”

“Remnants of the demonic sect! Liang Shaotian’s great disciple?”

The three peak masters were visibly moved.

Decades ago, Liang Shaotian had ascended to the Core Formation Realm and fought several Immortals alone in the sect extermination battle before escaping with serious injuries.

Though he had been dormant for many years and was rumored to have fled to another country, Liang Shaotian had left behind a formidable reputation in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world as a leader of demonic sect remnants.

His eldest disciple, Li Hai, while not as fortunate as his master, was a genius with an earth spiritual root, and was taught the powerful inheritance of the devil's way by his master. His strength far surpassed others of his rank.

Li Hai had once caused a great disturbance in the “Green Underworld Mysterious Realm,” avenging his master Liang Shaotian by killing “Xia Fan,” the grandson of the Flame Departing Palace Law Enforcement Elder.

It was in that battle that Li Hai made his name, killing a late Foundation Establishment cultivator despite being only at the peak of mid Foundation Establishment.

Over forty years had passed, and this demonic prodigy with the earth spiritual root had ascended to the Core Formation Realm, rescuing Xiang Jinglong at the Liang Kingdom border.

“Liang Shaotian, Li Hai, Xiang Jinglong…”

Thinking about the possibility of these few people coming together, Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation.

“Regarding this matter, the few of you should not publicize it outside,” Song Wenshu advised.

The failure to capture Xiang Jinglong, coupled with the involvement of demonic sect remnants, was damaging to the Flame Departing Palace’s reputation.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Song. We aren’t the type to gossip,” Ye Fei solemnly assured.

Everyone present understood that this matter wouldn’t remain hidden for long at the upper levels of power.

The news of demonic sect remnants was a harbinger of turbulent times to come, signaling a storm on the horizon.

Back then, Liang Shaotian had attempted to revive the Xuanyin Demonic Sect and establish a secret stronghold, but his efforts were crushed by the joint efforts of the sects, ending in failure.

All of these developments had been within Lan Chang'an’s expectations.

Previously, he hadn’t been optimistic about Liang Shaotian’s chances.

The primary reason was that the situation in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world, and even in neighboring cultivation nations, had been very stable a few decades ago, there was no fertile ground for the rise of demonic sects.

No matter how talented or fortunate Liang Shaotian was, he couldn’t fight against the general trend.

“However, it seems that troubled times are upon us…”

Lan Chang'an realized that he might have to reconsider his previous doubts about Liang Shaotian’s chances of achieving his ambitions.

If the war in the neighboring cultivation nation didn’t end soon, the remnants of the demonic sects in Liang would welcome their first opportunity in centuries to rise once more.

(End of chapter)

A month later.

At Wuqi Mountain, on the Little Pill Peak.

Ye Fei invited Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong, the two peak masters, to his cave residence to drink and rejoice.

“Haha, this is truly satisfying! That 'Xiang Immortal' who once came to Wuqi Mountain to play the bully back then is now on Flame Departing Palace’s wanted list,” Ye Fei said cheerfully, raising his cup in celebration.

“You’re talking about Xiang Jinglong?” Lan Chang'an paused, showing genuine surprise—not just acting.

Since returning from Red Water Market over half a month ago, everything has been quiet. There was no unusual reaction from Flame Departing Palace, and no cultivators like Song Wenshu had come to Wuqi Mountain to investigate.

To avoid suspicion, Lan Chang'an hadn’t actively sought out information.

It wasn’t until now that he learned the relevant news.

“Yes! That scoundrel Xiang Jinglong! His name has appeared on the wanted list for sect missions from Flame Departing Palace,” Ye Fei said confidently, his face glowing with satisfaction.

Back then, Xiang Jinglong had come to Little Pill Peak, taking what he wanted without paying, and left Ye Fei feeling aggrieved. It would be a lie to say there was no lingering resentment.

“Xiang Jinglong is a Fake-Dan Immortal. What could he have done to be wanted by Flame Departing Palace?” Shi Manrong asked, surprised.

“It’s said that over the years, he’s secretly been acting as a rogue cultivator, committing numerous crimes of bullying the weak, murdering, and stealing treasures. Among his victims were the relatives and descendants of Flame Departing Palace cultivators. Several such cases accumulated, creating a significant impact and drawing the attention of Flame Departing Palace’s Law Enforcement Hall,” Ye Fei explained.

“Xiang Jinglong is well-known among loose cultivators, but his reputation is terrible. Many cultivators will be pleased to see him become a wanted man,” Fairy Shi smiled softly, clearly in a good mood without delving too deeply into the matter.

Upon learning the reason for Xiang Jinglong’s being wanted, Lan Chang'an’s eyes flickered, and he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

That day, when Xiang Jinglong acted near Red Water Market, he did not reveal his identity, including any distinctive magical treasures or techniques.

He had even referred to himself as “He,” trying to throw off any suspicion.

But in the end, he still couldn't escape blame.

...

As the top sect in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world and a Nascent Soul-level power, Flame Departing Palace’s intelligence network and investigative capabilities were beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.

Even though Xiang Jinglong was cautious and didn’t leave obvious clues, merely staying in the vicinity of Red Water Market for a while and leaving behind some traces might have been enough for Flame Departing Palace to investigate and draw conclusions.

Of course, the official reason for Xiang Jinglong’s being wanted was related to his past crimes.

But only Lan Chang'an knew the real reason—Senior Brother Zhuo’s death had displeased the higher-ups in Flame Departing Palace, leading them to decide to punish Xiang Jinglong.

Having lived through several lifetimes, Lan Chang'an had seen similar situations before.

Sometimes, when powerful forces suddenly decided to punish a “villain,” it might seem like they were ridding the world of evil for the benefit of lower-level cultivators, garnering widespread praise.

But the truth could be that the villain had offended someone important in the higher echelons, or it was the result of power struggles among the upper ranks, with the villain being used as a scapegoat. The authorities would dig through the villain’s past crimes and complaints to find an excuse to convict them, sometimes even dragging in opponents of the higher-ups in the process.

The real motivation often came from the top down, rather than the bottom up, seeking justice for lower-level cultivators.

Otherwise, rogue cultivators like Xiang Jinglong, who operated in the gray areas, wouldn’t have only been targeted now, after so many years.

There was an unspoken rule in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world:

Immortal-level cultivators wouldn’t be easily targeted by their sects unless they committed major crimes or left undeniable evidence.

After all, an Immortal wasn’t easy to apprehend, and attempting to do so might invite backlash.

“This Xiang Immortal, I'm afraid he doesn't even know why he’s really being hunted,” Lan Chang'an mused with a faint smile as he returned to Little Turtle Peak.

It wasn’t that Xiang Jinglong was foolish, he simply didn’t know Senior Brother Zhuo’s identity or the intricacies of the situation.

He likely didn’t even realize whom he had offended.

...

Over the following months.

Lan Chang'an quietly kept tabs on the situation with Xiang Immortal being wanted, though he made sure not to seem too interested.

During this time, various rumors spread.

Some said that Xiang Jinglong had been seriously injured by sect cultivators.

Others claimed that Xiang Immortal had gone into hiding among mortals or even fled to a neighboring country.

Based on the rumors, it seemed Flame Departing Palace was putting considerable effort into hunting down Xiang Jinglong.

Then, a few days after Lan Chang'an turned one hundred twenty-nine years old, Song Wenshu visited Wuqi Mountain, bringing definitive news.

Song Wenshu wasn’t alone.

He was accompanied by an emaciated, hollow-eyed old man in a long robe.

“Fellow Daoist… Lin?”

“Alchemist Lin?”

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong were shocked to see the old man in the robe. From his facial features and the dark red blotches on his skin, they recognized him.

This man was none other than Alchemist Lin Ye, the previous peak master of Little Pill Peak.

After a brief examination, Lan Chang'an noticed that Lin Ye’s cultivation had regressed to the early Foundation Establishment stage. His body was damaged, likely from torture, and his mind seemed hazy.

It had been over twenty years since Alchemist Lin left Wuqi Mountain, and subsequently disappeared without a trace.

At that time, Alchemist Lin had said he was returning to his homeland to enjoy his twilight years.

Given the situation, Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong hadn’t pursued the matter, assuming Alchemist Lin had cut ties with the cultivation world.

The cultivation world was like that—across the long years, countless people would come and go. Even those with long lifespans couldn’t possibly keep track of the fate and final destination of every acquaintance.

“Lan… Daoist… Shi… Fairy Shi.”

Lin Ye managed a forced smile, looking slightly foolish as he stuttered out his words.

“Fellow Daoist Lin was imprisoned by Xiang Jinglong for over twenty years, forced to refine pills day and night while enduring various forms of torture and restrictions. His sea of consciousness was damaged, leaving him with some lasting cognitive impairments,” Song Wenshu explained through a private transmission.

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong looked at each other and sighed in sympathy.

After communicating for a while, Lan Chang'an concluded that Lin Ye now had the mental capacity of a three- or four-year-old child.

His memories were fragmented and chaotic, but he still had a strong attachment to Wuqi Mountain and a deep impression of Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong.

“After being rescued, Lin Ye, though not fully lucid, requested to come to Wuqi Mountain,” Song Wenshu added.

Lan Chang'an nodded and invited Song Wenshu to Little Turtle Peak’s cave mansion.

“Little Pill Peak…”

Lin Ye murmured, his eyes fixed on the tallest peak nearby. He refused to move.

...

Not long after.

The three peak masters, along with Song Wenshu and Alchemist Lin, sat in the cave residence on Little Pill Peak.

Once they arrived at Little Pill Peak, Alchemist Lin’s expression became peaceful as he immersed himself in the surroundings, taking in every brick, tile, plant, and tree.

“Fellow Daoist Song, has your esteemed sect captured Xiang Jinglong?” Lan Chang'an asked seriously.

Given the current situation, it was only natural to inquire about Xiang Jinglong.

“…We set up an inescapable net and severely injured Xiang Jinglong, cornering him. However, at the critical moment, something unexpected happened,” Song Wenshu sighed.

“What sort of unexpected event?” The three peak masters couldn’t help but be curious.

For other sects, apprehending a Fake-Dan Immortal would be no small feat.

But as the dominant force in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world, if Flame Departing Palace was determined to see a Fake-Dan cultivator dead, it was almost impossible for them to escape.

“If it’s classified, Brother Song needn’t divulge it,” Lan Chang'an said with a smile, noticing Song Wenshu’s hesitation.

“This matter is no longer much of a secret within the sect,” Song Wenshu replied after a brief pause.

“Xiang Jinglong, that scoundrel, in order to save his life, actually colluded with remnants of the demonic sect. At the Liang Kingdom border, this person was rescued by ‘Li Hai,’ the great disciple of Liang Shaotian.”

“Remnants of the demonic sect! Liang Shaotian’s great disciple?”

The three peak masters were visibly moved.

Decades ago, Liang Shaotian had ascended to the Core Formation Realm and fought several Immortals alone in the sect extermination battle before escaping with serious injuries.

Though he had been dormant for many years and was rumored to have fled to another country, Liang Shaotian had left behind a formidable reputation in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world as a leader of demonic sect remnants.

His eldest disciple, Li Hai, while not as fortunate as his master, was a genius with an earth spiritual root, and was taught the powerful inheritance of the devil's way by his master. His strength far surpassed others of his rank.

Li Hai had once caused a great disturbance in the “Green Underworld Mysterious Realm,” avenging his master Liang Shaotian by killing “Xia Fan,” the grandson of the Flame Departing Palace Law Enforcement Elder.

It was in that battle that Li Hai made his name, killing a late Foundation Establishment cultivator despite being only at the peak of mid Foundation Establishment.

Over forty years had passed, and this demonic prodigy with the earth spiritual root had ascended to the Core Formation Realm, rescuing Xiang Jinglong at the Liang Kingdom border.

“Liang Shaotian, Li Hai, Xiang Jinglong…”

Thinking about the possibility of these few people coming together, Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation.

“Regarding this matter, the few of you should not publicize it outside,” Song Wenshu advised.

The failure to capture Xiang Jinglong, coupled with the involvement of demonic sect remnants, was damaging to the Flame Departing Palace’s reputation.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Song. We aren’t the type to gossip,” Ye Fei solemnly assured.

Everyone present understood that this matter wouldn’t remain hidden for long at the upper levels of power.

The news of demonic sect remnants was a harbinger of turbulent times to come, signaling a storm on the horizon.

Back then, Liang Shaotian had attempted to revive the Xuanyin Demonic Sect and establish a secret stronghold, but his efforts were crushed by the joint efforts of the sects, ending in failure.

All of these developments had been within Lan Chang'an’s expectations.

Previously, he hadn’t been optimistic about Liang Shaotian’s chances.

The primary reason was that the situation in the Liang Kingdom cultivation world, and even in neighboring cultivation nations, had been very stable a few decades ago, there was no fertile ground for the rise of demonic sects.

No matter how talented or fortunate Liang Shaotian was, he couldn’t fight against the general trend.

“However, it seems that troubled times are upon us…”

Lan Chang'an realized that he might have to reconsider his previous doubts about Liang Shaotian’s chances of achieving his ambitions.

If the war in the neighboring cultivation nation didn’t end soon, the remnants of the demonic sects in Liang would welcome their first opportunity in centuries to rise once more.

(End of chapter)