I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals
chapter-83

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This plan faces two minor issues.

First, Zhao Siyao does had no need for the Foundation Establishment Pill, and thus hasn't collected the necessary materials for nearly ten years. It would be easy for someone with keen eyes to notice this anomaly.

Second, if more than one Foundation Establishment Pill is successfully refined, Zhao Siyao will handle one of them. Can she resist the temptation of a Foundation Establishment Pill? Indeed, Lan Chang'an placed great trust in Zhao Siyao, and their relationship was unbreakable. But in the cultivation world, were there not many cases of fellow disciples turning against each other over Foundation Establishment Pills?

Neither these two points presented a significant problem.

First, after he reaches Foundation Establishment, the source of the materials would no longer matter.

Second, at worst, he would lose one Foundation Establishment Pill. Losing a single Foundation Establishment Pill would be no more than an inconvenience.

He believed that Zhao Siyao, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with whom he shared decades of friendship, would not covet the Foundation Establishment Pill

...

Two days later, Zhao Siyao came to visit and brought news about Chen Fuhai.

"Chen Fuhai is not dead?"

Lan Chang'an was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Siyao handed him a letter with the "Qingzhu Sect" seal on it.

"Under the pursuit of the Heavenly Moon Wolf, Chen Fuhai used a secret technique to escape by luck? He has been healing in the Black Fog Mountain Range for more than a year and rushed back to the sect to report the death of his partner and arrange the funeral."

"Because he lost his storage pouch, Chen Fuhai couldn't provide the materials for the Foundation Establishment Pill, so he asked me to find someone else to cooperate in refining the pill?"

Lan Chang'an was surprised, but this was not beyond reason.

A difference of only one minor realm, coupled with the use of a secret technique, meant that Chen Fuhai's escape not considered strange in the cultivation world.

Moreover, the Heavenly Moon Wolf was not a fully formed late second-rank demon beast, it was only a temporary state.

"After recovering, Chen Fuhai left so quickly that he didn't even stop by Huanglong Immortal City to say goodbye?" Lan Chang'an found it a bit strange.

Considering the pain of losing one's spouse, Chen Fuhai's hasty departure was understandable, even if inconsiderate.

In the letter, Chen Fuhai expressed his apologies for missing the appointment.

...

Chen Fuhai not participating in the pill refinement did not change Lan Chang'an's plan.

"If Fellow Daoist Lan is willing to trust me, I can certainly cooperate with you in your pill-refining efforts," Zhao Siyao agreed without hesitation upon hearing Lu Chang'an's proposal.

"Oh, by the way, a few years ago, I visited my ancestral home in the Zhao Family to pay respects to the graves and accepted a female disciple with good potential. Although she is still far from establishing her foundation, as her master, I have a need to plan for a Foundation Establishment Pill for her."

Zhao Siyao's eyes sparkled with a half-smile.

Lan Chang'an was taken aback, not expecting this woman to suddenly play mind games.

However, since Zhao Siyao had made her intentions clear, it showed her straightforwardness.

When it came to finding someone for this pill refinement collabration, the Foundation Establishment cultivator Lan Chang'an trusted the most was Zhao Siyao.

Even Li Erqing ranked below her. Mainly because he had too many descendants!

Ordinary cultivation families had difficulty planning for a Foundation Establishment Pill, making the temptation significant and the variables numerous.

The next day.

Lan Chang'an visited Pill Heart Residence next door to discuss the pill-refinement with Du Wei.

"You found a special demon core?" Du Wei was shocked.

In order to prove that this was no joke, Lan Chang'an produced the White Jade Python's demon core before him.

"The attributes are pure and neutral, meeting the conditions."

After Du Wei's appraisal, his expression was complex.

In truth, if a Foundation Establishment cultivator from another sect had sought out an alchemist, they could have simply paid Alchemist Hua a visit without needing to go through Du Wei.

Lan Chang'an did this as a favor.

By using Du Wei as an intermediary, he added an extra layer of connection. There was no harm in having an extra layer of relationship through Du Wei to pull the strings.

Du Wei would also help with the actual refining process when they began to produce the pills.

Before leaving, Lan Chang'an gave Du Wei the remainder of the low-grade second-rank alchemy inheritance.

Du Wei was very grateful and felt a surge of emotions inside: this inheritance, which had hung over him for more than twenty years, was finally completed.

...

Three days later, Du Wei introduced Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao to Alchemist Hua.

Alchemist Hua confirmed the materials and discussed the pill refining fee.

They agreed to refine the pills in two months.

This was already considered cutting in line.

Alchemist Hua was a top-notch alchemist among the wandering cultivators in Huanglong Immortal City.

Many of the cultivators who sought him out for alchemy were in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators often had to wait half a year for his services.

The two-month period was the result of Du Wei's efforts.

Lan Chang'an decided not to return to Water Moon Residence and instead rented a cave dwelling at the foot of Huanglong Mountain for six months.

Huanglong Mountain was the cultivation site of the Huanglong Immortal's lineage, with better security and environment than the inner city.

He brought the Profound Water Turtle and the Earth Burrowing Rat along, along with Guan Qiaozhi to tend to them.

Lan Chang'an was worried that news about the main materials of the Foundation Establishment Pill would leak out, making Water Moon Residence unsafe to live at.

Once the Foundation Establishment Pill was refined, he would attempt to establish his foundation directly in the cave dwelling.

...

Two months passed without any incidents.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao arrived at Alchemist Hua's residence as scheduled.

In the alchemy hall they had visited years ago.

Lan Chang'an saw Alchemist Hua once more, that emaciated old man with a full head of white hair and a youthful face.

Over the years, Alchemist Hua's cultivation had advanced further, and he was now a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Alchemist Hua."

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao greeted him.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, Fellow Daoist Lan, we need to recheck your materials before starting the alchemy." Alchemist Hua spoke.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao each took out a set of materials.

Lan Chang'an's portion included the special demon core, so his ingredients were both more numerous and more valuable.

Over the years, Lan Chang'an had collected many duplicate materials, all handed over to Zhao Siyao to make up the numbers.

"Based on value, Young Friend Lan will have priority in choosing the pills. Does Fellow Daoist Zhao have any objections?" Alchemist Hua glanced at Lan Chang'an, slightly surprised.

During the alchemy session more than ten years ago, he had largely ignored Lan Chang'an's presence.

Unexpectedly, today, this elderly wandeirng cultivator could gather the key materials for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Before refining pills for someone, Alchemist Hua would naturally have his disciples investigate their background.

This was especially important given their previous encounter with the Demonic Eagnle Xie Mianfei, who had sought pills from them.

An alchemist in the Qi-Refining stage would not affect a cultivator of Alchemist Hua's status, but it would be a joke if word got out.

"I have no objections. Fellow Daoist Lan can have the priority." Zhao Siyao smiled.

Alchemist Hua instructed the two to observe from a distance and not to interfere.

He stored the materials and entered the hall to start refining.

...

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao sat on the mats outside the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, rest assured. The method of using a demon core to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill is precisely my master's specialty. The first Foundation Establishment Pill he refined was with this method." Du Wei kindly reassured him.

"My master's alchemy skills have practically reached the superior-grade second-rank level, and he is eager to prove himself. He will undoubtedly give his all this time."

"Thank you for your reassurance, Fellow Daoist Du. I trust your master's skills." Lan Chang'an deliberately showed a bit of nervousness.

As a Core Formation cultivator who had rebuilt his foundation, with a solid foundation with the Evergreen Technique, he had a fair chance of successfully advancing without a Foundation Establishment Pill.

There was also a backup inferior Foundation Establishment Pill in his storage pouch.

His pursuit of obtaining a standard Foundation Establishment Pill was merely to increase his chances of success, ensuring he had at least a ninety percent probability of attaining Foundation Establishment.

"If Du Wei's words are true, there is hope to produce three pills in this batch." Zhao Siyao smiled optimistically.

"May Fellow Daoist Zhao's words come true," Lan Chang'an replied, wishing himself luck.

...

Five days later.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted from the hall, refreshing the mind.

At this time, the pill refining was nearing its end, Alchemist Hua was wholly focused on his work, his brows gradually relaxing into a faint smile.

"Master, Miss Fu has come to visit!"

A disciple rushed inside with a report.

Alchemist Hua did not meet visitors while refining pills, even if they were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

But in Huanglong Immortal City, there were always some people with extraordinary status.

"No need to disturb Alchemist Hua's pill refinement, I have no urgent matters." A clear and ethereal female voice came.

A stunning woman with long lavender hair floated down to the alchemy hall.

She was like an orchid in an empty valley, with a beautiful face as white as snow, her beauty pure rather than seductive.

Dressed in a moon-white robe, her graceful figure was outlined, like a fairy descended to the mortal world.

Her lips were naturally red, her brows naturally green.

Her demeanor carried a faint melancholy, exuding a unique aloofness that made people hesitant to approach.

"Miss Fu."

Alchemist Hua, who was currently refining the batch of pills, smiled warmly, unsurprised by her arrival.

Fu Xue Mei stepped closer to observe, and the Alchemist Hua had no objections.

"What is Fu Xue Mei doing here?" Lu Chang'an asked, meeting Zhao Siyao's eyes.

Lu Chang'an wasn't concerned that Fu Xuemei would covet the Foundation Establishment Pills. For one, years ago, she had partnered with a family cultivator to refine pills, and he had gotten a Foundation Establishment Pill without any mishap.

This demonstrated that Fu Xuemei was trustworthy and not arrogant. Secondly, she had already secured a Foundation Establishment Pill for her brother using a Xuanling Fruit.

.....

Fu Xuemei glanced at Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao, nodding slightly.

She sat down near the pill furnace, observing Alchemist Hua working in silence without disturbing him.

Two more days passed.

The pill furnace glowed with spiritual light, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted from it.

The final stage of the refining process had arrived.

"Open!"

The alchemist shouted, his hands flashing in a double-handed incantation gesture as he performed the opening furnace technique.

Buzz!

A colorful mist burst forth from the lid of the furnace, sweeping away in a wave of heat.

Above the pill furnace, an illusory cloud appeared, enveloped in a halo of colored light.

"This kind of omen..."

Lan Chang'an noticed that it was slightly different from the last batch.

Swoosh!

Wrapped in the illusory cloud, three medicinal pills fell into the alchemist's hand.

Lan Chang'an took a closer look.

Two of the pills were crystalline and lustrous, while the third was jet-black like coal.

Alchemist Hua's face lit up with joy as he carefully extracted one of the Foundation Establishment Pills; it bore four and a half Dao patterns!

"A superior-grade Foundation Establishment Pill!"

(End of chapter)