Chapter 140: Decline of the Immortal City

"Miss Zhou, what opportunity could you possibly have that would lead you to think of me?" Lan Chang'an spoke calmly and unhurriedly.

Upon this meeting, perhaps due to the urgency of the time, this woman no longer addressed him as "Big Brother Lan" as she had years ago, but directly by his name.

"Lan Chang'an, didn't you once say you were good at healing and managed to raise that sickly Profound Water Turtle to health?" Zhou Qingxuan glanced towards the Profound Water Turtle by the lotus pond.

Sensing the gaze of this late Foundation Establishment beast tamer, the Profound Water Turtle instinctively recoiled, withdrawing its head and diving into the pond.

"My wood-based cultivation technique is indeed good in terms of healing. However, back then, the successful hatching of the Profound Water Turtle was due to some heavenly materials and earthly treasures I happened to acquire," Lan Chang'an replied flawlessly.

He remembered his story clearly over the decades, ensuring he wouldn't be cornered by this woman.

"No need to explain so much." Zhou Qingxuan revealed a radiant smile and got straight to the point:

"The Huang Dragon Beast under Huanglong Immortal is severely injured and on the brink of death, barely hanging on by a thread with secret medicines."

"Huanglong Mountain is looking for skilled beast tamers, alchemists, and exceptional individuals to help heal the Huang Dragon Beast."

"Any cultivator who can save the Huang Dragon Beast's life will be richly rewarded by Huanglong Immortal, including 'Crystal Condensation Pills' and Core Formation resources. He also promises to perform one act within his power and ability for the savior."

Upon understanding the situation, Lan Chang'an appropriately showed surprise, contemplating deeply.

Huanglong Immortal had a deep bond with the Huang Dragon Beast. They had risen from humble beginnings together, sharing life and death for centuries. To some extent, this earth-grade spirit pet was akin to Huanglong Immortal's closest kin.

Even his personal disciples, including Fu Xuemei, couldn't compare to the status of the Huang Dragon Beast in Huanglong Immortal's heart.

"Crystal Condensation Pills, Core Formation resources..." Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly, feeling a bit tempted.

The Crystal Condensation Pill, which could increase the chances of forming a core, was something that countless Foundation Establishment Cultivators could only dream of.

In all of Great Qing, the Crystal Condensation Pill was an extremely precious strategic resource.

In his previous life, with a higher starting point, better spiritual roots, and considerable opportunities, he had barely succeeded in forming a core after much hardship.

In this life, with low-grade wood spiritual roots, even with the Evergreen Technique's boost, the chances of forming a core without external opportunities were bleak.

"Miss Zhou, when it comes to third-rank spirit beasts, Lan really can't do anything about it," Lan Chang'an shook his head.

He had a feeling that the Evergreen's secret spell might work if he consumed some of his lifespan. However, there was no way he would reveal such a secret method in front of Huanglong Immortal.

He hadn't reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment yet, and getting Core Formation items in advance would instead invite trouble, at that time he could only rely on Huanglong Mountain to shelter him.

He harbored not even the slightest fondness for the Huanglong Mountain. The enemy who barred his path, Fu Xuemei, was the successor they planned to cultivate.

Some years ago, she had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, despite being held back by her brother. Fu Xuemei had promised her master that she would help her brother only up to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Facing the path to Core Formation, even a genius with earth spiritual roots had to give it their all.

"If you won't go, then forget it. Just don't mention this matter to others for now." Zhou Qingxuan seemed slightly regretful but did not insist.

The specifics of the Huang Dragon Beast's injury were known only to some upper-level cultivators in the Liang Kingdom. The Zhou Family, skilled in beast taming, had received an invitation from Huanglong Mountain.

"Rest assured, Miss Zhou, I won't speak of this to any outsider," Lan Chang'an assured, watching her figure ascend into the sky with a hint of curiosity.

The Huang Dragon Beast's injury was something even a Core Formation Immortal couldn't handle.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, no matter how good he was at healing, she shouldn't have had such high expectations from him.

In this life, one and a half people knew the secrets of the Evergreen Technique.

One was the eccentric "Daoist Tianshu," and the other half was Mu Xiuyun.

As for Mu Bingyun, she only thought he had some secret methods. It took over a decade to repair her foundation, so it wasn't too surprising.

"However, there is another variable..." Lan Chang'an thought about the encounter with Chen Fuhai and the Hundred Abodes Soul Gu's probe.

The Hundred Abodes Soul Gu could inhabit various races and had knowledge far exceeding common people.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness merging with the second life in the Nine Seal Stele.

The currently explored small functions of the Nine Seal Stele were divided into active and passive.

Active: The shadow of the soul descends, consuming the soul imprint that has been illuminated over the years, which could be used for combat.

Passive: Consciousness enters the Nine Seal Stele, merging with a particular life, receiving augmented spiritual sense by consuming the illuminated energy.

The second one couldn't be used for combat, more like sharing the soul's perception.

If he returned to the peak of his previous life or advanced to Nascent Soul Realm, these abilities would be of little significance.

Swish!

After flying out for a few li, Zhou Qingxuan was discreetly probed by Lan Chang'an's Immortal-level spiritual sense.

He even peered into her sea of consciousness.

There was nothing unusual in Zhou Qingxuan's sea of consciousness. Due to her beast-taming talent, it glowed with a hint of purple glittering light, making it slightly different from ordinary cultivators.

Lan Chang'an didn't delve into her sea of consciousness to investigate, lest he be detected.

Retracting his spiritual sense, he could not reach any conclusions.

If the Hundred Abodes Soul Gu was deeply hidden in the sea of consciousness, it wouldn't be visible on the surface. Unless one was powerful enough to see through a late Foundation Establishment cultivator's sea of consciousness at a glance.

In the past, he was able to detect the Hundred Abodes Soul Gu on Chen Fuhai because it had surfaced to observe him and couldn't hide fast enough to escape his probing.

Zhou Qingxuan rode the second-rank spirit bird out of Wuqi Mountain.

"Even Core Formation items can't move him?"

"Even if one is a cultivator of the Evergreen Technique, lifespan will eventually come to an end. The key resources must be fought for," Zhou Qingxuan's eyes flashed.

"When he was in the Qi-Refining stage, his blood was pure, his youth unaging, and his longevity prolonged. After reaching the Foundation Establishment, his aura became more profound, making him harder to read. It's possible he has cultivated another top-tier wood-based technique."

"We cannot probe further! Whether or not this person has any connections with Yan Donglai, he has a significant background."

"This time, the concealment was deep, it should not be exposed..."

...

A few months later.

Lan Chang'an turned 107, four to five years past his breakthrough to mid Foundation Establishment.

He estimated it would take about seven more years to reach the fifth level of Foundation Establishment.

However, he had vaguely touched the sixth layer of the "Cloud Sand Body Refinement Manual."

The inheritance of this body refining manual extended to the seventh layer at most, or six and a half layers, corresponding to the Fake-Dan stage.

Before forming a Core, it was sufficient. The technique wasn't of the highest grade, but its strength lay in its simplicity.

With enough time for cultivation, adequate financial resources to buy spirit sand stones, and decent body-refining talent, one could steadily make progress.

Lan Chang'an's so-called body refining talent was essentially the self-healing power of the Evergreen Technique.

...

On this day, Shi Manrong returned from Huanglong Immortal City, inviting Lan Chang'an and Ye Fei, two peak masters, to her residence.

In the cave dwelling of Xiao Pan Peak.

This time when they met, Fairy Shi's cultivation had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage. She radiated a bright and captivating aura.

"This time, I've returned to stay in Wuqi Mountain for a while. It's been a long time since I gathered with the two peak masters," Shi Manrong said gracefully with a gentle smile.

Lan Chang'an noticed the change in Shi Manrong's demeanor.

Two years before and after the beast tide, she had seemed urgent and busy.

Now, having advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage, her state of mind had settled down.

"Does Shi Fairy still maintain the cooperation with Huanglong Mountain?" Lan Chang'an asked.

"The cooperation has ended. I declined their invitation to stay," Shi Manrong said casually.

Lan Chang'an wasn't surprised.

After the beast tide ended and Huanglong Immortal's demon hunt failed, the demand for formation masters wasn't as high, and it was impossible to maintain the previous over-the-top treatment and keep offering rare resources.

In the past two years, Shi Manrong had seized the opportunity to get on that express train, and whether it was her cultivation or her attainments in formations, she had significantly improved.

Lan Chang'an speculated that her formation attainments might have touched the third rank.

"Shi Fairy, I heard Huanglong Immortal's Huang Dragon Beast has been saved. Is this true?" Ye Fei asked curiously.

"It has indeed been saved."

Shi Manrong, previously treated as an honored guest at Huanglong Mountain, knew more information that belonged to the upper echelon.

"However, the Huang Dragon Beast's cultivation dropped from mid-third rank to quasi-third rank."

"Its cultivation dropped?"

A month ago, Lan Chang'an had only heard from Zheng Centipede that the beast had been saved, without the specific details.

"Who saved the Huang Dragon Beast?"

"It was the Beast Taming Zhou Family, their genius 'Zhou Qingxuan' provided assistance and a plan." Shi Fairy replied.

"But the actual savior was Huanglong Immortal himself."

"I heard that in order to save the Huang Dragon Beast, the Huanglong Immortal consumed the essence of his True-Dan and paid certain unknown prices."

Hearing this, Lan Chang'an had a likely guess about the method used.

Huanglong Immortal's earth-based cultivation technique matched the Huang Dragon Beast's attributes.

He might have used a secret technique, consuming his True-Dan essence and combining it with precious medicines, achieving an effect similar to the Evergreen's secret spell.

"Consuming the True-Dan essence would result in a permanent decrease in the Immortal's strength and lifespan!"

Lan Chang'an hadn't expected Huanglong Immortal to be willing to pay such a price for his spirit pet. If Fu Xuemei was a fanatic about supporting her brother, then Huanglong Immortal was a fanatic about protecting his pet.

In terms of status and strength, Huanglong Immortal was similar to his past life. In his previous life, he had also consumed a bit of lifespan for his spirit pet, but it was far less than the extent of Huanglong Immortal.

Ye Fei pondered, "Huanglong Immortal must have a deeper plan. This is a grand strategy!"

"Oh? What's your insight?" Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong looked over.

"First, preserving the Huang Dragon Beast maintains the 'Huanglong Immortal' reputation." Ye Fei analyzed.

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong nodded in agreement.

Huanglong Immortal's title was closely tied to the Huang Dragon Beast.

"As long as the name 'Huanglong Immortal' remains, it is enough to discourage the curmudgeons."

"Additionally, the Huang Dragon Beast's lifespan far exceeds that of humans. After Huanglong Immortal's death, the beast can still guard the successor of the Huanglong Mountain, and serve as a spiritual symbol for the future."

"Huanglong Immortal's plan is far-reaching!" Ye Fei's eyes gleamed with admiration.

Hearing the latter comments, Lan Chang'an's expression twitched.

Those superficial honors were insignificant compared to the impact of the strength and lifespan reduction.

In the cultivation world, strength was fundamental. The stronger one was and the longer they lived, the more people would fear them.

The rival forces of Huanglong Immortal City didn't care about that bit of superficial prestige.

"Fellow Daoist Ye's words hold some truth," Shi Manrong said with a smile.

"However, half a month ago, a direct descendant of Huanglong Mountain was killed outside the city. This news hasn't spread yet."

"This... is truly audacious!" Ye Fei, caught off guard, felt a bit embarrassed.

A direct descendant of Huanglong Mountain killed outside the city was unimaginable during Huanglong Immortal City's peak.

From today's information, Lan Chang'an was increasingly certain that Huanglong Immortal City's strength had greatly diminished and was continuing to decline.

Over the past few months, Huanglong Immortal City had sold off numerous properties, and many external personnel were being withdrawn one after another.

In the future, Huanglong Mountain would no longer be able to advance aggressively and could only try to maintain its core territory.

...

Three days later.

On Little Turtle Peak, Guan Qiaozhi saw off a Qi-Refining ninth layer cultivator who had come to purchase talismans.

"Senior Brother Lan, fewer people are buying talismans lately. Wuqi Mountain's popularity is not what it used to be," Guan Qiaozhi said with slight worry.

After the beast tide ended, the demand for talismans plummeted.

A surplus of demonic beast materials had flooded the market.

Ordinary first-rank talismans had dropped significantly in price, and even second-rank talismans had returned to their normal prices, no longer enjoying the high premiums of the beast tide period.

Fortunately, Lan Chang'an had always focused on high-end products.

During the beast tide, he had produced and stockpiled a batch of second-rank talismans using low-cost materials. He had also acquired some mid to superior-grade first-rank materials at rock-bottom prices.

Even if he sold them now, Lan Chang'an could make a considerable profit.

However, with abundant funds and over twenty thousand spirit stones in his wallet, Lan Chang'an wasn't in a hurry to sell.

The cultivation world was volatile, and prices fluctuated unpredictably.

With his long lifespan, Lan Chang'an believed he could wait for the market to rebound.

"We earned plenty of spirit stones during the beast tide. Now, it's just right for you to clear your head for a while," Lan Chang'an reassured her.

While he made talismans, Guan Qiaozhi handled the materials and earned a certain amount of commission.

"Senior Brother Lan, now that it's stable outside and not so busy on the mountain, I want to make a trip to the secular world," Guan Qiaozhi slightly clenched her teeth and uttered a well thought out decision.

"When do you plan to leave?"

They had discussed this matter before, so Lan Chang'an wasn't surprised.

"Tomorrow," Guan Qiaozhi said solemnly.

That night, Guan Qiaozhi carefully bathed Lan Chang'an.

...

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

Guan Qiaozhi led a blue-robed girl in.

The girl had a Qi-Refining fourth-layer cultivation, had a small and delicate appearance, but was half a step behind Guan Qiaozhi's youth.

"She is?" Lan Chang'an walked out of the cave and looked at the blue-skirted girl who bowed nervously.

"Brother Lan, her name is Lan Rou, a descendant of Sister Lan Lin's family."

Guan Qiaozhi introduced with a smile.

"I found that she is well-behaved and obedient, and is slightly knowledgeable in talismans. While I'm away, she can work as a maid on the mountain, handling the chores and receiving guests."

"Servant girl Lan Rou greets Senior Lan."

The blue-robed girl bowed, her eyes lowered.

"Hmm."

Lan Chang'an probed with his spiritual sense and confirmed that there was no problem with this girl.

His comfortable and leisurely life on Little Turtle Peak was partly due to having the shrewd and capable maid, Qiaozhi.

Not counting the reception of guests, it wasn't simple to take care of the huge peak and the cave mansion. Normally, five or six maids and servants would be needed.

Little Turtle Peak was able to manage with a single maid only due to the hard-working Earth Burrowing Rat, the Profound Water Turtle's irrigation, and the assistance of puppets.

Lan Chang'an didn't want to crowd the place. Thus, a capable maid was essential.

"Qiaozhi, you've never traveled alone before. The journey might not be smooth. This is my gift to you, including items to protect yourself."

Before parting, Lan Chang'an handed a storage pouch to Guan Qiaozhi.

"Thank you for taking care of me all these years, Senior Brother Lan. In a few years, Qiaozhi will return," Guan Qiaozhi said, her eyes red, trying to smile through her tears, with crow's feet visible at the corners of her eyes.

She took one final look at the ageless and youthful white-robed man.

From their first meeting in Huanglong Immortal City when she was thirteen, to sixty years later, his appearance had hardly changed at all. He was always so tranquil and composed, pleasing to the eyes.

"Take care and keep a low profile."

"I know."

Guan Qiaozhi flew into the sky without looking back.

"As long as your Senior Brother Lan is on Little Turtle Peak, there will be a place for you here," Lan Chang'an called out, waving as he watched her departure.

Having experienced two lifetimes of cultivation, he could calmly face the beauty's decline and appreciate the sunset of life.

Guan Qiaozhi's situation differed from Mu Xiuyun's.

Whether or not she would return, he couldn't be sure.

But, no matter what decision Guan Qiaozhi made, he would respect her choice.

(End of chapter)