Chapter 156: Guarding the Core Formation
Bai Ling Immortal descended from the sky, holding a mysterious pearl. Inside the pearl was a drop of crystallized blood, which she used to perform some sort of secret detection technique.
"Aunt Ling."
Lan Chang'an and Fu Dong stepped forward to greet her.
Seeing that the two were safe, Bai Ling Immortal breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Lan Chang'an had previously gathered intelligence on Huanglong Mountain, so he had a clear understanding of the relationships among the key figures.
Both Bai Ling Immortal and Junior Brother Cheng were considered peripheral figures. The former had parted ways with Huanglong Immortal many years ago, while the latter had been expelled from the mountain due to some misconduct.
Junior Brother Cheng wasn't familiar with Bai Ling Immortal.
Normally, a disciple and their Master's lover are unlikely to be very close. As long as Lan Chang'an spoke less and didn't reveal any obvious flaws, even an ordinary Immortal wouldn't see through the disguise provided by the Hundred Illusions Mask.
"Little Cheng, Huanglong Mountain is in peril this time, thanks for stepping forward."
Bai Ling Immortal inquired about the events and learned that "Junior Brother Cheng" had once again risked his life to save Fu Dong. She felt relieved, and her usually cold voice softened a bit.
"Relieving the Master's worries is my duty as a disciple." Lan Chang'an responded properly and exchanged a few polite words.
Bai Ling Immortal and Junior Brother Cheng hadn't seen each other in many years. Even though Lan Chang'an's behavior might differ slightly from the past, it wasn't enough to raise suspicion.
Moreover, Junior Brother Cheng had just made a great contribution.
Bai Ling Immortal handed each of them a bottle of healing pills and then took out a spirit boat.
"Get on."
Without explaining where they were headed, Bai Ling Immortal piloted the flying boat, gliding low over the periphery of the Black Fog Mountain Range.
Lan Chang'an didn't ask any questions and swallowed a healing pill.
Fortunately, Bai Ling Immortal did not personally inspect their injuries. This was likely due to the lack of a close relationship—after all, Bai Ling Immortal wasn't their Mistress, and they had lost contact many years ago.
Lan Chang'an noticed that Bai Ling Immortal's attitude towards Fu Dong was rather cold, even less amiable than towards himself.
...
The flying boat weaved through the Black Fog Mountain Range, and an ordinary cultivator would have long been disoriented.
With the Earth Burrowing Rat at his side, Lan Chang'an wasn't worried about getting lost.
Bai Ling Immortal was being so cautious.
He couldn't help but speculate about their destination.
Three days later, the flying boat was still circling the mountain range.
"Aunt Ling, my injuries are mostly healed. If we're headed to a particularly secret location, this junior can take his leave." Lan Chang'an spoke up.
"No need. At present, among the direct lineage of Huanglong Mountain, only you and Yifeng can be trusted." Bai Ling Immortal said calmly.
"Moreover, the enemy has pursued us to the northwest. That place may not remain hidden, and we need reliable hands to help defend it."
Lan Chang'an nodded and didn't press further.
From this test, he confirmed that Bai Ling Immortal's manpower and resources were indeed limited.
From various clues and signs, it seemed that the Core Formation Immortals at Huanglong Immortal City were keeping each other in check. The manpower involved in preventing Fu Xuemei from forming her core was at most Fake Dan Immortals.
Ten days later.
The flying boat entered a basin concealed by a grand illusion formation. Surrounding the basin were five towering peaks, forming a natural Five Elements Formation.
Due to the illusion formation's concealment, the center of the five peaks appeared to be filled with mist and an endless abyss.
"Hmm? The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is gathering... Is there a hidden spiritual vein here?"
Upon entering the basin, Lan Chang'an's sharp senses and his knowledge from his previous life quickly made a discovery.
Heavenly spiritual veins aren't confined to the human world.
Within the Black Fog Mountain Range, spiritual veins could also be found in the territories of demon beasts.
However, the spiritual veins in the Black Fog Mountain Range were mostly occupied by powerful demon beasts. Due to the unique geographical environment and the influence of the beast races over countless years, the characteristics of these veins weren't particularly suitable for human cultivation.
The hidden vein beneath this basin was a small, high-quality second-rank spiritual vein, similar to a dormant volcano that needed a formation to activate.
With the natural formation and the gathering formation in place, it now reached the level of a quasi-third-rank spiritual vein.
If a large number of spiritual stones were added, it was theoretically possible to raise the spiritual pressure to that of a third-rank vein for a short period.
"I see."
Lan Chang'an was certain that this was the secret location where Fu Xuemei intended to form her core.
Huanglong Mountain had been rooted in the Black Fog Mountain Range for hundreds of years. Finding such a small hidden vein wasn't particularly surprising once the answer was revealed.
...
"Little Dong!"
A serene and ethereal female voice, carrying the joy of clear skies after rain, echoed from a stone hall in the center of the basin.
After many years, Lan Chang'an once again saw Fu Xuemei.
Her long, pale purple hair fluttered in the wind, and her moon-white robe outlined her graceful and proud figure.
Her lips were naturally red, her eyebrows naturally green, giving her the air of an orchid in a secluded valley, exuding an otherworldly and independent aura.
Fu Xuemei took her brother's arm and conversed with him, full of concern after their life-and-death reunion.
"Aunt Ling, Senior Brother Cheng, thank you for rescuing Little Dong."
Fu Xuemei calmed her emotions and gave Lan Chang'an and Bai Ling Immortal an apologetic smile.
She bowed deeply. "I will never forget today's kindness. Once I form my core, I will surely repay it."
"Junior Sister, there's no need for such formalities. Helping a fellow disciple is only natural." Lan Chang'an responded politely.
Then, Bai Ling Immortal and Fu Dong recounted the events, while Lan Chang'an spoke little.
Lan Chang'an could sense that Fu Xuemei kept a certain distance from him, despite her respect and genuine gratitude.
Perhaps Fu Xuemei knew about Junior Brother Cheng's unrequited feelings for her and had even explicitly rejected him.
This sense of distance was beneficial to Lan Chang'an's disguise.
Moreover, since Junior Brother Cheng had been expelled from the mountain for many years, their relationship had become even more distant. Fu Xuemei likely knew little about what had happened in his life during those years.
Lan Chang'an estimated that even if he acted slightly out of character, Fu Xuemei might not be suspicious.
"Xuemei, are you ready?" Bai Ling Immortal asked.
"Almost! Seeing my brother has put my mind at ease."
Fu Xuemei smiled slightly and activated her Foundation Establishment power. The fluctuation of her aura, although not yet at the peak of Foundation Establishment, was already beyond that of a cultivator who had just entered the ninth level of Foundation Establishment.
"Xuemei, you still have a choice."
"One, you can wait until the turmoil has passed and attempt to form your core at your peak state, but Huanglong Mountain may fall into someone else's hands."
"Two, you can attempt to form your core now, but you might be detected by the Fake Dan Immortal chasing us."
Bai Ling Immortal spoke solemnly.
"If I don't form my core now, it will be difficult to find another opportunity in the short term, and Huanglong Mountain will definitely change hands."
Fu Xuemei didn't hesitate and chose to form her core immediately.
If she succeeded, with the help of the Huang Dragon Beast and her Master's remaining lifespan, they could protect Huanglong Mountain for a few more years.
This would be equivalent to having three True Dan Immortals, which would be enough to help Huanglong Mountain through its current crisis.
"I'll have to trouble Aunt Ling and Senior Brother Cheng."
Fu Xuemei made a long bow.
After taking one last look at her brother, she returned alone to the stone hall.
Lan Chang'an noticed that after seeing her brother, the last trace of worry in Fu Xuemei's eyes disappeared, and her state of mind became completely serene.
As a genius with earth-grade spiritual roots and a complete opportunity to form her core, the biggest factor affecting her success and the quality of her core was her brother, Fu Dong.
This was why Bai Ling had gone to fetch Fu Dong.
...
Half a month later.
The sky above the basin was filled with a massive gathering of spiritual energy, emitting overwhelming spiritual pressure.
The heavenly phenomenon that occurs when one breaks through a major realm couldn't be concealed, even by the illusion formation.
Within a hundred li, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was in turmoil.
Fortunately, this area was on the outskirts of the Black Fog Mountain Range, where no powerful demon beasts resided. In fact, the nearby beasts were avoiding the area.
Watching the mass of spiritual clouds stabilizing above him, Lan Chang'an couldn't help but feel a sense of absurdity.
"Am I really going to be Fu Xuemei's protector during her core formation?"
Originally, Lan Chang'an had come to Huanglong Immortal City intending to secretly interfere with Fu Xuemei's core formation. In the end, it turned out the person going through Core Formation in Huanglong Mountain wasn't Fu Xuemei.
With a casual mindset, he had left Huanglong Immortal City. Unexpectedly, he encountered Fu Dong, and this opportunity fell into his lap. Then, by coincidence, he received Huanglong Mountain's "gratitude," and by sheer chance, obtained an inferior Crystal Condensation Pill.
"It's almost time to take the Crystal Condensation Pill."
As a reborn cultivator, Lan Chang'an silently observed, assessing the situation.
He weighed the pros and cons, considering whether he should flee. After all, Fu Xuemei and the others didn't know his true identity.
A Fake Dan cultivator couldn't do anything to him, and Bai Ling Immortal wouldn't abandon Fu Xuemei to give chase.
Based on his current spiritual sense, he judged that the Hundred Illusions Mask could likely conceal him even from an early-stage Core Formation cultivator.
Leaving after everything was settled was also an option. Perhaps, this identity of Junior Brother Cheng might even bring him benefits in the future.
...
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Dozens of li away, two streaks of light carrying Core Power shot through the sky, swiftly approaching the basin.
"A core formation phenomenon! We've finally found it!"
Xiang Jinglong and He Yuanwu exchanged glances and burst into laughter, heading straight for the basin.
Bai Ling Immortal's expression changed, and she quickly made a decision.
"Little Cheng, Xuemei is at a critical stage in her core formation. I'll go hold off those two Fake Dan cultivators."
"But I..." Lan Chang'an hesitated.
If Bai Ling Immortal asked him to join the battle against the Fake Dan cultivators, he definitely wouldn't be willing.
Not interfering was already good enough; how could he possibly help?
Bai Ling Immortal tossed him a formation token and instructed:
"This is the command token for the stone hall's formation."
"Stay here and act as the guardian. Don't let anyone disrupt Xuemei's core formation, and make sure Fu Dong isn't harmed."
The hidden vein beneath the basin, bolstered by the formation and spiritual stones, barely reached the spiritual pressure of a third-rank vein, so it couldn't bear much additional burden.
Therefore, they could only set up a small-scale second-rank superior-grade formation, just enough to protect the stone hall.
If they huddled inside the stone hall and passively defended themselves, the attackers would inevitably disturb Fu Xuemei's core formation.
"You want me to be the guardian?"
Lan Chang'an took the token, his eyes narrowing as a sense of absurdity washed over him once more.
(End of chapter)