I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals-Chapter 413: Spirit Beast is Sufficient, Please Maintain Propriety
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Chapter 413: Spirit Beast is Sufficient, Please Maintain Propriety
"A sparring match? I, Lan, am not skilled in combat and lack practical experience. I fear I may disappoint True Monarch Yin."
Lan Chang'an chuckled lightly, though inwardly surprised. Yin Yuanhai's proposal for a spar—whether out of personal interest or hidden motives—was somewhat abrupt for a first meeting.
In the cultivation world, friendly sparring among allies wasn't uncommon. But suggesting it upon first acquaintance carried hints of impropriety.
"Haha! Fellow Daoist Lan is too modest!" Yin Yuanhai didn't believe a word of it. Destroying a demonic path Nascent Soul physical body, even with spirit beast assistance and the enemy's underestimation, was no simple feat.
He continued earnestly: "Both you and I have only been Nascent Souls for decades, lacking the combat experience of veterans. With the demonic war's resurgence unpredictable, regular sparring hones our techniques, better than sharpening spears at the battle's onset."
"Fellow Daoist Yin speaks wisely."
Lan Chang'an offered perfunctory agreement before changing the subject. From Yin Yuanhai, he sensed eager battle intent but no hostility.
This wasn't mere warmongering, Yin sought to gauge the Evergreen True Monarch's personal combat prowess.
At the last meeting, Alliance Leader Chu had proposed adding a Vice Alliance Leader position to the Righteous Dao Alliance. Lan Chang'an was a prime candidate.
Several Nascent Souls, including Yin Yuanhai, opposed this.
While recruiting Lan Chang'an meant gaining two Nascent Soul-level combatants, the Vice Alliance Leader role required seniority, prestige, achievements, and personal strength to command respect.
The current Vice Alliance Leader, Golden Sun Sect's Six Sun True Monarch, was a veteran Nascent Soul whose strength and the sect's long history made him widely accepted.
As a new Nascent Soul with only one notable battle record, Lan Chang'an's qualifications seemed insufficient. Moreover, his past reputation as the "Turtle Immortal" who fled any conflict was ultimately dishonorable and drew skepticism about his character from the main war faction.
Yin Yuanhai's sparring proposal served as a test, if Lan Chang'an couldn't defeat him or only achieved a draw, it would prove his inadequacy for the position.
...
In the latter half of their trip, Yin Yuanhai channeled Nascent Soul mana into their windmill vehicle, its speed surpassing ordinary early-stage Nascent Souls when aided by strong winds.
This windmill vehicle wasn't of this era's make. While exceptionally fast, its flight depended entirely on natural winds—the stronger the gusts, the greater its velocity. In calm conditions, it offered no advantage.
Within half a day, they arrived at the alliance headquarters, a massive mountain city built around a relocated fourth-rank spiritual vein at Feng Kingdom's heart, protected by a fourth-rank grand formation.
The headquarters neighbored the Endless Palace, which occupied the former site of Golden Sun Sect's mid-grade fourth-rank spiritual vein.
Currently, over half of Feng Kingdom belongs to the Beast King Valley. Only two Nascent Soul sects retained territory, Endless Palace and Proud Moon Palace.
The Blood Sword Valley, another former Nascent Soul power, had lost its domain entirely. Several defeated factions had relocated spiritual veins to the alliance headquarters, including remnants of Blood Sword Valley.
The alliance currently hosted two or three defeated Nascent Souls from these fallen factions—some recruited, others defectors—though not without casualties. While helpful, their strength paled against the Beast King Valley's subordinate forces.
As ripples spread across the mountain city's defensive formation, three Nascent Soul True Monarchs awaited their arrival.
At the center stood an imposing silver-robed man—his sharp features and profound gaze radiating supreme authority. Yin Yuanhai was shocked—Alliance Leader Chu Tianfeng rarely greeted guests personally.
Lan Chang'an immediately focused on him. The alliance's leader—a mid-stage Nascent Soul powerhouse—stood out unmistakably. His mana felt boundless as a starry sea, surpassing any Nascent Soul Lan Chang'an had encountered in Great Qing.
The pressure he emitted exceeded even the Netherwater True Monarch's, rivaling Golden Kun Old Monster's.
Chu Tianfeng had reached mid-stage Nascent Soul two to three centuries prior, having once suppressed two Golden Sun Sect Nascent Souls simultaneously. During the demonic war, he repeatedly countered the Beast King Valley sect master.
"Truly worthy of being the supreme cultivator who dominates all the nations."
Lan Chang'an bowed respectfully under Yin Yuanhai's introduction: "Junior Lan Changqing (Evergreen) pays respects to Alliance Leader Chu. Your reputation precedes you."
High-level cultivators often addressed each other by surname and Dao title formally—like "Zhang Tianfeng," whose real name few newly advanced cultivators remembered centuries later.
"True Monarch Lan, as fellow Nascent Souls, such formality is unnecessary."
Chu Tianfeng's resonant voice carried steady power. His first appraisal of the Evergreen True Monarch revealed something unexpected—this didn't feel like a new Nascent Soul, but rather an elder who seemed to have lived longer than himself.
As anticipated, achieving Nascent Soul as a loose cultivator in Great Qing's Eastern Region, while also taming a fourth-rank demon king, marked Lan Chang'an as extraordinary.
"For our alliance to gain a talent like True Monarch Lan is truly fortunate."
"Alliance Leader Chu flatters me. I dare not accept such praise."
Lan Chang'an's humility was appropriate, any Nascent Soul could rightly be called a peerless talent.
"These are True Monarch Wei and True Monarch Luo."
Yin Yuanhai introduced two elderly Nascent Souls, both of whom were aged, homeless, and downtrodden True Monarchs, with a look of fatigue deep in their demeanor.
True Monarch Wei of Blood Sword Valley was a silver-haired man with wrinkled skin, carrying a blood-patterned longsword. True Monarch Luo from another defeated faction appeared even more haggard, missing an arm.
Lan Chang'an's Evergreen Technique sensed both were past their prime, their vitality waning.
...
After a moment, the several True Monarchs took their seats in the main hall of the Righteous Dao Alliance.
Seated in the grand hall with Chu Tianfeng at the head and Lan Chang'an politely taking the secondary position.
The other three True Monarchs had no objections.
In the cultivation world, strength is paramount. Although Lan Chang'an was a relatively new True Monarch, with his fourth-rank demon king spiritual pet, his power and status surpassed those of ordinary Nascent Soul True Monarchs.
"It's said you obtained the Black Feather True Monarch's life-bound treasure after defeating him, the Black Heaven Wings?"
Chu Tianfeng's tone was light.
"Indeed."
Lan Chang'an confirmed what wasn't secret.
"A few months ago, messengers from Beast King Valley pressured the Righteous Dao Alliance, claiming that Fellow Daoist Lan had killed a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Demonic Path during the truce, unilaterally violating the trade peace agreement and breaching the treaty between the two factions."
Yin Yuanhai took over and explained the situation:
"Beast King Valley condemned this action harshly, threatening that if the Righteous Dao Alliance did not hand over the Black Heaven Wings and compensate for the losses, they might take retaliatory actions and even consider tearing up the peace trade agreement."
Lan Chang'an had heard of this situation while at Jin Yun Valley but had not paid it much attention., victors claiming spoils was standard, and divinations suggested no imminent war resurgence until the Black Feather True Monarch recovered.
"What does Alliance Leader Chu think of this matter?"
Lan Chang'an did not immediately refute the Demon Path but instead looked to Chu Tianfeng for his stance.
"From the result, it seems like our side might be in the wrong. But as far as I know, near the border of the Righteous Dao Alliance, Black Feather True Monarch actively provoked and attacked, and True Monarch Lan simply retaliated without fault," Chu Tianfeng said calmly.
Hearing this, Lan Chang'an silently nodded.
Chu Tianfeng presided over the Righteous Dao Alliance with fairness and strictness, possessing a broad mind. Sect Leader Liang and Zhang Tianfeng both highly respected him.
"However, this matter might become a pretext for Beast King Valley to restart the war and pressure the Righteous Dao Alliance to make concessions," Chu Tianfeng paused and then changed his tone.
Lan Chang'an understood this to be true.
While the two factions were currently in a state of peaceful trade, the Righteous Dao Alliance was the weaker side. This incident did give Beast King Valley an excuse to retaliate.
"True Monarch Lan, what are your thoughts on the situation with the Demonic Path's invasion?"
Chu Tianfeng asked, probing to see which faction Lan Chang'an aligned with.
Currently, the high-ranking members of the Righteous Dao Alliance were divided into the war faction and the peace faction.
Lan Chang'an thought for a moment and said, "Currently, the two factions are at peace with trade, but the Righteous Dao Alliance is restricted and exploited by Beast King Valley, with profits being squeezed. Over time, the Righteous Dao Alliance’s cultivation resources will become more dependent on Beast King Valley, and its pace of recovery and development will be slower than the Demonic Path's."
"Eventually, after several decades or even centuries, when the war reignites, the Righteous Dao Alliance will have no chance of winning. It’s possible that even without war, Beast King Valley could conquer the three kingdoms without bloodshed."
Lan Chang'an spoke honestly, but there was some personal motivation behind his words.
He had no choice but to side with the war faction.
Lan Chang'an had deep enmity with the high-ranking members of Beast King Valley and needed to find an opportunity to settle accounts. If the Righteous Dao Alliance became a vassal of Beast King Valley, he would not only have no opportunity for revenge but might even be punished.
Unless, of course, Lan Chang'an was willing to hand over the Black Heaven Wings and share the so-called beast-taming inheritance or treasures with Beast King Valley to be accepted.
On the other hand, the chaotic state of the demonic war would disrupt the normal order, which would benefit the Nine Seal Stele in absorbing Nascent Soul nourishment.
In peaceful times, with a stable order, if he did such a thing, it would certainly make him a target for the surrounding forces, who would unite to eradicate him.
"Haha! True Monarch Lan's views are exactly in line with mine," Chu Tianfeng laughed heartily, as if he had found a like-minded ally.
Chu Tianfeng was the number one figure in the war faction.
Otherwise, decades ago, they wouldn't have signed a trade agreement, and the three kingdoms of the Righteous Dao Alliance would have directly become vassals.
The Righteous Dao Alliance's internal opinions were not unified. Those in the Core Formation and below tended to prefer peaceful solutions. Even among the Nascent Soul True Monarchs, some were in favor of peace.
For example, True Monarch Six Sun of Golden Sun Sect and True Monarch Golden Moon of Proud Moon Palace both leaned toward peace and were unwilling to engage in a protracted battle.
As for Beast King Valley's policy of softening and assimilating, the high-ranking cultivators of the Righteous Dao Alliance could clearly see the underlying intentions.
But even if they went to war now, the Righteous Dao Alliance would not be able to defeat Beast King Valley.
Beast King Valley simply did not want to pay too high a cost and preferred to conquer the three kingdoms with minimal loss, possibly without bloodshed.
The peace faction did not necessarily want to ally with the demonic faction. Some cultivators hoped for a shift in the situation, such as the intervention of the Ten Xuan Sects of the Central Region, which could bring a turning point.
"The Eastern Region of Great Qing is rich in talent, but due to the environment and the lack of cultivation resources compared to the Central Region, I believe that one day, local cultivators from the Eastern Region will be able to resist the Six Demonic Sects," Chu Tianfeng said with strong conviction, his gaze filled with confidence and determination.
Lan Chang'an quietly observed. This man was indeed the first genius in the Eastern Region for hundreds of years. With such talent and confidence, it was no wonder that he had broken through his shackles and become the strongest person across the nations.
...
In the afternoon, Chu Tianfeng accompanied Lan Chang'an on a brief tour of the Righteous Dao Alliance's headquarters layout. The fourth-rank spiritual vein here was relatively large in scale, capable of accommodating multiple Nascent Soul cultivators practicing simultaneously.
During the tour, Yin Yuanhai once again proposed a friendly sparring match.
Chu Tianfeng, somewhat curious about Lan Chang'an's personal combat abilities which would be useful for future war arrangements, said: "A simple spar might not interest Fellow Daoist Lan. I'll offer some incentives - the winner may select one item from these."
He raised his hand, causing several items to float in mid-air: fourth-rank cultivation pills, mid-grade fourth-rank spirit wood, rare ores and minerals, medicinal herbs, and beast eggs.
Yin Yuanhai's eyes gleamed with desire, clearly tempted. These items held great appeal for newly advanced Nascent Souls and were substantial enough as prizes.
"I must admit I'm truly unskilled in combat, my cultivation level is even inferior to my spirit beast's. For this spar, might I have my spirit beast participate in my stead?" Lan Chang'an offered an apologetic smile.
He didn't want to reveal his true capabilities before a mid-stage Nascent Soul, but the offered prizes were tempting, and refusing outright would be impolite.
"A spirit beast? Is True Monarch Lan serious?" Yin Yuanhai's eyebrows shot up, his expression turning displeased, his gaze sharpening. Having a spirit beast substitute for the spar felt somewhat insulting.
Chuckling lightly, Chu Tianfeng mediated: "True Monarch Lan's spirit beast does indeed have profound demonic power, having advanced to the fourth rank earlier. It wouldn't be presumptuous." His words helped preserve his disciple's dignity, if the Lord Earthrock's cultivation was higher, having it fight wasn't unreasonable.
"Very well! This True Monarch will test the fourth-rank Rat King's strength. When I claim the prize, don't say I won through unfair advantage." Yin Yuanhai accepted the challenge.
The alliance had a sealed fourth-rank combat arena specifically for Nascent Soul practitioners to spar and test their techniques, a mountainous wasteland spanning dozens of li.
Lan Chang'an patted his spirit beast pouch, releasing a dark yellow beam of light into the arena. With a whoosh, the Lord Earthrock transformed into its gigantic demon king form, immediately stirring up a sandstorm so fierce it darkened the skies within the arena.
The observing True Monarch Wei and Luo couldn't help but show astonishment. Even Yin Yuanhai's expression changed slightly as he felt the invisible pressure from the fourth-rank demon king, its demonic power exceeded his expectations.
"This beast only surpasses me slightly in cultivation level," Yin Yuanhai analyzed calmly, steadying himself. "Not being from a beast-taming sect, it likely lacks systematic techniques. A Nascent Soul cultivator's combat wisdom and magical treasures should give me the advantage."
Seizing the initiative, Yin Yuanhai first summoned a pair of flying hammer magical treasures, each as massive as millstones, which shot through the air like meteors, smashing mountain peaks and leaving enormous gullies in their wake. Simultaneously, he mounted his windmill vehicle to increase mobility, while conjuring razor-sharp wind blades to intensify his assault.
The Thousand Blade Wind Chariot was actually alliance property, currently lent to Yin Yuanhai, a fact True Monarch Wei and Luo silently acknowledged without comment.
The spar took an unexpected turn. The fourth-rank Rat King demonstrated remarkably proficient combat skills, it restricted Yin Yuanhai's mobility with sandstorms, avoided major attacks using the earth evasion technique, and from time to time, it would erupt from the ground for a sudden close-range assault.
Yin Yuanhai's magical treasure attacks either missed entirely or were blocked by the beast's stone-scaled hide and hardened claws - natural weapons rivaling magical treasures of the same rank. Even in direct clashes, the Lord Earthrock showed no fear.
"This spirit beast's comprehensive abilities are no less than the Beast King Valley's fourth-rank demon kings," Chu Tianfeng remarked with surprise in his eyes.
After two hours of intense combat, the match remained deadlocked. Despite his magical treasure advantage, Yin Yuanhai gained no real upper hand. Worse, his mana depletion far exceeded the demon beast's.
Unbeknownst to all, Lan Chang'an had actually equipped the Lord Earthrock with a set of magical treasures, including the Spirit Devouring Black Threads, along with offensive and defensive superior-grade magical treasures.
While ordinary magical treasures provided limited enhancement to fourth-rank demon kings compared to their natural weapons, they offered more combat options. Keeping them hidden prevented others from speculating about Lan Chang'an's unusually wealthy background.
"Let's call this match a draw," Chu Tianfeng declared, stopping Yin Yuanhai before he could resort to desperate secret techniques. Friendly spars were meant to test skills, not reveal trump cards.
"A master's disciple reflects his excellence. Had I participated myself, being weaker than my spirit beast, I likely wouldn't have fared as well," Lan Chang'an said diplomatically.
Yin Yuanhai's face burned with humiliation. Barely tying with a spirit beast left him sweating and embarrassed. At least it was a draw, an outright loss would have made him the laughingstock among the alliance's Nascent Souls.
...
Despite the draw, Chu Tianfeng generously allowed both to select a prize. After consideration, Lan Chang'an chose a section of mid-grade fourth-rank spirit wood that complemented his cultivation technique. Combined with the two sections of mid-grade fourth-rank Heavenly Fir Wood obtained from the Flaming Palace debt collection, his fourth-rank wood reserves now appeared plentiful to outsiders.
This created the illusion he was preparing wood-element magical treasures. In reality, unless further nurtured with lifespan infusion, these materials were insufficient for his actual needs. Upon returning to Great Qing, he planned to attempt advancing to fourth-rank talisman mastery, hoping to eventually nurture mid-grade fourth-rank treasure talismans.
Lan Chang'an didn't linger at the alliance headquarters. After the spar, he used his tens of thousands of rewarded merit points to exchange for several precious materials from the treasury, most notably some heavenly meteoric metal that could enhance a magical treasure's sharpness and withstand powerful refinement restrictions. Fortunately, the Barbed Arrow required only a small amount. He supplemented his points with materials the alliance lacked to complete the exchange.
The other materials could be used for both magical treasure refinement and puppet crafting, keeping his true intentions ambiguous. That very night, Lan Chang'an departed.
Yin Yuanhai saw him off before reporting to Chu Tianfeng, who scolded in private: "Disgraceful! The Evergreen True Monarch's mere spirit pet suppressed you completely. Return and cultivate properly!"
Yin Yuanhai stood speechless. This test had been his own idea, meant to probe Lan Chang'an's strength while currying favor with his master. Having heard of Lan Chang'an cheating off the Taiyin Jade Essence and swiftly departing, his opinion had been poor. Regarding Lan Chang'an's defeat of the Black Feather True Monarch, he'd assumed it relied on luck, the spirit beast's surprise factor, and the enemy underestimated him.
...
The following day, Lan Chang'an rode his Profound Water Turtle to visit the Proud Moon Palace. With his current status, he could visit openly without arranging private meetings.
A streak of golden light shot from the palace as they sensed a Nascent Soul visitor. The light faded to reveal a regal woman in phoenix crown and golden cultivation robes.
"So the Evergreen True Monarch visits. What brings you here?" Her tone was neither warm nor cold.
True Monarch Golden Moon appeared under thirty, with a vermilion mark between her brows and piercing phoenix eyes. Her imposing aura overshadowed her beauty, giving her the presence of a ruling empress. Compared to Chu Tianfeng's welcome, her demeanor showed clear wariness - understandable since Lan Chang'an had taken the Taiyin Jade Essence of her disciple Xia Wenyue, in whom the palace had invested heavily to nurture her Innate Dao Physique to Core Formation.
"Now that I, Lan, am also an elder of the Righteous Dao Alliance—though I declined Alliance Leader Chu’s generous offer of the Vice Alliance Leader position—I have come to visit Proud Moon Palace today to see an old acquaintance. I trust that Palace Master will not turn me away?"
"With your rising prominence in the Righteous Dao Alliance nowadays, how could this Palace Master stop you?" After a tense pause, she granted entry.
A year earlier, news of Lan Chang'an's Nascent Soul breakthrough had caused her to shatter several precious jade artifacts in rage. To her, the "Turtle Immortal" had stolen her sect's destined opportunity, worse than watching a prized cabbage get devoured by a pig.
In the reception hall, their stilted conversation proved tedious. The lingering resentment and clashing personalities made genuine connection impossible. Lan Chang'an kept his distance from such a domineering female True Monarch.
...
A long-unseen icy beauty entered the reception hall, her black hair cascading down as frost-lotus cold energy swirled around her. Dressed in moon-white palace robes with delicate features and a slender waist, her snow-clear temperament remained unchanged from a century ago. Only the loneliness between her brows had deepened, her autumn-water eyes now so cold they could freeze one's soul, keeping others at bay.
"Wenyue pays respects to Palace Master and True Monarch Lan."
"Wenyue, since True Monarch Lan was once your teacher, you shall accompany him," the Proud Moon Palace Master said with a dismissive glance at her disciple before leaving, clearly preferring to avoid the unpleasant scene.
Xia Wenyue, who possessed the Taiyin Jade Essence, had once held immense strategic value for the Proud Moon Palace. But after defying her master's orders to protect an outsider against True Monarch Golden Moon, she had "fallen from favor" and been coldly neglected within the palace.
"Wenyue, you've suffered these years," Lan Chang'an said as he approached, noticing how much thinner she had become. This was the woman who had once adored him sincerely, given him her maidenhood and risked her life to protect him against her master's wrath.
Moved by pity, he reached out to gently touch her shoulder in comfort.
"True Monarch Lan, please maintain propriety!" Her icy rebuke echoed sharply through the hall.
New novel that's equally as fun^^ Five Immortal Sects
