I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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This time, Song Wenshu stayed at Wuqi Mountain as a guest for half a day before taking his leave.

As for Alchemist Lin Ye, who harbored a special affection for Wuqi Mountain and Little Pill Peak, it was agreed that he could stay in a guest room halfway up Little Pill Peak to recuperate. This would aid in his recovery.

Alchemist Lin Ye still retained most of his alchemy skills and was willing to assist in pill refining in exchange for compensation during his stay. Previously, he had been questioned by Flame Departing Palace but was considered a victim and cleared of any wrongdoing.

Lin Ye’s cultivation had regressed, and his remaining lifespan was short. Considering his tragic fate and the past camaraderie, the peak masters of Wuqi Mountain made an exception for him.

Song Wenshu had brought Lin Ye to Wuqi Mountain as a gesture of goodwill, compensating for the troubles caused by the "Night Fisherman" incident.

This led Lan Chang'an to conclude that Song Wenshu bore no hostility toward Wuqi Mountain and was even willing to maintain a friendly relationship with the three peak masters.

In the cultivation world, alliances and enmities are not always black and white, nor are they unchanging. Although Song Wenshu had a good relationship with Senior Brother Zhuo, who had once been an enemy of Wuqi Mountain, he also had a favorable relationship with the peak and no conflicts of interest, allowing him to expand his own network.

Even the elite cultivators of the sect would avoid making unnecessary enemies.

After seeing Song Wenshu off, the three peak masters chatted with Alchemist Lin Ye for a while before Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong returned to their respective peaks.

“With Xiang Jinglong becoming a wanted man and fleeing Liang Kingdom, Flame Departing Palace hasn’t suspected Wuqi Mountain. The ‘Night Fisherman’ affair has been neatly wrapped up,” Lan Chang'an thought, feeling at ease.

Xiang Jinglong had been made the scapegoat once again, and Lan Chang'an had no qualms about it. After all, Xiang Jinglong had a history of bullying the weak, murdering, and robbing others. He had even come to Wuqi Mountain to throw his weight around and dine and dash.

Lan Chang'an had no direct personal grudges against Xiang Jinglong, who was a Fake-Dan Immortal and had done himself two favors, so he did not spark any killing intent towards him.

With this matter now resolved, Lan Chang'an began considering the future refining of the Youth Retaining Pill.

He had gathered all the necessary materials for the pill.

The only potential issue was the main ingredient, which had been obtained from Alchemist Hua.

Alchemist Hua, in turn, had bought this ingredient from Xiang Jinglong before being targeted as a fat sheep.

“This matter occurred many years ago. The main ingredient for the Youth Retaining Pill isn’t unique. With Xiang Jinglong now a wanted man and having fled the Liang Kingdom, it shouldn’t pose a significant problem,” Lan Chang'an mused.

He intended to take the Youth Retaining Pill to conceal his true essence of youthfulness and agelessness.

In this way, if he encountered a high realm cultivator in the future, it wouldn't be easy to see the clues.

Apart from the Youth Retaining Pill, Lan Chang'an also had most of the ingredients needed for a Crystal Condensation Pill, which was the most valuable loot from Senior Brother Zhuo’s years of plundering.

However, refining the Crystal Condensation Pill carried much greater risk, even if there were no grudges or loopholes.

...

A few days later.

Lin Ye came to visit Lan Chang'an at Little Turtle Peak.

“How has Alchemist Lin adjusted to returning to Wuqi Mountain?” Lan Chang'an asked kindly, showing no signs of neglect despite Lin Ye’s reduced status.

“Since coming back to Little Pill Peak, I’ve had the best sleep in a long time,” Lin Ye replied, showing visible improvement in his condition. His withered face managed a slight smile, and his expression was no longer as vacant as it had been before.

They reminisced about the past, and Lin Ye seemed to recall most of it clearly, answering without issue. His memory, in fact, appeared even more intact than Fairy Shi’s.

This was somewhat different from how he had been a few days ago when they first met, causing Lan Chang'an to ponder.

“In truth, my sanity has mostly returned to normal, especially after coming back to Wuqi Mountain, where I feel much more at peace…” Lin Ye admitted with a bitter smile, beginning to reveal the truth.

It turned out that Lin Ye’s dazed state a few days ago had been partly an act. He had been fully aware all along.

“Why not simply pretend to the end, Alchemist Lin? Why reveal the truth to me?” Lan Chang'an wasn’t surprised by this.

Once bitten, twice shy—this was Alchemist Lin Ye's plight. A cultivator whose cultivation had fallen, who was growing old, yet still possessed profound alchemy skills, had value that made people miss him.

“Fellow Daoist Lan, in this Wuqi Mountain, you are the only person to whom this old man can open his heart. I also believe you won’t plot against me,” Lin Ye said, taking a deep breath and speaking candidly.

“What merit or ability does Lan have to deserve such trust from you, Fellow Daoist Lin?” Lan Chang'an smiled.

it seemed that his image of being a “good old boy” for the last century, indifferently cultivating and avoiding conflicts, had deeply rooted itself in people's minds.

Throughout his long years of cultivation, while Lan Chang'an had occasionally taken action to kill off potential threats, he had never proactively plotted against anyone.

In this regard, Lin Ye had judged correctly.

The two had known each other for decades at Wuqi Mountain and understood each other fairly well.

“Let me share with you some insider information,” Lin Ye continued.

“After I was captured by Xiang Jinglong, that scoundrel tortured me severely. When Alchemist Hua was killed, Xiang Jinglong became a suspect. He claimed to have been framed and conducted an investigation. Alchemist Hua’s enemies, including myself, were among the suspects.”

“However, I did not implicate you, Fellow Daoist Lan. Instead, I subtly misled him to suspect Fu Xuemei, hoping that one day Huanglong Mountain’s forces would eliminate that villain.”

Hearing this, Lan Chang'an suddenly understood.

No wonder Xiang Jinglong, after becoming a Fake-Dan Immortal, had joined forces against Huanglong Mountain and harbored animosity toward Fu Xuemei. Seeking profit in the chaos was one reason; revenge was another.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, you are truly admirable. Despite being in such a dire situation, you maintained your principles and didn’t drag down an old friend. I’m impressed,” Lan Chang'an praised.

When one’s life and fate were controlled by others, the human heart was unpredictable. For ordinary people, it was hard to ensure that they wouldn't pull others down with them.

Back then, after Alchemist Hua’s death, Lin Ye had subtly probed Lan Chang'an to gauge his reaction.

This revealed that Lin Ye had harbored a slight suspicion of Lan Chang'an, even if only a small amount.

Ultimately, Xiang Jinglong never suspected Lan Chang'an, proving that Alchemist Lin did not harbor any ill intentions toward him.

“Now that you’ve shared this secret, Fellow Daoist Lin, is there something you need my help with?” Lan Chang'an’s thoughts turned, and he asked directly.

Hearing this, Lin Ye looked relieved.

If Lan Chang'an had been cold and distant, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to mention such words.

...

“I have two wishes for the remainder of my life. The first is to see Xiang Jinglong brought to justice, and the second is to safely return to my homeland, train an heir to the Pill Dao for the rest of this life, and live out my days in peace.”

“As for the first, I believe I will see it fulfilled. Xiang Jinglong will inevitably meet his end due to his countless misdeeds.”

“But for the second, with my cultivation regressed and all my possessions looted by Xiang Jinglong, I severely lack the means to even protect myself…”

Lin Ye’s current situation was indeed dire. He was penniless, without even an ordinary magical weapon to protect himself.

Lan Chang'an understood the purpose of Lin Ye’s visit.

If he were to give Lin Ye a few ordinary magical weapons and talismans, he wouldn’t mind, but it likely wouldn’t provide Lin Ye with much security.

Especially now, the world was more chaotic than ever.

However, giving Lin Ye a full set of supreme-grade magical weapons and high-quality talismans would be too costly for Lan Chang'an, turning him into a benevolent benefactor.

“How is Fellow Daoist's current alchemy skill compared to before?” Lan Chang'an asked.

“After refining pills day and night under harsh conditions for so many years, my alchemy skills have actually been sharpened beyond what they were before, more than enough to make up for the difference in cultivation,” Lin Ye admitted honestly.

“I’m willing to exchange my alchemy skills for compensation, purchasing magical weapons, talismans, and other items to protect the dao from you, Fellow Daoist Lan.”

“Do you need a breakthrough pill for the late Foundation Establishment stage? I’m confident in my ability to refine it, with a success rate higher than Ye Fei’s.”

Now that the discussion had turned to alchemy, Lin Ye regained some of his former confidence.

He believed that Lan Chang'an, having remained at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage for so many years, would undoubtedly be interested in such a pill.

“Well, if I get all the materials together, I'll be obliged to have Alchemist Lin make a move at that time,” Lan Chang'an smiled and smoothly agreed to the matter.

A late-stage Foundation Establishment breakthrough pill could serve as a front for when he advances in the future.

If Lin Ye’s success rate was good, Lan Chang'an could collect the materials and make a good profit from the refined pills.

“I also need pills that enhance mana, even if they have significant side effects…”

Lan Chang'an mentioned other types of pills as well.

He had already consumed the three Blood Yang Pills he had obtained from Alchemist Hua, which greatly enhanced a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s magical power.

The side effects of Blood Yang Pills were relatively mild.

Some pills, however, would overdraw life force and consume longevity, and in return, had even more terrifying increases in mana.

With Lan Chang'an’s long lifespan, the cost was relatively acceptable as long as he didn’t use them frequently.

In critical moments, such pills would be an excellent means of protection.

“Old me specializes in such pills!” Alchemist Lin readily agreed.

“Oh, by the way, can you refine the Youth Retaining Pill?” Lan Chang'an asked, as if remembering something.

“Youth Retaining Pill? Its difficulty isn’t high among second-rank pills. I’ve only refined it twice before, but I can guarantee the success rate,” Lin Ye said with a hint of surprise but didn’t probe further.

The Youth Retaining Pill wasn’t as valuable as a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Crystal Condensation Pill.

For a second-rank superior-grade alchemist, it was a relatively simple task.

“Good, I’ll leave these three types of pills to you, Alchemist Lin.”

After further discussion, Lan Chang'an and Alchemist Lin reached a preliminary agreement.

In addition, Alchemist Lin promised to let Lan Chang'an observe his pill refining and answer any questions he might have.

Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a sense of irony. The once lofty and sought-after alchemist had now fallen so far that he had become a parasite, eager to please.

Beyond the transaction itself, Lin Ye also hoped to build a good relationship with Lan Chang'an, seeking future support and protection.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Lan. In the past, when I refined pills for others, keeping my employer’s secrets was part of my duty.”

After a few pleasantries, Alchemist Lin took his leave.

In truth, even if the matter of the Youth Retaining Pill were to be leaked, it wouldn’t be a significant issue. It might even have some benefits.

The situation was different now.

With Lan Chang'an’s current strength and status, he was more than capable of handling “hot potatoes” like Foundation Establishment Pills or breakthrough pills.

...

Back in his guest room at Little Pill Peak, Lin Ye fell into deep thought.

Back when Alchemist Hua died, he had harbored a slight suspicion toward Lan Chang'an, though it wasn’t much. After some subtle probing, his doubts were largely dispelled.

Over the past few days, he had learned about the current situation outside.

Fu Xuemei of Huanglong Mountain had nearly failed to form her Core. The quality of her core was far below the expectations of Huanglong Mountain lineage, afraid she might fade into obscurity within the Core Formation Realm.

“I heard Ye Fei say that Xiang Jinglong came to Wuqi Mountain a few years ago to cause trouble.”

“Alchemist Hua, Fu Xuemei, Xiang Jinglong… none of them met a good end.”

A thought occurred to Lin Ye, sending a chill down his spine.

Reason told him he was likely overthinking things, but intuition gave him a sense that he was close to the truth.

If it wasn’t just a coincidence, then what he knew about Lan Chang'an might only be the tip of the iceberg.

Lin Ye quickly shook his head. No matter what the truth was, his best course of action was to focus on refining good pills and not ask too many questions.

At least Lan Chang'an wasn’t his enemy. They had once faced a common foe.

In the cultivation world that had opened up to chaotic times, there weren't many cultivators who would send charcoal in the snow.

(End of chapter)