I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

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Chapter 347: Cloudsky Immortal City

Three months later, Yunxia Sect’s Mountain Gate.

A cloud-patterned, multicolored silk treasure unfurled in midair, expanding into a radiant cloud of colored mist, spanning dozens of zhang in diameter. It carried five or six figures as it soared into the Nine Fiery Heavens.

At the forefront of the cloud sat Purple Mist Fairy, her dark hair arranged in an elegant high bun. She wore a flowing, pale-purple immortal dress that trailed gracefully behind her, accentuating her slender and enchanting figure, leaving behind an ethereal, dreamlike silhouette.

Behind her were several Core Formation cultivators from the Yunxia Sect.

Sitting at the very back was Lan Chang'an, clad in a simple blue robe, his bald head reflecting the soft glow of the multicolored cloud.

Among the passengers was also a late-stage Core Formation cultivator named Immortal Xuefeng, a man with thick eyebrows and sharp tiger-like eyes. His long white hair flowed over his robe, giving him the appearance of someone in his forties.

Immortal Xuefeng was a Core Formation Great Cultivator stationed outside of the Yunxia Sect, primarily responsible for overseeing a high-tier immortal city under the sect’s control.

Before Lan Chang'an joined the sect, he was considered Yunxia Sect’s strongest Core Formation cultivator.

Since Lan Chang'an was a renowned puppet master, there had been some murmurs that Elder Xiang’s combat abilities might rival Immortal Xuefeng’s.

Lan Chang'an and Immortal Xuefeng had only met a few times and had exchanged few words. The man was steady and experienced, indifferent to outside speculation and gossip.

Immortal Xuefeng was primarily traveling to purchase cultivation materials, while the other Core Formation cultivators either accompanied him or had their own missions to complete.

Among them was a young face that stood out—a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, sitting just behind Purple Mist Fairy.

For someone at the Foundation Establishment stage to accompany a Nascent Soul True Monarch on a journey, he was certainly no ordinary disciple.

"Jiang Haoyuan, a Core Formation seed.

He was the son of Purple Mist Fairy’s late elder brother. Because of his exceptional talent and striking resemblance to her brother, Purple Mist Fairy adopted him as her foster son and last direct disciple."

Such was the information that surfaced in Lan Chang'an’s mind.

At the Nascent Soul stage, cultivators found it increasingly difficult to bear offspring.

Purple Mist Fairy and True Monarch Yunlan had been estranged for years, cultivating separately, and naturally had no children of their own.

"Haoyuan, invite Immortal Xiang to come and sit over here."

Purple Mist Fairy’s voice was gentle.

She had noticed that Elder Xiang, seated at the far back, seemed somewhat isolated from the other Core Formation cultivators, not quite fitting into their circle.

"Yes, Master."

Jiang Haoyuan’s heart leaped with joy. His master had once mentioned asking Elder Xiang to craft a custom-made high-quality guardian puppet for him.

Lan Chang'an put on a slightly surprised but humble expression and moved to sit beside Purple Mist Fairy.

The other three Core Formation cultivators, including Immortal Xuefeng, cast him surprised glances.

Lan Chang'an understood—this was a classic display of the Purple Mist Fairy’s skill in cultivating loyalty.

Still, receiving such recognition was always pleasant. At the very least, it prevented others from treating him as an outsider.

As they chatted briefly, Lan Chang'an inquired about Jiang Haoyuan’s cultivation techniques and magical abilities before promising to craft a tailer-made high-tier guardian puppet for him in the future.

For the next two days, Purple Mist Fairy remained composed and reserved, silently focusing on their journey.

The multicolored cloud treasure carried them southeast, swiftly leaving the Great Yu Kingdom behind at a speed far surpassing ordinary Core Formation cultivators.

...

Shortly after they crossed the Great Yu Kingdom’s borders, a streak of scarlet-black light shot past them—faster than their own flying cloud.

It resembled a ferocious flood dragon, shrouded in writhing black mist, its aura radiating sinister energy.

"True Monarch Red Serpent!"

The intruder was a gaunt, elderly Nascent Soul cultivator.

Black serpent-like patterns coiled around his forehead, neck, and arms, exuding a bone-chilling aura.

"Purple Mist Fairy personally leading a group on a long journey? How rare."

True Monarch Red Serpent narrowed his long, venomous eyes, lingering on Purple Mist Fairy’s stunning beauty before sweeping his gaze over the rest of the group.

His gaze carried the oppressive sensation of being stared down by a venomous viper, making the Core Formation cultivators on the cloud shiver involuntarily.

"Since we are all sects of the Great Yu Kingdom, our meeting on the road must be fate. If Purple Mist Fairy does not mind, this old man would be honored to accompany you on the journey and provide protection."

Though his words were proper, there was a faintly mocking undertone in his voice.

"No need. I already have arrangements with other Nascent Soul cultivators."

Purple Mist Fairy declined coldly, her serene expression unwavering. A translucent violet radiance spread around her, shielding Jiang Haoyuan at her side.

True Monarch Red Serpent’s words weren’t just flirtatious—they carried a subtle but undeniable provocation.

If True Monarch Yunlan were to hear this, he would undoubtedly be furious and disgusted.

In mortal society, such words would be considered harassment of a noblewoman.

However, since Purple Mist Fairy was slightly weaker than True Monarch Red Serpent and had a group to protect, she remained composed, avoiding outright conflict.

"Tsk, it seems this old man is too ugly to be worthy of Purple Mist Fairy’s attention."

True Monarch Red Serpent sneered but did not insist further.

Instead, his eyes shifted to Lan Chang'an, who was seated next to Purple Mist Fairy.

"And this must be Elder Xiang? Truly outstanding, a dragon among men."

Hearing such words, Lan Chang'an immediately understood—this man had no good intentions.

He replied in an even tone, "True Monarch flatters me."

"It is no exaggeration! Among Yunxia Sect’s Core Formation cultivators, aside from you, none are even worth my attention."

The implication of his words was clear.

The expressions of Immortal Xuefeng and the other Core Formation cultivators subtly changed.

"Elder Xiang, you first visited my Great Snake Mountain’s sect grounds. Yet in the end, you chose to join Yunxia Sect, it is truly puzzling."

True Monarch Red Serpent sighed as if he found it truly regrettable.

"An esteemed cultivator such as yourself, possessing a powerful third-rank beast with superior bloodline, should be more suited to Great Snake Mountain.

"Besides the peerless beauty of Purple Mist Fairy, what else does Yunxia Sect offer that my Great Snake Mountain does not?"

As these words fell, Immortal Xuefeng and Jiang Haoyuan subtly glanced at Lan Chang'an, their gazes filled with intrigue.

It was well known that Elder Xiang had initially visited Great Snake Mountain upon arriving in the Great Yu Kingdom.

Given his background, he should have been more compatible with Great Snake Mountain.

Could it be that he had been swayed by Purple Mist Fairy’s beauty and changed his mind?

After all, even among Nascent Soul cultivators, Purple Mist Fairy was considered extraordinarily beautiful—there were undoubtedly many who admired her.

"True Monarch Red Serpent, such an obvious attempt at sowing discord is beneath the dignity of a Nascent Soul cultivator."

Purple Mist Fairy’s starry eyes remained clear and composed as she responded impassively.

"Haha! Elder Xiang, if Yunxia Sect ever treats you unfairly, Great Snake Mountain will always welcome you with open arms."

True Monarch Red Serpent let out a deep, raspy laugh before stepping onto his scarlet-black light, quickly outpacing Yunxia Sect’s silken cloud treasure. Before long, he was nothing but a black speck in the distance.

Since True Monarch Red Serpent was traveling alone, his speed was naturally far superior to Purple Mist Fairy’s group, which relied on the multi-passenger cloud treasure.

Having endured both provocation and recruitment attempts, Purple Mist Fairy’s mood was understandably sour. Her delicate, shapely chest rose and fell slightly as she suppressed her irritation.

Turning back, she glanced at Lan Chang'an, intending to reassure him.

Lan Chang'an met her brilliant, star-like gaze without hesitation and calmly declared:

"As long as Yunxia Sect does not cast me aside, I will give my utmost loyalty—without a second thought."

"Mmm, this True Monarch believes in her own judgment as well."

Purple Mist Fairy’s lips curved into a faint smile, her radiant beauty dimming even the flowers around her.

Few Core Formation cultivators dared to meet her gaze directly, let alone speak with such candor. A glimmer of appreciation flickered in her eyes.

In Yunxia Sect, where the atmosphere was relatively open-minded, Elder Xiang was an anomaly—a hardworking, low-profile cultivator, unbound by personal attachments.

Lan Chang'an then lowered his voice and quietly transmitted his voice:

"I possess a late-third-rank Earth Burrowing Rat. When I entered Great Snake Mountain years ago, it became extremely uneasy. Later, I speculated that it might have sensed the terrifying presence of the natural predator, Scarlet Abyss Serpent King."

As he spoke, he discreetly unsealed the restrictions on his spirit beast pouch, allowing Purple Mist Fairy to probe it with her spiritual sense.

"A late-third-rank Earth Burrowing Rat, nearing its peak…"

Purple Mist Fairy’s expression shifted slightly as she reassessed Lan Chang'an’s true strength.

As a Core Formatoin Great Cultivator, not only was he a third-rank puppet master, but he also possessed a late third-rank demon beast.

With such power, he was easily among the top five Core Formation cultivators in the Great Yu Kingdom.

Elite Core Formation cultivators played a crucial role within sects.

Nascent Soul cultivators, being the ultimate deterrents, rarely intervened unless absolutely necessary, as they often counterbalanced one another.

Among the top three Core Formation cultivators in the Great Yu Kingdom, some—particularly prodigies from the imperial family—had even managed to briefly contend with early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and escape unscathed.

"You visited Great Snake Mountain back then… was it to secure transformation resources for your spirit beast?"

Purple Mist Fairy’s thoughts turned rapidly as she asked with voice transmission.

Lan Chang'an gave a wry smile.

"My aptitude is mediocre. My cultivation speed is even slower than my mutant-bloodline spirit beast. I had no ability to seek out transformation resources for it myself… so at the time, I entertained the naive hope that Great Snake Mountain could provide such an opportunity."

"So that’s how it is…"

Purple Mist Fairy gave a subtle nod, her voice carrying a tinge of amusement.

"Then allow me to make you a promise—if Elder Xiang continues to serve Yunxia Sect wholeheartedly, this True Monarch will grant your Earth Burrowing Rat access to our sect’s fourth-rank spiritual vein for its transformation breakthrough."

This was a subtle but significant gesture of goodwill.

In the human realm, a demon beast’s transformation was even rarer than a cultivator’s Nascent Soul breakthrough.

Lan Chang'an’s own path to Nascent Soul was uncertain—how could he possibly prioritize his spirit beast?

By giving him hope and offering a gesture of goodwill, Purple Mist Fairy subtly secured his loyalty while simultaneously countering Great Snake Mountain’s recruitment attempts.

"Thank you, Senior Purple Mist, for your kindness," Lan Chang'an said sincerely through voice transmission.

"In terms of transformation resources, Yunxia Sect may not compare to Great Snake Mountain," Purple Mist Fairy continued. "However, this True Monarch is acquainted with several Nascent Soul cultivators. Once we arrive in Cloudsky City, I can introduce you to the right people, help you expand your connections, and possibly obtain the necessary materials."

"Of course, how much progress you make will depend on your own luck and wealth."

In truth, Purple Mist Fairy wasn’t particularly invested in whether Lan Chang'an’s spirit beast successfully transformed. This was merely a means to secure his allegiance.

Lan Chang'an was inwardly overjoyed.

He silently thanked True Monarch Red Serpent for his unexpected assistance.

Had it not been for Great Snake Mountain’s blatant recruitment attempt, Purple Mist Fairy wouldn’t have sweetened the deal with additional promises.

Now, he had secured access to a fourth-rank spiritual vein for his Earth Burrowing Rat’s transformation—solving one major hurdle with ease.

Furthermore, with Purple Mist Fairy’s introductions, he would have the chance to interact with Nascent Soul cultivators in Cloudsky City, making it far easier to acquire both Nascent Soul and transformation resources.

...

Ten days later.

In the southeastern region of the Central Region of the Great Yuan, above a vast sea of clouds—

A grand, silver-white immortal city emerged from the mist, towering in the sky like a celestial fortress.

"Cloudsky City, the number one immortal city of the Central Region."

This was Lan Chang'an’s first time witnessing an entire city suspended in midair, floating above the clouds.

The vast city spanned hundreds of li, remaining airborne not merely due to formation arrays but because of a unique geographical phenomenon.

Cloudsky City was an ancient floating city, built entirely from magnetite-rich ores.

By harnessing magnetic forces, supplemented by fourth-rank grand formations, the city not only hovered in the sky but could even move short distances when necessary.

Above Cloudsky City, the skies of the Nine Fiery Heavens contained natural magnetic forces, making it easier for heavenly materials and spirt objects to drop from the sky. Compared to other regions, the probability treasures falling here was several times higher.

The city’s administrators did not restrict access to the Nine Fiery Heavens above but instead kept most areas open, attracting treasure hunters from across the land.

Every few years, rumors would spread of high-level cultivators discovering rare heavenly materials above Cloudsky City.

Lan Chang'an, however, was skeptical.

Under normal circumstances, the odds of encountering a heavenly material were infinitesimally small.

Even if Cloudsky City’s magnetic forces increased those odds, it was still akin to winning the grand prize in a lottery.

Nonetheless, this unique phenomenon attracted countless cultivators and was one of the key reasons Cloudsky City had become the most prosperous immortal city in the Central Region.

Purple Mist Fairy withdrew her multicolored cloud treasure, returning it to a colorful silk handkerchief. The group proceeded into the city on foot.

With a Nascent Soul True Monarch leading them, they bypassed standard entry procedures, avoiding registration fees and spirit stone tolls.

"Fellow Daoist Purple Mist."

As they entered—

A streak of sharp, sword-like light flashed through the sky, approaching rapidly.

A young man in a deep purple python-embroidered robe descended, exuding an awe-inspiring aura.

His sharp eyes gleamed like cold stars, his thick eyebrows jet-black, though a few streaks of white in his hair hinted at the passage of time.

His gaze was so piercing that even ordinary Core Formation cultivators felt a sting in their eyes and an icy chill in their souls, unable to meet his stare.

The moment Lan Chang'an sensed this man’s presence, his instincts screamed danger—

This person was far more threatening than any Nascent Soul cultivator he had ever encountered.

"Ah, it is Fellow Daoist Yu."

Purple Mist Fairy’s lips curved into a soft smile as she greeted the Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator in the purple robe, offering him a graceful bow.

Yu?

Lan Chang'an quickly recalled the intelligence he had gathered.

Yu Yuanjin—a prodigy born with an Innate Dao Physique, a Nascent Soul early-stage sword cultivator of the Great Yu imperial family.

He was widely known as the strongest early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator in the Great Yu Kingdom.

Among Great Yu’s Nascent Soul cultivators outside the imperial family, none were his match.

Yu Yuanjin and Purple Mist Fairy were cultivators of the same era, having known each other since their Core Formation years.

According to rumors, Yu Yuanjin had always admired the Purple Mist Fairy and had assisted her in the past before she reached Nascent Soul.

"A few days from now, the Nascent Soul Exchange Gathering will be held. I hope Purple Mist Fairy will grace us with her presence…"

"I was already planning to engage in some trades. I will certainly show up."

Hovering in midair, the two exchanged a few brief words.

Purple Mist Fairy remained composed and elegant, never overstepping social boundaries.

Lan Chang'an noticed that Yu Yuanjin gazed at Fairy Purple Mist with open admiration—frank and unreserved, yet devoid of any intrusion or greed.

He inwardly sighed.

No wonder True Monarch Yunlan had preferred Purple Mist Fairy to manage internal affairs rather than frequently traveling outside the sect and appearing too often in public.

After Yu Yuanjin left, Purple Mist Fairy sent a voice transmission to Lan Chang'an:

"True Monarch Yu possesses tribulation-resolving treasures."

"He is a sword fanatic and loves to collect sword-related treasures and fourth-rank materials.

"If Elder Xiang has any sword-related artifacts or materials, I can introduce you to him for a trade."

Lan Chang'an’s mind stirred.

"Oh? I acquired a piece of Azure Profound Wood a century ago and have barely managed to nurture it into the fourth rank. Would that be of interest to him?"

Tribulation-resolving treasures were used to withstand heavenly tribulations.

Whether for Nascent Soul breakthroughs or demon beast transformations, they were essential.

If a cultivator suffered severe injuries from heavenly lightning, their willpower could waver, making them more vulnerable to the final Heart Demon Tribulation.

"Azure Profound Wood?"

Purple Mist Fairy’s expression flickered with surprise.

Azure Profound Wood was a rare and valuable material used for refining sword-type magical treasures in the cultivation world.

Yu Yuanjin would almost certainly be interested in it.

Initially, she had only casually mentioned the trade to build rapport with Lan Chang'an.

Now that she realized he truly had a valuable trade item, she naturally wouldn’t go back on her word.

"Three days from now, at the Nascent Soul Exchange Gathering, I will introduce you to him.

"You can also use this as an opportunity to broaden your knowledge."

The Nascent Soul Exchange Gathering was a private event where Nascent Soul cultivators traded among themselves, primarily through barter.

While small in scale, it often featured even rarer treasures than the main auction.

...

After entering the city, Purple Mist Fairy assigned tasks to Immortal Xuefeng and Jiang Haoyuan before departing alone.

That evening, Lan Chang'an and his group settled into a high-class inn in Cloudsky City.

The next morning, Lan Chang'an also set out alone, exploring the city at his own pace.

Cloudsky City had a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing it.

With this upcoming auction, high-tier cultivators from beyond the Central Region had also arrived, eager to participate.

Lan Chang'an browsed through several major stores and even found a few top-tier third-rank materials, including rare beast pelts and refined blood essence.

However, high-end materials were heavily overpriced, often requiring direct trades of equivalent rare items.

"As expected of the Central Region’s premier auction—

"Even genuine Infant Transformation Pills and fourth-rank Life Extension Pills are up for sale."

Hearing the official announcements, Lan Chang'an took a deep breath.

But he knew—

The genuine Infant Transformation Pill at this auction was beyond his reach.

Instead of rushing to buy materials, Lan Chang'an recalled his agreement with Jing Wufeng—

They had planned to reconnect in Cloudsky City.

Years ago, Jing Wufeng had left behind a special token at an inn in Cloudsky City. Activating it would notify him.

However, before he even used it—

He unexpectedly overheard rumors in the city regarding Jing Wufeng.

"That guy’s luck is insane! He actually picked up a heavenly treasure that fell from the Nine Fiery Heavens—far more valuable than an ordinary fourth-rank material!"