I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 475: Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus, Twin Dragon Legend

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“At your current level, Brother Jing, you’re already near the pinnacle of the human realm. I doubt I can be of much help to you,” Lan Chang'an said candidly.

The Sky-Cleaving Axe, a pseudo-spiritual treasure of immense power, was indeed tempting but Lan Chang'an didn’t believe he could truly offer Jing Wufeng anything of worth now.

As a Great Cultivator of space dao, few below the Deity Transformation realm could threaten him.

Without a rare treasure that could seal space, even multiple Great Cultivators acting in concert would be helpless against him.

“Before returning to Great Yuan, I wasn’t certain either,” Jing Wufeng admitted casually. “I just thought I’d try my luck. Perhaps Brother Xiang might bring me good fortune once again.”

He spoke naturally and truthfully. Before coming, he had little expectation.

The final round of the Heavenly One Trials often wasn’t about combat or divine powers, those had already been tested in the previous rounds.

The weak wouldn’t have made it this far.

The final trial tested willpower and it was far more than having strong spiritual sense or a resolute Daoheart.

It delved into the depths of mental endurance and spiritual resilience.

Thus, even those with the highest cultivation or mental strength might not prevail.

“However,” Jing Wufeng smiled, “after my encounter in the Lunar Mirage Realm, I became certain that Fellow Daoist Xiang could provide some crucial assistance.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand and summoned a large white jade flowerpot, placing it in front of them.

The pot was about one zhang in diameter. At its base lay a layer of five-colored soil, and most of the volume was filled with a shimmering multicolored spiritual liquid.

Above the liquid floated a strange lotus, its petals emanating a dim, violet glow.

The stem, as if carved from emerald jade, pierced into the five-colored soil.

“Could this be… the Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus?”

Lan Chang'an’s eyelids twitched as he stared at the bizarre lotus.

He also recognized something familiar, the Five Elemental Earth.

The multicolored soil at the bottom of the flowerpot was the legendary Five Elemental Earth, a universal spiritual soil.

Its quality was even higher than what Lan Chang'an possessed, though in quantity, his own supply surpassed it.

With broader knowledge and experience, Lan Chang'an had learned there were two primary ways to enhance the quality of Five Elemental Earth:

First, by refining and purifying it, a fast method requiring advanced artifact-forging skill, though it greatly reduced the soil’s quantity.

Second, through cultivation, gradually nurturing it with balanced spiritual liquids of all five elemental attributes over time.

This method was slow and resource-intensive, requiring vast amounts of spiritual materials and even corpses or blood of great beasts could serve as fertilizer to accelerate the process. 𝐑ÁɴỒＢĚⱾ

The Five Elemental Earth he had originally obtained had languished too long in the Tinghai Pavilion’s treasury, and had lost much of its potency due to a lack of nourishment.

“You’re right. Fellow Daoist Xiang’s knowledge is impressive. This is indeed the Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus, a near-extinct treasure of the human realm,”

Jing Wufeng affirmed. “In the unique environment of the Lunar Mirage Realm, its growth thrived. But once outside, even with the Five Elemental Earth and top-tier spiritual liquids, its development stagnated.”

Jing gently peeled open a lotus petal, revealing a small seedpod within, inside were nine lotus seeds.

Lan Chang'an could tell with a glance: the seedpod hadn’t yet opened, and the seeds were far from mature.

Harvesting them now, whether for consumption or alchemy would yield pitiful results.

The Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus was a supreme treasure for tempering the mind and spirit, enhancing resistance to illusions and heart-tribulations.

Consuming a single seed offered a permanent, slight increase in comprehension and resistance to illusion-type forces. A second seed would yield half the effect. Three was the optimal number for peak benefit.

The seeds could also serve as top-tier spiritual items to protect the heart during heart demon tribulations. Yet using such a precious lotus this way would be considered wasteful.

Any Nascent Soul sect lucky enough to acquire it would likely never let their younger disciples use it lightly.

…

“Fellow Daoist Jing is truly blessed by fortune to have acquired such a rare heavenly treasure,” Lan Chang'an praised in admiration.

“It’s a pity,” Jing Wufeng sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes. “I don't have the luxury of time to slowly nurture the Ninefold Bitter Lotus. It must at least reach superior fourth rank before it can be used at all. I’ve heard that in higher realms, it can grow even further and manifest strange phenomena.”

His expression turned hesitant, clearly struggling with what he wanted to say, eyes glancing uneasily at Lan Chang'an.

“Brother Jing, you don’t mean to ask me to expend my lifespan to hasten the growth of this lotus, do you?”

Lan Chang'an’s face changed slightly, his tone carrying clear resistance.

Jing Wufeng flushed faintly and gave an embarrassed chuckle. “I’m ashamed to even suggest it.”

“You should know that for cultivators of the Evergreen Technique, one’s remaining lifespan directly impacts the strength of their magical abilites,” Lan Chang'an added grimly.

He had already inspected the Ninefold Bitter Lotus. Its current grade was only mid-fourth rank.

Such a wondrous lotus, born of heaven and earth, required far longer years of growth than ordinary spiritual herbs. Even rare woods like Azure Profound Wood couldn’t compare.

To accelerate its growth to upper fourth rank in a short span would require a massive drain of lifespan.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ask Brother Xiang to sacrifice his lifespan for nothing,” Jing Wufeng assured. “During my recent venture to the Outer Sea, I managed to acquire two fourth rank Life Extension Pills. They should be enough to offset part of your loss.”

As he spoke, he produced two jade bottles and handed them over.

Lan Chang'an gave them a glance, confirming the contents to be as claimed, two genuine fourth rank Life Extension Pills.

He was inwardly surprised. Such pills were scarce across all cultivation realms. That Jing Wufeng could procure two so swiftly on a short Outer Sea journey was remarkable.

Sensing Lan Chang'an’s doubts, Jing Wufeng smiled and explained.

He had acquired the pills through his connections with the graceful scholar of the Starmoon Palace, one of the strongest human factions in the Outer Sea. With such backing, securing the pills was possible.

Hearing the full story, Lan Chang'an realized the value of that Star-Moon Token was even higher than he'd imagined.

And this favor, Jing Wufeng had chosen to bestow it upon him?

Lan Chang'an’s expression softened slightly, but he still shook his head.

“Two fourth rank Life Extension Pills aren’t enough to cover my losses. Besides, consuming too many pills of the same grade reduces their effectiveness drastically. There’s always a ceiling to how much they can extend life.”

“If the lotus is successfully nurtured, I’ll offer three of its seeds as compensation,” Jing Wufeng said through gritted teeth, his expression pained.

Three Bitter Lotus Seeds.

Two fourth rank Life Extension Pills.

Lan Chang'an narrowed his eyes. Even with all that, this transaction didn’t seem particularly profitable.

And if it wasn’t profitable, it might as well be a loss.

Granted, the Bitter Lotus would aid in cultivating the Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art. And if he kept one seed and planted it alongside the Five Element Earth nurtured by the Xuanmu Vine Gourd, there was a theoretical chance of cultivating another Ninefold Bitter Lotus over a long enough period or by burning more lifespan.

Moreover, Jing Wufeng had promised him the pseudo-spiritual treasure Sky-Splitting Axe if he succeeded in the final trial.

That was a sizable potential reward.

But it was still a gamble.

If Jing Wufeng triumphed at the Heavenly One Trials, Lan Chang'an would not only receive the Sky-Splitting Axe but also a future favor from the next generation’s Heavenly One Sovereign.

If he failed… then all Lan Chang'an would be left with was the bitter cost of his lost years.

“Well, Brother Xiang? Have you decided?”

Jing Wufeng asked without pressure. He knew better than to force the issue.

The final trial was unpredictable. Even with the Bitter Lotus, it would only slightly boost his chances, not guarantee victory.

“Fine!” Lan Chang'an sighed deeply. “After over two hundred years of friendship, how could I turn my back now?”

One of the deciding factors was actually related to Yan Donglai.

Lan Chang'an had once tried divining Jing Wufeng’s origins, only to find the threads of fate completely obscured and shrouded in chaos.

His instincts told him: forging karma with someone tied to the Heavenly One’s legacy might help shield him from Yan Donglai’s own attempts at divination.

If Jing Wufeng succeeded, it would surely make that old monster cautious.

“Brother Xiang is truly righteous!”

Jing Wufeng beamed and clasped his hands in a deep bow.

With the agreement sealed, he handed over the enormous jade basin containing the Ninefold Bitter Lotus without hesitation.

“Then I leave it in your hands.”

“Brother Jin, please wait for a while in the guest quarters of Yunxia Sect.” Lan Chang'an nodded, accepting the longevity pills and the lotus.

He sent a voice transmission to Sect Master Xuefeng, requesting Jing Wufeng be arranged lodging on the Guest Peak of Yunxia Sect.

...

After Jing Wufeng departed, Lan Chang'an descended to the underground palace beneath his cave residence.

He first calmed the slightly restless Profound Water Monarch.

The formation here could block the spiritual sense of even late Nascent Soul cultivators. He wasn’t concerned, none of the visiting Great Cultivators earlier had accidentally discovered this place.

At most, the Inkwater Qilin might’ve faintly sensed the presence of another water-element sacred beast.

Lan Chang'an then took out the Ninefold Bitter Lotus, sat cross-legged and began channeling the Evergreen secret spell.

In recent years, he had used this very technique to nurture the Azure Profound Sword wood, so he was quite adept by now.

Buzz…

A swirl of ancient, verdant green light bloomed from his palm, imbued with the aura of seasonal cycles and the essence of life itself.

His hand, like that of a holy spirit of spring, gently brushed the lotus.

The long-stagnant Ninefold Bitter Lotus began to grow once more, its changes visible to the naked eye.

The Evergreen secret spell's potency increased with cultivation level. Having reached the mid-Nascent Soul stage, Lan Chang'an’s effect now far surpassed his past self and even that of the late True Monarch Cyanwood.

Drawing from past experience, he didn’t expend his lifespan all at once.

Instead, he alternated between life force infusion and irrigation with high-grade spiritual liquids, waiting for the lotus to absorb and stabilize before beginning the next round.

This allowed the best use of his efforts while minimizing the toll on his lifespan.

Half a month passed.

After sacrificing sixty years of his lifespan, Lan Chang'an finally succeeded in cultivating the Ninefold Bitter Lotus to superior fourth rank.

As expected, the two Life Extension Pills couldn’t fully restore what had been lost due to the decline in their potency.

...

Yunlan Peak, Cave Residence.

Jing Wufeng arrived upon hearing the news, his face brimming with anticipation.

“As expected. The Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus has advanced to fourth-rank superior grade.”

Lan Chang'an brought out the large flowerpot. The lotus pod rising from the colorful spiritual liquid had clearly unfurled, plump seeds protruded slightly, exuding a strange yet pleasant lotus fragrance.

“Many thanks to Brother Xiang for your hard work.”

Jing Wufeng couldn't hide his joy. After careful inspection, he picked the lotus pod.

According to their prior agreement, he separated three seeds from the Bitterheart Lotus and handed them to Lan Chang'an.

Then, noticing Lan Chang'an’s weary expression, Jing Wufeng’s eyes revealed a trace of guilt. He retrieved a jade slip he had prepared days ago.

“This contains inherited knowledge on spatial restrictions, spatial treasures, and spatial formations. Brother Xiang may find it useful in the future.”

“Brother Jing is very thoughtful.”

Lan Chang'an received the jade slip and scanned it with his spiritual sense, his eyes lit up.

Knowledge of space dao was exceedingly rare in the cultivation world.

The jade slip’s content was of an extremely high level, surpassing even the memory reserves of the previous Nascent Soul cultivators.

This likely stemmed from Jing Wufeng’s own comprehension of spatial techniques.

If this knowledge were to fall into enemy hands, it could potentially be used to counter his spatial divine abilities. Sharing it with Lan Chang'an was a clear expression of trust and deep gratitude.

Among the content, the knowledge regarding spatial restrictions and artifacts would greatly aid Lan Chang'an in the future, especially when upgrading puppets using spatial materials or imbuing them with spatial properties.

Puppet Master Wei had once pursued this line of thought but lacked the high-tier spatial inheritance to follow through.

Main Hall of the Cave Residence.

Having concluded the exchange, the two sat together in a relaxed, cheerful mood, sipping tea and chatting idly.

Lan Chang'an refrained from directly asking about the specifics of the Heavenly One Trial.

He could only probe with veiled questions.

“Tempering the will and mental fortitude? Is it similar to resisting a Heart Demon Tribulation?”

Lan Chang'an’s mind stirred.

To his understanding, besides having a firm Dao Heart, a powerful will helped resist the torment of Heart Demons.

In theory, if one’s will was strong enough, it could shatter a heart demon with a single thought.

“Something like that! Hmm? Brother Xiang, don’t tell me you actually have a method?”

Jing Wufeng’s teacup rippled as his expression turned surprised.

Lan Chang'an hesitated slightly, calculating inwardly.

Some demonic sects on the Heaven Honoured Continent practiced top-tier secret arts like the Dao Heart Demon Seed or the Grand Heart Demon Method, rooted in the heritage of Otherworldly Heavenly Demons.

In theory, giving the compiled version of the Heavenly Demon Secret Art to Jing Wufeng shouldn’t pose any threat.

Even if someone traced its origin, it would have little impact on a reincarnation treasure like the Nine Seal Stele.

“Brother Xiang, don’t keep it to yourself.”

Jing Wufeng’s eyes gleamed as he locked onto Lan Chang'an.

“If it truly helps me, I’ll add another promise. When the day of success comes, I’ll bestow a life-saving technique of the Deity Transformation level!”

The Heavenly One disciple once again raised the stakes.

Bound by the rules of secrecy, this was likely the most he could offer at present.

“I can’t guarantee its effectiveness,” Lan Chang'an said without much confidence. He took out a blank jade slip and inscribed it with the organized version of the Heavenly Demon Secret Art.

This secret art had originated from a demon named Great Selfless Heavenly Demon Long Jia, whom he devoured during his Heart Demon Tribulation.

The Nine Seal Stele had consumed only a wisp of Long Jia’s demonic will, a mere avatar restricted by the laws of Heaven and Earth, somewhere between Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation realm.

That avatar retained limited memories, but had mastered a formidable heart demon technique.

Back in Great Qing, Lan Chang'an had used this technique to help Fairy Xia strengthen her Dao Heart before her Heart Demon Tribulation.

Thanks to it, Xia Wenyue safely overcame the tribulation and advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.

Without it, her flawed Dao Heart would have made the Heart Demon Tribulation a deadly challenge.

“Oh? This secret art is intriguing, it reaches directly into the origin of the soul…”

Jing Wufeng studied the jade slip, his interest piqued.

In mere moments, his spirit nearly sank into comprehension, struck by sudden flashes of insight.

Though the Heavenly One Sect had other heart demon techniques, none were as primal and authentic as the one Lan Chang'an provided, so close to the essence of the Otherworldly Heavenly Demons.

Watching Jing Wufeng immersed in enlightenment, Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy.

Heavenly One disciples were all peerless geniuses, blessed with unmatched comprehension.

For such an elemental heart demon method, those with different levels of insight would naturally reap different levels of benefit.

After a while, Jing Wufeng opened his eyes. His pupils had deepened, becoming pitch-black and unfathomable.

“This technique may prove useful to me.”

He carefully stored the jade slip, barely restraining his elation.

He hadn’t expected to gain something so valuable from returning to Great Yuan and meeting “Xiang Dalong.”

“This technique requires a Great Cultivator whose spiritual sense surpasses yours to perform it upon you for the best effect,” Lan Chang'an added.

Back then, at Nascent Soul level, he used it on the Core Formation Fairy Xia with great success.

Even now, with the descent of his fourth life, Lan Chang'an’s spiritual sense was at best on par with a late-stage Nascent Soul, he wouldn’t be much help to Jing Wufeng.

“Someone with a stronger spiritual sense? That won’t be hard.”

Jing Wufeng smiled faintly, immediately thinking of his junior sister, Sacred Lotus.

The second seed had effortlessly advanced to late-stage Nascent Soul after returning to the sect, her spiritual sense and spiritual power both surpassing his.

If not for his interference during the second trial round, Sacred Lotus would have reached late-stage Nascent Soul earlier and sealed victory.

Her cultivation speed ranked among the highest of the nine Heavenly One disciples.

Even now, in a direct battle Jing Wufeng couldn't beat her.

…

That night, the two spoke by candlelight deep into the early hours.

By dawn the next day, Lan Chang'an escorted Jing Wufeng to the clouds above Yunxia Sect.

Yesterday’s gift of the Heavenly Demon Secret Art had been a strategic wager to raise future returns.

If Jing Wufeng succeeded, the promise of a pseudo-spiritual treasure would be secondary.

His future identity could help Lan Chang'an navigate the thousand-year tribulation of the Evergreen Technique and potentially avoid the deadly threat from Yan Donglai.

Jing Wufeng must have sensed Lan Chang'an’s "utilitarian" motives, realizing that he had seen through his identity as a Heavenly One disciple.

Yet neither of them chose to speak the truth aloud.

“Who knows when we’ll meet again after this farewell. Brother Xiang, take care.”

Jing Wufeng took a deep breath, a touch of melancholy in his eyes.

He had a premonition, success or failure, it would be a long time before he saw Xiang Dalong again.

Should he succeed in receiving the Heavenly One inheritance, he would need to undergo a long secluded cultivation before advancing to Deity Transformation, which would take quite a few years.

Even with aid, failure was still a real risk.

And if he failed, he would be reduced to a servant of the Heavenly One, stripped of freedom, no longer free to meet whom he wished.

“I wish you glory and success, Fellow Daoist Jing.”

Above the clouds, Lan Chang’an and Jing Wufeng exchanged a respectful bow.

After exchanging well wishes, Jing Wufeng cast one last lingering glance at Lan Chang'an, as if trying to etch his image into memory.

Then he turned and soared away, tearing through the skies.

Lan Chang'an watched the green-robed figure vanish into the distance.

Suddenly, his fourth-rank divination self was stirred by an ominous premonition!

Lan Chang'an’s heart trembled. Instinctively, he reached out toward the departing figure.

An invisible force resonated deep within, something profound was shifting in his and Jing Wufeng’s shared fate.

Jing Wufeng flickered and disappeared into the void, beyond sight and perception.

Lan Chang'an’s outstretched arm froze mid-air, as if trying to grasp something slipping through his fingers.

His instincts screamed, this parting would cost him something irreplaceable.

Yet he had no reason to stop him and no time to seize the fleeting moment.

“…Why did this feeling arise?”

The uneasy stirrings faded quickly.

The last time he’d felt this was when True Monarch Cyanwood died, and the threat of Yan Donglai loomed…

…

Returning to the cave abode on Yunlan Peak, Lan Chang'an sat amidst a floating array of divination tools, attempting to unravel the cause.

Yet the result was just as baffling as when he tried to divine Yan Donglai's origins, heavenly’s secrets were murky, fate shrouded in thick, impenetrable mist.

At the final moment of the divination, a sliver of chilling unknown pierced directly into his sea of consciousness, biting cold into his very spirit.

Lan Chang'an broke into a cold sweat, his heart still filled with lingering fear.

If he were to force the divination further, he would certainly suffer a terrifying backlash from the heavens.

“Divine Sovereign Heavenly One… the number one cultivator in the human realm…”

Lan Chang'an recalled the mysterious, taboo figure recorded in the “Worldly Wonders series” from the Heaven Honoured Continent.

If the heavenly mist obscured the fate and origins of every disciple of the Heavenly One Sect, then it must mean their divination art was of an extremely high order.

Yan Donglai had lived for over ten thousand years, reaching the fifth rank of divination arts wouldn't be unusual for someone like him.

If the Heavenly One Sect also wielded this level of fate manipulation, how exactly did they achieve it?

Lan Chang'an dared not speculate, nor dwell too deeply on the matter.

That person was undoubtedly more enigmatic, and more terrifying than even Yan Donglai!

The only reason he posed no threat was because Lan Chang'an had yet to reach the Deity Transformation Realm.

If one day he were fortunate enough to advance to the Deity Transformation stage, he too would face Heavenly One's great tribulation.

Would the Heavenly One Divine Sovereign of that era, perhaps remembering their past bond as twin dragons, show him mercy?

…

Several days later. Inside the cultivation chamber of the cave residence.

Lan Chang'an and Puppet Master Wei studied the jade slip containing the spatial inheritance left behind by Jing Wufeng.

The slip didn’t include any actual spatial techniques or divine arts.

Even if it did, Lan Chang'an lacked the innate aptitude and Dao body necessary to cultivate them. His comprehension alone wasn’t enough.

However, skills such as spatial restrictions, artifacts, and formations could be indirectly realized using spatial crystals and rare spatial materials.

Spatial restrictions and formations could be applied to cave abodes. The refining of spatial treasures wasn’t limited to magical artifacts, they could also be embedded within puppets.

"By forging spatial materials into a puppet’s body and attaching corresponding spatial refinements, it’s indeed possible to grant some spatial capabilities," Puppet Master Wei mused, setting down the jade slip.

"This branch of puppet refinement is quite obscure and extremely difficult. Even among the Thousand Mechanisms Sect, few techniques cover it. Fortunately, with the puppet inheritances Fellow Daoist Lan has gathered over the years, and Jing Tian True Monarch’s spatial inheritance, we have more than enough material to study for a long time."

"The theory is sound. Now it’s just a matter of practice and research."

As a cultivator with a long lifespan, Lan Chang'an had no shortage of patience.

He and Puppet Master Wei both as fourth rank Puppet Refiners often sparked inspiration off one another, accelerating their progress.

Lan Chang'an then sorted through the spatial materials in his possession.

During their last meeting, Jing Wufeng had brought him some sea-sourced gifts, including a few rare spatial treasures.

Lan Chang'an’s own battle spoils held an even greater variety, and Yunxia Sect’s treasure vault also contained relevant reserves.

With the sect’s influence, he could steadily acquire more over time.

Spatial materials were rare, and refinement losses were inevitable. At most, they could equip one or two puppets.

Lan Chang'an planned to start with Puppet Master Wei, so he could study and test the refinements whenever he wanted.

After all, Puppet Master Wei was the core of their fourth rank puppet formation, and Lan Chang'an intended to help him ascend to a mid-grade fourth rank puppet.

…

Lan Chang'an descended to the deepest chamber beneath Yunlan Peak.

There, Profound Water Monarch was casting a gentle rain technique to nourish the Xuanmu Vine Gourd.

Lan Chang'an took out a single Bitterheart Lotus Seed and planted it in Five Element Earth, keeping it at a distance from the vine gourd.

As the lotus seed disappeared beneath the soil, Profound Water Monarch and Lord Earthrock instinctively swallowed, desire flashing in their eyes.

Lan Chang'an observed for two days and discovered the seed had entered a slow-growth phase.

Even so, its vitality far exceeded that of the Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus held by Jing Wufeng.

Lan Chang'an was quietly astonished. Jing Wufeng’s Five Element Earth was of higher quality than his own.

Why was there such a difference?

He couldn’t pinpoint the reason, the only theory he could form was that the higher the quality of a spiritual item, the more it relied on fate and heavenly fortune.

Perhaps the Xuanmu Vine Gourd’s absorption of this realm’s fortune indirectly nourished the lotus seed planted in the same soil.

…

Back in the cave above, Lan Chang'an sat cross-legged and retrieved the two remaining Bitterheart Lotus Seeds.

He first swallowed one.

A wave of bitterness surged over his tongue, then spread throughout his senses, as if he were reliving a lifetime of hardship and suffering.

Only after a long time did that bitter sensation fade.

Then came a sudden sweetness, clarity washing over his mind.

His awareness sharpened, and his understanding of the world seemed to deepen.

A few breaths later, the sensation dissipated.

Did his comprehension improve?

Lan Chang'an opened the ancient scroll of the Evergreen Technique, and as he studied the later sections, he found his insight had indeed sharpened, though not dramatically.

More than that, his mental state had subtly shifted. His Dao heart felt slightly more resolute.

He immediately began cultivating the Thousand Machines Divine Transformation Art, finding the flow of his soul techniques smoother than ever.

Just as he suspected, the Ninefold Bitterheart Lotus did enhance his progress in soul cultivation.

"Alas, only the first seed offers peak effect. The second will be half as effective…"

He decided not to consume the second seed for now.

With his extraordinary soul talent carried through lifetimes of reincarnation, he was confident he could reach the eighth layer of the Spirit Refinement Art even without the lotus, it would just take longer.

If he could save the seed, he would give it to Lord Earthrock.

Any improvement in Dao heart and willpower would help even a little in breaking through bottlenecks.

...

Two years passed.

Lan Chang'an remained in seclusion, focusing on cultivation, turning away all visitors from across Great Yuan.

Back then, when Xiang Dalong had withstood a hundred blows from the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator and the Twin Dragons had driven off the Overturning Sea True Monarch, their fame had spread throughout the entire Great Yuan cultivation realm.

Even neighboring provinces and coastal powers, as well as intelligence networks of major forces, gradually came to know the title of “Twin Dragons of Great Yuan.”

After that battle, cultivators from all over Great Yuan came to visit Xiang Dalong.

Some of them sought to commission Lan Chang'an for the crafting of fourth-rank puppets.

Even the Yellow Heaven Ghost Palace of the Northern Region sent an envoy to extend an olive branch to Lan Chang'an.

The details of that battle remained unclear to outsiders, giving rise to many versions.

Jing Wufeng had concealed his cultivation. The truth of his Nascent Soul Great Cultivator level was known to only a handful.

The most credible version that circulated claimed that the Twin Dragons had joined forces to resist the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator, later resolving a misunderstanding with the Overturning Sea True Monarch and reaching a truce.

Lan Chang'an, through divination, subtly guided the spread of this narrative to reduce attention on himself.

There was a significant difference between facing a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator alone and doing so with an ally.

Though Lan Chang'an had withstood a hundred blows from the Great Cultivator, the latter had refrained from using treasures or powerful divine abilities.

This merely proved that Xiang Dalong had an extraordinary defense.

With the support of a fourth-rank puppet formation, such a feat could be understood more easily.

Lan Chang'an simply wanted the world to see him as a turtle-shell cultivator, known for impenetrable defense.

Emphasizing this image would cause others to misjudge his true threat, subtly lowering their evaluation of him.

He remained in seclusion to let the fame of the Twin Dragons cool down more quickly.

At the peak of their renown, one went into quiet cultivation and the other vanished without a trace.

Two years later, the clamor began to subside.

But the legendary battle and the myth of the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan would not be forgotten for centuries.

...

That year, the Sixteen Sea-Suppressing Sects made a formal decision to revoke the associated bounty and warrants.

The investigation concluded that the Netherwater True Monarch was in the wrong, having repeatedly attacked the Twin Dragons, coveting treasures and fated chance, and was ultimately slain by them in self-defense.

The True Monarch had met a fitting end. The Sea Suppressing Alliance reached a reconciliation with the Twin Dragons and would not pursue the matter further.

The Black Sea Sect was even penalized within the alliance, losing a portion of their maritime trade allocations.

The Grand Elder of the Black Sea Sect felt as if the sky had collapsed.

Such a "just" handling was exceedingly rare for the protective Sea Suppressing Alliance.

Though the investigation was factual and the process impartial, it nonetheless dented the alliance’s reputation.

But the Sea Suppressing Nascent Soul Great Cultivator did not mind.

They used this opportunity to rein in the arrogance and recklessness of many within the alliance, hoping to prevent making more powerful enemies.

...

That same year.

In a remote wilderness of the Great Yu Kingdom. Within an underground stone hall.

A mysterious intelligence officer sat before a jade scroll, recording and verifying the latest intelligence:

Jing Wufeng; Newly advanced to late Nascent Soul. Possesses a Spatial Dao Body, holds a pseudo-spiritual treasure, origins mysterious, suspected to be a disciple of Heavenly One Sect.

Xiang Dalong; Newly advanced to mid Nascent Soul. Puppet master, wields a fourth-rank puppet formation, suspected practitioner of the Evergreen Technique, capable of contending with Nascent Soul Great Cultivators.

Jing Wufeng’s name was marked in bright red, Xiang Dalong’s in a pale red.

Once one reached the late Nascent Soul stage, they were no longer confined to a single province.

Such cultivators could dominate the power structure of an entire province, and even in other large provinces, they held respected status, influencing the broader cultivation world.

Those who reached or approached this realm inevitably drew the gaze of superpowers across the Heaven Honoured Continent. Their information would be secretly logged by intelligence networks tied to powers like the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty.

...

Lan Chang'an remained unaware of this. All he hoped for was that the heat surrounding the Twin Dragons of Great Yuan would fade quickly.

He only wished to quietly develop within the Yunxia Sect, rapidly amassing strength in his mid-Nascent Soul stage.

As if heaven heard his prayer, half a year later, a piece of grim news from the Boundless Ancient Forest sea of Great Yuan’s western region shook the entire cultivation realm, eclipsing the fervor surrounding the reappearance of the Twin Dragons.

The news alarmed the top sects of Great Yuan, and even the three Nascent Soul Great Cultivators regarded it with grave concern.