I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Under normal circumstances, Zhao Siyao would be unable to take down this bear demon by herself.

If it wasn't subjected to multiple constraints, this bear, with its thick skin and immense strength, could throw stones capable of piercing the protective shield of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.

It could also fly relatively swiftly and emit sonic roars.

With the assistance of Lan Chang'an and the Earth Burrowing Rat, the kill was relatively easy.

The loot was quite plentiful: bear skin, bear bones, bear gallbladder, demon core, and beast blood—all decent second-rank materials.

"This bear demon has an upper middle-grade bloodline, but its demon core is impure and excessively murderous."

Unfortunately, the bear demon did not meet the requirements for a special demon core.

The special demon core needed to substitute for the Xuanling Fruit must at least start with a superior-grade bloodline, and the demon core's attributes must be pure and balanced.

Lan Chang'an did not expect the first second-rank demon beast he beheaded to meet the requirements.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I only want the bear skin and the bear demon's blood. You can take the rest." Lan Chang'an took the initiative to give up the larger share.

"Okay." Zhao Siyao didn't refuse.

It wasn't that Lan Chang'an hadn't pulled his weight in this fight; rather, he was laying the groundwork for the future.

The second-rank demonic beasts that met the requirements were much stronger, and Zhao Siyao would need to shoulder the brunt of the confrontation when fighting against it.

At that time, the highly valuable special demon core would go to Lan Chang'an. This point wasn't discussed in detail beforehand, but there was an unspoken tacit understanding between them.

...

Swish! Swish!

While the two were dividing the spoils, the magical auras of two Foundation Establishment cultivators approached at a low altitude.

Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao were on guard, standing up and preparing for a confrontation.

In the Black Fog Mountain Range, the danger from demon beasts was only part of the danger. Each year, countless cultivators died not at the hands of demon beasts but by their own kind.

Lan Chang'an had the Earth Burrowing Rat hide underground to prepare for potential combat.

Within a few breaths.

Through the light gray mist appeared a man and a woman, both Foundation Establishment cultivators.

One was a portly middle-aged man in a cloak, with a shiny forehead and mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation.

The other was a woman in a gauze dress, elegant and serene, exuding charm, with early Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"Fellow Daoists, are you cultivators from the Qingzhu Sect?"

Zhao Siyao's beautiful eyes turned, noticing the decorative leaf beneath the woman's foot, a telltale sign of Qingzhu Sect. She then revealed a pale golden token.

"So Fellow Daoist is a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Jin Yun Valley."

The portly middle-aged man glanced at the bear demon's corpse on the ground, showing a warm smile, his gaze falling on Zhao Siyao.

"Qingzhu Sect Deacon, Chen Fuhai."

"Qingzhu Sect, Xiao Yingxue."

The gauze-dressed woman's voice was soft, also looking at the beautiful and ethereal Zhao Siyao.

The two Foundation Establishment cultivators ignored Lan Chang'an, a mere Qi-Refining cultivator, taking him to be Zhao Siyao's junior or attendant.

"Jin Yun Valley, Zhao Siyao. This is my good friend, Lan Chang'an."

After introductions, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

In the Liang Kingdom's cultivation world, the major cultivation sects were considered to be in the same circle, standing above the many cultivation families.

According to Lan Chang'an's understanding, the cultivation sects in the Liang Kingdom were generally considered neutral and orderly, at least on the surface, they followed the rules.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, could you sell the gallbladder of this second-rank bear demon to Chen? And also that bear's... Little brother Lan, you understand." Chen Fuhai smiled amiably, shooting a suggestive glance at Lan Chang'an.

"If Fellow Daoist Chen needs it, we can sell it at the Huanglong Immortal City's market price." Zhao Siyao nodded, her face slightly blushing.

"Deal."

Chen Fuhai took out a pouch of spirit stones and tossed it to Zhao Siyao.

He had initially hinted for Lan Chang'an to cut off the bear's pizzle, but the latter, having slight mysophobia, pretended to not hear him.

He couldn't possibly let Fairy Zhao do such dirty work, so Chen Fuhai could only take matters into his own hands and seal the two precious items within a jade box.

After completing the transaction, the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the two sects conversed amicably.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, please take care: five hundred li to the north, there's a territory occupied by a late second-rank Scorpion Armor Beast. Its bloodline is close to earth grade, and its strength is truly terrifying." Before parting, Chen Fuhai offered a piece of information.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen, for the reminder." Zhao Siyao's heart tightened, expressing her gratitude.

A late second-rank demon beast was beyond the range of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

In the Black Fog Mountain Range, the territories of demon beasts were not static. Information on the locations of dangerous demon beasts was very important for human cultivators.

The information Chen Fuhai provided was a favor owed to him.

...

Two months later.

Since the incident of killing the second-rank bear demon, Lan Chang'an and Zhao Siyao, with the help of the Earth Burrowing Rat, had taken down two more early second-rank demon beasts.

The parts and materials from these second-rank demon beasts could be exchanged for a substantial amount of spirit stones.

Such battle performance was very encouraging.

However, half a month later, they encountered some setbacks.

In the Black Fog Mountain Range, on a large exposed rock.

Zhao Siyao, dressed in a white dress, sat meditating, her pale face gradually regaining a rosy hue.

Her cloud-like hair was slightly disheveled, with a few scorched strands.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, are you alright?"

Lan Chang'an stood guard nearby, with two puppets patrolling the vicinity.

"No worries, It's just that the mana consumption was high." Zhao Siyao opened her clear, bright eyes.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, your decision was correct; we didn't need to fight that fire lizard head-on."

Not long ago, the two encountered a mid second-rank fire lizard.

The fire lizard's attacks were fierce, and its fire spells were powerful.

Zhao Siyao and the Earth Burrowing Rat had a fifty to sixty percent chance of winning, and with Lan Chang'an's help, they might have been able to secure the win.

Lan Chang'an, however, was unwilling to fight head-on, so they retreated while fighting, throwing two water-type second-rank talismans, causing the fire lizard to give up the chase.

In that battle, the Earth Burrowing Rat's fur was also slightly burned.

"Although we could defeat the fire lizard together, Fellow Daoist Zhao and the Earth Burrowing Rat might get injured. That's something I don't want to see." Lan Chang'an analyzed rationally.

The Black Fog Mountain Range was home to countless varieties of demonic beasts with bizarre abilities, as well as cultivators with complex motivations—both factors meant that maintaining peak conditions at all times was essential for dealing with the unexpected.

Most importantly, the demon core of a fire-type beast was too violent to substitute for the Xuanling Fruit.

...

In the third month after coming to the Black Fog Mountain Range.

Lan Chang'an finally found a clue to the special demon core.

In a lush canyon.

Squeak, squeak!

The Earth Burrowing Rat brought a piece of white scale skin to Lan Chang'an.

Lan Chang'an took the white scale skin, its surface texture like jade, feeling cool and smooth to the touch.

Zhao Siyao glanced at it and smiled:

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lan! This should be the shed skin of a White Jade Python."

White Jade Python, a superior-grade bloodline demon beast, its demon core is pure and balanced, without dominating elemental attributes.

As long as it reaches the second rank, its demon core is suitable to substitute for the Xuanling Fruit.

"It should be nearby." Lan Chang'an, skilled in tracking, began searching the canyon with the Earth Burrowing Rat.

...

Half an hour later.

The Earth Burrowing Rat first discovered a hidden cave entrance in the vine-covered mountainside.

The Earth Burrowing Rat showed fear, pacing at the entrance, not daring to approach.

Snakes and pythons had a natural restraint against rats.

Lan Chang'an was instead pleased; if it could scare the Earth Burrowing Rat, it was at least a second-rank White Jade Python.

"Let's hope it's an early second-rank White Jade Python." Lan Chang'an thought optimistically.

If it was a mid-second-rank White Jade Python, similar in strength to the previous fire lizard, he could accept that, barely. But if the White Jade Python was at the late stage, Lan Chang'an would have to turn tail and run.

Judging by the shed skin, the White Jade Python was either early or mid-second rank.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, prepare yourself." Lan Chang'an retreated a distance, positioning the heavy-armored puppet in front of him.

His left hand secretly held a second-rank escape talisman.

His right hand formed a seal, sending a fire snake about ten feet long into the hidden cave.

A few moments later.

The mountainside trembled lightly, demonic power surged, and an enraged hissing sounded from within.

Amidst the raging wind and sand, a massive six to seven-zhang-long crystal-white python burst out of the cave.

Lan Chang'an was reassured and retracted the second-rank escape talisman in his hand.

Luck was on his side!

This White Jade Python was at the peak of the early second rank, equivalent to the third level of Foundation Establishment.

It was in a breakthrough stage, hence shedding its skin.

Interrupted during its cultivation, the White Jade Python was extremely furious, its dark green eyes flashing coldly.

Boom!

The White Jade Python had only half emerged from the cave when the surrounding rocks collapsed, dust flying.

Lan Chang'an cast an approving glance at the Earth Burrowing Rat.

Bang! Crack!

The White Jade Python rolled over like a ground dragon, opening its bloody mouth.

Lan Chang'an activated a second-rank talisman.

Instantly, the temperature in the area plummeted.

A vortex of icy air, nearly ten zhang in diameter, accompanied by a blizzard of hail, struck the White Jade Python.

Second-rank low-grade talisman, Frost Howl!

The White Jade Python's body was covered with a layer of white frost, its movements stiff, and its belly scales showed large areas of decay.

Frost Howl had considerable lethality and its controlled damage was even stronger.

The White Jade Python burst with demonic power, white crystal patterns flashing on its body as it struggled with all its might. The frost encasing its body shattered inch by inch.

"Go!"

Zhao Siyao's Iron Trellis Umbrella transformed into a sword, and swept past with a sharp sword light, leaving a foot-long gash on the python's body.

Boom! Clang!

The White Jade Python exploded with power, its tail smashing into the Iron Trellis Umbrella with such force that the umbrella was sent flying, its spiritual light dimming as it descended.

Simultaneously, it spat out a dazzling white beam, zeroing in on Zhao Siyao, who posed the greatest threat.

Having lost control of her magical weapon, Zhao Siyao let out a muffled groan as she hastily erected a transparent shield around herself.

Puff!

The dazzling white beam was terrifyingly powerful, effortlessly melting a hole in her protective shield.

Zhao Siyao shouted, summoning a copper mirror that emitted a deep green light, which successfully swallowed the white beam.

As Zhao Siyao engaged the White Jade Python in a fierce battle, Lan Chang'an took out a talisman disk and infused it with mana.

Crackling!

Sixteen talismans flew out, sparking with electric currents as they weaved into a lightning formation that enveloped the White Jade Python.