I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals-Chapter 364: Holding the Line

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Chapter 364: Holding the Line

Lan Chang'an immediately understood the unspoken message behind Purple Mist True Monarch’s words.

The mysterious Core Formation Great Cultivator involved in the Fujiling Mine conflict was the true crux of the issue—and also the reason she had summoned him.

Across the cultivation world, Nascent Soul True Monarchs served as the ultimate deterrents and generally avoided direct intervention in territorial disputes unless absolutely necessary.

This unwritten rule also applied to the Great Yu Kingdom, where stability was relatively well-maintained.

As a result, the most powerful late-stage Core Formation cultivators in Nascent Soul-led sects often served as the primary forces in handling such matters.

Purple Mist True Monarch let out a quiet sigh, her expression carrying a rare trace of concern.

"Perhaps in a few more decades, our sect will fully recover from its transitional phase."

"But for now, our Core Formation elites are still scarce. Sect Master Xuefeng is preoccupied with administration and external affairs, while our recently promoted Core Formation cultivator, Huadu Immortal, must oversee our high-tier immortal city…"

Lan Chang'an listened attentively, already predicting where the conversation was headed.

"So, does Senior Sister Purple Mist wish for either me or Lord Earthrock to station ourselves at Fujiling Mine to deal with the Ye Clan’s provocations?"

He pondered for a moment.

Among the sect’s Core Formation elites, he was the only one relatively free from obligations.

Additionally, as a superior-grade third-rank puppet master, his combat power exceeded that of the other two Core Formation Great Cultivators.

Purple Mist True Monarch gave a slight nod.

"Junior Brother Xiang is the most suitable candidate at this time. I invited you here to discuss the matter—not to force you into anything."

"If you are willing to take charge of Fujiling Mine, the sect will provide additional rewards—spirit stones, high-grade pills, and sect contribution points. Moreover, the mine’s refined third-rank ore will be available to the guardian, granting a personal yearly quota…"

High-quality third-rank spirit ores?

Lan Chang'an’s interest was piqued.

His puppet army formation project was still lacking key components, and he was in desperate need of high-quality materials.

When he had initially accepted the Guest Elder position, territorial defense, and resource management were already included in his duties.

Compared to the uncertainties and risks of war, guarding a sect-controlled mining outpost was a relatively safe and stable responsibility.

Firstly, Nascent Soul True Monarchs were unlikely to intervene directly in a territorial squabble.

Even if a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Ye Clan ignored the rules, Lan Chang'an was more than capable of escaping safely.

Secondly, Fujiling Mine was well within Yunxia Sect’s sphere of influence, protected by formations and supported by the sect’s resources.

Purple Mist True Monarch continued, her voice calm but firm.

"There is no need for Lord Earthrock to intervene. Using a Nascent Soul-level Sacred Beast to resolve a Core Formation-level dispute would be excessive."

"If Lord Earthrock were to take action, I'm afraid that it will escalate the matter and break the unspoken rules, attracting the Ye Clan's Nascent Soul True Monarch."

Hearing this, Lan Chang'an nodded in agreement.

Purple Mist True Monarch had clearly thought this through carefully.

Given the political landscape, he was indeed the best candidate for the role.

"Rest assured, Senior Sister Purple Mist. I will oversee Fujiling Mine and protect the sect’s interests."

Purple Mist True Monarch’s expression softened, her earlier tension melting away into a radiant smile.

"With Junior Brother Xiang taking charge, I can now focus on my cultivation to strengthen my divine abilities and refine my magical treasures with peace of mind."

Her beauty, usually elegant and serene, now carried a brilliant charm that could outshine the flowers of the world.

Lan Chang'an noticed that Purple Mist True Monarch’s cultivation had reached the peak of early-stage Nascent Soul.

With Yunlan True Monarch’s passing, she had gained full control over the sect’s resources, allowing her to further her cultivation.

At present, her primary goal is to establish herself as a veteran Nascent Soul cultivator.

To reach this standard, she had to either advance her cultivation to the peak of early-stage Nascent Soul, deepening her mana reserves and foundation, or enhance her divine abilities and magical treasures to gain the corresponding strength.

Even within the same Nascent Soul stage, the strength gap could be immense.

For example, a three-hundred-year-old Nascent Soul cultivator would almost always be weaker than a seven-hundred-year-old Nascent Soul monster, simply due to the accumulation of battle experience, refined techniques, and better magical treasures.

"I wish Senior Sister Purple Mist great success in mastering her divine powers."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lan Chang'an formally took his leave.

Purple Mist True Monarch, still in high spirits, personally escorted him out of her cave palace, as if she was honoring a guest.

...

Lan Chang'an wasted no time—the very next day, he set out for Fujiling Mine.

Before leaving, he visited the underground palace of the fourth-rank spirit vein, where Lord Earthrock resided, to discuss important matters.

His conversation with Purple Mist True Monarch the previous day had made him keenly aware of the subtle layers behind her decision.

By stationing Lan Chang'an at Fujiling Mine, she was utilizing his abilities efficiently.

At the same time, with Lord Earthrock guarding the sect’s headquarters, she could focus on cultivation, refining her divine abilities and treasures.

And then, there was a more discreet factor.

With Lan Chang'an away from the sect, Purple Mist True Monarch would have more opportunities to interact with Lord Earthrock privately, strengthening their relationship.

Lan Chang'an sighed inwardly.

A Nascent Soul female cultivator who had ruled a major sect for centuries could never be purely naive—she was bound to have her own ambitions and strategies.

After all, true peerless women were never simple-minded, for wisdom was just as much a part of charm as beauty.

Half a day later, Lan Chang'an traveled by a sect flying boat to the borders of Yunxia Sect’s domain.

On the flying boat, besides Lan Chang'an, there was also a True Dan cultivator, three Fake Dan, and a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Xiuyu was one of Purple Mist True Monarch’s personal disciples, assigned to assist Lan Chang'an in overseeing the mine.

As the flying boat descended, she pointed ahead.

"Elder Xiang, Fujiling Mine is just below us."

Lan Chang'an looked down, scanning the landscape beneath them.

Instead of grand mountains or majestic peaks, a vast stretch of grey hills sprawled across the terrain.

At first glance, it lacked any striking features, yet this unassuming mountain range had brought immense wealth to Yunxia Sect.

The main mining settlement was fortified with a stronghold and a marketplace, home to both sect disciples and members of the Tie Clan.

However, the true heart of the mine lay deeper within.

At the mountain’s core was a verdant bamboo forest, mainly composed of second-rank spiritual bamboo.

But at its center stood eight third-rank spirit bamboos, forming the foundation of the sect’s great Wood Spirit Array.

This formation didn’t just gather spiritual energy—it also concealed and protected the area with an illusionary defense mechanism.

"Thanks to this formation, the spiritual energy here reaches the level of a mid-grade third-rank spirit vein."

"The quality of Wood Qi is decent, and combined with medicinal pills and spirit stones, cultivation here shouldn’t be hindered."

Lan Chang'an’s gaze settled on the center of the bamboo forest—a two-story pavilion constructed from top-grade second-rank spirit bamboo.

It had a small courtyard in the front and a garden at the back, spanning several acres. It was fully equipped with a pill refinement chamber, a weapon-crafting room, and various other necessary facilities.

Above its entrance, a wooden plaque bore three elegant characters:

"Hidden Bamboo Pavilion."

This was the designated residence for Fujiling Mine’s commanding officer.

Around the main pavilion, other smaller bamboo lodges housed Core Formation cultivators and high-ranking Fake Dan elders stationed at the mine.

...

"Elder Xiang, Immortal Xiuyu—you arrived just in time. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

As they entered Hidden Bamboo Pavilion, a grey-robed elder emerged to greet them.

This was Elder Yuan, a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, and the previous overseer of Fujiling Mine.

His complexion was pale, his aura weak—clearly, he was seriously injured.

Lan Chang'an and Xiuyu offered respectful greetings, skipping unnecessary pleasantries.

"Tell us about the attack," Lan Chang'an said.

According to Elder Yuan, the attack on Fujiling Mine had been executed with precision.

According to Elder Yuan's account, the third-rank grand formation surrounding the mine was breached that day. On the surface, it appeared to be the work of a splinter faction of the Tie Clan, but in reality, a more powerful team of cultivators was assisting from the shadows.

This second group was almost certainly backed by the Ye Clan, one of Great Yu’s Four Great Cultivation Families.

The most concerning aspect was a mysterious Core Formation Great Cultivator among the enemy forces.

"This individual only made a single move—a flying sword strike—but that one attack was enough to break open the formation’s defenses."

Once the formation was compromised, the enemy forces stormed in and looted the mines, causing heavy losses.

The enemy had superior numbers and strength, and Elder Yuan feared that mysterious Core Formation Great Cultivator. He could only rely on the geographical advantage, retreating into a passive defense with no ability to counterattack

Lan Chang'an frowned.

"A sword cultivator?"

Core Formation sword cultivators were far more dangerous than most martial or spell-based cultivators.

If this was a late-stage Core Formation sword cultivator, it would make defending the mine far more challenging.

"It’s possible," Elder Yuan admitted.

"But they only attacked once. After breaking the formation, they didn’t act again. It felt as if… they didn’t even consider us worthy of their full strength."

Even now, Elder Yuan’s face showed lingering fear.

Lan Chang'an pondered for a moment.

This wasn’t an all-out assault—it was a calculated test.

The Ye Clan was probing Yunxia Sect’s response.

If they had wanted a full-scale battle, they could have easily sent multiple Core Formation cultivators and butchered the defenders.

However, doing so would break Great Yu’s political order, potentially escalating into a full-blown war between two Nascent Soul factions.

This wasn’t about extermination—the Ye Clan’s goal was profit, not total war.

If Yunxia Sect sent a powerful Core Formation cultivator to defend the mine but ultimately failed, then negotiations would be forced.

In that case, according to the usual practice, Yunxia Sect would have to concede a portion of the mine’s wealth to the Ye Clan to maintain peace.

The possibility of both sides' Nascent Soul True Monarchs personally taking the field remained exceedingly slim.

Lan Chang'an analyzed the larger picture.

To put it in modern strategic terms, Nascent Soul True Monarchs functioned like nuclear deterrents.

While they balanced each other out, conflicts at the Core Formation level determined who controlled valuable resources.

No Nascent Soul cultivator would risk their thousand-year lifespan unless the survival of their sect or a heaven-defying opportunity like the Ancient Nether Hall was at stake.

...

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Two hundred li away, high above the clouds, an intense discussion was unfolding.

"Elder Ye, your calculations were flawless. As expected, Yunxia Sect has sent that Elder Xiang to oversee Fujiling Mine."

A short, stocky elder with dark skin, dressed in a brown robe, spoke with a flattering smile.

This was Tie Danxin, a Core Formation cultivator and the patriarch of the Tie Clan’s breakaway faction, which had been supported by the Ye Clan.

A refined-looking middle-aged scholar, wearing a tall scholar’s cap and holding a feathered fan, chuckled softly.

"Indeed, but this Elder Xiang is not easy to deal with, just the identity of a superior third-rank puppet master calls for a headache."

This man was Elder Ye, a key strategist of the Ye Clan.

"Hah! But since Elder Ye has anticipated this, you must already have a countermeasure. Besides, with a genius swordsman from Southern Region’s ‘Heavenly Sword Pavilion’ on our side, no ordinary Core Formation Great Cultivator can stand against us!"

Tie Danxin’s laughter was confident, fully trusting in Elder Ye’s plan.

However, Elder Ye glanced around, frowning slightly.

"Where is Ye Fanchen? Eh, this brat has disappeared again."

Despite bearing the Ye surname, Ye Fanchen wasn’t a direct descendant of the Ye Clan—he hailed from a lesser branch family.

No one had expected that this once-mediocre cultivator would reveal astonishing swordsmanship talent during his travels.

He had been taken in as a personal disciple by an elder of Heavenly Sword Pavilion.

This powerful sect was the ruler of the Southern Region, and its chief cultivator was one of the Three Great Cultivators of Great Yuan.

After low-key returning home, Ye Fanchen had been drawn into the main Ye Clan’s fold, who offered to sponsor his cultivation, promising a beautiful Dao companion and rare swords in return.

"Senior Ye is probably meditating on the Sword Dao."

Tie Danxin chuckled.

Above them, the howling Nine Fiery Heavens stirred as a lazy voice drifted down.

"What is it that the Elder summoned me for?"

A vague figure appeared in the stormy sky—a young man with sharp brows, carrying two swords on his back.

"Fanchen, Yunxia Sect’s Guest Elder, Xiang Dalong, has arrived at Fujiling Mine. Do you have confidence in handling him?"

Elder Ye ignored the youth’s informal tone, instead speaking in a serious manner.

Ye Fanchen yawned lazily, his voice indifferent.

"That third-rank puppet master? Not sure."

He shook his head.

A superior-grade third-rank puppet master was an absolute menace—one could never predict how many puppets they carried.

If the opponent possessed just one superior-grade third-rank puppet, it would be a two-versus-one situation.

Elder Ye smiled knowingly.

"But what if we neutralize his puppet techniques?"

Ye Fanchen’s eyes glinted sharply.

"In that case, leave him to me."

He spoke with absolute confidence.

Coming from the highest sword cultivation sect in the Southern Region, he had never found an equal among Core Formation cultivators.

Even within his own Ye Clan, no Core Formation elder could last half a minute against him.

...

Several days later.

At Hidden Bamboo Pavilion, Lan Chang'an completed the formal transfer of authority with Elder Yuan, who departed to recover at the sect.

Now, Lan Chang'an was the supreme overseer of Fujiling Mine, with Immortal Xiuyu as his deputy.

Additionally, a retired early-stage Core Formation cultivator acted as the guardian of the mine.

Xiuyu had expected Lan Chang'an, a known recluse, to adopt a defensive, conservative strategy.

However, she was completely mistaken.

The moment Lan Chang'an assumed command, he launched an immediate and ruthless purge within the mine.

On the very first day, one of Lan Chang'an’s puppets captured a sect laborer, revealing him to be a disguised Fake Dan cultivator.

The spy was exposed on the spot—with no excuses left, he was immediately subdued.

But this was only the beginning.

In the following days, two more spies were discovered, each originating from different factions outside the Ye Clan.

Lan Chang'an’s efficiency stunned the entire mining settlement.

However, his most shocking command came shortly after.

Lan Chang'an issued a strict decree: No living creatures—birds, insects, or beasts—are allowed within the central mining area. Anyone found would be killed immediately.

His reasoning was simple—his spiritual sense had detected strange spiritual creatures infiltrating Fujiling Mine, manipulated by beast-taming cultivators.

To enforce discipline, Lan Chang'an punished the settlement’s enforcers, sending a clear message.

"Before handling external threats, one must first secure the internal front!"

This was the governing philosophy Lan Chang'an implemented at Fujiling Mine.

Before addressing the threat of the Ye Clan, his first priority was to turn the mining settlement into an impenetrable fortress and stabilize internal affairs.

Under this directive, after rooting out spies and informants, Lan Chang'an initiated a full-scale audit, investigating corruption and embezzlement within the mine.

This sent shockwaves through the mine’s middle and upper management.

After all, with such enormous profits at stake, who among them hadn’t dipped their hands into illicit gains?

However, Lan Chang'an stopped short of an all-out purge.

Instead, he only apprehended two major offenders, handing them over to the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall as an example.

By not conducting a deeper, more comprehensive crackdown, he avoided directly implicating certain factions within Yunxia Sect’s leadership.

"Elder Xiang certainly has his methods. In just half a month, he has established unquestionable authority at Fujiling Mine."

Xiuyu had observed everything silently, nodding to herself in approval.

The truth was, people feared power more than virtue, and cultivators were no exception.

While a Core Formation Great Cultivator’s status certainly inspired respect, if one adopts the image of a soft-spoken, ascetic monk, the cultivators beneath them would likely take advantage, resorting to sly tricks and lacking the drive to enforce discipline.

...

On this day, Lan Chang'an sat in the Hidden Bamboo Pavilion, meeting with Tie Clan’s Patriarch.

This branch of the Tie Clan, still affiliated with the Yunxia Sect, had long been suppressed.

At most, their strongest cultivator, Patriarch Tie Jing, was only a Fake Dan cultivator.

Despite being the first to discover Fujiling Mine, they were too weak to hold onto its riches.

Had they fallen under an unrestrained demonic faction, they might have been slaughtered outright.

While Yunxia Sect hadn’t exterminated them, it had effectively reduced them to a puppet clan.

Tie Jing, a bald, dark-skinned muscular man, was skilled in metal refinement and crude artifact crafting.

Upon meeting Lan Chang'an, he immediately bowed deeply in reverence.

"Elder Xiang, I am deeply grateful for your mercy."

With that, he carefully placed a storage pouch on the table before him.

"This is a humble tribute from me on behalf of the mine’s cultivators."

Lan Chang'an glanced at the storage pouch, then waved a hand dismissively.

"Conduct yourselves with discipline. There won’t be a next time."

Hearing this, Tie Jing visibly relaxed, as if he had just been granted amnesty, and hurriedly left the pavilion.

With a slight flick of his sleeve, Lan Chang'an drew the pouch toward him, scanning its contents.

Seeing what was inside, his expression lit up with amusement.

It contained a considerable amount of high-quality third-rank spirit ores, particularly suitable for puppet refinement.

Fake Dan Tie Jing, though his family shares in the mine's profits, would never have the resources for such a grand gesture.

This tribute wasn't just from Tie Jing; but a collective offering from various factions within the mine.

"Tsk tsk, overseeing a mine is indeed a cushy job."

Lan Chang'an smirked.

"So this was Senior Sister Purple Mist’s true intent—an unconventional reward, ensuring that I make an effort in return."

He accepted the offering without hesitation, knowing that it would greatly accelerate the progress of his puppet army formation.

As for eradicating corruption entirely?

That was impossible.

Even if Lan Chang'an had unparalleled authority in Fujiling Mine, he had no interest in a thankless crusade.

After all, who could say which of these profit-driven factions were connected to the sect leader, the Supreme Elder, or even the descendants of past Nascent Soul cultivators?

Moreover, Lan Chang'an wasn’t concerned about Xiuyu discovering his acceptance of bribes.

For one, she had received her own share of the filial piety.

Second, he wasn’t afraid of Purple Mist True Monarch finding out—in fact, leaving a small flaw for the higher-ups to notice wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

...

With internal matters stabilized, Lan Chang'an’s reputation at Fujiling Mine was solidified.

The embezzled wealth confiscated from the punished corrupt officials was not taken for himself.

Instead, he redirected all of it into fortifying the mine’s defenses, upgrading its formation arrays—a decision that earned him widespread approval.

However, there was one unexpected development—the Ye Clan made no immediate move.

Despite Lan Chang'an’s aggressive purge and restructuring, they remained unusually quiet.

Far away, hundreds of li beyond the mine, the Ye Clan’s floating outpost loomed among the clouds.

Elder Ye, standing atop the mist-shrouded peak, watched from afar, his lips curling into a knowing smile.

"As expected of a puppet master—his spiritual sense is sharp, and his perception is extraordinary."

"In just half a month, he has removed ninety percent of the surveillance we planted within Fujiling Mine."