I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals
Chapter 430: Ten Thousand Crane’s Scheme, True Culprit of the Past

Chapter 430: Ten Thousand Crane’s Scheme, True Culprit of the Past

The night was cool like water.

The giant Profound Water Turtle rode the rippling waves of its water escape technique, flying out from the small grove.

Pei Shuyuan, adorned in a phoenix crown and rosy veil, had her dark hair in disarray. Her luxurious wedding dress was torn, and her snow-white, slender legs stained with mud as she knelt on the broad turtle's back.

After all the twists and turns, she had become a prisoner once more.

Her sorrowful gaze fell upon the Profound Water Turtle beneath her. Her expression was complicated, and she couldn’t help but fall into a moment of bitter regret.

The origin of all the past grudges and enmity began with this turtle.

Two hundred years ago, she, once the pride of the heavens, had caught wind of the abnormal growth speed of Lan Chang'an’s Profound Water Turtle. She coveted the secret behind his beast-taming methods.

Had she not entangled herself in this karmic thread, with her talent, beast-taming aptitude, and prestigious background along with being nurtured with the sect’s highest resources, her chances of forming a Nascent Soul would have been high.

“Husband.”

Moments later, Fairy Xia and another person sensed Lan Chang'an’s aura and came to join him.

“True Monarch Lan, it’s fortunate we withdrew quickly. That Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch has already arrived to reinforce Feilong Fort. A large number of flying cranes have descended upon the front lines,” Yin Yuanhai said in relief.

Back on the demonic battlefield, he had once been gravely wounded by Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch and barely escaped with his life.

If Ten Thousand Crane had entangled them, even if they’d achieved results tonight, it would have been difficult to retreat unscathed.

“Huh? This is…”

Yin Yuanhai’s gaze sharpened when he saw the Peacock Saintess on the giant turtle’s back.

His eyes lit up in astonishment, exclaiming:

“True Monarch Lan, your skills are impressive! Such a brilliant trick, moving without being noticed, you've actually abducted Black Feather True Monarch’s new bride under everyone’s noses!”

Yin Yuanhai recognized Pei Shuyuan, he had seen her before on the battlefield.

Now, seeing her up close, he couldn’t help but take a few more glances.

It had to be said: the Peacock Saintess, dressed as a bride, was exceptionally beautiful and seductive.

“True Monarch Lan, was it during our standoff with the demonic True Monarchs that Lord Earthrock slipped behind enemy lines and abducted her?”

Yin Yuanhai thought for a moment and found it easy to deduce.

Before the confrontation with the Nascent Soul cultivators, he had seen Lord Earthrock. Afterward, his aura had vanished.

“That’s right.”

Lan Chang'an responded with a smile, not denying it.

From an outsider’s perspective, this success was a victory in strategy. However, to ensure the smooth execution of the plan, the Black Wind Cloak had been absolutely crucial.

…

“Husband mustered people and meticulously planned, so it was all for the Peacock Saintess.”

Fairy Xia’s cool autumn-like eyes lingered on the peerlessly beautiful face of the Peacock Saintess for a long moment before speaking with an expressionless face.

Lan Chang'an felt something was off in her tone.

On the surface, she seemed to be praising him, but it didn’t quite feel like praise.

“Ahem! For your husband to capture this woman alive and avenge an old grudge, that is only the most superficial reason.”

“Oh? Then what is your true intention, husband?”

“This matter carries strategic value. First, it disrupts the marriage alliance between our two Nascent Soul enemies in Beast King Valley. Second, it shames Beast King Valley, forcing them to restart the demonic war before they’re fully prepared.”

“Hmm.”

Fairy Xia nodded in agreement but continued to observe Pei Shuyuan, lost in thought.

She had to admit, the Peacock Saintess was stunningly beautiful, on par with herself.

Moreover, with her identity as a bride and the luxurious elegance of her wedding attire, her charm and allure were greatly magnified.

One only had to look at the expression in Yin Yuanhai’s eyes to see proof of it.

Yin Yuanhai’s gaze flitted between Fairy Xia and Lan Chang'an. Seeing the underlying tension, his heart stirred.

With a smile, he offered a suggestion:

“True Monarch Lan, keeping this woman by your side serves little purpose and may even bring trouble. I, Yin, am willing to offer a price to purchase the Peacock Saintess and bring her back to the Righteous Dao Alliance headquarters. It would be safer that way.”

Yin Yuanhai could tell Fairy Xia disliked having the Peacock Saintess remain near Lan Chang'an.

Coincidentally, he was somewhat moved by the Saintess’s beauty.

Having suffered a great loss at the hands of Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch, he didn’t mind punishing the latter’s granddaughter to vent his grievances.

“Husband, True Monarch Yin makes a fair point. Keeping this woman by your side may bring disaster due to her beauty.”

Xia Wenyue agreed readily.

Seeing Fairy Xia’s support, Yin Yuanhai rejoiced inwardly, praising his own cleverness.

This move, he thought, killed two birds with one stone.

First, it could promote harmony between Lan Chang'an and Fairy Xia as a couple.

In the future, the two would surely understand his good intentions.

Even if Lan Chang'an didn’t appreciate it, Fairy Xia would.

Second, bringing the Peacock Saintess back to headquarters was indeed safer. Leaving her near the frontlines posed an unstable risk.

As for enjoying the Peacock Saintess, that was just a minor perk within a grander cause. Nothing worth mentioning.

“Fellow Daoist Yin, keeping the Peacock Saintess close concerns some of my future planning with Alliance Leader Chu.”

Lan Chang'an put on a businesslike tone, but there was also a hint of warning in his words:

“The water here is very deep. If you can’t handle it, Fellow Daoist Yin, best not to delve deeper.”

“Haha! Yin was too forward.”

Yin Yuanhai chuckled to smooth things over.

Since the other party refused, he couldn’t force the issue.

Still, he thought to himself—keeping the Peacock Saintess nearby was bound to strain Lan Chang'an and his companion’s relationship. Perhaps a rift would form in the future.

Lan Chang'an said seriously, “With the Peacock Saintess captured as a slave, Beast King Valley will certainly respond. I will need your help dealing with what comes next, Fellow Daoist Yin.”

“About that… According to our prior agreement, this operation’s end marks the time for me to return to headquarters and report to my master,” Yin Yuanhai replied hesitantly, not quite willing.

Damn it!

Lan Chang'an got himself a top-tier bride and won’t even let me have a taste, and now he still expects me to risk my life for him?

“No worries. I’ll send word to Alliance Leader Chu shortly. Your master will approve,” Lan Chang'an said cheerfully.

Yin Yuanhai’s expression stiffened. His mind exploded with a thousand galloping horses and unspoken curses.

He was utterly helpless. He didn’t know what kind of spell Lan Chang'an had cast on his master, but he had clearly earned the latter’s complete trust.

Back at headquarters, Lan Chang'an and Alliance Leader Chu had held many secret meetings—some of which even he, a direct disciple, knew nothing about.

…

Within Beast King Valley.

Above Feilong Fort, myriad cranes spread their wings, spiraling and screeching, their cries sharp and piercing. The wind howled with the sound of cranes, unsettling the hearts of every cultivator within the city.

During the demonic war a century ago, Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s army of ten thousand cranes had once massacred an entire immortal city of the Righteous Dao Alliance. At the time, every cultivator in that city had their eyeballs removed, the scene was terrifying beyond words.

“Useless fool! This old man gave you my granddaughter in marriage, and not even a full night has passed before you lost her and let some thief abduct her!”

Inside the cave residence, Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s expression was dark. His gray-white eyebrows trembled slightly as he launched into a furious tirade:

“You can’t even last through a single night! As her husband, the groom, you still have the face to sit here in the cave and call for help?”

“Before daybreak, no matter the cost, I want you to bring Shuyuan back. Otherwise, how can our two clans hold any face in Beast King Valley?”

Faced with Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s reprimand...

Black Feather True Monarch, who was seated and healing, had a face mottled with dark purple and blue-black bruises.

“Grandfather, your son-in-law’s poison has yet to be purged. My spiritual power is less than half. I was in even worse condition earlier. If I’d rushed after them recklessly, not only would I have failed to rescue Shuyuan, I might have fallen into that bastard Lan’s trap.”

Black Feather True Monarch explained bitterly.

“Hmph! If only you had been this prudent and cautious earlier, how would you have fallen for Lan Chang'an’s schemes twice?”

After venting for some time, Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s expression finally softened a little, his anger easing.

Admittedly, given Black Feather’s poisoning, waiting for reinforcements and taking time to plan was the more rational choice.

“Grandfather, once your son-in-law recovers most of his strength, I will join forces with several other True Monarchs to hunt down that thief Lan Chang'an and bring Shuyuan back.”

Black Feather True Monarch gritted his teeth and made a solemn promise.

If he failed to rescue Pei Shuyuan, it would not only be a personal disgrace, but he would also become a laughingstock among the demonic path. Even the relationship between his clan and Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s Pei family might fall apart.

The next morning.

Black Feather True Monarch consumed several sacred healing pills and finally recovered most of his spiritual power.

Several True Monarchs from the Beast King Valley faction gathered at Feilong Fort to discuss countermeasures.

Just then, a scout from the frontlines brought a report.

“Reporting to the True Monarchs and Elders, there’s been a sighting of Immortal Pei on the front lines…”

“There’s news of Shuyuan? Where is she? What’s her condition?”

Ten Thousand Crane and Black Feather both lit up with joy.

“Immortal Pei, she…”

The reporting Core Formation cultivator looked uneasy and stammered. He only handed over a jade slip containing the intelligence.

“Outrageous!”

After reading the contents of the jade slip, True Monarchs Ten Thousand Crane and Black Feather both erupted in fury.

Moments later, four Nascent Soul True Monarchs gathered at Feilong Fort and took to the sky, soaring with killing intent toward the border zone.

...

At the border between the two factions.

Numerous roaming cultivators and scouts from Beast King Valley had spotted Immortal Pei.

There, atop a conspicuous high platform…

Pei Shuyuan, with the identity of a bride, knelt on the ground as a slave, serving a Nascent Soul True Monarch of the enemy faction.

She poured tea, brought water, even massaged the legs, and washed the feet of that True Monarch Lan.

Even True Monarch Lan’s spirit pet, the Rat King, enjoyed her service.

Pei Shuyuan knelt on the ground, grooming Lord Earthrock's fur, who had taken the form of a rat demon.

From afar, scouts and aerial surveillance birds clearly witnessed this shocking scene.

The cultivators of Beast King Valley were enraged. Their eyes blazed with fury, their teeth gnashed in hatred, yet none dared to approach for a rescue.

Pei Shuyuan’s heart was filled with desolation, and she felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation.

She would have rather become a hidden plaything in private than be publicly displayed before the eyes of Beast King Valley’s cultivators as a degraded female slave.

She wanted to kill herself, but she lacked the ability.

Her body was restrained by layers of restrictions, and in the depths of her spiritual sea was a half-transparent insect egg-shaped restriction mark.

On top of that, the Spirit-Taming Ring forced her submission, she could not even choose death.

What made it worse…

She was still wearing her bridal attire. In a torn wedding dress, she served Lan Chang'an and his spirit pet like a maidservant.

To make her slave identity more conspicuous, Lan Chang'an had deliberately moved the Spirit-Taming Ring to her swan-like, proud neck.

“They’re here!”

Lan Chang'an sensed the incoming presence and turned toward the direction of Feilong Fort.

The terrifying, overwhelming killing intent of four demonic True Monarchs was rushing toward his position.

“Retreat!”

Lan Chang'an recalled his spirit pet. Black wings unfolded behind him, and he tucked the bridal-garbed Pei Shuyuan under his arm.

A violent black wind swirled around him as Lan Chang'an transformed into a streak of escape light, lightning fast.

He quickly returned to a nearby frontline stronghold of the Righteous Dao Alliance and reunited with Fairy Xia and Yin Yuanhai.

...

Not long after, the four True Monarchs burning with rage charged into the territory of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

The front-line fortress activated all of its formation arrays. Lan Chang'an, alongside three other True Monarchs and Lord Earthrock, stood together in defense, calm and unflustered.

With an equal or near-equal number of True Monarchs present, and the added advantage of the grand formation, the fortress side held the upper hand. There was no fear of being breached.

“Turtle Lan—!”

Black Feather True Monarch looked up at his kneeling, prostrate bride on the city tower, his fury reaching the skies. His face turned iron blue with hints of green.

“To dare publicly humiliate the Saintess of our sect, the wife of an Elder, you’re not afraid that one day my Beast King Valley will exterminate your entire clan… no! Your entire sect?!”

His voice was cold, imbued with intense killing intent as he issued the threat.

Exterminate my entire clan?

Lan Chang'an couldn’t help but laugh.

Black Feather True Monarch also quickly realized that “exterminating the entire clan” carried no weight as a threat to Lan Chang'an.

Though the cultivation world was rife with tales of the romantic exploits of Evergreen True Monarch…

This man had never left behind any offspring.

Not only did he have no children, he didn’t even have any proper disciples.

Black Feather True Monarch rephrased it to “exterminate your entire sect,” but even that was an empty threat.

In Jin Yun Valley, Lan Chang'an wasn’t even a core member, he was merely an honored elder, a vassal cultivator who joined halfway through.

Even the cultivators of Jin Yun Valley firmly believed that if a disaster ever struck, Evergreen True Monarch would vanish faster than anyone else.

Even Fairy Xia, his closest companion, held only the status of a concubine.

Moreover, having reached the Nascent Soul stage, she was no longer a weakness but a formidable ally.

This wasn’t like the situation with Golden Sun Sect, which had to treat the Peacock Saintess who was once a hostage with courtesy, for fear of Beast King Valley seeking vengeance.

Lan Chang'an had no fear of offending Beast King Valley.

Even if the demonic war collapsed entirely, he could still use the teleportation array at Tinghai Pavilion to travel to the Central Region of the Great Yuan. There, the peerless Purple Mist Fairy awaited him, far more gentle and considerate than Fairy Xia.

A man with no weak spots, with a retreat path and a “backup” woman, why would he fear the threats of the demonic path?

...

“Lan Changqing! As a Nascent Soul cultivator, you struck a lower-realm female cultivator during wartime, this violates the rules of the cultivation war.”

Above, Elder Ten Thousand Crane hovered with thousands of cranes circling over his head. His voice was aged and hoarse, but still resonated with force.

This silver-haired elder, in the twilight of his years, spoke calmly and coldly. As Pei Shuyuan’s grandfather, he didn’t show the same furious, murderous intensity as Black Feather True Monarch.

“Today you laid hands on my granddaughter. In the future, on the battlefield of the demonic path, I will feel no restraint in targeting Jin Yun Valley’s cultivators, killing the juniors of your old friends!”

Ten Thousand Crane’s words carried no overt killing intent, but they made Lan Chang'an’s heart subtly tense.

Every Nascent Soul True Monarch was a supreme deterrent in cultivation warfare.

Why was there an unwritten rule that Nascent Soul cultivators wouldn’t attack lower-realm cultivators on the battlefield?

This was the reason.

“Old scoundrel, stop twisting the truth.”

“My actions have already been made clear earlier. Before I formed my Nascent Soul, there was a life-and-death grudge between me and your granddaughter. This capture was personal vengeance!”

“And you, Ten Thousand Crane, you old dog—years ago, in the Liang Kingdom, you used the inside agent ‘Zhu Yuting’ to orchestrate a scheme that nearly killed me. That debt is also written in my books.”

Lan Chang'an’s words silenced Elder Ten Thousand Crane momentarily, he had no rebuttal.

The private grudge between Lan Chang'an and the Peacock Saintess wasn’t a secret among either faction.

It was not uncommon for high-level cultivators to exact personal vengeance after forming a Nascent Soul. In fact, it was widely accepted.

There had been cultivators who, after being hunted and escaping for a hundred years, returned after forming their Nascent Soul to annihilate an entire clan in revenge.

Lan Chang'an, after forming his Nascent Soul, hadn’t gone that far. In a way, he had shown restraint.

...

“Lan Changqing, since you mention a private grudge, between yourself and myself, and with Shuyuan then…”

Elder Ten Thousand Crane’s eyes turned slightly red, though his elderly voice remained steady and cold.

His tone shifted, and he spoke solemnly:

“Here and now, before the eyes of cultivators on both sides, will you dare settle this private grudge with me once and for all?”

Hmm?

Now that was unexpected.

Elder Ten Thousand Crane was acknowledging that Lan Chang'an’s actions stemmed from a personal grudge, and that it wouldn’t result in endless retaliation.

Lan Chang'an met Elder Ten Thousand Crane’s hawk-like gaze. The other’s expression was calm and unfathomable.

“To settle this private grudge? Heh. Elder Ten Thousand Crane, you’re an aged figure, are you suggesting a duel to the death with me?”

Lan Chang'an looked on with a half-smile, eyeing the deeply wrinkled, silver-haired elder.

Activating the Evergreen Technique, Lan Chang'an used his unique ability to sense Elder Ten Thousand Crane’s remaining lifespan.

This old bastard had only about a hundred years of lifespan left, clearly not in his prime. Where did he get the confidence to challenge Lan Chang'an to a death match?

“This old man values his life, I don’t necessarily require a fight to the death. We may use our spirit beasts.”

Elder Ten Thousand Crane shook his head, clarifying the terms of the wager duel.

“If I lose, I’ll acknowledge my granddaughter as your slave and will not retaliate in violation of the rules.”

“But if I, by fortune, win… I ask that True Monarch Lan show mercy and return Shuyuan to me.”

As he spoke, Elder Ten Thousand Crane took a deep breath and forced a kind smile onto his face, looking toward Pei Shuyuan on the city wall.

Upon hearing her grandfather’s words…

Tears slipped down Pei Shuyuan’s cheeks as she knelt.

If it were possible, she would rather have ended her life on the spot than see her aged grandfather risk everything in a battle against the younger, vigorous Turtle Lan.

Lan Chang'an narrowed his eyes slightly, this wager duel seemed to tilt in his favor.

Although Elder Ten Thousand Crane was one of the top-tier veteran Nascent Soul cultivators of Beast King Valley, with strength far beyond that of Yin Yuanhai, perhaps even superior to Six Sun True Monarch…

Even Liang Shaotian had once suffered losses at his hands.

If Elder Ten Thousand Crane unleashed everything without regard for cost, he might be able to fight a Nascent Soul mid-stage opponent head-on for a short time.

However, on paper, Lan Chang'an still held the advantage.

Because the duel could involve spirit beasts.

Lan Chang'an had a full-bodied fourth-rank Demon King.

Ten Thousand Crane True Monarch’s Ten Thousand Cranes Soul-Extinguishing Formation could indeed engage a fourth-rank Demon King, and it could suppress Nascent Soul cultivators but in a prolonged battle, it would inevitably falter.

Elder Ten Thousand Crane was at the peak of Nascent Soul early stage, his cultivation and spiritual power were formidable.

However, Lan Chang'an had publicly revealed a heavily restricted version of his puppet army formation twenty years ago, enough to bridge the cultivation gap and drag the fight into a battle of attrition.

And in a prolonged battle, the aging Elder Ten Thousand Crane would definitely lose.

“Unless… this old bastard has some hidden trump card, a way to fatally wound or cripple me in a short burst?”

Lan Chang'an considered silently, secretly activating his fourth-rank divination technique.

The result: he sensed an invisible force of fate interfering, making it impossible to probe the relevant cause and effect.

...

“True Monarch Lan, no matter the outcome, we don’t lose anything with this wagered battle.”

Yin Yuanhai appeared moved, encouraging him further:

“True Monarch Lan, your chances of winning are higher. If you win, it would deal a serious blow to the arrogance of Beast King Valley and the Six Demonic Sects, while also greatly boosting our side’s morale.”

“If by chance you lose, returning the Peacock Saintess isn’t a loss either. True Monarch Lan has already made her a slave and humiliated her publicly, everything that could be done has been done. Once she returns to Beast King Valley, her reputation will be utterly ruined. She’ll surely develop a rift with that ‘generous benefactor’ Black Feather True Monarch.”

According to Yin Yuanhai’s analysis, Lan Chang'an wouldn’t lose either way and had a strong chance of victory.

Damn it, you're not the one doing the fighting!

Lan Chang'an shot a sideways glance at Yin Yuanhai. This guy was just here for the spectacle, comfortably removed from the actual stakes, he was the one who truly had nothing to lose.

“If the wagered battle benefits me this much, why would that old bastard Ten Thousand Crane insist on fighting me?”

Lan Chang'an spoke in a calm tone.

“Well... we're holding the fortress and relying on the grand formation. Ten Thousand Crane and the others can’t do anything to us. This might be his only option, his last resort.”

“Also, Elder Ten Thousand Crane’s so-called wager may simply be a way to save face. If he loses and can’t retrieve the Peacock Saintess, he can still say he gave it everything he had and did his best. It gives him an excuse in front of others and peace of mind for himself.”

Yin Yuanhai speculated.

Lan Chang'an nodded slightly at this. If it were just for saving face, that made sense.

However…

This wagered battle gave Lan Chang'an an odd sense of déjà vu.

Somewhere in his memories, a nearly identical scene had played out and he had paid dearly for it, a regret that haunted him for life.

...

“Step back.”

Elder Ten Thousand Crane raised his hand. The three demonic True Monarchs Black Feather, Fang, and Guo took flight and retreated.

In one breath, they pulled back a full five hundred li, hovering midair without concealing their presence.

Elder Ten Thousand Crane remained one hundred li from the fortress.

At such a distance, if either side were to interfere in the wagered battle, it would clearly be the Righteous Dao Alliance acting first.

In this regard, Elder Ten Thousand Crane showed considerable sincerity.

Lan Chang'an, with his hands behind his back, made subtle divinations with his fingers.

This time, he only divined his personal fortune. Though obscured by fate and karma, the results were murky yet still revealed certain omens.

“True Monarch Lan, if under such circumstances you still don’t dare to fight…”

The old man’s face displayed mockery, with a clear intent to provoke:

“…then from now on, this old man will have to call you ‘Turtle True Monarch.’”

“Fine!”

Lan Chang'an shouted sternly and stepped forward, planting his foot firmly atop the city battlements.

Elder Ten Thousand Crane remained still, his eyes cool, but a sliver of his gaze swept toward the shadows of the fortress wall.

...

In the shadow of a fortress corner…

A strange man with a black mole at the center of his brow and slanted, hawkish eyebrows stood completely fused into the wall’s shadow.

Incredibly, despite being just a wall away, none of the three Nascent Soul True Monarchs atop the fortress sensed his presence.

His concealment ability had reached a masterful level, likely only rivaled by the top experts of Unseen Gate.

The black mole at the center of the strange man’s brow twitched slightly. A cruel smile tugged at his lips.

In his palm, he held a long, sharp, and sinister spike that emitted a ghostly green-gray glow. It had clearly been coated in deadly poison and was infused with a soul-destroying power.

Since the demonic path’s Six Sects had expanded eastward, the number of Nascent Soul cultivators assassinated by his hand could be counted on more than one hand.

Years ago, during the wagered battle between Master Lihuo and Six Sun True Monarch, it was he who struck from the shadows.

His goal had been to ignite internal strife within the Righteous Dao Alliance.

That time, he had held back, had he attacked a bit more viciously, Master Lihuo’s Nascent Soul spiritual body might have perished on the spot.

Over the years, he had racked up significant battlefield merit, earning resources and acclaim from his sect and from the Six Demonic Sects.

He had advanced further, breaking through to mid-Nascent Soul and becoming the Deputy Sect Master of Unseen Gate.

Sixty years ago…

He participated in the ambush and siege of True Monarch Cyanwood, leaving the latter’s Nascent Soul severely wounded and forcing him to flee in desperation.

Had Cyanwood not possessed a soul-path treasure with exceptional poison resistance, he might’ve died right there—allowing Beast King Valley to completely eliminate that suspected cultivator of the Evergreen Technique!