The Long Journey to Immortality

As the wooden flute danced intermittently in the air, a melody that was neither pleasant nor unpleasant to listen to emanated from it.

Seeing this, Duan Ranshan, who was experienced in combat, dared not be negligent in the slightest. He immediately stopped his own methods, quickly put two calming talismans on his body, and silently recited two incantations to avoid being affected by Han Lu's magical artifacts.

This is the best way for Qi Refining cultivators to deal with attacks on the soul.

If Duanran Mountain were facing an ordinary cultivator, these two moves would have been enough to keep him safe. At most, he would be bothered by the unpleasant music for a moment, but there would be no other negative effects.

This time, Duanran Mountain faced Han Lu, who possessed the bloodline of the Illusionary Phoenix True Spirit. Although she only had the Qi Refining cultivation level, she was skilled at "manipulating the soul."

Seeing Duanranshan's response, Han Lu simply smiled and did not stop playing.

Sure enough, after the wooden flute music was played on the arena, Duanranshan unexpectedly discovered that even though he used all the defensive soul attack methods that he could use at the Qi Refining stage, he was still affected by the wooden flute music.

The piece Han Lu was conducting on the wooden flute was called "Soul Breaking." When this music played, it could hinder the flow of spiritual energy in other cultivators and make them feel disoriented, as if their body and soul were separated.

Although Duanranshan had used methods to protect his soul, his condition was still dire.

The not-so-pleasant melody of the xiao seemed to resonate within his body and in his mind.

He felt his mind go blank, his body felt sluggish and unwilling to move, and the spiritual energy circulating in his spiritual meridians became extremely viscous and slowed down.

Duanran Mountain seemed to have instantly turned into a mentally challenged person, unable to do anything except grin and smile foolishly at people.

Seeing this, Han Lu's smile deepened; everything was under her control.

Considering that Duanranshan comes from outside Zhengyi Gate, his participation in the competition has some "political factors".

Therefore, Han Lu, who preferred to be called a "fairy" rather than a "witch," decisively displayed the demeanor of a victor when Duan Ran Shan fell into this dazed state and was at her mercy on the arena, without resorting to any cruel or vicious attacks.

Taking a deep breath, Han Lu simply unleashed several bursts of spiritual energy, sending him flying and crashing off the stage.

Under Han Lu's deliberate manipulation, Duan Ran Shan happened to wake up while flying in the air.

If Duanranshan's cultivation reaches the Foundation Establishment stage, he can then attempt to release his spirit sword and return to the arena by flying on the sword.

Unfortunately, he was not a Qi Refining cultivator like Han Lu, and flying on a sword was still somewhat difficult for him.

With no room for maneuver left, Duanranshan could only watch helplessly as he was sent flying off the stage, witnessing his own inexplicable defeat.

Duan Ranshan plopped down on the bluestone ground outside the arena, looking helpless. He looked at Han Lu, who was still standing on the arena, and asked, "Senior Sister Han, I clearly put on a calming talisman, so why did I still fall victim to your soul attack?"

"I only benefited from the magic tools," Han Lu naturally wouldn't tell Duan Ran Shan the truth. "My Wooden Flute Melody can't be easily resisted by just two talismans."

After exchanging a few casual words, Han Lu stopped paying attention to Duan Ranshan to avoid his continued questioning, which would force her to tell more lies and ruin her mood.

Seeing Duanranshan leave the arena, the academy cultivators nearby immediately announced the results of the match.

"Dongshan Academy, Han Lu wins."

He walked over to Han Lu and asked her again if she needed to rest for a while to recover her spiritual power.

After receiving a negative answer from Han Lu, he couldn't help but say, "Han Lu, could you play a few more rounds with the person?"

Both matches were won in the blink of an eye, making the academy monk who was acting as referee feel that the job was too easy, even a bit boring.

He felt as if he had only come here to shout "3, 2, 1, start!"

Upon hearing this, Han Lu simply smiled, showing no intention of changing tactics to consider the referee's feelings.

Since Han Lu didn't need time to rest, the referee hurriedly called out the name of the next cultivator, inviting him to come up and fight.

Two consecutive victories, both achieved with a single decisive move.

Such a fierce appearance made the cultivator who was about to challenge Han Lu cry out "bad luck" in his heart, complaining that he was not lucky enough. He thought he could face Yin Yixing, who was a weakling, but he did not expect that after a series of twists and turns, he would become the stepping stone of Han Lu, this "ominous star", and wasted his only challenge opportunity.

But these words can only be muttered to oneself in private. If one were to say them aloud to outsiders, even one's best friend would only laugh their head off.

The challenger reluctantly stepped onto the stage, and the next two battles to defend his title were far easier and simpler than Han Lu had imagined.

Apart from a few "geniuses" like Han Lu who wanted to start early and save trouble, the other Zheng Yi Sect disciples who had the potential to become the main champions and enter the ancient cultivation secret realm all chose to hold the selection competition in the next few days.

Thinking that seeing is believing, they decided to observe for a few more days and figure out the strength of their opponents before making their appearance.

This naturally benefited Han Lu.

The latter two challengers were not strong enough; one of them was only at the tenth level of Qi Refining and was just here to join in the fun and experience the atmosphere.

In the blink of an eye, both of them were knocked down by Han Lu.

Thus, after winning three consecutive matches, Han Lu successfully earned the right to challenge for the next title despite being a defeated champion.

As for the person she was going to challenge, she already had a target in mind.

[Author's Note] There was a typo in the previous text, which has been corrected. If you find any errors, please let me know in the comments.

Chapter 163 Lu Liangcai

She defeated her opponent with a single move in all four matches. Although Han Lu's "Thousand Miles of Ice Seal" move damaged the ring and caused some delay, Han Lu still became the first defeated champion to have the right to challenge the main champion.

The news quickly spread throughout the arena, and in the blink of an eye, most of the audience members knew about it.

As a result, the challengers who were watching the fight in the arena area all came to the vicinity of Han Lu's arena, and the audience also turned their attention to Han Lu, looking forward to watching a fierce battle.

Even the Taoist Yunmin and the other deans of the mountain academies on the viewing platform were moved when they heard about this.

After all, it all happened too fast.

Although the challenge has not yet begun, the other four deans of the mountain academies have already sent their congratulations to the dean of Dongshan Academy, Wuhu Jushi, congratulating Dongshan Academy on the emergence of another promising young talent.

The Hermit of Five Lakes smiled and thanked them one by one, hoping in his heart that Han Lu could successfully defeat a certain champion and earn another qualification for Dongshan Academy to enter the ancient cultivation secret realm.

There are seven places available at Zhengyi Gate and five at the Mountain Academy.

After the triumphant return from the ancient cultivation realm, the distribution of internal benefits naturally depended on how many people from each mountain academy had entered the ancient cultivation realm.

The academy's dean is a capable leader, ensuring a steady stream of successors among the cultivators. Several individuals have secured spots to enter the secret realm, naturally allowing them to receive more resources.

The academy's dean was blind to talent, and the cultivators within remained unknown. No one entered the secret realm, and in the end, they could only follow behind others, eating scraps and scraps to make ends meet.

The division of interests among the upper echelons has little to do with Han Lu, this "young person".

After winning three consecutive matches, the Golden Core cultivator who had been acting as the referee and standing beside Han Lu's arena took the initiative to come forward and said, "Congratulations, Han Lu, Piaomiaozi has taken on a fine disciple. Three consecutive victories, defeating the enemy in one move, her future is limitless."

Han Lu simply returned the greeting without saying anything more modest.

The Golden Core cultivator continued, "Which of the seven do you intend to challenge? If you don't know which seven are the main contenders, I have a list here..."

The Golden Core cultivator reached for his storage bag, and Han Lu quickly said, "No need for the elder to trouble himself. I intend to challenge Lu Liangcai from Zhongshan Academy, Senior Brother Lu."

The seven main champions are evenly matched in strength, but they differ in their cultivation techniques, fighting styles, and tactics.

Lu Liangcai was the one Han Lu thought was the easiest to defeat among the seven, and the one who would give the spectators a shocking experience during the battle.

Upon hearing this, and considering Han Lu's performance in the recent battle against Duanran Mountain, the Golden Core cultivator could roughly guess why Han Lu had chosen Lu Liangcai as her opponent.

He nodded slightly and gave a wink to the Foundation Establishment cultivator beside him.

The two leaders on the arena each had their own responsibilities.

The Golden Core cultivator naturally wouldn't make a special trip to the rest room to ask a junior with Qi Refining cultivation for help, so this task could only be entrusted to this Foundation Establishment cultivator from the academy.

The accommodations arranged for the seven official champions were not far from the arena area.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator from the academy made the round trip in just a short time, bringing the message back.

"I've met Junior Brother Lu. He said he needs fifteen minutes to prepare for the competition and will be here shortly."

The requirement to have time to prepare for the match was reasonable, and Han Lu had no objection. Naturally, the two referees also refrained from making any comments.

Thus, Han Lu's challenge to Lu Liangcai was finalized and immediately became known to the Golden Core elders on the viewing platform.

"Han Lu versus Lu Liangcai? Interesting." Yun Min Dao Ren couldn't help but stroke his not-so-long beard and chuckle.

As the sect leader, he had spent a lot of time and effort on these fourteen "treasure hunters" over the past two years, so he naturally knew the abilities of these seven main champions very well.

According to the information provided to Han Lu by Zhong Wencheng, Lu Liangcai was described as a cultivator who was unlike ordinary cultivators from the Central Plains.

Lu Liangcai is skilled in illusion and poison, and follows a path that is looked down upon by most cultivators in the Central Plains.

In the arena, lethal poisons are strictly prohibited, and she, possessing the bloodline of a true spirit, has a natural resistance to weak toxins.

As for illusions, Han Lu didn't think that illusions cast by Qi Refining cultivators could work on her.

Combining these two points, Lu Liangcai, a cultivator who seemed troublesome and difficult to deal with to others, was not much stronger than Yin Yixing in Han Lu's eyes; he was just as easy to bully.

Since the other party would take some more time to arrive, Han Lu wasn't in a hurry.

He simply sat cross-legged on the ring and entered a meditative state to calm his mind.

In the last two matches, Han Lu didn't expend even a tenth of her internal spiritual energy. It was all just a pose to make herself look more like a master.

A large crowd gradually gathered around the No. 8 arena of the Five Elements Mountain Academy where Han Lu was located.

New spectators inquired about the details from veteran viewers, who, as if they had won four matches themselves, enthusiastically recounted the miracles Han Lu had just performed on the stage.

"Look at that pile of rubble! Senior Sister Han only used one move to knock Yin Yixing down, and not only that, she also blew up the arena!"

"In the second match, Senior Sister Han used some kind of magic, and her magical wooden flute actually started playing on the stage by itself..."

……

The story has some artistic embellishment and exaggeration, but overall it still presents the facts.

The crowd gathered around the arena, buzzing with discussion. Han Lu had become the center of attention as soon as the selection competition began.

However, after a quarter of an hour, Lu Liangcai composed himself and came to the arena area, still managing to steal some of Han Lu's spotlight.

As a "treasure hunter," Lu Liangcai was one of the more well-known among the fourteen due to his handsome appearance, and was the dream lover of many female cultivators in the Zhengyi Sect.

However, not long after becoming a treasure hunter, Lu Liangcai announced that he was "taken".

A couple got married successfully a month before the selection competition began.

Lu Liangcai also successfully became the grandson-in-law of a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, barely managing to climb a high branch in the cultivation world.

There was an element of mutual affection involved, but there was also a reason for exchanging benefits.

By successfully establishing a connection with a Golden Core cultivator, Lu Liangcai, who originally came from a poor background, was able to make up for his last shortcoming.

With the strong support of his grandfather-in-law, and the addition of several mid-to-high-grade magic tools to his storage bag, Lu Liangcai was confident that he could successfully defend his position as the champion during the seven-day selection competition.

But he never expected that the first challenger would come knocking on his door just 15 minutes into the selection process.

When Lu Liangcai saw Han Lu sitting cross-legged on the arena with her eyes closed in meditation, it was only after being reminded by a friend who was with him that he remembered who this fellow female cultivator named "Han Lu" really was.

Having learned of Han Lu's deeds and her performance on the stage from a friend, Lu Liangcai dared not be negligent in the slightest and suppressed his little bit of arrogance.