The Long Journey to Immortality

Fortunately, Lu Liangcai, who had already walked away, didn't hear these words. Otherwise, he would probably have coughed up blood and spent the rest of his life referring to Han Lu as a "demoness".

Wuhu Jushi could naturally sense the slight concealment in Han Lu's answer, but he didn't take it to heart.

It is perfectly normal for cultivators to keep their cultivation methods, tools, and techniques secret during their practice and not want to reveal everything to others.

After giving Han Lu some more encouragement, Wuhu Jushi finally let her leave.

Having just become the official champion, Han Lu still has a lot to do.

After the results were confirmed by the Golden Core cultivator who acted as the referee, Han Lu temporarily obtained a small courtyard in the Five Elements Mountain Academy for the next seven days.

During the seven-day selection competition, as long as Han Lu remains the reigning champion, she will have to live in this small courtyard to prepare for any challengers who may come to challenge her at any time.

However, the rules also stipulate that challengers like Han Lu who defeat the reigning champion in the first six days and win the spot can have a full day of rest to prevent later challengers from taking advantage of them due to injuries or other reasons.

Because of this discipline, Han Lu was able to steal a moment of leisure from her busy schedule. Less than half an hour after the start of this selection competition, she left the Five Elements Mountain Academy to find Wen Erya and become her sparring partner.

Wen Erya was relieved to learn that Han Lu had easily qualified as the main champion.

In her opinion, Han Lu won easily, and it wouldn't be too difficult for her to win either.

With Han Lu acting as the punching bag and Wen Erya practicing with the magical implements, the two practiced on a fighting platform in Dongshan Academy for a full two hours before stopping just before lunchtime.

The reason for the temporary pause was not that Wen Erya had mastered the three newly acquired magical artifacts, nor that the two felt hungry and wanted to rest and replenish their strength, but rather that Zhong Wencheng, whom Han Lu had summoned from Zhongshan Academy by sending a letter, had finally arrived.

After saying goodbye to Wen Erya, Han Lu took out a silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and said with a smile, "It's been almost an hour and a half since I sent the paper sword to Junior Brother Zhong, and it's only just arrived. It seems like the intelligence business is booming."

In the morning, at Wuxing Mountain Academy, Han Lu saw Zhong Wencheng selling materials at his stall, but she didn't greet him.

Zhong Wencheng put a lot of effort into Han Lu's matter, and naturally he wanted to earn back his hard-earned money from the "viewing guide" he provided to his fellow disciples.

Seeing Han Lu's expression, Zhong Wencheng chuckled and said, "There's no business here. This selection competition isn't like any other competition. There are many people just there for the fun, but few who actually participate. Apart from cultivators like Senior Sister Han and Senior Sister Wen who are participating in the selection competition, there aren't many spectators willing to spend money to buy my viewing materials."

"Besides, although I have a good reputation, I'm not the only one selling this information."

"Sigh, doing business is tough."

Zhong Wen sighed and tried to gain Han Lu's sympathy so that his employer, who was developing into a "femme fatale," would forgive his late arrival.

Han Lu put her hands behind her back and said, "Then I'll give you some pointers and help you with a big business deal, what do you think?"

"Senior Sister Han, is it true? What kind of big deal is it?"

Han Lu said, "Help me build up momentum."

[Author's Note] Suffocating... This old book, completed four months ago, is already on sale for the third time.

Chapter 168 Investment, Half-Sold, Half-Giveaway

"Senior Sister Han, tell me what you need me to do, how can I create momentum for you?" Zhong Wencheng asked, feigning interest.

Zhong Wencheng had already made up his mind that no matter whether Han Lu's request could make him a lot of money or whether it was a big business, he would take the job.

Using his strengths to help Han Lu, Zhong Wencheng was not as reluctant as he had been last time.

Upon learning that Han Lu had successfully become the main champion at the very beginning of the selection competition and understanding the results of Han Lu's five matches of defending and attacking the title, Zhong Wencheng made up his mind to latch onto Han Lu, this powerful figure who would most likely advance to the Golden Core stage and become a high-ranking member of the sect.

Previously, when Zhong Wencheng was compiling "exclusive information" on Han Lu's opponents, he viewed his work as a transaction.

Now, he sees serving Han Lu and getting closer to Han Lu and Wen Erya as an investment.

Compared to other cultivators, Zhong Wencheng, who was engaged in sect intelligence work, had a longer-term vision and a broader perspective.

He couldn't be happier to invest in the future and get closer to genius cultivators like Han Lu and Wen Erya.

"It's not that complicated. I just don't want to be bothered by those challengers every day. I only want to go on stage occasionally for a sure-win match. That's why I won so many matches today with such lightning speed. I hope that it will deter those challengers who don't know their own abilities and strength."

"However, even the best wine needs advertising. Not everyone likes to do their homework in advance and put effort into intelligence gathering."

"That's why I want to work with you again and have you publish a special issue about me, to give me a good shout-out, to talk about me, and to talk about the five matches I just played."

"The purpose is to spread the word and let those challengers know that I'm not someone to be trifled with."

Just as Zhong Wencheng was about to praise Han Lu for her "brilliance," Han Lu added another sentence.

"Oh, right..." Han Lu continued, "We can also write about the other champions in the information and compare them with me."

"In this way, my plan to avoid war and take a break should be able to proceed more smoothly."

Han Lu offered an idea, and Zhong Wencheng followed up with, "Senior Sister Han is brilliant! This plan is truly excellent. If everything goes smoothly, you won't even need to go to the Five Elements Mountain Academy in the next few days."

"What are your thoughts on the more specific implementation methods?" Han Lu did not intend to micromanage Zhong Wencheng, but rather to let professionals like him utilize their expertise.

Her plan was actually just a very rough and simple preliminary plan. She only wanted to explain her general goals and ideas to a professional like Zhong Wencheng, and then have him refine the plan so that she could achieve her goals more efficiently.

Zhong Wencheng pondered for a moment and said, "This is easy. After all, Senior Sister Han has real skills and is indeed the number one among the main champions."

"Oh, so what do you plan to do?" Han Lu pressed.

Zhong Wencheng figured out the key points and answered more fluently. "I exaggerated a little in my praise of my senior sister, focusing on those five matches. I wanted to make readers who read my materials feel as if they could see my senior sister's heroic figure in those five matches just by reading the text descriptions."

Han Lu nodded slightly, signaling Zhong Wencheng to continue.

"As for the other champions, their information is all from the event, so we can just bring it over directly."

"However, this time we need to write in more detail. It would be best to analyze their combat strength and fighting characteristics, or even clearly state their weaknesses, so that challengers would be more willing to choose to challenge them, rather than causing trouble for Senior Sister Han."

Han Lu nodded repeatedly, secretly praising Zhong Wencheng and sighing, "Everyone has their own expertise."

As Zhong Wencheng spoke more and more, the entire plan became more and more complete.

Han Lu felt that if everything went smoothly, she would probably be crowned with the title of the number one young person in the Zhengyi Sect, and begin her adventure in the ancient cultivation secret realm with such a hollow title.

However, Han Lu quickly discovered a loophole in the plan by combining what Zhong Wencheng had said earlier.

“Junior Brother Zhong, how can you guarantee that many people will see these things? Didn’t you just say that business was bad today? If business is bad on the first day, how good can business be in the following days?”

Han Lu's words reminded Zhong Wencheng.

“Senior Sister Han, you don’t need to worry about this. I have a way,” Zhong Wencheng said. “Since we can’t sell them, we can just give them away. But we can’t do it openly, or we’ll break the rules of the trade.”

Han Lu asked expectantly, "So?"

“I can arrange a trade-in program,” Zhong Wencheng said, “doing things for Han Lu is different from doing business. I’m willing to spend money. As long as you bought my ‘Viewing Guide’ during the past big and small games, you can bring it here and exchange it for a new one. I’ll find ways to give it away for free.”

"Oh, then you're going to lose a lot of money?" Han Lu's smile was somewhat meaningful.

Zhong Wencheng shamelessly said, "It is my honor to do things for Senior Sister Han. Besides, it only costs some money for printing and paper. The cost is not necessarily worth a tael of gold."

"Okay, okay," Han Lu said three times, then generously took out two spirit stones from her storage bag. "Since you've already called me senior sister, I naturally can't let you work for nothing."

"These two spirit stones are a reward. If everything goes smoothly and the mission is accomplished, I will give you three more spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Wencheng was overjoyed. "Thank you, Senior Sister. I will do my best to help you with this matter and will not let you waste any more spiritual energy or effort during this selection competition."

Han Lu nodded in satisfaction, then changed to a more relaxed tone and asked Zhong Wencheng, "So tell me, how are you planning to praise me?"

"Well..." Zhong Wencheng drawled out the word, thought for a moment, and then casually made up a story, "Of course, the more exaggerated and impressive the better."

"More specific."

“How about we say that Senior Sister Han is a descendant of an ancient cultivator, a true spirit descendant, and possesses unparalleled divine skills?” Zhong Wencheng expanded on this statement slightly, “We can say that the ancient cultivator Senior Fang Lin is Senior Sister Han’s ancestor. The Ice Phoenix bloodline that I made up last time can also be used now.”

"In addition, Senior Sister Han has also mastered a profound cultivation technique, opening up a total of two hundred and fifty acupoints all over her body..."

Han Lu interrupted, "That doesn't sound good."

Zhong Wencheng changed his mind and said, "How about two hundred and fifty-one?"

Han Lu nodded, "You can use your imagination freely in this matter, but the descriptions of those battles later on should be as factual as possible, lest you make things worse."

Zhong Wencheng patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, Senior Sister Han, I know what I'm doing. Leave everything to me."

The two chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye and going their separate ways.

Watching Zhong Wencheng's departing figure, Han Lu thought to herself, "If you hadn't sounded like you were joking just now, I would have really thought you had figured out everything about me."

[Author's Note] Androni got divorced? The last book contained a lot about the president. They already have two children, and she's already divorced. Unbelievable.

Chapter 169 Wen Er Ya's Selection Competition

Zhong Wencheng was unaware that he had actually guessed many of Han Lu's secrets based on his sixth sense.

After receiving the order from Han Lu, he went into seclusion again, hiding in his bedroom and burying himself in his work.

The intelligence had already been fully gathered. All he needed to do was to combine the information about Han Lu with his own imagination to create some artistic works, exaggerate it, and add details about Han Lu's five actual battles in the selection competition, presenting Han Lu's "invincible" image to the readers.

In addition, the analysis and evaluation of the other six champions should not be overlooked.

This was not difficult for Zhong Wencheng, who was knowledgeable and had complete information.

After a busy afternoon, Zhong Wencheng hurriedly delivered the compiled "In-Depth Observation Guide" to Han Lu, asking her to help review it.

After Han Lu nodded, he hurriedly made another trip to Zhengyi Village, the closest village to Zhengyi Gate, and found a familiar printer to print the document overnight.

The next morning, when Han Lu accompanied Wen Erya to the arena area of ​​Wuxing Mountain Academy, Zhong Wencheng had already set up his stance, occupied an area, put up a "trade-in" sign, and was giving away copies of the "In-Depth Spectator Guide" that still smelled of ink.

Wen Erya knew about this, but was unaware of the specifics of Han Lu and Zhong Wencheng's plan.

So, out of curiosity, she pulled Han Lu to Zhong Wencheng's stall, pretending they didn't know each other, and exchanged her old booklet for a new one.

With great interest, Wen Erya turned to the page about Han Lu, looked at Han Lu, and pointed at the booklet, "This Zhong Wencheng has quite the imagination, junior sister. Could it all be true?"

Han Lu said seriously, "It's true."

Wen Erya's smile instantly froze.

Wen Erya's change in expression made Han Lu laugh out loud. "Haha, I was just kidding. Of course it's fake. I'm not that magical or that amazing."

Wen Erya's expression changed again, and she symbolically tapped Han Lu's back twice with her fist, saying, "Junior sister, you're actually teasing me."

“I didn’t tease Senior Sister,” Han Lu joked. “Doesn’t that mean Zhong Wencheng did a good job? Even Senior Sister almost believed it.”

Wen Erya nodded, then pointed to the other pages in the booklet, "What about the information about the other six champions?"

“It’s even more real than spirit stones,” Han Lu said. “These things are the result of Zhong Wencheng’s many years of investigation.”

"If you don't mind the trouble, senior sister, you can take a look at this booklet before you win four consecutive matches and challenge the champion. Choose the most suitable opponent from it."

Upon hearing this, Wen Erya's interest in the booklet grew even stronger. While joking about Han Lu's information in the booklet, she also paid more attention to other content.

After accompanying Wen Erya to register, receive number 11, and confirm the competition arena, Han Lu spent some time inquiring about yesterday's competition from the academy monks serving at the arena.

Seeing that it was Han Lu, this rising star, who took the initiative to ask the question, the academy cultivators who had been approached by Han Lu were not impatient and said a few more words, letting Han Lu, the champion who had only been in the arena for half an hour, know about everything that had happened at other times.