The Long Journey to Immortality

“This is…” Zhong Hong looked at the white feathers with red accents in his hand and said helplessly, “Zhong Mou is not knowledgeable enough to recognize what kind of material this is.”

"What it is doesn't matter, the key is whether it's suitable as an auxiliary material for this weapon refining." Han Lu would never say that the feather was one she had just plucked from her own body.

Zhong Hong examined it for a moment and nodded. "It fits. If this feather is added as an auxiliary ingredient, Zhong Mou is 75% confident that he can accomplish this task."

“Okay,” Han Lu subconsciously touched her waist and said, “The spirit stones have been given, and the materials are here. I’ll leave this matter to Fellow Daoist Zhong.”

Zhong Hong casually gathered the magical treasures and materials provided by Han Lu into his arms and promised, "Zhong Mou will certainly live up to Fairy Han's high expectations and the dozens of spirit stones she paid."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Han Lu arrived at the weapon-refining room under Zhong Hong's guidance.

The weapon-refining room has one large room and seven small rooms. As an external weapon refiner, Zhong Hong can only refine magical artifacts in the small room that is temporarily his.

Standing in front of the weapon-refining room, Zhong Hong smiled and said, "Weapon-refining is not something that can be watched by others. Moreover, according to the rules here, only I, Zhong Hong, can enter this weapon-refining room. Fairy Han, if you trust me, please rest in my room for a while and wait patiently."

"I will definitely return with good news within an hour."

With things having come to this point, Han Lu had no choice but to place her complete trust in Zhong Hong.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Zhong, see you in an hour."

After watching Zhong Hong carry his magical artifacts and materials into the weapon-refining room and close the door, Han Lu lingered in front of the door for a moment before returning the way she came.

Although this arrangement could easily lead to weapon refiners substituting inferior items, rules are rules, and Han Lu had no intention of violating them.

"Besides, what if Zhong Hong really does play some trick of switching things out and steals my feathers?"

"Even if it's hidden in a storage bag, I can still vaguely sense the existence of that feather."

Given Jiulong Mountain's image and status in Dongzhou Prefecture, Han Lu felt confident that if anything unexpected happened, as long as she could provide sufficient evidence, the matter could definitely be resolved properly.

Back in Zhong Hong's room, Han Lu took out her tea set and brewed a cup of tea. After drinking half of it, she closed her eyes and entered a meditative state, patiently waiting.

Sure enough, less than an hour later, Zhong Hong returned with a beaming smile, carrying Han Lu's magic weapon and the small bottle that had once contained the essence of the fire phoenix.

Chapter 329 Successful Advancement, War

"how?"

Although Han Lu could guess the general outcome from Zhong Hong's expression, she still took the initiative to ask a question to ease the anxiety that had been building up in her heart for almost an hour.

Zhong Hong didn't keep them in suspense and directly placed Han Lu's wooden flute and the small bottle inside that contained the essence of the Fire Phoenix on the table.

Zhong Hong said, "Congratulations, Fairy Han, on acquiring another treasure."

"A flute made of paulownia wood, a top-grade magic instrument."

The "treasure" mentioned by Zhong Hong is merely an exaggerated rhetorical device.

However, in his opinion, a high-grade magic weapon is indeed a treasure for a cultivator in the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Really?" Han Lu had thought that after all the twists and turns, this wooden flute could only barely advance to the middle fourth grade magic weapon. Hearing this result, she was naturally overjoyed.

If a mid-grade fourth-rank magic weapon was barely usable for the wealthy and powerful Han Lu, then the wooden flute that was so perfectly suited to her, once it became a top-grade third-rank magic weapon, would definitely greatly enhance Han Lu's combat power in human form, and greatly assist Han Lu on her journey back to the Central Plains after traversing several prefectures of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Picking up the wooden flute, Han Lu noticed that its appearance had changed considerably since its advancement.

The old sycamore wood flute was scorched and withered, probably made from completely withered sycamore wood.

Now, the paulownia wood flute, after being "reforged" and upgraded by Zhong Hong, looks much more vibrant.

"This was clearly enhanced and tempered with fire-attribute materials, so why does it have an extra touch of green?" Han Lu asked Zhong Hong, holding the wooden flute whose color had become almost indistinguishable from ordinary grass and tree branches.

Zhong Hong chuckled twice and said, "I can't say for sure. It's probably because of another unknown ingredient provided by Fairy Han."

"That accessory has a complex array of elements, but it is perfectly suited to this paulownia wood flute."

"It's thanks to that unknown auxiliary material that was carefully mixed during this tempering process; otherwise, this wooden flute wouldn't have been able to be upgraded to a superior-grade magic weapon by someone as mediocre as me."

Zhong Hong knew his own limitations and also knew that the first high-grade magic weapon "born" from his hands mainly relied on the advantages of the materials, rather than on how much his weapon-refining skills had improved compared to before.

However, in any case, Zhong Hong's resume as a weapon refiner has been greatly enhanced by the birth of this high-grade magic weapon.

Next time, if Han Lu were to take the proper route and seek Zhong Hong's help in refining artifacts, she would definitely have to spend hundreds of spirit stones to invite this expert who can refine high-grade magic artifacts to make an appearance.

Mentioning the nameless material provided by Han Lu, Zhong Hong curiously inquired of Han Lu, "I wonder if Fairy Han could tell me the origin of that nameless feather?"

"I found it by chance in the mountains and fields, and since I thought it was strange, I kept it," Han Lu casually made up.

Zhong Hong pressed further, "Is it somewhere in the mountains? I'd like to try my luck and see if I can find a few feathers like Fairy Han did, maybe I can use them to repair my broken umbrella."

Zhong Hong brought up his magical umbrella, which Han Lu had broken, in order to make Han Lu feel a little guilty and tell her the truth.

And just as Zhong Hong had thought, Han Lu did feel apologetic because of the "sky-covering umbrella" incident.

“Fellow Daoist Zhong, there’s no need for trouble. I have some feathers here that I can’t name,” Han Lu said, reluctantly plucking two more of her own feathers. “Fellow Daoist Zhong, consider these feathers my apology to you.”

"No, no, I'll pay for it no matter how much it costs." Zhong Hong was overjoyed, but insisted on not accepting the gift and instead making a deal with Han Lu.

After a few exchanges, Han Lu's two freshly plucked feathers were sold to Zhong Hong for twenty spirit stones each.

Looking at the spirit stones in her hand, Han Lu felt that she had found another way to make a comeback and get rich, in addition to selling underwear.

Of course, that was just a joke.

Han Lu casually put the small bottle that had once contained the essence of the Fire Phoenix into her storage bag, then wiped the wooden flute on her hand twice before slowly bringing it to her lips.

After a moment of contemplation and a brief moment of thought, Han Lu skillfully played several familiar tunes, testing this magical artifact, which had already been upgraded to a top-tier magic weapon, in a very ordinary, commonplace, and worldly manner.

Zhong Hong had intended to boast and explain a few things while Han Lu was testing the treasure, but when the music started, he found himself unable to get a word in edgewise.

There was no other way but to wait until Han Lu had played three pieces before he spoke up and introduced the upgraded and improved wutong wood flute to Han Lu, the "client".

The introduction was unoriginal; it focused more on the events that occurred while discussing weapon crafting with Han Lu, a cultivator who knew nothing about it.

After all, this wooden flute magic weapon, which had just been upgraded to the level of a magic artifact, was not Zhong Hong's "original creation," so he couldn't tell Han Lu too much about the actual magic weapon.

After saying a dozen or so sentences, Han Lu realized there was nothing of substance to the conversation, so she casually made up an excuse to take her leave.

"Fellow Daoist Zhong, thank you very much for helping me upgrade this treasure."

"I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer."

Zhong Hong was also sensible and did not try to stop her, but instead asked Han Lu where she had found the nameless feather.

Helpless, Han Lu could only unfold the map she carried with her and point out the mountain range where the cave where she and Ming had temporarily stayed was located to Zhong Hong on the map.

“Fellow Daoist Zhong, this is the place. However, as you said, this treasure is very rare and not so easy to find. If you can’t find it here, don’t blame me.”

“No, no,” Zhong Hong noted down the area Han Lu pointed out and said repeatedly, “It is already difficult enough for Fairy Han to tell me where she found this item. How could I blame Fairy Han for not having good fortune?”

"Farewell, fairy. May you have a safe journey." Zhong Hong cupped his hands in greeting and stood up from his seat.

Han Lu raised her hand in return, put the wooden flute she was holding into her storage bag, and then strode away from Zhong Hong's room.

Back at the shop, the shopkeeper greeted Han Lu warmly for a few moments, and when he heard that Han Lu had successfully upgraded her magic weapon, he congratulated her again.

A friendly atmosphere brings wealth. While it may not necessarily turn Han Lu into a repeat customer, saying a few kind words will definitely not go wrong.

When the shopkeeper heard that Han Lu planned to travel east, his expression changed somewhat.

"Fairy, you probably haven't heard of it."

"What did you hear?" Han Lu asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yangdan Prefecture and Ningzhou Prefecture, which are located east of Dongzhou Prefecture, have started fighting." The shopkeeper told Han Lu this news, which was already known to many people.

Han Lu was quite surprised to hear the news from the shopkeeper.

Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture are both located east of Dongzhou Prefecture. If Han Lu wants to avoid taking too long a journey to the Wilderness, she must pass through one of these two prefectures.

"I've been in the deep blue desert for about seven or eight days, and that's why I haven't heard of this. If you don't mind, could you tell me about it?"

There were no customers in the shop at the moment, and having just made a fairly large deal with Han Lu, the shopkeeper was naturally willing to chat with this beautiful customer a bit more and show off his well-informed side.

Chapter 330 Internal Strife within the Extreme Heaven Palace

"Does the fairy know about the story that happened at Jiulong Mountain two months ago?"

The shopkeeper wasn't sure whether Han Lu was a completely reclusive hermit or had only been isolated for the past few days, so he asked her before starting his lecture.

"Are you talking about the matter between Jiulong Mountain and Xuanyu Temple? That ** was there, and I also overheard a few words of the conversation between Master Yuanri and Daoist Qingzhu." Han Lu did not directly answer the shopkeeper's question.

But listening to Han Lu's reply, the shopkeeper knew that Han Lu had attended the Jiulong Mountain Grand Ceremony two months ago, so he had a general plan on how to bring up the foreign affairs of other prefectures with Han Lu.

"In that case, it will be much easier to discuss this matter with the fairy."

Although he was from Jiulong Mountain, the shopkeeper spoke to Han Lu as if he were an outsider.

"The conflict between Jiulong Mountain and Xuanyu Temple two months ago, which almost broke out into war, was a manifestation of the friction between the old and new forces in Jitian Palace."

"The great battle that broke out between Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture three days ago was the true head-on confrontation between the old and new forces of the Jitian Palace."

"But that makes sense. There has always been a rift between Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture. Every ten years, a feud arises between them. Unlike my Jiulong Mountain, which has a history with Xuanyu Temple, we still have to consider each other's feelings."

"Once the two forces in the Jitian Palace stir things up, the two sides will naturally go with the flow and fight each other."

Compared to the shopkeeper in Yuxi County, this shopkeeper in Jinyuan County, who served Jiulong Mountain, was much more well-informed.

In a few words, the shopkeeper explained to Han Lu the origins and causes of the great battle between Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture.

Upon hearing that this matter was related to the colossal Jitian Palace in the Great Yu Dynasty, Han Lu couldn't help but consider changing her itinerary.

After all, there are countless roads, and many states are close to the wilderness. She doesn't have to choose Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture, where a great war is taking place, to reach her destination.

However, upon closer reflection, there was no need to make a decision so quickly, so Han Lu continued to ask, "Then, shopkeeper, how is the battle going? Is it intense? If I travel through these two prefectures, will I attract trouble?"

"The fighting is fierce." After all, they were in Dongzhou Prefecture and the news was hearsay. The shopkeeper could explain the major events clearly, but he only knew a little about the details. "However, it is said that at present, it is only Foundation Establishment cultivators from various sects in the two prefectures fighting there. The war is only taking place in the border area between the two prefectures."

"There were quite a few casualties, mainly rogue cultivators recruited by both sides."

"After all, sects that can dominate a prefecture would not be willing to work for the Extreme Heaven Palace, let alone directly become its spirit sword wielders."

"If the fairy must pass through these two prefectures," the shopkeeper offered his assessment, "if it is today, avoiding the border between the two prefectures should ensure her safety."

"However, after some time, when the fairy travels from Jinyuan County to Ningzhou Prefecture and Yangdan Prefecture, I can't say for sure what will happen."

Even with non-stop flying, it would take three and a half days to travel from Jinyuan County to the nearest Ningzhou Prefecture. The shopkeeper had no ability to divine or predict the future, and he had no idea how the battle that had just begun would develop in four or five days.

No one can say for sure how long this great battle will last.

Perhaps the great battle will end before Han Lu even arrives.

Or perhaps, as soon as Han Lu arrived, Golden Core cultivators and Nascent Soul cultivators rolled up their sleeves and joined the battle, dragging even a minor character like Han Lu into the fray.