The Long Journey to Immortality

"That's why I sent a message to Wen Erya, asking her to ask me to help deliver a message to the sect leader, hoping that the sect leader could make proper arrangements for her and quietly bring her into the sect to settle the matter that should have been settled in the deep valley a year ago."

When relaying the message, Piaomiaozi improvised a bit, but there weren't any major problems.

Upon hearing that Han Lu, the disciple on whom so much hope was placed, had indeed returned to the Central Plains and that the ancient cultivation treasures she possessed were still there, Daoist Yunmin was overjoyed.

Several months ago, through clandestine channels, Daoist Yunmin confirmed that more than forty years ago, three Nascent Soul cultivators from Xuan Yang Valley either died or were seriously injured for some secret reason.

With his competitors greatly weakened and a bountiful harvest in the ancient cultivation realm, Daoist Yunmin naturally became ambitious and wanted to achieve great things during his term.

Han Lu's return this time is another step in contributing to Yunmin Daoist's "Zhengyi Sect Revitalization Plan".

“This young disciple Han Lu is indeed meticulous,” Daoist Yun Min understood why Han Lu waited outside the sect instead of returning directly to the sect. “How about this, you and I will go to Zheng Yi Village ourselves and bring Han Lu home.”

Master Yunmin was eager to reveal the sect's stance to avoid arousing suspicion between Han Lu and the sect, which could create a rift between the future genius disciple destined to achieve the Golden Core stage.

Having the sect leader, a high-ranking Golden Core cultivator, handle this matter was undoubtedly the most correct decision.

Because it was a Golden Core cultivator's nighttime operation, this matter was definitely handled with extreme secrecy. Ordinary disciples would never know that Han Lu had been "reincarnated" and returned to the sect alive.

With the sect leader taking action, Han Lu, who currently lacks a sense of security, can completely dispel her suspicions.

This arrangement suited Piaomiaozi's wishes.

"As arranged by the sect leader."

After muttering this, he followed behind Daoist Yunmin, simultaneously using his magic to fly at an extremely fast speed towards Zhengyi Village, which was not far from the Zhengyi Sect, to find Han Lu.

The three-mile journey took the two Golden Core cultivators only twenty breaths to reach the mortal living area closest to the Zhengyi Sect.

There was only one teahouse in the village. The two of them used their divine sense to scan the area and found the private room where Han Lu was.

I walked twenty or thirty meters in the manner of an ordinary person and went up to the second floor of the teahouse.

Although one of them was the head of the Zhengyi Sect, where Han Lu belonged, and the other was Han Lu's master, they still politely knocked on the door in tacit agreement.

Hearing a knock on the door, Han Lu knew that Wen Erya had completed the task she had been asked to do.

Based on the sensation of being scanned by divine sense a moment earlier, Han Lu was 70% certain that it was a Golden Core cultivator who had come to invite her.

The door opened, and there was no surprise whatsoever.

Han Lu naturally raised her hand from the doorknob, bowed to the two sect elders, and greeted them softly, "Greetings, Sect Leader, Greetings, Master."

Since it was a clandestine operation, Yunmin Daoist was overjoyed to see that Han Lu had really returned, and of course he didn't care about these formalities.

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities." He waved his hand casually and hurriedly entered the private room with Piaomiaozi.

Although he would only be staying briefly before leaving, he still carefully placed two simple barriers in the private room to prevent eavesdroppers or people using magical artifacts to spy from afar.

Chapter 410 Conditions

Yunmin Daoist's cautiousness left Han Lu somewhat puzzled.

It's unclear whether it's because the ancient cultivation treasure she carries is too precious, or because the once peaceful and tranquil Central Plains is now rife with undercurrents and is no longer as peaceful as it once was, requiring caution in all matters.

But Han Lu kept this question to herself.

After all, this is not a suitable question to ask at this time.

Upon entering the room, Han Lu quickly served hot tea to the two elders of the sect, but Yun Min Daoist and Piao Miao Zi showed no intention of sitting down to enjoy the tea.

“Han Lu,” said Daoist Yunmin, “Although this place is not far from the Zhengyi Sect, it is not a good place to talk.”

"You should come back to the sect with me and Piaomiaozi first. I will then call the two vice sect leaders to discuss this in detail."

"As for the matter of the ancient cultivation treasures," Daoist Yunmin brought it up, trying to put Han Lu, who had been wandering for eleven months, at ease. "You must have suffered a lot during those eleven months. As the sect leader, hearing that you have safely returned to Zhengyi Village and have taken the initiative to contact Piaomiaozi will show me your deep love for the sect."

"How you treat your sect is how my Zhengyi Sect will treat you."

"No matter how much treasure there is, you can keep a portion of it as long as the original rules were set."

"what do you think?"

Master Yunmin looked at Han Lu, waiting for her answer.

Although Daoist Yunmin didn't know much about the matter, he didn't think Han Lu had the ability to hide and leave in the presence of so many Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators in the deep valley that day.

They must have encountered some setbacks or accidents to go missing.

Since that's the case, Han Lu's return to Zhengyi Sect after overcoming numerous hardships with this precious treasure can be considered a great achievement.

Furthermore, Daoist Yunmin plans to give Han Lu more rewards in the future so that this talented disciple, who has suffered so much "beating in the cultivation world," can feel the warmth of the sect and strengthen her sense of belonging to the Zhengyi Sect.

Upon hearing Yunmin Daoist's conditions, Han Lu felt only "satisfied".

In fact, when Han Lu saw that Daoist Yunmin had come to greet her personally, she knew that things would go more smoothly than she had imagined.

After experiencing many things in the Great Yu Dynasty and the Wilderness, Han Lu couldn't help but think the worst of people.

But clearly, the customs and traditions of the Central Plains, and the virtues of the cultivators there, remain as excellent as ever.

Han Lu replied, "The sect leader's arrangement is reasonable and I have no objection."

Privately, the fact that Yunmin Daoist was able to make such an arrangement that suited Han Lu's wishes showed Han Lu the attitude of the Zhengyi Sect towards her.

They hit it off immediately, and the three of them decided not to waste any more time in this small place outside Zhengyi Gate.

After casually placing some silver on the table in the private room, Han Lu, accompanied by Daoist Yun Min and Piao Miao Zi, quietly took off and returned to Zhengyi Sect under the moonlight.

They were escorted back to their sect by Golden Core cultivators.

This matter was both high-profile and low-profile.

In the Central Plains, the involvement of a Golden Core cultivator is no small matter, let alone something that would require Yun Min Daoist, the sect leader of the Zhengyi Sect, to make a special trip.

This is a high-profile approach.

However, because of the presence of Daoist Yunmin, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and their deliberate concealment, cultivators below the Golden Core realm would not discover the three's movements under the moonlight.

They then went back to keeping a low profile.

No matter how powerful other sects are, they wouldn't station Golden Core cultivators outside the Zhengyi Sect to monitor or spy on them.

Taken together, this high-profile move is clearly aimed at Han Lu, expressing sincerity.

This low profile is meant to keep things private, to avoid leaks that could cause unimaginable negative consequences.

This matter was not yet appropriate to publicize, so Daoist Yunmin simply led Han Lu to his residence at the Five Elements Mountain Academy, rather than to the council hall where the elders of the Zhengyi Sect usually held meetings to discuss important matters.

Halfway there, Daoist Yunmin sent a telepathic message to the other two deputy sect leaders.

So, no sooner had the three of them sat down in Yunmin Daoist's room than the other two current vice sect leaders of the Zhengyi Sect, Wuxin and Qingshui Zhenren, arrived one after another.

Compared to Daoist Yunmin, Wuxin and Master Qingshui were much more excited about Han Lu's return.

However, as Golden Core cultivators, their ability to cultivate their inner energy was not bad.

Although their facial expressions and the long gazes fixed on Han Lu revealed their inner thoughts, they managed to suppress the urge to ask questions.

After nodding and greeting Daoist Yunmin, I patiently sat down inside the house and waited for Daoist Yunmin to speak.

Even after the two deputy sect leaders arrived, Daoist Yunmin still did not speak to Han Lu.

Clearly, in addition to Daoist Yunmin, Piaomiaozi, and the two deputy sect leaders, a fifth or even a sixth person will arrive soon to become the audience for the story to come.

Everyone waited patiently. As the protagonist of the story to be told, Han Lu naturally became the focus of attention for the four Golden Core cultivators.

Surrounded by four cultivators whose cultivation levels surpassed hers, Han Lu remained relaxed and showed no discomfort whatsoever.

Compared to the grand scenes she had witnessed in the wilderness, simply watching this was not enough to move Han Lu, who had already developed a strong heart, in the slightest.

Seeing Han Lu so calm and composed, Daoist Yun Min was amazed, feeling that he had discovered the secret to Han Lu's great success in the ancient cultivation secret realm.

"Remaining calm in the face of adversity will naturally lead to great achievements when searching for treasures or exploring the world."

The five people waited quietly for a hundred breaths before another person finally pushed open the door and entered.

Apart from Han Lu and Daoist Yun Min, the other three were Golden Core cultivators, and knew the identity of the visitor even before seeing him. They all stood up and bowed immediately.

This listener was summoned by Daoist Yunmin, who already knew who would be visiting at this time and had made preparations in advance.

Han Lu was a little slow to react, but she still managed to keep up with the rhythm of the four of them.

"Greetings, Venerable Qingyang."

The most active Nascent Soul cultivator in the Zheng Yi Sect raised his hand in return to the four of them.

Venerable Qingyang sat down in the seat that Daoist Yunmin had originally occupied, and Han Lu also voluntarily gave up her seat and stood among the four Golden Core cultivators, ready to tell the story she had been planning for half a day.

After Venerable Qingyang was seated, Daoist Yunmin spoke, “Han Lu, I imagine a lot has happened during these eleven months of unexpected disappearance. Tell me about it first, and after you’ve explained everything, we can discuss how to deal with the treasures you brought out from the ancient cultivation realm.”

When dealing with issues within the system, fairness and impartiality are essential.

Yunmin Daoist wanted Han Lu to gain more advantages in the matter of the ancient cultivation secret realm after returning to the sect after going through all kinds of difficulties. Naturally, he wanted Han Lu to tell the story first, so that Venerable Qingyang and the other two vice sect leaders with a voice could understand the ins and outs, and also let Han Lu play the victim so that they could offer some small suggestions later.

Of course, Han Lu's story was also of concern to Master Yunmin and other high-ranking members of the Zhengyi Sect present.

Everyone has a gossipy nature.

Not to mention such high-level gossip as the unexpected disappearance of a high-level cultivator in full view of everyone, followed by a return after eleven months.

Chapter 411 Han Lu's New Story

Venerable Qingyang was also quite curious about this matter. After Daoist Yunmin finished speaking, he added and asked more specifically, "Han Lu, what happened when you left the ancient cultivation secret realm?"

Han Lu had intended to avoid the main issues at this moment, to talk less or not at all about the Wilderness and her parents, and to talk more about things in the Great Yu Dynasty, the Western Regions, and even the Ancient Cultivation Secret Realm. Qingyang Venerable's question was exactly what Han Lu wanted.

"Since Your Excellency has asked this question, then this disciple will begin from the moment I parted ways with Senior Sister Wen."

Han Lu recounted how she underwent a test by Senior Fang Lin in the ancient cultivation secret realm and passed the test to obtain the inheritance.

Having lived in the Central Plains for so many years, Han Lu was well aware of Fang Lin's status in the hearts of the cultivators there.

Speaking out about this matter will not only avoid causing her trouble, but will also bring her considerable benefits.

At least, it will allow the high-level cultivators present to focus their attention on this matter rather than the "path of return" that will be mentioned later.

Of course, Han Lu deleted all the parts about the true spirit when the test was conducted, and a lot of the process was ignored, with the focus on the final result.

Han Lu also specifically mentioned the cultivation techniques and sword formations taught by Senior Fang Lin, and summoned the spiritual energy sword as evidence.

The spirit sword that originally belonged to Senior Fang Lin was also mentioned. Han Lu arranged it to be a helper to help her pass the test, as a prelude to leaving this spirit treasure behind.

Sure enough, this story firmly captured the attention of the five high-level cultivators.