The Long Journey to Immortality

[Author's Note] This is truly the last day of 2019. Do you still have any monthly tickets or death threats left, everyone?

Chapter 413 Aftermath

"Oh? This spirit sword," Yun Min Daoist realized upon seeing that Han Lu had specifically chosen this spirit treasure, "This should be the spirit sword you mentioned that recognized you during the trial and helped you pass the test set up by Senior Fang Lin, right?"

The foreshadowing and groundwork laid by Han Lu earlier came into play at this moment.

“Yes, Sect Leader,” Han Lu replied, “Although Senior Fang Lin did not use this spirit sword often due to the nature of his cultivation technique, it is indeed Senior Fang Lin’s personal sword.”

"Since I have obtained the cultivation technique of Senior Fang Lin, I should naturally take his beloved spirit sword into my possession. That's why I chose this spirit sword without much thought."

Han Lu's reason was the biggest lie she told in this house.

However, choosing which spiritual treasure was Han Lu's right, and this lie was just icing on the cake, giving Han Lu a better image in front of the sect's higher-ups.

Venerable Qingyang was also very straightforward. Seeing that Han Lu had chosen this spirit sword, he took the initiative to grab the spirit sword with his hand and hand it to Han Lu.

The moment he grasped the sword, Venerable Qingyang, a devoted fan of Senior Fang Lin, was secretly delighted. "In this way, I can say that after 100,000 years, I have shaken hands with Senior Fang Lin and touched the magical treasure he once used."

Han Lu roughly guessed what Venerable Qingyang was thinking, so she solemnly accepted the spirit sword with both hands, giving this scene a strong sense of ceremony.

"What about magical artifacts and treasures?"

"Is there anything you like here?"

Master Yunmin asked again.

Han Lu then realized that she had planned and schemed a lot, but had never thought about this issue.

After a moment's thought, she said, "I am only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and cannot yet use magic weapons of the spiritual weapon level. I have never used these spiritual weapons before. Although I listened in when Sect Leader Wuxin was appraising them, I still can't make up my mind for the time being."

"I'm afraid it will take a few more days before I have to trouble the sect leader to grant me access to the secret vault so I can try to select a magic weapon that I like."

Daoist Yunmin nodded and said, "It's better to be cautious, after all, many Golden Core cultivators may not even have two magic treasures of the spiritual weapon level in their storage bags."

"Indeed, if you are still hesitant and unable to make a decision, you might as well save this opportunity and make a decision after you advance to the early stage of the Golden Core realm."

Yunmin Daoist, considering Han Lu's needs, pointed out another path.

Han Lu bowed and said, "The sect leader has made the arrangements. This disciple will consider them."

Compared to magical artifacts, magical artifacts are easier to choose.

However, because Daoist Yunmin promised Han Lu that she could enter the secret vault to choose, she did not rush to select all eight magical artifacts.

After using the Frost Sword, which she hadn't used often but was still quite handy, Han Lu then selected the Soft Rope, which she had mostly repaired on her way home.

"This disciple has chosen these two magical artifacts. Please allow me to carefully select the rest from the secret vault."

Daoist Yunmin nodded, then casually took out a storage bag and put all the remaining magical treasures into it.

Han Lu didn't select too many of the remaining resources, only a few materials and spiritual plants that she was very likely to use in the future.

On the one hand, it was because she did not lack the knowledge of how to refine pills and magical artifacts. On the other hand, Han Lu was not greedy by nature. Having risen to the top level as a "second-generation official" and "second-generation immortal," she was unwilling to covet these small advantages.

Han Lu's politeness surprised the high-level cultivators.

However, since Han Lu didn't want it, the others couldn't force her to accept it.

Daoist Yunmin then promised some benefits to Piaomiaozi, citing his excellent teaching skills, and allowed him to choose three magical artifacts from among these treasures so that this Golden Core cultivator, whose family was not particularly wealthy, would have enough money to reward his disciple.

He also made a small profit thanks to his disciples' outstanding performance, which made Piaomiaozi feel quite embarrassed, as he had previously "free-ranged" Han Lu and Wen Erya.

After choosing the magic weapon, Piaomiaozi thanked Daoist Yunmin and secretly vowed to repay Han Lu's favor in the future.

Just as the matter was about to come to an end, Han Lu became anxious because there was still a very important matter that had not been mentioned. She had no choice but to speak up and asked, "Three sect leaders, Venerable Qingyang, how should we resolve the matter of my supposed death in the Central Plains cultivation world?"

"I heard from Senior Sister Wen that there is still a grave of mine in Dongshan Academy."

Seeing Han Lu's depressed look, Daoist Yun Min smiled and said, "Haha, I almost forgot about that. Actually, I originally planned to treat your case as a complete disappearance."

“However,” Yunmin Daoist looked at Qingshui Zhenren, “at the request of the Qingshui Sect Master, you were ultimately declared dead to prevent others from having any unnecessary illusions, and at the same time to allow us to continue our search in private.”

Shimizu Masato gave an awkward laugh.

"It sounds a bit harsh, but it's not difficult to handle," Master Yunmin said after a short pause. "All we need to do is have the Zhengyi Sect issue another public announcement saying that you have returned from your disappearance."

"As for where you went missing and ended up... let's just say it's the East Sea. Saying that you spent eleven months returning to the Central Plains from the Great Yu Dynasty is too shocking. Saying it's the East Sea will save you some trouble," Master Yunmin asked again. "Han Lu, you haven't been too conspicuous in the Western Regions, have you?"

Han Lu understood what Yunmin Daoist meant. "No, I keep a very low profile in the Western Regions. No one knows my true identity."

Master Yunmin nodded slightly. Han Lu's cautious and prudent approach suited his tastes perfectly. "Then let's say that."

"By the way," Yunmin Daoist said thoughtfully, "the Zhengyi Sect will also announce that the spiritual artifacts and treasures bestowed upon you will be temporarily kept in the secret vault for you."

"In this way, we can also prevent some unscrupulous Golden Core cultivators from taking risks and actively seeking trouble for you in order to obtain magical treasures."

Han Lu nodded slightly, "Sect Leader is wise."

These words came from the bottom of her heart. After spending the last few hours together, Han Lu had indeed developed a lot of goodwill towards Yun Min Daoist, and her opinion of him was rising rapidly.

After the matter was resolved, the two deputy sect leaders and Venerable Qingyang left one after another.

Yunmin Daoist also asked Piaomiaozi to take care of Han Lu and let her appear in the sect after the sect's announcement was released.

Piaomiaozi did not refuse and accepted the task, which was not difficult.

Following Piaomiaozi back to Dongshan Academy, breathing in the familiar air, Han Lu felt an inexplicable sense of comfort welling up from the bottom of her heart.

She knew very well that this feeling was the reason why she insisted on returning to the Central Plains and to the Zhengyi Sect.

Piaomiaozi was open to Han Lu's arrangements.

"Han Lu, are you planning to stay with Master or go live with Wen Erya?" Piao Miaozi had already noticed the little agreement between the senior and junior sisters.

Han Lu naturally wouldn't forget her promise to Wen Erya.

After finding out Wen Erya's address from Piaomiaozi, Han Lu gave away the few remaining gifts she had prepared for Piaomiaozi before bidding her farewell.

After a brisk journey, Han Lu arrived at Wen Erya's residence at the foot of Hanchan Peak. Han Lu happily began her cohabitation with Wen Erya, a period that would likely last for several days.

Chapter 414 Handling and Announcement

When they say they live together, it's only in the literal sense of living together.

There's just one more room for Han Lu in Wen Er Ya's residence, nothing more.

Although Han Lu and Wen Erya have a good relationship, neither of them is particularly cheerful or outgoing. They can't just get together for no reason and start talking non-stop to each other.

Not to mention that both of them are cultivators, and their daily lives are mainly focused on cultivation.

Their lives did not change much as they did not live together.

It was still the same light and simple taste typical of cultivators from the Central Plains.

In fact, the impact of the "death hoax" on Han Lu's inability to leave the courtyard and show herself to the public was even greater than her cohabitation with Wen Erya.

So, apart from the first night when Wen Erya specially led Han Lu on a brief tour of her residence, the two only met a handful of times in the remaining days.

When they met, the topics they discussed were mostly related to cultivation.

Wen Erya was not ashamed to ask questions just because Han Lu was her junior.

On the contrary, Han Lu's smooth advancement to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment in just one year made her feel that she had found a good teacher.

Unfortunately, Han Lu's method of advancing to the mid-stage was not the right way, and Wen Erya was unable to use the secret techniques she used.

In the end, Han Lu could only share some experiences and insights that she had "plagiarized" from Da Yu Chao, hoping that these different, common things could give Wen Er Ya some inspiration so that she could easily break through the bottleneck after her dantian was full of gaseous spiritual power.

Of course, this was just Han Lu's wishful thinking.

In her opinion, if everything goes smoothly, with Wen Erya's talent, it will probably take another two years to advance to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Time flies when you're in deep meditation.

Han Lu felt as if only a moment had passed, and after a few rests, she had already spent seven days and nights in the Zhengyi Sect.

During this time, in addition to Wen Erya, Piaomiaozi also made a special trip to meet with Han Lu.

He had just returned from Yunmin Daoist's place, where he had been running errands and relaying messages between Han Lu and Yunmin Daoist.

"The sect is already working on bringing you back to life," Piaomiaozi said bluntly after sitting down. "We'll release some rumors first, and then make it public."

Master Yunmin also did not want the matter of "Han Lu being resurrected after death" to be handled improperly, making it seem like the Zhengyi Sect's style of doing things was too hasty, and giving people something to talk about.

This led to a gradual strategy, attempting to shift the focus of those concerned to Han Lu rather than the sect that "ended the search and rescue prematurely."

Han Lu could understand, and she also wanted to resolve this "nonsensical" matter satisfactorily, so she didn't mind staying at Wen Erya's place for a few more days, as if she were under house arrest.

"About three days later, the sect will issue a public announcement stating that you are not dead but missing, and that you have returned to the sect alone."

"The story, of course, is the one I told that night about being stranded in the East China Sea."

"In the future, some of your friends might come to inquire about the situation. Han Lu, you should prepare in advance and learn about things in Donghai, so that you don't give yourself away."

"I've also prepared some books for you. Take a look when you have time."

As he spoke, Piaomiaozi took out several books about the geography and customs of the East China Sea from his storage bag and placed them on the table.

Han Lu touched the cover with her hand and moved it slightly to her side, indicating that she would read it.

Piaomiaozi nodded slightly and then brought up another matter.

"As for your residence after your resurrection, the sect has already made arrangements."

"Not far from here, at the foot of Hanchan Peak, there is a house that is slightly larger than this one."

"The environment is nice, and the spiritual energy is quite abundant; it's a good house."

"It's just that no one has lived here for a long time. The courtyard just issued a task today, looking for two Qi Refining disciples to help with the repairs. I think we should be able to find a solution later today."

"At most two days, once Sect Master Yunmin makes the public announcement, you can move in directly."

Putting aside the fact that Han Lu brought back many ancient cultivation treasures and made great contributions, Han Lu's talent alone deserves to be taken seriously and carefully protected by the Zhengyi Sect.

It is perfectly normal to treat her the same as Wen Erya.

Han Lu didn't really care where she lived.

She wasn't a particular person, but she had many secrets. She was already satisfied that the sect could arrange a place for her to live alone.

As for spiritual energy, the wealthy and powerful Han Lu didn't care about such things; she would just use spirit stones and spirit-gathering arrays to deal with it.

However, I should still express my gratitude, as this is a token of the sect's goodwill.