The Long Journey to Immortality

Foundation Establishment cultivators are not required to participate in minor competitions, but barring unforeseen circumstances, they must appear in the major competition held every five years.

For the disciples of the Zhengyi Sect who have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, the competition has two parts.

One is to fight against cultivators at the Qi Refining stage on the arena.

The second option is to enter a secret realm built by two Nascent Soul Realm elders, where one can adventure and simulate the training of cultivators in the outside world, with ranking determined based on the amount of gains.

The scores from the two subjects are then weighted and combined to determine which disciples are the strongest among this generation of Foundation Establishment disciples.

The second part, the Secret Realm Adventure, requires team participation, with a maximum of three people per team.

Furthermore, Foundation Establishment cultivators in the three realms are also divided into two levels according to their cultivation level.

The lower level is the arena for cultivators in the early and middle stages of Foundation Establishment.

Only cultivators in the mid-to-late stages of Foundation Establishment are allowed to participate in the higher-level competitions.

Wen Erya sent a message asking Han Lu if she had any good candidates for a third companion.

During the competition, should the two of them put in some effort to find another strong Foundation Establishment disciple to team up with, or should they simply fight as a pair to increase the difficulty and win decisively?

Han Lu also felt a bit of a headache when she saw the paper sword sent by Wen Erya.

She had also thought about this.

It's a done deal that she and Wen Erya will team up for the competition.

The two athletes didn't feel much pressure after achieving good results in the competition, but they seemed too flamboyant.

Han Lu and Wen Erya are not cultivators who act in this way.

And finding a third person... this third person is indeed not easy to choose.

Regardless of the closeness of the relationship, just choosing fellow cultivators of varying strengths is a difficult problem.

Han Lu was troubled, and so was Wen Erya, which is why she specially sent a paper sword to mention that she wanted to meet Han Lu face to face to discuss a result.

"And what about the second letter?"

Han Lu temporarily put aside the problem that would likely trouble her and Wen Erya for a month and a half in the next two months, and began to write the second paper sword.

The second letter was unsigned; it only stated that an old friend from the southern border was looking for her and had already arrived outside the Zhengyi Mountain gate.

This paper sword is an inquiry to Han Lu about whether such a person exists.

Although Zhengyi Gate is open to the public, it is not a place where anyone can come and go as they please.

Looking at the words "old friend from the Southern Frontier" on the paper, Han Lu instantly thought of the Holy Maiden of the Five Poisons Sect.

"Yi Qiyan? Coming to the Zhengyi Sect to look for me at this hour?"

"No way, he broke through the early Foundation Establishment stage and advanced to the middle Foundation Establishment stage in just two years?"

"They must have come to challenge me to another battle."

Han Lu certainly remembered the promise she made to Yi Qiyan after their sparring session at the Five Poisons Sect in Southern Xinjiang.

Han Lu didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest, as the paper sword had been delivered some time ago.

First, he sent a letter with a sword in return, so that the important figure Yi Qiyan wouldn't wait idly in the reception room outside the Zhengyi Sect's mountain gate. Then, he quickly used his lightness technique to rush towards the Zhengyi Sect's mountain gate.

When I arrived in southern Xinjiang, Yi Qiyan took good care of me.

Han Lu didn't want Yi Qiyan to come to Zhengyi Gate looking for her, only to be met with a cold reception.

Although she was still using a lightness technique from the Qi Refining Realm, Han Lu's movement speed was several times faster than that of someone in the Qi Refining Realm.

In just three or four minutes, Han Lu left Dongshan Academy and arrived at Zhengyi Mountain Gate.

There is a row of small courtyards outside the Zhengyi Gate.

Yi Qiyan, who had not yet obtained the qualification to enter, was naturally temporarily arranged to rest there.

[Author's Note] Time to get back to work.

Chapter 506 (This last part is a series of seemingly random characters and doesn't translate directly.)

It is impossible to know when this row of four small courtyards was built.

Although it is old, it is renovated every few years because it was used for entertaining guests.

The year Feng Bailu entered the sect, this row of courtyards was even rebuilt, and its style became consistent with the courtyards where the disciples lived in the sect.

It's even a bit higher in terms of class.

Therefore, this row of small courtyards for temporary use by visitors is definitely worthy of the word "exquisite" and will not make visitors feel uncomfortable or think that Zhengyi Store is taking advantage of its customers.

They sought out a fellow disciple who guarded the mountain gate.

Han Lu's identity was recognized by the other party before she even introduced herself.

As one of the key contributors to the swift resolution of the plague a year and a half ago, Han Lu's fame has spread from Dongshan Academy to the entire Zhengyi Sect.

In addition, Han Lu's reputation also grows by tutoring her juniors in the annual competitions to help them quickly improve their "scores".

If Han Lu were to openly charge fees and run tutoring classes, she would most likely be able to earn the title of "Gold Medal Tutor" based on the excellent results of the junior students she tutored in the past two years' competitions.

"Hello, Senior Sister Han," the fifth-level Qi Refining junior brother who was in charge of guarding the Zheng Yi Sect's mountain gate today greeted Han Lu. "Your friend from the Southern Frontier is resting in Courtyard No. 3."

"Thank you," Han Lu said with a smile, already knowing the answer without asking. "May I ask one more question? If I want to bring this friend into the Zhengyi Sect, do I need to go through any special procedures?"

This was the first time Han Lu had ever encountered a visiting cultivator from outside the area.

"It's no trouble at all."

"As a senior sister, all I need to do is submit a report to the internal treasury, and once it's approved, I'll be allowed to enter."

"I imagine your place is quite spacious; it shouldn't be a problem to accommodate a guest."

"If it is inconvenient, you can also seek help from the inner treasury. There are empty courtyards in each mountain courtyard for guests to stay in."

“However…” Considering the visitor’s identity, the junior brother added, “This guest comes from the Southern Frontier. I wonder if there are any special rules in the sect.”

"Senior sister can just ask again in the inner treasury later."

The rules of Zhengyi Gate are not complicated; they are just the most basic "access control".

It's normal for cultivators from the Southern Frontier and Western Regions to face more hurdles in this matter.

Han Lu nodded, thanked her again, and then walked towards the third courtyard.

She knocked politely on the door, and it was opened in just three breaths. To everyone's surprise, Yi Qiyan gave Han Lu a hug.

This hug was slightly different from the one two years ago.

Han Lu could clearly feel her soft spot touching another equally soft spot, a sensation that was indescribably comfortable.

After embracing for a moment, Yi Qiyan spoke, feigning anger, and said, "Han Lu, you're such a busy person."

"The paper sword that was sent out to announce your arrival was sent out almost half an hour ago, and you're only now getting here."

"Could it be that your Zhengyi clan occupies most of the Southern Dynasty's territory, and it takes you this long to get here from your residence?"

Han Lu knew that Yi Qiyan didn't mean to punish her, but she still apologized and said, "It's my fault, it's my fault."

"I was studying a secret technique and didn't notice the paper sword that was sent to me."

"I just received the paper sword and rushed over here," Han Lu said with a smile. "What, you just advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage and you're already looking for revenge?"

Yi Qiyan puffed out her chest and said, "I have advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, but I'm not here to seek revenge. I just wanted to come and see a friend like you. How can you not welcome me?"

"Welcome, welcome," Han Lu said, seeing Yi Qiyan's appearance, she shouldn't waste any more time talking about Yi Qiyan's cultivation level. "You've changed a lot in the past two years."

Han Lu emphasized the word "big".

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Yi Qiyan was overjoyed and began to share her breast enhancement experience with great pride.

Han Lu smiled and cooperated, singing in unison, turning it into a "female body management experience seminar".

As they whispered these kinds of secrets that are usually only shared between close girlfriends, their feelings for each other, which had faded somewhat after not seeing each other for several years, actually intensified.

After listening to Yi Qiyan's skincare tips, Han Lu couldn't help but exclaim, "I never imagined that there were so many skincare recipes in Southern Xinjiang."

After discussing their lives, the two naturally ended up talking about spiritual practice.

Han Lu said, "Yi Qiyan, when did you advance to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage? You didn't just advance a couple of days ago and then come here to see me, did you?"

“No, that’s not it,” Yi Qiyan said. “About a month ago, I took a shortcut by relying on a pill formula I obtained from an ancient cultivation secret realm and advanced to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.”

"A medicinal formula? A shortcut?" Han Lu asked with concern. "It shouldn't be one of those evil methods that damage one's foundation, right?"

“Of course not, I’m not the kind of person who’s eager for quick success,” Yi Qiyan said.

Han Lu nodded slightly and then asked, "Then why did you cultivate for an extra month before coming?"

Yi Qiyan explained, "Having just advanced to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, I feel that although my strength has increased considerably, I am still no match for you."

"So I thought I would cultivate for a few more days and then come to find you again."

"However, a while ago, some minor accidents occurred."

"I had no choice but to come here to avoid the storm."

"I'll stay here for three months, that shouldn't be a problem, right?" Yi Qiyan asked politely, even though she knew Han Lu would most likely not refuse.

Han Lu said, "No problem, I can stay for three years."

The courtyard where Han Lu lives already has guest rooms, so it wouldn't be a problem for another cultivator who specializes in cultivation to stay there.

However, upon hearing Yi Qiyan's explanation, Han Lu was still slightly worried. "What, has something happened in the sect? Even you, the Holy Maiden, have to go out to avoid the storm?"

Yi Qiyan simply nodded without offering any further explanation.

Han Lu tentatively asked, "Is it the kind of private family matter that's not suitable to be discussed with outsiders?"

Yi Qiyan nodded again.

Seeing this, Han Lu stopped asking questions.

After sitting and chatting with Yi Qiyan in the courtyard for a while, Han Lu stood up and said, "Yi Qiyan, wait here for a moment. I'll go and run some paperwork for you. Otherwise, with my limited authority, I won't be able to bring you directly into the sect."

Yi Qiyan expressed her understanding, "It's alright, I won't mind waiting another hour. Take your time, and don't offend the elders in the sect because of me."

Han Lu laughed and said, "It's not that exaggerated. It's just a few procedures. You're not some monster. My Zhengyi Sect wouldn't turn you away."

After saying that, Han Lu went straight to the inner warehouse.