The Long Journey to Immortality

When she is learning from Helian Ren, she needs to imitate him to achieve a similar appearance, while also thinking more and trying to understand the essence of swordsmanship through performance. She tries to combine these seemingly meaningless sword moves and words to gain the swordsmanship insights she desires from this mortal journey.

Helian Ren was unaware of Han Lu's thoughts.

When he was teaching Han Lu what he was so proud of, he only felt that Han Lu learned quickly, had her own ideas, and was a disciple who was both insightful and talented.

As he watched Han Lu untie the hair tie binding her long hair, gracefully wield her steel sword, and flawlessly mimic the series of sword moves he had just taught her.

Helian Ren couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion), reflecting on the differences between people, and also taking back the regret of not being able to continue on the path of cultivation the day before.

"Han Xianzi's talent surpasses mine by a hundred times. Even so, she still needs to work so hard to try to achieve the Golden Core Dao."

"If it were me, I'm afraid I'd be stuck in the early or middle stages of Foundation Establishment even after a hundred years of life. It would be far less glorious to live a hundred years as a mortal hero."

Thinking of this, Helian Ren had the idea of ​​taking Han Lu as his apprentice again.

However, recalling Han Lu's revelation of her illustrious family background yesterday, Helian Ren quickly banished the thought from his mind.

In Helian Ren's view, it was an honor for him, an ordinary hero, to have Han Lu become his apprentice.

If you bring it up, Han Lu will most likely refuse, and then you'll only end up feeling awkward with each other.

Rather than that, it would be better to maintain the current relationship, which would allow the two of them to get along well and ensure that his life's learning has an outstanding successor.

After a day of training, before dinner, Helian Ren felt that he had passed on about 70% of the most basic skills to Han Lu.

As the former number one hero in the martial arts world, Helian Ren's strength goes without saying; he is the most formidable of the three heroes Han Lu visited on this trip.

If it weren't for the agreement, Han Lu wouldn't have told Helian Ren about the Seven-Character Mantra in advance.

Otherwise, if Helian Ren had followed the seven-character formula, summarized and refined it before passing on his swordsmanship to Han Lu.

Han Lu's gains in these short five hours will surely far surpass those of the first half of her journey through the mortal world.

Even so.

Through repeated imitation and practice, Han Lu successfully gleaned everything useful to her from Helian Ren's swordsmanship, based on the Seven-Character Sword Manual.

With his superior position, Helian Ren was often challenged by younger generations in the martial arts world.

Because of its harmonious relationship with the Southern Dynasty government, it was often asked to act as an external aid, thus gaining opportunities to fight against many low-level cultivators who mingled among the mortals.

Because of the nature of the battle, Helian Ren's swordsmanship involuntarily leaned towards the "strike" and "neutralize" techniques in the seven-character mantra of "strike, stab, collapse, point, chop, neutralize, separate".

When sparring with younger opponents, one must maintain the demeanor of a master and fight with swords—this is Helian Ren's fighting style.

This method not only allows the younger generation to recognize the gap between themselves and the master, but also prevents the younger generation from getting injured during the competition.

Needless to say, Helian Ren's skillful use of the "Transformation Technique" stemmed from the same reason as Wen Xiaonan's.

Han Lu even speculated that it was the sword intent of the two swords that Helian Ren demonstrated when Wen Xiaonan was young that subtly influenced Wen Xiaonan, which allowed Wen Xiaonan, the youngest of the three sword masters, to successfully reach this level in the way of swordsmanship before the age of forty, as an ordinary hero.

Naturally, Helian Ren's application of the "transformation technique" far surpasses that of Wen Xiaonan.

Under his tutelage, Han Lu, who had already reached a rudimentary level in the application of the "Transformation" technique, was progressing towards a minor level of mastery.

For Han Lu, all that's missing is a few opportunities to apply it in real combat, and she might be able to break through in an instant, just like with the "Point Word Technique," and reach the threshold for advancing to the Golden Core Realm of the Seven Kill Sword Technique.

As the third day was drawing to a close, Helian Ren unusually stayed up all night, hoping that the day would pass quickly.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one.

On the fourth day, although Han Lu still addressed Helian Ren as "Grandpa He" while practicing swordsmanship, Helian Ren only called Han Lu "Fairy Han".

Han Lu stayed on the secluded peak where Helian Ren lived for seven days before bidding him farewell.

After being away for so long, it's time to go back.

Chapter 584 Three Principles

Helian Ren and Han Lu sat around the dining table just like when they first met.

Helian Ren was still dining and drinking alone.

Han Lu was also responsible for cleaning up the dirty plates and food scraps left on the table after the meal.

The only difference was that this time, Han Lu used magic.

Not only that, Han Lu also specially made some clean water and filled the three water vats in Helian Ren's kitchen.

After doing all this, Han Lu returned to Helian Ren and, just like a granddaughter about to leave her grandfather's side, carefully gave him some everyday instructions.

Han Lu talked a lot, but He Lianren showed no impatience whatsoever. On the contrary, he wished Han Lu could continue talking so he could leave later.

However, just like last night, time continued to pass. Even though Han Lu could sense the reluctance of the centenarian Helian Ren, she still had to leave and return to where she belonged.

"That's about it," Han Lu said, having listed about seven or eight things. Finally, she asked, "Grandpa He, is there anything you want to tell me? Like, is there anything else you'd like to ask of me, or any small wish you have?"

Helian Che nodded slightly, hesitated, but after thinking for a moment, he finally spoke.

"Fairy Han, you are a genius disciple of the Zhengyi Sect. You will surely be able to advance to the Golden Core stage in the future and become a superior person in the cultivation world."

"I'm an old man and I probably don't have many years left to live. The only thing I care about is the He family."

"If the He family encounters any problems in the future that are insurmountable but not a big problem for Fairy Han."

"I beg Fairy Han to lend a hand, so that the He family bloodline may not be cut off."

Judging from the last sentence, it sounded like Hua was asking Han Lu to help him get pregnant.

Having no children, Helian Ren always felt indebted to his family.

That's why he spoke up at this time, hoping that Han Lu could help him make up for his "mistake".

Han Lu expressed her understanding, saying it was a small matter. She immediately promised, "Leave everything to me. If I become a high-ranking member of the Zhengyi Sect in the future, I will try to help the He family cultivate a few talented disciples."

"Hundreds of years from now, the He family will surely continue to thrive and be even more prosperous than it is today."

"I promise."

Han Lu's words were a heartfelt promise, based on the feelings she had developed over the past few days with Helian Che.

However, because such a promise seemed somewhat empty and grandiose, she added a final sentence to avoid any misunderstanding from Helian Che.

Helian Che naturally wouldn't misunderstand. After spending seven days with Han Lu, he already knew what kind of person this female cultivator from the Zhengyi Sect, who possessed both strength and talent, was.

"Alright, then I'll thank Fairy Han in advance." Helian Che bowed.

After entrusting matters concerning the family, Helian Che then spoke about his own affairs.

"Fairy Han, I imagine that after you return to the Zhengyi Sect, you won't have many opportunities to wield your sword and practice the sword techniques I taught you, as you have these past few days."

Knowing the reasons why Han Lu came here to study, Helian Che knew very well that what Han Lu wanted to get from him was the essence of swordsmanship and the way of swordsmanship, not just sword techniques.

The matter is obvious, and Han Lu will not try to cover it up for fear of hurting Helian Che.

She stroked the wood grain on the table and said slowly, "Grandpa He is right. After all, I am a cultivator, and relying on spiritual power to control my sword is still my main way of expressing myself with my spiritual sword as a pen."

"I'm afraid I'll never have the chance to use or apply the many profound sword techniques that Grandpa He taught me again in my lifetime."

“However…” Han Lu then added, “If Grandpa He doesn’t mind, I am willing to find a suitable successor for Grandpa He’s swordsmanship at some point in the future and pass on all the sword skills that you have spent your life summarizing to him.”

"In this way, Grandpa He's swordsmanship has been passed down in another way."

"Grandpa He, what do you think? If you're not willing to do this, then I'll think of another way, or do you have a better idea?"

Helian Ren sighed inwardly, feeling that Han Lu understood him like a real granddaughter, and marveled that before he even spoke, Han Lu had already guessed what he was thinking and what he wanted.

"Of course I agree, that's exactly what I was thinking."

"However, when Fairy Han helps me take on a disciple, I hope you can keep a few points in mind." Helian Ren didn't want to take Han Lu as a disciple when he first met her, which shows that he has high standards when it comes to taking on disciples.

Han Lu hurriedly took out paper and pen from her storage bag, intending to write down all of Helian Ren's requests.

“First of all,” Helian Ren said, “both talent and character are indispensable.”

Han Lu picked up her pen and used her only mediocre calligraphy to write down "talent" and "character".

At the same time, she was also thinking about whether to find an opportunity to ask Piaomiaozi for some calligraphy models of masters to copy, so as to improve her calligraphy, which was still a little weak.

“Next…” Helian Ren’s gaze lingered on Han Lu’s serious face for a moment, “regardless of gender, one’s appearance should at least be no less than mine. My apprentice should have the demeanor of a chivalrous hero.”

If the first point was reasonable, the second point was quite unexpected for Han Lu.

Little did she know that Helian Ren was actually a "member of the appearance association," so concerned about his apprentice's looks.

It's likely that Helian Ren's decision to make a deal with Han Lu was largely due to her figure and appearance.

However, since she had already agreed, she naturally respected Helian Ren's opinion and wrote down the second clause in its entirety.

Fortunately, only this one requirement wasn't so serious.

The third, final, and most important point is that Helian Ren indirectly explains why, after meeting Han Lu and learning that she wanted to become his apprentice, he asked such a "mysterious" question.

"The last condition is that the swordsmanship followed by my disciples must be approved by me."

Seeing Helian Che bring up his swordsmanship again, Han Lu, while writing, asked for a standard answer from Helian Che.

Helian Che said, "It's not complicated. It's simply about having no sword and no self."

The principle is something that, when explained clearly, always lacks a certain flavor or meaning. Helian Che stopped there and did not elaborate further.

Han Lu paused for a moment before writing the last four words on the paper.

After drying the ink, Han Lu made another promise.

"Grandpa He, please rest assured."

"In the future, I will definitely find a young person for you who is of good character, outstanding talent, handsome and distinguished, and who shares your passion for swordsmanship to inherit your mantle."

Only after summarizing it in one sentence did Helian Che finally feel completely relieved.

“That’s enough,” Helian Che’s facial muscles relaxed. “I have no other wishes. Fairy Han, have a safe journey.”

Chapter 585 Survey on the Promotion of Common Sense

Han Lu could clearly sense that Helian Che seemed to have aged several years after saying those words.

There were some beautiful things he had always longed for.

It's not a big deal if you can't get it, after all, many wishes in the world are difficult to realize and only exist in fantasy.

But now, to let him obtain and savor the beauty of this desire and then lose it is not much different from stabbing him with a sword.

Han Lu was quite helpless after making this statement, but there was nothing she could do.