The Long Journey to Immortality

"Could it be that you know me? Or perhaps you have established a connection with me through a familiar cultivator, which is why you've chosen such an intimate form of address."

There were naturally more than just these two guesses, but Han Lu, who had already entered the first floor of the tower, felt that there was no need to make any more guesses.

Knowing this, we can wait until we meet the High Priest, who will then lift the lid, and we will know the correct answer.

The tower was where the high priest practiced and lived, and its layout was naturally not much different from that of an ordinary monk's cave.

It's just that the space is a bit larger, and the atmosphere of the "Holy King Cult" is more intense.

On the first floor of the tower, directly opposite the main entrance, stands a statue of a holy king.

The stone statue was not made of luxurious or expensive materials, but Han Lu could tell at a glance that it was carved and made by a monk or a top-notch craftsman.

The facial features of a statue can be far more detailed and refined than those of a statue placed on the street for people to worship.

Incense was burning in front of the statue of the Holy King, and the scent was similar to the fragrance that Han Lu had lit when she "bathed incense" earlier.

Several prayer cushions and pedestals were laid out on the ground, and a large spirit-gathering array was carved on the ground beneath the pedestals.

The High Priest was still on the top floor, so Han Lu naturally wouldn't stay on the first floor for too long.

Aside from gazing at the statue of the Holy King for a brief moment, she hurried up the steps.

The second and third floors are libraries, which house some cultivation manuals, and the high priest's office is also located there.

The fourth floor was a living room. To Han Lu's slight surprise, the furnishings in the living room were in the Central Plains style, which was somewhat different from the scenery she saw on the first floor, the scenery she saw in the Western Regions Royal City.

The fifth and sixth floors were living areas, and the restrictions had been lifted before Han Lu arrived, allowing her to easily continue upwards along the stairs. The lifted restrictions were only the companion restriction; even if Han Lu widened her eyes, she could only vaguely see the shadowy images of some furniture and furnishings on the fifth and sixth floors, and could not peek into the privacy and hobbies of the High Priest, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

The ground of these floors is engraved with spirit-gathering arrays.

These spirit-gathering arrays work together to enhance each other, which is why this place has become a cultivation paradise that even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet.

Taking a deep breath and savoring the comforting spiritual energy in the air, Han Lu paused briefly before climbing to the top floor of the tower.

The seventh floor is the destination where the seven sets of spirit-gathering arrays of the tower gather spiritual energy, and it is naturally the place where the high priest conducts his daily cultivation in the tower.

When Han Lu arrived, the high priest was sitting cross-legged on a throne, smiling as he watched Han Lu walk up the stairs.

The high priest looked like a middle-aged man around forty years old, but his hair and beard were gray. Combined with the aura of a Nascent Soul Realm expert emanating from him and the magnificent robes he wore, he did indeed have the air of a "religious leader".

Han Lu bowed and sat on the empty throne three meters in front of the high priest.

"Fairy Han, please don't be shy, make yourself at ease," the High Priest, as the host who invited the guest, spoke first before Han Lu could even speak, disregarding his status, "Please forgive me for the slight neglect these past few days. I wonder if Fairy Han has been comfortable staying in my Western Region Holy City?"

“High Priest,” Han Lu replied with a smile, slightly relaxing her previously straight back, “I had long heard of the Western Regions’ hospitality, and this visit confirms it.”

"Staying in a hotel is much more comfortable than when I was traveling around the Central Plains."

The high priest could naturally tell that there was exaggeration and flattery in Han Lu's words, but even a Nascent Soul cultivator would love to hear such nice words.

He replied with a smile, "Fairy Han is a distinguished guest of our Western Regions. It is only right that we find her a good place to stay in the Holy City."

"I had heard of Fairy Han's name fifteen years ago, and seeing her today, I can confirm that she is indeed a talented young woman."

"It is conceivable that in two or three hundred years, the Zhengyi Sect will have another Nascent Soul Elder."

"If you give Fairy Han a thousand years, it shouldn't be a problem for her to catch up with your father in terms of cultivation."

The high priest's words revealed why he chose the more "intimate" title of "Fairy Han" to address Han Lu, a complete stranger he had never met.

"The High Priest is my father's friend?" Han Lu was slightly surprised to hear this.

The fact that Han Lu possessed the bloodline of a true spirit had already spread throughout the cultivation world, but only powerful figures from various forces, such as Xuan Chengzi and the High Priest, knew that Han Lu was the "Princess of the Illusion Phoenix Clan" and the true spirit whose bloodline composition was closest to that of a true phoenix in this world.

The high priest said, "About a hundred years ago, your father set off from the wilderness, heading east and passing through the Western Regions. It was at that time that I met him and had some conversations with him. We were just nodding acquaintances."

As the patriarch of the Phoenix Clan, Feng You, whose cultivation level is comparable to the late Nascent Soul stage, surpasses the High Priest in both influence and strength.

Han Lu thought the high priest's use of the term "nodding acquaintance" was an exaggeration; he was probably just trying to get closer to her.

However, Han Lu would not expose the lie of a Nascent Soul cultivator, not to mention that she had nowhere to verify it and did not know what Feng You had said to the High Priest.

“I see,” Han Lu’s smile widened. “It must have been the high priest my father met when he went to the Central Plains to find my mother.”

The high priest nodded and smiled, "I only knew that Brother Fengyou was going to find someone, but I didn't expect that he was going to find Fairy Han's mother. It seems that the little information I provided has actually helped Fairy Han."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu was completely certain that the High Priest actually "knew nothing," and she was too lazy to explain the misunderstanding that the High Priest had caused because of her words.

Using this topic as a starting point, Han Lu chatted with the High Priest for quite a while.

The High Priest recalled his brief encounter with Feng Yang, and Han Lu also revealed some information about the Nine Phoenix True Spirit in this context.

The atmosphere on the seventh floor of the tower was just like a Nascent Soul cultivator chatting casually with his friend's daughter—relaxed and carefree.

The casual conversation was just a prelude to the meal; after the dessert, the high priest brought up the important matters.

"May I ask what brings Fairy Han to the Western Regions? Besides a mere map, do you require any other assistance?"

"Don't be shy, just say what you want."

Chapter 668 Enticement

After the previous casual conversation and understanding why the High Priest called her "Fairy Han" instead of "Fairy Zhenfeng," Han Lu also learned the reason why the High Priest extended an invitation to her as she traveled around the Western Regions.

Simply put, the Western Regions, bordering the wilderness, yearn for the support of the powerful true spirit races within that wilderness.

Building a good relationship with Han Lu is just one part of the process.

The high priest hoped to bestow some tangible favors upon Han Lu, the "second-generation official" who had reached the Golden Core realm, so that he could get close to Feng You and even the entire Illusion Phoenix Clan, thereby gaining some benefits and support.

Everything was laid out clearly, and the High Priest handed over the power of choice to Han Lu.

However, the High Priest was unaware that although Han Lu had completed the ceremony of returning to the clan and adopted "True Phoenix" as her Taoist name, she had not truly integrated into the Illusion Phoenix Clan.

She was quite self-aware, knowing that she had no right to make any decisions on behalf of the Phoenix Clan, or to make unauthorized exchanges of interests with any other force.

In addition, the map in her hand was enough for her to find the approximate location of Xiaoyaozi's cave, so she did not want to take advantage of the High Priest in the slightest at this time, and even thought about repaying the small favor of giving her the map.

However, in the high priest's domain at the seven-story tower, Han Lu needed to be mindful of her interests and understand her own status. She couldn't explain everything as clearly as the high priest did when speaking to her.

Therefore, after Han Lu clearly explained her purpose for coming to the Western Regions, she refused the high priest's extra offer of kindness and said, "I am grateful for the map, high priest. If there is anything you need me to do in the next few days, please let me know so I can repay this favor."

With the groundwork laid, as expected, Han Lu's last sentence did not offend the High Priest. On the contrary, he felt that Han Lu acted appropriately and that the conversation was pleasant.

"It's just a map, nothing more than a favor, so please don't take it to heart, Fairy Han."

"However, I do have a favor to ask of Fairy Han. Fairy Han, there's no need to rush to agree. Please listen first."

"Don't worry, it won't affect Fairy Han's search for the senior's cave. It will only take Fairy Han a day or two."

Hearing this, Han Lu secretly sighed that she was still too young.

Han Lu was so busy being polite and saying nice things that she didn't expect the high priest to be so lacking in the demeanor of a senior master. Instead, he readily took advantage of the situation and tried every means to make Han Lu owe him a favor.

Once a promise is made, it's like spilled water; Han Lu had no intention of going back on her word.

As the high priest had instructed, she was in no hurry to refuse, only wanting to hear what task this most powerful Nascent Soul cultivator in the Western Regions had to entrust to her, a mere passerby.

"High Priest, please speak. If it is within my power, I will certainly do my best to help." Han Lu sat up straight, expressing her protest against the High Priest's behavior in this way.

Observing Han Lu's simple body language, the High Priest was convinced that Han Lu was indeed a vibrant young person.

He chuckled inwardly, picked up his cup, took a sip of fragrant tea, and continued, "Three days from now will be the centenary of the founding of my 'Holy King Sect,' and there will be a grand and solemn sacrificial ceremony."

“With my involvement, at least 100,000 believers will participate.”

The high priest put down his teacup and spoke frankly, "Fairy Han, you are a true spirit, having grown up in the Central Plains. I will not lie to you."

"Religion is used to fool people, as you know, and you saw it all clearly during your few days in the Western Regions."

"What does Fairy Han think of my Holy King Sect?"

The high priest remained silent for a moment, waiting for Han Lu to speak.

The High Priest could roughly guess the answer Han Lu would give, but he still wanted to hear it from Han Lu herself and get her to say what she thought of the "Holy King Cult".

In front of the high priest, Han Lu felt that her views were fair and positive, so she spoke the truth and shared most of her impressions from her first day in the Western Regions capital.

After listening to Han Lu speak eloquently for three or four minutes and give a satisfactory answer, the High Priest continued, "Then it seems that asking Fairy Han for help was definitely the right thing to do."

"At the sacrificial ceremony three days from now, I will ask the Holy King to perform a miracle. Of course, it will only be some magical tricks." The High Priest, without any scruples, undermined himself in front of Han Lu in his capacity as the highest leader of the Holy King Sect.

"At that time, I hope that Fairy Han can come to the ceremony and play music with the other three Foundation Establishment cultivators, and perform a large-scale illusion. The miracles I perform will be more likely to be believed by the devout believers attending the ceremony."

"How about it? This shouldn't be a difficult matter for Fairy Han, who possesses the bloodline of the Illusionary Phoenix."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu hesitated for a moment and said, "High Priest, it's not that I'm unwilling to agree, but it's not appropriate for me to attend such a ceremony in my capacity."

Han Lu knew her current reputation in the Central Plains cultivation world. Attending such a grand event and having to perform music and spells on stage meant that the probability of being recognized was almost 100%.

This makes it easy for people to speculate about her background and cause unnecessary trouble.

The High Priest had, of course, taken this into consideration. He understood the principle of proceeding step by step and naturally did not intend for Han Lu to appear directly and support the Holy King Sect.

"If Fairy Han is willing, she can change into the priestess's attire during the ceremony and then use illusion magic to change her appearance."

"Don't worry, with me here, no one will accuse you of concealing your appearance or being disrespectful to the Holy King during the ceremony."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu quickly came up with a second reason, "High Priest, I am, after all, an outsider. Wouldn't it be better to have a cultivator from the Western Regions handle this matter?"

The high priest shook his head and said, "The Golden Core cultivators in the Western Regions are all barbarians. How could they know anything about illusion techniques? It took us a month to find just these three Foundation Establishment disciples who are skilled in illusion techniques among the various tribes."

"Fortunately, a master of illusion magic like Fairy Han arrived; otherwise, this matter would certainly not have been able to be accomplished smoothly."

At this point, the high priest realized he had forgotten to mention something important, and quickly reached into his storage pouch at his waist, taking out an ancient zither.

"At that time, Fairy Han can use this guqin to perform illusions. After the mission is accomplished, the guqin will be given to Fairy Han as a gift."

"Fairy Han, how about it? Are you tempted and willing to help?"

The ancient zither in the high priest's hand was naturally a magical artifact, and one that had reached the level of a spiritual weapon.

Han Lu, whose appraisal skills were only average and who hadn't used them, couldn't determine the item's grade, but she was indeed tempted.

Without further hesitation, Han Lu finally said, "Since the High Priest has made such good arrangements and is so sincere, then I agree. I hope I can help the High Priest share the burden and ensure the successful completion of the sacrificial ceremony."

The high priest was straightforward, handing the guqin directly to Han Lu and saying with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, Fairy Han."

Chapter 669 Disguise

Han Lu had thought this through thoroughly.

On the surface it was a transaction, although the returns and efforts were slightly unequal, and she made a small profit, but it couldn't be considered that she owed anyone a favor.