The Long Journey to Immortality

They flew from the east of the Western Regions to the west, near the desolate wilderness.

Han Lu spent about three and a half days.

Although her attire made it immediately clear that she was a cultivator from the Central Plains, she encountered no obstacles along the way.

Not to mention those who actively cause trouble or rob people on the road, there wasn't even a single cultivator who called out "Fairy, please stay" to strike up a conversation.

This saved Han Lu a lot of time, allowing her to stay temporarily in a nearby wild tribe a day earlier than planned.

Because of its sensitive location, this tribe, known as the Wild Beasts, which is near the wilderness, is filled with a large number of cultivators who are not from the tribe.

Some were cultivators who wanted to enter the wild and desolate borderlands to hunt and tame low-level magical beasts, hoping to get rich by doing so.

Some are "travelers" like Han Lu, who have various reasons for having to enter the wilderness.

Some cultivators were assigned by the "Western Alliance" to serve as sentries on the border between the Western Regions and the Wilderness. Meanwhile, the beasts in the Wilderness left the Wilderness and attacked the Western Regions, causing great damage to the burgeoning economic development of the Western Regions.

This made Han Lu's arrival less conspicuous, and she easily settled down temporarily in this "mixed" place.

Having just settled in, Han Lu once again used her magic to calculate the approaching heavenly tribulation and how many days it would take for her parents to arrive.

The former will not arrive in her for another twenty days.

The latter takes about two and a half days, and there's still some distance to go.

Based on Han Lu's understanding of the wilderness, she guessed that Feng You or Feng Rubing, who came to meet her, were probably in Fengqi Forest rather than Sanfeng Forest when they received the signal, which would explain their efficiency.

To be honest, with Han Lu's current cultivation level, even if she transforms into a phoenix and travels through the wilderness to the Three Phoenix Forest, there is only a 50% chance that she will encounter danger.

However, considering her parents' feelings, Han Lu took the initiative to activate Lingyu's "SOS" function, rather than being reckless and putting herself in a potentially dangerous situation.

Han Lu, who had planned to spend two days in this somewhat dilapidated house, hoping to meet her father or mother, never expected this.

In those short two days, another unexpected event occurred, disrupting her plan to recover peacefully.

Chapter 684 Beast Tide

Han Lu had just settled in the "Wild Beast" tribe and was resting for a day when she felt a little bored. So she thought she would wander around the market in the tribe to see if she could find some good things that she couldn't find in the Central Plains.

After all, this place is on the edge of the wilderness, and Han Lu knows without a doubt that there must be many rare resources that only appear in the wilderness circulating in the market here at a relatively low price.

Although these things might also exist within the Phoenix Clan, she could easily obtain them for free.

However, Han Lu still prefers to obtain these cultivation resources through her own abilities rather than simply becoming a "parasite" that countless cultivators aspire to be.

Although it may seem a bit pretentious, it was precisely because of this mindset that Han Lu was able to make such a smooth journey on her second path of cultivation.

However, Han Lu actually discovered that there were some minor problems with her guess.

This place does indeed have a large amount of materials related to magical beasts and monsters, as well as spiritual plants that can only be found in the wilderness, for sale, but the prices are not much cheaper than in the Central Plains.

At first, Han Lu thought that the cultivators selling goods were shrewd and deliberately set such prices, thinking that she could make more money after some bargaining.

But after she tried to bargain and clearly expressed her desire to buy, she found that it wasn't like that at all.

The prices listed are the actual prices, and few vendors are willing to lower their prices.

"This is strange. I remember it wasn't like this in the Great Yu Dynasty." Han Lu thought to herself, recalling her experiences in the Great Yu Dynasty.

However, she soon understood the economic principles behind it.

The reason is very simple: it is because the Great Yu Dynasty is too big and too chaotic that the prices of these materials from the wilderness vary so much due to the difference in distance from the place of origin.

From Han Lu's current location to the Central Plains Zhengyi Sect, there is a 99.9% chance that a Foundation Establishment cultivator capable of venturing into the wilderness could smoothly fly on a sword and arrive at the Zhengyi Sect in less than a month.

Running a trade route doesn't take too much time or involve much danger.

In this situation, can the prices of these materials be reduced?

Having figured this out, Han Lu gave up on her plan to make purchases here.

Unexpectedly, just as Han Lu left the market area, intending to wander around the "Wild Beast" tribe and find a suitable gift for her younger brother whom she had forgotten and had never met, two red spells suddenly rose up like signal flares in the sky far away from the tribe.

Apart from Han Lu and a few outsiders, the Western Region cultivators and civilians of the Wild Beast Tribe immediately went into a frenzy upon seeing the two red spells.

The mortals all rushed back to their homes immediately, while the cultivators who had been selling goods at stalls in the market either quickly packed up their stalls and hurried back to their residences like ordinary people, or took out their magical treasures, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

"What's going on?" Han Lu looked bewildered, and was even nearly bumped into by an old woman who had no cultivation whatsoever.

This chaotic situation lasted for about half a minute.

Half a minute later, the once bustling street fell silent, with only five or six cultivators remaining outside besides Han Lu.

Immediately afterwards, a very rudimentary defensive array completely enveloped the "Beast Tribe".

Seeing the activated magic circle, Han Lu realized that something dangerous had indeed happened to cause such a commotion.

When a Golden Core cultivator and five Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged from the Western Alliance's office in the Wild Beast Tribe, Han Lu realized that this matter was probably quite significant.

Han Lu happened to see the cultivator she had just spoken to, who was holding a sword, walking past her. She quickly called out to him, wanting to find out the details.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait. May I ask what has happened?"

Seeing that it was the female cultivator who had asked about the price and wanted to buy the goods earlier, the cultivator didn't hold back and replied, "This fairy, the beast tide is coming."

"Beast tide? Tell me more." Han Lu had stayed in the Wild Beast Tribe for a day and had naturally heard the term, but she didn't know its meaning.

The Western Region cultivator, dressed in black and with disheveled hair, explained succinctly, "A large number of demonic beasts living on the desolate borderlands have migrated and passed through the Western Regions."

"Those two red spells just now were signals sent by the cultivators left at the observation outpost after receiving intelligence or discovering the movement of the beast tide."

"Two red spells signify that a fierce beast tide is approaching, which is why our fellow cultivators here are taking it so seriously."

"I see. So, fellow Daoist, are you going to drive away the demonic beasts to prevent them from harming this place?" Han Lu reacted quickly.

The Western Region cultivator replied, "The fairy is right. I am going to go with several seniors from the Western Alliance to drive them away."

"If you, fairy, feel that your magical powers are strong and you are not afraid of danger, you may wish to travel with me."

"The Western Alliance is never stingy with the help of the monks who come to assist them."

"Even if the fairy is from the Central Plains, she can still gain a lot of benefits as long as she puts in the effort."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu said, "Alright, then I'll trouble you to lead the way, fellow Daoist."

Han Lu wasn't motivated by the so-called "reward" to help out.

She only hoped to settle here for a few days and do a good deed so that the residents of this tribe would not suffer because of the beast tide.

Having tasted the immense benefits of the divine favor bestowed upon her during the Core Formation stage, Han Lu's motivation to do good deeds naturally grew stronger.

Upon hearing this, the Western Region cultivator laughed and said, "No problem. The more people contribute, the greater the chance of survival. With the help of the fairy and the senior leaders of the Western Alliance, I believe this beast tide will surely be quelled."

This Western Region cultivator didn't actually discern Han Lu's cultivation level; he simply said a few nice words, hoping to "recruit her to join" and earn more money.

The cultivators who came to help were either locals or "money-grubbing," so when everyone gathered in front of the Golden Core cultivator from the Western Alliance, their fighting spirit was very strong.

Others couldn't discern Han Lu's cultivation level, but the Golden Core cultivator from the Western Alliance could immediately tell that Han Lu was a cultivator at the same level as him.

After walking a few steps and giving a polite greeting, Han Lu was invited onto the stage, her identity as a Golden Core cultivator clearly written on her face.

The Western Region cultivator who was leading the way was slightly surprised, but upon closer reflection, it made perfect sense.

With two Golden Core cultivators present, the slight unease in everyone's hearts dissipated. They only hoped that, under the leadership of the two Golden Core cultivators, they could quickly drive away the beast horde and restore peace to the place.

Chapter 685 Beast Taming Technique

The Golden Core cultivators stationed in the "Beast Tribe" by the Western Alliance were not locals, but they had lived there for nearly ten years, settled down, and developed feelings for the residents of this land.

This Golden Core cultivator called himself "Wuwei Daoren" (the Daoist of Non-Action), but judging from his organizational and mobilization efforts when facing the beast tide, he was nothing like a mediocre cultivator.

The cultivators who came to help out for spirit stones and rewards were all familiar faces who frequented this place year-round.

The Taoist Master Wuwei spoke frankly and openly, clearly explaining how much reward everyone could receive for their assistance and participation.

As for communicating with Han Lu, this unfamiliar but powerful ally, he focused more on understanding the greater good rather than simply using the not-so-generous spirit stone rewards to tempt Han Lu, a cultivator from the Central Plains who clearly had no shortage of "gold and silver".

“Fairy, this matter is neither troublesome nor dangerous, but it concerns the lives of nearly ten thousand people in the Beast Tribe. I hope that you can help us do this good deed and accumulate good karma.”

This approach is correct, but it doesn't actually have much effect on Han Lu.

Since she had come to the group's gathering place on her own initiative, she was already thinking about contributing, rather than checking the situation, gathering information, and then deciding whether to stay out of it.

Not wanting to be misunderstood, Han Lu simply stated her thoughts directly.

“Fellow Daoist Wuwei, I understand this even if you don’t say it.”

"I have come here to help you."

"However, I have absolutely no experience in dealing with the beast tide."

"I hope Fellow Daoist Wuwei can give me some pointers on how to do things, so that I don't do something wrong with good intentions."

Han Lu spoke sincerely, without mentioning "money" at all. Upon hearing this, Wuwei Daoist was overjoyed. Although he had no intention of taking any reward, he was extremely willing to cooperate with such a Golden Core cultivator who put the overall situation first in resolving the beast tide.

“Since you are so noble and virtuous, then I will thank you on behalf of the residents of the vast barbarian tribes,” Wuwei Daoist asked again, “May I ask how you are called, Fairy?”

The Daoist Wuwei couldn't use his divine sense to discern Han Lu's exact cultivation level, and asking directly would be somewhat impolite. Therefore, he used this method to inquire whether Han Lu was a cultivator with some renown in the Central Plains, to ascertain her approximate strength in order to better arrange the upcoming tasks.

Han Lu cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Zhengyi Sect, Zhenfeng."

Wuwei Daoist blinked, not expecting that there was such a True Phoenix Fairy in the Zhengyi Sect.

After all, Han Lu had only achieved the Golden Core stage in a year, while Wuwei Daoist had lived in this remote region for nine years. It was quite normal for him to be a little out of touch with the outside world.

But that doesn't matter. Just based on the name "Zhengyi Sect," Wuwei Daoist can give Han Lu enough trust and recognize her as a cultivator with considerable strength who can play a significant role in the upcoming operation.

As for why Han Lu called herself "True Phoenix," Wuwei Daoren didn't think much about it.

Just as many female cultivators who call themselves "Phoenix" do not possess the true spirit bloodline of the phoenix, Daoist Wuwei did not believe that Han Lu, who came to this place to enter the wilderness, had the purpose of "visiting relatives" and had a blood relationship with the phoenix clan living deep in the wilderness.

“So you are the True Phoenix Fairy of the Zhengyi Sect,” Wuwei Daoist returned the greeting with a cupped hand. “The Zhengyi Sect is full of talented people, and the True Phoenix Fairy must be extraordinary as well.”

After flattering Han Lu, Wuwei Daoist finally answered the question Han Lu had asked earlier.

"The beast tide is not difficult to deal with. As long as Fairy Han does as I say, she will surely be able to work with us to successfully resolve the crisis brought about by the beast tide."

During the nine years that the Taoist Master Wuwei lived in the savage beast tribe, he dealt with five beast tides, all of which ended in victory.

With Han Lu's help this time, he was naturally even more confident, believing that he could successfully protect the peace of the area during his ten-year term in the Beast Tribe and make a recognized contribution within the Western Alliance.

Han Lu said, "Please enlighten me, Daoist Wuwei."

"It's not difficult at this time. As long as Fairy Han learns this simple technique and works with all of you fellow Daoists to cast it, the savage beast tribe can remain safe and sound during the beast tide."