The Long Journey to Immortality

Although this approach is passive, in the eyes of the Taoist of Non-Action, it is the only feasible method at present.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu no longer hesitated, lest she miss this last chance to salvage the "defeat".

Without even greeting Wuwei Daoist, Han Lu immediately retrieved the sword pellet, flew away from the group of cultivators, and silently activated the True Phoenix Manual. In front of everyone and over a thousand demonic beasts, she transformed into a phoenix.

When the magnificent three-winged phoenix appeared before the cultivators, everyone was so astonished they couldn't close their mouths.

Only the Western Region cultivator with disheveled hair remained expressionless, showing no sign of surprise. He merely marveled at the wonder of it all, his eyes wide as he tried to examine every single feather on Han Lu's body, wanting to etch this scene—which he would likely never see again on his future path of cultivation—deeply into his mind.

Transforming into a real spirit, Han Lu hurriedly imitated the ferocious beast's posture, letting out a phoenix cry in the sky.

Although the languages ​​of different races of demons and spirits are not mutually intelligible, Han Lu can still convey emotions through these cries.

Just like that unknown high-level demonic beast that used its roar to disrupt the minds of the beast horde and instill fear in the beasts.

The cry emitted by Han Lu, who had transformed into a three-winged phoenix, naturally had a calming effect.

Not only that, Han Lu not only used the bloodline suppression ability of the True Spirit, but also used illusion techniques.

Using her true spirit form to cast illusions, Han Lu, in near-perfect form, wove a beautiful and inescapable illusion for numerous demonic beasts.

Immersed in the illusion, the monsters forgot their troubles and fears.

As Han Lu cried out, the restless and rampaging herd of beasts gradually slowed down and actually stopped in place.

Compared to the beasts on the ground, the flying monsters in the air were even more exaggerated.

These demonic beasts, as if worshipping a god, danced around the phoenix that Han Lu had transformed into, showing no trace of their previous panic.

Such a scene amazed everyone.

Seeing that her actions were effective, Han Lu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she chirped twice, using illusion magic to create an effect similar to hypnosis or mind control.

The beast tide, which had stopped, began to move slowly again. However, this time, it was not heading towards the wild beast tribe, but rather following Han Lu's flight path towards a slightly westward direction.

In this way, both goals can be achieved: the beast tide has completed its prelude, allowing them to avoid the howling of those still unaware of their "true master," while simultaneously rescuing the innocent residents of the savage beast tribe.

Under Han Lu's guidance, the beast tide "flowed" at a steady pace.

It's orderly, stable, and reassuring.

Everything went smoothly, but Han Lu did not let her guard down. Instead, she kept an eye on the direction from which the "howling" came from, wary of the yet-to-be-revealed Transformation Realm demon beast or true spirit, and on guard against any further actions that might destroy her carefully woven dream and plunge the nearly three thousand demon beasts into panic once again.

But something strange happened.

The mysterious man who had just seemed to be deliberately sabotaging the Western Region cultivators' efforts to drive away the beasts appeared to be "afraid" of Han Lu and did not reappear to try to disrupt or continue his evil plan to use the beast tide to destroy the settlements of the Western Region residents.

If it weren't for the echo of that "howl" still reverberating in Han Lu's mind, she might have even thought she was hallucinating and falling into a conspiracy theory.

The monsters marched in a somewhat disorderly line, their steps rhythmic, across the grassland beside the beast tribe.

Many residents of the Wild Beast Tribe peered out of their windows or even onto the rooftops, curiously watching the numerous beasts that seemed to have been tamed, or gazing up at the beautiful phoenixes soaring high in the sky, expressing their gratitude to this true spirit for its great compassion and for resolving the crisis of the Wild Beast Tribe.

Several devout followers of the Holy King Church performed worship rituals, but the words they uttered were not to thank Han Lu, but rather to thank the Holy King for summoning the true spirit to help resolve the crisis.

Finally, Han Lu led the beast tide slowly for a full quarter of an hour into a territory completely far from the wild beast tribe.

After confirming that the crisis had indeed been resolved, Han Lu used illusion magic to give a psychological suggestion to the many demonic beasts.

After the illusion was dispelled, although some restlessness arose within the beast tide composed of monsters, they still continued to move northeastward according to the plan Han Lu had devised for them, completing this migration that had begun for reasons unknown.

The matter was successfully completed, and just as Han Lu transformed back into human form and was about to return to the beast tribe to receive "flowers" and "applause," a dark shadow appeared like a ghost in front of her.

Looking at the mysterious figure completely hidden in the black mist, Han Lu guessed the other party's identity almost immediately.

Chapter 688 New Insights into the Will of Heaven

The other party kept a low profile, making it impossible for Han Lu, who was already unfamiliar with the many high-level demon beasts, spirit beasts, and true spirits in the wilderness, to immediately identify its identity.

Based on Han Lu's deduction, the other party had at least reached the mid-stage of the Transformation Realm.

Even though Han Lu had just defeated a former Nascent Soul cultivator, she dared not say for sure that she could successfully defeat this mysterious person whose cultivation was higher than hers before she had fully recovered.

Fortunately, the other party showed up on their own initiative, simply blocking Han Lu's path rather than launching a sneak attack.

This led Han Lu to conclude that although the other party had ill intentions, they probably had no urge to fight her.

"Perhaps a peaceful conversation could resolve this matter," Han Lu thought to herself, "and we might also find out why they tried to command the beast tide to destroy the Western Region settlements."

With this thought in mind, before the mysterious person who had blocked her way could speak, Han Lu spoke in a tone she rarely used, "Fellow Daoist, why are you blocking my path?"

"If there's anything you need to discuss, why don't you sit down with me for some tea and we can talk things over?"

While actively showing goodwill, Han Lu did not let her guard down and was even prepared to take the initiative.

After Han Lu finished speaking, the mysterious person slowly opened their mouth.

Judging from the other party's voice, wording, and tone, Han Lu determined that the other party was neither a demon beast nor a true spirit skilled in dealing with people.

"Fellow Daoist Feng," the mysterious beast in the shadows addressed Han Lu as such, even though it couldn't recognize which kind of phoenix she was. "Why did you come to ruin my plans?"

Hearing this, Han Lu's guess about the other party's identity was confirmed.

Indeed, this mysterious person is the cause of this beast tide.

As for whether the countless beast tides in the past years, decades, and centuries were caused by this monster, there is still no conclusion. Han Lu has not rashly pinned the blame on this monster that does not seem like a good person.

"A good thing?" Han Lu retorted. "The good thing you're talking about is driving away the beasts, creating a beast tide, trampling and destroying the settlements of civilians in the Western Regions, and causing the deaths of countless demons and mortals?"

Han Lu's words were resounding and powerful. Any demon beast with a conscience would have been compelled to defend its actions and feel a pang of remorse upon hearing them.

But clearly, the mysterious beast that Han Lu was communicating with was not that kind of beast.

As if translating and understanding Han Lu's words, a full ten breaths passed before the mysterious beast answered Han Lu's question.

He neither defended himself nor repented, but instead argued emphatically, "My cultivation advancement requires the souls of mortals or other demonic beasts as nourishment."

"Driving away the beasts and causing slaughter will not bring me too much negative consequences that will affect my cultivation, and it will kill countless mortals and demons."

"It's beneficial for my advancement, isn't that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Hearing this, Han Lu was speechless, wondering what kind of logic this was, and wondering if the "evil spirits" born and raised in the wilderness had such a twisted worldview and logic in her eyes.

However, these few words not only made Han Lu realize that the other person was not like her, but also gave Han Lu some important information, allowing her to make a rough judgment about the other person's racial identity.

In the wilderness, there are no fewer than a hundred kinds of demonic beasts whose bloodlines have reached or are close to the level of True Spirit.

This method of accumulating power by devouring the "souls" of the dead to break through cultivation realms is clearly only mastered by a few types of demonic beasts.

Based on the information currently available, Han Lu deduced that this mysterious person should be a kind of monster called a "Soul Beast".

"Fellow Daoist Soul..." Han Lu bowed respectfully, and decided to change her address to the other party based on her guess.

The two had different values, but Han Lu did not argue with him or try to change his way of doing things, which had been maintained for hundreds of years.

"I can't explain it to you, I can't understand it either."

"In short, I will protect the thousands of lives in this savage tribe."

"If you continue to incite the beasts to destroy the homes and lives of these mortals, then we will have no choice but to fight here."

Han Lu's reluctance to fight does not mean she is afraid of engaging in combat; it is simply due to her personality.

If the other party insists on going its own way and wants to increase the killing to meet its own needs for advancement, then Han Lu will definitely not show mercy to this "bad guy" who is a complete stranger and whose values ​​are already incompatible with hers.

Hearing Han Lu bring up the matter of battle, the soul beast was also surprised. He, who was already slow to speak, hesitated for nearly twenty seconds before finally uttering the next sentence.

"I do not wish to be enemies with Fellow Daoist Feng."

"I only stopped you because I wanted to chat with Fellow Daoist Feng for a few minutes and say hello."

"If Fellow Daoist Feng insists on ruining my plans, then I have no choice but to back down half a step here."

The unnamed spirit beast clearly saw through Han Lu's determination. In an instant, it transformed from a "nomadic tribe" that engaged in barbaric behavior by "harming others for personal gain" into a "singing and dancing minority," taking the initiative to show goodwill and unwilling to provoke a fight with Han Lu.

The True Spirits have quite a reputation in the Wilderness. Even though this Soul Beast felt that he might not be a match for them in a real fight, he was unwilling to make enemies of the True Spirits and bring trouble upon himself.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu knew perfectly well that the soul beast's words had a hidden meaning.

He had no intention of provoking Han Lu, nor would he command the demon beasts to destroy human settlements in front of Han Lu again. However, this did not mean that he would not continue to follow the beast tide and howl twice when approaching the next Western Region tribe, turning a paradise into a graveyard.

In response, Han Lu wanted to take responsibility and took the initiative to fight back.

But upon closer examination, this is indeed the survival rule of soul beasts, an act of conforming to "divine will".

In fact, compared to those soul beasts from the ancient True Spirit era who actively caused large-scale killings, this soul beast that took a different path to absorb divine souls can be considered a great benefactor.

So what can she, an outsider, say?

Did she really kill the soul beast on her own initiative, or follow the beast herd to protect the Western Region humans living on the desolate border of the Western Region?

Han Lu is kind-hearted, but given her principles and the actual circumstances, she would never do such a thing.

Han Lu felt as if her heart had been frozen by frost. Suddenly, she had a sudden realization, and her understanding of the matter of destiny entered a deeper level.

So, although she was somewhat reluctant, knowing that her actions might cause the deaths of some mortals and some demonic beasts that were used as tools to be integrated into the beast tide, she still replied, "In that case, please do as you please, fellow Daoist Hun, and leave this place as soon as possible."

The soul beast, who rarely interacted with "cultivators" with a human mindset, followed Han Lu's example and returned the greeting with a cupped hand, before transforming into a wisp of black smoke and chasing after the beast tide.

Soon, howls rang out again in the distance. Han Lu could imagine what kind of scene might appear in another Western Region settlement an hour or two later.

With a sigh, Han Lu, who was thinking of continuing to fly back, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and found a good way to solve the problem.

Chapter 689 Rescue, Close Relatives Arrive

With a perfect solution in front of her, Han Lu felt she should give it a try, so as to allow the soul beasts to act according to their instincts while minimizing the number of demon beasts and civilians from the Western Regions who lose their lives needlessly because of this matter.

Without wasting any time, she quickly transformed back into a phoenix and flew back to the beast tribe at top speed.

The distance of more than ten miles was covered by Han Lu, who was at the Golden Core Realm, flying at full speed in her phoenix form, and it was almost instantaneous.

Flying over the beast tribe, the settlement did not return to order after the beast tide departed.

Many mortals were still shaken by the beast tide they had just witnessed. Even after seeing a true spirit, which was considered an auspicious creature in their culture, they remained fearful and found it difficult to recover quickly enough to continue their work.

Cultivators, on the other hand, value their lives even more than ordinary people.

In particular, the monks who originally set up stalls in the market were superstitious and regarded the beast tide as a sign of bad luck. Since they were not in a hurry to sell their goods, they naturally did not want to engage in business on this unlucky day.

Therefore, even after experiencing the beast tide, the savage tribe suffered no damage whatsoever, and the settlement remained deserted, never returning to its former bustling state.

There were neither flowers nor applause. Even though Han Lu returned to the Beast Tribe with the mindset of a phoenix, only a dozen or so cultivators, including Daoist Wuwei, who had just fought alongside her, were waiting outside to welcome her back.

Flying to the crowd, Han Lu shed her feathers, transformed back into human form, and reappeared as a cultivator from the Central Plains.