The Long Journey to Immortality

Although the young people spontaneously applauded Han Lu as they left to express their gratitude, no miracles occurred as Wang Han had during his sermon.

Perhaps in the future, because of Han Lu's lesson, one or two younger disciples will be able to strengthen their resolve in the Dao, and in their short lives, cultivate to a higher level and advance to a higher realm.

For Han Lu, that day's effort was not in vain.

After finishing her classes, Han Lu's "journey home" came to an end.

Finally, there was only one thing that required her to make an appearance.

That is to meet with the Golden Core cultivator from the Han family, Daoist Jiyu, and have a casual chat.

Han Lu was not opposed to this matter, and even looked forward to meeting the Taoist of Rapid Rain who resembled her master, Piaomiaozi.

Chapter 806 North and South are Different

In Han Lu's opinion, Piaomiaozi and Jiyu Daoren are very similar.

They are both at the early stage of the Golden Core realm.

They all achieved their goals through a small stroke of luck, despite being underestimated by others, by forming a false core and eventually reaching the Golden Core, becoming "superior people" in the eyes of countless cultivators.

Both encountered obstacles while cultivating at the Golden Core stage, resulting in slow, hopeless, and bleak progress.

Similarly, after realizing that there was no possibility of further advancement, they devoted their energy to other areas.

The difference is that Piaomiaozi is all alone, while Jiyu Daoren is the "ancestor" of nearly three thousand people in the Han family.

Therefore, Piaomiaozi devoted the energy he had shifted away from cultivation to training younger disciples for the sect and handling the sect's daily affairs with the authority of a Golden Core cultivator.

However, Daoist Jiyu didn't care much about the sect's affairs, instead focusing his energy on the younger generation of his family, hoping to witness another Golden Core cultivator being added to the family before his lifespan ran out.

Even a Golden Core cultivator like him with no future would be fine.

Han Lu's arrival was unexpected, so Daoist Jiyu, who knew Han Lu's strength and potential far better than other family members, was extremely enthusiastic and took the initiative to arrange this meeting.

His idea was not complicated. He simply hoped that Han Lu would help him out of blood ties, so that in extreme circumstances, the Han family would not be without successors and would not gradually decline and wither away like other once prosperous cultivation families, eventually disappearing into the long river of history.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the North and the South lies in the presence or absence of powerful and deeply rooted cultivation families.

Seventy to eighty percent of the elders in the Zhengyi Sect of the Southern Dynasty relied entirely on the resources provided by the sect for their cultivation and advancement.

Fifty percent of the renowned cultivators in the Northern Dynasty's Xuan Yang Valley and other sects, large and small, have a secular family behind them and too many worldly ties.

Back when Yunmin Daoist was the sect leader, he had casually discussed this matter with Han Lu.

This difference is seen as the key reason why the Zhengyi Sect in the South will surpass and outperform the Xuan Yang Valley in the North in the future.

Born in the South, with a home in a remote area, and now with relatives in the North, Han Lu didn't intend to think too much about this during this trip.

She simply wanted to chat with Daoist Jiyu for a few minutes, hoping to find a chance to relax during a "heavy" business event.

At the residence of Daoist Jiyu in Han Family Town, Han Lu met with Han Yu, a Golden Core cultivator.

The appearance of the Taoist in the rain was similar to that of the Taoist in the blue robe, who looked seven or eight years older.

The standard monk's appearance gives off a calm yet old-fashioned feeling.

This is completely different from Han Lu, who has traveled all over the ancient cultivation secret realm and visited all corners of the country.

Upon seeing Han Lu arrive, the Taoist Jiyu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, quickly stood up and bowed in welcome, saying, "Fairy Han, you've finally arrived."

Whether it was Daoist Jiyu or the other members of the Han family who were responsible for entertaining Han Lu, they all addressed her as Fairy Han, and their intentions were as obvious as could be.

Han Lu returned the greeting with a cupped hand, "Fellow Daoist Han Yu."

"Please sit down. I have long heard of Fairy Han's great name. Meeting her today, I can see that her reputation is well-deserved." Although what Daoist Jiyu said was true, he exaggerated and was quite polite.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu teased, "Your reputation is well-deserved just from meeting you. Fellow Daoist Han Yu, are you referring to my fame or my reputation for beauty?"

Upon hearing this, Daoist Jiyu's expression stiffened, but he managed to maintain a smile and frankly said, "To be honest, I first heard about Fairy Han from a mischievous friend."

As he spoke, Daoist Jiyu gestured for Han Lu to sit down, saying, "They say there is a True Phoenix Fairy in the South, who is very beautiful and has a true spiritual bloodline."

"I recommend that this bachelor, shamelessly, try to get closer to Fairy Han. Only by settling down can one establish a career."

"It wasn't until more than a decade ago that I heard of Fairy Han's fame. I was amazed that there was such a genius as Fairy Han in the world, and I always wanted to meet her and pay my respects."

"What a coincidence today," said Daoist Jiyu, seizing the opportunity, "not only did I meet Fairy Han, but I also confirmed that we are indeed related by blood."

"This business is considered a success, but whether it can be established is still unknown." After saying this, Daoist Jiyu gave him a meaningful look, wanting to see if Han Lu understood his subtext and whether she was willing to express her opinion here to put his mind at ease.

The term "establishing a career" can refer to either the improvement of a cultivator's self-cultivation realm or the growth and expansion of a family.

The Taoist in the urgency was naturally referring to the latter.

Han Lu could tell that she was willing to give a reasonable and clear answer.

"It seems possible. After all, whether it's a big business or a small business, if it can be passed down for ten or a hundred generations, it can be considered a successful business."

Han Lu's meaning was clear: she would take care of the Han family, but that would be all; she wouldn't dedicate a lot of energy to the family and fight on the front lines like Ji Yu Dao Ren.

The Taoist of Urgent Rain understood, and although he was slightly disappointed, he did not show it.

"That would be wonderful."

“But let me make this clear,” Han Lu cautioned, “my name is not meant to stop a child from crying at night, so don’t use it indiscriminately.”

"Don't worry, don't worry," Daoist Jiyu quickly assured him, "The Han family is not one to flaunt or exaggerate. Unless it's absolutely necessary, we certainly won't bring out the great deity, Fairy Han."

“Normally, you are treated like royalty, and I handle all the troublesome matters.”

Both parties were sensible and understood each other's position and needs in this matter. After each expressed their attitude, the matter was resolved smoothly and completely.

After discussing serious matters, Daoist Jiyu and Han Lu chatted aimlessly like good friends.

They talked about cultivation, and gossip about sects...

Just as Han Lu got along well with Piaomiaozi, she also felt quite good when communicating with Jiyu Daoren.

If Han Lu were from Xuan Yang Valley, she might have become good friends with Ji Yu Dao Ren, just like she did with Piao Miao Zi back then, despite their age difference and cultivation level.

At the urging of the Taoist priest, Han Lu decided to stay overnight in the old house assigned to her by the Han family before leaving.

It feels strange to live under the same roof as my mother across time and space.

Sitting cross-legged in the relatively empty room, Han Lu even began to fantasize about another path.

The cultivators from Xuan Yang Valley knew when to back down and did not bother the father again. The father and mother did not elope but settled down and got married there.

She grew up in the Han family home and received her first spiritual training here, growing up with her parents by her side...

While fantasizing about a story that doesn't exist, Han Lu felt a little sleepy and drifted off to sleep.

When Han Lu woke up the next day, although her cultivation level had not improved at all, she felt refreshed and invigorated, as if she had taken some kind of magic pill.

Standing in the courtyard, hands behind her back, looking at the room where her mother used to live, Han Lu murmured, "This is really strange."

After saying that, she flew away without saying goodbye.

Chapter 807 The Admonition of Daoist Xuanfeng

When Han Lu left the Han family, she did not feel the slightest bit of attachment.

Despite her rapidly increasing cultivation level and still long lifespan, Han Lu felt increasingly lacking in energy and was unwilling to get entangled in trivial matters or cause and effect.

If her mother were still alive, she might have developed some strong feelings for the Han family of the Northern Dynasty.

But with her mother gone and herself already integrated into the South, a wild and untamed place, the Han family home was no longer a home to her. The old house left to her was simply a place to pay her respects.

Perhaps, when the Han family is in trouble in the future, a letter of sword will arrive, and Han Lu will still lend a helping hand.

But that's about it.

She didn't feel she could form any connection with the Han family's relatives.

Being able to chat for a few minutes like with the Taoist of Urgent Rain is already the limit.

She returned to Zhengyi Sect at a leisurely pace. Although she did not encounter any obstacles along the way, she did happen to run into Xuanfeng Daoist, whom she had fought before.

It's quite rare for two familiar cultivators to bump into each other in the air in such a vast place as the Central Plains.

Xuanfeng Daoist also looked surprised. Han Lu even suspected that Xuanfeng Daoist was deliberately waiting for him on the road, hoping to ask him for something.

Although Xuanfeng Daoist was not as highly regarded in Xuanyang Valley as Han Lu was in Zhengyi Sect, he was still regarded by the sect's higher-ups as someone who had the potential to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm.

He was not punished for losing to Han Lu back then.

Instead, the sect compensated him with several magical treasures and invested more resources in his training.

This made him quite embarrassed, as if in the eyes of the sect, "narrowly losing" to Han Lu had become an achievement that proved his talent and strength.

Over the years, Xuanfeng Daoist, who was already only a step away from the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, naturally completed the first Dan rune just like Han Lu and advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.

By chance, both parties slowed down their flight speed and greeted each other in a friendly manner.

“Fairy Zhenfeng,” Xuanfeng Daoist greeted first, “It’s been a long time. How have you been? I heard that you had some enlightenment a few years ago and then went into seclusion for three years. I suppose you have not only consolidated your mid-stage Golden Core cultivation but also gained one or two more Core Patterns.”

After being defeated by Han Lu, Xuanfeng Daoist paid close attention to Han Lu's information, regarding her as one of his rivals, hoping to defeat Han Lu and surpass her in cultivation speed to encourage himself.

Although this "arch-enemy" was one-sided, it provided Xuanfeng Daoist with some extra motivation in his cultivation in recent years.

The other party was very polite, and Han Lu, who also wanted to exchange a few friendly greetings, naturally responded to each one.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng, you're too kind. I just had a little insight and encouraged myself to cultivate. I just happened to make a breakthrough and indeed gained more Dao Dan patterns," Han Lu joked. "Speaking of which, we haven't competed since we both advanced to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. Why don't we spar here and make friends through Dao techniques?"

Xuanfeng Daoist could tell that Han Lu was joking, so he waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Forget it, forget it. In terms of fighting, I'm afraid even two of me could barely defeat True Phoenix Fairy. True Phoenix Fairy, you'd better not come and harm my magic weapon."

Xuanfeng Daoist still vividly remembered the battle that severely damaged his family's vitality. He was terrified that if he were to spar with Han Lu again, he would be unharmed, but his family's fortune would be completely destroyed.

Han Lu covered her face and chuckled, "I was wrong that time, and I apologize to Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng again. Where is Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng going on this trip? To meet with friends?"

It wasn't anything private. Xuanfeng Daoist, who had been looking to get closer to a genius cultivator like Han Lu, replied, "It is indeed a meeting with a friend. I'd like to go to the East Sea with a wealthy and influential friend to see if we can acquire some items that interest us to aid our cultivation and enhance our combat power."

Upon hearing the words "East China Sea," Han Lu, who had planned to visit the East China Sea with her friends, suddenly perked up.

"Is Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng familiar with the East Sea?" Han Lu asked.

Xuanfeng Daoist was slightly surprised, but still nodded slightly and replied, "After advancing to the Golden Core Realm, I traveled in the East Sea for thirty years, so I can say that I know the situation in the East Sea very well. What, does Fairy Han have any idea to take a trip to the East Sea?"

“Well, I’m planning a trip with some friends soon, and the East Sea is one of the stops,” Han Lu asked. “Could Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng tell me about the East Sea? If you’re not busy, you could record a jade tablet for me.”

Although there were cultivators like Xianyu Ji in the Zhengyi Sect who had spent some time in the East Sea, none of them were at the Golden Core stage.

The two Golden Core Realm elders, the only two from the East Sea, were unfamiliar to Han Lu and her companions, so they had no way of asking them.