The Long Journey to Immortality

The other four "high-level" cultivators focused their efforts on clearing the ruins and rebuilding the houses.

After an earthquake, nearly half of the houses in Bosi Village collapsed, and the entire village was not much different from ruins.

The day before the nine people arrived, half of the villagers spent the night crammed into the ancestral hall.

Solving the villagers' problem of finding a place to stay overnight became the most important task for the group.

Rebuilding a house, a problem that would take mortals a month or even several months to solve, is not a difficult task in the eyes of cultivators.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator leading the group asked the village chief for several women and children to help out, act as guides, and coordinate with the group's actions.

Immediately afterwards, the two dispersed to different parts of the village and used their spiritual power to clear the ruins.

The other two followed the guide into the mountains and forests, where they used magic to cut down trees and prepare building materials.

Everything is proceeding smoothly and in an orderly manner.

While the able-bodied men in Bosi Village were sweating profusely in the spirit stone mine, Han Lu and the other nine cultivators showed no airs of cultivators and enthusiastically helped these men take care of their families and relieve their worries.

In just one day, by nightfall, seven wooden houses had been built, and the elderly people in the village who had lost their homes were housed in them.

After the earthquake, the wild beasts in the mountains became restless, and the possibility of them entering the village was under consideration by the Foundation Establishment cultivator leading the team.

To avoid further casualties, Han Lu and Wen Erya, the two most approachable-looking cultivators, temporarily stayed with the elderly so they could use their magic to maintain several fire sources and protect the elderly's safety.

As for the other seven, they temporarily stayed in the ark they had come from.

Although the mission did not require the cultivators not to disturb mortals, the seven people felt that living in the ark was obviously more comfortable and at ease than staying temporarily in the villagers' homes.

The next day, Han Lu and the slightly chubby young man also joined the army of tree cutters, which accelerated the post-disaster reconstruction of Bosi Village.

That evening, the ruins of the houses were completely cleared, and twenty-three more wooden houses were erected in Bosi Village.

In addition, several graves stand on the edge of the village.

A total of seventeen villagers lost their lives in the earthquake, which lasted only ten seconds.

Looking at the last traces left by the deceased in the world, apart from Han Lu and Wen Erya, the other seven people felt more or less worried about their relatives who were still in the secular world.

On the third day, after confirming that they were no longer needed in this place, the group boarded the ark again and returned to Zhengyi Gate.

The time that cultivators who left the Zhengyi Sect to go to various places for disaster relief was either long or short.

After the last group of cultivators returned after leaving the sect, all the news from the Southern Dynasty about this "disaster" was gathered by word of mouth in the Zhengyi Sect area.

With the mission concluded and so much news pouring in, the cultivators naturally turned their attention back to the earth-shattering phenomenon of that day.

Rumors began to spread, and all sorts of strange speculations arose about the cause of the strange phenomenon.

Chapter Seventy-Six: Magic Treasure? Secret Realm? Tribulation Transcending?

Such an earth-shattering phenomenon was something most cultivators were seeing for the first time.

Normally, when a magical artifact of the highest level appears, it can only shake the world at most, and it would be considered powerful if it caused a slight change in the color of the world within a city.

The event was sudden and unusual, naturally making people more inclined to speculate and focus their casual conversations on this strange event that everyone knew about and had experienced.

Even Han Lu and Wen Er Ya took the opportunity of celebrating each other's advancement to have a short get-together, chatting about the strange celestial phenomena over the delicious food.

While Han Lu was diligently cultivating, Wen Erya did not slack off either.

With her top-grade spiritual root, the difficulty of her cultivation was not much higher than that of Han Lu.

When Han Lu made great strides on Hanchan Peak and successfully advanced to the first level of Qi Refining.

Wen Erya successfully opened her sixth spiritual meridian, becoming a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and took another step closer to advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.

The two sat under the bright moon, enjoying delicious snacks.

Wen Erya even boldly prepared half a bottle of rice wine, saying she wanted to try it out and, like the other cultivators, drink to celebrate.

Wen Erya was quite surprised that Han Lu was able to open up fifty-six acupoints so quickly, but she didn't ask any questions. She just felt that this was probably a secret hidden in Han Lu's family's traditional martial arts, and it was not appropriate to tell her, her closest outsider.

Under the moonlight, the two enjoyed their meal and conversation.

The conversation quickly turned to the strange phenomenon that had occurred a week earlier.

"Senior sister, you are a princess, you must have some special information channels, right? Do you know what exactly happened?" Although Han Lu didn't like gossip, she had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to find out what was going on that caused such a commotion, making the entire Central Plains region tremble.

Wen Erya shook her head. "They are just ordinary imperial families. What special information channels do they have? My family's retainer is only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. How could he possibly find out about such a major event, let alone make a special trip to the Zhengyi Sect to report the specific situation to me?"

Wen Erya didn't think of herself as some important figure in the Southern Dynasty's royal family.

"So, senior sister, what's your opinion on that matter?" Han Lu asked again.

Wen Erya had her own ideas, but instead of saying them, she started talking about the rumors circulating within her sect.

She picked up her small wine glass, took a sip, and tried her best to savor the taste. After an unrefined smack of her tongue, she continued, "I heard that a magical treasure of the spiritual level has appeared in the Central Plains, which is why the world has changed."

Ritual implements, ritual tools, spiritual artifacts, magical treasures...

Spiritual treasures are extremely rare in the mortal realm. Legend has it that even among Nascent Soul cultivators, only a very small percentage possess a single spiritual treasure.

Based on this reasoning, it is only natural that such a large commotion would occur if a high-grade spiritual treasure were to appear.

“It is said that…” Wen Erya added, “when our sect’s most treasured treasure, the Heaven-Stealing Bottle, was born ten thousand years ago, there were also some unusual phenomena.”

"I reckon this treasure might be a magical artifact, even more precious than a spiritual treasure, just like the Heaven-Stealing Bottle."

Upon hearing that the Heaven-Stealing Bottle had gotten involved in the rumors, Han Lu suppressed her laughter and shared the jokes she had heard from her fellow disciples with Wen Erya.

"Senior sister, I also heard that the magic treasure that has been born this time is also a bottle. Our sect's Heaven-Stealing Bottle is the female bottle, and this treasure is the male bottle. The female bottle has to obey the command of the male bottle."

"Once this magic treasure is taken away, our sect's Heaven-Stealing Bottle will no longer produce ripening liquid. At that time, the sect will probably fall apart and disappear from the Central Plains."

Upon hearing this, Wen Erya was stunned for a moment before realizing that Han Lu was telling a joke she had heard.

“Interesting. It’s probably a joke come up by some imaginative cultivator in Xuan Yang Valley,” Wen Er Ya pointed out the obvious flaws. “If this were true, I’m afraid the elders in the sect would definitely not sit still. They have already sent powerful elders out to search for treasures or even taken action themselves, thinking of seizing this treasure that could destroy the foundation of the Zheng Yi Sect.”

"But now, the higher-ups inside the organization are not making any moves, which is obviously not the case."

“That’s true,” Han Lu nodded, agreeing with Wen Erya’s statement. “I think it’s just a joke. I’ve never heard of magic weapons being male or female.”

Han Lu offered her guess, "I think it might be the emergence of a treasure or secret realm left behind by a senior cultivator."

"What level of cultivator's treasure could cause such a commotion upon its emergence?" Wen Erya didn't quite agree with this explanation.

Han Lu gave an example, "Maybe it's a treasure left behind by those ten ancient cultivators?"

Upon hearing the words "ancient cultivator," Wen Erya's expression changed, clearly indicating that she was beginning to consider the possibility of Han Lu's statement.

Legend has it that in ancient times, 100,000 years ago, humans were not as prosperous as they are now, and could only barely survive in the gaps between various mythical beasts and monsters.

However, ten exceptionally talented and creative humans discovered several cultivation techniques, leading humanity onto the path of cultivation, which made humans the undisputed kings of this human realm.

In the eyes of Han Lu, Wen Erya, and almost all other cultivators, if it were the legacy or treasure left behind by these ten cultivators, it would be reasonable for such a great commotion to occur upon their rebirth.

Compared to the precious magic treasures that are only fought over by high-level cultivators, a secret realm, a treasure trove, and a legacy are more likely to excite ordinary cultivators.

After all, in a secret realm, after the high-level cultivators finish eating the meat, there will always be some soup and broth flowing into the stomachs of the low-level cultivators.

These material things, a story, a story of masters vying for treasures are far more tangible for ordinary cultivators.

The two chatted about this interesting matter for a long time, and then talked about the competition and cultivation of immortality. Han Lu did not return to her small courtyard to rest until very late.

Besides the various versions of the story told by the two men in casual conversation, there is another version that is quite popular among the Zhengyi sect members.

It is said that the strange phenomenon that caused the world to change color was actually a senior expert in the Nascent Soul stage undergoing tribulation outside.

To ordinary cultivators, Golden Core stage elders are already unattainable seniors, and Nascent Soul stage Supreme Elders are even more elusive, objects of awe that can only be looked up to.

It's perfectly normal for a Nascent Soul cultivator, who is even more powerful than a Nascent Soul cultivator, to cause such a stir in the mortal realm.

Amidst the various rumors circulating within the Zhengyi Sect, the five Golden Core cultivators who had been sent by Daoist Yunmin to investigate the source of the Yuanshui River also returned to the Zhengyi Sect.

The elders were once again summoned together by the sect leader, Daoist Yunmin, to discuss important matters.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: The Truth Behind the Strange Phenomena

This time, none of the Grand Elders who were cultivating inside the sect appeared.

Seven days have passed, and Daoist Yunmin has become more like a sect leader than an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

He sat calmly at the head of the table, having already devised several countermeasures in his mind.

Once the five Golden Core cultivators sent out to investigate return, they can implement their strategies, plan the next steps and policies, and, as the sect leader, decide the future of the Zhengyi Sect.

Compared to the composed Daoist Yunmin, the other Golden Core cultivators did not display the same calm demeanor they had at the last gathering.

Many Golden Core cultivators appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, they were secretly using telepathic communication to exchange information and discuss with their fellow disciples.

Compared to the last time, there were three more Golden Core cultivators in the council hall this time.

These three Golden Core elders from the Zhengyi Sect were originally traveling together in the East China Sea Islands. After witnessing the strange phenomena that occurred in the Central Plains, they changed their plans and set off to return, hoping to get back to their sect as soon as possible and find out what had happened.

Of course, in addition to contributing to the sect, seeking the sect's protection was also one of the reasons why these three cultivators returned to the sect as soon as possible.

Such a strange phenomenon inevitably leads people to speculate and wonder if something momentous is about to happen that will shake the very foundations of the cultivation world.

Golden Core cultivators have earned their cultivation through hard work and cherish their lives far more than ordinary cultivators.

It's perfectly normal to want to return to your sect and stick together for warmth.

The group of Golden Core cultivators barely managed to maintain their usual demeanor as senior experts, gathering in the council hall to wait patiently.

About 35 minutes later, five streaks of light streaked across the night sky and flew into the Five Elements Mountain Courtyard of the Zhengyi Sect.

The restrictions that had been surrounding the council hall were lifted under the control of Daoist Yunmin, and the suddenly opened doors led the five returning Golden Core cultivators into the hall.

Upon seeing the five return, some Golden Core cultivators, who were filled with anticipation, suppressed the urge to ask questions and forced themselves to remain seated.

"Elders, you've worked hard. Please sit down and rest for a while," said Master Yunmin, looking at one of the Golden Core cultivators. "Wine Pot Daoist, what have you gained from this trip?"

The cultivator whom Master Yunmin called the Wine Pot Daoist was his junior brother, and also the "captain" of the five-person Golden Core cultivator reconnaissance team that he had organized and arranged.

The Wine Pot Taoist did not use this Taoist name because he was addicted to wine.

Instead, during the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he fortuitously obtained a magical artifact of the spiritual level, which was shaped like a wine gourd.

This magical artifact is quite powerful, and he finds it very easy to use, which is why he gave himself this Taoist name.

The Taoist in the wine pot took a moment to organize his thoughts before speaking, recounting the process and results of the investigation.

"That day, the five of us went to the end of the source."