The Long Journey to Immortality

Combined with the textual descriptions in the edited manuscript, this can give a guest who did not participate in the piano competition a unique, immersive experience.

These past few days, Feng Rubing, who was focused on her spiritual practice, only learned of her daughter's championship win from the morning newspaper.

The next day, Feng Rubing sent a paper sword as a congratulatory gift, and just as Han Lu had guessed, she brought up the matter of the "competition".

He used a joking tone, but he still "blatantly" used his daughter's small achievement as a bargaining chip to make himself proud in front of Que Chuyao.

Han Lu didn't mind at all, and even jokingly replied with a "self-criticism", blaming herself for not making further progress in the chess competition.

Although Feng Rubing did not send another paper sword, Han Lu could imagine that Feng Rubing would be amused when she saw the paper sword, and guessed that she had thought of this when she won the award.

This mother and daughter, who resemble sisters, get along much better than most mothers and daughters.

Compared to his mother, who was idle at the bird festival, Fengyou, the father, didn't show any particular reaction.

Han Lu didn't think much of it, only knowing that her father was currently overwhelmed with other matters and was hoping to receive a few words of praise after the Bird Festival.

In the blink of an eye, the Bird Festival had reached its seventh day.

The event, which lasted for half a month, was nearly halfway through, and the atmosphere was at its most intense.

In particular, chess tournaments have entered a heated phase with frequent clashes between top players, as many "newbies" like Han Lu have been eliminated.

However, Han Lu did not go to watch the chess competition that day.

Following the address Han Bingyan had given her that day, she took the initiative to visit this renowned music master among birds, earnestly seeking her guidance and exchanging ideas on music.

Because the invitation was extended proactively, although Han Bingyan and Han Lu were not actually acquainted, they were both open and frank in their conversation.

The saying "a great reputation is hard to live up to" does not apply to Han Bingyan.

This magical beast cultivator, who had lived for nearly four thousand years, was far more accomplished in music than Han Lu had imagined.

Not only is she proficient in almost all the musical instruments Han Lu knows, but she has also developed her own system of music theory, conducted extensive research, and achieved some breakthroughs in traditional concepts.

Coincidentally, Han Lu also obtained some "modern music theory" in the ancient cultivation secret realm. She has always been quite interested in this subject, but she has never been able to find someone to discuss these principles and "methodologies" with.

Han Bingyan is precisely the kind of person with whom Han Lu can engage in back-and-forth conversations and interactions on these topics.

When the two discussed this topic, they both felt as if they had known each other for a long time.

They expressed their thoughts and ideas through writing and music. They visited each other from noon until late at night, still feeling that they hadn't had enough.

Han Lu's performance of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" at the Qin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument) competition actually led her to find a kindred spirit at the Hundred Birds Gathering, a social occasion.

Seeing that it was getting late and that their discussion had reached a preliminary conclusion, Han Lu took the initiative to leave.

Han Bingyan made a token attempt to persuade her to stay, and immediately arranged to meet her again a few days later to continue discussing these interesting topics.

"If there is an opportunity in the future, I would like to introduce you to one of my friends, who is also an expert in music theory."

"I imagine you two will have a lot in common."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu said happily, "That's wonderful, thank you so much, Senior Han."

"It's nothing. There aren't many true spirits and magical beasts in the wilderness who truly understand music, let alone young people who study music theory and have their own insights. I should thank you for giving me an unexpected gain at this Hundred Birds Gathering."

Han Bingyan then told Han Lu her address in the wilderness and invited her to visit again after the Bird Gathering.

Han Bingyan's true form is a bird-like magical beast called Han Cang, which is rare, with the entire population numbering less than a hundred.

In the great war at the end of the True Spirit Era, many magical beasts lost their bloodlines and eventually went extinct due to the war. The fact that the Han Cang clan has been able to pass on its bloodline generation after generation is considered fortunate.

Han Bingyan's residence, Han Cang, was not far from Sanfeng Forest, only a seven or eight-day journey away. Han Lu naturally wouldn't mind spending more time with such a great musician after the Hundred Birds Gathering.

"It would be my honor," Han Lu replied.

Back at her residence, Han Lu took out a jade tablet and summarized the music theory questions she had discussed with Han Bingyan that day.

She plans to spend some time organizing this knowledge after returning to the Central Plains and compiling it into a book for publication.

Compared to "Common Sense," these fundamental musical principles can also bring about tremendous changes to ordinary life.

Han Lu's wish wasn't particularly grand. If ordinary people and cultivators developed an interest in music after reading the books she would write in the future, and if a few of them became masters, she would be completely satisfied.

The next day, early in the morning, just as Han Lu was planning to go to the Hundred Birds Gathering, she received another paper sword from Feng Rubing.

The paper sword contains very little information; in short, it's just one sentence.

"Chief Que Chuyao of the Peacock Clan has arrived."

Upon receiving the letter, Han Lu did not delay for a moment and immediately set off to meet her mother and father, joining the small welcoming party.

In addition to Han Lu, Feng Rubing, and Feng You, the welcoming team also included members of the Peacock and Peng Bird clans.

The Peng Bird Clan were also guests, so naturally they wouldn't send their clan leader to greet the clan leader of another clan.

The roc that joined the welcoming party was a female roc that was familiar with Que Chuyao.

The Peacock Clan naturally arranged for the elder who had led the group earlier to come and greet the clan leader.

The five of them gathered together and waited outside the Three Phoenix Forest for only a quarter of an hour before they saw two peacocks flying in from afar.

Chapter 991 Que Chuyao

At this moment, the peacock flying towards Sanfeng Forest must be none other than Que Chuyao and her granddaughter.

Gazing into the distance, Han Lu, having served as a beauty pageant judge, habitually judged by appearances and began to evaluate Que Chuyao's true form's looks.

A few white feathers dotted the dark green feathers.

"Perhaps it's because it's related to a certain ice phoenix by blood that it looks like this," Han Lu muttered to herself.

In terms of appearance alone, it is inferior to many peacocks that participate in beauty pageants.

However, Han Lu saw a quality in Que Chuyao that other peacocks did not possess.

“There’s a kind of noble air about you…” Han Lu used a metaphor, “It inspires awe in people who look at you.”

“I’ve also seen this kind of aura in the Venerable One of Covering the Sky.”

Han Lu's assessment is quite apt.

The peacock flying beside Que Chuyao is her granddaughter, who is a size smaller than Que Chuyao, but looks strikingly similar to her.

"My mother said that Aunt Chuyao had two sons and a daughter, and her grandchildren numbered more than a dozen. This time, she brought her youngest granddaughter to the Bird Festival. I guess the resemblance between the granddaughter and her mother has something to do with it," Han Lu secretly guessed.

The two peacocks circled once in the air before noticing the five people who had transformed into human form to greet them.

Upon discovering Feng Rubing's presence, Que Chuyao let out a slightly sharp cry before landing.

Feng Rubing understood Que Chuyao's chirping, smiled, and waved to her.

There was none of the "annoyance" that Feng Rubing showed when she complained to Han Lu about Que Chuyao between the two.

Seeing this scene, Han Lu's mind wandered again.

"It's like a young couple who are deeply in love but like to complain to their friends about each other's flaws," Han Lu explained. "If you actually believe that and advise them to break up, that would be incredibly stupid."

Having figured this out, Han Lu felt less anxious about the potential "face-saving contest."

It landed slowly, transforming into human form a few meters before hitting the ground.

Que Chuyao, disregarding her image, gave Feng Rubing a hug as a greeting.

Feng Rubing was also quite tacit; the moment Que Chuyao transformed into human form, she opened her arms, anticipating how her childhood playmate would greet her intimately.

“Ru Bing, it’s been almost thirty years since we last met,” Que Chuyao said, turning to Han Lu as soon as she released Feng Ru Bing. “Is this your daughter? She’s quite pretty. You don’t seem like her stepmother at all.”

These words seemed barbed, but Feng Rubing, who was familiar with Que Chuyao's speaking style, did not feel offended.

Feng Rubing laughed, "Han Lu is related to my bloodline. From this perspective, my stepmother is even closer than my biological mother."

Feng Rubing was referring to the fact that she and Han Lu were both phoenixes.

Therefore, considering that He Mingbingfeng used her bloodline, there is absolutely no problem in answering with this statement.

With just a few words, the scene changed from welcoming the Peacock Clan Chief, Que Chuyao, to welcoming Feng Rubing's old friend, Que Chuyao.

"Han Lu, this is your Aunt Chu Yao." Feng Rubing put her arm around Han Lu's shoulder and said, "Nonsense."

Han Lu greeted politely, "Hello, Aunt Chu Yao."

Que Chuyao then introduced her granddaughter, "Que Xin, say hello to Aunt Ru Bing and Sister Han Lu."

Judging by age, Quexin, who is almost forty years older than Hanlu, is perfectly justified in calling Hanlu "little sister".

By greeting him in return, Han Lu now had a legitimate reason to stare at the peacock who might be having a "face-saving contest" with her.

Her appearance is nothing special; she has a delicate and pretty look.

“If we follow the judging criteria for beauty pageants, I should get a score of…” Han Lu’s professional instincts kicked in, ““85 points, I guess.”

After greeting and introducing everyone, once Que Xin knew everyone's names, Feng You's words guided her to turn this gathering of old friends into a "welcome ceremony for the Peacock Clan Chief, Que Chu Yao."

"Clan Chief Chu Yao, I'll take you to your lodgings right away." Feng You gestured for him to enter.

Que Chuyao, however, still acted as if she didn't consider this a formal occasion, teasing the serious Feng You, saying, "Feng You, you were much more lively when you were a child than you are now. You've become more composed since you became the clan leader."

Feng You smiled and said, "Chu Yao, aren't you quite different from before?"

“Yes, we’re all getting old,” Que Chuyao sighed, patted her daughter’s shoulder, and laughed, “It’s up to the younger generation to take over from now on.”

"Fengyou, does your daughter have a boyfriend? If not, why don't you let her get to know one of my grandsons? We could become even closer relatives." Que Chuyao was already eyeing Han Lu.

Upon hearing this, Han Lu raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised by Que Chuyao's idea.

Feng You felt the same way, but he coughed lightly and quickly composed himself, replying as a father, "I respect free choice in marriage, and this is a matter for my daughter to decide alone."

“Is that so? Me too,” Que Chuyao said. “Look, Que Xin looks down on all the young talents in the clan. I respect her opinion and brought her to the Hundred Birds Gathering to see if there is any young man from another clan who can catch her eye.”

The peacock family belongs to the kind of spirits that actively reproduce.

Many peacocks are betrothed to people when they are still chicks.

This trend has led to the peacock population approaching ten thousand today.

If it weren't for the fact that the True Spirit Bloodline is not conducive to high productivity, the number of peacocks might already be over 100,000.

This is why, even before she turned two hundred, Sparrowheart was so proactive in finding a partner without her mother urging her.

Hearing this, Feng Rubing smiled and said, "Back then, you also found your other half at a matchmaking event."

“Yes,” Que Chuyao recalled the story from back then, “Back then…”

After speaking for a while, Que Chuyao suddenly smiled and abruptly ended the conversation.