The Long Journey to Immortality

"So, are you willing?"

Qingxu Daoist had good reason for making this plan and choosing Han Lu and Xianyu Ji to take the lead, but the final decision on whether to agree was up to Han Lu and Xianyu Ji.

After all, performing a contest of skills in public carries a certain degree of humiliation for the participants.

Qingxu Daoist did not possess the ability to read minds, and was unsure whether two of the most talented cultivators in their respective sects would be willing to lower themselves for his little idea.

Having anticipated Qingxu Daoren's thoughts, Xianyu Ji spoke first, "Back then, when Elder Zhenfeng and I were still at the Foundation Establishment stage, I missed an opportunity to spar with everyone in public because of my own actions."

"To be honest, I have always been thinking about this matter and have always longed to have a match with Elder Zhenfeng."

"Today, after more than fifty years, the sect leader has given me this opportunity, and I will naturally not miss it."

Xianyu Ji spoke from the bottom of his heart.

Even a "genius cultivator" like him is still somewhat arrogant.

Back then, he knew he was inferior to Han Lu, which showed his self-awareness, but he still couldn't help but feel regret.

But now, after so many years, he naturally wants to have a showdown with Han Lu and break through that thin "mental barrier".

Whether he wins or loses, it's a decent outcome for Xianyu Ji.

Xianyu Ji was full of fighting spirit, and Han Lu didn't mind fulfilling this "ex-boyfriend's" little wish.

"It's been quite a few years since I've had a magical duel with anyone. This is a good opportunity to warm up my skills and catch up with Elder Xianyu through magic and magical artifacts." Han Lu agreed to the proposal.

Upon seeing this, Daoist Qingxu was overjoyed and promised to add 5,000 contribution points to the accounts of Han Lu and Xianyu Ji after the matter was accomplished.

In addition to offering payment, Qingxu Daoren also gave Han Lu and Xianyu Ji several requirements, which they were required to meet during their sparring session in order to create a "show effect".

"We must do our utmost."

"It must be a hundred rounds, a battle that lasts for half an hour."

"Elder Zhenfeng, you must use your supernatural powers and transform your true spirit during the battle."

"Elder Xianyu, you should also bring out those interesting magical treasures of yours."

……

The requirements were numerous, but not unreasonable. Han Lu and Xianyu Ji nodded repeatedly without haggling.

Finally, Master Qingxu offered a small suggestion: "You two should discuss this further in private."

"I'm not asking you to fake a fight, I just hope that your sparring will achieve the effect I envision."

After leaving Qingxu Daoren's place, Xianyu Ji invited Han Lu to his residence for a small gathering.

“It’s been so many years since we last met. Come sit at my place for a while.”

Han Lu initially wanted to refuse and say she would meet another day, but considering that Qiu Peng had only helped her "fill in" for a quarter of an hour, it would be rather awkward to go back now, so she finally agreed.

Chapter 1080 Ex-girlfriend, Current Girlfriend

Han Lu and Xianyu Ji flew leisurely to Xishan Courtyard and landed in front of Xianyu Ji's house.

Xianyu Ji is the vice dean of Xishan Academy, but his residence is no different from that of ordinary elders.

However, since there is no auspicious place like Hanchan Peak within the territory of Xishan Academy, the residences of the elders who cultivate in Xishan Academy are very scattered.

Back when Xianyu Ji was still a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was a senior disciple in Xishan Academy.

Now, having advanced to the Golden Core realm, become an elder, and even the vice dean, he shows no sign of "detaching himself from the masses."

He continued to adhere to the mass line, never considering himself a special individual, and insisted on the principle of "coming from the masses and going back to the masses."

Xianyu Ji's residence was right next to the inner disciples' residence.

Occasionally, when disciples have questions during their practice, they will muster up the courage to visit Xianyu Ji's home and seek help from this talented and approachable vice dean.

Faced with this situation, Xianyu Ji would almost always warmly welcome and answer questions. Occasionally, he would ignore them because he was practicing meditation or was not at home at all.

Such a style of conduct naturally made him seem very "approachable" to the disciples of Xishan Academy, and he was quite popular.

If the "Western democratic" system were implemented in the Zhengyi Sect, 80% of the disciples in the Xishan Academy would definitely cast their precious vote for Xianyu Ji, the "senior brother" at the Golden Core stage.

When the inner disciples of Xishan Academy saw Xianyu Ji, they all bowed and greeted him.

Many of the new disciples, who had only heard of Han Lu's reputation but had never met her in person, naturally cast questioning glances at her.

Not far away, several disciples were whispering and discussing Han Lu, who had followed Xianyu Ji "home".

"I heard that Dean Xianyu's family has arranged a marriage for him. Could it be this fairy?" A well-informed disciple revealed the information he had learned earlier to his companion and made a guess.

Upon hearing this, a chubby disciple exclaimed in surprise, "What? An arranged marriage can lead to marrying such a beautiful Golden Core Realm fairy? I want an arranged marriage too!"

"Hehe, take a piss and look at yourself. How much of Dean Xianyu's cultivation do you have? Are you as handsome as Dean Xianyu?" The others egged them on, and everyone was in a state of confusion.

The slightly chubby cultivator argued confidently, "I haven't advanced to the Golden Core Realm yet. When I do, I'll get a makeover and lose thirty pounds of fat. I'll definitely be ninety percent as handsome as Dean Xianyu."

The group was chatting and laughing when a Foundation Establishment senior brother who had been cultivating in the sect for nearly fifty years overheard their conversation.

Unable to stand it any longer, the Foundation Establishment cultivator interjected to refute the rumors, "What nonsense are you spouting? You don't even recognize Elder Zhenfeng of the East Mountain Academy?"

"Back then, Elder Zhenfeng did have a marriage with Dean Xianyu, but it's not the same thing you're talking about at all."

Upon hearing that there was new information, the few gossip cells in the male cultivators' bodies became active.

The story of Han Lu and Xianyu Ji pretending to be a couple has been brought up again.

Of course, this is only describing the surface, not the truth.

Han Lu, who had just sat down at Xianyu Ji's house, was unaware that her brief appearance had stirred up a small commotion in Xishan Courtyard.

Xianyu Ji's residence was not decorated with any particular personal style. Apart from some calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, Han Lu would even mistake it for a residence used by the sect to entertain foreign guests.

Xianyu was extremely fond of calligraphy and painting. He not only enjoyed writing and painting himself, but also liked to collect works by famous masters.

He deeply regretted not being able to travel to the Western Yu Dynasty to search for famous paintings.

After East-West exchanges became formalized and normalized, the most frequently purchased materials and items from the Great Yu Dynasty were not elixirs or spiritual plants, but rather calligraphy and paintings from renowned masters of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Han Lu had just sat down in the living room when she glanced at the paintings and calligraphy displayed on the wall for a moment.

Xianyu Ji immediately became very knowledgeable about the paintings and calligraphy, like a renowned collector, introducing them to Han Lu one by one to their origins and exquisite details.

In terms of the Six Arts, although Han Lu's interest in ink painting is only average, she is quite skilled in calligraphy.

As everyone chimed in, an art appreciation event took place at Xianyu Ji's home.

Their shared interests gave this meeting, which had a somewhat complicated relationship, a good start.

After the atmosphere became lively, Han Lu first inquired about Xianyu Ji's personal affairs.

Han Lu asked in a joking tone, "So, after we broke up, are your family elders still bothering you? Are they still trying to set you up with potential partners every now and then?"

This matter is somewhat related to Han Lu, so it's quite appropriate to start with that.

When Han Lu asked about this, Xianyu Ji did not start with a sigh or a bitter smile as he usually did, but instead took out a traditional Chinese painting from his storage bag.

The portrait depicts a female cultivator dressed in casual clothes, whose appearance is barely a 7 out of 10.

"What do you mean?" Han Lu was stunned for a moment before she realized what she meant. "You finally gave in?"

Han Lu's use of the word "submit" is quite evocative.

“Han Lu, you can’t say that,” Xianyu Ji defended his actions, “Times have changed.”

One simple word says it all.

Xianyu Ji's attitude toward this matter has changed drastically over time.

Han Lu was just joking about it and had no intention of pursuing Xianyu Ji's change of heart as his "ex-girlfriend".

She shifted her focus from the cause and process to the result.

"How is she?" Han Lu asked curiously.

Perhaps because her friends were finding their other halves one after another, Han Lu, who was already preoccupied with this matter, naturally wanted to learn from them and find some guidance for herself.

With a faint smile on his face, Xianyu Ji began to talk to his "ex-girlfriend" about his current girlfriend.

"She is the most talented female cultivator among the younger generation of another family."

"At only thirty-seven years old this year, he has already reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Achieving the Golden Core stage is not an unattainable goal."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu couldn't help but glance at Xianyu Ji, who was a whole size older than her, and muttered to herself, "An old cow eating young grass."

"Your looks are only above average, far inferior to yours, but your gentle personality is very compatible with mine, which is the most important thing to me."

Upon hearing this, Han Lu joked, "So you mean to say that my personality is bad?"

“Of course not, it’s just that she doesn’t quite fit in with me,” Xianyu Ji explained calmly. “Han Xianzi has a very good temperament, and she’s good at both internal and external matters.”

"That's a nice thing to say," Han Lu said with a slight smile.

Compared to her appearance, Han Lu prefers others to praise her personality and character.

Chapter 1081 Strategies for Teaching Disciples

"I'm not just flattering you, Han Lu, you really are good at this. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the audacity to come to you and do that ridiculous thing back then." Xianyu Ji used a rather unpleasant word to describe his past entanglement with Han Lu.

Xianyu Ji's subtext was not deeply buried at all.

Han Lu transformed it into Xianyu Ji's narcissistic statement: "Only someone as outstanding as you would be worthy of me so that no one would doubt that there's something fake about it."

This sounds a bit awkward, but it's absolutely true.

"Alright, alright," Han Lu shook her head, "Let's continue. I didn't come here to hear you praise me."

Xianyu Ji took the traditional Chinese painting back from Han Lu and recalled his first meeting with his "current girlfriend".

"I remember it was an afternoon three years ago when I met her through an uncle's arrangement when I went home for the Chinese New Year."

"Mu Yijin, what a beautiful name, that was my first impression of her."

……

After Xianyu Ji reminisced for a while, Han Lu summarized the other two key reasons why he accepted Mu Yijin.

Firstly, they shared similar interests. Mu Yijin, like Xianyu Ji, also loved calligraphy and painting. Although his skill in this area was not as good as his, Xianyu Ji had already fallen in love with this woman he had only met for the first time after seeing Mu Yijin's landscape paintings.

Secondly, it was because he had indeed reached the point where he needed to find a partner, or at least Xianyu Ji felt that the time was right.