The Long Journey to Immortality

She sat at a table, laid out forty-nine counting rods in a row, and muttered incantations as she made her final preparations for divination.

Han Lu, Qingxu Daoren, and Xuanchengzi all tacitly kept a certain distance to avoid their own aura or presence affecting the divination results.

After reciting a set of incantations, the counting rods in front of Wen Erya began to glow, and then she reached out and "captured" the two tokens that Han Lu had taken out earlier.

Opening the small bottle, Wen Erya used her spiritual power to guide the slight spiritual energy within to the counting rods, much like grinding pepper on ingredients while cooking.

As for that strand of hair, Wen Erya's method was even simpler.

With a sword-like aura formed from spiritual energy emanating from her fingertips, Wen Erya gently discarded the strand of hair. As it swirled down from the air, she swiftly attempted to sever it with the sword-like aura from her fingertips.

With a graceful flourish, she transformed her hand into a sword, but Wen Erya was surprised to find that the strand of hair was not severed in two as she had expected.

"What kind of hair is this? Could it be the fur of some powerful spirit or magical beast?" Wen Erya subconsciously looked at Han Lu.

Han Lu winked at her.

"Sure enough."

The two sisters understood each other's meaning, and Wen Erya then used a more ruthless method to cut her hair.

With a simple demonstration in the secret chamber, a spirit sword of the highest level was used to cut off the hair.

Wen Erya wrapped two strands of hair around two counting rods.

After completing these two steps, Wen Erya officially used her divination skills to perform a divination on the "mysterious person" who left the traces.

When Wen Erya stopped using the counting rods and began to interpret the answer given by the last few rods in front of her, Han Lu and the other two moved a little closer.

Of the other three people in the secret room, only Han Lu knew a little about divination techniques.

However, because she didn't follow the method of divination using counting rods, Han Lu couldn't understand the principles behind Wen Erya's step-by-step calculations and the final result.

However, this did not affect the three people's trust in Wen Erya's deduction results.

After about twenty more breaths, Wen Erya gave a vague answer.

"The mysterious person you are looking for should be in the East China Sea right now."

"I need to calculate the exact location several more times."

After saying that, Wen Erya continued to manipulate the counting rods and perform another calculation.

Upon hearing Wen Erya's conclusion, Han Lu, Xuan Chengzi, and Qingxu Daoren exchanged glances and began to communicate with each other using their divine senses, discussing the matter and speculating about what kind of thoughts Huan Feng, who had planned the bombing and was active in the East Sea, might be harboring, perhaps even from the Eastern Land.

Chapter 1085

"It has already reached the East Sea?" Qingxu Daoist spoke first. "If that phantom phoenix really came from the East and was targeting our Zhengyi Sect to spy on us and plot against us, it should still be wandering around the Central Plains or even near our sect."

Although it would only take about ten hours for a Golden Core cultivator to travel from Zhengyi Sect to the East Sea, Qingxu Daoist's deduction and analysis based on this statement is not problematic.

Han Lu replied, "Elder Wen's divination should be correct. Perhaps it's because our reasoning method is wrong? That phoenix wasn't targeting the Zhengyi Sect at all, nor was it after the Heavenly Bottle. Its actions against Kong Du were just a side move."

Going a step further, Han Lu continued to speculate, "Could it be that even Kong Du's self-destruction during the competition was an accident?"

Xuan Chengzi only knew 70% of the facts about this matter, and was somewhat confused by Han Lu's "progressive" conjecture.

In order to get Xuan Chengzi, the strategist, to participate more in the discussion, Han Lu and Qingxu Daoren had to explain a few more things so that Xuan Chengzi would understand the information Han Lu had gathered from her investigation in Xuanxuan Village.

"What the Qingxu Sect Master said makes sense," Xuan Chengzi said clearly after understanding the general situation. "Elder Zhenfeng's words lack sufficient evidence, but in my opinion, the possibility is not small."

“However, there’s no need to delve into this matter for now,” Xuan Chengzi emphasized. “Once we capture that Illusionary Phoenix, everything will become clear.”

As the saying goes, "Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly." Han Lu and Qingxu Daoren suddenly realized the truth and stopped worrying about these side issues, focusing instead on devising strategies for the inevitable arrest operation that was about to take place.

It was called offering advice and suggestions, but in reality, it was just Qingxu Daoren sharing an idea, which Han Lu and Xuanchengzi then evaluated and supplemented.

After all, the real decision-making power was in the hands of Daoist Qingxu, and among the Zhengyi sect members, only Daoist Qingxu could claim to have a complete understanding of all matters concerning the Eastern Land.

In a manner almost like a solo performance, Daoist Qingxu selected three sect elders who had attended the secret meeting that day.

“At that time, I will ask a Supreme Elder to handle this matter,” Qingxu Daoist thought carefully. “After all, we don’t know the cultivation level of that Illusionary Phoenix. Although Zi’e said that the Eastern World’s ability at that time was not enough to teleport a Nascent Soul cultivator to the Central Plains, and no Nascent Soul cultivator was willing to take on this almost suicidal mission, it is better to be safe than sorry.”

"It's never wrong to allocate more manpower."

Han Lu and Xuan Chengzi also quite agreed with Qingxu Daoren's idea.

Xuan Chengzi, in particular, who was specifically asked to participate in this matter, was even more eager for the pursuit force to be stronger.

With Han Lu as a living example by his side, Xuan Chengzi believed that the True Spirit Illusion Phoenix was not easy to deal with, and it would be even better if he could have a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator to help him.

The three of them talked back and forth, speculating about the possible scenarios during the chase and setting a few simple rules.

This matter was quite confidential and should not be known to outsiders, so naturally, there were extremely high requirements for the way everyone acted during the arrest.

While the three were exchanging ideas, Wen Erya performed three more divinations and arrived at a more accurate conclusion.

The group took out a map and, based on the results calculated by Wen Er Ya Bu, drew a rough area on the map of the East Sea.

“There aren’t any large islands here,” Han Lu analyzed, looking at the map. “That mysterious person is probably on their way, and in what direction…”

Han Lu gestured with her hand on the map of the East China Sea, "It should be the Phoenix Wing Islands, which are not far from here."

The reason was not explained, but both Qingxu Daoren and Xuanchengzi immediately understood the reason.

Just as one must visit the Zhengyi Sect and Xuanyang Valley to gather intelligence in the Central Plains, if this phantom phoenix wanted to find out information about the East Sea, how could it not visit the three most important archipelagos?

This inference is as reasonable as it could possibly be.

In addition to providing a general direction and range, Wen Erya also used his divination skills to create a simple "mysterious man's compass".

The materials used are very simple.

A bronze compass with its pointer removed, still emanating a wisp of crimson spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy formed the shape of a pointer on the compass, which was spinning at an incredible speed for some unknown reason.

Wen Erya, holding the compass, explained, "This item can help the sect leader find that mysterious person."

"The compass will indicate the approximate location of that mysterious person."

"The closer the distance, the more accurate the direction will be."

"However, this treasure is only valid for three months, so it needs to be used as soon as possible."

Qingxu Daoist took the compass and then handed it to Xuanchengzi.

Xuan Chengzi smiled and said, "It's alright, three months is enough."

Master Qingxu cautioned, "It's best to be careful. Even if we fail, we must not lose manpower because of this."

Given the possibility that the phantom phoenix did not come to the Central Plains specifically to cause destruction, Daoist Qingxu naturally hoped to end this matter with a perfect conclusion.

Even if it fails, at least the sect's strength should not be damaged by this phantom phoenix that inexplicably came to the Central Plains.

Xuan Chengzi nodded slightly and asked, "When will that Supreme Elder be able to take his place?"

After pondering for a moment, Qingxu Daoist replied, "At least the day after tomorrow. You can set off again at noon the day after tomorrow. It won't make a difference if you wait a little longer."

Xuan Chengzi nodded slightly and said, "Alright, I'll go and make some preparations too."

After speaking, Xuan Chengzi put away the compass made by Wen Erya and left the secret room first.

The mysterious actions of Qingxu Daoren, Xuanchengzi, and Han Lu deepened Wen Erya's doubts.

Although it was inconvenient to ask directly, Wen Erya chose to try to understand the matter independently through divination.

However, when she moved her fingers, all she saw was a fog, with no answer.

"Clearly, this matter is not as simple as finding a cultivator with the bloodline of a true spirit or a demonic beast."

Wen Erya had a plan in mind and couldn't help but come up with several guesses.

However, with too little information at hand, Wen Erya was not capable of guessing what this "deliberately hidden major event" was without the aid of divination.

After hesitating for a long time, Wen Erya finally asked, "Sect Leader, can you tell me what the secret you were discussing is?"

The sect leader of Qingxu Sect also hesitated.

After all, Wen Erya is likely to advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, which would be a great help a thousand years later, so there is no need to keep this secret from her.

"Of course, but how much I tell you... that's up to Elder Zhenfeng to decide." After much hesitation, Daoist Qingxu chose to pass the "burden" to Han Lu.

Han Lu was a little confused.

But when she saw the expectant look in Wen Erya's eyes, she made up her mind.

Han Lu promised, "Okay, Er Ya, I'll tell you everything I know in a bit."

[Author's Note] 970 vs. Cyberpunk, wait for my bad news.

Chapter 1086

Having accepted the task and the responsibility, Han Lu didn't think much of it. After returning to her residence with Wen Erya, she told Wen Erya everything she knew.

Having some experience in this area, Han Lu's narration was quite fluent and complete. In just a few words, she helped Wen Erya understand the core of the matter, and then gradually unfolded the story so that Wen Erya could clearly understand the cause and effect.

Of course, the part that Han Lu wrote about most was about the phantom phoenix that almost caused an explosion in the Zhengyi Sect.

Wen Erya had just divined the whereabouts of the phantom phoenix, which sparked questions and led to her involvement in the matter. Han Lu naturally assumed that Wen Erya was most concerned about this aspect.

And indeed, that's true.

Compared to the calamity a thousand years later, Wen Er Ya was more anxious about this lurking danger right beside her.

"Who does the sect leader plan to assign to handle this matter? Junior sister, are you involved?" Wen Erya asked with concern. "You are also a phoenix, so if you were involved in this matter, you should be able to help solve many problems."

Han Lu replied, "Indeed, but I have other things to worry about this month, so the sect leader did not arrange for me to get involved in this matter immediately."

“Elder Xuanchengzi and two other elders were selected to participate in the pursuit,” Han Lu added. “In addition, a Supreme Elder will also be in charge of this matter.”

"It seems that the phoenix that didn't appear to have received any special training shouldn't be able to escape from the four of them."

Based on the information she obtained from her investigation in Xuanxuan Village, Han Lu came to this conclusion.

Han Lu felt her reasoning was rigorous, but Wen Erya, who was originally an observer, still found some possible loopholes.

"Junior sister, have you ever considered this?" Wen Erya suggested a conjecture, "What if there was more than just one Illusion Phoenix among the Eastern cultivators who came to the Central Plains this time?"

"What if they had traveled to the Central Plains in pairs or threes?"

Han Lu was stunned after hearing this. "No way, Zi'e said that it would take a lot of resources and spirit stones to teleport from the Eastern Lands to the Central Plains, and it would also require many Nascent Soul cultivators to cast spells together..."

The more Han Lu talked, the more she felt that Wen Erya's statement actually made some sense.