The Long Journey to Immortality

Just as he was hesitating, an unexpected event occurred.

Suddenly, a jade pendant on Qingxu Daoist's waist buzzed and emitted an alarm sound.

Upon seeing this, Qingxu Daoist's expression changed drastically, and the relaxed smile on his face vanished.

"What?" Han Lu and the others did not understand what the change in the jade tablet meant, but their expressions changed and they focused their attention on the Qingxu Sect Master.

The Taoist Qingxu took out the jade tablet, held it in his hand, closed his eyes slightly, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

Qingxu Daoist said anxiously, "Something's wrong, Elder Moyun is in trouble."

Han Lu didn't know who Elder Mo Yun was, but based on her knowledge of sect affairs, she could roughly guess what Daoist Qingxu was talking about.

"What's wrong? What are the specifics?" Before Han Lu could speak, Venerable Qingyang leaned closer to inquire about the situation.

Although this matter involved classified information, the situation was urgent, and Master Qingxu couldn't worry about anything else.

Ignoring Zhuge Fang, who was present, and Nian Haoge, who would surely find out the secret in the future, Qingxu Daoist answered directly, "I don't know the specifics either, but Elder Moyun sent a distress message requesting support."

The jade tablet in Qingxu Daoist's hand was a relatively simple communication magic item of ordinary quality.

One magical artifact consists of two pieces, one male and one female.

Its effect is similar to the positioning magic artifact that the hermit Kucha gave to Han Lu.

The male and female of a magical artifact are indistinguishable; no matter how far apart they are, they can know each other's location.

At the same time, when one magical artifact is activated by spiritual power, the other magical artifact will also be activated, conveying the agreed message.

Now, the reaction of the jade tablet in Qingxu Daoist's hand and the sporadic messages transmitted back from it are the "request for help" sent by Elder Moyun, who was assigned to lead the team to capture Huanfeng in the East Sea.

Although the journey from Zhengyi Gate to the East Sea takes about seven or eight days, it is unknown how much longer it will take to reunite with Elder Mo Yun and his group, who rely on the jade tablet for location and to seek help.

However, Master Qingxu immediately mustered his troops and arranged for reinforcements to set off.

"Venerable Qingyang, we request your assistance this time." Facing the Nascent Soul Realm Supreme Elder, Daoist Qingxu presented a jade token with utmost respect.

Venerable Qingyang was the kind of Nascent Soul cultivator who actively participated in sect affairs, so he naturally did not refuse Qingxu Daoist's request.

Taking the jade token, Venerable Qingyang said, "Leave it to me."

"Elder Zhenfeng, Elder Xinshan," Daoist Qingxu said, looking at the two sect elders whose relationship had just eased after a great battle, "you two will travel with Venerable Qingyang and assist him from the side."

This time, Xinshan Jushi did not dodge the question, but answered along with Han Lu, "Yes."

Finally, Daoist Qingxu looked at Nian Haoge and said, "Elder Haoge, why don't you come along this time too?"

Although Nian Haoge didn't know what had happened, the sect leader had given an order, so there must have been some considerations. She had no reason to refuse.

He bowed respectfully and said, "I obey the sect leader's orders."

“Let’s go,” Venerable Qingyang casually summoned a spirit-grade ark. “Everyone, get on. Elder Moyun is waiting for us.”

Han Lu and the other two did not dawdle and took the initiative to follow Venerable Qingyang onto the ark.

Three elders and one Grand Elder were sent out again, but Qingxu Daoist was still somewhat uneasy.

Watching the ark depart, Qingxu Daoren secretly made a wish, "I hope I don't become a burden, and I hope all my fellow disciples are safe and sound."

Chapter 1095

After everyone boarded the ark, Venerable Qingyang urged the ark to speed up and head towards the East Sea.

At this time, the male and female jade tablets were far apart and had a weak connection with each other, only able to guide Venerable Qingyang, who held the jade tablets, in a general direction.

However, since they knew that Xuan Chengzi, Elder Mo Yun, and the others were heading to the East Sea, this did not affect the general direction they chose when they set off.

When they arrived at the East Sea, the male and female jade pendants were brought closer together.

Venerable Qingyang could naturally follow the guidance of the jade tablet, correct the direction, and help everyone find the true location of the other four elders.

As for how much time it would take, Venerable Qingyang did not know, nor did Han Lu and Layman Xinshan.

As for whether they could arrive in time to rescue their fellow disciples from this dire situation, the group had absolutely no idea.

However, being uncertain does not mean being hesitant.

In the current situation, there aren't many options for the four people to choose from.

Once you receive an order, do your best to carry it out; as for the outcome, you can only leave it to fate.

Sitting on the ark, apart from Nian Haoge who was still somewhat confused about the situation, the three cultivators were all very uneasy.

However, as the oldest and most powerful Nascent Soul cultivator among them, Venerable Qingyang quickly adjusted his mindset and took the initiative to speak and reassure everyone.

“There’s no need to worry too much,” Venerable Qingyang said, pointing to the jade tablet in his hand. “Although the information in the jade tablet is brief, it seems that Elder Moyun and the others have not suffered any losses.”

"Neither you nor I need to be too anxious."

"Oh, right, there's also..." Venerable Qingyang said what he considered to be good news, "In the message that was sent back, Elder Moyun specifically mentioned your name."

When Venerable Qingyang said this, he looked at Han Lu.

"Me?" Han Lu pointed to herself, slightly surprised. "What did the message say?"

Venerable Qingyang handed the jade tablet to Han Lu, saying, "Take a look."

Han Lu took the jade tablet and read its contents as if she were using her divine sense to examine it as usual.

Separated by thousands of miles, the male and female jade pendants could only barely transmit a few words of information.

The information recorded on the jade tablet is quite simple.

Just five words.

"The True Phoenix Fairy Gang".

Looking at this sentence whose specific meaning she couldn't understand, Han Lu said helplessly, "It's a pity that Elder Mo Yun doesn't know my name, otherwise he could have explained the matter in more detail."

A joke brought a knowing smile to the faces of the cultivators, and the atmosphere on the ark improved considerably.

“Yes,” even the Hermit of Xinshan chimed in, “If that’s the case, we might be able to find out what trouble Elder Moyun and the others have encountered.”

As an observer of the matter, Nian Haoge, who was still unclear about what had happened, discovered something mysterious in those five words.

"Elder Mo Yun used the word 'help' rather than 'rescue,' so it seems they haven't encountered any trouble."

That made sense, and everyone nodded in agreement, feeling half relieved.

Seizing the opportunity, Nian Haoge finally managed to speak, trying to understand what had happened and what the purpose of his trip was.

Among those present, she was the youngest in both seniority and cultivation level, so she naturally asked questions with great trepidation.

The person being questioned was Han Lu, whom she knew and was close to.

“Master,” Nian Haoge turned to Han Lu, who was sitting next to her, and asked, “What happened?”

Knowing that this matter was mostly kept secret, Nian Haoge asked vague questions, giving Han Lu a chance to give a perfunctory answer.

If it were in private, considering that Nian Haoge has a 70% chance of achieving the Nascent Soul stage and being her disciple, Han Lu might just tell him the truth directly.

However, there was also Venerable Qingyang on the Ark, whose cultivation level and status were a level higher than hers, so Han Lu felt that he should be the one to make the decisions.

The moment he cast an inquiring glance, Venerable Qingyang had already made his decision.

“Elder Haoge is exceptionally talented and has a great chance of achieving the Nascent Soul stage in the future. He will surely make a difference a thousand years from now,” Venerable Qingyang said, looking at Nian Haoge and recalling the scene when Elder Haoge failed his tribulation. “It is most appropriate for you, his master, to explain this matter.”

Having received the Supreme Elder's golden words, Han Lu only spoke of the millennium calamity to others for the second time in the past month.

Something strange happened to Han Lu. When Nian Haoge learned of this shocking secret, her reaction was almost identical to Wen Erya's.

I was just slightly surprised.

After thinking for a moment, Han Lu roughly guessed the reason.

“Cultivators like Senior Sister and Haoge have long considered their future advancement to the Nascent Soul Realm as inevitable, and they must have secretly considered the so-called millennium calamity.”

"Now that we know the true nature of this great catastrophe, it's perfectly normal that we don't have much of an emotional reaction."

Qingyang Venerable saw Nian Haoge's performance.

In the eyes of this senior colleague, this was a sign of someone capable of shouldering great responsibilities.

The emergence of outstanding talents among the younger generation of the Zhengyi Sect is a source of great comfort to him, an aging cultivator who will likely remain stuck at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm for the rest of his life.

"The future of this journey is uncertain," Venerable Qingyang warned the three of them. "The enemies we face will mostly come from the Eastern Land. Although they may not necessarily be fierce and evil, they will certainly not be friendly."

"If a fight breaks out, don't hold back and bring out all the moves you used in the ring."

Venerable Qingyang's words were mainly meant for Nian Haoge and Layman Xinshan.

These two cultivators don't have many opportunities to operate outside the sect.

Layman Xinshan replied, "I will follow the Venerable One's arrangements."

Before a Nascent Soul Realm expert, Xinshan Hermit was obsequious and submissive, unlike the annoying temperament he displayed when he first met Han Lu.

Han Lu and Nian Haoge echoed, and this temporarily formed team was finally put together as a simple whole.

Starting from Zhengyi Sect, relying on their Nascent Soul Realm cultivation and the spiritual artifacts and magic treasures they carried, the four elders of Zhengyi Sect left the Central Plains and arrived on a blue ocean in just an hour and a half.

Master Qingyang focused intently on piloting the ark, holding the jade tablet and adjusting its direction from time to time, urging his horse forward to aid his companions.

Han Lu, Nian Haoge, and Xinshan Jushi were meditating and regulating their breathing in Fangzhou's room.

They rested and recovered their strength to prepare for any possible battle.

Especially for Master Xinshan, although the injuries he sustained on the ring were not serious, they would not be fully healed in a short time.

Only with careful recuperation can one fully recover and demonstrate 100% combat power in any potential battle.

After taking a slightly roundabout route in the East China Sea, it took the group three and a half days to finally pinpoint the exact location of Elder Mo Yun and his group using the male and female jade tablets in the hands of Venerable Qingyang.

The four elders of the Zhengyi Sect had the right to be so arrogant as they steered the ark forward with such swagger.

Another hour passed before the four arrived at their destination.

Chapter 1096

The destination is an isolated island in the East China Sea.

There's nothing special about it; it looks no different from any other island.

“This should be it,” Venerable Qingyang said, holding the jade tablet and confirming repeatedly as he piloted the ark. “The place isn’t big. I’ll call out a few times.”