The Long Journey to Immortality

"It's a bit unbelievable, but it does sound feasible. However..." As the sect leader of Zhengyi Sect, he immediately realized the difficulty in realizing this plan. "There probably aren't enough Nascent Soul Realm cultivators."

"A thousand years from now, the two Nascent Soul Realm seniors in the sect will surely have ascended to immortality."

……

Qingxu Daoren analyzed the situation optimistically, but still arrived at a pessimistic conclusion.

"Unless the East cooperates with us, but such a major event is unlikely to be accomplished between us, our future mortal enemies."

Han Lu echoed, praising Qingxu Daoist's judgment.

However, this is not the end. Although Qingxu Daoist's cultivation level is not as high as Fengyou's or the True Spirit cultivators who discussed this matter with Fengyou, as the sect leader who handles countless trivial matters, his experience and methodology in dealing with problems are more advanced than Fengyou's.

"If we could establish a magic array to deceive the laws of heaven and earth, allowing less than three Nascent Soul cultivators to ascend, creating the illusion of as many as thirty Nascent Soul cultivators ascending, we could trick them into giving us a large amount of the power of the laws of heaven and earth to repair space."

"Then this matter can definitely be accomplished."

Chapter 1120

Qingxu Daoist's way of thinking is not complicated; he thinks about this matter in the way that ordinary cultivators think.

In Taoist practices, there are many techniques for "using someone else's strength against them".

Similar to setting up a spirit-gathering array to gather spiritual energy, or like a Nascent Soul cultivator in the Eastern Lands activating an array to unleash ten times the power to teleport Feng Ruyi and Zi'e to the Central Plains, etc.

These methods all rely on external objects to "amplify" the cultivator's own power, thereby achieving excellent results that exceed the cultivator's individual capabilities.

Daoist Qingxu was considering whether he could find a way to cause the Heavenly Dao to misjudge, making it believe that nearly thirty Nascent Soul Realm cultivators had ascended to the lower realm at once, thus opening a huge spatial passage and subsequently sending down more power of the laws to repair the space.

However, in reality, only a small number of Nascent Soul cultivators actually ascend to immortality.

In this way, the problem of insufficient Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, which prevents the execution of plans, can be solved at its source.

If all goes well, it can also reduce conflicts between various factions.

Compared to having all the Nascent Soul stage cultivators from one faction ascend, it is easier for each faction to send one person, thus making the potential cooperation truly and ultimately achieved.

"However, it may be easier than gathering twenty or even thirty Nascent Soul Realm cultivators from various forces, but it is still not an easy task."

"After all, it involves deceiving the laws of heaven and earth, which is a difficult problem."

"Does the sect leader know of any similar restrictions or formations?"

After pondering for a moment, Qingxu Daoist nodded and said, "Han Lu, you know Zhen Daoist, so you should know that our sect's Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, Zhen Daoist, is currently living in seclusion in a small world."

"Yes, I've entered that small world twice." Han Lu mentioned her experience of meeting the True Daoist twice.

Qingxu Daoist continued, "As far as I know, the small world where Zhen Daoist resides was created by an ancient cultivator who left it in the mortal realm to escape the heavenly tribulation."

“About eight thousand years ago, a Nascent Soul cultivator from our sect found this small world in an ancient cave and used his magic to move it to the Five Elements Mountain Academy.”

"From then on, this small world became a secret place for the Nascent Soul stage cultivators of the Zhengyi Sect to reside."

“In that small world, cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage who can usually only stay in the mortal realm for three hundred years can extend this time to about five hundred years.”

"Back then, the ancestor who discovered this small world even relied on it to stay in the human world for a full eight hundred years."

"It is likely that there are numerous array formations and restrictions set up inside and outside that small world to shield it from the prying eyes of heaven and earth and prolong the time for ascension."

"If we can understand those restrictions, we should be able to find a way to achieve the exaggerated effect I mentioned."

The Taoist Qingxu pointed out a potentially effective path, which at least added some possibility to the realization of this logical but difficult-to-implement solution.

"In short, there are still more than nine hundred years left. Starting now will definitely not be a mistake." Daoist Qingxu had thought it through thoroughly.

Although he was the sect leader of the Zhengyi Sect and had already reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, Daoist Qingxu was very clear about this.

He has less than a 30% chance of seeing the day when the two worlds of the East and the Central Plains collide.

Therefore, he was the first sect leader who happened to encounter this matter.

What he needs to do more is focus on the task at hand, get off to a good start, and determine a direction to strive for.

That's enough.

The rest can be left to the successors.

Thinking about the matter of successors, Qingxu Daoist couldn't help but do something that Xuanchengzi had mentioned to Han Lu years ago.

"Elder Zhenfeng," Qingxu Daoist, now addressing Han Lu as the head of the Zhengyi Sect, began discussing serious matters, "Do you remember when I became the sect leader?"

Although Han Lu knew the answer to this question, she still replied, "I don't know."

Qingxu Daoist recalled, "It was probably one afternoon thirty-three years ago when the Xuancheng Sect Master suddenly approached me and said that he wanted me to be the next sect master of the Zhengyi Sect."

"At that time, although I had been the dean of Dongshan Academy for many years, I never thought I could become the head of Zhengyi Sect."

"Sect Master Xuancheng's arrangement caught me off guard."

"But what made me even more helpless was that he told me in private that seven days after making this decision, he would announce his so-called abdication and hand over the reins to a more capable person."

"In a rush, before I was fully prepared, I became the leader of more than 20,000 cultivators in the Zhengyi Sect."

"Fortunately, although I made some minor oversights during these thirty-three years, I did not make any major misjudgments."

"The sect is not exactly thriving, but it is developing steadily in accordance with its established direction."

"I cannot judge or boast about my merits and demerits, but I think I should be able to pass the test."

Master Qingxu paused for a moment, observing the expression on Han Lu's face. "Elder Zhenfeng, my self-assessment should... be fine, right?"

Han Lu replied, "Sect Leader Qingxu is too modest. You did very well."

Han Lu's words were similar to what she had said to Xuan Chengzi back then, but it was not purely a coincidence.

Although Qingxu Daoren lacked ambition, he did a good job of continuing the rules of Xuanchengzi's management of the sect.

Following Xiao He's rules did not diminish Cao Shen's wisdom.

Naturally, Qingxu Daoren also has reason to receive a good evaluation.

Although he had long expected Han Lu to answer in this way, Qingxu Daoren still felt an indescribable pleasure when he actually heard it.

To receive heartfelt affirmation from an important and trusted subordinate is undoubtedly a top-notch reward for someone in power.

"Elder Zhenfeng, I plan to follow the example of Sect Master Xuancheng and step down in about a year."

"Looking at the elders, both senior and junior, in your sect, do you see any suitable candidates?"

Generally, the position of sect leader of the Zhengyi Sect is held by an elder with at least a mid-stage Golden Core cultivation level for at least thirty-five years.

A powerful and power-hungry sect leader may serve for as long as fifty years.

Although Elder Qingxu did a good job, he was also aware of his own limitations.

Stepping down early would be a good thing for both the successor and him.

Han Lu knew very well that since Elder Qingxu had asked this question, he must already have a suitable candidate in mind.

Based on the information she had gathered, Han Lu didn't mince words and directly pointed out the name of the possible successor.

"Sect Master Qingxu, what do you think of Elder Xianyu Ji?"

"Whether it's talent or ability, I think Elder Xianyu Ji meets the requirements to be the sect leader."

"If given a year to hone his skills and experience, Elder Xianyu Ji will surely be able to shoulder this important responsibility."

Upon hearing Xianyu Ji's name, the Qingxu Sect Master's lips curled up slightly involuntarily.

Clearly, Han Lu's recommendation resonated with him.

Chapter 1121

Understanding one's superiors' intentions is a rather difficult skill.

Although Han Lu was not an expert in this field and had no need to deliberately flatter Qingxu Daoren, it did not prevent her from speaking in a self-centered tone what Qingxu Daoren wanted to say.

Although Han Lu guessed his thoughts, it was not appropriate for Daoist Qingxu to express his opinion directly in front of Han Lu.

"Elder Zhenfeng, I remember that Elder Xianyu Ji was acquainted with you." Qingxu Daoist put on an air of not valuing Xianyu Ji.

Han Lu said seriously, "Isn't this a case of recommending the worthy without avoiding relatives?"

"After a complex analysis, I think Elder Xianyu Ji is quite suitable."

Han Lu spoke with such righteous indignation that even if Qingxu Daoist were to nitpick, he couldn't find any fault with her.

Having no other choice, he had to tactfully admit that Xianyu Ji was indeed his preferred candidate.

"Elder Zhenfeng is right. After careful consideration, I find that Elder Xianyu is indeed suitable."

"He can be considered a candidate."

"Are there any other suitable candidates? Elder Zhenfeng can continue to recommend worthy people without regard to kinship, just suggest whoever you like."

Three options are given, one of which is absolutely correct, and the other two are ridiculously wrong.

Although this method of presenting multiple-choice questions is not a tactic that Han Lu is good at, it comes out very conveniently at this moment.

"If you still need my recommendation, why not let Master Xinshan give it a try?"

Arranging for friends first, then recommending enemies—Han Lu's behavior is that of a "sage."

"Xinshan Jushi's potential goes without saying; there's a 70% chance he'll achieve the Nascent Soul stage."

"As for his ability to get things done, Master Xinshan is not bad, but he is lazy and indolent."

"If I become the sect leader, I think these two shortcomings will improve because of my sense of responsibility."

Han Lu paused, noticing the slightly stiff expression on Qingxu Daoist's face, and chuckled inwardly.

"As it happens, Layman Xinshan has also participated in several secret meetings and is very clear about the affairs of the Eastern Land."

"With the guidance of the sect leader, Xinshan Jushi will definitely be able to become a competent sect leader within a year."

As she rambled on, Han Lu began to convince herself that it was indeed a brilliant idea.

However, after Han Lu's explanation, Qingxu Daoist changed some of his original ideas.

“Hey,” Qingxu Daoist frowned slightly, considering the feasibility of such an action, “After hearing what Zhenfeng Fairy said, it seems that Xinshan Hermit really has the potential to become the sect leader.”

Han Lu was unaware that Qingxu Daoist had taken her words to heart, and simply thought that Qingxu Daoist was just being perfunctory.

She chuckled and continued joking in a serious tone, "Of course, the saying 'recommend the virtuous without avoiding relatives' also has the word 'enemy' after it."