The Long Journey to Immortality

Thinking about this, Han Lu suddenly realized something.

Why has the success rate of the elders in successfully transcending tribulations been so low in recent years?

"Could it be..." Han Lu boldly guessed, "that the problem lies with this carefree umbrella?"

This carefree umbrella is a magical artifact that Han Lu brought back from an ancient cultivation secret realm.

It was once a spiritual treasure, but it was severely damaged when the ancient cultivator Wang Han was undergoing the tribulation of the Nascent Soul Realm. Even after being repaired by the ancient cultivators, it was only barely restored to the level of a first-grade spiritual artifact.

This treasure could no longer be used in the Nascent Soul Realm Heavenly Tribulation, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, becoming a wonderful item in the hands of a Golden Core Realm cultivator.

After being tempered by heavenly tribulations time and again, when the Free and Easy Umbrella fell into Han Lu's hands, it had already been enhanced to a level of divine power approaching that of a low-grade spiritual treasure.

Logically speaking, with such a powerful and effective magic weapon that can restrain heavenly tribulations, cultivators in the Zhengyi Sect should be able to reduce the difficulty of their tribulations and increase their chances of success.

But for some reason, the result was the opposite of what was expected.

This forced Han Lu to suspect Xiaoyao Umbrella of all the "culprits".

However, the Free and Unfettered Umbrella is, after all, an ancient cultivation treasure, and it was Han Lu who found it. Although she guessed that the Free and Unfettered Umbrella might be the cause of a series of problems, the main reason should be found within the cultivators of the Zhengyi Sect themselves.

"Perhaps activating the Free and Easy Umbrella using the existing methods will not be able to unleash its full power and will instead become a burden to the cultivator."

"Or perhaps it's because the Free and Easy Umbrella was damaged later, which is why the magic weapon was stored in the ancient cultivation secret realm."

"There's still a possibility..."

After considering many possibilities, Han Lu decided to share her thoughts on the matter with Xianyu Ji after a moment's thought.

"I suppose the reason why Sect Leader Xianyu told me about this matter is that he wanted to know my opinion on it."

Han Lu wrote furiously, and in just a hundred breaths, a paper sword discussing the matter was completed under her pen.

He explained his conjecture and expressed his hope that Xianyu Ji could arrange for a sect cultivator who was proficient in refining and appraising magical artifacts to examine the Free and Easy Umbrella.

After receiving the paper sword, Xianyu Ji did not reply immediately. However, he still listened to Han Lu's advice and once again sought out two elders from the sect who were skilled in appraisal to examine the Xiaoyao Umbrella.

Han Lu received a reply three days later.

The reply was very simple, consisting of only four words.

"There is indeed a problem."

Upon seeing this brief reply, Han Lu immediately guessed Xianyu Ji's intention.

"They probably considered that I brought this treasure back from an ancient cultivation secret realm, and they were worried that I would carry an unnecessary psychological burden because of the problems with this treasure, and take the responsibility for the elders' failure to transcend the tribulation on my own shoulders."

"That's so thoughtful."

Han Lu put down the paper sword, her heart unmoved.

"It seems that Xianyu Ji is becoming more and more like a sect leader, and he will definitely achieve great things in the next thirty years."

Having quietly helped the sect resolve another major hidden danger, Han Lu soon received another piece of good news from her friend.

A month and a half later, Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi sent a letter to Han Lu through someone, and the good news was inside the envelope.

Without opening the letter, based on her understanding of Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi, Han Lu could guess what it was about.

"They must have been married for nearly twenty years and finally had a child," Han Lu murmured to herself. "I just don't know if it's a boy or a girl."

As she spoke, Han Lu opened the letter and knew at a glance that she had not guessed wrong.

Indeed, after arduous efforts, Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi, who had been in love and married for many years, finally had their first child.

A girl was named Lü Feiyan.

In the letter, Yi Qiyan shared her joy with Han Lu and made detailed plans for her daughter's future.

Of course, Yi Qiyan also repeatedly emphasized in her letter that Han Lu would serve as her child's tutor.

According to her plan, her own daughter would stay by her side to cultivate until she was twenty years old or had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, after which she would be sent to Han Lu's side for further cultivation and training.

This was something Han Lu had promised long ago, so naturally she wouldn't renege on her promise.

The matter of procreation between cultivators is quite complex.

Even the most loving couples among some cultivators find it difficult to have children.

Even if it's just a fleeting romance, some cultivators might still end up having a passionate encounter.

Han Lu was unaware of the specifics of Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi's situation, but it was clear that this couple was the former among the cultivator couples.

The birth rate of monks is related to many factors.

The spiritual attributes of a couple and the cultivation methods they practice will affect their fertility rate.

Just as practicing the "Sunflower Manual" would definitely prevent one from having children, many cultivation techniques can affect a cultivator's reproductive abilities.

Han Lu's situation is more complicated.

As a true spirit, she should logically belong to the category of cultivators with a low birth rate.

However, given that she possesses a water elemental root and has a father who seems exceptionally skilled in this area, she should belong to the type of cultivator who is relatively easy to conceive.

With these two contradictory situations falling on her alone, Han Lu was unsure which category she belonged to.

After letting her mind wander for a while, Han Lu said to herself with a self-deprecating laugh, "I can't just find someone to try it out, can I?"

With a slightly flushed face, Han Lu shook her head, trying her best to banish these strange thoughts from her mind.

Once she recovered, Han Lu smiled as she imagined the beautiful scene of Yi Qiyan and Lü Zhi having a child. Han Lu quickly wrote a reply and handed it to the messenger who was entertaining her at her residence to send back.

In the blink of an eye, another three years have passed.

Just as ten years had passed since Han Lu and Mo Zhehan made their promise to go to the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault, Mo Zhehan, who was far away in the Great Yu Dynasty, arrived late and finally came to the Central Plains once again through the teleportation portal.

Chapter 1129

Mo Zhehan delayed arriving in the Central Plains for nine and a half years not because he had "pigeon disease," but because his cultivation had reached a critical moment.

Upon arriving at Zhengyi Gate, Mo Zhehan, who had come to visit Han Lu, found that his cultivation level had improved somewhat since their last meeting.

Nine pill patterns have already been drawn on the golden elixir inside the body.

At only 170 years old, he has already achieved such results. Any cultivator with normal judgment would conclude that Mo Zhehan has a bright future.

For Mo Zhehan, the only suspense was whether he could attempt to transcend the tribulation and successfully advance to the Nascent Soul stage before the age of 250.

If it were any other female cultivator who made a deal with Mo Zhehan, saying, "If you advance to the Nascent Soul Realm before me, I'll have sex with you," Mo Zhehan would be absolutely certain of success.

Unfortunately, Han Lu, who had made this agreement with him, was still "demonic".

He had just turned 120 and had already successfully advanced to the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

He was much younger than Mo Zhehan, and his cultivation level was much higher.

"Han Lu, you've actually advanced to the late stage of the Golden Core realm?" When he saw Han Lu again, Mo Zhehan, who had initially felt a glimmer of hope, was now somewhat disheartened.

"Hmm," Han Lu nodded slightly, raised her hand, and gestured for Mo Zhehan to sit down. "It was about five or six years ago."

"I am currently taking various elixirs and trying to awaken the spirit of the Golden Core according to the cultivation method."

"We haven't gotten anything yet," Han Lu said, bringing up their past agreement. "Our agreement is still up for the time being."

Han Lu's words carried a hint of comfort, but it could also be said that she was clearly telling Mo Zhehan that if the two of them wanted to become Daoist partners, this was the only path they could choose.

Mo Zhehan sighed inwardly and silently accepted the outcome that he had already sensed and anticipated.

"Alright, if we're not meant to be, being friends is fine too." Consoling himself, Mo Zhehan's gaze fell on Han Lu's face, and his mood improved considerably.

The two sat down facing each other. Han Lu skillfully brewed tea while chatting with Mo Zhehan.

After a few words, the atmosphere in the room improved considerably, and the two of them shifted their attention away from "relationships".

The Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault is of paramount importance.

Han Lu had just finished brewing the tea and filled Mo Zhehan's teacup. The conversation between the two naturally turned to this unexpected opportunity.

"Han Lu, have you done any further investigation into the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault, or scouted the East Sea on your own?" Mo Zhehan was far away in the Great Yu Dynasty and couldn't do much in the preliminary preparations.

Han Lu nodded slightly, took a sip of tea, gently spat away the tea leaves stuck to her tongue, and then answered, "I've only been to the East Sea once in all these years, and it wasn't for the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault."

"I did not go to the location provided by the Slaughter Venerable to investigate whether the treasure vault was really there."

"However, I did obtain some information about the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault that was 90% true through a senior member of the same clan."

"I'll tell you everything right now."

Han Lu mentioned that she had received information from senior Feng Hanchi of Fengqilin.

Of course, what they said were mostly accurate rumors.

She specifically brought up the fact that the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault was divided into inner and outer layers, and invited Mo Zhehan to analyze and speculate on what kind of tests the Dragon and Phoenix would have set up in the treasure vault back then, and what preparations they could have made before entering.

After pondering for a moment, Mo Zhehan had some ideas.

"Since the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault is left to us, the descendants who possess the bloodline of the Dragon and Phoenix, it's as if a checkpoint has been set up at the entrance, allowing entry only by possessing the blood of the Dragon and Phoenix."

"The trials we must pass to advance from the first level, where the two Slaughter Venerables once reached, must also be related to the dragon and phoenix bloodlines within us."

After a pause, Mo Zhehan continued his analysis, "It seems that this test is not about judging the identity of those who enter the treasure vault, but rather about judging certain qualities of the dragons and phoenixes that enter the treasure vault."

"For example, only those with high talent and cultivation level who meet the requirements are allowed to enter the second layer of the treasure vault, thereby gaining the opportunity to inherit more precious resources and magic treasures."

Mo Zhehan's words resonated with Han Lu, who had also considered this point; on this point, the two shared the same view.

"So what kind of test do you think it will be?" Han Lu pressed.

Mo Zhehan took a sip of tea. "Perhaps it's an array? Or... well, I can't think of anything."

Although he was a cultivator from the Great Yu Dynasty, Mo Zhehan was definitely the kind of genius who was "raised" in the Extreme Heaven Palace.

In terms of experience in venturing out into the world, he is not even as experienced as Han Lu.

At this moment, he was naturally somewhat at a loss, but he was able to guess a general direction based on his wisdom.

But when it comes to actually explaining their "weight and weight," no one can give a single answer.

Han Lu was not disappointed; in fact, she was not disappointed when faced with this situation.

"It's normal not to know. You don't know that story, and neither do I. How could we possibly guess what the dragon and phoenix were thinking or what they were thinking when they set up the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault?"

“It doesn’t matter if we can’t prepare in advance,” Han Lu thought it through. “The Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault isn’t a place where you can only enter and exit once.”

"At worst, we can just treat this as a chance to scout ahead and take a look."