The Long Journey to Immortality

“So there was an emergency,” Han Lu understood the Han family’s attitude towards her from these few words. “That makes sense.”

"Clan leader, tell me about the general situation of that cultivator from the Qian family who just advanced to the Golden Core realm." Han Lu believed that the Han family must have already investigated these matters thoroughly.

Seeing that Han Lu had already gotten into work mode, Han Nian was secretly delighted and quickly replied, "Yes, Fairy Han."

"That young man from the Qian family who just advanced to the Golden Core Realm three months ago is named Qian Cheng. He is also a cultivator from Xuan Yang Valley and is now an elder of Xuan Yang Valley."

He calls himself the Arrogant Daoist, and his usual behavior is unlike that of ordinary cultivators from the Central Plains.

"He was arrogant and domineering, and not well-liked in Xuan Yang Valley, but because of his outstanding talent, he was regarded as a great hope for the future within the Qian family."

Han Lu chuckled lightly, "This Taoist name is quite interesting. Only an arrogant and brainless person like him would utter such thoughtless boasts. He'll probably suffer before he learns the importance of being humble and modest in his conduct and work."

Han Lu didn't take him seriously at all, as a mere cultivator who had just advanced to the Golden Core Realm was spouting arrogant words and taking the initiative to provoke her.

Several people echoed, "Yes, Fairy Han is right."

"By the way, do you know what grade this arrogant Taoist has achieved in his alchemy?" Han Lu asked a question that wasn't too important.

Han's answer back then was uncertain: "It is said to be a top-grade elixir."

“That means you’ve reached the third rank of Dan,” Han Lu said with a smile. “It’s like saying that the top three powers in the Central Plains are ranked third, and most of their peers are ranked eighth or ninth.”

With all her friends being second- or first-grade Golden Core cultivators, Han Lu has made up her mind to take this opportunity to teach this unlikable "genius" a lesson in how to be a good person.

"When will the contest begin?" Han Lu asked again.

"At noon the day after tomorrow, we will first discuss matters and then engage in a contest of wits." Han already remembered the specific procedures clearly.

Han Lu then asked, "What about Daoist Xuanfeng? Is it possible that I'm the only one going this time?"

“Of course not, Senior Xuanfeng will arrive on that day,” Han Dangnian explained. “This place is not far from Xuanyang Valley.”

"Alright, where will I stay for the next two days? Also, bring me some information about the resource gathering sites for this competition." Han Lu gave her final instruction.

Han had already made arrangements back then. "I will have Yinshuang lead Fairy Han to the guest room specially prepared for you to rest."

"As for the information, I will have someone organize it and send it to you in a quarter of an hour."

Han Yinshuang led Han Lu to a courtyard in the town that had been reserved for Han Lu, the same courtyard where Han Lu's mother had lived.

The courtyard had been empty, but the Han family had arranged for people to clean and repair the house.

Therefore, Han Lu could easily move in even if she suddenly arrived.

"The service is quite good." Entering the courtyard and looking at the scenery of plants and trees that was slightly different from those in the south, Han Lu felt good.

Fifteen minutes later, Han Yinshuang handed the two booklets to Han Lu's desk.

Han Lu, who hadn't read a physical book in a long time, flipped through the pages slowly.

Within a quarter of an hour, she had a complete understanding of the situation.

"Yin Shuang, I remember you still have a competition to compete in, which should start in four days, right?" Han Lu suddenly asked Han Yin Shuang, who was standing aside serving.

"Hmm..." Back home, Han Yinshuang was momentarily at a loss for how to address Han Lu.

“Once this matter is resolved, we’ll return to Zhengyi Sect that very night,” Han Lu said with a smile. “If I delay your competition, I wonder how your master will blame me.”

Chapter 1159

To better serve Han Lu, Han Yinshuang, who had been away from home for many years, was temporarily housed in a building outside Han Lu's compound, except for a brief visit to relatives and friends on her first night back home.

To ensure that we are available whenever needed.

Knowing that her relatives and friends, whom she wasn't particularly close to, had no ulterior motives towards her, Han Lu, who was naturally "honest and well-behaved," wouldn't cause any trouble in Han Family Town.

Before the meeting that involved the allocation of resources among the three parties, she stayed at home, meditating and practicing meditation.

Meanwhile, at the Qian family home, a conversation about Han Lu was taking place.

The only two Golden Core cultivators in the Qian family sat facing each other.

The arrogant Taoist, unlike his usual arrogant and domineering self, respectfully served tea to another Golden Core cultivator in the clan, Master Guangbo.

He was extremely respectful, showing no sign of slackening even though he had also advanced to the Golden Core realm.

Compared to Han Lu and Xuanfeng Daoist, who didn't seem to care much about their own family, these two Qian family cultivators prioritized the interests of their clan.

Besides returning to the clan early to discuss with the clan elders in charge of daily affairs how to secure benefits and which part of the benefits to strive for.

The two also held a small meeting to discuss how to deal with the Golden Core cultivator from the Han family.

"Great-grandfather," the arrogant Taoist addressed Guangbo Shangren affectionately according to the family's seniority, "In this competition, as long as you can defeat Xuanfeng Taoist, if we join forces, we will be able to achieve a great victory."

Master Guangbo had fought with Daoist Xuanfeng several times, and they had become quite close within Xuanyang Valley due to the relatively friendly relationship between their families. He was well aware of Daoist Xuanfeng's strength.

"Although Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng is a first-rate fighting genius, his progress in cultivation is not fast."

"A hundred years have passed, and he is still stuck in the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. It is said that he has only drawn seven Core patterns."

"Among those of the same cultivation level, he is probably still a top-notch expert."

"But now I have surpassed him by one minor realm. If we fight again a hundred years from now, I am 90% confident that I can defeat him."

Master Guangbo was full of confidence.

The arrogant Taoist was about to offer a few words of praise when someone suddenly knocked on the door, interrupting him.

He raised his hand and released a burst of spiritual energy to open the door.

The intruder is the current head of the Qian family.

With a few words, the patriarch brought bad news to the two Golden Core cultivators who were envisioning a great victory the next day.

"What?!" Upon hearing the news, Master Guangbo's expression changed drastically. "The True Phoenix Fairy of the Zhengyi Sect has arrived at the Han family?"

The arrogant Taoist priest reacted quickly, "Could this Fairy Zhenfeng be an outsider invited by the Han family to interfere in tomorrow's affairs?"

Han Lu's name had already spread throughout the Central Plains.

The self-proclaimed "Guangbo" Master Guangbo was naturally well-informed and knew Han Lu's general situation, knowing that Han Lu was a powerful late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

Master Guangbo recalled a piece of news he had heard sixty years ago: "Back then, it was said that Fairy Zhenfeng also visited the Han family, but only stayed for half a day..."

"Only members of each family can participate in tomorrow's events. Could it be that Elder Zhenfeng is a cultivator from the Han family? I've never heard of such a disciple in the Han family."

When they returned to the Han family that year, the Han family did not publicize it extensively.

As cultivators from the Central Plains, the Qian family, to which Guangbo Shangren belonged, had not placed any spies among the Han and Lu families, and naturally did not know the most specific details.

The arrogant Taoist analyzed, "Since they've come, they must be involved in this matter. They can't just be making a show of themselves and then leaving."

Master Guangbo nodded slightly. "In that case, this Fairy Zhenfeng should be a disciple of the Han family, but I don't know why she was born in the Southern Dynasty."

"If she joins us, wouldn't the balance of power be..." Master Guangbo sighed and said helplessly, "I can't defeat Fairy Zhenfeng."

Han Lu has a distinguished record of military exploits, although she has not yet made a move in public since advancing to the late stage of the Golden Core realm.

However, based solely on Han Lu's ability to transform into a true spirit for combat, Master Guangbo did not believe he could fight her to a standstill.

The arrogant Taoist also looked anxious, but after a moment, he came up with a solution.

"Great-grandfather, I've come up with two plans."

"Tell me about it." Master Guangbo knew that his junior was exceptionally intelligent.

“The two strategies are the best and the worst,” the arrogant Taoist said smugly, following the arrangement of the stories in the miscellaneous book. “I want to talk about the worst strategy.”

“The worst course of action is to question the identity of the True Phoenix Fairy as a member of the Han family,” the arrogant Daoist explained. “Great-grandfather, think about it, the Han family has only produced two late-stage Golden Core cultivators in its history. How could there possibly be such a gifted member of the family?”

The Qian family once produced a Nascent Soul cultivator, so the arrogant Daoist, the erudite Venerable, and the vast majority of Qian family cultivators are proponents of the bloodline theory.

"Therefore, I think that this Fairy Zhenfeng is most likely just a friend that Elder Xuanfeng became acquainted with because of that battle, and he specially spent resources and spirit stones to invite her to help. She is probably not related to the Han family by blood and is not qualified to participate in tomorrow's conference."

The arrogant Taoist was taught by Master Guangbo, so naturally, his few words made Master Guangbo understand how far this plan could be used. "What he said makes sense."

“However,” Master Guangbo pointed out, “what if that Fairy Zhenfeng really is a member of the Han family?”

The arrogant Taoist priest came up with two more strategies after his initial success.

"Let her prove it herself. If she can prove it, then we'll switch to the better strategy."

"If that doesn't work, it's a good opportunity to kick this unstable factor out of the game."

Master Guangbo then asked, "Then tell me the best strategy."

The arrogant Taoist replied, "The best strategy is to make reasonable use of the rules, find some minor mistakes that occurred in the previous competitions due to the rules, and suggest making slight modifications to the rules of the three competitions."

"The order of battle, which was previously determined by the level of cultivation, has been changed to individual troop deployment."

“Perfect timing, Great-Grandpa, you are skilled in divination. You can divine the order of appearance for the Han family and then arrange their order accordingly.”

“Let us compete together. However, Qian Ping, who is at the Foundation Establishment stage, will face Zhen Feng Xianzi. You will deal with Xuan Feng, and I will take charge of the Foundation Establishment cultivator representing the Han family.”

"In that case, it's best two out of three, so we're still in first place."

Master Guangbo clapped his hands and praised, "Brilliant strategy, brilliant strategy! This is also a way to win honorably."

After the arrogant Taoist provided a rough framework, the two continued their discussion.

What reasons should be used, what words should be said, and to what extent should the Han family and Fairy Zhenfeng be coerced to obtain more benefits...?

The two strategists are in control, but whether they can win a decisive victory from afar remains to be seen.

Chapter 1160

Perhaps it was because they knew Han Lu was coming.

Originally planning to head directly to the meeting venue right on time, Xuanfeng Daoist returned to Han Family Town an hour and a half earlier.

Upon seeking out Han Lu, Xuanfeng Daoist met these two cultivators who, though not closely related, shared a slight blood connection and had known each other for a long time. He couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

He was surprised that Han Lu, with whom he had a rather distant relationship, would accept his invitation to help. He was also surprised that, despite being fellow cultivators, he had once surpassed Han Lu in cultivation level, but now Han Lu had left him behind.

"Fellow Daoist Zhenfeng," Xuanfeng Daoist greeted with a bow, "It's been so many years since we last met, and your demeanor is as impressive as ever."

"Now, not only is his combat strength far superior to mine, but his cultivation level has also surpassed mine."

Han Lu said modestly, "It was just a stroke of luck, a stroke of good fortune."

"Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng has contributed a lot to the family over the years, which makes me, a family member who is only returning home for the second time, feel ashamed."

"The family has been thriving in recent years, and Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng should be credited with the greatest contribution."