The Long Journey to Immortality

What Han Lu said was true.

Xuanfeng Daoist used his influence in Xuanyang Valley to help his family members carve out a small world within the valley.

Although not everyone in the Han family can go to Xuan Yang Valley for "studying abroad," as long as they have some talent, they have a great chance to become disciples of Xuan Yang Valley.

If this situation can continue, the Han family's strength can be greatly improved through a method similar to "borrowing a chicken to lay an egg," and at the same time, other slightly mediocre members of the family can also enjoy more resources and assistance.

Besides Han Lu and Xuanfeng Daoist, it is not impossible for a third or fourth Golden Core cultivator to emerge.

The two flattered each other, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After chatting for about a hundred breaths, the two turned their attention to the upcoming meeting.

"With Fellow Daoist Zhenfeng here this time, I think that arrogant brat from the Qian family will definitely not dare to be as presumptuous as he was half a month ago," Xuanfeng Daoist had naturally heard the news that the Qian family had spread. "If we can't reach an agreement and need to fight a real battle, we'll have to trouble Elder Zhenfeng to help deal with Master Guangbo."

“No problem,” Han Lu inquired again, “How strong is Master Guangbo?”

Xuanfeng Daoist scoffed at the strength of this cultivator who could barely be considered a friend.

“Master Guangbo is not particularly skilled in magical combat.”

"Even now, I'm 35% confident that I could defeat him, who is a level above me."

Since he was chosen to compete with Han Lu, the representative of the Zhengyi Sect, for the rights to the spirit stone mine, Xuanfeng Daoist was among the top-ranking Golden Core cultivators in terms of combat strength.

Having sparred with Master Guangbo twice, Daoist Xuanfeng knew his "old friend's" capabilities all too well.

Even after advancing to the late stage of the Golden Core realm, he didn't think that Master Guangbo could make a rapid leap in combat power.

If the Qian family hadn't gained another Golden Core cultivator, he wouldn't have agreed to the family's request for help, asking Han Lu to come and assist.

“In that case, I’m relieved,” Han Lu guessed. “However, I suppose the two cultivators from the Qian family probably already know that I came to the Han family to help.”

"Judging from that arrogant kid who just formed his core, he's definitely not the kind of person who would willingly admit defeat."

"Later, they will definitely try to cause trouble again, either by trying to exclude me from this meeting and the battle of wits, or by using tricks during the battle of wits."

Xuanfeng Daoist was quite familiar with the Qian family cultivators' style, so he naturally agreed with Han Lu's statement.

“Fellow Daoist Zhenfeng is right. Master Guangbo is indeed a cultivator who likes to play tricks,” Daoist Xuanfeng introduced. “But his style of doing things is no different from that of ordinary cultivators from the Central Plains. However, I heard that another arrogant Daoist has developed many of the bad habits of cultivators from the East Sea because he has been wandering around the East Sea for twenty years.”

"Being careful and taking precautions is never a bad thing."

Xuanfeng Daoist was also a cautious and prudent type of cultivator.

Han Lu was confident about this matter: "If we can't reach an agreement at the meeting, then we'll have to rely on spiritual power and magical artifacts. With our strength, as long as we remain unchanged and adapt to any situation, we will definitely be able to resolve this matter smoothly."

The rule of the three parties holding meetings and vying for resources has been in place for thousands of years.

Under the current rules, Han Lu sees no possibility whatsoever for the Qian family to turn the tables and win.

Now, the only point of discussion is whether, after winning, we should reciprocate as the arrogant Taoist priest had previously claimed.

By monopolizing 70% of the resources, the arrogant Taoist who came up with this wicked idea reaped what he sowed.

"This..." Xuanfeng Daoist hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "There is no need. It is enough to take over the spirit stone mine that we just found."

Influenced by the atmosphere of the Central Plains cultivation world, Xuanfeng Daoist was not the kind of cultivator who wanted to take advantage of people.

Han Lu didn't want to make enemies in the north, but since Xuanfeng Daoist had already done so, she went along with it and continued to be a kind and compassionate person.

An hour later, Han Lu, Xuanfeng Daoist, the three leaders of the Han family, and several Foundation Establishment cultivators from the clan boarded an ark piloted by Xuanfeng Daoist and headed towards the meeting place.

In just fifteen minutes, Han Lu and her group arrived at the meeting venue, a small town called "Donglang".

This small town was famous in the Northern Dynasties for a black wine called "Shiyou".

Even many cultivators have a taste for it.

The custom of dividing the spoils among the three families has been going on for a thousand years.

The location for the meetings and power struggles had naturally been set long ago.

In the small town of Doklam, there is a restaurant that is jointly operated by three families and is specifically for entertaining monks.

The restaurant, named "Three Immortals," will be empty on the day of the conference to accommodate the three cultivators who will come to participate in the conference and engage in magical duels.

The Lu family's settlement was near Doklam, so they had arrived at the meeting venue long ago.

The Han family and the Lu family have a good relationship, and there have been several marriages between them in recent generations.

The two families exchanged warm greetings, and Xuanfeng Daoist introduced Han Lu to the Golden Core cultivator from the Lu family.

"Kongkong Jushi." Without introducing much, Xuanfeng Daoist only mentioned the other party's Daoist name.

Kongkong Jushi was a cultivator with a somewhat Western Regions appearance. He was at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. Judging from his aura, Han Lu deduced that his advancement to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm was most likely within the last twenty years.

“A hundred years ago, the Hermit of Emptiness was already at the early stage of the Golden Core realm.”

"A hundred years later, it looks like there are only two or three red patterns painted on it."

"I suppose that if we meet again a hundred years from now, the Hermit of Emptiness will still be at the same level of cultivation as he is now."

Upon meeting him, based on the information she had gathered, Han Lu categorized the Hermit of Emptiness into the class of "Moderate Cultivators".

The hermit was unaware of Han Lu's thoughts.

He was very excited to see Han Lu, a renowned Golden Core cultivator in the Central Plains.

Chapter 1161

"I have long admired your name," the hermit said, not just as a polite remark, but because he had genuinely heard of Han Lu's reputation long ago. "It is truly an honor to meet the Fairy of True Phoenix today."

"You're too kind," Han Lu said, speaking nonsense. "I've heard of the name of the Hermit of Emptiness from several elders, and seeing him today, I can confirm that he is indeed extraordinary."

"I wonder if I would have the honor of sparring with Fairy Zhenfeng today?" Although the strength of the Hermit Kongkong was far inferior to that of Han Lu, he still wanted to have a go with her.

Han Lu joked, "That depends on the Qian family's attitude."

"If the other party insists on not dividing resources at the negotiating table in a way that satisfies both sides, then a major battle will naturally be necessary."

The hermit also joked, "With the arrogant Taoist here, my wish should be fulfilled today."

Master Kongkong was well aware of the temperament of the Qian family's cultivator who had just advanced to the Golden Core realm.

The group chatted and laughed as they took their seats according to the pre-arranged seating arrangements.

The table for the three families to negotiate was not large; it was triangular, with five people sitting on one side.

The other members who came with the clan's higher-ups to broaden their horizons could only sit far away and act as silent listeners at the meeting.

Which five members of the Han family were seated? Needless to say, it was Han Lu, Daoist Xuanfeng, and three other clan elders.

And who sits in the very middle?

Xuanfeng Daoist initially wanted to decline, but arranged for Han Lu, who had the highest cultivation level, to sit in the middle of the five people.

But Han Lu quickly found an excuse and sat down in the second seat on the right.

“You’re mainly responsible for negotiating with the other clan leaders and elders. I’m just here to observe and act as a henchman. How can I sit in the middle and just stand there doing nothing?”

Xuanfeng Daoist had nothing to say and could only follow Han Lu's arrangement to take his seat.

The Han and Lu families waited in the hall for about fifteen minutes before the Qian family's cultivators arrived.

Compared to the Han and Lu families, whose groups consisted of about ten people each, the Qian family had as many as twenty cultivators attending the meeting.

The leader was naturally the most accomplished member of the Qian family, Master Guangbo.

The second-ranking cultivator, whose appearance was not pleasing, was the arrogant Daoist who had provoked the Han and Lu families half a month ago.

"They may look a bit annoying, but they don't seem like mindless brutes." Han Lu glanced at the Qian family's group and gave them this assessment.

The two Qian family cultivators who had just entered the council hall also gave Han Lu their opinions.

Although they were rivals for the time being, the two still gave Han Lu a fair assessment of her appearance, temperament, and cultivation level.

"She's beautiful and quite capable, I just hope she's not very bright," the arrogant Daoist secretly prayed.

Master Guangbo extended greetings to the two acquaintances, "Fellow Daoist Kongkong and Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng, it's been a long time."

After the two stood up and returned the greeting with clasped hands, Master Guangbo looked at Han Lu.

"This must be the True Phoenix Fairy. She is indeed as dazzling and outstanding as the rumors say."

Han Lu replied indifferently, "You're welcome, you're welcome."

They're bound to clash later, and Han Lu, who's not familiar with the other person, has no intention of getting close to them.

Master Guangbo hadn't expected Han Lu to have a lively conversation with him, so he just smiled.

The five cultivators from the Qian family took their seats, and the meeting that would determine the distribution of resources among the three families for the next hundred years began.

As is customary, the family that held the top position a century ago is responsible for presiding over the meeting.

Unexpectedly, just as Daoist Xuanfeng was about to announce the start of the meeting, the arrogant Daoist sitting next to Master Guangbo interrupted and questioned the arrangements made before his arrival.

"Today is a meeting of the Qian, Lu, and Han clans. Why is there a cultivator from the Southern Dynasty sitting at the table? Just because someone has the surname Han doesn't mean they can sit here."

The arrogant Taoist priest's words were directed solely at Han Lu.

Faced with the other party's baseless fabrications and attacks, Xuanfeng Daoist took the initiative to defend Han Lu without her having to speak.

“Fairy Zhenfeng’s mother is a member of the Han family, so she is naturally a member of the Han family as well. There is no problem for her to attend this meeting. If there is to be a magic contest, Fairy Zhenfeng is also qualified to represent the Han family.”

The arrogant Taoist priest didn't care about the rule of "whoever makes the claim must prove it," and instead asked, "Is there any evidence to prove that Fairy Zhenfeng is a member of the Han family?"

Xuanfeng Daoist wasn't stupid. "Do you have any evidence to prove it's not true?"

"No, if there are none, then wouldn't it mean that any cultivator with the surname Qian that our Qian family can choose can come and help us?" The arrogant Taoist was prepared and resorted to sophistry.

Xuanfeng Daoist was caught off guard and, after his sharp retort, realized that a proper and respectful response was the most appropriate course of action.

"The family tree contains the name of Elder Zhenfeng's mother, and she also returned to the family after reaching adulthood according to the rules, and her name was written on the family tree."

The arrogant Taoist snorted and said disdainfully, "Genealogy? How you write it is still your business."

"Unless there is more convincing evidence, my Qian family will not take it seriously that Fengxianzi is a member of the Han family."

Xuanfeng Daoist had little experience debating with such "rogues" and was momentarily speechless.

Seeing this, Han Lu chuckled and said, "Is Fellow Daoist Arrogant afraid of me, which is why you're trying to drive me away from here?"

"I just want to uphold this thousand-year-old tradition," the arrogant Taoist priest said, justifying his actions with a grand and righteous tone. "If Fairy Zhenfeng cannot prove herself, then I will follow the rules and ask an elder from Xuan Yang Valley to make a judgment."

This was the rule used by cultivation families in the Northern Dynasties to divide resources and territory.