The Long Journey to Immortality

Although she was 95% sure, Han Lu didn't want her interesting junior, Han Lei, to lose his life because of her.

She still felt some pressure.

The thunderbolt disappeared from Han Lei's body in just three breaths, from its appearance to its complete integration.

But even after the lightning disappeared, Han Lei's body continued to emit a ghostly white lightning glow.

The process of activating the Dharma body is not yet over.

Spurred on by the thunder, Han Lei, who had been secretly observing the outside world, naturally entered a state close to unconsciousness.

The pain caused by the tumultuous stimulation within his body did not reach his central nervous system in the slightest.

Furthermore, because Han Lu possessed the bloodline of the Illusionary Phoenix, the lightning strike she unleashed also drew this cultivator with shallow cultivation into an environment.

In the illusion, Han Lei achieved great success after activating his magical body, and obtained the wonderful life that he could only experience in his dreams.

Chapter 1202

The lightning surged and shone on Han Lei's body for about a hundred breaths before gradually dimming.

Seeing that the mission was accomplished, Han Lu removed the array flags, withdrew her nascent soul, and walked unhurriedly toward Han Lei, who was sitting on the boulder that had been smashed to pieces by the aftershocks of the lightning strike.

Just as Han Lu approached, about four steps away from Han Lei, Han Lei suddenly opened his eyes, and two beams of lightning flashed from them.

His eyes were sharp and his gaze intense, unlike anything a Qi Refining cultivator could display.

Stopping in her tracks, Han Lu asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I don't feel well," Han Lei's expression was completely opposite to his words. "Now the acupoints in my body that I had finally managed to open up have closed again, and the two spiritual meridians have disappeared."

Han Lu replied, "This does feel ominous."

"But right now I just feel full of energy, as if I have endless power, and besides that..." Han Lei looked down at his still intact clothes, "it's as if spiritual energy is actively drilling into my body."

"That's good," Han Lu asked. "Can you see inside your body? Is there any residual spiritual energy left?"

Han Lei squinted, looked inward for a moment, and then replied, "There are still some."

Han Lu pointed to herself and suggested, "Try the lightning technique you used on Han Chuxue again. If you use that move now, you shouldn't suffer any backlash, and its power will be much greater."

“Okay, senior, I’ll give it a try right away.” Han Lei agreed without hesitation.

Based on the tangible benefits that her actions brought to Han Lei, "Han Lu," the benefactor, had already established absolute authority in Han Lei's mind.

Now, Han Lu could not only judge that he, having lost his cultivation, could unleash lightning techniques even more powerful than when he was at the second level of Qi Refining, but Han Lei would also believe Han Lu if she said he could fly.

Recalling the lightning technique he had learned by chance from an elder brother in his clan, Han Lei was surprised to find that the spiritual energy in his body could not move along the spiritual veins, but instead transformed into a substance similar to lightning and traveled and gathered in his body along the route prescribed by the technique.

"Senior, please forgive me!"

After shouting a warning, Han Lei unleashed a torrent of words and attacked Han Lu.

Because Han Lei's Purple Extreme Erosion Lightning Body was activated after being struck by Han Lu's lightning, which contained a trace of heavenly tribulation aura, the lightning techniques he now uses also contain some of the majesty of heavenly tribulation.

"It actually has such an effect?" Seeing the lightning that Han Lei unleashed, Han Lu couldn't help but raise her eyebrows, a fleeting hint of jealousy passing through her heart. "It's all thanks to me activating the Dharma body. If it were a Golden Core cultivator who hadn't survived the tribulation, Han Lei wouldn't have had such an opportunity, no matter how lucky he was."

With effortless ease, Han Lu blocked Han Lei's thunderous attack using only the phoenix feather robe wrapped around her chest.

After draining the last of his spiritual energy, Han Lei, panting heavily, complimented, "Senior is amazing."

"I'm not that impressive, I'm just a Qi Refining Level 10 cultivator." Han Lu joked, referencing Han Lei's earlier words.

Han Lei naturally understood Han Lu's sarcastic tone, and quickly bowed to admit his mistake, so as not to anger his benefactor. "Senior, I was blind just now, please forgive me."

"If there is anything you need me to do, I will do my best, even at the cost of my life, to repay your kindness in giving me a second chance at life."

He spoke eloquently, clearly having imagined similar scenarios countless times and coming prepared.

"Alright," Han Lu waved her hand, indicating that Han Lei should not stand on ceremony. "If you work hard in your cultivation in the future and become a pillar of the Han family in the future, then you will be able to repay the kindness I have shown you today."

Han Lu devoted herself to Han Lei for two reasons: firstly, she didn't want to see a promising talent go to waste; secondly, she wanted to fulfill her wish of helping the Han family to tap into their potential and find a cultivator who could advance to the Golden Core stage in forty or fifty years.

Half of the goal has now been achieved. Whether the other half can be achieved depends on Han Lei's own hard work and good fortune.

"I will definitely live up to the trust and expectations of my seniors and cultivate diligently." Han Lei said without hesitation, and even had an urge to quickly go into seclusion to cultivate and experience the joy that cultivation brings to body and mind after possessing talent.

Han Lu was quite satisfied with the ambition Han Lei displayed.

Han Lei's condition reminded her of herself when she had just been teleported away from Xiaoyaozi's cave.

"Just do your best," Han Lu said without saying anything more. "Let's go back first. I'll give you another Thunder Technique manual and some other miscellaneous materials."

Since she wanted to be a good person to the end, Han Lu didn't mind letting a little more of her own resources slip through her fingers.

Once again, Han Lei returned to Han Family Town on a cloud, feeling reborn and in good spirits.

Back home, Han Lu not only exchanged the top-grade spirit stone she had promised Han Lei for 120 low-grade spirit stones, but also gave Han Lei three bottles of pills, two magical tools, and a cultivation technique called "Five Thunder Technique".

"Keep these spirit stones and pills safe. Don't flaunt your wealth. Although most cultivators in the Central Plains are kind, there are always some wicked people who covet other people's magical treasures and resources," Han Lu reminded her. "I've gone to great lengths to help you leap over the Dragon Gate, and I don't want to see you ruin your cultivation journey because of some treacherous people."

Then, Han Lu introduced the cultivation manual she had given away.

The cultivation technique was found in the Dragon and Phoenix Treasure Vault; Han Lu had only glanced at it briefly.

Because the cultivation method was based on thunder magic, she didn't think much about it and just felt that this technique was suitable for Han Lei, so she gave it to him as a gift.

"The Five Thunder Technique cultivates five thunder methods and is a cultivation manual that includes Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and some cultivation techniques for the Divine Transformation Realm."

"At each level, cultivators who practice this technique must cultivate a special kind of lightning that is condensed within their bodies."

"Perfect for someone like you with the Purple Extreme Erosion Thunder Body."

Han Lu quickly flipped through the cultivation manual before handing it to Han Lei.

“I will stay here for another three days,” Han Lu reminded Han Lei. “If I were you, I would definitely study the Qi Refining and Foundation Building parts of the cultivation method carefully today, find out the parts I don’t understand, and then come to me for help.”

Han Lei, who wasn't a blockhead, naturally understood what Han Lu meant.

"Thank you, senior. I will study now and come back tomorrow with my questions."

Finally, Han Lu reminded Han Lei, "In the cultivation world, there's a saying that one can no longer advance to the Foundation Establishment realm after the age of thirty."

"Now, you are twenty-seven years old. Although you have activated your physical body, you still need to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage within three years in order to go further on the path of cultivation."

"Time is of the essence, and we cannot afford to be complacent."

Encouraging Han Lei with his own experience of cultivating from the Dao Child Realm to the Great Perfection of Qi Refining in just a year and a half gave Han Lei, who had become somewhat accustomed to his mediocrity, a glimmer of hope.

[Author's Note] I've started reviewing for the new exams. I'm thinking of writing a little more about the Nascent Soul stage, then having the protagonist cultivate to the Divine Transformation stage in the wilderness and then show off for a bit, before finally resolving the final tribulation and concluding the story.

Chapter 1203

In the cultivation world, there is a saying that if one does not advance to the Foundation Establishment stage before the age of thirty, it is impossible to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage.

This statement is merely a rule derived from experience, not a truth.

However, very few cultivators are actually able to challenge this rule.

Despite already being a Nascent Soul cultivator, Han Lu still had countless questions and uncertainties about cultivation.

That's why she reminded Han Lei at this time to seize the time and not become complacent in his cultivation just because he had activated his Dharma body and possessed superhuman talent, thus missing out on the great opportunity that had finally come his way.

Han Lei did not disappoint Han Lu.

The next morning, Han Lei, who had stayed up all night studying the cultivation technique, came to Han Lu for help with nearly twenty questions.

These questions are not complicated; even if Han Lu had only read "The Five Thunder Techniques" twice, she could still give an authoritative answer.

Han Lu explained the reasoning behind all twenty questions to Han Lei in less than half an hour.

Han Lei's comprehension is not bad; otherwise, he would not have been able to cultivate to the second level of Qi Refining despite the double difficulties of his cultivation method not matching his spiritual root and the "bad old man in the ring" causing trouble.

Most other people would only be able to reach the level of a novice Daoist.

"So this is how it's solved! After listening to your guidance, I feel completely enlightened." Although Han Lei's words were somewhat exaggerated, they generally expressed his true thoughts.

Han Lu was also quite satisfied with Han Lei's performance over the past two days, and rarely praised him, saying, "You have good comprehension. As long as you make good use of the pills and materials I gave you, there should be an 80% chance that you will be able to successfully advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm within two years or even a year and a half."

"Remember, you must be fully prepared before laying the foundation."

"Don't ruin your foundation and waste the talent you've worked so hard to acquire because of a moment of impulsiveness."

Han Lu sees Han Lei as a spring.

After being suppressed for so long, something is bound to explode.

But if his temper also flares up at the same time, he might rush to Foundation Establishment after just advancing to the tenth level of Qi Refining, just to show off in front of those who look down on him.

It's always better to give a heads-up sooner rather than later.

Han Lei could roughly understand why Han Lu was advising him like that, and nodded slightly, "I will definitely obey your words, senior."

Taking this opportunity, Han Lei also spoke to Han Lu, a senior who appreciated and mentored him, about his future spiritual practice plans.

This scene was no different from when Senior Han Lu recounted her Nascent Soul Realm cultivation plan and arrangements.

Han Lei spoke with great enthusiasm, and Han Lu was happy to be a good listener, just like teaching her apprentice, giving Han Lei some time and experience in her spare time.

Having cultivated for nearly fifteen years, Han Lei possesses a wealth of theoretical knowledge and experience, and naturally, his plans for the next three years are quite comprehensive and well-thought-out.

The rule that one must cultivate to the twelfth level of Qi Refining before attempting Foundation Establishment was particularly well-received by Han Lu.

After listening to everything, Han Lu couldn't offer much advice, but she did add some details and gave some of her own insights and suggestions.

Finally, Han Lu added, "In my opinion, you will only discover how well you are compatible with this technique when you actually start practicing it."

Han Lu's words made Han Lei's mind wander.

As the absolute authority in Han Lei's eyes, Han Lei's trust in Han Lu, if quantifiable, should be infinitely close to 100%.

Seeing how much Han Lu appreciated him, Han Lei finally mustered the courage to take the initiative and propose another tangible opportunity for himself.

"Since Senior Han Lu doesn't mind my appearance, I wonder if I could have the honor of becoming your disciple? I will definitely follow you and cultivate diligently, and I will not disgrace our sect or bring shame to you."

Han Lei finished speaking in one breath, then lowered his head anxiously, hoping that Han Lu would agree to take him, this "rising star," as her apprentice.

"Although there's no knowledgeable old man hiding in the ring to help me, having a beautiful and highly skilled female master would make me look like a protagonist," Han Lei muttered to himself.

Han Lu had anticipated Han Lei's request to become her apprentice and had already planned how to respond.

"We have the reality of being master and disciple, but we are not destined to be master and disciple."

“In the future, I will be cultivating in the wilderness for a long time; that is not a place for you.”