章 9: Chapter 9 The Essence of Immortality_1
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"In such a rush, what is the meaning of this unseemly behavior?"
Han Li's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he spoke indifferently.
Chastened by Han Li's rebuke, the middle-aged man shuddered and said weakly, "Father, a man has arrived outside the manor, claiming that he has urgent business with you."
To seek me?
Han Li's eyebrows furrowed further. Apart from a trip to Tianxuan Mountain a few months ago, he hadn't left Lingjun City in decades. Who would come looking for him?
Han Li carefully inquired about the appearance of the visitor and, upon reflection, realized he didn't recognize the person.
After pacing back and forth, he made a decision.
"Bring that person to the great hall, I shall arrive shortly."
Having said this, Han Li went to the side hall, intending to observe the visitor in secret and discern his true intentions.
Han Li sighed. He remembered how, when he was cultivating on Tianxuan Mountain, he too had a heart filled with bravery and diligence, daring to fight for cultivation resources.
After descending the mountain with the 'golden finger,' Han Li's mindset changed, becoming one of conservatism. He insisted on certainty in all things — "A cautious driver will have a long life," avoiding risks whenever possible. His life was important; the longer he lived, the stronger he would become.
He believed he had comprehended the essence of longevity and survival, condensed into one word: Persevere!
A stranger showing up unannounced with urgent business, and one he did not even recognize, made Han Li extremely cautious.
Was this person here to assassinate him?
Was he being asked to save someone?
Or was he being invited to some grand event?
Perhaps to explore the ruins of some great power?
...
All possibilities flashed through Han Li's mind. He had recently advanced to the Pihai Realm, and had taken five new concubines, preparing to celebrate his two hundredth birthday, causing quite a stir in Fengyang Manor.
It had taken him nearly fifty years to break through to the Pihai Realm and the future was promising. Han Li certainly didn't want to capsize in a gutter and die an anonymous death.
If he died, what would happen to his twelve concubines?
Han Li had no desire to let others do the plumbing repairs for him.
Shaking his head to clear away such thoughts, he saw his descendants leading a person into the great hall.
The visitor was a middle-aged man in his thirties, rough-looking with an appearance of urgency, seemingly with extremely urgent matters as he paced back and forth in the hall, occasionally rubbing his hands together.
After carefully observing for a while, Han Li breathed a sigh of relief when he confirmed that the man was only at the seventh level of the Rebirth Realm. With his eighth level cultivation in the Pihai Realm, unless the visitor was a Gangyuan Realm expert, it was impossible to conceal his cultivation level from Han Li.
If the man was of the Gangyuan Realm, he would have simply forced his way in, not bothering with this pretense. Moreover, there were only a few in the entire Fengyang Manor, and no one had a grudge against him.
After watching for some time, Han Li gracefully entered the main hall and took his seat at the head, overtly observing the rough-looking middle-aged man, while internally he remained alert, ready to activate his dual protective divine abilities at a moment's notice.
"Who are you, and what matters bring you to seek me out?"
Although he appeared young, being two hundred years old, it was quite normal for him to refer to himself as an elder in front of the middle-aged man.
Ignoring the youth of the Han Family Elder, the anxious middle-aged man hurriedly spoke, "Elder Han, my name is Zhang Xuan. I am the prime disciple of Old Master Qiuxuan, and I am here by my master's orders, asking you to come with me as soon as possible."
As he spoke, Zhang Xuan took out a token given to him by Qiu Xuan.
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Qiu Xuan?
Glancing at the token, Han Li's brow furrowed slightly. He was all too familiar with the name, but why would Qiu Xuan urgently seek him out all of a sudden? Could there be some deceit involved?
When he cultivated at Tianxuan Mountain, Qiu Xuan was his fellow Sect Disciple, seven or eight years his junior. The two of them had a good relationship, promoted to the rank of Foreign Disciples together, and ventured out into the world side by side.
Lamentably, after Han Li failed to break through to the Pihai Realm and left the mountain in despair, Qiu Xuan had sent him back to Lingjun City with regret before returning to Tianxuan Mountain to continue his cultivation.
Only after learning from Han Li's failure did Qiu Xuan prepare thoroughly before attempting to break through the Pihai Realm himself, achieving success in one go and raising his status significantly on Tianxuan Mountain.
During his recent return to Tianxuan Mountain, many old friends visited him, yet Qiu Xuan indeed hadn't come. Han Li thought he might be out experiencing the world and didn't give it much thought. Now it seemed that Qiu Xuan must be in some trouble. After all, the title "Old Master" was something only used in the Mortal World; how could Qiu Xuan dare claim such a title on Tianxuan Mountain?
Thoughtful, Han Li continued to inquire, "What does Brother Qiu Xuan want with me?"
The rugged middle-aged man glanced at the waiting Han Family descendants, appearing somewhat hesitant.
"Speak freely," Han Li said indifferently.
With no other choice, the rugged middle-aged man finally said, "The master has suffered a grave injury and is not long for this world. Having heard of Old Master Han's breakthrough to the Pihai Realm, he sent me to request your presence. The master said that the person he trusts most is you."
Not long for this world?
Han Li was startled. What had his old friend gotten himself into to suffer such a grave injury?
Han Li had been closely observing the rugged middle-aged man's expression and knew he wasn't lying. Coupled with the information he provided, Han Li was quite convinced, albeit still hesitant.
Han Li gestured with his hand.
The waiting descendant immediately escorted the rugged man out to wait outside.
"Ah, what to do?" Han Li's expression struggled with the decision.
His relationship with Qiu Xuan was one forged in life-and-death situations, lasting over a hundred years. Although they hadn't been in touch for the past fifty years, their friendship remained unchanged.
Now that Qiu Xuan was gravely injured and near death, asking him to come was likely about entrusting his final affairs and ensuring his family's welfare.
This was not a big problem for Han Li. His worry was whether there might be something more significant behind it all. It was out of character for Qiu Xuan to sustain such severe injuries without a reason.
Had the enemy who left him critically wounded died? If not, and still alive, they might be stronger than Qiu Xuan, potentially even a Gangyuan Realm expert, with a powerful Sect behind them...
This was the reason for Han Li's hesitation.
He was accustomed to caution, having not engaged in combat for fifty years. Although he had achieved the advanced stages of the Pihai Realm, the eighth level, and possessed two Lower Grade Profound Rank martial arts, any action would expose his abilities, attracting unwanted trouble.
If the enemy was from the Pihai Realm, Han Li was confident he could vanquish them. But if they were from the Gangyuan Realm, he feared he could only ensure his own safety. Not only would he be unable to avenge his friend, but he would also draw the attention of a formidable foe.
Half a quarter-hour later, Han Li exited the great hall, his expression once again as placid as a still well. To the anxiously waiting rugged man, he said,
"Let's go, take me to Brother Qiu Xuan."
"That's great!"
The rugged middle-aged man was overjoyed. He had finally heard the words he had been waiting for. Though he had only waited outside the grand hall for half a quarter-hour, it felt to him as long as years, filled with torment. He feared that if Old Master Han did not come, his master could not rest peacefully in death.
Soon, Han Li and Zhang Xuan left Lingjun City, heading toward the city where Qiu Xuan was located. Zhang Xuan, having a lower realm and unable to fly, to save time, Han Li carried him in flight. Fortunately, Han Li's realm had advanced to the later stages of the eighth level of the Pihai Realm; otherwise, it would have been difficult.
There was no choice, for Qiu Xuan was his life-and-death friend. Now that he was dying, Han Li could not ignore it—had he not known, it would be another matter, but now that he did, his own conscience would not allow him to stay away.
Of course, Han Li was fully prepared to handle any situation, wearing a Top Grade Yellow Rank inner armor and carrying the Sun Chasing Bow on his back. With his cultivation at the later stages of the eighth level of the Pihai Realm and mastery of two complete protective divine arts, even an ordinary Gang Yuan Realm adversary could not kill him.
Should a real Gang Yuan Realm enemy appear, Han Li would not recklessly put himself forward. Compared to his friend, his own life was more important.
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