Chapter 1264: Traces of an Old Acquaintance
Chapter 1264: Traces of an Old Acquaintance
Lu Xuan braved the lightning and arrived at the Dong Mansion where he once lived.
"The same familiar Barrier Crystal Array."
His divine sense swept over the area, and he immediately recognized the protective array hidden outside the mansion. The corners of his mouth curled into a smile.
"Hmm? No one in the Dong Mansion?"
He entered the familiar grounds, finding the entire mansion empty and devoid of life.
Only some low-grade spirit herbs grew in the spirit fields, none of which he had planted himself.
"The entire mansion is clean and orderly, clearly well-maintained."
Lu Xuan mused to himself.
Entering the mansion, he looked at the unchanged layout, and scenes from the past flashed through his mind.
"The only difference is that there are no guards from the Heavenstar Grotto stationed outside the mansion."
He chuckled softly.
This was understandable; the actual owner of the Dong Mansion hadn't returned in years, and keeping guards outside would have been pointless.
A moment later, a sword beam shot out of the endless lightning.
Hong Qinghai hurriedly dismounted from his flying sword, perhaps because his emotions were too agitated, causing him to stumble slightly upon landing.
He had been tending to his business in the shop when he learned that a cultivator had entered the Dong Mansion in the Thunder Mars Cave. A thought immediately crossed his mind:
Elder Lu is back!
Arriving outside the Dong Mansion, he dusted off his robe, took a deep breath, and composed himself.
Passing through the Barrier Crystal Array, he saw a handsome young man smiling at him.
"Qinghai greets Elder Lu!"
Hong Qinghai knelt on one knee, his voice trembling slightly.
"Rise."
Lu Xuan smiled and nodded.
"It's been about seventy to eighty years since we last met. How are you doing now?"
"Thanks to your concern, everything is well."
Hong Qinghai replied respectfully.
"When I left the Cloudvoid Region, I gifted this mansion to you. Now that I'm back, I see no signs of life here. What's the reason for this?"
Lu Xuan sat on a white jade chair and casually asked.
"Reporting to Elder, the shop is in the Heavenstar Tower, and I need to be there daily. It's not convenient to come and go, so I haven't moved into the mansion yet."
"However, I thought Elder might return to visit, so I come to clean and maintain it every so often."
Hong Qinghai found a reasonable explanation and spoke earnestly.
"You are quite thoughtful."
Lu Xuan nodded lightly.
"How has the shop been these past years?"
"Thanks to Elder's reputation and the support from the Heavenstar Grotto and the Ocean Tower Guild, the shop has been thriving, with no conflicts with other forces."
Hong Qinghai said solemnly.
"Running the shop is important, but you mustn't neglect your cultivation. What is your current level?"
Lu Xuan asked gently.
"After Elder left, I practiced for over a decade with slow progress. Then, I took the Origin Spirit Pill you bestowed upon me and broke through to the Late Foundation Establishment stage, reaching the Perfection Realm."
Hong Qinghai's face showed deep gratitude.
"Wen Gan achieved Core Formation about twenty to thirty years ago."
Lu Xuan said calmly.
"My potential is limited, and I have disappointed Elder."
Hong Qinghai quickly said.
"This is a normal cultivation pace, and there's no disappointment."
"I won't be taking you back to the Sword Sect this time, but my previous promise still stands. When you reach a critical breakthrough, you can come to the Sword Sect for my assistance."
"Additionally, this Pure Yang Golden Lotus Seed and Spirit Nourishing Tea Leaf can help you refine your physical body and spirit. Keep them safe and use them when the time is right."
Lu Xuan instructed, handing Hong Qinghai a crimson golden lotus seed and a translucent light green tea leaf.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Hong Qinghai bowed deeply.
Lu Xuan encouraged him a few more times before he hurriedly left.
Less than half an hour after receiving the news, Daoist Mu arrived outside the Dong residence.
"Daoist Mu, it's been a long time."
Lu Xuan went out to greet him.
It had been seventy or eighty years since they last met, and Daoist Mu had visibly aged. His temples were slightly gray, and his face bore the marks of many years of hardship.
"Daoist Lu, I heard you've advanced to the Mid Nascent Soul stage. Congratulations."
"I learned you were back, so I came to pay a visit."
Seeing Lu Xuan, who had reached the Mid Nascent Soul stage, personally come to greet him, Daoist Mu secretly felt relieved.
"Ha ha ha, just a visit isn't enough. We should have a few good drinks to make up for the past decades."
Lu Xuan laughed heartily.
"I've recently brewed a new spirit called Green Lotus Wine. It's a high-quality spirit, and I'd like to share it with you, Daoist Mu."
"Today, we won't part until we're thoroughly drunk."
"Not until we're thoroughly drunk!"
The two entered a secluded courtyard.
"How have you been, Daoist Mu?"
As they drank, Lu Xuan asked.
"Still the same. I have no hope of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, and my lifespan is getting shorter. Each year is worse than the last. I estimate I have only a few decades left."
Daoist Mu smiled bitterly, looking at Lu Xuan, who had already reached the Mid Nascent Soul stage, and took a large sip of Green Lotus Wine.
"Do you have any news about the old acquaintances from the Thunderfire Cave?"
"Guo Bingqiu suffered severe injuries and lost much of his foundation. He passed away about thirty years ago."
"Jade Forest Recluse was ambushed by an evil cultivator during an exploration of a secret realm and died from his injuries."
"Daoist Ye Xuan Yin offended a Nascent Soul True Monarch from the Heavenstar Grotto and moved away from the Thunderfire Cave many years ago. No one knows if he's still alive."
"And there are others..."
Borrowing the strength of the alcohol, Daoist Mu spoke at length.
"Ah..."
Lu Xuan sighed deeply.
"I didn't expect things to have changed so much in the Thunderfire Cave after all these years."
His mind was filled with thoughts, and the faces of old friends flashed through his mind.
"Sometimes I really envy you, Daoist Lu. You entered the Transcendent Cavern Sword Sect as a Spiritual Plant Master and even advanced to the Mid Nascent Soul stage, a level we can only dream of. You've truly taken control of your own destiny."
A hint of envy flashed in Daoist Mu's eyes.
"Daoist Lu has just been fortunate with some opportunities. The path is long and arduous, and there's still much to strive for."
Lu Xuan said sincerely.
"By the way, Daoist Mu, while I was at the Sword Sect, I collected a longevity spirit herb called the Heavenly Origin Fruit and unexpectedly obtained a Seventh Rank Turtle Crane Essence Pill. I'll give them to you, hoping they can extend your lifespan."
"Otherwise, the next time I return to the Cloudvoid Region, it will be hard to find someone to drink with."
Lu Xuan smiled and a radiant white spirit fruit and a spirit pill with an ancient turtle and crane spirit hovering around it appeared before him.
"A Sixth Rank longevity spirit herb, the Heavenly Origin Fruit?"
"And a Seventh Rank Turtle Crane Essence Pill?"
"Is this the same spirit pill that can rejuvenate and greatly extend one's lifespan?"
Daoist Mu stared intently at the floating Turtle Crane Essence Pill, involuntarily swallowing.
"These are the two treasures."
Lu Xuan smiled slightly.
"This... it's too valuable!"
"Especially the Turtle Crane Essence Pill. I don't deserve it, Daoist Lu. You should keep it and exchange it for other treasures."
"Given the rarity of the Turtle Crane Essence Pill, it might even get you an Eighth Rank Spirit Seed."
Daoist Mu struggled to look away.
(End of Chapter)
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