Chapter 929: The Current State of an Old Friend
Chapter 929: The Current State of an Old Friend
The two men entered the Lei Huo Planet Cave, speeding through the myriad of tiny thunderbolts that filled the air. Moments later, they arrived outside of Lu Chen's cave abode.
"We're here," Lu Chen said as he landed on the ground. With a thought, the Wan Zhang Xuan Jing Array opened, creating a passage for both of them to enter.
"Your cave abode is filled with spiritual energy that rivals that of the Inner Sect of Tian Jian Zong," Gu Po remarked in awe as he sensed the rich and pure spiritual energy surrounding them.
He followed Lu Chen through the layers of mist, feeling the essence of the plants and trees permeating through it.
"With so many high-grade spirit plants, it's no wonder your reputation as a Spirit Herbalist has spread throughout the Li Yang Realm," he said in a low voice. Suddenly, a large number of strangely shaped spirit beasts rushed towards them.
Gu Po's eyes widened reflexively, and a black and white spiritual light shone within them.
"Elder Brother Gu, these are all spirit beasts that I've tamed. They won't hurt anyone," Lu Chen reassured him as he gently soothed the excited beasts.
"Fourth and even Fifth-grade spirit beasts, and such exotic sprites," Gu Po exclaimed.
"And over there, a mystical beast resembling the ancient Qilin with its special bloodline," Lu Chen added.
"I never expected you to establish such a vast enterprise on the Zhongzhou Continent, Little Brother Lu," Gu Po said, his expression complex.
He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Lu Chen. His smooth progression to the Golden Core stage had a lot to do with Lu Chen's help.
The issue of incubating the Yin Yang Kun fish had been effortlessly solved by Lu Chen, resulting in an astonishing growth rate that greatly benefited Gu Po in his cultivation of the corresponding techniques.
When it was time for him to attempt the Golden Core breakthrough, it was Lu Chen who informed him about the Saint Infant Pill, which increased the chances of a successful foundation establishment. This allowed Gu Po to prepare in advance and acquire the precious pill.
With all these factors in mind, upon learning of Lu Chen's whereabouts, he was overjoyed and eager to find him as soon as possible. He wanted to bring Lu Chen back to the Dong Xuan Sword Sect, rekindle their bond as fellow sect members, and repay Lu Chen for his previous assistance.
However, he never expected to be continually surprised by Lu Chen's revelations.
The aloof and stern Master Han Zhen of the Han Zhen Sword Peak, whom they had met on their journey, had also appeared in that small shop and enthusiastically invited Lu Chen to join the Han Zhen Sword Peak.
It was the first time Gu Po had seen Master Han Zhen take such initiative, and the smile on his face in the shop far exceeded the total of all the smiles Gu Po had seen from him in their previous encounters.
Such a stark contrast left Gu Po's mind in a state of turmoil, and he struggled to calm himself.
The two men sat in the courtyard, tasting spirit fruits and drinks while chatting casually.
"Little Brother Lu, it hasn't been easy for you to wander alone for so many years," Gu Po said solemnly.
It wasn't easy for a late-stage Foundation Establishment Spirit Herbalist to reach the late Golden Core stage in just a few decades, even with great opportunities. One could only imagine the hardships and dangers Lu Chen must have faced during this time.
"It's been alright," Lu Chen replied with a nonchalant smile.
Hardship? He didn't really feel that way. He had simply cultivated and harvested spirit plants, collected light groups, and smoothly progressed to where he was today.
"But those hard times are finally over. Once you return to the Dong Xuan Sword Sect, with your skills in spirit plants, spirit brews, and talisman crafting, I'm sure we'll have to rely on you a lot in the future, Little Brother Lu," Gu Po said with a smile.
"Elder Brother Gu is too kind. We are fellow sect brothers, so it's only natural to look out for each other," Lu Chen replied humbly.
"By the way, Elder Brother Gu, how are the True Transmission senior brothers and sisters from Tian Jian Zong doing now?" Lu Chen asked curiously.
"They've had their fair share of fortunes and misfortunes. Some good, some bad," Gu Po sighed softly and put down the white jade wine cup in his hand.
"Among them, Jian Wuxia, due to her innate Sword Body, caught the attention of a Sword Master after entering the Dong Xuan Sword Sect. She became his disciple and smoothly broke through to the Golden Core stage. Currently, she has reached the mid-Golden Core stage," he continued.
"Speaking of which, I still have some high-grade Sword Grass that Senior Sister Jian Wuxia entrusted me to cultivate!" Lu Chen said with a smile.
A fourth-grade Sword Peacock and a fifth-grade White Bone Kill-Life Sword Grass were both commissioned by Jian Wuxia. This would be a good opportunity to return them to her.
"As for Fire Qilin's cultivation path, it hasn't been as smooth," Gu Po said.
"Despite his extraordinary talent and innate Fire Spirit body, after entering the Dong Xuan Sword Sect, he found it hard to accept the disparity in status and identity. In a hurry to catch up, he rushed to break through to the Golden Core stage."
"Unfortunately, his first attempt ended in failure, and his cultivation base was damaged. It took a long time for him to recover, and now he's preparing for his second attempt at the Golden Core realm."
Ger Po shook his head in dismay.
Lu Chen's mind conjured the image of a young cultivator dressed in a bright red robe, his appearance as youthful as a child's.
"What about Brother Zhong JingShan?" Lu Chen asked.
"Zhong JingShan has fallen," Ger Po replied, his face bearing a complex expression.
"Ah?" Lu Chen was taken aback.
Zhong JingShan, a fellow True Transmission disciple of Tian Jian Zong, was an expert in beast taming and kept many exotic insects. The two had a good relationship, and Zhong JingShan had once aided Lu Chen in dealing with an evil cultivator who used the Saint Infant Fruit as bait.
Now, hearing of his demise, Lu Chen felt a sense of loss.
"Zhong JingShan may have seemed quiet and reserved, but he had a proud and ambitious spirit, unwilling to fall behind. After entering the Dong Xuan Sword Sect, he constantly ventured out to temper himself. Unfortunately, during an exploration of a secret realm, he was ambushed and killed by several evil cultivators," Ger Po explained, his head lowered as his fingers tightened around the white jade wine cup.
The pain of losing a close friend was evident in his voice.
"My condolences, Brother Ger," Lu Chen said softly.
"It's been over thirty years, I've learned to accept it," Ger Po said, taking a deep breath. "Out of the seventeen True Transmission disciples of Tian Jian Zong, two perished during the demon invasion. Of the remaining fifteen, including myself, five have broken through to the Golden Core realm, and nine are just a step away. Only Zhong JingShan met with an unexpected end."
He gave Lu Chen a detailed account of the current state of their fellow disciples.
"Right, Brother Ger, what about the sect's guardian beasts that came with us back then?" Lu Chen suddenly remembered the White Jade Qingtian Yuan, the Xuan Tian Luan bird, and the old dragon turtle who enjoyed indulging in paintings of beautiful women.
"I'm not too sure about that," Ger Po replied after a moment's thought. "I've only caught glimpses of them from time to time. I assume the Sword Sect is taking good care of them."
"I wonder if those two guardian beasts still remember me..."
"...and if that dragon turtle still has as much free time to indulge in his hobbies," Lu Chen added silently to himself.
"Lu Chen, I'm here. Did you say there's a fellow disciple from the Dong Xuan Sword Sect in the Li Yang Realm?" A warm voice, tinged with a hint of urgency, reached Lu Chen's ears.
A smile appeared on Lu Chen's face as he had notified Shen Ye as soon as he learned of Ger Po's arrival, and now the two had a chance to meet in the cave abode.
"Brother Ger, put away your spiritual sense and guess who this is. You have three breaths' time," Lu Chen said with a smile.
Ger Po closed his black and white eyes, trying to recall the owner of the voice from among their former sect members. It had been over seventy years since they had left the Yunxu Domain, and the voices of their fellow disciples had become vague in his memory.
His eyes snapped open, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. "Shen Ye, Sword Hall disciple?"
(End of Chapter)
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