Chapter 529

Chapter 529: Yan Lu

Yang Jiuzhen’s esteemed mentor was known as Yan Lu, a mid-stage Bosa female cultivator who had lived for eighteen hundred years. Every personal disciple she accepted had the character "Jiu" added to their names.

For example, Ren Jiufeng, Mi Jiugong, Yan Jiuzhang, Zhen Jiunan, Jiang Jiuchen, Han Jiuyou, and many more—over two hundred personal disciples, half of whom had already passed away, as none could outlive their master.

The other disciples either traveled the world, entered closed-door training without coming out, or chose husbands and started families, with grandsons already becoming cultivators.

Yang Jiuzhen was Yan Lu’s last disciple. After accepting Jiuzhen, the elder made it clear that there would be no further connection with the mortal realm—friends bringing family to seek her out were also not included on the walls of her sect.

Yan Lu was very fond of this youngest disciple, as she was the last one, and her teachings had come to a close in this lifetime!

Jiuzhen did not disappoint Yan Lu’s expectations, reaching mid-stage Bosa from the age of seven to nineteen. Although the speed of body cultivation was remarkable, it was soaked in sweat. Comparing that to Li Hui, who at nineteen was struggling on Wan Nest Island, relying on talismans to pierce acupoints and make rapid progress, yet he couldn’t even glimpse mid-stage Bosa.

In terms of cultivation, Li Hui and Yang Jiuzhen were now neck and neck, but Li Hui had vastly superior experience and battle skills. Thus, throughout history, many talented cultivators who advanced quickly fell early.

Upon returning to the stone city, they found that a high-level demon cultivator had suppressed the wind outside the city, and numerous passageways had been added within, allowing unrestricted movement.

Li Hui met Yan Lu in a stone house. This mid-stage cultivator had small braids in her hair and looked only around fifty years old, with a kind and gentle demeanor, appearing like an ordinary woman.

High-level cultivators had already returned to simplicity, and her current form might not even be her true body. Even Li Hui had an External Transformation; it was normal for such beings to have numerous incarnations.

Old Li had left a message that respected Yan Lu, referring to her as "the master," so Li Hui addressed Yang Jiuzhen and Ren Jiufeng as "Senior Sister" and "Junior Sister." Who could have guessed this was the origin of their relations?

Seeing Junior Sister, Ren Jiufeng pulled her aside and whispered, “That ancient tomb is just as Junior Brother Li said; it’s where dangerous Dao soldiers are trained, and it nearly wore me out!”

At this moment, Yan Lu studied Li Hui intently and suddenly smiled, saying, “So it’s you; truly a fateful encounter! However, this fate is like seeing flowers in the mist—whether we can renew it is uncertain. After all, for us, the future is but a shadow, not truly real—just an illusion.”

“Thank you, Master Yan, for your guidance. The world is unpredictable; let’s take it as it comes,” Li Hui performed a disciple’s salute, causing Yan Lu’s disciples to show astonished expressions, but the master graciously accepted, leaving others puzzled.

“This…” Ren Jiufeng and Yang Jiuzhen were equally surprised, completely unaware of when Li Hui had tied his relationship to their master, no wonder he addressed them as sisters.

It was not surprising for such a high-level cultivator to unravel time’s mysteries and casually guide Li Hui, advising him not to be too deeply affected by the future; it wasn’t real, merely a possibility, like shadows being illusions.

Yan Lu continued, “You carry immense karmic burdens, as the saying goes, ‘when will grudges end?’ If not controlled, you’ll only sink deeper. The mortal world can be like this; the cultivator’s world is no different! The Jin Tian Sect can offer protection for a hundred years, but within that time, you must ascend to the Traveling Realm. If the Wutu Continent lacks opportunities, seek them elsewhere. You also possess nine Xuanhuang Certainty Stones; bring me six as exchange to help you suppress the Hongmo Sect’s leader for three years.”

“Thank you for your protection, senior!” Li Hui quickly cupped his hands in thanks. The elder’s involvement in his grievances would entail many responsibilities. This care was akin to that of a family member, and he was deeply grateful.

“You need to be particularly cautious; the Hongmo Sect’s leader has grasped control of the Dao, and if he promotes to mid-stage Bosa, it will be extraordinary. I, Yan Lu, pale in comparison!”

Upon hearing this, Li Hui pondered and took out six Xuanhuang Certainty Stones, offering them with both hands, asking, “So the Hongmo Sect’s leader is currently in the late Profound Law Stage, preparing to face tribulation for promotion to the Traveling Realm? How many other high-level cultivators does the Hongmo Sect have?”

“This is something you need not worry about,” Yan Lu replied, accepting the Xuanhuang Certainty Stones. “The Hongmo Sect is not a native sect of Wutu; it likely originated from the Xin Jin Continent’s Sinful Demon Sect, acting as an overseas branch. The leader, Shang Feiran, has hopes of promoting to the Traveling Realm, but the path he has chosen is fraught with difficulty. He should have faced tribulation about two hundred years ago, but feeling uncertain, he has hidden away. If you wish to strike against the Hongmo Sect, he won’t be unprepared. Destiny will intertwine, thus compelling him to take that step! However, if he fails to face tribulation, then once he becomes a high-level cultivator, you will have no chance to end this karmic tie.”

“Indeed! I understand!”

Li Hui nodded, sensing the urgency. If the Hongmo Sect’s leader truly managed to overcome his predicament and become a late-stage Bosa expert, he would be the first to exterminate him, and the Hongmo Sect’s power would extinguish the Heavenly Talisman Sect’s legacy, leaving no chance to survive.

Yan Lu transmitted a message: “The path of cultivation is arduous, and the path to Dao is even more challenging! Jiuzhen carries extraordinary talent. Although her early cultivation journey seems smooth, grave tribulations lie ahead. Escape one calamity, and another follows, intertwined in ways that leave this master helpless. Fortunately, with time overlapping, I can see a turning point for her through you today. The threads of fate are interconnected; many situations can shift. She was meant to die at the hands of Xiang Chitian, but fortuitously, you passed by and have already helped her avoid a terrible calamity! Moreover, as you advance together, your cultivation will enhance, indirectly reducing her tribulations so that she can be free of worry within a hundred years!”

“Uh?” Li Hui thought: “According to Old Li’s message, Jiuzhen should have been free of worry within a hundred years. If that’s the case, have I worked so hard just to return her to her original path? What about after a hundred years? Would fate still be unable to change?”

“Don’t think too much; say your goodbyes today. You will reunite in the future.” Yan Lu waved her sleeve with force, and before Li Hui and Yang Jiuzhen could bid farewell, she suddenly vanished from sight.

“Master, where did you send him?” Yang Jiuzhen hadn’t heard her master’s transmission and only saw her wave her sleeve and send Li Hui off to an unknown place, revealing her surprise and concern.

Several senior sisters laughed, with Ren Jiufeng teasing, “How did you become so caring after going out for a bit? Tsk, tsk, you’re only nineteen, and none of the sisters have suitors; you can’t get ahead of us.”

“Hey! What are you saying, Senior Sister? It’s… it’s infuriating!” Yang Jiuzhen stomped her foot, feeling her face heat up and her heart race.

“Alright, stop teasing Jiuzhen; her progress is quite significant.”

Yan Lu raised her hand to distribute treasures and said to Ren Jiufeng and the others, “I will take six Xuanhuang Certainty Stones to assist you six. Your Junior Sister has already used this stone and reaped extraordinary benefits. Remember, in three years, significant changes will occur; the Heavenly Hero Sect disciples will all face trials, and whether you can survive longer depends on how you accumulate in these years.”

Yang Jiuzhen was preoccupied with thoughts of Li Hui, harboring subtle feelings. However, as time passed, with them now worlds apart, she wondered how long she could endure.