Chapter 270

Chapter 270 Farewell Zhirui, Unpredictable

“Zhirui, what brings you so much joy?”

asked an elder with a white beard and a sage-like demeanor, sitting across from Lin Zhirui.

“It’s natural to be happy when a friend arrives from afar,”

Lin Zhirui said with a smile, putting away his jade compass.

“Oh, I wonder which young talent this is?”

Seeing the smile on his face, the elder with the sage-like demeanor was curious.

His disciple appeared calm and aloof, very friendly to everyone.

In reality, he possessed a very high aspirations, and ordinary people were simply not worthy of his attention.

Therefore, he was somewhat curious about what kind of person could make his most outstanding disciple so happy.

“Master, you should know this person. He is the Chen Songqing in Cangzhou that I once mentioned to you, the Elder Chen.”

“Oh, is that the one you mentioned, the innate realm expert with the light of merit?”

The elder with the sage-like demeanor was immediately intrigued.

“Indeed, over two years ago, I gave Senior Chen a jade token. I thought he’d come to Zhongzhou within the past year or two, but I never imagined he’d come until now.”

“Perhaps he sensed the changes in heaven and earth, and that’s why he came to Zhongzhou,” the sage-like elder speculated.

Following the changes in heaven and earth, spiritual energy revived across the land, with the most dramatic changes occurring in Zhongzhou.

Any Xiantian Realm cultivator with even a modicum of insight would not want to miss such an opportunity.

“Perhaps, I wonder if his disciple, that young friend Lu Qing, came with him,” Lin Zhirui said.

“Is he the young man who, while at the Jingu Realm, defeated the Tiancang Sect’s martial arts master?”

“Yes, that young man is incredibly gifted, with exceptional martial arts talent. I wonder if he’s reached the Xiantian Realm after two years.”

Lin Zhirui recalled Lu Qing’s calm face.

That young man was one of the most enigmatic figures he’d ever met.

And the only one he hadn’t been able to fully grasp since he assumed control of the sect’s rare treasures.

“Master, Elder Chen should be nearby. I need to go and greet him. I’m afraid we won’t be able to finish this game of chess.”

“Go ahead. The situation in the city is tense right now. The presence of such a kind-hearted and powerful person would be a blessing,” said the sage-like elder.

Lin Zhirui’s heart tightened slightly as he thought of the recent events in the Holy City.

He felt it necessary to explain the situation to the old doctor later, lest he be caught up in the chaos without knowing the truth.

“Master, this should be the place,”

Lu Qing said, gazing at the towering tower before him and the seven-star symbol atop it, identical to the one on the Tianji Tower in Qinglong City.

“Yes, I can sense that the vibrations picked up by the jade token are also coming from here,” the old doctor nodded.

Ma Gu asked, “How do we get in then? Do you need me to deliver the visiting card?”

“No need,” Lu Qing’s expression suddenly brightened, a smile spreading across his face. “An old friend has come to meet us.”

As he finished speaking, a figure in plain clothes emerged from the tower.

Who else could it be but Lin Zhirui, whom I hadn’t seen for over two years?

“It’s a pleasure to have friends visiting from afar,”

Lin Zhirui said, his demeanor even gentler than two years ago, as he approached with a smile.

“Old Master Chen, Young Master Lu Qing, it’s been over two years since we last met. How are you?”

“It’s been a long time, Zhirui,” the old doctor said with a smile.

“Thanks to Your Excellency Zhirui, everything is fine,” Lu Qing said with a bow.

“Greetings, Your Excellency Zhirui.”

Ma Gu and Wei Zi’an also bowed.

Wei Zi’an, in particular, was extremely respectful.

He knew that if Your Excellency Zhirui hadn’t intervened back then, their Wei family would probably no longer exist.

“Young Master Wei is here too?” Lin Zhirui was also a little surprised to see Wei Zi’an. “Is Old Master Wei Shanhai doing well?”

“My ancestor is still in good health. He also told me to say hello to Your Excellency Zhirui when I see him,” Wei Zi’an said respectfully.

“Senior Wei Shanhai, you’re too polite.”

Lin Zhirui secretly sized up Lu Qing and the old doctor.

After not seeing them for over two years, Lu Qing had grown considerably taller and his face had become much more handsome, while the old doctor hadn’t changed much, still looking the same as an elderly man.

But what surprised Lin Zhirui was that he couldn’t even discern the realm of Lu Qing and the old doctor’s cultivation.

Even when he secretly invoked the power of his rare treasures, he still gained nothing.

This shock was profound, leaving Lin Zhirui somewhat unconvinced.

After all, he was currently in the Xiantian realm, and after this period of seclusion, he had reached the peak of the Xiantian initial realm, only a step away from the Xiantian minor success stage.

Not to mention, over the past two years, through day and night of rituals and cultivation, he had completely refined and mastered the rare treasures bestowed by the sect.

Yet, even so, he couldn’t discern the realm of Lu Qing and his disciple.

Is it that the cultivation of these two has reached a level that he can’t reach, or do they also have rare treasures that can completely block his calculations and investigations?

Lin Zhirui’s heart was full of waves.

But his face remained calm, and he continued to chat with Lu Qing and the others. After

everyone exchanged greetings for a while, Lin Zhirui slapped his head and said: “Look at me, I’m too happy and even lost my manners. Please follow me in.”

After that, he was about to lead Lu Qing and the others into the tower.

“Sir Zhirui, what should we do with our carriage?” Ma Gu asked.

“That’s fine.”

Lin Zhirui was about to make arrangements when he suddenly spotted Lu Qing and his companions’ carriage and froze.

“Senior Chen, your horses…”

“On the way here, a few nights ago, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred, raining down countless moonlight. These two beasts were lucky enough to absorb two of these rays, and that’s how they became,”

Lu Qing said half-seriously.

“Are you referring to that strange phenomenon a few nights ago?” Lin Zhirui’s eyes flashed.

“Yes, the two horses pulling our carriage absorbed two of these moonlight rays that night, and for some reason, they became like this the next day. Fortunately, while their appearance has changed, their temperament hasn’t. In fact, they’ve become much stronger, allowing us to travel much faster and saving us a lot of time.”

“Those two horses have truly been blessed with good fortune,” Lin Zhirui praised, his expression regaining its composure. “Don’t worry, I’ll have the disciples within the sect take care of them. They won’t treat these two divine horses unfairly.”

Following Lin Zhirui’s instructions, disciples from the Tianji Tower immediately came up to help lead the horses.

“Wait a minute, we have an injured person on board.” Lu Qing walked to the carriage and knocked on the door. “Xiaoyan, help Sister Hu down.”

“Xiaoyan’s here too?”

Lin Zhirui was even more surprised.

However, when he saw Hu Zezhi stepping down from the carriage, his expression suddenly changed.

“My dear Lu Qing, this girl…”

“Did Your Excellency Zhirui see that?” Lu Qing said in a deep voice.

Lin Zhirui first stared at Hu Zezhi’s brows, then gave Lu Qing a deep look.

However, he didn’t reveal it, instead saying with a serious expression, “Everyone, please follow me in.”

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhirui into the Tianji Tower, unaware that a black-robed figure was lurking around a corner, over a hundred meters behind them.

Its double-pupillary eyes radiated an eerie light.

“A person of great fortune! A mysterious Yin body! And what is that, the light of merit?

So many gifted individuals are packed into this small carriage!

Could this truly be heaven’s help?”

A fervent glint crossed the black-robed figure’s eyes.

If he could devour the people ahead, his demonic form would transform to incredible heights.

Then, not only would the formations in this ruined city be powerless to suppress him, but even the old monsters on the Holy Mountain would no longer be a threat to him!

“This matter must be carefully considered. By devouring these people, I can lay the first foundation for my supreme demonic foundation!”

The black-robed figure’s eyes flashed with madness, yet his heart remained remarkably calm.

Although he spoke with disdain for the Holy City,

But he had to admit that he didn’t yet have the strength to do whatever he wanted in this city.

He might not even be able to defeat the old men in the Tianji Tower, let alone the old monsters on the Holy Mountain.

Therefore, everything had to be done in secret, slowly and deliberately.

The black-robed figure cast a deep glance at the Tianji Tower before gradually disappearing.

…

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhirui into the tower, but they didn’t go up. Instead, they passed through the tower and came to a large area of buildings at the back, finally stopping in a quiet courtyard.

“Senior Chen, this is my residence. It’s a little shabby, so please don’t mind it,” Lin Zhirui said apologetically.

“If you call this place shabby, then mine can only be called a shabby house,” the old doctor chuckled.

“How can this compare? Senior’s residence, that plum blossom tree alone, is more luxurious than any other.” Lin Zhirui shook his head slightly.

“So Zhirui is missing that plum blossom tea. It just so happens that I brought a lot with me this time, so I can brew some.”

The old doctor took out a bag of plum blossom tea that he had prepared in advance.

“The one who understands me is Elder Chen.”

After entering the Xiantian realm and condensing his Xiantian body, Lin Zhirui smelled the faint fragrance of plum blossom tea and was immediately delighted.

He immediately went to prepare the tea set.

After Lin Zhirui took out the tea set, the next step was the tea brewing process that Lu Qing was very familiar with. He was very familiar with this job. He

took the initiative to take over the work, and with his hands and feet, he boiled water and brewed tea leaves.

Soon, he brewed a pot of perfect plum blossom tea.

Lin Zhirui picked up one of the teacups, took a sip, and savored it slowly, with an intoxicated look on his face.

After a long pause, he sighed, “I’ve traveled the world over the past few years and tasted countless fine teas, but the one that I love most is your plum blossom tea, Senior Chen.”

“Sir Zhirui, didn’t you say you’d cultivate a plum blossom tea plant when you broke through to the Xiantian realm? Didn’t you succeed?” Lu Qing asked curiously.

The plum blossom tea tree in the courtyard halfway up the mountain was cultivated by the old doctor when he inadvertently drew upon the vital energy of heaven and earth when he reached the Xiantian realm.

When Lin Zhirui learned of the plum blossom tea tree’s origin, he had expressed a desire to emulate it, aiming to cultivate a plum blossom tea plant with the vital energy of heaven and earth when he reached the Xiantian realm.

Seeing that he was now at the Xiantian realm, Lu Qing asked this question.

Lin Zhirui looked embarrassed. “My breakthrough was while I was traveling. I had a sudden inspiration and it happened unintentionally. I didn’t have time to find a plum blossom tree at the time.”

For most warriors, the opportunity to break through to the Xiantian realm is something they only encounter once.

That flash of inspiration was fleeting, but once grasped, few would let it go.

Lin Zhirui was no exception. When he sensed the opportunity for a breakthrough, he didn’t hesitate; he achieved it instantly. He

only remembered the plum blossom tea tree later, but it was too late.

“That’s a shame,” Lu Qing lamented.

He knew how much he loved tea.

“Everything is fate. There’s nothing to regret.” Lin Zhirui shook his head. “It just means I didn’t have that opportunity.”

“That’s quite right, Zhirui,” the old doctor nodded approvingly.

He had always been calm and easygoing, and he greatly appreciated Lin Zhirui’s state of mind.

“Senior Chen, you’re so kind. Speaking of which, why did you only come to Zhongzhou now? I thought you’d come a year or two ago.”

“To be honest, it’s mainly because I’m so lazy. After living a carefree life in the countryside, I haven’t been able to muster the energy to go out, which is why it’s been delayed until today,” the old doctor said.

“Senior, you’re joking. I think it’s your personality that’s truly got you down.

If I’m not mistaken, your visit to Zhongzhou isn’t solely for the opportunity at the Holy Mountain, is it?”

Although Lin Zhirui had only known the old doctor for a short time, he knew him to be a compassionate and benevolent person.

The fact that he hadn’t been to the Holy Mountain for the past two years suggested he didn’t place much value on the opportunity.

His sudden arrival must have other reasons.

Unfortunately, he’d previously attempted to deduce the reason, but came up empty-handed.

“I’m not that indifferent, old man,” the doctor said with a smile. “However, besides the opportunity at the Holy Mountain, you’ve come to Zhongzhou for something else I’d like to clarify.”

“Is it about this girl?” Lin Zhirui looked at Hu Zezhi.

This startled the pretty young woman, who had been listening with rapt attention, confused as to why she was suddenly mentioned.

“This is just one of the things, but it’s also the most important thing right now. Zhirui, you should be able to see what’s wrong with Miss Hu, right?” the old doctor said.

“There’s an invisible black aura lingering between this girl’s brows, and it’s difficult to dissipate.

This is a sign of impending great danger, indicating that in the near future, this girl will face something more terrifying than death.”

Lin Zhirui’s face grew solemn as he spoke slowly.

“Indeed, Ah Qing and I have also vaguely sensed the calamity that is befalling Miss Hu, but we can’t figure out where it comes from. Does Zhirui have any idea how to deduce it?”

The old doctor knew that the Tianji Tower lineage was particularly skilled in divination.

If it were Lin Zhirui, he might be able to deduce a clue.

However, to the old doctor’s surprise, Lin Zhirui simply shook his head.

“I can’t figure it out. To be honest, Senior, I’ve already done this when I first saw this girl.

But the conclusion is completely obscure, impossible to deduce.”

“If you can’t even figure out Zhirui, that’s a problem.” The old doctor frowned.

“Senior Chen, Mr. Zhirui, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

At this time, Hu Zezhi finally couldn’t help but ask.

(End of this chapter)