CHAPTER 434: CHAPTER 430: OLD FRIEND HAS PASSED AWAY

Lu Ren made some oblique inquiries, finally confirming that Chen Han was unaware of the return of the Immortal Gods, and thus said no more.

They chatted until three in the morning, after which Chen Han bid farewell to Lu Ren and left.

Watching Chen Han’s departing figure, the nostalgic look on Lu Ren’s face gradually faded, while Ji Quanzhen, sitting not far at the table, downed his cocktail in one gulp.

"You even keep probing your first love, that’s really something."

Lu Ren glanced at Ji Quanzhen, who had been quietly listening to their conversation since he arrived before them, being a regular at this Qingbar. Ever since becoming a monkey, he seemed to grow younger, restarting his second lifetime.

Lu Ren, with a calm expression, said, "I always need to confirm whether the other person’s perspectives have changed."

Ji Quanzhen, holding a wine glass, came over to sit down.

"So, did you see anything?"

"Very polite, very warm, making interactions quite pleasant, but..."

Lu Ren changed his tone, and Ji Quanzhen, sitting opposite, showed an expression of having anticipated this.

"But her heart is like a deep layer of frozen ice. If you look directly into her eyes, paying a little attention, you can see her indifference towards me, towards those around her, and even towards all things in the world."

With some hesitation, Lu Ren said uncertainly, "If this is indeed the case, then she might have already entered the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Realm, seeing everything as void except for herself."

In simpler terms, Chen Han is now extremely self-centered, like a mindset of ’I think, therefore I am,’ with everything revolving around her; what she perceives, what she thinks, what she touches, is the only reality.

This is the doctrinal philosophy of the Shangjing Sect, similar to the Primordial Celestial Venerable, almost to an extreme self-obsession, though this state of narcissism is quite hidden.

Ji Quanzhen appeared indifferent: "After joining a cultivation sect like the Shangjing Sect, did you really think she could return to the mundane world?"

He took a sip of his drink, with a slightly complicated expression, "Actually, such cultivators are not rare anywhere, even in Huaxia. No matter how harsh the world may become, they make every possible effort, using any means necessary, all focused on prolonging their own lives.

Fortunately, these guys only care about themselves and are not much of a threat."

Lu Ren replied, "I suppose there are quite a few such elders in the Quanzhen Dao of Qingcheng?"

"Of course, not just in Qingcheng’s Quanzhen Taoist, but also in the Buddhist Sect and Wudang. Any sect with a long history and a solid Cultivation Dao Scripture will have some old immortals, and they are rather lucky these days to finally witness the revival of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism."

Ji Quanzhen, somewhat troubled, rubbed his temples, "I just hope these people do nothing but practice cultivation quietly. I dread that once they find out their ineffective Divine Power Techniques are regaining power, they’ll have many crooked ideas.

You surely know that these people aren’t benevolent. To keep advancing and seeking the path, they would commit acts as heinous as massacring cities or annihilating clans, just like in the Mythical Era."

These cultivators are already ancient and rarely descend the mountains, feeling a strong disconnection with the contemporary era and having almost no attachment whatsoever. Some have even limped through over two hundred years, their bodies and Divine Souls decayed to the extreme, yet still striving to survive.

It’s hard to imagine what actions these cultivators will take under the revival of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism, especially considering that in crafting Taoist Artifacts, Magic Treasures, or refining Human Pill, even if Heavenly and Earthly Treasures are essential, humans are still irreplaceable auxiliary materials.

Problems will inevitably arise at that time.

Lu Ren’s eyes flickered with a subtle expression, ultimately sighing, "Indeed, after all these years, I’ve become like this; how could others not change?"

Ji Quanzhen shook his head slightly, thought for a moment, and still lowered his voice, "Be careful; some returning Ancient Immortal Gods don’t have physical bodies..."

Lu Ren raised an eyebrow, "That’s quite a disheartening revelation."

"With your expression, it’s hard for me to believe you’re truly hurt by it."

After bidding farewell to Ji Quanzhen, Lu Ren slowly walked down the road, which was, by then, late past three in the morning. There wasn’t a soul on the street, only the occasional thrill-seeking street racers revving their engines through the main roads.

About halfway, Lu Ren suddenly halted, eyeing the slender figure ahead. On her back was a longsword.

"Were you waiting for me?"

Lu Ren inquired aloud, his eyes involuntarily fixating on the Dragon-Biting Sword behind Chen Han.

It was indeed Chen Han, who at that moment, turned her crystalline eyes upon him with an inscrutable look, before eventually saying, "I’m actually quite curious about what’s so special about you that the Shangjing Sect would issue an order to have you killed."

The Shangjing Edict?

Lu Ren understood this was the highest sect command from the Shangjing Sect. Once issued, the entire sect would exert all its efforts to accomplish one task.

"Kill?" Lu Ren asked, somewhat surprised, "What on earth did the Shangjing Sect take to issue such an order?"

"Maybe there’s something about you," Chen Han remarked playfully, winking at Lu Ren, "Sorry, Lu Ren, but the sect offers a substantial reward for capturing you, enough resources to elevate me to another major realm in no time."

Lu Ren was intrigued, "Are you that sure you can handle me? So it wasn’t by chance that we met tonight."

"I researched your data and experienced your strength up close. You’re just beginning your Path Determination, which is entirely manageable for me. With this sword, you won’t escape."

Seeing the joy in Chen Han’s eyes, an expression brimming with confidence, Lu Ren couldn’t help but sigh softly, "I really don’t know what the world has come to, that it would turn you into this."

Chen Han paused for a moment and then raised her delicate hand, gazing at it. Her hand aimed at the stars, and she murmured, "Power, when you feel your power crossing into the extraordinary, reaching inconceivable levels, can you imagine the sublime feeling?"

She raised her head, looked Lu Ren in the eye, and sized up his current form.

"It seems you understand."

Lu Ren mused, "I profoundly understand the ever-growing power within."

When your progress is quantified, each step forward gives immediate gratification; the exhilarating feeling of level-up surely leaves a lasting impression.

Pausing, he couldn’t resist teasing the relaxed-looking Chen Han, "Do you really desire to eliminate your old classmate so much?"