12dz Chapter 193 Solving One Item at a Time
Chapter 193 Solving One Item at a Time
Chapter 194 Solving One by One
Han Li nodded slightly at this.
However, he quickly realized that it felt like Brother Lu was giving his last instructions.
Of course, it's not the kind of situation where someone is about to go to the battlefield and never return.
It's more like a long journey with an uncertain return date, implying entrusting everything around you to someone in advance.
"Brother Lu, what are you preparing for—?"
Lu Jianghe didn't answer directly, but changed the subject, his tone carrying a mischievous smile: "Don't slack off in your cultivation. One day, you'll have to return to Tiannan. When Nangong Wan becomes a Nascent Soul cultivator, and you're still a Core Formation cultivator, then that will be—"
He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, leaving a meaningful "hehe".
These teasing words instantly disrupted Han Li's thoughts.
He subconsciously touched his nose, but his eyes became unusually firm and resolute at that moment.
The words spoken in the Bloodstained Forbidden Land back then, which weren't even a vow, are etched into my heart like a brand.
If her path is fraught with storms and thorns, I, Han Li, am willing to clear them for her. If she is surrounded by powerful enemies, I, Han Li, will be the strongest shield in front of her.
This sentiment has never wavered and will never change.
Thinking of this, Han Li suddenly asked, "Brother Lu, don't just focus on me. You're surrounded by so many beautiful women—whether it's Sect Master Zi Ling, Fairy Yuan Yao, Miss Xin, Senior Zhuang, or even the exceptionally talented Yan Ruyan—aren't they all stunning beauties, one in a million? Do you really not feel anything for them at all?"
Han Li's eyes were filled with inquiry as he continued, "Especially Senior Zhuang, who is already a Nascent Soul cultivator, and Fellow Daoist Yan, who has a Heavenly Spiritual Root, their future is limitless. I think their hearts are all set on you."
After hearing this, Lu Jianghe simply chuckled softly and raised his hand to give him a light tap.
"You little brat, you dare to make fun of me? It's fine to make fun of me, but don't go around tarnishing my reputation."
Han Li chuckled, clearly unfazed by the words, and pressed on, "This is something anyone can see, Brother Lu. They're not just interested in you; their eyes are practically glued to you. Brother Lu, are you really not even a little bit tempted?"
Lu Jianghe's expression remained calm and indifferent, his gaze fixed on the distance, seemingly piercing through the stone walls of the cave, his voice carrying a detached tranquility.
"With the Great Dao ahead, the word 'emotion' is the most likely to erode one's resolve and entangle one in karma."
He withdrew his gaze and looked at Han Li, his tone calm and even. "If they can truly break through their shackles one day and reach the same level of cultivation, then when they look at this vast mortal world, their state of mind will be different. At that time, I will not be a completely heartless person."
Upon hearing this, Han Li touched his nose and looked at Lu Jianghe's seemingly carefree appearance, and the mischievousness in his heart faded away.
He knew that what Brother Lu said was true; his willpower and the steadfastness of his Daoist heart were far beyond what ordinary cultivators could match.
Those feelings that seem so beautiful to others are probably just like a gentle breeze and fleeting clouds in this person's eyes.
He said no more, only sighed softly, and murmured to himself, "The Great Dao is ruthless, but perhaps it cannot be devoid of compassion?"
Lu Jianghe did not answer the question directly, but instead raised his hand again, gently patted Han Li's shoulder, and left behind a meaningful remark.
"The tender feelings between men and women exist down the mountain, but not up on the mountain."
After saying that, he didn't linger. He turned around and drifted away, leaving Han Li standing alone, gazing in the direction he disappeared, lost in thought.
After Lu Jianghe left, the women sat together, and no one got up to leave.
For a moment, you could hear a pin drop; no one spoke, each lost in thought with their eyes lowered.
This was the first time they had encountered such a situation since they met Lu Jianghe.
Over the years, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he has always looked after everyone as an elder.
The feelings between them are not something that can be explained to outsiders, but they each know it better than anyone else in their hearts.
However, the women present all harbored some "strange" thoughts.
Those words kept in my heart were not unspoken, but rather unspoken.
I'm afraid of becoming a laughingstock, and even more afraid of making the wrong bet and ending up in an embarrassing situation.
No one dared to be the first to break the ice.
As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhuang Huayi's Dao heart was relatively stable. Although she was secretly moved, she was still able to control herself.
Xin Ruyin was gentle and reserved, with a clever mind that she kept hidden, and she appeared even more silent at this moment.
Yan Ruyan was different. She was exceptionally talented and more straightforward, with a hint of resentment and contemplation in her eyes.
Yuan Yao was the most quick-witted and unconventional, and some of her "gains" during her trip to the Void Heaven Palace stirred up ripples in her heart.
But at this moment, the obsession to save her senior sister Yanli weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her no time or energy to think about anything else.
If it were based on her usual reckless and impulsive nature, she wouldn't care about first-come-first-served or modesty, and she probably would have already said something shocking.
As for Zi Ling, her beauty was indeed slightly superior to hers.
If we add their individual character and temperament.
In terms of beauty alone, Zi Ling and Yuan Yao are equally matched.
Looking around at the women surrounding Lu Jianghe, one could rank them by beauty.
Zi Ling and Yuan Yao are undoubtedly first-rate figures, followed closely by Zhuang Huayi and Yan Ruyan, while Xin Ruyin stands out slightly due to her gentle and refined temperament.
Just as the delicate silence was about to freeze, Zhuang Huayi finally let out a soft sigh, breaking the deadlock.
Her gaze swept over the various expressions on the faces of the crowd. "What are you all standing here for? Since Mr. Lu said 'next time,' he must have his own plans. Everyone dispersed and went about their business. Yuan Yao, come with me. The matter of the Soul-Nourishing Wood and the Resurrection Technique still needs further discussion."
She stood up, her tone leaving no room for argument, as if she wanted to pull everyone away from the atmosphere.
Yuan Yao seemed to wake from a dream, said "Oh," and quickly followed her master.
Her biggest concern right now was her senior sister Yanli's matter, and Zhuang Huayi's words immediately diverted her attention.
Xin Ruyin also obediently got up and said softly to Yan Ruyan, "Sister Ruyan, shall we go to Miaoyin Sect again tomorrow to ask about the materials for repairing the flying sword? Perhaps we will have an unexpected surprise."
Yan Ruyan pursed her lips, glanced at Xin Ruyin, and finally nodded: "Okay."
When the master and apprentice returned to their room, they saw that Lu Jianghe was already sitting upright in his seat.
The master and apprentice were initially taken aback.
Yuan Yao instinctively slammed the door shut, then her slender fingers flew, instantly activating the room's protective barrier and blocking all divine sense probing.
Her movements were fluid, light, and nimble, clearly demonstrating her exceptional skill.
Zhuang Huayi looked at her so "skilled" and couldn't help but be speechless.
However, I secretly praised him in my heart; the reaction was good.
Without any preamble, Lu Jianghe asked directly, "How is your senior sister Yanli's primordial spirit and soul now?"
Yuan Yao quickly replied, "It's only been a few days since the Soul-Nourishing Wood was placed in her body, but Senior Sister's soul has gradually become more stable, and her aura has become much more stable. However—" She paused, her voice lowering, "to truly restore her physical body and consciousness, it will probably require a long period of nurturing."
She added that the premise was very clear: a stable soul is a necessary prerequisite for performing the resurrection technique, and the next step is to find an extremely yin place.
Lu Jianghe said, "Show me your senior sister Yanli's soul. Also, bring me the book that records the Resurrection Technique."
Yuan Yao was puzzled, but she immediately did as she was told.
She carefully took out the piece of Soul-Nourishing Wood, and with a gentle release of spiritual energy, the Soul-Nourishing Wood floated in the air, instantly revealing its true form as a phantom image of an ancient tree about six or seven zhang tall, with a semi-transparent, glass-like appearance.
Countless fine roots pierced the void as if they were real, and warm, shimmering light flowed between the branches.
Her senior sister Yanli's ethereal soul lay as if asleep among the glass branches, floating quietly.
After nearly a century of wear and tear, the figure of Yanli's soul has become extremely blurred, her facial features are hard to recognize, and only a curled-up human outline can be barely made out.
However, under the continuous nourishment of the pure soul power of the Soul-Nourishing Wood, the soul's aura did indeed solidify slightly, no longer as likely to dissipate at any moment as before, proving that the Soul-Nourishing Wood was taking effect.
Then, Yuan Yao solemnly took out an ancient jade slip from her storage bag and respectfully handed it to Lu Jianghe with both hands: "Mr. Lu, this is the book that records the art of resurrection."
Lu Jianghe took it and probed into it with his divine sense like flowing water.
He remained calm and composed, flipping through the pages at an extremely fast pace, as if trying to grasp the core essence.
In just a moment, he had grasped the key to it and casually placed it on the table beside him.
Lu Jianghe's gaze fell on the faint remnant soul on the Soul-Nourishing Wood.
The "White Bone Regenerating Flesh Pill" made from several ancient medicinal herbs is naturally ineffective against the soul.
The body must first be rejuvenated using the Rejuvenation Technique to help it rebuild itself and regain its consciousness before taking this pill to reunite its original essence.
Using this technique at my current level, I won't necessarily fall from my current level, but some damage is inevitable.
Thinking about this...
Lu Jianghe slightly raised his gaze, looking through the cave into the vast emptiness.
However, it might be worthwhile to try making a deal with the rules of this world.
He then swept his sleeve and took the piece of Soul-Nourishing Wood that carried Yanli's remnant soul, along with the fragile primordial spirit light and shadow floating on it, into his sleeve.
The action was so sudden that Yuan Yao's pupils contracted sharply. "Mr. Lu, my senior sister—"
However, Zhuang Huayi reacted even faster, and a Nascent Soul pressure instantly froze Yuan Yao in place, rendering her unable to move.
At the same time, a voice transmission rang out in Yuan Yao's heart lake.
"Mr. Lu's actions have taken full responsibility for this matter upon himself. With him taking action, why should you need to destroy your foundation and pay the price?"
Yuan Yao actually had a vague premonition when Lu Jianghe uttered the words "resurrection technique".
Her naturally alluring eyes instantly welled up with tears. She bit her lower lip, trying hard not to sob, but her eyes were slightly red and on the verge of tears.
Unbeknownst to them, a hint of sadness flickered in Zhuang Huayi's eyes as she stood quietly to the side.
Just now, Lu Jianghe sent a message through his mind.
"I will handle Yanli's matter myself. Remember your promise to me: to protect Xin Ruyin for three hundred years."
Zhuang Huayi's heart tightened, and a thousand questions welled up on her lips. In the end, she could only let out a silent sigh and agree, "Yes, Mr. Lu."
Immediately, she couldn't help but ask in her heart, "Sir, is your return a hundred years away?"
If that's true, for a Nascent Soul cultivator, a hundred years is but a blink of an eye, and it will pass in a few long periods of seclusion.
Lu Jianghe's gaze remained fixed on the void, as if he were deducing something, his voice calm and even: "Hard to say, let's just say we'll meet again someday."
Just then, Yuan Yao, who was standing to the side, seemed to feel that her words of gratitude were too pale and insufficient to express the immense gratitude in her heart. She first gave a graceful curtsy, her posture gentle and beautiful.
Immediately, this naturally alluring woman, with a touch of untamed spirit in her bones, clasped her hands together and bowed deeply and solemnly to Lu Jianghe's back.
With bent waist and head bowed, his posture was devout.
Zhuang Huayi then tentatively asked, "When does Mr. Lu plan to leave?"
Lu Jianghe did not hide this from him.
Now that an agreement has been reached, the two can be considered equals. Moreover, three hundred years of protection is almost a third of a Nascent Soul cultivator's lifespan, so there's no need to hide anything.
"After we resolve Yanli's matter."
Upon hearing this answer, Zhuang Huayi couldn't contain her surprise and blurted out, "So fast?"
The exclamation sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet room.
Yuan Yao stood up, looking at the two of them with a somewhat bewildered expression.
At this moment, Zhuang Huayi stopped communicating telepathically and asked directly, "Will Mr. Lu remember me?"
Lu Jianghe thought for a moment and nodded: "I should remember."
Upon hearing this reply, Zhuang Huayi smiled slightly, but then let out a soft sigh: "That's good. I just really don't know what my first words will be if we meet again someday—"
She always felt that her life, up to this point, was like a book that had been turned to its middle. Even though the road ahead was bumpy and full of thorns, the few beautiful moments interspersed in these chapters were enough to leave an indelible mark on her heart.
Lu Jianghe said, "Those who cultivate the Dao should not sigh deeply. It is acceptable to absorb Qi, but there is no need to sigh. Finally, I wish you, fellow Daoist, a speedy breakthrough and progress in the Great Dao."
In fact, the two of them didn't have to wait too long.
Several hours later, Lu Jianghe returned, but this time with a woman standing quietly beside him.
Upon seeing the other person, Yuan Yao rushed forward and hugged her tightly before she could even utter a word.
It was her senior, Yanli.
Zhuang Huayi also found this unbelievable.
The trip took only half a day, yet the task was accomplished.
However, neither of them noticed that Lu Jianghe's face was slightly pale.
Watching the master and disciple, who had been reunited, embrace and weep, Lu Jianghe quietly got up, left the room, and went to another quiet cave dwelling.
Xin Ruyan was engrossed in her work, her fingertips moving with inspiration as she carefully carved and perfected an intricate array on a jade plate.
Looking at her focused and single-minded expression, her dedication and persistence were almost unparalleled.
Lu Jianghe sat quietly to the side, without disturbing him.
Time slips away quietly.
After an unknown period of time, the array lines in the area that Xin Ruyin had inscribed suddenly lit up, and layers of water-like halos rippled outwards, growing stronger and stronger, as if they had come alive, flowing endlessly on the jade plate and emitting fluctuations.