I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 231: Chapter 94: Ancient Times (3)

”This water is so beautiful, I almost can’t bear to drink it.”

...

”It’s delicious!”

Fang Ling and Nannan, the two little girls, drank the water, their big eyes curving into crescents.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady both had gentle eyes, their faces filled with delight.

...

CLINK!

Fang Rui and Ge Changgeng clinked their bowls and took a sip of the Jade Lotus Water.

The scalding Jade Lotus Water, like amber and fine jade, entered his stomach, yet it brought forth streams of a cool current. It surged through his body, neither cold nor chilling, but simply leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated.

It was a different experience from eating a Jade Plum, which filled one with a warm and comforting sensation.

”Today, this old Daoist is truly fortunate to be able to enjoy such a treat with you, my young friend,” Ge Changgeng said with a smile.

Fang Rui knew, however, that Ge Changgeng was mostly just being polite.

After all, a man who had eaten his fair share of Jade Plums wouldn’t care too much about a single bowl of Jade Lotus Water, would he?

”By the way, Daoist, you mentioned before that the Jade Lotus is ’currently a Low Grade Rare Plant.’ What did you mean by that? Does it mean it can still grow?” he asked curiously.

”Indeed. This Jade Lotus is a very special type of Rare Plant. It is an annual that produces the Exotic Fruit, the Jade Lotus Seed. This Jade Lotus Seed is both an Exotic Fruit and a seed, which can be planted season after season.”

Ge Changgeng stroked his beard. ”From what I can see, your Jade Lotus is only about three to five years old, which makes it a Low Grade Rare Plant. If it were to grow for a hundred years, it would become a Middle Grade Rare Plant. At three hundred years, it would be an Upper Grade Rare Plant. And if it could grow for five hundred years, it would become a Top Grade Rare Plant, bearing a Top Grade Exotic Fruit that is Seizing the Creation of Heaven and Earth.”

”As for greater ages, the books I’ve read have no records.”

’So this Jade Lotus is a type of Rare Plant you have to cultivate over time? This is actually perfect for me. I’d love to see which of us lives longer. I wonder what would happen if I cultivated it for ten or twenty thousand years.’

While thinking this, Fang Rui said aloud, ”A Low Grade Rare Plant is good enough. If it were a Middle Grade or Upper Grade Rare Plant, it would be too precious, and I wouldn’t be able to protect it.”

From Ge Changgeng’s tone, the value of this entire Jade Lotus was roughly equivalent to seven or eight Jade Plums, which wasn’t considered excessively rare.

In other words, even with the strength he openly displayed, he could protect it.

”Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Most people only see the fortune, but you, my young friend, see the potential hidden dangers. In this regard alone, you are far beyond the ordinary,” Ge Changgeng praised.

”You praise me too highly, Daoist.”

Fang Rui shook his head, clinked his bowl with Ge Changgeng’s again, and took another sip of Jade Lotus Water. Gazing at the stunning lakeside spring scenery, he sighed with genuine emotion, ”The sun and moon, the clear winds, the mountains and rivers—they are the Creator’s endless treasure. This Mochou Lake is truly a place of exceptional spiritual grace to be able to nurture a Rare Plant like the Jade Lotus.”

”For those words, my young friend, we should drink a large cup.”

Ge Changgeng was clearly in a good mood. He took a long drink of the Jade Lotus Water, feeling talkative. ”Compared to other places, Mochou Lake is indeed exceptionally blessed. This actually relates to an ancient tale.”

”Oh?” Fang Rui’s interest was piqued, and he played the part of the eager listener.

”In ancient times, legend has it that a True Dragon fell here... Its Dragon Pearl dropped and transformed into Mochou Lake. Throughout history, countless people have come here seeking treasure. The lakebed has even been searched time and again, but always without success. Gradually, people stopped believing the legend.”

Ge Changgeng stroked his beard. ”However, this old Daoist believes the legend is true. Because every few years, a Rare Plant appears near Mochou Lake. Although ninety-nine percent of them are of a low Tier, just like your Jade Lotus.”

”To be honest with you, my young friend, I often come here to fish. Besides enjoying the landscape, I also harbor some hope of finding a hidden gem, haha!”

”You’re very candid, Daoist,” Fang Rui said with a laugh of his own.

”By the way, I didn’t use the three Jade Talismans. I’m returning them to you, Daoist.” He took out the three Jade Talismans Ge Changgeng had given him.

”No need.”

Ge Changgeng waved his hand. ”They were a gift to you. Once given, why would I take them back?”

”Then I thank you, Daoist.”

Ge Changgeng was generous, and Fang Rui wasn’t one to be overly ceremonious, so he accepted them directly.

These three Jade Talismans could indeed enhance his combat power. Who knew? They might come in handy at a critical moment.

After lunch.

Ge Changgeng took his leave, taking Qing Yan with him to continue fishing on another part of the shore.

Fang Rui’s family, meanwhile, continued to enjoy their time there.

Blue sky, white clouds, the lakeside spring scenery, and a family gathered together in harmony—he was in an excellent mood.

Even with Ge Changgeng’s indirect hints about the darkness within Great Yu, those worries were temporarily forgotten as he immersed himself in the beauty of the landscape.

They played all afternoon until they had their fill. At dusk, Fang Rui’s family bid farewell to Ge Changgeng and returned to the city.

...

Just as Fang Rui’s family was returning to the city—

Ge Changgeng, along with Qing Yan, had returned to White Cloud Temple and was now meeting with an unexpected guest.

”Zhang Henshui?!” Upon seeing the visitor, Qing Yan’s face contorted with anger, and he gritted his teeth.

Ge Changgeng stopped Qing Yan. ”Zhang Yuzhang, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?”

His tone was polite but distant.

Yes, this was indeed his former friend. It was just that the Golden Seal Renowned Hunter of the past had now become a Jade Seal Divine Hunter.

The details of the matter weren’t as simple as Ge Changgeng had told Fang Rui. After hearing the truth, that friend not only never sought him out again but had also reported him to the higher-ups, nearly costing Ge Changgeng his life.

”Daoist Ge,”

Zhang Henshui wasted no words, getting straight to the point. ”Zhou Changfa is old. In a few years, he will retire. He won’t be able to protect you for much longer.”

”I came to ask you one question: are you willing to switch to the Court’s path of Spirit Cultivators, join the Court, and pledge allegiance to the future new Director of the Divine Capture Bureau?”

’A new Director of the Divine Capture Bureau?! It seems Zhang Yuzhang has already found himself another connection.’

Ge Changgeng shook his head. ”However, this old Daoist has no intention of switching to the Court’s path of Spirit Cultivators. I am used to being a carefree wanderer and cannot bear constraints. I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Zhang Yuzhang.”

”Fine, I won’t force you. But let me remind you, Daoist Ge, that lord comes from the provincial capital, and his power is far beyond what you can imagine. Right now, that lord has not yet taken office and his foundation is not yet established. This is the perfect opportunity to pledge your allegiance. If you wait a few more years...”

”You may leave, Zhang Yuzhang.”

Ge Changgeng interrupted Zhang Henshui and lifted his teacup.

This was a clear gesture of dismissal.

”Hah!”

Faced with Ge Changgeng’s inability to see reason, Zhang Henshui didn’t get angry. He simply shook his head, rose to his feet, and left with a parting shot: ”I hope that the next time we meet, Daoist Ge, it won’t be at the point of a blade.”

After Zhang Henshui left.

”Master, should we leave Huaiyin Prefecture?” Qing Yan asked anxiously.

”Leave Huaiyin Prefecture?”

Ge Changgeng shook his head. ”The world is vast, but where can we go that doesn’t reject Ancient Spirit Cultivators? Moving somewhere else would be useless. I’m a little tired. I don’t want to run anymore. Besides, it hasn’t come to that yet...”

”Damn it! If it weren’t for that Zhang Henshui, you would never have been exposed and registered by the Court...”

”That... is enough of that.”

Ge Changgeng gave a bitter smile. Thinking of Fang Rui, he suddenly let out a sigh. ”Both are men, yet why is the difference between them so great?”

...

Another half-month passed in a flash.

On this day, Fang Rui had just returned from his duties when Third Lady hurried over. ”Brother Rui, there’s more news from the Three Southern States!”

”Oh?!”

Fang Rui’s heart skipped a beat.

...