The Quest for Immortality

Just like wildfires scorch dry grass, this world, I fear, will be difficult to find peace...

Thinking of this, Zhang Lan’s expression turned grave. After a moment, he suddenly paused and asked Mo Hua in a low voice:

”That Evil Path Great Formation, it wasn’t... blown up by you again, was it?”

Mo Hua smiled but said nothing.

Zhang Lan’s mouth hung open, both shocked and reflective. After a moment, he shook his head with a wry smile. Indeed, wherever this kid goes, chaos follows.

Moreover, with these formations, he truly sees one and blows one up.

Back in Tongxian City it was like this, and now in the state boundary of Qian Learning, it’s still the same.

I just hope that in the future, when he causes major trouble, he won’t mention that I taught him the Water Passing Step...

Zhang Lan confirmed with Mo Hua again, ”You haven’t told anyone about the Water Passing Step, have you?”

Mo Hua nodded, ”Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone. There won’t be a third person who knows.”

”That’s good...” Zhang Lan breathed a sigh of relief, then regretted slightly:

”It’s a pity that only the Powerful Elders of the Zhang Family’s direct lineage can learn the Water Passing Step above the third-grade golden core. I’ve just entered the Golden Core stage and am not qualified to learn it. Otherwise, I would teach you now too, saving you the effort of worrying about movement techniques later.”

Even at this moment, Uncle Zhang is still concerned about my movement technique...

Mo Hua felt both touched and worried, ”Uncle Zhang, do you dare teach me?”

Zhang Lan waved his hand, ”A good deed done thoroughly, escorting the Buddha to the west. You’ve learned the first and second grades of the movement technique. If you don’t learn the third grade, isn’t it wasted?”

”Besides, if this matter doesn’t get exposed, then learning a bit more doesn’t matter.”

”If it is exposed, whether you learn more or less, I’ll have to kneel in the ancestral hall and get punished, unlucky just the same, no difference.”

”Given this, why not let you learn more and learn well? If the Water Passing Step of the Zhang Family can be widely spread through you, I can hold my head high.”

”Even if I kneel in the ancestral hall, facing the ancestors, I can still straighten my back.”

Mo Hua sincerely praised, ”Uncle Zhang, your outlook is truly vast.”

Zhang Lan smiled wryly.

Later, the two sat at the foot of the mountain, drank some wine, and chatted for a while.

Time passed extremely quickly; in the blink of an eye, the sun had set in the west.

The two also had to part ways.

Tomorrow, Zhang Lan would be taking a carriage, leaving with the Great Elder of the Zhang Family, returning to Kan State, thousands of miles away.

In the foreseeable decades, a century, or even several hundred years, this may be the last time, the last chance for him to meet Mo Hua and drink together.

At parting, there are a thousand words and feelings, yet none can be expressed.

Zhang Lan simply raised his cup and sighed:

”I hope someday I can return to Tongxian City, sit at the Eight Immortals Table in your tavern, and leisurely drink and chat with you.”

Mo Hua felt a sense of loss but raised his cup, smiled, and nodded:

”At that time, I’ll certainly be a good host and treat Uncle Zhang well.”

Zhang Lan’s handsome face could not help but reveal a smile.

The sun set in the west, casting a sunset glow onto the mountain path.

Zhang Lan carried the sunset glow as he gradually went farther away.

Mo Hua stood at the mountain gate, waved farewell to Zhang Lan, and was filled with melancholy.

...

The Feng family’s cave dwelling.

When Zhang Lan returned, it was already dark, and the hour was evidently late.

Everyone was packing their belongings, preparing to set off tomorrow, busying themselves everywhere, yet there was no sign of Great Elder Zhang.

Zhang Lan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The boundary of Qian Learning State is different from the Zhang Family; here, the local powers are strong dragons, with many great families and large forces. Carelessly offend one, and seven out of ten might be noble family children, direct disciples of sects, not easily provoked.

Thus, to avoid conflict with other great families and sects, the Great Elder set the curfew very strictly.

It was already past the hour; running into Great Elder Zhang would inevitably bring a stern reprimand.

Zhang Lan thought himself lucky, quietly tiptoeing back to his room, preparing to pack briefly.

But as soon as he opened the door and turned his head, there was an elderly man, his face stern and solemn, sitting in his room drinking tea.

”Great Elder...”

Zhang Lan felt as if struck by lightning.

Great Elder Zhang glanced at him but didn’t speak, merely continued drinking tea.

Zhang Lan felt as if needles were piercing his back but could only stand honestly, without daring to move.

The room was silent enough to hear a needle drop.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Great Elder Zhang finished his tea, then slowly rose and walked toward Zhang Lan.

Zhang Lan’s heart tightened, prepared to face Great Elder Zhang’s wrath with determination.

However, Great Elder Zhang handed him a jade slip.

Zhang Lan paused, ”Great Elder, this is...”

Great Elder Zhang said faintly, ”Water Passing Step.” Then he added, ”Third-grade mental method.”

Zhang Lan froze, ”This... I...”

”Take it,” Great Elder Zhang said.

”Oh, yes...” Zhang Lan then respectfully accepted the jade slip handed to him by Great Elder Zhang with both hands.

”You are of the direct lineage of the Zhang Family, somewhat lazy, but not lacking in talent, and your character is not bad. This third-grade Water Passing Step is an ultimate technique not passed outside the Zhang Family; your qualifications aren’t sufficient, but it doesn’t matter. I’m making an exception to teach it to you now. You must carefully comprehend it...”

Great Elder Zhang said with a calm demeanor.

Zhang Lan was a bit bewildered.

Great Elder Zhang saw this, frowned, and emphasized each word:

”The words have been spoken, do not disappoint the ultimate technique of the Zhang Family. Learn well, don’t let me down, remember this, remember!”

Great Elder Zhang spoke slowly, and his tone was somewhat peculiar.

After finishing his words, he gave Zhang Lan a deep look and then left.

The room was left with Zhang Lan alone.

He held the jade slip, standing still, unmoving.

”What is Great Elder’s... meaning?”