Chapter 188: How to Repay


    Half a yearter.


    In the secret room on Little Turtle Peak.


    Lan Chang''an formed a hand seal, casting the Puppet Control Technique. The humanoid leather-armored puppet lying on the ground suddenly flipped nimbly to its feet.


    The puppet''s eyes gleamed sharply. It was equipped with a longbow and quiver on its back, with a short sword strapped to its waist.


    Drawing the longbow, a silver-gray arrow wrapped in a whirlwind of blue wind energy materialized. The bowstring crackled with arcs of electricity, emitting a surge of spiritual energy that would make even ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wary.


    Swish!


    The arrow shot forward like a streak of lightning, piercing through a foot-thick block of second-rank raw ore, with the remaining force absorbed by the chamber''s protective restrictions.


    "Truly worthy of being a top-grade second-rank offensive puppet."A pleased expression crossed Lan Chang''an''s face as he inspected the bow-wielding puppet, confirming its sessful creation.


    After acquiring the necessary materials, Lan Chang''an spent the next six months focused on improving his puppetry skills. Today, he sessfully refined a top-grade second-rank puppet.


    Of course, top-grade second-rank was still within the second-rank range, but the quality was at the pinnacle of that rank.


    In theory, this puppet was equivalent to ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator at their peak.


    However, under normal circumstances, a puppet''sbat power is less than that of a cultivator. After all, a puppet is a lifeless tool, whereas human cultivators have the advantages of intelligence, mastery of techniques and spells, and the use of talismans and other external items.


    Nevertheless, Lan Chang''an''s strong spiritual sense and advanced attainments in the Puppet Control Technique gave him confidence that this puppet could rival an experiencedte-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    Moreover, this archer puppet was designed with a focus on maximizing offense at the cost of defense, making it a formidable threat to most ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.


    This was especially true for ambushes and secret attacks.


    "If I had seven or eight of these archer puppets, a coordinated volley could seriously injure or even kill a Fake-Dan cultivator."


    Lan Chang''an considered the possibilities as he stored the puppet away.


    However, he didn''t have enough materials on hand to make that many. Crafting puppets was a time-consuming process, and the higher the rank, the longer it took.


    ...


    "A hundred and thirty-five years old."


    A few dayster, Lan Chang''an emerged from seclusion, noticing that another year of his lifespan had slipped away.


    Unknowingly, he had already spent sixty or seventy years cultivating on Wuqi Mountain.


    His maid, Lan Rou, had already grown from a graceful young girl into a mature beautiful woman nearing her thirties.


    This was despite her regr use of beauty-preserving methods.


    "By my estimation, Fellow Daoist Zhao and Fellow Daoist Zhang should be almost fully recovered by now." Lan Chang''an thought to himself.


    About three months ago, Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan had returned to Jin Yun Valley, but their injuries had not yet healed and they needed to recuperate and deal with some aftermath.


    Lan Chang''an had agreed with Zhao Siyao in their letters that they would meet up once she returned.


    He nned to visit his two friends who had narrowly escaped death sometime soon.


    Zhao Siyao had initially wanted to visit Wuqi Mountain herself, but Lan Chang''an had politely declined in his reply.


    Given Zhao Siyao''s cultivation level and status, visiting a loose cultivator like him while still recovering might raise some eyebrows.


    Lan Chang''an didn''t want anyone to associate the use of the "third-rank talisman" by Zhao Siyao with him.


    Under normal circumstances, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator would be incapable of crafting a third-rank talisman.


    Even though Lan Chang''an possessed the spiritual power of his previous life and the skills of a third-rank talisman master, he still couldn''t aplish that.


    This was because crafting talismans required a corresponding level of magical power.


    The gap in magical power between Foundation Establishment and Core Formation was simply too vast.


    For a Fake-Dan cultivator who was also a talisman master, crafting a third-rank talisman was not unusual.


    Ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator might manage to craft one by chance, but it would require exceptional talent ande at a significant cost, making it hardly worthwhile.


    ...


    Ten dayster.


    In a tranquil waterside cave mansion within Jin Yun Valley.


    Four Foundation Establishment cultivators—two men and two women—sat across from each other.


    The twote-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators seated at the head were Zhang Tieshan and Zhao Siyao, each exuding a faint sinister aura.


    Zhang Tieshan''s killing aura was especially pronounced; his ughter on the frontlines had clearly imed many enemy lives for himself.


    The killing aura surrounding Zhao Siyao was much lighter inparison.


    Where she had once appeared as a serene, ethereal beauty, there was now a sharp, steely glint in her eyes.


    Lan Chang''an had to admit that cultivation wars could be an excellent tempering experience for cultivators.


    Facing death could help them squeeze out every bit of potential, even breaking through their own limits.


    The key, of course, was surviving.


    "Having narrowly escaped death, good fortune surely awaits you. After this ordeal, the paths of both Fellow Daoist Zhao and Fellow Daoist Zhang might be even smoother." Lan Chang''an offered some auspicious words.


    "Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Lan. Let’s hope that both I and Fellow Daoist Zhao will enjoy such fortune when reaching for Core Formation."


    Zhang Tieshan''s voice was hearty, his darkened face still bearing traces of scars.


    Zhao Siyao smiled softly, her brows gently arched as she asionally nced at her old friend in white, remaining mostly quiet during this reunion.


    Although his figure was one she couldn''t be more familiar with, her clear and gentle gaze held a kind of admiration, as if she were seeing him for the first time.


    "Uncle Lan, if the battlefield is so effective, why didn’t you listen to Tan''er back then and follow..." Zhao Tan''er giggled, showing her pearly white teeth.


    "Tan''er, don''t be rude! You’re already this old and still don''t know how to be more reserved." Zhao Siyao''s expression changed slightly as she sternly interrupted her disciple.


    Zhao Tan''er stuck out her tongue, not daring to say anything more.


    Though she was usually lively and bold, asionally speaking out of turn, she was still afraid of her master.


    "It’s no matter. Tan''er is straightforward by nature and means no harm." Lan Chang''an waved it off.


    In the cultivation world, there were a few cultivators who, despite living for hundreds or even thousands of years, retained a childlike simplicity, as if they would never "mature."


    It wasn''t that they were truly naive or unchanging; rather, they had found a state of being that was in harmony with their true selves.


    Such cultivators experienced no mental exhaustion, were less prone to external demonic influences, and often had a greater advantage in their state of mind, a quality known as the "Heart of a Child."


    Zhao Tan''er might not fully embody the Heart of a Child, but she had simr traits.


    Lan Chang''an recalled that her breakthrough to mid-stage Foundation Establishment had been smoother than that of others with simr high-grade spiritual roots.


    "Fellow Daoist Lan, it seems your magical power is nearing thete Foundation Establishment stage. You were ate bloomer back then, but you’ve clearly maintained your momentum, surpassing many of our peers."


    Zhang Tieshan observed Lan Chang''an with a hint of surprise.


    "I’ve simply maintained a good mindset, built a solid foundation, and didn''tck spirit stones for resources." Lan Chang''an responded modestly.


    "Do you feel confident about advancing to thete Foundation Establishment stage?" Zhao Siyao asked.


    "I’ve alreadymissioned the refining of a breakthrough pill. I have about a thirty to forty percent chance." Lan Chang''an replied thoughtfully.


    "Thirty to forty percent?" Zhao Siyao and Zhang Tieshan exchanged nces and smiled without saying anything.


    After knowing him for over a century, the two of them had a good understanding of Lan Chang''an''s character.


    If he imed a thirty to forty percent chance, the reality was likely closer to seventy or eighty percent.


    "Fellow Daoist Lan may cultivate slowly, but if you continue progressing steadily, you’ll be much like the rare evergreen ancient trees of the cultivation world." Zhang Tieshanplimented him.


    "Evergreen ancient trees? The kind that can keep growing as long as their rings continue to expand?" Zhao Tan''er asked curiously, her voice clear as a bell.


    "How could a loose cultivator like myselfpare to an evergreen ancient tree?"


    Lan Chang''an''s heart skipped a beat.


    When the evergreen ancient tree was mentioned, he felt a subtle and profound resonance within his spirit.


    "But I do wish that everyone here can have an immortal path as evergreen as those ancient trees."


    Lan Chang''an’s words brought a chorus of agreement from the others, making the atmosphere even more rxed.


    ...


    As the sun began to set, Lan Chang''an stood to take his leave.


    The three sect Foundation Establishment cultivators apanied him to the entrance of the cave mansion.


    "Fellow Daoist Lan, let me see you off." Zhao Siyao suggested.


    "Alright." Lan Chang''an nced at her and agreed.


    Knowing Zhao Siyao’s straightforward nature, she likely had something she wanted to discuss with him privately rather than engaging in polite small talk.


    Zhao Tan''er exchanged a nce with Zhang Tieshan, and the two of them wisely chose not to follow.


    Lan Chang''an and Zhao Siyao, both dressed in white, looked like a pair of cultivators bound by fate as they flew side by side out of Jin Yun Valley.


    "Great!" Zhao Tan''er cheered quietly, watching the two seniors leave with a look of satisfaction on her face.


    Outside Jin Yun Valley.


    A cool mountain breeze blew, carrying a slight chill.


    Zhao Siyao, wearing a phoenix hairpin and flowing immortal robes, her figure tall and graceful, looked like a painting with her serene and otherworldly beauty.


    Along the way, the two of them asionally met their gazes and smiled slightly, tacitly not breaking the silence.


    It wasn’t until they had flown several hundred li out of Jin Yun Valley that Zhao Siyao slowed her pace, her clear, bright eyes settling on Lan Chang''an''s face as she finally spoke.


    "Thank you, if not for that talisman, Siyao would never be able to see fellow Daoist Lan again..."


    "Fellow Daoist Zhao, what talisman? Howe I don''t understand?" Lan Chang''an responded with a look of puzzlement.


    Zhao Siyao paused, her gaze lingering on his familiar face for several breaths.


    Then, she didn''t press further. Instead, she suddenly smiled, her face lighting up with a radiant glow as she sighed softly.


    "Lan Chang''an, such a great favor, how do you expect me to repay you?"


    It was the first time in over a hundred years of knowing each other that Zhao Siyao addressed him by his full name.


    "If we''re talking about favors, I wouldn''t have been able to sessfully reach Foundation Establishment without your help back then. During the pill-refining at Huanglong Immortal City, you spoke up for me when facing Fu Xuemei. You also stood guard by my side when I established my Foundation."


    Lan Chang''an replied sincerely.


    From his Qi-Refining period to the Foundation Establishment Realm, Lan Chang''an had enjoyed rtive stability in his cultivationrgely due to the support and protection of his friends from the sect.


    Their shared battles in the ck Fog Mountain Range, facing life and death together, and the two times she assisted him in refining Foundation Establishment Pills… all these experiences had forged a deep trust and mutual understanding between them.


    It was precisely because of this that, years ago, he had secretly gifted her that treasure talisman.


    "Fellow Daoist Zhao, there''s no need to dwell on it. But if you insist on repaying me, then I hope Fellow Daoist Zhao can achieve Core Formation soon so that I can have a big thigh to grab on to."


    At this, Zhao Siyao couldn’t help butugh, her icy gaze softening as if the winter snow had begun to melt.


    Afterward, they talked about lighter topics and reminisced about old times.


    As night fell and the moonlight bathed them in its soft glow, the two of them, dressed in white, seemed even more ethereal.


    "I heard that you have a good rtionship with Fairy Shi?" Zhao Siyao asked casually.


    "It''s not bad, we’ve been neighbors for many years and get along well." Lan Chang''an responded candidly.


    Their rtionship hadn’t escaped the notice of those who paid attention.


    Zhao Siyao pursed her lips slightly, remaining silent for a few breaths before nodding.


    "When does Fellow Daoist Lan intend to tie the knot and marry Fairy Shi?"


    Lan Chang''an shook his head.


    "The cultivation world is ever-changing. The Foundation Establishment Realm only gives one a foothold, but it doesn’tpare to the magical powers and magical treasures of Core Formation Immortals. How could I dare to take a wife and have children at this stage?"


    "Fellow Daoist Lan thinks of danger even in times of peace, this is not a bad thing to say." Zhao Siyao smiled faintly.


    She then asked, "And what if you were to achieve a Fake Dan one day?"


    In truth, with Lan Chang''an''s age and qualifications, it would be a blessing of ten lifetimes to be able to form a fake Dan.


    This was a hypothetical question that was somewhat ttering to Lan Chang''an.


    "If I achieve a Fake-Dan, then I, Lan, would find a female cultivator with whom I have mutual affection, marry, have children, and establish a cultivation family to properly nurture my descendants." Lan Chang''an answered honestly.


    "Mm." Zhao Siyao nced at him, making no furtherment.


    "Fellow Daoist Zhao, there''s no need to see me off any further. I wish you sess in your Core Formation."


    "Fellow Daoist Lan, the road is long. May your path be as evergreen as those ancient trees."


    They shared onest look, holding each other’s gaze for several breaths, neither hiding the appreciation in their eyes.


    The figures in white passed each other, flying off in different directions.


    ...


    Two monthster.


    At Little Turtle Peak on Wuqi Mountain.


    "This is the first time in my life that I, Lan, have been invited to participate in the event of a True-Dan Immortal - even though it''s a funeral ceremony."


    Lan Chang''an held a ck-and-white invitation in his hand, looking at the elegantly poised Fairy Shi beside him.


    "So it''s confirmed that Huanglong Immortal has passed away?"


    "Invitations for the funeral have been sent out far and wide, so it’s unlikely to be false." Fairy Shi''s voice was warm and gentle.


    "Manrong, should I attend Huanglong Immortal’s funeral or not?"


    Lan Chang''an pondered aloud, seemingly unable to decide.