A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

In a quiet and elegant courtyard, Ma Liuyun was sitting at a stone table, enjoying tea.

Before him stood two respectfully reserved-looking young men.

One of them was dressed in a light blue disciple's robe and was carrying two packets of fine tea. The other was dressed in a dark green, close-fitting outfit and looked handsome and dashing.

These two men were Zhou Ping and Duan Yu, who had come to pay their respects to Ma Liuyun.

When Zhou Ping first arrived, he looked at the elegant and tranquil environment and secretly sighed in his heart, "Elder Ma really knows how to enjoy life."

In a martial arts sect like the Green Bamboo Sect, one is surrounded by people who practice martial arts and wield sticks, and the air is filled with passion and wildness.

Apart from Jin Yuan, this was the first time Zhou Ping had seen such a tranquil residence in Qingzhumen.

Ma Liuyun seemed unsurprised by their arrival, casually waving his hand to signal them to take a seat.

Then she pushed two exquisite teacups in front of them.

"You two are in luck! Try my Jade Luo Fragrance."

"Thank you, Elder!"

"Thank you, Master Xie!"

Zhou Ping and his companion quickly bowed, gently supporting the teacups with both hands, their faces full of respect.

"Relax, there's no need to be so formal with me. This old man doesn't care about formalities at all."

Ma Liuyun looked at the two young men in front of him and said casually.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ping naturally dared not relax in the slightest, and secretly pondered how to speak.

After learning that the other party was intentionally helping him, his mind raced. Considering his own situation, it wasn't hard to imagine that the other party's relationship with the Jin clan seemed somewhat delicate.

Zhou Ping, who was being controlled by Jin Jingtian, was struggling to find a way to deal with the situation. At this moment, the appearance of Ma Liuyun seemed to give him a glimmer of hope to break free from his shackles.

Therefore, regardless of the other party's purpose in helping him, he should personally come and visit them.

Ma Liuyun seemed to have read Zhou Ping's mind, took out a letter from his pocket, and handed it to Duan Yu.

"Young Duan, deliver this letter to Tianzhu Palace and give it to the Sect Leader. Go and return quickly."

"Disciple obeys!"

Duan Yu took the letter from Ma Liuyun and, not daring to delay, hurriedly stood up to accept the order.

As he turned to leave, he gave Zhou Ping a light kick on the shin, as if to remind him to watch his words and not to offend his master.

Seeing Duan Yu leave, Ma Liuyun smiled and took a sip of tea, then carefully examined the remaining young man.

"Tsk tsk! The last time we met, you were just an eleven or twelve-year-old kid. You've grown up so much in the blink of an eye."

"I owe my success today to the elder's guidance and support during my time in the Weaponry Pavilion."

Zhou Ping recalled the "Carefree Boy's" experiences and offered a somewhat ambiguous compliment.

"Hahaha, Zhou kid, are you mocking this old man?"

When Ma Liuyun heard the other party bring up the old matter again, he suddenly burst into laughter, which swept away the slightly restrained atmosphere between the two.

What was unintentional on their part back then has unexpectedly become the important cause and effect that brings the two of them together today. It is truly a case of unintended consequences and the unpredictability of life.

"This disciple dares not. If I had not become a blacksmithing apprentice back then, I would not have devoted all my energy to the cultivation of the Azure Origin Technique, let alone the various encounters that followed."

Zhou Ping answered with a serious expression.

"The cause and effect of the past are already set in stone and need not be mentioned again. The old man only wants to know what purpose you have come here today, young friend."

Ma Liuyun stroked his beard and asked with a smile.

"This disciple is foolish and wishes to know why the elder would help this young man."

Zhou Ping stood up and once again respectfully performed a disciple's salute.

"The old man didn't understand, so what help are you talking about?"

Ma Liuyun squinted and asked in return with a smile.

"Without the elders' approval, this disciple would never have been able to learn the previous Floating Shadow Step, or the current Wind-Intercepting Hand and Soul-Wandering Needle!"

Zhou Ping looked up at Ma Liuyun in front of him and said, word by word.

Ma Liuyun looked at the young man at this moment. Although he looked ordinary and plain-looking.

But the profound look in the other person's eyes, and the energy and spirit emanating from their body, gave him an absurd sense of exposure, as if the other person had seen through his heart.

"Ahem! Sit down, sit down."

Ma Liuyun suddenly coughed twice, gesturing for Zhou Ping to sit down and talk, thus covering up his previous lapse in composure.

"Let's set aside the matter of cultivation techniques for now. This old man has a question I'd like to hear your opinion on, young friend."

"Please speak, Elder, I will answer truthfully!"

"Alright! Then this old man will ask directly! I wonder what your opinion is on the Jin Clan, young friend?"

Ma Liuyun's voice suddenly turned low, and his smiling eyes seemed to gleam with a sharp light as he quietly awaited his answer.

finally come!

Zhou Ping shouted to himself.

"The Golden Clan? This disciple is foolish and does not understand which group Elder is referring to?"

Zhou Ping was slightly taken aback and asked with a puzzled look.

Upon hearing this, Ma Liuyun was so angry that he laughed, pointing at the other person's nose and laughing as he cursed.

"Stupid? Hahaha, you're anything but stupid!"

"Young Zhou, if you keep playing dumb with this old man, you've come all this way for nothing."

"Since the elder has already anticipated why I have come, please enlighten me."

Seeing that the other party was no longer being mysterious, Zhou Ping went straight to the point and made his request.

Ma Liuyun gestured with his chin toward the empty teacup, and Zhou Ping, understanding, immediately poured him a cup of tea.

"Some things, you and I both know them, so there's no need to put them out in the open."

Ma Liuyun took the tea Zhou Ping offered, took a sip, and continued...

"Since you've come to my door today, this old man will discuss something with you, young friend. What do you say?"

"Please speak, Elder. I will follow your instructions."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ping earnestly inquired.

"The time isn't right yet, and I can't go into details about what I need you to do, but I assure you that you can borrow any of the Flying Shadow Hall's martial arts manuals and secret techniques at will. What do you say?"

After Ma Liuyun finished speaking, he waited for Zhou Ping to respond.

"Please forgive my bluntness, but if it were only this, it would not put my mind at ease."

Zhou Ping answered directly.

His current situation is completely under the control of the Jin Clan, and it is no longer a problem that can be solved by learning more martial arts techniques.

"Young friend, there's no need to be discouraged. The old man said that the time is not yet ripe, and we should wait patiently."

"During this period, you only need to work hard to improve your own strength and make full preparations for the changes that will happen soon."

After Ma Liuyun finished speaking, he looked cryptic and said no more.

Zhou Ping listened to the other party's rambling and vague explanation, without revealing any specific issues, and couldn't help but feel disappointed, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.

Seeing this, Ma Liuyun knew that this kid was the type who wouldn't act without a clear benefit; without offering him some substantial incentive, he might not be able to get him to do anything.

"Young Zhou, if this old man helps you resolve your worries, will you feel at ease?"

After speaking, Ma Liuyun stretched out his finger, lightly dipped it in the tea, and wrote a large character on the stone table in front of Zhou Ping.

"Home"