After binding with a genius, I became an immortal by exploiting loopholes.

Chapter 127 Returning to Qingmu Manor

It was a jade slip, pale blue in color, with a warm and smooth texture. A very fine silver line was wrapped around the edge, like some kind of restriction pattern.

Lu Qingchen took it with both hands, probed it with his divine sense, and was slightly moved after a moment.

"This is a bit of my understanding and insight when I was cultivating the 'Azure Wood Spiritual Essence Technique'. It's not something you can find in the outside library."

"It also includes a little trick: using wood elemental energy to create a vine full of life, which can trap enemies and also help spiritual plants grow."

"It's not a particularly profound technique, but combined with the things in your spirit-protecting field, it should come in handy."

Zhou Yuandao picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at him: "Alright, go ahead, don't delay your cultivation."

Lu Qingchen carefully put away the jade slip and bowed respectfully: "Thank you, Master."

Then he turned and walked towards the door.

Just as I reached the door, Zhou Yuandao's voice suddenly came from behind me.

"etc."

Lu Qingchen paused and turned around.

Zhou Yuandao still held his teacup, his gaze fixed on the tea, and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"You did a good job this time."

He said, his tone softening slightly, "I did underestimate you before."

Lu Qingchen was slightly taken aback.

Zhou Yuandao put down his teacup, looked at him and said, "Go on, if you have any questions about cultivation in the future, you can come and ask me."

"Although I am busy preparing to break through to the Spiritual Mansion, I still have time to give you a few pointers."

Lu Qingchen was silent for a moment, then bowed solemnly, turned and left the quiet room.

The door closed behind him, and the wooden box and jade slip lay on either side of the storage bag. They were no bigger than the palm of his hand, but they weighed more than anything else.

Lu Qingchen went to Panlong Peak.

Old Sun is still at Qingmu Village and hasn't returned; the gate to the herb garden is locked.

Lu Qingchen stood at the door for a while but did not go in.

He walked down the mountain path and happened to run into Shen Yao when he passed Mingfa Peak Square.

Shen Yao was holding a pot of wilted spiritual herbs. She was taken aback when she saw him, and then quickly walked over.

I've heard about what happened to you.

After she stopped, she looked him up and down, her gaze revealing something different from usual.

"They say you remained conscious while under the incense and even saved Master Zhao."

Lu Qingchen smiled and said, "It was just a coincidence."

"A coincidence?"

Shen Yao repeated the two words, then shook her head.

She didn't press the matter—having known Lu Qingchen for so long, she had gradually become accustomed to the unknown things hidden beneath his words of "coincidence" and "good luck."

"Never mind, I won't ask if you don't tell me. Remember to come find me next time you return to the sect. I have a few newly cultivated spiritual herbs that I'd like you to take a look at."

Lu Qingchen was taken aback: "Let me see? Senior Sister, are you sure?"

Shen Yao stopped and looked back at him, saying seriously, "You're different. Those experienced spirit plant farmers have spent their whole lives farming, and none of them have ever seen a mutated spirit rice that can cure the Spirit Corrosion Disease grow in their fields."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I have faith in you. Don't let me down."

After saying that, she waved her hand, picked up the flowerpot, and turned to leave.

Lu Qingchen stood there, watching her figure disappear at the end of the stone steps, before shaking his head and continuing down.

Lu Qingchen stayed at the sect for another two days.

The next evening, someone came to the Hall of Affairs and said that Elder Han wanted to see him.

Lu Qingchen followed the disciple who delivered the message through the corridor and met Elder Han in a side room.

Elder Han still had that cold and stern face, but his tone was much gentler than last time.

"sit."

After Lu Qingchen took his seat, Elder Han didn't waste any time on pleasantries and went straight to the point.

The information obtained from the living person by the Soul Searching Technique was very fragmented. This person was just a desperate rogue cultivator who sold his life for money. The client had passed through layers of the black market, and the faces of the middlemen were unclear. All communication channels had also been cut off.

The trail has gone cold for now.

The sect will continue to investigate, but there will probably be no results in the short term.

"The Hall of Affairs has already dispatched disciples to guard the perimeter of Qingmu Manor."

Elder Han said, "All villages have strengthened their defenses, and a similar incident will not happen again."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Of course, if you still have concerns, you can apply to be transferred back to the sect. The Spirit Plant Hall will arrange a suitable job for you."

Return to the sect?

Lu Qingchen shook his head almost without hesitation.

The earth vein spirit embryo is still in Qingmu Village, and those things in the spirit protection field cannot be separated from people.

Those exquisite spiritual rice, vermilion fruit, jade marrow fungus, and golden orchid were all cultivated by him with countless efforts.

More importantly, the earth vein spirit embryo has already taken root in his protective spirit field, and given time, the spiritual energy concentration in that spirit field will continue to increase.

go back?

He had finally managed to gain a foothold in Qingmu Village, how could he possibly go back?

"I'm used to staying at Qingmu Manor, and I can't let go of the work in the fields."

His answer was straightforward: "I won't cause any trouble for the sect."

Elder Han's cold and stern face revealed no emotion.

After a moment, he nodded and let Lu Qingchen go back.

As I emerged from the Hall of Deacons, dusk was already approaching.

Lu Qingchen didn't rush back to his residence; instead, he went to the sect's market first.

The protective array of the spirit field had been attacked by the scarred man for so long. Although the array plate had not been broken, the runes on several array flags were worn.

He compared the materials list left by his senior brother He with the materials he had left behind, bought a few more array flags for backup, took a jar of talisman ink, and replenished some consumables for daily cultivation.

He received another 300 spirit stones as a reward for his meritorious service. He took stock of his belongings in his storage bag: nearly 500 spirit stones, two bottles of pills, and a protective talisman to wear close to his body.

Walking on the mountain path, he felt much more at ease.

The next morning, Lu Qingchen returned to Qingmu Manor in a spirit carriage.

He was the only one in the carriage, and the wheels creaked and groaned as they rolled over the mountain road.

He mentally reviewed the events of the past few days: Elder Han's words, the protective array of the spirit field, and the protective talisman in his storage bag.

All of this reminded him of the same thing: the other party had their eyes on him and might not give up easily.

It was already afternoon when we returned to Aoki-sou.

Everything in Zhuangwei was as usual, with the pale blue light covering the protective field appearing and disappearing in the sunlight.

Sun Han, leaning on a wooden cane, came out of the house to greet him. He looked much more haggard than he had seen Lu Qingchen in the past few days, and he visibly relaxed when he saw Lu Qingchen return.

Sun Han was squatting by the edge of the field pulling weeds when he heard footsteps. He looked up, paused for a moment, and then stood up, leaning on a wooden stick.

"Qingchen?" His voice held a hint of surprise. "You're back so soon."

Lu Qingchen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the pale blue light barrier protecting the spirit field: "Has anything happened at the manor these past few days?"

Sun Han shook his head.

Old Sun thoroughly investigated the village and its surrounding areas, confirming that there were no further potential hazards.

He checks on the spirit-protecting field every morning and evening, and everything is normal.

Lu Qingchen nodded.

He first went to the protective spirit field and found that the earth vein spirit embryo was safe and sound in the cave, with a stable green light.

The seedlings of Zhuguo have grown taller, and the Jade Marrow Ganoderma and Golden Leaf Orchid have not been damaged. The premium spiritual rice in the food field is still thriving.

Everything was normal, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief after being anxious for several days.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard footsteps behind me.

Old Sun, with his pipe in his mouth, walked over from the other side of the field, looking like he was also about to leave.

"Old Sun."

Lu Qingchen bowed.

Old Sun grunted in acknowledgment, looked him up and down, and said, "I've checked the whole village, there's nothing wrong. Elder Han has taken away everything those thieves left behind."

Lu Qingchen nodded.