Chapter 646: 646. Each gets what they deserve

Chapter 646: 646. Each gets what they deserve

Lu Li had just arrived when his attention was immediately captured by the Immortal Palace, or rather, Gong Xue.

Manifesting an artifact spirit in physical form was something even he was witnessing for the first time.

Its life form was similar to Qiu Sheng’s current “Soul and Body Integration”—it was a semi-energy being.

Yet its body structure was indistinguishable from that of a living person, complete with organs and a brain, a full life cycle, as well as similar emotions and desires.

“Having emotions and desires” is what makes a true life; otherwise, no matter how strong and intelligent, it is nothing but a cold, unfeeling supercomputer.

Now, Gong Xue had evolved into a true sentient being, and this form of life was presumably the ultimate path for a Magic Treasure.

All sorts of thoughts flashed by, and the guests in the main hall had already “woosh” knelt down in a flash.

“We pay respects to the Immortal Venerable!”

“Immortal Venerable, many blessings!”

Those present today were the crème de la crème of this realm.

There were high-ranking government officials and top Gate Valve Sects like the Five Mountains Immortal Sect.

But they knelt down faster than one another and slowly prostrated themselves on the ground, expressing their submission and reverence with the most solemn “full kowtow.”

Even familiar faces like Nan Jiping, Eunuch Hua, and Chen Zhizhong knelt down as well.

However, they all looked relieved, paying respects not just to Lu Li’s transformative change but also to the continuity and advancement of what was passed down!

Lu Li, in turn, would not let these old acquaintances who had helped him kneel down—just a gentle lift of his hand, and an invisible gentle force steadied their stance.

“Everyone, please rise.”

Having the others stand as well, Lu Li turned towards the protagonists of the day—Tong Shao, Yi’an, and Yiping.

“The two Daoist Masters are highly respected, your abilities are the true essence of the Mystical Sect, from which even I have benefited greatly. The three of you must diligently Cultivate upon entering my door, and must not waste this fortune.”

“Disciples understand, we will not slacken!”

The three boldly kowtowed, with bright and determined eyes, truly an image of polished jade and gold.

Lu Li had been very impressed with them since the three had gone to collect the bodies of those in trouble at the Northeast Gang.

Now, seeing them again made him even more fond of them, and he couldn’t help but smile.

An unconscious wave of Spiritual Fluctuation radiated outwards, and instantly, Beijing City, amidst the bitter winter, became warm and pleasant!

The common folk attending the temple fair suddenly felt much warmer, and then watched as trees by the roadside began sprouting branches and budding leaves!

The guests in the main hall were unaware of the changes outside but could see the beams above quickly sprouting branches, and even grass was pushing through the cracks between the tiles on the floor.

Their spirits were uplifted, their cells’ vitality surged, and they each gained a bit of Cultivation just like that.

Just a mere unconscious release of emotional waves caused such a tremendous stimulation to the outside world... Everyone suddenly realized what “immortals differ from mortals” meant.

It was then that Lu Li pointed a finger towards the void.

Terrifying Divine Thought immediately began compressing the air.

Nitrogen and oxygen atoms overcame electromagnetic repulsion, merged together, initiating Fusion reactions, constantly transforming into heavier elements.

Fusion reactions release tremendous energy; three small Suns appeared in the main hall, but contained by the Divine Thought, they didn’t affect the outside environment in the slightest.

After 10 seconds, the three nuclear light balls gradually dimmed, revealing three treasure swords before everyone’s eyes.

The blades were streamlined without a cutting edge; the ends of the handles forked like a swallowtail for quick stops and turns during flight; they were unmistakably Flying Swords.

“This is my congratulatory gift. Use it well in your future Cultivation, and let us grow together.”

With a wave of Lu Li’s hand, the freshly forged Flying Swords each found their way into the hands of the three.

The blade was cold and clear as an autumn pond; its interior laced with many patterns and veins, faintly pulsating with light.

“Fourth Grade Magical Artifact!”

From the crowd, Jiang Haiyan couldn’t help but exclaim!

A Fourth Grade Magical Artifact was already vastly rare, even her own father hadn’t managed to get one, yet Mr. Lu casually crafted three!

Moreover, looking at its color and shape, it belongs to the upper-middle grade of the Fourth Grade, and even a Golden Body Grandmaster could greatly enhance their combat power with it.

But now it was given to three teenagers, truly a waste of heavenly gifts, extravagant to the extreme.

However, what Jiang Haiyan and the others did not know was that Lu Li intentionally held back, wanting the Magic Artifact to “grow” with the youngsters; otherwise, to create an upper Fourth Grade was within easy reach.

The three teenagers, holding the Flying Swords, were filled with joy and were just about to express their gratitude when Chen Zhizhong and Xu Shou had already knelt down and kowtowed loud and clear:

“Many thanks for the generous gift from the Immortal Venerable! Many thanks for the generous gift from the Immortal Venerable!”

The teenagers were half a beat slow in their joy, holding the Flying Swords and bowing down: “We shall not fail the great love of the Immortal Venerable.”

“Alright, we’re all family here, no need for so much formality.”

Lu Li smiled at the three teenagers, “There are special features attached to the swords, you three should study them carefully.”

All three were at a Cultivation level where they could enter Meditation, and they quickly projected a thread of spirit into the Flying Swords, and immediately in front of their eyes appeared...a Points interface!

The three Flying Swords could activate a “Divine Thought Channel” for Cross-border travel, allowing one to traverse All Heavens and Myriads of Worlds for exploration and trials.

Looking at the options listed in front of them, the three youngsters were shocked and speechless for a long time.

Everyone else was extremely curious as to what the special features mentioned by Immortal Venerable Lu were.

And those with quicker minds were already scrutinizing the three teenagers, considering how to arrange marital alliances.

The thoughts of the crowd varied, and Lu Li, having done what he needed to do, stood with his hands behind his back and said no more.

Li Yuanzhong did not delay further, exchanging a glance with Eunuch Hua to confirm their understanding.

Eunuch Hua nodded, and then shouted in a shrill voice, “The auspicious time has arrived, let the master-apprentice ceremony begin!”

The crowd became solemnly quiet, and what followed was a set of traditional rituals for taking an apprentice.

The three teenagers bowed three times and kowtowed nine times to the two Daoist Masters; the Daoist Masters gave speeches in turn, offering encouragement, announcing the sect rules...

Once the procedure was completed, in front of all present, the three youngsters officially joined the sect as “Inner Chamber Disciples.”

—————-

After the ceremony, all the guests were led away by Eunuch Hua.

However, old acquaintances did not leave; Lu Li was taking advantage of this rare opportunity to catch up with them.

“Master Nan’s health seems to have recovered well.”

Lu Li had used a vast amount of Spirit Mechanism to extend Nan Jiping’s life beyond its natural span.

To this day, the old master was youthful in appearance, exuberant, and spoke with a full and strong voice:

“Mr. Lu has used so many resources from the immortals on me; it won’t be a problem for this old man to live for several more decades, and I might even contend for the Golden Body Realm.”

“Master Nan is too modest; I think you can Ascend to Martial Saint.”

“Ha, then I’ll take the Immortal Venerable’s auspicious words to heart and give it my best effort,” the old man replied, filled with mirth.

The young and the old enjoyed a delightful conversation, unrestrained, and everyone else also smiled in amusement.

Just then, Eunuch Hua returned from seeing the guests off.

Lu Li turned to him and asked with a smile, “Manager Hua, are you still busy in the palace?”

“Ah, isn’t today a glorious day? Usually, I’m over at the Museum,” he answered.

The old eunuch beamed, full of vitality, and Nan Jiping joined the conversation:

“This old fellow is in charge of the newly established Bureau of Ancient Relics, dealing with all sorts of old bronzes and irons every day, and he couldn’t be happier.”

“I just love antiques. I’ve found my calling in this role,” Eunuch Hua readily admitted, clearly satisfied with his current life.

Lu Li then chatted with Chen Zhizhong and Xu Shou for a bit; Chen Zhizhong had been recently promoted to Second Rank Inspector, while Xu Shou was developing a “True Qi Machine.”

Everyone’s days were full of promise, but what was to come would inevitably come.

Li Yuanzhong asked quietly, “Regarding that ‘Primordial’... is there any way this old Daoist can be of use?”