Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 463 An Old Friend! Changchun Sect!

The next day, they continued north.

Hantan Town is nestled deep in the mountains, with only about a hundred households. The bluestone roads have been worn smooth by time. Sure enough, there is a cold pool in the center of the town. The water is emerald green and bottomless, and a chilling aura emanates from it.

There was a small tavern by the pool, run by an old man with white hair. When he saw a customer arrive, he would greet him with a smile.

"Would you two like to try some of the Cold Pool Brew?" the old man said, already scooping out two bowls of wine from the jar.

The wine was clear, emitting a slight chill. Tian Xiangzi picked up the bowl, took a sip, and her eyes lit up: "Excellent wine!"

Chen Fan also took a sip. The wine was refreshing as it went down his throat, then turned into a warm current that spread out. It was indeed extraordinary.

The two sat in the tavern for half a day. During their conversation, Tianxiangzi learned that the Cold Pool Brew required water from the heart of the pool at midnight, combined with seven kinds of mountain fruits, and aged for three years. The townspeople had been brewing wine for generations, but it was not sold outside the town; it was only for passersby to taste.

"If you like it, young lady, have a couple more bowls." The old man chuckled and filled Tianxiangzi's cup again.

When leaving Hantan Town, Tianxiangzi was still a little reluctant. Seeing this, Chen Fan took out a small bag of spirit stones from his storage bag and quietly placed it on the table in the tavern.

"How much did you give?" Tianxiangzi asked after they flew out of town.

"Not much," Chen Fan said calmly, "enough for him to brew a few jars of wine."

Tianxiangzi smiled and said nothing more.

In the days that followed, the two wandered aimlessly. They visited the water towns of Jiangnan, sailing along the canals in small boats, listening to the boatwomen humming soft, sweet tunes!

I've also been to the northwestern desert, where I watched the sunset turn the sand dunes gold and the starry sky sparkle under the night sky!

I stayed on the coast of the East China Sea for several days, collecting seashells on the mudflats every morning and watching the fishing boats return to port in the evening.

Tian Xiangzi seemed determined to make up for all the scenery she had missed over the years. Wherever she went, she made sure to sample the local specialties and experience the local customs. Chen Fan, though not talkative, stayed by her side constantly, paying for her things, asking for directions, and shielding her from unnecessary trouble—all done naturally and appropriately.

Sometimes they would stay in a small town for a few days, rent a small courtyard, and Tianxiangzi would learn to buy groceries and cook!

Although his cooking skills were still developing, sometimes the food was too salty, sometimes too bland, Chen Fan would always finish it silently. After the meal, the two sat in the courtyard, watching the moon rise and listening to the laughter and chatter coming from the neighbors' houses.

These days were ordinary and mundane, yet they were filled with the warmth of everyday life. Tian Xiangzi's smiles became more frequent, and she would occasionally crack harmless jokes with Chen Fan.

Although Chen Fan still maintained his calm demeanor, the coldness between his brows seemed to have softened slightly.

On this day, the two were listening to a storyteller in a teahouse in a small town in Zhongzhou. The storyteller was recounting tales of a bygone dynasty, his voice rising and falling in a captivating and engaging manner.

Tian Xiangzi listened intently, but Chen Fan suddenly remembered someone.

Li Qingyang.

The old man who played chess with him in the stone pavilion, seeking enlightenment through the concepts of life and death. Judging by the time, if he had truly gained some insight, he should already be in seclusion at the Weaponry Sect, attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.

"What's wrong?" Tianxiangzi noticed that he was lost in thought and asked softly.

Chen Fan snapped out of his reverie and shook his head: "It reminds me of an old friend."

"Who?"

"Li Qingyang of the Weapon Sect," Chen Fan said. "He once helped our family."

Tianxiangzi knew Li Qingyang's name: the patriarch of the Weapon Sect, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and a top figure among the Eight Sects.

She asked curiously, "Are you going to see him?"

Chen Fan thought for a moment and nodded: "It's on the way."

The two left the teahouse and went out of the city. Chen Fan determined the direction and flew with Tian Xiangzi towards the location of the Weapon Sect.

The Weapon Forging Sect is located in the northwestern mountains and is renowned for its weapon forging. Even before approaching, one can feel the fiery spiritual energy permeating the air. The sect gate is majestic, and the two characters "Weapon Forging Sect" on the archway are written in bold, powerful strokes, faintly shimmering with a precious light.

Chen Fan landed in front of the mountain gate. The gatekeeper disciples, seeing that the two had extraordinary bearing, quickly stepped forward to inquire.

"Please inform him that Chen Fan has come to visit and wishes to see Senior Li Qingyang," Chen Fan said calmly.

Upon hearing the name "Chen Fan," the disciple was initially taken aback, then his expression changed slightly, clearly recognizing the name. He dared not delay and hurriedly went inside to report.

Before long, a figure rushed over; it was Tie Shizi. He was now at the late stage of Core Formation. Upon seeing Chen Fan, surprise flashed in his eyes, and he quickly bowed and greeted, "Junior Tie Shizi greets Senior Chen."

His gaze swept over Chen Fan, sensing the unfathomable aura of the Nascent Soul stage. He was shocked to find that this person had already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage in just a few years!

Chen Fan nodded slightly: "Is Senior Li here?"

Tie Shizi's expression turned solemn, and he said in a low voice, "The Ancestor... is currently in seclusion."

"Secluded in seclusion?" Chen Fan frowned slightly.

"Yes." Tie Shizi nodded. "After the ancestor returned from outside, he went directly to the forbidden area in the back mountain and instructed that he should not be disturbed unless the sect was facing a life-or-death crisis. He said that... he was going to break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

Chen Fan understood. Li Qingyang had indeed gained some insight from the experience of life and death and had begun his seclusion. The path to the Nascent Soul stage was extremely dangerous, and seclusion was a common occurrence.

"In that case, it's not convenient to bother you," Chen Fan said. "We're just stopping by."

Tie Shizi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Senior Chen, there is one more thing... Old Dragon City has been making a lot of moves lately."

Chen Fan's gaze sharpened: "Speak."

"The Wang family, the Zhao family, and the other eight major families seem to have reached an agreement with the vast majority of the eight sects," Tie Shizi said in a low voice. "I've heard rumors that they plan to join forces to break the seal on the night of the full moon six months from now. At that time... I'm afraid there will be a great upheaval."

Chen Fan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "We understand."

Seeing that he was calm, Tie Shizi felt relieved and said, "If there is anything you can do to help the Weapon Sect, please don't hesitate to ask. Before the Ancestor went into seclusion, he instructed that Senior Chen is a friend of the Weapon Sect."

"Please convey my gratitude to Senior Li," Chen Fan said. "Farewell."

He didn't linger any longer and turned to leave with Tianxiangzi.

After flying out of the weapon sect's range, Tianxiangzi asked softly, "Is the seal about to break?"

"Hmm." Chen Fan looked eastward, towards Old Dragon City. "Six months from now."

A hint of worry flashed in Tianxiangzi's eyes: "Then you..."

"We'll deal with whatever comes our way," Chen Fan said calmly. "Let's go."

The two continued their travels, but Chen Fan became noticeably quieter during the rest of the journey. Tian Xiangzi knew he was lost in thought, so she didn't ask any questions and simply stayed by his side.

This journey lasted four days!

On this day, the two arrived at the outskirts of a mountain range.

The distant mountains appeared dark and layered, their spiritual energy, though not as abundant as it had been in its heyday, was still far superior to that of ordinary desolate mountains and wilderness.

The outline of the mountain gate was faintly visible in the clouds and mist, revealing some of its former grandeur, but also unable to conceal a desolate atmosphere.

"This... is the Changchun Sect?" Tian Xiangzi glanced around, somewhat surprised. She didn't have a deep impression of the Changchun Sect, only knowing that it was one of the eight major sects. But the scene before her was far from the grandeur of a major sect she had imagined.