Chapter 262 - 195: Longevity Rivaling a Fake Core, Deciding to Take Action
Chapter 262: Chapter 195: Longevity Rivaling a Fake Core, Deciding to Take Action
They hadn’t seen each other since parting at the Xu Family Mansion in the Cyan Spirit District, a separation that had nearly become a matter of life and death.
"I greet you, Alchemist Lin. If not for your life-saving Elixir last time, I fear I would not be here today. I might never have even had the chance to see you one last time."
Xu Hanji’s voice was even colder and clearer than before, carrying with it a sense of detachment from life and death.
"Please, there’s no need for such formality."
Lin Changheng made a lifting gesture with one hand, and a wisp of Magical Power floated out, stopping the female cultivator from completing her bow.
"I was not present at the time, so I was unable to congratulate you on your great progress in both Magical Power and Skills..." A faint smile touched Xu Hanji’s lips.
"Come now. We haven’t seen each other in so long. Why are you still so formal with me?"
Lin Changheng said with a deliberate laugh.
The group chatted for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and the distance that had grown between them lessened considerably. Anxious, Patriarch Xu Xuhe carefully asked Lin Changheng if he could now examine Xu Hanji.
"Let’s go. I need a quiet place for the examination."
As he spoke, Lin Changheng took the lead and headed toward the prepared private chamber. At a signal from her father, Xu Hanji quickened her graceful steps and followed.
BOOM!
The door to the Seclusion Room slammed shut.
Outside the door, two old men were left to wait patiently, their hearts filled with indescribable emotions.
"Patriarch, don’t worry. Ji’er’s Dantian has already recovered eighty or ninety percent. With Master Lin’s expertise, he should be confident about handling the remaining ten or twenty percent."
"He wouldn’t have agreed otherwise. Back when he worked with our family, wasn’t Master Lin known for his prudence?"
Seeing the anxious, heavy atmosphere begin to spread, Xu Qianyan worried that the Patriarch’s turbulent emotions might lead to an incident. He broke the silence with a smile.
In truth, Xu Qianyan was much older than Xu Xuhe, but his physical and mental states were far superior.
Firstly, it was because Xu Qianyan ignored worldly affairs, focusing only on Alchemy. He was free of distracting thoughts and worries. Now, having fulfilled his wish of breaking through to Tier Two Alchemy, he had no further desires.
Secondly, Pill Masters generally pay some attention to health and wellness.
From Lin Changheng’s observation, this man’s life force was so abundant, showing no signs of withering, that he might even break the theoretical 130-year lifespan of a Qi Cultivation Cultivator.
"You’re right."
At this reminder, much of Xu Xuhe’s anxiety dissipated.
"Once this is resolved, we can rest easy about Ji’er’s Foundation Establishment. Success would be cause for celebration, of course, but even if she fails, we won’t have to worry."
Xu Qianyan kept talking, guiding the conversation to distract the Patriarch.
...
Meanwhile, inside the private chamber.
Lin Changheng and Xu Hanji faced each other in silence.
"Ahem. Are you ready? My examination may involve some direct physical contact..."
Lin Changheng was the first to break the silence, his expression turning serious as he spoke.
He needed to state this clearly beforehand to get her consent.
Unexpectedly, this was met with a blush on Xu Hanji’s pretty face. The words she then whispered made Lin Changheng freeze:
"Outside Mangdang Mountain, under the old banyan tree... Brother Lin has already saved me once. What does it matter if you do so again?"
He recalled the time he had encountered the last remnants of the Chen Family and arrived just in time to save Xu Hanji. Only later did he learn that the mountain was called Mangdang Mountain and the tree was an old banyan.
’So... she was conscious back then?’
’Or did she wake up for a moment and notice what happened? After all, my hands didn’t exactly push her away when she threw herself into my arms. I even gripped her rather firmly a few times.’
Seeing the slightly misty gaze Xu Hanji directed at him, he became even more certain of his guess.
"It was just a misunderstanding."
Lin Changheng shook his head.
"Ji’er has no intention of blaming you, Brother Lin. In my heart, there is only gratitude, and..."
Xu Hanji slowly stepped forward until she was close to Lin Changheng. She looked at him with a complex gaze. "...a feeling I can’t quite explain myself."
"I often thought of you, Brother Lin, in my dreams. But because of so-called modesty, I could only pretend to be oblivious, hoping you would be the one to approach me..."
"But in the end, Sister Feiyue beat me to it. And after that, I was even more constrained by my status, position, and worldly expectations. I crushed my feelings and buried them deep in my heart, refusing to let even a hint of them show. The time we worked together in the Cyan Spirit District... those were the happiest days of my life in recent years."
"Now, with Foundation Establishment just around the corner, I have to risk it all. I know the chances aren’t high. My injury cost me the most precious preparation time, and if I fail, it means death. Since you were willing to come for me, Brother Lin, it must mean I’m not a complete nobody in your heart. So, I’ve decided to be bold for once..."
"It’s better to confess my feelings while I’m alive and leave no regrets than to take them with me to the grave."
Xu Hanji’s long speech left Lin Changheng slightly stunned.
’This woman, who appears so peerlessly cold on the surface, harbors such intense emotions within.’
He was filled with emotion and, for a moment, didn’t know what to do or say.
"Brother Lin, would you be willing to hold me for a moment?"
Xu Hanji didn’t look away. Having made her decision, she was resolute, her eyes never leaving Lin Changheng.
Sighing inwardly, Lin Changheng stepped forward and gathered her delicate form into his arms.
At that moment, his mind was clear of any distracting thoughts; he simply let her lean quietly on his shoulder.
After a moment, Lin Changheng gently patted Xu Hanji’s shoulder, signaling that it was time to attend to the matter at hand.
"Thank you, Brother Lin."
Xu Hanji whispered, offering Lin Changheng a small smile. She then lay down on the bed, like a snow lotus blooming, ready for his examination.
Lin Changheng’s expression was grave. Pushing aside all thoughts of propriety between men and women, he reached out and began to unfasten Xu Hanji’s purple dress.