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Chapter 165: A Close Relationship

Unsurprisingly, a few days later, Lin Lu visited Lan Chang\'an’s cave with gifts, bringing with him more detailed information.

"Little Lu, you’re being too formal. There’s no need to bring such heavy gifts," Lan Chang\'an said as he accepted the gifts from Lin Lu, which included second-rank spirit wine, tea leaves, and beast feed.

"Next time, don’t go to such lengths. If you truly want to show your appreciation, just bring some local specialties when you visit Little Turtle Peak for a casual chat."

Lan Chang\'an’s expression held a slight tone of reproach, and he wasn’t just being polite.

During the war, Lan Chang\'an earned a substantial amount of spirit stones and was financially comfortable.

Lin Lu, on the other hand, wasn’t as well-off. The gifts he brought this time exceeded the usual standard, which must have been a significant expense for him.

This wasn’t counting the gifts Lin Lu had given during his Foundation Establishment advancement or his previous visits.

"Uncle Lan, I am truly grateful for your guidance this time, more so than ever before. Thanks to you and the Jade Clear Pill, I was able to smoothly advance to mid-Foundation Establishment…"

Lin Lu explained respectfully, revealing his reasons.

Since his days in Huanglong Immortal City, Lin Lu had been in contact with Lan Chang\'an.

Over the decades, he had come to realize that this Uncle Lan was no ordinary person, particularly admiring his unchanging mindset and perseverance for over a century, steadily advancing step by step.

As the saying goes, knowing is easy, but doing is hard. Everyone understands the grand principles of cultivation, but very few can consistently adhere to them for decades or even a hundred years.

After some reminiscing, the conversation soon turned to the topic of the sect’s expedition, which was partly why Lin Lu had come.

"I voluntarily applied to be included in the first batch of expeditionary cultivators," Lin Lu said frankly.

Lan Chang\'an hadn’t expected Lin Lu to voluntarily request to be part of the expedition. He didn’t fully agree with this decision but chose not to interfere.

"Going to war with Feng Kingdom is certainly an opportunity. However, the journey is long, and the situation on the battlefield is unpredictable. Especially for those in the vanguard, Nephew Lin must be extremely cautious and take care of yourself." He sighed softly, offering his advice.

In his two previous lifetimes, Lan Chang\'an had witnessed large-scale wars between sects in the cultivation world.

Particularly in his second life, the cultivation family he was part of had been forced into conflict, leading to many casualties among his kin.

"I understand the risks, Uncle Lan. However, this is already the best option available…" Lin Lu replied with a wry smile.

Although he had the desire to go to war and take a gamble for the sake of his path to immortality, the uncertainty of being in the vanguard made it a high-risk decision.

Lan Chang\'an learned that Jin Yun Valley had selected the first batch of expeditionary cultivators, prioritizing those who were young but lacked potential.

Young cultivators with potential or those with exceptional skills were given some leeway.

As for the elderly, who had devoted their lives to the sect but lacked the vigor and drive, they were just slightly better off than the young with no potential.

For those who voluntarily applied, there were additional rewards, and it could also leave a good impression on the sect’s higher-ups.

Of course, cultivators with connections to elders could find ways to avoid being sent to the front lines.

For example, they could be assigned to guard a location for ten years, avoiding the chaos of war. Even if they went to the front lines, they could take on roles in logistics or supervision, which carried far less risk.

"…Even if nephew didn’t volunteer, he\'d likely still be selected for the first batch," Lin Lu said in conclusion.

Lan Chang\'an couldn’t deny that Lin Lu’s decision, given his circumstances, was the best of a set of unfavorable options.

As a young cultivator with no potential, no background, and no outstanding skills, it was better to take the initiative rather than be passively dispatched.

"This time, I sold off many of my possessions and, with the help of my juniors, managed to gather a significant amount of spirit stones. Under Uncle Zhang’s guidance, I’ve come to purchase protective supplies from you, Uncle Lan," Lin Lu explained.

With the prices of war supplies skyrocketing, it was difficult to find high-quality talismans at a reasonable price.

After discussing Lin Lu’s spirit stone budget, Lan Chang\'an sold him eight mid-to-superior-grade talismans, as well as the repaired mid-grade second-rank spear puppet.

The price was lower than the current market rate.

"Little Lu, when you’re on the battlefield, not only must you be wary of enemy cultivators, but you should also keep a cautious eye on your fellow disciples," Lan Chang\'an advised before Lin Lu left.

"This escape talisman is a token of my care for you, take it with you."

Lan Chang\'an handed Lin Lu a top-grade second-rank escape talisman.

He didn’t want a junior who had shown him respect for so many years to leave and never return.

"Uncle Lan, please take care of yourself as well, little nephew wishes you a long and evergreen path to Great Dao and success in reaching Core Formation," Lin Lu said, his eyes slightly reddened as he took the talisman, arched his hands, and flew off into the sky.

As he watched Lin Lu’s departing figure, Lan Chang\'an recalled the Young Marquis Lin Yi from back then.

Lin Yi had died prematurely in middle age.

Lin Lu’s lifespan was just over half gone, and it was uncertain whether he could pass this trial and seize an opportunity in the cultivation war.

...

A few days later, Lan Chang\'an visited Fairy Shi at Xiao Pan Peak.

He planned to strengthen the formations on Little Turtle Peak.

The mid-grade second-rank protective formation that Shi Manrong set up for Little Turtle Peak decades ago was, to him, something of a chicken rib—of little use but couldn\'t be discarded just yet.

Lan Chang\'an was prepared to set up a quasi-third-rank small-scale mountain protection formation to enhance his security.

His own formation skills were only at the ordinary second-rank level, a foundation carried over from his past life\'s casual dabbling.

In this life, Lan Chang\'an had already spread his attention across multiple paths—talisman making, puppetry, alchemy, and body refinement—leaving him little energy to explore other specialties. Besides, formation techniques were abstruse and deep, and his talent in that area was only average.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, it’s rare for you to visit on your own initiative. I’m deeply honored and must properly entertain you," Fairy Shi said with a charming smile, gracefully inviting Lan Chang\'an into her cave.

In an elegantly decorated tea room, Fairy Shi rolled up her sleeves, revealing a jade-like arm, and approached Lan Chang\'an, slightly leaning over as she personally brewed and served tea.

From this angle, the graceful curves of her tall and slender figure, accentuated by her moonlit dress, were elegantly outlined, like a serene and beautiful sculpture.

Lan Chang\'an smiled as he admired the scene.

Fairy Shi’s beauty was exceptional, though not on par with Zhao Siyao or Mu Bingyun.

However, what made her particularly attractive to a man with experience was the refined and mature aura she exuded, shaped by the hardships she had endured—a scent akin to the fragrance of plum blossoms, dignified yet understated.

Sensing Lan Chang\'an’s gaze, Fairy Shi’s serene eyes rippled slightly, and she smiled faintly, meeting his gaze openly.

Even if counted from the time she lost her memory, their decades of acquaintance, shared ideals, and mutual understanding had naturally brought them closer.

As neighbors who harbored mutual affection, their relationship had gradually grown closer in recent years, with an air of subtle intimacy.

Unlike before she lost her memory, the current Fairy Shi was more reserved and dignified, lacking her previous proactive allure.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, please try this tea I’ve brewed. Let me know if it suits your taste," Fairy Shi said in a soft and gentle tone, leaning in a bit closer as she handed Lan Chang\'an a cup of tea.

A rich orchid fragrance wafted around them.

Looking at the Fairy Shi just inches away, Lan Chang\'an easily caught the underlying meaning in her words.

"We’ve known each other for so many years, and this isn’t the first time I’ve tasted Fairy Shi’s tea. Of course, it suits my taste."

He responded with a warm smile.

As he took the teacup from her, their hands touched briefly. Fairy Shi seemed slightly nervous; her slender fingers trembled, spilling a few drops of tea.

"Let me help you wipe that off."

Fairy Shi smiled apologetically and, holding Lan Chang\'an’s wrist, used her mana to wipe away the spilled tea.

After this intimate gesture, their hands naturally intertwined, both understanding without the need for words.

Fairy Shi, still holding the teapot, was slightly bent over, so Lan Chang\'an gently pulled her to sit beside him.

"Fellow Daoist Lan," Fairy Shi murmured, sounding a bit uneasy as she nestled into his embrace, her long legs gracefully crossed.

"What’s wrong?" Lan Chang\'an asked, holding her slender waist, feeling a familiar yet subtly different sensation from the past.

"I still haven’t remembered the nature of our relationship before I lost my memory," Fairy Shi said softly.

Lan Chang\'an looked at her, sensing she wasn’t lying.

The current Fairy Shi indeed had a different personality from before, lacking the proactive seductiveness of the past.

Their emotional connection had deepened slowly and subtly, like a bottle of fine wine that had aged over many years, requiring careful savoring.

Because Lan Chang\'an hadn’t been particularly proactive either, it had taken so many years to finally break through the thin layer of ambiguity between them.

"However, I have a feeling that given our connection and the alignment of our hearts, our relationship back then must have been quite close," Fairy Shi said with a smile, looking at him.

"Our relationship was indeed not shallow," Lan Chang\'an admitted.

At this point in their relationship, there was no need to hide the truth any longer.

"In the past, I was curious about our previous relationship, but now, I don’t want to know so much," Fairy Shi said, stopping Lan Chang\'an from explaining further.

In the quiet tea room, the lone man and woman were quietly embracing each other.

Lan Chang\'an could feel the soft and rounded curves of her body, and her lips, sweet and tender, were like ripe cherries.

After a long time, Fairy Shi finally pulled away, gasping softly as her face flushed with color, her eyes filled with soft emotion.

"Fairy Shi, we have plenty of time ahead. Let’s take it slow," Lan Chang\'an said with a slight smile, releasing the disheveled Fairy Shi, her hair slightly askew, her dress partially undone, revealing a fair length of her snow-white leg.

"You…" Fairy Shi exclaimed, her eyes widening in thinly veiled anger, feeling something was amiss but unable to pinpoint it.

However, this was also what she had intended. Having broken through that thin layer of ambiguity, she didn’t want things to progress too quickly, risking being taken lightly by him.

A moment later, Fairy Shi tidied up her dress, returning to her usual serene and dignified demeanor, though she seemed lost in thought.

"Fairy Shi, let’s talk about business," Lan Chang\'an said, now in a more composed manner.

The intimacy just now was merely a brief respite from the long, tedious path of cultivation.

For cultivators who endure decades or even centuries of hard training, without occasional relaxation, it’s easy to develop inner demons.

Most cold-hearted or obsessive demonic cultivators lacked a suitable Dao companion.

"A quasi-third-rank formation is quite expensive. Are you sure you want to proceed?" Fairy Shi asked, sitting upright.

"I don’t mind the cost," Lan Chang\'an replied, now flush with wealth, he prioritized safety above all else.

"Given our relationship, I trust that Fairy Shi will offer me a fair price." Of course, a little haggling never hurt.

Even a small quasi-third-rank protective formation was costly. A simple discount could save him thousands of spirit stones.

Fairy Shi lightly flicked her hair and shot him a playful glance.

After some discussion, she agreed on a plan for the quasi-third-rank formation that would suit his needs.

In the end, she generously offered him a thirty percent discount, leaving little profit for herself.