Reunion with Zhi Rui, Beyond Calculation

"Zhi Rui, what makes you so happy?"

An elderly man with a snow-white beard and an air of otherworldly wisdom, sitting opposite Lin Zhi Rui, asked.

"It is naturally a joy to have friends coming from afar."

Lin Zhi Rui put away the jade compass and smiled.

"Oh, I wonder which talented young man is it this time?"

Seeing the smile on his face, the old man with the air of a hermit became curious.

His disciple seemed calm and gentle, and was very kind to everyone.

In reality, he has extremely high aspirations, and ordinary people are simply not worthy of his attention.

Therefore, he was also curious about what kind of person could make his most outstanding disciple so happy.

"Master should also know this person. He is the Chen Songqing, the Old Chen, whom I mentioned to you before, who lives in Cang Province."

"Oh, is that the Innate Realm expert you mentioned, the one who possesses the Merit Light?"

The old man, with his sage-like demeanor, immediately became interested.

"That's right. More than two years ago, I gave Old Chen a jade tablet. I thought he would come to Central Province a year or two ago, but I didn't expect him to come only now."

"He must have sensed the changes in the world, which is why he came to Central Province," the venerable old man guessed.

After the changes in heaven and earth, the Spiritual Qi Revival, with the most dramatic changes occurring in the Central Province.

Anyone with even a modicum of knowledge at the Innate Realm would certainly not want to miss such an opportunity.

"Perhaps, but I wonder if his disciple, that young friend Lu Qing, came along," Lin Zhi Rui said.

"Is it that young man who defeated the Martial Dao Grandmaster of the Heavenly Azure Sect while only at the Tendons and Bones Realm?"

"Indeed, that young man is exceptionally talented and has outstanding martial arts skills. I wonder if he has reached the Innate Realm in the past two years."

Lin Zhi Rui recalled Lu Qing's calm face.

That boy was one of the most mysterious people he had ever met.

He was also the only person he couldn't see through after taking control of the sect's Exotic Treasure.

"Master, Old Chen should be nearby by now. I need to go and greet him. I'm afraid I won't be able to finish this game of chess with you."

"Go ahead. The situation in the city is tense right now. It would be a good thing to have such a kind-hearted and powerful person here," said the old man with an air of otherworldly wisdom.

Lin Zhi Rui felt a slight tightness in his heart as he thought about what had happened in the Holy City recently.

I felt it necessary to explain the situation in the city to the Old Doctor later, so that he wouldn't be caught up in the turmoil without knowing the full story.

"Master, this should be the place."

Looking at the towering tower in front of him, and the seven-star symbol on it that was exactly the same as the Heaven's Secret Pavilion in Azure Dragon City, Lu Qing said.

"Yes, I can feel that the fluctuations received by the jade tablet also come from here," the Old Doctor nodded.

Ma Gu asked, "Then how do we get in? Do I need to deliver a visiting card?"

"No need." Lu Qing's expression suddenly changed, and he smiled. "An old friend has come out to pick us up."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a figure dressed in plain clothes walked out of the tower.

Who else could it be but Lin Zhi Rui, whom I haven't seen for over two years? "Isn't it a pleasure to have friends coming from afar?"

Lin Zhi Rui's demeanor was even more gentle than it had been two years ago, and he walked up with a smile on his face.

"Old Chen, young friend Lu Qing, it's been over two years since we last met. How have you been?"

"It's been a long time, Zhi Rui," the Old Doctor said with a smile.

"Thanks to Your Excellency Zhi Rui's good fortune, everything is fine," Lu Qing said, bowing.

"Greetings Your Excellency Zhi Rui."

Ma Gu and Wei Zi'an also bowed in the same manner.

Wei Zi'an, in particular, was extremely respectful.

He knew that if it hadn't been for His Your Excellency Zhi Rui back then, the Wei Clan would probably no longer exist.

"Young Master Wei is here too?" Lin Zhi Rui also somewhat surprised to see Wei Zi'an. "Is Senior Wei Shanhai well?"

"Our Old Ancestor is still in good health. He instructed me to greet you when I see Lord Zhirui," Wei Zi'an said respectfully.

"Senior Wei Shanhai is too kind."

Lin Zhi Rui secretly sized up Lu Qing and the Old Doctor.

More than two years had passed since they last met. Lu Qing had grown much taller and his face had become much more handsome. The Old Doctor, on the other hand, had not changed at all and still looked like an old man.

But to Lin Zhi Rui's surprise, he was unable to see through Lu Qing and the Old Doctor's cultivation levels.

Even if he secretly used the power of the Exotic Treasure, he still gained nothing.

This was quite a shock, leaving Lin Zhi Rui somewhat incredulous.

You must know that he is now at the Innate Realm, and after this period of seclusion and consolidation, he has reached the Innate Initial Realm Peak, and is only one step away from the Innate Lesser Completion Realm.

Not to mention that over the past two years, through day and night refinement, he has completely refined and mastered the Exotic Treasure bestowed upon him by the sect.

Even so, he still couldn't see through the cultivation levels of Lu Qing and his disciple.

Was it that these two individuals' cultivation levels had reached a level he could not attain, or that they also possessed Exotic Treasure that could completely block his calculations and investigations? Lin Zhi Rui's heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

However, he remained expressionless and continued chatting with Lu Qing and the others.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Lin Zhi Rui slapped his forehead and said, "Look at me, I got too excited and lost my manners. Please come in with me."

After saying that, he was about to lead Lu Qing and the others into the tower.

"Your Excellency Zhi Rui, what should we do with our carriage?" Ma Gu asked.

"That's fine."

Just as Lin Zhi Rui was about to make arrangements, he suddenly saw Lu Qing's carriage and was stunned for a moment.

"Old Chen, your horses..."

"On the way here, a few nights ago, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred, with countless moonbeams falling down. These two beasts were lucky enough to receive two of these moonbeams, and that's how they ended up like this."

Lu Qing said, half-truthfully.

"Young friend Lu Qing, are you referring to the strange celestial phenomenon that occurred a few nights ago?" Lin Zhi Rui's eyes flashed.

"Indeed, the two horses that pulled our carriage absorbed two streams of moonlight that night. For some reason, they turned into this state the next day. Fortunately, although their appearance changed, their temperament remained the same. On the contrary, they became much stronger, which made our journey much faster and saved us a lot of time."

"Those two horses have certainly had a good opportunity." Lin Zhi Rui praised, his expression returning to calm. "Don't worry, I'll have the Zi An. These two Divine Steed will not be treated unfairly."

Following Lin Zhi Rui's instructions, disciples from the Heaven's Secret Pavilion immediately offered to help lead the horse.

"Wait a minute, we still have injured people in the carriage." Lu Qing walked to the front of the carriage and knocked on the door. "Xiao Yan, help Sister Hu out of the carriage."

"Xiao Yan is here too?"

Lin Zhi Rui was even more surprised upon hearing this.

However, when he saw Hu Ze Zhi stepping down from the carriage, his expression suddenly changed.

"Young friend Lu Qing, this young lady..."

"Your Excellency Zhi Rui noticed?" Lu Qing asked in a deep voice.

Lin Zhi Rui first stared at Hu Ze Zhi's eyebrows, then gave Lu Qing a deep look.

However, he didn't reveal the truth. Instead, he said with a somewhat solemn expression, "Please come in with me first."

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhi Rui into the Heaven's Secret Pavilion, but they did not notice that a Black-Robed Figure was hiding around a corner a hundred meters behind them.

Those eyes, with their two pupils, emitted an eerie light.

"Person with Great Luck! Mystic Yin Body! And what is that, the Merit Light?"

This small carriage actually houses so many exceptionally talented individuals!

Could this truly be divine intervention?

A fanatical glint appeared in the eyes of the Black-Robed Figure.

If he can devour those people in front of him, his Demon Body will transform to an unbelievable degree.

At that time, not only will the formations in this broken city be unable to suppress him, but he will also no longer fear those old monsters on the Holy Mountain!

"This matter requires careful consideration. Once I devour these people, I can lay the first step in establishing my Supreme Demonic Foundation!"

The Black-Robed Figure had madness in his eyes, but his mind was incredibly calm.

Although he spoke of the Holy City with disdain.

However, it must be admitted that he does not yet have the power to do whatever he wants in this city.

He might not even be able to defeat those old guys in the Heaven's Secret Pavilion, let alone those old monsters on the Holy Mountain.

Therefore, everything must be done in secret, gradually and meticulously.

The Black-Robed Figure gave Heaven's Secret Pavilion a deep look before gradually disappearing from sight.

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhi Rui into the tower, but instead of going up, they passed through the tower and arrived at a large area of buildings behind it, finally stopping in a quiet courtyard.

"Old Chen, this is my residence. It's rather simple, please don't mind," Lin Zhi Rui said apologetically.

"If you call this place shabby, then my place can only be called a dilapidated hut," the Old Doctor chuckled.

"How can this compare? Senior's residence, just that Plum Blossom Spirit Tree alone surpasses countless luxurious mansions." Lin Zhi Rui shook his head slightly.

"So Zhi Rui missed the Plum Blossom Tea. Luckily, I brought a lot with me this time, so we can brew some."

The Old Doctor took out a packet of Plum Blossom Tea that had been prepared in advance.

"The one who truly understands me Old Chen."

After entering the Innate Realm and condensing his Innate Body, Lin Zhi Rui smelled the faint Plum Blossom Tea and immediately exclaimed with delight.

They immediately went to prepare the tea set.

After Lin Zhi Rui took out the tea set, the next step was the tea-making process, which Lu Qing was very familiar with. He was extremely familiar with this task.

She took the initiative to do the work, quickly boiling water and brewing tea.

Soon, a perfectly brewed pot of Plum Blossom Tea was ready.

Lin Zhi Rui picked up one of the teacups, took a sip, and slowly savored it, a look of delight on his face.

After a long while, he sighed and said, "I have traveled all over the world in the past few years and have drunk countless famous teas, but the one that I like the most is your Plum Blossom Tea, Old Chen."

"Your Excellency Zhi Rui, didn't you say that you would cultivate a Plum Blossom Tea plant when you broke through to the Innate Realm? Did you fail?" Lu Qing asked curiously.

The Plum Blossom Tea Tree in the Half-Mountain Courtyard was cultivated unintentionally by the Old Doctor when he entered the Innate Realm, drawing upon the Heaven and Earth Primal Qi.

When Lin Zhi Rui learned about the origin of the Plum Blossom Tea Tree, he expressed his desire to emulate it. He also wanted to cultivate a Plum Blossom Tea Tree using the Heaven and Earth Primal Qi when he reached the Innate Realm.

Seeing that he had already reached the Innate Realm, Lu Qing asked this question.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhi Rui looked embarrassed. "When I broke through, it was during my travels that I suddenly had a feeling and broke through unintentionally. At that time, I didn't have time to find the plum tree."

For the vast majority of Martial Artist, the opportunity to break through to the Innate Realm is something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after.

That spark of inspiration is fleeting; once you grasp it, few people would be willing to let it go.

Lin Zhi Rui was no exception. After he sensed the opportunity to break through, he did not hesitate and broke through immediately.

Only afterwards did I remember about the Plum Blossom Tea Tree, but it was already too late.

"That's a pity," Lu Qing said regretfully.

He knew very well how much this person loved drinking tea.

"It's all a matter of chance, there's nothing to regret." Lin Zhi Rui shook his head. "It only means that I didn't have that chance."

"Zhi Rui is right," the Old Doctor nodded approvingly.

He has always been a calm and easy-going person, and he greatly admires Lin Zhi Rui's mindset.

"Old Chen, you flatter me. Speaking of which, why have you only come to Central Province now? I thought you would have come a year or two ago."

"To be honest, I'm ashamed to say that I'm just too lazy. After getting used to living a carefree life in the countryside, I haven't been able to muster the energy to go out, which is why it's been delayed until today," the Old Doctor said.

"Senior is joking. I think it's because of your personality that you've never taken that so-called opportunity to heart."

If I'm not mistaken, Senior's trip to Central Province this time wasn't solely for the opportunity at the Holy Mountain, was it?

Although Lin Zhi Rui had not known the Old Doctor for long, he knew him to be a kind and benevolent person.

The fact that the other party didn't come to the Holy Mountain in the past two years indicates that they didn't value Holy Mountain opportunity there very much.

There must be other reasons for their sudden arrival.

Unfortunately, he had tried to calculate it before, but he couldn't figure it out at all.

"The old man isn't as detached from worldly desires as he seems," the Old Doctor chuckled. "However, besides the opportunity at the Holy Mountain, there are indeed some other things I want to clarify when I come to Central Province this time."

"Is it about this young lady?" Lin Zhi Rui asked Hu Ze Zhi.

This startled the pretty young girl who was listening with great interest, and she didn't understand why she was suddenly being brought up.

"This is just one of them, but it is the most important thing right now. Zhi Rui, you should be able to see the problem with Miss Hu, right?" the Old Doctor said.

"There was an invisible black aura lingering between the girl's brows, which was difficult to dissipate."

This is an omen of impending great danger, indicating that in the near future, this young woman will encounter something far worse than death.

Lin Zhi Rui's expression turned serious, and he spoke slowly.

"Indeed, A Qing and I also vaguely sensed the calamity befalling Miss Hu, but we couldn't figure out where it came from. I wonder if Zhi Rui has any way to deduce it?"

The Old Doctor knew that the Heaven's Secret Pavilion lineage was most skilled in divination.

If it were Lin Zhi Rui, perhaps a clue could be deduced.

However, to the Old Doctor's surprise, Lin Zhi Rui simply shook his head.

"I couldn't calculate it. To be honest, senior, I had already secretly calculated it when I first saw this young lady."

The result, however, was that the Tianji secrets were shrouded in mystery, making calculation impossible.

"If even Zhi Rui can't figure it out, then this is troublesome." The Old Doctor frowned.

"Old Chen, Your Excellency Zhi Rui, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

At this moment, Hu Ze Zhi finally couldn't help but ask.