Over the next two days, Lu Zheng visited Baiyun Temple and the Department of Anomaly Suppression, but neither had any information about the man’s affiliations.
Since his departure, the man had made no moves, perhaps preparing or seeking reinforcements. Lu Zheng could only remain vigilant.
Shen Ying, however, was unconcerned, focusing instead on urging the eighteen celestial maidens to cultivate.
While things were calm in the ancient era, changes were afoot in the modern world.
“What? A transfer?” Lu Zheng looked at Lin Wan, utterly baffled.
“Yes,” Lin Wan nodded, looking sheepish, “I’ve been transferred to the Haicheng Liaison Office of Interpol’s China Branch.”
“What’s that about?”
“It’s mainly about coordinating the investigation of cross-border cases,” Lin Wan explained, “It used to be primarily an intelligence-sharing agency, but later an operations division was added, allowing joint law enforcement with police agencies from other countries when cases require it.”
“How’s that different from before?”
Lin Wan blinked, “Well… it doesn’t seem much different, I suppose.”
Her face fell, “They say the operations division has little to do, since no one really wants to conduct joint enforcement. I didn’t want to go, but it’s an assignment…”
“Alright, alright, I get it. Isn’t that good? More free time, no overtime,” Lu Zheng said with a laugh.
Lin Wan pouted, “The problem is, no overtime means you’re not around either. You’re always in seclusion cultivating, I hardly see you.”
Lu Zheng gave an awkward chuckle.
“But,” Lin Wan continued, “while there’s no overtime normally, I’ll have to travel now and then. For joint operations, both the initiating and target countries send people, so I’ll probably be travelling a lot.”
Lu Zheng frowned, “It’s one thing in the country, but abroad, that sounds dangerous.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be careful,” Lin Wan reassured him, “Besides, we’re usually just cooperating on cases, handling evidence or witnessing on-site. We’re not on the front lines, so the risk is actually low.”
Lu Zheng scoffed, “What about last time?”
Lin Wan laughed, “If it’s something underhanded, I’m even less at risk.”
Compared to powerful firearms, Lin Wan was less afraid of poison or assassination, having already cultivated martial blood qi to a high level.
A martial artist’s keen senses were enough to detect subtle dangers in advance.
Lu Zheng nodded, “Fine, but I’ll give you an extra boost.”
“What?” Lin Wan asked.
“Hold on, I’ll get it.”
Moments later…
“What’s this?”
“Eat it, and you’ll see.”
“Oh… this… wow!”
…
A single Jade Essence Pill doubled Lin Wan’s cultivation.
The pill’s potency was so strong, and she was so relatively weak, that without Lu Zheng helping to channel the energy, much of it might have been wasted.
Even so, most of the pill’s power lay dormant in her body, set to take effect gradually over the next year.
Still, having taken the Jade Essence Pill, Lin Wan felt her body brimming with strength, her blood qi surging, her energy boundless, itching to find an opponent for a good fight.
Lu Zheng was right there, so why not? She’d never beaten him before, but with the pill’s boost, now was the perfect chance to settle the score!
The battlefield spanned the entire house: desk, balcony, cabinets, sofa, bathroom, every corner marked by their sparring.
From morning to night, a full day.
…
“Are you sure this is a cultivation pill and not some blue pill?” Lin Wan panted.
Lu Zheng was speechless, “What do you think?”
Lin Wan mustered her strength, throwing a punch into the air that let out a whistling crack.
“Too strong!” she exclaimed, shocked, “This pill is way more potent than ginseng wine.”
“That’s only thirty percent of its effect. Most of the power is still stored in your body, to take effect over the next year,” Lu Zheng said.
“So, one pill a year?”
“You think these are jellybeans?”
“Heh,” Lin Wan looked embarrassed, “I just didn’t expect it to be *that* strong!”
Lu Zheng gazed at her, lost in thought.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Wan blinked, then quickly clarified, “I’m not being greedy, just asking casually.”
Lu Zheng laughed, “I’m not that petty. I’m just thinking about what path you should take next.”
“Huh? What do you…” Lin Wan’s eyes lit up, “Got something new to teach me?”
“Not yet,” Lu Zheng smiled, “Keep practicing the *Mountain-Bearing Eighteen Forms* for now.”
Lu Zheng had no deep foundation or grand inheritance, nor did he fully understand cultivation systems. To keep Lin Wan safe, he’d taught her the *Mountain-Bearing Eighteen Forms* when he acquired it.
For fighting, martial arts were strong, but for longevity, most martial methods focused on refining essence and qi, with little emphasis on spirit, leaving one of the three treasures lacking.
Thus, most martial artists didn’t live much longer than ordinary people. Those who did either practiced martial arts that refined the spirit or supplemented with Buddhist or Taoist methods to strengthen their true spirit and soul, matching the lifespan of other cultivators.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying were different cases: one bore an ancient bloodline and practiced the *Moon-Reflecting Scripture*, while the other aligned with the *Peach Blossom* poem, sustained by endless human faith and incense, both with prospects for immortality.
This left Lin Wan as the weakest link.
Now that Lu Zheng had a shot at immortality, he naturally wanted his close companion to stay by his side for the long haul. If Hu Yijun could achieve it, there was no reason he couldn’t.
However, he currently lacked a suitable technique to teach Lin Wan.
To avoid complications or misunderstandings, Lu Zheng had no intention of teaching her Baiyun Temple’s methods, nor the *Nine Heavens Golden Palace True Transformation Method*. The *Flying Feather Riding Clouds Sword Scripture* was also a bit too niche.
So, he decided to wait. Lin Wan’s martial arts were already accomplished, and she could maintain her peak condition for a long time, with abundant blood qi, making it easy to switch to another technique later.
If possible, Lu Zheng leaned toward having her practice a Taoist method, as they were renowned for promoting longevity.
“This means the plan to visit the Jinhua Sect needs to move up. According to Master, presenting the *Nine Heavens Golden Palace True Transformation Method* will allow me to select a transmissible technique in return,” Lu Zheng thought.
…
Back in the ancient era, Lu Zheng heard a chorus of lively chatter from next door.
“Huh? All of them came?”
In the past, only Hu Cainiang had visited Tonglin County. This time, it sounded like all five demonesses from Wuxiu Manor had come together.
“Young Master, Miss Liu just came by, saying the ladies from Wuxiu Manor are here and inviting you to join them for dinner tonight,” Li Bo said, hurrying over as Lu Zheng appeared.
Lu Zheng nodded, grabbed two bottles of fruit wine from the storeroom, and strolled over to the neighboring estate.
