Chapter 159: Announcing the Family Name: This One Is Truly an Elder

Li Rui's surprise lasted only a moment.

He seized the key point.

Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng could appear here only because Ning Zhongtian brought them; otherwise, even the Hidden Sect would commit a grave offense by intruding into Anning Guard.

"Chief Ning, this is—"

Ning Zhongtian grinned: "Brother Li, why ask me? I've never met Miss Yao or Master Qu before—you're the ones who know them."

Finished speaking.

Seeing no trace of surprise on Li Rui's face, he realized he still couldn't shake the man's resolve.

He then explained: "Miss Yao and Master Qu's master, Daoist Zhang, has an old connection with Lord Jiang. Daoist Zhang plans to travel outside Qinghe, so he specifically asked his two disciples to stay at Brother Li's residence."

"Was it Lord Jiang's idea?"

Li Rui didn't answer, but asked instead.

Ning Zhongtian smiled sweetly: "Lord Jiang said everything is up to you."

Li Rui sighed lightly.

Fine.

So there was no choice.

As they spoke, Yao Xue stepped forward and said softly: "Lord Li, you saved my life and my brother Qu's. We wish to repay your kindness."

Li Rui was about to speak.

When he noticed the pale red mist had turned pure white.

"This—"

He glanced at Yao Xue, then at the mist.

The refusal he'd been about to utter vanished unspoken; he smiled sincerely: "Miss Yao, Master Qu, no talk of repayment—stay as long as you like!"

Yao Xue blinked her big eyes.

"Just now, I thought he was going to refuse."

"Illusion."

She thought to herself, then bowed gracefully: "Then for the coming days, we shall trouble you, Elder."

As she bowed, she gave her younger brother Qu Chengfeng a meaningful glance.

Qu Chengfeng smirked.

He had no good impression of Li Rui and muttered silently: "Old fox."

But staying at Li Rui's home was his master's wish—he couldn't defy it.

He bowed deeply and clasped his fists: "Thank you for the hospitality."

Li Rui smiled warmly, like an elder fondly watching a worthy junior.

Though he didn't know why the danger level dropped after Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng arrived, nor could he yet trace the reason, it was certainly good.

Just as he was about to speak—

He saw two figures appear in the distance.

Li Rui's heart jolted.

One was Jiang Lin; the other, an old Daoist with white hair and beard, ethereal and transcendent, like a sage from a storyteller's tale.

"So strong!"

Li Rui couldn't discern the old Daoist's realm, but the sheer spiritual energy radiating from him was blinding—he was clearly a top-tier powerhouse!

"Can't touch him."

Jiang Lin chuckled:

"Lord Li, I didn't want to pressure you, so I waited until you agreed before showing myself."

Li Rui rolled his eyes inwardly.

If he truly hadn't wanted to pressure him, Ning Zhongtian wouldn't have even mentioned Jiang Lin's name.

Since he did mention it, he clearly had orders.

Superiors are much like women—they say "do as you like," "it's your choice," but that just means "do as I want."

Jiang Lin pointed to the old Daoist beside him: "This is Daoist Zhang of the Ask-Immortal Tower. Given his age, you may call him Elder."

Li Rui's lip twitched.

Since turning sixty, he hadn't called anyone "Elder" in years.

Daoist Zhang Gu chuckled: "After seventy, age matters little. If you don't mind, call me Brother Zhang."

At that moment,

Jiang Lin added: "Daoist Zhang is already one hundred and thirty."

The old Daoist smiled and corrected: "Actually, after this year's birthday, I'll be one hundred and four."

Li Rui was stunned.

My goodness.

One hundred and four years old—he'd truly met a living immortal today.

Elder.

This heavyweight truly deserved the title.

He now understood why the mist had lightened—it must be tied to this old Daoist.

An elder of the Ask-Immortal Tower, treated with respect by Jiang Lin—his power must be extraordinary.

"Elder."

Li Rui bowed respectfully.

If others call you brother, you call them brother; if they're polite, you're not rude—that's proper conduct.

By age alone,

Li Rui could call him Grandfather without overstepping.

Seeing this, Daoist Zhang no longer insisted on the title; he chuckled: "Brother Li, I've taken only three disciples. My eldest was fated to face this tribulation—I beg you to watch over these two during my travels. I'm deeply grateful. May the Heavenly Dao bless you."

With that, he performed a Daoist bow.

"Elder, don't speak so—meeting immortals is my fortune."

Li Rui shifted roles with astonishing speed.

He showed full deference as a junior.

Daoist Zhang nodded with a smile: "Then I'll trouble you further."

Saying this,

He clasped his fists to Jiang Lin: "Brother Jiang, I'll go see if the true immortal connection truly lies within Anning Prefecture. If it does, I'll be the first to tell you."

Jiang Lin laughed heartily:

"Then I wish you success in attaining the Dao and ascending to immortality."

"Ascending to immortality—"

Daoist Zhang's eyes flickered with melancholy: "I'm off!"

Before his words faded,

The old Daoist leapt lightly—ten zhang high!

Both Li Rui and Ning Zhongtian gaped, mouths slightly open.

A true living immortal.

Just that single leap was beyond their wildest dreams.

This was what flying over eaves and walking on walls truly meant.

Spider-Man from his past life was nothing compared to this old Daoist.

In two breaths, the old Daoist had vanished beyond Anning Guard's camp—his lightness was beyond imagination.

Jiang Lin smiled faintly:

"Daoist Zhang's lightness has improved again."

He exchanged a few polite words with Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng, then turned and left.

Soon,

Only Li Rui and the three others remained before the gate.

=9+book_ok

Ning Zhongtian grinned: "Brother Li, I leave the two Immortal Masters in your care. For now, set aside the Running Tiger Cavalry's duties—it's no big deal."

He knew it was officially about repayment, but in truth, it meant this old man had to shoulder the burden.

So he kindly gave Li Rui time off.

Li Rui smiled warmly: "Miss Yao and Master Qu coming to my home is my fortune, Chief Ning—you can rest easy."

As he spoke,

He glanced again at the mist's color bar.

"Hmm, still white."

This proved that even after the old Daoist left, his presence still lowered the danger level.

Li Rui then invited Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng inside.

"My home is humble—please endure it for a few days."

"Little Zhao, quickly clean out two rooms in the inner quarters."

Hearing Li Rui's voice, Wang Zhao rushed out from the stable, but froze just at the doorway.

How could there be a woman like this in the world?

Her skin outshone snow, her features flawless, like a celestial maiden from the Moon Palace—visible yet unattainable.

Wang Zhao was not lustful; he was truly stunned by Yao Xue's beauty.

He stared, dumbfounded.

Seeing this, Li Rui cleared his throat: "Little Zhao, go tidy up the rooms."

"Oh, oh."

Wang Zhao snapped out of it and hurriedly retreated bashfully toward the back courtyard.

Yao Xue seemed accustomed to such reactions, but Qu Chengfeng's eyes brimmed with mockery, his lips moving as if whispering, "Unrefined."

Li Rui understood Qu Chengfeng's thoughts perfectly, yet his expression remained unchanged.

"Both of you, tidying will take some time—why not join me in the tea room for a cup?"

Moments later.

The three arrived at the tea room.

Li Rui brewed tea for Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng, sat down, then spoke:

"This is the new spring tea just picked today—drunk only for its freshness; please try it."

Yao Xue sipped lightly, gazing at the tea broth: "The flavor is vibrant, the aroma sweet and clean, the liquor pale with a hint of green—definitely spring tea."

Li Rui was surprised: "Miss Yao, you understand tea?"

Yao Xue lifted her head slightly: "Over the years, I've traveled far and wide with my master, seen many teas—I can tell the difference."

"My master never calls me 'Immortal Miss'—call me Xiaoqing instead."

Xiaoqing?

Was she planning a White Snake tale?

Li Rui thought for a moment, then changed his address: "Miss Yao, I just heard from Elder Zhang that you came to Qinghe for an immortal connection?"

After returning from Liutiao Village, he had also visited the Martial Library to consult relevant texts.

Unfortunately, official records on hidden sects were scarce, and on the Immortal Inquiry Tower, there was only:

"Seeking immortality, pursuing the Dao to attain eternal life, untouched by worldly dust."

Just twelve characters.

Yao Xue spoke with modesty: "I didn't conceal it intentionally—Immortal Inquiry Tower has rules forbidding easy disclosure of identity. In truth, the Tower is nothing special—just a branch of the Daoist sect, secluded from the world."

Li Rui's heart stirred slightly.

He hadn't expected this woman, with her sect's backing, to forgo revenge for that palm strike—and instead voluntarily reveal details about the Immortal Inquiry Tower.

Qu Chengfeng frowned slightly as his senior mentioned the Immortal Inquiry Tower.

He opened his mouth to dissuade her, but Yao Xue raised a hand to stop him: "Spiritual energy has faded in this age; the Immortal Realm and mortal world are severed. There are no immortals left. Seeking immortality is merely seeking—immortal connections are rare, and forcing them is futile."

She gave a self-deprecating smile.

Li Rui, expressionless, glanced at the Immortal Seeker Stone in his sleeve, recalling the system's prompt.

"So even the Immortal Inquiry Tower doesn't know this Immortal Seeker Stone truly connects to the Immortal Realm."

Yao Xue proceeded to explain the Immortal Inquiry Tower's situation in full detail to Li Rui.

Even that the Tower's master had entered the imperial palace multiple times.

With sincere intent.

Only then did Li Rui understand why Jiang Lin had nearly outright urged him to keep the old Daoist's two disciples—this was the root.

Power isn't measured by official rank.

The key is proximity to the center of power: even a lowly eunuch at the Emperor's side can command a third-rank minister.

The Immortal Inquiry Tower's master could meet His Majesty—that was extraordinary.

Li Rui's smile grew warmer.

These weren't just two youths—they were two talismans.

At least in the Anning Guard, Jiang Lin would never let them come to harm.

After about a cup of tea's time.

Wang Zhao had prepared two rooms.

Li Rui lived in a four-hall mansion—five people fit easily; Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng each received their own courtyard.

That night, he specifically asked Yang Yong to add several dishes.

It was clear Qu Chengfeng was dissatisfied—especially that servants Wang Zhao and Yang Yong were allowed at the table—but Li Rui didn't care.

Early on.

Yao Xue and Qu Chengfeng retired to their rooms.

Li Rui returned to his own room.

As usual, he completed seventy-two Heavenly Circuits.

When he exhaled the turbid qi from his chest, preparing to sleep, a soft knock came at the door.

Then came Yao Xue's voice:

"Elder, are you asleep?"

(End of Chapter)