Chapter 739

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Ten-thousand-year cold ice marrow, deep sea Xuan Zhu, plus moon soul ice crystal grass, all into the furnace together.

This time, the flames Tai Bai controlled turned black, the furnace temperature suddenly dropped, and the materials melted and fused in the alternation of extreme cold and extreme heat.

Xu Zhangqing watched quietly, only to see mist fill the furnace interior, finally condensing into a black banner, its surface rippling with water-light, releasing hazy mist.

All five banners were finished refining, floating above the dharma array, respectively emitting yellow, green, red, white, and black five-colored spiritual light, each resonating with the others, drawing spiritual energy to rise in vapor.

At this point, the Five-Colored Banner was complete!

Tai Bai let out a long breath: "Each banner matches the Five Elements; though they are imitations, their power is a big cut above ordinary magic treasures."

Xu Zhangqing raised his hand in a beckon, the five banners flew into his palm, then with another light wave, the Five-Colored Banner instantly unfurled, forming a five-colored barrier around him.

Because he only possessed a wood spirit root, the only one he could currently activate was the Wood-Containing Green Banner.

Wood spirit qi rapidly gathered, like tides rising in succession, immediately followed by a dense vitality spreading at extreme speed, finally covering over a kilometer.

Xu Zhangqing nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad."

With this magic treasure as a safety net, the Qingdi Garden's chances of passing the tribulation increased by several points; next he only needed to patiently wait for the Qinghua Flowing Radiance Moment to arrive.

……

……

Days passed peacefully for a few days.

Upon hearing Xu Zhangqing had returned, Linglong brought An'an back home together.

Just entering Hongfeng Valley, before they even touched ground, they excitedly shouted: "Daddy!"

Xu Zhangqing's mouth corner curled into a smile, he immediately went up to meet them: "You're back~"

Five years unseen, though Linglong had reached Foundation Establishment and grown a bit taller.

Yet compared to others, she was still that petite.

As for An'an, though she had grown quite a lot, she still carried childish innocence.

Ruo Qunshuang also walked out from the house, smiling lightly: "You've finally returned."

Afterward, the family sat around in the courtyard, Linglong talked about interesting incidents from her cultivation, An'an spoke words of missing Daddy and Mother, for a while laughter and joy were incessant.

However not long after, a voice came from outside: "Junior Brother Xu!"

Xu Zhangqing's divine sense swept once, instantly freezing: "This is?"

Seeing this, Ruo Qunshuang asked in surprise: "What's wrong?"

Xu Zhangqing stood up abruptly, saying excitedly: "Go prepare spirit food, a distinguished guest has come to the house!"

Ruo Qunshuang hurriedly stood and walked toward the kitchen.

Linglong and An'an looked on with faces full of curiosity.

Xu Zhangqing flashed to the valley entrance, then looked outside.

A human figure, a white crane.

This scene was so familiar, yet with a trace of strangeness.

Chu Qiu looked at the Hongfeng Valley before him, sighing: "Haven't come in a long time."

Soon, that familiar face entered his view.

The two looked at each other, you looking at me, me looking at you, finally smiling at each other.

Xu Zhangqing opened the entrance, walking forward enthusiastically: "Chu Shixiong, long time no see!"

That once high-spirited handsome young man had now become a middle-aged man, and his brow bore much more wind and frost, appearing quite haggard.

When they first met, one was twenty-something, the other not yet thirty.

Meeting again now, one fifty-five, the other sixty-something.

Both matured, and both… aged.

Chu Qiu's eyes flashed a hint of complex emotion: "Indeed, haven't seen each other in a long time."

That year's parting, who could have imagined that when meeting again, decades would have passed.

The key point: he was still a Core Disciple.

While the person before him had already become the Spirit Field Si Geng.

The gap in identity and status made him a bit dazed.

Xu Zhangqing joked: "Not bad, handsomeness undiminished from back then."

Chu Qiu shook his head with a bitter smile: "All old now."

Xu Zhangqing also greeted He Qi: "Seventh Sister, long time no see!"

He Qi's eyeballs rolled: "You… still brewing wine?"

At the mention of "wine," Chu Qiu couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Staying in the Central Region year-round, he had been thinking of this taste.

Now that he's back, truly afraid he won't get to drink it.

Xu Zhangqing grinned: "Have it, and plenty to go around."

Though, these years his own wine-brewing sessions were countable on fingers.

However inside his personal space, those puppets had been brewing continuously.

Whether spirit rice wine, yellow rice wine, or the best-selling milk wine, all were fully available.

Chu Qiu and He Qi both let out a breath of relief, thoroughly putting their minds at ease.

Xu Zhangqing pulled Chu Qiu inside: "Come, meet my daughter, son, and disciple."

Chu Qiu nodded lightly: "Han Xin and Pei Mo said you not only have children, but also several disciples — doing much better than us."

Once inside, Xu Zhangqing gathered the children: "Come, call Uncle-Master Chu!"

A group of children hurriedly cupped their hands and bowed, shouting in unison: "Uncle-Master Chu!"

Seeing this scene, Chu Qiu felt gratified, and immediately took out gifts: "Come, these are all Central Region specialty products, you've definitely never seen them before."

"Wow, what kind of jade is this? It looks so pretty!"

"Any snacks?"

"Senior Sister, not everyone likes to eat like you do……"

Looking at the gifts before them, the five people each had their own reactions.

Xu Zhangqing saw it was about enough, waved his hand: "Alright, you all go play."

Linglong and An'an didn't leave, instead crowding forward: "No way, we finally get to see Daddy!"

Xu Zhangqing looked down at his daughter and son on either side, eyes full of doting: "I'm not going anywhere."

However, Linglong and An'an still lingered for a good while before turning to leave.

Chu Qiu watched this, a flash of envy in his eyes: "Junior Brother, I truly envy you."

You have a Dao Companion, children, and disciples.

Unlike me, once pursued by so many, now alone and lonely.

Xu Zhangqing withdrew his gaze, then asked in surprise: "Can't find one in the Central Region?"

Although, the Central Region was very chaotic for a period.

But with the Three Great Immortal Sects and numerous cultivation forces joining, it stabilized quickly.

Even if demons still cause trouble, it's absolutely better than before, that's beyond doubt.

Chu Qiu shook his head: "Normally, I'm either hunting demons or cultivating, never thought about finding a Dao Companion, let alone having children."

At this moment, Ruo Qunshuang brought over brewed spirit tea: "Senior Brother Chu, drink tea!"

Chu Qiu sized her up: "Junior Sister Shuang, long time no see!"

Ruo Qunshuang glanced at Xu Zhangqing, then smiled: "Normally, Qing Ge always mentions you.

Now that you're back, you must stay a while longer, properly catch up."

Chu Qiu picked up the spirit tea, took a sip, then said: "This time returning, I won't go to the Central Region for a short time."

Xu Zhangqing and Ruo Qunshuang exchanged a glance, asking curiously: "Why?"

Chu Qiu said with some helplessness: "The Demon Race's treacherous heart never dies, they forcibly opened a gap, now it's chaotic again over there."

Xu Zhangqing exclaimed in surprise: "Doesn't that mean Senior Brother Lingbi is coming back too?"

Chu Qiu frowned: "Not necessarily, he might hold fast to the Central Region."

As the two chatted, a sharp aura descended from the sky.

Then, a tall figure wearing a moon-colored long skirt floated outside Hongfeng Valley.

Chu Qiu hurriedly stood up, calling out respectfully: "Master!"

The arrival was precisely Tiexue Peak's Vice Peak Master, Ling Shuang.

Ever since she entered the Nine Mountains Nine Curves Secret Realm once, her cultivation has advanced rapidly.

Along with that, her status in the Immortal Sect has also risen considerably.

Though Ling Shuang's face was expressionless, she lifted her hand slightly: "Xu Sikong!"