"Eastern Han Ren Family · Ren Han"

Ren Han was born in AD 250 (the thirteenth year of Wu Chuwu, the thirteenth year of Han Yanxi, the second year of Wei Jiaping). His father was Ren Pingsheng, and his mother was the Huaying Earth Spirit. He started cultivation at the age of 8, had his first battle at 14, and at 15, led the entire clan in a bitter struggle against the Shu Han Heroic Spirits. At 16, he handed over the Imperial Path Magic 'Cutting All Ties with Heaven and Earth' to the Sima Imperial Family. He died on his sickbed at the age of 20.

This was all Ren Suo knew about Ren Han. But in fact, as the Patriarch of Ren Family who appeared in "Over My Dead Body," information about Ren Han was the scarcest. Whether in the game or the TV series, Ren Han's experiences from ages 15 to 20 were a complete blank. This was understandable; after all, the defeat of the Shu Han Heroic Spirits was the finale. A subsequent scene showing Ren Han's death due to illness provided a sense of completeness, offering proper closure.

However, for Ren Suo and the audience, while the game and TV series might have ended, for the Eastern Han Ren Family, it was merely the beginning of a new day. Without a doubt, Ren Han of that era would, just like his ancestors, do what needed to be done: Spiritual Exchange to produce offspring. It was almost taken for granted that he would continue to reproduce while bearing the curse of his bloodline.

Therefore, when Yun Wangshu said he was Ren Han's lover, Ren Suo quickly accepted this fact.

"Are you an Earth Spirit?"

Faced with the adventurer's confusion, Yun Wangshu said, "I used to be an Earth Spirit, but now, I am a true human."

Ren Suo had initially wanted to ask why he was male, but then decided it was unnecessary. During Spiritual Exchange, although I intentionally paired males with females, it never said that a man couldn't successfully pair with an Earth Spirit that appeared male… No way, could the Ren Family really be that undisciplined in the absence of player control?

"When I was an Earth Spirit, I always appeared in a female form," Yun Wangshu explained at the opportune moment. "It's just that, during shape-shifting, I thought being male was more convenient, so…"

Yun Wangshu shrugged and continued, "So, do I have the right to talk to Ren Han now? Does the Fairy Palace really forbid family members from visiting?"

"Don't tell me you don't even have the ability to contact others?" Yun Wangshu's eyes curved in a sly smile. "I heard you are a disciple of a great power from the Fairy Palace, which is why Ren Han appeared to protect you when you were in danger in Peach Blossom Village…"

"Disciple of a great power? You're slandering my character!" the adventurer said, enraged. "My current strength and achievements were all hard-earned through my own efforts; I've never accepted the slightest favor from anyone! Ren Han helped me because I possess noble character and charm, have influential connections, and a good reputation. Ren Han and I are close friends; that's why he went deep into Peach Blossom Village to support me!"

At this moment, even the Tactical Cultivators who had gathered around didn't dare to interrupt the conversation between the two. One was an Immortal Palace Envoy, seemingly under the care of a great power (Given how this adventurer looks, who'd believe he survived this long without a powerful benefactor's protection?); the other was a millennium-old Earth Spirit, and even one of the lovers (among others) of the top Transcendent, Ren Han. Why interrupt them? Listening to more gossip seemed like the sensible thing to do.

"Anyway, Ren Han will not come to see you. We have our own difficulties and beliefs; we cannot descend to the mortal world unless absolutely necessary." The adventurer looked at Yun Wangshu and said, "The Fairy Palace acts only to save the world, only when necessary. Anyone who joins the Fairy Palace no longer lives for themselves."

"Really?" Yun Wangshu uttered, a pointless remark.

The adventurer couldn't be bothered with him, preparing to spread his wings and soar into the sky, intending to burst into a firework as a grand finale to his departure.

"Adventurer, won't you wait? Is it really okay to miss out again?"

The adventurer looked down impatiently, but the next second, his expression changed. He stared blankly at the newcomer beside Yun Wangshu.

"I'm exhausted," the Little Bald Guy, who had just burrowed away, was now lying on the ground, gasping for air. "Sis, Mom, I… I want a new phone too."

"Call me brother."

"Brother—"

"Nope. Kids should sleep more, not play with cellphones."

"Stingy!"

The Little Bald Guy was very displeased. He scurried up and perched on the shoulder of the white-haired Great Han, watching him play Honor of Kings.

Yun Wangshu calmly observed the long-haired lady beside him and asked, "Miss, how do you feel? The little devil's transportation technique didn't hurt you, did it?"

"No, it didn't…" Lu Manman didn't look at Yun Wangshu. She subconsciously shook her head, staring blankly at the adventurer in front of her, not even blinking.

The adventurer didn't speak either, just floated in mid-air, quietly looking at Lu Manman.

"I've gone to Wuyi Mountain to wait for you every year, for fifteen years."

"Finally, the wait is over."

The scene was quiet for a moment. Even Roy, risking a scratched face, turned his head to check on the two of them. The treacherous, despicable, and shameless adventurer actually showing such a gentle expression? Too rare.

Seemingly noticing Roy's gaze, the adventurer turned to look at him, a cold, murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"You might kill me, but there are so many people here. Can you kill them all!?" Roy immediately knew what the adventurer was thinking. It could even be said that the adventurer's mindset was similar to his own—always assume the worst of others, consider the most dire possibilities, and be willing to do anything to achieve one's goals.

His survival instinct made Roy's voice boom across the area, "Can you protect her for a lifetime? The moment you're not by her side, on Earth, she's a lamb to the slaughter! What era are we in now? It's an era of change, an era of opportunity, and also an era of danger! Even staying at home, one might encounter natural disasters, human calamities, and the prying of ghosts and gods! You can't protect her forever! As the saying goes, 'One can be a thief for a thousand days, but no one can guard against a thief for a thousand days!' Killing me is meaningless! But I know you, adventurer! Within my sphere of influence, I won't let anyone harm this lady, because I know you would retaliate furiously!"

Roy spoke swiftly and urgently, his message clear. Currently, only Roy was the adventurer's enemy. The adventurer worried that if Roy lived, he might harm Lu Manman, so Roy quickly declared he would not hurt her. Moreover, too many people had seen Lu Manman now; the news might not be containable. Killing Roy would accomplish nothing.

On the other side, Yun Wangshu watched Roy with clear admiration. Is this man a Federation spy? As expected of the Federation's elite Transcendents, he understood my intentions instantly.

"Are you doing well now?" Lu Manman asked.

"…I am now an adventurer of the Fairy Palace," the adventurer answered calmly and then turned to look at Yun Wangshu. "You… are very impressive."

The adventurer sighed.

Yun Wangshu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. "During a divination just now, I discovered that someone in Lianjiang has a significant karmic connection with you, sir. So, I had the little devil bring her over for a reunion. It seems that she, like us, came to Lianjiang to try her luck after hearing news of the Fairy Palace Assassin. I hope you don't mind this bit of meddling, sir. I only wished to curry favor."

"I don't mind." The adventurer took a deep breath, communicating internally with Ren Suo:

You'd better give him some hope. This Yun Wangshu truly possesses the methods of a thousand-year-old monster.

Ren Suo: What's wrong? He had an Earth Spirit bring your acquaintance over to do you a favor... Is there some scheme behind this?

The adventurer: Just as you said, by bringing her here, he's made it impossible for me to be angry with him. On the surface, it's a kind gesture, and my... friend is very grateful to him, meaning I owe him a favor. But the problem is, his actions have exposed my friend to the various powers on Earth. Even if the Mysterious Country's officials had previously discovered my identity, I'm an orphan with no blood relatives. And even if they found out I had friends, they couldn't be sure how much I cherished those past relationships. As long as I didn't contact them, they were ordinary people who could lead ordinary lives. But now, my friend has appeared before me. Regardless of whether I treat her coldly or with affection, she has come to the attention of the officials. She probably can't live an ordinary life anymore. What's more... I don't want to be cold to her. I don't want to hurt the feelings she's preserved for over a decade in the name of 'it's for her own good.'

Ren Suo: But even so, what can Yun Wangshu gain from this?

The adventurer: That Federation person already revealed Yun Wangshu's intention. I can't protect her on Earth for her entire life, so I only have one choice: take her to the Fairy Palace. Yun Wangshu wants to use this route to find out how to become a member of the Fairy Palace. This is an overt plot, one that strikes at my weakness.

Ren Suo: So, what do you plan to do?

The adventurer: She wants to hitch a ride, and I want to go with the flow. Coincidentally, this also allows me to fulfill one of my last wishes. Ren Suo, I need your support. The cost is my Star-level permanently increasing by 1 star, a mandatory consumption of 5 minutes of my summonable time, and you won't be able to summon me again for 30 days.

Ren Suo didn't hesitate. Agreed.

The adventurer said gratefully, Good. That's you, alright. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but a good person!

Ren Suo: ...

The exchange between the adventurer and Ren Suo in 'Rippling Spring Sounds' happened in a blink of an eye. To outsiders, after the adventurer finished chatting with Yun Wangshu, he immediately took to the sky and swiftly flew in another direction, leaving behind only the faint sound of the wind.

Everyone was stunned.

Lu Manman stared blankly in the direction he had left, tears welling in her eyes.

Yun Wangshu squinted slightly. Were the rules of the Fairy Palace too strict, or had the adventurer truly severed all emotional ties? Neither possibility boded well for him. If all adventurers were like this, then Ren Han…

However, very quickly, the adventurer came fluttering back.

This reunion, parting, and then reunion again completely overwhelmed Lu Manman's emotions, and she couldn't help but burst into tears.

"You're over thirty, why are you crying like a little girl?" the adventurer said, his voice laced with its usual sharpness.

"Yes, yes, I'm over thirty, and you're still a handsome twenty-year-old, you young rogue!" Lu Manman raised her fist to pound on the adventurer's high-grade captain's vest, but he caught her hand and said, "Open your mouth."

"Huh?" Only then did Lu Manman notice the adventurer holding a bowl of a white and orange dessert in his right hand. "Why?"

"Trust me. Open your mouth," the adventurer said seriously.

Seeing the adventurer's expression seemed to trigger Lu Manman's past memories. "You were like this back then too, always using a commanding tone even when you wanted to be kind… But there's mango in it, I need to chew…"

The adventurer, without any concern, poured the large bowl of dessert, filled with sago and mango pieces, into Lu Manman's mouth.

Lu Manman had thought she would choke, but as soon as the dessert entered her mouth, all the fruit pulp and pieces dissolved completely into liquid. She didn't even need to swallow; the large bowl of dessert went directly into her stomach.

"That was delicious." Lu Manman touched her lips, finding no trace of residual syrup, and asked curiously, "What is this?"

"Mango Pomelo Sago," the adventurer replied.

"Ah, it's Mango Pomelo Sago," Lu Manman immediately recognized the dessert. "But why did you want me to eat this?"

"Don't you feel a bit warm?"

The adventurer's words made it sound as if the bowl of dessert had contained some unspeakable drug.

"Eh?" Lu Manman paused, then nodded. "It does feel a bit warm… Ah?"

She looked down at her arm and lightly touched it, noticing her skin seemed much better than before. Furthermore, she felt her body becoming lighter and more vigorous. People in their thirties often experience a slight decline in various physical functions, though they might not always notice it.

Few in this world would ever have an experience like Lu Manman's—regaining a youthful body.

"What you drank was the real Mango Pomelo Sago," the adventurer said. "Your physical functions will revert to those of an eighteen-year-old. You will soon awaken as a Transcendent, and your talents will be exceptional."

Lu Manman said, "The real Mango Pomelo Sago? But this is just a bowl…"

"What I gave you was Immortal Nectar and Jade Dew."

Hearing the adventurer's words, Lu Manman no longer doubted. Her lips quivered slightly as she bit them. "Why did you give me this?"

"Because I can't protect you forever," the adventurer glanced at Yun Wangshu and the members of the Tactical Bureau. "As long as you can protect yourself."

"Can't you stay?" Lu Manman asked, a sob in her voice.

"I am an adventurer of the Fairy Palace. If I didn't have this identity, I'd be a pile of bones on some hill in Wuyi Mountain by now," the adventurer stated. "I have to go."

Lu Manman bit her lip, wiped her tears with her arm, and asked, "If I become strong enough, will we have a chance to meet again?"

"Yes," the adventurer's answer was firm and resounding.

Then, the adventurer looked at Yun Wangshu and said, "The Fairy Palace is not the cultivation Sacred Land you imagine it to be; we have our own obligations. If you truly want to acquire cultivation techniques that lead directly to immortality, cooperating with the Mysterious Country isn't a bad option. There's no need to choose a hopeless path."

Yun Wangshu looked at the adventurer with a complex expression. "Is it really not possible?"

"It really isn't."

Yun Wangshu sighed. "What I really want is a spell that can resurrect the dead…"

"Impossible to give you that," the adventurer said decisively.

"But I don't need it anymore," Yun Wangshu said with a bitter smile. "Still, I wish to see Ren Han, even if just once."

The adventurer blinked, noticing something familiar in Yun Wangshu's gaze. Then he looked again at Lu Manman's eyes…

The adventurer suddenly felt pathetic by comparison. Lu Manman had waited for him for fifteen years, while Yun Wangshu had waited for two thousand... No, there was no comparing the two.

"Keep striving," the adventurer said. "The Fairy Palace will be waiting for you at the forefront of the era."

With that, the adventurer spread his wings and soared high into the clouds.

This time, he didn't return.

The Tactical Cultivators rushed forward, tying up Roy securely—though it wasn't very effective. For a Transcendent like Roy with high combat power, the best form of imprisonment was to swiftly send him to a Land of Dispersed Spirits, where a 'Spiritual Energy Dissipation Device' would prevent him from accessing spiritual energy. For now, having several Transcendents guard him together to prevent any chance of escape would suffice.

In reality, Roy couldn't escape now anyway. The black, tight-fitting clothing he'd conjured to defend against Changsheng's invisible blade had already consumed his last reserves of spiritual energy. Now, he was so exhausted he just wanted to sleep soundly.

With matters concluded, Yun Wangshu and his companions also prepared to leave. As former Strange Creatures and Earth Spirits, departing was effortless for them. Some from the Tactical Bureau considered taking action but were stopped by others. Forget the other three odd individuals; who would dare to touch Ren Han's lover? What if Ren Han became enraged? Furthermore, they hadn't broken any laws; in fact, they had acted heroically. There was no reason to detain them. Not to mention, they were capable of suppressing Aurora Roy with their bare hands; the Tactical Bureau might not even be able to defeat them.

"Wait a moment."

Yun Wangshu and the others turned to see a cloaked figure hurrying over with small steps.

"Oh?"

Almost simultaneously, all four of them sensed the cloaked figure's true nature. Changsheng couldn't help but give him a second glance. "Interesting."

"What can I do for you, Mr.…" Yun Wangshu was unsure how to address him. "...Sir?"

"Call me Chuan, or Three Thousand Miles." The cloak wearer stepped forward two paces and said to them, "Would you like to join Wan Li, the Great Wall?"

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