In an instant, a powerful life force surged forth from Tinglan Zhenren's body like a tidal wave.
The vitality was so abundant that it condensed into a visible azure spiritual mist within the hall, completely enveloping True Person Tinglan within a three-zhang radius.
"Click."
With a crisp cracking sound, Master Tinglan's back, which had been hunched over for many years, suddenly straightened like a pine tree.
His once withered fingers became full and strong, and his nails had a healthy pinkish hue; the crisscrossing wrinkles on his face seemed to be smoothed out by an invisible hand, and his loose skin became firm and elastic again; most amazingly, his frosty white hair turned black from the roots at a speed visible to the naked eye, and in the blink of an eye, it returned to the black color of his prime.
"This...this is..." The thousand-year-old sandalwood whisk in the Fifth Elder's hand fell to the ground, and the whisk handle, carved from top-grade spiritual jade, shattered into pieces.
He was completely unaware, staring intently at Master Tinglan's eyes, which had become clear again. The old eyes, which had been cloudy and dusty just moments before, now shone like stars, with faint blue Dao patterns flowing in the pupils.
The entire hall fell into a deathly silence. Wei Ji's mouth was agape, almost dislocating his shoulder. The Third Elder was frozen in place, his steps halting, even the curve of his robes froze.
They clearly sensed that Master Tinglan's previously decaying life force was starting to turn again, and that immense life force even attracted the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming a small vortex of spiritual energy on the roof of the hall.
"Rejuvenation... This is true rejuvenation!" The Fourth Elder finally found his voice, but it cracked due to excessive shock.
That unassuming pill was no ordinary Minor Qi-Nourishing Pill! It was clearly a heaven-defying divine pill that had seized the very essence of heaven and earth!
At this moment, all the elders were shocked. They finally understood why Master Tinglan had smiled so mysteriously. Such a longevity-enhancing pill would probably drive even the legendary great powers crazy!
Seeing the astonished expressions on everyone's faces, Master Tinglan smiled and put away the jade bottle. "Since none of you want it, then it's all mine. This is a precious gift from Fairy Bai. Giving it to you would be a waste."
"No!"
"Senior brother! My dear senior brother!" Wei Ji rushed forward, his face beaming with a fawning smile. "I was blind to your greatness just now..."
"Get out of my way!" The Fifth Elder shoved him aside. "Senior brother, I desperately need this kind of spiritual medicine. You know I haven't broken through in a long time, and I'm worried that my lifespan is running out..."
In the blink of an eye, the elders who had just been disdainful were now arguing heatedly over a single pill.
Master Tinglan watched the elders scrambling to get to the top, a mischievous smile flashing in his eyes. He slowly raised the jade bottle high, deliberately waving it in front of everyone.
"Oh dear, what are you all doing?" He raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Didn't someone just say 'as many as you want, we've got them all'? Didn't they say 'who cares about these little Qi-Nourishing Pills'?"
The Second Elder's face flushed red, and he rubbed his hands together, forcing a smile. "Senior Brother is joking. It was I who was blind..."
"Yes, yes!" The Third Elder rushed forward, his previous intention to leave completely gone. "Senior Brother, you're so magnanimous, please don't hold it against us!"
Master Tinglan stroked his newly grown black beard, deliberately drawing out his words: "But... I remember someone saying I'm 'senile'?"
"Who? Who dares to speak of Senior Brother like that!" The Fifth Elder looked around indignantly. "Senior Brother is clearly in his prime, wise and mighty!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" the elders echoed in unison, their eyes fixed on the three jade bottles.
Master Tinglan finally couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Alright, alright, seeing how sincere you are..." He deliberately paused, watching the elders hold their breath in tension, before slowly uncorking the bottle, "Ten pills for each person, no more. I need to keep the rest in the sect's reserves..."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" The elders were overjoyed and rushed to reach out and accept the gift.
"Wait, wait," Master Tinglan suddenly withdrew his hand, "this pill isn't given away for free..."
"Senior brother, please speak freely!" The Third Elder patted his chest, "Even if it means I have to go through fire and water..."
"It's not that serious," Master Tinglan squinted, "It's just that in three days, you'll accompany me and Fairy Bai to the forbidden area behind the mountain."
The elders were taken aback at first, then exclaimed in unison, "Go! We must go!"
Seeing the old guys vying to show their loyalty, Master Tinglan chuckled inwardly: Bai Ying has really done a huge favor!
—
At the same time, a shocking piece of news spread like wildfire throughout the Xuantian Sect.
Bai Ying was seriously injured, and Master Tinglan made an exception and bestowed upon her the sect's most precious treasure, the "Nine-Turn Green Lotus," to heal her. She is currently recuperating alone in the forbidden area behind the mountain.
With the help of those with ulterior motives, the news quickly spread to everyone.
"Ha, a golden opportunity..." Liu Yingjie hid in a dark corner, a communication jade talisman between his fingers. He knew perfectly well that ever since the last mission failed, the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect had already regarded him as a pawn to be discarded. If he didn't redeem himself through meritorious service, what awaited him would be a fate worse than death.
"Bai Ying is seriously injured... the sect's most precious treasure..." He licked his chapped lips, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "This is the last chance."
The jade talisman turned to dust in his palm, and a secret message was sent to the spies planted by the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect in the city. What Liu Yingjie didn't know was that at the very moment he sent the message, a pair of old but sharp eyes were taking in everything through the Water Mirror Technique.
"They've taken the bait." Master Tinglan stroked his long beard, a cold glint in his eyes. He had originally planned to deliberately leave a flaw in the mountain-protecting formation, but he hadn't expected...
"Reporting to the Sect Leader!" An elder in charge of law enforcement rushed over, his face extremely grim. "We've just discovered that Elder Chen, who's in charge of guarding the back mountain... is actually a member of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect!"
The teacup in Master Tinglan's hand shattered with a "crack".
Has the Xuantian Sect been infiltrated to such an extent?
"Pass down the order," the old man slowly rose, emanating a terrifying aura, "Proceed according to the original plan. Remember, let them into the back mountain, but absolutely do not let a single one escape!"
As night deepened, the protective barrier on the back mountain of the Xuantian Sect rippled eerily in the moonlight. A meticulously planned ambush awaited its prey, ready to walk into the trap. Deep within the forbidden area, Bai Ying, who should have been severely injured, was now polishing her longsword, the blade reflecting the cold smile on her lips.
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