Shu Han pondered for a moment. Given Song Changyi's rigid personality, he wouldn't have entered the cave without Shu Han's presence but would have waited outside.

If it wasn't Song Changyi, then who could it be? He had just arrived at the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and wasn't familiar with anyone else.

"Come, disciple. Let's go and greet our guest together."

"Yes!"

Bai Xingyan followed Shu Han into the cave dwelling. After Shu Han took possession of this cave, he immediately set up the Stellar Wish Formation.

Upon entering the cave, his mind instantly connected with the Stellar Wish Formation. Before he could detect who the visitor was through the formation, an aged laughter sounded.

"Haha, young friend, did my Earth Essence Pill assist in your breakthrough?"

Shu Han's heart skipped a beat as he proceeded deeper into the cave and saw Elder Lu, with a face full of wrinkles.

For some reason, Shu Han felt uneasy, his eyelids twitching. He quickly bowed, "Disciple Yu Tiancheng greets Elder Lu. My apologies for not welcoming you earlier and making you wait."

Elder Lu laughed heartily, "It's alright. I was willing to wait for you, knowing that breaking through one's bottleneck is of utmost importance. It's only natural for you to spend a day or two more."

Then, assessing Shu Han's cultivation level, he remarked, "From your aura, it seems you haven't made a breakthrough yet."

Shu Han replied with an apologetic smile, "I'm afraid my talents are rather mediocre. I've let you down."

Elder Lu reassured, "No worries. Breaking through bottlenecks is always challenging. One Earth Essence Pill doesn't guarantee success. Have you considered the proposal I offered you? If you become my disciple, you'll have an endless supply of Earth Essence Pills."

Shu Han felt a pang of unease, reminiscent of his experiences with Master Mystical Dragon. Suppressing his anxiety, he said, "It might be best to discuss this matter privately."

Then turning to Bai Xingyan, he added, "Disciple, I have important matters to discuss with Elder Lu. I'll teach you alchemy and artifact refining another day."

Bai Xingyan respectfully replied, "Understood!"

With a wave of his hand, the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation flew out of his storage bag. Bai Xingyan was stunned upon seeing it and exclaimed, "Master... this sword formation..."

Shu Han smiled, "You're familiar with it, aren't you? This is the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation. I'm giving it to you for your protection. If you have any questions, I'll explain later."

With that, he handed over the command token of the Heavenly Quadrant Sword Formation to Bai Xingyan. Attached to the token was a crystal-clear jade pendant.

Bai Xingyan took the command token, his emotions fluctuating wildly. However, seeing Shu Han's expression, he suppressed his doubts and wisely left the cave with the sword formation.

Once Bai Xingyan left, Shu Han's vigilance reached its peak. Feigning respect, he said to Elder Lu, "I'm grateful for your kind intentions, but I need more time to consider the offer of becoming your disciple. Would three days be acceptable for a response?"

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Three days?!" Elder Lu suddenly burst into laughter, then asked unexpectedly, "Child, do you know how long I've lived?"

Shu Han discreetly activated the Stellar Wish Formation. Over fifteen hundred Thunder Tribulation talismans in his storage bag were ready to be unleashed. He replied, "I do not."

"Exactly two thousand one hundred and fifty-two years!" Elder Lu sighed, "Actually, those in the early stages of Core Formation typically only have a lifespan of one thousand eight hundred years. Fortunately, my pill refining skills are exceptional, and after much research into various longevity pills, I've managed to sustain myself until now. To the young, three days may seem brief, but to me, every moment counts!"

"What's your point, senior? Speak your mind without beating around the bush."

Elder Lu, noticing Shu Han's wary demeanor, chuckled, "Relax. I've been refining a Heaven-Stealing Pill recently, hoping to borrow another century of life from the heavens. I wish for you to join me as my disciple and assist me in this endeavor."

"Elder Lu, you jest. My pill refining skills are basic at best. How could I possibly assist you?"

"You can!" Elder Lu's spirit suddenly surged, his eyes gleaming as he laughed at Shu Han, "Because you have an abundant lifespan and five spiritual roots! After all these years, I've finally found someone like you. You cleverly masked your age and spiritual roots, thinking you could deceive others. But you can't hide from my discerning eyes! You're barely fifty, possess the five spiritual root, and are at the mid-stage peak! You're a treasure!"

Finally, Shu Han's suspicions were confirmed. He slapped the stone wall of the cave, causing the Stellar Wish Formation's brilliance to surge from the surrounding walls.

Coldly, Shu Han sneered, "I've suspected your ill intentions from the start. I was invited into this sect by the Sect Leader. If you dare lay a hand on me here, the Sect Leader won't let you off!"

"Ha ha ha!" Looking at the encroaching starlight, Elder Lu laughed with confidence, "What does it matter if you're under the Sect Leader's protection? Once I succeed, do you think the Sect Leader will punish a Core Formation Elder like me for the sake of a Foundation Establishment disciple? Just surrender, child."

"Surrender my ass!"

Boom!

Shu Han unleashed his spiritual power wildly, causing the 108 orbs of the Stellar Wish Formation to spin rapidly. A vast, silvery galaxy shot towards Elder Lu. Following this, Shu Han used his will to activate the 1500 Thunder Tribulation talismans stored in his bag, aiming to create a grand spectacle with the Stellar Wish Formation.

Attempting to seize a disciple in the Heavenly-grade cave residence and causing such a ruckus – even as an elder, Lu wouldn't be spared the repercussions.

Yet, Elder Lu remained unconcerned. He snapped his withered fingers, and upon hearing the sound, Shu Han's mind went blank. His circulating spiritual power halted, instantly severing his connection to the formation and talismans.

"What..."

Confused, Shu Han quickly tried to regather his spiritual power. Elder Lu expressed surprise, "Despite being affected by my Celestial Dispersion Poison, you can still muster your spiritual power? Your constitution seems to have some resistance to poisons. Intriguing!"

Snap!

With another finger snap, the spiritual power that Shu Han had barely gathered disintegrated again.

"How is this possible?" Shu Han gasped for breath, "When did you poison me? I checked the Earth Essence Pill multiple times, and it was flawless!"

Elder Lu laughed heartily, "Poisoning directly through the pill would be too crude. Being new here, you wouldn't know that the Fiery Cloud Onsen's medicinal bath uses my formula. When the ingredients for the Earth Essence Pill come in contact with the Fiery Cloud Onsen, a harmless Celestial Dispersion Powder forms within your body. However, as soon as you hear my snap, it activates, and you'll be unable to muster your spiritual power for half a day."

"You!" Panting, Shu Han knelt partially, admitting, "The old fox is always craftier, especially one that has lived for over two millennia!"

Approaching Shu Han, Elder Lu chuckled, "It's good that you understand. Your lifespan will shine brilliantly for me. Feel honored."

"Honor my foot!"

Seeing Elder Lu finally draw near, Shu Han's wrist revealed dark patterns. His body resembled a soaring dragon covered in intricate black designs, and with those patterned fingers, he thrust straight at Elder Lu's forehead.

Elder Lu, caught off guard by Shu Han's lightning-fast move, never expected that, even under the effect of the Celestial Dispersion Poison, Shu Han could muster such a deadly technique.

With gritted teeth, pushing his body to its limits, Shu Han staked everything on this one move.

"Die!"