148: Reunion, all the causes and effects

The two stepped into the temporary Immortal Cave where Lu Tao usually resided.

As soon as they sat down, Lu Tao could not contain himself and urgently pressed Su Ling about his experiences over the years.

For a time, the Immortal Cave was filled with his sighs and exclamations.

He lamented Su Ling's difficult situation back then, when he was reduced to setting up a stall to draw talismans, yet marveled at his astonishing talent in the Dao of Talismans.

When he heard that Su Ling had traveled to the outer islands to seek Core Formation and encountered an attack by a fifth-rank sea beast on the jingtun vessel midway, Lu Tao unconsciously gripped his teacup, genuine concern showing in his eyes even though he knew Su Ling was safe and sound now.

It wasn't until Su Ling glossed over the details of the azure roc wings, saying only that he had luckily survived and ended up on a deserted island, that he breathed a sigh of relief and calmed down.

"I've actually heard a bit about what you mentioned."

Lu Tao picked up the teapot and refilled Su Ling's cup with spiritual tea, his tone turning heavy. "The Sea Race and Human Race Cultivators have always been at odds. It's only thanks to the Golden Immortal powerhouses of the major Sects overseeing things that a superficial peace is barely maintained. But those maritime merchant firms love using Sea Race carcasses to refine sea vessels... The jingtun vessel you were on was built using the corpse of a fifth-rank Void Abyss Ink Whale. The Void Abyss Ink Whale race is rare to begin with; in the entire Yaoxing Sea, there are only about thirty of them."

Pushing the steaming spiritual tea in front of Su Ling, Lu Tao said thoughtfully, "In my view, the reason those Void Abyss Ink Whales suddenly went on a rampage was likely to reclaim their kin's corpse and imprisoned Divine Soul, which is why they didn't hesitate to risk attacking the sea vessel."

Hearing this, the desolate whale cry that pierced through the wind and waves when the jingtun vessel was attacked surfaced in Su Ling's mind. His heart stirred slightly, and he slowly nodded.

"By the way, your thunder power is quite condensed; it seems different from your previous Cultivation Technique."

Lu Tao suddenly changed the subject, his gaze falling on Su Ling as he asked curiously, "Is it a new Cultivation Technique you purchased later? If its rank is ordinary, once this National War ends, I'll introduce you to the Bitao Sect and help you pick a more top-tier Cultivation Technique then."

"Speaking of which, I have those Void Abyss Ink Whales to thank for obtaining this thunder technique."

Su Ling picked up the spiritual tea. As his fingertips touched the warm wall of the cup, a peculiar smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

He didn't hide anything and told Lu Tao the whole story of how he obtained the Azure Heaven Thunder Treasure Talisman on the deserted island.

As a direct Disciple of the Bitao Sect and the most valued Junior Martial Nephew of the Late Stage Soul Transformation powerhouse Senior Wu Haiya, Lu Tao did not lack Soul Transformation level Cultivation Techniques.

Moreover, if Lu Tao hadn't stepped in to save him back then, he would have already been buried at the bottom of the sea.

A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring!

In his past life as a Dark Walker, Su Ling had been all alone and had rarely experienced such pure kindness.

To him, a mere Cultivation Technique was something Lu Tao might not even care for, but even if the other party truly wanted it, he would offer it up without hesitation.

"Azure Heaven Thunder Treasure Talisman?"

When Lu Tao heard the name, he was first stunned, then slapped his thigh and laughed, "So it's this Cultivation Technique!"

"Brother Lu, you know of it?"

Su Ling's heart stirred, and he leaned forward, pressing for an answer.

"More than just knowing it; speaking of which, this technique actually has some history with my Junior Martial Uncle Senior Wu Haiya."

A hint of reminiscence appeared in Lu Tao's eyes, and his voice slowed down. "Over a hundred years ago, Junior Martial Uncle teamed up with several Soul Transformation Cultivators to explore a hidden Immortal Cave in the depths of the Yaoxing Sea. This Azure Heaven Thunder Treasure Talisman was hidden in that cave. Unfortunately, at the final moment, the technique was snatched away by a Soul Transformation Cultivator from the Haoyang Sect. After that, there was no more news, and I never heard of anyone practicing this technique."

"So, that Soul Transformation Cultivator from the Haoyang Sect was Pei Jianbai?"

Su Ling looked up abruptly, his eyes full of surprise.

He didn't expect that after all these twists and turns, this technique would actually be related to Senior Wu Haiya.

"It's highly likely it was him."

Lu Tao nodded with a smile, reached out to pat Su Ling's shoulder, and laughed loudly. "Who would have thought that the technique a group of Soul Transformation Cultivators fought over until their heads bled would end up benefiting my brother!"

Hearing this, Su Ling could only shake his head with a bitter smile. He then took out a Jade Slip shimmering with faint azure spiritual light from his Storage Ring and gently placed it in front of Lu Tao. "Since this technique is related to Senior Wu, it should be returned to its rightful owner. I'll have to trouble Brother Lu to help hand it over."

"Hand over what!"

Lu Tao glanced at the Jade Slip, reached out, and stuffed it back into Su Ling's hand, his tone carrying a bit of reproach. "This technique was obtained through your own Opportunity; it belongs to you now, so just keep it with peace of mind. If you really feel uneasy, wait until you join the Sect later and hand it over to the Sect. You can exchange it for a large amount of contribution points, which is more practical than anything else."

"This... alright then."

Seeing his determined attitude, Su Ling no longer declined and put the Jade Slip back into his Storage Ring.

"By the way, you said earlier that Pei Jianbai once entrusted you to return his remains... logically speaking, based on that merit alone, you should have been qualified to join the Haoyang Sect."

Lu Tao suddenly remembered something, frowned, and looked at Su Ling in confusion. "How did you end up participating in this National War as part of the Bitao Faction?"

For the Seven Great Sects, being able to return the remains of a Disciple who died abroad had always been no small merit, especially since Pei Jianbai was a Peak Soul Transformation true Disciple of the Haoyang Sect.

Such a contribution would be enough for Su Ling to be recruited by the Haoyang Sect as an exception.

Yet after so many years, Su Ling appeared in the Bitao Faction, which truly baffled Lu Tao.

"Don't even mention it. To Breakthrough to Core Formation, I spent over forty years back and forth!"

Su Ling rolled his eyes, his tone full of helplessness. "I finally achieved Core Formation, and not long after, the National War began. I was still on Spirit Mist Island at the time, so I simply joined the Bitao Faction directly."

"Hehe, speaking of this, I was much faster than you... from Peak Foundation Establishment to Early Core Formation Stage, I only took five years."

Lu Tao raised his eyebrows, a somewhat smug smile appearing on his face.

"But why did it take you so many years to advance to Nascent Soul?"

Su Ling was very puzzled. When they first met, Lu Tao was already close to advancing to Core Formation Mid-stage.

With the resources of Senior Wu Haiya and the Bitao Sect, he shouldn't have been delayed until ten years ago to form his soul!

"Sigh, as early as forty years ago, I could have formed my soul..."

Lu Tao spread his hands and said helplessly, "But later, I was fortunate enough to be valued by a True Immortal Grandmaster who took me as a Disciple. He insisted that I disperse my cultivation and re-Cultivate the Path of the Sword Immortal... as a result, you know, I spent another thirty years before advancing to Nascent Soul."

"Damn! You're a True Immortal's Disciple now?!"

Su Ling knew that he had the talent of a supreme grade Metal Spiritual Root.

The Cultivation Technique he practiced back then was also considered to be at a relatively high level within the Bitao Sect.

But no matter how high-level it was, as a Core Formation Stage Disciple, he could at most reach Peak Nascent Soul.

Subsequent techniques would only be bestowed by the Sect after he reached Peak Nascent Soul.

Even Senior Wu Haiya could not violate this point.

Now that he had a True Immortal as his Revered Master, what he practiced was definitely the most top-tier Cultivation Technique.

A direct Disciple among direct Disciples!

Thinking of this, Su Ling couldn't help but raise his middle finger at him, his face full of disdain. "Being taken as a Disciple by a True Immortal powerhouse, what else are you dissatisfied with?"

"Uh, what does this catchphrase of yours mean? And this gesture, are you jealous of me?"

Lu Tao chuckled, his face full of curiosity.

"Just take it as me being jealous of you!"

Su Ling rolled his eyes, really not wanting to continue chatting with this 'Immortal Second Generation' anymore.

It was too much of a blow to the fragile heart of a Loose Cultivator.