"Heh heh, old man, then you're in for a treat today. These seasonings were specially concocted by me,"
Zhang Ergou took out a bone like a treasure and offered it to Chunyang Sanren. The beast meat on it was tender and fragrant.
"Haha, you rascal!" Chunyang Sanren laughed heartily, took it, and bit into it without regard for his status.
"Sister Cuilan, here, this piece is the most tender for you." Zhang Ergou's words were filled with affection for Liu Cuilan.
"Ergou, you eat too." Liu Cuilan took it and ate elegantly.
Zhang Ergou casually picked a piece, bit into it, and instantly, a rich aroma filled his taste buds, vastly different from the wild game he had eaten before.
This is the taste of demonic beast meat!
It seems I'll have to kill more demonic beasts in the future to hone my teeth from time to time.
The dinner was not peaceful. Just as the dinner was halfway through, Spring Sun Peak welcomed a guest.
The visitor was none other than Su Yang, who had lectured Zhang Ergou at the exit of the training grounds. Su Yang was still dressed in a white robe.
A handsome face wore a cold expression, giving off an air of aloofness.
"Isn't this Senior Brother Su? What brings you to my Spring Sun Peak today? Care for a bite?" Zhang Ergou picked up a piece of meat and said casually.
Su Yang first cupped his hands towards Chunyang Sanren and bowed.
"My master ordered me to visit Martial Uncle Chunyang and Junior Brother Ergou, and to invite you to visit Autumn Sun Peak more often in the future." Su Yang's tone was cold and devoid of any emotion.
Who was he? He was the head disciple of Autumn Sun Peak, a shining star of the peak, and accustomed to respect.
Today, not only was he ridiculed by Zhang Ergou in the training grounds, but Autumn Sun Sanren also sent him to deliver a message.
It would be strange if he wasn't in a bad mood.
Chunyang Sanren said nothing, nodded gently, and continued to gnaw on a piece of beast bone.
"Junior Brother Ergou is flattered by Uncle Autumn Sun's kind invitation. I will definitely visit when I have time. Is there anything else, Senior Brother Su?"
"You! I have delivered my master's message. You should take care of yourself."
Su Yang was furious. He never wanted to see Zhang Ergou again.
He turned to leave, but stopped as he turned: "Don't think you're invincible just because you defeated Li Qiang. There are plenty of disciples in the Misty Sect who can easily deal with you."
"Excessive killing intent will ultimately lead to no good."
After saying this, without even bidding farewell to Chunyang Sanren, he disappeared from Spring Sun Peak.
Su Yang's departure did not affect Sanren's enjoyment of the feast. Zhang Ergou's ravenous eating also encouraged Chunyang Sanren and Liu Cuilan to eat heartily.
Chewing on the tender meat, Chunyang Sanren said, "Kid, that Su Yang is your Uncle Autumn Sun's most favored disciple. Don't do anything foolish to provoke him again."
Chunyang Sanren loved and hated his troublesome disciple.
"Heh heh, old man, I know what I'm doing. As long as others don't provoke me, I won't bother with them."
Zhang Ergou chuckled and vigorously wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth.
As they were chatting, another elegant purple-clothed disciple arrived at Spring Sun Peak. His cultivation had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, half a step into the Golden Core stage.
He was on par with Su Yang, but far superior to the likes of Li Qiang.
This person was the most favored disciple of Dongyang Sanren, Qin Feng.
"Greetings, Martial Uncle Chunyang." Qin Feng bowed to Chunyang Sanren, then stood up and carefully examined Zhang Ergou.
"You are the Ergou Junior Brother who defeated Li Qiang?" Qin Feng fanned himself, pulled up a stool, and sat next to Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou glanced back, then returned his attention to the meat bone in his hand.
"Senior Brother, are you here this late just to see me?" Zhang Ergou mumbled indistinctly, chewing meat.
"Of course not. My master asked me to deliver a message, saying that you should visit Dongyang Peak more often in the future, and that we should get to know each other better." Qin Feng fanned himself, his attitude somewhat condescending.
"I was also curious about my new junior brother who defeated Li Qiang, so I requested to come. Now, it seems you are nothing special."
Zhang Ergou was momentarily speechless. What kind of people were these? Couldn't they let him eat in peace?
He continued to chew the beast meat, "Senior Brother has seen me now, I'm afraid you're greatly disappointed."
His tone was indifferent, showing no regard for Qin Feng.
Qin Feng smiled playfully, stood up from the stool, and said, "I have seen you. You are somewhat worse than I imagined."
With that, a strange smile playing on his lips, he bowed to Chunyang Sanren and was about to leave.
As he was leaving, he seemed to recall something: "Junior Brother Ergou, defeating Li Qiang is not much of an accomplishment."
"There are many people in the Misty Sect who can defeat you. It's better to be low-key."
Fanning himself, Qin Feng flashed and disappeared from Spring Sun Peak.
After Qin Feng left, Zhang Ergou put down his bowls and chopsticks, smacked his lips contentedly, looking very at ease.
"Haha, kid, it seems your battle has indeed attracted a lot of attention." Chunyang Sanren also put down his bowls and chopsticks and laughed heartily.
"Old man, it's all thanks to your excellent teaching. Otherwise, where would I get the chance to show off?"
"But Master, these guys all have such arrogant attitudes, clearly looking down on us new disciples from the bottom of their hearts."
Chunyang Sanren nodded, his expression also becoming serious.
"Most things in the sect are like this, always have been. This is a world where the strong are respected, so people naturally revere the strong."
"However, don't worry too much about it, and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Cultivation is a process of breaking through one's own potential."
Chunyang Sanren sat on his chair, looking at Zhang Ergou and the other two.
"Both of you, do not pay too much attention to the gaze and gossip of others."
Zhang Ergou and Liu Cuilan quickly stood up and kowtowed: "Master's teachings, disciples will remember them in our hearts."
Late at night, Zhang Ergou sneaked out of Spring Sun Peak again.
He found a lush forest and sat cross-legged beside a large rock.
*Crack!*
*Crack!*
The sound of bone friction echoed from Zhang Ergou's body.
After three hours of cultivation, the Heaven Phoenix Body Refining technique was too potent, leaving him completely exhausted and drenched in sweat.
However, this cultivation session was much better than the last. He had gradually adapted to the pain of his body tearing.
The benefits of Heaven Phoenix Body Refining were evident. After only three hours of cultivation, Zhang Ergou's physical body felt significantly stronger.
The latent power in his muscles had undergone a qualitative leap.
After three hours of cultivation, Zhang Ergou was completely drained of energy. He rested for a short while.
He then sat down cross-legged again and began to practice the Heaven and Earth Chaos Manual. Under the moonlight, the spiritual energy in the forest gathered around Zhang Ergou at a visible speed.
Zhang Ergou greedily absorbed the pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
At this moment, the丹火 (dan huo, alchemical fire) became even more active, refining the spiritual energy that entered his body to be even purer.
After about another hour, Zhang Ergou jumped off the large rock.