Tian Ran Ju.
Reunited after a long absence, Lin Zhao and Xu Mingan sat by the lotus pond, talking endlessly. When certain matters were brought up, Xu Mingan frowned, his eyes reddening. "Lin Zhao," he said, "I didn't understand many things before, nor did I know who you truly were. I only treated you as my closest friend. I'm sorry for some of my past actions, which were rather thoughtless..."
He was naturally referring to Lin Zhao's identity as "Lin Baiyi of Xue Yu Tian Chi" (Snowy Domain Heavenly Pool). It wasn't until Xu Mingan ventured south and traversed the Jianghu, occasionally hearing storytellers recount tales by the roadside, that he suddenly realized his good brother was such a monumental figure. Thus, upon learning that Lin Zhao had been suppressed beneath Mount Wu Wang and died defending the world, Xu Mingan had secretly shed many tears.
"What are you saying?"
Lin Zhao sat cross-legged by the lotus pond, watching the fish dart and dip on the surface. He smiled, "We are the best of friends, bound by shared hardships. As long as our actions don't harm each other, there's no such thing as being thoughtless. There's no such thing as being thoughtless between friends; saying so would only make us strangers."
"Mm."
Xu Mingan nodded. "After learning of your demise at Xue Yu Tian Chi, I would bring Xiao Han and Xiao Man to Xue Yu Tian Chi every year. I even sneaked to the foot of Mount Wu Wang a few times. At those moments, I truly wished I could see you at any turn of the mountain path..."
As he spoke, Xu Mingan's eyes welled up. "I'm sorry, I was too slow to realize."
"There's no need for apologies."
Lin Zhao spoke gently, "I hope we will always be friends like before: boiling soup and roasting cakes around a bonfire at night, and setting off shoulder-to-shoulder with swords at dawn, slaying demons and vanquishing evil for the world. Such days are the most exhilarating!"
"Mm!"
Xu Mingan nodded heavily and smiled, "Will there be such days again?"
"Yes, though perhaps a little different."
Lin Zhao chuckled, "Once the world is pacified, we will naturally have opportunities to roam the Jianghu together. However, by then, we won't be two cultivators of the Middle Five Realms traveling the world, but two immortals of the Upper Five Realms walking the land, dedicated to righting all wrongs!"
"Hahaha~~~"
Xu Mingan laughed foolishly, "If you put it that way, it does sound rather interesting. By then, Xiao Man and Xiao Han will have grown up. They can guard the Daoist temple, and I, their master, can finally lay down my burden and do some of the things I've always wanted to do."
"Exactly."
Lin Zhao's laughter was hearty, "Aren't all our struggles and burdens undertaken for the sake of ultimate joy!"
Xu Mingan's expression brightened.
Just then, he seemed to recall something. He hurriedly took out a worn-out storage bag from his embrace. After infusing it with spiritual energy and shaking it, a cascade of items fell out. Among them were two mountain pheasants, their legs tied, still flapping their wings. Their crops were stuffed full of wild grains, clearly having been fed well despite being in the storage bag.
Additionally, there were wild potatoes, beans, and various greens – quite a pile.
He scratched his head and said honestly, "You know me, I'm dull-witted. Apart from the Danxia Manual and alchemy taught by my master, I'm good at nothing else. Over the years, I've traveled the world with Xiao Man and Xiao Han, righting wrongs, but I never had time to refine pills. I didn't come across many fine things in the mountains and wilds, only these. Don't get me wrong, they actually taste quite good."
"Hahaha~~~"
Lin Zhao laughed, "Not bad, not bad. Though not homegrown, these wild ingredients are bound to be delicious. That... Dong Zang, come here for a moment. Get a basket. We're having something healthy and green for lunch today."
Dong Zang arrived with a smile, collecting the wild potatoes, beans, and greens. He then carried the two wild pheasants, looking at Lin Zhao with a grin. Lin Zhao ordered a few dishes and then added, "Make it a hearty meal. Xiao Man and Xiao Han are growing, so they need to eat a lot."
"Mm-hmm."
Dong Zang turned to leave. Lin Zhao, meanwhile, stood up and took out his fishing rod. He intended to catch some large fish to entertain his long-lost friend for lunch.
...
At noon, a banquet was laid out at Tian Ran Ju.
Lin Zhao invited Gu Lingyu and Shi Hanyin up the mountain for a meal. Shi Hanyin had been studying under Gu Lingyu for a few days, and besides the ethereal aura of a peach blossom demon, she had also cultivated a scholarly demeanor. Moreover, Shi Hanyin was inherently talented in calligraphy, painting, music, and chess. Studying under Gu Lingyu would further enhance her intellectual prowess.
After the meal, Gu Lingyu took his leave, mentioning that the academy was holding a debate among disciples that afternoon, and as their teacher, he had to attend. Lin Zhao then asked Shi Hanyin to accompany him, to cultivate a spirit of integrity and righteousness, and to become the most unique peach blossom demon in the world. Shi Hanyin happily agreed; her arrival at the mountain peak villa felt like coming home, and she didn't mind being away for a short while.
In the afternoon, Xu Mingan was preparing to depart.
His gaze swept across the mountain peak villa. Apart from Tian Ran Ju, all other buildings had been razed by the demon tribe. Tian Ran Ju was not prosperous at the moment, so he wouldn't overstay his welcome.
Lin Zhao did not try to dissuade him. He took a considerable amount of venison, cured meat, and vegetables from his storage, filling Xu Mingan's low-grade storage bag to the brim. He then personally escorted Xu Mingan down the mountain.
On the way down, Lin Zhao and Xu Mingan walked ahead, while Xiao Han and Xiao Man, understandingly, followed at a distance, not disturbing the conversation between the two elders.
"You can return to Danxia Sect now."
Lin Zhao looked south and said, "Currently, the main forces of the Upper Five Realms demons are concentrated at Mount Wu Wang and Zushan. There aren't many great demons roaming the northern mountains and rivers of the human realm. Moreover, you are now at the Twelfth Realm. The combat power nurtured by Old Man Wang's Danxia Manual will not be too low. Most great demons won't be able to harm you. For exceptionally powerful great demons, our Xue Yu Tian Chi will lend our swords. It shouldn't be a problem."
"Mm."
Xu Mingan frowned, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Lin Zhao, you mean... my fighting ability is really that strong now? Honestly, I always thought I was still in the Middle Five Realms, at most in the legendary Purple Mansion Realm..."
Lin Zhao chuckled, amused. "When you cultivated, did you feel a golden figure deep within your mind, like another self?"
"Yes."
"That is called the Nascent Soul. Once you refine the Nascent Soul, you have already reached the Ninth Realm, Nascent Soul Realm. Moreover, your Nascent Soul is exceptionally strong, having reached the state of returning to simplicity and unity with the Great Dao. This is the legendary Twelfth Realm, the Spirit Transformation Realm."
"Then..."
Xu Mingan asked, "If I fight someone, should I just unleash my full power?"
"Precisely."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Refine a few magic artifacts. When you encounter those who deserve death, throw them all at them. If that's not enough, channel your spiritual energy into your fists and unleash a punch. Just like my punches, hit them and be done with it!"
As he spoke, he casually flicked his right fist. A potent fist intent surged from his entire body, emanating the essence of the eighth move, "Overturning the Seas," from the Farmer's Nine Fists. The boundless fist intent erupted in stages, accompanied by Lin Zhao's movement. With a "boom," a pure fist aura exploded in mid-air, sending ripples of wind through the mountains and wildlands.
"..."
Not only Xu Mingan but even Xiao Han and Xiao Man were stunned. The Mountain Lord was truly formidable!
"I'll try too."
Xu Mingan's mind was focused. He channeled strands of spiritual energy into his right arm and threw a punch. Instantly, a wave of fist energy vibrated in the air. Although it was a spiritual energy burst from a spiritual cultivator, different from the fist intent of a martial artist, it was, after all, the Twelfth Realm. A punch conjured by the Twelfth Realm using spiritual energy could not be weak.
"..."
Xu Mingan stared, dumbfounded, at a stone pillar a short distance away that had been shattered in half. While he didn't understand why, he was deeply impressed.
Seeing his expression, Lin Zhao couldn't help but press his forehead. "Alright, don't forget you still have the treasured sword passed down by your first master. While cultivating at the sect, practice your swordsmanship too."
"Okay. The Danxia Manual has a few lines that describe a sword technique and a cultivation mantra. It's very simple."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao looked helpless. How could the sword technique taught by Old Man Wang be simple? Even if it wasn't as peerless as "Thirty-Six Horizontal and Vertical," it was enough to awe cultivators in the mortal world. He nodded, "Then practice your swordsmanship diligently, repeatedly. You can teach it to Xiao Man and Xiao Han later. You can now rely on your own strength to guard Danxia Sect, without needing outside help."
He glanced at the two children. Both were in the Golden Core Realm, but they were Golden Core Realm cultivators with only spiritual energy and no practical understanding. If they encountered enemies of the same realm, they might suffer greatly in a fight. With this thought, he couldn't help but shake his head. "Remember, when you return to the sect, not only must you practice your sword diligently, but Xiao Man and Xiao Han must also begin their sword practice."
"Got it, got it."
Xu Mingan said, "Is there anything else you need to instruct?"
Lin Zhao thought for a moment and smiled, "The vegetable garden needs to be rebuilt. Don't neglect raising chickens and pigs and planting potatoes. The potatoes you grow are especially fragrant; I haven't had them in a long time."
"Alright."
Xu Mingan patted his chest and smiled, "My potatoes are all cultivated from superior breeds of wild potatoes. The taste is naturally exceptional. Don't worry, within half a year to a year, I'll be able to supply Tian Ran Ju."
"Hahaha, alright, alright, I'll be waiting."
"Good, no need to see me off. I'm leaving."
Xu Mingan waved his large sleeves, and his entire body rose into the air, riding the wind. His two disciples also ascended one after another. They had previously traveled on foot through the mountains and wilds to temper their minds, but that was no longer necessary. Lin Zhao had returned, and it was time to return to Danxia Sect and rebuild the mountain gate.
...
Evening.
A wisp of sword intent rose from Tian Ran Ju. Xi Zhu had refined ten formidable demon soul swords and had already returned to the Eleventh Realm. By evening, she refined three more lifebound flying swords, once again attracting countless concentrated sword dao fortunes, and had returned to the peak of the Twelfth Realm. As for the Thirteenth Realm, there was no rush; she would simply nurture her sword intent and re-adapt to the Upper Five Realms.
The next morning.
A figure gracefully landed outside Tian Ran Ju. It was Chi Zhongyu, a sword cultivator at the peak of the Twelfth Realm. He cupped his fists respectfully and said, "Mountain Lord, the strength of Fusu Great Wall has recaptured all its territories, dividing the armies of the demon and devil races. All is ready; only a great battle is needed. Chi Zhongyu is no longer required there, so Chi Zhongyu has returned to the mountain peak villa to await the Mountain Lord's command."
"Creak~~~"
Lin Zhao emerged from his study and smiled, "Mm, then stay and await orders."
"Yes!"
Chi Zhongyu's face lit up with joy. When he looked in the distance and saw a stunning figure in a red dress, holding a folding fan, approaching, Chi Zhongyu was struck as if by lightning, his Dao heart trembling.
"Young Master Chi."
Liu Liying smiled calmly, "Welcome back to the mountain. However, do not trouble Liying."
"Naturally not!"
Chi Zhongyu strode forward, cupped his fists, and smiled, "From this day forth, Liu Liying is merely a fellow disciple of Chi Zhongyu, nothing more."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded, finally showing some promise.