Beneath a large stone, a small pile of firewood crackled and popped as it burned. Two Y-shaped branches were stuck into the ground on either side of the flames, supporting a roasting beast leg of unknown origin. The meat had turned a golden brown, glistening with oil and letting off an irresistible aroma.
The rich scent drifted through the forest, tempting both wild animals and even a few spirit beasts nearby.
But the two men seated beside the fire were completely unfazed. Instead, they were drinking and chatting with laughter and ease.
"Brother Zhu, to think that in just a few short years, both of us have reached Foundation Establishment. What a stroke of fortune," said Song Changsheng, pouring himself a cup of wine, a touch of emotion in his voice.
He didn't have many close friends, and Zhu Yiqun was one of the few he truly considered a kindred spirit. After the initial surprise of seeing him break through to Foundation Establishment, all he felt was genuine happiness.
On the path of cultivation, there are four essential elements: Dharma, Wealth, Companions, and Land.
"Dharma" refers to the correct method of cultivation, the foundation, and the prerequisite of all progress.
"Wealth" means the necessary resources to sustain one's practice.
"Companions" are fellow cultivators who share the same path mentors or friends who support each other.
"Land" means an ideal place to cultivate, often a spiritual paradise or blessed sanctuary.
And this chubby guy was just that for Song Changsheng a true companion on the path, someone he could rely on to go farther together. So seeing Zhu Yiqun's progress brought him heartfelt joy.
"Sigh, I still can't compare to you," Zhu Yiqun said with mock frustration as he expertly flipped the meat on the fire. "When we first met, you were just at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. I was already at the peak, and yet here you are, breaking through before me. It's maddening how people like you exist."
"Hahaha, doesn't that just prove I'm more talented?" Song Changsheng laughed heartily.
"Heh, you're milking it, huh? If I hadn't condensed a special Dao Foundation, I'd have surpassed you ages ago."
Song Changsheng raised a brow at that, half-joking, half-serious: "What, did you condense a Grand Dao Foundation or something?"
Zhu Yiqun immediately glanced around nervously, then leaned in and said in a low, secretive voice, "Only you and I know about this don't let it slip."
The look in Song Changsheng's eyes instantly changed. He knew Zhu Yiqun wouldn't joke about something like this. If he said so, it was almost certainly true.
He felt a flicker of disbelief not because he thought only he could form a Grand Dao Foundation, but because Zhu Yiqun had done it so fast. He had only broken through slightly later than Song Changsheng.
After all, Song Changsheng had only managed to condense the Yin-Yang Dao Foundation thanks to a unique cultivation technique, not his aptitude.
Techniques like that were rare and hard to come by. If Zhu Yiqun had managed this feat, then he must have had something equally special.
Song Changsheng had always found Zhu Yiqun a little hard to read. And now, the fog around him seemed even thicker.
Seeing the stunned expression on Song Changsheng's face, Zhu Yiqun's chubby cheeks lit up with a proud grin. He nudged Song Changsheng with his elbow and said, "Don't just sit there looking dumb. You're not exactly innocent either."
Now Song Changsheng was even more shocked. He blurted out, "How do you know about that?"
Zhu Yiqun flipped his hair smugly and said with exaggerated flair, "Because I saw you in action during your Foundation Establishment ceremony.
"Sure, you tried to cover it up with that gourd of yours, but these eyes of mine? Sharp as ever. I knew right away you were using the True Meaning of Yin and Yang."
Song Changsheng suddenly understood so that was it. No wonder this guy had seen through him. His eyes were sharp; so many people were there that day, yet none of them noticed anything except him.
But thinking it through, Zhu Yiqun was never an ordinary person. Maybe it wasn't that surprising after all.
Smiling, Song Changsheng gave him a light punch to the chest. "You rascal, I thought you didn't get the invitation. Why didn't you come to drink with me when you arrived?"
Zhu Yiqun grinned and joked, "Drinking with you is way too expensive. You nearly ate me out of house and home."
"Oh, like you haven't had your fair share of my wine?" Song Changsheng shot him a sideways glance. "So what brings you here today?"
The chubby guy suddenly fell silent. He sprinkled his special seasoning over the roast meat and, after a long pause, said softly, "I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Song Changsheng was taken aback.
"Yeah. I'm going to find my old man. Before, I didn't have the strength to be anything but a burden. But it's different now I'm going to help him.
Too many people want him dead. He's the only family I've got. I can't let him face it all alone," Zhu Yiqun said as he sliced off a big chunk of the golden roast meat and handed it to Song Changsheng.
For a moment, even the delicious aroma of the meat seemed to lose its flavor. After a pause, Song Changsheng asked, "Do you know where he is?"
"Not exactly. Some say he was spotted in Bian Prefecture. I'm planning to check out Luoxia City first. If I don't find him there, I'll keep searching."
"…I wish you good luck." Song Changsheng raised his cup, offering a sincere blessing.
"My luck's always been pretty good," Zhu Yiqun replied with a smile, finishing his drink in one gulp.
After that, silence fell over them only the sound of chewing filled the air.
"I heard there's been a one-armed swordsman roaming Bian Prefecture these last couple of years, slaying demons and monsters. I suspect it might be Xu Yunhe. If I'm lucky, I might run into him too," Zhu Yiqun said as he stripped the last bits of meat off the bone and stood up, wiping his hands.
A determined face suddenly surfaced in Song Changsheng's mind. Without realizing it, years had passed since they last heard anything from him.
"If it is him… that wouldn't be a bad thing," Song Changsheng said.
He had always admired Xu Yunhe, and there was a good chance he carried on He Yunxuan's sword legacy as well.
"Well, I'll know once I get there and ask around. Who knows when we'll meet again, so here this jar of spice is yours," Zhu Yiqun said, stretching and handing over a small container about half the size of a fist.
Seeing Song Changsheng hesitate, he glared at him playfully. "What? Think it's not enough? Let me tell you, this is the upgraded version priceless, you hear?"
Snapping out of it, Song Changsheng quickly took the jar. Then, as if remembering something, he pulled out a small shield and said, "Since you're leaving, I don't have much to give you, but this is the Tiangang Shield take it for protection."
"Oh? A tier-two low-grade defensive artifact? Not bad, not bad, just what I needed," Zhu Yiqun said cheerfully as he accepted the gift. He then glanced at the orange-red horizon, clasped his hands solemnly, and said, "Changsheng, this is farewell."
"Brother Zhu, next time we meet, I'll treat you to some real good wine."
"Hahaha, alright. I'm off!" Zhu Yiqun laughed heartily and stepped onto a flying black wok, soaring into the distance.
Watching his friend's silhouette vanish into the sky, Song Changsheng felt a trace of melancholy. This journey… who could say whether it would end in fortune or disaster, life or death?
In the end, he didn't try to talk him out of it. If their roles were reversed if it were his grandfather or mother being hunted he knew he'd make the same choice.
"Good luck out there. I'll be waiting for you to come back and drink with me."
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