Finally, Ming Qi pulled a longsword from his ring and handed it to Si Kou Yu.
"Senior Sister Yu, that victory at last year's Golden Autumn Festival was truly unfair. This top-grade spiritual weapon is a welcome gift from you, my junior brother, and also my apology."
"Hey, hey, what kind of windfall did you make? You're giving away top-grade spiritual weapons everywhere?"
Qiu Ling, standing nearby, exclaimed in surprise.
Top-grade spiritual weapons are not something that ordinary people can obtain. Those who possess them treasure them like treasures. But Ming Qi, on the other hand, gave them away without hesitation, without a trace of hesitation.
"Top-grade spiritual sword?"
Seeing the longsword in Ming Qi's hand, Si Kou Yu's eyes flashed with amazement. Although she had advanced to the Xiantian realm, her most powerful magic weapon was still the mid-grade Shuiyue Sword, a sword that was clearly not very effective at the moment.
Though she wanted to, she didn't immediately take it.
"This sword is called the Soul Stealer. It can absorb energy for your own use after fighting the enemy. I think it would be perfect for Senior Sister Yu."
Seeing that Si Kou Yu didn't take it immediately, Ming Qi knew what she was thinking.
"Top-grade spiritual weapons are extremely rare. Why don't you keep it for yourself?"
Si Kou Yu asked.
"Haha, I don't usually use them. My most powerful magic weapon is my fist. Senior Sister Yu, you know that." Ming Qi deliberately laughed, unintentionally recalling that battle.
Indeed, Ming Qi's close-quarters punches at that time were truly a headache.
"Of course I know your fist!"
Si Kou Yu seemed to recall the battle, and without further hesitation, he reached out and took the Soul Stealing Sword.
As soon as he grasped the longsword, he felt a surge of powerful energy flowing from it. It was indeed a top-grade spiritual weapon.
After a long round of pleasantries, Ming Qi had done his best. He clapped his hands and said with a smile, "Since everyone is here, how can we not drink?"
With a flick of his sleeve, a square table appeared, followed by a large pile of wine jugs, followed by more than a dozen wine glasses.
Ming Qi's series of actions startled everyone. It seemed he had come prepared, even bringing along the entire table, including all the wine jugs and glasses.
"Brother Ge, would you like a drink?"
Everyone sat down on the floor. Ming Qi looked at Ge Chuncheng, who still stood there with a somewhat uncertain expression, and said with a smile.
Ge Chuncheng had no desire to drink at this moment. Seeing the group so enthusiastically toasting, he felt his own feelings were unnecessary. He said nothing, simply shook his head, and then turned and walked away without a word.
"Ah, it seems he still holds a grudge."
Ming Qi thought to himself that Ge Chuncheng had followed Meng Junyi and the others out this time, most likely intending to fight Ming Qi, but seeing Ming Qi's series of astonishing actions, he was completely discouraged.
He unleashed precious elixirs and top-grade spiritual weapons. Initially, Ge Chuncheng had been a bit skeptical when Ming Qi claimed he was nearing the Celestial Realm, but after witnessing Ming Qi's subsequent actions, he felt there was no need for him to lie. Furthermore, Ming Qi had made it clear that the sword had no eyes.
Although Ge Chuncheng was eager for revenge, if another arm was lost, he would be completely crippled. So, he had no choice but to leave.
The group drank heartily. Ming Qi didn't mention a word about what had happened in the Biyou Sect. The others, in tacit agreement, also kept silent about the ancient demon, the Blood Demon Harp.
For Ming Qi, this was truly a joyful gathering.
After a gathering, everyone has their own path to follow, and Ming Qi is no exception. He still has much to do. He wants to become stronger and find Meng Ling. He also wants to visit more places. He has friends in the Jiuyou Mo Clan, the Yaoshan Qingfu, and the Tenghua Zifu, all of which he wants to see.
"Junior Brother Ming, what are your plans for the future?"
Meng Junyi suddenly asked during the drinks.
"What are you planning?"
Ming Qi pondered for a moment and said, "I'll just wander the world. Being a free cultivator is a good option."
While major sects offer generous conditions and powerful backing, they're also plagued by infighting and numerous rules that can be frustrating. Right now, Ming Qi is missing his days as a mercenary in Killing Star City.
Practice, get paid, get work done—it's that simple.
"Free cultivator?"
Meng Junyi was a little surprised and said, "Free cultivators have always been a vulnerable group in the world of immortal cultivation. With so little power, it's incredibly difficult for them to survive. Have you ever considered returning to a sect?"
Ming Qi downed a glass of wine and said with a smile, "Now that I'm out, how can I go back? Senior Brother Meng, don't bring this up again. But, no matter where we go, we'll still be friends!"
"Junior Brother Ming, would you consider it..."
Ouna suddenly said from the side.
"Senior Sister Oona, I really enjoy your cooking, but I have my own difficulties."
Ming Qi took a few more swigs of wine, then threw away the blanket and stood up, saying, "I'm so glad you're here today."
"Junior Brother Ming, come back with us."
Qiu Ling also spoke up. Despite all they'd been through, the Ming Qi before them was still their junior brother, and that hadn't changed.
Ming Qi shook his head again, continuing, "Although I'm no longer with the Biyou Sect, I'm still everyone's friend. Although we don't know when we'll meet again after today, if you need my help in the future, please go to Kill Star City and find a mercenary group called the Angels of Vengeance. Once you find them, you'll definitely find me."
"Kill Star City! Immortal Mercenaries!"
Meng Junyi was shocked. While he had expected Ming Qi's journey to be extraordinary, he had never imagined it would be connected to the renowned Immortal Mercenaries of Kill Star City in Xilan Province.
"You became a mercenary?"
Seeing Meng Junyi's surprised expression, Ming Qi chuckled and said, "To be precise, I formed a mercenary group."
...
As the sun set, the group said goodbye at the entrance of the Valley of Despair.
"See you someday!"
"Take care, Junior Brother Ming."
...
...
After saying goodbye, Ming Qi felt a surge of melancholy as he watched the receding shadows of his old friends.
Life is fleeting, and today's friends can be gone in the blink of an eye. Standing in the wind, Ming Qi felt that he had finally accomplished something important. He called Dabai and Dahei and headed out into the night to meet with Wei Silong and Mo Changli.
Tianyuan Town was the meeting place agreed upon by Ming Qi, Mo Changli, and the others.
After traveling all night, Ming Qi finally arrived at Tianyuan Town around midnight. Many shops were still lit, most of them restaurants and teahouses, suggesting a significant number of people passing through on their nighttime journey.
When Ming Qi arrived at the restaurant where he had rested earlier, he saw a tense and tense atmosphere. Several powerful auras emanated from the area, clearly indicating the presence of numerous experts.
Pushing aside the onlookers, Ming Qi quickly approached and immediately spotted the flame emblems on the robes of several of the men.
It was the Lihuo Sect again. Ming Qi was truly struck by how small the world was. How could he have encountered someone from the Lihuo Sect after all this time?
At this moment, a group of Lihuo Sect members were surrounding the drunken Su Yuan, Wei Silong, and Mo Changli.
Ming Qi didn't rush forward immediately, but instead observed everyone around him. He discovered that besides the Lihuo Sect members, there were also a number of people dressed in black. Their identities were unmarked, making it impossible to tell which sect they came from, but the aura emanating from each was quite powerful.
Among these black-clad individuals, a tall, thin figure wearing a black cloak was clearly speaking to himself.
Because his voice was soft, barely moving his lips, Ming Qi could only vaguely make out a few disjointed words: something about a virgin, a medicinal ingredient, a formation, and a puppet.
Taking a quick look at the situation, Ming Qi understood that these black-clad individuals were currently working together with the Lihuo Sect members, and their target was clearly the three surrounded individuals.
Ming Qi had just taken a step forward, about to inquire about what was going on, when he heard the tall, black-robed figure suddenly shout sharply, "Good health, good medicine, these three must be captured!"
The sharp, piercing voice seemed like an order, and the surrounding black-clothed men, along with the members of the Lihuo Sect, all mobilized their energy, apparently ready to take action.
"What's going on?"
Without a word, Ming Qi unleashed a powerful acrobatic technique, weaving through the crowd and arriving in front of the three men.
Su Yuan, still drunk, stared at Ming Qi for a long moment before recognizing him.
The alcoholic woman's clothes were disheveled, revealing a large expanse of white on her chest. Her sleeves were rolled up high, and, most worryingly, she was clutching a wine jug.
"Looking for trouble."
Wei Silong breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ming Qi return, and his response was simple and direct.
"These guys want to capture us to make medicine! Damn it!"
Mo Changli gritted his teeth, his face flushed with anger. It seemed the other party had said a lot of embarrassing things.
Ming Qi's face turned cold. He turned around and glanced at the group of people who were watching him with eager eyes. He said coldly, "You are courting death!"
Since advancing to the fourth level of the Xiantian Instrument Control Realm, Ming Qi had not yet experienced a real battle. He was not afraid at all. Although there were many people before him, there were none above the fifth level of the Xiantian Realm. If a real fight broke out, Ming Qi would have a strong chance of victory.
"This boy no longer has a pure yang body. He is useless. Kill him!"
Completely ignoring Ming Qi's words, the tall, black-robed man seemed to be obsessed with making medicine. He treated everyone who walked before him like medicinal materials, paying no attention to anything else.