"You…" Liu Yebai shook his head with a smile. He had nothing more to say to this old friend.
Yet, was it not precisely because of their mutual respect and admiration that they had become comrades willing to risk life and death together?
"Let's go, into the city," Meng Dajiang said.
They quietly approached the Yu Fang Prefecture city. It was deep night; the gates had long been closed, and guards patrolled the walls. Yet Meng Dajiang and Liu Yebai moved like shadows, turning into blurs. With a light leap, they soared several dozen zhang high—over ten zhang higher than the city walls. A faint black mist surrounded them, making them nearly invisible in the darkness.
Silently, they glided over the city walls from ten zhang above.
"Sir."
"Sir."
On the walls, Wang Qianfan led several subordinates on patrol. The guards all bowed respectfully.
"Hm?" Wang Qianfan frowned, raising his head.
"Sir, what's wrong?" a subordinate asked, puzzled.
"Tell the brothers to be careful. Don't let any monsters sneak in," Wang Qianfan said with a frown. Something felt off, though he couldn't pinpoint it. As a Wulou Stage master who had comprehended Shi, he was the city's primary defense. No ordinary monster could escape his sensing. If the intruder were a Godfiend or Demon King-level existence…
It would be futile for them mortal guards to stop them.
"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied.
Whoosh~~~
Meng Dajiang and Liu Yebai silently entered Yu Fang city.
"The leader of that gate patrol… he's actually a master who has comprehended Shi. If we were careless, he could've detected us," Liu Yebai said with a laugh. "If he had noticed, we couldn't have stayed long here."
"I dragged you into this," Meng Dajiang said.
"Brothers don't speak like that," Liu Yebai replied.
…
A wealthy merchant's mansion within Yu Fang city awaited them. The servants knew two guests had arrived; their master welcomed them warmly.
"All right, you may leave now," Liu Yebai instructed.
"Yes, sir," the merchant obediently replied.
Only Liu Yebai and Meng Dajiang remained in the hall. Meng Dajiang focused on a roasted whole lamb before him, along with a large pile of beef.
Crunch, crunch~ Meng Dajiang's teeth crushed bones effortlessly. Between bites, he occasionally sipped from a gourd of wine.
"Dajiang, seeing you eat like this makes me hungry," Liu Yebai said, pouring himself wine from a jug, leisurely drinking. "At least in Dongning Prefecture, your appetite is unmatched. One roasted lamb, hundreds of jin of beef and pork—you finish it all?"
"Jealous?" Meng Dajiang, slightly plumper now, poured wine into his gourd from a jar. He then produced a small porcelain bottle, dropping three pills into the gourd, letting them dissolve in the wine.
"Regardless, your cultivation method… I'd never heard of it before. Eating to grow stronger—this world truly has wonders," Liu Yebai marveled.
Meng Dajiang continued eating and drinking.
After finishing the feast, he had gained about ten jin.
"This way, my injuries recover faster. Most of the wounds are healed today. Tomorrow, I'll be fully recovered. But after the previous battle, I burned too much flesh and blood. To reach peak form, I'll need another five or six days of proper feeding," Meng Dajiang said.
"Take your time, no rush," Liu Yebai laughed. "Meng Chuan is about to enter Transcendent Stage. By May, there's still enough time."
"Mm," Meng Dajiang nodded.
…
They stayed at the merchant mansion for six days. Liu Yebai managed everything quietly in the background. During these six days, Meng Dajiang ate, drank, and cultivated. By the end, he had gained roughly eighty jin, transforming from a fairly handsome figure into a plump one.
With his strength fully restored, Meng Dajiang and Liu Yebai silently departed Yu Fang city.
"What happened?" The merchant and six servants awoke with a start, feeling as if the past six days were but a dream. Yet try as they might, they could not recall the details.
…
On May 2nd, Meng Dajiang and Liu Yebai returned to Dongning Prefecture.
"Back already," they said, seeing the Mirror Lake Meng Residence, both in high spirits.
Meng Dajiang felt the jade box on his chest. Inside lay an Iceheart Fruit—the reward for all these years of life-risking deeds.
"Master, Sir Liu," the guards at the gate beamed with joy.
"Young master, young lady, the two masters have returned," a servant ran to report.
Meng Dajiang and Liu Yebai entered the mansion. It was noon; Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue were eating lunch and were overjoyed to see their fathers back.
"Father! You're finally back. It's been nearly half a year!" Liu Qiyue ran to hug Liu Yebai tightly, eyes brimming with tears.
"Back," Liu Yebai smiled, stroking his daughter's hair. "Qiyue has grown taller; soon she'll be catching up to me."
"Father," Meng Chuan approached his father.
"I returned from the trip with Lotus Fish Powder," Meng Dajiang said, his plump face beaming as he patted the bag on his back. "Catching the fish, drying it, grinding it… not difficult, just time-consuming."
"Father, Uncle Liu, you haven't eaten yet. Come eat," Meng Chuan said happily.
"Yes, time to eat," Meng Dajiang chuckled.
"When it comes to eating, your father is happiest," Liu Yebai laughed from the side.
"You eat too little, look how thin you are," Meng Dajiang raised an eyebrow and strode into the hall.
…
On the night of May 11th, Meng Chuan completed the Marrow-Washing Stage, fully renewing his body.
On May 12th, Meng Dajiang brought Meng Chuan to the ancestral residence.
Meng Xian'gu was leisurely eating some snacks while flipping through a book.
"Gugu-mother," Meng Chuan greeted.
"Completed Marrow-Washing?" Meng Xian'gu nodded in satisfaction, retrieving a porcelain bottle and handing it to Meng Chuan. "Inside is a drop of Godfiend Jade Marrow Essence. Once you begin cultivating the Godfiend Body, you may consume it. At the latest, it must be taken within three months of starting the Godfiend Body. Beyond three months, the crucial time to form the Godfiend root foundation is lost."
"Yes," Meng Chuan accepted it solemnly. This drop had cost almost the entire Meng family fortune to obtain.
"Have you decided which Godfiend Body to cultivate?" Meng Xian'gu asked. "The choice is critical! Once chosen, it cannot be changed. Even after becoming a Godfiend, you must follow this path."
"For example, if you choose the Flame God Body, when you become a Godfiend, you can only cultivate Flame-type Godfiend Bodies, not switch to another path," she explained.
Meng Chuan nodded, understanding clearly.
Godfiend Bodies cultivated during Transcendent Stage were only basic, granting partial Godfiend power. Only upon truly becoming a Godfiend would the complete body be achieved.
"There are many types of Godfiend Bodies," Meng Xian'gu continued. "Some specialize in extreme defense, virtually 'indestructible.' Some possess extraordinary vitality, able to regrow severed limbs. Some have immense strength, others incredible speed. Some excel in perception and investigation, others can influence a wide area… Each Godfiend Body has its strengths."
"And once chosen, this path is lifelong."
"The sixteen basic Godfiend Body manuals are all in the Meng family," she asked. "You've read them all, right?"
"Read them all," Meng Chuan nodded. The manuals for basic Godfiend Bodies could be cultivated before truly becoming a Godfiend; collecting them was not difficult for a Godfiend family.
"Which Godfiend Body are you preparing to cultivate?" Meng Xian'gu asked.