The Southern Border's humid and hot wind brushed the treetops, carrying distant faintjoyful songs remaining from the celebration. Zhao Tiezhu sat alone on a huge cyan stone at the sacred land's edge. His thick arms embraced his knees. His usually honest smiling face was now covered with complex gloom. His gaze cast toward the spiritual-energy-dense cave dwelling direction within the sacred land. His mind repeatedly replayed the sky-shaking Golden Core Thunder Tribulation from a few days prior, and the scene of Xiao Qi bathed in golden Divine Rain like a deity.
Shock, heartfelt shock. As a cultivator, he understood better than anyone what surviving from that Nine Heavens-Authority-like Thunder Tribulation and successfully condensing the Golden Core meant. It was a leap in life itself, a qualitative change in power and status. He was infinitely happy for Xiao Qi. That joy came from the bottom of his heart, as if he himself had achieved a breakthrough.
But beneath this joy, a deeper, sharper emotion, like vines, quietly wound around his heart—the gap, an unprecedented, almost suffocating gap in strength.
Once, outside Qingxu Temple's outer sect, he was still that ordinary-aptitude rogue cultivator struggling to survive by relying on some and luck. As for Xiao Qi, though bearing the label of "small," he could always erupt surprising potential and luck at critical moments. They did missions together, received Third Senior Sister's scolding together, secretly ate Second Senior Brother's weird experimental pills together. At that time, though knowing Xiao Qi was no ordinary person, the gap did not seem so insurmountable. He could still, as an elder brother, pound his chest and claim he would protect this "good-for-nothing" Seventh Junior Brother.
But now?
At the East Sea Dragon Palace banquet, he was an attendant. At the Dao Inquiry Assembly in Tian Shu City, he was a spectator. During secret realm expeditions, he more relied on Xiao Qi's protection. Even when facing demonic cultivators, he often could only serve as a meat shield. The truly decisive power always rested in Xiao Qi's hands. He was like a field mouse desperately chasing a soaring hawk, watching the hawk fly higher and higher, directly into the clouds, while he still struggled in the dirt.
This Southern Border trip, personally witnessing Xiao Qi form the Golden Core—that glorious heavenly might, that communion with heaven and earth, that grand scene of ten thousand creatures offering congratulations, like a heavy hammer, thoroughly awakened him. He realized if he continued like this, he not only would fail to fulfill the promise of "protecting Seven Brother" but might even gradually lose the qualification to stand beside Xiao Qi and fight shoulder to shoulder with him. He would be left far behind, eventually becoming a burden who needed protection, who could only gaze from the rear.
This was not what Zhao Tiezhu wanted!
He fiercely gripped his fist. His knuckles whitened from force. Veins appeared beneath his bronze skin. An unwillingness and stubbornness, like underground fire, burned in his chest. His aptitude might not match Xiao Qi's, his comprehension might be less, but he had a heart that never accepted defeat, had a of breaking bones yet still connected by tendons! Xiao Qi could reach today through his own efforts and fortune. Why couldn't Zhao Tiezhu?
He thought of Goldsand City in the Western Desert, thought of the "Adamantine Subduing Demons Divine Technique" inheritance beneath the headless Buddha statue. That body-refining cultivation art seemed tailor-made for body cultivators like him with ordinary aptitude but willing to put in hard work. The Southern Border was fine, spiritual energy was abundant, but too peaceful. It was not the best place to temper physical body and will. And the Western Desert, that vast, desolate, death-and-opportunity-filled Gobi Desert, that extreme environment, those ancient ruins and powerful demon beasts lurking beneath the yellow sand, those were the true crucible to grind this body of his and force him to break through limits!
He wanted to get stronger! Not relying on Xiao Qi's protection and resource, but relying on his own fists, his own sweat, his own will. On that cruel land, he would hard-heartedly pound out his own Golden Core path!
Determination set, Zhao Tiezhu rose abruptly. The confusion and gloom in his gaze vanished without a trace, replaced by a rock-like firmness. He strode toward Xiao Qi's closed-door meditation cave dwelling and quietly waited outside the restrictions.
Several days later, the cave dwelling's restriction light flickered. Xiao Qi walked out, refreshed and energetic. Seeing Zhao Tiezhu waiting outside, he was slightly surprised, then smiled: "Iron Pillar Brother, why are you here? Waiting for me to exit meditation?"
Zhao Tiezhu looked at the current Xiao Qi, whose aura was internalized yet gave people a profound and unfathomable feeling. His determination in his heart became even stronger. He took a deep breath and said deeply: "Seven Brother, I. am leaving."
The smile on Xiao Qi's face slightly froze: "Leaving? Where to? Back to Qingxu Temple? We could travel together."
"No, not back to Qingxu Temple." Zhao Tiezhu interrupted him, his gaze burning: "I'm going to the Western Desert."
"The Western Desert?" Xiao Qi's brow slightly furrowed, immediately understanding Zhao Tiezhu's intention: "You want to go there for harsh cultivation?"
"Yes!" Zhao Tiezhu nodded heavily, his voice loud and firm: "Seven Brother, you've formed the Golden Core. I'm genuinely happy for you! But I can't always follow behind you, getting by on your light. I'm also a body cultivator. I have my own path to walk! The Western Desert, that place, is harsh enough, dangerous enough, just right for grinding this rough flesh of mine! I just don't believe that with these two fists of mine, I can't smash open that Golden Core door!"
He looked at Xiao Qi, his gaze candid and sincere, carrying a thread of unshakable determination: "I know the path ahead will definitely be difficult, probably nine deaths and one life. But this is my own choice. I don't regret it. Seven Brother, you have your path, the great road to heaven. I'm happy for you, and I hope you go higher and higher. But I also have my path. Even if it's merely a narrow path, I will use my own feet to widen it!"
Xiao Qi listened quietly. Looking at the familiar yet strange stubborn light in Zhao Tiezhu's eyes, he understood. This was not impulse but choice after deep consideration, a man's insistence and dignity on his own path. He knew Zhao Tiezhu well. He knew persuasion was useless, and should not be attempted.
He was silent for a moment, then stepped forward, forcefully patting Zhao Tiezhu's solid shoulder. A thousand words ultimately transformed into one sentence: "Alright! Iron Pillar Brother, I support you!"
He took several jade bottles and several jade slips from his storage magical artifact and stuffed them into Zhao Tiezhu's hands: "These pills will help with your body refining. These jade slips record some Western Desert dangerous location information and survival essentials, plus some of my body-refining insights. Take them. They might be useful."
Zhao Tiezhu did not refuse. He knew these were Xiao Qi's good intentions and also things he genuinely needed at present. He solemnly stored them away and said in a muffled voice: "Seven Brother, thanks! This kindness, I'll remember!"
"Between us brothers, there's no need for thanks." Xiao Qi smiled, the smile warm: "Remember, no matter where you are, Qingxu Temple is always your home, and I am always your Seven Brother. If you encounter life-threatening crisis, crush this messaging jade talisman. No matter the ends of the earth, I will surely arrive!"
He took out another specially made jade talisman and handed it to Zhao Tiezhu.
Zhao Tiezhu took the talisman, tightly gripping it in his palm, nodding heavily: "I understand! Seven Brother, take care too! When I form my Golden Core that day, I'll definitely come find you! Then, us brothers will fight side by side in some grand battle!"
"A promise!" Xiao Qi extended his fist.
"A promise!" Zhao Tiezhu also extended his massive fist, the two fists heavily knocking together.
There was no excessive parting sorrow, only the unspoken trust and agreement between men.
The next morning at dawn, the rising sun. Zhao Tiezhu bore a huge pack on his back, filled with supplies Xiao Qi prepared and his own meager possessions. Toward the west, he strode away. His figure appeared especially tall and straight in the morning light. Each step was solid and powerful, carrying the determination to move forward without hesitation, gradually disappearing into the vast forest and distant mountains.
Xiao Qi stood at the sacred land entrance, watching that figure disappear. His heart was full of emotion. He admired Zhao Tiezhu's choice and felt a thread of. But he knew this was Iron Pillar Brother's own path. He must walk it himself.
"Western Desert. harsh cultivation." Xiao Qi murmured, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes: "Iron Pillar Brother, I believe in you. You'll definitely succeed. I look forward to the day we stand side by side again."
He turned toward the Central Plains direction. It was time to return. Only this time, the return journey had one less honest figure and more a weighty promise.