By the time Gu An stepped out of the Scripture Pavilion, the sun was already high in the sky.

He planned to visit Steward Liu at Green Bamboo Peak. The man had taken good care of him in the past, so now that he was back in the sect, it was only proper to pay a visit.

He summoned his Black Wind Kerchief and infused it with spiritual power. Instantly, it soared into the sky, carrying him toward Green Bamboo Peak.

Gu An was no longer the greenhorn who would arrive late for his shifts. With his Qi Condensation sixth-layer cultivation and the First-Grade Lower-Tier magical artifact, the Black Wind Kerchief, his speed was incomparable. Within moments, he arrived at Green Bamboo Peak.

As for the billowing trails of black smoke he left along the way, which drew the bewildered stares of numerous Qingyuan Sect disciples who thought a Demonic Cultivator had infiltrated the sect-well, he couldn't concern himself with that. He had only managed to obtain this single flying artifact from that scar-eyed brute, and he couldn't very well just let it go to waste.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Gu An noticed Steward Liu staring at him with a peculiar expression.

Feeling a bit bewildered, Gu An asked tentatively, "Steward Liu, what is it? Is there something amiss with me?"

Steward Liu clicked his tongue in amazement. "Look at you, trailing black smoke like that. Which demonic sect have you risen to prominence in?"

That was it. That was exactly the tone.

Hearing Steward Liu's teasing, Gu An let out a breath of relief. This was the Steward Liu he remembered.

Putting away the Black Wind Kerchief, Gu An said with a smile, "Steward Liu, you jest. This thing belonged to a scoundrel from the Beastmaster Sect. I happened to pick it up by chance, so I put it to use."

As he spoke, Gu An retrieved a Jade Spirit Fruit from his Storage Bag and handed it over. "In the past, I always treated you to ordinary wild apricots. This time, I obtained a Jade Spirit Fruit during a mission, so I thought to bring it to you."

Steward Liu was taken aback. He accepted the Jade Spirit Fruit, and a warmth gradually spread across his face. "Not simple! After enduring so many of your sour apricots, I finally get to taste a spirit fruit from you!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two made their way to a stone pavilion and sat down.

Steward Liu brewed a pot of tea. Gu An took a small sip from his cup and praised repeatedly, "Good tea, truly excellent tea!"

Steward Liu curled his lip. "Oh? You actually know how to appreciate tea now?"

Gu An naturally knew nothing of the sort. However, after being mocked by Yun Xiuyan for "chewing peonies like a cow" during their last meeting, he had picked up a few choice phrases to show off.

He grandly declared, "Of course. This tea has a subtle bitterness upon entering the mouth, yet it leaves a sweet aftertaste. The aroma is rich, and the finish lingers long. Even among mortal teas, it must be considered a High Grade."

Steward Liu was completely stunned by the display. It seemed Gu An truly had learned. Truly, after three days apart, one should see a person with new eyes. He felt a sudden, inexplicable twinge of guilt for misjudging the youth, and quickly added, "It is merely wild tea I dried myself, it hardly deserves such high praise. I will pack some for you to take back later."

Gu An had not expected his random boasting to yield an unexpected harvest. He quickly offered his thanks. Although he did not particularly care for tea, it would be useful for entertaining guests.

"No need to be polite. What brings you here today? A youngster of your character never rises early unless there is profit to be made," Steward Liu asked with a smile, his fingers lightly tapping the stone table.

"Haha, can I not simply come to visit you, Steward Liu?"

Gu An laughed heartily, feeling a touch embarrassed that his little calculus had been seen through so easily.

"Save it. You are the type who never steps into the temple without a reason. There must be something on your mind."

Seeing Steward Liu's absolute certainty, Gu An could only smile helplessly. "It is like this. Now that I am back, I intend to look for a spirit beast-rearing assignment. I wanted to ask Zhang Song's grandfather for some guidance, but I could hardly show up at his door empty-handed, could I?"

"Thus, I thought to come buy a few chickens and a couple jars of wine."

When Gu An finished speaking, he noticed Steward Liu staring at him with a look of profound astonishment and confusion.

"Do you not know? The front lines are locked in a brutal struggle with the Beastmaster Sect. Most of the disciples in the mid-to-late stages of Qi Condensation have been dispatched to the Yunyou border. Overnight, the number of people available to take assignments has plummeted."

"I heard that in order to resolve this shortage, the sect intends to lease the various spirit beast farms directly to the disciples. The sect will only collect a fixed rent in Spirit Stones, and whatever profit is made will belong entirely to the individual."

"Those standard assignments are definitely gone. If you go now, you should be inquiring about whether you can lease a Spirit Vein."

Gu An was stunned, and then an overwhelming surge of joy rushed through him. It was excellent that everyone was at the front lines! It was marvelous that no one was taking assignments! Leasing Spirit Veins was perfect! He could lease a larger plot, raise even more spirit beasts, and wouldn't that be absolutely magnificent?

A mouthful of warm tea entered his mouth, and the slight bitterness steadied Gu An's racing thoughts. He cupped his hands to Steward Liu and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Steward Liu. I shall go inquire about it immediately. I wonder if you could spare me two Colorful-Feather Chickens?"

Steward Liu nodded slightly. Sparing two chickens was a trivial matter; he raised plenty of extras every year to buy and sell at his own discretion.

"You need not bother climbing to the peak either. Just a couple of days ago, I bought several jars of Green Bamboo Snake Wine from Old Man He. I can spare two jars for you as well. Just give me ten Spirit Stones as a token gesture."

Gu An expressed his gratitude in haste, but then prodded, "Could Steward Liu perhaps spare me two more jars of the Green Bamboo Snake Wine? Spirit Stones are no issue, I can give you thirty Spirit Stones."

Steward Liu did not mind the request and nodded in agreement. "Very well, we will do as you wish."

Having obtained the spirit wine and the chickens, Gu An was no longer in the mood to chat idly. He excused himself with an apology and hurried away.

...

Gu An returned to Little Thousand Peak and walked toward Zhang Song's small courtyard.

He had made inquiries yesterday. A senior brother who had gone hunting demon beasts with Zhang Song mentioned that he had gone to Qingyuan Immortal City to sell their materials and would return today.

"Tap... tap..."

He lightly rapped the brass ring against the door, producing a dull, heavy sound.

"Who is it?"

A voice bellowed from inside the courtyard, and footsteps hurried toward the entrance.

The wooden door creaked open, and Zhang Song froze. Standing before him was Gu An, holding the Colorful-Feather Chickens in one hand and the spirit wine in the other-a scene identical to three years ago, though the years had left their mark on them both.

"Gu An!!!"

Zhang Song roared with excitement. He closed the distance in a single stride and threw his arms around Gu An in a massive bear hug.

"Song Ge, long time no see!"

Gu An was all smiles. Seeing his childhood friend filled his heart with genuine warmth.

Three years had passed, and both had changed significantly. Gu An had fully filled out, standing tall, straight, and handsome. Meanwhile, a scar now marked Zhang Song's face, giving him a somewhat fierce and hardened appearance.

Yet between the two of them, nothing seemed to have truly changed. They sat together just as before, sharing the same Colorful-Feather Chicken and drinking from the same jar of spirit wine.

"Mmm... Gu An, your bamboo-fragrant chicken dish is truly peerless. I have been craving this exact taste of yours for the past few years."

"Then you are in luck. Now that I am back, I do not intend to leave the sect for several years. We will have plenty of time."

"Hehe! By the way, you were truly unfortunate on your journey to the Yun Kingdom. To think you would run directly into the war between the two sects."

"Indeed. It was only because I was quick-witted that I managed to return alive. Let me tell you, the front lines are heavily conscripting cultivators right now. Even the disciples within the borders of the Yun Kingdom are facing forced conscription."

Both of them wanted nothing to do with the war between the two sects. Zhang Song was merely at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation, and while Gu An appeared to be at the fifth layer, he was actually only at the sixth. If individuals of their strength were sent to the front lines, they would perish without causing so much as a ripple.

Gu An raised his wine bowl and took a deep drink, feeling the spiritual power seep into his limbs. He exhaled a comfortable breath of wine vapor. "Alright, enough about me. Tell me how you have fared over these past three years."

Zhang Song tore off a chicken leg, speaking through a mouthful of meat, "I have been managing fine. I have been hunting demon beasts alongside one of my uncles. He looks after me well, so the danger is never too severe, and I have managed to save up a decent hoard of Spirit Stones."

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