Gu An followed the mountain path downward. With the wind rustling softly and bamboo shadows swaying, the scenery was far better than at Little Thousand Peak.

Reaching the foot of the mountain, he followed a small trail to a large blue stone.

Looking at the blue-stone courtyard next to it, Gu An knocked on the door and called out, "Senior Brother Huang, I'm here for some wine. Are you in?"

"Coming, coming! Junior Brother Gu, let yourself in!" Huang Xuan's hearty voice rang out from within.

Gu An pushed the door open and walked in, only to see Huang Xuan using a Magical Artifact knife to carve up a massive slab of meat.

The entire slab was a vivid red, occasionally twitching. White fascia ran through the dark red muscle fibers, and the fat was condensed into cloud-like patterns. It was obvious that the meat was incredibly tough; even with a Magical Artifact, Huang Xuan was having a hard time cutting it.

No wonder he didn't have time to open the door!

Seeing Gu An approach, Huang Xuan looked up with a smile. "Late-stage Qi Condensation Green-Hide Water Buffalo meat. It was just shipped back from the Cloudmist Mountains this morning-it's incredibly tough!"

Gu An knew about the Green-Hide Water Buffalo. Its defensive power was formidable, mainly due to its thick hide and dense flesh. Among Qi Condensation Demon Beasts, it was considered one of the tastier types, especially suited for roasting.

Gu An rubbed his hands together and grinned. "Heh, looks like we're in for a treat. I'll go set up a grill."

Huang Xuan did not stop him. It wouldn't be right to just let Gu An stand there and watch; working together on a task was the best way to close the distance between fellow disciples!

Just like the saying about the four great iron-clad bonds in life, drinking wine and eating meat together worked on the exact same principle!

This was a brilliant little trick Huang Xuan had summed up over his many years!

An hour later, Huang Xuan finished carving the Green-Hide Water Buffalo meat into strips and dried off the excess moisture. Seeing the two jars of Green Bamboo Snake Wine that Gu An took out, he chuckled. "Junior Brother Gu, you've spent too much. We agreed that I would be treating you."

Gu An waved his hand dismissively. "What does it matter? Next time, you can provide the wine!"

Hearing this, Huang Xuan burst into laughter. "True enough, true enough! The days ahead are long! We'll just have to visit each other more often!"

The two laid the sliced Green-Hide Water Buffalo meat on the stone slab Gu An had just set up. Without even using oil, Huang Xuan flicked his finger, igniting the dry branches beneath the slab.

Sparks crackled and rose, orange flames continuously licking the stone slab as the temperature gradually increased.

Gu An took out two white jade bowls and slapped open the clay seal on the Green Bamboo Snake Wine. Instantly, a pungent, spicy aroma of wine wafted out.

The pale green wine flowed into the jade bowls, looking like a scoop of clear spring water. Its gentle ripples captivated the mind.

The two clinked their bowls. As soon as the wine entered his mouth, a fire-like burning sensation spread, quickly followed by a crisp bamboo fragrance that washed away the heat in soothing waves. It was quite a unique flavor.

Gu An let out a heavy breath, feeling the burn in his mouth fade. He looked at Huang Xuan and asked, "Senior Brother Huang, you returned later than I did. Have you heard any news from the Yun Kingdom?"

Huang Xuan pondered for a moment. "I do know a bit, but it's all hearsay. I can't guarantee it's true, so Junior Brother Gu, just listen to it for fun!"

"I heard that the conscription at the Spirit Stone mine was directly ordered by Martial Uncle Wang Yang. He wants to breach the Spirit Stone mine in a single stroke."

"Word is that people are dying at the Spirit Stone mine every day. Rogue Cultivators from the Yun Kingdom are conscripted daily, sent charging to the front, and then they die!"

"The Sect also supports Martial Uncle Wang Yang's decision. They took out two Foundation Establishment Pills and many rare spiritual materials for those Rogue Cultivators and small clans to exchange for. They've really invested a heavy price."

"That Flying Cloud Sword of the Yun Clan also went to the Spirit Stone mine. There's word that his days are numbered, and he wants to earn a Foundation Establishment Pill for his clan before the end!"

Gu An suddenly understood. He set down his jade bowl and asked with a grave expression, "No wonder they chose to Invest early-it's because his lifespan is nearing its end! Has the Yun Clan sent any word asking us to do anything?"

"That, they haven't. The situation probably isn't that dire just yet. After all, Senior Sister Yun is still studying under True Person Qingxiao!"

At this point, Huang Xuan lowered his voice and leaned in slightly. "Many Sect disciples went as well, and quite a few died. Even Hou Xuan of the Four Talents of Qingyuan has Perished!"

Gu An's hand paused as he was sprinkling seasoning onto the roasted meat. He looked up in disbelief. "Hou Xuan is dead? Wasn't he at Qi Condensation Perfection? How did he die?"

Huang Xuan sighed heavily with emotion. "How else do you think? He was kicked to death by a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Beastmaster Sect! It enraged Martial Uncle Wang Yang so much that he refined and killed that Foundation Establishment cultivator on the spot!"

Saying that, Huang Xuan took another large gulp of wine. He smacked his lips and said, "A Foundation Establishment Seed like him-why not just wait for the Sect to issue a Foundation Establishment Pill and break through in one go? Why run off to the front lines? I just can't understand it!"

Gu An picked up a piece of sizzling, oil-dripping Green-Hide Water Buffalo meat and, ignoring the heat, stuffed it directly into his mouth.

"Mmm, mmm, delicious... Who knows? Whoever wants to go to that Spirit Stone mine can go. I'm certainly not going!"

Huang Xuan also wolfed down a piece of Green-Hide Water Buffalo meat, his speech somewhat muffled. "I'm not going either!"

After saying this, the two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Gu An picked up the wine jar, refilled both their bowls, and looked at Huang Xuan. "Senior Brother Huang, I heard that once you enter the inner Sect, you can select a new cultivation technique. Do you know how that works?"

"Ah, that. It's not really a secret. Everyone who is promoted to the inner Sect is told about it."

"In our Qingyuan Sect, early and mid-stage Qi Condensation disciples only practice common techniques with no real advantages. But entering the inner Sect means there's a possibility of reaching Foundation Establishment, so switching techniques is a necessity."

"When facing the Three Gates of Foundation Establishment, the purer and more abundant your spiritual power is, the easier it is to pass the spiritual power gate. That's why you need a good technique-to increase your chances of crossing that gate!"

"For example, I chose the Molten Earth Spirit Art. Cultivation speed isn't fast, but the resulting spiritual power is extremely pure. It gives a massive advantage when attempting Foundation Establishment!"

"When the time comes, Junior Brother, you need to keep your eyes peeled. Don't be fooled by those fast-progressing techniques and accidentally sever your future path!"

"So that's how it is!" Gu An took another small sip of wine. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he swallowed and asked, "Right, Senior Brother Huang, now that you're back from the Yun Kingdom, what are your plans next?"

Huang Xuan shook his head. "To tell the truth, your Senior Brother is forty years old this year. This trip to the Yun Kingdom actually allowed me to faintly touch my Bottleneck. I plan to enter Secluded Cultivation for a while and break through to the eighth layer of Qi Condensation."

"Haha, then let me congratulate Senior Brother Huang on his successful breakthrough in advance!"

Gu An raised his jade bowl, clinked it lightly against Huang Xuan's, and downed it in one gulp.

A forty-year-old at the eighth layer of Qi Condensation was quite respectable even within the inner Sect of the Qingyuan Sect. It meant he had twenty years to push for Foundation Establishment-his Potential was considerable!

"Eh, it's still too early to say!"

Huang Xuan spoke with modesty, but his expression carried a clear sense of self-satisfaction.

"Senior Brother, don't be modest. I'm still waiting for you to break through to Foundation Establishment and look out for me!"

"Burp. As for me, I'll be cultivating at Bluewave Pool, not far from the Sect-just two hundred li to the east. Senior Brother Huang, you must come visit me when you have free time! I'll definitely sweep the courtyard to welcome you!"

"Alright, but if you don't have good wine waiting, I won't let you off!"

"There will be no shortage of wine for you."

...

The two drank to their hearts' content. It wasn't until night fell, the moon shining bright and the stars sparse, that they finally said their goodbyes and parted ways.

Gu An summoned his Black Wind Kerchief and swayed unsteadily as he flew back toward Little Thousand Peak.