338: Disheartened

"Xu Zhiyi, why did you start eating without calling me?"

The two stayed at Linya Pavilion for a while before getting up to leave.

Outside Linya Pavilion, Zhou Nanfeng asked, pouting in annoyance.

"Ahem~"

Xu Zhiyi didn't dare to reply. After all, she had been talking so enthusiastically that she hadn't noticed him signaling her at all.

However, if he said that, Zhou Nanfeng certainly wouldn't admit it, so he could only close his mouth with a conflicted expression.

"No way. Next time there's food, you have to give me half of your portion."

"..."

The two walked side by side, gradually moving further away. As the setting sun cast its light, their two shadows stretched longer and longer.

It seemed to transcend the constraints of time, revealing what they would look like in the future.

Three years later.

Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Zhou Nanfeng, after breaking through to the Qi Refining First Layer, broke through two more layers in succession.

She now possessed the cultivation of the Qi Refining Third Layer.

She left the crowd of Zhou Family 'Nan' generation Disciples behind.

This included Zhou Nanchu, who had revealed a Seven-Star Wood attribute talent during the subsequent spiritual aptitude test for the 'Nan' generation.

Zhou Nanchu was one year younger than Zhou Nanfeng.

Practicing the Five Elements Primordial Canon, he had yet to break through to the Qi Refining Second Layer.

As for the rest of the Zhou Family 'Nan' generation Disciples, they were all only at the Qi Refining First Layer.

Xu Zhiyi was the same.

Three years passed.

Zhou Nanfeng had grown quite a bit taller again.

Especially after practicing the Wind Spirit Canon, her tall figure was faintly accompanied by a light breeze.

Just by getting close to her, it felt as though a refreshing, spiritual Aura brushed through one's heart.

The dazzling brilliance that Zhou Nanfeng inadvertently displayed began to shine among the Zhou Family Disciples.

It made one peer Disciple after another unable to help but want to approach and follow her.

Looking at Zhou Nanfeng, who still wore her hair in a bun but had become increasingly outstanding, appearing like an elf of the wind.

An indescribable emotion compelled Xu Zhiyi not to approach.

Perhaps only in the future would he understand that this emotion was called feeling inferior.

...

Qingyang Peak.

Where Zhou Xiangxu's Immortal Cave was located.

A Middle-aged Cultivator wearing a Zhou Family dharma robe arrived outside the Immortal Cave.

"Hum~"

Before the Middle-aged Cultivator could speak, the Formation shrouding the Immortal Cave already opened.

A Cultivator who looked to be in his thirties walked out of the Immortal Cave.

"Brother Xiangxu."

"Brother Yuanshan."

"Please, come in."

The two exchanged greetings.

Zhou Xiangxu gestured to the side, inviting him in.

Yielding the way, Chang Yuanshan didn't stand on ceremony, and the two entered the Immortal Cave together.

"Brother Chang, what brings you here for a sudden visit today?"

Zhou Xiangxu poured two cups of spiritual tea and handed one over before asking.

"There is a matter."

"Brother Zhou, you know that when we first met, I obtained an Opportunity, which allowed me to reunite with you here and eventually have the fortune to join the clan."

Chang Yuanshan pondered for a moment.

"Indeed."

Zhou Xiangxu nodded, signaling him to continue.

"The Opportunity I obtained back then was a Second-Stage Legacy Jade Bead."

"It came from a Secret Realm I accidentally entered."

"I would like to invite Brother Zhou to explore it again."

Chang Yuanshan continued.

He had originally intended to wait until after Foundation Establishment to explore it again.

After all, the way he had entered that time was inexplicable, and the way he had come out was also inexplicable, leaving him completely baffled.

Although he had obtained the Opportunity, he still felt lingering fear.

But his cultivation was now stuck in a Bottleneck.

He had no choice but to take a risky path and obtain more Opportunity, so that he would have enough resources to push through the Bottleneck.

Otherwise, he might never have hope of achieving Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.

Because of this, he thought of that matter.

He had already joined the Zhou Family for several years.

Although the Zhou Family was not perfect and had some flaws.

It did not prevent him from considering himself a part of the Zhou Family.

However, he didn't know if he could find that Secret Realm again and re-enter it, so he thought of inviting Zhou Xiangxu to explore it first.

If they could confirm there were gains, then they would report it up.

After these few years of getting along, he naturally understood Zhou Xiangxu's character.

He was also a direct descendant of the Zhou Family, with a broad vision and mind, and would not commit murder for the sake of petty profit.

Only then could they look out for each other.

"Oh?"

Zhou Xiangxu's heart stirred.

However, he did not agree immediately.

Although he had had this thought initially, he was not a reckless person.

"Brother Chang, please tell me the details of your experience back then."

Zhou Xiangxu put down the teacup in his hand, his expression becoming slightly serious.

"Alright."

"That day..."

"..."

Chang Yuanshan recalled for a moment.

And then he narrated it slowly.

There were no omissions.

After a long while.

Chang Yuanshan finished speaking.

"According to Brother Chang's account, you don't know how to enter that Secret Realm."

"If the two of us go, I'm afraid we will return empty-handed."

Zhou Xiangxu pondered.

According to what Chang Yuanshan said, after he inexplicably came out, he wanted to enter again but couldn't find the method or path.

It likely wouldn't be that simple.

"Indeed."

Chang Yuanshan sighed slightly, thinking Zhou Xiangxu was going to refuse.

He really only held the mindset of giving it a try.

"Hehe, if Brother Chang doesn't mind, I will invite one more person to come along, so the chances of success will be much greater."

"Oh?"

"Who is it?"

"It is one of my elder brothers."

"Brother Chang need not worry. I know my elder brother's character better than anyone. Moreover, no matter how great the Opportunity is, it would not be as great as the Opportunity my elder brother once obtained."

Zhou Xiangxu thought of Zhou Xiangyu, who was far away in the Great Buddha Domain.

"Alright, I will follow Brother Zhou's suggestion."

Chang Yuanshan did not hesitate much.

Wherever there are people, there are their own calculations. Even in the Zhou Family, not everyone is trustworthy.

With Zhou Xiangxu's guarantee, even though he hadn't met or dealt with Zhou Xiangyu, it was worth a try.

...

Great Buddha Domain.

Songbai Peak, Kushan Temple.

The newly established Kushan Temple had slowly begun to show traces of time as the years flowed by.

Moss marks the steps green, and the color of grass enters the screen in green.

Patches of moss grew on the walls of Kushan Temple, and vines bearing fruit extended from inside the temple.

Birds perched on the vines, occasionally pecking at a fresh, dripping, bright red fruit.

Inside the temple.

A young monk, looking about twenty years old, was holding a hoe, loosening the soil inside the temple grounds.

Animals were moving about freely in the large courtyard.

At this moment.

Over Songbai Peak.

A huge spirit crane descended from the sky.

Startling a flock of birds.

The young monk who was hoeing the ground quickly put down the hoe in his hand and came to the foot of the huge spirit crane standing on the courtyard wall.

This huge spirit crane was a Thousand-Cloud Spirit Crane unique to the Zhou Family, with each one possessing Mid-stage Qi Refining or even Late Stage cultivation.

They flew extremely fast and over very long distances.

The young monk bowed to the spirit crane.

The spirit crane lowered its head and glanced at him, then lifted its foot, causing a Jade Slip to fall into the monk's hand.

"Crane Patron, please wait a moment."

The monk bowed, then took the Jade Slip in his hand and headed toward the inner courtyard.

Kushan Temple's inner courtyard.

A young and handsome male and female Cultivator were sitting cross-legged facing each other.

Light flowed around them.

"Master, Mistress."

The monk bowed.

"Kong Bai, no need for formalities."

Zhou Xiangyu opened his eyes, and the Aura on his body calmed down.

"Master, this was delivered by the Crane Patron."

The young monk was the former little monk Kong Bai, now the renowned Great Master Kong Bai of Kushan Temple.

Zhou Xiangyu's heart stirred, and the Jade Slip flew up automatically.

Kong Bai retreated, preparing to go and feed the Thousand-Cloud Spirit Crane.

"News from Xiao Xu..."

Zhou Xiangyu scanned with his Divine Sense, and the contents within the Jade Slip were imprinted in his mind.

Afterward, the Jade Slip fell into the hands of Jiang Ningchan, who was sitting opposite him and had also opened her eyes, her temperament gentle.

Jiang Ningchan took it casually.

A moment later.

"Are we leaving?"

Jiang Ningchan asked softly.

"It is time."

Zhou Xiangyu nodded.

Even without Zhou Xiangxu's news, he was already prepared to leave.