Ever since the battle on the Savage Beast Plains ended three years earlier, Xu Ziqing and his senior brother Yun Lie had been invited by Xuan Ze to join him on an expedition to the secret trove. But the trove would not open for another five years. Although five years was hardly a long period for immortal cultivators, Xu Ziqing did not want to travel about again. He wished to spend some time cultivating in earnest.
Neither of them returned to their sect.
Fortuitous opportunities gained during training journeys belonged to the individuals who encountered them, so there was normally no need to report them to the sect. Besides, the emergence of something as momentous as the Tianlan Secret Trove would certainly already be known there.
By established custom, for an event of this significance the sect master would assemble Nascent Soul and higher elders and other elite members into a party representing the sect to seek opportunities within. Disciples of Yun Lie and Xu Ziqing’s generation, who did not yet possess genuine authority, would not ordinarily be included and therefore would receive no summons from the sect master.
Accordingly, the two traveled with Prince Tiancheng Xuan Ze to his residence in the capital of the Great Yan Empire, as guests for an extended stay rather than formally identifying themselves as his retainers.
After their arrival, Xuan Ze indeed received them with exceptional care. Perhaps because Xi Lin had lost to Yun Lie’s sword intent, the sword cultivator respected him even more and offered Yun Lie the courtyard he himself had occupied. Xi Lin then settled into a thatched cottage nearby to cultivate diligently. Every few days he visited Yun Lie to discuss swordsmanship; at times, they even compared sword intent in the courtyard.
Seeing that his senior brother and Xi Lin got along reasonably well, Xu Ziqing settled in a neighboring courtyard to cultivate. After all, he possessed abundant Wood qi, and using his full strength in cultivation would inevitably affect Yun Lie somewhat. A little separation was preferable.
Thus began a period of intermittent seclusion.
After the battle on the Savage Beast Plains, Xu Ziqing had devoted considerable effort to refining Rongjin, and the Qingyun Needle had also changed somewhat. Yet he had not fully digested the combat experience he had gained.
With the emergence of the Tianlan Secret Trove approaching, he felt increasingly pressed for time and knew he had to cultivate even harder.
Fortunately, the results of his efforts were good.
Not only did Xu Ziqing improve his combat techniques, he actually achieved another breakthrough a year later, advancing from early to middle Essence Transformation.
But instead of delighting him, such rapid progress made him uneasy.
Even in the small world, where spiritual qi had been scarce, his cultivation had progressed swiftly. But back then he was only beginning the path of immortality, and his pure single spiritual root combined with Yi Wood qi explained his speed. Since entering the great world, however, he had broken through into Essence Transformation and then advanced again after very little time. That was almost too fast.
Advancing too quickly could have only one result.
An unstable cultivation realm.
Xu Ziqing understood that Rongjin was largely responsible.
Rongjin was his life-bound wood. The more powerful Rongjin became, the more Wood qi it could supply, and the faster Xu Ziqing’s cultivation would increase. Yet he also had to possess greater power to restrain Rongjin.
His present problem was that his cultivation had advanced faster than his foundations. He had not accumulated enough strength or methods. A strong stimulus might cause his realm to fall, or even collapse entirely.
Therefore, during the following two years, Xu Ziqing stopped increasing his cultivation realm. Any Wood qi he absorbed went instead toward refining and strengthening his divine abilities.
The battlefield had apparently given him greater insight into refining the Qingyun Needle.
After deciding to consolidate his cultivation, he finally spent enough time in seclusion to banish the unease brought by his overly rapid advancement.
Xu Ziqing’s most recent seclusion had lasted more than ten days. He had been refining a magical treasure made from divine-tree seeds and rare spiritual materials. Originally it had been only an idea, with a crude preliminary form. Several days earlier, inspiration struck, so he secluded himself to refine it completely.
Now that his work was finished, he emerged from seclusion. But as soon as he stepped into his senior brother’s courtyard, he saw Yun Lie making Miss Ruyan nervous again and could not resist calling out to him.
Upon entering, Xu Ziqing noticed Bi Ruyan’s obvious relief and was secretly amused.
The sight reminded him of events on Little Bamboo Peak in the past. Back then, the eight junior sisters had trembled whenever they encountered their eldest senior brother, and when Xu Ziqing appeared, they reacted just like Bi Ruyan now.
With this memory, his eyes smiled more deeply, and he glanced at Bi Ruyan.
Could it be that Miss Ruyan hasn’t fainted yet because she’s already at Foundation Establishment?
After amusing himself briefly, he shook his head and put the joke aside.
Yun Lie saw Xu Ziqing enter and asked calmly, ‘Have you finished refining it?’
Xu Ziqing nodded with a smile. ‘Yes, Senior Brother. It’s finished.’
Then he seated himself at Yun Lie’s right.
Bi Ruyan hurriedly saluted him. ‘Greetings, Senior Xu.’
Xu Ziqing smiled. ‘No need for ceremony, Miss Ruyan.’
His gentle manner was like a warm spring breeze, putting people instantly at ease. Although Yun Lie was the prince’s honored guest, in Bi Ruyan’s eyes this elegant young man repeatedly came to her rescue. She could not help thinking that if Perfected One Yun learned even a little of Senior Xu’s manner, others would not be so terrified in his presence.
Once Xu Ziqing arrived, Bi Ruyan tactfully withdrew. ‘This maid will take her leave. Please wait a moment, Senior Xu, and I will bring your morning meal.’
Xu Ziqing smiled and waved her away.
Only the two martial brothers remained in the courtyard.
Yun Lie sat upright on the ground without reaching for his spoon.
Seeing this, Xu Ziqing was touched. He smiled and said, ‘Senior Brother, there’s no need to wait for me. If the Golden Liver and Jade Marrow cools, it will not only lose its flavor but also disperse its Metal qi.’
Yun Lie’s temperament had always been like this. He never cared to associate with others, but over the years of their friendship had come to treat Xu Ziqing very differently. It only deepened Xu Ziqing’s affection for him and made his feelings harder to relinquish.
Yun Lie shook his head slightly without answering and reached to replace the bowl’s lid.
Xu Ziqing was quicker. He pressed a hand over his senior brother’s, placed the silver spoon into the bowl, and pushed it toward him. Then he looked at Yun Lie, his lips curved and playfulness gleaming in his eyes. ‘Senior Brother, please eat first.’
Yun Lie was not one to make a fuss. Since Xu Ziqing insisted, he did not refuse, but took the spoon and ate. After only two spoonfuls, he felt an intent gaze upon him and paused. ‘Ziqing, why are you looking at me that way?’
Still smiling, Xu Ziqing rested his chin on one hand and shook his head. ‘Just continue, Senior Brother. Don’t mind me.’
Yun Lie gave him a glance. He found it faintly peculiar, but did not attach much importance to it and continued eating.
Xu Ziqing raised his brows in delight. Watching became more entertaining by the moment, and he grew increasingly absorbed.
He considered his gaze sufficiently full of affection to make his feelings plain, yet his senior brother seemed entirely oblivious. He ought to have felt heartbroken, but for some reason he instead found Yun Lie terribly endearing. Sometimes he wondered what expression Yun Lie would wear if one day he finally discovered Xu Ziqing’s feelings.
Whenever they were alone, Xu Ziqing gazed openly at his senior brother, never troubling to hide it. Yet Yun Lie never noticed and remained perfectly solemn, like a stubborn block of wood that could not awaken or a lump of ice that refused to melt. Xu Ziqing hardly knew whether to be exasperated or amused.
After considering this for a while, he sighed inwardly, his expression turning even more tender.
Well, never mind.
If Yun Lie could not understand or be moved, so be it. Xu Ziqing loved everything about him just as he was. What more was there to say? Fortunately, his senior brother treated him far better than he treated anyone else. Even without receiving romantic affection in return, Xu Ziqing had never truly felt hurt.
Before long, Bi Ruyan returned, bringing another tray for Xu Ziqing’s breakfast.
Unlike Yun Lie, who had reached Golden Core and no longer needed food, Xu Ziqing was only at Essence Transformation. During seclusion he took fasting pills, but at other times the prince’s cooks went to extraordinary lengths to prepare excellent meals for him. His treatment was scarcely inferior to that of the prince’s most favored Golden Core retainers.
Soon the table held several golden bowls and jade dishes filled with exquisite food. The fruits and vegetables brimmed with spiritual qi, while the meat dishes contained only the tenderest cuts. Everything was prepared with exceptional care, far surpassing even the finest fare in ordinary restaurants.
Xu Ziqing lifted his silver chopsticks and smiled at Bi Ruyan. ‘I can serve myself from here, Miss Ruyan. If you have other matters to attend to, please don’t feel obliged to wait on me.’
How could Bi Ruyan fail to recognize this courteous dismissal? She answered at once, ‘I’ll come back later to collect the utensils. Please enjoy your meals. If you need anything, simply instruct the young servant at the gate.’
Xu Ziqing smiled and nodded. Only then did Bi Ruyan bow and depart.
Xu Ziqing picked up some vegetables with his chopsticks, placed them in a small bowl, and pushed it beside his senior brother. ‘Although you no longer need to eat, Senior Brother, these dishes are excellent. There’s no harm in enjoying a little food now and then.’
Yun Lie nodded faintly. Having just finished his Golden Liver and Jade Marrow, he accepted the vegetables as well.
Xu Ziqing asked with a smile, ‘What do you think, Senior Brother?’
‘Not bad,’ Yun Lie said.
Xu Ziqing smiled and offered another dish. Yun Lie ate that as well.
They repeated the exchange several times. Xu Ziqing would ask, ‘What do you think?’ and Yun Lie would reply, ‘Not bad.’ Xu Ziqing offered every dish in turn, and Yun Lie sampled them all.
Only then, feeling more content than ever, did Xu Ziqing raise his chopsticks and eat. He had been in seclusion for so long that his stomach had gone without ordinary food for many days. Even if he felt no hunger, something had been missing. Now, faced with so many exquisite dishes, he ate with genuine enthusiasm.
The smile never left his lips as he ate.
He had always accepted his love for his senior brother openly and could seldom resist showing him affection through small acts of care. Though Yun Lie did not share his romantic feelings, he unknowingly gave Xu Ziqing many responses in return.
Countless people in the world loved someone secretly, but perhaps very few were as fortunate as he was. How could he not feel extraordinarily happy?
Once he finished eating, Xu Ziqing set down his chopsticks and called for someone to clear the table.
But someone else entered alongside the servants.