In the following days, Xia Ming worked even harder. In the Seventeen Caves, Li Dahai was filled with worry. Now that he had reached an agreement with Jiang Liang for a twenty-percent share, his profits had already halved. To make matters worse, there was a formidable competitor in the Thirty-Seven Caves. That stubborn fellow! The output of corpses from his Seventeen Caves had significantly decreased. At this rate, Li Dahai feared he might be trapped in this situation for the rest of his life. Curse the Thirty-Seven and Jiang Liang! Though filled with anger, Li Dahai felt powerless.
…
On the seventy-fifth day of winter, Li Dahai went to Xinghua Mountain to buy wine. Whether he worked or not, his financial status wouldn't change much. Unable to become richer or poorer, he decided to relax and enjoy himself. Xinghua Mountain within the Dahe Sect was a place for disciples to unwind. Although not very high, the mountain boasted complete facilities: a hot spring tea house at the foot, market pavilions halfway up, and a tavern at the peak known for its unique Xinghua brew. At the moment, Li Dahai was drowning his sorrows in the tavern, watching the falling flowers. "A cup of clear wine, a cup of sorrow. When will Dahai's worries end?"
As clouds drifted in the distance and plum blossoms bloomed nearby, the fragrance of wine filled the air. The wine was a three-year-old Xinghua brew, paired with cold stream bass on a jade plate. "A sip of peach blossom brew, a bite of cold stream bass. How can one not be enamored with such worldly pleasures? Everyone speaks of the joy of immortals, yet I alone indulge in worldly sorrows." Drinking the refreshing Xinghua brew, Li Dahai's raging heart gradually calmed. "Cultivation? What's the point of cultivating! I just want to enjoy the world!" Li Dahai knew that without his position at Jieshun Cliff, he would have turned to dust long ago. The path of cultivation is fraught with danger, where a slight misstep could lead to death. The world below the mountain was becoming more chaotic by the year.
…
Suddenly, Li Dahai noticed a familiar figure. The man wore a brown robe, his hair gray and face haggard, with a ferocious scar stretching from his eye to his jaw. As Li Dahai looked on in astonishment, the man sat down across from him. "Brother Li, it's been a long time," the familiar voice said, and Li Dahai realized it was an old friend. After years apart, how had his friend fallen into such a state? "Brother Lin, what happened to you?" Li Dahai sighed deeply, reminiscing about their youthful days entering the Dahe Sect together. Back then, Lin was exceptionally handsome, even among the beautiful youths of Qingdan Peak. Now, he looked like a withered old man, despite being younger than Li Dahai. "The path of cultivation ages one prematurely," Li Dahai thought.
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…
Lin explained that he had been cornered by villains and had sacrificed some of his lifespan, hence his current appearance. But at least he had survived. Without much else to say, Li Dahai poured Lin a cup of wine. At their age, words were unnecessary; everything was in the wine. Despite drinking copiously, the three-year-old Xinghua brew couldn't intoxicate two high-level Qi cultivators. They weren't drinking wine; they were savoring the sweetness and bitterness of the years.
…
Both Lin and Li Dahai were at the ninth level of Qi cultivation, having wasted ten years without progress. Lin constantly sought the path of cultivation, taking risks and undergoing trials to ascend further. Li Dahai, on the other hand, considered retiring, unwilling to spend his prime on the elusive path of cultivation. "To achieve the great Dao, one must compete. Compete against time, against nature. But to what end?" Li Dahai mused as he finished his wine, unconcerned about the worries of the cultivation path.
…
Lin suddenly smiled and revealed he was heading to Heiqiu Forest to pick Ghost Face Flowers, considering their meeting as fate. Hearing "Heiqiu Forest," Li Dahai tensed. The forest was a dangerous place, even for Foundation Building cultivators. "Why would Lin go there?" Li Dahai wondered. Lin explained he had no choice, as his time was running out. Moreover, the reward for this task was a Foundation Establishment Pill—a prize that explained Lin's willingness to risk the perilous journey.
…
After sharing a few more drinks, Lin hinted that Li Dahai might find something of interest at Qingdan Peak, mentioning the name "He Niansheng," a former peak master rumored to have died years ago. Shocked, Li Dahai realized He Niansheng was still alive. Lin then left for his dangerous mission, while Li Dahai, moved by their conversation, decided to visit Qingdan Peak. There, amidst the green mountains and fragrant herbs, he discovered a world of alchemy and potential paths that might not involve the harsh trials of cultivation.